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Two of Me
“You are so damn perfect. Every inch of you. Every part of you is more beautiful than the last. I’m burning, Nioma. I’m burning from your light, and I never want it to stop.”
Nioma Lee is an American living in Scotland. Or more precisely, hiding in Scotland from a past she can't seem to escape. Having left Wyoming four years ago to complete her education, she's a woman set in her ways. She has it all under control.
Stifling memories, panic attacks, the insomnia...they are just everyday occurrences. Nothing she can't handle.
It is all contained until a chance encounter threatens to unravel a web of fragility. When Oren MacKay drops right into the middle of her life, she must decide whether the past is worth holding onto.
Seven years of deadly secrets is a lot of skeletons to unbury and she soon finds she cannot do it alone. With the support of her therapist, her best friends and a chance to trust again, Nioma has a choice to make.
But hope can be a dangerous thing, especially when death so readily waits in the shadows.
Trigger Warnings:
This book contains content that is only suitable for adult readers.
Topics may be triggering or upsetting for some including sexual assault, domestic violence, PTSD, anxiety/panic attacks and violence against women.
Please take care when choosing to read this book.
Nioma Lee is an American living in Scotland. Or more precisely, hiding in Scotland from a past she can't seem to escape. Having left Wyoming four years ago to complete her education, she's a woman set in her ways. She has it all under control.
Stifling memories, panic attacks, the insomnia...they are just everyday occurrences. Nothing she can't handle.
It is all contained until a chance encounter threatens to unravel a web of fragility. When Oren MacKay drops right into the middle of her life, she must decide whether the past is worth holding onto.
Seven years of deadly secrets is a lot of skeletons to unbury and she soon finds she cannot do it alone. With the support of her therapist, her best friends and a chance to trust again, Nioma has a choice to make.
But hope can be a dangerous thing, especially when death so readily waits in the shadows.
Trigger Warnings:
This book contains content that is only suitable for adult readers.
Topics may be triggering or upsetting for some including sexual assault, domestic violence, PTSD, anxiety/panic attacks and violence against women.
Please take care when choosing to read this book.
Paperback
First published December 1, 2021
79 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 14, 2022
4.5/5 - some grammatical errors BUT overall, my heart was stolen by Oren and Nioma. Oren was consistent and never let Nioma down and for that, my heart craves for my own Oren one day. This book hits all the points- the good, bad, ugly of trauma, relationships, friendships, and so much more. Everyone needs to read this.
February 7, 2023
Almost DNF'd. The whole book just felt like that every single woman no matter what has been and/or is going to be abused. I just didn't like it.
May 29, 2022
You really gotta know what you’re getting into with this one. It’s heavy, trauma-based, descriptive. It’s not an easy read because it’s wildly violent in many forms. Check TW/CWs for sure because so much of this can be bothersome.
Living for Oren though 🔥 holyyyyy man. He is quite
literally the blueprint. Also the spice level of this is kinda off the charts so be prepared for steam.
Living for Oren though 🔥 holyyyyy man. He is quite
literally the blueprint. Also the spice level of this is kinda off the charts so be prepared for steam.
October 10, 2022
Oren is the sweetest! great, easy read.
February 7, 2022
4 Stars
🌶🌶.5/5
I want to start by saying that this book was so beautifully written, I was immediately captivated by this book, I finished in in a little less than 5 hours, I could not put it down.
I would say it’s best to go in blind as I did apart from reading the trigger warnings as the content is very dark at times.
If SA or DV is a trigger for you, this may be hard to read or not the book for you. Personally I felt like the darker subjects were handled so well and realistically that it didn’t feel at all like it was added in as shock value or to just add something to the story, I felt like I was learning and reliving the characters story instead of reading a book about a character if that makes sense.
Overall, I will not hesitate to recommend this to friends and will definitely be looking out for new work by this author
🌶🌶.5/5
I want to start by saying that this book was so beautifully written, I was immediately captivated by this book, I finished in in a little less than 5 hours, I could not put it down.
I would say it’s best to go in blind as I did apart from reading the trigger warnings as the content is very dark at times.
If SA or DV is a trigger for you, this may be hard to read or not the book for you. Personally I felt like the darker subjects were handled so well and realistically that it didn’t feel at all like it was added in as shock value or to just add something to the story, I felt like I was learning and reliving the characters story instead of reading a book about a character if that makes sense.
Overall, I will not hesitate to recommend this to friends and will definitely be looking out for new work by this author
May 17, 2022
My rating system:
5 stars-Absolutely loved it! I would definitely read again anytime!
4 stars - Really liked it! Will most likely read again sometime.
3 stars - Liked it. Glad I read it but probably won't read again.
2 stars - Didn't like it. Glad I'm done with the book and I'll never read it again.
1 star - Very rare rating. Absolutely hated the book. Will never read again and I'll probably burn any copies come across.
The murder scenes at the beginning of each chapter was odd. I did get a bit of perspective of survivors but overall the style just wasn't for me.
5 stars-Absolutely loved it! I would definitely read again anytime!
4 stars - Really liked it! Will most likely read again sometime.
3 stars - Liked it. Glad I read it but probably won't read again.
2 stars - Didn't like it. Glad I'm done with the book and I'll never read it again.
1 star - Very rare rating. Absolutely hated the book. Will never read again and I'll probably burn any copies come across.
The murder scenes at the beginning of each chapter was odd. I did get a bit of perspective of survivors but overall the style just wasn't for me.
June 5, 2023
I didn’t know what to expect with this book. I saw it marketed on a TikTok or a Reel (I can’t remember lol) and decided to check it out. I am so glad I did. This book needs way more hype than it gets. I try to recommend it whenever I can.
Want to read
October 28, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/29/2022)! 🎁
May 2, 2023
conflicted
First off, I appreciate the perspective of a DV survivor and the aftermath of mental health issues. It was decently done. It was heavy and at times emotional.
I struggled with the writing style and each chapter opening w a violent scene…. It held no value and was distracting since it held no context while reading and eventually skipped them (it’s revealed in the last chapters… but even after the “reveal “ still held no impact)
It felt like the author was at times writing a memoir mixed in with fiction.
With that said, I thought the h was well written and relatable. She was flawed and human which means she was toxic, destructive, aggressive and unreliable.
At times it frustrated me how the H and h interacted, especially during smexy times. She was extremely aggressive smexually free (no judgment here) and did not get tested and the H does a lot of unprotected oral.
First off, I appreciate the perspective of a DV survivor and the aftermath of mental health issues. It was decently done. It was heavy and at times emotional.
I struggled with the writing style and each chapter opening w a violent scene…. It held no value and was distracting since it held no context while reading and eventually skipped them (it’s revealed in the last chapters… but even after the “reveal “ still held no impact)
It felt like the author was at times writing a memoir mixed in with fiction.
With that said, I thought the h was well written and relatable. She was flawed and human which means she was toxic, destructive, aggressive and unreliable.
At times it frustrated me how the H and h interacted, especially during smexy times. She was extremely aggressive smexually free (no judgment here) and did not get tested and the H does a lot of unprotected oral.
April 17, 2022
I went into this book not knowing anything about the plot. I assumed it was a steamy romance. It is that, but it's more too. It's a beautifully written tribute to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I got the feeling the author had experience with the topics in the book. The accuracy of the emotions was too spot-on.
At times it was difficult to read and it did bring me to tears once. But the ending was so worth all the emotional turmoil MJ put me through.
There were a few little grammar/spelling issues but not enough to pull me from the story and not enough for me to remove a star from my rating. This book is one that I predict will stay with me for a long time to come.
If you like slow-burn, steamy romance with heart and emotion, do yourself a favor and read Two of Me. I can't wait to read more from MJ.
At times it was difficult to read and it did bring me to tears once. But the ending was so worth all the emotional turmoil MJ put me through.
There were a few little grammar/spelling issues but not enough to pull me from the story and not enough for me to remove a star from my rating. This book is one that I predict will stay with me for a long time to come.
If you like slow-burn, steamy romance with heart and emotion, do yourself a favor and read Two of Me. I can't wait to read more from MJ.
February 4, 2023
It’s one of those glad I’m read it, but I wouldn’t pick it back up or be first in line to recommend it.
The scenes at the beginning of each chapter were a bit odd and I didn’t quite understand what was happening. I couldn’t tell if she was repeatedly killing him, if they were all supposed to be the same event or if she was some vigilante serial killer who went around killing men.
I’m also not sure if Scottish universities work the same way as English universities but i would this the the basic enrolment and visa requirements are similar. So that chapter really doesn’t make sense to me as she’s American and would therefore be on a Visa which would mean she wouldn’t be able to stay in the country if she wasn’t at university as that is the purpose for her Visa. Bit picky but it took me out of the story and after that I couldn’t concentrate on it.
The scenes at the beginning of each chapter were a bit odd and I didn’t quite understand what was happening. I couldn’t tell if she was repeatedly killing him, if they were all supposed to be the same event or if she was some vigilante serial killer who went around killing men.
I’m also not sure if Scottish universities work the same way as English universities but i would this the the basic enrolment and visa requirements are similar. So that chapter really doesn’t make sense to me as she’s American and would therefore be on a Visa which would mean she wouldn’t be able to stay in the country if she wasn’t at university as that is the purpose for her Visa. Bit picky but it took me out of the story and after that I couldn’t concentrate on it.
October 1, 2023
Make sure you read content warnings if you plan to pick this one up! Two of Me is a story of overcoming past trauma and learning to trust and love again.
I gave this book a 3/5 stars for a few reasons. While I think the romance is cute in this book, it felt a little forced to me. The story itself is very heavy and focuses a lot on the FMC’s past trauma, but the way it was presented at times felt like there was a little bit of internalized misogyny? There were a few grammatical and spelling errors, but not so many that I had to DNF.
📸running from the past
📸mental health representation
📸protective MMC
📸set in Scotland!
I gave this book a 3/5 stars for a few reasons. While I think the romance is cute in this book, it felt a little forced to me. The story itself is very heavy and focuses a lot on the FMC’s past trauma, but the way it was presented at times felt like there was a little bit of internalized misogyny? There were a few grammatical and spelling errors, but not so many that I had to DNF.
📸running from the past
📸mental health representation
📸protective MMC
📸set in Scotland!
March 1, 2022
Wow. I struggled with how to rate this book because it’s so emotionally poignant and beautifully written but it’s also so devastating. I recommend it but highly HIGHLY encourage checking trigger warnings. We all need us an Oren *swoon* what a delightfully kind and patient man. I loved how moving and profound this book was and how it didn’t shy away. This is not a book to be read lightly, it’s not an easy read but that’s what makes it good.
August 25, 2022
This book has TW so please check before reading.
Honestly, the characters are written with honesty and a rawness that kills me and some of the quotes from the book will stay with me forever. It tells a beautifully broken story and I felt every inch of it with my heart, stories like this just gut me.
The best part is that to soothe you whilst reading Oren will be there like a balsam to all of the open wounds that Nioma has.
I can’t wait to read part two now!
Honestly, the characters are written with honesty and a rawness that kills me and some of the quotes from the book will stay with me forever. It tells a beautifully broken story and I felt every inch of it with my heart, stories like this just gut me.
The best part is that to soothe you whilst reading Oren will be there like a balsam to all of the open wounds that Nioma has.
I can’t wait to read part two now!
June 2, 2022
I have no words.
Or are there no words to have?
Or are words not enough?
I wish I never read this, so I can go back and live these characters for the first time.
Masterful.
Heady.
Heavy.
Sincere.
Thoughtful.
Delicate.
Strong.
Inspirational.
Aspirational.
Detrimental.
Soulful.
Enough.
EVERYTHING.
Or are there no words to have?
Or are words not enough?
I wish I never read this, so I can go back and live these characters for the first time.
Masterful.
Heady.
Heavy.
Sincere.
Thoughtful.
Delicate.
Strong.
Inspirational.
Aspirational.
Detrimental.
Soulful.
Enough.
EVERYTHING.
June 8, 2022
I didn’t expect what this book was going to be about. But god did I need it. Seeing how many stories there are, whether it’s made up or based on truth, makes dealing with my own experiences a bit better, knowing I’m not alone. I came into this because I saw something on tik tok. I finished it in less than 8 hours. I couldn’t put it down.
May 16, 2022
Something about this just really didn’t connect with me. Like the book is trying to take itself too seriously. MC is supposed to be really untrusting and struggles with pushing people away, but within a month is completely in love with and trusts the main love interest? Doesn’t add up for me. The writing itself is good, characters are just…. The development really misses the mark for me. I didn’t hate it and I still finished it. 1/5 spicy peppers because a lot of the sex is only about a paragraph long and with random guys until very late in the book.
I will say, Oren is very lovable, and the way SA and domestic violence are written about, as well as the main character’s processing of emotions, are very well done. Not a book I enjoyed enough to recommend to a friend though.
I will say, Oren is very lovable, and the way SA and domestic violence are written about, as well as the main character’s processing of emotions, are very well done. Not a book I enjoyed enough to recommend to a friend though.
February 8, 2022
Came across this on TikTok and decided to check it out. It did take me a while to get into it but overall it wasn’t bad. Do read the trigger warnings in advance!
February 9, 2022
Laurie Halse Anderson's "Speak" meets Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series in this novel about a woman coming to grips with SA and finding love after.
June 30, 2022
This novella is so much more than I expected. Definitely heed trigger warnings at the beginning. Loved the writing style. Looking forward to more from this author.
July 7, 2022
Hitting Home
This book was so amazing, as a Scottish lass myself, seeing someone talk about Scotland in such a beautiful way was so lonely.
I cried with the characters, I laughed with them, i empathised with them, I felt it all, I related to it.
I loved this book.
This book was so amazing, as a Scottish lass myself, seeing someone talk about Scotland in such a beautiful way was so lonely.
I cried with the characters, I laughed with them, i empathised with them, I felt it all, I related to it.
I loved this book.
February 4, 2023
Love 4.5⭐️
November 3, 2023
First romance/smutty book I've read. Main character was a little annoying.
December 3, 2023
4 stars.
Oh I do love a Scotsman.
This book is so much more than that but that was the first thought as I finished.
Oh I do love a Scotsman.
This book is so much more than that but that was the first thought as I finished.
November 17, 2022
It was a bit tough to get into at first, but I think that was mostly me struggling to get through some of the topics in this book. Overall, however, it was an excellent read. I loved the discussion of mental health and the healing process after traumatic events. I loved that the Nioma wasn’t made out to be weak because of what she experienced, but especially that she wasn’t slut shamed for how she chose to deal with her trauma, even when she later admits to herself that it’s not how she wants to deal with it long-term.
Nioma was such a real character!!! I loved that she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, but she still struggled with her trauma and her anxiety. It was refreshing to see the ugly side of trauma in a book and see how the fmc handled it with each individual character.
Owen, OH Owen!!! Ugh where do I even start? I. LOVE. HIM. SO. FREAKING. MUCH. He was amazing!!! So attentive, so understanding, so freaking loving. It was so beautiful to see his relationship with Nioma grow. He never judged her actions, or made her feel less than, or even made her feel unsafe in any way. He was such an amazing support system for Nioma and I love how their love flourished and how their relationship progressed throughout the book.
Amazing book overall. I genuinely enjoyed reading it. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, but more importantly I learned so much about my own personal struggles reading this book. 5 stars!!
Nioma was such a real character!!! I loved that she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, but she still struggled with her trauma and her anxiety. It was refreshing to see the ugly side of trauma in a book and see how the fmc handled it with each individual character.
Owen, OH Owen!!! Ugh where do I even start? I. LOVE. HIM. SO. FREAKING. MUCH. He was amazing!!! So attentive, so understanding, so freaking loving. It was so beautiful to see his relationship with Nioma grow. He never judged her actions, or made her feel less than, or even made her feel unsafe in any way. He was such an amazing support system for Nioma and I love how their love flourished and how their relationship progressed throughout the book.
Amazing book overall. I genuinely enjoyed reading it. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, but more importantly I learned so much about my own personal struggles reading this book. 5 stars!!
June 20, 2022
2.5 rounded to a 3. A quick read - definitely pay attention to the content warnings.
January 8, 2024
4.75⭐️
3.5🌶
Loved this book! Make sure to check trigger warnings. Oren is top notch book boyfriend material!
3.5🌶
Loved this book! Make sure to check trigger warnings. Oren is top notch book boyfriend material!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews