What do you think?
Rate this book
Traded #1
Traded
I’m a pawn, a piece of chattel, a toy--used and forgotten.
When you’re done with me, you can walk away with no regrets. That’s how my husband sees me. I try to be the best wife possible for him. After all, he took me on when no one else would. Now--he’s in debt and owes more money to the loan shark than we can possibly repay.
But, don’t worry, he’s come up with a solution, it’s just not one I was expecting.
...I’ve been TRADED.
When you’re done with me, you can walk away with no regrets. That’s how my husband sees me. I try to be the best wife possible for him. After all, he took me on when no one else would. Now--he’s in debt and owes more money to the loan shark than we can possibly repay.
But, don’t worry, he’s come up with a solution, it’s just not one I was expecting.
...I’ve been TRADED.
Audible Audio
First published November 7, 2015
215 people are currently reading
973 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Brooke
35 books502 followers
Rebecca Brooke is the author of the Traded Series, as well as other contemporary and paranormal books. She grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey. She loves to hit the beach, but always with her kindle on hand. She is married to the most wonderful man, who puts up with all of her craziness. Together they have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. When she isn’t writing or reading (which is very rarely) she loves to bake and watch episodes of This is Us and Game of Thrones.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
March 26, 2017
Promising Blurb, Disappointing Story
After reading the blurb for this story, I thought it sounded right up my alley. I love dark romances/erotica with themes of captivity, coercion, etc. A wife being traded to a hardened criminal for a gambling debt, sounded like just the type of dark and twisted story that I love.
Unfortunately, this story fell flat for me. While the husband is definitely an abusive douche, the "criminal" bookie that agrees to the trade is more like a Good Samaritan. Even his name screams "soft". What self-respecting bookie has a beautiful name like Ashton? It doesn't exactly strike fear into the hearts of debtors.
Instead, Ashton agrees to take Elena off her husband's hands for three months time, while the husband comes up with the money he owes. During that time, Ashton devotes all of his time and energy to creating a therapeutic environment for Elena and teaching her that she is worthy of good things. He becomes her counselor and benefactor, lusting after her from a distance while he works to repair the damage done by her husband, Dominic.
Right from the start, I had trouble connecting with this story. For one thing, Elena's self-loathing and self-deprecating thoughts and behaviors were a bit over the top. I get it. She has a serious case of battered wife syndrome after being ran into the ground by her dumbass husband. Nonetheless, it was depressing and emotionally exhausting being stuck in her head for the first half of this book. Visions of Eeyore come to mind.
I also felt like the emotions were a bit forced at the beginning of the book. I knew how I should be feeling, because it was spelled out for me versus naturally experiencing the emotions while reading because the story elicited the feelings. Maybe it was the quick progression of the storyline from abused wife to bargaining chip, with little character development at that point. Perhaps it was the noticeably absent connection with the characters. Whatever the cause, the story felt force-fed for the first quarter or so to me.
It wasn't until about halfway through that I started to feel a connection with the story. By that point, I had accepted that this was not going to be the dark read that I had hoped for, but a sweet, "knight in shining armor" type of story. Once I accepted that, I liked it, but didn't love it.
Overall, it was a mediocre story for me, at best. It was alright, but too perfect and pretty unbelievable. If you're looking for a dark romance, look elsewhere. You won't find it here. If sappy stories with a beaten-down, damsel in distress are your thing, this might be right up your alley.
After reading the blurb for this story, I thought it sounded right up my alley. I love dark romances/erotica with themes of captivity, coercion, etc. A wife being traded to a hardened criminal for a gambling debt, sounded like just the type of dark and twisted story that I love.
Unfortunately, this story fell flat for me. While the husband is definitely an abusive douche, the "criminal" bookie that agrees to the trade is more like a Good Samaritan. Even his name screams "soft". What self-respecting bookie has a beautiful name like Ashton? It doesn't exactly strike fear into the hearts of debtors.
Instead, Ashton agrees to take Elena off her husband's hands for three months time, while the husband comes up with the money he owes. During that time, Ashton devotes all of his time and energy to creating a therapeutic environment for Elena and teaching her that she is worthy of good things. He becomes her counselor and benefactor, lusting after her from a distance while he works to repair the damage done by her husband, Dominic.
Right from the start, I had trouble connecting with this story. For one thing, Elena's self-loathing and self-deprecating thoughts and behaviors were a bit over the top. I get it. She has a serious case of battered wife syndrome after being ran into the ground by her dumbass husband. Nonetheless, it was depressing and emotionally exhausting being stuck in her head for the first half of this book. Visions of Eeyore come to mind.
I also felt like the emotions were a bit forced at the beginning of the book. I knew how I should be feeling, because it was spelled out for me versus naturally experiencing the emotions while reading because the story elicited the feelings. Maybe it was the quick progression of the storyline from abused wife to bargaining chip, with little character development at that point. Perhaps it was the noticeably absent connection with the characters. Whatever the cause, the story felt force-fed for the first quarter or so to me.
It wasn't until about halfway through that I started to feel a connection with the story. By that point, I had accepted that this was not going to be the dark read that I had hoped for, but a sweet, "knight in shining armor" type of story. Once I accepted that, I liked it, but didn't love it.
Overall, it was a mediocre story for me, at best. It was alright, but too perfect and pretty unbelievable. If you're looking for a dark romance, look elsewhere. You won't find it here. If sappy stories with a beaten-down, damsel in distress are your thing, this might be right up your alley.
December 8, 2015
I'm getting so tired of finding a newly released story, reading an awesome blurb for it, seeing multiple 5 star reviews for it, then discovering for myself that I got the Punked version. The story was just not good at all. Traded looked awesome. A wife, who is badly mistreated by her asshole husband, is then traded off to some nefarious loan shark baddie, to pay off asshole husband's debts. Oh the possibilities for this story were endless. I was thinking it would be dark and gritty, maybe (hopefully?) some dubious/non consent. A story where the wife has to work to get out of her situation, but no. What I got was a pathetic Cinderella type of story.
The scary loan shark Ashton was actually a pussy cat who rescues this woman from her husband. Knocking down the amount owed by Dominic. Expecting NOTHING at all from Elena. He takes her in, buys her clothes, makes her breakfast himself, spoils her rotten and sends her to the spa so she can feel what it's like to be adored by a man. Ummmm WHAT?
Elena's behavior was very unrealistic as well. She's got no backbone, no self esteem, acts like a total doormat with her husband, then she gets mouthy with Ashton after a very short time being with him. The story just went downhill from there. Did I eventually enjoy this story, and could I in good conscience recommend it to others?
November 13, 2015
Unfortunately, I did not like this book at all. Omg it dumb, over the top and the plot was not there. Most of it had to do with the fact that I couldn't relate. By 35% I had enough and really just wanted to burn it in the fire in hopes the flames of the book would bring me some sort of dramatic release since this was a huge flop.
I think I spent the rest of the book just doing this
[image error]
Here's my rant, I'm too annoyed to keep quite:
The heroine Elena was weak. I have read weak heroines before but with her I was screaming "get it together lady! have a little respect for yourself" Geez. It's not in my DNA to have anyone walk all over me, let alone my husband. If he expected me to wait on him hand and foot while he sat on his ass, did not let me touch him during sex and expected me to cater to his every whim with my head bowed down, all while putting me down and calling me disgusting. I'd kill him in his sleep.
The heroine's husband is a gambler and owes a loan shark 200,000$. His solution: give up his wife by telling her she will pay off his debt by spreading her legs. She agrees. Of course she does, he's her husband and she will do whatever it takes to make him happy. And this will make her a good wife. What!
The loan shark/hero Ashton was just as pathetic as her. There was never anything intimidating about him, he was a loan shark that gave chances, made empty threats and agreed to take the wife because he has a huge heart for women.
Anyway, so Ashton agrees to take on Elena because he wants to show her what she is worth, gain her confidence back and leave her husband. He also tells hubby he'll knock half the payment off so he only now owes him 100,000K. That would all be fine and dandy, if you weren't a I don't know hard ass loan shark criminal, killed people for a living that didn't pay and met heroine for all of 3 seconds.
I knew my rating for this book plummeted to 1 star at the 35% mark, which was also the 2 week period of living with Ashton. Miss Submissive, can't look anyone in the eye, make any decisions for myself, my husband is my everything! Grows a back bone. What! Yup, after 2 weeks being with the hero and him showing her what she deserves Elena is no longer confused. She will no longer let anyone tell her what to do, is confident, looks everyone in the eye and realizes her husband was in the wrong and a POS! Ok, let's break this down. Her and her husband have been together since HS. They got married at like 17, she's now 30. He has been this way with her from the beginning and he has broken her to believe she is nothing. After 2 weeks of shopping, spas, and dinners, I'm sorry, you are not going to gain that much confidence nor become undamaged after one conversation with his aunt who was abused that you are now cured.
The book pretty much stays stagnate. It involves the H/h having sex and her finally wanting to end things with her POS husband. She also wants to spend her life with Ashton.
Whateves
I think I spent the rest of the book just doing this
[image error]
Here's my rant, I'm too annoyed to keep quite:
The heroine Elena was weak. I have read weak heroines before but with her I was screaming "get it together lady! have a little respect for yourself" Geez. It's not in my DNA to have anyone walk all over me, let alone my husband. If he expected me to wait on him hand and foot while he sat on his ass, did not let me touch him during sex and expected me to cater to his every whim with my head bowed down, all while putting me down and calling me disgusting. I'd kill him in his sleep.
The heroine's husband is a gambler and owes a loan shark 200,000$. His solution: give up his wife by telling her she will pay off his debt by spreading her legs. She agrees. Of course she does, he's her husband and she will do whatever it takes to make him happy. And this will make her a good wife. What!
The loan shark/hero Ashton was just as pathetic as her. There was never anything intimidating about him, he was a loan shark that gave chances, made empty threats and agreed to take the wife because he has a huge heart for women.
Anyway, so Ashton agrees to take on Elena because he wants to show her what she is worth, gain her confidence back and leave her husband. He also tells hubby he'll knock half the payment off so he only now owes him 100,000K. That would all be fine and dandy, if you weren't a I don't know hard ass loan shark criminal, killed people for a living that didn't pay and met heroine for all of 3 seconds.
I knew my rating for this book plummeted to 1 star at the 35% mark, which was also the 2 week period of living with Ashton. Miss Submissive, can't look anyone in the eye, make any decisions for myself, my husband is my everything! Grows a back bone. What! Yup, after 2 weeks being with the hero and him showing her what she deserves Elena is no longer confused. She will no longer let anyone tell her what to do, is confident, looks everyone in the eye and realizes her husband was in the wrong and a POS! Ok, let's break this down. Her and her husband have been together since HS. They got married at like 17, she's now 30. He has been this way with her from the beginning and he has broken her to believe she is nothing. After 2 weeks of shopping, spas, and dinners, I'm sorry, you are not going to gain that much confidence nor become undamaged after one conversation with his aunt who was abused that you are now cured.
The book pretty much stays stagnate. It involves the H/h having sex and her finally wanting to end things with her POS husband. She also wants to spend her life with Ashton.
Whateves
Read
September 13, 2017This is the most stupid book I have read and that's saying something.
With the most stupid, brainless, brainwashed heroine. Maybeeeeee comprehensible in 1957. Not in 2017 unless your nickname is Sister Wife!
And the most ridiculous Insta-epiphany over spousal abuse after ONE conversation, O-N-E, with the H's aunt, his formerly abused aunt.
Okay, maybe not THE most stupid, but it's a *10* from the judges.
With the most stupid, brainless, brainwashed heroine. Maybeeeeee comprehensible in 1957. Not in 2017 unless your nickname is Sister Wife!
And the most ridiculous Insta-epiphany over spousal abuse after ONE conversation, O-N-E, with the H's aunt, his formerly abused aunt.
Okay, maybe not THE most stupid, but it's a *10* from the judges.
October 24, 2015
Traded
Rebecca Brooke
4.5 stars
NOTE: This book deals with severe verbal abuse. If you have triggers please consider before clicking.
This is an excellent read. Although in theory the situation is not that realistic the verbal abuse and suffering a the lead female character Elena is gut wrenching and absolutely on point. Elena feels unworthy, ugly and is trying her best to be a good wife. She wants nothing more than to please her husband Dominic. His taunts and the vile things that spew from his mouth will make you want to wrap your hands around his throat and squeeze really hard. I wanted to pummel this ass hat from the word go. In retrospect that is a great thing for an author; connection with the characters no matter bad or good.
Dominic demands Elena’s tips from her diner job so that he can go gamble. However his gambling gets him into more trouble than Elena can imagine. Thinking her husband has noticed her extra effort around the house and is taking her to a baseball game, she soon finds out that is not even close to what transpires.
What is Ashton supposed to do now? He has allowed Dominic to trade his wife for more time in getting the money to pay off his debt. Seeing how Dominic degraded his wife he couldn’t let her leave with him. Being raised by a father for personal reason taught his sons to NEVER raise a hand or disrespect a woman, he couldn’t leave the beautiful woman with the vile man standing before him. But what now …
This is a great read and Rebecca has handled a very serious subject in a brilliant and inspiring book. I highly recommend reading this story. The pages will keep you turning wishing and hoping Elena will see her beauty. You will absolutely want to hug, high five and be Ashton’s best friend or right hand man. I hope that we will get a book centered around Miller, Ashton’s brother. I loved that we got to meet and hang with Ashton’s parents as well. I will take the Hawes family over that piece of poop on my shoe Dominic. Give this one a click … you will scream and be consumed by anger and joy all at the same time.
Thank you Rebecca for the ARC and the great story; heart break and all. I love finding new authors and you are a keeper. Review to post on Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.
Rebecca Brooke
4.5 stars
NOTE: This book deals with severe verbal abuse. If you have triggers please consider before clicking.
This is an excellent read. Although in theory the situation is not that realistic the verbal abuse and suffering a the lead female character Elena is gut wrenching and absolutely on point. Elena feels unworthy, ugly and is trying her best to be a good wife. She wants nothing more than to please her husband Dominic. His taunts and the vile things that spew from his mouth will make you want to wrap your hands around his throat and squeeze really hard. I wanted to pummel this ass hat from the word go. In retrospect that is a great thing for an author; connection with the characters no matter bad or good.
Dominic demands Elena’s tips from her diner job so that he can go gamble. However his gambling gets him into more trouble than Elena can imagine. Thinking her husband has noticed her extra effort around the house and is taking her to a baseball game, she soon finds out that is not even close to what transpires.
What is Ashton supposed to do now? He has allowed Dominic to trade his wife for more time in getting the money to pay off his debt. Seeing how Dominic degraded his wife he couldn’t let her leave with him. Being raised by a father for personal reason taught his sons to NEVER raise a hand or disrespect a woman, he couldn’t leave the beautiful woman with the vile man standing before him. But what now …
This is a great read and Rebecca has handled a very serious subject in a brilliant and inspiring book. I highly recommend reading this story. The pages will keep you turning wishing and hoping Elena will see her beauty. You will absolutely want to hug, high five and be Ashton’s best friend or right hand man. I hope that we will get a book centered around Miller, Ashton’s brother. I loved that we got to meet and hang with Ashton’s parents as well. I will take the Hawes family over that piece of poop on my shoe Dominic. Give this one a click … you will scream and be consumed by anger and joy all at the same time.
Thank you Rebecca for the ARC and the great story; heart break and all. I love finding new authors and you are a keeper. Review to post on Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.
Read
December 3, 2015stopped at 45 %...
I'm sorry...but I truly thought this was going to be a dark read. since when is a bookie more interested than saving a woman from a shitty marriage than collecting his money? this read like a prolonged counseling session and less like a dark romance novel.
I'm sorry...but I truly thought this was going to be a dark read. since when is a bookie more interested than saving a woman from a shitty marriage than collecting his money? this read like a prolonged counseling session and less like a dark romance novel.
November 6, 2015
TRADED by Rebecca Brooke was just WOW, and has left me speechless, and when the book ended I was no where near ready to say goodbye to to Elena and Ashton, they have captured a small piece of my heart. Rebecca Brooke you made this book very hard not to fall in love with, it will be shelved and put on my reread list for sure.
The story of this book touches on many areas that are hard to think about, domestic abuse and the fact that a husband has so little love for his wife that he trades her for a gambling debt that he is unable to pay. As we watch Elena do everything she can try and please her husband and he does everything to bring her down.
I think for Elena being traded to Ashton was the best thing for her, Ashton helps her to overcome her obenience and need to do and please her man. Ashton is the man that Elena needs, he teaches her how to make choices of her own, decisons of her own and most of all he teaches her how to be her own person and how to stand up for herself. Ashton also takes the time to really give her her life back and then he teaches her what real love is all about and how to enjoy and respond to what he has to offer her in the bedroom.
TRADED by Rebecca Brooke will bring you on a journey of sadness and true love, you will be hooked from page one till the very last page, and I can promise you by the end of the book you will be in love with Ashton and Elena.
The story of this book touches on many areas that are hard to think about, domestic abuse and the fact that a husband has so little love for his wife that he trades her for a gambling debt that he is unable to pay. As we watch Elena do everything she can try and please her husband and he does everything to bring her down.
I think for Elena being traded to Ashton was the best thing for her, Ashton helps her to overcome her obenience and need to do and please her man. Ashton is the man that Elena needs, he teaches her how to make choices of her own, decisons of her own and most of all he teaches her how to be her own person and how to stand up for herself. Ashton also takes the time to really give her her life back and then he teaches her what real love is all about and how to enjoy and respond to what he has to offer her in the bedroom.
TRADED by Rebecca Brooke will bring you on a journey of sadness and true love, you will be hooked from page one till the very last page, and I can promise you by the end of the book you will be in love with Ashton and Elena.
October 26, 2015
This was a unique read for me that centered around abuse, beware if you are not a fan of reading about abuse.
Elena is a wife, a very obedient, abused wife. She believes she is unworthy of her husband and all she wants to do is please him and make him happy. Dominic is very verbally abusive to Elena; he makes her feel like she is nothing and that she can’t do anything right (according to him). Along with being an abusive loser… he is also a gambler and owes a lot of money to the wrong people… so what does a loser like him do, he tries to trade his wife off for his debt.
Ashton is in the family business, but not really by choice, collecting debts for his father has never been more infuriating as to when Dominic shows up to pay his debt off with his wife and offers her in trade. Being raised by in a family that has taught him to never disrespect women, Ashton is appalled by this offer to take someone’s wife as trade, but as he is witness to the abuse, he decides that maybe he can turn things around for Elena if he takes Dominic up on his trade.
The emotion side of this story is very hard to read at times. To see the struggle that Elena has to go through to find herself again after years of suffering at the hands of an abusive husband is very sad, but also hopeful and enlightening at the same time. As the relationship grows between Elena and Ashton you see her finally begin to life her life again. Ashton is an amazing complex character that brings the best out in Elena and the supporting cast made the whole story come together and made it very relatable to the readers.
If you are looking for a unique story, this one is for you.
4 stars
Reviewed by Tonya Nichols @ Eye Candy Bookstore
Elena is a wife, a very obedient, abused wife. She believes she is unworthy of her husband and all she wants to do is please him and make him happy. Dominic is very verbally abusive to Elena; he makes her feel like she is nothing and that she can’t do anything right (according to him). Along with being an abusive loser… he is also a gambler and owes a lot of money to the wrong people… so what does a loser like him do, he tries to trade his wife off for his debt.
Ashton is in the family business, but not really by choice, collecting debts for his father has never been more infuriating as to when Dominic shows up to pay his debt off with his wife and offers her in trade. Being raised by in a family that has taught him to never disrespect women, Ashton is appalled by this offer to take someone’s wife as trade, but as he is witness to the abuse, he decides that maybe he can turn things around for Elena if he takes Dominic up on his trade.
