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Damaged #1
Dirty
Degraded. Ravaged. Dirty
I f*ck. It’s all I’m good for.
People pay thousands just to have a taste of me.
I have to obey for the sake of my brother. As long as I’m the perfect slave, David remains safe.
A life of depravity and cruelty is all I’ve ever known … until her.
I might be damaged, but I’m not destroyed. I crave revenge for what was done to me. I have a need to kill, to feel their lifeless blood dripping from my fingers.
But I also crave her. She makes me feel. She makes me want. I just have to make her see me. The man. The fighter.
Freedom. No one is ever truly free. She doesn’t want to enslave me, but damn, I’ll willingly be a slave to her heart.
When my past threatens to take her from me, revenge and wrath burn hot through me.
She’s not just worth living for. She’s worth killing for.
** A Stand Alone Romance. Not recommended if you don't enjoy dark romance with sensitive scenes. +18 Only **
Please note that Dirty was previously published as Saved By Her. It has been rebranded with a HOT new cover and SIZZLING new scenes.
I f*ck. It’s all I’m good for.
People pay thousands just to have a taste of me.
I have to obey for the sake of my brother. As long as I’m the perfect slave, David remains safe.
A life of depravity and cruelty is all I’ve ever known … until her.
I might be damaged, but I’m not destroyed. I crave revenge for what was done to me. I have a need to kill, to feel their lifeless blood dripping from my fingers.
But I also crave her. She makes me feel. She makes me want. I just have to make her see me. The man. The fighter.
Freedom. No one is ever truly free. She doesn’t want to enslave me, but damn, I’ll willingly be a slave to her heart.
When my past threatens to take her from me, revenge and wrath burn hot through me.
She’s not just worth living for. She’s worth killing for.
** A Stand Alone Romance. Not recommended if you don't enjoy dark romance with sensitive scenes. +18 Only **
Please note that Dirty was previously published as Saved By Her. It has been rebranded with a HOT new cover and SIZZLING new scenes.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2015
102 people are currently reading
1162 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Horst
44 books1,620 followersPlease find me under my new profile Michelle Heard >>> https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
June 28, 2017
REVIEW ALSO POSTED ON MY BLOG
♕ DIRTY ♕ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
‘DIRTY:’ is the first book in Michelle Horst’s (Damaged Romance) series and is spoken in ‘Dual Perspectives’ This is Jack and Rivers story.
In the ‘Prologue’ we’re introduced to an eight year old Jack, nearing death his mother makes him promise to look after David his brother before she’s thrown into the flames of death that he bears witness to.
➼ My eyes burn from the fire
My hand burns from the fire
My heart burns because I know that I won’t see Momma’s smile again.
This day onwards his life will never be the same again, thrown into slavery by his father.
Twenty-Seven Years Old: If Jack cooperates he's allowed a wee bit more freedom than the other slaves which allows him to enjoy the gardens and the greenhouse where his green thumbs and passion can seek the solitary he craves surrounded by nature. But his constant thought is his brother David and the promise he made to his mother.
Beaten. Raped. Degraded
One woman’s mission on a righteous path to correct the sins of her father a man who kept slaves and sold River’s mother when she was aged thirteen. When River's father was alive she was surrounded by slaves being raped, beaten and killed, a life very much lived similar to the slaves she saves. When her father passed she sold up everything of value and created a safe haven for saved slaves called 'The Sanctuary' it's up to the slaves weither they stay there or find their own way in life but many stay.
On one of these missions her and her business partner come across Sophia and Jack. She spends millions setting them free and buying their freedom. The day arrives to seal the deal of taking Sophia and Jack home to 'The Sanctuary' both are beaten and bloody, barely alive, both in and out of consciousness.
Both slowly heal but it's Jack that River finds the hardest getting through to, his nightmares, his demeanor, his lack of showing compassion to other saved slaves.
Slowly River breaks down all his walls and something beautiful unfolds. Both maybe broken but together they are whole.
➼ The second we came together, our pasts vanished and there was only us.
✿ MY THOUGHTS: ✿ This isn’t about puppy dogs and unicorns farting glitter over the world, this book isn’t for the faint hearted, it’s raw, it’s gritty, it’s disturbingly good. This author goes that extra mile when it comes to giving us a unique, dark, gritty believable read. She knows how far to push her readers and pulls back when it's needed so it's not too dark or too gritty just the right amount of all the goodness to keep us eating out of the palm of her hand.
November 5, 2015
**༻Complimentary Copy༺** Provided by the author "Michelle Horst" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Saved By Her
SERIES: (The Monster Series #1)
AUTHOR: Michelle Horst
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: November 2nd 2015
MY RATING: 5 STARS!!
This book had my stomach curdling, my heart breaking, my head reeling and in no time at all I was falling in love with this book, it's gritty, sick and oh so good..Before I was a Michelle Horst virgin now I am going to be stalking her ass..Loved this, couldn't put it down..
OMG!! I have NEVER read ANYTHING that has started off with a BANG like this book has!! It spirals us right into a gritty scene that I was not prepared for..I'm guessing this isn't a book of puppy dogs and flowers and unicorns farting it's some
MESSED UP SHIT..
JACK ~ EIGHT YEARS OLD
We're first introduced to eight year old Jack sitting beside his dying mother who seems to be suffering from a beating..
Promise ... me, Jack, she whispers
Anything, Momma," I say quickly
Promise...you'll...look...after...David
I promise, Momma, I'll look after David.
Those were the last words she ever uttered.
How the body is disposed will have you sitting there all open mouthed.
My eyes burn from the fire, my hand burns from the fire, my heart burns because I know that I won't see momma's smile again. Everything burns.
It's time for the boy to start earning his keep. Put him with the other slaves.
JACK ~ TWENTY SEVEN YEARS OLD
A life of slavery..The life Jack has been thrown into is sick and twisted, to f*ck on demand, the things he's had to do, endured makes your stomach roll and your heart breaks for the man he could've been..
ENTER "River" she is a saver of slaves and has set her sights on Jack and another slave names Sophia
I failed David, my heart mourns because David is just like them. David is a MONSTER . I tried to protect him from becoming a slave and instead he became a MONSTER.
I don't really think this is a book for nuns, nothing against nuns or anything but some subject matters in this book is f*cked up, so if you don't want to sit there looking like you've sucked a lemon move on to another book because really there is no unicorn farting out nice smelling glitter in this book!!
A whip cracks over the back of my thighs and balls, cutting into my flesh, every blow hurts more than the one before, tearing the very skin from my bones. I close my eyes not even bothering to see who is doing the whipping and f*cking. I'm ready to die.
I've read some stomach curdling reads but this book is in a league of its own, these people are truly monsters, you know the ones your parents all warned you about, they look tame compared to these guys and what they do to their slaves..
I've paid for Jack and Sophia's freedom ~ River
No one here is a slave, they've all been a slave at one point but just like you Jack they are now free. Any of you can leave at any time. You are no longer someone's property and you can make eye contact with all of us. You never have to submit again.
TITLE: Saved By Her
SERIES: (The Monster Series #1)
AUTHOR: Michelle Horst
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: November 2nd 2015
MY RATING: 5 STARS!!
This book had my stomach curdling, my heart breaking, my head reeling and in no time at all I was falling in love with this book, it's gritty, sick and oh so good..Before I was a Michelle Horst virgin now I am going to be stalking her ass..Loved this, couldn't put it down..
OMG!! I have NEVER read ANYTHING that has started off with a BANG like this book has!! It spirals us right into a gritty scene that I was not prepared for..I'm guessing this isn't a book of puppy dogs and flowers and unicorns farting it's some
MESSED UP SHIT..
JACK ~ EIGHT YEARS OLD
We're first introduced to eight year old Jack sitting beside his dying mother who seems to be suffering from a beating..
Promise ... me, Jack, she whispers
Anything, Momma," I say quickly
Promise...you'll...look...after...David
I promise, Momma, I'll look after David.
Those were the last words she ever uttered.
How the body is disposed will have you sitting there all open mouthed.
My eyes burn from the fire, my hand burns from the fire, my heart burns because I know that I won't see momma's smile again. Everything burns.
It's time for the boy to start earning his keep. Put him with the other slaves.
