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Sign of Love #8
Ramsay
Lydia De Havilland is shocked when Brogan Ramsay suddenly reappears in her life. Several years before, Brogan was the son of her family's gardener, and the boy she hurt and betrayed. But Brogan is no longer the quiet, sensitive boy she remembers. Now he's a man—gorgeous, powerful . . . and seeking vengeance. Brogan Ramsay can't let go of the memory of Lydia tricking him cruelly, leaving his heart shattered and his family penniless. And now he's back to destroy her family the way his was destroyed. There's only one problem . . . the girl who wounded him so badly years ago is now a woman who still has the power to render him breathless. Ramsay is the story of betrayal and wrath, of the strength of regret and the power of forgiveness. It is the story of the thin veil between love and hate, and how more often than not, when we seek to inflict pain on others, the heart we wound is our own. THIS IS A STAND-ALONE SIGN OF LOVE NOVEL, INSPIRED BY ARIES. New Adult Contemporary Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2016
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August 15, 2017
★★★★ ½! Ramsay (stand-alone). A quest for vengeance is derailed by truths & forgiveness!
“I would never beg anyone for anythin’ again. Not ever again.”
Ramsay (stand-alone) opens up to an impossible puppy-love romance between a gardener’s son, Brogan Ramsay and a socialite Lydia De Havilland which ends in disaster.
Fast forward seven years… and a reversal of fortune.
Brogan, a now beyond handsome and successful businessman, has returned to seek vengeance on Lydia. It’s a battle of wills fueled by hurt and anger quickly sidelined by humiliating secrets and shocking truths on a journey of self-reflection and growth.
It’s a story of forgiveness and the healing power of love…
Seven words to describe Brogan Ramsay: Focused, broken, misguided, vengeful, lonely, private, conflicted and oh so sweet.
Seven words to describe Lydia De Havilland: Naive, loving, nurturing, reflective, humbled, responsible and lonely.
Ramsay, told from dual POV, is a second chance at love story. It has the perfect balance of romance, angst and compelling, evolving characters. It ends on a high with epilogue, but I would welcome an extended epilogue some years into the future.
Excellent story-telling! Oh so sweet hero! A beautiful love story!
“Now I knew that being on your knees didn’t have to mean groveling, it could also mean worship.”
***
Hero rating: 4.5 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sexual tension rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4.5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4 stars
Plot rating: 4.5 stars
Dialogue rating: 5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 4.5 stars
**********************************************
Overall rating: 4.5 stars
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
ARC provided to me by author Mia Sheridan in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2016
Ramsay is a brilliantly written and breathtakingly beautiful second-chance love story that bleeds passion and angst as it breaks and builds the heart over and over again. Touching. Tender. Turbulent. Thought-provoking. Ramsay is not just a story but a full-blown immersion where the heart, breath, and soul collide as they become one.
I wanted to savor Ramsay but I could not help but devour this book with a desperate hunger like my last meal...my last breath. This story consumed me. Captivated me. Caressed my soul.
From the very first page, Mia Sheridan’s vivid words immediately came to life like paint to a canvas. The words are colors that splashed against my soul with each stroke of the brush. My senses were heightened as the world bared life from page to mind to heart. I smelled the fresh cut grass and honeysuckle. I tasted those scorching kisses. I felt Brogan’s strong arms around me as I felt everything in this story. I didn’t have to read much to know that the end result would be one magnificent masterpiece.
Just 10 percent into Ramsay and this story quickly overcame me—heart, head, body, breath and soul—captivating and crushing me ceaselessly. My heart nearly beat out of my chest. My body was on fire as my pulse pounded more with each page. Tears streamed early on and never really ceased.
I cried…a lot. Feelings bled into tears, heartbreak bled into happiness, hope rose from the bloodshed. I could not help but feel each word I read in Ramsay, my emotions entangled in this soul-searing story where they remained as I became unglued.
The beautiful man with an Irish accent and Gaelic tongue stole my heart and is still holding it tightly. As a teenager working with his father as gardeners at a rich family’s estate, Brogan Ramsay experienced the most passionate night of his life and the ultimate betrayal as he was used like a piece of trash by Lydia De Havilland, the beautiful and blonde rich girl who he cared for and he thought cared for him. Her mean-spirited and twisted brother, Stuart, discarded Brogan like a piece of trash, rendering his family and him useless and destitute.
“Why was she doing this to me? Making me hope for things I could never have?”
My heart instantly broke for this beaten and beautiful man. And oh is Brogan beautiful. I have a new boyfriend and his name is Brogan Ramsay. Black hair. Blue eyes. Tall. Muscular. Irish-American who speaks with an accent and in Gaelic. One of high conviction and honor. So complex. So caring. So protective. So beautiful—inside and out. I fell in insta-love with this multi-faceted man, a deep connection that felt a bit real.
Lydia De Havilland. Beautiful, blonde, curvy, and a former spoiled rich girl who has blossomed into a woman who is just as beautiful inside as out, like Brogan. I want to hate Lydia but I can’t as there is much more to her and this story than meets the eye. As quickly as I hated Lydia, I fell in love with her too. Lydia encounters Brogan seven years later and the tables have turned. He is no longer the sweet boy Lydia adored but is now a revenge-seeking avenger.
"My God. He hated me vehemently. After all this time.”
Brogan can’t forget that devastatingly beautiful night seven years ago where Lydia claimed his body and heart yet humiliated him.
"The humiliation. The rage. The hopelessness. The grief. The memory of what she’d done still pulled tight like an internal scar.”
Brogan still holds onto this hate and is determined to destroy Lydia and her family as retribution.
"If I exacted the revenge I’d been imagining for so long, I’d be free of her. Exercised of her ghost, the one that had been haunting me for seven years.”
Lydia remembers a sweet and caring boy who stole her heart—not this cold and calculating man who is now enacting blackmail where she is the pawn for payback in a twisted game. Brogan wants to carry out revenge yet reclaim Lydia, the only girl he has ever loved.
“There is a thin veil between love and hate.”
Like a pendulum, I shifted between Lydia and Brogan. Love. Hate. Love. Hate. The tension of these characters turned to me. I felt their angst as I warred with these words. I absorbed Brogan and Lydia, feeling their pain. The hate. The heartbreak. EVERYTHING. Brogan and Lydia love and loathe like fire and ice. Their chemistry is intense and intoxicating, breathing passion into the pages. I was on fire right along with this combative yet caring couple.
"He was going to kiss me...and I wanted him to—possibly even more than the first time…It felt like a symphony rose in every cell of my body as I became reacquainted so easily with his taste, his touch.”
Swoon. I’m swooning and rooting hard for this couple to be reunited. To survive this seven year war.
"There was still so much between us, so much unresolved, untold.”
Brogan and Lydia. Two soulmates that have been split in half for seven years. Despite distance, misunderstandings, and time, these two hearts still beat as one. Though their souls are lost— anchored by the painful past—and won’t be found until they are together again.
"I’d orchestrated my own demise. I was going to go down and go down hard again.”
I’m drowning to breathe, mourning that Ramsay is over, as I clutch an invisible clover while tears catapult down my cheeks. Life is moving around me but my heart is still breathing this book. This story gripped me hard and never let go as it tore open my heart like a gaping wound, gutting me.
I bawled like a baby, never quite stopping the tears that flowed. My heart shook and shattered. Through the cracks of darkness, bits of light emerged, shining a sliver of hope into my soul. Ramsay ruined me. Rescued me. Branded me. Breathed life into me. Became me. My soul is spinning, my heart is heavy, and my breath is still bated from one of the best romantic roller coasters I’ve ever experienced: Ramsay.
Mia Sheridan is one wondrous writer. A visionary. Mia Sheridan makes you a believer in love, hope, and what’s beyond the happily after. Her sensational and soul-searing stories make you believe that life is indeed bigger than this earth. It lives on in something so breathtakingly beautiful that one can only ponder its existence.
From Archer's Voice to Ramsay, which is now my new favorite book by this author, Mia Sheridan breathes life into a story that hits straight to the heart. Her meaningful and mesmerizing words matter. Each of Mia Sheridan’s poignantly penned pieces own a piece of my soul.
One of my new favorite books of all time, Ramsay is pure poignant perfection. Ramsay is a magical and meaningful modern day fairytale of epic love, the kind that lives on long after the story is over.
5 ' but worth way more' devastatingly beautiful bleeding stars
I wanted to savor Ramsay but I could not help but devour this book with a desperate hunger like my last meal...my last breath. This story consumed me. Captivated me. Caressed my soul.
From the very first page, Mia Sheridan’s vivid words immediately came to life like paint to a canvas. The words are colors that splashed against my soul with each stroke of the brush. My senses were heightened as the world bared life from page to mind to heart. I smelled the fresh cut grass and honeysuckle. I tasted those scorching kisses. I felt Brogan’s strong arms around me as I felt everything in this story. I didn’t have to read much to know that the end result would be one magnificent masterpiece.
Just 10 percent into Ramsay and this story quickly overcame me—heart, head, body, breath and soul—captivating and crushing me ceaselessly. My heart nearly beat out of my chest. My body was on fire as my pulse pounded more with each page. Tears streamed early on and never really ceased.
I cried…a lot. Feelings bled into tears, heartbreak bled into happiness, hope rose from the bloodshed. I could not help but feel each word I read in Ramsay, my emotions entangled in this soul-searing story where they remained as I became unglued.
The beautiful man with an Irish accent and Gaelic tongue stole my heart and is still holding it tightly. As a teenager working with his father as gardeners at a rich family’s estate, Brogan Ramsay experienced the most passionate night of his life and the ultimate betrayal as he was used like a piece of trash by Lydia De Havilland, the beautiful and blonde rich girl who he cared for and he thought cared for him. Her mean-spirited and twisted brother, Stuart, discarded Brogan like a piece of trash, rendering his family and him useless and destitute.
“Why was she doing this to me? Making me hope for things I could never have?”
My heart instantly broke for this beaten and beautiful man. And oh is Brogan beautiful. I have a new boyfriend and his name is Brogan Ramsay. Black hair. Blue eyes. Tall. Muscular. Irish-American who speaks with an accent and in Gaelic. One of high conviction and honor. So complex. So caring. So protective. So beautiful—inside and out. I fell in insta-love with this multi-faceted man, a deep connection that felt a bit real.
Lydia De Havilland. Beautiful, blonde, curvy, and a former spoiled rich girl who has blossomed into a woman who is just as beautiful inside as out, like Brogan. I want to hate Lydia but I can’t as there is much more to her and this story than meets the eye. As quickly as I hated Lydia, I fell in love with her too. Lydia encounters Brogan seven years later and the tables have turned. He is no longer the sweet boy Lydia adored but is now a revenge-seeking avenger.
"My God. He hated me vehemently. After all this time.”
Brogan can’t forget that devastatingly beautiful night seven years ago where Lydia claimed his body and heart yet humiliated him.
"The humiliation. The rage. The hopelessness. The grief. The memory of what she’d done still pulled tight like an internal scar.”
Brogan still holds onto this hate and is determined to destroy Lydia and her family as retribution.
"If I exacted the revenge I’d been imagining for so long, I’d be free of her. Exercised of her ghost, the one that had been haunting me for seven years.”
Lydia remembers a sweet and caring boy who stole her heart—not this cold and calculating man who is now enacting blackmail where she is the pawn for payback in a twisted game. Brogan wants to carry out revenge yet reclaim Lydia, the only girl he has ever loved.
“There is a thin veil between love and hate.”
Like a pendulum, I shifted between Lydia and Brogan. Love. Hate. Love. Hate. The tension of these characters turned to me. I felt their angst as I warred with these words. I absorbed Brogan and Lydia, feeling their pain. The hate. The heartbreak. EVERYTHING. Brogan and Lydia love and loathe like fire and ice. Their chemistry is intense and intoxicating, breathing passion into the pages. I was on fire right along with this combative yet caring couple.
"He was going to kiss me...and I wanted him to—possibly even more than the first time…It felt like a symphony rose in every cell of my body as I became reacquainted so easily with his taste, his touch.”
Swoon. I’m swooning and rooting hard for this couple to be reunited. To survive this seven year war.
"There was still so much between us, so much unresolved, untold.”
Brogan and Lydia. Two soulmates that have been split in half for seven years. Despite distance, misunderstandings, and time, these two hearts still beat as one. Though their souls are lost— anchored by the painful past—and won’t be found until they are together again.
"I’d orchestrated my own demise. I was going to go down and go down hard again.”
I’m drowning to breathe, mourning that Ramsay is over, as I clutch an invisible clover while tears catapult down my cheeks. Life is moving around me but my heart is still breathing this book. This story gripped me hard and never let go as it tore open my heart like a gaping wound, gutting me.
I bawled like a baby, never quite stopping the tears that flowed. My heart shook and shattered. Through the cracks of darkness, bits of light emerged, shining a sliver of hope into my soul. Ramsay ruined me. Rescued me. Branded me. Breathed life into me. Became me. My soul is spinning, my heart is heavy, and my breath is still bated from one of the best romantic roller coasters I’ve ever experienced: Ramsay.
Mia Sheridan is one wondrous writer. A visionary. Mia Sheridan makes you a believer in love, hope, and what’s beyond the happily after. Her sensational and soul-searing stories make you believe that life is indeed bigger than this earth. It lives on in something so breathtakingly beautiful that one can only ponder its existence.
From Archer's Voice to Ramsay, which is now my new favorite book by this author, Mia Sheridan breathes life into a story that hits straight to the heart. Her meaningful and mesmerizing words matter. Each of Mia Sheridan’s poignantly penned pieces own a piece of my soul.
One of my new favorite books of all time, Ramsay is pure poignant perfection. Ramsay is a magical and meaningful modern day fairytale of epic love, the kind that lives on long after the story is over.
5 ' but worth way more' devastatingly beautiful bleeding stars
June 20, 2016
4 stars!!!
Betrayal. Lies. Revenge. Misunderstandings. Vengeance. Forgiveness. Love.
Ramsay by Mia Sheridan is different than any of the other books she’s written. Usually, her heroes are the most swoon-worthy from the start, but Brogan Ramsay was out to ruin Lydia De Havilland from the start. Don’t get me wrong- Brogan has his swoony moments and I can almost guarantee that you will love him by the end, I know I did, this was just such a different kind of book for Mia.
There were parts of this story that were hard to read for me. Brogan’s past was especially difficult. It made it hard to be mad at him for some of the awful things he pulled. My heart broke for him. It also broke for Lydia. I had trouble reading the parts where she felt so unworthy. It almost brought me to tears. I just felt for both of these characters so much. I think Lydia was so misunderstood by Brogan and she really is a stand up heroine. I really loved the two of them together and spent most of the book hoping that these two could get it together and finally be together for once without all the past baggage and hurt weighing them down.
I loved some of the side characters in this book- most especially Fionn and Brogan’s sister Eillen. I really loathed some of the others- Stuart and Courtney, who I felt brought some over the top and unnecessary drama to a story that already had enough angst and drama for my tastes. Even with the drama, there were some beautiful scenes and wonderful moments that made my heart soar! Overall, I loved more about this story than the things that bothered me so it’s a win!
Mia is a wonderful story-teller. She has a special way that she writes that keeps me so enthralled. I truly love all her books, and even though this isn’t my favorite of hers, it’s still a great read. I would highly recommend this book, especially to those who love a good second chance romance and a hate/love story. I give it a solid 4 stars!
Betrayal. Lies. Revenge. Misunderstandings. Vengeance. Forgiveness. Love.
Ramsay by Mia Sheridan is different than any of the other books she’s written. Usually, her heroes are the most swoon-worthy from the start, but Brogan Ramsay was out to ruin Lydia De Havilland from the start. Don’t get me wrong- Brogan has his swoony moments and I can almost guarantee that you will love him by the end, I know I did, this was just such a different kind of book for Mia.
I needed to break her like she’d broken me and finally be rid of her. The love I had felt for her was false, based on lies. And if the love was false, the hate was false, too. I would ruin her, humiliate her, and then there’d be nothing left except peace.As a teenager, Brogan Ramsay’s life was turned upside down in the worst way possible. All because he loved and trusted a girl he shouldn’t have. Lydia. Years later, Lydia’s life is in shambles and Brogan is out to take advantage of that. The only problem- as much as they want to deny it, both have not only strong attraction for one another, but strong feelings.
There were parts of this story that were hard to read for me. Brogan’s past was especially difficult. It made it hard to be mad at him for some of the awful things he pulled. My heart broke for him. It also broke for Lydia. I had trouble reading the parts where she felt so unworthy. It almost brought me to tears. I just felt for both of these characters so much. I think Lydia was so misunderstood by Brogan and she really is a stand up heroine. I really loved the two of them together and spent most of the book hoping that these two could get it together and finally be together for once without all the past baggage and hurt weighing them down.
I loved some of the side characters in this book- most especially Fionn and Brogan’s sister Eillen. I really loathed some of the others- Stuart and Courtney, who I felt brought some over the top and unnecessary drama to a story that already had enough angst and drama for my tastes. Even with the drama, there were some beautiful scenes and wonderful moments that made my heart soar! Overall, I loved more about this story than the things that bothered me so it’s a win!
Mia is a wonderful story-teller. She has a special way that she writes that keeps me so enthralled. I truly love all her books, and even though this isn’t my favorite of hers, it’s still a great read. I would highly recommend this book, especially to those who love a good second chance romance and a hate/love story. I give it a solid 4 stars!
June 13, 2016
4 STARS
”Peace. Payback. Revenge.”
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Mia Sheridan delivers a story of revenge that doesn’t go as expected for the handsome Irish hero Brogan Ramsay.
Brogan seeks revenge on a brother and sister whom he and his father were the gardeners for as a teen. Brogan was completely enraptured by the beautiful young Lydia De Havilland who tricked and gutted him leaving his family on the streets. Revenge has fueled this rags to riches turn of events that has Brogan Ramsey owning Lydia’s family business and holding all the power.
”I hated her for manipulating me, for making me hope, for the weakness I’d felt. And I couldn’t forgive her for it. I wouldn’t ever forgive her for it.”
Brogan is so hell bent on his revenge plan that he fails to really see what has become of Lydia in the seven years since that awful night. Lydia takes all the cruel punishments and humiliations yet Brogan’s attraction to her hasn’t waned all these years and he starts to see the woman she is and finds out the reasons she behaved the way she did those years ago.
”I had created an impossible situation, and I was going to try to make it right, but there were so many reasons I might not be able to now. There were so many reasons I might lose Lydia again. I had survived it the first time, but I didn’t think I’d survive it again.”
Brogan tries to put right and back the pieces he has taken from Lydia but it’s an uphill battle. Lydia’s brother’s downfall into drugs, spending and paranoia along with a lady friend of Brogan who just won’t go away set a slew of roadblocks in this couple’s hea way.
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Brogan’s regret is a palpable thing and it takes true forgiveness for this couple to move forward.
”Or maybe we were all villains sometimes, each one of us. Maybe the thing that determined how quickly we became heroes was the grace we were extended, not only by others, but ourselves.”
The supporting characters in this story were fantastic and I just adored Fionn (my favorite character of the story) and Eileen. The Gaelic language used sporadically was wonderful and though I wished the couple as teens had shared more or the book held some wonder or sparkle it was a solid read nonetheless.
”I want to be your hero.”
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
”Peace. Payback. Revenge.”
[image error]
Mia Sheridan delivers a story of revenge that doesn’t go as expected for the handsome Irish hero Brogan Ramsay.
Brogan seeks revenge on a brother and sister whom he and his father were the gardeners for as a teen. Brogan was completely enraptured by the beautiful young Lydia De Havilland who tricked and gutted him leaving his family on the streets. Revenge has fueled this rags to riches turn of events that has Brogan Ramsey owning Lydia’s family business and holding all the power.
”I hated her for manipulating me, for making me hope, for the weakness I’d felt. And I couldn’t forgive her for it. I wouldn’t ever forgive her for it.”
Brogan is so hell bent on his revenge plan that he fails to really see what has become of Lydia in the seven years since that awful night. Lydia takes all the cruel punishments and humiliations yet Brogan’s attraction to her hasn’t waned all these years and he starts to see the woman she is and finds out the reasons she behaved the way she did those years ago.
”I had created an impossible situation, and I was going to try to make it right, but there were so many reasons I might not be able to now. There were so many reasons I might lose Lydia again. I had survived it the first time, but I didn’t think I’d survive it again.”
Brogan tries to put right and back the pieces he has taken from Lydia but it’s an uphill battle. Lydia’s brother’s downfall into drugs, spending and paranoia along with a lady friend of Brogan who just won’t go away set a slew of roadblocks in this couple’s hea way.
[image error]
Brogan’s regret is a palpable thing and it takes true forgiveness for this couple to move forward.
”Or maybe we were all villains sometimes, each one of us. Maybe the thing that determined how quickly we became heroes was the grace we were extended, not only by others, but ourselves.”
The supporting characters in this story were fantastic and I just adored Fionn (my favorite character of the story) and Eileen. The Gaelic language used sporadically was wonderful and though I wished the couple as teens had shared more or the book held some wonder or sparkle it was a solid read nonetheless.
”I want to be your hero.”
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
June 19, 2016
3.5 Stars
I've been sitting on my rating for several days now and if I'm being perfectly honest, I still have no idea how to rate this fairly. On the one hand, I absolutely loved the writing style and the premise of the story. I loved the emotion, the feeling, the vividness with which Mia Sheridan wrote the characters. I'm a sucker for the revenge plot and a second chance love story and this book had it in spades. It was written with plenty of emotion to grip the reader and make the characters' struggles their own. On the other hand there were some things about the story and the direction some things took and decisions made that left me conflicted and frustrated. This is really one of those times where I NEED a half star, because while this book wasn't exactly a three star, it just wasn't quite a solid four for me either.
Seven years ago, the son of the gardener fell in love with a princess. She was everything unattainable and what he couldn't have. But that love led to a betrayal that cost him and his family everything. Leaving him destitute, heart broken, and knowing one thing; he'll never beg for anything again. But the burn of that betrayal never left Brogan and left him craving revenge more than his next breath.
Now the tables have turned. Lydia is barely keeping her father's once thriving company afloat. Her brother is deep in gambling debt and alcohol and the only answer to keeping her father's company is to beg the man that wants to make her pay for everything. Brogan Ramsay. The same man that still leaves her breathless just as the young boy did all those years ago. But Brogan is no longer that boy she once knew. The Brogan of today is cruel, cold, and determined to make her pay for everything his family suffered from her foolish mistake those years ago.
But not everything is as it seems and both Lydia and Brogan harbor secrets of their own. Lydia's may heal their wounds, but Brogan's may rip them to shreds.
Ramsay is a powerfully emotional story of forgiveness and the cost of revenge. I absolutely loved Brogan, it's impossible not to. Being able to be in his head and know his internal struggle over the things he does, his guilt over doing them, and his anger that he just can't shut off just helped connect with him fully. You truly understand why he does the things he does even if at times you want to hate him for it.
Lydia is a heroine that will be a bit of a crap shoot for some. Some readers may not fully understand her easy acceptance of things her brother does and her even easier forgiveness of them. Family is a tricky thing and as much as I wanted to shake some sense into her some times, a part of me did understand how difficult it was for her considering her brother was her only living family left. She wanted to believe the best in him, almost to the point of delusion. At times her jumping to conclusion of Brogan and the choices she made soon after left me frustrated beyond belief. She was almost naively susceptible to bad thing. But then again, she is young and led a bit of a sheltered life, so I couldn't judge too harshly.
Ultimately what led to my lower rating was the last 30%. There was just a little too much happening. Between Lydia and Brogan's relationship and trust issues, their guilt and anger, her brother, Courtney, and a few other things I won't mention due to spoilers, it just felt a bit OTT for my tastes. Maybe if they were dispersed throughout the book, it would have been a little easier to swallow. but the quick succession of these things taking place just left my head reeling.
I absolutely loved the secondary characters; Fionn and Eileen were like the glue that held everything together. Instead of distracting from the story they added a little something to it that made it just that much better. I don't remember the last time I read a book where I loved the secondary characters almost as much as the main ones, but that was definitely the case here.
One thing is for sure, Mia Sheridan is an incredible story teller. Her characters are some that will stay with you for a long time to come. And while my rating is not what I'd hoped, I still enjoyed this story. Sure, it left me frustrated at times, but it's not one I regret reading and I'd certainly recommend it to any fans of this author and those that love a little revenge with their romance. I'm definitely a huge fan of this author and I look forward to anything she may release next.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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Forgiveness isn't an emotion. Forgiveness is a choice. And sometimes it's one you have to choose again and again.
I've been sitting on my rating for several days now and if I'm being perfectly honest, I still have no idea how to rate this fairly. On the one hand, I absolutely loved the writing style and the premise of the story. I loved the emotion, the feeling, the vividness with which Mia Sheridan wrote the characters. I'm a sucker for the revenge plot and a second chance love story and this book had it in spades. It was written with plenty of emotion to grip the reader and make the characters' struggles their own. On the other hand there were some things about the story and the direction some things took and decisions made that left me conflicted and frustrated. This is really one of those times where I NEED a half star, because while this book wasn't exactly a three star, it just wasn't quite a solid four for me either.
Seven years ago, the son of the gardener fell in love with a princess. She was everything unattainable and what he couldn't have. But that love led to a betrayal that cost him and his family everything. Leaving him destitute, heart broken, and knowing one thing; he'll never beg for anything again. But the burn of that betrayal never left Brogan and left him craving revenge more than his next breath.
Now the tables have turned. Lydia is barely keeping her father's once thriving company afloat. Her brother is deep in gambling debt and alcohol and the only answer to keeping her father's company is to beg the man that wants to make her pay for everything. Brogan Ramsay. The same man that still leaves her breathless just as the young boy did all those years ago. But Brogan is no longer that boy she once knew. The Brogan of today is cruel, cold, and determined to make her pay for everything his family suffered from her foolish mistake those years ago.
But not everything is as it seems and both Lydia and Brogan harbor secrets of their own. Lydia's may heal their wounds, but Brogan's may rip them to shreds.
Ramsay is a powerfully emotional story of forgiveness and the cost of revenge. I absolutely loved Brogan, it's impossible not to. Being able to be in his head and know his internal struggle over the things he does, his guilt over doing them, and his anger that he just can't shut off just helped connect with him fully. You truly understand why he does the things he does even if at times you want to hate him for it.
Lydia is a heroine that will be a bit of a crap shoot for some. Some readers may not fully understand her easy acceptance of things her brother does and her even easier forgiveness of them. Family is a tricky thing and as much as I wanted to shake some sense into her some times, a part of me did understand how difficult it was for her considering her brother was her only living family left. She wanted to believe the best in him, almost to the point of delusion. At times her jumping to conclusion of Brogan and the choices she made soon after left me frustrated beyond belief. She was almost naively susceptible to bad thing. But then again, she is young and led a bit of a sheltered life, so I couldn't judge too harshly.
Ultimately what led to my lower rating was the last 30%. There was just a little too much happening. Between Lydia and Brogan's relationship and trust issues, their guilt and anger, her brother, Courtney, and a few other things I won't mention due to spoilers, it just felt a bit OTT for my tastes. Maybe if they were dispersed throughout the book, it would have been a little easier to swallow. but the quick succession of these things taking place just left my head reeling.
I absolutely loved the secondary characters; Fionn and Eileen were like the glue that held everything together. Instead of distracting from the story they added a little something to it that made it just that much better. I don't remember the last time I read a book where I loved the secondary characters almost as much as the main ones, but that was definitely the case here.
One thing is for sure, Mia Sheridan is an incredible story teller. Her characters are some that will stay with you for a long time to come. And while my rating is not what I'd hoped, I still enjoyed this story. Sure, it left me frustrated at times, but it's not one I regret reading and I'd certainly recommend it to any fans of this author and those that love a little revenge with their romance. I'm definitely a huge fan of this author and I look forward to anything she may release next.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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June 21, 2016
*****FIVE YESTERDAY, TODAY, and TOMORROW STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
He looked so much like the boy I'd once known, the boy I'd wanted desperately to be mine, the boy I'd once... loved. Yes, I'd loved him. Some would say I hadn't known him well enough to love him, that I'd loved my own fantasy of him, that I'd simply been young and fickle, that perhaps I didn't even know what love was. But I didn't believe it--even now, all these years later and with the eyes of a woman. Something in him had called to me, something about him had spoken to my heart in a way no one had before or since.
This story completely captivated me from beginning to end. I sat on my couch all day and read it in one sitting. It’s a tale of friends-to-lovers, forbidden love, betrayal, revenge, second chance love, and ultimately forgiveness. If you have read any of Mia Sheridan’s works, you know to expect a good dose of steam and my-oh-my do we get that in spades here!! LAWD HAVE MERCY!! I knew after reading that heart-stopping prologue that I was in for one incredible journey and Ms. Sheridan surely delivered!!
Brogan Ramsay came to America with his father and little sister from Ireland when he was about fourteen, soon after the death of his mother. His father more often than not, turned to alcohol to drown out his sorrows. Brogan’s father lands a job as a gardener for the wealthy De Havilland family in Greenwich, CT. They live in a small cottage on the De Havilland estate. Brogan often ends up covering for his alcoholic father by taking care of the grounds for him. Life has not been easy on Brogan but the one bright spot for him is Lydia De Havilland, the daughter of his father’s boss. He lives for the moments he gets to spend with her and only dares to dream that someday she could be his.
When Lydia and Brogan are around sixteen years old, they end up being each other’s first kiss and then some inside the horse stables and it was Lydia who initiated it all. She had a plan but it all goes to hell pretty quickly when her older brother Stuart shows up and the person who takes the fall and who suffers the most humiliation is Brogan. He and his family are forced to leave and his life goes down a dark path, but he vows that one day he will get revenge against the De Havilland’s, especially the beautiful Lydia who broke his heart worst of all.
Several years later, things have worked out completely different for Brogan and the De Havilland siblings. Brogan is a very wealthy and successful businessman, and the De Havilland siblings are on the verge of becoming destitute due to Stuart’s spending habits and addictions. Their father had passed away and left the family business to them but he also left them with a considerable amount of debt. They end up losing the family home and even the business. Brogan has never forgotten the last time he saw the De Havilland’s and has already set in motion his plot for revenge to annihilate the two. Stuart ends up losing the company to Brogan in a poker game and Lydia tries to take matters into her own hands by going to meet with Brogan. She has no idea that Brogan harbors any resentment towards her and is blown away by his cold reception when they meet up. He offers her to come work for him at his home, doing whatever menial task he throws at her and for the sake of her family, she accepts. Brogan does quite a bit to humiliate Lydia but this woman takes it like a champ. Through it all, she manages to keep her chin held up high for the most part.
I guess you could say that Brogan is a huge douche but I knew that underneath his cool and aloof façade that his heart still only belonged to Lydia and there are times he even feels so much remorse over the things that he does. When certain things are cleared up between them, we get some serious STEAM!! Like throw some ice down your panties to keep them from melting STEAM!!!
For me, this book had it all. This is what I come to expect when I am reading a Mia Sheridan book and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.
Amazon ---------> http://amzn.to/1YAsDCT
Amazon UK ---------> http://amzn.to/1Y2H1F7
Paperback ---------> http://amzn.to/265Dp9T
iBooks ---------> http://apple.co/1sN7LvQ
B&N ---------> Coming Soon!
Kobo ---------> http://bit.ly/26a842a
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
He looked so much like the boy I'd once known, the boy I'd wanted desperately to be mine, the boy I'd once... loved. Yes, I'd loved him. Some would say I hadn't known him well enough to love him, that I'd loved my own fantasy of him, that I'd simply been young and fickle, that perhaps I didn't even know what love was. But I didn't believe it--even now, all these years later and with the eyes of a woman. Something in him had called to me, something about him had spoken to my heart in a way no one had before or since.
This story completely captivated me from beginning to end. I sat on my couch all day and read it in one sitting. It’s a tale of friends-to-lovers, forbidden love, betrayal, revenge, second chance love, and ultimately forgiveness. If you have read any of Mia Sheridan’s works, you know to expect a good dose of steam and my-oh-my do we get that in spades here!! LAWD HAVE MERCY!! I knew after reading that heart-stopping prologue that I was in for one incredible journey and Ms. Sheridan surely delivered!!
Brogan Ramsay came to America with his father and little sister from Ireland when he was about fourteen, soon after the death of his mother. His father more often than not, turned to alcohol to drown out his sorrows. Brogan’s father lands a job as a gardener for the wealthy De Havilland family in Greenwich, CT. They live in a small cottage on the De Havilland estate. Brogan often ends up covering for his alcoholic father by taking care of the grounds for him. Life has not been easy on Brogan but the one bright spot for him is Lydia De Havilland, the daughter of his father’s boss. He lives for the moments he gets to spend with her and only dares to dream that someday she could be his.
When Lydia and Brogan are around sixteen years old, they end up being each other’s first kiss and then some inside the horse stables and it was Lydia who initiated it all. She had a plan but it all goes to hell pretty quickly when her older brother Stuart shows up and the person who takes the fall and who suffers the most humiliation is Brogan. He and his family are forced to leave and his life goes down a dark path, but he vows that one day he will get revenge against the De Havilland’s, especially the beautiful Lydia who broke his heart worst of all.
Several years later, things have worked out completely different for Brogan and the De Havilland siblings. Brogan is a very wealthy and successful businessman, and the De Havilland siblings are on the verge of becoming destitute due to Stuart’s spending habits and addictions. Their father had passed away and left the family business to them but he also left them with a considerable amount of debt. They end up losing the family home and even the business. Brogan has never forgotten the last time he saw the De Havilland’s and has already set in motion his plot for revenge to annihilate the two. Stuart ends up losing the company to Brogan in a poker game and Lydia tries to take matters into her own hands by going to meet with Brogan. She has no idea that Brogan harbors any resentment towards her and is blown away by his cold reception when they meet up. He offers her to come work for him at his home, doing whatever menial task he throws at her and for the sake of her family, she accepts. Brogan does quite a bit to humiliate Lydia but this woman takes it like a champ. Through it all, she manages to keep her chin held up high for the most part.
I guess you could say that Brogan is a huge douche but I knew that underneath his cool and aloof façade that his heart still only belonged to Lydia and there are times he even feels so much remorse over the things that he does. When certain things are cleared up between them, we get some serious STEAM!! Like throw some ice down your panties to keep them from melting STEAM!!!
For me, this book had it all. This is what I come to expect when I am reading a Mia Sheridan book and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next.
Amazon ---------> http://amzn.to/1YAsDCT
Amazon UK ---------> http://amzn.to/1Y2H1F7
Paperback ---------> http://amzn.to/265Dp9T
iBooks ---------> http://apple.co/1sN7LvQ
B&N ---------> Coming Soon!
Kobo ---------> http://bit.ly/26a842a
June 20, 2016
Title: Ramsay
Series: Sign of Love
Author: Mia Sheridan
Release date: June 19, 2016
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
Let me start off by saying that I truly respect this author's talent, but when it comes down to it not every book is going to be the right one for you. Ramsay was one of those books. In parts, it was engaging and even had its sweet moments. However, my frustration over the characters' behavior and the type of drama that formed because of it was not particularly enjoyable to me. I gave it my everything and tried to push past my frustrations. But even in the conclusion of the story when I should have been feeling happy and satisfied, everything was overshadowed by events that were too much for me.
It has been quite some time since I've read a Mia Sheridan book, but what I think attracted me to this originally was the revenge factor to it. This is one of my weaknesses and I'm not sure why, but I'm drawn to a story of revenge like a moth to a flame. My only concern starting out was that the hero would take it too far and treat the heroine cruelly for too long. I'm all for some revenge, but I'm not one to like seeing a woman abused. Thankfully, that never was an issue here for me.
Brogan had a lot of anger and resentment built up from years of hardship and struggle. Struggle that was brought on after getting caught in a compromising position with Lydia as a teen. Her brother Stuart took joy in making him beg for the sake of his family. And after suffering the humiliation and shame, he swore that one day he would be the one to hold all the power. He would never beg anyone again, and the betrayal from the woman he loved would not be forgotten.
If I exacted revenge I'd been imagining for so long, I'd be free of her. Exorcised of her ghost, the one that had been haunting me for seven years.
In seven years time, a lot has changed. Positions of wealth and power have been reversed and the Havilland family is on the verge of bankruptcy. All of Brogan's plans were coming to fruition and Stuart plays right into his trap. Her brother's alcoholism, drugs, and gambling have left its toll on Lydia. He's still the same selfish and worthless person he ever was. But she has struggled for survival and has learned some important lessons in life. She's no longer the spoiled and thoughtless person she once was. In some ways I admired her strength, and she she never lost pride in herself or allowed Brogan to take his retribution too far. It was her extremely frustrating attitude toward her brother I could not accept or get past.
His betrayals against her kept piling up by the minute. He was the worst lowlife, selfish brother I have ever seen. And time after time, she would swoop right in and make excuses for him. Clean up his messes. And accept the loss of her home, her security, and her happiness. He was a master manipulator and she was taking it all like it was her due.
Lydia and Brogan surrendered to their feelings from long ago that never died. he had such a protective and tender side to him that was beautiful to see. It was still buried under the pain, the hurt, and the feelings of betrayal. After spending a short time in her company, he knew that he couldn't hold on to his anger any longer. She wasn't the cruel person he once thought he was, and his tenderness resurfaced.
I had always loved her, even when I hadn't wanted to. But now it was different. I had wanted to give her the world when I was seventeen, and now I could. I had wanted to give her my heart, and now I could. I would. Every part of my heart.
But outside forces weren't going to let a reconnection between these two happen. And herein lay my major problem with the story. Between her brother and Courtney (Brogan's ex), there was no end to the lies, mistrust, and miscommunication. Which led to a tumultuous, drama laden string of events that fast flew out of control. I just can't even begin to say how frustrating this was, or how their actions didn't make a bit of sense to me.
Let me wrap this up by saying that many will not feel the same as me to the extent that I did. But these characters pushed all the wrong buttons repeatedly and in the end I couldn't look past it. There were some moments that I enjoyed between the H/h when the focus was simply on them. Their reconnection was beautiful at times. They had a deep and present understanding of one other that was touching and sweet. But for me, it fell short in compensating for my issues.
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February 12, 2019
3 Stars
It pains me to say this but this was just an okay read for me.
I can’t really pinpoint why because there’s nothing really wrong with it.
The writing is okay, the story is okay, the characters are okay, and yet I felt completely disconnected. I couldn’t invest into the story nor could I relate to any of the characters. I constantly felt like something was missing. A true connection between the characters? A better insight into Brogan and Lydia’s history? A deeper and better developed relationship? More feels? I really don’t know.
There were moments when I caught a glimpse of Mia Sheridan’s magical writing. Those heartfelt and emotional moments were mainly from Brogan and Lydia’s teenage days but, sadly, those were few and far between.
That being said, I still believe this author is one of the most talented contemporary romance writers and I can’t wait to see what she brings us next. I just hope we won’t have to wait too long.
QUICK REVIEW:
Enjoyment:: 3/5
Writing style: 4/5
Storyline: 3/5
Hero: 3/5
Heroine: 3/5
Secondary characters: 4/5
Hotness/chemistry: 3/5
Romance: 2/5
Angst: 4/5
Darkness level: 2/5
Humor: 2/5
Depth of the book: 3/5
POV: dual, 1st person
Triggers:
Books with similar theme: The Paper Swan by Leylah Attar
It pains me to say this but this was just an okay read for me.
I can’t really pinpoint why because there’s nothing really wrong with it.
The writing is okay, the story is okay, the characters are okay, and yet I felt completely disconnected. I couldn’t invest into the story nor could I relate to any of the characters. I constantly felt like something was missing. A true connection between the characters? A better insight into Brogan and Lydia’s history? A deeper and better developed relationship? More feels? I really don’t know.
There were moments when I caught a glimpse of Mia Sheridan’s magical writing. Those heartfelt and emotional moments were mainly from Brogan and Lydia’s teenage days but, sadly, those were few and far between.
That being said, I still believe this author is one of the most talented contemporary romance writers and I can’t wait to see what she brings us next. I just hope we won’t have to wait too long.
QUICK REVIEW:
Enjoyment:: 3/5
Writing style: 4/5
Storyline: 3/5
Hero: 3/5
Heroine: 3/5
Secondary characters: 4/5
Hotness/chemistry: 3/5
Romance: 2/5
Angst: 4/5
Darkness level: 2/5
Humor: 2/5
Depth of the book: 3/5
POV: dual, 1st person
Triggers:
Books with similar theme: The Paper Swan by Leylah Attar
October 20, 2016
"There is such a thin veil between love and hate."
➦This is a story of revenge, forgiveness and second chances. The romance between the two main characters starts during their teen years, when Brogan Ramsay, the gardener's son, becomes infatuated with Lydia, the privileged princess. Their unlikely friendship leads to betrayal and Brogan's family is forced to leave the estate to live in poverty.
➦Seven years later the tables have turned. Brogan has worked hard, became successful and he is on a mission to get revenge. He is plotting to take away Lydia's company, which is on the brink of bankruptcy. He wants to humiliate her and make her pay for the immature act that cost his family so much suffering in the past.
❤I really loved the revenge plot storyline. Usually I get frustrated with the behavior of the characters and end up blaming them for the actions they make. Well, not here.
❤In the fist half of the book I was sad and at times outraged, not by the characters but rather by situations. Mia Sheridan is very skilled at creating the types of situations where you sympathize with the characters while staying mad at the situation they are in.
❤The Irish component to the story was interesting, reading Brogan talk in the Gaelic dialect made me swoon :) Although the word "feck" came up too many times in the second half of the book... or perhaps I just noticed it more since it's different from the version of the word I'm used to (and probably immune to by now lol)
❤I loved the way Brogan and Lydia reconnected and worked things out. Forgiveness is a big part of this book and I was happy to see them both let go and move on.
➦The reason this wasn't a five star read for me was because of the over the top action in the second part of the book. There seemed too be too many things going on at the same time and, in this case, Lydia's actions made me very frustrated.
➦I tried very hard to understand the reasons behind her decisions but ultimately I came to the conclusion that she just hasn't grown up yet and needed a kick in the butt. In fact, they both needed a kick in the butt, which they eventually ended up getting from the secondary characters of the story.
➦I recommend this book to anyone who likes revenge storylines and second chance at love romance novels. (Dual POV)
Want to read
June 11, 2016**** NEW MIA SHERIDAN BOOK ****
Lydia De Havilland is shocked when Brogan Ramsay suddenly reappears in her life. Several years before, Brogan was the son of her family's gardener, and the boy she hurt and betrayed. But Brogan is no longer the quiet, sensitive boy she remembers. Now he's a man—gorgeous, powerful . . . and seeking vengeance.
Brogan Ramsay can't let go of the memory of Lydia tricking him cruelly, leaving his heart shattered and his family penniless. And now he's back to destroy her family the way his was destroyed. There's only one problem . . . the girl who wounded him so badly years ago is now a woman who still has the power to render him breathless.
Ramsay is the story of betrayal and wrath, of the strength of regret and the power of forgiveness. It is the story of the thin veil between love and hate, and how more often than not, when we seek to inflict pain on others, the heart we wound is our own.
___________________
STANDALONE. COMING SOON.
Lydia De Havilland is shocked when Brogan Ramsay suddenly reappears in her life. Several years before, Brogan was the son of her family's gardener, and the boy she hurt and betrayed. But Brogan is no longer the quiet, sensitive boy she remembers. Now he's a man—gorgeous, powerful . . . and seeking vengeance.
Brogan Ramsay can't let go of the memory of Lydia tricking him cruelly, leaving his heart shattered and his family penniless. And now he's back to destroy her family the way his was destroyed. There's only one problem . . . the girl who wounded him so badly years ago is now a woman who still has the power to render him breathless.
Ramsay is the story of betrayal and wrath, of the strength of regret and the power of forgiveness. It is the story of the thin veil between love and hate, and how more often than not, when we seek to inflict pain on others, the heart we wound is our own.
___________________
STANDALONE. COMING SOON.
June 22, 2016
I liked it but didn't love it...Don't get me wrong writing was beautiful but I didn't feel the connection between Lydia and Brogan... But still please don't mind my rating, go and give a shot this book! Who knows, maybe you love it. ;)
June 18, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone from Sign Of Love series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Brogan Ramsay's family lived in a small cottage on a luxurious estate compound. As the gardener’s son, he took a lot of his drunk father's responsibilities to make sure his family has food on the table. He had his eyes on the owner's daughter until he was betrayed by her games.
Lydia De Havilland grew up privileged, having everything she ever wanted. Except for the attention of the boy she's crushing on. One immature act caused a ripple effect that spanned several years harboring hatred and vengeance between two families. But when it came to who's wrong and right, things were never black and white especially when it involved matters of the heart.
Story of vengeance is one of my favorite subjects because it's always interesting to see how far a character would go and how badly the victim would break. And it could also be interpreted differently
I think Brogan's name alone made him very sexy. I love how he pulled his weight for his family. Even though I find his rougher side sexy, I'm also glad he had a flip side to balance it.
Lydia was your typical pampered princess. But when life turned around, she knew how to adapt and survive. Some of her actions were questionable but I do understand it considering the situation.
Brogan and Lydia had a good connection. I like how the animosity between them created both physical and emotional attention.
One of my favorite characters is Ramsay's best friend, Fionn. His antics were amusing. I also love the usage of Gaelic especially the cursing lol!
Ramsay is a story of people in unfortunate circumstances and what they had to do to survive and centered on the theme of forgiveness.
✨ ARC won from #ShhSummerBuzzBooks ✨
Enter giveaway: https://goo.gl/uqgC3u
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone from Sign Of Love series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Brogan Ramsay's family lived in a small cottage on a luxurious estate compound. As the gardener’s son, he took a lot of his drunk father's responsibilities to make sure his family has food on the table. He had his eyes on the owner's daughter until he was betrayed by her games.
Lydia De Havilland grew up privileged, having everything she ever wanted. Except for the attention of the boy she's crushing on. One immature act caused a ripple effect that spanned several years harboring hatred and vengeance between two families. But when it came to who's wrong and right, things were never black and white especially when it involved matters of the heart.
Story of vengeance is one of my favorite subjects because it's always interesting to see how far a character would go and how badly the victim would break. And it could also be interpreted differently
I would ruin her, humiliate her, and then there'd be nothing left except peace.
I think Brogan's name alone made him very sexy. I love how he pulled his weight for his family. Even though I find his rougher side sexy, I'm also glad he had a flip side to balance it.
Maybe I needed him. And maybe that was another reason I was so damned scared. Because I had a feeling needing Brogan Ramsay again was going to ultimately break my heart.
Lydia was your typical pampered princess. But when life turned around, she knew how to adapt and survive. Some of her actions were questionable but I do understand it considering the situation.
I was buried inside Lydia and even now, I wanted more of her. I always had.
Brogan and Lydia had a good connection. I like how the animosity between them created both physical and emotional attention.
One of my favorite characters is Ramsay's best friend, Fionn. His antics were amusing. I also love the usage of Gaelic especially the cursing lol!
Ramsay is a story of people in unfortunate circumstances and what they had to do to survive and centered on the theme of forgiveness.
✨ ARC won from #ShhSummerBuzzBooks ✨
Enter giveaway: https://goo.gl/uqgC3u
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
June 15, 2016
There's a fine line between love and hate and the story of Brogan Ramsey and Lydia De Havilland highlights it in technicolor.
Brogan is a strapping young lad of strong Irish decent. His father was the gardener for the very wealthy De Havilland family. They were poor beyond measure- living in a small cottage on the sprawling estate. Couple that with a deceased mother and a younger sister with physical disabilities, he found himself working tirelessly up keeping the grounds in his father's drunken absence. This job was a roof over their heads and food in their bellies...until he made one huge mistake. The mistake with none other than the boss's daughter- Lydia. She was flirty and so so beautiful- he didn't stand a chance under her seduction. Until she betrayed him. Stupid stupid boy. Finding himself homeless, hungry, and willing to do anything to support his family, Brogan vows to exact his revenge. No matter how long it takes, he will get justice for himself and his family.
Ramsay is a second-chance romance borne of that young sweet, whimsical love but smothered by mistakes and betrayals. When Brogan has the chance to exact his revenge on Lydia and her brother Stuart, he's fairly quick to find out his villainess isn't quite so ruthless as he had in his memories. That fine line between love and hate starts to blur...
Maybe with love...with truth...with forgiveness, anything is possible.
Mia Sheridan, once again, gifts her readers with a touching, romantic tale of two lovers who both are victims of life circumstances. Much of their mistakes were out of their control yet their steadfast lack of trust made it difficult to move forward and embrace what's truly in their hearts. Ms. Sheridan's characters may be flawed yet their love stories are always so sweet, touching, and heartfelt.
We are gifted with a heavy dose of Irish/Gaelic banter between Fionn, Eileen and Brogan. Through dialogue, Mia Sheridan puts in writing the true Irish twang, slang, and culture. I loved that!
I always gravitate towards the whole love/hate trope and I only wish we had a bit more of the angsty fine line thereof early-on in this story. Brogan, for all his betrayal and strife at the hands of the De Havillands, was fairly quick to turn the other cheek with Lydia. But I guess the heart knows best, after all.
Secondary characters in this book really added to the story. Eileen, Brogan's sister and Fionn, Brogan's partner and friend were a great compliment to the book. I'd LOVE an eventual love story between those two.
Another touching love story from Mia Sheridan. I look forward to more in the Sign of Love series from her!
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
June 20, 2016
2 Stars**
(ARC kindly provided by author )
I love Mia Sheridan, to me, she's one of the most talented author's out there right now, so it breaks my heart to rate one of her books so low, but Ramsey, simply wasn't for me.
Lydia De Havilland is the heiress of a very powerful empire. She lives in a privilege world were nothing is denied to her. She is a sweet girl, raised by a very loving father, she doesn't act mean or superior in front of other people, in fact her best friend is the gardener's son.
Lydia and Brogan love each other, their friendship is something they hold in very high regard, and that is the reason why Brogan hasn't made a move towards taking their friendship to another level. He doesn't feel worthy of a princess like Lydia. Lydia tired of waiting, decides to take matters into her own hands, and plots a dangerous plan to get Brogan to give her, her very first kiss.
Little did Lydia know that her games would start a chain reaction of negative events that would forever changer the course of their lives.
Brogan Ramsey once loved with all his heart, but he humiliation he endured at The Havilland's mansion has been the fuel burning day in and day out inside his soul. Everything he has achieved in his adult life has been with one goal in mind, to make those who once made him beg, pay for their sins. He wants Lydia and her brother on the other side of the fence, begging for scraps and for forgiveness .
There is a very fine line between love and hate, and the moment Lydia and Brogan come face to face again, they will have to decide whether to pick love or hate as their new future.
Like I mentioned before, I think Mia Sheridan's writing style is exquisite, but the connection between the characters in this book was something I had a very hard time grasping. I never really felt the love between them, nor I understood all the conflict they had to deal with. I believe that Ramsey, simply was not for me.
(ARC kindly provided by author )
I love Mia Sheridan, to me, she's one of the most talented author's out there right now, so it breaks my heart to rate one of her books so low, but Ramsey, simply wasn't for me.
Lydia De Havilland is the heiress of a very powerful empire. She lives in a privilege world were nothing is denied to her. She is a sweet girl, raised by a very loving father, she doesn't act mean or superior in front of other people, in fact her best friend is the gardener's son.
Lydia and Brogan love each other, their friendship is something they hold in very high regard, and that is the reason why Brogan hasn't made a move towards taking their friendship to another level. He doesn't feel worthy of a princess like Lydia. Lydia tired of waiting, decides to take matters into her own hands, and plots a dangerous plan to get Brogan to give her, her very first kiss.
Little did Lydia know that her games would start a chain reaction of negative events that would forever changer the course of their lives.
Brogan Ramsey once loved with all his heart, but he humiliation he endured at The Havilland's mansion has been the fuel burning day in and day out inside his soul. Everything he has achieved in his adult life has been with one goal in mind, to make those who once made him beg, pay for their sins. He wants Lydia and her brother on the other side of the fence, begging for scraps and for forgiveness .
There is a very fine line between love and hate, and the moment Lydia and Brogan come face to face again, they will have to decide whether to pick love or hate as their new future.
Like I mentioned before, I think Mia Sheridan's writing style is exquisite, but the connection between the characters in this book was something I had a very hard time grasping. I never really felt the love between them, nor I understood all the conflict they had to deal with. I believe that Ramsey, simply was not for me.
January 30, 2018
Las novelas de Mia Sheridan son mi perdicion, desde que conoci sus libros hace un par de años no he pasado mas de un par de meses sin leer nada suyo, me encantan las historias que crea y aun mas su forma de escribir, si solo pudiera leer a una sola autora por el resto de mi vida, ella seria una de mis primeras opciones.
Debido a mi locura por ella ( y su trabajo ) reconozco que mis reseñas no son las mas imparciales, me cuesta horrores encontrarle defectos a sus lecturas, por lo que si lo que buscas es una critica coherente y racional, no estas en el lugar adecuado, ya que lo siguiente seran divagaciones y muchos corazones xDD.
La historia de Lydia y Brogan es hermosa, dulce y muy emocional pero admito que no es mi favorita de las que he leido de Mia, no por nada desagradable sino porque considero que otras de sus parejas tienen historias de amor mas complejas que esta, aun asi su relacion es divertida, tierna y romantica, disfrute muchisimo leyendo sus conversaciones, tenian tanta quimica que casi podia sentirla atravesando mi Kindle, pero lo cierto es que eso no es nada nuevo porque si hay algo que caracteriza a los protagonistas de la autora es la quimica que tienen, sale a raudales.
Ramsey fue una novela estupenda, siempre es un verdadero placer leer lo que escribe Mia Sheridan, nunca me arrepiento de elegir una de sus historias.
El unico fallo que le encontre ( y por lo que no le puse las cinco estrellas ) es que la trama en la parte central me parecio un poco monotona, pero eso se me olvido en cuanto llegue a los ultimos capitulos, esas si que son paginas llenas de sentimiento, aunque en general todo el libro esta repleto de emocion.
En resumen, una historia preciosa y significativa. La historia de Brogan y Lydia es inolvidable, siempre tendra un huequito en mi corazon.
4 Estrellas!!
June 20, 2016
Ramsay isn’t your typical Mia Sheridan book, but from the second her husband shared this story with us in line at a signing I have been intrigued. He described it as a love with with revenge. The hero is wronged by a wealthy family and comes back to enact his vengeance. I love The Count of Monte Cristo, so I was pretty psyched!
