The Long Road to Serenity by M.L. Garcia

It's been a long time since I've read something sweet and precious. Something that I can hold dear and close to my heart. But I finally read The Long Road to Serenity by M.L. Garcia. This was my first experience with this author, and let's just say that she did not disappoint me.  

We get to meet two beautiful souls – Astraea Salvo and Gabriel Varon. Two souls that meet as young little children and strike a friendship. A friendship that is nurtured throughout the years, regardless of the distance. A friendship that grows and turns into something else – more and beautiful.  

I think that books like these are something that I crave – because of the wounding and healing that they offer a reader. The journey that these two go through is one riddled with trials and tragedies. But it's those trials that make a person strong. And if you have someone there with you, that has experienced tragedies – although not the same – it creates an even deeper and stronger bond.  

I have to say that the author did an incredible job of building a beautiful world, with characters that fit right in. Characters that grow and mature beautifully.  

I think this book hit me more than what I expected – because it deals with real life situations and struggles. Situations where I've seen firsthand (with my own loved ones). I don’t often get too personal when I review a book, but sometimes – when a book deeply touches me, I can't help but get personal. I, myself suffer from PTSD – and no, I didn’t serve in the military. But I can honestly say that I know exactly what those struggles are like.  

Anyways, I was amazed at how beautifully this book was written. At how much care and thought the author had put into creating and gifting these characters, their lives, trials, tribulations and success to us – the readers. I love traveling those journeys with the characters and seeing where they go, and how they got there.  

I definitely consider this book a 5-star review. I can't wait to dive back into this style of writing and see what else there is to be offered.