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Trapped #0.5
The Trap
"Oh MY GOSH this book was not amazing, it wasn't great it wasn't good, it was mind blowingly insanely, awesome..." ~ B.E. Love, Goodreads Looking back, I should have seen it coming. Paige didn't like that I went so far away to university. But it was going to only be for two years. She'd join me after she did her two years at community college. I thought we could swing that no problem. We were solid. But she hated the distance. She hated not seeing me every day. She complained that I didn't come home enough. She hated that for months on end, texting and phone calls were our only form of communication. It wasn't enough. She'd ask about the girls on campus. She'd gotten it into her head that girls were always making a play for me. I laughed and told her, even if that were true, I'd never cheat on her. She didn't seem completely reassured by that. The bottom line is, Paige thought she was losing me. She wanted me home with her. But I could never imagine the level she'd sink to--the trap she'd set to make that happen. And like an idiot I walked right into it. And it's a mistake I'm going to have to pay for the rest of my life. This is a 21,000 word (85 page) prequel to TRAPPED Connecting Unforgettable You Only For You (Book 1) - Olivia & Zach All Over You (Book 2) - Rebecca & Scott Always Been You (Book 3) - April & Troy Forever With You (Book 4) - Emily & Graham
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2014
372 people are currently reading
1492 people want to read
About the author
Beverley Kendall
38 books994 followers
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Beverley Kendall has lived on two continents, in three countries, two provinces, and four states. She stopped her nomadic existence and settled in the southeast with her young son. All things artistic feed her creative passion, but none more than writing.
Connect with me on Facebook
Communicate with me via beverley@beverleykendall.com
Beverley Kendall has lived on two continents, in three countries, two provinces, and four states. She stopped her nomadic existence and settled in the southeast with her young son. All things artistic feed her creative passion, but none more than writing.
Connect with me on Facebook
Communicate with me via beverley@beverleykendall.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
June 6, 2016
**** 4,5 stars ****
Wow, that was nerve wracking for such a short reading and I loved it. It sure made me want to read the next one really bad. I love an asshole hero and I love grovelling even more, which I hope I will find in the sequel.
Wow, that was nerve wracking for such a short reading and I loved it. It sure made me want to read the next one really bad. I love an asshole hero and I love grovelling even more, which I hope I will find in the sequel.
July 9, 2014
Currently FREE on Amazon.
USA - http://www.amazon.com/Trap-Trapped-Bo...
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trap-Trapped-...
Mitch and Paige are childhood sweethearts who find themselves living in different cities... Mitch went away to University. This is where the romance starts to disintegrate for the young lovers....
The Trap is written with a lovely dose of angst but for me, if I'm perfectly honest, it was hard to completely care during the main body of the story because I hadn't built a reader relationship with the characters. From the beginning, the reader is immersed in the main drama and I would have liked to experience Mitch and Paige together in happier times to truly feel the angst and loss....
3 Stars because I liked it in the end
Even though I did not 'feel' this story all the way through, by the end, literally the last few pages, I felt a connection, I felt love and I felt a desperation. My guess is, this novella perfectly sets the feeling for book 1 and I'm eager to see where the story goes. If it continues along the angst route, I think it has the potential to be a brilliant read.
Note - The Trap is written in a dual point of View and is a prequel to Trapped
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher, Season Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
USA - http://www.amazon.com/Trap-Trapped-Bo...
UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trap-Trapped-...
Mitch and Paige are childhood sweethearts who find themselves living in different cities... Mitch went away to University. This is where the romance starts to disintegrate for the young lovers....
The Trap is written with a lovely dose of angst but for me, if I'm perfectly honest, it was hard to completely care during the main body of the story because I hadn't built a reader relationship with the characters. From the beginning, the reader is immersed in the main drama and I would have liked to experience Mitch and Paige together in happier times to truly feel the angst and loss....
3 Stars because I liked it in the end
Even though I did not 'feel' this story all the way through, by the end, literally the last few pages, I felt a connection, I felt love and I felt a desperation. My guess is, this novella perfectly sets the feeling for book 1 and I'm eager to see where the story goes. If it continues along the angst route, I think it has the potential to be a brilliant read.
Note - The Trap is written in a dual point of View and is a prequel to Trapped
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher, Season Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2016
3.5 Stars
June 21, 2014
4.5 stars!
Holy shit that was angsty!
Eighty-four pages of stomach-roiling angsty goodness. This novella packs quite a wallop from page one until the end. I was entertained from the get-go and intrigued by each character. Plus, there's an excerpt at the end for the next book and Ialmost cried reading it.
Paige and Mitch were sweethearts. Mitch was in college miles away from Paige. I think it's quite obvious from the title and the blurb that something happened and these two characters are dealing with the fallout. Mitch thought Paige deliberately trapped him thus compromising his future. What follows is some of the best I've read in a while. I hated Mitch but at the same time I felt that because his background it's easy to see why he would feel that way. He is flawed, flawed, flawed. I wanted to junk-punch him. I wanted to shake him and knock some sense into him.
Paige was a likable heroine. (surprise) She made a mistake, a lie of omission but she was never cruel nor manipulative. I loved how she stood up for herself. But they were both young and made a mistake that affected their future. That said I'm looking forward to how the story continues in the next book.
