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Perpetually Broken #1
The Promise
Blake:
I used to be broken. I’d been that way for so long, that I could no longer recall a time when I was once whole.
I learned to live that way; to survive. Dealing with trauma was my specialist skill.
Three monsters. Four days. One bullet
That’s what it took for all of those broken pieces, that I had fought so hard to hold together, to be obliterated; pulverized over and over until all that remained was dust.
Now I give up. Now there is no more surviving. No more fighting. I am a hollow shell and there is no repairing the void left inside of me.
Until them.
Until their promises reawaken a flicker of hope within me; hope I had spent so many years hiding from; hope I was terrified of.
Is it too good to be true? Can I really put my trust in them? They want to be there for me; to help me heal, but how can they when every part of me has been irreparably destroyed?
This is a contemporary reverse harem, intended for readers aged 18yrs+
Trigger warning - this book addresses some dark subject matter, including sexual and physical abuse, kidnap, and violence.
I used to be broken. I’d been that way for so long, that I could no longer recall a time when I was once whole.
I learned to live that way; to survive. Dealing with trauma was my specialist skill.
Three monsters. Four days. One bullet
That’s what it took for all of those broken pieces, that I had fought so hard to hold together, to be obliterated; pulverized over and over until all that remained was dust.
Now I give up. Now there is no more surviving. No more fighting. I am a hollow shell and there is no repairing the void left inside of me.
Until them.
Until their promises reawaken a flicker of hope within me; hope I had spent so many years hiding from; hope I was terrified of.
Is it too good to be true? Can I really put my trust in them? They want to be there for me; to help me heal, but how can they when every part of me has been irreparably destroyed?
This is a contemporary reverse harem, intended for readers aged 18yrs+
Trigger warning - this book addresses some dark subject matter, including sexual and physical abuse, kidnap, and violence.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2023
846 people are currently reading
1137 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Taylor
22 books366 followersNow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorkerry....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
September 14, 2023
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS can also be found on my blog: ╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
📚 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐄 📚 Is the first full length book within the (Perpetually Broken) series by new to me author Kerry Taylor. Spoken in Multiple POV's. Ends in a cliffy.
CHARACTERS: Father ( Simon) Brother (Trent) The guys (Twins Liam & Tom, Declan & Grey)
I saw this pop up on my feed in here and thought why not give it a go, reviews were all over the place, some loved, some hated. I went in open minded and came out with a broken heart.
Blake had endured so much in her life, more than enough for her wanting to end her existence. From a mother who sold her out at such a young age to her regulars, to numerous foster homes, then aging out and thinking life was finally going to treat her well. Getting a job she relatively enjoyed, living independently to all that being taken off her in the blink of an eye when she's kidnapped by three sadists after closing up late for work.
Left for dead with a bullet in her head, these boys thought they could get away with it. And maybe they did.
Life wasn't finished with Blake though, the knocks just kept on coming. Getting thrown into a mental health ward, where she should've been getting the help she needed, was far from the truth. Enduring rape from an orderly had her succumbing to the darkness which was forever surrounding her.
To being rescued from a father she never knew existed, and learning she had a brother. This is where life finally shines its light on Blake and things start looking brighter. Throw in her brothers best friends and how they all care about Blake brung all the feels. I loved how they all treated her, helped her.
Even though Blake had endured so much in her life, and even though she wasn't the person she used to be, her strangth shone through.
This flits from flash backs, to present time, it's not easy reading, some of what she'd endured is over the top but it's fiction where life came at her like a tornado destroying all in it's path.
Then just to throw more insult to injury this ends on a cliffy with Blake being the sole recipient.
All in all this was a solid start to the series, over the top in some places with what was thrown her way but it just added to her armour. One thing I will add is check your triggers before going into this because this isn't a light and fluffy read it deals with some real heavy stuff and it's not really glossed over.
What I loved about this is the dynamics of everyone in her corner, willing to battle anything that come her way, for her. A girl who went from having no one to a father and son who made me love them wholeheartedly. They did not have any idea the battle that was ahead of them, but these two were soldiers, they took everything in their stride without batting an eyelid.
Then throw in these incredible friends of her brothers and they were all wiling to do the same.
July 31, 2023
DNF 40% for all who want to read this book/ series skip my review because I am going to be nasty. 😡
Ok let’s start with the fmcs history…the fmc had a really shitty childhood, she was raped/ sold as a child on a regular basis, beaten, starved… all by her moms boyfriends/ „clients“ and her mother. Then foster care, we all know what that means… And because it’s not enough she was kidnapped by three men who raped her, beat her, tortured her, shot her in the head and left her for dying in the park. But that’s not enough Ohhhh noooo. Wait girls!!! 🤔
Then she was admitted to a mental health clinic. The nurse raped her again. And that’s where the story really begins.
Her unknown dad saves her and took her home. She get to know her brother and his 4 friends. And now it gets really funny!!!! 😂😂😂 wait for it!!!
Anytime she sees one of the guys her „starving libido“ (her words not mine) comes to live. She has already after meeting the guys one time, a crush on everyone of them!!!! I mean come on!!! 😅😅😅
The author claims first in her book her fmc is not a badass (I was ok with that oc) and needs the help of others (also ok) and she likes to write realistic stories (now I am like puhahaha 😂). First I thought ok maybe the author has some of the above mentioned experienced herself, but after this bullshit with the libido of the fmc coming alive? No way.
I have my experience with some of the above mentioned not to this extent thank fuck but enough for panic attacks, PTSD, drugs and therapy and let me tell you one thing, THIS is not going to happen!!! You don’t trust people and you don’t have a easy crush and in no way comes your libido alive by looking at a man. I hate it!!! Her background is way too much to have a libido and it’s way too much to trust men and let them touch you. That so unbelievable unrealistic.
Furthermore the author did nothing on describing the feelings of the fmc. All she said was „I shouldn’t feel save but that’s what I feel“ … or „his touch shouldn’t feel good, but it does“… no big struggles. Besides she’s is crying a lot she is more than fine. Is that the way of making a traumatized fmc strong in her eyes???🙄🙄🙄
I was aware some of the triggers may trigger me, but please please don’t write such a bullshit. One of these experiences are enough of PTSD but all of that and then wanting four men?!?! I know it’s fiction…🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️but I can’t stand this any longer it’s a punch in the face for all women who experienced only a little of what the fmc experienced in this book.
Ok let’s start with the fmcs history…the fmc had a really shitty childhood, she was raped/ sold as a child on a regular basis, beaten, starved… all by her moms boyfriends/ „clients“ and her mother. Then foster care, we all know what that means… And because it’s not enough she was kidnapped by three men who raped her, beat her, tortured her, shot her in the head and left her for dying in the park. But that’s not enough Ohhhh noooo. Wait girls!!! 🤔
Then she was admitted to a mental health clinic. The nurse raped her again. And that’s where the story really begins.
Her unknown dad saves her and took her home. She get to know her brother and his 4 friends. And now it gets really funny!!!! 😂😂😂 wait for it!!!
Anytime she sees one of the guys her „starving libido“ (her words not mine) comes to live. She has already after meeting the guys one time, a crush on everyone of them!!!! I mean come on!!! 😅😅😅
The author claims first in her book her fmc is not a badass (I was ok with that oc) and needs the help of others (also ok) and she likes to write realistic stories (now I am like puhahaha 😂). First I thought ok maybe the author has some of the above mentioned experienced herself, but after this bullshit with the libido of the fmc coming alive? No way.
I have my experience with some of the above mentioned not to this extent thank fuck but enough for panic attacks, PTSD, drugs and therapy and let me tell you one thing, THIS is not going to happen!!! You don’t trust people and you don’t have a easy crush and in no way comes your libido alive by looking at a man. I hate it!!! Her background is way too much to have a libido and it’s way too much to trust men and let them touch you. That so unbelievable unrealistic.
Furthermore the author did nothing on describing the feelings of the fmc. All she said was „I shouldn’t feel save but that’s what I feel“ … or „his touch shouldn’t feel good, but it does“… no big struggles. Besides she’s is crying a lot she is more than fine. Is that the way of making a traumatized fmc strong in her eyes???🙄🙄🙄
I was aware some of the triggers may trigger me, but please please don’t write such a bullshit. One of these experiences are enough of PTSD but all of that and then wanting four men?!?! I know it’s fiction…🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️but I can’t stand this any longer it’s a punch in the face for all women who experienced only a little of what the fmc experienced in this book.
March 13, 2024
4.7 stars.
This whole book is just one big trigger warning, so take that very seriously before you think about picking it up.
Otherwise, the relationships are all so fucking sweet. Especially her relationship with her dad. Ugh🥹🫢 My face was all kinds of messy throughout this book.
She’s just so traumatized by an entire life of being abused and unloved. And the guys who surround her just give their everything into filling her up with affection. It’s really beautiful.
This whole book is just one big trigger warning, so take that very seriously before you think about picking it up.
Otherwise, the relationships are all so fucking sweet. Especially her relationship with her dad. Ugh🥹🫢 My face was all kinds of messy throughout this book.
She’s just so traumatized by an entire life of being abused and unloved. And the guys who surround her just give their everything into filling her up with affection. It’s really beautiful.
June 6, 2023
Kerry Taylor's contemporary RH series' are just different versions of one another. They contain the same crybaby heroine. But with different traumatic backgrounds and quirks. This one happens to be the worst out of the three. Emilia Gallo from the Milite series is the best, in my opinion.
How can someone who has been perpetually raped by men her whole life be so dumbfounded by each of the men when she meets them? You would think Blake would have held on to her vow of being with no men stronger since they have always hurt her. I wouldn't have expected her to be so open after knowing them for a day when she whimpers about everything.
How can someone who has been perpetually raped by men her whole life be so dumbfounded by each of the men when she meets them? You would think Blake would have held on to her vow of being with no men stronger since they have always hurt her. I wouldn't have expected her to be so open after knowing them for a day when she whimpers about everything.
May 7, 2023
- RH (4 guys / no mm)
- Damaged FMC (trauma)
- PTSD, scars, brain injury
- Twins, grump & dr
- No spice/ relationship in book one
I felt this book was a little repetitive in that constant “I’m so damaged and no good for you” speech and also although the FMC is British, the H’s aren’t yet the dialect seems so. Overall not a bad book so let’s see how book 2 comes along.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5stars
September 15, 2023
Istg I keep finding weird books
August 28, 2025
i just wanna forget i ever read this.
July 3, 2024
Okay so I started this really long review but then it didn't save (yes that's my bad) so lets try this again.
This book was a joke, like comedy level joke. I don't understand how such a serious book can make me laugh so hard. So um let me give you the run down.
Okay, so the authors note was the best part in my opinion. The authors note (if you haven't read) basically says that writing was their therapy and that it helped them and that they showed other people and those people liked it (...fine whatever). Then he explains how our FMC is not the hard core type. She needs help from all the people in her life to get passed her trauma. And then they talked about how he wrote her like this because that is how he's heard and seen trauma. Okay, fine understandable. This book is supposed to be a realistic down to earth book that shows the real struggles of trauma. HAHA what a joke...i mean uh...okay okay. But I think this is the funniest because as you read you realize that this is far from realistic...
Okay enter Blake Moss...
Miss Blake a 25 year old woman (keep that in mind) who has had a very rough upbringing with her mom but then she was kidnapped and help captive for four days (I am pretty sure) but then he attackers shot her in the head and left her in the forest. Then some runner found her and they thought she was dead...PLOT TWIST (not really) she's alive...but this information comes from her dad not Blake herself. Her dad was going to do something in Italy after breaking up with his wife. While on his way to Italy he stumbled into the U.K and met Blakes mother. Then they had fun time in their rooms and then they both left. Blake's dad went back to the U.S after hearing his wife was pregnant with Trent.
So basically 25 years later Simon gets a calls saying that Blake was his daughter and she was in the mental hospital because they thought she was crazy. But of course to make this book super duper realistic there is a very very very very powerful mafia family (mafia no idea, but giving mafia vibes) is paying the hospital to keep her locked up because that is what happens on a daily basis.
And basically for the rest of that time, Simon is being the Alpha male he is and making excuses for his new found daughter. Blake is acting like a nine year old, and then they go to the u.s
Apparently Blake needs help with anything and everything because she's five foot three. She needed to be lifted up into her stool, she couldn't go on her bed without a "running start" (gurl what) and everyone is obsessed with calling her honey, sweetheart, baby, and you know all the things you should say to a girl who was raped.
All and all this book is honestly disrespectful for anyone who has gone through anything traumatic in their lives. This book is a joke so um would not recommend unless you want to read a fake story about unrealistic situations. :)
This book was a joke, like comedy level joke. I don't understand how such a serious book can make me laugh so hard. So um let me give you the run down.
Okay, so the authors note was the best part in my opinion. The authors note (if you haven't read) basically says that writing was their therapy and that it helped them and that they showed other people and those people liked it (...fine whatever). Then he explains how our FMC is not the hard core type. She needs help from all the people in her life to get passed her trauma. And then they talked about how he wrote her like this because that is how he's heard and seen trauma. Okay, fine understandable. This book is supposed to be a realistic down to earth book that shows the real struggles of trauma. HAHA what a joke...i mean uh...okay okay. But I think this is the funniest because as you read you realize that this is far from realistic...
Okay enter Blake Moss...
Miss Blake a 25 year old woman (keep that in mind) who has had a very rough upbringing with her mom but then she was kidnapped and help captive for four days (I am pretty sure) but then he attackers shot her in the head and left her in the forest. Then some runner found her and they thought she was dead...PLOT TWIST (not really) she's alive...but this information comes from her dad not Blake herself. Her dad was going to do something in Italy after breaking up with his wife. While on his way to Italy he stumbled into the U.K and met Blakes mother. Then they had fun time in their rooms and then they both left. Blake's dad went back to the U.S after hearing his wife was pregnant with Trent.
So basically 25 years later Simon gets a calls saying that Blake was his daughter and she was in the mental hospital because they thought she was crazy. But of course to make this book super duper realistic there is a very very very very powerful mafia family (mafia no idea, but giving mafia vibes) is paying the hospital to keep her locked up because that is what happens on a daily basis.
And basically for the rest of that time, Simon is being the Alpha male he is and making excuses for his new found daughter. Blake is acting like a nine year old, and then they go to the u.s
Apparently Blake needs help with anything and everything because she's five foot three. She needed to be lifted up into her stool, she couldn't go on her bed without a "running start" (gurl what) and everyone is obsessed with calling her honey, sweetheart, baby, and you know all the things you should say to a girl who was raped.
All and all this book is honestly disrespectful for anyone who has gone through anything traumatic in their lives. This book is a joke so um would not recommend unless you want to read a fake story about unrealistic situations. :)
October 6, 2023
ends in a doozy of a cliffhanger, you have been warned!
Blake has lived a hard life. She grew up with an abusive mother who sold her for drugs and alcohol. At 16 she testified against her mother and stepdad and was put into the system where she was abused again. She finally got out, an apartment and a job and was living her life until she is kidnapped, assaulted, tortured for days and then they left her for dead. She survived to only be sent to a psyche ward where she is abused against her will. She is ready to just end it. Why should she keep fighting? Then something finally good happens, can she believe it or will she continue her plans to stop her suffering.
This is dark at times, our heroine has so much darkness she has to overcome, to maybe find happiness. I was in tears when she was just over it, she just wanted to stop hurting. I cannot imagine that kind of sorrow.
I loved Simon instantly. I just knew he was nothing but pure love, same with Trent. I love his quirks and his instant big brother ways. Finally two people who were only there for Blake and would do anything for her, not because they had to, but because she was their family. They were instantly all in with her and were willing to wait for her to see them.
There is found family, there is true familial love, there are some intense love interests, and yet Blake’s life isn’t over all of the trauma. Someone is still out to hurt her.
I am a fan of the guys, my only complaint was that I wish there was more time with them before they decided they liked each other.
I look forward to the next book!
Blake has lived a hard life. She grew up with an abusive mother who sold her for drugs and alcohol. At 16 she testified against her mother and stepdad and was put into the system where she was abused again. She finally got out, an apartment and a job and was living her life until she is kidnapped, assaulted, tortured for days and then they left her for dead. She survived to only be sent to a psyche ward where she is abused against her will. She is ready to just end it. Why should she keep fighting? Then something finally good happens, can she believe it or will she continue her plans to stop her suffering.
This is dark at times, our heroine has so much darkness she has to overcome, to maybe find happiness. I was in tears when she was just over it, she just wanted to stop hurting. I cannot imagine that kind of sorrow.
I loved Simon instantly. I just knew he was nothing but pure love, same with Trent. I love his quirks and his instant big brother ways. Finally two people who were only there for Blake and would do anything for her, not because they had to, but because she was their family. They were instantly all in with her and were willing to wait for her to see them.
There is found family, there is true familial love, there are some intense love interests, and yet Blake’s life isn’t over all of the trauma. Someone is still out to hurt her.
I am a fan of the guys, my only complaint was that I wish there was more time with them before they decided they liked each other.
I look forward to the next book!
March 5, 2023
Tragic beginnings to happiness trail
I enjoyed this very much. It's so heart breaking and yet so hopeful as well. I however do believe the relationship between them was pushed. Even tho it was written as wasn't. I felt with every touch comment even going into her bedroom or not listening when she said to go was a bit much for me to understand at the moment. Even in shattered pieces they weren't like that pushy. And was well into 2nd book. Ik everyone handles things differently but I believe that in her case it wouldn't be that fast and yes that's just my opinion. I would of been happy if it didn't seem so pushy. But I really did love it and I do love the guys. I just wish atleast the 1st book would of been more about her and Trent and her dad building a relationship before the guys entering it. Yes friends but it should of been written that hey I need to bond with my new brother and father before anything else. I feel it's getting pushed to fast on the readers. Anyways I can't wait for book 2.
I enjoyed this very much. It's so heart breaking and yet so hopeful as well. I however do believe the relationship between them was pushed. Even tho it was written as wasn't. I felt with every touch comment even going into her bedroom or not listening when she said to go was a bit much for me to understand at the moment. Even in shattered pieces they weren't like that pushy. And was well into 2nd book. Ik everyone handles things differently but I believe that in her case it wouldn't be that fast and yes that's just my opinion. I would of been happy if it didn't seem so pushy. But I really did love it and I do love the guys. I just wish atleast the 1st book would of been more about her and Trent and her dad building a relationship before the guys entering it. Yes friends but it should of been written that hey I need to bond with my new brother and father before anything else. I feel it's getting pushed to fast on the readers. Anyways I can't wait for book 2.
November 1, 2023
Emotional and beautiful
This book deals with HEAVY issues. Like check and recheck your triggers against the list and think VERY SERIOUSLY if you’re going to read it. The issues are handled sensitively though, and mostly appear through nightmares/flashbacks. We begin the story with Blake beginning a new life away from her (many) @busers, which somehow makes it easier to read the details in the flashbacks as we know she’s already safe. Given the cliffhanger the book ended on, I can’t guarantee that will be the case in the next two books!
This book deals with HEAVY issues. Like check and recheck your triggers against the list and think VERY SERIOUSLY if you’re going to read it. The issues are handled sensitively though, and mostly appear through nightmares/flashbacks. We begin the story with Blake beginning a new life away from her (many) @busers, which somehow makes it easier to read the details in the flashbacks as we know she’s already safe. Given the cliffhanger the book ended on, I can’t guarantee that will be the case in the next two books!
May 14, 2023
The Promise
Blake is the strongest woman. She grew up with her mom selling her and beating on her. She was then kidnapped, raped, and shot in the head and left to die. Somehow she survived, only to be put into a mental institution because the men who raped her are wealthy and wanted her hidden. But somehow, her long lost father saves her and brings her home to a family.
I sometimes forget that Blake is 25 because of how she acts and gets around. She has a brain injury from getting shot so her mobility and speech aren’t great.
It’s slow going, but Blake starts to come out of her shell and begins to thrive. She does this with the help of her dad, brother, and her brothers 4 friends whom she starts to grow feelings for.
I can’t wait to watch Blake grow with the guys and see her continue to fight the demons of her past.
Blake is the strongest woman. She grew up with her mom selling her and beating on her. She was then kidnapped, raped, and shot in the head and left to die. Somehow she survived, only to be put into a mental institution because the men who raped her are wealthy and wanted her hidden. But somehow, her long lost father saves her and brings her home to a family.
I sometimes forget that Blake is 25 because of how she acts and gets around. She has a brain injury from getting shot so her mobility and speech aren’t great.
It’s slow going, but Blake starts to come out of her shell and begins to thrive. She does this with the help of her dad, brother, and her brothers 4 friends whom she starts to grow feelings for.
I can’t wait to watch Blake grow with the guys and see her continue to fight the demons of her past.
March 3, 2023
need more
OMGOSH. I love everything by this author, but this one just jumped to my favorite by her spot. Devoured it. I hope we get book 2 soon
OMGOSH. I love everything by this author, but this one just jumped to my favorite by her spot. Devoured it. I hope we get book 2 soon
April 3, 2023
all of Kerry Taylor’s books HIT. they’re so mf good
August 21, 2023
The book is all about flashbacks of past traumas....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2025
Very good starting for this serie. Blake is a likeable character who suffered so much🥹😢 Pay attention to the trigger warnings because Blake's story is very rough.
July 25, 2023
After reading the reviews I thought this would be a good read…. Sadly not! Very repetitive, each chapter appeared to be the same and after a lifetime of abuse why would you want 4 men at the same time!
August 19, 2023
I’m confused
Nothing happens in this book. All of what happens to her is told first thing in the begging. She immediately accepts all of the guys (four) and they’re of course head over heels before they even know her.
The use of sweetheart, hon, baby and more makes me cringe. They don’t even know her. She’s supposed to be 25 but acts as though she’s 13.
What I hate the most is that we’re ripped from being able to get to know the characters. Every opportunity to connect to them is ripped away by long monologues about how amazing she is, blah blah blah. Seriously. Every single person she talks to gives her a good 2 page monologue. Even with the girl friend. They texted for weeks and hung out but we never got to see them connect other than her friends banshee loud voice expressions.
The cliffhanger wasn’t even that good. No one would think they left that there when they weren’t even close. And why didn’t get knight in shining armors who do everything for her offer to get it? How stupid?
We don’t even get to see and be apart of the main characters progression to recovery. She’s there and that’s it. She goes to therapy and it’s skipped to oh it was hard on her she’s tired she cried.
Don’t waste your time with this book. I struggled to finish it over and over but I was hoping for action that never came.
Oh and there are a ton of misspelled words, and every other grammatical errors you can think of. I couldn’t tell if the author wanted to have an accent or was googling slang and using it here and there. Have fun! Kidding. I’m not bitter but it’s 3am and I’ve wasted my time.
Nothing happens in this book. All of what happens to her is told first thing in the begging. She immediately accepts all of the guys (four) and they’re of course head over heels before they even know her.
The use of sweetheart, hon, baby and more makes me cringe. They don’t even know her. She’s supposed to be 25 but acts as though she’s 13.
What I hate the most is that we’re ripped from being able to get to know the characters. Every opportunity to connect to them is ripped away by long monologues about how amazing she is, blah blah blah. Seriously. Every single person she talks to gives her a good 2 page monologue. Even with the girl friend. They texted for weeks and hung out but we never got to see them connect other than her friends banshee loud voice expressions.
The cliffhanger wasn’t even that good. No one would think they left that there when they weren’t even close. And why didn’t get knight in shining armors who do everything for her offer to get it? How stupid?
We don’t even get to see and be apart of the main characters progression to recovery. She’s there and that’s it. She goes to therapy and it’s skipped to oh it was hard on her she’s tired she cried.
Don’t waste your time with this book. I struggled to finish it over and over but I was hoping for action that never came.
Oh and there are a ton of misspelled words, and every other grammatical errors you can think of. I couldn’t tell if the author wanted to have an accent or was googling slang and using it here and there. Have fun! Kidding. I’m not bitter but it’s 3am and I’ve wasted my time.
March 7, 2025
DNF @ 12%. Literally the first conversation with brother pal Trent and I just couldn’t do it anymore. It reads like a movie that has horrible actors feels..
Brother pal Trent has about as much character as an egg.
Surprise daddy Simons character reminds me of an overcooked ramen noodle. Just flopping all over the place- bathroom stalls in a psych ward to have a cry (because when trying to perform a rescue mission for his daughter his first priority is to cry in the dirty bathroom, on the floor in a stall).
I can appreciate the authors note at the beginning of the book, highlighting her need to keep the PTSD/ anxiety/ depression all real/ realistic; but if this is the very first time meeting a man claiming to be her father, trust and feeling safe are not going to be the FMC’s first response. After being brutally graped and assaulted by three men and shot in the head, following a life of being assaulted by older men, comfort and protection would not be the first feelings Blake has about this random man… that she’s meeting for very first time.
Brother pal Trent has about as much character as an egg.
Surprise daddy Simons character reminds me of an overcooked ramen noodle. Just flopping all over the place- bathroom stalls in a psych ward to have a cry (because when trying to perform a rescue mission for his daughter his first priority is to cry in the dirty bathroom, on the floor in a stall).
I can appreciate the authors note at the beginning of the book, highlighting her need to keep the PTSD/ anxiety/ depression all real/ realistic; but if this is the very first time meeting a man claiming to be her father, trust and feeling safe are not going to be the FMC’s first response. After being brutally graped and assaulted by three men and shot in the head, following a life of being assaulted by older men, comfort and protection would not be the first feelings Blake has about this random man… that she’s meeting for very first time.
August 21, 2023
DNF @ 52%
Really liked the start of this book and thought I had found a great read. Sadly it started to go wrong when she met the guys. This girl has been sexually abused and raped all her life yet meets four different guys and suddenly is horny for them and trusts them immediately? I know this is fiction but come on! I would have loved a proper build up; her being scared of them but them earning her trust little by little. Instead she trusted them straight away which is very unrealistic for someone who has been through what she has. I also felt like the guys had no personality other than wanting to be with the FMC.
Really wanted to like this book but I found the relationship between FMC and MMCs too frustrating
Really liked the start of this book and thought I had found a great read. Sadly it started to go wrong when she met the guys. This girl has been sexually abused and raped all her life yet meets four different guys and suddenly is horny for them and trusts them immediately? I know this is fiction but come on! I would have loved a proper build up; her being scared of them but them earning her trust little by little. Instead she trusted them straight away which is very unrealistic for someone who has been through what she has. I also felt like the guys had no personality other than wanting to be with the FMC.
Really wanted to like this book but I found the relationship between FMC and MMCs too frustrating
December 28, 2023
Good story, but the victim card is played way too hard. And I hate how everyone of the guys was imposed on her, like she had no choice. The ending was cool, but all the reactions characters seem too over the top. Not to say the girls reactions aren’t without reason, but for every single little trigger in the book? And the guys reactions too. It was all a bit much.
September 15, 2023
A very difficult book to rate since there were parts I liked but also parts I didn't like quite as much. I generally like books like this, books where the MC has gone through trauma but then gets a better life with lots of TLC. I also don't mind when the MC is not badass and strong and amazing. I think we all need some help every now and then and overcoming trauma doesn't mean you just go about your day being all sunny and happy. Sometimes overcoming trauma just means getting through a day, sometimes it means just to keep breathing. And someone is strong to just get through it, also if that is whit crying and PTSD and panic attacks and bad anxiety. You're still there, you're still breathing, and you're amazing.
So, in general, I should have liked this series. And I did like the story and the characters and I was happy that Blake finally got some much needed love and attention.
What I didn't like however was how it was pretty much a soap opera. I mean, this is the trauma Blaze went through:
It's just way too much... Like, not only did it feel really unrealistic for one girl to have so much bad luck, it also felt forced. Not to mention, I read these books because I like the feeling of safety the MC gets. This series however doesn't offer much safety or happiness. Instead it's just more hurt and trauma around each corner. You read the books with tension, just wondering when the next bad thing will happen.
I also missed a lot of just being with each other. In the first book there was a part where Blaze was playing Monopoly with her dad and brother and just laughing and teasing. I felt like moments like these were really missing throughout the series. Almost every time she was with one of the boys it was just another panic attack they helped her through. And then a hug and some cuddling which is great... But I wanted to be there for the good times too. For when they just laugh and play.
I also missed time the boys spend together. In the book it's said the boys are all friends. More like family even. But I never really saw them interact with each other that much. Even the twins, although being described as just able to read each other and know what the other wants, don't really show that much anywhere. I have no idea what the guys used to do as hobby or to spend time with each other. They just seem to exist mainly for Blake and then go off page again.
Oh, and then, to top it all off, because apparently not enough of a clusterfuck of stuff was happening in this series yet, the writer decided to have the twins be interested in BDSM so all of a sudden you're thrown into a world of spanking and 'good girls.' It was all just way too much for me. I wanted more of a relaxed pass, more easy-going banter and I definitely needed more time with the group.
Which reminds me of something else that bugged me, it was never really discussed between them how to go about the relationship. I think especially in poly relationships it's important to communicate. But they never did. Blake talked a bit about having doubts that one of the others would be jealous when she did something with one of them. But then the guy would just reassure her and everything was fine.
They never discussed sleeping arrangements, if it was weird to sleep in the same bed with all of them, if they were jealous of each other or not...
This book had so much happening and most of it was just more trauma.
If you're someone who likes books like these with a MC who needs some more care and love I can highly recommend You're my home, from Katie Moore. The pass is much more settled and the events a lot less traumatic. That book always feels like a warm hug for me.
So, in general, I should have liked this series. And I did like the story and the characters and I was happy that Blake finally got some much needed love and attention.
What I didn't like however was how it was pretty much a soap opera. I mean, this is the trauma Blaze went through:
It's just way too much... Like, not only did it feel really unrealistic for one girl to have so much bad luck, it also felt forced. Not to mention, I read these books because I like the feeling of safety the MC gets. This series however doesn't offer much safety or happiness. Instead it's just more hurt and trauma around each corner. You read the books with tension, just wondering when the next bad thing will happen.
I also missed a lot of just being with each other. In the first book there was a part where Blaze was playing Monopoly with her dad and brother and just laughing and teasing. I felt like moments like these were really missing throughout the series. Almost every time she was with one of the boys it was just another panic attack they helped her through. And then a hug and some cuddling which is great... But I wanted to be there for the good times too. For when they just laugh and play.
I also missed time the boys spend together. In the book it's said the boys are all friends. More like family even. But I never really saw them interact with each other that much. Even the twins, although being described as just able to read each other and know what the other wants, don't really show that much anywhere. I have no idea what the guys used to do as hobby or to spend time with each other. They just seem to exist mainly for Blake and then go off page again.
Oh, and then, to top it all off, because apparently not enough of a clusterfuck of stuff was happening in this series yet, the writer decided to have the twins be interested in BDSM so all of a sudden you're thrown into a world of spanking and 'good girls.' It was all just way too much for me. I wanted more of a relaxed pass, more easy-going banter and I definitely needed more time with the group.
Which reminds me of something else that bugged me, it was never really discussed between them how to go about the relationship. I think especially in poly relationships it's important to communicate. But they never did. Blake talked a bit about having doubts that one of the others would be jealous when she did something with one of them. But then the guy would just reassure her and everything was fine.
They never discussed sleeping arrangements, if it was weird to sleep in the same bed with all of them, if they were jealous of each other or not...
This book had so much happening and most of it was just more trauma.
If you're someone who likes books like these with a MC who needs some more care and love I can highly recommend You're my home, from Katie Moore. The pass is much more settled and the events a lot less traumatic. That book always feels like a warm hug for me.
August 1, 2024
First read: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Second read: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Second read: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 22, 2023
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice." pg. 3
"Why would I ever paint anything else now I've seen you?" pg. 338
***Review shared for the series***
The third book recently came out so I reread the first two books and finally got to read the end... I have read almost all of Kerry Taylor's books and I do appreciate her as a writer. It can't be easy to write the heart wrenching stories that she does. It's extremely impressive. My husband calls these types of books "misery porn," and it is a very good description. You will cry when you read Kerry's books. It's inevitable. The tales are incredibly sad, but also incredibly moving. I am always impressed with the FMC's... That being said, this was my least favorite series of hers. I still gave this series three stars despite the fact that I almost didn't finish it. And that's because the writing itself is amazing.
I'm pretty sure in all of her books there is that moment where the FMC decides she needs to essentially suck it up and be strong all on her own. And every time I want to scream and shake her. But especially in this series. Because when it happens, it hurts her boyfriends. And in this series it just seemed like she was constantly hurting them. I hate to say it, but she did not deserve them. They were freaking saints....
That being said, I have known someone with a TBI. And one of the long term effects of it for them was anger issues. I don't know if that's where the author was going with how Blake was reacting, if she was, then okay.. but I wish they had mentioned it and talked about it on page. I am all for strong independent women, but too often those strong independent women tend to treat their partners like shit when they try to help. It's borderline emotionally and verbally abusive.
Okay... the other thing that not only made me uncomfortable but also annoyed with the FMC is the sex. Firstly, her reactions to sex, what she said, I don't even know exactly what it was but I was half laughing, half cringing at her during the sex scenes. Super uncomfortable and awkwardly written to me.
Blake also went back and forth about how she felt when it came to getting intimate with her partners. It did touch a little bit on her inhibitions being effected by her brain injury. But like... she would claim she was so sure about becoming intimate, and then she would talk about regretting it but wanting to do it again in the same paragraph. (pg. 328 book 2.) Literally drove me up the wall. If you can't figure out how you feel about it, you shouldn't be doing it. Which is exactly what her therapist said.
Aside from that, Blake's relationship with her brother (Trent) and father (Simon) was absolutely beautiful. The amount of support and love that Trent and Simon gave her made me cry more than once. Having the support and love from a partner is one thing. But to go so long without having familial support and having to deal with the abuse caused by mother, and then being cared for by them in such a huge way was beautiful. I almost wished this book was just about Blake getting rescued by her father and moving in with him and her brother and healing. Literally the only thing I read is romance, and the romance aspect is what ruined this series for me. Ooops...
"Why would I ever paint anything else now I've seen you?" pg. 338
***Review shared for the series***
The third book recently came out so I reread the first two books and finally got to read the end... I have read almost all of Kerry Taylor's books and I do appreciate her as a writer. It can't be easy to write the heart wrenching stories that she does. It's extremely impressive. My husband calls these types of books "misery porn," and it is a very good description. You will cry when you read Kerry's books. It's inevitable. The tales are incredibly sad, but also incredibly moving. I am always impressed with the FMC's... That being said, this was my least favorite series of hers. I still gave this series three stars despite the fact that I almost didn't finish it. And that's because the writing itself is amazing.
I'm pretty sure in all of her books there is that moment where the FMC decides she needs to essentially suck it up and be strong all on her own. And every time I want to scream and shake her. But especially in this series. Because when it happens, it hurts her boyfriends. And in this series it just seemed like she was constantly hurting them. I hate to say it, but she did not deserve them. They were freaking saints....
That being said, I have known someone with a TBI. And one of the long term effects of it for them was anger issues. I don't know if that's where the author was going with how Blake was reacting, if she was, then okay.. but I wish they had mentioned it and talked about it on page. I am all for strong independent women, but too often those strong independent women tend to treat their partners like shit when they try to help. It's borderline emotionally and verbally abusive.
Okay... the other thing that not only made me uncomfortable but also annoyed with the FMC is the sex. Firstly, her reactions to sex, what she said, I don't even know exactly what it was but I was half laughing, half cringing at her during the sex scenes. Super uncomfortable and awkwardly written to me.
Blake also went back and forth about how she felt when it came to getting intimate with her partners. It did touch a little bit on her inhibitions being effected by her brain injury. But like... she would claim she was so sure about becoming intimate, and then she would talk about regretting it but wanting to do it again in the same paragraph. (pg. 328 book 2.) Literally drove me up the wall. If you can't figure out how you feel about it, you shouldn't be doing it. Which is exactly what her therapist said.
Aside from that, Blake's relationship with her brother (Trent) and father (Simon) was absolutely beautiful. The amount of support and love that Trent and Simon gave her made me cry more than once. Having the support and love from a partner is one thing. But to go so long without having familial support and having to deal with the abuse caused by mother, and then being cared for by them in such a huge way was beautiful. I almost wished this book was just about Blake getting rescued by her father and moving in with him and her brother and healing. Literally the only thing I read is romance, and the romance aspect is what ruined this series for me. Ooops...
September 3, 2023
wow
What an ending. What a book in general.
I just want to say for everyone iffy about reading this because of the mixed reviews don’t be. I felt the same and decided to make my own conclusions.
Blake our FMC has never known a moment of peace. She’s been abused by almost every single person in her life up until now.
Her egg donor because let’s be real that’s exactly what that woman is. If she was a mother she’d have treated her child a lot better. Anyways Carole is a horrible human being. First she would beat her daughter until she turned ten and one of her johns told her she could “profit” from her as well as herself. So that’s exactly what she did she pimped her ten year old to vile and sick people for money or drugs.
She finally was arrested 6 years later with her pos bf at the time.
Blake was then put into care where the cycle of abuse restarted. Two years later she was own her own and she was content and making a life for herself until she was about 22/23 ish and three sick, vile, rich LITTLE BOYS decided to kidnap, beat, torture and assault her for four days until they dumped her naked body in a park near campus and shoot her in the head. She was found thought to be dead but survived. She was in the hospital for three months. First in a coma and then learned how to walk and talk again.
She was then brought to the psychiatric wing where an orderly took advantage of her almost every night for 6 months.
Her father who knew nothing about her spent three weeks getting everything in order to rescue his baby girl and bring her home.
Obviously the three rich little boys got off because their mommy’s and daddies paid for the case to be thrown out. Typical rich people bs
Her dad is a sweet as hell man. So is her brother.
His four best friends too. They all care for this broken soul so much and just want to help her and protect her.
Now where everybody starting to think it’s controversial is the fact that when she meets all four boys, she notices how beautiful and attractive they are, and says that she feels things. Everybody’s mad saying that due to her trauma, she shouldn’t feel like that.
What everybody needs to understand about trauma is everybody heals differently . Everybody goes through it differently. Everybody feels differently. Your trauma is your trauma you heal at your own pace you don’t heal at the same piece of somebody else. You don’t go through the same thing as somebody else even if the circumstance might be the same or similar as someone else.
For the first time in her life, she feel safe around people and everybody’s mad that she has an attraction towards these men.
Just because she went through trauma does not mean she’s dead. She’s a 24 year old who has been used her entire life, and for once she can make her own decisions.
She’s very openly tells them that she’s not ready for anything and that she doesn’t know if she’ll ever be ready for anything because of the life she’s had and they are all completely OK with that. They all just want to be there and help her heal.
By the end of the book all they ever do is kiss her and that is at the very end of the book so I don’t see what everyone’s problem is.
10/5
What an ending. What a book in general.
I just want to say for everyone iffy about reading this because of the mixed reviews don’t be. I felt the same and decided to make my own conclusions.
Blake our FMC has never known a moment of peace. She’s been abused by almost every single person in her life up until now.
Her egg donor because let’s be real that’s exactly what that woman is. If she was a mother she’d have treated her child a lot better. Anyways Carole is a horrible human being. First she would beat her daughter until she turned ten and one of her johns told her she could “profit” from her as well as herself. So that’s exactly what she did she pimped her ten year old to vile and sick people for money or drugs.
She finally was arrested 6 years later with her pos bf at the time.
Blake was then put into care where the cycle of abuse restarted. Two years later she was own her own and she was content and making a life for herself until she was about 22/23 ish and three sick, vile, rich LITTLE BOYS decided to kidnap, beat, torture and assault her for four days until they dumped her naked body in a park near campus and shoot her in the head. She was found thought to be dead but survived. She was in the hospital for three months. First in a coma and then learned how to walk and talk again.
She was then brought to the psychiatric wing where an orderly took advantage of her almost every night for 6 months.
Her father who knew nothing about her spent three weeks getting everything in order to rescue his baby girl and bring her home.
Obviously the three rich little boys got off because their mommy’s and daddies paid for the case to be thrown out. Typical rich people bs
Her dad is a sweet as hell man. So is her brother.
His four best friends too. They all care for this broken soul so much and just want to help her and protect her.
Now where everybody starting to think it’s controversial is the fact that when she meets all four boys, she notices how beautiful and attractive they are, and says that she feels things. Everybody’s mad saying that due to her trauma, she shouldn’t feel like that.
What everybody needs to understand about trauma is everybody heals differently . Everybody goes through it differently. Everybody feels differently. Your trauma is your trauma you heal at your own pace you don’t heal at the same piece of somebody else. You don’t go through the same thing as somebody else even if the circumstance might be the same or similar as someone else.
For the first time in her life, she feel safe around people and everybody’s mad that she has an attraction towards these men.
Just because she went through trauma does not mean she’s dead. She’s a 24 year old who has been used her entire life, and for once she can make her own decisions.
She’s very openly tells them that she’s not ready for anything and that she doesn’t know if she’ll ever be ready for anything because of the life she’s had and they are all completely OK with that. They all just want to be there and help her heal.
By the end of the book all they ever do is kiss her and that is at the very end of the book so I don’t see what everyone’s problem is.
10/5
September 12, 2023
Blake and 4 very patient men
This book is dark. And can be very triggering. If sexual assault is triggering for you, this may not be something you should be reading.
The premise centers on Blake, who suffers from severe PTSD, anxiety, depression, physical disabilities etc after a lifetime of horrific physical and sexual abuse that started as a small child when her mother sold her body for drugs, and continued throughout her adult life as predatory people saw the wounded and broken woman as easy pickings. While the bulk of her traumatic experiences happen off page, she does have repeated flashbacks that graphically describe the lead up to various horrible events.
The good news is, the book kicks off with her long lost father she never knew existed rescuing her from a nightmarish mental institution and bringing her home where she ends up surrounded by supportive, loving, strong men.
And that's really what this is. The story follows her as she navigates her pain and fear and history while being surrounded with endless support, patience, affection, strength etc...
This is a romance novel and like most romance novels it caters to certain fantasies. Some romance novels cater to those who fantasize about strong, dominant men who don't take no for an answer. Some cater to men who spank and discipline their women. Some cater to those who fantasize about psychotic killers who suddenly fall in love with a woman and stalk her. Some cater to those who love vampires or shifters. I say all this to say, this book caters to those who fantasize about being able to be weak, scared, helpless and damaged and having big strong, protective and nurturing men swoop in and hold them. This is a niche fantasy. Not everyone has it. If you want a strong, sassy, fearless heroine, this fantasy is not for you. Anymore than the pathetic rejected omegaverse mate genre is for you.
Beyond that things I found worthy of note-
This is reverse harem, although due to the nature of the story, it's a very slow burn, almost no burn really. We see glimpses of the future potential in upcoming books in this series, but in this first book, we mostly see the foundation laid out, for who Blake is and who these 4 men are.
The father and brother are a fantasy all on their own. If only all of us could have fathers and brothers as adoring and sweet as the two in this book.
This story starts in the UK but ends up in the US. It's fairly clear based on some words and spellings of words that the author is probably not from the US. Keep this in mind when something doesn't sound quite right. Biscuits= cookies for example.
There were a couple continuity issues, the one that popped out the most was Trent being a teacher of 5 and 6 year olds in the beginning of the story and then later he mentions the twins were about as mature as his 4th graders (that would be 9/10 year olds). I'm unsure if these are things that are lost in translation because the UK may apply different grades and numbers than the US when it comes to schooling.
This book ends on a cliffhanger. Be prepared to read book 2 to find out what happens next.
All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one.
This book is dark. And can be very triggering. If sexual assault is triggering for you, this may not be something you should be reading.
The premise centers on Blake, who suffers from severe PTSD, anxiety, depression, physical disabilities etc after a lifetime of horrific physical and sexual abuse that started as a small child when her mother sold her body for drugs, and continued throughout her adult life as predatory people saw the wounded and broken woman as easy pickings. While the bulk of her traumatic experiences happen off page, she does have repeated flashbacks that graphically describe the lead up to various horrible events.
The good news is, the book kicks off with her long lost father she never knew existed rescuing her from a nightmarish mental institution and bringing her home where she ends up surrounded by supportive, loving, strong men.
And that's really what this is. The story follows her as she navigates her pain and fear and history while being surrounded with endless support, patience, affection, strength etc...
This is a romance novel and like most romance novels it caters to certain fantasies. Some romance novels cater to those who fantasize about strong, dominant men who don't take no for an answer. Some cater to men who spank and discipline their women. Some cater to those who fantasize about psychotic killers who suddenly fall in love with a woman and stalk her. Some cater to those who love vampires or shifters. I say all this to say, this book caters to those who fantasize about being able to be weak, scared, helpless and damaged and having big strong, protective and nurturing men swoop in and hold them. This is a niche fantasy. Not everyone has it. If you want a strong, sassy, fearless heroine, this fantasy is not for you. Anymore than the pathetic rejected omegaverse mate genre is for you.
Beyond that things I found worthy of note-
This is reverse harem, although due to the nature of the story, it's a very slow burn, almost no burn really. We see glimpses of the future potential in upcoming books in this series, but in this first book, we mostly see the foundation laid out, for who Blake is and who these 4 men are.
The father and brother are a fantasy all on their own. If only all of us could have fathers and brothers as adoring and sweet as the two in this book.
This story starts in the UK but ends up in the US. It's fairly clear based on some words and spellings of words that the author is probably not from the US. Keep this in mind when something doesn't sound quite right. Biscuits= cookies for example.
There were a couple continuity issues, the one that popped out the most was Trent being a teacher of 5 and 6 year olds in the beginning of the story and then later he mentions the twins were about as mature as his 4th graders (that would be 9/10 year olds). I'm unsure if these are things that are lost in translation because the UK may apply different grades and numbers than the US when it comes to schooling.
This book ends on a cliffhanger. Be prepared to read book 2 to find out what happens next.
All in all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one.
November 1, 2023
predictable and a little cheesy
Spoilers****
So the main issue of the book is that it addresses serious topics, but brushes over them and focuses on the aspects of the story that are kinda hallmarky. Making the story overall kinda cheesy and predictable.
Blake is a young adult who has been abused her whole life until she is finally “saved” by her dad and brother. Her mental health is not great and she struggles with PTSD and mobility issues.
She’s constantly trying to get over her trauma, but even with the story taking place 6 months after her kidnapping, the way she deals with her trauma is not porportionate to her experiences. Also the author doesn’t have blake show her trauma, it’s all just mental.
Blake’s mental thoughts are somewhat very simplistic too. She contemplates $uic!de on and off while also seeing a lot of hope because of her brother and father, who she ends up trusting very quickly. She mentions having a hope alot, and the way it’s mentioned isn’t very delicate. It’s kinda shoved in our faces and over explained, which makes the story feel even cheesier.
Then she meets her brothers friends and also begins to trust them very quickly, while also finding them all attractive. Her brothers friends also all fall for her instantly.
The book is written in a way that makes it seem like the characters fall in love with each other at first sight, but then tries to make it seem like it’s less superficial than that. Like Declan calling Blake strong after he just met her. Or him being able to sense her fear. It’s makes the story very fantastical in my opinion.
Like it’s fine if people fall in love with characters for their looks and then develop deeper feelings and see all the strengths. But im just personally not a fan of characters that just automatically think the main character is a great person.
Spoilers****
So the main issue of the book is that it addresses serious topics, but brushes over them and focuses on the aspects of the story that are kinda hallmarky. Making the story overall kinda cheesy and predictable.
Blake is a young adult who has been abused her whole life until she is finally “saved” by her dad and brother. Her mental health is not great and she struggles with PTSD and mobility issues.
She’s constantly trying to get over her trauma, but even with the story taking place 6 months after her kidnapping, the way she deals with her trauma is not porportionate to her experiences. Also the author doesn’t have blake show her trauma, it’s all just mental.
Blake’s mental thoughts are somewhat very simplistic too. She contemplates $uic!de on and off while also seeing a lot of hope because of her brother and father, who she ends up trusting very quickly. She mentions having a hope alot, and the way it’s mentioned isn’t very delicate. It’s kinda shoved in our faces and over explained, which makes the story feel even cheesier.
Then she meets her brothers friends and also begins to trust them very quickly, while also finding them all attractive. Her brothers friends also all fall for her instantly.
The book is written in a way that makes it seem like the characters fall in love with each other at first sight, but then tries to make it seem like it’s less superficial than that. Like Declan calling Blake strong after he just met her. Or him being able to sense her fear. It’s makes the story very fantastical in my opinion.
Like it’s fine if people fall in love with characters for their looks and then develop deeper feelings and see all the strengths. But im just personally not a fan of characters that just automatically think the main character is a great person.
September 3, 2024
2.5 stars.
Okay, I really tried with this book. I honestly wanted to love it. I wouldn't say I necessarily dislike it, but it was a struggle to keep picking the book up, and I won't be reading the next two.
I felt the book dragged out and most certainly could have been condensed down, considering the length of the book didn't move the story along. There was a lot of the same stuff frequently repeated, and I found myself just skimming over it.
There were A LOT of internal monologues from all the characters and not as much dialogue between characters. This made it hard to not only feel an attachment to the characters but also to move along a believable relationship between characters, especially between the FMC and her harem.
FMC was hard to like, I know the author mentioned that the FMC won't be a "badass" and I'm fine with that, I was looking forward to seeing the FMC lean on the people around her to get through her trauma.
Instead, I found the FMC to be cringey and child like at times, which you can imagine made me find it difficult to see her moving forward with her relationship with guys in the harem.
I also found it relatively unbelievable after all the years of abuse/SA that within weeks, she starts talking about her awakening libido around the guys and her immediately feeling safe and protected by them. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it certainly didn't sit right with me.
The MMC's we don't really get to know very well, considering she's so attached to them so quickly.
But from what I do know, they have the makings of being really good characters if the relationship between the FMC and the MMC's had time to develop more naturally with the context of the book.
The ideas were all there, and this had the makings of being a really good read with a few tweaks.
Okay, I really tried with this book. I honestly wanted to love it. I wouldn't say I necessarily dislike it, but it was a struggle to keep picking the book up, and I won't be reading the next two.
I felt the book dragged out and most certainly could have been condensed down, considering the length of the book didn't move the story along. There was a lot of the same stuff frequently repeated, and I found myself just skimming over it.
There were A LOT of internal monologues from all the characters and not as much dialogue between characters. This made it hard to not only feel an attachment to the characters but also to move along a believable relationship between characters, especially between the FMC and her harem.
FMC was hard to like, I know the author mentioned that the FMC won't be a "badass" and I'm fine with that, I was looking forward to seeing the FMC lean on the people around her to get through her trauma.
Instead, I found the FMC to be cringey and child like at times, which you can imagine made me find it difficult to see her moving forward with her relationship with guys in the harem.
I also found it relatively unbelievable after all the years of abuse/SA that within weeks, she starts talking about her awakening libido around the guys and her immediately feeling safe and protected by them. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it certainly didn't sit right with me.
The MMC's we don't really get to know very well, considering she's so attached to them so quickly.
But from what I do know, they have the makings of being really good characters if the relationship between the FMC and the MMC's had time to develop more naturally with the context of the book.
The ideas were all there, and this had the makings of being a really good read with a few tweaks.
November 7, 2024
First off I do want to say that I did enjoy the book.
It was just way OTT. Like everything in the book was just so extra that I feel like if it was turned down a few notches, and the romance dialed up a few notches I would’ve given it more stars.
Secondly, this book is a no burn pretty much. So if you’re looking for anything faster than no burn, this book is definitely not for you.
The trauma and traumatic experiences were definitely OTT. I mean this girl literally from birth till she was 24 had been physically and sexually and emotionally abused nonstop. I feel like the author really went a little overboard with that. I don’t feel like it was necessary For the story at all.
I am usually a huge fan of Insta love. I don’t mind it at all yet again in this book it was OTT. But instead of it being romantic and cute, it was just the guys being overbearing and being mother hens nonstop. Which got annoying after a while because there was no balance in it really. Just like there was no balance in the leading lady, she was just constantly a victim. And yes, I understand she was an actual victim, but reading it for that many pages nonstop with almost nothing else from her got to be annoying after a while. And I hate to say that because it sounds insensitive, but it just felt tedious after a while.
The book was basically her just constantly reacting to her trauma, and the guys constantly fretting and mother- henning her. The same goes for her dad and brother.
Don’t get me wrong I love her dad and brother so much. Everyone in life deserves a dad and a brother that loving and caring.
But it was just really heavy and intense to read, and there was just like I said no real balance in it.
This book needed more balance. More growth for the leading lady more growth in her relationships with the guys.
I just feel drained after reading the book and nobody wants that.
It was just way OTT. Like everything in the book was just so extra that I feel like if it was turned down a few notches, and the romance dialed up a few notches I would’ve given it more stars.
Secondly, this book is a no burn pretty much. So if you’re looking for anything faster than no burn, this book is definitely not for you.
The trauma and traumatic experiences were definitely OTT. I mean this girl literally from birth till she was 24 had been physically and sexually and emotionally abused nonstop. I feel like the author really went a little overboard with that. I don’t feel like it was necessary For the story at all.
I am usually a huge fan of Insta love. I don’t mind it at all yet again in this book it was OTT. But instead of it being romantic and cute, it was just the guys being overbearing and being mother hens nonstop. Which got annoying after a while because there was no balance in it really. Just like there was no balance in the leading lady, she was just constantly a victim. And yes, I understand she was an actual victim, but reading it for that many pages nonstop with almost nothing else from her got to be annoying after a while. And I hate to say that because it sounds insensitive, but it just felt tedious after a while.
The book was basically her just constantly reacting to her trauma, and the guys constantly fretting and mother- henning her. The same goes for her dad and brother.
Don’t get me wrong I love her dad and brother so much. Everyone in life deserves a dad and a brother that loving and caring.
But it was just really heavy and intense to read, and there was just like I said no real balance in it.
This book needed more balance. More growth for the leading lady more growth in her relationships with the guys.
I just feel drained after reading the book and nobody wants that.
March 4, 2023
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.25/5 ⭐️
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲: 0/3 🌶
The Promise is book #1 in Kerry Taylor’s new series, Perpetually Broken. It is pretty dark and deals with some really heavy topics, so please don’t read if your sensitive to difficult topics.
Blake has had a tragic life full of starvation, physical and sexual abuse, being kidnapped, tortured and much more. On the brink of no return, she learns that she has a father and a half brother that new nothing about her. Thinking that they won’t care and/or hurt her, shes thrown for a complete 180 when she realizes that she couldn’t have been more wrong. Although Blake might seem sweet and innocent despite her childhood, she is a lot braver and stronger than she realizes.
“𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐰. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧.
You guys 😩 Tom, Liam, Grey, and Declan are my new favorite book boyfriends of Kerry Taylor’s (well, my second favorite. Nothing will top Kade, Kyle, Cole, and Matt from her Pieces of Us series lol.) They’re kind, loyal, protective, and a touch possessive… and I am here for it!!
When reading Kerry Taylor’s books, I’ve noticed that she’s really good at writing + showing the process of healing through her characters and I’m confident to say that I know Blake will come out stronger than ever, especially with her family and the guys on her side.
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲: 0/3 🌶
The Promise is book #1 in Kerry Taylor’s new series, Perpetually Broken. It is pretty dark and deals with some really heavy topics, so please don’t read if your sensitive to difficult topics.
Blake has had a tragic life full of starvation, physical and sexual abuse, being kidnapped, tortured and much more. On the brink of no return, she learns that she has a father and a half brother that new nothing about her. Thinking that they won’t care and/or hurt her, shes thrown for a complete 180 when she realizes that she couldn’t have been more wrong. Although Blake might seem sweet and innocent despite her childhood, she is a lot braver and stronger than she realizes.
“𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐰. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧.
You guys 😩 Tom, Liam, Grey, and Declan are my new favorite book boyfriends of Kerry Taylor’s (well, my second favorite. Nothing will top Kade, Kyle, Cole, and Matt from her Pieces of Us series lol.) They’re kind, loyal, protective, and a touch possessive… and I am here for it!!
When reading Kerry Taylor’s books, I’ve noticed that she’s really good at writing + showing the process of healing through her characters and I’m confident to say that I know Blake will come out stronger than ever, especially with her family and the guys on her side.
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