Poughkeepsie Begins

Poughkeepsie, what can I say, this story is one of my favorites, I might be biased but I’m going to say it anyways. Debra Anastasia is an amazing writer, her latest books might make you laugh out loud, her humor know no boundaries, but this story is like a piece of art, you have to see all the different angles to truly appreciate it all it has to show. I’ve been following this story since the very beginning, yes I know this book is actually the story beginning but in reality the story started with Poughkeepsie a few years ago, when I the first couple of chapters sold me on the story and I just jumped into the wagon to follow as it developed. When the story was published, I couldn’t be happier of seeing Beckett, Blake and Cole story shared now with more readers. This book however takes us back in time, where the brotherhood was born, how the friendship became stronger and their paths where shaped. The way they lived in the foster cared system built them in different ways, but setting a stronger bond between them. They made great sacrifices, fought battles but they stood by each other. This story has always been a roller-coaster of emotions while you read, and this book has it too, so be ready for it, you will find yourself sad at a moment and laughing the next. You will feel every emotion, because Debra Anastasia is just that good writing them. Go read the story, if you haven’t read any of them, I suggest to read in the order they where published, if you have read it, you don’t want to miss this book, it will help you understand everything you have read and more.

Oh my goodness... I'm not even sure what to say. This story is compelling and heart wrenching and had my emotions everywhere. It's sad but full of hope at the same time. It was a beautiful introduction to the series. Beckett, Blake, and Cole, are these complex characters who are deeply wounded from past experiences but find family in one another. Even though hard things are happening it's really uplifting. I had all these questions and just wanted to know why they were how they were because some of their actions are heartbreaking. There is a nice, slow build to the details and I was mesmerized. Each boy has their own hardships but I was rooting for them. Hard lives, hard situations but they're all so sweet deep down, I just wanted to hug them and help them heal. Especially Beckett. So many wrong choices for the right reasons... for love and survival. These boys have my head a mess! Debra Anastasia really makes you feel for this characters... it was intense and emotional. I enjoyed the teen angst with Candy and Beckett over the development in their relationship. It was challenging, sweet, raw, and real. What Beckett wants for Candy is a really nice thing and I love that even though it was hard, that he made the decision he made. I have not read any of the other Poughkeepsie stories yet but after reading this I definitely will because I need to know what happened to these men. A really great read! Complimentary copy received for honest review.

This story made me aww, swoon, cringe, cry and fall in love. I adore a tale about friendship/brotherhood even more than a romance (this has both). I also can't get enough when the characters are survivors of hell yet still possess good hearts. Poughkeepsie Begins has everything I want and need in a book. Blake, Beckett and Cole come from terrible backgrounds. Many heartbreaking details are given. In a world trying to swallow them up, they find a safe harbor in each other. Beckett is also at a crossroads in his life. He can try to hang his everything on the chance of first love, or he can follow a dark path into a world of big payouts and big consequences. I highly recommend this read. The plot felt authentic, no eye rolling moments. I experienced the strength and pain soul deep. I also gave several smiles to Beckett's charm. It pulled all my heartstrings and left me wanting more. The storyline is beautiful, ugly, sad and uplifting all in one go.

ENDING AT THE BEGINNING Poughkeepsie Begins ends The Brotherhood Series with a look into what made the boys who they are. Their childhood stories broke my heart , but what they did with their knowledge those experiences gave them,gave me hope . Thank you Debra Anastasia for this piece of your heart. I will treasure The Brotherhood .......Always 5 AMAZING STARS

And so the end takes us to the beginning. Poughkeepsie Begins will be a delightfully heart wrenching treat for series fans. Getting to see the boys during their final year in foster care & high school & only some of what they endured to become the men we fell in love with as the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood was forged in blood & pain made me fall in love with them all over again. After Anastasia made me cry, more than once, while reading Saving Poughkeepsie, I shouldn’t have been surprised that I finished this book with a stuffy nose, puffy eyes, & a book hangover that shouldn’t have been possible after only 200 pages – and yet here I sit, sniveling as I try to convey just how moving this book was for me. I am all about the journey in a book – how the characters get from point A to point B. Knowing that a couple will end up together at the end doesn’t ruin the story for me – heck, it’s why I read mostly romance. And Poughkeepsie Begins was all about the journey for me & I expect it will be the same for a lot of readers. It didn’t matter that I was already aware of some of the events within or where the events would eventually lead the guys. What mattered was seeing the events play out. Anastasia proved that knowing that something happened is entirely different than seeing it actually play out – hence the tears. Although much of the book seemed to focus on Beckett & his final taste of the light before embracing the dark side of Poughkeepsie, Cole was the dark horse for me. I’m not sure if I was so enamored by Blake & charmed by Beckett that I missed it or if I’m just failing to remember the man’s secrets as they were learned in the rest of the series, but I was shocked by the secrets that were revealed about Cole & the depths to which he could sink & what he was capable of when he “turned off” in a situation. But as it’s said, it’s always the quiet ones & perhaps I was so dazzled by Blake & Beckett that I overlooked the faithful Cole. After reading this book, I understood fully why Cole turned to God the way he did & am utterly astounded that he was able to do so after his rescue. Regardless of why I missed him before, I cannot wait to read the series in a full run as I know that I will be seeing Cole in a whole new light. For those readers who are new to the series, I can’t even imagine what your emotions will be like as you read Poughkeepsie Begins. I may have forgotten bits & pieces of the individual books, but the series as a whole has stuck with me & there is so much that I can’t un-know that makes it impossible for me to put myself in your shoes as you meet Beckett, Blake, & Cole for the first time as young men. I would suggest that once you’ve read the series in its entirety that you reread this installment because I expect that you will have an entirely different experience reading it the second time. Anastasia’s talent simply amazes me as she can write some seriously raunchy comedy (her Gynazule series) as well as a series that has ripped my heart out time & time again with each book of the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood as I fell in love with the brothers & the family they created. As sad as I am that this marks the end of the series, I am glad that the author gave us this final opportunity to visit Poughkeepsie again & I cannot wait until I get a chance to reread the series as a whole. Thank you Debra Anastasia, for telling me a story. I received a free copy of this book to read & review for Wicked Reads.