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Twisted Legacy Duet #1-2
Twisted Legacy: The Complete Duet
From International Bestselling Author, CoraLee June, comes a raw, twisted, age-gap romance between a girl in the public eye and her stepfather's brother.
When my mother married Joseph Beauregard, I never imagined that I'd fall in love with my stepfather's younger brother. It's forbidden. He's dangerous. I've never wanted someone more.
But the secrets behind his family's bloody legacy will ruin us both.
Hamilton broke me. He betrayed me.
He made me fall in love with a lie.
But he is the only way I’ll survive.
When my mother married Joseph Beauregard, I never imagined that I'd fall in love with my stepfather's younger brother. It's forbidden. He's dangerous. I've never wanted someone more.
But the secrets behind his family's bloody legacy will ruin us both.
Hamilton broke me. He betrayed me.
He made me fall in love with a lie.
But he is the only way I’ll survive.
- GenresM F Romance
469 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2021
48 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Coralee June
78 books2,995 followersAuthor Coralee June has always been passionate about storytelling and impressed by the influence it has on people and the decisions they make in life. She loves engaging with the projects she works on, diving headfirst into developing real, raw, and relatable characters that are equally flawed and beautiful. Coralee lives in Dallas, Tx with her husband and two daughters. She's been known to frequently indulge in boxed red wine and day-old pizza. When she's not writing, June is reading or substitute teaching at the local middle school.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 26, 2021
Book 1 review:
Stories. From the day we are born, we hear stories. Stories about our world, stories about others, stories about ourselves. They become part of the fabric of who we are, how others perceive us, shape our identity, our world view, and seep into our subconscious. Until we can no longer tell where the story ends and where we begin. What parts of our identity are our own, are true, and what is part of the stories about us. That truth is the beating heart of Bastards and Scapegoats- a story so rivetingly fresh, so astutely provocative and beautifully profound that you’ll be thinking about it for days later. Intensely meta and emotionally turbulent, this is some of Cora’s best writing to date.
Our heroine Vera has been trapped in a narrative beyond her control from the day she was born. Born to a single teenage mother, subject at a young age to the gritty realities of poverty, she’s learned to survive. Doing everything she can to support her mother who works several jobs, Vera learned to care for herself at a young age. But at least she had her mother- her best friend, her person. Until her mother finds a new person- a rich and powerful politician who sweeps her off her feet- and soon Vera finds herself in a dress she hates schmoozing with the elite. From rags to riches overnight, Vera isn’t sure how to adjust to her new world, which includes a fancy college and a new family and a now distant mother. But the most jarring of all? Hamilton Beuregard- the arrogant, trouble making new step-uncle that she can’t seem to escape. She’s not sure what he wants with her, and any entanglements with him won’t only irritate her new stepfather but will also cause immense public scandal for this political family. Only problem is Hamilton doesn’t seem to care- and won’t stay away. What ensues is an angsty, complicated, sensual, and tumultuous story as we are immersed in drama much bigger than that of these two. Like all other CoraLee June books, Bastards and Scapegoats is addictively entertaining- and SEXY AF- you’ll be addicted from page one.
But, this is so much more than that. Because remember- this is about stories. The stories of two bastards, turned two scapegoats. Vera is trapped in her own story- perpetually trying to disprove the narrative told about children from poverty, from single parent homes, from teen pregnancies. But most of all, she’s trying to atone for the story she’s heard from her own mother about Vera’s impact on her life. She’s born the burden of her mother’s decisions her entire life- and has put herself in a tightly wound and repressed box to protect her mother- to repay her. She’s a secondary character in her own life- motivated by guilt and responsibility. She’s mature, deeply patient and compassionate. There’s a stoic responsibility to her, a muted vulnerability, a charming naivete. But, her atonement is her own perfectionism. Hamilton, on the other hand, doesn’t want to atone. He embraces his narrative- the outcast, delinquent son born out of a scandal. He’s arrogant, brash, destructive, volatile, but at his core, incredibly broken. While Vera swallows her pain and hurt, Hamilton weaponizies his. But we also see another man under his defiant shell- a sweet, loving, and tender caregiver and protector. Where do the real Hamilton and Vera begin and where do the stories told about them end? And can they take control of their own story?
AH- well, that is what makes this book so profound and interesting- because both of these characters are so lost in the narratives that surround them, they’re trying to figure out that answer, too. And that is what makes the chemistry and connection between these two so undeniable, so INTENSE. Almost fated. Both started as bastard children who from their first breath unequivocally changed...perhaps ruined….their parents’ lives. A burden that has been so heavy, it has cracked their very foundation. A burden that tortures them. And soon, the bastards also became scapegoats for everyone else's troubles and pain-so much so that THAT story now controls them. And it routinely emotionally assaults and hurts them. Neither has been living for themselves- because both have been living to address those narratives. These stories that shaped others’ perceptions of them have now shaped their OWN perceptions of themselves. With Vera staunchly trying to rebuke her narrative- only to lose her own identity within it. And Hamilton spitefully claiming his narrative, leaning into it to hurt others only to hurt himself. Both are lost, are broken and hurt, but they find solace, freedom, and UNDERSTANDING in the very last person they expected- each other. They finally find someone who sees beyond the story and sees their core- in a way that pushes them to look within for their own truth, their own needs in ways neither have before.
Unpacking all of that, though, is messy and destructive- and Hamilton and Vera are ever bit combustible and toxic as they are healing and liberating to one another. Because reclaiming your own story, taking control of your narrative is a daunting task when your entire being has been shaped by the stories and needs of others. And both learn quickly finding your own truth can be painful and scary- especially when you are opening your heart to another. Both are on a quest to scribe their own story- to be the architect of their own truths. And that is where they falter- where they struggle, because truth isn’t told- it’s discerned, it’s lived. And to find the truth in each other, they have to face the truth within themselves. Hard enough on its own, but especially when but all facing the chaotic web of lies and secrets that surround them.
This is what I love most about Cora’s writing- her commitment to painting a truth about humanity through the metaphysical experience of her characters. The ways in which she breathes life into complex, nuanced, entirely dimensional characters whose journeys have something to say about how we exist as humans- characters whose stories are both deliciously entertaining and sexy but whose journeys also have a point of view. And what a poignant and relevant message for the time we are living in- when truth is now a relative concept.
Of course, this is a duet- so it ends on a heart breaking, soul shattering cliffhanger that will leave you bereft and begging for the next book. I don’t know what the path forward will be, but I’m left with so many delicious questions, the most important of all is this: who controls their stories now? MUAHAHA I can’t wait!
Book 2:
What a deliciously dramatic and shocking conclusion! Thorns and Forgiveness is sensual, angsty, and tumultuous at every turn. This duet is some of CoraLee June's most intense and profoundly evocative writing to date- jaw dropping entertainment paired with a riveting emotional complexity. This is a story that will break your heart before it heals it- a journey that is complicated and intense, but one that is that much more rewarding in the end.
Our story picks up after the devastating and shocking revelations of book 1- leaving Vera yet again the casualty of the needs and agendas of others, broken by the people who are meant to love and protect her. Hurting, isolated, and shattered, she’s faced with a proposition- one we didn’t see her come to terms with. Thorns and Forgiveness, though, is all about these characters coming to terms with their ish. And it is nothing like you expect- but such is the beauty of a CLJ story- and such is the nature of her volatile and unpredictable leading man, Hamilton. Thorns and Forgiveness is more emotional, more intense, more passionate, more dangerous, more shocking. All the MORES. So much angst, so much heartbreak, and so much emotion- this conclusion devastates as much as it uplifts. Both characters have to fully destruct before they can heal the wounds, before they can forgive- and the journey there is hard, brutal at times, and surprising at every turn. If you thought the hurt was deep at the end of book 1, just wait. The thorns go deep.
BS was really Vera’s story- a character recognizing that she was not writing the narrative of her own life, that she’s been living as an apology to others her entire life. A realization catalyzed by her destructive but passionate love for Hamilton- a man who too was defined by the story told about him. Destroying her narrative might not have been of her making- for Vera it really happened at the hands of others- but in TF, rebuilding her identity, redefining her story, is on her terms. And what a character arc- Vera’s growth is magical. Cora so artfully juxtaposes the Vera of book one with book 2- we get to see Vera find out who she is and stand strong in herself. Vera’s story is about power- a power she finds by the careful extraction of each and every thorn from the pretty illusion that was her identity to free herself, to reclaim herself. Because what is so great about her story is that Vera isn’t created anew- she’s still the Vera we know and love, but she’s a FREE Vera. A strong Vera. An empowered Vera. A Vera who is, at long last, writing her own story.
Hamilton, on the other hand, is in disarray. While Vera is stronger and evolved, Hamilton has yet to fully break. But Cora breaks him- and us- routinely. While this story continues the saga of this twisted and scandalous family and Hamilton’s story with Vera, book 2 is really more about him. His decisions, his mistakes, his agony and hurt, his redemption. Like Vera, Hamilton too needs to freed- but his path there is different. Hamilton has spent every moment running away from who he is- and not only his name- playing up his trouble making, the ne’er do well persona. And now Hamilon has to own who he is, and what he’s done. He too has to take back control of his own story- not just for himself, but out of love for Vera- the first not selfish act of his life. And to do that he has to face his foes- the Beauregard legacy and himself. And that requires the hardest kind of acceptance and forgiveness- Hamilton has to forgive himself. He has to find his own worth while forging his own path- a path that isn’t about destruction and self-loathing. More than anyone, he has to figure out who he wants to be.
The chemistry here is beautifully painful. YES- these two hurt quite a bit as they work through the toxic roots of their connection. Roots they have to unearth to plant a new and healthier base. Roots that can not grow until they address their own baggage. Hurting each other is easy- but loving, well loving is much harder. But as much as they hurt each other, they find their own truths, and they keep finding their way back to each other and their love. A love that teaches them the most important lesson of all- how to own who they are, how to be FREE. It is a love that breaks, but it is a love that liberates and restores. So they learn to fight- fight for themselves so that they can fight for each other. They are chaos and peace, light and dark, broken and whole.
This story is so brilliantly told- and not only because of all the gritty twists and turns and intense angst. Cora artfully uses pace to build the anticipation, parallels to deepen our character journeys, and brilliant contrasts to highlight the emotional growth of these complicated, flawed, and captivating characters. The prose is so deliciously meta-about feeling, about growth, about understanding. About characters who find meaning in their pain and trauma. And that is what I love about CLJ. What makes CoraLee June such a compelling and powerful voice isn’t just that her writing is entertaining, sexy, and delightfully trope subversive- what makes her a favorite are the subtle but profound ways CoraLee infuses complex meaning into her stories. Her writing is gutsy, bold. And you can tell that she is bleeding parts of herself into the page with every carefully crafted word. But she’s also bleeding parts of us- observing and exposing parts of our humanity, subtle themes woven into her gutsy, dramatic narratives. That is what makes her stories juicy and addictive while they also move us in some way- unsettle, inspire, or even perplex us. Hamilton and Vera’s story is explosive and visceral – not only because of the emotional turbulence Cora writes in their character journeys but because of the ways they make us think about our own. By exposing her characters, she exposes parts of us.
Thorns and Forgiveness is a perfect conclusion- one as epic, sexy, and shocking as book 1- but also one full of existential meaning. A story about identity and self-actualization. A story about metaphysical freedom, a story that inspires us to think about our own conception of self- about our own story. And that kind of a story is a story worth telling- a story that holds you. Brava, CLJ- this is character writing at it’s finest, and I could not love Vera or Hamilton more.
Stories. From the day we are born, we hear stories. Stories about our world, stories about others, stories about ourselves. They become part of the fabric of who we are, how others perceive us, shape our identity, our world view, and seep into our subconscious. Until we can no longer tell where the story ends and where we begin. What parts of our identity are our own, are true, and what is part of the stories about us. That truth is the beating heart of Bastards and Scapegoats- a story so rivetingly fresh, so astutely provocative and beautifully profound that you’ll be thinking about it for days later. Intensely meta and emotionally turbulent, this is some of Cora’s best writing to date.
Our heroine Vera has been trapped in a narrative beyond her control from the day she was born. Born to a single teenage mother, subject at a young age to the gritty realities of poverty, she’s learned to survive. Doing everything she can to support her mother who works several jobs, Vera learned to care for herself at a young age. But at least she had her mother- her best friend, her person. Until her mother finds a new person- a rich and powerful politician who sweeps her off her feet- and soon Vera finds herself in a dress she hates schmoozing with the elite. From rags to riches overnight, Vera isn’t sure how to adjust to her new world, which includes a fancy college and a new family and a now distant mother. But the most jarring of all? Hamilton Beuregard- the arrogant, trouble making new step-uncle that she can’t seem to escape. She’s not sure what he wants with her, and any entanglements with him won’t only irritate her new stepfather but will also cause immense public scandal for this political family. Only problem is Hamilton doesn’t seem to care- and won’t stay away. What ensues is an angsty, complicated, sensual, and tumultuous story as we are immersed in drama much bigger than that of these two. Like all other CoraLee June books, Bastards and Scapegoats is addictively entertaining- and SEXY AF- you’ll be addicted from page one.
But, this is so much more than that. Because remember- this is about stories. The stories of two bastards, turned two scapegoats. Vera is trapped in her own story- perpetually trying to disprove the narrative told about children from poverty, from single parent homes, from teen pregnancies. But most of all, she’s trying to atone for the story she’s heard from her own mother about Vera’s impact on her life. She’s born the burden of her mother’s decisions her entire life- and has put herself in a tightly wound and repressed box to protect her mother- to repay her. She’s a secondary character in her own life- motivated by guilt and responsibility. She’s mature, deeply patient and compassionate. There’s a stoic responsibility to her, a muted vulnerability, a charming naivete. But, her atonement is her own perfectionism. Hamilton, on the other hand, doesn’t want to atone. He embraces his narrative- the outcast, delinquent son born out of a scandal. He’s arrogant, brash, destructive, volatile, but at his core, incredibly broken. While Vera swallows her pain and hurt, Hamilton weaponizies his. But we also see another man under his defiant shell- a sweet, loving, and tender caregiver and protector. Where do the real Hamilton and Vera begin and where do the stories told about them end? And can they take control of their own story?
