Battered and bruised, Greg Rodwell struggles without his bride.
I married her as a favor. Then she dumped me out of spite. All her life, Simone’s control-freak father fed her money as long as she played by his rules, even forcing her to sign a contract and punishing her if she took her beloved stepfather’s last name. I devised a plan and offered her my own contract, marrying Simone so she could keep the money and dump her dad’s name. Although our relationship had been as frenemies, our marriage transformed into the real deal. I fell in love with being Simone’s devoted husband. And with her. I thought. Until that night, a colossal argument shattered us. Like a tacky country song, she bailed on me and our marriage in my pickup truck and skipped town. It hurt like hell, but I had to honor our vows and win her back.
Returning to Richmond, I watch Simone parading her loser dates as if it’s a sport. I start dating to get over her. But things hit a snag when Simone’s father shows up to stay with her for a week. She pleads with me to break the news to her father about our breakup instead of him discovering it and revoking her funds. At first, watching her squirm amuses me, but I’m not a total jackass. I’ll save her once more, but this time, I’m calling the shots, refusing to suffer through another painful breakup. Unfortunately, this infuriates Simone, but now she’s stuck with a husband for a week. Since I’m homeless, crashing with her works for me. However, playing out our marriage in front of her father, stuff between Simone and me soon gets real. Way too real.
Dating to avoid Simone only worsens my intense attraction to her. She’s an addiction no rehab can fix. Yet, when she reciprocates the obsession, I freak out and push her too far all over again. But this time, the massive fallout changes us forever.
Ren Alexander writes steamy contemporary romance, including the Wild Sparks Series, and contributes to K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes Series. Writing her romance novels with a hefty dose of reality, the good and bad, Ren embraces the gritty and raw with a side of funny and crazy. No matter what, there is always an explosion. You never know what you'll get in her mixed bag.
Relocating from Detroit, Michigan, Ren lives in Kentucky with her husband, two kids, and two cats.
The beginning of this book was very rough to get into - I felt as though so many characters were introduced without really knowing how they fit into the story and I definitely struggled to keep up. Once I had a little understanding of which characters were the main characters, it did become easier to follow. I'm not sure if it would have been easier to follow if I had read the books before this one or not.
This book was full of angry, passionate moments, struggling to work through past trauma, managing family expectations/drama, and lots of arguing. I will say that Greg and Simone did grow on me and my heart ached for the few sweeter moments we did see in this book. And also some of those spicier moments with them were definitely hot.
The ending did leave me a little sad and I'm not sure if the story will continue on the next book or if we are left to wonder. While I'm not jumping to go read the other books that came before this, I will add them to my TBR as potential reads in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ren Alexander for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Unleashed: A Second Chance, Enemies to Lovers, Spicy Romance (Unraveled Renegade Book 3) By: Ren Alexander
📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚
Finding forever is hard?
In the final book in the Renegade series we get Greg and Simone’s HEA. What they struggle through is often absolutely absurd. So much manipulation and trust is a joke. Will they come out the other side or destroy each other to win? This was definitely hard to read at times but my brain kept turning the page to the very end. The authors writing is flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.
Authors Blurb: Battered and bruised, Greg Rodwell struggles without his bride.
I married her as a favor. She dumped me out of spite.
All her life, Simone’s control-freak father fed her money as long as she played by his rules, even forcing her to sign a contract and punishing her if she took her beloved stepfather’s last name. I devised a plan and offered her my own contract, marrying Simone so she could keep the money and dump her dad’s name. Although our relationship had been as frenemies, our marriage transformed into the real deal. I fell in love with being Simone’s devoted husband. And with her. I thought. Until that night, a colossal argument shattered us. Like a trashy country song, she bailed on me and our marriage in my pickup truck and skipped town. It hurt like hell, but I had to honor our vows and try to win her back.
Returning to Richmond, I watch Simone parading her loser dates as if it’s a sport. I start dating to help myself let go. But things hit a snag when Simone’s father shows up to stay with her for a week. She pleads with me to help her tell her father about our breakup instead of him discovering it and revoking her funds. At first, watching her squirm amuses me, but I’m not a total jackass. I’ll save her once more, but this time, I’m calling the shots, refusing to suffer through another painful breakup. Unfortunately, this infuriates Simone, but now she’s stuck with a husband for a week. Since I’m homeless, crashing with her works out. However, playing out our marriage in front of her father, stuff between Simone and me soon gets real. Way too real.
Dating to avoid Simone only worsens things because of my intense attraction to her. She’s an addiction no rehab can fix. Yet, when she reciprocates the obsession, I freak out and push her too far all over again. But this time, the massive fallout changes us forever.
This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in single POV this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.
In Ren Alexander's captivating novel, "Unleashed," we delve into a whirlwind of love, betrayal, and a marriage born out of necessity. Simone, a woman trapped by her manipulative father's financial control, agrees to a contract marriage with Duke, her once-frenemy. Their facade of a relationship gradually blossoms into genuine affection, but a devastating argument shatters their bond, leaving Simone fleeing in their pickup truck. Duke, determined to win her back, returns to Richmond only to find Simone flaunting her newfound dates. Driven by jealousy, he embarks on a dating spree of his own, but when Simone's father arrives, she desperately seeks Duke's help to conceal their broken marriage. Duke agrees, setting the stage for a week of forced coexistence that unexpectedly rekindles their connection. While they play the part of a devoted couple, Duke's attraction to Simone intensifies, leading to a series of passionate encounters. However, his fear of getting hurt again causes him to push her away, resulting in an explosive fallout. The consequences of their actions leave an indelible mark on both of them, forcing them to confront their true feelings and the complexities of love. Alexander's portrayal of the characters is both relatable and raw. Duke's vulnerability and Simone's strength amidst her struggles resonate with readers. The novel's pacing is gripping, with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The author's exploration of themes such as control, vulnerability, and the power of love adds depth to the story. Overall, "Unleashed" is a captivating and emotionally resonant tale that will leave you both moved and satisfied. Ren Alexander's skillful storytelling and unforgettable characters create a captivating read that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Ren Alexander never disappoints to give us an emotionally charged and yes as she nailed it when she said “maximum shock”! When their fragile marriage implodes and Simone files for an annulment, Greg, heartbroken returns to Richmond. He’s going to pursue being a lawyer and also Simone. The two of them can’t seem to stop finding ways to hurt each other when they are both silently becoming more broken doing it. When Simone’s father comes for an unexpected visit the two of them have to pretend they are still married, and while at each others throats they find some tender and at times peaceful moments. I couldn’t read the book fast enough, at the same time not wanting it to end, which I have to say broke me. I wasn’t expecting that one…did I mention “maximum shock”?
The author is a wonderfully talented writer, I have read all her books. She makes you believe that her characters are real and you are experiencing all the happy, angry, fights, passion and angst along with them. My recommendation is that if you haven’t already read the first two books in the Renegade series, it will give better understanding of why Greg Rodwell is the way he is. Another 5⭐️!
Great story by this author that I could not put down... again! Greg and Simone have awesome chemistry and they definitely kept things interesting in the final book in this series. These two got married so she could get out from under her father's control. But as much as she wanted this new relationship with Greg, when things start to feel real, she leaves him and files for divorce, until she realizes that she once again needs Greg's help and asks to stay married. Greg agrees and decides that he is tired and will be taking full advantage of "acting" married to his wife. And from that point, things got really interesting, between the chemistry and snarkiness, they took us on a roller coaster ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Make sure to read the other books in the series, but you can still enjoy Greg's story as a stand alone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It took me a minute to climb back from the edge with this one. As an avid Ren Alexander fan, I was on the edge of my chair waiting for this to be released.. now let’s get into it!
This series is not for the faint of heart. I read these 400+ pages in record time, staying up way too late and ignoring real life as I went. Completely and utterly immersed. Oh Greg… swoon!
He married her to help her and she left him without looking back… or did she? Can our boy Greg catch a break?! He had no idea what kind of chaos he created in his life… I cried, laughed, fanned myself more than a few times…
This book is everything!! Including a massive cliff hanger that no one would ever see coming, although if you’ve read any of Ren’s books then you know she is the queen of cliff hangers!!!
Hands down 100% recommend picking up this series and never letting it go!! I cannot wait for Unrivaled!!
This is the third book in this incredible series, and this is Greg and Simone’s story. Simone is under her controlling father’s thumb, and she and Greg get married so she take back control of her life, however, one furious argument and Simone files for an annulment. When Simone’s father comes to visit unexpectedly, her and Greg need to keep up the pretense that they are still married. This is a well written emotional roller coaster, with family, friendships, angst, frenemies / lovers, trauma, undeniable chemistry, tension, violence, anger, manipulation, second chances, and love, which leads to an entertaining, tragic, haunting, unpredictable, tragic, and twisted page turner. Be aware of trigger warning due to sensitive content! I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Oh boy, what to say about this book. For starters I have a massive love hate relationship with Greg Rodwell. He is such a jerk and I spend most of the time wanting to scream into my pillow because I’m so frustrated by his behaviour, but I also know that the way he acts is a front because of everything else he’s been through, but I must say, I found this book extra frustrating because so much of it could have been fixed if they would just talk to each other and be honest! I know, if they did that then there wouldn’t be a book, but that doesn’t ease my frustration.
I am looking forward to the next book and hopefully it will clear everything up and there will be a happy ending, because right now I’m just super mad at both Greg and Simone for not getting their ish together and just being honest with each other.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc! So to start, I haven’t read the first two book in this series, I’m not sure how much that effected my thoughts on this story or characters, but I was able to follow just fine once the story got going. It was slightly slow to start, but then I did get interested and the spicy scenes were so good and written well! Then the ending just tanked. I’m am not a fan of leaving the books so open ended, even if it is to lead into another book coming later. I prefer to have some sort of ending that can tie up some things even if it does leave some mystery, but this just ended abruptly and I wasn’t a fan. Overall, it was a fairly good book, but I don’t think I’ll go back to read the first two or continue with this series.
This is the 3rd book in the series. I highly recommend reading the previous books, as well as The Wild Sparks series to get to know the characters and the story background. This story picks up where the second in this series left off. Greg and Simone have some ground to make up and figure out after everything that happened. Im a huge Rod fan. Though it's hard to call him Greg now. He and Simone have an epic love/hate, push/pull relationship if you will. It causes mayhem and madness and some serious heat between the sheets. Thought nothing for him can ever come easy. I just wish we finally get to see him have his Hea. Though this book is long and in some parts wordy. The story is clear, Greg is one messed up dude. Let's hope the next book can give him the happiness he deserves. 5 stars
Greg and Simone keep things interesting in this book! These two get married to get her from under her dad’s thumb, when things become too real, she bolts and files for divorce. But an unexpected visit from her dad has her seeking Greg’s help and asking if they can act like they are married. Greg plans on taking full advantage of this. The banter and animosity between these two kept things interesting! And these two had such chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Unleashed is a wonderful book. I really enjoyed reading it and once I started I had a hard time putting it down. I have read the other two books in the Unraveled Renegade series and enjoyed those as well. Simone and Greg have a wonderful chemistry and I was cheering them on. I wanted them to get their HEA. I would highly recommend reading this book/series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book three in the Unraveled Renegade series. Greg and Simone's story continues and hits some unexpected moments. What started as two characters with a mutual contract, becomes complicated with feelings and grows to be a rollercoaster of events that push them together and pull them apart. I enjoyed the ride with all the intense feels as I felt apart of the character's world. Enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved reading the wonderfully written romance story. When Simone annuls their marriage, Greg is heartbroken and when she needs him to pose as her fake husband, he wants to make her suffer. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series by the amazing author, Ren Alexander!
Is this really the end? Or, will se see Simone and Greg in a new series?
The author does state "You’ll achieve maximum shock and awe if the Wild Sparks Series and The Keys to Jericho are read before this series." Perhaps this is true.
There are definite spicy times to be had.
Plenty of angst!
Despite everything, I wanted an HEA for this couple!
He marries her to get her out of the grips of her father but when she annuls their marriage animosity steps in as these two do everything to get back at each other. This action-packed drama kept me glued to the pages and all caught up in Greg and Simone's thrilling story to see how it all ends.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the third book I've read written by Ren Alexander; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
This is the third book in the Unraveled Renegade Series; it is a stand-alone book. The story is about Simone & Greg; so she can escape her father’s control he comes up with a contract for them to marry so she can keep her funds coming in.
I first met Greg Rodwell in the Wild Sparks series. He was easily one of my favorite characters. And here we are on.book 3 in his series and . . . I just can't! The twists and turns are more than I can take! Wake up Greg Rodwell! Your life is on fire! But who really lit the match? And who will finally put out the flames?
This book will take you to extreme highs and lows, to wait and see what happens to Simone and greg, what t will be the end result? Ten Alexander keeps you on your toes throughout . I love this series and the character's, all I can say is read it you won't regret it!
The emotions that were yanked from my soul while reading this book had me walking away and yelling to all the characters within these pages throughout the ENTIRE book!!! Well Done Alexander..... once again you blew me away with your words and leave me yearning for more!!!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s a good book. Although I had not read the first 2 books, I was able to figure some of the story out at some point and continue the book without getting frustrated.
This is my first Ren Alexander book and I’m not mad at it. I normally prefer books with morally grey characters, but this was a pleasant switch.
loved it !! love this series !! love Greg and Simone... this is their second chance or is it ? a fast paced drama... emotional... and funny !!! sometimes... the ups and downs... you will cheer them on... and hope for the best !!! so good !!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I personally struggled to get into this book as i hadn't read either of the first two so i would strongly suggest reading them first. whilst i enjoyed reading this the ending wasn't my favorite. I feel it just stopped. i know that there are things that have obviously have been left open for a future book but too many have been left open for my liking.
Unleashed by Ren Alexander is book Three in the Unraveled Renegade Series. This is the story of Greg and Simone. Simone and Greg marry so that Simone can get out from under her father but then she starts catching feelings. Which makes Simone try to end their marriage only to find that she still needs him. Enjoyed this book .
I'd love to read the other books before this one in the series! Alexander did a good job presenting a story full of intimate moments, fights, passion, feuds, and more! I think because of the difficulties between characters; I read it quickly. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This is the first time I've read one of Ren Alexander's books and I'm happy to say it won't be thr last. This was a very entertaining story. I loved the relationship between Greg and Simone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
Omg This book kept me on the edge I couldn't put it down. This book is a good read it's a roller-coaster of a read but good. I would recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entertaining and engaging storyline is filled with emotion, betrayal, a contract, drama, and chemistry, The MCs are defined, fake becomes real, fear plays a part in their lives, but a HEA is possible, I enjoyed this romance. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.
I have fallowed Ren Alexander since she started writing with her Wild Sparks Series. She definitely has a way with emotions and taking you on a roller coaster ride. I love it. I’m patiently waiting for Greg’s and the love of his life’s conclusion.