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An Ordinary Girl
Ash is an ordinary girl, leading an ordinary life, but behind her smile she hides a secret so damning she’s sure no one could ever love her.
Noah is a war photographer who’s come back from Afghanistan with a secret so dark he can’t escape its smothering grip.
Both need redemption.
Ash looks for it by making people happy.
Noah seeks it under the whip of a Dom.
They’re damaged souls, drowning in guilt, unable to escape the legacies of their pasts.
Then their worlds collide in an explosion of fireworks so strong it singes not only them, but those around them.
It’s said love heals all wounds, but sometimes before love enters the heart, the intense fire of passion has to burn a path, lighting the way.
Noah is a war photographer who’s come back from Afghanistan with a secret so dark he can’t escape its smothering grip.
Both need redemption.
Ash looks for it by making people happy.
Noah seeks it under the whip of a Dom.
They’re damaged souls, drowning in guilt, unable to escape the legacies of their pasts.
Then their worlds collide in an explosion of fireworks so strong it singes not only them, but those around them.
It’s said love heals all wounds, but sometimes before love enters the heart, the intense fire of passion has to burn a path, lighting the way.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2011
15 people are currently reading
2087 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Elsborg
100 books1,678 followersBarbara Elsborg lives in Kent in the south of England. She always wanted to be a spy, but having confessed to everyone without them even resorting to torture, she decided it was not for her. Volcanology scorched her feet. A morbid fear of sharks put paid to marine biology. So instead, she spent several years successfully selling cyanide.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
After dragging up two rotten, ungrateful children and frustrating her sexy, devoted, wonderful husband (who can now stop twisting her arm) she finally has time to conduct an affair with an electrifying plugged-in male, her laptop.
Her books feature quirky heroines and bad boys, and she hopes they are as much fun to read as they are to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
March 5, 2014
Saw great reviews for this book and decided to give it a try. Did not really impress me at all. I gave another book by this author 3 stars also. Maybe we don’t get on together.
Ash, an ordinary girl with a simple life
20% in, I was already kind of bored. It was a nice enough story but I was expecting more.
Yes, they both had tough lives, with secrets that they wanted kept hidden
"I can’t believe I’ve found someone that’s more fucked up than me."
I am the first to say that we have to suspend the disbelief a bit in books but I could not with this one
I get the feeling if I don’t keep reading a book once I start it, it really is not the book for me. That is the 3rd Three Star review I have given for books that I had stopped reading and went back to finish.
February 2, 2014
Three words describe this story-
BLAME
ANGST
SORROW
One word describes the ending-
HEALING
I really enjoyed this read. In a nutshell, Noah is a freelance photographer who suffers from a severe form of PTSD. He was a war photographer, and survived an attack on him and his troops in Afghanistan and some men died. He BLAMES himself. He's a shell of a person, barely working or living for that matter...
Ash is a little bit of everything. She's always got a smile on her face, volunteers for a Green Piece company that builds gardens where otherwise derelict sites would be. She's also a tour guide for England Then and Now tours. She has good friends and is always there for everyone else...but she's just an ORDINARY GIRL full of her own SORROW. Her childhood was a living nightmare and she has serious skeletons she hides away deep inside her and in a storage facility near her home.
When Ash literally dumps a tray of food on Noah at a wedding he was photographing, sparks fly. Little did she know, minutes later, when fireworks went off for the reception, Noah would need that healing side of Ash. Fireworks set off his PTSD.... He's a stranger but Ash has to help him.
This is a story of two lost souls coming together, fitting those pieces together that were lost due to life events that took them away...love, acceptance, forgiveness. Ash is quirky and quick to help Noah and he's drawn to her funny nature. A perfect match.
But those ghosts from Ash's past will come to haunt them both. ANGST alert. Holy Moses the book is riddled with it. Their lives are living angst. Loved it! The book had a great balance of chemistry, mystery, and struggle to find happiness in the end.
On a side note, there's some awesome heat between the sheets, against a tree, in a cab, and everywhere else. There's also a holy hotness MM scene with a couple side characters near the end that makes me hopeful for a book of their own. Doubtful but I can wish.
I really love Ms Elsborg's writing style. She can write some awesome sex scenes and even with all the strife and angst, instills humor that's flawlessly delivered and not forced. I look forward to continuing my journey in all things Barbara Elsborg.
March 28, 2012
41/2 stars. Wonderful. Another winner by Barbara Elsborg. Review to come!
Merged review:
4 ½ stars!!! Just EXTRAORDINARY!!!
Barbara Elsborg has a most unusual way of bringing characters together that are haunted by their pasts, and then are dealing with the impact that it has on their lives. Ash and Noah meet at a wedding, he’s the photographer and she is a waitress, and their first encounter is amusing and had me smiling. Noah who suffers from PTSD, has an unpleasant incident while he’s working and Ash comforts him in her own unique way. You feel the instant attraction that these two have for each other. That is what this author is so good at, the connection between the characters, and the reader.
Ash has had an awful childhood, manages to live somewhat of a normal life, but is trying to compensate for the sins committed by others. Noah barely exists after his life is tragically impacted while he is on assignment in Afghanistan. She starts to bring him back to life, and he has her believing that she can find love. As the relationship develops, the magic begins and this is where the author really shines. She has a profound way of healing her characters through the passion and desire they have for one another. You feel every kiss, every touch and it warms you to the core. Barbara Elsborg’s characters experience some awesome sex too! Then just as things are moving along nicely, the story has an unexpected twist and the angst starts all over again.
This is a beautifully written story about healing and acceptance, with some interesting secondary characters and lots of terrific dialogue. Ash and Noah stayed in my mind long after I finished the book.
I highly recommend this book and everything that I have read from this author.
Merged review:
4 ½ stars!!! Just EXTRAORDINARY!!!
Barbara Elsborg has a most unusual way of bringing characters together that are haunted by their pasts, and then are dealing with the impact that it has on their lives. Ash and Noah meet at a wedding, he’s the photographer and she is a waitress, and their first encounter is amusing and had me smiling. Noah who suffers from PTSD, has an unpleasant incident while he’s working and Ash comforts him in her own unique way. You feel the instant attraction that these two have for each other. That is what this author is so good at, the connection between the characters, and the reader.
Ash has had an awful childhood, manages to live somewhat of a normal life, but is trying to compensate for the sins committed by others. Noah barely exists after his life is tragically impacted while he is on assignment in Afghanistan. She starts to bring him back to life, and he has her believing that she can find love. As the relationship develops, the magic begins and this is where the author really shines. She has a profound way of healing her characters through the passion and desire they have for one another. You feel every kiss, every touch and it warms you to the core. Barbara Elsborg’s characters experience some awesome sex too! Then just as things are moving along nicely, the story has an unexpected twist and the angst starts all over again.
This is a beautifully written story about healing and acceptance, with some interesting secondary characters and lots of terrific dialogue. Ash and Noah stayed in my mind long after I finished the book.
I highly recommend this book and everything that I have read from this author.
August 6, 2011
4 1/2 stars.
"If you knew that hope and despair were paths to the same destination, which would you choose?"
- by Robert Brault -
Everybody thinks that Ash is an ordinary girl, leading an ordinary life. She's smiling a lot and seems to be happy.
Ash is really one extraordinary woman! And ordinary is just façade. She's a very private human being but she's got very serious reasons for being this way. Behind her smile she hides a horrible secret she's sure no one could ever love her. Noah is a war photographer who's come back from Afghanistan. He's got to deal with a dark secret of his own. This secret seems to slowly destroy him. Both of them need redemption. There are different ways to seek and find redemption. Ash is very kind and always wants to help people and put a smile on their faces. And Noah thinks that he deserves pain and seeks it under the whip of a Dom. Please note: this is NOT a BDSM book.
Ash thought that she could leave her past behind and be the person she longed to be, but she should have known that her past would merely wait until she was at her most happy to bring her down...
The author walks on the edge with this story. She could have slipped off into this corny stuff but she definitely hasn't done that. Ms. Elsborg's pulled off a feat and has written a very special and beautiful love story. Jeez, I feel a bit awkward to confess this, but I had to laugh a lot at the beginning of this book and it got more and more serious and I felt kind of guilty. The main part of this novel is so downright evil that you shouldn't laugh at all. Another insight after reading this book: it's kind of a modern Cinderella story. I am so not into Cinderella but I have to admit it did work for me here. Completely. Two damaged souls find each other and make each other happy. Both of them have to deal with issues as big as the Mount Everest. And redemption often seems inaccessible. This story is totally captivating and very intense. It is an emotional roller coaster, and the chemistry between hero and heroine is superb. The main and also the secondary characters are very well developed. There's Kay...Such an evil bitch! I could have strangled this woman. Awful! The love scenes were erotic and well written. And the dialogs were both thoughtful and hilarious. Loved it! The only two minor problems I had with this book were a) the epilogue: It was rather redundant and I didn't like it. And b) The author used some French words. They were incorrect/grammar issues. This happens quite often. It needs better editing! Use an editor who's able to speak the language!
When I was reading this book I felt that the words hope and surrender were very important. Even if you've been through tragedy and you've seen the most evil deeds there's no reason to lose hope. And you should never surrender the belief that no matter how bad things become, life will one day be happy again.
"If you knew that hope and despair were paths to the same destination, which would you choose?"
- by Robert Brault -
Everybody thinks that Ash is an ordinary girl, leading an ordinary life. She's smiling a lot and seems to be happy.
Ash is really one extraordinary woman! And ordinary is just façade. She's a very private human being but she's got very serious reasons for being this way. Behind her smile she hides a horrible secret she's sure no one could ever love her. Noah is a war photographer who's come back from Afghanistan. He's got to deal with a dark secret of his own. This secret seems to slowly destroy him. Both of them need redemption. There are different ways to seek and find redemption. Ash is very kind and always wants to help people and put a smile on their faces. And Noah thinks that he deserves pain and seeks it under the whip of a Dom. Please note: this is NOT a BDSM book.
Ash thought that she could leave her past behind and be the person she longed to be, but she should have known that her past would merely wait until she was at her most happy to bring her down...
The author walks on the edge with this story. She could have slipped off into this corny stuff but she definitely hasn't done that. Ms. Elsborg's pulled off a feat and has written a very special and beautiful love story. Jeez, I feel a bit awkward to confess this, but I had to laugh a lot at the beginning of this book and it got more and more serious and I felt kind of guilty. The main part of this novel is so downright evil that you shouldn't laugh at all. Another insight after reading this book: it's kind of a modern Cinderella story. I am so not into Cinderella but I have to admit it did work for me here. Completely. Two damaged souls find each other and make each other happy. Both of them have to deal with issues as big as the Mount Everest. And redemption often seems inaccessible. This story is totally captivating and very intense. It is an emotional roller coaster, and the chemistry between hero and heroine is superb. The main and also the secondary characters are very well developed. There's Kay...Such an evil bitch! I could have strangled this woman. Awful! The love scenes were erotic and well written. And the dialogs were both thoughtful and hilarious. Loved it! The only two minor problems I had with this book were a) the epilogue: It was rather redundant and I didn't like it. And b) The author used some French words. They were incorrect/grammar issues. This happens quite often. It needs better editing! Use an editor who's able to speak the language!
When I was reading this book I felt that the words hope and surrender were very important. Even if you've been through tragedy and you've seen the most evil deeds there's no reason to lose hope. And you should never surrender the belief that no matter how bad things become, life will one day be happy again.
November 22, 2011
I liked this book but didn't love. What I did like about the book were the hero and heroine, their romance, chemistry, and the smoking hot love scenes. What I didn't like, however, was the over-the-top drama (the author's m.o.), a few of the secondary characters, and the unnecessary love scene between Ronan and Ilya. It was irrelevant to the plot.
Overall, An Ordinary Girl was an okay read but one I wouldn't read again.
Overall, An Ordinary Girl was an okay read but one I wouldn't read again.
May 3, 2015
What an extraordinary book! 5 Stars
This story was just one twisty, turny, mind-fucky roller coaster of exhilarated angst and drama .... and I LOVED every second of it!
The whole story had me a little like this ...
and this ...
and a whole lot of this ...
Thank goodness the whole thing wrapped up nicely. I am in love with Barbara Elsborg and her fabulous writing .... not sure how her mind works to come up with these scenarios, but very glad that she does.
Amazing!
This story was just one twisty, turny, mind-fucky roller coaster of exhilarated angst and drama .... and I LOVED every second of it!
The whole story had me a little like this ...
and this ...
and a whole lot of this ...
Thank goodness the whole thing wrapped up nicely. I am in love with Barbara Elsborg and her fabulous writing .... not sure how her mind works to come up with these scenarios, but very glad that she does.
Amazing!
December 3, 2012
And still "Strangers" is my BEST book on Ms. Elsborg novels Hands down:)
4.5 stars:)
Nothing on this book was Ordinary..everything is so complex both characters are dynamic you can't escape with the demons their hiding.
The story behind the story...oh my God...it made me shiver, shudder and gasp for air..and not only that..my memory of the film "Changeling" keeps on hunting me again because of this book...no no no no...terrifying? no! its horrifyingly gruesome!So Amazing..
I had a hard time liking Noah...I don't know, because of his PTSD.. and Ash is the only one who can light up the book with awkward and hilarius jokes to make me happy:D and the romance is Exquisite...and I really hate the people who hinders their relationship...
I like Ronan..gay or dom or bi, he's a best friend you can rely on..
my first time to read a m/m scene, and I don't know what to do..gladly I did not flinch on the scene,..but I went wide eyed reading it and my heart keeps on thumping 0_0
there's something missing on the relationship of Noah and Ash, maybe they should get to know more of each other on the first few chapters,...anyway its still Great book, so unique ..lots of steam..its loaded:)
and the drama..and a little bit of a THRILLER point.
I wonder and hope that the children's of the murderers will do better for the world just like what Ash did:)
4.5 stars:)
Nothing on this book was Ordinary..everything is so complex both characters are dynamic you can't escape with the demons their hiding.
The story behind the story...oh my God...it made me shiver, shudder and gasp for air..and not only that..my memory of the film "Changeling" keeps on hunting me again because of this book...no no no no...terrifying? no! its horrifyingly gruesome!So Amazing..
I had a hard time liking Noah...I don't know, because of his PTSD.. and Ash is the only one who can light up the book with awkward and hilarius jokes to make me happy:D and the romance is Exquisite...and I really hate the people who hinders their relationship...
I like Ronan..gay or dom or bi, he's a best friend you can rely on..
my first time to read a m/m scene, and I don't know what to do..gladly I did not flinch on the scene,..but I went wide eyed reading it and my heart keeps on thumping 0_0
there's something missing on the relationship of Noah and Ash, maybe they should get to know more of each other on the first few chapters,...anyway its still Great book, so unique ..lots of steam..its loaded:)
and the drama..and a little bit of a THRILLER point.
I wonder and hope that the children's of the murderers will do better for the world just like what Ash did:)
September 2, 2023
Barbara Elsborg's An Ordinary Girl is a marvelous, dark and mysterious romance. Ash is definitely no ordinary girl, as we gradually discover over the course of the story. She has an incredible past, but overcomes her obstacles with pluck and courage. Amazing.
I adore, adore, adore every story Barbara Elsborg writes. The characters, the relationships, the drama... I've loved reading each one of her books. Sadly I'm getting to the end of her backlist, lol, I'll just have to read them again.
I adore, adore, adore every story Barbara Elsborg writes. The characters, the relationships, the drama... I've loved reading each one of her books. Sadly I'm getting to the end of her backlist, lol, I'll just have to read them again.
March 27, 2012
4- 4 1/2 Stars - Some initial thoughts.
Story grabbed me quick with all the mystery about the characters backgrounds and hardships. I did feel it didn't keep up the pace of the beginning towards the end, or maybe it just fell together to easy where there could have been more detail. It might have felt rushed to the HEA, but still a superb story.
Loved the characters!! Ash, the heroine was so precious, I just wanted to hug her and tell her what a wonderful person she was. A definite favorite heroine of mine. She had such a way to comfort people and was such a giver. I just wished she could take because she needed to accept how good a person she was. Noah was intense, but I loved the way him and Ash connected. They were so hot, like nobody else in the world existed when they were together.
Barbara Elsborg has to be one of my favorite authors who can write the most scorching and original sex scenes. I think she makes me swoon when I read them.
Story grabbed me quick with all the mystery about the characters backgrounds and hardships. I did feel it didn't keep up the pace of the beginning towards the end, or maybe it just fell together to easy where there could have been more detail. It might have felt rushed to the HEA, but still a superb story.
Loved the characters!! Ash, the heroine was so precious, I just wanted to hug her and tell her what a wonderful person she was. A definite favorite heroine of mine. She had such a way to comfort people and was such a giver. I just wished she could take because she needed to accept how good a person she was. Noah was intense, but I loved the way him and Ash connected. They were so hot, like nobody else in the world existed when they were together.
Barbara Elsborg has to be one of my favorite authors who can write the most scorching and original sex scenes. I think she makes me swoon when I read them.
October 20, 2012
There is nothing I can say that hasn't already been said by people who write much better reviews then me. All I can add is that this book is amazing. The characters will break your heart and uplift you at the same time.
This was a steamy read, but the story was still really well told. I cannot wait to read more from this author. If her other books are anywhere near as good as this one was, I will be extremely happy.
This book may be called An Ordinary Girl, but it featured and extraordinary girl, and a man whose demons broke my heart as well. If You enjoy well-written romance, I suggest you give this book a try.
This was a steamy read, but the story was still really well told. I cannot wait to read more from this author. If her other books are anywhere near as good as this one was, I will be extremely happy.
This book may be called An Ordinary Girl, but it featured and extraordinary girl, and a man whose demons broke my heart as well. If You enjoy well-written romance, I suggest you give this book a try.
September 9, 2012
Ash appeared to be an ordinary girl... but appearances can be deceiving. Ash has a past that to no fault of her own that haunts her, as does Noah. These two come together by chance. They have a link to each other that was a twist in the story I didn't see coming at all!
Overall a really good read. Ash was strong, caring, and kind. A great mc. Noah was great at times. I also really loved Ronan (Ash's roommate/friend) and Noah's dad. After the first 60% of the book I was up all night reading to see what happens next.
Overall a really good read. Ash was strong, caring, and kind. A great mc. Noah was great at times. I also really loved Ronan (Ash's roommate/friend) and Noah's dad. After the first 60% of the book I was up all night reading to see what happens next.
July 25, 2012
If you want a well-written romance for a guilty beach read, then skip the drivel that is 50 Shades of Grey. I read this one on my Kindle in two days; it's no literary masterpiece, but the characters are fairly well developed, and there are some funny and sensual parts.
May 13, 2012
3.5 Stars
I wasn’t really sure what to think of this book. I’d just read another book by this author and it wasn’t my favorite, but the smut was fantastic. So, I decided to give this a try.
This author tends to have a lot of secondary characters, and for me, that can get old and tiresome. Mostly because it makes me want to skim. And if you know me at all *cough cough* (Laura and Marvar) *cough cough* You know I don’t skim. Like ever. I always feel like I’m going to miss something.
There were a lot of secondary characters in this book. And while I feel like she could have done without some of them, most of them worked for me. (They didn’t all work for me in Kiss a Falling Star) And I liked the main characters quite a bit. Are they my favorite of all time? Probably not. But they were passionate and hot as fuck with each other, and I really enjoy that.
This book had a mystery. It had two mysteries actually. And I was so busy trying to figure out Noah’s secret, that I was completely blindsided by Ash’s. Seriously. I consider myself capable of anticipating what’s going to happen. Well, this time I didn’t. And I kinda love that she was able to surprise me.
It was a lot darker than I anticipated, and honestly, I kinda loved that, too. And I like to read smut with plot. Even if there are some things for which I need to suspend disbelief.
And the smut…holy shit, the smut was hot. I liked it. A lot. Like the book, it was a little darker…and surprising. In a good way.
Some people will love this…and some will hate it. If I had to choose one side to lean toward, I would have to go with I like it lot. Like I want to be more than friends. Maybe we don’t full on date, but I would give this book a dirty blow job. LMAO
Ridiculous review is ridiculous.
I wasn’t really sure what to think of this book. I’d just read another book by this author and it wasn’t my favorite, but the smut was fantastic. So, I decided to give this a try.
This author tends to have a lot of secondary characters, and for me, that can get old and tiresome. Mostly because it makes me want to skim. And if you know me at all *cough cough* (Laura and Marvar) *cough cough* You know I don’t skim. Like ever. I always feel like I’m going to miss something.
There were a lot of secondary characters in this book. And while I feel like she could have done without some of them, most of them worked for me. (They didn’t all work for me in Kiss a Falling Star) And I liked the main characters quite a bit. Are they my favorite of all time? Probably not. But they were passionate and hot as fuck with each other, and I really enjoy that.
This book had a mystery. It had two mysteries actually. And I was so busy trying to figure out Noah’s secret, that I was completely blindsided by Ash’s. Seriously. I consider myself capable of anticipating what’s going to happen. Well, this time I didn’t. And I kinda love that she was able to surprise me.
It was a lot darker than I anticipated, and honestly, I kinda loved that, too. And I like to read smut with plot. Even if there are some things for which I need to suspend disbelief.
And the smut…holy shit, the smut was hot. I liked it. A lot. Like the book, it was a little darker…and surprising. In a good way.
Some people will love this…and some will hate it. If I had to choose one side to lean toward, I would have to go with I like it lot. Like I want to be more than friends. Maybe we don’t full on date, but I would give this book a dirty blow job. LMAO
Ridiculous review is ridiculous.
June 29, 2013
While not quite as amazing as Strangers, this book definitely held my interest from the very beginning.
Ash and Noah are two very damaged people - Ash copes in one way while Noah is barely keeping it together. When they meet they each begin their real healing. A great character driven romance with a bit of Criminal Minds and Cold Case thrown in for suspense and drama.
An emotional read that I finished in two days. I have only read a few books by this author and look forward to reading many more.
Ash and Noah are two very damaged people - Ash copes in one way while Noah is barely keeping it together. When they meet they each begin their real healing. A great character driven romance with a bit of Criminal Minds and Cold Case thrown in for suspense and drama.
An emotional read that I finished in two days. I have only read a few books by this author and look forward to reading many more.
October 14, 2013
i cant fully explain why i dislike this book so dang much but i did. it was mostly the drama and the male reaction to it.
April 9, 2012
4-4.25 Stars
After reading Ms. Elsborg's Strangers a while back, which I absolutely LOVED, I immediately put this on my to-read list. So glad that I finally got to read it. This story wasn't ordinary by all means. It had a lot of drama, surprises, twists and turns that it was extremely entertaining. We have our hero, Noah, who wasn't easy to like at first. After his experience in the war as a photographer, he is suffering from majorly from PTSD. He's brooding, moody, and angry. No amount of trips to the Psychiatrist could help him overcome his guilt. Enter our heroine, Ash. Ash to me made a wonderful heroine. She's sweet, kind, giving and has a heart made of gold. I would love to have her as a friend. However, hiding beneath that exterior, Ash, too, is feeling guilty about her things in her past. Noah and Ash do not immediately hit it off, but after Ash comforts Noah during an episode, Noah is intrigued by her. The two slowly start to form a relationship and soon, Noah starts to heal, albeit, very slowly. However, lots of things get in their way. They have those in their lives that want nothing but the best for them, and those who seek out to ruin their relationship.
As things slowly start to unfold, we find out that Ash and Noah's pasts are connected. Will their secrets tear them apart? Seriously. This story had it all...Steam, romance, twists, surprises, murder, and more secrets. It was a crazy ride that I will remember for quite some time. This was a very entertaining read. :)
After reading Ms. Elsborg's Strangers a while back, which I absolutely LOVED, I immediately put this on my to-read list. So glad that I finally got to read it. This story wasn't ordinary by all means. It had a lot of drama, surprises, twists and turns that it was extremely entertaining. We have our hero, Noah, who wasn't easy to like at first. After his experience in the war as a photographer, he is suffering from majorly from PTSD. He's brooding, moody, and angry. No amount of trips to the Psychiatrist could help him overcome his guilt. Enter our heroine, Ash. Ash to me made a wonderful heroine. She's sweet, kind, giving and has a heart made of gold. I would love to have her as a friend. However, hiding beneath that exterior, Ash, too, is feeling guilty about her things in her past. Noah and Ash do not immediately hit it off, but after Ash comforts Noah during an episode, Noah is intrigued by her. The two slowly start to form a relationship and soon, Noah starts to heal, albeit, very slowly. However, lots of things get in their way. They have those in their lives that want nothing but the best for them, and those who seek out to ruin their relationship.
As things slowly start to unfold, we find out that Ash and Noah's pasts are connected. Will their secrets tear them apart? Seriously. This story had it all...Steam, romance, twists, surprises, murder, and more secrets. It was a crazy ride that I will remember for quite some time. This was a very entertaining read. :)
September 7, 2011
Ordinary Girl was my third Barbara Elsborg read and I have to say, once again she did not disappoint me. The biggest pleasure I've found in reading this author is she creates spectacular heroines and Ash is no exception. She is spunky, strong, and full of so much pain, that she eloquently hides from the entire world. Noah, the hero was also a treat. He was a true tortured hero and I thoroughly enjoyed watching as Ash pulled him out of his own personal hell.
This is an excellent example of how to create a spectacular character driven book (my favorite). I highly recommend to anyone looking for a great tortured hero/heroine.
This is an excellent example of how to create a spectacular character driven book (my favorite). I highly recommend to anyone looking for a great tortured hero/heroine.
June 17, 2012
So glad I decided to pick this book up again and give it a chance. Thanks to my goodreads friends for the extra nudge to continue. It turned out to be a really good story. I will definitely be reading more from this author. I love her writing style.
July 10, 2014
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3.5 STARS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 3, 2012
Holy moley. I thought the characters in Strangers were damaged. They have absolutely no issues compared to these two! But my, what a beautiful, if tragic, story. Well... I suppose ultimately it wasn't tragic, but for a while, it was touch and go. God... so much guilt from so many different directions!!
We have Ash, who has lived her life basically helping others. She had a horrible (I don't think I can make it bold enough horrible) childhood, yet she's constantly trying to make others' lives better. She tries to fly under the radar with all her do-good activities. She really does not want any acknowledgement for the things she does... she just tries to make people's lives better.
And we have Noah. He's a freelance photographer who volunteered a while back to go to Afghanistan to take photographs of the war there, to personalize it for the people back home. Only he ended up getting captured and mentally tortured by a faction of escaped Afghani convicts. He's been screwed up for months. Lots of PTSD and a massive load of guilt.
Noah begrudgingly takes a wedding photography job for a photog friend who has fallen ill at the last minute. He meets Ash, who is there as a last-minute fill-in for a server, when he backs into her and she drops her tray of hors d'oeuvres. And they meet again when the fireworks go off and trigger a PTSD episode for Noah. She attempts to help him, he suggests she fuck him, she refuses, and he's baffled. Nobody tells him no. But he's in no shape to continue taking pictures, so Ash ends up photographing the fireworks as well as a few more key moments for him.
Through some trickery, because Noah can't stop talking about Ash, Noah and Ash are in the same place a few days later, and this time, she goes home with him. And after some great fun, he's an asshole and she bolts. A few more times like this happen... I can't imagine trying to live with PTSD. I can only imagine feeling like nobody around you has a clue what you've been through. And it must be just as hard to watch someone go through it. But Ash is forever patient with him. And they find love.
But then something happens. Ash went through so much as a child and now her past has caught up with her but in a much bigger way than she could have ever anticipated. OMG my heart broke for her.
Ultimately it was an incredibly sweet HEA. Noah, although definitely damaged, was such a great guy. I thought the sentiment behind his actions at the end was so heartfelt. I sort of knew it was coming, but I still cried. And Ash was as far from ordinary as a girl can get. She was remarkable in her ability to see the bright side of life... for everyone else. For herself, she only saw the solitude that she thought she deserved.
I thought the side relationship between Ronan and Ilya was nice. Ronan seemed like the best kind of friend to have, so I was glad to see him find a bit of happiness himself.
I think I'll remember this story for a long while. I think the fact that it was born from wondering how children of demented, evil people end up made Ash's situation that much sadder.
We have Ash, who has lived her life basically helping others. She had a horrible (I don't think I can make it bold enough horrible) childhood, yet she's constantly trying to make others' lives better. She tries to fly under the radar with all her do-good activities. She really does not want any acknowledgement for the things she does... she just tries to make people's lives better.
And we have Noah. He's a freelance photographer who volunteered a while back to go to Afghanistan to take photographs of the war there, to personalize it for the people back home. Only he ended up getting captured and mentally tortured by a faction of escaped Afghani convicts. He's been screwed up for months. Lots of PTSD and a massive load of guilt.
Noah begrudgingly takes a wedding photography job for a photog friend who has fallen ill at the last minute. He meets Ash, who is there as a last-minute fill-in for a server, when he backs into her and she drops her tray of hors d'oeuvres. And they meet again when the fireworks go off and trigger a PTSD episode for Noah. She attempts to help him, he suggests she fuck him, she refuses, and he's baffled. Nobody tells him no. But he's in no shape to continue taking pictures, so Ash ends up photographing the fireworks as well as a few more key moments for him.
Through some trickery, because Noah can't stop talking about Ash, Noah and Ash are in the same place a few days later, and this time, she goes home with him. And after some great fun, he's an asshole and she bolts. A few more times like this happen... I can't imagine trying to live with PTSD. I can only imagine feeling like nobody around you has a clue what you've been through. And it must be just as hard to watch someone go through it. But Ash is forever patient with him. And they find love.
But then something happens. Ash went through so much as a child and now her past has caught up with her but in a much bigger way than she could have ever anticipated. OMG my heart broke for her.
Ultimately it was an incredibly sweet HEA. Noah, although definitely damaged, was such a great guy. I thought the sentiment behind his actions at the end was so heartfelt. I sort of knew it was coming, but I still cried. And Ash was as far from ordinary as a girl can get. She was remarkable in her ability to see the bright side of life... for everyone else. For herself, she only saw the solitude that she thought she deserved.
I thought the side relationship between Ronan and Ilya was nice. Ronan seemed like the best kind of friend to have, so I was glad to see him find a bit of happiness himself.
I think I'll remember this story for a long while. I think the fact that it was born from wondering how children of demented, evil people end up made Ash's situation that much sadder.
May 27, 2011
I giggled. I sighed. I squealed in surprise. An Ordinary Girl is one of the most compelling books I’ve read this year.
“Noah was a bad boy.”
This is the first introduction to Noah. And yes on the surface, Noah appears to be your typical bad boy. But from the first moment we meet Noah we know he is truly tortured. Everyone knows something happened while Noah was captured as a war photographer, but Noah isn’t talking. The memories are destroying him. He’s a fascinating hero who is even stronger than he thinks.
“Ash was a good girl.”
Like Noah, this is how we meet Ash. And Ash is a truly good girl through and through. But Ash’s torture is much more deeply hidden than Noah’s. She is too good to make up for her past. She tries to rescue troubled souls. She’s a beautifully giving and earnest person who truly deserves happiness. And in Noah, although he does need rescuing, she also finds someone who rescues her.
The book began by showing Ash and Noah in their own environments. Yet it’s when they meet in chapter two that the fireworks truly start. From the moment they meet, sparks fly off the page. They have a chemistry that glued me to this book. Their relationship is just spectacular. In most books, there’s normally just one damaged person and the mate is the one helping them heal and grow. In An Ordinary Girl, Ms. Elsborg breaks the rules effortlessly. Watching Ash and Noah alternately heal each other while they grow further in love is beautiful.
The supporting characters in this book were wonderful. Each played a unique part that helped enhance the story. For Noah, it’s his brother Ilya and friend Dalton. Ilya wants to run Noah’s life. Dalton is a good friend, but has ulterior motives. Ash’s roommates Ronan, Mike, and Kay are perfect fodder. Ronan has a twist in the book that made me squeal. Mike is the good guy who Ash is trying to help, but is also loyal to her. And Kay is your typical self-absorbed actress who needs everyone to build her up.
The book is truly captivating. The writing is superb. The love scenes between Ash and Noah are beautifully erotic, although some felt a bit long. The actual storyline was so absorbing, I wanted back to the story. The one M/M love scene felt pitch perfect (and I don’t read M/M normally). Noah does visit a male Dom for punishment, but this is not a sexual relationship. Nor is this a true BDSM relationship. If you are squeamish about BSDM, know that this is not a BDSM book. It is merely used as a device for Noah to find punishment.
Why is this book not a 5 or Best Book? As much as I was glued to this book the last twist was just too sensational. It went too far and hurt rather than enhanced my memory of this book.
Ms. Elsborg’s An Ordinary Girl is an incredible book. The whole time I read the book, I was thinking that her writing is a caliber above what I’m accustomed to, and how lucky I was to find her.
originally posted at http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
“Noah was a bad boy.”
This is the first introduction to Noah. And yes on the surface, Noah appears to be your typical bad boy. But from the first moment we meet Noah we know he is truly tortured. Everyone knows something happened while Noah was captured as a war photographer, but Noah isn’t talking. The memories are destroying him. He’s a fascinating hero who is even stronger than he thinks.
“Ash was a good girl.”
Like Noah, this is how we meet Ash. And Ash is a truly good girl through and through. But Ash’s torture is much more deeply hidden than Noah’s. She is too good to make up for her past. She tries to rescue troubled souls. She’s a beautifully giving and earnest person who truly deserves happiness. And in Noah, although he does need rescuing, she also finds someone who rescues her.
The book began by showing Ash and Noah in their own environments. Yet it’s when they meet in chapter two that the fireworks truly start. From the moment they meet, sparks fly off the page. They have a chemistry that glued me to this book. Their relationship is just spectacular. In most books, there’s normally just one damaged person and the mate is the one helping them heal and grow. In An Ordinary Girl, Ms. Elsborg breaks the rules effortlessly. Watching Ash and Noah alternately heal each other while they grow further in love is beautiful.
The supporting characters in this book were wonderful. Each played a unique part that helped enhance the story. For Noah, it’s his brother Ilya and friend Dalton. Ilya wants to run Noah’s life. Dalton is a good friend, but has ulterior motives. Ash’s roommates Ronan, Mike, and Kay are perfect fodder. Ronan has a twist in the book that made me squeal. Mike is the good guy who Ash is trying to help, but is also loyal to her. And Kay is your typical self-absorbed actress who needs everyone to build her up.
The book is truly captivating. The writing is superb. The love scenes between Ash and Noah are beautifully erotic, although some felt a bit long. The actual storyline was so absorbing, I wanted back to the story. The one M/M love scene felt pitch perfect (and I don’t read M/M normally). Noah does visit a male Dom for punishment, but this is not a sexual relationship. Nor is this a true BDSM relationship. If you are squeamish about BSDM, know that this is not a BDSM book. It is merely used as a device for Noah to find punishment.
Why is this book not a 5 or Best Book? As much as I was glued to this book the last twist was just too sensational. It went too far and hurt rather than enhanced my memory of this book.
Ms. Elsborg’s An Ordinary Girl is an incredible book. The whole time I read the book, I was thinking that her writing is a caliber above what I’m accustomed to, and how lucky I was to find her.
originally posted at http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
June 20, 2012
I became a Barbara Elsborg fan when I read Strangers a couple months ago. Call it insta-love for this author, but she sure has a way of creating witty, snarky yet easy-to-love characters. That book gave me the rom-com fix I enjoy with the right dose of a reality check. Unfortunately, I can’t say I loved An Ordinary Girl as much as the first book I tried by Elsborg. I do have to say that that the first scene in this book was quite the shocker, but having been forewarned, I carried on and enjoyed most of the storyline. The dialog between the two characters was my kind of entertainment. However, there was just something about this book that made it too dramatic and over the top for me to just sit back and enjoy, but it came mostly at the end of the story.
See in this book, Ash is trying really hard to hide her past from her friends and those she gets close too. I guess I would too if my mother and father were convicted serial killers. No, I really would. And then you have Noah who experienced a PTS-worthy event as a war photographer in Afghanistan. These two meet at a party they are both working at, and when the fireworks light the sky a connection sparks between these two broken souls.
I’ve got to hand it to Elsborg who goes all out in her storylines. She’s daring enough to throw in scenes that makes me cringe, laugh, gasp, guffaw all in one sitting. She blends her characters quite well throughout the novel with the perfect measurements of wit, snark and sensitivity. I like that a lot, but then it gets to a delicate point where I’m screaming ENOUGH! Let’s just have a graceful ending and I think that’s where Elsborg lost me in this novel… then ending. It just didn’t work for me, and I was all sorts of disappointed at the finale.
Don’t get me wrong, she’s a big believer in HEAs, but have you ever felt like an intruder in a conversation or situation where you’re just frantically looking for an easy exit? Well that’s how I felt. AWKWARD!
I don’t plan on giving up on this author, see my insta-love is strong and I’d like to believe we’ll outlast this little episode of discomfort, so if anyone can recommend another Strangers type book to me, I’d gladly give it a go. Barbara Elsborg knows how to entertain me. I just need the right ambience to get me hooked and committed to her stories.
See in this book, Ash is trying really hard to hide her past from her friends and those she gets close too. I guess I would too if my mother and father were convicted serial killers. No, I really would. And then you have Noah who experienced a PTS-worthy event as a war photographer in Afghanistan. These two meet at a party they are both working at, and when the fireworks light the sky a connection sparks between these two broken souls.
I’ve got to hand it to Elsborg who goes all out in her storylines. She’s daring enough to throw in scenes that makes me cringe, laugh, gasp, guffaw all in one sitting. She blends her characters quite well throughout the novel with the perfect measurements of wit, snark and sensitivity. I like that a lot, but then it gets to a delicate point where I’m screaming ENOUGH! Let’s just have a graceful ending and I think that’s where Elsborg lost me in this novel… then ending. It just didn’t work for me, and I was all sorts of disappointed at the finale.
Don’t get me wrong, she’s a big believer in HEAs, but have you ever felt like an intruder in a conversation or situation where you’re just frantically looking for an easy exit? Well that’s how I felt. AWKWARD!
I don’t plan on giving up on this author, see my insta-love is strong and I’d like to believe we’ll outlast this little episode of discomfort, so if anyone can recommend another Strangers type book to me, I’d gladly give it a go. Barbara Elsborg knows how to entertain me. I just need the right ambience to get me hooked and committed to her stories.
May 28, 2011
On the surface, Ash Elleston appears to be an ordinary girl. She lives in a house with two guys, Ronan and Mike, and a girl, Kay. Ash is holding down several jobs. She has fun with her roommates. She likes her jobs and she is always willing to offer a smile to make someone’s day happy. Ash’s entire goal in life is to help people find what makes them happy. When she meets acclaimed war photographer, Noah Golitison while helping Kay out on a catering job, Ash is immediately aware of Noah’s pain. Noah, for his part, is attracted to Ash and willing to act on it, if only she’ll agree.
Elsborg draws a picture of two wounded souls. Ash is hiding a dark past filled with pain and death. Noah is fighting the demons of post-traumatic stress disorder. His time in Afghanistan left deep and lasting wounds on his spirit. An Ordinary Girl starts slowly with alternating vignettes of Ash and Noah’s lives. Elsborg picks up the pace when Noah and Ash meet during a party. Noah is there to take photographs and Ash is helping Kay with a catering job.
Everything changes for them when fireworks start exploding overhead. Elsborg has a strong voice and her characters are rich and evocative. She paints a picture of Ash and Noah that can be blistering hot one moment and so painful in the next moment that tears come to your eyes. An Ordinary Girl is not a light read, but it is definitely a great read worth 4.5 stars.
Review originally appeared on Black Ravens
Elsborg draws a picture of two wounded souls. Ash is hiding a dark past filled with pain and death. Noah is fighting the demons of post-traumatic stress disorder. His time in Afghanistan left deep and lasting wounds on his spirit. An Ordinary Girl starts slowly with alternating vignettes of Ash and Noah’s lives. Elsborg picks up the pace when Noah and Ash meet during a party. Noah is there to take photographs and Ash is helping Kay with a catering job.
Everything changes for them when fireworks start exploding overhead. Elsborg has a strong voice and her characters are rich and evocative. She paints a picture of Ash and Noah that can be blistering hot one moment and so painful in the next moment that tears come to your eyes. An Ordinary Girl is not a light read, but it is definitely a great read worth 4.5 stars.
Review originally appeared on Black Ravens
February 23, 2013
The title may be An Ordinary Girl but this book was anything but ordinary.
I connected with the characters and the story immediately and found myself going through all possible scenario's of what could possibly be causing the anxiety and hurt to both Noah and Ash from their pasts.
I have to say, I was floored. I didn't see the story unfolding as it did and I was hooked pretty much from the beginning. The story of Ash's childhood was horrific. I can't imagine anyone coming through that unscathed, let alone with a smile on their face and warmth in their heart.
When the reveal came for both of them I found myself gasping and trying to put myself in both their situations.
There was angst and heartbreak in this book yet there was humour between Ash and Noah at times that actually made me giggle through it.
The chemistry between these two was magic and I loved the banter between them. Ash had a wicked sense of humour that I loved.
This book was at times thought provoking, emotional and really does make you question what you would do in their situations.
This is my second book by this author and it certainly won't be my last.
I connected with the characters and the story immediately and found myself going through all possible scenario's of what could possibly be causing the anxiety and hurt to both Noah and Ash from their pasts.
I have to say, I was floored. I didn't see the story unfolding as it did and I was hooked pretty much from the beginning. The story of Ash's childhood was horrific. I can't imagine anyone coming through that unscathed, let alone with a smile on their face and warmth in their heart.
When the reveal came for both of them I found myself gasping and trying to put myself in both their situations.
There was angst and heartbreak in this book yet there was humour between Ash and Noah at times that actually made me giggle through it.
The chemistry between these two was magic and I loved the banter between them. Ash had a wicked sense of humour that I loved.
This book was at times thought provoking, emotional and really does make you question what you would do in their situations.
This is my second book by this author and it certainly won't be my last.
October 8, 2017
"An Ordinary Girl" is vying for top spot as my favourite-ever Barbara Elsborg book -- although "Strangers" is probably still number one, by a narrow margin.
This is my favourite kind of erotica -- absolutely fits the definition of "romantica". It's a romance story in which the sex scenes between the characters just happen to be explicitly described and the characters do consenting-adult-type things. But the point of the story is the relationship and the obstacles that have to be overcome.
The hero, Noah, is broken and flawed, his experiences in Afghanistan having affected him terribly. Ash has secrets of her own in her past that also keep her from reaching out to people.
I read this book in a rush. Lucky I was on holiday when I bought it, because I'm quite sure my work would have suffered from the I-can't-put-it-down-yet late nights that I endured reading this.
This is my favourite kind of erotica -- absolutely fits the definition of "romantica". It's a romance story in which the sex scenes between the characters just happen to be explicitly described and the characters do consenting-adult-type things. But the point of the story is the relationship and the obstacles that have to be overcome.
The hero, Noah, is broken and flawed, his experiences in Afghanistan having affected him terribly. Ash has secrets of her own in her past that also keep her from reaching out to people.
I read this book in a rush. Lucky I was on holiday when I bought it, because I'm quite sure my work would have suffered from the I-can't-put-it-down-yet late nights that I endured reading this.
November 5, 2012
I don't understand how a book can get a 5 star rating!!! How??? Why??? Are there really some people out there who would really think that it would be Ok to date someone who had a family member who murdered someone in his family??? Honestly???? Seriously???? Such a waste of time! Do not waste your time reading this book. There are plenty of books out there that are 10 15 20 times better than this one!
December 16, 2013
So I became a fan of Barbara's when I read Strangers. I looked on goodreads and saw this one, the cover was similar to Strangers and so I figured I would give this a try and see what it's all about. I read some of the reviews and was instantly intrigued. I decided this was going to be a good one. I got started on it and have to say I was not disappointed. There were some twist in this one I did NOT see coming!
So as the synopsis says there are secrets! There are few of them actually. I enjoyed reading about a couple that are just so smart ass with each other. It cracks me up.
"he slid all the way home with a shuddering sigh....." "I can take the rest of you now...Whenever you're ready. All ten inches."
Ash is just an all around great girl, everyone loves her. Noah is a guy that all the girls want, but he has no desire to try and settle down at all because he has his own issues that he needs to deal with. He did not come home from Afghanistan okay or whole. There were things that happened over there that he has not dealt with. Ash has issues with thinking that anyone can ever truly love her if they ever really found out her secrets. I was pulled in and wanted to know what these secrets were I needed to know what the hell was going on.
They are really good for each other though. Well she is really good for him. She is bringing him back. But things do go wrong a time or two and the over protectiveness of her male roommates made me smile. Like I had said before everyone loves her, they don't want to see her hurt ever.
There are things that come to play later in the book as well as early on that leave you wondering what exactly the deal is. But I have to say when you find out OMG completely NOT what I saw coming AT ALL! This was a good read and another thing that I loved about it. It was on the longer side.
So as the synopsis says there are secrets! There are few of them actually. I enjoyed reading about a couple that are just so smart ass with each other. It cracks me up.
"he slid all the way home with a shuddering sigh....." "I can take the rest of you now...Whenever you're ready. All ten inches."
Ash is just an all around great girl, everyone loves her. Noah is a guy that all the girls want, but he has no desire to try and settle down at all because he has his own issues that he needs to deal with. He did not come home from Afghanistan okay or whole. There were things that happened over there that he has not dealt with. Ash has issues with thinking that anyone can ever truly love her if they ever really found out her secrets. I was pulled in and wanted to know what these secrets were I needed to know what the hell was going on.
They are really good for each other though. Well she is really good for him. She is bringing him back. But things do go wrong a time or two and the over protectiveness of her male roommates made me smile. Like I had said before everyone loves her, they don't want to see her hurt ever.
There are things that come to play later in the book as well as early on that leave you wondering what exactly the deal is. But I have to say when you find out OMG completely NOT what I saw coming AT ALL! This was a good read and another thing that I loved about it. It was on the longer side.
January 5, 2014
OHMIGOD what did I just read??????? Someone tell me why I always skipped this book from my list??? Oh yeah, I tend to only read books rated 4*. And I'll tell you what. This was fucking amaaaaaziiiing.
I don't know where to start, since the hot s&m scenes, combined with a series of murders, war and romance were so perfectly blended together, that the Cinderella reference almost didn't ruin this book as a whole.
First we are introduces in the world of Noah, a russian living in England, who subjects himself to the mercy of a male Dom, purely for pain. Next we meet Ash, the most selfless girl in the world, who helps others without asking for anything in return. But who knew what secrets were in HER closet? The other important characters, such as Ronan, Kay and Ilya make great assets to understanding tyopologies that we have to deal with in real life. People are not perfect and people act the way they do because they are the product of their experiences and the demons they are left to deal with.
It definitely is mostly a cliché in romance books for a girl to have a gay best friend (usually when dealing with alpha males as lead characters), but Ronan impressed me the most. If I had to vote, I would vote for him as The Best Gay character in a novel. Him charm, the way he cares about Ash, as a protctive bigger brother, how he knows how to read people and how he treats Ilya, it's just...wow. Never thought the end of this book would be so unexpected. It was definitely the first time I had to read such a scene and it didn't disturb me like I initially thought.
We know Ash is not an Ordinary girl, but she wants to appear one. It's a good thing noah can peel her layers and see more to her than a pity fuck. How is it that people can have this sort of connection in real life as well? I sure hope I'll get that one day.
I don't know where to start, since the hot s&m scenes, combined with a series of murders, war and romance were so perfectly blended together, that the Cinderella reference almost didn't ruin this book as a whole.
First we are introduces in the world of Noah, a russian living in England, who subjects himself to the mercy of a male Dom, purely for pain. Next we meet Ash, the most selfless girl in the world, who helps others without asking for anything in return. But who knew what secrets were in HER closet? The other important characters, such as Ronan, Kay and Ilya make great assets to understanding tyopologies that we have to deal with in real life. People are not perfect and people act the way they do because they are the product of their experiences and the demons they are left to deal with.
It definitely is mostly a cliché in romance books for a girl to have a gay best friend (usually when dealing with alpha males as lead characters), but Ronan impressed me the most. If I had to vote, I would vote for him as The Best Gay character in a novel. Him charm, the way he cares about Ash, as a protctive bigger brother, how he knows how to read people and how he treats Ilya, it's just...wow. Never thought the end of this book would be so unexpected. It was definitely the first time I had to read such a scene and it didn't disturb me like I initially thought.
We know Ash is not an Ordinary girl, but she wants to appear one. It's a good thing noah can peel her layers and see more to her than a pity fuck. How is it that people can have this sort of connection in real life as well? I sure hope I'll get that one day.
December 3, 2012
I loved this to bits and promptly told my friends how good it was. Man, I love a tortured artist, and Noah fit the bill to a T.
An award winning photographer, he returns from Afghanistan with PTSB, wrecked with such extreme guilt that he turns to a local Dom for physical punishment.
He's returning to his old life, one baby step at a time, thanks to his friend and housemate, Dalton. As part of this, he ends up covering a wedding where he meets Ash, a feisty and pretty waitress. Her cheek softens something inside him, and for the first time in many months he pays attention to someone other than himself and his crushing depression.
When he runs for cover as the fireworks go off, Ash runs to help, and their connection is forged.
Their courtship is slow. Noah has to say Sorry too many times, and Ash has to think carefully about getting involved for she has her own secrets. Big, dirty secrets. The kind of things that would make Noah run for the hills.
I longed for them to overcome the multitude of obstacles in their path: well meaning and meddling friends; interfering family members and a dark, uncomfortable twist to an already tangled plot.
The dialogue was perfect. Both Noah and Ash were masters of light, witty repartee - as a defence against anything more serious.
It would have been a 5-star read but for the drawn out epilogue, and a couple of plot twists that were a teeny bit contrived. I'm being picky, though, I loved it.
Four and three-quarter stars :-)
An award winning photographer, he returns from Afghanistan with PTSB, wrecked with such extreme guilt that he turns to a local Dom for physical punishment.
He's returning to his old life, one baby step at a time, thanks to his friend and housemate, Dalton. As part of this, he ends up covering a wedding where he meets Ash, a feisty and pretty waitress. Her cheek softens something inside him, and for the first time in many months he pays attention to someone other than himself and his crushing depression.
When he runs for cover as the fireworks go off, Ash runs to help, and their connection is forged.
Their courtship is slow. Noah has to say Sorry too many times, and Ash has to think carefully about getting involved for she has her own secrets. Big, dirty secrets. The kind of things that would make Noah run for the hills.
I longed for them to overcome the multitude of obstacles in their path: well meaning and meddling friends; interfering family members and a dark, uncomfortable twist to an already tangled plot.
The dialogue was perfect. Both Noah and Ash were masters of light, witty repartee - as a defence against anything more serious.
It would have been a 5-star read but for the drawn out epilogue, and a couple of plot twists that were a teeny bit contrived. I'm being picky, though, I loved it.
Four and three-quarter stars :-)
November 6, 2012
This second book from Barbara Elsborg i read. Always i think all Hero in BE books have some demon and little bit pathetic. Strong but human, you know its not overall arrogant like some kind Hero from the others books.
the relationship between Noah and Ash i think too fast, its good story but i don't truly like it.
First i guess its will be BDSM story because the prologue,but no.
I little bit confused here:
i think in here he feel lust pain because when dom touch his C**K Noah shudder of fear. Even Dom say to Noah that its not sexual thing for him.
So why Noah think he's an gay and ask himself this " Try telling my c--k that. Noah d--k was erect despite mental pleading. He wasn't gay, so why the f**k did the thing have to fill with blood?"
What the meaning is "thing" in here? C**k or whip?
or its because situation : the whip held by Dom bleed and pain made Noah feel lust and Dom is an Male.
So Noah an gay or not? but his desire for whip made him good or its because an male Dom. Soooooo??? he lust for pain or for a man??
i know this awkward review, hahahahaha
the relationship between Noah and Ash i think too fast, its good story but i don't truly like it.
First i guess its will be BDSM story because the prologue,but no.
I little bit confused here:
i think in here he feel lust pain because when dom touch his C**K Noah shudder of fear. Even Dom say to Noah that its not sexual thing for him.
So why Noah think he's an gay and ask himself this " Try telling my c--k that. Noah d--k was erect despite mental pleading. He wasn't gay, so why the f**k did the thing have to fill with blood?"
What the meaning is "thing" in here? C**k or whip?
or its because situation : the whip held by Dom bleed and pain made Noah feel lust and Dom is an Male.
So Noah an gay or not? but his desire for whip made him good or its because an male Dom. Soooooo??? he lust for pain or for a man??
i know this awkward review, hahahahaha
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