This book opens in the same way as one of my favorite mysteries. Main character wakes up and goes downstairs…there’s a stranger’s body on the carpet. Although in the case of the Ms. Marple mystery the person on said carpet was dead, thankfully in the case of Beyond Repair, the body in question is just drunk….as a skunk. I was super excited about Beyond Repair because it was Stein venturing back into New Adult (a genre I have yet to find much joy in except for several highlights to be found amid some very lowlights) and I adore her first New Adult Romance Sheltered. I couldn't wait for more and generally like Stein's wet, messy, tender, poetic, raw, shy, bold, dirty-sweet Erotic Romances. She is the best in business in my opinion.The love story starts with a not cute meet that leaves both characters capable of trust and openness and mostly just being themselves which they need desperately for different reasons.Alice and Holden talk to each other more than Stein's characters usually do and this is a grand thing. Witty and oh so funny. You will fall in love with them. If you are a film buff, joy awaits you in these pages with a nerd fest of movie quotes and trivia.The sexual tension is off the hook and the consummation is volcanic but remains in that space of reality that makes it both hot, tangible, and moving.There are lots of surprises that I don't want to give away.There is an element of fantasy and a need to suspend belief. , it makes for a grand romantic gesture.Holden wakes to find himself in the house of a stranger that is caring for him. He may be a bona-fide star in the outside world, but in the confines of Alice’s house, he becomes a compassionate man that has his own issues and needs a place to simply heal.Alice is not the typical heroine, and this was not the typical book I was expecting with the plot summary that was provided. It was unconventional and emotional, delving into issues I did not anticipate. Alice is quirky, odd, and endearing. She is a complicated mix of shy, playful, innocent and disturbed. Her history unfolds slowly over the course of the story to explain her behavior, and the depth of the emotions that develop between her and Holden are truly beautiful to watch grow between these two people that need one another. This is one of those books where the cover is misleading to the story. I found it lacked depth and interest. You don't find out what is causing Alice to be the way she is until towards the end and when you do it's not even that great, yes it's tragic but wasn't delved into it was lacking the emotion it needed.Holden is famous and I found quite un interesting as a character his explanation of his attempt at suicide which is never really acknowledged is poorly attempted.The relationship is quite sweet though but felt forced with little to no connection.All up I can't recommend as I really didn't enjoy it.
What do You think about Beyond Repair (2014)?
A beautiful story of 2 damaged people who are able to repair and rejuvenate each other
—bhesi007
This is so good. So unusual and unexpected and so good. I really loved it.
—mirindola
I felt that there was so much more of prose than dialogue...
—Tenzinkunsangg
Ahh, I loved this book! Proper review to come.
—Muni
