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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Title: Axel
Author: Harper Sloan
Series: Can be standalone
Cliffhanger: No
Release Date: July 7, 2013
Rating: 3
HEA:
I have a lot of mixed feelings for this book. On one hand the plot was interesting on the other Izzy and Axel were both just so annoying, Izzy more so.
The idea of losing your love and then finding them later was not new but Sloan made it interesting in this book. And I understand that Izzy has been through a lot. With her parents dying, a miscarriage, thinking the love of your life is dead, and being in an abusive relationship for 6 year, it makes sense that she has a lot to work through. What I don’t understand is why she seemed to cry all the time.
I am definitely a fan of strong female characters and Izzy was not that. She became stronger at the end but that didn’t help because I already saw her like she was in the beginning. Izzy wasn’t the best to her friends Dee and Greg either. Regardless of the fact that this book is about Izzy and Axel, that doesn’t mean that every little thing has to revolve around them. Izzy had what I think is a soap opera problems where everything that can happen to a character does. Sloan should have been more decisive in her choices for what would happen to Izzy and cut the drama in half. And then to make her practically an alcoholic at the beginning was just too much.
Now Axel, he is a major alpha character. I love me some alpha, but there is a difference between alpha and completely controlling and over the top. Throughout the book Axel is unfailing in his love for Izzy. He does not give up or let anything get in his way. I actually liked Axel. He was just a little too intense and too extreme for me. If he was just brought down a bit I would have loved him. There are several books that I have read that have done the alpha male really well without going overboard like Axel was.
Regardless of Izzy and her crying and Axel and his controlling, etc., this book could be great. I think my main issue was with the language and choice or wording throughout. That doesn’t mean that I am anti cursing or anything. I think that there is just a point where the extreme amount of cursing becomes over the top. While reading Axel I realized some more pet peeves that I have. One is the over use of the word fuck. For some reason my opinion of a person goes down after a certain use of the word fuck. It is a fine word that should be used when necessary but after a while it is like, is that all you know how to say? The second is the over use of pet or nick names like baby (especially when the characters end up with an actual baby). And what was with Axel saying “hear me” all the time?
The last pet peeve that I realized is the wording about or during sex (can be related to the over use of the word fuck). When I read a line that says something like “her panties were soaked with one word from him”, I don’t always go to the obvious. Sometimes I think, omg did she just pee her pants? I don’t care if a book has a sex scene in it. And I don’t have a preference for the type or how it is written. But there should be some variety if there is going to be so many. Hopefully they don’t rely on the word fuck or other words like that. Sex shouldn’t rely on that. If you take all that out it should still work. This book was just over the top on that as well for me.
These are some quotes throughout that show that:
Just wondering but did anyone else find it odd that a lot of sentences seemed to start with words missing like I, I’ve, etc. I don’t really know how to explain it right but it was like they were cave men that did not know English well.
Overall this book just went a little too far with everything to be one of my favorites. There was potential for me it just did not hit the mark. The main problem between Izzy and Axel was lack of communication.
Communication and some scaling back all over would have made this at least a 4 star for me. When I looked at the descriptions of the other books I was not excited. I had to look at the reviews and I was really turned off. It seemed like all the parts that annoyed me in this book continue to the other books. I was so disappointed about the reviews of Maddox’s book. That was the one I would have loved to read but with everyone talking about something happening at 86% that makes them cry I don’t think I can. For me personally I couldn’t even consider reading that one until I know what happens.
If my pet peeves don't bother you and you like the extreme alpha then this is a good book for you.
Author: Harper Sloan
Series: Can be standalone
Cliffhanger: No
Release Date: July 7, 2013
Rating: 3
HEA:
Spoiler
YesI have a lot of mixed feelings for this book. On one hand the plot was interesting on the other Izzy and Axel were both just so annoying, Izzy more so.
The idea of losing your love and then finding them later was not new but Sloan made it interesting in this book. And I understand that Izzy has been through a lot. With her parents dying, a miscarriage, thinking the love of your life is dead, and being in an abusive relationship for 6 year, it makes sense that she has a lot to work through. What I don’t understand is why she seemed to cry all the time.
I am definitely a fan of strong female characters and Izzy was not that. She became stronger at the end but that didn’t help because I already saw her like she was in the beginning. Izzy wasn’t the best to her friends Dee and Greg either. Regardless of the fact that this book is about Izzy and Axel, that doesn’t mean that every little thing has to revolve around them. Izzy had what I think is a soap opera problems where everything that can happen to a character does. Sloan should have been more decisive in her choices for what would happen to Izzy and cut the drama in half. And then to make her practically an alcoholic at the beginning was just too much.
Now Axel, he is a major alpha character. I love me some alpha, but there is a difference between alpha and completely controlling and over the top. Throughout the book Axel is unfailing in his love for Izzy. He does not give up or let anything get in his way. I actually liked Axel. He was just a little too intense and too extreme for me. If he was just brought down a bit I would have loved him. There are several books that I have read that have done the alpha male really well without going overboard like Axel was.
Regardless of Izzy and her crying and Axel and his controlling, etc., this book could be great. I think my main issue was with the language and choice or wording throughout. That doesn’t mean that I am anti cursing or anything. I think that there is just a point where the extreme amount of cursing becomes over the top. While reading Axel I realized some more pet peeves that I have. One is the over use of the word fuck. For some reason my opinion of a person goes down after a certain use of the word fuck. It is a fine word that should be used when necessary but after a while it is like, is that all you know how to say? The second is the over use of pet or nick names like baby (especially when the characters end up with an actual baby). And what was with Axel saying “hear me” all the time?
The last pet peeve that I realized is the wording about or during sex (can be related to the over use of the word fuck). When I read a line that says something like “her panties were soaked with one word from him”, I don’t always go to the obvious. Sometimes I think, omg did she just pee her pants? I don’t care if a book has a sex scene in it. And I don’t have a preference for the type or how it is written. But there should be some variety if there is going to be so many. Hopefully they don’t rely on the word fuck or other words like that. Sex shouldn’t rely on that. If you take all that out it should still work. This book was just over the top on that as well for me.
These are some quotes throughout that show that:
He sucks in a deep pull before speaking, his voice thick with lust. “Oh, Princess, I can’t think of anything that we should be doing more. You feel that? You feel how fucking hard I am for you? I can feel your warm fucking cunt hugging my dick even through my goddamn pants. You are on fire for me.”
“Baby, it is fucking hilarious. You really think that once I bury myself deep within your pussy and feel your tight walls squeezing the come right out of my dick that I will ever want to let you go again? You must be out of your fucking mind, Princess. I won’t even be able to let you out of my fucking bed until we make up for every single day we have lost.” He leans over and lands a smack on my lips before smiling back at the road.
My pussy lips open wide to hug his cock. He moans into my mouth and rocks back and forth, sliding his hard length through my wetness.
“God Princess, you have no idea. No fucking idea,” he says, rolling to the side and pulling me closer to his hard body. “Never letting you go, Izzy. Never,” he whispers into my hair, squeezing me a little tighter. I let him hold me while I purge myself of the overwhelming emotions our lovemaking has brought forth.
“I can understand that, I can, but what I can’t understand is why you seem to be afraid of me sometimes. A lot has happened, but you know—you have to know—I would never fucking hurt you.”
I get you’re scared, but hear me, really hear me. I am NOT going to hurt you. There isn’t one goddamn thing that will tear us apart again. Lost too much time already, Princess. Too much time that I should have had you right here in my arms.”
Just wondering but did anyone else find it odd that a lot of sentences seemed to start with words missing like I, I’ve, etc. I don’t really know how to explain it right but it was like they were cave men that did not know English well.
Overall this book just went a little too far with everything to be one of my favorites. There was potential for me it just did not hit the mark. The main problem between Izzy and Axel was lack of communication.
Communication and some scaling back all over would have made this at least a 4 star for me. When I looked at the descriptions of the other books I was not excited. I had to look at the reviews and I was really turned off. It seemed like all the parts that annoyed me in this book continue to the other books. I was so disappointed about the reviews of Maddox’s book. That was the one I would have loved to read but with everyone talking about something happening at 86% that makes them cry I don’t think I can. For me personally I couldn’t even consider reading that one until I know what happens.
If my pet peeves don't bother you and you like the extreme alpha then this is a good book for you.
I read this book years ago but then finally listened to it. Still to this day I love Alex and Izzy. I've got them on my bookshelf for safekeeping. Could the performance by the narrators been better? Sure, but doesn't everyone have one they like more than others, This story has all the feels. You will get upset, you may cry. It will get hot as sin as well.
3.75 it was good and sexy but a bit over the top. However an easy summer fun read!
I really enjoyed Axel. I found it sexy and it kept my attention so much so that I couldn't put it down. Izzy and Axel finally find their way back to each other after all of these years yet it's not your typical reunion! Can't wiat to read the rest of the Corps Secruity series!
What an awesome emotional read..
