First of all, I have to start with the obligatory disclaimer that I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read by Krista & Becca Ritchie. So it should come as no surprise that I adored Amour Amour as well. I also should mention that I’m a little shallow when it comes to the books I pick out of the to-be-read pile, and I only picked this one because of the beautiful cover.
Now that that’s out of the way, on to the review.
Thora James has one goal: to perform for Aerial Ethereal, a Las Vegas-based circus. When she learns that their new production, Amour, needs a new performer on the aerial silks, she hops on the first plane out of Ohio, leaving behind the comfort and safety of her school, friends, and family. Thora takes a lot of criticism from her friends and family, all of whom think that she’s making a huge mistake. She’s told time and time again that she should stick to what she knows, she should finish her schooling first, she shouldn’t waste her time and money auditioning for a role she’s never going to get.
Thora auditions. She does great. But she doesn’t get the part. She’s then stuck with a huge decision – does she stay in Vegas to train with Amour’s lead acrobat in hopes of making it in next year’s auditions, or does she suck it up, say she tried, and go back home?
There wouldn’t be much of a story if she went back home, would there?
I really enjoyed this story. All around. The plot, the characters, the character development. Everything. And sure, Thora’s great. She’s believable, relatable, and easy to root for. But the Kotovas really stole the show for me.
Nikolai is an awesome hero. He’s such a good guy, and so, so focused on doing what’s best for everybody else. He loves Thora, but he would rather have her succeed away from him than miss out on her dreams with him. He also acts as the patriarch of his enormous extended family, keeping the younger kids out of trouble and keeping everybody else on track.
One of the best things about the books by Krista & Becca Ritchie is that all the characters are really well thought out. Not just the hero and heroine, but all the side characters as well. Everybody has their own story, and everybody contributes to the plot. I cared about everybody, from Camila, the bartender who let Thora sleep on her couch until she got on her feet, to Timo, Nikolai’s wild and carefree younger brother.
This book is just really, really great and I would highly recommend it for any fans of the new adult genre. It’s a perfect example of what new adult should be – discovering your true self, following your dreams, and falling in love.
Final rating: ★★★★☆
The Bibliophagist 