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Vital Sign

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I used to have a great life. My little world was bright. I had no complaints. My perfectly simple life made the fall from grace that much more devastating. I plummeted from the heavenly little bubble that I shared with Jake. I fell fast and hard straight into the fiery pits of hell. The knowledge of how things used to be is a bittersweet torture that refuses me even one moment of respite. I live in a painful reverie that I can’t escape.

I had it good once.

That’s gone now.

All of it disappeared like vapor into the ether. I’m a lost woman, wandering through grief and struggling to come to terms with my new title: widow. My family says I need understanding and closure. I say a cigarette and a bottle of wine is a much better option for instant gratification.

I’m the awkward, depressed one standing in the corner making everyone around me miserably uncomfortable. I’m the one with vacant eyes that society strives to help but can’t. I’m the one who hands out tight smiles and derisive snorts. I’m the widow adrift in this world with no direction. No meaning. No hope. No vital sign.

***

Sadie sets out on a journey to healing without knowing that things will get far worse before they get better. Despite her general indifference to organ donation, she finds herself on a journey to seek out the only people who benefited from her husband’s tragic death.

Resentment runs rampant as she meets the thriving organ recipients. Anger and jealousy spiral, sending the delicate structure of Sadie’s emotions into a tailspin.

Alexander McBride got a second chance—one that he didn’t necessarily want. Alexander is a game changer for Sadie. She hates him for his health but can’t help feeling at home in his presence. He soothes her grief in a way that is intoxicating, addictive even.

The heart that once fell in love with her now resides in Alexander McBride’s chest. It’s a circumstance that forces her to wage an internal war fueled by grief, anger, guilt, love, lust, and loyalty.

Sadie must discover the things that are vital to going on with her life if she has any hope of finding her way through the all-consuming grief that dominates every waking moment.

257 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2014

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About the author

J.L. Mac

17 books1,820 followers
Author, J.L. Mac is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Wrecked series and several other titles. Beginning with her debut novel in January 2013, J.L. Mac has self-published nine novels to date. When J.L. was five years old, she came home from school and told her mother that she was ready to quit just as soon as her kindergarten year was complete. When her mother asked why she wanted to quit school when she had only just begun, J.L. simply told her mother that she could now read and write and that was all she needed. Though she did not quit school, she turned out to be right. Having successfully written and published nine novels in seven years, J.L. has become a household name in the Indie community with multiple bestsellers, audio editions and foreign editions of numerous titles. J.L. Mac lives in El Paso, Texas with her husband and four children.

Stay connected with JL Mac
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlmacbooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLMacbooks
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jlmacbooks
Blog: http://jlmacbooks.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/y8dqlp3w
Mac Mail: https://tinyurl.com/y84rxfwa

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
Profile Image for Mads.
68 reviews63 followers
January 3, 2017
I probably need to write a review, but I am only going to add the passages I highlighted when reading this novel, as no amount of words can explain my emotional turmoil I had when reading this!

“Don’t think. Just be”

description

Firstly - I loved the authors Dedication


I dedicate this book to every day that I’ve woken up thinking that I can’t write another word. This book is for every time I doubt my ability to sit down at my computer and tell a story worth reading. This book is for the part of me that likes to prove myself wrong.

Most importantly, I dedicate this book to anyone who has lost someone that they love. For every day that they wake up gasping just to breathe in and out, sure that the task is far too difficult. For every tear they cry. For every time they think that life is cruel, unforgiving and not worth living. For my hopeful aspirations to prove them wrong too.


Paragraphs I loved:

=============================================
People say that you can feel bad things coming before they happen. People say that we have some kind of extrasensory receptor that alerts us to danger before it occurs. I don’t believe any of that crap. Does anyone really believe that? If I met someone who did, I’d tell them the truth of the matter.

There is no extrasensory receptor. There is no contingency plan. No animal instinct. Only horrible shit that more often than not, happens to good people, and it’s all for no reason.

=================================================
We spend too much time looking behind us and we end up crashing right into something beautiful and ruining it
=================================================

“What you don’t realize is that when you walk around holding on so tightly, you squeeze all the goodness from ‘em. Understand what I mean, honey?”

I shake my head no because it’s all I can manage and it’s the truth. I haven’t a clue what she means.

“Well, it’s difficult to explain but it’s like this. You can hold onto those memories, honey, but don’t hold too tight. No need for that. You hold them too tight you’ll crush ‘em, and then they get to be something ugly. Somethin’ miserable. They become something that hurts you ‘stead of something that helps you. What you don’t realize is that whether you hold onto ‘em or not, they’re still there with you. Right there in your heart. They’re a part of you. With every breath you take, those memories are alive and well and no one ‘cept God in heaven can take that from you.”
=================================================


To the author:
Wow just wow, I loved!

description

Thank you to my amazing friend Liz for the recommendation:
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Profile Image for Patrycja.
639 reviews4,067 followers
November 16, 2014



Title: Vital Sign
Series: Standalone
Author: J L Mac
Release Date: April 11 , 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Cliffhanger:. No
HEA:




Before reading Vital Sign I was expecting heartbreak and sadness, it was hard not to after reading the blurb, yet the intensity of it still wrecked me. It was so much more extreme than I thought! Every page contained pain and agony. The aching loss that the main character felt really touched me. It was impossible not to love this story. J L Mac’s tale of grief was simply beautiful.



“I’m bitter, and angry, and lonely, and confused. But most importantly, I am utterly and completely heartbroken that I had a fairytale life and in a split second it was stolen from me.”

The story follows Sadie, twenty – six year old widow. She’d tragically lost her husband two years ago and from that dreadful night when Jake got shot, Sadie can’t let go and move on with her life. She’s changed drastically. From happy, young and full of hope girl that married her high school sweetheart, to the broken, bitter and very lonely woman.

“I’m tired and broken and ready to give up.”

Zander McBride is the man that got Jake’s heart. After the transplant he became a recluse; When Sadie ask him to meet her to finally find some closure , he agrees.

"The heart that once fell in love with her now resides in Alexander McBride’s chest."




Now, both of them, completely broken and alone find themselves in dangerous situation. They fall in love.

Vital Sign is not a sweet ‘walk in the park’, ‘read while sitting on the beach’ kind of novel. No, Vital Sign is heart crushing, tear jerking romance that will make you feel the bad and the ugly, the unfairness of the life, it will make you question everything, even the God. It will simply make you feel.




From the start to the finish you will be enchanted by this story. It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and it will definitely give you hope; J L Mac has done amazing, wonderful, stunning work. Her novel is purely emotional and it’s not something you want to miss.


***Review Copy provided by the author, J.L Mac in exchange for honest review ***

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Profile Image for Mo.
1,378 reviews2 followers
September 3, 2016
I used to have a great life. My little world was bright. I had no complaints. My perfectly simple life made the fall from grace that much more devastating.

I liked this one. Sadie has been grieving for 2 years since the death of her husband, Jake.


All of it disappeared like vapor into the ether. I’m a lost woman, wandering through grief and struggling to come to terms with my new title: widow.

There is an instant attraction between her and Zander McBride but the guilt will not let her live her life and be happy.

I’m the awkward, depressed one standing in the corner making everyone around me miserably uncomfortable.

Sadie got on my nerves a bit. I just wanted her to get over herself and get on with life. I know, I know, how would I react if I was in her situation – no idea. But if Zander McBride was willing and able ….

Resentment runs rampant as she meets the thriving organ recipients. Anger and jealousy spiral, sending the delicate structure of Sadie’s emotions into a tailspin.


I see a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews. There was just something missing for me. I did like it but it did not blow me away.


Sadie must discover the things that are vital to going on with her life if she has any hope of finding her way through the all-consuming grief that dominates every waking moment.


I will probably check out more books by this author as she is a talented writer.


Profile Image for Aestas Book Blog.
1,059 reviews75.2k followers
April 18, 2014


My casting for Zander (Alexander McBride)

**** FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ****

Vital Sign was a beautiful, emotional story of finding second chances in the most unlikely of places.

From the moment I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. The synopsis made my heart squeeze and yet also gave me this jolt of excitement because this was a type of storyline I had never read before!!

The story followed a woman, Sadie, whose beloved husband, Jake, was murdered in front of her one hellish night. Now faced with a life without him, Sadie spiraled downward into depression. At only 26 years old, she already felt like her life was over and was filled with anger, resentment, and pain.

"Everyone was thrilled with where life was going and I was trying to adjust to sleeping alone…. I'm still here and I love my family. I just don't love life at the moment."

But Jake had been an organ donor and in a last ditch attempt to help bring her some closure, her family convinced her to try and reach out to some of the recipients in hopes that seeing their happiness would give her comfort. Sadie was sure this wouldn't work though -- how was it fair that they got to live but the love of her life didn't? For her, knowing that they existed was in some ways even worse...

"How am I supposed to let go of Jake if there are pieces of him still out there, living on in some perfect stranger?"

She finally agreed to meet up with three of them. She didn't believe it would help but she was trying to do it for her family's sake. The first two meetings went well but didn't help her in the least. The last meeting though was with the man who got Jake's heart... and this line from the blurb gave me shivers!!

"The heart that once fell in love with her now resides in Alexander McBride’s chest."

OMG!! And that was the line that sold me on the book!!


Looking back, I have to say that the description of Sadie's emotional journey throughout this book was so well done. She went through the utterly devastating loss of her soul mate and while life went on for everyone around her, for her it stood still. I felt like I completely understood her pain and anger at facing the heart-breaking truth that nothing would ever bring her husband back. Nothing.

"A girl like me doesn't lose a husband like Jake and recover from it."

Only a few chapters in and I already had tears in my eyes. This book certainly tugged my heart strings many times over and I really appreciated that the first quarter of the book focused just on Sadie because it really gave me a chance to connect with her pain and feel where she was coming from so that by the time I met Alexander, I felt just as emotionally conflicted as she did.

From the first time I met him though, I had a huge smile on my face. He was nothing like what she expected and she had this kind of double emotional reaction to him -- partly because he literally had a part of her husband in him, and partly because he was charming and she was drawn to him on his own merit as well.

"I can't believe I'm standing here so close to Jake's heart."

As it turned out, there was a lot more to Alexander McBride than met the eye. His wild past had come to an abrupt end after his heart transplant and he'd retreated away from the world and his family to deal with his new lifestyle alone. I really fell in love with him though -- he was sweet but with an edge of dominance and also an air of mystery... and I very much appreciated that after we met him, we got to see his POV.

"I'm the most fucked up person I know. I want her. I want the wife of the man who died and donated his heart so that I could go on with my screwed up existence. It doesn't seem right even to an asshole like me."

I loved the natural protectiveness he felt towards Sadie and I loved the way they just connected. But there were a lot of conflicting emotions in the mix and a lot of feelings to sort out between them.

"I want to be touched. I want to be held. I want Zander, the man carrying my husband's heart, to wrap me up in him. I want to pretend for a while that I can have Jake back in the form of Zander."

There were many emotionally charged scenes as Sadie struggled to find the balance between her love for and loyalty to her deceased husband as well as her growing attraction to and connection with the man who now had his heart.

"My attraction to Zander is so much more than physical, though. It's all of him including the heart that is now, physically his. He carries it. He is responsible for taking care of it, but it wasn't that long ago that I slept beside that heart every night. I took comfort in that heart. My world revolved around that heart. He carries it now, but I've carried that heart too. I was once responsible for seeing that it was kept safe. Just in a different way."

Overall, this was a really sweet read. What I really appreciated about this story as a whole was that it was very low-angst and really just focused on these two characters finding their way in this difficult situation life had put them in. I also really liked that there was no 'bad guy' or any force that ever came between them allowing the main issue genuinely to revolve around the emotional conflict of the situation. I loved the way it all came together in the end and really felt like their story had come full circle.

"Some newly discovered part of me hopes that I'm the main character in Sadie's ending. Not her happily ever after, because she's already had one of those, but maybe I can be her second chance at happiness. I think she could be mine. I'd bet on it."


Rating: 4.5 stars. Standalone (with epilogue).

****************************


For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
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357 reviews137 followers
May 11, 2014
***Arc provided by the author in exchange for honest review***

This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books

"He died , other people got a chance to live, and I was left to stand awkwardly in the corner at every holiday, birthday, wedding, and reunion following it."


Drawings at Zindy-Zone.

Every loss is hard and painful, but death of a loved one is the hardest of them all. It is something that cuts you deep and marks you forever. A wound so deep which never heels and never stops to hurt. An emptiness that no one and nothing can replace or fill. Death is something no one can escape and whose final strike is everyone's greatest fear. We all expect and hope to live a happy and fulfilled life before that final strike, but life has a tendency to slap us in the face and say: guess again.

This is a story about that kind of loss, about the painful and bitter flavor it leaves and about the amount of strength and sacrifice necessary to rise again after that kind of blow. The first thing that caught my attention was of course the beautiful cover and then I read the synopsis and that was it for me. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy from the author for which I'm grateful, because I liked this story very much and the characters it revolves around. It had me on the brink of tears from the very beginning, having lost that battle a couple of times. It was deeply emotional, heart-breaking, sweet & touching. One of my favorite formulas.

The main heroine is an 26 years old artist Sadie who lost her husband in one tragic event and after his death she decided to donate his organs. Two years later and everything changed. She became shell of a woman she once was, deeply broken, full of resent and anger at herself, God, people and world around her. To please her family and in seek of some type of closure she decides to meet the people who hold a piece of her late husband, one of them being Alexander McBride, the patient who got Jake's heart.

"He carries it.
He is responsible for taking care of it,
but it wasn't that long ago that I slept beside that heart every night.
I took comfort in that heart.
My world revolved around that heart.
He carries it now, but I've carried that heart too."


Sadie was my favorite character in the story. She was such a sweet and relate-able character with whose thoughts and views about the world and people around I could connect and agree. We get both, Sadie's and Alexander's point of views, but this is Sadie's story. A story about her hardest downfall and then slowly rising from the ashes. Alexander was also a very likable character, also a broken spirit who comes to Sadie's life when she was at the very bottom and when she least expected it. There are a lot of secrets, grief, tragedy and guilt standing in the way of their happiness, but together maybe they could help each other heal, be each other's anchors.

"The look on her face rips me to pieces.
She's standing there on my boardwalk looking so fucking alone that I wish I could steal the loneliness from her.
I'd take it from her. I don't know why other than the fact that I feel so indebted and responsible for this gorgeous, tormented woman in front of me.
I bite my tongue, literally, shocks of pain bolt me, but I keep quiet.
Somehow I know what she needs in this moment.
Unspoiled silence."


The book was well-written, the writing style being so honest and poetic at times which I really liked. When it comes to the story I liked the first half of the book slightly better, because the second half became a bit cheesy and Cinderella-alike for my taste, but I didn't mind it this time that much. All in all, very good. I would recommend it to anyone who loves emotional and romantic stories which leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling. This was my first book by this author, but it won't be the last.

Her eyes, her movements, her touch are all her tell
- her story- and I'm rapt,
wondering what her ending is.
Some newly discovered part of me hopes that I'm the main character in Sadie's ending. Not her happily ever after, because she's already had one of those, but maybe I can be her second chance at happiness.
I think she could be mine.



✥EXCERPT✥

“If you think for one second that I wanted this, you’re wrong,” he bellows at me so loudly that I startle. I take a cautious step back but he instantly steps forward, closing the space between us. I can feel the heat and anger radiating from him. His breathing is uneven and he seems to be trembling just as much as I am.

Before I have a chance to even think, he grips his shirt at the front and rips it open sending a few buttons skittering across his floor in all directions. My eyes instinctively look towards the floor to watch where buttons have flown. When I look up, I find myself looking at the angered man who ripped his shirt open like a neanderthal. He steps even closer to me, leaving only an inch or two of space for me to call mine. His eyes bore into me as he shrugs his shoulders up and down a few times, easily slipping out of the fabric. I watch it drop to the floor and do my best to compose myself.

“Look at it,” he demands and I know exactly what he is talking about. I haven’t seen his scar yet and I’m not quite sure that I am ready to see the marred chest that was split open to welcome in a new heart. It was new to him anyway. It damn sure wasn’t new to me. I have known that heart since childhood. I loved that heart. That’s the heart that loved me right back.

In spite of the growing knot in my throat I look up from the floor to stare straight ahead at a long vertical, deep pink scar. It’s wide and long extending the full length of his sternum.

My head lowers and my eyes drift askew on their own. The sight of his scar makes me sad for him and resentful all at once. Why does he get to live? Why did Jacob have to die? Why do I have this stupid guilt keeping me from ending it all? I know none of this was Alex’s fault. I know that it’s shitty of me to hate him for reasons that make zero sense. Maybe I don’t hate him at all. Maybe I just hate that I feel guilty for being attracted to him. I feel bad that a small part of me is thankful that he is the man who received my husband’s heart.

Tears well in my eyes making me want to hide. I want to hide from everything. Alex hand lifts to cup my cheek and he gently lifts my head to face him. The anger I saw for a moment has been replaced with a look of sympathy.

“I’m glad that you’re alive. I guess I’m just not glad that I am.” My admission feels like it’s more for me than it is for him. He sighs heavily and pulls me to his bare chest with such force that the breath in my lungs rushes out. With my cheek pressed to his chest I sob to the sound of the steady, strong heart that I have loved for so long.
Profile Image for Farah.
362 reviews499 followers
May 4, 2014
I cannot even tell anyone the amount of times I fell asleep while reading this book!!



So I started this the day I left for vacation and one would think it be cool to read on the planes/trains/ airport waiting or just hanging around...

Every single time in any of the above locations I tried to read I fell asleep.
Dead asleep so I guess I'll have to thank the author for that.

Frankly I cannot even remember most of this book even though I read it all.
Not good for me. Good luck to everyone else!
Profile Image for Jen.
790 reviews117 followers
April 11, 2014
4.5 Stars!!!!
Losing someone you love is earth shattering. Your heart stops. Time stops. The world keeps moving, yet you’re standing still. It hurts to breathe. You would do anything, would give anything to go back in time. Vital Signs was a heartbreaking story sharing Sadie Parker’s journey through grief and healing. Yes, it may sound sad, but is a must read incredible story!!!

Sadie Sadie is in love with her life-long sweetheart��her soul mate, her husband. They have a beautiful life. One tragic night, her world is shattered. Her husband Jake is murdered right in front of her. Soul crushing, devastating… I cried like a baby. She hurts. She doesn’t understand—why him, why her. Jake’s organs are donated and on the insistence of her family, she sets out to meet several of the people who received his organs. These meetings are not what Sadie wanted. She feels a lot of anger and resentment towards the people that lived when her husband couldn’t.
“How am I supposed to let go of Jake if there are pieces of him still out here, living on in some perfect stranger?"

zander Alexander “Zander” McBride has had a wild past. Drinking, partying, lots of women and sex, he feels undeserving of the heart transplant he received. Having lived in the limelight of his Governor father and being famous himself, he retreated into a sheltered life, trying so hard to resist reverting back to the life he was so used to living.

The day comes where Sadie is to meet the person who received Jake’s heart. Zander affects her more than she ever thought anyone could. The guilt and the torment she feels has her world spinning. The spark between Sadie and Zander is undeniable. They are drawn to one another like a moth to a flame. She fights these feelings—afraid that if she gives into them, she is being disloyal to her husband. She promised to love her husband til the day she died. How can she possibly move on? How can it be okay to love another? But then he says things like this…
“I don’t think it’s a secret that I want nothing more than to kiss you, touch you, feel you. You’re all I think about…”

Just wow!! He was perfect! I loved Zander. He was hot, sweet, kind and patient with Sadie. The moments where he tried to push down Sadie’s walls, you wanted to scream, just hoping he would knock them down. Sadie’s pain was hard to witness. It was frustrating when she’d shut down, so afraid to move—afraid to let Jake go. The push and the pull and the pain that she feels, you feel. The times they shared together were amazing though and Zander would give anything for more time.
“Sadie Parker makes me want more. More hours in the day. More things to make her smile. More life. More of her.”

vital sign This is by far one of the most emotional books I’ve read. I laughed, I cried, I felt emotions I’ve been trying to hide way deep down inside myself. You will ache, you will be frustrated, but most of all—you will feel. Grateful for what you have, hopeful for your future. You will become attached to these characters and hope they can overcome all their obstacles.

J.L. Mac wrote a story that will have you glued to your kindle from start to finish. Her writing is flawless and her characters are perfectly imperfect. Loved this book!!!
Profile Image for Jennifer G..
430 reviews28 followers
April 12, 2014
OOHHHHH MYYYYYY!!!!!!

I was given an ARC for an honest review, thank you J.L.Mac.

5+ heart renching vital stars!!!! If I could I would give it 10.

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This book is at the top of all books in 2014 so far. I mean dammnnnn.

This is my first book hangover in a long time.

I abso-fricken-lutely LOVED this book. This is one of those books you just want to never ever end, like never.

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All the characters were awesome, I mean ALL of them. Of course Zander stole my heart as well, and if you read this book and he doesn't steal yours, then you should probably stop reading, and find something else to do like garden are something.

I cried, really ugly cried, smiled, laughed, and got angry, yes I was an emotional wreck. But I loved every minute of it, and it kept me on my toes and so damn curious to see what was next.

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I never give a review about the book, that's what these authors write blurbs for. But I will tell you, put everything else on hold to get it and read it. Seriously, housework can wait, turn your phones off, feed the kids later, haha just kidding about the kids part, mine are 22 & 18 so feed thereselves. LOL

Not sure how the hell I'm supposed to pick out my next book now, not sure if it will compare to this one.

THANK YOU J.L. MAC for the oppertunity of viewing one your prize possesions, thank you for your trust, and your talent. Thank you for VITAL SIGN!!!!!

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I think J.L. Mac will be in the category of an all time (living) legend to me, like Elvis are something. Because she is just awesome like that!!!

legend photo: Legend 8 V8.jpg

And I would also like to give a big shout out to TBM for hauling our very own J.L. Mac to a nice cabin somewhere, and allowed her to write/finish this awesome book. He sees talent and makes it known so the rest of us can enjoy a good, no a GREAT fricken book.

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Ya'll work great together, keep it up, and keep the books coming. Fans like me love it more than you know.

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Profile Image for bibliophile (Romance Addict) .
176 reviews172 followers
August 28, 2015
DNF at 40%

I tried, I really did. I forced myself to go back and complete reading this, but every time I started to relax, I got annoyed by something. It just never worked for me. I didn't like anything about the book, so I guess it was very hard for me to complete. In the end, I decided I shouldn't force myself to read a book I wasn't intrigued by, or enjoyed because life is too short!

So I've watched a Korean drama called Falling For Innocence that has the same kind of story. The drama was very beautifully done. I loved the story of the drama, and when I started reading this, I was very excited to read something like it. I wanted to experience the same feelings I had when I watched the TV show, but I guess it didn't work. I was very disappointed because this had creeped me out. I felt like the book was way too fast paced when it shouldn't be, and very slow paced where it shouldn't be. It was very frustrating for me to read.

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Story: After Jake's death, his family decide to have his body parts donated to others who are In need. Years pass and Sadie is never happy again. Then, her ex-in laws ask her to meet up with the people who were advantaged by her husbands death (the people who got his body parts). Instead of feeling like her husband saved a life, her sadness grows until she meets the guy who has the heart, Zander.

Well, I would say the story is very unique, but after reading this, I have to say it wasn't unique in a good way. First of all, Sadie was very dump, selfish, stupid, negative, and I couldn't point out one good quality about her personality. She was naive, and as much as I pushed myself to like her, I couldn't. A character should have flaws, I agree with this, but a character shouldn't be too flawed. I mean seriously! Here are some examples that would show how the woman isn't likable.

“A dismal feeling washes over me and I feel nothing but hatred for the blue sky above me, the flowers growing, the green grass, and the oblivious little birds singing from their perches in the trees”


Another reason I didn't like her is the fact that she points out her husbands heart way too many times, it made feel creeped out.

“But knowing that Zander is out there waiting for me? With Jake’s heart in his chest? It’s kind of like he’s here with me. It’s his heart. It may be in Zander’s perfectly defined chest, but it’s still Jake’s.”


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I mean, I know it's your husbands heart inside the poor guy's chest, but puhlease! It is way too creepy to think of it this way. Let's not forget about the insta-love, insta-lust between Zander and Sadie. Insta-lust is even too slow for what happened in this book. The women had a few words with the guy, and then he made her different right away! Could it possibly be his heart?

“The water is perfect. I flip the drain toggle upward and water quickly begins to fill the tub. I step in with Zander’s shirt still pressed to my face. The tub is oversized and perfect for me to sink down in. The cool ceramic coating sends a shiver through me as I get comfortable. I rest against the back of it, letting the shirt trail down the front of me.”


“I haven’t had an orgasm in two years. The last time I had any type of sexual release was the night Jake and I were shot.”


I find it quite hard to believe that she never had any sexual feelings in two years, but suddenly after exchanging few words with the guy, she's feeling sexual. Suddenly. It doesn't make any sense, and I snickered so many times while reading this because a depression that deep would NOT be treated that quickly! That's not possible, or even a little bit cute. It's not even believable.

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I'm sorry for offending anyone by writing this review. I'm just stating my honest opinion right here, and also pointing out what made this book very not-ok for me. However, it might be one of your favorite books. I'm not discouraging anyone to read this, instead, I'm just saying that this wasn't for me. I didn't enjoy it, or like anything about it, but that's my opinion. It's actually an unpopular opinion since so many people liked it.

Oh last but not least, let's not forget the OVER-SEXUALLY-UNBELIEVABLE-DESCRIPTION.

“Zander makes the act of eating look like a visual display of male perfection and all but guaranteed sexual prowess. I imagine he’s sinfully exquisite in bed.”




The guy might be hot for all I care. Seriously though, not every person who knows how to eat is good at bed. I mean what kind of logic is that, Sadie? These two acts aren't even comparable!

Anyways, enough of my rambling. I recommend this book to dark, sad book lovers. Although this wasn't for me, it might be 'it' for you!





Profile Image for Tanya Witt.
169 reviews131 followers
April 23, 2014
Five Valuable, Vital Sign Stars

Have you ever lost someone you love? Of course you have. We all have, but not all of us have lost someone, our husband, the person we plan to spend the rest of our lives with, at the very young, tender age of 26.

Sadie has lost her husband, the love of her life, her other half. She is left with so much grief, anger, loneliness, guilt, overwhelming sadness and no hope. All of the emotions that one would expect to come with such a tragedy.

In my opinion Vital Sign was one of the very best books I have read to describe, realistically, everything from emotional, devastating heartbreak to sadness, anger and ultimately the possibility of trying to heal. I find myself speechless in trying to write this review, to find the appropriate words.

I did, however, find that reading this was very valuable to me in terms of helping and giving me a better understanding of what it's like for those that have been in this position because, quite frankly, I have no idea what I would do or how I would feel and I don't think anyone else would either until it happens.

Sadie hates life, she hates people and pretty much just, everything. She has no hope nor does she give a damn. She is not a happy person and my heart broke for her.

"My grass is freshly cut. My driveway is neatly edged. You'd think that someone who actually gives a damn lives here at 803 Chestnut Lane. Not so much. Not even close."

"I'm fucking sick of life and I haven't made a single effort at hiding it."


Sadie struggles, daily, through the life she has now, adjusting to things she never thought she would have to adjust to and just trying to move forward. Sadly, she just doesn't know who she is anymore and basically terrified of many things.

"Everyone was thrilled with where life was going and I was trying to adjust to sleeping alone."

With some encouragement from her family, she has decided to meet three people that benefited from her husbands organs, namely, his liver, his kidney and finally his heart. This deems difficult no doubt and in Sadie's mind so unfair. She hates them all! Or so she thinks.

Then we meet Zander. I read the first email exchange between Zander and Sadie and that was all it took for me to fall in love with him. Crazy? maybe (shrugs) but neh you will see, trust me!

"I know his name is Alexander McBride, he's twenty-nine years old, and he's the person that's walking around with Jake's heart in his chest. I dislike him already."

and Sadie meets Zander.

Intense and emotional come to mind.

"I wondered who's world had just fallen apart as mine came together. I wondered who the person was that loved the donor most. I wondered who it was that had me feeling an insurmountable heap of guilt simply for needing the transplant and then living through it. I wondered who I owed my life to."

WOW

I am now speechless. The two of them related to each other in more ways than one. The time they spent together was beautiful and passionate yet challenging, especially for Sadie. Can you imagine? The intensity of it all! I would love to tell you so much more but what fun would that be?

"Whatever I am, whatever he is, we are one in the same." ~Sadie

You need to experience this awesome read for yourself. I did not want it to end. You will find yourself completely engulfed in their world, asking questions, getting frustrated, struggling right along with them and ultimately, completely falling in love.

Can Sadie let Jake go? Can she move on without him? Will she learn to live and just be. Can she truly be happy in her new found life and will it be with Zander?

"I don't hate you," I cry. "I'm glad that you're alive. I guess-I guess that sometimes I'm just not glad that I am." My admission feels like it's more for me than it is for him.

What has Zander been through in his life to need a heart transplant at such a young age? How will he cope with his feelings for Sadie, can he express them and not scare her away?

Yep, I could torture you all day and leave you in complete suspense, but don't let me do that to you! Go get a copy of Vital Sign and read it for yourself. My only disappointment was it had to end and I didn't want it too!

I cried reading this book and I cried writing this review ,but I also laughed, smiled and felt all the emotion wrapped up in Sadie and Zander's world! We all feel and take in things so differently, but I challenge you and encourage you to read this book. Yes, it may be difficult for some, but I feel, in my heart, that it is totally worth it. I take my reading very serious and I always want to walk away with something. I walked away from reading Vital Sign with a whole lot!

In spite of myself, you are my truth. you are my constant. You are my proof of life. You are my vital sign. With you, I more than breathe-I live.

It's no secret I am a huge fan of J L Mac's. She rocks, as a person and as an author. I love all her books. Thank you, J L Mac, for your stories, your friendship (even if we haven't met in person yet), the complimentary copy of this book and by all means thank you for this wonderful, emotional and powerful journey that is quite realistic

and

Last but not least thank you for Zander! oh and Damon ;0)!

A couple more quotes I highlighted.

Everyone needs forgiveness, even from themselves.

I had no way of knowing that resisting grief also meant resisting life.


This is a standalone and a favorite book of mine for 2014!. The main characters are some I will never forget and I also enjoyed the secondary characters as well, along with the role that each of them played in this story.

Zander goes on my book boyfriend list too!!
Profile Image for Kim.
2,624 reviews164 followers
April 8, 2014
This book grabbed me from the first page, had me totally on guard, then ripped me apart. We learned what happened on the fateful night that ruined Sadie's life.

And then two years later, at the insistence of her concerned family, Sadie is on a journey to meet several of the people helped through her husband, Jake's organ donation.

She is angry, depressed, lost, and striking out. Her life has no meaning for her. She sees nothing good or beautiful in the fact that these people lived due to Jake's death.

But then she meets Alexander Hamilton, one of the recipients. He is charismatic, handsome, alpha-like, and has a bit of an attitude himself. He isolates himself and feels guilt about his past and current situation. He thinks he is unworthy of his second chance and has secrets.

She is drawn to him although she does not want to be. It makes her feel more guilty, confused and edgy. He feels an immediate pull to her as well, but sees her turmoil and pain.

They both are bothered, broken, and stuck. But something about the other compels them and causes dormant feelings and reactions to awaken.

I loved Zander. His unfiltered thoughts and determined alpha personality made me smile. He had a checkered past, notariety, and family issues. These were slowly unraveled throughout the story. But he had such guilt about the past that he just withdrew into himself. His vulnerability and self hatred broke my heart. I just wanted to soothe him.

Sadie was a bit much to take at times. Her own depression, guilt, loss, and self loathing was hard to handle. But it was understandable due to what she had been through and the depth of her loss. But she also had a snarky and sarcastic sense of humor that broke through at times. She had a long emotional journey and needed to face who she had become. And Zander gave her reason to take a closer look at her life and consider making difficult changes.

Their path was in no way easy or uncomplicated. They both had such emotional baggage, fears, and insecurities that they had to overcome in their own ways and own time. They struggled, pushed, pulled, denied, became consumed, and scared each other senseless. But they also challenged each other to break free of the past binding them and strangling the life out of them.

This was raw, angry, powerful and heart breaking. But it was also an inspirational story of healing, hope, and second chances. They were two broken people unable to move forward alone, but somehow helped the other begin to face their lives, begin to heal, and move on. It was emotional and dark at times, but funny, sweet, sexy and hopeful at others.

This had a unique and intriguing plot line and characters with real depth, flaws, and personal demons. My emotions were all over the place. I loved getting both of their points of view so I could see their inner conflicts and true feelings. I was completely invested in their story the entire time. I got frustrated and sad at times, but also smiled, swooned, and fell for the broken hero with a slightly used heart of gold.

Thanks to J. L. Mac for providing me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.
Profile Image for Lelyana's Reviews.
3,292 reviews388 followers
November 22, 2017


Though I try to get you out of my head
The truth is I got lost without you
And since then I've been waking up to

Only half a blue sky (only half a blue sky)
Kinda there but not quite
I'm walking around with just one shoe
I'm half a heart without you.... (Half a Heart/One Direction)




This is the kind of book you will never get tired to read it over and over again

*** 5+++ favorite book-loved Zander and Sadie stars!***

"You are my truth. You are my constant. You are my proof of life. You are my Vital Sign. With you, I more than breathe - I live. Please forgive me."



The main problem with a really good book and a book that really touched your heart and made you taste a bookgasm....is that you don't know what you will write on your review.
And this happens to me all the time.
This time included.

I was hooked since the very beginning. I can feel Sadie. I can feel Zander. Two lost soul meant to be together, with a hand of faith.
And ..damn... I can feel the strong chemistry between them instantly.
Was it because of Jake's heart that beating inside Zander....or was it just pure love that bonded them together?

Damn, this book was intense, I cried so many times, I have goosebumps over Jake's letter and had an ugly cry.



I loved how much Sadie loved her husband Jake, she not that easy to let go...until she's finally have a courage to read Jake's letter...and let go...
I've been on Sadie's position before and I know it very damn hard to let go and move on...it took years... and I loved how Sadie cope with her situation and her love for Zander.

And Zander..sigh...what can I say about this so patient, adorable, easy to love man...he's perfection!And Sadie's very lucky having him and loved by him...



There's so many sadness and bitterness I felt and cried for them.
This is definitely will ho to my favorite list!



Profile Image for Theresa Alberts.
838 reviews6 followers
April 6, 2014
***Received an ARC***

Wow! Heartbreaking...heartwarming...tragic....beautiful...there aren't enough words to describe the feelings that this book invoked within me while reading. There were times that I laughed and other times I got so teary eyed that I had to stop to get a tissue because the words on my kindle were getting blurry. J.L. Mac hit it out I the ballpark with this one! It is most definitely in my top ten favorite books of all time (and as I told the author I am an avid reader with over 1000 books on my kindle). A book had to be amazing for it to replace one of my already favorites in the top ten and this story did it. My heart broke in the book for Sadie who's life became a struggle every day after she was faced with a tragedy she never expected in the first chapter of the book. Even with her family rallying around her to support her through her emotional journey, she fought against the light that appeared in the darkness. She did very thing she was "supposed" to do, smiled when she should, listened when she didn't want to and accepted "help" even though it was the last thing she wanted. It was only after meeting Zander, a meeting she didn't want in the first place but had arranged to appease her loving mother that everything changed for her and she stepped toward the light with small almost undetected baby steps. Zander, what can I say about him. My heart broke for him too, with the guilt and unworthiness that he carried throughout most of the story. It was only meeting Sadie that gave him a sense to so walk toward a light and start to actually live his life instead if just going through the motions as the "black sheep" that he labelled himself. I could not put this book down and finished it in one sitting. I was cheering for these characters from the very first page and I couldn't be more happy about how the story unfolded and how it concluded as well. I absolutely love love loved it and would highly highly recommend everyone read it! Amazingly fantastic job JL Mac!!!!!! Can't wait for your next book!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Michelle Tikal.
460 reviews86 followers
April 10, 2014
4.5 Stars

If you are in need of a good cathartic release Vital Sign by J.L. Mac is just what the doctor ordered. This book is gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, and ugly cry inducing all in the name of love, loss, and healing. Vital Sign is a beautiful story about traveling the road to recovery, acceptance, letting go, and finding happiness when and where you least expect it.

It’s not often that I am torn apart by a prologue but within the first few pages of Vital Sign I was left reeling and knew that I was in for one turbulent emotional ride. Thereafter the stages of loss that Sadie traverses as well as her reactions to her grief were powerful, relatable, and completely heartbreaking. The trauma and aftermath that Sadie experiences is so honest and raw. There is, of course, utter hopelessness and devastating sorrow but also an uncontrollable anger and bitterness that lends sincerity and reality to the story making everything about Vital Sign completely heartfelt and genuine.

I was surprised to experience Zander’s perspective and I really loved occasionally seeing things from his point of view. I especially appreciated that Zander’s viewpoint was only included when it was absolutely necessary and that not every detail of every encounter is rehashed from both sides making the glimpses into Zander’s thoughts extremely significant and highly anticipated.

The storyline was fantastic and the struggle that Sadie faces every step of her journey was authentic and admirable. Vital Sign is stirring and inspirational, beautifully written, and profoundly thought-provoking.
Profile Image for Hooked On Books.
1,887 reviews63 followers
April 8, 2014
IF I COULD GIVE IT 10 STARS I WOULD!

I was given a copy of this book in return for a HONEST review!!

"Pushed. Squeezed. Cornered."

Just reading the prologue made me almost have an anxiety attack and throw up!! HOLY SHIT!!

I have to say that I felt like my heart was going to explode while reading this book. From the very beginning JL MAC has you. I love to read anything that this author writes because it is written with so much emotion that you feel it in your soul!
She takes you on a journey with her words. And this book is just that, a journey. I don't give spoilers so don't go looking for one in the review! This story is one about finding what you are made of in my point of view. It is about beginning pushed to the limits to see if your are strong enough to fight your way back. It is about a couple who are destined to be together. It's a story about life and that a day is not promised to anyone. So you truly need to make the most of each one we are given.
Profile Image for Mandy.
1,524 reviews228 followers
June 26, 2015
Beautiful! That is the word I think best describes Vital Sign. This book was absolutely beautiful. I have never cried so much while reading a book but this story just really got to me. Sadie is an amazing woman who lost her husband and is overcome with grief. My heart completely broke for her. The love that she and Jake had was amazing. I don't know how you can ever get over that kind of loss but I love the connection she made with Zander - it was magical. I just really loved this book - it touched my heart and will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for ~ Becs ~.
708 reviews2,200 followers
October 29, 2014
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I very much enjoyed this book. It’s a deeply emotional read with a heart-pounding prologue that will have you turning the pages lightning fast to follow the story within. It’s a story of love and loss and also despair and hope.

Two years after she was widowed when her police officer husband was killed during a home invasion, Sadie is a bitter and angry young woman whose life is beset by grief. She’s tried any number of ways to come to terms with her loss, mostly to appease her worried family who have staged an intervention when it became apparent that she was crumbling under the enormous weight of her grief. She’s become an inconsolable loose cannon and, after various different coping mechanism have not helped, Sadie sets about meeting the recipients of her husband’s organs – the people who have had a chance of life because of her husband. His gift to them. Just to see if it helps.

Of course, everyone she meets is full of platitudes and gracious thanks and she isn’t finding it that it helps at all until she means the man who has her husband’s heart beating in his chest – Alexander McBride. Zander, as he is known, is very straight forward, doesn’t pander to her grief and is incredibly plain talking. He’s a refreshing change for Sadie and she can’t help the way that she finds herself attracted to him and how he makes her own heart pound.

I want him so badly. I want to talk to him all night. I want to touch him. I want to listen to his short, choppy sentences. I want to find myself laughing at one of his jokes. I want to be touched. I want to be held. I want Zander, the man carrying my husband’s heart, to wrap me up in him. I want to pretend for a while that I can have Jake back in the form of Zander.


JL Mac does an amazing job of showcasing the barren and lonely existence of a widow, stricken by grief long after the initial tragedy and the funeral when everyone else has gone back to their normal lives leaving Sadie to attempt to carve a path for herself through the sorrow. Jake and she were childhood sweethearts and had been together forever and just assumed they had a long and happy future together. Sadie just can’t move past this loss and her grief and her pain were tangible things – it’s powerful, emotional writing beautifully delivered. I truly felt her loss and mourned right along with her.

She feels incredible guilt at her growing attraction to Zander – she feels that she is betraying Jake and her inner struggle and reluctance really did make my heart hurt. Zander has his own reasons to feel guilty – as a former wildchild playboy struck down by a debilitating heart condition, he doesn’t feel that he measures up in any way to the noble man that Jacob Parker was and he feels undeserving of his heart but he is also incredibly attracted to Sadie’s frail beauty and she seems so lost to him, she fires up all his protective instincts and he just wants to keep her safe and hold her in his arms and never let go.

“Zander…” I breathe into the hollow at his collar bone and he immediately moves back from me to read my face. “Not like that.”

His eyes immediately morph into something all his own. His gaze turns fierce and determined, driven and wanton. He doesn’t say anything, just regards me carefully, skillfully interpreting my expression, the look in my eyes.

“Touch me like Alexander McBride wants to touch me,” I encourage him. “I want you. Just you.”


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This is a sweet and gentle romance, not overly dramatic, but with infinite time told to tell the story to allow their feelings to realistically develop. It’s emotional and heart wrenching but I didn’t actually all out sob. It’s tragic and uplifting all at the same time and it’s beautifully paced. I found it to be a compelling read, I completely believed in the characters as they came vividly to life in my imagination and I felt very emotion, from intense loss to the beginnings of a new happiness, right along with them as they tried to shed the horrors of the past and put it all behind them and move on together. It’s a contemporary standalone romance with no cliffhanger and a recommended read.

4 second chance stars

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1 review
April 10, 2014
*I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This book is definitely an emotional roller-coaster. Expect to be hooked by a prologue that will leave you feeling like you've just been sucker punched. J.L. Mac has the ability to make you feel the anguish that the characters are going through, and she does it so eloquently. “My love. My sweet love. Don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me.”

The beginning of the book is concentrated on expressing the emotions that Sadie was going through. She feels depressed, alone, lost, and guilty, but most of all she’s angry and has been taking it out on her family. She’s lashing out at her Mother, not spending time with her sister or new nephew, and ignoring her own needs. Two years of this was all her Mother would tolerate before she ‘pushed, squeezed, and cornered’ her into meeting some of the recipients of her deceased husbands organs. The first two meetings went as expected; it was the third meeting with the man who received her husbands heart that changed everything.

Alexander (Zander) McBride came barreling into Sadie’s life, and from the moment she washed up on his shore, her life was forever changed. Zander comes from a hoity-toity upbringing, and has his own issues to overcome, mostly the guilt he carries for receiving a heart that he never thought he deserved. Meeting Zanders family made Sadie realize just how grateful she was for her parents.

The relationship between Sadie and her Mother was absolutely perfect. She was portrayed as an easy-going southern belle who showed her love through food, but turned out to be a pit-bull with a broom! When Sadie finally realized what she had to do in order to actually grieve the loss of her husband, it was her Mother that helped her do it. It was an absolutely heart-wrenching experience for Sadie; one that she would only have made it through with the help of her Mom. Get your tissues ready because I promise you, you will need them!

I will say that I wish there was a little less time spent on discovering the depths of Sadies anger, and a little more time spent on the building of the relationship between Sadie and Zander.

Overall, this book was amazing. JL Mac hit it out of the park!
Profile Image for Book Junky Girls.
840 reviews35 followers
April 10, 2014
4.5 Stars

Sadie had the perfect life a husband that she had known since kindergarten who was a cop and her protector always, but one night changed all of that with an intruder both were shot but only she survived now 2 years later she's trying to find a way to live again. forced into finding three of the people who received his organs Sadie goes on a journey to see the lives of the people her husband has saved with his death. She's bitter and hates them all for having what she doesn't, a second chance. As she gets to the last person the man who has Jake's heart, a heart she has loved all her life, something happens, something changes. Can she accept the change and live again or will she run and continue to live in the past?

Zander knows he doesn't deserve the heart he got he realizes the only reason he got it before anyone else was because of his family's meddling. When the widow of the man contacts him he finds himself intrigued her short to the point letter interested in her more than anything else he has been in the last 2 years somehow has a find a way to know her. He just wasn't expecting HER. He realizes right away that Sadie is different but there's something special about her if only he can find a way to help her see it and see how good they could be together they're both given a second chance but can either of them accept take it?

Sadie is locked in her greif she wants nothing more than to remember all the good times you had with Jake and live in the past just wishing for more time. She doesn't care what anyone thinks about her and yea sh feels bad about her behavior sometimes but that doesn't mean she's gonna stop being who she is. She's sad and lonely and I loved seeing her come to life with Zander. Zander has his own problems, but when he sees Sadie and the happiness she brings he knows it's something special and does everything he can to be with her. He's strong and an alpha male and he takes care of Sadie and is sweet with her. The two compliment each other so well and I loved seeing their story unfold. Great read and it's a standalone so no waiting to see how it ends!!!
Profile Image for Natasha.
282 reviews30 followers
April 8, 2014
ARC given for a honest review...
OMG...What did I just read...how do I even think after this one...
two days ago I open my e-mail to J.L. Mac here is your Arc for Vital Sign..my response...Holy F*ck....
Just the blurb to this book got me hooked...
Sadie has the perfect life...She married her soul mate who she has loved since she was 5..The in one blink of an eye..It's gone..She's alone..How does one survive without their soul mate...her answer is you don't...what you do is get pissed at the world and also get a snarky comedic side...
Not only did I feel for Sadie I loved loved her humor..My heart also broke for her...
We go through her journey of finding people that her husband's death helped...Her goal find three donors and meet them...
Alexander "Zander" McBride...he's just as broken as she is...Two tortured souls coming together...all because a heart beats...
This book made me feel so many emotions...I felt, sadness, pity, laughter, joy, bitterness, angst but most importantly I felt hope..Hope that out a shitty list of circumstances you see the sun again.. But first you need to close one door to go through the other...
This book is perfection at it's finest..I don't think you understand just how good this book is....it's that good...Not only do i suggest reading this I urge you to buy this and go along to with the journey or healing and love...
Well freaking done J.L....You don't know how awesome you are!!!!
Profile Image for Michelle.
204 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2015
****4 Heartbreaking Stars****

This book wasn't exactly what I expected it to be. It was so very much more! It was full of sadness, anger, heartache, despair, hatred, guilt, desperation, and more sadness. So many emotions fought a war within Sadie and it was often difficult to read about the torment that was her day to day life. I can only imagine but I thought it seemed pretty realistic behavior .

Zander was perfect. Well, not perfect -- he had a history of bad behavior and admitted he wasn't the man he wanted to be --

Despite the difficult subject matter, I still liked Vital Sign very much. I wanted to give VS 4.5 stars but there seemed to be lots of typos, mainly in the form of missing words, extra words or words slightly out of order in a sentence. As an editor/proof reader, I tend to notice these things and they stick out. However, I continued to read VS anyway and it was worth it. Their story -- their journeys to overcome darkness, come back to the light, come back to life -- was worth it.
Profile Image for Erin.
237 reviews
April 11, 2014
5+++ Heartbreakingly beautiful STARS!

"My love. My sweet love. Don't leave me. Please don't leave me."


So I've been trying to think of the right words to do this amazing book justice...well I don't have them so you'll just have to listen anyways!!! This book was a tragic, heartbreaking and beautiful tale of a random act, loss, heartbreak, guilt...love and so so so much more. J.L. Mac's books always gut me to the core and VITAL SIGN was no exception! She has a way with her words that are very poetic and can spin a tale that goes straight to your soul!

The author takes us on an intense and very emotional ride with the main character, Sadie as she struggles with her grief, anger and guilt. This story is a refreshing and HONEST look at loss and we really get into the heart and mind of the main character as she 'deals'
I was all over the place with my emotions and could NOT put it down until I was finished! It was so intriguing, had me wanting more and I was hooked from the very 1st page! J.L. truly knocked this one out of the park!

I HATE spoilers so this is all you get! Ha! You'll just have to take my word for it and pick the book up the second it comes out! It is definitely in my top ten and one that will be re-read several times...who am I kidding I've already read it 3 times!!!
1 review
August 7, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, J.L. delivers! Fans of hers will not be disappointed with her newest tale of two people who find their way to each other through the most interesting circumstance. How do you allow yourself to find love again after your one true love of a lifetime is ripped right out of your hands? This is a journey of healing and learning to let go of everything you thought to be true in order to find true happiness again.

Sadie's life runs a close parallel to mine as I too am married to a cop and live the every day fears of the dangers of that job. Only she ends up losing the love of her life in the most horrific and unexpected way possible - right before her eyes. After spending years of second guessing herself with the what if's and feeling "Pushed, Squeezed, Cornered", her family talks her into finding the people who received Jake's organs in hopes it would help pull her out of a deep depression. She didn't know that journey would lead her to the one an only person that heal her broken soul.

That being said there is plenty of steaminess and angst that will take you on one heck of a rollercoaster ride and leave you with one of the best book hangovers ever! One of my top reads of the year so far!

This beautiful story is a definite must read. Amazing J.L., just amazing!

Profile Image for E.S. Maria.
Author 6 books14 followers
April 9, 2014
I was lucky enough to acquire a complimentary copy of this book from the author.
Goodness, where do I begin? Like Sadie, I lost someone I love with all my heart so suddenly, and yes I went through hell in my grief, but I was mostly angry. I was angry at everyone because it was unfair and i wasn't given a chance to say goodbye. I saw myself in Sadie and it was confronting, yet comforting at the same time because the emotions I went through was a mirror image of what Sadie went through.
Then there's Jake and Zander, both beautiful men in their own ways. No wonder Sadie was torn between what she had and what she could still have. How can you allow yourself to be happy again when you already had your happy ending?
That's why I fell in love with this book. It was realistic, it was heartbreaking, it was passionate and it was an eye opener.

Thank you for taking us in this journey, JL Mac. You're such an amazing storyteller. This left a lasting impression and I'm sure I'll revisit this one over and over again.

Oh and don't get me started on that letter! Sigh....*wipes another tear*

Deserving of all five stars. I'd give this one more if I can!
Profile Image for Kathy.
441 reviews62 followers
April 12, 2014
The full review can be found at Romantic Reading Escapes.

Vital Sign has managed to drain me emotionally and physically, as the author opened old wounds and resurrected a painful familiarity with her words. I am writing this review from raw emotion, but I must get out that this is a book to be read ...and experienced...if you have ever lost someone close to you. If you ever wanted validation for the feelings you may have felt at losing someone, J.L. Mac has validated those feelings and given hope on the cusp of that break with Vital Sign.

This is painful but beautiful story with hardly any angst and a mild twist of a woman's journey through anger, denial, and finally acceptance of a great loss. Two broken people overridden with guilt for different reasons, yet with a common source manage to come together through a tragedy and find healing and a future that neither dreamed of nor wanted. That is a Vital Sign, a standalone with no cliffhanger, and a book I easily recommend.
Profile Image for Countrygalssexyreads.
185 reviews19 followers
April 7, 2014
First I have to warn you ,mind blowing roller coaster ahead....

This was a fabulous read and very near and dear to my heart....I am too married to a cop like Sadie is in the story, and you do wonder what each day holds, that any moment your loved one can be ripped from you.

On with my review:
Sadie starts off with the perfect life, a great husband and cookie cuter life. Tragedy hits, and just in a instant it's all gone. She makes a selfless decision to donate Jake's organs, her true love. After two years of utter he** she sets out to meet all the recipients of Jake's thriving organs.

She meets the one that has Jakes heart, Alexander "Zander" McBride. The emotions that she feels meeting him, feelings that have her questioning everything.

Alexander got another chance, but he feels life should not have spared him.

This story by far will make your emotions go crazy. J.L. Mac, you have a gift, keep sharing that gift!!!!

Don't wait , you won't regret it!!!! READ IT NOW.....


Profile Image for -ya.
518 reviews64 followers
August 25, 2016
3.5-stars
Sadie's husband Jake was murdered right in front of her eyes. Her grief is deeply personal and excruciating painful. Then she meets Zander, a gorgeous stranger who has Jake's heart. This is a story about how Sadie finds her way to live again and her second chance for love.

The novel has angst drama without jealous bitches or ridiculous OTP plot. The pace is slow because the storyline is dominated by Sadie's inner monologues. I admit there were few times I purposely tuned out her voices. Too Much. The last two chapters are really good.

#heart-wrenching #steam # lack of dialogues # lots of inner monologues
Profile Image for Shawna Christian.
14 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2014
Let me start by say I absolutely adore you!!!! I was very honored to receive an ARC of Vital Signs and I have two words FREAKING EPIC!!!! By far my favorite book of the year so far. Without giving anything away this book will absolutely have you in tears before you hit the end of the first chapter. You will be on a roller coaster of emotions but it was so worth it. Amazing!!!! Thank you so much for letting me read this fabulous story before it was released!!! Note to everyone: GET THIS THE MOMENT ITS RELEASED!!!!
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