I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, that there was a path we were all supposed to be on and the choices we made led us to those paths. My path led me to work on the Johnson farm in Texas, where I met Landon, the owner’s son. He worked there during the day and raced cars for fun at night. He was a bad boy with a reputation that exceeded my own. The guy all the girls wanted to change, the one that hooked up with random girls because he didn’t do relationships. He was exactly the kind of guy I wanted to stay away from, but there was something about him. It wasn’t just his looks, although they didn’t go unnoticed. There were layers I wanted to peel back and reveal. I wanted to know the real Landon Johnson. All the choices I made led me to him and he would change my life forever.
Sadie and Landon’s story is one about living life to the fullest for yourself regardless of the past or the people you love holding you back with their own expectations. It’s about healing what’s broken due to past relationships and having the strength to reach for a future that you want no matter what. It’s not an easy story to read due to the emotional journey J.M. La Rocca takes her readers on, but it’s one that will leave a lasting impression for some time.
Sadie Taylor is a twenty year old college sophomore trying to recover from a broken relationship as well as a family move that puts her in a new town with parents who are going through a rough patch and without her best friend. For the most part, she’s a strong and confident woman who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is when the moment calls for it; the only part of herself that she does hold back is her trust; the two men she gave it to (her father and her ex-boyfriend) abused it and ended up shattering her world. According to her, Sadie is through with guys because she doesn’t want her heart to be ripped apart again, but then again, she made that declaration before she was introduced to Landon Johnson.
Landon Johnson is a twenty four year old man whose passion for cars and racing is in direct contrast to his father’s desire for him to take over the family farm. Landon understands family duty and works hard to keep the farm running, but he definitely wants more for himself than to live on this land. For the past few years, Landon’s life has been about his work and his women, but there’s definitely more to him than meets the eye. Landon’s playboy persona is not who he truly is, but a tragic experience has left him a shell of his former self, and this is who Sadie meets when she starts to work on Johnson farm.
Despite a rocky start, Sadie and Landon’s relationship grows, and they soon find themselves mending each other’s broken hearts.
Drifting into Darkness is an emotional read that will leave readers a bit conflicted with the events that occur. The writing is flawless because it absolutely illustrates all the love and passion Sadie and Landon feel about each other and about living. There’s a great life message throughout this book, especially at the end and it 100 percent shows that life is about so much more than existing.
A complimentary copy of the text was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
4 poison apples
I pushed the door open and got out of the truck, happy to finally be home. I turned to say goodbye and thank him for the ride, but he had gotten out of the truck as well and was waiting for me in the front of it. I frowned and closed the door, walking slowly toward him so I wouldn’t trip over my own feet. It was hard enough trying to keep my head upright. I didn’t need to trip and fall on my face. “What are you doing?”
He smirked at me. “I’m walking you to your door. I’d hate to get you home safe, only to have to fall down the steps when you got here.”
He had a point, I thought as I snorted and slapped him in the chest. “Well, I guess ya didn’t fail charm school after all,” I drawled in a horrible southern accent, which caused him to laugh. Oh, God, I really need to go inside and away from him before I embarrass myself even more.
I walked toward the stairs with Landon following behind me. As soon as I took the first step, I stumbled and fell forward, but quickly grabbed onto the railing before I sustained any real damage. Jesus, I don’t think I’ve ever been this drunk before. Note to self: never drink Lisa’s drink concoctions again. Landon’s hands were on me as soon as I fell and he hauled me up, wrapping his arm around my waist.
“See, now aren’t you glad I was here?” he stated sarcastically.
I looked up at him and rolled my eyes. “Yes, Landon, you are now my knight in shining armor,” I giggled.
He chuckled and held me close, helping me up the rest of the stairs. I couldn’t help but notice how nice he smelled being nestled against his side either. Somewhere in my drunken haze, I knew that under normal circumstances I wouldn’t smell him up, but since this wasn’t normal circumstances, I smelled him without shame. I was sure he noticed too since I literally stuck my nose on his shirt and took a big whiff, causing him to laugh softly.
As we got to the last step, I pulled away from his hold and dug my keys out of my small satchel. “Thanks for giving me a ride and helping me up the stairs,” I said as I opened up my door. I stepped inside and turned to face him, giving him a drunken smile that I’m sure looked anything but. “I’ll see you on Monday,” I blurted before I closed the door and locked it.
I took my satchel off and tossed it on the couch before heading to the kitchen for a bottle of water and some aspirin. Then I dove head first into my bed, knowing tomorrow I’d have one hell of a hangover.
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J.M. La Rocca was born in Chicago, IL. At an early age, her family relocated to lower Alabama where she began her love for writing. She currently resides in Pensacola, FL with her husband and twin sons. As a stay at home mom, La Rocca was able to pursue her love for writing. It was always an unrealized dream to write her own book. With the encouragement of her mother, La Rocca began to set to paper her ideas for her first book.
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