Thursday, June 25, 2015

Blog Tour: STOP by Alison G. Bailey



 
Every life has a different path full of sharp turns, smooth curves, and steep drop offs.

Hollis Murphy has a plan—college, career, boyfriend, love, marriage, family. A predictable, normal life.She’s on track until an outside force causes her to crash and burn. They call it an accident, because that’s the only word they know to explain what happens to her. It helps everyone move on with their lives, except for Hollis. She holds on to the belief that she’s been targeted for a reason. 

Risher Stevenson is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the hottest boy Hollis has ever laid eyes on. He fits perfectly into her original plan for a normal life. Everyone loves him.

Benton Daniels is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the bravest boy Hollis has ever met. He doesn’t fit into her life but gives it purpose and makes it extraordinary. Everyone hates him.

One is bullied. One is tormented. All are judged. How will it STOP? 
 
"Wow, just wow, incredible story, 5+++ stars!!!" was my final status update on goodreads after I finished reading this book.  Well apart from the fact that the author is Alison freaking Bailey, the story was so damn good.  Original, unpredictable and kept me glued to my kindle until I was done.
Risher is no stranger to being with a beautiful girl but there is a big difference between the girls that throw themselves at him and girls like Hollis.  Hollis is a forever sort of girl, the girl you hang on to with everything you've got.  If only she saw herself the same way.
Hollis didn't want to go away to college, she was happy to stay home and get her qualifications under the safety of her family home.  Sometimes you have to be your own hero and step outside the comfort zone if things are ever going to change. Risher is the sort of guy you dream of, he is everything she has ever wanted but she always waiting for the bubble to pop, surely he is just too good to be true? Sometimes you can drown yourself in your own thoughts.
Then there is Benton.  He is one of the bravest people that Hollis has ever met.  Hollis has had her fair share of physical and emotional pain but she is in awe of Benton and his determination to live his life the way he intended. Hollis is his only real friend, she believes in him with no judgment of his past.  He hasn't someone like that in his life before and it means everything to him
Two boys, who have both influenced Hollis in her first year at college.  They inspire, encourage and care about her.  One of them will leave her heart broken and the other will make her whole.
I have always had a huge crush on Noah from the Perfect series but I am now torn between him and Risher.  Seriously, Risher is such a beautiful person inside and out.  I loved Benton too, he shared all his vulnerability and fears with Hollis and I love the connection that they built.
So a hugely emotional journey that touches on subjects in a way I have never seen done before and it was a joy to read such a beautifully written story.
I give this 5+++ stars.
 
“Name?” she said, impatiently.
I was so flustered that for a second I’d forgotten who I was. “Hollis Murphy.”
She scribbled something on a spreadsheet and handed me a packet with my name and the number two hundred ten typed out on the front sticker, which I assumed was my room number.
In a flat bored voice, she said, “Everything you need to know is in the packet. Should you have any additional questions or needs after reading the information, please ask your RA. Have a productive semester. Next!” 
Clutching the envelope to my chest, my gaze shifted back down, and I walked quickly out of the office.
As I turned the corner, a loud deep woot! jerked my attention down the hall. I took one step before crashing full force into something solid and warm. Stumbling back, I dropped the envelope. Once my balance returned, my eyes focused on a gray T-shirt with cut off sleeves, stretched across broad shoulders. When I glanced down in search of my envelope, I couldn’t help but spot the narrow hips and round ass covered in black basketball shorts. As I squatted to pick up the envelope, a tanned forearm came into view. My gaze roamed up to find the arm was covered in bulging muscles.
“Oh god, I’m so . . . sorry,” I stammered, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.
“Here ya go,” a deep voice said. 
Reaching for the envelope, my gaze inadvertently shot up to the warmest green eyes ever created. His dark brown hair was cut short on the sides, longer on top, and tousled. The perfect amount of scuff peppered his strong jawline, with deep dimples framing a sexy lopsided smile. The air was immediately sucked from my lungs. He wasn’t just hot, he was boy band hot.
A deep chuckle drifted down before I realized he had stood up and was extending his hand to me. 
Oh boy! I get to touch him. 
I slipped my hand into his and felt an immediate jolt of electricity. The muscles in his arm twitched. He felt it too.
“Thank you,” I said, as he helped me up.
“I’m Risher Stevenson.”
He was actually introducing himself to me.
It had become a habit not to look directly at anyone, especially a stranger. I automatically angled my head down and to the left, to hide the messed-up side of my face. But those green eyes locked me in place.  
“Hollis Murphy.”
“Nice to meet you Hollis Murphy.”
“Sorry again about running into you. I need to do a better job at watching where I’m going.”
The tip of his tongue slipped between his lips before they formed into a slight smirk. Just as he was about to speak, his name came barreling down the hallway.
Rish! Get your ass down here. We’ve got a ton of boxes to haul in.” A blond-haired guy was standing at the end of the hall.
“I gotta go finish helping my friends move in.”
I nodded.
Risher took three steps before turning back toward me. “Don’t do too good of a job.”
My eyebrows squished together in confusion.
“At watching where you’re going. I hate to think I won’t get rump bumped again.” 
He winked before jogging away. 
Sasquatched those shoulders, those hips, and that ass all the way down the hall.  
 
 
 
 
Alison was born and raised in Charleston, SC. She attended Winthrop University and graduated with a major in Theater. While at school Alison began writing one-act plays, which she later produced. Her debut novel, Present Perfect, landed on Amazon's Best Seller List and appeared on many "Best Reads of 2013" Book Blogs. The novel won Best Book at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention Awards. Her second novel, Past Imperfect, was published in February of 2014 and appeared on several best books of 2014 lists as well. Presently Perfect, the third and final book in The “Perfect” series was released in Dec 2014 to rave reviews. In March 2015 all the love, swoon, heat, and angst were combined into the Perfect Series Box Set.
 
 

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