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Strong Armed #1
Getting Strong
My attraction to Barrett Strong was like none I’d ever encountered in my life. I was drawn to him instantly and didn’t think twice about blowing off a critical meeting to spend the next several days in his hotel room. He oozed the perfect mixture of sex appeal and confidence that I could get lost in, and I did.
After turning me inside out, he made a proposition using words I understood: straight forward and direct, casual, and no strings attached. Happily ever after wasn’t written at the end of my life and if I could have a good time with a hot guy, I was all in.
Then it happened. I fell for him so hard that I started to imagine having things in my life that I never dreamed of. I dreamed of romance and…gulp…love. After an extremely hot night in one of the club’s he’d recently acquired, I made it my mission to have the fairy tale ending; and to have it with Barrett.
For Adults Only – Mature Situations
After turning me inside out, he made a proposition using words I understood: straight forward and direct, casual, and no strings attached. Happily ever after wasn’t written at the end of my life and if I could have a good time with a hot guy, I was all in.
Then it happened. I fell for him so hard that I started to imagine having things in my life that I never dreamed of. I dreamed of romance and…gulp…love. After an extremely hot night in one of the club’s he’d recently acquired, I made it my mission to have the fairy tale ending; and to have it with Barrett.
For Adults Only – Mature Situations
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2014
14 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 6, 2014
ONE AND A HALF STARS!
Honestly, when I read the synopsis for this book I had expected something quite different from what was given. At first glance, this book had what would make for a good read for me. Ella and Barrett are a communicative couple who are very direct with their dealings with each other. Sounds good, right? But the story doesn't quite gel well enough for me.
*Things that didn't work for me:
1. Trigger Warnings (or lack thereof).
When it comes to confronting subject themes, I'm not opposed to an author including it in their story if it a) fits into the story, b) is written well, and c) is addressed properly (and hopefully resolved, in the sense that issues arising from certain events can be overcome by the victim). What first threw me for a loop was the fact that the synopsis has no warning whatsoever that it includes dark themes from the heroines past, so when it's slapped in my face in the first few chapters with so little finesse, I was gobsmacked. [Don't read this spoiler if you have a weak stomach. =/] This is further compounded by the fact that it delves quite deeply into the depravity of her past and the mentality of those involved which was completely revolting and turned my stomach. Really wish I had been warned in the synopsis so I could have prepared myself.
2. Teh sex.
I enjoy erotic romances, hell, I enjoy PWP's without a plot, but when there are pressing matters that should be addressed, the sex needs to take a back seat. But what really had me facepalming was how the hero, Barrett, despite knowing about Ella's past, uses sex to dominate her and get his way.
Oh, but that's Barrett just being an alpha male! And he explained that he wanted to prove to her how much he luvs her! Yeaaaaah, no. Lets not encourage the culture of if a woman says no, what she really means is that she needs some more encouragement so keep right on it and give her no options.
3. The two mcs.
First of all, Barrett is a tool. Yeah, I said it. I didn't find anything redeeming about him. All he ever thinks about is his dick and I didn't buy into any of his romantic BS that he was feeding Ella in the end.
Bitch, your dick got hard when you first saw her and you ran to the closest pharmacy to buy a packet of condoms before you even said a word to her. I don't believe anything you say.
As for Ella, oh man, I just couldn't even. A part of me hates to hate on her, seeing as the author has given her a backstory that should garner sympathies from women the world over, and on that part, I did feel for her, truly. What I didn't like about her though is that she uses the past to excuse everything she does without even trying to change. Her sister who worries herself sick over her asks her to change. Ella shrugs and says she's broken and can't change. Her 'true' father is on death's door with cancer and asks her to change. Ella sheds a few tears for his impending death but worries more about whether she's gonna continue to have an allowance or be left out of his will. Barrett comes in to the picture with enough money to keep her entertained and all of a sudden, he totes understands her soul! I'm definitely gonna change now for you. <3
The other thing that frustrated me is that Ella is so stupid that its dangerous. She willingly places herself in dangerous, confrontational situations without a second thought. And while these situations don't play out in a more realistic manner in the sense that she doesn't get hurt (thank goodness), there's a definite feeling like everything unfolds just right (probably so the two mcs can have more sex time).
4. And since I'm on a roll...
The therapy session at the end of the novel felt like a token nod by the author to show that Ella has been proactive with trying to overcome her past. In the two months in which this first novel spans, not once did we read about her going to therapy, not once did we read about her using the techniques that she would have been equipped with, and yet, her "breakthrough" at the end was supposed to make us believe that it was a result of regularly seeking help for the past 17 years? And WTF was that ghost thing about? I honestly thought my brain had broke when I read about hairs being pulled and doors being jammed because oh noes, I don't think Barrett's dead ex-wife wants me in her house. Ugh.
Would I recommend this? No. Nor do I want to continue with the series. But if you do want to read this, please take note of my bookshelves, especially the one titled: trigger warnings.
Honestly, when I read the synopsis for this book I had expected something quite different from what was given. At first glance, this book had what would make for a good read for me. Ella and Barrett are a communicative couple who are very direct with their dealings with each other. Sounds good, right? But the story doesn't quite gel well enough for me.
*Things that didn't work for me:
1. Trigger Warnings (or lack thereof).
When it comes to confronting subject themes, I'm not opposed to an author including it in their story if it a) fits into the story, b) is written well, and c) is addressed properly (and hopefully resolved, in the sense that issues arising from certain events can be overcome by the victim). What first threw me for a loop was the fact that the synopsis has no warning whatsoever that it includes dark themes from the heroines past, so when it's slapped in my face in the first few chapters with so little finesse, I was gobsmacked. [Don't read this spoiler if you have a weak stomach. =/] This is further compounded by the fact that it delves quite deeply into the depravity of her past and the mentality of those involved which was completely revolting and turned my stomach. Really wish I had been warned in the synopsis so I could have prepared myself.
2. Teh sex.
I enjoy erotic romances, hell, I enjoy PWP's without a plot, but when there are pressing matters that should be addressed, the sex needs to take a back seat. But what really had me facepalming was how the hero, Barrett, despite knowing about Ella's past, uses sex to dominate her and get his way.
"I'll have what's mine, Ella," he said. You're mine."
He pushed me against the wall and brought his mouth hard on mine. Then he tore open my blouse, sending buttons flying and ripped my bra.
"No."
"You don't tell me no, Ella," he said. "Not ever."
He held my face with his hand. "Especially not in the bedroom."
"Barrett, please, not like this," I cried.
Oh, but that's Barrett just being an alpha male! And he explained that he wanted to prove to her how much he luvs her! Yeaaaaah, no. Lets not encourage the culture of if a woman says no, what she really means is that she needs some more encouragement so keep right on it and give her no options.
3. The two mcs.
First of all, Barrett is a tool. Yeah, I said it. I didn't find anything redeeming about him. All he ever thinks about is his dick and I didn't buy into any of his romantic BS that he was feeding Ella in the end.
"Ella, when I saw you my soul recognised yours and drew me to you like a magnet."
Bitch, your dick got hard when you first saw her and you ran to the closest pharmacy to buy a packet of condoms before you even said a word to her. I don't believe anything you say.
As for Ella, oh man, I just couldn't even. A part of me hates to hate on her, seeing as the author has given her a backstory that should garner sympathies from women the world over, and on that part, I did feel for her, truly. What I didn't like about her though is that she uses the past to excuse everything she does without even trying to change. Her sister who worries herself sick over her asks her to change. Ella shrugs and says she's broken and can't change. Her 'true' father is on death's door with cancer and asks her to change. Ella sheds a few tears for his impending death but worries more about whether she's gonna continue to have an allowance or be left out of his will. Barrett comes in to the picture with enough money to keep her entertained and all of a sudden, he totes understands her soul! I'm definitely gonna change now for you. <3
The other thing that frustrated me is that Ella is so stupid that its dangerous. She willingly places herself in dangerous, confrontational situations without a second thought. And while these situations don't play out in a more realistic manner in the sense that she doesn't get hurt (thank goodness), there's a definite feeling like everything unfolds just right (probably so the two mcs can have more sex time).
4. And since I'm on a roll...
The therapy session at the end of the novel felt like a token nod by the author to show that Ella has been proactive with trying to overcome her past. In the two months in which this first novel spans, not once did we read about her going to therapy, not once did we read about her using the techniques that she would have been equipped with, and yet, her "breakthrough" at the end was supposed to make us believe that it was a result of regularly seeking help for the past 17 years? And WTF was that ghost thing about? I honestly thought my brain had broke when I read about hairs being pulled and doors being jammed because oh noes, I don't think Barrett's dead ex-wife wants me in her house. Ugh.
Would I recommend this? No. Nor do I want to continue with the series. But if you do want to read this, please take note of my bookshelves, especially the one titled: trigger warnings.
July 22, 2014
This story was to dark and filled with unpleasant stuff that I dont need to read about...
June 28, 2014
Yep I should have noticed the 'book 1 of the Strong Armor series' because there is a damn cliffhanger. Anywho I loved Barrett, "I have a breakfast meeting tomorrow mid-morning," he said, smiling. "I'll eff you until I have to leave. Then, I want you to get me the hell out of this hotel. Make an appointment with a Realtor and find me a place. If you're a good girl, I'll eff you again when you're done." He's the type of person who's very demanding and wants things his way, "you didn't read the reports between your legs," he said. "I got the medical reports Ella. You're mine...unsheathed. I'm going to fill you with my come, Angel." Also it's like these two are always magnetically pulled with each other, "the car will have privacy glass," he said. "I can eff you in the car, Ella. And if we're not effing in the office, I'll need to eff you in the car." Barrett at times likes to surprise his girl, "I practically skipped from the club, surprised not to see Barrett waiting for me. The car was there and I went to it. Stephen wasn't outside to open the door either. As I opened the door, I found my prize: naked and ready to be mounted." He also likes to tell his woman what he wants with no qualms, "I want to hold your wet, naked body up against the shower wall and drive into you into we're both spent and breathless. 'Kay?" I loved this book and I'm eagerly waiting for the second I got to know who did it.
July 2, 2015
Enjoyed it but still have Mixed feelings about this one.
This book is about SEX. There is a love story in the midst of it, but boy oh boy every other page is about sex. Sexual abuse, sexual domination, sexual deviance.
There are times when editing and summarising one scene to begin another are missing. No paragraph breaks can be confusing because one minute the couple are in one place having a conversation and the next sentence (without a paragraph break) could be about waking up somewhere completely unrelated to the authors last thought.
What I loved and appreciated about this book and it's characters was the "straightforward and direct" theme. The characters held nothing back. There were no secrets. Everything they had to deal with was out on the table. So different from the typical romance novels that are written these days.
It ends in a cliffhanger which sucks. I recommend.
This book is about SEX. There is a love story in the midst of it, but boy oh boy every other page is about sex. Sexual abuse, sexual domination, sexual deviance.
There are times when editing and summarising one scene to begin another are missing. No paragraph breaks can be confusing because one minute the couple are in one place having a conversation and the next sentence (without a paragraph break) could be about waking up somewhere completely unrelated to the authors last thought.
What I loved and appreciated about this book and it's characters was the "straightforward and direct" theme. The characters held nothing back. There were no secrets. Everything they had to deal with was out on the table. So different from the typical romance novels that are written these days.
It ends in a cliffhanger which sucks. I recommend.
July 1, 2014
Great read
this book touched on a very horrible situation for any one to have to endure. however the more involved the characters got and the more revealed found my hooked and wanting more
this book touched on a very horrible situation for any one to have to endure. however the more involved the characters got and the more revealed found my hooked and wanting more
June 30, 2014
Throughly enjoyed reading it!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews