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Natural Love
My whole life, I wanted one thing: to be the perfect son.
Growing up, I did everything my father required. Straight A’s in school. Perfect manners. I forced myself to live up to his standards--standards that pushed the Chadwick family name to the highest rungs of society.
Over the years, we climbed so high that my father hoped we’d never fall.
If only he’d been right. With each successful year, the Chadwick family skeletons grew bolder and darker. Every lie threatened to undo us.
The secret Avery Jackson and I shared was the worst one of all.
She was the one person I shouldn’t love--the one person I couldn’t love. But I did. I loved Avery Jackson. I wanted her, even though a romance with her threatened everything.
It all felt so natural.
And that was exactly the problem.
Growing up, I did everything my father required. Straight A’s in school. Perfect manners. I forced myself to live up to his standards--standards that pushed the Chadwick family name to the highest rungs of society.
Over the years, we climbed so high that my father hoped we’d never fall.
If only he’d been right. With each successful year, the Chadwick family skeletons grew bolder and darker. Every lie threatened to undo us.
The secret Avery Jackson and I shared was the worst one of all.
She was the one person I shouldn’t love--the one person I couldn’t love. But I did. I loved Avery Jackson. I wanted her, even though a romance with her threatened everything.
It all felt so natural.
And that was exactly the problem.
238 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2014
49 people are currently reading
2041 people want to read
About the author
Sara Celi
35 books224 followersNew Orleans born Sara Celi has lived all over the United States. She calls the Greater Cincinnati area and the Queen City home.
She has spent more than a decade working in journalism and broadcasting, with jobs both on-air and off-air at TV stations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications, magazines and newspapers, and she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Positive.
Sara graduated cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2004.
In her spare time, she likes to read, shop, write, travel, run long distances, volunteer with the Junior League, and fund raise for Cooperative for Education, a non-profit providing educational opportunities for Guatemalan kids.
She has spent more than a decade working in journalism and broadcasting, with jobs both on-air and off-air at TV stations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications, magazines and newspapers, and she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Positive.
Sara graduated cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2004.
In her spare time, she likes to read, shop, write, travel, run long distances, volunteer with the Junior League, and fund raise for Cooperative for Education, a non-profit providing educational opportunities for Guatemalan kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
December 9, 2014
3 stars!
I know the rating doesn’t really show it, but I did enjoy this book up until the point I didn’t. The writing was solid and as a lover of taboo and forbidden romances, I was happy with a surprise reveal in the beginning that added yet another complex layer to the story. However, the excellent premise was overshadowed by some issues that gradually dominated the story and by the end of the book I was so disappointed when I read how everything was wrapped up. But taking the book as a whole, this was a decent read. Nothing that wowed me, but it did keep me flipping the pages.
Back home from 2 years in the Peace Corps, Spencer Chadwick is ready to take over his father’s multimillion-dollar business. Striving to always be the perfect son in front of his father and the rest of their social circle, Spencer is dedicated to showing everyone he’s changed from the reckless youngster a few years back. However, the only thing that has never changed is his love for Avery Jackson, the girl who grew up with him since they were kids and also the one girl he can never have.
Like I mentioned earlier, there is a taboo aspect but in an unconventional way. Spencer and Avery together technically doesn’t violate any rules or laws and there is absolutely zero cheating and no love triangle, but because of the stifling, perfectionist society they grew up in, a relationship between them is frowned upon and severe enough where it can mar their family names.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. The story was intense and individually, I really felt for these characters and the unfairness the situation placed them in. And because they were trying so hard to suppress their feelings, the atmosphere was almost always heavy and laced with sexual tension. But as to be expected, they give in to their attraction and that’s when the secrets started to pile up, the drama surfaced, and I started to get annoyed.
As the story progressed, I noticed that the writing became more ‘telling’ than ‘showing.’ I’m told repeatedly that their relationship is forbidden, there are so many family secrets, etc…over and over again, even all the way to the 70% mark. I’m not a fan of stories that like to elongate and drag out plot devices to create conflict and in my opinion, I think that’s what the author did with the ‘secret’ that the hero and heroine were hiding. And then when it was actually revealed, I felt…underwhelmed. It’s bad of me to say, but because I’ve read SO many books with this kind of secret, it desensitizes me. While I felt sorry for the characters and wished it never happened, it wasn’t a compelling enough of a reason to drag it out through almost the entire story. Lastly, the final 20% of the story was just drama overload. The pace of the book totally changed and while the first portion moved steadily, the author cranked up the pace, stuffed, then wrapped up all the loose ends in this teensy last portion. It’s safe to say I wasn’t a fan of the rushed ending. I do think if the book were longer there would be more room for plot development.
Natural Love is a NA forbidden romance standalone unrelated to the author’s other books. I will not spoil what makes their relationship taboo, only because it’s revealed in the very beginning of the book so it’s not like it’s intentionally hidden from readers.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I know the rating doesn’t really show it, but I did enjoy this book up until the point I didn’t. The writing was solid and as a lover of taboo and forbidden romances, I was happy with a surprise reveal in the beginning that added yet another complex layer to the story. However, the excellent premise was overshadowed by some issues that gradually dominated the story and by the end of the book I was so disappointed when I read how everything was wrapped up. But taking the book as a whole, this was a decent read. Nothing that wowed me, but it did keep me flipping the pages.
Back home from 2 years in the Peace Corps, Spencer Chadwick is ready to take over his father’s multimillion-dollar business. Striving to always be the perfect son in front of his father and the rest of their social circle, Spencer is dedicated to showing everyone he’s changed from the reckless youngster a few years back. However, the only thing that has never changed is his love for Avery Jackson, the girl who grew up with him since they were kids and also the one girl he can never have.
Like I mentioned earlier, there is a taboo aspect but in an unconventional way. Spencer and Avery together technically doesn’t violate any rules or laws and there is absolutely zero cheating and no love triangle, but because of the stifling, perfectionist society they grew up in, a relationship between them is frowned upon and severe enough where it can mar their family names.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. The story was intense and individually, I really felt for these characters and the unfairness the situation placed them in. And because they were trying so hard to suppress their feelings, the atmosphere was almost always heavy and laced with sexual tension. But as to be expected, they give in to their attraction and that’s when the secrets started to pile up, the drama surfaced, and I started to get annoyed.
As the story progressed, I noticed that the writing became more ‘telling’ than ‘showing.’ I’m told repeatedly that their relationship is forbidden, there are so many family secrets, etc…over and over again, even all the way to the 70% mark. I’m not a fan of stories that like to elongate and drag out plot devices to create conflict and in my opinion, I think that’s what the author did with the ‘secret’ that the hero and heroine were hiding. And then when it was actually revealed, I felt…underwhelmed. It’s bad of me to say, but because I’ve read SO many books with this kind of secret, it desensitizes me. While I felt sorry for the characters and wished it never happened, it wasn’t a compelling enough of a reason to drag it out through almost the entire story. Lastly, the final 20% of the story was just drama overload. The pace of the book totally changed and while the first portion moved steadily, the author cranked up the pace, stuffed, then wrapped up all the loose ends in this teensy last portion. It’s safe to say I wasn’t a fan of the rushed ending. I do think if the book were longer there would be more room for plot development.
Natural Love is a NA forbidden romance standalone unrelated to the author’s other books. I will not spoil what makes their relationship taboo, only because it’s revealed in the very beginning of the book so it’s not like it’s intentionally hidden from readers.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
December 13, 2014This blurb sounds good!
STANDALONE. DEC 9, 2014.
STANDALONE. DEC 9, 2014.
November 26, 2014
Loved it!!! SO good!
December 8, 2014
☆Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review☆
TITLE: Natural Love
AUTHOR: Sara Celi
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: December 9th 2014
MY RATING: ★★★★
Starting this and even an hour in the story it felt like I was missing something like there was a previous book to this one, story line wasn't matching up to the dots but then bit by bit the author revealed titbits as I carried on reading..
How could something so natural feel so wrong!!
Everyone knows you can't f*ck your stepsister
AN OBSESSION
Avery's father died when she was three, in a car accident, her mum, Linda, married my dad two years later.
SECRET DESIRES
I'm your stepbrother, your brother, for Christ's sakes. You're more of a sister to me than a step sister. This can never happen. Ever. I'm your brother. You're my sister. That's all..
A kiss that should never have happened. A kiss that teased us both. A kiss I hadn't tried to stop, though I knew I should have. A kiss that revealed too much, and left me desperate for more.
A FORBIDDEN LOVE
We had so much between us, so much more than just the physical. When our bodies moved together, they created a haze of ecstasy. Avery's soul was mine.
You're my sister..I'm your brother..This is not okay!!
FORBIDDEN FEELINGS
A natural kind of love doomed from the start, a heart felt journey that will have you cringing, rooting for these two taboo lovers, but like a train wreck you can't stop reading..
Will add more to my review tomorrow
TITLE: Natural Love
AUTHOR: Sara Celi
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: December 9th 2014
MY RATING: ★★★★
Starting this and even an hour in the story it felt like I was missing something like there was a previous book to this one, story line wasn't matching up to the dots but then bit by bit the author revealed titbits as I carried on reading..
How could something so natural feel so wrong!!
Everyone knows you can't f*ck your stepsister
AN OBSESSION
Avery's father died when she was three, in a car accident, her mum, Linda, married my dad two years later.
SECRET DESIRES
I'm your stepbrother, your brother, for Christ's sakes. You're more of a sister to me than a step sister. This can never happen. Ever. I'm your brother. You're my sister. That's all..
A kiss that should never have happened. A kiss that teased us both. A kiss I hadn't tried to stop, though I knew I should have. A kiss that revealed too much, and left me desperate for more.
A FORBIDDEN LOVE
We had so much between us, so much more than just the physical. When our bodies moved together, they created a haze of ecstasy. Avery's soul was mine.
You're my sister..I'm your brother..This is not okay!!
FORBIDDEN FEELINGS
A natural kind of love doomed from the start, a heart felt journey that will have you cringing, rooting for these two taboo lovers, but like a train wreck you can't stop reading..
Will add more to my review tomorrow
Read
December 30, 2014After seeing a lot of recommendations from other authors for this one we were really looking forward to reading it but sadly, it didn't work for us. The male pov felt off and it didn't grab us. No rating as we didn't finish.
December 10, 2014
....Wish there were more stories like this; just loved it.
Read
June 30, 2015Dnf'ed at 88%
This was such a struggle to get to 88%. I kept hoping there would be some saving grace. Hoped against hope! I love step sibling romances with a passion, but this one... missed the mark.
This was such a struggle to get to 88%. I kept hoping there would be some saving grace. Hoped against hope! I love step sibling romances with a passion, but this one... missed the mark.
December 12, 2014
Yeahhhhhh.... I'm still not sure about this one.
This could've been really good with the scandelous, taboo love affair between stepsiblings but it lacked depth.
I got kind of bored of reading about the H and his internal battles of wanting his stepsister and wanting his role at his father's company.
The conversations didn't flow right and I expected more a BOOM rather than was was provided in the end.
The climax of the story was delivered then just kind of disappeared into thin air.
There was ton of potential to make this book off the hook, but it fell of the cliff somewhere which I'm still trying to find.
dnf
December 11, 2014DNF @ 52%
Boy, was I wrong about this one. Poor writing, all tell and no show, zero chemistry. Couldn't finish it.
Boy, was I wrong about this one. Poor writing, all tell and no show, zero chemistry. Couldn't finish it.
August 8, 2015
If you tell me a book has a forbidden love story contained in its pages, I will be on it like white on rice. Add in an intriguing blurb and I will count the days until release. Throw in a pretty cover and I'm all in. That was the case for this book. It had all of those things. Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me. I felt nothing for the characters and, to be honest, a little bored by the plot.
Spencer Chadwick hasn't been back in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio for two years. After a DUI and car accident, his father forced him into the Peace Corp and off he went to South Africa. Born into wealth and privilege, Spencer is set to take over his father's construction company if he can get in his father's good graces. It would seem Spencer has it all going for him. But he wants the one person he can't have, Avery Jackson.
Avery Jackson is . He has missed her the most out of everyone. Now that he's back he realizes his feelings for her have only intensified, especially after she confesses her feelings for him. Spencer can only resist her for so long. He's caught between a rock and a hard place when he's forced to choose between making his father happy and carrying on the Chadwick legacy and being with the girl he shouldn't want to have.
I wasn't expecting the storyline. And I didn't dislike the book due to that extra element. I just don't think this book was executed as well as it could have been. There was absolutely no subtlety to the writing, no nuance or beauty. When I read a book, I like to experience the emotions the characters are having. And part of what makes that possible is the author's ability to pull me into a fictional world with their words. I wasn't able to escape into this book.
Like I said earlier, I was bored. I didn't connect with the story or the characters. I know a lot of people use the phrase "I couldn't connect" but that truly is what happened here. In Natural Love, the characters lacked depth. Everything the characters felt, the forbidden romance that blossomed between them, was told to me rather than allowing me to truly experience it as a reader.
For me, plot is the least important element of a book. If the writing is excellent and the characters are three-dimensional, I can deal with a lackluster plot. Here, those first two elements were not strong enough to make this plot hold the book together. Very little happened to move to plot forward. The first 35%-40% of the book was Spencer trying to fight his feelings, staring at her ass, and internally telling himself he shouldn't and to take a cold shower. There was so much repetition in this story that made the plot seem stagnant.
The last 5-10% was the final nail in the coffin that solidified my rating. There was a trauma in Avery's past that reared its ugly head at the very end. I was wondering what role this event was going to play. When the trauma was revealed it put the whole book into perspective for me and I realized that it was completely used as a plot device and really held no bearing to her character at all. I didn't like the way it was used.
Hardcore forbidden romance junkies may like this book for that element alone, but it didn't work for me at all.
1 star
* I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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January 11, 2015
Λοιπόν πραγματικά δυσκολεύομαι να μιλήσω για αυτό το βιβλίο γιατί ήταν… περίεργο. Ναι περίεργο. Πώς να το εξηγήσω καλύτερα; Δεν το κατάλαβα ας πούμε.
Το Natural love ήταν το πρώτο μου βιβλίο της θεματολογίας stepbrother/stepsister. Δεν ξέρω τι περίμενα και επίσης δεν νομίζω το συγκεκριμένο να ήταν το κλασικό παράδειγμα του είδους. Τέλος πάντων οι προσδοκίες μου δεν δικαιώθηκαν, αλλά δεν πέρασα και άσχημα. Αντίθετα προβληματίστηκα. Και επειδή ακριβώς η συγγραφέας δεν μου εξήγησε αυτά που ήθελα να καταλάβω θα κάνω μια μικρή απόπειρα μόνη μου, χωρίς να είμαι ούτε ψυχολόγος ούτε γιατρός για να μπορέσω να εξηγήσω κάποια δεδομένα βιολογικής φύσεως.
Καταρχήν έχουμε δύο κεντρικούς χαρακτήρες που μεγαλώνουν μαζί από 3-5 χρόνων σε μια υποτιθέμενα δεμένη και τέλεια οικογένεια, η οποία δεν συγχωρεί ούτε λάθη ούτε οποιεσδήποτε «παρορμήσεις», αλλά αντίθετα απαιτεί από τα μέλη της μια τελειότητα σε κάθε κίνηση. Ίσως αυτό ακριβώς το καταπιεστικό περιβάλλον ουσιαστικά να λειτούργησε αντίστροφα δημιουργώντας στο μυαλό αυτών των παιδιών ότι δεν είναι οικογένεια και άρα δεν οφείλουν να σέβονται τους συγγενικούς δεσμούς τους, αλλά μονάχα τους δεσμούς αγάπης που έχουν μεταξύ τους. Αυτό σε συνάρτηση με ένα τραγικό γεγονός που ενώνει ακόμη περισσότερους τους δύο πρωταγωνιστές οδηγεί σιγά σιγά τους ήρωες μεγαλώνοντας σε μια αμοιβαία έλξη και έντονη συντροφικότητα. Δεν ξέρω αν όλο αυτό είναι ακριβώς λογικό αλλά ας πούμε ότι το δέχομαι έτσι, παρ’ όλες τις αντιρρήσεις που συνεχίζω να έχω. Ναι πρόκειται για ένα θέμα ταμπού και πιστέψτε με δεν έχω κανένα πρόβλημα με αυτά τα θέματα, αρκεί να δικαιολογούνται ή έστω να αιτιολογούνται. Και η συγγραφέας δεν τα κατάφερε πολύ καλά σε αυτόν τον τομέα, αντίθετα πολλές φορές ένιωσα ότι προσπαθούσε υπερβολικά να προκαλέσει επικεντρώνοντας την ιστορία σε μια σέξι αφήγηση που δεν της έβγαινε ακριβώς.
Πέρα από τα πιο πάνω θεωρώ ότι το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο ξεκινά αρκετά καλά και έχει μια σταθερή δομή μέχρι τη μέση τουλάχιστον. Η διήγηση είναι μονόπλευρη, από τη μεριά του πρωταγωνιστή, τον οποίο θεωρώ ότι ο αναγνώστης καταφέρνει να γνωρίσει καλύτερα από ό,τι γνωρίζει ο ίδιος τον εαυτό του. Πρόκειται για ένα χαρακτήρα περίεργο (ναι περίεργο για ακόμη μια φορά) που όμως με προκάλεσε. Με προκάλεσε γιατί πρόκειται για έναν άνθρωπο που ουσιαστικά δεν θέλει ούτε αυτά που έχει ούτε αυτά που νομίζει ότι θέλει, πέρα από μια σταθερά που είναι η μόνη του αλήθεια και αυτή είναι η Avery. Ο Σπένσερ λοιπόν λέει ψέματα σε όλους και για όλα. Ακόμα και στον ίδιο του τον εαυτό και αυτό είναι φανερό από τις πρώτες κιόλας σελίδες. Από την άλλη έχουμε την Avery, την οποία πραγματικά νομίζω ότι γνωρίζω πολύ λίγο. Η ιστορία είναι όλη επικεντρωμένη τόσο πολύ πάνω στον Σπένσερ και το πώς ο ίδιος βλέπει τα πράγματα που όλοι οι υπόλοιποι χαρακτήρες ένιωσα ότι έμειναν στο περιθώριο και μαζί τους και η ίδια η πρωταγωνίστρια. Αν κάποιος είναι το τραγικό πρόσωπο στην όλη ιστορία αυτή είναι Avery, την οποία όμως η συγγραφέας δεν μας δίνει την ευκαιρία να γνωρίσουμε σωστά και αντί αυτού παρακολουθούμε συνέχεια τον Σπένσερ να κλαψουρίζει και να πνίγει τις τύψεις του στο αλκοόλ (ένα θέμα που θεώρησα ιδιαίτερα ενδιαφέρον). Πραγματικά σε τέτοιου είδους ιστορίες θεωρώ ότι πρέπει να υπάρχει αφήγηση και από τους δύο πρωταγωνιστές.
Και δίπλα σε όλα αυτά εμφανίζεται ως διά μαγείας ένα τόσο βεβιασμένο τέλος που δεν το περίμενα με τίποτα. Εκεί που ανέμενα και έλεγα επιτέλους εδώ παίζονται όλα και ο καθένας θα δικαιολογήσει την πλευρά του, όλα «λύνονται» με έναν περίεργο τρόπο που δεν νομίζω ότι με έπεισε.
Τέλος πάντως δεν θέλω να μακρηγορήσω περαιτέρω. Ήταν ένα βιβλίο με το οποίο πέρασα ευχάριστα την ώρα μου, αλλά το οποίο έχει πολλά θέματα σε πολλούς τομείς…
Το Natural love ήταν το πρώτο μου βιβλίο της θεματολογίας stepbrother/stepsister. Δεν ξέρω τι περίμενα και επίσης δεν νομίζω το συγκεκριμένο να ήταν το κλασικό παράδειγμα του είδους. Τέλος πάντων οι προσδοκίες μου δεν δικαιώθηκαν, αλλά δεν πέρασα και άσχημα. Αντίθετα προβληματίστηκα. Και επειδή ακριβώς η συγγραφέας δεν μου εξήγησε αυτά που ήθελα να καταλάβω θα κάνω μια μικρή απόπειρα μόνη μου, χωρίς να είμαι ούτε ψυχολόγος ούτε γιατρός για να μπορέσω να εξηγήσω κάποια δεδομένα βιολογικής φύσεως.
Καταρχήν έχουμε δύο κεντρικούς χαρακτήρες που μεγαλώνουν μαζί από 3-5 χρόνων σε μια υποτιθέμενα δεμένη και τέλεια οικογένεια, η οποία δεν συγχωρεί ούτε λάθη ούτε οποιεσδήποτε «παρορμήσεις», αλλά αντίθετα απαιτεί από τα μέλη της μια τελειότητα σε κάθε κίνηση. Ίσως αυτό ακριβώς το καταπιεστικό περιβάλλον ουσιαστικά να λειτούργησε αντίστροφα δημιουργώντας στο μυαλό αυτών των παιδιών ότι δεν είναι οικογένεια και άρα δεν οφείλουν να σέβονται τους συγγενικούς δεσμούς τους, αλλά μονάχα τους δεσμούς αγάπης που έχουν μεταξύ τους. Αυτό σε συνάρτηση με ένα τραγικό γεγονός που ενώνει ακόμη περισσότερους τους δύο πρωταγωνιστές οδηγεί σιγά σιγά τους ήρωες μεγαλώνοντας σε μια αμοιβαία έλξη και έντονη συντροφικότητα. Δεν ξέρω αν όλο αυτό είναι ακριβώς λογικό αλλά ας πούμε ότι το δέχομαι έτσι, παρ’ όλες τις αντιρρήσεις που συνεχίζω να έχω. Ναι πρόκειται για ένα θέμα ταμπού και πιστέψτε με δεν έχω κανένα πρόβλημα με αυτά τα θέματα, αρκεί να δικαιολογούνται ή έστω να αιτιολογούνται. Και η συγγραφέας δεν τα κατάφερε πολύ καλά σε αυτόν τον τομέα, αντίθετα πολλές φορές ένιωσα ότι προσπαθούσε υπερβολικά να προκαλέσει επικεντρώνοντας την ιστορία σε μια σέξι αφήγηση που δεν της έβγαινε ακριβώς.
Πέρα από τα πιο πάνω θεωρώ ότι το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο ξεκινά αρκετά καλά και έχει μια σταθερή δομή μέχρι τη μέση τουλάχιστον. Η διήγηση είναι μονόπλευρη, από τη μεριά του πρωταγωνιστή, τον οποίο θεωρώ ότι ο αναγνώστης καταφέρνει να γνωρίσει καλύτερα από ό,τι γνωρίζει ο ίδιος τον εαυτό του. Πρόκειται για ένα χαρακτήρα περίεργο (ναι περίεργο για ακόμη μια φορά) που όμως με προκάλεσε. Με προκάλεσε γιατί πρόκειται για έναν άνθρωπο που ουσιαστικά δεν θέλει ούτε αυτά που έχει ούτε αυτά που νομίζει ότι θέλει, πέρα από μια σταθερά που είναι η μόνη του αλήθεια και αυτή είναι η Avery. Ο Σπένσερ λοιπόν λέει ψέματα σε όλους και για όλα. Ακόμα και στον ίδιο του τον εαυτό και αυτό είναι φανερό από τις πρώτες κιόλας σελίδες. Από την άλλη έχουμε την Avery, την οποία πραγματικά νομίζω ότι γνωρίζω πολύ λίγο. Η ιστορία είναι όλη επικεντρωμένη τόσο πολύ πάνω στον Σπένσερ και το πώς ο ίδιος βλέπει τα πράγματα που όλοι οι υπόλοιποι χαρακτήρες ένιωσα ότι έμειναν στο περιθώριο και μαζί τους και η ίδια η πρωταγωνίστρια. Αν κάποιος είναι το τραγικό πρόσωπο στην όλη ιστορία αυτή είναι Avery, την οποία όμως η συγγραφέας δεν μας δίνει την ευκαιρία να γνωρίσουμε σωστά και αντί αυτού παρακολουθούμε συνέχεια τον Σπένσερ να κλαψουρίζει και να πνίγει τις τύψεις του στο αλκοόλ (ένα θέμα που θεώρησα ιδιαίτερα ενδιαφέρον). Πραγματικά σε τέτοιου είδους ιστορίες θεωρώ ότι πρέπει να υπάρχει αφήγηση και από τους δύο πρωταγωνιστές.
Και δίπλα σε όλα αυτά εμφανίζεται ως διά μαγείας ένα τόσο βεβιασμένο τέλος που δεν το περίμενα με τίποτα. Εκεί που ανέμενα και έλεγα επιτέλους εδώ παίζονται όλα και ο καθένας θα δικαιολογήσει την πλευρά του, όλα «λύνονται» με έναν περίεργο τρόπο που δεν νομίζω ότι με έπεισε.
Τέλος πάντως δεν θέλω να μακρηγορήσω περαιτέρω. Ήταν ένα βιβλίο με το οποίο πέρασα ευχάριστα την ώρα μου, αλλά το οποίο έχει πολλά θέματα σε πολλούς τομείς…
October 13, 2014
Natural Love was an amazing quick read. The plot is a little um... taboo but it will suck you in and have you rooting for the characters. The author did a great job of making you feel like part of the story and making the book hard to put down. Great 5 star read!
November 12, 2014
Sara did an amazing job with this novel!
What if the one person you loved was the one you couldn't have? Would you be able to control yourself, to let the lust and need go, or would you fall from grace?
What if the one person you loved was the one you couldn't have? Would you be able to control yourself, to let the lust and need go, or would you fall from grace?
Read
December 30, 2014After seeing a lot of recommendations from other authors for this one we were really looking forward to reading it but sadly, it didn't work for us. The male pov felt off and it didn't grab us. No rating as we didn't finish.
Want to read
November 10, 2014#Ooh!! I want to read this baby!!
December 3, 2014
Before I tell you how much I LOVED this book, I need to tell you that 1) I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review and 2) the book is dedicated to me. But before you think I am biased based on the book dedication, go back and read the dedication! When Sara told me about the rather taboo subject matter of this book, I seriously told her not to write this book because it reminded me of an after-school special I remember watching in the 1980s. Having admitted that, I'm so glad she didn't listen to me! She handled this topic so thoughtfully, along with another sensitive aspect of this book. And this book is nothing like I expected it to be when Sara told me about it (or like the after-school special). Instead, it is engaging, fast-paced, romantic in a good way, and an observational study of the upper-middle and upper classes.
What I really loved about this book were the characters. As in Prince Charming and The Palms, Sara absolutely nails the male point of view with Spencer. He is a living, breathing person who comes to life in the pages of the book. He's not perfect, and he knows it, and the conflict he faces plays out gradually throughout the book. The short chapters definitely make the book fly by, and I hope Sara decides to write another book in Spencer's world.
What I really loved about this book were the characters. As in Prince Charming and The Palms, Sara absolutely nails the male point of view with Spencer. He is a living, breathing person who comes to life in the pages of the book. He's not perfect, and he knows it, and the conflict he faces plays out gradually throughout the book. The short chapters definitely make the book fly by, and I hope Sara decides to write another book in Spencer's world.
December 29, 2014
The sexual frustration made this book so much better. I did like the first half more than the second. It's not something I've never read before but it was still enjoyable.
I'm actually surprised at the low general rating. WTH? It was not that bad! Come on! I usually hate NA romances rated over 4.3 while everyone else salivate themselves. Maybe the prudes rated it low because of the step siblings sexy times? I think them being 'related' made it even hotter. haha
I'm actually surprised at the low general rating. WTH? It was not that bad! Come on! I usually hate NA romances rated over 4.3 while everyone else salivate themselves. Maybe the prudes rated it low because of the step siblings sexy times? I think them being 'related' made it even hotter. haha
January 14, 2015
2 STARS
I'm very sad to say but this book didn't work for me at all. I struggled to finish it and I did it just because I wanted to know how it was going to end but not even the fact that it ended in a somehow "happy note" appeased my overall disappointment. :(
The big problem for me was that this story didn't make me feel anything from the characters. This was supposed to be a story about a forbidden love between a stepbrother and a stepsister and from my experience, forbidden romances should have at least some level of passion and/or suspense yet this book lacked on both. Yeah, I never felt any chemistry between the characters and sometimes I found their dialogues awkward and stiff. It was like they really saw each other more like siblings than the actual longing lovers they were supposed to be and I found that kind of weird and a little disturbing at times. I wish there was some back story about them growing up together so I could see and understand how and when their relationship shifted. Perhaps with that information their attraction/love would have felt genuine and not rushed and unexplained.
This story is told completely on the male's POV and I usually love to hear my hero's voice in my head but with Spencer it didn't work. There was too much unnecessary details that just dragged the story along with nothing for me to hold on to. It was until 55% into the book that something finally happened but by that point I was frustrated since there was no buildup or anticipation to that moment. Furthermore, the female character didn't have much of a strong presence in the story and when she did she sounded too immature for my liking. Like I said before, these characters' relationship was a little weird, it didn't feel natural or graceful. It was like the line between lovers and step siblings was not clearly drawn making their interactions confusing and not that enjoyable, unfortunately. On the positive side, the writing was fluent and easy to read. I was able to finish the book rather quickly despite my complaints.
As a final note, I think the characters and their relationship just needed more development and the story needed to be infused with some emotional intensity to make it feel like a true romance. If that would have been the case, I think this book could have been a good one for me.
That's it. I take no pleasure in writing negative reviews so writing this one was hard. But I do love sharing my opinion which like every reader's will always be subjective so remember, what doesn't work for one person may work for another one. ;)
Purchase: Amazon US * Amazon UK
Visit my blog for more reviews, book news, and giveaways! Blog * Facebook * Twitter
Happy reading! ;)
I'm very sad to say but this book didn't work for me at all. I struggled to finish it and I did it just because I wanted to know how it was going to end but not even the fact that it ended in a somehow "happy note" appeased my overall disappointment. :(
The big problem for me was that this story didn't make me feel anything from the characters. This was supposed to be a story about a forbidden love between a stepbrother and a stepsister and from my experience, forbidden romances should have at least some level of passion and/or suspense yet this book lacked on both. Yeah, I never felt any chemistry between the characters and sometimes I found their dialogues awkward and stiff. It was like they really saw each other more like siblings than the actual longing lovers they were supposed to be and I found that kind of weird and a little disturbing at times. I wish there was some back story about them growing up together so I could see and understand how and when their relationship shifted. Perhaps with that information their attraction/love would have felt genuine and not rushed and unexplained.
This story is told completely on the male's POV and I usually love to hear my hero's voice in my head but with Spencer it didn't work. There was too much unnecessary details that just dragged the story along with nothing for me to hold on to. It was until 55% into the book that something finally happened but by that point I was frustrated since there was no buildup or anticipation to that moment. Furthermore, the female character didn't have much of a strong presence in the story and when she did she sounded too immature for my liking. Like I said before, these characters' relationship was a little weird, it didn't feel natural or graceful. It was like the line between lovers and step siblings was not clearly drawn making their interactions confusing and not that enjoyable, unfortunately. On the positive side, the writing was fluent and easy to read. I was able to finish the book rather quickly despite my complaints.
As a final note, I think the characters and their relationship just needed more development and the story needed to be infused with some emotional intensity to make it feel like a true romance. If that would have been the case, I think this book could have been a good one for me.
That's it. I take no pleasure in writing negative reviews so writing this one was hard. But I do love sharing my opinion which like every reader's will always be subjective so remember, what doesn't work for one person may work for another one. ;)
Purchase: Amazon US * Amazon UK
Visit my blog for more reviews, book news, and giveaways! Blog * Facebook * Twitter
Happy reading! ;)
December 12, 2014
Review done for www.literarygossip.com
I’m not sure how I feel about Natural Love. At times I was really engaged in the story and couldn’t wait to turn the next page, and at others I found myself getting distracted and losing focus on the story. The subject matter is definitely taboo, and made me wonder how much this actually happens in real life. I didn’t find myself connected to the characters individually, or as a couple, as much as I would have liked. Instead of being shown how they grew close as children, we were told. And all the secrets that were referred to sort of mixed me up. I couldn’t tell if some things were being kept secret for the sake of the story or just not being expanded on.
Secrets are a huge component of this book and by the end we find out what the biggest one is. Yeah, it’s a doozy, and I was pretty sure I had it figured out from the beginning. I just thought there was going to be more secrets revealed when the big emotional explosion happened, because Avery and Spencer referred to their childhood as being full of secrets. Whatever other secrets are out there just have to be guessed at.
I did like Spencer. He had a good moral compass, despite giving in to this relationship. The fact that he couldn’t stop it really ate him up. And his dedication to Avery made me believe he really, truly loved her. Avery rubbed me the wrong way by the end. Especially during the Epilogue. I found her to be dramatic and needy. Not my cup of tea.
If you prefer your love scenes to be fade-to-black, then you’ll like Natural Love. The passion between Avery and Spencer didn’t come across as hot or as heated as I would have expected for the type of taboo relationship they were carrying on. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t be super passionate about their romance. Over all, it was well written, just a little too tame and vague for my taste. 3 stars.
I’m not sure how I feel about Natural Love. At times I was really engaged in the story and couldn’t wait to turn the next page, and at others I found myself getting distracted and losing focus on the story. The subject matter is definitely taboo, and made me wonder how much this actually happens in real life. I didn’t find myself connected to the characters individually, or as a couple, as much as I would have liked. Instead of being shown how they grew close as children, we were told. And all the secrets that were referred to sort of mixed me up. I couldn’t tell if some things were being kept secret for the sake of the story or just not being expanded on.
Secrets are a huge component of this book and by the end we find out what the biggest one is. Yeah, it’s a doozy, and I was pretty sure I had it figured out from the beginning. I just thought there was going to be more secrets revealed when the big emotional explosion happened, because Avery and Spencer referred to their childhood as being full of secrets. Whatever other secrets are out there just have to be guessed at.
I did like Spencer. He had a good moral compass, despite giving in to this relationship. The fact that he couldn’t stop it really ate him up. And his dedication to Avery made me believe he really, truly loved her. Avery rubbed me the wrong way by the end. Especially during the Epilogue. I found her to be dramatic and needy. Not my cup of tea.
If you prefer your love scenes to be fade-to-black, then you’ll like Natural Love. The passion between Avery and Spencer didn’t come across as hot or as heated as I would have expected for the type of taboo relationship they were carrying on. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t be super passionate about their romance. Over all, it was well written, just a little too tame and vague for my taste. 3 stars.
November 14, 2016
**arc received from author and LBTS for an honest review, from the lushes at http://www.twounrulygirls.com **
All done..full review and rating after I think on it...
All done..full review and rating after I think on it...
December 6, 2014
*This review may contain spoilers*
I was given an ARC for an honest review
"After a while, I lay there in the darkness and stared at the ceiling. Sleep wouldn't come either. She wouldn't help me. It teased me, just like the thoughts about Avery did, and I was sick of the game. I needed some relief, something to stop the pain. Something to stem the obsession. Something to make me forget. Or something to make me remember. Maybe just something. Not just something. Someone. Her. I needed her."
This book BLEW me away! It was that good. Not just good, but ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. From the moment I read the synopsis, I was anxious and more than willing to get this book in my hands. Now that I have it, have read it and am completely blown away by it, let me tell you why I loved it as much as I did.
A major pro for me was the fact it was all from Spencer's POV. There are not many books out there that are from a males POV and I have to say the author nailed it. To be able to feel what he is going through and see the struggles he faces with himself is amazing writing. Spencer was one of those characters you will fall in love with from the very beginning. He is charming, funny, smart and sexy! When he loves, he loves with his whole heart. He will make you laugh, cry, scream and want to hug him all at once. He will take you on an emotional journey of heartbreak, guilt, regret, confusion, happiness and last but not least LOVE. Even though he is 24, he still has a lot of growing up to do. He has secrets that him and Avery share, but there is also a secret he is even keeping from her. One that could possibly destroy everything he has worked so hard to keep, her. Avery. She is literally the light in his other wise drab existence. She is beautiful, smart, funny and most of all everything Spencer wants for his future. But with things being the way they are, he has to push those feelings back, and he tries everything to get her out of his head. Even going as far as using other women to do so. Which doesn't do anything for him besides wanting her more. From the very beginning he is dead set on taking over and running his dad's multi million dollar company. But everything he thought he knew he wanted, changed when he saw Avery again, after two years of being gone. Old feelings return with a vengeance. The secrets that he keeps hidden beneath the surface threaten to destroy everything he has worked so hard for, but being afraid of the fall out, the only way to get through these trials and tribulations in his life is to do the one thing he is good at, and that is to lie. He lies so much throughout the book, not only to his friends and family, but also to Avery and most importantly himself. I was kind of mad at him at times for doing so, but I completely understood why he did. His relationship with Avery is totally out of the ordinary, not natural, and extremely beautiful. That is one of the reasons why I loved the book as much as I did. Once I found out the real reason he was fighting his attraction and feelings toward Avery, it made perfectly logical since. No matter how hard he fights himself to stay away from her, when it comes to her he isn't strong enough to stay away and doesn't want to. And neither does she. Ever time they are in a room together, the tension builds to new heights, and the harder it gets for Spencer to deny what he feels. Avery on other hand, let's Spencer know straight out what she wants, no matter the consequences. She is willing to do anything to be with him, even going as far as teasing him with her appearance and showing him exactly what it is he is missing out on. Which I found to be absolutely adorable. Yes, Adorable! It was entertaining to read those moments, knowing the battle of right or wrong going on in Spencer's head and body. Last but not least, Spencer's Love for Avery was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. You could tell from the very beginning that he cared and loved her more than anything in his world. He would do anything for her. Even giving up everything he always thought he wanted. Money can only lead you so far, what's left when that's all you have left. Spencer has some BIG decisions to make. Is his love for Avery worth giving up all that he has worked so hard for? What will happen when his secrets come to light? Will Avery be able to forgive him? Will Avery ever forgive herself?
Be warned, once you start this book you will not be able to put it down. This beautiful story of heartbreak, angst, lies, secrets and love, grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go till the very last page. It's one hell of a ride, so hold tight and savor every minute of it. Because once you reach the end, you will be in for a huge shocker that will inevitably change Spencer's life forever. The ending completely broke me. I was almost at the point of ugly crying. I nearly had a heart attack. I almost, almost threw my Kindle. So not cool Sara Celi! At that point I was scared to read the last chapter. All I wanted was for Spencer and Avery to get the future they both deserved. To be happy, live life to the fullest, and be FREE to finally be together.
This is a Beautiful story of two people fighting against the odds to be together. Consequences be damned.
This book will change you for the better. It will make you see that no matter what others see as normal, you need to make your own normal. Live the life you choose and don't let others decide your future. Money and popularity are not everything. Don't let others stand in the way of your happiness.
Thank you Sara Celi for giving me this opportunity to read your book. Simply putting it, your work is Amazing. You have a talent for drawing readers in, and not letting go until we reach the end. I can't wait to see what you bring us next.
I was given an ARC for an honest review
"After a while, I lay there in the darkness and stared at the ceiling. Sleep wouldn't come either. She wouldn't help me. It teased me, just like the thoughts about Avery did, and I was sick of the game. I needed some relief, something to stop the pain. Something to stem the obsession. Something to make me forget. Or something to make me remember. Maybe just something. Not just something. Someone. Her. I needed her."
This book BLEW me away! It was that good. Not just good, but ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. From the moment I read the synopsis, I was anxious and more than willing to get this book in my hands. Now that I have it, have read it and am completely blown away by it, let me tell you why I loved it as much as I did.
A major pro for me was the fact it was all from Spencer's POV. There are not many books out there that are from a males POV and I have to say the author nailed it. To be able to feel what he is going through and see the struggles he faces with himself is amazing writing. Spencer was one of those characters you will fall in love with from the very beginning. He is charming, funny, smart and sexy! When he loves, he loves with his whole heart. He will make you laugh, cry, scream and want to hug him all at once. He will take you on an emotional journey of heartbreak, guilt, regret, confusion, happiness and last but not least LOVE. Even though he is 24, he still has a lot of growing up to do. He has secrets that him and Avery share, but there is also a secret he is even keeping from her. One that could possibly destroy everything he has worked so hard to keep, her. Avery. She is literally the light in his other wise drab existence. She is beautiful, smart, funny and most of all everything Spencer wants for his future. But with things being the way they are, he has to push those feelings back, and he tries everything to get her out of his head. Even going as far as using other women to do so. Which doesn't do anything for him besides wanting her more. From the very beginning he is dead set on taking over and running his dad's multi million dollar company. But everything he thought he knew he wanted, changed when he saw Avery again, after two years of being gone. Old feelings return with a vengeance. The secrets that he keeps hidden beneath the surface threaten to destroy everything he has worked so hard for, but being afraid of the fall out, the only way to get through these trials and tribulations in his life is to do the one thing he is good at, and that is to lie. He lies so much throughout the book, not only to his friends and family, but also to Avery and most importantly himself. I was kind of mad at him at times for doing so, but I completely understood why he did. His relationship with Avery is totally out of the ordinary, not natural, and extremely beautiful. That is one of the reasons why I loved the book as much as I did. Once I found out the real reason he was fighting his attraction and feelings toward Avery, it made perfectly logical since. No matter how hard he fights himself to stay away from her, when it comes to her he isn't strong enough to stay away and doesn't want to. And neither does she. Ever time they are in a room together, the tension builds to new heights, and the harder it gets for Spencer to deny what he feels. Avery on other hand, let's Spencer know straight out what she wants, no matter the consequences. She is willing to do anything to be with him, even going as far as teasing him with her appearance and showing him exactly what it is he is missing out on. Which I found to be absolutely adorable. Yes, Adorable! It was entertaining to read those moments, knowing the battle of right or wrong going on in Spencer's head and body. Last but not least, Spencer's Love for Avery was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. You could tell from the very beginning that he cared and loved her more than anything in his world. He would do anything for her. Even giving up everything he always thought he wanted. Money can only lead you so far, what's left when that's all you have left. Spencer has some BIG decisions to make. Is his love for Avery worth giving up all that he has worked so hard for? What will happen when his secrets come to light? Will Avery be able to forgive him? Will Avery ever forgive herself?
Be warned, once you start this book you will not be able to put it down. This beautiful story of heartbreak, angst, lies, secrets and love, grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go till the very last page. It's one hell of a ride, so hold tight and savor every minute of it. Because once you reach the end, you will be in for a huge shocker that will inevitably change Spencer's life forever. The ending completely broke me. I was almost at the point of ugly crying. I nearly had a heart attack. I almost, almost threw my Kindle. So not cool Sara Celi! At that point I was scared to read the last chapter. All I wanted was for Spencer and Avery to get the future they both deserved. To be happy, live life to the fullest, and be FREE to finally be together.
This is a Beautiful story of two people fighting against the odds to be together. Consequences be damned.
This book will change you for the better. It will make you see that no matter what others see as normal, you need to make your own normal. Live the life you choose and don't let others decide your future. Money and popularity are not everything. Don't let others stand in the way of your happiness.
Thank you Sara Celi for giving me this opportunity to read your book. Simply putting it, your work is Amazing. You have a talent for drawing readers in, and not letting go until we reach the end. I can't wait to see what you bring us next.
December 21, 2014
3.5 Stars
Review by Jen Hagen
One of my favorite genre of books is the taboo love story. In this book we have an illicit affair between Spencer and Avery whom are step siblings. The story is told solely through Spencer’s words.
Spencer is 24 years old and has just returned from a 2-year stint in the Peace Corps, of which his father used his money, power, and resources to enable Spencer a spot. This was done as a means to curb Spencer’s unruly behavior which stemmed from alcohol indulgence. Spencer is back on US soil ready to claim his position in the Chadwick empire. Spencer’s father is extremely wealthy, but Spencer is the black sheep of the family never having any acceptance by his father. Spencer is determined to show his father that he is knowledgeable and capable of being part of the Chadwick business. Spencer is thought to be fully free of the hold alcohol has had on him, but he is still fully (and secretly) indulgent on it.
Avery is younger than Spencer and has a secret that she has been keeping under wraps for 3 years. Only Spencer knows what haunts her.
My thoughts flickered to three years earlier and the largest secret both of us carried, the one that drove me to my “drinking problem.”
Another secret Avery is holding back is her attraction to Spencer. Spencer also is fighting his attraction to Avery. It seems to me that there is enough sexual chemistry between these 2 to blow the roof off.
“I want you,” she said. “That’s what I want. I want to be with you.”
Now that their attraction is out in the open, what will Spencer do? Will he act upon his own desires?
Avery Jackson would ruin me. I knew it. And I didn’t care.
Spencer and Avery have a difficult road ahead of them if they want to embrace their mutual love for one another. Even if they have their parent’s blessing, life’s demons may overpower any chance at happiness.
Then a blistering, loud, guttural scream filled the house…The kind of sound that tells you that everything from here on out will be vastly different.
Review by Jen Hagen
One of my favorite genre of books is the taboo love story. In this book we have an illicit affair between Spencer and Avery whom are step siblings. The story is told solely through Spencer’s words.
Spencer is 24 years old and has just returned from a 2-year stint in the Peace Corps, of which his father used his money, power, and resources to enable Spencer a spot. This was done as a means to curb Spencer’s unruly behavior which stemmed from alcohol indulgence. Spencer is back on US soil ready to claim his position in the Chadwick empire. Spencer’s father is extremely wealthy, but Spencer is the black sheep of the family never having any acceptance by his father. Spencer is determined to show his father that he is knowledgeable and capable of being part of the Chadwick business. Spencer is thought to be fully free of the hold alcohol has had on him, but he is still fully (and secretly) indulgent on it.
Avery is younger than Spencer and has a secret that she has been keeping under wraps for 3 years. Only Spencer knows what haunts her.
My thoughts flickered to three years earlier and the largest secret both of us carried, the one that drove me to my “drinking problem.”
Another secret Avery is holding back is her attraction to Spencer. Spencer also is fighting his attraction to Avery. It seems to me that there is enough sexual chemistry between these 2 to blow the roof off.
“I want you,” she said. “That’s what I want. I want to be with you.”
Now that their attraction is out in the open, what will Spencer do? Will he act upon his own desires?
Avery Jackson would ruin me. I knew it. And I didn’t care.
Spencer and Avery have a difficult road ahead of them if they want to embrace their mutual love for one another. Even if they have their parent’s blessing, life’s demons may overpower any chance at happiness.
Then a blistering, loud, guttural scream filled the house…The kind of sound that tells you that everything from here on out will be vastly different.
December 10, 2014
Everyone in the Chadwick house is supposed to be perfect. This has been repeatedly drilled into Spencer's head since he was a child. Years of pressure and secrets are starting to become unbearable and Spencer's struggles to figure out how to move forward when mistakes aren't allowed, and what he wants most in the world, he absolutely can't have.
There is definitely some mild taboo action going on here between Spencer and Avery who are step-siblings. They have grown up together, which adds a bit more to the taboo. It was easy to feel the tension between Avery and Spencer as well as the pressure both faced in the household. I think the author did a great job of helping the reader understand the level of discomfort and weight of the expectations that was carried around by both Avery and Spencer. My main complaint, is that the story felt a little underdeveloped and the pacing seemed a little fast. This easily could have been a longer book where we really get to dig into both main characters and see how their lives are impacted by their choices. I did stay engaged in this story throughout, and I would read more by this author in the future.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
There is definitely some mild taboo action going on here between Spencer and Avery who are step-siblings. They have grown up together, which adds a bit more to the taboo. It was easy to feel the tension between Avery and Spencer as well as the pressure both faced in the household. I think the author did a great job of helping the reader understand the level of discomfort and weight of the expectations that was carried around by both Avery and Spencer. My main complaint, is that the story felt a little underdeveloped and the pacing seemed a little fast. This easily could have been a longer book where we really get to dig into both main characters and see how their lives are impacted by their choices. I did stay engaged in this story throughout, and I would read more by this author in the future.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
December 17, 2014
FULL REVIEW TO COME
*Copy kindly provided by the the Author
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*Copy kindly provided by the the Author
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December 28, 2014DNF at 70%. I tried y'all, really I did. This was such a let down. I rarely, rarely don't finish a book but this was so repetitive and lackluster.
January 17, 2015
It was a good story but from the wrong point of view, in my opinion. If we could "hear" or read Avery story, if you like, and not Spencer's, it would be more interesting, again, in my opinion! :-)
September 20, 2020
It was ok, kind of boring to read how Spencer fought for what he felt for Avery and his work in his father's company
December 10, 2014
3.5 Stars
After being shipped off to two years in the Peace Corp in South Africa, Spencer Chadwick, 24, returns to his family home in Ohio poised to take his position in the family business. The Chadwicks are rich and his father is more focused on appearances and the integrity of the Chadwick name to the point that most of the family members, in an attempt to avoid blemishing the family image, are suppressing their own demons and running away from the things that haunt them. This includes Spencer’s step-sister, Avery Jackson. Almost 22 and ready to start graduate school, Avery is shrouded in personal secrets as well.
Pretty much from the start Spencer and Avery emit chemistry which Spencer struggles with it, rightfully so given their relation. But yet you can just feel their desire for each other, and I was silently chanting for them to just say to heck with it and throw caution to the wind. I know, I know, I must clearly read too much contemporary romance where nothing is no longer taboo. ;-)
This book was a little hard to rate as it has a lot of potential and while the elements of a phenomenally engaging story are all there, it feels like it falls short in certain areas. Some of that may rest in the pacing. There were places I would have loved to see developed further and other places that could have benefited from some tweaking. For example….
So I have a little pet peeve in books when it comes to a big secret. It drives me nuts when said secret or secrets are constantly referenced or discussed in veiled conversation that dance around what said secret is. (In this instance it happens often between two people who are alone in a room together and both know the secret—who talks like that?) Don’t get me wrong; I understand it’s all part of the suspense. But personally I prefer a mystery where the clues are more ingeniously dropped. And there are some good clues hidden in the story but they are minimal and overshadowed by all the conversations that talk in circles and are filled with cut-offs sentence (the characters interrupting, not a writing mistake).
The book touches on a lot of heavy issues. A lot. However, I’m not sure all of the characters are sufficiently developed considering the content — as in I felt it could have achieved so much more emotional depth if we could have known more about them and how they ticked. The story opens with Spencer and Avery already clearly fighting some major sexual tensions and strong feelings for each other, but we’re not really treated to scenes from the past that help develop that romance. It’s more tell, little show. Even later it’s established how they bonded, but not necessarily how they fell in love. And given the fact they’ve grown up together, I think I needed a little more background to see how this evolved. I liked both Spencer and Avery; I just wanted to delve a little deeper into them. Told solely via Spencer’s POV, I really craved Avery’s perspective as well in lei of everything going on.
It would also have been nice to see more development with their parents. I felt like things were wrapped up a little too quickly considering everything that transpired and was revealed to them. Again perhaps fewer references to the secrets and more development of the fall-out might have gone a long way.
There is an aura of angst throughout the book, largely stemming from regrets from the past, vices of the past and present, and fear and uncertainty of the future. While there is plenty of sexual tension, there are minimal sweet romantic moments.
Overall, lots of promise and interesting premise but falls a little short on execution and romance. I liked it but craved a little more depth that could have really made it stellar.
After being shipped off to two years in the Peace Corp in South Africa, Spencer Chadwick, 24, returns to his family home in Ohio poised to take his position in the family business. The Chadwicks are rich and his father is more focused on appearances and the integrity of the Chadwick name to the point that most of the family members, in an attempt to avoid blemishing the family image, are suppressing their own demons and running away from the things that haunt them. This includes Spencer’s step-sister, Avery Jackson. Almost 22 and ready to start graduate school, Avery is shrouded in personal secrets as well.
Pretty much from the start Spencer and Avery emit chemistry which Spencer struggles with it, rightfully so given their relation. But yet you can just feel their desire for each other, and I was silently chanting for them to just say to heck with it and throw caution to the wind. I know, I know, I must clearly read too much contemporary romance where nothing is no longer taboo. ;-)
This book was a little hard to rate as it has a lot of potential and while the elements of a phenomenally engaging story are all there, it feels like it falls short in certain areas. Some of that may rest in the pacing. There were places I would have loved to see developed further and other places that could have benefited from some tweaking. For example….
So I have a little pet peeve in books when it comes to a big secret. It drives me nuts when said secret or secrets are constantly referenced or discussed in veiled conversation that dance around what said secret is. (In this instance it happens often between two people who are alone in a room together and both know the secret—who talks like that?) Don’t get me wrong; I understand it’s all part of the suspense. But personally I prefer a mystery where the clues are more ingeniously dropped. And there are some good clues hidden in the story but they are minimal and overshadowed by all the conversations that talk in circles and are filled with cut-offs sentence (the characters interrupting, not a writing mistake).
The book touches on a lot of heavy issues. A lot. However, I’m not sure all of the characters are sufficiently developed considering the content — as in I felt it could have achieved so much more emotional depth if we could have known more about them and how they ticked. The story opens with Spencer and Avery already clearly fighting some major sexual tensions and strong feelings for each other, but we’re not really treated to scenes from the past that help develop that romance. It’s more tell, little show. Even later it’s established how they bonded, but not necessarily how they fell in love. And given the fact they’ve grown up together, I think I needed a little more background to see how this evolved. I liked both Spencer and Avery; I just wanted to delve a little deeper into them. Told solely via Spencer’s POV, I really craved Avery’s perspective as well in lei of everything going on.
It would also have been nice to see more development with their parents. I felt like things were wrapped up a little too quickly considering everything that transpired and was revealed to them. Again perhaps fewer references to the secrets and more development of the fall-out might have gone a long way.
There is an aura of angst throughout the book, largely stemming from regrets from the past, vices of the past and present, and fear and uncertainty of the future. While there is plenty of sexual tension, there are minimal sweet romantic moments.
Overall, lots of promise and interesting premise but falls a little short on execution and romance. I liked it but craved a little more depth that could have really made it stellar.
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