Hidden Scars

Hidden Scars #1

by Amanda K. Byrne

Sometimes the past won’t stay where it belongs.

Sara’s number one rule of dating: closed off, secretive men need not apply. Years of therapy helped her move past the damage done by her emotionally abusive boyfriend, and she’s ready to date again. Someone funny, laid back, and easy to talk to. All things her coworker Taylor isn’t.

Taylor’s quiet. Too quiet. He operates in permanent stealth mode, and he hides his secrets as well as Sara does. She doesn’t want to be attracted to him, but after a night spent in a hotel room together, trapped by a blizzard, she can’t deny there’s a fire-hot connection between them, waiting to ignite. Their working relationship inches closer and closer to friendship, until one day she gathers her courage and kisses him.

It’s the match Taylor was waiting for.

What starts as a sweet, fumbling friendship quickly becomes a passionate and intense affair. Just when Sara’s starting to feel safe in Taylor’s arms, his secrets come out, and she wonders if she’ll ever be able to stop looking over her shoulder.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Adult

Nook

First published September 22, 2015

About the author

This space says "biography", but...no. Goodreads is my reader space (even though that little thingy up on the right says Goodreads Author). So, if you're a reader, send me a friend request, but you better have more books on your list than friends. My TBR pile is never big enough and I'm always looking to add to it.

I'll read pretty much everything except horror. I write romance, so I read a lot of it - I insist it must have a plot! I need plot with my smut! Also mystery/thrillers (preferably with lots of mindf*ckery going on), fantasy, even literary fiction and the occasional non-fiction book (if you haven't read Adrian Nicole LeBlanc's RANDOM FAMILY, do. It's brilliant and heartbreaking.)

Talk to me about what you're reading!

(I have now hit my limit for exclamation points.)

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start by saying the first Amanda K. Byrne novel I read really gripped and moved me with the story and her fantastic writing so when she reached out and asked if I would read and review this novel I said sure. This novel is a lighter read but I'm glad I chose to read it. The writing is still her A game and the story is still compelling enough to keep me up until I finish it. Hidden Scars receives a deeply satisfied 4.5 stars from me.

Both Taylor and Sara are sales executives who, from time to time, work together on certain clients. Since Taylor's nature is quiet and reserved, Sara didn't know much about him until the night they get stranded in Chicago with one hotel room and one bed. Once she saw his tattooed back, Sara fell into the proverbial rabbit hole. The two's chemistry, sexual tension, and awareness of one another rise until Taylor takes small, measured steps to get closer to Sara.

Taylor is perceptive enough to realize Sara's been through some things in her life that mean he must walk a fine line in order to not scare her off. He takes notice of her favorite drinks, food, and what makes her relax and what doesn't. He finds himself wanting to have her and make her feel safe while struggling with his own ugly past.

Sara's struggled to feel confident and safe since her ex left unseen scars. She struggles with liking the way Taylor makes her feel and being terrified of whatever it is that they are doing. She's smart, focused, honest, and crafty.

Watching the two weave into each other's private lives was a bit refreshing. While Taylor liked to take care of Sara, he was well aware of her own strengths and need for independence. He was a good balance and exactly what Sara needed in a partner. Sara was good for Taylor, just as he was good for her. Their pasts do not stay there and make for a bit of action and movement during the novel. I look forward to reading more from Byrne!

[Alyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Trust. Probably the hardest thing to earn, yet the easiest to destroy.

Hidden Scars starts off with sales executives Sara and Taylor stuck in Chicago due to a snow storm. Not wanting to sleep in the airport, they head to a hotel to find that they have only one room left. With a single bed. Sara demands that Taylor take the bed, while she will sleep on the floor. After getting ready for bed, Sara sees Taylor in a way she's never seen him before; shirtless with a beautiful tattoo covering his back and scars.

After returning to Portland, Sara can't seem to shake thoughts of Taylor. She is curious about a man for the first time in a long time and finds herself trying to befriend him. Taylor isn't the easiest man to get to know. Life has taught him that he can learn more by simply observing and listening to what is going on around him rather than making his presence known. He has paid attention to Sara in the office, and he knows something has happened to her to put the look of fear and mistrust into her eyes. But Taylor is a patient man and wants Sara to feel comfortable around him before he even thinks about shifting their relationship from friendship to something more.

Taylor and Sara really built a true friendship. Sara became determined to make Taylor let go with her and just smile. Taylor was determined to get Sara to trust him with her body, mind and soul. Each was comfortable in their silence and didn't feel the need to take just to hear their voices. Their conversations had meaning and depth.

But the past doesn't always want to stay that way. Will Sara and Taylor be able to trust that they are better together to move through some trauma or will the past break them?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

[Dilushani Jayalath · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Wow, now that was such an intense book. This was much more than I actually expected. I actually thought this would be a lot like one of the sex-loving girls meeting perfect male counterpart kind of thing but nope. This was much better. It was such an emotional roller coaster ride and hell the depth of the characters was so good. I loved the characterisations of the MCs cuz it just much more maturity and complexness than any book I've read. Well I have read more complexed books maybe but still this book just hit me in the core.



Yep i was just left awed by then end of it. Let me get this out properly. This may not sometimes have the same effect it had on other as it did on me though. I've been in a reading slump and the books I managed to get net galley has definitely put me in better mood these days. Anyways let's get down to business now. First of all I'll talk about the characters. Both the MCs were totally in their own world of troubles. I liked how both of them had troubles and not just one and the other comes and saves day. Both of them had their wn luggage and they handled well. Thus making both of them suit each other awesomely. Sara was one hell of a strong woman. I loved how she didn't depend on Taylor for everything. She handled her problems logically and she definitely had good head on her shoulders.
And then we have Taylor. Now he was one of the most different MCs I've ever read. He was so quiet. I loved the fact that he was her pillar. Silently staying but totally supportive. He was such a sweet heart and such patience? How can one not fall in love with him? They were just made for each other.
The hotness in the book was also swoon worthy. I loved how they brought each other's desires out and loved how Taylor slowly but effectively chipped away Sara's insecurities. I loved reading how he made her fall in love with him. Also one of the main things I loved was how the male MC didn't talk about feelings a lot and shit. Sometimes it totally irritates me how some male MC just go on about how he's falling in love with the girl and all bullshit but Taylor wasn't like that. He was such a manly-man



They were sweet and surer hot at the same time. How can Bryne do that???





I just can't with my feels right now.Seriously this for me for some reason was even hotter than fifty shades



Amanda K. Bryne, Please keep writing this series because seriously I'm in love with it.

[Mandi]

DNF @ 50%

I wanted to like this! It has a super quiet, geeky (at least in my mind) hero and a heroine trying to date after an abusive relationship.

But it's so slow - and the hero falls very flat. The hero also has an odd gang-related past which did not mesh at all with his present day personality. I could not picture him in my mind as belonging to a gang. He was so nerdy/geeky/quiet/super nice. It was odd.

[Kate]

Just not working out for me.

[Sania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone but part of a series
Ages of H and h: In their 30s
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages: No
Was There Descriptive Sex: Yes
Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM: No
>>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup: N/A
Contains Cheating: No
Amount of Sex In The Book: A decent amount.
HEA/HFN/etc Ending: HEA
Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval: Yes
Any Triggers/Warnings: No
>>Detail: N/A
Do You Recommend This Book: Yes.
Will You Re-read This Book: Yes
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Yes

My Thoughts
This was refreshing to read. I love reading books about 'average' people. No billionaires and tstl heroines. Two people who have had a rough time trying to find their place in the world and each others lives. I like how the drama involved 'other people and no exs' . An enjoyable read.

[~Nichole~ Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews

Nichole's Sizzling Reviews

Sizzling Pages @ Facebook

Sizling Pages on TSU

Twitter:@Sizzlingpages

Email: sizzlingpages@gmail.com

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Anja]

DNF 12%, terribly slow, no chemistry, nothing happening, irrelevant info in the writing

[Mignon Mykel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 / 5 stars

Received a copy of the title in exchange for an honest review.

When I read FRACTURE earlier this year, I fell in love with Amanda's writing style. She pulls the reader in and does the suspense aspect well. When she asked me to read and review this title, I was super excited and couldn't wait to dive in!

