Ditched: A Left at the Altar Romance

by Holly Hart

He gave me a baby...
But will he give me a second chance?

2018

Kate
We were just kids.
It was just a prank, but it ended in disaster.
I lost everything, even the man I was meant to marry.
It was the only way to protect my soulmate.
Even if it left him hating me...
Now someone knows what we did.
I should run away and hide.
But I've been running too long.
I can't deny myself any longer.
I need Max back in my life.

Holly Hart hates cheating, and always gives you a happy ending!

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

I make my bad boys jump from the frying pan into the fire, and straight into the heroine's bed. I like 'em bad, foul mouthed, and with eyes for the only woman in their life.

Sign up to my mailing list http://redcaperomance.com to get them for free!

Reviews

[Bookbytch5 janet Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant story that held my attention from start to finish. This story about Max and Kate plus you also loved the secondary characters, There was so many twists and turns along the way. Just when i thought i new who it was they story flip and had me guessing again. Want to no how this story plays out well you just have to ONE-CLICK NOW, You won't be disappointed with this one.I voluntarily reviewed this book as a Advanced Reader Copy. Well done Holly👏👏

Purchase Link: http://a.co/7VWctmh

[Brandie Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy for an honest review.
This is not your topical romance. It's more a who done it mystery. Definitely not what I was expecting.  So much sadness in this book. This was a hard one for me to finish only because I'm not a fan of the genre. The writing was good and the twists as well. It is a HEA. But it was just too long.

[MJM · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gang from high school was ; Max, Kate, Dev, Carson, Kyle, Rachel, Wes and Matt.  Something happened and they have a secret that needs to stay a secret.  Max and Kate are sweethearts, fell in love, got engaged right after high school and were all set to marry each other when she got a note. As a result she left max at the altar without a word to anyone and flew to London leaving him bewildered and heart broken.  Fast forward ten years and they get the news that Dev has died and this brings them all back together.  As they grieve for they friend they all all threatened that unless they do as the blackmailer wants, then he/she will reveal all to everyone.  Let me say first of all, that I have loved reading Holly Hart's stories but this one has has really upped my expectation.  This wonderful romantic romance is so much more than Holly  has composed for us before and I am delighted!!  I loved this second chance romance with Max and Kate and the romance and chemistry between them is so hot, just as I'd expect from Holly.  But the angst as the friends try to work out who is blackmailing them and who is the murderer?? Long forgotten anxieties from high school all come back and smack them in the face!  WOW - this is a MUST READ!!!  Yes- it lead to loss of sleep for me but I don't care as it was totally worth it.  I'm even more anxious to read Holly's next romantic adventure.  No spoilers - but I haven't said much about the romance and let me tell you that it was HOT and fitted perfectly into the story and you will need your fans/ air con in full working order!  I received a reader’s copy of this book and voluntarily leave my honest opinion of it here.

Definitely recommended ! Get your copy now!!!

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was so much more than I expected. Yes it is a romance story about second chances but also so much more. The story revolves around 7 friends who went to high school together and all share a secret of something that happened when they tried to pull a prank on a classmate who bullied them all. Kate and Max are the main characters of this story who after graduation are set to marry. Kate leaves Max at the alter with no explanation of why she ran. Fast forward 10 years and we find Kate living in London as well as one of her friends from high school. The other five friends still live near where they grew up. This is where the story takes an interesting turn of events. All seven of the friends find themselves the victims of a blackmailer who is sending them all messages that he/she knows what happened long ago when they were in high school and that if they do not follow along with what they are asked to do the secret they all share will be revealed. This was such a great book and had me guessing from the very beginning who the person was blackmailing Kate, Max and their friends and why they were doing it. This is a very well written book that will surprise you when the truth comes out and the reason behind it. Max and Kate are able to work out their differences and Kate is able to tell Max why she left him all those years ago. Wonderful story with a great HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Lexee Toste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read. It is definitely a suspense romance though. We do get some of the relationship but the story mostly focuses on the blackmail that is happening to the group of friends and the results of what happens. This story does have a little bit of a darker theme to it as the group of friends being blackmailed definitely gets torn apart. I thought the story was going to be a little bit more on the light-hearted second chance love story side but it wasn't. That's not a bad thing. I greatly enjoyed it, just not what I was expected. The intrigue was done really well. It will definitely keep you guessing on who the blackmailer actually is and why they are doing it. There are definitely some twists in the story! This one will keep your attention as you are trying to figure out who the guilty party is. I felt that the romance took a bit of a backseat to the suspense plot line. It's still there and the sex is explicit and does play a small role but the story doesn't really focus on the rebuilding of Max and Kate's relationship. Yes, we see some of it but the focus is on the intrigue and essentially their past relationship and how everything went down. Neither really got closure and the feelings never went away though they are covered in anger. This story was definitely entertaining and interesting.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[CassieLC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. I’d probably give it a 3.5 (if I could) but can’t do that so I’m giving the author 4 stars instead of 3 because she is one of my favorites. Just not this book...
Let’s start at the beginning, where I was confused for more chapters than what I would have liked. Unfortunately for me, some of that confusion never was cleared up. The story itself was a twisted story of high school friends with an accident that came back to haunt them but also Kate and Max finding each other after ten years apart. If you like twisted suspense, mystery, who done it, then you’d probably really enjoy it. Me, I don’t personally care for those type of stories so it wasn’t my favorite. It was a little too long and drawn out but then there answers I never got. Why did Dev do what he did and why did Rachel do what she did? I feel like those points weren’t really answered. And what was the locker room incident between Matt and Wes?? I feel like knowing that would’ve made us understand Wes a little better. Just not my cup of tea but I can see other people’s POV in loving the story.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Gwendolyn Thaggard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max, Kate, Dev, Carson, Kyle, Rachel, and Wes thought they were pranking their high school bully, but something went horribly wrong.
Something neither of them planned for.
Following graduation, Max and Kate were set to be married.
But that was thwarted when Kate left Max at the altar.
Ten years later, Dev is dead and the rest of the group is shaken up.
Not only because of the loss of Dev, but over the incriminating information someone is threatening to reveal about each of them.
Soon after the group splinters apart.
They don't trust each other.
Accusations are thrown about.
No one wants to come clean.
And they all have a motive.

This is labeled a second chance romance, but it's way more than that.
This is a murder mystery.
Dramatic.
Suspenseful.
A betrayal among friends and no one's safe.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book and was not compensated in any way.

[Krisz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I didn't like this story.
I found myself losing my interest and skipping paragraphs even though the writing wasn't at all bad. It felt too long and slow paced for my liking. After getting through everything that happened with them, all the ordeal and suffering, I would have liked a bit more closure for quite a bunch of questions regarding almost all the characters. The romance aspect felt more like an afterthought. Ditched was more of a suspense than a "classic" left-at-the-altar-romance, the emphasis was on a completely different aspect of the story so the title seems a bit off target, hand-in-hand with the first sentence of the blurb, at least the one appearing on Amazon.
The main reason for giving only 2 stars was that I skipped some parts of the story, I didn't enjoy reading, only wanted to get over with and the whole ordeal to be just over already. I could have lived with the other things I mentioned above.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy.

[Teresa Juckett (Love Dark Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic book from Holly. This book is about small town friends who grew up together and one night changed everything. This book is about a 2nd chance at love and being left at the alter. This book is about blackmail. Omg this book kept me turning page after page trying to figure out who was blackmailing them. Imagine your getting married and your bride to be turns and runs away and doesn't say why and disappears for 10 yrs and now Kate's come back to be with the rest of the gang as they all rec'd something about the night that nobody talks about and she see's Max and all the memories come back about leaving him at the alter and she's just hoping he's not mad and that he'll forgive her. I think Holly did an amazing job with all the character's pov's that were in this book it was just soooo good. Most definitely a must read.


This is my unbiased opinion and my review.

[Donita Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

DITCHED By Holly Hart
I loved this book! It is a different type book than what Holly usually writes, and it is awesome. I always know when I pick up one of her books I am getting a great read.
This is about 7 best friends from school that have a secret that 10 years later is set to destroy them. Its about second chances for happiness. This is a murder mystery, it has romance, suspense, steamy scenes, and enough intrigue to keep me turning pages most of the night until I finished the book. Holly Hart has well developed characters, a gift for storytelling, and her characters get an HEA which is important to me. I would encourage anyone that wants something a little different than the usual to pick this one and settle down for a most enjoyable read.

[Renata Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ditched A Left at the Alter Romance by Holly Hart is an outstanding book, with a well written storyline and amazing characters.
The book is full of suspense and drama that will have you on the edge of your seat and sitting up with your ears perked when you hear an unexpected noise as you will be pulled into the story as if you are one of the characters in the book too.
And let me not forget to mention the chemistry between Kate and Max that only intensifies after 10 years even though Max would love to hate Kate for ditching him at the alter.
A highly recommended book for lovers of thrillers, drama and romance.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent contemporary romantic suspense. The bulk of this story revolves around Max and Kate. It opens with Max and Kate's wedding but she runs. They meet again ten years later but as a group. They were once a group of high school friends but now they have suicide, or one of their former group, and blackmail. This story is a standalone but it has lots of suspense, intrigue, murder and romance. It took me longer to read this story and I'm not sure if it was due to its intensity of what. It has numerous characters that reappear from the past but someone is out to destroy them all. A great "who did it" it keeps the reader in edge to see what comes next.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A suspenseful romance that will keep you guessing. 😍😯😍

This is not my usual type or romance but I enjoyed it. There is a lot going on in this book and it will keep you on toes trying to figure out who is doing what and it's also got a second chance romance going that will keep things moving too. Max and Kate were high school sweethearts separated by an event that affected their small group of friends. Now, ten years later, they are reliving that event and dealing with the fallout from it. It's quite the ride and an emotional one at that. 💓💞💓

[Dolores 💜 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for Free to Give My True & Honest Review.

By heck Holly has out done herself once again. I was pulled in STRAIGHT from the off start & it started in a similar way it ends, but heck there was so much turmoil that happened NOT just between the 2 main characters, Kate & Max but the 4 other mates from high school.
Though Kate & Max had these dreams they didn't go the way they had dreamed & hadn't seen each other in 10 yrs until a tragedy brought them all back together.
Here we see a glimpse of the 10 yrs prior during this great book but a lot of the present & heck it was emotional & the guessing on who's bright this episode together.
A Brilliant Must Read....

[Hilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this book via Kindle Unlimited and then was asked to review it.

I enjoy Holly Hart's writing but this book was different than I expected. Kate and Max were the happy couple that life attempted to keep them apart.

The twists and turns that their lives went in different directions took a toll on me, the reader. I couldn't keep track at points because there was so much going on. Once I thought I had it figured out it went in another direction again. I enjoyed the story, the HEA, the drama. Although at times I was like, could we give them a break.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy romantic suspense.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery, suspense, love. Seven teenagers think they did something bad. Kate left Max at the alter and 10 years later they are brought together by the death of a friend and flash drives sent to each one. What will the 6 left do? Who has all this information on them? How do they know about Matt? How many of them will die before they find the person blackmailing them? The only thing frustrating was not really understanding what was going on in the past, maybe a short prologue about their teen years would have helped, so we understood what was happening with them.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

DITCHED

This was an interesting read, a little different to what I expected but no less enjoyable. This story is about second chances but also so much more than that. The storyline was intriguing and had me captivated right from the beginning. The storyline is filled with mystery, suspense, twists and turns, but also love and was quite emotional at times. I loved Max and Kate, who are our main characters of this story but I also really liked the secondary characters. So overall it was a little different to what I expected but still very entertaining and enjoyable.

[Leslie Ooten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this three stars, mainly because the writing itself wasn't bad. This was so not my kind of story. I thought this was going to be a romance, but it's mainly a mystery plot, there isn't a lot of romance to be had. The beginning was VERY confusing. I kept thinking this was part of a series, and maybe I missed the first book. There are 7 people named and the way it reads, it's like I was supposed to already know them all. I don't really read a lot of this genre, so maybe some one else will enjoy this story.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a crazy, who done it read that will have you guessing who is the real villain. Max & Kate were suppose to be forever until Kate left him at the alter. Years later they are reunited and their feelings are still there. But someone doesn’t want them to ever have a HEA. This story reminds me of the movie I know what u did last summer. This story will keep u guessing and definitely trying to figure out exactly what happened.


I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book

[BP34 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book was not at all what I expected. So many twists and turns. An emotional roller coaster for sure and more drama than you can imagine. The story of a group of high schoolers and an 'accident' that binds them together. Throw in some blackmail and lots of suspense and you'll keep page-turning. Max was ditched at the altar and later a second chance comes around, I read a reader copy and voluntarily chose to write a review.

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

With this book Ms. Hart proves that she is capable of "stepping outside her comfort zone". While this was a good story, it isn't one of my favorites by this author. There is a lot of twists and turns in this story and some mystery. It's definitely not your "normal" second-chance love story. Would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes. Will I put it on my "keeper shelf"? Probably not.

*I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book which I am voluntarily reviewing*

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read an arc of this book for a fair and honest review. This story had totally taken me by surprise. In 2008 Katie was literally on her way up the aisle for her wedding to Max when she suddenly turns around and flees. You think you have read this story before but, believe me, Holly Hart’s plot was anything but predictable. Great secondary characters, the sins of our youth and a second chance at romance deem this book a really good read.

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Hart has weaved a well told story of secrets, lies, drama, suspense, mystery, twists and turns, danger, blackmail, accusations, trust, friendship, second chances, steamy scenes, and a great HEA. This extremely captivating and edge of your seat read will have you turning the pages in this suspenseful romance story.

I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.

[Elaine Swinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and I chose to review it. It was well written. I do have to say it wasn't what I was expecting. Lots of mystery and suspense. So that being said I don't do spoiler so go get the book and see if you can solve the mystery in this book. Worth your time and effort. For me this was a quick easy read.

[Jurae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply wonderful

This book was absolutely amazing.The story line left nothing to be desired. The characters were extremely well developed and had great chemistry. I loved the weaving of the past into the present. There was mystery, conflict, romance and betrayal. I couldn't have ask for a more satisfying read.

[Jennifer Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist!

Wow high school sweethearts Kate & max are getting married but Kate leaves max at the alter. 10 years pass Kate comes back bc she's getting blackmailed and so are her friends as well as they lose a friend dev to sucide. This book had some twists and turns and wow it had me at some points.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the mystery of the deaths of a group of friends that have known each other since high school. A very intriguing read but I was left a little lost as to the death of Dev. Max was left at the altar by Kate, but she had her reason for running off to Europe! A good whodunnit with hot love scenes!

[Tarn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must read...

I couldn't put this book down. Initially the characters were a little hard to follow but that minor flaw was soon overcome.
The mystery, the suspence and the romance make this book one to pick up....make sure you have the time because you won't be putting it down in a hurry.

[Louise Jewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

A book that has twists and turns , mystery, blackmail and being ditched at the altar, a murder and much more in this book about 7 friends who went to school together and how their lives unravel years later, a good read with a great storyline and great characters, a must read. Recommend to anyone.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story great sexy scenes and great characters there is blackmail and I was trying to guess who was doing the blackmail such a good story. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.