Watch Her Bend

The 'Watch Her' Series #2

by Emily Klepp

For two long years, we kept our distance while also sitting on the same couch during my sessions. I kept my secrets tucked far away from my psychiatrist because revealing one thing would lead to the unveiling of my traumatic past. When I am forced to set aside my desire to weather this storm alone, Dr. Daxton Cooper is the one to catch me before I sink. He gave me no choice but to face everything I've kept locked away, I found myself confronting the brimstone of my past, each memory a fiery trial I was constrained to endure. Among the myriad of casualties resulting from the years of depravity at the hands of a man determined to be my demise, one revelation emerges amidst my despair.

When I am shown unconditional love and support by the only two men I’ve ever loved, my worst nightmare comes back to haunt me. Will I find the strength I need to survive his depraved fantasies or will I wither into a ghost of who I once aspired to be?

This is a DARK romance with heavier triggers. Please use caution when reading. For a full list of triggers and tropes, visit mywebsite

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Dark

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2024

About the author

Visit my Linktree here -> https://linktr.ee/emilykleppnovels

Emily Klepp is a Western North Carolina native residing in eastern Tennessee with her loving husband and two beautiful children. She has been writing since she was fourteen years old as a way to cope with her anxiety. She hopes to help others be able to speak their truth by writing about topics that are considered too taboo for societal norms.

Reviews

[Rid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arianna and Daxton’s story was really great! It was inspiring to see how Arianna overcomes the things James did to her and gets her revenge in the end. I also liked the introduction of Luca to the story, but I think more relationship building/recovery could’ve been done there.

[k's.bookshelf. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Emily Klepp definitely has a very specific style of writing that makes her work wildly unique. Definitely worth the read!

[Chaotic Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost this book hits hard on some heavy topics, so I definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings before diving in.

So this is Arianna, Daxton and Luca’s story and yet again another roller coaster ride.

Reading Arianna’s traumatic past and present really pulled on the heartstrings just how strong she was though she was suffering inside and then finally allowing people to help her.

I love that she finally gets her revenge and is able to move on to a happier future. Just like Aurora, Arianna gets her HEA.

I just want to say even though these books can be read as a standalone series I absolutely love that the books intertwined.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna is the best big sister she can be, while taking on the world. Or part of it, anyways. I could have never guessed her history, or all she has overcome to even be here today. I related with some parts (more than I was ready too), and am so glad that this story went the way it did. Ari deserves the best, and she got it - and then some!

[Erin Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Star: ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Trauma: none for me.


Please read the trigger warnings as some topics may cause distress.

I was provided a review copy of this book, which I am grateful for, unfortunately it wasn’t something I enjoyed. The story is very fast paced, there’s very little world building, and we just jumped in with no lead up - which is okay, if it’s done well. Unfortunately for me I didn’t think it was.

[Garrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily has a specific writing style and I'm here for it!!

Dax, ugh! BE STILL MY HEART!

Then the love twist at the end 😲 YES PLEASE

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

🚨🚨Please please please read the trigger warnings. 🚨🚨

Arianna has a crappy job she hates, a stalker, she has to raise her parents & little sister and now a crush on her psychiatrist. Life’s just f**king peachy.
Daxton knows he can’t cross the line, she’s his patient. But, he can’t deny his feelings either. He opens up to her unlike any other.

With Dax’s help Ari start her healing journey. It’s is not an easy road and it’s REALLY messy and difficult.

The way the trauma and healing process is presented in a very real, very raw fashion and not hidden behind rose colored glasses. Ari makes gains and takes steps backwards. A healing journey is different for everyone and how quickly one heals, if at all, is an individual experience.
I was a little emotionally drained reading this, but, that is a testament to how well Ari’s journey is portrayed.

Dax is so patient yet forceful. He pushes her boundaries. They have some mind blowing experiences 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🥵. Daddy Dax with the pierced 🍆.

Enter Luca best friend to Dax, oh and yes, he to has a pierced 🍆 into the mix and we have this super sexy throuple who will only ever want what’s best for each other.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

first off, make sure you mind your mental health and check the TW/CW.

Emily Klepp writes stories that hit close to the heart with shit that seems too real.

Arianna has been through it while trying to raise her sister, while her parents drink themselves to death. being in therapy with a man your highly attracted to, while being stalked by your crazy high school rapist...what happens when everything comes to a head...this book!

story 4.5/5
spice 5/5

I received an ARC copy and this is my honest and true review

[Kimberly Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This is a dark romance. Dax is able to help Arianna with her struggle through self harm, stalker, and bratty attitude. There are so many twists and turns! It kept me guessing. I loved it!! Then you add in Luca! What!?! It was icing on the cake! I loved the relationship that develops between them and how they are able to give Ari something different. It is trigger warning heavy, so make sure to check but honestly I loved it!!!

[Kayla T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the series that could be read as a standalone; however, I would recommend reading book 1 first since there are some overlap in characters. This book follows Arianna, Daxton, and Luca. Arianna has went through a lot and has undergone different trauma (check out trigger warnings before reading). I enjoyed seeing how Ari was able to overcome her trauma with the support of Dax and others. Luca was an added touch.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

( ARC Review )

Before I start, although you don't need to, these books are best read in order.
Highly recommend you diving into the world of Matt and Aurora first in ( Watch Her Bleed ) to get to know the characters in the following books before you officially meet them in there own story's!

I know I am going to sound like a broken record, this one is my new favourite from the series.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the little donkey. I don't know what it was about this one but it held me differently.

Arianna, so much weighing on such small shoulders. She is what id describe as the rock. When I think of a person that holds everyone together and that without realising would set the world crumbling if she was to leave this world and everyone
in it behind.
Dax, who we got to meet in book 1, it was finally his turn. The psychiatrist... I suddenly need to find somewhere that Dax
exists in real life. Imma book my plane tickets now!
Then lastly Luca, one of the yummy brothers from book 1, oh boyyyy. I was so not expecting that turn of events!!
That had me spitting out my drink.. Ria? Damn. I guess so.

I loved how following on from book 1 we got to see a little insight of what it is like when not only a survivor is affected by
such horrible experiences in this life, but how the family is too.
This story like many others Ek write's shows us survivors in the form of characters, survivors that get the happy
ever after that they deserve.
Arianna, I am so glad you got to have yours.
I highly recommend you reading this, check triggers before hand!

* Copied from my review on my Instagram. @livingmybookera

[Courtney Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Another captivating read from Emily. Again PLEASE read the tigger warnings.

Arianna has had a tough life that honestly I could relate to at many times. She starts to see a Psychiatrist to help her heal and deal with everything that she has gone through and is still going through in her short life. In walks Dr. Daxton Cooper and ohh man is he the whole package. Things are kept extremely professional for 2 long years but when secrets are revealed lines are crossed and Dax steps in to save the only girl he has ever desired. The little twist that I was not expecting was Luca walking in. I was so surprised and over the moon that not only did Ari find and reconcile with the first man that she ever loved Luca but she also gets to have the man that she is currently in love with Dax. Both men are okay with the turn of events and love Ari so much.

What made me mad was how psychotic James was and how obsessed he became with Ari. He literally tortured and ruined her life for so long. He tried so many tactics and did so many different things to try and destroy Ari. Ari did the best she could with the hands that she was dealt and ended up coming out on top in the end. I hated how James manipulated Connor for so long to help in his devious behavior. Although Connor tried redeeming himself in the end so I was happy.

"I think the three of us fit together like a perfect little puzzle."

[Between The Covers · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖Watch Her Bend & Watch Her Bloom by Emily Klepp📖
@edknovels

Books 5 ⭐️
Spice 5 ⭐️

First, let me start off by saying there are TWs in these books, so please be sure to check them out before you read them.

I've done it again and went head first down the rabbit hole of Emily's books. I must say that although these books aren't long, they're absolutely amazing once again. Emily never disappoints you with her writing.

Watch Her Bend took me by surprise, but it gripped by from the beginning and didn't let up! Ari has the weight of the world on her shoulders and hiding a troubling past and present, who's trying to take care of not only herself but her younger sister as well, but she's a fighter through and through and with the help of Dax oh boy is it empowering once they let down their walls. He lifts her up and doesn't let her fall. Then there's Luca, her first love, and he stands right by her side right along with Dax, and the sparks fly even more once things are made clear to him. With them by her side, she can overcome anything. The brattiness and banter are hilarious!


#darkromance #onebed #mfm #bossemployee #secondchance #patientdoctor #whychoose #agegap #bdsm #reversgrumpysunshine #triggerheavy #traumahealing #brattyfmc #possessivemmc #watchherbend #watchherbloom #emilyklepp

[Yaasmiyn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!

One thing you're gonna want to do going into this story is read the trigger warnings, and don't take any of them lightly. Emily Klepp has made one thing clear and is that mental health matters, and her characters deal with a variety of them. So, as I stated, you'll want to make sure that there's nothing in this story that is going to get to you.

So, this book deals with Arianna, Daxton and Luca's love story. Arianna is a young woman that is working hard to take care of her and her younger sister, to ensure that her sister gets through school. Raised by two non-present alcoholic parents, she's doing her best to keep herself together mentally while also helping her sister out, and not burdening her with any problems. Dax is her psychiatrist that has had feelings for her since she started coming to see him two years ago but has always stayed professional and maintained the patient /doctor relationship. Aware of her situation, he offers her a position as his secretary, and after months of declining it, she finally accepts. Some unforeseen events take place, and to protect her she ends up moving in with him and they become more. Luca, who is in the first book (Which I need to read), makes a reappearance, and he's Ria's boyfriend from college that is still in love with her. With them reuniting, Dax agrees that he's okay with Luca staying in her life, and they become a throuple.

[Sarah Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arianna is our female main character in “Watch Her Bend.” She and her sister were *sorta* raised by alcoholic parents. Ari grew up fast, being a parent to her parents and her younger sister, Izzy. But Arianna has been being stalked for years, preventing her from really having any type of social life or relationships.

This story has so much potential with more character building and storyline building. The characters are intriguing and I wish I got the chance to know them better. Arianna and Daxton very quickly go from being doctor/ patient to boss/employee to lovers in a matter of what seems to be less than 24 hours. She meets his whole family the same day. While they both confess having feelings for each other for quite a while, I felt their relationship was very rushed. And then enters the guy Ari dated briefly in college, Luca. He appears and suddenly Ari, Dax, and Luca are in a poly relationship, like, literally the same weekend Ari and Dax get together.

Don’t get me wrong. This story is 🔥 I’m just very character driven. And it’s not that I don’t believe in instalove.

Ari’s stalker is relentless and his actions are terrifying. The lengths he goes to to get to Ari are relentless. I was drawn in by the drama and excitement and did not see the stalkers demise playing out as it did. Very well done! And I loved the epilogue!

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Tishana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be a broken record when it comes to Emily Klepp.

This woman DOES NOT miss with a single novel she writes. Everything she's written has had me on an emotional rollercoaster, hot from spice, enjoying being on the dark side and begging for more! It's a miracle she writes so fast and it fulfills my need for amazing books every single time.

Starting off, please check your trigger warnings before deciding to dive into Emily's books. They tend to be on the dark side! Arianna has to be my favorite female character that Emily has created yet. This girl has gone through it, holding the weight of the world on her shoulders. I really resonated so much with Ari, because we are so alike. Even through her trauma and dark times, she still came out of it a stronger woman. The character development with Ari from beginning to end was a 10/10 for me! I loved Dax as the MMC. His heart was in the right place and he really did an incredible job pushing Ari out of her comfort zone. I loved Luke being introduced more into this throuple! And lastly, the spice in this DID IT FOR ME. Two hot MMCs that are PIERCED! So detailed in the scenes and so steamy. I was OBSESSED. I can't wait for the next novel she writes!

[Centurymoon Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts off Great! Has a wonderful feel, has great chemistry building between the characters of Arianna and Daxton. Arianna is a patient of Daxton's, sent to see him for her ADHD and for the past two years she has done what she believes to be a great job of keeping her secrets tucked faraway from him; her psychiatrist.. When she finally lets him see a tucked away secret they all start to fall out, at a crashing pace, and their relationship becomes one more than patient/psychiatrist. When an old love comes crashing in from the past their relationship of two becomes a three.
The storyline has a couple falters in it, one of which is a special room that is brought up, mentioned, completely described, and used but only one time and fairly early in the book (to never be heard about again), second is when Luca enters and sees Arianna and how Daxton just lets him be with her and how Luca just is okay with it being the 3 of them wiithout ever really communicating. Lastly, during the whole book it seems to be building towards a huge big event, it then happens *really fast* I might add, is resolved *really fast*, then whoops skip to one year later.

[Kindle And A Cuppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna is the daughter of alcoholics who bartends at a strip joint while trying to ensure that her little sister Izzy gets an education. Her anxiety has led to a ADHD diagnosis and visits to her psychiatrist Daxton Cooper for the last 2 years although she’s hiding a lot of trauma from someone who could help her.
Daxton has met with Ari every week for 2 years and
Offered her a job as his receptionist and knows that she’s hiding things but doesn’t want to push her too hard as he knows she’s fragile.
Her stalker is determined to take anything good in her life from her, he’s already taken her body, her first love, her job and he wants to take even more.
Beautiful Ari has had to bend with all the things that have tried to hurt her but she is most definitely not broken despite it all and with her new found family they will do anything to help her heal.
I loved the ADHD representation of women being diagnosed as adults and how it presents so differently. Emily writes stories on very difficult subjects but with such sensitivity and research to build these amazing characters!

[Tiffany Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE READ ALL THE TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!
Watch Her Bend is yet another great book! This is book 2 of the series.
After years of neglect by her alcoholic parents, Ari is left raising her younger sister and is trying to push her on the right path to have a bright future. But after avoiding her rapist from high school, Ari is faced with facing him everyday at work, on top of being perpetually stocked by some creep! After being referred to see a psychiatrist, Ari develops feelings she tries to hide that surface even more after starting to work for him! These feeling are just solidified when she is saved by her psychiatrist from her high school rapist. Her first love comes back into the picture but having to choose was a no bueno! Love sticken by two men and finding love from both they help her through hard times. Bonding through all the emotions, she ends up getting kidnapped by her high school rapist but is able to break free of his chains when she does the unthinkable!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story, however I feel like there were some inconsistencies or clarifications. Overall, I really enjoyed this fast read! Possible clarifications that may be needed... Why is James SO obsessed with Ari? Like, since high school?? Why?! When everything goes down while she's in college, there is no mention of a boyfriend while she's in college, until his family is sitting in his living room and Aurora mentions Luca. I feel like that was a big part of her college story that maybe should have been mentioned when she was initially telling Dax. Then the end, his parents are doctors? At the end, the paramedic tells Dax and Luca that she'll need to see a Dr, and Dax says that he'll have mom and dad look at her. There is no mention, that I know of, of their profession so that struck me as weird.

Again, great story. Short but pretty action packed, with extra spice! Like, the spice is spicin'!! Onto Watch Her Bloom!!

[Ali Alley EscapeThroughABook · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I actually liked this one more than book 1. Not sure why. Both are fantastic, just loved this one more. Maybe cause it’s a why choose? I am a huge sucker for a why choose.

This Dark Romance is an all consuming read. This is book 2 in the Watch Her Series. Please check trigger warnings before reading, this is a darker romance.
The romance in this book is a fast burn, with years of longing prior. This book is a why choose MFM.
This book is delightfully very spicy, with several descriptive scenes for spice lovers to enjoy.
The book moves at a fast pace following the MCs as they build their relationship. All while trying to fight off a physical, and violent stalker of the FMC.
The characters are great, leaving many from book one to support the MCs. It helps build the overall dynamics of the series.
The world building is done in contemporary times, and written with realistic expectations, and experiences. This makes it easy to connect to the story quicker.

[Nichole Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read the TWs!

Another great read by Emily! Loving this series, and cannot wait to read the others.

These stories are not slow burns and draw me in quickly, making it easy to want to read it in one sitting.

I loved Arianna and Dax together, and I practically squealed when Luca became a part of them. I wasn't expecting this twist but I love how it wasn't even a question and no hesitation. Dax and Luca just jumped right in, wanting to show their love for Arianna and that she didn't have to pick or choose between her two loves. I just wish there was more involving Luca. This is definitely Arianna and Dax's story, but it would have been sweet to see Luca interact with both Arianna and Dax a bit more.

I love how close these two families are. I cannot wait to see where the series goes from here. Looking forward to stories from Nick and Sterling, and hopefully we'll get one for Milo from book 1, too!

[Brittany ⭑ Book lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️

Emily Klepp’s books always break my heart and put it back together again. Watch Her Bend was no different! I was excited to read about Dax after getting a glimpse of him in the previous book. I loved the patient/doctor relationship that Dax and Ari had. They built such a strong relationship without even trying before they acted on their feelings. Ari’s story was heart breaking and terrifying. I feel like Emily writes about these difficult topics so accurately and so realistically. Dex was working through his own healing journey and together, Ari and Dax meshed beautifully. I was not expecting Luca but enjoyed the additional dynamic he brought in as well. I love the endings Emily always gives her characters - after suffering so much they deserve to actually feel free. Check for TWs - this can be a dark and heavy topic to read about - happy reading!

[Tammy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna, has to be everything for everybody. She parents her parents as they have drug and alcohol additions, she provides a place for her little sister. Ari is being stalked, with notes being left on her car outside her apartment and now text to her phone. Ari has a lot of past trauma that she has had to deal with by herself, this makes it hard to trust others.

Dax, has been Ari's psychiatrist for 2 years. He knows she is holding back and not being honest about her past and what is going on in her present. Dex wants to get to know Ari in the most unprofessional way, but has been denying those feels.

this book has heat and spicy between the characters .

This book like Emily Klepp's other books have trigger warning, please read before reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put Watch Her Bend down! What you get.....
♡Dark Romance
♡BDSM
♡Brat Tamer
♡Age Gap
♡MFM
♡Why Choose?😍
♡Size Difference
♡Second Chance
♡Psychiatrist/Patient
♡InstaLust
♡ADHD Rep
♡Anxiety Rep
♡Talk of Self Harm
♡Healing
♡Trigger Heavy
♡Trauma
♡Stalker (not by MMC)

Arianna has a lot of anxiety, and reading her story, you totally understand why. She has had so much bad luck happen to her for years.

Emily does a great job describing Ari's story. The character and world building are well done. Dax does a great job helping Ari through her trauma and struggles. There's a lot of twists and turns that have you guessing what might happen next.

I love how close the siblings are with all the families. The steamy scenes with Dax, Ari, and Luca are 🔥🥵🔥🥵 they have amazing chemistry!! I can't wait to read more!

[Lyns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while I need something to shake me to the core, dark and dangerous, and something that will remove me from the fairy tale HEA. Watch her Bend and Watch her Bloom is not for the faint of heart….let me put that out there.
Ari and Izzy are the two main characters in these books and they don’t have the picture perfect fairy tale life that most have; two sisters against the world and both with major skeletons in their closets that they hide from each other. Together they face their demons with the help of a band of brothers who take the under their wing when they need it the most.
This book is not for the faint of heart, it is filled with triggers and extremely dark scenes. I am not someone who is triggered easily and I had to put it down a couple times. Emily has a way with words that dig right into your imagination and pain the picture as you read through the pages.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Klepp has a very unique and specific style of writing. It's raw, real, sexy, and taboo.
Here's the thing though, take her trigger warnings to heart. She means them and the books aren't for everyone. However, if you have no triggers and want a totally smutty, mind blowing experience, pick this one up. Or pick them all up. Emily's writing and story lines are worth it.

In this one, Arianna is trying like hell to support her sister since her parents decided that booze and drugs were more important to them than their own children. She's been through one thing after the other while a man she knew and feared in high school stalks her. She finds comfort and safety in one of the last people she should lean on.

100% recommendable.

[Hanah Zerbel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good and as per usual with Emily’s books read your trigger warnings and make sure this is a book you want to read it has BDSM and sexual trauma so be mindful. But I loved this book this book follows Arianna and Daxton and their relationship and trust me it’s an interesting ride and if you are anything like me you will love it this book is a very small book legit would take you less then a day to read and it is worth every single page Arianna has been through a lot in her life so she needs help and Daxton is the perfect person to help her and also to open her up the development between Arianna and Daxton is wonderful and I will recommend this to anyone I rate this book 4⭐️ and the spice in this book I rated 3🌶️

[Christina white · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Emily Klepp and this book is just another example of her great writing. The way she writes about trauma and finding someone that can help them not just heal but be loved is something special. This book definitely requires you to check the trigger warnings. Ari does all that she can to take care of everyone from making sure her little sister can go to college without worry, to making sure her addict parents don’t starve. She does all this on her own while dealing with her own trauma and stalker. That is until she finally opens up to her psychiatrist who is crazy sexy. Daxton has been meeting with Ari for two years trying to help her. He knows that she hasn’t been telling him everything that is until she spills about her stalker and the trauma of her past.

[Leisel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this second book in "The Watch Her" series was equally entertaining as the first story and highly recommend reading the first book to get an overall idea of the cast of characters.
For me this was one of those stories that simply kept my interest from the first page right to the end and simply "gobsmacked" by the sheer emotional pull that it took me on.
A very well created plot that had everything to make it such a success for me, great characters, action, drama, betrayal, greed, but love and compassion that really balances out the sheer gut wrenching sense of the overall theme of this very dark romance. Yes please take Authors advice when there is a trigger list connected to any book.