Holy freakin’ Hades!!! This book! There are just no words! This book stirred up so many emotions then one by one plucked them from their hiding placesHoly freakin’ Hades!!! This book! There are just no words! This book stirred up so many emotions then one by one plucked them from their hiding places and flung them out in front of me to face them in all their messy glory. It was a painfully beautiful journey and I swear to any and all entities that I will never forget this amazing story!
My suggestion is to avoid reviews that give too much away. While it’s not a matter of constant twists and turns, the best part of this book is never knowing what’s going to happen next. Just settle back and let this author introduce you to her characters. They are incredible. Broken and imperfect but exactly what they needed to be to face their inner demons. Then be prepared to hold on emotionally as she takes you on a ride through a desperate and desolate plain where there is no hope to be found at its conclusion. Even the sparks of promise you glimpse along the way will always be overshadowed by the despair these characters live with.
This is a wonderfully written story full of depth. The angst is off the charts, the romance a welcome reprieve in the darkness and the secondary characters gaining a place in my heart without consuming the story. There are not enough stars for this book and I’m already feeling the mega book hangover Crazy Madly Deeply is going to leave me with.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV Safety (view spoiler)[Although this couple have known each other almost all their lives they never get together due to the social divider between them. Therefore, they are both involved with others. Once together they are solid. A bit of ow drama in that H is having a casual affair with a woman. He is not a man whore. He is respectful of women. Heroine’s boyfriend is a douche so there is a time or two where we see what he makes her do for him. OM drama is more about the two men being enemies than anything to do with the heroine. (hide spoiler)] Triggers (view spoiler)[drugs; date rape; date rape drugs; physical abuse; mental health issues (hide spoiler)]
Merged review:
Holy freakin’ Hades!!! This book! There are just no words! This book stirred up so many emotions then one by one plucked them from their hiding places and flung them out in front of me to face them in all their messy glory. It was a painfully beautiful journey and I swear to any and all entities that I will never forget this amazing story!
My suggestion is to avoid reviews that give too much away. While it’s not a matter of constant twists and turns, the best part of this book is never knowing what’s going to happen next. Just settle back and let this author introduce you to her characters. They are incredible. Broken and imperfect but exactly what they needed to be to face their inner demons. Then be prepared to hold on emotionally as she takes you on a ride through a desperate and desolate plain where there is no hope to be found at its conclusion. Even the sparks of promise you glimpse along the way will always be overshadowed by the despair these characters live with.
This is a wonderfully written story full of depth. The angst is off the charts, the romance a welcome reprieve in the darkness and the secondary characters gaining a place in my heart without consuming the story. There are not enough stars for this book and I’m already feeling the mega book hangover Crazy Madly Deeply is going to leave me with.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV Safety (view spoiler)[Although this couple have known each other almost all their lives they never get together due to the social divider between them. Therefore, they are both involved with others. Once together they are solid. A bit of ow drama in that H is having a casual affair with a woman. He is not a man whore. He is respectful of women. Heroine’s boyfriend is a douche so there is a time or two where we see what he makes her do for him. OM drama is more about the two men being enemies than anything to do with the heroine. (hide spoiler)] Triggers (view spoiler)[drugs; date rape; date rape drugs; physical abuse; mental health issues (hide spoiler)]...more
This was an enjoyable read. While it’s all about the mystery, I was able to guess who it was rather early on. Of course, there was always the chance IThis was an enjoyable read. While it’s all about the mystery, I was able to guess who it was rather early on. Of course, there was always the chance I would be wrong. I was not. However, the reasons behind the murders were quite shocking as were all the murders themselves. This was filled with details. Not only about the murders, but about the drugs, the process of hunting the killer and the battle to overcome adversity.
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The romance is really non-existent but I suspected it would be and therefore, did not go into this with any expectations in that department. When it did pop up out of nowhere, it actually annoyed me as there was nothing organic about it. I liked the hero, Spencer, quite a bit and would have loved to see him in the boyfriend role.
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Overall, I liked this story and would recommend it to anyone that does not have triggers and is not looking for romance.
Another fun read about a poison taster and the man she tends to keep getting caught up in mystery cases with!
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When Izzy’s client is found dead Another fun read about a poison taster and the man she tends to keep getting caught up in mystery cases with!
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When Izzy’s client is found dead she’s thrown back into contact with Connor whom she hasn’t see for the past three months. As they try to find evidence where there isn’t any, Izzy is trying to avoid annoying family who have come to visit, and help Etta with her new dog who has a phobia of stairs. Along the way, she also makes an enemy of the detective in charge of the case and has a few run-ins with Mr. Black.
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While this one wasn’t as much fun as the first book, it was still full of humor, good friends, annoying characters and Connor. We get a little bit more of his background and it’s become a tad easier to discern what he might be thinking…but just a tad. This is very light on the romance, but it is moving along…slowly. Izzy is still as fresh and crazy as before and the case is another mind boggler. Additional characters are introduced and as before, they are all well developed and add to the overall enjoyment of the story, even the bad guy(s).
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Like book one, I was engaged in this story from the first page. I adore Izzy and all her weirdness, her innate kindness and her thought processes. She keeps me smiling, if not outright laughing. I think it’s safe to say I will be continuing the series. It’s just too good to ignore!
Oh my gosh! This was such a beautiful love story with so much angsty goodness my heart is bursting!
Kristi has had a crush on Jake since they 4.5 Stars
Oh my gosh! This was such a beautiful love story with so much angsty goodness my heart is bursting!
Kristi has had a crush on Jake since they were children. When a night out opens the door for something more with him, she eagerly steps through it. But trouble follows and it follows in a big way. Decisions are made, actions taken, and their lives are irreparably set onto a new path.
I adored Kristi. She was a sweet, small home town girl with a desire for a touch of darkness in her life. Jake fit that requirement and even as she knew it was only temporary, she grabbed it with both hands.
’”You’re a good girl.” “I’m shy, not good.” His smile vanishes. Heat darkens his eyes. My words excite him. He likes shy girls who aren’t good.’
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She wasn’t looking at life through rose colored glasses and even if some of her decisions might conflict with reader’s beliefs, it was what she felt to be right considering where she lived. While she isn’t your normal kick tail heroine, she was strong, independent and fierce all with a touch of innocence about her.
My heart hurt for Jake. He’s lived a life of never being enough. His own decisions cause mayhem and destruction in his life and as a result he loses a part of his soul. Initially, I didn’t want to cheer him on due to some of those decisions, but holy heck, when he pulls himself out of the gutter he was wallowing in, he did so with intense determination.
’I haven’t felt this free, this salvaged, since the day Kristi told me she’d wait for me. Everything that happened in between are layers of dirt, but I’m scrubbing them away one by one.’
He quickly became totally swoon worthy and I absolutely loved him and all his brokenness.
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Never have I read such a story filled with such heart breaking yet beautiful redemption. Jake had amends to make and he did so with words and actions that melted my heart. This couple belonged together but it was a struggle for them to find their path much less to stay on it.
’Like a wild rose creeper that has invaded the abandoned mesh of a fence, the feelings strangling my heart are twisted, and warped, and full of thorns with fragile little flowers in between. Even if I don’t want to admit it, I still have feelings for Jake. Those feelings are intertwined with the pain, fragile little roses that survive between thorns.’
The road this author takes us on with them was strewn with rocks and boulders. But oh my, when they finally found their solution, I was in tears from the pure joy that they had come through it all and survived, changed yes, but all the stronger for it.
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Although this looks to be a longer read, it felt anything but. The rhythm and pacing was such that I had consumed more than I had thought and still didn’t want to put it down. There is never a doubt regarding the chemistry between Jake and Kristi. It absolutely sizzles from one scene to the next. While this starts out with smexy times, there is actually a good portion of the book that has a slow burn to it. It was absolutely perfect for their situation and when they finally step across that line again…beauty in every word.
If you enjoy an angst filled love story and intense groveling, you’re going to love Jake and this story.
Dual POV Safe (view spoiler)[not safe; h virgin; h/H marry but H leaves out of country for education/job – he fails at everything a spirals down into despair where he partakes of drugs/alcohol and prostitutes; one of the prostitutes shows up claiming her child is H’s – it is not and it does not come between this couple but highlights their strength as they face it together; h intends to marry older man and intends to divorce H – no sex since the H – om causes some jealous/possessive moments with H (hide spoiler)] Triggers (view spoiler)[alcohol/drug abuse; prostitutes; domestic violence (hide spoiler)] ...more
After watching her father murder her mother, Blair was institutionalized and never spoke again. Ten yearsWow! This is one crazy wild ride of a story!
After watching her father murder her mother, Blair was institutionalized and never spoke again. Ten years later she sets out to somehow set the record straight. With her head in a bad space and her body and mind reacting from coming off the drugs she has been kept on, she’s not sure if the man that enters the house at night is a figment of her imagination and dreams or the real thing. Add in the bearded, tattooed biker that has insinuated himself into her days and she’s in a whirl of emotions.
Brede needs one last job to help his foster parents out and set him up for retirement. He doesn’t usually take out women but it’s the only thing available and he needs the money. But when his target challenges him by sitting her innocent self on his bike and refusing to move, he’s suddenly thinking that he can buy a little time before the hit.
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This is one hot steamy read with characters that each have their own secrets, some of them we know and some won’t be revealed for a while yet. I thought I knew what was going on but as the author slowly drops little clues I realized I didn’t know a thing. There’s a lot going on here and in the middle of it all is Blair and her secret. One that has kept her from speaking for a decade.
This has a great pace to it with a shade of dark as well as some of the steamiest scenes I’ve read in a while. While some of the smexy times have an element or two that I’m not a fan of, I absolutely know others are getting to gobble them up. This ends in a huge cliffhanger and I don’t have a clue how things are going to play out.
Dual POV Safe (view spoiler)[no ow/om drama; h is virgin 18 yrs; H is a manho and in one scene allows another woman to rub his thigh in an effort to get the h to react to him; there are 2 men in this story and the one that takes her virginity is not the hero - h has sexy times with both but not together - this is not a menage (hide spoiler)] Triggers (view spoiler)[domestic abuse; child molestation and child pornography – off page; drug use – not too indepth (hide spoiler)] ...more
Wow! This was quite a wild ride and one I won’t soon forget. These characters kept me captivated as they navigate relationships, their pasts, and theiWow! This was quite a wild ride and one I won’t soon forget. These characters kept me captivated as they navigate relationships, their pasts, and their need for not only justice but for revenge. Filled with a lot of twists and turns, as well as some serious sizzling scenes, I couldn’t put this one down.
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There is a bit of character inconsistency with the hero regarding a decision he made that had me shaking my head a bit, but it wasn’t nearly enough to interfere with my determination to find out if and how these characters found their happy ever after or what that was going to look like.
Ultimately, this ends in the best possible way with a look into the future which included marriage, babies and a satisfying taste of revenge.
Multi POV Safe (view spoiler)[ no ow/om drama; h is virgin 18 yrs; H is a manho and in one scene allows another woman to rub his thigh in an effort to get the h to react to him; there are 2 men in this story and the one that takes her virginity is not the hero - h has sexy times with both but not together - this is not a menage (hide spoiler)] Triggers (view spoiler)[ domestic abuse; child molestation and child pornography – off page; drug use – not too indepth; attempted rape – on page and graphic; mental health issues (hide spoiler)] ...more
Holy heck! How do you even begin to review a book like this? I’ve read a lot of books and many of them have been dark and disturbing, but his one…justHoly heck! How do you even begin to review a book like this? I’ve read a lot of books and many of them have been dark and disturbing, but his one…just, holy heck! Every book I’ve read by this author surprises me and I swore I wasn’t going to let her twist me up this time around. Uh, I’m the fool. She got me. Again.
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First, let me say to try to avoid any reviews that go into a lot of detail about this story. The way it slowly opens up and reveals itself is part of the overall experience that you won’t want to miss. It’s written from two different points of view. Justin, the victim advocate who has been assigned to determine if the woman who he’s interviewing is capable of the crimes the police are investigating, and Rainey who is the sole survivor of a “rampage style murder” where four people were bludgeoned to death.
While the weight of this book rests on Rainey’s past, she was broken long before her story actually begins here. You may find yourself empathizing with her. You may cry. You may sneer. You may judge. However, through it all…you will feel.
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This is a dark story on the lighter side but with many disturbing scenes and actions. It is not a safe read. It has triggers galore. And if you can handle that, you’re in for the ride of your life.
Another audio that didn’t shine but certainly didn’t distract from the story. I both read and listened to this book.
Audiobook: Narrator - Amy Rubinate
Another audio that didn’t shine but certainly didn’t distract from the story. There were a few moments when her voice hit a very bland flat note at a time when I felt she should’ve been more animated but as a pretty lenient reader/listener I was able to ignore it and keep moving forward. I did find myself turning up the speed on this one as her rhythm was much too slow for me.
I had high expectations for this read as several friends had suggested it on various lists and groups. And initially, the set up looked promising for a sappy romance with a rich a-hole hero, yadda, yadda, yadda. Just the type of story I was needing to disappear into. Low angst and high predictability. That is not what I got. And unfortunately, that affected my enjoyment of it.
So, I’m going to try really hard to push aside the few things that really bugged me - the hero constantly pushing the heroine away, the use of other women as a tool to cause division and some really extreme angst on every level of this couple’s relationship. I will say that it has a great mystery at the heart of it, secrets that completely blew me away, and a steam factor that is completely off the charts.
I was not a fan of Trace in the beginning but after some conflict and resolution between them, I actually began to like him. I was still a little ticked off regarding an action he made when trying to push Ember away but instead of loathing him I moved into liking him. Ember’s character didn’t feel fully developed but as the story progressed and she began to morph into a woman with more backbone, he character felt “fuller”.
There’s a lot of mystery and secondary characters that will make you twitchy and I’m not really sure if I’m buying all of the answers that was given, but nevertheless, I ended up enjoying this story despite not being the solace I was looking for.
Heroine POV Safe (view spoiler)[H is manwhore; h has been with 2 men - she is 23 yrs old; h caught H giving a handjob to a woman in the nightclub where/when they first meet; later in an effort to push h away, H lets her think he is having sex with woman in same nightclub/dark corner; the H allows other women to flirt with him while he’s trying to push h away - no clear indication if he was celibate or not during their separation which lasted a few months (hide spoiler)]Triggers(view spoiler)[sexual molestation of child; drugs; attempted rape; h’s roomate’s boyfriend sells the h to his friend - she is saved from the situation by the H (hide spoiler)] ...more
Wow! This is one angst fest. This couple are so completely messed up, especially the hero that I was tempted to end this pretty early on. Because of fWow! This is one angst fest. This couple are so completely messed up, especially the hero that I was tempted to end this pretty early on. Because of friends that have loved it I continued on. There are several triggers here and a lot of stupid actions from both the hero and heroine. I wanted to smack both of them on several occasions. Some of the things that happened could have been avoided by just saying a few words and some things were just a bit over the top. Despite this being a twisted, messy mix of crazy I’m continuing on to the next book. Don’t ask me why, I’m not even sure myself. I’m going to blame it on a bit of OCD. I hate to not finish what I started. Gah!
Dual POV Safe (view spoiler)[not safe as the H is with 2 women when she comes to tell him she's pregnant a 2nd time with his child although it is after their divorce; h is with om after the divorce (hide spoiler)] Triggers (view spoiler)[drugs; alcohol abuse; thoughts of suicide; miscarriage (hide spoiler)]...more
Audiobook: Narrators – Sarah Naughton & Chris Ruen This narration was pretty good. Nothing about it bothered me, which is always a win, but nothing stoAudiobook: Narrators – Sarah Naughton & Chris Ruen This narration was pretty good. Nothing about it bothered me, which is always a win, but nothing stood out and made it outstanding either. I would re-listen to both of these narrators.
While this is a favorite of some readers, I’m left uncertain exactly how I feel about it. On one hand, I loved the possessiveness Tristan displays for Danika. However, I despised the double standard he exhibited. He went berserk over any other man that he even thought would make a move on her but he had no problem flirting with his ex and couldn’t understand why she didn’t see that it was innocent. And that’s just a tiny nugget of his off balance thinking. I don’t want to spoiler it completely. He also made decisions that just ticked me the heck off. As for Danika, I thought she was way too forgiving just because of his smile. So yeah, I may be turning into that reader that can’t handle the inequality between an “alpha” hero and the heroine.
I’ve started book two but even after the opening I’m thinking I’m in for an angst fest. Sigh.
Mostly Heroine POV with a few from Hero Safe (view spoiler)[not safe; H is with ow during a two week period of time when they were not in communication – while it was before they were an official couple, they had been having sex together a lot and were “best friends” – one of those times was just hours before he performed a gig that he had arranged for the h to attend (hide spoiler)] Triggers (view spoiler)[h was sexually “coerced” (h’s word) by her foster father when she was 15 yrs old; drug use; addiction (hide spoiler)] ...more
Holy heck!!! We only thought Nico was the ultimate possessive hero! Christian takes things to a whole other level!
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After marrying into the CosaHoly heck!!! We only thought Nico was the ultimate possessive hero! Christian takes things to a whole other level!
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After marrying into the Cosa Nostra, Gianna finds herself playing hard to adjust to the disappointments life has served her. When a drug arrest lands her in the possession of a federal agent, she expects to be interrogated about the men who make up the lifestyle she has been a part of since her marriage. What she doesn’t expect is for him to be morally questionable and undeniably dirty.
Christian’s past has molded him into a man with deep, dark secrets.
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His connection to the Cos Nostra was unwanted until something, or someone, caught his attention. Now he’s living his life in a mess of conflicting emotions, trying to overcome the urges that drive him onward. For a man who has complete control in his life, everything having a neat and tidy place, and no fear, he’s making decisions that he knows will do nothing but bring chaos.
”In reality, she’d touch my sh!t. Reorganize my things. Fill my apartment with sugary cereal. And most importantly, slowly dig her way into my past. And when she did that, she’d hate me more than she already did. Maybe even be disgusted. I couldn’t stomach letting her see me in that light.
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I was worried about whether I would like Gianna as I didn’t really care for her in the first book. But it didn’t take long for me to see that there was so much more to her than what is on the surface. She has her own taste in clothing, a seemingly wide open personality that pulls everyone in, and a dark past that has left its mark in the form of panic attacks. While her drug use bothered me, the underlying reasons for it was understandable. When her past is finally revealed, I hurt for her.
Christian does not give in to his obsession as other heroes before him have. He fights it every step of the way, even when he reluctantly yields to it, justifying it in his mind.
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The longer he indulges in his want of the thing he can’t have, the more he realizes that it will force him to share the secrets he has never spoken of in order to keep “it”. And that can never happen.
The relationship between Gianna and Christian is filled with so many mixed emotions. There is a lot of push and pull here laced with animosity, desire and angst.
Christian: ”When she was close, all I could focus on was that she smelled like temptation. Like something I wanted to worship and degrade at the same time.”
Gianna: ”He was so formal and uptight, anything remotely sexual felt so much dirtier with him.”
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Spanning seven years, they are at times in the peripheral of each other’s lives, and other times separated by choices and miles that seem to keep them apart. Gianna is married when she first meets Christian but her young life, hopes and dreams have been upended. When forced together, she labels their interactions as games, while he uses them for his own personal reasons.
”I’d gone out of my way and followed her around for godd@mn years just to look at her. I’d insulted her just to hear her smoky voice and witty response.”
This couple light up the pages of this book like a nuclear explosion. There was so much sexual tension here that I’m sure my fingers indented the edges of my Kindle.
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While this doesn’t have a dramatic conflict, the personal issues that have to be dealt with are soul destroying and make for more than enough drama. The flashbacks and timeline were a bit confusing at times, although the author does clearly label them. Despite the mafia lifestyle not being the core of this story, its presence is very much felt. While I liked the epilogue, this couple had to work hard to get to their happy ever after and I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t ever get to really see them together in that state. An additional scene would have been, as Gianna might have said, “the icing on the brownie”.
"Haven’t you heard? Love is an obsession. Some would even say..the maddest obsession."
Dual POV Safe (view spoiler)[h was a virgin when she married 1st husband – she loved him and he cheated – she meets H after learning that but nothing physical happens between them while she’s married to husband #1 – she does not sleep with husband again after learning about him cheating; H/h have a semi hook up after the death of #1 but he is called away and while gone, she is forced to choose #2; h chooses a very old husband and it’s never said if the marriage is consummated as he’s in his 70s – he is near death when h/H have sex - #2 is never on page; H never has sex with a woman more than 3 times (it’s a thing/OCD); H has never kissed a woman until h; nothing is said if H is with ow during the years they are separated while she is married to #2 (he moved himself to stay away from her – 3 years) (hide spoiler)] Triggers (view spoiler)[child molestation; drug use – h does stop using and this does not depict her as an addict; violence (hide spoiler)] ...more
Ms. Kahn does an amazing job of relaying these stories in audio form. As the author, as well as the narrator, she brAudio-book: Narrator – Denise Kahn
Ms. Kahn does an amazing job of relaying these stories in audio form. As the author, as well as the narrator, she brings a distinct feel to the characters in a style that is clear and precise. I enjoyed each book and the emotions Ms. Kahn demonstrates through her voice. I highly suggest this audio if you have a love and infinity for music and some of its history.
Peace of Music:
This story starts with the creation of a vase and follows it as it travels from person to person and their lives as well as how music plays a part in each one. It was quite interesting and the author adds plenty of facts along the way.
Obsession of the Heart:
Obsession of the Heart was quite thrilling at times as it showcases a young woman and her transition into stardom as well as the lives of those around her. It has several intense moments of violence as well as passion and I was heavily invested in the outcome.
Warrior Music:
This book covered the journey of a young man from his teenage years through his boot camp days in the Marines, and into the Iraq war where he meets and falls in love with Sam, a nurse at a combat surgical hospital. The author colored each phase with a picture so sharp and clear I felt as though I stood right beside Max, and Sam as well, as they both pushed through to become survivors. And along the way is the music that cannot be missed and only adds to the richness of this story.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This was a very nice narration. Each character’s voice was clean and clear even when accented and I was always able Audio-book: Narrator – Denise Kahn
This was a very nice narration. Each character’s voice was clean and clear even when accented and I was always able to discern who was speaking. Sometimes I had a bit of trouble with the fluctuations at the end of a sentence but that’s an issue that is all on the listener. Overall, I really enjoyed this narration.
This book covered the journey of a young man from his teenage years through his boot camp days in the Marines, and into the Iraq war where he meets and falls in love with Sam, a nurse at a combat surgical hospital. The author colored each phase with a picture so sharp and clear I felt as though I stood right beside Max, and Sam as well, as they both pushed through to become survivors. And along the way is the music that cannot be missed and only adds to the richness of this story.
I was given this free review copy audio-book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Multi POV Safe (view spoiler)[no ow/om drama; h is engaged when they first meet but nothing happens between H/h (hide spoiler)] Triggers drug use; some scenes of IEDs and explosions during war and the result damage ...more
Audible – Narrated by: Emma Hudson, Max Thomas, Ryan Gray
I really struggled initially with Ms. Hudson’s fluctuation on her part as Sloan. It felt and Audible – Narrated by: Emma Hudson, Max Thomas, Ryan Gray
I really struggled initially with Ms. Hudson’s fluctuation on her part as Sloan. It felt and sounded very flat and I almost DNF’d because it caused me to wince and while I didn’t mind the men’s voices her’s was so bad I almost felt it physically. However, I knew in the past when I struggled with a different type of voice, if I gave it some time I would adjust. I did and it got better. Although it also felt as though she had settled down into the story some as well as I did. After the rough start I was totally invested in all of these narrators.
This is a very fast paced story that never gets bogged down. I was a bit nervous when I realized it’s set up to sound a bit like a love triangle but you quickly realize that’s the last thing this is. A lot of this is going to be a bit iffy for the safety gang. Sloan is living with Asa who is not a good guy. She has really doesn’t have a lot of choice you will find. When Carter enters her life she wants what she can’t have. All along the way Asa is manipulating things in the background. I don’t want to give too much of it away.
I really enjoyed this book. I’m not sure all the ending with the epilogues was about but I was thrilled this didn’t end with a cliffhanger and we got a HEA. It was kind of questionable there for a while. This is not your standard Colleen Hoover book. This is very steamy and harsh and deals with some extremely heavy topics.
Multi POV Triggers (view spoiler)[Drugs, rape, dub-con, forced pregnancy (hide spoiler)] Safety Gang (view spoiler)[Sloan lives with Asa. She is being abused by him and wants out but isn’t able to get out for a variety of reasons. She has sex with Carter while still sleeping with Asa. Bigger spoiler: (view spoiler)[She gets pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. Carter doesn’t want to do paternity test. (hide spoiler)](hide spoiler)] ...more
Sometimes hitting rock bottom isn’t enough. Sometimes, you have to hit it again and again and again. Liam was at one of those bottoms the night he staSometimes hitting rock bottom isn’t enough. Sometimes, you have to hit it again and again and again. Liam was at one of those bottoms the night he stared drunkenly, his body infused with drugs, at the oncoming train. He was angry and resentful when a passing car stopped and what followed foiled any plans he might not have realized he had.
A year later and he’s living a life in a nowhere place where there are no temptations. He’s just barely getting by with nothing but sheep to keep him company. The last thing he expected to find was temptation in the form of Frankie. Her wiggle and laugh, her snarky comments and dry wit enraptured him. The only thing stopping him from trying something with her was the huge diamond engagement ring.
Frankie is struggling to get along with her fiancee’s family. The titled English live by their own rules and she doesn’t fit into their ideal of suitable. After one particularly nasty evening she borrows an estate car and drives to the nearest pub. There she meets the rude and cocky Liam.
This was a deeply emotional read for me. It kept my stomach in knots throughout its entirety. And I loved every moment of it. This couple had a lot to work through, especially Liam, and I wasn’t sure how that was all going to play out. I absolutely loved both of these characters and anything less than a perfect happy ever after was not going to work for me. When they first meet their chemistry and banter grabbed me and pulled me immediately into the story ensuring that I fall in love with each of them. Together and separately.
While this was extremely angsty and dealt with topics I’m not a huge fan of, Liam will go down in history as my favorite Roxie Noir hero.
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by the author but I purchased a copy as well.
Dual POV Safety – no ow drama; (view spoiler)[heroine is engaged but she does not sleep with her fiancée after she meets H and she doesn’t sleep with H until she has broken things off with fiancée (hide spoiler)] Possible Triggers - (view spoiler)[alcohol abuse described on page; drug use off page although H does share some of his usage to h (hide spoiler)]...more
Nolan and Miranda have been friends since she moved to Holly. She has guardianship of her nephew and her life is rather too complicated to date so NolNolan and Miranda have been friends since she moved to Holly. She has guardianship of her nephew and her life is rather too complicated to date so Nolan accepts that they will be friends and nothing more. However, when Miranda must present a fiancé to her family, he sees the opportunity to change the status quo. As all good alpha heroes do, he begins claiming her inch by inch until she’s not sure just what the heck is going on. When tragedy strikes, the relationship is strained and they both are struggling to figure out where things go from there.
The first half of this was lighthearted and fun with enough steamy goodness to boil your hot chocolate. However, things definitely take a darker turn and the strength of what they’ve started is tested. I enjoyed this quick read and was surprised by the dramatic turn it took. With “Mistletoe Me, Baby” as a title I was expecting all tinsel and glitter. It was actually quite a pleasant surprise. I would have loved if this had been worked into a full book. Gotta say though, unless I missed it, there wasn’t a twig of mistletoe to be found in the story except at the end and even that wasn’t real. Overall, it didn’t really matter. There was just too much Nolan deliciousness to complain about anything.
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by the author.
Audio-book: Narrators – Erin Mallon and Noah Michael Levine
These narrators do an exceptional job with this book! Filled with lots of dark angst and tuAudio-book: Narrators – Erin Mallon and Noah Michael Levine
These narrators do an exceptional job with this book! Filled with lots of dark angst and turmoil, both narrators brought the characters to life as their voices filled with hate, passion, anger, and love. I enjoyed every syllable of this story as Ms. Mallon and Mr. Levine shine in their presentation of Courtney and Rome.
This read pulled me in and kept me with its dark tone and super angsty drama. There were layers upon layers to this story and I was so anxious to just get to the end so I could learn what had truly happened. My emotions were all over this bully to lovers story, which is usually not my style. In order for this trope to work for me there has to be a true, heartfelt shift from the hero. I felt that Rome did indeed make the switch. Most likely because despite all the history between them, he has always been drawn to her. Although there wasn’t a lot of groveling on the road to forgiveness, I was satisfied with the outcome.
This has a lot of steam that is steeped in a bit of darkness, so beware. The secondary characters were necessary and vital to the story without taking over. I did feel that Courtney rolled over too easily for Rome in the beginning but through character growth she became a woman that could stand up for herself. I loved that about her!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Dual POV
Safe (view spoiler)[no ow drama; H does allow a bit of bullying from his friends – some of it crossing over into sexual innuendos; scene where older man makes inappropriate move towards h but h doesn’t reciprocate (hide spoiler)] Triggers (view spoiler)[suicide; physical abuse; extreme bulling; verbal abuse; rough sex; older man seduces 17 year old girl; blackmail; drugs; might be more that I can't remember off the top of my head (hide spoiler)] ...more
Audible: Loved the inflections of the narrators voice. However, due to number of characters in this story and only one narrator, it was often times inAudible: Loved the inflections of the narrators voice. However, due to number of characters in this story and only one narrator, it was often times inconsistent or indecipherable as to who was talking and when.
Definitely an uncomfortable book to read. Not at all what I thought it was going to be. I had not really read any reviews on it prior to listening. I just knew that it was controversial and that some people in my life had read it and said it was the type of read to never be forgotten. I do know that it was exceptionally well written and the characters came to life for me. I fell in love with Wavy and wanted to scoop her up and protect her. Another of my favorite characters was her roomate, Renee. Absolutely loved the evolution that took place once Wavy entered her life.
Not a book for everyone and certainly not one I would even recommend. I didn't pay for the book or the audio as it was free during a special sale with audible.
Wow, this one has so much pain and heartache. I loved these characters and the connection they immediately feel for one another. Andre is definitely aWow, this one has so much pain and heartache. I loved these characters and the connection they immediately feel for one another. Andre is definitely a keeper and I respected the heck out of the way he helped both Renata and Grant. So many secrets to be revealed and I can’t wait to continue on into Accuse.
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