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Happy Endings #3
Flashed
When a man makes his living by his looks, he can forget that love--and lust--are more than skin deep. But the right woman can remind him . . .
A former soccer player, stripper, and model, legendary party boy Patrick Halloran finally gets his big break starring in the summer blockbuster. But when an accident leaves him changed forever, he hides away in his secluded Montana ranch. Only his new housekeeper is allowed inside--with one rule: she's not allowed to see him. But Pat sees her, and she's the most stunning woman he's ever laid eyes on. Even her voice is beautiful. Still, Pat can't allow himself to get close to anyone. Not without a fight at least . . .
Magdalena "Lena" Martel is a long way from Queens, New York. After a rough patch, the aspiring artist is working her way through college--even if it means keeping house for a man whose gruff voice she can only hear through a closed door. Still, Lena senses Pat's got a good heart, maybe even a lovable one. She's intrigued--until his anger sends her running into the freezing woods. Now Pat will have to find her--and when he does he may have found the one woman who can thaw his heart--not to mention the rest of him. But can their new bond survive the paparazzi--and their personal
demons? . . .
Praise for Stripped
"A witty, wonderful romance that speaks to who we are, who we are meant to be, and who we are meant to be with." --Sarah MacLean, The Washington Post
"Stripped is a modern rom-com that's equal parts sexy and sweet." --Shondaland
"That smile you have on your face right now? It'll be there the entire time you're reading Stripped." --Jasmine Guillory, Oprah Magazine
A former soccer player, stripper, and model, legendary party boy Patrick Halloran finally gets his big break starring in the summer blockbuster. But when an accident leaves him changed forever, he hides away in his secluded Montana ranch. Only his new housekeeper is allowed inside--with one rule: she's not allowed to see him. But Pat sees her, and she's the most stunning woman he's ever laid eyes on. Even her voice is beautiful. Still, Pat can't allow himself to get close to anyone. Not without a fight at least . . .
Magdalena "Lena" Martel is a long way from Queens, New York. After a rough patch, the aspiring artist is working her way through college--even if it means keeping house for a man whose gruff voice she can only hear through a closed door. Still, Lena senses Pat's got a good heart, maybe even a lovable one. She's intrigued--until his anger sends her running into the freezing woods. Now Pat will have to find her--and when he does he may have found the one woman who can thaw his heart--not to mention the rest of him. But can their new bond survive the paparazzi--and their personal
demons? . . .
Praise for Stripped
"A witty, wonderful romance that speaks to who we are, who we are meant to be, and who we are meant to be with." --Sarah MacLean, The Washington Post
"Stripped is a modern rom-com that's equal parts sexy and sweet." --Shondaland
"That smile you have on your face right now? It'll be there the entire time you're reading Stripped." --Jasmine Guillory, Oprah Magazine
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2019
5 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
Zoey Castile
11 books152 followersZoey Castile was born in Ecuador and raised in Queens, New York. She started writing in her teens and pursued that love in her studies at Hunter College and the University of Montana. For nearly a decade, she worked as a bartender, hostess, and manager in New York City's nightlife. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ZoeyCastile. You can also email her at ZoeyCastile@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 7, 2023
This contemporary retelling of Beauty and the Beast is possibly the best one I’ve ever read.
MAIN CHARACTER NAMES
Magdalena “Lena” Martel | Patrick “Pat” Donatello
SUMMARY
Pat—former stripper, former actor, former athlete, and current recluse—is struggling after a car accident ruined his life.
Lena is an art student who is hired as Patrick’s housekeeper in hopes the job will pay off debt caused by her step-mother taking out loans in her name.
Unwilling to be seen by his new employee, Pat distances himself from Lena by being brash and rude. The two start an accidental friendship through sticky notes that progresses to texting and then to phone calls.
Grappling with who he was before and how he wants to be now, Pat’s anxiety and trauma from the car accident prevents him from being the man he feels Lena should have.
REVIEW
This novel deserves so much more recognition.
Pat was not a good person before the car accident that injured him and his brother. He was obnoxious, shallow, and selfish. This is something a lot of Beauty and the Beast retellings forgo, instead focusing only on the physical appearance of the hero.
Pat’s anxiety and insecurity was portrayed very realistically. His guilt made him think his brother and his friends hated him, but they were always rooting for him. His healing and path to redemption was no easy journey, and I appreciated the respect and thought that was put into his character.
Lena was a great character too. Her relationship with her little sister was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her patience with Pat, as well as pushing him out of his comfort zone (at his own pace), just highlighted the type of person she was.
I don’t know if it was my attention span or the pacing, but there was just something about the book that made it un-bingeable and drawn-out. That being said, every scene served to set-up or conclude a plot point. We got to see how they were as a couple, rather than the book ending after they get together, so if that’s the price for some tedium, I willingly paid it.
I hope this series will be continued. I so, so badly want a story with Pat’s brother as a main character.
POV dual / first person
SPICE LEVEL 4 / 5
RATING 4 / 5
MAIN CHARACTER NAMES
Magdalena “Lena” Martel | Patrick “Pat” Donatello
SUMMARY
Pat—former stripper, former actor, former athlete, and current recluse—is struggling after a car accident ruined his life.
Lena is an art student who is hired as Patrick’s housekeeper in hopes the job will pay off debt caused by her step-mother taking out loans in her name.
Unwilling to be seen by his new employee, Pat distances himself from Lena by being brash and rude. The two start an accidental friendship through sticky notes that progresses to texting and then to phone calls.
Grappling with who he was before and how he wants to be now, Pat’s anxiety and trauma from the car accident prevents him from being the man he feels Lena should have.
REVIEW
This novel deserves so much more recognition.
Pat was not a good person before the car accident that injured him and his brother. He was obnoxious, shallow, and selfish. This is something a lot of Beauty and the Beast retellings forgo, instead focusing only on the physical appearance of the hero.
Pat’s anxiety and insecurity was portrayed very realistically. His guilt made him think his brother and his friends hated him, but they were always rooting for him. His healing and path to redemption was no easy journey, and I appreciated the respect and thought that was put into his character.
Lena was a great character too. Her relationship with her little sister was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her patience with Pat, as well as pushing him out of his comfort zone (at his own pace), just highlighted the type of person she was.
I don’t know if it was my attention span or the pacing, but there was just something about the book that made it un-bingeable and drawn-out. That being said, every scene served to set-up or conclude a plot point. We got to see how they were as a couple, rather than the book ending after they get together, so if that’s the price for some tedium, I willingly paid it.
I hope this series will be continued. I so, so badly want a story with Pat’s brother as a main character.
POV dual / first person
SPICE LEVEL 4 / 5
RATING 4 / 5
September 7, 2019
4 Stars
My heart swells, a heavy feeling that heats up my skin with want. Want for a man I’ve never truly laid eyes on. A man who has yelled at me and been kind to me and made me confused all at the same time. A man who hurts the same way I do but is dealing with it in different ways.
After years spent being her step-mother’s punching bag, twenty six year old Lena leaves NYC in the dust in exchange for art school in Montana. An intriguing ad seeking a personal assistant sounds like it could be the perfect fit for Lena and soon she’s living with and working for a wealthy recluse named Patrick. Let the fun begin!
The only issue? Lena’s never actually seen Patrick in person. Not even a photo. Sure, they’ve had plenty of conversations around walls and in the dark, but he has absolutely no intention of showing Lena his face in the light of day.
Patrick’s just come through the other side of a life changing event. As much as he’s horrified by the way he looks now as a result of the accident that would irrevocably change his life forever, introspection and time have left him disgusted with himself pre-accident. Living the life of an elite soccer player/stripper/model/actor has left Patrick with a bit of a problem; He’s a total and complete douchebag and it took almost dying to make him realize it. Coupled with the fact he experiences bouts of intense anxiety and a fear of being seen in public and my man Patrick has some major issues to overcome.
Flashed is my first Zoey Castille read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lena was such a sweet, caring character and even though she could’ve easily fallen into the doormat category, she didn’t. She knew what she wanted and went after it, even though life had never been kind to her. Little by little, she pieced together what’s happened to Patrick and does the best she can to handle his wild mood swings and general assholeness with compassion and understanding.
Even without being able to see each other, Lena and Patrick start the process of learning about each other right away. Text messages and phone calls are a wonderful thing and soon both spend their days waiting for night to come, when they can get to know each other a bit more…intimately. When the inevitable “meet the boss” happens, their love story hits the ground running.
I loved Lena and I so wanted her to get her HEA without having to endure Patrick’s growing pains but, alas, that’s not how contemporary romances work. As much drama as Patrick created for himself and his relationships with just about everyone, I loved seeing his growth. It was slow to be sure, but it was steady and realistic, which I loved. The pace of the story was right on and I never felt the need to skip ahead which, I gotta say, is pretty much an automatic 4 stars for me at this point.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, voluntary review
My heart swells, a heavy feeling that heats up my skin with want. Want for a man I’ve never truly laid eyes on. A man who has yelled at me and been kind to me and made me confused all at the same time. A man who hurts the same way I do but is dealing with it in different ways.
After years spent being her step-mother’s punching bag, twenty six year old Lena leaves NYC in the dust in exchange for art school in Montana. An intriguing ad seeking a personal assistant sounds like it could be the perfect fit for Lena and soon she’s living with and working for a wealthy recluse named Patrick. Let the fun begin!
The only issue? Lena’s never actually seen Patrick in person. Not even a photo. Sure, they’ve had plenty of conversations around walls and in the dark, but he has absolutely no intention of showing Lena his face in the light of day.
Patrick’s just come through the other side of a life changing event. As much as he’s horrified by the way he looks now as a result of the accident that would irrevocably change his life forever, introspection and time have left him disgusted with himself pre-accident. Living the life of an elite soccer player/stripper/model/actor has left Patrick with a bit of a problem; He’s a total and complete douchebag and it took almost dying to make him realize it. Coupled with the fact he experiences bouts of intense anxiety and a fear of being seen in public and my man Patrick has some major issues to overcome.
Flashed is my first Zoey Castille read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lena was such a sweet, caring character and even though she could’ve easily fallen into the doormat category, she didn’t. She knew what she wanted and went after it, even though life had never been kind to her. Little by little, she pieced together what’s happened to Patrick and does the best she can to handle his wild mood swings and general assholeness with compassion and understanding.
Even without being able to see each other, Lena and Patrick start the process of learning about each other right away. Text messages and phone calls are a wonderful thing and soon both spend their days waiting for night to come, when they can get to know each other a bit more…intimately. When the inevitable “meet the boss” happens, their love story hits the ground running.
I loved Lena and I so wanted her to get her HEA without having to endure Patrick’s growing pains but, alas, that’s not how contemporary romances work. As much drama as Patrick created for himself and his relationships with just about everyone, I loved seeing his growth. It was slow to be sure, but it was steady and realistic, which I loved. The pace of the story was right on and I never felt the need to skip ahead which, I gotta say, is pretty much an automatic 4 stars for me at this point.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, voluntary review
November 4, 2021
This was fun and so cute. Loved this. Loved the Beauty and the Beast element but with a refreshingly different spin to it. The hero Patrick is an ex-stripper turned budding actor who is terribly scarred and disfigured from a car wreck and is now a recluse who refuses to leave his house. Lena is a painter and art student from New York who is trying to make ends meet to pay her tuition for art school in Montana and help support her teenage sister and stepmother back in NY. She's hired as Patrick's live in housemaid over the summer to help upkeep his house and clean things up. I loved that the heroine was a Latina who loved to cook and keep spices in the house and dance to music while cooking and singing on the top of her lungs which drove the hero crazy. 😂 The humor in this is wonderful. I love that Lena was a combination of sweet, hilarious, spunky, strong and no pushover. She has a big heart but didn't let "Mr. Groucherella" as she put it cross a line when he was moody. I love that she set boundaries even though she couldn't see him. I loved the slow build up to Lena actually getting to see Patrick face-to-face. I think the author did a great job of balancing that out where you see the hero and heroine connecting through texting and leaving notes and talking behind doors. While I thought the transition from flirty texting to straight up phone sex felt a little bit abrupt, I give Castile points for not losing that tension between hero and heroine even after that. Patrick's crippling fear of showing his face to anyone or going out in public because of how he looks was a great slow transformation. I like that it wasn't rushed, to see him overcome his anxieties and fears slowly was great to see. For a former playboy asshole, I thought Patrick had a really sweet, vulnerable, awkward side around Lena that was really adorable. He's so nervous and unsure of himself and I found it charming.
I loved all the color this story had. This felt so authentic and real with characters that felt lived in and diverse. From Lena's Hispanic roots and keeping her parents traditions alive, to taking care of her 15 year old sister, to her best friend and sassy roommate Mari who is half Greek and half Persian. I appreciated the authenticity and how nothing felt stereotyped. The author herself is from Ecuador who is from Queens so you really feel it in the writing she's writing from the heart and her personal voice. I liked the backstory of Lena's parents and how her mother taught her to cook and how to deep clean a house properly. I also loved Patrick's life long friend Scarlett, the divorcee romance author with a self-deprecating sense of humor, who gave him his big break in showbiz by using him as a model for her book covers. I loved their dynamic. Scarlett was a hoot and just the kind of ally Patrick and Lena needed. And the sexy times were fun too. This book has everything and I had to fight to put it down.
The one thing I will say is the writing wasn't perfect as far as details and transitions go. I wish the details in the writing were a little sharper, clearer and not glossed over in some parts. Some vital details felt missing in some scenarios that made some of the moments falter for me. It got a little confusing especially when chapters would shift from Lena's POV to Patrick's POV and back yet you can't tell if it's from the same scene or another day all together. Her transitions aren't the smoothest and she kind of floats over important details especially during sex which I wish was a bit clearer. That and I wish Castile did a little more research on art mediums. As a painter myself it bugged me that paint mediums kept getting confused or merged together randomly in contexts that made no sense and not possible. Ex: That scene where they have sex on the floor in her studio after "watercolor bins" are spilled over them made zero sense. Bins? The biggest tube of watercolor paint is like 1.25 oz and it's transparent as hell when water is involved. There is no such thing as bins of watercolor unless you are just talking water, much less how are you rolling around in it and painting a whole canvas with your bodies getting it everywhere and "mixing" colors to the point you are covered in dried up paint? With watercolor??? On a rolled canvas sheet? I had questions that needed answers man. As much as I got a kick out of the sexy times involving paint, that detail bugged me and completely took me out of the scene because it was so inaccurate and made no sense. Considering she sells that very painting later on and describes it as an acrylic and gesso on canvas yes it stuck out. 😬 Watercolor and acrylic are not the same thing at all. Unless she painted over it but that's never mentioned. See when details like that are missing it creates a very confusing picture. Stuff like that bugged me considering your heroine is a painter who goes to art school. Ok sorry turning off my artist brain.
Anyways, Lena felt like my spirit animal in so many ways and I just loved her resilience. She's the kind of heroine I love to read about. Sweet, loving, generous, giving but knows her worth. And a woman who takes charge in the bedroom. Ha! Reading about her experiences in art school felt so personal to me and brought back memories of my time in art school and hardcore teachers and studio courses. Her connection to her family and love for her baby sister was also very relatable. It just felt like home for me. Overall, really recommend this! It's a gem.
I loved all the color this story had. This felt so authentic and real with characters that felt lived in and diverse. From Lena's Hispanic roots and keeping her parents traditions alive, to taking care of her 15 year old sister, to her best friend and sassy roommate Mari who is half Greek and half Persian. I appreciated the authenticity and how nothing felt stereotyped. The author herself is from Ecuador who is from Queens so you really feel it in the writing she's writing from the heart and her personal voice. I liked the backstory of Lena's parents and how her mother taught her to cook and how to deep clean a house properly. I also loved Patrick's life long friend Scarlett, the divorcee romance author with a self-deprecating sense of humor, who gave him his big break in showbiz by using him as a model for her book covers. I loved their dynamic. Scarlett was a hoot and just the kind of ally Patrick and Lena needed. And the sexy times were fun too. This book has everything and I had to fight to put it down.
The one thing I will say is the writing wasn't perfect as far as details and transitions go. I wish the details in the writing were a little sharper, clearer and not glossed over in some parts. Some vital details felt missing in some scenarios that made some of the moments falter for me. It got a little confusing especially when chapters would shift from Lena's POV to Patrick's POV and back yet you can't tell if it's from the same scene or another day all together. Her transitions aren't the smoothest and she kind of floats over important details especially during sex which I wish was a bit clearer. That and I wish Castile did a little more research on art mediums. As a painter myself it bugged me that paint mediums kept getting confused or merged together randomly in contexts that made no sense and not possible. Ex: That scene where they have sex on the floor in her studio after "watercolor bins" are spilled over them made zero sense. Bins? The biggest tube of watercolor paint is like 1.25 oz and it's transparent as hell when water is involved. There is no such thing as bins of watercolor unless you are just talking water, much less how are you rolling around in it and painting a whole canvas with your bodies getting it everywhere and "mixing" colors to the point you are covered in dried up paint? With watercolor??? On a rolled canvas sheet? I had questions that needed answers man. As much as I got a kick out of the sexy times involving paint, that detail bugged me and completely took me out of the scene because it was so inaccurate and made no sense. Considering she sells that very painting later on and describes it as an acrylic and gesso on canvas yes it stuck out. 😬 Watercolor and acrylic are not the same thing at all. Unless she painted over it but that's never mentioned. See when details like that are missing it creates a very confusing picture. Stuff like that bugged me considering your heroine is a painter who goes to art school. Ok sorry turning off my artist brain.
Anyways, Lena felt like my spirit animal in so many ways and I just loved her resilience. She's the kind of heroine I love to read about. Sweet, loving, generous, giving but knows her worth. And a woman who takes charge in the bedroom. Ha! Reading about her experiences in art school felt so personal to me and brought back memories of my time in art school and hardcore teachers and studio courses. Her connection to her family and love for her baby sister was also very relatable. It just felt like home for me. Overall, really recommend this! It's a gem.
August 13, 2019
What a gorgeous, angsty, slow-burn type of romance that reminded me of Beauty and the Beast in the way that Lena had to work for Patrick who was a grumpy recluse who eventually warms up to Lena’s wonderful personality. I loved this installment the most out of the entire series because it had all the tropes I adore, and I am just obsessed with Zoey Castile’s writing style and her ability to make have me hooked by the first chapter. This is definitely one of my favorite romances I’ve read this year, and I cannot wait to read anything else by Zoey Castile ♥️
• Puerto Rican + Mexican MC !
• Recluse grumpy man falls for an artsy, loving woman
• Slow burn
• Puerto Rican + Mexican MC !
• Recluse grumpy man falls for an artsy, loving woman
• Slow burn
October 5, 2019
ARC received for review
Patrick and Lena... They start out not liking each other, lots of phone sex, and finally hook up. I was shocked when half-way thru we meet his friends, the boys. I didn't make the connection between him and the previous book. I take a couple of the boys. Lots of family drama and angst. A little side hook-up between his friends that I wonder if it will stick or get it's own book.
Patrick and Lena... They start out not liking each other, lots of phone sex, and finally hook up. I was shocked when half-way thru we meet his friends, the boys. I didn't make the connection between him and the previous book. I take a couple of the boys. Lots of family drama and angst. A little side hook-up between his friends that I wonder if it will stick or get it's own book.
August 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this romance because Beauty & The Beast vibes. Straight up, it’s one of my absolute favorite tropes. I see anything hinting at this type of story and I’m pretty much one-clicking.
Picture this - a grumpy, reclusive, damaged hero with serious trust issues, a Mexican/Puerto Rican (represent!) heroine who’s intrigued by those very trust issues, determined to break through his protective shell, and force some proximity by isolating them in a glorious mansion in the middle of Montana. Now add some angsty, sexually tense scenes where they start to grow closer, all while not actually seeing each other face to face AND phone sex?
Give this to me NOW. All day, every day. And twice on Sundays.
Now, while the romance was emotionally angsty, the hero screws up a few too many times, and the resolution to the truly horrible stepmother subplot was abrupt. I wanted a little more time spent dealing with Pat’s mental health issues, and I wanted to really see him commit to more counseling because he’s had a rough, rough go of it, but all in all, I was happy with this fairytale-esque romance and completely engaged throughout.
Plus, this makes you want to catch up with the earlier books, and wish for a little novella to delve into their friends’ Scarlett’s love life. Also, if I’m putting wishes out there, I’d love to see if anything happens with Pat’s brother Jack and Kayli. Basically, I liked this group of friends and want more. If this sounds like your jam, you may enjoy this.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
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August 26, 2019
4.5 stars!! Definitely my favorite of the series! I loved the Beauty & the Beast (and a little bit of Cinderella) vibes. Pat was an amazing tortured hero and I felt for him so hard! His heroine Lena is lovely and the perfect sunny balance to his grouchy ways. Flashed is much heavier and emotional than the previous two books in the Happy Endings series but absolutely a must read. Zoey Castile has yet to let me down and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!
August 12, 2019
*I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
After the second book in the Happy Endings series left me unimpressed, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started Flashed. Actually I wasn't sure what to expect period because I didn't read the synopsis so I didn't know which one of our guys was next up to get their HEA. But nonetheless, I was still excited to continue this series to see what was in stores for our sexy strippers.
Art student, Magdalena Martel, is in need of a summer job so she responds to an ad for a live-in housekeeper at a ranch and is hired on the spot. But there's one rule Lena has to follow at all time or she's fired—don't disturb the homeowner. Patrick Halloran is not too keen on the idea of having a live-in housekeeper, but he knows living off of frozen foods isn't a sustainable lifestyle. Though he tries to keep his distance, there's something about Lena that has him drawn in, almost willing to break his own rule for her. Will Patrick be able to let Lena into his world or will the truth push them apart?
Flashed is hands-down my favorite book in this series so far. I said earlier that I wasn't sure what to expect before starting this book, but I sure as hell wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. Flashed is a slow-burning, age-gap romance about two people who are currently down on their luck and they're just trying to put the pieces back together again. This book is a lot different than the previous two books in the series mainly because we've left the bustling city life behind and instead we find ourselves in the middle of nowhere Montana. But I loved that this book is set in a small town because it gave the story a warmer vibe. I instantly connected with Lena's character. First of all, home girl is from Queens so of course I gotta show some love to my people. But the thing that really had me stanning Lena was when she started talking about how she needed to make sure she had Adobo stocked in the kitchen to cook. That's a girl after my own heart because if you don't have no Adobo in yo house then I'm not eating from you, period! Okay, jokes aside I loved Lena's character. She's kind of has this Cinderella-esque life where she lost both her parents young and she has an "evil" stepmom who screwed her over. She's also a long way from home and from her stepsister who she misses dearly. But despite the cards she's been dealt, she still strives to achieve her dream of getting an art degree to make something more of her life and her drive is inspiring. Patrick is also dealing with his own baggage as he still blames himself for the accident and for the hurt he caused. He chooses to hide from the world because he's afraid of what people might say. Throughout this book we get to see Patrick overcome his guilt and come to terms with the fact that he can choose to either continue to live in the past or he can move forward and create a better future. This romance is angsty af. Patrick is so insistent that Lena keep her distance but that doesn't mean things don't get hot and heavy between these two. There was this one scene in particular...in the kitchen...late at night...that's all I'm gonna say about that. But getting back to my point, I loved that Lena wasn't so willing to easily give up on Patrick. She allowed him to set the boundaries and she would slowly test them to help him come out of his comfort zone. That's what was so great about this relationship because they built one another up. I also have to say that these secondary characters were everything! They seriously had me cracking up and definitely lightened the mood between all the sexual tension. Flashed was an angst filled romance and if this is the final book in this series, then Zoey Castile definitely saved the best for last but if it's not, then I can't wait to see what she has in stores for us next!
After the second book in the Happy Endings series left me unimpressed, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started Flashed. Actually I wasn't sure what to expect period because I didn't read the synopsis so I didn't know which one of our guys was next up to get their HEA. But nonetheless, I was still excited to continue this series to see what was in stores for our sexy strippers.
Art student, Magdalena Martel, is in need of a summer job so she responds to an ad for a live-in housekeeper at a ranch and is hired on the spot. But there's one rule Lena has to follow at all time or she's fired—don't disturb the homeowner. Patrick Halloran is not too keen on the idea of having a live-in housekeeper, but he knows living off of frozen foods isn't a sustainable lifestyle. Though he tries to keep his distance, there's something about Lena that has him drawn in, almost willing to break his own rule for her. Will Patrick be able to let Lena into his world or will the truth push them apart?
Flashed is hands-down my favorite book in this series so far. I said earlier that I wasn't sure what to expect before starting this book, but I sure as hell wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. Flashed is a slow-burning, age-gap romance about two people who are currently down on their luck and they're just trying to put the pieces back together again. This book is a lot different than the previous two books in the series mainly because we've left the bustling city life behind and instead we find ourselves in the middle of nowhere Montana. But I loved that this book is set in a small town because it gave the story a warmer vibe. I instantly connected with Lena's character. First of all, home girl is from Queens so of course I gotta show some love to my people. But the thing that really had me stanning Lena was when she started talking about how she needed to make sure she had Adobo stocked in the kitchen to cook. That's a girl after my own heart because if you don't have no Adobo in yo house then I'm not eating from you, period! Okay, jokes aside I loved Lena's character. She's kind of has this Cinderella-esque life where she lost both her parents young and she has an "evil" stepmom who screwed her over. She's also a long way from home and from her stepsister who she misses dearly. But despite the cards she's been dealt, she still strives to achieve her dream of getting an art degree to make something more of her life and her drive is inspiring. Patrick is also dealing with his own baggage as he still blames himself for the accident and for the hurt he caused. He chooses to hide from the world because he's afraid of what people might say. Throughout this book we get to see Patrick overcome his guilt and come to terms with the fact that he can choose to either continue to live in the past or he can move forward and create a better future. This romance is angsty af. Patrick is so insistent that Lena keep her distance but that doesn't mean things don't get hot and heavy between these two. There was this one scene in particular...in the kitchen...late at night...that's all I'm gonna say about that. But getting back to my point, I loved that Lena wasn't so willing to easily give up on Patrick. She allowed him to set the boundaries and she would slowly test them to help him come out of his comfort zone. That's what was so great about this relationship because they built one another up. I also have to say that these secondary characters were everything! They seriously had me cracking up and definitely lightened the mood between all the sexual tension. Flashed was an angst filled romance and if this is the final book in this series, then Zoey Castile definitely saved the best for last but if it's not, then I can't wait to see what she has in stores for us next!
July 16, 2019
This was Patricks book and it was sad. It was a little different from the first two books in the series and I hope you started with the very first one, Stripped that way you know some of the secondary characters and a little more of Pat. Due to an accident Pat is scarred and really depressed so he becomes a recluse and is in darkness (mentally) daily. His very good friend Scarlett hires someone to cook and clean and even though he fights it he eventually succumbs to allowing Lena to work for him. Lena is a good woman, she is in debt due to her horribly step-mom and is intrigued with her employer. Eventually these two develop a relationship but have to deal with Pats demons, will he mess it up or allow her to help him heal.
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
March 19, 2020
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Delight
A new author with a series I haven't started, but it failed to grab my attention and keep it. I floundered reading this over a long time. Just no satisfaction.
Review
I started this story without really knowing what it was about. While it was in the middle of a series, that didn't throw me so much as just plain not caring. Magdalena "Lena" Martel left Queens to find herself in art after both of her parents have passed away. An aspiring artist who is down on her luck after her stepmom steals her identity and runs up the credit cards. Faced with having to leave school while trying to pay it all off, Lena takes a job to care for a recluse on his property. But the interview is done by a neighbor who explains the rules. Strict rules to keep away from the owner, but also in a way to draw him back to reality.
Patrick Halloran hit his fame hot and fast and got burned when he was reckless. I had no idea who he was or his history going into the story and that may be why his side of the story seemed so stilted. Young, he was a soccer star that was injured moving onto a male strip group that gained some popularity when his former neighbor, Scarlett, recognizes him in Vegas and uses him as a model for her romance books. Thrust into the spotlight, he makes his first movie, living high on his fame only to have it all come tumbling down one night while drunk and road racing with his brother in the passenger seat. Now he is scarred, injured physically and mentally, dealing with guilt and PTSD.
Lena fixes meals, sings off key, unpacks boxes and generally stays way from Pat unless he is texting her his complaints on everything she does. Slowly this changes tones, but the secrecy is kept. Sexting, phone sex, but still Pat refuses to let Lena see him. And this is where the story lags. The slow crawl to falling in love is mostly through a phone, leaving a lot to be desired.
Pat has money, maybe not an endless supply, but he is not hurting while Lena is living paycheck to paycheck trying to keep her head above water, keep in touch with her younger sister and figure out what she needs to do for the future. She is very open and loving, but also keeps to her roots of family even if they are gone. Pat his hiding away from everything and everyone. He hasn't contacted his boys from the stipper group or even keeping up on his brother who is in rehab far away. Bitterness grows inside of him, while Lena grows fustrated with what they are to each other.
There are some other twists to the story, but overall, it just dragged on and on for me. The excitment came when he yelled or insulted her and she gave it back to him. It got old how he would hurt her even if it was a defense mechanism. Overall, I just didn't like Pat. He came across as someone who hadn't grown up and when something bad happens he retreated to sulk. Yes, he had some issues, but he dumped all who cared about him instead of facing his wrongs and healing.
I also felt Lena was too young for him. She had lost her mother early, then her father through a slow death with a stepmom who took no responsibility fo her daughter or husband. Lena has to get away to find herself, but in doing so she left a younger sister she felt like a mother. Letting her stepmom walk all over her, she can't seem to find a course to her life. This all felt very authentic in a young woman trying to find herself, still feeling the general parent who isn't, while trying to fix all the problems. She isn't out to get a man with money. Not a gold digger, but truly a young woman confused by life and trying to just live.
The two didn't feel authentic even after a very long courtship through a phone. She accepted him for himself and he the same to her, but he also was blind to almost anything not dealing with himself. In the end, I wanted her to move on and find a man who appreciated her and who wanted to take on life with her.
Overall, I just didn't care for this story. I like several characters, but in the end, they weren't enough to make me want to come back for more.
Challenges Met
Review Writing Challenge #12
Reading Challenge #18
Literary Pickers #8 - book shelf
Bad Boys of Romance Challenge #5
Books 'N' Tunes Challenge #7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrIPx...
December 5, 2019
Listen, I realize why the Beauty and the Beast archetype is problematic. Falling in love with someone who kidnapped or imprisoned you is icky. But…Belle was the Disney princess with the books, and therefore she is forever my #1, I’ll fight you while wearing my yellow satin ball gown. (Just kidding, I look terrible in yellow, I do not share Belle’s sun-kissed complexion the way I do her love of books.) Anyway, this is a contemporary spin on Beauty and the Beast, and the best part is the hero doesn’t trap the heroine in his house! There, concerns allayed. This is my favorite of Castile’s Magic Mike-inspired series, and I'm glad I read it—I almost abandoned the series after being underwhelmed by book 2. I love a hero with scars, physical or psychological, and a bad boy making good, and Pat is both of those things. Also, I would absolutely read an entire book with Scarlett the romance writer as the heroine.
September 26, 2019
Aspiring artist and college student Magdalena "Lena" Martel takes a job as a housekeeper for a mysterious man in a mansion hidden away in the wilds of Montana. She needs the work because her step-mother stole her identity, threatening her dream of finishing school by landing her in loads of debt on top of her student loans.
Patrick Halloran is angry at himself, angry for being on top of the world with his dancing, his modeling, and his new movie career and losing it all in one terrible car accident caused by his selfish choices. Now badly scarred and afraid of having nothing without his looks, Patrick is stuck, not only mentally, but also physically in his house. He's angry that his best friend and romance novelist Scarlett has hired a stranger to be in his home, but acknowledges he needs the help. And as he gets to know Lena, observing her from his window and through text messages that turn into phone calls, he realizes that maybe he needs to see himself differently.
I love all the messages of this novel, about looks, family, and working hard. The audiobook narrators were AMAZING, so I highly recommend reading via that method if you can. There are some issues of power that gave me pause, namely Lena being friends with the people who are paying her as their employee, but overall thought it was handled appropriately.
The sex scene with the paint and the canvas is fire. Pow.
Great end to the series, but you don't have to have read the others. PLUS I've heard the author is working on a Ricky novella, which after you've read this you'll understand why I'm the most excited.
Patrick Halloran is angry at himself, angry for being on top of the world with his dancing, his modeling, and his new movie career and losing it all in one terrible car accident caused by his selfish choices. Now badly scarred and afraid of having nothing without his looks, Patrick is stuck, not only mentally, but also physically in his house. He's angry that his best friend and romance novelist Scarlett has hired a stranger to be in his home, but acknowledges he needs the help. And as he gets to know Lena, observing her from his window and through text messages that turn into phone calls, he realizes that maybe he needs to see himself differently.
I love all the messages of this novel, about looks, family, and working hard. The audiobook narrators were AMAZING, so I highly recommend reading via that method if you can. There are some issues of power that gave me pause, namely Lena being friends with the people who are paying her as their employee, but overall thought it was handled appropriately.
The sex scene with the paint and the canvas is fire. Pow.
Great end to the series, but you don't have to have read the others. PLUS I've heard the author is working on a Ricky novella, which after you've read this you'll understand why I'm the most excited.
August 27, 2019
4.5 Stars
This is the fourth book in the Noodle Shop Mystery series by Zoey Castile.
This book made me aggravated, but not in a bad way. Maybe frustrated is a better word for it. The tension between Patrick and Lena went on and on and on. Granted, the guy has a problem. He had it all. Didn’t appreciate any of it. Then when an accident nearly takes his life and the life of his brother, Jack he loses it. He can no longer venture outside. Panic sets in and he feels trapped in his Montana house. His best friend, Scarlett West, a popular romance author, hires a housekeeper for him. But Lena isn’t allowed to see Patrick. She cleans, makes food and such but isn’t allowed in certain parts of the house. The two speak a lot through shouting from room to room or text messages.
It is probably the anguish of these two never meeting that is what makes this book so good. I am sure it is what made them want each other more over time. They wanted each other but couldn’t have each other. That made me want a happy ending for them. I knew I was going to get one because the series is called Happy Endings. Duh! Burt author sure made me question whether it would happen or not.
Lena was the giver. Always doing for others. I liked the reverse dynamic at the end where all her friends turned the emotional tables on her and she ended up being the one who was put up on a pedestal for a change.
This book was both wonderful and heartbreaking. Plus it had some of the most memorable secondary characters I’ve seen/read in a long time. Speaking of that… I really want to see a book featuring the story of Hutch and River and Scarlett and Ricky Rocket. That would be awesome. I checked the main characters of the previous books in this series and neither couple was the main feature of those books. I may not get what I want, but it is good to dream sometimes. Hint. Hint. Wink. Wink.
If you love a good romance, definitely check this one out. I guess you could put this into the hate to love category. That seems to be a popular theme these days in contemporary romance. Whatever you call it, I call it good stuff. Definitely an author to watch and put on your must read list.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the fourth book in the Noodle Shop Mystery series by Zoey Castile.
This book made me aggravated, but not in a bad way. Maybe frustrated is a better word for it. The tension between Patrick and Lena went on and on and on. Granted, the guy has a problem. He had it all. Didn’t appreciate any of it. Then when an accident nearly takes his life and the life of his brother, Jack he loses it. He can no longer venture outside. Panic sets in and he feels trapped in his Montana house. His best friend, Scarlett West, a popular romance author, hires a housekeeper for him. But Lena isn’t allowed to see Patrick. She cleans, makes food and such but isn’t allowed in certain parts of the house. The two speak a lot through shouting from room to room or text messages.
It is probably the anguish of these two never meeting that is what makes this book so good. I am sure it is what made them want each other more over time. They wanted each other but couldn’t have each other. That made me want a happy ending for them. I knew I was going to get one because the series is called Happy Endings. Duh! Burt author sure made me question whether it would happen or not.
Lena was the giver. Always doing for others. I liked the reverse dynamic at the end where all her friends turned the emotional tables on her and she ended up being the one who was put up on a pedestal for a change.
This book was both wonderful and heartbreaking. Plus it had some of the most memorable secondary characters I’ve seen/read in a long time. Speaking of that… I really want to see a book featuring the story of Hutch and River and Scarlett and Ricky Rocket. That would be awesome. I checked the main characters of the previous books in this series and neither couple was the main feature of those books. I may not get what I want, but it is good to dream sometimes. Hint. Hint. Wink. Wink.
If you love a good romance, definitely check this one out. I guess you could put this into the hate to love category. That seems to be a popular theme these days in contemporary romance. Whatever you call it, I call it good stuff. Definitely an author to watch and put on your must read list.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
August 17, 2019
Patrick had been forced to reinvent himself, but this time, he faced his biggest setback.
After a terrible accident left him disfigured, Patrick banished himself to the family ranch, and was living in relative seclusion, aside from visits from Scarlet, the author (and friend), who helped launch is post-dancing career. When Scarlet hired a new housekeeper, Patrick found himself yearning for more connection, particularly, with Lena, but would he be able to overcome his fear of rejection and let someone else into his life?
Patrick broke my heart. I was so used to his happy-go-lucky persona from the previous books, and here he was, hiding away from the world, suffering from PTSD, and racked with guilt. I was just hoping he could forgive himself and allow himself to live again. This poor guy had experienced so many setbacks in his life, it was time for him to experience something good and lasting, and I thought Lena was a fantastic person to help him find his way back to himself.
Lena's life wasn't all rainbows and cupcakes either. She was dealing with a lot of personal issues and baggage, as well, but she was also, at the same time, trying to take control of her future. I admired her attitude, and I found her so easy to root for.
I also found this couple easy to ship. They seemed like an unlikely match. She was artistic and tried to be optimistic, while he was reclusive and failed to see the glass as half full. Their romance developed quite slowly, via post it notes, text messages, and phone calls, and I thought it was kind of beautiful. The way Lena fell for Patrick without ever setting eyes on him was really meaningful if you consider, that his previous career success was all built upon how he looked. And, the means of communication also allowed them a level of honesty, that they may not have experienced face-to-face.
Aside from the romance I also enjoyed:
• The fantastic female friendships
• The return of the Mayhem family
• Scarlett - she is just fantastic!
• The allusion to The Beast
• The grumpy hero
• The family focus
• The fantastic ending!
This was yet another solid and fabulous addition to the series. I really hope we will get more books, because the series gets better and better with each new installment.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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After a terrible accident left him disfigured, Patrick banished himself to the family ranch, and was living in relative seclusion, aside from visits from Scarlet, the author (and friend), who helped launch is post-dancing career. When Scarlet hired a new housekeeper, Patrick found himself yearning for more connection, particularly, with Lena, but would he be able to overcome his fear of rejection and let someone else into his life?
Patrick broke my heart. I was so used to his happy-go-lucky persona from the previous books, and here he was, hiding away from the world, suffering from PTSD, and racked with guilt. I was just hoping he could forgive himself and allow himself to live again. This poor guy had experienced so many setbacks in his life, it was time for him to experience something good and lasting, and I thought Lena was a fantastic person to help him find his way back to himself.
Lena's life wasn't all rainbows and cupcakes either. She was dealing with a lot of personal issues and baggage, as well, but she was also, at the same time, trying to take control of her future. I admired her attitude, and I found her so easy to root for.
I also found this couple easy to ship. They seemed like an unlikely match. She was artistic and tried to be optimistic, while he was reclusive and failed to see the glass as half full. Their romance developed quite slowly, via post it notes, text messages, and phone calls, and I thought it was kind of beautiful. The way Lena fell for Patrick without ever setting eyes on him was really meaningful if you consider, that his previous career success was all built upon how he looked. And, the means of communication also allowed them a level of honesty, that they may not have experienced face-to-face.
Aside from the romance I also enjoyed:
• The fantastic female friendships
• The return of the Mayhem family
• Scarlett - she is just fantastic!
• The allusion to The Beast
• The grumpy hero
• The family focus
• The fantastic ending!
This was yet another solid and fabulous addition to the series. I really hope we will get more books, because the series gets better and better with each new installment.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
August 26, 2019
Original review: A Novel Glimpse
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
The last book in the Happy Endings series wasn’t my favorite, so I was a little hesitant to pick up Flashed. I waited for reviews from some trusted readers and since they all seemed to love it, I decided to give it a read. I’m so happy I did!
Flashed takes us to the quiet ruggedness of Montana, to a man who was once famous but now hides from the world. After a horrific accident, Pat’s once beautiful body has been left ravaged. He doesn’t want anyone to see him and feels he doesn’t deserve anyone’s love or friendship. All of that begins to change when Lena becomes his housekeeper and moves into his pool house. Lena brings with her a magic that makes him want to live.
Flashed reminded me a bit of a mashup of Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. Pat was this gruff, tormented man who was no longer his most handsome self. He needed to forgive himself and move on, but didn’t know how. Underneath it all, he was a sweet guy. Lena was a young woman down on her luck who takes a job as Pat’s housekeeper to help pay for college. He’s not nice to her in the beginning, but they slowly develop a friendship that turns into more. It was just all so sweet. I loved every moment of it. I don’t know what else to say about it. Fans of fairytale retellings will most likely adore this book. I obviously did. It’s my new favorite in this series.
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
The last book in the Happy Endings series wasn’t my favorite, so I was a little hesitant to pick up Flashed. I waited for reviews from some trusted readers and since they all seemed to love it, I decided to give it a read. I’m so happy I did!
Flashed takes us to the quiet ruggedness of Montana, to a man who was once famous but now hides from the world. After a horrific accident, Pat’s once beautiful body has been left ravaged. He doesn’t want anyone to see him and feels he doesn’t deserve anyone’s love or friendship. All of that begins to change when Lena becomes his housekeeper and moves into his pool house. Lena brings with her a magic that makes him want to live.
Flashed reminded me a bit of a mashup of Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. Pat was this gruff, tormented man who was no longer his most handsome self. He needed to forgive himself and move on, but didn’t know how. Underneath it all, he was a sweet guy. Lena was a young woman down on her luck who takes a job as Pat’s housekeeper to help pay for college. He’s not nice to her in the beginning, but they slowly develop a friendship that turns into more. It was just all so sweet. I loved every moment of it. I don’t know what else to say about it. Fans of fairytale retellings will most likely adore this book. I obviously did. It’s my new favorite in this series.
August 18, 2019
This series (which has been excellent so far) was about due for a grumpy, tortured hero, and Zoey Castile has delivered. Her writing is as open and heartfelt as ever, and she brings us Lena and Pat’s journey deftly. Lena is a delightful heroine with a clear, relatable voice. Pat is flawed, gruff, and irresistibly sweet. I deeply appreciate that when Pat messes up, Lena recognizes the severity of his error and doesn’t just forgive him without thinking.
Alongside a hefty serving of (very) sexy romance, we also get a helping of characters dealing with fear, self-doubt, and anxiety in ways that made me feel seen and understood.
While Flashed is tragically short on dancing as part of the plot, many of our favorite characters from the earlier books do make appearances, and they are a delight.
I received a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Alongside a hefty serving of (very) sexy romance, we also get a helping of characters dealing with fear, self-doubt, and anxiety in ways that made me feel seen and understood.
While Flashed is tragically short on dancing as part of the plot, many of our favorite characters from the earlier books do make appearances, and they are a delight.
I received a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2019
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
Title: Flashed
Author(s): Zoey Castile
Character(s):
― Magdalena “Lena” Martel: 26 years old, Black
― Patrick Halloran: 36 years old, Blonde, Green Eyed
Setting: Montana
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary
Content Rating: R
POV: Third Person
Smexy Level: Hot
Favorite Quote(s):
― "I only want my name in your mouth."
― “At a certain point, you have to stop being sorry and stop doing things to be sorry for.”
Overall Opinion:
This is probably my favorite installment out of the Happy Endings series yet that's not saying much. I liked the dynamic between Lena and Patrick, and how she helped him with his anxiety, insecurities and the guilt he felt towards the accident that nearly took his younger brother's life. It was an okay novel to take on yet there were a few things that were a turn off. For example the pacing of the story was a bit too slow for me at times and the ending was obviously rushed definitely affected my reading experience.
June 30, 2019
I was lucky enough to receive this book in a giveaway from Nisha Sharma! I am a lucky girl!!!
This was an absolutely exceptional story. I finished it essentially in one sitting. It has a Beauty and the Beast vibe and the characters essentially falling in love before ever meeting. I absolutely adored it. This is definitely Zoey's best so far and my favorite!!!
I can't wait to see what's next!
This was an absolutely exceptional story. I finished it essentially in one sitting. It has a Beauty and the Beast vibe and the characters essentially falling in love before ever meeting. I absolutely adored it. This is definitely Zoey's best so far and my favorite!!!
I can't wait to see what's next!
Read
April 7, 2020Check out our full book club review on Youtube. 💗 If you prefer to listen you can check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
June 17, 2020
2.5 stars
Grade=C-
Grade=C-
September 2, 2019
People are going to have a lot to say about these covers but I love this damn series. It’s got witty banter, thoughtful stories with a diverse range of characters, just the right touch of soap opera, mad steam (especially this one despite its slow burn / beauty + beast thing it’s got going on), and they’re just so fun. Here for wherever Castile wants to take me next.
August 24, 2019
I love this series so much! Castile is so good at making sparks fly between her characters. I hope the future will bring many more romance novels by her!
Full review: gabimorataya.wordpress.com/2019/08/21...
Full review: gabimorataya.wordpress.com/2019/08/21...
April 24, 2019
These books just get better and better
September 27, 2019
Flashed grabbed me from the beginning and how could it not? A movie star who secluded himself from the world because of an accident he caused and he young art student who was trying to make her mark on the world while protecting her sister. The premise had a Beauty and the Beast feel because our hero, Pat, was covered in scars and incredibly grumpy. The two communicated mainly via text messages, but their relationship didn't progress in a way that their chemistry felt authentic and long-lasting. On an emotional level, Pat and Lena both had their past to contend with and I was disappointed that Lena's story barely had any impact on the story. I did enjoy the side characters, but some of them felt like they had their love stories appear elsewhere which just caused some confusion on my half. I liked Flashed on the surface level, but it didn't dive as deep as it could have.
July 18, 2019
A hot slow burn, Flashed is emotional and heartbreakingly romantic. The story follows Pat, a former actor and stripper who has lived most of his life believing that his appearance defined his worth. He was the life of the party, experiencing his first taste of success until a car accident left him scarred and hiding from the world. His friend hires Lena to act as his live-in housekeeper/chef for the next few months in an attempt to get him to start caring about his surroundings again. Pat refuses to speak to Lena face to face, so they begin exchanging texts and calls which slowly bring them closer.
I loved this story - I was hooked from the very first page. It’s well written and the storyline is unique. Pat and Lena don’t actually “meet” for quite some time, so they slowly get to know each other on an emotional level before the physical side factors in (though once it does things get pretty steamy). The first half of the book was fantastic, with Lena breaking down Pat’s walls. Pat has been through a lot and he has plenty of healing left to do, but I liked that the author made the process feel believable - he’s not all of a sudden going to be cured of his demons just because a beautiful woman moved into his home. It’s a story of healing and recovering from trauma that is certainly worth a read. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book immensely and will have to try out more from this author.
I loved this story - I was hooked from the very first page. It’s well written and the storyline is unique. Pat and Lena don’t actually “meet” for quite some time, so they slowly get to know each other on an emotional level before the physical side factors in (though once it does things get pretty steamy). The first half of the book was fantastic, with Lena breaking down Pat’s walls. Pat has been through a lot and he has plenty of healing left to do, but I liked that the author made the process feel believable - he’s not all of a sudden going to be cured of his demons just because a beautiful woman moved into his home. It’s a story of healing and recovering from trauma that is certainly worth a read. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book immensely and will have to try out more from this author.
October 9, 2020
3.5
This was the last book of the Happy Ending series and I’m very Sad, but also not really because this was fantastic. Ay, dios how I love Zoey’s romance. Her characters are so sympathetic, their fears and dreams so real, and to see them grow is a wonderful thing.
Flashed is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and just EXCELLENCE. I do like retellings but I have always felt very meh about Beauty and the Beast, so I was surprised how much I enjoyed the classic moments here. I guess, it does make all the difference that this story is coming from Zoey, and there are so many conversations about consent, respecting boundaries, and how the heroine is not here to save anyone. And the big gesture? PERFECT. My heart melted with these two, their very slow build romance, and how sexy the book gets. I adored it, okay? I’m not sure what to do now that we won’t have more Happy Endings.
This was the last book of the Happy Ending series and I’m very Sad, but also not really because this was fantastic. Ay, dios how I love Zoey’s romance. Her characters are so sympathetic, their fears and dreams so real, and to see them grow is a wonderful thing.
Flashed is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and just EXCELLENCE. I do like retellings but I have always felt very meh about Beauty and the Beast, so I was surprised how much I enjoyed the classic moments here. I guess, it does make all the difference that this story is coming from Zoey, and there are so many conversations about consent, respecting boundaries, and how the heroine is not here to save anyone. And the big gesture? PERFECT. My heart melted with these two, their very slow build romance, and how sexy the book gets. I adored it, okay? I’m not sure what to do now that we won’t have more Happy Endings.
did-not-finish
April 9, 2023DNF at 65%. This book had some promise but just failed for me.
This is a contemporary beauty and the beast story and I enjoyed a lot of it.
He’s been scarred and doesn’t want to be seen. And they build their relationship through texting.
However, they got intimate before I was ready. He needs a lot of therapy. And while he started it, he also continued to act like a total jerk to her after they started having phone sex and was really awful to her right before they had sex sex. It made me feel icky that they were getting so physically intimate when he was still so terrible to her.
The hero is full of self hatred and lashes out at the heroine a lot. I would have liked for him to work through his crap and be more healthy before they went so far. It just made me feel gross and not able to enjoy the book.
This is a contemporary beauty and the beast story and I enjoyed a lot of it.
He’s been scarred and doesn’t want to be seen. And they build their relationship through texting.
However, they got intimate before I was ready. He needs a lot of therapy. And while he started it, he also continued to act like a total jerk to her after they started having phone sex and was really awful to her right before they had sex sex. It made me feel icky that they were getting so physically intimate when he was still so terrible to her.
The hero is full of self hatred and lashes out at the heroine a lot. I would have liked for him to work through his crap and be more healthy before they went so far. It just made me feel gross and not able to enjoy the book.
October 13, 2020
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4 stars — I loved the first half of this book, it just hit all of my reading buttons, you know? There’s something about a damaged man and a strange friendship that develops without seeing one another that just…it’s a guilty pleasure. I will admit that it got a bit slow for a bit, but it picked up in the end.
Even though I had an old NetGalley ARC of this one, I decided to listen to the audio. I enjoy both Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Vine, and they made this book both fun and emotional. I enjoyed Ms. Vine’s accent especially. Though, maybe it’s just me, but neither of them nailed Ricky’s Australian accent…*cringe*
I’m not sure how much I have to say honestly. Pat was damaged and gruff and scared and all of the things that I was expecting. I honestly don’t think I expected how much damage he had, and we got to see a bit of him struggling with his anxiety and trying to overcome it. I really appreciated that he eventually talked to someone. His journey and growth and setbacks were believable for the most part, though sometimes it felt I wanted something a bit more than just Lena as his touchstone…but then when I really think about it, he truly did have a lot more going on, he just didn’t emphasize it in his own growth.
I loved the way Lena gave him crap and brought him out of his shell — how she knew when to push and when to pull back. I kinda wanted her to figure her own shit out a bit faster than she did, but she got there eventually. I appreciated getting to see her struggle with her art, and even if the ending was a bit too good to be true, it made my romance reading heart happy for her.
They were pretty great together, though I honestly loved the parts before they were face to face the most. It was when we were able to see them really make a connection with one another. After they “met”, I loved their first steamy scene…but after awhile it kind of took over the story for a bit there and I got bored. But things got more balanced again near the end.
The star of this story for me was the large and varied secondary cast. I get the impression that some of them are from other books (and not just the Mayhem City boys, which I already knew about), but it didn’t take over and leave me floundering — just would be great fan service for those who have read a lot of Ms. Castile’s books. I LOVED Scarlett and Kaylee, and how they both supported Pat. I enjoyed seeing Ricky and the boys again (though, was Ricky Australian before? I don’t remember that from Stripped). I loved that Lena developed some great girl friendships, with Scarlett and Kaylee, but also with River and Marie. I loved her relationship with her little sister too.
All in all it was a solid satisfying romance. I can definitely see this author being a goto for #ownvoices books.
4 stars — I loved the first half of this book, it just hit all of my reading buttons, you know? There’s something about a damaged man and a strange friendship that develops without seeing one another that just…it’s a guilty pleasure. I will admit that it got a bit slow for a bit, but it picked up in the end.
Even though I had an old NetGalley ARC of this one, I decided to listen to the audio. I enjoy both Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Vine, and they made this book both fun and emotional. I enjoyed Ms. Vine’s accent especially. Though, maybe it’s just me, but neither of them nailed Ricky’s Australian accent…*cringe*
I’m not sure how much I have to say honestly. Pat was damaged and gruff and scared and all of the things that I was expecting. I honestly don’t think I expected how much damage he had, and we got to see a bit of him struggling with his anxiety and trying to overcome it. I really appreciated that he eventually talked to someone. His journey and growth and setbacks were believable for the most part, though sometimes it felt I wanted something a bit more than just Lena as his touchstone…but then when I really think about it, he truly did have a lot more going on, he just didn’t emphasize it in his own growth.
I loved the way Lena gave him crap and brought him out of his shell — how she knew when to push and when to pull back. I kinda wanted her to figure her own shit out a bit faster than she did, but she got there eventually. I appreciated getting to see her struggle with her art, and even if the ending was a bit too good to be true, it made my romance reading heart happy for her.
They were pretty great together, though I honestly loved the parts before they were face to face the most. It was when we were able to see them really make a connection with one another. After they “met”, I loved their first steamy scene…but after awhile it kind of took over the story for a bit there and I got bored. But things got more balanced again near the end.
The star of this story for me was the large and varied secondary cast. I get the impression that some of them are from other books (and not just the Mayhem City boys, which I already knew about), but it didn’t take over and leave me floundering — just would be great fan service for those who have read a lot of Ms. Castile’s books. I LOVED Scarlett and Kaylee, and how they both supported Pat. I enjoyed seeing Ricky and the boys again (though, was Ricky Australian before? I don’t remember that from Stripped). I loved that Lena developed some great girl friendships, with Scarlett and Kaylee, but also with River and Marie. I loved her relationship with her little sister too.
All in all it was a solid satisfying romance. I can definitely see this author being a goto for #ownvoices books.
August 23, 2019
2.5: This book has kind of a Beaty & the Beast vibe to it, and while I liked the characters, romance didn’t really work for me.
The Beaty is Lena, a Latina art student from Queens, NY who is finishing college in Montana after some family & financial setbacks. The Beast is Patrick, a former soccer star turned stripper turned bad boy actor who got badly injured in a car accident. Patrick is struggling with severe PTSD/possibly agoraphobia and his friend Scarlett hires Lena to help clean Patrick’s mansion in exchange for rooming in the pool house. Basically it’s a forced proximity/roommates situation with the twist that Lena is never allowed to see Patrick. But they text and somehow fall in love, and this is why it didn’t work for me—the relationship progression did not make sense. First, it was insta-lust on Patrick’s end which, okay, I get that. But then, they exchange a few texts & Lena is nice to Patrick, and that’s their chemistry? I’ve read a few romances where the love interests communicate by text/letter/post-it notes and I have always understood why the two people fell in love—either sense of humor or something in common or something else. In FLASHED, I can understand why Patrick feels for Lena, but I have no idea why Lena likes Patrick. To me her feelings seem more like pity & a desire to “fix” him rather than love. So it felt really hard to root for them. And then once they were “together” the conflict & ending felt unrealistic & rushed too.
I was also uncomfortable with the portrayal of Patrick’s mental health - everyone has their own journey and not everyone needs therapy but the way his trauma & “recovery” were handled seemed to imply that you can get “better” on your own as long as you love someone and that’s just not true. This was a case of love pretty much magically healing someone, which I think can be a harmful message.
But I think if you’re in the mood for something very fast & soap-y that you aren’t going to examine too closely this could work. When Lena & Pat did interact, whether by text or phone, it was often funny or entertaining. And Lena as a character was enjoyable; I loved, loved some of the details of her character. Her descriptions of Queens, NY & her mom singing to salsa while cooking made me homesick, and her quip about bringing five supersized bottles of Adobo seasoning to Montana is worth at least half a star.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ecopy in exchange for an honest review.**
The Beaty is Lena, a Latina art student from Queens, NY who is finishing college in Montana after some family & financial setbacks. The Beast is Patrick, a former soccer star turned stripper turned bad boy actor who got badly injured in a car accident. Patrick is struggling with severe PTSD/possibly agoraphobia and his friend Scarlett hires Lena to help clean Patrick’s mansion in exchange for rooming in the pool house. Basically it’s a forced proximity/roommates situation with the twist that Lena is never allowed to see Patrick. But they text and somehow fall in love, and this is why it didn’t work for me—the relationship progression did not make sense. First, it was insta-lust on Patrick’s end which, okay, I get that. But then, they exchange a few texts & Lena is nice to Patrick, and that’s their chemistry? I’ve read a few romances where the love interests communicate by text/letter/post-it notes and I have always understood why the two people fell in love—either sense of humor or something in common or something else. In FLASHED, I can understand why Patrick feels for Lena, but I have no idea why Lena likes Patrick. To me her feelings seem more like pity & a desire to “fix” him rather than love. So it felt really hard to root for them. And then once they were “together” the conflict & ending felt unrealistic & rushed too.
I was also uncomfortable with the portrayal of Patrick’s mental health - everyone has their own journey and not everyone needs therapy but the way his trauma & “recovery” were handled seemed to imply that you can get “better” on your own as long as you love someone and that’s just not true. This was a case of love pretty much magically healing someone, which I think can be a harmful message.
But I think if you’re in the mood for something very fast & soap-y that you aren’t going to examine too closely this could work. When Lena & Pat did interact, whether by text or phone, it was often funny or entertaining. And Lena as a character was enjoyable; I loved, loved some of the details of her character. Her descriptions of Queens, NY & her mom singing to salsa while cooking made me homesick, and her quip about bringing five supersized bottles of Adobo seasoning to Montana is worth at least half a star.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ecopy in exchange for an honest review.**
September 1, 2019
Ay yi yi, you guys! It took me three books or the entire series to figure out why these books cannot surpass 3 stars for me! Since taking a creative writing class, I’ve learned a lot about different writing methods. Creative writing classes make you a stronger writer, but also a more cognizant reader. Maybe too cognizant.
I didn’t realize it before, but a huge portion of these books are written in narrative summary! Which basically means the reader is told about events that have happened to the character instead of experiencing it. NS is an excellent device, but it has to be used in the correct way.
I do love Zoey Castile’s diverse characters! For so long romance books never included Hispanic characters. I pray these diverse reads never stop. ZC has expertly implemented Hispanic music and food throughout the series and I loved every minute. Also, sometimes the writing can be very witty. My only issue is the length! I don't know if it’s the author or publisher that has made these books super short, but I feel that is why a huge reason why the stories feel rushed.
Flashed of all the books in the series felt very rushed to me. Patrick and Lena certainly have interesting backstories and are both healing from their pasts. I just wish the resolution didn’t come so quickly.
On another note, I liked the Beauty and the Beast retelling aspect. BaTB is my favorite Disney movie so I will read or watch any retelling.
There are certainly a lot of untapped potential in this series, but I will continue to read ZC since she has such diverse characters and innovative ideas. An entire book series loosely based on Magic Mike is so genius! As a writer I’m jealous I didn’t come up with that idea.
In Summary: I think I’ve read too many rom-coms were the eroticism takes a backseat. Now reading this series, it feels as if the romance takes a backseat and erotic scenes are at the forefront. I guess it depends on what kind of romance reader you are. If heat level is most important then this series is certainly for you. If you like a little more romance in your novels then I’d proceed with lowered expectations.
For more contemporary romance reviews visit my blog: https://pagepassion.wixsite.com/roman....
I didn’t realize it before, but a huge portion of these books are written in narrative summary! Which basically means the reader is told about events that have happened to the character instead of experiencing it. NS is an excellent device, but it has to be used in the correct way.
I do love Zoey Castile’s diverse characters! For so long romance books never included Hispanic characters. I pray these diverse reads never stop. ZC has expertly implemented Hispanic music and food throughout the series and I loved every minute. Also, sometimes the writing can be very witty. My only issue is the length! I don't know if it’s the author or publisher that has made these books super short, but I feel that is why a huge reason why the stories feel rushed.
Flashed of all the books in the series felt very rushed to me. Patrick and Lena certainly have interesting backstories and are both healing from their pasts. I just wish the resolution didn’t come so quickly.
On another note, I liked the Beauty and the Beast retelling aspect. BaTB is my favorite Disney movie so I will read or watch any retelling.
There are certainly a lot of untapped potential in this series, but I will continue to read ZC since she has such diverse characters and innovative ideas. An entire book series loosely based on Magic Mike is so genius! As a writer I’m jealous I didn’t come up with that idea.
In Summary: I think I’ve read too many rom-coms were the eroticism takes a backseat. Now reading this series, it feels as if the romance takes a backseat and erotic scenes are at the forefront. I guess it depends on what kind of romance reader you are. If heat level is most important then this series is certainly for you. If you like a little more romance in your novels then I’d proceed with lowered expectations.
For more contemporary romance reviews visit my blog: https://pagepassion.wixsite.com/roman....
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