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Almost Innocent
Callaghan. A name synonymous with power and fear. A family of untouchable criminals. As a teenager, Gabriella Forte had no intention of getting to know the town's most dangerous brothers. Once Dustin set his sights on her, she was trapped. There was only one way out of her personal hell. Declan was determined to break away from his family's shadow. Until he fell in love with the one woman he couldn't have. She changed everything. Life isn't always kind. Love can hurt. Sometimes you need to sacrifice yourself to protect the people you care about. It's been twelve years since Declan did the unthinkable and went to prison. He promised to stay away from Gabby and his nephew. That's one vow he can't keep. Things aren't always what they seem. Facts are only as credible as the person stating them. The truth doesn't always set you free.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2016
About the author
Carina Adams
23 books836 followersCarina Adams, an Amazon and international best selling author, is an avid reader who loves the epic and unconventional, has an unhealthy obsession with Stanley Tucci, loves the sound of Johnny Cash, is the crazy friend your mom warned you about, has a heart and soul as black as the coffee she drinks, believes you’ll see her compete on Survivor one day, and hopes to go through the stones and find Jamie Fraser.
Carina has been writing and creating characters for as long as she can remember, allowing her to fall in love with the next man of her dreams with every new story. None of which are anything like boring Prince Charming.
Thankfully, fate stepped in and granted her the ultimate wish—a life full of men. Carina lives in a tiny Maine town with her biker-turned-businessman husband who keeps her on her toes and their two heathens who made her realize that wicked chicks do, indeed, lay deviled eggs.
Carina is currently working on two novels: Echoes of Us, the final installment of the Dreams Trilogy and 'Stones' a heartbreakingly beautiful tale of second chance love.
Carina loves to hear from her readers. carinaadamswrites@gmail.com
Carina is represented by SBR Media. For inquiries regarding foreign rights, audio, and other media outlets, please contact Katie Monson at katie@sbrmedia.com
Books:
Bama Boys Series:
Bastards Of Boston MC:
Standalones:
Carina has been writing and creating characters for as long as she can remember, allowing her to fall in love with the next man of her dreams with every new story. None of which are anything like boring Prince Charming.
Thankfully, fate stepped in and granted her the ultimate wish—a life full of men. Carina lives in a tiny Maine town with her biker-turned-businessman husband who keeps her on her toes and their two heathens who made her realize that wicked chicks do, indeed, lay deviled eggs.
Carina is currently working on two novels: Echoes of Us, the final installment of the Dreams Trilogy and 'Stones' a heartbreakingly beautiful tale of second chance love.
Carina loves to hear from her readers. carinaadamswrites@gmail.com
Carina is represented by SBR Media. For inquiries regarding foreign rights, audio, and other media outlets, please contact Katie Monson at katie@sbrmedia.com
Books:
Bama Boys Series:
Bastards Of Boston MC:
Standalones:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
June 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this romantic suspense. The twists and turns were aplenty and kept me guessing. I absolutely loved Declan, such a swoon worthy hero.
The flashbacks, although not an overload and necessary to the story, still pulled me out of the story a wee bit. I'm not sure if it was the pacing of them or what but I think for this story a part 1 in the past and part 2 in the present would have worked better for me because the past played a huge part in the book and also in Gabby and Declan's future.
The ending was rushed - the whole build up to getting the bad guy and the aftermath really could have done with more fleshing out, even though there was a sweet epilogue. So for this and the flashbacks I took a star off, but will definitely be reading more from this author.
The flashbacks, although not an overload and necessary to the story, still pulled me out of the story a wee bit. I'm not sure if it was the pacing of them or what but I think for this story a part 1 in the past and part 2 in the present would have worked better for me because the past played a huge part in the book and also in Gabby and Declan's future.
The ending was rushed - the whole build up to getting the bad guy and the aftermath really could have done with more fleshing out, even though there was a sweet epilogue. So for this and the flashbacks I took a star off, but will definitely be reading more from this author.
May 27, 2016
Wow...that was a powerful read. I was prepared for the violence and darkness in this, but to my great relief, in spite of some challenging subject matter, it wasn't a depressing read at all and I got the feels reading it. Full review to follow closer to release.
Thanks to the author for my arc xx
Thanks to the author for my arc xx
June 16, 2016
‘You didn’t leave this world with anything other than your name, and being a Callaghan meant something.’
Wow! What an intriguing tale of secrets and lies, deceit and duplicity, pain and torment – a heartbreaking and gripping game of cat and mouse all set against the backdrop of a ruthless and cunning crime family and a forbidden love between a woman and her boyfriend’s brother that ran soul deep.
‘I would spend the rest of my life thanking him. I would have spent the last twelve showing my gratitude, if he had let me in.’
This was our first read by Carina Adams and we’re now eager to experience more from this very talented author as she sure can spin a good story! We must firstly say, this isn’t a love triangle, but in a way, it is a forbidden love – a story of a woman who would endure so much for those she loved and her suffering is one that will have you seething over the vile man who inflicts her pain and have your heart breaking for the brother whose only crime was to love and protect her with everything he has.
“You’re supposed to be afraid of me, Gabs, not afraid for me.”
Writing a love story with a foreboding atmosphere of domestic violence is always going to be gritty, powerful and raw reading and this book won’t be for everyone because. What Gabby endures at the hands of her boyfriend Dustin will make you angry and sick, the depths of deceit within this story will have you gasping!
Almost Innocent is told in dual POV between Gabby and Declan, Dustin’s brother, who returns after serving twelve years in jail. Declan has resigned himself to the fact that Gabby will never be his but his love for her has never waned through the years. Gabby has and always will be the only woman for him.
‘He’d once been a boy filled with dreams and plans to get out of this shitty little town and see the world. Apparently that kid, and his ideologies was gone.’
Gabby is now in hiding with her son Grady, about to write a fictional book based on her life as part of one of Maine’s biggest Irish/American crime families but will it be fictional enough to keep her privacy intact? As Declan and Gabby’s story unfolds through past/present switches we are treated to some heart racing twists and turns and revelations that will rock the foundations of this family. Just who is who and what is what had our heads spinning!
We really did enjoy Almost Innocent and the only issue we had was with the past/present switches, which, for us, tended to impact the momentum of the story. Because of this, whilst we felt incredibly compassionate and sorry for Gabby and the abuse she suffered at the hands of the cruel and vicious Dustin, we didn’t experience the gut churning sick in the stomach feeling we would normally encounter in these type of gritty reads. In some ways we felt this heart-breaking journey skimmed a story and the somewhat lack of depth and character development resulted in us feeling like we were being told something as supposed to experiencing it or being part of it. The epilogue was nothing short of beautiful and exactly what our hearts required after the exhausting and gripping journey Carina Adams took us on.
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July 14, 2016
I don't read them often, but when I read a darker story with strong mysterious themes, I want to be so immersed in said story that I forget what's happening in the read world, and Carina did just that. I find it difficult to put a dark book down and come back to it. Once you get in the mindset to read it, I just want to devour it. Carina kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire ride. There's plenty of mystery with unanswered questions, questions revolving around certain events, figuring out who can each character trust, will anyone die, etc. but it's also quite suspenseful as well. There's a lot of information to take in, but so well worth it. Carina will keep you guessing until the very last page.
I need to preface this review by saying that I liked the book. Like, really liked it. I picked up on some small thing that I think need to be addressed (I know some readers who this would drive them bonkers) but do not take these points as dislike for the story. Ultimately, they're small details where as the story in its entirety is extremely well done and completely compelling.
This is a very nitpicky detail, but it's small things that tend to bother me the most. More so near the beginning of this story, I had a hard time trying to fire out how old the characters were. It was originally hinted that they were a few years into their thirties. But then at one point, it was mentioned 'on that fateful day when everything changed,', but the characters were 18 at the time. After the hero being in prison for 12 years, that would make them thirty. But later on, it said thirty five. And after that, finally seemed to settle upon thirty six.
There was one conversation between two characters that was repeated almost verbatim after a flashback. I sat there for a moment trying to figure out if I was having déjà vu or if I had in fact read that conversation before. Same topic, some of the same sentences and very similar descriptions.
Being completely honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. I felt like there were still too many things left to talk about or left unsaid. The loose ends weren't tied up. You're just left with an 'oh?' Kind of feeling. At least there is an epilogue, however, I had a few faults with that as well. First off, the time jump needed to be specified to set the scene. I was a few pages in and confused as hell before there was even a hint as to how far in the future the epilogue was taking place. It was too big of a time gap for me to wrap my head around. We literally got 3 days of the characters together plus some flashbacks, and then this big epilogue (don't worry, no spoilers). My last thought regarding the ending was that it was too pretty and too cookie cutter. After everything these two had been through, this specific scenario seemed forced to me. I understand wanting an HEA for the couple, but it didn't fit the couple nor the story, and kind of came out of left field. I would've liked to see the ending come to more of a conclusion and the epi be a happy, relevant, brief glance into the future.
There was a time or two when there were simply too many characters in one scene. Or at least, discussing too many characters in a scene. This person did this, while this person said this, and they discussed two people and what they did just to try and figure out someone else's motives and how they might retaliate on person one and their brother. A little confusing, right? There's a lot of characters included in the flashbacks to keep track of, and it occasionally slipped from being an intense memory or confrontation to a tad bit convoluted.
Can I just talk about the writing in general of this novel really quick? It's awesome. For something so out of the ordinary to not only immediately catch my attention, but then keep it through some dark and twisting times is a true testament to the author. Bravo Carina, I can't wait to read something else from you!
With how intense this story is, I expected one Cracker Jack explosion of a climax, but then... Nothin really happened? I can understand the natural progression of the story, but considering all of the suspense, mystery, secrets and build up, I expected something huge. Compared to the rest of the book, this element seemed a bit lack lustre.
I appreciate the connection between these characters and how they've never had their chance together. When they were younger, you could just tell they loved each other but unfortunate circumstances kept them apart. It's long overdue, but they're both so cute about it (I know, I know, who the heck uses 'cute' to describe the relationship in a dark themed novel? I do, apparently!). And I loved the little bits of humour here and there to help break up some of the tension.
I really enjoyed the setting that the flashbacks created for the present, but some of them seemed to be too long. I understood that the heroine had been beaten, but unless each and every moment of every flashback is adding something new, it may not have been completely necessary. I really wanted to see more of the main characters together, but that couldn't happen with all of the flashbacks. Perhaps this could have even been made into a duet instead? I'm not sure. I enjoyed it, I really did, but I wanted a bit more present time with the MCs and this is the only place I could think of. Along the same lines with the flashbacks, the formatting needs to be spot on. I'm not sure if it was specifically the early copies, but in some scenes, most of the flashback would be italicized, and some not. Or there would be a small one, all in regular font, nothing italicized. This took some time to try and decipher on more than one occasion.
It is 100% obvious how much work Carina put into this book. With all of the intricacies between the family network, the characters, the business, the rivalries, prison, domestic violence, it's evident that Carina did her homework, and she knows what she's talking about. I never once doubted anything she wrote. It takes a ton of time and dedication to pull off this kind of story and this author has definitely done it. Carina grips you from the first page, shakes you around for a while before finally letting you float back down to the ground. It's like a roller coaster ride, you get off thinking 'Can I do that again?', and I definitely would. I not only want to, but will be reading Carina's other work. I'm off to Amazon now to see what trouble I can get into. ;)
*An ARC was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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“You’re supposed to be afraid of me, Gabs, not afraid for me.”
I need to preface this review by saying that I liked the book. Like, really liked it. I picked up on some small thing that I think need to be addressed (I know some readers who this would drive them bonkers) but do not take these points as dislike for the story. Ultimately, they're small details where as the story in its entirety is extremely well done and completely compelling.
This is a very nitpicky detail, but it's small things that tend to bother me the most. More so near the beginning of this story, I had a hard time trying to fire out how old the characters were. It was originally hinted that they were a few years into their thirties. But then at one point, it was mentioned 'on that fateful day when everything changed,', but the characters were 18 at the time. After the hero being in prison for 12 years, that would make them thirty. But later on, it said thirty five. And after that, finally seemed to settle upon thirty six.
There was one conversation between two characters that was repeated almost verbatim after a flashback. I sat there for a moment trying to figure out if I was having déjà vu or if I had in fact read that conversation before. Same topic, some of the same sentences and very similar descriptions.
Being completely honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. I felt like there were still too many things left to talk about or left unsaid. The loose ends weren't tied up. You're just left with an 'oh?' Kind of feeling. At least there is an epilogue, however, I had a few faults with that as well. First off, the time jump needed to be specified to set the scene. I was a few pages in and confused as hell before there was even a hint as to how far in the future the epilogue was taking place. It was too big of a time gap for me to wrap my head around. We literally got 3 days of the characters together plus some flashbacks, and then this big epilogue (don't worry, no spoilers). My last thought regarding the ending was that it was too pretty and too cookie cutter. After everything these two had been through, this specific scenario seemed forced to me. I understand wanting an HEA for the couple, but it didn't fit the couple nor the story, and kind of came out of left field. I would've liked to see the ending come to more of a conclusion and the epi be a happy, relevant, brief glance into the future.
"[...] bad guys can be good, and good guys can be bad.”
There was a time or two when there were simply too many characters in one scene. Or at least, discussing too many characters in a scene. This person did this, while this person said this, and they discussed two people and what they did just to try and figure out someone else's motives and how they might retaliate on person one and their brother. A little confusing, right? There's a lot of characters included in the flashbacks to keep track of, and it occasionally slipped from being an intense memory or confrontation to a tad bit convoluted.
Can I just talk about the writing in general of this novel really quick? It's awesome. For something so out of the ordinary to not only immediately catch my attention, but then keep it through some dark and twisting times is a true testament to the author. Bravo Carina, I can't wait to read something else from you!
"I almost turned away, not wanting to see what happened next, but I was a glutton for punishment.
If I’d looked away, even for a moment, I would have missed the second I fell in love with her."
With how intense this story is, I expected one Cracker Jack explosion of a climax, but then... Nothin really happened? I can understand the natural progression of the story, but considering all of the suspense, mystery, secrets and build up, I expected something huge. Compared to the rest of the book, this element seemed a bit lack lustre.
I appreciate the connection between these characters and how they've never had their chance together. When they were younger, you could just tell they loved each other but unfortunate circumstances kept them apart. It's long overdue, but they're both so cute about it (I know, I know, who the heck uses 'cute' to describe the relationship in a dark themed novel? I do, apparently!). And I loved the little bits of humour here and there to help break up some of the tension.
“How about you?” he asked. “There some chump wondering what time his girl is coming home tonight?”
“God, no!” I laughed, shaking my head. “Men tend to run away from me as fast as they can.” He didn’t laugh with me, his eyebrows sliding into a frown.
“How come?”
“Probably the same reason you’re single.” I muttered.
“You’re socially awkward and uncomfortable around women after spending a dime in prison too?”
I really enjoyed the setting that the flashbacks created for the present, but some of them seemed to be too long. I understood that the heroine had been beaten, but unless each and every moment of every flashback is adding something new, it may not have been completely necessary. I really wanted to see more of the main characters together, but that couldn't happen with all of the flashbacks. Perhaps this could have even been made into a duet instead? I'm not sure. I enjoyed it, I really did, but I wanted a bit more present time with the MCs and this is the only place I could think of. Along the same lines with the flashbacks, the formatting needs to be spot on. I'm not sure if it was specifically the early copies, but in some scenes, most of the flashback would be italicized, and some not. Or there would be a small one, all in regular font, nothing italicized. This took some time to try and decipher on more than one occasion.
It is 100% obvious how much work Carina put into this book. With all of the intricacies between the family network, the characters, the business, the rivalries, prison, domestic violence, it's evident that Carina did her homework, and she knows what she's talking about. I never once doubted anything she wrote. It takes a ton of time and dedication to pull off this kind of story and this author has definitely done it. Carina grips you from the first page, shakes you around for a while before finally letting you float back down to the ground. It's like a roller coaster ride, you get off thinking 'Can I do that again?', and I definitely would. I not only want to, but will be reading Carina's other work. I'm off to Amazon now to see what trouble I can get into. ;)
*An ARC was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
JOIN THE SISTERHOOD! FIND US ON: FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER / WEBSITE
June 17, 2016
‘You didn’t leave this world with anything other than your name, and being a Callaghan meant something.’
Wow! What an intriguing tale of secrets and lies, deceit and duplicity, pain and torment – a heartbreaking and gripping game of cat and mouse all set against the backdrop of a ruthless and cunning crime family and a forbidden love between a woman and her boyfriend’s brother that ran soul deep.
‘I would spend the rest of my life thanking him. I would have spent the last twelve showing my gratitude, if he had let me in.’
This was our first read by Carina Adams and we’re now eager to experience more from this very talented author as she sure can spin a good story! We must firstly say, this isn’t a love triangle, but in a way, it is a forbidden love – a story of a woman who would endure so much for those she loved and her suffering is one that will have you seething over the vile man who inflicts her pain and have your heart breaking for the brother whose only crime was to love and protect her with everything he has.
“You’re supposed to be afraid of me, Gabs, not afraid for me.”
Writing a love story with a foreboding atmosphere of domestic violence is always going to be gritty, powerful and raw reading and this book won’t be for everyone because. What Gabby endures at the hands of her boyfriend Dustin will make you angry and sick, the depths of deceit within this story will have you gasping!
Almost Innocent is told in dual POV between Gabby and Declan, Dustin’s brother, who returns after serving twelve years in jail. Declan has resigned himself to the fact that Gabby will never be his but his love for her has never waned through the years. Gabby has and always will be the only woman for him.
‘He’d once been a boy filled with dreams and plans to get out of this shitty little town and see the world. Apparently that kid, and his ideologies was gone.’
Gabby is now in hiding with her son Grady, about to write a fictional book based on her life as part of one of Maine’s biggest Irish/American crime families but will it be fictional enough to keep her privacy intact? As Declan and Gabby’s story unfolds through past/present switches we are treated to some heart racing twists and turns and revelations that will rock the foundations of this family. Just who is who and what is what had our heads spinning!
We really did enjoy Almost Innocent and the only issue we had was with the past/present switches, which, for us, tended to impact the momentum of the story. Because of this, whilst we felt incredibly compassionate and sorry for Gabby and the abuse she suffered at the hands of the cruel and vicious Dustin, we didn’t experience the gut churning sick in the stomach feeling we would normally encounter in these type of gritty reads. In some ways we felt this heart-breaking journey skimmed a story and the somewhat lack of depth and character development resulted in us feeling like we were being told something as supposed to experiencing it or being part of it. The epilogue was nothing short of beautiful and exactly what our hearts required after the exhausting and gripping journey Carina Adams took us on.
Come visit and follow us at:
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May 20, 2016
I was lucky enough to beta read for this and Carina warned me that it was dark and even with all those warnings I didn't think it was as dark as she thought. I thought it was REAL. There's a difference between dark and real and I think she nailed it with this one. The story had me staying up late, reading anywhere I could to complete and when she left me with the last 4 chapters missing (without warning) I wanted to strangle her. But I love her so I let it go, begging for her to finish the story. And that she did. Tying everything together, leaving me wrapped in a book fog.
This story is nothing like I have ever read and I highly recommend it if you're looking for an all-encompassing story that has you questioning who's who, why things are done and falling in love with the man Dec is.
This story is nothing like I have ever read and I highly recommend it if you're looking for an all-encompassing story that has you questioning who's who, why things are done and falling in love with the man Dec is.
June 15, 2016
Holy smokes! Carina Adams loves her characters. If you're looking for a book that is written with love and with passion this is the story for you. This is not your run-of-the-mill, factory produced romance.
Gabby and Declan grow up together as best friends. Gabby is dating Declan's brother. Some awful things happen in that relationship, and Declan goes to the mat for Gabby.
Dec is a tough-talking alpha-male who does his best to protect Gabby from himself. Gabby is smart and strong and struggling. This book handles some tough issues - and handles them well.
If you're looking for a romance that is a little dark, a little twisty but has a HUGE heart this is the story for you.
Gabby and Declan grow up together as best friends. Gabby is dating Declan's brother. Some awful things happen in that relationship, and Declan goes to the mat for Gabby.
Dec is a tough-talking alpha-male who does his best to protect Gabby from himself. Gabby is smart and strong and struggling. This book handles some tough issues - and handles them well.
If you're looking for a romance that is a little dark, a little twisty but has a HUGE heart this is the story for you.
June 13, 2016
5 stars
Review by Jen Skewes
I had the honor of beta reading this book and I loved it. But because I had read it in pieces I needed and wanted to read it again. I wanted to sit by myself, ignore everything around me and just submerge myself into Gabby and Declan’s world. And I did just that. And let me tell you that it was even better the second time around. I knew what happened, I knew the twists and turns in this book but that didn’t matter because when those moments came I was still an emotional wreck with knots in my stomach. Almost Innocent is a beautiful and yet very painful story that will touch you in so many ways. It will pull out every emotion, it will make you cry and give you those not so nice feelings inside of you. But between all of that it is also a second chance story of two people who have loved each other since they first met, but were never given the chance that they deserved. This is Gabby and Declan’s story and while it is a very tough road, filled with so much pain, it is a road that ends in a very happy place. It just took a lot to finally get there.
I do not want to go into too much detail because what is written in the blurb is really all you need to know. Gabby and Declan met as teenagers. They quickly became best friends. But when Gabby started dating Declan’s brother Dusty, that meant she was completely off limits to him. Even though they were best friends, their love for each other was so much deeper than that, but neither one of them knew it at the time. Gabby’s relationship with Dusty was complete hell. He was an abusive asshole who brought so much pain, hurt and fear into Gabby’s life. But when things go really bad Gabby finds herself losing the one person who truly meant anything to her.
It is 12 years since Gabby has seen Declan. After serving his time in prison he is now out. When they finally run into each other Gabby doesn’t understand what happened over the past 12 years that caused him to ignore her. Did he hate her that much that he never wanted to see her again? Honestly when I first met Declan I thought he was a bit of a prick. And maybe that is because of the way he tried to push Gabby away. But when you see the reasons for his actions you understand. There are so many unspoken words between these two that you are not even sure they have a chance of ever being together. But regardless you cannot help root for them.
Declan is the man that no matter how bad he is you cannot help but fall in love with him. He is the guy that you never want to cross for fear of what will happen to you if you do. But beneath the hard exterior shell is a man who does have a heart, who will do anything to protect those he loves. And if you are Gabby Forte he is the man that has loved you since he first met you, he is your best friend who will always be there to protect you.
When Declan loves he loves with passion and intensity. Gabby is the only girl to ever have his heart. He will do anything to protect her and no matter how long it’s been since they have seen each other the feelings that he had for her 12 years ago are still there. It doesn’t matter how he hurt people who crossed him or what his family did for a living. What mattered to me was how much he loved Gabby and how much he wanted to protect her. I don’t think he was always the man that he is today and I think very tragic and unfortunate circumstances made him into that man. But the one thing that never changed was his love for Gabby and you could see that throughout this book. That man has loved her since he was a young boy. Gabby unknowingly had a hold on his heart and never let go. I loved how much he loved her and wanted to protect her and keep her safe, no matter what. He was a loving and loyal man when it came to her, and he protected what was his.
Gabby is one of my favorite heroines. My God what this girl went through, the pain and the abuse that she endured at the hands of a sick bastard. But to see the woman that she has become today and seeing how strong she is, just made me love her and admire her. And I think in many ways she was a very sefless person.
I loved them as two individuals but together, Gabby and Declan were just so beautiful. It has been 12 years since they have seen each other and yes a lot has changed. But they still loved each other like they did all those years ago. They would do anything for each other. I’m not going to lie and tell you that this story is all hearts and rainbows, because believe me it is so far from it. You know and can feel how much they love each other but their road to getting the happily ever after that they deserved and should have had years ago, is a really bumpy road filled with many twists and turns along the way. There were secrets and truths between them that needed to come out. And when they did, Oh My God hold onto your seat. There were twists I didn’t expect, twists that completely broke me and made me furious and sick all at the same time. Twists that leave you with your mouth hanging open going "holy Sh#@!!! Trust me it will completely shock you.
This book is unlike anything that Carina Adams has written. It is dark and deals with a very heavy topic that is also very, very real. It deals with domestic abuse, a topic that I think unfortunately people out there can relate to but at the same time a topic that many try to understand. There’s always those questions of why did she stay, why didn’t she fight back? And unless you are that person I don’t think you truly have an understanding of what they are going through. In Almost Innocent, yes those questions ran through my mind but Ms. Adams also answered those questions for me. She made me fully understand what Gabby was going through. She made me see and feel the pain and the hurt. I saw how much she feared losing the two people who meant the most to her. She makes you see it all, helps you to understand it all.
There are parts of this story that may not be for everyone. Dealing with a topic of abuse there are some dark moments. But with that being said Ms. Adams told this story in a way where it was not too graphic or in a way where I couldn’t handle it. Were there moments where I felt sick to my stomach and were very painful to read? Absolutely!! But I never felt the need to walk away. And those moments weren’t just about the graphic telling of the abouse that got me, it were other moments that completely broke me. It was the words that people spoke, the lies that they told as well as the truths that just honestly broke me to hear them. I felt like I was one with these characters because of that. I felt what they were going through. The emotions that they felt throughout this book I felt with them. Their hurt and pain felt like mine. I think Carina told this story in the perfect way. Enough to make you fully see and feel every ounce of pain that they went through, but not too much where you cannot handle it. Absolutely amazing job!! A must read.
Oh I cannot write this review without mentioning one character who I think deserves her own happily ever after and that is Fiona, Declan’s sister. That woman went through so much. My God I don’t know how she even survived. But she was just as strong as Gabby and what I loved was the relationship that these two had. She was there for Gabby when she needed someone the most. I want to see her get her own book and see her happy. I also think that there is so much more to her character than what we saw. The other person who I wish I got to see a little more was Colin, Declan’s dad. I honestly did love him and the way he cared for Gabby. He was like a second father to her and despite what people may have thought he watched out for her and Declan. I truly believe that and I know that he loved them. I may be the only one who felt this way about him, I am not sure…lol But for some reason I liked the guy!!!
Review by Jen Skewes
I had the honor of beta reading this book and I loved it. But because I had read it in pieces I needed and wanted to read it again. I wanted to sit by myself, ignore everything around me and just submerge myself into Gabby and Declan’s world. And I did just that. And let me tell you that it was even better the second time around. I knew what happened, I knew the twists and turns in this book but that didn’t matter because when those moments came I was still an emotional wreck with knots in my stomach. Almost Innocent is a beautiful and yet very painful story that will touch you in so many ways. It will pull out every emotion, it will make you cry and give you those not so nice feelings inside of you. But between all of that it is also a second chance story of two people who have loved each other since they first met, but were never given the chance that they deserved. This is Gabby and Declan’s story and while it is a very tough road, filled with so much pain, it is a road that ends in a very happy place. It just took a lot to finally get there.
I do not want to go into too much detail because what is written in the blurb is really all you need to know. Gabby and Declan met as teenagers. They quickly became best friends. But when Gabby started dating Declan’s brother Dusty, that meant she was completely off limits to him. Even though they were best friends, their love for each other was so much deeper than that, but neither one of them knew it at the time. Gabby’s relationship with Dusty was complete hell. He was an abusive asshole who brought so much pain, hurt and fear into Gabby’s life. But when things go really bad Gabby finds herself losing the one person who truly meant anything to her.
It is 12 years since Gabby has seen Declan. After serving his time in prison he is now out. When they finally run into each other Gabby doesn’t understand what happened over the past 12 years that caused him to ignore her. Did he hate her that much that he never wanted to see her again? Honestly when I first met Declan I thought he was a bit of a prick. And maybe that is because of the way he tried to push Gabby away. But when you see the reasons for his actions you understand. There are so many unspoken words between these two that you are not even sure they have a chance of ever being together. But regardless you cannot help root for them.
Declan is the man that no matter how bad he is you cannot help but fall in love with him. He is the guy that you never want to cross for fear of what will happen to you if you do. But beneath the hard exterior shell is a man who does have a heart, who will do anything to protect those he loves. And if you are Gabby Forte he is the man that has loved you since he first met you, he is your best friend who will always be there to protect you.
When Declan loves he loves with passion and intensity. Gabby is the only girl to ever have his heart. He will do anything to protect her and no matter how long it’s been since they have seen each other the feelings that he had for her 12 years ago are still there. It doesn’t matter how he hurt people who crossed him or what his family did for a living. What mattered to me was how much he loved Gabby and how much he wanted to protect her. I don’t think he was always the man that he is today and I think very tragic and unfortunate circumstances made him into that man. But the one thing that never changed was his love for Gabby and you could see that throughout this book. That man has loved her since he was a young boy. Gabby unknowingly had a hold on his heart and never let go. I loved how much he loved her and wanted to protect her and keep her safe, no matter what. He was a loving and loyal man when it came to her, and he protected what was his.
Gabby is one of my favorite heroines. My God what this girl went through, the pain and the abuse that she endured at the hands of a sick bastard. But to see the woman that she has become today and seeing how strong she is, just made me love her and admire her. And I think in many ways she was a very sefless person.
I loved them as two individuals but together, Gabby and Declan were just so beautiful. It has been 12 years since they have seen each other and yes a lot has changed. But they still loved each other like they did all those years ago. They would do anything for each other. I’m not going to lie and tell you that this story is all hearts and rainbows, because believe me it is so far from it. You know and can feel how much they love each other but their road to getting the happily ever after that they deserved and should have had years ago, is a really bumpy road filled with many twists and turns along the way. There were secrets and truths between them that needed to come out. And when they did, Oh My God hold onto your seat. There were twists I didn’t expect, twists that completely broke me and made me furious and sick all at the same time. Twists that leave you with your mouth hanging open going "holy Sh#@!!! Trust me it will completely shock you.
This book is unlike anything that Carina Adams has written. It is dark and deals with a very heavy topic that is also very, very real. It deals with domestic abuse, a topic that I think unfortunately people out there can relate to but at the same time a topic that many try to understand. There’s always those questions of why did she stay, why didn’t she fight back? And unless you are that person I don’t think you truly have an understanding of what they are going through. In Almost Innocent, yes those questions ran through my mind but Ms. Adams also answered those questions for me. She made me fully understand what Gabby was going through. She made me see and feel the pain and the hurt. I saw how much she feared losing the two people who meant the most to her. She makes you see it all, helps you to understand it all.
There are parts of this story that may not be for everyone. Dealing with a topic of abuse there are some dark moments. But with that being said Ms. Adams told this story in a way where it was not too graphic or in a way where I couldn’t handle it. Were there moments where I felt sick to my stomach and were very painful to read? Absolutely!! But I never felt the need to walk away. And those moments weren’t just about the graphic telling of the abouse that got me, it were other moments that completely broke me. It was the words that people spoke, the lies that they told as well as the truths that just honestly broke me to hear them. I felt like I was one with these characters because of that. I felt what they were going through. The emotions that they felt throughout this book I felt with them. Their hurt and pain felt like mine. I think Carina told this story in the perfect way. Enough to make you fully see and feel every ounce of pain that they went through, but not too much where you cannot handle it. Absolutely amazing job!! A must read.
Oh I cannot write this review without mentioning one character who I think deserves her own happily ever after and that is Fiona, Declan’s sister. That woman went through so much. My God I don’t know how she even survived. But she was just as strong as Gabby and what I loved was the relationship that these two had. She was there for Gabby when she needed someone the most. I want to see her get her own book and see her happy. I also think that there is so much more to her character than what we saw. The other person who I wish I got to see a little more was Colin, Declan’s dad. I honestly did love him and the way he cared for Gabby. He was like a second father to her and despite what people may have thought he watched out for her and Declan. I truly believe that and I know that he loved them. I may be the only one who felt this way about him, I am not sure…lol But for some reason I liked the guy!!!
June 8, 2016
Powerful. Dark, gut wrenching and phenomenal.
Let me start by saying that I was held emotionally captive as soon as I read the authors note before the story began. After that I went into the novel was expecting to be blown off my feet and I was right,
Gabby's life was full of tragedies and misfortune events. She lost everyone that was important to her at a young age. When bad boy Dustin spends his free time wooing her she falls for him hard and fast. Everything was perfect until the first time that he hits her.
Almost Innocent deals with domestic abuse. It is raw, gritty, and unfiltered.
Declan and Dustin are brothers that are born into the Irish mafia. They are brothers that have very little in common. Dustin is hard, reckless, and ruthless. He knows that he will run the mafia so he has no reason to focus on school. Declan on the other hand is smart and he has a bright future. The one thing that he wants the most is out of his reach; because she is his best friend as well as his brothers girlfriend.
Declan is fresh out of prison after serving time for a murder sentence. If he thought that his time in jail was hard he had no idea what was waiting for him on the outside. Deception, betrayal, heart break and a second chance at love.
I absolutely adored the magic that Carina Adams created in Almost Innocent. I connected and fell in love with both the main characters as well as some of the secondary ones. I loved watching Gabby and Declan finding a second chance at love.
This was a tragically beautiful story about a woman who has has the strength to fight her way through hell and build a positive and successful life for herself. I finished it in less than a day. The end was bitter sweet because I loved how everything worked out, but I was sad that the book was finished.
*5 I'm reading this again stars*
**ARC Provided to Books Need TLC in exchange for an honest review**
Let me start by saying that I was held emotionally captive as soon as I read the authors note before the story began. After that I went into the novel was expecting to be blown off my feet and I was right,
Gabby's life was full of tragedies and misfortune events. She lost everyone that was important to her at a young age. When bad boy Dustin spends his free time wooing her she falls for him hard and fast. Everything was perfect until the first time that he hits her.
Almost Innocent deals with domestic abuse. It is raw, gritty, and unfiltered.
Declan and Dustin are brothers that are born into the Irish mafia. They are brothers that have very little in common. Dustin is hard, reckless, and ruthless. He knows that he will run the mafia so he has no reason to focus on school. Declan on the other hand is smart and he has a bright future. The one thing that he wants the most is out of his reach; because she is his best friend as well as his brothers girlfriend.
Declan is fresh out of prison after serving time for a murder sentence. If he thought that his time in jail was hard he had no idea what was waiting for him on the outside. Deception, betrayal, heart break and a second chance at love.
I absolutely adored the magic that Carina Adams created in Almost Innocent. I connected and fell in love with both the main characters as well as some of the secondary ones. I loved watching Gabby and Declan finding a second chance at love.
This was a tragically beautiful story about a woman who has has the strength to fight her way through hell and build a positive and successful life for herself. I finished it in less than a day. The end was bitter sweet because I loved how everything worked out, but I was sad that the book was finished.
*5 I'm reading this again stars*
**ARC Provided to Books Need TLC in exchange for an honest review**
June 28, 2016
Well. I have to say that I loved this book.
Holy shit!
That cover. (That's all I'm saying.)
Collecting clues...
I like following snippets of mystery without feeling like I'm totally lost, and this book does that well. There were bits and hints of dark, shadowy things - only enough to let my own imagination fill in the blanks. That said, by the time it all "came out in the wash" (as my grandmother would say), I wasn't shocked by any of the revelations (and some of them were, I think, intended to be explosive), but I (being the clever sleuth that I am *wink*) caught on to some of the smallest hints of foreshadowing, so that part of it was kinda ruined for me, but it no way detracted from the story.
Usually "not cool"...
There were a lot of italicized flashbacks. I loathe super-long passages of italics, and probably 9.8 out of 10 times, I don't read that shit. However, I gobbled up every italicized word here. The back story was an essential part of the overall story, both literally and figuratively, and I was not put off by it in any way. In fact, my eyes were painfully eager to read their stories (in order to recover more clues. What kind of sleuth would I be otherwise?).
Heads-up...
There are flashbacks of domestic violence, as well as domestic sexual assaults and various such things. I do not think any of the instances are gratuitous or overly detailed, but the story is there nonetheless.
Show me the love...
As for the romance... this Hero has claimed a coveted spot in my "hero-defines-the-word-love" bookshelf. He was a badass, don't doubt that, but he was never less than selfless in his love for the heroine. He was sweet, caring, and gentle with her. I like an alpha hero, but I also love the rare examples of the selfless heroes who are near-perfect incarnations of exemplifying love, and I got that here with Declan.
Let's talk about sex, baby...
If you read for the dampening of your panties, you won't get it here. There's one sex scene, and while it is sensually sweet and effective, it isn't mindblowing. The story dynamic doesn't really allow for an OTT fuckfest; it would have been inappropriate, I think.
That's a wrap...
The end of the story (pre-epilogue) was heartbreaking, but, I would say, quite realistic. Personally, I don't have to have an HEA - not in the slightest - so I coulda been sadly fine with the ending, but knowing most readers need an HEA, there is the Epilogue. I didn't care for the Epilogue that much, myself, but like I said, I'm a fan of the Greek tragedy.
Again, I repeat: the Epilogue wraps it all up in a nice, pleasing, acceptable little bow of happily-ever-after.
Similar read....?
Although, really, the only similarity is an ex-con who selflessly loves and protects his heroine, try: Taking Connor by B.N. Toler.
Holy shit!
That cover. (That's all I'm saying.)
Collecting clues...
I like following snippets of mystery without feeling like I'm totally lost, and this book does that well. There were bits and hints of dark, shadowy things - only enough to let my own imagination fill in the blanks. That said, by the time it all "came out in the wash" (as my grandmother would say), I wasn't shocked by any of the revelations (and some of them were, I think, intended to be explosive), but I (being the clever sleuth that I am *wink*) caught on to some of the smallest hints of foreshadowing, so that part of it was kinda ruined for me, but it no way detracted from the story.
Usually "not cool"...
There were a lot of italicized flashbacks. I loathe super-long passages of italics, and probably 9.8 out of 10 times, I don't read that shit. However, I gobbled up every italicized word here. The back story was an essential part of the overall story, both literally and figuratively, and I was not put off by it in any way. In fact, my eyes were painfully eager to read their stories (in order to recover more clues. What kind of sleuth would I be otherwise?).
Heads-up...
There are flashbacks of domestic violence, as well as domestic sexual assaults and various such things. I do not think any of the instances are gratuitous or overly detailed, but the story is there nonetheless.
Show me the love...
As for the romance... this Hero has claimed a coveted spot in my "hero-defines-the-word-love" bookshelf. He was a badass, don't doubt that, but he was never less than selfless in his love for the heroine. He was sweet, caring, and gentle with her. I like an alpha hero, but I also love the rare examples of the selfless heroes who are near-perfect incarnations of exemplifying love, and I got that here with Declan.
Let's talk about sex, baby...
If you read for the dampening of your panties, you won't get it here. There's one sex scene, and while it is sensually sweet and effective, it isn't mindblowing. The story dynamic doesn't really allow for an OTT fuckfest; it would have been inappropriate, I think.
That's a wrap...
The end of the story (pre-epilogue) was heartbreaking, but, I would say, quite realistic. Personally, I don't have to have an HEA - not in the slightest - so I coulda been sadly fine with the ending, but knowing most readers need an HEA, there is the Epilogue. I didn't care for the Epilogue that much, myself, but like I said, I'm a fan of the Greek tragedy.
"We're not always given the chance to say good-bye to the people we love. Sometimes they're taken from us before we can tell them how much they mean. You survive by hoping they knew."
Again, I repeat: the Epilogue wraps it all up in a nice, pleasing, acceptable little bow of happily-ever-after.
Similar read....?
Although, really, the only similarity is an ex-con who selflessly loves and protects his heroine, try: Taking Connor by B.N. Toler.
June 2, 2016
This book deals with some sensitive subject matters but it is never graphic. The story starts off after Declan has spent more than a decade incarcerated for the death of his brother, Dustin. Gabby was Dustin's pregnant girlfriend at the time of his death. The author gives the background story in flashbacks from both Gabby and Declan's points of view. Dustin and Declan were actually nothing alike and Declan has always been in love with his brother's girlfriend. What really happened the night that Dustin died? Who really pulled the trigger? This book was full of twists and turns. It grabbed me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down until I reached the end. This book makes you think about the nature versus nurture debate. Is the blood that flows through your veins the deciding factor in what type of person that you will become?
Want to Read
June 21, 2016
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May 29, 2016
4.5 Powerful Stars! Gabby has lived a life full of domestic violence and heartache. Protecting the one she loved most, she kept secrets she knew she shouldn't. Once those secrets were revealed, how is her soul mate going to feel about her? The secrets she kept quiet weren't to protect the animal who destroyed her and their family, it was to protect Declan from himself and his guilt.
This was a powerful story about family, loyalty, abuse, betrayal and a second chance of true love.
This was a powerful story about family, loyalty, abuse, betrayal and a second chance of true love.
June 26, 2016
I have been lucky. Two books in a row and both have been great. New authors to my "Fave author's list" and looking forward fl what to read next from them.
This story was hard to put down and it was captivating. A well written piece that i will definitely remember.
This story was hard to put down and it was captivating. A well written piece that i will definitely remember.
June 27, 2018
Almost Innocent Is a super emotional story.
Gabby is trying to move on with her life after surviving an abusive marriage. She is keeping her head down and doing the best for her son. A chance encounter with her past brings everything to the surface again.
“We’re not always given the chance to say good-bye to the people we love. Sometimes they’re taken from us before we can tell them how much they mean.”
The story is told in present time with lots of flashbacks that at first they felt like they were pulling me out of the story and making me lose my focus. But eventually I caught up in them and it felt like the flashbacks WERE the story. I kept hoping that they would give me more clues as to how the heroine ended up where she was and why she felt like she had no choices.
The ending really threw things into overdrive! Lies and intrigue are uncovered. The twists and turns that the story took gave me a bit of whiplash!!
-4 Stars!-
Gabby is trying to move on with her life after surviving an abusive marriage. She is keeping her head down and doing the best for her son. A chance encounter with her past brings everything to the surface again.
“We’re not always given the chance to say good-bye to the people we love. Sometimes they’re taken from us before we can tell them how much they mean.”
The story is told in present time with lots of flashbacks that at first they felt like they were pulling me out of the story and making me lose my focus. But eventually I caught up in them and it felt like the flashbacks WERE the story. I kept hoping that they would give me more clues as to how the heroine ended up where she was and why she felt like she had no choices.
The ending really threw things into overdrive! Lies and intrigue are uncovered. The twists and turns that the story took gave me a bit of whiplash!!
-4 Stars!-
October 18, 2021
Ok- didn't like the cover (don't put suspenders on there if there are no firemen or farm boys) and I didn't like how no one talked to each other and lots of innocent people were hurt and killed. Its a mob story, so I get it. 3 stars for making me curious enough to finish it.
And I can appreciate the author wanting to tackle tough topics like domestic violence and rape. But ultimately, the back and forth between present day and past was disjointed and really stopped the face to face interaction between characters. Please don't say "yes we need to talk" and then say "I can't".
FRUSTRATING. I appreciate the effort and I surely have read worse, but this just did not flow for me.
I had the same feelings as another reviewer, lots of big build up towards the villain but an abrupt ending. At least the epilogue helped.
And I can appreciate the author wanting to tackle tough topics like domestic violence and rape. But ultimately, the back and forth between present day and past was disjointed and really stopped the face to face interaction between characters. Please don't say "yes we need to talk" and then say "I can't".
FRUSTRATING. I appreciate the effort and I surely have read worse, but this just did not flow for me.
I had the same feelings as another reviewer, lots of big build up towards the villain but an abrupt ending. At least the epilogue helped.
June 13, 2016
*I received a copy of this book from TRSOR Promotions in exchange for an honest review*
Thank you so very much TRSOR Promotions for sending me a copy of Almost Innocent!! I'm very honored and grateful!! :)
5 Powerful and Heartbreaking Stars!!
This was my first time reading Ms.Adams work and i really enjoyed this haunting book. It was utterly heartbreaking and my heart shattered into a million pieces as the story kept progressing. I couldn't believe some of the things that occurred and it was painful to know that others are dealing with the same harsh circumstances every single day. If this book doesn't open your eyes to domestic violence and how it's a serious issue i don't know what will. I'm angry for a character who had to endure a living for hell for so long but most importantly i am angry for anyone who has ever been treated that way. Not only did Almost innocent keep me on edge for the entire story it made me feel as if men and women everywhere had a voice thanks to Ms.Adams words. There were many beautiful moments that happened in this dark realistic story that balanced my emotions evenly in way or as many call a breather from the heavier times.
Gabriella Forte was a character who went through so many horrific things that haunted her every night of her life. My heart broke for her in ways that i can't even begin to explain and i seriously just wish i could have hugged her so badly. With every turn of the page of her own point of view i felt like i delved deeper into her heart and mind which were two scary places at times but gave a better understanding to who she was. In my opinion she was a fighter and so incredibly brave for not only dealing with the hand that she was dealt but for never giving up. Her friendship and sisterhood like bond with Fiona really warmed my heart. All i could do was cross my fingers and hope that she would get to live her life without memories flooding her mind.
Declan Callaghan was a character who was finally living his life after being released from prison. With a new mindset in tow and an even stronger determination. Reading his point of view was hard at times due to all of the emotions and situations he went through weren't easy in the least bit. I could have smacked him in the head a few times and yell "Open your eyes to the bigger picture!" at times. He had the unmistakable quality of sexiness to him that was effortless and just so him.Some of the secrets he kept and unraveled really shocked me. I fully understood some of his actions especially more of the ruthless ones. Declan was quite an intimidating force. The love he had for Gabby wasn't just sweet it was raw and true.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a read that's deep and deals with subjects that aren't usually brought to light. It may be hard for some readers to get through this story due to that and it may trigger some things for others. I promise though that if you stick with it you will really be happy that you did. It takes going through hell to know real peace. Remember no matter what you are worth so much and others actions do NOT define you. I really hope you take a chance on this story and get lost in this suspenseful yet beautiful roller-coaster ride of a story that is Almost Innocent. One-click today! 5 Stars all around!!
Thank you so very much TRSOR Promotions for sending me a copy of Almost Innocent!! I'm very honored and grateful!! :)
5 Powerful and Heartbreaking Stars!!
This was my first time reading Ms.Adams work and i really enjoyed this haunting book. It was utterly heartbreaking and my heart shattered into a million pieces as the story kept progressing. I couldn't believe some of the things that occurred and it was painful to know that others are dealing with the same harsh circumstances every single day. If this book doesn't open your eyes to domestic violence and how it's a serious issue i don't know what will. I'm angry for a character who had to endure a living for hell for so long but most importantly i am angry for anyone who has ever been treated that way. Not only did Almost innocent keep me on edge for the entire story it made me feel as if men and women everywhere had a voice thanks to Ms.Adams words. There were many beautiful moments that happened in this dark realistic story that balanced my emotions evenly in way or as many call a breather from the heavier times.
Gabriella Forte was a character who went through so many horrific things that haunted her every night of her life. My heart broke for her in ways that i can't even begin to explain and i seriously just wish i could have hugged her so badly. With every turn of the page of her own point of view i felt like i delved deeper into her heart and mind which were two scary places at times but gave a better understanding to who she was. In my opinion she was a fighter and so incredibly brave for not only dealing with the hand that she was dealt but for never giving up. Her friendship and sisterhood like bond with Fiona really warmed my heart. All i could do was cross my fingers and hope that she would get to live her life without memories flooding her mind.
Declan Callaghan was a character who was finally living his life after being released from prison. With a new mindset in tow and an even stronger determination. Reading his point of view was hard at times due to all of the emotions and situations he went through weren't easy in the least bit. I could have smacked him in the head a few times and yell "Open your eyes to the bigger picture!" at times. He had the unmistakable quality of sexiness to him that was effortless and just so him.Some of the secrets he kept and unraveled really shocked me. I fully understood some of his actions especially more of the ruthless ones. Declan was quite an intimidating force. The love he had for Gabby wasn't just sweet it was raw and true.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a read that's deep and deals with subjects that aren't usually brought to light. It may be hard for some readers to get through this story due to that and it may trigger some things for others. I promise though that if you stick with it you will really be happy that you did. It takes going through hell to know real peace. Remember no matter what you are worth so much and others actions do NOT define you. I really hope you take a chance on this story and get lost in this suspenseful yet beautiful roller-coaster ride of a story that is Almost Innocent. One-click today! 5 Stars all around!!
June 8, 2016
Almost Innocent
Carina Adams
5 stars
DO NOT SKIP OVER THE FIRST FEW PAGES ENTITLED "BEFORE YOU START." CARINA HAS SENT A POWERFUL PERSONAL MESSAGE.
Wow … this was quite a read. You talk about a heartbreaking story. Easy read but earth shattering. What exceptional characters and amazing storyline.
Declan Callaghan is out of prison for murder. He never thought he would serve the time. He thought his family would save him. Deception, betray and heartbreak changes all of that. Now he is out and the girl he loved is a woman. Gabriella Fortes was the reason he killed; and the person he killed …. He had his same blood running through his veins.
Both of these characters have suffered a tornadic past. Each has held on to their sanity as best as he can. Gabby has given her son the best life she can and with Fiona standing beside her every step of the way they have done all they can to make sure they all stay safe. The Callaghan name holds meaning in the form of fear. Grady will never suffer at the hands of this family.
Confusing .. yup. That’s the point so that you click it up and read it. Im not giving you anything. The secondary characters are have a story in themselves and I hope we might get those; especially Fiona. Mark is somewhat of a secret as well. I would consider this book a standalone as there is an HEA. Please be aware though this story deals with domestic violence. I don’t want to give away anything but the descriptions are somewhat vivid leaving me to warn you that if you have triggers or cannot read this type of story line then Almost Innocent is NOT for you.
I want to applaud Carina for her “Before You Start” insert. Carina has written this story with a brave face as she states this topic brings out numerous emotions in her personally. More moving than the story weaving on the pages is the hand she is holding out to you in her words offering her support, love, friendship and help.
Thank you Carina for the beautiful story and for bringing a taboo subject (for whatever reason our f**ked up society believes it to be) directly into the limelight. I hope and I will do my part that this book is plastered everywhere. For those that cannot read this type of book I hope that they at least will get to read your powerful words on the first few pages. Everyone needs to see those
.
Thank you for the ARC. I will share this far and wide.
Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath the Sheets. I am honored to have read Almost Innocent.
Carina Adams
5 stars
DO NOT SKIP OVER THE FIRST FEW PAGES ENTITLED "BEFORE YOU START." CARINA HAS SENT A POWERFUL PERSONAL MESSAGE.
Wow … this was quite a read. You talk about a heartbreaking story. Easy read but earth shattering. What exceptional characters and amazing storyline.
Declan Callaghan is out of prison for murder. He never thought he would serve the time. He thought his family would save him. Deception, betray and heartbreak changes all of that. Now he is out and the girl he loved is a woman. Gabriella Fortes was the reason he killed; and the person he killed …. He had his same blood running through his veins.
Both of these characters have suffered a tornadic past. Each has held on to their sanity as best as he can. Gabby has given her son the best life she can and with Fiona standing beside her every step of the way they have done all they can to make sure they all stay safe. The Callaghan name holds meaning in the form of fear. Grady will never suffer at the hands of this family.
Confusing .. yup. That’s the point so that you click it up and read it. Im not giving you anything. The secondary characters are have a story in themselves and I hope we might get those; especially Fiona. Mark is somewhat of a secret as well. I would consider this book a standalone as there is an HEA. Please be aware though this story deals with domestic violence. I don’t want to give away anything but the descriptions are somewhat vivid leaving me to warn you that if you have triggers or cannot read this type of story line then Almost Innocent is NOT for you.
I want to applaud Carina for her “Before You Start” insert. Carina has written this story with a brave face as she states this topic brings out numerous emotions in her personally. More moving than the story weaving on the pages is the hand she is holding out to you in her words offering her support, love, friendship and help.
Thank you Carina for the beautiful story and for bringing a taboo subject (for whatever reason our f**ked up society believes it to be) directly into the limelight. I hope and I will do my part that this book is plastered everywhere. For those that cannot read this type of book I hope that they at least will get to read your powerful words on the first few pages. Everyone needs to see those
.
Thank you for the ARC. I will share this far and wide.
Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath the Sheets. I am honored to have read Almost Innocent.
May 29, 2016
Nature vs. Nurture? If you have ever looked around at your friends or enemies you wonder why some people do things while others don’t. In Almost Innocent you get to read the dark story of Declan Callaghan and Gabriella Fortes.
Both have had rough upbringings and backgrounds. Declan is the good boy who strives for success but his name and family strike fear and respect in his community. Can he overcome his name and the darkness that comes with the respect of his powerful family or will he fall into the dark side of the family business?
Gabby finds herself with the wrong man but struggles to find her way to the man who has become her best friend. Falling into a powerful family with dark secrets that some are willing to kill for.
This story helps remind us that Domestic Violence doesn’t happen to the weak. It happens to strong people who become broken by their abusers. In many cases it takes something big for those being victimized to fight back, finding the strength and power that had been stolen from them.
Bravo! After reading the Bastards MC box set I couldn’t wait to read another of Carina’s books. Albeit a dark read I enjoyed this story very much. I thought it was well written. She did a great job showing the ugly side of Domestic Violence but she also doles out justice for her character. Gabby rises from the ashes, transforming to a stronger, better version of herself.
Carina Adams warns you from the beginning this story is dark and far from a light and fluffy read so if you can’t or don’t want to read a story like this I suggest you grab another novel.
Both have had rough upbringings and backgrounds. Declan is the good boy who strives for success but his name and family strike fear and respect in his community. Can he overcome his name and the darkness that comes with the respect of his powerful family or will he fall into the dark side of the family business?
Gabby finds herself with the wrong man but struggles to find her way to the man who has become her best friend. Falling into a powerful family with dark secrets that some are willing to kill for.
This story helps remind us that Domestic Violence doesn’t happen to the weak. It happens to strong people who become broken by their abusers. In many cases it takes something big for those being victimized to fight back, finding the strength and power that had been stolen from them.
Bravo! After reading the Bastards MC box set I couldn’t wait to read another of Carina’s books. Albeit a dark read I enjoyed this story very much. I thought it was well written. She did a great job showing the ugly side of Domestic Violence but she also doles out justice for her character. Gabby rises from the ashes, transforming to a stronger, better version of herself.
Carina Adams warns you from the beginning this story is dark and far from a light and fluffy read so if you can’t or don’t want to read a story like this I suggest you grab another novel.
June 8, 2016
4/5 stars!!!
Reviewed by Nic.
This is the first book that I have read by Carina, and I was not disappointed. The book begins with a serious warning to readers that the story delves into the dark world of domestic violence and if you are looking for a light and fluffy read this is not the book for you. The subject of domestic violence is written in a sensitive way and isn’t too graphic but still may cause some triggers.
Declan is a member of an untouchable criminal family, who is fiercely loyal to his family and would do the unthinkable to protect those he loved.
Gabby is the unsuspecting girl who was soon trapped by Declan’s brother Dustin and endured endless amounts of abuse and heartache to protect the one person she truly loves.
The story kicks off with a chance meeting between Gabby and Declan, who has just been released from prison after serving more than a decade for the death of his brother Dustin.
As the story continues the relationship between Declan and Gabby becomes clearer through flashbacks from both of their points of view, and it soon becomes clear that Gabby felt the same love for Declan that he felt for her and she had in fact picked the wrong brother, but will the secrets she has kept for twelve years finally push Declan away?
The book was full of twists and turns that kept you on the edge of your seat to find out what actually happened the night of Dustin’s death.
This was a fast paced powerful story of abuse, betrayal, family loyalty and that true love will prevail in the end.
Reviewed by Nic.
This is the first book that I have read by Carina, and I was not disappointed. The book begins with a serious warning to readers that the story delves into the dark world of domestic violence and if you are looking for a light and fluffy read this is not the book for you. The subject of domestic violence is written in a sensitive way and isn’t too graphic but still may cause some triggers.
Declan is a member of an untouchable criminal family, who is fiercely loyal to his family and would do the unthinkable to protect those he loved.
Gabby is the unsuspecting girl who was soon trapped by Declan’s brother Dustin and endured endless amounts of abuse and heartache to protect the one person she truly loves.
The story kicks off with a chance meeting between Gabby and Declan, who has just been released from prison after serving more than a decade for the death of his brother Dustin.
As the story continues the relationship between Declan and Gabby becomes clearer through flashbacks from both of their points of view, and it soon becomes clear that Gabby felt the same love for Declan that he felt for her and she had in fact picked the wrong brother, but will the secrets she has kept for twelve years finally push Declan away?
The book was full of twists and turns that kept you on the edge of your seat to find out what actually happened the night of Dustin’s death.
This was a fast paced powerful story of abuse, betrayal, family loyalty and that true love will prevail in the end.
June 12, 2016
This book is powerful. This book is intense. This book will bring you to tears and fill you with powerful joy. Almost Innocent is a powerful book of love. No not pain. LOVE. Gaby's love for her child. Gaby's love for the man that was her best friend as a child, the man that won her heart even though he didn't know it. No this book is not about pain. It is about the love a man has for a woman he can't have. A woman he would give the world to and did when the time comes. Declan is and always was the perfect man for Gaby and this amazing powerful and strong story is about their love. A love that overcomes all the ugly that is in this world and so much more.
Blown away are the words that come to mind as I finished reading this book. Dec and Gaby have my heart racing at the moment and I am eager to tell what is written on the pages of this amazing and beautiful story. But I am not in the habit of giving the story away. No, this book has to be read, has to be felt. You have to go through what Declan goes through all the way to then end to feel the impact of what Gaby lived through to see, how strong she is.
You have to read through this book to see how much of a HERO Delcan really is to his family. You have to read to know what unconditional love really means for a family that lives part of their life in the dark.
Carina Adams has outdone herself with this book. As I write this review and relive the moment s that brought me to tears in this book, I want to say thank you for having written it. It was amazing!!!
Blown away are the words that come to mind as I finished reading this book. Dec and Gaby have my heart racing at the moment and I am eager to tell what is written on the pages of this amazing and beautiful story. But I am not in the habit of giving the story away. No, this book has to be read, has to be felt. You have to go through what Declan goes through all the way to then end to feel the impact of what Gaby lived through to see, how strong she is.
You have to read through this book to see how much of a HERO Delcan really is to his family. You have to read to know what unconditional love really means for a family that lives part of their life in the dark.
Carina Adams has outdone herself with this book. As I write this review and relive the moment s that brought me to tears in this book, I want to say thank you for having written it. It was amazing!!!
June 2, 2016
Almost Innocent by Carina Adams is a stand-alone romance tale that, while it has it's happy ever after, the disquiet it leaves on your soul will stay with you for long after. While not overtly graphic about the domestic abuse situations it touches on, it is graphic enough to let your imagination work overtime on the details that are not mentioned.
This is the story of two young people, separated by jealousy, possessiveness, pain, and poor-timing. Declan misses his chance with Gabby and his older brother Dustin steps in. Gabby thinks the world of Dustin... in the beginning... but then small things about his behavior towards her and his treatment of her start to sound warning bells. She doesn't heed the warnings and it is too late when she realizes just where her relationship with Dustin is heading. Her only salvation is her friendship and bond with Declan. When, after a few years, the whole situation implodes and they are picking up the pieces, Gabby and Declan are separated again by circumstance. Fast forward a few more years and the we get the now part of the story.
Told in dual POV with epically timed flashbacks this was one heck of a fabulous story. As the author warns though, if reading about domestic violence is a trigger for you please heed her warning.
This is the story of two young people, separated by jealousy, possessiveness, pain, and poor-timing. Declan misses his chance with Gabby and his older brother Dustin steps in. Gabby thinks the world of Dustin... in the beginning... but then small things about his behavior towards her and his treatment of her start to sound warning bells. She doesn't heed the warnings and it is too late when she realizes just where her relationship with Dustin is heading. Her only salvation is her friendship and bond with Declan. When, after a few years, the whole situation implodes and they are picking up the pieces, Gabby and Declan are separated again by circumstance. Fast forward a few more years and the we get the now part of the story.
Told in dual POV with epically timed flashbacks this was one heck of a fabulous story. As the author warns though, if reading about domestic violence is a trigger for you please heed her warning.
May 31, 2016
This is the most emotional, the most gut wrenching, one of the saddest books of 2016! This book exposes a subject most people consider "none of their business"'.....domestic violence. Humane or inhumane to look the other way?
Although never confirmed in the book, the Callaghan family seems to be a cell of the Irish Mafia. Oh yeah that's one positive thing this dysfunctional family has going for them! For reasons you will discover in the book, Gabby becomes involved with Dustin, son and heir to the Callaghan fortune. This book is told from Gabby's point of view for the most part. The other percentage told from Dec's, Dustin's younger brother, point of view. Both are victims and are exploited in the darkest of ways.
However, there is a beautiful rainbow at the end of this storm and every player worth a grain of salt survives! Thank you Carina for bringing to our attention the effects of this growing issue. It's not a socioeconomic issue, it's not a race issue, it's not a religious issue, or a geographical issue. It's a COLLECTIVE ISSUE we all must be held accountable for regardless if we choose to act or not!
This story is dark and involves various forms of abuse against the two main characters, Gabby and Dec. Viewer discretion is advised. Heed all warnings before proceeding.
Five stars for this amazing story!
Although never confirmed in the book, the Callaghan family seems to be a cell of the Irish Mafia. Oh yeah that's one positive thing this dysfunctional family has going for them! For reasons you will discover in the book, Gabby becomes involved with Dustin, son and heir to the Callaghan fortune. This book is told from Gabby's point of view for the most part. The other percentage told from Dec's, Dustin's younger brother, point of view. Both are victims and are exploited in the darkest of ways.
However, there is a beautiful rainbow at the end of this storm and every player worth a grain of salt survives! Thank you Carina for bringing to our attention the effects of this growing issue. It's not a socioeconomic issue, it's not a race issue, it's not a religious issue, or a geographical issue. It's a COLLECTIVE ISSUE we all must be held accountable for regardless if we choose to act or not!
This story is dark and involves various forms of abuse against the two main characters, Gabby and Dec. Viewer discretion is advised. Heed all warnings before proceeding.
Five stars for this amazing story!
May 30, 2016
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
OK, first off, I have to say that I was a little bit hesitant to read Almost Innocent due to the tough subject matter, and the fact that I have never known anyone who has, nor have I ever been through an abusive relationship myself. I should have known that I had absolutely nothing at all to worry about. This book gave me all the feels. It was a heartbreaking, but absolutely amazing read. Carina really brings you inside the characters heads so you can see where they are each coming from and what makes them tick. Who DO you turn to in the type of situation Gabby was trapped in with Dustin? In her case, it was Declan, who paid the ultimate price and endured a good portion of his brother’s wrath in order to protect her. All the characters really blended together well so you could fill in the blanks as more secrets were uncovered, and really understand the dynamics the Callaghan family. I especially had a soft spot for Dec’s sister, Fiona, and the close bond her, Gabby, and Grady shared. The story really showed how Gabby and Declan both rose above major personal tragedy and came out of it with a stronger bond than ever, and their own happily ever after.
OK, first off, I have to say that I was a little bit hesitant to read Almost Innocent due to the tough subject matter, and the fact that I have never known anyone who has, nor have I ever been through an abusive relationship myself. I should have known that I had absolutely nothing at all to worry about. This book gave me all the feels. It was a heartbreaking, but absolutely amazing read. Carina really brings you inside the characters heads so you can see where they are each coming from and what makes them tick. Who DO you turn to in the type of situation Gabby was trapped in with Dustin? In her case, it was Declan, who paid the ultimate price and endured a good portion of his brother’s wrath in order to protect her. All the characters really blended together well so you could fill in the blanks as more secrets were uncovered, and really understand the dynamics the Callaghan family. I especially had a soft spot for Dec’s sister, Fiona, and the close bond her, Gabby, and Grady shared. The story really showed how Gabby and Declan both rose above major personal tragedy and came out of it with a stronger bond than ever, and their own happily ever after.
June 9, 2016
I really enjoyed Declan and Gabby’s heartbreaking story. Almost Innocent deals with the heavy topic of domestic violence. I thought the author wrote an honest portrayal of what Gabby went through.
Declan has spent 12 years in prison for the murder of his brother. Gabby has spent her life suffering from spousal abuse but after her husband’s death she is now taking care of her son and getting her life on track. The story is told in flashbacks to show what happened leading up to the night of Dustin’s murder. In present day Declan and Gabby have crossed paths again but there first encounter doesn’t go well. Declan has always been in love with Gabby but he feels the needs to stay away from her and he is haunted by the ugly words his brother taunted him with. Gabby wants to show her gratitude for what Declan did and she wants him to get to know his nephew. Things are complicated for both and as the story unravels and more secrets are revealed they start to find their way back to each other.
I was a bit worried there at the end of how this would turn out but I liked how it ended. Good Job!
*copy received via TRSOR in exchange for an honest review*
Declan has spent 12 years in prison for the murder of his brother. Gabby has spent her life suffering from spousal abuse but after her husband’s death she is now taking care of her son and getting her life on track. The story is told in flashbacks to show what happened leading up to the night of Dustin’s murder. In present day Declan and Gabby have crossed paths again but there first encounter doesn’t go well. Declan has always been in love with Gabby but he feels the needs to stay away from her and he is haunted by the ugly words his brother taunted him with. Gabby wants to show her gratitude for what Declan did and she wants him to get to know his nephew. Things are complicated for both and as the story unravels and more secrets are revealed they start to find their way back to each other.
I was a bit worried there at the end of how this would turn out but I liked how it ended. Good Job!
*copy received via TRSOR in exchange for an honest review*
June 22, 2016
This is one of those stories that just hits you in the gut. Gabby chose the wrong brother, and she paid dearly for it. Not only her, but the brother she actually loved, Declan. Declan Callaghan is part of a notorious and untouchable crime family. He was never supposed to take over "the business" but circumstances left him no choice. But, now that Gabby is back in his life, he has no choice and might have to go against the family to protect her.
This story is an emotional roller coaster ride about secrets, lies, unspeakable evil, family loyalty, and heartbreaking, life changing choices. But, at the end of the day it's a story of love and redemption. No character in this story is left unscathed, everyone pays a price for the actions of a few evil people. This is a well written and intriguing story, but at times the flashbacks seemed a bit too much. I wanted more to happen in the present. I also felt the ending was a bit jumbled, and I was left with some questions. All in all it's a great read that will leave you emotionally wrung out but happy by the end of it!
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review***
This story is an emotional roller coaster ride about secrets, lies, unspeakable evil, family loyalty, and heartbreaking, life changing choices. But, at the end of the day it's a story of love and redemption. No character in this story is left unscathed, everyone pays a price for the actions of a few evil people. This is a well written and intriguing story, but at times the flashbacks seemed a bit too much. I wanted more to happen in the present. I also felt the ending was a bit jumbled, and I was left with some questions. All in all it's a great read that will leave you emotionally wrung out but happy by the end of it!
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review***
May 31, 2016
Well.
If your looking for a book that has alot of feels in, then this is the book for you.
This book talks about/is about a very strong subject that not many people can handle
Gabby, had a crappy time with everything. Being chased by the notorious bad boy, she didn't really have a hope in hells chance.
There is alot of flashbacks so you get the jist of the story of what happened.
But i spent alot of my time reading this wanting to wrap Gabby up in my arms.
Declan not long been out of prison trying to find his feet and avoiding Gabby at all costs.
But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
When you read the flashbacks its like a train wreck waiting to happen. You want to look away but you can't.
This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be my last!
The writing flowed nicely and it was easy go follow.
❤
If your looking for a book that has alot of feels in, then this is the book for you.
This book talks about/is about a very strong subject that not many people can handle
Gabby, had a crappy time with everything. Being chased by the notorious bad boy, she didn't really have a hope in hells chance.
There is alot of flashbacks so you get the jist of the story of what happened.
But i spent alot of my time reading this wanting to wrap Gabby up in my arms.
Declan not long been out of prison trying to find his feet and avoiding Gabby at all costs.
But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
When you read the flashbacks its like a train wreck waiting to happen. You want to look away but you can't.
This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be my last!
The writing flowed nicely and it was easy go follow.
❤
June 4, 2016
I received a ARC of Almost Innocent for a honest review.
This is my first book by Carina Adams and it definitely will not be my last. It was so very well and beautifully written with the sensitive story line that she was dealing with. It really gripped my heart and didn't let it go until the end.
This is a powerfully written story about a influential and corrupt family. It deals with domestic violence and heartache but is so well written and truly gives incite into the mindset of the victim as well as surrounding family members and maybe answers questions of why someone would stay with someone that treats them so horribly bad.
It's about second chances true love and soul mates working to fine their way back to one another. Do they? I won't tell. Pick up the book and find out and maybe have a box of tissues on stand by.
This is my first book by Carina Adams and it definitely will not be my last. It was so very well and beautifully written with the sensitive story line that she was dealing with. It really gripped my heart and didn't let it go until the end.
This is a powerfully written story about a influential and corrupt family. It deals with domestic violence and heartache but is so well written and truly gives incite into the mindset of the victim as well as surrounding family members and maybe answers questions of why someone would stay with someone that treats them so horribly bad.
It's about second chances true love and soul mates working to fine their way back to one another. Do they? I won't tell. Pick up the book and find out and maybe have a box of tissues on stand by.
May 30, 2016
There is a warning at the start of this book that it deals with a dark subject matter. The subject of domestic violence is an emotive subject that Carina Adams has dealt with in a sensitive understanding story. We are taking from a young impressionable girl that is pursued and then quickly becomes trapped in an abusive not just physical but verbal relationship. We are taken through her journey towards being a survivor.
During flashbacks we are not giving a horror story, we are giving a memory where the mind is still protecting itself.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. Strong main and supporting characters that you will be drawn too.
During flashbacks we are not giving a horror story, we are giving a memory where the mind is still protecting itself.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. Strong main and supporting characters that you will be drawn too.
June 10, 2016
First, If you're thinking about passing this book up becasue its deals with dark issues you may not be comfortable with, don't.
This book is a very emotional, empowering read about a girl whose love and devotion runs deeper than all else. She starts in deep water and ends in the fires of hell, left with no choice but to fight and claw her way out. This is a story about pain and sacrifice, redemption and forgiveness and love never lost. I beautifully written story with several twists and turns you won't see coming.
This book is a very emotional, empowering read about a girl whose love and devotion runs deeper than all else. She starts in deep water and ends in the fires of hell, left with no choice but to fight and claw her way out. This is a story about pain and sacrifice, redemption and forgiveness and love never lost. I beautifully written story with several twists and turns you won't see coming.
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