I had to get away. Away from the darkness, away from the evil. After carefully planning, I ran. But what I didn’t plan for was meeting him. He flipped my whole world upside down. Who do I trust? Because I think he's hiding something... Something that just might bring me back to the very thing I ran from.
Lyssa Cole has been in love with books for as long as she can remember. Escaping into a story is her favorite pastime. Wanting to be a writer for a couple years, she is now crafting her own stories. She loves to write angsty & sexy romance with lots of heat and some suspense to keep you guessing and wanting to turn that page! She lives in Southeastern Mass with her boyfriend, two children, and two dogs. Lover of coffee, all things chocolate, & always the avid reader, you can keep up with Lyssa Cole by subscribing to her newsletter here: http://bit.ly/NLsignuplyssacole.
Straight from the beginning, I was sucked in. The suspense, the twists and turns, the lies and deceit...Everything about this book was amazing. The chemistry between the 2 main characters was electrifying and intense, giving plenty of hot and steamy sex scenes. It also had plenty of anger, hatred and loathing. Lyssa Cole makes you feel all sorts of emotions throughout the entire book. It leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next. I definitely recommend this book, as it will pique your interest and leave you wanting more!
Blurb: Maddie I had to get away. Away from the darkness, away from the evil. After carefully planning, I ran. But what I didn’t plan for was meeting him. And then my whole world was upside down. Who do I trust? Because I think he is hiding something…
Jax I just landed the biggest job I have ever had before. I had to complete it and complete it well. Just get the girl, bring her home, get the money. But then I saw her and that was it. I wanted her as mine and only mine. I have to finish this job or my career is over. But I just can’t let her go…
After five years, Maddie has escaped, but she isn't truly free. How can she be when she's constantly running, knowing at anytime she may be forced to go back to hell? She'd rather die than return "home." Life as the daughter of a man from one of the country's biggest crime families is torture, literally. Her father views her as a commodity he can trade at will, and has since she was sixteen. Yeah, that way. Unfortunately, not even her older brother could, or would, protect her. He's just like their father.
"A new life is waiting for me...I just know it..." - Maddie
Jax gets the best call at the worst time. He had hopes for how his night would end and being called away for a job isn't it. But you don't turn down the Kaplans, especially when it can pave the way toward acquiring new clients. It seems the daughter has gone missing and she needs returned. The only catch...no questions. Hmmm...kind of odd, but with the payout they're promising...
Maddie knows her choices are limited as she was never allowed to finish high school because of her dad. While searching the classifieds, she finds one requiring her to strip on camera for money. Seems easy, right? Unless you've lived through what she has, it just may be. Though it's reminiscent of what her dad made her do, being able to do this from her new home while not having to touch anyone, or vice versa, is really hard to pass up.
Jax, taking a short break from researching Maddie, decides to peruse his favorite site. Upon signing on, he immediately sees Juliet Ray and knows it's Maddie. He also knows he's completely enthralled with her and that isn't good.
"Stop it, Jax. This is business." - Jax
Maddie has only viewed her video clients as business, and that's how it needs to stay. But for some reason, the most recent one causes a reaction within her the others haven't. She needs to take care of herself after performing for him and her imagination runs wild with fantasies of him joining her. The next time she performs, after he's privately messaged her once already, she can't stop thinking about him and the comments he's making while she works.
"Who was that man? And why did he have such an effect on me? I couldn't let him anymore." - Maddie
Maddie finally responds to one of his messages though she knows it's risky. As they exchange flirty banter, including him asking for a date, Maddie can't stop the panic from setting in as she learns her settings weren't private, meaning anyone could determine her location. Or is Jax lying to accomplish his mission?
"Why do I feel like what I am doing is so wrong? What is it about this girl?" - Jax
Will Jax and Maddie meet in person? Will their connection withstand it and only grow stronger? What happens when Maddie learns who Jax is and why he initially contacted her? Can Jax convince Maddie she's more than a job? Will Jax purposefully fail in his mission to save Maddie? How will he react upon learning what she had to endure? Will he believe her? Can a love that has a foundation built on lies survive? Will Maddie if she's forced to return home? Is Maddie more important to Jax than his business?
One-click now and follow along as two people meet under false pretenses, but discover a love so true it could last forever.
On a purely personal note, I could've done without Jax watching porn where he can request a private interactive showing if he wishes, and hoping to get laid afterward, plans were thankfully interrupted before finding his target, when we first "meet" him. No, he and Maddie haven't met yet, but I still don't want any kind of interaction, even if it's only watching a woman get naked on the computer and climaxing to it. I want the H with the h, and that's it. Yes, I know the fact that he browses this site regularly is how he found Maddie, I just would've preferred his first visit to it is when he saw her.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Very riveting! The story will keep you on the edge of your seat to find out what happened next. This book was hot and has some steamy sex scenes. This book is also intriguing, with some humor, and it also involves romance, mystery, and suspense. I loved how the romantic relationship builds between the two protagonists (Maddie Kaplan and Jax Brownell). Together, their banter is refreshing, and their sex is off-the-charts hot. When reading the story, it may make you feel sad, confused, appalled, and even euphoric. What moves me is just how Lyssa Cole was able to make their situation seem credible and realistic—their hurts, ambivalence, etc. Maddie is the daughter of the largest crime family, and after her mother died, her father abused her in the most appalling ways for his business. Maddie found the courage and determination to finally run from her father. While on the run, Jax’s PI company is hired by her father to find Maddie. When Jax finds Maddie, he is flabbergasted by her beauty. Why did Maddie run from her father? Why does Maddie’s father want to find her that he had to hire a PI, and what type of business does he use his daughter in? Will Maddie be able to trust Jax? The chemistry between Jax and Maddie grows more potent the more time they spend together. A fiery chemistry ensues between the two and hot DAMN was it HOT! The flames near leaped off the pages. There are several plot twists and turns within the story that makes it interesting. The scenes are well written, fast-paced and flow smoothly from one scene to the next. Trust me, you will enjoy reading this book, and you will not be disappointed because this book will pique your interest and draw you in from the beginning to the very end.
I received an ARC for an honest review Review by Country Gals BOOK Blog
Maddie is on the run from her evil father. His control over her and renting her out to his men isn't the life she envisioned. Her hope is to get as far away from him as possible. But when a gorgeous man starts messaging her on the website she dances on, her fear that her father sent this man skyrockets, yet she can't help but be drawn to him. Jax had one job. Bring the criminal's daughter home and he'd get a huge payout. Then why is it, the moment he sees her on screen that he can't get her out of his head.
The story definitely wasn't something I expected. Yes the dancing and stripping was obvious, but her dancing online, the way these two meet, and everything in between was different than I had imagined. The characters were opposites but had great chemistry. The lust between these two was off the charts yet the author kept teasing us with it. Up until the end, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. When will he capture her, will her father get there first, why isn't she being more cautious? I had a few reservations on how things played out. I expect a girl on the run to be hiding out more and trusting less. And I expected a bigger climax to the story. Other than that, I loved the authors book.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review I enjoyed this book so much. It's written in a way that grips you from the start and reels you in. Maddie is the daughter of a crime boss whose mother died when she was a teenager devastating her. Her father, instead of comforting his grieving daughter , locked her up till she was 16 and then pimped her out. At the age of 21 she ran away and found a job stripping on line which gave her the control, decent money and she didn't have to go out so kept her under the radar. Jax is the man hired by Maddies father to find her, this is the job that will make his company. He accidentally stumbles upon her while watching online stripping and uses that asa way to contact her with the plan to get her to trust him and then trick her on a plane and take her back to her family. He doesn't plan on falling in love with her. Can he keep her safe from her father without them both getting killed?
THIS BOOK DESERVES MORE THAN 5 STARS!!!!! I have to start out by saying OH MY GOD!!!! Unbelievably, this is Lyssa Cole's debut full length novel, and it is incredible! Stripped Bare will take you on a huge rollercoaster of emotions starting from page one. Once I started the book, I was unable to stop, always being on the edge and not knowing what was about to happen next. The love and chemistry that was between Jax and Maddie was explosive. Maddie is on the run from a very abusive and unstable home. Jax was hired to bring Maddie back home but fate had other plans for these two. Even though fate brought these two together, it was not an easy road. This is a MUST read! Lyssa Cole has found a fan for life and I hope that she continues to write this amazing and beautiful stories. **I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Readers Copy of this book**
Maddie is running away from a very tortured home. Her dad is the head of the Kaplan´s crime family and he uses her for his dark businesses. She is done and she leaves but he will look for her. Jax is the PI assigned to finding her. When he does his world will turn. He can´t think straight when he sees her stripping for him. He has got to have her but at what price? Her dad killing him for not delivering her. When he gets to know her all bets are off. Maddie is a strong girl who had a terrible pas forced on her. She is a loner but she finds a friend in Alicia, outgoing and friendly. I had a good time reading the story with many endings, just when you think this is it bam there´s more to the story. 4.5 stars for this one!
A very riveting read. One of those "can't put down" and "stay up until you finish even if it's 3am" books! It starts off pulling you right into the characters' stories. You are sympathicetic to Maddie from the very beginning - being the daughter in a crime family isn't all you'd think it could be! Lyssa Cole really develops the character of Jax as the book goes along; you are rooting for him as he makes decisions to either finish his "job" or be there for Maddie. There is a perfect combination of intrigue and humor. A new-to-me author whom I am very impressed with! I will definitely be reading all of her books! I received an advanced reader copy for an honest review.
Dark and gripping! Maddie has been on the run from her father for five years.The latter has been exploiting his only daughter for years and now when the latter has run away from him,he hires Jax to find her.
Jax is paid to do things and this task is no different.Find the criminal's daughter and bring her home.But what he does not expect is to meet a fiery gorgeous woman. Chemistry explodes between them and he's conflicted between doing his job and pursuing this woman who got his attention. This books takes you on an emotional journey filled with suspense that makes you feel invested in the outcome for Maddie and Jax. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
This is Lyssa Coles first full length novel and what an action packed read it was. This definitely will not disappoint. The story was very well put together and omg it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster throughout the whole book and it was that good I binge read it in an afternoon as I NEEDED to know what was happening with Jax and Maddie. I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait to see what else Lyssa Cole has in store for us. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
This is a page turner!! I went in, having not read any of the authors first books. I was a bit doubtful in the beginning, but she proved me wrong. I love books like this. I love when you find a 'new-to-me' author, and they make you a believer.
The plot and writing style were smooth. The characters were well developed, and I promise, you will NEED to know the fate of Jax and Maddie! If you are looking for great chemistry and all the feels, give this a one-click!!
I loved this book! It was dark and parts were horrible because of what happened to the heroine but it definitely had a lot of bright spots. The hero was great! Smooth and charming and incredibly hot. Jax and Maddie are explosive on the page and I loved every moment of them together. This book had me from the start and I fell in love. Anybody who loves dark romance will love this book! It was so good! Definitely check this out!
Maddie escaped hell, there is no other way to describe what she went through. Jax was hired to bring her back, but from the moment he laid eyes on her, he knew this was going to be different, she was going to be different. These 2 found love in unimaginable circumstances. "When you strip everything away, what is left? Love. It's always love". It was an amazing read, full of twists, turns and angst, and mostly love.
4.5 stars!! I love discovering new authors and I'm now a huge Lyssa Cole fan. It was just the right amount of dark and very exciting. The story moved along nicely, it didn't feel rushed at all. And the character development was perfect. An emotional page turner from beginning to end.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this review voluntarily
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book from the Author. The author pulls you in from the very beginning and holds your interest the whole way through. The two main characters have both had a hard life, which you learn about as you read through. You feel an affinity for the characters and can't help but wonder what's going to happen next between them. Will secrets tear the relationship apart? Will trust be lost and if so, can it ever be re-gained? How deeply damaged are the two? Read to find out and I will tell you, you won't regret it!
Ah!! This book was so amazing!! I had my doubts at the beginning but Lyssa blew it out of the park. And just when you think it's over, it's not! I love her writing style and everything flowed so easy. My eyes were glued to the words I couldn't put this book down. Definitely a fun and easy read, but with a lot of action and a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
An exceptional debut from Lyssa, with a plot that'll grab you emotionally and have to riveted. This page turner is action packed with twists and explosive chemistry. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I loved this book. Amazing storyline that captivated me from the first page. A hard novel to put down. This is the first novel I have read of this author but won't be my last. I recommend this novel.
This book is AMAZING!!!! Everything flowed well and the characters were amazing. I really enjoyed reading it, and I can't wait to see what Lyssa Cole writes next. I really hope Alicia gets a story.
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book from the Author. The main character is Maddie and Jax. I read this from beginning to end and couldn't put the book down! This has a lot of suspense as well as steamy love scenes. This was a good read!
Stripped Bare by Lyssa Cole 5 stars! What an introduction to this author! I loved every minute of this book! I was already a little hooked after I read the blurb for it but once I started reading I was completely swept up in Maddie and Jax’s story! I’ve read a few mafia/crime boss style books but I loved that this one was different. I really felt for Maddie trying to escape her family and Jax was just amazing! I loved how he had this need to protect Maddie even though it could ultimately cost him something he has worked hard for! The chemistry between the characters was fantastic and very intense! This is definitely one of the darker crime boss stories that I have read but I loved every single word I read!! Definitely can’t wait to read more from this author!! * I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *
Easy to read this book for me! I had to keep stopping. There were so many errors and for me, take a lot out of the book. I got what you were trying to say! The storyline was good. Girl runs from her parent, her abusive father and the spawn he called son who helped. I wish I got the back story as to why her father hated her so much! I have so many questions. He said the mom cheated with her guard! Was she born from that affair? So he treated her like trash because of it? Or was it because he felt all woman were indisposable? So many questions!
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy from the author!*
Stripped Bare was a brilliantly debut book from Lyssa Cole. Lots of steamy sexiness, and smoking hot chemistry. You get it all in Stripped Bare, mystery, suspense, humor, and of course sexiness!!!
When Jax is hired to find Maddie and bring her back home, he doesn't expect to fall in love with her. To want to protect her and keep her safe. Will he be able to turn her over to her father?
Maddie is the daughter of a rich and powerful crime lord. She discovers that her father isn't a good man, and he abuses her and uses her for his own business purposes. She gets the strength and determination to leave. She starts an online stripping show for extra money. This is how Jax finds her.
The chemistry between Jax and Maddie is SMOLDERING!! HOLY HELL, the sex scenes set my kindle on FIRE!!! I LOVED watching their relationship grow and develope. Ms Cole had me pulled in from start to finish!
I recieved this book for my honest opinion and holy smokes from the Begining I was hanging on to the roller coaster of this story! Maddie grew up when her mother died at 16 and her father was the cause of it. When she escaped jax was hired to find her but what happens when he falls in love with her? What a great story! Some parts were sad! I loved jax and maddies story and can't wait to read more!!
I received an arc of the second book in the series. But I wanted to read this one first. This book was great! It had a little of everything. My heart broke for Maddie and everything she endured at such a young age. It was difficult for me to read certain parts of this book. You can almost feel the chemistry between Jax and Maddie. I got sucked into this book(no pun intended)😂. I’m so glad I finished reading this book. On to the next one😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3.5 ⭐️’s. This was a great read. Maddie has escaped her father and the evil world that surrounded her. She’s trying to learn to be independent and who to let into her new life when she meets Jax. Can she trust him? Jax wanted her the moment he saw her. He kept reminding himself that she was just a job, one he needed if he wanted his career to take off. But is he ready to give her up? A great book and a fun read!