Review: Aligned 1 & 2 by Ella Miles

Title: Aligned, Volume 1
Author: Ella Miles
Genre/Age: Contemporary Romance
Series: Aligned Series (Book One)
Publisher: Self-published
Format: ebook via Author
Rating: ✺✺✺✺.5
Links: Goodreads
Synopsis: He’s an arrogant complication. 

I don’t care if Landon Davis has sold millions of records. I don’t care that his damn crooked grin makes my panties wet. 

I can’t want him. 

I should be mourning, but I can’t. I just need him gone. Then I can align the chaos floating in my head. 

—— 

She has a f*cking boyfriend. 

I’ve seen the picture of them together. But Alex Blakely still wants me. And who am I not to oblige when her body is begging for me? 

I need one night to own her body. 

I should be focused on getting my career out of the gutter. I’ll take one night first. Then I’ll be gone. 

Aligned: Volume 1 is the first novella in a four part contemporary romance series. Volume 2 is a novella coming in December 2015. Volumes 3 & 4 will be full length novels coming spring 2016.

Title: Aligned, Volume 2
Author: Ella Miles
Genre/Age: Contemporary Romance
Series: Aligned Series (Book Two)
Publisher: Self-published
Format: ebook via Author
Rating: ✺✺✺✺.5
Links: Goodreads
Synopsis: My mind is a mess. 

I can’t live this way anymore. He thinks I’ve told him the worst, but I’ve 
barely told him anything at all. 

I can’t love Landon. 

He just brings more confusion. I need to leave. Then I can break through 
the chaos that haunts me. 

— — 

My mind has never been so clear. 

I’m writing new songs faster than ever before. I’m falling for her, even as 
the secret that I’ve kept hidden for years threatens to reveal itself. 

I can’t love Alex. 

Everyone will know I’m a monster. I’ll stay away. It’s the only way.

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for honest review.**

So... This is me, right now:

Having just finished the second book, I am in a state of panic. I didn't realize the book would end in such a cliffhanger and I only have the first two books to review. Thank you, by the way, to the author for allowing me to review!

Now, on to my thoughts. I am doing these two book reviews together, mainly because they are novellas and I read them back-to-back so the story is merged into one in my mind. Now, as you may know, I don't have a very good track record with novellas. I tend to dislike them because novellas often feel rushed and leave me wanting. But this time, I hit the jackpot!

First up, we have Alexa, our tough, haunted, and somewhat broody damsel. She has recently lost her husband, her leg, and her memories. The only thing she has left is her photography career, or what she can salvage of it. A cross-country move has put her in a new place but done little to heal the scars (literal and figurative) of her past.

On the other hand, we have Landon, our lyrical, hopeful, and humorous rock star. His singing career has just taken off but his songwriting has hit a dead end. That is, until he crosses paths with Alexa. The sparks fly in the air and the lyrics soar to the page. Musicians... Yum.

As Alexa tries to find a way to forget remember her past, and Landon does his best to escape his own, they crash into a heated love affair. But all is not smooth sailing for either of them. A controlling ex-girlfriend and career deadlines cause turmoil for Landon and Alexa tries to deal with learning to walk and work again, as well as being plagued by panic attacks and disturbing dreams.

I liked watching the friendship and lovership (not a real word, I know), develop between the two. They need to rely on each other in different ways and it's nice to see a novella where the lust between two characters doesn't overwhelm the story. It's a slow, smooth burn that I can appreciate. 

The only reason I give these books 4.5 suns, instead of 5, is because I think the "I love you's" came a bit too early for my taste. I am one of the few who do not think that those words need to be tossed in to show love growing between a couple. The relationship is still too new, in my opinion, for either of them to be so sure of their feelings, yet. Especially, since they are both still hiding secrets from each other.

That ending, however, has left me having a fit. I need to know if the mysterious man who showed up is really who Alexa thinks he is!

In closing...

Great writing and deeply intricate characters. Can't wait to see where the rest of the story takes us! 4.5 suns to each!