Amy's 4 star ARC Review of Darkest Before Dawn by Stevie J Cole

Sixty-four days in captivity. Sixty-four days to lose yourself—or find yourself. 

I’m Ava Donovan. I was abducted at the age of nineteen. I’m told I’m a survivor, but the truth is, I only survived because he saved me. Even when he kept me locked in that room—he saved me. 

Constantly wondering when and how you will die, that does something to you. To your mind. But what do you do when it does something to your heart? What do you do when the man holding you captive seems just as broken as you are, when his mere presence becomes a comfort you crave—when you love him even though you shouldn’t? 

You smile and tell yourself it’s okay because love has no morals. 

Sixty-four days in captivity gave me a love most people will never have and my freedom took it all away.

4 stars

Well the beginning of this book is a real wham bam and I don’t mean in the smexy way. There is a gun pressed to the head of a young man and his family is bound and gagged – the boy has to choose who to kill or his entire family is killed – choosing one changes his life forever. 

Twelve years later Ava and Max are still searching … His sister is missing and going underground it the only way to find her. She is a junkie so the police aren’t overly concerned. The night that changed their life forever changed her. She never recovered and neither did he but at least his life has been uncontaminated and drugs weren’t in his path. He tried to sway from crime but it was in his blood. He tried to get out but he always came back. The thrill was too much to leave behind. 
Max heads into the undercover world to find his sister. Seeing things that should make him squirm he heads in not flinching … what he finds is a woman that might just be able to save him. She has been taken too – maybe they can save each other. 

This is a very dark book with darker characters. Max is something of a victim but also a hardened man. His soul isn’t filled with light – it's black. This is not for the faint of heart – I have read stories that run much deeper but this is not a flouncing through the tulips story. If this is not for you then don’t pick it up – if you love excellent written characters and a plot that will keep the pages turning then grab this up. Ava and Max won't disappoint. 

Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets! Thank you Stevie!