Ramsay's father worked for the De Havilland family and he was in love with their daughter, Lydia. He knew he would never have a chance with a girl like Lydia and in a blink of an eye she proved he was right. Everything changed at that moment. Years later Ramsay is back with a plan.
This story, it started out with a bang and when it picked up years later it really started moving. I was pretty freaking excited, I love easy reads and happy endings. I can truly say I never really expected this one from Mia. It’s different from her other books and at times made me fiery mad. It also had a lot of moments that made me smile.
There are a lot of things that I personally wish had been different, but that’s me. I don’t like having doubts about my hero or heroine, and at times I doubted both. Regardless, this is Mia Sheridan, it’s still written so well and I did enjoy so many moments. As far as recommending, I can see how people love it and how others are disappointed. Personally, I think it’s worth reading and was overall pleased.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Teaser created by me with stock images purchased from depositphotos.
Ramsay's father worked for the De Havilland family and he was in love with their daughter, Lydia. He knew he would never have a chance with a girl like Lydia and in a blink of an eye she proved he was right. Everything changed at that moment. Years later Ramsay is back with a plan.
This story, it started out with a bang and when it picked up years later it really started moving. I was pretty freaking excited, I love easy reads and happy endings. I can truly say I never really expected this one from Mia. It’s different from her other books and at times made me fiery mad. It also had a lot of moments that made me smile.
There are a lot of things that I personally wish had been different, but that’s me. I don’t like having doubts about my hero or heroine, and at times I doubted both. Regardless, this is Mia Sheridan, it’s still written so well and I did enjoy so many moments. As far as recommending, I can see how people love it and how others are disappointed. Personally, I think it’s worth reading and was overall pleased.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Teaser created by me with stock images purchased from depositphotos.
anxiously-waiting
June 8, 2016I'll sell my kidney to have this book.
June 19, 2016
A beautifully written, heart-wrenching romance defined by both intense love and intense pain. A must-read, unputtdownable page-turner.
Love, loss, betrayal, revenge, forgiveness—the main themes in Mia Sheridan’s latest romance in the Sign of Love series—are felt viscerally on every level. A story brimming with intense feeling, Ramsay shines, indelibly burrowing deep into my heart as one of my favorite Mia novels to date.
Brogan Ramsey’s story was shaped by grit and regret, rage and hopelessness. In a world he saw in numbers, surrounded by those who either looked down on him or disappointed him, he dared to dream of a life with Lydia, the girl he loved. He was the gardener, she was the wealthy daughter of whom he worked for—a princess he pined for from afar.
He should have known, but one day his feelings clouded his judgment and a single decision shattered it all. His family was ruined, homeless. The humiliation he suffered that day, at the hands of the De Havillands, would become permanently etched on his heart… a heart that from that day began to harden with rage.
Years later, Lydia De Havilland worked tirelessly to save her father’s company. Her brother had run it into the ground and she’d had to make sacrifices to keep it afloat. Life felt barren and without meaning. She’d been tired and lonely for so long. And then life threw her another curve ball when she saw him again. She’d hurt him years ago, she’d never forgotten and now, it was clear he’d not forgotten either.
Brogan Ramsey was no longer a boy without means, he was a staggering presence, a man of power. He was back to enact revenge on the family who’d taken everything from him. He expected the sting of betrayal to burn again, but he didn’t expect that she’d still hold power over him. And as his games begin, he realizes there’s more to her, more to their past, more to the storm of feelings that roil inside.
Lydia and Brogan get caught up in a vicious cycle of hurt. Betrayals are difficult to forget and malice is hard to ignore, so for them, mistrust overrides the little hope that had sparked to life. Worse yet, when all the truths are laid out, it becomes clear nobody has won this game of vengeance.
Their turbulent story broke my heart. So much pain and regret, so many wrong turns and broken hearts. I really felt the emotion bleed off every page, as strongly as I felt the love that burned beneath the surface. The tension was consuming and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Mia Sheridan is such a master at making you feel every hurt, every want, every feeling of indecision, and I love that. And it’s that intensity of emotion, that tumultuous love story that makes Ramsay such a satisfying romance. This isn’t a romance to skip over, it’s a must read.
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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“There is such a thin veil between love and hate.”
Love, loss, betrayal, revenge, forgiveness—the main themes in Mia Sheridan’s latest romance in the Sign of Love series—are felt viscerally on every level. A story brimming with intense feeling, Ramsay shines, indelibly burrowing deep into my heart as one of my favorite Mia novels to date.
Brogan Ramsey’s story was shaped by grit and regret, rage and hopelessness. In a world he saw in numbers, surrounded by those who either looked down on him or disappointed him, he dared to dream of a life with Lydia, the girl he loved. He was the gardener, she was the wealthy daughter of whom he worked for—a princess he pined for from afar.
He should have known, but one day his feelings clouded his judgment and a single decision shattered it all. His family was ruined, homeless. The humiliation he suffered that day, at the hands of the De Havillands, would become permanently etched on his heart… a heart that from that day began to harden with rage.
“I would never beg anyone for anythin’ again. Not ever again.”
Years later, Lydia De Havilland worked tirelessly to save her father’s company. Her brother had run it into the ground and she’d had to make sacrifices to keep it afloat. Life felt barren and without meaning. She’d been tired and lonely for so long. And then life threw her another curve ball when she saw him again. She’d hurt him years ago, she’d never forgotten and now, it was clear he’d not forgotten either.
“I hated them—hated the whole lot of them. And now they’d pay. And I’d enjoy every minute of it. I wouldn’t allow anything less.”
Brogan Ramsey was no longer a boy without means, he was a staggering presence, a man of power. He was back to enact revenge on the family who’d taken everything from him. He expected the sting of betrayal to burn again, but he didn’t expect that she’d still hold power over him. And as his games begin, he realizes there’s more to her, more to their past, more to the storm of feelings that roil inside.
“She has been the only person to every really see me.”
Lydia and Brogan get caught up in a vicious cycle of hurt. Betrayals are difficult to forget and malice is hard to ignore, so for them, mistrust overrides the little hope that had sparked to life. Worse yet, when all the truths are laid out, it becomes clear nobody has won this game of vengeance.
Their turbulent story broke my heart. So much pain and regret, so many wrong turns and broken hearts. I really felt the emotion bleed off every page, as strongly as I felt the love that burned beneath the surface. The tension was consuming and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Mia Sheridan is such a master at making you feel every hurt, every want, every feeling of indecision, and I love that. And it’s that intensity of emotion, that tumultuous love story that makes Ramsay such a satisfying romance. This isn’t a romance to skip over, it’s a must read.
“I love you. That’s my truth. It’s always been my truth.”
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
Follow Vilma's Book Blog: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Subscribe by Email
February 7, 2018
➳Victoria currently has me craving some more Mia Sheridan writing, so I'm re-reading this beauty once again...
➳Can I give this book ten stars please? Dear lord... It's a pool of salty tears in my room right now! Gosh! I adore this book way too much! I have longed to read such a captivating love story that has a beautiful, but at the same time terrifying story plot that wants you to throw the book across the room and let it tear into pieces for the "mistakes" the protagonists do. Not all happily ever after's have to be followed with such ease and passion like those old Disney cliché stories go, but they can also end with a beautiful and absolutely magnificent message. "Ramsay" definitely has that message of forgiveness, love, and compassion.
➳This love story of Brogan and Lydia did not only struggle to keep their love alive and flowing, but they both learned valuable lessons in life that made them to the happy ever after place at the end of the story. Mia Sheridan did not only captivate this unique love story in a brilliant masterpiece, but also through her writing it became obvious the delicacy she implies through her work. I have officially become a huge fan of her work, and hope to see and read more beautiful books from her as well in the near future.
➳This book will not only tear your heart apart, but it will also bring it back together... Piece by piece.
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➳Can I give this book ten stars please? Dear lord... It's a pool of salty tears in my room right now! Gosh! I adore this book way too much! I have longed to read such a captivating love story that has a beautiful, but at the same time terrifying story plot that wants you to throw the book across the room and let it tear into pieces for the "mistakes" the protagonists do. Not all happily ever after's have to be followed with such ease and passion like those old Disney cliché stories go, but they can also end with a beautiful and absolutely magnificent message. "Ramsay" definitely has that message of forgiveness, love, and compassion.
➳This love story of Brogan and Lydia did not only struggle to keep their love alive and flowing, but they both learned valuable lessons in life that made them to the happy ever after place at the end of the story. Mia Sheridan did not only captivate this unique love story in a brilliant masterpiece, but also through her writing it became obvious the delicacy she implies through her work. I have officially become a huge fan of her work, and hope to see and read more beautiful books from her as well in the near future.
➳This book will not only tear your heart apart, but it will also bring it back together... Piece by piece.
➳Follow Me On:
Blog ♕ Instagram ♕ Facebook ♕ Twitter
December 3, 2016
I was really missing Mia and her unique stories. Ramsay didn't disappoint and I really enjoy this vengeance to love story, it was something new for her and she should write this type some more. It suited her!
Ramsay was for my liking because I wanted to see the limits that someone goes for revenge, and oh boy, the hero went a great deal to make his plan real.
The hate love relationship between the main characters was packed with sexual tension and even if you wanted to believe he hated her, there was no way the facts here with him.
I enjoyed this roller coaster of emotions, because it was one indeed. Up and down until the very end, with a lot of feelings and surprising moments.
It was something different from Mia and I enjoyed so much, because although she wrote something atypical, her trademark elements remain.
This book made me swoon and weep and have a heartache for several day. I just can't figure out from where does she get this perfect love stories but I am very grateful to be her fan and to discover her books.
5 stars as usual, love her:)
For more reviews please check https://readwithloveblog.wordpress.com
Ramsay was for my liking because I wanted to see the limits that someone goes for revenge, and oh boy, the hero went a great deal to make his plan real.
The hate love relationship between the main characters was packed with sexual tension and even if you wanted to believe he hated her, there was no way the facts here with him.
I enjoyed this roller coaster of emotions, because it was one indeed. Up and down until the very end, with a lot of feelings and surprising moments.
It was something different from Mia and I enjoyed so much, because although she wrote something atypical, her trademark elements remain.
This book made me swoon and weep and have a heartache for several day. I just can't figure out from where does she get this perfect love stories but I am very grateful to be her fan and to discover her books.
5 stars as usual, love her:)
For more reviews please check https://readwithloveblog.wordpress.com
June 20, 2016
★★ 2.5 Stars ★★
Mia Sheridan is without a doubt a fantastic story-teller and a master at her craft. Unfortunately, her books are hit and miss with me and whilst I have loved the majority of them, Ramsay completely fell short.
Lydia De Havilland and Brogan Ramsey are childhood friends, who fall in love despite their differences in wealth and social standings. Lydia who is a tender age of sixteen makes a terrible misjudgement that leads to a terrible rift that lasts seven years.
What had the potential to become an angst-filled, Love/hate revenge romance, quickly turned into a drama ridden, frustrating, and unemotional read.
The main thing that was missing for me was the lack of emotional connection between the two main characters, and unfortunately, Ramsay was not ticking any boxes for me.
I would, however, recommend you give this a whirl if you like the synopsis and it's calling to you, I really do think this will be a book that you either love or not love.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
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Mia Sheridan is without a doubt a fantastic story-teller and a master at her craft. Unfortunately, her books are hit and miss with me and whilst I have loved the majority of them, Ramsay completely fell short.
Lydia De Havilland and Brogan Ramsey are childhood friends, who fall in love despite their differences in wealth and social standings. Lydia who is a tender age of sixteen makes a terrible misjudgement that leads to a terrible rift that lasts seven years.
What had the potential to become an angst-filled, Love/hate revenge romance, quickly turned into a drama ridden, frustrating, and unemotional read.
The main thing that was missing for me was the lack of emotional connection between the two main characters, and unfortunately, Ramsay was not ticking any boxes for me.
I would, however, recommend you give this a whirl if you like the synopsis and it's calling to you, I really do think this will be a book that you either love or not love.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
June 19, 2016
❝ Forgiveness isn't an emotion. Forgiveness is a choice. And sometimes it's one you have to choose again and again.❞
Sheridan starts Ramsay off with a bang. That prologue was FANTASTIC! I was sucked in and invested from the start.
There's something special about Mia Sheridan's writing, characters and stories. They are uniquely her own. There is no formula. Her brilliantly creative mind lets her explore situations which plague everyday people. Whether it be social issues or personal trauma, her stories are always captivating and compelling.
Ramsay was no exception. Brogan Ramsay was born unto a working-class family. His father brought him and his younger sister to the US from Ireland after his mother died. Unfortunately, his father dealt with the trauma of her death by finding comfort in alcohol. This left Ramsay, at the age of 17, to take on his father's role as the Gardner to the De Havilland's estate and as the parent to his sister Eileen.
Ramsay was a hard worker. And, he was smart. Edward De Havilland recognized and valued these traits in him, and offered him a job at his company after he graduated high school. See, this didn't sit well with Edward's son, Stuart. He was riddled with jealousy. Because he knew Brogan was everything he wasn't.
Brogan liked Lydia De Havilland, the only daughter of his boss, Edward. As teenage crushes go, his was pretty intense. He knew he needed to stay away from her being the Gardner and the one responsible for the livelihood of his family. He couldn't do anything to mess that up. But also, he was the gardener she was the little princess.
As the only daughter of Edward De Havilland. She had everything she could possibly want. Except her mother, who died when Lydia was young and Brogan. One, she could never get back and the other, she practiced her flirting game. She didn't care that he was a worker, in fact, she loved watching him work.
One fateful day, in the De Havilland's stables, changed the course of history for both families.
Years later, set on revenge, Brogan is determined to ruin the De Havilland's and dismantle their business and lives. The problem? Not all was what it seemed and first love doesn't always die.
I loved the Gaelic, the banter and the hint of suspense.
What didn't work for me, and what kept this from being a 5 star read, was I had a problem with why Lydia believed others over Brogan. Especially since she had all of the information in front of her telling her why she shouldn't. Those involved had proven time and time again not to be trustworthy. (I am not going to be more specific by giving details because that would spoil the book.) I can't let Brogan off the hook either. Because he was guilty of the same. I can't call it miscommunication as much of lack of communication, or refusal of.
I would love to get Fionn's story, he was such an amazing character. As well, I want to know more about Eileen, she was strong beyond measure.
Sheridan starts Ramsay off with a bang. That prologue was FANTASTIC! I was sucked in and invested from the start.
There's something special about Mia Sheridan's writing, characters and stories. They are uniquely her own. There is no formula. Her brilliantly creative mind lets her explore situations which plague everyday people. Whether it be social issues or personal trauma, her stories are always captivating and compelling.
Ramsay was no exception. Brogan Ramsay was born unto a working-class family. His father brought him and his younger sister to the US from Ireland after his mother died. Unfortunately, his father dealt with the trauma of her death by finding comfort in alcohol. This left Ramsay, at the age of 17, to take on his father's role as the Gardner to the De Havilland's estate and as the parent to his sister Eileen.
Ramsay was a hard worker. And, he was smart. Edward De Havilland recognized and valued these traits in him, and offered him a job at his company after he graduated high school. See, this didn't sit well with Edward's son, Stuart. He was riddled with jealousy. Because he knew Brogan was everything he wasn't.
Brogan liked Lydia De Havilland, the only daughter of his boss, Edward. As teenage crushes go, his was pretty intense. He knew he needed to stay away from her being the Gardner and the one responsible for the livelihood of his family. He couldn't do anything to mess that up. But also, he was the gardener she was the little princess.
❝ Yes, Lydia was a princess, but when she smiled at me, my heart did somersaults in my chest. When she laughed, it sounded like the sweetest music, soft and pitched in a way that was nothing except pleasing to my ears ... She was everything soft and beautiful and feminine, and she made me want in a way I both loved and hated. And despite her princess status, she never looked at me in the way her friends did.❞
As the only daughter of Edward De Havilland. She had everything she could possibly want. Except her mother, who died when Lydia was young and Brogan. One, she could never get back and the other, she practiced her flirting game. She didn't care that he was a worker, in fact, she loved watching him work.
❝ I imagined how you might taste, how your skin might smell--like boy sweat and grass.❞
One fateful day, in the De Havilland's stables, changed the course of history for both families.
❝ I promised I'd never beg again, never be brought to my knees.❞
Years later, set on revenge, Brogan is determined to ruin the De Havilland's and dismantle their business and lives. The problem? Not all was what it seemed and first love doesn't always die.
❝ I would ruin her, humiliate her, and then there'd be nothing left except peace.❞
I loved the Gaelic, the banter and the hint of suspense.
What didn't work for me, and what kept this from being a 5 star read, was I had a problem with why Lydia believed others over Brogan. Especially since she had all of the information in front of her telling her why she shouldn't. Those involved had proven time and time again not to be trustworthy. (I am not going to be more specific by giving details because that would spoil the book.) I can't let Brogan off the hook either. Because he was guilty of the same. I can't call it miscommunication as much of lack of communication, or refusal of.
I would love to get Fionn's story, he was such an amazing character. As well, I want to know more about Eileen, she was strong beyond measure.
July 26, 2016
Ramsay tells the story of Brogan and Lydia. As teenagers he was her family's gardener and she, the princess. After a night together goes terribly wrong Brogan is fired from her family, and leaves her life. Years later he's back, and no the roles have changed. He's now rich and powerful, and she's struggling to keep her family's business alive. He want's his revenge, and he's willing to do anything to get it.
I will never get enough of Mia Sheridan's writing. She creates some of the best characters I've ever read, and Brogan and Lydia are just more examples of why I say that. I loved the complexity to their characters and how you weren't really sure you actually knew them until near the end of the book. There were always little pieces of them being revealed and it kept me captivated the whole time.
This is a story about two people getting their second chance at love, and trying their damnedest not to let it go to waste. There was a good amount of angst thrown in, that will have you on the edge of your seat, and then the sweet moments make up for all of that. My heart shattered while reading about Brogan and Lydia, and what they had to go through. But the end brought it all together and put my heart back together again. Definitely a recommend from me.
I will never get enough of Mia Sheridan's writing. She creates some of the best characters I've ever read, and Brogan and Lydia are just more examples of why I say that. I loved the complexity to their characters and how you weren't really sure you actually knew them until near the end of the book. There were always little pieces of them being revealed and it kept me captivated the whole time.
This is a story about two people getting their second chance at love, and trying their damnedest not to let it go to waste. There was a good amount of angst thrown in, that will have you on the edge of your seat, and then the sweet moments make up for all of that. My heart shattered while reading about Brogan and Lydia, and what they had to go through. But the end brought it all together and put my heart back together again. Definitely a recommend from me.
January 28, 2018
** 2.5 STARS**
Creo que la Mia Sheridan que escribió la Voz de Archer es otra totalmente a la que escribió este libro o al menos a mí es lo que me parece.
Es una historia que comienza bien con clichés y todo pero al menos es entretenida, pero a la mitad del libro se acabó la trama, la venganza se esfumó, los secretos son revelados y tal, fue cuando me costó bastante seguir leyendo hasta estaba pensando en abandonar pero como no soy de las que tira la toalla continúe pero fue totalmente aburrido, los personajes fueron grises y planos, rodaba los ojos cada vez que llegan los pensamientos ”pero que guapo es” ,“ que hermosa es”, “sus hermosos ojos azul verdoso “, “sus intensos ojos azules”, en serio lo repitieron cada dos o tres páginas, era muy cansado estar leyendo eso.
Como mi generosidad es bien grande los voy a dejar en tres estrellas porque al menos pude terminarlo y me distrajo del final del libro que leí antes de este y me dejó súper mal.
El de Archer sigue siendo mi libro favorito de ella y todavía albergo la esperanza de que escriba otro igual de bonito.
Creo que la Mia Sheridan que escribió la Voz de Archer es otra totalmente a la que escribió este libro o al menos a mí es lo que me parece.
Es una historia que comienza bien con clichés y todo pero al menos es entretenida, pero a la mitad del libro se acabó la trama, la venganza se esfumó, los secretos son revelados y tal, fue cuando me costó bastante seguir leyendo hasta estaba pensando en abandonar pero como no soy de las que tira la toalla continúe pero fue totalmente aburrido, los personajes fueron grises y planos, rodaba los ojos cada vez que llegan los pensamientos ”pero que guapo es” ,“ que hermosa es”, “sus hermosos ojos azul verdoso “, “sus intensos ojos azules”, en serio lo repitieron cada dos o tres páginas, era muy cansado estar leyendo eso.
Como mi generosidad es bien grande los voy a dejar en tres estrellas porque al menos pude terminarlo y me distrajo del final del libro que leí antes de este y me dejó súper mal.
El de Archer sigue siendo mi libro favorito de ella y todavía albergo la esperanza de que escriba otro igual de bonito.
June 19, 2016
Ramsay (A Sign of Love Novel) by Mia Sheridan
4.5 stars!!!
Mia Sheridan never fails to deliver a book that will make you fall in love with her characters and I have to say she certainly did that with these Irish men. The Gaelic dialect will have your panties melting and the Irish sense of humour that is prevalent throughout will have you crying tears of laughter. This was such a different read from Mia Sheridan and yet her trademark signature writing was still there in spades…along with eye-opening Gaelic cursing.
This is a story of the pauper who became a prince, a man who hit rock bottom thanks to a wealthy family that he was employed by, a man who was the victim of falling in love with a teenage seductress who really only wanted him to notice her other than as a "princess." Revenge is sweet, karma is a bitch. Brogan made it out of the pits of hell, he provided for his family as his dad was a waste of space, he made it from the slums, but at what price? Now a self-made millionaire he is a real life Robin Hood. He was adorable! Brogan is out for revenge, but now, seven years later taking that plan to fruition hits a stumbling block when he comes face to face with his teenage seductress once again.
Can the past stay in the past, can all be forgiven?
Lydia de Havilland as a teen was a girl that was used to getting what she wanted, she was a princess, a little bit of a prima donna, but it was all she knew, it was all she had been around and led to believe. Seven years on Lydia has grown up, she is humble, naïve, reflective, hard-working, determined and is fighting to keep the family business from going under. Her father has now passed away and the company is being run by Lydia and her brother, but he is running it into the ground. Lydia is constantly fighting fires, fires lit by her brothers irresponsible and entitled behaviour. Their circumstances had changed, but he had never gotten the memo.
Brogan Ramsay had been belittled and humiliated at the hands of Lydia’s brother before he and his family were ejected from the Havilland property. That humiliation bred contempt and the desire for revenge. The desire that had festered and festered and had been fuelling his quest for vengeance for years. Ramsay had been waiting for the ideal opportunity and now Lydia’s selfish brother had gifted it to him. It was like taking candy from a baby, but coming face to face with a begging Lydia…Ramsay finally sees that not all was as it seems and old feelings soon bubble to the surface, but will he fight them?
Mia Sheridan delivers a story of revenge, redemption, regrets, forgiveness and second chances all delivered with her trademark breath taking, emotional and visceral prose. I was totally captivated by Brogan and Lydia’s story knowing that their road to a HEA would be fraught with obstacles, painful memories, the truth and trust. Nothing was instant, everything was believably drawn out with intense emotion and clarity. Her secondary characters all had their parts to play and were just as developed as Lydia and Brogan. Fionn, this man deserves his own book, he was hilarious and totally lovable with his Irish charm and hilarious sense of humour, but his loyalty was his most attractive trait.
I have loved this signs of love series and I cannot wait to see what characters Mia Sheridan delivers next.
www.theromancecover.com
4.5 stars!!!
“There is such a thin veil between love and hate.”
Mia Sheridan never fails to deliver a book that will make you fall in love with her characters and I have to say she certainly did that with these Irish men. The Gaelic dialect will have your panties melting and the Irish sense of humour that is prevalent throughout will have you crying tears of laughter. This was such a different read from Mia Sheridan and yet her trademark signature writing was still there in spades…along with eye-opening Gaelic cursing.
“Also, son, if ya find yourself in love with a woman, on your knees is a rather beguilin’ place to be.”
This is a story of the pauper who became a prince, a man who hit rock bottom thanks to a wealthy family that he was employed by, a man who was the victim of falling in love with a teenage seductress who really only wanted him to notice her other than as a "princess." Revenge is sweet, karma is a bitch. Brogan made it out of the pits of hell, he provided for his family as his dad was a waste of space, he made it from the slums, but at what price? Now a self-made millionaire he is a real life Robin Hood. He was adorable! Brogan is out for revenge, but now, seven years later taking that plan to fruition hits a stumbling block when he comes face to face with his teenage seductress once again.
“Doesn’t Brogan realize that he got back at everyone who ever wronged him simply with the way he lives his life?”
“No, he hasn’t quite made it there…”
Can the past stay in the past, can all be forgiven?
“The love I had felt for her was false, based on lies. And if the love was false, the hate was false, too. I would ruin her, humiliate her, and then there’d be nothing left except peace. She had ever really known me.”
Lydia de Havilland as a teen was a girl that was used to getting what she wanted, she was a princess, a little bit of a prima donna, but it was all she knew, it was all she had been around and led to believe. Seven years on Lydia has grown up, she is humble, naïve, reflective, hard-working, determined and is fighting to keep the family business from going under. Her father has now passed away and the company is being run by Lydia and her brother, but he is running it into the ground. Lydia is constantly fighting fires, fires lit by her brothers irresponsible and entitled behaviour. Their circumstances had changed, but he had never gotten the memo.
“Or maybe we were all villains sometimes, each one of us. Maybe the thing that determined how quickly we became heroes was the grace we were extended, not only by others, but by ourselves.”
Brogan Ramsay had been belittled and humiliated at the hands of Lydia’s brother before he and his family were ejected from the Havilland property. That humiliation bred contempt and the desire for revenge. The desire that had festered and festered and had been fuelling his quest for vengeance for years. Ramsay had been waiting for the ideal opportunity and now Lydia’s selfish brother had gifted it to him. It was like taking candy from a baby, but coming face to face with a begging Lydia…Ramsay finally sees that not all was as it seems and old feelings soon bubble to the surface, but will he fight them?
“…no more keeping track of wrongs. Love doesn’t keep a tally. Love doesn’t seek to punish…”
Mia Sheridan delivers a story of revenge, redemption, regrets, forgiveness and second chances all delivered with her trademark breath taking, emotional and visceral prose. I was totally captivated by Brogan and Lydia’s story knowing that their road to a HEA would be fraught with obstacles, painful memories, the truth and trust. Nothing was instant, everything was believably drawn out with intense emotion and clarity. Her secondary characters all had their parts to play and were just as developed as Lydia and Brogan. Fionn, this man deserves his own book, he was hilarious and totally lovable with his Irish charm and hilarious sense of humour, but his loyalty was his most attractive trait.
“May ya never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if ya must lie, lie in each other’s arms. If ya must steal, steal kisses. If ya must cheat, cheat death. And if ya must drink, drink with us, your friends. To me friends!” He started to bring his glass to his lips and added, “And ya, too, Courtney.”
I have loved this signs of love series and I cannot wait to see what characters Mia Sheridan delivers next.
“What would Fionn do?”
www.theromancecover.com
January 31, 2018
Pues muy a mi pesar, porque la autora me gusta mucho, la historia me ha defraudado mucho, bastante ...
No entiendo el titulo del libro porque ni hay venganza ni hay nada.
No me ha gustado Brogan, el protagonista, ni me ha terminado de convencer Lydia, la protagonista.
Creo que a la historia le ha faltado mucha más chicha y que el tema odio y perdón fueran la trama más constante.
No lo recomiendo.
No entiendo el titulo del libro porque ni hay venganza ni hay nada.
No me ha gustado Brogan, el protagonista, ni me ha terminado de convencer Lydia, la protagonista.
Creo que a la historia le ha faltado mucha más chicha y que el tema odio y perdón fueran la trama más constante.
No lo recomiendo.
December 16, 2022
2.5 stars
seriously i love this author. but even with her - you win some, you lose some. and this one was a... no, thank you.
(read as an audiobook)
seriously i love this author. but even with her - you win some, you lose some. and this one was a... no, thank you.
(read as an audiobook)
July 4, 2016
“We’ll destroy each other. Again. You know we will.”
“Then let’s destroy each other properly this time.”
Oh, how I love the sweet sorrow of a second chance romance, my heart racing even before I turn than very first page, but when you add a devilish side of revenge to the mix, you will find me quite literally unable to recognise myself in the mirror from the sheer euphoria that takes over me while devouring such a story. Mia Sheridan has given us a page-turner filled with so many heart-clenching moments that made me whimper in pain, I felt I needed to be sedated before I even reached the halfway mark. And even though the little jabs to my poor heart just kept coming, mercilessly and with no notice, I was addicted to every single sensation, mesmerised by these fascinating characters, the intense emotions that tied them to one another as they kept dancing that devastating line between love and hate. And once it was over, I swear I was ready to read it all over again.
Continue reading this review...
June 19, 2016
3.75 stars
Exceptionally written as always by this author but I hate to admit; this one wasn't a series favourite for me.
I genuinely loved the first 3/4 of this book but dammit; that last 15% had me all irritatingly frustrated at both MC's internal thoughts, miscommunications and actions. I was seriously giving myself a near aneurism cos I was so angry!
And with less than 4% left of the story to get his act together, the hero finally came through but I was so miffed by that stage that the teeny tiny sliver of "win-back" that I was gifted with, ended up feeling crammed and rushed (as did the epilogue).
Ah well, I did really love everything else about this story nonetheless and would have rated this a solid 4 stars were it not for some of my own petty dislikes at the end. Told in dual POV with epilogue and HEA.
Exceptionally written as always by this author but I hate to admit; this one wasn't a series favourite for me.
I genuinely loved the first 3/4 of this book but dammit; that last 15% had me all irritatingly frustrated at both MC's internal thoughts, miscommunications and actions. I was seriously giving myself a near aneurism cos I was so angry!
And with less than 4% left of the story to get his act together, the hero finally came through but I was so miffed by that stage that the teeny tiny sliver of "win-back" that I was gifted with, ended up feeling crammed and rushed (as did the epilogue).
Ah well, I did really love everything else about this story nonetheless and would have rated this a solid 4 stars were it not for some of my own petty dislikes at the end. Told in dual POV with epilogue and HEA.
June 18, 2016
I’m a big admirer of Mia Sheridan’s work. Her stories tend to be unique, absorbing, and thought provoking. The beginning of Ramsay is strong, and I was quickly sucked into the story by all the backstabbing and scheming. I loved the pull between Lydia De Havilland and Brogan Ramsay, and the prospect of a relationship do-over appealed to me. I also enjoyed their role reversal and Lydia eating humble pie. Unfortunately, my interest began to wane as the focus moves from revenge to making restitution to the pair grappling with trust issues.
Ramsay is about the consequences of resentment and the power of forgiveness. However, the message is tainted by Lydia’s willingness to repeatedly forgive, excuse, and enable her loathsome brother. Stuart seriously doesn’t have one redeemable quality. Lydia is a smart woman who throws common sense out the window whenever her brother is around, and eventually I found it difficult to stay invested.
I really appreciated the quiet moments when Brogan and Lydia spend time together just getting reacquainted. Between their trust issues, Stuart’s interference and Brogan’s past, though, conflicts arise that seem rather convoluted and avoidable. Why is it so difficult for characters to talk to each other?
Brogan is such a gentle, sweet soul. He’s a bit clueless and insecure at times, but his generosity, passion, and even his stubbornness make him irresistible.
My favorite characters are Brogan’s loyal sister, Eileen, and his best friend, Fionn. Fionn is an Irish charmer and if you want a crash course on Irish slang and curse words, he’s your man. He’s absolutely worthy of having his own story.
This is a “didn’t love it, didn’t hate it” scenario for me. Ramsay definitely has an intriguing plot, and I’m sure many Mia Sheridan fans will enjoy this story.
Recommended for fans of:
Irish culture
Revenge plots
Rags to riches
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
Ramsay is about the consequences of resentment and the power of forgiveness. However, the message is tainted by Lydia’s willingness to repeatedly forgive, excuse, and enable her loathsome brother. Stuart seriously doesn’t have one redeemable quality. Lydia is a smart woman who throws common sense out the window whenever her brother is around, and eventually I found it difficult to stay invested.
I really appreciated the quiet moments when Brogan and Lydia spend time together just getting reacquainted. Between their trust issues, Stuart’s interference and Brogan’s past, though, conflicts arise that seem rather convoluted and avoidable. Why is it so difficult for characters to talk to each other?
Brogan is such a gentle, sweet soul. He’s a bit clueless and insecure at times, but his generosity, passion, and even his stubbornness make him irresistible.
My favorite characters are Brogan’s loyal sister, Eileen, and his best friend, Fionn. Fionn is an Irish charmer and if you want a crash course on Irish slang and curse words, he’s your man. He’s absolutely worthy of having his own story.
This is a “didn’t love it, didn’t hate it” scenario for me. Ramsay definitely has an intriguing plot, and I’m sure many Mia Sheridan fans will enjoy this story.
Recommended for fans of:
Irish culture
Revenge plots
Rags to riches
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
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