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Inevitable
Thanks to her mother’s unstable moods and knack for making bad decisions, seventeen year old Maddie Davis has never lived in one place long enough to remember its postcode. A life spent running and caring for her wayward mother has turned British-born Maddie into the strong, outspoken and independent girl she is today – if not a little lonely. This time, running away is a whole new ballgame. For the first time her mum is not just dragging her to a different town – but a whole new country. It is only when they arrive in sunny California to be near Trudy - an old friend of her mum’s - Maddie starts to hope they’ve reached their final destination. For the first time she dreams of a future. She makes friends, commits to an education and meets a boy who has the potential to steal her heart… and break it even faster.
Trudy’s stepson Blaine Elwood appears to have it all. To the outside world quarterback Blaine is rich, confident and has the ‘arrogant bad boy’ image down to a tee. But nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors. Nobody ever can. He has vowed never to let anyone get too close – let anyone discover how weak he is. So when new girl Maddie starts tugging at strings he didn’t know existed in his heart, his only option is to push her away – until he realises how much he needs her.
Maddie and Blaine are heading for a future neither of them dreamed of – a happy one. But then, not only are Blaine’s issues at home intensifying, he discovers a shocking secret that could either send Maddie back running and force her out of his life forever, or pull them closer than they’ve ever been before. Will their shattered secrets leave too many broken shards to piece back together, or was their love inevitable from the start?
(Not recommended for younger readers due to language and sexual content)
Trudy’s stepson Blaine Elwood appears to have it all. To the outside world quarterback Blaine is rich, confident and has the ‘arrogant bad boy’ image down to a tee. But nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors. Nobody ever can. He has vowed never to let anyone get too close – let anyone discover how weak he is. So when new girl Maddie starts tugging at strings he didn’t know existed in his heart, his only option is to push her away – until he realises how much he needs her.
Maddie and Blaine are heading for a future neither of them dreamed of – a happy one. But then, not only are Blaine’s issues at home intensifying, he discovers a shocking secret that could either send Maddie back running and force her out of his life forever, or pull them closer than they’ve ever been before. Will their shattered secrets leave too many broken shards to piece back together, or was their love inevitable from the start?
(Not recommended for younger readers due to language and sexual content)
351 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2013
20 people are currently reading
2098 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Haken
22 books1,298 followersRomance Author.
I live in not-so-sunny Rochdale, England (true northern girl!) with my five kids - one of whom many refer to as my husband. I write about life, and love, and all the beauty and angst that come with them.
All in all I'm just an ordinary gal with an addiction to reading, tattoos, and Pepsi Max. I don't like even numbers or metal spoons, and I'm allergic to exercise.
Please note: I don't check in here often. If you would like to contact me, please get in touch via Facebook, Twitter, or email - nicola@nicolahaken.co.uk
I live in not-so-sunny Rochdale, England (true northern girl!) with my five kids - one of whom many refer to as my husband. I write about life, and love, and all the beauty and angst that come with them.
All in all I'm just an ordinary gal with an addiction to reading, tattoos, and Pepsi Max. I don't like even numbers or metal spoons, and I'm allergic to exercise.
Please note: I don't check in here often. If you would like to contact me, please get in touch via Facebook, Twitter, or email - nicola@nicolahaken.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
January 30, 2014
This book was
I am so happy to have first 5 stars read after a long time *happy dance*
The story is simply so beautiful made my heart cry and smile. An emotional and heartbreaking read, but it felt so good!
Blaine was "utterly, jaw dropping gorgeous" with tattoos (sucker) and he is also quarterback. A hot bad boy image he has.
Enter Maddie, a girl from England, whose mother is running away. Well, her mother has issues. And Maddie is used to taking care of her mother.
Maddie's mother and Blaine's step-mother are best mates and hence, Blaine is suppose to help Maddie out with school. Maddie's life hasn't been bed of roses, she wasn't expecting to study in a private school full with rich kids. But she survives it and Blaine is around to help her.
"I don't want to be your friend, Maddie... I want to be so much more than your friend. But I'll end up hurting you. I'll disappoint you somehow I know i will. I'm just not sure I can take that chance"
The attractions grows and yet he stays away from her... but for how long? Both of them are broken.
Somewhere along the way, they both keep hurting each other, and finally Blaine decides that Maddie will give him the comfort that he needs. Blaine is really a broken boy. The situation that he faces at home is simply unspeakable. He can't speak or tell to anyone, internally struggling himself until Maddie.
And everything is revealed, I was in a mess. For boy and girl at that age to go through this disarray, it is just too much.
I love their banter. It was so sweet and heart melting.
" Who knew the brooding tattooed kicker back could be so sweet?"
"We'll take it real slow. I'm not going anywhere"
"..but I can honestly say that is the first time i have ever made love. The first time I have ever let anybody see me, touch me - everywhere. The first time I've ever wanted, needed anybody to touch me. The first time when all I could think about was the beautiful woman lying beneath me"
"We're like two missing pieces of the same broken puzzle, lish"
A brilliantly written love story, you will definitely love their journey. Thumbs up to Nicola!
Will I Recommend? YES YES YES YES
Happy reading
xo
**ARC provided for tour**
I am so happy to have first 5 stars read after a long time *happy dance*
The story is simply so beautiful made my heart cry and smile. An emotional and heartbreaking read, but it felt so good!
Blaine was "utterly, jaw dropping gorgeous" with tattoos (sucker) and he is also quarterback. A hot bad boy image he has.
Enter Maddie, a girl from England, whose mother is running away. Well, her mother has issues. And Maddie is used to taking care of her mother.
Maddie's mother and Blaine's step-mother are best mates and hence, Blaine is suppose to help Maddie out with school. Maddie's life hasn't been bed of roses, she wasn't expecting to study in a private school full with rich kids. But she survives it and Blaine is around to help her.
"I don't want to be your friend, Maddie... I want to be so much more than your friend. But I'll end up hurting you. I'll disappoint you somehow I know i will. I'm just not sure I can take that chance"
The attractions grows and yet he stays away from her... but for how long? Both of them are broken.
Somewhere along the way, they both keep hurting each other, and finally Blaine decides that Maddie will give him the comfort that he needs. Blaine is really a broken boy. The situation that he faces at home is simply unspeakable. He can't speak or tell to anyone, internally struggling himself until Maddie.
And everything is revealed, I was in a mess. For boy and girl at that age to go through this disarray, it is just too much.
I love their banter. It was so sweet and heart melting.
" Who knew the brooding tattooed kicker back could be so sweet?"
"We'll take it real slow. I'm not going anywhere"
"..but I can honestly say that is the first time i have ever made love. The first time I have ever let anybody see me, touch me - everywhere. The first time I've ever wanted, needed anybody to touch me. The first time when all I could think about was the beautiful woman lying beneath me"
"We're like two missing pieces of the same broken puzzle, lish"
A brilliantly written love story, you will definitely love their journey. Thumbs up to Nicola!
Will I Recommend? YES YES YES YES
Happy reading
xo
**ARC provided for tour**
February 28, 2014
I set myself up for the inevitable. (see what I did there?)
I didn't have extremely high hopes for the book, I thought it would be funny, even if the plot was shit. But no. I didn't even get laughter while reading this completely fucked up novel.
I can handle to an extent, the rape aspect in books. I can handle getting the shit beat out of the main character by a parent. I can. But there's an extent to which I can handle, and this book surpassed that amount.
I'm aware that things like this happen in real life, all the time. But despite that, it still doesn't mean that I want to read about it.
But before I get into that, let me just explain thoroughly the absolute fuckery of this novel.
The Characters:
Maddie: She was completely too cliche. Not even adding in the fact that she's British, her mom is, of course, a somewhat low graded prostitute, and she is supposed to be this snarky, stands up for what she believes in character.
Well guess what, Haken, you delivered a almost too cliche main character who the second she see's Blaine, becomes a infatuated, border line stalker and can't help but ogle at him, blush at him, and act like a twelve year old girl every time she's around him.
She over reacts about everything and holy shit, if I had to read one more time about how guys her age didn't have beards like Blaine did, I was going to punch myself in the face.
"He was sporting some rather impressive designer stubble which I've never seen on a boy my age before."
"It aged him so much. I've never seen a boy of our age sporting on a full-on beard before."
Really? Why don't you tell me about a million other times. I don't think I fully comprehended the fact that Blaine has a beard.
Maddie was annoying, whiny, and bordered my patience on more than one occasion. I could not take anything she said seriously.
Blaine: He had more issues than are worth repeating, and I hated being in his head. He always spewed shit how he couldn't be with Maddie (though I don't know why he would want to) because he was weak and pathetic. He said so many self deprecating things I thought I was going to throw my tablet.
He's so cliche in every aspect. Has daddy issues, can barely stand his step-mom, but has total undeniable love for his little sister, and completely changes his manwhore ways within the seconds of setting eyes on the beautiful main character. Cause why do some individuality and creativity when the author can just write something a billion other authors have written before her, right?
Other Characters: Of course like any book, there needs to be a gay guy, a slutty bitchy girl, and a school that seems "brainless and is filled with people who only care about their clothes and getting in the main guy's pants". Can no one in books represent an actual high school. Or have a main character that doesn't hate everyone because they give a shit how they dress?
I'm sorry, but I don't see what's wrong with caring how you look going to school, and I don't see how its any of their business or why the author felt the need to even comment on it. Who gives a fuck?
Maddie has one best friend in the beginning, Lori, who she at first thinks is a dumb blonde bitch because she has bleach blonde hair and because Maddie perceives everyone who doesn't have Walmart clothes to be stupid and a whore.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Lori, of course is being manipulated by Sky (the of course whore in the story) so Lori does whatever she says because Sky has this "big, huge, secret" of Lori's, that Lori can't let everyone know.
Want to know what is is?
"'Did you hear what I said?' She sounded almost annoyed.'I kissed her, Maddie! I kissed Sky!And not by accident, not because I was drunk or fooling around...I kissed her because I was in love with her!"
"She's a freakin' girl, Maddie!"
"Of course it is! You say it like I've just confessed to having a gherkin fetish...like it's so...normal."
I know Haken tried to make a character have a struggling experience or some other shit, but it's the 21st century, are we all seriously going to act like liking someone of the same sex is seriously this big of a deal still? Really?
The Fuckery:
I am a firm believer that there should only be one heavy topic in a book, and this had more than one. Hell, this had a fucking billion squeezed into a barely 400 page book. It was too much.
First, Maddie's "mom" is a bordering prostitute with mental issues. Her actual mom, Blaine's step-mom split when she was like four or some shit for Blaine's dad, and doesn't bother telling Maddie anything until they come to the United States.
That would seem like enough angst in a book, right?
Wrong.
Along with that, Blaine's dad also literally cuts him with a knife, every time he does something wrong. And if he does things wrong enough, Blaine's dad rapes him.
Oh. Okay.
What the fuck.
That went too far. Want to include the whole mom aspect and getting beat up. Fine. By don't add parental rape into the equation. That is one thing I don't want to read about. I know it happens, it is terrible. But I don't want to read about it.
Blaine always talks about how weak and pathetic he is. And in sense, not to be rude, or divert the fact about how serious his situation is, but I don't know how someone willingly sits down and lets their father do something like that. It's not as if Blaine is trying to hold his dad off, or fight back. He doesn't do anything. He complies.
What the fuck?
Call the cops. Do something, anything other than letting your dad do that shit to you. That's what I couldn't understand. The compliance.
The end was too cliche. Maddie walks in while Blaine is getting a "punishment" and raping him, and Blaine's dad then tries to rape Maddie. And what happens? Shocker, Blaine hits him over the head with a weight and kills him. Wow, I am so surprised.
Why give criminals justice and go through a trial and jail anymore when the author can just have the main character kill them, right?
All In All: This book was a waste of my time. I couldn't relate to it. It was completely too cliche, with insta-love and lust. It was juvenile and made me want to throw my tablet half the time. All it did was make me give "wtf" looks and give myself a headache.
I didn't have extremely high hopes for the book, I thought it would be funny, even if the plot was shit. But no. I didn't even get laughter while reading this completely fucked up novel.
I can handle to an extent, the rape aspect in books. I can handle getting the shit beat out of the main character by a parent. I can. But there's an extent to which I can handle, and this book surpassed that amount.
I'm aware that things like this happen in real life, all the time. But despite that, it still doesn't mean that I want to read about it.
But before I get into that, let me just explain thoroughly the absolute fuckery of this novel.
The Characters:
Maddie: She was completely too cliche. Not even adding in the fact that she's British, her mom is, of course, a somewhat low graded prostitute, and she is supposed to be this snarky, stands up for what she believes in character.
Well guess what, Haken, you delivered a almost too cliche main character who the second she see's Blaine, becomes a infatuated, border line stalker and can't help but ogle at him, blush at him, and act like a twelve year old girl every time she's around him.
She over reacts about everything and holy shit, if I had to read one more time about how guys her age didn't have beards like Blaine did, I was going to punch myself in the face.
"He was sporting some rather impressive designer stubble which I've never seen on a boy my age before."
"It aged him so much. I've never seen a boy of our age sporting on a full-on beard before."
Really? Why don't you tell me about a million other times. I don't think I fully comprehended the fact that Blaine has a beard.
Maddie was annoying, whiny, and bordered my patience on more than one occasion. I could not take anything she said seriously.
Blaine: He had more issues than are worth repeating, and I hated being in his head. He always spewed shit how he couldn't be with Maddie (though I don't know why he would want to) because he was weak and pathetic. He said so many self deprecating things I thought I was going to throw my tablet.
He's so cliche in every aspect. Has daddy issues, can barely stand his step-mom, but has total undeniable love for his little sister, and completely changes his manwhore ways within the seconds of setting eyes on the beautiful main character. Cause why do some individuality and creativity when the author can just write something a billion other authors have written before her, right?
Other Characters: Of course like any book, there needs to be a gay guy, a slutty bitchy girl, and a school that seems "brainless and is filled with people who only care about their clothes and getting in the main guy's pants". Can no one in books represent an actual high school. Or have a main character that doesn't hate everyone because they give a shit how they dress?
I'm sorry, but I don't see what's wrong with caring how you look going to school, and I don't see how its any of their business or why the author felt the need to even comment on it. Who gives a fuck?
Maddie has one best friend in the beginning, Lori, who she at first thinks is a dumb blonde bitch because she has bleach blonde hair and because Maddie perceives everyone who doesn't have Walmart clothes to be stupid and a whore.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Lori, of course is being manipulated by Sky (the of course whore in the story) so Lori does whatever she says because Sky has this "big, huge, secret" of Lori's, that Lori can't let everyone know.
Want to know what is is?
"'Did you hear what I said?' She sounded almost annoyed.'I kissed her, Maddie! I kissed Sky!And not by accident, not because I was drunk or fooling around...I kissed her because I was in love with her!"
"She's a freakin' girl, Maddie!"
"Of course it is! You say it like I've just confessed to having a gherkin fetish...like it's so...normal."
I know Haken tried to make a character have a struggling experience or some other shit, but it's the 21st century, are we all seriously going to act like liking someone of the same sex is seriously this big of a deal still? Really?
The Fuckery:
I am a firm believer that there should only be one heavy topic in a book, and this had more than one. Hell, this had a fucking billion squeezed into a barely 400 page book. It was too much.
First, Maddie's "mom" is a bordering prostitute with mental issues. Her actual mom, Blaine's step-mom split when she was like four or some shit for Blaine's dad, and doesn't bother telling Maddie anything until they come to the United States.
That would seem like enough angst in a book, right?
Wrong.
Along with that, Blaine's dad also literally cuts him with a knife, every time he does something wrong. And if he does things wrong enough, Blaine's dad rapes him.
Oh. Okay.
What the fuck.
That went too far. Want to include the whole mom aspect and getting beat up. Fine. By don't add parental rape into the equation. That is one thing I don't want to read about. I know it happens, it is terrible. But I don't want to read about it.
Blaine always talks about how weak and pathetic he is. And in sense, not to be rude, or divert the fact about how serious his situation is, but I don't know how someone willingly sits down and lets their father do something like that. It's not as if Blaine is trying to hold his dad off, or fight back. He doesn't do anything. He complies.
What the fuck?
Call the cops. Do something, anything other than letting your dad do that shit to you. That's what I couldn't understand. The compliance.
The end was too cliche. Maddie walks in while Blaine is getting a "punishment" and raping him, and Blaine's dad then tries to rape Maddie. And what happens? Shocker, Blaine hits him over the head with a weight and kills him. Wow, I am so surprised.
Why give criminals justice and go through a trial and jail anymore when the author can just have the main character kill them, right?
All In All: This book was a waste of my time. I couldn't relate to it. It was completely too cliche, with insta-love and lust. It was juvenile and made me want to throw my tablet half the time. All it did was make me give "wtf" looks and give myself a headache.
July 18, 2016
It started off great.... and then I don't know what happened.
We had the poor girl, rich broody 'bad boy' guy trope. I don't mind that as long as it's done in a way that I enjoy. So Maddie moves from England to LA abruptly. She's in a new 'private' school paid by her mother's long lost friend, Trudy. She then meets Trudy's new family and her step-son. Blaine. And so starts their story. She goes to school with him; she gets bullied (they're awful) he protects her although he wants to stay away from her but he can't because she's 'nothing like he's ever seen'. Their little bickering was cute. They did have a few cute moments but overall I just couldn't connect with the story.
Why?
I just hate how there always has to be such horrid slut shaming remarks between the girls and even from some guys. I understand sometimes the author is trying to create a character personality (the mean girl thing??? is it really necessary though) but I actually find it hard to read and it's just hard to enjoy when most of the character's speak like that towards someone they don't like. I just really hate derogatory remarks. And there were way too many in this book for me.
The story focused quite a bit on mental illness (Maddie's mother, Annie) and abuse but I'm not sure how I feel about how it was executed. They're very heavy topics and I think it should be dealt with carefully.
I wasn't a fan of quite a few of the characters. Another reason why I just couldn't enjoy the story as much as others probably did or would. Mitch I just hated. He's disgusting. A monster. Just plain horrid.
I liked Lori. She was probably my favourite and the most genuine character I found. Blaine? Hm. I did feel extremely bad for him. And I wish things could have been done very differently.
All in all... I wish I could have enjoyed this more (others probably did and if you're reading this you might enjoy it way more than me) but it was a hit and miss for me unfortunately. There was a lot of 'telling' instead of 'showing' of the story going on. Sometimes I don't mind this but when it's constant you sort of start skimming. The story line had it's uniqueness here and there but it also had the familiarness too.
We had the poor girl, rich broody 'bad boy' guy trope. I don't mind that as long as it's done in a way that I enjoy. So Maddie moves from England to LA abruptly. She's in a new 'private' school paid by her mother's long lost friend, Trudy. She then meets Trudy's new family and her step-son. Blaine. And so starts their story. She goes to school with him; she gets bullied (they're awful) he protects her although he wants to stay away from her but he can't because she's 'nothing like he's ever seen'. Their little bickering was cute. They did have a few cute moments but overall I just couldn't connect with the story.
Why?
I just hate how there always has to be such horrid slut shaming remarks between the girls and even from some guys. I understand sometimes the author is trying to create a character personality (the mean girl thing??? is it really necessary though) but I actually find it hard to read and it's just hard to enjoy when most of the character's speak like that towards someone they don't like. I just really hate derogatory remarks. And there were way too many in this book for me.
The story focused quite a bit on mental illness (Maddie's mother, Annie) and abuse but I'm not sure how I feel about how it was executed. They're very heavy topics and I think it should be dealt with carefully.
I wasn't a fan of quite a few of the characters. Another reason why I just couldn't enjoy the story as much as others probably did or would. Mitch I just hated. He's disgusting. A monster. Just plain horrid.
I liked Lori. She was probably my favourite and the most genuine character I found. Blaine? Hm. I did feel extremely bad for him. And I wish things could have been done very differently.
All in all... I wish I could have enjoyed this more (others probably did and if you're reading this you might enjoy it way more than me) but it was a hit and miss for me unfortunately. There was a lot of 'telling' instead of 'showing' of the story going on. Sometimes I don't mind this but when it's constant you sort of start skimming. The story line had it's uniqueness here and there but it also had the familiarness too.
February 8, 2014
All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the kind of book you pick up and hope for the best, kind of like Jay McLean's More Than This, and then you were so happy you did, because you just can't believe how good it was.
First, lets start with that this book was a page turner, I couldn't put it down.
Second, great characters all around!
Third, loved the dual POV's. Needed it and it worked perfectly.
Fourth, just the right amount of steam to make me happy.
Fifth, the perfect amount of angst.
Sixth, loved the banter between Maddie and Blaine. Felt very real for high school kids. Did I mention how I love his nickname Lish for her?
If you haven't read this and are looking for a HS romance with some steam and angst, pick this one up NOW!!!!!!!
Bravo to Nicola!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the kind of book you pick up and hope for the best, kind of like Jay McLean's More Than This, and then you were so happy you did, because you just can't believe how good it was.
First, lets start with that this book was a page turner, I couldn't put it down.
Second, great characters all around!
Third, loved the dual POV's. Needed it and it worked perfectly.
Fourth, just the right amount of steam to make me happy.
Fifth, the perfect amount of angst.
Sixth, loved the banter between Maddie and Blaine. Felt very real for high school kids. Did I mention how I love his nickname Lish for her?
If you haven't read this and are looking for a HS romance with some steam and angst, pick this one up NOW!!!!!!!
Bravo to Nicola!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 22, 2013
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Inevitable by Nicola Haken immediately peaked my interested just by reading the synopsis. I knew it would be a somewhat deep book based on the synopsis but I had no idea just how deep and emotional the story would be, especially with the character Blaine. Once I started I couldn’t put the book down hoping somehow a happy ending could be found. I also was not expecting the huge shock that happened about 50% in… wow!!
Inevitable is about 17 year-old Maddie. She has never had it easy with a hooker for a mother who is an addict to drugs & alcohol with some sort of mental disorder. Maddie and her mum live in the UK and move to the United States for a fresh start and to get away from whatever trouble Maddie’s mum was in back home. Maddie is entering an entirely different world then the one she knows upon arriving in California. She is the “poor/trashy girl” at her new private school and rumors of her mum’s job spread like wild fire. The only bright spot in her new life is Blaine, a step-son of her mother’s friend who is the hot, star quarterback of the school. He has slept with half the girls in school but doesn’t do the “girlfriend thing”. He parties, has sex, and plays football; he holds his own dark secret making sure to not let anyone close to him.
Blaine instantly falls for Maddie… maybe a little too fast in my opinion. He likes that she is not impressed with his looks like the other girls in school are and she can hold her own when it comes to the preppy girls making fun of her. He constantly goes back and forth from kissing Maddie to pushing her away for almost 50% of the book. It was a long build-up to their relationship finally becoming official and I loved it. The first half of the book was my favorite part.
Blaine is going through something as well, I don’t want to say too much and ruin it for you but he needs Maddie as much as Maddie needs him. I could definitely understand their connection to one another. For the first time they both have someone who is there for them and understands where each other are coming from. Their romance was really sweet.
The book is told in both Blaine & Maddie’s POV. I LOVED THIS and found it was essential for the story to be told in both perspectives since both Blaine & Maddie were dealing with problems of their own. Now, I understand Maddie is British and the words/terms she uses go with where she comes from, I just wish when it was written in Blaine’s POV the writing was done with American terms. It bothered me a bit when Blaine would use words a 17 year-old American teenager would never say and it would have been more realistic.
As I mentioned earlier, I loved the first half of the book. I loved the characters and the build-up to Blaine & Maddie’s relationship. I loved their banter back and forth and funny/flirty insults they had for one another, and Blaine’s over protectiveness to Maddie. About the half way point a huge secret is revealed I totally did not see coming. I was in total shock. It made total sense on some issues that were confusing me with Maddie… again I don’t want to say too much because it will totally ruin it for you and I will not do that but it was a hell of a secret! The second half of the book was good but I found their romance a little over the top at times for 17 year-olds. The ending seemed a bit rushed compared to the rest of the book. I liked that most of the book was dragged out with great description and dialogue. The ending was a bit rushed for me.
Inevitable was way more emotional than I thought it would be. I love a good book deep book and Inevitable was the perfect book to read. It is a long book but I couldn’t put it down reading it in about a day. I really did enjoy the characters, even the minor characters. I would love to continue to read more work from the author.
I give Inevitable 3.5 Stars.
Book provided by the author in return for an honest review.
Inevitable by Nicola Haken immediately peaked my interested just by reading the synopsis. I knew it would be a somewhat deep book based on the synopsis but I had no idea just how deep and emotional the story would be, especially with the character Blaine. Once I started I couldn’t put the book down hoping somehow a happy ending could be found. I also was not expecting the huge shock that happened about 50% in… wow!!
Inevitable is about 17 year-old Maddie. She has never had it easy with a hooker for a mother who is an addict to drugs & alcohol with some sort of mental disorder. Maddie and her mum live in the UK and move to the United States for a fresh start and to get away from whatever trouble Maddie’s mum was in back home. Maddie is entering an entirely different world then the one she knows upon arriving in California. She is the “poor/trashy girl” at her new private school and rumors of her mum’s job spread like wild fire. The only bright spot in her new life is Blaine, a step-son of her mother’s friend who is the hot, star quarterback of the school. He has slept with half the girls in school but doesn’t do the “girlfriend thing”. He parties, has sex, and plays football; he holds his own dark secret making sure to not let anyone close to him.
Blaine instantly falls for Maddie… maybe a little too fast in my opinion. He likes that she is not impressed with his looks like the other girls in school are and she can hold her own when it comes to the preppy girls making fun of her. He constantly goes back and forth from kissing Maddie to pushing her away for almost 50% of the book. It was a long build-up to their relationship finally becoming official and I loved it. The first half of the book was my favorite part.
Blaine is going through something as well, I don’t want to say too much and ruin it for you but he needs Maddie as much as Maddie needs him. I could definitely understand their connection to one another. For the first time they both have someone who is there for them and understands where each other are coming from. Their romance was really sweet.
The book is told in both Blaine & Maddie’s POV. I LOVED THIS and found it was essential for the story to be told in both perspectives since both Blaine & Maddie were dealing with problems of their own. Now, I understand Maddie is British and the words/terms she uses go with where she comes from, I just wish when it was written in Blaine’s POV the writing was done with American terms. It bothered me a bit when Blaine would use words a 17 year-old American teenager would never say and it would have been more realistic.
As I mentioned earlier, I loved the first half of the book. I loved the characters and the build-up to Blaine & Maddie’s relationship. I loved their banter back and forth and funny/flirty insults they had for one another, and Blaine’s over protectiveness to Maddie. About the half way point a huge secret is revealed I totally did not see coming. I was in total shock. It made total sense on some issues that were confusing me with Maddie… again I don’t want to say too much because it will totally ruin it for you and I will not do that but it was a hell of a secret! The second half of the book was good but I found their romance a little over the top at times for 17 year-olds. The ending seemed a bit rushed compared to the rest of the book. I liked that most of the book was dragged out with great description and dialogue. The ending was a bit rushed for me.
Inevitable was way more emotional than I thought it would be. I love a good book deep book and Inevitable was the perfect book to read. It is a long book but I couldn’t put it down reading it in about a day. I really did enjoy the characters, even the minor characters. I would love to continue to read more work from the author.
I give Inevitable 3.5 Stars.
Book provided by the author in return for an honest review.
May 21, 2013
Maybe I am a little biased because I am lucky enough to know the author personally but I am absolutely putting this down as one of my best reads this year!
Inevitable has everything I love in a book – angst, secrets, twists, steam, a smoking hot book boyfriend. It is intense, heart breaking and at times hilarious – what more could you need?
I loved Maddie from the start. Despite completely missing out on any sort of a childhood she has still grown up to be a strong, confident, quick-witted and self-sufficient young woman. I have to admit I’m not a fan of whiney book girls and Maddie most definitely isn’t one of them – she doesn’t regret the hand she was dealt in life or feel sorry for herself at all.
““ Yo, Dora! Boots not with you today?” My best friend and brother from another mother, Jason Fuller, hollered when he spotted Maddie sliding her purple backpack off her shoulder. I opened my mouth to tell him to fuck off but unexpectedly Maddie got in there first.
“Last I heard from him he was at home screwing your mother.”
I swear I just fell in love with this girl a little bit. ”
Blaine – Oh Blaine!!! My heart crumbled so many times for this boy. He tried so hard to stay away from Maddie – somehow convinced every bad thing that happened to him was his own fault. Some of his scenes were truly heart breaking. I just wanted to hold him and make it all better!
" I bit down on my lip and blinked my eyes to wash away the stinging tears which were flowing freely. I balled my right hand into a fist and visualized me spinning round and ramming it into his skull until it caved under the pressure. I willed my body to move. It wouldn’t. I was frozen. I was… weak. "
I really felt for all the characters in this book. I connected on some level with each and every one of them. Maddie makes her first best friend ever on her first day in a new high school. On first impressions Maddie writes Lori off as being one of the many stereotypical dumb blondes she has come across on her first day. Yes she can be a little slow on the uptake sometimes but Maddie soon realises that she is sweet, kind and loyal. She is also hiding her own little secret which I wasn’t expecting at all.
If you’re a fan of the New-Adult genre and love an emotional rollercoaster read then Inevitable is a must read. I laughed. I cried. I gasped. And I fell in love with a hot quarterback! What else can you possibly need?
Inevitable has everything I love in a book – angst, secrets, twists, steam, a smoking hot book boyfriend. It is intense, heart breaking and at times hilarious – what more could you need?
I loved Maddie from the start. Despite completely missing out on any sort of a childhood she has still grown up to be a strong, confident, quick-witted and self-sufficient young woman. I have to admit I’m not a fan of whiney book girls and Maddie most definitely isn’t one of them – she doesn’t regret the hand she was dealt in life or feel sorry for herself at all.
““ Yo, Dora! Boots not with you today?” My best friend and brother from another mother, Jason Fuller, hollered when he spotted Maddie sliding her purple backpack off her shoulder. I opened my mouth to tell him to fuck off but unexpectedly Maddie got in there first.
“Last I heard from him he was at home screwing your mother.”
I swear I just fell in love with this girl a little bit. ”
Blaine – Oh Blaine!!! My heart crumbled so many times for this boy. He tried so hard to stay away from Maddie – somehow convinced every bad thing that happened to him was his own fault. Some of his scenes were truly heart breaking. I just wanted to hold him and make it all better!
" I bit down on my lip and blinked my eyes to wash away the stinging tears which were flowing freely. I balled my right hand into a fist and visualized me spinning round and ramming it into his skull until it caved under the pressure. I willed my body to move. It wouldn’t. I was frozen. I was… weak. "
I really felt for all the characters in this book. I connected on some level with each and every one of them. Maddie makes her first best friend ever on her first day in a new high school. On first impressions Maddie writes Lori off as being one of the many stereotypical dumb blondes she has come across on her first day. Yes she can be a little slow on the uptake sometimes but Maddie soon realises that she is sweet, kind and loyal. She is also hiding her own little secret which I wasn’t expecting at all.
If you’re a fan of the New-Adult genre and love an emotional rollercoaster read then Inevitable is a must read. I laughed. I cried. I gasped. And I fell in love with a hot quarterback! What else can you possibly need?
January 28, 2014
This is a beautiful book filled with young love, pain and ultimately finding what happiness is all about and what really matters in life. I fell in love completely with Blaine and Maddie. Their sexual chemistry is so strong throughout the book and keeps you wanting to read more.
Blaine is your typical football playing jock that is popular with all the students. All of the girls just swoon when he is near, but he is hiding a secret. Maddie has been moved all over the place by her erratic mom. She has moved to the U.S. from England and is thrust into a world with Blaine and a whole new culture. Maddie has her own issues dealing with her mom. She finds that the school is not very accepting of her until Blaine takes her under his arm. They manage to find a way to be together even though all the odds are against them from the start and they develop a love to help them work through their adversity.
Nicola has a way of weaving her words where you feel like you are part of the story. I love her British quips and the humor throughout is refreshing. I found myself laughing at certain points and crying right along with the characters in other areas. This book deals with some serious abuse and it is clear that she knows what she is talking about and done her research. There are seriously moments where my heart was breaking for her characters. Her characters seem so real and I just couldn’t put this book down.
I absolutely love this author! I would read anything that she publishes and I highly recommend this book if you love a good romance filled with some angst and lots of humor. It is well worth the read!
Blaine is your typical football playing jock that is popular with all the students. All of the girls just swoon when he is near, but he is hiding a secret. Maddie has been moved all over the place by her erratic mom. She has moved to the U.S. from England and is thrust into a world with Blaine and a whole new culture. Maddie has her own issues dealing with her mom. She finds that the school is not very accepting of her until Blaine takes her under his arm. They manage to find a way to be together even though all the odds are against them from the start and they develop a love to help them work through their adversity.
Nicola has a way of weaving her words where you feel like you are part of the story. I love her British quips and the humor throughout is refreshing. I found myself laughing at certain points and crying right along with the characters in other areas. This book deals with some serious abuse and it is clear that she knows what she is talking about and done her research. There are seriously moments where my heart was breaking for her characters. Her characters seem so real and I just couldn’t put this book down.
I absolutely love this author! I would read anything that she publishes and I highly recommend this book if you love a good romance filled with some angst and lots of humor. It is well worth the read!
November 4, 2014
I have become a huge fan of Nicola Haken in this past year. Her writing just speaks to me and I just find myself getting so wrapped up her in stories.
This book made my heart, cry, bleed and smile. The story is unbelievably heart wrenching but it so well written, that’s what makes it beautiful.
“We’re like two missing pieces of the same broken puzzle, lish”
That perfectly explains Blaine and Maddie and their friendship/relationship.
I won’t rehash what the blurb tells you – that’s it’s purpose. But I will tell you that this story is just magnificent.
The shit that Maddie has to deal with her mother is just unfathomable but she marches onward and refuses to give up.
Blaine hides ALOT from EVERYONE! But as he and Maddie get closer, she knows something is up. She won’t push him though til he is ready. But sometimes you need to push before the other pulls away completely.
Nicola does a superb job with this story. The banter between everyone is perfect and just flows. I laughed, cried and even felt like punching my kindle as I read this. Nicola has a way with her words to just bring out the emotions in you.
“And so after another kiss, which passed all too quickly, I left – leaving a piece of my heart, and my sanity, with her.”
BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!
This book made my heart, cry, bleed and smile. The story is unbelievably heart wrenching but it so well written, that’s what makes it beautiful.
“We’re like two missing pieces of the same broken puzzle, lish”
That perfectly explains Blaine and Maddie and their friendship/relationship.
I won’t rehash what the blurb tells you – that’s it’s purpose. But I will tell you that this story is just magnificent.
The shit that Maddie has to deal with her mother is just unfathomable but she marches onward and refuses to give up.
Blaine hides ALOT from EVERYONE! But as he and Maddie get closer, she knows something is up. She won’t push him though til he is ready. But sometimes you need to push before the other pulls away completely.
Nicola does a superb job with this story. The banter between everyone is perfect and just flows. I laughed, cried and even felt like punching my kindle as I read this. Nicola has a way with her words to just bring out the emotions in you.
“And so after another kiss, which passed all too quickly, I left – leaving a piece of my heart, and my sanity, with her.”
BUY THIS NOW!!!!!!
September 1, 2013
This book was amazing. The love between Maddie and Blaine is so strong. My heart broke for Blaine because of his father treated him. His dad was a monster. Maddie never gave up on Blaine and I think this is the only thing that kept him alive. I laughed, got mad, and then freakin cried. I started the book last night and couldn't put down until completely done. This is a love story but both characters suffer a hard life, but the strength they both had was heartbreaking. A beautiful story and worth every hour of sleep I lost.
October 14, 2014
This book was great. The storyline is not for the faint heart, both characters have major family issues. Some parts were very emotional and sad to read. Loved Blaine, he was a sweetie and my heart broke for him. Maddie was a very strong young lady, it was quite shocking what she had to handle. This book had a lot of sick and twisted drama but it was written well and a story that was difficult to put down. The ending was a bit rushed but I felt complete with how it all turned out.
September 8, 2013
wow what a book, not what I had expected, this was a great book, but warning there are parts that has some dark issues and it will have you in a turmoil of emotions.
October 12, 2014
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak
PURCHASE IT ►►► AMAZON
I was almost half way through the book when it start to give me the chills.
Then when I started putting pieces together...
Just when I thought it was 'just that', Nicola Haken managed to drop another bomb...
And just before the book ended...
If I had one word to describe this book, it would be WOW. Because I honestly thought those warnings at the blurb wasn't really that much, I haven't prepared myself until I was struggling through the pages, wondering what in the world is happening to these people and why would it happen to them? Maddie and Blaine are barely even 18, and they deserve to enjoy life, school and friends. Instead both of them put on a facade of being okay, while the real them are cocooned to their own sufferings.
It took me a while to pick up this book, and when I did, I couldn't put it down. At first, you'd thought these were just normal teenagers with some minor, normal hang-ups but as the story goes, you'd not dare put it down. I have read through the pages, through the wee hours of the morning because I was desperate and pleading for their happy ending. There was a point when I think I couldn't breath because I was suffocating, wishing it would all end. Yet, I stood there, besides Blaine, telling him to fight, telling him to end all this right now, telling him to be strong. God. I wonder how can he possibly suffer through it all. I think my heart, until now, is broken despite the ending.
And Maddie? She's a very strong girl who never lets anyone down. If she loves you, she'll fight for you and stick with you no matter what. It what makes her special, it what makes Blaine and Annie (her mother) lucky to have her. Because despite all that has been happening, she didn't run (when someone with a weaker heart would), instead she stayed, fought, and in the end, she saved it all - her family, the love of her life, and her happiness.
I usually would say I have enjoyed reading some books, but as for this - my heart is wrenched thoroughly, my brain has turned numb from all those silly pep-talks I have in my thoughts for Maddie and Blaine, not to mention I am half awake due to the necessity of finishing this. I would not dare lift and read this book again without recuperating and gaining all those drained strengths back - but if you asked me if I loved this - THEN YES. It was emotional, I'm still hurting - I think Nicola Haken made sure her readers would be placed in the character's shoes and made us understand what its like to be them. It's beautifully written with a potential to hurt, and heal. This is a journey between two young people who have been through hell, but made it out and became stronger individuals.
Missing Pieces comes with a warning for those friends who'd like to read this - prepare your emotions, prepare your hearts because this would be quite a rough ride.
•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•
More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
May 27, 2013
Ok so here goes my first attempt at a review!
I really enjoyed this book. It contained all of my favourite things - teenage angst, love and heartbreak and a broken boy! I laughed my a*se off at times... bawled my eyes out in others. By the end of the story I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Right, the characters.
I thought Maddie was fun. The kind of girl you'd love to have as a best friend. She was strong and feisty and took no BS from anyone. She never dwelled on her past or thought she was hard done by and this is why I loved her. Saying that, when Blaine was pushing her away with zero explanation I did find myself wishing she'd unleash her don't-mess-with-me attitude on him a little more. I wanted her to demand to know what his problem was. Or maybe give him a good ol' bitch slap! But hey, a broken heart does funny things to you I suppose.
This is my Maddie:
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Now for Blaine... poor broken Blaine! I LOVED this boy! It was impossible not to cry when he was breaking down after suffering such a horrific ordeal. It broke my heart that he blamed himself and that he thought he didn't deserve to let anyone get close to him. I'm struggling to say much else because I don't want to give anything away!
“While this ring is on your finger you can rest assured that you are the most important person breathing in this world. I was numb before I met you, Maddie. You make me feel. You make me feel things I never knew existed. You make me happy. You make me hope. When I’m with you I feel like the luckiest son of a bitch in the world. I’m a better person when I’m with you, and I will never be able to thank you enough. But I plan on spending every hour of every day of my life trying."
I literally want to squeal at how sweet he can be!
Here is my ideal Blaine:
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So, this story may be set in high school but the characters feel so much older. Their love didn't feel silly or immature but then with the pasts Maddie and Blaine had lived it was only natural they had to grow up faster than most. Yet there was still a good dollop of typical high school humour and situations that had me howling out loud at times!
I read recently in another review that there was perhaps too many different 'teenage troubles' going on all at once, suggesting that this book doesn't reflect real life. But then personally, I don't want real life in a book! Real life can get boring and monotonous - that's why i read to escape it all for a while. I mean, take Eastender's - I'm pretty sure there isn't a neighbourhood in the country that's suffered as much as those residents but that's what makes it entertaining. For me, this book had just enough drama and surprises to keep me turning pages.
I really enjoyed this book. It contained all of my favourite things - teenage angst, love and heartbreak and a broken boy! I laughed my a*se off at times... bawled my eyes out in others. By the end of the story I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Right, the characters.
I thought Maddie was fun. The kind of girl you'd love to have as a best friend. She was strong and feisty and took no BS from anyone. She never dwelled on her past or thought she was hard done by and this is why I loved her. Saying that, when Blaine was pushing her away with zero explanation I did find myself wishing she'd unleash her don't-mess-with-me attitude on him a little more. I wanted her to demand to know what his problem was. Or maybe give him a good ol' bitch slap! But hey, a broken heart does funny things to you I suppose.
This is my Maddie:
[image error]
"/>Now for Blaine... poor broken Blaine! I LOVED this boy! It was impossible not to cry when he was breaking down after suffering such a horrific ordeal. It broke my heart that he blamed himself and that he thought he didn't deserve to let anyone get close to him. I'm struggling to say much else because I don't want to give anything away!
“While this ring is on your finger you can rest assured that you are the most important person breathing in this world. I was numb before I met you, Maddie. You make me feel. You make me feel things I never knew existed. You make me happy. You make me hope. When I’m with you I feel like the luckiest son of a bitch in the world. I’m a better person when I’m with you, and I will never be able to thank you enough. But I plan on spending every hour of every day of my life trying."
I literally want to squeal at how sweet he can be!
Here is my ideal Blaine:
[image error]
"/>So, this story may be set in high school but the characters feel so much older. Their love didn't feel silly or immature but then with the pasts Maddie and Blaine had lived it was only natural they had to grow up faster than most. Yet there was still a good dollop of typical high school humour and situations that had me howling out loud at times!
I read recently in another review that there was perhaps too many different 'teenage troubles' going on all at once, suggesting that this book doesn't reflect real life. But then personally, I don't want real life in a book! Real life can get boring and monotonous - that's why i read to escape it all for a while. I mean, take Eastender's - I'm pretty sure there isn't a neighbourhood in the country that's suffered as much as those residents but that's what makes it entertaining. For me, this book had just enough drama and surprises to keep me turning pages.
March 29, 2016
5 Damaged-&-Beautiful-Stars! ☆☆☆☆☆
I loved this book! I am on a Nicola-Haken-Book-Reading-Binge! Every book is jam-packed with romance, secrets, betrayal and so much emotion, my heart almost cant handle it, ...almost. ;) And this book tore up my heart just like all the others.
There is something for everyone in this book! If you like romance? Read this book. If you like suspense and the trill of not knowing whats going to happen next? Read this book. If you like secrets and books that keep you on the edge of your seat? Read this book. If you like erotic, hot as f#%k sex? Read this damn book! Get my point yet? But be warned, this book is not for the faint of heart. It covers issues of abuse, including self-inflicting, rape, mental illness and heart-breaking plot twist that will make your heart feel like it has no hope of recovering. But it will. Just when all hope seemed lost, i was back to smiling and cheering for Maddie and Blaine.
Parts of this book felt like they were written about me, which made it just that much easier to connect with Maddie. And how can i not fall for Blaine and all his hotness? It was f#%ked up how he was going through issues of abuse and i couldn't understand why he didn't just leave until the end, when all the pieces just connected and i was like...whoa!
“Yo, Dora, be a doll and grab us a soda would you? I swear my mouth’s as dry as a nun’s c#nt.”
“Hey, it’s Jase. I’m ignoring someone right now… if I don’t call you back, it’s probably you.”
“B#llshit! Look at you… you’ve had a face that looks like you walked in on your grandpa ass-f#%kin’ your puppy for two weeks now.”
“Well I don’t,” I bit back. Treacle’s mouth fell open and a series of stutters spilled out as if I’d just told her I enjoyed wanking off puppies. “I love my mum.”
-some phrases in this book just turned me into a giggle machine! I loved reading this book. I laughed, i cried. My jaw dropped a couple times, and i was in too much shock to pick it back up. :) i even got so pissed off at parts, i was reading the book while pouting and shaking my head (which kinda made me dizzy)... All in all, Nicola Haken is one of my top 5 favorite writers. And with that, i am on to another book by this awesome writer! :)
I loved this book! I am on a Nicola-Haken-Book-Reading-Binge! Every book is jam-packed with romance, secrets, betrayal and so much emotion, my heart almost cant handle it, ...almost. ;) And this book tore up my heart just like all the others.
There is something for everyone in this book! If you like romance? Read this book. If you like suspense and the trill of not knowing whats going to happen next? Read this book. If you like secrets and books that keep you on the edge of your seat? Read this book. If you like erotic, hot as f#%k sex? Read this damn book! Get my point yet? But be warned, this book is not for the faint of heart. It covers issues of abuse, including self-inflicting, rape, mental illness and heart-breaking plot twist that will make your heart feel like it has no hope of recovering. But it will. Just when all hope seemed lost, i was back to smiling and cheering for Maddie and Blaine.
Parts of this book felt like they were written about me, which made it just that much easier to connect with Maddie. And how can i not fall for Blaine and all his hotness? It was f#%ked up how he was going through issues of abuse and i couldn't understand why he didn't just leave until the end, when all the pieces just connected and i was like...whoa!
“Yo, Dora, be a doll and grab us a soda would you? I swear my mouth’s as dry as a nun’s c#nt.”
“Hey, it’s Jase. I’m ignoring someone right now… if I don’t call you back, it’s probably you.”
“B#llshit! Look at you… you’ve had a face that looks like you walked in on your grandpa ass-f#%kin’ your puppy for two weeks now.”
“Well I don’t,” I bit back. Treacle’s mouth fell open and a series of stutters spilled out as if I’d just told her I enjoyed wanking off puppies. “I love my mum.”
-some phrases in this book just turned me into a giggle machine! I loved reading this book. I laughed, i cried. My jaw dropped a couple times, and i was in too much shock to pick it back up. :) i even got so pissed off at parts, i was reading the book while pouting and shaking my head (which kinda made me dizzy)... All in all, Nicola Haken is one of my top 5 favorite writers. And with that, i am on to another book by this awesome writer! :)
May 26, 2014
This is my 5 star review for Missing Pieces by Nicola Haken for Eskimo Princess Book Reviews.
Missing Pieces is about Maddie, a young, British girl who has had to leave the UK with her mom in order to move to the United States. Maddie is very mature for her age. She has had a rough time moving constantly as long as she can remember. She just wants to get her schooling done so she can move on with her adult life. What will happen when she arrives in the US and meets her mom’s friend Trudy’s family? Is Blaine really the bad boy he presents himself as?
Blaine Elwood seems to have the perfect life. He has good looks, a killer smile, and money. However that is what he wants people to think. He doesn’t want anyone to know what goes on behind the closed doors of his family’s gym. Will he be able to change his ways when he meets the beautiful Maddie? Will his father stop him from being with the “trailer trash”?
This book was very interesting. Maddie was such a strong character. She didn’t let any of the rich snotty brats get in her way. She was strong and didn’t let life get her down. She took care of her mom and was very mature about decisions that need to be made. Blaine, well there were times I wanted to reach out and shake him, ask him what was he thinking, but the more I read the more I just wanted to hug him tight and tell him everything was going to be alright. Life for him really was crappy, but he didn’t let it stop him from becoming the man he needed to be.
I have read all of Nicola’s other books and loved them and this one was no different. I love how she tackles life events that are hard to deal with. She has a way with words that is for sure. I have enjoyed all of her books and look forward to reading everything that she writes in the future.
Missing Pieces is about Maddie, a young, British girl who has had to leave the UK with her mom in order to move to the United States. Maddie is very mature for her age. She has had a rough time moving constantly as long as she can remember. She just wants to get her schooling done so she can move on with her adult life. What will happen when she arrives in the US and meets her mom’s friend Trudy’s family? Is Blaine really the bad boy he presents himself as?
Blaine Elwood seems to have the perfect life. He has good looks, a killer smile, and money. However that is what he wants people to think. He doesn’t want anyone to know what goes on behind the closed doors of his family’s gym. Will he be able to change his ways when he meets the beautiful Maddie? Will his father stop him from being with the “trailer trash”?
This book was very interesting. Maddie was such a strong character. She didn’t let any of the rich snotty brats get in her way. She was strong and didn’t let life get her down. She took care of her mom and was very mature about decisions that need to be made. Blaine, well there were times I wanted to reach out and shake him, ask him what was he thinking, but the more I read the more I just wanted to hug him tight and tell him everything was going to be alright. Life for him really was crappy, but he didn’t let it stop him from becoming the man he needed to be.
I have read all of Nicola’s other books and loved them and this one was no different. I love how she tackles life events that are hard to deal with. She has a way with words that is for sure. I have enjoyed all of her books and look forward to reading everything that she writes in the future.
May 17, 2014
The Storyline
Maddie Davis has just moved from England and is starting a new posh private school. Enter Blaine Elwood, the star football player, rich as Croesus, manwhore extraordinary who babysits Maddie during her first day. Maddie's life has had its share of ups and downs( more downs I would say) but she has come out of them. Blaine instantly falls for Maddie, his English cutie! But will he confront his feelings for Maddie and will he make her his at last?
The Characters
Maddie - She is an exemplary heroine. Brave, resilient in adversaries, you will be awed by her. How she takes care of her mother, calming her down by rocking her, I just loved her.
Blaine - Initially, in the first few chapters he comes across as a self important jerk but we know he has some hidden secrets because of the blurb. But page after page I could see his pain, his sacrifice, how alone he truly is. He was slowly developed in the book and by the end of the book I was crying for him.
Maddie and Blaine are survivors and each other's saviours.
Secondary Characters
Annie - She is in denial that she has a mental illness but all that matters for her is Maddie. One cannot miss how much she loves her daughter even though she may not be the best mother.
Lori - She is how a BFF should be, non judgemental, supportive and loyal.
Trudy - Even though the author tried to redeem her character, I just couldn't get past her selfishness. If I start explaining I might just give away the book.
This was a real tearjerker but I loved every minute of it. There were some minute grammatical errors but overall the book is well written, fast paced with a well developed plot.
Maddie Davis has just moved from England and is starting a new posh private school. Enter Blaine Elwood, the star football player, rich as Croesus, manwhore extraordinary who babysits Maddie during her first day. Maddie's life has had its share of ups and downs( more downs I would say) but she has come out of them. Blaine instantly falls for Maddie, his English cutie! But will he confront his feelings for Maddie and will he make her his at last?
The Characters
Maddie - She is an exemplary heroine. Brave, resilient in adversaries, you will be awed by her. How she takes care of her mother, calming her down by rocking her, I just loved her.
Blaine - Initially, in the first few chapters he comes across as a self important jerk but we know he has some hidden secrets because of the blurb. But page after page I could see his pain, his sacrifice, how alone he truly is. He was slowly developed in the book and by the end of the book I was crying for him.
Maddie and Blaine are survivors and each other's saviours.
Secondary Characters
Annie - She is in denial that she has a mental illness but all that matters for her is Maddie. One cannot miss how much she loves her daughter even though she may not be the best mother.
Lori - She is how a BFF should be, non judgemental, supportive and loyal.
Trudy - Even though the author tried to redeem her character, I just couldn't get past her selfishness. If I start explaining I might just give away the book.
This was a real tearjerker but I loved every minute of it. There were some minute grammatical errors but overall the book is well written, fast paced with a well developed plot.
March 27, 2014
I'm a little loss for words... This book took a turn I didn't expect, even though it broke my heart it made the book better. Different. I never expected Blaine's secrets to be what they were. I can't breathe thinking about it!
Maddie is swept up and moved to a new country by her mom. Her mom has some serious issues and Maddie has had to grow up fast to take care of her. With that being said, you can tell her mom loves her. And I think she moves them to America for them both. Anyways, her mom's old friend, Trudy, lives in California with her wealthy husband and has told Annie(Maddie's mom) that she will help them. My heart hurt when reading all that Maddie went through with her mom and school. I loved Lori though! An Jason! They helped add some humor in the story at the right time.
Blaine. Oh, Blaine. I don't even know where to begin with him. I don't want to give anything away so I will leave his story up to you to find out. It's unexpected though! The way he is with Maddie is great! Well when he's not being a dick. Again, you will have to see :)
Aside from trying to figure out some of the English terms, I really enjoyed this story. I laughed, I cried, and I smiled.
ARC provided in exchange for a honest review
Maddie is swept up and moved to a new country by her mom. Her mom has some serious issues and Maddie has had to grow up fast to take care of her. With that being said, you can tell her mom loves her. And I think she moves them to America for them both. Anyways, her mom's old friend, Trudy, lives in California with her wealthy husband and has told Annie(Maddie's mom) that she will help them. My heart hurt when reading all that Maddie went through with her mom and school. I loved Lori though! An Jason! They helped add some humor in the story at the right time.
Blaine. Oh, Blaine. I don't even know where to begin with him. I don't want to give anything away so I will leave his story up to you to find out. It's unexpected though! The way he is with Maddie is great! Well when he's not being a dick. Again, you will have to see :)
Aside from trying to figure out some of the English terms, I really enjoyed this story. I laughed, I cried, and I smiled.
"We're like two missing pieces of the same broken puzzle,lish. I've always felt hollow- incomplete. But when we're together everything makes sense. Everything just... fits,you know? You're it for me, Maddie. You're my missing piece."
ARC provided in exchange for a honest review
April 26, 2014
I am really loving Nicola's books! Such a great author! I totally get sucked into the story lines and the characters. I felt so much heart ache for Blain. To know what's coming if you don't follow the rules has to be scary. I just can't believe the extent that his father would take it. I just wish Blain could have done something about it sooner so he wouldn't have had to go through so much pain.
I also can't imagine how hard it was for Maddie while growing up. I would hate to have to go through what she did alone. Dealing with someone like her mom would be so hard. This poor girl had to go through so much through out this book.
I loved the connection that Blain and Maddie shared. Felt so sad for Maddie, to know what was going on with Blain and not be able to say anything at first had to be hard. She loved him so much and did what she can for him just by being there for him and taking care of him. I'm so happy that together they were able to over come some major obstacles in their lives.
Loved Lori!! She just seemed so sincere. The best friend that Maddie could have ever asked for. The way she was their for Maddie from the beginning was sweet. No matter what Maddie told her or what she saw at times while being around Maddie she never betrayed her. All she ever did was listen and help as much as she could and that's the best thing a friend can do!
I am really looking forward to reading more books by this author!!! Can't wait to see what's next! Missing Pieces is definitely a great read!
I also can't imagine how hard it was for Maddie while growing up. I would hate to have to go through what she did alone. Dealing with someone like her mom would be so hard. This poor girl had to go through so much through out this book.
I loved the connection that Blain and Maddie shared. Felt so sad for Maddie, to know what was going on with Blain and not be able to say anything at first had to be hard. She loved him so much and did what she can for him just by being there for him and taking care of him. I'm so happy that together they were able to over come some major obstacles in their lives.
Loved Lori!! She just seemed so sincere. The best friend that Maddie could have ever asked for. The way she was their for Maddie from the beginning was sweet. No matter what Maddie told her or what she saw at times while being around Maddie she never betrayed her. All she ever did was listen and help as much as she could and that's the best thing a friend can do!
I am really looking forward to reading more books by this author!!! Can't wait to see what's next! Missing Pieces is definitely a great read!
May 18, 2014
4 stars
She maybe my newest favorite author. This is the second book I have read from this author in a week, and I loved it. Her style of writing is great. I truly enjoyed everything about this book. Blaine, even though he thinks he's weak, I think he is the strongest character in this book. He takes so much from every which way I don't know how he is surviving. Maddie, another strong character, has so much drama in her life and it is only starting. The secondary characters are just as strong and I truly love how it all comes together. What held off the five stars was that some things are rushed, still not knowing what actually happened in england, and why some things escalated a little too quickly, but it was definetly such a fantastic book.
Maddie and her mom have to leave england and her friend Trudie to help her. Blaine has to drag Maddie around school, figuring she was going yo be a pest, he was shocked when she was very real person. As they start getting closer, secrets are revieled, lies are told, and truths are found out. Does all the drama mean that true ?I've exist or is all trauma gonna be too much.
This author has two more books that im going to buy as soon I'm done writing this review. What a great author a can't wait to read more.
She maybe my newest favorite author. This is the second book I have read from this author in a week, and I loved it. Her style of writing is great. I truly enjoyed everything about this book. Blaine, even though he thinks he's weak, I think he is the strongest character in this book. He takes so much from every which way I don't know how he is surviving. Maddie, another strong character, has so much drama in her life and it is only starting. The secondary characters are just as strong and I truly love how it all comes together. What held off the five stars was that some things are rushed, still not knowing what actually happened in england, and why some things escalated a little too quickly, but it was definetly such a fantastic book.
Maddie and her mom have to leave england and her friend Trudie to help her. Blaine has to drag Maddie around school, figuring she was going yo be a pest, he was shocked when she was very real person. As they start getting closer, secrets are revieled, lies are told, and truths are found out. Does all the drama mean that true ?I've exist or is all trauma gonna be too much.
This author has two more books that im going to buy as soon I'm done writing this review. What a great author a can't wait to read more.
January 27, 2014
Missing Pieces by Nicola Haken is a beautiful book about love and lies and perseverance.
Blaine is the popular jock that everyone likes but no one really ever gets close to.
Maddie has arrived in town, the latest stop on a long list of places her and her mom have lived in. Being from England and suddenly thrust into school in the United States she is treated like an outcast.
This is the second book I've read by author Nicola Haken and it was great, AGAIN! I moved here in high school from England, but, thank goodness, I didn't experience the social ostracism that Maddie seemed to. High school in America for me was probably the least difficult of school times for me. That being said, every where is different and Nicola really sold it. Grab some tissues, and maybe some chocolate too. This book is cram packed with angst and love and heartbreak and you will need it!
Blaine is the popular jock that everyone likes but no one really ever gets close to.
Maddie has arrived in town, the latest stop on a long list of places her and her mom have lived in. Being from England and suddenly thrust into school in the United States she is treated like an outcast.
This is the second book I've read by author Nicola Haken and it was great, AGAIN! I moved here in high school from England, but, thank goodness, I didn't experience the social ostracism that Maddie seemed to. High school in America for me was probably the least difficult of school times for me. That being said, every where is different and Nicola really sold it. Grab some tissues, and maybe some chocolate too. This book is cram packed with angst and love and heartbreak and you will need it!
January 26, 2014
This book is not for the faint at heart. There was so much going on with everyone in this book but, it was so well written that you didn't feel over whelmed or lost.
Blaine is the hot football Quarterback that all girls want and of course he's known as the school slut that will sleep with anyone just once.
Maddie is the sweet very outspoken British girl that cusses up a storm and has a comeback for most everyone and their snide comments to her.
I was so happy that Blaine and Maddie found each other and seemed to be inseparable and unstoppable. There kept their individual struggles and pains a secret from one another as long as possible but, time revealed all.
Lori, is a great friend and I'm so glad that she is a true friend to Maddie when she needed one. This story seems so impossible for two teenagers in high school who have fell in love but, it happens and they seem to make the best of it and get through everything together without falling apart.
January 31, 2014
A heart-breakingly beautiful story that sucked me in at the first page and kept me there until the end.
Missing pieces took me on an emotional roller coaster, it had me laugh out loud, made me full on ugly cry, made my heart sing and also gave me parts that had me horrified at the truly horrific things that happen to some of the characters.
The book is beautifully written, daring to tackle serious issues head on in a story that flows brilliantly throughout. It is full of twists, turns and shocks that come at you left right and center making this a book that I just couldn't bare to put down.
Maddie and Blaine both stole my heart from the beginning, I adored their characters and could of read their story all day long. The sexual tension between the pair of them is sizzling hot and I love how their relationship developed.
Over all I would 100% recommend this book as an absolute MUST READ and give it 5 BIG BOOK LOVE STARS!
Missing pieces took me on an emotional roller coaster, it had me laugh out loud, made me full on ugly cry, made my heart sing and also gave me parts that had me horrified at the truly horrific things that happen to some of the characters.
The book is beautifully written, daring to tackle serious issues head on in a story that flows brilliantly throughout. It is full of twists, turns and shocks that come at you left right and center making this a book that I just couldn't bare to put down.
Maddie and Blaine both stole my heart from the beginning, I adored their characters and could of read their story all day long. The sexual tension between the pair of them is sizzling hot and I love how their relationship developed.
Over all I would 100% recommend this book as an absolute MUST READ and give it 5 BIG BOOK LOVE STARS!
January 23, 2014
2.5 stars
DNF. I just couldn't, Maddie was annoying tf outta me. She just got on my nerves, it's not that I didn't like her- actually I didn't like her. I don't know, maybe its just me but I found her too annoying, she just did things that got on my nerves. She would say she wouldn't do something, then after all her crying and whatever she does it anyway. She acts like a bitch in heat with Blaine! And seriously BLAINE? Really, I did not like him. I thought he was a straight up jerk from the beginning, I do feel sorry for him because of his dad but come on... you mean to tell me a 6 foot something FOOTBALLER can't stand up for himself? I would get it if he was younger but he's nearly 18, he really doesn't have anything to lose by standing up to his sicko dad!
But in all honesty, most of the characters got on my nerves, the only one who didn't was Lori. And that's saying something.
DNF. I just couldn't, Maddie was annoying tf outta me. She just got on my nerves, it's not that I didn't like her- actually I didn't like her. I don't know, maybe its just me but I found her too annoying, she just did things that got on my nerves. She would say she wouldn't do something, then after all her crying and whatever she does it anyway. She acts like a bitch in heat with Blaine! And seriously BLAINE? Really, I did not like him. I thought he was a straight up jerk from the beginning, I do feel sorry for him because of his dad but come on... you mean to tell me a 6 foot something FOOTBALLER can't stand up for himself? I would get it if he was younger but he's nearly 18, he really doesn't have anything to lose by standing up to his sicko dad!
But in all honesty, most of the characters got on my nerves, the only one who didn't was Lori. And that's saying something.
March 12, 2014
Another WOW!
Nicola has such an enduring way of writing about raw issues! I can not help but love her books.
Maddie is 17, she has never really had a true home because her and her mum were always on the move. Mum was always running from whatever she had gotten into at the time. This move was different, instead of staying in the UK she is in the US, California.
Blaine is the star quarterback, rich, confident bad boy or at least that is how he appears. He has walls built up so no one can know who he really is. Until Maddie, she gets to him from the first meeting. He tries so hard to keep her away, keep her from his secrets, but she him. For the first time in his life he has someone who only wants him, not money, not image, just him.
Maddie and Blaine are on a path of self discovery, unconditional love, and finding the pieces that have been missing from themselves.
June 3, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Blaine and Maddie were amazing. After what the poor guy went through, to come out of it so strong and well put together, he deserves a freaking meddle of honour or something. I loved how he was all cocky and arrogant at the beginning, then started to see that tin man really did have a heart. And his heart was falling deeply in love with the British bulldog, Maddie. It took a while for them to finally sort things out and after him hurting her countless times, she still remained loyal. And he was JUST as loyal when they finally became an item. Blaine was absolutely amazing and she's lucky to have him!
January 30, 2014
This is my third book by this author and I just love her books.
This is the story of Blaine and Maddie. Both have had a nightmare childhood. They are such strong characters yet need a friend at times. This book had me cringing at times. I look at my 17 year old and think there is no way she could handle what is thrown at Blaine and Maddie.
Loved the storyline and the shocks the author throws at me through this book.
Totally recommend this stand alone book.
Received in return for an honest review.
This is the story of Blaine and Maddie. Both have had a nightmare childhood. They are such strong characters yet need a friend at times. This book had me cringing at times. I look at my 17 year old and think there is no way she could handle what is thrown at Blaine and Maddie.
Loved the storyline and the shocks the author throws at me through this book.
Totally recommend this stand alone book.
Received in return for an honest review.
June 26, 2013
Emotional rollercoaster much???
I was most definitely not expecting this story to get so dark. It started off being hilarious, even though it was clear Blaine was having some pretty intense struggles at home. I just didn't expect them to be SO intense. My heart broke in two at times and I can't deny I felt a little uncomfortable at others. But I was truly gripped and couldn't have put it down without knowing if Maddie and Blaine ended up happy.
Great read.
I was most definitely not expecting this story to get so dark. It started off being hilarious, even though it was clear Blaine was having some pretty intense struggles at home. I just didn't expect them to be SO intense. My heart broke in two at times and I can't deny I felt a little uncomfortable at others. But I was truly gripped and couldn't have put it down without knowing if Maddie and Blaine ended up happy.
Great read.
February 2, 2014
Missing Pieces is a gripping story from the very beginning.
It is just so beautiful and poignant.
I devoured it in one day. I couldn´t stop reading it.
The book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster journey that you will be thinking about days after you finish it.
You are simply enraptured with every single page.
A MUST MUST READ.
≧◔◡◔≦ 5 ✰ read ≧◉◡◉≦
>>>ARC received in exchange for an honest review<<<
It is just so beautiful and poignant.
I devoured it in one day. I couldn´t stop reading it.
The book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster journey that you will be thinking about days after you finish it.
You are simply enraptured with every single page.
A MUST MUST READ.
≧◔◡◔≦ 5 ✰ read ≧◉◡◉≦
>>>ARC received in exchange for an honest review<<<
April 18, 2014
This was my second book by the amazing author Nicola Haken. I really love her books! I went into Missing Pieces with a clear head and without any expectations, and I loved it.... I was angry, I wanted to kill someone, I cried....I didn't want to finish the book at times, but I'm glad I did! Love the characters, especially Maddie and Blaine! They are in my heart!!! ❤️
So THANK YOU Nicola for bringing these story's and keep going!!!!! ❤️
So THANK YOU Nicola for bringing these story's and keep going!!!!! ❤️
June 17, 2013
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It sparked a whole range of emotions in me from start to finish. I have never laughed AND cried so much within the same book ever! It definitely had darker moments which I could see might be uncomfortable for some readers though I think they were written very well. Will definitely be recommending this book to my friends.
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