This book, though, is quite a bit different from the war-torn country book that FRACTURE is -- but had it's equally great moments.

Sara's take-charge attitude has put her in a decent position for the company she works for... but her partner takes advantage of her. On a rare project off from her typical partner, she and Taylor end up stranded in Chicago due to a snow storm. Taylor isn't exactly the laid back type, but he's definitely the silent type, so when Sara charges forward and finds them a room at a hotel for the night, he tags along. When Sara can only get them a one-bed room and demands she takes the floor, Taylor gets her to sleep on the bed. But that's about the extent of their interaction.

Sara can't get Taylor off her mind after that night, though. The silent guy a few rooms down from hers at the office has a magnificent tattoo on his back, scars all over, and seems like he has a story to tell. She finds herself wanting to get to know him -- even though he embodies everything she swore she'd never go for again.

I loved Taylor. He seems like he'd be the typical beta guy, but his mind... His mind is always running and he can be the take-charge guy when it needs to happen. His past is littered with regret and mistakes; her past has mistakes as well, and as their stories interweave, they find they have more in common than they realize.

Sara with her forthcomingness isn't used to the space Taylor keeps giving her -- a communication flaw I found with Sara and Taylor that didn't quite make it to the annoying stage but was just about there. Taylor's giving her space was actually sweet and thought out -- part of his characterization that made him such a lovable male lead. Beyond that, they were an enjoyable couple to read.

This book has a short sneak for the next book, and it sounds great! I can't wait to read that one, too!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 stars

Hidden Scars is the 2nd book I have read from this author, and although the content of the story deals with some potentially heavy issues, the tone of this book felt blessedly lighter than the first book I read.

Sara has been attempting to rebuild her life for years since her abusive ex was jailed. She moved to a completely new location, has a job she is very good at, and has a few new friends, but dating, commitment and relationships still scare the life out of her. She has never really given much thought or attention to her co-worker Taylor until they are stranded on a business trip and are forced to share a hotel room.

Taylor has watched Sara from afar for a long time, but that is what he does best. He learned how to fade into the background to just observe and document the smallest of details at a very young age and it has served him well over the years. He speaks only when he has something worth sharing so most people tend to look right past him or quickly forget he is there. He is very good at controlling his reactions and emotions, a trait that both entices and frustrates Sara simultaneously. When the attraction becomes mutual, Taylor realizes he must move slowly after observing Sara's demeanor and physical reactions around others which leads to a slow building burn between them for the first part of the story. They build a solid friendship over the next few months until she finally feels comfortable enough to make a move and then it's game on as they both try to make up for lost time!

As they are getting to know each other, the past is threatening to rear its ugly head for both of them. Will Sara fold under the pressure or find the strength and courage to fight for her new life? Will Taylor walk away to keep her safe? Well you will have to read it to find out, but if you know the type of stories I read, you probably know the answer to that question!

Hidden Scars is the first in a series but it is a standalone. The next book, Broken Down, will feature Sara's best friend Krista and a man she alludes to in this story. Three word hint for you: rock star hero. Based on the sneak peek first chapter at the end of this story, I have already added it to my TBR!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the last book I read from this author, and so when I was offered the opportunity to read her latest release, I eagerly accepted. In case you're wondering? I'm glad I did.

Although the tone of this book is much lighter, the same underlying connection with the characters is easily established. The relationship between Sara and Taylor felt to me like it developed organically, and as a result, their story was all the more captivating.

Subtly written, completely engrossing, this was a one sitting read for me.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Wendy Gibson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn't get through this story as much as I tried. I had to flip through it and skip to the end. I wasn't thrilled with any of the characters and found my mind wandering while trying to get into the story. I thought perhaps I was just having an off day, so I tried again to read it two days later. Nope. It just didn't pique my interest sadly.

[❤️Melanie G.📖💛 · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review.

This book was a fairly quick read for me. I actually found myself skimming the pages at times due to the fact that I wasn’t relating to the characters. The story was well written and told I however did not feel the development of the characters or the chemistry between them. All in all it was a good read.