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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
5 stars.
I could not put this book down. From the first page I was swept away with all of the characters.
This book was an emotional read, I knew I would have to get through the bad parts of Haven's relationship with Nick before we got to see her with Hardy. I hated reading about the verbal, emotional, and physical abuse Nick put Haven through. It started out how I imagine it does in a lot of abusive relationships and that's subtly, Nick in the beginning, before they married didn't seem much different than any other normal guy. However after the marriage it started with some complaining about crappy furniture and moved into Nick telling Haven she 'didn't have a body' and doing what he could to break her down emotionally and mentally. While all this was going on I wanted to hop into the book and shake Haven and tell her to snap out of it and realize Nick was a bad guy but of course I couldn't that, I had to read on and experience the horror that was to come.
Although the physical abuse was painful to read, I loved reading the moment that Haven was able to shake herself loose and find the courage to leave that doorstep. Even though she had stayed through two years of various abuse that one act of not staying on the doorstep showed me how strong Haven was and I loved her character from that momement and could not wait to read the rest of her journey.
Now onto Hardy Cates, he is a man I want in my life. He is a man that I'm glad Haven found and let in. I like that he was aggressive in trying to get with Haven but it wasn't a threatening or violent type of aggressive. Hardy clearly is interested in Haven and he came up opportunities where they could spend time together or bump into each other and they'd talk about things, big or small in those moments. I especially loved when he
I hated Haven's boss/manager but
An absolutely wonderful book and I recommend it to anyone.
I could not put this book down. From the first page I was swept away with all of the characters.
This book was an emotional read, I knew I would have to get through the bad parts of Haven's relationship with Nick before we got to see her with Hardy. I hated reading about the verbal, emotional, and physical abuse Nick put Haven through. It started out how I imagine it does in a lot of abusive relationships and that's subtly, Nick in the beginning, before they married didn't seem much different than any other normal guy. However after the marriage it started with some complaining about crappy furniture and moved into Nick telling Haven she 'didn't have a body' and doing what he could to break her down emotionally and mentally. While all this was going on I wanted to hop into the book and shake Haven and tell her to snap out of it and realize Nick was a bad guy but of course I couldn't that, I had to read on and experience the horror that was to come.
Although the physical abuse was painful to read, I loved reading the moment that Haven was able to shake herself loose and find the courage to leave that doorstep. Even though she had stayed through two years of various abuse that one act of not staying on the doorstep showed me how strong Haven was and I loved her character from that momement and could not wait to read the rest of her journey.
Now onto Hardy Cates, he is a man I want in my life. He is a man that I'm glad Haven found and let in. I like that he was aggressive in trying to get with Haven but it wasn't a threatening or violent type of aggressive. Hardy clearly is interested in Haven and he came up opportunities where they could spend time together or bump into each other and they'd talk about things, big or small in those moments. I especially loved when he
Spoiler
sent her a pink toy (I think) tool box after one of their conversations. It was so sweet and showed that he was listening to her and I really liked it.I hated Haven's boss/manager but
Spoiler
I loved when she "got it" in the end. It wasn't something that Haven set up at all, it was just a mistake on the manager's part by not turning off the intercom but when we find out that everyone heard what was said in the office I admit it I giggled with joy. I love seeing bad people get what coming to them whether it be a big or small way.An absolutely wonderful book and I recommend it to anyone.
This was another enjoyable read from Lisa Kleypas' Travises' Series. This follows the story of the only girl among the Travis siblings. You'd naturally assumed that Haven Travis is one spoiled rich girl but you'd be wrong. Haven is anything but. She's got pride in herself and she believes in earning one's keep. When she married who she thought was the love of her life, she ignored her father's threats of disinheritance.
Her marriage was blissful in the beginning but slowly turned horrific with every single day. Until that last night where she was raped and beaten within an inch of her life by her own husband. The Travis' banded together to protect the only girl in the family.
Coming back to Houston, she'd come face to face with the reality that she'll be under her family's thumbs once again. But this time, she'll fight for her independence. Slowly, she pieced together her life in the hopes of getting over her nightmare...but she never expected it would include Hardy Cates; the self-made, ambitious man who'd do anything to forget his poor beginnings. Two years ago, they had chemistry. This time, they'll be explosive. At the back of Haven's mind, she knew that Hardy would go the distance to destroy his nemesis - the Travises. But would that include breaking her heart for revenge?
I therefore conclude that when Lisa wants to tell a story, she REALLY tells a story. It almost felt like this book was a two-for-one deal. It's not like there were so many things going on, it's just two cohesive stories in one. It's good and it's bad. I like the groundwork and foundation but it also made me feel impatient for the actual story to happen.
Stories of abuse are a bit hard to read sometimes; and Haven's story was one that was compacted into few pages so you're getting the cold-hard facts with little emotions. Don't get me wrong, it was still a daunting read; but the narrative took some of the edges off. It doesn't mean that it was any less harder to read. What I like about this was Haven didn't fall into the vicious circle of forgiving her husband and going back to the old habit. The girl has spunk and fight in her. She's got determination to never fall victim again which is what made her all the more admirable.
I must admit that I liked Hardy here better than when I first read about him in Sugar Daddy. But there's just something missing about his character. Perhaps I've been reading too many versions of take-charge males, but Hardy lacked a certain hardness that a man of his character should have. I mean, growing up dirt-poor and in an abusive household should've given this man a bit more harshness but he seemed softer than how I pictured him. But in the end, it's how he treated Haven that matters. And he was an absolute sweetheart! Yeeesh. Did I just write that?
VERDICT: Likeable characters, well-conceptualized plot and a realistic writing made this book one of the better romance novels I've ever read in a while. Much like its predecessor, Blue-Eyed Devil will tug at your heartstrings. Be prepared to tear up a little because this book starts off with a not-so-pretty romance.
Her marriage was blissful in the beginning but slowly turned horrific with every single day. Until that last night where she was raped and beaten within an inch of her life by her own husband. The Travis' banded together to protect the only girl in the family.
Coming back to Houston, she'd come face to face with the reality that she'll be under her family's thumbs once again. But this time, she'll fight for her independence. Slowly, she pieced together her life in the hopes of getting over her nightmare...but she never expected it would include Hardy Cates; the self-made, ambitious man who'd do anything to forget his poor beginnings. Two years ago, they had chemistry. This time, they'll be explosive. At the back of Haven's mind, she knew that Hardy would go the distance to destroy his nemesis - the Travises. But would that include breaking her heart for revenge?
I therefore conclude that when Lisa wants to tell a story, she REALLY tells a story. It almost felt like this book was a two-for-one deal. It's not like there were so many things going on, it's just two cohesive stories in one. It's good and it's bad. I like the groundwork and foundation but it also made me feel impatient for the actual story to happen.
Stories of abuse are a bit hard to read sometimes; and Haven's story was one that was compacted into few pages so you're getting the cold-hard facts with little emotions. Don't get me wrong, it was still a daunting read; but the narrative took some of the edges off. It doesn't mean that it was any less harder to read. What I like about this was Haven didn't fall into the vicious circle of forgiving her husband and going back to the old habit. The girl has spunk and fight in her. She's got determination to never fall victim again which is what made her all the more admirable.
I must admit that I liked Hardy here better than when I first read about him in Sugar Daddy. But there's just something missing about his character. Perhaps I've been reading too many versions of take-charge males, but Hardy lacked a certain hardness that a man of his character should have. I mean, growing up dirt-poor and in an abusive household should've given this man a bit more harshness but he seemed softer than how I pictured him. But in the end, it's how he treated Haven that matters. And he was an absolute sweetheart! Yeeesh. Did I just write that?
VERDICT: Likeable characters, well-conceptualized plot and a realistic writing made this book one of the better romance novels I've ever read in a while. Much like its predecessor, Blue-Eyed Devil will tug at your heartstrings. Be prepared to tear up a little because this book starts off with a not-so-pretty romance.
Horrendous title for what is actually a pretty good book! Who comes up with these horrible romance novel titles anyway????
this book has been my guilty pleasure for many a years. i go back to it constantly as some sort of weird comfort read. do recommend for great spicy scenes and a good 'ol respectful texas gentleman.
3.5
“wet triangle” really makes me think of the bermuda triangle more than genitalia so I wish kleypas would’ve picked a different euphemism lmao
“wet triangle” really makes me think of the bermuda triangle more than genitalia so I wish kleypas would’ve picked a different euphemism lmao
Oh Hardy, Hardy, Hardy. we got to know Hardy in the first book and im sure like many i was quick to fall in love with his next door bad boy but savior type always being there for liberty when she needed him most. and During that book i diffidently had conflict on the ending and who liberty chose loving Gage and Hardy almost the same (Gage coming in first, and hardy coming in at a close second) so i was glad to see Hardy get his own story! But with the first of the series telling us alot of Hardy back ground and who he was as a person, flaws in all.
