His name was Yuri Athanas. They called him the golden boy of the Afxisi, a college org during the day and an underground racing club at night. Like his brothers, Yuri was rich, powerful, gorgeous, and devastatingly sexy. Unlike his brothers, Yuri did not leave a trail of broken hearts behind him. Yuri was the angel amidst all the other Greek devils, they said. I liked hearing that about him. It gave me hope that when we do meet again, he would remember his promise, and he would keep it. He would take one look at me and he wouldn’t mind that I wasn’t…okay. He wouldn’t mind I wasn’t…normal. If he was everything I prayed he would be, he’d take one look at me and love me, like he had promised.
Genre: according to the page, it's a NA College Biker Romance and yes, it's as confusing as that sounds Sensuality: PG-13
I popped my Marian Tee cherry today and while it was not horrible, it was def. weird. VERY weird.
The bk revolves around a 18 yr old very sheltered, naive heiress who must always be protected since she was tortured and abused when she was 7. She was so damaged that she only respond to being called "it" until she was around 13. When her grandmother is dying of cancer, she arranges for the son (the H) of a greek billonaire to become her fiancee and take care of her for the rest of her life.
Besides the child abuse, there is a doctor who wants to steal the h's money, a groupie who is gaslighting the h, and a large cast of characters who are unexplained since this is like Bk 7 of a series. So much there and so confusing, but the story is told without any depth. In fact, it is all described in a matter-of-fact, simple way, like a fairy tale.
I have no idea what the author was trying to achieve. Is it suppose to be a fairytale? A farce? Where was the biker racing part? Cause I didnt see any.
Blurb: His name was Yuri Athanas. They called him the golden boy of the Afxisi, a college org during the day and an underground racing club at night. Like his brothers, Yuri was rich, powerful, gorgeous, and devastatingly sexy. Unlike his brothers, Yuri did not leave a trail of broken hearts behind him. Yuri was the angel amidst all the other Greek devils, they said. I liked hearing that about him. It gave me hope that when we do meet again, he would remember his promise, and he would keep it. He would take one look at me and he wouldn’t mind that I wasn’t…okay. He wouldn’t mind I wasn’t…normal. If he was everything I prayed he would be, he’d take one look at me and love me, like he had promised.
I am a fan of this author and this is a great addition to the Heart Racer series. I must admit I am still a bit in the dark about exactly what Kalli's grandmother offered to do for Yuri in exchange for his taking responsibility for Kalli. I may need to re-read to see if I missed something. Or it may be more fully revealed in Hallie's story.
This was a pretty good read that I liked. Kallie was broken by an evil care taker in her youth but was rescued by her loving grandmother. Kallie loved in a world of black and white where everything was either entirely right or entirely wrong. Her mind, though means level iq, could not comprehend the gray areas most of us real with daily. When her grandmother dies, Yuri takes over as her guardian and fiance and her education. This was a good read was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.
I was so confused every step of the way. Is this about gods? A motorcycle gang? Are they rich? Are they evil? Why are characters introduced but barely explained or serve no purpose? Does this book even have a purpose?
It took a lot to get through this book. I was hoping that eventually it would make sense or get better but that didn't happen. I ended up skimming through the last few chapters and was completely disappointed.
On top of all of this, how am I supposed to feel about an emotionally/mentally stunted 18 year old virgin that is sexually desired by an experienced man that was forced to marry her? I felt gross to even read that.
Honestly, I could go on and on about why this book wasn't for me and made no sense but I'll just stop here.
Another hit read by Marian Tee! This story is about Yuri and Kalli and how both alike but yet different will take you on their journey of find true love and the understanding that no other can give each other. I love Kalli right off from the first preview we had and I can say I fell in love with her more throughout the book. As for Yuri I had a very high opinion of him till almost the end where he hurts Kalli!! That just passed me off but prior to that you start to see a different side of the VP for the MC and it makes you love him. I totally love the fact that Kalli is so innocent in her views and that she tells the truth so she has no filter. Which I know some would take offense but once you get to know her and understand her you see her as someone you want to become friends with. I do wish there was a little more detail about what happened after Yuri's saved her from his mistake to when she wakes up and he brings her back to the club. Makes you want to know what I'm talking about well go read it yourself, sorry I don't want to give away too much.
Overall I enjoyed the whole story and can't wait to read about Hallie's story!! If you haven't read any of Marian Tee books what are you waiting for go and get one I promise you won't be disappointed.
I really like this book. I loved Kalli, how honest she was, after everything she went through as a child. I loved Yuri as well, but there is a place in the book that I really was disappointed with him, and I didn't feel like he worked hard enough for forgiveness. Still enjoyed the book. This was my first book by this author but won't be my last.
This was the first book that I've read by this author and I have no idea when I downloaded it. I only opened it to read the first chapter and the next thing I know, I'm 75% finished. The story was captivating. I will admit the prologue was hard to read, and nothing usually takes my breath away like that, but once you start the book that prologue was needed to see why Kalli was the way she was. Love comes in all forms and this was an example of that.
I know the character description I presented above is quite lengthy--it goes to show just how fascinating and complex both Yuri and Kalliope are.
With all of Marian's books, I don't think I know of one female lead who is naturally cold, distant, and insensitive from the get-go. Most female protagonists she create are lively, expressive, a bit timid but full of spunk--that's why I found Kalliope captivating; she's broken, obviously, and if I went through what she did, I'm sure I'll even come out worse. But in spite of being ripped of her identity, beaten repeatedly for having emotions, and losing [almost] everyone who cares about her, she's still determined to trust people. To give "living" and "feeling" a shot--which leads to her affection for Yuri. Yuri *sigh*, I had no idea he can be so ... Unfeeling. I mean, he was controlled and refined in other parts of the series, but NEVER a manipulator, a liar, and a user. I guess you can't really judge a character unless you're reading their story, eh?
The story moved at a steady pace; it wasn't dragging and there weren't a lot of unnecessary scenes. I don't like novels with a lot of "fillers"--scenes that offer nothing in the books entirety--that takes up a number of pages, and I felt like the author avoided that which I appreciate and approve of.
I can't really say much about the highs of this story, but the lows were VERY good. I share the author's masochistic/sadistic tendencies, and so I loved seeing both Yuri and Kalliope struggling and in pain because of their mistakes--and by "their", I mean Yuri. The love scenes didn't really standout and I'm bummed about it because I was expecting Yuri to be rough, demanding, and wild in the bedroom because he's so poise outside. But we all don't get everything we want, so...
Ms. Tee wrote an overall good read. Proofreading was ok, few errors. Cover was good, some steamy scenes, no cheating or cliffhanger and you get a happy ending. It was weird in that you have college kids on campus, yet you don't get the feel like you're actually at school. A billionaire kid, but comes across as someone in their 30's. Sick abusers!! Seriously hurt Kalli and yet she was consistently honest in everything.
Where is the racing? He rides his motorcycle like two times. A motorcycle club sorority?
The jumping pov for two sentences and then switching pov again. I didn’t particularly like that. If the pov of the character is only two sentences we don’t need it.
The main female protagonists is intelligent but extremely naive. Childlike naive. So childlike she is a child. Her mental state is of a child. She should be in treatment. Not marries off and lied to because she is so childlike. Must protect the children!!! So the romance bit became quite uncomfortable to read. For me anyway.
I also feel there is something missing in this story. For it to be satisfactory, complete. How did Lily get in contact with Silas? How where they so stupid not to check the video surveillance at the hotel room properly? And the whole story about Silas wanting Kalli as a sex slave and to abuse her ”With his dick” (seriously. That’s s a quote). Feel like it was put in just for an added shock factor. Let’s abuse the abused some more eh? We didn’t really need Silas’ dick out to be horrified that Yuri got Kalli in a straitjacket and committed to a mental hospital. And then having Yuri’s sister saying that Kalli must forgive Yuri, because if she doesn’t Kalli is just like Kalli’s abuser. The abuser who beat on her, starved her when she was a kid. Like what?! Okay. Okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Different, and interesting. The beginning had me scratching my head trying to figure out what was going on, and once I got it I was upset for the character and everything she’s enduring. I would have loved more backgrounds story as how she ended up in the situation. The story doesn’t touch much on it after she’s rescued from her environment.
Kalli’s grandmother was a good grandma but she should have taught Kalli more about life before she met Yuri. I loved the interaction between Yuri and Kalli and see their love grow and their ups and downs due to her being different, and he ‘cold’. I can’t wait to read the next installments and find out what happens to the bad guys.
"IT" was battered, beaten and starved by the time her family rescued her. But the one thing "Madame" had never be able to do, was break her. At 14, her grandmother asked a young man for help, should the woman no longer be around.
Four years pass as does the old woman.
Enter Yuri Athanos, VP and golden boy of the Afxisi. He's come to fulfil his promise. To love Kalli.
She's not normal, she just needs to be loved. Unconditionally. Simple really, except Yuri has closed his heart off to the prospect of ever being able to love.
But in order to keep Kalli safe, he did the one thing she hated above all other things...
Demons hide in plain sight. Why do people like to break you apart. Jealousy and greed is so unattractive. Her childhood doctor wants her and one of the club woman wants him. It's like the universe is conspiring against them What a sweet story this is beginning to sound like. Kalli was abused for several years until her grandmother rescued her. Grandma made a pact with Yuri to marry Kalli, because she is dying and needs someone to look after her Kalliope is So sweet and oh so innocent. Yuri was so misguided by his own insecurities. Thankfully they overcame their past and had a happy ending
This is first book by this author I have read. I like the book's concept and characters. Heroine was definitely different but likeable. Hero totally alpha and also likeable. Story is told in first person but the switching from one character to the next was confusing to me. It went back and forth and around so many times, I couldn't keep track of who was thinking /saying what. I felt that Kalli's character could have been defined more. I could not get a grasp in her at all. Overall, it was enjoyable but I probably won't read any more by this author.
Kallie was broken by an evil care taker in her youth but was rescued by her loving grandmother. Kallie loved in a world of black and white where everything was either entirely right or entirely wrong. Her mind, though means level iq, could not comprehend the gray areas most of us real with daily. When her grandmother dies, Yuri takes over as her guardian and fiance and her education is broadened. This was a wonderfully written story of two broken people trying to keep the pieces of themselves held together. I enjoyed it very much. I would have liked it more if they had gotten married, though.
"Yuri, I feel weird again." That's how I felt the entire time I spent attempting to read and understand this. I don't get who Yuri is, why he ever agreed to the marriage, what his 'club' is all about, including the underground racing.. which at 44% there has been NONE of... and Kalli!? How can we honestly believe that despite learning pretty much everything she currently knows from the internet; she has no clue about attraction... I get that she's an innocent 18 year old with an horrific past, but this was way too confusing for me. My first (and likely my only) Marian Tee read. DNF 44%
I’m not sure what others read that gave this book 4 and 5 stars but I couldn’t get past chapter 7. I’m really sorry but the 7 chapters I did read were so ridiculous that all I could do was shake my head. I gave it 1 star for all of the fancy words that were used. It’s a good thing this was free but I’m still out about 1/2 hour of my life!
This was a very unexpected story. It kept me reading mainly because I kept on guessing what's going on but in a good way. Kalli's character is refreshing with it's genuine innocence. Some parts of it actually reminded me of the movie Nell which is a favorite of mine. It really is a sweet love story. Recommended
My first Marian Tee read. All because someone recommended this from a certain facebook group. And again, God. Damn. It. I regret nothing. I cried a lot, though.
Fast paced and you can't help but love the main characters. Dark but also light at the end of the tunnel...only complaint, it ended too soon. I felt like the end of the story was rushed. But all in all, definatly will he putting this on the shelf to read again.
Ok that was a weird book to read, I wasn’t sure to give a 3-3.5 star rating but I did finish it glad it had a HEA with no cliffhangers. I did enjoy reading it it was just it kinda went all over the place with different POV from several characters but thx anyway it was a ok read
The mind is a Beautiful thing to waste, in a World that is wastful! This is a book one must read and decide was it worth the read? I think it was and very unique, same as this review! 4 Stars unique!
I'm giving this beautiful love story five stars! WOW! I absolutely loved this romantic comedy! The sheer pure innocence of Kalli is mesmerising! Poor Yuri!! What a delightful tale! You gotta read this!!
Sweet story of love and redemption. Two tortured souls find each other and save each other and live happily ever after. First they must learn to trust each other and overcome obstacles in their way by bitter rivals but with blind faith they will travail.
Oh at first this was a hard book to grab me. Many different points of view or thoughts but I stuck with it and it had me laughing at Kalli’s lack of filter and honesty and I wanted to castrate a certain doctor. I ended up loving this book and finishing it in a few hours!
Loved all the sweetly awkward scenes. Loved the turn about with the person with the abused past living wholly and completely while the other is the one who struggles. Mildly annoyed by the drama, but the quick resolution made up for it.
This is the first book i read in the series. It could be read alone but it would help understand the secondary characters it the other books were read. It was hard to follow conversations at time, but an ok read.