What do you think?
Rate this book
Twist of Fate #2
Safe and Sound
I've been drowning for a long time. I never thought I'd find someone who knows what that's like...
Self-proclaimed playboy, Aiden Vale, has it all - good looks, successful career, plenty of cash in the bank and an endless supply of men who know the score... that one night is just that. So the last thing he wants, or needs, is to forge a connection that might mean revealing more of himself than he's ready to. But when fate intervenes, putting Aiden in the path of someone who threatens to knock down his carefully constructed walls, he's quick to realize the young man he's become infatuated with is hiding a painful secret.
I finally have a shot at freedom. I'll never let anyone take that from me ever again...
Ash Valentine is just looking for a way out, and the last thing he wants or needs is another man controlling every aspect of his life. Desperate for the cash that will help him flee his abusive boyfriend, Ash accepts what is supposed to be a temporary job at a local coffee shop. But nothing prepares him for the gorgeous and enigmatic Aiden Vale, and the small acts of kindness the charming coffee shop regular bestows on him or the new friends he begins to make along the way.
Terrified of once again becoming too reliant on someone else to take care of him, Ash refuses Aiden's repeated offers of help in any form. But when it becomes clear that there's something more behind Aiden's need to save him, Ash begins to wonder if he's found someone who needs saving just as badly.
I know he wants to save me, but what if he's the one who needs saving...
As their tentative friendship turns into something more, long buried secrets begin to surface. When Aiden's need to protect Ash clashes with the younger man's desire for independence, memories of the one he couldn't save begin to tear at the fragile cords of Aiden's soul, and he's forced to face a truth he's been hiding from for a long time.
Threatened with losing what they've only just found, will Aiden and Ash find a way to accept their pasts or will they let the pain drag them below the surface for good?
No cliffhangers and can be read as a stand-alone.
*** TRIGGER WARNING - includes on-page scenes of domestic abuse, including rape and intense violence. ***
Self-proclaimed playboy, Aiden Vale, has it all - good looks, successful career, plenty of cash in the bank and an endless supply of men who know the score... that one night is just that. So the last thing he wants, or needs, is to forge a connection that might mean revealing more of himself than he's ready to. But when fate intervenes, putting Aiden in the path of someone who threatens to knock down his carefully constructed walls, he's quick to realize the young man he's become infatuated with is hiding a painful secret.
I finally have a shot at freedom. I'll never let anyone take that from me ever again...
Ash Valentine is just looking for a way out, and the last thing he wants or needs is another man controlling every aspect of his life. Desperate for the cash that will help him flee his abusive boyfriend, Ash accepts what is supposed to be a temporary job at a local coffee shop. But nothing prepares him for the gorgeous and enigmatic Aiden Vale, and the small acts of kindness the charming coffee shop regular bestows on him or the new friends he begins to make along the way.
Terrified of once again becoming too reliant on someone else to take care of him, Ash refuses Aiden's repeated offers of help in any form. But when it becomes clear that there's something more behind Aiden's need to save him, Ash begins to wonder if he's found someone who needs saving just as badly.
I know he wants to save me, but what if he's the one who needs saving...
As their tentative friendship turns into something more, long buried secrets begin to surface. When Aiden's need to protect Ash clashes with the younger man's desire for independence, memories of the one he couldn't save begin to tear at the fragile cords of Aiden's soul, and he's forced to face a truth he's been hiding from for a long time.
Threatened with losing what they've only just found, will Aiden and Ash find a way to accept their pasts or will they let the pain drag them below the surface for good?
No cliffhangers and can be read as a stand-alone.
*** TRIGGER WARNING - includes on-page scenes of domestic abuse, including rape and intense violence. ***
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2017
750 people are currently reading
1399 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Lennox
96 books4,399 followersI write M/M romance with humor, heart, and heat. Check out my backlist here on GR for a selection of series and standalone or visit www.LucyLennox.com!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 468 reviews
October 9, 2017
~3.5~
Trigger warning:
I am so torn on how to rate this book. I loved the slow burn and the relationship development, but the last 30 percent veered into melodrama territory and there was no closure to the domestic abuse plot.
I didn't like Aiden in the first book of the series, but he's a completely different person here. Gone is the demanding, snarky Aiden; in his place is the New Aiden: caring, devoted, and sentimental.
Once Aiden meets Ash at the coffee shop he frequents and realizes that Ash is the owner of the journal he found, he falls head over heels and is determined to protect Ash.
But Ash has been in an abusive relationship for years and doesn't know how to get out. Even when Aiden offers help with no strings attached, Ash is determined to stand on his own. I didn't understand this. Ash wanted out; why wouldn't he let someone help him?
Likewise, toward the end, Ash plays the martyr card and is determined to sacrifice himself for Aiden. It makes no sense, since it's the last thing Aiden wants.
What really bothered me though is that I value justice above mercy, so this made me CRAZY.
Despite the issues I had with the story, I still liked Aiden and Ash together. They had obvious chemistry, and the ending made me tear up.
I liked seeing Bennett, Xander, and Lucky from book 1 again, but Safe and Sound can be read as a standalone.
I'm very excited for Jake's story coming next! The first chapter included as a bonus got me hook, line, and sinker.
Trigger warning:
I am so torn on how to rate this book. I loved the slow burn and the relationship development, but the last 30 percent veered into melodrama territory and there was no closure to the domestic abuse plot.
I didn't like Aiden in the first book of the series, but he's a completely different person here. Gone is the demanding, snarky Aiden; in his place is the New Aiden: caring, devoted, and sentimental.
Once Aiden meets Ash at the coffee shop he frequents and realizes that Ash is the owner of the journal he found, he falls head over heels and is determined to protect Ash.
But Ash has been in an abusive relationship for years and doesn't know how to get out. Even when Aiden offers help with no strings attached, Ash is determined to stand on his own. I didn't understand this. Ash wanted out; why wouldn't he let someone help him?
Likewise, toward the end, Ash plays the martyr card and is determined to sacrifice himself for Aiden. It makes no sense, since it's the last thing Aiden wants.
What really bothered me though is that I value justice above mercy, so this made me CRAZY.
Despite the issues I had with the story, I still liked Aiden and Ash together. They had obvious chemistry, and the ending made me tear up.
I liked seeing Bennett, Xander, and Lucky from book 1 again, but Safe and Sound can be read as a standalone.
I'm very excited for Jake's story coming next! The first chapter included as a bonus got me hook, line, and sinker.
October 3, 2017
This is the second book in the "Twist of Fate" series, book 1 being "Lost and Found". I really enjoyed book 1, so I was very excited about this second installment. I had very mixed feelings about Aiden in the previous book, and I was curious to see what the authors had in store for him.
Now I want to start this review, with saying that the trope in this book is one of my least favorites. I am not a big fan of reading about domestic abuse. I am all about the hurt/comfort, but having to actually read about someone who is in a abusive relationship for more than half of the book, really took it out of me. I guess the difference lies in the fact, that this was all happening in the present, instead of it being flashbacks. I can deal with flashbacks better...because I know it's in the past.
I have read a lot of "dark" books and I have no triggers. I actually really enjoy "dark" reads. It wasn't so much that I was upset with what was going on... It's that I was frustrated.
Both men in this story have tragic past. In Ash's case, this tragic is still very much present. He has been in a relationship with Billy, for a long time. Things started out great between the two of them, but after some time, they go from bad to worse. Ash is now stuck in a relationship with a man, who has no problems treating him like crap and using his fists on him, whenever he sees fit.
Ash is miserable, but telling Billy they are over, is not working.
Aiden has had his own share of tragic in the past, losing someone very close to him, left a black stain on his soul, and he still wakes up in the middle of the night crying and screaming.
When Billy goes on some sort of bussiness trip, Ash decides he needs to get a job. If he can make some money, he might be able to escape his ex-boyfriend's clutches. He has already told Billy they were over...and even though Billy did not accept...he still considers him an ex.
Working as a barista in a coffeeship is how he meets Aiden. Aiden is completely smitten the moment he lays eyes on Ash, but he is also very aware of the fact, that there is something wrong with the handsome young man.
That doesn't mean he gives up though. It just means he has to find a way to work around Ash's scittish behavior.
Ash is very wary about Aiden, but he can't help but feel attracted to Aiden and when he sees how hard Aiden is trying to win him over... he gives in. He agrees to go on a date (well, a chaperoned date by Lucky, that is).
These two have a real "click" right from the start, and it's obvious they both want to be with each other badly. But Billy isn't out of the picture yet.....
I got so frustrated with Ash. I wanted to scream and yell at him to "wake up" !! Half way through this book I debated quitting, because Ash annoyed me that much.
I have never been in an abusive relationship...thankfully. So I have no idea, how someone in a situation like that, would feel or act. But with all the escaping Ash wanted to do from his ex, you would figure he would take the help that was offered to him, and get the fuck out of dodge !!
This is why I don't read about abusive relationships, I get so frustrated. I just wanted Ash to stand up for himself and get out.
But like I said... I have never been in a relationship like that. It's easy to say, I would never let something like that happen to me, but I obviously have no idea what goes on in someones mind, when they are in a situation like that.
Things get better though and Ash finally gets the courage to leave Billy and give Ash a real chance.
Too bad Billy is not ready to give up on Ash just yet...
Ash and Aiden were very sweet and HOT when they finally got together, but I have to say that Ash got over his abuse a bit fast. I am also still a bit angry that Billy got away with so many things, without any punishment.
I liked this book, but it didn't enjoy is as much as book 1. I am still very curious to see where book 3 is gonna take us ;)
This review has been posted on DirtyBooksObsession
February 5, 2018
I need to rant just a bit.
So this famous football player dude has been beating up Ash for years. He put Ash in the hospital several times and he is portrayed as pure evil imo. And then neither Aiden nor Ash report him to the police. They never make it public what he did and let him get away with it. And while Billy has proven himself relentless in his pursuit of Ash, he suddenly leaves him alone and never contacts Ash again. And everyone is just hunky dory with all of this.
I started out liking this, but as I read on I couldn’t believe that Ash never stood up for himself. He constantly let Billy control him. And while I could buy this at first, when it happened again and again I got a bit tired. But the fact that Billy never got what he deserved made me drop my rating to 1 star.
Billy was just too evil for this kind of ending.
And Ash was a doormat.
So this famous football player dude has been beating up Ash for years. He put Ash in the hospital several times and he is portrayed as pure evil imo. And then neither Aiden nor Ash report him to the police. They never make it public what he did and let him get away with it. And while Billy has proven himself relentless in his pursuit of Ash, he suddenly leaves him alone and never contacts Ash again. And everyone is just hunky dory with all of this.
I started out liking this, but as I read on I couldn’t believe that Ash never stood up for himself. He constantly let Billy control him. And while I could buy this at first, when it happened again and again I got a bit tired. But the fact that Billy never got what he deserved made me drop my rating to 1 star.
Billy was just too evil for this kind of ending.
And Ash was a doormat.
September 11, 2021
~SAFE & SUBJUGATE~
I’m having a hard time rating this one but I’ll keep it in the 3 Pants off range because as much as I enjoyed the story I still had some issues with it. This review might even head in a rant mode because Ms Kennedy and Sloane really effed up what could have been a very good ending and not even their authors note made it any better.
We first met Aiden Vale in the first book Lost and Found, and honestly I wasn’t really excited or interested in his story but I went ahead and read it anyway and I am both happy and disappointed at the same time. Aiden comes across a journal at his favourite coffee shop that touches him something deep. He knows the right thing to do would be to find it’s owner but the words on the pages have him longing to know the person behind such haunting words. When the coffee shop gets a new employee Aiden is drawn to the timid man something fierce and all his protective instincts kick in. He can tell the man was hurt, is still hurting and Aiden wants to be the one who rescues him. Plagued by guilt of his losing his little brother, Aiden just wants something or someone to believe in again and if Ash is that guy then he will fight for him.
Ash Valentine is dealing with something that no one should ever have to deal with . Stuck in a violent domestic relationship he’s drowning and needs a way out. Tired of being a punching bag both physically and emotionally, Ash decides it time to leave and with his abusive boyfriend away he sets a plan into motion. He’ll work at the coffee shop where his boss Emily was kind enough to hire him, save money and leave his abusive home for good. Easier said than done, because the coffee shop has Aiden Vale and he is distracting as hell. Ash should be thinking of a way out and not lusting for a new man but Aiden makes it hard because he’s kind and someone is finally seeing him for the first time.
Aiden and Ash then move forward into a tentative friendship but it is a friendship that I really enjoyed. Ash still lives in fear of his abusive boyfriend making an appearance and to be expected birch face Billy makes an appearance and shatter all of Ash’s hard work. What happens is quite unsettling to read and it made me so angry and I just wanted to punch a bitch out. Yet, Ash is very resilient and he knows how to play to make sure he survives and how to finally get away.
What was a friendship soon blossoms into something more and our boys begin the journey in saving each other. Once two men were drowning and now they’re safely floating and get all the air.
All right, I was enjoying this story to a point and by a point I meant close to the ending. It was going so great until the shocker of all shockers that epically surprised me (my face almost fell off) and then the bullshit ending came along and just freaked my freak. I enjoyed the boys friendship, it was sweet and through everything you could tell they really cared for each other. Aiden had first world problems, it didn’t take away from his character he was just a product of his environment. Ash, even through all the bullshit life dealt him he was still able to smile, still able to care.
The fuck shit that happened I found very problematic!! I know what you’re thinking “Darien, this book is fiction” but domestic abuse is a real-life thing to many people. The way the authors went about handling a very serious situation really pissed me off and is my WTF for the month of March.
First- Aiden knows how dangerous Ash’s ex is but just drop everything because of a restraining order and because Ash while under duress says some dumb shit. That hesitation in real circumstances could have resulted in death or permanent damage.
Second- Ash was beaten, like hella beaten and the fact that a very violent person gets to walk even in a book is problematic. It was presented as a woman speaking up makes it viable where as Ash suffering is looked over and implies “he’s a dude he should suck it the fuck up”. His abuse is not addressed and I felt like it was just brushed under the rug. It really fucking pissed me off.
The kick in the teeth is the little note at the end book discussing domestic abuse towards LGBTQ 🏳️🌈 relationships and yet don’t even deliver it in a victorious way in their own book is just…and I know authors write how the story comes to them but I’m not on board for that ending it sends a bad message.
Overall, this could have been a better read but the seriousness of the topic was diluted by dramatics and some flaky behaviours. Safe and Sound in some parts turned out to be soundly stupid and I am disappointed. Ash deserved better and bitch face Billy deserved to be roasted over a bonfire.
I’m having a hard time rating this one but I’ll keep it in the 3 Pants off range because as much as I enjoyed the story I still had some issues with it. This review might even head in a rant mode because Ms Kennedy and Sloane really effed up what could have been a very good ending and not even their authors note made it any better.
We first met Aiden Vale in the first book Lost and Found, and honestly I wasn’t really excited or interested in his story but I went ahead and read it anyway and I am both happy and disappointed at the same time. Aiden comes across a journal at his favourite coffee shop that touches him something deep. He knows the right thing to do would be to find it’s owner but the words on the pages have him longing to know the person behind such haunting words. When the coffee shop gets a new employee Aiden is drawn to the timid man something fierce and all his protective instincts kick in. He can tell the man was hurt, is still hurting and Aiden wants to be the one who rescues him. Plagued by guilt of his losing his little brother, Aiden just wants something or someone to believe in again and if Ash is that guy then he will fight for him.
Ash Valentine is dealing with something that no one should ever have to deal with . Stuck in a violent domestic relationship he’s drowning and needs a way out. Tired of being a punching bag both physically and emotionally, Ash decides it time to leave and with his abusive boyfriend away he sets a plan into motion. He’ll work at the coffee shop where his boss Emily was kind enough to hire him, save money and leave his abusive home for good. Easier said than done, because the coffee shop has Aiden Vale and he is distracting as hell. Ash should be thinking of a way out and not lusting for a new man but Aiden makes it hard because he’s kind and someone is finally seeing him for the first time.
Aiden and Ash then move forward into a tentative friendship but it is a friendship that I really enjoyed. Ash still lives in fear of his abusive boyfriend making an appearance and to be expected birch face Billy makes an appearance and shatter all of Ash’s hard work. What happens is quite unsettling to read and it made me so angry and I just wanted to punch a bitch out. Yet, Ash is very resilient and he knows how to play to make sure he survives and how to finally get away.
What was a friendship soon blossoms into something more and our boys begin the journey in saving each other. Once two men were drowning and now they’re safely floating and get all the air.
All right, I was enjoying this story to a point and by a point I meant close to the ending. It was going so great until the shocker of all shockers that epically surprised me (my face almost fell off) and then the bullshit ending came along and just freaked my freak. I enjoyed the boys friendship, it was sweet and through everything you could tell they really cared for each other. Aiden had first world problems, it didn’t take away from his character he was just a product of his environment. Ash, even through all the bullshit life dealt him he was still able to smile, still able to care.
The fuck shit that happened I found very problematic!! I know what you’re thinking “Darien, this book is fiction” but domestic abuse is a real-life thing to many people. The way the authors went about handling a very serious situation really pissed me off and is my WTF for the month of March.
First- Aiden knows how dangerous Ash’s ex is but just drop everything because of a restraining order and because Ash while under duress says some dumb shit. That hesitation in real circumstances could have resulted in death or permanent damage.
Second- Ash was beaten, like hella beaten and the fact that a very violent person gets to walk even in a book is problematic. It was presented as a woman speaking up makes it viable where as Ash suffering is looked over and implies “he’s a dude he should suck it the fuck up”. His abuse is not addressed and I felt like it was just brushed under the rug. It really fucking pissed me off.
The kick in the teeth is the little note at the end book discussing domestic abuse towards LGBTQ 🏳️🌈 relationships and yet don’t even deliver it in a victorious way in their own book is just…and I know authors write how the story comes to them but I’m not on board for that ending it sends a bad message.
Overall, this could have been a better read but the seriousness of the topic was diluted by dramatics and some flaky behaviours. Safe and Sound in some parts turned out to be soundly stupid and I am disappointed. Ash deserved better and bitch face Billy deserved to be roasted over a bonfire.
January 15, 2020
Story and audio 3 stars
I like the Star Trek references most. 😊
I like the Star Trek references most. 😊
November 5, 2017
Mmmmm, echadle la culpa al KU xD. ¿Sabéis esos melodramas que sabes que a veces tocan lo ridículo pero ves en la tele y no te mueves del sofa? Pues eso mismo.
2.5 estrellas que subo al 3 por el plus de entretenimiento, solo he leído dos de esta autora pero los dos son parecidos, OTT y mucho entretenimiento.
2.5 estrellas que subo al 3 por el plus de entretenimiento, solo he leído dos de esta autora pero los dos son parecidos, OTT y mucho entretenimiento.
September 28, 2017
2.5 Stars
This is likely to be a dissenting opinion and I rounded up because it was clearly written and it wasn’t so bad that I DNF’d or anything. It was mostly because I simply could not suspend my sense of disbelief enough to sink into the story. This one included some serious subjects and the truly unrealistic way they were handled made my eyes roll once too often. One character, Ash, is dealing with domestic abuse and Aiden with a traumatic event from his youth. This does stand alone okay, although Lucky, Xavier and Bennett appear in the narrative and some instances from their book are mentioned.
The first third of the book mostly concerned Ash and his volatile boyfriend, how he meets Aiden, and the eventual escape. That was actually conveyed quite realistically. But he certainly didn’t seem to suffer much long-term trauma, falling relatively quickly into a relationship with Aiden, with no professional counseling. I can’t bear a love-cures-all scenario after long-term abuse. Aiden has issues stemming back to his youth that were supposedly affecting him badly again after the events in book one. He also had a seriously dysfunctional family but of course Ash gets him to start counseling. Then, when the ex reappears, I found it quite hard to believe how much logic was thrown out the window. Ash could have proven anything he needed to, but noooo. There was never any retribution for the a-hole’s actions and he was free to go find another punching bag in the future. Who does that?
Nope, this was not a good book for me. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of both Lucy and Sloane’s books individually and book one of their collaboration was good but this one hit all the wrong buttons for me.
*An ARC was provided to me by the authors in return for an honest review*
This is likely to be a dissenting opinion and I rounded up because it was clearly written and it wasn’t so bad that I DNF’d or anything. It was mostly because I simply could not suspend my sense of disbelief enough to sink into the story. This one included some serious subjects and the truly unrealistic way they were handled made my eyes roll once too often. One character, Ash, is dealing with domestic abuse and Aiden with a traumatic event from his youth. This does stand alone okay, although Lucky, Xavier and Bennett appear in the narrative and some instances from their book are mentioned.
The first third of the book mostly concerned Ash and his volatile boyfriend, how he meets Aiden, and the eventual escape. That was actually conveyed quite realistically. But he certainly didn’t seem to suffer much long-term trauma, falling relatively quickly into a relationship with Aiden, with no professional counseling. I can’t bear a love-cures-all scenario after long-term abuse. Aiden has issues stemming back to his youth that were supposedly affecting him badly again after the events in book one. He also had a seriously dysfunctional family but of course Ash gets him to start counseling. Then, when the ex reappears, I found it quite hard to believe how much logic was thrown out the window. Ash could have proven anything he needed to, but noooo. There was never any retribution for the a-hole’s actions and he was free to go find another punching bag in the future. Who does that?
Nope, this was not a good book for me. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of both Lucy and Sloane’s books individually and book one of their collaboration was good but this one hit all the wrong buttons for me.
*An ARC was provided to me by the authors in return for an honest review*
February 5, 2020
*** Friends to lovers, each rescuing the other !***
Safe and Sound by Sloane Kennedy and Lucy Lennox. In "Lost and Found" we met Bennett and Xander, and see them again here. But each tale can stand alone.
Here we have Ash and Aiden. Aiden is a partner in an agency for famous folk's PR, and he's still anguishing over his brother's death.
Ash is a sweet man who had a heart transplant, then his parents died, and his boyfriend stepped in to control his life.
Aiden goes in to the coffee shop, finds a Journal, and reads it before returning it. He meets the new employee, Ash, and they become friends. Ash told his boyfriend "no more," and shows up for work badly bruised, but feeling free. The boyfriend goes out of town.
The characters are wonderful, their friendship continues and turns into more. Ash and Aiden date, spend a beach weekend, and more, but we readers can feel evil looming.
There is a huge twist toward the ending, a hospital stay from another beating, the reality of who the ex-boyfriend is, and a love revealed. A deeply emotional story, with the domestic violence, which is gripping, and the heartwarming depths of the meeting with the donor's family. You will cry like I did.
The end and epilogue are soothing.
ENJOY !
=======
Safe and Sound by Sloane Kennedy and Lucy Lennox. In "Lost and Found" we met Bennett and Xander, and see them again here. But each tale can stand alone.
Here we have Ash and Aiden. Aiden is a partner in an agency for famous folk's PR, and he's still anguishing over his brother's death.
Ash is a sweet man who had a heart transplant, then his parents died, and his boyfriend stepped in to control his life.
Aiden goes in to the coffee shop, finds a Journal, and reads it before returning it. He meets the new employee, Ash, and they become friends. Ash told his boyfriend "no more," and shows up for work badly bruised, but feeling free. The boyfriend goes out of town.
The characters are wonderful, their friendship continues and turns into more. Ash and Aiden date, spend a beach weekend, and more, but we readers can feel evil looming.
There is a huge twist toward the ending, a hospital stay from another beating, the reality of who the ex-boyfriend is, and a love revealed. A deeply emotional story, with the domestic violence, which is gripping, and the heartwarming depths of the meeting with the donor's family. You will cry like I did.
The end and epilogue are soothing.
ENJOY !
=======
October 16, 2017
This was too dramatic for my taste. The drama was too over the top. I read up to 80% and then skip pages till the end.
Barely 3 stars because the beginning was good. It just seemed to last forever while the same thing happened again and again.
Maybe the next in the series, Jake’s story, is better. Will see.
Barely 3 stars because the beginning was good. It just seemed to last forever while the same thing happened again and again.
Maybe the next in the series, Jake’s story, is better. Will see.
April 29, 2023
3-3.5 stars
Dramatic but entertaining and kept me engaged haha I forgot how much drama Sloane Kennedy does in her books, but I am glad there was no annoying elderly lady from Lucy Lennox haha
This definitely has triggers for domestic violence since there are on page scenes.
Dramatic but entertaining and kept me engaged haha I forgot how much drama Sloane Kennedy does in her books, but I am glad there was no annoying elderly lady from Lucy Lennox haha
This definitely has triggers for domestic violence since there are on page scenes.
February 3, 2022
Three solid stars.
While I really enjoyed the beginning and the ending of this book somewhere in the middle it got too much. There were too many things coming from everywhere. Like just when things started to calm down for one of the main characters, things started up for the other. And it went on and on like that for quite some time. It's like the authors wanted to put every single angsty thing they could think of in this one book.
But the ending was so sweet.
While I really enjoyed the beginning and the ending of this book somewhere in the middle it got too much. There were too many things coming from everywhere. Like just when things started to calm down for one of the main characters, things started up for the other. And it went on and on like that for quite some time. It's like the authors wanted to put every single angsty thing they could think of in this one book.
But the ending was so sweet.
October 30, 2023
I loved the first book, and this was even better.
Aiden and Ash's story was beautiful and emotional. It was also cute and hot.
Some scenes were difficult to read, due to the DV that Ash suffered (not from Aiden, from another character), but it was done well, and I didn't find it triggering, it just made feel even stronger for our MCs.
Hurt/comfort, going both ways. They both needed each other equally.
Of course, it had my HEA like the first book did.
Loving this series.
Aiden and Ash's story was beautiful and emotional. It was also cute and hot.
Some scenes were difficult to read, due to the DV that Ash suffered (not from Aiden, from another character), but it was done well, and I didn't find it triggering, it just made feel even stronger for our MCs.
Hurt/comfort, going both ways. They both needed each other equally.
Of course, it had my HEA like the first book did.
Loving this series.
December 22, 2017
Loved the ending of this one
Well at about the 80% mark I was rolling my eyes a lot at the incredible dramatics but the ending with Ash's fund raiser and the meeting with his donor's father just made everything all right in my world again.
This is a dramatic book, as I'd expect with the focus of its very specific trigger warning, but it also felt a little overly dramatic at times. And I was massively pissed off at the lack of repercussions for Ash's obnoxious ex.
Realistic perhaps but I'd have liked to have seen some tanking of his career after the big expose, especially as it wasn't even because of the abuse that his threats to Ash ended.
But there was lots of good bits in this one too. Aiden was basically a completely different person than he was in book one, so that was one hell of a redemption as he was a bit of an ass in that one.
I really loved the relationship between Ash and Aiden though, it truly was supportive on both sides even though on paper Aiden had the stronger and safer position.
Well at about the 80% mark I was rolling my eyes a lot at the incredible dramatics but the ending with Ash's fund raiser and the meeting with his donor's father just made everything all right in my world again.
This is a dramatic book, as I'd expect with the focus of its very specific trigger warning, but it also felt a little overly dramatic at times. And I was massively pissed off at the lack of repercussions for Ash's obnoxious ex.
Realistic perhaps but I'd have liked to have seen some tanking of his career after the big expose, especially as it wasn't even because of the abuse that his threats to Ash ended.
But there was lots of good bits in this one too. Aiden was basically a completely different person than he was in book one, so that was one hell of a redemption as he was a bit of an ass in that one.
I really loved the relationship between Ash and Aiden though, it truly was supportive on both sides even though on paper Aiden had the stronger and safer position.
October 10, 2017
A.V.
The collaborations with these two authors work for me. I am enjoying the the Twist of Faith series. This one was harder to read due to the physical abuse one of the MC's goes through at the hands of his boyfriend.
F U Billy, you P.O.S!! Sorry had to get that out.
This story is about two people finding each other, helping each other through emotional scars left by the past while falling in love with each other. The journey was not easy but it was definitely worth it.
I did knock the book down since there was no real follow through with Billy
With that being said, I do look forward to reading Jake's story. I've been interested in that story since book 1.
The collaborations with these two authors work for me. I am enjoying the the Twist of Faith series. This one was harder to read due to the physical abuse one of the MC's goes through at the hands of his boyfriend.
F U Billy, you P.O.S!! Sorry had to get that out.
This story is about two people finding each other, helping each other through emotional scars left by the past while falling in love with each other. The journey was not easy but it was definitely worth it.
I did knock the book down since there was no real follow through with Billy
With that being said, I do look forward to reading Jake's story. I've been interested in that story since book 1.
March 17, 2018
While this wasn’t necessarily a Dark book. It was Darker than book one in this series, since it does have some mentions of Physical & Mental Abuse. I feel like Sloane’s writing came out a lot more in this book. Lucy tends to write more light hearted scenes and that wasn’t really what this book was about. There were times I just didn’t want to know what happened next I just felt so much Hurt and Heartbreak for Ash. And there were times I just really felt for Aiden, finally knowing what made him tick and why he acts the way he does (coming from book1) his past is just as tragic as Ash’s but in such a different way. But when these two men finally got together it’s like everything in their story’s finally had a spot to click into place. And they are a great match, each keeping the other from drowning in the storm.
Now, I only have the Audio of this book. I haven’t “read” it. So my first time with this book was listening to Michael Pauley trying to rip my heart out with his Narration account of these characters story. He did such a great job (like always) but man somehow he made this one just More. More feelings. More emotion. More Passion. More Intense.
Now, I only have the Audio of this book. I haven’t “read” it. So my first time with this book was listening to Michael Pauley trying to rip my heart out with his Narration account of these characters story. He did such a great job (like always) but man somehow he made this one just More. More feelings. More emotion. More Passion. More Intense.
April 22, 2020
DNF!!! And you know what? This makes me so angry I AM going to rate it - NEGATIVE STARS!! ALL THE NEGATIVE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE!!! HUUUUUUGE FAIL!!!! I would have given this book 2 stars, or even a bit more, but that ending destroyed everything for me!!! SO YUP, ALL THE NEGATIVE STARS I CAN GIVE THIS ... JUST because of the way a very serious issue was so callously and unjustly handled!!!! NEGATIVE STARS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~ Continue the above down below, under the demarcation. ~~~~~~~~~
***** I decided this spot will be a placeholder for the rating I WOULD have given the book had it not been for the last - about - 30% of the book :-/ >:-o!!! It's horrible having to penalize 70%, but this issue IS that serious!!Anyway, I did DNF and ended up skimming ... albeit very thoroughly, but I still skimmed ... so I've decided to read through again, to read it word-for-word til the very end, and then document here what I would have given it had the authors not destroyed the entire experience with preposterously ridiculous plot decisions so close to and at the end of the book [in terms of letting an abuser/rapist/criminal go [he's all those things]! So yeah, I'll be putting the "would be" rating here, so it's clear what this book lost and how much of a negative impact horrible plot decisions made on the entire experience!!!!!!!
UPDATE:: You know what, fuck this shit!! Nope, not going to read through, not going to give this any more time! Because in the end, life is too short to spend on crap and bullshit! The message these authors are saying here is clear, that even in fiction, justice in THEIR mind, is scarce, and they exemplify that here in this book!! That even with all the power in the world to help victims and survivors (which technically as authors they do have and could easily have done), those who CAN help [i.e. the authors in terms of possibly helping Ash get closure and help and FUCKING JUSTICE], often times DO NOT!! I’m absolutely disgusted by how this matter was handled!! So yes, I’m done, I’m out, I’m repulsed!!!!What can I say except I am a VERY passionate advocate of JUSTICE JUSTICE JUSTICE!!!!!!!!! *******
~~~~~~~~~ Continue the below from up above, above the demarcation. ~~~~~~~~~
I've never ever EVER been in a situation of abuse/harassment/etc [thank G-d, touch wood] and may I NEVER be, so I would/could never presume to know how someone on that end of the spectrum feels or what they might possibly have gone through if they WERE in such a situation, however I am SO vehemently and adamantly on the side of the survivor and on the side of JUSTICE, that the blatant injustice during the last 30% of the book was incredibly difficult for me to accept!! NO!!!
What ALSO pisses me off is that such a stupid, ridiculous, preposterous ending in that regard, forced me to dislike an otherwise GREAT book as a whole [it had the potential of being an otherwise really REALLY GREAT book]!! I really hated hating this book because had it not been for that sole issue, this book could have and would have been TRULY GREAT!!! I'm angry at the authors for making me rate it so negatively and it could have all have been avoided, if only justice were properly served, something that was well within their control, and it wasn't!! The whole situation just smacks of a very particular injustice, and that makes everything all the more aggravating and disappointing :-/!! THESE AUTHOS ARE QUEENS OF OVER-THE-TOP [ESPECIALLY LENNOX] BUT IT WAS TOO OVER-THE-TOP TO PROVIDE CLOSURE, RESOLUTION, SOLID JUSTICE, AND PERHAP CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?!!? NOOOOW YOU WANT TO GET "REALISTIC"?!!? LENNOX'S WRITING WOULDNT KNOW REALISTIC IF IT BIT HER ON THE ASS AND INTRODUCED ITSELF AS "REALISTIC"!!! FUCK THAT BULLSHIT!!!!!!!! I'M DISAPPOINTED BT THE PUSSIFIED OUT THEY TOOK HERE AND IN MY MIND, THE ABANDONED JUSTICE AND DECENCY WITH THAT SHITTY MOVE!! THERE IS ZERO EXPLANATION FOR IT!!!!!!!! FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To ANYONE thinking the rating - in spite of the good writing - is harsh or unkind, well, think of it this way, so was the lack of closure, and so was the injustice served here in regard to Billy's character!! The shitty way these two handled Billy's punishment [or total lack thereof] was the choice, my rating is the consequence!!! C'est tout!!!
WARNING: SPOILERS AND A MASSIVE RANT AHEAD!!!
As per Bev's spoiler, I genuinely don't understand why so many authors do this and it really pisses me off every time it happens!! You'd think authors would exercise their power for good and serve the ultimate legal justice that is sometimes tragically lacking in real life :-/!! Fiction is where authors DO have control over true and beautiful justice, so I don't get why they don't make it happen; it's definitely frustrating when they don't!! But anyway, the musing is rhetorical! Either way, I know this issue will aggravate me when I read this book, so it's good to have a heads up, which of course leads me to automatically DNFing this one :-/!! Bummer but HARD nope!! I value justice way too much to let this one slide!! HARD limit and an even HARDER pass!!!
BTW - With the whole martyr aspect of one MC wanting to sacrifice himself for the other, despite it going against everything they both want, is ALL Lucy's part, I believe! Including the MC getting all the help offered to him and him not taking that help!! Yup, all Lennox!
With the whole bullshit hitting the fan during the last 30% [i.e. the end of the book], that's ALL Sloane Kennedy! She's known for throwing in a lot of bullshit and drama and angst at the end, for no reason whatsoever! Like in one book, one of her MCs gets RAPED at like 80% ... I mean WTF?!? Who does that in a book, where the HEA and closure should be the focal point?!!? Blech, shitty technique!!!
Side note: Another reviewer, DarienMoya, said this: "That ending was very problematic for me! Even with the author notes you still clearly fucked up what could have been a victorious ending!"
Agreed!!! From what I know, and I made it a point to know exactly what happens so I won't have to go through ANOTHER 1-star shit show, the authors let the abusive fucker get away with EVERYTHING!! ASH, the abused MC, says NOTHING, and Billy, the abuser/piece of shit/rapist/sadistic psychopath, gets away with EVERYTHING [this makes me so genuinely LIVID I cannot even ... ]!! Are you fucking kidding me?!!? The authors write that this is sadly a part of reality ... WE KNOW THAT, THANK YOU [insert heavy sarcasm], but this is FICTION, this is where you get to wield your storytelling magic and absolute power over the world here, and exact true and perfect legal justice, something that can be so tragically lacking in real life! THIS would have been the space for you to do the right thing, to invent a perfect wonderful system, where Billy got everything he deserved and then some! WHO WAS THE FUCKING ASSHOLE who decided to end it this way?!!? Also, to talk about "real life" after such a fucking ridiculous ending with SO much injustice, it's tragic AND pathetic, is absolutely ludicrous!!
Authors, neither one of you is known for writing "realistically", the over the top, supremely unrealistic plot devices and storylines you both employ are SO out of the realm of realism, I'm surprised your books aren't categorized as epic fantasy with a twist >:-o!!! No, reality is NOT where you guys are firmly based when writing your books, NOT by any stretch of the imagination, so NOW is when you decide to stay true to a horrible and tragic reality?!!? I am so disappointed in these authors, I couldn't possibly explain how much ... well, I could, but it would be epic(ally long), so THIS review is great enough!! All in all, much like a failed system, you FAILED YOUR READERS AND YOU FAILED YOUR CHARACTERS!! SHAME ON YOU!!! And here's the thing, the true trigger here was your blatant dismissal and absolute disrespect for a proper, solid, victorious wrap-up where JUSTICE is concerned, simply by failing to provide genuine, true, perfect, and worthy closure!!! FAIL, FAIL, FAIL!!!
Another thing is these authors mention that part of the story is sadly very truly for a lot of survivors and while I could NEVER know what all around the world survivors might be feeling or what kind of horrors and tragedies they might have gone through, I can say that from a judicial standpoint, standpoint, I'll underline your point ... yes, too much of this is horrifically real, LIKE FAILING SURVIVORS AND LETTING THE CRIMINALS WALK FREE WITH ZERO CONSEQUENCE!! You're perpetuating and exacerbating what's wrong with the world and what's even worse is you had complete control and you failed anyway, you CHOSE to fail!!! THIS PISSES ME OFF >:-o!!!
I'd hate to think of authors like these as jurors ... it's thought process and mentality like this that lets monsters like Billy back out on the street to continue their horror and destruction!!! I mean you HAVE to know your readers are paying attention and WILL judge you for bombing and destroying what could have been a beautifully empowering and JUST ending [the content is fiction, but the consequences ARE non-fiction in the sense that the revulsion of how you handled the ending and failed in that specific regard is REAL, and it makes the very hard work you put into the rest of the book absolutely inconsequential, and that pisses me off on top of it all, because what could have been a stunning book in its entirety, is now irreparably destroyed]!! That's on YOU [the authors] and I'm disgusted by the move!!! SHAME ON YOU!!! And for the record, my anger here is in reference to ALL authors who do this, and there are way too many who do!!!
This is ALL I have to say and it's all I WILL say, as this is my personal safe space to say it!! After this, I have nothing more to contribute and I am absolutely, 100%, DONE!!!
Important disclaimer:::
I mean absolutely NO ill will toward the authors, this is simply my OPINION on this particular move on this particular book, and while I DETEST what was done HERE, I do think that as a general whole, the authors REALLY are terrific and VERY talented writers!!! I purchased/own (but have not yet read) LOADS of books by both authors and I will certainly continue to read their books now and in the future ! Further to that, I am most definitely sure that I will absolutely ADORE all those other books!!! More to that point, I'll continue to keep an eye out for, and give the benefit of the doubt to, future books released by these authors [be it in this series or in all the others], I'm just going to be much more careful to stay FAR away from books like these - HA!!
My opinion in this review refers to the particular issue discussed herein and is focused SOLELY on that issue and on THIS specific book!!!
*** Absolutely NO part of this review is permitted to be used in whole or in part or even in association (linked or otherwise) in any way whatsoever without my explicit written consent! I value privacy as much as I value justice, which is incredibly highly, and since this is a private account, this is also intended as a private review, and absolutely wish for it to remain as such!! ***
~~~~~~~~~ Continue the above down below, under the demarcation. ~~~~~~~~~
***** I decided this spot will be a placeholder for the rating I WOULD have given the book had it not been for the last - about - 30% of the book :-/ >:-o!!! It's horrible having to penalize 70%, but this issue IS that serious!!
UPDATE:: You know what, fuck this shit!! Nope, not going to read through, not going to give this any more time! Because in the end, life is too short to spend on crap and bullshit! The message these authors are saying here is clear, that even in fiction, justice in THEIR mind, is scarce, and they exemplify that here in this book!! That even with all the power in the world to help victims and survivors (which technically as authors they do have and could easily have done), those who CAN help [i.e. the authors in terms of possibly helping Ash get closure and help and FUCKING JUSTICE], often times DO NOT!! I’m absolutely disgusted by how this matter was handled!! So yes, I’m done, I’m out, I’m repulsed!!!!What can I say except I am a VERY passionate advocate of JUSTICE JUSTICE JUSTICE!!!!!!!!! *******
~~~~~~~~~ Continue the below from up above, above the demarcation. ~~~~~~~~~
I've never ever EVER been in a situation of abuse/harassment/etc [thank G-d, touch wood] and may I NEVER be, so I would/could never presume to know how someone on that end of the spectrum feels or what they might possibly have gone through if they WERE in such a situation, however I am SO vehemently and adamantly on the side of the survivor and on the side of JUSTICE, that the blatant injustice during the last 30% of the book was incredibly difficult for me to accept!! NO!!!
What ALSO pisses me off is that such a stupid, ridiculous, preposterous ending in that regard, forced me to dislike an otherwise GREAT book as a whole [it had the potential of being an otherwise really REALLY GREAT book]!! I really hated hating this book because had it not been for that sole issue, this book could have and would have been TRULY GREAT!!! I'm angry at the authors for making me rate it so negatively and it could have all have been avoided, if only justice were properly served, something that was well within their control, and it wasn't!! The whole situation just smacks of a very particular injustice, and that makes everything all the more aggravating and disappointing :-/!! THESE AUTHOS ARE QUEENS OF OVER-THE-TOP [ESPECIALLY LENNOX] BUT IT WAS TOO OVER-THE-TOP TO PROVIDE CLOSURE, RESOLUTION, SOLID JUSTICE, AND PERHAP CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?!!? NOOOOW YOU WANT TO GET "REALISTIC"?!!? LENNOX'S WRITING WOULDNT KNOW REALISTIC IF IT BIT HER ON THE ASS AND INTRODUCED ITSELF AS "REALISTIC"!!! FUCK THAT BULLSHIT!!!!!!!! I'M DISAPPOINTED BT THE PUSSIFIED OUT THEY TOOK HERE AND IN MY MIND, THE ABANDONED JUSTICE AND DECENCY WITH THAT SHITTY MOVE!! THERE IS ZERO EXPLANATION FOR IT!!!!!!!! FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To ANYONE thinking the rating - in spite of the good writing - is harsh or unkind, well, think of it this way, so was the lack of closure, and so was the injustice served here in regard to Billy's character!! The shitty way these two handled Billy's punishment [or total lack thereof] was the choice, my rating is the consequence!!! C'est tout!!!
WARNING: SPOILERS AND A MASSIVE RANT AHEAD!!!
As per Bev's spoiler, I genuinely don't understand why so many authors do this and it really pisses me off every time it happens!! You'd think authors would exercise their power for good and serve the ultimate legal justice that is sometimes tragically lacking in real life :-/!! Fiction is where authors DO have control over true and beautiful justice, so I don't get why they don't make it happen; it's definitely frustrating when they don't!! But anyway, the musing is rhetorical! Either way, I know this issue will aggravate me when I read this book, so it's good to have a heads up, which of course leads me to automatically DNFing this one :-/!! Bummer but HARD nope!! I value justice way too much to let this one slide!! HARD limit and an even HARDER pass!!!
BTW - With the whole martyr aspect of one MC wanting to sacrifice himself for the other, despite it going against everything they both want, is ALL Lucy's part, I believe! Including the MC getting all the help offered to him and him not taking that help!! Yup, all Lennox!
With the whole bullshit hitting the fan during the last 30% [i.e. the end of the book], that's ALL Sloane Kennedy! She's known for throwing in a lot of bullshit and drama and angst at the end, for no reason whatsoever! Like in one book, one of her MCs gets RAPED at like 80% ... I mean WTF?!? Who does that in a book, where the HEA and closure should be the focal point?!!? Blech, shitty technique!!!
Side note: Another reviewer, DarienMoya, said this: "That ending was very problematic for me! Even with the author notes you still clearly fucked up what could have been a victorious ending!"
Agreed!!! From what I know, and I made it a point to know exactly what happens so I won't have to go through ANOTHER 1-star shit show, the authors let the abusive fucker get away with EVERYTHING!! ASH, the abused MC, says NOTHING, and Billy, the abuser/piece of shit/rapist/sadistic psychopath, gets away with EVERYTHING [this makes me so genuinely LIVID I cannot even ... ]!! Are you fucking kidding me?!!? The authors write that this is sadly a part of reality ... WE KNOW THAT, THANK YOU [insert heavy sarcasm], but this is FICTION, this is where you get to wield your storytelling magic and absolute power over the world here, and exact true and perfect legal justice, something that can be so tragically lacking in real life! THIS would have been the space for you to do the right thing, to invent a perfect wonderful system, where Billy got everything he deserved and then some! WHO WAS THE FUCKING ASSHOLE who decided to end it this way?!!? Also, to talk about "real life" after such a fucking ridiculous ending with SO much injustice, it's tragic AND pathetic, is absolutely ludicrous!!
Authors, neither one of you is known for writing "realistically", the over the top, supremely unrealistic plot devices and storylines you both employ are SO out of the realm of realism, I'm surprised your books aren't categorized as epic fantasy with a twist >:-o!!! No, reality is NOT where you guys are firmly based when writing your books, NOT by any stretch of the imagination, so NOW is when you decide to stay true to a horrible and tragic reality?!!? I am so disappointed in these authors, I couldn't possibly explain how much ... well, I could, but it would be epic(ally long), so THIS review is great enough!! All in all, much like a failed system, you FAILED YOUR READERS AND YOU FAILED YOUR CHARACTERS!! SHAME ON YOU!!! And here's the thing, the true trigger here was your blatant dismissal and absolute disrespect for a proper, solid, victorious wrap-up where JUSTICE is concerned, simply by failing to provide genuine, true, perfect, and worthy closure!!! FAIL, FAIL, FAIL!!!
Another thing is these authors mention that part of the story is sadly very truly for a lot of survivors and while I could NEVER know what all around the world survivors might be feeling or what kind of horrors and tragedies they might have gone through, I can say that from a judicial standpoint, standpoint, I'll underline your point ... yes, too much of this is horrifically real, LIKE FAILING SURVIVORS AND LETTING THE CRIMINALS WALK FREE WITH ZERO CONSEQUENCE!! You're perpetuating and exacerbating what's wrong with the world and what's even worse is you had complete control and you failed anyway, you CHOSE to fail!!! THIS PISSES ME OFF >:-o!!!
I'd hate to think of authors like these as jurors ... it's thought process and mentality like this that lets monsters like Billy back out on the street to continue their horror and destruction!!! I mean you HAVE to know your readers are paying attention and WILL judge you for bombing and destroying what could have been a beautifully empowering and JUST ending [the content is fiction, but the consequences ARE non-fiction in the sense that the revulsion of how you handled the ending and failed in that specific regard is REAL, and it makes the very hard work you put into the rest of the book absolutely inconsequential, and that pisses me off on top of it all, because what could have been a stunning book in its entirety, is now irreparably destroyed]!! That's on YOU [the authors] and I'm disgusted by the move!!! SHAME ON YOU!!! And for the record, my anger here is in reference to ALL authors who do this, and there are way too many who do!!!
This is ALL I have to say and it's all I WILL say, as this is my personal safe space to say it!! After this, I have nothing more to contribute and I am absolutely, 100%, DONE!!!
Important disclaimer:::
I mean absolutely NO ill will toward the authors, this is simply my OPINION on this particular move on this particular book, and while I DETEST what was done HERE, I do think that as a general whole, the authors REALLY are terrific and VERY talented writers!!! I purchased/own (but have not yet read) LOADS of books by both authors and I will certainly continue to read their books now and in the future ! Further to that, I am most definitely sure that I will absolutely ADORE all those other books!!! More to that point, I'll continue to keep an eye out for, and give the benefit of the doubt to, future books released by these authors [be it in this series or in all the others], I'm just going to be much more careful to stay FAR away from books like these - HA!!
My opinion in this review refers to the particular issue discussed herein and is focused SOLELY on that issue and on THIS specific book!!!
*** Absolutely NO part of this review is permitted to be used in whole or in part or even in association (linked or otherwise) in any way whatsoever without my explicit written consent! I value privacy as much as I value justice, which is incredibly highly, and since this is a private account, this is also intended as a private review, and absolutely wish for it to remain as such!! ***
June 22, 2023
It was okay, the writing is not good, the story is a bit over dramatic...
February 13, 2018
Loved this book!
October 2, 2017
Have you ever met someone and knew you had a connection from the first look. Well that is the story we get from Sloane and Lucy. The ladies gave us the second book in this Twist of Fate series.
Aiden is a player, we met him the first book and wondered what his story is and now we find out. Aiden lost someone close to him and has nightmares ever since. I think that plays towards his playboy reputation since he doesn't want to get that close to anyone again only to lose them. Aiden is happy with his life, he loves his work and fools around whenever he wants..or so he thinks.
When Aiden goes to his local favorite coffee shop he stumbles upon a journal, and decides since it has his initials on it he was meant to find it. Aiden finds himself reading it and immediately connects with the writing and the words on the page. He feels that the writer is talking about his life but that cant be true.
Ash is a new worker at the coffee shop, he has his own story. We learn that Ash is in a abusive relationship and has no way out. Billy is his first and only boyfriend and when he was sick with a heart condition, he took care of him. Ash feels he owes him and doesn't leave until one day Ash has had enough. He knows he doesn't have the money to leave just yet so when he goes to the coffee shop to write in his journal, he finds that they are hiring and knows this is his chance.
Ash and Aiden have a connection from the beginning but Ash knows he can't do anything about it. Ash is so broken that he finds it hard to move on. Aiden figures out that he and Ash have the same initials and that the journal is his and he is more determined to help Ash. They start a friendship but Aiden can't help but want more. Ash doesn't trust anyone based on his past experience and Aiden knows he has to earn that and the things he does is so sweet.
When he shows Ash how vulnerable he can be and tells him the story about his brother, I had tears in my eyes. But I have to say that there were quite a few more scenes that had me tearing up. I loved that this story was so emotional and it packed such a punch for me. I really enjoyed reading it. What Ash and Aiden go through to work out their problems is spellbinding. You will find yourself so deep in this story that you will need to finish it to see how these 2 men get their HEA and boy do they.
I loved the ending and we even get to see what is happening with Bennett, Zander and of course Lucky. Congrats to these 2 ladies, you have another winner on your hands and I can't wait for Alex's story. We caught a glimpse of his story but I need more and soon!
*ARC provided by Lucy Lennox and Sloane Kennedy in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jodi from Alpha Book Club
Aiden is a player, we met him the first book and wondered what his story is and now we find out. Aiden lost someone close to him and has nightmares ever since. I think that plays towards his playboy reputation since he doesn't want to get that close to anyone again only to lose them. Aiden is happy with his life, he loves his work and fools around whenever he wants..or so he thinks.
When Aiden goes to his local favorite coffee shop he stumbles upon a journal, and decides since it has his initials on it he was meant to find it. Aiden finds himself reading it and immediately connects with the writing and the words on the page. He feels that the writer is talking about his life but that cant be true.
Ash is a new worker at the coffee shop, he has his own story. We learn that Ash is in a abusive relationship and has no way out. Billy is his first and only boyfriend and when he was sick with a heart condition, he took care of him. Ash feels he owes him and doesn't leave until one day Ash has had enough. He knows he doesn't have the money to leave just yet so when he goes to the coffee shop to write in his journal, he finds that they are hiring and knows this is his chance.
Ash and Aiden have a connection from the beginning but Ash knows he can't do anything about it. Ash is so broken that he finds it hard to move on. Aiden figures out that he and Ash have the same initials and that the journal is his and he is more determined to help Ash. They start a friendship but Aiden can't help but want more. Ash doesn't trust anyone based on his past experience and Aiden knows he has to earn that and the things he does is so sweet.
When he shows Ash how vulnerable he can be and tells him the story about his brother, I had tears in my eyes. But I have to say that there were quite a few more scenes that had me tearing up. I loved that this story was so emotional and it packed such a punch for me. I really enjoyed reading it. What Ash and Aiden go through to work out their problems is spellbinding. You will find yourself so deep in this story that you will need to finish it to see how these 2 men get their HEA and boy do they.
I loved the ending and we even get to see what is happening with Bennett, Zander and of course Lucky. Congrats to these 2 ladies, you have another winner on your hands and I can't wait for Alex's story. We caught a glimpse of his story but I need more and soon!
*ARC provided by Lucy Lennox and Sloane Kennedy in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jodi from Alpha Book Club
October 11, 2017
I liked this one so much better than the first book! The angst reminded me more of a Sloane Kennedy book than a Lucy Lennox book. I read others' reviews and I don't recall anyone else saying they sobbed their way through the entire book but I totally did. Like, grab a new box of tissues, sobbing. It was ugly. Yes, it required a suspension of belief but I don't mind that so much in a book. What I do mind is the asshole abuser of the story getting away without consequences. That was just crazy.
Anyways, I loved the two MCs and all their friends and can't wait to read the next one. It just has to be about Jake and the model guy at the end of the book. Yes, please!!
Anyways, I loved the two MCs and all their friends and can't wait to read the next one. It just has to be about Jake and the model guy at the end of the book. Yes, please!!
October 10, 2017
I loved and hated parts of this book but found it compulsively readable so 4 stars it is! The domestic violence scenes were horrible and too plentiful, for me. It went on for too long and felt a little bit gross, sly almost, gratuitous. I've had that reaction to other of SK's books. But the sweetness was there with Ash and poor Aiden was just heartbreaking so the positives outweighed the negatives for me.
April 24, 2021
OMG Brilliant!! My heart was in my mouth upon reading Ash's chapters with Billy but also had the strength to leave and of course having a sexy customer wanting his coffee each morning who wouldn't want that!! I loved how Aiden never gave up, even though he was fighting his own nightmares but with the help of Ash came together and helped each other it was a brilliant read and for them to have their HEA even better.
(I a little bit disappointed that we didn't know what happened to Billy hoping he was go to get his come comeuppance!!)
(I a little bit disappointed that we didn't know what happened to Billy hoping he was go to get his come comeuppance!!)
March 26, 2018
3.5 stars. I had this books on my Kindle Unlimited for awhile but I finally read it because I had used up all of my unlimited slots and I wanted to free-up a space. Overall, it was a good read. I can see why my friends on here recommended it. I found myself really liking Aiden in particular and am intrigued enough that I will likely read another book in this series. :)
April 12, 2023
Enjoyed this a lot. It did veer into bananas-level drama, but I was here for it.
December 11, 2020
December 2020
Still loved it.
April 2019
I really love this book. Aidan and Ash are great together and I love how they work through their problems.
STill can't decide which one I like most: this one or the third book ...
couldn't bring myself to read the first one till now, because my expectations are really, REALLY high and I am not really a fan of second-chance stories. but I like Bennet and Xander so I think I have to read it
October 2017
just finished it and loved it. I adored the characters as well as the story, which was heart breaking at times
it had everything I want in a good romance. perfect
Still loved it.
April 2019
I really love this book. Aidan and Ash are great together and I love how they work through their problems.
STill can't decide which one I like most: this one or the third book ...
couldn't bring myself to read the first one till now, because my expectations are really, REALLY high and I am not really a fan of second-chance stories. but I like Bennet and Xander so I think I have to read it
October 2017
just finished it and loved it. I adored the characters as well as the story, which was heart breaking at times
it had everything I want in a good romance. perfect
October 22, 2019
I tried reading this a few months back, but when I saw the theme (domestic abuse), I decided I wasn't in the right frame of mind for it. This time however I felt better to handle such an emotional subject, and I'm glad I didn't give up on it, because I ended up liking it a lot. Both Ash and Aiden were great characters, each one carrying his own burden, but together they fit and lit up each other's world. I couldn't rate it any higher though, because of the sense of doom hanging over the whole book, with Billy continuing his abuse and Ash doing little to prevent it IMO (). So yeah, though I liked Ash and Aiden together, I couldn't rate this any higher.
I really like this series by Lennox and Kennedy, and I hope they continue with them because there are other interesting characters that I can't wait to see them get their HEA.
I really like this series by Lennox and Kennedy, and I hope they continue with them because there are other interesting characters that I can't wait to see them get their HEA.
June 3, 2021
This series is like a telenovela on steroids, I swear 🤣
Up until the 70% mark, I was surprisingly enjoying the story despite the OTT nature of the series, but then we got . At that point, I was just shaking my head in disappointment.
But what can you do? I still really enjoyed their chemistry together and am glad they at least got their HEA :')
Up until the 70% mark, I was surprisingly enjoying the story despite the OTT nature of the series, but then we got . At that point, I was just shaking my head in disappointment.
But what can you do? I still really enjoyed their chemistry together and am glad they at least got their HEA :')
September 27, 2021
4+, było emocjonująco, ale historia mnie aż tak nie zachwyciła jak poprzednia..
Read
February 7, 2025Я в этом году не ставлю оценки книгам, если это не 5 звезд, но блин, этот романчик был близок
Displaying 1 - 30 of 468 reviews