The real star of this book was the only sister of the Travis family, Haven Marie Travis. Havens story will forever go down as my favorite story in a long long time. We see Haven enter a very toxic abusive relationship in the beginning of this book, we see her get so low to a place that it almost makes you sick. The way lisa Klepas wrote these first few chapters are so good, and detailed that its so easy to put your self as Haven, and really feel the truth of what it is to like to live in an abusive marriage.
the way that Haven puts her self back together after that shows how strong she is but also shows so well how all that abuse can effect her even after the abuser is long gone. i thought she wrote about PTSD The low confidence the not wanting anyone to touch her and how easy it was to let other abusers in when you knocked down so low.
I love that Hardy can relate to her story and helps her get to a healthy place in her life, i like that she helps him see that he has finally made it in life and that what he needs is a women to love. this book will forever be one of my favorites and i will be looking for a physical copy to live forever on my book shelf!
The real star of this book was the only sister of the Travis family, Haven Marie Travis. Havens story will forever go down as my favorite story in a long long time. We see Haven enter a very toxic abusive relationship in the beginning of this book, we see her get so low to a place that it almost makes you sick. The way lisa Klepas wrote these first few chapters are so good, and detailed that its so easy to put your self as Haven, and really feel the truth of what it is to like to live in an abusive marriage.
the way that Haven puts her self back together after that shows how strong she is but also shows so well how all that abuse can effect her even after the abuser is long gone. i thought she wrote about PTSD The low confidence the not wanting anyone to touch her and how easy it was to let other abusers in when you knocked down so low.
I love that Hardy can relate to her story and helps her get to a healthy place in her life, i like that she helps him see that he has finally made it in life and that what he needs is a women to love. this book will forever be one of my favorites and i will be looking for a physical copy to live forever on my book shelf!
medium-paced
Much better than expected and I got invested in the story and characters.
No third act breakup.
Very well written.
FMC was portrayed a bit inconsistent. The trauma however was handled nicely.
No third act breakup.
Very well written.
FMC was portrayed a bit inconsistent. The trauma however was handled nicely.
“Those women were just practice for you.”
I personally don’t like these kind of lines, not saying that he should be rooting the horns of his EXs and blah blah but not this. Anyway, this wasn’t as good as ppl were making it out to be. I rather liked the third book.
Also, liberty from book is fcking annoying and stupid asf. Here too, this heroine was annoying at times. Also I didn’t vibed with any of the hero. Tho, kleypas description of domestic violence seered my heart and was immaculate unlike COLLEEN HOOVER. You can clearly juxtaposes two of the work and can tell. Because you can’t and haven’t done god of a work if the man who’s involved with something as heinous as Domestic Violence has got things like “fans” and further asking for “redemption”.
Anyway, ending: HFN
I personally don’t like these kind of lines, not saying that he should be rooting the horns of his EXs and blah blah but not this. Anyway, this wasn’t as good as ppl were making it out to be. I rather liked the third book.
Also, liberty from book is fcking annoying and stupid asf. Here too, this heroine was annoying at times. Also I didn’t vibed with any of the hero. Tho, kleypas description of domestic violence seered my heart and was immaculate unlike COLLEEN HOOVER. You can clearly juxtaposes two of the work and can tell. Because you can’t and haven’t done god of a work if the man who’s involved with something as heinous as Domestic Violence has got things like “fans” and further asking for “redemption”.
Anyway, ending: HFN
I really enjoyed this second novel in the Travises series! In fact, I liked it even better than the first one. Kleypas writes pretty great multi-dimensional stories and characters compared to other novels I've read in the contemporary romance genre. I'm totally hooked on this series. [b:Smooth Talking Stranger|4066312|Smooth Talking Stranger (Travises, #3)|Lisa Kleypas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388444124s/4066312.jpg|4113404] is next!
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
I really liked Haven, and I was tickled that the story was set in my hometown of Houston. That said, I wish I had enjoyed the story more. It was good, but not particularly great or memorable.