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Stripped #1.5
Heartbreak
Some wounds never heal...
She's stuck in another foster home. He's the new boy with a bad reputation.
Falling in love in the wrong place and the wrong time never felt so good.
She's stuck in another foster home. He's the new boy with a bad reputation.
Falling in love in the wrong place and the wrong time never felt so good.
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First published March 27, 2016
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1504 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
May 8, 2016
4.5 sweet stars ❤️❤️
April 3, 2016
We all have our idols to worship, right? ;o)
For me, that's primarily Skye Warren. She writes with so much soul, you can feel it even after a few sentences. I already knew the story as I'd read Better When It Hurts, as dark and painful as a romance comes. Yet reading first-hand how Blue and Hannah's drama started was too much of a lure to me to deny myself.
And here I am. Again, I'm soaking in the sad, disturbing density of a couple that is fated and doomed to love each other to hurtful extents. A foster home, a menace, a bad boy who's killed before. The girl who latches on to his strength for protection is only concerned with survival. Until her heart betrays both of them.
That's a powerful message: love as salvation and perdition. This prequel is strong in emotion, in loss and tension, and you know it's going to end badly. Still the need to know why and how it all happens will satisfy those who've read the full-length story that comes after this novella. Those whose first glimpse of Blue and Hannah's tragic love is this novella will surely crave their next dose of adrenaline. Heartbreak indeed.
(First read as part of the anthology For the First Time)
For me, that's primarily Skye Warren. She writes with so much soul, you can feel it even after a few sentences. I already knew the story as I'd read Better When It Hurts, as dark and painful as a romance comes. Yet reading first-hand how Blue and Hannah's drama started was too much of a lure to me to deny myself.
And here I am. Again, I'm soaking in the sad, disturbing density of a couple that is fated and doomed to love each other to hurtful extents. A foster home, a menace, a bad boy who's killed before. The girl who latches on to his strength for protection is only concerned with survival. Until her heart betrays both of them.
That's a powerful message: love as salvation and perdition. This prequel is strong in emotion, in loss and tension, and you know it's going to end badly. Still the need to know why and how it all happens will satisfy those who've read the full-length story that comes after this novella. Those whose first glimpse of Blue and Hannah's tragic love is this novella will surely crave their next dose of adrenaline. Heartbreak indeed.
(First read as part of the anthology For the First Time)
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April 15, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/15/2018)!💝
April 24, 2025
Raw, Intimate, and Beautifully Tormented || ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Heartbreak is a short but emotionally potent installment in the Stripped series that peels back another layer of the dark and complicated relationship between Hannah and Blue. Skye Warren does what she does best—delivering emotional intensity with razor-sharp precision and sensual undertones that simmer just beneath the surface.
Even though it's a novella, the story doesn’t skimp much on character development or emotional depth. Hannah's vulnerability is palpable, and Blue continues to be an enigmatic presence—dangerous, yet impossible to resist. Their dynamic is equal parts tender and brutal, and the lovable tension between them kept me turning the pages.
Author's thought at some points amazed me with the practicality going along metaphorical harmony. For say, "I manage to avoid the new boy that night and the next. Even though I’m curious about him, I know too well how badly things can go. Besides, he has to be the one to make a move. You don’t approach a wild tiger, hands outstretched for a hug. Not if you want to live to tell about it." But I believe in most such cases girls chose to left right guys.
My only reason for holding back that 1.5 star is the brevity—I wanted more. The story teases at so much depth and complexity, but just as it starts to unravel the emotional threads, it ends. Still, as a companion piece, it’s incredibly effective and adds weight to the larger series arc.
If you’re already invested in the Stripped series, this is a one-go-read. Just be prepared for a quick, intense ride that leaves you somewhere aching for its next part in series.
Heartbreak is a short but emotionally potent installment in the Stripped series that peels back another layer of the dark and complicated relationship between Hannah and Blue. Skye Warren does what she does best—delivering emotional intensity with razor-sharp precision and sensual undertones that simmer just beneath the surface.
Even though it's a novella, the story doesn’t skimp much on character development or emotional depth. Hannah's vulnerability is palpable, and Blue continues to be an enigmatic presence—dangerous, yet impossible to resist. Their dynamic is equal parts tender and brutal, and the lovable tension between them kept me turning the pages.
Author's thought at some points amazed me with the practicality going along metaphorical harmony. For say, "I manage to avoid the new boy that night and the next. Even though I’m curious about him, I know too well how badly things can go. Besides, he has to be the one to make a move. You don’t approach a wild tiger, hands outstretched for a hug. Not if you want to live to tell about it." But I believe in most such cases girls chose to left right guys.
My only reason for holding back that 1.5 star is the brevity—I wanted more. The story teases at so much depth and complexity, but just as it starts to unravel the emotional threads, it ends. Still, as a companion piece, it’s incredibly effective and adds weight to the larger series arc.
If you’re already invested in the Stripped series, this is a one-go-read. Just be prepared for a quick, intense ride that leaves you somewhere aching for its next part in series.
March 15, 2019
Free on Kindle, also available on Scribd along with the rest of the Stripped books.
3.5 stars. This is the prequel to Better When It Hurts, but it does NOT have to be read first. In fact, I'm relieved I read this afterwards.
A major reason why Better When It Hurts was suspenseful was the mysterious history between Blue and Hannah. Why did Blue have such animosity towards Hannah? What did Hannah do and why? Will Blue really hurt her? These questions were slowly answered in flashbacks in Better When It Hurts.
For the prequel, which was published after Better When It Hurts, Skye Warren took these flashbacks and expanded them. If the prequel is read first, parts of Better When It Hurts will be spoiled. It's such a good book it will still be suspenseful...I'm just relieved I read the prequel last and experienced the flashbacks as a reveal and instead of a rehash of the prequel.
3.5 stars. This is the prequel to Better When It Hurts, but it does NOT have to be read first. In fact, I'm relieved I read this afterwards.
A major reason why Better When It Hurts was suspenseful was the mysterious history between Blue and Hannah. Why did Blue have such animosity towards Hannah? What did Hannah do and why? Will Blue really hurt her? These questions were slowly answered in flashbacks in Better When It Hurts.
For the prequel, which was published after Better When It Hurts, Skye Warren took these flashbacks and expanded them. If the prequel is read first, parts of Better When It Hurts will be spoiled. It's such a good book it will still be suspenseful...I'm just relieved I read the prequel last and experienced the flashbacks as a reveal and instead of a rehash of the prequel.
May 1, 2016
Nothing new to the story for those who read "Better When it Hurts" but loved it all the same!!!
February 2, 2019
5 stars!
Loved this.
Loved this.
April 7, 2016
I almost didn't read HEARTBREAK (which would have been heartbreaking)....
HEARTBREAK is a beautifully written, all-consuming introduction to the main characters who live in Skye Warren's standalone, "BETTER WHEN IT HURTS". I don't usually read YA romance so when I realized that HEARTBREAK was about two underage teenagers, I almost didn't read it. Knowing what Ms. Warren is capable of, I luckily did decide to give it a chance and am SO glad I dId! There is something about the way Warren writes, somehow creating unbelievably realistic characters. Warren's consistently remarkable character development left me feeling emotionally connected and attached to the main characters. Basically, I fell in love with Hannah, Blue and their story! I became invested in their lives, feeling a loss when the story came to an end. I NEED more - I NEED to know what happens to them!! Luckily for me, there is more.... BETTER WHEN IT HURTS is at the very top of my TBR pile!
HEARTBREAK is a beautifully written, all-consuming introduction to the main characters who live in Skye Warren's standalone, "BETTER WHEN IT HURTS". I don't usually read YA romance so when I realized that HEARTBREAK was about two underage teenagers, I almost didn't read it. Knowing what Ms. Warren is capable of, I luckily did decide to give it a chance and am SO glad I dId! There is something about the way Warren writes, somehow creating unbelievably realistic characters. Warren's consistently remarkable character development left me feeling emotionally connected and attached to the main characters. Basically, I fell in love with Hannah, Blue and their story! I became invested in their lives, feeling a loss when the story came to an end. I NEED more - I NEED to know what happens to them!! Luckily for me, there is more.... BETTER WHEN IT HURTS is at the very top of my TBR pile!
May 18, 2022
Free on Google Playbook
I know the the title is heartbreak but I do not knownit would be this break. Maybe I've got spoiled for the main book, but I don't really care coz I love this book soooo much. I love Hannah, I love Blue, and I want Matthew, you know, ended.
Something I realized about these books, even it is just a novella, it is very well written.
I know the the title is heartbreak but I do not knownit would be this break. Maybe I've got spoiled for the main book, but I don't really care coz I love this book soooo much. I love Hannah, I love Blue, and I want Matthew, you know, ended.
Something I realized about these books, even it is just a novella, it is very well written.
May 7, 2022
4.5 stars! Loved this short prequel explaining how Hannah & Blue met!!!! Actually like that I read it after I read their full story!
July 13, 2016
Finalmente vuelve el héroe y de a poquito se va enterando todo lo que hizo ella para protegerlo y cómo vivió en las calles luego de huir de la casa donde estaba el hermanastro que tantos problemas causó en la precuela.
Es hermoso el momento, cerca del final del libro, en que se da cuenta por qué mintió <3. A pesar de su enojo -él estaba convencido que no lo quería más y le daba vergüenza dejarlo, por eso había mentido sobre la violación (!)- la protegió desde el primer día que volvió, incluso trabajando como patovica en el lugar donde ella "bailaba".
Es hermoso el momento, cerca del final del libro, en que se da cuenta por qué mintió <3. A pesar de su enojo -él estaba convencido que no lo quería más y le daba vergüenza dejarlo, por eso había mentido sobre la violación (!)- la protegió desde el primer día que volvió, incluso trabajando como patovica en el lugar donde ella "bailaba".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2017
Everything that's in this short story is in Better When It Hurts. This books is kinda pointless if you're gonna read #2 in the series.... it just gets repeated in flashbacks
Safety - Rape of the heroine by her foster parents son. No detail on the sex part but you were in her head. Very short scene.
Safety - Rape of the heroine by her foster parents son. No detail on the sex part but you were in her head. Very short scene.
May 15, 2016
It's been slim pickings lately on the Amazon freebie front, HOLY FUCK there's a lot of crap out there. But, FINALLY, one has taken me by surprise and had me clenching hard for more!!!!
I'm seriously bordering on wetting myself like an excited puppy to read the continuation of this prequel.
Wish me luck friends, I'm going straight in!!!...
June 19, 2016
Quick prequel.
Hannah is in foster care when bad boy Blue is sent to the same home. He becomes her protector, determined to do whatever he needs to keep her safe.
Faced with an agonising decision, the tables turn and Hannah becomes the protector.
Intrigued me enough to want more.
Hannah is in foster care when bad boy Blue is sent to the same home. He becomes her protector, determined to do whatever he needs to keep her safe.
Faced with an agonising decision, the tables turn and Hannah becomes the protector.
Intrigued me enough to want more.
May 2, 2016
I love this book its very good
This book Is crazy how did she start bleeding was it from her yes he must was beating her. Will they see each other again
This book Is crazy how did she start bleeding was it from her yes he must was beating her. Will they see each other again
kindle-freebies
May 6, 2016Kindle freebie 5/6/16
July 1, 2016
Love this prequel to Blue and Hannah's story. I just love the two of them together.
December 13, 2017
I enjoyed this story.
June 11, 2018
He smiles, slow and sure. “Damn, beautiful. I could get addicted to you.”
Heartbreak is a prequel novella featuring Blue and Hannah (aka Lola) both of whom we were first introduced to in the previous book, Love the Way You Lie.
They meet when they're placed in the same foster home. Familiar by now with what goes on in foster care and used to doing whatever it takes to survive, Hannah decides to strike a deal with the new boy who has a dangerous reputation. What starts as an agreement, her body in exchange for his protection, soon develops into much more than that. But when Hannah realizes how deep his protective instincts run, she's forced to make an impossible decision in order to save him, breaking her own heart and making him hate her in the process.
I’ve never been kissed like this, like I matter. Like I mean something.
This is the first time I’ve felt cherished.
This story, while being super short, still manages to be gut-wrenching and full of emotions. It made me so angry and sad to see what some kids go through in foster care. And the adults allow these things to happen? I can't speak on the subject too much as I don't have enough knowledge about it, but if any of this is based in reality then I am heartbroken and pissed.
On a happier note, the relationship between Hannah and Blue was sweet, and even funny at times. It's hard to believe this is the same Blue who always gave Honor such a hard time. That Blue was a bastard. This Blue flies off the handle at the mere thought of Mathew hurting Hannah. This Blue is tortured by the fact that he was forced to watch his mother be abused. I don't know if I'd exactly call him sweet here, but he doesn't seem like someone who would torment a woman like he did in Love the Way You Lie. I guess the years really changed him.
“They don’t care about us. They don’t understand. But I care, beautiful. I care about you more than I should.”
The words burrow inside me where I can keep them. No matter where I go after this, no matter how far away I am from him, I’ll always remember this.
So the ending upset me. I could tell something bad was looming and I'm not very happy about the direction the story went. To an extent, I understand Hannah's actions, but couldn't she have thought of a better way to handle the situation? Ah well, onto Better When It Hurts! I can't wait to see what happens when the tension between these two comes to a head.
February 9, 2023
We met Hannah and Blue in the first installment of this series, of the first real installment and we saw that there was an interesting dynamic between them. They gravitated towards one another but they also had this anger, this lust that was back handed and it added to the tension. We knew that Hannah came from the Foster world and it made sense that Blue did as well. At the time of the first book, I didn't fathom that they may have known each other prior to The Grand, but what we get in this prologue novella is their story - how it began.
We find ourselves with Hannah, in a foster home where she's a teen, and she's being tormented by the son of the dad in the family. He's above them all, he has power that no one in the foster service has and he tries to yield it. That means that Hannah's not safe in the house, that at any moment Matthew, the son will go after her and try to rape her.
Welcome Blue - he comes to the house one day and there's an instant connection. One of intrigue, one of attraction but one of mutual benefit. Blue promises to protect Hannah and they grow a bond, a friendship that we know has potential to become more.
The challenge of course is that Blue has a past and one that forces him to walk a tight rope to stay on the right side of the law, eventhough he's a minor. What happens in this first book changes their trajectory and a decision that Hannah makes to protect .....I don't know who.....means that the path they were on is severed. Which of course takes us to their longer story - which i'll dive into now
We find ourselves with Hannah, in a foster home where she's a teen, and she's being tormented by the son of the dad in the family. He's above them all, he has power that no one in the foster service has and he tries to yield it. That means that Hannah's not safe in the house, that at any moment Matthew, the son will go after her and try to rape her.
Welcome Blue - he comes to the house one day and there's an instant connection. One of intrigue, one of attraction but one of mutual benefit. Blue promises to protect Hannah and they grow a bond, a friendship that we know has potential to become more.
The challenge of course is that Blue has a past and one that forces him to walk a tight rope to stay on the right side of the law, eventhough he's a minor. What happens in this first book changes their trajectory and a decision that Hannah makes to protect .....I don't know who.....means that the path they were on is severed. Which of course takes us to their longer story - which i'll dive into now
August 15, 2018
Okay, okay. I was hesitant to continue on to the next book because I wanted to skip to Gio and Clara. But this novella is changing my mind. Plus, it’s free on Amazon 😉. In the previous book, Love the Way You Lie, Blue wasn’t exactly a likeable character. Yes, he protected the strippers from overly excited men who can’t follow rules, but he wasn’t nice to the girls either.
When the previous book ended and hinted that something was going on between Blue and Lola, I just thought that feelings probably will just develop between them while working at The Grand, pretty much like what happened to Honor and Kip. But to learn that they’ve known each other as foster kids and had feelings for each other? That’s a game changer for me. I’m a sucker for second chance romance and I suddenly have all these questions in my head that I want to be answered. And with the way things ended in this novella? I just want to go ahead and read even though it’s already 1:15am just so I can get at least some of those questions answered.
When the previous book ended and hinted that something was going on between Blue and Lola, I just thought that feelings probably will just develop between them while working at The Grand, pretty much like what happened to Honor and Kip. But to learn that they’ve known each other as foster kids and had feelings for each other? That’s a game changer for me. I’m a sucker for second chance romance and I suddenly have all these questions in my head that I want to be answered. And with the way things ended in this novella? I just want to go ahead and read even though it’s already 1:15am just so I can get at least some of those questions answered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2020
This is the very sad prequel to Better When It Hurts -- the story of Lola/Hannah and Blue. They're both foster kids. Hannah has realized as a girl that it's always a good idea to befriend the big guys, so when Blue shows up, that's what happens. But Blue isn't like the other boys and he doesn't expect anything in return. Sure, they make out a lot, but he doesn't force himself on her. The foster parents' son, however, doesn't have issues with that. He wants Hannah, and once night when he finds her alone, he forces himself on her. Blue walks in and beats the shit out of the son. Hannah sets a fire as a diversion and then, to protect Blue, she accuses him of rape. She correctly assumes that since she's just a foster kid, nothing of real consequence will happen to Blue, but it'll send Blue away so he can't kill the foster son, which is what is bound to happen if they're all allowed to go home. She basically sacrifices herself to save Blue, but of course he won't see it that way...
December 26, 2019
Four "really liked it" stars
This novella is a thrilling peek at how Hannah and Blue (the subjects of the subsequent full-length novel in this series) first met. Both are alone. Broken. Absent of hope, and just trying to survive in a jungle not fit for children. Made harder than their years by the experiences they've been subjected to. They find each other, and find some light in that darkness. Then tragedy strikes, and Hannah has to make a decision about how to best protect her only real friend.
This novella, as with everything else written by Skye Warren, kept me furiously flipping pages from the beginning. I can't wait to leap into the next book to learn more about the intimidating Blue, and what happened when he was finally reunited with Hannah. Off I go!
This novella is a thrilling peek at how Hannah and Blue (the subjects of the subsequent full-length novel in this series) first met. Both are alone. Broken. Absent of hope, and just trying to survive in a jungle not fit for children. Made harder than their years by the experiences they've been subjected to. They find each other, and find some light in that darkness. Then tragedy strikes, and Hannah has to make a decision about how to best protect her only real friend.
This novella, as with everything else written by Skye Warren, kept me furiously flipping pages from the beginning. I can't wait to leap into the next book to learn more about the intimidating Blue, and what happened when he was finally reunited with Hannah. Off I go!
June 25, 2017
HEARTBREAK is a prequel novella that introduces Blue and Hannah. Heartbreak is part of the Stripped series. There appears to be five full length novels in the series.
This prequel was a quick introduction to first love and heartbreak of Blue and Hannah. To find out what happens to them you will have to buy Better When It Hurts, a dark and sexy second chance full length novel.
Skye provided a memorable introduction for these main characters. Both Blue and Hannah were in foster care. Both lived in the same home. Both experienced loss. Blue was the bad boy guy who had a bad reputation. Yet, Hannah wanted his protection. In the end his protection cost him with time away.
This prequel was a quick introduction to first love and heartbreak of Blue and Hannah. To find out what happens to them you will have to buy Better When It Hurts, a dark and sexy second chance full length novel.
Skye provided a memorable introduction for these main characters. Both Blue and Hannah were in foster care. Both lived in the same home. Both experienced loss. Blue was the bad boy guy who had a bad reputation. Yet, Hannah wanted his protection. In the end his protection cost him with time away.
August 16, 2018
GREAT PREQUEL!
This was a very exciting prequel to The Stripped series. It tells the story how Blue and Hannah first met in a foster home ,and how Hannah betrayed him for his own good. She never got the chance to tell him why she lied and did what she did, to save him from going to jail. He spent 6 months in lock down and joined the military. The next book will have them meeting up years later and Blue taking his revenge out on her. I enjoyed this short novella, it was very interesting and made me want to jump right into the next book!
This was a very exciting prequel to The Stripped series. It tells the story how Blue and Hannah first met in a foster home ,and how Hannah betrayed him for his own good. She never got the chance to tell him why she lied and did what she did, to save him from going to jail. He spent 6 months in lock down and joined the military. The next book will have them meeting up years later and Blue taking his revenge out on her. I enjoyed this short novella, it was very interesting and made me want to jump right into the next book!
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October 28, 20254.5 stars
This is one of the best stories from the For the First Time: Twenty-One Brand New Stories of First Love. It held my interest more than the previous two in the anthology (Sole and Begging For More) and as much as I liked this one, I won't be reading what's comming next bwcause I don't think I can handle what Hannah is doing in the future. The story is a prequel to "Better when it hurts", book two in the Stripped series. Maybe the first book in the series that's been sitting in my Kindle, will change my mind.
This is one of the best stories from the For the First Time: Twenty-One Brand New Stories of First Love. It held my interest more than the previous two in the anthology (Sole and Begging For More) and as much as I liked this one, I won't be reading what's comming next bwcause I don't think I can handle what Hannah is doing in the future. The story is a prequel to "Better when it hurts", book two in the Stripped series. Maybe the first book in the series that's been sitting in my Kindle, will change my mind.
November 14, 2017
Short novella. Finished it in an hour. Hero is Blue and Heroine is Hannah. They both meet at a foster home. Blue is accused of killing someone.
Hannah needs protection from the son whose family takes the foster children in.
Hannah gets to know Blue real well. Blue saves her one night. But in a way Hannah says Blue. Blue thinks that Hannah betrayed him. So he signs up for service. Book 2 is about payback time
Hannah needs protection from the son whose family takes the foster children in.
Hannah gets to know Blue real well. Blue saves her one night. But in a way Hannah says Blue. Blue thinks that Hannah betrayed him. So he signs up for service. Book 2 is about payback time
April 24, 2020
Heartbreak – Prequel book – Skye Warren
This is a short 96 page prequel book to Skye Warren’s Better When It Hurts and Even Better duet about Blue and Hannah. Their story starts when they are both teens and placed in the same foster home. Blue immediately becomes Hannah’s protector.
Skye Warren has now set the backdrop for the love story that takes a most beautiful duet of follow up books to wrap readers up in the love story of Blue and Hannah.
This is a short 96 page prequel book to Skye Warren’s Better When It Hurts and Even Better duet about Blue and Hannah. Their story starts when they are both teens and placed in the same foster home. Blue immediately becomes Hannah’s protector.
Skye Warren has now set the backdrop for the love story that takes a most beautiful duet of follow up books to wrap readers up in the love story of Blue and Hannah.
January 15, 2020
A worthy novella to buy the main book
I’ve never had to deal with living in a foster home or having parents who got so drunk they beat the hell out of another parent. But I had an alcoholic father and have been sexually assaulted by a different family member. This short little book totally made me want to buy the full length version.
I’ve never had to deal with living in a foster home or having parents who got so drunk they beat the hell out of another parent. But I had an alcoholic father and have been sexually assaulted by a different family member. This short little book totally made me want to buy the full length version.
December 7, 2021
This book ended abruptly just when I was getting into it. Hannah is put into another foster home. Then she meets Blue who is the new boy with the bad reputation. She begins to fall for Blue until an incident happens. I didn’t like how the book ended. I wasn’t expecting it to end so quickly. I will have to jump into the next book.
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