AH- well, that is what makes this book so profound and interesting- because both of these characters are so lost in the narratives that surround them, they’re trying to figure out that answer, too. And that is what makes the chemistry and connection between these two so undeniable, so INTENSE. Almost fated. Both started as bastard children who from their first breath unequivocally changed...perhaps ruined….their parents’ lives. A burden that has been so heavy, it has cracked their very foundation. A burden that tortures them. And soon, the bastards also became scapegoats for everyone else's troubles and pain-so much so that THAT story now controls them. And it routinely emotionally assaults and hurts them. Neither has been living for themselves- because both have been living to address those narratives. These stories that shaped others’ perceptions of them have now shaped their OWN perceptions of themselves. With Vera staunchly trying to rebuke her narrative- only to lose her own identity within it. And Hamilton spitefully claiming his narrative, leaning into it to hurt others only to hurt himself. Both are lost, are broken and hurt, but they find solace, freedom, and UNDERSTANDING in the very last person they expected- each other. They finally find someone who sees beyond the story and sees their core- in a way that pushes them to look within for their own truth, their own needs in ways neither have before.
Unpacking all of that, though, is messy and destructive- and Hamilton and Vera are ever bit combustible and toxic as they are healing and liberating to one another. Because reclaiming your own story, taking control of your narrative is a daunting task when your entire being has been shaped by the stories and needs of others. And both learn quickly finding your own truth can be painful and scary- especially when you are opening your heart to another. Both are on a quest to scribe their own story- to be the architect of their own truths. And that is where they falter- where they struggle, because truth isn’t told- it’s discerned, it’s lived. And to find the truth in each other, they have to face the truth within themselves. Hard enough on its own, but especially when but all facing the chaotic web of lies and secrets that surround them.
This is what I love most about Cora’s writing- her commitment to painting a truth about humanity through the metaphysical experience of her characters. The ways in which she breathes life into complex, nuanced, entirely dimensional characters whose journeys have something to say about how we exist as humans- characters whose stories are both deliciously entertaining and sexy but whose journeys also have a point of view. And what a poignant and relevant message for the time we are living in- when truth is now a relative concept.
Of course, this is a duet- so it ends on a heart breaking, soul shattering cliffhanger that will leave you bereft and begging for the next book. I don’t know what the path forward will be, but I’m left with so many delicious questions, the most important of all is this: who controls their stories now? MUAHAHA I can’t wait!
Book 2:
What a deliciously dramatic and shocking conclusion! Thorns and Forgiveness is sensual, angsty, and tumultuous at every turn. This duet is some of CoraLee June's most intense and profoundly evocative writing to date- jaw dropping entertainment paired with a riveting emotional complexity. This is a story that will break your heart before it heals it- a journey that is complicated and intense, but one that is that much more rewarding in the end.
Our story picks up after the devastating and shocking revelations of book 1- leaving Vera yet again the casualty of the needs and agendas of others, broken by the people who are meant to love and protect her. Hurting, isolated, and shattered, she’s faced with a proposition- one we didn’t see her come to terms with. Thorns and Forgiveness, though, is all about these characters coming to terms with their ish. And it is nothing like you expect- but such is the beauty of a CLJ story- and such is the nature of her volatile and unpredictable leading man, Hamilton. Thorns and Forgiveness is more emotional, more intense, more passionate, more dangerous, more shocking. All the MORES. So much angst, so much heartbreak, and so much emotion- this conclusion devastates as much as it uplifts. Both characters have to fully destruct before they can heal the wounds, before they can forgive- and the journey there is hard, brutal at times, and surprising at every turn. If you thought the hurt was deep at the end of book 1, just wait. The thorns go deep.
BS was really Vera’s story- a character recognizing that she was not writing the narrative of her own life, that she’s been living as an apology to others her entire life. A realization catalyzed by her destructive but passionate love for Hamilton- a man who too was defined by the story told about him. Destroying her narrative might not have been of her making- for Vera it really happened at the hands of others- but in TF, rebuilding her identity, redefining her story, is on her terms. And what a character arc- Vera’s growth is magical. Cora so artfully juxtaposes the Vera of book one with book 2- we get to see Vera find out who she is and stand strong in herself. Vera’s story is about power- a power she finds by the careful extraction of each and every thorn from the pretty illusion that was her identity to free herself, to reclaim herself. Because what is so great about her story is that Vera isn’t created anew- she’s still the Vera we know and love, but she’s a FREE Vera. A strong Vera. An empowered Vera. A Vera who is, at long last, writing her own story.
