Every life has a different path full of sharp turns, smooth curves, and steep drop offs.
Hollis Murphy has a plan—college, career, boyfriend, love, marriage, family. A predictable, normal life. She’s on track until an outside force causes her to crash and burn. They call it an accident, because that’s the only word they know to explain what happens to her. It helps everyone move on with their lives, except for Hollis. She holds on to the belief that she’s been targeted for a reason.
Risher Stevenson is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the hottest boy Hollis has ever laid eyes on. He fits perfectly into her original plan for a normal life. Everyone loves him.
Benton Daniels is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the bravest boy Hollis has ever met. He doesn’t fit into her life but gives it purpose and makes it extraordinary. Everyone hates him.
One is bullied. One is tormented. All are judged. How will it STOP?
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24847312-stop?from_search=true&search_version=service_impr
“Name?” she said, impatiently.
I was so flustered that for a second I’d forgotten who I was. “Hollis Murphy.”
She scribbled something on a spreadsheet and handed me a packet with my name and the number two hundred ten typed out on the front sticker, which I assumed was my room number.
In a flat bored voice, she said, “Everything you need to know is in the packet. Should you have any additional questions or needs after reading the information, please ask your RA. Have a productive semester. Next!”
Clutching the envelope to my chest, my gaze shifted back down, and I walked quickly out of the office.
As I turned the corner, a loud deep woot! jerked my attention down the hall. I took one step before crashing full force into something solid and warm. Stumbling back, I dropped the envelope. Once my balance returned, my eyes focused on a gray T-shirt with cut off sleeves, stretched across broad shoulders. When I glanced down in search of my envelope, I couldn’t help but spot the narrow hips and round ass covered in black basketball shorts. As I squatted to pick up the envelope, a tanned forearm came into view. My gaze roamed up to find the arm was covered in bulging muscles.
“Oh god, I’m so . . . sor…ry,” I stammered, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.
“Here ya go,” a deep voice said.
Reaching for the envelope, my gaze inadvertently shot up to the warmest green eyes ever created. His dark brown hair was cut short on the sides, longer on top, and tousled. The perfect amount of scuff peppered his strong jawline, with deep dimples framing a sexy lopsided smile. The air was immediately sucked from my lungs. He wasn’t just hot, he was boy band hot.
A deep chuckle drifted down before I realized he had stood up and was extending his hand to me.
Oh boy! I get to touch him.
I slipped my hand into his and felt an immediate jolt of electricity. The muscles in his arm twitched. He felt it too.
“Thank you,” I said, as he helped me up.
“I’m Risher Stevenson.”
He was actually introducing himself to me.
It had become a habit not to look directly at anyone, especially a stranger. I automatically angled my head down and to the left, to hide the messed-up side of my face. But those green eyes locked me in place.
“Hollis Murphy.”
“Nice to meet you Hollis Murphy.”
“Sorry again about running into you. I need to do a better job at watching where I’m going.”
The tip of his tongue slipped between his lips before they formed into a slight smirk. Just as he was about to speak, his name came barreling down the hallway.
“Rish! Get your ass down here. We’ve got a ton of boxes to haul in.” A blond-haired guy was standing at the end of the hall.
“I gotta go finish helping my friends move in.”
I nodded.
Risher took three steps before turning back toward me. “Don’t do too good of a job.”
My eyebrows squished together in confusion.
“At watching where you’re going. I hate to think I won’t get rump bumped again.”
He winked before jogging away.
I Sasquatched those shoulders, those hips, and that ass all the way down the hall.
“They didn’t get that survival is just existing, it doesn’t necessarily translate into a life worth living.”
There are no adequate words that can illustrate what a powerful, emotional, and “mind-opening” book Stop! is. I had to wait and gather my thoughts and emotions before writing this review. I wanted to make sure I was able to illustrate how great this book was, even if I did ugly cry!
I am not going to give a synopsis; I don’t want to spoil anything for the readers. You have to take this journey yourself with Hollis, Risher, and Benton. Just know these three are beautiful souls who have endured devastating heartbreak and disappointment in their lives, some more than others. Hollis has been devastated by an accident that left her scarred physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Risher is the beautiful boy inside and out who sees beyond the scars Hollis has and into her soul. He has his own baggage, but he make Hollis feel like her old self again. And, Benton, oh sweet Benton….if you were my child, I would make sure you knew everyday how special and loved you were. You would never doubt my love for one minute! Okay, I feel the tears starting again!!!!
I have seen that some reviewers have mentioned that there isn’t much passionate romance. True, there is little or no steamy romance, but make no mistake there is a love story here. It’s a love story between characters that goes well deeper than sex. It’s about love and acceptance. I will warn you there are parts of this book that are extremely hard to read and will break your heart. But, trust me, don’t let that deter you. This is a book that has to be read, especially by those who harbor intolerance and misunderstanding in their hearts. Intolerance doesn’t just spring from hate, but it can also spring from misunderstanding and ignorance. It is my hope that after reading this, intolerance and hate will be replaced by understanding, acceptance, and love. Let me leave you with a parting quote that sums this book up perfectly.
“The true character of someone is not visible with a brief glance from the naked eye.”
You have to look beyond the superficial and into the heart of someone to really know them.
Alison was born and raised in Charleston, SC. She attended Winthrop University and graduated with a major in Theater. While at school Alison began writing one-act plays, which she later produced. Her debut novel, Present Perfect, landed on Amazon’s Best Seller List and appeared on many “Best Reads of 2013” Book Blogs. The novel won Best Book at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention Awards. Her second novel, Past Imperfect, was published in February of 2014 and appeared on several best books of 2014 lists as well. Presently Perfect, the third and final book in The “Perfect” series was released in Dec 2014 to rave reviews. In March 2015 all the love, swoon, heat, and angst were combined into the Perfect Series Box Set.
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