Every life has a different path full of sharp turns, smooth curves, and steep drop offs.

Hollis Murphy has a plan—college, career, boyfriend, love, marriage, family. A predictable, normal life. She’s on track until an outside force causes her to crash and burn. They call it an accident, because that’s the only word they know to explain what happens to her. It helps everyone move on with their lives, except for Hollis. She holds on to the belief that she’s been targeted for a reason.

Risher Stevenson is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the hottest boy Hollis has ever laid eyes on. He fits perfectly into her original plan for a normal life. Everyone loves him.

Benton Daniels is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the bravest boy Hollis has ever met. He doesn’t fit into her life but gives it purpose and makes it extraordinary. Everyone hates him.

One is bullied. One is tormented. All are judged. How will it STOP?

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“Name?” she said, impatiently.

I was so flustered that for a second I’d forgotten who I was. “Hollis Murphy.”

She scribbled something on a spreadsheet and handed me a packet with my name and the number two hundred ten typed out on the front sticker, which I assumed was my room number.

In a flat bored voice, she said, “Everything you need to know is in the packet. Should you have any additional questions or needs after reading the information, please ask your RA. Have a productive semester. Next!”

Clutching the envelope to my chest, my gaze shifted back down, and I walked quickly out of the office.

As I turned the corner, a loud deep woot! jerked my attention down the hall. I took one step before crashing full force into something solid and warm. Stumbling back, I dropped the envelope. Once my balance returned, my eyes focused on a gray T-shirt with cut off sleeves, stretched across broad shoulders. When I glanced down in search of my envelope, I couldn’t help but spot the narrow hips and round ass covered in black basketball shorts. As I squatted to pick up the envelope, a tanned forearm came into view. My gaze roamed up to find the arm was covered in bulging muscles.

“Oh god, I’m so . . . sor…ry,” I stammered, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.

           “Here ya go,” a deep voice said.

Reaching for the envelope, my gaze inadvertently shot up to the warmest green eyes ever created. His dark brown hair was cut short on the sides, longer on top, and tousled. The perfect amount of scuff peppered his strong jawline, with deep dimples framing a sexy lopsided smile. The air was immediately sucked from my lungs. He wasn’t just hot, he was boy band hot.

           A deep chuckle drifted down before I realized he had stood up and was extending his hand to me.

Oh boy! I get to touch him.

I slipped my hand into his and felt an immediate jolt of electricity. The muscles in his arm twitched. He felt it too.

“Thank you,” I said, as he helped me up.

            “I’m Risher Stevenson.”

            He was actually introducing himself to me.

            It had become a habit not to look directly at anyone, especially a stranger. I automatically angled my head down and to the left, to hide the messed-up side of my face. But those green eyes locked me in place.

            “Hollis Murphy.”

            “Nice to meet you Hollis Murphy.”

            “Sorry again about running into you. I need to do a better job at watching where I’m going.”

            The tip of his tongue slipped between his lips before they formed into a slight smirk. Just as he was about to speak, his name came barreling down the hallway.

            “Rish! Get your ass down here. We’ve got a ton of boxes to haul in.” A blond-haired guy was standing at the end of the hall.

            “I gotta go finish helping my friends move in.”

            I nodded.

            Risher took three steps before turning back toward me. “Don’t do too good of a job.”

            My eyebrows squished together in confusion.

            “At watching where you’re going. I hate to think I won’t get rump bumped again.”

He winked before jogging away.

            I Sasquatched those shoulders, those hips, and that ass all the way down the hall.

Robin’s Review

I really had no idea what to expect when I began reading the newest novel from Alison G. Bailey. In my opinion, the synopsis for Stop! is somewhat vague, but I always expect great things from this author. I can tell you this: if you expect a story similar to those of Bailey’s Perfect series, you are going to be surprised. Stop! is completely different from anything Bailey has previously written, and it’s way more than a typical new adult contemporary romance. The story takes place at Chambers University, and it focuses on three main characters: Hollis Murphy, Benton Daniels and Risher Stevenson.

I’ve debated on how much of this story I should share in my review, but I’ve come to realize that Stop! is one of those stories you just need to experience. The messages of this story are profound, and very thought-provoking. Bailey includes a sweet romance in this novel, but for me, the romance felt secondary to the main plot. I love reading a good romance, but Stop! is a story with plenty of substance. It’s about courage, and Bailey gives us two very courageous characters in Hollis Murphy and Benton Daniels. There is also a message about tolerance. Learning to open your mind and be tolerant of people who are different. And beauty. Finding the true definition of beauty. It’s not just physical beauty, but beauty found from within. These are all very relevant topics in today’s society, and while I was reading, I found myself considering some things about my own life. I think most readers will. Bailey gives readers a good, hard look at what it’s like to be someone who is persecuted because of their differences.

One of the first things I noticed about Stop! is the writing. Bailey’s writing is crisp.  It flows.  Her words engaged my interest from page one, drawing me right into the story.  She kept me on my toes. I had lots of questions in my head, always wondering what would happen next.  There’s a twist to the plot, and it’s one you won’t see coming. The story evolves into something you aren’t expecting. I also need to compliment the author on her character, Risher Stevenson. He’s one of my favorite book boyfriends to date. Risher is just about perfect. You ladies are going to love him! The uniqueness of the plot is what really drives this story home. It encompasses everything from labels, violence and bullying to friendship and courage. Bailey asks readers to “stretch your mind, open your heart, and expand your understanding.” This is the overall message of Stop! I’ll be adding Stop! to my list of 2015 favorites. Congratulations to author Alison G. Bailey for this beautiful 5-star novel!

 

 

 

 

Alison was born and raised in Charleston, SC. She attended Winthrop University and graduated with a major in Theater. While at school Alison began writing one-act plays, which she later produced. Her debut novel, Present Perfect, landed on Amazon’s Best Seller List and appeared on many “Best Reads of 2013” Book Blogs. The novel won Best Book at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention Awards. Her second novel, Past Imperfect, was published in February of 2014 and appeared on several best books of 2014 lists as well. Presently Perfect, the third and final book in The “Perfect” series was released in Dec 2014 to rave reviews. In March 2015 all the love, swoon, heat, and angst were combined into the Perfect Series Box Set.

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