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Demise #1
My Sweet Demise
Desperation makes a girl do crazy things…
When twenty-one year old Raina O’Connor is kicked out of her room on short notice, she’s thrown into a frantic search for a new place to stay. As the situation becomes more urgent, her choices have dwindled to her least favorite option—ladies’ man, Kent Nicholson.
Kent Nicholson loves women, just not as a roommate…
When a gorgeous blonde with big hazel eyes answers Kent’s ad for a roommate, his red flags start flying. He’s looking for a wingman, not a chick who will put a damper on his game or drench his apartment in pink. It’s clear she’s in a bind, and something about her makes him break his own rules. But when he reluctantly accepts, it’s with four concrete conditions.
Be his wingman. Don’t get in his way with other girls. No bitchy attitudes. And most importantly, she can’t fall for him.
Pretty sure this was the world’s worst idea—ever…
Trust is something earned. Raina learned that the hard way when her father broke her heart as a child, making it easy to steer clear of relationships. But living with Kent somehow stirs emotions Raina has always forbidden herself to have. Plus, he’s everything she never wanted—untrustworthy, pigheaded…and gorgeous. Something tells her Kent isn’t free of his own secret scars…
Love can drag you down and spit you out, and be worth every second.
When twenty-one year old Raina O’Connor is kicked out of her room on short notice, she’s thrown into a frantic search for a new place to stay. As the situation becomes more urgent, her choices have dwindled to her least favorite option—ladies’ man, Kent Nicholson.
Kent Nicholson loves women, just not as a roommate…
When a gorgeous blonde with big hazel eyes answers Kent’s ad for a roommate, his red flags start flying. He’s looking for a wingman, not a chick who will put a damper on his game or drench his apartment in pink. It’s clear she’s in a bind, and something about her makes him break his own rules. But when he reluctantly accepts, it’s with four concrete conditions.
Be his wingman. Don’t get in his way with other girls. No bitchy attitudes. And most importantly, she can’t fall for him.
Pretty sure this was the world’s worst idea—ever…
Trust is something earned. Raina learned that the hard way when her father broke her heart as a child, making it easy to steer clear of relationships. But living with Kent somehow stirs emotions Raina has always forbidden herself to have. Plus, he’s everything she never wanted—untrustworthy, pigheaded…and gorgeous. Something tells her Kent isn’t free of his own secret scars…
Love can drag you down and spit you out, and be worth every second.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2016
52 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Shana Vanterpool
27 books378 followersShana Vanterpool is a passionate writer who finds solace in the pages of a good book. When she walks into a bookstore, she feels at home, and when she reads, she becomes the person she has always wanted to be. With her love for writing, Shana aims to provide her readers with an escape from their everyday lives, just as reading has done for her.
To stay up to date with Shana’s latest releases, be sure to visit her website at https://shanavanterpool.com.
To stay up to date with Shana’s latest releases, be sure to visit her website at https://shanavanterpool.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 10, 2016
I love me some manwhore hero, and I can tolerate shades of assholish behavior from them most of the time. But Kent...oh boy. To be honest, calling this guy a hero would be pushing it. There's nothing heroic about this horrible, misogynistic jerk.
*RAGE
So many ragey moments. So many that I had to step back and calm my tits for a bit before writing my review for this...
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
*RAGE
So many ragey moments. So many that I had to step back and calm my tits for a bit before writing my review for this...
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2015
God, this book was a mess.
A wonderful, delicious mess of angst and drama and sexual tension!
Usually when I get a new book, I skim the first few pages and then it goes on the shelf to wait for its turn to be read, but this book sucked me in from the very first page and I did not put it down until I reached the very last page (and even then I frantically swiped at my Kindle because I needed there to be more).
When Raina is suddenly homeless she’s already beyond desperate to find a place to stay when she answers and ad for a roommate from Kent Nicholson. Kent has some rules for her to follow though: Be his wing-woman, don’t cock-block, don’t be a bitch and definitely do not fall in love with him. Down to her last option and running out of time, she readily agrees to his terms.
Yes, because that kind of situation always works out SO well.
Raina is scarred from a traumatic past and protects herself by never taking chances, never trusting anyone and especially not having anything to do with men. Kent is suffering from an inability to move on from his own pain and is intent on punishing anything with a vagina. So what happens when two broken and flawed people drowning in their own pain are forced together in close quarters? Disaster.
Kent is in a dark place, constantly looking for an escape from his pain in the next bottle or available woman. He was an unapologetic asshole but his angsty intensity was oh so sexy. He was determined to stay away from Raina but there were moments of vulnerability when jealousy reared its ugly head and while clearly at war with himself between wanting her and knowing he shouldn’t have her, he just couldn’t manage to let her go.
Raina did everything in her power to stay away from people for most of her life and even though she knew that Kent was the absolute worst possible mistake she could ever make, she still couldn’t help but fall for the lost look in the eyes of the boy who did so much to be the hard-ass bad boy. It’s that hint of something deeper and painful that mirrored her own pain that made her unable to walk away. These two are polar opposites and yet they were drawn to each other like moths to a flame. And boy did they burn. Soon what started as playful banter and stand-offs between two people who are too proud to back down, turns into a passionate obsession. The build-up of sexual tension between these two was absolute torture and when their resistance faltered it led from one explosive moment to the next.
With the constant push and pull between these two, after a while it was difficult to determine who the bad guy was. They were tangled up in a game of stupid decisions, trying to hurt the other only to get hopelessly caught up in each other again and their chemistry was off the charts. The drama was not only caused by these two characters, but also by the interference of secondary characters that did not always have the best of intentions.
I thought this book was brilliantly written. When reading books that are so high on drama escalated by miscommunication, holding onto secrets and stupid decisions it is very easy to become annoyed but this author managed to suck me in and get me invested in characters that were definitely flawed. She even managed to create secondary characters that grabbed my interest, even when I hated them; I was caught up in them. She created situations that felt realistic to me even in their dramatics.
Honestly, there were moments where I was wondering WTF was going on but this book was total crack and I became hopelessly addicted to the constant angst and drama. If you’re a fan of angsty books such as Beautiful Disaster and Thoughtless, I definitely recommend reading this.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
A wonderful, delicious mess of angst and drama and sexual tension!
Usually when I get a new book, I skim the first few pages and then it goes on the shelf to wait for its turn to be read, but this book sucked me in from the very first page and I did not put it down until I reached the very last page (and even then I frantically swiped at my Kindle because I needed there to be more).
When Raina is suddenly homeless she’s already beyond desperate to find a place to stay when she answers and ad for a roommate from Kent Nicholson. Kent has some rules for her to follow though: Be his wing-woman, don’t cock-block, don’t be a bitch and definitely do not fall in love with him. Down to her last option and running out of time, she readily agrees to his terms.
Yes, because that kind of situation always works out SO well.
Raina is scarred from a traumatic past and protects herself by never taking chances, never trusting anyone and especially not having anything to do with men. Kent is suffering from an inability to move on from his own pain and is intent on punishing anything with a vagina. So what happens when two broken and flawed people drowning in their own pain are forced together in close quarters? Disaster.
Kent is in a dark place, constantly looking for an escape from his pain in the next bottle or available woman. He was an unapologetic asshole but his angsty intensity was oh so sexy. He was determined to stay away from Raina but there were moments of vulnerability when jealousy reared its ugly head and while clearly at war with himself between wanting her and knowing he shouldn’t have her, he just couldn’t manage to let her go.
Raina did everything in her power to stay away from people for most of her life and even though she knew that Kent was the absolute worst possible mistake she could ever make, she still couldn’t help but fall for the lost look in the eyes of the boy who did so much to be the hard-ass bad boy. It’s that hint of something deeper and painful that mirrored her own pain that made her unable to walk away. These two are polar opposites and yet they were drawn to each other like moths to a flame. And boy did they burn. Soon what started as playful banter and stand-offs between two people who are too proud to back down, turns into a passionate obsession. The build-up of sexual tension between these two was absolute torture and when their resistance faltered it led from one explosive moment to the next.
With the constant push and pull between these two, after a while it was difficult to determine who the bad guy was. They were tangled up in a game of stupid decisions, trying to hurt the other only to get hopelessly caught up in each other again and their chemistry was off the charts. The drama was not only caused by these two characters, but also by the interference of secondary characters that did not always have the best of intentions.
I thought this book was brilliantly written. When reading books that are so high on drama escalated by miscommunication, holding onto secrets and stupid decisions it is very easy to become annoyed but this author managed to suck me in and get me invested in characters that were definitely flawed. She even managed to create secondary characters that grabbed my interest, even when I hated them; I was caught up in them. She created situations that felt realistic to me even in their dramatics.
Honestly, there were moments where I was wondering WTF was going on but this book was total crack and I became hopelessly addicted to the constant angst and drama. If you’re a fan of angsty books such as Beautiful Disaster and Thoughtless, I definitely recommend reading this.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
January 1, 2016
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author
"Shana Vanterpool" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: My Sweet Demise
SERIES: (Demise, #1)
AUTHOR: Shana Vanterpool
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: January 5th 2016
MY RATING: 4 STARS
A hot sexy steamy tale from room mates to lovers in this toxic up and down spiral of two broken people coming together and slowly fixing up the broken parts of the other, this captured me from the get go and kept me entertained throughout..Awesome way to start the New Year..
MY SWEET DEMISE: Starts off with newly homeless twenty - one year old Raina desperately seeking a room to rent which brings her to the door of Kent Nicholson. Who is seeking a roomie, just not a female.
My name is Raina. I’m here for the room. I’m looking for…Kent Nicholson. Is that you?
He frowns.
You want to live with me? Did you even read the ad?
I quickly skim over it.
650 dollars a month for one room, utilities included. Preferably college male of drinking age. Party friendly. First month’s rent up front. No lease.
I’m not a college male.
His eyes slide over my body lazily, particularly my breasts. No. You are most certainly not.
No cock-blocking, no bitchy attitudes, and please don't fall for me. I don't do the sweet ones. If you can promise me that, then this should go smoothly.
I'm enjoying the concept of the story, both are damaged due to past experiences which have made an impact on them in some defining way, Kent is a man whore with a bad reputation, Raina doesn't have a lot of experience with males and is definitely out of her element where Kent is concerned..
I need to do something different with my life if my only option is being a wing-woman to some sexy man-whore.
Whatever Kent ran from this is where he was running to. Alcohol and drugs with an endless void stretched out before him that would inevitably leave him empty.
KENT. Handsome, spoiled, unfaithful, and drowning in issues I don't want to unearth.
No man should have eyes like that. They're black holes you kind of want to fall in. Must not fall in.
This book will pull on your heart strings where Kent is concerned, he's a man whore that uses woman to forget because of the one woman who broke his heart, the one he's never moved on from, your mind will be in turmoil, one minute you will dislike his character, the things he says, acts, the way he treats woman, but towards the end he kind of grows on you with how he wants to change, wants to be a better man, wants to prove himself, wants to move on..
His vices are either hiding deficiencies or protecting them.
"Shana Vanterpool" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: My Sweet Demise
SERIES: (Demise, #1)
AUTHOR: Shana Vanterpool
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: January 5th 2016
MY RATING: 4 STARS
A hot sexy steamy tale from room mates to lovers in this toxic up and down spiral of two broken people coming together and slowly fixing up the broken parts of the other, this captured me from the get go and kept me entertained throughout..Awesome way to start the New Year..
MY SWEET DEMISE: Starts off with newly homeless twenty - one year old Raina desperately seeking a room to rent which brings her to the door of Kent Nicholson. Who is seeking a roomie, just not a female.
My name is Raina. I’m here for the room. I’m looking for…Kent Nicholson. Is that you?
He frowns.
You want to live with me? Did you even read the ad?
I quickly skim over it.
650 dollars a month for one room, utilities included. Preferably college male of drinking age. Party friendly. First month’s rent up front. No lease.
I’m not a college male.
His eyes slide over my body lazily, particularly my breasts. No. You are most certainly not.
No cock-blocking, no bitchy attitudes, and please don't fall for me. I don't do the sweet ones. If you can promise me that, then this should go smoothly.
I'm enjoying the concept of the story, both are damaged due to past experiences which have made an impact on them in some defining way, Kent is a man whore with a bad reputation, Raina doesn't have a lot of experience with males and is definitely out of her element where Kent is concerned..
I need to do something different with my life if my only option is being a wing-woman to some sexy man-whore.
Whatever Kent ran from this is where he was running to. Alcohol and drugs with an endless void stretched out before him that would inevitably leave him empty.
KENT. Handsome, spoiled, unfaithful, and drowning in issues I don't want to unearth.
No man should have eyes like that. They're black holes you kind of want to fall in. Must not fall in.
This book will pull on your heart strings where Kent is concerned, he's a man whore that uses woman to forget because of the one woman who broke his heart, the one he's never moved on from, your mind will be in turmoil, one minute you will dislike his character, the things he says, acts, the way he treats woman, but towards the end he kind of grows on you with how he wants to change, wants to be a better man, wants to prove himself, wants to move on..
His vices are either hiding deficiencies or protecting them.
January 3, 2016
★★★3.5 Stars★★★
I had a serious love/hate relationship with this book, my blood pressure was not in the best place while reading this one. Was it good? Sure. Did I want to strangle certain characters and just give up? Absofrigginlutely.
Raina O'Conner is in a dire situation. Being kicked out of her previous home from a bitchy roomate,she's in desperate need for a new place to stay. Comming across a an ad for a roomate,she decides to to go and check it out but the problem is that the person is asking for a male who is friendly, likes to party and would be his wingman. She is NONE of those things so what's a girl to do when she's desperate? You beg and make promises you know you can't keep.
"I need a room. If you need a wingman, I'll be your wingman. If you puke, I'll put the seat up. And if you're bagging someone on the couch, I'll put my headphones in and pretend it's the bass from Katy Perry's latest hit."
Kent Nicholson is a egotistical stand up douche. He doesn't care about anything other than getting laid,drinking,getting laid,getting laid aaaand getting laid.How a certain part of his anatomy hasn't fell off yet is way beyond my comprehension.He wasn't always that way but after a heartbreaking incident, he decided to be the king of all a*sholes. After giving Raina a chance to be his new roomate,he finally got his wingwoman.
But what happens when feelings get involved?
"We're all running from something in our lives. Some of us don't have to run as hard, and others have to sprint for their lives."
I really liked the premise of this story and I found the begining highly entertaining. Raina was good heroine and the secondary characters were very intriguing. What I didn't like was Kent. He gave me so many whiplash I didn't know whether to stop reading or just come up with a way to kill off his character(in my head of course). I love a good angst in my story but he really took it to another level and I just wasn't in love with his character.
Aside from that,I loved the other characters.They each brought their own signature style to the story and they made certain parts more bearable. I would recommend this to those who love a a redeeming manwhore with funny side of funny characters.
*Arc kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I had a serious love/hate relationship with this book, my blood pressure was not in the best place while reading this one. Was it good? Sure. Did I want to strangle certain characters and just give up? Absofrigginlutely.
Raina O'Conner is in a dire situation. Being kicked out of her previous home from a bitchy roomate,she's in desperate need for a new place to stay. Comming across a an ad for a roomate,she decides to to go and check it out but the problem is that the person is asking for a male who is friendly, likes to party and would be his wingman. She is NONE of those things so what's a girl to do when she's desperate? You beg and make promises you know you can't keep.
"I need a room. If you need a wingman, I'll be your wingman. If you puke, I'll put the seat up. And if you're bagging someone on the couch, I'll put my headphones in and pretend it's the bass from Katy Perry's latest hit."
Kent Nicholson is a egotistical stand up douche. He doesn't care about anything other than getting laid,drinking,getting laid,getting laid aaaand getting laid.How a certain part of his anatomy hasn't fell off yet is way beyond my comprehension.He wasn't always that way but after a heartbreaking incident, he decided to be the king of all a*sholes. After giving Raina a chance to be his new roomate,he finally got his wingwoman.
But what happens when feelings get involved?
"We're all running from something in our lives. Some of us don't have to run as hard, and others have to sprint for their lives."
I really liked the premise of this story and I found the begining highly entertaining. Raina was good heroine and the secondary characters were very intriguing. What I didn't like was Kent. He gave me so many whiplash I didn't know whether to stop reading or just come up with a way to kill off his character(in my head of course). I love a good angst in my story but he really took it to another level and I just wasn't in love with his character.
Aside from that,I loved the other characters.They each brought their own signature style to the story and they made certain parts more bearable. I would recommend this to those who love a a redeeming manwhore with funny side of funny characters.
*Arc kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2016
2.5 Stars
When Raina gets kicked out by her roommate she has to find a new place to live, and fast. After a long day of searching and only finding a bunch of dumps with creeps as would-be roommates, she finally finds one that may be the one. But that apartment comes with Kent, hot to look at, but a total manwhore.
Kent never expected a girl to answer his roommate ad, and he doesn't see the positives of it at first. All he was looking for was a man to move in, pay half the rent, and help him pick up girls. When Raina showed up he came up with a whole new plan. Who needs a wingman when you can have a wingwoman.
I really liked the premise of this story but it fell short of my expectations. Overall the general story was still good and it interested me, but the characters weren't for me. Kent was a total ass for the majority of the book but I never saw any feeling from him, so his asshole ways were never made okay. Honestly there was nothing I liked about his character. He drank and partied about 88% of the time, got into fights, and had an out of control temper. Nothing about him was okay for me or redeemed him from being a huge douche.
Raina wasn't as bad as Kent was, but I still couldn't get on board with her. All she did was cry and complain about her past and yet I can't really say I know much about it. She would say random things about her past and her parents but we never got the full story and that was weird to me. Plus what she complained about most was how her parents were always drunk and partying instead of paying attention to her and her sister, yet all she did once she moved in with Kent was get drunk and party???
Kent and Raina's whole relationship didn't make sense to me and their fights definitely didn't. Kent would go back and forth on how he felt and change his mind in the middle of yelling at Raina - it was so bad, I was getting whiplash from these fights. At one point he told Raina she was a whore but then when Raina then told Kent that he was the whore, not her, he returned with "I know you're not a whore, Rain. Don't be ridiculous." Heh?
The story started out good but it kind of all went downhill once we saw the complete asshole Kent could be...and then never stopped. I have to say, however, that even though this story didn't work out for me, I feel like a lot of people will like it and I still urge anyone that likes a bad boy hero, that brings the good girl to the dark side, to give this one a try. The writing was really good and there were many interesting secondary characters. I already plan on reading the second book in this story even after this one didn't work for me.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
When Raina gets kicked out by her roommate she has to find a new place to live, and fast. After a long day of searching and only finding a bunch of dumps with creeps as would-be roommates, she finally finds one that may be the one. But that apartment comes with Kent, hot to look at, but a total manwhore.
Kent never expected a girl to answer his roommate ad, and he doesn't see the positives of it at first. All he was looking for was a man to move in, pay half the rent, and help him pick up girls. When Raina showed up he came up with a whole new plan. Who needs a wingman when you can have a wingwoman.
I really liked the premise of this story but it fell short of my expectations. Overall the general story was still good and it interested me, but the characters weren't for me. Kent was a total ass for the majority of the book but I never saw any feeling from him, so his asshole ways were never made okay. Honestly there was nothing I liked about his character. He drank and partied about 88% of the time, got into fights, and had an out of control temper. Nothing about him was okay for me or redeemed him from being a huge douche.
Raina wasn't as bad as Kent was, but I still couldn't get on board with her. All she did was cry and complain about her past and yet I can't really say I know much about it. She would say random things about her past and her parents but we never got the full story and that was weird to me. Plus what she complained about most was how her parents were always drunk and partying instead of paying attention to her and her sister, yet all she did once she moved in with Kent was get drunk and party???
Kent and Raina's whole relationship didn't make sense to me and their fights definitely didn't. Kent would go back and forth on how he felt and change his mind in the middle of yelling at Raina - it was so bad, I was getting whiplash from these fights. At one point he told Raina she was a whore but then when Raina then told Kent that he was the whore, not her, he returned with "I know you're not a whore, Rain. Don't be ridiculous." Heh?
The story started out good but it kind of all went downhill once we saw the complete asshole Kent could be...and then never stopped. I have to say, however, that even though this story didn't work out for me, I feel like a lot of people will like it and I still urge anyone that likes a bad boy hero, that brings the good girl to the dark side, to give this one a try. The writing was really good and there were many interesting secondary characters. I already plan on reading the second book in this story even after this one didn't work for me.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2016
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Raina O'Connor is looking for a cheap apartment to stay after being kicked out by her roommate. She found a new place but her new roommate, Kent Nicholson has a bad boy reputation and hooks up with women. A LOT. He decided to make Raina a wing-man as long as she doesn't fall for him or get into his personal issues.
This book has a potential and I like the author's writing style. However, the characters completely turned me off and the story somewhat dragged on. I am so annoyed by their bickering and fighting. They immaturely handle certain situations and it frustrated me. Also, some parts are not necessary.
I love bad boys but I don't like the way Kent Nicholson portays it. He was downright insulting and definitely a woman-hater.His words just make me cringe (you don't want to know because you'll be MAD. Like REALLY MAD). I just don't like him at all. What a bastard. Raina is an okay heroine but she's tends to be a little dramatic. The only one I like is James, their other roommate. He's deaf but I adore him because he's understandable and a gentleman.
I guess this book isn't for me.
Raina O'Connor is looking for a cheap apartment to stay after being kicked out by her roommate. She found a new place but her new roommate, Kent Nicholson has a bad boy reputation and hooks up with women. A LOT. He decided to make Raina a wing-man as long as she doesn't fall for him or get into his personal issues.
This book has a potential and I like the author's writing style. However, the characters completely turned me off and the story somewhat dragged on. I am so annoyed by their bickering and fighting. They immaturely handle certain situations and it frustrated me. Also, some parts are not necessary.
I love bad boys but I don't like the way Kent Nicholson portays it. He was downright insulting and definitely a woman-hater.His words just make me cringe (you don't want to know because you'll be MAD. Like REALLY MAD). I just don't like him at all. What a bastard. Raina is an okay heroine but she's tends to be a little dramatic. The only one I like is James, their other roommate. He's deaf but I adore him because he's understandable and a gentleman.
I guess this book isn't for me.
January 12, 2016
3.5 Stars
January 2, 2016
What a great debut novel! Shana Vanterpool has created a thrilling tale of love and forgiveness.
Kent is looking for a roommate and when Raina shows up to his doorstep, he decides to give her a shot and accept her as his new roommate.
Raina is desperate for a new home since her old roommate threw her out. When she meets, Kent she knows at once that he is trouble. Arrogant and a womanizer. She agrees to be his sidekick and help him with his hook ups so she can stay.
Kent doesn't get attached to women. He gets what he wants and then he is done with the girls he seduces. He thinks women are all the same and so he treats them like carbage.
Raina is different though and she somehow manages to get under his skin. With her, he cannot be the man he has been so far. He wants to change but an old beatrayal won't allow him to forget.
I liked the book. It was fast paced and passionate. Kent was a difficult character to like, I can admit that, but he proved himself in the end.
Raina was strong but I wanted to shake her for submitting to Kent's shennanigans. She had her own troubled past to deal with so expect a lot of angst! I do think that Raina could have dealt with certain situations differently, because in my opinion she was too manhandled even by her own sister, but I can understand her mindset. I loved her chemistry with Kent. They were a sizzling couple!
If you want something sexy, dramatic and fun, then do not miss this new author.
****4.5 Stars****
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Kent is looking for a roommate and when Raina shows up to his doorstep, he decides to give her a shot and accept her as his new roommate.
Raina is desperate for a new home since her old roommate threw her out. When she meets, Kent she knows at once that he is trouble. Arrogant and a womanizer. She agrees to be his sidekick and help him with his hook ups so she can stay.
Kent doesn't get attached to women. He gets what he wants and then he is done with the girls he seduces. He thinks women are all the same and so he treats them like carbage.
Raina is different though and she somehow manages to get under his skin. With her, he cannot be the man he has been so far. He wants to change but an old beatrayal won't allow him to forget.
I liked the book. It was fast paced and passionate. Kent was a difficult character to like, I can admit that, but he proved himself in the end.
Raina was strong but I wanted to shake her for submitting to Kent's shennanigans. She had her own troubled past to deal with so expect a lot of angst! I do think that Raina could have dealt with certain situations differently, because in my opinion she was too manhandled even by her own sister, but I can understand her mindset. I loved her chemistry with Kent. They were a sizzling couple!
If you want something sexy, dramatic and fun, then do not miss this new author.
****4.5 Stars****
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2020
Romance story with not much character development and storyline behind it. The intro was good but the rest was a bore.
In short:
Hero 3/5 | Heroine 2/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 2/5 | Writing Style 3/5 | Steam 2/5 | Romance 2/5 | Angst-Suspense 1/5 | Darkness o/5 | Humor 1/5 | Secondary Characters 2/5 | Drama-Conflict 2/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 2/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 2/5
In short:
Hero 3/5 | Heroine 2/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 2/5 | Writing Style 3/5 | Steam 2/5 | Romance 2/5 | Angst-Suspense 1/5 | Darkness o/5 | Humor 1/5 | Secondary Characters 2/5 | Drama-Conflict 2/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 2/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 2/5
December 28, 2016
Angsty, OTT, but I sort of enjoyed it.
Ok so the first 90% of this book was pretty enjoyable. It was super angsty, but I don't really mind that in new adult books. It also had its repetitive moments where I was just like, "COME ON, you just said that two pages ago!.!?!!??.!::"
Anywho. Raina gets kicked out by her roommate and needs a place to live ASAP rocky. So she's on the hunt. She finds some places that are real duds and is at the end of the line when she walks into a sort of shady apartment complex. She's assuming the worst, but decides to grin and bear it. This is her last option. When the door to apartment 14 opens, it isn't another crazy cat man, it's Kent. Kent in all his hot guy glory. He tells her she didn't read the ad and doesn't meet the criteria, but makes an exception if she agrees to be his wingman/woman. Of course she says ok. The apartment is clean and Kent isn't outwardly creepy, so she wants to live here. Even if she has to agree to be someone she isn't.
So she moves in with Kent and his roommate James. James who is quiet and who she should leave alone. Anyway... long story short Kent and Raina can't resist each other. Pretend flirting for wingman duties and sassy banter from Raina turns into something more. Something wild, reckless, and obsessive. Their relationship ends up being pretty unhealthy and happening very quickly
Kent has hang ups from his past and an ex that left him hurt. He's a man whore and sleeps around a bunch. Raina has hangs up from her parents being less than stellar, and she also is very inexperienced. Any who their story is pretty good, although it is over the top.
My only complaint and why it didn't get four stars opposed to three is because the ending was super rushed. It felt like it should have been a cliffhanger, which I would have preferred to a page long rushed wrap up. This story was entertaining and I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know where things would end up. So all in all if you enjoy OTT and don't mind a quick ending, then this one is for you!
Ok so the first 90% of this book was pretty enjoyable. It was super angsty, but I don't really mind that in new adult books. It also had its repetitive moments where I was just like, "COME ON, you just said that two pages ago!.!?!!??.!::"
Anywho. Raina gets kicked out by her roommate and needs a place to live ASAP rocky. So she's on the hunt. She finds some places that are real duds and is at the end of the line when she walks into a sort of shady apartment complex. She's assuming the worst, but decides to grin and bear it. This is her last option. When the door to apartment 14 opens, it isn't another crazy cat man, it's Kent. Kent in all his hot guy glory. He tells her she didn't read the ad and doesn't meet the criteria, but makes an exception if she agrees to be his wingman/woman. Of course she says ok. The apartment is clean and Kent isn't outwardly creepy, so she wants to live here. Even if she has to agree to be someone she isn't.
So she moves in with Kent and his roommate James. James who is quiet and who she should leave alone. Anyway... long story short Kent and Raina can't resist each other. Pretend flirting for wingman duties and sassy banter from Raina turns into something more. Something wild, reckless, and obsessive. Their relationship ends up being pretty unhealthy and happening very quickly
Kent has hang ups from his past and an ex that left him hurt. He's a man whore and sleeps around a bunch. Raina has hangs up from her parents being less than stellar, and she also is very inexperienced. Any who their story is pretty good, although it is over the top.
My only complaint and why it didn't get four stars opposed to three is because the ending was super rushed. It felt like it should have been a cliffhanger, which I would have preferred to a page long rushed wrap up. This story was entertaining and I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know where things would end up. So all in all if you enjoy OTT and don't mind a quick ending, then this one is for you!
January 11, 2016
~ Book provided by author in exchange for my honest opinion
This book was like a rollercoaster. The never-ending kind. At first you are all excited and can’t wait to ride it and the few first rounds are fun, but after a while all you want is to get off of it. But you can’t. Because it’s never-ending. Meaning: IT. DOES. NOT. STOP.
I have quite some mixed feelings about this book. I quite liked it …till about 40%. Then the characters kind of got annoying in there ups and downs. They were fighting and one line later – and I’m not even exaggerating – they are saying they want to screw each other’s brains out, only to make out with other people – to make the other jealous, of course – a page later. It’s liked they had two personalities that come out at random to wrack havoc in the story. It wasn’t even funny.
The writing style was nice and understandable, but the whole story was a mess and it had such premise. It started off so good. It just felt like the author wanted to shove too much content into not enough pages, so she had to make the story chaotic.
Maybe some people like this constant change in mind of the characters, but I’m not one of those people.
I liked the characters in general, kind of. Kent was an ass, but he tried. All he does is party and drink though. Did I mention he’s an ass?
Raina was kinda cute, but whiny and always complaining. About everything. And let’s not start about her big sister. She was way too overprotective, like a hen trying to protect its offspring.
Also I didn’t get the relationship between Raina and Kent, it just didn’t work for me. I didn’t feel it and their fights didn’t any sense. Like seriously, I didn’t get their fights. They are saying one thing and the next second they are saying the exact opposite. It was madness.
It really makes me sad, but I can’t give this book more than 2 stars. Sorry :/
This book was like a rollercoaster. The never-ending kind. At first you are all excited and can’t wait to ride it and the few first rounds are fun, but after a while all you want is to get off of it. But you can’t. Because it’s never-ending. Meaning: IT. DOES. NOT. STOP.
I have quite some mixed feelings about this book. I quite liked it …till about 40%. Then the characters kind of got annoying in there ups and downs. They were fighting and one line later – and I’m not even exaggerating – they are saying they want to screw each other’s brains out, only to make out with other people – to make the other jealous, of course – a page later. It’s liked they had two personalities that come out at random to wrack havoc in the story. It wasn’t even funny.
The writing style was nice and understandable, but the whole story was a mess and it had such premise. It started off so good. It just felt like the author wanted to shove too much content into not enough pages, so she had to make the story chaotic.
Maybe some people like this constant change in mind of the characters, but I’m not one of those people.
I liked the characters in general, kind of. Kent was an ass, but he tried. All he does is party and drink though. Did I mention he’s an ass?
Raina was kinda cute, but whiny and always complaining. About everything. And let’s not start about her big sister. She was way too overprotective, like a hen trying to protect its offspring.
Also I didn’t get the relationship between Raina and Kent, it just didn’t work for me. I didn’t feel it and their fights didn’t any sense. Like seriously, I didn’t get their fights. They are saying one thing and the next second they are saying the exact opposite. It was madness.
It really makes me sad, but I can’t give this book more than 2 stars. Sorry :/
April 26, 2016
:: 5 “Give me Forever” Stars ::
Gah! I absolutely LOVED this book. For a debut novel, this is pure perfection! The book has everything romance lovers crave- a sexy bad boy, a sweet and innocent heroine, a lot of sexual tension with a great build-up to the “fireworks”, a little bit of drama, and angst. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the authors up and coming work because it is that good! Readers definitely don’t want to miss out on this sizzling romance read- it is swoon worthy and explosive!
The book is about a girl named Raina who, after getting kicked out of her old roommate’s house, goes searching for a new place to live. Lucky for her, she is able to find a new place to stay after she answers and ad from a known womanizer named Kent. At first both agree that Raina will be a roommate/wing woman to Kent so he can get as many girls as he wants. That’s part of their deal of course if she intends to stay with him. Oh yea, and she has to promise she won’t fall in love with him… So the two come together on this mutual agreement and vow to maintain a strictly platonic relationship. But after some drunken nights together the two become a little closer then they initially agreed to and fireworks begin to explode. However, their new found relationship doesn’t come without problems. Enter, ex-girlfriend Willow, Raina’s overprotective sister, and personal demons and you have your dramatic and toxic story of love, hate, and forgiveness.
Overall, this is a fantastic debut novel. I honestly couldn’t get enough of it so I read it from page 1 all the way to the end in one sitting. Readers will feel the toxicity of their relationship while rooting for a happy ending for the two. They will cheer Kent on when he gets into one of his drunken rages, and cry with Raina when she’s feeling hurt and pain. Readers will also find themselves falling in love with the secondary characters hoping that there will be a future book featuring them. So, if you haven’t picked up this book than YOU NEED TOO! It is such an awesome book and I honestly cannot say enough good things about it.
** I received a copy of this novel via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! **
Gah! I absolutely LOVED this book. For a debut novel, this is pure perfection! The book has everything romance lovers crave- a sexy bad boy, a sweet and innocent heroine, a lot of sexual tension with a great build-up to the “fireworks”, a little bit of drama, and angst. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the authors up and coming work because it is that good! Readers definitely don’t want to miss out on this sizzling romance read- it is swoon worthy and explosive!
The book is about a girl named Raina who, after getting kicked out of her old roommate’s house, goes searching for a new place to live. Lucky for her, she is able to find a new place to stay after she answers and ad from a known womanizer named Kent. At first both agree that Raina will be a roommate/wing woman to Kent so he can get as many girls as he wants. That’s part of their deal of course if she intends to stay with him. Oh yea, and she has to promise she won’t fall in love with him… So the two come together on this mutual agreement and vow to maintain a strictly platonic relationship. But after some drunken nights together the two become a little closer then they initially agreed to and fireworks begin to explode. However, their new found relationship doesn’t come without problems. Enter, ex-girlfriend Willow, Raina’s overprotective sister, and personal demons and you have your dramatic and toxic story of love, hate, and forgiveness.
Overall, this is a fantastic debut novel. I honestly couldn’t get enough of it so I read it from page 1 all the way to the end in one sitting. Readers will feel the toxicity of their relationship while rooting for a happy ending for the two. They will cheer Kent on when he gets into one of his drunken rages, and cry with Raina when she’s feeling hurt and pain. Readers will also find themselves falling in love with the secondary characters hoping that there will be a future book featuring them. So, if you haven’t picked up this book than YOU NEED TOO! It is such an awesome book and I honestly cannot say enough good things about it.
** I received a copy of this novel via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! **
January 6, 2016
This is Shana Vanterpool's debut novel, And I must say Im impressed with the storyline, Its simple yet there's depths in it.
Its about two young people who has trust issues, different situation but end result is the same. As the story goes, Raina and Kent will have to learn to trust each other in order to overcome their issues.
What I love in this story that its realistic. The situations, the problems, Its happens in real life. Its Angsty.. Its sexy... with a drama on the side.
Shana Vanterpool is one of those new authors you should watch out for. She knows how to tell a story well. Im looking forward for more of her works.
(ARC is given by the Author in exchange for honest review)
Its about two young people who has trust issues, different situation but end result is the same. As the story goes, Raina and Kent will have to learn to trust each other in order to overcome their issues.
What I love in this story that its realistic. The situations, the problems, Its happens in real life. Its Angsty.. Its sexy... with a drama on the side.
Shana Vanterpool is one of those new authors you should watch out for. She knows how to tell a story well. Im looking forward for more of her works.
(ARC is given by the Author in exchange for honest review)
January 1, 2017
Complete Mess
This book is a complete melodrama! Let's see who can hurt who more. I think it is total BS that his family tells him to get over it when it is his brother that is the cause...and if he loved that total B like he did he doesn't have a clue.
Rain is a doormat and has issues that are too many to name. She is that girl that loves to be treated like crap and comes back for more.
The only character I like was James.
If you want to read a melodramatic mess read away. I can even bare to read the next one
This book is a complete melodrama! Let's see who can hurt who more. I think it is total BS that his family tells him to get over it when it is his brother that is the cause...and if he loved that total B like he did he doesn't have a clue.
Rain is a doormat and has issues that are too many to name. She is that girl that loves to be treated like crap and comes back for more.
The only character I like was James.
If you want to read a melodramatic mess read away. I can even bare to read the next one
October 12, 2018
The ending ruined this book.
RUINED. IT.
Things are not resolved, at all, just a screaming rush of the last 10% to get to “The End” and I don’t know how we got there. Everything between the H and his ex and his brother is a hot fucking mess with no real explanation or resolution. It lost a star just for that :/
RUINED. IT.
Things are not resolved, at all, just a screaming rush of the last 10% to get to “The End” and I don’t know how we got there. Everything between the H and his ex and his brother is a hot fucking mess with no real explanation or resolution. It lost a star just for that :/
Want to read
August 10, 2018FREE on Amazon today (9/9/2017)!
September 7, 2019
No.
“She was my fiancée.” He dropped his hands. “And I loved her. I love her. Right? No. I don’t love her. I can’t love her. She loves someone else now.”
+- 35% in:
“Her name is Willow Serena. She’s who I want to forget.”
I still in his arms. “Did you love her?”
“I’ve never loved anyone that much before her,” he admits hoarsely. “I didn’t even know I could love that hard.”
+- 35% in:
Heroine: “you puked on me last night. I had to drag your naked body into the bathroom and take a condom off your flaccid penis...”
+- 45% in:
“You deserve someone who can make you feel as good as you deserve, who kisses you and doesn’t think about their ex.”
“I can’t even fall for other girls because of her.”
“I can’t stand the way he talks about her. There’s so much longing in his voice and I’m sitting right here longing for him the same way.”
50% in:
“I can’t stand the idea of sleeping with anyone else in my bed. She and I owned that bed right there.” He kicks the end of it. “We made love in it, talked in it, and promised each other things that never happened in it. I can’t sleep with you in the same place I made love to her.”...
“looking at Willow’s picture on the (his) mirror.”
+- 80% in:
“Willow and I are done.” He doesn’t even balk. “We’re so done, I get it now. I get it. I accept it...”
No.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2016
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
My Sweet Demise is Shana Vanterpool's debut novel and the first book in her Demise series. This book is a standalone, with the next book featuring a different couple of interconnected characters. Taking a chance on an author's debut novel is always a bit of a risk, but the blurb here was one I just couldn't pass up. While I had a lot of issues with this story, I had to finish it to see how things would turn out.
When her roommate kicks her out, Raina needs a place to stay and quick. Each apartment available goes from bad to worse until she finally shows up at one with the hottest guy she has ever seen. Needing a place and having no other options, she agrees to be Kent Nicholson's roommate and wing woman in order to secure the room. But he is far worse than she first suspects. Though she knows she should stay away, the attraction between them is impossible to ignore. Though their connection is undeniable, each of them have trust issues that stand in their way of moving forward. But can they try together, or will they end in disaster?
I had moments where I genuinely liked both Raina and Kent. But for the most part, these two were so hard for me to feel anything for. Kent is an absolute jerk. Though he had brief moments where he wasn't, it was the entire book. I figured at some point he would get over that, but honestly he as Raina called him many times a pig. He has no issue using women and "punishing" them for something that someone did to him in the past. I just couldn't get over some of that, and this guy with his constant bagging of whores on his couch was just too much. (and yes that is how he talks and refers to the many girls he sleeps with) Raina was whiny and irritating for pretty much the entire story. She complained constantly and just grated on my nerves. While these two did have steam and a connection, they were just so hard to really feel invested in. Their relationship was all over the place and they both seemed bi-polar. One minute things were fine and the next they were at each other's throats and fighting for the dumbest reasons. I honestly didn't understand why they were fighting the majority of the time as it was the dumbest stuff possible. Everything was over the top and blown out of proportion.
I also really hated Raina's sister. While at first she comes off as someone who is protective and just looking out for her family, she just got worse as the story went on. She was beyond protective and seemed downright controlling and judgmental. She was far too bitchy to like, and I couldn't believe the things she said and did in regards to Raina's life and to Raina herself. I absolutely loved Raina and Kent's other roommate James. He was sweet and adorable and I was so excited to see at the end of this book that his story is next. While I had problems with this book, I really loved him. But as much as I was excited to get his story next, I am also dreading it as the heroine is none other than Raina's sister Becca. I know I will end up reading it for my love of James, but I just hope that there is some redeeming Becca after how absolutely awful she was here. As much as I wanted to love this one, it just didn't work for me. While I couldn't put it down and had to finish, it was more that I couldn't look away as the accident was happening rather than I was truly enjoying this story. I think the potential was there, but unfortunately there were just too many problems here for me.
**ARC Provided by Author**
My Sweet Demise is Shana Vanterpool's debut novel and the first book in her Demise series. This book is a standalone, with the next book featuring a different couple of interconnected characters. Taking a chance on an author's debut novel is always a bit of a risk, but the blurb here was one I just couldn't pass up. While I had a lot of issues with this story, I had to finish it to see how things would turn out.
When her roommate kicks her out, Raina needs a place to stay and quick. Each apartment available goes from bad to worse until she finally shows up at one with the hottest guy she has ever seen. Needing a place and having no other options, she agrees to be Kent Nicholson's roommate and wing woman in order to secure the room. But he is far worse than she first suspects. Though she knows she should stay away, the attraction between them is impossible to ignore. Though their connection is undeniable, each of them have trust issues that stand in their way of moving forward. But can they try together, or will they end in disaster?
I had moments where I genuinely liked both Raina and Kent. But for the most part, these two were so hard for me to feel anything for. Kent is an absolute jerk. Though he had brief moments where he wasn't, it was the entire book. I figured at some point he would get over that, but honestly he as Raina called him many times a pig. He has no issue using women and "punishing" them for something that someone did to him in the past. I just couldn't get over some of that, and this guy with his constant bagging of whores on his couch was just too much. (and yes that is how he talks and refers to the many girls he sleeps with) Raina was whiny and irritating for pretty much the entire story. She complained constantly and just grated on my nerves. While these two did have steam and a connection, they were just so hard to really feel invested in. Their relationship was all over the place and they both seemed bi-polar. One minute things were fine and the next they were at each other's throats and fighting for the dumbest reasons. I honestly didn't understand why they were fighting the majority of the time as it was the dumbest stuff possible. Everything was over the top and blown out of proportion.
I also really hated Raina's sister. While at first she comes off as someone who is protective and just looking out for her family, she just got worse as the story went on. She was beyond protective and seemed downright controlling and judgmental. She was far too bitchy to like, and I couldn't believe the things she said and did in regards to Raina's life and to Raina herself. I absolutely loved Raina and Kent's other roommate James. He was sweet and adorable and I was so excited to see at the end of this book that his story is next. While I had problems with this book, I really loved him. But as much as I was excited to get his story next, I am also dreading it as the heroine is none other than Raina's sister Becca. I know I will end up reading it for my love of James, but I just hope that there is some redeeming Becca after how absolutely awful she was here. As much as I wanted to love this one, it just didn't work for me. While I couldn't put it down and had to finish, it was more that I couldn't look away as the accident was happening rather than I was truly enjoying this story. I think the potential was there, but unfortunately there were just too many problems here for me.
**ARC Provided by Author**
January 4, 2016
"My Sweet Demise by Shana Vanterpool." Congratulations on a great debut story !! I was so much looking forward to it after reading the synopsis. It caught my attention at the heroine being “Damsel In Distress”and OHHHHH how I love such stories. "A Roller coaster ride, I didn't want to get off from." This book is fun, sexy, intense and a hot mess; with both the characters fighting the attraction towards each other and dealing with their own demons. I give it "5 SEXY ROOMMATE STARS" !!!! Recommended to all the readers who loves crazy, steamy drama. It had me hooked, till the very last page. I will keep this review short, as I don't intend on giving away a lot about the story.
Raina O’Connor aka Rain is a beautiful Damsel In Distress. After getting abandoned by her parents ( A very alcoholic father and an ignorant mother) in a very young age, all Raina has in her life is her elder sister who is away for art school. When her room mate kicked her out of the apartment claiming her to be a misfit, she had no other choice but to crash with Kent Nicholson.
Kent Nicholson is our Dark Prince Charming (SEXY, ARROGANT & A MAN-WHORE) to Rain’s rescue but he has a condition. She cannot fall for him and she will be his “Wing-man” in bagging his conquests. Kent has his own scars and he will stop at nothing. Naive and innocent Raina with trust issues vowed to never be with any man, yet she cannot stop thinking about Kent. Kent, with his own trust issues, cannot keep himself away from her. They are rather perfect for each other, he awakens her and she makes him want to be a better person.
Will they be able to trust each other with their scarred pasts ?
But the story doesn't end here, its much more than getting together. My Sweet Demise is full of surprises that will keep you on yours toes !!!
Read the full story to enjoy this Roller Coaster Ride➜ MY SWEET DEMISE by SHANA VANTERPOOL !!
Raina O’Connor aka Rain is a beautiful Damsel In Distress. After getting abandoned by her parents ( A very alcoholic father and an ignorant mother) in a very young age, all Raina has in her life is her elder sister who is away for art school. When her room mate kicked her out of the apartment claiming her to be a misfit, she had no other choice but to crash with Kent Nicholson.
Kent Nicholson is our Dark Prince Charming (SEXY, ARROGANT & A MAN-WHORE) to Rain’s rescue but he has a condition. She cannot fall for him and she will be his “Wing-man” in bagging his conquests. Kent has his own scars and he will stop at nothing. Naive and innocent Raina with trust issues vowed to never be with any man, yet she cannot stop thinking about Kent. Kent, with his own trust issues, cannot keep himself away from her. They are rather perfect for each other, he awakens her and she makes him want to be a better person.
Will they be able to trust each other with their scarred pasts ?
But the story doesn't end here, its much more than getting together. My Sweet Demise is full of surprises that will keep you on yours toes !!!
Read the full story to enjoy this Roller Coaster Ride➜ MY SWEET DEMISE by SHANA VANTERPOOL !!
January 4, 2016
My Sweet Demise by Shana Vanterpool was a 5 star read.
Romance, Ugly cry, Mind Games, Hot Alpha, Controlling Sister
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab...
“You better not let any bad guys into my apartment. I’m the only one allowed.” He grins at me and winks one blank eye. In the dark his eyes are insanely magnetizing.
My emotions were all over the board with this great read.
“I love to punish women. Be careful.” “Why do you like to punish them?” “Because you’re all bad, lying, whores,” he says simply.
Raina has been kicked out of her apartment by her roommate is looking for a place to live.
She finds herself at Ken’s apartment, he originally was looking for a male roommate but gives into Raina as long as she follows certain rules. These rules include being his wing-woman to help him hook up with the ladies.
Raina is introduced to a lifestyle that she has been trying to avoid due to a traumatic childhood. (Parties, drinking, drugs, etc.)
We discover that Kent is also suffering from something in his past as well. He uses woman like toys and drinks to forget.
KENT. Handsome, spoiled, unfaithful, and drowning in issues I don't want to unearth.
Kent is hot and cold with Raina which really confuses her. There is so much drama wrapped around these two, not only by themselves but also with some secondary characters that cause problems as well. I really did not like Raina’s sister, she was so controlling of Raina. And don’t get me started on Kent’s family, ugh.
Love can drag you down and spit you out, and be worth every second.
Raina was a very strong person, I was so glad that she defended herself very well against troublemakers and stood up for what she believed in. If you want a great sexy, fun and dramatic read definately 1-click. I really enjoyed My Sweet Demise, and I can’t wait for the next book. Thank you Shana Vanterpool for the great read.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
Romance, Ugly cry, Mind Games, Hot Alpha, Controlling Sister
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab...
“You better not let any bad guys into my apartment. I’m the only one allowed.” He grins at me and winks one blank eye. In the dark his eyes are insanely magnetizing.
My emotions were all over the board with this great read.
“I love to punish women. Be careful.” “Why do you like to punish them?” “Because you’re all bad, lying, whores,” he says simply.
Raina has been kicked out of her apartment by her roommate is looking for a place to live.
She finds herself at Ken’s apartment, he originally was looking for a male roommate but gives into Raina as long as she follows certain rules. These rules include being his wing-woman to help him hook up with the ladies.
Raina is introduced to a lifestyle that she has been trying to avoid due to a traumatic childhood. (Parties, drinking, drugs, etc.)
We discover that Kent is also suffering from something in his past as well. He uses woman like toys and drinks to forget.
KENT. Handsome, spoiled, unfaithful, and drowning in issues I don't want to unearth.
Kent is hot and cold with Raina which really confuses her. There is so much drama wrapped around these two, not only by themselves but also with some secondary characters that cause problems as well. I really did not like Raina’s sister, she was so controlling of Raina. And don’t get me started on Kent’s family, ugh.
Love can drag you down and spit you out, and be worth every second.
Raina was a very strong person, I was so glad that she defended herself very well against troublemakers and stood up for what she believed in. If you want a great sexy, fun and dramatic read definately 1-click. I really enjoyed My Sweet Demise, and I can’t wait for the next book. Thank you Shana Vanterpool for the great read.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
January 28, 2016
Wow, this book had my attention from the jump!! I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I thought it was going to be a sweet and funny new adult ride. But a lass the wicked Ms. Vanderpool had other thoughts in mind. This was my first read by this author and it certainly won't be my last. I loved her style and how she developed such amazingly tragic characters.
Raina, is in a jam, she need a new place to call home ASAP, since she was rudely kicked out by her nasty roommate. She has not been having the best of luck with finding a place to live that doesn’t consist of, creepy older men, women with a million cats, and so on. She has one last shot when she answers an ad for a roommate. However, when she comes face to face with a shirtless Kent Nicholson, her jaw damn near hits the ground! And I don’t blame her. After a little begging, pleading, and a round of Puppy dog eyes, Kent relents and lets Raina be his new roomie on a trial bases, and she has to be his wingman so he can get his hook up on. From there it’s a lot of Ups and Downs, highs, and lows, fights and laughs. To say that Raina and Kent’s relationship is complicated is the world’s biggest understatement ever!
This book was filled with so much angst, and so much drama, it made my head spin. I must have been in the mood for some crazy, hot cold, anger, love, lust, type of story cause I just ate this up like a pint of Ben and Jerry’s !! I mean there were so many twists and turns and the issues Raina and Kent had to endure were terrible. Between backstabbing friends, cheating ex’s, and a family dynamic to make your head spin, I was just left speechless by the end. My only gripe is that I wish we got an epilogue at the end. I feel the ending was wrapped up way to quickly and I was not sure if what I read was the author telling us how their life turned out, or if it was merely a suggestion to what could happen for them.
I cannot wait for book two, and I hope we get to see more from Raina and Kent’s life in future books. I recommend this book to anyone who misses their dramatic, crazy/love relationships of their youth.
** ARC was kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review **
Raina, is in a jam, she need a new place to call home ASAP, since she was rudely kicked out by her nasty roommate. She has not been having the best of luck with finding a place to live that doesn’t consist of, creepy older men, women with a million cats, and so on. She has one last shot when she answers an ad for a roommate. However, when she comes face to face with a shirtless Kent Nicholson, her jaw damn near hits the ground! And I don’t blame her. After a little begging, pleading, and a round of Puppy dog eyes, Kent relents and lets Raina be his new roomie on a trial bases, and she has to be his wingman so he can get his hook up on. From there it’s a lot of Ups and Downs, highs, and lows, fights and laughs. To say that Raina and Kent’s relationship is complicated is the world’s biggest understatement ever!
This book was filled with so much angst, and so much drama, it made my head spin. I must have been in the mood for some crazy, hot cold, anger, love, lust, type of story cause I just ate this up like a pint of Ben and Jerry’s !! I mean there were so many twists and turns and the issues Raina and Kent had to endure were terrible. Between backstabbing friends, cheating ex’s, and a family dynamic to make your head spin, I was just left speechless by the end. My only gripe is that I wish we got an epilogue at the end. I feel the ending was wrapped up way to quickly and I was not sure if what I read was the author telling us how their life turned out, or if it was merely a suggestion to what could happen for them.
I cannot wait for book two, and I hope we get to see more from Raina and Kent’s life in future books. I recommend this book to anyone who misses their dramatic, crazy/love relationships of their youth.
** ARC was kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review **
January 4, 2016
This is my book, so of course I love it. After writing a few really emotional novels I wanted to try writing about a topic we all struggle with at some point in our lives: TRUST. What if trust was something you struggled with in every aspect of your life? I think you'd get My Sweet Demise. You'd get Kent's anger and sense of betrayal and Raina's uncertainty and unwillingness to give anyone a chance. When you can't take a chance you have no choices.
I wanted to take that sole issue (trust) and blow it up until it consumed them both. Until they had no choice but to face their own issues. One thing I love about the New-Adult genre is that there is a wide window to explore your characters and how far you can go while trying to discover who you are. In My Sweet Demise, I went far. I pushed them both to their limits. I made them fight for something they probably shouldn't have fought for, because when you distrust everyone, what is there worth having? In fighting you find yourself, and possibly the one person worth fighting for.
My Sweet Demise may be dark at times, but I went there on purpose. I find comfort within the length it takes to make my characters grow. Kent can be hard to love, but at the end of the day he is worth loving. I love him wholeheartedly. He is a man who is hurt from his past and his methods of handling that hurt are really only hurting himself further. He is unapologetic, confident, and honest. Raina had a painful past, and it has shaped her way of thinking. She was on her own, relying on her own rules to get her through life. Sometimes when that's true you don't always know what to do, so you do what you think is safe. There is no growth within that way of thinking, and both Kent and Raina needed to grow.
Their demise was swift, painful, sexy, damaging, but most of all ... sweet.
Thank you to the readers who've taken a chance on my debut and those who are reading it and those who will read it. I appreciate every single one of you from the bottom of my heart. I love these characters because of their flaws, because of who they want to be and not who they are. I hope others will as well.
-Shana Vanterpool
I wanted to take that sole issue (trust) and blow it up until it consumed them both. Until they had no choice but to face their own issues. One thing I love about the New-Adult genre is that there is a wide window to explore your characters and how far you can go while trying to discover who you are. In My Sweet Demise, I went far. I pushed them both to their limits. I made them fight for something they probably shouldn't have fought for, because when you distrust everyone, what is there worth having? In fighting you find yourself, and possibly the one person worth fighting for.
My Sweet Demise may be dark at times, but I went there on purpose. I find comfort within the length it takes to make my characters grow. Kent can be hard to love, but at the end of the day he is worth loving. I love him wholeheartedly. He is a man who is hurt from his past and his methods of handling that hurt are really only hurting himself further. He is unapologetic, confident, and honest. Raina had a painful past, and it has shaped her way of thinking. She was on her own, relying on her own rules to get her through life. Sometimes when that's true you don't always know what to do, so you do what you think is safe. There is no growth within that way of thinking, and both Kent and Raina needed to grow.
Their demise was swift, painful, sexy, damaging, but most of all ... sweet.
Thank you to the readers who've taken a chance on my debut and those who are reading it and those who will read it. I appreciate every single one of you from the bottom of my heart. I love these characters because of their flaws, because of who they want to be and not who they are. I hope others will as well.
-Shana Vanterpool
January 5, 2016
My Sweet Demise by Shana Vanterpool…SO GOOD! The book was hard to put down and had me weeping in parts. That’s not to say you are going to need gobs of tissues - you won’t – but you will definitely feel the emotions the characters are experiencing.
Raina has really only had her sister to depend on her whole life and was just kicked out of her apartment. Homeless with nowhere to go, she starts searching for a place to live and after searching all day, she find the perfect spot. The only problem is the person who placed the ad wants a guy he can party with, someone to be his new wingman. Raina, desperate for a place, agrees to be his wingwoman and she gets the room.
Kent is the king of the playboys and views women as tools to have punishing sex with. The last thing he wants is to live with a girl, but there was something about Raina he couldn’t say no to, couldn’t reject. So, he gave her the room with the stipulation that she couldn’t fall for him and she had to be his new wingman.
Everything changes for the both of them when they move in together. Between them, sparks fly. An electricity that cannot be contained or ignored. Even if they try with all of their might to do so. Eventually, they both succumb and fall for each other. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns for them though. Raina doesn’t trust any man. They are all the same and she can find elements of her father in each and every one of them. On the other side of the coin, Kent doesn’t trust women. He was burned and the last thing he wants is a relationship. Given the chance though, they might be able to heal each other’s hurts, heartache, and pain. They may even be able to find out what it really means to love person with your whole heart, letting go of the past, and move forward into a brighter future.
I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one in this series! Don’t worry, this isn’t a cliffy and you won’t be left disappointed. I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 stars. Click and check it out for yourself!
Raina has really only had her sister to depend on her whole life and was just kicked out of her apartment. Homeless with nowhere to go, she starts searching for a place to live and after searching all day, she find the perfect spot. The only problem is the person who placed the ad wants a guy he can party with, someone to be his new wingman. Raina, desperate for a place, agrees to be his wingwoman and she gets the room.
Kent is the king of the playboys and views women as tools to have punishing sex with. The last thing he wants is to live with a girl, but there was something about Raina he couldn’t say no to, couldn’t reject. So, he gave her the room with the stipulation that she couldn’t fall for him and she had to be his new wingman.
Everything changes for the both of them when they move in together. Between them, sparks fly. An electricity that cannot be contained or ignored. Even if they try with all of their might to do so. Eventually, they both succumb and fall for each other. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns for them though. Raina doesn’t trust any man. They are all the same and she can find elements of her father in each and every one of them. On the other side of the coin, Kent doesn’t trust women. He was burned and the last thing he wants is a relationship. Given the chance though, they might be able to heal each other’s hurts, heartache, and pain. They may even be able to find out what it really means to love person with your whole heart, letting go of the past, and move forward into a brighter future.
I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one in this series! Don’t worry, this isn’t a cliffy and you won’t be left disappointed. I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 stars. Click and check it out for yourself!
January 4, 2016
Angst, sexual tension, forbidden love…. that is exactly what you are getting when you pick up Vanderpool's My Sweet Demise. Vanterpool does not come close to disappointing with the story of bad boy, manwhore Kent and sweet, innocent Raina. I ate this book up with a spoon and loved every single second of it.
Raina is desperate. After being kicked out of her apartment with just the clothes on her back and the furniture on the lawn, she has no choice but to move in with manwhore Kent Nicholson. Sure it isn’t the most desirable of accommodations, but the price is cheap and all she must do is be Kent’s wingman. How hard could that be?
Kent Nicholson does not want a female roommate, but one look at Raina’s innocent eyes and desperation has him saying yes, instead of no. So he does the only thing he can do to keep her at bay by asking her to be his wingman.
One of my biggest weaknesses is angst driven stories and from the moment I opened this book, I started squealing with delight because I knew that this story was going to be one of those that knocked my socks off. I was totally right! This book is filled with sexual tension! The banter between Kent and Raina is off the charts. You know the story will get ugly before it gets better yet, you can’t help yourself from rooting for these two and enjoying every angsty moment.
If you are a lover of all things angsty and love some sexual tension, then for sure pick up My Sweet Demise! I can’t wait to see what Vanterpool has in store for us next in this series!
Raina is desperate. After being kicked out of her apartment with just the clothes on her back and the furniture on the lawn, she has no choice but to move in with manwhore Kent Nicholson. Sure it isn’t the most desirable of accommodations, but the price is cheap and all she must do is be Kent’s wingman. How hard could that be?
Kent Nicholson does not want a female roommate, but one look at Raina’s innocent eyes and desperation has him saying yes, instead of no. So he does the only thing he can do to keep her at bay by asking her to be his wingman.
One of my biggest weaknesses is angst driven stories and from the moment I opened this book, I started squealing with delight because I knew that this story was going to be one of those that knocked my socks off. I was totally right! This book is filled with sexual tension! The banter between Kent and Raina is off the charts. You know the story will get ugly before it gets better yet, you can’t help yourself from rooting for these two and enjoying every angsty moment.
If you are a lover of all things angsty and love some sexual tension, then for sure pick up My Sweet Demise! I can’t wait to see what Vanterpool has in store for us next in this series!
January 5, 2016
4 STAR READ!!
I really, really enjoyed this book. I honestly thought it would've turned out a completely different. Raina had never known what love is. She grew up with her older sister in a home where her parents fought and abused each other. While she is out on an apartment search, she runs into Kent. Kent is a party boy; drinking, having sex with everything that walks, to having daddy pay for everything. He will accept Raina as his roommate on 2 conditions don't ever talk to his roommate and do not fall for him. I honestly thought that Raina would've ended up with Kent's roommate and the situation would be completely different. I'm glad that wasn't the case. The relationship between Raina and Kent is not easy. They are constantly fighting, hurting each other, and both have their secrets. Will they finally stop hurting each other and come to a common ground or are they going to keep bickering at each other?
One problem I had with this book was the constant back and forth. There were times I was rolling my eyes at Raina because there were times I just wanted her to slap him! Kent broke my heart though. There were parts in the book I just wanted to hold him, but other times I just wanted to slap him. I cannot wait until the next book! I hope we see more of James!
I really, really enjoyed this book. I honestly thought it would've turned out a completely different. Raina had never known what love is. She grew up with her older sister in a home where her parents fought and abused each other. While she is out on an apartment search, she runs into Kent. Kent is a party boy; drinking, having sex with everything that walks, to having daddy pay for everything. He will accept Raina as his roommate on 2 conditions don't ever talk to his roommate and do not fall for him. I honestly thought that Raina would've ended up with Kent's roommate and the situation would be completely different. I'm glad that wasn't the case. The relationship between Raina and Kent is not easy. They are constantly fighting, hurting each other, and both have their secrets. Will they finally stop hurting each other and come to a common ground or are they going to keep bickering at each other?
One problem I had with this book was the constant back and forth. There were times I was rolling my eyes at Raina because there were times I just wanted her to slap him! Kent broke my heart though. There were parts in the book I just wanted to hold him, but other times I just wanted to slap him. I cannot wait until the next book! I hope we see more of James!
Read
January 4, 2016Big thanks to Shana for an ARC copy for review.
DNF at 40%
Unfortunately this wasn't a book for me. I couldn't stand Kent and his asshole behavior. The guy was basically a walking, talking STD. And how in the world Raina got turned on by watching him with other women was beyond me.
"It would be simple to say yes, I did get excited watching him thrust into another woman. The thought ashamed me, as it should." ~ Raina
Huh?..
DNF at 40%
Unfortunately this wasn't a book for me. I couldn't stand Kent and his asshole behavior. The guy was basically a walking, talking STD. And how in the world Raina got turned on by watching him with other women was beyond me.
"It would be simple to say yes, I did get excited watching him thrust into another woman. The thought ashamed me, as it should." ~ Raina
Huh?..
February 1, 2016
4 star
The story has laughs, suspense and heartbreak. I was pulled right into this story.
This is Raina and Kent’s story. Raina has been kicked out of her room. Her only option is a roomat Kent. He is a player and does not want a woman roommate. He finally agreed but has rules and conditions. What happens when the one you thought you didn’t want is the only one you now want? Is a player always a player? Can these two learn to trust each other and learn to love? Can these two who are so different really in the end need and want the same thing?
I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
The story has laughs, suspense and heartbreak. I was pulled right into this story.
This is Raina and Kent’s story. Raina has been kicked out of her room. Her only option is a roomat Kent. He is a player and does not want a woman roommate. He finally agreed but has rules and conditions. What happens when the one you thought you didn’t want is the only one you now want? Is a player always a player? Can these two learn to trust each other and learn to love? Can these two who are so different really in the end need and want the same thing?
I was able to connect with the characters and the story was a great read.
I recommend this book.
January 11, 2016
My Sweet Demise? More like, My Painful Demise.
Had to DNF @ 56% because this book was getting nowhere. I couldn't really get into it because I hated both main characters. They both needed some growing up to do. The hero is an absolute piece of shit. He's an asshole! He lashed out at the heroine and called her a whore when he got jealous and angry. Jeez. This guy made Christian seems like a freaking gentleman.
The heroine, the other hand was just downright stupid. Sorry I don't know how else to describe her.
Had to DNF @ 56% because this book was getting nowhere. I couldn't really get into it because I hated both main characters. They both needed some growing up to do. The hero is an absolute piece of shit. He's an asshole! He lashed out at the heroine and called her a whore when he got jealous and angry. Jeez. This guy made Christian seems like a freaking gentleman.
The heroine, the other hand was just downright stupid. Sorry I don't know how else to describe her.
March 16, 2023
I am a fan of Shana's writing even with the grammatical errors, irritating MCs and often times lack of plot. I love how she writes angst (soap opera fan here) and even though her FCs tend to lack a backbone and would rather run than face a situation, I find myself completely enthralled and can't stop reading. Her MC's more often than not are man whores with a complex, but when reading her books I never doubt their love and longing for the FL. This book had great bare bones and most of what I enjoy, but was so uneven and the MC's often made me so mad I felt like imaginary punching them (like both of them seem to like to do - what's with all the physical fighting in this book!)
Raina moves in with Kent who warns her from the start that he bangs chicks on the couch on the living room and if she doesn't like - tough luck. His asshole behaviour continues on/off, loudly proclaiming women are untrustworthy and need to be used and tossed aside. Raina being the idiot she is, of course finds herself with body-betraying syndrome and falling for this so-called charming piece of shit- eyeroll. Oh and of course she's a virgin and Kent is the only man who has ever made her tingly and feel like having sex. Double eyeroll. Even Kent banging her coworkers can't seem to damper her longing for him. At this point I was almost hoping she would catch him banging a few more women cause I honestly felt like she deserved it the moron. He of course chases off any guy who likes side ways at her. Lord how I hate most of these tropes - yet I can't stop reading!
What really saves this book is the secondary characters. I loved, loved, loved the older sister Becca and the deaf roommate James. Even the bitchy, backstabbing secondary characters like Willow, Sophie and Sam were interesting to read. When Kent finally bags Raina and brings her home to his parents though the book really kind of took a dive. I won't spoil it but this book is more like a 3.9 and the sister alone made me give it a 4.
Raina moves in with Kent who warns her from the start that he bangs chicks on the couch on the living room and if she doesn't like - tough luck. His asshole behaviour continues on/off, loudly proclaiming women are untrustworthy and need to be used and tossed aside. Raina being the idiot she is, of course finds herself with body-betraying syndrome and falling for this so-called charming piece of shit- eyeroll. Oh and of course she's a virgin and Kent is the only man who has ever made her tingly and feel like having sex. Double eyeroll. Even Kent banging her coworkers can't seem to damper her longing for him. At this point I was almost hoping she would catch him banging a few more women cause I honestly felt like she deserved it the moron. He of course chases off any guy who likes side ways at her. Lord how I hate most of these tropes - yet I can't stop reading!
What really saves this book is the secondary characters. I loved, loved, loved the older sister Becca and the deaf roommate James. Even the bitchy, backstabbing secondary characters like Willow, Sophie and Sam were interesting to read. When Kent finally bags Raina and brings her home to his parents though the book really kind of took a dive. I won't spoil it but this book is more like a 3.9 and the sister alone made me give it a 4.
October 9, 2017
This was an incredible debut novel. Its hard to believe a story so true to life and romantic could come from a debut author. Edited really well, and the stream of consciousness was written with everyone's ability to relate.
This book is about Raina, the strong but aimless woman, and Kent, the gorgeous manwhore trying to cover his life's disappointments. They immediately have a connection that they both use lots of effort to fight.
We meet the characters after Raina moves in with Kent and his friend James. Chemistry is immediate, and its a testiment to the author's skill. These characters seem nothing alike, and a lesser author might have trouble conveying chemistry. But its there, bright and vivid from the moment these two meet.
Fear reigns between these two, as each makes assumptions that don't gibe either any credit. But these are 21 yr olds, and they act their age. Poor decision making, catty behavior and irresponsibility is rampant. The story is so wildly descriptive that it reminds me of some of the dumb stuff I did at that age.
I've read all of thus author's work, and Kent is by far my favorite character. He's so desperate to mask his feelings, yet wants to do the right thing. Kent is a layered character, and the insight we get into him is welcome and thought provoking. No one writes young adult characters like Vanterpool. She digs deep, showing that while they have baggage, they also act their age. The thoughts and dreams that they have are OUR thoughts and dreams. Together, they just might find a way to get over their baggage.
Highly enjoyable and wildly un-put-downable, you will find a manuscript written that really surprises and soothes the soul.
This book is about Raina, the strong but aimless woman, and Kent, the gorgeous manwhore trying to cover his life's disappointments. They immediately have a connection that they both use lots of effort to fight.
We meet the characters after Raina moves in with Kent and his friend James. Chemistry is immediate, and its a testiment to the author's skill. These characters seem nothing alike, and a lesser author might have trouble conveying chemistry. But its there, bright and vivid from the moment these two meet.
Fear reigns between these two, as each makes assumptions that don't gibe either any credit. But these are 21 yr olds, and they act their age. Poor decision making, catty behavior and irresponsibility is rampant. The story is so wildly descriptive that it reminds me of some of the dumb stuff I did at that age.
I've read all of thus author's work, and Kent is by far my favorite character. He's so desperate to mask his feelings, yet wants to do the right thing. Kent is a layered character, and the insight we get into him is welcome and thought provoking. No one writes young adult characters like Vanterpool. She digs deep, showing that while they have baggage, they also act their age. The thoughts and dreams that they have are OUR thoughts and dreams. Together, they just might find a way to get over their baggage.
Highly enjoyable and wildly un-put-downable, you will find a manuscript written that really surprises and soothes the soul.
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