I also really liked the dual POVs and almost all of the secondary characters. Beverley Kendall is a new author to me but I'm really glad I requested this book. :)
Anyone who is looking for some angsty drama might want to pick up this book. I can't wait for the next one!
An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Holy shit that was angsty!
Eighty-four pages of stomach-roiling angsty goodness. This novella packs quite a wallop from page one until the end. I was entertained from the get-go and intrigued by each character. Plus, there's an excerpt at the end for the next book and I
Paige and Mitch were sweethearts. Mitch was in college miles away from Paige. I think it's quite obvious from the title and the blurb that something happened and these two characters are dealing with the fallout. Mitch thought Paige deliberately trapped him thus compromising his future. What follows is some of the best I've read in a while. I hated Mitch but at the same time I felt that because his background it's easy to see why he would feel that way. He is flawed, flawed, flawed. I wanted to junk-punch him. I wanted to shake him and knock some sense into him.
Paige was a likable heroine. (surprise) She made a mistake, a lie of omission but she was never cruel nor manipulative. I loved how she stood up for herself. But they were both young and made a mistake that affected their future. That said I'm looking forward to how the story continues in the next book.
I also really liked the dual POVs and almost all of the secondary characters. Beverley Kendall is a new author to me but I'm really glad I requested this book. :)
Anyone who is looking for some angsty drama might want to pick up this book. I can't wait for the next one!
An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2014
I glance around the room and take in the women in my life, the women who mean the most to me. And then I look at the love of my life, my daughter, and know I need to be strong for her. I need to be strong for me.”
Oh hell yes! I love the fact that this young lady is getting it done and standing up for herself! I also love the fact that the demon baby daddy is still in the picture and we’ll have to deal with that angst in the next book. Did I want to junk punch Mitch? You betcha! I'm looking forward to the next book and the conclusion of this story.
Oh hell yes! I love the fact that this young lady is getting it done and standing up for herself! I also love the fact that the demon baby daddy is still in the picture and we’ll have to deal with that angst in the next book. Did I want to junk punch Mitch? You betcha! I'm looking forward to the next book and the conclusion of this story.
May 30, 2022
Oh my God!
This prequel had me in tears.
Can't wait to read their book.
Mitch is an ass.
Yes, he 's young, he feels he was duped, he's running scared of responsibilities, doesn't want his life to go off-tangent. I am trying to factor all that in.
But, he's still a loser.
And Paige - we see how beautifully, strongly, lovingly, wisely girls become mothers.
Not easily but they do it so naturally. It's not as if they don't stand to lose out on education, a better future and career. And it's just not because they are stuck and have to do it.
And maybe girls do mature sooner while boys remain idiots for longer/forever.
This prequel had me in tears.
Can't wait to read their book.
Mitch is an ass.
Yes, he 's young, he feels he was duped, he's running scared of responsibilities, doesn't want his life to go off-tangent. I am trying to factor all that in.
But, he's still a loser.
And Paige - we see how beautifully, strongly, lovingly, wisely girls become mothers.
Not easily but they do it so naturally. It's not as if they don't stand to lose out on education, a better future and career. And it's just not because they are stuck and have to do it.
And maybe girls do mature sooner while boys remain idiots for longer/forever.
February 29, 2016
**3rd re-read, and I cried again reading it**
re-read, I cried the second time around, now I have to dig into Trapped:}.
Let me fist start by saying you MUST read this, but let me follow that up with two pieces of advice 1) bring a box of tissue(yes you will need it, 2) be prepared you will be kicking yourself if Trapped isn't out and you have to wait for more. Oh MY GOSH this book was not amazing, it wasn't great it wasn't good it was mind blowingly insanely, awesome, to give this book 5 stars is like kicking a cute puppy. I so wish I didn't have to wait to read Trapped. This book left me in tears and wishing I could jump into this book to tar, feather, beat with nails(I'm trying to be creative) Mitch and then run him over with a semi truck dragging a infested brick house behind it. I can't wait to see if Beverly Kendal redeems Mitch, I don't know that she can and yet I really, really hope she does. And if she does I am nominating her for The president of the USA because she can obviously perform miracles.
Mitch and Paige have dated for years and are deeply in love, now Mitch is away at college and Paige plans to join him after junior college. But then Paige finds out she is pregnant and though she never planned this she loves Mitch and always knew they would one day have kids she just thought it would be after college and marriage. When Paige tells Mitch he is shocked and not happy but he loves Paige and starts to make plans in his head till one day he is at Paige's house and Paige's mom tells him something that changes his world upside down. Now Mitch doesn't trust Paige or her stories, and now the pregnancy isn't the only thing Paige will have to deal with.
Talk about breaking my heart, just thinking about this book literally brings me to tears. I felt so sad for Paige but I also felt such pride in her, she is an amazing woman. I also fell in love with Mitch's sister she is one phenomenal woman. The writing of this book blew me away, I wasn't reading this book I was living this book and experiencing everything like I was Paige. I don't know that I will be able to sleep tonight but I do know that this story will stay with me, and I know that I will be stalking Ms. Kendall for any minuscule amount of info. on the next book. I really hope this is a series because I would love to see Paige and Mitch's friends get books, but mostly I want Paige to get a happy ending that is so sweet my teeth ache and I want Mitch to grovel, and suffer and I want him to have beg, borrow, and steal for Paige's forgiveness. I'm talking bring on the worlds best grovel I hope he suffers and that Mrs. Kendall can make me love him.
I hope everyone reads this book, And I know that if I had waited to read this till Trapped was out I would not be suffering right now but man this suffering is worth it if I got to read this novella. This may be one of the best if not the best book I have read this entire year so far. I've read tons of really great books but this book blew me away, and left me raws and my emotions laying on the floor. Please June come quick I'm not sure how I will be able to survive, or better yet please let me get an ARC of trapped so that my torture can end. I have never read a book by Beverley Kendall but I can say right now that she is going on my list of needed authors. Now I have to go and put the release date for Trapped into my iPhone so that I can rest a little easy knowing that if I have to wait I have this next book marked so that I can buy it the second I have that option.
*thank you Netgallery and Season Publishing for this ARC copy for my review
re-read, I cried the second time around, now I have to dig into Trapped:}.
Let me fist start by saying you MUST read this, but let me follow that up with two pieces of advice 1) bring a box of tissue(yes you will need it, 2) be prepared you will be kicking yourself if Trapped isn't out and you have to wait for more. Oh MY GOSH this book was not amazing, it wasn't great it wasn't good it was mind blowingly insanely, awesome, to give this book 5 stars is like kicking a cute puppy. I so wish I didn't have to wait to read Trapped. This book left me in tears and wishing I could jump into this book to tar, feather, beat with nails(I'm trying to be creative) Mitch and then run him over with a semi truck dragging a infested brick house behind it. I can't wait to see if Beverly Kendal redeems Mitch, I don't know that she can and yet I really, really hope she does. And if she does I am nominating her for The president of the USA because she can obviously perform miracles.
Mitch and Paige have dated for years and are deeply in love, now Mitch is away at college and Paige plans to join him after junior college. But then Paige finds out she is pregnant and though she never planned this she loves Mitch and always knew they would one day have kids she just thought it would be after college and marriage. When Paige tells Mitch he is shocked and not happy but he loves Paige and starts to make plans in his head till one day he is at Paige's house and Paige's mom tells him something that changes his world upside down. Now Mitch doesn't trust Paige or her stories, and now the pregnancy isn't the only thing Paige will have to deal with.
Talk about breaking my heart, just thinking about this book literally brings me to tears. I felt so sad for Paige but I also felt such pride in her, she is an amazing woman. I also fell in love with Mitch's sister she is one phenomenal woman. The writing of this book blew me away, I wasn't reading this book I was living this book and experiencing everything like I was Paige. I don't know that I will be able to sleep tonight but I do know that this story will stay with me, and I know that I will be stalking Ms. Kendall for any minuscule amount of info. on the next book. I really hope this is a series because I would love to see Paige and Mitch's friends get books, but mostly I want Paige to get a happy ending that is so sweet my teeth ache and I want Mitch to grovel, and suffer and I want him to have beg, borrow, and steal for Paige's forgiveness. I'm talking bring on the worlds best grovel I hope he suffers and that Mrs. Kendall can make me love him.
I hope everyone reads this book, And I know that if I had waited to read this till Trapped was out I would not be suffering right now but man this suffering is worth it if I got to read this novella. This may be one of the best if not the best book I have read this entire year so far. I've read tons of really great books but this book blew me away, and left me raws and my emotions laying on the floor. Please June come quick I'm not sure how I will be able to survive, or better yet please let me get an ARC of trapped so that my torture can end. I have never read a book by Beverley Kendall but I can say right now that she is going on my list of needed authors. Now I have to go and put the release date for Trapped into my iPhone so that I can rest a little easy knowing that if I have to wait I have this next book marked so that I can buy it the second I have that option.
*thank you Netgallery and Season Publishing for this ARC copy for my review
July 10, 2014
Mitch and Paige were high school sweethearts. After graduation, they were going to be separated. Mitch in NY going to school, and Paige staying in Georgia. After 2 years, she will transfer to NY with Mitch.
Being apart is harder than they thought. Just relying on sporadic phone calls, texts, and minimal visits was taking its toll. Mitch thought Paige was having a hard time with the separation.
One visit home changes everything when Paige tells him she's pregnant. She's only 18, he's only 19. They still have to go to college, finish, get a job. Mitch doesnt take it very well. As far as he knows Paige is on birth control. Thought being the opporative word.
As he freaks out, a friend asks the million dollar question. "Is it yours?". Mitch thought he knew the answer. But doubt crept in and made its place in his head. Oh Mitch...
As much as I wanted to hate him. I thought how scared it would be to be that young and get that news. And Paige, he didnt even consider what changes she would have to face. He acted quite selfish, while Paige made decisions all by herself. A boy does the unforgivable. A girl does the only thing she can, have her baby.
I didnt feel it was angsty in any way. More heartbreaking for these two, because I really did like the relationship. It was enough to make me want to read the next book Trapped.
Being apart is harder than they thought. Just relying on sporadic phone calls, texts, and minimal visits was taking its toll. Mitch thought Paige was having a hard time with the separation.
One visit home changes everything when Paige tells him she's pregnant. She's only 18, he's only 19. They still have to go to college, finish, get a job. Mitch doesnt take it very well. As far as he knows Paige is on birth control. Thought being the opporative word.
As he freaks out, a friend asks the million dollar question. "Is it yours?". Mitch thought he knew the answer. But doubt crept in and made its place in his head. Oh Mitch...
As much as I wanted to hate him. I thought how scared it would be to be that young and get that news. And Paige, he didnt even consider what changes she would have to face. He acted quite selfish, while Paige made decisions all by herself. A boy does the unforgivable. A girl does the only thing she can, have her baby.
I didnt feel it was angsty in any way. More heartbreaking for these two, because I really did like the relationship. It was enough to make me want to read the next book Trapped.
May 20, 2014
This was actually a really nice little prequel to what looks as if it will be an intense "win you back" kind of second chance romance. Our hero, Mitch, is quite the jerk in these pages, throwing blame around, denying his own responsibility, and basically blowing any chance of remaining in my good graces apart. Kid's got a long row to hoe, and I'm anxious to get to the meat of the story.
It sounds like Paige won't use her kid as a weapon, rather she's going to guard her own heart after such a massive betrayal by the man she thought loved her. Instead, she's going to be an admirable mother and a strong woman and do the best she can on her own. That alone makes me fist pump and want more.
It sounds like Paige won't use her kid as a weapon, rather she's going to guard her own heart after such a massive betrayal by the man she thought loved her. Instead, she's going to be an admirable mother and a strong woman and do the best she can on her own. That alone makes me fist pump and want more.
April 22, 2014
Quick review for a quick read. I'll admit I'm disappointed with this read for more reasons than one, but to start this review on a positive note, at least I see where Beverley Kendall's overall writing style has improved over time. This had a much better narrative flow to it than a few of the other contemporaries I've read from her in the past, and I see that as a good thing.
But beg my pardon on the pun, "The Trap" felt like a trap in itself. I think that's probably the best way I can sum it up in so many words. From the beautiful blissful cover (there was no such scene anywhere in this book) to the rather formulaic baby plot (cue in Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach") to the warped female-centered pregnancy blaming - I don't understand why this book chose to go in the directions it did. I really don't, even considering there were some ideas in the book that suggested Mitch knew what he was thinking was wrong. It wasn't enough to give any of the problems in this book weight.
Mitch kept blaming Paige constantly for her own pregnancy, like he had very little to do with it. It made me think of a line from the early 2000s movie "Save the Last Dance," and one of the guys in the movie said something to the effect of "I didn't ask for this!" when he was charged with taking care of his and his girlfriend's baby. (To which Kerry Washington's character promptly replied "What? And I did? I climbed on top of myself and got myself pregnant?" Did I mention I love Kerry Washington?) And it puts a dangerous burden on females to be responsible for birth control. There was one point where Mitch said he recognized that Paige was on the pill, but he forgot the condom, and somehow it was *her* fault she got pregnant, just because SHE was responsible for that?
And then there was the matter of him actually finding out the truth...which didn't help the blame game at all. If anything, it made it worse.
And Mitch's best friend Josh wasn't much better. He fed into this whole sort of drama from the very beginning only to do a 180 and suddenly become the reasonable one in saying "Dude, there's a likely chance the baby is yours."
REALLY? After all the conspiracy theories he kept saying about females "trapping" guys by getting pregnant?
No thank you. I'm fairly vexed at this insinuation to say the least.
I think the way this book treated the whole matter was juvenile and unfulfilling. This isn't the first time I've read about a teen pregnancy with tough moments between the father and mother of a baby, and likely far from being the last. There are narratives out there that actually go through the contentious stages and present the matter, emotions, and contentions in a realistic light. This is NOT one of them. I almost feel like "The Trap" could've gone in a completely different direction than the formulaic and denouncement, and have been a better lead in to the novel "Trapped" than what it was. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. I'm on the fence as to whether or not to follow the ongoing story, since at least Paige showed some moments of promise, but it's a hard sell.
Overall score: 1/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Season Publishing.
But beg my pardon on the pun, "The Trap" felt like a trap in itself. I think that's probably the best way I can sum it up in so many words. From the beautiful blissful cover (there was no such scene anywhere in this book) to the rather formulaic baby plot (cue in Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach") to the warped female-centered pregnancy blaming - I don't understand why this book chose to go in the directions it did. I really don't, even considering there were some ideas in the book that suggested Mitch knew what he was thinking was wrong. It wasn't enough to give any of the problems in this book weight.
Mitch kept blaming Paige constantly for her own pregnancy, like he had very little to do with it. It made me think of a line from the early 2000s movie "Save the Last Dance," and one of the guys in the movie said something to the effect of "I didn't ask for this!" when he was charged with taking care of his and his girlfriend's baby. (To which Kerry Washington's character promptly replied "What? And I did? I climbed on top of myself and got myself pregnant?" Did I mention I love Kerry Washington?) And it puts a dangerous burden on females to be responsible for birth control. There was one point where Mitch said he recognized that Paige was on the pill, but he forgot the condom, and somehow it was *her* fault she got pregnant, just because SHE was responsible for that?
And then there was the matter of him actually finding out the truth...which didn't help the blame game at all. If anything, it made it worse.
And Mitch's best friend Josh wasn't much better. He fed into this whole sort of drama from the very beginning only to do a 180 and suddenly become the reasonable one in saying "Dude, there's a likely chance the baby is yours."
REALLY? After all the conspiracy theories he kept saying about females "trapping" guys by getting pregnant?
No thank you. I'm fairly vexed at this insinuation to say the least.
I think the way this book treated the whole matter was juvenile and unfulfilling. This isn't the first time I've read about a teen pregnancy with tough moments between the father and mother of a baby, and likely far from being the last. There are narratives out there that actually go through the contentious stages and present the matter, emotions, and contentions in a realistic light. This is NOT one of them. I almost feel like "The Trap" could've gone in a completely different direction than the formulaic and denouncement, and have been a better lead in to the novel "Trapped" than what it was. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. I'm on the fence as to whether or not to follow the ongoing story, since at least Paige showed some moments of promise, but it's a hard sell.
Overall score: 1/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Season Publishing.
October 10, 2018
Mitch is a loser
I can't believe that the idiot Mitch can be redeemed. I hate him and I don't knowing I will buy the book. Especially if he is making out and wanting OW. He is a PIG. So why four stars? Because the writing is good and the women in this book make me proud to be one. I felt their love, their compassion and all the feels. And mostly I felt the heroines pain. It consumed me. This is not a book either. Just 73 pages when I felt every one of them. I was 18 when I got pregnant too but my boyfriend married me and didn't go back to college. Neither did I. But we stayed together and are still together 42 years later. I am so glad He was not Mitch. I can't call him a hero because he is not. He is scum sucking trailer trash and I hope He gets hit by a bus. Now I have to decide what to do? I am afraid to read on. Poor Paige!
I can't believe that the idiot Mitch can be redeemed. I hate him and I don't knowing I will buy the book. Especially if he is making out and wanting OW. He is a PIG. So why four stars? Because the writing is good and the women in this book make me proud to be one. I felt their love, their compassion and all the feels. And mostly I felt the heroines pain. It consumed me. This is not a book either. Just 73 pages when I felt every one of them. I was 18 when I got pregnant too but my boyfriend married me and didn't go back to college. Neither did I. But we stayed together and are still together 42 years later. I am so glad He was not Mitch. I can't call him a hero because he is not. He is scum sucking trailer trash and I hope He gets hit by a bus. Now I have to decide what to do? I am afraid to read on. Poor Paige!
August 28, 2014
This was short and the Mitch acted like a douche, but it sets us up for some great redemption and some EPIC groveling potential for the next installment.
I LOVE groveling.
I LOVE groveling.
July 5, 2017
My heart broke reading this and I cried and cried.Mitch was such a selfish jackass and his best friend Josh an even bigger one.
Read
February 4, 2020DNF he got her pregnant ships her packing and asks for paternity test thank you she is supposed to be the love of his life
Coward asshole
Coward asshole
December 5, 2014
***Free copy in exchange for an honest review***
Okay, this story is not at all what I expected from reading the blurb.
I'm going to start with the good, because once I get to what I didn't like, ranting will likely ensue. My blood pressure shot through the roof more than a few times during my reading experience, and fair warning, if irresponsible deadbeat-dads raise your hackles, yours will, too.
The first thing I will say for this book is that I read it all in one sitting. I had to step away a few times for the sake of eating and whatnot, but I basically didn't put this book down once I started it.
Other than interrupting a tense, important scene early on to thread in back story (see below), I liked the flow. I felt sympathy toward Paige's character, and while I won't say I liked her (I'm very picky about heroines, and I would have loved for her to be stronger faster, but she is 18 and in a shitty situation, so I'll give her a break) I didn't dislike her, and even when she irritated me, the responses were realistic). I saw the potential there for me to like her, I already root for her and wish she would make good decisions from here on out, even if I have little faith that she will in the next book.
I liked Diane. I liked Paige's best friend, Erin, a marked improvement over most book heroine best friends.
Now, in the beginning, the narration kept interrupting the building tension of the scene--between lines of dialogue--to feed backstory about football or some similarly irrelevant-to-the-moment tidbit. I don't care. I might need to know this, but not smack dab in the middle of the intense scene of the book. I want to be absorbed in this tense moment, not pulled out of it with these details. Later, just not in that moment.
All right, now Mitch.
This is what I want to happen to Mitch. On a loop, just like that. He's irresponsible and pathetic. I have no further use for his character, which is why I personally will not be reading the book this is a prequel to. This is purely a matter of personal preference. I know that reading the book would make me angry, because when a guy is this big of a douchebag when he finds out he's going to be a daddy, it is not possible for that character to be redeemed in my eyes.
If the next book was just Paige and her baby (or them and some new guy for Paige), I would read it, but...it isn't, so I won't. That said, I would certainly try something else by this author in a different series, I'm just not a fan of the whole "deadbeat daddy came back!" storyline. (For me personally, this book would be a 2-star based on my own enjoyment, but the book itself wasn't wholly at fault, and I felt the book deserved 2.5 to 3 stars.)
Now. My biggest pet peeve in this book, which is the fault of the book, and which infuriated me.
I waited until I was close to 35% before I started getting annoyed by this, because I understand that in the moment, people can be idiots, but then they usually come around and start being a normal person again, capable of taking responsibility for their own actions.
