Downcast by Cait Reynolds

What would you do when faced with an impossible truth? Written with heart and passion, Downcast by Cait Reynolds is ripe with twists you never saw coming and love that defies the odds in this intense new Paranormal Romance retelling one of mythology’s greatest love stories.

It’s the start of Stephanie Starr’s senior year of high school, but sadly, this is no life of the prom queen. Stuck at the bottom of the high school social totem pole, Stephanie is forced by her domineering mother to wear lumpy linen dresses and eat organic tofu for lunch in a world of mini-skirts and pizza.

What Stephanie doesn’t anticipate is gorgeous and cocky Haley Smith who breaks social convention and pursues her with a determination that is both terrifying and flattering. Afraid that Haley is simply trying to set her up for massive humiliation, Stephanie does her best to push him away. But the more attention he pays to her, the more she runs, and the more everyone else begins to notice.

Instead of a loving family to support her as the mean girls make their play, Stephanie’s mother begins to unravel mentally, her possessiveness of Stephanie spiraling to new and frightening extremes. Stephanie is forced to grow up, find herself, and learn the truth about her past in order to save her mother, her friends, and her town. When the truth is revealed, nothing can prepare her for the outrageous reality of her existence…and nothing can save her from her fate.

Except Haley. 

**4.5 Stars**

Downcast is an AU modern retelling of the "Persephone and Hades" story from Greek mythology.
And as my girl, Sophie said this is the original 'bad boy, good girl'romance; So it was certain I'm gonna love it and I absolutely did!

Stephanie Starr isn't like any other teenager, she doesn't go to parties, wears the close she wants or listens to the music she likes. She doesn't have any control over her life cause of her overprotective, possesive mother. 

The first day of her senior year of high scool everything changes as two new students join her class, Haley and Zack Smith.

Haley is gorgeous. A mysterious, dark looking guy, who for some reason has his eyes on her. At first she thinks he's mocking her but what if he isn't?

As the story progresses, Stephanie, gets more confused. What's going on with her mother? What's the deal with her dad? What secret does Haley and Zack truly hide? 

 --------------------------------- 

As the book progressed I was so proud of Stephanie. She started to stand up for herself and what she wanted. She didn't let her mother control her anymore. She started finding her real self.

"The god of the dead does laundry?"

 "Yes, and he does it better than 

 the god of thunderbolts" 

I'm pretty certain I'm in love with Haley. He was so gentle and sweet with Stephanie but at the same time he kicked ass. I could feel his anguish over her in every look or word he said, he was absolutely devoted to her.

--------------------------------- 

I read this book in one sitting, I know that doesn't say much cause I'm a fast reader but it was so fast paced and the storyline was gripping, I couldn't put it down.
I haven't read any PNR or Fantasy for a while and I think this book renewed my love for these genres. 

 "No. The zombie apocalypse is still a few 

 years off, right?" 

 "That's up to you to decide. 

 Tell you what, we'll do it for fun 

 someday when you're really bored." 

~ I highly recommend this book if you enjoy retellings.