Numb

Cut #0.5

by Kathleen Mareé

"I'm tired of being what you want me to be, feeling so faithless, lost under the surface." - Linkin Park.

*A novella* *Can be read before or after the Cut series*

Playing local shows in seedy, downtown pubs when I was just Jamie with his guitar, and coming home to my girl who was waiting for me. A girl I couldn't imagine living without. That was my life. A life I loved. A life that may not have been perfect, or filled with money and fame - but it was perfect to me.

Playing packed out stadiums in beautiful cities, where Jay Ryker is who they scream for; and coming home to an empty hotel and a bottle of bourbon waiting for me. A bottle I wouldn't dare try and live without. This was my life. A life I loathed. A life that may seem perfect on the outside, filled with money and fame - but it wasn't perfect to me.

After losing my world that meant everything to me; I need to find my way back to the living.

I'm not sure I even want to. I don't think I would survive any more pain.

It may seem weak, but it's easier being numb.

Genres: Novella

Unknown Binding

First published December 9, 2016

About the author

Kathleen grew up in the south-western suburbs of Sydney, where family holidays by the beach and tormenting her two younger brothers, was how she spent her early years. But at the young age of 11, when she submitted a short story to a talented writing competition through the NSW schools program, not only did she win it, but she quickly found a love for it as well.

Throughout her schooling, writing was a hobby, along with sketching and various sports. But fast forward to her adult years when she moved to Europe to follow her husbands field hockey dream, and her love for writing surged to the surface.
Her debut story, Cut, was penned over two years where her hobby seemed to lead to the completion of Pennys' world. The rest of the series came the following year.

Kathleen enjoys writing stories full of self-discovery, emotional journeys and of course, love.
Something else she loves is hearing from her readers, so feel free to follow her blog or drop her an email.

Reviews

[Coco.V]

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Blurb:
Playing local shows in seedy, downtown pubs when I was just Jamie with his guitar, and coming home to my girl who was waiting for me. A girl I couldn't imagine living without. That was my life. A life I loved. A life that may not have been perfect, or filled with money and fame - but it was perfect to me.

Playing packed out stadiums in beautiful cities, where Jay Ryker is who they scream for; and coming home to an empty hotel and a bottle of bourbon waiting for me. A bottle I wouldn't dare try and live without. This was my life. A life I loathed. A life that may seem perfect on the outside, filled with money and fame - but it wasn't perfect to me.

After losing my world that meant everything to me; I need to find my way back to the living.

I'm not sure I even want to. I don't think I would survive any more pain.

It may seem weak, but it's easier being numb.

[Catherine Bibby (Rochelle's Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Having become obsessed with Penelope, Jay, and Evan's story in the Cut series, I couldn't wait to delve deeper into the hot rock star Jay Ryker that stole reader's hearts and rocked our world. Kathleen gives us a glimpse of Jay's life and how it was spiraling out of control before he met and fell hard for Penny. Jay may be the lead singer and heart throb of The Cray but his shattered heart was to busy pining for Tahlia instead of basking in his stardom.

If I wasn't in love with Jay and a part of Team Jay already, I would be now. Not only did I fall harder for Jay, I got to know his alter ego Jamie and see all the conflict and tribulations he endured before he found his rainbow at the end of the storm. It was heartbreaking to watch him hit rock bottom and experience the strained relationship between him and his sister Amy. We got to see his philandering, partying ways up close and personal and I couldn't help but want to wrap him in my arms and comfort his troubled soul.

Kathleen Maree delivers a tale of heart wrenching pain and loss of love and identity. I highly recommend Numb and the whole Cut series for a story filled with sorrow, strength, and all consuming love. Penelope, Jay, and Evan give us a world where wounds are cut open, scars are healed, and passion runs deep.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome read by one of my favourite new authors. Numb is a novella that can be read before or after the rest of the series.

Even though I had already finished the series, this novella gave me more of an insight into my man Jay Ryker and where his head is at prior to meeting Penelope in Cut. I found this short novella super easy to read and loved the extra information about Jay.

If you havent read the series get to it people!!

[Lisa I · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella has definitely given me a taste for the man himself Jay Ryker and I need more!! I now look forward to really getting into the thick of it with The Cut Series. This is the second book of Kathleen Maree's I have read and I am loving her style!! She is now a firm favourite of mine and I totally recommend reading what she has to offer!!

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

[wendy Shelton(obsessedbybooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok I must have been hidden under a rock cause I don't know how I'm just now finding out about this amazing series Cut. Kathleen has a new fan. Numb is exactly how I felt reading it, cause I'm not sure how I feel about Jay , the little we get to read about. There is so much more to him and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Cherie O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, was interesting to hear the other side of the story.

[Ria Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant Prequel.....now to read the entire Series.

This is the first book (novella) that I have read by Kathleen Maree and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is her prequel to The Cut Series one that I haven't heard of before - but I will definitely be reading the rest of. It had me so intrigued that I need to know what happens.

This is the story of Jay and his struggle with life. Jay is a musician and plays to packed out arenas to thousands of screaming fans, but the one fan he really wants there can never attend. Jay has lost the one thing that meant the most to him in life and now he needs to find his way back to the man that he used to be. His struggles are real and just keep the reader hoping that he can turn his life around. His sister Amy is extremely imortant to him but they are both hiding something from the past that is causing them so much heartache.

The mystery and intrigue in this book comes in the form of Penelope. She too is hiding something. But that's to be found out reading the series.

Great introduction. I look forward to purchasing and reading the Cut Series. Definitely a must read for me.

Voluntarily reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction.

[Kathleen Mareé · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing the Cut series, I really wanted to dig deeper into the mysterious hero of the series, Jay Ryker. Whilst I felt Penny's character really grew throughout the series, we never saw Jays downward spiral, which meant his development wasn't really shown.
Therefore, this is the story of Jay, before he met Penelope.
It's a story about a man who's lost.
It's a story about a man who fights to live.
And it's a story about our rocker - Jay Ryker.

[Kylie Estall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book by Kathleen Mareé!

[T.M. Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting introduction

A good introduction to the characters.
Having been in bands myself I can relate to some of the feelings of Jay Ryker. I don't wish to give any spoilers away for readers but there were plot lines that could have been explored deeper, and the odd grammar mistake on some pages have kept this from being 5 stars. All in all, a good shortish story to read between novels.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I'm one of those readers who hasn't read the rest of this series before Numb, so I'm a bit out of my element here. Nonetheless, even though it was too short for my liking, I had to rate it 5 Stars from the excruciating pain that I physically felt while reading Jay's life spiraling out of control. Seriously, I found it hard to breath from the pain swirling out of my kindle, which completely wrapped me up, and his shooting himself in the foot so much, was very realistic and profound to me. Which let my dramatic girly girl emotions out, so my eyes may or may not have leaked a time or two. Kathleen Maree's super talented writing style had me fully present in Jay's world, and honestly, I still haven't left it to be honest. I'm kicking myself for not reading this series before, but in my defense, I had not heard of it, which still infuriates me, as I'm all about the tortured soul rock stars! In fact, it's my other obsession besides football. Anyway, I CANNOT WAIT to read this whole series, and so I can do nothing less that HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND this journey of severe emotional angst to ALL!

[Smashlybookalicousreviewingchicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a prequel book and man do I wish I had the rest of the series. We learn of Jay Ryker and his struggle to have it all with his band and how to overcome the loss of a great love. We see a story between his sister, Amy and him. She may be the bands assistant, but it leads us to want to find out more of the story on the family side. There is definitely heartache there.
We see Jay's struggle with getting there each day. Numb couldn't describe him more better. Towards the end we see and meet Penelope. She is not your average girl and so not what the band would even look at, but there is something there between Penelope and Jay. The mystery behind Penelope's behavior intrigues us to want to know her story. I will need to add the series to our blog TBR list to get the full story of these two. It definitely leaves you numb and wanting more now.

[Sarah O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to read this book and get inside of Jay's head!! It's only a short story but is a great lead up into the Cut Series. Gives you a great insight into why Jay is like he is. Particularly enjoyed finding more out about his relationship with Amy and how it had gotten so.... strained. Jay is really a beautiful soul and hearing how protective of Penelope he is on their first meeting really made me melt. Numb flows so perfectly into Cut and is a MUST READ!!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read any of this authors work, and I was not disappointed in the least. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series.
This is a short, easy novella, which gives a glimpse into the life of lead singer and hot rock star heart throb, Jay Ryker, whose life is spiralling out of control.
This is a well written story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book!

[Bev Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Pretty good short story can't wait to read more about Penny and Jay! Story just started getting good! Great storyline!

[Nancy Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

Arc received courtesy of Goodreads.com first reads giveaway.

I DNF this one so I gave it a one star. I made to page 50 and that was I could take.

[Nicky]

started this as it a freebie its about Jay Ryker a musician swith a troubled past by the time I got to the end I just had to read the whole series and it was worth the read. you will not be disappointed it captivated me from start to finish and then went on to Camouflage which is follow on and well worth a read you will not be disappointed thanks heaps Kathleen for an awesome read