Caution: Author uses multiple pen names on the same book (different releases/editions). GR policy dictates that the name on the first release remain primary on all subsequent releases. The secondary name would be whatever name is on the cover, if different.
I absolutely love Tara Brown! Sunder a completely new and unique take on immortals that have graced stories for generations.
I am absolutely in love with the two main characters in Sunder. With Olive (Liv) and Briton you can't help but laugh and envy at the same time. There is somewhat of a generation gap so they are quite comical together. And the love that they share is to be envied by all. Their love however is not an easy one to obtain or to keep.
The story is a thrilling and for me sometimes emotional read. I am a complete sap and yes there were certain parts of Sunder that made me completely tear up! I told you I loved the two main characters. In my personal opinon one could only hope to have such a strong reaction to an author's characters. That means they are doing something very right.
Man, I hate this guilty feeling I have whenever I give a low rating to a book. The guilt and remorse increases ten-fold when the book is by an author like Tara Brown, of whom I happen to be a pretty big fan. The truth of the matter is that, dear Sunder, I was just not that into you...
I'm not going to be one of those haters who complains that this book was a Twilight knock-off or anything like that. And really, those reviews always irk me. Will every YA paranormal romance for the rest of eternity be accused of copying Twilight? Seriously. My problem had nothing to do with this being a YA paranormal romance... In fact, in addition to Tara's name being on the cover, that's exactly why I wanted to read this in the first place.
To be honest, I just found it annoying. I'm not one of those who automatically hates a dramatic, cheesy, insta-love connection. Sometimes it works for me, (it works every time in Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series, for example) but it did not work for me with Briton and Liv. Instead of feeling their connection, I felt like I was drowning in cheese. Also, I couldn't stand Liv's character. I'm all about a protagonist having his or her fair share of flaws, as it makes them realistic and relatable, but she was just a spoiled brat.
Okay, so what I did like about the book was that it was a fast-paced, quick read. While I rolled my eyes a lot and found the solution to every single problem to be overly convenient (and, yes, cheesy), I still wanted to see how it would all end. Despite not being a fan of the book, if I were someone who abandons books mid-way (I'm not), I would have still finished this one.
Oh Briton you give me a heart attack every time words come out of your mouth, "I want you.." My breathing was lost in the sentence. But then he finished it. "To give me a second chance at my first impression with you." Liv I liked her," I opened my eyes and looked back at him. "They all have super hearing. No. I heard your brother fart ten minutes ago." Briton is a cocky little thing, "he laughed, looking down at their naked bodies. "We just had sex, twice." The book was okay it wasn't really my thing but the story was well written.
The reviews said it was like twilight but besides there being vampires and werewolves in the story there isn't much similar. No crappy love triangle. I like that the story had some twists and turns that I didn't see coming and the history between liv and briton made me feel better about there instant connection.
This is one of the first books that I have read that I DIDN'T want their to be an ending. When I read a book and I come to an end I know its over and I can go on with my life lol but the ending on Sunder seemed to make me want more. Usually you see something along the lines of "They lived happily ever after" and that's it the fairy tale is over. But I cannot help but think is it really over?? Liv and Briton were amazing characters. Little twists with the eyes of the Vampires and Wolf's along with the Witches are just the little things that Tara adds to her characters to make them unique. This book had a fairy tale twist and the feel of Romeo and Juliet. Briton had so much he wanted and needed to tell Liv and at the rate things were going he only believed to have a short amount of time with her before they would be torn apart. Fate has a way of working things out good or bad but adding a spell in with the fates of two people and two different species all adds to the mixing bowl. I read this book fairly quick but found myself on my stomach reading, physically holding my eyes open at 4am because I just couldn't will myself to stop reading and go to sleep. I would love to read more of this story eventually and see where things end up for Briton and Liv. happy reading!!
I'm a big Tara Brown fan (and no, not just because we share the same first name), and I was happy to see another paranormal book released. Sunder is full of excitement, complete with tons of unexpected twists, and a beautiful forbidden love story. I think the book title is creative, the cover is stunning, and the story was captivating. I've got it marked as a book I plan to read again soon.
I don’t want to say too much about the story, because the way Tara revealed things bit by bit was done really well, and kept my interest growing throughout the book. I was glad I didn’t read the reviews in detail before reading.
I haven't seen very many stand-alone paranormal romance books. I was concerned that I would feel like something was missing, like there wouldn't be enough in the story. Boy was I wrong! I saw other reviews saying they thought there was a lot included in the story, and while I agree, there is a lot going on, I thought it was in a good way. Sunder pushed me to stay up too late in the night to finish it, and left me with a very satisfied feeling. At least satisfied enough to keep me happy until Redeemers is released.
There were so many positive reviews here and on amazon that there wasn't a doubt in my mind that I would love this book.... Unfortunately, I couldn't even finish it. It was one of the most unoriginal books I have ever read. It reminded me so much of twilight that I couldn't even focus on these characters. I just kept comparing them to each other every sentence I read. I wanted to give this book a chance and finish reading it but I honestly just couldn't and if you know me I never stop a book half way through.... I just couldn't do it :/ the "instalove" was also horrible and unbelievable. "I told you, I feel like I've know you as if we haven't been apart a day in our lives. I don't know why. I knew it the moment I saw you..." Ughh gag me and of course he's a jerk the first time they talk to each other but it's all forgiven when he's nice the next time they see each other... Smh if I were you I wouldn't even waste my time.
Tara Brown has become one of my favorite authors and because I also love reading about vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural elements, this book was like eating my favorite candy on my favorite beach. I did not want this book to end, but when it did, things wrapped up nicely, even though I want this to turn into a long series...please turn this into a series ;)
Tara Brown is my new favorite author. I have read several of her books and every one is so good that I cannot choose a favorite. I loved the dynamics in this book and that I can never correctly guess what is going to happen in any of her books!!
I liked this story but got confused at times. So many names. So many facts about the past. But I enjoyed it. The main characters were a bizarre love story but it made sense in the end.
Another paranormal romance by amazing Tara full of twists and turns. Tara squeezed so much background and paranormal history in this story that it made my head spin. As always i enjoyed Tara's writing. But the plotline had me confused at times lol.
This is a contemporary paranormal romance with a hint of history. This is a stand alone book. This is a great read for anyone whom loves a unique love story with several obstacles (to say the least) in its way. A book full of secrets that unfold at every chapter. Tara Brown keeps you engaged throughout the whole book. Liv and her sarcastic comments were hilarious, she reminded me of well.... never mind lol. I also understood her guilt from moving on from the past. I also got so angry when some of the secrets unfolded... but you have to read to find out what those secrets are, no spoilers from me. I did find some parts that contradicted each other and had to go back to reread to understand. But the only other fault I really had with the book is, I want to know what happens next? (hint... hint... Tara)
This book is about (Olive) Liv Daniels. Whom is going to be a senior in high school, her dad relocates them to a small town Wolfville Maine. She soon learns this town holds many secrets. Someone also knows Liv has a secret and he will not stop until she discovers the what is deep inside herself. He must help her understand something she knows nothing about.
favorite passages:
"I was the evil stepdaughter to her good,kind, sweet, friggin'-singing- in- the- d*** (some might find the author's word choice offending.) rain stepmother." "Since moving the Wolfville, I had discovered that camouflage clothing wasn't just something the inner-city kids wore to look cool. It came in pink and people put it on their children- their babies." "She was my partner in everything, and I have never felt pain like I did when she died." "I could be p***** (some might find the author's word choice offending.) that she had seen through the facade, or I could embrace who I was and just goto the damn ball and rock this dress." "His dark hair and blue eyes seemed to be even more shiny and sparkly than ever." "You old dog." "I have loved and lost and lived. Those are the things that make it all of this somewhat short journey worth while." "I glanced over at the mouth breather next to me, praying for him to leave. Nope. Not a chance. Instead he started telling me something about the harvest or some crap." "Hottie frowned harder and I slumped in my chair more." "I wanted to bite him, it was the strangest urge I ever had." "She flipped him the bird, making a broad smile cross his face." "Two new girls in such a small town. Must be lighting striking twice in the same spot." "True Story." "I have spent the last hundred and fifty years roaming the world aimlessly, trying to forget how to feel their loss."<3 "Unlike your previous friend, I am actually quite good at this." "I has bitten off more than I could chew, as my mother always said." "She is the other half of me- one of us is the good and one is the bad." "I love your body and I have a sneaky feeling it loves me too!" "I think I gave you my heart and when I change. you will keep it." He wiped my tears. "I will take care of it, always." "I could hear the fighting in the yard, Briton shouting, and Ragner still laughing." "You wear your crazy on the outside." "They all have super hearing. NO. I heard your brother fart ten minutes ago. "
Let me start off by saying that paranormal is not my genre to read, and have not read it up to now as it was not “my sort of thing”. But in broadening my reading horizons decided that I needed to just do it and pick one up. So for my first paranormal book to read, no better than Tara Brown’s newly released Sunder. I am a huge fan of Tara Brown’s writing, so I am so very glad that I chose one of her books as my first paranormal.
I am a huge sucker for a great romantic love story and let me tell you, Liv and Briton’s story was truly an amazing love story. And although it took me some time to adjust to the fantasy and all the vampires and werewolves happening in this book, the writing was amazing, like always and add in the love story between these two really great characters, and this book really drew me in, I had to know what was going to happen, would they get their HEA after all these years searching for their shadow twin, their sole mate, waiting to find out who really was the bad guy(s) in all of this threatening their HEA and of course in True Tara Brown style, that OMG moment I didn’t see that coming, with this author you never know when it is going to hit you, she keeps switching it up so it could hit at any point in her books and she definitely didn’t disappoint in this book. But don’t forget all the sassy yet funny comments Tara throws in, there was no shortage of those that had me smiling and snickering.
"What is more painful than loss? I know it will be watching you live without me.” ~ Briton
I am not a huge Vampire loving fan, but I truly fell in love with Briton. He was such a great character, and you couldn’t help but swoon over him, the amount of love he had for Liv and was willing to sacrifice for her, was just amazing. And from the very moment that they meet, and you feel the connection they share, I wanted these two to be together, they were destined to finally be together, I needed them to be together, I was going to hunt Tara Brown down if they didn’t.
"I don’t want to fight this, what we are. I want to let it end me I want to die exactly like this, so if you have to do it now, I’m okay with it.” ~ Briton
This genre of book is not something I think I will read on a regular basis, but I did enjoy this read, especially the love story. For those that read and love this genre or are a Twilight fan, this is definitely a must read for sure. There are so many great lines and quotes in this book but I will leave you with one of my favorites from one of my favourite scenes.
"Never was there a kiss destined to such an end” ~ Briton
It's been awhile since I have read a paranormal romance. This was a wonderful reintroduction into a great genre. There are vampires, werewolves, witches, prophecies, secrets and hunters.
Liv's dad has just remarried and moved them to Wolfsville, Maine, for her senior year of high school. Her new step mother is from there and helped her dad find a great job. On the night of the town festival, her breath is taken away when he walks in. Liv is drawn to him and can't seem to take her eyes off him.
Briton has returned to Wolfsville after over a hundred and fifty years. When he was last here, his family was slaughtered and burned by the hunters and he was saved by Miles who has been with since. As Briton enters the dance hall of the town's festival, he sees her and can't move. His dead heart beats and he knows she's the one.
Liv and Briton don't realize at first who they are to each other. They only know they feel complete when they are together. His red and her blue eyes mean they don't have much time, but just maybe their story can be different. This book is full of many secrets that are gradually uncovered. Even the past is not what it seems nor are some of the people in their lives. With the help of the town's protector and witch, Briton and Liv fight time and try to make things right for their families. I can't say much more without giving away major spoilers and you'll want to peel this story back as you read and experience each surprise as it comes. You'll enjoy many of the secondary characters and be shocked by others.
"Never was there a kiss destined to such an end." You will fall head over heels in love with Briton and Liv. He is honorable and sexy and such a wonderful character. The love he has for Liv is timeless, literally. Liv is snarky and brave and a great contrast to Briton. Her love for him is just as deep as his. You'll be glad you went on this adventure and finish with a smile on your face.
Sunder.... epic!!!! Tara Brown has breathed life back into the paranormal for me once again.
Sunder is amazing. Liv has the quirkiest sense of humor. Things that come out of her mouth are unique. Wolfville is named for a reason. Right off the bat, Liv and her father move to a small Un-Google-able town. There is a party that the town throws every year and they happen to move in right before it. Her step-mother, humorously dubbed NRA Barbie, tries to do the nicest things for her. Briton (I love that name) is insta-smitten with Liv once he senses her. They both have that unexplainable pull. From the ball, life will never be the same for Liv and the little town of Wolfville begins to grow on her.
What I love most about this story is that there is never a dull moment. There is a dark secret about the town and it's population that comes out within the story. Briton wants to share his secret with her before she finds out through other sources. But let's not forget the other new girl Liz. She's freaking hilarious too. She's got a secret that she doesn't know about but everyone else does. Strange??? Not really... Sunder is full of action and mystery. When the true baddies are named, you never would have guessed who was.
Sunder ranks up there with the heavy hitter paranormal romances. My only hope is that there is more to this story.
Fairytale boyfriends mixed with things that go bump in the night? Yes, please! Wolves, vampires, witches! Toss in a little bit of deception, rivalry and age old wars and you have yourself a Tara Brown book that you will love from the very beginning to the very end!! There are "what the....?" moments and make your heart flutter moments and then there's that one moment where you're staring at the page and you gasp like "What!!!!?? I DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING!!!" Your heart will start racing and you will read faster for the sake of....well reading faster!! Hahaha I freaking loved this story! Fans of Twilight will love this story!!! Fans of paranormal romance will love this story! Okay, okay let's get serious! Fans of Tara Brown will love this story! And if you're not fan yet...let's make you one and go snatch up this book! For reals!!! I just love falling in love with characters! I love becoming their friends!!This is a book with a tale that will intrigue you and even though it's suppose to be stand alone you really hope the author brings these characters back somehow!! Please!!!!? *begs* I need more of those Thorlackson brothers! I can totally feel a story there!!! Hahaha Swooooon I'm giving this 5 thumbs up for sure! ;) ~BookEnd 2 BookEnd
This book is amazing, my love for Tara Brown continues to grow with each publication of hers I read. I was looking for something different and this was just the paranormal Young Adult fix I needed. From falling in love with complex characters to dramatic, unexpected plot twists, this book had me enchanted from page 1. The story starts off with city girl Liv being uprooted from her life and moved to the middle of no-where with her step-mom and dad. We also have a 2000+ year old curse, bad blood, and deceit from those we least expected.
There are werewolves, vampires, and witches in this town, it is protected and a safe area from the hunters. I don't want to give away the plot but this story is all about being saved by true love and being set free by true love. The cover says if you like Twilight you will like this story, or something of that nature but this is so much more than that. Liv is a strong heroine, she isn't weak like Bella. Briton is amazing and caring and protective. Its the kind of story you don't want to end but you don't want it to drag out because the characters don't deserve to deal with any more drama. With that I am going to stop because I am getting all emotionally attached to fictional beings.
This is the second book of Tara Brown's that I've read. She is a crafty and talented writer. I very much enjoyed Sunder. Especially the small town feel. It was very easy for me to like the main characters, Liv and Briton. The book was told in her perspective and his in every other chapter. I usually don't like it but it main his POV very easy to read instead of dying to know what the guy thought of the girl. Briton is a very very complicated vampire who's family is gone. He's all alone and all he has is this new obsession with Liv. Liv's dad is remarried to a girl she can't really stand. Her mom died and her dad made her move to a very strange and small town called, Wolfville, ME. But, things are not as they seem in this town and Liv is not what she thinks. Everyone around her is changing and so is she. All she has to rely on is Briton. The romance in the book is really well thought out and the characters are all interesting. Miss Brown made it very easy for me to love and hate all the characters in the book. Another awesome book from her.
10 BREATHTAKING STARS...HIGHLY AND UTTERLY RECOMMENDED
What can I say? Tara Brown did it again. Truth be told, this stand alone turned to be one of my favourite readings of the year.
I have a sweet spot for paranormal romances, and this simply did it. The storyline was what got me through: LITERALLY, I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STUDY IF I'M READING THIS KIND OF BOOKS? YEAP, I KNOW, DON'T SELF CONTROL, LOL.
Some things you need to know while reading this masterpiece:
-Well written story: ✓ -Lovable characters .An incredible H who most girls dream of? ✓ .A non-mousy h with you can laugh out loud ✓ -Kick ass lines: ✓
To sum it up, I couldn't stop laughing or melting with this one. It was a fantastic read with a wonderful ending. I'm glad I needn't the angst drama and even more tears just to head or reach a HEA.
I was surprised how much paranormal history and background the author squeezed into this story, and the multiple lifetimes that tied it all together. It was rather unique regarding paranormal history.
So I liked the story & plot. It has unexpected twists. The insta love is justified. Betrayals burn fiercely. Happy ending through it all.
My problem is that the two main characters are sooooo different in everything - action, language, pacing, etc. Their only fit seems to be a mutual physical attraction & her saying he always puts into words what she's thinking. It just didn't carry that romantic spark for me & was even awkward at some points, like when she blurts out that she's not a virgin... Ah awkward. His character is "shall I and may I" whilst hers is "totes and for reals." The whole teacher thing was also a bit creepy.
I'd recommend this book to younger paranormal romance fans 15-19 that will buy into this kinda romance.
I had read that if you liked Twilight then you would like this one too. IMO, Sunder was much more than that series. I know it's only a 1 book stand-alone book and all, but the story was written beautifully, with strong characters, several other smaller storylines weaved in and out, but I never once got swayed or lost because of them.
Briton and Liv were a beautiful couple with a lot of crap stacked against them, but they didn't let it sway their love. Not really going to say anymore than that, because if I do, I will become one of these reviewers I really don't like because they give everything away, leaving me sitting here thinking I didn't need to read the book now. LOL
I give Sunder 5 stars and more if I could. Beautifully written, beautifully told in the eyes of the character in the moment, and wish I could have a 2 2nd part, just to see how and where they go from here.
I'll start off by my fav quote from the book. "Never was there a kids destined to such an end" liv Daniels was made to move to wolf ville because her father remarried. Liv had no idea about all the meth and supernatural creatures and she never knew she also had a curse on her. Briton just arrived back to wolf ville after being gone for a very long time. Something drew him back but he never expected to find out what he did and to meet liv. He fell for her as soon as he walked into harvest ball. But he found out they were both different and no matter how much he wanted her he really couldn't have her because they were both different.. If you would like to know more then go grab the boot it really is amazing tara brown is one talented author I didn't want to put the book down
DNF at 25%. Too many characters. And a quarter into the book with no idea what's happening. The dude is some kind of vampire/werewolf. He's super into a chick but wants to fight it bc "he's a monster. Blah blah blah." The chick hates him bc he's an ass but wants him sooooooo bad. And there's stuff about hunters and trying to get help and dead witches and a dying old man and elixirs and everyone being the past of their kind and her stepmom and her dad looking younger and the lady that takes care of his house and....Jesus. (Not actually Jesus - he was never mentioned in the book - at least as far as I read. But he could show up.)
Eh this was an okay book, I really did enjoy it but it wasn't anything amazing for me. But it was fun.
I felt like it needed more development in everything and more time it all kind of felt rushed and nothing really happened it was more of a romance novel then a paranormal and I wanted more action or something it all got resolved too easy.
Otherwise it was an enjoyable, fast, funny, fun story!
I did enjoy the characters though I liked them all I just wanted more development and more of them all. They all made for some witty, funny moments that made me laugh which helped me like the story more.
I liked the very beginning. The character made me like her right away. She seemed real and likeable. Then we met Briton and again I liked the character right away. He was mysterious, troubled, and hot. Then they met. Their instant love and the fact that the words "I want you" were spoken at like their 2nd conversation was just....weird. It didn't seem to fit or feel right. During the second half of the story it sort of evened out and didn't seem so weird. It actually began an important detail of the story. So in the end, I get it and enjoyed the story.
I got lucky and won this book at her release party on FB. Even if I had not I would of bought it anyway! Worth paying for. This book is about a girl who's mother has died, and her father remaried. They move to a town called Wolfsville. This book has so many twists and turns and laughs and a bit of I want kill that character moments. but it is definetly another one of those epic love tales. I ended up reading this in one sitting it was that good! so if you want a good epic love tale please read this book!