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Scars #2
Memory
Paige continues to live an unstable existence with Aaron, torn between her hatred and desire for him.
A new threat from Aaron's past emerges, and again it is Paige who must pay for others sins. But she's done being the weak, broken doll that Aaron turned her into. It's time for her to fight back.
Warning: Contains sexual situations and violence
A new threat from Aaron's past emerges, and again it is Paige who must pay for others sins. But she's done being the weak, broken doll that Aaron turned her into. It's time for her to fight back.
Warning: Contains sexual situations and violence
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2014
25 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 13, 2015
4 Disturbing Stars
This is the 2nd book in Sinden West's Scars trilogy. I would suggest reading book 1 since book 2 is a continuation of Aaron and Paige/Rachael's sick, demented and twisted relationship!
Paige is living with Aaron in his beautiful glass house along the beach. Both are enjoying a strange domesticated relationship but Paige is fully aware things are not normal between them. Paige spends her days on the beach where one day she meets another man, Ryan, who invites her to a party. Paige begins questioning her life with Aaron and begins to feel she is missing out on her young and carefree years.
Paige gets kidnapped by Ryan who roughs her up solely to get Aaron's attention. Aaron finds Paige and nurses her back to health however Paige seems to have lost her memory. During this time Paige and Aaron grow closer and Aaron's obsession becomes plainly evident.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
"For what?"
"Breaking you, hurting you, damaging you..."
"Don't be. Broken dolls have sharp edges. We always manage to bite back somehow."
Soon Paige's memory returns and she is back to her strange, odd and demented ways. Events take off from this point on and Paige's character gets even more sick and twisted. Ryan and Aaron are in and out of the picture until things explode all around them.
All I can say is this book has a strange ending; Paige goes on a rampage and as for Aaron and Ryan, things are not as they seem!!
This is the 2nd book in Sinden West's Scars trilogy. I would suggest reading book 1 since book 2 is a continuation of Aaron and Paige/Rachael's sick, demented and twisted relationship!
Paige is living with Aaron in his beautiful glass house along the beach. Both are enjoying a strange domesticated relationship but Paige is fully aware things are not normal between them. Paige spends her days on the beach where one day she meets another man, Ryan, who invites her to a party. Paige begins questioning her life with Aaron and begins to feel she is missing out on her young and carefree years.
Paige gets kidnapped by Ryan who roughs her up solely to get Aaron's attention. Aaron finds Paige and nurses her back to health however Paige seems to have lost her memory. During this time Paige and Aaron grow closer and Aaron's obsession becomes plainly evident.
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
"For what?"
"Breaking you, hurting you, damaging you..."
"Don't be. Broken dolls have sharp edges. We always manage to bite back somehow."
Soon Paige's memory returns and she is back to her strange, odd and demented ways. Events take off from this point on and Paige's character gets even more sick and twisted. Ryan and Aaron are in and out of the picture until things explode all around them.
All I can say is this book has a strange ending; Paige goes on a rampage and as for Aaron and Ryan, things are not as they seem!!
April 15, 2022
Part of me wanted to kill him, but the other part of me wanted him to follow me.
Me enjoying stories where the couple reads each other to filth:
Seriously why do I LIVE for dark romances where the MCs read each other to FILTH. They both had each other’s number, called it like they saw it, and played their games on each other.
More thoughts of love and praise*
*If you like WTF just happened and have a high tolerance for triggers, I recommend going into this series ignorant. I had no idea of what is to come and it was everything.
At the end of Scars, I knew I had to read Memory.
Why? I'm not sure I could give you a reason. Because while Scars was an electrifying read, I went into it with cautious expectations that this may be a dark romance, dark smut ... or this may be erotic horror. If it was the latter, I had to be careful. The little that I've read of erotic horror I've been burned a few times expecting more romance than was actually doled out. The erotic horrors that I've read in the past also deal with the theme of kidnapping the heroine and breaking her down.
In Scars, Aaron effectively does that. It was uncomfortable. Aaron was cold and I have to be honest that I skimmed much of the barn scenes. I devoured the mystery of the diary but I hurried past scenes of Aaron and Paige because I didn't know if he was a hero or just some dude. I've been burned by erotic horrors where I've put in all my chips in the hero, expecting a romance when there wasn't really one there.
At the end of Scars, there is a ehhh happy for now? It could be worse?
The ending wasn't to the point where I felt so frustrated and unsatisfied that I didn’t want to continue. Instead, I was intrigued.
West is successful at portraying Paige's POV in Scars and in Memory. While Paige has a cat-like ability to land on her feet like her mom the con artist (a twisted version of Heartbreakers, if y'all ever seen that movie), she has been through trauma that she has not processed and her present circumstances is like the straw that broke the camel's back. Paige had a breakdown. She became a ghost of herself. She was deflated. This made sense and in a very twisted way, Paige and Aaron have a relationship that worked for them. They were codependent on each other in an uneasy stalemate.
In Memory, their relationship deepens in two many ways.
The first way is in the dissection and analysis of their past. We really get to hear Aaron and we see that Aaron knows more than he lets on. This allows the reader to relate to Aaron, knowing that he sees Paige, not just because he claims out of “obsession” but he knows her. What I enjoy about the dissection is that you see that even in their “shallow” relationship, something deeper was going on. It wasn’t simple hate/love.
The second way is in how their relationship deepens, like in a second chances plot. Because they are together but they don’t know each other, and they have barriers up. In this book, you see the potential for them to be so good for each other. In this way, I was reminded of Run Posy Run.
When they are bad to each other, it hurts so good to see. When they are good to each other, making little jokes, you root for them to be together. The lightness also comes in how they both become a little more mischievous. Aaron has more moments where you see his personality like in the diner scene where he’s not afraid but entertained by the would-be robbers. Paige masters the takedown, the challenge. Her viciousness is also entertaining to watch.
I absolutely loved Paige. A good heroine is hard to find but I loved everything about Paige.
Some of my favourite passages, in no particular order:
When Aaron tells Paige he realizes he was the one who broke her:
"I used to think that it was her that broke you; that it was the things she did that fucked you up. But you're... fun. You like to laugh. You're soft and sweet. It wasn't her, it wasn't him, it was me that broke you and turned you into what you are."
And when this happened...
"It was even better fucking you like that. You were all warm and moany. Oh, Aaron. Fuck me, fuck me," he mimicked.
"What about you? You were fucking drooling over me. You couldn't get enough. I bet you loved it. You got to screw the girl you fucking love while she didn't absolutely hate you!"
911, I’d like to report a murder.
Ugh that whole conversation was so good.
Appreciation for Aaron in this book. Aaron held space for Paige brilliantly. Even as much as he did temporarily break her spirit in the first book, you see that Aaron is not infallible. He responds to Paige, he does things for her. He’s not always in control. This is big. If Aaron did not care for Paige, he would not allow her meltdowns. He would not allow her to challenge him in public. He does all this because he truly cares about her more than himself.
I cannot overemphasize how big that is, considering his character in Scars. I sometimes find that the rapist non-con hero turned best boyfriend of the year pipeline to be too extreme that it is unbelievable.
Here, I bought into it. Aaron doesn’t do anything extreme but he doesn’t need to do. Simply making these concessions without having to reassert his dominance or control spoke larger than his actions. Because we know he would always protect her, save her ass, and come after her. But would he ever take her to a diner because she asked? Sit down next to her because she asked? No, we didn’t see these normal parts of a relationship.
Memory, in this regard, brought up the vibe of S.T. Abbey's Mindf**k series. Both stories are completely different feels but there is this similarity. Both MCs are strong and good at what they do. Abbey’s MCs are serial killer and FBI agent on her tail. West’s MCs are heartbreaker siren/con artist daughter and mafia hitman. There is a natural conflict between them. The heroine has suffered immense trauma and needs to process it in a way that she can.
The hero allows her, holds space for her, does not judge her. We know Aaron could be a control freak. We saw that in Scars. To see him bend a little, to acquiesce with grace - beautiful. As beautiful as seeing Paige sharpen her own claws and hit back.
That’s sexy af. When the power of the heroine and the power of the hero are both recognized, seen its glory but also in its terror.
I absolutely loved Memory. While I enjoyed Scars - and let's be honest, Memory is so good because Scars created the set-up for Memory to be so good - Memory hit so many things that I love.
Anyways, I need to go back to finishing Aaron.
Initial Thoughts: Reading slump is over. Sleep is ruined but I have no regrets. 5 stars is not enough. Memory exceeded ALL my expectations. Not one for amnesia plots but this was so good. Is this one of the best stories that I've read this year? It sure is up there. MORE THOUGHTS OF LOVE AND PRAISE TO COME!
Me enjoying stories where the couple reads each other to filth:
Seriously why do I LIVE for dark romances where the MCs read each other to FILTH. They both had each other’s number, called it like they saw it, and played their games on each other.
More thoughts of love and praise*
*If you like WTF just happened and have a high tolerance for triggers, I recommend going into this series ignorant. I had no idea of what is to come and it was everything.
At the end of Scars, I knew I had to read Memory.
Why? I'm not sure I could give you a reason. Because while Scars was an electrifying read, I went into it with cautious expectations that this may be a dark romance, dark smut ... or this may be erotic horror. If it was the latter, I had to be careful. The little that I've read of erotic horror I've been burned a few times expecting more romance than was actually doled out. The erotic horrors that I've read in the past also deal with the theme of kidnapping the heroine and breaking her down.
In Scars, Aaron effectively does that. It was uncomfortable. Aaron was cold and I have to be honest that I skimmed much of the barn scenes. I devoured the mystery of the diary but I hurried past scenes of Aaron and Paige because I didn't know if he was a hero or just some dude. I've been burned by erotic horrors where I've put in all my chips in the hero, expecting a romance when there wasn't really one there.
At the end of Scars, there is a ehhh happy for now? It could be worse?
The ending wasn't to the point where I felt so frustrated and unsatisfied that I didn’t want to continue. Instead, I was intrigued.
West is successful at portraying Paige's POV in Scars and in Memory. While Paige has a cat-like ability to land on her feet like her mom the con artist (a twisted version of Heartbreakers, if y'all ever seen that movie), she has been through trauma that she has not processed and her present circumstances is like the straw that broke the camel's back. Paige had a breakdown. She became a ghost of herself. She was deflated. This made sense and in a very twisted way, Paige and Aaron have a relationship that worked for them. They were codependent on each other in an uneasy stalemate.
In Memory, their relationship deepens in two many ways.
The first way is in the dissection and analysis of their past. We really get to hear Aaron and we see that Aaron knows more than he lets on. This allows the reader to relate to Aaron, knowing that he sees Paige, not just because he claims out of “obsession” but he knows her. What I enjoy about the dissection is that you see that even in their “shallow” relationship, something deeper was going on. It wasn’t simple hate/love.
The second way is in how their relationship deepens, like in a second chances plot. Because they are together but they don’t know each other, and they have barriers up. In this book, you see the potential for them to be so good for each other. In this way, I was reminded of Run Posy Run.
When they are bad to each other, it hurts so good to see. When they are good to each other, making little jokes, you root for them to be together. The lightness also comes in how they both become a little more mischievous. Aaron has more moments where you see his personality like in the diner scene where he’s not afraid but entertained by the would-be robbers. Paige masters the takedown, the challenge. Her viciousness is also entertaining to watch.
I absolutely loved Paige. A good heroine is hard to find but I loved everything about Paige.
Some of my favourite passages, in no particular order:
When Aaron tells Paige he realizes he was the one who broke her:
"I used to think that it was her that broke you; that it was the things she did that fucked you up. But you're... fun. You like to laugh. You're soft and sweet. It wasn't her, it wasn't him, it was me that broke you and turned you into what you are."
And when this happened...
"It was even better fucking you like that. You were all warm and moany. Oh, Aaron. Fuck me, fuck me," he mimicked.
"What about you? You were fucking drooling over me. You couldn't get enough. I bet you loved it. You got to screw the girl you fucking love while she didn't absolutely hate you!"
911, I’d like to report a murder.
Ugh that whole conversation was so good.
Appreciation for Aaron in this book. Aaron held space for Paige brilliantly. Even as much as he did temporarily break her spirit in the first book, you see that Aaron is not infallible. He responds to Paige, he does things for her. He’s not always in control. This is big. If Aaron did not care for Paige, he would not allow her meltdowns. He would not allow her to challenge him in public. He does all this because he truly cares about her more than himself.
I cannot overemphasize how big that is, considering his character in Scars. I sometimes find that the rapist non-con hero turned best boyfriend of the year pipeline to be too extreme that it is unbelievable.
Here, I bought into it. Aaron doesn’t do anything extreme but he doesn’t need to do. Simply making these concessions without having to reassert his dominance or control spoke larger than his actions. Because we know he would always protect her, save her ass, and come after her. But would he ever take her to a diner because she asked? Sit down next to her because she asked? No, we didn’t see these normal parts of a relationship.
Memory, in this regard, brought up the vibe of S.T. Abbey's Mindf**k series. Both stories are completely different feels but there is this similarity. Both MCs are strong and good at what they do. Abbey’s MCs are serial killer and FBI agent on her tail. West’s MCs are heartbreaker siren/con artist daughter and mafia hitman. There is a natural conflict between them. The heroine has suffered immense trauma and needs to process it in a way that she can.
The hero allows her, holds space for her, does not judge her. We know Aaron could be a control freak. We saw that in Scars. To see him bend a little, to acquiesce with grace - beautiful. As beautiful as seeing Paige sharpen her own claws and hit back.
That’s sexy af. When the power of the heroine and the power of the hero are both recognized, seen its glory but also in its terror.
I absolutely loved Memory. While I enjoyed Scars - and let's be honest, Memory is so good because Scars created the set-up for Memory to be so good - Memory hit so many things that I love.
Anyways, I need to go back to finishing Aaron.
Initial Thoughts: Reading slump is over. Sleep is ruined but I have no regrets. 5 stars is not enough. Memory exceeded ALL my expectations. Not one for amnesia plots but this was so good. Is this one of the best stories that I've read this year? It sure is up there. MORE THOUGHTS OF LOVE AND PRAISE TO COME!
January 24, 2016
So, yeah, the f'd up shit from book one becomes even more f'd up. Is that vague? Yeah. But I kinda feel like I've been on a roller coaster of deviant, psychopathic, narcissistic f'up'ed'ness that I could never explain to you in a million years.
So please do excuse my not being able to form an intelligible sentence.
Like book one, I'm glued to this shit, minus my frequent trips to the bathroom to puke. I mean the truck driver shit soured water on my tummy, okay. Gross'o!
Anyhow, brilliant work at making something that I just had to see through.
The Reason I Can't Give More Than Three Stars
I take the same issue here as with book one in that EVERYONE that graces these pages is some kind of f'd up sexual deviant or victim. It's too prevalent. Too easy to find. Occurs too often.
And, again, I feel Aaron is a flat one-tune character for most of the book. When he does start to develop beyond psychotic and riddles, it just happens out of the blue & doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I still, at the end, do not understand him as an individual or have any clue how he really feels about her- obsession, love, hate, ownership, pity.. I dont know?!? Possibly all of the above meted into some twisted mental game he is playing with himself.
A similar predicament exists with her. Does she love, loathe, envy, co-depend, hide under, etc etc him?!? Again, I think all the above. Her changes too are akin to a pinging game. Her changes are too abrupt, with too little thought, and too extreme in direction.
I think the author was purposefully obtuse and allowed the reader to come up with their own rationales for their relationship and personalities. I personally, would've rather been told lol because these folk's brains and hearts are beyond my imagination.
Speaking of imagination...
The death of her friends was left up to the imagination.
Her mom was left up to the imagination.
The gay waiter friend, the female Dom, the shop girl, etc just all kinda disappear from screen.
Why Aaron's friend told her to run outside, why he warned her off so often, why he declined her invite, etc all remained a mystery.
There's a book three from Aaron's POV and I hope it clears up the questions I still have. We shall see, but the author should've either made it clear these things would've be cleared up eventually or cleared them up here and now.
Give Me Something To Root For!!!!
I don't need redeeming of f'd up characters. But I do need something, anything to progress them beyond caring ONLY about themselves. Aaron's character, ironically enough, does that in ALWAYS finding our fMC. I do feel that he loves her in his own f'd up way.
The fMC, however, never arrives there. She spiraled down the drain from the moment I opened book one. By the end, all I could do was imagine her on her way to the water treatment plant. Gone was the girl she was and not so much as a clue that she could or would claw her way up the drain. Some will argue that she doesn't kill Aaron when she has the chance, thereby proving greater feelings. But, this is the girl that opted to ignore all the wrongs all the men and women in her life have done. Not killing him wasn't a surprise and didn't prove anything to me.
Yes, I'm off to read book three because the author does just that great of a job hooking you to the story despite the many complaints you are sure to have~
June 23, 2015
5 stars
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
"For what?"
"Breaking you, hurting you, damaging you..."
"Don't be. Broken dolls have sharp edges. We always manage to bite back somehow."
Seriously amazing book. If you haven't read Scars, I suggest you get on that RIGHT NOW so you can have the opportunity to read this book!!
There aren't many books that completely blow the first book out of the water, but this one did just that!
Can't wait to read more books from this author!
"I'm sorry," he murmured.
"For what?"
"Breaking you, hurting you, damaging you..."
"Don't be. Broken dolls have sharp edges. We always manage to bite back somehow."
Seriously amazing book. If you haven't read Scars, I suggest you get on that RIGHT NOW so you can have the opportunity to read this book!!
There aren't many books that completely blow the first book out of the water, but this one did just that!
Can't wait to read more books from this author!
January 13, 2020
In this book we get a view of why Aaron is so broken. One of Aaron's past comes forward, Paige taking the burn of it.
Aaron and Paige's relationship is twisted and sinister. Amnesia plays a part in this story, although a very short term.
Book 1 and 2 are told on Paige's POV.
Aaron and Paige's relationship is twisted and sinister. Amnesia plays a part in this story, although a very short term.
Book 1 and 2 are told on Paige's POV.
March 3, 2024
3.5, not as good as the first book but maybe that was because the first hit you like a truck, and it kept on driving towards a wall. This is still good, especially the ending. The heroine kept on doing stupid things in this book, she is so f***d in the head, I can’t begin to understand but somehow you get it, her craziness. Minus one star for all the s*x, sometime it felt like filler or maybe it was a way to show how damaged Paige was?
May 22, 2015
Normally sequels aren't as good as the original. Memory on the other hand was intense, disturbing, mystifying and suspenseful. Damn sure worthy of the five stars Scars invoked! Nothing was laid out, there wasn't an ahhhh haaa moment where you knew how it was going to end. If anything, I'm hoping the author is planning another installment because none of the loose ends have been tied up with pretty bows and ribbons. Not by a long shot! So onto the review.
Who am I...Paige or Rachel, Rachel or Paige?
Aaron says I'm broken, he would know, he's the one who broke me. Other times I feel crazy, maybe I am or maybe I'm fooling myself and Arron's the one whose lost it. He has the tendency of flying off the deep end becoming unstable.
He says I'm an obsession, one he won't let go of, regardless if I hate him. So you have to ask yourself where will we will go from here. Our relationship, if that's what you want to call it, isn't traditional. We have many issues to overcome, distrust and past nightmares. My mother is still out there, lurking in the shadows waiting. What about Aaron's enemies, someone bound to get retribution for the many sins he's committed. I don't think for a second Ryan was the last, do you?
Who am I...Paige or Rachel, Rachel or Paige?
Aaron says I'm broken, he would know, he's the one who broke me. Other times I feel crazy, maybe I am or maybe I'm fooling myself and Arron's the one whose lost it. He has the tendency of flying off the deep end becoming unstable.
He says I'm an obsession, one he won't let go of, regardless if I hate him. So you have to ask yourself where will we will go from here. Our relationship, if that's what you want to call it, isn't traditional. We have many issues to overcome, distrust and past nightmares. My mother is still out there, lurking in the shadows waiting. What about Aaron's enemies, someone bound to get retribution for the many sins he's committed. I don't think for a second Ryan was the last, do you?
February 23, 2019
I liked this better than the first book (although the first book is very good), I'm a sucker for an amnesia plotline. Paige's behavior due to her memory loss was amusing. It brought levity to an otherwise disturbing situation. Her reaction to remembering her past with Aaron was needed and realistic. Sinden West is a seriously underrated writer of dark erotica. Up there with more popular authors like Skye Warren and Kitty Thomas. I get Gillian Flynn vibes from West. She writes flawed females dealing with adversity, and her characterization is eerily realistic. Prose is succinct and packs a punch.
August 16, 2015
Grrr...
I had such high hopes for this sequel because Scars 1 is one of the few books I've read where the H maintains his evilness throughout the book. While the writing was very well done, I was disappointed by the plot that I know I've read at least two other times. In the end, it's all wrapped up in a nice HEA. 3 stars because the writing was good but my suggestion is if you loved book 1, stop there.
I had such high hopes for this sequel because Scars 1 is one of the few books I've read where the H maintains his evilness throughout the book. While the writing was very well done, I was disappointed by the plot that I know I've read at least two other times. In the end, it's all wrapped up in a nice HEA. 3 stars because the writing was good but my suggestion is if you loved book 1, stop there.
February 3, 2015
These books fucked with me; big time. I'm a stickler; I have very little patience for books with errors in. For the most part, I can't get past them. It makes me want to beat an author around the head with their own book - don't they love it? Don't they care that it's riddled with errors? It usually jars me so far out of the story that I can't enjoy it. But I enjoyed this, despite the generous splattering of punctuation and grammatical errors, never mind the bad spelling and the wrong word usage.
The story itself is dark; twisted and vile. But brilliant, at the same time. This doesn't romanticize domestic abuse the way I expected it to. It pushes past the line, but it deals with a survivor. Someone who's scarred and broken, but refuses to be beaten, and I liked that about the protagonist.
All I'll say is that the ending surprised me; it didn't go the way I thought it would. Definitely worth a read - but for the love of god, Sinden West, CARE about your books. Find yourself a good proofreader, and show them some love (the books, not the proofreader). Hell, send me an email and I'll do it myself for free (and that is my job, after all).
The story itself is dark; twisted and vile. But brilliant, at the same time. This doesn't romanticize domestic abuse the way I expected it to. It pushes past the line, but it deals with a survivor. Someone who's scarred and broken, but refuses to be beaten, and I liked that about the protagonist.
All I'll say is that the ending surprised me; it didn't go the way I thought it would. Definitely worth a read - but for the love of god, Sinden West, CARE about your books. Find yourself a good proofreader, and show them some love (the books, not the proofreader). Hell, send me an email and I'll do it myself for free (and that is my job, after all).
January 4, 2015
I'm so glad the book had this ending... Some of the things she did... WOW! Why?!?!
August 16, 2015
3.5 * but not enough to tip the scale to a 4 for me. I liked the ending - a bittersweet HEA, my fave kind. I didn't love the middle though. The blurb was maybe a little misleading for me. I dunno what I expected exactly, but I thought I'd get more of a character evolution for Paige??
Aaron didn't disappoint. He's a psycho. He's the 4* in the book for me, but I'm unashamedly sick like that.
And I'd say the same about this one as the 1st - needs a bit more editing. There weren't any inconsistencies to distract in this one, though.
Aaron didn't disappoint. He's a psycho. He's the 4* in the book for me, but I'm unashamedly sick like that.
And I'd say the same about this one as the 1st - needs a bit more editing. There weren't any inconsistencies to distract in this one, though.
January 29, 2023
How dare you give me amnesia trope just to take it away from me? I can't believe we had normal/adorable moments between Rachel and Aaron. Then, reality hits again and,,, they wound each other again and again. Like nOOOO take me back to the fairytale!!
So nasty.
Maybe Rachel should have dragged Aaron along with her through the cliff at the end.
So nasty.
Maybe Rachel should have dragged Aaron along with her through the cliff at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2024
Solid 4 stars.
I ate this duet up. I pulled an all nighter to read this and it was totally worth it, This was so damn good!!! Am I toxic for loving their dysfunctional dynamic? I guess I am.
I did have some things I didn’t like but it didn’t overpower my likes. I loved the scene at the end when he confessed his love without actually saying the words. I think it made sense for his character, for him to actually admit he needs her itself felt unbelievable. It was so beautiful.
I hope the novella explores their relationship after their acceptance. As much as I loved the toxicity, I loved it even more when they were being sweet and domestic together. Also my biggest complaint is her bitch mother not getting what she deserves. I also wished the truth behind her Friends death was explored more, that was suspicious.
I ate this duet up. I pulled an all nighter to read this and it was totally worth it, This was so damn good!!! Am I toxic for loving their dysfunctional dynamic? I guess I am.
I did have some things I didn’t like but it didn’t overpower my likes. I loved the scene at the end when he confessed his love without actually saying the words. I think it made sense for his character, for him to actually admit he needs her itself felt unbelievable. It was so beautiful.
I hope the novella explores their relationship after their acceptance. As much as I loved the toxicity, I loved it even more when they were being sweet and domestic together. Also my biggest complaint is her bitch mother not getting what she deserves. I also wished the truth behind her Friends death was explored more, that was suspicious.
February 17, 2022
This series was good. Really gritty and disturbing.
It's basically a romance between two extremely damaged people. Their depravity rubbed off on the reader, me anyway, where near the end, when she was doing all these terrible things and basically having a bit of a meltdown, I didn't even blink an eye. It was "par for the course".
It was a long journey. The events that happened in the beginning feel so long ago. Along the way, I felt Paige's pain and struggle to get past being a victim of abuse from a person who should have loved her instead. It was interesting to see life through her skewed view of the world and try to understand her strategies to cope with a bad situation and try to move on from it. Aaron had his own damage and abuse and although we're not in his head, his actions speak for themselves. He is definitely as damaged as she is, if not more so.
Also - if you lean back-- way, way back -- like "across the street" back, you can see a bit of a love story where there is affection and loyalty. He would always come for her, to save her from the bad situations that she always found herself in. To save her from herself, basically. He couldn't help himself - always coming back, always keeping her safe. She kept going back to him, even after he let her go. She saved him in the life and death moment, where I was sure she would just stay as a spectator, a witness to the payback he deserved due to his treatment of her in the beginning. Maybe no one will agree with me but under all that evil, there was a bit of a sweetness.
I tried to break away to read another story for a buddy read but just...couldn't. I needed to finish this.
I wanted to write this before I got too far into the final novella - seen from Aaron's point of view. I think it might change my perspective for this story - so far only seen through Paige's eyes.
I want a happy ending for these two, as much as they can have based on their crap upbringing and history of evil doings. I know it seems like a big ask...
It's basically a romance between two extremely damaged people. Their depravity rubbed off on the reader, me anyway, where near the end, when she was doing all these terrible things and basically having a bit of a meltdown, I didn't even blink an eye. It was "par for the course".
It was a long journey. The events that happened in the beginning feel so long ago. Along the way, I felt Paige's pain and struggle to get past being a victim of abuse from a person who should have loved her instead. It was interesting to see life through her skewed view of the world and try to understand her strategies to cope with a bad situation and try to move on from it. Aaron had his own damage and abuse and although we're not in his head, his actions speak for themselves. He is definitely as damaged as she is, if not more so.
Also - if you lean back-- way, way back -- like "across the street" back, you can see a bit of a love story where there is affection and loyalty. He would always come for her, to save her from the bad situations that she always found herself in. To save her from herself, basically. He couldn't help himself - always coming back, always keeping her safe. She kept going back to him, even after he let her go. She saved him in the life and death moment, where I was sure she would just stay as a spectator, a witness to the payback he deserved due to his treatment of her in the beginning. Maybe no one will agree with me but under all that evil, there was a bit of a sweetness.
I tried to break away to read another story for a buddy read but just...couldn't. I needed to finish this.
I wanted to write this before I got too far into the final novella - seen from Aaron's point of view. I think it might change my perspective for this story - so far only seen through Paige's eyes.
I want a happy ending for these two, as much as they can have based on their crap upbringing and history of evil doings. I know it seems like a big ask...
December 27, 2014
THIS IS A SPOILER-ISH REVIEW. Proceed with caution.
Memory is the second (and probably the last?) installment in Sinden West's Scars series. I am pleasantly surprised over how much I loved this book. I hated the first book so much and I was reluctant to read this one but I decided to read it anyway for some sort of closure. And boy, I am glad I did!
In this book, Rachel/Paige was kidnapped again, this time, by a guy, Ryan who's out to get revenge on Aaron. During her captive, Ryan, in a fit of madness/anger, bashed her head against a wall repeatedly, resulting in her memory loss. Paige ended up losing all her memories after she was fifteen. So basically, she didn't even know who Aaron was! And then, the fun starts.
I found myself sympathizing with Paige in this one. Paige initially, was a lovely girl, she laughed a lot, she was like any other fifteen year old girl. She worshipped her mother. She was just so so different and it made me realized just how affected she was with her mother's treatment to her. It ran deep and it just made me so sad.
The best part of this book was watching Aaron handling the fifteen-year-old version of Paige -- it amused me to no end. I could tell he was clueless on how to react around her, though he smartly hid it. And I dare say, he might fell for her. How could he not? He then realized that the person who really broke Paige was him all along.
I think the author's writing in this one is slightly better than the first book and for that I'm really really glad.
4 STARS.
Memory is the second (and probably the last?) installment in Sinden West's Scars series. I am pleasantly surprised over how much I loved this book. I hated the first book so much and I was reluctant to read this one but I decided to read it anyway for some sort of closure. And boy, I am glad I did!
In this book, Rachel/Paige was kidnapped again, this time, by a guy, Ryan who's out to get revenge on Aaron. During her captive, Ryan, in a fit of madness/anger, bashed her head against a wall repeatedly, resulting in her memory loss. Paige ended up losing all her memories after she was fifteen. So basically, she didn't even know who Aaron was! And then, the fun starts.
I found myself sympathizing with Paige in this one. Paige initially, was a lovely girl, she laughed a lot, she was like any other fifteen year old girl. She worshipped her mother. She was just so so different and it made me realized just how affected she was with her mother's treatment to her. It ran deep and it just made me so sad.
The best part of this book was watching Aaron handling the fifteen-year-old version of Paige -- it amused me to no end. I could tell he was clueless on how to react around her, though he smartly hid it. And I dare say, he might fell for her. How could he not? He then realized that the person who really broke Paige was him all along.
I think the author's writing in this one is slightly better than the first book and for that I'm really really glad.
4 STARS.
December 31, 2014
We continue where we left off with Aaron and Paige/Rachel existing in a pseudo domestic life. Two tortured souls pretending to be normal. How can two 'bad' people be so good together in this arrangment of fuckery, deceit, and manipulation? Someone from Aaron's past is after blood, and he's deadset on getting it. How will things unfold?
I've read books of tragic, abused, and fallen heroines. But shit...Paige/Rachel makes those heroines' life look like a fairytale. I pitied her and the author wrote her such a way that your heart breaks for her. I wanted to be her friend and hug her, she made me feel her anguish and confusion. She only wanted to be loved, cherished, adored, and treasured. Her emotions were so real; she's so fucked up that you want to know how low can someone get? It's sad and damn I would hug her through the pages if I could.
This sequel is even better than the first. You won't be disappointed with the characters' raw emotions and your heart will go out to Paige. The girl has me crying for the shit that she's been through like no other heroine. She's a broken doll. :(
A must read!
I've read books of tragic, abused, and fallen heroines. But shit...Paige/Rachel makes those heroines' life look like a fairytale. I pitied her and the author wrote her such a way that your heart breaks for her. I wanted to be her friend and hug her, she made me feel her anguish and confusion. She only wanted to be loved, cherished, adored, and treasured. Her emotions were so real; she's so fucked up that you want to know how low can someone get? It's sad and damn I would hug her through the pages if I could.
This sequel is even better than the first. You won't be disappointed with the characters' raw emotions and your heart will go out to Paige. The girl has me crying for the shit that she's been through like no other heroine. She's a broken doll. :(
A must read!
May 1, 2015
Great sequel to Scars. The pace was fast and intense. I read there maybe a 3rd book I certainly hope so I will be first in the queue to buy it. I won't do any spoilers but will say I was happy with how it ended, plenty of scope for a third book-hopefully.
The characters of Aaron and Paige/Rachel were both so hurt and damaged through their childhoods I really hope they can mend each other.
I'm so pleased I have discovered this author, another on auto buy!:D
The characters of Aaron and Paige/Rachel were both so hurt and damaged through their childhoods I really hope they can mend each other.
I'm so pleased I have discovered this author, another on auto buy!:D
February 10, 2015
3.6 stars for hea
December 29, 2014
Loved to hate them both
Two broken people, so twisted by those meant to protect them, thank god it's just fiction eh?
Heaven forbid such miserable souls really exist
Two broken people, so twisted by those meant to protect them, thank god it's just fiction eh?
Heaven forbid such miserable souls really exist
January 1, 2015
I wish this series could go on forever - I have a major book hangover from reading both books in two days!!
January 26, 2015
Great read
I really enjoyed the first book. This follow up was no let down. Still dark, but with a good ending.
I really enjoyed the first book. This follow up was no let down. Still dark, but with a good ending.
February 2, 2015
Great addition
I loves this book, it was real and raw and I could feel all the emotions of the characters. I'm happy the ending wasn't horrible.
I loves this book, it was real and raw and I could feel all the emotions of the characters. I'm happy the ending wasn't horrible.
April 21, 2015
Wow
Loved the two books. Wish there was a third about the hitch of the mother and how they kill her.
Loved the two books. Wish there was a third about the hitch of the mother and how they kill her.
dnf
January 10, 2015DNF @ %31 - After the heroine lost her memory I lost interest.
April 13, 2020
Exceeded my expectations as I thought there was no way Ms. West could write a sequel to match Scars, but she did. I read it in one sitting, could not put it down once I'd started it. I practically read the whole book out loud, which is what I do when a story or more usually, parts of a story have me in thrall; Memory did just that!! Aaron and Rachel; what an emotional rollercoaster. Now I just need to persuade Ms. West to give Brody and Violet a prequel/sequel (Vicious). 50 Shades of Gray pales in comparison to any of this writer's works. Why are the movie studios missing out on Scars and Vicious; the mind boggles?
I loved it; loved the story; the characters; its tone/feel. It's just so 'memorable': like Scars and Vicious. Outstanding penmanship; Miss West is a true wordsmith and weaver of dark erotic tales. I will never, can never, forget the characters or the story they tell. In my top 5 books; goose bumps.
Already want to read it again but it was such an emotional roller coaster, I can't get up the courage to do it yet. I hated that Rachel suffered so badly in this book; it just about killed me to have to bear her pain, right alongside her. This is what stops me reading it again. One day.....
I loved it; loved the story; the characters; its tone/feel. It's just so 'memorable': like Scars and Vicious. Outstanding penmanship; Miss West is a true wordsmith and weaver of dark erotic tales. I will never, can never, forget the characters or the story they tell. In my top 5 books; goose bumps.
Already want to read it again but it was such an emotional roller coaster, I can't get up the courage to do it yet. I hated that Rachel suffered so badly in this book; it just about killed me to have to bear her pain, right alongside her. This is what stops me reading it again. One day.....
December 26, 2022
Loved how twisted this series is
April 22, 2021
I don't know if all "dark romance" books have this thing of illustrating the sex scenes in such dispassionate ways, where Sinden West would refer to H and h's bodies as looking like robots having sex. It was a super interesting choice and really shows so much about Rachel's internal world, and also the physical world they lived in which was reminiscent of "Crash" by Cronenberg/Ballard for me. Just the cruelness and indifference of their situation was very affecting, and unique from the genre's offerings, to me.
January 23, 2015
Paige/Rachel is recovering from her attack by Ryan. She's at Aaron's but no memory of anything since an attack by her mom's boyfriend/mark years earlier.
Her mom is no where. She isn't sure what Aaron is to her. He's sweet and distant.
His enemy attacks again and again it's Paige who pays. But this time things are different. Or are they?
This may of been a four star finish but the ending ruined it for me. I'm tired of this type of ending. Just a personal choice.
Her mom is no where. She isn't sure what Aaron is to her. He's sweet and distant.
His enemy attacks again and again it's Paige who pays. But this time things are different. Or are they?
This may of been a four star finish but the ending ruined it for me. I'm tired of this type of ending. Just a personal choice.
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