JACK ~ TWENTY SEVEN YEARS OLD
A life of slavery..The life Jack has been thrown into is sick and twisted, to f*ck on demand, the things he's had to do, endured makes your stomach roll and your heart breaks for the man he could've been..
ENTER "River" she is a saver of slaves and has set her sights on Jack and another slave names Sophia
I failed David, my heart mourns because David is just like them. David is a MONSTER . I tried to protect him from becoming a slave and instead he became a MONSTER.
I don't really think this is a book for nuns, nothing against nuns or anything but some subject matters in this book is f*cked up, so if you don't want to sit there looking like you've sucked a lemon move on to another book because really there is no unicorn farting out nice smelling glitter in this book!!
A whip cracks over the back of my thighs and balls, cutting into my flesh, every blow hurts more than the one before, tearing the very skin from my bones. I close my eyes not even bothering to see who is doing the whipping and f*cking. I'm ready to die.
I've read some stomach curdling reads but this book is in a league of its own, these people are truly monsters, you know the ones your parents all warned you about, they look tame compared to these guys and what they do to their slaves..
I've paid for Jack and Sophia's freedom ~ River
No one here is a slave, they've all been a slave at one point but just like you Jack they are now free. Any of you can leave at any time. You are no longer someone's property and you can make eye contact with all of us. You never have to submit again.
January 24, 2016
3 "It was okay" Stars
Firstly, I would like to warn you about the topic of the book. "Saved by Her" deals with sexual slavery and its consequences on one's psychological well-being, a very serious and delicate subject. The blurb provided does not imply the existence of this issue in the book, so be aware in case you would like to read it.
What I have to say, though, is that the author manages to present this heavy subject in a very skillful and smooth way. You get to understand the suffering of certain characters and you sympathize with them. You connect with them, that's what Michelle Horst accomplished.
The first half of the book started off so well that I thought I would give 5 solid stars to it once I was finished. The characters developed very naturally, the plot was original and certainly exceeded my expectations and generally the book seemed to take a new, much-expected twist. Unfortunately, I was disillusioned and disappointed...
What caused my semi-disappointment (I still liked the book but not as much as I wanted) in the second half of the book:
➮ The decision Jack made. For those of you who have read the book, do not judge me. I understand this character's motives but that does not mean I support the choice that was made.
➮The overwhelmingly rapid development of Jack towards the end of the book. Everything seemed believable and convincing in the beginning but then this swift and clumsy change in his behaviour happened. The author hurried the thing a bit...
Keep in mind that Jack is a victim of sex trafficking, which means that he just CANNOT think and act this way THAT quickly. He just CAN'T. People who have endured so much pain and violence in sexual activities experience a TRAUMA that takes a long time to fade.
Here are some effects that sexual slavery has on victims:
*Don't get me wrong, Jack experienced a lot of the above but he recovered so suddenly that it resembles an unreal situation.
➮ The abrupt ending.
Here is a note I wrote down when I realised the book was over:
It looked as if the author got bored and just did not wish to write a proper ending. During the second half of the book, the plot-progress was too slow and it came naturally to expect something great at the end. I'm sorry but I do not need 100 pages of "Other Books by Michelle Horst"...
And an extra cause of annoyment, that has to do with the whole book:
➮Irritating grammatical and spelling mistakes as well as lack of word-building. No, I'm not a nerd. Those mistakes were too obvious and too common. Who corrected the text?
Overall:
There certainly were some flaws but I still enjoyed the story. It was a quick (I've read it in a day) and interesting read. I would recommend you get to it without any high expectations but still, with an open mind.
Firstly, I would like to warn you about the topic of the book. "Saved by Her" deals with sexual slavery and its consequences on one's psychological well-being, a very serious and delicate subject. The blurb provided does not imply the existence of this issue in the book, so be aware in case you would like to read it.
What I have to say, though, is that the author manages to present this heavy subject in a very skillful and smooth way. You get to understand the suffering of certain characters and you sympathize with them. You connect with them, that's what Michelle Horst accomplished.
The first half of the book started off so well that I thought I would give 5 solid stars to it once I was finished. The characters developed very naturally, the plot was original and certainly exceeded my expectations and generally the book seemed to take a new, much-expected twist. Unfortunately, I was disillusioned and disappointed...
What caused my semi-disappointment (I still liked the book but not as much as I wanted) in the second half of the book:
➮ The decision Jack made. For those of you who have read the book, do not judge me. I understand this character's motives but that does not mean I support the choice that was made.
➮The overwhelmingly rapid development of Jack towards the end of the book. Everything seemed believable and convincing in the beginning but then this swift and clumsy change in his behaviour happened. The author hurried the thing a bit...
I love to fuck you and I love to kiss you, but mostly I love that you're mine.
Keep in mind that Jack is a victim of sex trafficking, which means that he just CANNOT think and act this way THAT quickly. He just CAN'T. People who have endured so much pain and violence in sexual activities experience a TRAUMA that takes a long time to fade.
Here are some effects that sexual slavery has on victims:
*Don't get me wrong, Jack experienced a lot of the above but he recovered so suddenly that it resembles an unreal situation.
➮ The abrupt ending.
Here is a note I wrote down when I realised the book was over:
It looked as if the author got bored and just did not wish to write a proper ending. During the second half of the book, the plot-progress was too slow and it came naturally to expect something great at the end. I'm sorry but I do not need 100 pages of "Other Books by Michelle Horst"...
And an extra cause of annoyment, that has to do with the whole book:
➮Irritating grammatical and spelling mistakes as well as lack of word-building. No, I'm not a nerd. Those mistakes were too obvious and too common. Who corrected the text?
Overall:
There certainly were some flaws but I still enjoyed the story. It was a quick (I've read it in a day) and interesting read. I would recommend you get to it without any high expectations but still, with an open mind.
November 24, 2015
When I first read his blurb, I thought up so many different stories. To my delight, slavery was my first thought, and I hit the nail on it's head. So to say my excitement was bubbling over, would be an understatement.
We're given a more than epic and brutal start to this work of fiction (which we all know is so real in many places). Jack at eight years old, understands what it is to love, lose and hurt. His mother, a slave herself, was sold and then murdered by her master. Seeing his step-father - the ring leader and proprietor of this business - so nonchalantly dispose of his mother's body, became the start of his future pain and suffering. Remembering her final and pleading words.
Promise ... me, Jack, she whispers
Anything, Momma,"...
Promise...you'll...look...after...David
I promise, Momma, I'll look after David.
These were the words that transcended his slavery, until he was a young man of twenty-seven. Seeing and preforming more than any one person had seen in their lives. Jack is the prized possession of his step-father's business. Working as a sex slave for a depraved society, lined with heavy pockets, and carnal and sadistic ways. Men and women alike, come hither to a secret 'club', where all their baser needs are re-enacted for a price.
Jack has chosen to obey, never escaping, only ever thinking about his baby brother, David. Ensuring David's safety became Jack's mission. Once David was safe, once he didn't become a slave, Jack would die protecting him. This was the heavy noose that his step-father held over his head. Disobey and David would feel the wrath, that Jack has been subjected to for more than a decade.
As the story progresses we see and read some extremely sadistic scenes, that takes our minds on a roller-coaster ride of emotional turmoil. Your stomachs will roil with anger, displeasure, and pure euphoria.
The very person that Jack was protecting became the one person that soon became his undoing. Realizing and seeing for himself exactly what and who David has become. Shakes Jack to the core. Anger, hatred, disgust, and heartache like no other. He failed his brother, his mother, and himself.
David is a MONSTER.I failed David, my heart mourns because David is just like them.
I tried to protect him from becoming a slave and instead he became a MONSTER.
Jack's saving grace, River, his angel, came in the form of a rich heiress. A young woman looking for redemption, from the sins of her father. Surviving at the hands of her own father's brutality, living in fear of being sold as a child. River has grown up with a tantamount of guilt. Suffering the unknown, after her own mother was sold. Searching for peace, River starts a Sanctuary. A safe haven for the sexually abused. Slaves alike. A place they can call home - to heal and live free.
Working under a cover, River infiltrates the sex ring. Setting her sights on Jack, River can only imagine the brutality and savagery that Jack has been compelled to over the years. Seeing first hand, what he has to endure with a certain sadistic couple. River steels herself towards saving Jack.