I could feel the pain in the characters it ran that deep. I loved it! The storyline was amazing, I thought that Izzy and Axel were all kinds of hot in the bedroom.. And the characters were awesome.. I'm looking forward to Maddox's book. Something tells me that it's going to be an emotional one!
I could feel the pain in the characters it ran that deep. I loved it! The storyline was amazing, I thought that Izzy and Axel were all kinds of hot in the bedroom.. And the characters were awesome.. I'm looking forward to Maddox's book. Something tells me that it's going to be an emotional one!
I really liked this. I've been told to read this for a while and I must admit, good stuff. Whomever said that this was like Rock Chick is totally off, this was way better than the first Rock Chick. I never felt like why am I reading this with book, I was really anxious to see how it was going to all together and I like the way it did. Still a few unanswered questions, but overall, I really enjoyed it.4.5 stars :) I hear the next one is even better...
yeahhhhhh nope
not into the kind of writing this book has. and I can't connect to any of the characters either. and all the males in the book speak like they're trying so hard to sound badass, I just can't, sorry
pre-read:
I need more law enforcement/security/military books in my life but
*winces at the cover*
not into the kind of writing this book has. and I can't connect to any of the characters either. and all the males in the book speak like they're trying so hard to sound badass, I just can't, sorry
pre-read:
I need more law enforcement/security/military books in my life but
*winces at the cover*
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
*Contains Few Spoilers*
Axel is the first book in the Corps Security series by Harper Sloan. This author came on my radar last year with her second chance western trilogy that was the BOMB so after hearing the ladies at Scandalicious Chats, rave about this series and these kick ass military heroes that are the Corps Security I just knew that I needed to pick up Axel which is the first book in the series. And this series is through the Audible Romance Package so I was more than willing to grab this one up and boy this book put me through the wringer. I knew it was a bit darker, considering some of the elements that are introduced.
This story is one of the second chance romances that you really gravitate towards because there are outer influences that tear this couple apart, although by the end you do think that there could have been more effort. However it begins with two high school sweethearts. Axel has been raised in foster homes all of his life, and can't wait to be free of them. Axel knows that he wants Isabelle for his, but it will cost them some time for him to join the military and go through basic training before they can marry. They love each other passionately and want to be together. But Isabelle never imagined that it would cost her hell and back before she would be reunited with Axel again. Because Isabelle hears word that Axel has been killed, and the baby she is pregnant with she loses through a miscarriage. Isabelle is now, trying to recover from an abusive marriage and trying to pave a new life for herself slowly.
She is a career woman, doing what she loves, and spending time with her two best friends who have been there for her when she really needed them when she was broken and damaged and they helped her pick up the pieces for her new life. But when her ex starts threatening her, her best friend Greg "Cage" brings in the cavalry, the men he fought with and would die for and the men that created the Corps Security firm. What Isabelle doesn't expect is that one of his friends, is a man she thought had been dead for years....Axel. Axel had believed that Isabelle had given up on them years ago and holds bitter feelings for her. But when she goes into shock, he realizes that there is more going on than a crazy ex and he needs to know the truth. The tensions are high between Axel and Isabelle, but once the truth comes out, they begin to rebuild their relationship and discovering the love they had for each other never died.
This was a very heart wrenching tale, and I knew going in it was going to tear me apart inside and boy Harper Sloan really did that for me. But I am so glad that I read this book, it was REALLY good although the angst between Axel and Isabelle gets pretty intense, and boy at times I just wanted them to be more understanding and listen to each other instead of falling on past hurts, but really I understand why it was written this way but I really thought Axel was a bit jerkish when he sees Isabelle again and it takes a while before he redeems himself....but he DOES redeem himself in the end so I really enjoyed that.
Now on to the issue that I think needs to be addressed....this does feature a situation of Domestic Abuse and I am so glad that Harper Sloan went this angle. Because I feel like its such a vital issue in our society today and has been a problem for thousands of years. Lately I have heard many commentary (which this drives me nuts) where most people especially women, view women who are victims of domestic abuse as weak and this is just NOT true. I truly believe that we each have different levels of strength. There is a lot of manipulation involved and its not so simple as just leaving sometimes. I loved that Harper Sloan addressed this issue, because I do feel like it needs to be addressed and we as fellow human beings needn't be so judgemental on something we can't comprehend unless you go through it yourself. And Isabelle has gone through hell and back and some of it I have gone through myself, losing someone you love just about kills you and so I really understood Isabelle in ways that others don't understand her. I really liked her, because she did pick up the pieces of her life, and try to make a new life for herself. I admired Isabelle's strength and courage and tenacity. She finds new strength in herself, in her friendships and the love she finds again with Axel. We see them go through loss and reconnect again and its truly an emotional roller coaster from the joys to the sorrows.
Overall I found this book to be a sensational read that worked me through all human emotion and gave back ten fold in its autenticity of swoony love, second chance love and a heartwarming if a bit angst romantic tale that is bound to curl your toes!!
[foogallery id="59866"]
*Contains Few Spoilers*
Axel is the first book in the Corps Security series by Harper Sloan. This author came on my radar last year with her second chance western trilogy that was the BOMB so after hearing the ladies at Scandalicious Chats, rave about this series and these kick ass military heroes that are the Corps Security I just knew that I needed to pick up Axel which is the first book in the series. And this series is through the Audible Romance Package so I was more than willing to grab this one up and boy this book put me through the wringer. I knew it was a bit darker, considering some of the elements that are introduced.
This story is one of the second chance romances that you really gravitate towards because there are outer influences that tear this couple apart, although by the end you do think that there could have been more effort. However it begins with two high school sweethearts. Axel has been raised in foster homes all of his life, and can't wait to be free of them. Axel knows that he wants Isabelle for his, but it will cost them some time for him to join the military and go through basic training before they can marry. They love each other passionately and want to be together. But Isabelle never imagined that it would cost her hell and back before she would be reunited with Axel again. Because Isabelle hears word that Axel has been killed, and the baby she is pregnant with she loses through a miscarriage. Isabelle is now, trying to recover from an abusive marriage and trying to pave a new life for herself slowly.
He was the only reason I survived at the hands of Brandon, I would just close myself off and think of him and the times we had together. He was my salvation in the darkest of the dark.
She is a career woman, doing what she loves, and spending time with her two best friends who have been there for her when she really needed them when she was broken and damaged and they helped her pick up the pieces for her new life. But when her ex starts threatening her, her best friend Greg "Cage" brings in the cavalry, the men he fought with and would die for and the men that created the Corps Security firm. What Isabelle doesn't expect is that one of his friends, is a man she thought had been dead for years....Axel. Axel had believed that Isabelle had given up on them years ago and holds bitter feelings for her. But when she goes into shock, he realizes that there is more going on than a crazy ex and he needs to know the truth. The tensions are high between Axel and Isabelle, but once the truth comes out, they begin to rebuild their relationship and discovering the love they had for each other never died.
This was a very heart wrenching tale, and I knew going in it was going to tear me apart inside and boy Harper Sloan really did that for me. But I am so glad that I read this book, it was REALLY good although the angst between Axel and Isabelle gets pretty intense, and boy at times I just wanted them to be more understanding and listen to each other instead of falling on past hurts, but really I understand why it was written this way but I really thought Axel was a bit jerkish when he sees Isabelle again and it takes a while before he redeems himself....but he DOES redeem himself in the end so I really enjoyed that.
Not one day went by Izzy that my heart didn’t belong to you. To this day there has only been one woman that has and will ever hold it. Fuck, baby but the love I have for you is so fucking strong sometimes, I wonder if it will crush me
Now on to the issue that I think needs to be addressed....this does feature a situation of Domestic Abuse and I am so glad that Harper Sloan went this angle. Because I feel like its such a vital issue in our society today and has been a problem for thousands of years. Lately I have heard many commentary (which this drives me nuts) where most people especially women, view women who are victims of domestic abuse as weak and this is just NOT true. I truly believe that we each have different levels of strength. There is a lot of manipulation involved and its not so simple as just leaving sometimes. I loved that Harper Sloan addressed this issue, because I do feel like it needs to be addressed and we as fellow human beings needn't be so judgemental on something we can't comprehend unless you go through it yourself. And Isabelle has gone through hell and back and some of it I have gone through myself, losing someone you love just about kills you and so I really understood Isabelle in ways that others don't understand her. I really liked her, because she did pick up the pieces of her life, and try to make a new life for herself. I admired Isabelle's strength and courage and tenacity. She finds new strength in herself, in her friendships and the love she finds again with Axel. We see them go through loss and reconnect again and its truly an emotional roller coaster from the joys to the sorrows.
When you are with me I am free.
My strength. My heart. My everything.
Our love now continues forever.
Overall I found this book to be a sensational read that worked me through all human emotion and gave back ten fold in its autenticity of swoony love, second chance love and a heartwarming if a bit angst romantic tale that is bound to curl your toes!!
[foogallery id="59866"]