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A review by em_thebookish_girl
His Hollow Heart by Rachel Leigh
5.0
This is my first read by Rachel Leigh, and I've heard nothing but amazing things about her work! I've been meaning to read the Redwood Rebels series, (ahhh.. my never ending TBR) but I'm hoping to start in the near future! His Hollow Heart is a dark romance and book #1 in the Fallen Kingdom series. I guess it can be classified as a friends-to-lovers-enemies-to-lovers romance? Navigated from the main characters' perspectives: Bella and Cal's. Wow... it's a dark, intense steamy romance read. Cal is a morally grey character and can be seen as the villain in this story. But as I started to read his perspective, my heart broke for him. And I really enjoyed reading his POV. He may have a comfortable life now but he worked pretty damn hard to get to where he is. Cal made something of himself and he has everything at his disposal, hence he's living a wealthy lifestyle. But to get to that point he had to pass through so many hurdles. He endured a lot when he was younger, and ultimately it made him the man he is today. A cold hearted (or more like heartless), harsh, remorseless and twisted person; he lives and thrives in his "darkness". And yes, his actions towards Bella was wrong on so many levels.
Under false pretences, Cal managed to get Bella where he wanted her. After all, he has been carefully setting up his plans for years. In short, he basically held her captive against her will, (a *slight* reference to "the Beauty and the Beast") and Bella's hands are tied, she has no way out of the situation she is in; he manipulated and coerced her into staying. But Bella is a stubborn strong willed character; she stood her ground and fought so hard against him, hence she really got under Cal's skin and vice versa. Both of them equally love pushing each others' buttons, and at times they were in a heated standoff. Besides the heavy tension between them, their intense chemistry was off the charts! Bella cares deeply about the people who are closest to her, Cal included (despite his recent behavior towards her, she can't stop caring about him). The suspense towards the end of the book though!! And I cannot wait to read book #2!!!!
Bella and Callum "Cal" are two orphans and friends in foster care waiting to be adopted. They made a pact: promising each other, no matter what happens, they wouldn't leave each other behind. But Bella broke this pact. The day she left The Webster House, Bella barely recognized the boy who is her friend. Callum, who looked at with adoring and caring eyes are now filled with hurt and hatred. Fast forward to 12 years later, Bella and Callum meet again. But it's not a welcoming reunion. Bella and Cal are not friends nor do they really know each other like they use to. But Bella wants to try to reconnect and make amends with Cal, after all, he had an important place in her life. He knew her better than anyone else. But it's going to cost her because Cal is dead set on destroying her; to hurt her the way she hurt him. He wants revenge.
*trigger warning dub-con and sexual assault, mentions physical and emotional abuse, drug use and overdose
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review
Under false pretences, Cal managed to get Bella where he wanted her. After all, he has been carefully setting up his plans for years. In short, he basically held her captive against her will, (a *slight* reference to "the Beauty and the Beast") and Bella's hands are tied, she has no way out of the situation she is in; he manipulated and coerced her into staying. But Bella is a stubborn strong willed character; she stood her ground and fought so hard against him, hence she really got under Cal's skin and vice versa. Both of them equally love pushing each others' buttons, and at times they were in a heated standoff. Besides the heavy tension between them, their intense chemistry was off the charts! Bella cares deeply about the people who are closest to her, Cal included (despite his recent behavior towards her, she can't stop caring about him). The suspense towards the end of the book though!! And I cannot wait to read book #2!!!!
Bella and Callum "Cal" are two orphans and friends in foster care waiting to be adopted. They made a pact: promising each other, no matter what happens, they wouldn't leave each other behind. But Bella broke this pact. The day she left The Webster House, Bella barely recognized the boy who is her friend. Callum, who looked at with adoring and caring eyes are now filled with hurt and hatred. Fast forward to 12 years later, Bella and Callum meet again. But it's not a welcoming reunion. Bella and Cal are not friends nor do they really know each other like they use to. But Bella wants to try to reconnect and make amends with Cal, after all, he had an important place in her life. He knew her better than anyone else. But it's going to cost her because Cal is dead set on destroying her; to hurt her the way she hurt him. He wants revenge.
*trigger warning dub-con and sexual assault, mentions physical and emotional abuse, drug use and overdose
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review