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Damage: A New Adult romance
What happens when a girl who's scared of being discarded meets a man scared that he won't be able to discard her?
Holly's family has lost almost everything and now she's left holding what remains together: a rebellious sister, a grieving father who won't admit anything is wrong, bills and debts Holly can barely keep on top of with her assorted part-time jobs... Juggling her responsibilities with college and an ex-boyfriend who wants to be more, life for Holly is anything but easy.
The mysterious new owner of the Hall would appear to have everything, but his dark, brooding presence suggests otherwise and rumors abound. Why would a man so wealthy shut himself away like that? How can a man who has everything already have lost even more?
And can love ever emerge from such damaged beginnings?
A passionate and intensely moving New Adult romance full of the twists and turns familiar to readers of PJ Adams' work, including the bestsellers Winner Takes All and Black Widow.
Holly's family has lost almost everything and now she's left holding what remains together: a rebellious sister, a grieving father who won't admit anything is wrong, bills and debts Holly can barely keep on top of with her assorted part-time jobs... Juggling her responsibilities with college and an ex-boyfriend who wants to be more, life for Holly is anything but easy.
The mysterious new owner of the Hall would appear to have everything, but his dark, brooding presence suggests otherwise and rumors abound. Why would a man so wealthy shut himself away like that? How can a man who has everything already have lost even more?
And can love ever emerge from such damaged beginnings?
A passionate and intensely moving New Adult romance full of the twists and turns familiar to readers of PJ Adams' work, including the bestsellers Winner Takes All and Black Widow.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2015
10 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Adams
37 books84 followersWriting under other names, P.J. Adams is a successful novelist, with several novels published by major publishing houses and optioned for movies. As P.J. Adams, she writes in the genre closest to her heart, erotic romance - love stories with that added heat.
Working as Polly J Adams, she writes best-selling erotica, relationship stories crammed full of explicit sex. Among Polly's most popular stories are the Knee-tremblers and Indulgence series about a young woman's relationship with the wealthy owner of a New England sex club.
Find Polly at: www.pollyjadams.com
This author also writes under the name Polly J. Adams.
Working as Polly J Adams, she writes best-selling erotica, relationship stories crammed full of explicit sex. Among Polly's most popular stories are the Knee-tremblers and Indulgence series about a young woman's relationship with the wealthy owner of a New England sex club.
Find Polly at: www.pollyjadams.com
This author also writes under the name Polly J. Adams.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 7, 2015
Holly is trying to go to college and keep bills paid. Her cousin calls with a job offer and she takes it up the hill for Mr. Nicolas Blunt. He is a mystery that everyone talks about. When Holly arrives, the manor is trashed. But she soon finds she is only cleaning his private area and not the "party"area. He is very blunt and bitter. While she is cleaning, she is starting to dislike him more and more. When she reaches his bedroom, it gets worse.
Nicolas has actually requested for Holly by name to come to the manor to clean. He is taken by her. But due to his wife's death the year before, he is feeling guilty. But he continues to be an ass to Holly until he kisses and dismisses her.
She fights him and they continue to fight which only added to the passion they add to it. But she knows he has a past with throwing women away.
And she is worried about trying to compete with his dead wife. Can she ever have him to herself or will she be broken from everything she always gives of herself.
Amazing story.
Nicolas has actually requested for Holly by name to come to the manor to clean. He is taken by her. But due to his wife's death the year before, he is feeling guilty. But he continues to be an ass to Holly until he kisses and dismisses her.
She fights him and they continue to fight which only added to the passion they add to it. But she knows he has a past with throwing women away.
And she is worried about trying to compete with his dead wife. Can she ever have him to herself or will she be broken from everything she always gives of herself.
Amazing story.
January 10, 2015
I loved this story.
This story is about a young woman named Holly who lives with her father. Holly goes to college but also works a few different jobs just to make ends meet. For one of the jobs she gets hired to clean for Nicholas Blunt, the owner of the Estate.
Nicholas is a 32 year old widower who has shut himself off after the death of his wife in a car accident. Nicholas throws these lavish parties where he normally finds a 'tart' to hook up with.
When Holly and Nicholas meet they feel some type of connection but Holly doesn't plan on being another one of his 'tarts' and Nicholas doesn't know how to deal with the feelings that Holly stirs up.
This story is about how to overcome the damage that life inflicts on a person and the characters are written in a way that you feel their pain and confusion as they try to rise above their pasts.
This story is about a young woman named Holly who lives with her father. Holly goes to college but also works a few different jobs just to make ends meet. For one of the jobs she gets hired to clean for Nicholas Blunt, the owner of the Estate.
Nicholas is a 32 year old widower who has shut himself off after the death of his wife in a car accident. Nicholas throws these lavish parties where he normally finds a 'tart' to hook up with.
When Holly and Nicholas meet they feel some type of connection but Holly doesn't plan on being another one of his 'tarts' and Nicholas doesn't know how to deal with the feelings that Holly stirs up.
This story is about how to overcome the damage that life inflicts on a person and the characters are written in a way that you feel their pain and confusion as they try to rise above their pasts.
January 30, 2015
Just made it to 38%
There has to be a point in the book where the reader comes invested in the read enough to want to finish or interest in what might happen, and if that point doesn't come by 38% I believe it's safe to say......this book was going nowhere fast all in a round about way.
The characters were just uninteresting. The plot just stalled. The writing was flat. The whole 38% experience of this book I just felt detached. Nothing in all that time made me want to continue or even care what might happen next or how it would turn out. Just making it to 38% was a struggle because I constantly found reasons to lay down my kindle and find something else to do. I cleaned two bathrooms, made a shopping list, and made out lesson plans for the week after next. Surely this will help understand why I only made it to 38% and very generously granted one star.
There has to be a point in the book where the reader comes invested in the read enough to want to finish or interest in what might happen, and if that point doesn't come by 38% I believe it's safe to say......this book was going nowhere fast all in a round about way.
The characters were just uninteresting. The plot just stalled. The writing was flat. The whole 38% experience of this book I just felt detached. Nothing in all that time made me want to continue or even care what might happen next or how it would turn out. Just making it to 38% was a struggle because I constantly found reasons to lay down my kindle and find something else to do. I cleaned two bathrooms, made a shopping list, and made out lesson plans for the week after next. Surely this will help understand why I only made it to 38% and very generously granted one star.
August 9, 2016
Holly's family has lost almost everything and now she's left holding what remains together: a rebellious sister, a grieving father who won't admit anything is wrong, bills and debts Holly can barely keep on top of with her assorted part-time jobs...
The mysterious new owner of the Hall would appear to have everything, but his dark, brooding presence suggests otherwise and rumors abound. Why would a man so wealthy shut himself away like that? How can a man who has everything already have lost even more?
This felt like reading an “old school” harlequin romance..... there are a lot of throbbing shafts or manhood, and sounds like "animal cry".
The mysterious new owner of the Hall would appear to have everything, but his dark, brooding presence suggests otherwise and rumors abound. Why would a man so wealthy shut himself away like that? How can a man who has everything already have lost even more?
This felt like reading an “old school” harlequin romance..... there are a lot of throbbing shafts or manhood, and sounds like "animal cry".
January 7, 2015
Awe! I just have to say that I absolutely loved this book! How could you not fall in love with Nicholas and Holly? Once again PJ Adams pulls you in with the intrigue and heat and these two couldn't be any hotter!
February 7, 2015
A bittersweet story about overcoming the damage caused by life and, in particular, external events.
The storyline is strong, the main characters are easy to like and the writing is excellent....I read this in one sitting as I just had to find out what happened next!
The storyline is strong, the main characters are easy to like and the writing is excellent....I read this in one sitting as I just had to find out what happened next!
dnf
May 5, 2020God, the H is such a blabber.
It was such a turn off.
It was such a turn off.
January 11, 2015
I was gifted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Holly is just trying to make it day by day. Responsibility is her middle name. She does everything she can to help everyone and keep her family going but forgets about herself. To that end she is constantly doing odd jobs around her small town to make sure that the bills are paid and her father is taken care of. When she is contracted to clean for Nicholas Blunt, the new owner of the Hall she is shocked at her reaction to the man. He is like no one she has ever met before. Although only in his thirties he is eccentric. His moods constantly spiral out of control and although her first reaction to him is that he is a major ass there is still something about him that calls to her.
Nicholas is lost. After the death of his wife he is finding that just living life is almost too much for him. He doesn't know what to make of Holly or the feelings that she invokes. At every turn he wants to run but instead finds himself doing everything in his power to get closer to her.
I liked the complexity of Nicholas. There were so many different feelings and emotions to him that it was almost like two or three people in one. I think the author did a great job conveying the lost and confused feelings of both of the main characters. And I enjoyed the growth of Holly as well. It seemed like even though she had so much responsibility on her shoulders she still had a lot of growing up to do.
This story is about forgiving yourself and letting go of the past.
Holly is just trying to make it day by day. Responsibility is her middle name. She does everything she can to help everyone and keep her family going but forgets about herself. To that end she is constantly doing odd jobs around her small town to make sure that the bills are paid and her father is taken care of. When she is contracted to clean for Nicholas Blunt, the new owner of the Hall she is shocked at her reaction to the man. He is like no one she has ever met before. Although only in his thirties he is eccentric. His moods constantly spiral out of control and although her first reaction to him is that he is a major ass there is still something about him that calls to her.
Nicholas is lost. After the death of his wife he is finding that just living life is almost too much for him. He doesn't know what to make of Holly or the feelings that she invokes. At every turn he wants to run but instead finds himself doing everything in his power to get closer to her.
I liked the complexity of Nicholas. There were so many different feelings and emotions to him that it was almost like two or three people in one. I think the author did a great job conveying the lost and confused feelings of both of the main characters. And I enjoyed the growth of Holly as well. It seemed like even though she had so much responsibility on her shoulders she still had a lot of growing up to do.
This story is about forgiving yourself and letting go of the past.
January 25, 2015
**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**
Holly is a hard-working college student working several jobs trying to support herself and her dad. One day, for one of her jobs, she gets a housecleaning opportunity at the residence of the town's rich new resident, the reclusive Mr. Blunt. While Holly's first meeting with him doesn't give her the best impression, she agrees to work a steady schedule with him. During the midst of this, Holly's ex-boyfriend decides it's time to try to get her back. Working for Mr. Blunt ends abruptly amidst rumors and an unattainable attraction. Each time they run into each other tends to end in explosive results. The question is it enough to get him through his personal damage?
Having read several books by P.J. Adams I can say Holly is definitely one of the more unsure main characters she has written. Holly is independent and determined to survive and yet there is a vulnerability/insecurity in her that is not usually seen. I really enjoyed seeing a character with those characteristics as it made her very real and relatable. Mr. Blunt has gone through a tragedy that mirror's Holly's father's own experience. The shell he is currently living in doesn't exactly welcome the feelings he feels around Holly. Having gone through similar personal tragedy, I related to him on a personal level and felt very badly for him. I was happy that Holly's presence was able to start his healing process.
There were a few minor questions I had at the end, but other than that, I loved it.
Holly is a hard-working college student working several jobs trying to support herself and her dad. One day, for one of her jobs, she gets a housecleaning opportunity at the residence of the town's rich new resident, the reclusive Mr. Blunt. While Holly's first meeting with him doesn't give her the best impression, she agrees to work a steady schedule with him. During the midst of this, Holly's ex-boyfriend decides it's time to try to get her back. Working for Mr. Blunt ends abruptly amidst rumors and an unattainable attraction. Each time they run into each other tends to end in explosive results. The question is it enough to get him through his personal damage?
Having read several books by P.J. Adams I can say Holly is definitely one of the more unsure main characters she has written. Holly is independent and determined to survive and yet there is a vulnerability/insecurity in her that is not usually seen. I really enjoyed seeing a character with those characteristics as it made her very real and relatable. Mr. Blunt has gone through a tragedy that mirror's Holly's father's own experience. The shell he is currently living in doesn't exactly welcome the feelings he feels around Holly. Having gone through similar personal tragedy, I related to him on a personal level and felt very badly for him. I was happy that Holly's presence was able to start his healing process.
There were a few minor questions I had at the end, but other than that, I loved it.
January 18, 2015
I received this ARC for an honest review and I have to admit it's a review I've struggled with. I've read other books by this author that I've thoroughly enjoyed so when I got this I was super excited to read it. I liked the characters especially Holly the main character who is working her way through school while working 3 jobs to help support her widowed father who still struggles with the loss of his wife. Enter the new mysterious owner of The Hall who is a wealthy widower himself avoiding his pain instead of dealing with it, he's a little older than Holly but something sparks between them when they meet. Do they recognize the damage in each other? Can they help each other heal?
The characters were likable and relate-able and I enjoyed picturing the settings in my mind. The problem for me was the story, I feel like I've read it before. I kept waiting for that twist or change that would take me somewhere new, somewhere inventive. I think there was great potential but maybe too many story lines going on at once? There were a lot of what I would call supporting characters that kept pulling attention away from the main story line instead of adding to it. It was still a well written book and if you're looking for a standalone HEA I would recommend this read.
The characters were likable and relate-able and I enjoyed picturing the settings in my mind. The problem for me was the story, I feel like I've read it before. I kept waiting for that twist or change that would take me somewhere new, somewhere inventive. I think there was great potential but maybe too many story lines going on at once? There were a lot of what I would call supporting characters that kept pulling attention away from the main story line instead of adding to it. It was still a well written book and if you're looking for a standalone HEA I would recommend this read.
January 20, 2015
Happily ever after? Holly lives with her father in a small villiage, since her mother died she has been working more than one job to pay the bills and attending art school. Her cousin owns a cleaning business and calls her to give her a chance for a regular cleaning job for the lord of the local manor. When she arrives the first day she sees the aftermath of one of the weekend parties that are talked about in the village. After introducing herself to Nicolas Blunt, she finds out that she will be cleaning only his private rooms.
Nicolas is emotionally as well as physically damaged after a car accident took the life of his wife the year before. He has a reputation of being very closed off and hostile, which Holly finds out is true to some degree. They soon find that they are attracted to each other, but they both have emotioal issues which may be too difficult for them to overcome. They will have to learn to let themselves love each other. This is a wonderful romance with a lot of ups and downs, and I loved it!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Nicolas is emotionally as well as physically damaged after a car accident took the life of his wife the year before. He has a reputation of being very closed off and hostile, which Holly finds out is true to some degree. They soon find that they are attracted to each other, but they both have emotioal issues which may be too difficult for them to overcome. They will have to learn to let themselves love each other. This is a wonderful romance with a lot of ups and downs, and I loved it!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
January 22, 2015
I loved this story.
This story is about a young woman named Holly who lives with her father. Holly goes to college but also works a few different jobs just to make ends meet. For one of the jobs she gets hired to clean for Nicholas Blunt, the owner of the Estate.
Nicholas is a 32 year old widower who has shut himself off after the death of his wife in a car accident. Nicholas throws these lavish parties where he normally finds a 'tart' to hook up with.
When Holly and Nicholas meet they feel some type of connection but Holly doesn't plan on being another one of his 'tarts' and Nicholas doesn't know how to deal with the feelings that Holly stirs up.
This story is about how to overcome the damage that life inflicts on a person and the characters are written in a way that you feel their pain and confusion as they try to rise above their pasts.
This story is about a young woman named Holly who lives with her father. Holly goes to college but also works a few different jobs just to make ends meet. For one of the jobs she gets hired to clean for Nicholas Blunt, the owner of the Estate.
Nicholas is a 32 year old widower who has shut himself off after the death of his wife in a car accident. Nicholas throws these lavish parties where he normally finds a 'tart' to hook up with.
When Holly and Nicholas meet they feel some type of connection but Holly doesn't plan on being another one of his 'tarts' and Nicholas doesn't know how to deal with the feelings that Holly stirs up.
This story is about how to overcome the damage that life inflicts on a person and the characters are written in a way that you feel their pain and confusion as they try to rise above their pasts.
January 14, 2015
This is an amazing story about two people so different from each other but so equally damaged.
He's a rich man, an widower that lives with the guilt of the death of his wife, a woman that he loved, his soul mate. Nicholas thinks he don't deserve better so he keeps cloistered in his house, only keeping Alfie close.
She's a young woman, lost in the responsibility of taking car of her father and everyone that need some help. Always making good for others, Holly keeps forgiving about herself and her happiness.
Together, they start to see the connection between them and the fog starts to rise until the last jump brings them finally together.
Holly and Nicholas story will keep you wanting to know more.
He's a rich man, an widower that lives with the guilt of the death of his wife, a woman that he loved, his soul mate. Nicholas thinks he don't deserve better so he keeps cloistered in his house, only keeping Alfie close.
She's a young woman, lost in the responsibility of taking car of her father and everyone that need some help. Always making good for others, Holly keeps forgiving about herself and her happiness.
Together, they start to see the connection between them and the fog starts to rise until the last jump brings them finally together.
Holly and Nicholas story will keep you wanting to know more.
February 9, 2015
Holly has a lot going on in her life - mother died, sister is a party girl, father just sits on the couch doing crosswords, and an eviction notice, while she takes on multiple jobs and tries to finish college. On one such job she meets Nicholas Blunt and there is an immediate connection. But can these two out aside their baggage and see each other for who they truly are. This book has lots of wonderful ups and downs that keeps you guessing at the outcome but in the end you won't be dissapointed!
April 24, 2016
Given this book for a true review option. Loves this story from the first paragraph to the last page. Had to force myself to slow down and enjoy every erotic and romantic word.n
Outstanding character descriptive style and development. Erotic scenes make the reader feel involved and leaves you experiencing the tree bark scratch on your Bach and the wet clinging leaves on your back side.
Such powerful sensuality and emotional aspects that makes you want to absorb every word. Would love to read and everything from this author.
Highly recommended this book.
Outstanding character descriptive style and development. Erotic scenes make the reader feel involved and leaves you experiencing the tree bark scratch on your Bach and the wet clinging leaves on your back side.
Such powerful sensuality and emotional aspects that makes you want to absorb every word. Would love to read and everything from this author.
Highly recommended this book.
January 21, 2015
I I really enjoyed this great story of 2 people, Holly, young and struggling to keep money coming in for her and her father, and Nicholas who is rich and had just moved in The Hall, but rumors fly all around about him now and his past. There is a spark between them but can two people with their own issues come together and overcome the past, or will events trigger a regression. I loved the characters and storyline! Another great read!
September 28, 2015
Damaged
Pretty good book I like how holly didn't look weak but it seemed the lines kept repeating in a way... Sometimes it seemed like more was supposed to happen in the scene, but then nothing did .. I saw where the story was trying to go. I really like Mr. Blunt in a weird way . Lol
Pretty good book I like how holly didn't look weak but it seemed the lines kept repeating in a way... Sometimes it seemed like more was supposed to happen in the scene, but then nothing did .. I saw where the story was trying to go. I really like Mr. Blunt in a weird way . Lol
January 29, 2015
PJ Adams did a great job with her descriptions which allowed for me to sink myself into the world she created. It made the visualization much easier without boring me. I could easily have read more pages
May 17, 2015
Very Sweet story
The story was very sweet and kind of like a beauty and the beast feel to it. The intimate scenes where extremely hot! But I want to know what happens later. What happened to Tommy? Oh questions...Nice sweet read though.
The story was very sweet and kind of like a beauty and the beast feel to it. The intimate scenes where extremely hot! But I want to know what happens later. What happened to Tommy? Oh questions...Nice sweet read though.
February 4, 2015
This book sounded so great but it was HORRIBLE! The characters were annoying and I DNF'ed at 52%.
February 3, 2015
3.5....I just wanted more...more story from Mr.Blunt. Easy Reasy, Good Book.
February 1, 2015
Loved it!!! It was a short but sweet read!!! I am hoping there is a second book!!! I would love to read about Holly's dad and sister finding love and happiness like Holly and Blunt!!!
February 13, 2015
Weird but nice plot. Seems a bit like the beauty and the beast. But the twists makes it far more interesting than the fairy tale one.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews