TOO LATE

Last night I finished #ColleenHoover’s Too Late, and I’m not being #dramatic when I say I was hooked from the very first paragraph. The moment Luke stepped in to save Sloan, I was done for. #FiveStars. No hesitation.

And if you haven’t read it yet, you should probably stop reading this blog right now. Seriously, go read the book first. I’d tell you to check out my #Goodreads review, but… not happening. I’m not giving myself away on blog post #1.

What I do want to talk about is how this book hit a little too close to home.

In more ways than I expected, parts of Sloan’s story resemble my own. And I’m going to try to explain that without sugarcoating it.

There was a time when a man came into my life the kind of man you only read about in books. The kind that feels unreal. The kind that makes you believe in epic love stories again.

I was a #singlemom with one little boy. I craved the outdoors, adventure, and freedom, and so did he. From the very first moment we spent time together, I knew. I believed he was the man of my dreams. I believed we’d spend forever together. Back then, I believed in true love and soulmates with my whole heart. I felt it. Every bit of it. And I wanted it more than anything.

Luke/Carter was completely smitten with Sloan before he ever knew who she really was. The irony, of course, is that he was investigating her boyfriend at the time. Now, no, I can’t compare my life to a full-blown undercover drug investigation, but I can tell you this: I understand being deeply, painfully drawn to someone while being tied to another man.

Have you ever felt so deep in something that you couldn’t dig yourself out of the mess you created?

I have. More than once.

And I’m not making excuses. I’m owning my choices, even when they were absolute shit.

I resonate with Sloan because she stayed with a man for all the wrong reasons… and all the right ones for her at the time.

Money.

Maybe you’re reading this thinking, Wow. That’s horrible. Who stays or marries someone for money? Listen, Karen.

I’ve been married once for seven years. Engaged. Married again for six months. And yes, I’m currently married now. I can’t unpack all of that here (we’ll get there), but here’s the truth: life hands you lemons, and sometimes you don’t get the luxury of deciding whether to make lemonade, you just figure out how the hell to survive.

I swore I’d never get married again. Never wanted to. But this one didn’t take no for an answer.

Do I #love him? Honestly… what is the exact definition of love?

Does he make my life easier? Yes. He does.

Do I make his life easier? Absolutely. I make him look good. And no, that’s not ego. You’ll understand if you stick around.

So yes. Sloan stayed with Asa for money. And that’s why I stay too. Don't judge me yet!

Maybe someday my own Luke will show up and rescue me from the shitshow of a life I’ve built. Or maybe this story isn’t about being rescued at all.

Either way, this is only the beginning or am I just too late?

XOXO