Review: All the Waters of the Earth by Leslie McAdam

Romance novelist Lucy Figueroa lives a life of the imagination. While her stories are filled with fictional alpha male heroes, her real life is filled with nothing but Mr. Wrongs. As a sassy, strong, single mom, she doesn't need anyone... except maybe a new book idea. And to forgive herself for the mistakes of the past.

Lucy's sexy new neighbor, Jake Slausen, looks like one of her characters come to life. While he fits the heartthrob part, he doesn't act it, too distracted by his cell phone and his job for any relationship. Damaged by his childhood, he's ignored his true calling and goes through his days on autopilot...until he meets Lucy.

First drawn together by chemistry, then by a fierce need to protect each other even from themselves, will Jake and Lucy learn to accept their pasts or will they convince themselves that happily ever afters only exist in romance novels?

This story! This story! It's a beautiful, angsty, emotionally griping story about love, strength and forgiveness.  Lucy (our heroine) is strong, independent and a hot tamale. A single mom who is also a successful romance writer. She puts her son first, providing him a safe home and a loving family. Everything that her new next door neighbor, Jake Slausen never had. 

All the Waters of the Earth is told in Lucy's POV until the epilogue. There's plenty of angst without Jake's POV, which only makes the story more riveting. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster as Jake made some dumb ass mistakes. Jake is not your classic romance hero."He was too off-kilter with work, a little clumsy, and a lot of a talker."
 
He's hiding behind his career, it's his escape from life. Lucy won't accept less than she deserves. She won't accept Jake unless he finds away of coping with his past and a away of living his life, not his career. Lucy has her own struggles with her baby's daddy. It's Lucy's strength and acceptance that pulls her through the crisis that ensues. 

The ending is beautifully hopeful. All the Waters of the Earth is about overcoming adversity and moving forward with living life. 5 Stars for the story and the cover!