Sybil’s review of Beautiful Girl by Shiloh Walker
Contemporary romance ebook released 29 Jan 08 from Samhain

This is a dark story with a heavy subject matter, which you really can piece together after you read the summary but it is a Romance. But as it says… “Sometimes getting to heaven requires a trip through hell.”

And this one is a rough ride but Del and Blake are great characters. The stories fit together very well and the secondary characters bring a ton to the plot without sequel baiting or taking away from the h/h. I can’t remember the last time an ebook made me cry. This one did, at least twice. Del breaks your heart, right along with Blake’s.

If you have never read Shiloh Walker or if you have found you don’t enjoy her paranormals, really you still need to try her contemps. Well, if violence against children is a book killer for you, read Her Best Friend’s Lover, skip this one.

I will tell you, Beautiful Girl’s hellish parts are mostly told in flashback. But they are still pretty hard to read about. The bad guys are all-over evil and the mom is a touch over the top in parts but really that didn’t bug me at all. Of course, I am a fan.

If you have read it, what did you think?

Grade: A+

Sometimes getting to heaven requires a trip through hell.

Twelve years ago, it looked like Del Prescott had it all. The wealthy family, the car, the looks and charm, and the perfect boyfriend. Then, mysteriously, she disappeared to “study abroad.” Now she’s back, and it’s not merely to attend a high school reunion. She’s here to face her demons—and Blake, the man she has never stopped loving.

Blake Mitchell is a changed man, thanks to surviving twelve long years of difficulties that began after Del dropped out of his life. Now she’s back, and she’s nothing like the polished, stylish world traveler he imagined she’d be. There’s a darkness about her, and a grim expression in her eyes that says she’s prepared for fight or flight.
Blake’s concern for her breaks down the walls Del has built around her heart and she finally begins to heal from the abuse she suffered at the hands of her own family. But the betrayal goes deeper than either of them ever imagined—and it’s about to come back to haunt them.

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language and violence.

Read an excerpt.