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Phlox Beauty #1
Next to You
A sexy new series from contemporary romance author Julia Gabriel
A scarred and lonely billionaire hiding from his past ...
Jared Connor lost his innocence at the age of ten when his father poured gasoline around the family home and left his two young sons to die in the flames. Now an adult, he's carefully crafted a pretend life where he can hide his scars and his death row father behind the guise of a caretaker's pickup truck and a pair of gardening shears. But when a beautiful woman with scars of her own barges into his quiet, solitary life, Jared finds it increasingly difficult to hide from what he really wants.
A successful young businesswoman ill at ease in her newfound beauty ...
Phlox Miller was never the pretty girl and no magic mascara or secret serum was ever going to change that—not even one manufactured by her own company. When an accident at her country home burns her face and body, she spares no expense on her recovery and plastic surgery. Now she turns heads on the street, but can't recognize herself in the mirror—and can't convince the man she loves that he's beautiful, too.
Can two people see beyond appearances to find true love?
A scarred and lonely billionaire hiding from his past ...
Jared Connor lost his innocence at the age of ten when his father poured gasoline around the family home and left his two young sons to die in the flames. Now an adult, he's carefully crafted a pretend life where he can hide his scars and his death row father behind the guise of a caretaker's pickup truck and a pair of gardening shears. But when a beautiful woman with scars of her own barges into his quiet, solitary life, Jared finds it increasingly difficult to hide from what he really wants.
A successful young businesswoman ill at ease in her newfound beauty ...
Phlox Miller was never the pretty girl and no magic mascara or secret serum was ever going to change that—not even one manufactured by her own company. When an accident at her country home burns her face and body, she spares no expense on her recovery and plastic surgery. Now she turns heads on the street, but can't recognize herself in the mirror—and can't convince the man she loves that he's beautiful, too.
Can two people see beyond appearances to find true love?
288 pages, ebook
First published December 18, 2014
1712 people are currently reading
1364 people want to read
About the author
Julia Gabriel
40 books162 followersJulia Gabriel writes contemporary romance that is smart, sexy, and emotionally-intense (grab the tissues). She lives in New England where she is a full-time mom to a teenager, as well as a sometime writing professor and obsessive quilter (is there any other kind?). If all goes well, she’ll be a Parisienne in her next life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
February 29, 2020
3.5 Looking at Who You Are...What Do You See Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free- Limited Time Free!!!
It is true life gives us wounds and we heal; sometimes easily, other times with scars. These scars we carry can be only visible in the mind's eye or can be horribly graphic on the outside. At some point, we learn to cope with each type... making the results as part of us.
Each of these characters has scars... some in your face, not to be ignored; others, covered and altered to create a perfect vision of loveliness.
But what happens when you look in the mirror and it isn't the face you knew...scars and all. How do you handle it and will it change how you perceive life and others...
This is a tale of "Beauty and The Beast"...but where is the Beast when the Woman proves the only scars we have are those we hold on to...
A touching love story.
A gifted copy was provided by Serf Books via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free- Limited Time Free!!!
It is true life gives us wounds and we heal; sometimes easily, other times with scars. These scars we carry can be only visible in the mind's eye or can be horribly graphic on the outside. At some point, we learn to cope with each type... making the results as part of us.
Each of these characters has scars... some in your face, not to be ignored; others, covered and altered to create a perfect vision of loveliness.
But what happens when you look in the mirror and it isn't the face you knew...scars and all. How do you handle it and will it change how you perceive life and others...
This is a tale of "Beauty and The Beast"...but where is the Beast when the Woman proves the only scars we have are those we hold on to...
A touching love story.
A gifted copy was provided by Serf Books via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
November 21, 2016
I was hooked from the very beginning. The characters were both coming from a history of pain and hurt. They both battled their own self-image and they both were beautifully written.
I loved Jared and Phlox. They were the kind of characters that make you just fall in love with them. There were difficulties, but there was so much heart in each one. Jared, kind gentle and loving all the while running. Phlox, afraid, wounded and ready for something real in her life.
The story felt real and alive and I was captured by their stories. I liked the side characters too.I liked that Jared made little funny names for her assistant. That made me laugh. Written with humor and sexy scenes, but not anything that made me blush or cringe. It was a lovely story with a lot of heart.
I loved Jared and Phlox. They were the kind of characters that make you just fall in love with them. There were difficulties, but there was so much heart in each one. Jared, kind gentle and loving all the while running. Phlox, afraid, wounded and ready for something real in her life.
The story felt real and alive and I was captured by their stories. I liked the side characters too.I liked that Jared made little funny names for her assistant. That made me laugh. Written with humor and sexy scenes, but not anything that made me blush or cringe. It was a lovely story with a lot of heart.
June 22, 2022
Didn't finish after page 21. I was very excited when I started reading this book because I was so happy that Jared wasn't going to be the standard romance male character by being the 'most handsome, sexy, perfect, amazing, etc. male model' types, as is extraordinarily typical in many romance novels. I was excited that he was going to be real and obviously troubled and imperfect. But my high hopes were destroyed after reading only a few more chapters. I just don’t like the dual point of view writing where both characters monologue the exact same thing. In this case it’s that they both are obsessed with each other sexually immediately after meeting. It gets repetitive to hear them talk about how bad they want the other constantly. In their circumstances it’s the perfect set up for a slow burn romance where you don’t know what to expect. But the author doesn’t really take advantage of this. Instead we know the outcome because everything is layed out on the table for us in the first few pages. But anyways, insta love just isn’t my thing. I like variety and the unexpected in regards to the falling in love part.
October 12, 2021
Had this on my tbr shelf for so long, finally got to it with much glee…only to be disappointed…
June 3, 2023
A very nice read. Two emotionally and physically scarred characters trying to navigate a cruel world and enjoy the deep love they've found with each other.
The book was well written, a little repetitive in spots, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. Loved the duel POV.
Looking forward to reading Book #2 in this series.
The book was well written, a little repetitive in spots, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. Loved the duel POV.
Looking forward to reading Book #2 in this series.
April 22, 2019
A story about two strangers, each burned by a fire at different times in their lives & how they cope with the aftermath. Jared was burned as a child while carrying his younger brother to safety during a house fire. There is more to know about his family & how the fire started as you get further into the book. He works in Connecticut managing a country estate, working the grounds while living in a cottage on site. Half of his face is burned as well as half of his body. At 31, he is tired of & yet still fearful of the looks of horror he receives when in contact with people. A handsome man if being observed only by one side of his face, but many only see the damaged part so he prefers to live a solitary life. Tending to the grounds & household maintenance jobs keeps him fit & happy. Whenever he ventures to town to run errands he is never without his baseball cap tugged down low, his eyes cast down.
Phlox (a very unusual name) is co-owner & business partner with friend Zee of Phlox Beauty, a cosmetics & skin treatment company. Millionaires many times over, both are still very kind, thoughtful & down to earth people. A year ago, here at her country home in Connecticut, Phlox was experimenting in her kitchen trying to concoct a new product when a stock pot of wax & oil exploded in her face. After a year of multiple surgeries & still fearful of the country home kitchen, she is here to rest & face her demons...& the gas stove. Upon arrival she can barely stand in the kitchen without shaking but is determined to overcome her fears.
An interesting story about how two people connect through a Connecticut country estate, their health issues, their fears & how meeting the right person can change ones views. Attraction, love & encouragement embraces these two characters with hopes that in the end they will have the partner & life they have so often dreamed for. I liked the characters & the story but there was something missing that rendered only the three stars & I can't even say what that is. It's just my feeling. A stand-alone with a HEA & a nice read.
Phlox (a very unusual name) is co-owner & business partner with friend Zee of Phlox Beauty, a cosmetics & skin treatment company. Millionaires many times over, both are still very kind, thoughtful & down to earth people. A year ago, here at her country home in Connecticut, Phlox was experimenting in her kitchen trying to concoct a new product when a stock pot of wax & oil exploded in her face. After a year of multiple surgeries & still fearful of the country home kitchen, she is here to rest & face her demons...& the gas stove. Upon arrival she can barely stand in the kitchen without shaking but is determined to overcome her fears.
An interesting story about how two people connect through a Connecticut country estate, their health issues, their fears & how meeting the right person can change ones views. Attraction, love & encouragement embraces these two characters with hopes that in the end they will have the partner & life they have so often dreamed for. I liked the characters & the story but there was something missing that rendered only the three stars & I can't even say what that is. It's just my feeling. A stand-alone with a HEA & a nice read.
March 12, 2019
There was a lot going for this book - two scarred and mentally damaged adults, a father who was a murderer, someone trying to sabotage a companies reputation - but somehow it never really delivered on its initial promise.
The navel-gazing went on and on and on and on..... long internal monologues about how he/she couldn't be 'loveable' due to their scars, until in the end I wanted to slap both of them. Some moments were pretty unbelievable - she had over 30 surgeries in a year, and most of them skin grafts? That works out at one every couple of weeks. I don't know much about plastic surgery, but I'm betting the recovery time is a lot longer than that. And there was NO reason whatsoever, that Jared couldn't have have surgery on his scars.
The insta-lust was okay, but then we had the first sex scene and I began to wonder if this was going to be one se scene after another, because, to be honest, once you've read one super-dooper-sex scene between a couple complete with orgasms, the next sex scene is going to be pretty much the same, etc. The author did try to 'spice things up" towards the end with what I thought was going to be some pretty weird BDSM, but that turned out to be something else and again, it was unnecessary to the story and somewhat peculiar in that situation.
What made me laugh though was this moment:
Then the heat of his body was on her again and he entered her, pushing deep. her breath caught at the feel of him inside her, filling her up, every inch.
"Am I big enough?' he asked, stroking long and slow. "Am I bigger than David Cook?"
WTF!!! He is having sex and RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE he asks her THAT!!!!! What an idiot!
The real problem with this story is that the actual plot was never really developed. Nothing was developed beyond a few vague comments. I wanted much more depth to this story. It had real potential to be gripping and emotional and brutal, but it wimped out, a bit like the characters.
I hated the way Phlox called her breasts her 'rack'. That is so inelegant and crude. Call them breasts or boobs or breasticles. Anything but 'rack' which is demeaning and unpleasant and used by men who have little respect for women.
And finally. 'Phlox' is an utterly ridiculous name for a woman, especially if readers are unused to it and don't know how to pronounce it. (its pronounced 'Flocks' here in the UK)
The navel-gazing went on and on and on and on..... long internal monologues about how he/she couldn't be 'loveable' due to their scars, until in the end I wanted to slap both of them. Some moments were pretty unbelievable - she had over 30 surgeries in a year, and most of them skin grafts? That works out at one every couple of weeks. I don't know much about plastic surgery, but I'm betting the recovery time is a lot longer than that. And there was NO reason whatsoever, that Jared couldn't have have surgery on his scars.
The insta-lust was okay, but then we had the first sex scene and I began to wonder if this was going to be one se scene after another, because, to be honest, once you've read one super-dooper-sex scene between a couple complete with orgasms, the next sex scene is going to be pretty much the same, etc. The author did try to 'spice things up" towards the end with what I thought was going to be some pretty weird BDSM, but that turned out to be something else and again, it was unnecessary to the story and somewhat peculiar in that situation.
What made me laugh though was this moment:
Then the heat of his body was on her again and he entered her, pushing deep. her breath caught at the feel of him inside her, filling her up, every inch.
"Am I big enough?' he asked, stroking long and slow. "Am I bigger than David Cook?"
WTF!!! He is having sex and RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE he asks her THAT!!!!! What an idiot!
The real problem with this story is that the actual plot was never really developed. Nothing was developed beyond a few vague comments. I wanted much more depth to this story. It had real potential to be gripping and emotional and brutal, but it wimped out, a bit like the characters.
I hated the way Phlox called her breasts her 'rack'. That is so inelegant and crude. Call them breasts or boobs or breasticles. Anything but 'rack' which is demeaning and unpleasant and used by men who have little respect for women.
And finally. 'Phlox' is an utterly ridiculous name for a woman, especially if readers are unused to it and don't know how to pronounce it. (its pronounced 'Flocks' here in the UK)
July 17, 2022
This was originally published in 2014, but is one I reread every so often. The main characters both have traumatic accidents that have changed the way they are dealing with life. The story details the finding of a new normal for both of them with some twists and turns. This was an emotional read and the character development keeps you turning the pages. Predictable but heart warming and the way it is written has you really invested in the characters. Steamy scenes keep it spicy as well.
March 17, 2019
As a general rule any book that is about a billionaire is already behind the 8 ball in winning me over. But what appealed to me about this novel was that the story didn't revolve around Jared's socioeconomic status but the story of his scars and how they have affected his life.
Sure, this book was predictable, but it was enjoyable. I had to admit I did cheer a little when I read Phlox as the name of the lead character. It's an unusual name and happens to be the name of one of my pets. But to then find out her best friend was Zelda I was in hysterics - the name of another of my pets!
A solid 3/5
Sure, this book was predictable, but it was enjoyable. I had to admit I did cheer a little when I read Phlox as the name of the lead character. It's an unusual name and happens to be the name of one of my pets. But to then find out her best friend was Zelda I was in hysterics - the name of another of my pets!
A solid 3/5
February 23, 2019
Loved everything about this engaging story.
September 21, 2024
A very sweet romance, with unusual plot points that added an interesting take on the roadblocks that couples in romance novels have to overcome.
March 4, 2019
Interesting story, but not necessarily well constructed. Early on I actually checked to see if the author was male or female because I was surprised by so many references to the female character's 'rack'. Just some off-putting things in an otherwise good story.
January 20, 2015
I loved this book from the very beginning. This is a story about acceptance, love, and acceptance all over again.
Jared was a man who thought nobody would ever love him because of the scars he'd sustained from a house fire his father had set and he and his brother had narrowly escaped when they were children. His brother, Jake, came out okay but Jared wasn't so lucky but he had saved his brother. Consequently, Jared's life had been hard. He was very successful in the business world but his personal life left a lot to be desired. He knew people shied away from him and tried not to look at him and nobody seemed to be able to look past the scars and see him for who he was. That's why he took on the job of caretaker. There was nobody around and he could be alone.
Then along came Phlox. Such an unusual name that I have to say I really didn't care for but it didn't stop me from liking her. (Yes, sometimes a name on a character will determine whether or not I like them. Sorry.) But she was really sweet to him and treated him like he deserved to be treated. She treated him like a man and never once did she say anything like, "You should get those scars taken care of. I did and my life is much better". She never even insinuated it. She wasn't just okay with how he looked. She told him on several occasions that he was beautiful to her. It made him feel like he was okay. She really put herself out there to show him that.
These two understood each other in a way a lot of people never would. She, being a victim of an accident, had a new face that didn't resemble the old one at all. People who knew her before didn't recognize her because of the new face. People saw Jared as a freak or some sort of monster and didn't want anything to do with him. They understood each other on a different level. Neither was comfortable with themselves and it took the other to make them realize that they were okay.
The ending was predictable but I couldn't imagine it happening any other way. I loved it.
Jared was a man who thought nobody would ever love him because of the scars he'd sustained from a house fire his father had set and he and his brother had narrowly escaped when they were children. His brother, Jake, came out okay but Jared wasn't so lucky but he had saved his brother. Consequently, Jared's life had been hard. He was very successful in the business world but his personal life left a lot to be desired. He knew people shied away from him and tried not to look at him and nobody seemed to be able to look past the scars and see him for who he was. That's why he took on the job of caretaker. There was nobody around and he could be alone.
Then along came Phlox. Such an unusual name that I have to say I really didn't care for but it didn't stop me from liking her. (Yes, sometimes a name on a character will determine whether or not I like them. Sorry.) But she was really sweet to him and treated him like he deserved to be treated. She treated him like a man and never once did she say anything like, "You should get those scars taken care of. I did and my life is much better". She never even insinuated it. She wasn't just okay with how he looked. She told him on several occasions that he was beautiful to her. It made him feel like he was okay. She really put herself out there to show him that.
These two understood each other in a way a lot of people never would. She, being a victim of an accident, had a new face that didn't resemble the old one at all. People who knew her before didn't recognize her because of the new face. People saw Jared as a freak or some sort of monster and didn't want anything to do with him. They understood each other on a different level. Neither was comfortable with themselves and it took the other to make them realize that they were okay.
The ending was predictable but I couldn't imagine it happening any other way. I loved it.
July 4, 2020
Really enjoyed this story.
It was different and realistic, heartwarming and enticing.
Jared is a caretaker with a past. To say the least.
He is hiding from his life. From people. He is so focused on himself that he sometimes misses what is right in front of him.
HIs current position is at the getaway home of Phlox. She is a powerhouse makeup chemist. Owning a thriving business with her best friend. Phlox has scars of her own. Inside and out.
She goes to her getaway home to relax and recover and try to shed some demons. In the process Jared has to come to her rescue.
The attraction between them is so strong. She thinks she is in love with a caretaker who holds lots of knowledge of the business world for some odd reason.
He is hesitant to tell her who he really is after time passes.
The struggles they both face separate and together are a powerful read.
It was different and realistic, heartwarming and enticing.
Jared is a caretaker with a past. To say the least.
He is hiding from his life. From people. He is so focused on himself that he sometimes misses what is right in front of him.
HIs current position is at the getaway home of Phlox. She is a powerhouse makeup chemist. Owning a thriving business with her best friend. Phlox has scars of her own. Inside and out.
She goes to her getaway home to relax and recover and try to shed some demons. In the process Jared has to come to her rescue.
The attraction between them is so strong. She thinks she is in love with a caretaker who holds lots of knowledge of the business world for some odd reason.
He is hesitant to tell her who he really is after time passes.
The struggles they both face separate and together are a powerful read.
October 25, 2015
Thank you Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review!
Next To You follows the unlikely story of Phlox and Jared. Phlox is the co-owner of a huge cosmetics company. But after she suffers a horrible accident, she stayed more behind the scenes. When she decides to leave New York for a two week get away at her home in Connecticut, she wasn't expecting to fall for the equally damaged caretaker. Jared has been keeping up with things on Phlox's home. Like Phlox, Jared also suffered a horrible accident, leaving much of his body badly scarred. So Jared isn't expecting the seemingly perfect Phlox to fall for him, nor for him to fall for her. But he's keeping a huge secret from him. Will it be too much for her?
This was such a good read. It surprised me a little. I could not put it down and I read it all in one sitting. I absolutely fell in love with the characters! Phlox was not your average female lead for a romance novel. She was very confident and intelligent and I loved that about her despite all that she went through. Jared's character was wonderful as well and boy was he a perfect book boyfriend. I loved their relationship and chemistry they had considering all of their scars, physical and emotional ones. I loved the storyline and how it played it. The book was very well written and I would love to read more from this author! I would highly recommend!
Next To You follows the unlikely story of Phlox and Jared. Phlox is the co-owner of a huge cosmetics company. But after she suffers a horrible accident, she stayed more behind the scenes. When she decides to leave New York for a two week get away at her home in Connecticut, she wasn't expecting to fall for the equally damaged caretaker. Jared has been keeping up with things on Phlox's home. Like Phlox, Jared also suffered a horrible accident, leaving much of his body badly scarred. So Jared isn't expecting the seemingly perfect Phlox to fall for him, nor for him to fall for her. But he's keeping a huge secret from him. Will it be too much for her?
This was such a good read. It surprised me a little. I could not put it down and I read it all in one sitting. I absolutely fell in love with the characters! Phlox was not your average female lead for a romance novel. She was very confident and intelligent and I loved that about her despite all that she went through. Jared's character was wonderful as well and boy was he a perfect book boyfriend. I loved their relationship and chemistry they had considering all of their scars, physical and emotional ones. I loved the storyline and how it played it. The book was very well written and I would love to read more from this author! I would highly recommend!
January 6, 2015
This book is about two burn victims who find each other and fall in love. One has had plastic surgery and the other hasn't. Both are billionaires. Rather than just get together, the man angsts over his past and his face affecting the woman's business. White people problems, you know? They're both amazing, but they can't be together because it might look bad to the press. Sheesh.
While the book is well-written and the heroine well-characterized (not to mention many lively secondary characters), the sheer ridiculousness of the cause of tension between them caused me to downcheck this book. I admire the world building and the depth of the heroine's business, but the hero... just, no.
I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While the book is well-written and the heroine well-characterized (not to mention many lively secondary characters), the sheer ridiculousness of the cause of tension between them caused me to downcheck this book. I admire the world building and the depth of the heroine's business, but the hero... just, no.
I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2019
Next to you
Public Miller goes to her vacation house in Connecticut to banish her demons from an accident in her kitchen that burned her so bad she had to have 32 surgeries to fix the damage. Leaving her with a new face she hasn't gotten comfortable with yet. Jared Conner is a billionaire hiding from the public being a caretaker at different houses. He is currently working at Phlox's vacation house. Phlox has panic attack when she tries to turn on her cook top, running out the door and off the porch landing on her knees. Jared sees her and comes to her aide carrying her back into the kitchen and fixes up her knees. This story really gets into how people treat you when you look different. Very emotional and thought provoking. I would definitely recommend this book.
Public Miller goes to her vacation house in Connecticut to banish her demons from an accident in her kitchen that burned her so bad she had to have 32 surgeries to fix the damage. Leaving her with a new face she hasn't gotten comfortable with yet. Jared Conner is a billionaire hiding from the public being a caretaker at different houses. He is currently working at Phlox's vacation house. Phlox has panic attack when she tries to turn on her cook top, running out the door and off the porch landing on her knees. Jared sees her and comes to her aide carrying her back into the kitchen and fixes up her knees. This story really gets into how people treat you when you look different. Very emotional and thought provoking. I would definitely recommend this book.
February 27, 2019
An interesting premise, but not well presented.
Lust can develop instantly, but dwelling on it almost from the beginning is uninteresting.
Editing could also have been better - there were a couple of glaring mistakes.
A lot of repetition with certain facts.
January 23, 2017
I enjoyed this until the end when it got so bloody repetitive I couldn't stand it anymore and felt relieved to get to the end of the book.
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January 13, 2020
I found this book for free on Amazon via Freebooksy; this is my honest review.
-This book is around 285 pages and could easily have been 200-225. Some information about the h/H are repeated twice, sometime thrice. At that time, it's no longer interesting. One star off.
-Phlox was burned by her own stupidity - her words not mine - and she chose to have cosmetic surgery to help her out.
-Jared, on the other hand, was burned by someone else's bad intentions. He hates his face when he looks in the mirror, not because of the scars but because he looks like his father, the murderer. He became a loner because people are afraid of his scars. He's a billionaire and doesn't do anything about his face. I didn't get that. It would have made him start over, clean and unknown. One star off.
-Profoundly emotional, lots of lust, many good moments, a bit too much drama to my taste.
-At the end you kind of wonder who's the beast? who's the beauty?
-A good read all in all but only if you start skipping pages.
-This book is around 285 pages and could easily have been 200-225. Some information about the h/H are repeated twice, sometime thrice. At that time, it's no longer interesting. One star off.
-Phlox was burned by her own stupidity - her words not mine - and she chose to have cosmetic surgery to help her out.
-Jared, on the other hand, was burned by someone else's bad intentions. He hates his face when he looks in the mirror, not because of the scars but because he looks like his father, the murderer. He became a loner because people are afraid of his scars. He's a billionaire and doesn't do anything about his face. I didn't get that. It would have made him start over, clean and unknown. One star off.
-Profoundly emotional, lots of lust, many good moments, a bit too much drama to my taste.
-At the end you kind of wonder who's the beast? who's the beauty?
-A good read all in all but only if you start skipping pages.
June 26, 2020
When Phlox (really?) returns to her retreat in Connecticut where a year ago she was badly burnt whilst doing some experiments, she doesn't know that her elusive and newly hire Caretaker is in reality Jared, billionaire, and recluse. Jared, whose face and body are marked by burn scars caused by a fire laid by his own father, thinks the caretaker job is just the right thing to pass the time and stay hidden - until Phlox turns his life upside down.
I think the story was written with a lot of compassion, giving us very likeable protagonists who have their own demons to fight and hopefully conquer, as well as - to an extent - each other. It's also a lesson of looking beyond the surface and look at who someone really is inside. While Jared comes over, at least to me, as a bit weak initially, once you learn what happened in the past and how he had to deal, I was a bit more understanding.
Well written, good protagonists, a bit of humour thrown in and a good plot - mix and get a book which you are reluctant to put down for any reason.
I think the story was written with a lot of compassion, giving us very likeable protagonists who have their own demons to fight and hopefully conquer, as well as - to an extent - each other. It's also a lesson of looking beyond the surface and look at who someone really is inside. While Jared comes over, at least to me, as a bit weak initially, once you learn what happened in the past and how he had to deal, I was a bit more understanding.
Well written, good protagonists, a bit of humour thrown in and a good plot - mix and get a book which you are reluctant to put down for any reason.
April 14, 2017
I was given a gifted copy by Story Cartel.
Jared has suffered a big trauma when he was ten years old and now that he is an adult he still suffers from it and he doesn’t trust anybody.
Phlox doesn’t recognize her face when she looks at her reflection in the mirror. She needs to move on but it is not easy.
This is a good example of “Never judge a book by its cover”. Two scarred people where the scars are deeper than the ones on the skin. Two people who have suffered by people’s rejection. The book is about Jared and Phlox battles against their nightmares. When they meet they feel attracted to each other, first because they have lived through similar situations but later becomes something else, something powerful and worth to give it a try.
A very touching story, about love and protection but also about pain and regret. I like how the author describes the feelings of Jared and Phlox.
Jared has suffered a big trauma when he was ten years old and now that he is an adult he still suffers from it and he doesn’t trust anybody.
Phlox doesn’t recognize her face when she looks at her reflection in the mirror. She needs to move on but it is not easy.
This is a good example of “Never judge a book by its cover”. Two scarred people where the scars are deeper than the ones on the skin. Two people who have suffered by people’s rejection. The book is about Jared and Phlox battles against their nightmares. When they meet they feel attracted to each other, first because they have lived through similar situations but later becomes something else, something powerful and worth to give it a try.
A very touching story, about love and protection but also about pain and regret. I like how the author describes the feelings of Jared and Phlox.
March 1, 2019
A great read
This is a really great story about love, acceptance and looking beyond the surface.
Phlox is the owner of a beauty company, scarred physically and mentally. The physical can be repaired with surgery, the mental scars she has to work on herself.
Jared is hiding himself away as a caretaker for an empty property. His physical and mental scars are brutal and he spends his days tucked away from the world - until the owner arrives looking to soothe her soul and rebuild her life.
The underlying story, about beauty being more than what’s on the surface, is a breathtaking one. The way that Phlox and Jared help each other to heal is beautiful. And the way they deal with prejudice from the outside world is inspiring. The author has really done the story justice. A great tale well told.
This is a really great story about love, acceptance and looking beyond the surface.
Phlox is the owner of a beauty company, scarred physically and mentally. The physical can be repaired with surgery, the mental scars she has to work on herself.
Jared is hiding himself away as a caretaker for an empty property. His physical and mental scars are brutal and he spends his days tucked away from the world - until the owner arrives looking to soothe her soul and rebuild her life.
The underlying story, about beauty being more than what’s on the surface, is a breathtaking one. The way that Phlox and Jared help each other to heal is beautiful. And the way they deal with prejudice from the outside world is inspiring. The author has really done the story justice. A great tale well told.
March 4, 2019
Phlox Miller was average looking, but a great chemist when she co-founded her beauty empire. When she was badly burned experimenting on a new product at her CT home, she spend a year and 32 surgeries being put back together - into someone she doesn't even recognize when she looks in the mirror. Jared Connor was also badly burned as a child - when his father murdered his mother and tried to burn Jared and his brother. Jared got his brother out, but with severe facial burns. Now a reclusive billionaire after selling his tech company, he's the caretaker at Phlox's CT home. When she returns to face down the demons of the stove, the two feel a mutual attraction. That's complicated by her not knowing who he really is, and her partner's boyfriend sabotaging their company. It all works out and there's a HEA. Fun story, several bedroom scenes.
May 27, 2020
Very good
This story is about accepting who you are scars and all imperfections in all. I loved this story. About a reclusive billionaire who worked as a caretaker to avoid public outings and celebrity status. And the life of horrific events that unfolded upon him as a child due to his father. Jared has an uphill battle against his own misconceptions (although not far off from how cruel the world could be to those who’s re different or scarred). Phlox having survived similar burns went through countless procedures and healing to be this new person. Who she is not sure if she can accept. Their relationship has its ups and downs but their love is transcendent. And definitely more than skin deep.
This story is about accepting who you are scars and all imperfections in all. I loved this story. About a reclusive billionaire who worked as a caretaker to avoid public outings and celebrity status. And the life of horrific events that unfolded upon him as a child due to his father. Jared has an uphill battle against his own misconceptions (although not far off from how cruel the world could be to those who’s re different or scarred). Phlox having survived similar burns went through countless procedures and healing to be this new person. Who she is not sure if she can accept. Their relationship has its ups and downs but their love is transcendent. And definitely more than skin deep.
September 12, 2020
Jared and Phlox both suffered and still suffering emotionally because of their burned scar. Phlox caused by explosion while experimenting for her beauty product and Jared because of his father trying to murder his whole family. Phlox underwent multiple surgeries since she had money but Jared who also had money, why did his Aunt & Uncle not prevent permanent scarring, I'm sure burned doctors had suggestions. and they had money, too. As Jared grew older and had made himself a billionaire, why did he not resort to plastic surgery instead being a recluse and suffered from ridicule and scare people?
Finally, the ending made me happy when they ended being married.
Finally, the ending made me happy when they ended being married.
March 3, 2019
I couldn’t wait until I finished it
This story droned on and on. It was so repetitive to the point of the author repeating Jared’s Last name. This book needs editing and what annoyed to no end was that the author felt the need to explain alot of her sentences. When it was completely unnecessary. I did not feel chemistry but definitely lust. I could not relate to Phlox and Jared. The female protagonist in this story,lord her name just bothered me so much that in my head I kept saying Felix but it’s pronounced like “flaaks ”. Yes I googled it that’s how much it bothered me.
This story droned on and on. It was so repetitive to the point of the author repeating Jared’s Last name. This book needs editing and what annoyed to no end was that the author felt the need to explain alot of her sentences. When it was completely unnecessary. I did not feel chemistry but definitely lust. I could not relate to Phlox and Jared. The female protagonist in this story,lord her name just bothered me so much that in my head I kept saying Felix but it’s pronounced like “flaaks ”. Yes I googled it that’s how much it bothered me.
March 20, 2019
I give this 4 out of 5 stars! This book is really beautiful. It shows you that even if you have scars, it doesn't stop the fact that you are still beautiful. I love Jared, because he's a proof that men has emotions too. That men also needs understanding. I love the characters because when I just started reading this you can already see their chemistry. The storyline is a little fast but over-all it's great. This is so interesting to read!
March 22, 2019
Good storyline
I chose this rating because although it has a good storyline the amount and pages of details of the two main characters sexual encounters detracted from the plot of the book. Unless the sex scenes are what you want to be known for, remember, sometimes less is more and a little goes a long way. I cannot take an author seriously if that's the main thing they have to offer. I don't mind simple books but this just didnt cut it at all for me.
I chose this rating because although it has a good storyline the amount and pages of details of the two main characters sexual encounters detracted from the plot of the book. Unless the sex scenes are what you want to be known for, remember, sometimes less is more and a little goes a long way. I cannot take an author seriously if that's the main thing they have to offer. I don't mind simple books but this just didnt cut it at all for me.
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