Wild Beauty (Soul Sister #2) by Audrey Carlan

A Review by Wendy 

4.5 Intense And Healing Stars
* * * * 1/2  

Spoiler Free

I have said this before, in my opinion, Like Will Find Like and Recognize Each Other Instinctively. This is a concept that plays a big part in many novels, and in this one, it is critical.

Wild Beauty is the second entry to the multilayered interconnected series Soul Sisters by Audrey Carlan. In this series we have another concept I believe in, family is not limited to those by blood. The idea of limiting those who are more important, more of an influence than those by birth, always is wrong. We pick our extended families for a reason and those reasons are powerful.

Addison is part of a family that is stronger than most. She came to this family later in life and found the real mother she deserved. So did all of the other "sisters" she had, too. The hub was Mama Kerri and her taking in all of these foster girls years ago. A bond developed that nothing would break, not even death.

And Death has already tested them...Addison was targeted by a serial killer, her glorious body maimed by cigarette burns on her arms. As an in-demand, full-figured model, it took Audrey months to try to get a handle on who she was now...and get back in front of the camera.
Side Note-In my mind, I had Ashley Graham as Addison. In 2009, this article in Glamour Magazine was groundbreaking for Full Figured Models and the beginning of the modeling industry recognizing her grace and beauty. https://www.glamour.com/story/these-b... In 2010, Graham appeared in a controversial Lane Bryant TV commercial, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ7hU...

It was important to do the shoot she was on at this moment, it was for her sister, Blessing, and her new lingerie line. By doing this new campaign for her, hoping it would break through and put the garments into a store like Target and allow others to enjoy the beauty of the designs. Addison was in the garments, ready to be photographed and then it happened...

She was back being in that dark place, with all the pain and hurt...Her face blank and she not feeling like she was there at all...

Killian, the photographer, knew that look and feeling. He sometimes saw that blank face looking back in the mirror at him. He had been in the service, then started to do all the war photography for news outlets and fought alongside his brothers. The experiences, the loss took their toil and Killian decided to leave wartime photography and do something that wouldn't cause any more pain.

So when Addison disappeared in her pain, Killian was there to wrap his arms around her, give her a safe haven, and let her know someone understood what she was experiencing. Addison was able to key into Killian and feel safe and protected in his arms...she returned to herself.

This is how these two connect and from that moment you know, as a reader, this is going to be intense and good. It was. The connection between these two pulsed off the page.

There is a lot to love about this book and series. A Special shout-out to Brutus, lots of doggy kisses. It would be so easy to create characters that check boxes and have no souls. Instead all of the people and multi-dimensional and work well. This series is interconnected and I think reading all of the books in order will be the way to get the full picture and enjoyment. 

 

About Audrey Carlan

Audrey Carlan is a No. 1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal best-selling author. She writes stories that help the reader find themselves while falling in love. Some of her works include the worldwide phenomenon Calendar Girl serial, Trinity series and the International Guy series. Her books have been translated into over thirty languages across the globe.

She lives in the California Valley, where she enjoys her two children and the love of her life. When she’s not writing, you can find her teaching yoga, sipping wine with her “soul sisters,” or with her nose stuck in a sexy romance novel.