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The Boys of Winter #2
Release
Left out in the cold…
Skater Lori Langley was USA’s golden girl, headed for the Olympics and destined for a medal. But when her coach's abuse forces her to give up the opportunity, her world spins out of control. Their perilous love affair is discovered and plastered all over the tabloids.
Three years later, Lori is ready to move on. New to skiing but determined, she reinvents herself as a ski instructor and moves to Breckenridge, Colorado. Driven to rebuild her life Lori isn’t prepared for the likes of sexy Kaleb Wakefield. One look from the sensitive snowboarder unchains her heart and she explores love without fear.
When the past returns to haunt her, Lori's new found freedom is at risk. What’s lurking in the shadows is worse than she could have imagined. She fears for more than her safety when she realizes Kaleb is in danger too.
Will Lori and Kaleb pay the ultimate price?
Skater Lori Langley was USA’s golden girl, headed for the Olympics and destined for a medal. But when her coach's abuse forces her to give up the opportunity, her world spins out of control. Their perilous love affair is discovered and plastered all over the tabloids.
Three years later, Lori is ready to move on. New to skiing but determined, she reinvents herself as a ski instructor and moves to Breckenridge, Colorado. Driven to rebuild her life Lori isn’t prepared for the likes of sexy Kaleb Wakefield. One look from the sensitive snowboarder unchains her heart and she explores love without fear.
When the past returns to haunt her, Lori's new found freedom is at risk. What’s lurking in the shadows is worse than she could have imagined. She fears for more than her safety when she realizes Kaleb is in danger too.
Will Lori and Kaleb pay the ultimate price?
260 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
1008 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 18, 2014
Lori was a competing ice skater set for the Olympics. Her career came crashing to an end when her affair with her coach came to light when she had to reach out and tell someone about the physical abuse she suffered at his hands. She was in her early teens when the affair started.
Now in a new town with a fresh start, she still keeps looking over her shoulder. She knows if he finds her he'll kill her. Employed as a skiing instructor she spends her days isolated from life as she gets trained on how to instruct and build her skiing skills. Until Kaleb ...
He shows her what a relationship can be like when there's nothing but love and trust between them. When Lori admits her past to him he refuses to walk away and swears to protect the only girl he's loved like her.
But will they both escape unscathed if her old coach and ex lover find them?
Warning Spoilers!
Sounds brill right? Sorry but not for me. I don't like giving books low stars as I appreciate the time and hard work an author puts into their books, but for me this just didn't do it. So here goes why ...
For me the writing didn't flow well. I felt as if I was reading sentence by sentence and I just couldn't get into it.
For someone who has never skied in their life, I found it hard to visualize places and scenes. There were a lot of terms I have never heard, had no clue what they were on about and I found they weren't explained very well (Bowl, E-chair, Bumps, etc).
The majority of the book built up to what I thought was going to be a major scene toward the end of how her coach finds them. Lori spoke so much of how clever, strong, twisted he was I expected more than a two minute scene 3/4 of the way through.
Kaleb walked away from Lori after that with no explanation. 2 months went by with no word and only her new BFF's to lean on.
When they did reunite they were at a snowboard film screening where Kaleb and one of her BFF's (Gretchen) were the stars. Lori had to sit amongst friends and peers and watch the man who swears he loves her with everything, do more than simple body shots with her BFF. After that humiliation and them saying sorry and nothing more happened than a little teasing, Lori forgave them pretty much instantly with no questions. Sorry but for me that was just frustrating. If I saw the man I loved doing things with a friend I had cried to for 2 months about him, at a film screening with everyone watching my reaction for what we were seeing, I would have gone ballistic!!
I openly admit to loving alpha leads (and no I don't necessarily mean violent or possessive)but for me Kaleb was just a little sappy.
I apologize to the author but this book just wasn't for me. I couldn't connect with the characters and I found it lacking from the synopsis.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Now in a new town with a fresh start, she still keeps looking over her shoulder. She knows if he finds her he'll kill her. Employed as a skiing instructor she spends her days isolated from life as she gets trained on how to instruct and build her skiing skills. Until Kaleb ...
