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Scarlet ist seit zehn Jahren meine beste Freundin.
Ja, ich fühle ich mich zu ihr hingezogen.
Ja, sie ist mir wirklich wichtig.
Aber zwischen uns war nie mehr.
An einem dummen Abend trinken wir zu viel. Shots werden heruntergekippt und es gibt Alkohol im Überfluss. Und bevor ich weiß was passiert, tue ich es. In diesem Moment scheint es eine gute Idee zu sein.
Aber was wird passieren, wenn wir morgen aufwachen?
DIES IST KEIN CLIFFHANGER
Ja, ich fühle ich mich zu ihr hingezogen.
Ja, sie ist mir wirklich wichtig.
Aber zwischen uns war nie mehr.
An einem dummen Abend trinken wir zu viel. Shots werden heruntergekippt und es gibt Alkohol im Überfluss. Und bevor ich weiß was passiert, tue ich es. In diesem Moment scheint es eine gute Idee zu sein.
Aber was wird passieren, wenn wir morgen aufwachen?
DIES IST KEIN CLIFFHANGER
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2013
1104 people are currently reading
4164 people want to read
About the author
E.L. Todd
216 books2,733 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author, E. L. Todd is one of the most prolific authors of her genre, having published over a hundred novels. With over one million copies sold, she writes romance stories ranging from contemporary romance, new adult romance, and fantasy romance. She's best known for her Forever and Always Series as well as her Timeless Series.
She loves coffee, ice cream, and anything with sugar.
She loves coffee, ice cream, and anything with sugar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 554 reviews
November 15, 2013
3 Frustrating Stars.....
A little spoilerish....
I did "like" it.. but honestly it frustrated the hell out of me.... By the end of this one, which is the beginning of a series, I was wanting to strangle Scarlet and tell Sean to just fuck off. But as crazy as they both made me.. I was still curious to see if they could finally get their heads on right. And whether them being together is right or not.. I'm just not sure yet. So that's why this one gets 3 stars... At no point did I look at Scarlet and Sean and think.. YES!, these two belong together.....
So we've got Scarlet.. she's been a best friend to Sean for several years..they met in college . He hooked up with one of her friends so her and Sean were friend-zoned. While Sean eventually fell in love with Penelope, Scarlet remained his best friend, always there for him. She's got a job that she's not all that happy at with a perverted nasty boss..She's also got no love life to speak of....
Then Sean.... It's hard to describe Sean as much more than fucked up. After he gets dumped by Penelope he is just all kinds of messed up. He was planning on proposing.. he thought they had the perfect relationship. He was IN LOVE. Crazy ass messed up over this girl. He needed Scar more than ever now..she's always been his rock..
While out drinking together one night, Sean spots his ex sucking face with another dude.. so what does he do?? He lays his lips on his bestie Scar..
Sean finally pulled his lips away, but he didn’t release his hold on me. He brought his lips to my ear and his words shattered my moment of passion. “Is she watching?” he asked. He started kissing my neck as I looked around the room.
Now that should have been Scar's first clue that Sean was kissing her for Penelope's effect..but noooooo... they get back home and one thing leads to another..Sean is feeling all sad and needing to get laid and Scar has decided that she is allll about getting it on with Sean. He awakened something in her and she thinks Sean has finally realized that he's in love with HER and NOT Penelope... so... they get naked..Sean's drunk but she thinks he can't possibly be THAT drunk to not take what they are about to do seriously.....
So the next morning.. Scar is all about this being the start of something new and Sean is all about thinking this was a fantastic one night stand. Holyshit do they have some mixed signals... So Sean thinking that Scar is cool with everthing decides to hook up with one of her friends for a quickie.. Scar is of course DEVESTATED because now she's in love with him.. she tells Sean to fuck off and moves across the country to live with her brother to get away from him.
While Scar is living with her brother across the country she's doing some major soul searching. She wants to start over and go into business for herself. She meets a great guy in Seattle that may or may not be able to help her forget about Sean. She's still in love with him but she knows he'll never love her back and it's time for her to move on .. while in the mean time, Sean is trying to figure out what in the heck he wants.
Once he realizes that maybe it is Scar that can make him happy, can he get her back? And would Scar be willing to give him a chance to make things right?
Well... although this one ends with them in a decent place.... book 2 has more crazy in stall for them. I'm still not really on board with them as a couple.. Sean just seems to have more of a vagina than Scarlett does at times and needs a good ass kicking. Hoping in book 2 she either kicks his ass to the curb or he grows a pair and man's the hell up.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
December 26, 2013
There are spoilers, you have been warned.
This book was so freaking frustrating. Scarlet and Sean are two of the most childish and selfish characters I think I've read in a book. This book is like a train wreck, that is so horrifically bad, you can't stop yourself from watching what is happening and becoming engaged. Therein lies my problem.
I really dislike the characters in this book. Scarlet comes across as a selfish, insecure, crazy chick who over dramatizes everything. Sean comes across as a devastated man whore. Yup, you heard it and I'm sticking with it.
Sean ends up using Scarlet and Scarlet (being the childish girl she is) runs away to her brother in Seattle where she immediately sleeps with her brothers best friend.
This book is some serious crazy. Scarlet overdramatizes the entire encounter with Sean in her head. Sean is her best friend and just broke up (like a week earlier) with what he thought was the love of his life so of course, this means that because he sleeps with Scarlet he loves her and is committing to her. Sean is just a man whore (oh wait, did I already say that)?
Sean sleeps with Scarlet's best friend which devastates Scarlet in her made up little fantasy in her head and OMG the drama. However, that isn't even the end of it. Scarlet's boss has a bit of a pervert problem (sexual harrassment and assualt) and somehow Scarlet always ends up in the middle of crazy.
There are a few moments in this book which cracked me up (the hot dog story), but overall this book was a complete waste of my time. But, like I said, train wreck I couldn't look away from so I bought the second book. WHY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DID I BUY THE SECOND BOOK? *sigh*
This book was so freaking frustrating. Scarlet and Sean are two of the most childish and selfish characters I think I've read in a book. This book is like a train wreck, that is so horrifically bad, you can't stop yourself from watching what is happening and becoming engaged. Therein lies my problem.
I really dislike the characters in this book. Scarlet comes across as a selfish, insecure, crazy chick who over dramatizes everything. Sean comes across as a devastated man whore. Yup, you heard it and I'm sticking with it.
Sean ends up using Scarlet and Scarlet (being the childish girl she is) runs away to her brother in Seattle where she immediately sleeps with her brothers best friend.
This book is some serious crazy. Scarlet overdramatizes the entire encounter with Sean in her head. Sean is her best friend and just broke up (like a week earlier) with what he thought was the love of his life so of course, this means that because he sleeps with Scarlet he loves her and is committing to her. Sean is just a man whore (oh wait, did I already say that)?
Sean sleeps with Scarlet's best friend which devastates Scarlet in her made up little fantasy in her head and OMG the drama. However, that isn't even the end of it. Scarlet's boss has a bit of a pervert problem (sexual harrassment and assualt) and somehow Scarlet always ends up in the middle of crazy.
There are a few moments in this book which cracked me up (the hot dog story), but overall this book was a complete waste of my time. But, like I said, train wreck I couldn't look away from so I bought the second book. WHY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DID I BUY THE SECOND BOOK? *sigh*
April 5, 2014
"I wasn't worried about her moving on, and even if she did, I knew she would leave them for me. I was the one for her. It was obvious." - Sean
June 2, 2016
Made it to about 35% Couldn't finish it. Sorry, just not for me. :(
August 27, 2015
Sweet baby Jesus! How did this book get so many 4 and 5 star reviews?! It's crap!
Ok. The basic story line is promising, but the characters are flatter than my Aunt Minnie's backside!!
Scarlet annoys the bejesus out of me. Really? You allow yourself to have sex with your best friend after KNOWING he just broke up with a long term girlfriend and you don't think you're a rebound sex partner?
Your boss threatens your job if you don't have sex with him and you don't leave his office and run straight to HR?! Or call a few lawyers?
You meet your brother's best friend and although still madly in love with Sean, you sleep with Courtland after knowing him for like 2 days?!?!
And them there are the sex scenes ... **YAAAWN**.
I am halfway through this mess and I am giving up. I just can't.
Ok. The basic story line is promising, but the characters are flatter than my Aunt Minnie's backside!!
Scarlet annoys the bejesus out of me. Really? You allow yourself to have sex with your best friend after KNOWING he just broke up with a long term girlfriend and you don't think you're a rebound sex partner?
Your boss threatens your job if you don't have sex with him and you don't leave his office and run straight to HR?! Or call a few lawyers?
You meet your brother's best friend and although still madly in love with Sean, you sleep with Courtland after knowing him for like 2 days?!?!
And them there are the sex scenes ... **YAAAWN**.
I am halfway through this mess and I am giving up. I just can't.
November 17, 2013
**ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest review.**
I read this book in almost one sitting. Sometimes the book read more like an outline - but overall ... I really enjoyed this read. The characters were real. The plot was good.
I would read another book by this author again.
I read this book in almost one sitting. Sometimes the book read more like an outline - but overall ... I really enjoyed this read. The characters were real. The plot was good.
I would read another book by this author again.
June 3, 2014
2 1/2 to 3 forever and never stars.
It's crazy to have rated this book relatively low because I liked it.
What's crazy?
I only liked it until about 70% and then I disliked the poo outta it.
So I guess I only kinda enjoyed it.
Scarlett has a dude BFF. Platonic friend.
He suffers a bad breakup and she, being the awesome bestie, comes in on her white horse to help him recover.
Isn't that sweet?
She puts her own personal problems aside and makes this injured bird her sole priority, not realizing she's wading deeper into no-no land in Friendsville.
Sean is need of some good ben and jerry's, a good cry and then a slap back to reality. He was dumped. That suuuucks but time to put on your big girl panties and get back to the grind.
With the help of Scarlett he was able to apply some salve but before it was set, saw the evil ex.
SO! He got drunk, stupid and pulled him and his friend past no-no land and straight into the point of no return.
All this story line was fine and dandy. It was when she decided to live with her big bro when shit got stupid.
Enter Cortland. Big brothers best friend.
Scarlett met Cortland, they became fast friends and they shagged.
They also said they loved each other, they were family and they were best friend in all of like 5 pages. It was weird. The last 30% of this book was just...weird.
At the end of the book I wasn't even sure why I had read anything about Sean and Scarlett's relationship.
Sean felt like shit and needed a good anti-depressant the whole book.
Scarlett realized she wasn't living her life to the fullest and decided to change that. Good on her! I honestly forgot she was even in cahoots with someone and thus made the end of the book less special.
Would I recommend this book? It's not likely.
Am I going to continue the series? Also, not likely.
It's crazy to have rated this book relatively low because I liked it.
What's crazy?
I only liked it until about 70% and then I disliked the poo outta it.
So I guess I only kinda enjoyed it.
Scarlett has a dude BFF. Platonic friend.
He suffers a bad breakup and she, being the awesome bestie, comes in on her white horse to help him recover.
Isn't that sweet?
She puts her own personal problems aside and makes this injured bird her sole priority, not realizing she's wading deeper into no-no land in Friendsville.
Sean is need of some good ben and jerry's, a good cry and then a slap back to reality. He was dumped. That suuuucks but time to put on your big girl panties and get back to the grind.
With the help of Scarlett he was able to apply some salve but before it was set, saw the evil ex.
SO! He got drunk, stupid and pulled him and his friend past no-no land and straight into the point of no return.
All this story line was fine and dandy. It was when she decided to live with her big bro when shit got stupid.
Enter Cortland. Big brothers best friend.
Scarlett met Cortland, they became fast friends and they shagged.
They also said they loved each other, they were family and they were best friend in all of like 5 pages. It was weird. The last 30% of this book was just...weird.
At the end of the book I wasn't even sure why I had read anything about Sean and Scarlett's relationship.
Sean felt like shit and needed a good anti-depressant the whole book.
Scarlett realized she wasn't living her life to the fullest and decided to change that. Good on her! I honestly forgot she was even in cahoots with someone and thus made the end of the book less special.
Would I recommend this book? It's not likely.
Am I going to continue the series? Also, not likely.
November 21, 2013
ARC generously provide by the author in return for an honest review.
This was my first book by this author. I didn't know what to expect. I am happy to say that I ended up really enjoying the story.
Only For You is a friends to lovers story. And this is never an easy thing right!
Sean and Scarlet have been friends since college. They have always been there for each other and they are both fiercely protective of each other as well.
The story begins when Sean is getting dumped by his girlfriend. Scarlet is privy to this and her heart breaks for him. Of course she will be there to help mend his broken heart and to make him happy again.
But Scarlet isn't having an easy time of it either. She is dealing with a pompous over bearing obnoxious boss who is doing everything he can to make her work life miserable.
Scarlet and Sean start to spend a lot of time together. This makes both of their current miserable lives more tolerable. Slowly you start to see things in their relationship change. More so for Scarlet.
Between the funny banter, the hugs and other little things that happen, Scarlet starts to realize her true feelings for Sean. She has always loved him but now she realizes she is "in" love with him.
Then it happens. That one faithful night when they cross that line. Sean and Scarlet share a passionate night of sex. They both act on the intense feelings they have for each other.
What happens next just breaks my heart. Sean loves Scarlet but doesn't realize the shift in her feelings for him. He doesn't know that she really is in love him. Things quickly get messy and Scarlet is heartbroken. She can no longer just be Sean's friend, she loves him and wants it all. Sean just can't give her that right now.
Not able to be around Sean, Scarlet leaves New York to go be with her brother Ryan in Seattle. It broke my heart to see them separated. Sean didn't know what to do, how to feel and how to move on. Scarlet was broken too. She had no job, no money and lost her best friend.
The story takes you through both Scarlet and Sean trying whatever they can to get past the hurt. Trying to cope without each other. Will they find their way back to each other? Will Sean realize his true feelings for Scarlet before it is too late?
Only For You was such a great read. The story doesn't just center around Sean and Scarlet. Other things go on that just add to the plot.
There are some great supporting characters too. Her brother Ryan was awesome. I just loved how he is so accepting of Scarlet and how he cares for her unconditionally. And I loved Cortland too. He was so sweet!
I am really looking forward to the next book Forever and Always to see what happens with the two of them!
This was my first book by this author. I didn't know what to expect. I am happy to say that I ended up really enjoying the story.
Only For You is a friends to lovers story. And this is never an easy thing right!
Sean and Scarlet have been friends since college. They have always been there for each other and they are both fiercely protective of each other as well.
The story begins when Sean is getting dumped by his girlfriend. Scarlet is privy to this and her heart breaks for him. Of course she will be there to help mend his broken heart and to make him happy again.
But Scarlet isn't having an easy time of it either. She is dealing with a pompous over bearing obnoxious boss who is doing everything he can to make her work life miserable.
Scarlet and Sean start to spend a lot of time together. This makes both of their current miserable lives more tolerable. Slowly you start to see things in their relationship change. More so for Scarlet.
Between the funny banter, the hugs and other little things that happen, Scarlet starts to realize her true feelings for Sean. She has always loved him but now she realizes she is "in" love with him.
Then it happens. That one faithful night when they cross that line. Sean and Scarlet share a passionate night of sex. They both act on the intense feelings they have for each other.
What happens next just breaks my heart. Sean loves Scarlet but doesn't realize the shift in her feelings for him. He doesn't know that she really is in love him. Things quickly get messy and Scarlet is heartbroken. She can no longer just be Sean's friend, she loves him and wants it all. Sean just can't give her that right now.
Not able to be around Sean, Scarlet leaves New York to go be with her brother Ryan in Seattle. It broke my heart to see them separated. Sean didn't know what to do, how to feel and how to move on. Scarlet was broken too. She had no job, no money and lost her best friend.
The story takes you through both Scarlet and Sean trying whatever they can to get past the hurt. Trying to cope without each other. Will they find their way back to each other? Will Sean realize his true feelings for Scarlet before it is too late?
Only For You was such a great read. The story doesn't just center around Sean and Scarlet. Other things go on that just add to the plot.
There are some great supporting characters too. Her brother Ryan was awesome. I just loved how he is so accepting of Scarlet and how he cares for her unconditionally. And I loved Cortland too. He was so sweet!
I am really looking forward to the next book Forever and Always to see what happens with the two of them!
January 29, 2018
I kind of don't want to delve too much into the story yet. Since I just realized that there is like 7 parts to this Forever and Always.
Okay, now where do I begin. Scarlet. Now she's fine and I like her. She's not too annoying and doesn't come off too strong in the book. She's sweet yet she has a mind of her own. I like that she can be friends with Sean, well actually BFF's. Plus there is Janice.
Now Sean. Well what's not to like about him but that he's young hot and sexy and he's rich. Yes, a tall drink of water, right. He's attached but then again he's not. He was dumped by his girlfriend who he fell in love with.
Now here is where it gets tricky for me. Scarlet has feelings for Sean that she didn't realize was her true love. Now Sean loves Scarlet but not in love. So what happens when Scarlet takes him out to get his mind of Penelope. Sex happened. Yep. It surely did. Now here is where I'm not sure if I should take Scarlet's side or Sean's side. Like does there have to be a side. Okaaaay I'm going to be honest, I thought that what Sean did was an asshole kind of move. Yes, asshole kind of move. Like WTF is that. Janice. WTF. Yeah I can elaborate but I'm just going to stick to what I think he did was an asshole kind of move.
Anyways Scarlet feels betrayed (I mean) even though she admitted to Janice she didn't have feelings for Sean. Btw what kind of a best friend are you to just jump into her bed with her best friend. Skanky move. Okay, okay, I know I shouldn't but who cares I'm Team Scarlet *smiles*.
Moving on, Scarlet dumps both Sean and Janice even her dick of a boss behind and flies home to her brother Ryan. OMG, he's hottie too. There she licks her wounds and then she hooks up with Cortland. I like Cortland, he's safe and he's sweet. Yes call me weak but I like safe hehe.
So I like the story. I like the characters but less more Sean. He kind of has to redeem himself in my eyes. I'm still not convinced that he loved Scarlet cause he still loves Penelope. What an asshole. But still I love Ryan I think he's genuine even Cortland. I'm so looking forward to more of these two.
Now I just have to swallow a pill and read on for Book 2 *thumbs up*.
Okay, now where do I begin. Scarlet. Now she's fine and I like her. She's not too annoying and doesn't come off too strong in the book. She's sweet yet she has a mind of her own. I like that she can be friends with Sean, well actually BFF's. Plus there is Janice.
Now Sean. Well what's not to like about him but that he's young hot and sexy and he's rich. Yes, a tall drink of water, right. He's attached but then again he's not. He was dumped by his girlfriend who he fell in love with.
Now here is where it gets tricky for me. Scarlet has feelings for Sean that she didn't realize was her true love. Now Sean loves Scarlet but not in love. So what happens when Scarlet takes him out to get his mind of Penelope. Sex happened. Yep. It surely did. Now here is where I'm not sure if I should take Scarlet's side or Sean's side. Like does there have to be a side. Okaaaay I'm going to be honest, I thought that what Sean did was an asshole kind of move. Yes, asshole kind of move. Like WTF is that. Janice. WTF. Yeah I can elaborate but I'm just going to stick to what I think he did was an asshole kind of move.
Anyways Scarlet feels betrayed (I mean) even though she admitted to Janice she didn't have feelings for Sean. Btw what kind of a best friend are you to just jump into her bed with her best friend. Skanky move. Okay, okay, I know I shouldn't but who cares I'm Team Scarlet *smiles*.
Moving on, Scarlet dumps both Sean and Janice even her dick of a boss behind and flies home to her brother Ryan. OMG, he's hottie too. There she licks her wounds and then she hooks up with Cortland. I like Cortland, he's safe and he's sweet. Yes call me weak but I like safe hehe.
So I like the story. I like the characters but less more Sean. He kind of has to redeem himself in my eyes. I'm still not convinced that he loved Scarlet cause he still loves Penelope. What an asshole. But still I love Ryan I think he's genuine even Cortland. I'm so looking forward to more of these two.
Now I just have to swallow a pill and read on for Book 2 *thumbs up*.
April 6, 2016
Synopsis: Scarlett has been best friends with Sean for ten years. After some drama (breakup on his part with another woman, sexual harassment at work for her) they end up sleeping together one night. She thinks it's more than it is, he doesn't. She flees NY for Seattle to see her brother. More drama ensues.
Think that summary was boring? So was the book. And I was shocked to find that there are SIX other books in this series. I'm glad I downloaded this thing for free, otherwise I'd be angry. The sex/love scenes aren't hot, they're just flat. And I hate love scenes where the author is describing what's happening but then choses to include dialogue that's just banal. But then again, so are the characters. I don't always have to relate to or even like a heroine/hero, but that means the writing needs to be better and the writing here is awful.
Language is robotic. I don't necessarily agree with the behaviors of the heroine or hero or their friends, but I can't rationalize this when I'm not given much to read about re their characters. Descriptions are shallow.
About 80% into the book we're suddenly given a back story to Scarlett and Ryan about a cruel mother and a deceased father. Um... say what? Some of the banter between Scar and Ryan should be funnier than it actually was, but the writing was just not up to what I've read by others in this genre.
Think that summary was boring? So was the book. And I was shocked to find that there are SIX other books in this series. I'm glad I downloaded this thing for free, otherwise I'd be angry. The sex/love scenes aren't hot, they're just flat. And I hate love scenes where the author is describing what's happening but then choses to include dialogue that's just banal. But then again, so are the characters. I don't always have to relate to or even like a heroine/hero, but that means the writing needs to be better and the writing here is awful.
Language is robotic. I don't necessarily agree with the behaviors of the heroine or hero or their friends, but I can't rationalize this when I'm not given much to read about re their characters. Descriptions are shallow.
About 80% into the book we're suddenly given a back story to Scarlett and Ryan about a cruel mother and a deceased father. Um... say what? Some of the banter between Scar and Ryan should be funnier than it actually was, but the writing was just not up to what I've read by others in this genre.
August 8, 2014
When a book download is offered at no cost on Amazon and the blurb sounds fairly interesting, I will usually download it. I know that most of them are self-published, but occasionally a decent read (on rare occasions a very good read) can be found that way. This download makes me reconsider that practice. This story is poorly-written, using the vocabulary and writing style of a thirteen-year-old junkie prostitute. Grammar and usage errors, senseless sentences, stilted dialogue, vulgar vocabulary, and sex scenes that read like a parody: these are my major complaints. Oh well -- I read a few chapters and skimmed through a few more before deleting it from my kindle.
November 10, 2013
I was given this ARC by the author for an honest review.
To say I devoured this would be an understatement! I didn't want to sleep last night so I could finish it! Review to come!
I devoured this book. I didn't want to put it down. It was a story about falling in love with your best friend. Something I haven't read much about and I loved all the twists and turns.
Scarlet was a strong heroine and I loved her. I immediately connected with her. She had a few weak moments, but who doesn't.
Now Sean, we had a love/hate relationship. I instantly loved him and how sensitive he was. I was just waiting and waiting for him to realize how in love he actually was with Scarlet, but he kept talking about his cheating ex, Penelope. Then, I started to dislike him because of his choices, but again he's a man and didn't realize the full situation at hand. Of course, he redeems himself to the nth degree!
I definitely would recommend this book! This author is one to watch!!
This book ends in a HEA, but definitely know there is more to the story. What happened with her parents? What ended up happening to her old sleezy boss? Why became of her best friend Janice? Can't wait to read the next installment!!
To say I devoured this would be an understatement! I didn't want to sleep last night so I could finish it! Review to come!
I devoured this book. I didn't want to put it down. It was a story about falling in love with your best friend. Something I haven't read much about and I loved all the twists and turns.
Scarlet was a strong heroine and I loved her. I immediately connected with her. She had a few weak moments, but who doesn't.
Now Sean, we had a love/hate relationship. I instantly loved him and how sensitive he was. I was just waiting and waiting for him to realize how in love he actually was with Scarlet, but he kept talking about his cheating ex, Penelope. Then, I started to dislike him because of his choices, but again he's a man and didn't realize the full situation at hand. Of course, he redeems himself to the nth degree!
I definitely would recommend this book! This author is one to watch!!
This book ends in a HEA, but definitely know there is more to the story. What happened with her parents? What ended up happening to her old sleezy boss? Why became of her best friend Janice? Can't wait to read the next installment!!
Want to read
February 8, 2014FREE today on Amazon US (2/7/2014).
http://www.amazon.com/Only-You-Foreve...
http://www.amazon.com/Only-You-Foreve...
November 3, 2013
ARC provided by the author for an honest review.
First, I would like to thank Ms. Todd for giving me this opportunity to review this smashing debut novel.
The story is about two best friends who are there for each other when someone is in need. That is until something happened between the two of them that changed the course of their lives and their relationship for one another. The story is a page turner since i'm a sucker for stories with misunderstanding issues.
At first, I was kinda sad for what happened to Sean. He seems to be the perfect guy ... I guess Penelope is just a plain bitch then. Scarlet on the other hand, is doing everything she can to make Sean forget about the heartache.
I love the dual pov of this, because you get to see both sides of the story, although it would have been better if there's more of Sean's pov, because I want to know how he was dealing after the absence of scarlet in his life.
Ryan and Scar sure had been close and I know there's more to it as to why Scar didn't reach out to Ryan for more than a year which I guess would be further discussed on book two.
Cortland is actually sweet, I like his being a gentleman and insisting on paying for the meal since he is kinda old fashion.
I can't wait to read for the next book
I just hope the synopsis is not that detailed so the readers can enjoy the ride of it. I'm glad I didn't read it that's why I enjoyed it immensely.
First, I would like to thank Ms. Todd for giving me this opportunity to review this smashing debut novel.
The story is about two best friends who are there for each other when someone is in need. That is until something happened between the two of them that changed the course of their lives and their relationship for one another. The story is a page turner since i'm a sucker for stories with misunderstanding issues.
At first, I was kinda sad for what happened to Sean. He seems to be the perfect guy ... I guess Penelope is just a plain bitch then. Scarlet on the other hand, is doing everything she can to make Sean forget about the heartache.
I love the dual pov of this, because you get to see both sides of the story, although it would have been better if there's more of Sean's pov, because I want to know how he was dealing after the absence of scarlet in his life.
Ryan and Scar sure had been close and I know there's more to it as to why Scar didn't reach out to Ryan for more than a year which I guess would be further discussed on book two.
Cortland is actually sweet, I like his being a gentleman and insisting on paying for the meal since he is kinda old fashion.
I can't wait to read for the next book
I just hope the synopsis is not that detailed so the readers can enjoy the ride of it. I'm glad I didn't read it that's why I enjoyed it immensely.
October 31, 2013
4.5 Stars!! (I always round up)
ARC kindly provided to my by the author for my honest review. Thank You Ms. Todd.
I love this book; it has an excellent plot!! I love the characters, although I do get frustrated with them at times. This is not a black and white love story; it is completely gray, with good people doing questionably bad things due to misunderstandings or need. It was a little slow at times, but Ms. Todd thoroughly developed the characters and their personalities. Beyond that, it was full steam ahead and hard to put down. Ms. Todd writes in a way that makes the reader believe the characters are real people. And this book has erotica, angst and a happy ending. YAY!
Sean and Scarlet have been best friends for years. They were always in other relationships and never dated each other. When Sean’s long term girlfriend dumped him, he and Scarlet had a drunken one-night-stand which threatened to ruin their friendship forever. This along with work problems inspired Scarlet to move in with her brother, Ryan. I adore Ryan. Then she meets Ryan’s friend, Cortland (who I also adore) and things heat up between them. I was really hoping for Cortland and Scarlet’s connection, because Sean still has some redeeming to do in my eyes. Although there was a happy ending, the story is far from over; this is the first book in the series. I'm hoping in future books, Ms. Todd will make Sean more loveable.
Well done on your debut book E.L. Todd!!! I’m looking forward to reading the other books.
ARC kindly provided to my by the author for my honest review. Thank You Ms. Todd.
I love this book; it has an excellent plot!! I love the characters, although I do get frustrated with them at times. This is not a black and white love story; it is completely gray, with good people doing questionably bad things due to misunderstandings or need. It was a little slow at times, but Ms. Todd thoroughly developed the characters and their personalities. Beyond that, it was full steam ahead and hard to put down. Ms. Todd writes in a way that makes the reader believe the characters are real people. And this book has erotica, angst and a happy ending. YAY!
Sean and Scarlet have been best friends for years. They were always in other relationships and never dated each other. When Sean’s long term girlfriend dumped him, he and Scarlet had a drunken one-night-stand which threatened to ruin their friendship forever. This along with work problems inspired Scarlet to move in with her brother, Ryan. I adore Ryan. Then she meets Ryan’s friend, Cortland (who I also adore) and things heat up between them. I was really hoping for Cortland and Scarlet’s connection, because Sean still has some redeeming to do in my eyes. Although there was a happy ending, the story is far from over; this is the first book in the series. I'm hoping in future books, Ms. Todd will make Sean more loveable.
Well done on your debut book E.L. Todd!!! I’m looking forward to reading the other books.
August 13, 2014
I stopped reading seriously when I read this:
'I was certain he was thinking of that stupid cunt. I was hoping she'd get hit by a cab or something. Or better yet, get a rare strain of super gonorrhoea and die from the unstoppable pus leaking from her pussy.'
Such .... 'nice' language. Such a delightful thought.
And the rest of the book (as far as I managed to read) was no better.
Recommended for people who like potty-mouthed shallow females and a story with absolutely no plot whatsoever.
'I was certain he was thinking of that stupid cunt. I was hoping she'd get hit by a cab or something. Or better yet, get a rare strain of super gonorrhoea and die from the unstoppable pus leaking from her pussy.'
Such .... 'nice' language. Such a delightful thought.
And the rest of the book (as far as I managed to read) was no better.
Recommended for people who like potty-mouthed shallow females and a story with absolutely no plot whatsoever.
April 14, 2016
before
I found this thing on iBooks, and I was like, "hey, it's free, and the characters on the front are fully clothed so it couldn't POSSIBLY be porn!" And all the reviews were 5-stars, and it was free, so I ended up getting it.
DURING
It actually was porn. Oops. My bad.
Also more grating complaints throughout the book.
The grammar is really, truly atrocious. Especially considering that the main lady, Scarlet, is supposed to be a "copy editor". I dunno what kind of copy editor she is, but I would NEVER, EVER take my manuscript (many reasons withstanding.) Throughout the entire book we are treated to the abuse of the word "then". "I walked across the room then sat on the couch." or "I picked up the book then threw it at the wall." or "I threw the book in a wood chipper then ran over it with my SUV." I believe the more proper way to write it would be "I threw the book in a wood chipper AND ran over it with my SUV." OR "I threw the book in a wood chipper, then ran over it with my SUV." Unfortunately, neither actually happened, because the book was on my phone, and I like my phone.
But god, I wanted to.
CHARACTERS
I introduce you to a cast of truly grating characters:
Scarlet aka Scar (what kind of nickname is that? Scars are usually interpreted as ugly marks...hey wait, maybe I'm onto something, that IS rather accurate considering what an ugly person she is.) She's a copy editor, she somehow went to freaking Harvard, and lives in a ridiculous relationship with this guy-friend Sean. And, aside from that, she is an extremely judgmental disgusting person who regularly wishes death and STDs on others. Here are a few lines in case you don't believe me:
"I was hoping she'd get hit by a cab or something. Or better yet, get a rare strain of super gonorrhea and die from the unstoppable pus leaking from her [fill in the blank]"
This is in regards to a FRIEND of Scarlet's. Sure, said friend broke up with her boyfriend and left to be with someone else who made her happier. BUT. I can understand something like that causing mild angst, but not death threats and STDs.
"Perhaps he died in a violent car crash and experienced a slow and painful death. I forced the thoughts from my mind. I was enjoying them too much."
If you enjoy the thoughts of others' death, then that makes you a psychopath and you should probably go to the hospital and get yourself checked out. Not healthy thoughts to have.
"I knew the fucker was unconscious by the time I ran for it. I hoped he would die."
Oh wait, I realized this quote is actually from Scarlett's darling boyfriend Sean. Isn't he such a nice guy?
"My mother blew more smoke into the air and I wanted to slap here. I wanted her to die."
Scarlet again. Having homicidal thoughts towards her mother.
"I fantasized about killing him."
"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"
"I could kill you, Penelope."
(in regards to the same friend who dumped her boyfriend. That's all she did. DUMPED. A. GUY. Last I checked, this was not something worth breaking up a FRIENDSHIP for.
"I SWEAR TO FUCKING GOD, I COULD KILL YOU!"
"If he ever comes near you, I'll kill him."
"I could kill you," I said.
"I could kill Penelope."
"I seriously want to kill you," I said.
I wanted to kill this bitch.
Good lord, do normal people usually make this many death threats?
Also, another painfully stupid thing: Sean moved in with Scarlet after breakup with Girlfriend 1, because apparently he was incapable of staying at home because everything reminded him "too much" of GF1. Then he slept with Scarlet, then he slept around with some other people. Then, apparently, Scarlet felt like she was being pushed out of her own apartment, what with Sean sleeping with people in her own bed. So instead of, say, kicking Sean out, she instead flew across the US and moved in with her brother. WTF? It's not Sean's apartment. He is not the one paying the apartment bills. It's Scarlet's place. She should be able to kick him out and feel no mercy. But nooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Convoluted Seattle Plot Point had to happen, so she had to leave and move to Seattle. (I mean, I guess part of the reason she left is because her creepy boss tried to rape her, but why not just call the cops on him and stay in NY? Why move to Seattle?)
Scarlet, your time on this planet is up, PLEASE VACATE THE PREMISES.
SEAN is her disgusting POS boyfriend. Maybe he wasn't as horrible in this book as he was in the next (yeah, I somehow got this as a set of 3 and ended up skimming the next 2) but he was still an annoying jackass. He's got a girlfriend, but he still has this "platonic" friendship with this other girl (scarlet) where he sleeps in bed with her and lives in her house and stuff. Um. No. Then Girlfriend 1 dumps him, and then he immediately starts sleeping with Scarlet. And then he sleeps with Scarlet's *wonderful* friend Janice, in Scarlet's house, in Scarlet's bed. Yes. He really went there. He slept with another woman in his friend's bed. Not only is that disgusting, but it's wrong.
JANICE was pretty awful too. In fact, she pretty much ties for awfulness with Sean and Scarlet. She was constantly making disgusting remarks like "There's no such thing as platonic friends." "You can't have opposite-sex friends without crossing a few lines." "You'll be sleeping with him in the next week, mark my words!" OKAY, B&&CH, THERE IS SUCH THING AS PLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS. THEY ARE REAL. THEY ARE NOT JUST A BEDTIME STORY TOLD TO SCARE LITTLE CHILDREN. Believe it or not, it is plausible to have friendship with another person without being attracted to them in the slightest. And even if you are attracted, it is possible to keep yourself from crossing those boundaries. What about, like, male relatives? Nope, you can't have platonic relationships with them because there's no such thing as platonic relationships. You're going to eventually end up sleeping with your brother/father/grandfather because it's not possible to have a totally platonic relationship. Although at times, Scarlet is scarily close to gettin' with her brother. *gag* And, like, what about gay people? Nope, you can't have a platonic opposite-sex gay friend (or be gay and have a platonic opposite-sex friend.) Because according to Janice-logic, you're always going to end up sleeping with your opposite-sex friend.
Sorry, this was super-ranty. But I guess I now know what it's like to be Scarlet- sometimes people are so stupid you want to inflict pain on them.
*slams a door on Janice's fingers. ALL OF THEM. And her toes too.*
Ryan was possibly the only character with a brain in this whole book. He was really nice, letting his dumb-ass sister stay with him, because she was too weak to reclaim her own apartment from the dipshit that "borrowed" it. Except his relationship with Scarlet was incestuously creepy. What kind of brother talks sex with his sister? And from what Scarlet said, they even compared notes on their sex experiences. Like, she said she told him about her "first time" and he told her about his, or something like that. WTF? I know if my brother started telling me about his "experiences" I would break his legs, run away and get an enormous jug of Brain Bleach.
Cortland was the only decent guy in this book, but of course the author had to go and ruin him by making him sleep with Scarlet. Ick. No such thing as platonic relationships, remember!
THE RAPEY BOSS I forgot what his name was but I want to say it was either Mr. Rogers or Mr. Roberts. He was Scarlet's boss, and tried to make her sleep with him in order to keep her job. Wonderful.
THE SEX SCENES
So I kind of wasn't actually expecting sex scenes in this, which kind of shocked me a little bit, and also made me kind of sick because I wasn't really up for that. I don't exactly read that kind of stuff. I mean, I read mostly YA which is just like "We passionately frenched then it turned into something else, more passionate, under the moonlight of a thousand suns", or My Immortal, which is "He put his thingy in my you-know-what and we did it for the first time." So this came as kind of an [unpleasant] shock.
They didn't seem very well written, not that I exactly have lots to compare them with (except reading Clan of the Cave Bear when I was 9, not that I really remember that due to effectively blocking 99% of it from my brain.) The writing was super repetitive and unnecessary. A lot of "I scratched his back" and "we moaned". And the awful, awful dialogue, which was all just repetitive shit repeated again and again. "Come for me baby." "I am coming." "Come for me baby." "I am coming."
This book summed up in a couple of sentences:
SCARLET: I'M A PSYCHOTIC BITCH AND I WISH DEATH ON EVERYONE I MEET! GOOD DAY SIR, AND I HOPE YOU DIE IN A HOLE WITH MAGGOTS DRILLING THROUGH YOUR SKULL AND EATING YOUR BRAINFLESH!
SEAN: I LIKE LEADING PEOPLE ON, ALSO I AM A CONTROLLING ASSHOLE!
SCARLET: OMG, I LOVE YOU, I WANT TO SLEEP WITH YOU!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, I DON'T LOVE YOU ANY MORE, I WILL INSTEAD SLEEP WITH JANICE IN YOUR BED!
SCARLET: OMG, YOU BITCH, HOW DARE YOU CHEAT ON ME!
[scarlet leaves him]
SEAN: OMG, HOW DARE YOU LEAVE ME!1111111111 I AM COMING! (to Seattle)
the end.
after
It was not good. It was not enjoyable. It was like eating rusty nails. I still have a headache.
I found this thing on iBooks, and I was like, "hey, it's free, and the characters on the front are fully clothed so it couldn't POSSIBLY be porn!" And all the reviews were 5-stars, and it was free, so I ended up getting it.
DURING
It actually was porn. Oops. My bad.
Also more grating complaints throughout the book.
The grammar is really, truly atrocious. Especially considering that the main lady, Scarlet, is supposed to be a "copy editor". I dunno what kind of copy editor she is, but I would NEVER, EVER take my manuscript (many reasons withstanding.) Throughout the entire book we are treated to the abuse of the word "then". "I walked across the room then sat on the couch." or "I picked up the book then threw it at the wall." or "I threw the book in a wood chipper then ran over it with my SUV." I believe the more proper way to write it would be "I threw the book in a wood chipper AND ran over it with my SUV." OR "I threw the book in a wood chipper, then ran over it with my SUV." Unfortunately, neither actually happened, because the book was on my phone, and I like my phone.
But god, I wanted to.
CHARACTERS
I introduce you to a cast of truly grating characters:
Scarlet aka Scar (what kind of nickname is that? Scars are usually interpreted as ugly marks...hey wait, maybe I'm onto something, that IS rather accurate considering what an ugly person she is.) She's a copy editor, she somehow went to freaking Harvard, and lives in a ridiculous relationship with this guy-friend Sean. And, aside from that, she is an extremely judgmental disgusting person who regularly wishes death and STDs on others. Here are a few lines in case you don't believe me:
"I was hoping she'd get hit by a cab or something. Or better yet, get a rare strain of super gonorrhea and die from the unstoppable pus leaking from her [fill in the blank]"
This is in regards to a FRIEND of Scarlet's. Sure, said friend broke up with her boyfriend and left to be with someone else who made her happier. BUT. I can understand something like that causing mild angst, but not death threats and STDs.
"Perhaps he died in a violent car crash and experienced a slow and painful death. I forced the thoughts from my mind. I was enjoying them too much."
If you enjoy the thoughts of others' death, then that makes you a psychopath and you should probably go to the hospital and get yourself checked out. Not healthy thoughts to have.
"I knew the fucker was unconscious by the time I ran for it. I hoped he would die."
Oh wait, I realized this quote is actually from Scarlett's darling boyfriend Sean. Isn't he such a nice guy?
"My mother blew more smoke into the air and I wanted to slap here. I wanted her to die."
Scarlet again. Having homicidal thoughts towards her mother.
"I fantasized about killing him."
"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"
"I could kill you, Penelope."
(in regards to the same friend who dumped her boyfriend. That's all she did. DUMPED. A. GUY. Last I checked, this was not something worth breaking up a FRIENDSHIP for.
"I SWEAR TO FUCKING GOD, I COULD KILL YOU!"
"If he ever comes near you, I'll kill him."
"I could kill you," I said.
"I could kill Penelope."
"I seriously want to kill you," I said.
I wanted to kill this bitch.
Good lord, do normal people usually make this many death threats?
Also, another painfully stupid thing: Sean moved in with Scarlet after breakup with Girlfriend 1, because apparently he was incapable of staying at home because everything reminded him "too much" of GF1. Then he slept with Scarlet, then he slept around with some other people. Then, apparently, Scarlet felt like she was being pushed out of her own apartment, what with Sean sleeping with people in her own bed. So instead of, say, kicking Sean out, she instead flew across the US and moved in with her brother. WTF? It's not Sean's apartment. He is not the one paying the apartment bills. It's Scarlet's place. She should be able to kick him out and feel no mercy. But nooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Convoluted Seattle Plot Point had to happen, so she had to leave and move to Seattle. (I mean, I guess part of the reason she left is because her creepy boss tried to rape her, but why not just call the cops on him and stay in NY? Why move to Seattle?)
Scarlet, your time on this planet is up, PLEASE VACATE THE PREMISES.
SEAN is her disgusting POS boyfriend. Maybe he wasn't as horrible in this book as he was in the next (yeah, I somehow got this as a set of 3 and ended up skimming the next 2) but he was still an annoying jackass. He's got a girlfriend, but he still has this "platonic" friendship with this other girl (scarlet) where he sleeps in bed with her and lives in her house and stuff. Um. No. Then Girlfriend 1 dumps him, and then he immediately starts sleeping with Scarlet. And then he sleeps with Scarlet's *wonderful* friend Janice, in Scarlet's house, in Scarlet's bed. Yes. He really went there. He slept with another woman in his friend's bed. Not only is that disgusting, but it's wrong.
JANICE was pretty awful too. In fact, she pretty much ties for awfulness with Sean and Scarlet. She was constantly making disgusting remarks like "There's no such thing as platonic friends." "You can't have opposite-sex friends without crossing a few lines." "You'll be sleeping with him in the next week, mark my words!" OKAY, B&&CH, THERE IS SUCH THING AS PLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS. THEY ARE REAL. THEY ARE NOT JUST A BEDTIME STORY TOLD TO SCARE LITTLE CHILDREN. Believe it or not, it is plausible to have friendship with another person without being attracted to them in the slightest. And even if you are attracted, it is possible to keep yourself from crossing those boundaries. What about, like, male relatives? Nope, you can't have platonic relationships with them because there's no such thing as platonic relationships. You're going to eventually end up sleeping with your brother/father/grandfather because it's not possible to have a totally platonic relationship. Although at times, Scarlet is scarily close to gettin' with her brother. *gag* And, like, what about gay people? Nope, you can't have a platonic opposite-sex gay friend (or be gay and have a platonic opposite-sex friend.) Because according to Janice-logic, you're always going to end up sleeping with your opposite-sex friend.
Sorry, this was super-ranty. But I guess I now know what it's like to be Scarlet- sometimes people are so stupid you want to inflict pain on them.
*slams a door on Janice's fingers. ALL OF THEM. And her toes too.*
Ryan was possibly the only character with a brain in this whole book. He was really nice, letting his dumb-ass sister stay with him, because she was too weak to reclaim her own apartment from the dipshit that "borrowed" it. Except his relationship with Scarlet was incestuously creepy. What kind of brother talks sex with his sister? And from what Scarlet said, they even compared notes on their sex experiences. Like, she said she told him about her "first time" and he told her about his, or something like that. WTF? I know if my brother started telling me about his "experiences" I would break his legs, run away and get an enormous jug of Brain Bleach.
Cortland was the only decent guy in this book, but of course the author had to go and ruin him by making him sleep with Scarlet. Ick. No such thing as platonic relationships, remember!
THE RAPEY BOSS I forgot what his name was but I want to say it was either Mr. Rogers or Mr. Roberts. He was Scarlet's boss, and tried to make her sleep with him in order to keep her job. Wonderful.
THE SEX SCENES
So I kind of wasn't actually expecting sex scenes in this, which kind of shocked me a little bit, and also made me kind of sick because I wasn't really up for that. I don't exactly read that kind of stuff. I mean, I read mostly YA which is just like "We passionately frenched then it turned into something else, more passionate, under the moonlight of a thousand suns", or My Immortal, which is "He put his thingy in my you-know-what and we did it for the first time." So this came as kind of an [unpleasant] shock.
They didn't seem very well written, not that I exactly have lots to compare them with (except reading Clan of the Cave Bear when I was 9, not that I really remember that due to effectively blocking 99% of it from my brain.) The writing was super repetitive and unnecessary. A lot of "I scratched his back" and "we moaned". And the awful, awful dialogue, which was all just repetitive shit repeated again and again. "Come for me baby." "I am coming." "Come for me baby." "I am coming."
This book summed up in a couple of sentences:
SCARLET: I'M A PSYCHOTIC BITCH AND I WISH DEATH ON EVERYONE I MEET! GOOD DAY SIR, AND I HOPE YOU DIE IN A HOLE WITH MAGGOTS DRILLING THROUGH YOUR SKULL AND EATING YOUR BRAINFLESH!
SEAN: I LIKE LEADING PEOPLE ON, ALSO I AM A CONTROLLING ASSHOLE!
SCARLET: OMG, I LOVE YOU, I WANT TO SLEEP WITH YOU!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, YES, COME FOR ME BABY!
SCARLET: I AM COMING!
SEAN: OMG, I DON'T LOVE YOU ANY MORE, I WILL INSTEAD SLEEP WITH JANICE IN YOUR BED!
SCARLET: OMG, YOU BITCH, HOW DARE YOU CHEAT ON ME!
[scarlet leaves him]
SEAN: OMG, HOW DARE YOU LEAVE ME!1111111111 I AM COMING! (to Seattle)
the end.
after
It was not good. It was not enjoyable. It was like eating rusty nails. I still have a headache.
April 28, 2015
Lack of communication and complete misunderstanding is always, ALWAYS the key ingredient to heartbreak, heartache and devastation, not to mention embarrassment. Scarlet and Sean have been best friends forever, never crossing that line of being friends with benefits, until the woman of Sean’s dreams dumps him with brutal efficiency. As Scarlet was there for her best friends, something happened, a need for human contact? A need to validate one’s worthiness to be loved and wanted? Whatever it was, Sean assumed it was a one-time deal, and Scarlet lost her heart, thinking they had crossed over into the realm of boyfriend/girlfriend. When the the next most humiliating day of her life came less than 24 hours later, Scarlet ran, far and fast, lost, alone and afraid. What was there to keep her here? Her ex-boss was a pig, literally waving body parts in her face in exchange for work favors and promotions and she had no one who cared, not even Sean.
To family was the only place Scarlet could think of, and her protector/brother whom she had not seen in a while was there for her. So was one of his best friends, but is that what Scarlet needed? In spite of everything, she loves Sean and always would…bad things happen to good people and it seems Scarlet is once again in the middle of another problem, but this time, she is the one who can help her brother. Is she growing up emotionally? Is she getting over Sean? Was it time to cut the final strings that lead from Sean to her heart?
Only For You by E. L. Todd is almost too realistic to handle from the heartbreak, the mistakes made in all corners and the feelings of deep, deep pain from Scarlet. Was Sean so perfect that he had earned her love? Being drawn completely in, like a fly on the wall, I wanted to strap that girl down and talk some sense into her. I then wanted to share a piece of my mind with Sean, I mean, really? Talk about being self-centered and needing to get over himself! Sure, he was hurting from a break up, so wouldn’t he have been more sensitive to Scarlet and the message he was sending? Loved Scarlet’s brother, what a guy, even with his own set of problems.
So, I’m going to say that E. L. Todd can write drama! I didn’t need to agree with her characters, or even like them, but on the “art imitates life” scale, this is a gut-clenching, frustration building ten! And yes, I am off to start the second in this series in 3…2…1…antacids in hand...I just feel something HUGE is going to happen!
I received this copy from E.L. Todd in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Forever & Always, #1)
Publication Date: December 21, 2013
Publisher: Fallen Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 311 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
To family was the only place Scarlet could think of, and her protector/brother whom she had not seen in a while was there for her. So was one of his best friends, but is that what Scarlet needed? In spite of everything, she loves Sean and always would…bad things happen to good people and it seems Scarlet is once again in the middle of another problem, but this time, she is the one who can help her brother. Is she growing up emotionally? Is she getting over Sean? Was it time to cut the final strings that lead from Sean to her heart?
Only For You by E. L. Todd is almost too realistic to handle from the heartbreak, the mistakes made in all corners and the feelings of deep, deep pain from Scarlet. Was Sean so perfect that he had earned her love? Being drawn completely in, like a fly on the wall, I wanted to strap that girl down and talk some sense into her. I then wanted to share a piece of my mind with Sean, I mean, really? Talk about being self-centered and needing to get over himself! Sure, he was hurting from a break up, so wouldn’t he have been more sensitive to Scarlet and the message he was sending? Loved Scarlet’s brother, what a guy, even with his own set of problems.
So, I’m going to say that E. L. Todd can write drama! I didn’t need to agree with her characters, or even like them, but on the “art imitates life” scale, this is a gut-clenching, frustration building ten! And yes, I am off to start the second in this series in 3…2…1…antacids in hand...I just feel something HUGE is going to happen!
I received this copy from E.L. Todd in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Forever & Always, #1)
Publication Date: December 21, 2013
Publisher: Fallen Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 311 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 9, 2018
I never write reviews for books I don't like. But this one should come with a warning. If you have a brain, DO NOT READ. This is my summary and my opinion of the book.
This has to be one of the worse romance books I have ever read. I won't bother with grammar or editing mistakes, but names should be doubled checked. (Brian or is it Bryan?) And story flow should be checked. This story is a very choppy read.
So, Scarlet is about as dumb as a box of rocks. Where is HR to handle the sexual harassment? But that isn't even the worst part of the story. She has the hots for her BFF Sean whose girlfriend has recently left him for another man. During a party, Sean spots the ex with the other man and they are romancing it up.
He drinks excessively, she then sleeps with him knowing the sex is to get back at the ex. Because her warped mind has formulated that he made love to her because he is secretly in love with her, she acts rejected when he doesn't return those feeling of romantic love after their night of boring sex. (The sex scenes are flat and awful no matter the characters taking part in the activity.) Sean kept saying over and over, he still had feelings for the ex, but the stupid woman couldn't comprehend and continued to believe he just needs time.
So perverted boss who still has a job because the stupid women he has been sexually harassing are afraid to open their stupid mouths. Anyhow, he attempts to rape Scar (nickname) at work. Instead of calling the police, she calls her friend who at the time is screwing Sean. Yeah, he lacks morals too. He screwed the co-worker friend less than 12 hours after sleeping with Dumb Dora. Did she think to call the cops when the call went to voicemail? Heck, she didn't even call the police to report the homeless man that put a knife to her throat! Again, stupid woman.
After she realizes whorish co-worker friend slept with Sean, and freaky boss still has a job, she flees to Seattle to seek comfort from her brother. Flip the switch here. She sleeps with the brother's best friend immediately and not once, but twice, even after he reveals he has a girlfriend. But that was okay since the relationship is dead and they both need comforting.
Now didn't her friend do the same to her? Which was her fault since she told the co-worker she wasn't interested in Sean and to go for it. I guess she wanted to be the only slut in need. I don't have any interest in finishing the series since this book was just plain awful. And on another note, for these to be young professional adults from the USA, they spoke like they were from another country. Too dang proper. Oh, they didn't have a problem dropping the F-word during sex. That in itself was a huge turn-off. I won't even touch on the fact no one used condoms. That was okay with Scar, since she was on the pill. She must be on some new stuff that prevents STDs too.
Final note: For a while, I had Courtland pegged as gay from the way he carried himself. I was waiting for him to reveal to Scarlet that he and Ryan were lovers.
I don't know how this book made the NY Times or USA Today bestsellers lists. Horrible read for me. Hopefully, other readers will enjoy it.
This has to be one of the worse romance books I have ever read. I won't bother with grammar or editing mistakes, but names should be doubled checked. (Brian or is it Bryan?) And story flow should be checked. This story is a very choppy read.
So, Scarlet is about as dumb as a box of rocks. Where is HR to handle the sexual harassment? But that isn't even the worst part of the story. She has the hots for her BFF Sean whose girlfriend has recently left him for another man. During a party, Sean spots the ex with the other man and they are romancing it up.
He drinks excessively, she then sleeps with him knowing the sex is to get back at the ex. Because her warped mind has formulated that he made love to her because he is secretly in love with her, she acts rejected when he doesn't return those feeling of romantic love after their night of boring sex. (The sex scenes are flat and awful no matter the characters taking part in the activity.) Sean kept saying over and over, he still had feelings for the ex, but the stupid woman couldn't comprehend and continued to believe he just needs time.
So perverted boss who still has a job because the stupid women he has been sexually harassing are afraid to open their stupid mouths. Anyhow, he attempts to rape Scar (nickname) at work. Instead of calling the police, she calls her friend who at the time is screwing Sean. Yeah, he lacks morals too. He screwed the co-worker friend less than 12 hours after sleeping with Dumb Dora. Did she think to call the cops when the call went to voicemail? Heck, she didn't even call the police to report the homeless man that put a knife to her throat! Again, stupid woman.
After she realizes whorish co-worker friend slept with Sean, and freaky boss still has a job, she flees to Seattle to seek comfort from her brother. Flip the switch here. She sleeps with the brother's best friend immediately and not once, but twice, even after he reveals he has a girlfriend. But that was okay since the relationship is dead and they both need comforting.
Now didn't her friend do the same to her? Which was her fault since she told the co-worker she wasn't interested in Sean and to go for it. I guess she wanted to be the only slut in need. I don't have any interest in finishing the series since this book was just plain awful. And on another note, for these to be young professional adults from the USA, they spoke like they were from another country. Too dang proper. Oh, they didn't have a problem dropping the F-word during sex. That in itself was a huge turn-off. I won't even touch on the fact no one used condoms. That was okay with Scar, since she was on the pill. She must be on some new stuff that prevents STDs too.
Final note: For a while, I had Courtland pegged as gay from the way he carried himself. I was waiting for him to reveal to Scarlet that he and Ryan were lovers.
I don't know how this book made the NY Times or USA Today bestsellers lists. Horrible read for me. Hopefully, other readers will enjoy it.
June 18, 2015
If I could give this book more than 5 stars then I would..
Drama, Love, Hate, and just pure sexiness!! Yes this book had it all:)
So let me start by saying that I loved these characters..they were so realistic. When reading this book you can see this actually happening in real life and to me that really made this a must read. You can totally relate to these characters and see yourself in their shoes. You feel there emotions and can see the situation through their eyes. Which means you are right there in the book with them. Loosing yourself in the story!
Ok so Sean...YES!! So hot...who doesnt want to help or fix a broken man, and yes he is broken. Penelope made sure of that and you can't help but hate her for it.Scarlet is there to help him move past all his issues though. I mean they are best friends so why wouldnt she be right? She takes care of him and is there for him when he needs her the most. As the book moves on you can see Sean as more then just a broken man. You see him as the smart, funny and sexy man that he is, and you see how Scarlet could want someone like him in her life. He has always been there for her and you can see why they are such great friends.
Yes then it happens! That big moment when they turn to each other for comfort after a night of drinking. I will say that it was AWESOME..lol. After that Scarlet sees that there is more to her feelings for Sean than she thought and she figures why not just go for it! Ok well maybe she takes it to a whole new level. I mean come on who changes their facebook status after one night of hot sex!! Seems a little obsessive but its not really..just keep reading,lol.
So after that I have to admit that I wanted to kill Sean. Yes its not his fault that Scarlet took it as a little more than it was but come on!! Really SEAN!!
Ok so we move on..Scarlet is hurt and decides its time to take a trip to visit her brother. May I add that omg he sounds freaking hot!! Oh and he is way supportive of his little sister so BAM they become roommates. Scarlet needs to heal and find herself again and what better way to do it then hang out with your awesome brother and his hot friends:) I have to say that would my route..lol.
Lets bring in Cortland..the hot friend! Yes and he is hot...he also helps Scarlet to try and move on and get her mind off things, and yes he can help me anytime of anyday..lol. Who knew that he had his own drama that Scarlet helps him move past without even knowing it! Well once Sean realizes that she is gone he realizes that life just isnt the same and that maybe he does love her.
"It was only when I lost the sun did I realize how much warmth it gave me" (Sean)
#sighhhhh#
He decides that he wants her and that he isnt going to give her up...but does she really want to go there again? Does she want to take that chance..the not knowing? I mean he isnt even healed yet from his broken heart.
Well I guess you will have to read and see:) This was by far one of the best books I have read in a while and I cant wait to read part 2 to see where things go for them. I have to say that I feel its going to get rather interesting:)Thanks you E.L Todd for giving me such an awesome book to read:)
Drama, Love, Hate, and just pure sexiness!! Yes this book had it all:)
So let me start by saying that I loved these characters..they were so realistic. When reading this book you can see this actually happening in real life and to me that really made this a must read. You can totally relate to these characters and see yourself in their shoes. You feel there emotions and can see the situation through their eyes. Which means you are right there in the book with them. Loosing yourself in the story!
Ok so Sean...YES!! So hot...who doesnt want to help or fix a broken man, and yes he is broken. Penelope made sure of that and you can't help but hate her for it.Scarlet is there to help him move past all his issues though. I mean they are best friends so why wouldnt she be right? She takes care of him and is there for him when he needs her the most. As the book moves on you can see Sean as more then just a broken man. You see him as the smart, funny and sexy man that he is, and you see how Scarlet could want someone like him in her life. He has always been there for her and you can see why they are such great friends.
Yes then it happens! That big moment when they turn to each other for comfort after a night of drinking. I will say that it was AWESOME..lol. After that Scarlet sees that there is more to her feelings for Sean than she thought and she figures why not just go for it! Ok well maybe she takes it to a whole new level. I mean come on who changes their facebook status after one night of hot sex!! Seems a little obsessive but its not really..just keep reading,lol.
So after that I have to admit that I wanted to kill Sean. Yes its not his fault that Scarlet took it as a little more than it was but come on!! Really SEAN!!
Ok so we move on..Scarlet is hurt and decides its time to take a trip to visit her brother. May I add that omg he sounds freaking hot!! Oh and he is way supportive of his little sister so BAM they become roommates. Scarlet needs to heal and find herself again and what better way to do it then hang out with your awesome brother and his hot friends:) I have to say that would my route..lol.
Lets bring in Cortland..the hot friend! Yes and he is hot...he also helps Scarlet to try and move on and get her mind off things, and yes he can help me anytime of anyday..lol. Who knew that he had his own drama that Scarlet helps him move past without even knowing it! Well once Sean realizes that she is gone he realizes that life just isnt the same and that maybe he does love her.
"It was only when I lost the sun did I realize how much warmth it gave me" (Sean)
#sighhhhh#
He decides that he wants her and that he isnt going to give her up...but does she really want to go there again? Does she want to take that chance..the not knowing? I mean he isnt even healed yet from his broken heart.
Well I guess you will have to read and see:) This was by far one of the best books I have read in a while and I cant wait to read part 2 to see where things go for them. I have to say that I feel its going to get rather interesting:)Thanks you E.L Todd for giving me such an awesome book to read:)
April 19, 2016
A lot of titles called Only for You. I would suggest if you are going to read one then go for, Beth Kery's, Only for You. I haven't read it, but her other One Night of Passion books in the series are awesome.
This Only for You is a train wreck: improper grammar, poor character development, odd behavior from characters, and no chemistry.
Scarlett has been in love with Sean for a long time although she is in the friend-zone. He gets dumped. They have what he thinks is a friends-with-benefits one night stand while she thinks he woke up to smell the you-are-my-one-and-only coffee. Failure to communicate. She goes off the rails in a very unrealistic scene, and I know unrealistic because I read Harlequins. Plus,
Back at her office, she is being propositioned, groped and stalked by a gross boss. Does she file a complaint? No, she allows herself to get boxed into a situation with HR that makes her look like the bad guy if she ever makes an accusation. Acceptable behavior if this were 1980-something, but in a post-Anita Hill world not so realistic. So, when the evil boss makes a HUGE play for her which could have turned violent does call 911? No, she runs off to her brother. Insert evil mother flashback and mix.
Started skimming from there and basically DNF. No bueno.
I enjoy the trope of an unrequited love that wakes up to real love, but this did not work. As other reviewers mentioned, the heroine was an hysterical idiot, and the previously mentioned spoiler was a huge turnoff.
This Only for You is a train wreck: improper grammar, poor character development, odd behavior from characters, and no chemistry.
Scarlett has been in love with Sean for a long time although she is in the friend-zone. He gets dumped. They have what he thinks is a friends-with-benefits one night stand while she thinks he woke up to smell the you-are-my-one-and-only coffee. Failure to communicate. She goes off the rails in a very unrealistic scene, and I know unrealistic because I read Harlequins. Plus,
Back at her office, she is being propositioned, groped and stalked by a gross boss. Does she file a complaint? No, she allows herself to get boxed into a situation with HR that makes her look like the bad guy if she ever makes an accusation. Acceptable behavior if this were 1980-something, but in a post-Anita Hill world not so realistic. So, when the evil boss makes a HUGE play for her which could have turned violent does call 911? No, she runs off to her brother. Insert evil mother flashback and mix.
Started skimming from there and basically DNF. No bueno.
I enjoy the trope of an unrequited love that wakes up to real love, but this did not work. As other reviewers mentioned, the heroine was an hysterical idiot, and the previously mentioned spoiler was a huge turnoff.
October 15, 2014
I guess I read a different book from everyone else because for the life of me I cannot comprehend what the hell everyone loved about this book! I think every single character in this book is a self-centered, hypocritical ass! I thought that I liked Scarlet's character, she seemed like a cool, independent person, but then she threw popcorn at an elderly person's face and thought that was okay? Of course her boss sexually harasses her, then attempts to sexually assault her and she does NOTHING! She doesn't report him, stays quiet..WTF! She's an immature woman-child, living in her own fantasy world, making up a whole relationship in her head over one night of drunken sex with a man who just got cheated on and dumped by his long time girlfriend...really?
Sean was another idiot, who didn't clue in at what was happening with Scarlet, but he's a man so he's stupid in his own right, screwing her best friend in her bed (Scarlet) hours after screwing her, well that just makes him a scumbag and he definitely should have known better as should have her friend.
There was definitely something in the story that kept the reader engaged, maybe its just the fact that Scarlet actually left, yeah she pined for Sean but she did move on, started her business and all that. I didn't really like Sean as a strong male lead, for a man he was led entirely to much by his emotions, it was weird. He was so insecure, that's not attractive on a man..not at all.
There like over 15 books dedicated to this series, I know some involve other characters but most revolve around Sean and Scarlet and they just aren't captivating enough to warrant purchasing a series of that length, especially when by book 20 they are supposedly married but he is still playing games...scumbag...
Sean was another idiot, who didn't clue in at what was happening with Scarlet, but he's a man so he's stupid in his own right, screwing her best friend in her bed (Scarlet) hours after screwing her, well that just makes him a scumbag and he definitely should have known better as should have her friend.
There was definitely something in the story that kept the reader engaged, maybe its just the fact that Scarlet actually left, yeah she pined for Sean but she did move on, started her business and all that. I didn't really like Sean as a strong male lead, for a man he was led entirely to much by his emotions, it was weird. He was so insecure, that's not attractive on a man..not at all.
There like over 15 books dedicated to this series, I know some involve other characters but most revolve around Sean and Scarlet and they just aren't captivating enough to warrant purchasing a series of that length, especially when by book 20 they are supposedly married but he is still playing games...scumbag...
November 9, 2013
ARC generously provide by the author in return for an honest review.
Thank you so much for this book E. L. Todd! It was AMAZING! At the beginning of a book, the characters are always strangers to me, and eventually they become my own 'imaginary' friends! Well, in this books I was caught up and loving the characters at ONLY 9% of the book! I read A LOT and that does not happen often enough, so once again, Thank you!
This is about Scarlet and Sean, how they went from being long term friends to more. However, some much more happened in between! The storyline was so fluid and never boring! The love story was the focus of the book without it crowding everything else that happened in the story. And, let me tell you, a lot happened!
Scarlet was never an annoying main character, I could really relate with her. Sean was a bit of a douche at times but I really look forward to learning more about him in the second book(I am giving him the benefit of doubt). Ryan, her brother, was such a lovable character (one of my favorite, if not my favorite ;)). I would love for him to have his own story ;). If not, I really hope we see more of him in the second book (I hope he finds someone)! Finally, Cortland was such a sweetheart as well!
I cannot recommend this book enough, the characters are so real to me! I finished it so fast... This is a great fun read for anyone looking for a good book that is more than a love story! But, once again, I promise the romance is still one of the main focus of this book! I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!
Thank you so much for this book E. L. Todd! It was AMAZING! At the beginning of a book, the characters are always strangers to me, and eventually they become my own 'imaginary' friends! Well, in this books I was caught up and loving the characters at ONLY 9% of the book! I read A LOT and that does not happen often enough, so once again, Thank you!
This is about Scarlet and Sean, how they went from being long term friends to more. However, some much more happened in between! The storyline was so fluid and never boring! The love story was the focus of the book without it crowding everything else that happened in the story. And, let me tell you, a lot happened!
Scarlet was never an annoying main character, I could really relate with her. Sean was a bit of a douche at times but I really look forward to learning more about him in the second book(I am giving him the benefit of doubt). Ryan, her brother, was such a lovable character (one of my favorite, if not my favorite ;)). I would love for him to have his own story ;). If not, I really hope we see more of him in the second book (I hope he finds someone)! Finally, Cortland was such a sweetheart as well!
I cannot recommend this book enough, the characters are so real to me! I finished it so fast... This is a great fun read for anyone looking for a good book that is more than a love story! But, once again, I promise the romance is still one of the main focus of this book! I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!
June 29, 2016
This story will make you angry at many of the characters at one point or another, it will also make you love them just as much. I love that I could get angry at a character I love so much, it's great to feel that kind of emotion from a book. There are several characters who I would consider vital to this story, but Scarlet and Sean are for the most part the main couple. They are explosive together in both good and bad ways, and it makes their relationship more real. There is so much going on with all the characters in this story and I can tell it's only getting started, I can't wait.
December 19, 2013
"Only for You" was the first E.L. Todd novel that I've read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She did not disappoint me in the least. There were some dirty scenes and swearing, but I enjoyed the story line and characters very much. It was excellent and held my interest. I'm definitely going to read the rest of the novels in the Forever and Always Series.
April 23, 2020
I liked reading it and loved the plot but for some reason I am not feeling satisfied by the ending.
Scarlett is a proud,independet and funny girl and totally ralatable.Sean was a good friend but I have mixed feelings about him as a boyfriend.
So Sean was dumped by Penolape, the one he thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with and he turns to his best friend Scarlett for comfort.Scarlett and Sean has a plotonic friendship and it did seem that way at first.
the ending seemed rushed and somthing about it bothers me.Even though predictable the journey was good.
Scarlett is a proud,independet and funny girl and totally ralatable.Sean was a good friend but I have mixed feelings about him as a boyfriend.
So Sean was dumped by Penolape, the one he thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with and he turns to his best friend Scarlett for comfort.Scarlett and Sean has a plotonic friendship and it did seem that way at first.
the ending seemed rushed and somthing about it bothers me.Even though predictable the journey was good.
June 16, 2020
If Janice "knew" that Scarlet and Sean loved each other why did she sleep with him? Even if Scarlet said she has no feelings, they're still best friends. You should at least check with her to see if it's ok first. And, as for him, that's such a sleazy move to make not even 24 hours after sleeping with Scarlet. This kind of tainted the rest of the book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2018
Wow!! What a rollercoaster ride this book was... I enjoyed seeing Scarlet navigate everything from her love life to her career. I think I'm the end she finally got what she really needed... I can't wait to see how this story continues.
April 18, 2018
Overall this book was good. There were a few chapters that made me mad. I can definitely see why people didn't like it. I did care enough about Scarlet and Sean to at least make it to the end of the book to see how it all ended. I will admit though that I'm not sure if I wan't to read the next 8 or 9 books that are still their story.
December 19, 2024
This is my comfort read. Each time I read it, i binge it in one day. Mega shakes, Ryan, Cortland are all central the warmth and love Scarlett needs. And her development of character through the series is heartwarming
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