As a GR friend of mine (Amanda) rightly said, Jack's character was endearing in his naivety. I thought the author portrayed Jack aptly. I had issues with his transition into 'manhood' so to speak. It was like a switch was flipped. River's character though. I'm not to sure about it. I can't really say I liked her at all. The connection was non existent for me. Overall, I felt a high and then, it decreased rapidly. I actually expected a darker and grittier read. This story became anti-climatic for me after Jack escaped his slavery.
*ARC provided by LBTSP on behalf of the author for an honest review* Thanks!!
We're given a more than epic and brutal start to this work of fiction (which we all know is so real in many places). Jack at eight years old, understands what it is to love, lose and hurt. His mother, a slave herself, was sold and then murdered by her master. Seeing his step-father - the ring leader and proprietor of this business - so nonchalantly dispose of his mother's body, became the start of his future pain and suffering. Remembering her final and pleading words.
Promise ... me, Jack, she whispers
Anything, Momma,"...
Promise...you'll...look...after...David
I promise, Momma, I'll look after David.
These were the words that transcended his slavery, until he was a young man of twenty-seven. Seeing and preforming more than any one person had seen in their lives. Jack is the prized possession of his step-father's business. Working as a sex slave for a depraved society, lined with heavy pockets, and carnal and sadistic ways. Men and women alike, come hither to a secret 'club', where all their baser needs are re-enacted for a price.
Jack has chosen to obey, never escaping, only ever thinking about his baby brother, David. Ensuring David's safety became Jack's mission. Once David was safe, once he didn't become a slave, Jack would die protecting him. This was the heavy noose that his step-father held over his head. Disobey and David would feel the wrath, that Jack has been subjected to for more than a decade.
As the story progresses we see and read some extremely sadistic scenes, that takes our minds on a roller-coaster ride of emotional turmoil. Your stomachs will roil with anger, displeasure, and pure euphoria.
The very person that Jack was protecting became the one person that soon became his undoing. Realizing and seeing for himself exactly what and who David has become. Shakes Jack to the core. Anger, hatred, disgust, and heartache like no other. He failed his brother, his mother, and himself.
David is a MONSTER.I failed David, my heart mourns because David is just like them.
I tried to protect him from becoming a slave and instead he became a MONSTER.
Jack's saving grace, River, his angel, came in the form of a rich heiress. A young woman looking for redemption, from the sins of her father. Surviving at the hands of her own father's brutality, living in fear of being sold as a child. River has grown up with a tantamount of guilt. Suffering the unknown, after her own mother was sold. Searching for peace, River starts a Sanctuary. A safe haven for the sexually abused. Slaves alike. A place they can call home - to heal and live free.
Working under a cover, River infiltrates the sex ring. Setting her sights on Jack, River can only imagine the brutality and savagery that Jack has been compelled to over the years. Seeing first hand, what he has to endure with a certain sadistic couple. River steels herself towards saving Jack.
As a GR friend of mine (Amanda) rightly said, Jack's character was endearing in his naivety. I thought the author portrayed Jack aptly. I had issues with his transition into 'manhood' so to speak. It was like a switch was flipped. River's character though. I'm not to sure about it. I can't really say I liked her at all. The connection was non existent for me. Overall, I felt a high and then, it decreased rapidly. I actually expected a darker and grittier read. This story became anti-climatic for me after Jack escaped his slavery.
*ARC provided by LBTSP on behalf of the author for an honest review* Thanks!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 29, 2016
Strong start that falls apart.
Initial reaction
This story starts very heartbreaking & tragic for the MMC as a young boy watching his mother being murdered and discarded.
He becomes a sex slave in an attempt to keep brother safe.
The story fast-forwards to him as an adult and having endured almost twenty years of horrors we are not told the specifics of, but can certainly gather. The current scenes of sexual slavery are very sexually graphic.
His initial one-track thoughts are very striking and well done - survive to protect his brother, endure, keep some small portion of himself intact, and eventually get revenge.
Enter The FMC
She and her security lead enter at a sex slave party and buy the MMC and another female sex slave.
Her father was a sex slave trader. After his death, she decided to use his money to buy sex slaves & create a safe haven for them to recover, live, and work if they choose to stay.
Naturally, with a sex slave trader father, she herself has a warped past when it comes to sex.
I'm initially pegging her as a hero and wanting to pat her on the back for helping these slaves escape.
Just before she is to take possession of the MMC and the female slave, shit hits the fan under circumstances that rob him of the one-track thoughts he was holding on to for survival ..All except revenge that is.
Once they make it to the safe haven, a lot of secondary characters emerge - security team, former sex slaves, a house manager, medical doctor, etc.
You Lost Me
Around 50% in or so, this story flat out losses me.
Romance is weird ...
I get that the MMC knows nothing of normal life. He doesn't know what love is. He doesn't know what kissing means. He doesn't know how to be anything but an inanimate object for people to unleash pain or lust upon. I also get that all he's really left with is anger and a lot of confusion about how life fucking works.
BUT, at the same time, the author cannot give us a MMC with the mentality of a 12-year-old boy and expect readers to be aboard when she turns that into an IMMEDIATE romance.
I believe a couple of months pass in his actual time there as the romance develops, but the actual reading time of those months is only a few chapters of day-to-day goings on, and the character development IS JUST NOT THERE.
He remains a petulant, curious, mistrusting, angry child mentally ... yet, we are supposed to buy that the MCs fall in love.
Before a sexual relationship begins between the MMC & FMC, there aren't any deep get to know you convos or discovering each other's personalities. It's physical appreciation. It's savior appreciation. It's lust. It's her feeling sorry for him. It's mundane - let me teach you to write or get you a pot plant kinda scenes.
We have a MMC who is terrified of people because he feels they only want him to fuck and/or hurt him.
We have a FMC that we know very little about.
And, then a romance based on what? Lust and sympathy from her and savior appreciation and fascination for her.
Sorry, but this just doesn't work for me at all!
•no development
•no connection
•no chemistry
• no substance
Missing Pieces
There are storyline fractures like these...
Where is the therapy for these broken individuals? They just go there and what? Work, forget, and pretend or become okay?
For someone so against sex, she had no problem when the time came?!?
She and her security lead find love in the MMC and the female slave saved with him. So, bam, it's time to retire and let someone else save slaves. Huh? Really?
The fractures result in you losing respect and any connect with/for the characters, and it makes the story choppy and half-baked.
Murder
example #1
Out of the blue, he needs to "be a man," which means seeking revenge. He travels with the security leader back to his sex slave captor's home and they set it afire during one of the sex slave trade parties.
^^ This kills EVERYONE, fellow slaves and all. He justifies this by saying the other slaves would rape and beat each other. I'm sorry but such rationale is lost on me because I'm quite sure that as a former sex slave himself he could at the very least understand that they {as VICTIMS, too} would do anything to survive... Just as he had.
So, ^^^ that goes beyond revenge.
Example #2....
At the safe haven, one former sex slave and one security man go on a tangent and set fire to a barn. They are caught. The FMC and the security leader decide that the two must die to protect the safe haven anonymity and location. So, the two are killed. So, saviors? Ehh, my respect is gone!
And Then It's Over
Yea.. It just kinda ends. I'm left just shrugging my shoulders ~
Bottom Line
I've never read a male sex slave book. The emotions that poured out in those initial chapters made me so very angry for this man.
And then the story fell right the hell apart and severed any connection & respect I had built regarding the characters. So much potential for a touching story of triumph, but, sadly, it turned into a hot mess of fractures and eeky shit that you just want to wash off & forget.
Can't say I'd recommend because it will only leave you disappointed and shrugging.
November 4, 2015
3.75 stars
From the blurb alone, I had no idea what the book is all about except that is going to be a dark romance. Well, apparently the story underlying theme was the sex trade. If I were to know this earlier, maybe I wouldn't pick this book up. I'm sorta on a sabbatical on this subject matter for the moment. Not really eager to read another sex trade, sex cult or whatever sicko degrading sex act.
Jack is a sex slave since he was eight. I love reading his POV. He had this naivety about him that make him so endearing. Even though he is now 27, his mind is still rather immature due to him being illiterate and living like a cage animal.
River is some sort of vigilante on a mission to save as many sex slave as she can with her trusted friend, Adam. She had her own motivation behind her passion to help those people and she provide them with a sanctuary.
I love the pacing of the story and the little suspense that keep me hooked along the way. On one hand, I wish that the story could have been longer so that Jack had a slower smoother journey, on the other hand, I like that there isn't any part that drag. I'm very invested in Jack's road to healing and finding himself after gaining his freedom. I keep waiting for him to surprise me with his blunt and honest question. He questioned about the meaning of love and trying to understand his feeling for the woman who save him.
The negative part is about the story execution. I think I would prefer less telling and more showing. There are also a few instances where the author are trying to tell me something that I already know which I feel rather redundant and repetitive.
Overall, I enjoyed Jack's story very much. He is a very sympathetic character that is going to melt your heart. Next up will be Adam and Sophia. I can wait to read about these two lovebirds and hoping to see more of Jack soon.
"All my life I've been pretending and I refuse to live a lie now that I'm finally free." ~Jack
From the blurb alone, I had no idea what the book is all about except that is going to be a dark romance. Well, apparently the story underlying theme was the sex trade. If I were to know this earlier, maybe I wouldn't pick this book up. I'm sorta on a sabbatical on this subject matter for the moment. Not really eager to read another sex trade, sex cult or whatever sicko degrading sex act.
Jack is a sex slave since he was eight. I love reading his POV. He had this naivety about him that make him so endearing. Even though he is now 27, his mind is still rather immature due to him being illiterate and living like a cage animal.
River is some sort of vigilante on a mission to save as many sex slave as she can with her trusted friend, Adam. She had her own motivation behind her passion to help those people and she provide them with a sanctuary.
I love the pacing of the story and the little suspense that keep me hooked along the way. On one hand, I wish that the story could have been longer so that Jack had a slower smoother journey, on the other hand, I like that there isn't any part that drag. I'm very invested in Jack's road to healing and finding himself after gaining his freedom. I keep waiting for him to surprise me with his blunt and honest question. He questioned about the meaning of love and trying to understand his feeling for the woman who save him.
The negative part is about the story execution. I think I would prefer less telling and more showing. There are also a few instances where the author are trying to tell me something that I already know which I feel rather redundant and repetitive.
Overall, I enjoyed Jack's story very much. He is a very sympathetic character that is going to melt your heart. Next up will be Adam and Sophia. I can wait to read about these two lovebirds and hoping to see more of Jack soon.
"All my life I've been pretending and I refuse to live a lie now that I'm finally free." ~Jack
August 4, 2017
3,5 stars!
Eu gostei bastante do início desse livro, achei interessante e prendeu minha atenção porque queria saber o que aconteceria a seguir. Jack passou por tantas coisas... algumas cenas brutais e cruas...
Porém, a partir de certo ponto, não sei, achei tudo morno, tudo meio corrido e com aquela pressa de finalizar... o que é uma pena, pois devido a tudo que Jack foi submetido durante tantos anos, tinha muito mais a mostrar...
Abordar temas pesados é fácil, o difícil mesmo é fazer o leitor acreditar e passar/vivenciar por todas as etapas junto com os personagens, tanto as cruéis quanto as de cura.
Eu gostei bastante do início desse livro, achei interessante e prendeu minha atenção porque queria saber o que aconteceria a seguir. Jack passou por tantas coisas... algumas cenas brutais e cruas...
Porém, a partir de certo ponto, não sei, achei tudo morno, tudo meio corrido e com aquela pressa de finalizar... o que é uma pena, pois devido a tudo que Jack foi submetido durante tantos anos, tinha muito mais a mostrar...
Abordar temas pesados é fácil, o difícil mesmo é fazer o leitor acreditar e passar/vivenciar por todas as etapas junto com os personagens, tanto as cruéis quanto as de cura.
October 31, 2015
Saved By Her is a very dark yet absolutely beautiful story about finding your wings and flying again after severe tragedy has been the whole of your life. It’s all you know, and when faced with simple everyday situations, it’s overwhelming to say the least.
Jack grew up with a literal monster as a father figure, and the sorrow and pain he was put through is unquestionably evil in so many ways, and as you will see, he becomes a true fighter for life. Raised to be a sex slave, not knowing anything else, you do what you’re told with no back talk, or there’s harsh and violent consequences. Jack does just that, until the night River buys him, and slowly shows him what it means to be free and get to make your own decisions.
River and her partner Adam buy sex slaves, on the sole basis of setting them free. Free to live the life that’s been taken away from them for so long. It’s always been cut and dry, that is until River meets Jack, then all bets are off.
Jack has an innocence about him that is profound and amazing, but extremely heartbreaking in the same breath. He’s learning to live again, doing basic things like gardening, enjoying a hot meal, learning to drive, and just being a normal guy. It’s a lot to handle, and his control at times is tested. River brings him back from the brinks of destruction, and the feelings he has for her are confusing at first, but play out into one of the most innocent and heart warming things I’ve ever seen.
So many instances where I wanted to reach into my kindle and throat punch more than a few people, and most of all, give Jack the biggest hug ever! This isn’t your ordinary dark sex trade story, it definitely starts off that way, but ends with the knowledge that there are still good people out there fighting the good fight for others.
Jack grew up with a literal monster as a father figure, and the sorrow and pain he was put through is unquestionably evil in so many ways, and as you will see, he becomes a true fighter for life. Raised to be a sex slave, not knowing anything else, you do what you’re told with no back talk, or there’s harsh and violent consequences. Jack does just that, until the night River buys him, and slowly shows him what it means to be free and get to make your own decisions.
River and her partner Adam buy sex slaves, on the sole basis of setting them free. Free to live the life that’s been taken away from them for so long. It’s always been cut and dry, that is until River meets Jack, then all bets are off.
Jack has an innocence about him that is profound and amazing, but extremely heartbreaking in the same breath. He’s learning to live again, doing basic things like gardening, enjoying a hot meal, learning to drive, and just being a normal guy. It’s a lot to handle, and his control at times is tested. River brings him back from the brinks of destruction, and the feelings he has for her are confusing at first, but play out into one of the most innocent and heart warming things I’ve ever seen.
So many instances where I wanted to reach into my kindle and throat punch more than a few people, and most of all, give Jack the biggest hug ever! This isn’t your ordinary dark sex trade story, it definitely starts off that way, but ends with the knowledge that there are still good people out there fighting the good fight for others.
June 22, 2017
** Provided on behalf of the author for an honest review **
** Review by Gayle from Bloggers From Down Under **
Meet Jack.
He’s broken, damaged, unhealed.
His life is worthless.
His world is dark, dangerous, sick and twisted.
He sees no way out.
He has no hope of ever being normal.
He has given up.
He has no fight left.
Meet River.
She’s broken, damaged, but finally healing.
Her life has worth.
Her life has light, meaning and beauty.
She sees a way out.
She has hope that more will be saved.
She will never give up.
She will continue to fight.
What happens when Jack and Rivers worlds collide?
You have yourself one raw, gritty, dark, confronting, gruesome, gut wrenching, heartbreaking and breathtaking reads.
It’s their story about fear and loss.
It’s about monsters, pure evil lurking in every corner.
It’s about scars so deep that you can’t breathe.
It’s about hope that you never thought existed.
It’s about survival.
It’s about hell.
It’s about seeing the light after being surrounded by so much darkness.
It’s about secrets revealed.
It’s about the power of healing.
It’s about love found.
Dirty is a MUST read and should not be missed.
Dirty……What an absolute brilliant novel. I absolutely loved it. From beginning to end I was completely transfixed. I honestly couldn’t put it down.
I was taken on a journey so raw, dark and confronting, at times I was a complete mess.
I was taken on a journey so angelic and heat-warming that it took my breath away.
I was in complete awe of the strength that both Jack and River displayed after both being so completely traumatised both physically and emotionally.
Michelle Horst has given us an absolute heartbreaking powerful read that will stay with me for a long time. It’s dark, raw, evil, confronting, explicit, graphic, heart-warming, heartbreaking, and breathtaking. It’s sheer brilliance.
To Michelle Horst. Thank you so much for not only giving me the opportunity to read and review Dirty, but thank you for giving us Jack and Rivers’ story. It just proves that even when all hope is lost, there will always be light at the end of the darkness. You just need to believe. You Michelle, in my eyes, are an absolute genius.
5 stars.
** Review by Gayle from Bloggers From Down Under **
Meet Jack.
He’s broken, damaged, unhealed.
His life is worthless.
His world is dark, dangerous, sick and twisted.
He sees no way out.
He has no hope of ever being normal.
He has given up.
He has no fight left.
Meet River.
She’s broken, damaged, but finally healing.
Her life has worth.
Her life has light, meaning and beauty.
She sees a way out.
She has hope that more will be saved.
She will never give up.
She will continue to fight.
What happens when Jack and Rivers worlds collide?
You have yourself one raw, gritty, dark, confronting, gruesome, gut wrenching, heartbreaking and breathtaking reads.
It’s their story about fear and loss.
It’s about monsters, pure evil lurking in every corner.
It’s about scars so deep that you can’t breathe.
It’s about hope that you never thought existed.
It’s about survival.
It’s about hell.
It’s about seeing the light after being surrounded by so much darkness.
It’s about secrets revealed.
It’s about the power of healing.
It’s about love found.
Dirty is a MUST read and should not be missed.
Dirty……What an absolute brilliant novel. I absolutely loved it. From beginning to end I was completely transfixed. I honestly couldn’t put it down.
I was taken on a journey so raw, dark and confronting, at times I was a complete mess.
I was taken on a journey so angelic and heat-warming that it took my breath away.
I was in complete awe of the strength that both Jack and River displayed after both being so completely traumatised both physically and emotionally.
Michelle Horst has given us an absolute heartbreaking powerful read that will stay with me for a long time. It’s dark, raw, evil, confronting, explicit, graphic, heart-warming, heartbreaking, and breathtaking. It’s sheer brilliance.
To Michelle Horst. Thank you so much for not only giving me the opportunity to read and review Dirty, but thank you for giving us Jack and Rivers’ story. It just proves that even when all hope is lost, there will always be light at the end of the darkness. You just need to believe. You Michelle, in my eyes, are an absolute genius.
5 stars.
June 28, 2017
Dark with a capital d!
This story is full of triggers. Abuse. Rape. Violence. So many triggers.
Jack's dad is in the business of sex slaves. When his mom dies his piece of poop father makes him a slave. He says that if Jack doesn't act like a good little slave he will make his little brother, David, become a slave as well. He made his mom a promise to protect David. In order to do so he must remain a slave without question. That is until River shows up and buys him for herself!
This story was interesting even though it is very dark. It takes a bit to get through the heavy and ugly stuff, but once you do, you end up with a pretty interesting!
This story is full of triggers. Abuse. Rape. Violence. So many triggers.
Jack's dad is in the business of sex slaves. When his mom dies his piece of poop father makes him a slave. He says that if Jack doesn't act like a good little slave he will make his little brother, David, become a slave as well. He made his mom a promise to protect David. In order to do so he must remain a slave without question. That is until River shows up and buys him for herself!
This story was interesting even though it is very dark. It takes a bit to get through the heavy and ugly stuff, but once you do, you end up with a pretty interesting!
November 1, 2015
Only Michell Horst can draw love from something so dark,sadistic evil and haunting.
Seriously Michelle Horst is like the Stephen King of this genre her creatively is beyond bounds.
Jack, a slave from the age of nine, used for sex surrounded by this dark evil world containing men and women with no morals or feeling for human beings.
Beaten,used, degraded, abused but not broken. Jack is like a bulb in the earth kept in this dark world, fed watered but merely existing.
River is his rescuer she becomes the light in his darkness, the warmth that he needs and quickly this bulb begins to sprout and breaks through the darkness, the earth and becomes the image of a beautiful flower.
Its a powerful story of redemption containing hatred,betrayal, self loathing,freedom,self discovery, trust and true love.
Jack
"Im free" I whisper to no one in particular.
Arc gratefully received for honest review, bbbf-sizzlereads-best book boyfriend's ( Facebook and goodreads)
Seriously Michelle Horst is like the Stephen King of this genre her creatively is beyond bounds.
Jack, a slave from the age of nine, used for sex surrounded by this dark evil world containing men and women with no morals or feeling for human beings.
Beaten,used, degraded, abused but not broken. Jack is like a bulb in the earth kept in this dark world, fed watered but merely existing.
River is his rescuer she becomes the light in his darkness, the warmth that he needs and quickly this bulb begins to sprout and breaks through the darkness, the earth and becomes the image of a beautiful flower.
Its a powerful story of redemption containing hatred,betrayal, self loathing,freedom,self discovery, trust and true love.
Jack
"Im free" I whisper to no one in particular.
Arc gratefully received for honest review, bbbf-sizzlereads-best book boyfriend's ( Facebook and goodreads)
June 24, 2017
Dirty by Michelle Horst is A Stand Alone Damaged Romance. It´s the first book in a new series.
This book is not for the faint of heart, consider you warned !
Dirty is Jack and River´s book.
Jack is a sex slave, tortured and beaten. They did unspeakable things to him.
River and her partner own a " Sanctuary " , where they help the slaves they rescued to heal and build a new life.
Both are damaged souls, broken shells. But slowly very slowly they help each other heal.
Out from all the ugly grows something beautiful.
This book gutted me. And like I already said it is not for the faint of heart. Michelle Horst wrote a great book. I love her writing and I love her words. And I really can´t wait ´ll Filthy, book two in the series and Adam and Sophia´s book, releases. I give 5 Stars and Thank you Michelle Horst !
This book is not for the faint of heart, consider you warned !
Dirty is Jack and River´s book.
Jack is a sex slave, tortured and beaten. They did unspeakable things to him.
River and her partner own a " Sanctuary " , where they help the slaves they rescued to heal and build a new life.
Both are damaged souls, broken shells. But slowly very slowly they help each other heal.
Out from all the ugly grows something beautiful.
This book gutted me. And like I already said it is not for the faint of heart. Michelle Horst wrote a great book. I love her writing and I love her words. And I really can´t wait ´ll Filthy, book two in the series and Adam and Sophia´s book, releases. I give 5 Stars and Thank you Michelle Horst !
December 5, 2017
This book was previously published as Saved by Her but was unpublished, rewritten with additional scenes, rebranded and re edited. When I read this got the second time I fell in love all over again with the story and the characters.
Oh wow. Talk about starting the story off with a bang. The first few chapters threw me into the dark life of Jack when he was eight years old. My heart bled for him.
When your life starts out so bad and there's badness all around you can you be saved??
A promise to his mum left him doing things he didn't want to do.
What happens when what you believed in all changed??
I love the heroine in this story. River has fought to leave the past behind her. However is it really holding her back??
Make sure you read the authors warning. Although this book has dark topics we do see a beautiful warming side to the characters. Jack and Rivers story was gritty yet beautiful.
I'm looking forward to reading Filthy which is Adam and Sophia's story.
Oh wow. Talk about starting the story off with a bang. The first few chapters threw me into the dark life of Jack when he was eight years old. My heart bled for him.
When your life starts out so bad and there's badness all around you can you be saved??
A promise to his mum left him doing things he didn't want to do.
What happens when what you believed in all changed??
I love the heroine in this story. River has fought to leave the past behind her. However is it really holding her back??
Make sure you read the authors warning. Although this book has dark topics we do see a beautiful warming side to the characters. Jack and Rivers story was gritty yet beautiful.
I'm looking forward to reading Filthy which is Adam and Sophia's story.
February 10, 2016
So sad
The prologue was rough to read about Jacks mother. I felt so bad for Jack, and what he dealt with his whole life. This was a great book.
The prologue was rough to read about Jacks mother. I felt so bad for Jack, and what he dealt with his whole life. This was a great book.
June 28, 2017
Read on behalf of Two Darlin' Dolls and a book Review.
“Promise … you’ll … look after … David.”
"I promise, Momma."
"I’ll look after David.”
After making a promise to his dying mother Jack is thrown into a world of pure evil and torture. He is very young when he begins to endure things no child or human should have to experience. For 19 years he was willing to sacrifice himself to protect his younger brother...until he receives the ultimate betrayal.
"But as long as I obey, David remains safe and cared for. In the end that’s all that matters. I don’t put up a fight and let those rich fuckers have their way with me, and David is spared."
River's life has not been all unicorns and rainbows either. She has had to witness unimaginable things done by a man who is meant to protect her. But now it's her time to reign. Will she become a monster like him or will she find her own path?
"I’m scared that I’ll become my father. I’m scared I’ll lose myself..."
If you meet the right person, is it possible to change the direction you have always envisioned your life? After living a life of nothing but torture and destruction, can you run from the past? Will it be worth it and the end?
This book is dark, raw and gritty and not for the faint hearted. It shocked me at times and had me nervous anticipating what was going to happen next. It is filled with sorrow, hatred, pain, betrayal, disgust, shame but also hope, love and yes, happiness. I'm excited to read Adam and Sophia's story next.
"I’ve been devoured by a beautiful man. I’ve been ravaged by a beast. I’ve been branded by the man I love."
“Promise … you’ll … look after … David.”
"I promise, Momma."
"I’ll look after David.”
After making a promise to his dying mother Jack is thrown into a world of pure evil and torture. He is very young when he begins to endure things no child or human should have to experience. For 19 years he was willing to sacrifice himself to protect his younger brother...until he receives the ultimate betrayal.
"But as long as I obey, David remains safe and cared for. In the end that’s all that matters. I don’t put up a fight and let those rich fuckers have their way with me, and David is spared."
River's life has not been all unicorns and rainbows either. She has had to witness unimaginable things done by a man who is meant to protect her. But now it's her time to reign. Will she become a monster like him or will she find her own path?
"I’m scared that I’ll become my father. I’m scared I’ll lose myself..."
If you meet the right person, is it possible to change the direction you have always envisioned your life? After living a life of nothing but torture and destruction, can you run from the past? Will it be worth it and the end?
This book is dark, raw and gritty and not for the faint hearted. It shocked me at times and had me nervous anticipating what was going to happen next. It is filled with sorrow, hatred, pain, betrayal, disgust, shame but also hope, love and yes, happiness. I'm excited to read Adam and Sophia's story next.
"I’ve been devoured by a beautiful man. I’ve been ravaged by a beast. I’ve been branded by the man I love."
June 28, 2017
I have read a lot of dark and edgy books. I love books like that. There is something so beautiful yet haunting about a book that makes you bleed out emotions out of you. And Dirty by Michelle Horst was like a book that drained me dry. Michelle Horst is on my list of my go to dark romance authors but she really wrote such a deep and engrossing dark and gritty romance that was just perfect. I was completely touched both emotionally and psychologically.
Dirty is not for the faint of heart. It is a very damaged and dark tale that will crawl in your mind and seduce you into its powerful clutches. Mysterious. Suspenseful. Broken. Erotic. Perverse. Dirty was an explosive and thrilling piece f amazing fiction that blew my mind. I was gripped. I was consumed. I was held in its hypnotic vibe. So raw. So gut wrenching. So tragic but yet sinister. Dirty opened me up emotionally and was changed. Man, this book was fire. Everything burned but in a good way. Michelle gave us the dark, the shocking, the dirty and the disturbing with so much conviction that this is my favourite book from her. There is dark clouds. You have to peel out the dark clouds to find the sunshine.
Jack and River's story is just heartbreaking but yet breathtaking. I cried when I read their story. It was emotional and it moved me so deeply. They were broken, and flawed but they had beautiful and magical. Jack has been through a lot. He is a broken character but still held so much love. River is powerful lady with a caring, loving and giving heart. There was so much vulnerability betwwen them but yet hope for them. I loved it.
If you love dirty and disturbing books, then this is your book. I highly recommend it.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Dirty is not for the faint of heart. It is a very damaged and dark tale that will crawl in your mind and seduce you into its powerful clutches. Mysterious. Suspenseful. Broken. Erotic. Perverse. Dirty was an explosive and thrilling piece f amazing fiction that blew my mind. I was gripped. I was consumed. I was held in its hypnotic vibe. So raw. So gut wrenching. So tragic but yet sinister. Dirty opened me up emotionally and was changed. Man, this book was fire. Everything burned but in a good way. Michelle gave us the dark, the shocking, the dirty and the disturbing with so much conviction that this is my favourite book from her. There is dark clouds. You have to peel out the dark clouds to find the sunshine.
Jack and River's story is just heartbreaking but yet breathtaking. I cried when I read their story. It was emotional and it moved me so deeply. They were broken, and flawed but they had beautiful and magical. Jack has been through a lot. He is a broken character but still held so much love. River is powerful lady with a caring, loving and giving heart. There was so much vulnerability betwwen them but yet hope for them. I loved it.
If you love dirty and disturbing books, then this is your book. I highly recommend it.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2017
To say that the first 25% made me uncomfortable is an understatement, wow, when Michelle Horst embraces the dark side, she doesn't sugarcoat anything!
What I particularly loved in Dirty is the characters ' s développement. Jack is damaged, "I feel degraded and ravaged. Dirty." , almost broken at the beginning of the book and by the end, he recovered his superb, "He’s incredibly alpha male and it’s a constant turn on."
River is damaged, too, with a terrible past. She is a strong heroine, smart and generous.Their relationship evolves slowly, they take their time to heal and be sure of what they want and feel. The journey is tough, with scenes sometimes difficult to stomach, but seeing Jack and River finally make it and find their happiness was worth it ;).
"I’ve been devoured by a beautiful man. I’ve been ravaged by a beast. I’ve been branded by the man I love."
Guilt, rage, shame, fear, conflict, need for revenge, I felt all of Jack's emotions, it left me with goosebumps and a huge smile on my face.
"Don’t live in the shadow of a monster when you can be out in the sun.”
The atmosphere is dark and raw, however the author managed to balanced it with sweeter parts which I highly appreciated.
Hold on tight for this intense read!
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, thank you !!!*
What I particularly loved in Dirty is the characters ' s développement. Jack is damaged, "I feel degraded and ravaged. Dirty." , almost broken at the beginning of the book and by the end, he recovered his superb, "He’s incredibly alpha male and it’s a constant turn on."
River is damaged, too, with a terrible past. She is a strong heroine, smart and generous.Their relationship evolves slowly, they take their time to heal and be sure of what they want and feel. The journey is tough, with scenes sometimes difficult to stomach, but seeing Jack and River finally make it and find their happiness was worth it ;).
"I’ve been devoured by a beautiful man. I’ve been ravaged by a beast. I’ve been branded by the man I love."
Guilt, rage, shame, fear, conflict, need for revenge, I felt all of Jack's emotions, it left me with goosebumps and a huge smile on my face.
"Don’t live in the shadow of a monster when you can be out in the sun.”
The atmosphere is dark and raw, however the author managed to balanced it with sweeter parts which I highly appreciated.
Hold on tight for this intense read!
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, thank you !!!*
November 1, 2015
Michelle writes fantasy. She writes the dark and twisted. And she writes romance. Saved by Her is in a whole other category all on its own! A combination of some of Michelle's darkest mixed with some of her most romantic ever. A beautiful clandestine love story so different from any other I've ever read.
Jack is a shattered soul, a man living in captivity only for the love and safety of his brother. A sexual slave of his devious, masochistic stepfather. River is a woman trying to right the wrongs of her sick, sadistic father, a man who died owning slaves of his own. Both are broken people in their own right trying to survive in the worlds created for them. My heart ached for each of them watching them live in their own personal prisons.
When their lives cross, the hope and determination I felt in discovering that these two characters were more perfect for the other was so profound. In meeting, River buys Jacks freedom while in turn eventually freeing herself from the past once and for all. And with the help of River's best friend Adam, Sophie, one of Jacks closest friends and another slave, and Miss Ella, the amazing cook and mother-like figure of the story, our main characters finally learn to live! Add a little revenge and the book comes full circle!
The raw, pure, childlike innocence of Jack and the adamant, strong, yet vulnerable River help each other learn that despite the past, the future is yours to create as you see fit. That happiness is what you make of it and no one can take it away from you. The love and happiness that Jack and River share is evident when Jack and River share the following:
"This is the part I love most," I whisper. "You never make me feel like I'm just a f***. You make me feel like I'm a man." I press a kiss beneath her eyes as tears sneak out. "You make me feel loved and wanted."
She smiles through her tears and it's so beautiful. "I do love you and I'll always want you"
I can feel the tears lodging in my throat. "Thank you for saving me, River."
"Oh baby," she sobs, "it was you who saved me."
Michelle has once again gone above and beyond with her writing. Breathtaking characters and outstanding story telling make this a book you will not want to pass up. Just don't forget to grab your tissues because some of the most beautiful moments I've ever read are in this book!
Jack is a shattered soul, a man living in captivity only for the love and safety of his brother. A sexual slave of his devious, masochistic stepfather. River is a woman trying to right the wrongs of her sick, sadistic father, a man who died owning slaves of his own. Both are broken people in their own right trying to survive in the worlds created for them. My heart ached for each of them watching them live in their own personal prisons.
When their lives cross, the hope and determination I felt in discovering that these two characters were more perfect for the other was so profound. In meeting, River buys Jacks freedom while in turn eventually freeing herself from the past once and for all. And with the help of River's best friend Adam, Sophie, one of Jacks closest friends and another slave, and Miss Ella, the amazing cook and mother-like figure of the story, our main characters finally learn to live! Add a little revenge and the book comes full circle!
The raw, pure, childlike innocence of Jack and the adamant, strong, yet vulnerable River help each other learn that despite the past, the future is yours to create as you see fit. That happiness is what you make of it and no one can take it away from you. The love and happiness that Jack and River share is evident when Jack and River share the following:
"This is the part I love most," I whisper. "You never make me feel like I'm just a f***. You make me feel like I'm a man." I press a kiss beneath her eyes as tears sneak out. "You make me feel loved and wanted."
She smiles through her tears and it's so beautiful. "I do love you and I'll always want you"
I can feel the tears lodging in my throat. "Thank you for saving me, River."
"Oh baby," she sobs, "it was you who saved me."
Michelle has once again gone above and beyond with her writing. Breathtaking characters and outstanding story telling make this a book you will not want to pass up. Just don't forget to grab your tissues because some of the most beautiful moments I've ever read are in this book!
November 15, 2015
I'm a HUGE fan of dark stories, and it saddens me to say that, in my opinion, this book has been badly categorized - it's neither dark, nor suspenseful. But I still read it and here are my thoughts.
While the blurb is well written and it reminded me of "the Queen of Darkness" herself, Pepper Winters, the execution left a lot to be desired. Maybe my expectations were too high, but when an author tells me I'll be disturbed by some scenes in the book, I want to be disturbed, disgusted and left wondering WTH has just happened.
Told in dual POV, I found 'Saved by Her' to be a sweet, fast read, with interesting enough characters, but due to the short length of the novel, I didn't have enough time to fall in love with them (the book ended at 69% on my kindle - for me that's novella length).
Jack and River both have awful backgrounds that weren't explored enough, in my opinion. Their love story was so rushed, that I didn't even see it coming. Jack moved on so fast from the tortured soul that he was, that it felt like he had a split personality disorder. The secondary characters were mere caricatures, it was hard to connect with any of them - Adam would've been an interesting one to explore, but I was just left blah about him.
The climax for this story it was so anticlimactic - I was reading waiting for something dark and twisted to happen, and that never came - the entire story felt like a YA take on dark reads.
I'm sorry for not being able to rate the story higher, I'm honestly still trying to figure out what rating to leave, but I think I'll give it a generous 3 star as I believe that the author has potential, but she needs to work harder on the execution, and categorize her novels accordingly.
***ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Andra at CBB.
While the blurb is well written and it reminded me of "the Queen of Darkness" herself, Pepper Winters, the execution left a lot to be desired. Maybe my expectations were too high, but when an author tells me I'll be disturbed by some scenes in the book, I want to be disturbed, disgusted and left wondering WTH has just happened.
Told in dual POV, I found 'Saved by Her' to be a sweet, fast read, with interesting enough characters, but due to the short length of the novel, I didn't have enough time to fall in love with them (the book ended at 69% on my kindle - for me that's novella length).
Jack and River both have awful backgrounds that weren't explored enough, in my opinion. Their love story was so rushed, that I didn't even see it coming. Jack moved on so fast from the tortured soul that he was, that it felt like he had a split personality disorder. The secondary characters were mere caricatures, it was hard to connect with any of them - Adam would've been an interesting one to explore, but I was just left blah about him.
The climax for this story it was so anticlimactic - I was reading waiting for something dark and twisted to happen, and that never came - the entire story felt like a YA take on dark reads.
I'm sorry for not being able to rate the story higher, I'm honestly still trying to figure out what rating to leave, but I think I'll give it a generous 3 star as I believe that the author has potential, but she needs to work harder on the execution, and categorize her novels accordingly.
***ARC received in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Andra at CBB.
June 25, 2017
This story is not for the faint of heart. From the first pages, you are made to feel all kind of emotions. And almost through all the book, they all are gloomy. Don't get me wrong, it does have sunshine and HEA. Just sometimes black clouds shadows the sun.
Jack was like a ticking bomb from the first page. Though, for some time, while he was kinda hiding from his degraded past, he made me to forget about that feeling. So, when Jack's demons exploded, it came a little like a shock, though I should had expected it. Jack makes you feel his emotions. I felt his pain, hatred, betrayal and jaggedness. I felt his need to let his monster out to play, but unable to because chained by a promise and misplaced belief of protecting someone, who should never had that kind of loyalty. Also, I was worried for him, because sometimes it felt like Jack only breathed revenge and he had no other purpose in life. I worried, that Jack will let it to consume him and overlook a future, which was within his grasp.
I was a little disappointed in River. She was too softy for me. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad to have some softness, but when it's all you can see... It's not my preference. And well I guess, she has some balls because of what she did, but after those years doing exactly that, you would think she will have steel in those bones of her. But River avoided confrontations often and let her emotions to control her too much. Which latest makes you to wonder, how she didn't revealed herself on her 'missions' at some point? But on the other hand, maybe that softness of her is what Jack needed?
You need to find out if Jack is a lost cause or a survivor. And if River is worthy to earn his trust loyalty and battered soul. If you don't mind some really disturbing, to put it lightly, moments in your books, you need to add this to TBR.
Jack was like a ticking bomb from the first page. Though, for some time, while he was kinda hiding from his degraded past, he made me to forget about that feeling. So, when Jack's demons exploded, it came a little like a shock, though I should had expected it. Jack makes you feel his emotions. I felt his pain, hatred, betrayal and jaggedness. I felt his need to let his monster out to play, but unable to because chained by a promise and misplaced belief of protecting someone, who should never had that kind of loyalty. Also, I was worried for him, because sometimes it felt like Jack only breathed revenge and he had no other purpose in life. I worried, that Jack will let it to consume him and overlook a future, which was within his grasp.
I was a little disappointed in River. She was too softy for me. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad to have some softness, but when it's all you can see... It's not my preference. And well I guess, she has some balls because of what she did, but after those years doing exactly that, you would think she will have steel in those bones of her. But River avoided confrontations often and let her emotions to control her too much. Which latest makes you to wonder, how she didn't revealed herself on her 'missions' at some point? But on the other hand, maybe that softness of her is what Jack needed?
You need to find out if Jack is a lost cause or a survivor. And if River is worthy to earn his trust loyalty and battered soul. If you don't mind some really disturbing, to put it lightly, moments in your books, you need to add this to TBR.
June 27, 2017
Oh wow. Talk about starting the story off with a bang. The first few chapters threw me into the dark life of Jack when he was eight years old. My heart bled for him.
When your life starts out so bad and there's badness all around you can you be saved??
A promise to his mum left him doing things he didn't want to do.
What happens when what you believed in all changed??
I love the heroine in this story. River has fought to leave the past behind her. However is it really holding her back??
This is the first book I've read by this author and I loved it. So much so that I read it in one sitting. I'll certainly be reading more of her books.
Make sure you read the authors warning. Although this book has dark topics we do see a beautiful warming side to the characters. Jack and Rivers story was gritty yet beautiful.
When your life starts out so bad and there's badness all around you can you be saved??
A promise to his mum left him doing things he didn't want to do.
What happens when what you believed in all changed??
I love the heroine in this story. River has fought to leave the past behind her. However is it really holding her back??
This is the first book I've read by this author and I loved it. So much so that I read it in one sitting. I'll certainly be reading more of her books.
Make sure you read the authors warning. Although this book has dark topics we do see a beautiful warming side to the characters. Jack and Rivers story was gritty yet beautiful.
November 2, 2015
I don't read a lot of dark stories but this was perfect,at the same time heart-wrenching and heartwarming, I couldn't stop reading it.
The main characters,Jack and River, are both broken souls but thanks to each other they found the strength to overcome their dark pasts and go on living their lives at their best.
I want to thank the author for giving me the chance to read an ARC.
"Mistress Ryland's eyes are so warm I want to crawl into them - I want to find rest there."
December 4, 2015
This was amazing!
I have never read a book like this in my life. It was so raw and so emotional, I think I sobbed through a good portion of it. River and Jack are extraordinary characters. What each of them had to endure in their life, it was amazing that they survived. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.
I have never read a book like this in my life. It was so raw and so emotional, I think I sobbed through a good portion of it. River and Jack are extraordinary characters. What each of them had to endure in their life, it was amazing that they survived. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.
June 24, 2017
Degraded. Ravaged. Dirty
I fuck. It’s all I’m good for.
People pay thousands just to have a taste of me.
I have to obey for the sake of my brother. As long as I’m the perfect slave, David remains safe.
Damaged but not Destroyed
Dirty is a gripping raw and emotional story that grabs you from the very fist pages as Jack shares his dark and degraded life as a sex slave. It's not a gradual look into Jacks life you are thrown head first into the dark and deprived life of a boy who becomes a man with no choices of morals or conduct or freedom, no say in right or wrong, a slave to the highest bidder.
From a boy who witnessed the death of his own mother and then turned into a sex slave by his own father, Jacks road to freedom is gruesome and heartbreaking.
River becomes Jack's saviour but also has a dark past of her own that haunts her and she strives to pay for the sins of her father by freeing sex slaves, giving them a new life on her plantation which has become a community. River and Adam her colleague pose as a couple to buy slaves at auctions, the price is costly and the lives they save are few.
This is no hearts and flowers read, Jack endures beatings and has to perform acts one can't comprehend. Like the flowers Jack has grown accustomed to tending in the garden there is a likeness to Jacks own spirit, Once free Jack begins to grow like a a seed breaking through the darkness and into the light that river waters.
A moving story by Michelle Horst and a gripping plot, story told in dual pov's and leads to hea.
Arc gratefully received for review purposes
http://www.bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...
I fuck. It’s all I’m good for.
People pay thousands just to have a taste of me.
I have to obey for the sake of my brother. As long as I’m the perfect slave, David remains safe.
Damaged but not Destroyed
Dirty is a gripping raw and emotional story that grabs you from the very fist pages as Jack shares his dark and degraded life as a sex slave. It's not a gradual look into Jacks life you are thrown head first into the dark and deprived life of a boy who becomes a man with no choices of morals or conduct or freedom, no say in right or wrong, a slave to the highest bidder.
From a boy who witnessed the death of his own mother and then turned into a sex slave by his own father, Jacks road to freedom is gruesome and heartbreaking.
River becomes Jack's saviour but also has a dark past of her own that haunts her and she strives to pay for the sins of her father by freeing sex slaves, giving them a new life on her plantation which has become a community. River and Adam her colleague pose as a couple to buy slaves at auctions, the price is costly and the lives they save are few.
This is no hearts and flowers read, Jack endures beatings and has to perform acts one can't comprehend. Like the flowers Jack has grown accustomed to tending in the garden there is a likeness to Jacks own spirit, Once free Jack begins to grow like a a seed breaking through the darkness and into the light that river waters.
A moving story by Michelle Horst and a gripping plot, story told in dual pov's and leads to hea.
Arc gratefully received for review purposes
http://www.bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...
June 28, 2017
‘DIRTY:’ is the first book in Michelle Horst’s Damaged series . This is Jack and River’s story. This is definitely a dark romance story and not for the faint of heart. Jack is a sex slave who has been beaten, raped, and tortured for many years. River and her partner own a " Sanctuary " , where they help the slaves they rescued to get back on their feet and build new lives, to heal from their horrific pasts.
Both are damaged from horrible pasts, broken yet not. The story moves slow yet it does so to show us how they get together. Out from all the terrible things, the ugly things come something good. I have to say this story really got to me and it wasn’t pretty but it was strangely beautiful in its savageness. I found myself rooting for Jack and for River. They were dealt a rough hand in life yet here they were making due and making a new life for themselves. I enjoyed the cast of secondary characters and cannot wait to read Filthy, book two in the series and Adam and Sophia’s story next.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Both are damaged from horrible pasts, broken yet not. The story moves slow yet it does so to show us how they get together. Out from all the terrible things, the ugly things come something good. I have to say this story really got to me and it wasn’t pretty but it was strangely beautiful in its savageness. I found myself rooting for Jack and for River. They were dealt a rough hand in life yet here they were making due and making a new life for themselves. I enjoyed the cast of secondary characters and cannot wait to read Filthy, book two in the series and Adam and Sophia’s story next.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
June 25, 2017
Jack and River are broken souls, who may be able to heal each other on their journey to self-discovery, after everything they have endured in their lives. No spoilers, this is a novel which needs to be read! This story is brutal, gritty, raw, rough, emotional, heartbreaking, sensitive, redeeming, and vengeance.
Be warned that this may cause triggers for the reader, as this is a very dark romance, with brutality and sex slaves! Looking forward to reading the next book in this series. This author has outdone herself writing this storyline, and I am in awe of her talent, as I was intrigued and emotional from the very beginning. Fantastic work Michelle!!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book!
Be warned that this may cause triggers for the reader, as this is a very dark romance, with brutality and sex slaves! Looking forward to reading the next book in this series. This author has outdone herself writing this storyline, and I am in awe of her talent, as I was intrigued and emotional from the very beginning. Fantastic work Michelle!!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book!
June 28, 2017
This book was really dark! It was violent, depraved, and heartbreaking at times. It was also really good though!
My heart broke for poor young Jack, at the very beginning of the story. Things started out rough and only got worse! I was ready to cheer when River finally showed up in his life. She did NOT have a good childhood either, they were both broken souls. But they were perfect for each other!
At its heart, this is a story about hope, love and redemption. The characters just have to go thru a lot of dark and ugly, before they reach their beautiful!
My heart broke for poor young Jack, at the very beginning of the story. Things started out rough and only got worse! I was ready to cheer when River finally showed up in his life. She did NOT have a good childhood either, they were both broken souls. But they were perfect for each other!
At its heart, this is a story about hope, love and redemption. The characters just have to go thru a lot of dark and ugly, before they reach their beautiful!
June 24, 2017
I love, love, love this book. I loved reading about Jack and Sophie. This book is full of grit, pain, strength, and hot romance. This is by far my favorite book by Michelle. To read about the suffering, and pain they both had to endure, but mostly Jack, just grabs your heart and doesn't let go.
June 29, 2017
When light does not shine and trying to live day to day by just surviving from those trample, abuse, and use someone's body without regard there is little room to grow and bloom. This is the life Jack has been born into a life of abuse and unwilling used as a sex slave but like a stubborn weed he refuses to go down without a fight. Eventually he meets River, a woman looking to buy some slaves. Already scarred too much he finds it hard to trust her.
River on the other hand is fighting her way through hell just as he is but helping others get out along the way. Together both are trying to figure out to get out of the dark one step at a time.
The relationship between Jack and River is healing, empowering, and perfectly imperfect.
"Let's be bad at it together then."
The story is dark, audacious, hopeful and real to the fact anyone can be a victim but choosing not to buckle under those that crush you and battling is what Dirty exceptionally conveys.
Loved this story and cannot wait for the next.
- Received an ARC for an honest review
~ Two Darlin Dolls and a Book Review
River on the other hand is fighting her way through hell just as he is but helping others get out along the way. Together both are trying to figure out to get out of the dark one step at a time.
The relationship between Jack and River is healing, empowering, and perfectly imperfect.
"Let's be bad at it together then."
The story is dark, audacious, hopeful and real to the fact anyone can be a victim but choosing not to buckle under those that crush you and battling is what Dirty exceptionally conveys.
Loved this story and cannot wait for the next.
- Received an ARC for an honest review
~ Two Darlin Dolls and a Book Review
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