**Release Day Blitz, Review & Giveaway ~ What's Left of Us ~ Amanda Maxlyn**

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Amanda Maxlyn's What's Left of Us. My stop includes all the details on the book, my review, and a giveaway!

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What's Left of Us

Release Date: November 14, 2014

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

Rating: 4 Bookworms

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The heartwarming conclusion to What's Left of Me.

Love found me three years ago.

I’m cancer free, happily married to the love of my life, and working toward my dream career.

Our life is complete. Perfect, really.

Or is it?

I’ve always wanted a family of my own, but never dreamed I could have one. Now Parker’s ready to make my dream our reality.

But sometimes our dreams are haunted by our deepest fears. Fears of failure, having a child, and in our case … death. How do I help the person I love get over his fear when I’m still trying to overcome that same fear myself?

Together we must learn What’s Left of Us.

Purchase Links for What's Left of Me

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What's Left of Us picks up three years after What's Left of Me, and chronicles Aundrea and Parker's journey to having a child. I enjoyed spending time with them, and their friends, again.I also liked that some of this story is from Parker's POV. But while there were some emotionally profound moments, I don't think What's Left of Us carried quite the emotional punch that its predecessor did.

We are right there with Aundrea and Parker when they celebrate elatedly certain events - and I swooned over Parer's thoughtfulness and romantic gestures towards his wife. We were also partner with them as they suffered loss and paralyzing fear over things out of their control. Ms. Maxlyn is quite skilled in imparted the physical and emotional turmoil felt when dealing with heavy subjects, such as illness and death, as well as birth and love. The words - the advice she offers as her characters cope are profound.

Getting Parker's POV in this book was exciting. I wanted to know his thoughts and feelings about Aundrea and her cancer/health issues and concerns. I can only imagine the impact these things would have on a man so passionately n love. For the most part, I liked this perspective. Understanding his desire to provide Aundrea with the life she didn't think she'd get and his fears of failing her or losing here made him so real. There was also a lot of "I want my wife" and while I enjoyed their steamy interludes, I felt like it was unnecessary at points.

In trying to have a baby, we see Aundrea isn't past her fears of dying and leaving her loved ones behind. A friend and fellow cancer patient gave her some sound advice though:

"Your past doesn't determine who you are. Don't let it. You need to have faith. Getting over a fear doesn't happen overnight, but accepting it will get you a lot closer to being over it."  -Amy, eARC Loc 1587

This proves helpful not only for Aundrea, but for Parker, too. And I think everyone would do well to heed it. We don't control things the way we'd like to be able to and life it too short to spend it focused on fear or the past - to let them control your present and future.

What's Left of Us was a heartwarming conclusion to Aundrea and Parker's story. Although it wasn't quite the kick in the gut What's Left of Me provided, I marveled at the resilience and strength of the human spirit as shown through these characters.

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I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.

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