Call Me Ana

The Legrand #1

by Scarlet Bonnet

Illiterate runaway Ana Marie hides her true identity from everyone around her to preserve the stable life she’s built. She pieces together a home for herself, but life begins to pass her by one mundane day after another. She’s never been in love. She’s never even felt the excitement of a heart-aching crush. That all changes when a handsome man from out of town shows up at her work. The chemistry between them is unmistakable. There’s just one he doesn’t know who she really is, and if he finds out, it could shatter her world and put him in danger. How will she keep her new love, and keep him safe? This book contains violence and is not meant for young readers.Interview with the Why did you write Call Me A Love Story?I didn’t intend to write a romance as I wasn’t a huge fan of the genre at the time (I have since seen the light). But the characters, especially the main character Ana Marie, were so vivid and real to me that I couldn’t possibly ignore them. The story evolved as I spent countless hours day dreaming and I soon felt a pull to write it all down. I had probably been taking myself seriously as a writer for a year or two at that point, but Call Me Ana is the story that truly made me a writer. I rewrote scenes to happen several different ways, and even if I didn’t have a place in the story for a scene, but couldn’t get it out of my head, I still wrote it. This method produced a huge amount of words, but I didn’t find any of it a waste of time. To this day, I still enjoy going back and reading some of the extra scenes that didn’t make the cut. The decision to publish came in an epiphany when I realized if I didn’t put it out there in the world, the characters would die with me. This thought overcame any of the shyness I felt at putting such a personal story out there. And so here I am, still chipping away at finishing the series and slowly polishing it up to get it ready for publication.What genre is Call Me Ana?While it is a love story, Call Me Ana doesn’t seem to fit neatly into any romance subgenre. It has some thriller aspects to it as I wanted to write a suspenseful piece to drive the story forward. It is contemporary as it falls in modern times, although the first book could be classed as new age since it begins when Ana and Grant are young adults. There is some tragedy that Ana Marie must overcome, but ultimately, one of my goals was to write a compelling (and steamy) romance between two good, sweet characters. They both have their wild streaks, which will come out as the series progresses, but Grant, Ana’s love interest, is not a 'bad boy' in the sense that their relationship never walks a line of abuse.What other books are like Call Me Ana?Call Me Ana fits in with other books where a character overcomes a traumatic, painful past laced with abuse and comes out stronger for it.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2016

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a ton of problems with this book. Nothing is explained. Ever. I read this entire book and still have no idea why she is in Georgia and not New York. I still have no idea what, if anything, happened to Sam. I am not a fan of books that are a "series" but the book doesn't give any resolutions. I'm ok if there's a small cliffy, I guess, but absolutely no resolutions? No thank you. This book didn't make sense and as a person who has been in many of the same situations as the main characters her responses and the story line just didn't make any sense or seem believable. Sorry, but no. And the ending? Where were the police? Where was the paperwork? It was just so... unbelievable, and it really ticked me off.

[Shasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is that it?

While the love story was sweet, there is a lot of bad and sad. And then it ends abruptly but with the main characters leaving together. It felt like a slice of life and that wasn't what I was looking for.

Mature content

[Sharon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware lots of violence toward the end especially. lots of secrets. Not a lot of sex Good read

[Courtney Lyman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a book that turned my stomach the whole way through. Not because it was disgusting or vulgar, but it was just very difficult. At one point the first person character says that she doesn't like drama. She either confronts it or walks away which made me roll my eyes because she just sits in the midst of the drama, of everyone's drama, blaming herself for things that aren't her fault, and not owning up to the things that are. It was incredibly frustrating and even though it doesn't end satisfactorily (which I think is supposed to make you want to read the next in the series), I will not be picking up another book in this series.

[Carol Cassada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call Me Ana is a romance story with a character trying to overcome a painful past. Ana Marie or Rachel as she’s now known, escaped a troubled life for a fresh start in a new town. She’s got a nice job and loves the people in the town. One day, a handsome stranger named Grant comes into the restaurant where she works. An attraction brews between the couple, yet as they continue to grow in their relationship, Ana’s past threatens to destroy her happiness.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. Stories where you have the characters escaping a troubled life and starting a new one, are the types I love to read. Out of all the types of stories I've read, Call Me Ana is in the top ten with these books.

Ana is one of those characters you’re intrigued by. Reading about her tough life, you want her to find the happiness she deserves. The author does a wonderful job of showing the emotional turmoil of Ana’s life. As a reader, I could feel the pain Ana went through. There were a couple of scenes where I cried for Ana. Even though it’s an emotionally-driven story, the author does lighten the mood. My favorite scenes consisted of the diner crowd and Ana's banter with Pam, the diner's owner.

Scarlet Bonnet is a new author to me, and after reading Call Me Ana, I'm intrigued to read what other stories this talented author has up her sleeve.

[Desiree reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

his great book here you got a runaway who was trying to get out the life of drugs and things she did not like in her life, Here is Ana but her name is Rachael and she has lied about her age to every one in town she has friend but she was able to handle the guys in the restaurant and she had to put up with Roy and his family his daughter was Ana friend and drug addict but when she was bad shape she get Ana to help.
But what and why is so closed up she was going with some on but he raped her and then she just thought he was in love with her but wanted to use her and then she put her guard up now to Roy or any other guy ,
Now some one good looking walks in the restaurant and he was x military and he take her dinner and try to find out about this women and her family and age she tell him one thing but it lye.
Now thing are getting out of hand with Roy and Ana tell him she not his and not the whole world going to change for the best she can think

I got the book form the author from free read and this is my opinion i am going to say think you letting me read the book and it great hot read.

[Erica Eblin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Call Me Ana by Scarlet Bonnet is an amazing book. That may sound odd given the heavy plot and rough ending. Yet as someone who's been there this book approaches it in a manner that is real. Not glossed over. Not underplayed. Real. True. You have to hand it to an author that can put words down that can make the reader sit up and take notice. Words that make you hold your breath and can make your heart pound in your ears. I can't say I enjoyed some of my own feelings, but kudos for writing something so descriptive, so moving, so realistic that I couldn't help but be transported in me in my own head to another time and place. It's a challenge being able to do that. Plus it has created a huge desire to read the next book to see where Ana goes next....physically, emotionally, mentally...

GRAB THE TISSUES!!!

[T.C. Rybicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't click on the next book in the series fast enough which rarely happens for me. I'm not sucked into series very often. A book has to be more than good for me to care enough to go on. I'm always after something new, but I have to know what happens with Grant and Ana (Rachel). My heart broke for Rachel the entire time. I usually despise a weak female lead, but it was evident this was not weakness as much as a lifetime of conditioning and abuse. Those moments she trusted Grant gave me a glimmer of what she was capable of when she learns to trust.

[Casey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got about 10% into the book before I called quits. Nothing in this story made sense to me; Ana was constantly contradicting herself; and I'm not entirely sure this authors knows any illiterate adults. I spent over a year teaching illiterate adults and they could read the pictures on a restaurant menu and know what they wanted to order. I called quits when Ana had her panic attack over not being able to read a menu because no. That's not how illiteracy works.

[Linda Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the book. It is such an emotional read. She experiences so much pain but still continues to believe that there is good out there. It is all told from her point of view and I really felt her pain so intensely and found myself in tears as I read. The story continues in the second book so be prepared to not get all your answers in this book.

[Angala Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
This was a great book. I was pulled into the story from the beginning and didn't want to stop reading. I loved the characters and the way their story unfolded. I definitely recommend.

[Nancy Woody · Rating 1 out of 5]

be warned Cliffhanger

first and foremost, do not like cliffhangers Story was deep. But how does a 15 teen year old get to Georgia? One can understand the thought process of one so young. The brutality can across raw and after seeing the news of late. So sad

[Cassey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This could have been so much more.

[donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will she....

Ever tell Grant the truth about herself? Will she get over all the traumatic events that happen to her in this book? Only way to find out is to read the series....

[Mary Stockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense

This is not a light hearted romance. It is what I call a heavy drama. Especially at the end. The writing is good but it left me sad and wondering.

[Debra Johnson]

Purch Amazon April 8, 2018

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Romance Series by talented new author!

I really liked this first book, and I went immediately into the second one. Excellent writing, entertaining characters and dialog. Enjoyable romance with the right amount of smolder.

[LaGina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a heart breaking story but it was a good read. My heart just went out to Ana and her situation.

[Dee2545]

If this is your first book....other writers need to watch out!!!! SCARLET has arrived!!!! What a ride!!!! This poor child, I just want to bring her home and put her in a snuggly, make some soup and tea and try to heal her wounded soul. How many writers can move a reader to that extent? Not many in my eyes and I read sometimes 10 to 15 books a week. Outstandting character development, brought true emotional connection to Ana especially and et al. I can visualize a movie from this book. Off to read the other two books. BRAVO, Scarlet!!!!

[Armenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart aches….

Seriously. This story is so good, I was caught up in Rachel and Grant’s story.

A runaway teen hoping for a new future, Ana Marie changes her name to Rachel because she is fleeing from a forced stint in foster care. For the next five years she works as a waitress in a small town barely eking out a living. She keeps to herself, mostly to hide her identity and her troubled past from people in avoiding small-town gossip. But Rachel makes bad choices in the company she keeps, namely, Roy Harper who seems to drown his problems in alcohol, has mood swings and a hair-trigger temper. It’s one day, handsome Grant Bailey comes into her diner, and the attraction is unmistakable. Rachel realizes what she yearns for when Grant offers her warmth, humor, and compassion, those things missing in her life. To Rachel he’s “the cowboy with surprising insight, a sense of humor and pleasantly original tastes.” Rachel loves the attention and kindness Grant shows her, but hides who she really is. And the fact, she can’t read. She’s done her best to hide it from people by faking it mostly. In the short time they’ve known each other, an irresistible attraction blossoms. While Grant can’t shake the dreadful feeling that something bad happened to Rachel to make her so skittish when touched.

Call Me Ana is a heartfelt story that had an unexpected turn that left me heartbroken for Rachel. Just a warning, there are triggers of a certain nature. This story will leave you wanting more of Rachel and Grant, I am really rooting for these two to find happiness together. I can’t wait for the next book, and hopefully an HEA. Ms. Bonnet pens a poignant love story that will leave you wanting more. Her writing style is fluid and filled with emotion, great dialogue, and all the feels, making it such an enjoyable reading experience. I highly recommend this story.

I voluntarily reviewed and ARC of this book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

Great book with good characters. The plot flowed smoothly. Can't wait to read more by Scarlet. I will definitely be looking for her books.

[Carrie K-Ski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good, heart-breaking story. I was sucked in from the beginning and really connected with Ana. A must read.

I volunteered to leave a review for an ARC of Call me Ana.

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read with compelling characters that pull you in from the very beginning. I will definitely be reading more of this author's work! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a romance story about an illiterate young woman, named Ana. She tries to hide her past, so that the life she has built stays that way. A bit of violence in there, but otherwise an interesting read. Received an ARC and loved reviewing

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I really liked this book. Ana or Rachel has a lot of issues. But for a girl who can't read she is really smart. I really like her attitude. Grant was really sweet. The only thing I think she should have done was Talk more to Grant than in her head.

[KarenE Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it a lot!

Thank you I started this book and didn't want to put it down I over the story even the had parts! Was a bit surprised at the ending because I didn' t know it continued if you wanted it to!

[janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

Really enjoyed the authors writing. Characters were very well-developed and they became emotionally invested reading this book. Ana (Rachel) is living in a small town in Georgia working as a waitress after running away from New York City. She assumes a different identity and has integrated herself into small town living. She has a history of rape the salt distances herself from men. One day a handsome stranger, Grant, Comes in to the diner. He becomes friends with her but she has to deal with cycle path by the name of Roy. It's interesting to see how things play out and kind of ends on the tragic note. Anxious to see how the rest of the story plays out. Very well written and a must read book

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! This was a really good book. Definitely a dark read, but good nonetheless.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story that I simply fell for. I loved her story and it's one that could happen in any small town. Ana has been throw hell in such a short life and has such a story she really deserves some happiness in her life. This story has some small parts that might upset some people however it was small portion of it.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, absolutely, loved this book. It is an emotional story about Ana who has left her home in New York and moved to this small town in Georgia.
Ana, who calls herself Rachel, is an illiterate waitress who lives a hard life on her own with little money and few friends.

Then one day Grant walks into her restaurant and manages to change Rachel’s life. He is attracted to Rachel and begins to ask her out. There is lots of clean romance, but there is also a lot of angst.

I found this story so absorbing that I never wanted to put the book down. The author uses first person, which added to my enjoyment. I was able to completely understand what Rachel was feeling and thinking because, like her, I had no idea what Grant was thinking or feeling.

Both Grant and Rachel are very complex and well-developed characters. The plot is also complex and filled with lots of problems and difficulties. I fell in love with Grant because he is so gentle and caring, plus he bases his feelings on people by their character traits and personalities and ignores their status, wealth and other things like that

Unfortunately, this book is not a stand-alone book because it does not have an ending. However, I am happy to say that book two, Call Me Yours, is already available.

I highly recommend this book.