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Oceanswept #2
Undertow
The life she always thought she would have…or a new life she is just starting to imagine? Two paths lay before Tessa Monroe as she arrives in colonial St. Kitts with her dashing rescuer, the former pirate Nicholas Holladay. Everything should be perfect, but her worlds are colliding.
In the spellbinding sequel to Oceanswept, Tessa finds a tempting new future with a handsome baron unfolding before her on sunny St. Kitts while Nicholas discovers that the past he was so eager to leave behind isn't quite through with him yet.
In the spellbinding sequel to Oceanswept, Tessa finds a tempting new future with a handsome baron unfolding before her on sunny St. Kitts while Nicholas discovers that the past he was so eager to leave behind isn't quite through with him yet.
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First published November 6, 2013
5 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Lara Hays
7 books60 followersBorn and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Lara is the youngest of five children. She had to be pretty dramatic to get any attention whatsoever. She has since learned to channel her theatrics into writing.
At age seventeen, Lara’s poetry and a short story was published in an anthology of teen writers. For the past seven years, Lara has utilized her writing skills as a technical writer and creative copywriter.
Lara holds a degree in psychology from the University of Idaho. She lives in southeast Idaho with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, cat, and ghost cat. She is a blogger, adoption advocate, brownie lover, and Oreo hater.
She is the author of the young adult historical romance OCEANSWEPT and is currently working on its sequel.
At age seventeen, Lara’s poetry and a short story was published in an anthology of teen writers. For the past seven years, Lara has utilized her writing skills as a technical writer and creative copywriter.
Lara holds a degree in psychology from the University of Idaho. She lives in southeast Idaho with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, cat, and ghost cat. She is a blogger, adoption advocate, brownie lover, and Oreo hater.
She is the author of the young adult historical romance OCEANSWEPT and is currently working on its sequel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
November 1, 2018
Where Oceanswept was a fun and carefree adventure story, Undertow is more complicated and heartbreaking. Tessa and Nichaolas' relationship was easy and effortless on the sea, but when they return to land and the expectations of high society tug on their emotions and patience. Tessa struggles to reconcile who she has become with who society expects her to be, and Nicholas struggles to be the man he wishes to be. But unfortunately the past and greater political machinations come into play and toy with our main characters and their touching relationship.
I think this is a book that I fell more in love with while re-reading as a more critical reader, although I didn’t even rate it when I first read it in 2014. You may know that romance is not one of my preferred genres, but this Historical Romance second-in-series surpasses the first book in every way. The characters, all of them, are complex and interesting, the romance and love triangle tugs at my heartstrings, and I am still very much in need of the final book.
I think this is a book that I fell more in love with while re-reading as a more critical reader, although I didn’t even rate it when I first read it in 2014. You may know that romance is not one of my preferred genres, but this Historical Romance second-in-series surpasses the first book in every way. The characters, all of them, are complex and interesting, the romance and love triangle tugs at my heartstrings, and I am still very much in need of the final book.
March 20, 2018
An okay sequel but I wanted more from this book
January 1, 2015
I absolutely loved this book. Of all the books I've read, I rarely have an increasing love as the story continues. Undertow takes the relationship of Nicholas and Tessa from Oceanswept and tests their bonds through what is expected in society and what is as expected in a life at sea. With jealousy, pride, and poor luck, these two find each other again and again in a way that has the reader gripping their kindle forcefully. During this book I (more than once) had to set it down and walk away, begging my husband to read while I "freaked out" from the anticipation tearing at my insides. This book is a fun, easy read that has you coming back for more... more accurately it has you staying up late into the night waiting for reconciliation. It was a fantastic book to end on the start of a new year and I can not wait for the final book in the trilogy.
March 7, 2014
I just finished reading Undertow this morning. It broke my heart, and it will break yours too.
Undertow is a well-crafted and well-written and well-researched book. You'll get lost in the world, sucked into the lives of all the characters. You'll be frustrated and torn and frightened and desperate and heart-broken. And when you get to the end of Undertow, you'll be dying for the final book in the trilogy.
Oceanswept was a lot of fun, but Undertow takes the series to a whole new level. You won't want to miss it!
I so desperately want this to series to be made into a movie (or three).
Undertow is a well-crafted and well-written and well-researched book. You'll get lost in the world, sucked into the lives of all the characters. You'll be frustrated and torn and frightened and desperate and heart-broken. And when you get to the end of Undertow, you'll be dying for the final book in the trilogy.
Oceanswept was a lot of fun, but Undertow takes the series to a whole new level. You won't want to miss it!
I so desperately want this to series to be made into a movie (or three).
December 16, 2013
Dang it Lara Hays, what have you done to me? There I was, all set to give the first half of this book a nice cozy 3.5 stars for it's well written proper romance setting: The love triangle. The he said, she said, love hate relationship. Proper this and proper that. It was all very well done, just not my favorite genre. I live for action, adventure and fantasy. I've never been a big romance fan. Had this been another author I may have even given up a little. But then almost halfway through the story I read a certain scene between Tessa and Nicholas. And reread it. And read it again. And suddenly everything took to life and Tessa and Nicholas were no longer characters but real people that I absolutely HAD to follow and find out what would happen. And the last few chapters. Oooohhhhh, those last few chapters. Why Lara? Why? Why? Why? So sad, so beautiful. I found myself gasping in disbelief. Crying tears of disbelief. Why? Why? Why? Now, I totally wish I could give this book 6 or 7 stars. Can't wait for the third installment!
March 6, 2014
In her second full-length novel in the Oceanswept Chronicles, Hays takes you across the oceans to the stifling heat of the Caribbean. You’ll find Tessa Monroe fighting to save Nicholas from the death penalty. As Tessa comes to terms with her new sumptuous surroundings, Nicholas finds himself alienated and lost. Can they escape the trappings of wealth and find romance?
The first half of the book is a low key romantic triangle and simmers with restraint, but when you begin the second half you will be consumed by a riveting pirate adventure and reams of passion.
As the protagonists embark on the high seas, I was carried along upon the churning tumultuous waves, unable to put the book down! I was swept right along to a heart stopping finale and true heartbreak…
Hays paints beautiful imagery with her words, drawing you into a heart stopping adventure with ease and accuracy. This is a ship I want to set sail on, and I wait with bated breath to discover more in the Oceanswept Chronicles.
The first half of the book is a low key romantic triangle and simmers with restraint, but when you begin the second half you will be consumed by a riveting pirate adventure and reams of passion.
As the protagonists embark on the high seas, I was carried along upon the churning tumultuous waves, unable to put the book down! I was swept right along to a heart stopping finale and true heartbreak…
Hays paints beautiful imagery with her words, drawing you into a heart stopping adventure with ease and accuracy. This is a ship I want to set sail on, and I wait with bated breath to discover more in the Oceanswept Chronicles.
February 7, 2014
I am not one for Love stories. But this book is great! I really loved it.
In this second instalment, we watch Tessa trying to so hard to reconcile her old life, as a Lady with her knew found sense of self. For a modern woman, with every avenue open to me, I will admit, It's difficult to read at times. You just want to yell at her for staying within the confines of her societies rules. But it only lasts for a second and you can't help but plead silently for her to be able to get through the trials she going through. You very much feel her frustration at not being able to get her point across and can understand why things happen the way they do.
I LOVE that in this book she is more capable of standing up for herself. It's lovely to watch her grow as a person.
I will say this book left me at it's mercy and by the end had a lump in my throat the size of a melon. It's so very beautiful and heartfelt and achingly sad. I can't wait to read the next one.
In this second instalment, we watch Tessa trying to so hard to reconcile her old life, as a Lady with her knew found sense of self. For a modern woman, with every avenue open to me, I will admit, It's difficult to read at times. You just want to yell at her for staying within the confines of her societies rules. But it only lasts for a second and you can't help but plead silently for her to be able to get through the trials she going through. You very much feel her frustration at not being able to get her point across and can understand why things happen the way they do.
I LOVE that in this book she is more capable of standing up for herself. It's lovely to watch her grow as a person.
I will say this book left me at it's mercy and by the end had a lump in my throat the size of a melon. It's so very beautiful and heartfelt and achingly sad. I can't wait to read the next one.
November 11, 2013
After finishing Oceanswept I was chomping at the bit to read the sequel and it did not disappoint! This book goes in directions I was not expecting, author Lara Hays spins a spellbinding tale for the main characters Tessa and Nicolas. There are many new and returning characters along with my personal favorite, Skidmore. Hays kept me enthralled, on the edge of my seat, and staying up WAY past my bedtime with this trilling adventure of saving the Caribbean as Tessa and Nicolas know it, keeping two well-known countries from the brink of war, and the evolving of romances is unexpected! This book will have you laughing, crying, frustrated and ecstatic. I can't wait to read the final book in the series and see how Hays brings it all together. Read it!
November 6, 2013
Undertow is the perfect addition to the Oceanswept series. I escaped into the world of St. Kitts with the classy high-end fashion, decor of the parties and the respectable mannerisms of the 1800s. You can see Tessa continue to develop into a witty-minded woman who isn't afraid of leaving the comforts of her estate anymore. There were moments of heartache and times I was on the edge of my chair. I can't wait to see if Nicholas and Tessa's passion for each other will be strong enough to conquer the obstacles in their way.
January 16, 2015
I could not put this book down from the beginning, I was completely sucked into the romance and adventure. This book had everything a good story needs. I cannot wait for the third and final installment!!!
I also have to add that I became a fan of the author on Facebook, made a nice comment on one of her posts regarding her Oceanswept series and she responded that I made her day. She and I also had dialog regarding YA cover art. How cool! Not only do I love the series so far but fully support an emerging new author who takes the time to talk to her readers!
I also have to add that I became a fan of the author on Facebook, made a nice comment on one of her posts regarding her Oceanswept series and she responded that I made her day. She and I also had dialog regarding YA cover art. How cool! Not only do I love the series so far but fully support an emerging new author who takes the time to talk to her readers!
November 30, 2013
I was so excited to read this second novel in the Oceanswept trilogy, and I bought it the day it was released. (It's only available as an e-book.) I think I neglected my family quite a bit while I read b/c I couldn't put it down. I love the romance, adventure, and historical elements in the book. There were quite a few surprises I didn't see coming, some good and some bad. I enjoyed this as much as Oceanswept and can't wait for the final installment!
October 28, 2014
This book has a ton of adventure. I enjoyed how many things go on in this book. I longed for the love story to go my way, but enjoyed the way the author took us on another adventure. I was very sad to see a character killed off that I really liked and was very surprised by it. I am also very sad I have to wait for the next one to come out, but will be anxiously waiting for it.
November 12, 2013
I love this series and can't wait for the next.
January 1, 2014
I loved this book - Even more than the first one! I laughed and cried and everything in between! Thank you Lara Hays for taking me away on this pirate adventure! Can't wait for book 3!!!
December 3, 2015
This book was sooooooo good! I couldn't put it down! Can't wait for the final book in the series to come out!
December 1, 2013
Loved it! Great addition to the trilogy.
September 4, 2017
good book.
January 9, 2019
An absolutely amazing read! I recommend it to any one looking for something to get Swept up in. I can't wait for book 3 to finally come out!
June 20, 2022
I loved it and I hated it. The characters are so lifelike that I sometimes forgot they aren't real people. I was totally immersed in the world of 18th-century pirates. It kept me on the edge of my seat, while repeatedly breaking my heart, and yet I came back for more. Ultimately, though, it was unsatisfying. In fact, when I finished it, I threw my phone at the couch.
As usual, I'm the one with a different viewpoint on this, but I'm looking at this both from a reader's perspective and a writing perspective. I feel bad about this already because it's not going to be pretty, but it reflects how I feel on the inside, which isn't pretty, either.
I want to also mention briefly the alleged cleanliness of the book. If you have YA readers, you may want to read it first. Some of the scenes get really steamy. According to the Rated Reads guide, I would rate this as Moderate for YA. https://ratedreads.com/book-review-ra...
On a positive note, the book spurred me to reconcile with a friend i had not been speaking to.
As usual, I'm the one with a different viewpoint on this, but I'm looking at this both from a reader's perspective and a writing perspective. I feel bad about this already because it's not going to be pretty, but it reflects how I feel on the inside, which isn't pretty, either.
I want to also mention briefly the alleged cleanliness of the book. If you have YA readers, you may want to read it first. Some of the scenes get really steamy. According to the Rated Reads guide, I would rate this as Moderate for YA. https://ratedreads.com/book-review-ra...
On a positive note, the book spurred me to reconcile with a friend i had not been speaking to.
April 26, 2015
I feel like I watched the author growing in her skill with every word. While I loved the premise of Book 1, Oceanswept, I found it to be lacking the quality and hook to get me to follow up with Undertow on my own. I checked out the reviews for Undertow and saw nearly 5 stars from every reviewer. This is where my interest piqued.
This was quite different from the reviews I was reading on Oceanswept, which was slow but good and felt like a first work. I decided to give Lara a second chance and I was not disappointed. What growth in her writing style!
The pace, character depth, plot and wide variety of scenes in Undertow showed her significant improvement in writing from that which was in the first book.
I was actually so hooked this time that I was left bereft by the last scene. I was desperate to know what would be happening next. I checked out her author website and signed up for the first 3 chapters of Rebel Tide, the third book in the series.
Also, can we just talk about how dreamy that cover art is?
Her opening scene in Rebel Tide was like a sucker punch to the gut. When I finished those chapters, I inquired about book promotions and early releases. Undertow was that good and the opening to Rebel Tide was that good.
Hays proves you can have great, gut-wrenching romance without superficial/cheesy smut.
I give Undertow 4 stars because I believe Hays still has much potential as an author and will grow as writer. I'm waiting to give 5 stars to her best work. I will be first in line for Rebel Tide and look forward to more works from Lara Hays.
This was quite different from the reviews I was reading on Oceanswept, which was slow but good and felt like a first work. I decided to give Lara a second chance and I was not disappointed. What growth in her writing style!
The pace, character depth, plot and wide variety of scenes in Undertow showed her significant improvement in writing from that which was in the first book.
I was actually so hooked this time that I was left bereft by the last scene. I was desperate to know what would be happening next. I checked out her author website and signed up for the first 3 chapters of Rebel Tide, the third book in the series.
Also, can we just talk about how dreamy that cover art is?
Her opening scene in Rebel Tide was like a sucker punch to the gut. When I finished those chapters, I inquired about book promotions and early releases. Undertow was that good and the opening to Rebel Tide was that good.
Hays proves you can have great, gut-wrenching romance without superficial/cheesy smut.
I give Undertow 4 stars because I believe Hays still has much potential as an author and will grow as writer. I'm waiting to give 5 stars to her best work. I will be first in line for Rebel Tide and look forward to more works from Lara Hays.
March 5, 2015
It took me a little while to get into this book. I found the first one to be just okay, and was really only reading the second one out of mild curiosity. It wasn't until the second half of the book that I really found myself engrossed and losing hours at night as I kept turning pages. It didn't get really interesting for me until Nicholas took to the sea and left Tessa all forlorn and stuff :b
I also thought that the 3rd book was already out - so when this book ended... I was feeling pretty upset. The ending had me in tears and then I was even more upset when I realized I could only read the first few chapters of the next one with no publication date to be seen! Seriously, my husband had to cuddle me as we watched Friends...needed a laugh to cheer me up.
Based on the first few chapters of book 3...I'm really excited for what's next. This series went from being ...meh, to one I'd actually recommend to my friends & family. But I'll wait till the 3rd book is out so they're not left crying on their SO like me ;)
I also thought that the 3rd book was already out - so when this book ended... I was feeling pretty upset. The ending had me in tears and then I was even more upset when I realized I could only read the first few chapters of the next one with no publication date to be seen! Seriously, my husband had to cuddle me as we watched Friends...needed a laugh to cheer me up.
Based on the first few chapters of book 3...I'm really excited for what's next. This series went from being ...meh, to one I'd actually recommend to my friends & family. But I'll wait till the 3rd book is out so they're not left crying on their SO like me ;)
December 5, 2016
What started off a little choppy and exasperating as Tessa made all the wrong moves and implied all the wrong feelings about her relationship to Nicholas to everyone, made a fantastic about face about 3/4 of the way through to the high-seas adventure and swashbuckling story we had in the first novel. By the end I hated the story having to end! I know Hays is writing the final installment, and there are the novellas still to enjoy, but I can't wait for the final chapter of the high-seas adventure that is Tessa and Nicholas' story!
October 21, 2014
Hays has really grown as an author in this second installment. The beginning dragged, but it really picked up about half way. I am looking forward to the conclusion. (Which is really saying something, because the last three series I started I didn't bother reading book three.). Thanks for having all the elements I look forward to when escaping in a book; action, adventure, clean romance, moral dilemma...
September 3, 2014
The beginning of this book kind of dragged for me. It was good to see Tessa in her role as a proper lady, and to set up her relationships at St. Kitts, but I liked it better when she was at sea again. The second half of the book was great, with a lot of action, danger, and a few surprises. The ending was so bittersweet and romantic!
April 22, 2014
I loved this book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It was such a good book. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how it was going to turn out! It left me wanting to read more! I am anxiously awaiting the release of the third book in the series! This is an awesome book, I highly recommend it!
May 19, 2015
The second in the Oceanswept Trilogy, the third part is due out this year & called Rebel Tide.
It's been a while since I read the first book but I got straight back into it & it was just as well written as the first.
Characters that you care about & full of action & suspense. Looking forward to part 3!
It's been a while since I read the first book but I got straight back into it & it was just as well written as the first.
Characters that you care about & full of action & suspense. Looking forward to part 3!
December 28, 2014
Couldn't put it down
And went right into the sequel without leaving my chair! Love the characters, settings, and that Lara doesn't go straight to the easy next steps, but rather develops each piece of the story. Well done!
And went right into the sequel without leaving my chair! Love the characters, settings, and that Lara doesn't go straight to the easy next steps, but rather develops each piece of the story. Well done!
January 19, 2015
What a wonderful adventure
What a great continuing adventure. I just adore the Tessa character. She is full of life, love and hate, but never acts like a coward. This is a great choice for anyone that ever wanted to be a pirate.
What a great continuing adventure. I just adore the Tessa character. She is full of life, love and hate, but never acts like a coward. This is a great choice for anyone that ever wanted to be a pirate.
July 29, 2015
Star crossed lovers
A continuation of Nicholas and Tessa's story. Full of action and misunderstanding. They come from two different world s that do not seem to be able to reconcile. A realistic end to this part. There is one more book in the trilogy.
A continuation of Nicholas and Tessa's story. Full of action and misunderstanding. They come from two different world s that do not seem to be able to reconcile. A realistic end to this part. There is one more book in the trilogy.
September 17, 2015
I'm really enjoying this series. Love the adventure, romance, misunderstandings and heartache. I believe this is the first time I've read about pirates- it's a great escape! Looking forward to the next book :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews