Dirty Proof

by Jade Eby

For the first time - the enthralling novels Whiskey and a Gun and The Finish are combined together.

Carter and Tawny have a story to tell - but you won't like what they have to say.

Follow as they each get their turn in this coming-of-age tragic story about love gone wrong.

+ Extra scenes not available anywhere else.

Genres: Romance

610 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2015

About the author

Once upon a time there was a little girl who fell in love with books then she grew up to write her own.

Reviews

[Ang~Dirty Laundry Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like my fellow Dirty Girls said it would, this book gutted me. I was in the mood to read something dark that would rip me apart and make me feel all the things. I wanted it even. However, I was completely unprepared for what this book did to me. Trigger warnings, this book contains domestic violence and rape.



The first portion of this bundled series is Whiskey and a Gun from Carter’s POV. At first glance, I felt extreme empathy for teenage Carter. His family has been physically abused by his father his entire life. He’s seen and experienced horrific things. I can’t even begin to imagine what that would be like. He meets Tawny and we see kindred spirits. They both have troubled backgrounds and are completely drawn to each other. I worry for their future because I can sense Carter’s anger underneath the surface with his clenched fists and bursts of outrage. Who will he become? We see quite early on who he will become. At 16% I was ready to DNF. It was so alarming to see inside the thoughts of an abuser. I was shocked and so angry. I didn’t have a single drop of empathy left for Carter. Especially after hearing thoughts like this after seeing his wife’s battered body “… the evidence of my love shows all over her body.”



The second portion is The Finish told from Tawny’s POV. The author does a brilliant job with this dual story. We get a few of the exact scenes from Tawny’s POV and then several other scenes to fill in the holes and provide further details of their tortured relationship. The book spans 10 years in their lives. Reading Tawny’s story did something to me. It made feel sad, distraught, fleetingly hopeful, numb, brutalized, and raw. It’s an amazing gift for an author to make you feel the story so deeply. It startled me when I felt bits of sympathy for Carter as seen through Tawny’s eyes.



Tawny’s thoughts destroyed me. This is a love story so tragic and flawed it will break your heart. Hearing how much she loves him and how she thinks she can change him was torturous. Early on she said, “He’s a broken man that needs me. Needs my love. I know that with enough love, I can fix everything inside of him that aches to be mended.” It’s hard to understand the thought process in an abusive relationship if you haven’t experienced it. This book makes you reevaluate and question things.



So often when hearing about domestic violence society asks, “Why did she stay?” I’m ashamed to admit I have asked this question in the past. Then I realized how extremely ignorant that is. I would never blame a rape survivor. Why is it ok to blame a domestic abuse survivor? It’s not. It’s never o.k. I’m lucky in the sense that I haven’t experienced this personally, but I have family members and friends that have been through similar situations and this book hit on a lot of emotions for me. Mainly guilt. What more could I have done to help? One of the themes I picked up from this story is that if you see domestic violence or suspect it, please don’t stop asking questions. Please don’t stop trying to help and to provide a way out. I think too often women and men are left in these situations because other loved ones are exhausted from trying to get them to see the light. Can you imagine how exhausted the abused person must be? It's unfathomable.



At the end of the day this was a harrowing read, but the writing was so beautiful and made me feel things I didn’t think possible. Any book that can cause all of this emotion and turmoil is worthy of 5 stars. Jade Eby is extremely gifted. I’ll be looking for her books in the future.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've picked up a book and those feelings that stay hidden and buried deep down in me have surfaced. I've read a handful of reviews. It was evident the author had covered a difficult subject matter and I spent a little while contemplating if I was in the right place to read it, but I can't deny I'm a reader with a darker side and a need to feel hurt at times. Dirty Proof brought that. Carter and Tawny's journey brought that.

There are two sides to every story. Whiskey and a Gun is Carter's. My heart went out to him; what he suffers at the hands of his abusive father is unimaginable. And then he meets Tawny, who equally hasn't had an easy time of things with an absent father and a mother addicted to drugs and alcohol. Drawn to one another, their journey spans several years and whilst my emotions were frayed reading their story from Carter's perspective, they were ripped apart when I read it from Tawny's in The Finish.

I felt everything . I hated myself for feeling sympathetic towards Carter when I wanted to be anything but, I wanted to grab hold of him and ask him what the f*#k he was doing and I wanted to scream at Tawny. I felt every ounce of her pain and it hurt, yet there were no tears, just an indescribable feeling of numbness. And despite all this, there was still that part of me that was willing them to find their way through it. Something I'm still struggling to make sense of.

Jade Eby has taken a difficult, painful but all-too-true fact of life and has created a story that will remain with me for some time. When you're not quite sure what to do with yourself or what to say? The need to just sit quietly? That's me right now and is a sign of an author whose work I will certainly be reading again.

[Cole McCade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine the feeling you get when you bite into a sour cherry. The pleasure of succulence giving under your teeth. The rush of tart flavor, with just enough sweetness to ease the bite. That's how it feels to bite into this book.

Jade Eby is a new author to me, but after reading Whiskey and a Gun + The Finish I'll definitely be checking out her backlist. I like books that hurt. Books that rip out your heart and soul and grind them to pieces, then give those pieces back to you in the shape of something broken but still so beautiful. That's what Jade's writing does to you. There's a certain raw realness to it that cuts hard and cuts deep.

It doesn't flinch from the subject of domestic violence. No--you feel every heartbreaking blow, feel the fear and the pain, and it only makes you want to root for these broken characters even more. They're not perfect. Far from it. There were times when I wanted to shake Carter to pieces, and then getting Tawny's POV nearly killed me. But that's what makes me love them. I love broken characters, love to see all these shattered edges that cut them up inside. I love to hurt with them, so when the good moments come it feels that much sweeter.

The ending of this left me with a book hangover like no other. You always expect that somehow something will fix everything, and then that gets ripped away and you're left knowing that sometimes that's just...how it happens. I felt hollow, when it was over. Like this book had broken me. I don't cry. I don't cry, but my throat was tight and I tasted salt in the back of my throat and for a minute I wanted to. It takes a special kind of writer to make the reader enjoy feeling broken, enjoy feeling hurt. To carve you open and make you crave the pain.

Jade Eby is that kind of writer, and I'm looking forward to more of her work.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars!


Dirty Proof is Whiskey and a Gun & The Finish combined!

I'm just going to keep this review short and sweet and say that Jade Eby has done it once again! Once again, she has written a story that has pulled me in and wouldn't let me walk away until I finished every last word. I will warn you that this is NOT an easy read. These books deal with some very, very intense and difficult subject matter. It might even take you out of your normal realm of comfort, but the way that Jade Eby tackled this subject matter was amazing.

Dirty Proof takes you on one heck of a roller-coaster ride of emotions. It brought out emotions in me that I didn't even know existed. Carter and Tawny's story is not an easy one and reminded me why I love broken characters so much. They're so real, so raw. They are so complex and their story so captivating that you have to see how it all ends. This book....there just....they're aren't any words. This isn't my typical read, but I'm so glad I decided to give it a chance.

* I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Dirty Laundry Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candi:

I’m going to start by saying that this book is heavy. The content? It’s brutal. It’s in your face, rip your heart brutal. But, sadly, it’s reality. You might of been a Tawny. Or might be now. Or know somebody like her. This book opened up a lot of personal memories for me. It had me crying. Ugly crying. With that being said, I have to say, this probably is one of my new favorite books of all time. In all the books I have read, this was a first of this content. It’s a rough book to read, but I am so glad I did.

This book is about 2 teenagers, Carter and Tawny. Who meet in high school. He’s the all American good looking popular boy. And she’s…..well, she’s what they call “from the wrong side of the tracks.”

With Tawny, what you see is what you get. You know her life is shit. There’s no hiding that. But with Carter, there are things he hides very well. Horrific things. So they form a friendship. Which then turns to more. And we go on a 10 year journey (nightmare) with them. This book is about pain, suffering, choosing, bravery, gut wrenching sadness. And so many more things that I can’t say without giving the book away. Just know this, Jade Eby is a brilliant writer. When an author can actually make you feel…dare I say compassion for the villain… please don’t hate me!! But I did. In a few parts I just wanted to climb in and hug the shit out of Carter. Because he was so broken. So damaged. I kept praying he could be fixed. That they will be ok. But, in these situations, they usually never are. And Tawny, dear god Tawny. Some might think she was weak or strong. To me. She is one of the strongest heroines I’ve read in a long time. So much strength. And courage. When needed. She is my new favorite person.

There will be times when reading, that you need to stop and catch your breath, or hug your partner and tell them you love them and thank them (I did this) because after reading this, it gave me a whole new appreciation for my husband. For giving me a life, to where l never have to worry or be frightened. Thank you, Jason. And thank you, Miss Eby, for writing this amazingly, beautifully brutal book.

Tarah:

When I heard Candi talking about Dirty Proof and read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read it. I was admittedly concerned when I realized Dirty Proof held the same story once from Carter’s POV and once from Tawny’s, though. I often get bored when authors do this. There isn’t enough differential feeling to make a plot interesting enough to read twice. Jade did it though. God, did she do it.

This book broke me. It gutted me. Cut me open and left me raw with no intention of fixing me. I cried more than once. When your throat tightens and you can’t fight the overflow… I fought it multiple times, but in the end I didn’t win. The reality of this book is brutal. It’s partially why it’s so moving and poignant. Jade wrote Carter and Tawny where you taste the words. Every fiber of your being tastes these words. Their actions and emotions latch on to you and you can’t help but hold on tight. You want to have hope for them, to be support through the fear and sorrow. You just want… I couldn’t stop reading until I got to the end. When the end came? It was a contradiction of feelings. I felt lost, but safe. I wanted more, yet it was the perfect ending.

Jade’s writing is brilliant. You’re not just reading this story. You are, for better or worse, living it as you read. I held my breath, wanted to throw my Kindle, wanted to scream at the characters… Dirty Proof is a beautiful story. It just is. It strips you down to such bare emotion that you won’t understand until you read it for yourself.


Paula:

It’s impossible for me to write this without slight spoilers. So read at your own risk.

This story was brutal and powerful. It was ugly, but it was written with such truth and honesty I couldn’t put it down.

This book was way outside the typical book I read. As a warning–this book is about abuse. Anyone could be Tawny. And no one should be Tawny. She’s a young girl from the wrong side of the tracks with no parental role models. Carter is from a middle class family, but his home life is horrific. He experiences and witnesses things no one should have to endure. I couldn’t help but sympathize with him in the beginning. Who wouldn’t? These books tell the story of what that person becomes when that cycle isn’t broken. It tells the story about what happens when love overshadows the need for self protection. The way this was written was heart breaking and chilling. The first part, Whiskey and a Gun, is told from Carter’s POV. It is a novella that spans from their meeting in high school to beyond. The second book, The Finish, is Tawny’s story, told from the same time frame, but much more detailed. Her story reveals much more than what I originally thought was going on. I had such a sense of sadness reading both of these books. For Tawny, and for Carter. It was so real. Every emotion, every hurt that Tawny experienced felt like I was experiencing it. I wanted to yank her out of the book and give her a better life. This is a book everyone should give a chance. It’s intense and it sticks with you. You see inside Tawny’s mind, and you get an understanding as to why she didn’t just leave. The author, Jade Eby, did an excellent job writing this story, and making you understand how this happens and why Tawny stayed. I can’t tell much more without giving away major spoilers. Just know, yes, it’s tragic and gut wrenching, but it’s also thought provoking with a message of surviving.


Ang:

Like my fellow Dirty Girls said it would, this book gutted me. I was in the mood to read something dark that would rip me apart and make me feel all the things. I wanted it even. However, I was completely unprepared for what this book did to me. Trigger warnings, this book contains domestic violence and rape.

The first portion of this bundled series is Whiskey and a Gun from Carter’s POV. At first glance, I felt extreme empathy for teenage Carter. His family has been physically abused by his father his entire life. He’s seen and experienced horrific things. I can’t even begin to imagine what that would be like. He meets Tawny and we see kindred spirits. They both have troubled backgrounds and are completely drawn to each other. I worry for their future because I can sense Carter’s anger underneath the surface with his clenched fists and bursts of outrage. Who will he become? We see quite early on who he will become. At 16% I was ready to DNF. It was so alarming to see inside the thoughts of an abuser. I was shocked and so angry. I didn’t have a single drop of empathy left for Carter. Especially after hearing thoughts like this after seeing his wife’s battered body “… the evidence of my love shows all over her body.”

The second portion is The Finish told from Tawny’s POV. The author does a brilliant job with this dual story. We get a few of the exact scenes from Tawny’s POV and then several other scenes to fill in the holes and provide further details of their tortured relationship. The book spans 10 years in their lives. Reading Tawny’s story did something to me. It made feel sad, distraught, fleetingly hopeful, numb, brutalized, and raw. It’s an amazing gift for an author to make you feel the story so deeply. It startled me when I felt bits of sympathy for Carter as seen through Tawny’s eyes.

Tawny’s thoughts destroyed me. This is a love story so tragic and flawed it will break your heart. Hearing how much she loves him and how she thinks she can change him was torturous. Early on she said, “He’s a broken man that needs me. Needs my love. I know that with enough love, I can fix everything inside of him that aches to be mended.” It’s hard to understand the thought process in an abusive relationship if you haven’t experienced it. This book makes you reevaluate and question things.

So often when hearing about domestic violence society asks, “Why did she stay?” I’m ashamed to admit I have asked this question in the past. Then I realized how extremely ignorant that is. I would never blame a rape victim. Why is it ok to blame a domestic abuse survivor? It’s not. It’s never o.k. I’m lucky in the sense that I haven’t experienced this personally, but I have family members and friends that have been through similar situations and this book hit on a lot of emotions for me. Mainly guilt. What more could I have done to help? One of the themes I picked up from this story is that if you see domestic violence or suspect it, please don’t stop asking questions. Please don’t stop trying to help and to provide a way out. I think too often women and men are left in these situations because other loved ones are exhausted from trying to get them to see the light. Can you imagine how exhausted the abused person must be? It’s unfathomable.

At the end of the day this was a harrowing read, but the writing was so beautiful and made me feel things I didn’t think possible. Any book that can cause all of this emotion and turmoil is worthy of 5 stars. Jade Eby is extremely gifted. I’ll be looking for her books in the future.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have struggled finding a way to write a review for this book or collection since it has Whiskey and a Gun and The Finish. STRUGGLED. I can't find the words for this book. If you need your characters running off into the sunset with a rainbow in the distance then you should move along. This book is far from it. This book is real. It's dirty. It's gritty. It's heartbreaking. It's nauseating at times. But on the other hand it's hopeful. In the end you only want Tawny to be safe. To be happy. To be free. Does she get all those things? Well read it to find out. ;) I don't do spoilers.

Whiskey and a Gun is told from Carter's point of view and you find yourself feeling sorry for him and understanding where he comes from. That for me did not last long. I began to hate him by the time I finished with his side. Then you go into The Finish which is Tawny's side and you have so much hope for them even though you know how they end up. Even though you may already have feelings toward Carter. You still find yourself pulling for them. You understand why Tawny makes the decisions she does. She only wants to be loved and I believe Carter loves her. Maybe too much. Tawny makes you see the good in Carter no matter what he does. But sometimes the bad outweighs the good and it all comes crashing down.

This book is worth the chance. Yes it has triggers in it so if you are sensitive to certain subjects this may not be the book for you but if you are looking for something outside of your comfort zone, something real, then give this book and author a chance.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Proof deals with domestic violence. It's not a pretty, hearts and flowers book.

That feeling. That feeling when you read a book and realise you made the right life choices. People you might know, people I might know didn't.

That feeling when you realise your life could have been so different. That feeling when you are humbled to think you might have been one who did not look, did not see.

I had all those feels.

For every woman who has been belittled, beaten, raped; you deserve so much more. You are so much more. Tawny, like so many women thinks her man can change.

"He's pain and anger wrapped into a man trying to hide it. He's broken and I'm fixing him. He's strong when I'm weak."

You want to shake her and tell her she needs to leave, to save herself from the monster Carter has become.

"How could he possibly understand what it's like to feel this lost all the time.? To feel like there is no such thing as home. There is only a never ending string of somedays. Someday, I'll leave here. Someday, I'll be fine. Someday, I'll be the person I want to be."

This book should be read. Women, girls and men too for that matter suffering from domestic violence should not feel it is their fault. I don't know the answer, I just know this was a painful and emotional read that I am grateful to have read it.

[Candi~Dirty Laundry Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to start by saying, that this book, is heavy. The content. It's brutal. It's in your face. Rip your heart brutal. But, sadly, it's reality. You might of been a Tawny. Or might be now. Or know somebody like her. This book opened up a lot of personal memories for me. It had me crying. Ugly crying. With that being said, I have to say, this probably is one of my new favorite books of all time. In all the books I have read, this was a first of this content. It's a rough book to read, but I am so glad I did.
This book is about 2 teenagers, Carter and Tawny. Who meet in high school. He's the all American good looking popular boy. And she's.....well, she's what they call "from the wrong side of the tracks."
With Tawny, what you see is what you get. You know her life is shit. There's no hiding that. But with Carter, there are things he hides very well. Horrific things. So they form a friendship. Which then turns to more. And we go on a 10 yr journey (nightmare) with them. This book is about pain, suffering, choosing, bravery, gut wrenching sadness. And so many more things that I can't say without giving the book away. Just know this, Jade Eby is a brilliant writer. When an author can actually make you feel...dare I say compassion for the villain... please don't hate me!! But I did. In a few parts I just wanted to climb in and hug the shit out of Carter. Because he was so broken. So damaged. I kept praying he could be fixed. That they will be ok. But, in these situations, they usually never are. And Tawny, dear god Tawny. Some might think she was weak or strong. To me. She is one of the strongest heroines I've read in a long time. So much strength. And courage. When needed. She is my new favorite person.
There will be times when reading, that you need to stop and catch your breath, or hug your partner and tell them you love them and thank them (I did this) because after reading this, it gave me a whole new appreciation for my husband. For giving me a life, to where l never have to worry or be frightened. Thank you Jason. And thank you Miss Eby for writing this amazingly, beautifully brutal book.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 FML STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where Whiskey Meets The Finish

WHISKEY AND A GUN
Very intense, very vicious, very disturbing (and yet beautiful) look into Carter's thoughts and actions.

The first time I hit her hard enough to break a bone, I thought she would leave me. She didn’t. She was too weak.

Reading this was both upsetting and unsettling and yet I couldn't put it down. Being in the head of an abused abuser is just very distressful and fascinating - like watching a train wreck about to happen.

I am not my father. I'm better than my father. I only hit her when she deserves it. My father liked to hit for fun.

THE FINISH
It was very interesting, and thought-provoking, to see everything from Tawny's POV. Seeing and understanding her love for Carter was quite a unique experience.

"Know what else will kill you?"
"That boy."

Of course, Tawny was an enabler and sadly was the one who suffered. In many ways, getting her side, I didn't always feel extreme hatred for Carter in spite of their corrosive relationship.

What horrible sin I've committed to have to pay for Carter's love with my body. I've given him everything. All of me. Heart, body and soul.

This book is no typical HEA and very much not a typical romance but so well written and a very original and rare experience.

[Dusty Summerford (Reviews by Reds) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly Beautiful and Heartbreaking Read!! I loved this story so much!!
You start with Whiskey and a Gun told in Carter's point of view. You meet his abusive family and you start pulling for him right away. When He meets Tawny and falls in love you just know they're gonna make it out of their terrible homes and live happily ever after..... But that doesn't happen.
The Finish is all in Tawny's point of view and you learn a lot more of the story.
I believe every woman should read this story!! We can all relate to Tawny, whether it's emotional or physical abuse!!
Definitely A must read!!

[Denise Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a shocker.

I never expected this book to be about the topic it covers. A very sobering reflection on life and how things get repeated through generations. I've seen it. I always thought someone living through this wouldn't do this, but they do. I don't understand. Very well written. I wish I'd read it 40 years ago.

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Don't forget where you came from and you'll never forget where you deserve to be, pretty girl."

I'm not even sure where to start with this book. It's not really a romance book, but at the same time it had so much love in it, I don't know how it couldn't be a romance. I'm glad I didn't know it wasn't a true romance because I would have shied away from it. I'm a romance-only reader. And how tragic would it have been to miss such a phenomenal book.

There are always books that gloss over the tragedy, we get a paragraph, a page, a conversation, hints at what tragedy occurred. Well in this book we live it. Jade makes you live it. This is that book that makes you understand something that is easily judged and almost un-understandable. She did a brilliant job writing this story. I don't even have words to do her book justice. It was beautiful and I just can't explain what it has made me feel.

"Tawny Owens, I want to take care of you and make all the bad things in your life disappear. I promise we'll never end up like our parents. We'll be so much better than them. Will you marry me?"

So in Dirty Proof we get the novella Whiskey and a Gun, which is Carter's story. Then we get The Finish, which is Tawney's story. I know you can get these books separately but I highly recommend getting them together in Dirty Proof. To read Carter's story it is so sad. It's so brief and we make judgements based on his side of the story. From his POV it is tragic to see him transition from a teenage boy to the man he becomes. It is so sad. Then to turn around and see it from Tawney's view. To go back to when they met and be reminded of how he started, it compounds the sadness.

"... love comes before salvation. Before survival. Before saving ourselves. That's the truth that sits in the pit of myself. I will always choose him over me."

Then we get the full story from Tawney, and that is all I can really call it. The full story. I don't know if Jade did this on purpose or not, but I can't help thinking, "Is that how Carter saw things progressing? Did he not see the events happening earlier?" Because we do not see it earlier in his story. I was blown away when I started reading The Finish.

"Here's the thing — you never know what you're capable of until it's time to prove it to yourself. Until you're in a situation that your brain recognizes as life or death. But was it? Was there any other way this could have ended differently? The answer is lodged in me, put there by every broken bone and bruise I incurred by his hands."

We watch the characters transition from meeting as teenagers and we feel the love and attachement they have to each other, this foundation it was built on. And we watch it progress and grow. I feel horrified by what Tawney went through and I think it is so easy to judge her, but in the end when she was still struggling and missing his love, I understood. In a horrible, scary way, I understood how she could still miss him after everything.

"Living without him, I mean. It's not easy. But every day that he's not in your life gets a fraction easier. Remember how much easier it became to get used to the pain? It's kind of like that. Except reversed."

God, this book makes you think. I love books that make you think. I love this book. Don't miss out on it. It's a beautiful, happy, sad story that shouldn't be missed. This book is one of a kind and I will always love it. It made my heart hurt and made me think. Thank you Jade Eby for a beautiful story. Enjoy readers!

[Briana Pacheco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Proof is Whiskey and a Gun and The Finish combined! I'd one-click this. Both books are AMAZING!

Whiskey and a Gun:

5 stars!

Warning: This book contains some graphic domestic violence scenes. If you can't read about it, I suggest possibly skipping this book.

I don't condone domestic violence. How people can get off on violently hurting others is just wrong. It's sickening actually. I'd never rate a book on that so I just wanted to point that out. My rating is on the writing; the flow of the story. The author wrote this book perfectly. There isn't any other word I can use to describe it.

Whiskey and a Gun was a dark read that pulled at my heart. Carter was abused during his childhood and so was his mom. His whole family was kind of messed up actually. His brothers were psychically abusive just like the father. No child (or anyone) can go through something that wrong and come out 100% fine. Carter was left scarred. Screwed up. Damaged. That's the only way I can think of it.

Tawny was the girl that popped up into his life and throughout the years, you see just how much their relationship changed. She and Carter had this back and forth and I'm pretty sure Tawny enjoyed it to some degree. It only pissed off Carter that much more. Seeing how much he compared to his father was scary. He hated him yet he was becoming something much more evil.

There's some pretty heavy stuff going on in this book so if you're fine with reading books without rainbows and sunshines then you might like this.


The Finish:

5 stars!
An emotional, raw, gut wrenching novel. I loved every minute. The way this story was written, pulled at my heart and I felt for Tawny. Everything she went through with Carter broke me. I read Whiskey and a Gun first because it is the prequel, told in Carter's POV, but you can read either. I would recommend reading The Finish first only because you'll be left speechless.

Beautiful story of survival. Highly recommend.

[Rhonda Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really impressed with the insight into victims of domestic violence in these stories. Jade does an amazing job of portraying the thoughts and feelings of her characters. While this is a hard book to read, it is well written, with an all to real storyline! The bonus content wasn't necessary, but a good addition. It helps understand what was going on with the other characters in the book, and I loved that she included it!

First in "Whiskey and a Gun", Carter tells his story. This story helps understand how a victim can become the abuser. Even though Carter hates what he goes through, he can't seem to control his impulses. Seeing how he feels and regrets who he is creates a understanding and sympathy for him.

Reading Tawny's story in "The Finish", had me crying. You are pulled into Tawny's thoughts and feelings. Again, a real portrayal of a victims life. Tawny has never had an easy life, but she's one strong woman to go through, face, and overcome everything that's thrown at her.

The bonus content gives insight into some of the secondary characters. From the ones who want to help, to the ones who think it's best to stay out of it, their guilt is all to real. Always be there and encourage people to get help in any situation where help is available!

For full reviews, see each individual book please!

[Emerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to say this was a dark read, and for the most part it was, but it didn't totally start out like that. It deals with heavy subject matter, but like most heavy subject matter, things don't start out as heavy. They progress. This was a slow and realistic descent for both Carter (Whiskey and a Gun POV) and Tawny (The Finish POV). I love that you get to see both sides to their story, so this bundle wasn't only worth it, I think it's the only way to go.
Carter and Tawny both come from horrible homes, where violence, substance abuse, and neglect are the tools that have been used to raise them. When they meet, they click because they share a secret bond of broken souls. While their intentions are good, they both hold deep pain, and a troubled story is foreshadowed in the early stages of their relationship. They promise each other they won't let their past determine their future.
Carters POV was dark, confused, and often scary towards the end. Tawny's thoughts in the second book are heart breaking. I truly believe the changes that they go through can often be seen as a natural progression in an abusive relationship, and Eby has captured a story that can be difficult at times to read, but is always thought-provoking and raw.

[Terri M.]

My Review of Whiskey and a Gun
** spoiler alert ** Another great entry from Jade Eby. This short story keeps you reading with a compelling plot told from an unusual point of view. Just a word of warning...it stops short at the end and you'll have to wait till 2014 for a resolution.

My Review of the Finish
The Finish by Jade Eby packs an emotional punch. It is not an easy read. Domestic violence and the motivations of the abused are front and center for over 400 pages. It was hard not to scream at Tawny as I flipped the pages of The Finish while at the same time empathizing with her need to stay, her need to make things right, her need to fix him. We’ve all been in situations like that even if we have not been the victims of domestic violence. And that is what makes The Finish so assessable, so finish-able. There’s something in Tawny’s struggle to find herself amid all the hurt that is a reflection of the reader’s own experiences.

Do not doubt the warning on this book, “For mature audience only.” Jade holds nothing back as she moves through Tawny’s story. If you do start reading, be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions. I’m almost certain that you’ll be in need of some sunshine, unicorns and load of cotton candy when you are finished.

[Tiffany S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book... How do I review it? I know it was different stories put together for this book.

I went in blind, so it wasn't what I expected. What I got was so much more. It's not a love story. It's a story about hope. It's a story about a woman who falls in love and finds herself in an abusive relationship. To give you that hope the author had to break her characters to rock bottom, which brings the reader to the bottom too. Then beautifully, miraculously she builds the heroine back up. She's does it in a realistic way. By the end you are filled with hope.

I enjoyed the jumps in time. Giving you details, but also not bogging you down with too many that could have been very depressing. As it was I needed to walk away from this book and take breaks. I would not pick it back up for days but still be thinking about it constantly.

On a personal level this book touched me. I know women in this situation, and it's so true. And until they feel like it's time there's not much you can do or say to get them out. Just letting them know they have options.

[Megan Tiscareno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Domestic violence is never an easy topic to write about or talk about and I think that Jade Eby tackled it just the way a seasoned writer could. She created complexity in her characters that lended itself to the topic and she really evolved their story from the beginning to the end in just a few pages.

Whiskey and a Gun (part 1 of Dirty Proof) really created complex characters and it did so in a very straight forward way. A lot of authors craft stories around domestic violence and they seem to give the main characters excuses while they are the aggressor or the victim.

In "The Finish" (part 2 of Dirty Proof), you truly appreciate what Tawny went through and you see the other facets of her thoughts, struggles, and demons. You cannot help but want to reach into the book and hug her sometimes and scream at her other times.

While parts of this book are not for the faint of heart, it's a great read.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Finish first, followed by Whiskey and a Gun to get Carter's perspective. This is the reverse of how Jade has released them, but I found it to allow for more suspense and then fill in some blanks. It does deal with some sensitive issues that some people may not be able to read about so please be forewarned. This book had so much emotion and dealt with so many issues that so many people have to live with on a daily basis (addiction, abuse, overcoming personal battles), yet it is somewhat taboo to speak of. There were times I found myself mentally yelling at the book and even got teary-eyed toward the end. The story could have ended so many different ways; Jade does a great job of keeping the reader on their toes and trying to guess what will happen next.

[Dawn Altieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, disturbing and gutwrenching, and so real I couldn't put it down. I'll be reeling from this one for a while, I can't just tell.

After reading the other reviews, there really isn't much to add, except to reiterate what a powerful, emotional read this was. Carter's gradual progression - or maybe unravelling might be a better word - is completely understandable even while being repulsive and heartbreaking. And Tawny's love for him, even after it was all over, resonated deeply for me. Ms. Eby paints both sides of the story with such a fluid realism, I couldn't help but be completely drawn in.

If you're a fan of books that will keep you up all night, even after you're done reading, don't pass this one up.

[Alejandrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for an honest review. This book deserves a 5 star review. It's definitely a dark subject. A story that at times was difficult to read. I liked the structure of the book. We read Carter's story in the first and you definitely feel bad for his home situation. You get glimpses of the way their relationship changes throughout the years. It's not until we get to the finish and we get Tawny's story that we get the full details of the abuse that she endured during the relationship. Having worked at a domestic violence shelter before I have heard this story many times before. The author did a great job at developing the characters and making us even feel bad for the bad guy.

[Tina V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled with this review because I struggled with this book, not the writing though! This book is written great, I think my struggle was with how much I felt while reading this story. I have never been a victim of domestic violence, however, I felt the pain in this story as if it was my own. Gah! I cringed so many times and just hoped that things that did happen wouldn't have. Wow what a story!

[Jennifer Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Proof is a must read for everybody out there, male and female. I think it's a very accurate picture of what happens in a domestic abuse situation. I really like how Jade wrote from both Carter and Tawney's perspectives, not just one or the other. This is a very emotional and eyeopening book.

[Lisa Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love this book ...it a must read this was my first book of the author and love it i want to read more .....I Fell in love with character so easy and i want more of Twany storie ....pick this up you wont regret

[Gen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a book where abuse was so vividly depicted. This was so well written and like all good writers, Ms. Eby even made the villain relatable and someone you could feel sympathy for.