So Touching

"Gabriel, a boy who hadn't let himself forget what love felt like, and me, a girl who had made sure I did not remember."

This will be such a hard book to review without revealing any of Mia Sheridan's story lines, but know, this is an author who pours everything into her characters and books. Leo, Grayson, Archer and now Gabriel. Characters you don't and won't want to forget. There's something about these gentle, broken men that make you hope for nothing but the best for them.

Two lost, broken souls healing each other is quickly becoming one of my go-to genres and that is exactly what we get from Gabriel and Crystal. Two people that have survived horrific pasts and learning to love and trust again.

While they have completely different backgrounds, Crystal and Gabriel know what it feels like to be lost. Lost within themselves and everything that surrounds them. While he's got a better outlook on life now, she wants nothing more than to be able to move on. To finally be happy and feel secure.

"...it felt as if I had been pulled to her because our pasts-and our hearts-aligned in such a way that we were meant to heal each other."

The book is well written and I absolutely loved it! Told from dual points of view, Mia Sheridan does a fantastic job at weaving the ugliest tale into something beautiful.

Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.

Exquisite phenomenal story!
Flawless writing, this insightful and thought provoking read is best enjoyed going in blindly!
Complex flawed characters that bring to life this fantastic emotional and passionate read.
This author never disappoints!

Mia Sheridan hit this one out of the park. I couldn't put this book down. I loved every second of this emotional rollercoaster. Most of All You is a must read!

Oh my heart! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Most of All You, and all I can say it that Mia Sheridan has slayed it again! Her words weave such beautifully heartbreaking stories, and I just can’t get enough of them. When you find yourself crying from the very beginning of the book, you know you’ve struck gold. Crystal and Gabriel share a pain that is etched onto their souls, and though their situations may be different, it is that pain that brings them together. But are some scars too deep to heal?

Mia is an excellent storyteller and this book showcases that perfection.

This story is one that will stay with you for a long time. It shows how two broken souls are able to overcome and find themselves as well as love.

Mia Sheridan is one of those writers that weaves stories that will leave an imprint on your soul. Some of her earlier work did that to me and she did so once again with Most of All You. It's about two broken people, with traumatic pasts who slowly piece themselves back together. It's not an easy journey, but both characters learned a lot about themselves and one another.

The prologue shattered my heart seeing how much Ellie lost in her short life so far. She was left in a place that I knew would break her at some point. Jumping into the future, I could see how hard Ellie's life had become, but deep down she had a spark of hope and fight left in her, she just had to believe in herself.

Gabriel was such a sweet and kind guy that had been through hell and survived to be such a great man. Gabe had a great support base, even though he was a little sheltered by his brother. He went looking for help with a delicate issue and he found Crystal (Ellie). Things between them were rocky to begin with but a series of events put them under the one roof. The connection between Ellie and Gabriel was intense, and they were beautiful together. But some things needed time to heal and to be done alone.

I loved how patient Gabriel was, both with his hands as he carved marble for a living, but with his heart too, as he waited for Ellie to believe what he saw in her. Ellie grew into a stronger person and realised what she needed to do to keep the heart of a guy that loved her unconditionally. Most of All You was heartbreaking at times, but it had a tenderness and so much love entwined throughout the pages. Mia Sheridan sure knows how to deliver a read that will leave you with such a book hangover and wanting more! I am intrigued be Gabe's brother Dominic, so I do hope we get to visit this world once again.

Complimentary copy provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing), via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mia Sheridan always know how to struck you at the heart with her stories and this one is not different. Most of All You surprised me with the topic the book covers and what approach Mia chose to this topic. It's an emotionally charged book!

This was some of Mia's best work. Characters were fantastic showing growth and maturity. One of the best books I've read in a long time.

This is an overwhelmingly beautiful story that broke my heart and pieced it lovingly back together. I will admit that this is the first book in a long time that won me over sleep. I had a very long next day but it was worth it! I loved, loved, loved the arc of this story. Both of these characters are so desperately damaged I couldn't read it fast enough to see how they healed each other.

Gabe is actually very well adjusted considering the trauma he's experienced and I loved how his healing was an indirect consequence of a situation that Crystal was in. We witnessed it, it wasn't the forefront but we could see the gradual transition from where he started and its simplicity was what made it so extraordinary and touching.

And Crystal wow! There is always a fine line with damaged characters. How much is too much. When does low self esteem and a terrible home life turn into whiney, woe is me? With Crystal NEVER! My heart literally ached for this girl. At one point in this story I had tears streaming down my face and didn't even realize I had started to cry. The feelings and emotions that Mia elicits with her writing is second to none. The strength of these characters is definitely what stands out. What they overcome and are willing to go through to be better for themselves and each other was beautiful. This may be my new Mia fave.

Oh, Mia Sheridan. How do you always write such wonderful characters? People who are not the typical romantical leads. People who others might not see, or not for who they really are, but make them shine so? I...her stories always make my heart feel so very full. So full of love and kindness and oh, I love it. I just finished this story and I feel like I am going to cry because it is so beautiful.

Crystal and Gabriel. These two. Man. I don't even know what to say about them. They are so similar yet so very different. The way they see the world is beautiful and heartbreaking. Gabriel. He is...Mia has a way of writing characters that love so beautifully and fiercely it always makes me think that you would be so lucky to find that in your life. To love someone and be loved like her characters love. Gabriel is incredible. I wish I had a way with words. I wish I could pour out everything I am thinking and feeling about this book into this review. But I don't. I try my best, but for books like this, for characters and stories like this, I don't feel I can do them justice. Gabriel is incredible. He has his baggage, but he also has a really beautiful way of looking at things. He loves so pure and so wholly it is breathtaking.

And Crystal. Oh, Crystal, my heart broke for you. She definitely has baggage and oh, to try and love someone who doesn't love themselves must be difficult. To be there and support them and try and make them see that they are worth it. That they are beautiful and worthy of love. I don't really know if I could be as selfless and kind as some of these characters were. I've seen this book paired with Archer's Voice and that is fitting in a way. It reminds me of that story, but also not. Not in the story itself, but the characters feel similar. In a way that sometimes you have to do what is right for you to heal and move on. Sometimes you have to face challenges that you didn't think you would ever want to. Sometimes to move forward you have to go back and visit your past. To make peace with it. To heal.

Crystal and Gabriel were so perfect for each other. They really bring out the best in the other and their story is beautiful. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. If you are a fan of the author already you will love this story as well. If not maybe this will make you fall in love like I did. Incredible.

I know. I'm late to the game in reading this book - but oh my word. The feel of this book was HUGE and once I started I just could not put it down.

My heart broke from both Crystal and Gabriel. Both having had traumatic childhoods and once they found each other, the fight they had within themselves to become worthy of the love they both were seeking for.

This was such an emotional ride and I went into it blind, not having read the blurb or read any reviews about the book and I think that was what really pulled me into the book. It's raw, full of tender and passionate moments. It brings you through what forgiveness truly is and how it can help heal the wounded heart.

Mia's writing is excellent as usual. Painting the story, pulling you in and attaching to your heart.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. This was kind of a "middle of the road" Mia book for me. I felt like this was an interesting and well-told story with a unique premise, but I just didn't get invested in the relationship between the main characters like I have with some of Mia's other stories. As a matter of fact, I was almost more interested in their individual backstories than I was with their current lives.

While this wasn't my favorite, Mia is still a top author for me and I remain a big fan and look forward to reading her furture work.

OMG the feels, so many damn feels. I cried while reading this. Mia Sheridan transported me into the main character where I felt Every. Damn. Emotion. Gah!

Crystal is a stripper. She deems that that is all she is good enough for in this world. One night while working she gets broached by a patron. She assumes its for a typical lap dance but his suggestion is so much more. At first she refuses Gabriel (Gabe). But he is determined that she is the only one who can help him. He comes back again and again, never giving up on her.

But theirs is a tough road. Gabe has a traumatic past, as does Crystal. But the road they are headed on together seems fated.

Seriously,this book was AMAZING. You need to one click this book now.
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Wow this book seriously caused a whirlwind of emotions to fly around in my brain and heart. It was a beautifully heartbreaking love story that I will remember for a long time. I would give this book a 5 stars and highly recommend to others. THIS book just flows perfectly and captures so many feelings inside you that you will not want to put it down. Mia Sheridan is an amazing writer/author and I am so happy I took a chance on reading this book!

Ellie/Crystal has not a had a smooth path in her life, darkness surrounds her from all angles... when Gabriel makes his way in to her life she will find some light finally shining upon her... but he has darkness his is battling as well.. will these be able to shine the light they need to move on from the darkness for one another or will one finally break and not be able to look back?

Get to one clicking to see what happens... and I really hope Dominic gets a book because I would like to see how his life turns out down the road! I haven't give a book a 5 stars in a long time so this makes this story a fantastic find for myself. Thanks for a great read and I look forward to much more in the future!
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Eloise hid herself behind her on stage persona, Crystal. Gabriel has his own demons to overcome. He seeks Crystal out to learn to be comfortable around women, but gets more than he bargained for.

This story takes us through the process of healing, first loves, and heartbreaks. Although I felt it started a little slow, it picked up quickly, and I couldn't wait to see how Ellie and Gabriel's story would end.

Mrs. Sheridan has done it again with another captivating tale that shows beautiful plot development, complex characters and of course, a HEA. I received an advance copy of this book provided by Netgalley.

It's been ages since I finished reading Most of All You and I still struggle to put my feelings about it into words. It wasn't the easiest book to read at times and heavens knows it dragged all kinds of emotions from me, but it was such a gorgeous and hopeful book. I just couldn't help but love it. Everything about it. Even the really hard to read parts, because they all happened for a reason. 

I'm not going to tell you much about this one. If you've ever read any of Mia Sheridan's books, you know it's best to go in as blind as possible and trust she's going to deliver an amazing story. She's never once disappointed me. In fact, it seems like more often than not she ends up telling me the exact story I needed — even if I didn't know what I needed going in. That was definitely the case with Most of All You. It's tough to beat out Archer's Voice as my favorite of her books, but this one very well could've done it. (Ok and if not, it's totally a tie for first.) It's a beautiful book, one I truly think everyone should take the time to read. 

FAVORITE QUOTES

Sometimes we wore such hurtful, limiting labels in this life, whether they'd been assigned by others or by ourselves. I'd felt damaged and ruined once, but I didn't anymore. I was still a work in progress, but I wasn't a victim. I was a survivor. 

"I knew you were an angel. I knew you were. Don't cry, my angel. Don't cry. Not for me."

"I don't create beauty, Eloise, I just reveal what's already there."

"I'm still a work in progress. I suppose I always will be."
"We all are, sweetheart. All of us."

Thank you for allowing me to read this book for review. At this time I am not writing a review for it as I had a hard time staying connected to the characters and the stroryline. I am more than happy to share the book and promote it on my blog though as I know that just because I didn't love it doesn't mean others won't.

See that pile of complete mush in the corner there, clutching her kindle and making googly eyes at the ceiling? Yep, I’m not even embarrassed to admit that it’s me at this moment after finishing this book? Because this story? All. Of. The. Swoons. And the reason for it? Two words for you: Gabriel. Dalton.

Man but it’s a rare occurrence that you read about such an incredible hero. He’s unlike any hero I’ve read in a long dang while. He’s sweet, shy, endearing, and his heart is so open, it makes you want to cry, especially knowing what he’s been through. He’s been through something so awful and life altering, that it may break any other man. But he persevered and used love instead of hate to form his future.

Crystal is a perfect example of a subject of circumstance. Her difficult and trying childhood taught her that men will only ever want one thing from her, and that’s all she’s really good for. Until a sweet man that watches her dance at the strip club she works for with absolutely no lust in his eyes turns her world upside down.
I was spellbound, caught once again in his gaze. No one had ever looked at me the way Gabriel was right then, not in all my life.

Crystal fights the instant connection she has with Gabe with everything she’s got; cruelness and coldness being her go-to defenses. But life has other plans for them and when a terrible night leaves her in the gentle care of this beautiful man, she finds herself forming a connection unlike anything she’s ever known in her life. Gabe’s sweet nature soon begins to crumble her defenses and make her see that she’s worthy of more than what life has handed her.

God, but I loved these two together. I love Gabe’s sweet patience and seeing Crystal’s soft side come out into the light. I loved watching their connection slowly build into something that was truly unforgettable. A low burn sort of romance that was as sweet as it was emotional and satisfying.

And you, most of all, you. You get my heart. You. And, God, I hope you want it. But if you don’t, I still won’t regret giving it to you. Even then, I won’t regret loving you because it means I win.”

Most Of All You was completely unforgettable. It was unique, packed full of emotion and depth that tugs at every single heartstring. It was beautiful and touching. It kept me reading well into the night, hoping beyond hope for these two to find their happiness.

I’ve always pretended I was made of stone, but the truth is, I feel more like I was formed from sand, as if I might crumble at any second.”

I loved the journey that Mia Sheridan put Crystal through. You truly see her grow and have not a doubt in your mind why these two belong together. If you’re looking for something that’s different and will make you feel SO MUCH, this is a book you need to read.

I don't have much to say except that I thought Most of All You was very uninteresting and boring. I love Mia Sheridan, but this plot and these characters did nothing for me. I was disappointed.

Poetry. Heart-achingly beautiful poetry. That is what Most of All You absolutely is. Mia Sheridan has written a book that from cover to cover that is just so gorgeous — I honestly was not prepared for just how much I loved it. But most of all, how much I needed it right now. It is a reminder that no matter how dark thing appear that hope and beauty exist in places you might not expect to find them.

On the surface, Crystal and Gabriel should not have a single thing in common. But as they get to know each other and earn a trust that is not easily given these two discover that their hearts and souls are a perfect match. What each is has experienced in their pasts is also what links them and nearly breaks them.

Gabriel Dalton is a man who has endured too much in his young life, but with support and his own determination to find light and hope, he is a hero that inspires over and over. He is truly a messenger to those that might need a whisper instead of a shout, that it does get better.

Crystal Gates is the exact opposite, where Gabriel had support, she left to her own device and was betrayed one too many heartbreaking times. But she wasn’t weakened, no Crystal was stronger than anyone gave her credit to be. This woman is stubborn strength and I loved her dearly.

A woman who didn’t think she could be loved, a man who lived to prove her wrong. Together Crystal and Gabriele were nothing short of formidable.

This book has stayed in my heart since I finished it and I really don’t want go anywhere, I am going to hold it close for as long as I can.

Happy reading!!!

Laurie’s Rating: 5++++++++++++++++ STARS