Exile - Poppy Fitzgerald

 I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for Exile by Poppy Fitzgerald and let me tell you... HOLY CRAP ON A CRACKER GO READ THIS NOW. 

We met the FMC of this book, Serena, in Poppys first book, Astray, where she was a police officer attempting to help Eloise when she was being stalked. Serena said she understood... and here we find out why.

Serena is working at the local coffee shop and Dominick, a local officer, comes in every day and there's flirting. When they finally go out on a date she is so taken by his generosity and up front kindness that she overlooks the red flags like a blind bull. 

But why would she want to see the worst in people when she was living with a sick mother, severe traumatic brain injury from the car accident that killed her father, and barely scraping by to put herself through college. She was due something good and here was a protective, generous, cop who was bound to protect and serve who wanted to give her the world. 

Until everything goes sideways... and we get to the heart of the story Kai and Serena. Her best friend who was there when she lost her father, who has helped with her her mother, and will do anything for her. 

Like Astray it's so unfair to make the bad guy so freaking likable... but that's the real world isn't it? No one is ever truly evil... I mean until they are. 

What a read. Beautifully written, incredible story, and oh the black excellence and joy represented in the epilogue. Loved every second of this. Must read.