This is the final book in The Snap Trilogy. It is not a standalone and books should be read in order.
Hazel: I'll never be free of him. No matter what I do, or how hard I try, he'll be there. Forever lurking in the deepest, darkest parts of me.
Cash: The end is near, yet so far away. The harder I fight, the further I push it from my grasp. I need to save us from what I started before there's nothing left to save.
Phil: Regardless what happens, I'll win. I always do. They can never erase me from their lives. Never.
Tara Dawn is a married, stay-at-home-mom who homeschools her three sons. When she's not busy with them, you can find her reading, talking about other authors and books over at The Word Wenches book blog, writing, editing, crafting, or hula hooping. She wears many hats and finds that if you aren't learning something new everyday then you aren't living to your full potential. Tara is currently working on The Snap Trilogy and a series of standalone novels modernizing and breathing life back into old legends. She loves making new friends and talking about life, so stop by her Facebook page and say hello.
What the perfect wrap up to an amazingly unforgettable story! I loved books 1 and 2 in the Snap trilogy so much, and when Taint ended on such a cliff hanger... I couldn't wait to jump into Mend and see what ends up happening at the big 'exchange'. Tara Dawn didn't wait to dive into the very scene that book 2 ended on either, which was perfect! I might have lost my mind if I thought any second of it may have been skipped over or missed out on. Lucky for me, it wasn't. In fact, about a third (or so) of Mend is a big wrap up to the climatic, insanely traumatizing, and very tragic event that the entire first two books led up to. After which, the actual Mending could begin. As I believe I mentioned in both of my reviews for - Snap and Taint - these books are not for the faint of heart. Same goes for Mend. They are raw, and nasty, and gritty when it comes to the reality of drug trafficking, human hostage treatment and the inner working of a twisted sociopath. Nothing is tip-toed around or sugar coated in the slightest. Soooooo triggers beware! That said, lets get to the characters and story line, shall we? Hazel has a big heart and has found herself wrapped up with the wrong sort of people... especially Phil who is the very definition of evil. We already know that he's the worst kind of human after he'd stocked her, rapped her and beaten her within an inch of her life in the previous books. That's not to mention his other wrongdoings as it involves turning an already illegal drug into an addictive force to be reckoned with that is taking lives, wrecking businesses and more. Phil has managed to get his hands on Hazel once more, and the lengths that he goes to are unspeakable. Cash, her true love and the original creator of Snap is determined to get her back and put an end to Phil, as is a few friends. Cady is my favorite character in all three books. She is Hazel's best friend and stands by her side no mater what. She's fun, spunky, brave and really just everything that Hazel could as for in a bestie. Together the fight and the outcome is sooooo far from the expected. There is losses that could never be fully recovered from, surprises that are both terrifying and healing all at once, and the order in which these events are revealed are genius. Seriously, it's like clicking together the pieces of a puzzle that you'd never imagined to turn out the way it did, and you'd rather superglue it all together, as not to disturb it, than to take back apart. It's weaved together perfectly from beginning to end. Hazel is strong and naturally has quite the road to healing ahead of her. So does Cash, Cady and the families of literally everyone involved. I feel like all of the loose ends have been tied just tight enough to bring satisfaction to the ending, yet to leave you wondering what ever became of them and of Snap. Realistic is the perfect word for the motions portrayed, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author, she is AMAZING!
A fitting end, but leaves a loose end I'd like to pull
Well, I enjoyed the resolution of Hazel and Cash's story, and the besting of the villain. I also enjoyed the budding romance between two of the side characters. I was a bit taken aback by the ending. There was lead up regarding another character, and I thought there would be either resolution, or possibly a teaser for that character getting their own book. But instead? Crickets. Like, camping trip at midnight crickets. C'mon, Tara Dawn, inquiring minds want to know what happens with Dale and his situation, please! :)
This book was pretty sad, actually. My eyes welled up a bit in a couple of spots. It also had some pretty graphic violence, both physical and sexual. There is one point during a fight/struggle where what Phil does to his opponent just... made me a little queasy. I have no idea if it is physically possible to do that, but I pray it isn't because I can't fathom a worse pain. This author sure got inventive with the horrors Phil inflicted on others. What a truly terrifying villain she crafted in Phil. Jesus. If I were still single/dating I legit think I'd be troubled/wary after reading this. I had some bad dates when I was younger, but jeez... thankfully nothing even remotely in Phil territory. He is in his own league. This third book has more of a romantic element to me than the other two. This would be closer to a dark (and I mean DARK) romance for me as opposed to the thriller I consider the other two to be.
I definitely recommend this trilogy provided it is understood that it's very dark and disturbing.
I can't believe how much sh**t these characters endured. My heart was shredded, the pain endured so real. This author did an excellent portrayal of emotional turmoil. I can't wait for more by her. Definitely worth the wait.
I have been waiting for over 2 years for this! Yet i was not dissapointed and it was worth the wait. Loved reading the ending of this trilogy! Cant wait to read more by Tara Dawn!
Talk about an emotional roller coaster ride to end all roller coaster rides!!!! Waiting for Mend was WELL WORTH THE WAIT!! We pick up with Hazel, Cash, Cady, Dale and the gang fighting for their life and just when they think they have to upper hand Phil the psycho shows how crazy he and comes out on top once again!!! Mend was such a crazy rollercoaster of emotions I had to walk away several times in fear I would throw my kindle!!! The twists and turns Tara Dawn tossed at us were off the chain and NOT what I expected AT ALL!!! I can't wait too what else is in store next!!
I waited two years for the release of this book and then waited three more to read it. I both highly anticipated and dreaded the end of the Snap trilogy because there were so many directions it could go. I have always been team #killphil and am ecstatic to see how Tara handled his part of Hazel's story. To top it all off, I am mentioned in the Acknowledgements and didn't know it until today. THANK YOU Tara for fighting through to the end, you did an amazing job and it was well worth the wait. I love your words and YOU! SoulTwin forever 🖤
I couldn't wait for this book to come out. This series is fast paced, keeps you on your toes and flipping pages. You fall in love with the characters, hate some, but feel all the emotions played out. This isn't for the weak, easily offended. There is sex, abuse and drug use. It really dives into the dark drug world and shows how it can affect even the innocent. Now to wait for the spin off!!
Mend starts out fast and furious, and never slows down. With every page you read you are left wondering what will happen next. Without giving anything away I can’t say much except how I feel. Phil’s depravity is unparalleled. Hazels strength is unmatched. A few crazy twists in there too. This books healing process hits chords on your heart. A must read. Fantastic.
I enjoyed this wrap of the series. The only thing that bothered me is that I don’t know what happened to Cash’s partner. This was an emotionally charged story of healing.
This book was so needed to tie up the ending to a thrilling trilogy. That gotdang evil character, Phil, had me screaming at my Kindle because he would not give up the fight. Bye Phil, please die already! The sick parents (mom) that mind- freak£d him while raising a rich, unloved, and cold ❤ed serial killer. Tsk, tsk.
As for the character Hazel, she was stalked, drugged (SNAP), abused mentally, physically, and sexually by Phil's obesessiveness. I think he got away with alot of wrong but in the end KARMA bust his guts wide open - for life. Five 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 rating.