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Granite Harbor #2
Violet Ugly
Sixteen years ago, Merit Young left Granite Harbor, Maine, for California in search of a future that didn’t involve Ryan Taylor. He’d left her in pieces on her bedroom floor, delivering a blow she couldn’t have expected. But, now, at the request of her brother, Eli, she must return and confront the demons of her past—Ryan included. After the loss they both suffered, she isn’t prepared to face him—especially considering he’s the only one who’s always been able to see right through her.
Ryan has lived his entire adult life in survival mode. Growing up with an abusive father has taught him to keep women at arm’s length, and that’s never been a problem. Until Merit—the only woman he’s ever loved—strides through his front door. He’s not sure how long she’s staying, but he knows it’ll be long enough to destroy what’s left of his heart.
To overcome their dark past, they’ll have to shed light on a reality that will most likely tear them apart. Merit has been hiding a heartbreaking decision from Ryan, and he’s been keeping lies of his own.
Can two tortured souls heal after a lifetime of pain? Or will the hideous secrets of the past bury them both?
Ryan has lived his entire adult life in survival mode. Growing up with an abusive father has taught him to keep women at arm’s length, and that’s never been a problem. Until Merit—the only woman he’s ever loved—strides through his front door. He’s not sure how long she’s staying, but he knows it’ll be long enough to destroy what’s left of his heart.
To overcome their dark past, they’ll have to shed light on a reality that will most likely tear them apart. Merit has been hiding a heartbreaking decision from Ryan, and he’s been keeping lies of his own.
Can two tortured souls heal after a lifetime of pain? Or will the hideous secrets of the past bury them both?
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About the author
J. Lynn Bailey
12 books369 followersJ. Lynn is a bestselling author, mother, and wife. When she isn't running between soccer practices, working on another school fundraiser, or chasing a new puppy, you can probably find her holed up in her writing room feverishly working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 25, 2018
“Some things are better left alone.
Some things are better left in the dark.
And some memories are better left unremembered.”
J. Lynn Bailey has once again delivered a heart-felt and emotional story that literally took my breath away. I read Violet Ugly in one sitting and I had to force myself throughout the story to stop, take a breath and let those beautiful words sink in. As much as I loved Peony Red, and I absolutely did, I think I may love Violet Ugly even more. If that’s at all possible? J. Lynn Bailey is a master creator of beautiful thought provoking words, meaningful and well developed storylines and the feelings she always evokes from me are real, intense and deep.
In Violet Ugly, we are taken back once again to the picturesque Granite Harbor. Ryan and Merit are childhood friends along with Merit’s younger brother Eli. They have all been through so much pain and heartache together during their youth. Merit suffered the loss of her mother and Ryan suffered constant abuse from his alcoholic father. Through despair, grief and torment they formed an unmistakable connection; a bond that they believed could never be broken… that is, until it did.
“Sometimes, there are secrets we keep so deep that our minds forget, not wanting to remember what the quiet chaos feels like against our hearts. But I’ll keep this secret. I will hang on to it if it’s going to keep Ryan safe.
Safe from his own secrets.”
Years later Merit and Ryan have come face to face once again and now it’s time to deal with the past, conquer their fears and hopefully, together learn to heal one another. It’s no easy feat because there is so much history between the two, but the love they share is so strong it is sure to vanquish any doubts.
I really adored Merit, she was such an inspiring heroine. She was strong and independent. I loved seeing her develop and grow throughout the story; how she had no choice but to face the past and her fears. Ryan was just the perfect hero and despite everything he had been through from such a young and vulnerable age, it never darkened himself as a person. He was kind and sweet with an absolute heart of gold. I was definitely Ryan and Merit’s number one fan and was constantly cheering them on from the sidelines.
The tension and angst between Merit and Ryan was off the charts for me, but I thrived on the angst. For me, it just added to the heightened anticipation and the emotion of the story as a whole. The tension and emotion were necessary for creating the perfect second chance love story. Violet Ugly is an emotionally driven story that was so addictive, I’m just not sure how J. Lynn Bailey can possibly top this effort.
November 16, 2019
I don't understand why so many reviews are so positive when in fact this book is just another cliché: an excuse for a man with a hard childhood and uses it as an excuse to treat the woman he loves so much like shit and "for her own good" he breaks her heart in one of the MOST HIDEOUS WAYS ( I'll spoil it because I would like to know this crap before I started this trash: they are best friends ever, later they date and she gets pregnant before going to college, what does the loser do? He has the audacity to ask if it's his, knowing he was her only one, tells her to get an ABORTION, and even states that she should know he wasn't just fucking her but other women too (with he don't but said that to her knowing she's pregnant with her son isn't fucking love to me). So yes, these are the heroes that the authors want to promote these days people! Then she leaves and how does the loser deal with the pain he has caused himself? FUCKING COUNTLESS OTHER WOMEN. And of course she's the martyr who suffers the worst of consequences and never gets involved again because she likes to be treated like trash. Oh and we can't forget about stupidity either, of course even though she knows about countless other women she doesn't use a condom AT ALL Because : "Ryan wouldn’t put me in a spot to get a disease, and I’m on the pill" (Are you kidding me, right?!!!) ! So, please, if anyone finds any kind of originality in this let me know.
Let's see how adorable he is:
“You’re sure it’s mine? The baby.”
“Ryan, you were my first. And you think I’m just going to mess around with someone else?”
Ryan shakes his head, placing his elbows on his knees, still holding the pregnancy test. “You’ve got to get an abortion. I can’t have a kid right now. I’m a junior in high school, Mer.”
“Besides,” I hear him say, “you’re not the only one I’m sleeping with, Mer. Come on, you know there are no guarantees in life.”
.....
"Eli leaves, but now, there’s nothing but loud silence that sits between us.
Christ. Speak, Ryan.
“You can sit.”
She walks over to the brown leather couch where I’ve taken countless women from behind, and immediately, I get frustrated with myself.
You should have waited for her, Ryan.
I’m pissed she’s even anywhere near that fucking couch." (but of course, he mantain the couch during aaaaall book and she never knows this detail)
......
And he can be very hypocritical too:
"Eli: Since you’re not released to work yet, Granite Harbor Elementary has a summer science camp, and they called and asked for a game warden to meet with the kids. I let them know you’d be there at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Chalk it up to community service.
Eli knows I don’t do well when I don’t have things to do. He also knows I have a soft spot for kids." (Yeaaaaaah riiiight! And you did it start before or after you asked to abort your own child?)
.......
And then we get more:
“Bye, Ryan.”
“Lydia.” I nod.
“Guess she doesn’t like you?” Merit asks.
I want to tell her. I want to tell her I slept with Lydia. I want to tell her what a whore I turned into after she left. But she knows. Telling her would only cause her more hurt. She left her job in California to come help take care of me. She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t care. We’ve got too much history together. By telling her that I slept with someone who didn’t matter, how would that make her feel better? By telling her, I’d only be trying to clear my own conscience. So, I decide not to tell her. What would I say anyway?
Oh, Lydia? I let her suck my dick a few times. She’s a great blow.But nothing like you, Merit. Never. Nobody has ever reached the level that you and I had.
That’s why I always make it a thing, never to kiss any woman on the lips. Whether I’m fucking them or we’re doing other shit. My lips have always been for Merit."
“Guess not. Want to take a walk?”
.........
Yep, beautiful his love isn't it? And there is much, much more where these came from but I already waste time enough with this bullshit.
Oh, and our heroin of course:
"I take him in. All six foot four of him. Same broad, muscly chest that reflects a lot of gym activity. Protruding long jaw that’s flexed right now. His neck, thick like his thighs. His clean-shaven head that matches his face. Big arms and hands. The unchanged hands that touched my breasts, the same mouth that touched mine. The same body that took my virginity all those years ago and left me like a puddle on the floor. The same body that has cursed mine for years. Ruined me for all other men."
........
And then:
"Sometimes, questions are better left unasked. Sometimes, the seconds between the question and answer can be debilitating. This makes me realize that my feelings for Ryan haven’t faded. They’re still sitting in the dark corners of my heart, waiting for him and only him. Feelings that I’ve been pushing away for years. Feelings that I could never give another man, which explains the lack of love in my life. It explains why the handful of relationships I’ve had in the past haven’t worked. I have an excuse. An explanation for each one.
Leif wore the wrong pants, which down the rabbit hole my mind went, eventually led to the issue I had with his cats. His murderous cats, Penelope and Cruz, that plotted my death while I slept. And I’m an animal lover.
Travis snored.
Blaine rushed into things too early, and I wasn’t willing to wear his ring.
Steven was too perfect, and … well, there’s no such thing.
This is also why I’ll never be able to love Ryan forever. The brokenness he left in his wake when he walked out that day, I’m still recovering from it. He ruined me. Set the bar too high."
........
Double sexist standards again, again and again?? Yep, you'll see a lot of this in this "book".
Let's see how adorable he is:
“You’re sure it’s mine? The baby.”
“Ryan, you were my first. And you think I’m just going to mess around with someone else?”
Ryan shakes his head, placing his elbows on his knees, still holding the pregnancy test. “You’ve got to get an abortion. I can’t have a kid right now. I’m a junior in high school, Mer.”
“Besides,” I hear him say, “you’re not the only one I’m sleeping with, Mer. Come on, you know there are no guarantees in life.”
.....
"Eli leaves, but now, there’s nothing but loud silence that sits between us.
Christ. Speak, Ryan.
“You can sit.”
She walks over to the brown leather couch where I’ve taken countless women from behind, and immediately, I get frustrated with myself.
You should have waited for her, Ryan.
I’m pissed she’s even anywhere near that fucking couch." (but of course, he mantain the couch during aaaaall book and she never knows this detail)
......
And he can be very hypocritical too:
"Eli: Since you’re not released to work yet, Granite Harbor Elementary has a summer science camp, and they called and asked for a game warden to meet with the kids. I let them know you’d be there at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Chalk it up to community service.
Eli knows I don’t do well when I don’t have things to do. He also knows I have a soft spot for kids." (Yeaaaaaah riiiight! And you did it start before or after you asked to abort your own child?)
.......
And then we get more:
“Bye, Ryan.”
“Lydia.” I nod.
“Guess she doesn’t like you?” Merit asks.
I want to tell her. I want to tell her I slept with Lydia. I want to tell her what a whore I turned into after she left. But she knows. Telling her would only cause her more hurt. She left her job in California to come help take care of me. She wouldn’t be here if she didn’t care. We’ve got too much history together. By telling her that I slept with someone who didn’t matter, how would that make her feel better? By telling her, I’d only be trying to clear my own conscience. So, I decide not to tell her. What would I say anyway?
Oh, Lydia? I let her suck my dick a few times. She’s a great blow.But nothing like you, Merit. Never. Nobody has ever reached the level that you and I had.
That’s why I always make it a thing, never to kiss any woman on the lips. Whether I’m fucking them or we’re doing other shit. My lips have always been for Merit."
“Guess not. Want to take a walk?”
.........
Yep, beautiful his love isn't it? And there is much, much more where these came from but I already waste time enough with this bullshit.
Oh, and our heroin of course:
"I take him in. All six foot four of him. Same broad, muscly chest that reflects a lot of gym activity. Protruding long jaw that’s flexed right now. His neck, thick like his thighs. His clean-shaven head that matches his face. Big arms and hands. The unchanged hands that touched my breasts, the same mouth that touched mine. The same body that took my virginity all those years ago and left me like a puddle on the floor. The same body that has cursed mine for years. Ruined me for all other men."
........
And then:
"Sometimes, questions are better left unasked. Sometimes, the seconds between the question and answer can be debilitating. This makes me realize that my feelings for Ryan haven’t faded. They’re still sitting in the dark corners of my heart, waiting for him and only him. Feelings that I’ve been pushing away for years. Feelings that I could never give another man, which explains the lack of love in my life. It explains why the handful of relationships I’ve had in the past haven’t worked. I have an excuse. An explanation for each one.
Leif wore the wrong pants, which down the rabbit hole my mind went, eventually led to the issue I had with his cats. His murderous cats, Penelope and Cruz, that plotted my death while I slept. And I’m an animal lover.
Travis snored.
Blaine rushed into things too early, and I wasn’t willing to wear his ring.
Steven was too perfect, and … well, there’s no such thing.
This is also why I’ll never be able to love Ryan forever. The brokenness he left in his wake when he walked out that day, I’m still recovering from it. He ruined me. Set the bar too high."
........
Double sexist standards again, again and again?? Yep, you'll see a lot of this in this "book".
October 31, 2018
RTC @ some point.
October 17, 2018
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nearly twenty years ago, Merit Young moved across the country to California for college, leaving behind her younger brother Eli and her father, as well as the man who broke her heart, Ryan Taylor. Despite Ryan being her brother's best friend, she has managed to avoid any and all interaction with the man for seventeen years. Until, that is, she receives a call from her brother, asking her to come home. Ryan has recently been in an accident, and Eli seems to believe Merit is the only one who can convince him to take of himself. Acquiescing to her brother's begging, Merit travels back to Maine to take care of Ryan, which soon forces the both of them to face the pain and regrets of their shared past.
To be perfectly blunt, Violet Ugly was an incredibly difficult book for me to finish. Despite not having read the first book, I was intrigued with the vague synopsis and decided to try this book anyway. What I found was an author with some stellar writing abilities, but a plot and characters that, frankly, drove me insane. My first problem with this book, and perhaps the most trivial, was the non-linear storytelling. While books that alternate past and present scenes don't generally annoy me, the fact that the "past" scenes can go from 1995 to 2001, then all the way back to 1997, really did. The past scenes really helped with characterization, but I couldn't stand that it wasn't told chronologically. Moreover, I hated that we would get a "present" scene in Merit's POV in one chapter, but then in the next, the author would backtrack a bit, and retell the same scene in Ryan's POV. It got to be really repetitive and frustrating.
My second problem with this book is about Merit even taking Ryan back. Perhaps I'm cynical and have the tendency to hold a grudge (okay I totally do), but what broke them apart in the first place, seemed like too big of a deal to forgive and forget. Without spoiling anything, what Ryan did and said to Merit was beyond cruel, and so misguided, that I actually had to put down the book and walk away when I read the scene in his point of view. How someone could do what he did, to someone he supposedly loved, is beyond me, but how he could claim to STILL be in love with her seventeen years after the fact? Bull. I can understand her forgiving him for his mistakes, but couldn't find it in me to get over it.
Additionally, I wasn't really interested in Ryan's dad's story arc. Call me crazy, but I just can't really find it in me to care about his abusive drunk of a father. He's a crappy person (who hurts animals!), and that particular aspect of the novel seemed unnecessary with the already angsty story.
Despite my issues with the story, I will say that I really loved Merit's character development. I always have so much respect for authors who choose to include characters that better themselves, or, in this case, learn to overcome their past and love themself again, before making any big romantic leaps. By the end of the story, I really did admire Merit's character.
J. Lynn Bailey is an excellent writer, and I found myself completely immersed in the story, but I just couldn't get over a lot of the plot choices enough to enjoy it. I can definitely see myself enjoying something else written by this author, and can easily see someone else really enjoying this novel, but unfortunately Violet Ugly was just not the book for me.
1.5/5
Nearly twenty years ago, Merit Young moved across the country to California for college, leaving behind her younger brother Eli and her father, as well as the man who broke her heart, Ryan Taylor. Despite Ryan being her brother's best friend, she has managed to avoid any and all interaction with the man for seventeen years. Until, that is, she receives a call from her brother, asking her to come home. Ryan has recently been in an accident, and Eli seems to believe Merit is the only one who can convince him to take of himself. Acquiescing to her brother's begging, Merit travels back to Maine to take care of Ryan, which soon forces the both of them to face the pain and regrets of their shared past.
To be perfectly blunt, Violet Ugly was an incredibly difficult book for me to finish. Despite not having read the first book, I was intrigued with the vague synopsis and decided to try this book anyway. What I found was an author with some stellar writing abilities, but a plot and characters that, frankly, drove me insane. My first problem with this book, and perhaps the most trivial, was the non-linear storytelling. While books that alternate past and present scenes don't generally annoy me, the fact that the "past" scenes can go from 1995 to 2001, then all the way back to 1997, really did. The past scenes really helped with characterization, but I couldn't stand that it wasn't told chronologically. Moreover, I hated that we would get a "present" scene in Merit's POV in one chapter, but then in the next, the author would backtrack a bit, and retell the same scene in Ryan's POV. It got to be really repetitive and frustrating.
My second problem with this book is about Merit even taking Ryan back. Perhaps I'm cynical and have the tendency to hold a grudge (okay I totally do), but what broke them apart in the first place, seemed like too big of a deal to forgive and forget. Without spoiling anything, what Ryan did and said to Merit was beyond cruel, and so misguided, that I actually had to put down the book and walk away when I read the scene in his point of view. How someone could do what he did, to someone he supposedly loved, is beyond me, but how he could claim to STILL be in love with her seventeen years after the fact? Bull. I can understand her forgiving him for his mistakes, but couldn't find it in me to get over it.
Additionally, I wasn't really interested in Ryan's dad's story arc. Call me crazy, but I just can't really find it in me to care about his abusive drunk of a father. He's a crappy person (who hurts animals!), and that particular aspect of the novel seemed unnecessary with the already angsty story.
Despite my issues with the story, I will say that I really loved Merit's character development. I always have so much respect for authors who choose to include characters that better themselves, or, in this case, learn to overcome their past and love themself again, before making any big romantic leaps. By the end of the story, I really did admire Merit's character.
J. Lynn Bailey is an excellent writer, and I found myself completely immersed in the story, but I just couldn't get over a lot of the plot choices enough to enjoy it. I can definitely see myself enjoying something else written by this author, and can easily see someone else really enjoying this novel, but unfortunately Violet Ugly was just not the book for me.
1.5/5
January 3, 2019
Reviewed on: Ashes Books & Bobs.
"Sometimes, we live through traumas to show others how to do it. I believe we each have a walk of life, and sometimes, human decisions are made that affect us. But it’s how we come out of it, hopefully as better people."
J. Lynn Bailey, yet again, made me fall in love, not only with her characters but with her phenomenal writing. With each book, she creeps further up my list of go-to authors. Her writing is hopeful and suspenseful, making me anxious to see what's to come, page after page. I was eager to catch up on her Granite Harbor Series, featuring the quaint, fictional town of Granite Harbor, Maine - a place I wish I could visit in real life! Violet Ugly happened to be my final book of 2018 and thankfully, ended my year with a bang. I somehow loved this second book in the series even more than Peony Red.
The main characters, Ryan and Merit, were perfectly flawed in the ways I enjoy reading about. Though they both shoved their problems to the backburner, they weren't annoying in their imperfections. They were both made stronger by their weakness, which immediately endeared me to both. I honestly don't know if I could choose a favorite character between Ryan or Merit.
Just like in Peony Red, I enjoyed the added suspense in this story. It was completely different than the first book but was still written with the same unique flair I've come to recognize wholly as J. Lynn Bailey, allowing me to tear through her books in no time at all. I couldn't get enough of the alternating perspectives and looks into the past, granting the opportunity to understand the characters on a deeper level. Though there was a pretty big expanse of time covered, the story felt timeless. Merit and Ryan's childhood struggles weren't over simply because they had grown older, but instead grew and transformed with them as they aged. This is precisely why this book was so incredibly important to me. Often times, books are written as if characters are magically healed or completely overcome the different forms of grief they may face. While that is nice most of the time in books, it was more realistic to experience how things stay with us forever, like stamps on our souls. The characters weren't attempting to fix one another, they were simply there, willing to love despite their messes.
The only downside about this book for me was the abundance of sexual situations. I've been called a prude many times in my life and I've come to terms with that label. Maybe I am a bit prudish, but I'm not a fan of more than a couple pages of sex. I skim those pages to get to the scenes I'm interested in, action without the action. ;)
Overall, I couldn't get enough of this book and decided to settle on a four-star rating. I highly recommend Violet Ugly to readers of Romantic Suspense and lovers of character-driven novels, full of growth and deep meaning. There were moments of chuckling, tears, and even head-to-toe goosebumps as I read. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in this series, Magnolia Road, with greedy hands.
NOTE: The Granite Harbor Series is a standalone series, but I recommend reading the books in order.
"Sometimes, we live through traumas to show others how to do it. I believe we each have a walk of life, and sometimes, human decisions are made that affect us. But it’s how we come out of it, hopefully as better people."
J. Lynn Bailey, yet again, made me fall in love, not only with her characters but with her phenomenal writing. With each book, she creeps further up my list of go-to authors. Her writing is hopeful and suspenseful, making me anxious to see what's to come, page after page. I was eager to catch up on her Granite Harbor Series, featuring the quaint, fictional town of Granite Harbor, Maine - a place I wish I could visit in real life! Violet Ugly happened to be my final book of 2018 and thankfully, ended my year with a bang. I somehow loved this second book in the series even more than Peony Red.
The main characters, Ryan and Merit, were perfectly flawed in the ways I enjoy reading about. Though they both shoved their problems to the backburner, they weren't annoying in their imperfections. They were both made stronger by their weakness, which immediately endeared me to both. I honestly don't know if I could choose a favorite character between Ryan or Merit.
Just like in Peony Red, I enjoyed the added suspense in this story. It was completely different than the first book but was still written with the same unique flair I've come to recognize wholly as J. Lynn Bailey, allowing me to tear through her books in no time at all. I couldn't get enough of the alternating perspectives and looks into the past, granting the opportunity to understand the characters on a deeper level. Though there was a pretty big expanse of time covered, the story felt timeless. Merit and Ryan's childhood struggles weren't over simply because they had grown older, but instead grew and transformed with them as they aged. This is precisely why this book was so incredibly important to me. Often times, books are written as if characters are magically healed or completely overcome the different forms of grief they may face. While that is nice most of the time in books, it was more realistic to experience how things stay with us forever, like stamps on our souls. The characters weren't attempting to fix one another, they were simply there, willing to love despite their messes.
The only downside about this book for me was the abundance of sexual situations. I've been called a prude many times in my life and I've come to terms with that label. Maybe I am a bit prudish, but I'm not a fan of more than a couple pages of sex. I skim those pages to get to the scenes I'm interested in, action without the action. ;)
Overall, I couldn't get enough of this book and decided to settle on a four-star rating. I highly recommend Violet Ugly to readers of Romantic Suspense and lovers of character-driven novels, full of growth and deep meaning. There were moments of chuckling, tears, and even head-to-toe goosebumps as I read. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the next book in this series, Magnolia Road, with greedy hands.
NOTE: The Granite Harbor Series is a standalone series, but I recommend reading the books in order.
October 13, 2018
**Thank you to the author and Netgalley for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review** #VioletUgly#NetGalley
5 amazing stars !!! First of all J.Lynn Bailey is a new author to me, "Violet Ugly " was my first book but surely won't be my last!!! The story was absolutely amazing ..the characters was so realistic and while reading I felt all characters emotions!! You know "Violet Ugly " is one of the books that you feel like you are part of plot the book ... that you are an observer!! The pace of the story was amazing and the suspence was perfectly written. I absolutely loved this book ..I couldn't put it down!! Definitely a must read !!!
5 amazing stars !!! First of all J.Lynn Bailey is a new author to me, "Violet Ugly " was my first book but surely won't be my last!!! The story was absolutely amazing ..the characters was so realistic and while reading I felt all characters emotions!! You know "Violet Ugly " is one of the books that you feel like you are part of plot the book ... that you are an observer!! The pace of the story was amazing and the suspence was perfectly written. I absolutely loved this book ..I couldn't put it down!! Definitely a must read !!!
October 29, 2018
Sixteen years ago, Merit Young left her home town and her family for college. Apart from a few brief visits, she has not been back since. What no one knows, is that she in fact ran away from her first love, Ryan Taylor, her brother's best friend and her own childhood friend, who scarred her so badly with his cruel parting words, that she has yet to heal from the wound. But she's back at the request of her beloved brother, albeit very reluctantly, to help Ryan mend after work injuries as a game warden left him 'struggling' to care for himself.
I like second chance romances, as the angst factor is often more intense when they have a past together. This book just didn't quite work for me. First, there is the writing style of the author, who chooses to write in constant present tense from both Merit's and Ryan's first person POVs, even when she flashes back 20 years plus+ to their childhood. This decision to maintain the present tense when retelling the past was rather odd and quite annoying personally. Then there's the non-linear timeline of the chapters, going from 1995, to the present, to 1998, to the present, to 2002, to the present, to 1995, then back to present etc. As a result, we end up with 11 yo Merit coming up with pearls of wisdom in her inner dialogue which would make more sense as a reflection of a grown up Merit reminiscing about the past. At times, she also comes across as prescient eg. Eleven year old Merit muses: "And this is where my role as sister, daughter, and mother begins.", which makes no sense in present tense as she would no be able to state that her family responsibility had changed at the time, if they were only just about to change. Okay, it's so confusing, I'm starting to confuse myself. What I mean is that only hindsight would have given her that realisation. In fact, I think the author got herself confused too, because within one chapter (23) while (re)telling the same event, she went from her usual present tense to suddenly past tense. In addition, the constant rehashing of the same scene through switching POVs were also quite redundant and tedious.
There were some pretty emotionally intense themes covered in the book, but they didn't really move me. The author writes very well at times, however there were many lines that didn't quite make sense if you analyse them, but I felt were included by the author, because they sounded good on a superficial level. There were also a heck of a lot of inconsistencies that were quite jarring and distracting. For example, Merit was asked to come back to be a live-in carer for Ryan because he injured his shoulder and ribs and cannot care for himself - except he was pretty self-caring and bathed and dressed himself as one would expect from such injuries. Okay so he was in pain, and she had to prompt him to take pain tablets, but the pain did not preclude him from carrying out his basic functions at home. And in fact, on day two I think, he was picking up children and playing with them, although he did recall to wince from the pain a bit later in the day. The other big plot inconsistency was the fact that There are too many other details and dialogue that made little sense within the plot.
Finally, the ending where Merit apologised to Ryan for having wronged him made me want to scream my fury, because her past actions were fully justified given the callous words he said to her at the time and even though she might understand his motivation behind those words now, that did not mean she had anything to apologise for.
This was an ARC from NetGalley.
I like second chance romances, as the angst factor is often more intense when they have a past together. This book just didn't quite work for me. First, there is the writing style of the author, who chooses to write in constant present tense from both Merit's and Ryan's first person POVs, even when she flashes back 20 years plus+ to their childhood. This decision to maintain the present tense when retelling the past was rather odd and quite annoying personally. Then there's the non-linear timeline of the chapters, going from 1995, to the present, to 1998, to the present, to 2002, to the present, to 1995, then back to present etc. As a result, we end up with 11 yo Merit coming up with pearls of wisdom in her inner dialogue which would make more sense as a reflection of a grown up Merit reminiscing about the past. At times, she also comes across as prescient eg. Eleven year old Merit muses: "And this is where my role as sister, daughter, and mother begins.", which makes no sense in present tense as she would no be able to state that her family responsibility had changed at the time, if they were only just about to change. Okay, it's so confusing, I'm starting to confuse myself. What I mean is that only hindsight would have given her that realisation. In fact, I think the author got herself confused too, because within one chapter (23) while (re)telling the same event, she went from her usual present tense to suddenly past tense. In addition, the constant rehashing of the same scene through switching POVs were also quite redundant and tedious.
There were some pretty emotionally intense themes covered in the book, but they didn't really move me. The author writes very well at times, however there were many lines that didn't quite make sense if you analyse them, but I felt were included by the author, because they sounded good on a superficial level. There were also a heck of a lot of inconsistencies that were quite jarring and distracting. For example, Merit was asked to come back to be a live-in carer for Ryan because he injured his shoulder and ribs and cannot care for himself - except he was pretty self-caring and bathed and dressed himself as one would expect from such injuries. Okay so he was in pain, and she had to prompt him to take pain tablets, but the pain did not preclude him from carrying out his basic functions at home. And in fact, on day two I think, he was picking up children and playing with them, although he did recall to wince from the pain a bit later in the day. The other big plot inconsistency was the fact that There are too many other details and dialogue that made little sense within the plot.
Finally, the ending where Merit apologised to Ryan for having wronged him made me want to scream my fury, because her past actions were fully justified given the callous words he said to her at the time and even though she might understand his motivation behind those words now, that did not mean she had anything to apologise for.
This was an ARC from NetGalley.
October 18, 2018
"Heartbreak can be telling. Heartbreak can be seen and not heard."
Very rarely do I love a "second" book way more than I do the first one but with Violet Ugly, it happened. I adored watching Ryan and Merit grow the way that they did and I loved that fact that they had a past. Second-chance romances are usually great refreshing reads for me and this one was no different!
"Some things are better left alone. Some things are better left in the dark. And some memories are better left unremembered."
I loved the past POVs that we get of when Eli, Ryan, and Merit were children. I feel like it gave me much more insight into not only Ryan and Merit but even Eli than what Peony Red had done. I loved watching them grow up with each other and bare the weight of life together. I also loved that it wasn't one sided, each of them struggled with something completely different but never the less, they managed to be there for each other every step of the way.
"In my eyes though, she's not just someone. She's my forever."
Merit's therapy sessions were another thing I really loved seeing in this book. Very rarely do we see these types of things in the books we read but it's truly so important and in Violet's case- I feel as if this was an aspect that she REALLY needed. She needed someone, not just any one. She needed help and didn't want to put that need onto any one else except herself and when she realized it was too heavy, I love that she finally unpacked and worked through it. I get that, more than anything. The growth with Merit was beautiful, not in the relationship she had with Ryan, but with the relationship she had with her self. My feelings were so overwhelming with these parts.
Similar to Peony Red, Violet Ugly had a fun and thrilling mystery aspect that played very well into the story line. It didn't detour us from Ryan and Mer but it was enough to keep us interested in what was going to happen outside of their relationship.
I'm so here for these books! Please remember these are stand-alones, you don't have to read one before the other! I would suggest it, but with as much as I loved Violet Ugly, I almost want every one to experience this one first. It was heartfelt, engaging, and raw. Three of my most favorite things!
Very rarely do I love a "second" book way more than I do the first one but with Violet Ugly, it happened. I adored watching Ryan and Merit grow the way that they did and I loved that fact that they had a past. Second-chance romances are usually great refreshing reads for me and this one was no different!
"Some things are better left alone. Some things are better left in the dark. And some memories are better left unremembered."
I loved the past POVs that we get of when Eli, Ryan, and Merit were children. I feel like it gave me much more insight into not only Ryan and Merit but even Eli than what Peony Red had done. I loved watching them grow up with each other and bare the weight of life together. I also loved that it wasn't one sided, each of them struggled with something completely different but never the less, they managed to be there for each other every step of the way.
"In my eyes though, she's not just someone. She's my forever."
Merit's therapy sessions were another thing I really loved seeing in this book. Very rarely do we see these types of things in the books we read but it's truly so important and in Violet's case- I feel as if this was an aspect that she REALLY needed. She needed someone, not just any one. She needed help and didn't want to put that need onto any one else except herself and when she realized it was too heavy, I love that she finally unpacked and worked through it. I get that, more than anything. The growth with Merit was beautiful, not in the relationship she had with Ryan, but with the relationship she had with her self. My feelings were so overwhelming with these parts.
Similar to Peony Red, Violet Ugly had a fun and thrilling mystery aspect that played very well into the story line. It didn't detour us from Ryan and Mer but it was enough to keep us interested in what was going to happen outside of their relationship.
I'm so here for these books! Please remember these are stand-alones, you don't have to read one before the other! I would suggest it, but with as much as I loved Violet Ugly, I almost want every one to experience this one first. It was heartfelt, engaging, and raw. Three of my most favorite things!
December 12, 2018
"Sometimes, there are secrets we keep so deep that our minds forget, not wanting to remember what the quiet chaos feels like against our hearts."
J. Lynn Bailey delivers another angst-ridden, but beautiful story. Violet Ugly is a second chance romance between Ryan and Merit. We met both of these characters in Peony Red, but now we get the scoop behind the awkward silences. While it is not necessary to read Peony Red to follow Violet Ugly, I would highly recommend it.
Ryan and Merit grew up together in the small town of Granite Harbor. As they grew, so did their love until one day everything shattered and Ryan nor Merit ever found all the pieces. After sixteen years, these two are thrown back together by the request of Merit's brother, Eli. Ryan and Merit are both forced to face the choices of their pasts.
"It's an odd feeling that love and grief can be so real in the same moment."
"Because dealing with life in on life's terms isn't as easy as running."
What I loved about this book is the small town atmosphere and characters that are just loveable. I always know I can count on a good story from Granite Harbor. I really enjoyed the flashbacks into the past. They always added a little bit more development to each character and how it defined them into adulthood. It was necessary and even heartbreaking to see and feel what these kids went through.
Merit was one of the best characters ever. She showed so much strength and growth in this story. Her therapy sessions were a wonderful added touch, and her capacity to forgive is remarkable. There really is less character growth with Ryan, but we got much more of the backstory with him. It's a wonder that he grew up to be the kind of man he is despite his horrific upbringing. The mystery aspect, which was also present in Peony Red, was well-written, but it was probably what I liked least mostly because I just did not care about Dubbs, Ryan's father. It didn't take away from the romance in the story, but I just didn't feel as invested to the mystery aspect in this one.
"...maybe things don't have to happen to us; they happen for us."
J. Lynn Bailey has me hooked. I feel like I'm part of the Granite Harbor family watching all of their lives come together. I love that J. Lynn Bailey consistently writes a strong female heroine. I love that she writes patient and compassionate heroes. I love that her stories are unique and genuine. I have found an author that I will automatically one-click. I can't typically sit and read a book in one sitting, but I've done it three times in a row with J. Lynn Bailey. She's that good.
November 3, 2018
Merit and Ryan, along with her brother Eli, grow up as best friends. Ryan’s life hasn’t been easy. He found his salvation at Merit and Eli's childhood home. Merit and Eli grew up in a loving home but tragedy struck them and shattered their world.
There’s so much history between Merit and Ryan. Both are heartbroken; each one has secrets and regrets. Deep down, they both hope they mend those fences. Years have passed, and they both find themselves still mourning the loss of the relationship they longed for. While some old wounds are ripped opened and others finally get some much needed healing. Their love for one other is beautiful and unconditional. Ryan comes off as a cocky, playboy. He puts up a good front. But really, Ryan is hurting so much that he is just living a shell of a life. Merit has always been the caregiver. She holds all of her feelings in and never puts herself first. As this story builds, we learn Merit is grieving so many things... but can she ever let go?
J. Lynn Bailey has written a story we all can relate to in one way or another. She makes you feel the small town vibe of Granite Harbor, Maine. Her characters are so lovable. J. Lynn Bailey had me in tears during some parts in this book. Violet Ugly has so many feels and emotions.
There’s so much history between Merit and Ryan. Both are heartbroken; each one has secrets and regrets. Deep down, they both hope they mend those fences. Years have passed, and they both find themselves still mourning the loss of the relationship they longed for. While some old wounds are ripped opened and others finally get some much needed healing. Their love for one other is beautiful and unconditional. Ryan comes off as a cocky, playboy. He puts up a good front. But really, Ryan is hurting so much that he is just living a shell of a life. Merit has always been the caregiver. She holds all of her feelings in and never puts herself first. As this story builds, we learn Merit is grieving so many things... but can she ever let go?
J. Lynn Bailey has written a story we all can relate to in one way or another. She makes you feel the small town vibe of Granite Harbor, Maine. Her characters are so lovable. J. Lynn Bailey had me in tears during some parts in this book. Violet Ugly has so many feels and emotions.
October 24, 2018
Merit and her brother Eli grew up in a small town with a loving family. Ryan grew up in the same small town. But his childhood was not ideal. As a result, he spent a ton of time at Eli and Merit's. They were all close like siblings. Until one day, Merit and Ryan became closer. And one day, Ryan broke Merit's heart.
Instead of communicating, she moved to California for college and tried to leave Ryan behind. And instead of communicating, she just avoided him and the conversations they needed to have. she did pretty good with this for fifteen years or so, only seeing him a couple of times like at Eli's wedding. But when Ryan was in a car accident, Eli knew Merit was the one person Ryan would let take care of him. So he begged Merit to return home and help nurse Ryan back to health. He had no idea that Merit and Ryan had left things such a mess. She's spent years trying to ignore her past. Would he finally be able to get through to her?
J Lynn Bailey does a fantastic job of connecting you to the characters and making you feel and empathize.. They are raw and vulnerable and honest. They could be anyone you know. i liked the message that it does you no good to bury grief and not address it, that not talking about things leads to missed opportunities and missed time. i liked that Merit was able to find meaning and purpose for her losses. It was a message that meant a lot to me, having recently lost someone important myself.
This was actually the second standalone book in a series. i had no idea before i started, and it did not impact my understanding of this book in any way. i would like to go back and read that book, as well as her others. Thanks to Netgalley and J Lynn Bailey for this book.
Instead of communicating, she moved to California for college and tried to leave Ryan behind. And instead of communicating, she just avoided him and the conversations they needed to have. she did pretty good with this for fifteen years or so, only seeing him a couple of times like at Eli's wedding. But when Ryan was in a car accident, Eli knew Merit was the one person Ryan would let take care of him. So he begged Merit to return home and help nurse Ryan back to health. He had no idea that Merit and Ryan had left things such a mess. She's spent years trying to ignore her past. Would he finally be able to get through to her?
J Lynn Bailey does a fantastic job of connecting you to the characters and making you feel and empathize.. They are raw and vulnerable and honest. They could be anyone you know. i liked the message that it does you no good to bury grief and not address it, that not talking about things leads to missed opportunities and missed time. i liked that Merit was able to find meaning and purpose for her losses. It was a message that meant a lot to me, having recently lost someone important myself.
This was actually the second standalone book in a series. i had no idea before i started, and it did not impact my understanding of this book in any way. i would like to go back and read that book, as well as her others. Thanks to Netgalley and J Lynn Bailey for this book.
December 14, 2018
Thanks NetGalley!
CAUTION: Violet Ugly leads to ugly crying! I felt like my heart was sitting outside my body, on top of my chest the entire read. The heartbreaking history between Merit and Ryan is one you feel in the bottom of your soul.
Red Peony gives a glimpse into the turmoil brewing between Merit and Ryan. For some unknown reason, Merit takes off at 18 for college and never comes back unless extremely necessary. Her once bestest friend, Ryan, she keeps at arm's length and no one knows why.
So we get to Violet Ugly and boy it's a total shocker of what's created the tension with these two. I felt like J. Lynn Bailey gradually broke my heart yet painstakingly, and loving put it back together. Well, that might have actually been Merit she done that to, but I sure felt it. This book causes both leads to focus on the sorrows and pains of their past while throwing new dilemmas in their way. The key is to learn to deal with the past and present while healing, grieving, and letting go... moving on.
The twists and turns were exciting as well. Ryan has your heart the entire time and never lets go. His past as a young boy was heartbreaking and led him to do stupid things. Growing up and realizing what's the motivation to his actions causes him to make a change but will it be enough to cover the hurt he caused.
CAUTION: Violet Ugly leads to ugly crying! I felt like my heart was sitting outside my body, on top of my chest the entire read. The heartbreaking history between Merit and Ryan is one you feel in the bottom of your soul.
Red Peony gives a glimpse into the turmoil brewing between Merit and Ryan. For some unknown reason, Merit takes off at 18 for college and never comes back unless extremely necessary. Her once bestest friend, Ryan, she keeps at arm's length and no one knows why.
So we get to Violet Ugly and boy it's a total shocker of what's created the tension with these two. I felt like J. Lynn Bailey gradually broke my heart yet painstakingly, and loving put it back together. Well, that might have actually been Merit she done that to, but I sure felt it. This book causes both leads to focus on the sorrows and pains of their past while throwing new dilemmas in their way. The key is to learn to deal with the past and present while healing, grieving, and letting go... moving on.
The twists and turns were exciting as well. Ryan has your heart the entire time and never lets go. His past as a young boy was heartbreaking and led him to do stupid things. Growing up and realizing what's the motivation to his actions causes him to make a change but will it be enough to cover the hurt he caused.
October 25, 2018
Cried while reading the book and now I’m crying because I finished the book. Amazing, just amazing.
October 20, 2018
This book is a second chance romance between childhood friends, Merit & Ryan. I was first introduced to these two in Peony Red, however, you do not need to read that book before Violet Ugly.
There is so much history between Merit & Ryan...Ryan is Merit's younger brother's best friend, and the three of them grew up close together in tough times. While Merit lost her mother at a young age, Ryan suffered abuse from his father and together they formed a bond that was unbreakable...until it did break. Many years later Merit & Ryan find themselves again trying to take care of one another, heal old wounds and confront their undeniable love for each other.
I love Ryan's character - he is known to be a cocky playboy, but he really is this tough, responsible and smart Game Warden. He has no fear, loves fiercely, and is loyal to a fault to those closest to him (which isn't many). He is so selfless that he never wavers to put others ahead of himself, and in the instances that he does in this book - you will fall for him so hard!
Merit has a tough exterior - she is brilliant, motivated, and is a care-taker. But inside she is torn apart. She runs from her past, and does not face her problems and grief until she is forced to. I loved how her character developed in this story as she is able to let go of her past and push forward despite the inner turmoil she experiences.
This is a quick, sexy, and somewhat suspenseful read. You will swoon over Ryan, and want to cheer Merit on. J. Lynn Bailey will make you feel like you are right there in small town Maine with them all, and you can't help but love the small community and closeness of their family. I have loved getting to know these characters! Well done!
There is so much history between Merit & Ryan...Ryan is Merit's younger brother's best friend, and the three of them grew up close together in tough times. While Merit lost her mother at a young age, Ryan suffered abuse from his father and together they formed a bond that was unbreakable...until it did break. Many years later Merit & Ryan find themselves again trying to take care of one another, heal old wounds and confront their undeniable love for each other.
I love Ryan's character - he is known to be a cocky playboy, but he really is this tough, responsible and smart Game Warden. He has no fear, loves fiercely, and is loyal to a fault to those closest to him (which isn't many). He is so selfless that he never wavers to put others ahead of himself, and in the instances that he does in this book - you will fall for him so hard!
Merit has a tough exterior - she is brilliant, motivated, and is a care-taker. But inside she is torn apart. She runs from her past, and does not face her problems and grief until she is forced to. I loved how her character developed in this story as she is able to let go of her past and push forward despite the inner turmoil she experiences.
This is a quick, sexy, and somewhat suspenseful read. You will swoon over Ryan, and want to cheer Merit on. J. Lynn Bailey will make you feel like you are right there in small town Maine with them all, and you can't help but love the small community and closeness of their family. I have loved getting to know these characters! Well done!
October 29, 2018
Give me a minute because I am still catching my breathe. This read have me all the feels from page one. I just finished it and I miss Ryan and Violet already. The characters grabbed my heart real quick and I'm finding it extremely hard to let them go.
Silence can be loud. It can crawl into the dark corners of a lit room and worsen, sitting where quiet secrets fester, spreading like weeds across issues in our own heads.
Nearly 20 years ago, Merit left her home town that she adored to run as far away from Ryan Taylor as she could. He was her childhood best friend until the one night he broke her heart. Now she avoids him at all costs until her brother Eli calls and begs her to come home to care for Ryan after a car accident. Merit agrees against her better judgement. She tells herself she'll be fine.
The moment the two see each other again it's obvious that they never stopped loving each other. If only there wasn't so much keeping them apart.
Violet Ugly is a MUST READ in my book.
Silence can be loud. It can crawl into the dark corners of a lit room and worsen, sitting where quiet secrets fester, spreading like weeds across issues in our own heads.
Nearly 20 years ago, Merit left her home town that she adored to run as far away from Ryan Taylor as she could. He was her childhood best friend until the one night he broke her heart. Now she avoids him at all costs until her brother Eli calls and begs her to come home to care for Ryan after a car accident. Merit agrees against her better judgement. She tells herself she'll be fine.
The moment the two see each other again it's obvious that they never stopped loving each other. If only there wasn't so much keeping them apart.
Violet Ugly is a MUST READ in my book.
October 31, 2018
I've had trouble writing this review, because I can't think of words to do this book justice. Merit Young is a woman who had her heart broken by her high school crush right before leaving for college. 16 years later, with as minimal contact as possible, she finds herself at home facing her past. Ryan Taylor has lived his life just trying to get from one day to the next, but Merit is the only woman from his past that he can't shake. When life circumstances put these back together, they are forced to face the memories and the heart break together. Will the past be it or do they have a future?
This book by J. Lynn Bailey sucked me in from the get go, and I read the whole thing from cover to cover on a Sunday morning. Excellent story line.
Reviewed by: Lauren L.
This book by J. Lynn Bailey sucked me in from the get go, and I read the whole thing from cover to cover on a Sunday morning. Excellent story line.
Reviewed by: Lauren L.
October 15, 2018
How do you write a review when your heart is still broken? That's how I feel about this book.
I will forever love heartbreaking romances. Mostly because it's the interaction of the two characters that always intrigues me about a book, no matter the genre. Seeing two characters come together, fall apart and deal with life at the same time fascinates me. It's such a human thing.
That is especially the case with Violet Ugly. Without giving away two many spoilers this book is a deep dive into loss. There is a lot of loss and a lot of damage from that loss. Humans are fragile, yet resilient, creatures and these two main characters showcase both of those traits pretty well.
What I loved most about this book was how genuine it was. The two characters acted in such a familiar way that everything feels real and there's a depth to their interactions and words because of it. Everything that is expressed has years of emotions behind it. I also loved their tender physical interactions as well. The book wasn't bogged down by unnecessary over the top shallow sexual tension, it was extremely emotional.
I loved this book and I'm about to go devour Bailey's other books as well!
I will forever love heartbreaking romances. Mostly because it's the interaction of the two characters that always intrigues me about a book, no matter the genre. Seeing two characters come together, fall apart and deal with life at the same time fascinates me. It's such a human thing.
That is especially the case with Violet Ugly. Without giving away two many spoilers this book is a deep dive into loss. There is a lot of loss and a lot of damage from that loss. Humans are fragile, yet resilient, creatures and these two main characters showcase both of those traits pretty well.
What I loved most about this book was how genuine it was. The two characters acted in such a familiar way that everything feels real and there's a depth to their interactions and words because of it. Everything that is expressed has years of emotions behind it. I also loved their tender physical interactions as well. The book wasn't bogged down by unnecessary over the top shallow sexual tension, it was extremely emotional.
I loved this book and I'm about to go devour Bailey's other books as well!
October 18, 2018
*ARC provided by NetGalley
I loooooovvvvvveeee this book!
After reading Peony Red, I was really looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint!
The story of Merit and Ryan is so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I cried so much while reading this book and I love it when books can make me cry.
This is a book with excellent writing with strong character development and a tight story line.
We get to know the characters by reading about their early years. And then get to live their heartbreak with them. With raw emotions and such real characters.
This book is definitely going to be one of my top go to re-reads!
And most importantly, I love the stories where the heroines saves her self by working towards making her life better just by confronting her feelings burried in the past!
10 out 5 stars from me! ♥️♥️♥️
I loooooovvvvvveeee this book!
After reading Peony Red, I was really looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint!
The story of Merit and Ryan is so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I cried so much while reading this book and I love it when books can make me cry.
This is a book with excellent writing with strong character development and a tight story line.
We get to know the characters by reading about their early years. And then get to live their heartbreak with them. With raw emotions and such real characters.
This book is definitely going to be one of my top go to re-reads!
And most importantly, I love the stories where the heroines saves her self by working towards making her life better just by confronting her feelings burried in the past!
10 out 5 stars from me! ♥️♥️♥️
October 30, 2018
*** ARC Received for Honest Review ***
4 stars
In one word... heartbreaking. This book had me doing an ugly cry. There were so many moments when I almost broke down and started to cry, then J. Lynn Bailey finally broke me with all of the intense heartbreaking moments and had me sobbing. I cried for Merit, I cried for Ryan, for Destiny and for Merit's mom.
This is unrequited love, love that stands the test of time, love from afar, and second chance romance all wrapped in an emotional, ugly cry, HEA, package. (Review by Terri "Jane")
4 stars
In one word... heartbreaking. This book had me doing an ugly cry. There were so many moments when I almost broke down and started to cry, then J. Lynn Bailey finally broke me with all of the intense heartbreaking moments and had me sobbing. I cried for Merit, I cried for Ryan, for Destiny and for Merit's mom.
This is unrequited love, love that stands the test of time, love from afar, and second chance romance all wrapped in an emotional, ugly cry, HEA, package. (Review by Terri "Jane")
August 27, 2019
The author truly outdid herself with this book! Seriously....I didn't think anything could top Peony Red, but I was totally wrong. Holy...this story broke my heart, mended it, broke it again, just to finally fuse all the shattered and splintered pieces back together again. I cried....UGLY cried was more like it. Please read this book. Heck, read this entire series. I beg you, you won't regret it. Trust me.
October 23, 2018
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review!!
I love that this novel takes us into the back story of Merit and Ryan. It will give you ALL THE FEELS. I can’t wait for the next one!!!
I love that this novel takes us into the back story of Merit and Ryan. It will give you ALL THE FEELS. I can’t wait for the next one!!!
December 12, 2018
“Once, there was a boy I made love to, a caged boy who thought himself damaged. Once, there was a man I made love to, and I left my heart at his feet as I walked away.”
A very young girl who was forced to grow up, to be responsible for a home and for the others, while retaining all the pain she felt within herself to continue living. Even though she was a child, she knew that what was happening at her friend's house was not normal, but she remained silent for fear. A little adult who went on to stifle any feeling, wearing a mask for the outside world, and with that, little by little who she was for real was getting lost. Until that boy who was her friend became her world, and with him she might have the chance to be normal again.
A boy who faced the neglect, contempt and abuse of the one who should above all protect him: his father. Who lived the horror inside his house, and carried in the body the marks and traumas of a not happy childhood. But that nonetheless, he was always sweet, polite and friendly. A child, whose safe place was always the home of his friends, the only place where he felt protected and loved. Until the girl who was always his everything became something more.
Two broken souls. A teenage love that promised a new chance, a fresh start. But before an unexpected fact, hard words are exchanged, lies are told and a beautiful love breaks in pieces. Merit and Ryan grow apart, with her leaving the city to go to college and never returning, although her father and brother still live in the same place. Until a phone call will make Merit return to her hometown and face the demons she left behind. Two adults now. She's thirty-five, he's thirty-four. Many years have passed. But grief, pain, and especially love, are still present. Two broken people can reconnect again? Or do they need someone "normal" to balance?
Merging present and past, Violet Ugly tells the story of Merit and Ryan, from childhood to the present day. And what story do they have to tell. The two have suffered greatly since kids, and have dealt with this pain each in a way. Merit broke my heart with her reports about her mother, but the moment she tells what happened to her version of eighteen years old, I burst into tears. I could imagine the scene and tears rolled freely. The writing of J. Lynn Bailey was brilliant. Ryan also has his share of suffering, and it's amazing to see how even with everything that happened, he has become a wonderful person. The two characters were well built, very complex, real and human. It's a book that could very well be the story of any of us. Where more than romance, the main thing is how to leave behind all the moorings we carry, get rid of the weight and move on. Sometimes, alone it is not possible, we must learn to ask for help.
It was a touching, sad book that made me reflect at various times. I have already said in another review that I could not reach the level of forgiveness of the characters, and here I will speak again. The only part I had trouble was when Merit very easily accepted what Ryan did, on the grounds that he wanted her to have a future. I did not attain this nirvana of forgiveness in my heart. But just like the characters, maybe I should also work on these moorings.
Love joined those two. Life tried to separate. Destiny intervened and showed that such a great love is worth rebuilding. And with that, there is only Hope for a new beginning.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *
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A very young girl who was forced to grow up, to be responsible for a home and for the others, while retaining all the pain she felt within herself to continue living. Even though she was a child, she knew that what was happening at her friend's house was not normal, but she remained silent for fear. A little adult who went on to stifle any feeling, wearing a mask for the outside world, and with that, little by little who she was for real was getting lost. Until that boy who was her friend became her world, and with him she might have the chance to be normal again.
A boy who faced the neglect, contempt and abuse of the one who should above all protect him: his father. Who lived the horror inside his house, and carried in the body the marks and traumas of a not happy childhood. But that nonetheless, he was always sweet, polite and friendly. A child, whose safe place was always the home of his friends, the only place where he felt protected and loved. Until the girl who was always his everything became something more.
Two broken souls. A teenage love that promised a new chance, a fresh start. But before an unexpected fact, hard words are exchanged, lies are told and a beautiful love breaks in pieces. Merit and Ryan grow apart, with her leaving the city to go to college and never returning, although her father and brother still live in the same place. Until a phone call will make Merit return to her hometown and face the demons she left behind. Two adults now. She's thirty-five, he's thirty-four. Many years have passed. But grief, pain, and especially love, are still present. Two broken people can reconnect again? Or do they need someone "normal" to balance?
Merging present and past, Violet Ugly tells the story of Merit and Ryan, from childhood to the present day. And what story do they have to tell. The two have suffered greatly since kids, and have dealt with this pain each in a way. Merit broke my heart with her reports about her mother, but the moment she tells what happened to her version of eighteen years old, I burst into tears. I could imagine the scene and tears rolled freely. The writing of J. Lynn Bailey was brilliant. Ryan also has his share of suffering, and it's amazing to see how even with everything that happened, he has become a wonderful person. The two characters were well built, very complex, real and human. It's a book that could very well be the story of any of us. Where more than romance, the main thing is how to leave behind all the moorings we carry, get rid of the weight and move on. Sometimes, alone it is not possible, we must learn to ask for help.
It was a touching, sad book that made me reflect at various times. I have already said in another review that I could not reach the level of forgiveness of the characters, and here I will speak again. The only part I had trouble was when Merit very easily accepted what Ryan did, on the grounds that he wanted her to have a future. I did not attain this nirvana of forgiveness in my heart. But just like the characters, maybe I should also work on these moorings.
Love joined those two. Life tried to separate. Destiny intervened and showed that such a great love is worth rebuilding. And with that, there is only Hope for a new beginning.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *
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August 27, 2019
For me this is a 3.5 star book.
In this book relationships are beautifully shown between freinds, between a broken abused child and a family, between two broken hearts trying to mend each other, pain of a mother and daughter. Merit after her mother death instead of grieving and accepting openly took charge of every responsibility by being a care taker of her dad, her brother, her friend and love Ryan merely at eleven years old. Then she left everything at 18 and left for California with a broken heart and pain. After 17 years life took a u-turn and place her again in front of her lost love by taking care of Ryan after his accident. Then page by page their past unfolds with some shocking revelations and deep buried love. It is a very nice story but yes quite confusing to go to and fro again and again in the time line.
In this book relationships are beautifully shown between freinds, between a broken abused child and a family, between two broken hearts trying to mend each other, pain of a mother and daughter. Merit after her mother death instead of grieving and accepting openly took charge of every responsibility by being a care taker of her dad, her brother, her friend and love Ryan merely at eleven years old. Then she left everything at 18 and left for California with a broken heart and pain. After 17 years life took a u-turn and place her again in front of her lost love by taking care of Ryan after his accident. Then page by page their past unfolds with some shocking revelations and deep buried love. It is a very nice story but yes quite confusing to go to and fro again and again in the time line.
January 18, 2019
I don't even really know where to start with this one. I can say that I couldn't and didn't want to put it down once I started. I am fully invested in all these characters from Granite Harbor and I'm so glad we got Merit and Ryan's story after reading Peony Red. I will always always be up for a good second chance romance and J. Lynn hit the mark with this one.
"I don't feel like I'll be okay. I feel as though my skin has been turned inside out."
I think one of the best parts of this book was the chapters that took us to Ryan and Merit's past, not only when things seem to break down for these two but even farther into their childhoods. We got to see when their love for each other really started and see so many things that shaped them into the adults they became. Seeing these from each point of view really drove this story for me.
"Sometimes, there are secrets we keep so deep that our minds forget, not wanting to remember what the quiet chaos feels like against our hearts."
There was something very profound about Merit's growth as an individual in this book. At times I wondered if she was every truly going to stop running and just deal with things. Some things we knew about right away and others that when I read them knocked the breath right out of me. My heart ached for her and I only wanted what Ryan wanted, for Merit to be happy and her heart to be at peace. When she decided she must put herself back together first in order to love I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in her. Her therapy sessions were hard to read but I knew they were necessary. They tore me open just as I imagine the author planned.
Ryan was a huge, handsome testament that you can overcome whatever it is life throws at you. He never used his childhood or even present day events to define him and he overcame them in ways that one could only witness with awe.
J. Lynn seems to love to add just a little bit of mystery to her books and Violet Ugly was no different. I believe it another layer to this story to help not only keep it a bit exciting but also maybe to add a bit of closure I think the characters needed to move on.
There's a moment when you'll know. You'll stop runnin."
If Peony Red taught us about fate then I think Violet Ugly teaches that timing is everything. There is a time to love, a time to grieve, a time to let go and finally a time to find our happiness. I can't wait to see what Magnolia Road brings us.
"I don't feel like I'll be okay. I feel as though my skin has been turned inside out."
I think one of the best parts of this book was the chapters that took us to Ryan and Merit's past, not only when things seem to break down for these two but even farther into their childhoods. We got to see when their love for each other really started and see so many things that shaped them into the adults they became. Seeing these from each point of view really drove this story for me.
"Sometimes, there are secrets we keep so deep that our minds forget, not wanting to remember what the quiet chaos feels like against our hearts."
There was something very profound about Merit's growth as an individual in this book. At times I wondered if she was every truly going to stop running and just deal with things. Some things we knew about right away and others that when I read them knocked the breath right out of me. My heart ached for her and I only wanted what Ryan wanted, for Merit to be happy and her heart to be at peace. When she decided she must put herself back together first in order to love I felt an overwhelming sense of pride in her. Her therapy sessions were hard to read but I knew they were necessary. They tore me open just as I imagine the author planned.
Ryan was a huge, handsome testament that you can overcome whatever it is life throws at you. He never used his childhood or even present day events to define him and he overcame them in ways that one could only witness with awe.
J. Lynn seems to love to add just a little bit of mystery to her books and Violet Ugly was no different. I believe it another layer to this story to help not only keep it a bit exciting but also maybe to add a bit of closure I think the characters needed to move on.
There's a moment when you'll know. You'll stop runnin."
If Peony Red taught us about fate then I think Violet Ugly teaches that timing is everything. There is a time to love, a time to grieve, a time to let go and finally a time to find our happiness. I can't wait to see what Magnolia Road brings us.
May 6, 2021
Seventeen years ago, childhood besties Ryan and Merit had a serious falling out. They now barely interact when Merit makes infrequent trips home to Granite Harbor. When Ryan is seriously injured in a vehicle accident, Merit’s brother Eli asks her to come home to help Ryan during his recovery. Reluctantly she agrees.
Ryan’s home is about an hour away from Granite Harbor. Merit will have to stay in his house. The proximity eventually forces them to address their mutual as well as individual demons. Ultimately, they overcome their issues, but the trip is tortuous. The best part is that after the first novel in the series, the reader discovers the source of the enmity between Merit and Ryan. Merit, Eli, and Ryan were so close as children and teens, their broken relationship has confused everyone.
I found this installment in the story disappointing. Both Merit and Ryan engage in too much internal monologue and debate. There is too much ‘telling’ and not enough showing of the main characters conflicts. Eventually their relationship resolves to an HEA ending. The secondary characters that made the first book Peony Red pleasing are far in the background here.
Readalikes:
Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 Novels; Lisa Wingate – Larkspur Cove; Colleen Coble – Mermaid Moon; C. J. Box’s Joe Pickett novels; Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch mysteries; Joseph Heywood – Blue Wolf in Green Fire: Robin Perini – Game of Fear; Valerie Hansen – Dangerous Legacy.
Pace: Slow-paced
Characters: Complex; flawed; sympathetic; damaged
Storyline: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Steamy; bittersweet
Frame: Granite Harbor, Maine; Contemporary
Theme: Secrets
Ryan’s home is about an hour away from Granite Harbor. Merit will have to stay in his house. The proximity eventually forces them to address their mutual as well as individual demons. Ultimately, they overcome their issues, but the trip is tortuous. The best part is that after the first novel in the series, the reader discovers the source of the enmity between Merit and Ryan. Merit, Eli, and Ryan were so close as children and teens, their broken relationship has confused everyone.
I found this installment in the story disappointing. Both Merit and Ryan engage in too much internal monologue and debate. There is too much ‘telling’ and not enough showing of the main characters conflicts. Eventually their relationship resolves to an HEA ending. The secondary characters that made the first book Peony Red pleasing are far in the background here.
Readalikes:
Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 Novels; Lisa Wingate – Larkspur Cove; Colleen Coble – Mermaid Moon; C. J. Box’s Joe Pickett novels; Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch mysteries; Joseph Heywood – Blue Wolf in Green Fire: Robin Perini – Game of Fear; Valerie Hansen – Dangerous Legacy.
Pace: Slow-paced
Characters: Complex; flawed; sympathetic; damaged
Storyline: Character-driven
Writing style: Engaging
Tone: Steamy; bittersweet
Frame: Granite Harbor, Maine; Contemporary
Theme: Secrets
October 23, 2018
Sixteen years ago, Merit Young walked away from everything she knew, for a place where she could make a new life, free from all the bad memories that home carried. In that time she has made her way through college, created a life for herself, and found a job she enjoys doing. But when her brother calls, and asks for her to return home to care for the man who broke her heart, and sent her running, she is a little hesitant to make the trip. Because going home means facing her past, and finding the courage to admit that she lost her heart when she left there, and the only way to get it back is to face the man who holds it.
The moment your eyes land on the first page of Violet Ugly you will be absorbed into Ms. Bailey's well crafted words, and taken on a heart-wrenching journey that will leave a permanent mark on your soul. From the get-go it was evident these two not only had chemistry in spades, but they also had a lot of wounds that needed healing. This is a slow burning story, and as it progresses you will see them battle their demons, and rediscover all that was lost when she walked away, but not without a few bumps and bruises. It is a beautifully told story, but it comes with a heavy subject line, one that may have your heart in your throat and your tears welling, but know their is also some happiness to be discovered there too. This one hit deep for me, it came bearing an highly emotional story line that was pure torture on my heart... but so darn worth every ounce of pain! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
The moment your eyes land on the first page of Violet Ugly you will be absorbed into Ms. Bailey's well crafted words, and taken on a heart-wrenching journey that will leave a permanent mark on your soul. From the get-go it was evident these two not only had chemistry in spades, but they also had a lot of wounds that needed healing. This is a slow burning story, and as it progresses you will see them battle their demons, and rediscover all that was lost when she walked away, but not without a few bumps and bruises. It is a beautifully told story, but it comes with a heavy subject line, one that may have your heart in your throat and your tears welling, but know their is also some happiness to be discovered there too. This one hit deep for me, it came bearing an highly emotional story line that was pure torture on my heart... but so darn worth every ounce of pain! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
October 27, 2018
What another great and emotional read by J. Lynn Bailey!! I knew going in that this one was going to be gut wrenching. To be completely honest it took me about 3 days after release to finally start this book. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able handle all of the emotions that I would be experiencing, but it was all worth it!
The story of Merit and Ryan was packed full of emotions. As children the bond between Merit, Ryan and Merit’s brother Eli was unbreakable. Merit’s family became a safe haven for Ryan. I loved how even with all that Ryan was enduring at home he would do little things for Merit, my heart just melted! Then as they got older, Merit and Ryan’s feelings changed for each other and they fell in love, until Ryan broke her heart. So Merit left home at 18 to get away from the pain that was caused by Ryan but she is now back in Granite Harbor and Ryan knew this was his chance to right all the wrongs that occurred sixteen years ago. What ensues is a journey of grieving, healing and letting go. I shed quite a few tears in this book. The pain that they both carried was tremendous, but once they got their second chance it was so beautiful! I highly recommend this book. Now I can not wait for the next standalone in this series, Magnolia Road!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
The story of Merit and Ryan was packed full of emotions. As children the bond between Merit, Ryan and Merit’s brother Eli was unbreakable. Merit’s family became a safe haven for Ryan. I loved how even with all that Ryan was enduring at home he would do little things for Merit, my heart just melted! Then as they got older, Merit and Ryan’s feelings changed for each other and they fell in love, until Ryan broke her heart. So Merit left home at 18 to get away from the pain that was caused by Ryan but she is now back in Granite Harbor and Ryan knew this was his chance to right all the wrongs that occurred sixteen years ago. What ensues is a journey of grieving, healing and letting go. I shed quite a few tears in this book. The pain that they both carried was tremendous, but once they got their second chance it was so beautiful! I highly recommend this book. Now I can not wait for the next standalone in this series, Magnolia Road!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
November 2, 2018
I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this one to read, and oh man. It was beautiful and painful and tough on the emotions! It was not what I had expected from reading the preview and blurb (I'm realizing that this is a common theme with me) but I'm so happy to have gotten the chance to dive into this world.
Merit carries around some incredibly heavy baggage, but she's ridiculously likeable and real so you just want to help her carry it, though sometimes you want to shake her as well. Ryan is tough but broken, in many of the same ways she is. After what could go down as the worst ever miscommunication and immensely painful intentional hurt so that Merit would continue to pursue college across the country, these former young lovers spend nearly 20 years apart, hurting and not really living. They come back together after Ryan is hurt, and Merit's brother calls her in to help him recover. Figuring out if they make it work again after all the time, distance and pain between them is one heck of a ride.
I completely enjoyed reading this story. I didn't find really any aspect that predictable and going along for the ride is a rare treat! I can highly recommend this read to anyone who is looking for a refreshing read that really hits you in the feels.
Merit carries around some incredibly heavy baggage, but she's ridiculously likeable and real so you just want to help her carry it, though sometimes you want to shake her as well. Ryan is tough but broken, in many of the same ways she is. After what could go down as the worst ever miscommunication and immensely painful intentional hurt so that Merit would continue to pursue college across the country, these former young lovers spend nearly 20 years apart, hurting and not really living. They come back together after Ryan is hurt, and Merit's brother calls her in to help him recover. Figuring out if they make it work again after all the time, distance and pain between them is one heck of a ride.
I completely enjoyed reading this story. I didn't find really any aspect that predictable and going along for the ride is a rare treat! I can highly recommend this read to anyone who is looking for a refreshing read that really hits you in the feels.
November 5, 2018
This story broke my heart in tiny little pieces then put it back together. I was an emotional mess and I was so invested in the characters and the story.
Merit left her old town behind just like her family, all to escape Ryan and his memories..good or bad, it doesn't matter..she just left and never looked back until she had to return to take care of Ryan.
Merit is such a great person, she rakes care of everyone without even realising that she didn't take care of herself. Her life might not have been the easiest but she has a great family and a great job..anything else doesn't matter.
Ryan..God, my heart broke for him..he is so strong and turned out an amazing man, certainly not thanks to his father ( I can't say anything without spoiling but..all the tissues..that's all). He knew he did everything wrong when it came to Merit but he thought he had no other choice.
Their story is sad, heartbreaking, so full of emotions and it starts when they are very young, so it goes from present to past a lot. It's also a journey they both have to take separately in order to understand and overcome their pasts.
I fell in love with this story and it will certainly stay with me.
Merit left her old town behind just like her family, all to escape Ryan and his memories..good or bad, it doesn't matter..she just left and never looked back until she had to return to take care of Ryan.
Merit is such a great person, she rakes care of everyone without even realising that she didn't take care of herself. Her life might not have been the easiest but she has a great family and a great job..anything else doesn't matter.
Ryan..God, my heart broke for him..he is so strong and turned out an amazing man, certainly not thanks to his father ( I can't say anything without spoiling but..all the tissues..that's all). He knew he did everything wrong when it came to Merit but he thought he had no other choice.
Their story is sad, heartbreaking, so full of emotions and it starts when they are very young, so it goes from present to past a lot. It's also a journey they both have to take separately in order to understand and overcome their pasts.
I fell in love with this story and it will certainly stay with me.
October 20, 2018
Violet Ugly by J Lynn Bailey is book two in a series, a standalone. The previous book, Peony Read, is one of my favorite reads this year and I had high expectations for Violet Ugly.
In Peony Red I already got a look at Ryan and Merit's story. She left Granite Harbour 16 years ago, broken and abandoned after a bad breakup with Ryan.
Ryan Taylor was her first in many things. She was his anchor and saviour. Together with her brother Eli they grew up.
Ryan is a game warden, but lives in survival made only, has meaningless encounters with women, keeps everyone at arms length - 'til Merit is back to care for him. Yes he's had a bad dark past, but what he did to her is hard to forgive or forget. When his past shows up, all people around him are in danger.
Violet Ugly is a raw and gritty, heartfelt read. A slow burn story that jumps between past and present and is told in dual POV. I like dthe story and connected with the characters, but Peony Red is my favorite book in this series, sorry Ryan and Merit. 4,5 stars.
In Peony Red I already got a look at Ryan and Merit's story. She left Granite Harbour 16 years ago, broken and abandoned after a bad breakup with Ryan.
Ryan Taylor was her first in many things. She was his anchor and saviour. Together with her brother Eli they grew up.
Ryan is a game warden, but lives in survival made only, has meaningless encounters with women, keeps everyone at arms length - 'til Merit is back to care for him. Yes he's had a bad dark past, but what he did to her is hard to forgive or forget. When his past shows up, all people around him are in danger.
Violet Ugly is a raw and gritty, heartfelt read. A slow burn story that jumps between past and present and is told in dual POV. I like dthe story and connected with the characters, but Peony Red is my favorite book in this series, sorry Ryan and Merit. 4,5 stars.
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