What do you think?
Rate this book
Unhinged
Growing up, Ainsley Carter always felt different from her parents. While they embraced their financial status, she never liked how it set her apart from others in their small town. It was always obvious to her what money did to people, how it had the power to change things. Most of all, she hated what it took from her.
Her heart.
Back in Kittery, Maine, for the first time in over four years, she is instantly bombarded with plans that her parents have made for her life. Expensive clothes, the perfect man ready to marry her, the life of privilege.
Or is it?
Memories flood back and, as if conjured from her dreams, there he is, the man who has owned her body and soul since she was a kid. Adam James, the man who has haunted her every day since he broke her.
Adam is the complete opposite of everything Ainsley is told she should want. The hard working roofer rides a Harley, his clothes are ripped and faded, and he wouldn’t be caught dead walking into the country club her father helped build. After breaking it off with Ainsley, he’s bitter. He despises everything about the way Ainsley and her family use money to make problems go away.
Years later, can fire still be simmering beneath the broken hearts and resentment? Secrets never stay buried, but can Adam and Ainsley handle the truth?
Her heart.
Back in Kittery, Maine, for the first time in over four years, she is instantly bombarded with plans that her parents have made for her life. Expensive clothes, the perfect man ready to marry her, the life of privilege.
Or is it?
Memories flood back and, as if conjured from her dreams, there he is, the man who has owned her body and soul since she was a kid. Adam James, the man who has haunted her every day since he broke her.
Adam is the complete opposite of everything Ainsley is told she should want. The hard working roofer rides a Harley, his clothes are ripped and faded, and he wouldn’t be caught dead walking into the country club her father helped build. After breaking it off with Ainsley, he’s bitter. He despises everything about the way Ainsley and her family use money to make problems go away.
Years later, can fire still be simmering beneath the broken hearts and resentment? Secrets never stay buried, but can Adam and Ainsley handle the truth?
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2015
3 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Cat Mason
26 books330 followersWhen she isn't writing, Cat is spending time with her fiancé and kiddos, losing herself in a Netflix binge, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors. She was born and raised outside of St. Louis, Missouri, just over the Mississippi River in Granite City, Illinois. Cat writes romance of all kinds with twists of humor. She now makes her home in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee and has plans to have her own home with tons of land for her family and their animals to roam wild. She has love of fictional men with filthy mouths, and lives on Bai Watermelon and sarcasm.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 17, 2015
This was a super read. Although it's short it told me the full story and didn't leave me hanging. Of course I gotta add if this book was longer I certainly wouldn't be complaining.
Cat certainly knows how to write a fabulous story. I loved the main characters Ainsley and Adam. The came across as real which is a big positive for me.
Ainsley and Adam come from completely different backgrounds. Four years away from her home and a broken heart Ainsley is back to move on with her life. Can she stand up for what she wants and fight for who she loves??
Even though this is short I can't fault it all. I love this authors style of writing and I'm looking forward to reading more of her stories.
Cat certainly knows how to write a fabulous story. I loved the main characters Ainsley and Adam. The came across as real which is a big positive for me.
Ainsley and Adam come from completely different backgrounds. Four years away from her home and a broken heart Ainsley is back to move on with her life. Can she stand up for what she wants and fight for who she loves??
Even though this is short I can't fault it all. I love this authors style of writing and I'm looking forward to reading more of her stories.
July 16, 2023
The ocean is about the only thing Ainsley Carter can honestly say she loves about returning home after finishing college. She'd left under a cloud at 17 after things had gone horribly wrong between her and local bad boy Adam James and not set foot in Kittery since.
Now she's back, and just like putting on a comfortable set of old shoes, she's slipped back into the role of being the perfect puppet for her wealthy parents who have her whole future mapped out for her. Who she's going to marry and even when is already penciled in to their social calendar.
But being back in Kittery only reminds Ainsley of the future she never wanted, and the future she no longer believes is possible, forcing her to either accept the former, of stand up for herself and forge a new future on her own terms.
This short read packs in some pretty powerful emotions, as Adam and Ainsley each come to terms with their differing perspectives on what happened four years earlier and what it means for each of them moving forward. The dynamic between Ainsley and her family (and prospective fiancee) is so tense you could cut the air with a knife. Hope, fear, anger, resentment, love and a smattering of lust all swirl around these two as they rush towards their inevitable confrontation.
In something quite different from Cat Mason, Unhinged cuts right to the chase of what makes a second chance romance something special to read and I loved it. Packed with characters you'll love to love, and some you'll love to hate, and still finding room for a few plot twists I'm sure you wont see coming, this fast easy read is sure to please.
Now she's back, and just like putting on a comfortable set of old shoes, she's slipped back into the role of being the perfect puppet for her wealthy parents who have her whole future mapped out for her. Who she's going to marry and even when is already penciled in to their social calendar.
But being back in Kittery only reminds Ainsley of the future she never wanted, and the future she no longer believes is possible, forcing her to either accept the former, of stand up for herself and forge a new future on her own terms.
This short read packs in some pretty powerful emotions, as Adam and Ainsley each come to terms with their differing perspectives on what happened four years earlier and what it means for each of them moving forward. The dynamic between Ainsley and her family (and prospective fiancee) is so tense you could cut the air with a knife. Hope, fear, anger, resentment, love and a smattering of lust all swirl around these two as they rush towards their inevitable confrontation.
In something quite different from Cat Mason, Unhinged cuts right to the chase of what makes a second chance romance something special to read and I loved it. Packed with characters you'll love to love, and some you'll love to hate, and still finding room for a few plot twists I'm sure you wont see coming, this fast easy read is sure to please.
October 15, 2015
Short, sexy, and completely drool worthy! This story doesn't waste any time and pulls you in right from the beginning. You feel the pain and discomfort Ainsley feels when returning home. She is from a very wealthy family who does things for the sake of outside appearances and even personal decisions are made based on business. Ainsley thought she had it all before she left home heartbroken and is not looking forward to bumping into her past. Adam thought he had his feelings in check but when he spots Ainsely all bets are off. He feels such anger and betrayal, but yet his love for her is still there. This book is about their journey and how they deal with the lies and deceit that tore them apart. This story is a quick read but is full of heat and love and family struggles. Loved it!!!
October 13, 2015
4.5 stars!!!!
****I recieved this book, in exchange for an honest review on Rae's Rockin' Reviews"***********
This starts off with a "bang!" Ainsley comes back to Maine for the first time in four years, to a life that is not of her choosing, but is in the plans of her overly privileged parents.
"Ainsley Carter is destined to marry a man who will take over my father's empire and become a decorative show piece in the home, just as my mother is."
Not only is she pushed to marry someone she doesn't love, but has known all her life and is as connected as her family is, she is faced almost immediately to with the love of her life that ruined her for all sense and purposes.
Adam cannot believe that Ainsley has come back especially after all that has happened. Much less, can he believe that she affects him the way that she does.
"I hate how just seeing her brings up all this shit that I buried. Most of all I hate that I still love her so much."
"Even now, after everything, fI can feel a spark of what was once between us, the embers still smoldering somewhere beneath the ashes of what is left of me."
After being thrown together again and again, can Ainsley defy her parents and find the life that she truly wants for herself, especially with Adam? Can Adam get over all of the hurt and work through it all and keep Ainsley in his arms for good this time?
"I've already gotten started on forever, a long time ago, Ainsley No matter how hard I've tried, I've never seen anyone but you."
"I promised you forever, and I'm not wasting one more minute. We've got a whole lot of forever left, baby."
With interesting twists and moments that will take your breath away, Cat has given us a great short story that is amazing for a quiet day cuddled in your reading nook.
****I recieved this book, in exchange for an honest review on Rae's Rockin' Reviews"***********
This starts off with a "bang!" Ainsley comes back to Maine for the first time in four years, to a life that is not of her choosing, but is in the plans of her overly privileged parents.
"Ainsley Carter is destined to marry a man who will take over my father's empire and become a decorative show piece in the home, just as my mother is."
Not only is she pushed to marry someone she doesn't love, but has known all her life and is as connected as her family is, she is faced almost immediately to with the love of her life that ruined her for all sense and purposes.
