Scan barcode
readwithkiekie's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars
This was so unbelievably cute. Harlow's story was like nothing else I have ever read, a former bully who was just highly misunderstood. Her relationship with Beck wasn't perfect, but it was nicely done, same with the ending. Too cute!
This was so unbelievably cute. Harlow's story was like nothing else I have ever read, a former bully who was just highly misunderstood. Her relationship with Beck wasn't perfect, but it was nicely done, same with the ending. Too cute!
dame_with_a_case's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alwaysbooking's review against another edition
5.0
Holy Cow, I'm pretty sure steam was coming out of my ears during this book!! I liked the first book in this series, however I loved this second book. I was wrapped in as soon as I started the book I finished in under 24hrs.
Beck and Harlow are so tormented by their past you could literally feel the angst in this book. Harlow was a bully when she was younger so everyone in town doesn't like her. She dropped out of school early to be home schooled. She lived with her mother all that time. Her mother unfortunately passes away and Harlow tries to get a job in town. Sadly no on will hire her because of her bullying past. I really enjoyed seeing how Harlow grows as woman in this book. She knows she hurt a lot of people so she takes their verbal abuse in town and everywhere else. She is starving and feels nostalgic when she breaks into Beck's house. In all honesty it used to be her house before his friends and him bought it. So she has every right to be eating his pie in his kitchen right??
Beck has a different woman every day, he never lets them into his heart. He thinks because he is forward with them saying it's a one time deal that they won't get attached. That is until he finds Harlow in his kitchen eating his pie. He has been slightly obsessed with sightings of Harlow ever since he found some of her belongings in his closet. He wants to know what went wrong in her past since his also tragic. Once he finds out that she is struggling to survive daily he can't let her go. Can he un-cage his heart for her? When tragedy strikes will he be there for her?
Beck and Harlow are so tormented by their past you could literally feel the angst in this book. Harlow was a bully when she was younger so everyone in town doesn't like her. She dropped out of school early to be home schooled. She lived with her mother all that time. Her mother unfortunately passes away and Harlow tries to get a job in town. Sadly no on will hire her because of her bullying past. I really enjoyed seeing how Harlow grows as woman in this book. She knows she hurt a lot of people so she takes their verbal abuse in town and everywhere else. She is starving and feels nostalgic when she breaks into Beck's house. In all honesty it used to be her house before his friends and him bought it. So she has every right to be eating his pie in his kitchen right??
Beck has a different woman every day, he never lets them into his heart. He thinks because he is forward with them saying it's a one time deal that they won't get attached. That is until he finds Harlow in his kitchen eating his pie. He has been slightly obsessed with sightings of Harlow ever since he found some of her belongings in his closet. He wants to know what went wrong in her past since his also tragic. Once he finds out that she is struggling to survive daily he can't let her go. Can he un-cage his heart for her? When tragedy strikes will he be there for her?
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
4.0
a really good read even if I disliked Beck for most of the story. too much push and pull on his poor woman's emotions. Harlow was a good character though
laurenm2111's review against another edition
4.0
I just knew that Beck's book would rock - and it totally delivered!!
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
Great read from Gena Showalter in The Original Heartbreakers series. In high school Harlow was the mean girl that made everyone else miserable. But she dropped out of public site and people thought she had moved from town for good but really her luck turned on her and she hid. Years later she's still hiding especially from Beck and his friends who now live in her old home. Especially since Harlow is sneaking in to steal food. When Beck catches her he can see she's desperate and won't leave her to her own devices. But years of self hate and independence make it hard to accept his help especially when she falls for him. And Beck does not do permanent relationships at all. Can the town's newest resident and the most hated resident find happiness when they confront the demons from their past? Loved the story, heartbreaking at times. Excited to continue the series!
angels_gp17's review against another edition
4.0
Their is just some special about The Original Heartbreakers series. I don’t know what it is that keeps me swooning and come back for more. Maybe it’s the small-town feel, the people who all have their own issues, pasts, and hatreds, or maybe it’s just Ms. Showalter’s amazing storytelling skills.
I was pulled in from start to finish and I couldn’t stop listening to the audio book narrated by Savannah Richards.
We are treated to Beck who is friends with Jase and West. They all moved to Strawberry Valley to start fresh, except Beck hasn’t changed his ways. He’s a player, a ladies man, and known as, One and Done. Then we have Harlow who grew up in the home that Beck and his friends now own. She’s lost a lot. Her mother, her home, and no one will give her a job all because of how she acted as a teenager; she was the town bully. She’s different, changed, but no one will give her a chances. No one has forgotten and so they give her a hard time, every chance they get.
The chemistry between Beck and Harlow is scorching. They have sparks from the start, but Harlow knows his reputation and will not be a one night stand and so she will settle for friendship. This book was fantastic. I was laughing out loud one moment and having my heart break the next. I just love the characters, the snarky humor, and those sexy scenes made me sigh with delight. This book is full of snark, steam, and lots of heart.
Narration: Ms. Richards is a wonderful narrator. She captured me. The voices are all distinctive and come across clear, crisp, and well defined. The small-town feels like a small town with it’s own unique people making a living in and around it. Everything from the setting to the characters felt genuine and passionate. I'm loving the audio books for The Original Heartbreakers series and I plan to continue the series in this formate.
Rated: 4 Stars
I was pulled in from start to finish and I couldn’t stop listening to the audio book narrated by Savannah Richards.
We are treated to Beck who is friends with Jase and West. They all moved to Strawberry Valley to start fresh, except Beck hasn’t changed his ways. He’s a player, a ladies man, and known as, One and Done. Then we have Harlow who grew up in the home that Beck and his friends now own. She’s lost a lot. Her mother, her home, and no one will give her a job all because of how she acted as a teenager; she was the town bully. She’s different, changed, but no one will give her a chances. No one has forgotten and so they give her a hard time, every chance they get.
The chemistry between Beck and Harlow is scorching. They have sparks from the start, but Harlow knows his reputation and will not be a one night stand and so she will settle for friendship. This book was fantastic. I was laughing out loud one moment and having my heart break the next. I just love the characters, the snarky humor, and those sexy scenes made me sigh with delight. This book is full of snark, steam, and lots of heart.
Narration: Ms. Richards is a wonderful narrator. She captured me. The voices are all distinctive and come across clear, crisp, and well defined. The small-town feels like a small town with it’s own unique people making a living in and around it. Everything from the setting to the characters felt genuine and passionate. I'm loving the audio books for The Original Heartbreakers series and I plan to continue the series in this formate.
Rated: 4 Stars
joyousreads132's review against another edition
4.0
As you can tell, I've been on a romance kick lately. I tend to read these books quickly, because they're not really the type of books where you need to pull a muscle so you can enjoy them. And if you're lucky enough to find the right ones, some books has the uncanny ability to poke you right in the sternum. Suffice it to say, this book really got to me.
This is the story of Beck, the unapologetic playa of the Original Heartbreakers. His mantra has always been give them what they want, but be honest about what you can give. Commitment is the one thing he's unable to give. But if there's anything he's committed to, is solving the puzzle that is, Harlow Glass. She doesn't know this though. They haven't even met. Beck found a box of pictures belonging to the former owner of the Glass House. As soon as he saw the echoing longing, pain and loneliness in her eyes, he couldn't stop obsessing about her.
Harlow Glass is as poor as a mouse. The fall from grace was not well, graceful. She's homeless, jobless and the town of Strawberry Valley would rather see her die than help her - or employ her, even. The once owner of the Glass mansion is as destitute as they come. She lives in a tent in the woods living off the land, as it were. When she breaks into her former house to steal food, Beck caught her and decided that it was his chance to keep an eye on her. So he employed her to do the artistic work for the gaming company he's a partner of. Their interaction is hilarious; complete with sassy banters and awkward one-sided flirtation (Beck).
I think the toughest thing to read about this book was Harlow's abject poverty. The townspeople laughed and ridicule her with every misfortunes that befall her. She was a former bully who has had a rough life, and while she's learned from her mistakes, the people of SV weren't so quick to forgive her. It hit me time and again how she was so willing to accept her 'punishments', and that she's quick to tell herself that she deserves every bit of bad luck that comes her way. As much as I dislike books that feature damsels being saved by knights, I was glad when Beck stepped into the picture to give her a job, a home and some semblance of stability. I mean, Harlow was a pretty strong woman determined to live her life according to her rules, but it's pretty tough when the girl can't catch a break.
Beck is far from the white knight hero, though. Events from his past made him wary of love, feelings and commitments. He fears taking a chance at being happy with another person and considers love a crutch he'd rather not depend on. I still like him as a hero, though. He's a loyal friend, he's kind to all his 'lady loves', and generous at that.
These books offer more than your typical romance novels. I like that Gena is able to dig deeper and give us a bit more than the usual fares. This is a fantastic series if you're looking for a mental break.
This is the story of Beck, the unapologetic playa of the Original Heartbreakers. His mantra has always been give them what they want, but be honest about what you can give. Commitment is the one thing he's unable to give. But if there's anything he's committed to, is solving the puzzle that is, Harlow Glass. She doesn't know this though. They haven't even met. Beck found a box of pictures belonging to the former owner of the Glass House. As soon as he saw the echoing longing, pain and loneliness in her eyes, he couldn't stop obsessing about her.
Harlow Glass is as poor as a mouse. The fall from grace was not well, graceful. She's homeless, jobless and the town of Strawberry Valley would rather see her die than help her - or employ her, even. The once owner of the Glass mansion is as destitute as they come. She lives in a tent in the woods living off the land, as it were. When she breaks into her former house to steal food, Beck caught her and decided that it was his chance to keep an eye on her. So he employed her to do the artistic work for the gaming company he's a partner of. Their interaction is hilarious; complete with sassy banters and awkward one-sided flirtation (Beck).
I think the toughest thing to read about this book was Harlow's abject poverty. The townspeople laughed and ridicule her with every misfortunes that befall her. She was a former bully who has had a rough life, and while she's learned from her mistakes, the people of SV weren't so quick to forgive her. It hit me time and again how she was so willing to accept her 'punishments', and that she's quick to tell herself that she deserves every bit of bad luck that comes her way. As much as I dislike books that feature damsels being saved by knights, I was glad when Beck stepped into the picture to give her a job, a home and some semblance of stability. I mean, Harlow was a pretty strong woman determined to live her life according to her rules, but it's pretty tough when the girl can't catch a break.
Beck is far from the white knight hero, though. Events from his past made him wary of love, feelings and commitments. He fears taking a chance at being happy with another person and considers love a crutch he'd rather not depend on. I still like him as a hero, though. He's a loyal friend, he's kind to all his 'lady loves', and generous at that.
These books offer more than your typical romance novels. I like that Gena is able to dig deeper and give us a bit more than the usual fares. This is a fantastic series if you're looking for a mental break.
naomilane's review against another edition
5.0
GENA SHOWALTER IS THE BOMB DIGGITY!I seriously loved THE HOTTER YOU BURN, it was amazing. Gena, once again, worked her magic and she wrote a super showaltery book.
« What do you need me to do? » she asked breathily. « Whatever it is, I'll do it. »Beck Ockley is a wham-bam, out-the-door-the-moment-the-sex-ends-without-a-thank-you-ma'am kind of guy. Harlow's words, not mine. He hates change and because of his past in foster care and his family abandoning him, he's secretly afraid of people giving up on him, so to remind himself that he is important he sleeps with women, makes them feel good and leaves them, no harm, no foul. He works with his best friend West and lives in the Glass house with West and his other best friend, Jase.
« Just keep breathing, baby. »
Harlow Glass is the former town bully. Even 10 years later, the people of Strawberry Valley still resent her for all the hurt she caused. She had her reasons for being a mean bitch, even if there are no good reasons for being a bully, at the time, it seemed right. But Harlow has changed, she isn't the same person she was as a teenager but no one seem to understand that. She has no home, no job, no money, nothing. She lives in a tent just outside her former childhood home. No one wants to give her a job and she's just not ready to leave Strawberry Valley.
She misses her childhood home and just wants to see what the new owners have done with it, so, one day, thinking the house empty, she goes in...and smells pie. But Beck chooses that moment to come home with his newest conquest. Here starts the story of Beck and Harlow.
« I'm crazy, sick, devastatingly in love with you. »Beck was a great character. He's loyal, funny, smart, very hot, kind, charming, he found his way into my heart right away. I just knew I was going to love him and I did. I so did. He's such a good guy who had a shitty childhood and who did some shitty things but he changed and became this amazing, strong but vulnerable man.
Harlow was amazing. Gena writes the best heroines! I loved her, how she changed, how she didn't make any excuses for her behavior when she was younger, how brave she was. Harlow, like Beck, did not have an easy start in life but she made it. Her vulnerability touched me and I just wanted to hug her at times because she definitely needed a big, sisterly hug.
Both of them were amazing. Individually and as a couple. They were so much alike and I thought it was good. Both have a very-hard-to-overcome past, both are scarred inside and out, both are vulnerable and both of them just want to feel loved and cherished. And they worked together, they truly did. From the moment they met, they clicked. Best chemistry ever. I could not get enough of them!
« You mean the Baconator? »Ms. Showalter did a wonderful job with their relationship. I loved that they became kind-of friends at first, even if they were attracted to each other, big time. Their relationship was perfectly developed. But, I must say, it was a bit frustrating. I wanted to shake some sense into both of them at times because they were being babies, but it didn't last and I think it worked with the story and with their personalities.
He barked out a laugh. « You've named my penis the Baconator? »
« What? I like bacon. »
« Well, I'm naming your breasts Strawberry Pie and Strawberry Shortcake. »
The secondary characters rocked! Of course, we see more of Kenna and Dane and Brook Lynn and Jase. But also West and Jessie Kay, I actually am excited to read their story, I love West and I did warm up to Jessie Kay a little so I'm very anxious to see what Gena has in store for them! We also meet new characters like, Daniel and Dottie (potential new story?) and Dorian! Holy hotness, I definitely want to know more about Dorian. Gimme, gimme, gimme!
And, finally, I loved the plot. THE HOTTER YOU BURN was very centered on the romance and I adored that but I really enjoyed reading about Beck's past and especially about Harlow's. The residents of Strawberry Valley really pissed me off at times, okay, Harlow did some bad things when she was a teenager but she was a damn teenager with a bad situation at home, the fact that almost all of them were still enraged with her 10 years later really didn't sit well with me. But it made for a very good story so I forgive them. Mostly.
THE HOTTER YOU BURN was a fantastic, steamy, beautiful, heartwarming book that you need to read because you just do. I loved this book so much. Gena can write absolutely anything and she proved it with this new contemporary series.
« She'd become his new normal. »
1_romance_reader's review against another edition
I need more
Loved the book. This is probably now one of my favorite series. The chemistry between Beck and Harlow was hot hot hot. They had you pulling your hair out and at the same time loving then. I didn't want it to end. Can't wait for the next one
Loved the book. This is probably now one of my favorite series. The chemistry between Beck and Harlow was hot hot hot. They had you pulling your hair out and at the same time loving then. I didn't want it to end. Can't wait for the next one