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daptreeds's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
klomasney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the plot of this book it always kept me on edge! It also had a lot of “no way” moments. Definitely a must read. The only reason it’s not a 5 star for me is the book was a bit slow paced and drug out.
alexistiffany's review
5.0
SO GOOD!!
Lachlan is our resident playboy turned possessive stalker cinnamon roll? He is my blueprint. I am a slut for bad boy gone soft(ish)!!!!
Absolutely loved Lyla. A woman in STEM, take no shit attitude, skilled athlete, etc. Just an all around badass of an FMC with large traumatic baggage. (I wanted a better word than baggage because it feels negative to her but I couldn’t think of anything better.. Make no mistake, I love Lyla and would fight to the end for her.)
I felt all the feels, all the “my wife’s!”, the betrayals and heartbreak. Side characters were great too, very supportive and genuine friends.
10/10 big fave.
Lachlan is our resident playboy turned possessive stalker cinnamon roll? He is my blueprint. I am a slut for bad boy gone soft(ish)!!!!
Absolutely loved Lyla. A woman in STEM, take no shit attitude, skilled athlete, etc. Just an all around badass of an FMC with large traumatic baggage. (I wanted a better word than baggage because it feels negative to her but I couldn’t think of anything better.. Make no mistake, I love Lyla and would fight to the end for her.)
I felt all the feels, all the “my wife’s!”, the betrayals and heartbreak. Side characters were great too, very supportive and genuine friends.
10/10 big fave.
simplysalcedo's review
5.0
I loved this book so much more than I thought I would. I had read what the book was about and was trying to figure out how it all would play out once I started, but I did not see it happening the way it did. This book deals a lot with sexual assault / rape. Read with caution if these topics are triggering for you.
Lachlan (Daddy) Duke is definitely one of my new book boyfriends. He loves hard for sure. Maybe I'm crazy, but obsessive men who fall first are my weakness lol.
Hockey / Billionaire Romance, Dual POV, Stalker, Obsessive, He falls first, Touch her and I'll kill you.
Lachlan (Daddy) Duke is definitely one of my new book boyfriends. He loves hard for sure. Maybe I'm crazy, but obsessive men who fall first are my weakness lol.
Hockey / Billionaire Romance, Dual POV, Stalker, Obsessive, He falls first, Touch her and I'll kill you.
jgonz408's review
5.0
Sports romance, second chances, obsession, rape, death, the bestest friends, suspense, romance, family drama. Hard to really put into words how I feel about this book. It got me from start to finish. Heartwarming, emotional, twisted, some darkness, a lot of sweetness. Lyla a top soccer player had a stalker/rapist and keeps to her self after a lot of tragedy occurs in her life. Lachlan, pretty much pro hockey player, comes along and fights hard to get past her wall and then when he does and they’re both extremely happy, it all falls apart. Fast forward three years and the effort Lachlan goes through to get lyla back is everything! I loved thier relationship. I hope Prescott gets his own book. Mars was the best best friend. A lot to take in and It keeps you wondering little details up until the end.
brittymack's review against another edition
3.5
I don’t know how I would even classify this? It started out as a college sports romance, then something happened to separate the characters and the second chunk was very billionaire-with-a-past vibe. He was very possessive and I’ve realized that I dont like that in human MMCs 🤣🤣 there’s also a stalker involved (this thread is VERY dark and unfortunately as graphic as the spicy scenes which was NOT the way.) Was going to rate it lower but I was invested enough to keep reading to find out what happened! HEA but had to go through a LOT to get there.
Insta-love, possessive mmc, dubious consent, Graphic depiction of SA, angsty vibes, suuuper spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Insta-love, possessive mmc, dubious consent, Graphic depiction of SA, angsty vibes, suuuper spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
mirandawood's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What started off as your typical hockey romance took a sharp turn and got intense af, and DARK. I loved every bit of it. The obsession and protectiveness is just, chefs kiss. But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. We go through a lot of mental anguish and healing with both mc’s, we go through the happiest and darkest parts of their lives, we practically experience Lyla’s trauma with her, there’s just a lot here. But that gave these characters so much depth, and I struggled putting this down and getting back to real life. I didn’t want to, I just wanted to know what happens next
caseroo7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookswithdes's review
4.0
After tragic events occur spurred by her stalker, Lyla lives a sheltered life for the next two years. She hasn’t let anyone into her life other than her best friends, Prescott and Marissa, until she catches Lachlan Duke’s eye. The star hockey player who doesn’t date, doesn’t chase girls, doesn’t kiss, until her.
Lachlan and Lyla are 100% soulmates coded. He was the one person besides her two best friends that she let into her life. He made her feel things she hadn’t felt in a long time, and vice versa. She woke something in him that he never knew he had in him. They gave each other purpose, love, and security. Then, of course, the first woman who grasps his attention makes him an obsessed stalker (very different from her genuine stalker). And then one of the best things about this book was the found family and the support system that Lyla had. Marissa and Prescott were totally her rocks. They were there for her through every horrendous thing that happened to her and never left, and always gave her what she wanted/needed. Seriously, everyone needs a Marissa and Prescott. I’m so happy Lyla and Lachlan got their HEA after that time jump and got to continue their dreams and make new dreams on the way 👏. Not only that but I’m glad they reunited with their respective fathers and started to heal their relationship.
If you want to read this book, I highly recommend it especially if you like hockey romance, an obsessed & possessive MMC, and angst. Plus, it’s not dark as the book looks or as the blurb portrays it. There are some dark themes, so always check your triggers before reading. But I hope you enjoy the book !!
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“YOU GOOGLED LYLA? Why?”
Because she’s beautiful and funny when she wants to be, but mostly because she makes me feel something I’ve never felt before, and I’m intrigued by her.
“I was starved for her. Not just her body, but her. Her attention, her secrets, her smiles, her laughter. Anything. Everything. I wanted to break inside her brain and rummage through her memories, worries, fears, likes, and dislikes. Fucking everything.”
“When you laugh, when you smile. . .It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever see.”
“Because the world would be empty without you. Because we wouldn’t have met, and my soul would be lost for the rest of my life, searching for yours.”
“Hey, Lach.”
“Hm?”
“I remembered what I was going to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I’m always numb unless you’re around. You make me feel.”
“Fuck, Lyla James.”
“You fuck me up, Lyla James.”
I pulled back and met his eyes, smiling. It must’ve been his favorite thing about me, because every time I smiled, it looked like the world stopped for him, which made me want to do it all the time, only for him.
“You’ve ruined me, Lachlan Duke. Ruined.”
“I’ve come to the realization that Lyla James is the prototype and I don’t do knockoffs.”
“Look at me now. Mr. I Would Never Chase Anyone, and I’m standing on a soccer field in this hot ass weather, in a city I’ve never been to, chasing someone who is currently acting like I don’t exist. Ain’t that some shit.”
“Jesus Christ, Lachlan. You can’t just scare off every man who comes near me.”
“No? Watch me.”
“He’s robbed me of everything now—my thoughts, my emotions, my words, my freedom, and my sanity.”
“I know I could live until I’m a hundred, and I’d never be able to get him out of my system. The connection we share runs deeper than any animosity we may feel. The chains that bind us are too strong. The only thing that could extinguish this is death.”
“Messy hair, no makeup, in an oversized shirt, and she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. So fucking perfect.”
“He can’t do that. He can’t give up hockey for me.”
“Lyla. My brother would give up his inheritance, hockey, kidneys, and testicles if it meant he’d have you. I wish that was hyperbole, but it’s the truth.”
“You could never be my nightmare, Lachlan Duke. I love you more than I hate anything.”
“If Henry really loves you, he’ll understand. Tell him to put a fucking pin on it. You’ll come back in a couple of years.”
“Put a pin on it?”
“Yeah, old white rich men love saying shit like that.”
“You’re my favorite person in the world, you know that?”
“Good, because you’re mine.”
“From the day I met you. . . You captured my attention the moment I met you. I think I might have fallen in love with you that night, standing against that wall, without even realizing it. I’ve never chased anyone before you came along. I went after you the way I only go after a fucking hockey puck, and I don’t regret it. I’ll chase you forever, around the world if I have to, but I hope you don’t make me. Stay with me forever, Lyla James. Marry me.”
“I don’t know if there’s something that goes beyond love, but whatever it is, that’s what I feel for you.”
“She was numb when I met her, closed off to everyone, and somehow, she let me in. Somehow, she decided to put her trust in me. Me. I’m going to spend the rest of my life protecting this woman.”
“You are, by far, the most difficult person I’ve ever come across in my entire life. You shut me out repeatedly. You made me chase you, which is ludicrous. You were rude, mean, standoffish. . .”
“Okay. I think we need to go over what wedding vows are supposed to be like.”
“But then you let me in. Me. Even after you knew what my reputation was, you gave me a shot. You are the most selfless, brave, loving person I know. And you’re funny as fuck. You quickly became my favorite person on the planet, and I became addicted to you. I’m in love with you. I’m obsessed with you. I promise to do everything in my power to keep you happy, so you can be mine forever.”
“When I met your mother, she told me that love has no logic. You’re the reason I believe that. You’re relentless, annoying, cocky, possessive, and hands down, the most insane person I’ve ever met in my life. But you make me feel safe, cherished, loved, and wanted. I walked around completely numb to everything before you came along and made me feel. You understand me in ways that I can’t explain. You’ve ruined me for anyone else. You’re my best friend, my husband, my everything, forever.”
"Thank you.”
"For what?"
"For loving me,” he says, kissing my hand. “For choosing me.” Another kiss. “For never leaving me.” Another kiss. “For being my best friend.” Another kiss. “For this baby.” Another kiss. “For being you. For everything. Thank you."
"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.”
"Fuck, Lyla.”
“I mean that. I’ll always mean that. You fuck me up, Lachlan Duke.”
Lachlan and Lyla are 100% soulmates coded. He was the one person besides her two best friends that she let into her life. He made her feel things she hadn’t felt in a long time, and vice versa. She woke something in him that he never knew he had in him. They gave each other purpose, love, and security. Then, of course, the first woman who grasps his attention makes him an obsessed stalker (very different from her genuine stalker). And then one of the best things about this book was the found family and the support system that Lyla had. Marissa and Prescott were totally her rocks. They were there for her through every horrendous thing that happened to her and never left, and always gave her what she wanted/needed. Seriously, everyone needs a Marissa and Prescott. I’m so happy Lyla and Lachlan got their HEA after that time jump and got to continue their dreams and make new dreams on the way 👏. Not only that but I’m glad they reunited with their respective fathers and started to heal their relationship.
If you want to read this book, I highly recommend it especially if you like hockey romance, an obsessed & possessive MMC, and angst. Plus, it’s not dark as the book looks or as the blurb portrays it. There are some dark themes, so always check your triggers before reading. But I hope you enjoy the book !!
Favorite quotes/scenes:
“YOU GOOGLED LYLA? Why?”
Because she’s beautiful and funny when she wants to be, but mostly because she makes me feel something I’ve never felt before, and I’m intrigued by her.
“I was starved for her. Not just her body, but her. Her attention, her secrets, her smiles, her laughter. Anything. Everything. I wanted to break inside her brain and rummage through her memories, worries, fears, likes, and dislikes. Fucking everything.”
“When you laugh, when you smile. . .It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever see.”
“Because the world would be empty without you. Because we wouldn’t have met, and my soul would be lost for the rest of my life, searching for yours.”
“Hey, Lach.”
“Hm?”
“I remembered what I was going to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I’m always numb unless you’re around. You make me feel.”
“Fuck, Lyla James.”
“You fuck me up, Lyla James.”
I pulled back and met his eyes, smiling. It must’ve been his favorite thing about me, because every time I smiled, it looked like the world stopped for him, which made me want to do it all the time, only for him.
“You’ve ruined me, Lachlan Duke. Ruined.”
“I’ve come to the realization that Lyla James is the prototype and I don’t do knockoffs.”
“Look at me now. Mr. I Would Never Chase Anyone, and I’m standing on a soccer field in this hot ass weather, in a city I’ve never been to, chasing someone who is currently acting like I don’t exist. Ain’t that some shit.”
“Jesus Christ, Lachlan. You can’t just scare off every man who comes near me.”
“No? Watch me.”
“He’s robbed me of everything now—my thoughts, my emotions, my words, my freedom, and my sanity.”
“I know I could live until I’m a hundred, and I’d never be able to get him out of my system. The connection we share runs deeper than any animosity we may feel. The chains that bind us are too strong. The only thing that could extinguish this is death.”
“Messy hair, no makeup, in an oversized shirt, and she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. So fucking perfect.”
“He can’t do that. He can’t give up hockey for me.”
“Lyla. My brother would give up his inheritance, hockey, kidneys, and testicles if it meant he’d have you. I wish that was hyperbole, but it’s the truth.”
“You could never be my nightmare, Lachlan Duke. I love you more than I hate anything.”
“If Henry really loves you, he’ll understand. Tell him to put a fucking pin on it. You’ll come back in a couple of years.”
“Put a pin on it?”
“Yeah, old white rich men love saying shit like that.”
“You’re my favorite person in the world, you know that?”
“Good, because you’re mine.”
“From the day I met you. . . You captured my attention the moment I met you. I think I might have fallen in love with you that night, standing against that wall, without even realizing it. I’ve never chased anyone before you came along. I went after you the way I only go after a fucking hockey puck, and I don’t regret it. I’ll chase you forever, around the world if I have to, but I hope you don’t make me. Stay with me forever, Lyla James. Marry me.”
“I don’t know if there’s something that goes beyond love, but whatever it is, that’s what I feel for you.”
“She was numb when I met her, closed off to everyone, and somehow, she let me in. Somehow, she decided to put her trust in me. Me. I’m going to spend the rest of my life protecting this woman.”
“You are, by far, the most difficult person I’ve ever come across in my entire life. You shut me out repeatedly. You made me chase you, which is ludicrous. You were rude, mean, standoffish. . .”
“Okay. I think we need to go over what wedding vows are supposed to be like.”
“But then you let me in. Me. Even after you knew what my reputation was, you gave me a shot. You are the most selfless, brave, loving person I know. And you’re funny as fuck. You quickly became my favorite person on the planet, and I became addicted to you. I’m in love with you. I’m obsessed with you. I promise to do everything in my power to keep you happy, so you can be mine forever.”
“When I met your mother, she told me that love has no logic. You’re the reason I believe that. You’re relentless, annoying, cocky, possessive, and hands down, the most insane person I’ve ever met in my life. But you make me feel safe, cherished, loved, and wanted. I walked around completely numb to everything before you came along and made me feel. You understand me in ways that I can’t explain. You’ve ruined me for anyone else. You’re my best friend, my husband, my everything, forever.”
"Thank you.”
"For what?"
"For loving me,” he says, kissing my hand. “For choosing me.” Another kiss. “For never leaving me.” Another kiss. “For being my best friend.” Another kiss. “For this baby.” Another kiss. “For being you. For everything. Thank you."
"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.”
"Fuck, Lyla.”
“I mean that. I’ll always mean that. You fuck me up, Lachlan Duke.”