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Beautiful Illusions
Beautiful Illusions - a page-turning, sexy, and very contemporary adult romance novel.
VERY contemporary.
Beautiful Illusions is a Cinderella Romance With a Twist - and what a twist it is!
Attorney Iris Snowe drinks too much, eats too much, and spends too much. Her love life has been as spectacularly unsuccessful as her law practice, so she spends her evenings in her tiny apartment watching bad TV and talking to her cat.
A one-night stand with a gorgeous stranger changes the trajectory of her life. Ryan Gallagher not only looks like a Ralph Lauren model, but is extraordinarily wealthy. In other words, stratospheres out of Iris' league.
What happens next is that Iris embarks upon the Cinderella affair of her life, with a man who truly loves her. But the fairy tale is fractured, as the affair is marred by obsession, jealousy, and dark secrets that Ryan has desperately sought to conceal and repress.
And what of those secrets just might be deadly...
VERY contemporary.
Beautiful Illusions is a Cinderella Romance With a Twist - and what a twist it is!
Attorney Iris Snowe drinks too much, eats too much, and spends too much. Her love life has been as spectacularly unsuccessful as her law practice, so she spends her evenings in her tiny apartment watching bad TV and talking to her cat.
A one-night stand with a gorgeous stranger changes the trajectory of her life. Ryan Gallagher not only looks like a Ralph Lauren model, but is extraordinarily wealthy. In other words, stratospheres out of Iris' league.
What happens next is that Iris embarks upon the Cinderella affair of her life, with a man who truly loves her. But the fairy tale is fractured, as the affair is marred by obsession, jealousy, and dark secrets that Ryan has desperately sought to conceal and repress.
And what of those secrets just might be deadly...
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2013
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March 26, 2015
FREE on Amazon US today (3/26/2015)
BLURB:
Attorney Iris Snowe drinks too much, eats too much, and spends too much. Her sex life has been as spectacularly unsuccessful as her law practice, so she spends her evenings in her tiny apartment watching bad TV, talking to her cat, and rescuing pit bulls.
And her name might be Iris, but it should be Jade. As in jaded, which is how she feels about romance and men in general.
So, when a gorgeous and sexy stranger appears in her law office on Monday morning, after a one-night stand the previous Saturday, she doesn't think that he is coming to see her because he is interested. She just figures that she left something behind in the room and he is enough of a gentleman to deliver it to her.
How wrong she is.
As it turns out, Ryan Gallagher not only looks like a Ralph Lauren model come to life, but is also fabulously wealthy, as he is the son of a prominent billionaire.
In other words, light years out of Iris' league.
And completely into her, in more ways than one.
And so begins the erotic Cinderella romance of her life, with a man who truly loves her. And oh, if it could just be that simple. But, of course, it's not -the fairy tale is fractured, as it is marred by obsession, jealousy, and dark secrets that Ryan has desperately sought to conceal and repress. It turns out that, behind those magnificent green eyes, lies the memories of a past that nobody should ever have to experience. Nobody.
But when his past becomes his present, his secrets come to light.
And one of those secrets just might be deadly...
http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Illus...
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November 26, 2013
Not only did I hate this book, but I hated the characters as well! All I keep thinking about is what a HORRIBLE attorney she is and feel sorry for all her clients! I mean come on how the hell did she become an attorney in the first place with how disorganized and ditzy she is? Really? This was such a total waste of time reading, I only read the whole thing because my brain couldn't believe what was going on and how stupid these people were. I had to finish it to see if anyone came to their senses....that would be a big fat NO!!
January 29, 2015
I did not finish this book. The premises was great. Had me completely interested. Then the drama just kept getting deeper.
When Ryan went ape shit because iris needed to think about the fact he admitted he was bisexual and in love with a guy. I was like seriously!? He threw all her belongings out the window. What is he five? He is suppose to be a billionaire but acted worse than a drunk at closing time at a dive bar. Iris is an idiot. She was able to rationalize and excuse every bad thing said or done. He is is a recovering drug addict that had a relapse because his ex threatened to kill herself if he didn't shoot up with her. His ex is always showing up and Ryan puts her before iris's needs. She even goes on dates with them. He confesses he is bisexual and in love with another man. She finds out his father physically and sexually abused him. His father let his friends do the same. Ryan was the entertainment for party guests as a child. Father has son bring girls over so he an rape them too. Father lets a woman pedophile take Ryan for a year for her own pleasures. Wtf ! Iris is all cool with this. She needs to run for the hills because that's crazy town right there and love can't fix that. I don't even know if years of therapy can touch that mess. Felt like I was watching a jerry springer show all over again.
When Ryan went ape shit because iris needed to think about the fact he admitted he was bisexual and in love with a guy. I was like seriously!? He threw all her belongings out the window. What is he five? He is suppose to be a billionaire but acted worse than a drunk at closing time at a dive bar. Iris is an idiot. She was able to rationalize and excuse every bad thing said or done. He is is a recovering drug addict that had a relapse because his ex threatened to kill herself if he didn't shoot up with her. His ex is always showing up and Ryan puts her before iris's needs. She even goes on dates with them. He confesses he is bisexual and in love with another man. She finds out his father physically and sexually abused him. His father let his friends do the same. Ryan was the entertainment for party guests as a child. Father has son bring girls over so he an rape them too. Father lets a woman pedophile take Ryan for a year for her own pleasures. Wtf ! Iris is all cool with this. She needs to run for the hills because that's crazy town right there and love can't fix that. I don't even know if years of therapy can touch that mess. Felt like I was watching a jerry springer show all over again.
November 10, 2013
I feel like the author had good intentions with this book and her story line. First of all I also did not realize this was a trilogy going in so needless to say the ending was a little disappointing. But lets not jump ahead and forget about all of the WTF moments through out this story. I wont spoil anything for anyone but let's just say the author threw in every shocking emotional situation you could think of into the mix. Here is the problem....after the 23rd shocking revelation you kinda just start rolling your eyes. Note to author you DO NOT have to have a shocking revelation in every single chapter of the book!! It takes away from the story in a big way.
April 13, 2014
This book jumped the shark so many times, I wasn't sure if I was reading a Jerry Springer transcript or a book. I felt terrible for poor Ryan, his problems just kept escalating to the point of seriously now you are full of crap. There is no way he could be this kind and pure and still that f'ed up.
Iris is a defense lawyer, who is surprise insecure about her looks and why Ryan wants to be with her. Maybe, just maybe it's because you are a NORMAL person. But even that I'm not sure of. She never voiced her concerns, she never spoke up. She was a rug, yeah I'm fine with you doing that, when she really wasn't. So was she after his money? Or just that weak and insecure that she felt like if she didn't agree he'd leave her. FINE let him go, he was a bag full of problems.
I'm not really even sure what the plot of the story was. It was a lot of rambling with no clean point. I felt lost and mostly I just wanted to be done with the book. Yes, I did finish the book, I had to see the train wreck and when did it derail.
The writing was long winded in some areas and there were numerous spelling and grammatical errors.
Good Luck!
Iris is a defense lawyer, who is surprise insecure about her looks and why Ryan wants to be with her. Maybe, just maybe it's because you are a NORMAL person. But even that I'm not sure of. She never voiced her concerns, she never spoke up. She was a rug, yeah I'm fine with you doing that, when she really wasn't. So was she after his money? Or just that weak and insecure that she felt like if she didn't agree he'd leave her. FINE let him go, he was a bag full of problems.
I'm not really even sure what the plot of the story was. It was a lot of rambling with no clean point. I felt lost and mostly I just wanted to be done with the book. Yes, I did finish the book, I had to see the train wreck and when did it derail.
The writing was long winded in some areas and there were numerous spelling and grammatical errors.
Good Luck!
December 14, 2013
I'm a stickler for reviews, I rely on them for basically everything. Man, I need to stop doing that, especially when it comes to free books. Here I am reading all the great reviews for this book and all of you who have praised this book could not be more WRONG! This book quite frankly, sucked.
I couldn't identify at all with any of the characters and I'm sorry but Iris should not be practicing any kind of law. Doesn't matter how stressed you are, be professional and get the job done, worry about your personal sh*t on your own time, not on your client's time. It was nice to see that Ryan wasn't made to be a perfect specimen of a man, he had issues, but the author overdid it with those issues. There was just so much going on, it became unbelievable, almost comically so.
I know that Iris was trying to be a decent human being by accepting all facets of Ryan's life, but HELL NO, that other relationship is not acceptable. That's just wrong on so many levels, you can't have your cake and eat it too. You have a relationship with either one or the other, but one those parties is married, where's the respect? That's not cool. Ryan is just being greedy...lol! Oh and the fact that every time something goes wrong in his life he does have a relapse and she sees nothing wrong with that really baffles me!
The story got a little better towards the end, after the attack. That portion of the book was the best part and that's the only reason I'm bumping this rating up from 1 star to 2. I could go on and on but you all get the gist....
I couldn't identify at all with any of the characters and I'm sorry but Iris should not be practicing any kind of law. Doesn't matter how stressed you are, be professional and get the job done, worry about your personal sh*t on your own time, not on your client's time. It was nice to see that Ryan wasn't made to be a perfect specimen of a man, he had issues, but the author overdid it with those issues. There was just so much going on, it became unbelievable, almost comically so.
I know that Iris was trying to be a decent human being by accepting all facets of Ryan's life, but HELL NO, that other relationship is not acceptable. That's just wrong on so many levels, you can't have your cake and eat it too. You have a relationship with either one or the other, but one those parties is married, where's the respect? That's not cool. Ryan is just being greedy...lol! Oh and the fact that every time something goes wrong in his life he does have a relapse and she sees nothing wrong with that really baffles me!
The story got a little better towards the end, after the attack. That portion of the book was the best part and that's the only reason I'm bumping this rating up from 1 star to 2. I could go on and on but you all get the gist....
February 27, 2015
Where do I even begin? I disliked Iris almost from the very beginning. She had no backbone at all. Ryan was even worse. It was hard for me to picture him as a super hot millionaire when he was constantly whining and stuttering. I know he had some serious issues, but he was really annoying. The thing that really bothered me was how he was able to convince Iris to be ok with him having a sexual relationship with another man while claiming to be completely devoted to her. The bisexuality didn't bother me. You can't be in love with two people at the same time. I felt it took away from the story. I don't know too many women who would be willing to share the love of their life with anyone else. I sure as hell wouldn't. The story was described as "Cinderella story with a twist." Last I checked, Cinderella didn't have to share her man either. The story just seemed to drag. I finished it becaus I hate not finishing books, but I didn't find either character likable. And don't get me started on the train wreck that is Alexis. Most women would've put a foot in her ass for the way she was acting. It here was nothing believable about this story except for iris being skeptical of Ryan's feelings for her because he fell so quickly. I found myself thinking "really dude?" Many times during this novel because it was just too ridiculous. Doubt if the second book will be better but I am extremely curious about how Nixk will fit into their relationship now...
May 16, 2014
Just not for me. I actually couldn't finish this book. The male lead in this book seemed a little crazy from the get go. After the first date he admits to seriously falling in love with the leading lady. The female lead, Iris, has an amazing lack of a personality. She is just kind of, well.... there. She seems to have some things going on in her head, but just lets things go and is incredible lacking as a female lead.
Like I stated, I didn't finish this book. It got a little weird to me.I don't really see how the male lead can be in love with two people at once and everything be ok. Much less, be in love with a man and a woman. Just not for me. Maybe the book got better, maybe you really got a more in depth look at who these people were. But to me, the male lead was just a little too crazy. Definitely, not the good kind of crazy. He couldn't even admit his own secrets. He relied on his therapist to tell them for him. Whatever. I picked up the book because the reviews said this was a Cinderella story with a twist, but nope. So I don't recommend it, I won't be finishing it, and there is no way I will buy any of the others in this series.
Like I stated, I didn't finish this book. It got a little weird to me.I don't really see how the male lead can be in love with two people at once and everything be ok. Much less, be in love with a man and a woman. Just not for me. Maybe the book got better, maybe you really got a more in depth look at who these people were. But to me, the male lead was just a little too crazy. Definitely, not the good kind of crazy. He couldn't even admit his own secrets. He relied on his therapist to tell them for him. Whatever. I picked up the book because the reviews said this was a Cinderella story with a twist, but nope. So I don't recommend it, I won't be finishing it, and there is no way I will buy any of the others in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2013
When I began reading Beautiful Illusions, I wasn't aware that it was a trilogy. But by the time I realized it, I was hooked. Reading Cliffies is normally against my religion--or maybe I should say that I'm a conscientious objector.
Anyway, I did read it and I'm giving it a 4-star rating because a day after reading it I am still thinking about it and wondering what I would do if I were the heroine, Iris. No matter what is wrong with the book, I have to give it an extra star-bump for making my mind spin. This book is written in the 1st person and is mainly told from the heroine's POV--although there is a short chapter from Ryan's POV which was nice, but also a tease because it wasn't repeated. Maybe in the other 2 books Ryan will be represented more.
I have to say this. This is a lot like 50 Shades of Grey (sans BDSM). I don't want to list all of the ways because I don't want to give spoilers, but I suppose if you liked 50 Shades, you'd enjoy this trilogy (or at least Part 1). I like it better because, frankly, I like Iris and Ryan a lot more than Ana and Christian.
I'll start with the GOOD:
Iris-- she is a complete train-wreck--but in the way that we all are. Messy, scattered, slightly overweight, in debt--and I'm guessing an aspiring (if not total) alcoholic. She's funny and smart and has a kind heart (example--she volunteers for pit-bull rescues). Iris seems real and likable.
Ryan-- he is a tortured hero. Tragic upbringing, wild teen/college years, and very complicated relationships with important people in his life. Despite all of that he is a complete and total LOVE. The man has kindness and love to spare and an open, vulnerable heart. He wants love--needs love-- and isn't shy about that at all. When we first meet Ryan we see all the amazing things about him and we see the train wreck that is Iris. But very soon we see that Ryan comes with more issues than you think Iris can handle. I found myself wondering if I could handle all that Ryan is. There's no doubt that he's deserving of all he wants, he's wonderful. But it's A LOT. Ryan isn't 50 shades of fucked up, he is at least 75 shades.
Let's talk about the BAD:
The troubles: Oh, holy moly. There is so much going on that I was shaking my head. Iris incrementally learns of all of the messed up stuff that has happened and is happening to Ryan. And with every revelation I was finding myself rolling my eyes. Come on! How much crap can one man handle? How much drama can Iris take?
The missing trip to California: Forgive me if I'm wrong or my kindle didn't download this book correctly-- but something is off with this book. There is a point in the story where Iris and Ryan are on the outs--they get back together and from that point on Iris and Ryan occasionally mention a trip to California-- from what I can glean through these remarks, while in California--Beverly Hills, Ryan had some therapy and Iris drove a Volvo. ???? It's as if this part of the story was edited out, but the later references to it were not. So I had to scroll back because I figured I skipped a whole chapter or something.
Nick: I can't decide if Nick is a BAD or a GOOD. His role in Part 1 is interesting. The romantic in me is annoyed as hell that he is so important, but the drama-lover in me is like, "ooooooh, this is going to be good!!" I'm on the fence. I'm mad at Iris for not speaking up or for not even being upset about things. But at the same time, I feel like Ryan should have all of the loving, safe, relationships he can--he deserves that. Nick is a safe place for Ryan and so integral to his well-being.
I left this book thinking about all that Ryan has become after so much turmoil and wondering if I were Iris, would I be able to handle it? The author did a good job of making Ryan a great man, a great boyfriend. He's made the absolute best out of the bad. But the bad might be something that counter-acts all of the great. It's not often I read a book and wonder if I would give up on the hero. I think I would hate Iris if she did, but at the same time completely understand why.
I'm hooked. I have to know what happens with these two. I have a feeling Part 2 will make me crazy, but I can't not know.
Anyway, I did read it and I'm giving it a 4-star rating because a day after reading it I am still thinking about it and wondering what I would do if I were the heroine, Iris. No matter what is wrong with the book, I have to give it an extra star-bump for making my mind spin. This book is written in the 1st person and is mainly told from the heroine's POV--although there is a short chapter from Ryan's POV which was nice, but also a tease because it wasn't repeated. Maybe in the other 2 books Ryan will be represented more.
I have to say this. This is a lot like 50 Shades of Grey (sans BDSM). I don't want to list all of the ways because I don't want to give spoilers, but I suppose if you liked 50 Shades, you'd enjoy this trilogy (or at least Part 1). I like it better because, frankly, I like Iris and Ryan a lot more than Ana and Christian.
I'll start with the GOOD:
Iris-- she is a complete train-wreck--but in the way that we all are. Messy, scattered, slightly overweight, in debt--and I'm guessing an aspiring (if not total) alcoholic. She's funny and smart and has a kind heart (example--she volunteers for pit-bull rescues). Iris seems real and likable.
Ryan-- he is a tortured hero. Tragic upbringing, wild teen/college years, and very complicated relationships with important people in his life. Despite all of that he is a complete and total LOVE. The man has kindness and love to spare and an open, vulnerable heart. He wants love--needs love-- and isn't shy about that at all. When we first meet Ryan we see all the amazing things about him and we see the train wreck that is Iris. But very soon we see that Ryan comes with more issues than you think Iris can handle. I found myself wondering if I could handle all that Ryan is. There's no doubt that he's deserving of all he wants, he's wonderful. But it's A LOT. Ryan isn't 50 shades of fucked up, he is at least 75 shades.
Let's talk about the BAD:
The troubles: Oh, holy moly. There is so much going on that I was shaking my head. Iris incrementally learns of all of the messed up stuff that has happened and is happening to Ryan. And with every revelation I was finding myself rolling my eyes. Come on! How much crap can one man handle? How much drama can Iris take?
The missing trip to California: Forgive me if I'm wrong or my kindle didn't download this book correctly-- but something is off with this book. There is a point in the story where Iris and Ryan are on the outs--they get back together and from that point on Iris and Ryan occasionally mention a trip to California-- from what I can glean through these remarks, while in California--Beverly Hills, Ryan had some therapy and Iris drove a Volvo. ???? It's as if this part of the story was edited out, but the later references to it were not. So I had to scroll back because I figured I skipped a whole chapter or something.
Nick: I can't decide if Nick is a BAD or a GOOD. His role in Part 1 is interesting. The romantic in me is annoyed as hell that he is so important, but the drama-lover in me is like, "ooooooh, this is going to be good!!" I'm on the fence. I'm mad at Iris for not speaking up or for not even being upset about things. But at the same time, I feel like Ryan should have all of the loving, safe, relationships he can--he deserves that. Nick is a safe place for Ryan and so integral to his well-being.
I left this book thinking about all that Ryan has become after so much turmoil and wondering if I were Iris, would I be able to handle it? The author did a good job of making Ryan a great man, a great boyfriend. He's made the absolute best out of the bad. But the bad might be something that counter-acts all of the great. It's not often I read a book and wonder if I would give up on the hero. I think I would hate Iris if she did, but at the same time completely understand why.
I'm hooked. I have to know what happens with these two. I have a feeling Part 2 will make me crazy, but I can't not know.
September 2, 2022
Finished Reading November 12, 2013
Book Rejected
BORING!
1 Star
Prch Amz November 8, 2013
Book Rejected
BORING!
1 Star
Prch Amz November 8, 2013
December 17, 2020
I can’t believe these exchanges made it into a book. 2013 you were so long before cancel culture.
—-
“Now, I know that this is going to sound odd, but do you believe in male bisexuality?”
I looked at Ryan, feeling uncomfortable. “Actually, I’ve always heard that there are no bisexual men. There are straight men, and there are men on the way to gay town.”
Dr. Halder nodded again. “That’s a common misconception.”
—-
“You guys don’t…” I made a circle with my thumb and forefinger, and jabbed my other forefinger in and out of the circle.
“No. We’ve never done that.”
“Good.” As far as I know, it’s difficult to catch diseases from doing oral.
—-
If that wasn’t enough...I want to one star just for the unsexiest sex scenes. EVER. Like...EVER EVER.
“...long strokes of his tongue, flicking it in and out of my genitals” —just...ewwwwww.
“It hurt a little, because it had been so long for me with anyone, let alone with somebody as large as him. However, we had so much foreplay that I was ready to receive him.”
“After about an hour of his slow, rhythmic thrusting, he began to go faster and faster until he came inside me.” —wow...and I thought I’d had some ground breaking tantric sex in my life (cuz...that shit is real, yo!!!), but an hour of “slow, rhythmic thrusting”. Hubby must’ve been holding out on me.
“This time he thrust, slowly, for an over an hour, kissing me passionately on the mouth through most of it. When he came for the second time, I was shaking even worse than before, and I really needed a drink of water.” —she needs water XD
“We made love a total of seven times that night, and, when the morning came, we were both exhausted and spent.”
And in the morning...”I should have been so sore that making love again would be impossible. He lasted around 45 minutes this time, one of our shorter love-making sessions.”
ALL OF THAT HAPPENED ON A COUCH.
***(O.o)***
I just want to say the author is a virgin high schooler (possible) or a seriously repressed adult female (also possible)...either way...most laughable sex scenes ever. And the writing was just shit.
More below, cuz I can...
“But that night was the same as the previous night, as we made love for hours, in my bed that time. Finally, at 3 AM, I announced that we had to get some sleep, because he wasn’t going to be very productive at work when he had to go in at 8 that morning. He agreed, attempted to sleep, then made love to me again.”
“He kissed my stomach, then my inner thighs, then lightly started tonguing my vagina.”
“And, uh, in college he might’ve been a better artist than he is now. Drugs can make you pretty creative.” —LOL, no they don’t.
—-
“Now, I know that this is going to sound odd, but do you believe in male bisexuality?”
I looked at Ryan, feeling uncomfortable. “Actually, I’ve always heard that there are no bisexual men. There are straight men, and there are men on the way to gay town.”
Dr. Halder nodded again. “That’s a common misconception.”
—-
“You guys don’t…” I made a circle with my thumb and forefinger, and jabbed my other forefinger in and out of the circle.
“No. We’ve never done that.”
“Good.” As far as I know, it’s difficult to catch diseases from doing oral.
—-
If that wasn’t enough...I want to one star just for the unsexiest sex scenes. EVER. Like...EVER EVER.
“...long strokes of his tongue, flicking it in and out of my genitals” —just...ewwwwww.
“It hurt a little, because it had been so long for me with anyone, let alone with somebody as large as him. However, we had so much foreplay that I was ready to receive him.”
“After about an hour of his slow, rhythmic thrusting, he began to go faster and faster until he came inside me.” —wow...and I thought I’d had some ground breaking tantric sex in my life (cuz...that shit is real, yo!!!), but an hour of “slow, rhythmic thrusting”. Hubby must’ve been holding out on me.
“This time he thrust, slowly, for an over an hour, kissing me passionately on the mouth through most of it. When he came for the second time, I was shaking even worse than before, and I really needed a drink of water.” —she needs water XD
“We made love a total of seven times that night, and, when the morning came, we were both exhausted and spent.”
And in the morning...”I should have been so sore that making love again would be impossible. He lasted around 45 minutes this time, one of our shorter love-making sessions.”
ALL OF THAT HAPPENED ON A COUCH.
***(O.o)***
I just want to say the author is a virgin high schooler (possible) or a seriously repressed adult female (also possible)...either way...most laughable sex scenes ever. And the writing was just shit.
More below, cuz I can...
“But that night was the same as the previous night, as we made love for hours, in my bed that time. Finally, at 3 AM, I announced that we had to get some sleep, because he wasn’t going to be very productive at work when he had to go in at 8 that morning. He agreed, attempted to sleep, then made love to me again.”
“He kissed my stomach, then my inner thighs, then lightly started tonguing my vagina.”
“And, uh, in college he might’ve been a better artist than he is now. Drugs can make you pretty creative.” —LOL, no they don’t.
Read
November 18, 2013Freebie. DNF because I dislike books in which the hero is absolutely and utterly perfect - looks - money - house - sex appeal - career. There were several 'WTF!' moments in the first part of the story, including her getting a Brazilian, the constant 'product placements' and name dropping - Kardashians, Warhol etc - and most of all the bike ride!! She falls off - several times painfully onto rocks - and carries on! And then they bike ten miles back through the streets to where they have left the car. Excuse me??? I seriously wonder if the author has ever been on a mountain bike in her life. (my god the seats hurt!)
I gave up at this point. I couldn't have cared less about either of them.
I gave up at this point. I couldn't have cared less about either of them.
January 8, 2014
I have no idea how this book has anything over a 1 star rating. Storyline is filled with cliches, disjointed plotlines, and vapid characters.
Several times it feels as if the author recognizes how bad the story is, so just throws in another twist to try to lend some drama...which just adds to the chaos and makes the book worse.
Even as a free copy, this book was agony to read and review. Save yourself.
Several times it feels as if the author recognizes how bad the story is, so just throws in another twist to try to lend some drama...which just adds to the chaos and makes the book worse.
Even as a free copy, this book was agony to read and review. Save yourself.
August 20, 2014
DNF at 32%
Ugh. God awful. Female main was weak, whinny, and frankly pretty dumb. I could not stand her. Male main is a shallow constructed stereotype that frankly is far from attractive. Physically beautiful/handsome, overly needy/clingy, too good to be true rich, too secretive but with a gigantic shlong that goes all night and will make you forget all those things that make those bells ring at the back of your mind. Suuuuuree!! I'm totally buying this storyline. NOT! Moving on!!!
Ugh. God awful. Female main was weak, whinny, and frankly pretty dumb. I could not stand her. Male main is a shallow constructed stereotype that frankly is far from attractive. Physically beautiful/handsome, overly needy/clingy, too good to be true rich, too secretive but with a gigantic shlong that goes all night and will make you forget all those things that make those bells ring at the back of your mind. Suuuuuree!! I'm totally buying this storyline. NOT! Moving on!!!
July 1, 2013
Ryan for sure is one of my newest book boyfriends! I read this book in one sitting it was so good I can't wait to read the next one!
November 12, 2013
This was a total waste of my time! It's weird and so unbelievable it made me shake my head repeatedly. It is nothing like the description says. Don't waste your time with this one.
February 19, 2015
I'm sorry. I could only give this book 3 stars. And that was generous. Why?
1. Ryan was a HOT MESS and then some. I've never read a book about a man with so many issues. He sounded completely, totally nuts to me.
2. Iris was an insecure dumb ass. I thought lawyers were smarter than this. Seriously. I don't care what he looked like or how rich he was. Who the HELL dates a man who is bisexual and has a current boyfriend, is a former cocaine addict who relapses, was a prostitute when he was a teenager, pimped out by his own father, and was also molested by his own father? A dumb ass. Once he told me he used to be a cocaine addict I would have run for the hills. Why did the author make Iris so damned desperate? Full figured women are NOT desperate. They can pick and choose like skinny women can. And they don't have to end up with someone as "cray-cray" as Ryan.
Iris had so much insecurity about her looks it made me want to throw up. Why be insecure about only 30 pounds??? Even though in the book Ryan kept telling her how beautiful she was, she still kept thinking she was not good enough for him. With all of his bizarre, off the wall issues, SHE WAS TOO GOOD FOR HIM. It was almost like Iris felt she had to put up with all of his issues because he was good looking and rich and she didn't have any more options. Um, NOT.
3. I can't believe with all the bullshit Iris was dealing with she had to get kidnapped too. What was this author thinking? Some parts of this story were just unbelievable. I rolled my eyes through most of this book because I could not grasp Iris' constant stupidity. Who would say, "It's okay if you have a boyfriend. I'm fine with your bisexuality." NOBODY unless they were interested in a three-some from time to time. And since we're on the subject.....
4. There's no way Iris should have had sex with Ryan without a condom. It was so foolish and careless. He says he and Nick only engage in oral sex but HOW DOES SHE KNOW THAT? He's held back on so many other important things she can't truly trust him. And let's put his bisexuality aside. He shot up cocaine - right? From how many dirty needles over the time he was an addict? So VERY unsafe.
I just wish I could run across more books where the woman is NOT OKAY with all the mess trying to be heaped on her.
Will I read the next two? Don't know.
1. Ryan was a HOT MESS and then some. I've never read a book about a man with so many issues. He sounded completely, totally nuts to me.
2. Iris was an insecure dumb ass. I thought lawyers were smarter than this. Seriously. I don't care what he looked like or how rich he was. Who the HELL dates a man who is bisexual and has a current boyfriend, is a former cocaine addict who relapses, was a prostitute when he was a teenager, pimped out by his own father, and was also molested by his own father? A dumb ass. Once he told me he used to be a cocaine addict I would have run for the hills. Why did the author make Iris so damned desperate? Full figured women are NOT desperate. They can pick and choose like skinny women can. And they don't have to end up with someone as "cray-cray" as Ryan.
Iris had so much insecurity about her looks it made me want to throw up. Why be insecure about only 30 pounds??? Even though in the book Ryan kept telling her how beautiful she was, she still kept thinking she was not good enough for him. With all of his bizarre, off the wall issues, SHE WAS TOO GOOD FOR HIM. It was almost like Iris felt she had to put up with all of his issues because he was good looking and rich and she didn't have any more options. Um, NOT.
3. I can't believe with all the bullshit Iris was dealing with she had to get kidnapped too. What was this author thinking? Some parts of this story were just unbelievable. I rolled my eyes through most of this book because I could not grasp Iris' constant stupidity. Who would say, "It's okay if you have a boyfriend. I'm fine with your bisexuality." NOBODY unless they were interested in a three-some from time to time. And since we're on the subject.....
4. There's no way Iris should have had sex with Ryan without a condom. It was so foolish and careless. He says he and Nick only engage in oral sex but HOW DOES SHE KNOW THAT? He's held back on so many other important things she can't truly trust him. And let's put his bisexuality aside. He shot up cocaine - right? From how many dirty needles over the time he was an addict? So VERY unsafe.
I just wish I could run across more books where the woman is NOT OKAY with all the mess trying to be heaped on her.
Will I read the next two? Don't know.
February 16, 2017
This is not a contemporary romance. Bizarre book
So many poor things I could write!!!
1) characters are strange desperate people with mental health issues.
2) bizarre relationship behaviours. He's hits her on the head with his fist and asks is anyone there. WTH
3) Too much drama, noone with his mental health issues could be a CEO of a bank!
4) it's not just one book it's a trilogy. Why why why do this and at least not out this in the information
5) This book basically makes little sense and I'm so annoyed I've stayed up to read late this rubbish when I could be sleeping? Maybe I should question my sanity not the the characters in the book..
My advice is don't waste your time. It's not as discribed, not a good romance, trilogy, unhealthy, poor read.
I hope this helps. To the author I can only advise you read some romance novels first before you attempt to write one! Then you would have some idea of what is expected.
So many poor things I could write!!!
1) characters are strange desperate people with mental health issues.
2) bizarre relationship behaviours. He's hits her on the head with his fist and asks is anyone there. WTH
3) Too much drama, noone with his mental health issues could be a CEO of a bank!
4) it's not just one book it's a trilogy. Why why why do this and at least not out this in the information
5) This book basically makes little sense and I'm so annoyed I've stayed up to read late this rubbish when I could be sleeping? Maybe I should question my sanity not the the characters in the book..
My advice is don't waste your time. It's not as discribed, not a good romance, trilogy, unhealthy, poor read.
I hope this helps. To the author I can only advise you read some romance novels first before you attempt to write one! Then you would have some idea of what is expected.
July 20, 2013
Where do I start?? This book had me so frustrated, I considered just walking away several times, but I can not find it in myself to quit a book. This book is just full of WTF moments for me. First, Iris has such a low self esteem and I can understand this to a point given the man who is labeled a Ralph Lauren MBA god who is persuing her. But really?? She is time and time again told by Ryan, "oh, by the way, there is this and this and this screw up going on in my life" and she seems to just shrug her shoulders and go "okay, Ryan, it's all good" Ugh!!!! NO WAY!!! First of all if my BF told me (via a session with his therapist) that he is bisexual and has been since college and is still in an intimate relationship with his college BFF and wants to continue that relationship while still with me---uh, hell no!!!! She is slightly uncomfortable with this prospect but goes along with it. The list of transgretions that Ryan has is crazy!!! Yet Iris continues to be passive and stay on. Ryan says he loves Iris for who she is and he isn't looking for a supermodel type which I love, yet I find him being so selfish!!! All of his faults and he can't man up and just tell Iris any of them seemingly on his own, there always seems to be a third party doing it for him. I am not sure about this series, but I can say that towards the end of the book I was liking the couple more. I am not excited at all about Nick and I just don't look forward at all to Iris meeting him. I will be reading the next book, I hope for Ryan and Iris they can act like the adult professionals they are instead of the junior high school mentality I was reading in this book. Overall a 3.5* read for me.
February 12, 2014
There is a lot going on in this book. Ryan was a one night stand that Iris had. She didn't even know his name when he came into her law office and asked her out on a date. Things took off from there, with him falling in love with her, her not believing she was good enough for him. He is rich, hot, sexy, caring. So what would he see in a normal, broke girl. We find out about Ryan's childhood, filled with sex parties thrown by his dad, a woman taking him away from it when he was 14 and using him for her own needs, his ex wife and the their baby. Iris has her doubts through all of this, which is understandable, the more she finds out about him. His past comes back and gets Iris. Throughout it all, Ryan was very supportive of Iris, after the attack. I will be starting on the 2nd book tonight. Overall, not a bad story, it just had a lot going on.
November 8, 2013
Iris is an attorney who hates her job and not having anyone in her life. So while in a bar , she is drawn to a man sitting at the bar. Next thing she remembers is waking up in his bed not remembering how she got there. So so quietly leaves thinking that's the end of it. But he shows up at her office because she had given him her business card. So they start to get to know each other but Ryan has some deep, deep secrets. Will he share them and can they survive after she knows?
December 8, 2013
I was going to give 3 stars but I had to buy the two other books in the series so that makes this a 4* review; I'm hooked. The characters were real but so dysfunctional. I really couldn't put the book down. I'm not sure what pulled me in exactly but it's there. Perhaps it's the undying devotion of the main character that so gorgeous or the girlfriend that's not a super model and feels inferior to his past. Whatever the hook, I'm drawn in to part 2 and 3, at least financially so!
August 21, 2014
If you like your stories to read like a bad soap opera, you *might* enjoy this book. For me, it was not enjoyable. At. All. Full of unrealistic drama after drama after drama...only held together by a million dollar trust fund. So many bad stereotypes. Sex scenes read like they were written by a juvenile. Not worth the price - and it was free! One of the very few books I wish I could unread.
March 26, 2015
What to say about this? This guy was having way to many issues for me.
January 5, 2018
Codependent and Mental, Big Time!
Holy mackeral! This guy is a mess from circumstances and sick parents! Of course, his girlfriend also is grossly codependent to stay with this guy! Jeesh, the multi diagnoses exhausted me!!! I should have thought post both meeting with his counselor ALL would have been told but...nope!
Its was too mental for me to finish!
See? I can't even remember names it had me spinning!
Holy mackeral! This guy is a mess from circumstances and sick parents! Of course, his girlfriend also is grossly codependent to stay with this guy! Jeesh, the multi diagnoses exhausted me!!! I should have thought post both meeting with his counselor ALL would have been told but...nope!
Its was too mental for me to finish!
See? I can't even remember names it had me spinning!
June 26, 2018
So Iris and Ryan's story is quite dysfunctional and functional at the same time but it's a great love story the storyline keeps you on your toes the whole time cuz you want to know what happens next but a lot of messed up things happened to them this one was quite intense but I totally would recommend it if you just want a great love story that is out of the normal that's for sure
January 12, 2020
Totally different but totally in love
Ryan grew up with a ton of issues but when he me this lady in a bar he totally changed for the best. While having a one night stand that she doesnt remember she find that she doesnt even come close to being his type so she has kept him at a distance, until memories to head for him and she
Ryan grew up with a ton of issues but when he me this lady in a bar he totally changed for the best. While having a one night stand that she doesnt remember she find that she doesnt even come close to being his type so she has kept him at a distance, until memories to head for him and she
July 7, 2017
Couldn't finish reading this book as it was too "far out" there for me.....It's not Christian Grey or Gideon Cross...the alpha male seemed to go from zero to one hundred with his feelings after one sex session and no relationship build up.
May 14, 2018
Little “cray cray”
Not saying it’s not a good read it just has a lot going on with the main characters and almost too much to be believable and it’s all so gloom and doom for both, but I still got through it quick and might actually read next to finally find out about “Nick”
Not saying it’s not a good read it just has a lot going on with the main characters and almost too much to be believable and it’s all so gloom and doom for both, but I still got through it quick and might actually read next to finally find out about “Nick”
October 18, 2017
Beautiful Illusions
What a strange read.
I loved it. Not your typical anything. So much drama, twists and turns. A very unique story.
What a strange read.
I loved it. Not your typical anything. So much drama, twists and turns. A very unique story.
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