Book Review: Razorblade Kisses by R.L. Griffin

Razorblade Kisses 

by 

R.L. Griffin 

Expected publication

January 8th 2015 

by Author Self Pub 

ARC for Review 

Summary 
Her name is Emery Shaw...Emily Sanders...Emma Simpson...Ericka Smith.
Her family was well off, she ran.
They looked for her, she hid.
They found her, she ran again.
Tragedy strikes, she gets even.

The fact is, she doesn’t know who she is, she tried to run, to hide and make a life for herself, but that backfired. No one knows her except her best friend Rachel, if that’s even an adequate word for what they are to each other. Rachel helps her build a life for herself below the radar, which is fine until the unthinkable happens knocking Em out of her unfeeling cocoon. When her house of cards comes tumbling down she runs again, until the one person who can change her mind finds her.

Due to adult situations, language and possible scenarios that may be difficult for some readers to handle, take a breath before you start this one. It’s gritty and not pretty. Nothing is pretty here. Whiskey is a good thing.

Escaping the Demons is the First Step Towards Vanquishing Them Forever

Speechless and breathless…That’s exactly how I feel right now! Phenomenal this book will change you. Being a long time follower of Griffin’s books I can tell you she doesn’t do light and fluffy there is a lot of pain and grit but through the turmoil her characters face they become strength personified.

~Warning~ 

This is not an easy read. It deals with a very dark subject and though its not graphic there is enough detail that it made me shake with fury at the same time that my heart broke for Emery.
When I saw that this book was coming out I came out of W.o.W. retirement so I could post about it here. Any who, I didn’t know what this book was going to be about all I knew is it would be dark. Mission accomplished all throughout, let me tell you. Within the darkness Emery’s light shone and her strength grew, regardless of all the many curveballs thrown her way. I highly, highly, highly recommend this read though its not bubbly by any means everyone needs to read this book.

R-evolting, Emery despises every part of her current life losing her father was painful but now everything has come apart.
A-gony, the pain Emery endures daily has completely destroyed her life. Feeling absolutely alone doesn’t help matters.
Z-ombie, walking around dead is no way to live so Emery finds solace in drugs. It is in this unfortunate event that she will meet Rachel and everything will change.
O-ppressed, Rachael is a rebel without a cause except maybe garnering her fathers attention. The connection she felt with Emery was instant and both girls knew they would be dear friends straight away.
R-esolve, Emery holds a dark secret and Rachel is determined to pull it out of her. Once the truth is out there, there is no turning back.
B-lackmail, the crushing affects of Em’s past have kept her rooted to the spot. With Rachel’s help Em will find a way.
L-ove, something Em doesn’t understand but there is a glimmer of hope that one day she may.
A-lone, running isn’t easy and Em must face this chapter of her life by herself she knows her past eventually would have killed her so this is the best alternative for everyone involved.
D-reamed, Em never thought she’d be able to connect to another living soul. Noah has changed that, his presence and love dares her to open up.
E-scape, just as Em is getting ready to share all her secrets a close encounter threatens to throw her back into the hell she recently left. Running once again to protect herself and her loved ones seems to be the only choice she has.


K-nowingly, Em’s next step is a bit dangerous but Em has to do this she has to save children much the way she wanted to be saved herself.
I-nnocence, after working tirelessly Em is finally in the position to save innocents. Lucas a boy ver close to her heart is in an awful situation going to his aid Em reconnects with the man who made her “feel” for the first time, one drunken night a year ago.
S-ituation, Tim’s might not be ideal but he knows he wont let Em slip away again. Knowing her is key, something about her has touched his soul and he will fight to have her. 
S-trength, everything has been torn from Em her last resolve is gone and her worst nightmare has come true. Evil seems to have won again now its up to Em to bring justice to those that have caused her pain. 
E-ncounter, confronted by the man whom she first gave her heart to Em will have to face a few things before she can escape the haze that surrounds her life. There is so much that is waiting for her all she needs to do is take the plunge. 
S-ecrets, life has been extremely hard for Em there are plenty of things she wishes she had the strength to do differently. With all of the loss and heart ache that glimmer of hope that manifested itself into Em’s heart so long ago has proven that with just a dash of love it can keep the most horrific monsters at bay. 


Sigh…This is definitely one that will stay with me in the years to come and I can see myself re-reading it many many times. Emery is placed in an impossible situation and she does the best she can with it. I applaud and commend her. Things escalate and take shocking turns left and right but Em pulls through stronger than before. This book dealt with some shockingly real and shockingly horrifying subjects that are sadly part of reality. The message is clear if you or someone you know is hurting…Help them, the smallest act of kindness can create a huge ripple affect that could plausibly eradicate lots of harm. My beloved characters needed much more than kindness unfortunately but y'all know what I mean. From the first page to the last I was at the edge of my seat. Talk about having your heart in your stomach. I felt EVERY emotion w/ this guy and I think EVERYONE should read this.

My Rating 

5.0 Birthday Party, Mall Bust, Stella’s Uncle, Homework, Plan, Online Education, New Car, Close Call, Moving Away, Dance Club, Click, Dating, Grandparents, Lucas, Bad News, Gun Shots, Final Wish, Florida, Pleading Friends, Committed Person, Ten Years, a Tender Loving and Healing Love unlike anything you've ever read filled STARS!!!

About The Author

R.L. Griffin lives in the Atlanta area and is surrounded by awesome dudes: her husband, son and two dogs. She went to law school at American University, Washington College of Law, but only after she fell in love with D.C. R.L. worked in the Senate during the impeachment trial and wanted to stay. After law school, she worked for a bit in the area, then moved to Atlanta.  If you ask anyone who knows R.L., they know she loves reading and reads all sorts of books. Any free time she has she’s either reading, writing or drinking with friends.

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