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Fated
Do you need to love someone to be happy? Does happiness mean a fairy tale ending?
Caden Riley challenged me from the first moment I met him. It was more than his good looks or his fame as a photographer that drew me to him. He offered me things that I never knew I wanted, and didn’t demand more than I was willing to give.
Was I happy? I’m not sure. Happiness is an emotion I’m unfamiliar with. But I finally knew what it felt like to experience real passion. To let go of all my inhibitions and surrender to my desires. It was enough for me, because it was more than I ever expected.
Until Caden tempted me with possibilities. The possibility of a future; the possibility of a life I never imagined; the possibility of heartbreak and never hearing the words "I love you."
Love is a funny thing. It can make you feel like the world is yours to conquer. It can also bring you to your knees. I’m not sure which is my fate.
Caden Riley challenged me from the first moment I met him. It was more than his good looks or his fame as a photographer that drew me to him. He offered me things that I never knew I wanted, and didn’t demand more than I was willing to give.
Was I happy? I’m not sure. Happiness is an emotion I’m unfamiliar with. But I finally knew what it felt like to experience real passion. To let go of all my inhibitions and surrender to my desires. It was enough for me, because it was more than I ever expected.
Until Caden tempted me with possibilities. The possibility of a future; the possibility of a life I never imagined; the possibility of heartbreak and never hearing the words "I love you."
Love is a funny thing. It can make you feel like the world is yours to conquer. It can also bring you to your knees. I’m not sure which is my fate.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2012
50 people are currently reading
6719 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 358 reviews
December 16, 2012
I very much enjoyed this - it's a wonderfully, erotic romance between two broken souls who have both seen their fair share of heartache and have walled up their emotions behind cast-iron defences and believe that they will never find true happiness.
Caden and Lauren both broke my heart - both have endured tragic losses in their childhood and have grown up in the aftermath of those tragedies to become the emotionally restrained adults they are today. But, even for these embattled souls, love is possible and can be shown in the simplest of gestures such as a constantly replenished vase of calla lillies.
Lauren goes to work as a personal assistant for Caden, a highly successful erotic photographer, to cover for her friend Macie while she takes an extended break to go travelling with her boyfriend. She finds herself deeply attracted to the closed-off Caden and it is soon apparent that the attraction is mutual when Caden eventually makes a move on her.
They enter into a relationship on the understanding that it can never be more than temporary, never more than the physical and that nothing can ever come of it. However hard she tries to deny it, Lauren is slowly falling in love with Caden and knows that he will break her heart. Their passion together is positively incendiary and the sex scenes in the book are incredibly hot.
Caden wants Lauren and he wants her badly but he is so closed off that he is going to adamantly deny any deeper emotional feelings, both to himself and to Lauren but he cannot keep his hands off her.
Caden may just have to be indicted into my fictional boyfriend harem - he's very hot and very, very good in bed and I just wanted to take him into my arms and soothe away all the hurt. His speciality in photography is to capture the moment when women orgasm, when they throw their head back in the throes of passion. I have to say that it added to the eroticism of the whole novel especially as the one woman he wants to photograph in that condition is none other than Lauren.
Lauren is a great heroine who is unfailingly honest to herself and those around her. She has had a difficult childhood and isn't sure that she can ever truly give herself to someone, to trust implicitly but Caden will awaken feelings deep inside her that she never knew she was capable of.
This is such a beautiful and satisfying romance with both central characters taking an incredible journey from the beleaguered souls that they are at the beginning to the people they become by the end of the novel. There's no tortured dominant billionaire and there's no cliffhanger at the end - it's a stand alone and complete romance. There's also great peripheral characters to believe in too.
4.5 stars erotic romance
For more reviews, please visit Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
Caden and Lauren both broke my heart - both have endured tragic losses in their childhood and have grown up in the aftermath of those tragedies to become the emotionally restrained adults they are today. But, even for these embattled souls, love is possible and can be shown in the simplest of gestures such as a constantly replenished vase of calla lillies.
Lauren goes to work as a personal assistant for Caden, a highly successful erotic photographer, to cover for her friend Macie while she takes an extended break to go travelling with her boyfriend. She finds herself deeply attracted to the closed-off Caden and it is soon apparent that the attraction is mutual when Caden eventually makes a move on her.
There was no gentleness in his kiss as he plunged his tongue into my mouth, urging my tongue to mate with his. This didn't feel like just a kiss. It felt like a declaration of intent; a message that a retreat wouldn't be allowed. But I had already surrendered.
They enter into a relationship on the understanding that it can never be more than temporary, never more than the physical and that nothing can ever come of it. However hard she tries to deny it, Lauren is slowly falling in love with Caden and knows that he will break her heart. Their passion together is positively incendiary and the sex scenes in the book are incredibly hot.
Caden wants Lauren and he wants her badly but he is so closed off that he is going to adamantly deny any deeper emotional feelings, both to himself and to Lauren but he cannot keep his hands off her.
“It’s always like this with you,” he murmured softly. “I’ve never wanted someone so much. I’ve never felt this kind of passion with anyone else besides you.”
Caden may just have to be indicted into my fictional boyfriend harem - he's very hot and very, very good in bed and I just wanted to take him into my arms and soothe away all the hurt. His speciality in photography is to capture the moment when women orgasm, when they throw their head back in the throes of passion. I have to say that it added to the eroticism of the whole novel especially as the one woman he wants to photograph in that condition is none other than Lauren.
Lauren is a great heroine who is unfailingly honest to herself and those around her. She has had a difficult childhood and isn't sure that she can ever truly give herself to someone, to trust implicitly but Caden will awaken feelings deep inside her that she never knew she was capable of.
This is such a beautiful and satisfying romance with both central characters taking an incredible journey from the beleaguered souls that they are at the beginning to the people they become by the end of the novel. There's no tortured dominant billionaire and there's no cliffhanger at the end - it's a stand alone and complete romance. There's also great peripheral characters to believe in too.
4.5 stars erotic romance
For more reviews, please visit Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews
March 17, 2018
That book was hot… steamy hot!
The most important thing you need to know about this book is that it is hot!
Thankfully, there is a good background story to it, as well. I enjoyed my time with the book but it wasn't special for me.
Plot & characters:
Both characters have lived cathartic events in their past and both of them are broken.
Despite the unbearable burden of her past, Lauren is trying to embrace life. However, Caden is afraid of love and relationships.
Caden is a very famous photographer. Recently, his slightly pornographic photographs created a havoc in the art world and he has been criticized negatively by some groups whereas he has been appreciated by some others.
Lauren studied psychology but now she is going to be Caden’s assistant for 3 months because she agreed to replace her best friend while she was away on a long trip with her boyfriend.
During this temporary job, there is a sudden attraction between Caden & Lauren. He soon acts on it whereas she tries to resist saying it won’t be professional. Later, she gives in.
Caden thinks a “no-string attached” relationship with Lauren will work and at the beginning, Lauren is on the same page with him about not involving feelings into what they have. She just seizes the day with him because he is the first person making her feel so safe and uninhabited. But then, of course, she develops feelings for him while Caden is still afraid of the word “love”.
Caden’s past is really hard to recover from. He is afraid of turning into a monster like his father so despite his obsession and strong feelings for Lauren, he is afraid of “being more”.
Caden pushes Lauren away more than once or twice. Every time, he comes back, though, asking for another chance and saying he is sorry but it becomes infuriating after a certain point. This pull-push between them goes on until the last 20 pages or so. You, as a reader, realize he is already in love with her but he resists it because of his fears.
Frankly speaking, Caden is not among my favorite heroes although I didn’t hate him. I tried to empathize with him and although I understood where he came from, I cannot say I liked him.
As for Lauren, although I appreciated her strength and positive approach to life, some actions of her also didn’t sit well with me.
Writing:
The writing is from 1st person point of view. Lauren tells the whole story. The writing makes you feel but not as much as it should.
Also, there are a few editing mistakes that repetitively appeared and disturbed me.
Safety:
Cheating/Celibacy issues: When they are together, there is no cheating but we are not given information about his celibacy issue during the time they are apart. Because he was unhappy and miserable, we just assume that he was celibate but I don’t know for sure.
Protection issues: After a certain point, there is no safe sex. He just refuses to use condoms and she is OK with it. No conversation about safety. Even after a long separation, they go at it unprotected without asking each other if it is safe. I don’t like it when people are so reckless.
Recommendation:
I wasn’t too impressed with this book, I mean it wasn’t special for me but whenever you need a very hot book with high steam levels, you can give it a try, it will most definitely not disappoint on that level 😊
The most important thing you need to know about this book is that it is hot!
Thankfully, there is a good background story to it, as well. I enjoyed my time with the book but it wasn't special for me.
Plot & characters:
Both characters have lived cathartic events in their past and both of them are broken.
Despite the unbearable burden of her past, Lauren is trying to embrace life. However, Caden is afraid of love and relationships.
Caden is a very famous photographer. Recently, his slightly pornographic photographs created a havoc in the art world and he has been criticized negatively by some groups whereas he has been appreciated by some others.
Lauren studied psychology but now she is going to be Caden’s assistant for 3 months because she agreed to replace her best friend while she was away on a long trip with her boyfriend.
During this temporary job, there is a sudden attraction between Caden & Lauren. He soon acts on it whereas she tries to resist saying it won’t be professional. Later, she gives in.
Caden thinks a “no-string attached” relationship with Lauren will work and at the beginning, Lauren is on the same page with him about not involving feelings into what they have. She just seizes the day with him because he is the first person making her feel so safe and uninhabited. But then, of course, she develops feelings for him while Caden is still afraid of the word “love”.
Caden’s past is really hard to recover from. He is afraid of turning into a monster like his father so despite his obsession and strong feelings for Lauren, he is afraid of “being more”.
Caden pushes Lauren away more than once or twice. Every time, he comes back, though, asking for another chance and saying he is sorry but it becomes infuriating after a certain point. This pull-push between them goes on until the last 20 pages or so. You, as a reader, realize he is already in love with her but he resists it because of his fears.
Frankly speaking, Caden is not among my favorite heroes although I didn’t hate him. I tried to empathize with him and although I understood where he came from, I cannot say I liked him.
As for Lauren, although I appreciated her strength and positive approach to life, some actions of her also didn’t sit well with me.
Writing:
The writing is from 1st person point of view. Lauren tells the whole story. The writing makes you feel but not as much as it should.
Also, there are a few editing mistakes that repetitively appeared and disturbed me.
Safety:
Cheating/Celibacy issues: When they are together, there is no cheating but we are not given information about his celibacy issue during the time they are apart. Because he was unhappy and miserable, we just assume that he was celibate but I don’t know for sure.
Protection issues: After a certain point, there is no safe sex. He just refuses to use condoms and she is OK with it. No conversation about safety. Even after a long separation, they go at it unprotected without asking each other if it is safe. I don’t like it when people are so reckless.
Recommendation:
I wasn’t too impressed with this book, I mean it wasn’t special for me but whenever you need a very hot book with high steam levels, you can give it a try, it will most definitely not disappoint on that level 😊
October 12, 2013
A story about instant attraction, devouring passion, the walls we built around ourselves and what else... LOVE!
Up until 70% this story was just ...good. An enjoying read, for a relaxing afternoon. Abused girl meets tormented boy, lust, chase, sex. But then something happened. The story managed to deliver something different...
Does a happily ever after is what defines alove couple's story or is content/happy for now a steady base to build upon? Are we doomed to follow our parent's footsteps? We learn from the past or are our lives haunted by it?
"Why does love matter? Love doesn't stop horrible things from happening. It just makes it more painful when they do."
So, from that point on I went from the lukewarm "I-like-it" to... more. How much more? Still not sure, but I'll go to between 3 and 4 stars...
3.5 STARS
Before delving in the characters minds, I have to say that I loved the incorporation of the calla lilies in this story. It started as an innocent and sweet gesture but it got me thinking.
Calla lilies are sober and grave. In one hand they are used in weddings as sign of purity and on the other hand they resemble resurrection and rebirth and are often planted by the graves. The flower is very attractive, beautiful and elegant.
Interesting choice isn't it?? I'll come back to this...
Lauren Sloan: Our heroine is a young woman, orphaned in a tender age and then placed in foster care, where she faced many horrors. She, like the calla lily, is sober and grave.
She doesn't want anything to do with relationships. She fills her best friend's position as a personal assistant of a famous photographer, without realising how much her life is going to change. At first she resists, but when she gives in, she does it wholeheartedly, without regrets.
I had the ability to become an active participant in life instead of just standing on the sideline.
Caden Riley: Our hero is the problem in this story. He is a famous photographer and a moody artist. He is brooding, funny, obsessive, attractive and a coward at heart... He witnessed his father killing his mother in a jealous rage and then committing suicide and he believes he is doomed to make the same mistakes. No love and commitment for him.
And again the calla lily...
We watch these two people struggling with mutual attraction and reinventing themselves. Only as whole they are complete and they must be reborn amidst a lot of heartache. They must resurrect!
Don't get me wrong there isn't only tears and pain. There is also plenty of sexual tension, intense bedroom scenes and playful banter.
"And making out is not what's on my mind, unless it's euphemism for screwing you senseless."
Good story, good characters, I'll be checking out more by S.H. Kolee!
Up until 70% this story was just ...good. An enjoying read, for a relaxing afternoon. Abused girl meets tormented boy, lust, chase, sex. But then something happened. The story managed to deliver something different...
Does a happily ever after is what defines a
"Why does love matter? Love doesn't stop horrible things from happening. It just makes it more painful when they do."
So, from that point on I went from the lukewarm "I-like-it" to... more. How much more? Still not sure, but I'll go to between 3 and 4 stars...
3.5 STARS
Before delving in the characters minds, I have to say that I loved the incorporation of the calla lilies in this story. It started as an innocent and sweet gesture but it got me thinking.
Calla lilies are sober and grave. In one hand they are used in weddings as sign of purity and on the other hand they resemble resurrection and rebirth and are often planted by the graves. The flower is very attractive, beautiful and elegant.
Interesting choice isn't it?? I'll come back to this...
Lauren Sloan: Our heroine is a young woman, orphaned in a tender age and then placed in foster care, where she faced many horrors. She, like the calla lily, is sober and grave.
She doesn't want anything to do with relationships. She fills her best friend's position as a personal assistant of a famous photographer, without realising how much her life is going to change. At first she resists, but when she gives in, she does it wholeheartedly, without regrets.
I had the ability to become an active participant in life instead of just standing on the sideline.
Caden Riley: Our hero is the problem in this story. He is a famous photographer and a moody artist. He is brooding, funny, obsessive, attractive and a coward at heart... He witnessed his father killing his mother in a jealous rage and then committing suicide and he believes he is doomed to make the same mistakes. No love and commitment for him.
And again the calla lily...
We watch these two people struggling with mutual attraction and reinventing themselves. Only as whole they are complete and they must be reborn amidst a lot of heartache. They must resurrect!
Don't get me wrong there isn't only tears and pain. There is also plenty of sexual tension, intense bedroom scenes and playful banter.
"And making out is not what's on my mind, unless it's euphemism for screwing you senseless."
Good story, good characters, I'll be checking out more by S.H. Kolee!
January 2, 2013
Excellent read. At first it started out kind of slow for me and I wasn't sure if I liked Caden but then I ended up loving him and this book. I would for sure recommend this one. It was a sweet romance with lots of spice. The steam was off the charts hot!
January 3, 2013
“It was worth saving all my luck until now, because it means I get to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“It wasn’t luck. It was fate. We were meant to be together.”
Twenty six year old Lauren Sloane decides to take a chance and move to NYC. She sublets her friend Macie’s apartment while Macie is visiting her boyfriend for a few months, and is looking for a temp job. As luck would have it, Macie runs into a snag and needs someone to replace her for a few months as photographer Caden Riley’s personal assistant. At first, Lauren is hesitant about the job, but the money is too good to pass up. Lauren and Caden get along fairly well. Lauren is a little quite at first, but she is also not afraid to speak her mind. I love that about her! Lauren and Caden both have traumatic pasts. Due to this, neither has ever had a real relationship.
“Falling in love wasn’t an option. I wasn’t sure I was capable of that human frailty.”
But they are both so attracted to each other. Lauren tries not to let Caden affect her, but that only lasts for so long. They have this connection, and they both decide to give in to their desires and have only a physical relationship. This happens at about the 40%/50% mark in the book... It really picks up from there!
Can I just say that I love Caden Riley!!! He has issues, yes, but I am okay with that. He is a hot man with and you can’t help but root for him! There were some steamy scenes in this one!
He devoured me like he was starved for the taste of me, and I felt all my defenses slipping away.
“I thought we were going to have lunch.” I said breathlessly. “I lied,” he growled. “Pasta salad is code for ripping your clothes off and fucking you until you can’t move.”
“It’s always like this with you,” he murmured softly. “I’ve never wanted someone so much so much. I’ve never felt this kind of passion with anyone else besides you.”
Of course, this physical/sexual relationship only can only last for so long until someone starts to want more or develops feelings, and thats exactly what happens with these two. Caden appears to have feelings for Lauren, everyone including the only family he has(Michael and Millie <3) can see it, except for him. Lauren understands Caden is hesitant to love because of his past, she is too. But she is willing to try.
I understood how much your past could scar you, how it could make you believe you were nothing but a product of the sick things that pulled at you and grabbed you, trying to drag you down with it. I wouldn’t let Caden be a casualty of his past.
She falls for Caden, and she falls hard. She tries not to have these feelings, but you can only deny how you feel for so long. When Lauren confesses her feelings for Caden... lets just say it doesn’t go quite as planned.
Lauren and Caden are both great characters. Lauren is honest, relatable and brave. Caden is damaged, but he is also loving, sweet, sexy and protective. I loved those sweet moments he had- the calla lillies ;) He messes up, but its understandable. At the end, he comes around!
“I love you because I can’t imagine not loving you. I can’t imagine not wanting to spend my life with you. I can’t even fathom that I used to live in a world where you didn’t exist, that there was a time when I didn’t know you and my thoughts didn’t revolve around you. I never want to go back to that.”
Overall, this is a great story full of angst, romance and lots of steam! S.H. Kolee’s writing is wonderful. Really enjoyed it!
“It wasn’t luck. It was fate. We were meant to be together.”
Twenty six year old Lauren Sloane decides to take a chance and move to NYC. She sublets her friend Macie’s apartment while Macie is visiting her boyfriend for a few months, and is looking for a temp job. As luck would have it, Macie runs into a snag and needs someone to replace her for a few months as photographer Caden Riley’s personal assistant. At first, Lauren is hesitant about the job, but the money is too good to pass up. Lauren and Caden get along fairly well. Lauren is a little quite at first, but she is also not afraid to speak her mind. I love that about her! Lauren and Caden both have traumatic pasts. Due to this, neither has ever had a real relationship.
“Falling in love wasn’t an option. I wasn’t sure I was capable of that human frailty.”
But they are both so attracted to each other. Lauren tries not to let Caden affect her, but that only lasts for so long. They have this connection, and they both decide to give in to their desires and have only a physical relationship. This happens at about the 40%/50% mark in the book... It really picks up from there!
Can I just say that I love Caden Riley!!! He has issues, yes, but I am okay with that. He is a hot man with and you can’t help but root for him! There were some steamy scenes in this one!
He devoured me like he was starved for the taste of me, and I felt all my defenses slipping away.
“I thought we were going to have lunch.” I said breathlessly. “I lied,” he growled. “Pasta salad is code for ripping your clothes off and fucking you until you can’t move.”
“It’s always like this with you,” he murmured softly. “I’ve never wanted someone so much so much. I’ve never felt this kind of passion with anyone else besides you.”
Of course, this physical/sexual relationship only can only last for so long until someone starts to want more or develops feelings, and thats exactly what happens with these two. Caden appears to have feelings for Lauren, everyone including the only family he has(Michael and Millie <3) can see it, except for him. Lauren understands Caden is hesitant to love because of his past, she is too. But she is willing to try.
I understood how much your past could scar you, how it could make you believe you were nothing but a product of the sick things that pulled at you and grabbed you, trying to drag you down with it. I wouldn’t let Caden be a casualty of his past.
She falls for Caden, and she falls hard. She tries not to have these feelings, but you can only deny how you feel for so long. When Lauren confesses her feelings for Caden... lets just say it doesn’t go quite as planned.
Lauren and Caden are both great characters. Lauren is honest, relatable and brave. Caden is damaged, but he is also loving, sweet, sexy and protective. I loved those sweet moments he had- the calla lillies ;) He messes up, but its understandable. At the end, he comes around!
“I love you because I can’t imagine not loving you. I can’t imagine not wanting to spend my life with you. I can’t even fathom that I used to live in a world where you didn’t exist, that there was a time when I didn’t know you and my thoughts didn’t revolve around you. I never want to go back to that.”
Overall, this is a great story full of angst, romance and lots of steam! S.H. Kolee’s writing is wonderful. Really enjoyed it!
September 4, 2013
I wasn't too impressed with this book. Was it a good book? Yeah but it was just missing something.
It was your typical romance -
Girl has issues with relationships and trust. She shies away from men and sex.
Man has issues with relationships and trust also and only wants sex.
Girl and Man are attracted to each other and start having a "non-relationship" with sex...but feelings and caring start to grow.
Girl tells Man she is in love with him.
Man gets scared and breaks everything off.
Girl is heart-broken but keeps her head up and tries to move on.
Man can't live without Girl and professes his love and they get their HEA.
It was your typical romance -
Girl has issues with relationships and trust. She shies away from men and sex.
Man has issues with relationships and trust also and only wants sex.
Girl and Man are attracted to each other and start having a "non-relationship" with sex...but feelings and caring start to grow.
Girl tells Man she is in love with him.
Man gets scared and breaks everything off.
Girl is heart-broken but keeps her head up and tries to move on.
Man can't live without Girl and professes his love and they get their HEA.
December 17, 2012
I'm telling you what, RL might have sucked donkey nutz this year but my choices in books have been superb!!!
The story of Caden and Lauren had me on the edge of my seat. Things may have started accidentally with Lauren taking over as Caden's assistant but nothing after that is accidental. Its pure lust and sensually satisfying. The sexual tension between them is so thick it could be cut with a knife.
They both go into a friends with benefit type relationship but what starts as something purely sexual turns into a gut wrenching, soul searching, sexually charged romance that neither one of them had a chance at backing away from.
Both Caden and Lauren have had traumatic pasts. They both lost their parents at a young age and one witnessed the deaths and the other was tossed from one foster home to another only to be taken advantage of but in the end they find peace within each others arms.
I was not disappointed one bit. From the first word to the last I was captivated by the relationship between them.
This is going down as yet another fav of 2012!!
see all my reviews at www.upallnightreviews.blogspot.com
The story of Caden and Lauren had me on the edge of my seat. Things may have started accidentally with Lauren taking over as Caden's assistant but nothing after that is accidental. Its pure lust and sensually satisfying. The sexual tension between them is so thick it could be cut with a knife.
They both go into a friends with benefit type relationship but what starts as something purely sexual turns into a gut wrenching, soul searching, sexually charged romance that neither one of them had a chance at backing away from.
Both Caden and Lauren have had traumatic pasts. They both lost their parents at a young age and one witnessed the deaths and the other was tossed from one foster home to another only to be taken advantage of but in the end they find peace within each others arms.
I was not disappointed one bit. From the first word to the last I was captivated by the relationship between them.
This is going down as yet another fav of 2012!!
see all my reviews at www.upallnightreviews.blogspot.com
December 15, 2012
Yeah…. So Caden and Lauren didn’t really do it for me. Their story was not bad, just was not that great.
It was a quick read and there are three things that I will remember from this story for a day or two…
1. Amber Eyes
2. Calla Lilies
3. Steamy Sex
I might remember this for more than a day or two...
Go ahead and read it and find out for yourself!
December 30, 2012
Wow. I am totally blown away by how much I liked this book. I read her previous book Love Left Behind and I could not connect with the characters at all. There relationship felt awkward and stilted for me. I almost didn't pick this one up, but I'm so so glad I did.
Lauren and Caden are both damaged souls. They carry scars from their childhoods, which keep them from embracing life to its fullest. The tension that built up between them while Lauren tried to keep her distance, was scorching. They finally give in to their attraction, ( and hot damn, it was worth the wait) but both are clear that this is not a "relationship". However, something about Caden lets Lauren connect to emotions and desires that she wasn't sure she was capable of.
"In that moment, I felt happy. Real happiness. Not just the guise of happiness that I often put on for the world. And not even the glimpses of real humor and delight I sometimes experience. But true happiness, that made me realize why people were willing to risk everything for another person."
Their connection grows, and while their physical relationship incredibly hot, it's obvious that there is more to it then just sex.
"I know what it feels like to fixate on someone so much that it pushes out everything else in your life. I know how the thought of someone else's hands on the person you're obsessed with makes you so enraged that you feel your sanity is slipping." He turned away, looking at his hands, "Lauren, you have to know that I'm talking about you."
But, as the saying goes, the course of true love never did run smooth. I was so proud of Lauren for her courage and conviction. I was so angry with Caden I wanted to slap him upside the head. Their happily ever after doesn't come easily or without pain, but it was all the more beautiful for the struggle.
I just loved Lauren and Caden. They were so real and flawed and wonderful, all at the same time. They made me smile and broke my heart (more than once).
I loved that their relationship was so real. That they each had demons they had to fight, in their own ways. I love that love didn't miraculously heal them, but rather gave them the reason face their pasts and put them behind them.
Highly recommend.
Lauren and Caden are both damaged souls. They carry scars from their childhoods, which keep them from embracing life to its fullest. The tension that built up between them while Lauren tried to keep her distance, was scorching. They finally give in to their attraction, ( and hot damn, it was worth the wait) but both are clear that this is not a "relationship". However, something about Caden lets Lauren connect to emotions and desires that she wasn't sure she was capable of.
"In that moment, I felt happy. Real happiness. Not just the guise of happiness that I often put on for the world. And not even the glimpses of real humor and delight I sometimes experience. But true happiness, that made me realize why people were willing to risk everything for another person."
Their connection grows, and while their physical relationship incredibly hot, it's obvious that there is more to it then just sex.
"I know what it feels like to fixate on someone so much that it pushes out everything else in your life. I know how the thought of someone else's hands on the person you're obsessed with makes you so enraged that you feel your sanity is slipping." He turned away, looking at his hands, "Lauren, you have to know that I'm talking about you."
But, as the saying goes, the course of true love never did run smooth. I was so proud of Lauren for her courage and conviction. I was so angry with Caden I wanted to slap him upside the head. Their happily ever after doesn't come easily or without pain, but it was all the more beautiful for the struggle.
I just loved Lauren and Caden. They were so real and flawed and wonderful, all at the same time. They made me smile and broke my heart (more than once).
I loved that their relationship was so real. That they each had demons they had to fight, in their own ways. I love that love didn't miraculously heal them, but rather gave them the reason face their pasts and put them behind them.
Highly recommend.
December 7, 2012
This was quite a surprise. I read her other book Love Left Behind and didn't really like it. I never wrote a review for that. I now wish I did so I can remember why it fell a bit flat for me.
Another review compared this to On Dublin Street and I have to agree. Both lead characters are broken by their pasts making them reluctant to love. Lauren decided to conquer her fears and not let her past dictate her future happiness. Caden is very much still a work in progress by the time the story ended. I like that the author did not feel the need to resolve every problem in the end.
The first part of the book didn't really have me convinced of a love connection since Caden's attraction to Lauren seemed quite sudden and a bit unexplained. But the author took time in developing their romance. And a turn in the story closer to the end turned this book into something more for me. This was a quick read but very well written. Sometimes, it's nice to read something without too much angst and drama. And hurray for no cliffhangers.
Another review compared this to On Dublin Street and I have to agree. Both lead characters are broken by their pasts making them reluctant to love. Lauren decided to conquer her fears and not let her past dictate her future happiness. Caden is very much still a work in progress by the time the story ended. I like that the author did not feel the need to resolve every problem in the end.
The first part of the book didn't really have me convinced of a love connection since Caden's attraction to Lauren seemed quite sudden and a bit unexplained. But the author took time in developing their romance. And a turn in the story closer to the end turned this book into something more for me. This was a quick read but very well written. Sometimes, it's nice to read something without too much angst and drama. And hurray for no cliffhangers.
December 11, 2012
I really, really enjoyed this one. So much so I flew through it in a day.
I read a previous book by this author called Love Left Behind and found it highly irritating because of the characters. This one was so different and nobody irritated me like that.
A lot of reviews compared this to On Dublin Street and I have to agree, but it's still a good book in it's own right. The two main characters; Lauren and Caden have both had their fair share of heart break and pain. At a young age they both lost their parents in horrific circumstances, leading to a life of feeling alone. As they grew up they both vowed to never put themselves in a position of love, for fear of ending up alone and heart broken again.
The story revolves around Caden and Lauren at first trying to fight their attraction to each other, whilst working together, and at the same time trying to get a professional relationship. As you can imagine, somewhere along the way the lines got blurred and things got complicated. Neither of them meant to fall in love, but sometimes what you least expect is exactly what will happen.
I really enjoyed this story, there wasn't too much angsty, there was no cheating, there was no clliff hangers and sometimes that's exactly what I need in a book.
I read a previous book by this author called Love Left Behind and found it highly irritating because of the characters. This one was so different and nobody irritated me like that.
A lot of reviews compared this to On Dublin Street and I have to agree, but it's still a good book in it's own right. The two main characters; Lauren and Caden have both had their fair share of heart break and pain. At a young age they both lost their parents in horrific circumstances, leading to a life of feeling alone. As they grew up they both vowed to never put themselves in a position of love, for fear of ending up alone and heart broken again.
The story revolves around Caden and Lauren at first trying to fight their attraction to each other, whilst working together, and at the same time trying to get a professional relationship. As you can imagine, somewhere along the way the lines got blurred and things got complicated. Neither of them meant to fall in love, but sometimes what you least expect is exactly what will happen.
I really enjoyed this story, there wasn't too much angsty, there was no cheating, there was no clliff hangers and sometimes that's exactly what I need in a book.
January 17, 2013
4.8*****I really liked this book; the only complaint I have about it is that it ends, LOL! No seriously Fated is a quickie but oh so goodie!!!, I finished it in like 6 hours. It is filled with emotion from beginning to end. The female lead is Lauren and she is an orphan, her parents died when she was eight years old, so she spent her childhood bouncing from foster homes, this made her very guarded, she doesn’t like to feel vulnerable and she definitely likes to control every aspect of her life, that is until she met Caden Riley. Her friend Macy is going to Europe for three months and she convince Lauren to not only sublet her apartment but to take over her job as a personal assistant to the very hot and famous photographer Caden. Once they met the attraction between them was unmistakable. After a couple of weeks of working together the sexual tension was too intense and they decide to act on it. Caden is also an orphan and had a difficult past and being broken, and completely against falling in love is what they have in common, but little did they know, that it will be more than that what they will share in the journey of bringing down the walls they so carefully cemented around their hearts. This is a very sexy read, all the characters felt real. I highly recommend Fated.
December 20, 2012
I absolutely LOVED this book. I devoured it like it was prime cut of the worlds best steak.
Lauren & Caden... so beautiful. They'd both had terrible beginnings, but found a way to love.
I was so freakin angry at Caden at one point that I almost threw my iPad out the damn window, but in the end, all was right with the world.
A divine plot with a love story that rang true.
S.H is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I adored Love Left Behind as well.
I highly recommend this book!
Lauren & Caden... so beautiful. They'd both had terrible beginnings, but found a way to love.
I was so freakin angry at Caden at one point that I almost threw my iPad out the damn window, but in the end, all was right with the world.
A divine plot with a love story that rang true.
S.H is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I adored Love Left Behind as well.
I highly recommend this book!
December 14, 2012
Loved this book! I also read Love Left Behind by this author but wasn't a huge fan! This book however was great! It was so nice to be able to read a book that was a steamy love story without a bunch of angst and miscommunication. It was also nice that this book wasn't part of a series and therefore didn't have a cliffhanger ending. I pretty much devoured it in a matter of hours. Both Caden and Lauren had terrible tragedies in their pasts and together they were able to move on from those pasts to find happiness with each other. Lots of steamy sex scenes....plus a love story with a great HEA. Definitely recommend!
December 22, 2012
4.5 Stars!
Book was *swoon* HOT!!
Would have loved an epilogue thought :\
"Wow, this really is a booty call.” Caden pulled me close, gripping my bottom and pushing me against him. “As long as it ends with me sliding inside you, you can call it anything you want.”
Book was *swoon* HOT!!
Would have loved an epilogue thought :\
"Wow, this really is a booty call.” Caden pulled me close, gripping my bottom and pushing me against him. “As long as it ends with me sliding inside you, you can call it anything you want.”
February 26, 2014
It took me awhile to decide what I wanted to rate this book. Do I want to give it 4 stars or 4.5?
The book started out really good and then I thought the sex was too much. What started out as hot and steamy became repetitive and almost made me think the relationship was all about the sex. That all the couple had going was their strong attraction to one another. However at 60% the book started to change. At 68% I absolutely drank up the book and took my time reading. I loved the drama and angst. LOVED IT and loved how it was written into this story. I loved it because even though I know the characters were going through certain things there was still no doubt how they felt for each other. I was wrong in the beginning when I thought that it was all about the sex. It was not.
Bottom line: I really liked this one. I am so glad I did not give up on it.
The book started out really good and then I thought the sex was too much. What started out as hot and steamy became repetitive and almost made me think the relationship was all about the sex. That all the couple had going was their strong attraction to one another. However at 60% the book started to change. At 68% I absolutely drank up the book and took my time reading. I loved the drama and angst. LOVED IT and loved how it was written into this story. I loved it because even though I know the characters were going through certain things there was still no doubt how they felt for each other. I was wrong in the beginning when I thought that it was all about the sex. It was not.
Bottom line: I really liked this one. I am so glad I did not give up on it.
January 8, 2013
Another book that I enjoyed! Caden and Lauren's journey to find love and healing was not easy. Both coming from crappy childhoods, they each have closed off a piece of their heart determined not to let anyone in. One goregous man and sexy photo shoot opens up Lauren to the idea of Maybe's. maybe she can open up, give a little, have some life with less control. Caden isn't so easy to give anything up. Yes he breaks some of his rules, and I could feel him loosening up. But he quickly regains control of his emotions and lets me down :(. Thankfully I believe in second chances and Caden doesn't let us down! But for a minute there, I wasn't so sure. He really struggled with his issues. The way the story unfolded, each of them got their OWN AHA! moment and their coming together was beautiful.
January 4, 2013
HOT!
Enjoyable erotic romance with damaged characters and a lot of pulling & pushing away, emotionally. Caden (I love that name) was bitter at first, it took awhile for me to warm up to him. After he broke out of his shell, he was one powerful sex machine! drools
Lauren was soft spoken and shy but she had secrets and as we learn more about her, we see why she's so reserved. Convinced she'll never love, she fights against herself to keep her emotions at bay...epic fail.
Enjoyable erotic romance with damaged characters and a lot of pulling & pushing away, emotionally. Caden (I love that name) was bitter at first, it took awhile for me to warm up to him. After he broke out of his shell, he was one powerful sex machine! drools
Lauren was soft spoken and shy but she had secrets and as we learn more about her, we see why she's so reserved. Convinced she'll never love, she fights against herself to keep her emotions at bay...epic fail.
December 23, 2012
Another fantastic read from S.H. Kolee! Loved this book! Caden was swoony! What more can I say?
December 13, 2012
Loved this book!! I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down! Loved the ending its a great read for anyone! mmm CADEN!
December 29, 2012
I loved this book! After reading Love Left Behind, when I saw this book I knew I have to read it! And I wasn't disappointed!!
This book was so REAL! Real things that happen to people, people trying to move on from their hurt pasts. People who are emotionally closed off and want to open them up to someone, to love and be loved...
This story is about SEXY photographer Cayden Riley and Lauren.
Lauren comes into Cayden's life as a temporary personal assistant to Caydie to fill in for her friend Marcie who is away for a 3 month tour.
Lauren was hurt as a child living in a foster care system and was raped by men.. She has never loved and never opened herself to the idea of being loved.
'Falling in love wasn't an option, I wasn't sure I was capable of that human frailty'- these are Laurens words
Once she starts working with Cayden... U can almost sense the chemistry in the air before anything even happens. Cayden starts asking her personal questions about herself and slowly she starts having these feelings of lust for him..
And he feels the same. They agree that they would have a purely physical relationship as none of them are open to love. Cayden saw his father kill his mother and himself after he found out she was cheating on him. He promised himself he would never let him love a woman so much that she would drive him to do that.
Cayden is soooo SEXY, every look, every word ever sound he makes makes you either fall deeply in love with him or have deep lust for him.
I don't blame Lauren for falling in love with this man because I would too.
When she tells him she loves him he immediately draws away and he ends up loosing her. For the first time she has opened herself to a man, faced all her fears... And he cannot do the same.
'I know that he can seem insensitive sometimes, cold even, but its usually the softest heart that have the hardest shells'
Lauren leaves him broken and we witness their journey to find themselves- to find EACH other and to know that love is possible for broken people. The past doesn't have to shape your future!
'It was worth saving up all my luck until now, because it means I get to spend the rest of my life with you' -Lauren
'It wasn't luck, it was fate. We were meant to be together'
Aaaahhhhh.... Such a sweet love story! Love it!!!!
This book was so REAL! Real things that happen to people, people trying to move on from their hurt pasts. People who are emotionally closed off and want to open them up to someone, to love and be loved...
This story is about SEXY photographer Cayden Riley and Lauren.
Lauren comes into Cayden's life as a temporary personal assistant to Caydie to fill in for her friend Marcie who is away for a 3 month tour.
Lauren was hurt as a child living in a foster care system and was raped by men.. She has never loved and never opened herself to the idea of being loved.
'Falling in love wasn't an option, I wasn't sure I was capable of that human frailty'- these are Laurens words
Once she starts working with Cayden... U can almost sense the chemistry in the air before anything even happens. Cayden starts asking her personal questions about herself and slowly she starts having these feelings of lust for him..
And he feels the same. They agree that they would have a purely physical relationship as none of them are open to love. Cayden saw his father kill his mother and himself after he found out she was cheating on him. He promised himself he would never let him love a woman so much that she would drive him to do that.
Cayden is soooo SEXY, every look, every word ever sound he makes makes you either fall deeply in love with him or have deep lust for him.
I don't blame Lauren for falling in love with this man because I would too.
When she tells him she loves him he immediately draws away and he ends up loosing her. For the first time she has opened herself to a man, faced all her fears... And he cannot do the same.
'I know that he can seem insensitive sometimes, cold even, but its usually the softest heart that have the hardest shells'
Lauren leaves him broken and we witness their journey to find themselves- to find EACH other and to know that love is possible for broken people. The past doesn't have to shape your future!
'It was worth saving up all my luck until now, because it means I get to spend the rest of my life with you' -Lauren
'It wasn't luck, it was fate. We were meant to be together'
Aaaahhhhh.... Such a sweet love story! Love it!!!!
December 16, 2012
SO GOOD...PERFECTION!!!
I am BREATHLESS...!!!
Fated has everything.!!! I loved every minute. I found myself hoping that it wouldn't end.
A FABULOUS.......Can't put it down book!!!
Full of passion between two extraordinary souls... The chemistry between Lauren and Caden was great....you can't get enough of them.
Definitely a 5 star...don't skip this one
"I know that he can seem insensitive sometimes, cold even, but it's usually the softest heart that have the hardest shells".Fated by S.H Kolee
It's always like this with you," he murmured softly. "I've never wanted someone so much. I've never felt this kind of passion with anyone else besides you". Fated by S.H Kolee
"I'm not a man who will confess his undying love to you because we enjoy each other's bodies.I'm not a man who will wax poetic the next morning about the wonders of soul mates.I'm a man who will give as much pleasure as he takes, but that's where it ends.As much as i want you Lauren, i don't want this to happen under false pretenses." Fated by S.H Kloee
" In that moment ,I felt happy.But true happiness, that made me realize why people were willing to risk everything for another person." Fated by S.H Kolee
' I told myself that the sun would rise again tomorrow and i still had a life to lead.Maybe one day i would take a chance and reach for happiness again, but for now the breath in my lungs was enough. I existed and i would survive. It was enough. " Fated by S.H Kolee
" I'm telling you I love you because it's the most honest thing i've felt in my life... I love you so damn much it'.I promise to keep you safe, i promise to love you as long i have a breath in my body." Caden - Fated by S.H Kolee
I am BREATHLESS...!!!
Fated has everything.!!! I loved every minute. I found myself hoping that it wouldn't end.
A FABULOUS.......Can't put it down book!!!
Full of passion between two extraordinary souls... The chemistry between Lauren and Caden was great....you can't get enough of them.
Definitely a 5 star...don't skip this one
"I know that he can seem insensitive sometimes, cold even, but it's usually the softest heart that have the hardest shells".Fated by S.H Kolee
It's always like this with you," he murmured softly. "I've never wanted someone so much. I've never felt this kind of passion with anyone else besides you". Fated by S.H Kolee
"I'm not a man who will confess his undying love to you because we enjoy each other's bodies.I'm not a man who will wax poetic the next morning about the wonders of soul mates.I'm a man who will give as much pleasure as he takes, but that's where it ends.As much as i want you Lauren, i don't want this to happen under false pretenses." Fated by S.H Kloee
" In that moment ,I felt happy.But true happiness, that made me realize why people were willing to risk everything for another person." Fated by S.H Kolee
' I told myself that the sun would rise again tomorrow and i still had a life to lead.Maybe one day i would take a chance and reach for happiness again, but for now the breath in my lungs was enough. I existed and i would survive. It was enough. " Fated by S.H Kolee
" I'm telling you I love you because it's the most honest thing i've felt in my life... I love you so damn much it'.I promise to keep you safe, i promise to love you as long i have a breath in my body." Caden - Fated by S.H Kolee
May 7, 2015
S knihami s podobnou tematikou je dnes asi nemožné sa nestretnúť, keďže zažívajú neustále nepochopiteľný boom. Pritom sú (dá sa povedať) všetky "na jedno kopyto" či "cez kopirák" a je dosť ťažké medzi nimi vybrať niečo odlišné.
Osudová náhoda nebola nejaká výnimka, s podobným scenárom som sa už stretla, len on alebo ona robili inde, v inom meste, inak vyzerali a inak sa volali. Šteklivé scény priam iskrili, nebolo ich málo, a samozrejme si ich hlavní hrdinovia užívali priam neuveriteľne. Pridajte neplánované zaľúbenie sa, odmietnutie, nepochopenie, nejakú tú stratu niektorej z postáv a samozrejme pošramotenú minulosť hrdinov, a vypľuje vám to túto knihu (a mnohé iné).
Zase nemôžem uprieť, že kniha sa čítala rýchlo a prakticky sama, mala pár svetlých momentov i pekných myšlienok, a dokonca mi v dočasnej pamäti utkvela jedna zo šteklivých scén, ktorú by som nečakala a (priznávam) trošku prekvapila. Nečakala by som, čo všetko sa udeje pri fotení :)
Samozrejme sladký happy end sa konal, takže celkovo neškodný a celkom fajn -> ale len priemer.
Osudová náhoda nebola nejaká výnimka, s podobným scenárom som sa už stretla, len on alebo ona robili inde, v inom meste, inak vyzerali a inak sa volali. Šteklivé scény priam iskrili, nebolo ich málo, a samozrejme si ich hlavní hrdinovia užívali priam neuveriteľne. Pridajte neplánované zaľúbenie sa, odmietnutie, nepochopenie, nejakú tú stratu niektorej z postáv a samozrejme pošramotenú minulosť hrdinov, a vypľuje vám to túto knihu (a mnohé iné).
Zase nemôžem uprieť, že kniha sa čítala rýchlo a prakticky sama, mala pár svetlých momentov i pekných myšlienok, a dokonca mi v dočasnej pamäti utkvela jedna zo šteklivých scén, ktorú by som nečakala a (priznávam) trošku prekvapila. Nečakala by som, čo všetko sa udeje pri fotení :)
Samozrejme sladký happy end sa konal, takže celkovo neškodný a celkom fajn -> ale len priemer.
December 26, 2012
I truly enjoyed this book. This is the second book I have read by this author and I can say I haven't been disappointed yet. I enjoyed reading about Caden and Lauren's journey to overcome their past demons and find love. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great love story with little amounts of drama and lots of steam :)
December 11, 2012
I loved this book very much, from start to finish. It's HOT HOT HOT! The chemistry between Lauren and Caden was great. Well worth the read. And would love to see a second book...
"I know that he can seem insensitive sometimes, cold even, but it's usually the softest heart that have the hardest shells."
"I know that he can seem insensitive sometimes, cold even, but it's usually the softest heart that have the hardest shells."
December 19, 2012
I spent my afternoon into evening reading this book. Barely put it down because I had to finish it! The story just sucked me in !
The journey the characters take to get over their fears and realizing they loved each other was captivating! So so good !
4.5/5 stars!
The journey the characters take to get over their fears and realizing they loved each other was captivating! So so good !
4.5/5 stars!
December 11, 2012
Started today, finished today. Great book. Loved the heroine. What a backbone on that chick!
December 13, 2012
I didn’t care whether it was luck or fate that put Caden in my path. All that mattered was that we had found each other, and I had finally found my home in his arms.
December 12, 2012
Super hot. More erotic then I thought. The story was good, a bit frustrating at times but the excellent steam factor bumped it up about half a star.
April 9, 2014
4.5 Stars!
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