The emotion side of this story is very hard to read at times. To see the struggle that Elena has to go through to find herself again after years of suffering at the hands of an abusive husband is very sad, but also hopeful and enlightening at the same time. As the relationship grows between Elena and Ashton you see her finally begin to life her life again. Ashton is an amazing complex character that brings the best out in Elena and the supporting cast made the whole story come together and made it very relatable to the readers.
If you are looking for a unique story, this one is for you.
4 stars
Reviewed by Tonya Nichols @ Eye Candy Bookstore
November 8, 2015
When Elena married her high school sweetheart Dominic, she never realized he'd end up being such a hateful man. He is constantly saying hateful and degrading things to her and has caused Elena to think she doesn't deserve better. When Dominic ends up not having the cash he owes the loan shark he's bored money from, he trades Elena for three months. Ashton is astounded that any man would treat his wife that way and only allows the trade to happen in order to teach Elena she's worth more. During the time Elena spends with Ashton, they get closer and closer and both fall for the other. What will happen when the three months are over and Doninic makes it clear he wants his wife back?
I loved Ashton. He may be a loan shark, but he also owns several restaurants and was a great man. He cares for Elena immediately and did everything he could to teach her how beautiful she was and show her the ways a woman should be treated. Poor Elena had been brainwashed by her husband and thought everything she did should be for him. What's sad is that you know there are really relationships that exist like that.
This was a standalone story where Elena slowly learns about herself and what she's worth. It was a story about finding love where you least expect it and for Elena about second chances. It's told from dual POVs and has a happy ending.
I loved Ashton. He may be a loan shark, but he also owns several restaurants and was a great man. He cares for Elena immediately and did everything he could to teach her how beautiful she was and show her the ways a woman should be treated. Poor Elena had been brainwashed by her husband and thought everything she did should be for him. What's sad is that you know there are really relationships that exist like that.
This was a standalone story where Elena slowly learns about herself and what she's worth. It was a story about finding love where you least expect it and for Elena about second chances. It's told from dual POVs and has a happy ending.
November 27, 2015
To be honest, the blurb is quite misleading. You see, when you read the words "I've been traded", your mind immediately goes to the dark side and the potential ways this book can be a love story between a captive and captor. However, traded is quite different. Surprisingly, its main focus is on domestic abuse and it might be a bit "plain" for some readers who are used to dark books but I found this quite an enjoyable read. It was quite clear that the author withheld any information about after Elena was traded so that we won't know how soft the hero was and that this is not a typical dark story. Far from it.
My favorite aspect was how Ashton did his best to help Elena see what she had been going through with Dimitri. He was the perfect hero. I've noticed how women in books who get abused become quite irritable and authors tend to show them in a rather stubborn light. They try to make their heroines too insecure and too suspicious of everyone. I hate it when that happens. Traded's heroine, Elena, didn't jump whenever a man approached her or wasn't overly suspicious of Ashton. I was glad for that part.
I would have liked it if Ashton had left his line of work especially since he spends the entire book saying how he hates his job etc etc
I didn't hate this book, though. I have read worse, I have to admit that hence the 3-star rating
Overall, quite a nice book. I look forward to reading other books by the author.
My favorite aspect was how Ashton did his best to help Elena see what she had been going through with Dimitri. He was the perfect hero. I've noticed how women in books who get abused become quite irritable and authors tend to show them in a rather stubborn light. They try to make their heroines too insecure and too suspicious of everyone. I hate it when that happens. Traded's heroine, Elena, didn't jump whenever a man approached her or wasn't overly suspicious of Ashton. I was glad for that part.
I would have liked it if Ashton had left his line of work especially since he spends the entire book saying how he hates his job etc etc
I didn't hate this book, though. I have read worse, I have to admit that hence the 3-star rating
Overall, quite a nice book. I look forward to reading other books by the author.
January 11, 2016
I have never felt so decieved by a blurb before.....
The blurb promised an exciting story with a cartel.....
What we were given was a pathetic walkover who is taken in by a loving teddy bear!!
Pass.....dnf!
The blurb promised an exciting story with a cartel.....
What we were given was a pathetic walkover who is taken in by a loving teddy bear!!
Pass.....dnf!
July 6, 2018
This was a disappointment. Based on the blurb I was expecting a delicious dark romance with some dub-con sex and a bit of a twisted Stockholm syndrome leading to some sort of happy-ish ending. Yum!
Unfortunately, what I got was an incredibly boring fairytale with a ridiculous cinderella plot, vapid characters and a bit of sugar kink.
There’s a feminist saying that a women needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle. While that may hold true for most women, not so for our heroine, Elena. No, sir! Elena marries one douche bag and the second she gets a chance to leave that relationship she needs another. There is no way this woman can exist on her own.
She is in a bad marriage with a verbally abusive douchebag. We are led to believe that her doormat personality is a product of his doing, although I never believed that.
If we are to put any stock in her own memories of the day after they got married, Dominic was already a complete and utter bastard then and yet she still hoped to marry him and was happy that she did.
When the douchebag husband finds himself in gambling debt he cannot pay, he decides to trade his wife in lieu of payment. Enter our hero, Ashton, probably the worst loan shark in the world. He accepts trades, he gives second (and third chances), none of his ‘clients’ have any respect for him – understandably so – as he has the impulse control of a 15 year old, both when it comes to his temper and his sexual prowess – seriously if these two have intercourse that last more than 3 thrusts before he “can’t hold on anymore”, I missed it!
He cannot resist a damsel in distress and decides to lower the payment owed in return for 3 months with the wife. Except that his plan is to pamper and spoil her and show her “how a man treats a woman”.
Elena, being the shallow creature that she is, takes to new clothes and spa days, like a fish to water and after 2 weeks of pampering, all the mental scars of years of abuse is happily erased by Ashton’s magic dick. There’s quite a few sex scenes with some very very mild BDSM, mostly bondage, a few spanks and a small amount of anal play.
Both main characters are shallow and annoying, same goes for any secondary characters. And I really couldn’t care less about any of them. Ashton has no character development at all, Elena has some, I guess, but mostly it seemed that she just exchanged men and learned how to say the word f*ck. I only finished this book because I was given a review copy. Had I bought it, I would have put it down less than 30% in.
I can only surmise that the author did no research on anything before writing this novel, because NONE of the things that goes on in the silly plot of this book felt believable:
* Not how the slide into an abusive relationship work
* Not the psychology of recovering from it
* Not how a crime family works or how a loan shark operates
* Not how body guarding works
* Not how to manage a restaurant
* Not how auditions and rehearsals for musical theatre works
* And certainly not how police work with regards to kidnapping, organized crime or man slaughter.
The narrators of this book did their best, but there is only so much you can do with the material they were given. I was quite impressed I couldn’t hear them roll their eyes. I enjoyed the way it was produced, that the male narrator did all the male voices and the female all the female voices, regardless of whose point of view we were following.
