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Julia Hawke #2
Hawke's Game
ASIN B01BH8886Q moved to the more recent edition
Eighteen months after the events of the first book, Julia is getting her life back together. She's in a steady relationship, with a novel about to be published. But on the verge of publication, someone powerful and mysterious throws a spanner in the works of her book release, ending her career before it has begun.
But whoever it is underestimates Julia's resolve and ingenuity. She's out for revenge and she'll use her best weapons; her intelligence, her guile and her seductiveness.
In the midst of her quest to even the score, a chance meeting with Penny Stone, her former love, makes her wonder if she really wants to plumb the dark depths of her own soul. And as she spends more time with Penny, can they remain friends or will they both be pulled back into the maelstrom of their sexual attraction?
Eighteen months after the events of the first book, Julia is getting her life back together. She's in a steady relationship, with a novel about to be published. But on the verge of publication, someone powerful and mysterious throws a spanner in the works of her book release, ending her career before it has begun.
But whoever it is underestimates Julia's resolve and ingenuity. She's out for revenge and she'll use her best weapons; her intelligence, her guile and her seductiveness.
In the midst of her quest to even the score, a chance meeting with Penny Stone, her former love, makes her wonder if she really wants to plumb the dark depths of her own soul. And as she spends more time with Penny, can they remain friends or will they both be pulled back into the maelstrom of their sexual attraction?
204 pages, ebook
First published February 14, 2016
15 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 13, 2020
Julia: *a femme fatale*
also Julia: *trembles after a simple conversation with Penny*
I SHIP THEM SO HARD!!!
"I was who I was, and that person still wanted Julia, and that was
all I could say about it. It was like I’d been born with this weakness for her
and I could no more fight it than I could grow five inches."
Poor Penny, Julia and her were in love with each other, both thinking they are alone in it. It was so very enjoyable!!
"She’d lied and manipulated to an astonishing degree.
She was complicated, difficult, problematic. And I loved her. God help me, I just loved her. All of her. The worst and the best and everything in between. It all added up to Julia. And somehow, she was still the strongest and most beautiful person I’d ever known. Somehow, I wanted her
more than ever."
Julia at times was absolute Joe from YOU. The light stalking, engineering meet cutes, using people. Throughout the book I was 10% repulsed and 90% in love with her. Till of course, i wasn't repulsed anymore. I DARE you to not to love her, it's simply impossible.
When I got the first book of this series I was sure it was gonna be a DNF, now i am sitting here thinking, after the third one, i must reread it. How'd that happen?
Favourite Quotes:
‘My skin still remembers you’
'You don’t get a chapter. You take up most of the book'
'The problem was, I didn’t know if anyone would ever quite live up to Julia. Because I’d done things the wrong way round. I’d started with the headliner and everybody else seemed like a support act.'
also Julia: *trembles after a simple conversation with Penny*
I SHIP THEM SO HARD!!!
"I was who I was, and that person still wanted Julia, and that was
all I could say about it. It was like I’d been born with this weakness for her
and I could no more fight it than I could grow five inches."
Poor Penny, Julia and her were in love with each other, both thinking they are alone in it. It was so very enjoyable!!
"She’d lied and manipulated to an astonishing degree.
She was complicated, difficult, problematic. And I loved her. God help me, I just loved her. All of her. The worst and the best and everything in between. It all added up to Julia. And somehow, she was still the strongest and most beautiful person I’d ever known. Somehow, I wanted her
more than ever."
Julia at times was absolute Joe from YOU. The light stalking, engineering meet cutes, using people. Throughout the book I was 10% repulsed and 90% in love with her. Till of course, i wasn't repulsed anymore. I DARE you to not to love her, it's simply impossible.
When I got the first book of this series I was sure it was gonna be a DNF, now i am sitting here thinking, after the third one, i must reread it. How'd that happen?
Favourite Quotes:
‘My skin still remembers you’
'You don’t get a chapter. You take up most of the book'
'The problem was, I didn’t know if anyone would ever quite live up to Julia. Because I’d done things the wrong way round. I’d started with the headliner and everybody else seemed like a support act.'
February 28, 2018
It's somewhat refreshing to read such a different story. It's almost like Natasha West decided to take all the touchy topics that are rarely written about in lesbian fiction and build the best story she could around them. The series is getting better and better. I'm hooked.
June 18, 2017
This second book in the Hawke series was definitely better than the first. Natasha West sticks to the dramatic tone, rather than the comedy and light-heartedness of her other books, and she does it well.
Hawke's Game starts about 18 months after the fallout of events in book one.
Where book one gave us more one-dimensional leads, one of them highly unlikable, this book gives those leads the dimension and depth I was craving. Penny, the young college student, has matured since we last saw her and Julia, the selfish and manipulative seductress, is owning up to her choices and behavior. It's not all sunshine and roses. Julia doesn't suddenly schluff off her uglier side and become an angel but I enjoyed seeing where the author took these characters.
Even though this is the 2nd book, I actually think this could be read as a standalone. There's enough reference to the first book to get the gist without all of the ugly, taboo feels (if you're completely squeamish about the events in book one) or the wish for more character development.
Recommend.
Hawke's Game starts about 18 months after the fallout of events in book one.
Where book one gave us more one-dimensional leads, one of them highly unlikable, this book gives those leads the dimension and depth I was craving. Penny, the young college student, has matured since we last saw her and Julia, the selfish and manipulative seductress, is owning up to her choices and behavior. It's not all sunshine and roses. Julia doesn't suddenly schluff off her uglier side and become an angel but I enjoyed seeing where the author took these characters.
Even though this is the 2nd book, I actually think this could be read as a standalone. There's enough reference to the first book to get the gist without all of the ugly, taboo feels (if you're completely squeamish about the events in book one) or the wish for more character development.
Recommend.
August 31, 2023
4.5 rounded up.
Hawke's Game makes book 1, Hawke's Prey (****), feel like a great prologue. Consequences of Julia's decisions come to the fore and she makes plans for her comeback following the events of book 1.
This is et a few month after the end of book 1, and Penny has grown and matured greatly in that time from the rash, naive college girl we met then. Power has shifted, creating a new balance.
What makes this series very good, for me, is the relatively simple (but very interesting and character driven) plotline that plays out and how the MC's relationship does and doesn't function as a result. Julia is driven and on a mission... if, that is, what Penny would think about it if she found out doesn't derail her.
I'll say no more for risk of spoilers but just add this. I've read the most recent book by Natasha West, which is very different and I really enjoyed, and I'm guessing the Hawke series was her first offering back in 2017. The mechanics and formatting are off (which bugs the copyeditor in me!), but the writing and storytelling have gotten more confident by book 2 to add to how well Julia, in particular, is drawn and the palpable chemistry between her and Penny.
This 3-part novella series is a lot of fun so far 😀
Hawke's Game makes book 1, Hawke's Prey (****), feel like a great prologue. Consequences of Julia's decisions come to the fore and she makes plans for her comeback following the events of book 1.
This is et a few month after the end of book 1, and Penny has grown and matured greatly in that time from the rash, naive college girl we met then. Power has shifted, creating a new balance.
What makes this series very good, for me, is the relatively simple (but very interesting and character driven) plotline that plays out and how the MC's relationship does and doesn't function as a result. Julia is driven and on a mission... if, that is, what Penny would think about it if she found out doesn't derail her.
I'll say no more for risk of spoilers but just add this. I've read the most recent book by Natasha West, which is very different and I really enjoyed, and I'm guessing the Hawke series was her first offering back in 2017. The mechanics and formatting are off (which bugs the copyeditor in me!), but the writing and storytelling have gotten more confident by book 2 to add to how well Julia, in particular, is drawn and the palpable chemistry between her and Penny.
This 3-part novella series is a lot of fun so far 😀
April 14, 2020
This book opened 18 months after the first ended. I'd say this was written better than the first, and the dramatic elements weren't rushed. It was more focused on Julia though, and her introspections about who she is as a person and who she wants to become. Penny's role in this book certainly affected more of the latter.
Reading the reviews for the third book (which I haven't read yet), it looks like the series gets better over time. But at this point, I'm not sure if the romantic arc was appealing to me enough to go straight into reading the third book in the series. Maybe I'll check the third one out after I read another book that would satisfy my crave for romance.
Reading the reviews for the third book (which I haven't read yet), it looks like the series gets better over time. But at this point, I'm not sure if the romantic arc was appealing to me enough to go straight into reading the third book in the series. Maybe I'll check the third one out after I read another book that would satisfy my crave for romance.
October 11, 2016
Wonderful Love story
I chose to give this book 5 stars. I read the first and immediately downloaded the second. I'll wait with bated breath for the third. The characters have to be 2 of my absolute favorites. The ability to be completely honest about the main characters flaws, yet still make you root for her, is a talent.
And, coming from a lesbian, the sex and love story were spot on. Buy them!
I chose to give this book 5 stars. I read the first and immediately downloaded the second. I'll wait with bated breath for the third. The characters have to be 2 of my absolute favorites. The ability to be completely honest about the main characters flaws, yet still make you root for her, is a talent.
And, coming from a lesbian, the sex and love story were spot on. Buy them!
January 26, 2018
This is an amazing book on too many levels
I was worried when the first book ended the way it did, and this one started with Julia’s relationship status. It almost hurt me to read this at first because I was so scared that Julia would move on and there would be so many more misunderstandings. I am very protagonist loyal and this didn’t ruin that. I’m pretty happy with this ending and am contemplating the third book.
The thing that makes this book so amazing is how real Julia’s thoughts and feelings are. Not so much penny (though she is a decently developed character), I feel she is more of a character that just responds to Julia rather than be a character of her own, if that makes any sense. Julia was very manipulating and deceiving when it came to getting what she wants and she still has conflict with being that person when she’s lacking the selflessness of love. I don’t think she’s a terrible person, I think she’s not met many who have proven to be worthy of her selflessness. Hence why she goes for “those types of girls”. When thinking of her lover, she has a harder time choosing to be that person that only ever looked at her own gain and loss. She starts to really open up her eyes to see the pain she has caused other people and tries to be a better person. Sometimes the people we hate the most are a lot like us.
I was worried when the first book ended the way it did, and this one started with Julia’s relationship status. It almost hurt me to read this at first because I was so scared that Julia would move on and there would be so many more misunderstandings. I am very protagonist loyal and this didn’t ruin that. I’m pretty happy with this ending and am contemplating the third book.
The thing that makes this book so amazing is how real Julia’s thoughts and feelings are. Not so much penny (though she is a decently developed character), I feel she is more of a character that just responds to Julia rather than be a character of her own, if that makes any sense. Julia was very manipulating and deceiving when it came to getting what she wants and she still has conflict with being that person when she’s lacking the selflessness of love. I don’t think she’s a terrible person, I think she’s not met many who have proven to be worthy of her selflessness. Hence why she goes for “those types of girls”. When thinking of her lover, she has a harder time choosing to be that person that only ever looked at her own gain and loss. She starts to really open up her eyes to see the pain she has caused other people and tries to be a better person. Sometimes the people we hate the most are a lot like us.
October 28, 2018
Wonderful!
This is the very well written second book in the Julia Hawke series in which Julia crosses paths with some ex-lovers, one bearing a grudge, the other still lingering in Julia's mind. Julia is still trying to find her way in the aftermath of her actions at the university that altered the course of her life. The complexities of Julia's and Penny's characters are evident in their internal struggles throughout the storyline. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Put this one on your must read list.
This is the very well written second book in the Julia Hawke series in which Julia crosses paths with some ex-lovers, one bearing a grudge, the other still lingering in Julia's mind. Julia is still trying to find her way in the aftermath of her actions at the university that altered the course of her life. The complexities of Julia's and Penny's characters are evident in their internal struggles throughout the storyline. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Put this one on your must read list.
January 29, 2020
Binge read book 1 and 2 in the same day. Day is not over so I will be done with 3 soon. The prose in this book is absolutely divine! The diction is simple yet the syntax holds magnitude, I have taken a few leaves from West’s writing,
I cheered and said no at the right time in the book too. Character’s growth is great, I love the insight!
I cheered and said no at the right time in the book too. Character’s growth is great, I love the insight!
September 12, 2021
Julia is evolving
I wondered how Julia's story would continue, and this follow-up did not disappoint. She seems to have learned from her past, and begins to make better choices where other people are concerned. I enjoyed this story, and I have a little bit of anxiety about the next one.
I wondered how Julia's story would continue, and this follow-up did not disappoint. She seems to have learned from her past, and begins to make better choices where other people are concerned. I enjoyed this story, and I have a little bit of anxiety about the next one.
October 28, 2018
I like how this book starts by showing how Julia is trying to move past the player mentality and attempts to settle down. Yes, there is a relapse of sorts, but she has just enough of Penny in her to feel something this time. In addition, Julia and Penny’s intense love for each other still exists. The question is if it’s enough to bring and keep them together. They both still have a lot of growing and maturing to do.
March 23, 2017
Very well written
Smooth transition for 1st book. The characters are deep and real with large flaws and realistic reactions. I loved it
Smooth transition for 1st book. The characters are deep and real with large flaws and realistic reactions. I loved it
January 25, 2018
Our main protagonist, Julia Hawke, is so flawed. Penny Stone loves her anyway. Penny has tried to stay away from Julia to avoid the hurt but it doesn't work.
October 12, 2019
😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
April 21, 2024
Sexy
The book is quite sexy. I love the 2 main characters. Julia is dark, while Penny is light. It works
The book is quite sexy. I love the 2 main characters. Julia is dark, while Penny is light. It works
March 25, 2021
Very good read just like the others in this trilogy.
February 16, 2016
A no spoiler review
Ever feel the need to reach inside a book and either hug, strangle, yell, or console the main character? Julia Hawke will do this to you in a wonderfully delicious way. This book and its predecessor will do this and I'm more than certain the third installment will as well.
The story is well crafted, layered, complex and human. This, I find is key. The characters are human and three dimensional. Both Julia and Penny learn and grow; in some ways what this book feels like is a beautifully written emotional coming of age story about two women.
I wish I could go into detail about my favorite bits and scenes that stood out. I will leave you all with this, if you have ever in your life found yourself in love and uttering the words "it's complicated" you should read this.
Natasha West does not disappoint and it is made clear that she understands what is lacking from this genre. It's not all about sex, though it is fun and let's be honest makes a fantastic read almost orgasmic (maybe a pun is intended), but who are we kidding ladies most of are stimulated mentally before our lady bits catch up. You will not be disappointed.
Make yourselves a drink, slip into something comfortable and enter the world of Julia Hawke. It's layered, sexy, and heartfelt.
Ever feel the need to reach inside a book and either hug, strangle, yell, or console the main character? Julia Hawke will do this to you in a wonderfully delicious way. This book and its predecessor will do this and I'm more than certain the third installment will as well.
The story is well crafted, layered, complex and human. This, I find is key. The characters are human and three dimensional. Both Julia and Penny learn and grow; in some ways what this book feels like is a beautifully written emotional coming of age story about two women.
I wish I could go into detail about my favorite bits and scenes that stood out. I will leave you all with this, if you have ever in your life found yourself in love and uttering the words "it's complicated" you should read this.
Natasha West does not disappoint and it is made clear that she understands what is lacking from this genre. It's not all about sex, though it is fun and let's be honest makes a fantastic read almost orgasmic (maybe a pun is intended), but who are we kidding ladies most of are stimulated mentally before our lady bits catch up. You will not be disappointed.
Make yourselves a drink, slip into something comfortable and enter the world of Julia Hawke. It's layered, sexy, and heartfelt.
December 7, 2016
Good book
This was an interesting second book. I have enjoyed reading this series and can't wait to read the next book.
This was an interesting second book. I have enjoyed reading this series and can't wait to read the next book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews