Strangers by A.L. Parks

I have always believed in the philosophy that everyone has a soul mate.  The question is can you have more than one in a It'setime?

Abby has been grief stricken for the last 4 years.  She exists but really only as a shell of herself.  No one really understands what she's going through.  Her friends and family all want her to move on and start living again.  How the hell is she suppose to do that with out Trevor?  She has the same annual routine on the anniversary of Trevor's death.  As she prepares to endure that very day, she goes to her favorite coffee shop. As she sips her coffee, she notices a very handsome stranger with the same agony as her in his eyes. 

When their eyes lock pain  recognizes pain. A feeling of understanding and compassion passes between them and a  familiar comfort level sets in. 

Bryce lost his wife Emily after a grueling battle against Cancer.  He too has his annual event to celebrate with Emily.  It's really the only time he gets to share with her.  When he meets Abby in the coffee shop,  he realizes he is not alone in his struggles with grief.  

This is a story of love and loss.  Trying to find a way to hold on to the past and not let the future pass you by.   Abby and Bryce become BFF's over the course a year.   They know how to support one another in times of need and grow to be very dependent on each other.  Once they realize their friendship has blossomed into something much more,  they have a hard time accepting it.  Will they be able to find a way to honor their past loves and explore the romance they have found in each other?   Or will they both be stuck in this grieving state and never be able to let go of the the LOVE they both lost? 

Never in Million years would I have thought this was debut novel.  A.L . Parks laid her cards on the table and she had a Royal Flush baby!! 

This is what you want to curl up on the couch with your e-reader for! Without a doubt this gets 1-2-3-4-5 BadAssDirtyHeartWrenchingStars!