Scarred

by Meghyn King

Scarlett Prescott wasn’t always confident in her curves. Growing up in a small town where she’d been mocked and taunted for the way she looked left her with plenty of hidden scars. She fled Ponchatoula, Louisiana, within days of graduation and found herself somewhere along the way. Her worth would never be defined by someone else again.

When her sister’s wedding drags Scarlett back to town, her former bully-turned-police officer pulls her over just past the town line. Gorgeous and enigmatic, Ethan Antonelli has definitely grown up in all the right, and unexpected, ways. He might not be the same bully, but Scarlett still takes fierce pleasure in showing him one night worth of everything he missed out on.

What Scarlett doesn’t expect is the slow blossoming feelings as Ethan showers her in that small-town chivalry and romance she’d spent her teen years longing for. His heart belongs to Ponchatoula, and hers isn’t going to make leaving when the wedding is over easy.

Warning: This story contains discussions about domestic abuse and severe bullying.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2018

Reviews

[Demetra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 Stars

My first book from the author was a pleasant surprise!

Scarlett is a heroine that many girls can relate too. Being a curvy girl at high school is usually a reason to be teased about and sometimes bullied too. The bullying that Scarlett experienced in high school resulted to a mental breakdown and her decision to leave her small hometown and move to New York for college. Now 5 years later she comes back for her twin sister's wedding. When she reaches the town's limits, a cop car stops her for speeding. The cop that stops her, is her high school crush, Ethan, and her biggest tormentor's brother. Ethan instantly recognise her, even though she's different. Scarlett now is more confident in her own skin and actually owns it! Seeing Ethan brings everything back and she's determined to show him what he missed.

There's attraction between them but Scarlett is reluctant to give Ethan more than one night. He's having none of it and he's determined to show her that he's worth it. Scarlett is not the only one that changed. Many things can happen in 5 years.

The book touches the sensitive issue of domestic abuse and how people are getting away with it. The author made a really good job with showing that even though someone is a victim of abuse can come out of it stronger and that there is help for everyone that needs it.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scarlett, who left her hometown as soon as she could, comes back for her twin sister's wedding. Scarlett hasn't been back because she was bullied severely in high school for her weight and her crush on one of the football stars. Her treatment back then destroyed her, and she acts out sexually because of it. She has no desire for a permanent relationship, and she has a string of one-night stands. She decides that a good way to get back at least one person in her hometown is to have a one-night stand with one of the perpetrators, Ethan, the one she had a crush on, to show him what he missed. Of course, it isn't that simple. She has rules for her one-night stands, and she ends up breaking them with him.

What motivates Scarlett to act differently than she usually does? What exactly is the dynamic between her and Ethan? Will Scarlett finally be able to sort out her thoughts and feelings about what she suffered when she was younger?

This book is very unusual for contemporary romance in that it looks at not just one but two difficult topics, bullying and domestic abuse. It's easy to see how the teenage bullying changed Scarlett, altering not only her perceptions of herself but how she reacted to those around her (not just men). In an ironic twist, one of Scarlett's main tormentors became the victim of domestic abuse. The author did a good job of showing how and why these two women were at odds but were able to come around to a better understanding in part based on the pain of their pasts.

Note: This book has highly graphic descriptions of sexual acts with many sexual scenes described in slang terms for body parts and actions. There is a lot of profanity both in the sexual scenes and outside them.

I received a free reader's copy, but this did not affect my review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story the author introduces the reader to a strong female main character, Scarlett. There are some triggers in this story as Scarlett doesn’t have the greatest childhood and so bullying and domestic abuse is discussed. Scarlett doesn’t allow her childhood to dictate who she becomes as an adult and so as soon as she is able to, she leaves home and reinvents herself. She only returns to her childhood home for her sister’s wedding where she meets her previous bully. Her interactions with this person are not what one might expect, it certainly turns in to something Scarlett never expected but to find out exactly how you need to read the book! This is a wonderfully written story that I enjoyed reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hits on a lot of strong feelings and emotions that it keeps you turning page after page. The characters are well written and engaging. Storyline flowed smoothly. Keith and Scarlett grew up together while in school things were very hurtful for Scarlett who moved away and years later came back for her sisters wedding. What ensues is facing her demons while also helping get past old hurts to finally have her HEA. The book has drama, and lots of steamy scenes with hot chemistry. Touches on sensitive matters in such a way that you feel it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarred is the first book by Meghyn King I've read and it will not be the last. Wow! I didn't want it to end! The storyline was engaging and kept my interest as well as the drama, humor, twists and emotional turmoil created tension for the couple.
Ethan and Scarlett are both strong characters and that made for a well balanced couple. The attraction between the couple simmered along nice as they engaged in a chemistry that was spicy and hot. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to next book by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BookLover1990 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate the character Scarlett. I can understand her pain from being bullied as a child, but she is an adult and it is no longer a good excuse for being a mean, loose woman. I did however love Ethan. He was sweet, kind, and just the right amount of dirty. I wish he had ended up with a better woman. I did not hate the book, only because of Ethans' character, but could not get past the horribleness of Scarlett.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say but I freak 'n' LOVED this book.

She is a gorgeous, curvy and confident, everything I would love to be.
He is handsome, muscular and a COP, how can you not want that.

This book had me from the very beginning. I love how Scarlett comes through the bullying and becomes a courageous, confident sexy woman. It was a very sexy story and had a great message in it too. I highly recommend this book to you. It is a MUST read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this delightful story! I like the characters and the plot in this well written story. It's amazing how are school years can torment us but further amazing is how things change after high school. I really loved Keith and Scarlett's story. There is great chemistry between them. The story does touch on bullying, violence and post traumatic syndrome but is truly a delightful story. I enjoyed the drama, romance, steam and twists in this story.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This definitely touches on bullying, abuse, PTSD and counseling. But it doesn't define this story. This was enjoyable for the rocking consensual scenes and talking about the past but not dwelling on it and being able to move forward. Well written and includes a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second chance romance that touched on some very serious subjects. I liked Scarlett and Ethan and was happy to see them get together. Emotional turmoil, drama, past mistakes, overcoming your past, learning to love yourself and embracing love, all play a part in this entertaining read. I am posting a candid, voluntary review.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlett is going home after being gone for years. She is dreading seeing the people who made her school days purely miserable.
What she doesn't expect is Ethan, her crush from high school to be the handsome officer who greets her.
Don't miss how Scarlett comes to terms with her past and ends up helping others while also discovering love.
I voluntarily reviewed this ARC.

[Adalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprise Packages is a wonderful read. I enjoyed the storyline. The characters chemistry just jumps up and grabs you.

This was a well written book.
I voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout. Any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Redemption for bullying? I thought this book had some great dialogue and reactions which were believable. Each chapter brought additional revelations which made it hard for me to believe some of the characters should be forgiven regardless where they were in their life years later. And the twist near the end was heartbreaking. A good story.

[Annemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlett was bullied by Ethan when they were in school. She left town and is now back for her sister's wedding. Ethan has become a police officer. Scarlett spends time with him to show him what he missed out on. He tries to show her that he's changed and along the way they start to fall for each other. Nice ending

[zen_s · Rating 2 out of 5]

[1.5 star] book was under development. everything happen too fast. and for a heroine that keep chanting she doesnt want a relationship, she sure jump into the bed with the hero real fast more than once.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book and it touched on some sensitive subjects in a really good believable way. It was well written with a really good plot that pulled me in and with a few a good twists it kept me interested right until the very end. I really liked this one and can't wait to try more

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Really good plot to the story. Very well written. Would highly recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of stories. Can't wait to read more from this author. Fast paced to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Scarlette & Keith's story. This one was an emotional one for me. I just wanted to hug Scarlette so hard...& can relate to her in a lot of ways. Great book. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book via booksprout.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book more than I expected! ♥️

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love stories like that that catch you right in the feels. Really good story