Launch Day Blitz : Nova and Quinton: No Regrets (Nova, #3) by Jessica Sorensen

Nova and Quinton: No Regrets

Nova, #3
by Jessica Sorensen

Release Date:
April 7th, 2015 (Print)

Publisher:
Forever Romance

Source:
Publisher via NetGalley

eARC received in exchange of honest review

Synopsis:

Today is the first day of Quinton Carter's new life. The toxic guilt of his past left him in pieces-but one girl unexpectedly put him back together. Thanks to Nova Reed, Quinton can finally see the world with clear eyes. She's the reason his heart is still kicking behind the jagged scar on his chest. And he would love to have her in his arms every minute of the day . . . but he's not ready yet. 

Playing drums in a band and living with her best friends are just some of the highlights of Nova's life. But the best new development? Talking to Quinton on the phone each night. She wishes she could touch him, kiss him, though she knows he needs time to heal. Yet shocking news is on the way-a reminder of life's dark side-and Nova will need Quinton like he once needed her. Is he strong enough to take the final leap out of his broken past . . . and into Nova's heart?

Nova Series on Goodreads

Lindy and Ria's Review of 
Saving Quinton HERE

Lindy and Ria's Review 
of Nova and Quinton: No Regrets HERE

Purchase links for the Nova Series:
Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Review:

When I started reading the Nova series a couple of days ago, I had no idea that it would be such a heartbreaking reading journey. It was hard to catch my breath sometimes. My heart was broken for everything that Nova and Quinton had to go through. 

If you have not read the two previous books of this series, you might find some spoilers in this review. I highly suggest that you read Breaking Nova and Saving Quinton before you read this installment. This book picks up exactly where book two left off. Quinton is finally able to go home. He's been in rehab for his drug addiction and he now has to face the real world. One day at a time. His road to recovery is far from easy, but he's found the determination and courage to overcome some of the hardest obstacles that life has thrown his way. One thing that does not change and is still very present in his life his Nova's support. She has been a light in his life when the darkness was too much to handle. Every moment that they shared together is like a soothing balm to his soul.

Being far away from Quinton is not easy. Nova knows that his recovery will take time, but she wants to be close to the man that has stolen her heart and her every thought. She's back in school and his living with her best friend Lea, and Quinton's cousin, Tristan. As days go by, Nova and Quinton start to reconnect again. Their daily phone conversations and texts bring them closer, but Quinton still has to fight the demons of his past every single day. Will he be able to let go of the past and give his heart to the person that made him feel alive again?

Like I mentioned before, this was a heartbreaking journey. It was hard to see them go through such tragic events at their young age. Life has not been easy for them. I am so proud of the way they have both grown. Even if they are apart from each other for most of the book their connection to each other grew stronger and I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. My heart was beating fast and I was crossing my fingers that the past was in the past and that they could both start a new life together. 

The supporting cast of characters in this book was amazing! Wilson, Lea and Tristan were there for Nova and Quinton when they needed them the most. I loved how Wilson shared his story with Quinton. He made him see that life goes on and that you he had to let go of the guilt he was feeling. Nova had some stuff to deal with as well. She learned that she can't fix everything in life. Sometimes people make decisions that she might not understand, but that is their choice and there is nothing she could do or say that would change those decisions. 

This was a learning and healing journey for Nova and Quinton. Fighting against the darkness is never easy. It has a way to drag you down deeper if you even let go of the light for a split second. This was an emotional story to read and I learned a lot from both of these characters. It's not an easy story to read, but I am so glad that I gave this series a chance. Jessica Sorensen writing style is captivating. She made me feel all kinds of emotions while reading about Nova and Quinton. 

Rating:

I give, Nova and Quinton: No Regrets, by Jessica Sorensen, 4 powerful, emotional, hopeful, healing stars!

Excerpt:
Prologue 
 Nova 
 December 28, the day of the funeral 

 It’s a strange feeling, getting ready to watch someone get put under the ground into their final resting place. I’ve been to enough funerals to know that my senses always become hyper-aware of everything going on around me: the touch of the wind seems stronger, the sun a little more blinding, the smell of the leaves, grass, and fresh dirt overpowering. It’s like my mind is reaching out and trying to grasp each aspect of the moment, when part of me wants nothing more than to forget. 

I’m actually at the church earlier than I’m supposed to be and I don’t even know why, other than that sitting home for a second longer just didn’t seem possible. So I left the house without telling anyone and got in my cherry-red Chevy Nova, the car my dad left to me when he died, and drove it to the church where my dad’s and Landon’s funeral took place. And in just a bit, I’ll say good-bye to another person I once knew and will never see again. 

Now that I’m here, staring at the brick building with a white tower pointing to the sky, I’m not sure what I should do. I’m three hours early to a funeral, which might say a lot about me. A lot of people would likely show up late, wanting to avoid death for as long as possible, but I’ve become so familiar with it it’s unsettling. 

After sitting in the car for about ten minutes, watching snowflakes fall from the sky and frost the grass and the windshield, I decide to take video instead. I didn’t bring the fancy camera my mom gave me, but the one on my phone works and honestly I use that one a lot more because it’s handy for sporadic recording, which seems to be my specialty. 

I blow out a deep breath as I sit back in the seat, aim the camera at myself, and hit record. I have the screen flipped to me and my image immediately pops up. I look tired. The bags under my eyes are pretty obvious, even though I’ve tried to cover them up with makeup, and my brown hair wasn’t being cooperative so I ended up pulling it up into a ponytail. I’m wearing a black dress and earrings and the contrast with my fair skin makes me look pallid. 

“It’s amazing how everything can seem so perfect one moment and then suddenly it’s not. How quickly perfection can evaporate… how rare it is.” I pause, gathering my thoughts. “I’ve seen a lot of death. More than the normal person, probably. I watched my father’s life vanish in front of me within minutes. Found my boyfriend’s body right after he took his own life. Too early. Too suddenly. Both of them. I never had time to prepare myself and I thought it was the worst feeling in the world. I always wondered how different it would be, if it ever happened again. If maybe the third or fourth time around, I wouldn’t hurt so badly. If it’d be easier letting someone go now that I’ve had so much practice.” I tuck a fallen strand of my bangs behind my ear and swallow the lump in my throat. “And maybe it has gotten easier… but it still hurts. I still shed tears… it’s still agonizing… painful…” I trail off as a few tears slip from my eyes and roll down my cheeks. “Even now, just thinking about some of the stuff I saw… I should have stopped it… should have done things differently…” I trail off, staring at the window. “But I didn’t… and now they’re gone forever.”

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About the Author

Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

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Launch Day Blitz & Review: Saving Quinton (Nova #2) by Jessica Sorensen

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Saving Quinton
Nova #2
By:  Jessica Sorensen
Release Date: Feb 4, 2014
By: Forever Romance
Mature Content:  18 & Up

GR's Summary:

Nova Reed can't forget him-Quinton Carter, the boy with the honey-brown eyes who made her realize she deserved more than an empty life. His pain was so similar to her own. But Nova has been coming to terms with her past and healing, while Quinton is out there somewhere, sinking deeper. She's determined to find him and help him . . . before it's too late.

Nova has haunted his dreams for nearly a year-but Quinton never thought a sweet, kind person like her would care enough about a person like him. To Quinton, a dark, dangerous life is exactly what he deserves. And Nova has no place in it. But Nova has followed him to Las Vegas, and now he must do whatever it takes to keep her away, to maintain his self-imposed punishment for the unforgivable things he's done. But there's one flaw in his plan: Nova isn't going anywhere . . .

 Nova Series:

*Read My Review on Breaking Nova HERE

My Thoughts:

I have read many Stories by Jessica Sorensen.  I have learned that her prose flow beautifully, her characters are complex and multilayered, and the plots in her stories often deal with dark, realistic, and heartbreaking topics.  Her stories always take me to a dark place.  They have a way of pulling me in and completely hooking me.  The Nova Series, is by far the darkest of all of her stories.  It deals with the harsh realities, ugliness, and consequences of drug addiction.

In Saving Quinton, we get both Nova and Quinton's dual perspectives.  Nova has  been working on her recovery, and is in a place where she knows that she wants to heal, and live a happy life.  She no longer drinks or does drugs, and she has finally dealt with her deceased boyfriend, Landon's, suicide.  Nova is doing well in college, and works for a suicide hotline.  She has gotten even closer to her mother, and has befriended, Lea, a young woman who she met at support group for people who have lost loved one's to suicide.  Lea is a great friend and room mate.  Nova can't stop thinking and worrying about Quinton.  He changed her life last summer, and they had a strong connection with one another.  Nova, with the help of Lea searches for Quinton.  She is determined to find him and save him from his drug addiction.  She feels like she failed Landon and is determined that this time she is determined to succeed in saving Quinton.  However, when she finds Quinton, she realizes that saving him is going to be the challenge of a lifetime.

Quinton is in a very dark place in his life.  He is a drug addict living with other hardcore addicts, and dealing drugs, so he can get the money for his much needed fix.  Quinton wants to die.  The guilt of his deceased girlfriend, Lexi, and cousin, Ryder, consumes him.  He loathes himself, and often wishes that death would just take him.  It doesn't help that he lives with his cousin Tristan, a drug supplier, Dylan, and Dylan's addict girlfriend, Delilah, who are all addicted to Heroin.  Quinton's drug of choice is crystal meth.  He refuses to use Heroin, because he's not a fan of needles.  Quinton's days blend one in to another, he's never hungry, sleeps with countless women, and only cares about where his next fix is coming from.  When he is coherent (for very short intervals,) all he thinks about is how he's responsible for Lexi and Ryder's deaths, and Nova, the girl he connected with last summer.  He still has strong feelings for her, but knows that she is too good for him, and deserves better than him.

When Nova ends up tracking Quinton down, she is shocked to see the filthy, drug infested apartment that he lives in, as well as what a horrible state he is in.  Quinton is shocked to see her.  He is happy to see her, but at the same time, knows that he must push her away, because he doesn't want her getting involved in his situation.  He wants her to be safe and happy, and has no inclination to get clean.  However, Nova is determined, and she does not plan on leaving Las Vegas or giving up on Quinton until she helps him.  Along the way, there will be heartbreak, danger, breakdowns, and Nova fears that the emotional tole in saving Quinton, might end up breaking her.

Saving Quinton was an excellent sequel in the Nova series.  It was dark, gritty, intense, and full of suspense, and plot twists.  This story was very fast paced.  It was difficult to read at times, because it was heavy on my heart.  Ms. Sorensen did an excellent job of depicting the harsh realities, dangers, and ugliness that exists in the life of a drug addict.  I could visualize everything, and could feel the inner pain, guilt, and struggle of Quinton.  I could also feel the determination, love, loyalty, and perseverance emanating from Nova.  The ending was a to be continued, but it left me with a lot of hope.  Things haven't been resolved yet, but at least I see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.  Ms. Sorensen did an excellent job in developing the main characters; Quinton, and Nova, and making me care about them.  The plot completely hooked me from the very beginning, to the very end, ands I am so excited and hopeful for the last installment, Nova and Quinton: No Regrets, which comes out April 15, 2014! 

My Rating:

I give Saving Quinton, by Jessica Sorenson, 4 Dark, Devastating, Gritty, and Addictive Stars!  Be prepared for a very heavy and emotional sequel when you pick this story up.  It is a real eye opener, and for someone that is ignorant when it comes to drugs, I feel a lot more educated and well informed.  For a realistic story about drug addiction, hope, and the healing power of love, read the Nova Series!  You will never forget it!

My Favorite Quote:

"Addiction is the fu**ing devil--I swear to God it is.  Whether it's drugs or obsessive counting, something I still suffer from occasionally.  It can be something so comforting, peaceful, serene.  It can make you feel so in control, but it's just a mask, plain and simple, and what's behind the mask--what we're trying to hide--is still growing, feeding off the addiction--"  (eARC, Loc. 154)

~Nova

Excerpt:

I suddenly realize that I’m in my room. Awake. And Nova’s here. With me. My thoughts start racing as I try to recollect what happened. I was planning on those guys beating me to death. Why didn’t that happen? Because it was too easy? Do I deserve not to be let off so easy—do I deserve worse than death? But if that’s true then why’s Nova here?

“What are you doing here?” It’s painful to talk, but I force the words to leave my mouth. “Or am I dreaming?”

She repositions her hand on my cheek, but doesn’t pull away, the startled look in her eyes diminishing. “You’re not dreaming…you were unconscious but…are you okay?” She seems nervous and it reminds me of how innocent and good she is, and how she shouldn’t be here in the crack house that I call home.

“Why are you here?” I ask, my voice feeble as I try to sit up, but my arms aren’t working and I fall right back down on the mattress.

“I came here to see you,” she replies, absent-mindedly touching her lips, and I wonder if I really kissed her or if I was imagining it.

She stares at me with her fingers on her lips and it’s uncomfortable because she’s really looking at me. I’ve been so used to people looking through me, as if I were a ghost, seeing the drugs, the person that I am now, the worthlessness all over me, instead of who I used to be. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be really looked at and for a split second I enjoy it. Then she looks away and I feel like I’m dying, my brain registering the pain in my legs, arms, chest—everywhere. And I’m crashing. Badly. My hands start to shake, my heart rate picking up as soon as I realize this.

“Go put some ice in a plastic bag,” she says, snapping her fingers at someone.

I hear a mutter and then Tristan steps into my view. He glances down at me and the haziness in his eyes lets me know he’s high on something, but I’m glad he’s at least here and it doesn’t look like he’s been beaten up. “Dude, you look like shit,” he tells me with a dopey-ass grin.

“I feel like shit,” I mutter, managing to get my hand up to my face to rub my eyes. “You look like you got away.”

“I did, and you should have run with me, you dumbass…I thought you were for a while until I realized I was alone.” Tristan chuckles under his breath. “Wait until you see yourself in a mirror.”

His amusement seems to piss Nova off and she gets to her feet, tugging the bottoms of her shorts down, fury burning in her eyes. “Go get a fucking bag to put the ice in,” she says, not yelling, but her tone is cold, abrupt, harsh, and she sort of shoves him. This isn’t the Nova I remember at all and she kind of scares me.

She seems to scare Tristan, too, who surrenders with his hands in front of him and backs toward the doorway. “Fine. Jesus, Nova. You don’t have to get crazy about it.”

“You haven’t even begun to see me get crazy,” she snaps, pointing at the door. “Now go get a damn bag.”

After Tristan leaves, she turns to the doorway and says, “What am I going to do?”

I can’t see who she’s talking to and it makes me wonder who the hell is in here. Delilah? I doubt it, since I don’t think she’d be asking Delilah that question.

“I don’t know,” someone replies. I still can’t see who it is, but I can tell the voice belongs to a female and I hate how excited I get over the fact that Nova’s not here with a guy. 

Suddenly a girl with black hair and big blue eyes steps in. “He looks…” She assesses me, then looks at Nova. “He looks like he needs to go to a hospital.”

“No hospitals,” I croak. “I don’t have the cash to pay for that.” And I don’t deserve to heal so easily. I should suffer for getting up and running away from my death.

Nova stares down at me with reluctance. “Quinton, I really think you need to go to a hospital.” She kneels back down on the mattress, sweeping her long brown hair to the side as she leans over me. Her fingers gently enfold my wrist and, moving slowly, she bends my arm so I can get a good view of my hand. It’s twice the size it normally is and my skin is purple and blue. Even where her fingers are, the skin is swollen and raw, and it seems like her touch should hurt, but all I can feel is heat—her heat. God, I’ve missed her heat. I’ve spent the last year wrapped up in coldness, feeling the numbness of drugs and sex with random women and now she’s here and I feel like I’m burning up.

“It’s just a bruise,” I say, not looking at my hand, but at her. I want to hold her, hug her, kiss her, touch her, but I also want her to go away. Stay. Leave. Right. Wrong. Lexi. Nova. Guilt.

Guilt.

Guilt.

Guilt.

It was all your fault.

Book Teasers:

Courtesy of Ms. Sorensen's Facebook Page

Purchase At:

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About Jessica Sorenson:

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives with her husband and three kids. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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