Beautifully Scarred by P. Rayne

Thoroughly emotional, this dark, contemporary romance is more than I anticipated it would be. This book is broken up into two parts, essentially a before and after. Jimmy and Lilah’s story starts six years ago when Jimmy’s on the cusp of total stardom as an actor, and Lilah is suffering from alcoholism and drug abuse while trying to maintain her modeling jobs. These two have known each other all their lives, and while they’re together sometimes, they’re for the most part never really together in a dedicated romantic relationship. Then something happens that changes the course of their future together, and that’s where the second part of the book picks up. Fast forward six years, and we see a very different sort of Lilah. So much has happened in those years, and will Jimmy and Lilah ever be able to find their way back to each other?

This book is rife with ups and downs, some harder to read than others. It’s evident and even discussed that both Jimmy and Lilah had to endure abuse growing up back home in the Appalachian town they’re from, and particularly what Lilah went through is at times hard to read. However, it’s done off page, and nothing gets too graphic. It’s more or less implied, but I think it’s important to note that there are potential triggers for some readers.

Having said all that, it’s these horrific experiences that lend such a gravity to the story. There were moments in this book where my heart just hurt for both Jimmy and Lilah. What they faced throughout their book was heart wrenching, but the way it was expertly written and moving. There’s so much feeling flowing from the pages of this book, and it’s a story that’s certainly going to stick with me.

As characters, I waffled a bit with Lilah for a little while in the beginning, but the more I got into the story the more I understood her. I’ll just say that by the time we’re in the second half of the book, I love her character. She grows so much, and I think it would be hard not to at least have empathy for everything she’s gone through and then happiness for how far she’s come. She’s a phenomenal character. As for Jimmy? He was steadfast and a true rock for Lilah. He grapples with plenty, too, but I appreciated his strength and sincerity throughout the book.

This isn’t a light read, but it is a meaningful one. The characters, plotline, development…it’s all so well done, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a read.