Review | The Darkest Hour (San Diegan #1) by S.M. Soto --> 4.5 Stars
TITLE: The Darkest Hour
SERIES: San Diegan #1 AUTHOR: S.M. Soto GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: October 17th, 2017
Aliza Anderson’s whole world imploded three years ago, in a devastating accident that took her entire family. Her life is now filled with the lingering pain and tearful memories that continue to haunt her day and night. She’s merely existing. Barely living. Barely breathing. She picks up her semblance of a life and leaves a small town in Pennsylvania that holds nothing but painful memories and the excruciating weight of guilt for her past transgressions. With her pain like a black shadow lulling her into the darkness she finds herself more vulnerable than ever in a new city across the coast. San Diego, California. In one of the most desirable cities in the world, she crossed paths with a man whose intensity frightened her and blue eyes captivated her. The alluring stranger was none other than the handsome, well-known playboy, Chase Roland. He’s irresistibly charming, and intensely domineering. Aliza doesn’t want to feel. She can’t. It’s safer that way. Her already imperfect world is turned upside down when she finds herself drawn to Chase forcing her to reopen old wounds that haven’t properly healed. Through her chink of armor, Chase Roland finds a way into her cold heart, rekindling her ability to open up and love again. Soon enough, Aliza realizes she’s not the only one broken; hiding a past filled with guilt and secrets. As Aliza struggles with her unrecognizable feelings for the womanizing stranger and the suffering darkness she fights to escape on a day to day basis she’s left with a life altering choice: Does she continue living in the past or does she take a leap of faith and leave her dark past behind her? One thing about running from the secrets of your past…they always catch up and find you.
⭐️ 4.5 "Healing Together" Stars ⭐️
I’ve been obsessed with the Chaos Series by S.M. Soto since book one and while I was waiting on the final book to release, I decided to finally take a chance on her previous work. The Darkest Hour, the first novel in the San Diegan Series (interconnected standalones) sounded like a good start. This story was charming, emotional, hopeful and about healing!
"Everyone has baggage, Chase, it's all about finding the right person to share that baggage with."
It took me a few chapters to fully enter the story, but with Soto’s beautiful writing style I was ultimately captivated by Aliza’s arduous journey. This young woman knows heartbreak and grief. She’s still suffering from the aftermath of tragically losing her family three years earlier. Trying to find herself again and a reason to go on, she moves to San Diego.
It’s so poignant seeing her struggle through every single day to let go of the pain. I enjoyed the friendship she develops with Natalia and Samantha, her new co-workers. They truly help to bring her back a little from the darkness. But her biggest supporter through it all is Chase! I loved this hero so much. He also knows more than anyone pain and can relate to Aliza. He’s so sweet with her even if he can come as closed off and harbors secrets of his own. Their chemistry is tangible and the slow burn between them is just flawlessly executed. The healing of these two damaged characters is a splendid and moving process.
"He's slowly brought color back into my dark world. What was once black and white is now filled with a kaleidoscope of colors."
While the tone of the book is serious and touching, there’s also some humor and angst blended together. It makes this story even more riveting. As much as I enjoyed Aliza and Chase’s romance, all read long I was also intrigued by Nat and Sam’s own romantic relationships. I’m more than eager to dive into the next novels in the San Diegan series! Soto really created a charming group of protagonists I can’t let go of. I need more!
THE SAN DIEGAN SERIES
Book #2
Scoring the Quarterback
Book #3
Damaged Heart
S.M. SOTO
S.M. Soto was born and raised in Northern California where she currently resides with her son. Her love for reading began when she was a young girl, and has only continued to grow into adulthood. S.M. lives for reading books in the romance genre and writing novels with relatable characters. She refers to herself as a bit of a romance junkie. S.M. loves to connect with readers and eat copious of donuts that will surely lead to her demise (carbs are life).
