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Trusting Stone
Eden Walker used to be a good girl. She followed the rules, obeyed her parents, and reaped the benefits. Until the night one wrong step showed her that all that glitter is not gold. Now she’s starting over, trying to do things on her own terms, and find the passion she’s only dreamt about.
Sebastian Stone never expected to find love. His past is too painful for him to imagine letting someone in enough to love. He’s happy focusing on his security company, and he’s happy with his one-night-stands. Until he bumps into Eden, a blast from his past.
Sebastian makes Eden realize she’s still scared to follow the passion she knows is missing from her life. Eden is the woman for him, but can Sebastian convince Eden to follow her dreams all the way through? Or will circumstances beyond her control pull them apart?
Sebastian Stone never expected to find love. His past is too painful for him to imagine letting someone in enough to love. He’s happy focusing on his security company, and he’s happy with his one-night-stands. Until he bumps into Eden, a blast from his past.
Sebastian makes Eden realize she’s still scared to follow the passion she knows is missing from her life. Eden is the woman for him, but can Sebastian convince Eden to follow her dreams all the way through? Or will circumstances beyond her control pull them apart?
- GenresErotic Romance
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2015
1 person is currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Sinclaire
7 books29 followersAlexa Sinclaire writes erotic romance: the hotter the better. Originally from the East Coast, she now lives in England with her very own Alpha male British husband.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 12, 2016
Warning: this book is filled with an abusive, sometimes violent and unhinged dude disguised as a supposed Alpha male. There's nothing about this book that sits well with me.
Once the life of the party, a socialite debutante trust fund baby, Eden Maxwell has struggled to heal since her on/off boyfriend's fraternity brothers attempted a horrific gang rape, resulting in a suicide attempt and leaving the exclusive Boston college she attended. Now trying to regain her life without her parents' constant interference, Eden returns to the US after a year studying in Scotland and learning her new reality.
Sebastian Stone grew up in the shadow of his father's passionate love affairs…and the violent death of his mother. He has no clue how to start opening his heart to anyone, but he recognizes that it's time, and when he spots his old neighbor Eden, he realizes it might just be her. Soon, the two are inseparable, and everything about Sebastian turns her on for some reason, even his domineering ways and extreme jealousy.
But things aren't always what they seem, and Sebastian's secrecy has Eden questioning everything she thinks she knows about the man she's fallen in love with.
TRUSTING STONE is the first book in the Trust series, and it's a doozy. Eden was the victim of a nasty attempted gang rape, and she spends a lot of the book trying to get over her fears and reclaim her life. Except she doesn't actually do anything to make that happen. On again, off again boyfriend Joachim offers to help, but really it's only some strange visceral reaction to Sebastian that helps her embrace her sexuality and begin to heal. Now, there's all sorts of way to heal, of course, but jumping Sebastian's bones (as a virgin, mind you) wouldn't exactly be at the top of the sanctioned list, in my humble opinion. She's spent almost 2 years quietly regaining her sense of self-worth, and one raised eyebrow and "you're so brave" from Sebastian and she was magically okay? Her self worth plummeted when he wasn't with her, the dramatic "I'm nothing without him!" and "she disappeared without him." Listen folks, if you need to depend on another person to feel value or worth or have an IDENTITY, it may be time to take a step back and work on healing yourself. You gotta do YOU, friends!
Sebastian, for his part, was an asshat. He was rough, domineering, abrasive, overbearing, jealous, rude, caveman and ignorant, and none of those in a hot Alpha male kind of way. The only connection he seemed to want to have was the kind that secured Eden's wrists to his bed so he could fuck her 6 ways to Sunday whenever the hell he wanted. And fuck he did, as the scenes were plentiful and gratuitous, making me skim through them to get done with this pointlessly lengthy read. The two of them had barely any real, meaningful conversations, basically just him forcing himself on her the second he saw her…every time.
And how about the psychological and physical abuse? Grabbing her arm and pulling her out of nightclub in a jealous rage or grabbing her arm, leaving bruises as he throws her on the bed and rams into her, alienating her friends or demanding she stay away from them, putting down her wardrobe choices because men may take it the wrong way…that all speaks (to me) not of a loving and mutually respectful relationship, but borderline an abusive relationship. I know that if my BFF was with someone like him, I would encourage her to run fast and far away from the douchenozzle!
Even though the sex was good (when not violent and angry), I couldn't connect with this couple or any of the players in TRUSTING STONE. The relationship felt forced and the "hero" was one slap short of truly abusive, which was disguised as passionate and swoonworthy. Honestly? I'm not comfortable giving any props to a book that encourages this type of behavior under the guise of love.
Bottom Line: Unless you enjoy your MC's in an abusive and destructive relationship, I can't recommend picking up TRUSTING STONE to anyone. This book is truly insulting to women - See more at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/v...
- See more at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/v...
Once the life of the party, a socialite debutante trust fund baby, Eden Maxwell has struggled to heal since her on/off boyfriend's fraternity brothers attempted a horrific gang rape, resulting in a suicide attempt and leaving the exclusive Boston college she attended. Now trying to regain her life without her parents' constant interference, Eden returns to the US after a year studying in Scotland and learning her new reality.
Sebastian Stone grew up in the shadow of his father's passionate love affairs…and the violent death of his mother. He has no clue how to start opening his heart to anyone, but he recognizes that it's time, and when he spots his old neighbor Eden, he realizes it might just be her. Soon, the two are inseparable, and everything about Sebastian turns her on for some reason, even his domineering ways and extreme jealousy.
But things aren't always what they seem, and Sebastian's secrecy has Eden questioning everything she thinks she knows about the man she's fallen in love with.
TRUSTING STONE is the first book in the Trust series, and it's a doozy. Eden was the victim of a nasty attempted gang rape, and she spends a lot of the book trying to get over her fears and reclaim her life. Except she doesn't actually do anything to make that happen. On again, off again boyfriend Joachim offers to help, but really it's only some strange visceral reaction to Sebastian that helps her embrace her sexuality and begin to heal. Now, there's all sorts of way to heal, of course, but jumping Sebastian's bones (as a virgin, mind you) wouldn't exactly be at the top of the sanctioned list, in my humble opinion. She's spent almost 2 years quietly regaining her sense of self-worth, and one raised eyebrow and "you're so brave" from Sebastian and she was magically okay? Her self worth plummeted when he wasn't with her, the dramatic "I'm nothing without him!" and "she disappeared without him." Listen folks, if you need to depend on another person to feel value or worth or have an IDENTITY, it may be time to take a step back and work on healing yourself. You gotta do YOU, friends!
Sebastian, for his part, was an asshat. He was rough, domineering, abrasive, overbearing, jealous, rude, caveman and ignorant, and none of those in a hot Alpha male kind of way. The only connection he seemed to want to have was the kind that secured Eden's wrists to his bed so he could fuck her 6 ways to Sunday whenever the hell he wanted. And fuck he did, as the scenes were plentiful and gratuitous, making me skim through them to get done with this pointlessly lengthy read. The two of them had barely any real, meaningful conversations, basically just him forcing himself on her the second he saw her…every time.
And how about the psychological and physical abuse? Grabbing her arm and pulling her out of nightclub in a jealous rage or grabbing her arm, leaving bruises as he throws her on the bed and rams into her, alienating her friends or demanding she stay away from them, putting down her wardrobe choices because men may take it the wrong way…that all speaks (to me) not of a loving and mutually respectful relationship, but borderline an abusive relationship. I know that if my BFF was with someone like him, I would encourage her to run fast and far away from the douchenozzle!
Even though the sex was good (when not violent and angry), I couldn't connect with this couple or any of the players in TRUSTING STONE. The relationship felt forced and the "hero" was one slap short of truly abusive, which was disguised as passionate and swoonworthy. Honestly? I'm not comfortable giving any props to a book that encourages this type of behavior under the guise of love.
Bottom Line: Unless you enjoy your MC's in an abusive and destructive relationship, I can't recommend picking up TRUSTING STONE to anyone. This book is truly insulting to women - See more at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/v...
- See more at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/v...
March 13, 2016
The past versus the future is the battle for both Sebastian and Eden. Can they both let go of their pasts? And let go of some of the rigid control they crave and live by because of previous traumatic experiences? So they can maybe begin to live their lives to the full and maybe even trust each other enough to give their hearts, which will allow them both to have some well deserved beauty in their lives.
“I don’t just mean do you trust that I won’t hurt you, but do you trust that I know what’s best right now? That I know what you want, how you want it? That I know what you need? Do you trust me to do all that?”
A really beautiful and intense love story about two people who have had horrible experiences and have horrible parents; a couple who deserve safety, security, love and beauty after everything they have been through.
“You still haven’t figured it out, Eden. With me, you’re able to lose control. That’s why this works. It’s one of the main reasons it works.”
Eden was really a female lead I could look up to. She has faced such a traumatic experience and suffered under her awful parents who are really no parents at all and yet she remains strong, independent and determined to live her life away from her controlling parents and not let the past destroy her.
“Because that’s all I do, Sebastian. You are all I think about. You fill my vision until there is nothing else. You’re all I see. All I feel.”
Sebastian is definitely an alpha male and has built up strong defences and high walls to protect himself. After watching his father fall quickly in love and even quicker out of it he is determined to never let a woman get close enough for that to happen. But his knight in shining armour persona comes through when he sees Eden having a panic attack and from them on he knows he needs to cherish her, protect her, and maybe even love her.
"With Sebastian, she could let go, she could trust herself with him around her, she could push herself to limits that she hadn’t even dared to think about until now."
This was just a really beautiful story of two people falling in love; two people who truly deserved it but also two people who have suffered and so their relationship doesn't happen easily and they both have to overcome issues. Love, friendship, heartache, trauma, trust and strength are all present in this story which kept me gripping my kindle tightly and crossing my fingers hoping both Eden and Sebastian got their happily ever after!
~BETHANY
“I don’t just mean do you trust that I won’t hurt you, but do you trust that I know what’s best right now? That I know what you want, how you want it? That I know what you need? Do you trust me to do all that?”
A really beautiful and intense love story about two people who have had horrible experiences and have horrible parents; a couple who deserve safety, security, love and beauty after everything they have been through.
“You still haven’t figured it out, Eden. With me, you’re able to lose control. That’s why this works. It’s one of the main reasons it works.”
Eden was really a female lead I could look up to. She has faced such a traumatic experience and suffered under her awful parents who are really no parents at all and yet she remains strong, independent and determined to live her life away from her controlling parents and not let the past destroy her.
“Because that’s all I do, Sebastian. You are all I think about. You fill my vision until there is nothing else. You’re all I see. All I feel.”
Sebastian is definitely an alpha male and has built up strong defences and high walls to protect himself. After watching his father fall quickly in love and even quicker out of it he is determined to never let a woman get close enough for that to happen. But his knight in shining armour persona comes through when he sees Eden having a panic attack and from them on he knows he needs to cherish her, protect her, and maybe even love her.
"With Sebastian, she could let go, she could trust herself with him around her, she could push herself to limits that she hadn’t even dared to think about until now."
This was just a really beautiful story of two people falling in love; two people who truly deserved it but also two people who have suffered and so their relationship doesn't happen easily and they both have to overcome issues. Love, friendship, heartache, trauma, trust and strength are all present in this story which kept me gripping my kindle tightly and crossing my fingers hoping both Eden and Sebastian got their happily ever after!
~BETHANY
November 25, 2015
“Trusting Stone” was an interesting story for me to read. I had a bit of a tug-a-war with myself because at certain points of the story I lost interest and other times I was completely consumed by the story unfolding before my eyes.
Sebastian Stone had an ugly past. A past that he could never out run because his father was always right there in the headlines…literally. Once again his father was on the top page of the newspaper, a new woman on his arms. His father was in love with love, but never managed to stick with the same woman long enough for the relationship to unravel.
For Sebastian he made sure that the woman he was with knew that their time was limited. Never to expect more than what he was willing to give them. But now he’s willing to give more…for the right one.
Eden Walker was the ultimate good girl. Always following what her parents expected of her without question until one night, the night she stepped on the wild side. Now she knows that not everything is glamorous as it seems. As Eden starts to rebuild a new life away from her family she relapses when a past memory steals her night of fun, but when a stranger comforts her until the panic attack dissolves, her savior isn’t a stranger at all, but a childhood acquaintance.
As Sebastian takes interest in Eden, she isn’t sure if she can let go without letting the past get the best of her. Can Sebastian really be trustworthy or will he just break Eden’s heart before she even realizes he possessed it all along?
Control is what both of them crave, but only one can truly hold that kind of power.
As I said before the story was interesting to me, but a times I lost sight of the story. I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t invest as much as I usually do or if my concentration was interrupted too many times. All I know for sure is that the writing, storyline and speed were impeccable. No errors were made and the story simply glided by.
Review on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
**ARC for Honest Review**
Sebastian Stone had an ugly past. A past that he could never out run because his father was always right there in the headlines…literally. Once again his father was on the top page of the newspaper, a new woman on his arms. His father was in love with love, but never managed to stick with the same woman long enough for the relationship to unravel.
For Sebastian he made sure that the woman he was with knew that their time was limited. Never to expect more than what he was willing to give them. But now he’s willing to give more…for the right one.
Eden Walker was the ultimate good girl. Always following what her parents expected of her without question until one night, the night she stepped on the wild side. Now she knows that not everything is glamorous as it seems. As Eden starts to rebuild a new life away from her family she relapses when a past memory steals her night of fun, but when a stranger comforts her until the panic attack dissolves, her savior isn’t a stranger at all, but a childhood acquaintance.
As Sebastian takes interest in Eden, she isn’t sure if she can let go without letting the past get the best of her. Can Sebastian really be trustworthy or will he just break Eden’s heart before she even realizes he possessed it all along?
Control is what both of them crave, but only one can truly hold that kind of power.
As I said before the story was interesting to me, but a times I lost sight of the story. I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t invest as much as I usually do or if my concentration was interrupted too many times. All I know for sure is that the writing, storyline and speed were impeccable. No errors were made and the story simply glided by.
Review on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
**ARC for Honest Review**
August 29, 2016
Captivating and Compelling
“Trusting Stone” by Alexa Sinclaire
Reviewed by Jessie D.
8/21/16
11:30 a.m.
Tragedy, redemption, and danger masked as a good friend are just a few of the many enticing features that await readers in Alexa Sinclaire’s Trusting Stone. Eden Walker has been through every college girl’s worst nightmare and yet has managed to claw her way back to a reasonably normal life. She has a dependable best friend, a man who wants to marry her, and a trust fund that allows her to do a job she loves regardless of pay. Though many would be envious and most would call her case a success story, Eden can’t quite quell the feeling that something in her life is missing.
Cue a chance run-in with Sebastian Stone, the commanding, self-made businessman Eden hasn’t seen or heard from since childhood. Just one short encounter with Sebastian is enough to show Eden what her life has been lacking: passion. However, not everyone in Eden’s life are as they seem, and although Eden believes she has moved on from her past, her past hasn’t quite finished with her just yet.
A fast-paced story driven by the intense relationship between Eden and Sebastian, Trusting Stone delivers a steamy romance with a serving of suspense that will leave the reader wanting more. As they navigate the twists and turns of their relationship, the couple must learn both to trust one another as well as discern who their true enemies are, and readers will find themselves compelled to join them on their journey. The author does a remarkable job of creating characters with whom the audience can easily identify, and although Eden and Sebastian live lives of luxury, they are still relatable and likeable characters. The solid development of characters coupled with a strong and captivating plot makes it easy to get lost in the pages of Trusting Stone as unanswered questions from both Eden’s and Sebastian’s pasts come to light once again.
I give “Trusting Stone” 5 out of 5 stars.
Stay Fresh
Jessie D.
“Trusting Stone” by Alexa Sinclaire
Reviewed by Jessie D.
8/21/16
11:30 a.m.
Tragedy, redemption, and danger masked as a good friend are just a few of the many enticing features that await readers in Alexa Sinclaire’s Trusting Stone. Eden Walker has been through every college girl’s worst nightmare and yet has managed to claw her way back to a reasonably normal life. She has a dependable best friend, a man who wants to marry her, and a trust fund that allows her to do a job she loves regardless of pay. Though many would be envious and most would call her case a success story, Eden can’t quite quell the feeling that something in her life is missing.
Cue a chance run-in with Sebastian Stone, the commanding, self-made businessman Eden hasn’t seen or heard from since childhood. Just one short encounter with Sebastian is enough to show Eden what her life has been lacking: passion. However, not everyone in Eden’s life are as they seem, and although Eden believes she has moved on from her past, her past hasn’t quite finished with her just yet.
A fast-paced story driven by the intense relationship between Eden and Sebastian, Trusting Stone delivers a steamy romance with a serving of suspense that will leave the reader wanting more. As they navigate the twists and turns of their relationship, the couple must learn both to trust one another as well as discern who their true enemies are, and readers will find themselves compelled to join them on their journey. The author does a remarkable job of creating characters with whom the audience can easily identify, and although Eden and Sebastian live lives of luxury, they are still relatable and likeable characters. The solid development of characters coupled with a strong and captivating plot makes it easy to get lost in the pages of Trusting Stone as unanswered questions from both Eden’s and Sebastian’s pasts come to light once again.
I give “Trusting Stone” 5 out of 5 stars.
Stay Fresh
Jessie D.
December 27, 2015
I loved this book! Eden has had a very hard life. With her parents not really being parents and then they don't believe her when she has gone through a traumatic experience with an almost rape. She has Jouquim to help her through it. She has kept his at arms length because she doesn't have romantic feelings for him. After her near rape she leaves college and goes to Edinburgh. When there she meets Mara who becomes her best friend. Mara is a firecracker and you can't help but love her. One night Eden goes out to a club with a group of privileged American students. She has a panic attack and runs into Sebastian. She knows who he is but can't put her finger on it.
Sebastian has had a troubled life full of pain, sorrow, and abandonment from his father. He never thought he would find love. Then come Eden. Sebastian is definitely a domineering alpha male that wants to protect Eden as much as possbile. He wants what's best for her and will go out of his way to make that happen.
Eden and Sebastian have a tough start to their relationship but it all ends up a happily ever after. I was so upset with what happened with Jouquim at the end of the book because Eden never deserved what he did to her. Thank god for Seb. If I were Eden I would have gotten rid of her parents at the very beginning. They weren't parents and don't deserve a great daughter like her. I want another book to come out with them. I need to know what happens to them in the future!
*Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha *
Sebastian has had a troubled life full of pain, sorrow, and abandonment from his father. He never thought he would find love. Then come Eden. Sebastian is definitely a domineering alpha male that wants to protect Eden as much as possbile. He wants what's best for her and will go out of his way to make that happen.
Eden and Sebastian have a tough start to their relationship but it all ends up a happily ever after. I was so upset with what happened with Jouquim at the end of the book because Eden never deserved what he did to her. Thank god for Seb. If I were Eden I would have gotten rid of her parents at the very beginning. They weren't parents and don't deserve a great daughter like her. I want another book to come out with them. I need to know what happens to them in the future!
*Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha *
January 20, 2016
Eden was a great "good girl" and leaving was the best thing she could have done for herself. She found the real person she wanted to be. With the company of her best friend she is able to grow in a way she wouldn't have otherwise if she remained under her parent's roof.
Sebastian has had a harsh life too and only grew stronger and goes straight for what he wants.
Meeting Eden and making her his is all it takes for the two to share something beautiful. Though it is not an easy relationship Eden is protected, loved, and is also able to find her independence.
Eden's past comes back in sooo many ways to hit her in the face and is lucky to have Sebastian catch her when she falls. Almost calling it quits just about ruins Eden and then the evil she's put behind her resurfaces. Then is she really where she belongs in the arms of Sebastian. There is lots of alpha in this story and quite enjoyable.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Alexa SinclaireTrusting Stone
Sebastian has had a harsh life too and only grew stronger and goes straight for what he wants.
Meeting Eden and making her his is all it takes for the two to share something beautiful. Though it is not an easy relationship Eden is protected, loved, and is also able to find her independence.
Eden's past comes back in sooo many ways to hit her in the face and is lucky to have Sebastian catch her when she falls. Almost calling it quits just about ruins Eden and then the evil she's put behind her resurfaces. Then is she really where she belongs in the arms of Sebastian. There is lots of alpha in this story and quite enjoyable.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Alexa SinclaireTrusting Stone
August 18, 2016
Warning- attempted rape and abusive behavior takes place in this story.
I as struggling between a 3 and 4 rating for this book because of some of the content. The alpha male persona goes too far in a few scenes and is down right abuse. It was literally getting into the master/slave category of what Sebastian was wanting....it didn't quite go that far, and it is acknowledged yet still allowed.
I went with a 4 rating because I was pretty much consumed today while reading. My heartstrings were tugged and I had to know how the story played out. Any book that can require my full attention deserves at least a 4. There are several triggers that can be harmful for those who have said triggers (warning mentioned above) so steer clear of this story if you have issues with them.
If you are looking to get sucked into a full length story (no cliffhanger-THANK YOU!) then I recommend trying this one out.
I as struggling between a 3 and 4 rating for this book because of some of the content. The alpha male persona goes too far in a few scenes and is down right abuse. It was literally getting into the master/slave category of what Sebastian was wanting....it didn't quite go that far, and it is acknowledged yet still allowed.
I went with a 4 rating because I was pretty much consumed today while reading. My heartstrings were tugged and I had to know how the story played out. Any book that can require my full attention deserves at least a 4. There are several triggers that can be harmful for those who have said triggers (warning mentioned above) so steer clear of this story if you have issues with them.
If you are looking to get sucked into a full length story (no cliffhanger-THANK YOU!) then I recommend trying this one out.
October 19, 2016
2.75 stars. Difficult book to rate.
Liked the first half of book for the vague paranormal feel to it. Then I got a little bored. Eden has a TSTL moment in the last 1/3rd so that dragged the rating down.
Liked the first half of book for the vague paranormal feel to it. Then I got a little bored. Eden has a TSTL moment in the last 1/3rd so that dragged the rating down.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews