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Cultivated #1
Charlie
"Charles, the reserved, mysterious, and unattainable guy I had a major crush on in college, got tangled up with the wrong crowd. Being the heir to one of the largest business dynasties in the US made Charles a target for the narcissistic and cunning cult leader O'Brien. Now, I'm flying to Dublin to get him out. "
With degrees in both anthropology and psychology, twenty-seven-year-old Liv is convinced that she can resist being sucked into Conor O'Brien's cult. But it's been years since she and Charles last met; will he even remember her and will he trust her?
Charles and Liv are about to learn just how dangerous it is to go up against a possessive psychopath like Conor O'Brien.
Charlie is the first installment in Elin Peer's contemporary romance series Cultivated, which offers suspense and drama. Like all her books, this one has a fast pace, lots of great dialogue, and it leaves you wanting more.
Pre-order this book today and be among the first to read it when it goes LIVE.
With degrees in both anthropology and psychology, twenty-seven-year-old Liv is convinced that she can resist being sucked into Conor O'Brien's cult. But it's been years since she and Charles last met; will he even remember her and will he trust her?
Charles and Liv are about to learn just how dangerous it is to go up against a possessive psychopath like Conor O'Brien.
Charlie is the first installment in Elin Peer's contemporary romance series Cultivated, which offers suspense and drama. Like all her books, this one has a fast pace, lots of great dialogue, and it leaves you wanting more.
Pre-order this book today and be among the first to read it when it goes LIVE.
291 pages, ebook
Published September 1, 2019
555 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Elin Peer
71 books856 followersWith a background in life coaching, Elin is easy to talk to and with over thirty-six books under her belt, fans rave about her unique writing style that has subtle elements of coaching mixed into fictional love stories with happy endings.
Elin is curious by nature. She likes to explore and can tell you about trekking through the Asian jungle, watching the sunset in the Sahara Desert, sailing down the Nile in Egypt, kayaking in Alaska, river rafting in Indonesia, and flying over Greenland in a helicopter.
She enjoys writing books with her talented daughter Pearl Beacon, whom she describes as one of the kindest and wisest people she knows.
To connect or learn more, please visit Elin at:
Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram or simply send an email to: elin@elinpeer.com
Elin is curious by nature. She likes to explore and can tell you about trekking through the Asian jungle, watching the sunset in the Sahara Desert, sailing down the Nile in Egypt, kayaking in Alaska, river rafting in Indonesia, and flying over Greenland in a helicopter.
She enjoys writing books with her talented daughter Pearl Beacon, whom she describes as one of the kindest and wisest people she knows.
To connect or learn more, please visit Elin at:
Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, Instagram or simply send an email to: elin@elinpeer.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
October 8, 2019
4.5 stars.
A fascinating story and masterful storytelling. This story had it all: action, suspense, intrigue, romance and redemption. What I love about Elin Peer's stories is that I always feel I was treated to a story unlike the routine and cliche tropes that are so abundant in the romance genre. In this particular novel, we are treated to an insider look into the intense fear of family members when their loved ones are caught in the snare of a cult.
Charlotte Christensen aka Liv or Charlie met Charles Robertson at a coffee shop by accident. At the time they were both going by the nickname "Charlie". There was a spark there, but nothing serious materialized from their college flirting. Five years later, Liv was contacted by Charles' grandfather who wants a friend to help rescue Charles from a cult that was siphoning off his inheritance. This opportunity gave Liv another chance to reconnect with Charles, but he wasn't the man she remembered. To save Charles, Liv had outmaneuver a sociopath a cult leader with Charles' love and life as the prize.
I don't know much about cult except what we see on the news but my nerves were jarred. I enjoyed the glimpse into a cult's intricate layering in order to brainwashing people of various intelligence. It was a lesson on how masterminds sense esteem issues and use it to their advantage while gaining their absolute dedication and loyalty. It was a gently reminder that even the smartest person has vulnerabilities that can be exploited by devious people.
My favorite part of the story was Liv and Charles reconnecting. It felt like young love all over again and it added some pleasure and levity to this heavy situation. Liv and Charles were really nice individuals and they made a sweet couple. I was completely absorbed into this struggle for Charles. The author skillfully weaved an engrossing tale. What an excellent beginning to a new series.
A fascinating story and masterful storytelling. This story had it all: action, suspense, intrigue, romance and redemption. What I love about Elin Peer's stories is that I always feel I was treated to a story unlike the routine and cliche tropes that are so abundant in the romance genre. In this particular novel, we are treated to an insider look into the intense fear of family members when their loved ones are caught in the snare of a cult.
Charlotte Christensen aka Liv or Charlie met Charles Robertson at a coffee shop by accident. At the time they were both going by the nickname "Charlie". There was a spark there, but nothing serious materialized from their college flirting. Five years later, Liv was contacted by Charles' grandfather who wants a friend to help rescue Charles from a cult that was siphoning off his inheritance. This opportunity gave Liv another chance to reconnect with Charles, but he wasn't the man she remembered. To save Charles, Liv had outmaneuver a sociopath a cult leader with Charles' love and life as the prize.
I don't know much about cult except what we see on the news but my nerves were jarred. I enjoyed the glimpse into a cult's intricate layering in order to brainwashing people of various intelligence. It was a lesson on how masterminds sense esteem issues and use it to their advantage while gaining their absolute dedication and loyalty. It was a gently reminder that even the smartest person has vulnerabilities that can be exploited by devious people.
My favorite part of the story was Liv and Charles reconnecting. It felt like young love all over again and it added some pleasure and levity to this heavy situation. Liv and Charles were really nice individuals and they made a sweet couple. I was completely absorbed into this struggle for Charles. The author skillfully weaved an engrossing tale. What an excellent beginning to a new series.
September 17, 2019
Charlie, Cultivated 1, by Elin Peer.
I never thought author Elin Peer could write a book more intense than her Accidental Slave, the first book in her Slave Series. With Charlie, the first book in her Cultivated Series she has proved me wrong again.
Digging deep into her background as a Life Coach, she is exploring the world of mind control, brainwashing, and cults. And though this book is a romance, it is an intense and frightening story--the kind of story that shifts Peer's work out of the world of traditional romance and into the world of literature.
But if you are at all wary of the topic of this book, I suggest you approach it carefully. It deals with the ugly side of cults, the result of which is often suicide. (Think Jones and Kool-Aid).
Usually, when I read a book by Elin Peer, I tear through it from beginning to end, often at one sitting. This book hit me where it hurt. I found myself stopping at the end of each chapter, almost dreading what was going to happen next. As a result it took me much longer to read than any of her other books. The topic is one that needs to be approached with care.
But there is no doubt that this book is a romance. Its protagonists are a pair of lovers drawn to each other by chemistry and fate. Charles (McCann) Robertson is the flawed heir of the owner of a large corporation, trying to come to grips with the responsibilities he is forced to face, and trying to escape them.
Charlotte (Charlie, Liv) Christensen is an anthropologist. The two meet by accident in a campus coffee shop, are drawn to each other, but because of Charles's peculiar personality traits do not manage to get together. But he never forgot her.
Five years after that first meeting, Charlie (Liv) is summoned to the home of Charles's grandfather, the head of Solver Industries, a multinational corporation. He is concerned because his grandson has been taken in by a cult in Ireland. He himself is facing imminent death, and needs not only to see his grandson rescued but brought home to take control of his company.
The rest of the story is about the cult and how its charismatic psychopathic leader, Conor O'Brien, commands almost total obedience and loyalty from his followers. It is a chilling picture of how easy it is for a talented psychopath to gain control over truly brilliant individuals and lead them even unto death if he commands it.
It is also the story of five children caught in O'Brien's web of deceit, and how Charlie rescues them from absolute disaster. Woven throughout this chilling tale is the love affair that develops between Charlie and Charles and how it eventually proves to be a saving grace.
Like all of Elin Peer's books, this one will leave you gasping. Its conclusion is horrifying, and obviously sets the scene for the rest of the books in the series. They will all deal with the children brought up in this psychopathic environment and the effects it had on their lives.
I never thought author Elin Peer could write a book more intense than her Accidental Slave, the first book in her Slave Series. With Charlie, the first book in her Cultivated Series she has proved me wrong again.
Digging deep into her background as a Life Coach, she is exploring the world of mind control, brainwashing, and cults. And though this book is a romance, it is an intense and frightening story--the kind of story that shifts Peer's work out of the world of traditional romance and into the world of literature.
But if you are at all wary of the topic of this book, I suggest you approach it carefully. It deals with the ugly side of cults, the result of which is often suicide. (Think Jones and Kool-Aid).
Usually, when I read a book by Elin Peer, I tear through it from beginning to end, often at one sitting. This book hit me where it hurt. I found myself stopping at the end of each chapter, almost dreading what was going to happen next. As a result it took me much longer to read than any of her other books. The topic is one that needs to be approached with care.
But there is no doubt that this book is a romance. Its protagonists are a pair of lovers drawn to each other by chemistry and fate. Charles (McCann) Robertson is the flawed heir of the owner of a large corporation, trying to come to grips with the responsibilities he is forced to face, and trying to escape them.
Charlotte (Charlie, Liv) Christensen is an anthropologist. The two meet by accident in a campus coffee shop, are drawn to each other, but because of Charles's peculiar personality traits do not manage to get together. But he never forgot her.
Five years after that first meeting, Charlie (Liv) is summoned to the home of Charles's grandfather, the head of Solver Industries, a multinational corporation. He is concerned because his grandson has been taken in by a cult in Ireland. He himself is facing imminent death, and needs not only to see his grandson rescued but brought home to take control of his company.
The rest of the story is about the cult and how its charismatic psychopathic leader, Conor O'Brien, commands almost total obedience and loyalty from his followers. It is a chilling picture of how easy it is for a talented psychopath to gain control over truly brilliant individuals and lead them even unto death if he commands it.
It is also the story of five children caught in O'Brien's web of deceit, and how Charlie rescues them from absolute disaster. Woven throughout this chilling tale is the love affair that develops between Charlie and Charles and how it eventually proves to be a saving grace.
Like all of Elin Peer's books, this one will leave you gasping. Its conclusion is horrifying, and obviously sets the scene for the rest of the books in the series. They will all deal with the children brought up in this psychopathic environment and the effects it had on their lives.
October 18, 2019
The thing I love most about Elin Peer's work is just how darn unpredictable it is.
I've been stuck in the reading doldrums. You wouldn't suspect from my review list because I have managed to finish a few books over the last two weeks, but you wouldn't believe just how many books I've started and DNF'd. Book after book had left me struggling to connect with the characters or just plain care about what would happen next. Until I picked up Charlie, and in this I found a book that I didn't want to put down. From the very first chapter I was totally engaged by both Liv and Charlie, desperate to know how their story would unfold.
At one point I was certain I knew what would cause friction between Charlie and Liv, I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Ha! Just how wrong was I, and that is the beauty of this author's work. The journey she takes you on is never the obvious one, yet it is always absolutely the perfect one and one where I wouldn't change a thing.
I found myself totally smitten by both main characters, so much so that I cast aside my usual issues with super speedy (though not quite insta) falling-in-love, totally embracing the speed with which this couple formed a connection. It helped that the pair had some prior history but mainly it was the fantastic writing that engaged my emotions along with my mind. There are depths and layers to this story, the unwrapping of which made this a book that will stay with me long after I read the last lines.
I've been stuck in the reading doldrums. You wouldn't suspect from my review list because I have managed to finish a few books over the last two weeks, but you wouldn't believe just how many books I've started and DNF'd. Book after book had left me struggling to connect with the characters or just plain care about what would happen next. Until I picked up Charlie, and in this I found a book that I didn't want to put down. From the very first chapter I was totally engaged by both Liv and Charlie, desperate to know how their story would unfold.
At one point I was certain I knew what would cause friction between Charlie and Liv, I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Ha! Just how wrong was I, and that is the beauty of this author's work. The journey she takes you on is never the obvious one, yet it is always absolutely the perfect one and one where I wouldn't change a thing.
I found myself totally smitten by both main characters, so much so that I cast aside my usual issues with super speedy (though not quite insta) falling-in-love, totally embracing the speed with which this couple formed a connection. It helped that the pair had some prior history but mainly it was the fantastic writing that engaged my emotions along with my mind. There are depths and layers to this story, the unwrapping of which made this a book that will stay with me long after I read the last lines.
September 21, 2019
WOW!!!! This book gave me a book hangover! I started the book and in one sitting I finished it at 4am this morning. I had to take the time to digest what I just read. I was blown away by this book. You get so infested in the characters lives! You root for them and root against the bad guy! Oh and the bad guy is pure evil and the way Elin describes him and his actions you can feel his vileness. Gave me goose bumps. You fall in love with Charles and Liv. There is such an innocence about them both. There love for each other is felt in these pages. I can not wait to see where the story goes next. If you like suspenseful romance books then this one is for you! I would give this book 100 stars if I could!!
November 30, 2020
This one was ok for me. There were many times I almost dnf'ed, I kept reading at first to see what the cult was like, later it was the kids and I hoped that they would be ok. Charlie and Liv were sort of meh, both had so many issues I'm surprised that they managed to make it as a couple, although I did love their last action in regards to the the kids.
The cult was crazy! It drove me nuts that they heard the bad things, but didn't listen. The party at the end was difficult to listen to, each round had me screaming at my speaker as the words came through.
I plan on checking out the next book, I want to see how the kids are in the aftermath of what happened to them.
The cult was crazy! It drove me nuts that they heard the bad things, but didn't listen. The party at the end was difficult to listen to, each round had me screaming at my speaker as the words came through.
I plan on checking out the next book, I want to see how the kids are in the aftermath of what happened to them.
October 1, 2019
I can't say enough about this writer...Elin Peer is easily becoming 1 of my Top 5 go to Authors and that is saying something because I read all genres not just romance.
So let's get to it..."Charlie" Charlie Charlie Charlie ..well I literally finished this book in less that 8hours..lol. Just like the rest of Elin Peer's Books...you will not be able to put it down and it will leave you starving for the next book in the series. The book was so intense and emotional overwhelming at time....it will leave you think about what's important in your own life. Love Love ❤️ this Book...only downside is that I have to wait for book 2 to come out🤣.
💟Mrs.C.
So let's get to it..."Charlie" Charlie Charlie Charlie ..well I literally finished this book in less that 8hours..lol. Just like the rest of Elin Peer's Books...you will not be able to put it down and it will leave you starving for the next book in the series. The book was so intense and emotional overwhelming at time....it will leave you think about what's important in your own life. Love Love ❤️ this Book...only downside is that I have to wait for book 2 to come out🤣.
💟Mrs.C.
September 27, 2019
This was a epic way to start a series!! I haven’t read many cult type books but Elin’s writing is so good in this story that you could feel the raw emotion behind it. It lets you realize how easily it is to fall in line behind someone when you are grasping for what you think is more and how easily someone can be manipulated in a weak moment. The romance in this story took a back seat to the suspense factor and I really enjoyed that fact. The way this ended has me already wanting to dive into the rest of the series!!
I voluntarily reviewed a advanced readers copy of this book
I voluntarily reviewed a advanced readers copy of this book
October 3, 2019
I got a review copy of this book and quite frankly, I had no plans to read the book because of the cult theme. I had even planned to tell Elin that I would be glad to review any future series save for this one....
However, curiosity got the best of me. Elin's work speaks well for her, and I could not help thinking that I would miss out on a series as enthralling as the Men Of The North Box Set series. I planned to read a few pages to convince myself I made the right choice. Except, I was sucked right in.
Like many of the reviewers here, I read it in one go, only put it down for a bathroom break. Elin Peer's characters were carefully created individuals with interesting personalities and for some "nervous tics" :-D
I found so many moments to be extremely nerve wrecking. I still don't understand how Elin was able to find places to insert humor, especially in a book touching such a sensitive topic. She did it successfully and it offered momentary relief from the fast-paced intensity of events.
I also rather enjoyed the love between Charlie and Liv. It wasn't the typical romance but it made sense because neither of them are typical people.
More importantly, this book gave me a glimpse into what survivors of cults might feel, and a wariness of smooth talking people...lol. Most importantly, it was a great read; it broke me apart and put me back together again with a new sense of appreciation for life.
However, curiosity got the best of me. Elin's work speaks well for her, and I could not help thinking that I would miss out on a series as enthralling as the Men Of The North Box Set series. I planned to read a few pages to convince myself I made the right choice. Except, I was sucked right in.
Like many of the reviewers here, I read it in one go, only put it down for a bathroom break. Elin Peer's characters were carefully created individuals with interesting personalities and for some "nervous tics" :-D
I found so many moments to be extremely nerve wrecking. I still don't understand how Elin was able to find places to insert humor, especially in a book touching such a sensitive topic. She did it successfully and it offered momentary relief from the fast-paced intensity of events.
I also rather enjoyed the love between Charlie and Liv. It wasn't the typical romance but it made sense because neither of them are typical people.
More importantly, this book gave me a glimpse into what survivors of cults might feel, and a wariness of smooth talking people...lol. Most importantly, it was a great read; it broke me apart and put me back together again with a new sense of appreciation for life.
September 21, 2019
I have never read a cult book before but I thoroughly enjoyed Charlie! This is definitely on my top five reads for this year! It’s very different from the books Elin has wrote in the past. However, her skill with words and manipulating people’s emotions are at an all-time high with Charlie. I loved that I learned new and interesting things about psychology and Irish history. This book had everything! There was suspense, knowledge, and romance! I loved every second of it! One of the most intriguing things to me was the way someone has the capability to manipulate people’s emotions and actions simply by knowing the right things to say and the right way to act. It’s very easy to apply such a mentality to everyday life and the people we all deal with. The emotional and verbal abuse is quite shocking but not something that isn’t relatable in some way to everyone. Most of us have dealt with people who are smooth talkers and able to get their way by abusing the power and control they have over you. This concept was just a homerun for me. Having dealt with someone recently who also had the ability to control people as Conor in this story did, I really felt at one with this story on so many levels. I cannot wait for the rest of the series! Amazing work Elin!
June 20, 2020
Charlie (Liv), a beautiful young woman, runs in to Charles in a coffeehouse in college, but it is five years later that Charles' grandfather hired Liv to get Charles out of a cult in Ireland. Actually, Charles doesn't like his grandfather and thinks the cult leader is wonderful until Liv's love and questions open his eyes. With the cult leader under investigation and his actions towards Luv questionable, Charles begins to believe something truly is wrong. Fast paced and exciting the characters are perfect and utterly believable, the storyline is strong, enjoyable and perfectly written. Read Elin Peer's first book in this new series and find out the suspenseful ending. You'll love it.
September 23, 2019
Oh my gosh! The woman can write!!! Elin Peer, I want to be you when I grow up. On second thought, I'd rather just enjoy the fruits of YOUR labor! Every story I've read from Mrs. Peer I have loved (and I have read them all). These are romance stories, but oh so much more. In this new series we get to discover the world of cults and master manipulators. Yes, you read that right. Like I said, it is a love story, but so much more. If you aren't familiar with Elin Peer's books, you need to get yourself familiar. This is as good a place to start as any! Seriously, what are you waiting for? Once click right now!!!
September 24, 2019
OMG!! Now that's how you set off a new series! I loved the build up and the way it drew me in and allowed me to get to the know the characters. Then it was off to the races with a crazed cult leader and a mission to save as many as possible from his clutches. I don't want to give anything more away, so I will say that this book is definitely one that should be on your TBR list. I loved Charlie and Liv and kept pushing for them the entire book. However, this is only the beginning and I cannot wait for the next installment. There's a sneak peek at the end and it looks like it will not disappoint. Fantastic story writing and very engaging. I'm hooked.
September 24, 2019
This is the first time I've ever read a book involving a cult so for me this was different. I've always been interested in cults and brainwashing so it was easy for me to get into the story. The characters were very developed and believable and the story itself is just so fascinating. There were several WTF moments and I have a feeling as we dig deeper into this story we are going to have lots more of those. This book was the perfect way to start the Cultivated Series and it's truly a work of art!! I'm so looking forward to the next book.
September 26, 2019
In Elin Peer style, she has given us a storyline that immediately pulled me in and had me planted right in the middle. This wasn't just a reading experience. This became an all-consuming mental movie that I felt a part of, experiencing all the pain, fear, emotion and chemistry with each of the characters. Oh, and the characters? They are so perfectly flawed I felt like they could be part of my inner circle. I've been a fan of Elin Peer since her first book and I can already tell, I'm hooked on this series from the very beginning. You absolutely don't want to miss this one!
September 22, 2019
Oh wow. What a wonderful roller coaster. And an amazing start to what should be another fabulous series by Elin Peer. This story was so different from the romance stories I usually read and I was drawn in by all the characters from the very beginning. If you are looking for a book with romance, friendship, family, and crazy situations, then this book has it all. I can not wait for the next story in the series.
October 6, 2019
Elin has given us another truly amazing story. Being from Ireland and with the book being set there i was interested to see if elin could incorporate the slang into the story. And she did a bloody good job!! The story was fascinating, full of emotion and suspense. The characters I loved, Charles and Charlie where a unique couple and I loved their connection. Elin always knows how to click with her readers and give them a book worth waiting for.
September 28, 2019
First in a new series, but WOW!
Fast-paced and I was hooked by the second page! The two main characters meet first just by chance and then five years later...
This book is a page-turner! Couldn't stop reading! The quick turn-arounds, the obvious love, and the mystery!
If you have liked Ms. Peer's other books you'll *love* this one! Another hit! Thank you, Ms. Peer!
Fast-paced and I was hooked by the second page! The two main characters meet first just by chance and then five years later...
This book is a page-turner! Couldn't stop reading! The quick turn-arounds, the obvious love, and the mystery!
If you have liked Ms. Peer's other books you'll *love* this one! Another hit! Thank you, Ms. Peer!
September 16, 2019
This is the beginning of another fantastic series. I love when a book sucks you into it and you just can’t put it down. Sad thing is that there are really people in the world exactly like Conor. I can not wait to see what happens with all the “kids”...
September 21, 2019
Wow. This is one book that makes you think. Undercover in a Cult to find out how they manage to brainwash people, it’s full of suspense. I’m definitely ready for more by this brilliant writer. Don’t miss out once it’s released.
September 25, 2019
This book had me grinning, tearing up, outright sobbing, but becoming more and more shocked, and finally filled with pure horror and revulsion! I call this book by one of my favorite authors a must-read, highly recommended!
December 7, 2019
I love just about everything that Elin Peer writes and this book is no exception. It delves into areas that most authors do not explore. I’m looking forward to the next books to see what happens to the children.
October 3, 2019
OH MY!!!!!! loved this book, had a very hard time putting it down. A very tense, scary story, but truly enjoyed it, another great Elin Peer book.
Want to read
March 28, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/27/2020)! 🎁
October 8, 2020
This just did not work for me. Solid writing but it was mostly meh. 2.5 rating for me. I skimmed to about 80% of the book which was when it got a bit entertaining. Narration was so boring.
February 28, 2022
4 stars. This series is interesting. Idk that I'll ever go on to read the other books...but this one definitely didn't disappoint.
This story is about a cult and how the hero is brainwashed into becoming a member. If I remember correctly, he's autistic, but isn't ever actually explicitly called that. The heroine is then sent to try to break him out of the Cult. I loved the concept and the way that it was written was fairly brilliant. There are some things that happen towards the end that I felt went a bit past my personal preferences for violence. I know that they were included simply so the series had somewhere to go, which is probably what irritated me most.
Safe; OM drama from cult leader who tries to force himself onto the heroine, no cheating, no scenes with OM/OW, hero and heroine met many years prior to the start of the story but the hero has trouble communicating his desires with the heroine, so they both end up going their separate ways until the start of this story.
TW: cults, brainwashing, death/gore, suicide, attempted rape, financial control, child abuse
This story is about a cult and how the hero is brainwashed into becoming a member. If I remember correctly, he's autistic, but isn't ever actually explicitly called that. The heroine is then sent to try to break him out of the Cult. I loved the concept and the way that it was written was fairly brilliant. There are some things that happen towards the end that I felt went a bit past my personal preferences for violence. I know that they were included simply so the series had somewhere to go, which is probably what irritated me most.
Safe; OM drama from cult leader who tries to force himself onto the heroine, no cheating, no scenes with OM/OW, hero and heroine met many years prior to the start of the story but the hero has trouble communicating his desires with the heroine, so they both end up going their separate ways until the start of this story.
TW: cults, brainwashing, death/gore, suicide, attempted rape, financial control, child abuse
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2021
I listened to this book in audiobook format.
September 26, 2019
OH HOW MUCH I MISSED ELIN!!!!
I haven’t read a book in a while. Being unemployed for most of the year, you kind of don’t want to look at any word after applying for jobs all day. I love reading the great adventures that Peer writes. So I’ve missed a lot of her great books she authored. Don’t worry, I’ll go back and read Peer’s Men of the North series. Because I enjoy her writing so much, the minute I started reading Charlie-Cultivated #1 I knew that I was going to go right through it. Did it in 3 days.
She surprised me from the get go. Introducing the characters in a flashback and have no idea what is going to happen. Charlie who is so adorable with his shyness, nervous tics seeing a gorgeous girl who is also named Charlie. She steals his coffee because she thought it was her hot coco. This introverted man is embarrassed, yet is enthralled with her.
Five years later, Charles is now in Ireland. He has met a man named Connor, who lead him to stay in Ireland. A more confident man. He now lives at the “Red Manor Group”. A place that has characteristics of being in scientology. Charles has cut off ties with his only family member left, his grandfather who lives in a wealthy suburb of Chicago. (And since I was born and raised in Chicago, a true portrayal of the city.)
Enter in the girl that he fell in love with 5 years ago, Charlie who uses her real name now, Liv. She is asked by Charles’s grandfather to go to Ireland and bring him home. Take him away from this cult that his grandfather has years of researching. Kind of a WTF reaction from Liv on how would Charles’s grandfather even know who she is. She was given an expense-paid trip to Ireland to save the grandson.
From the research, investigations from his grandfather, Liv was suppose to be his last hope. It was like nothing had changed between Liv and Charles. They both remember the chemistry they had for each other, and it took off again when she came to Ireland. Let me tell you how HOT their reunion was.
While the two are on top of the world, Liv then is introduced to the man Charles thinks is pretty much God. After Liv learns about the Red Manor Group experiences, she fell in love with the children of the group. It shows how lovely Liv’s character is. She cares for the children of this cultish environment. All of this is happening while Liv is connected with the private investigator in Ireland.
The beautiful landscape of Ireland was a nice touch in this novel. The dialogue between the strong Irish dialect might be a little hard to read for some, yet I had a little advantage from taking a dialect class in college. I had fun reading out loud some of the scenes of the Irish private investigators to show how I really need to work on my Irish dialect.
It's so hard to give a full synopsis of Charlie-Cultivated #1 without giving away this surprising thriller surprise in the story. A huge surprise that will shock you as you are shaking your head in disbelief. But that's how Peer really digs at your heart with her fully created characters that you have so much emotion for.
I am truly happy to be back and have enough time to read Peer’s excellence in her novels. This is truly a new start of a new series I will be excited to read. Between reading Men of the North series of course.
I received a free ARC copy to give an honest review.
I haven’t read a book in a while. Being unemployed for most of the year, you kind of don’t want to look at any word after applying for jobs all day. I love reading the great adventures that Peer writes. So I’ve missed a lot of her great books she authored. Don’t worry, I’ll go back and read Peer’s Men of the North series. Because I enjoy her writing so much, the minute I started reading Charlie-Cultivated #1 I knew that I was going to go right through it. Did it in 3 days.
She surprised me from the get go. Introducing the characters in a flashback and have no idea what is going to happen. Charlie who is so adorable with his shyness, nervous tics seeing a gorgeous girl who is also named Charlie. She steals his coffee because she thought it was her hot coco. This introverted man is embarrassed, yet is enthralled with her.
Five years later, Charles is now in Ireland. He has met a man named Connor, who lead him to stay in Ireland. A more confident man. He now lives at the “Red Manor Group”. A place that has characteristics of being in scientology. Charles has cut off ties with his only family member left, his grandfather who lives in a wealthy suburb of Chicago. (And since I was born and raised in Chicago, a true portrayal of the city.)
Enter in the girl that he fell in love with 5 years ago, Charlie who uses her real name now, Liv. She is asked by Charles’s grandfather to go to Ireland and bring him home. Take him away from this cult that his grandfather has years of researching. Kind of a WTF reaction from Liv on how would Charles’s grandfather even know who she is. She was given an expense-paid trip to Ireland to save the grandson.
From the research, investigations from his grandfather, Liv was suppose to be his last hope. It was like nothing had changed between Liv and Charles. They both remember the chemistry they had for each other, and it took off again when she came to Ireland. Let me tell you how HOT their reunion was.
While the two are on top of the world, Liv then is introduced to the man Charles thinks is pretty much God. After Liv learns about the Red Manor Group experiences, she fell in love with the children of the group. It shows how lovely Liv’s character is. She cares for the children of this cultish environment. All of this is happening while Liv is connected with the private investigator in Ireland.
The beautiful landscape of Ireland was a nice touch in this novel. The dialogue between the strong Irish dialect might be a little hard to read for some, yet I had a little advantage from taking a dialect class in college. I had fun reading out loud some of the scenes of the Irish private investigators to show how I really need to work on my Irish dialect.
It's so hard to give a full synopsis of Charlie-Cultivated #1 without giving away this surprising thriller surprise in the story. A huge surprise that will shock you as you are shaking your head in disbelief. But that's how Peer really digs at your heart with her fully created characters that you have so much emotion for.
I am truly happy to be back and have enough time to read Peer’s excellence in her novels. This is truly a new start of a new series I will be excited to read. Between reading Men of the North series of course.
I received a free ARC copy to give an honest review.
January 8, 2025
***** SPOILER ALERT *****
This book is absolutely terrifying!
In Charlie, the devil is disguised as a man named Connor. By the end of the book, you will agree that he is an evil man. Connor is the cult leader of the mastermind group Red Manor Foundation. The Red Manor Foundation are a group of intelligent professionals who are lawyers, teachers and others who were drawn to Connor by his intelligence and generosity to the poor. They believed Connor when he told them he is building a new school in some impoverished country. They believed Connor was kind and good.... that he would never hurt anyone. They gave him their money and bodies for sex. They abandoned their families. They gave him their loyalty and dedication. But that wasn't enough for Connor. How wrong they were to trust a monster.
Connor pretends to be what you need so he can collect your secrets. He is a good actor who wants you to believe he is the only one you can trust, the only one who can guide and strengthen you. Then he uses your secrets against you. He manipulates you into blindly trusting his judgement, into not trusting your own judgement. There is one scene where he challenges one of the members to prove her loyalty to him by pulling the trigger of a gun she held against her temple. Yes he demands trust and loyalty. He is a psychopath.
Charlie is a member of the Red Manor Foundation and has already turned away from his grandfather and refuses to speak with him even though he is his last surviving family member. Charlie has a long list of emotional disturbances Aspergers, OCD, ADHD and even Tourette's that he believes minimizes his ability to interact with others. Of course, Connor exploits this and convinces Charlie that he can have anything he dreamed of....as long as he sticks with him and the masterminds. His grandfather hires Liv to infiltrate the group and bring his grandson back home.
Regardless of Charlie's emotional disturbances, he has no problems expressing humor and affection with Liv. The dialogue between the two is hilarious and makes you laugh out loud. There is a wonderful love story here between Liv and Charlie that I will always cherish. They are in tuned to each other's wants and yes desires. As the intensity of their relationship increases, Charlie's loyalty and devotion to the masterminds begins to change. Connor doesn't believe in love. The belief in this group is that 'love should be an energy shared without labels.' When Connor's attention targets Liv, will Charlie stay, or will he leave?
There are so many victims in this book but also so many heroes. Just like in the Slave Series, there are many strong women here who champion their lives to fight for the freedom of others and happiness for themselves. There is absolutely nothing I didn't like in this book. All the characters were great but my favorites besides Charlie and Liv are the kids. I am so glad that Elin is giving us a book for each child for a total of 6 books in the Cultivated series. I'm also so glad that there are already two more books published.... can't wait to get started.
This book is absolutely terrifying!
In Charlie, the devil is disguised as a man named Connor. By the end of the book, you will agree that he is an evil man. Connor is the cult leader of the mastermind group Red Manor Foundation. The Red Manor Foundation are a group of intelligent professionals who are lawyers, teachers and others who were drawn to Connor by his intelligence and generosity to the poor. They believed Connor when he told them he is building a new school in some impoverished country. They believed Connor was kind and good.... that he would never hurt anyone. They gave him their money and bodies for sex. They abandoned their families. They gave him their loyalty and dedication. But that wasn't enough for Connor. How wrong they were to trust a monster.
Connor pretends to be what you need so he can collect your secrets. He is a good actor who wants you to believe he is the only one you can trust, the only one who can guide and strengthen you. Then he uses your secrets against you. He manipulates you into blindly trusting his judgement, into not trusting your own judgement. There is one scene where he challenges one of the members to prove her loyalty to him by pulling the trigger of a gun she held against her temple. Yes he demands trust and loyalty. He is a psychopath.
Charlie is a member of the Red Manor Foundation and has already turned away from his grandfather and refuses to speak with him even though he is his last surviving family member. Charlie has a long list of emotional disturbances Aspergers, OCD, ADHD and even Tourette's that he believes minimizes his ability to interact with others. Of course, Connor exploits this and convinces Charlie that he can have anything he dreamed of....as long as he sticks with him and the masterminds. His grandfather hires Liv to infiltrate the group and bring his grandson back home.
Regardless of Charlie's emotional disturbances, he has no problems expressing humor and affection with Liv. The dialogue between the two is hilarious and makes you laugh out loud. There is a wonderful love story here between Liv and Charlie that I will always cherish. They are in tuned to each other's wants and yes desires. As the intensity of their relationship increases, Charlie's loyalty and devotion to the masterminds begins to change. Connor doesn't believe in love. The belief in this group is that 'love should be an energy shared without labels.' When Connor's attention targets Liv, will Charlie stay, or will he leave?
There are so many victims in this book but also so many heroes. Just like in the Slave Series, there are many strong women here who champion their lives to fight for the freedom of others and happiness for themselves. There is absolutely nothing I didn't like in this book. All the characters were great but my favorites besides Charlie and Liv are the kids. I am so glad that Elin is giving us a book for each child for a total of 6 books in the Cultivated series. I'm also so glad that there are already two more books published.... can't wait to get started.
April 26, 2020
Serendipitous!
Charlotte and Charles meet together 5 years prior to the current story while they were both attending Harvard twice. Hello Craigslist Missed Connections!
So, Charlotte is minding her business when Charles' grandfather asks for a meeting. In the sum of one million dollars, he begs her to help Charles out of the mess he has currently got himself into: joining an Irish cult!
Never thought I would enjoy a romance surrounding a cult, but it works. I'm so glad you can see how Charles' mind works while Charlotte tries hard to get him out.
Serendipity all over again. Super enjoyed this!
Charlotte and Charles meet together 5 years prior to the current story while they were both attending Harvard twice. Hello Craigslist Missed Connections!
So, Charlotte is minding her business when Charles' grandfather asks for a meeting. In the sum of one million dollars, he begs her to help Charles out of the mess he has currently got himself into: joining an Irish cult!
Never thought I would enjoy a romance surrounding a cult, but it works. I'm so glad you can see how Charles' mind works while Charlotte tries hard to get him out.
Serendipity all over again. Super enjoyed this!
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August 15, 2021FREE today (July 18, 2021) on Amazon.
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