Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia Review

He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.
Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.

run from him in the harsh light of day.

 

AMAZON LINK: http://amzn.to/1fjWASB

 

My Thoughts:
5/5 Stars

 

This was one of the most beautiful, well written books I have ever read. Each sentence held my interest and every word consumed my heart.    

 

Poughkeepsie is about a young woman (Livia) befriending a homeless man (Blake) and falling head over heels for him. She is engaged to a man who she wants nothing to do with and when he finds out about Blake, he snaps. Together Livia & Blake battle with reality and try to make their relationship work. There is romance, suspense, friendships, and family all tangled into a beautiful work of words.

 

Let's talk about Mr. Green Eyes ...

Blake is straight up weird, but in some sick fucked up way he is HOT! The gentleman manners, his sexy looks, and the way he doted on Livia... had me eating out of his palm. He is probably my favorite book boyfriend ever because he wasn't the biker, billionaire, normal book boyfriend you read about. I also have to admit... the ski mask made me squirm and not in a bad way. There was something so intimate in the way he removed it for her. SWOON!

 

The lesson...

This story is fiction, but it couldn't have felt more real. It left me wanting to befriend a homeless man and it made me want to be a better person.  The Author made it a point to show that it's the little things in life that matter most... like sharing breakfast sandwiches or counting smiles.

 

I really can't recommend this book more!

It will remain on my "Favorites of All Time List" for a longtime.

 

*Please keep in mind this is a darker read with some sexual and violent scenes.*