I didn’t like the conclusions. I feel really bad for the h. First I hated her with her pushy behavior but then I felt pity for her. No character is likable. I had expectations but got disappointment. We were two lonely people who relied on each other. We’d never been brainwashed enough to believe that the world wasn’t a horrible place. We’d been disenchanted with the beauty of life since the day we’d met. But we had each other. That was the one constant we needed for happiness."

Aly Martinez Books in Order (Complete Series List) Aly Martinez Books in Order (Complete Series List)

The plot is good. H and h are best friends since childhood and then in love but something happens which ends up with the H going to prison. He killed a guy who assaulted her. She waited for him for 12 years feeling guilty. But after coming out he doesn’t want to do anything with her. Infact he told her to move on and that he doesn’t love her when he was in the prison.Overall, this novel was not just another amazing story by this author, but a powerful portrayal of a couple who came out on the other side after years of painful and tumultous heartbreak. Ramsey and Thea found a safe haven in one another throughout their whole lives and Martinez portrayed that beautifully. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula ❤ Thea and Ramsay are two of the most resilient people I've read about in a while - they have that survivor's gene that just won't let them give up, no matter how dire the situation looks. But I guess, when you know you're fighting for your soul mate there is no such thing as giving up. Thea and Ramsay were meant to be but until they were allowed to have their happily ever after my heart took quite a beating. But that's Aly Martinez for you - she makes you hurt and earn those happy moments. She makes sure that you deserve that happy ending when you get there. That's how long Nora and Ramsey lie to Thea: Nora killed the rapist; Ramsey took the fall and gave up his life for her

Release - Aly Martinez - Google Books

AHHH!! Release was a second chance love story of the ages!!! Aly Martinez rips your heart out, drowns you in angst and slowly mends all your wounds with heartfelt lifelong promises and swoony moments. I LOVED release as it was raw, gritty, poignant and so gripping. I was consumed with every word and could not stop reading! This was a marvelous story coupled with Martinez's masterful and incomparable talent! I was spellbound! As for safety, neither of them sleeps with another person. She waits for him for so many years and when he comes out of prison, he doesn't sleep with anyone else although he pushes her away all the time. With a slow burn and some angsty moments, Release is a second chance romance that would appeal to those looking for a touching story dealing with real life painful issues.

That said, being that some of my top favorite 5-star reads - PERIOD - are by Aly Martinez...I kind of feel bad for her when I rate her newer books. Because I am basically taking anything new she puts out, holding it up alongside those older favorites and asking myself, "Self, do I like new thing as much as my old thing?" The chapters began with how they met and their friendship began and then how he went to the prison.

Release: A Standalone Friends-to-Lovers Romance (The Release

He became her everything, until he was gone. Twelve years, eight months, three weeks, four days and thirty-seven minutes. That was how long he'd been gone.Sadly, it was a huge disappointment. Normally, I like Ms. Martinez’s books, they make me feel, but this one didn’t. And what a massive stinking lie. She didn't deserve this conniving duo in her life because no matter how we try to explain it away, they deliberately led her to believe that she was the reason he was in prison. No matter how you spin it, Nora fed off her pain because she felt guilty and to assuage her guilt, she encouraged Thea's unhealthy fixation with Ramsey Ramsay was perfect for Thea. He hid his awful family life and abandonment issues behind a perma-smile, took care of everyone and everything who needed him. And he paid for it. The weeks following his release from prison, his adjustment to life outside his cell was heartbreaking to watch but the author managed to infuse some humor (cue Siri) that lightened the mood and helped to handle the emotional roller coaster. And this is what Aly excels at - her stories are perfectly balanced and never drift into the trap of too much angst.