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North Star #1
Knockout
Fighting isn't always about winning. Sometimes it's about not giving up.
Kellen Coulter has a way with women. A boxer from the wrong side of town, he worked his way through the wealthy daughters at Weston High with a brilliant smile, sweet words and vacant eyes. No one gets close. No one gets through. No one knows the secrets hiding inside.
No one but me. I'm the only girl he's ever let in. The only one who has ever truly seen him. When we met I was just a kid, an old soul with an open ear and a full understanding of what it was to be misunderstood by everyone around you. But even I didn't know the demons sleeping inside him. Not until now.
Not until it might be too late.
*Due to language and sexual content, this book is not recommended for readers under 18.
Knockout is told from Jenna's point of view with new elements of the story not covered in Brawler. Both Knockout and Brawler can be read independently of each other and in no particular order.
Kellen Coulter has a way with women. A boxer from the wrong side of town, he worked his way through the wealthy daughters at Weston High with a brilliant smile, sweet words and vacant eyes. No one gets close. No one gets through. No one knows the secrets hiding inside.
No one but me. I'm the only girl he's ever let in. The only one who has ever truly seen him. When we met I was just a kid, an old soul with an open ear and a full understanding of what it was to be misunderstood by everyone around you. But even I didn't know the demons sleeping inside him. Not until now.
Not until it might be too late.
*Due to language and sexual content, this book is not recommended for readers under 18.
Knockout is told from Jenna's point of view with new elements of the story not covered in Brawler. Both Knockout and Brawler can be read independently of each other and in no particular order.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2014
188 people are currently reading
1950 people want to read
About the author
Tracey Ward
41 books960 followersI was born in Oregon and studied English Literature at the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) My husband and my son are my world.
The best way to keep up on my newest releases, giveaways, and sales is to follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracey...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
October 31, 2014
No, this is certainly not a "cookie cutter romance." It's a hot mess romance that left me feeling dirty and pissed.
I can handle pining, angst romances that toy with you to the point of bitch slapping a Kindle. Hell, I can even handle horrid love triangles that drag on forever.
BUT, this book... No, this instrument of torture, that I can't f'ing handle!
Don't read this if you don't want spoilers or blush at cursing. Fair warning!
I don't give a shit what kind of crazy f'd up childhood Kel had, it didn't give him the right to become a tornado that angrily, willingly, gladly, and knowingly destroyed anyone and everyone that dared care about him.
Sure, the sister was obviously a vain gold-seeking chick, but Kel wasted the best years of the girl's life (six long years) and didn't even bat an eye about it when he walked away from her. How f'd up is that??!!
He knew that he couldn't be what Jenna wanted & needed at 15-years-old, but made her a promise that basically left her to pine over him as she watched, heard him bang her sister and even get engaged to her. How f'ing selfish is that?!?
He gets engaged to the sister and has the f'ing balls to tell Jenna not to give up on him... Translation keep pining and hoping that I'll eventually stop breaking your heart into a million tiny pieces every five seconds.
His MO for 3/4 of the book was to give Jenna just enough that she could never turn her back to him or give her heart to anyone else. And if that's not bad enough, he stayed just close enough (in her sister's bed) to rub her face in it constantly. The last 1/4 he just reeled her in and pushed her away.
I get standing by who you love, fighting the hard fight for them, being patient, but this shit is beyond that. He rubbed her nose in her love like it was a steaming pile of shit, & even worse, she sniffed it up and acted like he was the best thing since sliced bread for doing it! No! Just no!
There isn't anything tragically romantic about this story. It's just tragic!
There is nothing touching or understanding about the final why he was so f'd up because lots of people have horrid childhoods and don't go around purposefully hurting and destroying people that try to give them love OUT OF ANGER. It's important to note that he wasn't hurt and afraid, he was hurt and angry in his blatant emotional abuse of women.
I kept reading hoping that Jenna would walk the f away and stop looking at the angry viper through rose colored glasses. Didn't happen.
I love this author, but some characters you can take too far black that there just isn't redeeming them, and that's what happened here for me:(
I can handle pining, angst romances that toy with you to the point of bitch slapping a Kindle. Hell, I can even handle horrid love triangles that drag on forever.
BUT, this book... No, this instrument of torture, that I can't f'ing handle!
Don't read this if you don't want spoilers or blush at cursing. Fair warning!
I don't give a shit what kind of crazy f'd up childhood Kel had, it didn't give him the right to become a tornado that angrily, willingly, gladly, and knowingly destroyed anyone and everyone that dared care about him.
Sure, the sister was obviously a vain gold-seeking chick, but Kel wasted the best years of the girl's life (six long years) and didn't even bat an eye about it when he walked away from her. How f'd up is that??!!
He knew that he couldn't be what Jenna wanted & needed at 15-years-old, but made her a promise that basically left her to pine over him as she watched, heard him bang her sister and even get engaged to her. How f'ing selfish is that?!?
He gets engaged to the sister and has the f'ing balls to tell Jenna not to give up on him... Translation keep pining and hoping that I'll eventually stop breaking your heart into a million tiny pieces every five seconds.
His MO for 3/4 of the book was to give Jenna just enough that she could never turn her back to him or give her heart to anyone else. And if that's not bad enough, he stayed just close enough (in her sister's bed) to rub her face in it constantly. The last 1/4 he just reeled her in and pushed her away.
I get standing by who you love, fighting the hard fight for them, being patient, but this shit is beyond that. He rubbed her nose in her love like it was a steaming pile of shit, & even worse, she sniffed it up and acted like he was the best thing since sliced bread for doing it! No! Just no!
There isn't anything tragically romantic about this story. It's just tragic!
There is nothing touching or understanding about the final why he was so f'd up because lots of people have horrid childhoods and don't go around purposefully hurting and destroying people that try to give them love OUT OF ANGER. It's important to note that he wasn't hurt and afraid, he was hurt and angry in his blatant emotional abuse of women.
I kept reading hoping that Jenna would walk the f away and stop looking at the angry viper through rose colored glasses. Didn't happen.
I love this author, but some characters you can take too far black that there just isn't redeeming them, and that's what happened here for me:(
October 8, 2014
2.5 stars
It was okay, the writing was decent, but I'm just not a fan of love triangles or . This took up too much of the story even though the two who were meant for each other had great chemistry.
This was akin to a coming of age story and while told from the heroine's point of view, a heroine who is likable, the portrayal of the hero, which started off with a bang and ended up as a flop, is what ruined the story for me. Plus, due to the cover, you'd judge that boxing had a lot to do with the story, but actually it made an entrance, and then quickly took a backseat. Bummer.
Readers will like a lot of aspects of the hero and heroine's love for each other because it starts off as friends, goes on to kindred spirits and titillates romance. But the waiting for them to get together or just the heroine waiting for the hero bordered on ridiculous.
It was too much build up and when all said and done, it was anticlimactic and the story's resolution happened too little, too late. Though I understand the method to the author's storytelling, I found that better characterization would have helped to make the conflicts more believable, and an absence of "dragging it out" would have allowed for a more rewarding romance (a romance that disappointingly lacked the steam I wanted).
Just IMO.
Happy Reading.
It was okay, the writing was decent, but I'm just not a fan of love triangles or . This took up too much of the story even though the two who were meant for each other had great chemistry.
This was akin to a coming of age story and while told from the heroine's point of view, a heroine who is likable, the portrayal of the hero, which started off with a bang and ended up as a flop, is what ruined the story for me. Plus, due to the cover, you'd judge that boxing had a lot to do with the story, but actually it made an entrance, and then quickly took a backseat. Bummer.
Readers will like a lot of aspects of the hero and heroine's love for each other because it starts off as friends, goes on to kindred spirits and titillates romance. But the waiting for them to get together or just the heroine waiting for the hero bordered on ridiculous.
It was too much build up and when all said and done, it was anticlimactic and the story's resolution happened too little, too late. Though I understand the method to the author's storytelling, I found that better characterization would have helped to make the conflicts more believable, and an absence of "dragging it out" would have allowed for a more rewarding romance (a romance that disappointingly lacked the steam I wanted).
Just IMO.
Happy Reading.
August 8, 2014
This book was ok. I would have rated it higher had Kellan not dated Laney for most of the book only to realize that Jenna was who he truly wanted to be with. My problem with this book was that Jenna had been in love with him since she was thirteen yrs old but, he continually played with her emotions and led her on which she let him do without consequence.
Even after what took place in the hotel room she still wanted him. Had that been me I would have been devastated and crushed but taken that as a sign that it was time to move on. He had no compassion towards Jenna or her hurt feelings and still got the girl. WTF?
He was selfish, uncaring and self-absorbed. The only reason he chose Jenna after all that time wasn't because he came to his senses it was only because a near death experience made him finally admit how truly unhappy he was with his current situation. Had it not been for that he would have settled for Laney like he intended to and to me that makes him a complete lame.
Even after what took place in the hotel room she still wanted him. Had that been me I would have been devastated and crushed but taken that as a sign that it was time to move on. He had no compassion towards Jenna or her hurt feelings and still got the girl. WTF?
He was selfish, uncaring and self-absorbed. The only reason he chose Jenna after all that time wasn't because he came to his senses it was only because a near death experience made him finally admit how truly unhappy he was with his current situation. Had it not been for that he would have settled for Laney like he intended to and to me that makes him a complete lame.
June 26, 2024
There are so many reasons why I hated this book, and I think I touched upon them with my GR "shelves." Just the worst of the worst, in terms of a wishy washy ahem "hero" who Yes, if you decided to click on the spoiler, your eyes did not deceive you. You read that right. And this is supposed to be a romance. Please excuse me while I go retch in a corner.
But the straw that broke this camel's back was my pet peeve of butchering a foreign language. There is absolutely no excuse for that, especially since it plays an integral part to the story and it is purportedly the protagonist's mother tongue. You need to consult with a native speaker or work with an editor or, I don't know, get a language tutor. Because I can't invest the time and effort to read your book when you don't respect your reader enough to cross all your t's and dot all your i's when editing your book.
I really enjoyed this author's Swan Song, a 1930s caper complete with flappers, gangsters and a speakeasy but this journey into NA angst had to be aborted at only 16% in.
But the straw that broke this camel's back was my pet peeve of butchering a foreign language. There is absolutely no excuse for that, especially since it plays an integral part to the story and it is purportedly the protagonist's mother tongue. You need to consult with a native speaker or work with an editor or, I don't know, get a language tutor. Because I can't invest the time and effort to read your book when you don't respect your reader enough to cross all your t's and dot all your i's when editing your book.
I really enjoyed this author's Swan Song, a 1930s caper complete with flappers, gangsters and a speakeasy but this journey into NA angst had to be aborted at only 16% in.
December 17, 2015
Good story but did not like or respect the heroine when she knew hero was with her sister!
Read
November 14, 2014So this book contains CHEATING AND a LOVE TRIANGLE. Well, guess what? I AM SO SKIPPING THIS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2014
“I need you to promise me.”
“Promise what?”
He took a deep breath. “That you’ll never quit on me.”
Well I'll be damned! I found a gem!
It's rare to find a love triangle book when a guy is in between. Usually it's the other way around.. so please excuse me if I'm all over the moon right now! :)
So what can I say about the book? Well.. for start this was a frustrating read. But despite this, I kept on reading because hey! you know me, I liked giving myself a heartache and headache. (oh that rhymes!) :)
To be honest, I thought this book was going to be fluffy and easy read.. but I was so effing wrong. Around 30% I was emotionally drained and mostly this was because of Kellen.
Oh Kellen.. how will I describe you? Well.. he's an idiot, pussy, weak, stupid and a fuckin pussy.. oh.. I already said that. :) I didn't feel any connection with the him what so ever! The entire time I was reading- I wanted to kill him.
Jenna was an amazing character. She's kind, sweet in her own way and very patient. I'm more into weak heroines so watching her grow up into a beautiful kick ass woman was refreshing for me.
“It’s what I told him. You and Kellen have been dancing around each other for years. Pull the trigger or put down the gun, but it’s time to make a decision.”
“What did he say to that?”
“Bang, bang.”
I guess the only thing that irked me? Well.. the love triangle. lol!
Yes.. I mentioned I love this kind of theme but their situation was awkward. You see,
Now as I said earlier, I'm into love triangles and heroine suffering emotionally but again the situation didn't feel right.
You see,
To add up
Well again, after that scene- I was seething with rage I couldn't see straight!! I didn't know if I wanted to kill the hero for being such a pussy or the heroine for being so stupid on pinning for him! I wanted her to just move on.. move somewhere far far away so she doesn't have to see them together but nooooo... she promised that she'll never quit on him.. sigh. Of course we found out his reasons as to WHY he does things but at that point I was drained. Now don't get me wrong.. the hero wasn't that bad.. it was just the situation I guess. Anyway, we're getting another book and I think it's going to be his POV.. so maybe I'll understand him more.
Okay.. end of my rant. :)
Overall Knockout is a well written book! I'm giving this a 5 STARS and that's because of Jenna. And well.. this book got on my nerves. lol! I liked to feel something when reading a book, doesn't matter if it's good, bad, happy, frustration, arousing.. and I realized this author managed something.. she made me FEEL all those things. :)
So if you're in the mood for some angst-frustrating read then highly recommend this one!
“Promise what?”
He took a deep breath. “That you’ll never quit on me.”
Well I'll be damned! I found a gem!
It's rare to find a love triangle book when a guy is in between. Usually it's the other way around.. so please excuse me if I'm all over the moon right now! :)
So what can I say about the book? Well.. for start this was a frustrating read. But despite this, I kept on reading because hey! you know me, I liked giving myself a heartache and headache. (oh that rhymes!) :)
To be honest, I thought this book was going to be fluffy and easy read.. but I was so effing wrong. Around 30% I was emotionally drained and mostly this was because of Kellen.
Oh Kellen.. how will I describe you? Well.. he's an idiot, pussy, weak, stupid and a fuckin pussy.. oh.. I already said that. :) I didn't feel any connection with the him what so ever! The entire time I was reading- I wanted to kill him.
Jenna was an amazing character. She's kind, sweet in her own way and very patient. I'm more into weak heroines so watching her grow up into a beautiful kick ass woman was refreshing for me.
“It’s what I told him. You and Kellen have been dancing around each other for years. Pull the trigger or put down the gun, but it’s time to make a decision.”
“What did he say to that?”
“Bang, bang.”
I guess the only thing that irked me? Well.. the love triangle. lol!
Yes.. I mentioned I love this kind of theme but their situation was awkward. You see,
Now as I said earlier, I'm into love triangles and heroine suffering emotionally but again the situation didn't feel right.
You see,
To add up
Well again, after that scene- I was seething with rage I couldn't see straight!! I didn't know if I wanted to kill the hero for being such a pussy or the heroine for being so stupid on pinning for him! I wanted her to just move on.. move somewhere far far away so she doesn't have to see them together but nooooo... she promised that she'll never quit on him.. sigh. Of course we found out his reasons as to WHY he does things but at that point I was drained. Now don't get me wrong.. the hero wasn't that bad.. it was just the situation I guess. Anyway, we're getting another book and I think it's going to be his POV.. so maybe I'll understand him more.
Okay.. end of my rant. :)
Overall Knockout is a well written book! I'm giving this a 5 STARS and that's because of Jenna. And well.. this book got on my nerves. lol! I liked to feel something when reading a book, doesn't matter if it's good, bad, happy, frustration, arousing.. and I realized this author managed something.. she made me FEEL all those things. :)
So if you're in the mood for some angst-frustrating read then highly recommend this one!
April 26, 2014
NOT FOR ME
SPOILERS INCLUDED......
I disliked the plot, the characters in fact everything about this.
The hero was a complete unfeeling jerk. The heroine was TSTL. I love a dark romance if it's done well but that's not the case here. For those of you looking for a romantic read you won't get that with this story IMO. What's romantic about the hero who is with someone else throughout almost the whole story, while the heroine is forced to watch and on one occasion "hear" from the sidelines. It's only after an incident near the end that he comes to his senses, if that had not happened he was going to stick with the other girl as he intended all along.
SPOILERS INCLUDED......
I disliked the plot, the characters in fact everything about this.
The hero was a complete unfeeling jerk. The heroine was TSTL. I love a dark romance if it's done well but that's not the case here. For those of you looking for a romantic read you won't get that with this story IMO. What's romantic about the hero who is with someone else throughout almost the whole story, while the heroine is forced to watch and on one occasion "hear" from the sidelines. It's only after an incident near the end that he comes to his senses, if that had not happened he was going to stick with the other girl as he intended all along.
April 2, 2014
Normally I don't like the new adult books but off course if Tracey writes them I have to give it a shot. And I did enjoy this one. I love the cover, the cover just screams hotness. And I loved the names of the main characters Jenna ( my daughters name) and Kellen.
We have Jenna and Kellen our typical man whore, they have a 5 year old age difference and secretly like each other but Kellen is in a 7 year relationship with Laney , Jenna's older sister.
Kellen comes from the wrong side of the tracks and is super smart. Jenna and Kellen become best friends. We have some scenes where is seems that they will admit to their attraction.
Overall a good read.
We have Jenna and Kellen our typical man whore, they have a 5 year old age difference and secretly like each other but Kellen is in a 7 year relationship with Laney , Jenna's older sister.
Kellen comes from the wrong side of the tracks and is super smart. Jenna and Kellen become best friends. We have some scenes where is seems that they will admit to their attraction.
Overall a good read.
November 24, 2016
This book had low moral values.
The leading lady lusts after her sisters boyfriend from 13 years old. As she grows older that lust turns to love and the feelings are reciprocated somewhere along the line. But the hero doesn't ever leave the sister. He fights constantly with her and the suggestion is he doesn't really even like her, but he has no problems banging her while the younger sister can hear in the very next room. Their relationship is toxic. They break up and make up over an 8 year time frame. Meanwhile the younger sister is growing up and the supposedly chemistry between her and the hero grows, but he shoots her down the first instance anything happens because she's too young? NOT because he has an on again off again girlfriend OR the fact that it's HER SISTER!!!
It was cringe worthy reading.
The leading lady lusts after her sisters boyfriend from 13 years old. As she grows older that lust turns to love and the feelings are reciprocated somewhere along the line. But the hero doesn't ever leave the sister. He fights constantly with her and the suggestion is he doesn't really even like her, but he has no problems banging her while the younger sister can hear in the very next room. Their relationship is toxic. They break up and make up over an 8 year time frame. Meanwhile the younger sister is growing up and the supposedly chemistry between her and the hero grows, but he shoots her down the first instance anything happens because she's too young? NOT because he has an on again off again girlfriend OR the fact that it's HER SISTER!!!
It was cringe worthy reading.
April 7, 2014
Really enjoyed the book, but at the same time, I hated it.
June 7, 2015
I didn´t like this book, the hero was very selfish in one hand he lead the feelings of the heroine and in the other he ask the sister her hand in marriage never taking one side...... i think the hero must likely go through the marriage if he didn´t had the accident, and the heroine was in my opinion very pathetic because come on the guy is marrying your sister try yo move on, but no the hero keeps asking her to not GIVE UP ON HIM and she does i mean she heard when they are having sex that is not realistic if you are in love with someone and you are hurting you will try to leave him.... anyway is just my opinion
April 24, 2014
This could of been so, so much better.
The build up was massive all for it to be wrapped up in like 2/3 chapters, it was disproportionate & it annoyed me.
I didn't like the love triangle or whatever it is classed as. I was disappointed in Kellen in the end, he never won me over.
The build up was massive all for it to be wrapped up in like 2/3 chapters, it was disproportionate & it annoyed me.
I didn't like the love triangle or whatever it is classed as. I was disappointed in Kellen in the end, he never won me over.
May 9, 2014
This is a very unique story! It literally spans over 10 years or so, which I found interesting and enjoyable. The story is in Jenna’s POV. Jenna meets Kellen when she is 13 years old and he is 17. They instantly connect, which is odd for Kellen because he doesn’t connect or open up with anybody especially girls. Kellen comes from a tragic background and took to fighting at an early age. Jenna’s father is a lawyer who pretty much takes Kellen under his wing and helps steer him in the right direction for success. Kellen is also very close with Jenna’s sister, Laney. They have a very intense relationship pretty much throughout the entire book. This book is quite the emotional roller coaster!
I really enjoyed seeing all of this from Jenna’s POV. I don’t think it would have been nearly as good from Laney’s. Jenna is wise beyond her years even from the age of 13 you can tell that. From the first time Kellen met her he could tell that she had an ‘old soul’ and he even gave her a nickname, Nonpareil, which means unequaled. Jenna is as much of a badass is Kellen is. She might not be a boxer, but she doesn’t take crap from anyone and she doesn’t let anyone tell her what she can’t do. Oh and there’s the fact that she’s been in love with her sister’s boyfriend for years and years, yet she manages to keep good relationships with both of them. I loved that she became a tattoo artist! That’s awesome.
This next portion is directed at Kellen because I need some answers! ;P
I have one major problem with you, Kellen! Yes, I get that you don’t know how to love and you can never really give your heart to someone. I understand, but the fact is you did give your heart to someone. Her name was Jenna. SO WHY WHY WHY??? Would you be with her sister for years?? When you said yourself that you don’t truly love her and can never really love her? Why don’t you just go find some other girl to do that with instead of doing it right in front of the girl that is in love with you and whom you’re in love with yourself? Not cool Kellen!! Other than that I like you, bro! Just make better decisions next time and realize that you are a really great person who deserves happiness!
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next installment!
I really enjoyed seeing all of this from Jenna’s POV. I don’t think it would have been nearly as good from Laney’s. Jenna is wise beyond her years even from the age of 13 you can tell that. From the first time Kellen met her he could tell that she had an ‘old soul’ and he even gave her a nickname, Nonpareil, which means unequaled. Jenna is as much of a badass is Kellen is. She might not be a boxer, but she doesn’t take crap from anyone and she doesn’t let anyone tell her what she can’t do. Oh and there’s the fact that she’s been in love with her sister’s boyfriend for years and years, yet she manages to keep good relationships with both of them. I loved that she became a tattoo artist! That’s awesome.
This next portion is directed at Kellen because I need some answers! ;P
I have one major problem with you, Kellen! Yes, I get that you don’t know how to love and you can never really give your heart to someone. I understand, but the fact is you did give your heart to someone. Her name was Jenna. SO WHY WHY WHY??? Would you be with her sister for years?? When you said yourself that you don’t truly love her and can never really love her? Why don’t you just go find some other girl to do that with instead of doing it right in front of the girl that is in love with you and whom you’re in love with yourself? Not cool Kellen!! Other than that I like you, bro! Just make better decisions next time and realize that you are a really great person who deserves happiness!
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next installment!
April 1, 2014
I was given an ARC for an honest review... Take a look!
Wow. This book is an emotional ride. It was frustrating, heartbreaking, sweet and intense. I read it in one sitting! From the moment young Jenna meets seventeen year old Kellen, she is intrigued. As she gets to know him and he becomes a constant presence in her house, their friendship grows. They were best friends and confidants from the first day and their relationship is solidified through the good and bad.Jenna was a great character to read about. I enjoyed watching her grow up from a thirteen year old awkward teen to a beautiful woman who did what she wanted. She is kind, observant and learning how to embrace who she is, which is basically the complete opposite of her mother and sister. She embraces her passion for art and carves a path to do what she wants, despite what others think. Her friendship with Kellen is a sweet and deep connection. Other than her dad, she is the only person who understands the ins and outs of Kellen, how he ticks and connects. It was heartbreaking to watch Jenna's school girl crush morph into something more and how her heart broke time and time again. At times I just wanted to smack Kellen upside the head. Then halfway through the book BAM, I read opened mouth in shock as things begin to unravel. It was an emotional tug and pull that continued till the last page. The situations and characters were so real and genuine. This story seemed to be populated by people that I would meet in my day to day life. I loved the authenticity of the story.It felt like real situations with real people, not dramatized and filled with too much angst. As a result, the emotions felt run deeper and I celebrated with Jenna and wanted to cry with her too; I wanted to hug Kellen and tell him it would be ok (and talk some sense into him) and I wanted to smack Laney. Tracey did an incredible job of focusing on the relationship as a focal point and not overwhelming the story with too much extra side information or storyline. If you want to read a story about heartache, redemption, loss, hope, and self discovery, then check out this book!
Wow. This book is an emotional ride. It was frustrating, heartbreaking, sweet and intense. I read it in one sitting! From the moment young Jenna meets seventeen year old Kellen, she is intrigued. As she gets to know him and he becomes a constant presence in her house, their friendship grows. They were best friends and confidants from the first day and their relationship is solidified through the good and bad.Jenna was a great character to read about. I enjoyed watching her grow up from a thirteen year old awkward teen to a beautiful woman who did what she wanted. She is kind, observant and learning how to embrace who she is, which is basically the complete opposite of her mother and sister. She embraces her passion for art and carves a path to do what she wants, despite what others think. Her friendship with Kellen is a sweet and deep connection. Other than her dad, she is the only person who understands the ins and outs of Kellen, how he ticks and connects. It was heartbreaking to watch Jenna's school girl crush morph into something more and how her heart broke time and time again. At times I just wanted to smack Kellen upside the head. Then halfway through the book BAM, I read opened mouth in shock as things begin to unravel. It was an emotional tug and pull that continued till the last page. The situations and characters were so real and genuine. This story seemed to be populated by people that I would meet in my day to day life. I loved the authenticity of the story.It felt like real situations with real people, not dramatized and filled with too much angst. As a result, the emotions felt run deeper and I celebrated with Jenna and wanted to cry with her too; I wanted to hug Kellen and tell him it would be ok (and talk some sense into him) and I wanted to smack Laney. Tracey did an incredible job of focusing on the relationship as a focal point and not overwhelming the story with too much extra side information or storyline. If you want to read a story about heartache, redemption, loss, hope, and self discovery, then check out this book!
November 14, 2014
3-stars-Spoilers Ahead
OK, so I finished this last night and this is another one of those books that I am left feeling unsure of my feelings, lol..... This had potential to be a great story, loved the storyline, the characters and truly enjoyed this author's writing, which by the way, is my first time reading her work. With that being said, ugghhhhh, I couldn't believe how much of this story was on Kellen and the sister, yep, the sister! I thought ok, enough is enough and then when he got engaged to the sister, THAT was the point in which my interest dropped. I did finish it because I wanted to see how it ended but was pretty disappointed.
Kellen and Jenna were so perfect for one another, I mean I truly loved BOTH of these characters and the fact that they were not actually together until the end really was a bummer for me personally, I really did't get the point of dragging out THEIR story. Laney, god what a spoiled bitch and the fact that he STAYED with her....just got utterly ridiculous and add the fact that Jenna had to repeatedly hear him having sex with Laney made it even worse. Yep, I thought this had the makings of a really great story only to be very much let down.
Just wasn't for me a very LONG, DRAINING, and unsatisfactory road...Yes, the ending was only good, not even great for me at that point.
OK, so I finished this last night and this is another one of those books that I am left feeling unsure of my feelings, lol..... This had potential to be a great story, loved the storyline, the characters and truly enjoyed this author's writing, which by the way, is my first time reading her work. With that being said, ugghhhhh, I couldn't believe how much of this story was on Kellen and the sister, yep, the sister! I thought ok, enough is enough and then when he got engaged to the sister, THAT was the point in which my interest dropped. I did finish it because I wanted to see how it ended but was pretty disappointed.
Kellen and Jenna were so perfect for one another, I mean I truly loved BOTH of these characters and the fact that they were not actually together until the end really was a bummer for me personally, I really did't get the point of dragging out THEIR story. Laney, god what a spoiled bitch and the fact that he STAYED with her....just got utterly ridiculous and add the fact that Jenna had to repeatedly hear him having sex with Laney made it even worse. Yep, I thought this had the makings of a really great story only to be very much let down.
Just wasn't for me a very LONG, DRAINING, and unsatisfactory road...Yes, the ending was only good, not even great for me at that point.
April 2, 2015
I couldn't do it. I don't know what page I ended up giving up at , but I just couldn't do it anymore.
Had the potential in both the writing and characters for a great book, but the entire Kellan/Laney thing just KILLED it for me. Killed it.
What is it with guys in books named Kellan absolutely breaking my heart? It's always from being involved with other women, too. Bleh.
Note to self: Do not try reading this one again. You'll just start crying.
Had the potential in both the writing and characters for a great book, but the entire Kellan/Laney thing just KILLED it for me. Killed it.
What is it with guys in books named Kellan absolutely breaking my heart? It's always from being involved with other women, too. Bleh.
Note to self: Do not try reading this one again. You'll just start crying.
April 20, 2014
This was one of those books that hooked me from the beginning, but then let me down pretty hard. It was so up and down, but never actually got anywhere, other than they got older. I kept getting the build up for a perfect moment, only to just see it fall flat and be disappointed. There were even a couple of characters that I didn't understand the point of them being in the book or even giving them a name because I just didn't see their importance. That being said, the writing was good and it had a few interesting parts, but it was a pretty big let down for me.
February 14, 2024
DNF at 40%!! One of the worst plots I've ever had the displeasure to read.
WHAT the hell was this? I kept waiting and waiting for things to take a turn, but it just went from bad to worse.
***RAGE with major plot SPOILERS but I strongly suggest you read it, since I'm pretty sure 90% of you won't want to read this book after***
I was already bothered when he started dating her sister, but I was like - okay, our h is only 13 anyways, and her sister will only be a fling, they'll eventually (after a month, two) break up and he will get with h for a lifetime... well.... they do break up... only to get back together. Rinse and repeat FOR 4 YEARS.
And then one day, they finally get in a huge fight and break up what seems for good, our heroine finally gets some breakthrough herself - they kiss and she encourages him to be with her, as they are best friends. I knew they wouldn't just get together, but I was sure her sister was in the past and things will finally start developing for them. But boy was I wrong... he not only dissed her, he GOT BACK TOGETHER WITH HER SISTER AND GOT ENGAGED to her.
At that point I was already very confused in *how the hell* is that supposed to work for the readers?
With the last straw of hope, I thought okay, maybe there was a pregnancy scare and he had to do it or something, but after those news we immediately skip 4 YEARS forward to our heroine listening to her sister and him having sex in the next room. Meaning they were still together. THAT MAKING IT 8 EFFING YEARS by then. While she just silently waited for him and what's the worst - he asked her to!!
WHAT.THE.FUCK!
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE GIF to describe my feelings:
This was the point where I knew I was done. That was too much, even in the long run!! You just CAN'T make the majority of the book about another relationship and to make it worse - with h's SISTER, only to end it with a turn "hey I actually love you, not your sister, whom I've asked to marry me and I've been with for the past 8 years", HAPPY MOTHERFUCKING EVER AFTER!! \(^____^)/
It's just not worth it, it would always be weird. Even when they're 50 and they'll have a family picnic with all the kids and maybe grandkids, they'll see each other and the elephant in the room - "hey remember when I was in a relationship with you for 8 years, got engaged and then dump you for your sister because I finally succumbed to my real feelings? yeah, good times..."
WHAT the hell was this? I kept waiting and waiting for things to take a turn, but it just went from bad to worse.
***RAGE with major plot SPOILERS but I strongly suggest you read it, since I'm pretty sure 90% of you won't want to read this book after***
I was already bothered when he started dating her sister, but I was like - okay, our h is only 13 anyways, and her sister will only be a fling, they'll eventually (after a month, two) break up and he will get with h for a lifetime... well.... they do break up... only to get back together. Rinse and repeat FOR 4 YEARS.
And then one day, they finally get in a huge fight and break up what seems for good, our heroine finally gets some breakthrough herself - they kiss and she encourages him to be with her, as they are best friends. I knew they wouldn't just get together, but I was sure her sister was in the past and things will finally start developing for them. But boy was I wrong... he not only dissed her, he GOT BACK TOGETHER WITH HER SISTER AND GOT ENGAGED to her.
At that point I was already very confused in *how the hell* is that supposed to work for the readers?
With the last straw of hope, I thought okay, maybe there was a pregnancy scare and he had to do it or something, but after those news we immediately skip 4 YEARS forward to our heroine listening to her sister and him having sex in the next room. Meaning they were still together. THAT MAKING IT 8 EFFING YEARS by then. While she just silently waited for him and what's the worst - he asked her to!!
WHAT.THE.FUCK!
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE GIF to describe my feelings:
This was the point where I knew I was done. That was too much, even in the long run!! You just CAN'T make the majority of the book about another relationship and to make it worse - with h's SISTER, only to end it with a turn "hey I actually love you, not your sister, whom I've asked to marry me and I've been with for the past 8 years", HAPPY MOTHERFUCKING EVER AFTER!! \(^____^)/
It's just not worth it, it would always be weird. Even when they're 50 and they'll have a family picnic with all the kids and maybe grandkids, they'll see each other and the elephant in the room - "hey remember when I was in a relationship with you for 8 years, got engaged and then dump you for your sister because I finally succumbed to my real feelings? yeah, good times..."
April 25, 2014
As I was reading totally into the book and couldn't wait for them to hook up (years later), BUT, it took a different turn for me. Reason being, Jenna and Kellan. I was so hoping for these two that when it finally came to the crunch, I just about ended up not finishing the book. So this is how I see it....
Kellan and Jenna meets when they were both 17 years and 13 years old. Kellan is bad boy boxer and from the not so good side. Jenna is a good girl with brains. Kellan has a crush on Laney (Jenna's older sister). Kellan and Jenna develops a friendship and they click. Kellan goes steady with Laney. Jenna is still too young. Jenna is 17 years of age. Kellan and Laney are not together. Kellan and Jenna has a moment. Kellan gets back together with Laney. Kellan and Jenna still friends and they have feelings but cannot go anywhere. Kellan and Laney become engaged. Like WTH....
Now..........that's why I have enough reason to give up on this book and why I seriously gave it a 2STAR. I just couldn't get over why Jenna would continue that kind of friendship. I also didn't get much vibe from Kellan as a boxer. He's supposed to be this bad ass hottie, but all he's ever done is just kind of went from the radar. The author practically didn't do much to make him appear and make him out to be that heartbreaker he's supposed to be. I don't know really what to make but kind of a little disappointed for how the book turned out. Jenna had passion in the beginning and then after the turn down between her and Kellan it just lost that vibe. The only good thing I felt was her dad and her friend Samantha.
Kellan and Jenna meets when they were both 17 years and 13 years old. Kellan is bad boy boxer and from the not so good side. Jenna is a good girl with brains. Kellan has a crush on Laney (Jenna's older sister). Kellan and Jenna develops a friendship and they click. Kellan goes steady with Laney. Jenna is still too young. Jenna is 17 years of age. Kellan and Laney are not together. Kellan and Jenna has a moment. Kellan gets back together with Laney. Kellan and Jenna still friends and they have feelings but cannot go anywhere. Kellan and Laney become engaged. Like WTH....
Now..........that's why I have enough reason to give up on this book and why I seriously gave it a 2STAR. I just couldn't get over why Jenna would continue that kind of friendship. I also didn't get much vibe from Kellan as a boxer. He's supposed to be this bad ass hottie, but all he's ever done is just kind of went from the radar. The author practically didn't do much to make him appear and make him out to be that heartbreaker he's supposed to be. I don't know really what to make but kind of a little disappointed for how the book turned out. Jenna had passion in the beginning and then after the turn down between her and Kellan it just lost that vibe. The only good thing I felt was her dad and her friend Samantha.
March 30, 2014
This is a beautiful story. Jenna and Kellen become best friends when she's 13 and he's 17. The story then follows their intertwined lives for the next 9 or 10 yrs.
I'm actually jealous of them. Not because of their love for each other but because of their closeness. I don't think I've ever known someone like they know each other. Jenna is constantly having to remind Kellen of what he likes and dislikes, its cute.
The emotions they go through are just so powerful that I felt what they felt and I just wanted them to realize they belong together.
There isn't a lot of minor characters or side story which is great, it keeps the focus on them. But I especially liked Jenna's dad.
I was sent an ecopy by the author. Thank you.
I'm actually jealous of them. Not because of their love for each other but because of their closeness. I don't think I've ever known someone like they know each other. Jenna is constantly having to remind Kellen of what he likes and dislikes, its cute.
The emotions they go through are just so powerful that I felt what they felt and I just wanted them to realize they belong together.
There isn't a lot of minor characters or side story which is great, it keeps the focus on them. But I especially liked Jenna's dad.
I was sent an ecopy by the author. Thank you.
November 4, 2016
Loved this book!!! Review to come!!
ARC provided by author for honest review
This book had me by the heart within the first chapter. For the most part, my genre of choice tends to be dark and dirty and this was anything but! It was beautiful and real and one I couldn't put down. A true romance.
ARC provided by author for honest review
This book had me by the heart within the first chapter. For the most part, my genre of choice tends to be dark and dirty and this was anything but! It was beautiful and real and one I couldn't put down. A true romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2014
my thoughts:
- Kellan was awesome, I loved him...until
- he didn't go for the girl he actually wanted so he went with second best, her sister. seriously dude?
- MOST of the book he was with laney (the seriously annoying spoiled sister).
- he knew the whole book he wanted to be with Jenna, but he continued this jacked up relationship with laney.
- I like Jenna for the most part. that is until she kissed kellan. I get that she has been in lloooove with him since forever, but eeew he has been with your sister girl. yuck
- wth was with the mom. she was a total witch in my opinion.
- Kellan was awesome, I loved him...until
- he didn't go for the girl he actually wanted so he went with second best, her sister. seriously dude?
- MOST of the book he was with laney (the seriously annoying spoiled sister).
- he knew the whole book he wanted to be with Jenna, but he continued this jacked up relationship with laney.
- I like Jenna for the most part. that is until she kissed kellan. I get that she has been in lloooove with him since forever, but eeew he has been with your sister girl. yuck
- wth was with the mom. she was a total witch in my opinion.
April 4, 2014
it could have easily been a 5 star book for me but the ending didn't satisfy me... i felt jenna deserved a big gesture, a better epilogue or i don't know something more... but the ending was really mediocre.. the book was really nice and i enjoyed it a lot, but the ending kind of set me off.. maybe the writer is planning on a book two that's why the ending was so rushed but there is no indication for a second book, so to sum it up .. great book, not so much ending
February 20, 2023
ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝟏 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳
𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫 (H) is a “troubled” kid from the wrong side of town but has the potential to be something great because he is academically gifted. So when the father of wealthy daughters at Weston High takes him in, he doesn’t expect anything more than to be helped to stay out of jail for punching someone. Then he meets 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞 (h), a young girl who first sees him in her home, sparks a conversation, and develops a schoolgirl crush. However, she is too young, so he spots her sister and instantly takes her to her instead. Over the years, he dates her sister, but she has always had feelings for him, and somewhere along the line, he developed some for her too.
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳
I hated this book, and there is nothing much to add because it was terrible that he was nineteen years old and crushing on a fourteen-year-old. He admitted falling in love with her since the moment he met her, and he always commented about how he wished she was older when she was thirteen, which was creepy. There is no reason a man in college should have feelings for a high school freshman; I don’t care that she was his best friend; it is weird. The book takes place over different time frames, and she gets older, but, oddly, he was friends with her as a minor at his grown age. Even at seventeen, he made a move and stopped it because he was twenty-one, so somewhere in his brain, he knew it was wrong.
The worst part is that Laney sister treated him like shit, and he stayed, but then they would break up, and he would still go back to her every time. It was also disturbing that they had sex in the same spaces as Jenna, so Kellan clearly had no respect for her if he did love her so much. If he hadn't had that accident, he would have never left the sister or called off the engagement, and I think it is a pathetic excuse. These two deserve each other because they were equally as terrible. The FMC had no boundaries when she knew her sister was in a relationship with him; frankly, she was still acting like a kid with a crush. Nothing about this book is romantic or good; the fact that he would make her promise to wait for him and give nothing in return is just asshole behavior. He is the worst fictional man to exist, Jenna was a doormat, but she deserved better. I am still mad she let someone as good as Alexander go because she was waiting for someone who didn't want her enough to fight for her. I can't say that Kellan and Jenna had chemistry; they were just annoying and pining over each other at ages when it was inappropriate.
. *. ⋆O͢V͢E͢R͢A͢L͢L͢
Don’t waste your time!!! I read it so you don’t have to because I promise these two will give you headache and it’s not a fun time at all. There is nothing likeable about either of them and they don’t have redeeming qualities.
༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳
𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫 (H) is a “troubled” kid from the wrong side of town but has the potential to be something great because he is academically gifted. So when the father of wealthy daughters at Weston High takes him in, he doesn’t expect anything more than to be helped to stay out of jail for punching someone. Then he meets 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞 (h), a young girl who first sees him in her home, sparks a conversation, and develops a schoolgirl crush. However, she is too young, so he spots her sister and instantly takes her to her instead. Over the years, he dates her sister, but she has always had feelings for him, and somewhere along the line, he developed some for her too.
·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳
I hated this book, and there is nothing much to add because it was terrible that he was nineteen years old and crushing on a fourteen-year-old. He admitted falling in love with her since the moment he met her, and he always commented about how he wished she was older when she was thirteen, which was creepy. There is no reason a man in college should have feelings for a high school freshman; I don’t care that she was his best friend; it is weird. The book takes place over different time frames, and she gets older, but, oddly, he was friends with her as a minor at his grown age. Even at seventeen, he made a move and stopped it because he was twenty-one, so somewhere in his brain, he knew it was wrong.
The worst part is that Laney sister treated him like shit, and he stayed, but then they would break up, and he would still go back to her every time. It was also disturbing that they had sex in the same spaces as Jenna, so Kellan clearly had no respect for her if he did love her so much. If he hadn't had that accident, he would have never left the sister or called off the engagement, and I think it is a pathetic excuse. These two deserve each other because they were equally as terrible. The FMC had no boundaries when she knew her sister was in a relationship with him; frankly, she was still acting like a kid with a crush. Nothing about this book is romantic or good; the fact that he would make her promise to wait for him and give nothing in return is just asshole behavior. He is the worst fictional man to exist, Jenna was a doormat, but she deserved better. I am still mad she let someone as good as Alexander go because she was waiting for someone who didn't want her enough to fight for her. I can't say that Kellan and Jenna had chemistry; they were just annoying and pining over each other at ages when it was inappropriate.
. *. ⋆O͢V͢E͢R͢A͢L͢L͢
Don’t waste your time!!! I read it so you don’t have to because I promise these two will give you headache and it’s not a fun time at all. There is nothing likeable about either of them and they don’t have redeeming qualities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2016
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one on the fence with this one. There seem to be quite a few reviews of people saying "I liked it, but not really."
That is sort of the way I feel. I liked things about this book, but I'm not sure they are enough to say I liked the book.
I went into this book without reading any description. It was recommended after finishing a different book and I download and read the sample. I liked it enough to buy it. But about 35% of the way through I almost threw in the towel. It was around that part of the book when Kellan asked Jenna not to quit on him that I started to really dislike him. But I sort of disliked Jenna too. I hated that she would never let herself feel sorry for herself. She was too self sacrificing. I was ready for her to have a break down for herself and I really wanted Kellan to experience it too. I wanted him to know just how much he hurt her. I wanted her to get angry with him. He really treated her like crap and she took it, with a smile on her face. That was SO frustrating.
But I'm getting sidetracked. Around the 35%-45% mark I was having a really hard time making myself read this book. I just kept telling myself it has to get better. It can get much worse. The book had already brought me so low I knew that it would eventually start climbing up, and eventually start pulling my emotions out of the black pit I was swimming around in. The dark clouds that had hovered over me while reading would soon start to clear and I would feel sunshine and happiness shining through the pages of this book, if I could just push past the storm, and claw my way out of the black pit one page at a time.
It started to get better, but then it would stumble and I would start heading back into rain. But then it would clear up a bit and I would be hopeful, that the sunshine was coming, only to go through showers again.
I was sort of surprised when I turned the page to the epilogue, because to me the story was still climbing out of the black pit, the clouds were still clearing making way for the sunshine. I just never felt like it fully got there. The epilogue just felt like another short chapter to me. The book skips along over many years and months at a time, so for the epilogue to only skip a few months ahead just didn't feel like enough. An epilogue that would have been satisfying to me would have been 10 years down the road. AFTER they had worked through all the crap. Not ending with them still, in a sense, bogged down with problems and everything being still new for them. I wanted happiness. I wanted Kellan comfortable in his own skin. I wanted him to feel worthy of being with Jenna.
I hated Laney from the start of this book. She was selfish and spoiled and Kellan choosing her over and over again really made me dislike him. From the very beginning it is obvious that the love story is supposed to be between Jenna and Kellan. But it really wasn't. Most of the book Kellan is putting Jenna second, and choosing her annoying sister. It was really difficult to read. I didn't understand why Jenna wouldn't start distancing herself from him. Yes, he was supposedly her best friend, but when did he ever act like after she was in high school? I felt as though I was understanding Jenna's feelings for him better than she was. I felt her love for him more deeply than she did at times. Because there is just no way she could not start feeling bitter or start resenting her sister, especially when her sister clearly didn't know Kellan the way Jenna did. Jenna didn't seem to have any kind of self preservation except denial, which was just annoying.
Honestly, looking back I never really understood what Kellan's deal was. He had a crappy home life, in and out of foster homes and he was abused, but I kept waiting for there to be that one dark secret to come out that would explain why he he was so damaged. I thought maybe sexual abuse was hinted at during the therapy session, but I could have just been reading it wrong. I felt like there was something missing. Something darker than the explanation that was given.
I need to just stop thinking about this book and move on. Rehashing it over and over again in my brain is just pulling me back to that depressing place that I was in throughout the majority of the book.
So in closing, I felt as though the stormy weather and dark clouds I felt hovering over me through most of this book, never cleared. It was left with streams of light making their way through the clouds, but after everything I just read I wasn't confident the clouds wouldn't gather more strength and pinch the light out again. I just didn't get much closure. I hate it when books end with hope. The whole point of the journey is to reach the light at the end of the tunnel, in my opinion. Not just see it at a distance. I want to be there, at the light by the last page. And if I'm being really honest. I prefer to bask in it for a little while. Stretch that happy ending out a little.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAVORITE QUOTES
"You're into football?"
"A little."
One guess who had taught me about football.
"Enough to know your positions. Pretty and you like sports? Tell me your single."
I blushed with embarrassment, though I tried to hide it. "I am."
He smiled again. "Good. Now tell me your number?"
"What?"
"Can I get your number?"
I laughed. "Don't you want my name first?"
"I mean, if you want to be formal about it."
~Devon and Jenna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If I get anything in this world right," he whispered, "I swear on my life, it will be you."
~Kellan
That is sort of the way I feel. I liked things about this book, but I'm not sure they are enough to say I liked the book.
I went into this book without reading any description. It was recommended after finishing a different book and I download and read the sample. I liked it enough to buy it. But about 35% of the way through I almost threw in the towel. It was around that part of the book when Kellan asked Jenna not to quit on him that I started to really dislike him. But I sort of disliked Jenna too. I hated that she would never let herself feel sorry for herself. She was too self sacrificing. I was ready for her to have a break down for herself and I really wanted Kellan to experience it too. I wanted him to know just how much he hurt her. I wanted her to get angry with him. He really treated her like crap and she took it, with a smile on her face. That was SO frustrating.
But I'm getting sidetracked. Around the 35%-45% mark I was having a really hard time making myself read this book. I just kept telling myself it has to get better. It can get much worse. The book had already brought me so low I knew that it would eventually start climbing up, and eventually start pulling my emotions out of the black pit I was swimming around in. The dark clouds that had hovered over me while reading would soon start to clear and I would feel sunshine and happiness shining through the pages of this book, if I could just push past the storm, and claw my way out of the black pit one page at a time.
It started to get better, but then it would stumble and I would start heading back into rain. But then it would clear up a bit and I would be hopeful, that the sunshine was coming, only to go through showers again.
I was sort of surprised when I turned the page to the epilogue, because to me the story was still climbing out of the black pit, the clouds were still clearing making way for the sunshine. I just never felt like it fully got there. The epilogue just felt like another short chapter to me. The book skips along over many years and months at a time, so for the epilogue to only skip a few months ahead just didn't feel like enough. An epilogue that would have been satisfying to me would have been 10 years down the road. AFTER they had worked through all the crap. Not ending with them still, in a sense, bogged down with problems and everything being still new for them. I wanted happiness. I wanted Kellan comfortable in his own skin. I wanted him to feel worthy of being with Jenna.
I hated Laney from the start of this book. She was selfish and spoiled and Kellan choosing her over and over again really made me dislike him. From the very beginning it is obvious that the love story is supposed to be between Jenna and Kellan. But it really wasn't. Most of the book Kellan is putting Jenna second, and choosing her annoying sister. It was really difficult to read. I didn't understand why Jenna wouldn't start distancing herself from him. Yes, he was supposedly her best friend, but when did he ever act like after she was in high school? I felt as though I was understanding Jenna's feelings for him better than she was. I felt her love for him more deeply than she did at times. Because there is just no way she could not start feeling bitter or start resenting her sister, especially when her sister clearly didn't know Kellan the way Jenna did. Jenna didn't seem to have any kind of self preservation except denial, which was just annoying.
Honestly, looking back I never really understood what Kellan's deal was. He had a crappy home life, in and out of foster homes and he was abused, but I kept waiting for there to be that one dark secret to come out that would explain why he he was so damaged. I thought maybe sexual abuse was hinted at during the therapy session, but I could have just been reading it wrong. I felt like there was something missing. Something darker than the explanation that was given.
I need to just stop thinking about this book and move on. Rehashing it over and over again in my brain is just pulling me back to that depressing place that I was in throughout the majority of the book.
So in closing, I felt as though the stormy weather and dark clouds I felt hovering over me through most of this book, never cleared. It was left with streams of light making their way through the clouds, but after everything I just read I wasn't confident the clouds wouldn't gather more strength and pinch the light out again. I just didn't get much closure. I hate it when books end with hope. The whole point of the journey is to reach the light at the end of the tunnel, in my opinion. Not just see it at a distance. I want to be there, at the light by the last page. And if I'm being really honest. I prefer to bask in it for a little while. Stretch that happy ending out a little.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAVORITE QUOTES
"You're into football?"
"A little."
One guess who had taught me about football.
"Enough to know your positions. Pretty and you like sports? Tell me your single."
I blushed with embarrassment, though I tried to hide it. "I am."
He smiled again. "Good. Now tell me your number?"
"What?"
"Can I get your number?"
I laughed. "Don't you want my name first?"
"I mean, if you want to be formal about it."
~Devon and Jenna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If I get anything in this world right," he whispered, "I swear on my life, it will be you."
~Kellan
January 21, 2018
I just can’t get past the fact that he says he cannot commit but gets engaged to her older sister. He does whatever Laney, the sister, says. The Hero Kellen is an ass. He sleeps with Laney where the Jenna can hear and it’s loud. She even walked in on them doing it. This went on for years. I get he was in foster care and got beat but what is that for an excuse? He uses sex to distance himself from people and he shuts down. He says he loves Jenna, the h, but he does everything against that. I hated Kellan’s choices through the whole book. He says he asks the sister to marry because was copying a pattern like her parents. He says he never loved Laney. It’s not enough. He’s too much work and she should have put herself first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2020
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Stars! Forbidden, sister’s boyfriend. An ok read.
June 19, 2015
***SPOILERS***
4 ½ Stars
“Knockout” is a truly unique take on a fighter, bad boy novel. Kellen Coulter has grown up poor and has had a rough upbringing. He’s a boxer but he also gets into street fights venting his anger that has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. After being charged with Assault his attorney, Dan Monroe, takes him under his wing because he sees something of himself in Kellen. Dan had grown up “on the wrong side of the tracks” himself but he worked his way up in life and through college and became a success and he wants to help young boys in similar situations. So Dan has taken Kellen’s case pro-Bono. He believes that with help Kellen can stay out of trouble and make something of his life.
Kellen begins to spend a lot of time at the Monroe household. He quits getting into trouble with street fights and sticks to his passion, boxing…and he’s very good at it. Dan and his wife Karen treat Kellen like a son. The first time Kellen comes to see Dan; Dan isn’t home so Kellen ends up talking with Jenna, Dan's 13 year old daughter. They hit it off and end up talking for a while…both comfortable with each other’s company which is unusual for both of them. But then Kellen meets Laney, Jenna’s older and stunning sister and he becomes attracted to her in a much different way.
Kellen doesn’t act on his attraction to Laney because he doesn’t feel like he’s good enough for her. But after spending a year hanging out with the Monroe family almost daily he finally asks Dan if he can take Laney out.
This is the point in the book where things become complicated. Although Kellen begins dating Laney he is still best friends with Jenna and Jenna is the only person he feels understands him. Jenna also tries to hide her true feelings for Kellen. She knows she’s too young to be with Kellen but it still hurts to see him with her sister who Jenna considers to be the ultimate beauty while she thinks of herself as being okay looking but certainly not able to compete with her gorgeous sister.
One thing author Tracey Ward does throughout the book is jump ahead through time periods that would be unimportant to this story. For example, she may go from present day to 3 months later. I love that she does this because, as the reader, we don’t have to waste time reading filler to get to the time periods that are significant to the storyline.
As time goes on Kellen who had been doing well with his life begins to become moody and depressed. But we don’t really know why. Ms. Ward keeps us in suspense as to why Kellen has changed when on the outside it appears that everything should be going well. Kellen has finished college, has a great job and is engaged to Laney. But there are some things going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about and we are left pondering what is going on.
While following the life of Kellen we are also following Jenna’s life. Jenna goes in a direction with her life that upsets her mom but her dad is happy for her and so is Kellen. Jenna doesn’t fit into the high class social norm of the rich. She’s independent and real.
Now that Jenna is an adult and out on her own she is still best friends with Kellen and I often wondered why Kellen was with Laney instead of Jenna. But then again how do you break off an engagement with one sister so you can be with the other? Quite simply…you can’t.
But something major happens in Kellen’s life and he begins to re-evaluate everything he’s doing. Will he finally realize that he doesn’t belong with Laney? And even if he does realize he doesn’t belong with Laney will he do anything about it?
“Knockout” is about learning lessons in life and deciding what to do once those lessons are learned. Do you make hard decisions or take the easy way out?
This is a standalone book…which I LOVE!!! It also has a HEA. I highly recommend this book to anybody who likes contemporary romance that is character driven.
4 ½ Stars
“Knockout” is a truly unique take on a fighter, bad boy novel. Kellen Coulter has grown up poor and has had a rough upbringing. He’s a boxer but he also gets into street fights venting his anger that has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. After being charged with Assault his attorney, Dan Monroe, takes him under his wing because he sees something of himself in Kellen. Dan had grown up “on the wrong side of the tracks” himself but he worked his way up in life and through college and became a success and he wants to help young boys in similar situations. So Dan has taken Kellen’s case pro-Bono. He believes that with help Kellen can stay out of trouble and make something of his life.
Kellen begins to spend a lot of time at the Monroe household. He quits getting into trouble with street fights and sticks to his passion, boxing…and he’s very good at it. Dan and his wife Karen treat Kellen like a son. The first time Kellen comes to see Dan; Dan isn’t home so Kellen ends up talking with Jenna, Dan's 13 year old daughter. They hit it off and end up talking for a while…both comfortable with each other’s company which is unusual for both of them. But then Kellen meets Laney, Jenna’s older and stunning sister and he becomes attracted to her in a much different way.
Kellen doesn’t act on his attraction to Laney because he doesn’t feel like he’s good enough for her. But after spending a year hanging out with the Monroe family almost daily he finally asks Dan if he can take Laney out.
This is the point in the book where things become complicated. Although Kellen begins dating Laney he is still best friends with Jenna and Jenna is the only person he feels understands him. Jenna also tries to hide her true feelings for Kellen. She knows she’s too young to be with Kellen but it still hurts to see him with her sister who Jenna considers to be the ultimate beauty while she thinks of herself as being okay looking but certainly not able to compete with her gorgeous sister.
One thing author Tracey Ward does throughout the book is jump ahead through time periods that would be unimportant to this story. For example, she may go from present day to 3 months later. I love that she does this because, as the reader, we don’t have to waste time reading filler to get to the time periods that are significant to the storyline.
As time goes on Kellen who had been doing well with his life begins to become moody and depressed. But we don’t really know why. Ms. Ward keeps us in suspense as to why Kellen has changed when on the outside it appears that everything should be going well. Kellen has finished college, has a great job and is engaged to Laney. But there are some things going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about and we are left pondering what is going on.
While following the life of Kellen we are also following Jenna’s life. Jenna goes in a direction with her life that upsets her mom but her dad is happy for her and so is Kellen. Jenna doesn’t fit into the high class social norm of the rich. She’s independent and real.
Now that Jenna is an adult and out on her own she is still best friends with Kellen and I often wondered why Kellen was with Laney instead of Jenna. But then again how do you break off an engagement with one sister so you can be with the other? Quite simply…you can’t.
But something major happens in Kellen’s life and he begins to re-evaluate everything he’s doing. Will he finally realize that he doesn’t belong with Laney? And even if he does realize he doesn’t belong with Laney will he do anything about it?
“Knockout” is about learning lessons in life and deciding what to do once those lessons are learned. Do you make hard decisions or take the easy way out?
This is a standalone book…which I LOVE!!! It also has a HEA. I highly recommend this book to anybody who likes contemporary romance that is character driven.
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