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Beneath The Scars
I've crossed the line. I'm infatuated with Braden Bynes. A single bite of his lip launches my mind to indecent places. But this is forbidden. Because…Braden is the older brother of my boyfriend—Jordan. And Jordan died years ago. But my desire for Braden is the only thing that makes me feel alive.
Dakota James is off-limits, a temptation that’s branded my spirit with an appetite to have her like she was made for me. If I stepped over that boundary, it would further damage both of our already wrecked lives. But Dakota is my fix, my ravenous craving. This is going to end disastrously, but my desire for her is the only thing that makes me feel alive. This is playing with fire…and it won’t stop me at all.
- GenresContemporary Romance
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2016
15 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 4, 2018
Easy read.
March 7, 2016
2.5 "Broken" Stars
I'm not sure if it was just me or what, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Also there is essentially two stories here. We have High school Dakota and her first love and then we have twenty something Dakota who is a bit worse for the wear and her gritty connection with Braden.
Of course Dakota and Jordan were young and in love. Best friends their whole lives, raised next door to each other and the whole nine. They enjoy a couple years together of pure bliss them against the world. Until tragedy strikes and Dakota is left to fend for herself. No longer does she have her best friend and her lover, now she is alone and broken.
Life hasn't been kind to Braden either. At 16 he was set up, tried and sentences as an adult to serve seven years for a crime he didn't do. On his first day out he finds out his little brother Jordan is dead and his family had pretty much turned their back on him. Alcohol, drugs, gangs and the hard life follow him around for a while. He finally starts to get himself together opens up a Gym and starts giving back to the community.
Dakota and Braden have a troubling past some confusing feelings and a whole lot of personal baggage to wade through. But one thing neither of them can deny is the connection they feel even if it is wrong. They both have to learn to deal with their demons and their past before they can fully give themselves to each other. But will it all be worth it in the end....
The ending seemed to be wrapped up way too nicely for me. Things just fell into place for them with little resistance from each other or the outside world. For me the struggle with their addictions could have been handled better and addressed more fully. I think for me both the ending and the addictions are the reason for the low rating.
It was an okay read, some say an emotional roller coaster and an ugly cry sort of book, but that wasn't the case for me. It was emotional yes but I wanted more out of it.
I'm not sure if it was just me or what, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Also there is essentially two stories here. We have High school Dakota and her first love and then we have twenty something Dakota who is a bit worse for the wear and her gritty connection with Braden.
Of course Dakota and Jordan were young and in love. Best friends their whole lives, raised next door to each other and the whole nine. They enjoy a couple years together of pure bliss them against the world. Until tragedy strikes and Dakota is left to fend for herself. No longer does she have her best friend and her lover, now she is alone and broken.
Life hasn't been kind to Braden either. At 16 he was set up, tried and sentences as an adult to serve seven years for a crime he didn't do. On his first day out he finds out his little brother Jordan is dead and his family had pretty much turned their back on him. Alcohol, drugs, gangs and the hard life follow him around for a while. He finally starts to get himself together opens up a Gym and starts giving back to the community.
Dakota and Braden have a troubling past some confusing feelings and a whole lot of personal baggage to wade through. But one thing neither of them can deny is the connection they feel even if it is wrong. They both have to learn to deal with their demons and their past before they can fully give themselves to each other. But will it all be worth it in the end....
The ending seemed to be wrapped up way too nicely for me. Things just fell into place for them with little resistance from each other or the outside world. For me the struggle with their addictions could have been handled better and addressed more fully. I think for me both the ending and the addictions are the reason for the low rating.
It was an okay read, some say an emotional roller coaster and an ugly cry sort of book, but that wasn't the case for me. It was emotional yes but I wanted more out of it.
January 22, 2016
Wow, with this story I felt like I was on a roller coaster...so many ups and downs...maybe more downs but I honestly really loved it!
I went into reading this story with no idea about anything that was going to happen and I think that made it even better so I'm not going to post any spoilers. I will say this story touches some topics that most authors probably wouldn't and I really admire that. This book forced me to believe in the power of fate and not have a judgmental mind.
I loved how right away I was drawn into Dakota and Jordan. From the first page I wanted to read more and stayed up late many nights because I couldn't put this book down. The tragic events made me bawl like a baby, but even in the sweet moments I cried too. I felt emotionally attached to Dakota's fight with her inner demons and her past even though I have never gone through what she does. All the scenes and the story line were really put together amazingly to me. There are a couple hot and heavy scenes and man, they are HOT and very descriptive. This is one of those stories that will have you thinking about the book days after you finished it! I wish the ending held a little more punch but it was sweet. Hoping Evelyn will think about a book 2 because I would read it in a heartbeat!! This book is definitely worth a read!
I was asked by the author to read this book and give my honest review.
I went into reading this story with no idea about anything that was going to happen and I think that made it even better so I'm not going to post any spoilers. I will say this story touches some topics that most authors probably wouldn't and I really admire that. This book forced me to believe in the power of fate and not have a judgmental mind.
I loved how right away I was drawn into Dakota and Jordan. From the first page I wanted to read more and stayed up late many nights because I couldn't put this book down. The tragic events made me bawl like a baby, but even in the sweet moments I cried too. I felt emotionally attached to Dakota's fight with her inner demons and her past even though I have never gone through what she does. All the scenes and the story line were really put together amazingly to me. There are a couple hot and heavy scenes and man, they are HOT and very descriptive. This is one of those stories that will have you thinking about the book days after you finished it! I wish the ending held a little more punch but it was sweet. Hoping Evelyn will think about a book 2 because I would read it in a heartbeat!! This book is definitely worth a read!
I was asked by the author to read this book and give my honest review.
January 9, 2016
Dakota and Jordan have been best friends ever since they were in elementary school. As the years go by Jordan starts to develop romantic feelings towards Dakota specifically when she left to go to cheer camp one summer. Now as High School students their relationship is about to take a major leap.
As you cheer them on, these two will have a difficult handle on how to keep their relationship a float when other’s are determined to make them ashamed of their relationship. Jordan will have to battle his own demons known as racism and Dakota will have to face what her future will hold.
Both of them have demons.
They will need each other to over come the unwelcome.
Can they make it as a couple?
“Beneath The Scars” was enlightening. There aren’t many stories that really come into contrast with racism and how it will be for two different skin colors to be in a relationship. I love how Jordan and Dakota fought through it all. You saw them having trouble, but it wasn’t the typical relationship problems. It was refreshing to have an argument to not be predictable. I also like how certain characters really supported them. The pace was slow in the beginning, but it quickly picked momentum once the story background was placed.
~Tempting Sexy Thoughts
**ARC for an Honest Review**
As you cheer them on, these two will have a difficult handle on how to keep their relationship a float when other’s are determined to make them ashamed of their relationship. Jordan will have to battle his own demons known as racism and Dakota will have to face what her future will hold.
Both of them have demons.
They will need each other to over come the unwelcome.
Can they make it as a couple?
“Beneath The Scars” was enlightening. There aren’t many stories that really come into contrast with racism and how it will be for two different skin colors to be in a relationship. I love how Jordan and Dakota fought through it all. You saw them having trouble, but it wasn’t the typical relationship problems. It was refreshing to have an argument to not be predictable. I also like how certain characters really supported them. The pace was slow in the beginning, but it quickly picked momentum once the story background was placed.
~Tempting Sexy Thoughts
**ARC for an Honest Review**
February 3, 2016
Wow! What an emotional rollercoaster. I loved it and hated it and feel like I have been put through a washing machine. So many feels. Happy, sad, apathetic, angry, disillusoned, confused, sexy, disgusted, horny, emotional, forgiving, understanding, empathetic. Not for the faint of heart. "But I know beneath the scars lies something beautiful. Me. The real me.". Very well written, emotional and true to life. I usually end each of my reviews with enjoy, but with this book, that doesn't feel right. I did not enjoy reading it and at times it was painful to continue reading about someone else's pain to the point where your insides turn and roil with emotion. But even with all the emotional upheaval, there were the bright points of light that got the characters through their difficulties and onward and upward toward the light and their love. It is a love story, just a very painful one. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2016
Be careful scaring will happen.
I was a sobbing blubbering mess through parts of this book. It will destroy you the same way it affects the characters.
Heartbreak happens, people grow up, that's life, right?
What about when that heartbreak is caused by something so tragic and there is no growing up? What if your heart just dies?
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are real people. No rainbow and unicorns popping out in this story, but maybe love. Love to shine through all the darkness.
I received a copy from the author for an honest review. I will say the book definitely needs another round of editing and proofreading.
I was a sobbing blubbering mess through parts of this book. It will destroy you the same way it affects the characters.
Heartbreak happens, people grow up, that's life, right?
What about when that heartbreak is caused by something so tragic and there is no growing up? What if your heart just dies?
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are real people. No rainbow and unicorns popping out in this story, but maybe love. Love to shine through all the darkness.
I received a copy from the author for an honest review. I will say the book definitely needs another round of editing and proofreading.
January 14, 2016
I'm not quite sure where to start. This book tackles so many issues relavent today. Many that the typical young adult book wouldn't go near with a ten foot pole. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't go into details. After a so wish start, I enjoyed this journey. There is almost two books...One filled with the wonder of first I've and the gritty passion of forever love. I encourage taking a chance on a new author with a fresh voice.
Please note that the author was kind enough to gift a copy of this book to me and I have in turn left this honest review.
Please note that the author was kind enough to gift a copy of this book to me and I have in turn left this honest review.
April 6, 2016
This book is very emotional. Dakota and Jordan grow up together and you are given a good look into the hows and whys. Dakota loses Jordan and the rest of the book shows how the loss effects her life from that point on. But then you get to see how she grows into a person who has hope once again. This is a great story about love , loss and moving on. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review..
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February 4, 2016This one is not for me. Characters come across a bit too young.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews