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More Than #1
More Than Lies
They're locked between love and hate . . .
I’ve spent years pushing her away. She thinks I hate her, but really, I know she deserves better than a college dropout turned tattoo artist. She’s the good girl, the complete opposite of my bad boy nature. But something about her kind eyes and heart-shaped face has always caught my attention, not that she has ever realized that with how I treat her.
I’m not a one-woman man, and I won’t allow myself to hurt Tara that way. Her mother makes her believe she’ll never be good enough. I won’t do the same when I know it’s me that’ll never measure up to the man she deserves.
But when tragedy hits home, I can’t watch another tear fall from her beautiful face, so I took something I should never have touched.
Then I let her believe a lie. I stayed silent while her heart broke in front of me. She walked away. I didn’t stop her. I should have because I learned the hard way—lies lead to consequences you’re never prepared for.
This is Shawn and Tara's story. It's book one in the series and a standalone.
The editing of this book was updated in August 2022. You'll need to go to your content and devices setting to update if you bought the eBook before 8/18/2022.
I’ve spent years pushing her away. She thinks I hate her, but really, I know she deserves better than a college dropout turned tattoo artist. She’s the good girl, the complete opposite of my bad boy nature. But something about her kind eyes and heart-shaped face has always caught my attention, not that she has ever realized that with how I treat her.
I’m not a one-woman man, and I won’t allow myself to hurt Tara that way. Her mother makes her believe she’ll never be good enough. I won’t do the same when I know it’s me that’ll never measure up to the man she deserves.
But when tragedy hits home, I can’t watch another tear fall from her beautiful face, so I took something I should never have touched.
Then I let her believe a lie. I stayed silent while her heart broke in front of me. She walked away. I didn’t stop her. I should have because I learned the hard way—lies lead to consequences you’re never prepared for.
This is Shawn and Tara's story. It's book one in the series and a standalone.
The editing of this book was updated in August 2022. You'll need to go to your content and devices setting to update if you bought the eBook before 8/18/2022.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2015
2103 people are currently reading
5312 people want to read
About the author
N.E. Henderson
18 books1,118 followersI'm an indie author of sexy, contemporary romance. When I'm not writing, you can find me reading some form of romance or playing in the dirt and mud in my ATV.
I live in Mississippi with my husband, son, and Bull Terrier, Xena. I love to hear from readers so if you connect with me on social media or meet me at a signing you can call me Nancy.
Visit my Amazon Author page:
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I live in Mississippi with my husband, son, and Bull Terrier, Xena. I love to hear from readers so if you connect with me on social media or meet me at a signing you can call me Nancy.
Visit my Amazon Author page:
https://www.amazon.com/N.-E.-Henderso...
Follow my on Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/nehenderson
Follow me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/authornehende...
Join my Reader Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thefi...
Join my Newsletter
http://bit.ly/NancyNews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
August 6, 2017
I really struggled to finish this book. This was the kind of book that made me sad and angry while I was reading it. According to the reviews I'm in the minority, and that makes me even sadder. Maybe I just don't get it, but I rather be this way to be honest.
When I say the book made me sad, it's not for the right reasons. It made me sad, because I was hoping for a story with some semblance of romance in it. And what I got was characters that disgusted me, and made me pause and think: is this what the author and most important the readers view as romance? Is this what women find attractive in a H? Do women find this type of behavior appealing and attractive in a man? Do they expect or allow to be treated this way? Are girls attracted to a man that treats and talks about other women like trash? I know this is supposed to be fiction and not reality, but it says a lot about what women's views and expectations are, I mean I think we romance readers like to read stories with characters that we can look up to, or fantasize a little about, they could certainly have flaws, but have some redeeming qualities too. And while I understand the appeal of a "bad boy" cliche and the idea of a story where the "manwhore" finally falls in love, I think there's a line that separates a "bad boy" from a disgusting pig, and it saddens me that anyone could think that demeaning women in general could be appealing.
Let me explain myself. This is the story of two kids, a boy Shawn, and a girl Tara, that grew up together and while she's always been in love with him, he apparently doesn't feel the same way, or so he tries to pretend. It's the old "I love her but I'm not good enough for her, so I push her away" story.
Anyway to make his point clear, this guy f*cks any girl that crosses his path. Usually flaunting the girls in front of Tara. But that's not the problem, the problem is the way he treats women, he talks about and to women. There is not one iota of respect shown for women in general in the book. Let me just illustrate with some quotes:
“I didn’t realize I had to fuck a certain breed.” Yes, he refers to the female gender as "breeds".
“Every bitch’s legs spread the same way. The only thing I’m after is the end result. As long as the package is decently wrapped, why should I care what color her hair is?
"This is too easy. I could take her to one of the bathrooms and be done with her within minutes and onto the next chick..." How charming.
“Sweetheart, I fucked you. I fucked you outside of a nightclub at that. Now, I don’t fuck any pussy I don’t want to fuck, but understand this. I’ve never met a pussy I’d ever want to fuck twice.”
I could go on and on with quotes, but you get the idea. That's how this "H" refers and talks to and treats women. They're all "bitches", and nothing else. Now do you think he at least has some respect for the "h"? That would be NO. He talks to the h the same way.
“A fine ass bitch in short shorts and cowboy boots,”Shawn coos. “There is nothing sexier.”His voice goes flat. “They were a waste on your sister.” He's talking to the h's brother about the h.
He not only treats her like that, but he likes having her around so she can clean, cook and do his laundry.
"I’m never up this early, and by the time I do rise, everything is spick and span the way it should be, thanks to my clean freak roommate" ...
"She cleans and cooks— and does both well."... "The plus of having a neat-freak roommate, is that the house is always clean, too. Hell, I don’t remember the last time I made my bed or even washed my own clothes. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever done a load of laundry in my life."
"I’m going to have to make that up to her if I plan on eating decent food tomorrow night." Yes, he's talking about the h.
I'm not a hard core feminist, but I can't help but cringe at this. This are this guy's views on women. They're good for a good f*ck, and to clean and cook, but not for a relationship. Nice.
About the h. She's your typical doormat. She's so in love with the jerk, that she doesn't care about all the women he f*cks, and not only that but she throws herself at him every chance she gets.
She humiliates herself and has no dignity whatsoever, which leads me to think: Is this what we as women aspire to? To be treated like garbage, only because the guy is "so hot" and we love him? After all, he's a bad boy and we love that cliche, right? I hope not. At least not like this one. Again, I don't mind a bad boy, as long as he's not a chauvinistic pig, that demeans women.
Now let's move on to the part where we read about romanticized promiscuity. In this book everything revolves around sex. Meaningless sex. We get to read about the H's "escapades" with countless women, including a threesome with his best friend and OW, written in excruciatingly crude detail (and of course the way they refer to this girl is nauseating). We get to read about the h having sex regularly with some other guy, and later on saying she also had oral sex with the H's best friend, and just in general every character just having sex indiscriminately. How romantic, to read about the H/h having sex with multiple people on a regular basis. Like they can't control themselves and they just have to do it. Call me crazy, but I have the idea that sex should mean something. Here, sex is cheapened and demeaned. Maybe I'm getting old or I'm old fashioned. IDK. This isn't supposed to be a dark erotica book. It's marketed as YA for crying out loud. That's my problem. Or one of them.
