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Laura Marie Altom’s heart-stirring new romance will have you believing in the power of love—and passion—to heal even the most wounded souls.
Never again. Fleeing her hometown to escape an abusive marriage, Ella Patton swears she has surrendered to a man for the last time. But while living under a new name, she meets a kind, handsome stranger who seems different—and will be moving on soon, making Ella reckless enough to break her rules. With a kiss, the stranger opens the door to desires Ella believed she would never know. Then he makes an unexpected proposal.
A dot-com billionaire from humble beginnings, Liam Stone is a man whose past has made him compassionate yet guarded—much like the beautiful, secretive woman he stumbles upon in a remote Southern town. Though he intends only a dalliance, when the time comes to return home to San Francisco, Liam cannot bear the thought of leaving her behind. But when he tries to entice her to join him, he finds the tables turning dizzingly fast. Suddenly a little seduction becomes a huge battle for one control.
Ella and Liam’s story continues in Possess, coming December 2014!
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Never again. Fleeing her hometown to escape an abusive marriage, Ella Patton swears she has surrendered to a man for the last time. But while living under a new name, she meets a kind, handsome stranger who seems different—and will be moving on soon, making Ella reckless enough to break her rules. With a kiss, the stranger opens the door to desires Ella believed she would never know. Then he makes an unexpected proposal.
A dot-com billionaire from humble beginnings, Liam Stone is a man whose past has made him compassionate yet guarded—much like the beautiful, secretive woman he stumbles upon in a remote Southern town. Though he intends only a dalliance, when the time comes to return home to San Francisco, Liam cannot bear the thought of leaving her behind. But when he tries to entice her to join him, he finds the tables turning dizzingly fast. Suddenly a little seduction becomes a huge battle for one control.
Ella and Liam’s story continues in Possess, coming December 2014!
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2014
37 people are currently reading
726 people want to read
About the author
Laura Marie Altom
165 books241 followersAfter college, Laura Marie Altom did a brief stint as an interior designer before becoming a stay-at- home mom to boy/girl twins. Always an avid romance reader, when she found herself replotting the afternoon soaps, she knew it was time to try her hand at writing.
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August 28, 2014DEAR BOOK:
It's not you, it's me. No, really!
I think I'd have loved this book two years ago. Heck, maybe even one year ago. I find myself losing interest in the characters because they feel too familiar. I initially wanted to read this because I like the whole damsel in distress thing, but I lost sight of that when the insta-lust/love happens and they keep on waxing poetic about each other. I like some separation, I like the build up to a romance. I enjoy conflict, and not the kind that comes when sexual hangups come into play. I like when two very strong personalities clash, and no matter how fierce this heroine tried to be at times, she really just came across as weak-ish and beat down. And no matter how confident and powerful the hero tried to be, he came across as a tiny bit to cocksure. They both felt young, and I have just not been in the mood for this type of romance lately. DNF at about 35%, for no reason than it's bad timing in my reading life. I think many readers will love it, especially those who like the New Adult romances and billionaire stories.
Advance copy provided by the publisher for review
It's not you, it's me. No, really!
I think I'd have loved this book two years ago. Heck, maybe even one year ago. I find myself losing interest in the characters because they feel too familiar. I initially wanted to read this because I like the whole damsel in distress thing, but I lost sight of that when the insta-lust/love happens and they keep on waxing poetic about each other. I like some separation, I like the build up to a romance. I enjoy conflict, and not the kind that comes when sexual hangups come into play. I like when two very strong personalities clash, and no matter how fierce this heroine tried to be at times, she really just came across as weak-ish and beat down. And no matter how confident and powerful the hero tried to be, he came across as a tiny bit to cocksure. They both felt young, and I have just not been in the mood for this type of romance lately. DNF at about 35%, for no reason than it's bad timing in my reading life. I think many readers will love it, especially those who like the New Adult romances and billionaire stories.
Advance copy provided by the publisher for review
August 6, 2014
Oh, that was bad. So bad, in fact, that I'm not even sure where to start. I have no idea why I kept reading the book, except that it was a train wreck: I simply could not look away.
Bottom line: I didn't buy this as any kind of romance novel (and it's not really erotica, either). Instead, it's a story about horrible people being horrible to one another. I don't really care what their reasons were (and they were overblown and, frankly, ridiculous. Tangent: I never thought I'd read a book that made me laugh out loud at an incident of domestic violence, but -- it's kind of like that scene in Pulp Fiction where that kid gets shot in the head inside the car, and you can't help laughing at it, but the whole time you feel awful about laughing -- I couldn't help it./tangent), and I don't really care if they ever make it to happily ever after in a future book, because this one cuts off abruptly and stupidly.
Anyway... you might as well ask for specifics, so here you go. A partial list of what I didn't like about this book:
1. Liam. Sure, he starts out a kind stranger, but then he loses his mind and decides to reveal his identity as the bajillionaire founder of Zoogle (not kidding) in a batshit crazy fit of epic proportions. He decides to hire Ella, a desperate woman on the run a la Julia Roberts in Sleeping with the Enemy who is, at this point, making it work with a job at a Wal-Mart snack bar in middle-of-nowhere Arkansas, for $20,000 per week in exchange for her "being there" whenever he should "need" her (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more). Of course, he has to point out that he's not ever going to marry her, that love is out of the question, and that it'll only last a month. But, hey, that's $80,000 he knows she needs, so obvs she'll say yes, right? Then he throws about $3,000 in hundreds up in the air because, and I quote, "Women the world over appreciated money rain." And all I could wonder was how Zoogle ended up such a success with this turkey at the helm.
And she goes with him. And she's still attracted to him after that! And after all the other crazy things! Oy. But that takes me to the second thing I didn't like...
2. Ella. OK honey, I get that you're Julia Roberts in this story (to such an extent that her fake name is Julie), but can we just talk for a second about your crazy behavior? You meet a guy in your snack bar, and you know three things about him: (1) his hair falls over one of his eyes all the time, making you want to run your hands through it (or something), (2) his eyes are beautiful, (3) he's a fan of 'fancy mustard'. Based on this knowledge, you kiss him in a bar, then give him a hasty drunken blow job (outside the bar) that goes south fast, then let him take you to his hotel room, and you spend a celibate night with him. You're suddenly obsessed with him, because of hair, eyes, and mustard. And after the money rain, all you can think is that you miss the guy with the hair, eyes, and mustard, and you just have to go with him into an unknown, likely awful, situation because... what? why? And -- seriously -- you have to drag your weird not-quite-friends with you? what? why? Which leads me to...
3. Willow. As Ella/Julie's erstwhile friend, Willow comes along for the ride and then proceeds to act like Christina Ricci's character from Black Snake Moan (before she gets chained to a radiator), drinking nonstop, finding and taking all sorts of drugs, and fucking everything that doesn't move faster than she does. And that's fine, as far as one's life choices go. But, in a book like this, that shit'll get you killed, and it does. Willow dies of an overdose, and her death serves as a source of conflict between our intrepid lovers (that's Liam and Ella, in case you couldn't tell). Liam and Ella make a huge fucking deal about Willow's death on the night she actually died, but within a day or two, they seem to have completely forgotten about it (and then the book just ends, so... yeah.). Way to go, Willow.
4. Liam's and Ella's issues. By the time Liam makes money rain, the reader knows he has issues. (We know this because he tells us.) And we already knew that Ella had issues. The problem is that their issues are -- at least until the end and Liam's big reveal about his Awful Past -- unbearably uneven. Ella is on the run from her abusive husband, and she's lost everything. Her family didn't believe he was abusing her (although that's difficult to imagine...), and she's lost her identity. She's broken, and she describes herself as "dead." Liam, on the other hand, tells the reader he's got all these issues and had a shitty childhood, but then he elaborates that his dad was really critical and mocked him for having a mishap when taking out the trash this one time, and -- also -- Liam used to get socks for Christmas. And I was like, wait... seriously? That's your big issue? The heroine has scars on her body from her abusive husband, but your getting socks for Christmas is equally awful? Oh. hell. no.
It's late in the book when Liam finally shares the full version of his childhood trauma story, and it is actually traumatic, but... the damage was done. I just didn't care. And the same held true when Ella finally revealed the full story of the fucking crazy thing her husband did to her. The narrative hints here and there throughout the book that it was awful, that it made Ella as ugly on the outside as she felt on the inside, that her husband had branded her. Over and over the narrative mentioned it, and it was built up as this huge fucking thing. And it is, really... I'm not diminishing the awfulness of what her husband did... but....... he branded her by carving (I shit you not) "U R M" onto one breast and "I N E" onto the other. What the fuck. Why even write that? Domestic violence is real and it happens every day... there's no need to make it over the top (although maybe I'm just upset because it made me think that he'd snapchatted all over her breasts). Besides, Ella makes such a big deal about how no one believed that he'd been abusing her, that her own parents didn't believe her, and all I could think was, seriously... all you had to do was flash them. Come fucking on.
5. Nathan. This book had to have a stupid and pointless not quite love triangle, right? Nathan is a Nice Guy, and I wanted to throttle him throughout the book. (To be honest, I wanted to throttle Ella, too.) It was just what the book needed, really... a Nice Guy.
6. There's going to be another book. The book ends after Liam unexpectedly pops the question on Ella, and she wails for a while and then admits DUN DUN DUN!!!!! that she's still married. The end. Abrupt cut. That's all you get for your troubles. (And poor Willow didn't even get her funeral...)
7. The writing is pretty damn bad. I could share all my favorite quotes (beyond the money rain, of course) and talk about the narration style (first person past told in alternating POV) and why it didn't work for the story (it would have been much more palatable if readers never had to go inside Liam's head. It's just not a pleasant place to be.), but I'll go one further. I can't fathom why this story needed to be told.
*I received an e-galley from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration.*
Bottom line: I didn't buy this as any kind of romance novel (and it's not really erotica, either). Instead, it's a story about horrible people being horrible to one another. I don't really care what their reasons were (and they were overblown and, frankly, ridiculous. Tangent: I never thought I'd read a book that made me laugh out loud at an incident of domestic violence, but -- it's kind of like that scene in Pulp Fiction where that kid gets shot in the head inside the car, and you can't help laughing at it, but the whole time you feel awful about laughing -- I couldn't help it./tangent), and I don't really care if they ever make it to happily ever after in a future book, because this one cuts off abruptly and stupidly.
Anyway... you might as well ask for specifics, so here you go. A partial list of what I didn't like about this book:
1. Liam. Sure, he starts out a kind stranger, but then he loses his mind and decides to reveal his identity as the bajillionaire founder of Zoogle (not kidding) in a batshit crazy fit of epic proportions. He decides to hire Ella, a desperate woman on the run a la Julia Roberts in Sleeping with the Enemy who is, at this point, making it work with a job at a Wal-Mart snack bar in middle-of-nowhere Arkansas, for $20,000 per week in exchange for her "being there" whenever he should "need" her (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more). Of course, he has to point out that he's not ever going to marry her, that love is out of the question, and that it'll only last a month. But, hey, that's $80,000 he knows she needs, so obvs she'll say yes, right? Then he throws about $3,000 in hundreds up in the air because, and I quote, "Women the world over appreciated money rain." And all I could wonder was how Zoogle ended up such a success with this turkey at the helm.
And she goes with him. And she's still attracted to him after that! And after all the other crazy things! Oy. But that takes me to the second thing I didn't like...
2. Ella. OK honey, I get that you're Julia Roberts in this story (to such an extent that her fake name is Julie), but can we just talk for a second about your crazy behavior? You meet a guy in your snack bar, and you know three things about him: (1) his hair falls over one of his eyes all the time, making you want to run your hands through it (or something), (2) his eyes are beautiful, (3) he's a fan of 'fancy mustard'. Based on this knowledge, you kiss him in a bar, then give him a hasty drunken blow job (outside the bar) that goes south fast, then let him take you to his hotel room, and you spend a celibate night with him. You're suddenly obsessed with him, because of hair, eyes, and mustard. And after the money rain, all you can think is that you miss the guy with the hair, eyes, and mustard, and you just have to go with him into an unknown, likely awful, situation because... what? why? And -- seriously -- you have to drag your weird not-quite-friends with you? what? why? Which leads me to...
3. Willow. As Ella/Julie's erstwhile friend, Willow comes along for the ride and then proceeds to act like Christina Ricci's character from Black Snake Moan (before she gets chained to a radiator), drinking nonstop, finding and taking all sorts of drugs, and fucking everything that doesn't move faster than she does. And that's fine, as far as one's life choices go. But, in a book like this, that shit'll get you killed, and it does. Willow dies of an overdose, and her death serves as a source of conflict between our intrepid lovers (that's Liam and Ella, in case you couldn't tell). Liam and Ella make a huge fucking deal about Willow's death on the night she actually died, but within a day or two, they seem to have completely forgotten about it (and then the book just ends, so... yeah.). Way to go, Willow.
4. Liam's and Ella's issues. By the time Liam makes money rain, the reader knows he has issues. (We know this because he tells us.) And we already knew that Ella had issues. The problem is that their issues are -- at least until the end and Liam's big reveal about his Awful Past -- unbearably uneven. Ella is on the run from her abusive husband, and she's lost everything. Her family didn't believe he was abusing her (although that's difficult to imagine...), and she's lost her identity. She's broken, and she describes herself as "dead." Liam, on the other hand, tells the reader he's got all these issues and had a shitty childhood, but then he elaborates that his dad was really critical and mocked him for having a mishap when taking out the trash this one time, and -- also -- Liam used to get socks for Christmas. And I was like, wait... seriously? That's your big issue? The heroine has scars on her body from her abusive husband, but your getting socks for Christmas is equally awful? Oh. hell. no.
It's late in the book when Liam finally shares the full version of his childhood trauma story, and it is actually traumatic, but... the damage was done. I just didn't care. And the same held true when Ella finally revealed the full story of the fucking crazy thing her husband did to her. The narrative hints here and there throughout the book that it was awful, that it made Ella as ugly on the outside as she felt on the inside, that her husband had branded her. Over and over the narrative mentioned it, and it was built up as this huge fucking thing. And it is, really... I'm not diminishing the awfulness of what her husband did... but....... he branded her by carving (I shit you not) "U R M" onto one breast and "I N E" onto the other. What the fuck. Why even write that? Domestic violence is real and it happens every day... there's no need to make it over the top (although maybe I'm just upset because it made me think that he'd snapchatted all over her breasts). Besides, Ella makes such a big deal about how no one believed that he'd been abusing her, that her own parents didn't believe her, and all I could think was, seriously... all you had to do was flash them. Come fucking on.
5. Nathan. This book had to have a stupid and pointless not quite love triangle, right? Nathan is a Nice Guy, and I wanted to throttle him throughout the book. (To be honest, I wanted to throttle Ella, too.) It was just what the book needed, really... a Nice Guy.
6. There's going to be another book. The book ends after Liam unexpectedly pops the question on Ella, and she wails for a while and then admits DUN DUN DUN!!!!! that she's still married. The end. Abrupt cut. That's all you get for your troubles. (And poor Willow didn't even get her funeral...)
7. The writing is pretty damn bad. I could share all my favorite quotes (beyond the money rain, of course) and talk about the narration style (first person past told in alternating POV) and why it didn't work for the story (it would have been much more palatable if readers never had to go inside Liam's head. It's just not a pleasant place to be.), but I'll go one further. I can't fathom why this story needed to be told.
*I received an e-galley from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration.*
September 16, 2014
DNF - I tried I really did.
I am not going to write a massive essay about all the things I disliked about this book. I read to 50% in the hope it would get better and that I would find some connection with the couple themselves on top of the fact that they read more like squabbling siblings more than potential lovers.
My first issue is the time frame this book covers, and the speed in which things happen to with Liam and Ella. Bearing in mind Ella is essentially on the run from a mentally and physically abusive husband, you would expect that she would be unsure, untrusting and generally wary of all people, men in particular. So when she starts thinking things like the below within the first 48 hours of meeting Liam, all sorts of alarm bells started ringing.
• The best thing about Liam was that he was just like me. Down on his luck and real.
• He didn’t lie and he didn’t play games.
Of course this turns out to be a total pile of poo, as Liam, although he has been staying in the towns ‘cheap as chips’ motel and buying his hotdogs from Ella’s concession in the local Wal-Mart is in actual fact a bona-fide billionaire!
In three days Ella had turned my life around.
It turns out his personal jet was being repaired, and he decided to hole up in ‘nowheresville’ for a break. He then has too leave after his 72 hour sojourn into ‘lifestyles of the poor and downtrodden’ and Ella gets the offer of a financially lucrative ‘contract’ to go with him and the expected will-she, or won’t-she…
I never understand why when a female character agrees this sort of ‘arrangement’, for example be a guys beck and ‘call’ girl, that she then acts like a pre-menstrual bitch to him about it…
”I’m paying you a lot of money to at least be nice to me, Ella. Do you think you could meet me halfway?”
I liked Liam in the beginning, he seemed to be aware of the fact that Ella had a few massive issues going on in her life, with men and intimacy in general, and tried to be understanding of it (all in the space of 3 days!) but once the big reveal about who he actually is comes across, he morphs into a spoilt, bratty douche…
It then got to the point where I stopped reading. After taking Ella to his place of work, Liam then proceeds to leave her with his Personal Assistant, and his less than friendly lawyer to sign the aforementioned ‘contract’. It then comes to light that Ella is in actual fact girl number 7 to sign up to the ’Liam Stone 30-Day Programme’ in the last 12 months and his PA is also an Alumni too.
I tried I really did, but no, just no.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
I am not going to write a massive essay about all the things I disliked about this book. I read to 50% in the hope it would get better and that I would find some connection with the couple themselves on top of the fact that they read more like squabbling siblings more than potential lovers.
My first issue is the time frame this book covers, and the speed in which things happen to with Liam and Ella. Bearing in mind Ella is essentially on the run from a mentally and physically abusive husband, you would expect that she would be unsure, untrusting and generally wary of all people, men in particular. So when she starts thinking things like the below within the first 48 hours of meeting Liam, all sorts of alarm bells started ringing.
• The best thing about Liam was that he was just like me. Down on his luck and real.
• He didn’t lie and he didn’t play games.
Of course this turns out to be a total pile of poo, as Liam, although he has been staying in the towns ‘cheap as chips’ motel and buying his hotdogs from Ella’s concession in the local Wal-Mart is in actual fact a bona-fide billionaire!
In three days Ella had turned my life around.
It turns out his personal jet was being repaired, and he decided to hole up in ‘nowheresville’ for a break. He then has too leave after his 72 hour sojourn into ‘lifestyles of the poor and downtrodden’ and Ella gets the offer of a financially lucrative ‘contract’ to go with him and the expected will-she, or won’t-she…
I never understand why when a female character agrees this sort of ‘arrangement’, for example be a guys beck and ‘call’ girl, that she then acts like a pre-menstrual bitch to him about it…
”I’m paying you a lot of money to at least be nice to me, Ella. Do you think you could meet me halfway?”
I liked Liam in the beginning, he seemed to be aware of the fact that Ella had a few massive issues going on in her life, with men and intimacy in general, and tried to be understanding of it (all in the space of 3 days!) but once the big reveal about who he actually is comes across, he morphs into a spoilt, bratty douche…
It then got to the point where I stopped reading. After taking Ella to his place of work, Liam then proceeds to leave her with his Personal Assistant, and his less than friendly lawyer to sign the aforementioned ‘contract’. It then comes to light that Ella is in actual fact girl number 7 to sign up to the ’Liam Stone 30-Day Programme’ in the last 12 months and his PA is also an Alumni too.
I tried I really did, but no, just no.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
August 5, 2014
3 ' Heaven and Hell ' Stars
Meet Liam Stone and Ella Patton. The Pretty Woman story with a twist.
Liam is the self made dot-com billionaire, of Zoogle. A lifetime of hardships and hardwork has paid off and paved a successful business and with money anything is possible. Slumming it in a small Southern town while his associates handle business deals and his vehicle is being fixed. Liam remains incognito, staying in a shabby Inn and keeping to himself. Harbouring abandonment issues from a tender age, Liam doesn't date and when he does, it's on his own terms. Liam Stone favours his privacy to the point of indulging in contractual "relationships". The purpose of his contracts, is for total Control. He must leave people before they get the chance to leave him. That is until he meets the lovely Ella Patton.
Ella Patton is on the run. She's hiding from an abusive husband, Blaine, under the pseudonym of Julie. Ella's scars run deep, literally and figuratively. Her husband likes Control and is a master of deception. On the outside he's the rich, romantic, loving husband, but when the mask comes off.... he's... Now on the run and working in a small Southern town, Ella is saving to move even further away from her husband. Ella's skittish and is hiding a horrifying secret.
While working the snack bar at Wal-mart, Liam notices her and after a night of partying he can't seem to get Ella out his mind. Ella needs money and Liam wants Ella. What better for each party to obtain their goals, than a contract for fair wages. After considerable persuasion, Ella takes Liam up on his deal.
Now, let's all guess here... we have two individuals, with their own dark pasts, fighting for the one thing, that they will both eventually have to relinquish.
Problems arise from the get go. Liam listens to his friends and decides he's too infatuated with Ella, and leaves her stranded in the penthouse for a week with no communication. Ella, hates all the money Liam is throwing at her and with the feeling that she has no Control over things, Ella leaves. Liam and Ella become estranged for weeks.
One day they finally reunite and Ella decides to bear it all. No more hiding. Even though she builds up her courage to become intimate with Liam, she is still hiding a dark secret, a secret that can make or break her relationship with Liam.
Reliving her past daily when looking into the mirror, Ella feels dead on the inside, an empty capsule. On the underside of her breasts she bears the ugly, possessive marks of a deranged husband.
But all Liam sees is beauty, a lovely young woman fighting hard to survive while fighting to stay in Control. She gave up that control once and it only gave her heartache, pain and fear.
My thoughts: This was a great story line, but poorly portrayed. There were too many contrasting characteristics and situations. The story wanted to take the Pretty Woman concept with a few changes in the overall plot of the story, so whilst there were many statements of scenes that did pull it off, it didn't suit this book at all. Very much overdone and was unnecessary.
As much as I liked the idea of Liam, that's all it was, an "idea". I didn't feel any emotional connections let alone any connections to the hero and heroine. The only character I liked was Willow, the friend (which I didn't include in the review) because she was supposed to add substance to the novel, but again it was lacking. Willow was allowed to literally walk all over Liam and Ella, why?? I have no idea. This aspect should have been played upon more to add development and overall intensity and drama.
*ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept from NetGalley*
September 9, 2014
3.5⭐ I have mixed feelings about this. I loved the story the roller coaster ride of their relationship kept me gripped.
I liked Julie/Ella she was a strong woman to have escaped the hell that was her marriage starting a new life as far away as she could from her past. Living under a faulse name living day to day untill Liam came into her life. She had her secrets and she was nervous with people but that was understandable with her past.
Liam could be sweet and caring with Ella but this is why I took half a star from rating Liam is in his thirties but he can sulk and storm out like a little boy or throw things like a toddler he leave's the country and hasn't got the decentcie to pick up the phone when Ella calls him I'm talking more than a day here this side of him did annoy me.
I dislike Willow as I don't like people who only live to drink, do drugs and party. I felt no emotion towards what happened to Willow.
I knew what the ending was going to be and it is a cliffhanger will have to wait for the second book to complete their story.
Story was told from both POV's
This was the first book for me to read by this author and I will be checking out her other books.
ARD kindly provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review
I liked Julie/Ella she was a strong woman to have escaped the hell that was her marriage starting a new life as far away as she could from her past. Living under a faulse name living day to day untill Liam came into her life. She had her secrets and she was nervous with people but that was understandable with her past.
Liam could be sweet and caring with Ella but this is why I took half a star from rating Liam is in his thirties but he can sulk and storm out like a little boy or throw things like a toddler he leave's the country and hasn't got the decentcie to pick up the phone when Ella calls him I'm talking more than a day here this side of him did annoy me.
I dislike Willow as I don't like people who only live to drink, do drugs and party. I felt no emotion towards what happened to Willow.
I knew what the ending was going to be and it is a cliffhanger will have to wait for the second book to complete their story.
Story was told from both POV's
This was the first book for me to read by this author and I will be checking out her other books.
ARD kindly provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review
September 9, 2014
Ella and Liam are both lost souls who, separately, are looking to control everything in their own lives.
Liam has all the money in the world but no matter how much he throws at her, Ella knows it won't solve her problem. She needs a man she can trust, not someone who disappears without a word or who closes himself off when things get tough. Liam's never wanted the same woman for more than a few days, so when Ella runs away, he should be happy to move on without her, but instead, he can't rest until he knows she's safe and until he can work out a plan to get her back.
There's no controlling the need they have for each other and the only way to make their relationship work is for each of them to give up a little of their hard-earned control and trust in what might be.
Touching, sad, sweet and sexy, you'll cheer for Ella and Liam right up to the end and then you'll start counting the days to December when we get to find out how their story really ends. Or begins.
Liam has all the money in the world but no matter how much he throws at her, Ella knows it won't solve her problem. She needs a man she can trust, not someone who disappears without a word or who closes himself off when things get tough. Liam's never wanted the same woman for more than a few days, so when Ella runs away, he should be happy to move on without her, but instead, he can't rest until he knows she's safe and until he can work out a plan to get her back.
There's no controlling the need they have for each other and the only way to make their relationship work is for each of them to give up a little of their hard-earned control and trust in what might be.
Touching, sad, sweet and sexy, you'll cheer for Ella and Liam right up to the end and then you'll start counting the days to December when we get to find out how their story really ends. Or begins.
September 30, 2014
Liam is a self-made apparent billionaire and Julie/Ella is an abused wife running from her husband. She's working at a Wal-Mart snack bar when she meets Liam.
Ok. So I couldn't connect with this story. Their "romance" was ridiculous to me. I found myself laughing at the ludiocrity of it all. The heroine was bolting around everywhere trying to get away from him. No really, that's what was said. I swear she bolted like 15 times. So that's to say, I didn't care for the writing. Liam is 30-something years old and after trying to stick his dick and was met with brick, she cries and he gets insecure and he leaves her in the shack and tells her it's been real. It's been real??? C'mon man!
Liam for some reason can't leaver her alone, maybe because she went out of her way to get him some fancy mustard. And she him, maybe because his hair keeps falling over his left eye. Or the 20K a week he's offering her to ahem keep him company. I don't know. Liam is just too...sensitive for me.
So this book's just not for me.
There's a cliffhanger. Will I read it?...nah. It's been real.
July 25, 2014
Recevied an ARC from NetGalley for review
If you like Tracy Wolff's books, you will like this one too. Liam really reminded me of Ethan Frost. Ella/Julie has a serious messed up ex. Don't even get me started on her BFF. I was at about 70% and thought, I bet this is gonna be a cliffhanger...I was right. I look forward to the next part of their story.
If you like Tracy Wolff's books, you will like this one too. Liam really reminded me of Ethan Frost. Ella/Julie has a serious messed up ex. Don't even get me started on her BFF. I was at about 70% and thought, I bet this is gonna be a cliffhanger...I was right. I look forward to the next part of their story.
October 29, 2014
Read more of this review and others @ www.thebookwranglers.com
This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept
Heat: Warm
Rating: **** 4.5 out of 5
Two shadowed souls find the light in one another in the most unlikely of places. She lives by the mantra of 'Never again'. He lives by the creed of 'Control'.
Ella Patton-
has been running for from her past for what seems like forever. Determined to leave behind the abusive husband and the victim that he created, she takes off in search of her freedom, safety, and a chance a new life– a life on her own terms. She promises herself that she won't trust another man and give her control to him for as long as she lives. But when she meets a stranger with a crooked smile and genuine eyes bit by bit, her defenses are shattered and she's breaking her own rules.
Liam Stone
has been buying his way into his new life, and wrestling the demon of his past, since he graduated college. Now a self made billionaire, he's used to getting what he wants, but never what he actually needs. When a random work delay places him in a small forgettable town, the last thing he expects is to stumble upon a naturally beautiful, mysterious, and somewhat shattered woman. He's captivated by everything about her and is determined to make her is his, at least for the next month or so.
There's no road map to help Ella and Liam navigate the cyclone of events that they experience during the short time that they've known one another. Liam finally comes to the conclusion that he can't leave Ella alone–even though he refuses to acknowledge the reasons behind his actions, and Ella can't explain why she's drawn to Liam despite listening to her inner voice. At any given time one or both of them get skittish and run from the unknown and back into their comfort zone. Finally the battle for control becomes a battle for love. If only they could slay their demons in order to move forward with the life the both yearn for and deserve.
The Best Thing:
The back story for each character was created and introduced perfectly in the story of Ella and Liam. When we are introduced to Ella and Liam you don't really think you'll find these characters with deep scars and sad stories. It was a nice flow to get little pieces of their scars as the story progressed.
I really liked how, neither Ella or Liam, really wanted to leave their own comfort zone in order to explore what the other had to offer. The constant battle for control and security between these two was entertaining, yet at times heartbreaking.
The Worst Thing:
I really had an issue with Ella's friends. I understand that she was in hiding so she took friendship when/where it was presented however, Willow and Nathan really seemed out for self. I may be judging a little harshly, but Willow didn't seem to have Ella's best interest at heart. She was only around–half way through the book–for the ride and what she could get out of Ella's decision to relocate. It was very disappointing how fast she fell apart and how she crashed and burned.
Nathan on the other hand just seemed to be waiting in the wings 'literally' for the only man that showed any interest in Ella to take a nosedive, and crash and burn. It was sad to see that–while he was hurt–he couldn't get past his own feelings to see what was truly going on with Ella, and listen to her feelings.
This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept
Heat: Warm
Rating: **** 4.5 out of 5
Two shadowed souls find the light in one another in the most unlikely of places. She lives by the mantra of 'Never again'. He lives by the creed of 'Control'.
Ella Patton-
has been running for from her past for what seems like forever. Determined to leave behind the abusive husband and the victim that he created, she takes off in search of her freedom, safety, and a chance a new life– a life on her own terms. She promises herself that she won't trust another man and give her control to him for as long as she lives. But when she meets a stranger with a crooked smile and genuine eyes bit by bit, her defenses are shattered and she's breaking her own rules.
Liam Stone
has been buying his way into his new life, and wrestling the demon of his past, since he graduated college. Now a self made billionaire, he's used to getting what he wants, but never what he actually needs. When a random work delay places him in a small forgettable town, the last thing he expects is to stumble upon a naturally beautiful, mysterious, and somewhat shattered woman. He's captivated by everything about her and is determined to make her is his, at least for the next month or so.
There's no road map to help Ella and Liam navigate the cyclone of events that they experience during the short time that they've known one another. Liam finally comes to the conclusion that he can't leave Ella alone–even though he refuses to acknowledge the reasons behind his actions, and Ella can't explain why she's drawn to Liam despite listening to her inner voice. At any given time one or both of them get skittish and run from the unknown and back into their comfort zone. Finally the battle for control becomes a battle for love. If only they could slay their demons in order to move forward with the life the both yearn for and deserve.
The Best Thing:
The back story for each character was created and introduced perfectly in the story of Ella and Liam. When we are introduced to Ella and Liam you don't really think you'll find these characters with deep scars and sad stories. It was a nice flow to get little pieces of their scars as the story progressed.
I really liked how, neither Ella or Liam, really wanted to leave their own comfort zone in order to explore what the other had to offer. The constant battle for control and security between these two was entertaining, yet at times heartbreaking.
The Worst Thing:
I really had an issue with Ella's friends. I understand that she was in hiding so she took friendship when/where it was presented however, Willow and Nathan really seemed out for self. I may be judging a little harshly, but Willow didn't seem to have Ella's best interest at heart. She was only around–half way through the book–for the ride and what she could get out of Ella's decision to relocate. It was very disappointing how fast she fell apart and how she crashed and burned.
Nathan on the other hand just seemed to be waiting in the wings 'literally' for the only man that showed any interest in Ella to take a nosedive, and crash and burn. It was sad to see that–while he was hurt–he couldn't get past his own feelings to see what was truly going on with Ella, and listen to her feelings.
September 19, 2014
Arc graciously provided by Loveswept via Netgalley for an honest review .
"Control", is aptly named since both lead characters Liam Stone and Ella Patton both need to be and feel they are In control .
Ella needs to feel control because she recently left an abusive husband and has fled to another state alone andby herself, with no family support, her own parents choose to believe her husband Blaine's lies . Ella has fled to a different state using an alias of Julie and working in a Walmart food concession area just to get by. Ella , needs the control because she lacked it for so long.
Liam Stone , well he needs control because of abandonment and abuse issues when younger.
Liam has changed his own life along with his freinds , Liam is the billionaire owner and creator of zoogle.
So how do these two meet up, Liam's mode of transport has mechanical issues that force him to stay in the area till repairs are complete but instead of heading to a five star hotel like his business companions, he decides he wants to go to ground , be a nobody , he chooses to stay at a small local motor inn and trade his suit in for amir of denim and a soft flannel shirt, from Walmart .
From, asking to wasabi mustard to picking Ella up at a local bar while she is out with her co worker and freind Willow in twenty four hours. For Ella she finds herself attracted to Liam and desirous of him to spite her bad experience with her husband, but when desire takes control and the flashbacks start a hot bar alley scene turn to anight of being cared for by Liam, andjust another reason for her to be attracted to him; no one has taken care of Ella in a long time.
Liam, is drawn to Ella and just as much as he wants to get in bed with her he finds himself caring for her, not his usual situation when it comes to women, given his position most of his encounters with women are contractual with privacy clauses and terms of length and expectations , control issues, no emotional attachments etc.
When Liam's ride is finally repaired and it is time to leave and head back to the real world , he still has not gotten Ella in bed a well he does not like to loose plus he dmits to himself there is something more he feels about her , so he falls back on what he knows , he offers Ella , poor dumbfounded can"t believe he has ll this amount of money , Liam offers her a contract.
Yes he offers the physically abused women a contract, 20k a week and a penthouse in California , a month terms with option for renewal.
What I though would happen was she would tell him to walk and he would come back and try and win her over, but it worked this way too, she takes him up on it. Granted. Her girlfreind Willow and her other freind from work Nathaniel talker into going . Willow weasels her way along for the ride saying she will go as moral support, that in itself is a whole other story.
He book had much back and forth both characters behavin badly at times so patience is required for this read , but I am hooked and yes cliff hanger end.
Lots of character development and insight going on in this book, believe the next book in the series "Possess" will see these characters come into there own and grow more emotionally and I will lay even odds Ella's husband Blaine will read his ugly head, is going to get even more juicy !
"Control", is aptly named since both lead characters Liam Stone and Ella Patton both need to be and feel they are In control .
Ella needs to feel control because she recently left an abusive husband and has fled to another state alone andby herself, with no family support, her own parents choose to believe her husband Blaine's lies . Ella has fled to a different state using an alias of Julie and working in a Walmart food concession area just to get by. Ella , needs the control because she lacked it for so long.
Liam Stone , well he needs control because of abandonment and abuse issues when younger.
Liam has changed his own life along with his freinds , Liam is the billionaire owner and creator of zoogle.
So how do these two meet up, Liam's mode of transport has mechanical issues that force him to stay in the area till repairs are complete but instead of heading to a five star hotel like his business companions, he decides he wants to go to ground , be a nobody , he chooses to stay at a small local motor inn and trade his suit in for amir of denim and a soft flannel shirt, from Walmart .
From, asking to wasabi mustard to picking Ella up at a local bar while she is out with her co worker and freind Willow in twenty four hours. For Ella she finds herself attracted to Liam and desirous of him to spite her bad experience with her husband, but when desire takes control and the flashbacks start a hot bar alley scene turn to anight of being cared for by Liam, andjust another reason for her to be attracted to him; no one has taken care of Ella in a long time.
Liam, is drawn to Ella and just as much as he wants to get in bed with her he finds himself caring for her, not his usual situation when it comes to women, given his position most of his encounters with women are contractual with privacy clauses and terms of length and expectations , control issues, no emotional attachments etc.
When Liam's ride is finally repaired and it is time to leave and head back to the real world , he still has not gotten Ella in bed a well he does not like to loose plus he dmits to himself there is something more he feels about her , so he falls back on what he knows , he offers Ella , poor dumbfounded can"t believe he has ll this amount of money , Liam offers her a contract.
Yes he offers the physically abused women a contract, 20k a week and a penthouse in California , a month terms with option for renewal.
What I though would happen was she would tell him to walk and he would come back and try and win her over, but it worked this way too, she takes him up on it. Granted. Her girlfreind Willow and her other freind from work Nathaniel talker into going . Willow weasels her way along for the ride saying she will go as moral support, that in itself is a whole other story.
He book had much back and forth both characters behavin badly at times so patience is required for this read , but I am hooked and yes cliff hanger end.
Lots of character development and insight going on in this book, believe the next book in the series "Possess" will see these characters come into there own and grow more emotionally and I will lay even odds Ella's husband Blaine will read his ugly head, is going to get even more juicy !
July 29, 2014
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Let me first start by saying that the plot of this story was great and I found the writing to be quite fantastic! It's the ultimate battle for a man that needs to have control over every aspect of his life to fall for a woman that is too afraid to relinquish control because of an abusive ex.
Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of either of the main characters. Liam was a bit contradictory to me in the fact that he seemed to have one thing on the brain (sex), had more money than one man could ever spend, probably had tons of women that would beg to sleep with him, yet he was really patient about Ella's constant running away and crying. This started pretty early on in the book, before they had any real conversations, so I couldn't see the basis for him to chase after her initially. Liam was also quite childish. He had numerous tantrums. Honestly, if I was just coming out of an abusive relationship, Liam would scare me with his mood swings.
Ella cried. A lot. At first, it was fine. She had dealt with a lot in her life. However, she lost me when she sobbed uncontrollably when she was happy and things were going good for her. I really disliked how she treated her "friend," Nathan. Nathan was crazy about her and she let him know that she wasn't interested. That was fine. When Liam reappears in her life, she immediately starts trying to cut Nathan out. I found Ella to be selfish, for example, when Nathan stood by her when she had no one else and I didn't think she was being fair to him. I also didn't think she was a very good friend to Willow. If she had been, perhaps things would have went differently for her.
Liam and Ella together wasn't much better. They were constantly going back and forth. When one was ready for a relationship, the other was running and vise versa. They were very impulsive with the things they'd say, which resulted in them saying hurtful words and moments later thinking about it and regretting it.
This is the first book in a series, so we're not quite done with Ella and Liam's story. I have a feeling things are about to get a lot more interesting and that Ella's ex will make an appearance. Hopefully, the main characters will mature a little more in future installments.
Let me first start by saying that the plot of this story was great and I found the writing to be quite fantastic! It's the ultimate battle for a man that needs to have control over every aspect of his life to fall for a woman that is too afraid to relinquish control because of an abusive ex.
Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of either of the main characters. Liam was a bit contradictory to me in the fact that he seemed to have one thing on the brain (sex), had more money than one man could ever spend, probably had tons of women that would beg to sleep with him, yet he was really patient about Ella's constant running away and crying. This started pretty early on in the book, before they had any real conversations, so I couldn't see the basis for him to chase after her initially. Liam was also quite childish. He had numerous tantrums. Honestly, if I was just coming out of an abusive relationship, Liam would scare me with his mood swings.
Ella cried. A lot. At first, it was fine. She had dealt with a lot in her life. However, she lost me when she sobbed uncontrollably when she was happy and things were going good for her. I really disliked how she treated her "friend," Nathan. Nathan was crazy about her and she let him know that she wasn't interested. That was fine. When Liam reappears in her life, she immediately starts trying to cut Nathan out. I found Ella to be selfish, for example, when Nathan stood by her when she had no one else and I didn't think she was being fair to him. I also didn't think she was a very good friend to Willow. If she had been, perhaps things would have went differently for her.
Liam and Ella together wasn't much better. They were constantly going back and forth. When one was ready for a relationship, the other was running and vise versa. They were very impulsive with the things they'd say, which resulted in them saying hurtful words and moments later thinking about it and regretting it.
This is the first book in a series, so we're not quite done with Ella and Liam's story. I have a feeling things are about to get a lot more interesting and that Ella's ex will make an appearance. Hopefully, the main characters will mature a little more in future installments.
August 3, 2014
I am not sure where to start with how I felt about this book. There were so many things that felt awkward and out of place. I rarely rate books so low but there was a lot that felt wrong for a a contemporary romance.
First I could not understand why Liam wanted Julie/Ella so badly. I did not feel the connection.
Julie/Ella “Julie” was running from her ex-husband who abused her for years. This ex-husband was a very rich man who Julie knew she would have a hard time hiding from. While working at the Wal-Mart snack bar, Julie meets Liam. After a night of talking, Liam makes Julie an offer to come back to California with him and work for him. He offers her a lot of money plus the penthouse in his building. Julie is leery, but she accepts. Then a whole bunch of weird things happen and the story just lost me.
This story was written in dual POVs – first person. Liam for being a successful, rich man had such low self-esteem. I felt like I was reading a point of view from a teenager and not a grown man. The verbiage at times felt awkward “be there or be square.” This is what he tells Julie when he informs her of when his flight to California will be leaving.
Then there is Julie and her choices that just felt out of place for a woman who is on the run from her ex-husband. Her friendship with Willow was the most disturbing. Willow was just trash and everything she had done, I cannot believe that Liam and Julie would give her what they did.
Bottom line: I could not connect to these characters. It all felt wrong and out of place for me. The whole relationship between Julie and Liam made me feel uncomfortable. It was not sweet or romantic or believable. If Liam was as successful and smart as the story tried to portray, he would never put up with the oddness of this group.
A copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
First I could not understand why Liam wanted Julie/Ella so badly. I did not feel the connection.
Julie/Ella “Julie” was running from her ex-husband who abused her for years. This ex-husband was a very rich man who Julie knew she would have a hard time hiding from. While working at the Wal-Mart snack bar, Julie meets Liam. After a night of talking, Liam makes Julie an offer to come back to California with him and work for him. He offers her a lot of money plus the penthouse in his building. Julie is leery, but she accepts. Then a whole bunch of weird things happen and the story just lost me.
This story was written in dual POVs – first person. Liam for being a successful, rich man had such low self-esteem. I felt like I was reading a point of view from a teenager and not a grown man. The verbiage at times felt awkward “be there or be square.” This is what he tells Julie when he informs her of when his flight to California will be leaving.
Then there is Julie and her choices that just felt out of place for a woman who is on the run from her ex-husband. Her friendship with Willow was the most disturbing. Willow was just trash and everything she had done, I cannot believe that Liam and Julie would give her what they did.
Bottom line: I could not connect to these characters. It all felt wrong and out of place for me. The whole relationship between Julie and Liam made me feel uncomfortable. It was not sweet or romantic or believable. If Liam was as successful and smart as the story tried to portray, he would never put up with the oddness of this group.
A copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2014
Karia’s thoughts…
Mmmmm…somewhere between and 3 ½ and a 4…kind of like going to bed with a 10 and waking up with a 4…
Why? I read this whole thing last night and I was perplexed about my emotions or lack thereof for most of the characters. Normally, I would love the fun and flighty BFF who lives to party. But, mmm…she grew tiresome. How about the sweet guy who has your back? He too wore on my patience as I actually worried for Ella/Julie at times that maybe her friend Nathan would get violent. And then there is Liam…Needless to say, Ella has a broken picker when it comes to men and friends.
Ella is MASSIVELY damaged inside and out. She escaped her abusive husband, only to find a completely emotionally devoid and ethically bankrupt “soul mate”. These two swung back and forth like ping pongs and my mind kept saying…just finish so these to wrecks can get their HEA…well, SPOILER alert!!! THIS HAS A CLIFFY…ugggg….super mad at that when it ended with 13 pages left on my ipad (those 13 pages were in fact promos for other books). I hate that!!!
So did I like it? Yes. Will I read book #2? Ummm…that is a hard one for me. I know myself that I will forget this one and not remember to add #2 to my TBR…then I will troll across it on someone’s GR feed and say, Oh, ya…I read book 1, mmm…
If you are into the damaged girl gets saved by a billionaire by being a unpretentious and yet bitchy enough to stand up for herself kind of gal…then have at it. Enjoy!
Mmmmm…somewhere between and 3 ½ and a 4…kind of like going to bed with a 10 and waking up with a 4…
Why? I read this whole thing last night and I was perplexed about my emotions or lack thereof for most of the characters. Normally, I would love the fun and flighty BFF who lives to party. But, mmm…she grew tiresome. How about the sweet guy who has your back? He too wore on my patience as I actually worried for Ella/Julie at times that maybe her friend Nathan would get violent. And then there is Liam…Needless to say, Ella has a broken picker when it comes to men and friends.
Ella is MASSIVELY damaged inside and out. She escaped her abusive husband, only to find a completely emotionally devoid and ethically bankrupt “soul mate”. These two swung back and forth like ping pongs and my mind kept saying…just finish so these to wrecks can get their HEA…well, SPOILER alert!!! THIS HAS A CLIFFY…ugggg….super mad at that when it ended with 13 pages left on my ipad (those 13 pages were in fact promos for other books). I hate that!!!
So did I like it? Yes. Will I read book #2? Ummm…that is a hard one for me. I know myself that I will forget this one and not remember to add #2 to my TBR…then I will troll across it on someone’s GR feed and say, Oh, ya…I read book 1, mmm…
If you are into the damaged girl gets saved by a billionaire by being a unpretentious and yet bitchy enough to stand up for herself kind of gal…then have at it. Enjoy!
September 22, 2014
Ella Patton works at a local Walmart in a small town, far away from a loveless marriage and abusive husband. She lives one day at a time, though she feels half of her is dead, the half that knew how to love. Now there are only deep scars and a resolve not to let any man hurt her again. That is until she meets the handsome, and charming, Liam Stone.
Liam Stone is used to having control over everything, especially women. His money buys him anything he wants, and he uses it to offer Ella a proposition that she cannot resist. This starts them on a steamy, rollercoaster relationship, where falling in love is not an option. Can Ella finally find love again in Liam? Will Liam let his defenses down long enough to realize he cannot live without Ella? In an unexpected turn of events, they find that you can only run so fast from your past, before it catches up with you.
This was an enjoyable, entertaining, fast read romance. You cannot help but root for Liam and Ella to get their act together and live happily ever after. But do fairy tales really exist? Laura Marie Altom does an excellent job in keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.
ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Liam Stone is used to having control over everything, especially women. His money buys him anything he wants, and he uses it to offer Ella a proposition that she cannot resist. This starts them on a steamy, rollercoaster relationship, where falling in love is not an option. Can Ella finally find love again in Liam? Will Liam let his defenses down long enough to realize he cannot live without Ella? In an unexpected turn of events, they find that you can only run so fast from your past, before it catches up with you.
This was an enjoyable, entertaining, fast read romance. You cannot help but root for Liam and Ella to get their act together and live happily ever after. But do fairy tales really exist? Laura Marie Altom does an excellent job in keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.
ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
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October 26, 2014I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not going to rate this book because I’m giving up less than 20% into it. I am finding the heroine incredibly annoying and contradictory and I’m not going to waste my time continuing to get pissed. She’s on the run, with a new identity, from her abusive husband. She meets a guy she describes as not even that cute and the same day, she’s starting to give him a blow job (unasked for on his part) in an alley before freaking out like he’s going to beat her. Then, immediately following THAT, she stays the night in his hotel room. The next morning, she freaks out on him AGAIN for no reason. Oh! And she’s been hiding out with her new identity, hasn’t told ANYONE ANYTHING about her past, but when this less than cute guy asks her what her name is, she tells him her real name. I’m already irritated and will only continue to be so. Since I haven’t given the story much of a chance at all, I’m not going to rate it.
I’m not going to rate this book because I’m giving up less than 20% into it. I am finding the heroine incredibly annoying and contradictory and I’m not going to waste my time continuing to get pissed. She’s on the run, with a new identity, from her abusive husband. She meets a guy she describes as not even that cute and the same day, she’s starting to give him a blow job (unasked for on his part) in an alley before freaking out like he’s going to beat her. Then, immediately following THAT, she stays the night in his hotel room. The next morning, she freaks out on him AGAIN for no reason. Oh! And she’s been hiding out with her new identity, hasn’t told ANYONE ANYTHING about her past, but when this less than cute guy asks her what her name is, she tells him her real name. I’m already irritated and will only continue to be so. Since I haven’t given the story much of a chance at all, I’m not going to rate it.
September 10, 2014
"I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads."
This was a slower burner for me, which had many dips and dives, but I needed to know how it would be resolved. The author writes disquietening story-lines well. Some elements (inevitably) were highly familiar, but some anticipated twists and turns didn't happen. I couldn't make my mind up as to whether I liked the main characters or not, but some of the cameo roles were lovely - Owen and Natalie, Yvonne, even Carol, Mimi and Rocco. I had not however realised it was the first in a series and suddenly found myself bereft of story.
I hope Ms Altom is busy writing the sequel because I'm looking forward to knowing what happens next!
This was a slower burner for me, which had many dips and dives, but I needed to know how it would be resolved. The author writes disquietening story-lines well. Some elements (inevitably) were highly familiar, but some anticipated twists and turns didn't happen. I couldn't make my mind up as to whether I liked the main characters or not, but some of the cameo roles were lovely - Owen and Natalie, Yvonne, even Carol, Mimi and Rocco. I had not however realised it was the first in a series and suddenly found myself bereft of story.
I hope Ms Altom is busy writing the sequel because I'm looking forward to knowing what happens next!
March 15, 2016
I almost DNFd before the halfway mark, but something about this author's writing kept pulling me in. Maybe she made endearing characters. Maybe she crafted clever back stories. Maybe it was the mystery of when Liam and Ella would finally get their acts together. It could be a combination of a multitude of things, but I don't regret continuing. I saw great potential for this story but I was content with the direction the author chose to steer me. I had no love for Ella's friend and I'm happy I won't have to endure her in book 2. I may seem cold, but that girl was no friend that I could tell. Not in the end at least. I did feel bad for Nathan, but at the same time he gave himself false expectations and has no one to blame but himself. I'm glad that Ella and Liam seem to be on the cusp of something great. I'm just wondering how her past will be resolved in the next book. I guess there's only one way to find out! Ciao!
October 26, 2014
I'll be honest and admit I had a little trouble getting into this story. I don't often read books written in first person POV or books with as much raw emotion as this book had, but it came highly recommended so I was determined to stick it out. And boy am I glad I did!
Liam and Ella are two damaged souls, both haunted by their pasts. Liam is determined to help Ella overcome her past with the hope that helping her will somehow help him as well.
I loved being a part of Liam and Ella's journey. But the ending caught me totally off guard. And now I MUST read Possess, the next book in the series.
Liam and Ella are two damaged souls, both haunted by their pasts. Liam is determined to help Ella overcome her past with the hope that helping her will somehow help him as well.
I loved being a part of Liam and Ella's journey. But the ending caught me totally off guard. And now I MUST read Possess, the next book in the series.
September 19, 2014
This book started out so promising but quickly went downhill. I like characters that are broken, characters that have been through something to make them the way they are. Ella and Liam both are somewhat broken but I don't think there are two characters I have disliked more than these two. The constant back and forth and their overreacting drove me insane. I felt like they acted more like teenagers. After everything Ella went through, her decision to go with Liam made no sense to me. I was incredibly frustrated with these characters and I just couldn't finish this book - it just was not for me.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
September 27, 2015
Copy provided by Netgalley
I liked the writing style of the author. Most of the characters were enjoyable. I liked Liam and Ella in the beginning of the book. Once you find out who he is, he seemed to lose his charm. He picked up again later. I consider Ella a strong lady. Facing and escaping what she went through was very brave. Although some of her actions didn't really make sense. Her running off with Liam after knowing him for a couple of days was not realistic. Her friendship with Willow didn't make sense. I wasn't exactly wowed but want to read the next book to see how it all comes together.
I liked the writing style of the author. Most of the characters were enjoyable. I liked Liam and Ella in the beginning of the book. Once you find out who he is, he seemed to lose his charm. He picked up again later. I consider Ella a strong lady. Facing and escaping what she went through was very brave. Although some of her actions didn't really make sense. Her running off with Liam after knowing him for a couple of days was not realistic. Her friendship with Willow didn't make sense. I wasn't exactly wowed but want to read the next book to see how it all comes together.
August 12, 2014
2.5 stars
I didn't love it nor did I hate it. From the very beginning the story felt as if it were going 0 to 60 in 3 seconds then all of sudden let's slam on the damn brakes. I was never really able to make a connection to the characters like I have with other reads. It wasn't until approximately two thirds into the book before I started feeling it. Did I feel it enough to continue with the next installment? I'm just not sure.
"Control" might me a great read for some, it just wasn't one for me.
***ARC copy provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review***
I didn't love it nor did I hate it. From the very beginning the story felt as if it were going 0 to 60 in 3 seconds then all of sudden let's slam on the damn brakes. I was never really able to make a connection to the characters like I have with other reads. It wasn't until approximately two thirds into the book before I started feeling it. Did I feel it enough to continue with the next installment? I'm just not sure.
"Control" might me a great read for some, it just wasn't one for me.
***ARC copy provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review***
September 10, 2014
WOW! I truly enjoyed this book! It is filled with dark pasts and buried secrets that keep you turning the pages as quickly as possible. When Ella and Liam meet the attraction is immediate but fear keeps Ella from giving in to it. Her need to have control of her life warns her that Liam is trouble. Liam's need for control over every aspect of his life makes him determined to get Ella into his life for as long as he wanted her. And the struggle begins.
I highly recommend this book but keep in mind it is only the first part of the story. There will be another book continuing the storyline.
I highly recommend this book but keep in mind it is only the first part of the story. There will be another book continuing the storyline.
September 9, 2014
Thanks Netgalley for ARC
I think these book was ok. I was enjoying it a lot at the beginning but it just got ok towards the end. I didn't hate it but I dint love it. The characters didn't have communication with each other at all and out of nowhere they want to have a relationship, marry and have kids? that what I couldn't understand.
The sides characters were ok.
I understand that some people think there might be a cliffhanger but I saw it coming like half away done with the book.
Out of curiosity I think I will read book 2 to see if it improves.
I think these book was ok. I was enjoying it a lot at the beginning but it just got ok towards the end. I didn't hate it but I dint love it. The characters didn't have communication with each other at all and out of nowhere they want to have a relationship, marry and have kids? that what I couldn't understand.
The sides characters were ok.
I understand that some people think there might be a cliffhanger but I saw it coming like half away done with the book.
Out of curiosity I think I will read book 2 to see if it improves.
September 9, 2014
My star rating: 4 out of 5 stars. :)
A story about escaping a bad situation and
finding something better but not being able
to truly accept it. This was a pretty good story.
Leaves you on a cliffhanger but has enough open-end
to make me look forward to the conclusion of this
series in the next novel out in Dec.
Check it out.
My full-review can be found at:
BooksMoviesFandoms.wordpress.com
A story about escaping a bad situation and
finding something better but not being able
to truly accept it. This was a pretty good story.
Leaves you on a cliffhanger but has enough open-end
to make me look forward to the conclusion of this
series in the next novel out in Dec.
Check it out.
My full-review can be found at:
BooksMoviesFandoms.wordpress.com
March 21, 2015
This book was just okay to me. I have always read Ms Altom's humorous romances and I am a fan. This was very different and at times, I felt it lacked something. Not a bad erotic story, but it could have been more.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley for an honest review
I was given an ARC by NetGalley for an honest review
September 11, 2014
Vacilated between a 3 1/2 and a 4...gonna have to think on this one...
April 12, 2020
This book reminded me to much of fifty shades of grey. Don’t get me wrong I loved Fifty Shades but I don’t like books who seem to copy cat another book. Liam and Ella could have a good relationship if they could all get their demons worked out. Too many secrets and all Ella wants to do is run!! I don’t think I will continue on with the series though.
January 29, 2021
Smut: 2/5
Plot: 3/5
But yet still compelling enough to finish. Moments where it could have really taken off but fizzled because the plot was left simple & easy to digest.
Plot: 3/5
But yet still compelling enough to finish. Moments where it could have really taken off but fizzled because the plot was left simple & easy to digest.
July 6, 2023
Well that was worse then number one
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