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Touched #3

Trusted

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‘Trust is the hardest thing to find
And the easiest thing to lose’


Pearl Dunway is an aspiring painter and comes from wealth, but you’d never know it by looking at her. She lives in her yoga pants, tank tops, tennis shoes and loves to wear her long dark hair up in a high ponytail. Her career takes a drastic change when she becomes owner of a new bar. Her life is a happy one, full of love from her family and friends, yet she feels like something is missing. Something important. The love of a man. Then ‘He’ walks into her bar.

Harley Sanders comes from a rough life. His parents abandoned him at a young age and lived in several foster care homes that were unkind. Learning not to trust anyone, he’s always been a loner. When he was eighteen he started traveling to find a better life. Needing money he stopped off at a bar and a nice woman taught him how to bartend as well as other things. He traveled to many cities and he would bartend at various bars in each city to get the money needed to forge ahead to the next one. He needs nothing or no one until one day his travels land him in a Florida town and to a new bar. His heart beats for the first time when he meets the owner. but can he learn to trust her?

A beautiful woman and a man who won’t have anything to do with her. Will Pearl get through to this hot and sexy man? Can he ever trust her enough to let her in?

*Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

344 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2014

2 people are currently reading
665 people want to read

About the author

Vicki Green

56 books1,004 followers
Best selling Author of Romance, Romance Suspense, and Romantic Comedy, Vicki Green lives in Kansas with her husband and two boys as well as their three dogs that rule their house. She loves spending time with her family and furbabies.

Look for more Romance books in the future.

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5 stars
63 (64%)
4 stars
15 (15%)
3 stars
11 (11%)
2 stars
6 (6%)
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3 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for tinyteaplots.
703 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2017
Honestly, there were a few problems with this book:
• It's written in first person, but jumps around with no delineation as to whose POV we are in. This comes across as messy and is frequently confusing.
• Some of the writing is just bad. So cheesy that I may be constipated for a few days.
• There was quite a bit of repetition in both content and wording.
• Tense shifting.
It all could have been fixed by a good editor, and was almost enough for me to call it quits. Especially,
But, I still have to give it three stars because it succeeded in making me ugly cry, and I'm just enough of a weirdo to to love that kind of thing. It was sweet, it was sad, and that kind of makes up for the bad.
112 reviews2 followers
June 24, 2014
My first words when the book ended? "What. The. Hell?!"

Pearl has deep feelings for Harley. He is her employee, but that doesn't stop her feelings. She wants him.

Harley is a private person. He's had a crappy life. He starts to have feelings for Pearl but doesn't want to be involved with her because he thinks she will leave.

This book... Omg!! The attraction between these two, is completely undeniable. No matter how much the try to not get involved, it just doesn't work out like that! Harley is completely swoon worthy and caring. Pearl is such a strong character. She is funny and loving. I laughed, i cried.. okay, i bawled!! I am a huge Vicki Green fan, but this one, this one outshines all of her books! Her writing is phenomenal! She captures you within the first few words! I HIGHLY recommend you get you hands on this ASAP. Vicki, you have done an amazing job, yet again!!!

This book deserves a million stars!!
Profile Image for Melissa (hereforthebooklove).
139 reviews12 followers
July 27, 2015
I haven't read a Vicki Green book that I have not liked, and this book was no exception. I have had to hold off on my review because I wasn't quite sure how to put into words how amazing this story was. I'm still not sure that what I write will do this story justice and will most likely need tissues as I write and re-live this story.

I absolutely loved Pearl and Harley from the very beginning. As the reader I wanted so badly for them to get together because their attraction to each other is absolutely undeniable. Pearl is an upbeat, loving and selfless woman, where Harley is mysterious and broody, with a hint of a softer side.

Where Pearl is all for a relationship with Harley, he has other thoughts on his mind. He has spent his life running from his past and although he knows he has feelings for Pearl, he is also afraid his past will have her running away too. Running away from him.

This story had me go through so many emotions. What happens in this book was not expected and I found my heart aching as I read. It was well written, heart felt and left me with a book hangover that has resurfaced as I write this. I highly recommend this book and a box of tissues.
Profile Image for Amy Zec.
150 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2014
Absolutely Amazing!!!! Make sure to crab a box a tissue when you read this one. I loved all the characters from this book. I cryed, laughed, cried some more, became completely connected to all the characters and then cried some more. Vicki did an amazing job with this story and made it hard for me to put down.

Pearl has the perfect life. She comes ftom a wealthy family and has great friends, family and owns a bar. There is one thing missing in her life. That is until Harley walks into her bar.

Harley works for Pearl and tries to hide his attration to her in fear of getting close to someone. Harley has had a rough life and finds it hard to trust in people. He has a secret that he has never shared with anyone and wants nothing more then to be able to fall in love and share his secrects. Will Pearl be the one he is able to trust and tell her about all his secrects from his past?
Profile Image for Maari.
474 reviews
May 21, 2014
I'm at a profound loss as to what to say about this book.. It left me deeply stunned, & honestly, overwhelmed emotionally! I feel as if I was right there, through everything!! I haven't been this totally engrossed in a story in awhile.. -- for it to engulf me to the point that I would have to set it aside, get my bearings again, & remind myself to stop & breathe. I honestly didn't want to finish
this book.. Not because it wasn't good enough. To the contrary!! but because it was too good, & I wanted to stay in the moment.. before the end. There is no way for me to help prepare you for this book, just know, this is Vicki's best one yet & any emotions that you have experienced with
any of her other books, will be (at least) 10x that with this one!!
Profile Image for Nikki Reeves.
Author 0 books22 followers
July 14, 2014
So once I finished this book I actually had to lay my kindle down and walk away for a little while before I could write my review. This book is so hard to put into words. I loved Pearl and Harley!!! I love how the book is told in both POVs so you actually get the feel of both characters. There are so many ups and downs in this book and it's hard to explain without giving away spoilers. Pearl is such a sweet and caring person she always puts others before herself. Harley had a lot of issues from the start but I loved seeing how he overcame everything because of Pearl. I just want you to be warned you will CRY!!!! No ifs ands or buts about it you will literally have tears pouring down your face. Even though it's kind of sad it's still a wonderful story and you should read it!!!!!
Profile Image for Tiffany Readz.
2,023 reviews52 followers
June 29, 2014
It seems that I have read the Touched series out of order, starting with book three, Trusted. This is Pearl's story, who is the daughter of Jade and Knox featured in book one, Touched and the sister of Bo who is featured in book two Forgiven, with Stormy. Trusted keeps you up to speed with the family so it can be read as a stand alone, however I want to know more about this family dynamic and am going back to read the other two.

Pearl has put her painting aside to run Hot Rock, the bar she owns. Not looking for love, she concentrates more on work and family, until she meets Harley. I'm not sure if Harley is featured in book two as he seems familiar with Pearl and her brother from the get go. Either way, she is instantly attracted to the mysterious man.

Harley has bounced from bar to bar just as he has bounced from foster home to foster home as a child. His main goal is to make some cash to send home and move on. He isn't looking for friends or any close connections, because people just can't be trusted in his eyes. Harley holds resentment from a tragic past that keeps him from wanting to move forward, until he gets to know Pearl.

After saving her from a drunken ass at the bar, Pearl and Harley start to form a relationship, while still holding their secrets close to the vest. They both have a lot to lose and don't know who to trust just yet, but eventually the secrets and past come back to haunt them. I will stop there as not to spoil the various story lines.

Before reading Trusted, I was warned by Vicki Green to have the tissues ready and I will agree as she pulls the rug right out from under this story. While I am not a fan of insta-love, the book is well written and has the perfect amount of sexy to balance it out.
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews490 followers
June 30, 2014
5+++ Stars

I am truly at a loss for words on how to truly express how much I LOVED this book! I love all of Vicki Green's work but Trusted was by far her Best Work yet! I must warn you that you will need Kleenex for this one.

We learn a bit about Pearl from the Forgiven, Bo & Stormy's story, and she's an unselfish, loving, caring free spirited person ready to help anyone. She decides to do something different, so she buys a bar. She's gutsy in my book.

Well, from the moment Pearl sets her eyes on Harley she feels this insta-attraction and can't get him out of her head. Even though he is her employee, that does not discourage her to get to know him better and truly see why Harley is so mysterious. As we see the interaction between Harley and Pearl you can feel the sexual tension and it has me talking to my Kindle "just give in for crying out loud"!! Despite Harley trying to keep to himself and not get attached to anyone wherever he goes, he cannot deny that he actually wants to set roots where he is at and wants a life with Pearl. As Harley actually opens up to Pearl, you get a glimpse of the sad, unjust and painful past and you understand why he is the way he is. He doesn't feel worthy to be loved but Pearl makes sure to show him that he is worthy and more, of love and happiness!! We get to see what the future brings them and how their love for each other helps them to endure trials and problems.

All round a beautifully written book that once you start reading it you will not want to put it down. Thank you Vicki Green and I cannot wait for what else she has in store for us!

~ Kara, 5 stars
Profile Image for Eye Candy Bookstore.
571 reviews123 followers
July 8, 2014
Absolutely Amazing!!!! Make sure to grab a box a tissue when you read this one. I loved all the characters from this book. I cryed, laughed, cried some more, became completely connected to all the characters and then cried some more. Vicki did an amazing job with this story and made it hard for me to put down.

Pearl has the perfect life. She comes ftom a wealthy family and has great friends, family and owns a bar. There is one thing missing in her life. That is until Harley walks into her bar.

Harley works for Pearl and tries to hide his attration to her in fear of getting close to someone. Harley has had a rough life and finds it hard to trust in people. He has a secret that he has never shared with anyone and wants nothing more then to be able to fall in love and share his secrects. Will Pearl be the one he is able to trust and tell her about all his secrects from his past?

Reviewed by Amy Zec



Profile Image for sycokittykat - Stefanie.
1,139 reviews35 followers
August 26, 2014
Received and ARC for an honest review.

First and foremost make sure you have a box of tissues ready for this one. This is the story of Pearl (daughter of Jade and Knox from book one) and Harley. You will never be prepared for all the twists and turns of this love story.

Pearl is the owner of a bar and she hires mysterious Harley who seems to be running away from something or someone. Follow pear as she is determined to chip away at his exterior to find out what he is hiding from the world.

This story is not your typical love story and you may have to set it down to walk away and breath like I did. This book had me doing the ugly cry and I loved it. I was however totally stunned and speechless when I got to the end.

Vicki is amazing at making her readers follow the emotions in her books. Be prepared to follow on this heart wrenching journey of the ultimate love and sacrifice. Discover how to trust again and see what it leaves you with.
Profile Image for Nicole.
Author 53 books37 followers
June 29, 2014
Vicki keeps coming with an amazing series that keeps capturing the heart of her readers. The characters are easy to relate to and make you feel exactly like they do. In my personal opinion. Vicki Green is not only an amazing writer, but someone who will always be able to connect to her readers on a personal level.

Painting
A bar
the perfect bad boy

Those three words are how I would sum up Trusted. Each is a specific piece of the puzzle that makes up the story as a whole.

Pearl has a dream that has strayed into something else. But, her bigger dream is to find someone who can take care of her and adore her as Bo does with Stormy (Forgiven book #2)

Harley is just out to better his life in any way possible because of the past that he's had.

When the two find each other.....

will they ever be able to help each other.....

and

trust each other??
Profile Image for For the Love of Books.
755 reviews28 followers
January 19, 2015
My love for author Vicki Green grows with each book of hers that I read. This is a beautiful book full of emotion both happy and sad. I will warn you now to have tissues at the ready!! Pearl and Harley connected from the moment he walked into her bar looking for work. His silence intrigued Pearl, when he stepped in to save the life of her family, she realizes that she really feels something for him. However, Harley has a past he is ashamed of and thinks it will make Pearl run. Does it??? They both have to let down their walls to let the other in!! I love the Pearl's family who we met in books 1+2 I'm delighted that we get to know more from them and what is happening in their lives. They are such a wonderful family totally supportive of each other.
Vicki Green you amaze me with your imagination to create such unique storylines and characters. I can't wait to start your next book!
Profile Image for Amber.
627 reviews3 followers
April 17, 2015
I've been able to follow this series and have loved them all. Vicki's writing style is just epic. I truly love reading her work. In Trusted we got to see another side of Pearl Dunway, she's always came off as strong but we see that there are times that everyone needs someone and her weakness for Harley shows. However, Harley is a bit stubborn and doesnt really want a relationship or think that he can trust again but Pearl shows him different. This series is really amazing and I can't wait to see what Vicki Green puts out next because I know its bound to be epic!!
50 reviews2 followers
July 29, 2014
**Spoiler Alert**

Wow.....Vicki Green saved the best til last in this series.
You need to be at home with a box of tissues whilst reading this....
not in the cafe of a soft play area like I was! Blubbed like a baby!
I really wanted things to go down the 'happily ever after ' route for Pearl and Harley, to some extent it did...just with a heartbreakingly tragic ending. Poor Rosie..losing not just one but two mum's in such a short space of time.
Amazing book! I really love a book that keeps you captivated. Well done Vicki!
Profile Image for Hammie.
3 reviews
July 24, 2014
I loved it, yes... but why does it have to be so tragic? Gave it 5 stars although I still can't get over how it ended. Halfway through the book I was expecting a miracle or something was going to happen but definitely not death. Had I known I wasn't going to finish it as I prefer happier endings. Still, I think it's worth 5 stars as it made me cry the whole night. Grrr....

I've also just realized it's the last of the series, now I'm going to start reading the first book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jessie.
1,154 reviews9 followers
November 24, 2014
this is the best book Vicki has written!!

Oh man this book has it all, it's funny and sexy and really emotional.. I could feel what they were feeling...

but my gosh it was sad, I haven't cried this much at a book in like ever.. my throat and chest got tight with sadness and I felt for Harley so much... defiantly a must read!!!
Profile Image for Dora Jeff.
7 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2019
one of my favorite books i have read in long time. never had story have me crying in middle of story. and i have to a box of tissue handy. vicki green is one my favorite writers .it one her best books . so be ready to cry your eyes.
Profile Image for Joy Whiteside.
4,895 reviews114 followers
June 19, 2014
Once again Vicki Green has done it. Another amazing book. This was a very enjoyable read that grabbed me from the very beginning. The story was amazing and you cannot help but fall in love with these characters. This has to be on your must read list for 2014.
Profile Image for Margarette Danny.
163 reviews4 followers
June 30, 2014
Well as usual Vicki has blown my mind. This book wasn't like anything else. I had every emotion you could have within a book. I am going to end up rereading this book many times over. I felt like I was actually watching this happen before my eyes. Way to go Vicki on another great book.
Profile Image for Rhiannon Matthias.
134 reviews18 followers
June 30, 2014
Wow what a book if you haven't read it then you need to... its a must read 5 stars does not do it justice at all its an easy 10...must read
Profile Image for Alexandria.
7 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2014
I love a good love story and if you do too. read this!
Profile Image for Periwinklepsyche.
1,555 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2014
Heart warming read. Amazing tale of love, family, and friendship. This made me all teary at the end of the book.
2,436 reviews3 followers
September 1, 2018
There is nothing worse than investing in a series and characters then to have an author go and do a shitty thing and kill off one of the main characters.
What is the point of a romance if you are not going to let them have a HEA????????
I don't see the point in even writing a book if you are going to give it that kind of ending unless it's a murder mystery or another genre NOT a romance. It's bad enough that Harley had such a rough life. Never felt love from anyone and finally finds someone and their family who gives him the love he has always yearned for then to yank it away from him.
Very disappointed in this author.
Profile Image for Nichole Brunt.
467 reviews8 followers
July 3, 2017
Absolutely Amazing

This book is such a beautiful and heartbreaking story. Trusted is about Pearl, Jade and Knox daughter finding the love of her life Harley...... WARNING YOU WILL NEED TISSUES....
437 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2015
This is the thirds and final book of the Touched series. Book one starts out with Jade and Knox, book two is about their son Bo and his love, Stormy. Book three continues on with Jade and Knox's oldest, their daughter Pearl.
In book two Pearl returns home and buys the bar down the street from Stormy and Bo's restaurant. She fixes the bar up and hires staff.
The bar is a popular place, one of the bartenders is a hot quiet bartender, that knows how to make a mean drink and interact with the customer, but doesn't really open up to anyone. There is something about Harley that ignites a spark in Pearl, like no one ever has. Even though people are trying to warn her away from him, because of how he always seems to be hiding something. It only makes her see the good in him and makes her want to get him to open up all the more.
Harley has had a tough life, a string of bad events, one after another. Making him believe that he wasn't worthy of being loved, and that his love to someone else would bring them down.
Is Pearl able to break through Harley's tough exterior or will he keep her out for good.
This book will make you need a box of tissues, be warned.
Profile Image for Maari.
474 reviews
August 5, 2014
I'm at a profound loss as to what to say about this book.. It left me deeply stunned, & honestly, overwhelmed emotionally! I feel as if I was right there, through everything!! I haven't been this totally engrossed in a story in awhile.. -- for it to engulf me to the point that I would have to set it aside, get my bearings again, & remind myself to stop & breathe. I honestly didn't want to finish this book.. Not because it wasn't good enough. To the contrary!! but because it was too good, & I wanted to stay in the moment.. before the end. There is no way for me to help prepare you for this book, just know, this is Vicki's best one yet & any emotions that you have experienced with any of her other books, will be (at least) 10x that with this one!!
Profile Image for SoBeA.
620 reviews49 followers
dnf-try-try-again
August 27, 2014
DNF.

Only 7% in and I can't read any more...a few details don't make sense and you get both characters pov's, which I usually love, but they're not labeled so if you're not paying attention it's easy to get confused. Mostly though, my issue is with the writing style...I could probably get over my first two issues, but I can't connect with the books voice and I'm getting more frustration than enjoyment from reading this so I'm saving myself the headache and stopping now.
It might just be me though, so I'd suggest, if possible, read an excerpt, and see if it works for you before making a decision either way.
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