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Bad Habit #2
Make Me Sin
Chloe Carmichael's life feels pretty sweet - she's both maid of honor and florist for her best friend's A-list wedding, things are getting serious with her boyfriend, and her flower shop is about to get a spread in a national magazine. But it all quickly turns sour whenever the best man, Bad Habit drummer A.J. Edwards, shows his face...his handsome, unforgettable face. A.J. is everything Chloe doesn't want: tattooed, selfish, and all-around bad news. So why can't she stop thinking about him? Goody two-shoes Chloe isn't exactly A.J.'s type, either, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. A.J. will be the first to say he isn't a saint, but there's something he's not saying - something that would devastate Chloe. The only way he can protect her is to push her away, but the drummer finds he needs her now more than ever. When a wedding-day confrontation reveals secrets they're both hiding, will Chloe and A.J. ever find their rhythm again?
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First published January 26, 2016
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About the author
J.T. Geissinger
43 books24.4k followersJ.T. Geissinger is a New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of thirty-five novels and novellas. Ranging from funny, feisty romcoms to intense erotic thrillers, her books have sold over twenty million copies and been translated into more than two dozen languages.
She is a three-time nominee in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.
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She is a three-time nominee in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and the HOLT Medallion for Best Erotic Romance.
Newsletter ➡️ http://bit.ly/1IbgZZI
Reader group ➡️ http://bit.ly/2xbtnY3
Amazon ➡️ http://amzn.to/1xQN4za
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,104 reviews
November 5, 2020
***4.5 STARS***
Oh.my.gooodness. Talk about angst. I am emotionally spent after reading this, and I still don’t know how to feel about it after it ended because it leaves the reader wondering and guessing of whether there is an eternal HEA which is hard for me because I read romances exactly for the reason of a HEA.
A.J. Edwards does not like Chloe. He growls at her every time she comes near which makes it difficult because he is the best man and she is the maid of honor to their best friend’s wedding. Chloe cannot understand A.J.’s reaction to her but she gives him back his bad vibes in spades. What Chloe doesn’t know is that A.J. is battling some very deep demons and he has to overcome A LOT to love again. Believe me he is dark and deep and it will make you sad.
This is a rockstar romance...A.J. is the drummer, but the book doesn’t focus a lot on music or rock lifestyles. It is definitely all about the couple. Just be forewarned and have the Kleenex ready but the overall book is very good and wonderfully written.
Oh.my.gooodness. Talk about angst. I am emotionally spent after reading this, and I still don’t know how to feel about it after it ended because it leaves the reader wondering and guessing of whether there is an eternal HEA which is hard for me because I read romances exactly for the reason of a HEA.
A.J. Edwards does not like Chloe. He growls at her every time she comes near which makes it difficult because he is the best man and she is the maid of honor to their best friend’s wedding. Chloe cannot understand A.J.’s reaction to her but she gives him back his bad vibes in spades. What Chloe doesn’t know is that A.J. is battling some very deep demons and he has to overcome A LOT to love again. Believe me he is dark and deep and it will make you sad.
This is a rockstar romance...A.J. is the drummer, but the book doesn’t focus a lot on music or rock lifestyles. It is definitely all about the couple. Just be forewarned and have the Kleenex ready but the overall book is very good and wonderfully written.
January 13, 2016
***5++ "Devastating" stars for A.J. & Chloe***
God damn it!!! I thought that i loved the first book but this one was amazing, wonderfull, extraordinary!!! I don't know how else i can describe it!!!
The only sure thing is that it will remain with me for a long time!!!
This story was so devastating, heart-wrecking, but at the same time so beautiful!!!
I never wanted to end this book... I could live with the company of A.J. and Chloe for the rest of my life!!!
I had this feeling that i was gonna love those two and i think that it became something more than that...
I think that "Bad habit" series became my bad hadit, my addiction!!! And i need my next fix!!!
We met A.J. and Chloe in the first book and i have to say that they intrigued me for the very first moment...
There was some electrifying chemistry between them and the thing is that they were acting like they were hating each others guts. A.J. even making nasty remarks to Chloe and she was snapping badly even though that it was out of her character. He was crawling under her skin and making her hot and bothered with his attitude toward her.
And like that they started in this book... A.J. was intentionally pissing her off and Chloe was snapping back until something changed between them...
The thing is that under all this shitty attitude toward each other was underlying something strong and deep. They were caring for each other more that they wanted to admit. But there were problems between them...
"I see you, A.J. I see you. All the way past your big scary exterior. You don't have to let me in. I can't make you, it's obvious you don't want to. But I want you to."
Chloe was drawing toward this enigmatic man even though he was acting like a major prick toward her. She wanted so bad to let her in and to wash away his pain from his eyes...
But he didn't want to let her...
A.J. was closed to himself and he was haunted from old demons.
As much as he was caring for Chloe, he couldn't let her intrude in his darkness with her light. He wasn't deserving happiness... but as much as he tried, he just couldn't stay away from her!!!
And she is making it really hard for him to walk away...
"I can't be what what you need. I'm not the man for you. We both know that."
"Then what are we doing, A.J.? What is this? Why are you here?"
"Because I'm fucking weak! I can't stay away from you! No matter what i do, you're there, in my head, smiling that heartbreaker smile! I can't stay away... and I'm so tired of trying!"
And when something unexpected happened to Chloe, he took her under his wings and it was impossible to not open the door in her love and to his happiness.
But for how long???
What will happen when Chloe will realize how deeply reached his darkness???
When she will discover all the sceletons in his closet???
She will remain with him??? Or she will runaway as far as she can???
Maybe it will be better if he will end the thing between them, before it gets too far away!!!
"He fights. He fights himself so hard, it makes my heart bleed. In a flash of comprehension, I understand. All his strange behavior, all his anger, all the flip-flopping emotions he seems to go through whenever I'm near.
I reach up and touch his face. "I hurt you, somehow, don't I? Being near me hurts you."
His lashes flutter. In a low, chocked voice that sounds like it rises from the deepest pit of hell, A.J. answers, "Being near you makes me wanna die."
Pain pierces my heart... "Why?"
He laughs. Somehow it's even worse than what he's just told me. The sound is vicious, heartless, totally without mercy. "Because you have a smile like a sunrise and eyes that could end all wars, and you have no idea, you have no fucking clue, that when you look at me, you're looking at a dead man."
His face twists in misery. His eyes are wet. When he speaks, his voice cracks. "But mostly because you give me hope. You fucking haunt me with hope. And I can't forgive you for that. Now get the hell out and don't ever come back."
Chloe was a privileged girl who was making her rebellion by renting an apartment alone and making her own business as a flowerist!!! She was sweet, kind and caring... a good girl that she never got angry and she never reacted badly to anyone.
But lately she catches herself to react in everything and for all of these reactions, she is blaming A.J. Edwards and his awful attitude toward her.
She doesn't know why but this guy is getting under her skin and as much as she wants to stay away for him is impossible. She is craving his presence by her side and soon she will realize that she wants to be everything for him!!!
She is dying inside when she is discovering what A.J. is hiding inside his soul and she wants so badly to help him and to be with him for the rest of her days...
I have to say that near to the end, my heart was in serious pain for her behalf!!! I wanted so badly to soothe her and make everything good for her...
"This man speaks in riddles. He is a riddle. He says one thing, and means another. He wants one thing, and allows himself another. There's so much light in him, yet he is so very dark.
And I'm falling for him. I know it. I feel it. I want it, yet because i know there will be no happily-ever-after to this fairytale, I don't. If I allow myself to fall in love with him, I no longer think it will merely hurt... I think it will be much worse than that. I think the fall might break me."
As for A.J. i have to say that he was a really interesting but very confusing character.
He was so mysterious and his behaviour was strange and intrigue at the same time.
Yep, he was acting like a jerk in the beginning, but it was a form of defense... He had too many dark secrets that was chained around his heart, and Chloe made him craving things that he shouldn't be crave. Things that thought that he didn't deserve... Things as love and lust and... Chloe!!!
Chloe was bringing light in his darkness... Chloe was everything!!!
And as much as he wanted to stay away from her, he couldn't and he was dying even more inside... Because he didn't want to hurt her!!!
And he was hurting her... With his denial to be with her at the beginning and even worse later...
"Every time she looks at me with those eyes of hers, I have to fight not to break down and tell her everything.
If I did, she'd run away as fast as she could. So I keep my mouth shut. And I keep her.
I told her I wasn't selfish, but I lied. I'm the most selfish bastard who ever lived. She'll find out soon enough. And then she'll hate me, like i deserve."
Seriously guys in the last 90pages, i was crying like a baby and i was feeling like an invisible hand was squizing my heart!!!
I wanted so badly redemption for A.J. and happiness with Chloe. They were so amazing together!!!
I don't think that i will ever stop loving this suffering couple...
I also want to tell that i adore all the Origami that A.j. was making for her, and the old hotel's atmosphere as well!!!
And I adored the way A.J. was seeing the sounds around him!!!
And now, for once again, I'm so curious about Grace and Brody!!!
I'm so sure that Brody knows something for her "deleted" past and i would love to see someone to overpass her tough shield!!!
Please J.T., hurry up!!! I need it immediately!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
God damn it!!! I thought that i loved the first book but this one was amazing, wonderfull, extraordinary!!! I don't know how else i can describe it!!!
The only sure thing is that it will remain with me for a long time!!!
This story was so devastating, heart-wrecking, but at the same time so beautiful!!!
I never wanted to end this book... I could live with the company of A.J. and Chloe for the rest of my life!!!
I had this feeling that i was gonna love those two and i think that it became something more than that...
I think that "Bad habit" series became my bad hadit, my addiction!!! And i need my next fix!!!
We met A.J. and Chloe in the first book and i have to say that they intrigued me for the very first moment...
There was some electrifying chemistry between them and the thing is that they were acting like they were hating each others guts. A.J. even making nasty remarks to Chloe and she was snapping badly even though that it was out of her character. He was crawling under her skin and making her hot and bothered with his attitude toward her.
And like that they started in this book... A.J. was intentionally pissing her off and Chloe was snapping back until something changed between them...
The thing is that under all this shitty attitude toward each other was underlying something strong and deep. They were caring for each other more that they wanted to admit. But there were problems between them...
"I see you, A.J. I see you. All the way past your big scary exterior. You don't have to let me in. I can't make you, it's obvious you don't want to. But I want you to."
Chloe was drawing toward this enigmatic man even though he was acting like a major prick toward her. She wanted so bad to let her in and to wash away his pain from his eyes...
But he didn't want to let her...
A.J. was closed to himself and he was haunted from old demons.
As much as he was caring for Chloe, he couldn't let her intrude in his darkness with her light. He wasn't deserving happiness... but as much as he tried, he just couldn't stay away from her!!!
And she is making it really hard for him to walk away...
"I can't be what what you need. I'm not the man for you. We both know that."
"Then what are we doing, A.J.? What is this? Why are you here?"
"Because I'm fucking weak! I can't stay away from you! No matter what i do, you're there, in my head, smiling that heartbreaker smile! I can't stay away... and I'm so tired of trying!"
And when something unexpected happened to Chloe, he took her under his wings and it was impossible to not open the door in her love and to his happiness.
But for how long???
What will happen when Chloe will realize how deeply reached his darkness???
When she will discover all the sceletons in his closet???
She will remain with him??? Or she will runaway as far as she can???
Maybe it will be better if he will end the thing between them, before it gets too far away!!!
"He fights. He fights himself so hard, it makes my heart bleed. In a flash of comprehension, I understand. All his strange behavior, all his anger, all the flip-flopping emotions he seems to go through whenever I'm near.
I reach up and touch his face. "I hurt you, somehow, don't I? Being near me hurts you."
His lashes flutter. In a low, chocked voice that sounds like it rises from the deepest pit of hell, A.J. answers, "Being near you makes me wanna die."
Pain pierces my heart... "Why?"
He laughs. Somehow it's even worse than what he's just told me. The sound is vicious, heartless, totally without mercy. "Because you have a smile like a sunrise and eyes that could end all wars, and you have no idea, you have no fucking clue, that when you look at me, you're looking at a dead man."
His face twists in misery. His eyes are wet. When he speaks, his voice cracks. "But mostly because you give me hope. You fucking haunt me with hope. And I can't forgive you for that. Now get the hell out and don't ever come back."
Chloe was a privileged girl who was making her rebellion by renting an apartment alone and making her own business as a flowerist!!! She was sweet, kind and caring... a good girl that she never got angry and she never reacted badly to anyone.
But lately she catches herself to react in everything and for all of these reactions, she is blaming A.J. Edwards and his awful attitude toward her.
She doesn't know why but this guy is getting under her skin and as much as she wants to stay away for him is impossible. She is craving his presence by her side and soon she will realize that she wants to be everything for him!!!
She is dying inside when she is discovering what A.J. is hiding inside his soul and she wants so badly to help him and to be with him for the rest of her days...
I have to say that near to the end, my heart was in serious pain for her behalf!!! I wanted so badly to soothe her and make everything good for her...
"This man speaks in riddles. He is a riddle. He says one thing, and means another. He wants one thing, and allows himself another. There's so much light in him, yet he is so very dark.
And I'm falling for him. I know it. I feel it. I want it, yet because i know there will be no happily-ever-after to this fairytale, I don't. If I allow myself to fall in love with him, I no longer think it will merely hurt... I think it will be much worse than that. I think the fall might break me."
As for A.J. i have to say that he was a really interesting but very confusing character.
He was so mysterious and his behaviour was strange and intrigue at the same time.
Yep, he was acting like a jerk in the beginning, but it was a form of defense... He had too many dark secrets that was chained around his heart, and Chloe made him craving things that he shouldn't be crave. Things that thought that he didn't deserve... Things as love and lust and... Chloe!!!
Chloe was bringing light in his darkness... Chloe was everything!!!
And as much as he wanted to stay away from her, he couldn't and he was dying even more inside... Because he didn't want to hurt her!!!
And he was hurting her... With his denial to be with her at the beginning and even worse later...
"Every time she looks at me with those eyes of hers, I have to fight not to break down and tell her everything.
If I did, she'd run away as fast as she could. So I keep my mouth shut. And I keep her.
I told her I wasn't selfish, but I lied. I'm the most selfish bastard who ever lived. She'll find out soon enough. And then she'll hate me, like i deserve."
Seriously guys in the last 90pages, i was crying like a baby and i was feeling like an invisible hand was squizing my heart!!!
I wanted so badly redemption for A.J. and happiness with Chloe. They were so amazing together!!!
I don't think that i will ever stop loving this suffering couple...
I also want to tell that i adore all the Origami that A.j. was making for her, and the old hotel's atmosphere as well!!!
And I adored the way A.J. was seeing the sounds around him!!!
And now, for once again, I'm so curious about Grace and Brody!!!
I'm so sure that Brody knows something for her "deleted" past and i would love to see someone to overpass her tough shield!!!
Please J.T., hurry up!!! I need it immediately!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
January 18, 2016
I should have known better. After having conflicting feelings about the first book, I ignored my instinct and requested this.
Bad idea.
The drama llama was too much. Too much. Everything that could happened in a book happened in this book. Not even kidding. It was just TOO MUCH. Plus, I really I hate one of the plot device used by the author. I wish I had known because that alone was enough to kill any enjoyment I had left for this book.
ARC provided by the publisher
Bad idea.
The drama llama was too much. Too much. Everything that could happened in a book happened in this book. Not even kidding. It was just TOO MUCH. Plus, I really I hate one of the plot device used by the author. I wish I had known because that alone was enough to kill any enjoyment I had left for this book.
ARC provided by the publisher
July 20, 2018
"Because you can't be mine. You can never be mine. And if I fuck you, baby, you'll be mine forever."
That's.... That's not how dicks work, sweety.
"You're not going anywhere without me, except work. And even there I'll be lurking in corners, watching, making sure nothing happens to you."
THAT'S NOT CREEPY AT ALLLLLLL
"[his dick] is a masterpiece. It deserves a painting, or at least a commemorative statue carved in marble, set out in a public square. If I wasn't so stricken by lust, I'd want to grab a pencil and paper and sketch it, that's how fantastic I think it is."
DUUUUUUUUUUUDE. WHAT. ARE YOU. DOING.
I could go on for a while, but I don't think I have the energy in me to copy/paste all the wonderful quotes this ~romance~ provided. For a freeby, it sure made me feel like I was losing a lot, first of all my sanity : intensely creepy, ridiculously nonsensical, I don't recommend INDEED.
June 22, 2016
5 stars if you like bittersweet ends...
This was a love story too beautiful to be true until it wasn’t, until it started to be sad and sadder... There really was a lot of drama. I can deal with drama if I have a happy end eventually. Or in some cases, I can be OK with a very sad ending if I am prepared for it, you know some books end in a painfully beautiful way and you just love them no matter what. But, being the “black or white” girl I am who doesn’t like “shades of gray”, I don’t like bittersweet ends. Give me sweet or give me bitter but bittersweet is not my cuppa... So, now, I don’t know if I should be happy or unhappy with how things turned out because I am feeling both happiness and heart ache and I don’t like this confusing state of emotions.
So, if you are OK with bittersweet ends, go and read it, it is a “poetically beautiful” book. I would have given it 5 stars if it had a very happy end. But, if you are a fan of pure happy endings the way I am, then it might upset you as it did me. But still, do read it, it is good.
*************************************
Now let's talk about the book and what it is about...
This 2nd book in the series is about another member of the band Bad Habits, A.J. and Kat’s (heroine in book 1) best friend Chloe.
Well, they are no good match as their friend Kenji explains it in his usual humorous way:
Kenji throws up his hands. “We’re talking about a man who eats virgins for lunch and a woman who makes nuns look slutty! There is no universe in existence where these two paths cross!”
A.J. acts like an as*hole towards Chloe at the beginning of the book. He was doing the same in Book 1. He has some valid reasons but we don’t know yet, and Chloe doesn’t either.
Sorry, Chloe, but I’m about to ruin your day again. It’s the only way I can be near you without wanting to make something bleed.
Being pissed at him for his rude and arrogant, even cruel manners towards her, and being hurt because of his strong dislike for her, Chloe also feels some kind of an attraction to him despite everything. And people around them also think he wants her, too.
I’ll never understand him, or this thing between us. It’s obvious he wants me, just as obvious that he doesn’t want to want me.
A.J. has a neurological anomaly: Chromesthesia or sound-to-color synesthesia, which is a type of synesthesia in which heard sounds automatically and involuntarily evoke an experience of color. So sounds create an effect like this to him:
When Chloe learns that, she thinks her voice and the colors and images it creates make him hate her.
“You want to know what I see when you open your mouth? ... Ask me what I see, Chloe.”
It’s the first time he’s ever spoken my name. Electricity runs through my body, setting every nerve on fire. When we’re eye to eye and nose to nose, he whispers, “Ask me.”
The shop disappears. We’re suspended in empty space, alone in an endless sea of black. All I see are his eyes, gold and gorgeous and haunting. “W-what do you see?”
In near silence, with barely a breath, A.J. murmurs, “Ghosts.”
But it isn’t that simple. There is more than that to it...
A.J. hides too many secrets. He has a really dark and tumultuous past that he hides from everyone. He lives off the grid with no telephones, credit cards or computer and internet...
I reach up and touch his face. "I hurt you, somehow, don't I? Being near me hurts you."
His lashes flutter. In a low, chocked voice that sounds like it rises from the deepest pit of hell, A.J. answers, "Being near you makes me wanna die."
Pain pierces my heart... "Why?"
He laughs. Somehow it's even worse than what he's just told me. The sound is vicious, heartless, totally without mercy. "Because you have a smile like a sunrise and eyes that could end all wars, and you have no idea, you have no fucking clue, that when you look at me, you're looking at a dead man."
His face twists in misery. His eyes are wet. When he speaks, his voice cracks. "But mostly because you give me hope. You fucking haunt me with hope. And I can't forgive you for that. Now get the hell out and don't ever come back."
Chloe is a female character that I adored. Brave, honest and strong. No lies, no acts, no trips... A perfect heroine... She is blond, tall and gorgeous. She is like a super model. And she is determined to find the real A.J. beneath the sad and angry man. And A.J. is a big man with long blonde hair. He is hot and he is attractive.
I’ve taken the first step down a dark, uncharted road. I don’t care. I’m no longer afraid of the dark. I’ve discovered an extraordinary creature who lives there.
A.J. resists the temptation for a long time. When Chloe becomes sure that he wants her, she questions his reasons for acting like that.
"I can't be what what you need. I'm not the man for you. We both know that."
"Then what are we doing, A.J.? What is this? Why are you here?"
"Because I'm fucking weak! I can't stay away from you! No matter what i do, you're there, in my head, smiling that heartbreaker smile! I can't stay away... and I'm so tired of trying!"
Slowly and gradually, and with the help of some dramatic situations these two people are drawn towards each other more and more. Their chemistry is explosive.
In a gravelly voice, he says, “Tell me to leave. Tell me to go away and shut the door in my face.”
Before I can change my mind, I reach out, grab the front of his sweatshirt and gently pull him into my apartment. He stares down at me with those burning eyes, his face hard.
“One last chance. Tell me to leave.”
“I don’t want you to leave.”
Did I tell you how much I adored both characters? Well, I really did...
Never before has a man had such an effect on my body. If he told me to jump out the window at this point, I’d seriously consider it.
***
He presses his feverish forehead to my neck. “How do you see me so clearly, when no one else can?” I think about it. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just looking closer than they are.” I hear him swallow.
My gaze is steady, as is my voice when I answer. “I’m thinking I underestimated him, and so has everyone else. I’m thinking he’s pretty damn incredible. I’m thinking of putting my heart in his hands, and giving him a lot of rope to run with it, even though it scares me to death, because I’m thinking he’ll be worth it. What I’m not thinking about is what’s going to happen next.” My voice drops. “Because what I’ve gotten from him the last few nights is enough to last me for the next fifty years.”
A.J. is such a unique character. Once you understand what life has made him go through, you feel all the love and sympathy for him. He is in fact so full of surprises. He is protective, loving, tender, romantic, passionate and funny.
“You can’t go now,” I beg, terrified he’s leaving. “No, angel, I can’t. That’s the problem.”
***
“Why don’t you mind your own goddamn business?”
“She is my business.”
***
Officer Lawrence asks A.J., “And after you left Ms. Carmichael with the neighbor and instructed him to notify 911, what happened?”
Without taking his unflinching gaze from Officer Lawrence, A.J. says, “Then I readjusted his expectations of living a long, pain-free life.”
Officer Lawrence, clearly not the brightest bulb, asks, “The neighbor?”
“No. The piece of scum who beat my girl.”
***
Looking into my eyes, he says softly, “Let me love you, Chloe. Let me love you like you need to be loved. It won’t be for forever, but it will be the best thing either one of us has ever had. I know it. It’ll be enough to last us the rest of our lives.”
***
I know that this is one of those moments. I’m different from the girl I was just this morning. I’m darker. More dangerous. In fact, I’m capable of anything. Because now there’s something I’m willing to lie, cheat, steal, or die for to protect. Something I don’t want to live without. Or someone.
A.J. and Chloe have become an amazing couple after they opened up to one another. The love scenes are really really hot.... scorching hot !
So this is what I’ve been missing. Every breath I’ve ever taken has been leading me to this.
However, just when they were too happy to be true, one drama followed another and at one point, it was unbearable and I was so sad for A.J. and also for Chloe, but especially for A.J. He had such a hard life full of misery and he just found happiness and then, half of it stolen... such a pity...
So, as I said at the beginning, Chloe and A.J still end up together but their end is a bittersweet one that will tear your heart and make you cry... If it wasn’t like that, I would have given it 5 stars and the book, with its beautiful writing and its beautiful love story deserves five stars... but I don’t like this final drama at the end so I am taking 1 point off for not having my “totally happy end”... Hence my 4 points :(
This was a love story too beautiful to be true until it wasn’t, until it started to be sad and sadder... There really was a lot of drama. I can deal with drama if I have a happy end eventually. Or in some cases, I can be OK with a very sad ending if I am prepared for it, you know some books end in a painfully beautiful way and you just love them no matter what. But, being the “black or white” girl I am who doesn’t like “shades of gray”, I don’t like bittersweet ends. Give me sweet or give me bitter but bittersweet is not my cuppa... So, now, I don’t know if I should be happy or unhappy with how things turned out because I am feeling both happiness and heart ache and I don’t like this confusing state of emotions.
So, if you are OK with bittersweet ends, go and read it, it is a “poetically beautiful” book. I would have given it 5 stars if it had a very happy end. But, if you are a fan of pure happy endings the way I am, then it might upset you as it did me. But still, do read it, it is good.
*************************************
Now let's talk about the book and what it is about...
This 2nd book in the series is about another member of the band Bad Habits, A.J. and Kat’s (heroine in book 1) best friend Chloe.
Well, they are no good match as their friend Kenji explains it in his usual humorous way:
Kenji throws up his hands. “We’re talking about a man who eats virgins for lunch and a woman who makes nuns look slutty! There is no universe in existence where these two paths cross!”
A.J. acts like an as*hole towards Chloe at the beginning of the book. He was doing the same in Book 1. He has some valid reasons but we don’t know yet, and Chloe doesn’t either.
Sorry, Chloe, but I’m about to ruin your day again. It’s the only way I can be near you without wanting to make something bleed.
Being pissed at him for his rude and arrogant, even cruel manners towards her, and being hurt because of his strong dislike for her, Chloe also feels some kind of an attraction to him despite everything. And people around them also think he wants her, too.
I’ll never understand him, or this thing between us. It’s obvious he wants me, just as obvious that he doesn’t want to want me.
A.J. has a neurological anomaly: Chromesthesia or sound-to-color synesthesia, which is a type of synesthesia in which heard sounds automatically and involuntarily evoke an experience of color. So sounds create an effect like this to him:
When Chloe learns that, she thinks her voice and the colors and images it creates make him hate her.
“You want to know what I see when you open your mouth? ... Ask me what I see, Chloe.”
It’s the first time he’s ever spoken my name. Electricity runs through my body, setting every nerve on fire. When we’re eye to eye and nose to nose, he whispers, “Ask me.”
The shop disappears. We’re suspended in empty space, alone in an endless sea of black. All I see are his eyes, gold and gorgeous and haunting. “W-what do you see?”
In near silence, with barely a breath, A.J. murmurs, “Ghosts.”
But it isn’t that simple. There is more than that to it...
A.J. hides too many secrets. He has a really dark and tumultuous past that he hides from everyone. He lives off the grid with no telephones, credit cards or computer and internet...
I reach up and touch his face. "I hurt you, somehow, don't I? Being near me hurts you."
His lashes flutter. In a low, chocked voice that sounds like it rises from the deepest pit of hell, A.J. answers, "Being near you makes me wanna die."
Pain pierces my heart... "Why?"
He laughs. Somehow it's even worse than what he's just told me. The sound is vicious, heartless, totally without mercy. "Because you have a smile like a sunrise and eyes that could end all wars, and you have no idea, you have no fucking clue, that when you look at me, you're looking at a dead man."
His face twists in misery. His eyes are wet. When he speaks, his voice cracks. "But mostly because you give me hope. You fucking haunt me with hope. And I can't forgive you for that. Now get the hell out and don't ever come back."
Chloe is a female character that I adored. Brave, honest and strong. No lies, no acts, no trips... A perfect heroine... She is blond, tall and gorgeous. She is like a super model. And she is determined to find the real A.J. beneath the sad and angry man. And A.J. is a big man with long blonde hair. He is hot and he is attractive.
I’ve taken the first step down a dark, uncharted road. I don’t care. I’m no longer afraid of the dark. I’ve discovered an extraordinary creature who lives there.
A.J. resists the temptation for a long time. When Chloe becomes sure that he wants her, she questions his reasons for acting like that.
"I can't be what what you need. I'm not the man for you. We both know that."
"Then what are we doing, A.J.? What is this? Why are you here?"
"Because I'm fucking weak! I can't stay away from you! No matter what i do, you're there, in my head, smiling that heartbreaker smile! I can't stay away... and I'm so tired of trying!"
Slowly and gradually, and with the help of some dramatic situations these two people are drawn towards each other more and more. Their chemistry is explosive.
In a gravelly voice, he says, “Tell me to leave. Tell me to go away and shut the door in my face.”
Before I can change my mind, I reach out, grab the front of his sweatshirt and gently pull him into my apartment. He stares down at me with those burning eyes, his face hard.
“One last chance. Tell me to leave.”
“I don’t want you to leave.”
Did I tell you how much I adored both characters? Well, I really did...
Never before has a man had such an effect on my body. If he told me to jump out the window at this point, I’d seriously consider it.
***
He presses his feverish forehead to my neck. “How do you see me so clearly, when no one else can?” I think about it. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just looking closer than they are.” I hear him swallow.
My gaze is steady, as is my voice when I answer. “I’m thinking I underestimated him, and so has everyone else. I’m thinking he’s pretty damn incredible. I’m thinking of putting my heart in his hands, and giving him a lot of rope to run with it, even though it scares me to death, because I’m thinking he’ll be worth it. What I’m not thinking about is what’s going to happen next.” My voice drops. “Because what I’ve gotten from him the last few nights is enough to last me for the next fifty years.”
A.J. is such a unique character. Once you understand what life has made him go through, you feel all the love and sympathy for him. He is in fact so full of surprises. He is protective, loving, tender, romantic, passionate and funny.
“You can’t go now,” I beg, terrified he’s leaving. “No, angel, I can’t. That’s the problem.”
***
“Why don’t you mind your own goddamn business?”
“She is my business.”
***
Officer Lawrence asks A.J., “And after you left Ms. Carmichael with the neighbor and instructed him to notify 911, what happened?”
Without taking his unflinching gaze from Officer Lawrence, A.J. says, “Then I readjusted his expectations of living a long, pain-free life.”
Officer Lawrence, clearly not the brightest bulb, asks, “The neighbor?”
“No. The piece of scum who beat my girl.”
***
Looking into my eyes, he says softly, “Let me love you, Chloe. Let me love you like you need to be loved. It won’t be for forever, but it will be the best thing either one of us has ever had. I know it. It’ll be enough to last us the rest of our lives.”
***
I know that this is one of those moments. I’m different from the girl I was just this morning. I’m darker. More dangerous. In fact, I’m capable of anything. Because now there’s something I’m willing to lie, cheat, steal, or die for to protect. Something I don’t want to live without. Or someone.
A.J. and Chloe have become an amazing couple after they opened up to one another. The love scenes are really really hot.... scorching hot !
So this is what I’ve been missing. Every breath I’ve ever taken has been leading me to this.
However, just when they were too happy to be true, one drama followed another and at one point, it was unbearable and I was so sad for A.J. and also for Chloe, but especially for A.J. He had such a hard life full of misery and he just found happiness and then, half of it stolen... such a pity...
So, as I said at the beginning, Chloe and A.J still end up together but their end is a bittersweet one that will tear your heart and make you cry... If it wasn’t like that, I would have given it 5 stars and the book, with its beautiful writing and its beautiful love story deserves five stars... but I don’t like this final drama at the end so I am taking 1 point off for not having my “totally happy end”... Hence my 4 points :(
August 28, 2016
★★★ 3 Crazy Plot stars ★★★
Personally I feel like this book should come with Trigger Warnings of :Domestic Violence and mentions of Rape and difficult childhoods.
Angst in this book is 10 times more than that in Book 1,which Isn't a huge issue for me.It's the instability of the plot that deducted one of the stars from the final rating.The plot started off strong but ended,a little crazily to me.
After a certain point in this book the author just kept throwing in random past incidents and crazy characters every few pages,which is hard for me to expand on without giving away any spoilers.
The other star was deducted for the instability of the secondary characters..One chapter,they're evilish and in the next their caring and loving...One chapter they're innocently sweet and the next they're phyco crazy.You get where I'm going with this ?
Anyway,Wouldn't really recommend this as much as Book 1.But if excessive drama is your guilty pleasure they you might want to give this a go,just in case.
Personally I feel like this book should come with Trigger Warnings of :Domestic Violence and mentions of Rape and difficult childhoods.
Angst in this book is 10 times more than that in Book 1,which Isn't a huge issue for me.It's the instability of the plot that deducted one of the stars from the final rating.The plot started off strong but ended,a little crazily to me.
After a certain point in this book the author just kept throwing in random past incidents and crazy characters every few pages,which is hard for me to expand on without giving away any spoilers.
The other star was deducted for the instability of the secondary characters..One chapter,they're evilish and in the next their caring and loving...One chapter they're innocently sweet and the next they're phyco crazy.You get where I'm going with this ?
Anyway,Wouldn't really recommend this as much as Book 1.But if excessive drama is your guilty pleasure they you might want to give this a go,just in case.
January 13, 2016
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Make Me Sin is the second book in J.T. Geissinger Bad Habit series. This is the first book I've read by this author and I NEED to go back and read the first in this series. Not because I felt I was missing something in this book, but because I fell in LOVE with these characters and the writing. I feel that you can definitely read Make Me Sin without reading the first book (Sweet As Sin) and not miss a thing.
I always try to include MY description of the book in my review. But this one... I just can't. This book is so much more than the "blurb" on the back and I don't feel that I can give a good description of Make Me Sin without giving something away. YOU HAVE TO READ IT. I think I went through every emotion you possibly could reading this book. I laughed, cried, got angry, shocked, etc. It was emotional whiplash, but in a good way (if that makes any sense). It actually took me a couple days to decompress after reading this book and get my thoughts together in order to write this review.
Rating: 5 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
Make Me Sin is the second book in J.T. Geissinger Bad Habit series. This is the first book I've read by this author and I NEED to go back and read the first in this series. Not because I felt I was missing something in this book, but because I fell in LOVE with these characters and the writing. I feel that you can definitely read Make Me Sin without reading the first book (Sweet As Sin) and not miss a thing.
I always try to include MY description of the book in my review. But this one... I just can't. This book is so much more than the "blurb" on the back and I don't feel that I can give a good description of Make Me Sin without giving something away. YOU HAVE TO READ IT. I think I went through every emotion you possibly could reading this book. I laughed, cried, got angry, shocked, etc. It was emotional whiplash, but in a good way (if that makes any sense). It actually took me a couple days to decompress after reading this book and get my thoughts together in order to write this review.
Rating: 5 out of 5
**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
January 19, 2016
Chloe is a sweet girl who is loved by everyone, she comes from a good family and is a little naïve but she’s determined to stand on her own two feet and make a success of her bespoke floral boutique. She’s about to get a massive opportunity as the flowers she’s doing for her best friend’s wedding will earn her a spread in a popular magazine and things are going well with her boyfriend. There’s only thing that is souring her good vibes; A.J, bad-ass rocker and the groom’s bandmate and best man. He’s her total opposite, and he hates her. Chloe knows she shouldn’t be attracted to the man who goes out of his way to make her life a misery, but tell that to her lusty loins.
A.J. is hiding a lot. Mostly he’s trying to hide the fact that he’s totally enamoured by Chloe, but he’s also hiding a painful past and an even more painful secret – the only way he can protect both of them is to make Chloe hate his guts. But when Chloe’s life slowly falls apart he’s the one to pick up the pieces and slowly he’s losing a battle against his resolve to stay away from her.
This was my very first book by J.T. Geissinger and she’s just earned herself a brand new fangirl. Judging from the cover and blurb of this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I definitely wasn’t expecting this. This author has created one of the most beautifully broken men and one of the most heart-breaking and passionate stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
I definitely wasn’t expecting the dark twists and the level of angst I got from this book, but I devoured every word. A.J. was written with a lot of mystery and just a tinge of the magical and this utterly broken man had one of the most beautiful conditions I have ever heard of. He had so much darkness and pain threatening to tear him apart but as the book progressed and he let out a few glimpses of the passion inside him, I grew more and more obsessed. The desperation in him and the slow build of the relationship between the two was tender, beautiful and painful torture.
When looking back at all that happened in this book, I’m amazed at how much story this author was able to pack into this book and it all flowed together seamlessly. She had me crying one moment, only to have my heart smile in elation the next. Not only did I enjoy the actual story, but also the WAY it was written. Mostly told from Chloe’s POV we also get a few glimpses from A.J.’s POV and the way she used her chapters really made an impact.
All in all this book was, as you can tell from the words I kept repeating, beautiful, tender, magical, heart-breaking, passionate and sexy. This is not a typical rock-star/ bad-boy/ enemies-to-lovers romance and I definitely recommend reading it.
(ARC provided by author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
September 15, 2025
2.5 stars
This author’s OTT mafia romances make no pretense of being anything other than roller coaster-type entertainment, and I enjoy them for the high-octane, low-authenticity reads that they are. But when I came across this one, a RITA-award finalist and with a high average rating from thousands of readers, I thought, “Oh, boy! This is gonna be good! A serious book about real people and real feelings!”
The disappointment was severe.
The beginning was unimaginative bickering by two people giving each other heated looks that everyone else noticed but them. Chloe is a Los Angeles florist whose best friend Kat is marrying the lead singer of a rock band, and Chloe and drummer/best man, A.J., insult and toss champagne in each others’ faces because that’s what two people attracted to each other do in this kind of book. Meanwhile, Chloe clings to a boyfriend she wants to keep but doesn’t seem to like and A.J. purportedly only sleeps with hookers.
Then a blowup at a dinner at her parents’s house results in Chloe getting drunk in a bar, because that’s what women in these kinds of books do when they’re upset, and hitching a ride on the back of A.J.’s motorcycle, a ride during which she passes out but somehow manages not to fall off the back of the motorcycle (a rare talent, that). Next thing you know she’s calling the boyfriend by A.J.’s name during sex, and A.J. is standing guard over her apartment in the middle of the night, and she finds origami birds on her windshield, and then A.J. is sleeping with her but NOTNOTNOT having sex with her, for mysterious reasons you find in this kind of book.
By “this kind of book,” I mean a book that reads like a Netflix romantic movie of the week, where the feelings film well but are so phony and manufactured on paper they make me grit my teeth.
***spoilers***
A.J. cannot be with Chloe, in spite of the fact that the first time he heard her voice a choir of heavenly angels anointed her as his one and only. He tells her he would hurt her. Then he tells her he would never hurt her. Then he tells her he would hurt her. Then he tells her he would never hurt her. Then he hurts her to keep from hurting her. Could someone please tell me how the hell that makes sense.
Then, after he hurts her (and she languishes in bed for a week to prove just how hurt she is), she finds out that he’s dying from a brain tumor and that he has refused an operation for it because it would leave him blind. Apparently he prefers to hurt her and die rather than live with her blind, and she has no say in the matter. Until he finds out she’s pregnant, then he’s all “bring on the blindness.” Need more? How about a madman with a gun and a couple of death bed scenes?
Are you listening, Netflix? This has all the drama and none of that nasty sincerity that’s so hard to capture on camera. You won’t have to change a thing.
This author’s OTT mafia romances make no pretense of being anything other than roller coaster-type entertainment, and I enjoy them for the high-octane, low-authenticity reads that they are. But when I came across this one, a RITA-award finalist and with a high average rating from thousands of readers, I thought, “Oh, boy! This is gonna be good! A serious book about real people and real feelings!”
The disappointment was severe.
The beginning was unimaginative bickering by two people giving each other heated looks that everyone else noticed but them. Chloe is a Los Angeles florist whose best friend Kat is marrying the lead singer of a rock band, and Chloe and drummer/best man, A.J., insult and toss champagne in each others’ faces because that’s what two people attracted to each other do in this kind of book. Meanwhile, Chloe clings to a boyfriend she wants to keep but doesn’t seem to like and A.J. purportedly only sleeps with hookers.
Then a blowup at a dinner at her parents’s house results in Chloe getting drunk in a bar, because that’s what women in these kinds of books do when they’re upset, and hitching a ride on the back of A.J.’s motorcycle, a ride during which she passes out but somehow manages not to fall off the back of the motorcycle (a rare talent, that). Next thing you know she’s calling the boyfriend by A.J.’s name during sex, and A.J. is standing guard over her apartment in the middle of the night, and she finds origami birds on her windshield, and then A.J. is sleeping with her but NOTNOTNOT having sex with her, for mysterious reasons you find in this kind of book.
By “this kind of book,” I mean a book that reads like a Netflix romantic movie of the week, where the feelings film well but are so phony and manufactured on paper they make me grit my teeth.
***spoilers***
A.J. cannot be with Chloe, in spite of the fact that the first time he heard her voice a choir of heavenly angels anointed her as his one and only. He tells her he would hurt her. Then he tells her he would never hurt her. Then he tells her he would hurt her. Then he tells her he would never hurt her. Then he hurts her to keep from hurting her. Could someone please tell me how the hell that makes sense.
Then, after he hurts her (and she languishes in bed for a week to prove just how hurt she is), she finds out that he’s dying from a brain tumor and that he has refused an operation for it because it would leave him blind. Apparently he prefers to hurt her and die rather than live with her blind, and she has no say in the matter. Until he finds out she’s pregnant, then he’s all “bring on the blindness.” Need more? How about a madman with a gun and a couple of death bed scenes?
Are you listening, Netflix? This has all the drama and none of that nasty sincerity that’s so hard to capture on camera. You won’t have to change a thing.
January 12, 2016
Oh, this ain’t gonna be easy. I already see that I am in the minority here.
FIRSTLY, I am a fan of this author. I, however, am not a fan of this particular book.
For the first 30-40% I was an invested reader and then this book took a turn for the unbelievable and insensitive.
I am an older (40’s) reader. So NA can be a bit of a hit or miss with me. All the angst and hyped up drama can be somewhat over the top. My issues aren’t with the writing or subject matter.
Most of my issues are spoilers so I will just say this; unrealistic and irritating are the best words I can give. Spoilers below.
I wanted to like it, but it just didn’t work for me. I am positive that there are readers who will love this type of read. As for me, I’ll will stick to the authors PNR series for sure.
*Netgalley Read
FIRSTLY, I am a fan of this author. I, however, am not a fan of this particular book.
For the first 30-40% I was an invested reader and then this book took a turn for the unbelievable and insensitive.
I am an older (40’s) reader. So NA can be a bit of a hit or miss with me. All the angst and hyped up drama can be somewhat over the top. My issues aren’t with the writing or subject matter.
Most of my issues are spoilers so I will just say this; unrealistic and irritating are the best words I can give. Spoilers below.
I wanted to like it, but it just didn’t work for me. I am positive that there are readers who will love this type of read. As for me, I’ll will stick to the authors PNR series for sure.
*Netgalley Read
March 6, 2017
Chloe was the newest addition to the Desperate Doormats. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt but she let me down and kept on going further and further in the pit. I hoped that she'd at least grow some sort of a backbone, dump him on his ass, and leave him there to suffer in his self-inflicted misery. She's also partly at fault too for getting herself involved with him when he had shown her nothing but disdain. I understand she got her feelings hurt because he was mean to her but I don't see how she could possibly be attracted to someone like him. Why would you be attracted or interested to someone who pretty much hated you? Not only that, but she made a complete fool of herself the way she looked for reasons to talk to him, it's like she had absolutely no dignity or pride left. I was almost embarrassed for her the way she threw herself in his path and assured him that she saw through his act. What if deep down he really did hate her simply because he was a judgmental as*hole who was pissed at the world and despised people who enjoyed life? How humiliated would she have been had he not had any feelings for her at all? She didn't ever think of that, I find it baffling how so many women in books think they know what goes on in a man's head better than he does. Chloe was a perfect example. She wanted there to be a reason why he treated her like crap.
She was also in an otherwise blooming relationship, the only problem was he was a bad kisser, and up until this book Eric was completely normal in the last book. His flip in character was completely abrupt and I didn't buy it. His sudden personality switch seemed completely fake and an excuse to get Chloe and A.J. on the same page. There was nothing wrong with him in the last book other than being an inexperienced kisser, then suddenly he becomes this jealous, crazy, alcoholic, killer? One of the things many authors love to showcase in a romance is that if you're the ex of the heroine, you're a great boyfriend until she decides there's a new toy she likes better and therefore there must be something very wrong with you all of a sudden, where you start to show you've really been crazy all along but it hasn't shown until you break up, in order to make way for the new hero. Because there simply can't be an imperfect heroine who decides her boyfriend is not what what she wants anymore and she wants the new eye candy, in order for that to happen and for her to be free of guilt or being shallow, she must now see every imperfection magnified. And yes, contrary to the lie that these characters were spouting, it IS a big deal to say another man's name when you're with your boyfriend. It doesn't matter whether you're having sex or just kissing, that's irrelevant, the fact is you're calling out ANOTHER man's name while you're with YOUR man. It doesn't take a genius to see what's wrong with that sentence and there's no in between, it's easy as yes or no, good or bad, right or wrong, period.
A.J. was a world class jerk. His reasoning for treating Chloe like crap in the beginning was stupid and senseless. His secret that he hid from her was laughable and pathetic. He didn't deserve her either in the beginning or end. He's too busy feeling sorry for himself to deserve someone like her. She's also no prize either if she doesn't have some pride left to save herself the humiliation of throwing herself into the arms of someone who thinks the best way to treat the only girl he's ever had feelings for is to insult her at every turn, make her feel unworthy, laugh at her embarrassment, and selfishly use her until you say you're done. I have no sympathy for someone who behaves this way. It's cowardly, childish, and very unbecoming of a person's character. He got off easy and she should have left him to suffer until he gets his head on straight and realizes he was a first class f*ckup. Most of us can see what's coming when the guy is all in one day and staging a fake cheating the next day. It's the newest thing and even when I first read this trope the first time, I didn't find it immediately forgivable or endearing in the least like everyone else. It was a cop out for us to suddenly feel sorry for him and disregard every bad thing he'd done up to that point. It was a ploy to get them back on track without any work required on either part. I'm not gonna suddenly feel sorry for him all because of his "situation", that doesn't earn him any special treatment, he's just like everyone else and should have had to work for her forgiveness for not being honest and purposely hurting her whether it was for her own good or not. He chose to go that route alone, he chose to hurt her in the most painful way he knew, he chose to break his promise after she took a chance on him when he was nothing but cruel to her. He should have ended up alone just like he wanted.
I'll never read this again. I wish I'd listened to key reviews and my gut instinct telling me to run far away from this and don't look back.p but my curiosity got the best of me. Now I'm going to hope that I forget this book but remember to stay away from this author. Her writing and characters are just not my cup of tea.
She was also in an otherwise blooming relationship, the only problem was he was a bad kisser, and up until this book Eric was completely normal in the last book. His flip in character was completely abrupt and I didn't buy it. His sudden personality switch seemed completely fake and an excuse to get Chloe and A.J. on the same page. There was nothing wrong with him in the last book other than being an inexperienced kisser, then suddenly he becomes this jealous, crazy, alcoholic, killer? One of the things many authors love to showcase in a romance is that if you're the ex of the heroine, you're a great boyfriend until she decides there's a new toy she likes better and therefore there must be something very wrong with you all of a sudden, where you start to show you've really been crazy all along but it hasn't shown until you break up, in order to make way for the new hero. Because there simply can't be an imperfect heroine who decides her boyfriend is not what what she wants anymore and she wants the new eye candy, in order for that to happen and for her to be free of guilt or being shallow, she must now see every imperfection magnified. And yes, contrary to the lie that these characters were spouting, it IS a big deal to say another man's name when you're with your boyfriend. It doesn't matter whether you're having sex or just kissing, that's irrelevant, the fact is you're calling out ANOTHER man's name while you're with YOUR man. It doesn't take a genius to see what's wrong with that sentence and there's no in between, it's easy as yes or no, good or bad, right or wrong, period.
A.J. was a world class jerk. His reasoning for treating Chloe like crap in the beginning was stupid and senseless. His secret that he hid from her was laughable and pathetic. He didn't deserve her either in the beginning or end. He's too busy feeling sorry for himself to deserve someone like her. She's also no prize either if she doesn't have some pride left to save herself the humiliation of throwing herself into the arms of someone who thinks the best way to treat the only girl he's ever had feelings for is to insult her at every turn, make her feel unworthy, laugh at her embarrassment, and selfishly use her until you say you're done. I have no sympathy for someone who behaves this way. It's cowardly, childish, and very unbecoming of a person's character. He got off easy and she should have left him to suffer until he gets his head on straight and realizes he was a first class f*ckup. Most of us can see what's coming when the guy is all in one day and staging a fake cheating the next day. It's the newest thing and even when I first read this trope the first time, I didn't find it immediately forgivable or endearing in the least like everyone else. It was a cop out for us to suddenly feel sorry for him and disregard every bad thing he'd done up to that point. It was a ploy to get them back on track without any work required on either part. I'm not gonna suddenly feel sorry for him all because of his "situation", that doesn't earn him any special treatment, he's just like everyone else and should have had to work for her forgiveness for not being honest and purposely hurting her whether it was for her own good or not. He chose to go that route alone, he chose to hurt her in the most painful way he knew, he chose to break his promise after she took a chance on him when he was nothing but cruel to her. He should have ended up alone just like he wanted.
I'll never read this again. I wish I'd listened to key reviews and my gut instinct telling me to run far away from this and don't look back.p but my curiosity got the best of me. Now I'm going to hope that I forget this book but remember to stay away from this author. Her writing and characters are just not my cup of tea.
April 20, 2017
4.5 stars
This one was filled with drama after drama and super angsty. I DEVOURED it. Sometimes when there's too many subplots, the book can get pretty long and i skim through pages. I personally think this author did a good job especially with the pacing. As usual, her writing was impeccable. I shed a few tears at the end, being as shocked as the heroine was.
In a nutshell, Chloe and AJ share a mutual, unwanted attraction. Being that their best friends Nico and Kat are planning a wedding, its only natural that they have to be in each other's orbit. There's one problem- AJ cannot stand Chloe and gives her the hardest times. As annoyed and angry Chloe is, for some reason, she cannot completely ignore this jerk. Her heart tells her something completely different despite her head telling her the right thing. What we do not know- AJ has a painful secret. Chloe sees through this man and together they form the sweetest relationship. I was really happy for AJ at that point. Just letting go and giving it his all. He was completely devoted to Chloe. Until he decides to pull the biggest jerk move. Kaboom!
A few trigger warnings which i suggest readers get from other reviews. This book left me with a sting in the tail. I was happy, yet sad. Definite recommendation if you are a sucker for angst.
This one was filled with drama after drama and super angsty. I DEVOURED it. Sometimes when there's too many subplots, the book can get pretty long and i skim through pages. I personally think this author did a good job especially with the pacing. As usual, her writing was impeccable. I shed a few tears at the end, being as shocked as the heroine was.
In a nutshell, Chloe and AJ share a mutual, unwanted attraction. Being that their best friends Nico and Kat are planning a wedding, its only natural that they have to be in each other's orbit. There's one problem- AJ cannot stand Chloe and gives her the hardest times. As annoyed and angry Chloe is, for some reason, she cannot completely ignore this jerk. Her heart tells her something completely different despite her head telling her the right thing. What we do not know- AJ has a painful secret. Chloe sees through this man and together they form the sweetest relationship. I was really happy for AJ at that point. Just letting go and giving it his all. He was completely devoted to Chloe. Until he decides to pull the biggest jerk move. Kaboom!
A few trigger warnings which i suggest readers get from other reviews. This book left me with a sting in the tail. I was happy, yet sad. Definite recommendation if you are a sucker for angst.
January 4, 2016
4.5 rocky road stars
Hop on the emotional roller coaster!
Our heroine is Chloe - a mid-twenty girl from rich parents who owns a flower shop. When we meet her she is still with her boyfriend Eric (let me say right away - there is no cheating). She's sweet, straight forward, loyal and a good girl all around.
A.J. is so fantastically multi-layered, it's hard to describe him without spoiling too much. He is an enigma and on this journey we peel back layer by layer of his personality. He is distant, bad-mouthed and rude. His brain is capable of something called chromesthesia - seeing sound in colors. Comes in handy since he's the drummer in a rock band called Bad Habit (love that name btw.).
Chloe's best friend Kat from the previous book "Sweet As Sin" is getting married and Chloe has been trusted with providing the flower arrangements. When Chloe and A.J. meet (again - they have met in the previous installment first) they clash. A.J. is aloof and whenever he looks at Chloe to her it feels like he is tasting something really nasty in his mouth. Of course the obvious dislike doesn't last long and soon they find themselves in a dance of pushing and pulling. While Chloe is quite upfront with what she wants, A.J. keeps pulling away.
Chloe knows there are secrets he hides. He tries to stay away from her but her pull is too strong - until one day, when Chloe is hurt and his protective instinct kicks in full force. Once we see his real self he shines so bright that you're blinded by the brilliance.
The way J.T. Geissinger describes how A.J. sees colors when listening to music is almost like poetry, it's that beautiful.
We do get a happy end but until then there is a lot of drama and angst involved. And heartbreak - oh that hurt so good.
The heroine, while mostly acting mature has a moment of insanity when she screams at A.J. and demands out of pure jealousy that he never see a certain person again despite him just telling her that this person has been his only friend. The drama and angst are always strong in this story and rarely tip towards OTT.
As I've said in my review for Wicked Beautiful, J.T. Geissinger is an extremely talented writer, I love how she strings her sentences together, the wit, the charm, the heartbreak. There is a hint in the epilogue who we will get to see next and what this story will be about and I can't wait to see what J.T. Geissinger has in store for these two.
***ARC via netgalley in an exchange for an honest review***
Feel free to follow my blog: http://coffeecookieandbooks.blogspot....
Hop on the emotional roller coaster!
Our heroine is Chloe - a mid-twenty girl from rich parents who owns a flower shop. When we meet her she is still with her boyfriend Eric (let me say right away - there is no cheating). She's sweet, straight forward, loyal and a good girl all around.
A.J. is so fantastically multi-layered, it's hard to describe him without spoiling too much. He is an enigma and on this journey we peel back layer by layer of his personality. He is distant, bad-mouthed and rude. His brain is capable of something called chromesthesia - seeing sound in colors. Comes in handy since he's the drummer in a rock band called Bad Habit (love that name btw.).
Chloe's best friend Kat from the previous book "Sweet As Sin" is getting married and Chloe has been trusted with providing the flower arrangements. When Chloe and A.J. meet (again - they have met in the previous installment first) they clash. A.J. is aloof and whenever he looks at Chloe to her it feels like he is tasting something really nasty in his mouth. Of course the obvious dislike doesn't last long and soon they find themselves in a dance of pushing and pulling. While Chloe is quite upfront with what she wants, A.J. keeps pulling away.
Chloe knows there are secrets he hides. He tries to stay away from her but her pull is too strong - until one day, when Chloe is hurt and his protective instinct kicks in full force. Once we see his real self he shines so bright that you're blinded by the brilliance.
The way J.T. Geissinger describes how A.J. sees colors when listening to music is almost like poetry, it's that beautiful.
We do get a happy end but until then there is a lot of drama and angst involved. And heartbreak - oh that hurt so good.
The heroine, while mostly acting mature has a moment of insanity when she screams at A.J. and demands out of pure jealousy that he never see a certain person again despite him just telling her that this person has been his only friend. The drama and angst are always strong in this story and rarely tip towards OTT.
As I've said in my review for Wicked Beautiful, J.T. Geissinger is an extremely talented writer, I love how she strings her sentences together, the wit, the charm, the heartbreak. There is a hint in the epilogue who we will get to see next and what this story will be about and I can't wait to see what J.T. Geissinger has in store for these two.
***ARC via netgalley in an exchange for an honest review***
Feel free to follow my blog: http://coffeecookieandbooks.blogspot....
December 2, 2018
I will never learn. You'd think I'd remember forever the impact that JTG books have on me, but I somehow forgot.
This book curb-stomped my soul. I literally got zero sleep for reading it. My husband officially thinks I'm insane because he woke up to the image of me snot-nosed and weeping at 5 in the morning. I just COULD NOT STOP READING.
The ironic part is, I jumped into this series with this book. I haven't even read book one (or three, for that matter) and now I'm actually scared to do so because I feel like I'll never see the light of day for ... oh, I don't know. Two days?
I don't want to give too much away. I think the blurb properly sets this book up. I expected the enemies to lovers bit, but those secrets he's hiding... Layers and layers and LAYERS of pain.
I'll give you a heads up, though: this book is drama to the extreme, but me being an angst-hoe, I lapped it up, thank you very much.
Decided to shelve this as 'erotica' because once things heat up, good god damn. The dirty talking, the obsession he had with her... it was hot as hell.
Gotta go clean up tissues. See ya.
November 2, 2022
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! I couldn't put this book down! I loved all the characters. The chemistry between Chloe and AJ were spot on. For once I didn't think the female character was too whiny, which was nice for a change. There was enough drama to make the story hard to put down but not too much to make it ridiculous. Loved it!
November 6, 2017
2 It just wasn’t for me Stars
This is my second book by this author, wait, 3rd. I just didn’t finish the other one I started. Yeah, everyone loves this author and this series has high praises, and that is why I stuck with it and tried to finish.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s free audio on Kindle Unlimited. I was seduce by Sabastian York! The main reason why I picked up this audio was because of Sabastian York BUT let me put this disclaimer there < -- He’s hardly in the book. Like maybe 5 chapters from his POV. What a tease!
I wish I could say the female narrator was the jam, but she wasn’t. She is good at female voices, but her male voices are awful. When she tried to be AJ I kept on imagining a European Vampire. If Sabastian York doesn’t use a European accent, the female narrator shouldn’t. It was HORRIBLE. I stuck with the audio because I needed a book on audio and frankly I wouldn’t read it so the audio it is.
Correction with 1 hour left, I switched to reading it because I had enough and I wanted to fast read the rest of the book.
Let me be frank. The plot, the writing style, the characters didn’t jive with me. I felt like I was missing something because several people recommended this author to me, but I couldn’t see the love.
The main hate of the book steams from AJ. I couldn’t get into him. Gah what did she see in him? He treated her like a bad puppy. She kept on getting kicked around and she kept on begging for scraps. GAH, I wanted a stronger Heroine.
The WHOLE book is Heroine chasing after the AJ. I kid you not and when I felt like the book was about to be redeemable and I was actually enjoying it, nope, the author slaps me in the face with a “oh you thought I was going to let you be happy? YEAH RIGHT”
Let’s write a book where the HERO is a Jerk for the ENTIRE TIME.
I felt like everything, but the kitchen sink was thrown into this book. Its high drama, high angst with little to no value added. I couldn’t move past from one plot to another to another.
The thing I did enjoy about this book was the paper cranes (that was cute).
Anyhow, maybe this might work for you, a lot of people liked it. I think this might be my last book by this author. Who knows, maybe if she has another book free on audio through Kindle Unlimited, I’ll give it a go (I’m an easy whore like that).
This is my second book by this author, wait, 3rd. I just didn’t finish the other one I started. Yeah, everyone loves this author and this series has high praises, and that is why I stuck with it and tried to finish.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s free audio on Kindle Unlimited. I was seduce by Sabastian York! The main reason why I picked up this audio was because of Sabastian York BUT let me put this disclaimer there < -- He’s hardly in the book. Like maybe 5 chapters from his POV. What a tease!
I wish I could say the female narrator was the jam, but she wasn’t. She is good at female voices, but her male voices are awful. When she tried to be AJ I kept on imagining a European Vampire. If Sabastian York doesn’t use a European accent, the female narrator shouldn’t. It was HORRIBLE. I stuck with the audio because I needed a book on audio and frankly I wouldn’t read it so the audio it is.
Correction with 1 hour left, I switched to reading it because I had enough and I wanted to fast read the rest of the book.
Let me be frank. The plot, the writing style, the characters didn’t jive with me. I felt like I was missing something because several people recommended this author to me, but I couldn’t see the love.
The main hate of the book steams from AJ. I couldn’t get into him. Gah what did she see in him? He treated her like a bad puppy. She kept on getting kicked around and she kept on begging for scraps. GAH, I wanted a stronger Heroine.
The WHOLE book is Heroine chasing after the AJ. I kid you not and when I felt like the book was about to be redeemable and I was actually enjoying it, nope, the author slaps me in the face with a “oh you thought I was going to let you be happy? YEAH RIGHT”
Let’s write a book where the HERO is a Jerk for the ENTIRE TIME.
I felt like everything, but the kitchen sink was thrown into this book. Its high drama, high angst with little to no value added. I couldn’t move past from one plot to another to another.
The thing I did enjoy about this book was the paper cranes (that was cute).
Anyhow, maybe this might work for you, a lot of people liked it. I think this might be my last book by this author. Who knows, maybe if she has another book free on audio through Kindle Unlimited, I’ll give it a go (I’m an easy whore like that).
July 19, 2017
This is my first read for 2016 and it is a winner in my opinion.
So basically those are my feelings at the end of the book.
Now all good views start at the beginning and I like to think that I am a honest person and at least I try to get straight to the point in saying that my feelings for this book ran deep. I despised the first 25 % of this book and I nearly gave up I’m sorry to say that so my sincerest apologies to Ms. Geissinger.
Getting over my initial distaste for the book at 31 % I started to enjoy it, I then got excited to me loving it with happy and ugly tears.
5 Prince Charming and Angel Stars.
Prologue
A.J. - The last time I saw Chloe Carmichael, she threw a glass of champagne in my face and called me an asshole. I deserved it of course. I am an asshole. To her more than anyone else.
Chloe Carmichael owns Fleuret a flower shop in Los Angles. It is her pride and joy and she has sunk her trust fund into the shop. She lives in a dive as all the money goes into her shop. She is one of Kat’s bestie’s from book 1. I like Chloe. She is a hard worker, a loyal friend and an all-round good woman. In saying that though there were certain aspects of her ideals that I didn’t totally agree with although there were times where I caught myself being slightly judgemental. Chloe is as open as they come and A.J.’s complete opposite. She also has horrendous taste in men, one of her boyfriends stole her dirty underwear for example but that what happened well I didn’t see that one coming.
AJ Edwards is an enigma, his Wikipedia information is non-existent although there is a slight Russian accent. He is the drummer for Bad Habit and a jerk. There were moments where I wanted to punch him in the face but there were other moments where in the end you get what he feels.
His association with prostitutes, hanging around gay bars. Although don’t get me wrong I love gay bars it is the one place where women can go and know that they won’t have any problems.
A.J. tries to push Chloe away but she can see beyond the surface and realises that not everything that is on paper is really what is really excellent. But she sees his vulnerability and the sadness, how desperate it is.
His story breaks my heart and the idea of him standing in front of that mirror every god damm day to have the courage to knick himself to die is pretty horrendous. He feels too much happiness with Chloe. He hasn’t ever experienced it before. And surprise he tells all apart from one secret. Shocker. He pushes Chloe away in a major way with his prostitute friend Heavenly when actually nothing of the sort happens. They have a strictly platonic relationship.
As I said I didn’t see that with Eric coming when he attacked Chloe but I personally would have left the scar as a reminder. She was attacked in her own flat. But who saved the day? A.J. saved the fucking day.
”Call 911. Report an assault.” He pauses for a moment. The look that comes into his eyes is murderous. “No. Report two assaults.” He turns and strides out. Moments later, there is more screaming from down the hall.
She sticks up to her parents and there is more to her father than meets the eye. Her father lets a secret slip.
“I wasn’t always Thomas Carmichael, upstanding businessman, respectable, tax-paying citizen. Before I met your mother and turned my life around, I was Tommy Two-Time, repeat offender, biggest, baddest thug in Southie. All the other gang leaders in Boston would shit golden bricks when they heard my name.”
This book amazed me in the end and even if Chloe knew that there was date attached to what they had then she still willingly went through it all for just those moments of happiness. Some things were predictable but it worked to the end of the story.
There is a lead up to Grace and Brody’s book and I already have an inkling of what is going to happen there. Which is going to be majorly tragic.
Ms. Geissinger’s acknowledgement was pretty good.
“This wrecked me.”
Book received by netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
So basically those are my feelings at the end of the book.
Now all good views start at the beginning and I like to think that I am a honest person and at least I try to get straight to the point in saying that my feelings for this book ran deep. I despised the first 25 % of this book and I nearly gave up I’m sorry to say that so my sincerest apologies to Ms. Geissinger.
Getting over my initial distaste for the book at 31 % I started to enjoy it, I then got excited to me loving it with happy and ugly tears.
5 Prince Charming and Angel Stars.
Prologue
A.J. - The last time I saw Chloe Carmichael, she threw a glass of champagne in my face and called me an asshole. I deserved it of course. I am an asshole. To her more than anyone else.
Chloe Carmichael owns Fleuret a flower shop in Los Angles. It is her pride and joy and she has sunk her trust fund into the shop. She lives in a dive as all the money goes into her shop. She is one of Kat’s bestie’s from book 1. I like Chloe. She is a hard worker, a loyal friend and an all-round good woman. In saying that though there were certain aspects of her ideals that I didn’t totally agree with although there were times where I caught myself being slightly judgemental. Chloe is as open as they come and A.J.’s complete opposite. She also has horrendous taste in men, one of her boyfriends stole her dirty underwear for example but that what happened well I didn’t see that one coming.
AJ Edwards is an enigma, his Wikipedia information is non-existent although there is a slight Russian accent. He is the drummer for Bad Habit and a jerk. There were moments where I wanted to punch him in the face but there were other moments where in the end you get what he feels.
His association with prostitutes, hanging around gay bars. Although don’t get me wrong I love gay bars it is the one place where women can go and know that they won’t have any problems.
A.J. tries to push Chloe away but she can see beyond the surface and realises that not everything that is on paper is really what is really excellent. But she sees his vulnerability and the sadness, how desperate it is.
His story breaks my heart and the idea of him standing in front of that mirror every god damm day to have the courage to knick himself to die is pretty horrendous. He feels too much happiness with Chloe. He hasn’t ever experienced it before. And surprise he tells all apart from one secret. Shocker. He pushes Chloe away in a major way with his prostitute friend Heavenly when actually nothing of the sort happens. They have a strictly platonic relationship.
As I said I didn’t see that with Eric coming when he attacked Chloe but I personally would have left the scar as a reminder. She was attacked in her own flat. But who saved the day? A.J. saved the fucking day.
”Call 911. Report an assault.” He pauses for a moment. The look that comes into his eyes is murderous. “No. Report two assaults.” He turns and strides out. Moments later, there is more screaming from down the hall.
She sticks up to her parents and there is more to her father than meets the eye. Her father lets a secret slip.
“I wasn’t always Thomas Carmichael, upstanding businessman, respectable, tax-paying citizen. Before I met your mother and turned my life around, I was Tommy Two-Time, repeat offender, biggest, baddest thug in Southie. All the other gang leaders in Boston would shit golden bricks when they heard my name.”
This book amazed me in the end and even if Chloe knew that there was date attached to what they had then she still willingly went through it all for just those moments of happiness. Some things were predictable but it worked to the end of the story.
There is a lead up to Grace and Brody’s book and I already have an inkling of what is going to happen there. Which is going to be majorly tragic.
Ms. Geissinger’s acknowledgement was pretty good.
“This wrecked me.”
Book received by netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
January 17, 2016
5 Very intense "Love will never die" Stars!
This book was so intense. It was mysterious, compelling, heartbreaking, tragic, angst/longing filled, and beautiful. I loved it. I loved every bit of it.
AJ was broody and dark. He was emotionally damaged and just going through the motions of life. Until he met Chloe. She triggers emotions in him he is not prepared to handle. So what does he do? He acts like a complete jacka**. Until he simply cannot stay away from Chloe and gives in to his desire. He becomes the best guy ever. But AJ had a secret. A very tragic secret.
Chloe was a sweet girl. She was living a great life, had a boyfriend she cared about. The only problem was AJ hating her for no reason. She couldn't understand it and worse, she couldn't stop thinking about him. Until one day AJ decided he couldn't stay away, and he stopped being a jerk.
AJ and Chloe's story was captivating. It sucked me right in. And I won't even go into hot! There were times In thought I would spontaneously combust! Whew... Even from the first book in the series Sweet as Sin I knew AJ's story would be intense. Ms Gessinger did not disappoint. If it sounds from this review like there was cheating, don't worry, there wasn't. But I'll leave it at that. I don't want to give ANYTHING away.
I highly recommend this book if you like a little darkness in your romance. (This is not too dark) I also loved book one and though this can absolutely be read as a stand alone, I do recommend reading book one Sweet as Sin first because that is where we first meet these two MCs; plus all the supporting cast. Once again, I loved it! Happy reading!!
This book was so intense. It was mysterious, compelling, heartbreaking, tragic, angst/longing filled, and beautiful. I loved it. I loved every bit of it.
AJ was broody and dark. He was emotionally damaged and just going through the motions of life. Until he met Chloe. She triggers emotions in him he is not prepared to handle. So what does he do? He acts like a complete jacka**. Until he simply cannot stay away from Chloe and gives in to his desire. He becomes the best guy ever. But AJ had a secret. A very tragic secret.
Chloe was a sweet girl. She was living a great life, had a boyfriend she cared about. The only problem was AJ hating her for no reason. She couldn't understand it and worse, she couldn't stop thinking about him. Until one day AJ decided he couldn't stay away, and he stopped being a jerk.
AJ and Chloe's story was captivating. It sucked me right in. And I won't even go into hot! There were times In thought I would spontaneously combust! Whew... Even from the first book in the series Sweet as Sin I knew AJ's story would be intense. Ms Gessinger did not disappoint. If it sounds from this review like there was cheating, don't worry, there wasn't. But I'll leave it at that. I don't want to give ANYTHING away.
I highly recommend this book if you like a little darkness in your romance. (This is not too dark) I also loved book one and though this can absolutely be read as a stand alone, I do recommend reading book one Sweet as Sin first because that is where we first meet these two MCs; plus all the supporting cast. Once again, I loved it! Happy reading!!
May 30, 2016
Last time I read Sweet as Sin I couldn't write review because I was so emotional and all I could do was thank writer for this amazing story.This time was pretty much the same....
I cried a lot.
I must say this is now my favorite series,I didn't eat or sleep I was so much into this and because of holidays I didn't have time to write a review.I want to say so much stuff but I have no words
I remember A.J. in the first book and you know what I liked him even when he was biggest jerk ever,because behind every person is good story why they act like they act.
We all have demons inside us.
But A.J. I want to give you all hugs from this world,because you need them!
Chloe is very strong and independent girl, she is one of Kat’s bestie’s from book 1.
The chemistry between Chloe and AJ was something you wish you can have with someone.
I will buy this book,just like I was Sweet as Sin-you need this on your shelf!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
I cried a lot.
I must say this is now my favorite series,I didn't eat or sleep I was so much into this and because of holidays I didn't have time to write a review.I want to say so much stuff but I have no words
I remember A.J. in the first book and you know what I liked him even when he was biggest jerk ever,because behind every person is good story why they act like they act.
We all have demons inside us.
But A.J. I want to give you all hugs from this world,because you need them!
Chloe is very strong and independent girl, she is one of Kat’s bestie’s from book 1.
The chemistry between Chloe and AJ was something you wish you can have with someone.
I will buy this book,just like I was Sweet as Sin-you need this on your shelf!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
October 29, 2018
I just have one thing to say...no matter the plot, the extravagance of it, the deep end dark of the story, it always amazes me how J.T. Geissinger evokes the widest range of emotions through my process of reading.
this story ain't no different...
I won't go into any plot descriptions, cause it's impossible to do BUT if you follow my reviews then you know I do my appreciation of the read material in honest and the most apprehensive way, even when I don't say much.. LOL
here, I did just that!
February 9, 2016
DNF @ 28%
The heroine is a cheating witch who calls out other man's name while she and her boyfriend were in the heat of passion. Cheater. Except, it's not cheating is it? Because it shouldn't be called cheating! He wasn't even inside of her! Yeah right.
Also, instead of ending things with her boyfriend properly, she went straight to the Hero. LOL. Aw that's cute. :):):):):):)
The heroine is a cheating witch who calls out other man's name while she and her boyfriend were in the heat of passion. Cheater. Except, it's not cheating is it? Because it shouldn't be called cheating! He wasn't even inside of her! Yeah right.
Also, instead of ending things with her boyfriend properly, she went straight to the Hero. LOL. Aw that's cute. :):):):):):)
December 11, 2015
OH GAWD!!!! This book ABSOLUTELY KILLED ME!!!! I LOVED it ALMOST as much as the first one...
And waiting for next book in this series is going to drive me bonkers!!!!
Review to follow...
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Amazon Publishing*
And waiting for next book in this series is going to drive me bonkers!!!!
Review to follow...
*ARC courtesy of Netgalley and Amazon Publishing*
December 27, 2015
Chloe is pretty sure that AJ hates her. AJ however is hiding his true feelings because he feels his past makes him unworthy. There are some other interesting aspects to AJ and his professional field that make him quite unique. Once they get beyond the initial obstacles what these frenemies have is solid. I really enjoyed this read.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2020
I LOVED this book!! I couldn’t put it down and now I’m so depressed that I finished it in one day 😩 Highly recommend!
January 8, 2016
I am extremely pissed off by this story. Beyond the absurdity of our hero's past and his present behavior and the annoying Chloe, this is not a happy ending. This is not a happy story. I do not root for either of these characters. I can admit I wouldn't be as pissed off if Geissinger had written just one little thing about the future of A.J. and his issue -- but even if she had, it was one of the worst conflicts I've ever read and his actions make him one of the most pathetic heroes I've read.
I've heard this author does a "unique" take on rocker romances. There's nothing unique about horrific circumstances. There's such thing as "real" and then there's this. Yes, awful things happen and awful circumstances exist, but the fact is I'm reading a romance. Not only do they barely even know each other when they commit their love to one another (he'll only tell her about himself and actually show her who he is beyond the sniping they've shared previously once she tells him she loves him) all I hear about is sex and and that she feels safe and happy. For some readers, that's not a problem. If the story is good enough, it isn't always a problem for me. But the negativity of the story coming from A.J., her supposedly loving parents (who refuse to accept their son is gay), and the at first dopey and then very creepy ex-boyfriend Eric ruins any enjoyment that I could possibly take from the story.
The one bright spot for me was her flower shop and her community of friends. Also, A.J. did live in a pretty cool place, an abandoned hotel, although the reason behind it just added to the whole pissed off thing I was feeling.
*****THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT*******
For those who want and like spoilers, his conflict is that he has brain tumor and is dying. He forces her to break up with him (by having her walk in on him naked with a paid prostitute) because he refuses to do anything. He accepts his death and they spend months apart until he finds out she's pregnant with his child. But, not only will he be blind with the surgery, but it has gotten too big. So, they can take it out but as he says there is still a tumor in his brain and he can only live so many more years. So, not exactly what I call an HEA, and just 100% absurd.
His past is that he was a whore's child in Russia and he grew up being forced to fight to earn his keep at the whorehouse. He killed two boys and one of his friends who was a whore (she convinced him to kill her then burn her body and the whorehouse so that the madame wouldn't force her dead body to be used by paying men), eventually found his way to the U.S. where a preacher and his wife found him and took him in.
I've heard this author does a "unique" take on rocker romances. There's nothing unique about horrific circumstances. There's such thing as "real" and then there's this. Yes, awful things happen and awful circumstances exist, but the fact is I'm reading a romance. Not only do they barely even know each other when they commit their love to one another (he'll only tell her about himself and actually show her who he is beyond the sniping they've shared previously once she tells him she loves him) all I hear about is sex and and that she feels safe and happy. For some readers, that's not a problem. If the story is good enough, it isn't always a problem for me. But the negativity of the story coming from A.J., her supposedly loving parents (who refuse to accept their son is gay), and the at first dopey and then very creepy ex-boyfriend Eric ruins any enjoyment that I could possibly take from the story.
The one bright spot for me was her flower shop and her community of friends. Also, A.J. did live in a pretty cool place, an abandoned hotel, although the reason behind it just added to the whole pissed off thing I was feeling.
*****THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT*******
For those who want and like spoilers, his conflict is that he has brain tumor and is dying. He forces her to break up with him (by having her walk in on him naked with a paid prostitute) because he refuses to do anything. He accepts his death and they spend months apart until he finds out she's pregnant with his child. But, not only will he be blind with the surgery, but it has gotten too big. So, they can take it out but as he says there is still a tumor in his brain and he can only live so many more years. So, not exactly what I call an HEA, and just 100% absurd.
His past is that he was a whore's child in Russia and he grew up being forced to fight to earn his keep at the whorehouse. He killed two boys and one of his friends who was a whore (she convinced him to kill her then burn her body and the whorehouse so that the madame wouldn't force her dead body to be used by paying men), eventually found his way to the U.S. where a preacher and his wife found him and took him in.
nope
December 24, 2017Please, read reviews with the spoilers. It's so tragic it's funny. And the old trope of all times. Who can say what it is??
Call me mean (I am a cold heart person lol) but I could picture the violins being played sadly in the background like the ones in the Titanic movie (even if they say it was real the band played until the end I had a good laugh out of it. Buy I didn’t like that movie anyway. See? Cold blood. Lol)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Call me mean (I am a cold heart person lol) but I could picture the violins being played sadly in the background like the ones in the Titanic movie (even if they say it was real the band played until the end I had a good laugh out of it. Buy I didn’t like that movie anyway. See? Cold blood. Lol)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 5, 2016
Well after the disappointment of the first book the big draw for me with this second book in the series was that "Sebastian York" was a narrator, and he was for about a whole 10 minutes of a 12+ hour book. BUT I really liked the complex story line of this one and I liked the chemistry that A.J and Cloe have together but once again the narrator Teri Clark-Linden did a great characterization for Cloe, but unfortunately made A.J sound like a drunk vampire.
June 11, 2016
Oy vey.
A.J. is a badass drummer and has been giving sweet Chloe crap since the moment they met. Committed to nice guy cop Eric, Chloe can’t understand why AJ is so darn mean.
Thrown together because of their friends’ wedding, AJ lowers his guard and let’s Chloe in. The fallout from their chemistry, the nice guy cop’s exit, and what turns out to be AJ’s unbelievably horrific past is where the fight between pain and true love comes in. NO CHEATING.
I usually eye-roll at most damaged romantic heroes; however, the damage that comes with AJ is insurmountable or almost so. As horrible as his past is, I am sure that in reality it is more than just a possibility given the state of some human nature.
Lots of angst, some unrealistic scenarios, but bottom line you have a pretty spunky heroine and a damaged hero who begins as an ass-hat extradonnaire and reveals himself to be one hunk of a damaged hero ready and wiling to martyr himself for the girl he loves. The sex scenes, while sparse compared to a lot of similar books, are incendiary.
There is more than a whiff of YA, but the characters are strong enough and cool enough to stamp that crap down.
Sidenote: Chloe has a set of uber snotty parents. Happily, we find out
A.J. is a badass drummer and has been giving sweet Chloe crap since the moment they met. Committed to nice guy cop Eric, Chloe can’t understand why AJ is so darn mean.
Thrown together because of their friends’ wedding, AJ lowers his guard and let’s Chloe in. The fallout from their chemistry, the nice guy cop’s exit, and what turns out to be AJ’s unbelievably horrific past is where the fight between pain and true love comes in. NO CHEATING.
I usually eye-roll at most damaged romantic heroes; however, the damage that comes with AJ is insurmountable or almost so. As horrible as his past is, I am sure that in reality it is more than just a possibility given the state of some human nature.
Lots of angst, some unrealistic scenarios, but bottom line you have a pretty spunky heroine and a damaged hero who begins as an ass-hat extradonnaire and reveals himself to be one hunk of a damaged hero ready and wiling to martyr himself for the girl he loves. The sex scenes, while sparse compared to a lot of similar books, are incendiary.
There is more than a whiff of YA, but the characters are strong enough and cool enough to stamp that crap down.
Sidenote: Chloe has a set of uber snotty parents. Happily, we find out
no-way-jose
September 15, 2025Note to Self: more like Make Me Roll My Eyes. See Gloria’s review to remind myself why I wouldn’t enjoy this story.
December 15, 2021
“Because even though it might burn the whole world to the ground, true love can never die.”
So don‘t judge a book by its cover is really a thing. When I saw this cover I thought this will be a wannabe „bad boy“/ grump story, but ohh was I wrong…
This might be the cutest couple, I’ve read in a while. I love love love Chloe. And I love love love A.J.
I can‘t really put a finger on it, but they acted so cute together and honestly cared for each other. ahhhh this was so good.
The way Chloe treated A.J and A.J treated Chloe melted my heart and let me believe in love again. Somehow.
In between there was a thing I didn‘t like, cause I was pretty sure I knew why they did what they did. But the plottwist proved me wrong.
The end was bittersweet, but also probably the cutest part of the whole book. I can‘t. I LOVED IT. GO READ IT.
So don‘t judge a book by its cover is really a thing. When I saw this cover I thought this will be a wannabe „bad boy“/ grump story, but ohh was I wrong…
This might be the cutest couple, I’ve read in a while. I love love love Chloe. And I love love love A.J.
I can‘t really put a finger on it, but they acted so cute together and honestly cared for each other. ahhhh this was so good.
The way Chloe treated A.J and A.J treated Chloe melted my heart and let me believe in love again. Somehow.
In between there was a thing I didn‘t like, cause I was pretty sure I knew why they did what they did. But the plottwist proved me wrong.
The end was bittersweet, but also probably the cutest part of the whole book. I can‘t. I LOVED IT. GO READ IT.
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