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kaydanielsromance's review
5.0
A reverse forbidden story with the parents of Landon and Parker who will star in the next book.
Gemma knows of Hayden because their children are in the same grade and his son has been bullying her daughter for years, but Gemma personally meets Hayden when she needs some legal advice of own.
Hayden isn't the best lawyer around by backing down, when he meets Gemma he wants her and he isn't going to take no for an answer. While he comes across as a bit aggressive at first, there is more to the man underneath all the posturing.
Just as Gemma and Hayden begin to get along, it's the tenuous relationship between their children that may end them before they ever begin.
Gemma knows of Hayden because their children are in the same grade and his son has been bullying her daughter for years, but Gemma personally meets Hayden when she needs some legal advice of own.
Hayden isn't the best lawyer around by backing down, when he meets Gemma he wants her and he isn't going to take no for an answer. While he comes across as a bit aggressive at first, there is more to the man underneath all the posturing.
Just as Gemma and Hayden begin to get along, it's the tenuous relationship between their children that may end them before they ever begin.
princessc0nsuela's review
3.0
”Why are you stalking me?” I demand since he’s still advancing on me.
“Why are you letting me?” he returns, cocking an eyebrow.
contempt is going to be an experience.
“Why are you letting me?” he returns, cocking an eyebrow.
contempt is going to be an experience.
poppymonster's review
3.0
Obsessive MMC
I feel like the book had potential. Gemma was relatable and Hayden was the type of asshole to work in this plot line. However, there was very little effort and time needed to convince Gemma to invest in a relationship. It’s like he just bulldozed her into a life within a week or so and she was like “oh ok, I’m so happy now!” For the level of stressors against their relationship (and within it), it wasn’t believable to me that it moved that quickly.
I feel like the book had potential. Gemma was relatable and Hayden was the type of asshole to work in this plot line. However, there was very little effort and time needed to convince Gemma to invest in a relationship. It’s like he just bulldozed her into a life within a week or so and she was like “oh ok, I’m so happy now!” For the level of stressors against their relationship (and within it), it wasn’t believable to me that it moved that quickly.
pattyfgd's review
5.0
Undertow
Coastal Elite, Book 2
By: Sam Mariano
Narrated by: Heather Firth, Jeffrey Holz
Sam Mariano is an author who can capture my attention from the first line. This book has a little of everything. It's not long, its action packed and leads up to the next in the series perfectly! Gemma and Parker live in neighborhood that they have never felt welcome in. When the last straw breaks, Gemma goes to a lawyer for help. Hayden Atwater is outside her price range, but there is something about this feisty woman that lights him up. Willing to help her for a date, the two begin seeing each other. But there is more to this than meets the eye. Parker, Gemma's daughter has been tortured by Hayden's son Landon for years. How will this all work out if the two cannot even be in school together? And we are off to a spicy start. Gemma and Hayden are on fire. I love Gemma's fierce love for Parker, so much she is willing to do whatever she needs to keep her safe. An alpha male, Hayden loves control, but finds out he has lost it over his son. This action packed, suspense filled, sensual beginning has left me wanting more and I look forward to the next book!
Heather Firth and Jeffrey Holz are amazing as they narrate this gem! Firth delves into the strong willed, fiercely loving parent as she finds her own happiness. Each nuance keeps Gemma real and easy to relate to. Holz plays the dark alpha so perfectly, and as Hayden he is fabulous. Strong, commanding and vulnerable, he makes him authentic. Great pairing for this one and a listen I truly enjoyed.
Coastal Elite, Book 2
By: Sam Mariano
Narrated by: Heather Firth, Jeffrey Holz
Sam Mariano is an author who can capture my attention from the first line. This book has a little of everything. It's not long, its action packed and leads up to the next in the series perfectly! Gemma and Parker live in neighborhood that they have never felt welcome in. When the last straw breaks, Gemma goes to a lawyer for help. Hayden Atwater is outside her price range, but there is something about this feisty woman that lights him up. Willing to help her for a date, the two begin seeing each other. But there is more to this than meets the eye. Parker, Gemma's daughter has been tortured by Hayden's son Landon for years. How will this all work out if the two cannot even be in school together? And we are off to a spicy start. Gemma and Hayden are on fire. I love Gemma's fierce love for Parker, so much she is willing to do whatever she needs to keep her safe. An alpha male, Hayden loves control, but finds out he has lost it over his son. This action packed, suspense filled, sensual beginning has left me wanting more and I look forward to the next book!
Heather Firth and Jeffrey Holz are amazing as they narrate this gem! Firth delves into the strong willed, fiercely loving parent as she finds her own happiness. Each nuance keeps Gemma real and easy to relate to. Holz plays the dark alpha so perfectly, and as Hayden he is fabulous. Strong, commanding and vulnerable, he makes him authentic. Great pairing for this one and a listen I truly enjoyed.
evelynivers's review
4.0
3.5 ⭐ to be exact .
⚠️ TRIGGER ⚠️
not much but a lil DUBCON
***
review
Kinda felt like rushed , they were just in the makeup date in the night and the next morning he just proposes , like what ? Also the fact that he also loves his first wife and misses her I don't like it when H has deep feelings for OW (even if she is dead lol) . Also don't get me wrong but like Landon said she felt like a golddigger IM who will accept the engagement in just dating what like 2nights ? IK she is not gold digger but it kinda feels like it .
I only read this book for Parker and Landon book and super excited .
⚠️ TRIGGER ⚠️
not much but a lil DUBCON
***
review
Kinda felt like rushed , they were just in the makeup date in the night and the next morning he just proposes , like what ? Also the fact that he also loves his first wife and misses her I don't like it when H has deep feelings for OW (even if she is dead lol) . Also don't get me wrong but like Landon said she felt like a golddigger IM who will accept the engagement in just dating what like 2nights ? IK she is not gold digger but it kinda feels like it .
I only read this book for Parker and Landon book and super excited .
bookboyfriendandhusbandmake3's review
5.0
Undertow had me completely enraptured from start to finish.
It's a unique take on bully romance, and as such much lighter than Mariano's usual, but the foreshadowing of what's to come in connection with this brand new world will pull us right back over the edge of darkness.
Gemma is a single mother who has worked hard to make a better life for herself and her daughter. They are having the time of their lives, except for the fact that their next-door neighbor is a wretched bully.
Gemma is a gentle soul who avoids conflict until her neighbor crosses the line by mentioning her daughter. She transforms from mild-mannered to mama grizzly and proceeds to the office of the most ruthless lawyer in town.
Hayden is the kind of alpha-hole that only Mariano offers. There's a reason he's a successful lawyer; he doesn't give up until he's done everything he can to get what he wants, but this time it's not about winning a case, but about the wide-eyed woman who storms into his office.
Instant chemistry isn’t an adequate phrase for what happens the moment Gemma and Hayden meet for the first time. There’s a tension so wrought heat emanates from the pages, an instant possessiveness that becomes ingrained in Hayden with only a few words shared, and his presence offers Gemma a feeling of feeling safe and protected. It’s 2 opposites finding the balm for any heartbreak and trauma their soul has ever been dealt.
A brand new world from the Queen of Bully herself, yes please. Undertow was such a light unique twist on the trope, but never fear, a prelude to the darkness in what’s to come is lining up to be the dark twisted debauchery Mariano excels at.
Undertow is a different spin on the bully trope, but Hayden is alpha-hole with a side of swoon that will have panties combusting around the world.
Undertow is an exhilarating and addictive start to this new Mariano world. An all-consuming mix of soul-stirring chemistry, witty banter, wicked hot steam, and a prelude into the step back over the edge in the dark epicness that’s to come.
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram
It's a unique take on bully romance, and as such much lighter than Mariano's usual, but the foreshadowing of what's to come in connection with this brand new world will pull us right back over the edge of darkness.
Gemma is a single mother who has worked hard to make a better life for herself and her daughter. They are having the time of their lives, except for the fact that their next-door neighbor is a wretched bully.
Gemma is a gentle soul who avoids conflict until her neighbor crosses the line by mentioning her daughter. She transforms from mild-mannered to mama grizzly and proceeds to the office of the most ruthless lawyer in town.
Hayden is the kind of alpha-hole that only Mariano offers. There's a reason he's a successful lawyer; he doesn't give up until he's done everything he can to get what he wants, but this time it's not about winning a case, but about the wide-eyed woman who storms into his office.
Instant chemistry isn’t an adequate phrase for what happens the moment Gemma and Hayden meet for the first time. There’s a tension so wrought heat emanates from the pages, an instant possessiveness that becomes ingrained in Hayden with only a few words shared, and his presence offers Gemma a feeling of feeling safe and protected. It’s 2 opposites finding the balm for any heartbreak and trauma their soul has ever been dealt.
A brand new world from the Queen of Bully herself, yes please. Undertow was such a light unique twist on the trope, but never fear, a prelude to the darkness in what’s to come is lining up to be the dark twisted debauchery Mariano excels at.
Undertow is a different spin on the bully trope, but Hayden is alpha-hole with a side of swoon that will have panties combusting around the world.
Undertow is an exhilarating and addictive start to this new Mariano world. An all-consuming mix of soul-stirring chemistry, witty banter, wicked hot steam, and a prelude into the step back over the edge in the dark epicness that’s to come.
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram
mafer1's review
emotional
fast-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
4.0