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Ruining #3
Wasted Heart
“Who are you?”
The image in the mirror staring back at me feigns disinterest.
Rock star? Recovering addict? Murderer?
How can you explain to someone what it’s like not to care? Not about yourself or the person standing next to you. I’ve lost that, the ability to feel and show affection. I do, however, have a heart. Sometimes, when I chase the dragon, it thunders through my head like a drum, reminding me it still beats. It’s still there.
Hollow. Empty. Wasted.
My agent says I have one more shot. A single, solitary chance to stay in the music biz, but there is one massive problem. HER.
***This is a stand-alone book. It is a spin-off from the Ruining Series; however, you do not have to read the series to read Rhye's story.
The image in the mirror staring back at me feigns disinterest.
Rock star? Recovering addict? Murderer?
How can you explain to someone what it’s like not to care? Not about yourself or the person standing next to you. I’ve lost that, the ability to feel and show affection. I do, however, have a heart. Sometimes, when I chase the dragon, it thunders through my head like a drum, reminding me it still beats. It’s still there.
Hollow. Empty. Wasted.
My agent says I have one more shot. A single, solitary chance to stay in the music biz, but there is one massive problem. HER.
***This is a stand-alone book. It is a spin-off from the Ruining Series; however, you do not have to read the series to read Rhye's story.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2013
About the author
Nicole Reed
113 books1,780 followersNicole Reed is the New York Times Bestselling Author of Ruining You. She is a true Southern girl, enjoying life with her husband and three children in the peachy state of Georgia. As a child, she discovered another world between the pages of a book. In 2012, she self-published her first book Ruining Me, and then followed it with Ruining You, Cake, and Wasted Heart. Her books have also been listed on the overall Top 100 Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling list. She is represented by Ginger Clark with Curtis Brown, LTD. You can follow her on Facebook www.facebook.com/authornicolereed, Twitter @nicole1reed, and her website www.nicolereedbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
November 1, 2013
4 Stars!!!
I loved Rhye Clark from the first two ‘Ruining’ books. Even though I knew he wasn’t really for Jay, I rooted for this guy! I was so sad to see the place Rhye was at five years down the line... Rhye made it big in the music industry. But his life is far from perfect. The guilt he carries, things he did that he felt were a catalyst in two friends deaths weighs him down. He turns to drugs, alcohol and women to help numb his life.
Rhye Clarke has one chance. Just one more chance from his record company to get clean, and come out with another great record. His record company sends him to Nashville to work on writing for the new album. He is to be paired up with a young, famous country star to do a duet. Rhye isn’t thrilled at this, but he doesn’t have much of a choice in the matter.
Syn Landry is a sweet, innocent country girl. She is strong, independent, and knows exactly what she wants in life. Even though she is only nineteen, she seems older in some ways. Being from the same record company as Rhye, she is paired up with him for a duet. Syn is a fan of Rhye’s. She’s heard his albums, and knows how talented he is, but seeing him for the first time- hearing him, she is floored.
Syn has a bit of insta-love towards Rhye, but with their connection, it isn’t completely unbelievable. She sees the struggle he’s facing and wants to be there for him.
The two of them have an interesting relationship to begin with. Rhye feels something different with Syn, but he doesn’t want to. He doesn’t want to know her. He knows someone like him would never deserve someone like her. The more time Rhye spends with Syn and feels her love, the more he starts to want her too.
Syn absolutely brought out the very best in Rhye. She loved him and supported him no matter what, but did it in a way that she didn’t enable him or let him walk all over her. For the first time in his life, Rhye has someone who genuinely cares, loves him for him and gives him a real reason to try to stay sober and move forward from the past.
Rhye doesn’t make it easy on Syn. It’s difficult for him. To be sober. To stay sober. But he tries... and she is patient with him.
I can’t pass up a book about a rock star or a tortured soul, and the fact that this was about a character I already loved from a series... well you know I had to jump right in! I’m so glad I did. I truly enjoy Nicole Reed’s writing. The way it flows, the emotions she evokes, every book of hers makes me feel in some way or another. The only big issue I have with this book is I felt it ended abruptly. I truly felt for Rhye and Syn, and I really hope to get more from these two in a future book or novella!
“I fell in love with a broken boy.”
I loved Rhye Clark from the first two ‘Ruining’ books. Even though I knew he wasn’t really for Jay, I rooted for this guy! I was so sad to see the place Rhye was at five years down the line... Rhye made it big in the music industry. But his life is far from perfect. The guilt he carries, things he did that he felt were a catalyst in two friends deaths weighs him down. He turns to drugs, alcohol and women to help numb his life.
“Who are you?” Rock star? Soon-to-be-washed-up-musician would be a more apt description. Recovering addict? Well, fuck. That went out the window last night. Murderer? Yeah, that holds true.
Rhye Clarke has one chance. Just one more chance from his record company to get clean, and come out with another great record. His record company sends him to Nashville to work on writing for the new album. He is to be paired up with a young, famous country star to do a duet. Rhye isn’t thrilled at this, but he doesn’t have much of a choice in the matter.
Syn Landry is a sweet, innocent country girl. She is strong, independent, and knows exactly what she wants in life. Even though she is only nineteen, she seems older in some ways. Being from the same record company as Rhye, she is paired up with him for a duet. Syn is a fan of Rhye’s. She’s heard his albums, and knows how talented he is, but seeing him for the first time- hearing him, she is floored.
I gape into Rhye Clark’s dark abyss. An empty, soulless cavity. An uncontrollable full-body shiver shakes me to my core, and my world changes. Instantly. Irrevocably.
Syn has a bit of insta-love towards Rhye, but with their connection, it isn’t completely unbelievable. She sees the struggle he’s facing and wants to be there for him.
My body naturally reacts to his, but it’s my emotions that I don’t understand. I want to protect him, shelter him, right every wrong; however, the most confusing aspect is not only do I want to fix him, but I want to fix myself. I want to be perfect for him, to be what he needs.
The two of them have an interesting relationship to begin with. Rhye feels something different with Syn, but he doesn’t want to. He doesn’t want to know her. He knows someone like him would never deserve someone like her. The more time Rhye spends with Syn and feels her love, the more he starts to want her too.
Syn absolutely brought out the very best in Rhye. She loved him and supported him no matter what, but did it in a way that she didn’t enable him or let him walk all over her. For the first time in his life, Rhye has someone who genuinely cares, loves him for him and gives him a real reason to try to stay sober and move forward from the past.
‘Don’t give up easily and remember that anyone who is worth your love is worth waiting for.’
Rhye doesn’t make it easy on Syn. It’s difficult for him. To be sober. To stay sober. But he tries... and she is patient with him.
I can’t pass up a book about a rock star or a tortured soul, and the fact that this was about a character I already loved from a series... well you know I had to jump right in! I’m so glad I did. I truly enjoy Nicole Reed’s writing. The way it flows, the emotions she evokes, every book of hers makes me feel in some way or another. The only big issue I have with this book is I felt it ended abruptly. I truly felt for Rhye and Syn, and I really hope to get more from these two in a future book or novella!
October 23, 2013
3.75 I'll Save You Stars
”Can he even have a heart?
Is it even possible?
His tiny, shriveled, and withered heart.
Isn’t that what it is? Unused.
Squandered. A wasted heart?”
Readers knew Rhye was broken from the events that happen in the Ruining Series, but our singer truly was CRUSHED. He truly loovved Jay. Although he is famous and his band is doing well, certain events have dragged Rhye deeper into the depths of despair. He has been in and out of rehab centers and the record company is giving him one last shot.
”Everyone I’ve ever cared about turned away, chose someone or something else.”
Cue in Syn Landry, she is a naive nineteen year old country music singer who falls “hopelessly” in love with Rhye from the moment she sets eyes on him. They are to record a duet together in Nashville. INSTANT LOVE ALERT She sees the pain in his eyes, she wants to fix him and love him forever from their first encounter.
”I fell in love with a broken boy.”
Honestly, she didn’t even give him a chance to develop true feelings for her. I felt like she was all up in his face from the start. I have to hand it to Syn she really does helps Rhye. She shows him love and support when he’s down and helps him confront his past.
Speaking of past, Jay and Kane make an appearance!!!
Sadly, addiction doesn’t have an overnight fix and what the future holds for these two for me, it's pretty much up in the air.
”The women, the drugs, and the partying. If I could make a pill that would make the desire for each of those things to disappear, I would be the first in line to take it.”
Please support Rhye so Nicole Reed will be persuaded to give us more. I want him to have a nice big HEA with or without Syn!
*ARC provided by the author Nicole Reed in exchange for an honest review.*
”Can he even have a heart?
Is it even possible?
His tiny, shriveled, and withered heart.
Isn’t that what it is? Unused.
Squandered. A wasted heart?”
Readers knew Rhye was broken from the events that happen in the Ruining Series, but our singer truly was CRUSHED. He truly loovved Jay. Although he is famous and his band is doing well, certain events have dragged Rhye deeper into the depths of despair. He has been in and out of rehab centers and the record company is giving him one last shot.
”Everyone I’ve ever cared about turned away, chose someone or something else.”
Cue in Syn Landry, she is a naive nineteen year old country music singer who falls “hopelessly” in love with Rhye from the moment she sets eyes on him. They are to record a duet together in Nashville. INSTANT LOVE ALERT She sees the pain in his eyes, she wants to fix him and love him forever from their first encounter.
”I fell in love with a broken boy.”
Honestly, she didn’t even give him a chance to develop true feelings for her. I felt like she was all up in his face from the start. I have to hand it to Syn she really does helps Rhye. She shows him love and support when he’s down and helps him confront his past.
Speaking of past, Jay and Kane make an appearance!!!
Sadly, addiction doesn’t have an overnight fix and what the future holds for these two for me, it's pretty much up in the air.
”The women, the drugs, and the partying. If I could make a pill that would make the desire for each of those things to disappear, I would be the first in line to take it.”
Please support Rhye so Nicole Reed will be persuaded to give us more. I want him to have a nice big HEA with or without Syn!
*ARC provided by the author Nicole Reed in exchange for an honest review.*
November 7, 2013
omg I made it through a "Ruining" book without crying my face off! go me!!
I love this series, and these characters, I was excited to read this and happy that I got some answers to some questions I had from the last books.
love this authors writing style and can't wait to read more from her!
October 22, 2013
I don’t even know how to begin to tell you what an awesome punch this book packed. Admittedly, I love the bad-boy rock star. Who doesn’t? When Nicole Reed said she was writing Rhye’s story (you all certainly remember him from her Ruining Series), you can only imagine how excited I was.
We pick up four years after Rhye is discovered at the music showcase, and Rhye, well, he’s different. My heart seriously breaks for him as we become acquainted with what has gone on in his life these past four years. Yes, he’s made it big, but at what price? He seems lost, broken, worn-out, a shell of what he once was. His record label is ready to drop him, and they are giving him one opportunity to make this right, to get his act together. Rhye doesn’t take the deal from the label for himself because he is past caring what happens to him; he does it for someone else, and I am quickly reminded of what a huge heart Rhye has and why I loved him as much as I did in the Ruining Series.
Enter Syd. Our female lead here has her own difficult, grief-filled past, and she uses her music as a means of almost therapy. She writes songs and plays music to help her release that agony she felt in her younger years. Syd is my kind of heroine, strong, fiercely loyal, and not afraid to tell you what is on her mind. When she does anything, she doesn’t do it halfway; she loves wholly, and this includes her relationship with Rhye. As many times as I wanted to slap some sense into him, Syd understands him; she gets him. Syd is so invested in him, and it is probably the first time in his life that Rhye has had someone so passionate about him.
What follows is a fantastic story about a love, loss, addiction, helplessness, and hope. Unfortunately, Rhye is a tortured soul, and there are many instances where it seems like he is fighting a losing battle to survive. He’s struggling to find himself, to stay above water, to be a man worthy of someone’s love and compassion, not knowing if he can truly be what Syd needs. Rhye fights to see the good in himself; he’s lost his ability to love and to care, and he truly is "hollow, empty, wasted," but does that mean he always will be? Rhye has tough choices to make here, and the journey along the road of recovery is certainly never easy. It is something he will struggle with for a lifetime.
I won’t tell you much more about this one; it needs to be experienced. As always, Ms. Reed has her characters dealing with real-life situations in real-life ways. There are no quick fixes; there is no magic wand to bring these characters their respective HEA’s. Once again, Ms. Reed has improved upon her writing, and I feel privileged to be able to bear witness to it.
We pick up four years after Rhye is discovered at the music showcase, and Rhye, well, he’s different. My heart seriously breaks for him as we become acquainted with what has gone on in his life these past four years. Yes, he’s made it big, but at what price? He seems lost, broken, worn-out, a shell of what he once was. His record label is ready to drop him, and they are giving him one opportunity to make this right, to get his act together. Rhye doesn’t take the deal from the label for himself because he is past caring what happens to him; he does it for someone else, and I am quickly reminded of what a huge heart Rhye has and why I loved him as much as I did in the Ruining Series.
“The music doesn’t run through my veins like it used to. It doesn’t lead me. It doesn’t sing through my blood and bleed out through my lyrics. It doesn’t make me feel anything anymore.”
Enter Syd. Our female lead here has her own difficult, grief-filled past, and she uses her music as a means of almost therapy. She writes songs and plays music to help her release that agony she felt in her younger years. Syd is my kind of heroine, strong, fiercely loyal, and not afraid to tell you what is on her mind. When she does anything, she doesn’t do it halfway; she loves wholly, and this includes her relationship with Rhye. As many times as I wanted to slap some sense into him, Syd understands him; she gets him. Syd is so invested in him, and it is probably the first time in his life that Rhye has had someone so passionate about him.
“Sometimes we meet people and have this instant connection. I’m sure, in some cases, it can turn into love, but that’s after getting to know someone so intimately that you’re willing to take on their internal struggles as your own.”
What follows is a fantastic story about a love, loss, addiction, helplessness, and hope. Unfortunately, Rhye is a tortured soul, and there are many instances where it seems like he is fighting a losing battle to survive. He’s struggling to find himself, to stay above water, to be a man worthy of someone’s love and compassion, not knowing if he can truly be what Syd needs. Rhye fights to see the good in himself; he’s lost his ability to love and to care, and he truly is "hollow, empty, wasted," but does that mean he always will be? Rhye has tough choices to make here, and the journey along the road of recovery is certainly never easy. It is something he will struggle with for a lifetime.
“I’m lost trying to find my way. Inside your wasted heart.”
I won’t tell you much more about this one; it needs to be experienced. As always, Ms. Reed has her characters dealing with real-life situations in real-life ways. There are no quick fixes; there is no magic wand to bring these characters their respective HEA’s. Once again, Ms. Reed has improved upon her writing, and I feel privileged to be able to bear witness to it.
October 24, 2013
A damaged rock star that was given by his record label one last chance... A wholesome country singer at the top of her career... The two met for a collaboration. I had high hopes for this one because I did like the progression at first. It was told in dual POV and the characters were introduced well. I could say that I got connected with them individually. But the moment they met, there's just no chemistry at all. There were very few interactions. It focused mainly on the making of music, what to write, what's next, people to deal with and all the technicalities. I kept on saying there might be more to come. But there's none... Nothing happened. I was curious regarding the hero's past and what lead him to what he was. I thought there would be some climactic scenes or something like that. But all that happened was instant resolution.
The author focused on “what she thinks, what he thinks” only to realize that they were suddenly hooking up. There was never a build up. I also have to mention the heroine. Her virginity/innocence was written in a way that it was too damn special. She seemed too proud of it. I could even feel that she's been itching to tell it to him. I thought there was more to her. But I found her shallow and overdramatic. To be honest, there came a time that I really hated her pov. And what’s up with her ex? The ex was also a famous musician who had a problem moving on and kept writing songs about her. Of course, any reader would think there would be conflicts about that. But nothing came up. So, what the heck were those very long flashbacks for?
Then, along came the hero who was a manwhore (again)... and an addict. He even hooked up with 3 girls. There might be a resolution about his past at the end of the story. But there was NO character development. I couldn’t really see him capable of handling a long-term relationship. And why do they always have to be a manwhore? It doesn't even represent reality because I believe that most men aren't like that. Most men still look for a deeply nourishing relationship with women, right?
I think this story had its potential. But maybe due to pressure with deadlines, the author decided to rush it. I just realized that it’s nearing its end and saying to myself "Hey! But they just met!"... Yes, it definitely felt that way and to think that this book is a normal length novel.
I'd like to rate it with 2 stars since I have no problem with the writing style. But the hero getting a blow job from another woman, then, having a threesome some other night was a BIG deal breaker for me. Yes, technically he wasn't cheating. But whatever, the reader felt cheated nonetheless...
The author focused on “what she thinks, what he thinks” only to realize that they were suddenly hooking up. There was never a build up. I also have to mention the heroine. Her virginity/innocence was written in a way that it was too damn special. She seemed too proud of it. I could even feel that she's been itching to tell it to him. I thought there was more to her. But I found her shallow and overdramatic. To be honest, there came a time that I really hated her pov. And what’s up with her ex? The ex was also a famous musician who had a problem moving on and kept writing songs about her. Of course, any reader would think there would be conflicts about that. But nothing came up. So, what the heck were those very long flashbacks for?
Then, along came the hero who was a manwhore (again)... and an addict. He even hooked up with 3 girls. There might be a resolution about his past at the end of the story. But there was NO character development. I couldn’t really see him capable of handling a long-term relationship. And why do they always have to be a manwhore? It doesn't even represent reality because I believe that most men aren't like that. Most men still look for a deeply nourishing relationship with women, right?
I think this story had its potential. But maybe due to pressure with deadlines, the author decided to rush it. I just realized that it’s nearing its end and saying to myself "Hey! But they just met!"... Yes, it definitely felt that way and to think that this book is a normal length novel.
I'd like to rate it with 2 stars since I have no problem with the writing style. But the hero getting a blow job from another woman, then, having a threesome some other night was a BIG deal breaker for me. Yes, technically he wasn't cheating. But whatever, the reader felt cheated nonetheless...
September 4, 2018
Took a while to really get good but once it did it REALLY got GOOD!!! I loved it! I recommend this trilogy :D
October 23, 2013
I almost gave this a 3.5 star rating due to the cheesiness that was Syd, but I have always loved Rhye and overall I really enjoyed reading his story and so I went for a solid 4 stars.
I would however, like it if Nicole Reed could perhaps write a novella as I'm not sure if I am entirely content that this is the end for Rhye and Syd. Definitely more could be added to their story.
I would however, like it if Nicole Reed could perhaps write a novella as I'm not sure if I am entirely content that this is the end for Rhye and Syd. Definitely more could be added to their story.
October 22, 2013
WOW!!!!! Amazing! Real! I wouldn't change a darn thing!!!! 5 HOLY Rhye stars!!!! You want angst well Nicole is going to give it to you in spades!!!!
This little Rockstar lover is over the moon!!!!!! Full Review will be posted for blog tour stop!!!!!! I'm buying this baby the minute it comes out ~ Another BRILLIANT Read from the ever talented Nicole Reed!!!!! I want to be her when I grow up!!!!
This little Rockstar lover is over the moon!!!!!! Full Review will be posted for blog tour stop!!!!!! I'm buying this baby the minute it comes out ~ Another BRILLIANT Read from the ever talented Nicole Reed!!!!! I want to be her when I grow up!!!!
August 16, 2016
Full review now Posted
Absolutely Rock Star Awesome. Nicole Wrote Rhye's Story beautifully...
Rhye... we first met him in The Ruining Series. I loved him in that series. I am so happy that Nicole gave him his own book!!!!! I would suggest to FULLY understand this book read the first two in the Ruining series first. That way you can completely understand Rhye and why he is the way he is.
Anyone that know Nicole know that she LOVES angst, she thrives on it!!! She brings it out in her books amazingly with every word.She writes so amazingly that she has you feeling every emotion with her characters.
We all love a bad-boy rock star and with Rhye we get that and so much more.
“Who are you?”
The image in the mirror staring back at me feigns disinterest.
Rock star? Recovering addict? Murderer?
”Everyone I’ve ever cared about turned away, chose someone or something else.”
Rhye, we pick up with him 4 yrs after he is a discovered Rock Star. He made it big, but now 4 years later he feels like a wasted space person, he is lost, a tortured soul broken, and he does not feel anything anymore. He does have a heart but he does not feel he has a right to use it or to show anyone his feelings. He has one chance left with his record company to bring himself out of the whole he is in and make something of his group. If he fails they will drop him at the record label.
“The music doesn’t run through my veins like it used to. It doesn’t lead me. It doesn’t sing through my blood and bleed out through my lyrics. It doesn’t make me feel anything anymore.”
Watching Rhye in the beginning and seeing the struggles he was going through with himself broke my heart. When he decided to take the deal from the record label for someone else and not for himself it reminded me once again how much I loved Rhye and his BIG heart.
Syd, I LOVED her. She uses her music as her own therapy. She has a grief filled past. She pours her heart and soul into her lyrics and music. She gets her big break with a record label where she has to record a duet with Rhye in Nashville. Rhye who in the beginning does not care about anyone or anything. We soon see what these two mean to each other. We see first hand how one person can help a person bring themselves out of the hole they are in. Syd loves with everything she has, she is passionate, she is caring 100% and she does everything in her power to help Rhye. In the process she falls in love with him completely.
Will Syd change Rhye? Will she be able to get him to open up and realize that his heart is not wasted after all?
Some of my other favorite quotes from the book :
"I suffer greatly for my sins. I've never needed a judge or jury because I crucify myself just fine."
"His voice. God that voice. The deep, raspy tone gives me chill bumps just thinking about it. It reaches down inside and tugs at every string you possess."
“If I take you, I can’t say what you need to hear. Not because I wouldn’t mean it, but because I don’t know what it really means. Something is so fucking wrong inside of me that I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to be fixed. Even at this moment, if it was a choice between a hit of smack or you, I wish I could tell you, without another thought, that it would be you, but I can’t,”
“After spending today with you, I know you could live here forever and be content, but even now, I’m becoming jittery, needing more than the silence and the peace. I can’t fix me for you anymore than you could dirty yourself up enough for me. I don’t want to sleep with you and tell you thanks for the fuck and walk away. I know that it would shatter something inside me that really would be unfixable.”
Love.
A four letter word.
So beautiful in its spelling.
So simple in its arrangement.
So innocent in its meaning.
So fragile in its time.
So devastating in its aftermath.
I’ve fallen for him… into a million pieces. Separately, the pieces don’t make a lick of sense, but together, all my questions in the universe are answered. I feel this is where my life has been leading me. To him.
Got my ARC !!!!
I'm SOOOOOOO
Absolutely Rock Star Awesome. Nicole Wrote Rhye's Story beautifully...
Rhye... we first met him in The Ruining Series. I loved him in that series. I am so happy that Nicole gave him his own book!!!!! I would suggest to FULLY understand this book read the first two in the Ruining series first. That way you can completely understand Rhye and why he is the way he is.
Anyone that know Nicole know that she LOVES angst, she thrives on it!!! She brings it out in her books amazingly with every word.She writes so amazingly that she has you feeling every emotion with her characters.
We all love a bad-boy rock star and with Rhye we get that and so much more.
“Who are you?”
The image in the mirror staring back at me feigns disinterest.
Rock star? Recovering addict? Murderer?
”Everyone I’ve ever cared about turned away, chose someone or something else.”
Rhye, we pick up with him 4 yrs after he is a discovered Rock Star. He made it big, but now 4 years later he feels like a wasted space person, he is lost, a tortured soul broken, and he does not feel anything anymore. He does have a heart but he does not feel he has a right to use it or to show anyone his feelings. He has one chance left with his record company to bring himself out of the whole he is in and make something of his group. If he fails they will drop him at the record label.
“The music doesn’t run through my veins like it used to. It doesn’t lead me. It doesn’t sing through my blood and bleed out through my lyrics. It doesn’t make me feel anything anymore.”
Watching Rhye in the beginning and seeing the struggles he was going through with himself broke my heart. When he decided to take the deal from the record label for someone else and not for himself it reminded me once again how much I loved Rhye and his BIG heart.
Syd, I LOVED her. She uses her music as her own therapy. She has a grief filled past. She pours her heart and soul into her lyrics and music. She gets her big break with a record label where she has to record a duet with Rhye in Nashville. Rhye who in the beginning does not care about anyone or anything. We soon see what these two mean to each other. We see first hand how one person can help a person bring themselves out of the hole they are in. Syd loves with everything she has, she is passionate, she is caring 100% and she does everything in her power to help Rhye. In the process she falls in love with him completely.
Will Syd change Rhye? Will she be able to get him to open up and realize that his heart is not wasted after all?
Some of my other favorite quotes from the book :
"I suffer greatly for my sins. I've never needed a judge or jury because I crucify myself just fine."
"His voice. God that voice. The deep, raspy tone gives me chill bumps just thinking about it. It reaches down inside and tugs at every string you possess."
“If I take you, I can’t say what you need to hear. Not because I wouldn’t mean it, but because I don’t know what it really means. Something is so fucking wrong inside of me that I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to be fixed. Even at this moment, if it was a choice between a hit of smack or you, I wish I could tell you, without another thought, that it would be you, but I can’t,”
“After spending today with you, I know you could live here forever and be content, but even now, I’m becoming jittery, needing more than the silence and the peace. I can’t fix me for you anymore than you could dirty yourself up enough for me. I don’t want to sleep with you and tell you thanks for the fuck and walk away. I know that it would shatter something inside me that really would be unfixable.”
Love.
A four letter word.
So beautiful in its spelling.
So simple in its arrangement.
So innocent in its meaning.
So fragile in its time.
So devastating in its aftermath.
I’ve fallen for him… into a million pieces. Separately, the pieces don’t make a lick of sense, but together, all my questions in the universe are answered. I feel this is where my life has been leading me. To him.
Got my ARC !!!!
I'm SOOOOOOO
Want to Read
April 21, 2013I want to read Rhye's story !
Want to Read
September 1, 2013Omg, I thought this series was complete!!! Makes me a little nervous where this could go....however, I'm stoked to get more of Rhye!!!!!!!! :)
December 30, 2017
Insta-love - not my fave.
October 26, 2013
Wow I was in a reading funk for a few days but once I started this I could not stop. Firstly I would love to thank my gorgeous friend and author Nicole for providing me a copy of this amazing book. It couldn't have come at a better time.
I loved Rhye in the other books I mean hallo rock god tattoos what's not to love, but this one was all about him and damm do you get inside his head, he is heartbroken and tortured and really he feels like he doesn't deserve to be here he is a beautiful tortured soul. In comes innocent and beautiful Syn ( loved her name) the total opposite of Rhye she doesn't drink, smoke or do drugs and to top it off she is a country singer, couldn't be anymore different . But as soon as Syn lays her eyes on Rhye she sees something that no one else does and things begin from there, let me say Rhye is very messed up and needs someone not to give up on him to fight for him no matter how many times he stuffs up! can Syn be that person or is she just waiting for her heart to be torn in pieces you have to read it to find out as it's not an easy road. Once again Nicole has written another must read and trust me if you have read ruining me and ruining you, you NEED to read this one. I recommend this book for everyone !!!!
I loved Rhye in the other books I mean hallo rock god tattoos what's not to love, but this one was all about him and damm do you get inside his head, he is heartbroken and tortured and really he feels like he doesn't deserve to be here he is a beautiful tortured soul. In comes innocent and beautiful Syn ( loved her name) the total opposite of Rhye she doesn't drink, smoke or do drugs and to top it off she is a country singer, couldn't be anymore different . But as soon as Syn lays her eyes on Rhye she sees something that no one else does and things begin from there, let me say Rhye is very messed up and needs someone not to give up on him to fight for him no matter how many times he stuffs up! can Syn be that person or is she just waiting for her heart to be torn in pieces you have to read it to find out as it's not an easy road. Once again Nicole has written another must read and trust me if you have read ruining me and ruining you, you NEED to read this one. I recommend this book for everyone !!!!
October 23, 2013
Rhye was my favorite from the Ruining Me series so I was really looking forward to this. I was a little surprised to see where life had led Rhye since we last saw him. Tortured hero is a slight understatement and he definitely has good reason. Sometimes a bad boy needs a sweet, genuinely nice girl and that's what we get with Syn. She sees something in Rhye and refuses to give up. She falls hard very quickly but it works in this story because Rhye definitely needs it.
One thing I've noticed with each of Nicole Reed's books is the details of the story get better and better. She did an amazing job making me experience what Rhye was going through. I hate that Rhye has all these things working against him but Syn is the perfect character to help him through it. Certain issues in books, in my opinion, can't be sugar coated and magically made to go away. You can show it may never be easy but it's never hopeless and that's what Nicole Reed did.
One thing I've noticed with each of Nicole Reed's books is the details of the story get better and better. She did an amazing job making me experience what Rhye was going through. I hate that Rhye has all these things working against him but Syn is the perfect character to help him through it. Certain issues in books, in my opinion, can't be sugar coated and magically made to go away. You can show it may never be easy but it's never hopeless and that's what Nicole Reed did.
October 25, 2013
Am I the only one that thought the ending was sub-par? It left me with no clue or faith in whether they would make it as a couple. Super frustrating.
I really wanted to love his book but was really let down with it as a whole.
I really wanted to love his book but was really let down with it as a whole.
September 16, 2015
Rhye <3
What a struggle with his addiction, his disease. Will always have to fight it, but with Syn's help i hope they do make it.
I hope to read a little bit more on how they're doing, maybe a novella?!
What a struggle with his addiction, his disease. Will always have to fight it, but with Syn's help i hope they do make it.
I hope to read a little bit more on how they're doing, maybe a novella?!
January 21, 2021
I really did enjoy this book but I was having trouble getting into it, I really don't have a good reason why. I loved the Ruining Series and was very excited to see where Rhye landed so the fact that this book exists was fantastic. Once I really got into the meat of the story I got to the point where I didn't want to stop. Rhye is so troubled but you can't help but love his character. Syn I think was made for him, her personality, her demeanor, just everything about her was made to love Rhye, she is exactly what he needed. I was so, so very happy that Jay was discussed in this book, his relationship with her was important and I'm glad it wasn't dismissed. This book was a sad book, the events of Rhye's life made my heart hurt for him. I have to say that I'm happy that this wasn't just fixed in the end, I can't say it is true to life but I can imagine that is it truer than just....and it is all better. Rhye will forever battle and I'm glad that was acknowledged. I'm so happy I got to read this book, I can't wait to read more from this author.
March 4, 2014
I loved the first two books in this series, and was looking forward to hearing about Rhye. However, I didn't really connect with this book like I was hoping. We come to find Rhye around 4-years after he walks away from Jay since she had chosen someone else...she always chooses someone else over Rhye. Now we have a broken down, shell of his former self Rhye, who I really do not care for when we encounter him. He is a junkie, and I find that very unappealing. He is being given one last chance by his label to record some more kick ass music, or all ties will be cut.
We meet Syn, a bleeding heart, innocent and young country star on the rise. I must admit I liked Syn right away. Despite her virginal innocence, she was a very loyal and down to earth character. While she is rising to the top, her label wants her to have a pop crossover type sound for her next album and ends up being paired with Rhye.
Okay, I was ok with all of this, but wondering if Ms Reed was really going to put Rhye and Syn together as a couple, immediately thinking it simply won't work. Well, that's what tried to unfold in front of my eyes, but I just could not buy it. I mean, Syn basically falls in love with Rhye as soon as she sees him. She has these strong feelings for him immediately, which made zero sense. I could believe that Syn could relate to Rhye when she saw glimpses of his passion for music emerge, but for that to translate into deep seated feelings for Rhye and fall for him before they have barely talked?! Um...nope, didnt work for me. Just so much of their relationship made no sense whatsoever. It just was because the author said so, there was very little building of it, then what we did see was rather late in the story. This is another book where a relationship is so because the author writes it on the paper, but we just don't feel it or see it evolve.
Then, toward the end I felt we were not given a complete story, not even being left with a HFN, in my opinion. I guess that is to be expected when Syn chose to be with a junkie. I couldn't help feeling she deserved better and I will never understand choosing that type of person. I realize you cannot help who you love, but choosing to be disappointed over and over again seems like a horrible way to live.
As is apparent in my review, I am not a huge fan of excessive drug use or of love stories that follow recovering addicts because the statistics are not in the addicts favor. It makes me sad for the loved ones in the path of the addict and I guess that's why I didn't enjoy this book. Especially when you put someone like Syn in the mix since I liked her too much to want her to bear that burden of loving an addict who will eventually choose his demons over her, and probably multiple times. I thought the author was true to the statistics about addicts and didn't sugarcoat things, but it doesn't mean the story we are left with was something I enjoyed. Sorry.
We meet Syn, a bleeding heart, innocent and young country star on the rise. I must admit I liked Syn right away. Despite her virginal innocence, she was a very loyal and down to earth character. While she is rising to the top, her label wants her to have a pop crossover type sound for her next album and ends up being paired with Rhye.
Okay, I was ok with all of this, but wondering if Ms Reed was really going to put Rhye and Syn together as a couple, immediately thinking it simply won't work. Well, that's what tried to unfold in front of my eyes, but I just could not buy it. I mean, Syn basically falls in love with Rhye as soon as she sees him. She has these strong feelings for him immediately, which made zero sense. I could believe that Syn could relate to Rhye when she saw glimpses of his passion for music emerge, but for that to translate into deep seated feelings for Rhye and fall for him before they have barely talked?! Um...nope, didnt work for me. Just so much of their relationship made no sense whatsoever. It just was because the author said so, there was very little building of it, then what we did see was rather late in the story. This is another book where a relationship is so because the author writes it on the paper, but we just don't feel it or see it evolve.
Then, toward the end I felt we were not given a complete story, not even being left with a HFN, in my opinion. I guess that is to be expected when Syn chose to be with a junkie. I couldn't help feeling she deserved better and I will never understand choosing that type of person. I realize you cannot help who you love, but choosing to be disappointed over and over again seems like a horrible way to live.
As is apparent in my review, I am not a huge fan of excessive drug use or of love stories that follow recovering addicts because the statistics are not in the addicts favor. It makes me sad for the loved ones in the path of the addict and I guess that's why I didn't enjoy this book. Especially when you put someone like Syn in the mix since I liked her too much to want her to bear that burden of loving an addict who will eventually choose his demons over her, and probably multiple times. I thought the author was true to the statistics about addicts and didn't sugarcoat things, but it doesn't mean the story we are left with was something I enjoyed. Sorry.
November 13, 2013
ARC Was Given To Blog For An Honest Review
A runaway train. That is the only way for me to describe this story. This is a spinoff about the extremely broken character of Rhye that we met in Ruining You and Ruining Me. Rhye knows how to love. We saw how he loved Jay in the other books and how he gave up fighting for her so that she could be happy. He is packed with a ton of emotional baggage because of the past and because of recent events in the present. He is the quintessential bad boy rock star! SEX, DRUGS, ROCK AND ROLL.I will put emphasis on the drugs. Now that you know or remember hell, let me introduce you to heaven. Her name is Syn, sweet wholesome virginal country star. I think you all get it now. She is all that but a bit Alpha female and I like it on her. Opposites attract, the angel trying to save the soul of the sinner. Syn immediately falls for Rhye when she meets him.
I really wanted to love this story, but I am not sure if I can say I liked it or not. I am in a mindset that the author may have wanted it that way. Not all stories can be hearts and flowers and magically everything is ok in life because you fall in love and love heals everyone. I give kudos to the author for taking the story in the direction that she did. Nicole Reed wrote this story with some realistic truths. On the other hand I felt parts were not real at all. Drug addicts thrive on people believing them and manipulating their loved ones. In turn, family and friends become enablers and that is not what will help the addict. Syn believes that she should fight for their love and stick by him no matter what. Heroin addicts don’t just go cold turkey and get clean on their own. Rhye falls off the wagon a few times; Syn leaves him, but comes back again.
I have to say, I did not connect with these characters in any possible way, and I just did not find her love for him believable. On the other hand, Rhye’s character I felt was real; I just did not fall in love with him. I felt bad for him at times; it was impossible not to feel bad for him. I did not get the closure on Rhye’s demons that he was trying to purge even though the story tried to do it.
Now did this review confuse you, did it feel contradictory? You are probably shaking your head yes right now. Well that is how I felt by the time I finished.
A runaway train. That is the only way for me to describe this story. This is a spinoff about the extremely broken character of Rhye that we met in Ruining You and Ruining Me. Rhye knows how to love. We saw how he loved Jay in the other books and how he gave up fighting for her so that she could be happy. He is packed with a ton of emotional baggage because of the past and because of recent events in the present. He is the quintessential bad boy rock star! SEX, DRUGS, ROCK AND ROLL.I will put emphasis on the drugs. Now that you know or remember hell, let me introduce you to heaven. Her name is Syn, sweet wholesome virginal country star. I think you all get it now. She is all that but a bit Alpha female and I like it on her. Opposites attract, the angel trying to save the soul of the sinner. Syn immediately falls for Rhye when she meets him.
I really wanted to love this story, but I am not sure if I can say I liked it or not. I am in a mindset that the author may have wanted it that way. Not all stories can be hearts and flowers and magically everything is ok in life because you fall in love and love heals everyone. I give kudos to the author for taking the story in the direction that she did. Nicole Reed wrote this story with some realistic truths. On the other hand I felt parts were not real at all. Drug addicts thrive on people believing them and manipulating their loved ones. In turn, family and friends become enablers and that is not what will help the addict. Syn believes that she should fight for their love and stick by him no matter what. Heroin addicts don’t just go cold turkey and get clean on their own. Rhye falls off the wagon a few times; Syn leaves him, but comes back again.
I have to say, I did not connect with these characters in any possible way, and I just did not find her love for him believable. On the other hand, Rhye’s character I felt was real; I just did not fall in love with him. I felt bad for him at times; it was impossible not to feel bad for him. I did not get the closure on Rhye’s demons that he was trying to purge even though the story tried to do it.
Now did this review confuse you, did it feel contradictory? You are probably shaking your head yes right now. Well that is how I felt by the time I finished.
October 22, 2013
I truly loved Wasted Heart.
This story of a broken soul who thinks he can't be saved and the country singing spitfire who vows to prove him wrong was just wonderful.
This spinoff of the Ruining Me/Ruining You books features Rhye Clark, gorgeous rockstar who is on the borderline of being thrown off is label unless he cleans up his act and makes some music.
Syn Landry is the country star who is the one he is supposed to make the music with. But the music making isn't just confined to the studio. Sparks fly between these two and it will be up to Syn to see if she can get through to the moody man.
Rhye was featured as a "boyfriend" and supplier of drugs and alcohol to Jay Stevenson, the troubled heroine of the Ruining series. Jay broke his heart and several tragedies finally broke Rhye. In those two books, I was rooting for Kane David to be Jay savior. I mean, c'mon we're talking about Kane here!
But with Wasted Heart, Nicole Reed gives up the story behind all of Rhye's demons and the difficult yet beautifully painful love affair between he and Syn.
It is a story of hope, redemption, forgiveness and true friendship. Getting an "update" on Jay, Kane, Cal and Molly really made me smile. You couldn't help feel the healing that had started just by Rhye's visit to his former love.
I loved that music played such a big part of their story as well. The songs we get to witness are just great.
I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed :)
This story of a broken soul who thinks he can't be saved and the country singing spitfire who vows to prove him wrong was just wonderful.
This spinoff of the Ruining Me/Ruining You books features Rhye Clark, gorgeous rockstar who is on the borderline of being thrown off is label unless he cleans up his act and makes some music.
Syn Landry is the country star who is the one he is supposed to make the music with. But the music making isn't just confined to the studio. Sparks fly between these two and it will be up to Syn to see if she can get through to the moody man.
Rhye was featured as a "boyfriend" and supplier of drugs and alcohol to Jay Stevenson, the troubled heroine of the Ruining series. Jay broke his heart and several tragedies finally broke Rhye. In those two books, I was rooting for Kane David to be Jay savior. I mean, c'mon we're talking about Kane here!
But with Wasted Heart, Nicole Reed gives up the story behind all of Rhye's demons and the difficult yet beautifully painful love affair between he and Syn.
It is a story of hope, redemption, forgiveness and true friendship. Getting an "update" on Jay, Kane, Cal and Molly really made me smile. You couldn't help feel the healing that had started just by Rhye's visit to his former love.
I loved that music played such a big part of their story as well. The songs we get to witness are just great.
I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed :)
October 22, 2013
“Wasted Heart” is a great read. Rhye is a devastating depressed yet handsome drug addict whose past still haunts him. Syn has a heart of gold with a happy go lucky attitude; she is a country girl who can hold her own. She sees something in Rhye very few people care to see or acknowledge. She refuses to sit back and watch him destroy his life and his career. Rhye has to face his past if he has any chance at a future and a person he refuses to see, Jay. Syn is trying to help Rhye face his demons but she has to be strong or he will take her down with him. I absolutely loved how Jay and Kane was brought back into the story and we got a glimpse of their life. All of the characters in this book are great. Rhye is “dark” in this book but he will definitely make you laugh and Syn is just so lovable. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance; especially if you loved reading “Ruining You” & “Ruining Me.” If you haven’t read those you can still read this book. It gives you the parts of the previous books you need to understand who the characters are and what happened between Rhye, Jay, Kane & JT.
December 30, 2013
This book had definitely the case of ALLOT of hype. Their relationship ( if you can call it that) went from 0 to 60. Rhye is your typical drug addicted angry rocker with a dead wish. Syn is the all American virginal country singer. In their first meeting he is nothing but obnoxious and crude and she falls head over effing heals in love, yes I said IN LOVE! Never mind that she doesn't know him from a hole in the wall, or that she recently had her heart broken by someone she thought she loved. Apparently he was the one. She then painfully and forcefully goes out of her way to include herself in his life. Sad part was the sad desperation there..for no reason. He never gives her any. In fact he is pretty much an absolute ass hole throughout the whole book. I admit it, the cover was hot to me. I mean the pretty boy w/ tattoos was kitty nip. And all the good ratings? I have absolutely no clue how or why all these gals were swooning over this one. Hey I like my bad boys just as much as the next gal but he just had no finesse. And to top it off there was no progression to their so called luv affair. Beautiful book cover, a miss in the story department.
November 4, 2013
Wow! !!!!!! Rhye, makes me want to love a broken boy. But will I be able to stick with him through his battle with addiction? The author painted a very realistic picture of Rhye's struggle and my heart ached for him. Never have I felt this much sympathy for someone (in real life) struggling with addiction. I am sooooooooo glad this book was about him because I loved his character and the way Jay did him in the first 2 books left a bad taste in my mouth. So needless to say I was comforted in knowing someone will love him with all she had.....Syn! (Best heroine name ever) and she's a country girl. Two thumbs up to her love and determination. Throughout the book, the author had me continually consigning on her decision to use someone so pure to immerse Rhye with the love he needed to fill his wasted heart. I love the first two books in this series, but this book is definitely stand alone worthy and my favorite. The author is one of the best at evoking emotion in readers and I cant wait to see who she chose for the next book.
Thanks! !!!
Thanks! !!!
October 24, 2013
I loved the Ruining series by Nicole and didn't realize that this was a spin off of it when I bought it. I loved Rhye in the series. A troubled, young, tattooed, sexy HOT mess. He may have done some messed up thing's to Jay initially in the series but there was one constant...his love for her.
Now here we are a few years later after we know Jay didn't pick him. He really went down hill. Trying to clean up his act, he goes to Nashville and meets Syn. She was a fun, strong, honest character. She is just coming off of a breakup herself with a man she thought she loved. Until she is in the same room with Rhye. But in some parts she seemed a little stalker-ish you could say. She had feelings for him and he could have cared less. However Syn was persistent. A little disappointing though that he doesn't come to terms with his feelings until almost the end and even then it's a little shady. Typical Rhye fashion though.
If you read and loved Ruining Me & Ruining You, you have to read this addition to the story.
Now here we are a few years later after we know Jay didn't pick him. He really went down hill. Trying to clean up his act, he goes to Nashville and meets Syn. She was a fun, strong, honest character. She is just coming off of a breakup herself with a man she thought she loved. Until she is in the same room with Rhye. But in some parts she seemed a little stalker-ish you could say. She had feelings for him and he could have cared less. However Syn was persistent. A little disappointing though that he doesn't come to terms with his feelings until almost the end and even then it's a little shady. Typical Rhye fashion though.
If you read and loved Ruining Me & Ruining You, you have to read this addition to the story.
February 27, 2014
3.5 stars. I'm not a fan of instant love and Syn immediately was in love with Rhye- even though they never would talk or spend time together. Rhye was just a little too messed up for me. The last chapter hinted that he slipped up a few times over the last year….what does that mean…did he cheat on Syn, shoot up Heroin, or smoke pot? Syn also got on my nerves because she was such a cry baby. I like stronger female characters- not one that is crying in every chapter.
I'm a fan of Nicole Reed, but this wasn't my favorite book of hers.
I'm a fan of Nicole Reed, but this wasn't my favorite book of hers.
October 23, 2013
Nicole Reed proves yet again what an incredible story teller she is!! If you thought you loved Rhye in Ruining me/Ruining You series...you ain't seen nothing yet!! It's amazing how Ms. Reed brings real life issues to the pages and never let's up!! Her characters are real and flawed...never wrapped up in a pretty bow!! Rhye is dirty and gritty and I LOVED him!! I loved his dirty mouth!! Her female character Syn...is strong yet soft and powers through the pages!!! Way to go Nicole Reed!!
February 6, 2015
I am re reading this as it was that good. Nicole does it again, I thought it could not get any better after Ruining Me and Ruining You bit I was so wrong, OMG I love Ryhe, I love the Rock star books, so full of intensity and yes your heart breaks with everything Rhye goes through and I just loved it. Nicole shows on this book her books that she is such a fantastic writer and I would read anything she put out there, one of my all time favourite authors and I love reading what she writes
October 29, 2013
Awesome book!! I hated Rhye at first because he was a douche puddle. Syn is such a sweetheart and puts her heart on the ground many times for Rhye. I'm so happy that he got over his addiction with drugs. I feel Syn had a lot to do with his recovery. This books proves that love does conquer all.
Want to Read
June 16, 2013Rhye? You said Rhye????!!!!!!!!!!! I'm totally on board for this one!
October 27, 2013
omg this book was just as good as the ruining series..I loved the characters and loved seeing ones from the past..
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