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krbeers4's review
4.0
This started off a little rocky for me. I didn’t like how verbally (and even a little big physically but not over the top) rough he was with an abuse victim. It makes sense, since it’s his personality and he didn’t know her story. Once these 2 connected I really loved them together and their ability to pull each other out. The biggest knock here is the speed at which their relationship moved. Even though things can escalate quickly in situations like these and with abuse victims and their support systems, it still seemed to be too much when they brought up how little time had passed.
Probably 4.5/4.75 starts for me...just not quite 5. I really do love this cast of characters.
Probably 4.5/4.75 starts for me...just not quite 5. I really do love this cast of characters.
jscarpa14's review against another edition
3.0
I like it
My main issue was I guess flow. There were sentences I had to read three or four times to understand what the heck she was trying to say. Some scene transitions I was like how did she get from here to there. Often the setting wasn't described well enough and I'm like are they having sex at the concert or the hotel or off in space? And while I'm all for cursing there are entire paragraphs in this where the f word is more than double the count of every other word combined. If it were a sentence or two I'd call it impressively creative cursing, but full on paragraphs it got repetitive.
Also I didn't agree where things ended in the Matthew plot line because it makes the characters absolutely selfish. Beside the fact their resolution in unlikely to be enforceable outside of civil court it means she just freed the guy up to find his next victim. Even if she leaves him alone what she just thinks he'll be single forever or that he'll magically treat the next girl well and not kick the crap out of her? I'm sorry if this was real life and the next girl died Ella should be held partially responsible. You don't just press charges to protect you, you try to send the man to jail because even if you can't change your past you might be able to change some else's future.
Additionally my grandson is two, and while all toddlers are a little different sure Mila doesn't act or speak like any two year old I've ever met. More like three or four. The idea that a kid that age would sit and do the exact same activity all day is downright ridiculous. Honestly I don't think my grandson would stay in one place long enough to build 1 sand castle let alone multiple. Ten minutes of doing the same activity before he runs off to do something else is impressive and while he talk and he has some stuff down he still occasionally reverts to incomprehnsive baby babble regularly and full on conversations with him just aren't happening. So yeah she's not at all realistic to me.
I mean it's an interesting story that I liked but I feel like this needed more work.
My main issue was I guess flow. There were sentences I had to read three or four times to understand what the heck she was trying to say. Some scene transitions I was like how did she get from here to there. Often the setting wasn't described well enough and I'm like are they having sex at the concert or the hotel or off in space? And while I'm all for cursing there are entire paragraphs in this where the f word is more than double the count of every other word combined. If it were a sentence or two I'd call it impressively creative cursing, but full on paragraphs it got repetitive.
Also I didn't agree where things ended in the Matthew plot line because it makes the characters absolutely selfish. Beside the fact their resolution in unlikely to be enforceable outside of civil court it means she just freed the guy up to find his next victim. Even if she leaves him alone what she just thinks he'll be single forever or that he'll magically treat the next girl well and not kick the crap out of her? I'm sorry if this was real life and the next girl died Ella should be held partially responsible. You don't just press charges to protect you, you try to send the man to jail because even if you can't change your past you might be able to change some else's future.
Additionally my grandson is two, and while all toddlers are a little different sure Mila doesn't act or speak like any two year old I've ever met. More like three or four. The idea that a kid that age would sit and do the exact same activity all day is downright ridiculous. Honestly I don't think my grandson would stay in one place long enough to build 1 sand castle let alone multiple. Ten minutes of doing the same activity before he runs off to do something else is impressive and while he talk and he has some stuff down he still occasionally reverts to incomprehnsive baby babble regularly and full on conversations with him just aren't happening. So yeah she's not at all realistic to me.
I mean it's an interesting story that I liked but I feel like this needed more work.
cnapierkowski's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite. Tate really didn't do it for me though there were some sweet parts. Looking forward to reading about the twins.
rlp78's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book but didn't love it. This may have been a case of "it's not you it's me" because the writing was good and the story was good, it just didn't blow me away. I had a hard time really loving Tate and Ella. There were times when Ella's personality didn't make sense to me. She alternated from broken to bad ass and back so quickly that it didn't make sense. I get what the author was trying to do but I had a hard time buying it.
That being said, I do think the writing was good and flowed smoothly. Not sure if I'll be reading more of this series.
That being said, I do think the writing was good and flowed smoothly. Not sure if I'll be reading more of this series.
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
4.0
First I loved the first book and was glad we got lots of our old favorites in this book as well
This is going to have some spoilers so be warned
Having the courage and strength to walk away is half the battle in my book. So right there Ella got props from me.
It takes a certain kind of person to walk away from one's whole life like that.
Oh Holy Hell is Tate HOT with a side of bad bad boy. Swoon! My god he was just what you would expect totally a man slut makes not bones about it. But wow what a softy he is too make him so much more lovable.
Ella for me was really timid and I get why but it was almost a little too timid, then she would be bold and witty and take no shit. Which was where I started to really like her with Tate.
He pushed her to be who she really is not a mouse or someone to be afraid.
I <3 how protective he is of her.
Why didn't they call the police!! This really gets my goat. Because what do you know a douche acted like a douche and tried to turn it around big surprise right.
But then she had the courage to go and show her proof and she settles! LIKE WHAT THE HELL!
That's where I lost lots and lots of points for both Ella and Tate, douche can do it again! Hello save someone else you know. I know I know its only a book but still that really gets me.
But all in all I loved this book soooooo now I can't wait to get my hand on the next book in this series!
This is going to have some spoilers so be warned
Having the courage and strength to walk away is half the battle in my book. So right there Ella got props from me.
It takes a certain kind of person to walk away from one's whole life like that.
Oh Holy Hell is Tate HOT with a side of bad bad boy. Swoon! My god he was just what you would expect totally a man slut makes not bones about it. But wow what a softy he is too make him so much more lovable.
Ella for me was really timid and I get why but it was almost a little too timid, then she would be bold and witty and take no shit. Which was where I started to really like her with Tate.
He pushed her to be who she really is not a mouse or someone to be afraid.
I <3 how protective he is of her.
Why didn't they call the police!! This really gets my goat. Because what do you know a douche acted like a douche and tried to turn it around big surprise right.
But then she had the courage to go and show her proof and she settles! LIKE WHAT THE HELL!
That's where I lost lots and lots of points for both Ella and Tate, douche can do it again! Hello save someone else you know. I know I know its only a book but still that really gets me.
But all in all I loved this book soooooo now I can't wait to get my hand on the next book in this series!
tarazagata's review
I was shown the error of my ways by saying nothing could be better than Conner Burke, but boy did Miss Emma prove me wrong!! I went from hating Tate in book one to wanting a Tate of my own in book two!
Tate Burke is the bad boy of the Dirty B.'s he's the horny bass player with a terrible habit of sleeping around and not really caring about it. He swore no woman could ever tame the man and he is held set on making that statement true. He's sexy and tattooed he's got a dirty mouth and a body to back it up.
Ella is running away, she's running away to give herself a future, one that she thinks is the best decision she should make and becoming the personal assistant to the boy band the Dirty B.'s sounded like a solid plan. She goes from Manhattan to tour bus with rowdy men, one female and a toddler. Little does she know that sometimes the past doesn't stay in the past like it's supposed to, sometimes it roars its ugly face or worse at you and sometimes you remember to Fear Nothing and become stronger than you ever were before!!
Tate Burke is the bad boy of the Dirty B.'s he's the horny bass player with a terrible habit of sleeping around and not really caring about it. He swore no woman could ever tame the man and he is held set on making that statement true. He's sexy and tattooed he's got a dirty mouth and a body to back it up.
Ella is running away, she's running away to give herself a future, one that she thinks is the best decision she should make and becoming the personal assistant to the boy band the Dirty B.'s sounded like a solid plan. She goes from Manhattan to tour bus with rowdy men, one female and a toddler. Little does she know that sometimes the past doesn't stay in the past like it's supposed to, sometimes it roars its ugly face or worse at you and sometimes you remember to Fear Nothing and become stronger than you ever were before!!
syndi3's review
| DnF
I am too bored with the whole story of abused, demanding, judgemental, needy heroine. The hero also not helpin at all with boosting his ego that he is the real man.
I still can live with the characters if only the story have more depth or more complex twist.
Dirty Past has nothing for me to like or even make me interested to continue listen. Jist plain recyle story line with undevelop characters.
I am too bored with the whole story of abused, demanding, judgemental, needy heroine. The hero also not helpin at all with boosting his ego that he is the real man.
I still can live with the characters if only the story have more depth or more complex twist.
Dirty Past has nothing for me to like or even make me interested to continue listen. Jist plain recyle story line with undevelop characters.
justmevictoria's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Ah, the notorious Dirty B player Tate Burke. A girl running from her abusive past and a guy wanting to leave his scandelous bad-boy past behind.
It's a few days before her wedding and Ella has finally made her break from the abusive relationship, determined to start a new life away from the constant verbal and physical abuse. She's taken up the role of Dirty B's new PA, and she has no idea what she's doing. All she knows is that she's finally taking control of her life after being controlled for far too long. What she didn't expect was eldest Burke brother Tate. As Tate tries to move away from media scandal, he's drawn to his new PA, and not just because she's beautiful. As he learns about her past and the fear she has of men hurting her, he makes it his priority to prevent her from getting hurt again. But as both begin to fall for one another, issues with Ella's ex and family threaten to tear then apart, just when she thinks she's found her happy ending.