Hamilton, on the other hand, is in disarray. While Vera is stronger and evolved, Hamilton has yet to fully break. But Cora breaks him- and us- routinely. While this story continues the saga of this twisted and scandalous family and Hamilton’s story with Vera, book 2 is really more about him. His decisions, his mistakes, his agony and hurt, his redemption. Like Vera, Hamilton too needs to freed- but his path there is different. Hamilton has spent every moment running away from who he is- and not only his name- playing up his trouble making, the ne’er do well persona. And now Hamilon has to own who he is, and what he’s done. He too has to take back control of his own story- not just for himself, but out of love for Vera- the first not selfish act of his life. And to do that he has to face his foes- the Beauregard legacy and himself. And that requires the hardest kind of acceptance and forgiveness- Hamilton has to forgive himself. He has to find his own worth while forging his own path- a path that isn’t about destruction and self-loathing. More than anyone, he has to figure out who he wants to be.
The chemistry here is beautifully painful. YES- these two hurt quite a bit as they work through the toxic roots of their connection. Roots they have to unearth to plant a new and healthier base. Roots that can not grow until they address their own baggage. Hurting each other is easy- but loving, well loving is much harder. But as much as they hurt each other, they find their own truths, and they keep finding their way back to each other and their love. A love that teaches them the most important lesson of all- how to own who they are, how to be FREE. It is a love that breaks, but it is a love that liberates and restores. So they learn to fight- fight for themselves so that they can fight for each other. They are chaos and peace, light and dark, broken and whole.
This story is so brilliantly told- and not only because of all the gritty twists and turns and intense angst. Cora artfully uses pace to build the anticipation, parallels to deepen our character journeys, and brilliant contrasts to highlight the emotional growth of these complicated, flawed, and captivating characters. The prose is so deliciously meta-about feeling, about growth, about understanding. About characters who find meaning in their pain and trauma. And that is what I love about CLJ. What makes CoraLee June such a compelling and powerful voice isn’t just that her writing is entertaining, sexy, and delightfully trope subversive- what makes her a favorite are the subtle but profound ways CoraLee infuses complex meaning into her stories. Her writing is gutsy, bold. And you can tell that she is bleeding parts of herself into the page with every carefully crafted word. But she’s also bleeding parts of us- observing and exposing parts of our humanity, subtle themes woven into her gutsy, dramatic narratives. That is what makes her stories juicy and addictive while they also move us in some way- unsettle, inspire, or even perplex us. Hamilton and Vera’s story is explosive and visceral – not only because of the emotional turbulence Cora writes in their character journeys but because of the ways they make us think about our own. By exposing her characters, she exposes parts of us.
Thorns and Forgiveness is a perfect conclusion- one as epic, sexy, and shocking as book 1- but also one full of existential meaning. A story about identity and self-actualization. A story about metaphysical freedom, a story that inspires us to think about our own conception of self- about our own story. And that kind of a story is a story worth telling- a story that holds you. Brava, CLJ- this is character writing at it’s finest, and I could not love Vera or Hamilton more.
July 19, 2021
4.75 stars
March 22, 2021
Twisted Legacy: The Complete Duet contains both Bastards and Scapegoats and Thorns and Forgiveness.
Bastards and Scapegoats was an engrossing tale that had me totally consumed and I couldn't put it down. This is the 1st book in the Twisted Legacy duet and Coralee June has outdone herself. This slightly taboo age gap romance was intriguing and riveting, filled with secrets and lies, sizzling steamy scenes, intense, undeniable chemistry, well developed characters and a plot so well written you will be thinking about it long after you've finished reading. It was suspenseful, emotional and heartbreaking and will take you on a twisted ride that ends in a major cliff hanger which will leave you begging for the next book. This 5 star novel is a definite must read and I would highly recommend it.
Thorns and Forgiveness is the conclusion to the Twisted Legacy Duet and what an ending. The story picks up where book 1 left off and it was intense, angsty, heartbreaking and steamy with some mind-blowing twists and turns I did not see coming .It will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride and you'll enjoy every moment of it. I loved watching Vera find her strength in this novel and stand up for her self. You see the changes in both her and Hamilton as the story progressed and this character development along with the chemistry, steam, drama and suspense had me frantically turning the pages. The conclusion to this twisted family drama had my jaw dropping and did not disappoint. It had me totally invested and I would highly recommend it to all lovers of age gap/forbidden romance.
Bastards and Scapegoats was an engrossing tale that had me totally consumed and I couldn't put it down. This is the 1st book in the Twisted Legacy duet and Coralee June has outdone herself. This slightly taboo age gap romance was intriguing and riveting, filled with secrets and lies, sizzling steamy scenes, intense, undeniable chemistry, well developed characters and a plot so well written you will be thinking about it long after you've finished reading. It was suspenseful, emotional and heartbreaking and will take you on a twisted ride that ends in a major cliff hanger which will leave you begging for the next book. This 5 star novel is a definite must read and I would highly recommend it.
Thorns and Forgiveness is the conclusion to the Twisted Legacy Duet and what an ending. The story picks up where book 1 left off and it was intense, angsty, heartbreaking and steamy with some mind-blowing twists and turns I did not see coming .It will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride and you'll enjoy every moment of it. I loved watching Vera find her strength in this novel and stand up for her self. You see the changes in both her and Hamilton as the story progressed and this character development along with the chemistry, steam, drama and suspense had me frantically turning the pages. The conclusion to this twisted family drama had my jaw dropping and did not disappoint. It had me totally invested and I would highly recommend it to all lovers of age gap/forbidden romance.
March 23, 2021
Perfect match
This duet is such perfection! I have loved following Vera and Hamilton through their stories of trauma and healing. Here are my individual reviews of both books in this duet:
B*stards and Scapegoats
You know those romance novels, where you pretend to be the main character as you read because you are so enamored with her cool job or her fun life or her budding romance with the hero, after a cheeky meet cute that kicked things off? This is NOT that story. No, this is a book full of flawed characters, each moving through this story in vastly different ways, either because of, or in spite of, their own emotional trauma. Vera’s story begins as she steps into the world of the political elite, where lies told through plastic smiles become as thin as filigree, and eventually give way to the truth. Vera discovers Hamilton Beauregard, her brand-new step-uncle, in less than ideal circumstances, and quickly finds that he will not tolerate the space she attempts to put between them. Vera and Hamilton have a level of steamy chemistry that is almost immediate, but still authentic. But they both have darkness in their pasts, and the knowledge of those heavy emotions simmering beneath the surface will make you feel anxious, peeking around to each next page just knowing Cora will be swooping in to break your heart at any moment! Don’t worry, she won’t let you down there! Every time I read a new book by CoraLee June, I determine it a favorite, but this time I think this is my absolute number one. Cora has an interminable capacity for creating characters of profound depth, that readers may love, hate, or even fear. I am constantly in awe of her ability to carve emotions from us as we read and react to these characters, and this book is a prime example of her skill in doing so. Now excuse me while I scream into my pillow until the second book is available.
Thorns and Forgiveness
When Cora ended the first book with a cliffhanger, I felt like I couldn’t breathe because of the pain that we left Vera in. Just a warning, Ms. June is not in the business of giving you simplistic emotions and plot lines that are fixed in a chapter. No, no, she will rip your heart out even further, just to ensure it was properly broken. In book one, we began to know our flawed characters, both Vera and Hamilton, but also Vera’s mom Lilah. We got regular glimpses at their past trauma, but Thorns and Forgiveness brought all of that emotional trauma to the forefront and made every character face it head on, whether willingly or not. For Vera, that came in the form of pain, yes, but also tremendous growth. We as readers can almost see Vera’s backbone becoming solid as she stands up to her mother about their toxic relationship and also with Hamilton, as he tries to find his own path out of pain. Like many of Cora’s previous books, Thorns and Forgiveness is stunningly authentic and gripping, and I can refer you to more than a handful of sections in this book that broke me down into tears. Rest assured that this is not just a story of emotional torment and growth because there is most certainly a WHOLE lot of drama! I picture Cora weaving the various threads of this plot like red yarn on a conspiracy theory board. This plot blew up in my face after I made assumptions about where it was going. I know better than that, because although Cora is loved most for her grippingly emotional characters, she is also a beautiful storyteller, and she refuses to place those incredible characters within a mediocre arc. Thorns and Forgiveness was so unexpected, the absolute perfect conclusion to this duet that I could not be any more in love with.
This duet is such perfection! I have loved following Vera and Hamilton through their stories of trauma and healing. Here are my individual reviews of both books in this duet:
B*stards and Scapegoats
You know those romance novels, where you pretend to be the main character as you read because you are so enamored with her cool job or her fun life or her budding romance with the hero, after a cheeky meet cute that kicked things off? This is NOT that story. No, this is a book full of flawed characters, each moving through this story in vastly different ways, either because of, or in spite of, their own emotional trauma. Vera’s story begins as she steps into the world of the political elite, where lies told through plastic smiles become as thin as filigree, and eventually give way to the truth. Vera discovers Hamilton Beauregard, her brand-new step-uncle, in less than ideal circumstances, and quickly finds that he will not tolerate the space she attempts to put between them. Vera and Hamilton have a level of steamy chemistry that is almost immediate, but still authentic. But they both have darkness in their pasts, and the knowledge of those heavy emotions simmering beneath the surface will make you feel anxious, peeking around to each next page just knowing Cora will be swooping in to break your heart at any moment! Don’t worry, she won’t let you down there! Every time I read a new book by CoraLee June, I determine it a favorite, but this time I think this is my absolute number one. Cora has an interminable capacity for creating characters of profound depth, that readers may love, hate, or even fear. I am constantly in awe of her ability to carve emotions from us as we read and react to these characters, and this book is a prime example of her skill in doing so. Now excuse me while I scream into my pillow until the second book is available.
Thorns and Forgiveness
When Cora ended the first book with a cliffhanger, I felt like I couldn’t breathe because of the pain that we left Vera in. Just a warning, Ms. June is not in the business of giving you simplistic emotions and plot lines that are fixed in a chapter. No, no, she will rip your heart out even further, just to ensure it was properly broken. In book one, we began to know our flawed characters, both Vera and Hamilton, but also Vera’s mom Lilah. We got regular glimpses at their past trauma, but Thorns and Forgiveness brought all of that emotional trauma to the forefront and made every character face it head on, whether willingly or not. For Vera, that came in the form of pain, yes, but also tremendous growth. We as readers can almost see Vera’s backbone becoming solid as she stands up to her mother about their toxic relationship and also with Hamilton, as he tries to find his own path out of pain. Like many of Cora’s previous books, Thorns and Forgiveness is stunningly authentic and gripping, and I can refer you to more than a handful of sections in this book that broke me down into tears. Rest assured that this is not just a story of emotional torment and growth because there is most certainly a WHOLE lot of drama! I picture Cora weaving the various threads of this plot like red yarn on a conspiracy theory board. This plot blew up in my face after I made assumptions about where it was going. I know better than that, because although Cora is loved most for her grippingly emotional characters, she is also a beautiful storyteller, and she refuses to place those incredible characters within a mediocre arc. Thorns and Forgiveness was so unexpected, the absolute perfect conclusion to this duet that I could not be any more in love with.
March 22, 2021
June gripped my heart from the very first page to the last!
Book 1
This book takes us back to Coralee’s angsty, heartbreaking story telling roots. I blew through this book, and was left saying “no” when I hit the final page. I want to know what happens….. I NEED to know what happens!! In a year where reality sucks it is wonderful to fall into the pages of a wonderfully written book to help get away from reality just a bit.
Hamilton is the black sheep of his family, and has suffered much at the hands of his family. Vera was born to a young mom, and grew up with her mom at the same time. They both have trauma from their lives, and they handle it in vastly different ways.
This book is about realizing that you can’t always count on those who seem to be there for you, and finding the strength in yourself to keep moving forward.
This book will cut you at the knees, gasping at the words, and flying through the pages to see what happens next in only true Coralee fashion.
Book 2
We pick up right where book 1 left off with Hamilton and Vera. Vera continues to attempt to find some self-preservation in the world where everyone is trying to run her life. We get to see Vera taking a stand, and realizing she can only rely on herself. In the process, new relationships are made, and old ties are broken.
Hamilton attempts to step up to the plate to be the man that Vera knows he can be, and that she deserves. This will take some soul searching, and new realizations on his part to finally get a clear picture of the life he realizes he wants.
June wraps up this duet with a twisted ending that left me stunned, surprised, and satisfied with through the very last word.
Book 1
This book takes us back to Coralee’s angsty, heartbreaking story telling roots. I blew through this book, and was left saying “no” when I hit the final page. I want to know what happens….. I NEED to know what happens!! In a year where reality sucks it is wonderful to fall into the pages of a wonderfully written book to help get away from reality just a bit.
Hamilton is the black sheep of his family, and has suffered much at the hands of his family. Vera was born to a young mom, and grew up with her mom at the same time. They both have trauma from their lives, and they handle it in vastly different ways.
This book is about realizing that you can’t always count on those who seem to be there for you, and finding the strength in yourself to keep moving forward.
This book will cut you at the knees, gasping at the words, and flying through the pages to see what happens next in only true Coralee fashion.
Book 2
We pick up right where book 1 left off with Hamilton and Vera. Vera continues to attempt to find some self-preservation in the world where everyone is trying to run her life. We get to see Vera taking a stand, and realizing she can only rely on herself. In the process, new relationships are made, and old ties are broken.
Hamilton attempts to step up to the plate to be the man that Vera knows he can be, and that she deserves. This will take some soul searching, and new realizations on his part to finally get a clear picture of the life he realizes he wants.
June wraps up this duet with a twisted ending that left me stunned, surprised, and satisfied with through the very last word.
Read
March 28, 2021The duet is made up of B*stards and Scapegoats and and Thorns and Forgiveness and is centred around a powerful political family.
Hamilton is the youngest and ‘black sheep’ of the family to his older brother Joseph who has followed their father, Jack, into the world of politics.
In comes Lilah and Vera, mother and daughter who have struggled through life, Lilah having met and fallen for Joseph,, has Vera’s first introduction to Hamilton when she stumbles upon him in a compromising situation, with a bridesmaid at her mother’s wedding!
Hamilton and Vera are instantly drawn to each other, but there’s more at play than I think either of them realise.
Hamilton is dark and twisted to Vera’s light and innocence but with secrets and blackmail the cornerstone of the world of politics you know things aren’t going to be easy and when it bleeds into family life, it has the ability to destroy them all.
A fantastic duet and great character building by CoraLee June ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hamilton is the youngest and ‘black sheep’ of the family to his older brother Joseph who has followed their father, Jack, into the world of politics.
In comes Lilah and Vera, mother and daughter who have struggled through life, Lilah having met and fallen for Joseph,, has Vera’s first introduction to Hamilton when she stumbles upon him in a compromising situation, with a bridesmaid at her mother’s wedding!
Hamilton and Vera are instantly drawn to each other, but there’s more at play than I think either of them realise.
Hamilton is dark and twisted to Vera’s light and innocence but with secrets and blackmail the cornerstone of the world of politics you know things aren’t going to be easy and when it bleeds into family life, it has the ability to destroy them all.
A fantastic duet and great character building by CoraLee June ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 22, 2021
Oh wow I totally and utterly love the bones of this duet ! It's a read that breaks your heart but at the same time gives you glimpses of true affection and hope.
Hamilton and Vera are two very different people, but they share the same feelings, and dream of a different life. I dont know who my heart bled for more.
They are used, manipulated and constantly hurt for the bigger picture, and oh my it hurts so much reading this. My heart is in bits.
Coralee June and her words will simply annihilate both your heart and soul but not in one single blow, over the course of the whole duet.
I feel like I need tissues, and chocolate and a duvet day now to recover!
Hamilton and Vera are two very different people, but they share the same feelings, and dream of a different life. I dont know who my heart bled for more.
They are used, manipulated and constantly hurt for the bigger picture, and oh my it hurts so much reading this. My heart is in bits.
Coralee June and her words will simply annihilate both your heart and soul but not in one single blow, over the course of the whole duet.
I feel like I need tissues, and chocolate and a duvet day now to recover!
February 3, 2023
I read the 1st book. It was just ok. It felt rushed how Hamilton met Vera and the next day he’s talking dirty to her. Didn’t make any sense. And then when I got to the 2nd book it all went downhill. Vera was a doormat. Hamilton treated her like shit and said some pretty nasty things to her and she kept taking him back whenever he wanted. He kept calling her “petal” through the whole book and it made cringe. He was a grown man!!! Come on!! I was bored of Vera being that stupid. Also kept coming back for more drama from her mother who was despicable. Such a weak and boring heroine. DNF the 2nd book.
February 20, 2022
It totally blew my mind!
Twisted Legacy is a duet about a prominent political family.
It's a book that will break your heart while also showing you true love and hope.
FL and ML are both used, manipulated, and harmed in the name of the greater good.
FL and ML are completely contradictory, but they are also remarkably similar.
The spiciness, hotness, and taboo elements are all extremely high, making the book extremely addictive to read!
Twisted Legacy is a duet about a prominent political family.
It's a book that will break your heart while also showing you true love and hope.
FL and ML are both used, manipulated, and harmed in the name of the greater good.
FL and ML are completely contradictory, but they are also remarkably similar.
The spiciness, hotness, and taboo elements are all extremely high, making the book extremely addictive to read!
August 19, 2022
When I tell you this is sexy and thrilling. I mean it is soooo good slight age gap taboo step uncle love with corrupt political family what is there not to like. Her new step father sucks and is an abusive prick. Her Mom is a flake and stupid. Her new Step Uncle is a playboy black sheep sexy red flag. They fall for each other it is hot and steamy he’s a man and makes a big big big mistake and has to gravel his way back and protect her along the way!!!
May 29, 2021
Amazing
I loved the whole book! Is it crazy to want more of Vera and Hamilton to see what the future will bring them? How their parents craziness and traumatic past will help them be what not to be? Ugh list goes on 😂 amazing amazing book it was fun, sad and funny ....
I loved the whole book! Is it crazy to want more of Vera and Hamilton to see what the future will bring them? How their parents craziness and traumatic past will help them be what not to be? Ugh list goes on 😂 amazing amazing book it was fun, sad and funny ....
June 4, 2021
I READ THIS DUET IN ONE SITTING. this book had me sitting at the edge of my seat, ignoring my responsibilities, and just had me immersed in the world.
one of Coralee's best work to date in my opinion!
one of Coralee's best work to date in my opinion!
April 28, 2022
Slightly ridiculous
Vera and Hamilton take dysfunctional to a new level. Extremely entertaining story, with lots of steamy scenes.
In spite of the ridiculousness and underhanded plots threaded throughout, I found it to be a relatively light story.
Vera and Hamilton take dysfunctional to a new level. Extremely entertaining story, with lots of steamy scenes.
In spite of the ridiculousness and underhanded plots threaded throughout, I found it to be a relatively light story.
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