That was not the case in this book.
In this book, the "fault" of the pregnancy from the consensual sex between these two legally of age individuals rests solely on the shoulders of the female.
The man is not responsible for what comes out of his disco stick. The woman is the only one responsible for protecting herself--and him, and if she fails to do that, it is all her fault, and she is an evil, conniving bitch.
WHAT?! What bullshittery is this?!?!?!?! Why is the woman the only one who needs to be held responsible? BULLSHIT. TIMES 100,000.
Now, what makes this unforgivably annoying is that this isn't just a short-held, knee-jerk reaction. No. This is reinforced, not only by him and his friends and her mom--WHAT?--and whomever else, but by the female in question! She's so sorry! She wants to apologize to him--again, I could understand this initially, emotions go haywire, you're not thinking clearly, your world has just been turned upside down... I.Get.That. But then, after even months have passed, it should occur to you, THIS GUY IS A DOUCHEBAG. And sometimes you love douchebags, and I get that, too. BUT I kept waiting for Paige to get mad for more than a minute, to get furious that this shitbag who knocked her up and helped derail her life was putting ALL of the blame on HER when the prevention of pregnancy was EVERY BIT AS MUCH HIS RESPONSIBILITY AS IT WAS HERS. And if he didn't see it that way, he wasn't worth her time.
This was reinforced all over the place. His asshole best friend--I think his name was Josh, I don't remember for sure, and I don't care, because he's the quintessential douchebag guy friend, and I don't care about that character at all. He doesn't like women. Both of the guys view "females" as wily, man-obsessed, conniving potential villains. As far as these two catches see it, all womankind wants nothing more than to "trap" a guy to ruin his life--because, you know, it doesn't ruin our lives to get knocked up at 18. THAT's what we want! What else could we possibly want out of life, if not for these wonderful, charming princes?!
Ugh, I won't say anymore on that, but I can't even tell you how much this portrayal pissed me off. I wouldn't have even taken issue if it was just one character who thought this way--some people DO think that way, so I would have called it realistic--but for ALL of them to feel that way...no. I'm not okay with that. It makes me dislike all of them.
Highly recommended for fans of Take This Regret.
Review also available at Land of Fiction Book Blog.
Okay, this story is not at all what I expected from reading the blurb.
I'm going to start with the good, because once I get to what I didn't like, ranting will likely ensue. My blood pressure shot through the roof more than a few times during my reading experience, and fair warning, if irresponsible deadbeat-dads raise your hackles, yours will, too.
The first thing I will say for this book is that I read it all in one sitting. I had to step away a few times for the sake of eating and whatnot, but I basically didn't put this book down once I started it.
Other than interrupting a tense, important scene early on to thread in back story (see below), I liked the flow. I felt sympathy toward Paige's character, and while I won't say I liked her (I'm very picky about heroines, and I would have loved for her to be stronger faster, but she is 18 and in a shitty situation, so I'll give her a break) I didn't dislike her, and even when she irritated me, the responses were realistic). I saw the potential there for me to like her, I already root for her and wish she would make good decisions from here on out, even if I have little faith that she will in the next book.
I liked Diane. I liked Paige's best friend, Erin, a marked improvement over most book heroine best friends.
Now, in the beginning, the narration kept interrupting the building tension of the scene--between lines of dialogue--to feed backstory about football or some similarly irrelevant-to-the-moment tidbit. I don't care. I might need to know this, but not smack dab in the middle of the intense scene of the book. I want to be absorbed in this tense moment, not pulled out of it with these details. Later, just not in that moment.
All right, now Mitch.
This is what I want to happen to Mitch. On a loop, just like that. He's irresponsible and pathetic. I have no further use for his character, which is why I personally will not be reading the book this is a prequel to. This is purely a matter of personal preference. I know that reading the book would make me angry, because when a guy is this big of a douchebag when he finds out he's going to be a daddy, it is not possible for that character to be redeemed in my eyes.
If the next book was just Paige and her baby (or them and some new guy for Paige), I would read it, but...it isn't, so I won't. That said, I would certainly try something else by this author in a different series, I'm just not a fan of the whole "deadbeat daddy came back!" storyline. (For me personally, this book would be a 2-star based on my own enjoyment, but the book itself wasn't wholly at fault, and I felt the book deserved 2.5 to 3 stars.)
Now. My biggest pet peeve in this book, which is the fault of the book, and which infuriated me.
I waited until I was close to 35% before I started getting annoyed by this, because I understand that in the moment, people can be idiots, but then they usually come around and start being a normal person again, capable of taking responsibility for their own actions.
That was not the case in this book.
In this book, the "fault" of the pregnancy from the consensual sex between these two legally of age individuals rests solely on the shoulders of the female.
The man is not responsible for what comes out of his disco stick. The woman is the only one responsible for protecting herself--and him, and if she fails to do that, it is all her fault, and she is an evil, conniving bitch.
WHAT?! What bullshittery is this?!?!?!?! Why is the woman the only one who needs to be held responsible? BULLSHIT. TIMES 100,000.
Now, what makes this unforgivably annoying is that this isn't just a short-held, knee-jerk reaction. No. This is reinforced, not only by him and his friends and her mom--WHAT?--and whomever else, but by the female in question! She's so sorry! She wants to apologize to him--again, I could understand this initially, emotions go haywire, you're not thinking clearly, your world has just been turned upside down... I.Get.That. But then, after even months have passed, it should occur to you, THIS GUY IS A DOUCHEBAG. And sometimes you love douchebags, and I get that, too. BUT I kept waiting for Paige to get mad for more than a minute, to get furious that this shitbag who knocked her up and helped derail her life was putting ALL of the blame on HER when the prevention of pregnancy was EVERY BIT AS MUCH HIS RESPONSIBILITY AS IT WAS HERS. And if he didn't see it that way, he wasn't worth her time.
This was reinforced all over the place. His asshole best friend--I think his name was Josh, I don't remember for sure, and I don't care, because he's the quintessential douchebag guy friend, and I don't care about that character at all. He doesn't like women. Both of the guys view "females" as wily, man-obsessed, conniving potential villains. As far as these two catches see it, all womankind wants nothing more than to "trap" a guy to ruin his life--because, you know, it doesn't ruin our lives to get knocked up at 18. THAT's what we want! What else could we possibly want out of life, if not for these wonderful, charming princes?!
Ugh, I won't say anymore on that, but I can't even tell you how much this portrayal pissed me off. I wouldn't have even taken issue if it was just one character who thought this way--some people DO think that way, so I would have called it realistic--but for ALL of them to feel that way...no. I'm not okay with that. It makes me dislike all of them.
Highly recommended for fans of Take This Regret.
Review also available at Land of Fiction Book Blog.
August 21, 2014
Two college teens.
One unplanned pregnancy.
Two shatter hearts.
One new bundle of joy.
And three lives that will be forever changed.
The author did a great job with evoking deep emotions out of me. I felt the sadness and pain for Paige. I felt hatred for Mitch. However, not once did I feel sorry for him and his selfishness or how he treated Paige. I also felt annoyed with Mitch's best friend, Josh. He has severe trust issues it seems with women and he clearly wasn't the best one to offer Mitch any advice.
I look forward to book two and finding out how Mitch plans to grovel and win back Paige and his child. Honestly, I hope Paige makes him work for it ten fold for the way he was with her and the the things he said.
One unplanned pregnancy.
Two shatter hearts.
One new bundle of joy.
And three lives that will be forever changed.
The author did a great job with evoking deep emotions out of me. I felt the sadness and pain for Paige. I felt hatred for Mitch. However, not once did I feel sorry for him and his selfishness or how he treated Paige. I also felt annoyed with Mitch's best friend, Josh. He has severe trust issues it seems with women and he clearly wasn't the best one to offer Mitch any advice.
I look forward to book two and finding out how Mitch plans to grovel and win back Paige and his child. Honestly, I hope Paige makes him work for it ten fold for the way he was with her and the the things he said.
April 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and I am anxious for 'Trapped' the second book in this series.
Paige and Mitch love each other but they are going to be separated by many miles as he goes off to college and she remains at home attending a local college. Their plan was for her to join him in two years.
When she shares some news with him he is so sure she has purposely trapped and deceived him that he refuses to listen to reason or the truth. His treatment of her is horrific. If I were Paige, the pain, heartache, and abandonment would insure that he would never enter my life again.
So bring on the new book Beverly! Loved it!!
Paige and Mitch love each other but they are going to be separated by many miles as he goes off to college and she remains at home attending a local college. Their plan was for her to join him in two years.
When she shares some news with him he is so sure she has purposely trapped and deceived him that he refuses to listen to reason or the truth. His treatment of her is horrific. If I were Paige, the pain, heartache, and abandonment would insure that he would never enter my life again.
So bring on the new book Beverly! Loved it!!
December 30, 2014
Good quick read setting up for the novel 'TRAPPED' that follows. It got me hooked....
February 19, 2021
4 ANGSTY STARS!
Wow! It was so intense and nerve-wracking for such a short story. I loved the emotions that this book evoked.
I won't elaborate more on this book because I might end up telling you the whole story. I only want to say that I love it, and now I can’t wait to read the next book since I'm a sucker for a second chance and a groveling hero! I hope that Ms. Kendall will deliver on that.
April 23, 2014
OH MY GOSH!!!!! Just finished and I was bawling at the end, I want the rest NOW!!!
The first page pulls you in and doesn't let go till the last and then makes you want the rest like yesterday!!)
The hero and heroine are in quiet the sticky situation. And how each acts and reacts really brings angst to the surface. I was a little frustrated with how they each behaved but yet it made perfect sense too.
It also had mentioned (in the story) my two favorite characters, Olivia and Zachary, from Only For You ( a MUST read TOO).
So cannot wait for Trapped!!!
Great job Beverley, love your books!!!
Netgalley
The first page pulls you in and doesn't let go till the last and then makes you want the rest like yesterday!!)
The hero and heroine are in quiet the sticky situation. And how each acts and reacts really brings angst to the surface. I was a little frustrated with how they each behaved but yet it made perfect sense too.
It also had mentioned (in the story) my two favorite characters, Olivia and Zachary, from Only For You ( a MUST read TOO).
So cannot wait for Trapped!!!
Great job Beverley, love your books!!!
Netgalley
February 25, 2015
This was really mehhhh for me. The writing was decent and the topic was interesting, but the title and synopsis was pretty much an outright lie. This made it seem like the female purposefully had a secret agenda to get pregnant, which isn't really the case. Also the male protagonist was putting the entire blame on her, which seemed irresponsible. Quick read, but I won't be continuing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2016
The hero is too much of an asshole. A great short story that leaves me wanting for more.
Want to read
November 24, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/24/2017)! 💝
May 7, 2014
Posted What I'm Reading
It's a love/hate relationship between prequel. I love the start of The Trap, but I hate I have to wait for rest of the story. Ok, I got that off my chest. Anyway, Beverley Kendall brings us a story about a couple who "supposedly" loved each other. When it all boiled down Mitch started to doubt Paige's story and basically dumped her. Now Paige is dealing with her breakup and a pregnancy. Sucks to be her.
Love The Trap, even if it caused a few tears. I felt horrible for Paige. I honestly, don't believe she intentionally set Mitch up to keep him by her side. However, Mitch sees it that way, and I can understand why he would see it that way. Was he wrong do what he did? Most likely. Now I can't wait to see what he does in the next chapter of their lives.
Overall, a fantastic start to a story. I can't wait to see what Beverley will do with the rest of the story. Yes, you will want to know more at the end. You must keep in mind that this is not the end and there is more to come.
Copy provided by the author
It's a love/hate relationship between prequel. I love the start of The Trap, but I hate I have to wait for rest of the story. Ok, I got that off my chest. Anyway, Beverley Kendall brings us a story about a couple who "supposedly" loved each other. When it all boiled down Mitch started to doubt Paige's story and basically dumped her. Now Paige is dealing with her breakup and a pregnancy. Sucks to be her.
Love The Trap, even if it caused a few tears. I felt horrible for Paige. I honestly, don't believe she intentionally set Mitch up to keep him by her side. However, Mitch sees it that way, and I can understand why he would see it that way. Was he wrong do what he did? Most likely. Now I can't wait to see what he does in the next chapter of their lives.
Overall, a fantastic start to a story. I can't wait to see what Beverley will do with the rest of the story. Yes, you will want to know more at the end. You must keep in mind that this is not the end and there is more to come.
Copy provided by the author
July 12, 2014
Absolutely loved it! So much!!!
First of all, the cover and the title reminds me a little bit harlequin and that's a shame because this book is more a college book than anything else. Actually, this short story.
It is a big teaser for the novel Trapped and I just loved it! It surprised me with how well written it was and despite the fact that it was short, it still was detailed enough and yet to the point!
The story is about Paige and Mitch and how they end up with the consequences of both their actions.
Mitch goes away for college and Paige feels left out. She misses him and he is enjoying the college life.
One thing leads to another and they both have to deal with bigger issues than the fallout of their relationship.
I loved Paige, I loved how she didn't hold back and how brave and amazing she turned out to be.
And even though Mitch is a douchebag to begin with, I'm sure he will redeem himself.
First of all, the cover and the title reminds me a little bit harlequin and that's a shame because this book is more a college book than anything else. Actually, this short story.
It is a big teaser for the novel Trapped and I just loved it! It surprised me with how well written it was and despite the fact that it was short, it still was detailed enough and yet to the point!
The story is about Paige and Mitch and how they end up with the consequences of both their actions.
Mitch goes away for college and Paige feels left out. She misses him and he is enjoying the college life.
One thing leads to another and they both have to deal with bigger issues than the fallout of their relationship.
I loved Paige, I loved how she didn't hold back and how brave and amazing she turned out to be.
And even though Mitch is a douchebag to begin with, I'm sure he will redeem himself.
Read
April 2, 2019THE TRAP is currently available FREE on Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords and ARe!
May 3, 2014
4 stars
Damn I need the next book like NOW!
The Trap is a short prequel to the upcoming book Trapped. It's one of those books that captures your interest and you can't help but become emotional involved.
I don't usually get so worked up but I really really wanted to junk punch Mitch, he needs to grow up and stop with the pity party if he is ever going to redeem himself.
I loved the last few lines, I might have actually smiled with how things ended, yep Mitch let's see how this works out for you :)
Thank you to Netgalley and to Season Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Damn I need the next book like NOW!
The Trap is a short prequel to the upcoming book Trapped. It's one of those books that captures your interest and you can't help but become emotional involved.
I don't usually get so worked up but I really really wanted to junk punch Mitch, he needs to grow up and stop with the pity party if he is ever going to redeem himself.
I loved the last few lines, I might have actually smiled with how things ended, yep Mitch let's see how this works out for you :)
Thank you to Netgalley and to Season Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
June 28, 2014
I shouldn't have read this. Why can't I follow my rule and wait until the series is complete or the last book is out. Anyway, I want to string Mitch up by his balls. What a loser. Still, if there'll be enough groveling in the next book, I may forgive him. ;)
August 3, 2014
thanks Netgalley for ARC
I really enjoy it. I cant wait to read book 1 and read how Mitchell GROVELS for forgiveness.
I really enjoy it. I cant wait to read book 1 and read how Mitchell GROVELS for forgiveness.
October 12, 2018
I loved this book because it dealt with the issue of unexpected pregnancy honestly, especially with young adults. This is a nice, quick read novella.
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