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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I didn't like this one as much as the first one, surprisingly, but it's an LK so I love it.
The first one had odd plot structure - I saw a review for this one that said it's a women's fic straddling a romance and that makes the first one make a little more sense. This one more closely resembles a romance, but I wanted a little more. I was surprised when the plot was resolving and found myself at 94% - I still wanted a little more development, a little more Hardy. But I think the intention here is to tell the woman's story, and the men are along for the ride. I get it, but...the expectations of the romance genre placed me in the territory of wanting a little more, especially since I was excited about Hardy.
Oh well, it's great anyway.
The first one had odd plot structure - I saw a review for this one that said it's a women's fic straddling a romance and that makes the first one make a little more sense. This one more closely resembles a romance, but I wanted a little more. I was surprised when the plot was resolving and found myself at 94% - I still wanted a little more development, a little more Hardy. But I think the intention here is to tell the woman's story, and the men are along for the ride. I get it, but...the expectations of the romance genre placed me in the territory of wanting a little more, especially since I was excited about Hardy.
Oh well, it's great anyway.
Didn't expect someone named Hardy Cates to be hot, but here we are
So here's the thing. If you're looking for absolutely endless, gratuitous, dirty scenes, this is not the book for you. Sadly. However, if you're rocking a desire for a real white-knight complex, read on. The characters are surprisingly believable and the research is pretty spot-on. Of the Travis books, I liked Smooth-Talking Stranger better (because where's the fun in reading them in order?), but this one was definitely worth a read, too.
Published in 2008, read in 2023.
I really appreciate how the story involves honest details about domestic violence, gaslighting and narcissism, which I don't think many authors would have been putting on the page in the early 2000s. The author also includes contact details for support organisations which was included at a time where many may not have had access to the internet and information may not have been as easily accessible, and though is common in books now, it wasn't as common in the past.
I appreciated the support and care the couple took towards sexual exploration and sensation for Haven as her only experience of sexual sensation had been abusive.
The story dates fairly well, it was the term 'metrosexual' that stood out as inappropriate.
I really appreciate how the story involves honest details about domestic violence, gaslighting and narcissism, which I don't think many authors would have been putting on the page in the early 2000s. The author also includes contact details for support organisations which was included at a time where many may not have had access to the internet and information may not have been as easily accessible, and though is common in books now, it wasn't as common in the past.
I appreciated the support and care the couple took towards sexual exploration and sensation for Haven as her only experience of sexual sensation had been abusive.
The story dates fairly well, it was the term 'metrosexual' that stood out as inappropriate.
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5! Hardy definitely redeemed himself!! and for all that I hear about Hardy, Haven really captured my heart. my heart wept for her, cheered her on and wished for her happily ever after. I adored this one!! full review to come
Because the author doesn’t give a trigger warning…
TW: there is graphic, in-detail rape and domestic violence against the FMC
Removed stars for: those triggers, author skipped describing why the MCs fell in love, the FMC being harassed by her ex and then having sex with the MMC for the first time within the same scene, the MMC getting drunk and being rough with the FMC even though she’s triggered by that and her “giving” that to him (wtf???), the FMC being an idiot about her safety, her asshole boss, and that dumb elevator scene
Kept stars for: the MCs first encounter and Hardy having his happily ever after
The only thing I can credit this book with is continuing Hardy’s plot from book 1 and giving even mention and character arcs to all parties. However, I don’t understand why Hardy and Haven fell in love or how their relationship progressed. The author doesn’t flesh this out for us I don’t understand how the FMC could be threatened by his ex husband and then within the same scene have sex with Hardy. I’m so mad at her for not telling anyone other than her therapist about Nick’s escalation. And the therapists only recommendation being to keep records of his actions
TW: there is graphic, in-detail rape and domestic violence against the FMC
Removed stars for: those triggers, author skipped describing why the MCs fell in love, the FMC being harassed by her ex and then having sex with the MMC for the first time within the same scene, the MMC getting drunk and being rough with the FMC even though she’s triggered by that and her “giving” that to him (wtf???), the FMC being an idiot about her safety, her asshole boss, and that dumb elevator scene
Kept stars for: the MCs first encounter and Hardy having his happily ever after
The only thing I can credit this book with is continuing Hardy’s plot from book 1 and giving even mention and character arcs to all parties. However, I don’t understand why Hardy and Haven fell in love or how their relationship progressed. The author doesn’t flesh this out for us I don’t understand how the FMC could be threatened by his ex husband and then within the same scene have sex with Hardy. I’m so mad at her for not telling anyone other than her therapist about Nick’s escalation. And the therapists only recommendation being to keep records of his actions
4 stars
Book deals heavily on abuse and I'll be leaving my TW at the bottom. This was really good until it wasn't. When Hardy mentioned that he payed off a girl's family off for one of his brothers, it gave me a bad taste in my mouth.
Trigger Warnings: abuse: child, emotional, physical, and verbal, rape, narcissistic personality disorder, bullying, doxing, mention of cancer, and violence
Book deals heavily on abuse and I'll be leaving my TW at the bottom. This was really good until it wasn't. When Hardy mentioned that he payed off a girl's family off for one of his brothers, it gave me a bad taste in my mouth.
Trigger Warnings: abuse: child, emotional, physical, and verbal, rape, narcissistic personality disorder, bullying, doxing, mention of cancer, and violence
I put this book off for a long time because I had a hard time coming to terms with how things ended for Hardy in the last book.
I started and finished this book today. Needless to say, Lisa Kleypas gave Hardy the story I wanted for him.
I started and finished this book today. Needless to say, Lisa Kleypas gave Hardy the story I wanted for him.