Lacey's Love of Literature: With Every Heartbeat (Forbidden Men #4) by Linda Kage

I used to think everything was black and white, truth or lie, easy or

hard, that if I could just escape my strict, overbearing, abusive father, my life would be perfect. But since I've found a reason to risk his wrath and leave, to help a friend in need, I've come to realize everything I thought I knew is wrong.

Friends have their own agenda, honesty comes with a dosage of lie, easy doesn't even exist, keeping secrets sucks, and love... love is the most painful thing of all.

Maybe if Quinn Hamilton hadn't asked me to skip classes for the day and help him pick out an engagement ring for my best friend, I wouldn't have fallen for him so completely on that sunny Tuesday afternoon and I wouldn't feel so conflicted. But I did, and I can't take it back, no matter how hard I try. So I have to deal with the fact that even I'm not as good, or honest, or caring as I'd always thought I was, and no matter what I do next, someone's going to get hurt. Probably me.

- Zoey Blakeland

This story picks up with Zoey moving hundreds of miles away from her abusive father to help her friend, Cora. Cora was the woman in Forbidden night club who won a night with the virginal-Quinn, in Be My Hero. Zoey is moving in with Cora to help her with her illness and to attend ESU college - she is finally free from her father and ready to begin experiencing life. However, needing the keys to get into the apartment means arriving at a Frat House party to retrieve the keys from Cora. However, it isn't Cora she sees first, it's Quinn. Recognising him from photo's Cora posted on facebook, she decides to approach Quinn to help point her in the right direction. However, whilst approaching him, Quinn, defending his friend's honour, is seen violently shoving a guy against a wall (total douchebag in my opinion - you'll find out why...) Quinn is not a violent person; growing up the way he did, he absolutely abhor's violence - this is why these two were soulmates in my eyes. Two kindred souls who have similar childhoods.

Quinn, knowing from Cora that Zoey had the same upbringing as her, thinks he might actually be able to make a friend who understands him perfectly. He also wants to make a good impression on his girlfriend's best friend. Too bad that the first night he meets her he's involved in a slight altercation and can't help being attracted to her. It's their connection, the fact that they are two kindred souls!!!

'It was only for a second that we stared at each other, but it felt like an eternity. It was long enough for my penis to go from merely perking one eye open with interest to springing to full attention and ready for duty.
I was so glad I was holding Cora and hiding everything that was going on down there, because this had to be the worst first impression that I was ever having on anyone.'

I absolutely adored Quinn and Zoey together. They did eventually become friends, with their shared love for the T.V. Show Psyche and Quinn helping Zoey with Biology. When they finally got their act sorted I loved their Biology Lessons. Yes I'm talking about those ones.

'"Did you know that an imperfect flower is one that has either all female parts or all male parts, but not both?"
He blinked, clearly confused about why I was telling him this. "Yes," he said. "I knew that."
Of course he knew that. But that so wasn't the point.
"So... so if you..." I bit my lip as I shifted my hips so I could ride his erection a little faster. "If you and I, male and female parts, came together we'd make - "
"A perfect flower." he whispered, finished the sentence for me as his eyes lit with realization.
I smiled. "You want to make the most perfect flower ever with me?"
Lust and awe filled his gaze. "Yes."

Some of the biology lessons were sexy, but that imperfect flower lesson was simply sweet and adorable. It was the most perfect way to describe them, what they were doing, the love they had for each other.

And I absolutely adored their beginner's Art class with Caroline, Ten and Reese. That group were just kick-ass! Even though this book was about Zoey and Quinn, Ten stole the show for me: he's the MVP of this entire series. He's an asshole no doubt, but he's also incredibly sweet, and loyal. I have already fallen deeply in love with Ten and we've not even got his book yet.

'Prime opportunity to kiss her, I wanted to tell him.
Kiss her already.
Why wasn't he kissing her?
God, what a pansy.
Instead of kissing, they just kept staring until Ham blinked and then grinned. "Staring contest?" he offered.
Dear fuck. Really?
I groaned and covered my face. I was going to have to work on my boy, big time. Who the hell offered a staring contest instead of kissing a girl? I might actually have to defriend him after tonight.'

'"Heading out?" Ten asked, taking my untouched drink away without commenting about it.
I smiled at him. "I have someone to see."
The approving grin that grew across his face only emboldened me more. "Go get him, baby."

I cannot wait for Ten and Caroline's book.

So, okay, even knowing that Cora was ill I did not like her at all! Not even in the beginning; I thought she was a manipulative, narcissistic bitch! Eurgh, I absolutely despise her. There has only been two characters I've hated more than Cora: Leah from the Love Me With Lies Trilogy and Becca from the Avoiding Series. That is how evil and twisted Cora is! And that twist near the end - did not expect that.

With Every Heartbeat was an amazing story. The romance and friendship throughout the entire book was just kick-ass and sweet! This story, hell scratch that, this entire series is one of my favourites ever! YOU GUYS NEED TO READ THIS!!! Trust me!!!