I honestly just read until the end because I wanted to give an opinion based on the whole book and not only the 18% when I wanted to quit.
IMO, this book is just an example of an author using every trick in the book (no pun intended) to shock the readers creating situations that are way OTT dramatic. Every dramatic event you can think of is included in this plot, as a way to add angst and manipulate the readers emotions. Honestly I'm tired of these tricks. It's like they can't create a solid plot with strong characters and rely on that and good writing.
Every cliche is used and magnified in this book, just to draw attention and add drama.
Needless to say, I'll never read a book by this author ever again.
When I say the book made me sad, it's not for the right reasons. It made me sad, because I was hoping for a story with some semblance of romance in it. And what I got was characters that disgusted me, and made me pause and think: is this what the author and most important the readers view as romance? Is this what women find attractive in a H? Do women find this type of behavior appealing and attractive in a man? Do they expect or allow to be treated this way? Are girls attracted to a man that treats and talks about other women like trash? I know this is supposed to be fiction and not reality, but it says a lot about what women's views and expectations are, I mean I think we romance readers like to read stories with characters that we can look up to, or fantasize a little about, they could certainly have flaws, but have some redeeming qualities too. And while I understand the appeal of a "bad boy" cliche and the idea of a story where the "manwhore" finally falls in love, I think there's a line that separates a "bad boy" from a disgusting pig, and it saddens me that anyone could think that demeaning women in general could be appealing.
Let me explain myself. This is the story of two kids, a boy Shawn, and a girl Tara, that grew up together and while she's always been in love with him, he apparently doesn't feel the same way, or so he tries to pretend. It's the old "I love her but I'm not good enough for her, so I push her away" story.
Anyway to make his point clear, this guy f*cks any girl that crosses his path. Usually flaunting the girls in front of Tara. But that's not the problem, the problem is the way he treats women, he talks about and to women. There is not one iota of respect shown for women in general in the book. Let me just illustrate with some quotes:
“I didn’t realize I had to fuck a certain breed.” Yes, he refers to the female gender as "breeds".
“Every bitch’s legs spread the same way. The only thing I’m after is the end result. As long as the package is decently wrapped, why should I care what color her hair is?
"This is too easy. I could take her to one of the bathrooms and be done with her within minutes and onto the next chick..." How charming.
“Sweetheart, I fucked you. I fucked you outside of a nightclub at that. Now, I don’t fuck any pussy I don’t want to fuck, but understand this. I’ve never met a pussy I’d ever want to fuck twice.”
I could go on and on with quotes, but you get the idea. That's how this "H" refers and talks to and treats women. They're all "bitches", and nothing else. Now do you think he at least has some respect for the "h"? That would be NO. He talks to the h the same way.
“A fine ass bitch in short shorts and cowboy boots,”Shawn coos. “There is nothing sexier.”His voice goes flat. “They were a waste on your sister.” He's talking to the h's brother about the h.
He not only treats her like that, but he likes having her around so she can clean, cook and do his laundry.
"I’m never up this early, and by the time I do rise, everything is spick and span the way it should be, thanks to my clean freak roommate" ...
"She cleans and cooks— and does both well."... "The plus of having a neat-freak roommate, is that the house is always clean, too. Hell, I don’t remember the last time I made my bed or even washed my own clothes. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever done a load of laundry in my life."
"I’m going to have to make that up to her if I plan on eating decent food tomorrow night." Yes, he's talking about the h.
I'm not a hard core feminist, but I can't help but cringe at this. This are this guy's views on women. They're good for a good f*ck, and to clean and cook, but not for a relationship. Nice.
About the h. She's your typical doormat. She's so in love with the jerk, that she doesn't care about all the women he f*cks, and not only that but she throws herself at him every chance she gets.
She humiliates herself and has no dignity whatsoever, which leads me to think: Is this what we as women aspire to? To be treated like garbage, only because the guy is "so hot" and we love him? After all, he's a bad boy and we love that cliche, right? I hope not. At least not like this one. Again, I don't mind a bad boy, as long as he's not a chauvinistic pig, that demeans women.
Now let's move on to the part where we read about romanticized promiscuity. In this book everything revolves around sex. Meaningless sex. We get to read about the H's "escapades" with countless women, including a threesome with his best friend and OW, written in excruciatingly crude detail (and of course the way they refer to this girl is nauseating). We get to read about the h having sex regularly with some other guy, and later on saying she also had oral sex with the H's best friend, and just in general every character just having sex indiscriminately. How romantic, to read about the H/h having sex with multiple people on a regular basis. Like they can't control themselves and they just have to do it. Call me crazy, but I have the idea that sex should mean something. Here, sex is cheapened and demeaned. Maybe I'm getting old or I'm old fashioned. IDK. This isn't supposed to be a dark erotica book. It's marketed as YA for crying out loud. That's my problem. Or one of them.
I honestly just read until the end because I wanted to give an opinion based on the whole book and not only the 18% when I wanted to quit.
IMO, this book is just an example of an author using every trick in the book (no pun intended) to shock the readers creating situations that are way OTT dramatic. Every dramatic event you can think of is included in this plot, as a way to add angst and manipulate the readers emotions. Honestly I'm tired of these tricks. It's like they can't create a solid plot with strong characters and rely on that and good writing.
Every cliche is used and magnified in this book, just to draw attention and add drama.
Needless to say, I'll never read a book by this author ever again.
September 11, 2023
I think this author is allergic to writing likable main characters...
also this heroine is fucking pathetic.
HE DONT WANT YOU, GIRL!
Literally, what is wrong with her...?
Chasing after the hero like a dirty shoelace... God, have some self respect!
Also what is it with this author making her heroine call every female characters squanks/whores/bitches...
It is unbecoming and makes the heroine EXTREMELY unlikable.
Also, i am not kidding. This heroine finds out her brother is dead, and the first thing on her mind is getting fucked by the hero...
Like is this girl okay?
also this heroine is fucking pathetic.
HE DONT WANT YOU, GIRL!
Literally, what is wrong with her...?
Chasing after the hero like a dirty shoelace... God, have some self respect!
Also what is it with this author making her heroine call every female characters squanks/whores/bitches...
It is unbecoming and makes the heroine EXTREMELY unlikable.
Also, i am not kidding. This heroine finds out her brother is dead, and the first thing on her mind is getting fucked by the hero...
Like is this girl okay?
November 16, 2015
4.5 stars!****
It might have started off a bit slowly but in this case I was glad. It allowed me to really get to know characters, learn their quirks and find out who they really are and what they feel.
Taralynn and Shawn have known each other since they were five and that's the moment Tara fell in love with him. Shawn not so much.
Fiveteen years later and Tara is still in love with him while Shawn bangs everything that moves. After a while it becames clear that he also has feelings for her but for some unknown reasons he refuses to ever be with her.
And Tara seems to sense it. She knows that there's nothing she can do to make him want to be with her. But when a tragedy falls upon Tara, Shawn is the one to help her. Shawn helps her to get through it. Not only mentally, but also physically.
I really enjoyed reading this one. It was my first book by N.E. Henderson and it won't be my last. Her writing was captivating and even when the plot wasn't really moving forward I wasn't bored. It kept me interested the whole time (unfortunatelly for me, because I should have been studying, not reading).
Characters were likeable - most of them. Tara's mother was bitch and she got what she deserved in the end. Tara's BFF Matt should have been slaped. He didn't act like a best friend should, not even in the end. And that pisses me off. Maybe if he'll have his own book I'll find out why he was behaving like a chickenshit.
Both Tara and Shawn undergo a character development. Shawn more that Tara but still. Both of them became more mature and more honest. They also learned to let things go and be the better person.
There was everything I expect of a good book. It made me laught, it made me cry, it made me crave what Tara and Shawn had..
*ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
It might have started off a bit slowly but in this case I was glad. It allowed me to really get to know characters, learn their quirks and find out who they really are and what they feel.
Taralynn and Shawn have known each other since they were five and that's the moment Tara fell in love with him. Shawn not so much.
Fiveteen years later and Tara is still in love with him while Shawn bangs everything that moves. After a while it becames clear that he also has feelings for her but for some unknown reasons he refuses to ever be with her.
And Tara seems to sense it. She knows that there's nothing she can do to make him want to be with her. But when a tragedy falls upon Tara, Shawn is the one to help her. Shawn helps her to get through it. Not only mentally, but also physically.
I really enjoyed reading this one. It was my first book by N.E. Henderson and it won't be my last. Her writing was captivating and even when the plot wasn't really moving forward I wasn't bored. It kept me interested the whole time (unfortunatelly for me, because I should have been studying, not reading).
Characters were likeable - most of them. Tara's mother was bitch and she got what she deserved in the end. Tara's BFF Matt should have been slaped. He didn't act like a best friend should, not even in the end. And that pisses me off. Maybe if he'll have his own book I'll find out why he was behaving like a chickenshit.
Both Tara and Shawn undergo a character development. Shawn more that Tara but still. Both of them became more mature and more honest. They also learned to let things go and be the better person.
There was everything I expect of a good book. It made me laught, it made me cry, it made me crave what Tara and Shawn had..
*ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
September 29, 2015
Shawn Braden and Taralynn Evans have known each other practically all their lives, yet as long as they have known each other, there has never been a ‘them’. And not because of Taralynn, but because of Shawn.
Shawn feel likes he's incapable of having a relationship with any woman, let alone Taralynn, so he does it the easy way—random hookups, and no, he doesn't do repeats either. One thing is for sure, though… He's never loved anyone but Taralynn
Taralynn's life has been anything but perfect. She does what she is asked by her mother, yet feels likes she's suffocating being someone she's not. If only Shawn would see how much she loves him and accept her, it would make her life easier…
There is a lot of drama involved with Shawn refusing to give in to his own happiness due to his fear of failing, and Taralynn professing her love for him with no avail. At times, it felt like too much back and forth with Shawn's jealousy when it came down to Taralynn deciding to move on from him; she wanted to be happy and she knew it wasn't going to happen with him, because he’d made it very clear he would not be going down that road with her. They were supposed to be college age, but it felt like high school drama and, despite enjoying the story, that occasionally irked me. I was really wanting Taralynn to move on and be happy for once in her life!
Secrets are brought to the front, feelings are revealed and hearts are broken. The love and patience of each one is tested. Can they survive their past? Will they be able to let go of it and give the future a try? You need to one-click and see what becomes of their story! ~ Kara, 4 stars
Shawn feel likes he's incapable of having a relationship with any woman, let alone Taralynn, so he does it the easy way—random hookups, and no, he doesn't do repeats either. One thing is for sure, though… He's never loved anyone but Taralynn
Taralynn's life has been anything but perfect. She does what she is asked by her mother, yet feels likes she's suffocating being someone she's not. If only Shawn would see how much she loves him and accept her, it would make her life easier…
There is a lot of drama involved with Shawn refusing to give in to his own happiness due to his fear of failing, and Taralynn professing her love for him with no avail. At times, it felt like too much back and forth with Shawn's jealousy when it came down to Taralynn deciding to move on from him; she wanted to be happy and she knew it wasn't going to happen with him, because he’d made it very clear he would not be going down that road with her. They were supposed to be college age, but it felt like high school drama and, despite enjoying the story, that occasionally irked me. I was really wanting Taralynn to move on and be happy for once in her life!
Secrets are brought to the front, feelings are revealed and hearts are broken. The love and patience of each one is tested. Can they survive their past? Will they be able to let go of it and give the future a try? You need to one-click and see what becomes of their story! ~ Kara, 4 stars
October 15, 2015
Okay, this book really grabbed my attention from the beginning and I enjoyed it, but it also really confused me.
I understood that Shawn felt he wasn't good enough for Taralynn, but I kinda agreed for most of the book. I get it, he was an alpha male, but always referring to every woman as "bitch" really started to get on my nerves after a little, bit. I just didn't feel like he was likeable and I love tough guys, but I guess I need a guy that can be tough, but has an actual soft side.
Also, the main character Tara, didn't curse and Shawn thought she was little miss perfect, but she slept around with a guy she didn't like. I'm not one that needs the main characters only to be with each other, I actually find it refreshing when they aren't together the entire book and there are other people to complicate things. It was just a total contradiction and it confused me. (Also, using cute little words in place of actual cuss words really irritates me.)
I really did enjoy the idea of the book. A girl living with three guy roommates and showing all of their lives is fun, but I just didn't like the main characters.
Also, some of it felt a little over the top and corny.
**I was gifted with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review**
I understood that Shawn felt he wasn't good enough for Taralynn, but I kinda agreed for most of the book. I get it, he was an alpha male, but always referring to every woman as "bitch" really started to get on my nerves after a little, bit. I just didn't feel like he was likeable and I love tough guys, but I guess I need a guy that can be tough, but has an actual soft side.
Also, the main character Tara, didn't curse and Shawn thought she was little miss perfect, but she slept around with a guy she didn't like. I'm not one that needs the main characters only to be with each other, I actually find it refreshing when they aren't together the entire book and there are other people to complicate things. It was just a total contradiction and it confused me. (Also, using cute little words in place of actual cuss words really irritates me.)
I really did enjoy the idea of the book. A girl living with three guy roommates and showing all of their lives is fun, but I just didn't like the main characters.
Also, some of it felt a little over the top and corny.
**I was gifted with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
no-way-jose
August 25, 2018When you see the title one even thinks it's a nice, intriguing. suspenseful romance. LOL. I almost got tricked. But thanks to this review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... I found out how wrong I was.
Want to read
January 13, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/13/2018)! 💝
Blurb:
Happy ever after seems so easy for some. But not for us. We’re locked somewhere between love and hate.
Ink, sex, and lies—that's me. I'm the guy who screws a girl against the wall and then walks. I've been pushing Tara away for years, knowing she’s too good for me, even though it burns to see her with other guys. Now she’s the one walking and I’m not sure I can handle losing her.
Then tragedy rips our lives apart, and I realize too late that I wasted my chance.
Love is stronger than lies . . . or is it?
You'll cry, you'll sigh and you'll squirm in your seat—get your copy of More Than Lies today!
Blurb:
Happy ever after seems so easy for some. But not for us. We’re locked somewhere between love and hate.
Ink, sex, and lies—that's me. I'm the guy who screws a girl against the wall and then walks. I've been pushing Tara away for years, knowing she’s too good for me, even though it burns to see her with other guys. Now she’s the one walking and I’m not sure I can handle losing her.
Then tragedy rips our lives apart, and I realize too late that I wasted my chance.
Love is stronger than lies . . . or is it?
You'll cry, you'll sigh and you'll squirm in your seat—get your copy of More Than Lies today!
nope
August 25, 2018Nope because: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 11, 2015
3 stars
*ARC kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
When I've started reading this story I was so excited about it! The story was beautiful and I was sure that it was a 5 star book! But then started the problems.....The plot was not well thought. There were events taking place that were creating an anticipation for me for what it could come out of them and then nothing! No explanation, no what happened next, no why....For example the relationship of Matt with Amanda...There was nothing about her and her behavior. No explanation why she was so awful to Tara, no explanation of why Matt was staying with her although she was so terrible person, nothing. Then in the end that she did something terrible, nothing was explained! Also the event with Derrick....was it planned? Was that his intentions? No explanation, no what happened next.
The characters of the book also confused me. Tara was from one hand shy and didn't use curse words but on the other hand she was hooking up with Jared! I don't get it! Then something terrible happened in her life and it felt like she got over it really fast. There was no mourning period, confusion, something to show us how seriously the event effected her! Then she had a fight with Shawn and she goes to Mason and there is mentioned of them having done something together in the past when few chapters ago Tara explained very clearly that there will never be a possibility of them.
Shawn had feelings for her for ages, and when he finally had her, he blew it up! Again there was no explanation why he was thinking so low of himself nothing! Just that he wasn't for her!
And then the end of the book! So, the epilogue was there and I'm crazy about epilogues. I love to know what happens next! This time, in the epilogue, happened something really confusing and the end just left me empty! No feeling of happiness or feeling of completion! Only relief that finally the book was over.
My point: The book felt like it was in pieces written and not like a full story! The story was good if the plot was better thought and there was a continuation in the events taking place.
*ARC kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
When I've started reading this story I was so excited about it! The story was beautiful and I was sure that it was a 5 star book! But then started the problems.....The plot was not well thought. There were events taking place that were creating an anticipation for me for what it could come out of them and then nothing! No explanation, no what happened next, no why....For example the relationship of Matt with Amanda...There was nothing about her and her behavior. No explanation why she was so awful to Tara, no explanation of why Matt was staying with her although she was so terrible person, nothing. Then in the end that she did something terrible, nothing was explained! Also the event with Derrick....was it planned? Was that his intentions? No explanation, no what happened next.
The characters of the book also confused me. Tara was from one hand shy and didn't use curse words but on the other hand she was hooking up with Jared! I don't get it! Then something terrible happened in her life and it felt like she got over it really fast. There was no mourning period, confusion, something to show us how seriously the event effected her! Then she had a fight with Shawn and she goes to Mason and there is mentioned of them having done something together in the past when few chapters ago Tara explained very clearly that there will never be a possibility of them.
Shawn had feelings for her for ages, and when he finally had her, he blew it up! Again there was no explanation why he was thinking so low of himself nothing! Just that he wasn't for her!
And then the end of the book! So, the epilogue was there and I'm crazy about epilogues. I love to know what happens next! This time, in the epilogue, happened something really confusing and the end just left me empty! No feeling of happiness or feeling of completion! Only relief that finally the book was over.
My point: The book felt like it was in pieces written and not like a full story! The story was good if the plot was better thought and there was a continuation in the events taking place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2024
2.5 ⭐️ but I'm not rounding up bc I'm irritated. 🙄
So, I'll preface this by saying that if you don't mind an emotionally immature MMC, feel free to enjoy this book. The writing wasn't bad. It was the whole story I didn't enjoy.
If you are looking for MMC that has more emotional intelligence than a 16-year-old boy (They are about 21ish years old in this book), go ahead and skip this one.
Why on Earth did he push her away and screw anything with a -A cup or smaller, do you ask?
Because he didn't think he deserved her. 🙄
That's it. No other reason. No family drama, past drama, nothing.
So instead, he gets with girls in front of her, knowing full well her feelings for him, and pushes her away every chance he gets. Yet, he lives with her (and other roommates) and later tells how much he has cared for her all these years?
Yeah, I'm not buying it. 😒 😤 Waste of time reading this one.
So, I'll preface this by saying that if you don't mind an emotionally immature MMC, feel free to enjoy this book. The writing wasn't bad. It was the whole story I didn't enjoy.
If you are looking for MMC that has more emotional intelligence than a 16-year-old boy (They are about 21ish years old in this book), go ahead and skip this one.
Why on Earth did he push her away and screw anything with a -A cup or smaller, do you ask?
Because he didn't think he deserved her. 🙄
That's it. No other reason. No family drama, past drama, nothing.
So instead, he gets with girls in front of her, knowing full well her feelings for him, and pushes her away every chance he gets. Yet, he lives with her (and other roommates) and later tells how much he has cared for her all these years?
Yeah, I'm not buying it. 😒 😤 Waste of time reading this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2022
4✨
This could have been a 5 star read tbh but the author spent way too much time romanticizing the “party life” of how much these people drank. Literally everyday they were drunk off their ass. Multiple times they were drunk driving then saying “I know I shouldn’t have been driving in those conditions but I wasn’t in the right mind” .. why put that in the book, drunk driving completely ruins the character.
I read quite a few reviews from people who got arcs talking about how they don’t understand how the girl is meant to be so innocent but is casually sleeping with someone. So I’m not sure if either the book has been edited since the arcs, or if every single person who got an arc missed the part where she talks about her goodie personality is just a fake front to please her psychotic mother and make her lawyer father look good?
I liked their relationship, like it was a good book. It hit the feels for their own again off again love/hate relationship, but the male MC could have been less of an asshole. There was no reason to have him talk about women like that THAT MUCH. Like prob 8 diff times I had to read about how women are just there to spread their legs and there are a million better ways to portray a man as an alpha than acting like misogynist.
In addition to that, Matt was a repulsive character. The whole situation where she almost got date raped made it seem like he had a part in that, 100%. He should’ve got his ass kicked and removed from the house and book over that entire situation but no the author kept him a roommate and close friend? NAHHHH.
anyway, smut was good, bc I know that’s what some of y’all need to know to read a book.
This could have been a 5 star read tbh but the author spent way too much time romanticizing the “party life” of how much these people drank. Literally everyday they were drunk off their ass. Multiple times they were drunk driving then saying “I know I shouldn’t have been driving in those conditions but I wasn’t in the right mind” .. why put that in the book, drunk driving completely ruins the character.
I read quite a few reviews from people who got arcs talking about how they don’t understand how the girl is meant to be so innocent but is casually sleeping with someone. So I’m not sure if either the book has been edited since the arcs, or if every single person who got an arc missed the part where she talks about her goodie personality is just a fake front to please her psychotic mother and make her lawyer father look good?
I liked their relationship, like it was a good book. It hit the feels for their own again off again love/hate relationship, but the male MC could have been less of an asshole. There was no reason to have him talk about women like that THAT MUCH. Like prob 8 diff times I had to read about how women are just there to spread their legs and there are a million better ways to portray a man as an alpha than acting like misogynist.
In addition to that, Matt was a repulsive character. The whole situation where she almost got date raped made it seem like he had a part in that, 100%. He should’ve got his ass kicked and removed from the house and book over that entire situation but no the author kept him a roommate and close friend? NAHHHH.
anyway, smut was good, bc I know that’s what some of y’all need to know to read a book.
October 30, 2015
Besides the super hot scenes what I enjoyed most about Shawn and Taralynn's story is the complexity and imperfection of their feelings. This is not a clean and clear cut story. The characters are flawed and better for it. I really really enjoyed it and the fact that it shoots off intense sparks makes it all the better.
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review**
September 19, 2015
Let me start this by saying that is always amazing to discover a new author. NE Henderson has other books out there, but this is the first time I'm reading one of her books. It won't be the last
More Than Lies is a 'friends-to-lovers' story. A pretty funny, I-want-slap-your-face-sometimes, rollercoaster of emotions, Not drama free, love story. And yes, you might want to check it out
So we have Taralynn and Shawn. They know we each other since they were five-years-old. Their big brothers ( Trent and Shane ) are best friends and Taralynn spent a lot of time at Shawn's home. I liked that we got some glimpses ( flashbacks ) of their childhood. Makes the reader understand and connect with the characters deeper.
Now as adults Tara and Shawn are roommates and it seems like they can't find their happiness. Tara wants Shawn and Shawn. . . Bad boy, sexy as sin, hot as hell Shawn doesn't think he is enough for Tara. So what happens between these two? Yes, you guessed it. We have an Impasse. An ugly and big one.
There are a few errors here and there and in some chapters what Shawn or Tara are saying feels repetitive,, but not annoying. Overall is a good story
I won't spoil the story for you. I suggest you give it a try and meet Tara and Shawn. There's a good mix of everything here. You will laugh, cry and probably want to throw your kindle or iPad at them ( Tara and Shawn ) for being so hard headed.
ARC copy
More Than Lies is a 'friends-to-lovers' story. A pretty funny, I-want-slap-your-face-sometimes, rollercoaster of emotions, Not drama free, love story. And yes, you might want to check it out
So we have Taralynn and Shawn. They know we each other since they were five-years-old. Their big brothers ( Trent and Shane ) are best friends and Taralynn spent a lot of time at Shawn's home. I liked that we got some glimpses ( flashbacks ) of their childhood. Makes the reader understand and connect with the characters deeper.
Now as adults Tara and Shawn are roommates and it seems like they can't find their happiness. Tara wants Shawn and Shawn. . . Bad boy, sexy as sin, hot as hell Shawn doesn't think he is enough for Tara. So what happens between these two? Yes, you guessed it. We have an Impasse. An ugly and big one.
There are a few errors here and there and in some chapters what Shawn or Tara are saying feels repetitive,, but not annoying. Overall is a good story
I won't spoil the story for you. I suggest you give it a try and meet Tara and Shawn. There's a good mix of everything here. You will laugh, cry and probably want to throw your kindle or iPad at them ( Tara and Shawn ) for being so hard headed.
ARC copy
January 24, 2018
I didn’t like these characters at all.
All the H and h did was have sex with other people (very explicit scene involving a threesome with some random chick, the H, and the H’s friend), and get absolute sloshed every single night. They even drive drunk on multiple occasions. What kind of message is this author trying to send?!
And when the H and h do get together it’s after a horrible tragedy so the sex scene felt sooo misplaced.
There are loads of ridiculous drama that just made this whole world feel effed up.
- meaningless sex
- catty girls putting the h in harms way because of jealousy
- date rape drugs
- driving accidents resulting in death on TWO separate occasions!
- self-esteem issues all around which the h and H drown in alcohol and meaningless sex
This story is a train wreck and I wasn’t even happy for them at the end of the book. They all need therapy.
All the H and h did was have sex with other people (very explicit scene involving a threesome with some random chick, the H, and the H’s friend), and get absolute sloshed every single night. They even drive drunk on multiple occasions. What kind of message is this author trying to send?!
And when the H and h do get together it’s after a horrible tragedy so the sex scene felt sooo misplaced.
There are loads of ridiculous drama that just made this whole world feel effed up.
- meaningless sex
- catty girls putting the h in harms way because of jealousy
- date rape drugs
- driving accidents resulting in death on TWO separate occasions!
- self-esteem issues all around which the h and H drown in alcohol and meaningless sex
This story is a train wreck and I wasn’t even happy for them at the end of the book. They all need therapy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
May 1, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (5/1/2019)! 🎁
March 20, 2021
This is one of those books that frustrate you to no end! Where you want to literally reach into the book and shake the characters.
So yeah, Tara and Shawn gave me whiplash and I wanted to shake some sense into both of them, but mostly Shawn.
There is angst, drama and even though everything was so frustrating, I kept reading because I thoroughly enjoyed this angst fest! I just loved it.
We get a lot of steam too and it's very emotional. I do think the characters grew over the course of the story so that is always a huge plus! I want to read more form this author.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Stars
So yeah, Tara and Shawn gave me whiplash and I wanted to shake some sense into both of them, but mostly Shawn.
There is angst, drama and even though everything was so frustrating, I kept reading because I thoroughly enjoyed this angst fest! I just loved it.
We get a lot of steam too and it's very emotional. I do think the characters grew over the course of the story so that is always a huge plus! I want to read more form this author.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Stars
November 2, 2015
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
You can see more of my reviews at Carlene Inspired.
Taralynn has done everything her parents ever expected from her, but it's never been enough. She doesn't look like her mom wants her to, date who she should, or pretty much do anything like her mother thinks she should. It seems like no matter what she does, she's not good enough. Fortunately, she has a group of amazing guy friends who she wouldn't trade for the world, an amazing relationship with her brother, and a strong sense of independence that keeps her driven. Among her friends is Shawn, the one guy she's harbored feelings for as long as she's known him.
Shawn doesn't do relationships, he's the ultimate alpha male; he takes girls homes, he tattoos for a living, and he parties hard. Shawn likes sex with different women whenever he can, he likes the control, but somethings changed recently and he's giving more attention to Taralynn, the girl he knows he can't have. After years of easy friendship and being roommates, he's fighting against his want for her knowing he won't ever be good enough for her. Tragedy strikes though and Shawn finds himself doing whatever it takes to make Taralynn happy again.
This is quite a book, it took me a few days to get through it, because there is so much going on. There is angst, romance, smut, family drama, and so much yelling! I liked the character of Tara a lot, even though she was quite a conundrum of a character. She apparently screams innocent, but let me tell you, that girl is not innocent. She has a lot going on in her life, a heck of a lot is thrown at her, and you watch her grow through the entire book. Shawn, on the other hand, was probably my favorite POV to read from. I felt like he was the one character who really knew himself and overcame a lot of his own personal problems and habits to get to a better place. The two many characters have a lot between them and I enjoyed reading from both POV's. The storyline of this book has a lot going on, so the use of two POVs allows the reader to really get a feel for the situation, especially when you've got characters in two different locations dealing with the same problem. Getting into Shawn and Tara's heads made me really like this book a whole lot. There are definitely some smut scenes and I personally liked them, because it gave me more insight to who each character is, especially when I looked at who they were with.
There is a lot of drama in this book, a lot more than you'd expect for the number of pages. There was a lot more going on than my mind could keep up with, but I admit it kept me turning the pages. The family scenes didn't bring enough to the book for me, so some of the twists that happened due to each family really confused me. Plus, the minor characters weren't defined, some of the things they did made no sense, so the turmoil within friendship made for some plot line discrepancies. I love a good friendship turned love book, but I couldn't handle that every good moment was smashed by a bad one. The twists are huge, many completely out of left field, so my mind was left reeling after some scenes. There are major time jumps, over a year is completed within the book, with some chapters taking place right after each other and some jumping a few months. This left me feeling disjointed and like I had missed something.
More Than Lies was a good, dramatic (and smutty) read. I liked the storyline, minus some of the twists, and I enjoyed how long it kept me hooked. I hope that N.E. Henderson plans to give us more of the minor character's stories, because I am definitely interested where Tara's best friends end up, especially after the epilogue.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
You can see more of my reviews at Carlene Inspired.
Taralynn has done everything her parents ever expected from her, but it's never been enough. She doesn't look like her mom wants her to, date who she should, or pretty much do anything like her mother thinks she should. It seems like no matter what she does, she's not good enough. Fortunately, she has a group of amazing guy friends who she wouldn't trade for the world, an amazing relationship with her brother, and a strong sense of independence that keeps her driven. Among her friends is Shawn, the one guy she's harbored feelings for as long as she's known him.
Shawn doesn't do relationships, he's the ultimate alpha male; he takes girls homes, he tattoos for a living, and he parties hard. Shawn likes sex with different women whenever he can, he likes the control, but somethings changed recently and he's giving more attention to Taralynn, the girl he knows he can't have. After years of easy friendship and being roommates, he's fighting against his want for her knowing he won't ever be good enough for her. Tragedy strikes though and Shawn finds himself doing whatever it takes to make Taralynn happy again.
This is quite a book, it took me a few days to get through it, because there is so much going on. There is angst, romance, smut, family drama, and so much yelling! I liked the character of Tara a lot, even though she was quite a conundrum of a character. She apparently screams innocent, but let me tell you, that girl is not innocent. She has a lot going on in her life, a heck of a lot is thrown at her, and you watch her grow through the entire book. Shawn, on the other hand, was probably my favorite POV to read from. I felt like he was the one character who really knew himself and overcame a lot of his own personal problems and habits to get to a better place. The two many characters have a lot between them and I enjoyed reading from both POV's. The storyline of this book has a lot going on, so the use of two POVs allows the reader to really get a feel for the situation, especially when you've got characters in two different locations dealing with the same problem. Getting into Shawn and Tara's heads made me really like this book a whole lot. There are definitely some smut scenes and I personally liked them, because it gave me more insight to who each character is, especially when I looked at who they were with.
There is a lot of drama in this book, a lot more than you'd expect for the number of pages. There was a lot more going on than my mind could keep up with, but I admit it kept me turning the pages. The family scenes didn't bring enough to the book for me, so some of the twists that happened due to each family really confused me. Plus, the minor characters weren't defined, some of the things they did made no sense, so the turmoil within friendship made for some plot line discrepancies. I love a good friendship turned love book, but I couldn't handle that every good moment was smashed by a bad one. The twists are huge, many completely out of left field, so my mind was left reeling after some scenes. There are major time jumps, over a year is completed within the book, with some chapters taking place right after each other and some jumping a few months. This left me feeling disjointed and like I had missed something.
More Than Lies was a good, dramatic (and smutty) read. I liked the storyline, minus some of the twists, and I enjoyed how long it kept me hooked. I hope that N.E. Henderson plans to give us more of the minor character's stories, because I am definitely interested where Tara's best friends end up, especially after the epilogue.
October 2, 2015
Taralynn shares a house with her 3 best friends which happen to be guys. She's also in love with one of them. It just so happens that he treats her like dirt. Always putting her down and making her cry. But he's also very loyal to her.
Shawn does his best to stay out of the house when Taralynn is there. He's not good enough for her. Never has been and never will be. She deserves better than him and it's best if he stays away. But she's so damn beautiful.
There's a lot of the love-hate relationship from Taralynn and Shawn throughout this book. After a little while this gets kind of old. So many times I wanted to yell at them both to get their act together and just talk to each other for once. It could've been better if there was an event that actually kept the two of them apart. It's better than the reason they weren't together. The characters were what, 22-23 ish? And they only come together after a tragedy? And tragedy always brings these couples together. I guess I was hoping that there would be an adult moment between the two and actually talk their crap out.
I just think there could've been more to the story of Shawn and Taralynn. Why did we have to wait for a near miss tragedy to bring out Taralynn's secret? It wasn't even a secret because it was never hinted at in the book. Maybe the wicked mother might have been a sign, but really, how many hoity toity uptight wives of high profile men are not like Taralynn's mother in this book?
This book didn't hit the mark with me. It felt off. However, I do believe that this author has great potential with her writing and I will be looking for more of her work.
*ARC kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Shawn does his best to stay out of the house when Taralynn is there. He's not good enough for her. Never has been and never will be. She deserves better than him and it's best if he stays away. But she's so damn beautiful.
There's a lot of the love-hate relationship from Taralynn and Shawn throughout this book. After a little while this gets kind of old. So many times I wanted to yell at them both to get their act together and just talk to each other for once. It could've been better if there was an event that actually kept the two of them apart. It's better than the reason they weren't together. The characters were what, 22-23 ish? And they only come together after a tragedy? And tragedy always brings these couples together. I guess I was hoping that there would be an adult moment between the two and actually talk their crap out.
I just think there could've been more to the story of Shawn and Taralynn. Why did we have to wait for a near miss tragedy to bring out Taralynn's secret? It wasn't even a secret because it was never hinted at in the book. Maybe the wicked mother might have been a sign, but really, how many hoity toity uptight wives of high profile men are not like Taralynn's mother in this book?
This book didn't hit the mark with me. It felt off. However, I do believe that this author has great potential with her writing and I will be looking for more of her work.
*ARC kindly provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
September 27, 2015
Overall, I liked this one. The characters demonstrate growth through the book, it is a standalone (potential for other characters to have their own book), and it does not have a cliffie.
I think Shawn's resistance to a relationship with Tara (h) went on a little too long but it did provide quite a bit of angst and drama. There never is a question to the reader, to Shawn, or their friends that Tara is in love with Shawn. Their friends always remind him and advise Tara to move on or try to help bring them together. Shawn is resistant to start things with Tara until external forces create tension that elicit emotions and feelings he can no longer control. I would have preferred more internal growth from him as the impetus for a relationship.
In the beginning, Shawn is truly a player and has no regard at all for his pick-ups, etc. He has no interest in a relationship or a second time with anyone. I was not sure if I would ever believe in any feelings or relationship with Tara. However, his thoughts are always about her, so I did believe in them together at the end. There is sort of a mini-grovel after a moment of doubt on Shawn's part, but there is never a question that Tara would not take him back even though she thinks she will move on.
I do enjoy nasty or catty characters in books - this one had a couple of them - they added some interest with sub-plots.
There are still errors sprinkled throughout - (bare instead of bear, etc.)
I am still processing some of the plot points, so I could bump half a star. For now, 3 stars.
I think Shawn's resistance to a relationship with Tara (h) went on a little too long but it did provide quite a bit of angst and drama. There never is a question to the reader, to Shawn, or their friends that Tara is in love with Shawn. Their friends always remind him and advise Tara to move on or try to help bring them together. Shawn is resistant to start things with Tara until external forces create tension that elicit emotions and feelings he can no longer control. I would have preferred more internal growth from him as the impetus for a relationship.
In the beginning, Shawn is truly a player and has no regard at all for his pick-ups, etc. He has no interest in a relationship or a second time with anyone. I was not sure if I would ever believe in any feelings or relationship with Tara. However, his thoughts are always about her, so I did believe in them together at the end. There is sort of a mini-grovel after a moment of doubt on Shawn's part, but there is never a question that Tara would not take him back even though she thinks she will move on.
I do enjoy nasty or catty characters in books - this one had a couple of them - they added some interest with sub-plots.
There are still errors sprinkled throughout - (bare instead of bear, etc.)
I am still processing some of the plot points, so I could bump half a star. For now, 3 stars.
March 6, 2018
This was okay, but that's it I guess. It didn't really do much for me and there wasn't much new for me in it. I didn't like the language and all that talk about fucking and bitches.
Tara wasn't really someone I connected with on an emotional level. Even the first scene (where she was on a date with Preston) felt weird for me. I didn't like how she talked/ thought about him.
Especially, when thinking about the two main characters both being merely 21 (right?), this seems to be a bit much for me...
I don't really know how I finished this book, but I did. Maybe, because it somehow reminded me of After Passion (though it's been a while since I read it, so I could be wrong about some things). Hardin was also someone that would sleep with plenty of girls. He also had the "no-kisses" philosophy. And wasn't Tessa also a bit of a "bigger" girl? And she also had a bad relationship with her mother. And then of course the tattoos. But oh well. I must say I liked Tessa and Hardin more than Tara and Shawn. Also, unfortunately, I must say that the accident and everyone else's thoughts about it didn't cause me to feel sad. I was a bit taken aback, but I knew there had to be something to explain everything that happened. What I did like though was that Shawn finally came to his senses because of this! And that I got some clarity over Katherine's behaviour toward Tara.
Tara wasn't really someone I connected with on an emotional level. Even the first scene (where she was on a date with Preston) felt weird for me. I didn't like how she talked/ thought about him.
Especially, when thinking about the two main characters both being merely 21 (right?), this seems to be a bit much for me...
I don't really know how I finished this book, but I did. Maybe, because it somehow reminded me of After Passion (though it's been a while since I read it, so I could be wrong about some things). Hardin was also someone that would sleep with plenty of girls. He also had the "no-kisses" philosophy. And wasn't Tessa also a bit of a "bigger" girl? And she also had a bad relationship with her mother. And then of course the tattoos. But oh well. I must say I liked Tessa and Hardin more than Tara and Shawn. Also, unfortunately, I must say that the accident and everyone else's thoughts about it didn't cause me to feel sad. I was a bit taken aback, but I knew there had to be something to explain everything that happened. What I did like though was that Shawn finally came to his senses because of this! And that I got some clarity over Katherine's behaviour toward Tara.
September 25, 2015
Be prepared to be addicted to this one
This is one of those books where you don't want to stop reading. The story will engulf you and take you hostage. It will make you mad, sad, cry, happy, and any other emotion that it can and will draw out of you. If I didn't have to work, I would have read this straight through. There was a point in the book where I was so mad at NE Henderson that I wanted to know WHY? Why would you do that to me? Why would you rip MY heart out after everything that has happened? WHY? When you get to that point in the book you will understand what I mean. Believe me when I say, this is one book that you do NOT want to start to read at night.
Henderson, I may love your book but you are definitely on my naughty list for the roller coaster ride you took my heart on.
This is one of those books where you don't want to stop reading. The story will engulf you and take you hostage. It will make you mad, sad, cry, happy, and any other emotion that it can and will draw out of you. If I didn't have to work, I would have read this straight through. There was a point in the book where I was so mad at NE Henderson that I wanted to know WHY? Why would you do that to me? Why would you rip MY heart out after everything that has happened? WHY? When you get to that point in the book you will understand what I mean. Believe me when I say, this is one book that you do NOT want to start to read at night.
Henderson, I may love your book but you are definitely on my naughty list for the roller coaster ride you took my heart on.
September 30, 2015
I received this for an honest review.. I have to say I fell in love with this book just like I did her other two books.. This book is a total standalone and a just a wonderful all around read..
The minute I started this book I was pulled straight into this story. I loved the relationship between Shawn and Taralynn.. This book gave me all the feels. I felt myself rooting for this couple and their story-line is absolute hot and all consuming.. This book definitely put my emotions to the test. I cried and laughed. This is one of those books that once you pick it up you do not want to put it down!!
Such an awesome read!! Thank You N.E Henderson for sharing this story... Just a wonderful book..
The minute I started this book I was pulled straight into this story. I loved the relationship between Shawn and Taralynn.. This book gave me all the feels. I felt myself rooting for this couple and their story-line is absolute hot and all consuming.. This book definitely put my emotions to the test. I cried and laughed. This is one of those books that once you pick it up you do not want to put it down!!
Such an awesome read!! Thank You N.E Henderson for sharing this story... Just a wonderful book..
January 9, 2016
Ok so I like a book with angst and I love the build up before the main characters actually get together but in this case I thought it went on for to long.
Tara needed a slap for making her feelings so obvious to Shawn - play a little hard to get woman! - and Shawn's reasoning for holding back from Tara was annoying.
It was good and there wasn't anything in particular wrong with it, it just didn't grab me, it felt a bit emotionally stunted.
Tara needed a slap for making her feelings so obvious to Shawn - play a little hard to get woman! - and Shawn's reasoning for holding back from Tara was annoying.
It was good and there wasn't anything in particular wrong with it, it just didn't grab me, it felt a bit emotionally stunted.
March 30, 2018
Two words for this misogynistic, stupid, angsty story.
January 14, 2018
I really liked this book, and all the feels I got from it. The main characters had depth and developed well and I’m so happy with them by the end. In the beginning there’s some wow sexual scenes that are hot but didn’t have any heart. Don’t get me wrong, that was the point! The dual POV was perfect for this story, especially for the reader to connect with them. The steamy stuff didn’t end there and did evolve. Seriously So HOT. What’s more is I can’t deny that my heart grew with them. I definitely felt a lot and shedded a few tears. Heart break can be for many different reasons and this book hits more than one.
The issue I had was a good round of beta readers could have improved this book bring it to a 5. There’s a few times the tags are missing or are wrong. On that I’d say this book was a 3star. The other thing is I felt parts from the story were unresolved, more do to secondary characters. Her best friend was no best friend I’d want and we never find out what his deal was. Then there’s a character that makes a fast appearance but a big impact yet there’s no follow up on the jerk.
Over all I really enjoyed these characters and this story, so I’m giving it 4 stars.
The issue I had was a good round of beta readers could have improved this book bring it to a 5. There’s a few times the tags are missing or are wrong. On that I’d say this book was a 3star. The other thing is I felt parts from the story were unresolved, more do to secondary characters. Her best friend was no best friend I’d want and we never find out what his deal was. Then there’s a character that makes a fast appearance but a big impact yet there’s no follow up on the jerk.
Over all I really enjoyed these characters and this story, so I’m giving it 4 stars.
December 21, 2022
Enemies to lovers with some amazing spice!!
I listened to this on audiobook and OMG it was amazing the narrators are amazing. I loved this book i loved how these two were so drawn together from day one tara lynn never kept her feelings a secrete and she knew what she wanted. This read made me laugh cry and swoon in emotions. If you want a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat and with a happy ending then you are going to love this!
I listened to this on audiobook and OMG it was amazing the narrators are amazing. I loved this book i loved how these two were so drawn together from day one tara lynn never kept her feelings a secrete and she knew what she wanted. This read made me laugh cry and swoon in emotions. If you want a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat and with a happy ending then you are going to love this!
January 7, 2025
Freaking love it, Period!
September 21, 2015
*** I Love Story Time was gifted an ARC in exchange of an honest review ***
4 Stars!!
There are so many characters throughout this story that I loved! What I loved the most were the friendships between them all. My favorite is the relationship that Taralyn had with her brother, Trent. Trent was the best brother a girl could have. The playfulness that he had with her was really cute. There were two times in the story that totally made me fall in love with Trent. The first one was in the prologue when they were little and Trent and Shane were going to go play and Shane tells him to leave Tara with Shawn, Shane's little brother. But Trent tells him.
“Naw, dude, Taralynn comes with me. You want me to go down to the creek, she comes too.”
I know it probably doesn't seem like a big deal, but I loved it! Most brothers wouldn't want to hang out with their little sister, but Trent wouldn't go anywhere without her. The second time he stole my heart was when Trent explained to Tara how he felt about her while growing up..
“When they brought you home, you were the coolest thing I ever saw. Any opportunity I got, I’d feed you and it was fun because you never threw up on me like you did everyone else. And I could talk to you for hours. Did you know, my name was the first real word out of your mouth? You have no idea how neat that was.”
Yup...that part was the exact moment that my heart made a spot just for him. I just loved the brother/sister relationship they had.
I had so many mixed emotions when it came to Taralyn and the person she was going to be with. I did like Shawn. Man...he is seriously one hot alpaha male! He's hard, but he also had his loving moments that make you swoon. There was something about Jared that had me wishing that Taralyn would give him the shot he always wanted with her. My heart broke for him when he would tell her how much he loved her and how good they could be together.
This story had a little of everything in it. It has angst, love, hate, and some serious hotness to it! It was a great all around story, and I am really looking forward to reading Shane's story next.
~Juls
4 Stars!!
There are so many characters throughout this story that I loved! What I loved the most were the friendships between them all. My favorite is the relationship that Taralyn had with her brother, Trent. Trent was the best brother a girl could have. The playfulness that he had with her was really cute. There were two times in the story that totally made me fall in love with Trent. The first one was in the prologue when they were little and Trent and Shane were going to go play and Shane tells him to leave Tara with Shawn, Shane's little brother. But Trent tells him.
“Naw, dude, Taralynn comes with me. You want me to go down to the creek, she comes too.”
I know it probably doesn't seem like a big deal, but I loved it! Most brothers wouldn't want to hang out with their little sister, but Trent wouldn't go anywhere without her. The second time he stole my heart was when Trent explained to Tara how he felt about her while growing up..
“When they brought you home, you were the coolest thing I ever saw. Any opportunity I got, I’d feed you and it was fun because you never threw up on me like you did everyone else. And I could talk to you for hours. Did you know, my name was the first real word out of your mouth? You have no idea how neat that was.”
Yup...that part was the exact moment that my heart made a spot just for him. I just loved the brother/sister relationship they had.
I had so many mixed emotions when it came to Taralyn and the person she was going to be with. I did like Shawn. Man...he is seriously one hot alpaha male! He's hard, but he also had his loving moments that make you swoon. There was something about Jared that had me wishing that Taralyn would give him the shot he always wanted with her. My heart broke for him when he would tell her how much he loved her and how good they could be together.
This story had a little of everything in it. It has angst, love, hate, and some serious hotness to it! It was a great all around story, and I am really looking forward to reading Shane's story next.
~Juls
March 19, 2016
I honestly don't even know where to begin with this review. First let me say that I LOVE NE Henderson and I know that there isn't one thing she puts out that I will not love. Her books in general always make me feel like I put my heart in a blender and it gets chewed up into tiny pieces. Every single book...Seriously, she has that ability to really make you feel every single thing the characters do good, bad, ugly, happy, sad, you name it you will probably feel it.
Ok, now onto this book....Shawn and Taralynn have known each other practically their whole lives. Their brothers are best friends so in turn they are friends. Taralynn wants much more than just friends with Shawn, but he just won't give in and making her feel like he doesn't want her as anything more than a friend. However, Shawn does want Taralynn he just doesn't think he is good enough for her. STOP RIGHT THERE....this is where I wanted to strangle him. Like reach into the book and strangle him. I really loved Shawn from the get go although there were many points I wanted to not just strangle him, but throttle him as well. This book had me hot one minute, mad the next, and bawling my eyes out next. Ms. Henderson has a way of pulling you in and holding on so tight. I truly felt like I didn't breathe until the very end. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I recommend this book and any book this author publishes. She is one of my MUST READS!!! A copy was gifted in exchange for an honest review. I rate this book 5++ AMAZEBALLS stars!!!
Review by Tabitha
Ok, now onto this book....Shawn and Taralynn have known each other practically their whole lives. Their brothers are best friends so in turn they are friends. Taralynn wants much more than just friends with Shawn, but he just won't give in and making her feel like he doesn't want her as anything more than a friend. However, Shawn does want Taralynn he just doesn't think he is good enough for her. STOP RIGHT THERE....this is where I wanted to strangle him. Like reach into the book and strangle him. I really loved Shawn from the get go although there were many points I wanted to not just strangle him, but throttle him as well. This book had me hot one minute, mad the next, and bawling my eyes out next. Ms. Henderson has a way of pulling you in and holding on so tight. I truly felt like I didn't breathe until the very end. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I recommend this book and any book this author publishes. She is one of my MUST READS!!! A copy was gifted in exchange for an honest review. I rate this book 5++ AMAZEBALLS stars!!!
Review by Tabitha
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