He shows her what a relationship can be like when there's nothing but love and trust between them. When Lori admits her past to him he refuses to walk away and swears to protect the only girl he's loved like her.
But will they both escape unscathed if her old coach and ex lover find them?
Warning Spoilers!
Sounds brill right? Sorry but not for me. I don't like giving books low stars as I appreciate the time and hard work an author puts into their books, but for me this just didn't do it. So here goes why ...
For me the writing didn't flow well. I felt as if I was reading sentence by sentence and I just couldn't get into it.
For someone who has never skied in their life, I found it hard to visualize places and scenes. There were a lot of terms I have never heard, had no clue what they were on about and I found they weren't explained very well (Bowl, E-chair, Bumps, etc).
The majority of the book built up to what I thought was going to be a major scene toward the end of how her coach finds them. Lori spoke so much of how clever, strong, twisted he was I expected more than a two minute scene 3/4 of the way through.
Kaleb walked away from Lori after that with no explanation. 2 months went by with no word and only her new BFF's to lean on.
When they did reunite they were at a snowboard film screening where Kaleb and one of her BFF's (Gretchen) were the stars. Lori had to sit amongst friends and peers and watch the man who swears he loves her with everything, do more than simple body shots with her BFF. After that humiliation and them saying sorry and nothing more happened than a little teasing, Lori forgave them pretty much instantly with no questions. Sorry but for me that was just frustrating. If I saw the man I loved doing things with a friend I had cried to for 2 months about him, at a film screening with everyone watching my reaction for what we were seeing, I would have gone ballistic!!
I openly admit to loving alpha leads (and no I don't necessarily mean violent or possessive)but for me Kaleb was just a little sappy.
I apologize to the author but this book just wasn't for me. I couldn't connect with the characters and I found it lacking from the synopsis.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2018
Quick sports read that includes the important issue of domestic violence.
October 20, 2014
This book has a nice plot. My imagination went haywire imagining snow, skiing, snow-capped mountains and people in love. I've never seen snow so this is quite enjoyable!
I love that the girls here aren't depicted as damsels in distress because they're sporty and adventurous. This is really very engaging. Sad that I wasn't able to read Book 1. The only thing I don't get is why is Lori so forgiving after everything? She's a rarity, and so is Kaleb (who sounds like a real gentleman).
I just think that there are incomplete scenes in the narrative - like for example the first time that Lori went with Kaleb's shop with her friend... And her friend just suddenly disappeared from the scene.
I also wish that Lori was more mature since she sounded to me like a teener, or young adult (Maybe because she didn't really have a normal childhood). But all in all, this book is a nice book to read on a cold morning...
This is an honest review based on the ARC given to my by Ms. Vaughn, through Goodreads.
I love that the girls here aren't depicted as damsels in distress because they're sporty and adventurous. This is really very engaging. Sad that I wasn't able to read Book 1. The only thing I don't get is why is Lori so forgiving after everything? She's a rarity, and so is Kaleb (who sounds like a real gentleman).
I just think that there are incomplete scenes in the narrative - like for example the first time that Lori went with Kaleb's shop with her friend... And her friend just suddenly disappeared from the scene.
I also wish that Lori was more mature since she sounded to me like a teener, or young adult (Maybe because she didn't really have a normal childhood). But all in all, this book is a nice book to read on a cold morning...
This is an honest review based on the ARC given to my by Ms. Vaughn, through Goodreads.
July 14, 2014
Firstly, I didn’t read the first book in the series (yes I know my hand should be slapped) but I don’t think you need to as each book highlights a different couple instead of a continuation of the first. Don’t get me wrong, im now going to pick up the first because Ms. Vaughn’s characters are just so darn awesome that I want more.
What I like the in this story is the backdrop; not many books are based on skiing and to have a dual sport is almost unheard of. Lori is/was a skater first and then as her painful story untwists turns to skiing to fill the void. Well turns to skiing and Kaleb. Oh Kaleb…..now there is another conundrum…..why do boys have to be so silly! I wanted to shake that boy so many times and tell him to pull his head out! Although, I really hate what he did in end I will overlook it as he redeemed himself; but if I were Chloe I would have made him work a bit harder first!!!
Great story with brilliant characters; coupled with a off the charts romance and a little mystery to boot! Well done!
Reviewed by Rayna
What I like the in this story is the backdrop; not many books are based on skiing and to have a dual sport is almost unheard of. Lori is/was a skater first and then as her painful story untwists turns to skiing to fill the void. Well turns to skiing and Kaleb. Oh Kaleb…..now there is another conundrum…..why do boys have to be so silly! I wanted to shake that boy so many times and tell him to pull his head out! Although, I really hate what he did in end I will overlook it as he redeemed himself; but if I were Chloe I would have made him work a bit harder first!!!
Great story with brilliant characters; coupled with a off the charts romance and a little mystery to boot! Well done!
Reviewed by Rayna
May 30, 2015
I loved this book from start to finish.
Loved all the characters And loved the story.
Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Loved all the characters And loved the story.
Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
November 19, 2017
This was a very quick read, probably because the writing style showed a whole lot and you didn't need to try and figure out what they wanted, the characters I mean.
Now, Lori, I could deal with - and same with Kaleb. When they were separate entities they were okay, and the relationship, while quite fast, was also okay, it was mostly just flat to me for some reason. Maybe the author's writing just doesn't mesh well with me? I don't know. I didn't mind the skiing and ice skating aspect of the book though - I love all the sporty stuff and would have enjoyed more explanation about it, too, as a non-skier myself.
But then with Lori's ex, and the aftermath ... especially the aftermath.
Who gives Kaleb the stupid idea to break up with Lori? And I could have stomached THAT if he then hadn't gone all OMG DID U GO OUT WITH NATE BC IM A JEALOUS NEANDERTHAL crap. And he made Lori feel bad, too. Note this, girls: if a guy dumps you, you are MORE THAN FREE to hang out with a cute guy when you're single. It's even ok if you like them. Don't give in to the jealousy bullshit, because that's all there is.
So I don't know. That whole deal just threw everything for me, especially with the body-shots thing tossed in for a healthy middle. Oh well.
Now, Lori, I could deal with - and same with Kaleb. When they were separate entities they were okay, and the relationship, while quite fast, was also okay, it was mostly just flat to me for some reason. Maybe the author's writing just doesn't mesh well with me? I don't know. I didn't mind the skiing and ice skating aspect of the book though - I love all the sporty stuff and would have enjoyed more explanation about it, too, as a non-skier myself.
But then with Lori's ex, and the aftermath ... especially the aftermath.
Who gives Kaleb the stupid idea to break up with Lori? And I could have stomached THAT if he then hadn't gone all OMG DID U GO OUT WITH NATE BC IM A JEALOUS NEANDERTHAL crap. And he made Lori feel bad, too. Note this, girls: if a guy dumps you, you are MORE THAN FREE to hang out with a cute guy when you're single. It's even ok if you like them. Don't give in to the jealousy bullshit, because that's all there is.
So I don't know. That whole deal just threw everything for me, especially with the body-shots thing tossed in for a healthy middle. Oh well.
December 29, 2017
I loved this book, and so far am loving this series. I highly recommend that you read this book.
July 24, 2021
2.5 of 5 stars
May 14, 2015
Title: Release
Author: Violet Vaughn
Series: Can be read as standalone
Cliffhanger: No
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Rating: 3
HEA:
The second book in the Fire and Ice series follows Lori Langley and Kaleb Wakefield. Lori was an Olympic figure skating hopeful until the abuse from her coach ruins her opportunity. The love affair was plastered all over the tabloids. Three years later Lori is moving on and a new ski instructor in Colorado. There she meets Kaleb, another instructor. They start seeing each other but Lori’s past isn’t as far as she thought.
This is the second book of three in the Fire and Ice box set I got for free. Of the three this one was my favorite. Although all three books only scratched the surface of the characters and their relationships this book was better than the others in that aspect. I read a TV show review were the person said that the viewer (or reader) should be shown more than told. This is something that I agree with. Characters should show with their actions. If the reader is only told that the characters love each other it is hard to believe if they don’t also act like they love each other or even really know each other.
In this book there was more show than the first one. The only reason I knew that Casey and Jason were in love for most of the book is because Casey said she was. With Lori and Kaleb I was not only told they were in love but saw it in how they acted together and got to know each other. It was still a pretty fast relationship but there was more build so I believed it more that they loved each other.
One thing that I did not believe is Lori’s ex-boyfriend being free. I’m assuming that since he was her coach he was legally an adult. Lori was 15 when their romantic relationship began having sex and everything. He was not nice to Lori, at least towards the end. When the relationship got out and people knew her ex was not put in prison. That was one reason Lori moved, because he was harassing her and restraining orders don’t always work. What I don’t believe is that he was not put in prison. Regardless of the relationship being consensual or not she was 15 and he was an adult. Statutory rape is illegal with consent or not, at least as far as I know.
I enjoyed Lori and Kaleb more as a couple but this was still a quick filler read. Fire and Ice is a typical cute romance book. That is by no means bad. Sometimes a cute filler romance is just what you need.
Author: Violet Vaughn
Series: Can be read as standalone
Cliffhanger: No
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Rating: 3
HEA:
The second book in the Fire and Ice series follows Lori Langley and Kaleb Wakefield. Lori was an Olympic figure skating hopeful until the abuse from her coach ruins her opportunity. The love affair was plastered all over the tabloids. Three years later Lori is moving on and a new ski instructor in Colorado. There she meets Kaleb, another instructor. They start seeing each other but Lori’s past isn’t as far as she thought.
This is the second book of three in the Fire and Ice box set I got for free. Of the three this one was my favorite. Although all three books only scratched the surface of the characters and their relationships this book was better than the others in that aspect. I read a TV show review were the person said that the viewer (or reader) should be shown more than told. This is something that I agree with. Characters should show with their actions. If the reader is only told that the characters love each other it is hard to believe if they don’t also act like they love each other or even really know each other.
In this book there was more show than the first one. The only reason I knew that Casey and Jason were in love for most of the book is because Casey said she was. With Lori and Kaleb I was not only told they were in love but saw it in how they acted together and got to know each other. It was still a pretty fast relationship but there was more build so I believed it more that they loved each other.
One thing that I did not believe is Lori’s ex-boyfriend being free. I’m assuming that since he was her coach he was legally an adult. Lori was 15 when their romantic relationship began having sex and everything. He was not nice to Lori, at least towards the end. When the relationship got out and people knew her ex was not put in prison. That was one reason Lori moved, because he was harassing her and restraining orders don’t always work. What I don’t believe is that he was not put in prison. Regardless of the relationship being consensual or not she was 15 and he was an adult. Statutory rape is illegal with consent or not, at least as far as I know.
I enjoyed Lori and Kaleb more as a couple but this was still a quick filler read. Fire and Ice is a typical cute romance book. That is by no means bad. Sometimes a cute filler romance is just what you need.
July 1, 2014
Release by Violet Vaughn is part of the Fire and Ice series, it is book 2 in the series but can be read as a stand alone (I did not read Crave, Book 1). I love a good new adult romance and I felt this book would tick all the boxes when I chose it.
Although Release is an ok book, it wasn't great in my opinion. I had a few issues with it and as I don't like giving spoilers its going to be hard backing up these views, but I shall do my best.
Let's start with the characters; Lori and Kaleb. Now Lori I did have a few issues with although they aren't all her fault. She has had a somewhat sheltered upbringing (Even with the abuse she suffered from her coach). She is naive and at times it felt like I was reading about a 15 year old and not an adult. This drive me absolutely crazy. She second guesses her self a lot, jumps to conclusions and her naivety drove me insane.
Kaleb was our male lead. He's not an alpha male which is refreshing but he almost comes across as indifferent at times and insensitive especially towards Lori.
I didn't really feel their chemistry, it felt a little wishy washy.
The story is a little slow, but it does get going. But what you think will be the big 'conflict' and what its all building up too kind fizzles and doesn't happen at the end. Also, the whole 'love/relationship' I felt fell a little flat between Kaleb and Lori.
This book didn't really hold my interest. If I was out on the beach, sunbathing and wanted something that was light and didn't really tax my brain, then this is great. It was easy to pick up and put down and didn't feel intense. However, I have had a lot of time for reading recently and like to really get into my stories and I felt that Release didn't really truly captivate me which I found was a little disappointing.
This wouldn't stop reading other books in the fire and Ice series, I feel my main issues were with Lori and Kaleb and not all books are for everyone. So, I will be looking to read other books by Violet Vaughn, I just didn't love Release, it was just ok - I gave Release 3 out of 5 stars.
Review also featured on my blog - http://www.bewitchedbooks.co.uk/
Although Release is an ok book, it wasn't great in my opinion. I had a few issues with it and as I don't like giving spoilers its going to be hard backing up these views, but I shall do my best.
Let's start with the characters; Lori and Kaleb. Now Lori I did have a few issues with although they aren't all her fault. She has had a somewhat sheltered upbringing (Even with the abuse she suffered from her coach). She is naive and at times it felt like I was reading about a 15 year old and not an adult. This drive me absolutely crazy. She second guesses her self a lot, jumps to conclusions and her naivety drove me insane.
Kaleb was our male lead. He's not an alpha male which is refreshing but he almost comes across as indifferent at times and insensitive especially towards Lori.
I didn't really feel their chemistry, it felt a little wishy washy.
The story is a little slow, but it does get going. But what you think will be the big 'conflict' and what its all building up too kind fizzles and doesn't happen at the end. Also, the whole 'love/relationship' I felt fell a little flat between Kaleb and Lori.
This book didn't really hold my interest. If I was out on the beach, sunbathing and wanted something that was light and didn't really tax my brain, then this is great. It was easy to pick up and put down and didn't feel intense. However, I have had a lot of time for reading recently and like to really get into my stories and I felt that Release didn't really truly captivate me which I found was a little disappointing.
This wouldn't stop reading other books in the fire and Ice series, I feel my main issues were with Lori and Kaleb and not all books are for everyone. So, I will be looking to read other books by Violet Vaughn, I just didn't love Release, it was just ok - I gave Release 3 out of 5 stars.
Review also featured on my blog - http://www.bewitchedbooks.co.uk/
June 18, 2014
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book rather refreshing. A good deal of the books that I've read lately involved a struggle for the main characters to get together. Here, however, we had a boy and a girl that were attracted to each other and, gasp, went on a date, which lead to a relationship! I know, it's almost unheard of.
I thought Kaleb was super sweet, most of the time. There was that incident I didn't really get where . Lori was pretty well adjusted considering her past. She made friends for the first time in her life and I was happy that she was getting to experience that.
It's not often I can say that I read books that contain a message (at least that I've actually paid attention to). In this case, it seemed to be a message of overcoming fears and insecurities. Lori had to learn to trust others and believe in herself. It was nice to see her gradually gain confidence in herself.
Why only three stars? This may sound weird, but there was maybe too much detail put into the ski lessons and too many ski lessons. I will say that the author sounds very knowledgable about the subject and I understand that the ski lessons were a way for Lori's friends to help her overcome her fears (about skiing and, eventually, in life). However, I could have done with fewer lessons and I still would have received the same message.
All the same, I did like this book and I especially enjoyed that brief period where it became suspense-y!
I found this book rather refreshing. A good deal of the books that I've read lately involved a struggle for the main characters to get together. Here, however, we had a boy and a girl that were attracted to each other and, gasp, went on a date, which lead to a relationship! I know, it's almost unheard of.
I thought Kaleb was super sweet, most of the time. There was that incident I didn't really get where . Lori was pretty well adjusted considering her past. She made friends for the first time in her life and I was happy that she was getting to experience that.
It's not often I can say that I read books that contain a message (at least that I've actually paid attention to). In this case, it seemed to be a message of overcoming fears and insecurities. Lori had to learn to trust others and believe in herself. It was nice to see her gradually gain confidence in herself.
Why only three stars? This may sound weird, but there was maybe too much detail put into the ski lessons and too many ski lessons. I will say that the author sounds very knowledgable about the subject and I understand that the ski lessons were a way for Lori's friends to help her overcome her fears (about skiing and, eventually, in life). However, I could have done with fewer lessons and I still would have received the same message.
All the same, I did like this book and I especially enjoyed that brief period where it became suspense-y!
January 31, 2015
NINE DAYS! That's how long it took me to get through most of this book and then finally I gave up!
DNF @ 78%
As I mentioned in my comments, unless you are a die hard ski fan...this book is not for you! The only thing I found even a little interesting was the stalker aspect of the book and even that shit fell flat. Once that part passed, fairly quickly I might add, there were like ten more chapters on basically nothing. I'm not sure if its because the characters were young and I couldn't identify with them, but this book was just not my cup of tea. Reading about skiing, bumps, lifts, etc.. was boring as hell to me because that isn't something that interests me. I don't mind at all reading sport themed books, but when other things are going on, not when the entire book revolves around that sport and that's all the author writes about. This is why I couldn't finish it...boring!
Aside from all of that, the book was very well written. The characters were young but not annoyingly immature, they held their own, so the author did a good job defining these characters. Believe me that's the only reason I gave it two stars...
FYI: FOR NOOK OWNERS, THIS BOOK WILL DOWNLOAD FROM BARNES N NOBLE UNDER THE TITLE 'CRAVE' WHICH IS BOOK ONE IN THIS SERIES, SO WHILE YOU THINK YOU WILL BE GETTING CASEY AND JASON'S STORY, YOU ARE ACTUALLY GETTING LORI AND KALEB'S!
DNF @ 78%
As I mentioned in my comments, unless you are a die hard ski fan...this book is not for you! The only thing I found even a little interesting was the stalker aspect of the book and even that shit fell flat. Once that part passed, fairly quickly I might add, there were like ten more chapters on basically nothing. I'm not sure if its because the characters were young and I couldn't identify with them, but this book was just not my cup of tea. Reading about skiing, bumps, lifts, etc.. was boring as hell to me because that isn't something that interests me. I don't mind at all reading sport themed books, but when other things are going on, not when the entire book revolves around that sport and that's all the author writes about. This is why I couldn't finish it...boring!
Aside from all of that, the book was very well written. The characters were young but not annoyingly immature, they held their own, so the author did a good job defining these characters. Believe me that's the only reason I gave it two stars...
FYI: FOR NOOK OWNERS, THIS BOOK WILL DOWNLOAD FROM BARNES N NOBLE UNDER THE TITLE 'CRAVE' WHICH IS BOOK ONE IN THIS SERIES, SO WHILE YOU THINK YOU WILL BE GETTING CASEY AND JASON'S STORY, YOU ARE ACTUALLY GETTING LORI AND KALEB'S!
July 5, 2014
Release
Violet Vaughn
This ARC was given by Sugarloaf Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 3.5 stars....
Lori Langley is America's former sweetheart due to qualifying to be on the Women's US Olympic Ice Skating team. Sadly her dreams fell along with her status when she claimed a skating injury broke her ribs right before the Olympics. Nobody know the true reason her Olympic dreams were broken except for her mother and her stalker, who happens to be her former coach. A fall did not cause the broken bones dreams, but her obsessive coach Lucas was the one to violently break her and her Olympic future.
After Lucas is placed in a rehab center for six months, Lori finally feels she cans begin to live her secretive new life in Vail, Colorado, as a ski instructor. She does not change her name, but finds ways to avoid social media and her past in order to hide from Lucas. While finally agreeing to let her guard down, she falls madly in love with her colleague, Kaleb. He is the hot Adonis that walked into a door himself the day he laid eyes on her. Of course, life is too good to think her past can't catch up with her amazing new life. Kaleb says he will protect her, but can he survive her ex-coach's obsession with Lori?
Violet Vaughn
This ARC was given by Sugarloaf Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 3.5 stars....
Lori Langley is America's former sweetheart due to qualifying to be on the Women's US Olympic Ice Skating team. Sadly her dreams fell along with her status when she claimed a skating injury broke her ribs right before the Olympics. Nobody know the true reason her Olympic dreams were broken except for her mother and her stalker, who happens to be her former coach. A fall did not cause the broken bones dreams, but her obsessive coach Lucas was the one to violently break her and her Olympic future.
After Lucas is placed in a rehab center for six months, Lori finally feels she cans begin to live her secretive new life in Vail, Colorado, as a ski instructor. She does not change her name, but finds ways to avoid social media and her past in order to hide from Lucas. While finally agreeing to let her guard down, she falls madly in love with her colleague, Kaleb. He is the hot Adonis that walked into a door himself the day he laid eyes on her. Of course, life is too good to think her past can't catch up with her amazing new life. Kaleb says he will protect her, but can he survive her ex-coach's obsession with Lori?
August 26, 2016
*ARC kindly provided by Violet Vaughn in exchange for an honest review*
I love how Release intertwines with book #1 (Crave). I remember reading in Crave when Lori and Kaleb first see each other in the locker room and how cute it was. I love how we see a lot of the other characters from Crave in Release and how their friendships are still going strong.
I'm an avid skier so I really enjoyed reading all about Lori and Kaleb's skiing adventures. I think a non-skier might have a harder time visualizing the types of runs they were making and the difference between the icy snow in the East and the powder in Colorado. This was all right up my alley so I really enjoyed it. I also liked learning of Lori's past and of her ice skating career.
Without giving too much away, there is of course some conflict and resolution in the story but I think it was well written for such a serious subject. I was pretty frustrated with Kaleb toward the end and his reasoning for certain things, but I'm glad it all came together at the end.
I'll definitely be reading more!
I love how Release intertwines with book #1 (Crave). I remember reading in Crave when Lori and Kaleb first see each other in the locker room and how cute it was. I love how we see a lot of the other characters from Crave in Release and how their friendships are still going strong.
I'm an avid skier so I really enjoyed reading all about Lori and Kaleb's skiing adventures. I think a non-skier might have a harder time visualizing the types of runs they were making and the difference between the icy snow in the East and the powder in Colorado. This was all right up my alley so I really enjoyed it. I also liked learning of Lori's past and of her ice skating career.
Without giving too much away, there is of course some conflict and resolution in the story but I think it was well written for such a serious subject. I was pretty frustrated with Kaleb toward the end and his reasoning for certain things, but I'm glad it all came together at the end.
I'll definitely be reading more!
January 8, 2015
"Description
Left out in the cold…
Skater Lori Langley was USA’s golden girl, headed for the Olympics and destined for a medal. But when her coach's abuse forces her to give up the opportunity, her world spins out of control. Their perilous love affair is discovered and plastered all over the tabloids.
Three years later, Lori is ready to move on. New to skiing but determined, she reinvents herself as a ski instructor and moves to Breckenridge, Colorado. Driven to rebuild her life Lori isn’t prepared for the likes of sexy Kaleb Wakefield. One look from the sensitive snowboarder unchains her heart and she explores love without fear.
When the past returns to haunt her, Lori's new found freedom is at risk. What’s lurking in the shadows is worse than she could have imagined. She fears for more than her safety when she realizes Kaleb is in danger too.
Will Lori and Kaleb pay the ultimate price?"
A fun and enjoyable read with more depth then I thought it would have. Reminded me of a modern take on the Sweet Dreams titles from the 1980's.
Left out in the cold…
Skater Lori Langley was USA’s golden girl, headed for the Olympics and destined for a medal. But when her coach's abuse forces her to give up the opportunity, her world spins out of control. Their perilous love affair is discovered and plastered all over the tabloids.
Three years later, Lori is ready to move on. New to skiing but determined, she reinvents herself as a ski instructor and moves to Breckenridge, Colorado. Driven to rebuild her life Lori isn’t prepared for the likes of sexy Kaleb Wakefield. One look from the sensitive snowboarder unchains her heart and she explores love without fear.
When the past returns to haunt her, Lori's new found freedom is at risk. What’s lurking in the shadows is worse than she could have imagined. She fears for more than her safety when she realizes Kaleb is in danger too.
Will Lori and Kaleb pay the ultimate price?"
A fun and enjoyable read with more depth then I thought it would have. Reminded me of a modern take on the Sweet Dreams titles from the 1980's.
June 30, 2014
Violet just keeps getting better and better!
Really enjoyed this one! Violet builds this story from the perspective of Lori and Kaleb using their points of view from events that they were involved with in Crave and I love that idea!!! She then goes on to expand their story in Release! Yes, there is a lot of skiing, but I feel that only adds atmosphere to the story and I feel that I know more about the subject just from reading Release.
I don't want to give too much away, but Lori and Kaleb go through so much in a short amount of time (someone from Lori's past comes back to haunt them and then later Kaleb's extra-curricular activities throw up a hurdle) and end up stronger for it!
Can't wait to read the next one!!!
Really enjoyed this one! Violet builds this story from the perspective of Lori and Kaleb using their points of view from events that they were involved with in Crave and I love that idea!!! She then goes on to expand their story in Release! Yes, there is a lot of skiing, but I feel that only adds atmosphere to the story and I feel that I know more about the subject just from reading Release.
I don't want to give too much away, but Lori and Kaleb go through so much in a short amount of time (someone from Lori's past comes back to haunt them and then later Kaleb's extra-curricular activities throw up a hurdle) and end up stronger for it!
Can't wait to read the next one!!!
September 29, 2014
Unusual for a debut author, but I actually liked Vaughn's first book in this series (Crave) more than the second. Although I read Crave several months ago, I remember it as a very emotional book and it really drew you into the characters triumphs and tragedies. I may have liked Release more if I read it right after Crave because you forget some of the back story for characters other than Lori and Kaleb. Still very focused on the skiing aspect, but since Lori is a relative newcomer to the sport it is a bit easier to understand her experiences. The rhythm of the book was unexpected with the climax happening about halfway through the book and then the resolution between Lori and Kaleb taking longer than you'd find in similar stories.
July 3, 2014
Loved this - great sequel! I really liked the story of Lori having been Olympic-quality in skating and had taken up skiing. She was creating a new life after an early end to her promising skating career. Her coach was an abusive creep and a stalker. While in Breck, she meets and starts to date Kaleb. He is super (and hot, too!). However, creep comes back into her life and stirs things up. I held my breath through that. Hated the next two months. Loved the ending, though, I was especially happy with the overlap of characters from Crave, as I read it first and liked so many of them. I'll read this series as long as she writes it!
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
October 17, 2014
Perfect read for the upcoming winter months! I didn't know much about skiing or what it's like to live near the mountains and now I feel like I've actually experienced it. This was a very easy read with a sweet love story and just the right amount of spice. Vaughn is a prolific story teller, knowing exactly how to keep the reader's attention. I wasn't aware at first that it was part of a series and had no trouble understanding the story. Love the characters and their real-life struggles. Was worried things were going to take a turn for the worse, but was pleased with the ending. As soon as I finished I ran off to buy the first book in the series. Violet Vaughn has a new fan!
December 15, 2014
I truly enjoyed this book and fell in love with Kaleb's character. He's the sweet and kind guy that is super hot - what's not to love? I can't decide which book between the first and second that I like better, but I definitely recommend this series for anyone looking for a good read. I enjoyed learning all about skiing as I've never done it and am clueless about the whole thing! Overall, a great book to sit down by the fire and enjoy.
June 24, 2014
Loved the characters loved the story line in theory but the execution and writing style sort of made the whole thing fall flat for me. It was a rather choppy read and it over explained certain ares whilst simultaneously under explaining others. With better editing I think this book could have been a 5 star read.
August 20, 2015
I fell in love with the characters again. My only issue is that it picked up in the middle of the last one so something's were repetitive. I did not like that there were subtle differences in the story from one book to the other. To me, they should have been the same. Other than that, this was another great book.
October 7, 2015
Release
Release - I've only skied a handful of times, so I didn't think I'd be that interested.. However, (I was so wrong!!) I read the first book in the "Sizzling Seven" and I'm addicted. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!
Release - I've only skied a handful of times, so I didn't think I'd be that interested.. However, (I was so wrong!!) I read the first book in the "Sizzling Seven" and I'm addicted. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!
June 27, 2014
I loved watching these two characters fall in love with each other. I was rooting so hard for Lori to work through her difficult past and be open to love.
April 16, 2015
Good story but would have been better if it had both sides of story his and hers but still good read for me thx
May 6, 2015
Free nook book... Books 1-3. Good book. Thought it could have ended a little sooner, but was still ok.
May 9, 2015
Good romance. A little gritty.
June 10, 2015
Cute little story of hurt, fear, triumph and love.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews