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amanda_reads13's reviews
454 reviews
The Better Sister by Alafair Burke
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
One night Chloe comes home to find her husband Adam dead. Now Chloe's stepson, Ethan, accused and on trial for his murder.
This was a fairly predictable suspense story. Our narrator is incredibly unreliable and our characters are all pretty unlikable.
Chloe's older sister, Nikki, was once married to Adam and is the birth mother of Ethan. Years after their divorce and getting sole custody of Ethan, Adam moves to New York and starts seeing Chloe (yes, his ex's sister). Twisted.
Chloe and Adam's life seems picture perfect. She runs an online magazine and he is a lawyer, they have a second home in the Hamptons, and send their son to a ritzy private school. But all is not what it seems.
During Ethan's trial secrets are revealed that threaten everyone.Adam has been getting more and more manipulative and abusive towards his wife and son. Chloe couldn't leave Adam since she had no legal right to Ethan, so she stayed to "protect" him. To get "revenge" she starts an affair with Adams coworker. We find out that Adam also abused and manipulated Nikki the same way which is how he got custody of Ethan.
I feel like the big twist at the end was anti-climatic.It seemed pretty obvious that Nikki was involved in the murder. The twist of planting the knife on Adam's boss was interesting tho.
This was a fairly predictable suspense story. Our narrator is incredibly unreliable and our characters are all pretty unlikable.
Chloe's older sister, Nikki, was once married to Adam and is the birth mother of Ethan. Years after their divorce and getting sole custody of Ethan, Adam moves to New York and starts seeing Chloe (yes, his ex's sister). Twisted.
Chloe and Adam's life seems picture perfect. She runs an online magazine and he is a lawyer, they have a second home in the Hamptons, and send their son to a ritzy private school. But all is not what it seems.
During Ethan's trial secrets are revealed that threaten everyone.
I feel like the big twist at the end was anti-climatic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
Margo is trying to navigate the world while being a young single mom with money problems. Trying to raise her son alone is one thing, but doing it while broke is a whole other level of difficult. After running out of options, she turns to Only Fans.
I really enjoyed this story. It was a quirky and funny story unlike any other I have read. It is a very character focused story about young motherhood and the stresses that come along with it. It is about a woman who will do anything to provide for and protect her son.
As a college student, Margo begins an affair with her married professor and gets pregnant. Of course he wants nothing to do with it and walks away, even going as far as forcing her to sign an NDA. With little support and resources, she turns to Only Fans to support herself and son. Then out of nowhere her ex sues her for full custody and she has to navigate the legal system and CPS to fight to keep her baby.
The author tackled the subject of sex work in the modern world and emphasizs the fact that sex work is work. Margo turns to sex work when she has no other options and instead of being applauded for fighting to support her child, she is faced with intense judgement.
I really loved seeing the evolution of her relationship with her father. Jinx was an absent father when Margo was a child, but he is back in Margo's life and a huge support for her. He is a drug addict, but is determined to get clean for Margo and her son. Their relationship is so strange, but also kind of heartwarming.
I really liked that the romance took a backseat in this book, it was there, but was a subplot kind of buried into the background. A man saving her was not the point, Margo saved Margo.
The only thing that threw me off was how the story flip flipped between 1st and 3rd person.
Tropes: single parent, found family
I really enjoyed this story. It was a quirky and funny story unlike any other I have read. It is a very character focused story about young motherhood and the stresses that come along with it. It is about a woman who will do anything to provide for and protect her son.
As a college student, Margo begins an affair with her married professor and gets pregnant. Of course he wants nothing to do with it and walks away, even going as far as forcing her to sign an NDA. With little support and resources, she turns to Only Fans to support herself and son. Then out of nowhere her ex sues her for full custody and she has to navigate the legal system and CPS to fight to keep her baby.
The author tackled the subject of sex work in the modern world and emphasizs the fact that sex work is work. Margo turns to sex work when she has no other options and instead of being applauded for fighting to support her child, she is faced with intense judgement.
I really loved seeing the evolution of her relationship with her father. Jinx was an absent father when Margo was a child, but he is back in Margo's life and a huge support for her. He is a drug addict, but is determined to get clean for Margo and her son. Their relationship is so strange, but also kind of heartwarming.
I really liked that the romance took a backseat in this book, it was there, but was a subplot kind of buried into the background. A man saving her was not the point, Margo saved Margo.
The only thing that threw me off was how the story flip flipped between 1st and 3rd person.
Tropes: single parent, found family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
You, with a View by Jessica Joyce
lighthearted
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
After discovering somethings about her grandmother's past, Noelle winds up going on a roadtrip with her childhood frenemy, Theo, and his grandfather.
This was a really cute story. I loved the banter and push and pull between Noelle and Theo. The progression of their relationship felt so natural. You could feel the chemistry between them even when it was just through their competitive behaviour. I love how they combine the road trip with the letters and the story of Paul and her grandmother. I think it's such a lovely way to parallel her grandmother's relationship with Paul and her relationship with Theo.
Noelle and Theo grew up as childhood rivals, they competed at everything. Now as adults, Noelle is back living with her parents after losing her job and Theo is part of Forbes 30 under 30. She feels like such a failure and doesn't where know what to do with her life. One day she finds some pictures of her grandmother with a man who is not her grandfather. She puts together a video on tiktok asking if anybody knows who he is. When she gets a DM from a man claiming that it's his grandfather. We then find out that this mysterious man is Paul Theo's grandfather.
Noelle has lost the most important person in her life and being able to connect to her grandmother through Paul is such a gift. Not only does Noelle get to learn about her grandmother's past, but she also learns a lot about herself along the way. She's always been afraid to go after her dreams of being a photographer and this trip, along with the support of Paul and Theo, has open her eyes to so many possibilities.
Paul is the grandparent everyone wants. He is supportive of his grandson and loves him more than anything. When he meets Noelle, he can tell that she is struggling. He takes her under his wings and treats her as his own family. He has such a big heart.
Theo's always been successful at everything he's done but came from a very different family than Noelle. Where she had incredibly supportive parents, he had a father was never happy with anything he did. As an adult, he creates a travel app with three of his friends, but now his professional world is falling apart. We see him go from being so closed and scared to trust Noelle to learning to open up his heart to her.
Tropes: road trip, childhood frenemies, found family, close proximity
This was a really cute story. I loved the banter and push and pull between Noelle and Theo. The progression of their relationship felt so natural. You could feel the chemistry between them even when it was just through their competitive behaviour. I love how they combine the road trip with the letters and the story of Paul and her grandmother. I think it's such a lovely way to parallel her grandmother's relationship with Paul and her relationship with Theo.
Noelle and Theo grew up as childhood rivals, they competed at everything. Now as adults, Noelle is back living with her parents after losing her job and Theo is part of Forbes 30 under 30. She feels like such a failure and doesn't where know what to do with her life. One day she finds some pictures of her grandmother with a man who is not her grandfather. She puts together a video on tiktok asking if anybody knows who he is. When she gets a DM from a man claiming that it's his grandfather. We then find out that this mysterious man is Paul Theo's grandfather.
Noelle has lost the most important person in her life and being able to connect to her grandmother through Paul is such a gift. Not only does Noelle get to learn about her grandmother's past, but she also learns a lot about herself along the way. She's always been afraid to go after her dreams of being a photographer and this trip, along with the support of Paul and Theo, has open her eyes to so many possibilities.
Paul is the grandparent everyone wants. He is supportive of his grandson and loves him more than anything. When he meets Noelle, he can tell that she is struggling. He takes her under his wings and treats her as his own family. He has such a big heart.
Theo's always been successful at everything he's done but came from a very different family than Noelle. Where she had incredibly supportive parents, he had a father was never happy with anything he did. As an adult, he creates a travel app with three of his friends, but now his professional world is falling apart. We see him go from being so closed and scared to trust Noelle to learning to open up his heart to her.
Tropes: road trip, childhood frenemies, found family, close proximity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
lighthearted
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
3.5
Ada is working to get her business off and running when she accepts her first big job on a ranch in Wyoming. The evening before her first day, she meets a handsome cowboy at a local dive bar. She gets the surprise of a lifetime when that handsome cowboy winds up being Weston, her new boss.
This was a cute small town, cowboy romance. Due to the lack of a real conflict, I found the plot to be pretty one note and flat. The characters were adorable and had obvious chemistry, but there wasn't a lot of depth. I felt like we got snippets of their past, but there were a lot of pieces missing.
Ada is a budding designer and has taken the job to renovate the Rider family cabin. After her divorce, she has decided that she cannot rely on or trust anyone but herself. Wes immediately starts to tear down her walls. Though her instinct is to fight her feelings and flee, she eventually learns to open herself up to developing friendships and relationships and to trust others again.
Gus is a typical middle child, just floating along with nothing of his own. He feels like turning Baby Blue, the old cabin, into a guest accommodation will finally allow him to live up to his siblings. He is so honest about his struggles with depression and his openness to discuss it is refreshing. He is immediately drawn to Ada and is so patient while he waits for her to catch up to where he is at.
I am most excited about Teddy's book! The tension continues to grow!
Tropes: Forced proximity, Small town, Cowboy/City girl, Mental health rep, found family, workplace, black cat/golden retriever
This was a cute small town, cowboy romance. Due to the lack of a real conflict, I found the plot to be pretty one note and flat. The characters were adorable and had obvious chemistry, but there wasn't a lot of depth. I felt like we got snippets of their past, but there were a lot of pieces missing.
Ada is a budding designer and has taken the job to renovate the Rider family cabin. After her divorce, she has decided that she cannot rely on or trust anyone but herself. Wes immediately starts to tear down her walls. Though her instinct is to fight her feelings and flee, she eventually learns to open herself up to developing friendships and relationships and to trust others again.
Gus is a typical middle child, just floating along with nothing of his own. He feels like turning Baby Blue, the old cabin, into a guest accommodation will finally allow him to live up to his siblings. He is so honest about his struggles with depression and his openness to discuss it is refreshing. He is immediately drawn to Ada and is so patient while he waits for her to catch up to where he is at.
I am most excited about Teddy's book! The tension continues to grow!
Tropes: Forced proximity, Small town, Cowboy/City girl, Mental health rep, found family, workplace, black cat/golden retriever
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Taming 7 by Chloe Walsh
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Claire and Gibsie have been best friends forever. When secrets are revealed and sides have been chosen, they need to decide where they stand.
Though not my favourite of the series, this book was still really good. It was full of heartbreak, angst, and hope. I absolutely adore Gibsie and Claire. Their friendship and love for one another is so beautiful. Their emotional connection is so raw and deep. You cannot help but root for them.
Gibsie is known as the goofy prankster of the group who always has a smile on his face. Beneath the bright exterior hold so many secrets that hold him back from pursuing his Claire-Bear, he thinks that she will think less of him or pitty him. He would rather just keep the past buried. When he was young he lost both his father and sister in a boating accident and there is a rumour around town is that his stepbrother r***** Lizzie's sister, leading to her suicide.
When the truth comes out, it is far worse than anyone could imagine. For years Mark r**** Gibs. As a child Gibs had to endure the torture and assault of his step-brother. He turned to someone he thought he could trust, his babysitter (Lizzie's sister), but she didn't believe him. That is until she literally walked in on it happening. She took her own life out of the guilt of not believing Gibs and allowing him to suffer for so long. The revelation was absolutely crushing and devastating to read.
Claire is the friend every person dreams of. She is caring, thoughtful, empathetic, and supportive. She makes mistakes, but she does it out of her need to fiercely protect those she loves.Was she right in revealing the truth about the letter like she did, absolutely not, but her claws came out and she was trying to protect Gibs. The trust between these two is so solid, I mean he even sleep walks to her when he is having a nightmare.
I completely get the backlash against Lizzie in this book. Yes, she is grieving and in pain, but she is a truly awful person. She is so mean and cruel. I wanted to reach into the book and slap her so many times. Even if what she thought was true was, Gibs beared zero of the blame. Lizzie was just angry and trying to find someone to blame. I was so happy when Claire finally put her in her place, she has no right to lash out at Gibs. She needs serious therapy.
I really hope we get a book 2 for Claire and Gibsie, I don't feel like their story is over.
Tropes: friends to lovers, sports, slow burn, found family, hidden trauma
Though not my favourite of the series, this book was still really good. It was full of heartbreak, angst, and hope. I absolutely adore Gibsie and Claire. Their friendship and love for one another is so beautiful. Their emotional connection is so raw and deep. You cannot help but root for them.
Gibsie is known as the goofy prankster of the group who always has a smile on his face. Beneath the bright exterior hold so many secrets that hold him back from pursuing his Claire-Bear, he thinks that she will think less of him or pitty him. He would rather just keep the past buried. When he was young he lost both his father and sister in a boating accident and there is a rumour around town is that his stepbrother r***** Lizzie's sister, leading to her suicide.
When the truth comes out, it is far worse than anyone could imagine.
Claire is the friend every person dreams of. She is caring, thoughtful, empathetic, and supportive. She makes mistakes, but she does it out of her need to fiercely protect those she loves.
I completely get the backlash against Lizzie in this book. Yes, she is grieving and in pain, but she is a truly awful person. She is so mean and cruel. I wanted to reach into the book and slap her so many times. Even if what she thought was true was, Gibs beared zero of the blame. Lizzie was just angry and trying to find someone to blame. I was so happy when Claire finally put her in her place, she has no right to lash out at Gibs. She needs serious therapy.
I really hope we get a book 2 for Claire and Gibsie, I don't feel like their story is over.
Tropes: friends to lovers, sports, slow burn, found family, hidden trauma
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
Beautifully Broken Spirit by Catherine Cowles
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Jensen has closed herself off from the world, the one thing that brings her peace is the wild horses. So when someone starts targeting them, she and Tuck try to figure out what is happening and grow closer in the process.
Every book in this series has the same plot and it is frustrating AF. I really liked Jensen and was excited to read her and Tucks book, but it's the exact same plot arc as the other two.
Man is attracted to woman.
Woman pushes man away.
They get together (kind of).
Woman gets kidnapped.
Man rescues woman.
They live happily ever after.
Rince. And. Repeat.
This could have been such a great story. I really liked Tuck and Jensen and felt like they had some really good character development. But I am completely put off by the lack of imagination in the plot.
Jensen is a struggling but fiercesingle mom who no longer trusts her intuition. Tuck has always been her protector and friend. He is a bit of a playboy and has never trusted himself to settle down. Their lifelong friendship and trust in one another lead them to a friends with benefits situation, which doesn't really work because there are too many em tions involved. I enjoyed the evolution of their relationship and the fun banter between them. I think that Tucks relationship with Noah was incredibly sweet.
Tropes: brother's best friend, friends to lovers, forced proximity, small town, single mother, friends with benefits
Every book in this series has the same plot and it is frustrating AF. I really liked Jensen and was excited to read her and Tucks book, but it's the exact same plot arc as the other two.
Man is attracted to woman.
Woman pushes man away.
They get together (kind of).
Woman gets kidnapped.
Man rescues woman.
They live happily ever after.
Rince. And. Repeat.
This could have been such a great story. I really liked Tuck and Jensen and felt like they had some really good character development. But I am completely put off by the lack of imagination in the plot.
Jensen is a struggling but fiercesingle mom who no longer trusts her intuition. Tuck has always been her protector and friend. He is a bit of a playboy and has never trusted himself to settle down. Their lifelong friendship and trust in one another lead them to a friends with benefits situation, which doesn't really work because there are too many em tions involved. I enjoyed the evolution of their relationship and the fun banter between them. I think that Tucks relationship with Noah was incredibly sweet.
Tropes: brother's best friend, friends to lovers, forced proximity, small town, single mother, friends with benefits
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Redeeming 6 by Chloe Walsh
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
We continue to follow Aoife and Joey's relationship.
I have read a lot of reviews bashishing this book for being the same as the #13 books. In a way, it is, but this book is also it's own story. Yes, it follows the same events and timeline from the #13 books, but we end up with a wastly different and unique story. There is so much more we learn in and love about this book.
This book was as heartbreaking and gut-wrenching as the first #6, I bawled through so much of this book, I am tearing up just thinking about it.
Joey and Aoife are such strong characters. Their story has so much depth and heartbreak, but also so much hope. Both are flawed, but exhibit so much growth and determination through the attory. Joey is a drug addict struggling with an unending list of traumas begining when he was a baby. Aoife is the woman who loves him and refuses to give up on him. There are literally no barriers that will stop her from trying to save him. Even in the worst moments, you can't help but root for them.
Walsh tackles so many challenging topics with sensitivity and empathy while still allowing us to feel the raw pain these character experience. We see the inside the mind of a man struggling with addiction and trauma while also seeing inside the mind of the woman fighting for him. Walsh shows us, with brutal honesty, the long term effects the trauma of childhood abuse and the psychological toll that takes on a person.
I love that we see Joeyin a rehab facility. Yes, it is just a small part of the story, but it is probably the most important. He has spent 18 years being beaten and psychologically tortured, you can't blame him for turning to drugs to try to escape. But his strength of character and determination to do his best for Aoife and his baby allowed us a glimpse into his true character. He is a caretaker at heart and has always put others before himself. Finally he is taking care of himself and actually giving himself the chance to heal and get help. We see him learning how to trust again and seeing the war inside his head as he battles against a life time of distrust.
The epilogue was absolute perfection imho. Seeingfrom Shannon's POV Joey healthy and happy with his little family was the perfect way to end the book. We know that they will have up and downs, but the are safe, happy, and have a support system.
Tropes: best friend to lovers, unexpected pregnancy, second chance
I have read a lot of reviews bashishing this book for being the same as the #13 books. In a way, it is, but this book is also it's own story. Yes, it follows the same events and timeline from the #13 books, but we end up with a wastly different and unique story. There is so much more we learn in and love about this book.
This book was as heartbreaking and gut-wrenching as the first #6, I bawled through so much of this book, I am tearing up just thinking about it.
Joey and Aoife are such strong characters. Their story has so much depth and heartbreak, but also so much hope. Both are flawed, but exhibit so much growth and determination through the attory. Joey is a drug addict struggling with an unending list of traumas begining when he was a baby. Aoife is the woman who loves him and refuses to give up on him. There are literally no barriers that will stop her from trying to save him. Even in the worst moments, you can't help but root for them.
Walsh tackles so many challenging topics with sensitivity and empathy while still allowing us to feel the raw pain these character experience. We see the inside the mind of a man struggling with addiction and trauma while also seeing inside the mind of the woman fighting for him. Walsh shows us, with brutal honesty, the long term effects the trauma of childhood abuse and the psychological toll that takes on a person.
I love that we see Joey
The epilogue was absolute perfection imho. Seeing
Tropes: best friend to lovers, unexpected pregnancy, second chance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Saving 6 by Chloe Walsh
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Joey and Aoife have been friends for years and always harboured feelings for one another. When they finally get together, they face an incredible uphill battle.
This one was rough. Joey and Aoife's story is absolutely gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. I loved Shannon and Johnny, but Joey and Aoife have a piece of my heart.
Joey is so broken and Aoife yerns to help him heal. But she doesn't understand the level of horror that goes on within his home, she doesn't understand how deep his pain goes. Call is teenage naivety or happy home privilege, but she has the best intentions of wanting to heal him with her love. Unfortunately, Joey is way past that. His trauma runs in his blood and it will take extreme interventions to help him.
Joey's life is filled with so much pain and trauma that makes him turn to addiction. He uses drugs to help him survive his life of abandonment, neglect, abuse, and responsibilites. Sometimes, dugs are the only thing that helps him get through days without ending his own life. He was suffered abuse at the hands of his father from a young age and has taken on the role of protector and caregiver for his siblings, and at times his mother. He has to endure seeing/hearing his father beat and r@pe him mother and beat his siblings.
Aoife is the one way of light in his life. She is the only person that he loves unconditionally. In a twisted wayhe believes that he has no future and that by staying with Aoife he will only lead her off the same cliff. He wants to be better for her, but until the trauma is dealt with and he is truly safe he will never be able to heal and feel "good" enough for her.
Tropes: friends to lovers, opposites attract
This one was rough. Joey and Aoife's story is absolutely gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. I loved Shannon and Johnny, but Joey and Aoife have a piece of my heart.
Joey is so broken and Aoife yerns to help him heal. But she doesn't understand the level of horror that goes on within his home, she doesn't understand how deep his pain goes. Call is teenage naivety or happy home privilege, but she has the best intentions of wanting to heal him with her love. Unfortunately, Joey is way past that. His trauma runs in his blood and it will take extreme interventions to help him.
Joey's life is filled with so much pain and trauma that makes him turn to addiction. He uses drugs to help him survive his life of abandonment, neglect, abuse, and responsibilites. Sometimes, dugs are the only thing that helps him get through days without ending his own life. He was suffered abuse at the hands of his father from a young age and has taken on the role of protector and caregiver for his siblings, and at times his mother. He has to endure seeing/hearing his father beat and r@pe him mother and beat his siblings.
Aoife is the one way of light in his life. She is the only person that he loves unconditionally. In a twisted way
Tropes: friends to lovers, opposites attract
Beautifully Broken Life by Catherine Cowles
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tessa is on the run from her abusive ex and has been living a quiet life in Sutter Lake for the last 2 years. Liam is a world famous musician who moves to Sutter Lake to get away from it all.
I am unsure how I want to rate this because it is essentially the same story as the first book but with a few details changed. Traumatized woman meets man who wants to save her. Woman is kidnapped. Man saves her. They live happily ever after. The only big difference is that her kidnapper is her ex and not a murderer.
Liam is incredibly sensitive, compassionate, and protective. He never pushes Tessa past her point of comfort and is sure to take things slow.
Tessa has endured so much trauma. She grew up in the foster care system after her father abandoned her and her mother passed away during birth and she lived with an incredibly abusive fiance. She is so brave and strong. She manages to escape and start over. She is understandably skittish and nervous around new comers. Though she doesn't get therapy until the end of the book, the horses act as a version of therapy for her.
Tropes: friends to lovers, heroine on the run, famous MMC, found family
I am unsure how I want to rate this because it is essentially the same story as the first book but with a few details changed. Traumatized woman meets man who wants to save her. Woman is kidnapped. Man saves her. They live happily ever after. The only big difference is that her kidnapper is her ex and not a murderer.
Liam is incredibly sensitive, compassionate, and protective. He never pushes Tessa past her point of comfort and is sure to take things slow.
Tessa has endured so much trauma. She grew up in the foster care system after her father abandoned her and her mother passed away during birth and she lived with an incredibly abusive fiance. She is so brave and strong. She manages to escape and start over. She is understandably skittish and nervous around new comers. Though she doesn't get therapy until the end of the book, the horses act as a version of therapy for her.
Tropes: friends to lovers, heroine on the run, famous MMC, found family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Beautifully Broken Pieces by Catherine Cowles
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Taylor moves to Sutter Lake in hopes of finding peace. There she meets Walker, a man dealing with his own difficult past.
This was much heavier than I first anticipated. This book is heartbreaking, suspensful, funny, and emotional.
Taylor is dealing with the grief of losing her mother and her default is to isolate herself. She moves to Sutter Lake to escape it all, but finds herself being brought into the folds of the Cole family. Walker is dealing with the grief of losing his first love and has decided that he can no longer open his heart to another woman. His first girlfriend, almost fiance, was murdered when they were young. He never found out who was responsible. Together, these two help to heal one another and push one another outside of their comfort zones.
I really loved the cast of characters in this book - from his family to her friends, the relationships held so much depth and love.
I have to say that I figured out the murderer pretty quickly. something about Jensen's boyfriend and his sister didn't sit right with me. He seemed "off" while she was quietly obsessed with Walker. It made sense that him, being a psychopath who liked to hunt women, would "take care" of anyone to caught Walker's eye for her.
Tropes: romantic suspense, small town, forced proximity, found family
This was much heavier than I first anticipated. This book is heartbreaking, suspensful, funny, and emotional.
Taylor is dealing with the grief of losing her mother and her default is to isolate herself. She moves to Sutter Lake to escape it all, but finds herself being brought into the folds of the Cole family. Walker is dealing with the grief of losing his first love and has decided that he can no longer open his heart to another woman. His first girlfriend, almost fiance, was murdered when they were young. He never found out who was responsible. Together, these two help to heal one another and push one another outside of their comfort zones.
I really loved the cast of characters in this book - from his family to her friends, the relationships held so much depth and love.
I have to say that I figured out the murderer pretty quickly.
Tropes: romantic suspense, small town, forced proximity, found family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship