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Hard to Feel Free
Abbie didn’t believe in fairytales, why would she?
The second dramatic installment of the emotionally charged Hard to Feel series finds Abbie, desperate to find peace; free from the traumatic childhood that has held her captive for years.
Her happiness with Jake hangs in the balance as new challenges loom on the horizon, testing the strength of their bond.
Abbie battles her fears, struggling to leave the past where it belongs while Jake fights to keep what he has with the woman he loves.
The second dramatic installment of the emotionally charged Hard to Feel series finds Abbie, desperate to find peace; free from the traumatic childhood that has held her captive for years.
Her happiness with Jake hangs in the balance as new challenges loom on the horizon, testing the strength of their bond.
Abbie battles her fears, struggling to leave the past where it belongs while Jake fights to keep what he has with the woman he loves.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2015
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Mandy Thomas
4 books44 followersMandy Thomas is an English born mother and teacher, living in Australia on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula with her husband Barry and their two children. She enjoys nothing more than relaxing with a great book and glass of wine while soaking up the stunning Australian sunshine. Hard to Feel Whole is her debut novel and first in the Hard to Feel series. It follows Abbie James and her circle of friends through many of life’s challenges and possibilities.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 1, 2015
I won a copy of this book at the author’s launch party – but having read her first, Hard To Feel Whole, I was already eager for the story to continue and would have bought it anyway!
Ms Thomas has a fluid, mature and assured style of writing which gathers the reader up and totally immerses from the very first word; that was proven in the first book and this one, which carries on from that debut novel, showcase this talent even further. The story itself takes up shortly after the end of the first novel: there is less of the dark, appalling history that formed the core of Hard To Feel Whole, but Abbie and Jake’s struggles are far from over. This continuation of problems and the absence of any Happy Ever After element serve to give the book a realistic, grounded feel; told once again from both Abbie and Jake’s perspectives, the settings, environment, feelings and often raw, unbridled emotions are all made real, and it was impossible for this reader not to be swept along at a breakneck pace as events within the book unfolded.
Once again, the predictable plot twists are neatly side-stepped, leaving the reader with the same sense of helplessness that the characters display! The supporting cast have a large part, and are well-drawn enough to allow the reader to feel familiarity and love for them as well. There are no out-and-out villains as such: our heroes are moving on from the horrors of their past, and by the end of this book are surely looking forward to some easier, happier times. But with Ms Thomas, one never knows...
I loved these books: they have already become favourites that I know I will return to time and again. I am aware that there is more on the way, and I genuinely cannot wait to read the next instalments!
Ms Thomas has a fluid, mature and assured style of writing which gathers the reader up and totally immerses from the very first word; that was proven in the first book and this one, which carries on from that debut novel, showcase this talent even further. The story itself takes up shortly after the end of the first novel: there is less of the dark, appalling history that formed the core of Hard To Feel Whole, but Abbie and Jake’s struggles are far from over. This continuation of problems and the absence of any Happy Ever After element serve to give the book a realistic, grounded feel; told once again from both Abbie and Jake’s perspectives, the settings, environment, feelings and often raw, unbridled emotions are all made real, and it was impossible for this reader not to be swept along at a breakneck pace as events within the book unfolded.
Once again, the predictable plot twists are neatly side-stepped, leaving the reader with the same sense of helplessness that the characters display! The supporting cast have a large part, and are well-drawn enough to allow the reader to feel familiarity and love for them as well. There are no out-and-out villains as such: our heroes are moving on from the horrors of their past, and by the end of this book are surely looking forward to some easier, happier times. But with Ms Thomas, one never knows...
I loved these books: they have already become favourites that I know I will return to time and again. I am aware that there is more on the way, and I genuinely cannot wait to read the next instalments!
April 17, 2015
This is the sequel to Hard to Feel Whole and how cleverly Mandy Thomas brings her characters forward in time by several years to young-adult maturity as they shed the down of school and college and grow the feathers of independence and enter the world of work.
One might believe that all is joy, the foursome are happily together as they embark on new adventures and discoveries of the wider world. What went before is now a closed door behind them – or it should be- but is not.
Abbie’s traumas did not end with the conviction of paedophile Peter Stevens. She has her Jake, she has graduated and becomes a teacher at a good school and all should be joy in her life, but the tendril shadows of the past reach out to diminish her happiness and put pressure on her relationships- especially with Jake. He is her rock and all could come tumbling down if he should leave while Abbie struggles hard, to feel free of the past.
This is an excellent sequel with the superb characterization with which we became families in the first book. It is well and sensitively written in a mature style that flows the reader into the very thought processes of Jake and Abbie.
This book is a worthy successor in this story of true love, commitment and passion, but with difficulties. Next one please Mandy!
One might believe that all is joy, the foursome are happily together as they embark on new adventures and discoveries of the wider world. What went before is now a closed door behind them – or it should be- but is not.
Abbie’s traumas did not end with the conviction of paedophile Peter Stevens. She has her Jake, she has graduated and becomes a teacher at a good school and all should be joy in her life, but the tendril shadows of the past reach out to diminish her happiness and put pressure on her relationships- especially with Jake. He is her rock and all could come tumbling down if he should leave while Abbie struggles hard, to feel free of the past.
This is an excellent sequel with the superb characterization with which we became families in the first book. It is well and sensitively written in a mature style that flows the reader into the very thought processes of Jake and Abbie.
This book is a worthy successor in this story of true love, commitment and passion, but with difficulties. Next one please Mandy!
September 22, 2015
I was given an ARC of Hard to Feel Free by Mandy Thomas. Mandy has done it again by writing an amazing second book for this series. Several years have past and we can see Jake, Abbie, Jo and Callum have grown and matured as they moved from their teens into young adults. Jake and Abbie brought charges against Peter Stevens and he is found guilty of all charges. Now that is over they hope that things calm down as the school year ends and Abbie is looking for a teaching job. Since the first book, Jake has always been Abbie's support system which she needs more than ever as they are hit with difficult decisions to make as they prepare for there future. Jo and Callum are still there best friends and are always there to help and support Jake and Abbie throughout the book. This is a great continuation of a wonderful story that began in book 1. Mandy captures your attention from the beginning and brings you into the story, as it unfolds throughout the book. What a great job of story telling. I can't wait for book 3 to be published.
July 28, 2015
I fell in love with Jake and Abbie, Callum and Jo in book one and these characters continued to grow and blossom on into book two. The character development is strong and I found new reasons to fall in love with them all over again. Mandy Thomas' ability to weave an entertaining and emotionally charged story that is realistic and fast paced is second to none.
Following this continuation of the story, Jake and Abbie are put through move trials and tribulations. Their love tested at each twist and turn. But throughout it all, their sense of belonging body and soul, stands out. Book 2 will have you shedding almost as many tears as book 1 as you cross your fingers that the couple will get through the next things that life throws at them.
Well written, carefully edited and formatted. If you love contemporary romance then this is for you.
Following this continuation of the story, Jake and Abbie are put through move trials and tribulations. Their love tested at each twist and turn. But throughout it all, their sense of belonging body and soul, stands out. Book 2 will have you shedding almost as many tears as book 1 as you cross your fingers that the couple will get through the next things that life throws at them.
Well written, carefully edited and formatted. If you love contemporary romance then this is for you.
October 13, 2015
I received this as an arc from Mandy herself in exchange for an honest review.
Abbie didn't believe in fairytales. Why would she? The second dramatic installment of the emotionally charged hard to feel series finds Abbie desperate to find peace; free from the traumatic childhood that has held her captive for years.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Mandy has done it again.
I absolutely love her hard to feel series.
The story is lovely and moving.
I love the chatacters. Abbie is so strong to have gone through what she has. I cannot wait for book 3 to come out. I would highly recommend this series but you will need to read hard to feel whole first. Believe me it's worth it. 5*. definetly worth more.
Abbie didn't believe in fairytales. Why would she? The second dramatic installment of the emotionally charged hard to feel series finds Abbie desperate to find peace; free from the traumatic childhood that has held her captive for years.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Mandy has done it again.
I absolutely love her hard to feel series.
The story is lovely and moving.
I love the chatacters. Abbie is so strong to have gone through what she has. I cannot wait for book 3 to come out. I would highly recommend this series but you will need to read hard to feel whole first. Believe me it's worth it. 5*. definetly worth more.
September 14, 2015
Mandy Thomas has done it again. She brings everyday real problems to a very special light. The death of Jake's father shows how people can shut down emotionally. It shows that you have to fight for what you really want in life and love. Jake blindly walks through life not paying attention to what's going on around him. It takes a serious life threatening emergency to wake Jake up and realize what he has to fight for. I can't wait for the final book so I can know how their story will end.
April 5, 2015
This is an amazing follow up to the 1st book. It has love passion and everything great. Mandy Thomas packs such a wonderful way of throwing curves and drama into her book. Jake and Annie seem to never get a break. Packed with great drama and suspense. Made me feel what could happen next. Can't wait for book 3. A truly amazing read. A must read for any Young adult romance fan.
January 4, 2016
This is book #2 in Mandy's Hard To Feel Series and once again we meet Abbie and Jake along with their best friends Jo and Callum. Again Mandy does not disappoint where she takes these two characters. Jake and Abbie have been together now 5years and have moved into a nice little apartment, Being very grown-up and dealing with life after the difficult trial of Peter. They think they are on the home stretch, but life then throws them for a loop with a couple of more blows. As they deal with them together with Jo and Cal by their side. Can they come out the side with their love still in tack? Or will this latest blow of trauma and loss break these two?
Another massive hit for Mandy Thomas and I can't wait for book 3
Another massive hit for Mandy Thomas and I can't wait for book 3
October 21, 2015
Jake and Abbie continues
The continuation of Jake and Abbie just keeps getting better. Mandy Thomas has done a fantastic job with the writing of this book also. I can't believe all the obstacles that they have to face, but they face them together and come out on top. I can't say enough good things about this series!! I highly recommend it to everyone. You will enjoy a lot of laughs too because of Callum and Jo, the best friends. I can't wait to read the next book.
The continuation of Jake and Abbie just keeps getting better. Mandy Thomas has done a fantastic job with the writing of this book also. I can't believe all the obstacles that they have to face, but they face them together and come out on top. I can't say enough good things about this series!! I highly recommend it to everyone. You will enjoy a lot of laughs too because of Callum and Jo, the best friends. I can't wait to read the next book.
October 28, 2015
The story picks up a few years later....Abbie and Jake are still together and about to face the trials and tribulations of a young couple. Together they face a trial, death, mistrust, separation, and happiness. Do they have a strong enough relationship to get thru all of this? Is their love enough to sustain them? I absolutely loved this story and the emotions it stirred. Another hit by Mandy Thomas!
November 22, 2015
I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review by author Mandy Thomas. This is book 2 of the series by the author.
Jake and Abbie have weathered the trial but now they face even more problems with a death and Jack pulling away from Abbie but their problems do not stop there. Can this couple ever find happiness with each other.
WOW talk about a real tearjerker. The author really knows how to write so it tears at your heart.
Jake and Abbie have weathered the trial but now they face even more problems with a death and Jack pulling away from Abbie but their problems do not stop there. Can this couple ever find happiness with each other.
WOW talk about a real tearjerker. The author really knows how to write so it tears at your heart.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews