Wow, what a book!  I’m SERIOUSLY impressed with this new novel from Trudy Stiles! I’ve read each of her previously published novels. Dear Emily, Dear Tabitha, and Dear Juliet are each very good in their own right, but it’s obvious to me Stiles really dug deep when she was writing Epic Sins. Trudy Stiles writes heartfelt stories that will leave you warm on the inside, and Epic Sins did just that for me.

Even though the Epic Fail series is a spinoff of Stiles’ Forever Family series, it’s not necessary to have read Dear Emily, Dear Tabitha and Dear Juliet before you begin reading Epic Sins. For those of you who have read Dear Tabitha, however, you might remember Alex was in a rock band named Epic Fail. Each of the novels in the Epic Fail series will be standalones that focus on the bandmates of Epic Fail.

First up is the lead guitarist for the band, Garrett Armstrong. You could say Garrett takes full advantage of being in a rock band. Not one for wanting any type of commitment, Garrett philanders his way through the women at each new venue. But at the age of 26, Garrett’s life is about to be turned upside down by something he has never wanted.

Samantha Weston experienced tragedy and loss as a teenager, but with encouragement and support from family and friends, she has overcome the odds. She graduated from college with a nursing degree and is now working as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) pediatric nurse at a hospital. Just when Sam is finally feeling comfortable and truly enjoying her career, she is faced with another tragic event. That’s when Sam learns she is needed for a very special situation.

Epic Sins isn’t just entertaining – it’s interesting. Trudy Stiles writes about NICU and sick babies with such knowledge that she has me wondering if she might also be a nurse. She writes with knowledge, but she also writes from deep, down in her heart. I enjoyed every moment of watching Sam and Garrett grow closer – from skeptical acquaintances to respectful friends to hesitant lovers. It was heartwarming for me to read Sam and Garrett’s story, as they helped each other face down and overcome the demons of their pasts.

Epic Sins was more intense than I expected. Stiles crafted this story so that information is revealed about the characters at the perfect moment. This allows for twists in the story – surprises that will catch readers off guard. My emotions were all over the place while I was reading Epic Sins. I felt anxiety on more than one occasion. Anger at the characters. Profound sadness for their loss. But THIS is a story that will fill your heart with joy. Trudy Stiles fully develops her characters, gives them hope, love and redemption. Epic Sins is one of the best stories that I have read this year, and I count it as one of my 2015 favorites! It truly has everything I look for in a new adult/contemporary romance, and I’m so excited to give Trudy Stiles a 6-star rating!