Center of Gravity by Laura McNeill

Published July 14th 2015 by Thomas Nelson

Adult, Suspense, Psychological-Thriller, Domestic-Abuse. Crime

Paperback provided by Publisher

My Rating 4.5 Stars

The truth could cost her everything.

Her whole life, Ava Carson has been sure of one thing: she doesn’t measure up to her mother’s expectations. So when Mitchell Carson sweeps into her life with his adorable son, the ready-made family seems like a dream come true. In the blink of an eye, she’s married, has a new baby, and life is grand.

Or is it?

When her picture-perfect marriage begins unraveling at the seams, Ava convinces herself she can fix it. It’s temporary. It’s the stress. It’s Mitchell’s tragic history of loss.

If only Ava could believe her own excuses.

Mitchell is no longer the charming, thoughtful man she married. He grows more controlling by the day, revealing a violent jealous streak. His behavior is recklessly erratic, and the unanswered questions about his past now hint at something far more sinister than Ava can stomach. Before she can fit the pieces together, Mitchell files for divorce and demands full custody of their boys.

Fueled by fierce love for her children and aided by Graham Thomas, a new attorney in town —Ava takes matters into her own hands, digging deep into the past. But will finding the truth be enough to beat Mitchell at his own game? Center of Gravity weaves a chilling tale, revealing the unfailing and dangerous truth that things—and people—are not always what they seem.

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MY THOUGHTS This is my very first McNeill read, and I’m glad to say that it won’t be my last. Even with it’s daring subject matter, I was not able to put it down. The author shines a light on domestic abuse (whether it’s verbal or physical) that will keep you turning the pages. I have hope that someone else in a situation like this, will find the strength to leave before it’s too late. And, even though not all situations have a husband with a background so disturbing, this will still hit close to home for a lot of women.

Ava thought that she had found her happily ever after in Mitchell Carson and his son, Jack. Soon, she’s married, an adoptive mother to Jack, and expecting her first child. But things aren’t as good as they seem. Mitchell starts to show a dark side, one that slowly unravels at the seams. He’s jealous, controlling, and manipulative. After Ava displeases him on so many (ridiculous) levels, he moves out and files for divorce. He then asks to see the boys, and doesn’t return them afterwards. Ava is stunned (As am I). He throws his weight around town by calling lawyers before Ava can get the chance. Only one comes to the rescue, Graham. With his help, Ava tries to get her boys away from the monster that is her soon-to-be ex husband. And the more she digs, the more disturbing the story becomes.

This story has multiple POVs. From Ava, to her taunting husband, and even little Jack. It was so easy for me to think that Ava is a stupid character. I have no right to the thought since I haven’t been in her shoes, so it was quickly thrown to the wayside. She, like most women in this situation, was trying to do what was best for her children. What was interesting to me was the way Graham, her lawyer, swooped in. All it takes is that one person to help you shed some light on your messed up situation. During all of the proceedings and name calling, Ava realizes that she doesn’t know the man that she married. At all. He is like a completely different person than the one she fell for. That was the whole point girlfriend. He wanted you to fall head over heals so that he could f**k you in the end. But, as they say, Trouble don’t last always, and karma is a b****.

A very emotional read, that I will definitely recommend to readers of crime and suspense. A great Southern mystery to add to your shelf, and one of many by this author that I will be adding soon. Great read!