GRR Reviews Imperfect (Blaze of Glory Book 1) by Cherry Shephard

Imperfect is an imperfect story with an imperfect ending that really made no sense, except maybe in author's own head. It also relied on the cliche "nightmares caused by PTSD" for both male and female protagonist's background.

To recap, staff sergeant Ethan Stone, a green beret, was discharged after suffering through a POW ordeal, and his experience only sent him further into an alcohol-fueled daze. After a night of sleeping on the bar floor, Ethan found himself held at knifepoint amidst a destroyed bar called Saddles. It appears he had help wreck the place when he got protective of a particular waitress, and the girl who held him at knifepoint was the new owner, Shannon, who inherited it from her pa. Stone no longer cared, but his best bud suggested he work at the bar until he paid for the damages. And Ethan found Shannon a deeply vulnerable girl under the gruff and prickly exterior, and they got to know each other's darkest secrets... For Shannon was abused for years by her ex, Tory, who beat her with fists, open palm, even his belt, until one day she found the courage to leave... to run the bar Saddles. But now she's in trouble too. It appears that Shannon's father may not have died accidentally as originally reported, and he somehow owed 200K to one unsavory character who wanted the bar...

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

I NEED TO EXPLAIN THE ENDING

TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH NONSENSE IT HAD

The ending made absolutely no sense. According to the end explanation, Shannon's father wanted to renovate the bar and Tory had the money, but Tory actually passed on money from the boss. So how can there be a promissory note from Shannon's father to the boss, that the boss now intends to collect from Shannon? Also, what makes Shannon liable for the debt? She had been running the bar for a year. Even if you assume the note is valid (it likely isn't) it can only be collected against Shannon's father's estate, which already passed probate and assets divided (and will executed, thus Shannon ended up getting the bar). The note should have no legal meaning unless it specifically mentioned the bar being used as collateral, and this wasn't mentioned ever. Furthermore, the way the ending was resolved is Ethan catching Tory meeting with the boss and the town gossip, after putting Shannon in jail for a murder Tory committed (how?). So what does Ethan do after crashing the party? Punched Tory in the face and started enhanced interrogation. Then next thing you knew, Shannon's released from jail, then Tory, boss, and gossip are in cuffs. Arrested for the murder of Shannon's father (by sending dogs to attack him on his horse) and what else? Where's the evidence? Why isn't Ethan in jail for assault? Why do the bad guys even WANT the bar? WTF is this author doing?

Plot has to make sense, and so does the resolution. This is a prime example of "tell not show", and what it told doesn't even make sense!

Category: romantic suspense

Primary Plot: Imperfect story about two damaged people meeting over a bar with a bad ending that made no sense where bad guy wants the bar (?)

Tropes: bar owner, scars, betrayal, protector, woman in peril

Overall Rating:  2/5