“I’ll be there.” He paused, staring into my eyes. “Whenever you call, Hannah.”

Blurb:

In all my time as a Los Angeles paramedic, I’d never taken a loss personally.

Not until America’s most beloved rockstar died in my hands. 

Plagued with guilt, I stupidly watched over his wife from afar, only for some messed up form of karma to throw me into her life without me ever being able to turn back, because Hannah Moore was far too good for the likes of Hollywood, and it turned out she needed saving, too.

Allowing us to grow closer through a trauma she didn’t know we shared was a dangerous game to play, but when she looked up into my eyes, begging me to stay, I forgot all the reasons why I should go.

I forgot everything else existed but her.

Especially that, in Hollywood, the truth always came out in the end, and when mine did, I’d no longer be the hero she needed, but the nightmare she wished she’d never fallen into.

My 5* Review:

“You once told me that you’d be there for me whenever I called, Logan. You promised. Well, this is me calling, and I need you to answer.”

Whenever You Call by Vicki James is a beautifully written and thoughtful book dealing with grief and the guilt associated with it. Set in Hollywood, it is an emotional, forbidden romance about two broken people coming together to find the light after years in the dark. A tortured hero haunted by an event in his past, which totally changed the course of his life. A broken heroine who throughout her childhood only wanted to be loved but fell in love with the wrong person and is suffering the consequences of that attraction. 

Hannah becomes a single parent due to the selfish actions of her husband who is a famous rock star. The line between love and hate is thin for Hannah because for years Cole has walked all over her and their relationship was very toxic. Not only has she had years of broken promises and lies,  she has had to deal with his public affairs and the paparazzi. Their daughter Bella, worshipped her daddy so Hannah has to put on a brave face and push her feelings aside.

Logan became a paramedic due to a tragic event when he was younger and has been haunted by those demons ever since. He is determined to help and save people while constantly trying to prove himself. 

“It’s my job to take care of people.”

The couple first meet accidentally when Logan makes a dubious decision because he can’t deal with his concerns over his famous case and understands what Hannah must be going through. At the same time Hannah’s actions backfire when she is trying to face up to her new reality and be there for her daughter. Coincidence or not, what happens next changes both their lives and is the catalyst for their emotional journey.

These two have such a strong connection and a fantastic chemistry even if they both fight it to the end. Both have to learn to trust again, believe in this unexpected relationship and love for each other. They share far more about the current trauma they are both coming to terms with so what will happen when his secret is revealed.

How do they negotiate a relationship with all the attention it will bring and could they save and heal each other under the glare of Hollywood?

” If this was her goodbye, I wasn’t sure how the hell I’d ever recover to say hello to anyone ever again.“

The star of the show is Bella. The saying ‘Out the mouths of babes’ is so applicable as she sees so much more than anyone thinks.  She is an absolute delight and brings the couple together when they really need it. I loved the memorable narrative and how Logan comes out with the most amazing and thoughtful words. He is full of sage advice which is ironic as he rarely follows it himself.

The author makes you feel such empathy for both characters, which makes it so much more than just a love story. It’s not a heart and flowers tale but a raw and realistic look at how other people actions can affect your life and make you question everything. Although there is heartache and sadness, the ending is uplifting and provides closure to an unforgettable story.