ARC-Review: SOFTLY AT SUNRISE by Maya Banks

Rachel Kelly has traveled a long, hard road in her journey back to her husband, Ethan, and the Kelly family. Now, as she and Ethan are poised to move into their new home, safe behind the walls of the Kelly compound, Rachel wonders if she’ll finally be free of the ghosts that have haunted her for so long and if she’ll step into the sun after a past steeped in darkness.

Note to reader from the author:
Softly at Sunrise takes place in a gap of time that occurs in Shades of Gray (KGI book 6, which releases in January 2013). Reading this novella will in no way spoil Shades of Gray, though there are some brief mentions of events that occur in the upcoming book.

Title: SOFTLY AT SUNRISE
Author: Maya Banks
Series: KGI, book 5.5
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Self-Published
Year of release: 2012, August 21
Format: eBook
Source: Received an e-ARC from author for review
BUYLINK: Click here to buy for Kindle, Nook or Kobo

First line:
Rachel Kelly stared back at her reflection and then heaved a sigh before taking her hair down from the loose bun she’d fashioned.

Last line:
She was a Kelly. And she was loved.

Memorable Scenes:
– the final chapter and scene > a wonderful conclusion to Ethan and Rachel’s HEA

When this novella was offered to me for review, I didn’t know how quickly to accept, as I was so pleased to have a follow-up on Ethan and Rachel from THE DARKEST HOUR. Though their story had already been told, I always enjoyed the glimpses of them in the other books and to have a longer and more in-depth look at their lives after the HEA was a pleasant and welcome surprise.

I must say the beginning of the story was a bit sugary sweet, even for my taste, but once the small suspense thread was introduced the story totally came alive for me. It was unexpected and well-executed within the confines of a short story.

Even if this was a short story and can be read as a standalone for a full grasp of the dynamics in this family and the teams I’d recommend you don’t skip this one. And I definitely recommend reading at least THE DARKEST HOUR as to have the whole story on Rachel and Ethan.

I adored seeing the Kelly family do what it does best: be there for each other to support and lean on through the good and the bad. SOFTLY AT SUNRISE portrayed that perfectly and brought the love I have for this series back to the forefront. I’m now eagerly awaiting SHADES OF GRAY.

Favorite Quotes:

His chest tightened and then eased as the knot of emotion formed and then loosened, spreading warmth all the way to his soul.

Ethan bumped knuckles with Garrett and muttered a hooyah. Garrett rolled his eyes. “Only because this involves Rachel will I let you get away with that Navy bullshit.”

There was an ache to his words that touched the deepest part of her soul.
“From the minute I knew what was going on, I kept wondering if this was where it would all be taken back. I guess some part of me has lived in fear that I was living on borrowed time and that people just don’t get handed what I’ve been given without having to give it back at some point.”