It has been awhile since I have picked up a book from Tara Sivec, but I have always enjoyed her books. She is very versatile and able to write very different genres.

The Story of Us was a beautifully written 2nd chance story that is filled with emotion and love.

The Story of Us is an emotional second chance romance about a solider and the girl he left behind. When Eli went overseas, he did what he had to do and left behind the woman he loved, Shelby Eubanks. Shelby never thought Eli would come back, especially not to her. Not with the way she left things. But here he is, flipping her entire world upside down.

Shelby and Eli fell for each other when they were young, but there were obstacles that got in the way and things (people) who wanted to keep them apart. Now that Eli is home, he will stop at nothing to win Shelby over. Shelby is not the same person she was when Eli left 5+ years ago. They are both scarred. Eli will fight his way back into her heart. He knows something is still there. And he’ll do it by reminding her of their story… The story of us.

I enjoyed the premise of this story and I love emotional reads, but for some reason I had trouble connecting with the characters and staying engaged. I enjoy Tara Sivec’s emotional side (Fischer’s Light is one of my favorite books) and the her writing it top notch. While I liked this book, I didn’t fall in love like I had hoped I would. I think it’s a case of ‘it was me, not the book’, and most who pick this one up will enjoy it more!

So many feels...my heart feels bruised.

I started reading this book and nothing could make me put it down. Eli and Shelby's story is so compelling, painful, strong and overflowing with love, it's addictive. From the moment you start reading you're taken on a pain filled, emotional rollercoaster where you fall in love with each character you meet. Eli, Shelby, sweet beautiful Rylan, Kat and Daniel. They're all amazing and all make this story one that sticks with you, long after you've put it down.

I know Tara writes exceptionally well. I love every book of hers I've read, and there are quite a few, but none of them, not even Fisher's Light (which is incredible) broke my heart and then pieced it back together the way The Story of Us did.

At the end of Chapter 28, my heart broke all over again for Eli. I'd guessed it was coming, but the way Tara worked this into the story and made it real in this chapter was beautifully brutal.

I know this will be a book that I read again and again just so that I can revisit the love, strength and courage of these characters.

Well done Tara, and thank you for another amazing gift of a book!

Shelby and Eli were head over heels in love with each other. While serving our country as a Marine in Afghanistan, Eli became a prisoner of war and was held and tortured for years. During that time Shelby thought she was helping Eli and made a deal with the devil...her mother. Now over 5 years later, Eli is freed and home. Suffering from PTSD and thinking of Shelby, Eli is hoping to get her back. One problem is Shelby has been dating someone, the other problem is that she can't get Eli off of her mind, but the biggest problem is she might not really have a choice!!!!

What an emotional read!! This is a novel that will definitely stay with me. I loved the way Tara Sivec told the story in both Shelby and Eli's points of view. The storyline is cleverly told between the past and present which gave us the ability to appreciate the full scope of their situation. There were plenty of well timed twists and turns the I didn't see coming-- loved that! The Story of Us is a 5 star novel that will give you feels galore. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

3.5 stars

I absolutely loved the premise and storyline of this book. This is a different side of Tara Sivec than I am used too. I have been a fan of hers since her Chocolate Series. That series will have you laughing out loud, but this book will touch on all of your inner emotions. This is a heartbreaking but also a heartwarming story about having a second chance at love.

I think what my biggest problem with this book was all of the inner monologue. We were in the characters heads a little too much. I think some inner monologue is good because it puts you in the head of the characters and you can really feel what they are feeling. But this book had way too much!!!! I like more dialogue between characters. I think when you take away that dialogue between characters you loose that personal connection that they share. I found it hard to see Eli and Shelby’s connection. Yes I could tell they both loved each other very much and were willing to make personal sacrifices for the other, but I think had there been more interaction between them it would’ve come across better on paper.

Now with that said, I would still recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of a second chance romance. This story will tug at your heartstrings. Story Of Us is a standalone novel told in Dual POV. Like I said I loved the storyline and the characters we meet in this book. I thought the story flowed really well and the pace would’ve been better without all the inner monologue. Just when I thought this story was going to be a predictable read, Tara through in some curveballs. They kept me turning the pages!!

In this story we follow the journey of Eli and Shelby. Shelby is a young woman who comes from a very well off family, but to say she has a very rocky relationship with her mom is putting it mildly. So when she meets Eli, the stable boy, you can guess that doesn’t go over very well. Trying to make her mom happy Shelby leaves for college, but not before making a move on Eli….that doesn’t go so well. Four years later Shelby comes back and reunites with Eli and they have a summer affair. Well that is not accepted by her mom. So color Shelby surprised when all of a sudden Eli leaves for the Marines without a word good bye. What happens from here is made up of lies, betrayal, deceit and hurt. Will Eli and Shelby ever get their HEA. What would you do for the one you love?? Read this story of second chance love to find out.

If you are a fan of Tara Sivec’s you will want to read this book.

"How much can a man take before he breaks? Is it measured by how many minutes, hours, days or years he lives in hell? Is it one too many punches, kicks, or broken bones because he refuses to give in?"

"I'm broken and scarred and half the man I used to be, but if she'll let me explain, I hope to God she can put me back together again."

"I'm standing here in this room, alive and breathing and fighting because of YOU! Because in between the torture and the beatings and the fucking hell, year after year, I couldn't get you out of my head. Your smell, your smile, your laugh, your taste, your touch...it's the only fucking thing that made me want to wake up every damn day and go through that shit again and again. Thinking about you and fighting to get back to you is the only way I could fucking survive, so don't stand here and tell me to move on! Don't fall apart in my arms and then lie to me!"

"For five years, you've saved me, and you didn't even know it. Now it's my turn to save you."

What an extraordinary and beautiful read. Captivating. Beautifully written and down right captivating. This book grabbed a hold of my heart and took it for such an amazing ride.

The Story of Us follows the story of Shelby and Eli. Eli has only one regret in his life...Walking away from the woman he loved. He tried to fight and thought that he was doing the right thing. For the past five years, the only thing that has gotten Eli through the hell that had become his reality, was knowing that Shelby was living her dream. Little did he know that fate sometimes can be a cruel bitch....What would you do for someone you loved? Is there a price that is too high? When you are in love, is there any question to the lengths that you would go to protect that person?? When Eli left town, he left Shelby with a hole in her heart. She tried to forget him. She tried to move on. But, she could never let him go. She's not proud of what her life has become, but in her eyes, there is nothing she wouldn't do for Eli. Now, many years later, fate has brought these two lovers together once again. Only time hasn't been kind to either one of them. They are both broken. They are both scared. They are both shells of their former selves. Can Eli and Shelby heal each other and move on from the past? There is only one way to find out....

The Story of Us is incredibly beautiful and extremely well written. I was a goner from the moment I picked up this book. From the second I finished the prologue I thought to myself, "this book is going to destroy me.". And boy was I right. This book took a hold of my heart and took my emotions on a wild and incredible journey. As I got to know Shelby and Eli, my heart broke little by little for all that they endured. I felt so easily connected to them and wanted nothing more than for them to find their way back to each other. Both beautifully broken and dealt some pretty tough cards. I knew their journey was not going to be an easy one and I think that made their fight all that much sweeter.

The Story of Us is not an easy tale. It deals with some tough and at times serious subject matter. But, I can definitely say, the author handled it with extreme care and compassion. I felt instantly connected with the characters and felt as though I was right there with them as their story was being told.

The Story of Us is a beautiful and unforgettable love story. It shows the lengths that someone will go for love. It shows just how powerful true love is and how a love like Shelby and Eli's would never, ever die. The Story of Us was an amazing read from beginning to end. I devoured it easily in just one day. This story hit all the marks with some exciting twists and turns along the way.