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Jaded Regret #3
Hartstrings
Tanner Hart, the All-American bad boy bass guitarist of Jaded Regret, has one motto— play women’s bodies like he does the strings of his guitar— hard, in tune, and giving it his all until the show is over. The only strings he wants attached to him are the ones he plays on the stage.
He has quite the reputation, even with his own band, and he likes it that way. It keeps the truth of who he really is locked deep inside. But there's so much more to him than anyone really knows…
Now that he’s successful, he can afford to find out what really happened to the only girl who’s ever held his heart. The only thing is…will he really want to know the truth?
When Mackenzie ‘Mac’ Shepard finds herself in a situation she’s been in too many times before, she expects to do what she’s always done— cover it up, accept the apologies, and move on. She knows trying to get out is futile. What she doesn’t expect is for the world famous Tanner Hart to burst into her life like a knight in sexy armor.
When their lives collide and hearts get involved, can Tanner keep his hartstrings from being tangled up in his past, or can he make a new kind of music... with his heart?
He has quite the reputation, even with his own band, and he likes it that way. It keeps the truth of who he really is locked deep inside. But there's so much more to him than anyone really knows…
Now that he’s successful, he can afford to find out what really happened to the only girl who’s ever held his heart. The only thing is…will he really want to know the truth?
When Mackenzie ‘Mac’ Shepard finds herself in a situation she’s been in too many times before, she expects to do what she’s always done— cover it up, accept the apologies, and move on. She knows trying to get out is futile. What she doesn’t expect is for the world famous Tanner Hart to burst into her life like a knight in sexy armor.
When their lives collide and hearts get involved, can Tanner keep his hartstrings from being tangled up in his past, or can he make a new kind of music... with his heart?
ebook
First published January 1, 2016
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248 people want to read
About the author
L.L. Collins
21 books905 followersL.L. Collins was born and raised in the eternal summer state of Florida. She lives with her high school sweetheart husband and is driven mad daily by her young adult boys, but her three doodles keep her sane and well loved. LL has been writing since she was old enough to write. Always a story in her head, she made her lifelong dream of becoming an author come true in the self-publishing world. She's the author of contemporary romance novels. Look for more of her emotionally charged novels exclusively on Amazon!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 18, 2016
L.L. Collins really knows how to create a tortured hero. I've met three of them so far and I've fallen for each one of them.
I just wanna squeeze 'em. Three men with tortured pasts that ruled their present. Thankfully Johnny and Beau found their HEAs with Bex and April. I knew it was only a matter of time for Tanner and I couldn't wait to see what the author had in store for his story.
Hopefully this isn't a surprise, but Tanner came from a physically abusive background. At 18yo, he changed his name and reinvented himself as Tanner Hart, bass player and manwhore extraordinaire. His reputation among the ladies was solidified back in Snared, but this book showed a different side to him. A side that was kind, considerate and protective. At least when it came to Mackenzie.
Mackenzie found herself stuck in an abusive relationship with her high school sweetheart. Although her thought process was very frustrating (i.e. "He loves me" and "He's the only one who'll ever love me")...
Finally enough was enough. With Tanner's never-ending support, she found the strength to leave her abuser.
This book had a bit more suspense than the others and focused less on Mac and Tanner's physical relationship and more on their emotional connection. I love the friends to lovers trope and it was handled exceptionally well in this story.
I see there will be a fourth book, Exposed: A Jaded Regret Novel. Is this finally Natalie's story? And will it involve the mysterious Kai?
Recommended to those who adore closure with their romance
I just wanna squeeze 'em. Three men with tortured pasts that ruled their present. Thankfully Johnny and Beau found their HEAs with Bex and April. I knew it was only a matter of time for Tanner and I couldn't wait to see what the author had in store for his story.
Hopefully this isn't a surprise, but Tanner came from a physically abusive background. At 18yo, he changed his name and reinvented himself as Tanner Hart, bass player and manwhore extraordinaire. His reputation among the ladies was solidified back in Snared, but this book showed a different side to him. A side that was kind, considerate and protective. At least when it came to Mackenzie.
Mackenzie found herself stuck in an abusive relationship with her high school sweetheart. Although her thought process was very frustrating (i.e. "He loves me" and "He's the only one who'll ever love me")...
Finally enough was enough. With Tanner's never-ending support, she found the strength to leave her abuser.
This book had a bit more suspense than the others and focused less on Mac and Tanner's physical relationship and more on their emotional connection. I love the friends to lovers trope and it was handled exceptionally well in this story.
I see there will be a fourth book, Exposed: A Jaded Regret Novel. Is this finally Natalie's story? And will it involve the mysterious Kai?
Recommended to those who adore closure with their romance
June 27, 2016
The storyline for Hartstrings was interesting and the blurb had me really excited to get Tanner's story, but then the actual book fell flat. I was left wanting more from Tanner and Mac, and they just didn't live up to the expectations I had. It started out okay, but I soon lost interest in reading it, and that's never a good feeling. Honestly, I read the book two weeks ago and I already forgot most of it since it just didn't keep me intrigued at all. I haven't read the other books in this story, and they weren't really needed to understand this one, but now I'm not sure if I want to read them at all. I'll revisit later, maybe.
I think anyone that likes a playboy rockstar with a hidden, dark, past should give it a shot. It didn't work for me but I know that many will like it. Hopefully it will work out for you more than it did for me.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
I think anyone that likes a playboy rockstar with a hidden, dark, past should give it a shot. It didn't work for me but I know that many will like it. Hopefully it will work out for you more than it did for me.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2016
Title: Hartstrings
Author: L.L. Collins
Series: A Jaded Regret Novel
Publisher: L.L. Collins
Release Date: June 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 275
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
“I took her back to my hotel room, bathed her, then we fell asleep, and when I woke up, she was gone. Now I have to find her.”
5 pull my heartstrings stars!!! I’m in love with Tanner!!!
Tanner is the bass player for Jaded Regret and he’s a total bad boy! His motto he lives by is “play women’s bodies like the strings of his guitar.” Yeah I know, but still swoon!!! And the last thing he needs is a girlfriend. He likes being free and single, you know to “play” women. But deep down inside of this bad boy is a story that will break your heart! And now that he’s made money he’s ready to find the only girl he ever loved. Mac is in another horrible relationship and she’s just dealing with the abuse, which is the only way she knows how to deal. But her world explodes when Tanner steps in to rescue her. Can these two get over their past and make it work or will his reputation and their past be too much for them both?
I love this series, but I think this book is my favorite! I fell in love with Tanner and his bad boy ways! He’s sinfully sexy and I loved his knight in shining armor ways!!! Mac, while a total victim, is amazing and hard not to love! I can’t really say more, because I don’t want to ruin it for everyone. Just go grab this book and read it!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
Author: L.L. Collins
Series: A Jaded Regret Novel
Publisher: L.L. Collins
Release Date: June 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 275
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Tanner Hart, the All-American bad boy bass guitarist of Jaded Regret, has one motto— play women’s bodies like he does the strings of his guitar— hard, in tune, and giving it his all until the show is over. The only strings he wants attached to him are the ones he plays on the stage.
He has quite the reputation, even with his own band, and he likes it that way. It keeps the truth of who he really is locked deep inside. But there's so much more to him than anyone really knows…
Now that he’s successful, he can afford to find out what really happened to the only girl who’s ever held his heart. The only thing is…will he really want to know the truth?
When Mackenzie ‘Mac’ Shepard finds herself in a situation she’s been in too many times before, she expects to do what she’s always done— cover it up, accept the apologies, and move on. She knows trying to get out is futile. What she doesn’t expect is for the world famous Tanner Hart to burst into her life like a knight in sexy armor.
When their lives collide and hearts get involved, can Tanner keep his hartstrings from being tangled up in his past, or can he make a new kind of music... with his heart?
Review:
“I took her back to my hotel room, bathed her, then we fell asleep, and when I woke up, she was gone. Now I have to find her.”
5 pull my heartstrings stars!!! I’m in love with Tanner!!!
Tanner is the bass player for Jaded Regret and he’s a total bad boy! His motto he lives by is “play women’s bodies like the strings of his guitar.” Yeah I know, but still swoon!!! And the last thing he needs is a girlfriend. He likes being free and single, you know to “play” women. But deep down inside of this bad boy is a story that will break your heart! And now that he’s made money he’s ready to find the only girl he ever loved. Mac is in another horrible relationship and she’s just dealing with the abuse, which is the only way she knows how to deal. But her world explodes when Tanner steps in to rescue her. Can these two get over their past and make it work or will his reputation and their past be too much for them both?
I love this series, but I think this book is my favorite! I fell in love with Tanner and his bad boy ways! He’s sinfully sexy and I loved his knight in shining armor ways!!! Mac, while a total victim, is amazing and hard not to love! I can’t really say more, because I don’t want to ruin it for everyone. Just go grab this book and read it!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
July 5, 2016
There are just not words to express how deeply touched I was by Tanner's story. It dealt with such a serious topic—one which many of us have gone through, or know someone who has gone through it. This story captured my heart and attention from the prologue, and kept it to the very end.
Tanner's childhood was anything but wonderful, but despite that, he's grown to be a successful individual—and he refuses to let the past bring him down. One fateful evening, though, everything changes when he stumbles upon Mackenzie—the one who would help him redeem himself.
What Tanner witnessed as a child… Well, I myself did as well, and I thought the same—why doesn't she just leave him, why can't we just run away? Now a grown-up, I realize that it's never that easy. I had tears as I read Mackenzie's story; what she felt is what many have felt when going through a situation like hers. The fear, the hurt, the hate, the self-worthlessness and the hopelessness are just so real that they feel like there is no escape.
There is no way to really write a review that will do this story justice, you will just have to read it—and I ask that you have an open mind and heart when you do. Put yourself in Mackenzie and Tanner's shoes, and truly see it from THEIR viewpoint not from, ‘well, I would have done…’.
This was truly a powerful story, and it touched me deeply. So, thank you, L.L. Collins, for shedding some light on such a tough topic. Thank you for helping us see that we are not alone, that we are not weak. If anything, we are more powerful than we know. ~ Kara, 6 Beautiful stars
Tanner's childhood was anything but wonderful, but despite that, he's grown to be a successful individual—and he refuses to let the past bring him down. One fateful evening, though, everything changes when he stumbles upon Mackenzie—the one who would help him redeem himself.
What Tanner witnessed as a child… Well, I myself did as well, and I thought the same—why doesn't she just leave him, why can't we just run away? Now a grown-up, I realize that it's never that easy. I had tears as I read Mackenzie's story; what she felt is what many have felt when going through a situation like hers. The fear, the hurt, the hate, the self-worthlessness and the hopelessness are just so real that they feel like there is no escape.
There is no way to really write a review that will do this story justice, you will just have to read it—and I ask that you have an open mind and heart when you do. Put yourself in Mackenzie and Tanner's shoes, and truly see it from THEIR viewpoint not from, ‘well, I would have done…’.
This was truly a powerful story, and it touched me deeply. So, thank you, L.L. Collins, for shedding some light on such a tough topic. Thank you for helping us see that we are not alone, that we are not weak. If anything, we are more powerful than we know. ~ Kara, 6 Beautiful stars
June 20, 2016
I love the Jaded Regret Series and I love all these boys so maybe it was because I saw Tanner with someone else or maybe it was because I didn’t love the start between Mac and Tanner that cause this one to fall a little flat for me. Not to say I didn’t enjoy this book, because I did, it just wasn’t my favorite of the series.
Hartstrings was also quite a difficult and frustrating read. Even though I was screaming for both of these people to wake up and move on from a terrible situation I have to admire the author for not taking the easy way out. She handled a difficult subject with the brevity it deserved and all the many confusing feelings that go hand in hand with this situation. This book was every bit as emotional as the others in this series and getting a deeper glimpse into what makes Tanner tick was altogether satisfying and heart-breaking.
So even though this wasn’t my favorite of the series, this book still had me furiously turning pages to see how everything would work, what secrets would be revealed and how other characters would react. After all my frustrations and misgivings, I still had a giant smile on my face after the last page.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
Hartstrings was also quite a difficult and frustrating read. Even though I was screaming for both of these people to wake up and move on from a terrible situation I have to admire the author for not taking the easy way out. She handled a difficult subject with the brevity it deserved and all the many confusing feelings that go hand in hand with this situation. This book was every bit as emotional as the others in this series and getting a deeper glimpse into what makes Tanner tick was altogether satisfying and heart-breaking.
So even though this wasn’t my favorite of the series, this book still had me furiously turning pages to see how everything would work, what secrets would be revealed and how other characters would react. After all my frustrations and misgivings, I still had a giant smile on my face after the last page.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
June 15, 2016
I loved Tanner's story! Every book I read of LL Collins, I fall in love a little more. I can't say enough about this book but it's hard to put into words how strongly I feel about it either! Mrs. Collins never fails to deliver an emotional, exciting, heart-stopping masterpiece that will keep you entranced from beginning to end!
In the other 2 books, Tanner appears to be nothing but a man-whore but I KNEW he had a story! WOW! Is all I can say! His story is one I'll always remember! As the story progresses, I had this gut-wrenching twist in my stomach! The anticipation of what's to come kept me on edge & thirsting for more! My heart broke into a million pieces but slowly mended as it came to an end!
I love the author's writing style & the way she makes me fall in love with every single character! I can't wait for Nat's book!
In the other 2 books, Tanner appears to be nothing but a man-whore but I KNEW he had a story! WOW! Is all I can say! His story is one I'll always remember! As the story progresses, I had this gut-wrenching twist in my stomach! The anticipation of what's to come kept me on edge & thirsting for more! My heart broke into a million pieces but slowly mended as it came to an end!
I love the author's writing style & the way she makes me fall in love with every single character! I can't wait for Nat's book!
consider-later
June 20, 2016
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June 20, 2016
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
Hartstrings is the first book that I have read from L.L. Collins. It is the third book in her Jaded Regret series, but each book can be read as a standalone story. The characters are interconnected, but I had no problems understanding anything here. I really liked this book, and I will definitely read more from L.L. Collins again in the future. This book wasn't always easy to get through, and my heart broke for these characters at times. But I was so glad that I read it and stuck through the difficult parts.
Tanner Hart is known for being a player of more than just the guitar for the band Jaded Regret. Thought to be the All-American bad boy of the band, Tanner's life couldn't be more different. But no one knows about his past, and he is happy to keep it that way. But when he comes across a bad situation and meets Mackenzie Shepard, he can't stop himself from rushing in to save her. Mackenzie isn't looking to be rescued though and knows that trying to get out is impossible. But when Tanner refuses to give up, Mackenzie and Tanner begin to form a friendship that changes both of their lives.
I really liked Tanner. I felt so badly for him and all that he had been through. My heart really hurt for him and how alone he was. He might have looked like he had it all, but there was so much that no one knew about. I was glad that he found Mac and was able to open up to her. I have to say that I wasn't the biggest fan of Mac most of the time though. I have never been in her situation and I tried not to judge her. But there were times that I just didn't understand her and the choices she made, and it frustrated me a bit. I also found it hard to relate to her at times because of that. These two did have chemistry and you could see that they were building a connection and I wanted them to be together.
Ultimately though, I felt like their relationship did come off as a bit rushed. Things seemed to just steamroll ahead once they started to change, and it just felt like a switch had been flipped from friends to more. Don't get me wrong I liked them together and how things ended, it just felt like it changed overnight and I would have liked to have seen a bit more of that transition that it felt like we missed here. Overall though this was a really good story, and I am looking forward to reading more in this series. If you are a fan of rockstar romance stories with some depth and emotion to them, I would definitely recommend giving this one a shot. Hartstrings made my heart hurt at times, but it also built me back up and showed that there is always hope and love can always heal even the most broken of people.
**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**
Hartstrings is the first book that I have read from L.L. Collins. It is the third book in her Jaded Regret series, but each book can be read as a standalone story. The characters are interconnected, but I had no problems understanding anything here. I really liked this book, and I will definitely read more from L.L. Collins again in the future. This book wasn't always easy to get through, and my heart broke for these characters at times. But I was so glad that I read it and stuck through the difficult parts.
Tanner Hart is known for being a player of more than just the guitar for the band Jaded Regret. Thought to be the All-American bad boy of the band, Tanner's life couldn't be more different. But no one knows about his past, and he is happy to keep it that way. But when he comes across a bad situation and meets Mackenzie Shepard, he can't stop himself from rushing in to save her. Mackenzie isn't looking to be rescued though and knows that trying to get out is impossible. But when Tanner refuses to give up, Mackenzie and Tanner begin to form a friendship that changes both of their lives.
I really liked Tanner. I felt so badly for him and all that he had been through. My heart really hurt for him and how alone he was. He might have looked like he had it all, but there was so much that no one knew about. I was glad that he found Mac and was able to open up to her. I have to say that I wasn't the biggest fan of Mac most of the time though. I have never been in her situation and I tried not to judge her. But there were times that I just didn't understand her and the choices she made, and it frustrated me a bit. I also found it hard to relate to her at times because of that. These two did have chemistry and you could see that they were building a connection and I wanted them to be together.
Ultimately though, I felt like their relationship did come off as a bit rushed. Things seemed to just steamroll ahead once they started to change, and it just felt like a switch had been flipped from friends to more. Don't get me wrong I liked them together and how things ended, it just felt like it changed overnight and I would have liked to have seen a bit more of that transition that it felt like we missed here. Overall though this was a really good story, and I am looking forward to reading more in this series. If you are a fan of rockstar romance stories with some depth and emotion to them, I would definitely recommend giving this one a shot. Hartstrings made my heart hurt at times, but it also built me back up and showed that there is always hope and love can always heal even the most broken of people.
**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**
July 13, 2016
http://rpmbt-blog.com/rpmbt/review-ha...
L.L. Collins has done it again! Hartstrings is an emotional read that pulled at my heartstrings throughout the entire read!
Tanner is the bad boy guitarist of Jaded Regret who has a past no one knew about. A chance meeting with MacKenzie causes him to face his demons as well as help a girl who he never saw coming. Mac is in a bad situation, but in her mind unable to leave, but with the new budding friendship she has with Tanner, things seem to be a little brighter in her life.
Throughout this book, we get to see both Mac and Tanner fight their demons, come to terms with things that have happened to them in the past, and start to look forward. I loved how strong Tanner was for Mac and how much he helped her, but really in the end it was Mac who made the choice to help herself. Some parts of her story were hard to read for me, as it broke my heart and made me mad all at the same time. Her boyfriend is AWFUL and deserved everything that came to him in this book. Once Mac is on her way to recovery, it’s her turn to help Tanner deal with his past and put it to rest finally.
Both of these characters were able to be there and help each other through some of their darkest times. They were exactly what the other needed, when they needed to be it. I loved how they thought they could just be friends, when anyone (bandmates, friends, and readers reading the book) could see there was so much more to them than they even realized.
Tanner is protective of Mac, and watching him shed his bad boy persona and become who I knew he could be was beautiful. He was a little slow on the uptake with figuring out just how much Mac meant to him, but once he realized it, he was all in, and I loved seeing this part of him. Watching Mac shed her defeated persona and become the strong woman she was at the end of the book was also amazing to watch.
This book may not be for everyone, as it does deal with abuse, and so much more, but if you can handle it, I highly suggest picking this one up. I really enjoyed it, but I felt as if there were still some unanswered questions for me that made this book a four star read instead of a five.
L.L. Collins has done it again! Hartstrings is an emotional read that pulled at my heartstrings throughout the entire read!
Tanner is the bad boy guitarist of Jaded Regret who has a past no one knew about. A chance meeting with MacKenzie causes him to face his demons as well as help a girl who he never saw coming. Mac is in a bad situation, but in her mind unable to leave, but with the new budding friendship she has with Tanner, things seem to be a little brighter in her life.
Throughout this book, we get to see both Mac and Tanner fight their demons, come to terms with things that have happened to them in the past, and start to look forward. I loved how strong Tanner was for Mac and how much he helped her, but really in the end it was Mac who made the choice to help herself. Some parts of her story were hard to read for me, as it broke my heart and made me mad all at the same time. Her boyfriend is AWFUL and deserved everything that came to him in this book. Once Mac is on her way to recovery, it’s her turn to help Tanner deal with his past and put it to rest finally.
Both of these characters were able to be there and help each other through some of their darkest times. They were exactly what the other needed, when they needed to be it. I loved how they thought they could just be friends, when anyone (bandmates, friends, and readers reading the book) could see there was so much more to them than they even realized.
Tanner is protective of Mac, and watching him shed his bad boy persona and become who I knew he could be was beautiful. He was a little slow on the uptake with figuring out just how much Mac meant to him, but once he realized it, he was all in, and I loved seeing this part of him. Watching Mac shed her defeated persona and become the strong woman she was at the end of the book was also amazing to watch.
This book may not be for everyone, as it does deal with abuse, and so much more, but if you can handle it, I highly suggest picking this one up. I really enjoyed it, but I felt as if there were still some unanswered questions for me that made this book a four star read instead of a five.
October 9, 2016
Another great instalment to this series. I loved reading about Tanner and seeing him in a different light. His back story hit close to home so I found myself fully invested in the characters navigation and journey throughout the story to find their HEA and second chance a true love.
I absolutely adore how LL Collins gives that sense of family and the highest of loyalty between the band members. With each instalment, Collins manages to evolve the characters from the previous books even more giving the story all the feels. She writes with a good balance of angst, humour and OMG sexy times. I can't wait to delve into the final instalment Exposed.
D 4/5
I absolutely adore how LL Collins gives that sense of family and the highest of loyalty between the band members. With each instalment, Collins manages to evolve the characters from the previous books even more giving the story all the feels. She writes with a good balance of angst, humour and OMG sexy times. I can't wait to delve into the final instalment Exposed.
D 4/5
June 29, 2016
Wow! Extremely disturbing story! I love rock star, Tanner and Private Investigator, Mackenzie but I am puzzled about how much control they allowed these psycho men to have over their lives. How about run far, far away and get HELP?!!! Tanner has a big, generous heart and wants to save Mackenzie from her abuser. Mackenzie is allowing the abuse in order to protect her father when she should be protecting herself. A lesson to be learned for all of us!
July 5, 2016
This book was deeply heartbreaking and so beautiful at the same time! L.L. has done a amazing rocker series extremely well! Tanner and Mac's story will stay with me a long time! This story broke my heart into tiny pieces only to put back together again, my heart literally felt their pain. "Hartstrings" greatly went above and beyond my expectations!!!
May 30, 2017
Hartstrings by L.L. Collins is the third installment in the Jaded Regret Series. For better understanding I recommend to read the books in order.
Hartstrings is Tanner and Mackenzie´s book.
Tanner Hart is a bad boy bass guitarist of Jaded Regret. His band mates are married and happy with kids. That will never happen to Tanner, so he thinks. He loves his womanizing ways, his ONS and his free life. Or is it all a facade?
And then she comes Mackenzie- Mac- Shepard and puts his world upside down.
I really liked the characters and I liked to meet the other band members and their families.
I give 4,5 Stars.
Hartstrings is Tanner and Mackenzie´s book.
Tanner Hart is a bad boy bass guitarist of Jaded Regret. His band mates are married and happy with kids. That will never happen to Tanner, so he thinks. He loves his womanizing ways, his ONS and his free life. Or is it all a facade?
And then she comes Mackenzie- Mac- Shepard and puts his world upside down.
I really liked the characters and I liked to meet the other band members and their families.
I give 4,5 Stars.
October 29, 2018
I'm not going to lie, in the beginning especially when it switched to Mac's POV, I found this hard to read. That's just because I always find it hard to read a book for the victim's POV. I felt so bad for her and I cringed whenever she thought badly of herself or like she deserved it. I'm surprised this book didn't have trigger warnings.
But Tanner, he comes off as a womanizer because he doesn't seem to care, but really it's the exact opposite, he cares too much. To the point that he helps a woman he doesn't even know.
It ended up turning into a great book.
My only question is why didn't they get a proper epilogue like everyone else....
But Tanner, he comes off as a womanizer because he doesn't seem to care, but really it's the exact opposite, he cares too much. To the point that he helps a woman he doesn't even know.
It ended up turning into a great book.
My only question is why didn't they get a proper epilogue like everyone else....
June 21, 2016
Love this series and this book holy sweet unicorns it was amazeballs. I mean we get so much more than meets the eye with these two characters. There is a haunted background for Tanner, one laced with pain and anguish but also one that changes him. He learns that he fears his anger and thinks that to keep from becoming his dad he must stand alone. Only have woman be like kleenex- one swipe and done. He is quiet and contemplative as well. He has a heart of gold and is ferociously protective like a lion. He is astute in his take on things and also a teddy bear at times. when he helps Mac it is to protect and prevent not gain someone to love and change him. but that is what Mac becomes. She becomes more for him.
Mac is a woman who is battered in many ways. She is battered by life, by her boyfriend and by her self esteem. She doesn’t think she deserve to be anywhere but where she is. She is in a psychological mindspin that is going downward thanks to her overbearing, controlling, abusive and manipulative boyfriend. Her world is a moment to moment danger where she wonders what will occur to have him go off on her. When will the time be he goes to far. When Tanner protects her, she feels off kilter but still scared and her mind doesn’t believe anyone can help her so she does what we all find unthinkable-she goes back to the abuser. It’s mind boggling to say the least but LL Collins writes this in a in depth show don’t tell way that has us understand the place the victim is at-her feelings of ineptitude, feelings of no self worth, thinking that he is the only one that will have her, scared of what he will do to those they love and to them, wondering if they can ever live a day where fear isn’t a part of this world- we feel this through Mac and see it in her eyes and her actions. Even with all this fear she is still brave for she goes back after Tanner takes her in to safety one night.
This moment begins a hopeful change for Mac. They become friends. She gains strength and begins to see herself slowly gain some peace in her inner turmoil. She gains hope that she will survive and there is someone out there rooting for her and who cares and wants nothing in return. for Tanner, he begins to change. He starts to not sleep around but hide behind the facade so he can protect himself and Mac. He learns more about Mac and begins to let her into his shell. he lets down the walls and lets her in and asks for help. We see his inner child and his inner pain come forth and it has you cry. Tanner starts to want Mac for more but is patient and supportive. Always listening and being there for her even if it is just to reassure her that she is strong and worth it.
When Mac is in trouble Tanner is there. He stands by her through it all and helps her see that she needs to take a stand for herself or she will no longer be. He helps her gather the courage and bravery to break free of the fear and chains. Psychologically she has a long way to go but he gives her those first steps with his patience, kindness and gentleness- a side his bandmates don’t often see and they begin to learn more of who the real Tanner is. Mac and tanner help each other come back from abusive pasts. He helps Mac gain freedom and self worth. She helps Tanner let go of the fear and anger. Helps him understand what his mom went through and see things differently. He learns to forgive and let go. They are tadpoles learning to swim in a new sea where fear and anger isn’t controlling them anymore. Where questions and doubt is not part of the sea only hope and a future. There relationship is fragile but built upon trust and friendship. they feel safe with each other and no that no matter what they aren’t out to harm each other but be each others anchor.
the story is so poignant and sad at times. We see so many emotions play out but we also get the reality of abuse. It is written in a delicate and amazing way that we do not feel angry at the writing but outrage at the situation these two were in. We feel what they felt and begin to understand the perspective of the victim and the impact that the abuse has on them and those around them. We see the aftereffects on the children and we see the everlasting effects on the victim that beholden them to their abuser. LL Collins takes a trigger subject and blends it seemingly into a meaningful and poignant tale that has us understand more of what truly happens in this kind of relationship to the victim’s psychological being and how one act of kindness can bring on hope and change. We see a love story of two broken people who help each other gain strength and trust. Who find a person to feel safe with and love them for them without strings. Two people who become equals in life and love. Who respect and honor each other in every way that matters. We get a realistic accounting of a world filled with pain and suffering and how one survives it and finds love. How two pained souls protect and heal one each other as they fall in love and find forever.
Mac is a woman who is battered in many ways. She is battered by life, by her boyfriend and by her self esteem. She doesn’t think she deserve to be anywhere but where she is. She is in a psychological mindspin that is going downward thanks to her overbearing, controlling, abusive and manipulative boyfriend. Her world is a moment to moment danger where she wonders what will occur to have him go off on her. When will the time be he goes to far. When Tanner protects her, she feels off kilter but still scared and her mind doesn’t believe anyone can help her so she does what we all find unthinkable-she goes back to the abuser. It’s mind boggling to say the least but LL Collins writes this in a in depth show don’t tell way that has us understand the place the victim is at-her feelings of ineptitude, feelings of no self worth, thinking that he is the only one that will have her, scared of what he will do to those they love and to them, wondering if they can ever live a day where fear isn’t a part of this world- we feel this through Mac and see it in her eyes and her actions. Even with all this fear she is still brave for she goes back after Tanner takes her in to safety one night.
This moment begins a hopeful change for Mac. They become friends. She gains strength and begins to see herself slowly gain some peace in her inner turmoil. She gains hope that she will survive and there is someone out there rooting for her and who cares and wants nothing in return. for Tanner, he begins to change. He starts to not sleep around but hide behind the facade so he can protect himself and Mac. He learns more about Mac and begins to let her into his shell. he lets down the walls and lets her in and asks for help. We see his inner child and his inner pain come forth and it has you cry. Tanner starts to want Mac for more but is patient and supportive. Always listening and being there for her even if it is just to reassure her that she is strong and worth it.
When Mac is in trouble Tanner is there. He stands by her through it all and helps her see that she needs to take a stand for herself or she will no longer be. He helps her gather the courage and bravery to break free of the fear and chains. Psychologically she has a long way to go but he gives her those first steps with his patience, kindness and gentleness- a side his bandmates don’t often see and they begin to learn more of who the real Tanner is. Mac and tanner help each other come back from abusive pasts. He helps Mac gain freedom and self worth. She helps Tanner let go of the fear and anger. Helps him understand what his mom went through and see things differently. He learns to forgive and let go. They are tadpoles learning to swim in a new sea where fear and anger isn’t controlling them anymore. Where questions and doubt is not part of the sea only hope and a future. There relationship is fragile but built upon trust and friendship. they feel safe with each other and no that no matter what they aren’t out to harm each other but be each others anchor.
the story is so poignant and sad at times. We see so many emotions play out but we also get the reality of abuse. It is written in a delicate and amazing way that we do not feel angry at the writing but outrage at the situation these two were in. We feel what they felt and begin to understand the perspective of the victim and the impact that the abuse has on them and those around them. We see the aftereffects on the children and we see the everlasting effects on the victim that beholden them to their abuser. LL Collins takes a trigger subject and blends it seemingly into a meaningful and poignant tale that has us understand more of what truly happens in this kind of relationship to the victim’s psychological being and how one act of kindness can bring on hope and change. We see a love story of two broken people who help each other gain strength and trust. Who find a person to feel safe with and love them for them without strings. Two people who become equals in life and love. Who respect and honor each other in every way that matters. We get a realistic accounting of a world filled with pain and suffering and how one survives it and finds love. How two pained souls protect and heal one each other as they fall in love and find forever.
June 19, 2016
As a reader obsessed with rock star romances I knew I'd enjoy this book and in many ways I did. What I didn't expect was the powerful emotions this story engendered as it depicted the life of a woman dealing with domestic abuse and the equally bruised rock star whose early years were rife with abuse. This balance of a sweet and sexy romance with the sensitive but brutal depiction of abuse hit me hard and pulled me in wholeheartedly. From the first page to the last it's a heavy journey these two hurt souls take, full of twists and turns, but by the end it's an immensely satisfying journey.
Tanner's considered the manwhore of the rock star world and until recently it's a role he's been happy to embrace. In a single moment though, coming to the rescue of a woman being abused, everything changes for him and he realizes he can no longer hide behind the party boy facade, no longer live a life of meaninglessness. For so long he's been running from the past but involving himself in Mackenzie's life has his past colliding with his future as his supportive friendship slowly becomes more in a relationship full of angst, danger, and tears. Tanner's a sexy beast, playful with a cocky attitude, and it was a compelling journey he undertook in accepting his past. In many ways he was the quintessential hero as he always put Mac first, never rushing her after the years of abuse she endured, and helped her discover her truth worth in many subtle ways. He was a drool-worthy hero who exuded sex appeal with a protective nature and softer side that had him shedding a tear or two and endearing him to me completely.
For years Mackenzie's been trapped in a nightmare, one that's left her lost and alone. Years of mental and physical abuse has left her self-esteem in shreds with the belief that she's unlovable and deserves what she gets. In real life I could never understand what keeps a woman in this situation, but Ms. Collins vividly depicted the negativity and desolation Mac had been reduced to which had me feeling more sympathetic rather then frustrated with her. Fear for her father and for her future kept her stuck and it's only through the unconditional support of Tanner that she finds the strength to leave. It's not an immediate recovery though as the threat of her ex-boyfriend lingers throughout the story leaving readers on edge. Alongside the danger is a sweet romance full of sexual tension as she's attracted to Tanner but scared of committing to another man so soon. She also doesn't want to be a project for him, knowing his past she doesn't want him to see her only as a victim needing to be saved. Her conflicted feelings has their romance moving at a glacial pace until everything bubbles over into a scorching encounter that redefines their connection. Mac's a talented and smart woman who became so demoralized that she no longer recognized herself. Seeing her gain strength and find love for herself was an endearing and powerful thing to see which left a tear in my eye as I cheered her on. She and Tanner were both hurt by the actions of others, betrayed in the worst possible way, which made their connection unbreakable despite the paparazzi and his overzealous groupies. They were both there for each other when they needed each other most and definitely deserved their HEA.
This was a powerful story, full of intense emotions that led to lots of tears while reading. Tanner might have looked carefree from the outside but he was hiding a lot of pain from his childhood due to an abusive father. It's left him fearful of becoming that kind of monster which meant keeping to one-night stands. Meeting another person equally as scarred has him wanting to be the man she needs which is the first step in both of them healing. Mac was at her weakest at the start of the story with life slipping away from her. Meeting Tanner brought her back to life and the longer they were together the brighter that spark became during their friends to lovers relationship. Ms. Collins shined a bright light on domestic abuse through vividly depicted scenes that had me cringing. The legal issues surrounding it were further depicted and left you feeling a bit helpless but thankful that Mac had such a large support group courtesy of the bandmates who are like family to Tanner. Though this story is set in the rock star world it doesn't take up a large part of the story. Readers get just a tempting glimpse of the chaos and eccentricities of fame as this story is more about Mac and Tanner's quiet moments of bonding. It's ultimately an unforgettable story, despite the overly dramatic and cliched confrontation with her ex at the end, that sensitively but powerfully deals with this important issue. Though this is the third installment in the Jaded Regret series it stands strongly on its own telling its empowering tale and shouldn't be missed!
4.75 STARS!
Tanner's considered the manwhore of the rock star world and until recently it's a role he's been happy to embrace. In a single moment though, coming to the rescue of a woman being abused, everything changes for him and he realizes he can no longer hide behind the party boy facade, no longer live a life of meaninglessness. For so long he's been running from the past but involving himself in Mackenzie's life has his past colliding with his future as his supportive friendship slowly becomes more in a relationship full of angst, danger, and tears. Tanner's a sexy beast, playful with a cocky attitude, and it was a compelling journey he undertook in accepting his past. In many ways he was the quintessential hero as he always put Mac first, never rushing her after the years of abuse she endured, and helped her discover her truth worth in many subtle ways. He was a drool-worthy hero who exuded sex appeal with a protective nature and softer side that had him shedding a tear or two and endearing him to me completely.
For years Mackenzie's been trapped in a nightmare, one that's left her lost and alone. Years of mental and physical abuse has left her self-esteem in shreds with the belief that she's unlovable and deserves what she gets. In real life I could never understand what keeps a woman in this situation, but Ms. Collins vividly depicted the negativity and desolation Mac had been reduced to which had me feeling more sympathetic rather then frustrated with her. Fear for her father and for her future kept her stuck and it's only through the unconditional support of Tanner that she finds the strength to leave. It's not an immediate recovery though as the threat of her ex-boyfriend lingers throughout the story leaving readers on edge. Alongside the danger is a sweet romance full of sexual tension as she's attracted to Tanner but scared of committing to another man so soon. She also doesn't want to be a project for him, knowing his past she doesn't want him to see her only as a victim needing to be saved. Her conflicted feelings has their romance moving at a glacial pace until everything bubbles over into a scorching encounter that redefines their connection. Mac's a talented and smart woman who became so demoralized that she no longer recognized herself. Seeing her gain strength and find love for herself was an endearing and powerful thing to see which left a tear in my eye as I cheered her on. She and Tanner were both hurt by the actions of others, betrayed in the worst possible way, which made their connection unbreakable despite the paparazzi and his overzealous groupies. They were both there for each other when they needed each other most and definitely deserved their HEA.
This was a powerful story, full of intense emotions that led to lots of tears while reading. Tanner might have looked carefree from the outside but he was hiding a lot of pain from his childhood due to an abusive father. It's left him fearful of becoming that kind of monster which meant keeping to one-night stands. Meeting another person equally as scarred has him wanting to be the man she needs which is the first step in both of them healing. Mac was at her weakest at the start of the story with life slipping away from her. Meeting Tanner brought her back to life and the longer they were together the brighter that spark became during their friends to lovers relationship. Ms. Collins shined a bright light on domestic abuse through vividly depicted scenes that had me cringing. The legal issues surrounding it were further depicted and left you feeling a bit helpless but thankful that Mac had such a large support group courtesy of the bandmates who are like family to Tanner. Though this story is set in the rock star world it doesn't take up a large part of the story. Readers get just a tempting glimpse of the chaos and eccentricities of fame as this story is more about Mac and Tanner's quiet moments of bonding. It's ultimately an unforgettable story, despite the overly dramatic and cliched confrontation with her ex at the end, that sensitively but powerfully deals with this important issue. Though this is the third installment in the Jaded Regret series it stands strongly on its own telling its empowering tale and shouldn't be missed!
4.75 STARS!
June 22, 2016
4.25 stars--
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 16, 2016
Tanner Hart, the All-American bad boy bass guitarist of Jaded Regret, has one motto— play women’s bodies like he does the strings of his guitar— hard, in tune, and giving it his all until the show is over. The only strings he wants attached to him are the ones he plays on the stage.
He has quite the reputation, even with his own band, and he likes it that way. It keeps the truth of who he really is locked deep inside. But there's so much more to him than anyone really knows…
Now that he’s successful, he can afford to find out what really happened to the only girl who’s ever held his heart. The only thing is…will he really want to know the truth?
When Mackenzie ‘Mac’ Shepard finds herself in a situation she’s been in too many times before, she expects to do what she’s always done— cover it up, accept the apologies, and move on. She knows trying to get out is futile. What she doesn’t expect is for the world famous Tanner Hart to burst into her life like a knight in sexy armor.
When their lives collide and hearts get involved, can Tanner keep his heartstrings from being tangled up in his past, or can he make a new kind of music... with his heart?
••••••••••
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--HARTSTRINGS is the third installment in L.L. Collins’s contemporary, adult JADED REGRET rock star, romance series focusing on the members of the rock back Jaded Regret. This is bass guitarist Tanner Hart, and PI Mackenzie Shepard’s story line. HARTSTRINGS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: HARTSTRINGS is a story line focusing on domestic abuse and violence therefore the premise and some scenes may be triggers for sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person points of view (Tanner and Mackenzie) HARTSTRINGS follows the relationship between rock star Tanner Hart, and private investigator Mackenzie Shepard. While drunk and roaming the halls of a local hotel, Tanner accidentally gets caught up in a case of domestic violence. Mackenzie Shepard is found beaten and bruised, and Tanner refuses to accept what has happened and her inability to say no. What ensues are Tanner’s attempts to set Mackenzie free of her abusive boyfriend, and impotence in the face of future abuse and continued threats.
Like the previous installment, L.L. Collins takes the reader on an emotional journey where fiction becomes real in the face of violence and abuse. HARTSTRINGS looks at the battered spouse syndrome wherein our heroine is unable to walk away because of guilt, threats and proclamations of love further hindered by a father who is unaware of his daughter’s current condition. Our heroine is physically and emotionally abused; her psyche and psychological well being are threatened along with her life. Tanner Hart is a man determined to save Mackenzie Shepard in the hopes of atoning for the sins of his past. Mackenzie and Tanner are kindred spirits in that they have both experienced abuse and violence at the hands of someone who was supposed to have loved.
All of the members of Jaded Regret play secondary and supporting roles. We watch as the band struggles with their inability to understand the trauma that is currently claiming one of their own-a trauma they know very little about because Tanner has revealed very little about his past or his connection to the woman with whom he is falling in love. What the band members do know is that Tanner is a manwhore, a player, and worry about his involvement with a woman so fragile and broken.
HARTSTRINGS continues to follow Jaded Regret on the road, behind the scenes, and into the hotel rooms and bedrooms of the members of the band. With all of the members now married or falling in love, that leaves Beau’s (SNARED #2) sister Natalie Anderson, the band’s manager, as the lone single member of the group. I am hoping for a story line for one of the security guys -A.J.-maybe he and Natalie will get together ;) .
HARTSTRINGS is a story that runs the gamut of emotions from heartbreak to sorrow; anxiety to frustration; despair to relief. The premise is powerful and dramatic; the characters are affecting, courageous and tragic; the romance is comfortable and slow to build. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive. L. L. Collins pulls at the ‘hartstrings’ with her emotional subject matter and happily ever afters.
Copy supplied by the tour operator.
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 16, 2016
Tanner Hart, the All-American bad boy bass guitarist of Jaded Regret, has one motto— play women’s bodies like he does the strings of his guitar— hard, in tune, and giving it his all until the show is over. The only strings he wants attached to him are the ones he plays on the stage.
He has quite the reputation, even with his own band, and he likes it that way. It keeps the truth of who he really is locked deep inside. But there's so much more to him than anyone really knows…
Now that he’s successful, he can afford to find out what really happened to the only girl who’s ever held his heart. The only thing is…will he really want to know the truth?
When Mackenzie ‘Mac’ Shepard finds herself in a situation she’s been in too many times before, she expects to do what she’s always done— cover it up, accept the apologies, and move on. She knows trying to get out is futile. What she doesn’t expect is for the world famous Tanner Hart to burst into her life like a knight in sexy armor.
When their lives collide and hearts get involved, can Tanner keep his heartstrings from being tangled up in his past, or can he make a new kind of music... with his heart?
••••••••••
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--HARTSTRINGS is the third installment in L.L. Collins’s contemporary, adult JADED REGRET rock star, romance series focusing on the members of the rock back Jaded Regret. This is bass guitarist Tanner Hart, and PI Mackenzie Shepard’s story line. HARTSTRINGS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: HARTSTRINGS is a story line focusing on domestic abuse and violence therefore the premise and some scenes may be triggers for sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person points of view (Tanner and Mackenzie) HARTSTRINGS follows the relationship between rock star Tanner Hart, and private investigator Mackenzie Shepard. While drunk and roaming the halls of a local hotel, Tanner accidentally gets caught up in a case of domestic violence. Mackenzie Shepard is found beaten and bruised, and Tanner refuses to accept what has happened and her inability to say no. What ensues are Tanner’s attempts to set Mackenzie free of her abusive boyfriend, and impotence in the face of future abuse and continued threats.
Like the previous installment, L.L. Collins takes the reader on an emotional journey where fiction becomes real in the face of violence and abuse. HARTSTRINGS looks at the battered spouse syndrome wherein our heroine is unable to walk away because of guilt, threats and proclamations of love further hindered by a father who is unaware of his daughter’s current condition. Our heroine is physically and emotionally abused; her psyche and psychological well being are threatened along with her life. Tanner Hart is a man determined to save Mackenzie Shepard in the hopes of atoning for the sins of his past. Mackenzie and Tanner are kindred spirits in that they have both experienced abuse and violence at the hands of someone who was supposed to have loved.
All of the members of Jaded Regret play secondary and supporting roles. We watch as the band struggles with their inability to understand the trauma that is currently claiming one of their own-a trauma they know very little about because Tanner has revealed very little about his past or his connection to the woman with whom he is falling in love. What the band members do know is that Tanner is a manwhore, a player, and worry about his involvement with a woman so fragile and broken.
HARTSTRINGS continues to follow Jaded Regret on the road, behind the scenes, and into the hotel rooms and bedrooms of the members of the band. With all of the members now married or falling in love, that leaves Beau’s (SNARED #2) sister Natalie Anderson, the band’s manager, as the lone single member of the group. I am hoping for a story line for one of the security guys -A.J.-maybe he and Natalie will get together ;) .
HARTSTRINGS is a story that runs the gamut of emotions from heartbreak to sorrow; anxiety to frustration; despair to relief. The premise is powerful and dramatic; the characters are affecting, courageous and tragic; the romance is comfortable and slow to build. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive. L. L. Collins pulls at the ‘hartstrings’ with her emotional subject matter and happily ever afters.
Copy supplied by the tour operator.
www.thereadingcafe.com
Read
October 11, 2016Hartstrings is an appropriate title for this book. It does just that, pulls at your heart. Mac and
Tanner have a rough past, but come together as adults and explode, heal each other and find
closure from the past.
Tanner have a rough past, but come together as adults and explode, heal each other and find
closure from the past.
June 17, 2016
Hartstrings might just be L.L. Collins’ most emotionally tumultuous story yet! Tanner and MacKenzie took me by surprise, their angst-ridden journey an unexpected exploration of self-worth, trust, and salvation. This book absolutely gutted me, forcing me to feel the tragedies of MacKenzie and Tanner’s lives deep down in my soul. L.L. Collins’ writing is spot on and overwhelming, perfectly capturing the anguish and reprieve found throughout this novel. Tanner and Mac’s immediate connection was unexpected and yet somehow so incredibly right. From the moment they met I could feel their magnetic pull, an undeniable recognition of shared pain between their souls that was heady and powerful. L.L. Collins slowly nurtures the sparks between Tanner and MacKenzie, allowing them to build in their own time into something electric and mesmerizing. As with each novel in this series, Hartstrings carries the weight of some very difficult topics, giving Tanner and MacKenzie’s story an emotional significance that blew me away.
Tanner stole my heart in the most surprising way. While I knew his player persona masked some sort of past pain, I never could have imagined the heartache L.L. Collins had in store for this character. His family history, personal loss, and the beautiful respite he found in his music came together to paint a stunning picture of a complicated and utterly heartbroken man. I loved the way Tanner’s relationship with MacKenzie altered him over the course of the story. Not only did we see growth of this character as an individual, but Tanner’s relationships with the rest of the band also flourished in light of his newfound emotional transparency and sense of purpose. L.L. Collins unraveled Tanner so completely, allowing him to be vulnerable and raw. It was this gut wrenching honesty, coupled with Tanner’s fierce protectiveness and unwavering loyalty towards MacKenzie that marked me deeply and irrevocably.
As for MacKenzie, L.L. Collins could have just ripped my heart out and tossed it in a blender and it probably would have been less painful. At times this character was emotionally devastating and yet she exuded a light that was brilliantly hopeful. When Tanner’s world collides with hers there is a palpable shift. She grows in boldness and strength, eventually becoming more than a victim of her circumstances. I absolutely adored the care and grace with which L.L. Collins developed this character. Her transformation was genuinely portrayed, a mixture of trials and triumph that was perfectly breathtaking. I felt each of MacKenzie’s emotions rip through me, leaving behind pieces of this character that I couldn’t help but connect with. I reveled in the moments of adorable flirtation and sassy banter that she shared with Tanner, glimpses into the healing woman who quietly won over my heart with each passing page.
Hartstrings was well paced, keeping me riveted to the story and desperate for more. L.L. Collins kept me on my toes with this twisting storyline. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another unexpected truth would come to light, throwing me for a loop and leaving my head and heart reeling. As always, L.L. Collins brings Tanner and MacKenzie’s story to life with the help of the rest of Jaded Regret and a handful of other secondary characters. The feeling of family that L.L. Collins has so expertly cultivated with this series is as strong as ever, giving Hartstrings a sense of comfortable familiarity that is incredibly satisfying. Despite the darkness and never-ending heartache, this novel overflows with hope and love. I found myself smiling at the most unexpected moments, the seriousness of the story perfectly balanced by the characters’ ready wit and flirtatious banter. L.L. Collins has truly outdone herself with this novel. Her writing absolutely shines, a potent cocktail of vibrant imagery, raw emotion, and heartfelt characters that left me drunk on Hartstrings.
Tanner stole my heart in the most surprising way. While I knew his player persona masked some sort of past pain, I never could have imagined the heartache L.L. Collins had in store for this character. His family history, personal loss, and the beautiful respite he found in his music came together to paint a stunning picture of a complicated and utterly heartbroken man. I loved the way Tanner’s relationship with MacKenzie altered him over the course of the story. Not only did we see growth of this character as an individual, but Tanner’s relationships with the rest of the band also flourished in light of his newfound emotional transparency and sense of purpose. L.L. Collins unraveled Tanner so completely, allowing him to be vulnerable and raw. It was this gut wrenching honesty, coupled with Tanner’s fierce protectiveness and unwavering loyalty towards MacKenzie that marked me deeply and irrevocably.
As for MacKenzie, L.L. Collins could have just ripped my heart out and tossed it in a blender and it probably would have been less painful. At times this character was emotionally devastating and yet she exuded a light that was brilliantly hopeful. When Tanner’s world collides with hers there is a palpable shift. She grows in boldness and strength, eventually becoming more than a victim of her circumstances. I absolutely adored the care and grace with which L.L. Collins developed this character. Her transformation was genuinely portrayed, a mixture of trials and triumph that was perfectly breathtaking. I felt each of MacKenzie’s emotions rip through me, leaving behind pieces of this character that I couldn’t help but connect with. I reveled in the moments of adorable flirtation and sassy banter that she shared with Tanner, glimpses into the healing woman who quietly won over my heart with each passing page.
Hartstrings was well paced, keeping me riveted to the story and desperate for more. L.L. Collins kept me on my toes with this twisting storyline. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another unexpected truth would come to light, throwing me for a loop and leaving my head and heart reeling. As always, L.L. Collins brings Tanner and MacKenzie’s story to life with the help of the rest of Jaded Regret and a handful of other secondary characters. The feeling of family that L.L. Collins has so expertly cultivated with this series is as strong as ever, giving Hartstrings a sense of comfortable familiarity that is incredibly satisfying. Despite the darkness and never-ending heartache, this novel overflows with hope and love. I found myself smiling at the most unexpected moments, the seriousness of the story perfectly balanced by the characters’ ready wit and flirtatious banter. L.L. Collins has truly outdone herself with this novel. Her writing absolutely shines, a potent cocktail of vibrant imagery, raw emotion, and heartfelt characters that left me drunk on Hartstrings.
June 22, 2016
✯✯5 Heart Breaking Stars!!✯✯
I knew from the beginning of this series it was going to be awesome. But, I'll admit I was not prepared for Tanner's story. This book can totally have triggers for some people. It is considered a standalone. But, I wouldn't recommend reading it first. You could be a little lost.
I knew from the prologue that Tanner didn't have any easy childhood. Once Tanner got into Jaded Regret he never looked back. Tanner made a promise to never be that guy he hated and despised the most.
Tanner is the all American bad boy guitar player. Being in Jaded Regret the hottest famous rock band and every concert there's 100's of bras and panties at his feet, waiting for him to choose his bed warmer for the night. In the past few years his fellow band members have started settling down. Not Tanner though.
The nigh Tanner met Mackenzie AKA Mac, their lives were never the same. Mac was in a very unhealthy relationship. Mac feels like there's nothing she can do. That and being brainwashed doesn't help. Tanner makes a point to be in her life. These two end up as friends. Tanner ends up telling Mac things he never told anybody. Not even his Jaded Regret family. He's the first friend she's had in years. And, first person who actually knows her.
Tanner has never had it easy. He'll never look back. But, there's one thing he'll never overlook or not say anything is when a women is getting abused. Tanner might of started off with that in his mind. But, he wasn't prepared for what happened next. A friendship with with Mac showed Tanner what he'd been missing all these years. Including opening up to his Jaded Regret family.
Mac has been told how to feel, think and act for so long now. That even when she's doing nothing wrong she's led to believe she is. The minute Tanner entered her life it better by the minute. He was great at telling her how great, beautiful and everything else she should've been hearing all her life. Unfortunately, Mac has dirtbag men in her life until Tanner and his friends came into her life. Even Natalie, Bex and April were what she needed.
This story was definitely hard to read at times. But, L.L like always did her homework. She always takes us such intense subjects and does them justice. I love that about her. If Tanner and Mac would've jumped into bed together so fast, it def wouldn't be readable. I was shocked Mac trusted him so fast. But, they say when you know you know and she definitely got it right with Tanner. I have been a fan of L.L's since the beginning. I will continue as long as she continue's to write. And, I'm praying she doesn't ever stop. I am excited fir Natalie's story.
I knew from the beginning of this series it was going to be awesome. But, I'll admit I was not prepared for Tanner's story. This book can totally have triggers for some people. It is considered a standalone. But, I wouldn't recommend reading it first. You could be a little lost.
I knew from the prologue that Tanner didn't have any easy childhood. Once Tanner got into Jaded Regret he never looked back. Tanner made a promise to never be that guy he hated and despised the most.
Tanner is the all American bad boy guitar player. Being in Jaded Regret the hottest famous rock band and every concert there's 100's of bras and panties at his feet, waiting for him to choose his bed warmer for the night. In the past few years his fellow band members have started settling down. Not Tanner though.
The nigh Tanner met Mackenzie AKA Mac, their lives were never the same. Mac was in a very unhealthy relationship. Mac feels like there's nothing she can do. That and being brainwashed doesn't help. Tanner makes a point to be in her life. These two end up as friends. Tanner ends up telling Mac things he never told anybody. Not even his Jaded Regret family. He's the first friend she's had in years. And, first person who actually knows her.
Tanner has never had it easy. He'll never look back. But, there's one thing he'll never overlook or not say anything is when a women is getting abused. Tanner might of started off with that in his mind. But, he wasn't prepared for what happened next. A friendship with with Mac showed Tanner what he'd been missing all these years. Including opening up to his Jaded Regret family.
Mac has been told how to feel, think and act for so long now. That even when she's doing nothing wrong she's led to believe she is. The minute Tanner entered her life it better by the minute. He was great at telling her how great, beautiful and everything else she should've been hearing all her life. Unfortunately, Mac has dirtbag men in her life until Tanner and his friends came into her life. Even Natalie, Bex and April were what she needed.
This story was definitely hard to read at times. But, L.L like always did her homework. She always takes us such intense subjects and does them justice. I love that about her. If Tanner and Mac would've jumped into bed together so fast, it def wouldn't be readable. I was shocked Mac trusted him so fast. But, they say when you know you know and she definitely got it right with Tanner. I have been a fan of L.L's since the beginning. I will continue as long as she continue's to write. And, I'm praying she doesn't ever stop. I am excited fir Natalie's story.
June 21, 2016
Although the author states that this book can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading the series first. It will help to understand the band and their relationships. This is Tanner's book and we met him in the previous Jaded Regrets series.
Tanner is the bass guitar playing bad boy. He uses women for his needs, and the only strings he wants attached are on his guitar. He hides his childhood from everyone including his band. Other than his way with women, they see him as having this perfect childhood, which is farthest from the truth. That's just how he wants it.
Quote from Tanner-
“I’m leaving, Mom. I’ll never come back to Tennessee again. I’m moving to Florida to follow my dreams.”
His past is kept locked away until his chance encounter with Mackenzie Shepard. He finds her in a situation that starts to open up the past he has kept hidden all these years. This situation isn't new to MacKenzie. She'll cover it up, accept the apology and move on.The only problem is Tanner won't let her. There is just something about her that pulls him to protect her.
Quote from Tanner-
“Because I can’t be responsible for standing by while I know this is happening. Stranger or not, I know now. And I can’t let someone else die at the hands of someone who “loves them.”
Now that Tanner has become involved can he keep his past from his present. Lines are being crossed and blurred. Will he find that he wants to have strings on more than just his guitar?
Quote from Tanner-
“You asked me why I’m here. Why I care. Because people should care, Mackenzie. I can’t forget that I wiped blood from your head and listened to you cry. Or that I saw the bruises on your neck from being choked. Real men can’t forget that.”
This book was one that I was not able to put down. It contains topics that deal with physical and mental abuse. The way the author writes about it, you are experiences the emotions along with the characters. It was not an easy topic for her to write about but she did a wonderful job. With the roller coaster ride these characters take us on my emotions were a jumbled mess. I was half tempted to toss my kindle a few times. Then there were the tears, you will want some tissues with you as you read this book. Having the interaction with the supporting characters added much needed laughter as well as unconditional support and love. Add in several of the unexpected twists and you will be left with a major book hangover. The author also did a great job with transitioning from past to present. I also enjoyed that the book was in dual points of view.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series as well as other books this author writes.
Tanner is the bass guitar playing bad boy. He uses women for his needs, and the only strings he wants attached are on his guitar. He hides his childhood from everyone including his band. Other than his way with women, they see him as having this perfect childhood, which is farthest from the truth. That's just how he wants it.
Quote from Tanner-
“I’m leaving, Mom. I’ll never come back to Tennessee again. I’m moving to Florida to follow my dreams.”
His past is kept locked away until his chance encounter with Mackenzie Shepard. He finds her in a situation that starts to open up the past he has kept hidden all these years. This situation isn't new to MacKenzie. She'll cover it up, accept the apology and move on.The only problem is Tanner won't let her. There is just something about her that pulls him to protect her.
Quote from Tanner-
“Because I can’t be responsible for standing by while I know this is happening. Stranger or not, I know now. And I can’t let someone else die at the hands of someone who “loves them.”
Now that Tanner has become involved can he keep his past from his present. Lines are being crossed and blurred. Will he find that he wants to have strings on more than just his guitar?
Quote from Tanner-
“You asked me why I’m here. Why I care. Because people should care, Mackenzie. I can’t forget that I wiped blood from your head and listened to you cry. Or that I saw the bruises on your neck from being choked. Real men can’t forget that.”
This book was one that I was not able to put down. It contains topics that deal with physical and mental abuse. The way the author writes about it, you are experiences the emotions along with the characters. It was not an easy topic for her to write about but she did a wonderful job. With the roller coaster ride these characters take us on my emotions were a jumbled mess. I was half tempted to toss my kindle a few times. Then there were the tears, you will want some tissues with you as you read this book. Having the interaction with the supporting characters added much needed laughter as well as unconditional support and love. Add in several of the unexpected twists and you will be left with a major book hangover. The author also did a great job with transitioning from past to present. I also enjoyed that the book was in dual points of view.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series as well as other books this author writes.
June 16, 2016
Whew, I can let out the breath I've been holding for the last 75% of this book! L.L. Collins really takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster ride with Tanner and Mac. Good grief it was hard not to skip to the end and see how it was going to play out. My review will be vague as to not spoil any of the storyline.
Tanner is my least favorite leading character, the manwhore. They always seem to be nailing girls to forget something and this guy is doing just that. As the sexy bass player for Jaded Regret who is said to be pretty well hung, Tanner is a wham bam thank you mam kind of guy. He's the last single member of the band and is happy to stay that way.
"My whipped bandmates had spouses to sleep with and children to tuck in. I had nothing. As usual. The way I liked it." ~ Tanner
He is riddled with anger and guilt from his past, so Tanner feels it's easier to skate through life without any real connections. He tried to get serious with a girl years before, however learned quickly he may not be cut out for that stable wife and kids lifestyle.
When Tanner sees Mackenzie Shepard in a situation that he is more than use to seeing, he can't help but want to save her. In a split second everything that Tanner believed and knew about himself has changed and she's the reason why.
"I didn't know why Mackenzie Shepard came into my life all those weeks ago, but I sure as sh%t knew I was a better person because of her." ~ Tanner
Naturally, Mackenzie is a little freaked out by the attention from the rock god, but welcomes his friendship. She never realized how much she needed the comfort of another until she finally had it. Too bad it comes with a price. Mac is in a situation she wants out of, however isn't sure exactly how to do it and not wind up in the same boat.
Tanner like Mac has secrets, but his weren't exposed just yet. Tanner liked the persona he'd built to keep people out of his business. The girl that left him all those years ago left a pretty deep scar and a feeling that he can't move on from until he knows why she left him.
"I'm hardly perfect, but we're perfect together." ~Tanner
And that they are. The book is well written from dual points of view and bravo to L.L. Collins for not wrapping one of the story lines with a big red bow. She let some ugly in and it balanced well with what else was going on around this fragile couple. While Hartstrings can be read as a standalone, the supporting characters seemed interesting and I wouldn't mind starting at the beginning to get the complete story of Jaded Regret.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog
Tanner is my least favorite leading character, the manwhore. They always seem to be nailing girls to forget something and this guy is doing just that. As the sexy bass player for Jaded Regret who is said to be pretty well hung, Tanner is a wham bam thank you mam kind of guy. He's the last single member of the band and is happy to stay that way.
"My whipped bandmates had spouses to sleep with and children to tuck in. I had nothing. As usual. The way I liked it." ~ Tanner
He is riddled with anger and guilt from his past, so Tanner feels it's easier to skate through life without any real connections. He tried to get serious with a girl years before, however learned quickly he may not be cut out for that stable wife and kids lifestyle.
When Tanner sees Mackenzie Shepard in a situation that he is more than use to seeing, he can't help but want to save her. In a split second everything that Tanner believed and knew about himself has changed and she's the reason why.
"I didn't know why Mackenzie Shepard came into my life all those weeks ago, but I sure as sh%t knew I was a better person because of her." ~ Tanner
Naturally, Mackenzie is a little freaked out by the attention from the rock god, but welcomes his friendship. She never realized how much she needed the comfort of another until she finally had it. Too bad it comes with a price. Mac is in a situation she wants out of, however isn't sure exactly how to do it and not wind up in the same boat.
Tanner like Mac has secrets, but his weren't exposed just yet. Tanner liked the persona he'd built to keep people out of his business. The girl that left him all those years ago left a pretty deep scar and a feeling that he can't move on from until he knows why she left him.
"I'm hardly perfect, but we're perfect together." ~Tanner
And that they are. The book is well written from dual points of view and bravo to L.L. Collins for not wrapping one of the story lines with a big red bow. She let some ugly in and it balanced well with what else was going on around this fragile couple. While Hartstrings can be read as a standalone, the supporting characters seemed interesting and I wouldn't mind starting at the beginning to get the complete story of Jaded Regret.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog
June 18, 2016
4 Hart Star’s
I have been looking forward to this book since I finished Snared, you know the anticipation is half the battle. I won’t say I was disappointed because I wasn’t the story it amazing. But maybe a tiny piece of me wanted it to be Natalie and not Mac?
This book will hurt your heart; I can tell you it hurt mine. But its more than that, its knowing this goes on around the world every day, that hurts my heart. Abuse in any form is wrong. So if you’re not comfortable reading about physical and mental abuse this book might not be for you and that’s ok.
Tanner Hart… bad boy, player, bad ass guitarist for Jaded Regret, is running from his past. With any women who can silence his mind even for a short time.
No one really “knows” him and that’s how he likes it. Even his closest friends don’t know his past and that’s how he wants it.
So when he stumbles across a scene straight out of his nightmares he can’t ignore it. But its more than that the girl has this effect on him he can’t name.
‘My shirt was like a dress on her slight frame, and the shorts were rolled several times just to stay up, but she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I saw her bruises and my gut churned with hatred again.’ – Tanner
Mackenzie Shepard, Mac for short is in a very abusive relationship. She finds herself in the same situation as she has before now she needs to make excuses and cover up what’s been going on. No one will believe her right? Andrew is a cop and he has far more reach than she does.
Only she doesn’t bank on Tanner and his determination. He can’t just ignore and move on it’s too familiar a situation to the one he is trying to keep in the past.
‘I’d find her.
I’d get her away from him.’ – Tanner
This book really shows the mental anguish Mac goes through to break free and what she has to do to make it happen. I can’t express how much this book got to me. The struggles from both Tanner and Mac were hard to read but riveting as well.
Even though it took me a long time to get over, well over half the book to accept that he wasn’t with Natalie.. Yes I still held out hope and it clouded my judgment a little, I will admit I still enjoyed the book. I think now that I have accepted their fate I might actually go back and re read this book with an open heart.
*All my Reviews are 100% honest and my own.*
I have been looking forward to this book since I finished Snared, you know the anticipation is half the battle. I won’t say I was disappointed because I wasn’t the story it amazing. But maybe a tiny piece of me wanted it to be Natalie and not Mac?
This book will hurt your heart; I can tell you it hurt mine. But its more than that, its knowing this goes on around the world every day, that hurts my heart. Abuse in any form is wrong. So if you’re not comfortable reading about physical and mental abuse this book might not be for you and that’s ok.
Tanner Hart… bad boy, player, bad ass guitarist for Jaded Regret, is running from his past. With any women who can silence his mind even for a short time.
No one really “knows” him and that’s how he likes it. Even his closest friends don’t know his past and that’s how he wants it.
So when he stumbles across a scene straight out of his nightmares he can’t ignore it. But its more than that the girl has this effect on him he can’t name.
‘My shirt was like a dress on her slight frame, and the shorts were rolled several times just to stay up, but she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I saw her bruises and my gut churned with hatred again.’ – Tanner
Mackenzie Shepard, Mac for short is in a very abusive relationship. She finds herself in the same situation as she has before now she needs to make excuses and cover up what’s been going on. No one will believe her right? Andrew is a cop and he has far more reach than she does.
Only she doesn’t bank on Tanner and his determination. He can’t just ignore and move on it’s too familiar a situation to the one he is trying to keep in the past.
‘I’d find her.
I’d get her away from him.’ – Tanner
This book really shows the mental anguish Mac goes through to break free and what she has to do to make it happen. I can’t express how much this book got to me. The struggles from both Tanner and Mac were hard to read but riveting as well.
Even though it took me a long time to get over, well over half the book to accept that he wasn’t with Natalie.. Yes I still held out hope and it clouded my judgment a little, I will admit I still enjoyed the book. I think now that I have accepted their fate I might actually go back and re read this book with an open heart.
*All my Reviews are 100% honest and my own.*
June 12, 2016
Every time I get to read a story written by L.L.Collins, I get to experience a wide range of emotions. This author knows how to deliver hopeful stories with heart like Hartstrings just did. There are no words powerful enough that would ever do justice to this poignant story that deserves no less than 5 stars.
ARC of Hartstrings by L.L. Collins provided in exchange for an honest and spoiler free review.
This is the heartfelt journey of Tanner one of the band members of Jaded Regret and Mackenzie a woman that he will save in order to save him in return.
This story can be difficult to read if the reader as been through any form of violence. It could be a trigger. I personally have never experienced such a thing but can only empathize with this story. I think the author gave thorough descriptions of what people who experience it go through. It's really difficult to read and I know a lot of people live this everyday. What this story gives us is hope. I admire an author who can step out and write about a difficult topic like this one. It's more then fiction, it happens every day, it's all too real.
From the very first page read, I knew this would be an emotional journey. It sucked me right in to the very depth and kept me there throughout. I basically read this story in one day because it's addicting and intriguing. It's got a deep meaning, hope that things can be different.
What I loved also are the flawed characters that fit very well this kind of story. Tanner is a selfless man who loves deeply. Mac who's very troubled but wants to get out of this situation, she doesn't victimize herself. All of the band members are like a big family ready to help in a time of need. The writing was so captivating that the words latched themselves to my heart and soul in order to help me feel connected to these characters.
This is the third book in the A Jaded Regret Novel. Told in a dual POV with a much deserved HEA. It could easily be read as a standalone because the author gives just enough insight from the other characters to easily get us up to date without missing out on any important information. Although for better enjoyment, I prefer to read books from a series in order. All of this author's books are worth your precious time and money. Can't wait for more on this series.
February 6, 2017
This is quite a gripping story. It shows that the victims of mental, emotional and physical abuse are brainwashed. Somehow they are led to believe that the inflicted atrocities are justified. It's their faults! Even though parts of this story can be quite upsetting, it brings hope that with the right support comes strength. This strength can in turn be used to help others in similar situations.
Tanner is the bass guitarist of a famous and successful band. He is a chick magnet. He can have his pick of women who throw themselves at him. It suits him fine to be seen as a manwhore. This way he doesn't have to get close enough to anyone to open up and talk about his past. It's his way of coping with the past which haunts him. Music and women are his escape.
Mackenzie aka Mac is a private investigator. She lives with Andrew, her long term boyfriend from high school. She accepts their way of life as she doesn't know anything else. She has no friends and really believes that Andrew loves her.
Tanner and Mac have this chance encounter. Unpleasant as it is, Tanner instantly feels protective towards her. They become friends and start opening up to each other. It's a dangerous situation but this is the only time that they both feel comfortable enough to divulge their pasts. When worse comes to worst Tanner proves to be the most compassionate and loving friend. Mac finds strength in him even though her situation appears to be hopeless.
This story really pulled at my heartstrings. There is love, compassion, hatred, violence and loyalty. Tanner and Mac are a couple made in heaven. Can they escape their pasts and allow their relationship to blossom? The characters are strongly described. The plot is solid and addictive. It's a real emotional rollercoaster which puts some things in perspective.
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tanner is the bass guitarist of a famous and successful band. He is a chick magnet. He can have his pick of women who throw themselves at him. It suits him fine to be seen as a manwhore. This way he doesn't have to get close enough to anyone to open up and talk about his past. It's his way of coping with the past which haunts him. Music and women are his escape.
Mackenzie aka Mac is a private investigator. She lives with Andrew, her long term boyfriend from high school. She accepts their way of life as she doesn't know anything else. She has no friends and really believes that Andrew loves her.
Tanner and Mac have this chance encounter. Unpleasant as it is, Tanner instantly feels protective towards her. They become friends and start opening up to each other. It's a dangerous situation but this is the only time that they both feel comfortable enough to divulge their pasts. When worse comes to worst Tanner proves to be the most compassionate and loving friend. Mac finds strength in him even though her situation appears to be hopeless.
This story really pulled at my heartstrings. There is love, compassion, hatred, violence and loyalty. Tanner and Mac are a couple made in heaven. Can they escape their pasts and allow their relationship to blossom? The characters are strongly described. The plot is solid and addictive. It's a real emotional rollercoaster which puts some things in perspective.
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2016
4.5 Stars
Meeting Tanner Hart in the other Jaded Regret novels, he seems to be nothing more than the man-whore he wants everyone to see. Deep down though, he is a broken man with a heart of gold that wants what his bandmates have. I knew he would have a great story to tell, I just didn’t imagine one as powerful as the one we get.
Tanner Hart is a private man, even his bandmates don’t know the real him. Keeping his past buried as deep as he can, he lives the life of the carefree playboy. That is until one fateful night that has him knocking on the door to the wrong room and coming to the rescue of the beautiful Mackenzie Shepard. One night spent taking care of her is all it takes for his past to come back full throttle and turn his world upside down. Mackenzie Shepard may seem to some as weak for staying in such an abusive relationship for so long, but victim or not, she truly is a strong woman to endure all the she does. Going back out on tour, the only communication Tanner and Mac have is through text and calls. It’s refreshing to see their friendship grow over time and to see how important they become to each other.
This book is full of powerful rollercoaster emotions. Its raw intensity is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. The story is well paced and kept me glued to my kindle to find out what happened next. I loved how Tanner always put her first and never rushed her to move forward until she was ready. It always warms my heart when people realize that family is more than just blood relationships, and that the best families aren’t always those we are born into.
Overall, this is a fantastic read, full of hope and strength. It may be difficult for some because of abuse triggers, but definitely worth the read.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Meeting Tanner Hart in the other Jaded Regret novels, he seems to be nothing more than the man-whore he wants everyone to see. Deep down though, he is a broken man with a heart of gold that wants what his bandmates have. I knew he would have a great story to tell, I just didn’t imagine one as powerful as the one we get.
Tanner Hart is a private man, even his bandmates don’t know the real him. Keeping his past buried as deep as he can, he lives the life of the carefree playboy. That is until one fateful night that has him knocking on the door to the wrong room and coming to the rescue of the beautiful Mackenzie Shepard. One night spent taking care of her is all it takes for his past to come back full throttle and turn his world upside down. Mackenzie Shepard may seem to some as weak for staying in such an abusive relationship for so long, but victim or not, she truly is a strong woman to endure all the she does. Going back out on tour, the only communication Tanner and Mac have is through text and calls. It’s refreshing to see their friendship grow over time and to see how important they become to each other.
This book is full of powerful rollercoaster emotions. Its raw intensity is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. The story is well paced and kept me glued to my kindle to find out what happened next. I loved how Tanner always put her first and never rushed her to move forward until she was ready. It always warms my heart when people realize that family is more than just blood relationships, and that the best families aren’t always those we are born into.
Overall, this is a fantastic read, full of hope and strength. It may be difficult for some because of abuse triggers, but definitely worth the read.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
June 21, 2016
4.5 Stars
Meeting Tanner Hart in the other Jaded Regret novels, he seems to be nothing more than the man-whore he wants everyone to see. Deep down though, he is a broken man with a heart of gold that wants what his bandmates have. I knew he would have a great story to tell, I just didn’t imagine one as powerful as the one we get.
Tanner Hart is a private man, even his bandmates don’t know the real him. Keeping his past buried as deep as he can, he lives the life of the carefree playboy. That is until one fateful night that has him knocking on the door to the wrong room and coming to the rescue of the beautiful Mackenzie Shepard. One night spent taking care of her is all it takes for his past to come back full throttle and turn his world upside down. Mackenzie Shepard may seem to some as weak for staying in such an abusive relationship for so long, but victim or not, she truly is a strong woman to endure all the she does. Going back out on tour, the only communication Tanner and Mac have is through text and calls. It’s refreshing to see their friendship grow over time and to see how important they become to each other.
This book is full of powerful rollercoaster emotions. Its raw intensity is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. The story is well paced and kept me glued to my kindle to find out what happened next. I loved how Tanner always put her first and never rushed her to move forward until she was ready. It always warms my heart when people realize that family is more than just blood relationships, and that the best families aren’t always those we are born into.
Overall, this is a fantastic read, full of hope and strength. It may be difficult for some because of abuse triggers, but definitely worth the read.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Meeting Tanner Hart in the other Jaded Regret novels, he seems to be nothing more than the man-whore he wants everyone to see. Deep down though, he is a broken man with a heart of gold that wants what his bandmates have. I knew he would have a great story to tell, I just didn’t imagine one as powerful as the one we get.
Tanner Hart is a private man, even his bandmates don’t know the real him. Keeping his past buried as deep as he can, he lives the life of the carefree playboy. That is until one fateful night that has him knocking on the door to the wrong room and coming to the rescue of the beautiful Mackenzie Shepard. One night spent taking care of her is all it takes for his past to come back full throttle and turn his world upside down. Mackenzie Shepard may seem to some as weak for staying in such an abusive relationship for so long, but victim or not, she truly is a strong woman to endure all the she does. Going back out on tour, the only communication Tanner and Mac have is through text and calls. It’s refreshing to see their friendship grow over time and to see how important they become to each other.
This book is full of powerful rollercoaster emotions. Its raw intensity is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. The story is well paced and kept me glued to my kindle to find out what happened next. I loved how Tanner always put her first and never rushed her to move forward until she was ready. It always warms my heart when people realize that family is more than just blood relationships, and that the best families aren’t always those we are born into.
Overall, this is a fantastic read, full of hope and strength. It may be difficult for some because of abuse triggers, but definitely worth the read.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
June 29, 2016
Brilliant!!
This is the 3rd book in this series and yet again LL did not disappoint. Tanner and Mac are damaged in their own ways and must find a way to trust and love again.
Tanner is a playboy manwhore. He uses his playboy ways as a facade to mask the hurt and anger going on inside him. Everything about his past is sad and heartbreaking and it he's so emotionally unavailable and closed off that he forgets what it's like to be truly happy and healthy.
As for Mac, well LL literally ripped my heart out blended it up and left me there to die. Mac is the best heroine she's ever written in my opinion. Mac is trapped in a relationship she can't get out...bc she thinks she deserves the pain and hurt it's causing her. But crossing paths with each other changes everything. They learn from each other, grow into better people and eventually see the light at the end of the tunnel so to say.
LL gutted me with this book. It's raw and emotional with its gritty and sometimes tough to read subject matter. She has the ability to take you on a journey so real, so lifelike that you feel like you're there living it with these characters. Her ability to chip away at my heart until it's a crumbled mess and then slowly piece it back together is unparalleled to almost any author I've ever read. Her knack for detail and the little things put this book over the top. I find myself 75% of the way through her books before I realize I haven't taken a deep breath. LL did a great job of leaving me wanting more and always wondering what was going to happen. This author has quickly become a one click author for me and I'm so excited to see what she has in store next.
Reviewed by Kaci
This is the 3rd book in this series and yet again LL did not disappoint. Tanner and Mac are damaged in their own ways and must find a way to trust and love again.
Tanner is a playboy manwhore. He uses his playboy ways as a facade to mask the hurt and anger going on inside him. Everything about his past is sad and heartbreaking and it he's so emotionally unavailable and closed off that he forgets what it's like to be truly happy and healthy.
As for Mac, well LL literally ripped my heart out blended it up and left me there to die. Mac is the best heroine she's ever written in my opinion. Mac is trapped in a relationship she can't get out...bc she thinks she deserves the pain and hurt it's causing her. But crossing paths with each other changes everything. They learn from each other, grow into better people and eventually see the light at the end of the tunnel so to say.
LL gutted me with this book. It's raw and emotional with its gritty and sometimes tough to read subject matter. She has the ability to take you on a journey so real, so lifelike that you feel like you're there living it with these characters. Her ability to chip away at my heart until it's a crumbled mess and then slowly piece it back together is unparalleled to almost any author I've ever read. Her knack for detail and the little things put this book over the top. I find myself 75% of the way through her books before I realize I haven't taken a deep breath. LL did a great job of leaving me wanting more and always wondering what was going to happen. This author has quickly become a one click author for me and I'm so excited to see what she has in store next.
Reviewed by Kaci
June 20, 2016
I absolutely LOVE this series! I was so very excited for this book, but I have to admit I thought it was going to be about Tanner and Natalie. In the end I'm glad it wasn't though. It means we get ANOTHER Jaded Regret book and Tanner is with who he was meant to be with.
Hartstrings has got to be my FAVORITE of the series. It was extremely hard to put down. I was so invested with the two main characters I was at the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens next.
I fell in love with Tanner, HARD. I did not expect his story at all. He had everyone (including me) fooled. He became Mac's knight in shining armor and I literally swooned. Speaking of Mac, she was an amazing heroine who was incredibly strong. It was difficult for me to read what she wentthrough, but he proved exactly how strong she was. I can't tell you how many happy tears I've shed for those two.
One of the biggest reasons why I loved the book so much was seeing the transition between Tanner and Mac. From going to strangers to acquaintances to friends to best friends to lovers. Some of my favorite books are when the characters get to know each other and develop that slow burn without jumping into bed right away. Another reason was seeing all of Jaded Regret and their family again. It sort of felt like coming home.
I can't tell you how excited I am for Natalie's story. I've been wanting to read hers for awhile.
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