Reviews

Defiant by Sara Cate

whatshawnareads's review

3.0

This is the book where I really start to see Sara Cate come into her element. If you've started here, you're in for such a treat when you listen to her more recent books. The cop who wants to do good and doesn't always play by the rules to do so is a hard character to write and while I don't think it completely worked for me, there's so much to enjoy in this story. There's a second chance romance element as well as an underground fight ring to add in some action and suspense.

Narration: Dual narration. I loved Aiden Snow, I'd give him all the stars, but unfortunately I won't be listening to the female narrator again.

xxbooksilovexx's review

4.0

Really enjoying this book by Sara Cate. The enemies to lovers trope is my favorite. The angst & banter between Rafe & Shelby is beyond hot! Rafe has some secrets. Definitely give this one a listen! Aiden Snow & Kelley Huston (new to me narrator).

emtalksbooks's review

1.0

I wanted to love this book so much. It's one of the last books that I have left to read by Sara Cate. Maybe it's because I read all her newer books first and so it is clear that this was one of her first books but I just didn't connect with the characters. I wanted to as I have been interested in Rafe's story since we met him in Delicate but I couldn't connect with either Rafe or Shelby and I just couldn't understand their relationship.

I ended up DNFing this book at 40%

adlerje1's review against another edition

5.0

This was my first book by Sara Cate. She has brilliantly depicted a very real and true story. The way I could relate to the FMC and envision the whole story was remarkable. Her style of writing gives you so much vivid detail and paints the picture for you so well that you feel as though you’re in the scenes with the characters.

This story is about 3 best friends. Things happen and all of a sudden it’s 10 years later and there’s a lot of things that have brought them to the point of not speaking. Shelby is a hospice nurse and is as real as they come. Being a nurse, she wants to help. That’s just engrained in her from her job. Her twin, Ezra has a tainted past that he can’t get over. And their outed friend, Rafe, is doing well in the police force in the town they just relocated to. There are so many occasions in the book where you can picture it happening in real life. These 3 have a lot to work out to get back to the best friend status. And just because you’re brother and sister doesn’t mean you don’t need space apart either. This was such a refreshing novel to read with a HEA. If you haven’t checked out any of Sara’s books I highly recommend it! I certainly can not wait to see what else she has in store and I absolutely will be devouring it after reading this!

pagesinkedinshadows's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was not what I was expecting for Rafe, but I loved getting to know his story. I love that it was Shelby that got him to soften his armor and open up. They both had a lot of healing and growth that they had to work through and I’m glad that they both overcame their mistakes and their past and learned from it. This was a great ending for these brothers. 

briannala03's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse

Minor: Death and Blood

callywog's review

2.25

Rafe and Shelby

Enemies to lovers, virgin MMC, second chance. 

One of my least favorite tropes paired with two of my most favorite tropes! Turns out I prefer my virgin MCs to be virgins due to anything other than trauma. That was pretty sad. 

The book is fine, nothing amazing. 3🔥

dani9's review

emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I wasn't expecting this book to be so heavy. A difficult subject to incorporate into a romance but done well and sensitively. 

The end felt a little rushed, but the book is only 200 pages.

A nice end to the series

erina1510's review

4.0

This is the first time reading from this author and I really enjoyed it. Shelby and Rafe’s chemistry and the hate they had for each other made it extremely hard to put this book down. The emotional trauma and turmoil Rafe suffers at the hands of the people he is supposed to trust most. Shelby’s first instinct is revenge, then the nurse in her comes out and she wants to heal. This has enemies to lovers, second chance, and angst all in one.

bendy_bookworm's review

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This was my least favorite book by Sara Cate and I’m really disappointed :(