The Fear of Letting Go by Sarra Cannon
Book #4: The Fairhope Series
Source: Author
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review:

Jenna Lewis has spent the past three and half plus years doing everything she possibly can to get by. She works full time, she is finishing her college degree and, when she is able, she spends time with her friends. Since she left her hometown and family behind, Jenna has done everything within her power to forget her wretched past and move forward with her life. It will be a cold day in Hell before Jenna gets sucked back into her family’s drama and Hell will have actually frozen over before Jenna becomes like her mother.

Preston Wright is spoiled rotten and he knows it. He also hates it. As a member of the ultra-wealthy Wright family, Preston has never wanted for anything in his life. He has money, he has a built-in, waiting for him to get out of college job at the family firm and, he can have any woman he sets his sights on. Preston also has a mother who is consumed with her son marrying the right sort of girl, a father who is convinced only his son can follow in his footsteps and, he has a bevy of beauties lined up and wanting Preston for his money and the prestige his name will bring them. It will be a cold day in Hell before Preston marries a woman chosen by his mother and Hell will have actually frozen over before Preston gives up on the hope of having Jenna Lewis.

Jenna is always keenly aware of her economic status in relation to her friends. Though her friends couldn’t care less about Jenna’s bank account, everyone knows Jenna is barely scraping by. Her stubbornness and fierce determination to make her own way makes it hard for Jenna to be comfortable around men or comfortable making herself available to any man for more than a night or two. Heaven help the man who tries to “take care” of Jenna or buy her gift. Charity is a no-go since the larger the gift, the closer Jenna comes to becoming her mother.

Preston’s laser-focus on Jenna is not just uncomfortable but unsettling. For months he has slowly worked to get to know Jenna better even though she has given very little indication of her own interest in him. If only Preston knew . . . .Jenna certainly has an interest in Preston but her own stubbornness and intense desire to remain independent keeps her from acting on her own feelings. Jenna really doesn’t give a crap about Preston’s name and money; in fact, Jenna wants very much to get close to Preston without him spending lavish amounts on her. With a no-strings-attached deal in place, Jenna and Preston enjoy one another’s company both publically and privately but neither are prepared for the depth of their emotions. When push comes to shove and Jenna’s past comes crashing into her present, the fallout from her decisions leaves everyone reeling and her future looking very dark indeed.

The Bottom Line: I very much enjoyed The Fear of Letting Go in large part because of the strong characters and themes woven throughout the read. Jenna and Preston are both incredibly strong individuals who are both rebelling against what is expected of them. Jenna is desperate to make her own way and avoid any hint of her mother’s behavior and Preston is almost stupidly determined to avoid doing what is his parents expect from him. Surprisingly, these two incredibly strong people come together rather than clash and when the end rolls around, they discover their strength is not just something they have as individuals but something that is enhanced through their partnership. Aside from love, The Fear of Letting Go also touches on the themes of friendship and selflessness. This tight-knit group of friends don’t just like one another, they genuinely care about each other. There is such a strong bond between each of the characters and as the story progresses we see how each and every member of the group does whatever is necessary to support each other. In all, Sarra Cannon has produced another strong, emotional and, simply good read. It can certainly be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the other books in the series in order to enrich your reading of this title. ( )