Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

Book: Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia
Published: November 21st, 2011
Pages: 525
Genres: Romance, Tattoos
Format: Kindle
Date Read: May 31-June 7, 2016
Rating: 3 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was good, I loved the idea for the storyline, but I felt like it wasn't great. The book was a bit long for a story like this and there were too many loose ends. I don't like feeling like I have too many questions at the end of a novel and that a book isn't complete.

I loved all of the characters, each and every one - they were flawed and perfect all at the same time. I especially loved Mouse and would have loved to learn even more about him.

I feel terrible for even bringing this subject up since I clearly knew what the story was about but I don't know that I could just jump into a relationship with a homeless man, I really don't. Maybe if things were more built up in the story I would have had an easier time accepting it? It was too quick for me - Blake and Livia started talking and then bam they were an instant couple. The rest of the book was them facing challenges as a couple and from the summary I thought the book was more about them becoming a couple...

Regardless, the author is very talented and I have read some of her other works and thoroughly enjoyed them. This book was good, in its own way, I just thought it was a little bit too long for my liking.