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Sidelined #2
Damaged Goods
The Hard Part is Getting Back Up
This is the story of a man who can’t get it up and a woman who’s never gotten it on.
Sidelined by a broken back, CEO, Owen Lange is confronted by two things: his sex life will never be the same and he’s dependent on his pain meds. He never expected to have his dependence called out as addiction by a junior help desk employee.
Cara Douglas knows all about pain and loss. She’d had her sights set on the US Olympic Gymnastics Team before an accident landed her at a help desk screen. The last thing she expected to be helping with was an intervention for her boss.
Owen doesn’t thank Cara for her trouble. He calls her a snitch. But even through his paranoia he knows she’s right. After all, addiction runs in his family. He also knows he has to make it up to her, but the only thing Cara wants is the one thing Owen can’t give her.
Question: What do an injured athlete finally ready for no-strings sex and a nice guy who can’t get it up have in common?
Answer: Sexual awakening.
This is the story of a man who can’t get it up and a woman who’s never gotten it on.
Sidelined by a broken back, CEO, Owen Lange is confronted by two things: his sex life will never be the same and he’s dependent on his pain meds. He never expected to have his dependence called out as addiction by a junior help desk employee.
Cara Douglas knows all about pain and loss. She’d had her sights set on the US Olympic Gymnastics Team before an accident landed her at a help desk screen. The last thing she expected to be helping with was an intervention for her boss.
Owen doesn’t thank Cara for her trouble. He calls her a snitch. But even through his paranoia he knows she’s right. After all, addiction runs in his family. He also knows he has to make it up to her, but the only thing Cara wants is the one thing Owen can’t give her.
Question: What do an injured athlete finally ready for no-strings sex and a nice guy who can’t get it up have in common?
Answer: Sexual awakening.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2016
11 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Ainslie Paton
40 books144 followersAinslie Paton always wanted to write stories to make people smile, but the need to eat, accumulate books, and have bedclothes to read under was ever present. She sold out, and worked as a flack, a suit, and a creative, ghosting for business leaders, rabble-rousers, and politicians, and making words happen for companies, governments, causes, conditions, high-profile CEOs, low-profile celebs, and the occasional misguided royal. She still does that. She also writes for love and so she can buy shoes, and the good cat food.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 12, 2018
meh it was a little bit boring in between also the author created a strong male protagonist but the female counterpart not so much.
Did she do anything else beside fidgeting and bitching about her broken dream? Didn't feel like it.
And than the whole drama in the end where finally he is able to sleep with her and afterwards she sends him away cause hey it is easy possible to prolong this story another 50 pages...
Did she do anything else beside fidgeting and bitching about her broken dream? Didn't feel like it.
And than the whole drama in the end where finally he is able to sleep with her and afterwards she sends him away cause hey it is easy possible to prolong this story another 50 pages...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2016
We all remember Owen & Cara from the previous book OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOR.
Owen is one of the founders and owners of PLUS, and best friends with Reid, and Cara is the best friend of Zarley, the heroine of the first book.
Owen has been in a bad car accident in the first book and now he's addicted to pain meds and he's treating all his friends like shit.
Cara may be the only person who knows how he feels. She broke her back too, nine years ago, when she was still a professional gymnast.
After being confronted by his friends Owen finally agrees to enter an eight-week rehab program and once he's out he wants to make things right with his friends. And with the pretty little red-head Cara.
Cara is working at PLUS, but she's secretly dreaming to become a fashion designer. She loves drawing and designing dresses and lingerie.
And mega-millionaire Owen might just be the person to help her with that dream. He's on a help-and-atone-mission and helping this cute girl would be just what the doc ordered.
The first thing on his list though: Help find Cara a new roommate. He has time. He's not fit enough to go back to work yet.
Cara thinks that Owen is way too far out of her league...but she can't help staring at and lusting after his gorgeous body. And he's a really good and nice guy too....
But even if something romantic or sexual would start between them.... Owen has this tiny little huge problem ... he can't have sex. At least not real penetrative sex. His accident broke not only his back but his dick too...
But maybe Cara won't care? Or maybe she will be able to heal him?
WHAT WiLL HAPPEN WiTH CARA & OWEN???
WiLL THEY GET THEiR HAPPY EVER AFTER???
WiLL THERE BE A CLiFFHANGER??? ☺ ☺ ☺
Nope - not telling you ☺
═════════════════════════════════
I REALLY ENJOYED THE BOOK!
Every time we get a new ARC by Ainslie, it's a total Forrest Gump bench moment ... you never know what you're gonna get - you just know that you'll very probably end up loving it.
And this book was really great!
Both Owen and Cara have been through a lot in their lives. Owen is lucky enough to have enough money to afford the best health care, but Cara wasn't that lucky back when she got hurt.
It's so adorable and funny to watch the two of them dance around each other.
And book #1's hero Reid is this amazingly inappropriate fun-guy in the background!
And Sarina & Dev - the next books' couple... adorable!
I just love this group of people!
So many funny moments and moving and sad moments.
Lots of sexy times too. ☺
I loved it.
But... hm... I had the feeling the book was way too long.
It should've been edited a bit more. At least 100 pages could have been cut.
There's too much weird poetic thinking in my opinion.
Also - hehe - LOTS of non-american words and expressions. An australian writer writing an american book...of course there will be some non-american expressions...but I would've wished for an american editor. ☺
BUT...
DAMAGED GOODS was an amazingly beautiful & funny & moving Romance! Makes you think a bit about things too... ☺ You can't go wrong 1-clicking an Ainslie Paton book!!!!
And now Ainslie - give us Dev's book!!!!!!
September 4, 2016
The first novel in Ainslie Paton’s Sidelined series, Offensive Behavior, generated a lot of positive reviews and attention last year. Though I haven’t yet had a chance to read it, when I heard that the second book, Damaged Goods (also a standalone) would be released soon, I took a look at the synopsis. I was immediately intrigued by this statement: This is the story of a man who can’t get it up and a woman who’s never gotten it on. It definitely succeeds in catching one’s attention– the thought of a man with some kind of erectile dysfunction taking on a virgin heroine is not a trope that I’ve seen before. I’m happy to report that the story succeeds in bringing to life a romance between two people who’ve experienced a very unique set of circumstances that make them a well suited match. (Plus it’s super sexy too!).
Owen Lange, CEO of a successful tech company suffered a horrendous back injury that left him in hospital for three months and addicted to painkillers. Though he’s returned to work, his partners are concerned about him; on the surface he says he’s doing okay but he’s lost weight, is unsteady on his feet, and they suspect that he’s hiding his dependence on pills. When they ask one of their help desk employees Cara Douglas to discuss his injury with him, it’s with good reason. She is a former Olympic gymnast whose career ended with a back injury at fifteen, so knows all about chronic pain. Cara forces Owen to acknowledge some painful truths and several weeks later he’s back at work and ready to make amends for his not so pleasant behavior while under the influence. It’s pretty obvious that they are attracted to each other and Cara thinks this might finally be her chance to lose her virginity, having never had a normal relationship after her injury. While Owen is ready to acknowledge that he feels something for Cara, he has a problem. One of the lingering effects of Owen’s injury is erectile dysfunction, a rather emasculating and frustrating side effect that shows no sign of abating. Slowly romancing Cara might work for a while, but at some point he’s going to have to tell her the truth about his physical limitations. Is there a way for them to find some kind of common ground that will be equally satisfying and give them the happy ending they deserve?
This story tackles a few serious topics while still maintaining a relatively light feel with lots of amusing moments. Owen is by far the more conflicted character. Prior to his accident, he already had close experience of addiction having seen it in family members, and had taken great pains to avoid situations that might lead to addictions of his own.
But the accident changes everything. Drugged up in the hospital (for good reason), his wealth and quick access to prescription medication made it just too easy to anticipate and try to avoid the chronic pain. But as with all painkillers, the more they are used, the more you need, and Owen finds himself balancing on a knife’s edge to get through each day. When the truth hists him (courtesy of Cara), he knew he needed help and voluntarily entered a drug rehabilitation program, with positive results. But the erectile dysfunction is another problem altogether. For a previously virile man who enjoyed a healthy sex life, the physical impairment to his nerves means that he can feel arousal in his brain, but nothing happens ‘down there’. And that is a very challenging and disheartening realization. On top of those issues, he is also dealing with anxiety from being in two very serious car accidents. The first took the life of his girlfriend a few years earlier while the second resulted in his back injury. In both instances he was the passenger in the vehicle and while he is okay when he is driving, being a passenger again, especially when someone he cares about is driving, induces panic attacks. The previously self-confident man is gone, replaced by one who struggles daily to cope with his new reality. Cara soon becomes the bright spot in his life and he’s willing to do almost anything to keep her there.
Cara overcame her injury without an addiction to drugs – but only because she couldn’t afford them. Though she feels some jealousy that Owen doesn’t have to deal with the pain the way she did, the truth is that she knows she was better off in the long run to have to find non-medicinal ways to cope with chronic pain. She still has good days and bad days, and that’s just the way it will always be. While she enjoys her job, she spends much of her free time designing lingerie and showgirl costumes and hopes to some day turn that into a full time career. Though she and Owen don’t start off on the best of terms when she calls him out over his possible addiction, when they meet again he is grateful and appreciative of her efforts. And, now that she’s got a man in her sights who treats her with respect and as an equal (even though he’s technically her overall boss as CEO of the company), she figures she might find a way to get rid of her pesky virginity problem. Cara comes across as a friendly, grounded person who, with a little encouragement, can make her dreams a reality.
The two of them together make quite the pair. When Owen wants to spend time with her without aiming right for the bedroom, Cara believes he’s just not interested in her ‘that way’. But eventually he opens up to her about the reality of his problem and while he can satisfy her sexually in other ways, the truth is that they will never be able to make love like a normal couple. The result is some steamy scenes that go in different directions than your typical romance as they cope with what Owen can and can’t do. And it definitely doesn’t stop them from getting involved emotionally. As Cara falls for Owen, she researches his problem and finds ways to help him reach some sexual satisfaction that he never thought would be possible. The exploration of the brain as the architect behind sexual desire is key to Owen and Cara having a mutually satisfying relationship. However Owen still worries about whether he can really be the man for Cara if he can’t get it up in the bedroom. Owen’s lack of self-assurance, his family issues and Cara’s desire for independence (even knowing Owen’s wealth could smooth the way for her) result in some drama and extra bumps in the road for this couple as they navigate their way to a happy ending.
This story takes advantage of modern technology with lots of amusing texting scenes between Owen and Cara as their relationship deepens. The friendship between Owen and his business partners show how much they care about him while adding quite a lot of humour to the story. Cara’s best friend Zarley, an exotic dancer (and heroine of the previous book), is a prominent secondary character and their strong friendship also adds balance to the romance. At heart, this is a story of being broken but picking up the pieces and moving forward one day at a time, with the added bonus of finding that person who will walk with you on your journey.
Damaged Goods breaks the stereotype of a typical contemporary romance with a refreshing and unique story.
The full review for this story can also be found at All About Romance: http://allaboutromance.com/book-revie...
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
Owen Lange, CEO of a successful tech company suffered a horrendous back injury that left him in hospital for three months and addicted to painkillers. Though he’s returned to work, his partners are concerned about him; on the surface he says he’s doing okay but he’s lost weight, is unsteady on his feet, and they suspect that he’s hiding his dependence on pills. When they ask one of their help desk employees Cara Douglas to discuss his injury with him, it’s with good reason. She is a former Olympic gymnast whose career ended with a back injury at fifteen, so knows all about chronic pain. Cara forces Owen to acknowledge some painful truths and several weeks later he’s back at work and ready to make amends for his not so pleasant behavior while under the influence. It’s pretty obvious that they are attracted to each other and Cara thinks this might finally be her chance to lose her virginity, having never had a normal relationship after her injury. While Owen is ready to acknowledge that he feels something for Cara, he has a problem. One of the lingering effects of Owen’s injury is erectile dysfunction, a rather emasculating and frustrating side effect that shows no sign of abating. Slowly romancing Cara might work for a while, but at some point he’s going to have to tell her the truth about his physical limitations. Is there a way for them to find some kind of common ground that will be equally satisfying and give them the happy ending they deserve?
This story tackles a few serious topics while still maintaining a relatively light feel with lots of amusing moments. Owen is by far the more conflicted character. Prior to his accident, he already had close experience of addiction having seen it in family members, and had taken great pains to avoid situations that might lead to addictions of his own.
But the accident changes everything. Drugged up in the hospital (for good reason), his wealth and quick access to prescription medication made it just too easy to anticipate and try to avoid the chronic pain. But as with all painkillers, the more they are used, the more you need, and Owen finds himself balancing on a knife’s edge to get through each day. When the truth hists him (courtesy of Cara), he knew he needed help and voluntarily entered a drug rehabilitation program, with positive results. But the erectile dysfunction is another problem altogether. For a previously virile man who enjoyed a healthy sex life, the physical impairment to his nerves means that he can feel arousal in his brain, but nothing happens ‘down there’. And that is a very challenging and disheartening realization. On top of those issues, he is also dealing with anxiety from being in two very serious car accidents. The first took the life of his girlfriend a few years earlier while the second resulted in his back injury. In both instances he was the passenger in the vehicle and while he is okay when he is driving, being a passenger again, especially when someone he cares about is driving, induces panic attacks. The previously self-confident man is gone, replaced by one who struggles daily to cope with his new reality. Cara soon becomes the bright spot in his life and he’s willing to do almost anything to keep her there.
Cara overcame her injury without an addiction to drugs – but only because she couldn’t afford them. Though she feels some jealousy that Owen doesn’t have to deal with the pain the way she did, the truth is that she knows she was better off in the long run to have to find non-medicinal ways to cope with chronic pain. She still has good days and bad days, and that’s just the way it will always be. While she enjoys her job, she spends much of her free time designing lingerie and showgirl costumes and hopes to some day turn that into a full time career. Though she and Owen don’t start off on the best of terms when she calls him out over his possible addiction, when they meet again he is grateful and appreciative of her efforts. And, now that she’s got a man in her sights who treats her with respect and as an equal (even though he’s technically her overall boss as CEO of the company), she figures she might find a way to get rid of her pesky virginity problem. Cara comes across as a friendly, grounded person who, with a little encouragement, can make her dreams a reality.
The two of them together make quite the pair. When Owen wants to spend time with her without aiming right for the bedroom, Cara believes he’s just not interested in her ‘that way’. But eventually he opens up to her about the reality of his problem and while he can satisfy her sexually in other ways, the truth is that they will never be able to make love like a normal couple. The result is some steamy scenes that go in different directions than your typical romance as they cope with what Owen can and can’t do. And it definitely doesn’t stop them from getting involved emotionally. As Cara falls for Owen, she researches his problem and finds ways to help him reach some sexual satisfaction that he never thought would be possible. The exploration of the brain as the architect behind sexual desire is key to Owen and Cara having a mutually satisfying relationship. However Owen still worries about whether he can really be the man for Cara if he can’t get it up in the bedroom. Owen’s lack of self-assurance, his family issues and Cara’s desire for independence (even knowing Owen’s wealth could smooth the way for her) result in some drama and extra bumps in the road for this couple as they navigate their way to a happy ending.
This story takes advantage of modern technology with lots of amusing texting scenes between Owen and Cara as their relationship deepens. The friendship between Owen and his business partners show how much they care about him while adding quite a lot of humour to the story. Cara’s best friend Zarley, an exotic dancer (and heroine of the previous book), is a prominent secondary character and their strong friendship also adds balance to the romance. At heart, this is a story of being broken but picking up the pieces and moving forward one day at a time, with the added bonus of finding that person who will walk with you on your journey.
Damaged Goods breaks the stereotype of a typical contemporary romance with a refreshing and unique story.
The full review for this story can also be found at All About Romance: http://allaboutromance.com/book-revie...
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
August 3, 2016
I had highs and lows with this story. Overall I liked it - however there are some "buts" coming.
Owen broke his back in a car accident, and his recovery and pain are not going well. Reliant on pain medication, he pretends he has it all under control. Owen, the CEO of a company with his good friends, thinks he is ready to resume his job, but his back has other ideas. The pain is too much, and his friends know he is popping pills way too much. To say that Owen is grumpy, is an understatement. (I do love a grumpy hero.) Cara works for this company in customer service. She was on her way to becoming an amazing gymnast when she also broke her back. Trying to give Owen some advice and support since they share the same injury, Owen does not want to hear a word of it. He is basically a big jerk. His friends stage an intervention and Owen finds himself in rehab, which is right where he needs to be.
When Owen comes back clean, and with a more manageable pain level, he apologizes to Cara, but also starts to realize he has feelings for her. They start hanging out and things start to turn romantic. There is only one problem - Owen has had erectile dysfunction since he broke his back. He can't get any erection at all. He feels like less of a man and he is afraid to admit this to Cara, who wants to have dirty, dirty sex with him.
He does eventually tell her, and as they fall deeper in love, Cara accepts that he can't have actual intercourse, but they do plenty of other things that keep their love life interesting. But Owen still worries about how this will play out long-term, and worries about his chances of having kids.
I really enjoyed Cara - she is forward, and gets excited about her lust towards Owen. She is cute, and full of energy and can take his grumpiness and give it right back to him. She felt genuine and warm. I liked Owen too. I felt like his pain was presented well and his addiction issues are not magically healed in this book. He has to come to terms with the fact that both the pain and the addition are going to be a life long struggle...and he is slow to accept it but he works on it. He fails sometimes, and I like that his entire situation is presented with flaws.
Their friends are supportive and a nice addition to the story. But here come the buts...
First, the way this author writes makes it a little difficult for me to get immersed in the story. I try to not comment on writing styles much, but I have to mention it because it took away from my enjoyment a bit. It's hard to explain why...too wordy? Or maybe the way the characters spoke - it was hard to follow in a sense. I found myself having to reread passages - making it so I couldn't get lost in the story.
My other "but" I'm going to put under a spoiler tag. It has to do with Owen and his erectile Dysfunction:
I liked this...except for my "buts" *wink.
Grade: B-
Owen broke his back in a car accident, and his recovery and pain are not going well. Reliant on pain medication, he pretends he has it all under control. Owen, the CEO of a company with his good friends, thinks he is ready to resume his job, but his back has other ideas. The pain is too much, and his friends know he is popping pills way too much. To say that Owen is grumpy, is an understatement. (I do love a grumpy hero.) Cara works for this company in customer service. She was on her way to becoming an amazing gymnast when she also broke her back. Trying to give Owen some advice and support since they share the same injury, Owen does not want to hear a word of it. He is basically a big jerk. His friends stage an intervention and Owen finds himself in rehab, which is right where he needs to be.
When Owen comes back clean, and with a more manageable pain level, he apologizes to Cara, but also starts to realize he has feelings for her. They start hanging out and things start to turn romantic. There is only one problem - Owen has had erectile dysfunction since he broke his back. He can't get any erection at all. He feels like less of a man and he is afraid to admit this to Cara, who wants to have dirty, dirty sex with him.
He does eventually tell her, and as they fall deeper in love, Cara accepts that he can't have actual intercourse, but they do plenty of other things that keep their love life interesting. But Owen still worries about how this will play out long-term, and worries about his chances of having kids.
I really enjoyed Cara - she is forward, and gets excited about her lust towards Owen. She is cute, and full of energy and can take his grumpiness and give it right back to him. She felt genuine and warm. I liked Owen too. I felt like his pain was presented well and his addiction issues are not magically healed in this book. He has to come to terms with the fact that both the pain and the addition are going to be a life long struggle...and he is slow to accept it but he works on it. He fails sometimes, and I like that his entire situation is presented with flaws.
Their friends are supportive and a nice addition to the story. But here come the buts...
First, the way this author writes makes it a little difficult for me to get immersed in the story. I try to not comment on writing styles much, but I have to mention it because it took away from my enjoyment a bit. It's hard to explain why...too wordy? Or maybe the way the characters spoke - it was hard to follow in a sense. I found myself having to reread passages - making it so I couldn't get lost in the story.
My other "but" I'm going to put under a spoiler tag. It has to do with Owen and his erectile Dysfunction:
I liked this...except for my "buts" *wink.
Grade: B-
August 25, 2016
Damaged Goods is the second book in the Sidelined series by Australian author Ainslie Paton. It isn't necessary to read the first one before this one, but still I'd highly recommend both to you. If you read the blurb above it really tells you what it is all about.
Ainslie Paton writes contemporary romances like no other author that I have read. Her books are clever and creative, she has a totally unique voice and tone. She explores issues and relationships that just have me totally engaged and wanting to read on. Her characters are flawed, gutsy, and downright delightful.
Owen and Cara make a great couple, both are damaged goods. Cara comes from a hard working but poor family, Owen from a wealthy family with their values all in the wrong places. Cara on the other hand has a Dad who is down to earth and prepared to give Owen a hard time if he thinks it is warranted. Cara wants to fulfil her dream of being a costume designer, but she is the independent sort and Owens efforts to push those dreams ahead just may not be what she is looking for. However they are well matched, they just need time! There is sexual awakening for sure, but as well there is love that is deep and compassionate.
The story is told from both Owen's and Cara's points of view. I really liked that and seeing inside both their heads, especially Owens.
One of my favourite parts of the book was an intimate conversation between Owen, Reid and Dev (they are all co founders of the company Plus) as Owen shares his inability with them around sexual function. It is open, honest communication and a tribute to their friendship. As well as the honest, intimate communications that run throughout the story, I enjoyed the moments of humour and the ways the friends watched out for each other.
As well as Owen and Cara we still have wee glimpses of the previous couple from Offensive Behavior, - Reid and Zarley and Dev and Sarina whose stories are yet to be published. Can't wait. Why? Because I know Ainslie Paton will do something that is totally romantic, different and refreshing. I know I won't have read a book like it before.
Ainslie Paton writes contemporary romances like no other author that I have read. Her books are clever and creative, she has a totally unique voice and tone. She explores issues and relationships that just have me totally engaged and wanting to read on. Her characters are flawed, gutsy, and downright delightful.
Owen and Cara make a great couple, both are damaged goods. Cara comes from a hard working but poor family, Owen from a wealthy family with their values all in the wrong places. Cara on the other hand has a Dad who is down to earth and prepared to give Owen a hard time if he thinks it is warranted. Cara wants to fulfil her dream of being a costume designer, but she is the independent sort and Owens efforts to push those dreams ahead just may not be what she is looking for. However they are well matched, they just need time! There is sexual awakening for sure, but as well there is love that is deep and compassionate.
The story is told from both Owen's and Cara's points of view. I really liked that and seeing inside both their heads, especially Owens.
One of my favourite parts of the book was an intimate conversation between Owen, Reid and Dev (they are all co founders of the company Plus) as Owen shares his inability with them around sexual function. It is open, honest communication and a tribute to their friendship. As well as the honest, intimate communications that run throughout the story, I enjoyed the moments of humour and the ways the friends watched out for each other.
As well as Owen and Cara we still have wee glimpses of the previous couple from Offensive Behavior, - Reid and Zarley and Dev and Sarina whose stories are yet to be published. Can't wait. Why? Because I know Ainslie Paton will do something that is totally romantic, different and refreshing. I know I won't have read a book like it before.
March 23, 2017
Two characters, two victims of traumatic injuries a decade apart, both looking for validation in their own way, except that their worlds don’t collide. But when they do, it’s rocky, difficult and filled with obstacle after obstacle that I could never imagine would populate a romance novel.
The premise of the book was enough to hook me in. Owen and Cara, the lead characters, with their own personal failures and pain, were the stars of it.
Ainslie Paton does quite a remarkable job in the exploration of what passion and intimacy really meant and to a lesser extent, questions where we’d be or how we’d look at ourselves if sex wasn’t an equation anymore in relationships. That Cara accepted Owen as he was - nerve-damaged and limp - made her my personal heroine. .
While Owen grovelled, I earned for a return to the time (or pages) where they loved each other as damaged souls - yes, physically - because that was so much more real than the happy, able-to-get-it-up-again Owen. Would he have done all of this with the same confidence had it not happened for him? His return to normal erectile function seemed too good to be true and I’m not ashamed to say I regretted it. To be honest, I would have rather it didn’t, not at least until things were straightened out emotionally between them because I’ll never really know if he’ll actually accept Cara’s acceptance of them if his ability to have penetrative sex disappeared once again. I wished this had been addressed, even as his changed status back to “fully-functional” man seemed to make the grovelling and the abrupt HEA easier.
The difficulty of the subject aside, I thought the process of reading wasn’t made easier by Paton’s writing style...which I’ll have to admit, ultimately felled me. Too filled with hyperboles and phrases that felt very put upon - along with some measure of artifice -, I thought the writing style itself, ironically, downed my enjoyment of the book. And to say this without trying to sound like a bloody snob here is an impossible task. Yet I felt off-balance a lot for most of it because of the long internal monologues and the occasions where a character’s every excruciating thought, physical action and overreaction noted down in a manner that seemed sometimes overblown. Everything, despite the American setting, had a distinctly un-American sheen to it and the manic writing (which, instead of being poetically succinct) tended to emphasise that. It smoothed out midway through enough for me to enjoy myself as Owen and Cara went through the easy going bits of their relationship at mid-point. That reprieve didn’t last long however; the screw-up in Owen/Cara’s relationship was inevitable and so went the writing acrobatics again that proved as unpredictable as every book that Paton turns out.
I’m hesitant to say I disliked this book - because I didn’t - yet it’s just as hard to say that I loved it. The long and short of it was, the unusual plot caught me; the way it was delivered, not too much. But give it a shot anyhow, because there’s really no accounting for individual taste, as the other stellar reviews have already proven.
The premise of the book was enough to hook me in. Owen and Cara, the lead characters, with their own personal failures and pain, were the stars of it.
Ainslie Paton does quite a remarkable job in the exploration of what passion and intimacy really meant and to a lesser extent, questions where we’d be or how we’d look at ourselves if sex wasn’t an equation anymore in relationships. That Cara accepted Owen as he was - nerve-damaged and limp - made her my personal heroine. .
While Owen grovelled, I earned for a return to the time (or pages) where they loved each other as damaged souls - yes, physically - because that was so much more real than the happy, able-to-get-it-up-again Owen. Would he have done all of this with the same confidence had it not happened for him? His return to normal erectile function seemed too good to be true and I’m not ashamed to say I regretted it. To be honest, I would have rather it didn’t, not at least until things were straightened out emotionally between them because I’ll never really know if he’ll actually accept Cara’s acceptance of them if his ability to have penetrative sex disappeared once again. I wished this had been addressed, even as his changed status back to “fully-functional” man seemed to make the grovelling and the abrupt HEA easier.
The difficulty of the subject aside, I thought the process of reading wasn’t made easier by Paton’s writing style...which I’ll have to admit, ultimately felled me. Too filled with hyperboles and phrases that felt very put upon - along with some measure of artifice -, I thought the writing style itself, ironically, downed my enjoyment of the book. And to say this without trying to sound like a bloody snob here is an impossible task. Yet I felt off-balance a lot for most of it because of the long internal monologues and the occasions where a character’s every excruciating thought, physical action and overreaction noted down in a manner that seemed sometimes overblown. Everything, despite the American setting, had a distinctly un-American sheen to it and the manic writing (which, instead of being poetically succinct) tended to emphasise that. It smoothed out midway through enough for me to enjoy myself as Owen and Cara went through the easy going bits of their relationship at mid-point. That reprieve didn’t last long however; the screw-up in Owen/Cara’s relationship was inevitable and so went the writing acrobatics again that proved as unpredictable as every book that Paton turns out.
I’m hesitant to say I disliked this book - because I didn’t - yet it’s just as hard to say that I loved it. The long and short of it was, the unusual plot caught me; the way it was delivered, not too much. But give it a shot anyhow, because there’s really no accounting for individual taste, as the other stellar reviews have already proven.
November 17, 2016
3.5 out of 5
This is the fourth book I’ve read by this author. Two of them, Grease Monkey Jive and Offensive Behavior were adorable and the other one, Inconsolable, I had real issues with the heroine. So I was curious as to how this one would be.
Hmmmm. While it didn’t give me the same kick that the other 2 gave me, I did like it better than Inconsolable.
Near the end of the first book Owen Lang, one of the partners in a successful tech company he and his friends started was in a bad car accident. This book deals with the repercussions of his accident.
His family has a history of addictions, drugs, gambling and all other kinds. Owen is the opposite and doesn’t want to give into addiction himself. But when his back is broken in the car accident and adding to the fact his fiancé and childhood sweetheart was killed in a car crash several years earlier, he develops a dependency on pain pills. As with many addicts, he doesn’t really see how far he is sinking but his friends and partners do and they are very concerned about him. They enlist the help of a young woman who recently started working as a call centre help desk at the company but the reason they think she might be of assistance is she is best friends with Zarley, the heroine of the first book, Offensive Behavior. The two of them were young gymnasts together until Cara Douglas, our heroine, broke her back. His friends thought she might have some advice to help him. But Owen, being in his addiction, is quite rude to her and that seems to be the end of things.
But Owen manages to pull himself out and begins to bond with Carla after all. But there are issues with them. The biggest one seems to be that he can’t, um, get it up if you know what I mean. Carla isn’t quite as bothered by this as Owen is since – well – Owen is a guy and all that. But even though they can’t make that final countdown, they still manage to build a nice level of intimacy and while Owen can’t get no satisfaction, he sees to it that Carla does. And since she’ a rare virgin – due mostly to her own injuries – she’s not completely aware of what she is missing.
I think one of the reasons this one didn’t work quite as well for me is Owen doesn’t have the gruff teddy bear factor that Reid from the first book has. Another factor keeping it from getting a higher grade from me is the hero was raised with and has always had money. I tend to avoid this kind of book. Give me a blue collar hero over white collar any day. When reading the outline of a book, if the hero is a billionaire, I move on to another one to check out. And this is why I prefer Grease Monkey Jive over this one. And Reid from Offensive Behavior doesn't come from money either.
This is another one I read way back in the summer but the memory isn’t quite as vivid as with other books. The next one in this particular series doesn’t really appeal to me, but I do have others by Ms. Paton on my Kindle to read. I really love the unusualness of her stories. An impotent hero isn’t something you read about every day, that’s for sure.
This is the fourth book I’ve read by this author. Two of them, Grease Monkey Jive and Offensive Behavior were adorable and the other one, Inconsolable, I had real issues with the heroine. So I was curious as to how this one would be.
Hmmmm. While it didn’t give me the same kick that the other 2 gave me, I did like it better than Inconsolable.
Near the end of the first book Owen Lang, one of the partners in a successful tech company he and his friends started was in a bad car accident. This book deals with the repercussions of his accident.
His family has a history of addictions, drugs, gambling and all other kinds. Owen is the opposite and doesn’t want to give into addiction himself. But when his back is broken in the car accident and adding to the fact his fiancé and childhood sweetheart was killed in a car crash several years earlier, he develops a dependency on pain pills. As with many addicts, he doesn’t really see how far he is sinking but his friends and partners do and they are very concerned about him. They enlist the help of a young woman who recently started working as a call centre help desk at the company but the reason they think she might be of assistance is she is best friends with Zarley, the heroine of the first book, Offensive Behavior. The two of them were young gymnasts together until Cara Douglas, our heroine, broke her back. His friends thought she might have some advice to help him. But Owen, being in his addiction, is quite rude to her and that seems to be the end of things.
But Owen manages to pull himself out and begins to bond with Carla after all. But there are issues with them. The biggest one seems to be that he can’t, um, get it up if you know what I mean. Carla isn’t quite as bothered by this as Owen is since – well – Owen is a guy and all that. But even though they can’t make that final countdown, they still manage to build a nice level of intimacy and while Owen can’t get no satisfaction, he sees to it that Carla does. And since she’ a rare virgin – due mostly to her own injuries – she’s not completely aware of what she is missing.
I think one of the reasons this one didn’t work quite as well for me is Owen doesn’t have the gruff teddy bear factor that Reid from the first book has. Another factor keeping it from getting a higher grade from me is the hero was raised with and has always had money. I tend to avoid this kind of book. Give me a blue collar hero over white collar any day. When reading the outline of a book, if the hero is a billionaire, I move on to another one to check out. And this is why I prefer Grease Monkey Jive over this one. And Reid from Offensive Behavior doesn't come from money either.
This is another one I read way back in the summer but the memory isn’t quite as vivid as with other books. The next one in this particular series doesn’t really appeal to me, but I do have others by Ms. Paton on my Kindle to read. I really love the unusualness of her stories. An impotent hero isn’t something you read about every day, that’s for sure.
November 8, 2018
Once a gymnast until she broke her spine, Cara now dreams of designing and creating sultry costumes perfect for stage performers like her best friend Zarley, but must make ends meet by working as an online IT support specialist. She got the job with a good word from her best friend's boyfriend Reid, who runs the company along with his three friends.
When Cara is brought in to an intervention for Owen, one of the founders and the current CEO of Plus, she worries that her job and livelihood will be on the line, especially when she has to tell his colleagues that he is addicted to pain medication after experiencing his own traumatic spine injury when he was in an accident with a drunk driver.
Reid is aghast he has become just like every other addict in his family, is at first upset with Cara, but after his months in rehab comes to find she is his perfect match in many ways. Unfortunately for Reid not only did his injuries leave him with chronic back pain and troubles, he also has not been able to have an erection due to nerve damage.
Worried that as they begin to flirt and fall for one another that he can never be fully enough for her, especially since Cara is a virgin, Reid must confront his own demons to realize love isn't just about sex.
Besides the characters exploration into intimacy, there were also plot points regarding other power imbalances, including wealth and opportunity.
This was the first time I've ever read a romance novel featuring a hero who could not get an erection. There have been a few featuring performance difficulties, but nothing like this. I loved how Paton explored how Reid could still make love to Cara despite this, and how Cara also explored how she could help Reid achieve orgasm in a different way.
SPOILER
When Cara is brought in to an intervention for Owen, one of the founders and the current CEO of Plus, she worries that her job and livelihood will be on the line, especially when she has to tell his colleagues that he is addicted to pain medication after experiencing his own traumatic spine injury when he was in an accident with a drunk driver.
Reid is aghast he has become just like every other addict in his family, is at first upset with Cara, but after his months in rehab comes to find she is his perfect match in many ways. Unfortunately for Reid not only did his injuries leave him with chronic back pain and troubles, he also has not been able to have an erection due to nerve damage.
Worried that as they begin to flirt and fall for one another that he can never be fully enough for her, especially since Cara is a virgin, Reid must confront his own demons to realize love isn't just about sex.
Besides the characters exploration into intimacy, there were also plot points regarding other power imbalances, including wealth and opportunity.
This was the first time I've ever read a romance novel featuring a hero who could not get an erection. There have been a few featuring performance difficulties, but nothing like this. I loved how Paton explored how Reid could still make love to Cara despite this, and how Cara also explored how she could help Reid achieve orgasm in a different way.
SPOILER
July 18, 2016
Copy received from the author for an honest review
Yes! I have been waiting for this story since the second I finished the first book i this series, Offensive Behaviour.
You never know what you are going to get with a book from Ms Paton. No cookie-cutter stories from her, it is like a lucky dip each and every time.... and I love it.
We met Owen and Cara in the first book - Owen is best friends/business owners with Reid and Cara is Zarley's best friend.
A lot happened at the and of the first book, and Owen and Cara's story continues on from the aftermath of book 1
I felt that this story was quite a bit darker than Offensive Behaviour. Both our lovelies have been through so much, and things are start to take toll on them. Damaged Goods deals with matters of addiction and abuse among other things.
I can't tell you how many times my heart cracked, how many tears I shed whilst reading,
But with this group, there were also plenty of smiles and laugh out loud moments - especially with my favourite geek Reid!
But can our two damaged souls be the ones to heal each other. Be the light in the dark? Be the happy ending they each want?
For that you will have to read for yourself.
Now am impatiently waiting for the next in the series.
I can't wait to see what Ms Paton brings us next.
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Yes! I have been waiting for this story since the second I finished the first book i this series, Offensive Behaviour.
You never know what you are going to get with a book from Ms Paton. No cookie-cutter stories from her, it is like a lucky dip each and every time.... and I love it.
We met Owen and Cara in the first book - Owen is best friends/business owners with Reid and Cara is Zarley's best friend.
A lot happened at the and of the first book, and Owen and Cara's story continues on from the aftermath of book 1
I felt that this story was quite a bit darker than Offensive Behaviour. Both our lovelies have been through so much, and things are start to take toll on them. Damaged Goods deals with matters of addiction and abuse among other things.
I can't tell you how many times my heart cracked, how many tears I shed whilst reading,
But with this group, there were also plenty of smiles and laugh out loud moments - especially with my favourite geek Reid!
But can our two damaged souls be the ones to heal each other. Be the light in the dark? Be the happy ending they each want?
For that you will have to read for yourself.
Now am impatiently waiting for the next in the series.
I can't wait to see what Ms Paton brings us next.
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September 23, 2016
After a virgin hero and a pole dancer heroine in the first book of the series Ms Paton now served up an impotent (due to a back injury after a severe car accident) hero and a virgin heroine. Before reading this book I was wondering how the heck she was going to pull off an impotent hero in a romance novel. I shouldn't have worried because she pulled it off splendidly, as always.
The accident in which Owen Lange broke his back changed him from good-humored, easy-going and always in control to a grumpy, paranoid man addicted to and dependent on prescription drugs.
Like Zarley from the first book, Cara is a former gymnast. Her day job is working the helpdesk at Plus, but her passion is designing fantasy clothing (evening dresses, lingerie and costumes).
I loved seeing Zarley and Reid from book 1 and I really enjoyed getting to know Dev and Sarina (Owen and Reid's co-founders of the company) a bit more in this book.
I loved this book as much, if not more than the first book. It once again ticked all my boxes as it was emotional, witty, complex, the characters were wonderfully flawed and owning it all, the writing was crisp and perfectly paced and the author handled a delicate unromantic issue in the most splendid and romantic way.
It was sexy without having sex scenes with penetration involved and that first PIV (you can guess what those letters stand for or if you’ve read the book you know it) scene was so intense and erotic it took my breath away. It may have been one of the best sex scenes I've ever read!
DAMAGED GOODS was another 2016 favorite, so Ainslie Paton is 2 out of 2 in this series so far!
The accident in which Owen Lange broke his back changed him from good-humored, easy-going and always in control to a grumpy, paranoid man addicted to and dependent on prescription drugs.
Like Zarley from the first book, Cara is a former gymnast. Her day job is working the helpdesk at Plus, but her passion is designing fantasy clothing (evening dresses, lingerie and costumes).
I loved seeing Zarley and Reid from book 1 and I really enjoyed getting to know Dev and Sarina (Owen and Reid's co-founders of the company) a bit more in this book.
I loved this book as much, if not more than the first book. It once again ticked all my boxes as it was emotional, witty, complex, the characters were wonderfully flawed and owning it all, the writing was crisp and perfectly paced and the author handled a delicate unromantic issue in the most splendid and romantic way.
It was sexy without having sex scenes with penetration involved and that first PIV (you can guess what those letters stand for or if you’ve read the book you know it) scene was so intense and erotic it took my breath away. It may have been one of the best sex scenes I've ever read!
DAMAGED GOODS was another 2016 favorite, so Ainslie Paton is 2 out of 2 in this series so far!
January 7, 2019
I really enjoyed reading the second installment of this series but there was some failure of momentum that kept me from saying I love it. My attention wandered a lot. That said, the premise of a virgin heroine and a hero whose back injury prevents him from getting an erection is fascinating. Plus the whole struggling with addiction thing. I liked that the couple took a long time between meeting and getting together for good with lots of time for therapy. It felt good and realistic and made.me genuinely believe in their HEA. I think my main quibble with the book was that the heroine didn't have much of an arc, at least compared to the hero. She did make a big change toward the end, but nothing like what he went through. It felt a little unbalanced. However, I would still highly recommend the book and the series. It tackles serious issues without being depressing, but also without painting an unnaturally rosy picture. I continue to appreciate what Paton brings to a book.
February 2, 2017
Wow.
I thought Sidelined #1 was great with Zarley & Reid.
This book is Cara and Owen's story and they're fabulous from the beginning. Ainslie Paton mixes up heroes and heroines like you wouldn't believe. This time we have a hero who has suffered an injury and can't get an erection and isn't sure if he'll ever get this part of his body working properly again. So Owen has a whole heap of reticence when it comes to getting intimate with Cara, who is a virgin, also battling her own scars and pain via gymnastics injuries. (This is how they are thrown together, Owen's friends think Cara's experience with back injuries can help Owen's recovery).
I just loved this the whole way through, and once again I'm amazed this brilliant author isn't so much more widely read.
Sidelined #2 just went to the top of my Ainslie Paton pile as favourite... and I've read a lot of Ainslie Paton.
I thought Sidelined #1 was great with Zarley & Reid.
This book is Cara and Owen's story and they're fabulous from the beginning. Ainslie Paton mixes up heroes and heroines like you wouldn't believe. This time we have a hero who has suffered an injury and can't get an erection and isn't sure if he'll ever get this part of his body working properly again. So Owen has a whole heap of reticence when it comes to getting intimate with Cara, who is a virgin, also battling her own scars and pain via gymnastics injuries. (This is how they are thrown together, Owen's friends think Cara's experience with back injuries can help Owen's recovery).
I just loved this the whole way through, and once again I'm amazed this brilliant author isn't so much more widely read.
Sidelined #2 just went to the top of my Ainslie Paton pile as favourite... and I've read a lot of Ainslie Paton.
July 30, 2016
I liked this book better than the first in the series. The treatment of both characters and the hero's issues was really interesting. However, I thought a lot of the hero's problems were just kind of glossed over. Not sure I believe that he made the changes necessary to make a real HEA. But it was an overall good read.
did-not-finish
August 25, 2019I was excited to read a book about a character with a disability. But I didn't realize that the H would have a dead ex. I'm also not fond of the runaway train that is the romance. Things are progressing way to fast for my taste.
This is completely a ME thing. I'm just not feeling it. So I'm putting this book on hold for now.
This is completely a ME thing. I'm just not feeling it. So I'm putting this book on hold for now.
April 19, 2019
3.5 because I got bored enough to almost stop reading a few times. Something off in the pacing, maybe.
June 11, 2018
There was a lot going on here. Spinal injury - one old one new. The end of a dream. The start of a new business. Navigating the sexual aspects of a relationship after said spinal injury. Compulsive/addictive behaviors. Supportive family. Super toxic family.
Maybe Paton is going to wrap up the hero's family issues in the next book, but the book felt a little unresolved to me without revisiting that.
Maybe Paton is going to wrap up the hero's family issues in the next book, but the book felt a little unresolved to me without revisiting that.
July 30, 2016
Damaged Goods is the second book in the Sidelined series. Time for Owen and Cara to take centre stage. What lies ahead for this couple..... well, it is an Ainslie Paton story - so expect an original storyline, engaging characters and the unpredictable and unexpected to happen.
Plus CEO, Owen Lange is finally home after four months in hospital and rehab following a car accident in which he suffered a serious back injury. This should mean the return to normality and his life getting back on track, however, his body has other ideas.
Cara Douglas works help desk at Plus. She injured her back after a fall on the Balance Beam whilst trying to gain a position on the US Olympic Gymnastics Team. Years after her fall Cara still suffers from pain and knows first hand how debilitating and soul shattering it can be.
Concerns over Owens wellbeing, lead to a meeting between Cara and Owen. Now, you might think - hmm...... girl meets boy, they fall in love and the rest is history. There is nothing so simple about this story.
What follows, is storytelling at its best. From laugh out loud moments to exquisitely tender scenes, this clever, delectable treat is a story about friendship, love, and a journey of discovery. It's about trusting the person you love, finding the courage to follow your dreams, hope and new beginnings.
Unputdownable and deserving of an uninterrupted day reading, there is so much to love about this stunning romance.
Ainslie Paton you never disappoint!!!
Plus CEO, Owen Lange is finally home after four months in hospital and rehab following a car accident in which he suffered a serious back injury. This should mean the return to normality and his life getting back on track, however, his body has other ideas.
Cara Douglas works help desk at Plus. She injured her back after a fall on the Balance Beam whilst trying to gain a position on the US Olympic Gymnastics Team. Years after her fall Cara still suffers from pain and knows first hand how debilitating and soul shattering it can be.
Concerns over Owens wellbeing, lead to a meeting between Cara and Owen. Now, you might think - hmm...... girl meets boy, they fall in love and the rest is history. There is nothing so simple about this story.
What follows, is storytelling at its best. From laugh out loud moments to exquisitely tender scenes, this clever, delectable treat is a story about friendship, love, and a journey of discovery. It's about trusting the person you love, finding the courage to follow your dreams, hope and new beginnings.
Unputdownable and deserving of an uninterrupted day reading, there is so much to love about this stunning romance.
Ainslie Paton you never disappoint!!!
July 12, 2016
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book. (No Spoilers in this review.) I was looking for a read to sink my teeth into and forget the real world around me existed. Damaged Goods did exactly that.
Miss Paton takes conventional romance, turns it on its head and dunks it right into ice water and that's what I like about this talented author's writing. If you're looking for sweet, tidy and perfect, then this is not the book for you. I would however still recommend you give it your best shot. It's gritty and hard hitting yet still manages to tug at the heart strings in the romance department.
Miss Paton writes with such wit and charm that even the darkest moments surprise you with a line to make you smile. There is no doubt this author has a unique way with words. Her characters are so real you wonder how on earth they'll ever get out of the trouble she gets them into. She does so with admirable skill to reach a very satisfying ending.
I was glued to this book and with every chapter hook, I kept turning because I simply could not put it down for wanting to know what happens next. A truly engaging, brilliant read, master penmanship and a unique voice.
Miss Paton takes conventional romance, turns it on its head and dunks it right into ice water and that's what I like about this talented author's writing. If you're looking for sweet, tidy and perfect, then this is not the book for you. I would however still recommend you give it your best shot. It's gritty and hard hitting yet still manages to tug at the heart strings in the romance department.
Miss Paton writes with such wit and charm that even the darkest moments surprise you with a line to make you smile. There is no doubt this author has a unique way with words. Her characters are so real you wonder how on earth they'll ever get out of the trouble she gets them into. She does so with admirable skill to reach a very satisfying ending.
I was glued to this book and with every chapter hook, I kept turning because I simply could not put it down for wanting to know what happens next. A truly engaging, brilliant read, master penmanship and a unique voice.
January 22, 2017
This story is about a man who can't get it up and a woman who's never gotten it on.
What a refreshing story. The subject mater is dark but laid out with a light, humorous touch. Both the hero and heroine have had to deal with pain due to back injuries. While the heroine has had time to learn how to handle hers, the hero is still struggling, especially since his injury is recent and he's rich enough to get addicted to pain medication that's easily available to him.
Their dance as they get closer and learn to deal with the impotency brought on by the back injury is hot in a non-traditional way. This author shows beautifully that the brain is indeed the largest erogenous zone.
I didn't like the facile solution to some of the couple's problems reached towards the end, but otherwise enjoyed this tale of geek love.
What a refreshing story. The subject mater is dark but laid out with a light, humorous touch. Both the hero and heroine have had to deal with pain due to back injuries. While the heroine has had time to learn how to handle hers, the hero is still struggling, especially since his injury is recent and he's rich enough to get addicted to pain medication that's easily available to him.
Their dance as they get closer and learn to deal with the impotency brought on by the back injury is hot in a non-traditional way. This author shows beautifully that the brain is indeed the largest erogenous zone.
I didn't like the facile solution to some of the couple's problems reached towards the end, but otherwise enjoyed this tale of geek love.
July 21, 2016
Damaged Goods by Ainslie Paton was simply stunning reading. Ravaging in its emotions, intense, passionate moments between characters. A multitude of emotions portrayed and all equally rapturous from one chapter to the next. I liked each of the characters more in this instalment of the Sidelined series, each entertaining in their own right. Damaged Goods is the second book in the Sidelined series - a series that gets better with each story.
Review copy received from the Author for an honest rating
Review copy received from the Author for an honest rating
Want to read
June 14, 2016copy via author
August 14, 2016
2.5 to 3 Stars
November 11, 2016
Flipping fantastic
Passionate tale about intimacy and trust. Incrediblely lovely scenes of all the way uou can be intmate without PIV sex. Funny and touching and emotional.
Passionate tale about intimacy and trust. Incrediblely lovely scenes of all the way uou can be intmate without PIV sex. Funny and touching and emotional.
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