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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I really had a hard time with this book.
Plot:
Story started with a bang. It's not so often that book get you emotionally invested in characters in first chapter, but opening scene was really powerful. Blurb doesn't mentioned it directly, but in author's note at the beginning there is word of caution that book contains domestic violence scene. Domestic violence is not scarier than any other violence, but I guess it affects people on more deeper level because it's violence caused by person that by default should love the victim. So, if you can't stomach that, it's perfectly safe to skip that scene and enjoy the rest of story.
Basic premise:After one beating too much, our heroine, Izzy, fled from her bad marriage and abusive husband with the help of her best friend Dee. They are now settled in another city and Izzy is trying to get her life on a right track. Unfortunately she gets some disturbing letter from her husband and her friend Cage knows just a guy to deal with this problem. The fate has it that this guy is someone she has complicated past with.
I know exact moment when this story started going downhill for me. We spent half of book reading about Izzy and Axel deciding they need to talk, deciding to talk and dodging the talk. For God's sake, if there were any couple that needed to clarify some things it was them. The big surprise about Axel? I have a problem with that too.
Spoiler
So, Cage is ex-marine, and he knows all about Izzy's history with Axel, who is.....a fellow marine. So Izzy who is mourning after him thinking he was dead never asked Cage(who's gathering info for job,btw) to try to find out what happened to him or how he died or where is his grave or something like that...? Axel was love of her life. I'm not buying it.Characters:
Big reason for my problems with this book are characters. The book started with showing us Izzy on her worst, her lowest, but trust me when I tell you that that Izzy was still worth admiring. I had enough of her after this particular scene: So, she and Axel decided they need to talk and he gave her a week. Next chapter starts, she wakes up, it's the day of the talk and she decides to dodge Axel all day and ignore his calls. She even led her friends thinking they are taking her out all over town because she feels bad and depressed. I wouldn't have problem with this if I was reading a teen book, but she is 30y old. I don't even want to talk about her later actions. She was so fragile, everyone walked around her on eggshells, and after a while her weakness is just tiring to read especially since author is trying to convince us she is actually this fierce, feisty and brave girl, just broken at the moment. Well,I don't know, but half of her time she spent crying in some guy's lap, so... Some of you may frown on this and think I am to harsh to judge heroine because she is a victim of domestic violence. It has nothing to do with that. I work in real life on cases of DV and every woman (or man) who decided to stop the violence and break free from abuser isn't weak. My opinion on heroine is based on her childish fits and immature gestures toward other characters. Another roll-eye worthy plot devise- all her anxiety problems and depression are cured with love of fine man.::facepalm::
And now we come to man in question. Imagine every alpha CR hero-traits you read in previous ten novels and you'll get description of Axel. That can actually be good, but author forgot to gave Axel something:a character. I don't know why authors think that taller hero=hotter hero. Wrong, what he says also counts. Tattoos all over body? Yeah, I'll give you that, ink is hot. But unfortunately, his deeds still counts. Making him rich? Nope. Growling, roaring, threatening to other suitors, speaking "mine!" when it comes to heroine and general bossiness? Hmm, you may think you have one Alpha on your hands, but again without character he's just alpha-hole. Whole men vs. women dynamic in book bothered me. I'll give you example. In this scene one guy is kissing some girl and Dee goes to him, pull that girl off and starts yelling. He throws her over shoulders caveman style and they go away. Others are looking that scene and Axel's reaction is this:
“Princess, that’s what happens when shit festers and bitches act like bitches.”
No comment.
Sigh.
I should never have started this series so close to finals. All I wanted to do was read this series! I really loved this couple and their story. I think I would have liked a little more to this story - more about their past and how Axel was doing in the time they were apart. Overall, though, I really loved this story and all the characters. My only trouble was keeping the guys straight as their first/last names are used interchangeably throughout.
I think I'm forever done with first person romances.
3.75 - very close to 4 stars
This reminded me of KA is some ways - lots and lots of drama and detail and outfits and shopping and insecure yet stunning heroines. Did I mention, insane amounts of drama?
I love KA so I'm not sure why I couldn't give this one a big 5 stars - something was just missing for me. I'll still give #2 in the series a whirl because I really like this authors dirty talking men!
This reminded me of KA is some ways - lots and lots of drama and detail and outfits and shopping and insecure yet stunning heroines. Did I mention, insane amounts of drama?
I love KA so I'm not sure why I couldn't give this one a big 5 stars - something was just missing for me. I'll still give #2 in the series a whirl because I really like this authors dirty talking men!
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This was ok, and had potential to be great, but it just didn’t click for me how I was hoping.
Overall it was a good storyline though.
Overall it was a good storyline though.
This is two souls that have been adrift for loo long finally coming home to each other. This is healing.
This book made me FEEL.
I felt angry, sad, frustrated, happy, ecstatic, ….I was completely addicted.
This was me during this book:
I was like:
Then I was like:
Then I was like:
Then I was like:
Then I was like:
This book was so intense. I felt the pull between Izzy and Axel get stronger and stronger as I was reading. It was such a build-up of emotion. I love Izzy’s voice. It’s real. It’s raw. She’s been through hell….God, I hate abuse. She’s been through so much, she so needs therapy. I loved that we got the POV of Axel.
**Note to Ms. Sloan** – Bravo. This was a ridiculous debut novel. The only thing I want from you now is MORE of this thing that you’ve goin’ on, girl!!!! I want more of that ridiculously amazing dialogue that reminds me of the dialogue from authors like Kristen Ashley and Madeline Sheehan (Yep, I said it). And of course, I want more of those HOT, STEAMY SEX SCENES!! Holy Schnikies, Batman!
I’m going to end on a serious note (I know, this review is a lot of back-and-forth, but that’s exactly how I felt while reading this book, so suck it!).
The words to this song (from Rent) reminded of Izzy and Axel, so I had to include them!
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret-- or life is yours to miss.
No other road
No other way
No day but today
This book made me FEEL.
I felt angry, sad, frustrated, happy, ecstatic, ….I was completely addicted.
This was me during this book:
I was like:
Then I was like:
Then I was like:
Then I was like:
Then I was like:
This book was so intense. I felt the pull between Izzy and Axel get stronger and stronger as I was reading. It was such a build-up of emotion. I love Izzy’s voice. It’s real. It’s raw. She’s been through hell….God, I hate abuse. She’s been through so much, she so needs therapy. I loved that we got the POV of Axel.
**Note to Ms. Sloan** – Bravo. This was a ridiculous debut novel. The only thing I want from you now is MORE of this thing that you’ve goin’ on, girl!!!! I want more of that ridiculously amazing dialogue that reminds me of the dialogue from authors like Kristen Ashley and Madeline Sheehan (Yep, I said it). And of course, I want more of those HOT, STEAMY SEX SCENES!! Holy Schnikies, Batman!
I’m going to end on a serious note (I know, this review is a lot of back-and-forth, but that’s exactly how I felt while reading this book, so suck it!).
The words to this song (from Rent) reminded of Izzy and Axel, so I had to include them!
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret-- or life is yours to miss.
No other road
No other way
No day but today
this has got to be one of the best books I've read in a long time, I freaking loved it! :)
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Second reread
This was my reread, I think it was one I should have probably only read once. Nice suspense for a romance and I really love the supporting characters.
This was my reread, I think it was one I should have probably only read once. Nice suspense for a romance and I really love the supporting characters.