1.5 out of 5 stars
Unfortunately, what I got was an incredibly boring fairytale with a ridiculous cinderella plot, vapid characters and a bit of sugar kink.
There’s a feminist saying that a women needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle. While that may hold true for most women, not so for our heroine, Elena. No, sir! Elena marries one douche bag and the second she gets a chance to leave that relationship she needs another. There is no way this woman can exist on her own.
She is in a bad marriage with a verbally abusive douchebag. We are led to believe that her doormat personality is a product of his doing, although I never believed that.
If we are to put any stock in her own memories of the day after they got married, Dominic was already a complete and utter bastard then and yet she still hoped to marry him and was happy that she did.
When the douchebag husband finds himself in gambling debt he cannot pay, he decides to trade his wife in lieu of payment. Enter our hero, Ashton, probably the worst loan shark in the world. He accepts trades, he gives second (and third chances), none of his ‘clients’ have any respect for him – understandably so – as he has the impulse control of a 15 year old, both when it comes to his temper and his sexual prowess – seriously if these two have intercourse that last more than 3 thrusts before he “can’t hold on anymore”, I missed it!
He cannot resist a damsel in distress and decides to lower the payment owed in return for 3 months with the wife. Except that his plan is to pamper and spoil her and show her “how a man treats a woman”.
Elena, being the shallow creature that she is, takes to new clothes and spa days, like a fish to water and after 2 weeks of pampering, all the mental scars of years of abuse is happily erased by Ashton’s magic dick. There’s quite a few sex scenes with some very very mild BDSM, mostly bondage, a few spanks and a small amount of anal play.
Both main characters are shallow and annoying, same goes for any secondary characters. And I really couldn’t care less about any of them. Ashton has no character development at all, Elena has some, I guess, but mostly it seemed that she just exchanged men and learned how to say the word f*ck. I only finished this book because I was given a review copy. Had I bought it, I would have put it down less than 30% in.
I can only surmise that the author did no research on anything before writing this novel, because NONE of the things that goes on in the silly plot of this book felt believable:
* Not how the slide into an abusive relationship work
* Not the psychology of recovering from it
* Not how a crime family works or how a loan shark operates
* Not how body guarding works
* Not how to manage a restaurant
* Not how auditions and rehearsals for musical theatre works
* And certainly not how police work with regards to kidnapping, organized crime or man slaughter.
The narrators of this book did their best, but there is only so much you can do with the material they were given. I was quite impressed I couldn’t hear them roll their eyes. I enjoyed the way it was produced, that the male narrator did all the male voices and the female all the female voices, regardless of whose point of view we were following.
1.5 out of 5 stars
December 25, 2016
Spoiler Ahead This was a really good book that I liked a lot. Elena Tolley's husband Dominic treats her like crap like his own personal slave telling her he is teaching her how to be a good wife and she goes along with it. When Dominic gets in over his head with his loan shark he decides to trade her and yes she goes along with it. Ashton who is hot sexy rich alpha male can't believe someone would treat their wife like Dominic treated Elena and even worse when he told him he could sleep with her. Ashton knows that he has to help Elena. I wanted to slap her every time she stuck up for a husband who treated her like crap she had low self-esteem from years of putting up with Dominic. This was a really good book although it wasn't as dark as I thought it would be. Elena didn't know what to think of Ashton she thought that he would demand sex but he didn't or that she would be cooking and cleaning turns out Ashton is a chef and owns 3 restaurant's. Ashton was a sexual dominant and the sex between these two were hot. It was hard for me to believe that Elena was married for 5 years and never had the big O before. I hated Dominic for the way he treated Elena although he wasn't physically abusive to her what he did is somewhat worse. This was my first time reading this author. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. This was book one in this series and I am looking forward to reading the next book about Ashton's brother Miller and all his sexiness.
November 8, 2015
It was amazing story of a second chance. Not your traditional one. About a couple after a years of separation. This story was about a second chance to live happy. That no matter what mistakes you did, what paths you choose in the past, you always can find your strength and find your happiness again.
Elena was living these past 5 years in hell. Her husband... I really can't call that place of waste 'a husband'. He treaded her like a trash. Like someone beneath him. Someone you could play with like a doll for your pleasure.
At the beginning, I was so frustrated by Elena. She was so brainwashed. I just can't describe it. Every word from her mouth, every though in her mind about her marriage... It just made me wish to smash something! Elena didn't saw that she was worth much more. She didn't saw that she deserved to live her dream. Unti him. Ashton. Until trade. Who could thought, that being traded could be the best thing that happened to her?
And talkig about Ashton... Oh, my! Ashton! I loved him from the first moment. I so wish I could keep him for myself. That man is priceless. Every girl needs Ashton in her life. You need to spend a few hours with him and see that for yourself. So just go and do it. You wouldn't be sorry having this date.
Elena was living these past 5 years in hell. Her husband... I really can't call that place of waste 'a husband'. He treaded her like a trash. Like someone beneath him. Someone you could play with like a doll for your pleasure.
At the beginning, I was so frustrated by Elena. She was so brainwashed. I just can't describe it. Every word from her mouth, every though in her mind about her marriage... It just made me wish to smash something! Elena didn't saw that she was worth much more. She didn't saw that she deserved to live her dream. Unti him. Ashton. Until trade. Who could thought, that being traded could be the best thing that happened to her?
And talkig about Ashton... Oh, my! Ashton! I loved him from the first moment. I so wish I could keep him for myself. That man is priceless. Every girl needs Ashton in her life. You need to spend a few hours with him and see that for yourself. So just go and do it. You wouldn't be sorry having this date.
November 3, 2015
This is a dark and at times disturbing story, journeying into the psychology of abuse, but I loved it despite this darkness.
Elena is a house wife who has low self-esteem and cannot see her own worth, mainly because of her verbally abusive husband - Dominic.
Dominic is destructive and impulsive and trades Elena to his loan shark when he can't pay his gambling debt – I guess you could say he sees it as self-preservation.
The loan shark, Ashton may not have the most desirable job but being brought up by a single parent taught him not to tolerate the way Dominic abuses his wife.
Ashton’s possession of Elena, though for all the wrong reasons, leads Elena on a great journey of self-discovery. She learns to believe in herself and re-finds the confidence that her husband has squeezed out of her through the years of verbal abuse and mistrust.
Ashton makes not promises to Elena but he helps her find strength through compassion and understanding her position and needs.
This was a story that I would normally not have chosen but now that I’ve read it, I will be reading more of Rebecca Brooke’s work. The way she handles such a sensitive and emotional subject matter was inspiring and should be applauded.
Elena is a house wife who has low self-esteem and cannot see her own worth, mainly because of her verbally abusive husband - Dominic.
Dominic is destructive and impulsive and trades Elena to his loan shark when he can't pay his gambling debt – I guess you could say he sees it as self-preservation.
The loan shark, Ashton may not have the most desirable job but being brought up by a single parent taught him not to tolerate the way Dominic abuses his wife.
Ashton’s possession of Elena, though for all the wrong reasons, leads Elena on a great journey of self-discovery. She learns to believe in herself and re-finds the confidence that her husband has squeezed out of her through the years of verbal abuse and mistrust.
Ashton makes not promises to Elena but he helps her find strength through compassion and understanding her position and needs.
This was a story that I would normally not have chosen but now that I’ve read it, I will be reading more of Rebecca Brooke’s work. The way she handles such a sensitive and emotional subject matter was inspiring and should be applauded.
November 23, 2015
Rebecca Brooke is an author I can always count on to deliver a story I can get lost in and Traded was not only no different it exceeded all her others. Traded is a tale of an abused wife and the man who would become her savior.
Elena has been so broken down by her scumbag husband Dominic that when he gives her up to a bookie he owe she doesn’t question it. This is the life she deserves right? But from the moment Ashton sees her he knows there is more there and even though he is not the kind of man to use and abuse women he takes her for 3 months in the hope that he can get her away from Dominic and maybe even show her she is worth more than that. But is going from a bad home to one that revolves around a life of crime is difficult to say the least.
While aspects of this novel venture into the “dark” category the vast majority of it is about Elena learning her self worth and Ashton teaching her the beauty life holds. For me Ashton was like a alpha bad boy light. Rough around the edges but not over the top and he had an amazing sweet heart in the center of it all.
The sexiest book Rebecca has put out yet, Traded will excite you and if you are anything like me you will be begging for more (ahem I want Miller’s book asap!)
~miranda
Elena has been so broken down by her scumbag husband Dominic that when he gives her up to a bookie he owe she doesn’t question it. This is the life she deserves right? But from the moment Ashton sees her he knows there is more there and even though he is not the kind of man to use and abuse women he takes her for 3 months in the hope that he can get her away from Dominic and maybe even show her she is worth more than that. But is going from a bad home to one that revolves around a life of crime is difficult to say the least.
While aspects of this novel venture into the “dark” category the vast majority of it is about Elena learning her self worth and Ashton teaching her the beauty life holds. For me Ashton was like a alpha bad boy light. Rough around the edges but not over the top and he had an amazing sweet heart in the center of it all.
The sexiest book Rebecca has put out yet, Traded will excite you and if you are anything like me you will be begging for more (ahem I want Miller’s book asap!)
~miranda
November 13, 2015
3.5 stars
Traded was a unique and crazy story like no story I have read before. Poor Elena is married to her high school sweetheart and their marriage is anything but good. He is verbally and physically abusive. He takes all their money and uses it for his gambling addiction. He is a liar and a cheat, and poor Elena has been brain washed into thinking this is what a marriage is.
All that changes when her husband trades her off to his bookie to try to pay off his debt. Ashton is a blessing is disguise. Just when you think he is the bad guy for his illegal dealing in gambling, he becomes Elena's knight in shining armor and saves her from her her of a husband. Ashton makes it his mission to make Elena sees she is worth much more than they life she has been living. In the process, he may have fallen in love with Elena.
This was quite the different story. I don't think I have read one like this before.
Traded was a unique and crazy story like no story I have read before. Poor Elena is married to her high school sweetheart and their marriage is anything but good. He is verbally and physically abusive. He takes all their money and uses it for his gambling addiction. He is a liar and a cheat, and poor Elena has been brain washed into thinking this is what a marriage is.
All that changes when her husband trades her off to his bookie to try to pay off his debt. Ashton is a blessing is disguise. Just when you think he is the bad guy for his illegal dealing in gambling, he becomes Elena's knight in shining armor and saves her from her her of a husband. Ashton makes it his mission to make Elena sees she is worth much more than they life she has been living. In the process, he may have fallen in love with Elena.
This was quite the different story. I don't think I have read one like this before.
November 17, 2015
Very Weird Book
Uhm, this book was odd and not in a good way. The writing was basic and at times awkward. It was as like the author Googled "verbal abuse" and copied the dialog from a 1989 psychology training video.
The sex scenes were the same. Insert tab A into slot B, sometimes with "kink".
During the climax of the story, there is no build up of tension whatsoever. It is treated as something so mundane that it is easily skipped over.
Also, nobody refers to Colorado as "off-Broadway" (and forget about going into an audition cold after 5 years of not singing and nailing a Sondheim song and getting the lead? Really? Really? ).
Uhm, this book was odd and not in a good way. The writing was basic and at times awkward. It was as like the author Googled "verbal abuse" and copied the dialog from a 1989 psychology training video.
The sex scenes were the same. Insert tab A into slot B, sometimes with "kink".
During the climax of the story, there is no build up of tension whatsoever. It is treated as something so mundane that it is easily skipped over.
Also, nobody refers to Colorado as "off-Broadway" (and forget about going into an audition cold after 5 years of not singing and nailing a Sondheim song and getting the lead? Really? Really? ).
November 23, 2016
4* Are for Ashton every girl, every daughter deserves a Ashton. I loved this book because I was looking for a plot like this forever. But although it started great eventually the story started going stale.
I'm a hopeless romantic but I also like dark, anguished , passion, deep emotions. That's what I found lacking in this book. Although Ashton helped Elena grow stronger it was all instant-love no passion or emotional ground. Just a rainbow with unicorns flying near the end it got sappy.
I'm a hopeless romantic but I also like dark, anguished , passion, deep emotions. That's what I found lacking in this book. Although Ashton helped Elena grow stronger it was all instant-love no passion or emotional ground. Just a rainbow with unicorns flying near the end it got sappy.
November 3, 2015
My review will be up when it is my turn on the Blog Tour!
November 16, 2015
This is not a dark read. Its a fairy tale, complete w/ a bookie in shining armor. Dnf wen i found this out. Wish the book had followed the blurb-it wouldve been a better story.
August 1, 2017
The image on he cover suggests that this is a dark romance and it made me think twice about listening to it as I am not a huge fan of that genre. However, this is not dark at all. It is actually quite sweet and a feel good kind of romance. Ashton has a temper but he is a real sweetheart where Elena is concerned and he doesn't do anything to hurt her. Her husband on the other hand is a complete tosser and a nasty piece of work.
I loved Ashton's family and how they rallied round in support of Elena and encouraged her relationship with Ashton.
I also enjoyed the drama that Ashton's career choice brought, as well as the tension and suspense Elena's husband, Dominic, brings to the story. This was a book I wanted to listen to in one go. It makes me want to dive straight into book 2!
I loved Ashton's family and how they rallied round in support of Elena and encouraged her relationship with Ashton.
I also enjoyed the drama that Ashton's career choice brought, as well as the tension and suspense Elena's husband, Dominic, brings to the story. This was a book I wanted to listen to in one go. It makes me want to dive straight into book 2!
May 10, 2022
Elena and Ashton
Some dark elements but a lot sweeter than I expected. Loved to see Elena’s growth throughout the story. Frustrated with just how brainwashed she was but I get it. Ashton was very considerate of her feelings but was determined to give her the push when needed.
Great chemistry!
Steamy sex scenes
HEA
Some dark elements but a lot sweeter than I expected. Loved to see Elena’s growth throughout the story. Frustrated with just how brainwashed she was but I get it. Ashton was very considerate of her feelings but was determined to give her the push when needed.
Great chemistry!
Steamy sex scenes
HEA
January 13, 2021
I’m a pawn, a piece of chattel, a toy--used and forgotten. I just couldn't with this one I mean I understand that she was controlled by her husband but she was over the top, and there is no way that a money collector would instantly take in a stranger then devote his time to her, it was just crazy.
May 2, 2018
Really like how Ashton and Elena story came about. Not the norm but definitely a HAE
January 20, 2022
3.5 stars
TRADED has a phenomenal premise and the beginning is as dark as I had hoped it would be, but the rest was predictable and unexciting. It’s not a bad story, but for someone like me who likes their books really dark and disturbing, it was disappointing; I kept wishing the author would dive deeper and give us more of what we get in the very beginning. I do not plan to read the rest of the series.
TRADED has a phenomenal premise and the beginning is as dark as I had hoped it would be, but the rest was predictable and unexciting. It’s not a bad story, but for someone like me who likes their books really dark and disturbing, it was disappointing; I kept wishing the author would dive deeper and give us more of what we get in the very beginning. I do not plan to read the rest of the series.
November 13, 2015
I received an copy of this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
Rebecca Brooke's Traded is a story about an abused wife. It's a hard subject to read about, much less write I'm sure. Plus it could possibly be a trigger for some people. I too expected this book form the synopsis to be a dark read but it's really not.
Elena and Dominic dated in high school and college. He was the football star she couldn't believe she's dating. Celebrating their college graduation in Vegas, Elena wakes the next morning with a gold band on her hand. Shocked and not remembering getting married she finds their marriage license and a receipt form a Wedding Chapel in Dominic's pants pocket. When Dominic awakes while she's is in the shower, she comes out to a very angry man who makes a comment about training her to be a good wife and she tricked him into marrying her. It wasn't a joke. It was mean spirited and quiet shocking to Elena. Fast forward five years and the bright girl fresh out of college with dreams of singing on Broadway is in a living nightmare. She goes to work at her job in the diner, straight home after and has to do everything in the apartment to Dominic's liking. He treats her like she is an idiot who can't do anything right. Using her only for his pleasure, being told she's ugly, fat, and she honestly is convinced he's the only person on earth who would want her.
Dominic though has a gambling problem and is in trouble. He is unable to repay a debt Elena has no clue about. Thinking he's finally taking her out for a night and so excited about it, Elena finds herself being traded in place of part of the debt owed to the Hawes family. More specifically traded to Ashton for three months until Dominic can pay his debt. Ashton, shocked at the way Elena is treated agrees and this begins Elena's journey. Can she realize she's been verbally abused, used, and humiliated for years? Is Ashton the one who can help her on this journey or is he doing this trade because of the money owed to him? Is it possible for Elena to find herself again while learning what true love is?
I really enjoyed this story. It flows so well and held my interest the entire time. I really liked both Elena and Ashton as characters on their own and together when she was left to live with Ashton. The parts with Dominic are just heartbreaking. I can not even imagine living each day so beaten down and feeling worthless. The journey for Elena is not a easy one and Ashton is patient and so sweet to her. It's a second chance, show your true self worth after discovering it, love story. I do have to say while I read the ARC of Traded and realize those are not the finally copy, there were so many errors in the book that it got frustrating and confusing in places having to figure out what a sentence was suppose to say. Hopefully the book is now edited and everyone doesn't have this problem. It's certainly a book worth reading.
Rebecca Brooke's Traded is a story about an abused wife. It's a hard subject to read about, much less write I'm sure. Plus it could possibly be a trigger for some people. I too expected this book form the synopsis to be a dark read but it's really not.
Elena and Dominic dated in high school and college. He was the football star she couldn't believe she's dating. Celebrating their college graduation in Vegas, Elena wakes the next morning with a gold band on her hand. Shocked and not remembering getting married she finds their marriage license and a receipt form a Wedding Chapel in Dominic's pants pocket. When Dominic awakes while she's is in the shower, she comes out to a very angry man who makes a comment about training her to be a good wife and she tricked him into marrying her. It wasn't a joke. It was mean spirited and quiet shocking to Elena. Fast forward five years and the bright girl fresh out of college with dreams of singing on Broadway is in a living nightmare. She goes to work at her job in the diner, straight home after and has to do everything in the apartment to Dominic's liking. He treats her like she is an idiot who can't do anything right. Using her only for his pleasure, being told she's ugly, fat, and she honestly is convinced he's the only person on earth who would want her.
Dominic though has a gambling problem and is in trouble. He is unable to repay a debt Elena has no clue about. Thinking he's finally taking her out for a night and so excited about it, Elena finds herself being traded in place of part of the debt owed to the Hawes family. More specifically traded to Ashton for three months until Dominic can pay his debt. Ashton, shocked at the way Elena is treated agrees and this begins Elena's journey. Can she realize she's been verbally abused, used, and humiliated for years? Is Ashton the one who can help her on this journey or is he doing this trade because of the money owed to him? Is it possible for Elena to find herself again while learning what true love is?
I really enjoyed this story. It flows so well and held my interest the entire time. I really liked both Elena and Ashton as characters on their own and together when she was left to live with Ashton. The parts with Dominic are just heartbreaking. I can not even imagine living each day so beaten down and feeling worthless. The journey for Elena is not a easy one and Ashton is patient and so sweet to her. It's a second chance, show your true self worth after discovering it, love story. I do have to say while I read the ARC of Traded and realize those are not the finally copy, there were so many errors in the book that it got frustrating and confusing in places having to figure out what a sentence was suppose to say. Hopefully the book is now edited and everyone doesn't have this problem. It's certainly a book worth reading.
November 10, 2015
Traded is unlike any other book by Rebecca Brooke. This deals with emotional abuse, and a woman who was traded to pay off a debt. I was instantly drawn to this story from the very first pages, and was unable to put this book down. Elena's story isn't easy at times, but it is definitely a story that needs to be told.
Elena is ecstatic when her husband Dominic tells her he is taking out as she never gets to leave the apartment except to go to work. When the night doesn't go how she thought it would, and she ends up traded to Ashton (the loan shark Dominic owes money to) she knows she'll do anything to help her husband. Ashton wants to help Elena, he wants her to see that the way Dominic has been treating his wife is not right, and she is allowed to think for herself and be her own person. Getting Elena to see these things was not an easy task for Ashton.
At times I wanted to scream at Elena for the things she did or thought, but I had to remind myself that she was emotionally abused for years and didn't know anything else. Seeing her open up with the help of Ashton was amazing, and it is awesome to see how much she changed from the beginning of this book to the end. For every few steps Elena makes moving forward, something always sets her back a bit. Ashton is there for every step of the way and works hard to show Elena she is worth so much more than she has been lead to believe she is.
The sexual chemistry between Elena and Ashton was out of this world. You could tell Ashton wanted her, but couldn't and wouldn't treat her like all other women in his life before her. The little things he does for her, end up being huge for Elena, and allow her to find herself, and for her to accept him into her life. Things weren't easy for them at times, especially still having to deal with Dominic, but I loved how Ashton let Elena make her choices, and was there for every step of the way. The way he is with her and how protective of her he is is definitely swoonworthy!
Traded is an emotional read that can be hard to read at times due to the subject matter, but it is absolutely worth reading. I loved seeing Ashton and Elena's story play out, and seeing Elena find herself again, and becoming so much strong was amazing. I adored this darker story from Rebecca Brooke and loved how this ended. A perfect read for someone looking for different twist on romance! I highly recommend Traded to all readers, but please note that if you have a trigger for emotional abuse, this may not be the book for you.
Elena is ecstatic when her husband Dominic tells her he is taking out as she never gets to leave the apartment except to go to work. When the night doesn't go how she thought it would, and she ends up traded to Ashton (the loan shark Dominic owes money to) she knows she'll do anything to help her husband. Ashton wants to help Elena, he wants her to see that the way Dominic has been treating his wife is not right, and she is allowed to think for herself and be her own person. Getting Elena to see these things was not an easy task for Ashton.
At times I wanted to scream at Elena for the things she did or thought, but I had to remind myself that she was emotionally abused for years and didn't know anything else. Seeing her open up with the help of Ashton was amazing, and it is awesome to see how much she changed from the beginning of this book to the end. For every few steps Elena makes moving forward, something always sets her back a bit. Ashton is there for every step of the way and works hard to show Elena she is worth so much more than she has been lead to believe she is.
The sexual chemistry between Elena and Ashton was out of this world. You could tell Ashton wanted her, but couldn't and wouldn't treat her like all other women in his life before her. The little things he does for her, end up being huge for Elena, and allow her to find herself, and for her to accept him into her life. Things weren't easy for them at times, especially still having to deal with Dominic, but I loved how Ashton let Elena make her choices, and was there for every step of the way. The way he is with her and how protective of her he is is definitely swoonworthy!
Traded is an emotional read that can be hard to read at times due to the subject matter, but it is absolutely worth reading. I loved seeing Ashton and Elena's story play out, and seeing Elena find herself again, and becoming so much strong was amazing. I adored this darker story from Rebecca Brooke and loved how this ended. A perfect read for someone looking for different twist on romance! I highly recommend Traded to all readers, but please note that if you have a trigger for emotional abuse, this may not be the book for you.
June 1, 2016
3.25 stars to be exact
I liked this book. I did. Any time a broken woman can rise above and triumph, I applaud. However, I wasn't quite sold by this story.
Elena was verbally and emotionally abused by her husband for the entire 5 years of their marriage. How she allowed herself to be convinced by him that she was worthless is neither here nor there because this does happen. How she believed that through it all he really loved her was beside the point. What frustrated me was how fast she got past this (not even a month bro!)
She went from meek and submissive to sassy and borderline rude in a hot minute. I get that this is fiction but there was no real internal struggle.
She kept mentioning how serious she took those wedding vows. That when she said them she meant them. Ummmmmm... weren't you blackout drunk during your wedding in Vegas and didn't even know you were married until you woke up with a ring on your finger???
Then she kept saying that for 5 years she tried to be a good wife. But yet she grew up with both of her parents, who were still happily married it seemed. She already had an example of a good wife and it seemed nothing like the subservient slave she turned herself into. Her abuse was unfortunate, yes, but not completely understood by me.
This book annoyed me as well because it failed to fact check its info. Isn't Off Broadway the term used for a small theater in New York? Then how was Elena in an Off Broadway production in Colorado? Was this a travelling Broadway?
The only saving grace for this story was Ashton. I love an Alpha thug in glasses!! I loved how he quickly saw her situation and made moves to help her escape it. The way he helped her break out of her shell and become her own person was a beautiful thing. I really liked how he loved her.
The ending was pretty abrupt but some people like short and sweet HFN's I guess. Aside from some editing mishaps, the story was well written.
If you like a book that speaks on overcoming and moving past abuse and opening your heart to try again, this book might be right up your alley.
Enjoy! xo
I liked this book. I did. Any time a broken woman can rise above and triumph, I applaud. However, I wasn't quite sold by this story.
Elena was verbally and emotionally abused by her husband for the entire 5 years of their marriage. How she allowed herself to be convinced by him that she was worthless is neither here nor there because this does happen. How she believed that through it all he really loved her was beside the point. What frustrated me was how fast she got past this (not even a month bro!)
She went from meek and submissive to sassy and borderline rude in a hot minute. I get that this is fiction but there was no real internal struggle.
She kept mentioning how serious she took those wedding vows. That when she said them she meant them. Ummmmmm... weren't you blackout drunk during your wedding in Vegas and didn't even know you were married until you woke up with a ring on your finger???
Then she kept saying that for 5 years she tried to be a good wife. But yet she grew up with both of her parents, who were still happily married it seemed. She already had an example of a good wife and it seemed nothing like the subservient slave she turned herself into. Her abuse was unfortunate, yes, but not completely understood by me.
This book annoyed me as well because it failed to fact check its info. Isn't Off Broadway the term used for a small theater in New York? Then how was Elena in an Off Broadway production in Colorado? Was this a travelling Broadway?
The only saving grace for this story was Ashton. I love an Alpha thug in glasses!! I loved how he quickly saw her situation and made moves to help her escape it. The way he helped her break out of her shell and become her own person was a beautiful thing. I really liked how he loved her.
The ending was pretty abrupt but some people like short and sweet HFN's I guess. Aside from some editing mishaps, the story was well written.
If you like a book that speaks on overcoming and moving past abuse and opening your heart to try again, this book might be right up your alley.
Enjoy! xo
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews