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Hauberk Protection #3
Deliberate Deceptions
A little lying and misdirection in the name of love is never wrong. Right?
Chad Miller once had the perfect life—a beautiful baby daughter, a loving wife, a promising career with the FBI. Within a year, he’d lost everything. Making Hauberk Protection a success salvaged his career, but he’s never managed to get over the one fateful decision that spelled the end of his marriage. And the death of his child.
For eight years, grief and guilt have haunted Lauren Miller’s climb up the ranks of the Light Brigade, a secret international hostage rescue team. Now she’s the target of a vengeful ex-Brigade operative who’ll stop at nothing to take her down. Even if it means taking out everyone she cares about. Including Chad. Getting him to accept her as his bodyguard? It’ll take some fast talking—and faster hands.
Trapped in a remote safe house with Lauren is the last place Chad ever wanted to be. He may finally have the chance to get some answers about why she ran, but with his hard-won defenses crumbling, he’s having trouble remembering the questions. In the heat of their rekindled passion, Lauren struggles to keep her professional focus…and keep the secrets that could break his heart all over again.
Warning: Angst dead-ahead! Lost love. Angst. Reunited lovers. Angst. Sex. More angst. And did I mention the angst? A box of tissues is definitely needed. But don’t worry, there’s still a Happy-Ever-After.
Chad Miller once had the perfect life—a beautiful baby daughter, a loving wife, a promising career with the FBI. Within a year, he’d lost everything. Making Hauberk Protection a success salvaged his career, but he’s never managed to get over the one fateful decision that spelled the end of his marriage. And the death of his child.
For eight years, grief and guilt have haunted Lauren Miller’s climb up the ranks of the Light Brigade, a secret international hostage rescue team. Now she’s the target of a vengeful ex-Brigade operative who’ll stop at nothing to take her down. Even if it means taking out everyone she cares about. Including Chad. Getting him to accept her as his bodyguard? It’ll take some fast talking—and faster hands.
Trapped in a remote safe house with Lauren is the last place Chad ever wanted to be. He may finally have the chance to get some answers about why she ran, but with his hard-won defenses crumbling, he’s having trouble remembering the questions. In the heat of their rekindled passion, Lauren struggles to keep her professional focus…and keep the secrets that could break his heart all over again.
Warning: Angst dead-ahead! Lost love. Angst. Reunited lovers. Angst. Sex. More angst. And did I mention the angst? A box of tissues is definitely needed. But don’t worry, there’s still a Happy-Ever-After.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2011
8 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Leah Braemel
26 books334 followersMarried to her college sweetheart and the mother of two sons, Leah is the only woman in a houseful of men—even their dog and cat are male. She loves escaping the ever-multiplying dust bunnies by opening up her laptop to write about sexy heroes and the women who challenge them.
Reviewers have awarded Leah’s books numerous Top Pick and Recommended Reads designations as well as nominated them as Best Contemporary Romance, Best Erotic Romance and Best Ménage and More. Leah has also been nominated as Favorite Author and Best Erotic Romance Author.
Reviewers have awarded Leah’s books numerous Top Pick and Recommended Reads designations as well as nominated them as Best Contemporary Romance, Best Erotic Romance and Best Ménage and More. Leah has also been nominated as Favorite Author and Best Erotic Romance Author.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 10, 2020
I really felt like the fact that these were people who dealt with deception on a daily basis that they would have talked to each other more before everything blew up. But I guess with everything else that was going on, they were weak and easily susceptible.
I just kept coming back to that fact over and over.
I just kept coming back to that fact over and over.
July 13, 2011
I read this book yesterday, and I have been thinking about it ever since. It's been quite a while since a story has stuck with me like this, where I keep rolling it around in my mind, trying to process how I feel about it.
On the one hand, there is this beautiful portrayal of a second chance at love. I mean, the depth of feelings evoked by the love story, for me, was unexpected and simply lovely. I felt Chad's pain, his anger, his intense longing for what he has lost. I felt his tension, his mistrust, and finally, his hope in a second chance. My gut clenched, I was breathing faster, I felt anxious for him. I RELATED.
So many touching and heartwrenching moments, such as when the reader learns why Chad is so fastidious in putting away his things had me saying, "Ohhhh, Bless his heart...!" and waving my hand in front of my face, trying not to cry. Didn't help, I cried like a baby. Chad slowly opens himself to the possibility of having his dream come true, yet can't stop the moment of panic when he wakes and Lauren is not in bed with him. Chad's POV during these scenes is a spectacular portrayal of a wounded, haunted man.
Sadly, we have very little Lauren time. Yes, she wants her husband back. Yes, she says she never wanted to hurt him. I believed her, as far as it goes, but her angst seemed so superficial in comparison to Chad's. Even when she is explaining to him why she left, she doesn't read as filled with sorrow or remorse. She reads as flat, to me.
The rest of the story, though, was just...not there. I'm good without having things detailed out, but there was just...nothing. The plot was thin to the point of I wondered why bother? The villian Lauren was hiding from was ultimately a nonissue. The manipulation that kept Chad and Lauren apart and the person behind it was no surprise to me at all. The person who stole Lauren's letters to Chad, though, that came out of left field.
I have read the other 2 books in this series, and I still couldn't really follow the "story". Scenes end abruptly. Chapters start in the middle of a scene. There is a lot of conflicting dialogue about whether Lauren blames Chad for a career ending incident in the FBI. First, she does. Then she says, no, of course I don't blame you. Then she blames him for not discussing it with her, but not for his actions. I found it hard to follow.
Ultimately, the Chad part of the story is a 5++++, and the rest of the story is a 2. I am so sad about this, because I liked Chad more than I have liked any hero in a while. It's like the author created this magnificent character, and then lost steam with the background and supporting themes. Honestly, I would recommend reading it for the love story, and just skipping the other parts.
On the one hand, there is this beautiful portrayal of a second chance at love. I mean, the depth of feelings evoked by the love story, for me, was unexpected and simply lovely. I felt Chad's pain, his anger, his intense longing for what he has lost. I felt his tension, his mistrust, and finally, his hope in a second chance. My gut clenched, I was breathing faster, I felt anxious for him. I RELATED.
So many touching and heartwrenching moments, such as when the reader learns why Chad is so fastidious in putting away his things had me saying, "Ohhhh, Bless his heart...!" and waving my hand in front of my face, trying not to cry. Didn't help, I cried like a baby. Chad slowly opens himself to the possibility of having his dream come true, yet can't stop the moment of panic when he wakes and Lauren is not in bed with him. Chad's POV during these scenes is a spectacular portrayal of a wounded, haunted man.
Sadly, we have very little Lauren time. Yes, she wants her husband back. Yes, she says she never wanted to hurt him. I believed her, as far as it goes, but her angst seemed so superficial in comparison to Chad's. Even when she is explaining to him why she left, she doesn't read as filled with sorrow or remorse. She reads as flat, to me.
The rest of the story, though, was just...not there. I'm good without having things detailed out, but there was just...nothing. The plot was thin to the point of I wondered why bother? The villian Lauren was hiding from was ultimately a nonissue. The manipulation that kept Chad and Lauren apart and the person behind it was no surprise to me at all. The person who stole Lauren's letters to Chad, though, that came out of left field.
I have read the other 2 books in this series, and I still couldn't really follow the "story". Scenes end abruptly. Chapters start in the middle of a scene. There is a lot of conflicting dialogue about whether Lauren blames Chad for a career ending incident in the FBI. First, she does. Then she says, no, of course I don't blame you. Then she blames him for not discussing it with her, but not for his actions. I found it hard to follow.
Ultimately, the Chad part of the story is a 5++++, and the rest of the story is a 2. I am so sad about this, because I liked Chad more than I have liked any hero in a while. It's like the author created this magnificent character, and then lost steam with the background and supporting themes. Honestly, I would recommend reading it for the love story, and just skipping the other parts.
July 13, 2011
I was a bit disappointed. After reading Sam's and Rosie's story I've expected more. However, this book couldn't live up to my expectations.
It didn't work for me. Mainly it could be that the plot and the suspense part were definitely too weak and too thin. And I didn't get to know Lauren enough. Furthermore, it bugged me quite a lot that Thalia was an evil bitch. I didn't anticipate something like that after reading Sam's story. :(
At least Chad and Lauren were talking about the SIDS death of their daughter. I liked this part. And the rekindled love story between Chad and Lauren was rather nicely penned.
It didn't work for me. Mainly it could be that the plot and the suspense part were definitely too weak and too thin. And I didn't get to know Lauren enough. Furthermore, it bugged me quite a lot that Thalia was an evil bitch. I didn't anticipate something like that after reading Sam's story. :(
At least Chad and Lauren were talking about the SIDS death of their daughter. I liked this part. And the rekindled love story between Chad and Lauren was rather nicely penned.
October 16, 2013
I was really looking forward to Chad's story and enjoyed it. I thought the suspense side of it was a bit weak and would have liked it to be a bit more grittier but still an enjoyable read for Hauberk fans
November 29, 2017
4 stars
I loved Chad and Lauren's story so much!
I loved Chad and Lauren's story so much!
May 7, 2022
Fabulous story of love that never dies no matter the years apart and the interfering assholes.
May 31, 2011
Before you consider buying this book let me warn you that if you haven’t read the other two in the series, there may be points in the plot where you get a bit lost. You need to read the other two to understand the history to this plot, and meet all the major players in all their somewhat murky glory. That being said, if you have read the other two, this is a fabulous little romantic suspense read.
We begin our tale with a picture of a happy family. We meet Chad and Lauren, the content married couple with an appetite for kinky bedroom games (BDSM warning). We also meet, albeit somewhat briefly, their newborn child Emily. All is well, but then the story suddenly fast-forwards ten years and our happy family are no more. Chad and Lauren are divorced after the premature death of their newborn daughter Emily. They haven’t spoken to each other in all this time, but their paths are about to be thrust together as a deadly enemy of Lauren’s threatens the safety of them both. Lauren now works for a Black-Ops operation for the American Government. Although there is a threat to Chad, she can’t tell him what the threat is. Together with her boss, they come up with an elaborate cover scheme for Chad’s security firm to protect her from a threat. Of course, no one at his firm is to know, until the final minute, that the person that they need to look after is Lauren; after the melt-down that Chad went into after she left, they would never agree to help. But it does make sense to the other partner in the firm, Sam, that Chad be out of the way, after he gets notification that the local press is planning on rehashing Chad’s supposed part in the FBI’s failure to prevent 9/11. The deal is set up, and it isn’t until they get to the safe house set up to protect Lauren that Chad discovers that he is to be sharing a home with his ex-wife for the foreseeable future. Unwilling to give up on his duty of protection, Chad prepares himself for some serious temptation in the form the woman he has never stopped loving. Emotions begin to rise, and soon they give into some temporary sexual release. However, will the lies, unspoken emotions and interfering external influences, allow these two finally have their HEA?
I enjoyed this book. Chad was a fabulously tortured man, who just couldn’t understand why his wife upped and left him at the lowest point in his personal and professional life. His conclusion? She blamed him for his part in the lax security that preceded the 9/11 tragedy, the death of their baby and the publication of the sex tape which threatened to ruin them both. Lauren is a mixed bag of emotion. She truly thought that Chad didn’t want her anymore and that he, like her, blamed her for the death of their baby. I liked the way the author portrayed the struggle of a family trying to deal with the aftermath of SID. I never felt she rushed the characters to deal with their emotions; the ten-year gap allowed sufficient time to pass. There are some truly heinous side characters in this book. I’ll bet you money that Chad’s sister leaves as bad a taste in your mouth as she did mine...a well-written psycho b@tch. My one problem with this book is the ending of the suspense plot. I won’t ruin it but it’s one of those huh? moments that, not only did I not see coming, wasn’t really needed with the existing set up.
Overall, a fabulous love story with a suspense plot that, for the most part, held together well. I enjoyed Chad and Lauren together as a couple and wanted them to make it work. Recommended but read the first two first!
We begin our tale with a picture of a happy family. We meet Chad and Lauren, the content married couple with an appetite for kinky bedroom games (BDSM warning). We also meet, albeit somewhat briefly, their newborn child Emily. All is well, but then the story suddenly fast-forwards ten years and our happy family are no more. Chad and Lauren are divorced after the premature death of their newborn daughter Emily. They haven’t spoken to each other in all this time, but their paths are about to be thrust together as a deadly enemy of Lauren’s threatens the safety of them both. Lauren now works for a Black-Ops operation for the American Government. Although there is a threat to Chad, she can’t tell him what the threat is. Together with her boss, they come up with an elaborate cover scheme for Chad’s security firm to protect her from a threat. Of course, no one at his firm is to know, until the final minute, that the person that they need to look after is Lauren; after the melt-down that Chad went into after she left, they would never agree to help. But it does make sense to the other partner in the firm, Sam, that Chad be out of the way, after he gets notification that the local press is planning on rehashing Chad’s supposed part in the FBI’s failure to prevent 9/11. The deal is set up, and it isn’t until they get to the safe house set up to protect Lauren that Chad discovers that he is to be sharing a home with his ex-wife for the foreseeable future. Unwilling to give up on his duty of protection, Chad prepares himself for some serious temptation in the form the woman he has never stopped loving. Emotions begin to rise, and soon they give into some temporary sexual release. However, will the lies, unspoken emotions and interfering external influences, allow these two finally have their HEA?
I enjoyed this book. Chad was a fabulously tortured man, who just couldn’t understand why his wife upped and left him at the lowest point in his personal and professional life. His conclusion? She blamed him for his part in the lax security that preceded the 9/11 tragedy, the death of their baby and the publication of the sex tape which threatened to ruin them both. Lauren is a mixed bag of emotion. She truly thought that Chad didn’t want her anymore and that he, like her, blamed her for the death of their baby. I liked the way the author portrayed the struggle of a family trying to deal with the aftermath of SID. I never felt she rushed the characters to deal with their emotions; the ten-year gap allowed sufficient time to pass. There are some truly heinous side characters in this book. I’ll bet you money that Chad’s sister leaves as bad a taste in your mouth as she did mine...a well-written psycho b@tch. My one problem with this book is the ending of the suspense plot. I won’t ruin it but it’s one of those huh? moments that, not only did I not see coming, wasn’t really needed with the existing set up.
Overall, a fabulous love story with a suspense plot that, for the most part, held together well. I enjoyed Chad and Lauren together as a couple and wanted them to make it work. Recommended but read the first two first!
April 30, 2012
Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
Deliberate Deceptions is the third book in the Hauberk Protection series. This is the story about Chad Miller who a silent partner in Hauberk and his ex-wife of 10 years, Lauren. Both Chad and Lauren are former FBI agents. Their world and their marriage were torn apart following both personal and professional tragedies. I am absolutely amazed at the amount of deception that broke these two apart and I will say that this book was aptly titled.
Chad is a very likeable guy who has pretty much been married to his job following his divorce. His co-workers admire him for his abilities and he gets by day to day but he has never forgotten his wife. He keeps a picture in his desk drawer that he looks at daily. He is hurt and scarred from how his wife left him and has built up barriers to protect him self from being hurt again.
Lauren is good at her job and well respected by those she works with. She is still haunted by things in her past that she hasn’t quite gotten over. At the lowest point in her life she wrongly trusted others who fed her false information and changed her life.
A co-worked of Lauren’s goes rogue and both she and Chad are in danger. Lauren and her boss come up with an idea to get both her and Chad into protective custody using Hauberk and the story begins.
I like Chad but he always seemed so closed off in the previous book. In this one we find out a little more why he is like this. We also find out why he’s obsessive about folding and putting away his clothes and I will tell you that when the reason was reveled it made me teary eyed. He’s such a sympathetic hero and I want to put my arms around him and hold him. He’s also very much a man and has very little problem jumping back in to a sexual relationship with his ex-wife.
Lauren left me a bit cold. In some ways I understand why she is this way but I also find it hard to believe that after she left she never questioned why Chad didn’t try to reach her. I just feel that if she truly loved him the way she said she did that she wouldn’t have give up without speaking to him in person.
Because of their past relationship it doesn’t take long for these two to wind up back in an intense sexual relationship. They know each other well and it shows! There are really few boundaries between these two and it makes for some intense scenes.
Soon the original threat to Chad and Lauren is neutralized and then the question of whether they will continue any type of relationship begins. There were outside forces that kept them apart for ten years and once these are revealed they both realize how they were played and how much time together they lost through no fault of their own.
Overall this was a respectable offering from Leah. It’s not my favorite of the series but one I enjoyed none the less. During this book though we get more and more information about the “puppet masters” in this series, and I will tell you that I like these characters less and less. Their involvement has me worried about my favorite characters and for Hauberk in general. It also has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book!
Deliberate Deceptions is the third book in the Hauberk Protection series. This is the story about Chad Miller who a silent partner in Hauberk and his ex-wife of 10 years, Lauren. Both Chad and Lauren are former FBI agents. Their world and their marriage were torn apart following both personal and professional tragedies. I am absolutely amazed at the amount of deception that broke these two apart and I will say that this book was aptly titled.
Chad is a very likeable guy who has pretty much been married to his job following his divorce. His co-workers admire him for his abilities and he gets by day to day but he has never forgotten his wife. He keeps a picture in his desk drawer that he looks at daily. He is hurt and scarred from how his wife left him and has built up barriers to protect him self from being hurt again.
Lauren is good at her job and well respected by those she works with. She is still haunted by things in her past that she hasn’t quite gotten over. At the lowest point in her life she wrongly trusted others who fed her false information and changed her life.
A co-worked of Lauren’s goes rogue and both she and Chad are in danger. Lauren and her boss come up with an idea to get both her and Chad into protective custody using Hauberk and the story begins.
I like Chad but he always seemed so closed off in the previous book. In this one we find out a little more why he is like this. We also find out why he’s obsessive about folding and putting away his clothes and I will tell you that when the reason was reveled it made me teary eyed. He’s such a sympathetic hero and I want to put my arms around him and hold him. He’s also very much a man and has very little problem jumping back in to a sexual relationship with his ex-wife.
Lauren left me a bit cold. In some ways I understand why she is this way but I also find it hard to believe that after she left she never questioned why Chad didn’t try to reach her. I just feel that if she truly loved him the way she said she did that she wouldn’t have give up without speaking to him in person.
Because of their past relationship it doesn’t take long for these two to wind up back in an intense sexual relationship. They know each other well and it shows! There are really few boundaries between these two and it makes for some intense scenes.
Soon the original threat to Chad and Lauren is neutralized and then the question of whether they will continue any type of relationship begins. There were outside forces that kept them apart for ten years and once these are revealed they both realize how they were played and how much time together they lost through no fault of their own.
Overall this was a respectable offering from Leah. It’s not my favorite of the series but one I enjoyed none the less. During this book though we get more and more information about the “puppet masters” in this series, and I will tell you that I like these characters less and less. Their involvement has me worried about my favorite characters and for Hauberk in general. It also has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book!
July 20, 2016
It's been a while since I've read a ms. Braemel book and I don't know why I waited so long. Now I must read the others in this series. The suspense in this story is average. What really makes this story good is the chemistry between the characters. When they talk about estranged relationship, Chad and Lauren's is a perfect example.
The amount of heartache in this story is more than most can bear. The obstacles to keep these two lovers apart is appalling. What's worse is condemnation and judgment from others who don't know the whole story. It's disheartening. The worst is a betrayal from a love one so heinous, if it had been me, I would have just shot the person and called it justified. I'm so angry this entire book because of the injustice perpetrated upon Lauren. She was fragile and people took advantage of it.
It just really goes to show that emails, voicemails and mail doesn't always go to the intended party. The best way to communicate something serious is through direct contact face to face. Ms. Braemel paints a horrifying picture of a happy family destroyed by lies and deceit. To use someone's private BDSM lifestyle against them is completely anathema for me. What bugs me most in this story is the fact that the violators sort of get away with it. Frustrating and nearly had me pulling out my hair.
This story is beautifully written with character development, emotion and a sense of possible reconciliation at the end. For this, I give it a 3.5 star rating. There is very little in the suspense as I mentioned so I dropped that tag. I left it as sugarkink because of the light bondage. There are vague hints of a club and a final show down from a crazy person telling Lauren exactly what she should have been as a submissive. When I read that part, I thought.
This is the parting emotion at the end of the book. Recommended for romance lovers who enjoy a good angst filled book.
The amount of heartache in this story is more than most can bear. The obstacles to keep these two lovers apart is appalling. What's worse is condemnation and judgment from others who don't know the whole story. It's disheartening. The worst is a betrayal from a love one so heinous, if it had been me, I would have just shot the person and called it justified. I'm so angry this entire book because of the injustice perpetrated upon Lauren. She was fragile and people took advantage of it.
It just really goes to show that emails, voicemails and mail doesn't always go to the intended party. The best way to communicate something serious is through direct contact face to face. Ms. Braemel paints a horrifying picture of a happy family destroyed by lies and deceit. To use someone's private BDSM lifestyle against them is completely anathema for me. What bugs me most in this story is the fact that the violators sort of get away with it. Frustrating and nearly had me pulling out my hair.
This story is beautifully written with character development, emotion and a sense of possible reconciliation at the end. For this, I give it a 3.5 star rating. There is very little in the suspense as I mentioned so I dropped that tag. I left it as sugarkink because of the light bondage. There are vague hints of a club and a final show down from a crazy person telling Lauren exactly what she should have been as a submissive. When I read that part, I thought.
This is the parting emotion at the end of the book. Recommended for romance lovers who enjoy a good angst filled book.
July 31, 2011
Original posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
Amid the secrets of black ops and high security protection organization, Lauren and Chad are thrown together after eight years of being apart. Less than open, honest dealings, even though meant to be in the best interest of both Lauren and Chad, lead to tense and dangerous moments.
Misinformation and guilt have made them both miserable for all these eight years while each grieved alone for their darling baby that died. The emotional stress and “what-ifs” have taken their toll on Lauren as she works in clandestine missions.
Both Lauren and Chad have been deliberately deceived by people who claim to care about them. Bit by piece the plot unfolds as Lauren and Chad slip back into the sexual activities they enjoyed back when they were married. These scenes are rather explicit, with bondage and sex toys, and not always “the usual”.
This short novel is the third book of a series. The reader will probably be more invested in the characters and empathize with them more if he or she has read the previous books so that the characters will be better known and seem more developed. One gets the feeling of having come in “after the movies has started” at times.
Deliberate Deceptions is a sure way to escape from the mundane for a while with its love scenes that make one wonder - REALLY? It gives the reader a satisfying happy-ever-after that Lauren and Chad so deserve after all the grief and manipulations they have endured.
Amid the secrets of black ops and high security protection organization, Lauren and Chad are thrown together after eight years of being apart. Less than open, honest dealings, even though meant to be in the best interest of both Lauren and Chad, lead to tense and dangerous moments.
Misinformation and guilt have made them both miserable for all these eight years while each grieved alone for their darling baby that died. The emotional stress and “what-ifs” have taken their toll on Lauren as she works in clandestine missions.
Both Lauren and Chad have been deliberately deceived by people who claim to care about them. Bit by piece the plot unfolds as Lauren and Chad slip back into the sexual activities they enjoyed back when they were married. These scenes are rather explicit, with bondage and sex toys, and not always “the usual”.
This short novel is the third book of a series. The reader will probably be more invested in the characters and empathize with them more if he or she has read the previous books so that the characters will be better known and seem more developed. One gets the feeling of having come in “after the movies has started” at times.
Deliberate Deceptions is a sure way to escape from the mundane for a while with its love scenes that make one wonder - REALLY? It gives the reader a satisfying happy-ever-after that Lauren and Chad so deserve after all the grief and manipulations they have endured.
May 22, 2011
My Review:
This is #3 in this series and I haven't read the other 2. There are a lot of details about these organizations and the characters within them that I felt like I was missing by not having read the other 2. I may be wrong about that, but this story simply seemed to be missing big chunks of information or the information that was there was extremely confusing to me. Other than that, this was a great book.
Heart-breaking from chapter 1, this book throws you into the heartache that has consumed both Chad and Lauren's lives since the death of their baby girl, Emily, and the collapse of their marriage. It's obvious from the very beginning that both Chad and Lauren desperately love each other....still, but they were deceived into thinking otherwise.
There is a suspense element to this book, but it is very secondary to the passion between Chad & Lauren. Their emotions leap from every page and suck you into their heart-wrenching grief...for the loss of their baby girl, to the loss of their marriage, to the simple loss of a touch or a glance that makes up the love and romance in a relationship. They have lost everything- both of them and neither one of them have ever recovered from that loss although it's been 8 years.
This story was as beautiful as it was emotional. I need to read the other 2 to see if they make it more complete. I have a feeling that they will and that's all it would take to make this an A+ story in my mind.
This is #3 in this series and I haven't read the other 2. There are a lot of details about these organizations and the characters within them that I felt like I was missing by not having read the other 2. I may be wrong about that, but this story simply seemed to be missing big chunks of information or the information that was there was extremely confusing to me. Other than that, this was a great book.
Heart-breaking from chapter 1, this book throws you into the heartache that has consumed both Chad and Lauren's lives since the death of their baby girl, Emily, and the collapse of their marriage. It's obvious from the very beginning that both Chad and Lauren desperately love each other....still, but they were deceived into thinking otherwise.
There is a suspense element to this book, but it is very secondary to the passion between Chad & Lauren. Their emotions leap from every page and suck you into their heart-wrenching grief...for the loss of their baby girl, to the loss of their marriage, to the simple loss of a touch or a glance that makes up the love and romance in a relationship. They have lost everything- both of them and neither one of them have ever recovered from that loss although it's been 8 years.
This story was as beautiful as it was emotional. I need to read the other 2 to see if they make it more complete. I have a feeling that they will and that's all it would take to make this an A+ story in my mind.
July 12, 2014
Chad & Lauren had the perfect life before everything fell apart due to manipulation, misplaced trust, and tragedy.
Now I'm a big Braemel fan, so needless to say this was yet another great book from her that I thoroughly enjoyed! I felt that it was an emotional read where I was able to connect with the characters and feel their pain for all that they had lost. I was so glad that the book definitely gave me the happy ending for Lauren & Chad that I felt they were owed as a result of all their suffering.
Overall, I think that this was an entertaining read but also feel like it was slightly rushed there towards the end too. We are left with some lingering issues, but maybe the next book will clear those up. I am definitely looking forward to the next in this series!
Check out this and more of my reviews on
Blending Perspectives Book Reviews
Now I'm a big Braemel fan, so needless to say this was yet another great book from her that I thoroughly enjoyed! I felt that it was an emotional read where I was able to connect with the characters and feel their pain for all that they had lost. I was so glad that the book definitely gave me the happy ending for Lauren & Chad that I felt they were owed as a result of all their suffering.
Overall, I think that this was an entertaining read but also feel like it was slightly rushed there towards the end too. We are left with some lingering issues, but maybe the next book will clear those up. I am definitely looking forward to the next in this series!
Check out this and more of my reviews on
Blending Perspectives Book Reviews
December 15, 2013
What a sad story...and damn, I really liked Thalia after Sam's story but this one made me wish that someone would have kicked her little ass for the interference. Deliberate deceptions is RIGHT. This was a good story, and I think I would have given it four stars if the general plot had been laid out a little clearer. I constantly found myself flipping back and forth to figure out what was going on, who Lauren worked for, how Hauberk got involved in the whole thing, why Chad was involved, etcetera. It was a little difficult to keep straight all the way through the book. But Lauren and Chad's story was very touching and sad...their reunion was unbelievable and hot to read about...and I enjoyed reading it a lot.
February 6, 2025
I didn't read the first two books in this series but it would probably have been a good idea. I don't know if the main characters in this book were also part of the first two, but it felt a bit like jumping in mid stream, although past history is explained.
Some things didn't make sense to me like why the people in Chad and Lauren's work lives would be so concerned about getting them together.
But for the most part, it's a good book and I enjoyed reading it. I liked it enough to read other books from this author.
Some things didn't make sense to me like why the people in Chad and Lauren's work lives would be so concerned about getting them together.
But for the most part, it's a good book and I enjoyed reading it. I liked it enough to read other books from this author.
January 13, 2013
Chad and Lauren get a second chance eight years later to reconnect after a series of tragedies, miscommunications and machinations of others had torn the loving couple's marriage apart. They had both pined for each other and Lauren had an uphill battle to break through Chad's walls.
A good story and one that filled in the blanks of some of the other character's in this series.
A good story and one that filled in the blanks of some of the other character's in this series.
November 1, 2013
Good story with a few twists, and not all were predictable. :) 3.5 stars for Chad and Lauren
November 8, 2023
Was a good book 📖
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