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Beautifully Damaged #2
Beautifully Forgotten
Successful restaurateur Lucien Black’s blue-green eyes and unattainable attitude drive women wild. But his abandonment issues and criminal past have left him emotionally closed off. When a familiar face shows up for a job interview at his nightclub, the ache he has tried to forget tears at his heart—it’s the girl who once healed him… and then abandoned him.
Darcy MacBride still remembers Lucien’s delicate touch when they were both wildly in love teenagers. His gorgeous eyes had soothed her hurt after she’d been dumped off at the orphanage where Lucien lived. Darcy felt his jagged edges fit perfectly into her own, and she’d planned to spend the rest of her life with him—until a mysterious man warned her away. Now, fourteen years later, she’s ready to endure the torture of Lucien’s indifference and having him as her boss…just to be near him. But when it seems that they might finally take up where they left off, a devastating secret buried in their past threatens to tear them apart again.
L.A. Fiore’s story of smoldering love recaptures the tormented romance of Beautifully Damaged.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2014
590 people are currently reading
4094 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Fiore
31 books2,765 followersA top 11 Amazon Bestselling author, LA Fiore, wife, mom, identical twin, hybrid author, and extraterrestrial, is a fan of the fermented grape and a dabbler in storytelling. She believes in a happily ever after, but she likes to make her readers work for it. When she's not writing, she can usually be found in the garden or hanging on the deck with her family and friends. She lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and their four fur babies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews
January 14, 2019
***1.5 Stars***
This book was an ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS SOAP OPERA!
Here's some of the stuff you're going to get here:
Mystery of who kept the MC's apart
Tons of flashbacks
Multiple POVs (I think my final count was 7)
Secrets
Scheming politicians
Secret family members
Jealousy
Miscommunication
Money Laundering
Embazzlement
Gambling
A Catholic orphanage
Good nun/bad nun
An attic full of secrets
Long lost love letters
Verbally abusive parent
Alcoholic parent
Secret affairs
Italian mobsters
Drug trafficking
Drug use
Parental Abandonment
Arranged marriage
Secondary characters cheating
Blackmail
Present day murder
Cold case murder
Surprise pregnancies
Suprise family members
Hidden pregnancy
Kidnapping
Fake death
Marriage proposal
Coma
Brain hemorrhage
Near death
Just....
It's like the author took every type of plot and plot device she knows, threw it in a pot and stirred.
This is the book equivalent of a junk drawer. Don't know what to do with something...just throw it in the junk drawer.
As if the 742 storylines weren't difficult enough, the writing style also didn't work for me. I'm a big fan of contractions. Authors, please use them. Otherwise, your writing sounds too formal. I don't need a bunch of I am, I will, You are, It is....who speaks like that?
And the transitions from scene to scene or showing the passage of time was so awkward. I had no idea where I was half the time.
Also, Lucien and Darcy go from pretending to not know each other, to acknowledging their past, to not talking about it, to dancing around the topic, to hashing things out without ever actually talking about that infamous day and having a real conversation. In fact, there isn't a single real (from beginning to end) conversation in this entire book.
Anything that could have been an actual conflict was resolved with ease. Major revelations were told or guessed so matter of factly. No emotion. No buildup. Just blandly blurted out.
It would appear that this author thinks that 742 storylines and plot devices is what constitutes as conflict. In order to understand what the hell is going on here I needed some sort of a flow chart and a powerpoint presentation given by a CIA agent specializing in forensics. Oh...and someone from ancestory.com
Did I mention there's a million points of view? And that sometimes the point of view changes mid-paragraph? Insert all the confusion, eye rolling and cringing.
Also, there's no difference in voice between the present scenes and flashbacks. And I'm sorry, but teenagers don't speak so formally. At times 14 year old Darcy sounded like a Jane Austen character.
And there are A LOT of flashbacks in the first half of this book.
And don't even get me started on the misogyny here. Or the fact that there's a scene where the author throws the word "rape" around carelessly.
And the plot discrepencies. Let's not forget those. Because the age of some of these secret family members don't add up.
Oh, and I have ZERO idea what the timeframe of this book is. Did this whole thing last weeks? Months? Years?
And the ending? Smothered in cheese and "oh crap I need to wrap up some stuff" ridiculousness.
Okay, I need to stop because I'm just ranting at this point because I don't really know how to review this book.
In a nutshell, if you plan on reading this...
August 16, 2014
Fourteen years ago Lucien’s heart was broken by a girl. The girl that was supposed to meet him under a tree, but that girl never showed and his heart never healed. Abandoned by his mother to the orphanage, Lucien meets the girl that will forever hold his heart when she arrives there years later. But the few years he had with Darcy in their youth all ended when he ventured out into the world at eighteen.
Now a successful business owner, Lucien recognizes the name of the woman interviewing for the job. It’s Darcy. As much as he can’t forgive her for failing to leave with him, he wants to see her even more.
Darcy thought she was making the right decision fourteen years ago when she didn’t show up to meet Lucien. She hoped that by leaving him, he’d be able to make something of himself – and he had. But her heart never stopped loving the boy she met all those years ago. As they both battle to forgive, they begin to uncover pieces to the puzzle of their pasts as they discover that the choice was never truly theirs. Someone else had a hand in all of their decisions. Now, fourteen years later they have a chance to right the wrongs of the past – but can they both forgive one another for the things that were outside of their control?
The first half of this story was hard to get through. It felt like work, not relaxing and I nearly put it down. Beyond encouragement from fellow readers who urged me to continue, my memory of how intense the ending of the first book was, kept me moving forward. I understand that Lucien & Darcy’s past played a major role in this story... but the constant flashbacks at the start of this book kept me from forming a connection to the characters for the longest time. There would be a few glimpses of who they were – what they were feeling and then you’re thrown back into the past... what little feelings had started to bubble up in those scenes were instantly lost. As the story progressed, those flashbacks occurred less which allowed more of the current story to develop. And just like with Beautifully Damaged, the suspense was turned up and the story went from mild to full-fledged intense within moments.
Once I got over the initial hurdle things dramatically improved for me. Lucien and Darcy weren’t just two people given a second chance at love. Their entire lives had been held in the hands of others – their choices torn from them and for fourteen years they suffered for it. Then there is Ember and Trace. We get so much of their involvement in this story that I felt like this wasn’t only Lucien’s story but an epilogue of sorts for those two.
I was concerned that with the changes to BD’s story that I’d have to go back and read the updated version to make sense of this, but with the help of the authors little cheat sheet on her website, I was able to jump right back into the story. As I read this, all the pieces of the prior book fell back into place. If you read BD prior to the story changes I do recommend that you check out her site to get the basics down.
L.A. Fiore has a talent for mixing up romance and suspense. But not in a way that it is at all obvious. As your mind becomes lost in the romance elements of the story she sneaks in with the suspense and before you know it, you’re shifting gears from falling in love to solving a mystery. In her prior book, I remember feeling like the book was chopped in half – one part romance the other suspense. However, with Beautifully Forgotten, this transition was seamless and snuck up on you completely. Seeing the growth not only of the writing but of the story telling was a fantastic experience.
Even though I started this read not having high hopes, the author completely turned that around by the halfway point. From wanting to put it down, to not being able to look away – the shift was unexpected and I am so glad that I didn’t give up.
This story sets its own pace, there is no instant this or that. After all, these characters fell in love fourteen years ago... There is a slow burn to the quality of the story that I couldn’t properly appreciate until I saw the big picture.
ARC received on behalf of Montlake Romance via NetGallery.
June 11, 2016
2 stars
Um.. nope. This book, I just didn't enjoy it the way I was hoping to. Lucien was such an amazing character in the last book, and all this book felt to me was a big big mess.
Lucien Black has had a rough childhood after being abandoned by his family in an orphanage, where he comes to love a 14 year old girl Darcy, when he turns 16. After making plans to run away together, Lucien waits for Darcy but she never comes, and leaves a fake note for him to find. Enraged and hurt, Lucien leaves makes a life for himself when 14 years later the same girl comes back again.
I have to believe that Darcy loved Lucien, but I just didn't feel it. Things were happening so easily in the book that it just did not feel real to me. Like when they go hunting for the man responsible for separating them, it was like they simply walked up to the suspects, they paled and started answering.
WHERE IS THE CONFLICT! GAAAH!
Like seriously, the ease at which the events of the book took place, I am seriously surprised that it took them 14 years to find anything.
Plus, we are treated with a 3rd person view of the characters this time, so it's basically a clusterfuck of events that happen at an unprecedented rate. If it wasn't for Ember's pregnancy, I would have never known that it took them 5 months to find what they actually did.
Too many storylines at once, and sadly the author failed to deliver it to it's potential. I would have loved to see a little more of Darcy and Lucien, and their time with Brandon as they all adjust to their new lifestyle instead of the cop-out happily ever after ending.
Um.. nope. This book, I just didn't enjoy it the way I was hoping to. Lucien was such an amazing character in the last book, and all this book felt to me was a big big mess.
Lucien Black has had a rough childhood after being abandoned by his family in an orphanage, where he comes to love a 14 year old girl Darcy, when he turns 16. After making plans to run away together, Lucien waits for Darcy but she never comes, and leaves a fake note for him to find. Enraged and hurt, Lucien leaves makes a life for himself when 14 years later the same girl comes back again.
I have to believe that Darcy loved Lucien, but I just didn't feel it. Things were happening so easily in the book that it just did not feel real to me. Like when they go hunting for the man responsible for separating them, it was like they simply walked up to the suspects, they paled and started answering.
WHERE IS THE CONFLICT! GAAAH!
Like seriously, the ease at which the events of the book took place, I am seriously surprised that it took them 14 years to find anything.
Plus, we are treated with a 3rd person view of the characters this time, so it's basically a clusterfuck of events that happen at an unprecedented rate. If it wasn't for Ember's pregnancy, I would have never known that it took them 5 months to find what they actually did.
Too many storylines at once, and sadly the author failed to deliver it to it's potential. I would have loved to see a little more of Darcy and Lucien, and their time with Brandon as they all adjust to their new lifestyle instead of the cop-out happily ever after ending.
November 24, 2016
"We belong together, you and I, we always have"
This is the story of Darcy & Lucien in which they struggle to reacquaint years later after their separation as teens. There's a lot more going on in here than just them rekindling and finding out the questions to why, where ect. but then I was not expecting Trace and Ember's "drama" I mean story to continue here.
but there were connections to both stories. I actually enjoyed the suspense, mystery and twists! It kept me going. Loved it!!
This is the story of Darcy & Lucien in which they struggle to reacquaint years later after their separation as teens. There's a lot more going on in here than just them rekindling and finding out the questions to why, where ect. but then I was not expecting Trace and Ember's "drama" I mean story to continue here.
but there were connections to both stories. I actually enjoyed the suspense, mystery and twists! It kept me going. Loved it!!
July 29, 2014
I have been a fan of L.A Fiore’s ever since I read Beautifully Damaged. When I learned that there was going to be another book in follow-up, I shook my little ass in a happy dance and pumped my fists in the air in excitement. I absolutely adored Beautifully Damaged and couldn’t wait to get my hands on Beautifully Forgotten. This book picks up shortly after BD finishes - you could probably muddle your way through it without reading the first one, however I don’t recommend that. To truly appreciate this story, you need to hear it from the beginning ;)
Lucien Black. We first meet him in Beautifully Damaged - he’s one of those characters that ust has that something that draws you in. His charm, his extreme sexiness, his caveman tendencies...I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is about him, but I do know that I was hooked. Lucien didn’t have the greatest start to life. Abandoned at an orphanage at the tender age of 2, the shame and worthlessness he feels threatens to pull him down into the darkness, but underneath it all lies a strong determination to rise above and choose a new path for himself. A path of success. His beacon through all of it is Sister Anne, she is his champion, the Mother he never had. I loved the relationship between them. Sister Anne played a huge role in making him into the man he grew up to be. His love for her was unconditional and unwavering. It brought me to tears more than once! All Lucien focuses on during his time at the orphanage is the day he will turn 18 and will finally have a chance to take the reins and start living life the way he’s always dreamed. Until one day, someone new arrives. A fourteen year-old girl..
Darcy MacBride wasn’t perfect. She made mistakes, she made bad judgement calls. The biggest mistake of all was not following her heart all those years ago at the orphanage. When she first locked eyes with Lucien, he stole her heart. For two years, they were each other’s salvation, their light at the end of the tunnel. Young love is a precious thing and it steered them both through the toughest time of their lives. When their plans to be together once Lucien turns 18 are cruelly ripped away from them….nothing is ever the same.
14 years pass without a word spoken between them. Each has suffered through their own hardships, and as much as they try to deny it - they have never forgotten one another or the love they once shared. Lucien has kept true to his word and is now a successful restaurateur, he’s wealthy and to the blind eye - he has everything he ask for. Except for the one thing he lost. When Darcy suddenly reappears, interested in a job in his business - he is shocked. And furious. Their reconnections triggers a spiral of events, and secrets from the past 14 years begin to spill all around them.
What I loved about this book is that the characters from the first book were just as much a part of Beautifully Forgotten as Lucien and Darcy were. Trace and Ember hold a special piece of my heart and it was fantastic to see them and be a part of their lives again. I do have to say, this book alternates through multiple POV’s. While I do enjoy that, I did find it at times difficult to know whose POV we had jumped to. Names at the start of the chapter would help with this - I do realize I have an ARC copy of this book and its possible this has been resolved. Its only mentioned to warn you to read the first few sentences of the chapters carefully so that you know who is speaking in that chapter ;)
Lucien and Darcy are on a path of re-discovery with each other. The more time they spend together, the more they come to see that they want to get back what they once had. Unfortunately, the same forces that pushed them apart want nothing more than to make sure things stay that way. Permanently. L.A. Fiore spins a tale of deceit and betrayal that spans generations. Each one is more complicated than the next and packed with more shock value than I knew how to handle. I was almost excitedly afraid to turn to page and learn what more wicked sins she had in store for me.
Beautifully Forgotten lived up to all my expectations, to me - it will remain beautifully remembered as one of my fave reads this year.
✰✰ 4 Deliciously Wicked Stars ✰✰
xo Cassia
deliciouslywickedbooks.com
Lucien Black. We first meet him in Beautifully Damaged - he’s one of those characters that ust has that something that draws you in. His charm, his extreme sexiness, his caveman tendencies...I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is about him, but I do know that I was hooked. Lucien didn’t have the greatest start to life. Abandoned at an orphanage at the tender age of 2, the shame and worthlessness he feels threatens to pull him down into the darkness, but underneath it all lies a strong determination to rise above and choose a new path for himself. A path of success. His beacon through all of it is Sister Anne, she is his champion, the Mother he never had. I loved the relationship between them. Sister Anne played a huge role in making him into the man he grew up to be. His love for her was unconditional and unwavering. It brought me to tears more than once! All Lucien focuses on during his time at the orphanage is the day he will turn 18 and will finally have a chance to take the reins and start living life the way he’s always dreamed. Until one day, someone new arrives. A fourteen year-old girl..
Darcy MacBride wasn’t perfect. She made mistakes, she made bad judgement calls. The biggest mistake of all was not following her heart all those years ago at the orphanage. When she first locked eyes with Lucien, he stole her heart. For two years, they were each other’s salvation, their light at the end of the tunnel. Young love is a precious thing and it steered them both through the toughest time of their lives. When their plans to be together once Lucien turns 18 are cruelly ripped away from them….nothing is ever the same.
14 years pass without a word spoken between them. Each has suffered through their own hardships, and as much as they try to deny it - they have never forgotten one another or the love they once shared. Lucien has kept true to his word and is now a successful restaurateur, he’s wealthy and to the blind eye - he has everything he ask for. Except for the one thing he lost. When Darcy suddenly reappears, interested in a job in his business - he is shocked. And furious. Their reconnections triggers a spiral of events, and secrets from the past 14 years begin to spill all around them.
What I loved about this book is that the characters from the first book were just as much a part of Beautifully Forgotten as Lucien and Darcy were. Trace and Ember hold a special piece of my heart and it was fantastic to see them and be a part of their lives again. I do have to say, this book alternates through multiple POV’s. While I do enjoy that, I did find it at times difficult to know whose POV we had jumped to. Names at the start of the chapter would help with this - I do realize I have an ARC copy of this book and its possible this has been resolved. Its only mentioned to warn you to read the first few sentences of the chapters carefully so that you know who is speaking in that chapter ;)
Lucien and Darcy are on a path of re-discovery with each other. The more time they spend together, the more they come to see that they want to get back what they once had. Unfortunately, the same forces that pushed them apart want nothing more than to make sure things stay that way. Permanently. L.A. Fiore spins a tale of deceit and betrayal that spans generations. Each one is more complicated than the next and packed with more shock value than I knew how to handle. I was almost excitedly afraid to turn to page and learn what more wicked sins she had in store for me.
Beautifully Forgotten lived up to all my expectations, to me - it will remain beautifully remembered as one of my fave reads this year.
✰✰ 4 Deliciously Wicked Stars ✰✰
xo Cassia
deliciouslywickedbooks.com
October 4, 2015
It had been so long since I'd read 'Beautifully Damaged', that I probably should have re-read it before starting this book. I had forgotten many of the details from book 1, but eventually I was able to piece it together. However, I would have read it again beforehand if I'd known how closely the characters and events are entwined.
Trace and Ember continue to play prominent roles in 'Beautifully Forgotten', which was great. Still living their HEA, their relationship is going strong. The next chapter in their story was seamlessly integrated into the story of Lucien and Darcy. Having the two love stories meshed together made the transition between the books seem more natural in contrast to the abrupt change that is typical in many other series that go on to focus on the stories of supporting characters in earlier books, making a clean cut with the previous characters with little more than a comment in passing.
Lucien, who was also introduced in book 1, has spent years feeling betrayed when his first love, Darcy, did not meet him to run away together as they had planned. Instead, she chose to return to her abusive mother, leaving the orphanage they lived in, and Lucien, far behind her. Since that time, he's gone on to become a wealthy businessman, albeit with a sketchy past.
Darcy, has always regretted her decision to walk away from Lucien years ago. When she is hired by the man whose heart she shattered, her feelings begin to rise to the surface again. She never quit loving him, but knows that she lost her chance at happiness with Lucien.
In no time, their unresolved feelings and longing for one another create a working relationship thick with sexual tension. When they finally start down the road to reconciliation, their secrets are revealed, testing their dedication once again.
This story was great! Looking for passion? Check! Suspense? Check! Danger? Check! Appealing characters? Check! This story had me completely engrossed. If you enjoyed book 1, you must read this one!
Trace and Ember continue to play prominent roles in 'Beautifully Forgotten', which was great. Still living their HEA, their relationship is going strong. The next chapter in their story was seamlessly integrated into the story of Lucien and Darcy. Having the two love stories meshed together made the transition between the books seem more natural in contrast to the abrupt change that is typical in many other series that go on to focus on the stories of supporting characters in earlier books, making a clean cut with the previous characters with little more than a comment in passing.
Lucien, who was also introduced in book 1, has spent years feeling betrayed when his first love, Darcy, did not meet him to run away together as they had planned. Instead, she chose to return to her abusive mother, leaving the orphanage they lived in, and Lucien, far behind her. Since that time, he's gone on to become a wealthy businessman, albeit with a sketchy past.
Darcy, has always regretted her decision to walk away from Lucien years ago. When she is hired by the man whose heart she shattered, her feelings begin to rise to the surface again. She never quit loving him, but knows that she lost her chance at happiness with Lucien.
In no time, their unresolved feelings and longing for one another create a working relationship thick with sexual tension. When they finally start down the road to reconciliation, their secrets are revealed, testing their dedication once again.
This story was great! Looking for passion? Check! Suspense? Check! Danger? Check! Appealing characters? Check! This story had me completely engrossed. If you enjoyed book 1, you must read this one!
September 10, 2018
«— A veces parece que no hay nada, como cuando mi madre me golpea o cuando solía tener que esconderme en el sótano de nuestro edificio de apartamentos, para que los amigos de mi madre no vinieran a por mí cuando lo estaban haciendo con ella. Pero entonces, de vez en cuando, veo una mariposa elevarse en el cielo. La idea de ser yo, de ser libre, me hace sonreír. »
ARGUMENTO:
Lucien Black pasó la mayor parte de su vida en un orfanato. Creyó que nunca encontraría de verdad el amor y la familia hasta que Darcy entró allí. Ella era todo lo que podía ver, la amaba e imaginaba un futuro con ella. Pero el día en que decidió marcharse y que ella fuese con él, no apareció. Y el corazón adolescente de Lucien fue pisoteado hasta que no quedaba nada.
Ahora, años después, Darcy aparece en la puerta de Lucien para un entrevista de trabajo y lo único que llena a Lucien es el rencor hacia Darcy... o eso creía él. Con un pasado lleno de secretos por parte de Darcy, los enredos vuelven a tejerse de fondo en esta historia.
En serio que esta autora se come mucho la cabeza. ¿Sabéis a que me recuerdan sus libros? A las telenovelas. Con el mítico esquema de: la Tía de la prima del novio de la vecina de tu madre se ha liado con la hija del sobrino del nieto del primo de tu abuelo. Vamos, que llegó un punto que se empezaron a meter tantos personajes secundarios, tantos nombres y tantas historias que me planteé sacar papel y boli y hacerme un croquis porque me estaba perdiendo. Eso, y que además el libro cuenta dos historias a la vez: la de Darcy y Lucien y continúa con la de los personajes del primer libro, Trace y Ember. Me volví un poco loca.
Me gusta la historia, me tuvo enganchada, eso no lo puedo negar, pero creo que tanto se quiso hacer que se montó un lío de cuidado y te quedas mareada intentando ponerte al día. Sí, solté un par de lagrimitas, incluso cuando había cosas que eran tan obvias que adivinabas desde el principio. Pero bueno seré yo que estoy muy sensiblona.
En resumen, una historia que engancha, te mantiene hasta la última página pero demasiado enredada y quizá un poco pesada. Cada dos líneas había una escena de sexo, creo que quedó muy cargado en este sentido. Por lo demás ha estado bien, sin más.
ARGUMENTO:
Lucien Black pasó la mayor parte de su vida en un orfanato. Creyó que nunca encontraría de verdad el amor y la familia hasta que Darcy entró allí. Ella era todo lo que podía ver, la amaba e imaginaba un futuro con ella. Pero el día en que decidió marcharse y que ella fuese con él, no apareció. Y el corazón adolescente de Lucien fue pisoteado hasta que no quedaba nada.
Ahora, años después, Darcy aparece en la puerta de Lucien para un entrevista de trabajo y lo único que llena a Lucien es el rencor hacia Darcy... o eso creía él. Con un pasado lleno de secretos por parte de Darcy, los enredos vuelven a tejerse de fondo en esta historia.
En serio que esta autora se come mucho la cabeza. ¿Sabéis a que me recuerdan sus libros? A las telenovelas. Con el mítico esquema de: la Tía de la prima del novio de la vecina de tu madre se ha liado con la hija del sobrino del nieto del primo de tu abuelo. Vamos, que llegó un punto que se empezaron a meter tantos personajes secundarios, tantos nombres y tantas historias que me planteé sacar papel y boli y hacerme un croquis porque me estaba perdiendo. Eso, y que además el libro cuenta dos historias a la vez: la de Darcy y Lucien y continúa con la de los personajes del primer libro, Trace y Ember. Me volví un poco loca.
Me gusta la historia, me tuvo enganchada, eso no lo puedo negar, pero creo que tanto se quiso hacer que se montó un lío de cuidado y te quedas mareada intentando ponerte al día. Sí, solté un par de lagrimitas, incluso cuando había cosas que eran tan obvias que adivinabas desde el principio. Pero bueno seré yo que estoy muy sensiblona.
En resumen, una historia que engancha, te mantiene hasta la última página pero demasiado enredada y quizá un poco pesada. Cada dos líneas había una escena de sexo, creo que quedó muy cargado en este sentido. Por lo demás ha estado bien, sin más.
February 9, 2017
1 star - DNF 69%
I was excited to read this novel because I looooove the 1st book... but I was so wrong to think that....
I skipped here and there.. I didn't like the present-past-present thing going on, it was written in a very boring manner.
I like Trace & Ember's story, but would have been better if their story ended in book 1, mixing the main characters from book 1 & 2 is just... arghh...
I have no interest in them anymore, they're not the focus of the story so why give them their limelight? Should have made a continuation of their story but separate from Lauren's story.
I was excited to read this novel because I looooove the 1st book... but I was so wrong to think that....
I skipped here and there.. I didn't like the present-past-present thing going on, it was written in a very boring manner.
I like Trace & Ember's story, but would have been better if their story ended in book 1, mixing the main characters from book 1 & 2 is just... arghh...
I have no interest in them anymore, they're not the focus of the story so why give them their limelight? Should have made a continuation of their story but separate from Lauren's story.
August 1, 2014
IMO this wasn't near as good as the 1st.
First off - this book should have been broken into 2-3 books and then more told to make their stories stronger.
There was SO MUCH going on and it all happened SO fast that I don't feel like the characters got as much attention as they needed. There were so many characters in this book it was confusing.
I did like the Trace and Ember story. But again, I felt this should have been a totally separate book.
I also liked Lucian and Darcy's story, but again, AGAIN, I felt that not enough time and detail was really given to them because of all the other crap going on.
So I guess I would recommend this, but only after book 1 is read. And just be prepared to REALLY pay attention to everything you read or you'll get lost easily.
First off - this book should have been broken into 2-3 books and then more told to make their stories stronger.
There was SO MUCH going on and it all happened SO fast that I don't feel like the characters got as much attention as they needed. There were so many characters in this book it was confusing.
I did like the Trace and Ember story. But again, I felt this should have been a totally separate book.
I also liked Lucian and Darcy's story, but again, AGAIN, I felt that not enough time and detail was really given to them because of all the other crap going on.
So I guess I would recommend this, but only after book 1 is read. And just be prepared to REALLY pay attention to everything you read or you'll get lost easily.
July 30, 2014
3.5
I've been hoping for almost 2 years there would be a second book. So I was so excited when I learned Beautifully Forgotten was going to be released. I liked this but I think what stopped me from loving it was the fact that I got hung up to many times trying to keep up with who was who. I should have reread Beautifully Damaged to get all the characters straight but Im not sure that would of mattered since so many new ones were introduced in this story. There was just an abundance of characters and I found it to be a little confusing and hard to keep track of who all was who. Other than that, I did enjoy it.
I've been hoping for almost 2 years there would be a second book. So I was so excited when I learned Beautifully Forgotten was going to be released. I liked this but I think what stopped me from loving it was the fact that I got hung up to many times trying to keep up with who was who. I should have reread Beautifully Damaged to get all the characters straight but Im not sure that would of mattered since so many new ones were introduced in this story. There was just an abundance of characters and I found it to be a little confusing and hard to keep track of who all was who. Other than that, I did enjoy it.
February 1, 2017
4 Stars
I loved this story BUT there were parts of it like the push and pull that hmmmm, just didn't work for me. Usually that can heat up a relationship BUT for me...I just felt like it hindered them getting re-cinnected. I LOVED getting more of race and Ember....OMG Trace is just still shhhhhh, he is so freaking alpha.
Sorry, I digress, ok I truly did enjoy this story. There was a lot going on besides just the "romance" portion and it actually took away, again, the re-connection for me.
I am definitely a fan of this author and will keep reading this series:)
I loved this story BUT there were parts of it like the push and pull that hmmmm, just didn't work for me. Usually that can heat up a relationship BUT for me...I just felt like it hindered them getting re-cinnected. I LOVED getting more of race and Ember....OMG Trace is just still shhhhhh, he is so freaking alpha.
Sorry, I digress, ok I truly did enjoy this story. There was a lot going on besides just the "romance" portion and it actually took away, again, the re-connection for me.
I am definitely a fan of this author and will keep reading this series:)
August 5, 2014
I'm sorry but I did NOT care for this book. I hated the way she combined Lucian/darcy & trace/embers story. Also all the flashbacks and the switiching to Dane's story. It was just way to much for me. I didn't like all the twists and drama. I expected more :( Sooo disappointed.
Want to read
March 27, 2014Holy sh#t, it's Lucien's story!! I've been waiting for it for FOREVER!! Too bad September is so far away! :'(
July 29, 2014
Beautifully Forgotten is the second book in L.A. Fiore’s Beautifully Damaged series. While the heart of the story is about Lucien Black and Darcy MacBride struggling to find their way back to each other after 14 years of separation, there are multiple storylines involved with differing perspectives that ultimately combine to expose a bigger plot at play - one that includes them all in varying capacities.
Lucien Black has spent his life feeling forgotten. When he was a baby, he was left to live in an orphanage. While there, one of the nuns, Sister Anne, did everything in her power to make Lucien feel loved and wanted, but when, Darcy, the only girl who has every owned his heart abandons him right when they’re about to start a life together, his world spirals downward, and the choices he makes thereafter sends him down a less than desirable path but one that ultimately provides him with a more than comfortable life where he can help those who need it. Lucien’s professional life is exactly where he wants it to be, but his personal life is at a standstill – that is until Darcy, his caterpillar, walks back into his life, seeking a job at one of his businesses.
Darcy MacBride’s life after Lucien has been filled with pain and profound regret. Ever since she made the decision to walk away from him, she’s felt utterly forgettable. Now, she has a chance to see what happened to the boy who owned every part of her, and while she’s excited to find out what he’s been up to, she knows that Lucien is no longer the boy who once loved her; he’s now the man who quite possibly feels nothing but hatred towards her.
At first, Lucien and Darcy’s reunion is filled with bitterness and hurt feelings, but as their walls begin to fall away, they remember the love that they shared and realize it never really left them. But is love enough to get past 14 years of separation, and with secrets still to be revealed, how can they truly invest in a future together? On top of that, there are people who have been working against them since they were together in the orphanage, and as the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall in place, the information that’s revealed changes more than just Lucien and Darcy’s lives.
Boy does L.A. Fiore know how to captivate her audience through her writing and character development! I’ll admit, at first, I didn’t understand the need for the changing perspectives. I thought the focus was going to be solely on Lucien and Darcy, and I was looking forward to understanding everything that drove them apart, so that they could be brought back together, but as I read further into the text, it all started to make sense, and each and every viewpoint is crucial in order to understand that there were so many actions and decisions made that resulted in a multitude of complications for more than just Lucien and Darcy.
Ember and Trace, the main characters from book 1, play pivotal roles in Beautifully Forgotten, which is another aspect of the story that I enjoyed. Readers get to see how strong their love still is and what they are willing to do for each other. Trace still struggles with his past, but Ember is there to remind him how far he’s come and that fighting to be together is way better than being alone.
Beautifully Forgotten is a story filled with suspense, drama, romance, and steam. Its complex storylines are all brought together at the end to reveal the factors that have been at play for the last fourteen years that have resulted in a plethora of pain and heartache for numerous people. Learning about Lucien and Darcy’s past only solidifies how lucky they are to have the opportunity to find their way back to each other. Nothing is easy for anyone in L.A. Fiore’s world, but that’s what makes overcoming each and every challenge that much more gratifying, and for Lucien and Darcy as well as Ember and Trace their future looks a whole lot better because of the risks they willingly took to feel whole again.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 poison apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
Lucien Black has spent his life feeling forgotten. When he was a baby, he was left to live in an orphanage. While there, one of the nuns, Sister Anne, did everything in her power to make Lucien feel loved and wanted, but when, Darcy, the only girl who has every owned his heart abandons him right when they’re about to start a life together, his world spirals downward, and the choices he makes thereafter sends him down a less than desirable path but one that ultimately provides him with a more than comfortable life where he can help those who need it. Lucien’s professional life is exactly where he wants it to be, but his personal life is at a standstill – that is until Darcy, his caterpillar, walks back into his life, seeking a job at one of his businesses.
Darcy MacBride’s life after Lucien has been filled with pain and profound regret. Ever since she made the decision to walk away from him, she’s felt utterly forgettable. Now, she has a chance to see what happened to the boy who owned every part of her, and while she’s excited to find out what he’s been up to, she knows that Lucien is no longer the boy who once loved her; he’s now the man who quite possibly feels nothing but hatred towards her.
At first, Lucien and Darcy’s reunion is filled with bitterness and hurt feelings, but as their walls begin to fall away, they remember the love that they shared and realize it never really left them. But is love enough to get past 14 years of separation, and with secrets still to be revealed, how can they truly invest in a future together? On top of that, there are people who have been working against them since they were together in the orphanage, and as the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall in place, the information that’s revealed changes more than just Lucien and Darcy’s lives.
Boy does L.A. Fiore know how to captivate her audience through her writing and character development! I’ll admit, at first, I didn’t understand the need for the changing perspectives. I thought the focus was going to be solely on Lucien and Darcy, and I was looking forward to understanding everything that drove them apart, so that they could be brought back together, but as I read further into the text, it all started to make sense, and each and every viewpoint is crucial in order to understand that there were so many actions and decisions made that resulted in a multitude of complications for more than just Lucien and Darcy.
Ember and Trace, the main characters from book 1, play pivotal roles in Beautifully Forgotten, which is another aspect of the story that I enjoyed. Readers get to see how strong their love still is and what they are willing to do for each other. Trace still struggles with his past, but Ember is there to remind him how far he’s come and that fighting to be together is way better than being alone.
Beautifully Forgotten is a story filled with suspense, drama, romance, and steam. Its complex storylines are all brought together at the end to reveal the factors that have been at play for the last fourteen years that have resulted in a plethora of pain and heartache for numerous people. Learning about Lucien and Darcy’s past only solidifies how lucky they are to have the opportunity to find their way back to each other. Nothing is easy for anyone in L.A. Fiore’s world, but that’s what makes overcoming each and every challenge that much more gratifying, and for Lucien and Darcy as well as Ember and Trace their future looks a whole lot better because of the risks they willingly took to feel whole again.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 poison apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
August 5, 2014
I reread book 1 yesterday and just finished book 2 and Im left completely confused. There was so many discrepancies, it became so frustrating to read.
1. In book 1, Dane, Lena and Todd died. (Dane killed Lena and Todd and Dane was killed in prison) But in this book they are very live and well. And in addition Dane and Lena are helping Lucien and Trace.
2. Heidi in book 1 was apparently one of Trace's ex's who got mixed up with Dane and became one of his rape victims. She eventually redeemed herself by testifying in Dane's trial and apologize to Ember. When did she become a blackmailer?
3. Apparently Heidi was working with Dane in some of the blackmailing according to a very living Lena. which is so very different then the relationship in book 1.
4. In book 1 Lucien and Trace didn't seem to know each other personally but in book 2 they where friends way back when they where both in the orphanage along with Heidi. (none of this was apparent in book 1
5. Book 1 Lucien mentioned a fiancee that he was very in love with but had killed herself after Dane raped and beaten her but was never mentioned in book 2. As a matter of fact, according to Lucien, he only ever loved Darcy. So what happened to the fiancee?
6. Lucien finds out that he is Dane's 1/2 brother so he decided to have a relationship with him and invites him to his wedding. So the whole rape and beating the fiancee thing is all forgiven?
7. Todd was the one who murdered Heidi In book 2. But he is supposedly died in Book 1.
Im so confused. Is there 2 different versions of book 1?
1. In book 1, Dane, Lena and Todd died. (Dane killed Lena and Todd and Dane was killed in prison) But in this book they are very live and well. And in addition Dane and Lena are helping Lucien and Trace.
2. Heidi in book 1 was apparently one of Trace's ex's who got mixed up with Dane and became one of his rape victims. She eventually redeemed herself by testifying in Dane's trial and apologize to Ember. When did she become a blackmailer?
3. Apparently Heidi was working with Dane in some of the blackmailing according to a very living Lena. which is so very different then the relationship in book 1.
4. In book 1 Lucien and Trace didn't seem to know each other personally but in book 2 they where friends way back when they where both in the orphanage along with Heidi. (none of this was apparent in book 1
5. Book 1 Lucien mentioned a fiancee that he was very in love with but had killed herself after Dane raped and beaten her but was never mentioned in book 2. As a matter of fact, according to Lucien, he only ever loved Darcy. So what happened to the fiancee?
6. Lucien finds out that he is Dane's 1/2 brother so he decided to have a relationship with him and invites him to his wedding. So the whole rape and beating the fiancee thing is all forgiven?
7. Todd was the one who murdered Heidi In book 2. But he is supposedly died in Book 1.
Im so confused. Is there 2 different versions of book 1?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2015
After reading Beautifully Damaged what seems like ages ago, when I saw that there was a second book coming out, I was thrilled. Beautifully Damaged was such a wonderful read that I was automatically committed to checking this one out.
The general plot is Lucian Black, successful restaurateur who knew Darcy as a child in an orphanage reunites with her and gets a second chance to right the wrong that separated them long ago. He’s under the misconception that she broke her promise to him when they were teens to leave and start a life together. But it was meddling outside forces that stepped in and tore them apart.
I don’t know if it was the large time gap between books affecting my personal tastes drastically or not, but I had an extremely hard time sinking myself into this book. I had no clue who anybody was anymore, to be honest, there was just too many books read in-between to give me book amnesia. But after re-aquainting myself with the characters and history, I felt like the plot was somewhat all over the place and I had a difficult time not giving up on the book. I normally love second chance love stories, but there was a definite disconnect between me and both of the main characters. As much as I tried pushing myself, I never did get wrapped up in the story by the end.
The general plot is Lucian Black, successful restaurateur who knew Darcy as a child in an orphanage reunites with her and gets a second chance to right the wrong that separated them long ago. He’s under the misconception that she broke her promise to him when they were teens to leave and start a life together. But it was meddling outside forces that stepped in and tore them apart.
I don’t know if it was the large time gap between books affecting my personal tastes drastically or not, but I had an extremely hard time sinking myself into this book. I had no clue who anybody was anymore, to be honest, there was just too many books read in-between to give me book amnesia. But after re-aquainting myself with the characters and history, I felt like the plot was somewhat all over the place and I had a difficult time not giving up on the book. I normally love second chance love stories, but there was a definite disconnect between me and both of the main characters. As much as I tried pushing myself, I never did get wrapped up in the story by the end.
November 20, 2014
Good book, but not what I expected.
Lots of twists, but a lot were predictable for me. I was surprised a couple times, though.
I read Beautifully Damaged a long time ago, but I still remembered the main characters. The problem with this book was that I didn't remember the side characters anymore and more recap would've been nice.
The love story was sweet between Lucien and Darcy, but at times had a detached feeling and I wish it had been more exciting.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!
It was never really explained why everyone thought Brandon was sixteen when he was really thirteen/fourteen. That was confusing.
Lots of twists, but a lot were predictable for me. I was surprised a couple times, though.
I read Beautifully Damaged a long time ago, but I still remembered the main characters. The problem with this book was that I didn't remember the side characters anymore and more recap would've been nice.
The love story was sweet between Lucien and Darcy, but at times had a detached feeling and I wish it had been more exciting.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!
It was never really explained why everyone thought Brandon was sixteen when he was really thirteen/fourteen. That was confusing.
June 5, 2016
* A review copy was provided by the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *
Amazon Pre-Order link--->> Beautifully Forgotten (Beautifully Damaged series)
~~ 5+++ "Caterpillar" Stars ~~
Review to come on Release Day 7/29…. This book was MIND BLOWING!!!!!
FULL Review Now Posted ::
If you are looking for a book with intrigue, suspense, mystery, romance, sexy scenes and a whole lot of love….then this is the book for you!!!!
This book blew my mind!!! Beautifully Forgotten is the second book following Beautifully Damaged by L. A. Fiore. I absolutely LOVED Beautifully Damaged and was extremely excited to find out that there was going to be another book to this series. Let me tell you she didn't not disappoint….this book was beyond AMAZING (In my opinion) I thought the writing was fantastic and flawless. The author made me feel what all the characters were feeling, it was like I was sucked right into their world. I laughed with them, cried with them, blushed with them, and felt the unending love that they felt for each other. This book has many different POV's to it, and I have to say I loved that. It was great getting into everyones head and know what they were all thinking. I didn't find it to be confusing at all. She also told the story switching between past and present time. (This was in the first half of the book). I thought the transitions between the past and present were smooth and flowed well. The pace of the book was great…I had such a hard time putting this book down and I couldn't seem to read it fast enough. This book is definitely a page-turner!!!! This book is stocked full of mystery and suspense. Just when you think you have this book figured out, the author throws another loop into the mix. She kept me guessing all the way until the last page.
Even though this book is about another couple and some would say it was a stand alone…I really don't think it is. I would definitely recommend that you read Beautifully Damaged first because there is so much that is interconnected between the two books and the characters. The only thing I wish I would've done differently was, I wish I would've read the newer version of Book 1 because it would've refreshed my memory and also I would've seen the revision she had made to the story and some of the characters. It isn't required to read the newly revised version of book 1, it's just something I wished I would've done. You definitely won't get lost without the reread, the author fills in the blanks pretty well.
I don't plan on talking about the plot or storyline at all in this review, because anything I say would be a spoiler for either book 1 or this book. You really just need to read these books and meet all the characters. We do see all the characters from book 1 in this book. This book truly is a continuation of the story in book 1 but the focus was on Lucien and Darcy. We do see where Trace and Ember end up and how their story is wrapped up. But we also get to see Lucien and Darcy reconnect and watch their love continue to grow.
So if you are a fan of a great second chance love story, that has steam, suspense and mystery, that will keep you turning the page…..then you NEED to read this book!!!!
This book is 100% Book B!tch Approved!!!!! :)
For more reviews go to Book Bitches Blog
Amazon Pre-Order link--->> Beautifully Forgotten (Beautifully Damaged series)
~~ 5+++ "Caterpillar" Stars ~~
Review to come on Release Day 7/29…. This book was MIND BLOWING!!!!!
FULL Review Now Posted ::
If you are looking for a book with intrigue, suspense, mystery, romance, sexy scenes and a whole lot of love….then this is the book for you!!!!
This book blew my mind!!! Beautifully Forgotten is the second book following Beautifully Damaged by L. A. Fiore. I absolutely LOVED Beautifully Damaged and was extremely excited to find out that there was going to be another book to this series. Let me tell you she didn't not disappoint….this book was beyond AMAZING (In my opinion) I thought the writing was fantastic and flawless. The author made me feel what all the characters were feeling, it was like I was sucked right into their world. I laughed with them, cried with them, blushed with them, and felt the unending love that they felt for each other. This book has many different POV's to it, and I have to say I loved that. It was great getting into everyones head and know what they were all thinking. I didn't find it to be confusing at all. She also told the story switching between past and present time. (This was in the first half of the book). I thought the transitions between the past and present were smooth and flowed well. The pace of the book was great…I had such a hard time putting this book down and I couldn't seem to read it fast enough. This book is definitely a page-turner!!!! This book is stocked full of mystery and suspense. Just when you think you have this book figured out, the author throws another loop into the mix. She kept me guessing all the way until the last page.
Even though this book is about another couple and some would say it was a stand alone…I really don't think it is. I would definitely recommend that you read Beautifully Damaged first because there is so much that is interconnected between the two books and the characters. The only thing I wish I would've done differently was, I wish I would've read the newer version of Book 1 because it would've refreshed my memory and also I would've seen the revision she had made to the story and some of the characters. It isn't required to read the newly revised version of book 1, it's just something I wished I would've done. You definitely won't get lost without the reread, the author fills in the blanks pretty well.
I don't plan on talking about the plot or storyline at all in this review, because anything I say would be a spoiler for either book 1 or this book. You really just need to read these books and meet all the characters. We do see all the characters from book 1 in this book. This book truly is a continuation of the story in book 1 but the focus was on Lucien and Darcy. We do see where Trace and Ember end up and how their story is wrapped up. But we also get to see Lucien and Darcy reconnect and watch their love continue to grow.
So if you are a fan of a great second chance love story, that has steam, suspense and mystery, that will keep you turning the page…..then you NEED to read this book!!!!
This book is 100% Book B!tch Approved!!!!! :)
For more reviews go to Book Bitches Blog
October 19, 2014
~~3 HEARTS~~
When I started this book, I wasn’t too happy about the author’s note.
I wish I would have known this piece of information when I started reading Book 1 Beautifully Damaged because I think it got a little confusing to me trying to remember who was who and the character’s association.
I felt like this wasn’t a story centered around just Lucien & Darcy. It was jumping stories. You get to see Dane’s POV (which I didn’t think he deserved) but then again the readers of the Montlake Romance published version may think differently because Dane acts of violence isn’t as bad in that version. And this piece of information that was changed irked me because I couldn’t change the way I felt and saw him, so I felt really frustrated reading this book. But I think he redeemed himself a little. He wasn't such a jackass. You get Ember & Trace’s story too (which I didn’t mind), but it wasn’t as secondary characters which I think it should’ve since this was supposed to be Lucien & Darcy’s book. I was also hoping that the author would somehow work into the story Trent’s name change. If you didn’t read Beautifully Damaged you would think Kyle is a new character which he isn’t. This took me long to read than most book. Not because it was long but I think my feelings were so conflicted with the change. Some may think that it’s minor but to me I think it affected me alot.
August 11, 2014
DNF at 30%
I loved the first book, Beautifully Broken, and was super curious about Lucien's character so when I saw this had been released I was sooooo happy.
Then I saw the notice in the beginning about how Beautifully Damaged had a bunch of MAJOR plot changes after it was picked up by a publisher and no longer an indie book. This already started to kill my buzz, but I pushed forward....
And was sadly very disappointed with this, especially when I loved the first book so much and rarely have a DNF (I'm a bit OCD about finishing books).
Problems:
* The multiple POVs (though I usually like these) gave more reading time to characters I really didn't care about and made it confusing.
* Too much of Trace and Ember. They already had their own book and anything more than cameos is just distracting from Lucien's story.
* All those stupid changes in the first book are followed in this one and just plain gets confusing. It got so distracting that I was more focused on keeping plot points straight rather than enjoying the actual story. Especially the one about Dane. Why would you change such a major plotline?! I wish his character was killed off so that I could have saved myself from all of that mess...
* Lucien's character felt like it was watered down from the promise of his appearance in the first book.
Bottom Line: Someone needs to slap the publisher or editor or whoever convinced LA Fiore to make all those changes. Ever heard of the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it"? Because this is a prime example of that. I just could not get into the story and decided to cut my losses.
I loved the first book, Beautifully Broken, and was super curious about Lucien's character so when I saw this had been released I was sooooo happy.
Then I saw the notice in the beginning about how Beautifully Damaged had a bunch of MAJOR plot changes after it was picked up by a publisher and no longer an indie book. This already started to kill my buzz, but I pushed forward....
And was sadly very disappointed with this, especially when I loved the first book so much and rarely have a DNF (I'm a bit OCD about finishing books).
Problems:
* The multiple POVs (though I usually like these) gave more reading time to characters I really didn't care about and made it confusing.
* Too much of Trace and Ember. They already had their own book and anything more than cameos is just distracting from Lucien's story.
* All those stupid changes in the first book are followed in this one and just plain gets confusing. It got so distracting that I was more focused on keeping plot points straight rather than enjoying the actual story. Especially the one about Dane. Why would you change such a major plotline?! I wish his character was killed off so that I could have saved myself from all of that mess...
* Lucien's character felt like it was watered down from the promise of his appearance in the first book.
Bottom Line: Someone needs to slap the publisher or editor or whoever convinced LA Fiore to make all those changes. Ever heard of the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it"? Because this is a prime example of that. I just could not get into the story and decided to cut my losses.
August 3, 2014
2.5 stars
I came very close to putting this book down and shelving it. The first third of the book was very choppy. Jumping between characters, and then also going between past and present. There was too much of this!!! It drove me crazy!!!!
Finally...the stories started to merge together. But with all the twists and turns, I'm left with questions. I don't buy the reason behind all the "who done its".
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn't believe that Belinda had s!x at her engagement party with another man. Got pregnant, kept the child, and the fiancee didn't care?? But then three years later before the wedding decided that she couldn't bring the child around and got rid of him??? Even if she hid the child from her fiancee, she couldn't have hid her pregnancy. And why didn't her older sister take him???? It just didn't make sense why the child would have been unwanted by her family after all that time.
And who really was Heidi??? How was she able to get close to all these men?? Such a young girl when all her schemes started. There are unanswered questions there.
And the judge, why waste time or energy to arrange a kidnapping of his great grandchild????? What does he get out of that??
I came very close to putting this book down and shelving it. The first third of the book was very choppy. Jumping between characters, and then also going between past and present. There was too much of this!!! It drove me crazy!!!!
Finally...the stories started to merge together. But with all the twists and turns, I'm left with questions. I don't buy the reason behind all the "who done its".
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn't believe that Belinda had s!x at her engagement party with another man. Got pregnant, kept the child, and the fiancee didn't care?? But then three years later before the wedding decided that she couldn't bring the child around and got rid of him??? Even if she hid the child from her fiancee, she couldn't have hid her pregnancy. And why didn't her older sister take him???? It just didn't make sense why the child would have been unwanted by her family after all that time.
And who really was Heidi??? How was she able to get close to all these men?? Such a young girl when all her schemes started. There are unanswered questions there.
And the judge, why waste time or energy to arrange a kidnapping of his great grandchild????? What does he get out of that??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2014
This book was horrible.
It claims to be a stand-alone book, but there's a whole chapter dedicated to Ember and Trace - who I don't care for, or even know. The author annoyed me so much regarding this. It seemed that every feel pages I flip, there's something written about Ember and Trace's love or relationship or their past. I didn't buy Beautifully Damaged, interested in Lucian and Darcy- only to read about Ember and Trace. I honestly could care less about them.
Also, I really couldn't get over the constant back and forth with th flashbacks. That was really irritating.
And sorry if there's any odd misspellings in this review; my kindle has an interesting auto correct.
It claims to be a stand-alone book, but there's a whole chapter dedicated to Ember and Trace - who I don't care for, or even know. The author annoyed me so much regarding this. It seemed that every feel pages I flip, there's something written about Ember and Trace's love or relationship or their past. I didn't buy Beautifully Damaged, interested in Lucian and Darcy- only to read about Ember and Trace. I honestly could care less about them.
Also, I really couldn't get over the constant back and forth with th flashbacks. That was really irritating.
And sorry if there's any odd misspellings in this review; my kindle has an interesting auto correct.
Want to read
July 22, 2014 Up for request on NetGalley.xo
July 29, 2014
*Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.
Four and a half stars
This is the second book in the Beautifully Damaged series. I read the very first indie version of the first book Beautifully Damaged in 2013 but I would suggest new readers to the series start with the revised edition (2014) as quite a few things had changed in the update and I found myself trying to decipher some of these changes. However, that aside it didn’t deter me from my enjoyment of Lucien’s story.
Lucien Black had intrigued me from the first mention in the first book and although his introduction into the storyline appears to have changed (I really must go back and read the revised first book!) he was still an enigma of a character I wanted to get to know more of. Beautifully Forgotten definitely indulges the reader in some Lucien loving!
Lucien is now a successful and rich businessman with women falling at his feet. However Lucien is still harbouring hurts from the past and finds it hard to let anyone into his life, especially when his heart is still held by another, one who devastated him by leaving him fourteen years ago.
Darcy met Lucien when they were both teenagers, over fourteen years ago, living in the convent orphanage where they fell in love. When they both planned to leave and start out together something drastic happened that resulted in Darcy disappearing and Lucien thinking she had deserted him. Now it is in the present when they are both face to face again for the first time when Darcy becomes a new employee at his restaurant business, Allegro. At first Lucien is cold and distant to Darcy and does not acknowledge that he knows her but then the ice around his heart starts to melt and they once again cannot fight the underlying pull of those long ago feelings they had and still hold for each other.
The reader is taken through a journey of the past and present which did at some stages get distracting jumping from one era to the next. As well as this there was also the mystery and suspense of long ago familial links that tied secrets that were to be uncovered. We also were treated to more Ember and Trace who were privy to more angst and tribulation that were thrust upon them after their HEA and wedding in book one. As lovely as it was to catch up I did want this to be fully Lucien and Darcy’s story but this was more than a simple romance and the reader is given a complex and involving storyline that connected all the characters so far revealed from book one.
I loved both Lucien and Darcy and the chemistry between them was easily believable and hot! Second chance stories are one of my favourites and this one is a definite winner. Four and a half stars.
Four and a half stars
This is the second book in the Beautifully Damaged series. I read the very first indie version of the first book Beautifully Damaged in 2013 but I would suggest new readers to the series start with the revised edition (2014) as quite a few things had changed in the update and I found myself trying to decipher some of these changes. However, that aside it didn’t deter me from my enjoyment of Lucien’s story.
Lucien Black had intrigued me from the first mention in the first book and although his introduction into the storyline appears to have changed (I really must go back and read the revised first book!) he was still an enigma of a character I wanted to get to know more of. Beautifully Forgotten definitely indulges the reader in some Lucien loving!
Lucien is now a successful and rich businessman with women falling at his feet. However Lucien is still harbouring hurts from the past and finds it hard to let anyone into his life, especially when his heart is still held by another, one who devastated him by leaving him fourteen years ago.
Darcy met Lucien when they were both teenagers, over fourteen years ago, living in the convent orphanage where they fell in love. When they both planned to leave and start out together something drastic happened that resulted in Darcy disappearing and Lucien thinking she had deserted him. Now it is in the present when they are both face to face again for the first time when Darcy becomes a new employee at his restaurant business, Allegro. At first Lucien is cold and distant to Darcy and does not acknowledge that he knows her but then the ice around his heart starts to melt and they once again cannot fight the underlying pull of those long ago feelings they had and still hold for each other.
The reader is taken through a journey of the past and present which did at some stages get distracting jumping from one era to the next. As well as this there was also the mystery and suspense of long ago familial links that tied secrets that were to be uncovered. We also were treated to more Ember and Trace who were privy to more angst and tribulation that were thrust upon them after their HEA and wedding in book one. As lovely as it was to catch up I did want this to be fully Lucien and Darcy’s story but this was more than a simple romance and the reader is given a complex and involving storyline that connected all the characters so far revealed from book one.
I loved both Lucien and Darcy and the chemistry between them was easily believable and hot! Second chance stories are one of my favourites and this one is a definite winner. Four and a half stars.
March 25, 2015
5 YOU AND ME FOREVER AND BEYOND STARS
This book is AMAZING....did I say amazing....because I meant it.....AMAZING!!! The beginning of the book had me a little irritated with all the past memory jumping back and forth. I understand why the author did it, but after the second one...I was done with it. The author definitely made up for it with this story.
LucieN ~ such a beautiful, strong, demanding, broken man. Always the strong friend and taking care of life and everyone else's well being. But deep down, he himself was struggling to love. To get past what was selfishly stolen from him so long ago. Creating a better life for himself after one person he gave his heart to so many years ago, left him with no explanation. Then, his past comes knocking on his door for a job.
His catapiller...gorgeous and strong Darcy ...comes knocking for a job and a future. Miss Darcy seeks redemption for the hurt she caused him. Thru her journey to earning back Lucien, they both uncover so many wrongs that were done to them by several people in their lives that they never really knew existed.
Reading Lucien and Darcy's past and present collide was a great read. Their love is passionate and strong and to any one that stands in their way....you will go down by the hands of Lucien.
"You are my constant."
"You are by forever girl" '
My heart melted so many times. I am not sure I have fully recovered from this but I truly love this one.
LA Fiore....YOU WROTE ONE HELL OF A BOOK 2!!!
To all readers to come...you have to pay attention in this story. Miss Fiore created a web of lies and secrets that deserves a standing ovation. There are many characters that have their lives infused into each others.
PS....us readers even get more of Trace and Ember's story and I have to say you will be happy and sad and giggling and wiping tears!!
This book is AMAZING....did I say amazing....because I meant it.....AMAZING!!! The beginning of the book had me a little irritated with all the past memory jumping back and forth. I understand why the author did it, but after the second one...I was done with it. The author definitely made up for it with this story.
LucieN ~ such a beautiful, strong, demanding, broken man. Always the strong friend and taking care of life and everyone else's well being. But deep down, he himself was struggling to love. To get past what was selfishly stolen from him so long ago. Creating a better life for himself after one person he gave his heart to so many years ago, left him with no explanation. Then, his past comes knocking on his door for a job.
His catapiller...gorgeous and strong Darcy ...comes knocking for a job and a future. Miss Darcy seeks redemption for the hurt she caused him. Thru her journey to earning back Lucien, they both uncover so many wrongs that were done to them by several people in their lives that they never really knew existed.
Reading Lucien and Darcy's past and present collide was a great read. Their love is passionate and strong and to any one that stands in their way....you will go down by the hands of Lucien.
"You are my constant."
"You are by forever girl" '
My heart melted so many times. I am not sure I have fully recovered from this but I truly love this one.
LA Fiore....YOU WROTE ONE HELL OF A BOOK 2!!!
To all readers to come...you have to pay attention in this story. Miss Fiore created a web of lies and secrets that deserves a standing ovation. There are many characters that have their lives infused into each others.
PS....us readers even get more of Trace and Ember's story and I have to say you will be happy and sad and giggling and wiping tears!!
August 6, 2014
2.75- not awful, but I very disappointed.
I'll start w saying I REALLY liked Beautifully Damaged. I've read it multiple times and Trace & Ember really grabbed my heart and held on.
Book 2- oi. No bueno.
To me it just tried to be WAAAAAAAAY too much. I thought (based on the blurb) that it was Lucien Black + new heroines story. It was- but also intermingled between those chapters was Trace's story, Ember's story, Dane's story (who is written like a new character in this one. It seems that the author tries to redeem him, but without any real redemptive qualities. He's sober in this book and we are supposed to overlook RAPE bc he was high and/or drunk when he raped and/or attempted to rape his previous victims), Seth's story, Sister Margaret's story, The whole Carmichael families story and Brandon's story. I won't say I didn't enjoy getting to get a continuation of Trace & Ember's story- but I really felt like it should have been a totally separate installment. I needed a flow chart, ancestry.com, a forensic specialist and a laser pointer to keep up with who is who as well as "who dunit" here. Honestly, I felt like I was reading a NA version of the Clue board game. It just was ALL OVER THE MAP just to circle back to the most far fetched incestuous cluster...EVER. By the time it was over I honestly didn't give a rats ass who kidnapped who, who slept w who on the DL, who killed who or why. I was just happy to be done. Lucien and the "Love of his Life" also didn't wow me at all.
Unfortunately, I'm tagging this one as sequel suicide. :(
Oh!! And BTW- I totally knew who the missing child was going to be before it was revealed. That wasn't a mystery- but what was a total mystery was his AGE!!! How was he 16???? When they split up 14 years earlier??? I truly SUCK at math, but even I can't miss the inaccuracy in that timeline. WTH??
I'll start w saying I REALLY liked Beautifully Damaged. I've read it multiple times and Trace & Ember really grabbed my heart and held on.
Book 2- oi. No bueno.
To me it just tried to be WAAAAAAAAY too much. I thought (based on the blurb) that it was Lucien Black + new heroines story. It was- but also intermingled between those chapters was Trace's story, Ember's story, Dane's story (who is written like a new character in this one. It seems that the author tries to redeem him, but without any real redemptive qualities. He's sober in this book and we are supposed to overlook RAPE bc he was high and/or drunk when he raped and/or attempted to rape his previous victims), Seth's story, Sister Margaret's story, The whole Carmichael families story and Brandon's story. I won't say I didn't enjoy getting to get a continuation of Trace & Ember's story- but I really felt like it should have been a totally separate installment. I needed a flow chart, ancestry.com, a forensic specialist and a laser pointer to keep up with who is who as well as "who dunit" here. Honestly, I felt like I was reading a NA version of the Clue board game. It just was ALL OVER THE MAP just to circle back to the most far fetched incestuous cluster...EVER. By the time it was over I honestly didn't give a rats ass who kidnapped who, who slept w who on the DL, who killed who or why. I was just happy to be done. Lucien and the "Love of his Life" also didn't wow me at all.
Unfortunately, I'm tagging this one as sequel suicide. :(
Oh!! And BTW- I totally knew who the missing child was going to be before it was revealed. That wasn't a mystery- but what was a total mystery was his AGE!!! How was he 16???? When they split up 14 years earlier??? I truly SUCK at math, but even I can't miss the inaccuracy in that timeline. WTH??
August 8, 2014
Amazing second book 4.5 stars.
'Beautifully Damaged' absolutely amazed me and it's a hard book to follow and I did wonder, briefly if I'd be disappointed since I couldn't imagine that 'Forgotten' could live up to my expectations.
Lucien Black was my favourite character from the previous book, he was a bit of an enigma and I wanted more so I was thrilled when I found this book.
Lucien was about two years old when he was left at the St. Agnes orphanage, luckily for him Sister Anne was a beautiful soul who was like a mother to him and he loved her, at sixteen Lucien meets fourteen year old Darcy MacBride who will become the love of his life. Darcy is left at the orphanage by a mother that doesn't want her, for two years her and Lucien are inseparable and then it crumbles, now fourteen years later they meet again and begin to unearth the lies, blackmail, murder and deceit which has ruled their lives.
This is a fabulous book as well as Lucien we get loads of Trace, Ember and all the main characters from 'Damaged'
Why not 5 stars, if I'm being honest for me it had just too many flashback scenes, I know these are important, it's the only way we know what happened but it was a little too much, I'd get settled in a scene and we we're back in the past again.
'Beautifully Damaged' absolutely amazed me and it's a hard book to follow and I did wonder, briefly if I'd be disappointed since I couldn't imagine that 'Forgotten' could live up to my expectations.
Lucien Black was my favourite character from the previous book, he was a bit of an enigma and I wanted more so I was thrilled when I found this book.
Lucien was about two years old when he was left at the St. Agnes orphanage, luckily for him Sister Anne was a beautiful soul who was like a mother to him and he loved her, at sixteen Lucien meets fourteen year old Darcy MacBride who will become the love of his life. Darcy is left at the orphanage by a mother that doesn't want her, for two years her and Lucien are inseparable and then it crumbles, now fourteen years later they meet again and begin to unearth the lies, blackmail, murder and deceit which has ruled their lives.
This is a fabulous book as well as Lucien we get loads of Trace, Ember and all the main characters from 'Damaged'
Why not 5 stars, if I'm being honest for me it had just too many flashback scenes, I know these are important, it's the only way we know what happened but it was a little too much, I'd get settled in a scene and we we're back in the past again.
July 29, 2014
5++STARS!!
I absolutely adored this book. 5 stars does not do it justice! I didn't expect anythig less from L.A. Fiore. I fell in love with her writing style with Beautifully Damaged.
So with Beautifully Forgotten we get Lucien's story. I was very curious about him with BD and I'm so glad she is giving him his own story. We also get Trace and Ember. I was so excited to get more of those two.
This story completely blew me away. After I was finished, I sat there thinking...I did not expect that roller coaster ride of emotions at all!
Darcy and Lucien's story is so heart-wrenching. I can't give any specific details because I don't want to ruin the story but just know what these two amazing people went through in their life is astounding. And after you get the complete story, your heart will be full of love for these characters.
I love the mystery aspect to the story. I had no idea where the story was leading and was thrown for a loop several times. L.A. Fiore knows how to write a story to keep you on your toes with excitement and angst. I will read anything she writes and will scream at everyone to go get their copy!
I absolutely adored this book. 5 stars does not do it justice! I didn't expect anythig less from L.A. Fiore. I fell in love with her writing style with Beautifully Damaged.
So with Beautifully Forgotten we get Lucien's story. I was very curious about him with BD and I'm so glad she is giving him his own story. We also get Trace and Ember. I was so excited to get more of those two.
This story completely blew me away. After I was finished, I sat there thinking...I did not expect that roller coaster ride of emotions at all!
Darcy and Lucien's story is so heart-wrenching. I can't give any specific details because I don't want to ruin the story but just know what these two amazing people went through in their life is astounding. And after you get the complete story, your heart will be full of love for these characters.
I love the mystery aspect to the story. I had no idea where the story was leading and was thrown for a loop several times. L.A. Fiore knows how to write a story to keep you on your toes with excitement and angst. I will read anything she writes and will scream at everyone to go get their copy!
January 15, 2015
*I gave this audiobook a C+ for the narration and B- for the story at AudioGals
Narrated by Amy Rubinate
Having been absolutely floored by Beautifully Damaged, the first book in the Beautifully Damaged series, I knew I had to read or listen to Beautifully Forgotten. Lately, however, I’ve been finding that sequels rarely live up to their fantastic predecessors, and unfortunately Beautifully Forgotten is no different. It is still an interesting contemporary romance with plenty of suspense to render it an above average listen but, unfortunately, it did not have that extra spark that I found so addicting in Beautifully Damaged. Moreover, whereas the narration could have lent it that extra special quality, I felt that it too fell short.
See the full review at AudioGals.
Narrated by Amy Rubinate
Having been absolutely floored by Beautifully Damaged, the first book in the Beautifully Damaged series, I knew I had to read or listen to Beautifully Forgotten. Lately, however, I’ve been finding that sequels rarely live up to their fantastic predecessors, and unfortunately Beautifully Forgotten is no different. It is still an interesting contemporary romance with plenty of suspense to render it an above average listen but, unfortunately, it did not have that extra spark that I found so addicting in Beautifully Damaged. Moreover, whereas the narration could have lent it that extra special quality, I felt that it too fell short.
See the full review at AudioGals.
May 15, 2015
Heart Wrenching
For you to really know the story you would have to read "beautifully forgotten" and "beautifully damaged" as they are very much linked.
It was intense, the book had me in tears from the build up to the very end of the book.The characters go through a series of emotions and live altering scenarios.
The mystery surrounding the events in each of the above books stated will blow your mind.
The ending was perfect in both but the last books ending was particularly beautiful.
No amount of stars can give this book the credit it deserves.
Intense,emotional and the perfect soul mates book.
For you to really know the story you would have to read "beautifully forgotten" and "beautifully damaged" as they are very much linked.
It was intense, the book had me in tears from the build up to the very end of the book.The characters go through a series of emotions and live altering scenarios.
The mystery surrounding the events in each of the above books stated will blow your mind.
The ending was perfect in both but the last books ending was particularly beautiful.
No amount of stars can give this book the credit it deserves.
Intense,emotional and the perfect soul mates book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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