Throwaway

The Throwaways #1

by Heather Huffman

Sometimes life gives you a second chance when you least expect it.

Jessie Jones has been under pimp Spence's thumb for fourteen years when undercover cop Gabe walks into her life and offers her something she's never had before: love, a future, and a home. But even if Jessie could walk away from Spence, there are darker forces of evil who won't let her go that easily.

In this romantic suspense, author Heather Huffman delivers an adventure from the vibrant streets of St. Louis to the caves of the Ozarks as Jessie discovers whether she can love another, whether she can love herself, and whether any of it is enough.

Throwaway is the first installment in the surprisingly warm and funny series The Throwaways, twelve novels that don’t shy away from the dark corners of this world but always shine the light of hope. At the core of the series is a group of strong but often unlikely heroes and heroines coming from all walks of life whose lives intertwine as they fight for justice, for love, and to leave their indelible mark on this world.

Immerse yourself in a world of suspense, laughter, and love with The Throwaways.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Contemporary, Chick Lit

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2010

About the author

Heather Huffman is a multi-genre author with publications in contemporary romance, romantic suspense, women's fiction, and even a new cozy mystery line launching summer 2021. Quirky, optimistic, and a bit of a wanderer, Huffman cares deeply about causes pertaining to social justice and women's issues and has spent the past decade working with various charities that fight poverty, empower women, and fight human trafficking. At the center of her world are her three grown sons, her Australian Shepherd, and a spoiled puppy she shares entirely too many pictures of. Learn more at heatherhuffman.com.

Reviews

[Sylvain Reynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick but enjoyable read, with interesting characters, action sequences, references to the legends surrounding a figure from the Old West, and redemption. The female lead inspired respect and admiration and the story itself shone a light on subjects many people avoid - prostitution, human trafficking and slavery, and organized crime. But the author, Mrs. Huffman, didn't treat the dark topics as mires in which to wallow, nor did she glorify them. I thought she did a good job of showing the reader that these ills exist in society (in the midwestern USA, no less) without providing so much description that the reader became horrified (and in danger of dropping the book) or desensitized.

Mrs. Huffman offers her books for free on Barnes and Noble (for Nook) and asks that her readers make a donation to WorldVision's program to aid and protect sexually exploited children. You can find her on Facebook and her personal website, if you wish to know more.

ETA: http://www.heatherhuffman.blogspot.com/

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Color me amazed. This book has a well-developed plot and characters, a great background settings, some history and a strong heroine. It's told in 3rd person POV but from the eyes of the main character.

It's not often that I come across a romance-suspense novel that has me captivated from the start. Our heroine, Jessie, is a working girl in St. Louis, in the clutches of her pimp with no hopes of ever getting out of her enslavement. She knows this and still maintains a kind heart and a positive spirit. She's feisty - I loved that.

Enter Gabe, a local PD detective, who's involved in a sting operation that is looking to break up a human trafficking ring.

Against all odds and all obstacles in their way, the two fall in love and find a way (amongst some bumps in the road) to be a couple. It's an amazing story about perseverance and the power of the human spirit.

I had a hard time putting it down, only stopping when I absolutely had to. The dialogue is funny and endearing in many places, and especially the interactions between the two main characters are very well written. There are no explicit sex scenes (which would distract from the quality of this book) though sex is hinted at, considering Jessie's occupation at the beginning of the book. It's never crass nor crude, and the author manages to get even through tense and frightening situations without resorting to foul language.

This was a free download on B&N, as are the other books this author has published. Free is great. But then one of my friends on Goodreads dug a little deeper and found some amazing information. The author, Heather Huffman, writes her books not for profit but to give back. Her website at www.heatherhuffman.blogspot.com is full of information how to support the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. So, if you got this book for free, please visit her website and consider a donation to the World Vision charity she supports. I can only applaud Ms. Huffman for what she does.

Kudos to you, ma'am.

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because it had good reviews; however, I cannot rate it as well.
The main character, Jessie, is introduced as a prostitute wanting freedom from her pimp Spence. She has been with Spence since she was released from the foster care system,mainly because she feels she has no where to go. Jessie lacks confidence and feels that she is her title "Whore."
She meets a cop who is trying to gather information about Spence's Mofia connections. Huffman portrays Jessie and Gabe's love as "love at first sight." It is unrealistic and doesn't give the lead up to love, passion,and chemistry that makes love stories enticing.
The inital dialogue is too simple and lacks description.
Finally half way through the book, the plot thickens. Jessie's journey takes the reader through escaping the mofia, starting a new life, pregnancy, attempted murder, corruption in the police force, and eventually marriage.
I think Huffman's plot never reached the level she intended. Starts slow, speeds up suddenly, and then fizzles in the end. It is free, so good book to read if you have nothing else to read. Glad I didn't pay for it.

[Amethyst-y · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice idea but badly executed. Human trafficking is portrayed very primitevely and unrealisticaly. Being able to stash away so much money and on top not having it stolen(from under a matress!) over fourteen years is ridiculous. And what more this girl had so much free time and liberty of movement. Having a night or two off in a week, usually it is more like four or five days in a month. So she worked all night and then she went to yoga in the morning... really? When did she sleep? Having survived in these conditions and not being addicted to a drug, or at least smoking or drinking is very unprobable. Maybe it was supposed to be the yoga that was her drug but no a prostitute of fourteen years whether doing this willingly or unwillingly cannot find her happiness and relaxation in yoga the only possible escapes are drugs, smoking, alcohol.

The dialogues betwen Gabe and Jess were too cliche, happy, cheery and not once but over and over and I ended up scanning them and focusing again when the dialogues were over and I felt like I was skipping what I was supposed to be enjoying.

I don't want to be too critical. It was a very human atempt indeed to write a book about this problematic and offer it for free. So, maybe someday I'll get to look at her other works and hopefully the writing will get better in time so might actually enjoy the book.

[Erin Mehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really didn't think I would like this book when I began reading it. It was free from B&N for the Nook and had decent reviews, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

The character development wasn't great, the story moved fast, lacked substance and was pretty predictable. Having said that, I did like reading it and wouldn't steer you away from it IF you just wanted something to read to kill time. It's not the kind of book you read more than once, but I don't feel like I wasted time reading it. I would compare it to a Lifetime made for TV movie. Something about it sucks you in even though it's not the greatest acting ever and you know how it's going to end halfway through; once you start watching though, you just can't walk away.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about this at all. To use one of the authors own sentences "it's Like she watched Pretty Woman too many times"
Unfortunately this was just not a good book! While the storyline had promise, the characters weren't believable. The story moved too fast, it didn't give room for brand new relationships, such as this one, any room to grow or develop in anyway at all. First chapter Jessie and Gabe met, the next they were behaving as if they had been in a relationship for a considerable amount of time! It just didn't work for me.
The language that the characters used seemed to be slightly odd. Childish almost, for what were supposed to be two grown adults. Nothing wrong in childish talk with your partner but it felt awkward to read it, it felt forced and not natural in anyway.
All in all, I wouldn't recommend this book. I got it as a kindle freebie, so I am glad I didn't pay for it.

[Jan Crossen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heather Huffman weaves a fascinating, exciting, and gripping story of human trafficking in the American heartland. I applaud her for shining a bold spotlight on this horrible worldwide reality. Did you know there are more people in slavery today than there were during the height of the transatlantic slave trade? Women and children are especially at risk. This book is the first in her series.

[Megan]

I was completely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.

The coolest part: the heroine saves herself. That's not usually a given in a romantic suspense novel. (I don't think this book neatly fits into the romantic suspense genre--it's first-person POV, and the heroine's journey is the most important aspect of the story--but the suspense is the major aspect of the external plot.) Usually in RS, if there's a burly military cop guy hero, he's usually doing the action hero stuff. Not so in this story. What's awesome is that Jessie is doin' it for herself. Sure, it's with the help of a frying pan, an ex-police dog, and a last-minute gun lesson, but she's the action hero in this book nonetheless, and funny, it didn't emasculate Gabe at all. IMAGINE THAT. So, yes, AWESOME. Jessie being determined to be the woman she wants to be was the best part of the book, and I was cheering for her all the way.

The depiction of prostitution in this book is...okay, I don't want to say sanitized, but it's Barbie-ish, if that makes sense. It's a costume, superficial trappings, that Jessie takes off after a while. Going to yoga class and to the gym and having nights-off at the bar and her friendship with fellow prostitute Harmony (who is a young suburban teen working her way through college but living a second life as a prostitute) are the focus, not the actual work or the psychological/emotional dimension of being a prostitute. Other than their looming and abusive pimp, there's nothing dark or gritty depicted about the life as a prostitute. Even the parts about human trafficking are not personal and are brought only superficially into the story. (Though points to actually bringing up the issue of human trafficking at all.) Prostitution is something that Jessie is able to remove from her life fairly easily (minus the whole Bosnian-mafia-is-after-her aspect), and her trauma is really understated. The prostitution aspect is very one-dimensional, and even if that one-dimension is "prostitution is bad, but hate the sin, not the sinner," it feels shallow.

HOWEVER. I did really love the story. I loved Jessie, I liked Gabe, and the suspense plot was easy enough to follow if not very complicated or drawn out. I liked the cozy domesticity of Jessie establishing her new life, learning new skills, making a home for herself. And, like I said, when the suspense plot comes to a head, Gabe is off-stage and JESSIE SAVES HERSELF. I can't get over how cool that is.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal TBR 50/142

To genuinely enjoy this story, it’s best to suspend one’s disbelief. The purpose of this story isn’t to imitate real life, but to bring awareness to a real life issue: prostitution and human trafficking. There’s certainly room for improvement though. Some of the interactions between Jessie and Gabe felt a bit childish and redundant. Despite its flaws, I still enjoyed the story and its redemptive arc.

[Jay Kenobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this book as a freebie (special offer) based on the Amazon synopsis of Jessie Jones, a prostitute under the control of a pimp, Spence, who meets undercover cop Gabe who gives her an idea of a different future.

Heather Huffman wrote this book to throw a spotlight on the "Throwaway" teens who are abandoned by the foster care system at 18 to somehow try to make their own way in the world.

I found Jessie to be loveable character - she doesn't apologise for her profession, feeling that she had no other options, but she's not bitter, doesn't make excuses and doesn't blame anyone else for the beatings and other unpleasantnesses that go with her profession. She's feisty, caring, plucky, protective of a young prostitute new to the business, and emerges as the heroine of the novel without emasculating the male characters.

I found all the characters interesting - even the detestable pimp! - and the romance was credible, avoiding being too fairytale/Pretty Woman by having it take time & effort to work through the inevitable issues. There was just one romantic scene that didn't work for me (avoiding specifying as I try never to give spoilers!).

What I really liked about this book was the multiple layers to the plot - romance, intrigue, murder, tragedy, corruption, friendship and family. It kept me glued to the book and I finished it in a day.

If I had one criticism it would be that the final denouement felt a little rushed, and not as well-written as the rest of the book. I think the prostitution and human-trafficking aspects of the storyline are probably somewhat....sanitised....compared to the reality, but thoroughly enjoyed this book & applaud the author for dealing with such gritty subjects that most steer clear of.

[DeAnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always happy when I come across a free book that has a lot of good reviews. I admit that when I am looking for a new book to read I usually skim through the bad reviews first to get an idea of why people didn't like a book, then I check out some of the good ones. I found with this book a big complaint was that the setting wasn't realistic, wasn't very true to life. The only thing I say to that is... it's a romance novel, not an exposè on how life is on the streets. It's not based on a true story...it's a romance novel. Take it for what it is, it's something to read for enjoyment and for the romance aspect. Period. Also, it's free. If you don't like it, stop reading, put it down, delete it from your reader. There's no commitment, no loss. Ok, now that that's done, I liked it. Was it the best book I have ever read? No. Was it the worst? No. It was an enjoyable, quick read. I kept turning the pages and when I was done I was glad I had read it. The characters were likeable and the storyline, despite feeling rushed and a bit predictable at times, was interesting. If you're looking for commitment free, quick read, I say go for it. If it's not your cup of tea, just stop reading.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, Jessie, has had a rough life being a throwaway. Wehn she turned 18, she was released from foster care and had no place to go. Spincer became her pimp and helped her survive. One night while she's working with her friend Harmony, a man named Gabe catches her eye. Gabe changes her life in many ways that she could never imagine. After Jessie is released from this life style, she goes on a mission to help other kids coming out of foster care with no place to go.

I liked the book because it was very real in todays world. The author has a detailed and realistic style. This book is not like others ive read because I haven't read books about girls going from being a prostitute to living a normal life. I think other people would like to read it because it's more than we normally hear about in a school day to day schedule. The people who would mostly likely read it are girls who have a connection to foster homes or being adopted.

[Diane Dooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm copying another reader's reveiw of this book, because it really says the same thing that I feel about this book too.

"I really didn't think I would like this book when I began reading it. It was free from B&N for the Nook and had decent reviews, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

The character development wasn't great, the story moved fast, lacked substance and was pretty predictable. Having said that, I did like reading it and wouldn't steer you away from it IF you just wanted something to read to kill time. It's not the kind of book you read more than once, but I don't feel like I wasted time reading it. I would compare it to a Lifetime made for TV movie. Something about it sucks you in even though it's not the greatest acting ever and you know how it's going to end halfway through; once you start watching though, you just can't walk away."

[Allison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite spectacularly not good. The main characters talk to each other like children, when they're meant to be 30-something adults with real life experience - Jessie actually calls Gabe a big, fat jerk during arguments on 2 separate occasions, and not in an ironic way. The pacing is really odd, with some chapters representing hours and some swiftly chronicling the passage of months. Everything happens unrealistically quickly, with Jessie and Gabe meeting one day, escaping away for a weekend together a week later, and exchanging I love you's and behaving like a long term couple shortly after. Their relationship feels very inauthentic because it develops way too quickly. The characters do a lot of scowling at one another, pouting, curling up on couches, and flying into sudden, unreasonable fits of anger that for some reason don't worry any of the other characters.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story. It was a freebie/indie read and it felt it. The other problem I had was that it wasn't explicit (sexually) which brought up a lot of questions with the plot itself. I'm not sure it made sense to deal with such sexual topics (she's a prostitute) without going into some of the specifics, especially when they have ramifications later in the story (ie. she's always on about protection, but then she ends up pregnant, etc). I did appreciate the star-crossed lovers aspect of the story, and both characters were likeable.

[Sienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A girl who has been deemed worthless. A cop intending to take her in, only to falter. The problems they must face: The past, the present, the future, friends, and those you love. When you can't have everything, you must choose what you can't live without. I highly recommend this book, especially if you love a little mystery and excitement. The author has painted an old picture and made it new again, making this book one worth every minute you spend reading it.

[Kelly Laderoute · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though not the best book I've ever read, somehow I couldn't put it down. 500 pages went by in a blur. If there were a sequel to this book, I would love to read it.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story! Great ending and the epilogue was perfect! I'm a happy camper =)

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 for an interesting story with very likable main characters. I added .5 stars for the fact that Throwaway is FREE. I enjoyed this story and hope that others will read this reading bargain.

[Kerryn (RatherBeReading) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Throwaway by Heather Huffman, the first book in the Throwaways series, is a book about the unexpected second chances that life can bring. A ray of hope in the dark corners of the world. For fourteen years, Jessie Jones has been under the thumb of pimp, Spence. A life she has resigned herself to, until Gabe Adams, an undercover cop, walks into her life. Gabe offers her something she never thought would be for her: love, a home and a future. But she can’t walk away so easily. From the streets of St. Louis to the caves of the Ozarks, will Jessie allow herself to be loved and love in return? Will she take the chance at the life she always thought wouldn’t be hers?
Throwaway and its series is described as a “surprisingly warm and funny series” with “strong but often unlikely heroes and heroines.” A series, with twelve books in total, promised to be “a world of suspense, laughter, and love.” I don’t know about the entire series; however, Throwaway did not hold up to this description. The characters were unrealistic. There’s one character who has a “contract” with the pimp in order to pay for school?!?! Seriously! A pimp is just going to let one of “his girls” go because they have a contract? And what pimp would agree to this? The dialogue was childish and repetitive. I thought Throwaway would be a fun, edgy romance with a twist; but it fell flat. I will not be continuing the series and I do not recommend Throwaway.

Throwaway is available in paperback and eBook.

[J.C. Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huffman’s narrative is unique in that in many ways it’s very understated, but still manages to hit home with a satisfying punch. This is the second novel I’ve read by the author. When I picked up that first book, I was pleasantly surprised by her writing style. For some reason, I thought maybe it was unique to that specific novel, but I was happy to experience it again in Throwaway.

I didn’t really know what to expect from this book. I knew it was about a prostitute and a cop—which was a pretty intriguing combination—but then I was lucky enough to catch an interview Huffman did in which she talked about the story. She mentioned the notorious outlaw Jesse James and talked about a historic cave. I had to read to see how all of those things could be intertwined. I can’t possibly share any of the details here and not spoil things for future readers, so I won’t. I will say, though, that I was not disappointed.

There were many things I enjoyed about this book, but one line in particular has really stuck in my mind. “Sometimes in life, there are pivotal moments. While seemingly benign on the surface, something within acknowledges that a bridge has been crossed.” This really resonated with me on a personal level, and Huffman beautifully encapsulates Throwaway with these meaningful words.

[Elli (Kindig Blog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Throwaway... Hmm where to begin? I've been putting off writing this review because, to be honest, I'm not really sure what I thought of this book, and that can never be a good thing...

The first thing that is odd is the main characters profession and setting for the first part of the book. Jessie is a prostitute working for a pimp, however the author approaches this as if her main profession is a supermarket clerk for Tesco's. No mention is made to clients or the seediness or danger of the job early on, Jessie has a very 'I like my job, take it or leave it' attitude which serves to almost glamorize or at least trivialize the problems with working the streets.

The rest of the story is a standard romance, with a bit of a heart-warming message and thriller/action thrown in but the book itself darts from theme to theme, seemingly unsure of where to go next. There were some truly moving parts in it, some very fast paced sequences and some bits that were so slow I put the book down several times and had to force myself to pick it back up. The writing style is also very poor in places.

Overall, I got it for free so can't complain too much but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Stephenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has some violence and harsh subjects that are discussed. The author is respectful about all of the subjects and the reader can't help but feel like she has been through them, or researched them extensively and that makes the reader like the book even more.

The reader will run through the entire gamut of emotions - they will cry, laugh, yell, ugly cry, curse, and ugly snot cry. Have plenty of tissues handy, you are going to need them when you read this one! The reader will root for Jessie right from the start. You want her to have her HEA. You want the tables to turn so that she has a bit of happy in her life. You will find yourself with a book hangover and you will be thinking about this story long after you are done reading it.

This was my first book by author Heather Huffman, but it won't be my last! I loved her style of writing, her characters and her ideas. She is now a must read author for me!

[Vera-Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

So despite what Goodreads says, I have read this before. I read it years ago before I had this. This was such a nostalgic book for me and I thought I wouldn't love it as much as I did the first time, but I did. I love love LOVE Jessie and Gabe. They're just so adorable, and I love them so much. It is very much a character heavy book, and I'm not mad about it. I love the side characters too like Hailey, Harmony, Milo, Ethan, and Vance. I loved the romance. They were just so adorable, and I loved everything about it.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways, this is not very well-written or well-edited (For example, there are lots of misspellings and homonyms used by accident.) But it’s an quick, easy read, and I instantly liked the main character, Jessica. So I enjoyed reading it in spite of what I thought of as its poor quality. Some parts aren't even remotely believable, but, again, I was fine suspending my disbelief. I think I got this as a free book for my Nook, so it was definitely worth the price.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! There are people who feel unloved, forgotten and hopeless. There is a dark side to their lives but they are all human with feelings like me and you. The book tells the story of one such person who was caught in a life of crime and corruption and the length that she went to help save others from such a life.

A great novel of love and acceptance!

[Janet Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Kept me up late at night just to see where we were headed next! The characters are so believable and real. I enjoyed the bit of mystery and suspense in this love story! Descriptions of scenery were so amazing. There were parts where you could smell the dampness of the clay in the cave.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep and real

Heather hits home on the injustices heaped on the "throwaways"! She paints a real and vivid picture of what really happens to runaways, aged out foster children and victims of sex slavery! Good job!

[Savanah Schwarz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decent story with romance.. easy read

Easy to get through.. not very hard to get interested. The romance was quick and the troubles were many. Slightly cheesy, but worth reading. It is a guilty pleasure that provides easy escape.