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Brass Tabby
“What would you say if some rich recluse swooped in and convinced someone you cared about to give up their apartment and job seemingly overnight, for a deal that sounds way too good to be true? Sounds super shady, right? Anyone who’s read Bluebeard knows how that little saga ends.” Grant Harcourt has it all going for him. The money, the swagger, the big house on the hill...and scar tissue covering 25% of his body. He’s spent years trying to claw his way back from a life-altering trauma, and the unstoppable force of nature that just dropped into his lap is the first person to make him look up from his own misfortune. He offers Enola a once-in-a-lifetime chance to escape her minimum wage existence. All she has to do is put up with him, and make the occasional grilled cheese sandwich. Surrounded on all sides by street politics and a cast of benevolent outlaws, scrappy street artist Enola is quick to accept when Grant extends the invitation. Two tiny She’s really starting to like the guy, and just when she feels safe enough to open her carefully guarded heart, a deadly secret from her past resurfaces, threatening their fragile peace.
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 23, 2021
11 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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January 7, 2022A wreck. Burns. Drug addiction. Suicide attempt. The MMC’s hinting at so much, but the author isn’t giving enough for the reader to hang on to and make sense of. It’s like someone still on a bad acid trip trying to tell you about what happened the night before. Confusion beyond the typical WTF.
Bam, suddenly, we are with FMC, and it’s the same damn thing. Some horrible past has caught up to her and she’s about to lose her life, but the author is giving me too much of not enough.
IMHO, regardless of whatever happens later in this book, everything before chapter one should be moved to a later point in time.
Chapter 1 starts two years later. The character here is called Nola… I’m assuming that’s the same as the Enola we meet before chapter one. How did we get to her running around as a graffiti thug (I’m assuming since it hints but doesn’t say.) ???? Bam, POV switches back to the MMC mid chapter with a hooker. Jarring. Confusing.
Listen, I get that this is the author’s first book, but this feels like one of those old murder mystery shows that send you on a thousand wild goose chases. Cut the mystery theater prose shit, leave the surplus of flowery descriptions behind, and JUST TELL YOUR STORY!
I”ll give you the end of him screwing his regular escort hooker as to why this writing isn’t for me…
Grant sat listening to the sound of Inez singing in the shower, a tuneless rendition of some vapid top-forty pop song that he vaguely remembered hearing in a car commercial.Propping himself up against the headboard, he folded his hands and waited for her to appear in her plush red towel. That was her towel, the one she always brought with her to the hotel, because the color contrasted with the curves of her golden-brown skin just enough that he could make out her shape. He knew by touch that she was generously endowed in all the right places. She’d told him once that she’d studied dance for nine years, until she started to fill out and her dreams of ballerina stardom were dashed against her hourglass figure. She didn’t let it slow her down, though, and he could tell by the glide of her movements that she still carried herself like a dancer, as if there was an invisible thread suspended from the crown of her head. Her hair tumbled in a dark mass as she bent down, and he smelled the coconut oil she'd slathered over her legs. Her Brazilian accent was like cinnamon caramel in the cool air, warm enough that he almost imagined he could feel steam rising from her skin. “I think this hotel will always make me think of you.” “Is that a bad thing?” “Not at all.” She lifted her dress off the chair in the corner and he listened to the soft fabric whispering over her skin, the dark color accentuating her shape so he could see it better against the cream-colored walls. She crawled across the bed to offer him her back, drawing her hair to one side so he could zip her up. Her voice was soft and coy. “Money on the hall table?”
Too many words weighing down each and every line.
2) Detailed, intimate scenes shared with OW. The details here ensure that the reader will forever remember him remembering this woman’s curves, smells, habits, etc as you (the author) later try to make the reader digest such between the MCs. Zipping her dress, for example, is so personal of a gesture that any hope of me getting into the love story you’ll try to sell me latter is lost.
3) EVERYTHING shouldn’t be descriptive to no end. Brazilian accent was suffice without the cinnamon flavoring. Writing is like coffee. Some like sugar of this or that variety. Some like cream of this or that variety. Some like syrup of this or that variety. You can even have all three. What you can’t have is the entire spectrum of syrups, sugars, and creams in the same drink. Imagine a Starbucks drink where every single option is combined into one glass. Vomit inducing? Point? More isn’t always more - not every sentence needs adjectives.
Standing behind the counter, Nola leaned her face into her palms and stifled a yawn, asking herself why she kept her job at The Food Farm, home of the weapons-grade nacho cheese and the most extensive collection of porno magazines outside of the Triple-X Sex Emporium. As if sensing that this was the perfect moment to twist the knife, her porcine manager Fred came scuttling out of his dank little office, the seams of his Sansabelt slacks straining to contain his massive girth. “Tracy quit.” He smeared his stubby hand over his shiny forehead, checking to ensure that his flaccid comb-over was still in place, and gave her an appreciative once-over. Just feeling his beady little eyes slithering over her body made her want to scrub herself down with a tub of orange pumice soap, the kind mechanics used to get grease out from under their nails.
This is what I mean about over-telling and confusing. She’s mentioned porn. She then refers to her manager’s pants busting at seams to contain his girth. The reader shouldn’t need to reread this to wonder if she’s talking about this unattractive f’rs dick or belly? It doesn’t help that “flaccid” is used thereafter. It’s just poor word choices strung together to dilute and muddy the scene.
2) If not some blow you away prose that’s deeply reflective of an emotionally charged scene, then we just don’t need to make a scene take 20 minutes to read something that should be eight seconds or less. Rule: If it doesn’t move the scene forward, delete it.
Fred waddled a little faster on retreat, the movement of his thighs brushing together in their smooth fabric casings, making a rhythmic, vaguely musical sound, like a cricket’s song.
1) At this point, the horse is dead, but ^^^ that sentence is the perfect example of putting too many words and too much emphasis on all the wrong things.
Moving on….
When does the comedy start?
When does the dark part start?
From advertising and sales pitches to a job interview, the subject has EIGHT SECONDS to grab the target’s attention. In the book world, that translates to eight pages. If you haven’t grabbed the reader with your hook (ie the dark comedy promised,) then most will close the book and move on.
This book starts with fluff, confusion, and hyperbole words strung together. I can’t even make it halfway through the sample. This needs a professional editor to trim, smooth, and angle the story for readability - style, phrasing, language, flow. At the very least, GR is full of qualified beta readers not afraid to give you a solid breakdown of the above points.
Bam, suddenly, we are with FMC, and it’s the same damn thing. Some horrible past has caught up to her and she’s about to lose her life, but the author is giving me too much of not enough.
IMHO, regardless of whatever happens later in this book, everything before chapter one should be moved to a later point in time.
Chapter 1 starts two years later. The character here is called Nola… I’m assuming that’s the same as the Enola we meet before chapter one. How did we get to her running around as a graffiti thug (I’m assuming since it hints but doesn’t say.) ???? Bam, POV switches back to the MMC mid chapter with a hooker. Jarring. Confusing.
Listen, I get that this is the author’s first book, but this feels like one of those old murder mystery shows that send you on a thousand wild goose chases. Cut the mystery theater prose shit, leave the surplus of flowery descriptions behind, and JUST TELL YOUR STORY!
I”ll give you the end of him screwing his regular escort hooker as to why this writing isn’t for me…
Grant sat listening to the sound of Inez singing in the shower, a tuneless rendition of some vapid top-forty pop song that he vaguely remembered hearing in a car commercial.Propping himself up against the headboard, he folded his hands and waited for her to appear in her plush red towel. That was her towel, the one she always brought with her to the hotel, because the color contrasted with the curves of her golden-brown skin just enough that he could make out her shape. He knew by touch that she was generously endowed in all the right places. She’d told him once that she’d studied dance for nine years, until she started to fill out and her dreams of ballerina stardom were dashed against her hourglass figure. She didn’t let it slow her down, though, and he could tell by the glide of her movements that she still carried herself like a dancer, as if there was an invisible thread suspended from the crown of her head. Her hair tumbled in a dark mass as she bent down, and he smelled the coconut oil she'd slathered over her legs. Her Brazilian accent was like cinnamon caramel in the cool air, warm enough that he almost imagined he could feel steam rising from her skin. “I think this hotel will always make me think of you.” “Is that a bad thing?” “Not at all.” She lifted her dress off the chair in the corner and he listened to the soft fabric whispering over her skin, the dark color accentuating her shape so he could see it better against the cream-colored walls. She crawled across the bed to offer him her back, drawing her hair to one side so he could zip her up. Her voice was soft and coy. “Money on the hall table?”
Too many words weighing down each and every line.
2) Detailed, intimate scenes shared with OW. The details here ensure that the reader will forever remember him remembering this woman’s curves, smells, habits, etc as you (the author) later try to make the reader digest such between the MCs. Zipping her dress, for example, is so personal of a gesture that any hope of me getting into the love story you’ll try to sell me latter is lost.
3) EVERYTHING shouldn’t be descriptive to no end. Brazilian accent was suffice without the cinnamon flavoring. Writing is like coffee. Some like sugar of this or that variety. Some like cream of this or that variety. Some like syrup of this or that variety. You can even have all three. What you can’t have is the entire spectrum of syrups, sugars, and creams in the same drink. Imagine a Starbucks drink where every single option is combined into one glass. Vomit inducing? Point? More isn’t always more - not every sentence needs adjectives.
Standing behind the counter, Nola leaned her face into her palms and stifled a yawn, asking herself why she kept her job at The Food Farm, home of the weapons-grade nacho cheese and the most extensive collection of porno magazines outside of the Triple-X Sex Emporium. As if sensing that this was the perfect moment to twist the knife, her porcine manager Fred came scuttling out of his dank little office, the seams of his Sansabelt slacks straining to contain his massive girth. “Tracy quit.” He smeared his stubby hand over his shiny forehead, checking to ensure that his flaccid comb-over was still in place, and gave her an appreciative once-over. Just feeling his beady little eyes slithering over her body made her want to scrub herself down with a tub of orange pumice soap, the kind mechanics used to get grease out from under their nails.
This is what I mean about over-telling and confusing. She’s mentioned porn. She then refers to her manager’s pants busting at seams to contain his girth. The reader shouldn’t need to reread this to wonder if she’s talking about this unattractive f’rs dick or belly? It doesn’t help that “flaccid” is used thereafter. It’s just poor word choices strung together to dilute and muddy the scene.
2) If not some blow you away prose that’s deeply reflective of an emotionally charged scene, then we just don’t need to make a scene take 20 minutes to read something that should be eight seconds or less. Rule: If it doesn’t move the scene forward, delete it.
Fred waddled a little faster on retreat, the movement of his thighs brushing together in their smooth fabric casings, making a rhythmic, vaguely musical sound, like a cricket’s song.
1) At this point, the horse is dead, but ^^^ that sentence is the perfect example of putting too many words and too much emphasis on all the wrong things.
Moving on….
When does the comedy start?
When does the dark part start?
From advertising and sales pitches to a job interview, the subject has EIGHT SECONDS to grab the target’s attention. In the book world, that translates to eight pages. If you haven’t grabbed the reader with your hook (ie the dark comedy promised,) then most will close the book and move on.
This book starts with fluff, confusion, and hyperbole words strung together. I can’t even make it halfway through the sample. This needs a professional editor to trim, smooth, and angle the story for readability - style, phrasing, language, flow. At the very least, GR is full of qualified beta readers not afraid to give you a solid breakdown of the above points.
December 16, 2021
i really liked this. like, i really reallyyyyy liked this. like, i feel that if this was written by a bestselling romance author *cough cough* colleen hoover *cough cough* it would hit the bestseller list in a flash.
i will admit, when i read the blurb that contained the word "millionaire" i shuddered and thought "oh no".... i usually don't DO millionaire romances. i find them to be way over the top and they can be done soooo wrong. cringey wrong. but this one, this one my friends, was done so right.
the one thing i love about this book- and im giving total props to the author for executing this perfectly- was that the male lead was blind (and disfigured) and the author did a fantastic job in his POV with the associations a blind person may have/feel and how things would be. about halfway through.... the burning question arose within me... how is sex with a blind man going to be? are they going to be colliding and missing each other all the time? and thennnnn, why am i so deranged for thinking about this?!! to answer the question though: the spice was done... *chefs kiss*.... brilliantly. especially given the circumstances.
i loved nola. i loved grant. they each have their own traumas.... their own issues.... and the author did a great job of peeling them back a layer at a time. i loved this couple- they will be living rent free in my head for awhile.
shit, maybe i actually like romance more than i think i do?!?!
i will admit, when i read the blurb that contained the word "millionaire" i shuddered and thought "oh no".... i usually don't DO millionaire romances. i find them to be way over the top and they can be done soooo wrong. cringey wrong. but this one, this one my friends, was done so right.
the one thing i love about this book- and im giving total props to the author for executing this perfectly- was that the male lead was blind (and disfigured) and the author did a fantastic job in his POV with the associations a blind person may have/feel and how things would be. about halfway through.... the burning question arose within me... how is sex with a blind man going to be? are they going to be colliding and missing each other all the time? and thennnnn, why am i so deranged for thinking about this?!! to answer the question though: the spice was done... *chefs kiss*.... brilliantly. especially given the circumstances.
i loved nola. i loved grant. they each have their own traumas.... their own issues.... and the author did a great job of peeling them back a layer at a time. i loved this couple- they will be living rent free in my head for awhile.
shit, maybe i actually like romance more than i think i do?!?!
February 1, 2022
After the first few chapters I was a little bit skeptical but a few chapters later I was intrigued. I am not keen when the millionaire swoops in and saves the day.. usually.. however the fact that the millionaire main male character was blind and disfigured from an accident really took this book over the line for me. I loved the way the author portrayed his character and the traits of a blind person. Also I loved the characters as a whole - Nola and Grant each had their own issues which actually bought them together in the end.
January 6, 2022
I was gifted an ARC physical copy of this book. I have to start this review by saying that I despise romcoms. I dislike love stories. This one blew me away. Taken totally by surprise, I love the main character Enola. No matter how much life has beaten her down, she stands back up again ready for the next punch. I love Grant and the way he is portrayed. A billionaire who has been humbled by a horrific crash that left him blinded and disfigured. I love the slow burn romance, and extenuating circumstances that brought them together. And I’m surprised at myself, maybe I do like romance novels a little bit…
January 17, 2022
From first time author Rowan Helaine comes this sensual, slow-burn romance that brings together two very flawed people who find themselves growing closer despite outside forces leaving their future hanging in the balance a time or two. In a romance that's a bit rough around the edges, I applaud the author for her realistic portrayal of blindness in a man used to having everything he wants because of his wealth. The anger, fear, and ultimately the acceptance of his disability, showed Grant to be a flawed hero at times but a hero I was drawn to nonetheless. He could be arrogant one moment while showing kindness the next, having relations with another woman one moment while showing interest in the vivacious woman he's brought into his home the next. It all makes for an unforgettable, multi-faceted hero...an imperfectly perfect hero who's just who the heroine needed. Nola's a larger than life heroine, one who's lived an eclectic and unapologetic life. There's an air of mystery surrounding her, a sense of foreboding, that hangs over the story and weighs on her as she and Grant grow closer. I was on edge waiting for her past to be revealed and in the end was left a bit unsatisfied by it, but appreciative for it bringing these two very different people together.
While this book is described as a rom-com I didn't quite see it as such. There was definitely some delightful banter between the main characters, banter that was both fun and flirty, but the overall tone of the story was darker and grittier. The interactions between Grant and Nola started out carefree and fun, but the more time they spent together the more layers were revealed about themselves. Slowly but surely I became more and more invested in these two and had wished for a more conclusive conclusion to their burgeoning romance. Despite a few small quibbles though, I still found this an engaging read from a bright new author who I look forward to seeing more from.
While this book is described as a rom-com I didn't quite see it as such. There was definitely some delightful banter between the main characters, banter that was both fun and flirty, but the overall tone of the story was darker and grittier. The interactions between Grant and Nola started out carefree and fun, but the more time they spent together the more layers were revealed about themselves. Slowly but surely I became more and more invested in these two and had wished for a more conclusive conclusion to their burgeoning romance. Despite a few small quibbles though, I still found this an engaging read from a bright new author who I look forward to seeing more from.
December 13, 2021
Snark, love, and a ton of personality. In Brass Tabby, the Beauty has a painful past and loads of agency. The Beast began the emotional labor of turning into a Prince before he met her. Art needs no frame, and love is ride-or-die.
Brass Tabby is surprisingly complex and polished for a debut novel. I definitely want to keep an eye out for Rowan Helaine's next piece.
Brass Tabby is surprisingly complex and polished for a debut novel. I definitely want to keep an eye out for Rowan Helaine's next piece.
February 25, 2022
Great Story with great complex characters!
The title nor the book cover made any justice to the story!
Safety: assault on page, domestic abuse off page, H with ow after meeting h, H was mostly blind.
The title nor the book cover made any justice to the story!
Safety: assault on page, domestic abuse off page, H with ow after meeting h, H was mostly blind.
November 9, 2022
☆☆☆☆☆
~ Enormous amounts of gratitude to the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review! ~
While reading Rowan Helaine’s debut novel, Brass Tabby, I couldn’t help but think about how much it reminded me of two things: Beauty and the Beast and the line from John Green’s iconic novel, The Fault in Our Stars, where Hazel Grace says,
“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
Brass Tabby is a story I loved. It was everything I wanted in a romance novel and even had things I didn’t realize I wanted. It was simple, yet evocative. Helaine’s writing was descriptive beyond measure, without being overwhelming. And her characters? They were all flawed and so unashamed of it, it reminded me again how okay it is to not be perfectly pieced together all the time.
Helaine’s debut tells the story of Grant Harcourt, a billionaire recluse who suffered an accident that altered his life and body forever, and Enola Fothergill, a girl whose name is the least extra thing about her. (Seriously, I’d kill for a name that cool.) Nola takes no shit, has a mouth on her I’m envious of, and makes her mark on the world–literally–in whatever way she feels like that day. When she finds herself fleeing from the police, she jumps into Grant’s car, and his life, and he finds himself unable to stay away. She draws him in, despite her best efforts, and makes him feel in a way he’d spent years denying himself.
So, instead of denying himself any longer, Grant offers her a job and a home, bringing her in as his assistant for everyday tasks he’s usually capable of handling himself. What starts as a job as a chauffeur and chef becomes more, as Nola helps Grant reconnect with the world around him, helping him find life within and outside of himself again. But, despite the almost-utopian veil that falls over Grant and Nola’s life together, the darker parts of Nola’s life soon encroach back in, forcing the pair of them to figure out how to overcome the demons–and whether or not they can do it together.
Brass Tabby is the most delicious kind of slow-burn. Although the novel shies away from anything overly romantic and steamy for about the first two-thirds of the novel, once our heroine and hero reach that point, there is no turning back. Remember how I said Helaine’s descriptions were stunning and vivid? When Grant and Nola finally–pardon the pun–come together, Helaine leaves nothing to the imagination. Every delicious moment is described in fiery detail, and trust me when I say, it’ll have you looking for a hand fan or glass of water to cool you off.
But it’s not just the steamy scenes that make Grant and Nola’s love story so stimulating; the two of them together manage to remain themselves, while becoming something altogether different when they’re together. Too often we read love stories where couples make this unrealistic change in who they are just because there’s another person in the picture. But Helaine’s story does the opposite; she’s crafted these damaged, cobbled together characters who are proud of the people they are–despite what they had to go through to get there. As Nola says, “I’m not a victim. I survived that shit.”
And they’re not just proud of themselves, they’re proud of each other too–regardless of what anyone else thinks. Despite his family’s complaints, Grant refuses to relinquish his feelings for Nola or degrade her for where she came from. And Nola doesn’t comply with other people’s notions that Grant is somehow incapable or lesser because of his circumstances. She doesn’t feed into anyone’s belief, including the man himself, that Grant can’t handle anything coming his way.
Overall, Rowan Helaine’s Brass Tabby, in my opinion, is a pretty perfect story. It bears the simplicity of a first-time author, but it’s complex even in that simplicity. Helaine’s writing isn’t lazy or reliant on purposeless descriptors the way other books fluff up a story. Every moment is pure, honest, and enjoyable. The characters are beyond real, and by the time the book ended, I just wanted more. (Don’t you just hate it when you get a HEA, and all you can think is, “But wait, can’t there be more?”) Plus, it had a few fun references I wasn’t expecting! For much of the story, I was getting some strong Beauty and the Beast vibes, which Grant–in a moment I found so ironic–acknowledges himself. There was also the subtle nod to Taylor Swift (“no body, no crime” anyone?) that may or may not have been intentional, but was fun for me nevertheless! And finally, the story was just funny! It had many serious moments, but overall, I found myself laughing so often, I couldn’t help but enjoy myself. I especially enjoyed (and related to) a comment Nola makes towards the end of the novel:
“I don’t need to be the smartest [person in the room]. I’m happy just being the funniest. Or the craziest, depending on the needs of the moment.”
I cannot recommend Rowan Helaine’s, Brass Tabby enough. If funny, witty, and damaged-yet-strong, characters overcoming odds while still enjoying everyday life together–along with a significant amount of steaminess–is what you’re seeking in a story, hurry over to Amazon and get your copy today. Helaine’s debut novel is out now in both paperback and Kindle editions. And bonus, it’s free now with a Kindle Unlimited subscription! If you don’t have Kindle Unlimited, click here to try it now and get your first month free!
P.S.
It’s come to my attention that SOME PEOPLE out there have illegally uploaded Brass Tabby to other sites without Rowan’s express permission. I feel like this should go without saying, but THIS. IS. ILLEGAL. Stealing an author’s work to upload and share with others may seem like a noble act, but there’s nothing good or right about that. Not only are you stealing material that doesn’t belong to you, but you’re depriving an artist who worked hard to produce this work from reaping the benefits of said work. Writers work incredibly hard to create their content, and there is absolutely never a justification for stealing their work or trying to profit from it. It costs a writer to create their work; it costs time, money, energy, and dozens of other things. If you can’t afford to pay them for all of that, I’m sorry for you. I am. But, it doesn’t give you the right to steal from them or damage their livelihood.
So, please, for those of you out there looking to support a hardworking author, go through the proper channels to read Brass Tabby. If you can’t afford to buy it on Amazon, request it through your local library. Ask for it as a gift for your next birthday. Or, like the rest of us, just wait until you can afford to obtain it the legal, fair way. The author, and I, will thank you for it.
💛
Trigger Warnings: Scenes and mentions of domestic violence, pregnancy, physical violence, childfree by choice characters, explicit language, and sexual content
Steam level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
~ Enormous amounts of gratitude to the author for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review! ~
While reading Rowan Helaine’s debut novel, Brass Tabby, I couldn’t help but think about how much it reminded me of two things: Beauty and the Beast and the line from John Green’s iconic novel, The Fault in Our Stars, where Hazel Grace says,
“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
Brass Tabby is a story I loved. It was everything I wanted in a romance novel and even had things I didn’t realize I wanted. It was simple, yet evocative. Helaine’s writing was descriptive beyond measure, without being overwhelming. And her characters? They were all flawed and so unashamed of it, it reminded me again how okay it is to not be perfectly pieced together all the time.
Helaine’s debut tells the story of Grant Harcourt, a billionaire recluse who suffered an accident that altered his life and body forever, and Enola Fothergill, a girl whose name is the least extra thing about her. (Seriously, I’d kill for a name that cool.) Nola takes no shit, has a mouth on her I’m envious of, and makes her mark on the world–literally–in whatever way she feels like that day. When she finds herself fleeing from the police, she jumps into Grant’s car, and his life, and he finds himself unable to stay away. She draws him in, despite her best efforts, and makes him feel in a way he’d spent years denying himself.
So, instead of denying himself any longer, Grant offers her a job and a home, bringing her in as his assistant for everyday tasks he’s usually capable of handling himself. What starts as a job as a chauffeur and chef becomes more, as Nola helps Grant reconnect with the world around him, helping him find life within and outside of himself again. But, despite the almost-utopian veil that falls over Grant and Nola’s life together, the darker parts of Nola’s life soon encroach back in, forcing the pair of them to figure out how to overcome the demons–and whether or not they can do it together.
Brass Tabby is the most delicious kind of slow-burn. Although the novel shies away from anything overly romantic and steamy for about the first two-thirds of the novel, once our heroine and hero reach that point, there is no turning back. Remember how I said Helaine’s descriptions were stunning and vivid? When Grant and Nola finally–pardon the pun–come together, Helaine leaves nothing to the imagination. Every delicious moment is described in fiery detail, and trust me when I say, it’ll have you looking for a hand fan or glass of water to cool you off.
But it’s not just the steamy scenes that make Grant and Nola’s love story so stimulating; the two of them together manage to remain themselves, while becoming something altogether different when they’re together. Too often we read love stories where couples make this unrealistic change in who they are just because there’s another person in the picture. But Helaine’s story does the opposite; she’s crafted these damaged, cobbled together characters who are proud of the people they are–despite what they had to go through to get there. As Nola says, “I’m not a victim. I survived that shit.”
And they’re not just proud of themselves, they’re proud of each other too–regardless of what anyone else thinks. Despite his family’s complaints, Grant refuses to relinquish his feelings for Nola or degrade her for where she came from. And Nola doesn’t comply with other people’s notions that Grant is somehow incapable or lesser because of his circumstances. She doesn’t feed into anyone’s belief, including the man himself, that Grant can’t handle anything coming his way.
Overall, Rowan Helaine’s Brass Tabby, in my opinion, is a pretty perfect story. It bears the simplicity of a first-time author, but it’s complex even in that simplicity. Helaine’s writing isn’t lazy or reliant on purposeless descriptors the way other books fluff up a story. Every moment is pure, honest, and enjoyable. The characters are beyond real, and by the time the book ended, I just wanted more. (Don’t you just hate it when you get a HEA, and all you can think is, “But wait, can’t there be more?”) Plus, it had a few fun references I wasn’t expecting! For much of the story, I was getting some strong Beauty and the Beast vibes, which Grant–in a moment I found so ironic–acknowledges himself. There was also the subtle nod to Taylor Swift (“no body, no crime” anyone?) that may or may not have been intentional, but was fun for me nevertheless! And finally, the story was just funny! It had many serious moments, but overall, I found myself laughing so often, I couldn’t help but enjoy myself. I especially enjoyed (and related to) a comment Nola makes towards the end of the novel:
“I don’t need to be the smartest [person in the room]. I’m happy just being the funniest. Or the craziest, depending on the needs of the moment.”
I cannot recommend Rowan Helaine’s, Brass Tabby enough. If funny, witty, and damaged-yet-strong, characters overcoming odds while still enjoying everyday life together–along with a significant amount of steaminess–is what you’re seeking in a story, hurry over to Amazon and get your copy today. Helaine’s debut novel is out now in both paperback and Kindle editions. And bonus, it’s free now with a Kindle Unlimited subscription! If you don’t have Kindle Unlimited, click here to try it now and get your first month free!
P.S.
It’s come to my attention that SOME PEOPLE out there have illegally uploaded Brass Tabby to other sites without Rowan’s express permission. I feel like this should go without saying, but THIS. IS. ILLEGAL. Stealing an author’s work to upload and share with others may seem like a noble act, but there’s nothing good or right about that. Not only are you stealing material that doesn’t belong to you, but you’re depriving an artist who worked hard to produce this work from reaping the benefits of said work. Writers work incredibly hard to create their content, and there is absolutely never a justification for stealing their work or trying to profit from it. It costs a writer to create their work; it costs time, money, energy, and dozens of other things. If you can’t afford to pay them for all of that, I’m sorry for you. I am. But, it doesn’t give you the right to steal from them or damage their livelihood.
So, please, for those of you out there looking to support a hardworking author, go through the proper channels to read Brass Tabby. If you can’t afford to buy it on Amazon, request it through your local library. Ask for it as a gift for your next birthday. Or, like the rest of us, just wait until you can afford to obtain it the legal, fair way. The author, and I, will thank you for it.
💛
Trigger Warnings: Scenes and mentions of domestic violence, pregnancy, physical violence, childfree by choice characters, explicit language, and sexual content
Steam level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
February 12, 2022
I absolutely loved Brass Tabby! It was such a great story with such a gradual build up to a big pay off. Enola is an artist working multiple jobs to scrap by and spending her spare time either volunteering for a women’s shelter or tagging public places with graffiti art. Grant is a reclusive millionaire recovering from an accident that left him with physical and emotional scars. Fate throws them together and the slow burn begins.
This book was an absolute delight to read that I finished it in one day. I loved the characters and watching their sweet romance unfold. The book also dealt with some very heavy topics, including depression and abuse. The only critique I have is that the ending felt abrupt and I would have liked a lot more of their story. Thank you to the author for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was an absolute delight to read that I finished it in one day. I loved the characters and watching their sweet romance unfold. The book also dealt with some very heavy topics, including depression and abuse. The only critique I have is that the ending felt abrupt and I would have liked a lot more of their story. Thank you to the author for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2022
More interesting story than most in this genre
Fairly decent writing, somewhat believable characters and strong enough plotline sustained my interest. I wished the characters" work in finance and art was more fleshed-out.
Fairly decent writing, somewhat believable characters and strong enough plotline sustained my interest. I wished the characters" work in finance and art was more fleshed-out.
January 12, 2022
Brass Tabby is near flawless. Not sure about the marketing choice to call it rom com—it's not, and it does itself a disservice by pretending to be. While it is witty and snarky, the adjectives that first come to mind are emotional, sophisticated, and captivating.
I can't think of a book I've read in recent memory with such deft detailing. No paragraphs of descriptions, just gorgeous visual writing woven with casual intricacies from military slang, to multicultural art, and literary references. Better yet, they aren't explained in mind-numbing particulars; just dropped in for an absolute dose of delight. (Praising an author for not treating her readers like total idiots is kinda sad, but it needs to be said.) The ambiance is stunning, a map of lighting, scents, temperatures, and textures as you move from one location to the next.
There is such a depth and variety of characters, all with identifiable touchstones and yet inspired individuality. From their professions, socioeconomic statuses, and circumstances, they are composed in such an understated way that their humanity just drips off the pages. The "villain" is perhaps the least developed, but he exists almost entirely off screen—a device I found thoughtful and compelling.
I usually find adult romance authors writing about mental health and disability to be so hamfisted and/or preachy, but this was the perfect amount of realism and nuance. The I'm a survivor, not a victim moment was maybe a little too on the nose considering how insightful the commentary had been up to that point, but I got it.
My major complaint is that the story lacked a satisfying climax. The prologue ends with a mystery, but the tone is closer to visceral survival story than hard-hitting whodunnit. Brass Tabby is largely a character-driven book, until we get this sudden investigation development and police arrest event that ties back to the beginning, and then... nothing. It just feels a bit clumsy and rushed. I did very much appreciate the approach taken with the epilogue; it concluded the book with followup that was relevant to the plot instead of being some over-the-top cheesy-beyond-belief white-picket-fantasy happily ever after.
Nitpick: At the beginning of the book, the MMC's . Quibble: I hate the word "nubbin" with the fiery passion of a thousand suns. Honestly, does anyone find this word hot or is it just a synonym writers use because... synonyms?
In conclusion: Read it. It's so good. It's amazing. I almost cried when I clicked to view the author's Amazon profile and THIS WAS HER ONLY BOOK.
I can't think of a book I've read in recent memory with such deft detailing. No paragraphs of descriptions, just gorgeous visual writing woven with casual intricacies from military slang, to multicultural art, and literary references. Better yet, they aren't explained in mind-numbing particulars; just dropped in for an absolute dose of delight. (Praising an author for not treating her readers like total idiots is kinda sad, but it needs to be said.) The ambiance is stunning, a map of lighting, scents, temperatures, and textures as you move from one location to the next.
There is such a depth and variety of characters, all with identifiable touchstones and yet inspired individuality. From their professions, socioeconomic statuses, and circumstances, they are composed in such an understated way that their humanity just drips off the pages. The "villain" is perhaps the least developed, but he exists almost entirely off screen—a device I found thoughtful and compelling.
I usually find adult romance authors writing about mental health and disability to be so hamfisted and/or preachy, but this was the perfect amount of realism and nuance. The I'm a survivor, not a victim moment was maybe a little too on the nose considering how insightful the commentary had been up to that point, but I got it.
My major complaint is that the story lacked a satisfying climax. The prologue ends with a mystery, but the tone is closer to visceral survival story than hard-hitting whodunnit. Brass Tabby is largely a character-driven book, until we get this sudden investigation development and police arrest event that ties back to the beginning, and then... nothing. It just feels a bit clumsy and rushed. I did very much appreciate the approach taken with the epilogue; it concluded the book with followup that was relevant to the plot instead of being some over-the-top cheesy-beyond-belief white-picket-fantasy happily ever after.
Nitpick: At the beginning of the book, the MMC's . Quibble: I hate the word "nubbin" with the fiery passion of a thousand suns. Honestly, does anyone find this word hot or is it just a synonym writers use because... synonyms?
In conclusion: Read it. It's so good. It's amazing. I almost cried when I clicked to view the author's Amazon profile and THIS WAS HER ONLY BOOK.
February 3, 2022
@acourtofspinesnpages:
What would you do if a millionaire suddenly asks you to be his secretary? That's how this slow burn romance starts! Enola aka Nola is a graffiti artist, and one day she stumbles upon Grant, a super rich dude with a serious attitude problem!
Erm... so it's just another millionaire romance, you say? Well guess what, it's sooooooooo not! For one, Grant is blind! How did he get blind, you ask? That's for me to know and for you to find out 😝
I loved this from the start, even before the "romance" 😉😉😉 happened! And I think Grant started falling for Nola at " I'm a wayward chaos monster". This also gave a Beauty and The Beast vibe, but that's probably just me. I finished this in one sitting, I didn't even notice I havent moved until the book ended! I need more! It's like eating pringles! I still can't believe this is Rowan's debut book! I can't wait to pick up every single book she writes in the future!
What would you do if a millionaire suddenly asks you to be his secretary? That's how this slow burn romance starts! Enola aka Nola is a graffiti artist, and one day she stumbles upon Grant, a super rich dude with a serious attitude problem!
Erm... so it's just another millionaire romance, you say? Well guess what, it's sooooooooo not! For one, Grant is blind! How did he get blind, you ask? That's for me to know and for you to find out 😝
I loved this from the start, even before the "romance" 😉😉😉 happened! And I think Grant started falling for Nola at " I'm a wayward chaos monster". This also gave a Beauty and The Beast vibe, but that's probably just me. I finished this in one sitting, I didn't even notice I havent moved until the book ended! I need more! It's like eating pringles! I still can't believe this is Rowan's debut book! I can't wait to pick up every single book she writes in the future!
December 21, 2021
wannabe_bookstagrammer review
Thank you to the author for the paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: 🔥 🔥 🔥 (on a 0-4 flame scale)
Sexy Romance with some extra spice 🌶
What I’m starry-eyed over:
😍I don’t know if I want to explain this book as dark or suspense—the romance is not dark but they come from difficult and dark situations. What I do know is this book is first and foremost a romcom. The romance and the funny are so strong and prominent. Maybe it’s a romcom with a shot of whiskey (which might be weird b/c whiskey was not helpful to the main character but it works in my mind). It’s a lighter amber color and the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Yum!
😍Fantastic mix of tropes: meet cute, slow burn, close proximity, boss/employee.
😍 I was really anticipating the carjacking scene because the back of the book mentions it—it did not disappoint at all.
😍 All the feels and reactions—laughing, tears welling up, & lusting plus that extra intensity from the bit of suspense/darkness.
😍 Amazing banter between the main characters. Nola and Grant are just so brutally honest, real and witty.
😍 Really nice character development. From the start I wanted to know why the MCs are the way they are. I wanted to get to know them so much as they were figuring each other out and possibly becoming the best version of themselves.
😍 I laughed because of Nola throughout the whole book. But I fell in love with Nola when Grant’s mom showed up for a visit. Definitely one of my favorite scenes.
😍 I can’t decide when I fell in love with Grant. Oh, but I do love him. Maybe as early as when he first started pursuing Nola and invited her to the diner. Or maybe as late as when he held her in the shower while letting the worries and stresses of the world wash away.
😍 Cute and loving side characters who definitely do not steal the show.
😍 The epilogue was outstanding—such cute and clever closure. Don’t peek—it’s so worth the wait.
What I’m wishing/dizzy about:
💫 90 days later—what??? Are you sure there’s nothing of importance that happened in that 90 days? I was definitely concerned at this point. I did not want to miss out on this budding, potentially hot and amazing relationship. But the author quickly and deftly caught us up on how things had been going between the main characters, how they’d been learning to interact under the same roof.
💫 Are you sure this is your debut novel Rowan Helaine? Have you been writing under a different name before this? 😉 I wish you all the best!
Thank you to the author for the paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steam: 🔥 🔥 🔥 (on a 0-4 flame scale)
Sexy Romance with some extra spice 🌶
What I’m starry-eyed over:
😍I don’t know if I want to explain this book as dark or suspense—the romance is not dark but they come from difficult and dark situations. What I do know is this book is first and foremost a romcom. The romance and the funny are so strong and prominent. Maybe it’s a romcom with a shot of whiskey (which might be weird b/c whiskey was not helpful to the main character but it works in my mind). It’s a lighter amber color and the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Yum!
😍Fantastic mix of tropes: meet cute, slow burn, close proximity, boss/employee.
😍 I was really anticipating the carjacking scene because the back of the book mentions it—it did not disappoint at all.
😍 All the feels and reactions—laughing, tears welling up, & lusting plus that extra intensity from the bit of suspense/darkness.
😍 Amazing banter between the main characters. Nola and Grant are just so brutally honest, real and witty.
😍 Really nice character development. From the start I wanted to know why the MCs are the way they are. I wanted to get to know them so much as they were figuring each other out and possibly becoming the best version of themselves.
😍 I laughed because of Nola throughout the whole book. But I fell in love with Nola when Grant’s mom showed up for a visit. Definitely one of my favorite scenes.
😍 I can’t decide when I fell in love with Grant. Oh, but I do love him. Maybe as early as when he first started pursuing Nola and invited her to the diner. Or maybe as late as when he held her in the shower while letting the worries and stresses of the world wash away.
😍 Cute and loving side characters who definitely do not steal the show.
😍 The epilogue was outstanding—such cute and clever closure. Don’t peek—it’s so worth the wait.
What I’m wishing/dizzy about:
💫 90 days later—what??? Are you sure there’s nothing of importance that happened in that 90 days? I was definitely concerned at this point. I did not want to miss out on this budding, potentially hot and amazing relationship. But the author quickly and deftly caught us up on how things had been going between the main characters, how they’d been learning to interact under the same roof.
💫 Are you sure this is your debut novel Rowan Helaine? Have you been writing under a different name before this? 😉 I wish you all the best!
January 25, 2022
Honestly more people should talk about this one! From a not so meet cute to a love that’s tender and yet so intimate, Grant and Nola are just so meant for each other. He’s so protective of her while she’s so sassy and so strong. I love a heroine that takes no bullshit and stands up for herself. I also love that they developed a solid friendship first before they stopped fighting their mutual attractions to each other. Their banters are also so funny 😆 I just love this book a lot.
January 21, 2022
Why aren’t more people talking about this book? Like seriously, this should be blowing up on bookstagram it’s so good! It’s got all the essentials, main characters with dark pasts, slow burn romance, some much appreciated smut, just the right amount of comedic chemistry with the characters. My one complaint was it was rock short, I could have read another hundred or so pages of Nola & Grant just existing on the pages. Like seriously a blind millionaire smoke show & a troubled street artist bump into each other and 🔥🔥how could you not read like 400 pages of that?? I highly recommend this book!
⚠️TW: domestic violence, suicide, PTSD/CPTSD, depression, and substance abuse.
⚠️TW: domestic violence, suicide, PTSD/CPTSD, depression, and substance abuse.
January 21, 2022
I really really enjoyed this book! I’m an avid romance reader and contemporary romance writer myself so I’ve read my fair share of books. While the descriptions were lengthy at times, I adored her writing. I loved Grant, he was the right blend of moody and snark to match with Nola’s take no prisoner attitude. I loved the slow burn and the spice was perfect. I wouldn’t necessarily categorize it as comedy even though the MC’s banter was cute. For a debut novel it was very good! TW are printed in the book for readers. 💕 I was given a copy and volunteering my honest review.
January 20, 2022
Different worlds collating!!!
As the story progresses it pulls you in!
From the start, the author made me feel for Grant and Nola was definitely someone he needed in his life.
There’s a little gap in the story where I would have love to see more of it. But I’m guessing in this little gap is where they starting to develop feelings for each other.
An enjoyable slow burn debut!
Looking forward to the next story by this new author.
Hint, hint…… Axel 🤪 Hopefully we get to see him again.
As the story progresses it pulls you in!
From the start, the author made me feel for Grant and Nola was definitely someone he needed in his life.
There’s a little gap in the story where I would have love to see more of it. But I’m guessing in this little gap is where they starting to develop feelings for each other.
An enjoyable slow burn debut!
Looking forward to the next story by this new author.
Hint, hint…… Axel 🤪 Hopefully we get to see him again.
February 20, 2022
Wow this was so good! I don’t really read romance too often (except at Xmas), so I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book, but I really enjoyed it. I loved the slow burn romance and that mixed with the suspense there was also the reality of what women have to deal with so often from certain men. She’s had to deal with some really horrible things in her life but won’t let the past define her. When she starts working for Grant, it’s platonic at first, but as she helps him embrace life again, things change between them. Would love to see this as a movie! R-rated for sure 😉
January 13, 2022
I feel like I start all my reviews with “my friend made me read it” but here I am with another one.
Let’s be honest, this little hidden gem wasn’t on my radar at all. (And how damn sad is that?)
But oh.
My.
Gaia.
I am so glad she sent it to me.
I know it’s the new year and saying that this is gonna be one of my favorite books of 2022 might seem premature, but I’m positively sure of it.
When I read the description, I laughed. “Slow burn Romance?” Wtf is that?
GIRRLLLLL
That slowwwww burrrnnnn. 😍😍😍
I loved Nola, I LOVED Grant, (hell I even loved his cousin Alex) The author did such a great job of bringing out their voices, really getting you to connect with them, feel for them.
The way she intertwined their stories too, was just, perfect.
So sexy, so raw, so funny, so emotional.
So much light in so much darkness.
Rowan, sweetie. I can not wait to see what else you got in store for us.
Let’s be honest, this little hidden gem wasn’t on my radar at all. (And how damn sad is that?)
But oh.
My.
Gaia.
I am so glad she sent it to me.
I know it’s the new year and saying that this is gonna be one of my favorite books of 2022 might seem premature, but I’m positively sure of it.
When I read the description, I laughed. “Slow burn Romance?” Wtf is that?
GIRRLLLLL
That slowwwww burrrnnnn. 😍😍😍
I loved Nola, I LOVED Grant, (hell I even loved his cousin Alex) The author did such a great job of bringing out their voices, really getting you to connect with them, feel for them.
The way she intertwined their stories too, was just, perfect.
So sexy, so raw, so funny, so emotional.
So much light in so much darkness.
Rowan, sweetie. I can not wait to see what else you got in store for us.
February 22, 2022
Trigger warning: Right out of the gate, there’s two potentially triggering scenes — suicide attempt and domestic violence, so just be forewarned.
A graffiti artist Enola and a blind, curmudgeon millionaire Grant meet in an unexpected way and Enola later agrees to be Grant’s assistant. This is a contemporary romance with some dark undertones, but don’t let that turn you off. Nor is his your typical millionaire romance, in a very good way! Without giving away spoilers, the main characters are flawed but lovable, and you can't help but root for them. The only thing missing for me was I wanted more about Enola’s graffiti world.
This is a slow burn romance, but once you get to the good stuff, my oh my is it good! Seriously, go read this book!
Updated Review:
After a re-read of my favorite scenes, I'm upping my initial review from four stars to five. Why? Because the writing is great, the MCs are perfectly flawed, and the sexy time scenes are smoking hot. Yes, I still wanted more of Enola's graffiti life, but here's to hoping the author writes another story in this world!
A graffiti artist Enola and a blind, curmudgeon millionaire Grant meet in an unexpected way and Enola later agrees to be Grant’s assistant. This is a contemporary romance with some dark undertones, but don’t let that turn you off. Nor is his your typical millionaire romance, in a very good way! Without giving away spoilers, the main characters are flawed but lovable, and you can't help but root for them. The only thing missing for me was I wanted more about Enola’s graffiti world.
This is a slow burn romance, but once you get to the good stuff, my oh my is it good! Seriously, go read this book!
Updated Review:
After a re-read of my favorite scenes, I'm upping my initial review from four stars to five. Why? Because the writing is great, the MCs are perfectly flawed, and the sexy time scenes are smoking hot. Yes, I still wanted more of Enola's graffiti life, but here's to hoping the author writes another story in this world!
December 20, 2021
Brass Taby is a contemporary slow burn romance with a suspense element. It's a forced proximity theme and it's set on the east coast. Enola has a traumatic past and she meets Grant a wealthy man with limited eyesite.
The best part of this book is the main characters. While we spend a lot of time in Grant's head and learn about his kindheartedness, Enola is the compelling element. She's taken her trauma and turned it into being a confident badass. I want her to be my friend.
The story is slow to begin with but the ending picks up the pace and several surprises makes the wait worth it! A good read for sure
The best part of this book is the main characters. While we spend a lot of time in Grant's head and learn about his kindheartedness, Enola is the compelling element. She's taken her trauma and turned it into being a confident badass. I want her to be my friend.
The story is slow to begin with but the ending picks up the pace and several surprises makes the wait worth it! A good read for sure
December 23, 2021
Wow... Just wow!!!! I really, really loved this book!!!!
Good story and character development. The dark humor cracked me up!
Definitely would be keeping an eye out for more books by the author.
Well done!!! Awesome story! Would have loved a bit more towards the end, but could be just because I didn't want it to end.
Good story and character development. The dark humor cracked me up!
Definitely would be keeping an eye out for more books by the author.
Well done!!! Awesome story! Would have loved a bit more towards the end, but could be just because I didn't want it to end.
December 24, 2021
An excellent debut novel. Im always a sucker for the reclusive hero and a ballsy heroine. It is a slow burn (but not torturous). The good stuff happens at the 50% or so mark. Kind of an unexpected twist. 4 solid stars
February 27, 2022
Beautiful, daring, romantic
A gripping slow burn romance about two tortured souls who find the best in each other. An absolute heartfelt page-turning romance of an unlikely pair turned friends and then lovers. Highly recommend!
A gripping slow burn romance about two tortured souls who find the best in each other. An absolute heartfelt page-turning romance of an unlikely pair turned friends and then lovers. Highly recommend!
Read
April 4, 2022FREE today (March 18, 2022) on Amazon.
April 5, 2022
Absolutely amazing!! This book kept me on my toes. I had a hard time putting this book down.
Absolutely would recommend to anyone and everyone!
Absolutely would recommend to anyone and everyone!
March 20, 2022
all thumbs up
Great story. I enjoy stories that don’t portray the HEA of the world but also address the hardships of the world (I like a HEA ending though). I also liked that I was surprised. Enjoyed this story!
Great story. I enjoy stories that don’t portray the HEA of the world but also address the hardships of the world (I like a HEA ending though). I also liked that I was surprised. Enjoyed this story!
February 27, 2022
🎨🖤Brass Tabby by Rowan Helaine easily earns ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. It’s a dark, slow-burn romance that reminds me of Beauty and the Beast. (The slow burn definitely makes up for lost time at the end…)
🎨Nola has a rough and unsettled past pushes her across the country. Grant is still trying to accept his new, dark, and scarred future. When their two worlds collide they can’t help but fall for each other in the moment…as they are. Not as the people they used to be.
🏊🏼♂️It wasn’t lost how Nola likes Grant organically because she doesn’t know him any other way—the “before” version of Grant before his accident. Same for her. He just knows the Nola of present, not chained to her past transgressions.
⛪️I like how Enola works with the nuns, a perfect juxtaposition to her other jobs.
🏰Grant’s estate is reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, and I was so excited when he gives her freedom, just like the original.
💬“You still don’t get it, do you? People look at me all the time. That doesn’t mean they’re allowed to touch.” -Enola
💬“…all he wanted was for her to stay. He wanted to keep her…” -Grant
🎨Nola has a rough and unsettled past pushes her across the country. Grant is still trying to accept his new, dark, and scarred future. When their two worlds collide they can’t help but fall for each other in the moment…as they are. Not as the people they used to be.
🏊🏼♂️It wasn’t lost how Nola likes Grant organically because she doesn’t know him any other way—the “before” version of Grant before his accident. Same for her. He just knows the Nola of present, not chained to her past transgressions.
⛪️I like how Enola works with the nuns, a perfect juxtaposition to her other jobs.
🏰Grant’s estate is reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, and I was so excited when he gives her freedom, just like the original.
💬“You still don’t get it, do you? People look at me all the time. That doesn’t mean they’re allowed to touch.” -Enola
💬“…all he wanted was for her to stay. He wanted to keep her…” -Grant
Want to Read
March 18, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/18/2022)! 🎁
December 18, 2022
This was a great, quick read! It was "slow burn," but not painfully so and the pacing was fairly well done to keep me on my toes with the will-they-won't-they (and the kind of murder mystery).
The writing is a bit disjointed at times with the switches between Nola and Grant's POVs, but I did like seeing the story from both sides.
There are a lot of TWs though, so be aware going into it. Otherwise, I read this in one sitting - it was cute and funny at times, sexy and hot at others, and left me with generally fuzzy feels outside of the absolute trauma these characters had to deal with (but that's more past than present, so that helped).
TWs: near fatal car accident, attempted suicide (multiple), depression, domestic abuse, physical abuse, violence, references to rape (not explicit), injury details, murder, sexual harassment, vomit (not detailed), alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism, drug use, death of a parent to cancer
Rep: MC is blind, has PTSD, and is a burn victim; MC is a domestic abuse survivor
The writing is a bit disjointed at times with the switches between Nola and Grant's POVs, but I did like seeing the story from both sides.
There are a lot of TWs though, so be aware going into it. Otherwise, I read this in one sitting - it was cute and funny at times, sexy and hot at others, and left me with generally fuzzy feels outside of the absolute trauma these characters had to deal with (but that's more past than present, so that helped).
TWs: near fatal car accident, attempted suicide (multiple), depression, domestic abuse, physical abuse, violence, references to rape (not explicit), injury details, murder, sexual harassment, vomit (not detailed), alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism, drug use, death of a parent to cancer
Rep: MC is blind, has PTSD, and is a burn victim; MC is a domestic abuse survivor
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews