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City of Lakes #2
He's Come Undone
Penniless and behind on rent, college student and once famous child actress Ellie Barlow takes on the role of a lifetime when she's hired by a group of young women to break the heart of the campus player who cruelly dumped them.
Transformed from slob slacker to jaw-dropping beauty, Ellie is dressed, styled, bleached and waxed, her chunky glasses exchanged for violet contacts. Along with physical prepping, she's coached on Julian's obsessions, which include long-distance running, Doctor Who, and J.D. Salinger.
In no time, Julian is in pursuit of his custom-made next victim, but when Ellie goes off script and begins to fall for her target the newest broken heart in this risky game could be her own.
Heat: 7 out of 10
214 print pages
Transformed from slob slacker to jaw-dropping beauty, Ellie is dressed, styled, bleached and waxed, her chunky glasses exchanged for violet contacts. Along with physical prepping, she's coached on Julian's obsessions, which include long-distance running, Doctor Who, and J.D. Salinger.
In no time, Julian is in pursuit of his custom-made next victim, but when Ellie goes off script and begins to fall for her target the newest broken heart in this risky game could be her own.
Heat: 7 out of 10
214 print pages
214 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2014
24 people are currently reading
988 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Weir
27 books314 followersTheresa Weir (a.k.a. Anne Frasier) is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels and numerous short stories that have spanned the genres of suspense, mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, paranormal, fantasy, and memoir. During her award-winning career, she's written for Penguin Putnam, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins Publishers, Bantam Books/Random House, Silhouette Books, Grand Central Publishing/Hachette, and Amazon's Thomas & Mercer. Her titles have been printed in both hardcover and paperback and translated into twenty languages.
Her first memoir, THE ORCHARD, was a 2011 Oprah Magazine Fall Pick, Number Two on the Indie Next list, a featured B+ review in Entertainment Weekly, and a Librarians’ Best Books of 2011. Her second memoir, THE MAN WHO LEFT, was a New York Times Bestseller. Going back to 1988, Weir’s debut title was the cult phenomenon AMAZON LILY, initially published by Pocket Books and later reissued by Bantam Books. Writing as Theresa Weir, she won a RITA for romantic suspense (COOL SHADE), and a year later the Daphne du Maurier for paranormal romance (BAD KARMA). In her more recent Anne Frasier career, her thriller and suspense titles hit the USA Today list (HUSH, SLEEP TIGHT, PLAY DEAD) and were featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the Month Club. HUSH was both a RITA and Daphne du Maurier finalist.
THE ORCHARD
An Oprah Magazine Fall Pick
Featured B+ Review in Entertainment Weekly
Number Two on October Indie Next List
BJ's Book Club Spotlight
LIbrarians' Best Books of 2011
Maclean's Top Books of 2011
On Point (NPR) Best Books of 2011
Abrams Best of 2011
Publishers Lunch (Publishers Weekly) Favorite Books of 2011
Eighth Annual One Book, One Community 2012, Excelsior, Minnesota
Target Book Club Pick, September 2012
www.theresaweir.com
Title List
Writing as ANNE FRASIER
Hush, USA Today bestseller, RITA finalist, Daphne du Maurier finalist (2002)
Sleep Tight, USA Today bestseller (2003)
Play Dead, USA Today bestseller (2004)
Before I Wake (2005)
Pale Immortal (2006)
Garden of Darkness, RITA finalist (2007)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Santa’s Little Helper (2009)
The Lineup, Poems on Crime, Home (2010)
Discount Noir anthology, Crack House (2010)
Deadly Treats Halloween anthology, editor and contributor, The Replacement (September 2011)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Red Cadillac (April 2012)
Woman in a Black Veil (July 2012)
Dark: Volume 1 (short stories, July 2012)
Dark: Volume 2 (short stories, July 2012)
Black Tupelo (short-story collection July 2012)
Girls from the North Country (short story, August 2012)
Made of Stars (short story, August 2012)
Stars (short story collection, August 2012)
Zero Plus Seven (anthology, 2013)
Stay Dead (April 2014)
Writing as THERESA WEIR
The Forever Man (1988)
Amazon Lily, RITA finalist, Best New Adventure Writer award, Romantic Times (1988)
Loving Jenny (1989)
Pictures of Emily (1990)
Iguana Bay (1990)
Forever (1991)
Last Summer (1992)
One Fine Day (1994)
Long Night Moon, Reviewer’s Choice Award, Romantic Times (1995)
American Dreamer (1997)
Some Kind of Magic (1998)
Cool Shade RITA winner, romantic suspense (1998)
Bad Karma, Daphne du Maurier award, paranormal (1999)
Max Under the Stars, short story (2010)
The Orchard, a memoir (September 2011)
The Man Who Left , a memoir and New York Times bestseller (April 2012)
The Girl with the Cat Tattoo (June 2012)
Made of Stars (August 2012)
Come As You Are (October 2013)
The Geek with the Cat Tattoo (December 2013)
Her first memoir, THE ORCHARD, was a 2011 Oprah Magazine Fall Pick, Number Two on the Indie Next list, a featured B+ review in Entertainment Weekly, and a Librarians’ Best Books of 2011. Her second memoir, THE MAN WHO LEFT, was a New York Times Bestseller. Going back to 1988, Weir’s debut title was the cult phenomenon AMAZON LILY, initially published by Pocket Books and later reissued by Bantam Books. Writing as Theresa Weir, she won a RITA for romantic suspense (COOL SHADE), and a year later the Daphne du Maurier for paranormal romance (BAD KARMA). In her more recent Anne Frasier career, her thriller and suspense titles hit the USA Today list (HUSH, SLEEP TIGHT, PLAY DEAD) and were featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the Month Club. HUSH was both a RITA and Daphne du Maurier finalist.
THE ORCHARD
An Oprah Magazine Fall Pick
Featured B+ Review in Entertainment Weekly
Number Two on October Indie Next List
BJ's Book Club Spotlight
LIbrarians' Best Books of 2011
Maclean's Top Books of 2011
On Point (NPR) Best Books of 2011
Abrams Best of 2011
Publishers Lunch (Publishers Weekly) Favorite Books of 2011
Eighth Annual One Book, One Community 2012, Excelsior, Minnesota
Target Book Club Pick, September 2012
www.theresaweir.com
Title List
Writing as ANNE FRASIER
Hush, USA Today bestseller, RITA finalist, Daphne du Maurier finalist (2002)
Sleep Tight, USA Today bestseller (2003)
Play Dead, USA Today bestseller (2004)
Before I Wake (2005)
Pale Immortal (2006)
Garden of Darkness, RITA finalist (2007)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Santa’s Little Helper (2009)
The Lineup, Poems on Crime, Home (2010)
Discount Noir anthology, Crack House (2010)
Deadly Treats Halloween anthology, editor and contributor, The Replacement (September 2011)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Red Cadillac (April 2012)
Woman in a Black Veil (July 2012)
Dark: Volume 1 (short stories, July 2012)
Dark: Volume 2 (short stories, July 2012)
Black Tupelo (short-story collection July 2012)
Girls from the North Country (short story, August 2012)
Made of Stars (short story, August 2012)
Stars (short story collection, August 2012)
Zero Plus Seven (anthology, 2013)
Stay Dead (April 2014)
Writing as THERESA WEIR
The Forever Man (1988)
Amazon Lily, RITA finalist, Best New Adventure Writer award, Romantic Times (1988)
Loving Jenny (1989)
Pictures of Emily (1990)
Iguana Bay (1990)
Forever (1991)
Last Summer (1992)
One Fine Day (1994)
Long Night Moon, Reviewer’s Choice Award, Romantic Times (1995)
American Dreamer (1997)
Some Kind of Magic (1998)
Cool Shade RITA winner, romantic suspense (1998)
Bad Karma, Daphne du Maurier award, paranormal (1999)
Max Under the Stars, short story (2010)
The Orchard, a memoir (September 2011)
The Man Who Left , a memoir and New York Times bestseller (April 2012)
The Girl with the Cat Tattoo (June 2012)
Made of Stars (August 2012)
Come As You Are (October 2013)
The Geek with the Cat Tattoo (December 2013)
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
March 13, 2014
3.5 MESSY LOVE STARS.
"Love can mess you up and make you go crazy, but it can also fix you."
I would definitely read books by this author again ... Likeable but not five star loveable.
"Love can mess you up and make you go crazy, but it can also fix you."
I would definitely read books by this author again ... Likeable but not five star loveable.
March 15, 2014
Genre: NA romance novella
Sensuality: PG-13
Is this standalone? Yes
An actress is hired to break a college playa's heart but the playa actually has some serious issues.
The writing has the reassuring assurance and polish of a veteran, old-fashioned romance writer, which is a refreshing change from all the fanfic and first-time writers that proliferate the NA genre. However, this read more like a barely filled outline than a fully developed story. While I liked it, I was left unsatisfied with the way the resolution came about.
I am unsure if I would read any more of the author's NA work if they are all short like this one. She is well-regarded for her romantic suspense novels but I don't read RS.
Sensuality: PG-13
Is this standalone? Yes
An actress is hired to break a college playa's heart but the playa actually has some serious issues.
The writing has the reassuring assurance and polish of a veteran, old-fashioned romance writer, which is a refreshing change from all the fanfic and first-time writers that proliferate the NA genre. However, this read more like a barely filled outline than a fully developed story. While I liked it, I was left unsatisfied with the way the resolution came about.
I am unsure if I would read any more of the author's NA work if they are all short like this one. She is well-regarded for her romantic suspense novels but I don't read RS.
August 15, 2014
I loved this book! From the description, I thought this book sounded a lot like the movie John Tucker Must Die. Although it did have a similar premise, there was so much more to this book than I originally thought. Julian was such a complex character and I loved him. I was really interested in his back-story and why he was the way he was with women. I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
March 16, 2014
This story was another one that drove angst to a whole other level. I'm not sure I would have liked this one as much as I did if I wasn't already on a roll with the whole needing more and more New Adult drama. I swear these authors think up the worst possibly situation and think "What is the worst way these people can handle it." And they write a book.
I didn't mind so much with this one because I really honestly liked both the main characters. The story telling was strong and drove the plot forward and had me needing to read more and more and see what happened. I read this book initially because it promised Whovian Fangirl/boy moments (There was one mention of this which kinda made me sad, I was hoping for a sit down of the last Christmas Special and have both people break it down from different POV.) Alas, they just shared their fav Doctors and it wasn't really all that of a surprise. Then they make it seem like it is going to be a whole John Tucker Must Die scenario. I happen to love and own that movie so I was all in.
I have to say that a lot did disappoint me because it ended up being a really sad. Also, people acted really irrational which had me blinking at my page. This is another book about how people handle violent loss in their life. Are there really this many people that don't cope well with loss? I mean the lead male had to be stuck in a loony bin. If I am being frank, I don't think that is what needed to be done. He wasn't crazy, he was just, well, acting out. And the sister stuck him in one like he was going crazy. Ok, sleeping with a lot chicks and partying your night away is not psycho behavior. Your filling up the system with a body that didn't need to be there. Even the lead male thought this and was basically shining his sister on so she would leave him alone.
I mean I get where she was coming from, she didn't want him to self-destruct and lose him like they lost their parents. It just seemed all a bit over the top for me. The only saving grace for me was the writing and I liked Ellie, and I liked Ellie and Julian when they are happy and together. It was just so depressing until the two leads finally kinda said forget everyone else and moved on away from everyone else and decided to give one another a chance. They both were damaged in my opinion I think they needed to move past the bad that had happened to them and just look forward. Although, the author still ended it a bit up in the air and sad if you want me to be honest. Like the characters still weren't over stuff. Yet, they were happy, but the author didn't want them to be happy.
It was disappointing and yet something about it endeared me to it enough to keep going and root for the two characters.
As a whole, it could have been better and less... well... sad.
*I received a copy of this book for free from Belfry Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I didn't mind so much with this one because I really honestly liked both the main characters. The story telling was strong and drove the plot forward and had me needing to read more and more and see what happened. I read this book initially because it promised Whovian Fangirl/boy moments (There was one mention of this which kinda made me sad, I was hoping for a sit down of the last Christmas Special and have both people break it down from different POV.) Alas, they just shared their fav Doctors and it wasn't really all that of a surprise. Then they make it seem like it is going to be a whole John Tucker Must Die scenario. I happen to love and own that movie so I was all in.
I have to say that a lot did disappoint me because it ended up being a really sad. Also, people acted really irrational which had me blinking at my page. This is another book about how people handle violent loss in their life. Are there really this many people that don't cope well with loss? I mean the lead male had to be stuck in a loony bin. If I am being frank, I don't think that is what needed to be done. He wasn't crazy, he was just, well, acting out. And the sister stuck him in one like he was going crazy. Ok, sleeping with a lot chicks and partying your night away is not psycho behavior. Your filling up the system with a body that didn't need to be there. Even the lead male thought this and was basically shining his sister on so she would leave him alone.
I mean I get where she was coming from, she didn't want him to self-destruct and lose him like they lost their parents. It just seemed all a bit over the top for me. The only saving grace for me was the writing and I liked Ellie, and I liked Ellie and Julian when they are happy and together. It was just so depressing until the two leads finally kinda said forget everyone else and moved on away from everyone else and decided to give one another a chance. They both were damaged in my opinion I think they needed to move past the bad that had happened to them and just look forward. Although, the author still ended it a bit up in the air and sad if you want me to be honest. Like the characters still weren't over stuff. Yet, they were happy, but the author didn't want them to be happy.
It was disappointing and yet something about it endeared me to it enough to keep going and root for the two characters.
As a whole, it could have been better and less... well... sad.
*I received a copy of this book for free from Belfry Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
April 21, 2014
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
4 stars!
He’s Come Undone, written by the incomparable Theresa Weir is a perfect example of this author’s rare talent. Ms. Weir has the ability to spin a tale that has both heart and substance, and she manages to do it in the span of a little over 200 pages.
I loved the premise of this book prior to reading it, and it did not disappoint. Julian has a reputation as a “love’em and leave’em” type of guy. He has made it a habit to engage exclusively in one-night stands. A group of women that he’s scorned get together to teach Julian a lesson. They find Ellie (who’s down on her luck), and convince her to teach Julian a lesson by getting him to fall for her…and then leave him. Ellie is paid money and given a total makeover in order to “attract” an unsuspecting Julian and then break his heart.
Knowing all this, Ellie could’ve been made into a villain, but she is a wonderfully drawn character. We see her heart, her pain, and the conflict she feels in her deceit.
Julian certainly falls for Ellie, but it’s not because of her beauty (or the fact that she is given a makeover), in fact, it’s her personality and zest for life that attracts him to her, and I love this. It made Ellie different from all the rest of the women that Julian used and discarded.
Knowing that Julian has treated women like he had could’ve made him into a villain as well, but it does not. His character is amazing and we are given an inside look at this complex and tormented man. His actions are understood as we learn what has happened to him in his past.
This is a novella-type length novel that doesn’t feel like it. Although short, this book covers a TON of ground. Written in duel point- of- views, it manages to make the reader laugh, cry, and feel a myriad of other emotions.
On a side note, I also have a love for this book as its setting is the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ms. Weir’s knowledge of the area is remarkable. As a graduate of the University of Minnesota, I had a huge smile on my face as I read about locations and places that I myself frequented in college.
Reading this book was an absolutely delightful way to spend a few hours and I highly recommend it!
*A copy of the book was provided by Belfrey Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
4 stars!
He’s Come Undone, written by the incomparable Theresa Weir is a perfect example of this author’s rare talent. Ms. Weir has the ability to spin a tale that has both heart and substance, and she manages to do it in the span of a little over 200 pages.
I loved the premise of this book prior to reading it, and it did not disappoint. Julian has a reputation as a “love’em and leave’em” type of guy. He has made it a habit to engage exclusively in one-night stands. A group of women that he’s scorned get together to teach Julian a lesson. They find Ellie (who’s down on her luck), and convince her to teach Julian a lesson by getting him to fall for her…and then leave him. Ellie is paid money and given a total makeover in order to “attract” an unsuspecting Julian and then break his heart.
Knowing all this, Ellie could’ve been made into a villain, but she is a wonderfully drawn character. We see her heart, her pain, and the conflict she feels in her deceit.
Julian certainly falls for Ellie, but it’s not because of her beauty (or the fact that she is given a makeover), in fact, it’s her personality and zest for life that attracts him to her, and I love this. It made Ellie different from all the rest of the women that Julian used and discarded.
Knowing that Julian has treated women like he had could’ve made him into a villain as well, but it does not. His character is amazing and we are given an inside look at this complex and tormented man. His actions are understood as we learn what has happened to him in his past.
This is a novella-type length novel that doesn’t feel like it. Although short, this book covers a TON of ground. Written in duel point- of- views, it manages to make the reader laugh, cry, and feel a myriad of other emotions.
On a side note, I also have a love for this book as its setting is the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ms. Weir’s knowledge of the area is remarkable. As a graduate of the University of Minnesota, I had a huge smile on my face as I read about locations and places that I myself frequented in college.
Reading this book was an absolutely delightful way to spend a few hours and I highly recommend it!
*A copy of the book was provided by Belfrey Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
July 22, 2014
Book Summary
Published by - Belfry Press
Release date - 1st March 2014
Pages - 149
My Rating - 1 Star DNF at Page 22
Review
I struggled with this one. After reading so many great reviews and even the blurb, I was excited to read it, but when I started in...I just didn't see it.
Ellie just annoyed me. The constant repetitiveness of her being a former child star, it was her mantra, and by page six I was already over it. The meeting with 'The girls' was just painful and the style of writing was really hard to get drawn into. I put the book down around page 12 and went back to re-read the comments and reviews on goodreads to see if there was something I was missing, or to see if there would be something that would keep me reading, and as I say, they all raved about how good a read it was etc etc. So I really don't know what I was missing when all I wanted to do was smack Ellie upside the head and tell her to grow up and find a real job and I couldn't find the will to continue reading after I made it to page 22.
I'm still sitting here scratching my head as I write this review wondering what 'it' is that I'm missing with this book, but for me, I just couldn't find an 'it' factor. Different horses for different courses I guess.
March 11, 2014
So, I’ve been meaning to pick up some Theresa Weir for a while now. I eyed her previous NA Come as You Are, but then, given my relative ehh-ness over contemporary NA in general, I kept putting it off. Anyway, when I saw this book, He’s Come Undone, on a $.99 introductory price, and I clicked over and read the blurb.
SOLD.
First off, the premise reads like a romantic comedy. Other people keep comparing it to John Tucker Must Die but I think these pretending-to-be-someone-you’re-not stories have deeper roots. You know, Shakespearean roots. There’s something very compelling about the idea of falling in love with someone, but not really being able to be the “real” you for whatever reason. To sum up, this is a book about a girl who gets paid by some other girls to break the heart of a guy who slept with and then ignored all of them.
I’m going to deal with that premise just a bit at first here. (Okay, saddle up, folks. This review’s going to be long. You’ve been warned.) The first thing that I want to say is that it was just oh soooo nice to start a book and really feel like I was in good hands. It’s so rare these days that I pick up a book, especially in the NA romance genre, and it’s well plotted. The story starts on page one. So, there’s no meandering around describing things and explaining about the main character’s boring relationship with her dog or “Hey, this is my gay roommate. Let me tell you how we met and what his favorite color is and why we’re besties, even though we all know his only role in the book is going to be popping in and making commentary on the relationship that’s going to develop between me and the Hero, who won’t be showing up for several more scenes so that you can get to know more boring details about my life.” NONE of that. BAM. Story starts. Can I just talk about how much I love that? Jesus, it was like a revelation from heaven.
Next, everything went smoothly after that. Which is to say that the story began to work its way through familiar romantic comedy grooves. All the right pieces were there. The meet-cute. The progression of the relationship. The realization that the main character was in over her head because she actually liked the guy.
And you know what? If the story had only been that, I would have liked that. It was deftly done, and it was nice to read such a nicely-put-together story, something that progressed and moved forward and hit all the right notes. Sometimes when I’m reading NA books, I feel like the author was sitting at her computer evilly chuckling, “Want to watch them make up and break up twenty more times? No? Too bad. Hahahahahaha!” This book had a PLOT, ladies and gentleman. A plot. I had not realized how deeply I missed them.
Okay, but, believe it or not, it gets better. No, I’m not kidding. BETTER. Because, okay, you know that point in a romantic comedy, that point where it starts to stretch your disbelief? Where you’re like, “Oh, come on, just tell him that you’re only dating him because of a bet. There’s no reason to keep this a secret.” But in the romantic comedy, the characters just keep wandering around blindly following the set-out plot when it doesn’t make any sense exactly?
Yeah, okay, well this book doesn’t do that. It goes right to that place and then it veers off the path into this wonderful, lush, dark place. Suddenly, all the characters are REAL. Like real in a way that makes you ache. They transcend their cookie-cutter, romantic-comedy stereotypes and become fully flesh and blood with deep pain and real problems and… and it’s beautiful. Heck, there were moments in this book where it was almost Salinger-esque. And I’m thinking that was deliberate, because there’s a good bit of discussion of Salinger in the book. But the feeling of being young and adrift and confused and yet somehow fiercely alive comes across loud and clear in this book.
I don’t know. Maybe I had a different college experience than everyone else, but this book is much closer to the way it actually FEELS to be a college student than any other NA romance I’ve ever read.
And the sex scenes… Oh, the sex scenes. They were so great. I loved that they were retold in this gushing voice, the kind of voice you’d use to narrate it back to your girlfriends afterwards–you know what I’m talking about–only a hair more detailed than you’d actually be with your friends. I haven’t read sex scenes quite like these maybe ever in my entire life, and they were fantastic.
So, um, basically, this is the best book I’ve read all year. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to check out Theresa Weir, because this was… oh man, this was just great.
SOLD.
First off, the premise reads like a romantic comedy. Other people keep comparing it to John Tucker Must Die but I think these pretending-to-be-someone-you’re-not stories have deeper roots. You know, Shakespearean roots. There’s something very compelling about the idea of falling in love with someone, but not really being able to be the “real” you for whatever reason. To sum up, this is a book about a girl who gets paid by some other girls to break the heart of a guy who slept with and then ignored all of them.
I’m going to deal with that premise just a bit at first here. (Okay, saddle up, folks. This review’s going to be long. You’ve been warned.) The first thing that I want to say is that it was just oh soooo nice to start a book and really feel like I was in good hands. It’s so rare these days that I pick up a book, especially in the NA romance genre, and it’s well plotted. The story starts on page one. So, there’s no meandering around describing things and explaining about the main character’s boring relationship with her dog or “Hey, this is my gay roommate. Let me tell you how we met and what his favorite color is and why we’re besties, even though we all know his only role in the book is going to be popping in and making commentary on the relationship that’s going to develop between me and the Hero, who won’t be showing up for several more scenes so that you can get to know more boring details about my life.” NONE of that. BAM. Story starts. Can I just talk about how much I love that? Jesus, it was like a revelation from heaven.
Next, everything went smoothly after that. Which is to say that the story began to work its way through familiar romantic comedy grooves. All the right pieces were there. The meet-cute. The progression of the relationship. The realization that the main character was in over her head because she actually liked the guy.
And you know what? If the story had only been that, I would have liked that. It was deftly done, and it was nice to read such a nicely-put-together story, something that progressed and moved forward and hit all the right notes. Sometimes when I’m reading NA books, I feel like the author was sitting at her computer evilly chuckling, “Want to watch them make up and break up twenty more times? No? Too bad. Hahahahahaha!” This book had a PLOT, ladies and gentleman. A plot. I had not realized how deeply I missed them.
Okay, but, believe it or not, it gets better. No, I’m not kidding. BETTER. Because, okay, you know that point in a romantic comedy, that point where it starts to stretch your disbelief? Where you’re like, “Oh, come on, just tell him that you’re only dating him because of a bet. There’s no reason to keep this a secret.” But in the romantic comedy, the characters just keep wandering around blindly following the set-out plot when it doesn’t make any sense exactly?
Yeah, okay, well this book doesn’t do that. It goes right to that place and then it veers off the path into this wonderful, lush, dark place. Suddenly, all the characters are REAL. Like real in a way that makes you ache. They transcend their cookie-cutter, romantic-comedy stereotypes and become fully flesh and blood with deep pain and real problems and… and it’s beautiful. Heck, there were moments in this book where it was almost Salinger-esque. And I’m thinking that was deliberate, because there’s a good bit of discussion of Salinger in the book. But the feeling of being young and adrift and confused and yet somehow fiercely alive comes across loud and clear in this book.
I don’t know. Maybe I had a different college experience than everyone else, but this book is much closer to the way it actually FEELS to be a college student than any other NA romance I’ve ever read.
And the sex scenes… Oh, the sex scenes. They were so great. I loved that they were retold in this gushing voice, the kind of voice you’d use to narrate it back to your girlfriends afterwards–you know what I’m talking about–only a hair more detailed than you’d actually be with your friends. I haven’t read sex scenes quite like these maybe ever in my entire life, and they were fantastic.
So, um, basically, this is the best book I’ve read all year. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to check out Theresa Weir, because this was… oh man, this was just great.
March 14, 2014
*ARC kindly provided by Belfire Press/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Thats how Ellie get's roped into this and how the story really begins. She's not had an easy life and is need of serious money when she decides to take te job. It reminded me a lot of John Tucker must die for the first few chapters. But it's really not. This book is a bit of a wolf in sheep clothes. I was expecting a sweet fluffly romance novel like for example the love game by Emma Hart (Review). Instead, what you get is a story about two very broken people - one more broken than the other - who find each other and make each other better.
Characters
Ellie was an interesting character with an interesting background. She's down to earth and unsure of herself. She takes the job because she needs the money. It's very obvious from the start that she'll fall in love with Julian (aside from it being said in the blurb). I mostly liked her, but she just didn't really feel like a normal person to me. She seemed like she could only live in this world created by Theresa Weir. I had a hard time connecting to her and I was glad when the chapters from Julian's POV came around. I liked Julian. He's hard a hard life and I liked following his story. I haven't read too many books where the guy is one with the most baggage and it was interesting to read about. Though, like with Ellie, I wasn't in love with him as a character either.
Why 3 stars?
I think the biggest problem I had with the book is that it deals with serious issues, but it somehow never really got up close and personal with these characters. You watch them go through this little love story of theirs and I don't really feel connected to them or their story. It keeps feeling like you're looking through a window at them, but you're not right there with them. That takes a bit chunk out of my emotional response to this book and makes it hard for me to love it. Another thing that I wasn't too thrilled about is the speed in the novel. Some things seem very rushed and you jump from one thing to the next. In some books that works, but I feel like this book would benefit from a little more pacing and slowing down. I personally love a little build up to certain events, but that doesn't really happen in this book. I think it's the least angsty book I've read in this genre. Also the ending felt a bit rushed, but you'll have to read it for yourself to find out :).
Overall
I did enjoy reading this book and I liked it. It just never took it over the hill and made me love it. That's not to say that you won't. I think you'll really like this book if you're intested in characters who are damaged goods, a fast pace, difficult topics and little romance.
"So what's the job? An ad? Something for school?" All three girls lean forward. All three girls looked over their shoulder, back at me, then whispered: "We want you to break someone's heart."
Thats how Ellie get's roped into this and how the story really begins. She's not had an easy life and is need of serious money when she decides to take te job. It reminded me a lot of John Tucker must die for the first few chapters. But it's really not. This book is a bit of a wolf in sheep clothes. I was expecting a sweet fluffly romance novel like for example the love game by Emma Hart (Review). Instead, what you get is a story about two very broken people - one more broken than the other - who find each other and make each other better.
Characters
Ellie was an interesting character with an interesting background. She's down to earth and unsure of herself. She takes the job because she needs the money. It's very obvious from the start that she'll fall in love with Julian (aside from it being said in the blurb). I mostly liked her, but she just didn't really feel like a normal person to me. She seemed like she could only live in this world created by Theresa Weir. I had a hard time connecting to her and I was glad when the chapters from Julian's POV came around. I liked Julian. He's hard a hard life and I liked following his story. I haven't read too many books where the guy is one with the most baggage and it was interesting to read about. Though, like with Ellie, I wasn't in love with him as a character either.
""Once I realized I couldn't quit thinking about him, and once I realized I had a major crush on a guy who had sex with girls and then discarded them, I wanted out. I wanted to meet him with my real self so I could have sex and be discarded. No, wait""
Why 3 stars?
I think the biggest problem I had with the book is that it deals with serious issues, but it somehow never really got up close and personal with these characters. You watch them go through this little love story of theirs and I don't really feel connected to them or their story. It keeps feeling like you're looking through a window at them, but you're not right there with them. That takes a bit chunk out of my emotional response to this book and makes it hard for me to love it. Another thing that I wasn't too thrilled about is the speed in the novel. Some things seem very rushed and you jump from one thing to the next. In some books that works, but I feel like this book would benefit from a little more pacing and slowing down. I personally love a little build up to certain events, but that doesn't really happen in this book. I think it's the least angsty book I've read in this genre. Also the ending felt a bit rushed, but you'll have to read it for yourself to find out :).
Overall
I did enjoy reading this book and I liked it. It just never took it over the hill and made me love it. That's not to say that you won't. I think you'll really like this book if you're intested in characters who are damaged goods, a fast pace, difficult topics and little romance.
March 7, 2014
I’m really not sure what I expected when I started reading “He’s Come Undone.” I can honestly say it wasn’t what I got. I suppose I expected another take on the movie “John Tucker Must Die.” Which, I’ll admit, I watched the movie and, yes, I liked it. Okay, there. You know my dirty little secret. (ha-ha. Get it? That song was on the movie’s soundtrack. Off topic. Sorry.). Well, “He’s Come Undone” was so, so much more than another “John Tucker Must Die.”
It’s a short read. I read it in one day. Either that, or it was just that good, I’m not sure. Either way, I couldn’t put it down. The characters, Ellie and Julian, just jump off the page. It’s like they’re standing in the room with me. And they are so freakin’ likeable! Yes, they have faults, and yes they have secrets, but they are so different than the regular formulaic NA books we’ve seen on the market lately. UGH! I want to tell you so much about them, but I refuse. You know my mantra by now…read the book! It’s the only way to really feel the emotions captured in the words laced together by Ms Weir. And she did an amazing job. The book is meant to be savored first hand, not through a few paragraph summary.
The secrets and lies. Oh! They were good! Juicy, like they should be, but heart wrenching at the same time. Yes, sigh, I got tears in my eyes. Don’t I always? I admit it, I’m a crier. But for good reason in this book. I fell in love with both leading characters and I hated seeing them get hurt. Even Ellie, who was the ultimate Judas, was so lovable and sweet and had such a tender spirit I couldn’t help but like her—and when you read the motives behind her actions you can almost forgive her.
And Julian, you’ll just fall in love with him. Yes he’s gorgeous and muscular and has all the yummy physical traits we want to see in our leading men. And yes, until he met Ellie he was a bit (okay, a lot) of a man-whore. But there’s a vulnerability about him that melts your heart. Read the book! I tell you, Julian is, well, he’s just is a great character.
The book had excellent pacing. It started off with a bang and it kept rolling until the last page. I didn’t have a second that I felt it slow, nor did I feel it was rushed. The plot was outstanding. It’s one of those story lines that another author (me) says, “I wish I would have thought of that!” It was well thought out and executed nearly flawlessly.
I say nearly because I do have one small gripe and that has to do with secondary characters. I wish they had been involved more prominently in the story. Valerie, Julian’s sister, is in a few scenes, but she really doesn’t have a great impact. I think strong secondary characters could have added even more spice to the book.
Bottom line: Get it. Read it. You’ll love it. It’s such a sweet, poignant love story that will have your stomach in knots waiting to see if Julian and Ellie get their happily ever after. This is the first book by Theresa Weir I’ve read, but I can promise you it will not be the last!
~ Michelle :)
PODs
Milayna
It’s a short read. I read it in one day. Either that, or it was just that good, I’m not sure. Either way, I couldn’t put it down. The characters, Ellie and Julian, just jump off the page. It’s like they’re standing in the room with me. And they are so freakin’ likeable! Yes, they have faults, and yes they have secrets, but they are so different than the regular formulaic NA books we’ve seen on the market lately. UGH! I want to tell you so much about them, but I refuse. You know my mantra by now…read the book! It’s the only way to really feel the emotions captured in the words laced together by Ms Weir. And she did an amazing job. The book is meant to be savored first hand, not through a few paragraph summary.
The secrets and lies. Oh! They were good! Juicy, like they should be, but heart wrenching at the same time. Yes, sigh, I got tears in my eyes. Don’t I always? I admit it, I’m a crier. But for good reason in this book. I fell in love with both leading characters and I hated seeing them get hurt. Even Ellie, who was the ultimate Judas, was so lovable and sweet and had such a tender spirit I couldn’t help but like her—and when you read the motives behind her actions you can almost forgive her.
And Julian, you’ll just fall in love with him. Yes he’s gorgeous and muscular and has all the yummy physical traits we want to see in our leading men. And yes, until he met Ellie he was a bit (okay, a lot) of a man-whore. But there’s a vulnerability about him that melts your heart. Read the book! I tell you, Julian is, well, he’s just is a great character.
The book had excellent pacing. It started off with a bang and it kept rolling until the last page. I didn’t have a second that I felt it slow, nor did I feel it was rushed. The plot was outstanding. It’s one of those story lines that another author (me) says, “I wish I would have thought of that!” It was well thought out and executed nearly flawlessly.
I say nearly because I do have one small gripe and that has to do with secondary characters. I wish they had been involved more prominently in the story. Valerie, Julian’s sister, is in a few scenes, but she really doesn’t have a great impact. I think strong secondary characters could have added even more spice to the book.
Bottom line: Get it. Read it. You’ll love it. It’s such a sweet, poignant love story that will have your stomach in knots waiting to see if Julian and Ellie get their happily ever after. This is the first book by Theresa Weir I’ve read, but I can promise you it will not be the last!
~ Michelle :)
PODs
Milayna
July 28, 2014
3.5 Stars
This was definitely a John Tucker Must Die book, which hey i loved the movie (minus the ending) but I loved this ending!
Ex-child star Ellie is broke. Seriously broke. After placing an add for an acting job, any acting job, she finally gets a call to play a roll. What she doesn't expect is for her role to be to seduce and break the heart of notorious womanizer Julian.
After getting a full makeover she's sent on her way $500 richer. Ready to charm her way into his pants she's disappointed when he doesn't react to her. Well not until she jumps on the assholes back who punches Julian in the face.
The two begin spending time with each other until Ellie realizes that she has feelings for him, like actual feelings, especially after they sleep together.
Its not so easy to get out of contract though,and when Julian finds out about her plan he wants nothing to do with her. What she didn't expect was for him to completely withdraw from everyone and stop taking his meds. Not sleeping or eating Julian literally runs himself to death and ends up in tho hospital only to be on 24 hour watch. Which only leads to a mess of trouble.
---
This book was pretty good. a little out there with Julian's story, but not bad. I think it just resembled the movie a little to much for my liking, but other than that it was pretty good!
This was definitely a John Tucker Must Die book, which hey i loved the movie (minus the ending) but I loved this ending!
Ex-child star Ellie is broke. Seriously broke. After placing an add for an acting job, any acting job, she finally gets a call to play a roll. What she doesn't expect is for her role to be to seduce and break the heart of notorious womanizer Julian.
After getting a full makeover she's sent on her way $500 richer. Ready to charm her way into his pants she's disappointed when he doesn't react to her. Well not until she jumps on the assholes back who punches Julian in the face.
The two begin spending time with each other until Ellie realizes that she has feelings for him, like actual feelings, especially after they sleep together.
Its not so easy to get out of contract though,and when Julian finds out about her plan he wants nothing to do with her. What she didn't expect was for him to completely withdraw from everyone and stop taking his meds. Not sleeping or eating Julian literally runs himself to death and ends up in tho hospital only to be on 24 hour watch. Which only leads to a mess of trouble.
---
This book was pretty good. a little out there with Julian's story, but not bad. I think it just resembled the movie a little to much for my liking, but other than that it was pretty good!
March 1, 2014
This was a super cute book! It was a short-sweet read and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
The book was about two very flawed people coming together and becoming better together. I loved the depth that these characters had. Ellie and Julian had both withstood so much pain and grief and the author really made me sympathize with them. I also loved how smart and educated they were. They didn't just dive right into the sex but had ACTUAL conversations about books and movies, what a shocker. Even though the sex scenes themselves were immensely enjoyable as well.
Overall, an awesome read. I look forward to reading more from Theresa Weir.
July 24, 2014
I am a real sucker for love stories, but....
This book did not really do it for me.
When I read the synopsis, I was expecting more. It had so much potential. However, it was poorly executed.
**Pssst.. while reading the 3rd quarter of this book, I had already forgotten the 1st half of it even though I read it all in a day or two.
This book did not really do it for me.
When I read the synopsis, I was expecting more. It had so much potential. However, it was poorly executed.
**Pssst.. while reading the 3rd quarter of this book, I had already forgotten the 1st half of it even though I read it all in a day or two.
March 12, 2014
I had slight mixed feelings about He's Come Undone by Theresa Weir. I enjoyed the book but also felt it was written more like a screen play at times too. I often wondered if this was the authors intention as the book is about Ellie (Evangaline) a childhood actress who had hit rock bottom.
The story at times was completely unbelievable and yet really enjoyable. You could relate to it quite easily. I think we've all known a guy who got what he wanted from a girl and then moved on. So the story of a bunch of girls hiring Ellie to do a number on Julian was a great idea.
I found Ellie a really likeable character too. She was funny, down to earth and level headed. Even if she did second guess herself a lot, I think we are all like that. With losing her fame/fortune she needed to find herself and within this book you seeing her doing just that.
Julian also had his own past and demons to deal with and we learnt those within this book. We also got to hear the story not just from Ellie's point of view but also Julian's which helped I think. If it had of all been told from Ellie's POV I would have had a completely different opinion of Julian. But, he became more human to me, less of an ass.
My issues with this book was at times I felt it was a little too detailed and then others things were 'washed over'. There was a common ground with it. However, with books of this genre I find this is often the case.
Also, the book is dark in places (And rightly so with the subject matters) but rather than switching from humour to a more serious turn, the passages were almost wrote with a struggle of keeping it light hearted. When it comes to darker subjects I don't always feel there can be light heartedness. This is just an opinion though.
What really made up for the things I didn't like about this book was the final chapter. I like a book which doesn't give you the unrealistic ending. Too often we see characters that have had heartache, turmoil and are severely broken to have a perfect fairytale ending - that is not reality. However, this books ending made sense to me. It was well written and I think I respected Ellie and Julian just that little bit more.
I know Goodreads does not give half star ratings (Although I wish it did), this book is more of a 3.5 but not quite a 4, so I have given it a 3 star. Don't let my lower rating effect reading this, He's Come Undone still deserves a read as its a good book.
Review also featured on my blog - http://www.bewitchedbooks.co.uk/
The story at times was completely unbelievable and yet really enjoyable. You could relate to it quite easily. I think we've all known a guy who got what he wanted from a girl and then moved on. So the story of a bunch of girls hiring Ellie to do a number on Julian was a great idea.
I found Ellie a really likeable character too. She was funny, down to earth and level headed. Even if she did second guess herself a lot, I think we are all like that. With losing her fame/fortune she needed to find herself and within this book you seeing her doing just that.
Julian also had his own past and demons to deal with and we learnt those within this book. We also got to hear the story not just from Ellie's point of view but also Julian's which helped I think. If it had of all been told from Ellie's POV I would have had a completely different opinion of Julian. But, he became more human to me, less of an ass.
My issues with this book was at times I felt it was a little too detailed and then others things were 'washed over'. There was a common ground with it. However, with books of this genre I find this is often the case.
Also, the book is dark in places (And rightly so with the subject matters) but rather than switching from humour to a more serious turn, the passages were almost wrote with a struggle of keeping it light hearted. When it comes to darker subjects I don't always feel there can be light heartedness. This is just an opinion though.
What really made up for the things I didn't like about this book was the final chapter. I like a book which doesn't give you the unrealistic ending. Too often we see characters that have had heartache, turmoil and are severely broken to have a perfect fairytale ending - that is not reality. However, this books ending made sense to me. It was well written and I think I respected Ellie and Julian just that little bit more.
I know Goodreads does not give half star ratings (Although I wish it did), this book is more of a 3.5 but not quite a 4, so I have given it a 3 star. Don't let my lower rating effect reading this, He's Come Undone still deserves a read as its a good book.
Review also featured on my blog - http://www.bewitchedbooks.co.uk/
March 24, 2014
This story had so much potential, and sadly it's a huge disappointment. A poor ex-child star named Ellie takes a gig for cash pretending to be some girl who breaks Julian's heart, a guy who broke a bunch of girl's heart. The girls concoct this plan as payback. Immediately I would have thought really humorous, really cute.
But no.
*spoilers ahead*
First Julian and Ellie ended up falling for each other waaaaay too quickly. On top of that it was bland. We learned that Ellie's mom was her manager once and stole all her money. That's all we learn, though. As a reader I would have liked more details, something more in depth. Then we learn Julian goes to a shrink because he was committed after finding his parents murdered. But that's it, nothing more in depth.
The book becomes better and less cliché after he finds out the truth and gets pissed, but even then, there is so much more the author could have done to make this better. Everything seemed to happen so easy for Ellie:
-Julain is mad at her. She sees him in the hospital and magically it's all forgiven.
-She sneaks him out of the hospital, they have sex. Um.
-She gets arrested for said break out, she has a friend whose father is a lawyer. Too easy! I would have loved for her to be stuck in jail for a while. Julian maybe even try to see her.
This novel seems like a rough draft. After adding more in depth details about the characters, after slowing down the plot, after making the romance not seem sudden, and after making everything not so easy for the characters, this could definitely be good. The plot is really cute and has potential, but it needs to be written differently before I can call it good.
But no.
*spoilers ahead*
First Julian and Ellie ended up falling for each other waaaaay too quickly. On top of that it was bland. We learned that Ellie's mom was her manager once and stole all her money. That's all we learn, though. As a reader I would have liked more details, something more in depth. Then we learn Julian goes to a shrink because he was committed after finding his parents murdered. But that's it, nothing more in depth.
The book becomes better and less cliché after he finds out the truth and gets pissed, but even then, there is so much more the author could have done to make this better. Everything seemed to happen so easy for Ellie:
-Julain is mad at her. She sees him in the hospital and magically it's all forgiven.
-She sneaks him out of the hospital, they have sex. Um.
-She gets arrested for said break out, she has a friend whose father is a lawyer. Too easy! I would have loved for her to be stuck in jail for a while. Julian maybe even try to see her.
This novel seems like a rough draft. After adding more in depth details about the characters, after slowing down the plot, after making the romance not seem sudden, and after making everything not so easy for the characters, this could definitely be good. The plot is really cute and has potential, but it needs to be written differently before I can call it good.
July 31, 2014
I saw this book on Net Galley and as soon as I saw it was by Theresa Weir, I knew it was a must read for me. I read her under this name and under the name Anne Frasier. Her book, Cool Shade, was one of my favorite romance reads of the year, when I read it a couple of years ago. Cool Shade won the Rita award for romantic suspense, so you know this author definitely is a good romance writer!
Ellie is a former child star who due to circumstances out of her control, is on the edge of becoming homeless. After posting an ad for actress work, several girls from the nearby university hire her to break a guys heart. He’s been a womanizer and they want him to hurt like he hurt them. Ellie doesn’t want to do it but she is so broke, she pretty much has to. And when she actually meets Julian it gets even harder to do, but since she has signed a contract, she has to go through with it. Falling In love wasn’t supposed to happen. Julian falling in love was even more of a long shot.
This was an extremely fast read, and I know this because it had me turning the pages pretty much non-stop. It was a good romance with a different premise. I enjoyed the characters of Ellie and Julian, and actually Julian’s back story was very compelling, even more so then Ellie’s. I’ll leave that for the reader to find out. You might want to have some tissues ready..just saying.(and this doesn’t have anything to do with the end of the book!)
I wholeheartedly recommend this to adult romance readers. Keep in mind it has some very hot sex scenes, but nothing too out there.I thought it was everything a book by Theresa Weir/Anne Frasier should be-GOOD.(PureTextuality.com)
Ellie is a former child star who due to circumstances out of her control, is on the edge of becoming homeless. After posting an ad for actress work, several girls from the nearby university hire her to break a guys heart. He’s been a womanizer and they want him to hurt like he hurt them. Ellie doesn’t want to do it but she is so broke, she pretty much has to. And when she actually meets Julian it gets even harder to do, but since she has signed a contract, she has to go through with it. Falling In love wasn’t supposed to happen. Julian falling in love was even more of a long shot.
This was an extremely fast read, and I know this because it had me turning the pages pretty much non-stop. It was a good romance with a different premise. I enjoyed the characters of Ellie and Julian, and actually Julian’s back story was very compelling, even more so then Ellie’s. I’ll leave that for the reader to find out. You might want to have some tissues ready..just saying.(and this doesn’t have anything to do with the end of the book!)
I wholeheartedly recommend this to adult romance readers. Keep in mind it has some very hot sex scenes, but nothing too out there.I thought it was everything a book by Theresa Weir/Anne Frasier should be-GOOD.(PureTextuality.com)
February 25, 2017
I received this free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was a quick read - flew through it and enjoyed Ellie and Julian's story. I really liked that the author wrote in both characters viewpoints so we were able to see what both Ellie and Julian were thinking.
I felt for Julian. He went through a terrible experience back in New Hampshire and still wasn't himself when he was "using" the girls. In most cases, I would say it's because he's a guy and doesn't think like a girl, but he really was going through a hard time and really should have been helped more. And what he went through? Gah, that must have been terrible.
Ellie's mum is a prick taking all of her money that she earned. And poor Ellie is just trying to get back to college so she can start her life with the job that she wants. I do think that getting a new hair style and clothes does not make a person more attractive. In fact, it demeans the person doing it because it's not really them - not in the way Ellie changed herself that is.
And Julian noticed the original Ellie and was intrigued by her much faster than the "new and improved" Ellie, so that's something to think about...
I enjoyed this story. I liked the running bit that Julian was determined to succeed, only because I love running. I don't like the way Julian ran his marathon because he could have died, but I could comprehend how he was feeling when he described what running was like. Glad I got an eARC, even though this review isn't "advanced" anymore... I think loads of other readers will enjoy this story!
This was a quick read - flew through it and enjoyed Ellie and Julian's story. I really liked that the author wrote in both characters viewpoints so we were able to see what both Ellie and Julian were thinking.
I felt for Julian. He went through a terrible experience back in New Hampshire and still wasn't himself when he was "using" the girls. In most cases, I would say it's because he's a guy and doesn't think like a girl, but he really was going through a hard time and really should have been helped more. And what he went through? Gah, that must have been terrible.
Ellie's mum is a prick taking all of her money that she earned. And poor Ellie is just trying to get back to college so she can start her life with the job that she wants. I do think that getting a new hair style and clothes does not make a person more attractive. In fact, it demeans the person doing it because it's not really them - not in the way Ellie changed herself that is.
And Julian noticed the original Ellie and was intrigued by her much faster than the "new and improved" Ellie, so that's something to think about...
I enjoyed this story. I liked the running bit that Julian was determined to succeed, only because I love running. I don't like the way Julian ran his marathon because he could have died, but I could comprehend how he was feeling when he described what running was like. Glad I got an eARC, even though this review isn't "advanced" anymore... I think loads of other readers will enjoy this story!
March 5, 2014
This was a quick read that I devoured in a couple of hours. I loved it! I've said it before, but I love the way Theresa Weir writes, whether it's romance or thrillers (as Anne Frasier). She has a real talent for writing New Adult, I liked Come As You Are, but this one is even better in my opinion.
Ellie is a former child actress, broke and behind on her rent. She's hired by come college "mean girls" to break the heart of Julian, a guy who slept with them and never called again. It's fortunate that there are alternating POV's here, it definitely helps to get Julian's side of things. He isn't the manwhore he's painted to be, and as Ellie realizes this she starts to fall for him.
Things move pretty fast between them, but in this case it's believable. I felt their connection and it worked, nothing seemed forced or too unbelievable. Julian has a lot of demons and it's heartbreaking to watch him try to overcome them.
The epilogue was simple and real. Not fairytale, but it left me feeling like everything was in a good place.
P.S. I loved that Mean Waitress was in this book too!
Ellie is a former child actress, broke and behind on her rent. She's hired by come college "mean girls" to break the heart of Julian, a guy who slept with them and never called again. It's fortunate that there are alternating POV's here, it definitely helps to get Julian's side of things. He isn't the manwhore he's painted to be, and as Ellie realizes this she starts to fall for him.
Things move pretty fast between them, but in this case it's believable. I felt their connection and it worked, nothing seemed forced or too unbelievable. Julian has a lot of demons and it's heartbreaking to watch him try to overcome them.
The epilogue was simple and real. Not fairytale, but it left me feeling like everything was in a good place.
P.S. I loved that Mean Waitress was in this book too!
September 7, 2016
This kind of revenge plot when they turned this nerdy girl into beautiful bombshell and break the heart of the heartbreaker sounds cliché and supposedly—funny (similar to John Tucker Must Die). Well in my case it should be like that. And that is why I’m so surprised that it took a different approach of this tried and tested plot into something more dramatic and angsty. Gonna give it props though for going into a different direction but somehow it didn’t work for me. I would have liked it if it was done smoothly, but it was all over the place to me. The problems of the two leads clashed, making the romance part contrived and unbelievable.
2.5/5
2.5/5
August 30, 2014
This book was fantastic. There are so many good parts, I cant pick just one. I read alot of books and this is the first book I have read that has this kind of plot. It was funny, sweet, angry and just really, really good. It had so many emotions. It even touched on sensitive topics.
The characters were so good. They meshed well together. I love romance books where you can laugh and cry at the same time. Just hoping for a happy ending between 2 people.
This was a very fast paced story. I love how fast love came to Julian and Ellie. I also love how the girls went out with Julian was trying to hire Ellie and get back at Julian. Because Julian was basically a manwhore. The ending and epilogue was very impressing. Love, Love, Loved it all.
The characters were so good. They meshed well together. I love romance books where you can laugh and cry at the same time. Just hoping for a happy ending between 2 people.
This was a very fast paced story. I love how fast love came to Julian and Ellie. I also love how the girls went out with Julian was trying to hire Ellie and get back at Julian. Because Julian was basically a manwhore. The ending and epilogue was very impressing. Love, Love, Loved it all.
August 21, 2014
6 stars!!!
I absolutely adored this novel!!!! Perfection! I guess when it comes to New Adult I have a particular taste! You can check out my other 'new adult favorites' to get an idea of the specifics I like. But this fit the NA category perfectly for me.
But anyway--LOVED THIS!!! Thank you BookBub for the recommendation!!!! I don't have one complaint.
I absolutely adored this novel!!!! Perfection! I guess when it comes to New Adult I have a particular taste! You can check out my other 'new adult favorites' to get an idea of the specifics I like. But this fit the NA category perfectly for me.
But anyway--LOVED THIS!!! Thank you BookBub for the recommendation!!!! I don't have one complaint.
March 25, 2014
Blew me away. Fantastic book.
August 30, 2014
nice read but waaaaay too short!!
October 14, 2014
thanks netgalley for arc
I did enjoy the book. More on my review tomorrow.
I did enjoy the book. More on my review tomorrow.
October 9, 2019
I have not read the first book in this series, however I don’t think there is anything lost not reading them in order.
I had a very difficult time connecting with the story or any of the characters. Perhaps it is because of the author’s writing style, or perhaps they just weren’t likable, I just know that this doesn’t rate anywhere on my list of favorite books.
Some examples:
“It can be voluntary or involuntary,” he explained. “I would advise voluntary because voluntary involves more privileges and is less of a stigma.”
Wait. If you’re trying to put someone somewhere against their will, it’s involuntary. Period. You don’t have the power to decide is something is voluntary or involuntary, that is up to the person that is in question.
The carpet ended and my shoes made a sound my shoes never made.
Huh?
There are all sorts of weird lines like that that make the story a little disjointed and frankly, silly. This is my first read by the author but I would be willing to give her another try, however I totally reserve the right to tap out early if I find they story going down the same path.
May 16, 2023
Ahh who doesn't love a little sexy fiction now and then
Ahh who doesn't love a little sexy fiction now and then.
It's been ages since I have read a book in this genre and this book was perfect.
The book touches on a bag of emotions and how the revenge of scorned women is as devastating as the broken heart.
I loved that the book highlighted mental health, poverty, bereavement and the #1 emotion - Fear, to name a few.
The cast of characters were great, well liked and believable.
The story entails the hiring of Ellie, a broke young adult, who use to be a childhood actress, now desperate for work, money and something to eat, to set up a guy, Julian who has a reputation for one night stands and breaking hearts around the university campus. Unbeknown to all women involved, Julian has his own issues and secrets.
Brilliant book, heartwarming, heartbreaking and a good page turner.
Thank you for the read TW, look forward to reading more...
Ahh who doesn't love a little sexy fiction now and then.
It's been ages since I have read a book in this genre and this book was perfect.
The book touches on a bag of emotions and how the revenge of scorned women is as devastating as the broken heart.
I loved that the book highlighted mental health, poverty, bereavement and the #1 emotion - Fear, to name a few.
The cast of characters were great, well liked and believable.
The story entails the hiring of Ellie, a broke young adult, who use to be a childhood actress, now desperate for work, money and something to eat, to set up a guy, Julian who has a reputation for one night stands and breaking hearts around the university campus. Unbeknown to all women involved, Julian has his own issues and secrets.
Brilliant book, heartwarming, heartbreaking and a good page turner.
Thank you for the read TW, look forward to reading more...
May 16, 2021
Quick read and interesting but messy.
May 1, 2014
I finished this book in the middle of the night and thought up parts of my review while I was trying to fall asleep and have now completely forgotten all the brilliant insights I had then. As per the usual. But in the light of day I will try to do this book justice.
Ellie is a former child star who is living in Minneapolis. As if that weren’t bad enough (*snort* -- hey, I grew up north of Minneapolis, so I know from bad enough), she’s broke and jobless. So she puts an ad on Craigslist and gets an interesting acting assignment.
Three university girls hire her to break Julian Dye’s heart. He’s slept with countless girls at school and then gone about his business, and they want to give him a taste of his own medicine. So they turn Ellie into Julian’s perfect girl.
Things eventually go according to plan, and soon Ellie’s got Julian intrigued. She strings him along, but in the process she gets to know him, and she too falls in love. But she senses there’s more to him than the love-’em-and-leave-’em guy he apparently is. And she’s right, and it’s really not pretty.
I adored He’s Come Undone. You think from the revenge-plot angle that it’s going to be one kind of book, a dark kind of fun with a sudden turnaround or something, but it’s actually quite different. It’s fun in a way, but it’s darker than I expected and also very touching. A big part of what worked in this book, for me at least, was Ellie.
Ellie’s a bit standoffish, but in a kind of adorable way. She’s fallen from the highest height to the lowest low, and her coping mechanism seems to be to take everything in stride, no matter how odd or unfortunate or wonderful. Or at least that’s my reading of her. Her delivery is so straightforward that it’s almost charming. For some reason I loved this quote:
“He left the room, and I tried not to think about what was going on down there as he stripped and got in the shower, but I’d seen his bare chest and I could fill in the blanks.”
Nothing salacious, kind of deadpan. I don’t think that comes across out of context, but I could imagine her saying “I could fill in the blanks” with a completely straight face, and it made me smile to read it. Basically, I really connected with Ellie’s character. Which is strange, because she’s definitely not warm and fuzzy. But when the cracks begin to show, her hope and heartbreak are all the more convincing.
The story is told through alternating points of view, both Ellie’s and Julian’s, and occasionally Julian’s sister’s. This was one of the few problems I had with the book. I’m not exactly against this tactic, but it can be a bit of a cop-out, in my opinion. It’s definitely easier to write. It can also be pretty fun to read. But in such a short book, I really think the sister’s POV could have been eliminated and the information dealt with in a different way. Because Julian has no idea what is really going on, however, I enjoyed his POV and thought that getting a true picture of his character made the story that much more effective.
There’s not much to say about Julian except that he’s genuinely charming but also using all sorts of inappropriate coping mechanisms to deal with the shizzle. And he bowls. He’s a sexy Minnesotan bowler. A double oxymoron if ever I’ve heard of one. (I’ve never heard of one.)
The ending was just a little too storybook for me, especially compared to the tone of the rest of the book, but then I’m a jaded old hag. I’m also worried that somehow my perception of the characters and the mood of this book was coloured by outside influences. I’m not sure what, but it just came across to me so clearly, yet I’m not at all convinced another reader would get the same impression, that it would be the same book for you.
That doesn’t matter, though, because although this book is short, it’s full of heart. It’s skillfully written by Theresa Weir (who also writes as Anne Frasier), who’s been skillfully writing romance and suspense forever and has just started to get into New Adult, first with Come As You Are. I’ve had The Girl with the Cat Tattoo, her first (of two) sexy Minnesotan cat romance, waiting for me on my ereader for too long now. I am so reading that next.
Lila
Reviewed from ARC. Published by Belfry Press February 27, 2014.
Full review at nomdeplumepress.wordpress.com.
Ellie is a former child star who is living in Minneapolis. As if that weren’t bad enough (*snort* -- hey, I grew up north of Minneapolis, so I know from bad enough), she’s broke and jobless. So she puts an ad on Craigslist and gets an interesting acting assignment.
Three university girls hire her to break Julian Dye’s heart. He’s slept with countless girls at school and then gone about his business, and they want to give him a taste of his own medicine. So they turn Ellie into Julian’s perfect girl.
Things eventually go according to plan, and soon Ellie’s got Julian intrigued. She strings him along, but in the process she gets to know him, and she too falls in love. But she senses there’s more to him than the love-’em-and-leave-’em guy he apparently is. And she’s right, and it’s really not pretty.
I adored He’s Come Undone. You think from the revenge-plot angle that it’s going to be one kind of book, a dark kind of fun with a sudden turnaround or something, but it’s actually quite different. It’s fun in a way, but it’s darker than I expected and also very touching. A big part of what worked in this book, for me at least, was Ellie.
Ellie’s a bit standoffish, but in a kind of adorable way. She’s fallen from the highest height to the lowest low, and her coping mechanism seems to be to take everything in stride, no matter how odd or unfortunate or wonderful. Or at least that’s my reading of her. Her delivery is so straightforward that it’s almost charming. For some reason I loved this quote:
“He left the room, and I tried not to think about what was going on down there as he stripped and got in the shower, but I’d seen his bare chest and I could fill in the blanks.”
Nothing salacious, kind of deadpan. I don’t think that comes across out of context, but I could imagine her saying “I could fill in the blanks” with a completely straight face, and it made me smile to read it. Basically, I really connected with Ellie’s character. Which is strange, because she’s definitely not warm and fuzzy. But when the cracks begin to show, her hope and heartbreak are all the more convincing.
The story is told through alternating points of view, both Ellie’s and Julian’s, and occasionally Julian’s sister’s. This was one of the few problems I had with the book. I’m not exactly against this tactic, but it can be a bit of a cop-out, in my opinion. It’s definitely easier to write. It can also be pretty fun to read. But in such a short book, I really think the sister’s POV could have been eliminated and the information dealt with in a different way. Because Julian has no idea what is really going on, however, I enjoyed his POV and thought that getting a true picture of his character made the story that much more effective.
There’s not much to say about Julian except that he’s genuinely charming but also using all sorts of inappropriate coping mechanisms to deal with the shizzle. And he bowls. He’s a sexy Minnesotan bowler. A double oxymoron if ever I’ve heard of one. (I’ve never heard of one.)
The ending was just a little too storybook for me, especially compared to the tone of the rest of the book, but then I’m a jaded old hag. I’m also worried that somehow my perception of the characters and the mood of this book was coloured by outside influences. I’m not sure what, but it just came across to me so clearly, yet I’m not at all convinced another reader would get the same impression, that it would be the same book for you.
That doesn’t matter, though, because although this book is short, it’s full of heart. It’s skillfully written by Theresa Weir (who also writes as Anne Frasier), who’s been skillfully writing romance and suspense forever and has just started to get into New Adult, first with Come As You Are. I’ve had The Girl with the Cat Tattoo, her first (of two) sexy Minnesotan cat romance, waiting for me on my ereader for too long now. I am so reading that next.
Lila
Reviewed from ARC. Published by Belfry Press February 27, 2014.
Full review at nomdeplumepress.wordpress.com.
July 21, 2020
Washed up former child actress Ellie Barlow needs a gig — any gig — to make ends meet. So when a group of college girls want to hire her to break a guy’s heart, she gets past her skepticism and ignores her conscience in favor of the five thousand dollars they promise her if she can get him to say he loves her. It’s not exactly the acting job she was aiming for, but it will certainly pay the bills. If only she didn’t like him so much…
The Verdict: Okay, so my initial reaction was that the story was a bit far-fetched, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed plausible. And if you’ve been around a teenage girl any time lately, you know exactly what I mean. Most of them aren’t exactly logical when their hearts are broken, and they resort to all kinds of insanity like spreading rumors, cruising past his house at 3am, and dreaming up all kinds of crazy scenarios in which they come out the victor and he’s left with regrets. So while the idea of college girls hiring a has-been actress to snare and break a guy might not seem very realistic, I would imagine that with the right financial resources, it’s exactly what some might do. But that’s not what’s so awesome about this story.
While the plot is in some ways predictable, it didn’t play out exactly like I expected. Sure, Ellie managed to get Julian’s attention. And yes, he liked her even more when her own personality seeped into the role she was playing. And of course, he discovered her deception and channeled a bit of hate her way. But everything in between? Not predictable at all.
There was a lost beret, a bar fight that became a YouTube hit, a traumatic event that had Julian subconsciously taking advantage of girls — not some illogical decision based on his parents’ bad marriage or some girl that previously broke his heart and trust. He wasn’t callous, even though his actions certainly were, and he honestly thought the random hook-ups were just part of what college was about. The medication and therapy and complete obliviousness to his wrongs just made him all that more believable and easy to love.
And Ellie… Well, she wasn’t at all what I expected. She was never recognized as the girl from that television show, her financial situation was what I would imagine many former child stars go through, and while she was desperate to make a living, she wasn’t necessarily desperate for a second Hollywood wind so much as she just wanted to continue her craft. In many ways, she was just a normal, down-on-her-luck girl who got roped into something by a vengeful estrogen fest.
But best of all was the way it was all worked out. As usual, I won’t give away the ending, but the resolution seemed to happen by chance in a way and was spot on for Ellie’s character. Hell, even the repercussions of her somewhat grand gesture weren’t miraculously swept away. If you’re looking for a rather classic romance novel story line with an entirely new twist, characters that avoid the usual cliches, and a great but believable happily ever after, He’s Come Undone is a definite win.
***FicCentral received this book from Belfry Press (via NetGalley) for free in exchange for an honest review. Even so, we're far too opinionated to let a freebie influence our thoughts or the contents of the reviews we post here.
July 30, 2014
I received a complimentary e-copy of He's Come Undone for an honest review.
Ellie used to be a well known child actress and had everything going for her for a great future, until her mom stole her money and then died of cancer. Now she's made her way to Minnesota, where she's broke and a wanna-be college student. If only there was a way for her to find a job that pays well enough to pay for tuition. She puts an ad in the local paper offering her services as an actress-for-hire. She's well aware of some of the weird kinds of jobs she might be called about but then she gets a call and finds a job that she's willing to take on.
A group of college girls want to hire her to play the role of a life-time - get the hottie that never called them back to fall in love with her and then break HIS heart. And there's a bonus if she can get him to say that he loves her.
What could go wrong with this? It's the chance to make a substantial amount of money and he broke these girls so why not help right a few wrongs and show him that you just can't do that to people.
The problem is that the guy is Julian Dye and he is as amazing to Ellie as he was when he was with each girl. Maybe even more amazing and of course Elie starts to develop real feelings for him but she has to wonder are his feelings real or just part of the game that he plays? As she gets to know him, she realizes that there's a lot more to Julian that anyone realizes and she tells the girls that the act is up, that she's done with trying to play him. But how's he going to feel when he finds out how and why things started up for him? Would he be able to forgive her or will the whole thing blow up in all of their faces?
This book was so good! The synopsis drew me in immediately because who doesn't want the hottie that plays with people's hearts to get played himself? Ellie was a joy. She's trying to deal with a bad hand dealt to her and wants desperately to improve her situation so she does what she has to do. She never expected that she'd really fall in love with a guy she was being paid to break his heart.
Julian, oh misunderstood Julian!! So sexy and so hot and my heart broke for him and his sister when it came out about what had happened back in New Hampshire. No wonder his MO has always been use the girls for a good time but nothing more. Who would want to get close to someone after what he'd dealt with? But then Ellie changes his plans and it shakes him to the core!
He's Come Undone deals with so many issues even though it's only just over 200 pages. There's trust issues, hopelessness, grief, health issues, and anger but there's also hope and happiness and gentleness and deep down there's love.
I loved He's Come Undone and I truly loved Ellie and Julian and kept hoping that they'd come out the other side with a happy ending! This is the first book I've read by Theresa Weir (who also writes under another name) but I'll be looking to add more by her to my library!!
Ellie used to be a well known child actress and had everything going for her for a great future, until her mom stole her money and then died of cancer. Now she's made her way to Minnesota, where she's broke and a wanna-be college student. If only there was a way for her to find a job that pays well enough to pay for tuition. She puts an ad in the local paper offering her services as an actress-for-hire. She's well aware of some of the weird kinds of jobs she might be called about but then she gets a call and finds a job that she's willing to take on.
A group of college girls want to hire her to play the role of a life-time - get the hottie that never called them back to fall in love with her and then break HIS heart. And there's a bonus if she can get him to say that he loves her.
What could go wrong with this? It's the chance to make a substantial amount of money and he broke these girls so why not help right a few wrongs and show him that you just can't do that to people.
The problem is that the guy is Julian Dye and he is as amazing to Ellie as he was when he was with each girl. Maybe even more amazing and of course Elie starts to develop real feelings for him but she has to wonder are his feelings real or just part of the game that he plays? As she gets to know him, she realizes that there's a lot more to Julian that anyone realizes and she tells the girls that the act is up, that she's done with trying to play him. But how's he going to feel when he finds out how and why things started up for him? Would he be able to forgive her or will the whole thing blow up in all of their faces?
This book was so good! The synopsis drew me in immediately because who doesn't want the hottie that plays with people's hearts to get played himself? Ellie was a joy. She's trying to deal with a bad hand dealt to her and wants desperately to improve her situation so she does what she has to do. She never expected that she'd really fall in love with a guy she was being paid to break his heart.
Julian, oh misunderstood Julian!! So sexy and so hot and my heart broke for him and his sister when it came out about what had happened back in New Hampshire. No wonder his MO has always been use the girls for a good time but nothing more. Who would want to get close to someone after what he'd dealt with? But then Ellie changes his plans and it shakes him to the core!
He's Come Undone deals with so many issues even though it's only just over 200 pages. There's trust issues, hopelessness, grief, health issues, and anger but there's also hope and happiness and gentleness and deep down there's love.
I loved He's Come Undone and I truly loved Ellie and Julian and kept hoping that they'd come out the other side with a happy ending! This is the first book I've read by Theresa Weir (who also writes under another name) but I'll be looking to add more by her to my library!!
July 24, 2014
Thank you for the giving me a copy of He's Come Undo by Theresa Weir to read and review.
I would have to say that this is a 3*** story for me. While this was a short and sweet read, I found it to be totally unrealistic. The premise of the initial story was very similar to the movie "John Tucker Must Die" as mentioned by others, but leads into something much different and unique.
Ellie is a young ex-actress that has fallen on hard times as a result of her mother squandering all her money and then passing away. This leaves Ellie own her own alone to support herself. She answers an ad placed by several college girls that want to hire her to essentially seduce and get a guy to fall in love with her then break his heart. The ultimate revenge.
Julian is the object of the revenge. Unbeknownst to him, he doesn't realize that he has treated anyone inappropriately. He believes that he is doing what other college age guys do all the time. He is also hiding emotions of getting close to anyone for the fear of losing them. So he goes for the easy one night stands.
When Ellie and Julian first meet he sees her as someone else, not what the girls make her and tries to seek out the mystery girl. That is until he meets "Ellie" the actress. When they meet she tries her hardest to be what the girls want her to be but Julian is not interested in that type, essentially ignoring her. It isn't until she does something that catches his attention that he begins to acknowledge her and try to get to know her better. Ellie realizes that by being herself (personality wise) is how she will get to Julian.
I like Ellie's character and actually feel bad for her several times throughout the story. She is truly a sincere heroin. Unfortunately, she is being manipulated by the girls who hired her and feels like she has no way out. What I don't like about her story is that we aren't given any insight as to why she is no longer an actress. Okay so her mom stole all her money, but how does that effect her ability to get any acting jobs. I know she took care of her mom when she was sick, but then what?
I also loved Julian, he is nothing like what the other girls make him out to be. He has deep emotional scares that break your heart, at one point I actually cried for him. What I don't like about his story is how his sister has taken over his life and jumps to conclusions. Also, how she has handled his issues and the decisions she has made for him are extreme.
Overall, there is so much more that could have been written into this story. I feel like at the end there was a huge gap of time that could have been written in his POV that leads him to his decision in the end. The ending was very rushed and somewhat disappointing. I would have loved a little more to this story and it could have been a 5***** story for me.
I would have to say that this is a 3*** story for me. While this was a short and sweet read, I found it to be totally unrealistic. The premise of the initial story was very similar to the movie "John Tucker Must Die" as mentioned by others, but leads into something much different and unique.
Ellie is a young ex-actress that has fallen on hard times as a result of her mother squandering all her money and then passing away. This leaves Ellie own her own alone to support herself. She answers an ad placed by several college girls that want to hire her to essentially seduce and get a guy to fall in love with her then break his heart. The ultimate revenge.
Julian is the object of the revenge. Unbeknownst to him, he doesn't realize that he has treated anyone inappropriately. He believes that he is doing what other college age guys do all the time. He is also hiding emotions of getting close to anyone for the fear of losing them. So he goes for the easy one night stands.
When Ellie and Julian first meet he sees her as someone else, not what the girls make her and tries to seek out the mystery girl. That is until he meets "Ellie" the actress. When they meet she tries her hardest to be what the girls want her to be but Julian is not interested in that type, essentially ignoring her. It isn't until she does something that catches his attention that he begins to acknowledge her and try to get to know her better. Ellie realizes that by being herself (personality wise) is how she will get to Julian.
I like Ellie's character and actually feel bad for her several times throughout the story. She is truly a sincere heroin. Unfortunately, she is being manipulated by the girls who hired her and feels like she has no way out. What I don't like about her story is that we aren't given any insight as to why she is no longer an actress. Okay so her mom stole all her money, but how does that effect her ability to get any acting jobs. I know she took care of her mom when she was sick, but then what?
I also loved Julian, he is nothing like what the other girls make him out to be. He has deep emotional scares that break your heart, at one point I actually cried for him. What I don't like about his story is how his sister has taken over his life and jumps to conclusions. Also, how she has handled his issues and the decisions she has made for him are extreme.
Overall, there is so much more that could have been written into this story. I feel like at the end there was a huge gap of time that could have been written in his POV that leads him to his decision in the end. The ending was very rushed and somewhat disappointing. I would have loved a little more to this story and it could have been a 5***** story for me.
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