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Deeper Than Desire #1
Beyond Repair
When Alice Evans finds a bona fide movie star on the floor of her living room, she has no idea what to do. Ordinary men are frightening enough, never mind someone as famous and frankly gorgeous as Holden Stark.
However, once she realizes that Holden is suffering behind that famous facade, she knows she has to help. He needs someone like her to give him a taste of sweetness and desire and love. He needs normality. The only problem—Alice is hiding a secret that is far from normal. In fact, her name isn’t even Alice at all.
And once Holden finds out, the intense connection they are just beginning to build may well be torn apart.
A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
However, once she realizes that Holden is suffering behind that famous facade, she knows she has to help. He needs someone like her to give him a taste of sweetness and desire and love. He needs normality. The only problem—Alice is hiding a secret that is far from normal. In fact, her name isn’t even Alice at all.
And once Holden finds out, the intense connection they are just beginning to build may well be torn apart.
A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2014
54 people are currently reading
1317 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Stein
116 books2,122 followersCharlotte Stein is the RT and DABWAHA nominated author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, watching terrible sitcoms and occasionally lusting after hunks. For more on Charlotte, visit: www.charlottestein.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
September 12, 2016
Holden is a famous star.
Alice has a tragic backstory.
The story started off with Holden passing out in Alice's living room.
Out of four Charlotte Stein’s books I have read so far, I couldn't tune in to the weirdness in this book from the start. The premise and the character development failed to convince me why the MCs were emotionally connected. 98% of the scenes in here happened in Alice’s beach house and the storyline was restrained by some awkward dialogue and Alice’s fantasy POV.
Unfortunately, it is not a good read for me:/
Alice has a tragic backstory.
The story started off with Holden passing out in Alice's living room.
Out of four Charlotte Stein’s books I have read so far, I couldn't tune in to the weirdness in this book from the start. The premise and the character development failed to convince me why the MCs were emotionally connected. 98% of the scenes in here happened in Alice’s beach house and the storyline was restrained by some awkward dialogue and Alice’s fantasy POV.
Unfortunately, it is not a good read for me:/
September 11, 2014
No secret if you look at my history of reading this author I can be described as a fangirl. So when I was given a copy for review I may have fist pumped Breakfast Club style. With that said I went in to this story pretty blind, only knowing it was her take on a Movie Star hero. I was BLOWN away.
There is no way to describe how ferociously I read this book. From the immediate connection with Alice the heroine, to the banter between Holden and her. I couldn't read fast enough, all the while knowing there were secrets but I was never taken out of the moment trying to figure out what came next. These characters felt real and raw and I felt them breathe. Amazing what was captured for me here. This book is so much deeper then just a NA about a movie star hero.
The fact that STARMAN was used as a quite beautiful character tool, sealed this book for me. I want to say ALL THE THINGS but I will leave it with please pick up this book and let these characters in to your life.
There is no way to describe how ferociously I read this book. From the immediate connection with Alice the heroine, to the banter between Holden and her. I couldn't read fast enough, all the while knowing there were secrets but I was never taken out of the moment trying to figure out what came next. These characters felt real and raw and I felt them breathe. Amazing what was captured for me here. This book is so much deeper then just a NA about a movie star hero.
The fact that STARMAN was used as a quite beautiful character tool, sealed this book for me. I want to say ALL THE THINGS but I will leave it with please pick up this book and let these characters in to your life.
December 7, 2014
I like this... book? Novella? Short story? I don't know and I don't care; I liked it.
The timeline was screwed up.
The characters were both screwed way the frick up
The conversations were weird.
The MC's relationship was... interesting to say the least.
And you know what? In between all that fricked-up-edness I found something awesome. And I liked it (duh). And I think you should read it. Just to see if it's just my own weirdom that makes me like this strange piece of literature or if we can agree it's good.
It's not long so it won't be difficult to read.
Goodnight.
The timeline was screwed up.
The characters were both screwed way the frick up
The conversations were weird.
The MC's relationship was... interesting to say the least.
And you know what? In between all that fricked-up-edness I found something awesome. And I liked it (duh). And I think you should read it. Just to see if it's just my own weirdom that makes me like this strange piece of literature or if we can agree it's good.
It's not long so it won't be difficult to read.
Goodnight.
September 18, 2014
Oh My God!! Ok first off for me this was just a little short and in all fairness if anyone has woken up to find a movie star passed out in their living room, overcome immense fears and issues to engage with another person and then just happens to find the person they are meant to be with? OMG!! But after that's all said what a brilliant book. The story is so sweet and is written so well you get sucked into the story. You feel with 'Bernie' (lol once you read it you get it) and Al and really route for their HEA. I really could have read more from them and hoped the Epilogue would have been longer but maybe there will be a short sequel with life after??? I really would recommend this book for a lovely, sweet read.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2016
“One of the biggest lies out there is the one that says you have to be whole to be loved—that if you’re not it’s a miracle anyone would. But my love for you is not some flimsy miracle based on whether you’re okay or not. Love is something you deserve. More than anything,...you deserve love. You deserve it so much I sometimes ache to give it to you.”
Oh I so love the broken ones and this one was worth it.
January 29, 2023
So I DNF’d this back in 2017, but decided to reread it today and I’m glad I did. I’m sad there was no epilogue though, I needed closure!
May 2, 2014
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
This book was billed as New Adult. It's written in 3rd person, but only from Alice's perspective. I agree that it's a bit different than many of Charlotte Stein's other books, which tend to be extra-super filthy. It had a little bit of dirty, filthy sex, but that was mostly an afterthought compared to the emotion and gravity of the characters. Alice and Holden were so, so, so messed up. The way they met was crazy; their time together was sweet and bewitching; and their conclusion was gritty, poignant, and intense.
There was Charlotte Stein's signature depth of feeling and complete submersion inside the characters' subconscious. I knew them, I was them, and I couldn't help loving them. The language was so fun and quirky. They felt like real people that I'd want to be friends with. Here's an example of just a little piece of awesome:
She'd always seen the term grab ass and imagined something brutal and rude. The equivalent in her head was punching someone's great-aunt with a penis.
I felt like neither character had much in the way of physical descriptions. In this case, it made it so easy to let them fly free. They could both be attractive to each other without needing to narrow down what that attraction meant. They loved each other because they connected and accepted each other. It sounds like such a simple thought, but they worked through things heartbreakingly and beautifully.
Alice had some deep emotional issues to work through. I can't give away too much without spoilers, so let's just say that her issues could have veered into major psychological help needed, but I felt happy with the way the book went. She was able to overcome, in what I felt was a believable way, through being accepted and needed. She already had a lot of the psychological help paving the way, but she found a reason to fight once she established an emotional connection.
The experience of this book is so intense because everything is so constrained; one house, one moment in time, one single step taken before thinking about the next. Holden and Alice are so broken and seeing them heal and open up to each other makes life worthwhile. I was drawn in to the pain and disconnect of these two. Life just didn't work for them. They didn't have meaningful connections and they're full of emptiness. Things didn't get easy once they meet, but their love gave them reasons to fight through the emotional pain.
I loved seeing how Holden and Alice connected. They met each other exactly where they were. They pushed each other just a little bit, but there was no judgement – only acceptance. It was exactly the type of relationship that felt perfect. Even when they were dealing with heavy issues, they were whimsical and quirky – giving each other nicknames and allowing space for growth.
I'm not often a fan of movie star books. I hate the whole famous person thing. But it didn't matter that Holden was externally famous. It only mattered that he was famous to Alice because it gave them a connection. They got a little kinky, but that was just another way for them to accept each other.
Beyond Repair didn't quite knock my very favorite Charlotte Stein books off the top of the stack, but I did love it. It was so vulnerable and achingly raw. I agonized, I smiled, and I couldn't help the wistful feeling when I read this book.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
*This review is archived on my blog: The Theory of Lieto Fine
This book was billed as New Adult. It's written in 3rd person, but only from Alice's perspective. I agree that it's a bit different than many of Charlotte Stein's other books, which tend to be extra-super filthy. It had a little bit of dirty, filthy sex, but that was mostly an afterthought compared to the emotion and gravity of the characters. Alice and Holden were so, so, so messed up. The way they met was crazy; their time together was sweet and bewitching; and their conclusion was gritty, poignant, and intense.
There was Charlotte Stein's signature depth of feeling and complete submersion inside the characters' subconscious. I knew them, I was them, and I couldn't help loving them. The language was so fun and quirky. They felt like real people that I'd want to be friends with. Here's an example of just a little piece of awesome:
She'd always seen the term grab ass and imagined something brutal and rude. The equivalent in her head was punching someone's great-aunt with a penis.
I felt like neither character had much in the way of physical descriptions. In this case, it made it so easy to let them fly free. They could both be attractive to each other without needing to narrow down what that attraction meant. They loved each other because they connected and accepted each other. It sounds like such a simple thought, but they worked through things heartbreakingly and beautifully.
Alice had some deep emotional issues to work through. I can't give away too much without spoilers, so let's just say that her issues could have veered into major psychological help needed, but I felt happy with the way the book went. She was able to overcome, in what I felt was a believable way, through being accepted and needed. She already had a lot of the psychological help paving the way, but she found a reason to fight once she established an emotional connection.
The experience of this book is so intense because everything is so constrained; one house, one moment in time, one single step taken before thinking about the next. Holden and Alice are so broken and seeing them heal and open up to each other makes life worthwhile. I was drawn in to the pain and disconnect of these two. Life just didn't work for them. They didn't have meaningful connections and they're full of emptiness. Things didn't get easy once they meet, but their love gave them reasons to fight through the emotional pain.
I loved seeing how Holden and Alice connected. They met each other exactly where they were. They pushed each other just a little bit, but there was no judgement – only acceptance. It was exactly the type of relationship that felt perfect. Even when they were dealing with heavy issues, they were whimsical and quirky – giving each other nicknames and allowing space for growth.
I'm not often a fan of movie star books. I hate the whole famous person thing. But it didn't matter that Holden was externally famous. It only mattered that he was famous to Alice because it gave them a connection. They got a little kinky, but that was just another way for them to accept each other.
Beyond Repair didn't quite knock my very favorite Charlotte Stein books off the top of the stack, but I did love it. It was so vulnerable and achingly raw. I agonized, I smiled, and I couldn't help the wistful feeling when I read this book.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
*This review is archived on my blog: The Theory of Lieto Fine
January 21, 2016
If you woke up to a suicidal movie star in your living room, what would you do? Okay, imagine that now you're an agoraphobic hermit living in a cabin in the woods. Now what would you do? Leave it to Charlotte Stein to take a premise that really just shouldn't work and turn it into a brilliant book.
I mean, if the hero isn't suicidal and the heroine isn't agoraphobic, this is just wish fulfillment, right? They boink, he falls in love (she's loved him from afar for ages) and they ride off into the sunset of his big house and movie star lifestyle to live happily ever after. And while this book does have an HEA, the way it gets there is just really not that simple. In fact, she makes him leave. Twice.
At the beginning of Beyond Repair, we are aware that Alice Evans is both somehow notorious and also good-naturedly afraid of just about everything. This book is written in first-person perspective and our narrator is somewhat unreliable about her emotional and physical limitations. Even inside her own mind, she uses humor to deflect her attention away from her emotional and physical pain. We don't even know she has a limp until the hero mentions it.
Speaking of the hero, Holden Stark is a goofy, loveable dork trapped in a movie star's body. He is at a crisis point in his life where he is famous, successful and really very lonely. Though it is unfashionable these days to feel sorry for celebrities, it makes sense to me that once one reaches a certain level of fame, it might become difficult to form relationships with people who aren't just out for what they can get from you. And since Holden seems to have been an actor since he was a child, it's reasonable that he might not have anyone at all.
As for the relationship between Alice and Holden, the banter is witty, the chemistry is undeniable and both acknowledge that their situation is surreal. When they finally kiss (through a bookcase), they practically catch fire. And as their sexual relationship progresses, it just gets both weirder and hotter.
This book is wonky romantic eccentricity at its best. In the hands of a lesser writer, this is the kind of story that could have resulted in all manner of disaster. But in Charlotte Stein's hands it does work, making Beyond Repair one of my favorite books of the year thus far.
I mean, if the hero isn't suicidal and the heroine isn't agoraphobic, this is just wish fulfillment, right? They boink, he falls in love (she's loved him from afar for ages) and they ride off into the sunset of his big house and movie star lifestyle to live happily ever after. And while this book does have an HEA, the way it gets there is just really not that simple. In fact, she makes him leave. Twice.
At the beginning of Beyond Repair, we are aware that Alice Evans is both somehow notorious and also good-naturedly afraid of just about everything. This book is written in first-person perspective and our narrator is somewhat unreliable about her emotional and physical limitations. Even inside her own mind, she uses humor to deflect her attention away from her emotional and physical pain. We don't even know she has a limp until the hero mentions it.
Speaking of the hero, Holden Stark is a goofy, loveable dork trapped in a movie star's body. He is at a crisis point in his life where he is famous, successful and really very lonely. Though it is unfashionable these days to feel sorry for celebrities, it makes sense to me that once one reaches a certain level of fame, it might become difficult to form relationships with people who aren't just out for what they can get from you. And since Holden seems to have been an actor since he was a child, it's reasonable that he might not have anyone at all.
As for the relationship between Alice and Holden, the banter is witty, the chemistry is undeniable and both acknowledge that their situation is surreal. When they finally kiss (through a bookcase), they practically catch fire. And as their sexual relationship progresses, it just gets both weirder and hotter.
This book is wonky romantic eccentricity at its best. In the hands of a lesser writer, this is the kind of story that could have resulted in all manner of disaster. But in Charlotte Stein's hands it does work, making Beyond Repair one of my favorite books of the year thus far.
February 27, 2016
I freaking love this book. I adore Alice, the loveable black-eyed hermit and Holden Stark the nerd hiding in a painfully masculine man-shell was amazing. Their attraction was sweet and painfully hawt and their banter was spot on. I've never read a book like Beyond Repair, nostalgic and weird but intensely sexual at the same time. It's a damn shame because I'd really *like* to see more of these kinds of novels.
September 6, 2016
Loved the banter, storyline, characters....another winner by CS! I just wish there was a little bit more...more about how Alice and Bernie handle the next, day, week, year. I just didn't want their story to end.
March 2, 2017
Another winner from Charlotte Stein!! This was a very sweet story. It had some scorching hot moments (would it be Charlotte Stein if it didn't?), but even those were emotionally charged. You can really feel the instant connection between the hero and heroine here. There were also some heartbreaking moments, but watching Holden and Alice help each other heal was just wonderful.
--
Whaaaat? A new Charlotte Stein book?!
I would seriously read a recipe for boiling water if Charlotte Stein wrote it. Can't wait to read this.
--
Whaaaat? A new Charlotte Stein book?!
I would seriously read a recipe for boiling water if Charlotte Stein wrote it. Can't wait to read this.
July 5, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. As always, it takes me a minute to become accustomed to CS writing style. It's such an unusual style and I love it. This book just got better and better as it went on. By the end I was so in love with these characters that I wanted more, more, MORE. The sex was hot, as expected, but the character development, dialogue and interactions were even better. A great read!
May 5, 2014
4.5 stars
March 13, 2017
I kind of feel horrible giving this book a bad review, so I just won't give it a review at all.
Never mind, I don't feel that bad at all. This sucked.
IT HAD NO PLOT LINE.
It genuinely had no plot line.
The only reason why I initially felt a little bad writing this review was because Enid was supposed to go through some tough trauma or whatever.
WELL, GUESS WHAT??? YOU DON'T EVEN GET TO KNOW HER NAME IS ENID UNTIL THE END OF THE BOOK.
This is essentially how the book progressed.
Meet this young girl who walks into her house. Lo and behold, there is a man passed out on her rug. Is he dead? She's too scared to check. She doesn't call the police, either, like a normal person. Oh no, she slowly creeps up to him and EIGHTEEN MILLION HOURS LATER checks his breathing.
It sound very rattly.
WELL AT LEAST, HE'S ALIVE!!!
She thinks she should turn him over onto his side, but he rolls over by himself. She hauls him to the bathtub. She turns the water on him.
He wakes up.
MIND BLOWN.
He comments on her crazy hair. Apparently, it sticks straight up? ME CONFUSED.
They talk about weird ass things.
She does not own anything essential such as food, clothes, anything.
Even though she's lived in this house for two years.
Oh wait, I forgot to tell you this very KEY THING. This man is Holden Stark, a very famous movie star. He tried to kill himself.
Three weeks later, they're in love.
Stuff happens.
Actually, it doesn't. Nothing really happens. Because, remember? THERE IS NO PLOT LINE.
She finally musters courage or what not, and goes to find him, and they live happily ever after, or some random ish like that.
WHAT A FASCINATING BOOK.
And I'm out.
Never mind, I don't feel that bad at all. This sucked.
IT HAD NO PLOT LINE.
It genuinely had no plot line.
The only reason why I initially felt a little bad writing this review was because Enid was supposed to go through some tough trauma or whatever.
WELL, GUESS WHAT??? YOU DON'T EVEN GET TO KNOW HER NAME IS ENID UNTIL THE END OF THE BOOK.
This is essentially how the book progressed.
Meet this young girl who walks into her house. Lo and behold, there is a man passed out on her rug. Is he dead? She's too scared to check. She doesn't call the police, either, like a normal person. Oh no, she slowly creeps up to him and EIGHTEEN MILLION HOURS LATER checks his breathing.
It sound very rattly.
WELL AT LEAST, HE'S ALIVE!!!
She thinks she should turn him over onto his side, but he rolls over by himself. She hauls him to the bathtub. She turns the water on him.
He wakes up.
MIND BLOWN.
He comments on her crazy hair. Apparently, it sticks straight up? ME CONFUSED.
They talk about weird ass things.
She does not own anything essential such as food, clothes, anything.
Even though she's lived in this house for two years.
Oh wait, I forgot to tell you this very KEY THING. This man is Holden Stark, a very famous movie star. He tried to kill himself.
Three weeks later, they're in love.
Stuff happens.
Actually, it doesn't. Nothing really happens. Because, remember? THERE IS NO PLOT LINE.
She finally musters courage or what not, and goes to find him, and they live happily ever after, or some random ish like that.
WHAT A FASCINATING BOOK.
And I'm out.
September 9, 2014
You know that fantasy about big movie star falling for regular girl?
It's not my fantasy and it never was; I am really not into it. I can't exactly explain why nor I gave it some serious thought, but some clumsy, murmured reason would be that I find this premise the most fantastical of all contemporary novel tropes because it's set on an idea of romantic relationship wrapped around the "miracle" - two people are starting from two so monumentally different positions it's a miracle they even met, not to mention fall in love. It's not that I dislike famous characters, but I like some balance thrown in: Disgraced athlete? Bring it on. Ex-junky rock star? Oh yeah. Gorgeous movie star lead in latest superhero flick millions of people around the world are lusting after? :crickets:
I know- this is pretty warped, but hey, it's the thing with me and I won't even entertain myself with the idea that my reading choices re always based on common sense and logic, but it's probably why I always skip reading Just the Sexiest Man Alive or hate Notting Hill.
Well, Beyond Repair is not that fantasy. If anything, it's distorted, skewed view of, since while I was reading, I had a feeling Stein went with it backward and made it a fantasy scenario for movie star in question.
Alice finds Holden Stark passed out in her house. Every person in her situation would call an ambulance, but as you read her thoughts...you are slowly realizing that there is something not quite normal with Alice. If her thoughts are train then that train derails and detours many times before it comes to destination. She recognized what he did as quick as she recognized his face, but even touching to check his pulse is equal to approaching sleeping tiger to her. So, yeah...she is weird. She put him to bed and just kind of let him to work everything on his own. Holden is just tired and wants to go away from his fame and his life and he ended up in the most unreal situation he could think of: with the nerdy, weird person who couldn't care less he is famous and who isn't expecting anything from him. Like I said- backward fantasy where Alice is from another planet, one she is the star of, a mysterious creature he can just look at and can't figure out. So, they live in this limbo for few weeks, where they eat cheetos with milk, wear torn clothes and have exchanges like they are less-articulate Chuck Wendig while the entire world thinks Holden is dead. Imagine another version of Misery, but where Paul Sheldon wanted to stay with Annie Wilkes because they bonded over Misery Chastaine, and yes, I came to this analogy myself before Alice and Holden did, which is just a point made to weirdness of both of these characters. They are nerdy and geeky and awkward, but they are also fucked up by events in their life,so they are not handling it very well. If I need to guess, then real life for them is like neverending panic attack and weird circumstances brought them together and oh, they have so many issues, but they clicked.
Which brings me to romance. Ok, the first thing I noticed and liked about their romance is the fact that Alice's initial reactions to Holden weren't about his looks- if anything, she was scared of his gorgeous face, great physic and amazing body and muscles. But she swooned over words he said. There is this scene in the book where he's taking a bath and she is literally scared to look at him, but then he says something completely geeky and she is charmed. It's usually the other way around and especially with a hero whose look is the first thing anyone comment about him. Only after she falls for Berny, Alice starts noticing that his abs make her tingly all over. So, Alice and Holden have this dance, where they are both attracted to each other but have no idea what to do and it's sweet and funny and so damn right because they do just the right thing. I don't know, Holden and Alice can probably write this entire review using movie references, because they are not perfect- not at all, but they are perfect for each other.
Sex scenes are incredibly hot and sensual and smart, which is the reason Stein, McKenna and Hart are my trifecta when it comes to erotica. There is also some kink. :wink, wink:
The reason I chucked a star off is the perfect, white picket fence ending. I don't know if it's publishing line demand or necessity due to novella format, but Alice's issues were too severe for me to buy she suddenly overcame it.So, I was kind of mad author went with "Love is cure for everything" easy way out. I love to read messed up characters, fucked up people and weird creatures,because I want the ending to tell me: yeah, we are fucked up, we are nor functioning so well in real life, but it doesn't mean we can't have a functioning relationship. "
*Thanks for rec, Karla!
November 9, 2014
3.5 stars
Alice is a survivor who is still recovering from a trauma and Holden is a famous movie star who has hit a very low point in his life. The way they meet is unique, with Holden passed out in Alice’s living room. There is an immediate connection between them when they both realize they need and understand each other. It seems both Alice and Holden speak the same bizarre language.
The book is very character-driven and emotional, and it’s written solely in 3rd person from Alice’s POV. Although the writing itself was close to brilliant, I missed being inside Holden’s head. Alice was funny and imaginative, but her peculiar thoughts and mental rants were not enough to keep me fully invested. The ending was abrupt and although there is a .
Alice is a survivor who is still recovering from a trauma and Holden is a famous movie star who has hit a very low point in his life. The way they meet is unique, with Holden passed out in Alice’s living room. There is an immediate connection between them when they both realize they need and understand each other. It seems both Alice and Holden speak the same bizarre language.
The book is very character-driven and emotional, and it’s written solely in 3rd person from Alice’s POV. Although the writing itself was close to brilliant, I missed being inside Holden’s head. Alice was funny and imaginative, but her peculiar thoughts and mental rants were not enough to keep me fully invested. The ending was abrupt and although there is a .
September 24, 2018
I'm adding this to my favorites because it was just so incredibly intense. The sex stuff was amazing.
content warning: attempted suicide, anxiety, description of a plane crash.
representation: agoraphobic heroine
trope: insta-love, movie star hero, recluse heroine, both are pretttty damaged but softest people you'd ever meet.
content warning: attempted suicide, anxiety, description of a plane crash.
representation: agoraphobic heroine
trope: insta-love, movie star hero, recluse heroine, both are pretttty damaged but softest people you'd ever meet.
March 21, 2015
Another great book about 2 damaged people that surprinsingly have great sex :D
February 5, 2018
Wow. I literally laughed and cried and the same time. It’s so good.
It had insta-love, in the sense that I instantly fell in love with both of these lovable, messed up people.
I probably need to write this later, when I’m not reeling from the emotional impact. In all the best ways.
While I was reading, this book just made me truly happy from the inside out. For me, that says everything.
It had insta-love, in the sense that I instantly fell in love with both of these lovable, messed up people.
I probably need to write this later, when I’m not reeling from the emotional impact. In all the best ways.
While I was reading, this book just made me truly happy from the inside out. For me, that says everything.
April 19, 2018
Okay, I rarely sniffle at a conclusion....but this one came pretty close to the ol' tissue-needing...
October 30, 2018
Super emotional and angsty. Requires suspension of disbelief. But that is kind of what I signed up for so not complaining. Pure Stein!
August 1, 2015
Beyond Repair is the type of story that pulls you into the heroine’s stream of consciousness and won’t let go. And that’s a good thing.
The story begins with Alice finding a movie star, yep a bonafide movie star named Holden Stark (classic movie star name) passed out on her living room rug. She is by turns, fascinated, mortified and terrified by the fact that she’s not exactly sure he’s breathing, she has no idea how the hell she’s going to move him and her thoughts reflect that. Holden Stark has had a questionable encounter with some liquor and a bottle of pills, but he never thought he’d end up in a beach house with a woman who “looks as crazy as I feel.” He is captivated by Alice and the way her mind works, and the kindred spirit he can feel just underneath the surface. But he doesn’t know the secrets Alice is hiding - including her real name.
My Review
I expected an angsty, tortured story of two damaged souls reaching out to each other and I definitely got that. But the unexpected bonus was the offbeat humor laced throughout this tale. The entire story is told in first person point of view, and you really empathize with her scattered thoughts - Alice is socially awkward but endearingly funny and genuinely caring. She knows Holden from the moment she sees him, but she’s so scared that he’d think she’s some Annie Wilkes type (the classic movie references throughout are great), that she’s even more awkward and unsure. Holden is his own revelation - he isn’t some typical macho alpha but a nerdy, insecure hero in the body of a action movie star who is the perfect match for Alice.
This is a story that has tension throughout because you’re not exactly sure what happened to Alice but you want to know what makes her tick. It’s not reliant on explosions or big action-y type plot points. This is a real character-driven tale and as such, it works great. Holden and Alice’s interactions are funny and slightly crazy and really highlight how they connect on an emotional level. Their chemistry is palpable from the first accidental touch, which is key for me to buy into an attraction this intense on such a condensed timeline. Their first kiss? Absolutely sweet.
If I had to quibble with anything, the first person POV limits your perception of Alice herself and I would have enjoyed either a more third person perspective or even some scenes strictly from Holden’s point of view. Her stream of consciousness interrupted the flow of some of their conversations, and could make it difficult to follow it because there’s so much going on in her head before she responds. Their first real love scene was ….unusual, and unexpected. It’s something that’s best experienced without spoilers, but I’ll say - it was different and it made me giggle a bit like a naughty schoolgirl.
The Bottom Line
If you like character driven romance with angst and humor, I’d encourage you to check this out. Ms. Stein’s going on my auto-buy list.
**ARC provided to me in exchange for an honest review**
The story begins with Alice finding a movie star, yep a bonafide movie star named Holden Stark (classic movie star name) passed out on her living room rug. She is by turns, fascinated, mortified and terrified by the fact that she’s not exactly sure he’s breathing, she has no idea how the hell she’s going to move him and her thoughts reflect that. Holden Stark has had a questionable encounter with some liquor and a bottle of pills, but he never thought he’d end up in a beach house with a woman who “looks as crazy as I feel.” He is captivated by Alice and the way her mind works, and the kindred spirit he can feel just underneath the surface. But he doesn’t know the secrets Alice is hiding - including her real name.
My Review
I expected an angsty, tortured story of two damaged souls reaching out to each other and I definitely got that. But the unexpected bonus was the offbeat humor laced throughout this tale. The entire story is told in first person point of view, and you really empathize with her scattered thoughts - Alice is socially awkward but endearingly funny and genuinely caring. She knows Holden from the moment she sees him, but she’s so scared that he’d think she’s some Annie Wilkes type (the classic movie references throughout are great), that she’s even more awkward and unsure. Holden is his own revelation - he isn’t some typical macho alpha but a nerdy, insecure hero in the body of a action movie star who is the perfect match for Alice.
This is a story that has tension throughout because you’re not exactly sure what happened to Alice but you want to know what makes her tick. It’s not reliant on explosions or big action-y type plot points. This is a real character-driven tale and as such, it works great. Holden and Alice’s interactions are funny and slightly crazy and really highlight how they connect on an emotional level. Their chemistry is palpable from the first accidental touch, which is key for me to buy into an attraction this intense on such a condensed timeline. Their first kiss? Absolutely sweet.
If I had to quibble with anything, the first person POV limits your perception of Alice herself and I would have enjoyed either a more third person perspective or even some scenes strictly from Holden’s point of view. Her stream of consciousness interrupted the flow of some of their conversations, and could make it difficult to follow it because there’s so much going on in her head before she responds. Their first real love scene was ….unusual, and unexpected. It’s something that’s best experienced without spoilers, but I’ll say - it was different and it made me giggle a bit like a naughty schoolgirl.
The Bottom Line
If you like character driven romance with angst and humor, I’d encourage you to check this out. Ms. Stein’s going on my auto-buy list.
**ARC provided to me in exchange for an honest review**
May 12, 2014
I picked this up after reading this blog post.
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
I'm not going to say much about the plot because honestly that's not the important thing here. It's the dialogue and Alice's inner monologue. It's the most fantastically comical surrealistic thing I've read in quite some time.
“Can you blame me? Your face is what magic would look like, if it were real. Harry Potter could probably use your jaw to destroy Voldemort.”
“Just ignore my voice. There’s a frightened nun living in my throat.”
“Is it weird if I find that weird?” “I think it’d be weird if you didn’t. I’m some stranger, soaking himself in your bathtub while you’re passed out on the bed. Sounds like the start of a horrible Lifetime movie about a crazed hobo.”
“Well, okay. Maybe not perfectly normal. You know in that movie Shame when he’s wandering around with it dangling away and everyone did a collective gasp? It’s kind of like that. I have a lot of excessive dangle. And you just can’t show excessive dangle in a romantic drama. Arthouse only, for sudden shocking penis.”
“I swear, I only do that if you don’t put the lotion on your skin.” She paused, pretending to consider. “Or is that when you get the hose again?”
(OK, maybe I'm the only creepy geeky one around here?)
Yes, yes, I know. There's a ton of angst, emotions all over the place, phobias, and suicidal ideation. There's also a rather real and gripping look through the eyes of a disable heroine, including what seems to me, a realistic depiction of a sexual relationship that actual includes the disability. While that's all well done, it's not what did it for me with this story. It was as if a big bag of sex got dumped right on top of an enormous pile of angsty nerddom. I didn't even have to spare any concentration on willful suspension of disbelief over the completely ridiculous plot device/story line that got them together and kept them together. I just didn't even care, and that's unusual for me when it comes to contemporaries. I hate to gush, especially when most everyone else is gushing, (I'm contrary that way) but I really enjoyed this book.
So a solid 4 stars, a new author I'll be checking out, and a thank you to Dear Author for putting this book out there.
Cross-posted http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.c...
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
I'm not going to say much about the plot because honestly that's not the important thing here. It's the dialogue and Alice's inner monologue. It's the most fantastically comical surrealistic thing I've read in quite some time.
“Can you blame me? Your face is what magic would look like, if it were real. Harry Potter could probably use your jaw to destroy Voldemort.”
“Just ignore my voice. There’s a frightened nun living in my throat.”
“Is it weird if I find that weird?” “I think it’d be weird if you didn’t. I’m some stranger, soaking himself in your bathtub while you’re passed out on the bed. Sounds like the start of a horrible Lifetime movie about a crazed hobo.”
“Well, okay. Maybe not perfectly normal. You know in that movie Shame when he’s wandering around with it dangling away and everyone did a collective gasp? It’s kind of like that. I have a lot of excessive dangle. And you just can’t show excessive dangle in a romantic drama. Arthouse only, for sudden shocking penis.”
“I swear, I only do that if you don’t put the lotion on your skin.” She paused, pretending to consider. “Or is that when you get the hose again?”
(OK, maybe I'm the only creepy geeky one around here?)
Yes, yes, I know. There's a ton of angst, emotions all over the place, phobias, and suicidal ideation. There's also a rather real and gripping look through the eyes of a disable heroine, including what seems to me, a realistic depiction of a sexual relationship that actual includes the disability. While that's all well done, it's not what did it for me with this story. It was as if a big bag of sex got dumped right on top of an enormous pile of angsty nerddom. I didn't even have to spare any concentration on willful suspension of disbelief over the completely ridiculous plot device/story line that got them together and kept them together. I just didn't even care, and that's unusual for me when it comes to contemporaries. I hate to gush, especially when most everyone else is gushing, (I'm contrary that way) but I really enjoyed this book.
So a solid 4 stars, a new author I'll be checking out, and a thank you to Dear Author for putting this book out there.
Cross-posted http://erinsburnsbookshelf.blogspot.c...
December 18, 2014
I love Charlotte Stein's writing style as well as dark romance stories in general, and Beyond Repair certainly did not disappoint. The story starts right away, with Alice finding an unconsious man on the floor of her house, just inside her door. The man, who has apparently tried to kill himself, turns out to be no other than the famous actor Holden Stark. While Holden tries to find some peace and quiet for once in his busy, crowded life, he and Alice get close and bond over old movies and silly sitcoms.
What follows for the next 70% of the book is a sensitive, emotional tale of two hurt people coming to know each other and getting closer each day. Friendly jibes, some humorous exchanges and trivia about old favorite sitcoms and movies make the dialogue fresh and intriguing and though the whole atmosphere is emotionally charged and heavy, the effect is in no way oppresive. The attraction between the two heroes is palpable, and unrealistic as it may be, I could actually feel them falling in love in a matter of weeks or even days. However, the secret that Alice is hiding hangs above them and is threatening to dissolve that fragile bond.
The mood changed for me, and not for the best, when they started interracting sexually. The emotional, intellectual connection takes the back seat and sex becomes their only way of communication. What's worse, the sex scenes for some reason completely failed to move me. I became tired of reading how extremely wet she constantly was, how slippery he was, how she was gushing, how he was leaking and after a while you'd think these two had faulty hydraulics for genitals. Not my idea of sexy. And the ending, didn't much help things either; I mean, how many times can the heroine change her mind without pushing the reader's patience to its limits? For me in this case, it was one too many:(
To sum it up, if you like lyrical, emotional, even slightly melodramatic romances, then this is a book that you'll enjoy. If however this is not your style, I don't believe this is the book to get you hooked in the genre, or Stein's work. Old fans of hers though, will probably love it.
ARC provided by NetGalley
What follows for the next 70% of the book is a sensitive, emotional tale of two hurt people coming to know each other and getting closer each day. Friendly jibes, some humorous exchanges and trivia about old favorite sitcoms and movies make the dialogue fresh and intriguing and though the whole atmosphere is emotionally charged and heavy, the effect is in no way oppresive. The attraction between the two heroes is palpable, and unrealistic as it may be, I could actually feel them falling in love in a matter of weeks or even days. However, the secret that Alice is hiding hangs above them and is threatening to dissolve that fragile bond.
The mood changed for me, and not for the best, when they started interracting sexually. The emotional, intellectual connection takes the back seat and sex becomes their only way of communication. What's worse, the sex scenes for some reason completely failed to move me. I became tired of reading how extremely wet she constantly was, how slippery he was, how she was gushing, how he was leaking and after a while you'd think these two had faulty hydraulics for genitals. Not my idea of sexy. And the ending, didn't much help things either; I mean, how many times can the heroine change her mind without pushing the reader's patience to its limits? For me in this case, it was one too many:(
To sum it up, if you like lyrical, emotional, even slightly melodramatic romances, then this is a book that you'll enjoy. If however this is not your style, I don't believe this is the book to get you hooked in the genre, or Stein's work. Old fans of hers though, will probably love it.
ARC provided by NetGalley
October 14, 2014
A seriously damaged heroine who is truly a Charlotte Stein creation. You have to really like Stein to enjoy this, I think. She has her own brand of quirky weirdness that I can imagine is polarizing. I love it though, and this book comes close to my all time favorite of hers Sheltered, in my esteem. The romantic tension is taut and mesmerizing, the healing that these two bring each other is really beautiful. It took a little while for me to settle into the magnified lens of this voice where each moment and decision is ruminated over and dissected, but once I was in I loved the journey.
September 10, 2014
The characters are damaged, not wounded. With a wounded hero you can see a pathway for repair by Act II. Suicidal Holden's pieces will never truly fit back together again; neither will Alice's with her survivor's guilt. I usually don't like damaged characters. I have trouble buying into their HEA's. Stein does not put these two back together. She rips them apart and leaves them that way and I believed their love story. I cared about the poor, little rich boy and the weird agoraphob. I believed they could actually meet that way. I believed they'd make it after the last page.
The best parts of this book are the pop culture references turned love-DVDs. Ahh-mazing.
ARC provided by NetGalley
The best parts of this book are the pop culture references turned love-DVDs. Ahh-mazing.
ARC provided by NetGalley
April 30, 2014
I’m kind of at a loss as to how to review this book. It’s Charlotte Stein and I love her writing so, quality is not an issue! There are aspects of this book that are best left to be revealed as you read it. Hell, I’m trying to figure out what I can say that won’t give too much away. So….bear with me, okay?
For the rest of my review: Straight Shootin' Book Reviews
Copy for review provided by Ellora's Cave in exchange for a fair and honest review.
For the rest of my review: Straight Shootin' Book Reviews
Copy for review provided by Ellora's Cave in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 5, 2014
It was good though kinda confusing to begin with. Loved the banter between the two characters but probably not one i would really recommend. Mostly this was as it was really only good because of the funny comments being thrown around. Definitely not one that is gonna stay in my mind.
arc from NetGalley
arc from NetGalley
July 29, 2015
I an half way through the book and I just can't go on.
I am somewhat interested in knowing what happens on, but there are too much parts about things, weird thing, that she keeps thinking about and fantasying it every other page and in reaction to anything the guy says.
It's too much and too long.
In the end I finished the book since I was bored at work and couldn't find something to read...
I am somewhat interested in knowing what happens on, but there are too much parts about things, weird thing, that she keeps thinking about and fantasying it every other page and in reaction to anything the guy says.
It's too much and too long.
In the end I finished the book since I was bored at work and couldn't find something to read...
January 6, 2015
Loved! A much sexually tamer book than the last 2 I read but was filled with more feelings. Even had me silently bawling.
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