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Drawn #1
Drawn
Have you ever felt so drawn to someone, that you will put up with anything to be with them? That’s how I feel when I’m around him.
Most of the time, I want to hate him. I want to stay as far away from him as possible. He’s so cocky, and arrogant. And he gets in the way and tells me what to do. He’s all things that I normally detest in a man. But, when we’re alone… I can’t even think for myself – the pull is that intense.
I know I should run, I know I should stay away. But I can’t. I don’t know if I’m strong enough.
What do you do when you just can’t stay away? Even when you know you should…
Most of the time, I want to hate him. I want to stay as far away from him as possible. He’s so cocky, and arrogant. And he gets in the way and tells me what to do. He’s all things that I normally detest in a man. But, when we’re alone… I can’t even think for myself – the pull is that intense.
I know I should run, I know I should stay away. But I can’t. I don’t know if I’m strong enough.
What do you do when you just can’t stay away? Even when you know you should…
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2013
504 people are currently reading
3005 people want to read
About the author
Lilliana Anderson
78 books1,176 followersBestselling Author of the Beautiful Series, Drawn and 47 Things, Lilliana has always loved to read and write, considering it the best form of escapism that the world has to offer.
Australian born and bred, she writes New Adult Romance revolving around her authentically Aussie characters with all the quirks you’d expect from those born Down Under.
Lilliana feels that the world should see Australia for more than just it's outback and tries to show characters in a city and suburban setting.
When she isn't writing, she wears the hat of 'wife and mother' to her husband and four children.
Before Lilliana turned to writing, she worked in a variety of industries and studied humanities and communications before transferring to commerce/law at university.
Originally from Sydney's Western suburbs, she currently lives a fairly quiet life in suburban Melbourne.
Australian born and bred, she writes New Adult Romance revolving around her authentically Aussie characters with all the quirks you’d expect from those born Down Under.
Lilliana feels that the world should see Australia for more than just it's outback and tries to show characters in a city and suburban setting.
When she isn't writing, she wears the hat of 'wife and mother' to her husband and four children.
Before Lilliana turned to writing, she worked in a variety of industries and studied humanities and communications before transferring to commerce/law at university.
Originally from Sydney's Western suburbs, she currently lives a fairly quiet life in suburban Melbourne.
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December 23, 2017
📚 📌 FREE on Amazon US today (12/22/2017) 📌 📚
Book 1. Please note this triangle has 2 DIFFERENT book 2s. It’s your choice.
FREE: https://www.amazon.com/Drawn-Lilliana...
BLURB:
Have you ever felt so drawn to someone, that you will put up with anything to be with them? That’s how I feel when I’m around him.
Most of the time, I want to hate him. I want to stay as far away from him as possible. He’s so cocky, and arrogant. And he gets in the way and tells me what to do. He’s all things that I normally detest in a man. But, when we’re alone… I can’t even think for myself – the pull is that intense.
I know I should run, I know I should stay away. But I can’t. I don’t know if I’m strong enough.
What do you do when you just can’t stay away? Even when you know you should…
FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day. I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 700 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
November 3, 2016
Someone please explain what i just read.
I did not understand Damien one bit. WHAT THE FUCK WAS HIS PROBLEM? WHY THE FUCK DID HE TRICK ETTA INTO GETTING PREGNANT?! WHAT IS THIS PORNOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT BS HE DOES?!
PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS FUCKERY.
AND ETTA. So you're not on the pill and you don't have condoms, why would you have unprotective sex numerous times. Did you assume he can't have kids? Why didn't you ask him? Didn't you know that if you FUCKING ASSUME, you make an ASS out of U and ME. Congrats bitch, you've achieved it.
Why in the hell did she stay with him. WTF bro. Did you not see Aaron, beautiful Aaron who is in love with you, ungrateful ho.
When she found out something negative or was angry with Damien, all he had to was kiss her and distract her with sex to avoid answering her questions.
Please. Get over yourself Damien, i hate you.
I love my alpha males, however damien? no. He went too far, he got too controlling, too clingy, too jealous, too fucking possessive. This was fucking shown many times but the best one that i can remember (there is too many to recall) was when he changed her sim card so he could 'track' her. Please. Because you're scared something will happen to her? why? just call her every once in a while or have faith and not be a FUCKING STALKER.
THEN he fucking isolated her from her friends and family, wtf is up with that, how the fuck was she okay with that?!
I thought he was an controlling, over protective, motherfucking dick at the beginning but now, he is a fucking sociopath.
DIDN'T ANY ONE NOT SEE THAT HE WAS ONE SECOND AWAY FROM BEING ABUSIVE? OR WAS THAT JUST ME FUCK SAKE.
the anger inside me right now.
So many stupid questions left unanswered.
i hated it.
but i will still read the second installment just because i want to see what that motherfucking controlling bastard does and see what happens to my beautiful, sweet Aaron and if he ends up with stupid Etta.
and also see if Damien starts being physically abusive towards Etta.
They're both clinically insane, idec.
YOU JUST FOUND OUT HE PURPOSELY MADE YOU PREGNANT WHY HAVE SEX WITH HIM WHICH IS THE REASON YOU'RE FUCKING IN THIS SITUATION. NOT EVEN A SECOND AFTER YOU JUST FOUND OUT? WHY? AND DON'T EVEN SAY BECAUSE HE HAS THIS CRINGY ASS POWER OVER YOU. IT'S DEGRADING YOU HO.
I did not understand Damien one bit. WHAT THE FUCK WAS HIS PROBLEM? WHY THE FUCK DID HE TRICK ETTA INTO GETTING PREGNANT?! WHAT IS THIS PORNOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT BS HE DOES?!
PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS FUCKERY.
AND ETTA. So you're not on the pill and you don't have condoms, why would you have unprotective sex numerous times. Did you assume he can't have kids? Why didn't you ask him? Didn't you know that if you FUCKING ASSUME, you make an ASS out of U and ME. Congrats bitch, you've achieved it.
Why in the hell did she stay with him. WTF bro. Did you not see Aaron, beautiful Aaron who is in love with you, ungrateful ho.
When she found out something negative or was angry with Damien, all he had to was kiss her and distract her with sex to avoid answering her questions.
Please. Get over yourself Damien, i hate you.
I love my alpha males, however damien? no. He went too far, he got too controlling, too clingy, too jealous, too fucking possessive. This was fucking shown many times but the best one that i can remember (there is too many to recall) was when he changed her sim card so he could 'track' her. Please. Because you're scared something will happen to her? why? just call her every once in a while or have faith and not be a FUCKING STALKER.
THEN he fucking isolated her from her friends and family, wtf is up with that, how the fuck was she okay with that?!
I thought he was an controlling, over protective, motherfucking dick at the beginning but now, he is a fucking sociopath.
DIDN'T ANY ONE NOT SEE THAT HE WAS ONE SECOND AWAY FROM BEING ABUSIVE? OR WAS THAT JUST ME FUCK SAKE.
the anger inside me right now.
So many stupid questions left unanswered.
i hated it.
but i will still read the second installment just because i want to see what that motherfucking controlling bastard does and see what happens to my beautiful, sweet Aaron and if he ends up with stupid Etta.
“Let go, you fucker! You bastard! You Liar! I hate you right now!” I yell, slapping at his arm, trying to
pull in the opposite direction. But he’s too strong for me.
As soon as we’re in the foyer of the building, I reach out and grab a hold of the door, using it to
anchor myself and make it harder for him.
“I’m not letting you go,” he growls, turning on me, pushing me up against the glass door I’m holding
on to, breathing down into my face.
He takes a moment to look at me, his expression dark and stormy, his intent clear. He crashes his
mouth against mine, forcing his tongue over my lips, his hands sliding around my waist, practically
crushing me against him.
I try to fight it, I try to stay angry at him, but the power he holds over me begins to envelope me,
causing me to respond. The moment the first gasp escapes my mouth, I feel his cock, hot and hard
against my thigh.
They're both clinically insane, idec.
YOU JUST FOUND OUT HE PURPOSELY MADE YOU PREGNANT WHY HAVE SEX WITH HIM WHICH IS THE REASON YOU'RE FUCKING IN THIS SITUATION. NOT EVEN A SECOND AFTER YOU JUST FOUND OUT? WHY? AND DON'T EVEN SAY BECAUSE HE HAS THIS CRINGY ASS POWER OVER YOU. IT'S DEGRADING YOU HO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2014
There are no words to describe how angry this book made me. It was very reminiscent of Beautiful Disaster with its overbearing, over-possessive male lead and a dumb-as-rocks heroine.
First of all, Etta does not stop whinging about how she needs her space and she needs to be free, blah, blah. She also talks about her brother's death like it's no big deal. Her brother's death is only used as a tool to justify her father's dickishness. Nowhere in the book is there any mention of what her brother meant to her, even though they don't seem to be that far apart in age. So she manages to find a house with two very nice people, although one of them is a party girl and gets drunk way too much, and she moves out because her father trusts her to do it.
Then, she meets Damien. This is where all the shit starts hitting the fan. The first clue should've been when Damien randomly lets her into his apartment even though he doesn't even know her, then proceeds to corner her. Then, of course, he starts popping up everywhere, and then their undeniable attraction (cue eyeroll) drives them together. Damien is a chauvinistic bastard, and he isolates Etta from everybody in her life, cancels her appointments, keeps her from class. This goes on for way longer than necessary, but every time Etta even makes some sign of resisting, all he has to do is press her against a wall, and she's willing to do whatever he says. Also, I'm very certain that one of the scenes is rape. There is literally a scene in which she is running away from him, and he grabs her ankle and drags her back to the house. What the fuck? Who does that shit? And her friend is right there, but he doesn't call the cops or do something about it?
There was some truly fucked up stuff happening in this book, but to my endless amazement, none of Etta's friends or family make any move to do anything besides complaining that she's never there.
Etta herself is messed up beyond belief. She lets her boyfriend micromanage every aspect of her life, and all it takes is some hot breathing before she submits to him again. He keeps 90% of his life away from her, and all she does is spout crap about how he's like a magnet and it hurts to be apart from him. She fucks around with Damien when she gives her best friend, Aaron, false hope. Also, she's amazingly naive and stupid. Yeah, I get that she's been sheltered, but an 18-year-old should know that when a man and woman have sex together without protection, pregnancy will happen. Especially if the two of them do it a million times every day like she and Damien did. I was beyond disgusted with her behavior and idiocy. Ugh. This is what Etta's perspective about sex is:
Worst of all, there's a sequel! What the actual fuck?! You're going to have to drag me through a tub of acid before I read that drivel. No wonder this book was free on iBooks.
First of all, Etta does not stop whinging about how she needs her space and she needs to be free, blah, blah. She also talks about her brother's death like it's no big deal. Her brother's death is only used as a tool to justify her father's dickishness. Nowhere in the book is there any mention of what her brother meant to her, even though they don't seem to be that far apart in age. So she manages to find a house with two very nice people, although one of them is a party girl and gets drunk way too much, and she moves out because her father trusts her to do it.
Then, she meets Damien. This is where all the shit starts hitting the fan. The first clue should've been when Damien randomly lets her into his apartment even though he doesn't even know her, then proceeds to corner her. Then, of course, he starts popping up everywhere, and then their undeniable attraction (cue eyeroll) drives them together. Damien is a chauvinistic bastard, and he isolates Etta from everybody in her life, cancels her appointments, keeps her from class. This goes on for way longer than necessary, but every time Etta even makes some sign of resisting, all he has to do is press her against a wall, and she's willing to do whatever he says. Also, I'm very certain that one of the scenes is rape. There is literally a scene in which she is running away from him, and he grabs her ankle and drags her back to the house. What the fuck? Who does that shit? And her friend is right there, but he doesn't call the cops or do something about it?
There was some truly fucked up stuff happening in this book, but to my endless amazement, none of Etta's friends or family make any move to do anything besides complaining that she's never there.
Etta herself is messed up beyond belief. She lets her boyfriend micromanage every aspect of her life, and all it takes is some hot breathing before she submits to him again. He keeps 90% of his life away from her, and all she does is spout crap about how he's like a magnet and it hurts to be apart from him. She fucks around with Damien when she gives her best friend, Aaron, false hope. Also, she's amazingly naive and stupid. Yeah, I get that she's been sheltered, but an 18-year-old should know that when a man and woman have sex together without protection, pregnancy will happen. Especially if the two of them do it a million times every day like she and Damien did. I was beyond disgusted with her behavior and idiocy. Ugh. This is what Etta's perspective about sex is:
I get that most people view sex as a big step in a relationship. I, personally, do not. I don't see a problem with giving in to your desires. I see more of a problem in denying yourself... If he'd just let me touch him, or if he'd just touch me, then this wouldn't all be such a big deal.Uh, what!? Does this not sound like something a crack addict would say? What kind of twisted logic is that? She basically just said everyone should have no restraint and sleep around all the time. I hope I'm not the only one who sees something really wrong with her point of view. I was disgusted with the sex scenes in this novel. Not only were there too many, but they played no role in furthering the plot, and too many of them came out of Damien forcing Etta into something she did not want to do.
Worst of all, there's a sequel! What the actual fuck?! You're going to have to drag me through a tub of acid before I read that drivel. No wonder this book was free on iBooks.
December 23, 2013
Please check out (Kitty Kats Crazy About Books) http://tinyurl.com/k7yukmx
4 Stars!!
When Darkness and Lightness collide!!
I got an arc from the author for an honest review, my review will also be without spoilers!!
From page one I was drawn into the story, it's easy to get into, but hard to put down..Though I must admit this sentence pulled me into wanting to read this book even more!!
***Content warning*** it's advised that readers be over 18 years of age before reading this novel due to sexual content and adult situations..
And believe me the sexual content in this book is scorching!!
Is it ok to say that I didn't like Damien?? I can understand the attraction, the magnetic pull, but his domineering nature threw a few alarm bells my way..
"I hate that he has so much power over me."
I felt like just jumping in the book and shaking Etta, she was all about wanting her freedom, moving out of home at the age of 18 out from under the thumb of her domineering father straight into a dangerous relationship, I say dangerous because she lost all sense of self..
"I want you to be mine Henrietta, and in return, I'll be yours."
Damien was a calculated, manipulative wanker, to get Etta even more under his spell he would use sex..Anytime she voiced her opinion he would get her so hot and ready at wanting him that all thought would leave her head, that was his way to control her..She never stood a chance against him..
"You can't just keep using sex to get your way, and you can't go making decisions for me."
We belong together Etta..Your my everything..You're my life..You're the very reason I breathe..I want you..I need you..Let me love you..Be mine forever..
Oh and that cliffy sucks balls!! I seriously don't do cliffy's and I fell right over this one!!
Definitely will be hanging out and stalking the author for the next book in this series!!
4 Stars!!
When Darkness and Lightness collide!!
I got an arc from the author for an honest review, my review will also be without spoilers!!
From page one I was drawn into the story, it's easy to get into, but hard to put down..Though I must admit this sentence pulled me into wanting to read this book even more!!
***Content warning*** it's advised that readers be over 18 years of age before reading this novel due to sexual content and adult situations..
And believe me the sexual content in this book is scorching!!
Is it ok to say that I didn't like Damien?? I can understand the attraction, the magnetic pull, but his domineering nature threw a few alarm bells my way..
"I hate that he has so much power over me."
I felt like just jumping in the book and shaking Etta, she was all about wanting her freedom, moving out of home at the age of 18 out from under the thumb of her domineering father straight into a dangerous relationship, I say dangerous because she lost all sense of self..
"I want you to be mine Henrietta, and in return, I'll be yours."
Damien was a calculated, manipulative wanker, to get Etta even more under his spell he would use sex..Anytime she voiced her opinion he would get her so hot and ready at wanting him that all thought would leave her head, that was his way to control her..She never stood a chance against him..
"You can't just keep using sex to get your way, and you can't go making decisions for me."
We belong together Etta..Your my everything..You're my life..You're the very reason I breathe..I want you..I need you..Let me love you..Be mine forever..
Oh and that cliffy sucks balls!! I seriously don't do cliffy's and I fell right over this one!!
Definitely will be hanging out and stalking the author for the next book in this series!!
October 6, 2020
My new obsession is reading books with toxic relationships😋.
December 19, 2017
If I had a Damian in my life, I would fucking stab him and run the hell away like an Olympic athlete.
Once again we have a doormat friends.
And this one isn't even a romance. I can't classify it as that. And you guys know I like my alphas.
He cuts her off from everyone (friends and parents) subdues her with sex (because the dumb bitch can't think if he's near), manipulates her yet doesn't let her have a say in his life AT ALL, she doesn't know barely anything about him, he consistently lies, is violent to the point where I was shocked that he didn't beat her to an inch of her life, is so secretive, cheats on her, and yet - his obsessiveness is supposed to negate that. I think the fuck not.
If she has any brains, she's gonna take that baby she hid from him and run. Run far and wide because bitch don't have a BRAIN.
A precious hair shouldn't be hurt on Aaron's head. Poor guy, with shitty taste in women. With some sense in the three year gap as she is 21 now, let's hope the author does the right thing and makes the stupid heroine choose Aaron instead of romanticising a verbally, emotionally and pretty much physically abusive man like Damian.
Once again we have a doormat friends.
And this one isn't even a romance. I can't classify it as that. And you guys know I like my alphas.
He cuts her off from everyone (friends and parents) subdues her with sex (because the dumb bitch can't think if he's near), manipulates her yet doesn't let her have a say in his life AT ALL, she doesn't know barely anything about him, he consistently lies, is violent to the point where I was shocked that he didn't beat her to an inch of her life, is so secretive, cheats on her, and yet - his obsessiveness is supposed to negate that. I think the fuck not.
If she has any brains, she's gonna take that baby she hid from him and run. Run far and wide because bitch don't have a BRAIN.
A precious hair shouldn't be hurt on Aaron's head. Poor guy, with shitty taste in women. With some sense in the three year gap as she is 21 now, let's hope the author does the right thing and makes the stupid heroine choose Aaron instead of romanticising a verbally, emotionally and pretty much physically abusive man like Damian.
January 2, 2014
When I first started reading this, all I kept thinking is, that this relationship will never work. This was not a romance story but rather a dark obsessive story. Etta and Damien have Major Trust Issues with each other. Their love is obsessive and they resolved everything with sex and never talked about their problems. A lot of people thinks Damien as a hot Alpha. For me, Damien was more a Sociopath then an Alpha. Men who have no conscience, no sense of guilt, and feel remorse only when something does not turn out to their advantage are my definition of stalkers and potential rapists. Etta was weak-willed doormat heroine. At the end she finally wakes up and leaves him. There is going to be a second book, and i just hope she doesn't ditch Aron.
March 31, 2019
Holy intensity. From being overprotected by her parents, Etta moves out to get some sort of freedom however meets a boy and he starts to suffocate her like her parents. Damien is very intense and likes to know where she is at all time. To me it’s not in a so he has control over her I really do believe he feels protective about her and can’t deal with not knowing where she is at all time. He needs to know she’s safe. Aaron is a boy she used to date and he’s protective over her as well but not to the same degree as Damien. Well things go pear shaped for her and Damien and she is left with an important decision or rather we are. In a cool sliding door kinda situation you get to decide who she ends up with.
Damien or Aaron
Damien or Aaron
Want to read
October 12, 2021💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/11/2017)! 💝
September 1, 2014
4 'domineering and possessive' stars
Drawn starts off by introducing us to Etta. Henrietta Davis is a seventeen year old university student on the cusp of turning eighteen with the grandeur idea of moving into her own place on her eighteenth birthday and completing her final year at university without the security blanket of her over protective father. After the untimely death of her older brother; Etta, from the age of twelve has kept a scrupulous routine of school and home by 6pm. Having no social life and nothing else to do, when confined within the walls of her home, Etta, studied hard and was able to skip grades and end up in university early on.
All Etta has ever wanted was to be able to stand on her own two feet. Just to be a normal teenager without the overbearing father. Fighting for her independence is her way of celebrating her eighteenth birthday and fight she did. Like literally!! Finally! relinquishing control and allowing Etta her independence, she gains her freedom. Like any teenager/young adult, Etta is stubborn and immature and feels she can conquer the world. I didn't like Etta and as the story progressed I still didn't like her, but!! I understood her to a certain point. I mean come on, we've all been there. Most of us can remember our parents saying "been there done that" or as my father would say to me "of all my children, why, why did my only girl child have to come out like me. God, the world has it in for me." lolz dad!
A chance meeting, while visiting an ex, Etta encounters Damien. A dark haired, ripped and gorgeous, twenty-two year old artist, street fighter, and Aikido student. As we can guess he's her father's top student. Even though her father has relinquished control, he's allowed Damien to help her continue her Aikido training in order for her to keep her new found independence.
As with anyone that gains freedom, especially an inexperienced and unworldly young girl, she's Drawn to Damien like a 'moth to a flame.' Damien is dark and hiding some horribly devastating secrets. Secrets that once known, can become his undoing. The guilt he carries with these secrets is what turns this story into more than just a possessed alpha male story.
Etta and Damien have this energy that surrounds them. This fierce and unrelenting desire to be together. An attraction that is so strong it even clouds practicality and creates an unbalanced atmosphere that only the two of them can survive within.
"Do you want me to kiss you?" he asks, brushing her bottom lip right next to my mouth again.
Once again, I whimper, nodding my head in response, struggling to find my voice.
"I need you to say it."
"Yes," I whisper.
"Tell me what you want."
"I want you to kiss me," I admit, my voice barely audible as I force my voice to speak.
"Want or need?" he whispers, bringing his mouth to mine, gently grazing my bottom lip.
"Need," I breathe, my body pressed firmly up against the wall, frozen and unable to move with him so close to me.
As their relationship progresses or rather they just seem to exist within and around each other. Like in orbit, revolving around the other.
"What is this?" he asks suddenly. "This thing between us."
"I don't know," I reply. "But if feels like everything."
"Everything," he repeats, just as his mouth meets mine.
"I love how much he wants me.
This dark beautiful man - wants me.
It makes me feel as though I can do anything."
Damien has this unknown reason for always wanting to be around Etta, always touching her. Etta, she can't seem to get enough of Damien. Being together is normal for them as you and I breathe air.
I hate that he holds so much power over me.
"Jesus Etta, just look at you. You're making me crazy."
"Etta, you've got me. This is never going to end. I'm never going to let you go. You are mine and I am yours. There is nothing that can change that now."
When Etta realizes that Damien is taking away her independence under the guise of protection, she loses it and refuses to live this way. To be relegated to her previous life and the confines of parental rules. It's bitter sweet as she gained her independence and then lost it in no time.
Drawn is a book that shows us how destructive, an obsessive relationship can be. One that revolves around jealous and immature individuals. Etta was not emotionally and mentally prepared to have a relationship. She was unworldly, and confined her entire life, she didn't know how to have healthy normal relationships and she just jumped all in with Damien. Eventually she has to force herself to fight for her own sanity. She couldn't breathe without Damien. When she discovered his manipulative mannerisms. That's when, Etta realized enough was enough.
I would like to say, as usual, I hate insta-love books and stories. However, is worked well within these pages and it actually added an intensity to the story I didn't expect. The book left us on a cliffy, but I'm actually excited to see how the second book plays off.
*ARC provided by InkSlinger PR on behalf of the author for an honest review* Thanks!!
December 30, 2015
WTH did I just read?!
The same old Fifty Shades of Grey's bullshit with some alterations and twists, which makes it even worse.
The main characters:
He's a screwed up overprotective/possessive psychopath.
She's the most moronic girl despite her claimed high IQ.
See some resemblance with FSoG?
Wait a second, there is more:
She goes to the bar and throws up after getting drunk for the first time in her life and then ends up in his apartment.
He constantly uses you-know-what as a weapon whenever he wants her to shut up and stop whining on how messed up he is.
Such a waste of time.. At least this one was free, so I didn't pay for trash like I did with Fifty Shades of Crap.
The same old Fifty Shades of Grey's bullshit with some alterations and twists, which makes it even worse.
The main characters:
He's a screwed up overprotective/possessive psychopath.
She's the most moronic girl despite her claimed high IQ.
See some resemblance with FSoG?
Wait a second, there is more:
She goes to the bar and throws up after getting drunk for the first time in her life and then ends up in his apartment.
He constantly uses you-know-what as a weapon whenever he wants her to shut up and stop whining on how messed up he is.
Such a waste of time.. At least this one was free, so I didn't pay for trash like I did with Fifty Shades of Crap.
Want to read
May 9, 2017
May 14, 2014
I had eleven hours to kill while I was in the salon the other day, so I pulled this one out and dug in. I found it suspenseful, sexy, and entertaining all the way through.
I don't think anyone would say it's a perfect story in terms of writing style or storytelling. I mean, Etta kept calling her father strict, when--Hello! Girlfriend, I could tell you some stories about strict parenting. Your father is not that strict, comparatively, just because he didn't want you to date or move out of the house before turning eighteen. *whipping my weave back dramatically* I got the gist of what I was supposed to understand about Etta though. I just didn't buy it fully based on the facts. That was okay. All I needed was the gist. I was focused on Damien anyway.
The story itself is not romantic, uplifting, or beautiful. It is a story about obsession. It's about a girl meeting a bad boy and not being able to get enough of him, even though there is a great second option. I get that. I'm interested in stories like that. David's Birthday, Damage, Fatal Attraction...these are movies about obsessive relationships that I enjoyed. This type of all-consuming passion toward an individual is arguably an intense love...or plain ol' psychosis. Either way, it's fun to watch and read. I'm happy to read a story that doesn't just have a man and woman falling for each other, enduring some conflict, and running off into the sunset together forever. Sometimes ish happens. So if you're looking for THAT kind of story, you'll be disappointed. If you like stories about people who shouldn't be together but can't figure out how to quit each other, you may like this one.
The biggest praise I could give this story would be the ending. I couldn't think of a better way to end it. There are cliffhangers that make you upset that the story is over so soon. Then there are teaser endings that make you wonder where the hell this story is going next. That's how this one ends, and I can't wait to pick up the next book. I don't say that often about new-to-me authors.
On a side note, it was interesting to read the differences in British English versus American English. Seeing words spelled like manoeuvre (UK) instead of maneuver (US) made me pause here and there. I also noticed honorific titles, like Mr and Mrs, did not have periods at the end as we typically add in America. These types of things throughout the book would normally be issues for me, but I didn't find them too distracting. I let it be a tool from which I learned something new instead.
Final note. Did I mention this was another freebie??? Y'all are sleeping on these free book promotions if you're not getting them because they are written by authors you don't already know, or because the author is indie/self-pubbed. Drawn was just as good, if not better than, a lot of books I have paid for by big-name authors. It made my lengthy salon visit pass more smoothly. For that, I thank you, Lilliana Anderson.
I don't think anyone would say it's a perfect story in terms of writing style or storytelling. I mean, Etta kept calling her father strict, when--Hello! Girlfriend, I could tell you some stories about strict parenting. Your father is not that strict, comparatively, just because he didn't want you to date or move out of the house before turning eighteen. *whipping my weave back dramatically* I got the gist of what I was supposed to understand about Etta though. I just didn't buy it fully based on the facts. That was okay. All I needed was the gist. I was focused on Damien anyway.
The story itself is not romantic, uplifting, or beautiful. It is a story about obsession. It's about a girl meeting a bad boy and not being able to get enough of him, even though there is a great second option. I get that. I'm interested in stories like that. David's Birthday, Damage, Fatal Attraction...these are movies about obsessive relationships that I enjoyed. This type of all-consuming passion toward an individual is arguably an intense love...or plain ol' psychosis. Either way, it's fun to watch and read. I'm happy to read a story that doesn't just have a man and woman falling for each other, enduring some conflict, and running off into the sunset together forever. Sometimes ish happens. So if you're looking for THAT kind of story, you'll be disappointed. If you like stories about people who shouldn't be together but can't figure out how to quit each other, you may like this one.
The biggest praise I could give this story would be the ending. I couldn't think of a better way to end it. There are cliffhangers that make you upset that the story is over so soon. Then there are teaser endings that make you wonder where the hell this story is going next. That's how this one ends, and I can't wait to pick up the next book. I don't say that often about new-to-me authors.
On a side note, it was interesting to read the differences in British English versus American English. Seeing words spelled like manoeuvre (UK) instead of maneuver (US) made me pause here and there. I also noticed honorific titles, like Mr and Mrs, did not have periods at the end as we typically add in America. These types of things throughout the book would normally be issues for me, but I didn't find them too distracting. I let it be a tool from which I learned something new instead.
Final note. Did I mention this was another freebie??? Y'all are sleeping on these free book promotions if you're not getting them because they are written by authors you don't already know, or because the author is indie/self-pubbed. Drawn was just as good, if not better than, a lot of books I have paid for by big-name authors. It made my lengthy salon visit pass more smoothly. For that, I thank you, Lilliana Anderson.
June 2, 2014
It's hard to put my head in a place to properly review this book and do it justice. I have read quite a few of Lilliana's books, the first two in the Beautiful series, and some of her Confidante (which wasn't really my thing). I've also enjoyed the many snippets and excerpts of other books as I've seen her post on FB and on her blog. I find her writing style very easy to read, but still fresh and authentic.
I've been entranced at the idea of the new 'choose your ending' books that have just been released, that are promoted as choosing for Etta to either be with 'Damien' or with 'Aaron' and I applaud Lilliana for giving her readers these options. With all this in mind, I thought it best if I read Drawn first. It has been on my TBR shelf for a while, and I've read quite a few of the reviews which are a mixed bag.
It took me some time to get into Drawn. I found the pacing slow in the beginning and I didn't really connect with Etta or her family, or the loss of her brother, that was the driving force behind her wanting to move out of home. At 30% into the read, I have to admit I was struggling to care. And then Damien comes into the book properly, through training Etta in Akido, and it was the Akido scenes that caught my interest.
My favourite book of Lilliana's has been her first one, A Beautiful Struggle, and something that I enjoyed most in this was the heroine's athleticism. She was a triathlete, and I enjoyed all the scenes that involved exercise and training. Much the same, I started to warm up to Drawn through the section of the book relating to Akido, which Etta stopped practicing after her brother's death.
From that point on, I was hooked. I stayed up late last night, and finished the book this morning.
The emotion in this is incredible. Lilliana portrays it graphically, usually wound up in steamy, mind-blowing sexual scenes that rival some of the best I've read.
But it was the story underpinning all this sex that most fascinated me. Stalker Damien. Controlling Damien. How Etta wants to leave and knows she should, but can't and keeps returning to give him another chance. I haven't been involved with this kind of abuse in a relationship of my own, nor known of it in friends or family in real life, but I can imagine those relationships must start in some way similar to how the author describes in Drawn.
Small things that the perpetrator easily explains... moving to larger things (such as a blocked phone or changed SIM card and control of food, friendships, and social activities). As the 'abuse' goes on, the victim's own relativity blurs so that I think it becomes hard to see how a situation is escalating, once you're inside it. It's only by stepping outside the relationship that some clarity ensues.
All these things I got out of Drawn.
It is easy perhaps to dismiss this book as erotica, or an erotic thriller. It definitely is, but for me at least I found a deeper meaning here.
Well done Lilliana.
I've been entranced at the idea of the new 'choose your ending' books that have just been released, that are promoted as choosing for Etta to either be with 'Damien' or with 'Aaron' and I applaud Lilliana for giving her readers these options. With all this in mind, I thought it best if I read Drawn first. It has been on my TBR shelf for a while, and I've read quite a few of the reviews which are a mixed bag.
It took me some time to get into Drawn. I found the pacing slow in the beginning and I didn't really connect with Etta or her family, or the loss of her brother, that was the driving force behind her wanting to move out of home. At 30% into the read, I have to admit I was struggling to care. And then Damien comes into the book properly, through training Etta in Akido, and it was the Akido scenes that caught my interest.
My favourite book of Lilliana's has been her first one, A Beautiful Struggle, and something that I enjoyed most in this was the heroine's athleticism. She was a triathlete, and I enjoyed all the scenes that involved exercise and training. Much the same, I started to warm up to Drawn through the section of the book relating to Akido, which Etta stopped practicing after her brother's death.
From that point on, I was hooked. I stayed up late last night, and finished the book this morning.
The emotion in this is incredible. Lilliana portrays it graphically, usually wound up in steamy, mind-blowing sexual scenes that rival some of the best I've read.
But it was the story underpinning all this sex that most fascinated me. Stalker Damien. Controlling Damien. How Etta wants to leave and knows she should, but can't and keeps returning to give him another chance. I haven't been involved with this kind of abuse in a relationship of my own, nor known of it in friends or family in real life, but I can imagine those relationships must start in some way similar to how the author describes in Drawn.
Small things that the perpetrator easily explains... moving to larger things (such as a blocked phone or changed SIM card and control of food, friendships, and social activities). As the 'abuse' goes on, the victim's own relativity blurs so that I think it becomes hard to see how a situation is escalating, once you're inside it. It's only by stepping outside the relationship that some clarity ensues.
All these things I got out of Drawn.
It is easy perhaps to dismiss this book as erotica, or an erotic thriller. It definitely is, but for me at least I found a deeper meaning here.
Well done Lilliana.
December 21, 2013
I got this book as an ARC so I can't do any spoilers. Which totally sucks because I feel like if I explain my feel goods too much everyone will be mad at me for giving something away.
Howeverrrrrrrr, this book was extremely intriguing to say the least. I literally took three hours to read it and never put it down.
I was catapulted from the beginning, and completely enthused.
I completely understand this chick, Etta, where she was coming from, why she felt the things she felt.... She was justified... However what she did at the end, no matter what happened, was completely wrong. Wrong wrong WRONG! But I can't tell you or you will know!!! GAHHH!
So I'll leave it like this, this book was immensely hot! So incredibly hot!!!! But it leaves the reader with so many, actually TOOOOOOO MANY!!!!! Questions and not nearly enough answers. A few issues with wording and grammar but you pretty much skip those parts because you just want to know the answer to "Drawn". You have to know.
It's a great book, soooo hot and extremely questionable, just sooooo many questions. A four point five for me mostly because I literally hate being left in the dark, throughout the entire book too! So hopefully book two will answer all
My questions and such! I can't wait until book two!!!!!! Seriously, HUGE CLIFF HANGER!
I figure I should mention that.
C LI F F HA N G E R !!!
Howeverrrrrrrr, this book was extremely intriguing to say the least. I literally took three hours to read it and never put it down.
I was catapulted from the beginning, and completely enthused.
I completely understand this chick, Etta, where she was coming from, why she felt the things she felt.... She was justified... However what she did at the end, no matter what happened, was completely wrong. Wrong wrong WRONG! But I can't tell you or you will know!!! GAHHH!
So I'll leave it like this, this book was immensely hot! So incredibly hot!!!! But it leaves the reader with so many, actually TOOOOOOO MANY!!!!! Questions and not nearly enough answers. A few issues with wording and grammar but you pretty much skip those parts because you just want to know the answer to "Drawn". You have to know.
It's a great book, soooo hot and extremely questionable, just sooooo many questions. A four point five for me mostly because I literally hate being left in the dark, throughout the entire book too! So hopefully book two will answer all
My questions and such! I can't wait until book two!!!!!! Seriously, HUGE CLIFF HANGER!
I figure I should mention that.
C LI F F HA N G E R !!!
December 23, 2013
I was given the immense honor or reading the ARC of drawn so that I could review it. This book was HOT, HOT, HOT! I was sexy and emotional and completely pulls you into the story. I had the worst book hangover going to work but I kept getting pulled to open the kindle and read more. It was as if Damien himself kept calling to me. Ladies I kid you not that Damien has that type of personality... HE WILL DRAW YOU IN! I couldn't wait to sit and write this review after I finished the book at 3 in the morning!
It has everything that you could possibly want in a book:
Romance- in spades!
Hot Alpha Male- DAMIEN YES!!!!!
Sexy hot scenes that will melt the pages- CHECK ;)have a fan handy!
Twist in the story- Most definitely.
Ending- Killer with a prologue that will have you craving for book 2.
I gave Drawn by Lilliana Anderson a rating of 5 stars but I deserves 8 in my book! Now all I want to know is Lilliana when do we get book 2???
It has everything that you could possibly want in a book:
Romance- in spades!
Hot Alpha Male- DAMIEN YES!!!!!
Sexy hot scenes that will melt the pages- CHECK ;)have a fan handy!
Twist in the story- Most definitely.
Ending- Killer with a prologue that will have you craving for book 2.
I gave Drawn by Lilliana Anderson a rating of 5 stars but I deserves 8 in my book! Now all I want to know is Lilliana when do we get book 2???
December 31, 2013
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon US http://amzn.to/1ceXgBb
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1kStRVv
iBookstore https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/draw...
B&N http://bit.ly/1h5UFBx
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
Amazon US http://amzn.to/1ceXgBb
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1kStRVv
iBookstore https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/draw...
B&N http://bit.ly/1h5UFBx
Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
December 29, 2013
OMG I just don't know what to say!
My review is in progress
My review is in progress
May 22, 2017
Rating: 4 Stars
Well I was certainly 'drawn' into the dysfunctional 'everything' relationship of Damien (street fighter, artist) and Etta (18 year old college student). Etta is a very sheltered 18 year old whose parents have pretty much kept tabs on her. She turns 18, wants to be out on her own and immediately meets Damien. This was insta-love from the very beginning. Then insta-love turned into an all-consuming, if i'm not with you I will stop breathing type of love.
Damien was an over-the-top, possessive alpha-male, with some controlling and jealous traits, and I was hooked! He was also mysterious and had some secrets that I knew he was going to pay for down the road. I'm probably in the minority, but I loved Damien. Etta...not so much. I found her to be childish and a walking contradiction. There is also Etta's best friend, Aaron, who has been waiting for Etta to see the light and pick him.
The scenes between Damien and Etta where scorching hot! These two could lock themselves in a room and never come out. The writing was so strong where I believed in the 'everything' between these two. Etta loved Damien and Damien loved Etta. It was so strong that I felt it on each page. It kinda reminded me of another popular book with a certain boxer/fighter. The author did an amazing job making me believe in their love.
I'm on Team Damien all the way! I'm downloading number 2 now!
Why Not 5 Stars?
Etta - Not a fan. She was too much for me. I really liked her character at first, but as the book moved forward, I wanted to shake her. I need to at least like my heroines and root for them to win the hero or anti-hero. Yeah, I was not down with Etta.
Well I was certainly 'drawn' into the dysfunctional 'everything' relationship of Damien (street fighter, artist) and Etta (18 year old college student). Etta is a very sheltered 18 year old whose parents have pretty much kept tabs on her. She turns 18, wants to be out on her own and immediately meets Damien. This was insta-love from the very beginning. Then insta-love turned into an all-consuming, if i'm not with you I will stop breathing type of love.
Damien was an over-the-top, possessive alpha-male, with some controlling and jealous traits, and I was hooked! He was also mysterious and had some secrets that I knew he was going to pay for down the road. I'm probably in the minority, but I loved Damien. Etta...not so much. I found her to be childish and a walking contradiction. There is also Etta's best friend, Aaron, who has been waiting for Etta to see the light and pick him.
The scenes between Damien and Etta where scorching hot! These two could lock themselves in a room and never come out. The writing was so strong where I believed in the 'everything' between these two. Etta loved Damien and Damien loved Etta. It was so strong that I felt it on each page. It kinda reminded me of another popular book with a certain boxer/fighter. The author did an amazing job making me believe in their love.
I'm on Team Damien all the way! I'm downloading number 2 now!
Why Not 5 Stars?
Etta - Not a fan. She was too much for me. I really liked her character at first, but as the book moved forward, I wanted to shake her. I need to at least like my heroines and root for them to win the hero or anti-hero. Yeah, I was not down with Etta.
April 25, 2022
‘So che questa cosa con Damien non è sana. Ma la consapevolezza non mi impedisce di desiderare che continui. Non mi impedisce di afferrarmi a lui come se ne andasse della mia stessa vita, quando un attimo prima stavo lottando per scappare.’
Etta e Damien 🔥si incontrano per caso e nasce tra di loro una liaison veramente tossica, lui ha tanti segreti e tra combattimenti clandestini e ritratti spinti Henrietta non può proprio fidarsi di lui. Aaron è l’amico di lei, il suo ex, quello che la mette in guardia da Damien. Il finale è un cliffhanger e nell’anticipo del seguito ci sono gli elementi per portarmi a leggere Redenzione che sarà il seguito della storia di loro due invece di Ossessione la storia di Etta e Aaron.
Il libro è coinvolgente, la scrittura di quest’autrice mi piace ma nel 2000 non si può leggere che una ragazza di 18 anni senza precauzioni possa pensare di non rimanere incinta. Per questo il mio giudizio non può andare oltre le 3 stelle per il resto sono curiosissima e leggerò il seguito sicuramente 😉
Etta e Damien 🔥si incontrano per caso e nasce tra di loro una liaison veramente tossica, lui ha tanti segreti e tra combattimenti clandestini e ritratti spinti Henrietta non può proprio fidarsi di lui. Aaron è l’amico di lei, il suo ex, quello che la mette in guardia da Damien. Il finale è un cliffhanger e nell’anticipo del seguito ci sono gli elementi per portarmi a leggere Redenzione che sarà il seguito della storia di loro due invece di Ossessione la storia di Etta e Aaron.
Il libro è coinvolgente, la scrittura di quest’autrice mi piace ma nel 2000 non si può leggere che una ragazza di 18 anni senza precauzioni possa pensare di non rimanere incinta. Per questo il mio giudizio non può andare oltre le 3 stelle per il resto sono curiosissima e leggerò il seguito sicuramente 😉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2018
Worst Relationship
Okay so while I understand that this relationship was supposed to be indicative of an abusive relationship I just couldn't get past the naive behavior and the compulsions. It just didn't make any sense. I couldn't get past the fact that she didn't think that she wasn't going to face consequences based on her behavior. I know she wanted freedoms but the freedom she got definitely was another cage. I don't know. I couldn't connect with the characters. The only person I liked was Aaron and he didn't get enough time. The ending wasn't surprising and I'm pretty sure it's just going to be another cycle. I probably won't continue with this series.
Okay so while I understand that this relationship was supposed to be indicative of an abusive relationship I just couldn't get past the naive behavior and the compulsions. It just didn't make any sense. I couldn't get past the fact that she didn't think that she wasn't going to face consequences based on her behavior. I know she wanted freedoms but the freedom she got definitely was another cage. I don't know. I couldn't connect with the characters. The only person I liked was Aaron and he didn't get enough time. The ending wasn't surprising and I'm pretty sure it's just going to be another cycle. I probably won't continue with this series.
December 31, 2013
2.5 stars
Hmmm...my full review will be up later once I have processed what I've just read.
okay..I have processed.
Let's start with the good.
The story was crazy. I enjoyed the chemistry and angst between Damien and Etta. It was smokin. Even though Etta was sheltered by her family due to her brother dying, I found it refreshing that she didn't act like the typical "virgin" girl. She could hold her own and I found her very mature for her age. Well, she was mature for her age. She’s an eighteen year old girl, who was already in her third year of uni. That's impressive.
All Etta has wanted was to be free. Free from her overbearing parents to do the things she wanted. Such as going out with friends to do things girls her age are doing. To live a little.
For her eighteenth birthday, she wants to move out of her parents’ house. They reluctantly agree because she will be an adult. The day she wants to go out to party with her new roommates, her father strikes up a deal with her. She has to go to her father’s dojo and fight and prove that she is capable of handling herself.
She has to fight Damien, the guy she just so happened to unintentionally have breakfast with the day before. Damien is hot and the ultimate alpha male. Both he and Etta have a connection nobody can explain, not even themselves. And please note that I am saying all this because this is what I had thought before I had read after the halfway mark, where I believe everything changes. And not in a good way.
*Spoilers* (there’s no way to explain what I am about to explain without spoiling some of the story) don’t read on.
Damien is crazy.
And I don’t mean crazy hot… I mean full on psychotic and scary. The last half of the book, I absolutely loathed the guy. I still do. Throughout the book there were warning signs of how possessive and controlling he could be. But I looked passed all that because I was enjoying the story. And I enjoyed him; I felt he was charming and passionate. I liked that he was a tad bit over protective of Etta in the beginning.
This is the part where I actually find myself getting pissed. Now don’t get me wrong, I like alpha male guys as much as the next girl, but there is a HUGE difference between an alpha male and just a plain abusive and controlling a**hole. And that was Damien ladies and gentlemen! Their whole relationship is based on sex. Sex, sex, sex!! I love sex…but…yes, there’s a but; there has got to be some common ground of love. I didn’t feel love at all. What is was, was a man taking advantage of an eighteen year old girl. Both of them constantly talked about needing each other, but my god, this was so unhealthy. I feel sick just thinking about their relationship. I’m glad Etta grew a backbone and left him because he needs help. That’s what he needs. HELP!
The ending ends on a cliffhanger. Needless to say I won’t be reading the second book. The writing and world building and the sex scenes were simply wonderful, but I can’t get passed Damien. I kindly thank the author for providing me with a review copy for an honest review. It has in no shape or form reflected in my opinions, they are all my own.
Hmmm...my full review will be up later once I have processed what I've just read.
okay..I have processed.
Let's start with the good.
The story was crazy. I enjoyed the chemistry and angst between Damien and Etta. It was smokin. Even though Etta was sheltered by her family due to her brother dying, I found it refreshing that she didn't act like the typical "virgin" girl. She could hold her own and I found her very mature for her age. Well, she was mature for her age. She’s an eighteen year old girl, who was already in her third year of uni. That's impressive.
All Etta has wanted was to be free. Free from her overbearing parents to do the things she wanted. Such as going out with friends to do things girls her age are doing. To live a little.
For her eighteenth birthday, she wants to move out of her parents’ house. They reluctantly agree because she will be an adult. The day she wants to go out to party with her new roommates, her father strikes up a deal with her. She has to go to her father’s dojo and fight and prove that she is capable of handling herself.
She has to fight Damien, the guy she just so happened to unintentionally have breakfast with the day before. Damien is hot and the ultimate alpha male. Both he and Etta have a connection nobody can explain, not even themselves. And please note that I am saying all this because this is what I had thought before I had read after the halfway mark, where I believe everything changes. And not in a good way.
*Spoilers* (there’s no way to explain what I am about to explain without spoiling some of the story) don’t read on.
Damien is crazy.
And I don’t mean crazy hot… I mean full on psychotic and scary. The last half of the book, I absolutely loathed the guy. I still do. Throughout the book there were warning signs of how possessive and controlling he could be. But I looked passed all that because I was enjoying the story. And I enjoyed him; I felt he was charming and passionate. I liked that he was a tad bit over protective of Etta in the beginning.
This is the part where I actually find myself getting pissed. Now don’t get me wrong, I like alpha male guys as much as the next girl, but there is a HUGE difference between an alpha male and just a plain abusive and controlling a**hole. And that was Damien ladies and gentlemen! Their whole relationship is based on sex. Sex, sex, sex!! I love sex…but…yes, there’s a but; there has got to be some common ground of love. I didn’t feel love at all. What is was, was a man taking advantage of an eighteen year old girl. Both of them constantly talked about needing each other, but my god, this was so unhealthy. I feel sick just thinking about their relationship. I’m glad Etta grew a backbone and left him because he needs help. That’s what he needs. HELP!
The ending ends on a cliffhanger. Needless to say I won’t be reading the second book. The writing and world building and the sex scenes were simply wonderful, but I can’t get passed Damien. I kindly thank the author for providing me with a review copy for an honest review. It has in no shape or form reflected in my opinions, they are all my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2014
I honestly don’t know what to feel about Drawn. I mean, I think I can get the part where you feel so attracted and attached to someone for some irrational reasons, but I don’t know how Etta managed to stay with Damien all throughout the story.
Etta’s character was relatable in the sense that she had overprotective parents who give her 6pm curfews and prohibit her from going out with friends to party or hang out. That’s why when she turned eighteen, she can’t wait to move out and start a new life – one where she makes her own rules and does what she wants, anytime, anywhere. I understand why she wants to do this, as this is some sort of rebellion but sometimes, I just feel that she is way out of line already, forgetting to visit her parents for dinner or simply chat with them. And it is all because of Damien. She was too wrapped up in their own little world that she starts to neglect her studies, stops hanging out with her friends and forgets to check with her parents. I know that her freedom also blinded her, but that is not a valid excuse to not visit her parents, considering she is their only child left and her brother died a few years back.
Speaking of her parents – I love that they were involved in their daughter’s activities every now and then, though they can be really quite overprotective to the point of being unreasonable. But they were also there to support Etta after everything that happened with Damien and still accepted her wholeheartedly and my heart warmed up to them during that moment.
As for the two male leads in the story, I’d have to say that I am on Aaron’s side. He is just this sweet, and caring guy – with him, you’ll feel safe and comfortable. I was a bit disappointed when I didn’t read much about him; it was like I didn’t get to know him that well. I hope that the author put more background story into his character and about his past with Etta. Damien, on the other hand, is the mysterious type of guy and I think that’s one of the reasons why Etta was attracted to him. But he is so controlling and manipulative and kinda creepy (yikes). He keeps everything to himself and Etta doesn’t even know what he really does for a living. Their relationship is so unhealthy and I don’t know how she managed to stay with him even though they clearly don’t trust each other. He uses sex to distract her from their arguments and keeps her away from her friends and family.
I hope that there was some kind of improvement on both of their characters in the end but I didn’t see that, or maybe it was too little for me to notice. All throughout the story, they just fought, had sex, fought and had sex again. This is an intense story of two people who are confused with what’s going on in their relationship, if it’s really love or just pure lust, and even though I was left hanging by the end of it, I still look forward to the continuation in the next book.
Etta’s character was relatable in the sense that she had overprotective parents who give her 6pm curfews and prohibit her from going out with friends to party or hang out. That’s why when she turned eighteen, she can’t wait to move out and start a new life – one where she makes her own rules and does what she wants, anytime, anywhere. I understand why she wants to do this, as this is some sort of rebellion but sometimes, I just feel that she is way out of line already, forgetting to visit her parents for dinner or simply chat with them. And it is all because of Damien. She was too wrapped up in their own little world that she starts to neglect her studies, stops hanging out with her friends and forgets to check with her parents. I know that her freedom also blinded her, but that is not a valid excuse to not visit her parents, considering she is their only child left and her brother died a few years back.
Speaking of her parents – I love that they were involved in their daughter’s activities every now and then, though they can be really quite overprotective to the point of being unreasonable. But they were also there to support Etta after everything that happened with Damien and still accepted her wholeheartedly and my heart warmed up to them during that moment.
As for the two male leads in the story, I’d have to say that I am on Aaron’s side. He is just this sweet, and caring guy – with him, you’ll feel safe and comfortable. I was a bit disappointed when I didn’t read much about him; it was like I didn’t get to know him that well. I hope that the author put more background story into his character and about his past with Etta. Damien, on the other hand, is the mysterious type of guy and I think that’s one of the reasons why Etta was attracted to him. But he is so controlling and manipulative and kinda creepy (yikes). He keeps everything to himself and Etta doesn’t even know what he really does for a living. Their relationship is so unhealthy and I don’t know how she managed to stay with him even though they clearly don’t trust each other. He uses sex to distract her from their arguments and keeps her away from her friends and family.
I hope that there was some kind of improvement on both of their characters in the end but I didn’t see that, or maybe it was too little for me to notice. All throughout the story, they just fought, had sex, fought and had sex again. This is an intense story of two people who are confused with what’s going on in their relationship, if it’s really love or just pure lust, and even though I was left hanging by the end of it, I still look forward to the continuation in the next book.
December 22, 2013
--Received an ARC for an honest review--
I did not know what to expect when I received this book. I have not read anything by Lilliana Anderson yet. I have a few of her books on my TBR list for Good Reads, but have not had a chance to read yet. I hadn't heard anything about this book until I saw her Facebook post to win an ARC.
When I started reading this book, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it, but then I really started getting into it. This story is pretty exciting. It is about this girl, Etta, who is finally getting to move out of her parents house. She has pretty much been under house arrest since the day her brother died, six years ago. On her 18th birthday, her father finally agrees that she can live close to uni. She heads out a week early to meet up with her friend, Aaron, so that he can help her find something to rent. When she arrives at his apartment complex, his "roommate" tells her that he is still out, but should be back soon. She ends up hanging out with him for a bit until she Aaron calls her asking where she is. She finds out that she has been in the wrong apartment the entire time. The guy she was hanging out with is Damien and he is a known ladies man and fighter. Etta knows that she should stay away, but she feels this weird connection towards him. She ends up finding out that he was friends with her brother and trains with her father at his gym. Etta and Damien end up starting a relationship that neither are able to explain. It's like they can't stand to be away from each other for longer than a few minutes. Etta starts realizing that this relationship is probably not healthy for her. She is acting different than her normal self, skipping classes, and bailing on her family and friends. Everytime she tries to get away from him, he ends up convincing her otherwise by distracting her with kisses. When Etta discovers something that she knows she is not ready for, she finally decides that it is time to end this relationship. She calls upon the only person that she knows that has been there for her since the beginning, Aaron.
The characters and story flow very well together. There were a few typos, but those are easily overlooked. This story covers a concern that many people wouldn't think is a serious issue. I feel that is a type of emotional abuse. Feeling trapped by a man that is stronger than you, and not having the confidence to leave him. I was very impressed with Lilliana Anderson's writing. I loved this story. I am excited to know what happens in the next story. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I will let you know that the epilogue is a doozy. I was not expecting this story to be a series. I thought it would be a stand alone. The epilogue is glimpse into the next book about what happens between Damien, Etta, and Aaron. I am very excited to see where it will go and how things will end up.
April 1, 2014
taken from Amazon.com -- ***Content warning*** This is not an alpha male romance. This is an erotic thriller about an obsessive relationship between two people who struggle to maintain their control. Its advised that readers be over 18 years of age before reading this novel due to sexual content and adult situations, including violence and abusive themes.
I yelled, I screamed, I threw my kindle across the bed....to say that Damien and Henrietta are obsessed with each other is putting it mildly. Saying that Henrietta is young and dumb maybe true but it's more than that. Damien is so controlling its scary, but Henrietta can't think straight when she's around him. It's a crazy connection that they have.
The ending was unbelievable and the epilogue/sneak peak at book 2 had my heart beating almost as fast as Damien's when he's around Henrietta.....I can't wait for the next book!!!!!
I yelled, I screamed, I threw my kindle across the bed....to say that Damien and Henrietta are obsessed with each other is putting it mildly. Saying that Henrietta is young and dumb maybe true but it's more than that. Damien is so controlling its scary, but Henrietta can't think straight when she's around him. It's a crazy connection that they have.
The ending was unbelievable and the epilogue/sneak peak at book 2 had my heart beating almost as fast as Damien's when he's around Henrietta.....I can't wait for the next book!!!!!
December 21, 2013
I was lucky enough to get this book as an ARC. Drawn is the first in a new series. I don't know how many books there will be. I read it in a day, nonstop.
Ette is a college aged girl looking to get out from under the thumb of her parents. She meets Damian and her entire world changes. Damian is the typical bad boy alpha and control freak who she should stay away from but just can't. This is love/hate book for a reader. You want love the characters (especially Damian) but they make it hard.
I read a lot of books and give away very few 5 star ratings. This one earned it hands down. I didn't love the first couple of chapters but once it got going it kept my avid attention. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this saga.
Ette is a college aged girl looking to get out from under the thumb of her parents. She meets Damian and her entire world changes. Damian is the typical bad boy alpha and control freak who she should stay away from but just can't. This is love/hate book for a reader. You want love the characters (especially Damian) but they make it hard.
I read a lot of books and give away very few 5 star ratings. This one earned it hands down. I didn't love the first couple of chapters but once it got going it kept my avid attention. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this saga.
December 23, 2013
I am in LOVE with Damien! The chemistry that Etta and Damien share is so intense. I swear you can picture the movie in your head. Of course, we all know who the safe choice would be for her to pick Aaron. But the feeling she has around Damien it's like a drug she just can't get enough of him. I loved this story you just feel everything that is happening in the story. I can't wait for the next book. I yelled at the book when I was at the end. I think I cursed cause I don't know when the next book comes out. So many questions I can't say don't want to spoil it for the others who haven't read it yet. Thank you Lilliana Anderson for a another great book. Now get busy I want more Damien!!
December 22, 2013
Wow, talk about a book that can suck you in! I received this book as an ARC, and couldn’t be more thankful. “Drawn” is the kind of book that once you start you can’t put it down. I LOVE THIS BOOK!
There were some SERIOUSLY hot, intense parts. I quite often found myself loving and hating the dynamics in Etta, the trusting college student and Damien, the dominate loving bad boys’ relationship.
SEXY, HOT, EDGE OF YOUR SEAT, KEEPING YOU WANTING MORE!!! I can honestly say that I will be checking to see when the next in the series comes out because I NEED more!!!!
There were some SERIOUSLY hot, intense parts. I quite often found myself loving and hating the dynamics in Etta, the trusting college student and Damien, the dominate loving bad boys’ relationship.
SEXY, HOT, EDGE OF YOUR SEAT, KEEPING YOU WANTING MORE!!! I can honestly say that I will be checking to see when the next in the series comes out because I NEED more!!!!
December 22, 2013
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book now I am screaming for the next one without this one being released. Needless to say I loved it!!! It is a book that once you start you never put down till your reading the last page wanting more. The Love that Etta and Damion share is a true feeling of connection. Crazy at times but well worth exploring :)
This book is well worth taking the time to read!!!
This book is well worth taking the time to read!!!
December 20, 2013
A well written book, an addictive 'secret joy'. One that sweeps the reader into a tormenting passion for the characters and gives you an insatiable desire and need to delve deeper. I couldn't put the book down. I cannot wait for the sequel!!
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