This book broke me within the first few pages. Never have I shed tears on page two of a book - I've never read a book that has had such a focus on a character being involved in domestic violence. And while it was confronting and emotional, I actually enjoyed reading from the perspective of a character who was experiencing such abuse and deciding to stand strong and take her life back. Ella's strength to bring herself to leave was empowering, and just when you think she's fine, you see her still dealing with the emotional scars and her issue with trusting men. Completing to this is how Tate sees her, especially when he can actually see fear in her eyes, fear directed at him. It breaks him too and to read the alternating perspectives during these scenes was very moving. All this coming to the climax of her ex arriving and beating her, and actually reading that scene from her perspective, was something I didn't think I had ever wanted to read about, but I'm glad I did.
Added to this was seeing how Ella's family reacted - they refuse to believe what her ex has done because he appears to be the golden boy. They are ready to believe him over their own daughter. And that just really adds to the emotional abuse that you can see Ella has had to deal with. It's sad and infuriating to see this reaction from her family, but at the same time it's great to see Ella turn her back on them and go out on her own because she knows that's what is best for her - leaving the toxic and abusive people behind.
Of course, this book is so much more than Ella dealing with an abusive relationship. The romance that unfolds between Ella and Tate is heartwarming, sweet and of course steamy. In the first book, we see Tate as very much the bad-boy and player of Dirty B, so to see this softer and nicer side of him was great. You could still see his outward persona, but you could also see that he was more than what the magazines would have the world believe. And to see him with Ella was a great contrast to the initial impression you have of him.
I also really loved seeing the friendship that formed between Ella and Sofie, and that this relationship was just as important to Ella as her growing romance with Tate was. The entire gang welcomed her with open arms and it was great to see that warmth of family throughout the book.
Overall, this was an amazing book that I had trouble putting down. I thought the first book was good, but this just seemed to be that little bit better. Emma is an author you should definitely check out, especially if you are a new adult romance fan - you will not be disappointed!
Ah, the notorious Dirty B player Tate Burke. A girl running from her abusive past and a guy wanting to leave his scandelous bad-boy past behind.
It's a few days before her wedding and Ella has finally made her break from the abusive relationship, determined to start a new life away from the constant verbal and physical abuse. She's taken up the role of Dirty B's new PA, and she has no idea what she's doing. All she knows is that she's finally taking control of her life after being controlled for far too long. What she didn't expect was eldest Burke brother Tate. As Tate tries to move away from media scandal, he's drawn to his new PA, and not just because she's beautiful. As he learns about her past and the fear she has of men hurting her, he makes it his priority to prevent her from getting hurt again. But as both begin to fall for one another, issues with Ella's ex and family threaten to tear then apart, just when she thinks she's found her happy ending.
This book broke me within the first few pages. Never have I shed tears on page two of a book - I've never read a book that has had such a focus on a character being involved in domestic violence. And while it was confronting and emotional, I actually enjoyed reading from the perspective of a character who was experiencing such abuse and deciding to stand strong and take her life back. Ella's strength to bring herself to leave was empowering, and just when you think she's fine, you see her still dealing with the emotional scars and her issue with trusting men. Completing to this is how Tate sees her, especially when he can actually see fear in her eyes, fear directed at him. It breaks him too and to read the alternating perspectives during these scenes was very moving. All this coming to the climax of her ex arriving and beating her, and actually reading that scene from her perspective, was something I didn't think I had ever wanted to read about, but I'm glad I did.
Added to this was seeing how Ella's family reacted - they refuse to believe what her ex has done because he appears to be the golden boy. They are ready to believe him over their own daughter. And that just really adds to the emotional abuse that you can see Ella has had to deal with. It's sad and infuriating to see this reaction from her family, but at the same time it's great to see Ella turn her back on them and go out on her own because she knows that's what is best for her - leaving the toxic and abusive people behind.
Of course, this book is so much more than Ella dealing with an abusive relationship. The romance that unfolds between Ella and Tate is heartwarming, sweet and of course steamy. In the first book, we see Tate as very much the bad-boy and player of Dirty B, so to see this softer and nicer side of him was great. You could still see his outward persona, but you could also see that he was more than what the magazines would have the world believe. And to see him with Ella was a great contrast to the initial impression you have of him.
I also really loved seeing the friendship that formed between Ella and Sofie, and that this relationship was just as important to Ella as her growing romance with Tate was. The entire gang welcomed her with open arms and it was great to see that warmth of family throughout the book.
Overall, this was an amazing book that I had trouble putting down. I thought the first book was good, but this just seemed to be that little bit better. Emma is an author you should definitely check out, especially if you are a new adult romance fan - you will not be disappointed!
k_garbina's review
3.0
It's cute enough and I did enjoy it, but I probably won't read it again. It's part of a series and I haven't read the first book, but it didn't seem to be that important to what was going on in the second. It's a pretty quick read and like I said it is cute, but I'm not likely to recommend it to anyone.
k_garbina's review against another edition
3.0
It's cute enough and I did enjoy it, but I probably won't read it again. It's part of a series and I haven't read the first book, but it didn't seem to be that important to what was going on in the second. It's a pretty quick read and like I said it is cute, but I'm not likely to recommend it to anyone.