Adam cannot believe that Ainsley has come back especially after all that has happened. Much less, can he believe that she affects him the way that she does.
"I hate how just seeing her brings up all this shit that I buried. Most of all I hate that I still love her so much."
"Even now, after everything, fI can feel a spark of what was once between us, the embers still smoldering somewhere beneath the ashes of what is left of me."
After being thrown together again and again, can Ainsley defy her parents and find the life that she truly wants for herself, especially with Adam? Can Adam get over all of the hurt and work through it all and keep Ainsley in his arms for good this time?
"I've already gotten started on forever, a long time ago, Ainsley No matter how hard I've tried, I've never seen anyone but you."
"I promised you forever, and I'm not wasting one more minute. We've got a whole lot of forever left, baby."
With interesting twists and moments that will take your breath away, Cat has given us a great short story that is amazing for a quiet day cuddled in your reading nook.
October 21, 2015
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review - Naomi / Scandalous Book Blog***
This was a quick short read that definitely packs a punch.
I loved the characters and the story, my only complaint is I wished it had been longer.
Ainsley Carter has come home to Maine 4 years after leaving. But there is trouble brewing as Adam is still here and 4 years ago he stole her heart and broke it all at the same time, she still hasn’t pieced herself back together again. Coming from a wealthy family has its draw backs with parents who have very high expectations Ainsley is due to marry a man she certainly doesn’t like let alone love. Will she be able to fight and finally stick up for what she wants?
4 years ago Adam was left distraught but the woman he loved and he could be with her any longer. Fast forward 4 years and she is back and the hurt and anger is still as strong but so is his love and desire for her. After a series of run in's that don’t go to plan Adam finally decides to lay it all out there.
What will happen when they both realize that all this hurt could have been avoided had they just of spoken and trusted one another. Sometime things are not what they seem and when you try to right one wrong other things fall into place.
This was a quick short read that definitely packs a punch.
I loved the characters and the story, my only complaint is I wished it had been longer.
Ainsley Carter has come home to Maine 4 years after leaving. But there is trouble brewing as Adam is still here and 4 years ago he stole her heart and broke it all at the same time, she still hasn’t pieced herself back together again. Coming from a wealthy family has its draw backs with parents who have very high expectations Ainsley is due to marry a man she certainly doesn’t like let alone love. Will she be able to fight and finally stick up for what she wants?
4 years ago Adam was left distraught but the woman he loved and he could be with her any longer. Fast forward 4 years and she is back and the hurt and anger is still as strong but so is his love and desire for her. After a series of run in's that don’t go to plan Adam finally decides to lay it all out there.
What will happen when they both realize that all this hurt could have been avoided had they just of spoken and trusted one another. Sometime things are not what they seem and when you try to right one wrong other things fall into place.
October 13, 2015
Ainsley Carter comes from a wealthy, overbearing family. Adam James is from a middle class upbringing. They find that they are perfect for each other anyway. Ainsley's family doesn't approve of him, and will do anything to control her life. Four years later, she comes home still broken, and Adam's full of bitterness as neither has moved on. Will they find out the truth about what went wrong?
Serials are just mean, and the level of meanness is taken up a notch when one of the top 5 authors trying to kill me decides to write one. With that being said, I LOVED Unhinged because this author's work, no matter how short, is kindle crack for me. There simply isn't a character Cat Mason could write that I wouldn't love and need more of. Good Lord, she has a brilliant way with words, and probably writes her to-do lists SMOKIN HOT! In conclusion, ain't too proud to beg, please please please give me more of Ainsley and Adam! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Serials are just mean, and the level of meanness is taken up a notch when one of the top 5 authors trying to kill me decides to write one. With that being said, I LOVED Unhinged because this author's work, no matter how short, is kindle crack for me. There simply isn't a character Cat Mason could write that I wouldn't love and need more of. Good Lord, she has a brilliant way with words, and probably writes her to-do lists SMOKIN HOT! In conclusion, ain't too proud to beg, please please please give me more of Ainsley and Adam! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
October 14, 2015
Growing up in a family where all they cared about was appearances and money was pure hell for Ainsley. She was expected to marry into wealth and continue the family legacy. Her parents had it all planned out. What they didn't plan on was, Adam.
Adam was a middle class boy that befriended and then fell in love with Ainsley. They planned on forever. Their forever was taken from them.
A perfect read for anyone, this book is filled with love, betrayal and lies. Rebelling and standing up for herself Ainsley is the type of female character you can look up to and admire. A woman that knows there is more to life than material things and what the all mighty dollar can get you. A character that your daughters can admire.
Adam strong and faithful, the type of alpha male that rivals the princes of every fairy tale you have read. He knew what his heart wanted and waited for her to come back so that he could be complete and claim her as his.
Again Perfection!
Adam was a middle class boy that befriended and then fell in love with Ainsley. They planned on forever. Their forever was taken from them.
A perfect read for anyone, this book is filled with love, betrayal and lies. Rebelling and standing up for herself Ainsley is the type of female character you can look up to and admire. A woman that knows there is more to life than material things and what the all mighty dollar can get you. A character that your daughters can admire.
Adam strong and faithful, the type of alpha male that rivals the princes of every fairy tale you have read. He knew what his heart wanted and waited for her to come back so that he could be complete and claim her as his.
Again Perfection!
October 18, 2015
Loving books by Cat, I couldn't wait to read this.
This is a short read, but nothing is left out. We meet Adam and Ainsley, with a past that we follow 4 years ago. we find out the different ways each of them deals with the events and how second chance romance can happen.
Filled with powerful emotions, lots of twists and turns, this I found to be a very enjoyable read. There is no messing about with this book, right from the start you are pulled into the read.
Cat has a way of writing that will let you escape into the books, this is a different book to what Cat normally writes, but it doesn't lack anything that you need from a book.
A very enjoyable read for me.
***** Free copy received via Obsessed by Books********
This is a short read, but nothing is left out. We meet Adam and Ainsley, with a past that we follow 4 years ago. we find out the different ways each of them deals with the events and how second chance romance can happen.
Filled with powerful emotions, lots of twists and turns, this I found to be a very enjoyable read. There is no messing about with this book, right from the start you are pulled into the read.
Cat has a way of writing that will let you escape into the books, this is a different book to what Cat normally writes, but it doesn't lack anything that you need from a book.
A very enjoyable read for me.
***** Free copy received via Obsessed by Books********
October 13, 2015
Such an interesting short story.
There is something for everyone in this face paced book. I can't even say heartbreaking or heart warming because it pulls you in both ways. Ainsley and Adam's story is full of surprises. Can they end up being together or will her parents have her married off to her childhood friend in hopes to bring to wealthy families together? I love how this sorry ended. Looking forward to the second book in the series. 4.5/5 stars.
There is something for everyone in this face paced book. I can't even say heartbreaking or heart warming because it pulls you in both ways. Ainsley and Adam's story is full of surprises. Can they end up being together or will her parents have her married off to her childhood friend in hopes to bring to wealthy families together? I love how this sorry ended. Looking forward to the second book in the series. 4.5/5 stars.
October 13, 2015
I just love reading Cat's books. Unhinged is different from the other books of hers that I've read. This is a second chance book with a great story line.
Adam and Ainsley are totally in love with each other until he breaks her heart. She leaves town for college to come back four years later still in love with him.
I'm not going to give anything away, you need to read it for yourself. You will love the characters and the writing will keep you reading. Great book Cat loved it!
Adam and Ainsley are totally in love with each other until he breaks her heart. She leaves town for college to come back four years later still in love with him.
I'm not going to give anything away, you need to read it for yourself. You will love the characters and the writing will keep you reading. Great book Cat loved it!
July 23, 2020
I cannot get enough of her books. Lol
What a great read. I love how Cat can pull you into a book and takes you for a hard ride of emotions and steamy scenes. This was such a great book to read to get away from my school work. Her characters are always so well put together and her descriptions of them are great. The plots are always great and you are never left with a....Is that it moment?
What a great read. I love how Cat can pull you into a book and takes you for a hard ride of emotions and steamy scenes. This was such a great book to read to get away from my school work. Her characters are always so well put together and her descriptions of them are great. The plots are always great and you are never left with a....Is that it moment?
January 6, 2025
KU) A super quick read.
July 13, 2018
UNHINGED is the first book in the Kittery Serial. They will need to be read in the order of release.
I loved this short, second-chance romance between the blue-collar boy and the mink coat debutante. The emotions are intense from the first page to the last. Love, lies, betrayal, and loyalty are all exposed to light.
Like many of the girls I have known, it may be short, but it is mighty!
Note: while I was given this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: UNHINGED
Series: Kittery #1
Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Cat Mason (in exchange for an honest review)
I loved this short, second-chance romance between the blue-collar boy and the mink coat debutante. The emotions are intense from the first page to the last. Love, lies, betrayal, and loyalty are all exposed to light.
Like many of the girls I have known, it may be short, but it is mighty!
Note: while I was given this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: UNHINGED
Series: Kittery #1
Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Cat Mason (in exchange for an honest review)
October 26, 2015
Ainsley Carter and Adam James are your typical lovers from different sides of the tracks, so to speak. Ainsley grew up in wealth and privilege while Adam is a Harley rider who works construction. Yet those differences didn't matter when they were young and in high school. Ainsley never felt like she belonged with people like her parents and she made friends who her family considered beneath them. When they discovered that she and Adam were in love they decided to put an end to it, unbeknownst to either Ainsley or Adam.
Four years of believing lies that left them both broken-hearted and angry ruined any relationship they had once had. Ainsley's parents lied to both of them, and what bothered me the most was that they both so readily believed these lies! If they loved one another as much as the professed then why didn't they fight for it, or at least determine the full story? They ended up suffering for what could have been nothing. They could've spent these last years together and happy instead of apart and grieving.
When Ainsley returns home after the time she's been away, it is to finally succumb to her parent's plans for her future. But can she really go through with it? Especially once she sees Adam and not only learns the truth but also realizes that her feelings for him haven't changed?
If any good came out of their time apart, it's that they're both prepared to fight dirty for what is rightfully theirs. The freedom to fully love one another and live their lives as they want and build a future together. But before that can happen they must devise a plan to get her parents off their backs for good...
This was a great short read with a well earned HEA that has you rooting for the love-struck couple the entire time!
Four years of believing lies that left them both broken-hearted and angry ruined any relationship they had once had. Ainsley's parents lied to both of them, and what bothered me the most was that they both so readily believed these lies! If they loved one another as much as the professed then why didn't they fight for it, or at least determine the full story? They ended up suffering for what could have been nothing. They could've spent these last years together and happy instead of apart and grieving.
When Ainsley returns home after the time she's been away, it is to finally succumb to her parent's plans for her future. But can she really go through with it? Especially once she sees Adam and not only learns the truth but also realizes that her feelings for him haven't changed?
If any good came out of their time apart, it's that they're both prepared to fight dirty for what is rightfully theirs. The freedom to fully love one another and live their lives as they want and build a future together. But before that can happen they must devise a plan to get her parents off their backs for good...
This was a great short read with a well earned HEA that has you rooting for the love-struck couple the entire time!
October 25, 2015
Really short and amazing story. The author has done a really great job with the details and getting the writing on paper. I do have to say I was a little confused on what the story was about but that didn't stop me from reading it, I had it read and finished in one day. Although this story was short I also felt as if a I missed a few things about it, like what happened, the ending really threw me in a loop that's for sure. This is my first time reading anything by this author and let me say wow, she can really put the words on paper. The ending really blew my mind everything ended up being a twist to the story and a head spinner. It's a short and fun story to read.
***I received this story for free in exchange for an honest review, see more of my review @ http://jmhoward2007.blogspot.com ***
***I received this story for free in exchange for an honest review, see more of my review @ http://jmhoward2007.blogspot.com ***
November 1, 2015
2.5☆. The story is decent enough but there were many grammatical errors and mistakes in such a short book. I don't mind quick reads, they get straight to the point and don't waffle unnecessarily but I hate bad editing. However, the story and characters were good.
November 5, 2015
This short story is awfully sexy. And keeps you swing those pages all day. Cat does another amazing job with book. It was awesome
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews