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An Unkind Devotion
If your love was the trigger for a trap that would destroy everything you care about, could you cut out your heart before it was too late?
Seventeen-year-old Sophia Harden has spent her life being uprooted. She knows better than to believe her mother when she says this move to small town Grimmell, NY is their last—and at first that’s fine with her. Grimmell doesn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat, and her mother’s calculated attempts to push Sophia on Ethan Warwick, handsome young scion of Grimmell’s first and richest family, leave both Sophia and Ethan doing everything in their power to avoid each other.
But forces neither of them is aware of are working toward a sinister goal—one that could spell ruin for both of them.
For unbeknown to Sophia, she carries within her a dark power: a curse capable of a devastation no one can recover from. And her connection to Ethan is at the core of a wicked plot for revenge that began long before her birth.
**Now revised with an extended ending.
Seventeen-year-old Sophia Harden has spent her life being uprooted. She knows better than to believe her mother when she says this move to small town Grimmell, NY is their last—and at first that’s fine with her. Grimmell doesn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat, and her mother’s calculated attempts to push Sophia on Ethan Warwick, handsome young scion of Grimmell’s first and richest family, leave both Sophia and Ethan doing everything in their power to avoid each other.
But forces neither of them is aware of are working toward a sinister goal—one that could spell ruin for both of them.
For unbeknown to Sophia, she carries within her a dark power: a curse capable of a devastation no one can recover from. And her connection to Ethan is at the core of a wicked plot for revenge that began long before her birth.
**Now revised with an extended ending.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2016
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 8, 2016
Sophia has moved around all her life, and her mother often has been a mom only in word. When her mother lands a job with a rich family on an estate, Sophia's told that this will be more permanent, and she starts finding friends and a life. That is, until her strict mother takes her new found freedom all away again, leaving Sophia with only one friend and tons of dark secrets.
First off, I did enjoy this book quite a bit. Sophia is a girl easy to like with all her bad habits and occasional slight attitudes. It was a little distracting to have her referred to by two names, Sophia and/ or Fee, especially since the reason for this isn't explained (at least, not that I noticed). The characters around Sophia come to life as well as the surroundings, which are wonderfully described and allow the world to open up around as if one was really there. The writing is well done and allows the reader to fall into the story without jerking them out. The plot itself is also grabbing--so much mystery. And the romance is a lovely friendship which blossoms very slowly. In other words, it's the kind of book I could disappear into and get lost in the pages.
The pacing, however, is a little off. During the first half of the book, we get to know Sophia and her new found friends and life very well. It is a lovely read as well, but the mystery and secrets are shoved back too long, unfolding first late in the story. And what secrets they are! As the mystery unfolds, an entire new world with all of its complexity is introduced, and this, on the other hand, comes to light too quickly. It's explained more than explored and leaves several questions and holes in the process. The ending, where the tension left me on the edge of my seat, was also a bit too rushed, again leaving holes in several of the thought processes. Especially the last scene was wrapped up too quickly, letting a very emotional moment get lost in decisions which didn't have enough backing to make complete sense. More time needed to be spent on letting the paranormal world coming to life and less on leading up to it.
Still, despite these hiccups, I loved reading about Sophia and found myself (most of the time) caught up in her world, especially when the real mystery started to come to life. In other words, I'm looking forward to book two. That's why my 3.5 stars will edge up to 4.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I did enjoy this book quite a bit. Sophia is a girl easy to like with all her bad habits and occasional slight attitudes. It was a little distracting to have her referred to by two names, Sophia and/ or Fee, especially since the reason for this isn't explained (at least, not that I noticed). The characters around Sophia come to life as well as the surroundings, which are wonderfully described and allow the world to open up around as if one was really there. The writing is well done and allows the reader to fall into the story without jerking them out. The plot itself is also grabbing--so much mystery. And the romance is a lovely friendship which blossoms very slowly. In other words, it's the kind of book I could disappear into and get lost in the pages.
The pacing, however, is a little off. During the first half of the book, we get to know Sophia and her new found friends and life very well. It is a lovely read as well, but the mystery and secrets are shoved back too long, unfolding first late in the story. And what secrets they are! As the mystery unfolds, an entire new world with all of its complexity is introduced, and this, on the other hand, comes to light too quickly. It's explained more than explored and leaves several questions and holes in the process. The ending, where the tension left me on the edge of my seat, was also a bit too rushed, again leaving holes in several of the thought processes. Especially the last scene was wrapped up too quickly, letting a very emotional moment get lost in decisions which didn't have enough backing to make complete sense. More time needed to be spent on letting the paranormal world coming to life and less on leading up to it.
Still, despite these hiccups, I loved reading about Sophia and found myself (most of the time) caught up in her world, especially when the real mystery started to come to life. In other words, I'm looking forward to book two. That's why my 3.5 stars will edge up to 4.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2016
I had mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I think that the plot is amazing very twisted and unexpected. On the other hand, I felt like it has focused too much on other stuff rather than the core of the book that most of the time I just was there reading expecting for something to happen. It wasn´t until the last 100 pages that the action starts happening and the story unravels. And let me tell you, left me shocked, as the book isn´t what I expected.
Don´t get me wrong, I did enjoy many things about the book. I liked Sophia and Ethan characters, both of them loners, with a very sarcastic humour and very smart. I also liked Amory´s character, when he is first introduce you don´t give him a thought but I think that his personality is very well drafted. And for Catherine´s character, the author achieves what she wanted, the readers despise this character both as a mother and a woman. Great job on that.
Another thing I liked about this book is the plot itself and the world created. I was very surprised with the ending, I was having suspicious but definitely didn´t get all of it. The author did an amazing job giving hints and telling bits of the story which didn´t seem to add to the story but they merge together amazingly in the end.
Though the plot was great I wasn´t very happy with the development of the book. I get that you need to tell the story and show how the characters evolve and develop, but from my point of view there were too many pages without anything happening. I was reading expecting that there was something that had to happen and was very disappointed when it didn´t.
Don´t get me wrong, I did enjoy many things about the book. I liked Sophia and Ethan characters, both of them loners, with a very sarcastic humour and very smart. I also liked Amory´s character, when he is first introduce you don´t give him a thought but I think that his personality is very well drafted. And for Catherine´s character, the author achieves what she wanted, the readers despise this character both as a mother and a woman. Great job on that.
Another thing I liked about this book is the plot itself and the world created. I was very surprised with the ending, I was having suspicious but definitely didn´t get all of it. The author did an amazing job giving hints and telling bits of the story which didn´t seem to add to the story but they merge together amazingly in the end.
Though the plot was great I wasn´t very happy with the development of the book. I get that you need to tell the story and show how the characters evolve and develop, but from my point of view there were too many pages without anything happening. I was reading expecting that there was something that had to happen and was very disappointed when it didn´t.
September 14, 2016
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
Sophia herself is your typical loner. Her mother is often gone, uprooting her every year or so while forcing Sophia to forgo any real relationships. Sophia has given up on even trying, convincing herself that the moment she turns eighteen she can get the hell out of Dodge. But this move is different. Her mother basically throws her bosses son at her, forcing Sophia into a friendship with him. She's not complaining too much, but she's panicked and at a loss because she doesn't really know how to let anyone in.
Of course Ethan gets into her heart, and that's when Sophia learns the awful truth, the paranormal reality that has been hidden from her for so long. When she finds out why she's constantly having dreams of killing her best friend, and what that ultimately will mean for their future, she makes the hardest decision a person would have to make: save her heart or save herself.
Sophia herself is your typical loner. Her mother is often gone, uprooting her every year or so while forcing Sophia to forgo any real relationships. Sophia has given up on even trying, convincing herself that the moment she turns eighteen she can get the hell out of Dodge. But this move is different. Her mother basically throws her bosses son at her, forcing Sophia into a friendship with him. She's not complaining too much, but she's panicked and at a loss because she doesn't really know how to let anyone in.
Of course Ethan gets into her heart, and that's when Sophia learns the awful truth, the paranormal reality that has been hidden from her for so long. When she finds out why she's constantly having dreams of killing her best friend, and what that ultimately will mean for their future, she makes the hardest decision a person would have to make: save her heart or save herself.
September 25, 2016
First two pages sucked me in. It's that great. Sophia starts having these bad dreams that she kills someone, but doesn't remember them at first.
We learn that Sophia and her mother Catherine move around a lot. So they never seen to settle for more then 6 maybe 7 months. Catherine isn't what you would call a very affectionate mother not really kind. So Sophia is mostly closed off to making friends due to her mother's ways and their moving around a lot.
But when they move into a new house and town Sophia starts to believe that they may stay longer and she does make some friends things start off pretty good.
However Catherine wants Sophia to become closer with Ethan the grandson of the employer Catherine works for.
But when the nightmares start happening and stories of Ethan's family and house start coming to surface with the secrets buried deep, can Sophia trust herself not to fall into a trap?
We learn that Sophia and her mother Catherine move around a lot. So they never seen to settle for more then 6 maybe 7 months. Catherine isn't what you would call a very affectionate mother not really kind. So Sophia is mostly closed off to making friends due to her mother's ways and their moving around a lot.
But when they move into a new house and town Sophia starts to believe that they may stay longer and she does make some friends things start off pretty good.
However Catherine wants Sophia to become closer with Ethan the grandson of the employer Catherine works for.
But when the nightmares start happening and stories of Ethan's family and house start coming to surface with the secrets buried deep, can Sophia trust herself not to fall into a trap?
June 24, 2016
Catherine and her daughter Sophia move frequently. Catherine is strict and carefully monitors Sophia's every action. When they move to Grimmell Sophia knows the drill-stay aloof, make no connections, study hard and keep your head down. It won't be long until you're on the move again. But they stay. Months go by and Catherine hasn't uprooted them. And despite her best intentions, Sophia finds she's making friends.
At first she detested Ethan, her rich neighbor but slowly the two realize they have much in common and a close friendship forms between the two of them. But Ethan's family is full of secrets and Sophia is drawn into strange circumstances and dark mysteries.
This story is sometimes confusing and ends without resolution, leaving the dissatisfied reader with more questions than answers.
At first she detested Ethan, her rich neighbor but slowly the two realize they have much in common and a close friendship forms between the two of them. But Ethan's family is full of secrets and Sophia is drawn into strange circumstances and dark mysteries.
This story is sometimes confusing and ends without resolution, leaving the dissatisfied reader with more questions than answers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2016
*This book was received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This book was really weird. If you hadn't read the synopsis and expected to find paranormal elements in this book as well as a curse, it could almost be read as a contemporary novel with Ethan just having a super creepy and over protective family. Although the blurb promises a curse and a dark secret about the main characters Ethan and Sophia, it is not until the last chapter of the book that any semi-concrete answer are given and it just took too long to get to that point. For me, the plot just seemed too slow moving and strayed too far from what I expected after reading the blurb. Overall, this was a promising book with lost of potential that, unfortunately, failed to deliver.
This book was really weird. If you hadn't read the synopsis and expected to find paranormal elements in this book as well as a curse, it could almost be read as a contemporary novel with Ethan just having a super creepy and over protective family. Although the blurb promises a curse and a dark secret about the main characters Ethan and Sophia, it is not until the last chapter of the book that any semi-concrete answer are given and it just took too long to get to that point. For me, the plot just seemed too slow moving and strayed too far from what I expected after reading the blurb. Overall, this was a promising book with lost of potential that, unfortunately, failed to deliver.
June 27, 2016
Provided a copy via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Reading the blurb, this book had a lot of potential and it pulled me in. This book was placed in the Paranormal genre, however, there aren’t really any paranormal elements. The only thing I can pinpoint to be close to a paranormal element would be Ethan’s very creepy and secretive family.
I also found the plot to be very slow-paced and there weren’t really any revelations. The ending was also unresolved which was disappointing since nothing much happened in the book.
One thing that I did like was the closeness of Ethan and Sophia.
Reading the blurb, this book had a lot of potential and it pulled me in. This book was placed in the Paranormal genre, however, there aren’t really any paranormal elements. The only thing I can pinpoint to be close to a paranormal element would be Ethan’s very creepy and secretive family.
I also found the plot to be very slow-paced and there weren’t really any revelations. The ending was also unresolved which was disappointing since nothing much happened in the book.
One thing that I did like was the closeness of Ethan and Sophia.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews