What do you think?
Rate this book
Her Shadows, His Secrets
Hanna
I hid in the shadows all my life. That was where I felt I belonged the most, because I was ridiculed by the ones I loved, by society’s view of women like me.
But now I believe someone is out to hurt me, yet I don’t know who it could be. I didn’t think I had anyone to fear, except for in the shadows, the same ones that used to keep me safe.
Moving to Cherry Hill meant I could start fresh, but this town holds something I wasn’t ready for. Not only do I find things out about myself and parts of my life I didn’t know existed, but I also meet him.
Theo
I was only here for a job. But now she’s in front of me, interfering and blocking the clear path. Bending and breaking under my hands day in and day out. The secrets I hold could destroy her and, in turn, hurt me.
I regret how we began the moment I get to know her. Now, it all hangs in the balance. My secrets are getting too heavy, and when they come out, I just may lose the one woman I know I could fall for.
I hid in the shadows all my life. That was where I felt I belonged the most, because I was ridiculed by the ones I loved, by society’s view of women like me.
But now I believe someone is out to hurt me, yet I don’t know who it could be. I didn’t think I had anyone to fear, except for in the shadows, the same ones that used to keep me safe.
Moving to Cherry Hill meant I could start fresh, but this town holds something I wasn’t ready for. Not only do I find things out about myself and parts of my life I didn’t know existed, but I also meet him.
Theo
I was only here for a job. But now she’s in front of me, interfering and blocking the clear path. Bending and breaking under my hands day in and day out. The secrets I hold could destroy her and, in turn, hurt me.
I regret how we began the moment I get to know her. Now, it all hangs in the balance. My secrets are getting too heavy, and when they come out, I just may lose the one woman I know I could fall for.
Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2022
471 people are currently reading
5606 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Monroe
24 books914 followersAuthor CC Monroe was born in the sunshine state of California. Now residing in Utah with her real life book husband and beautiful sons; she spends her days working and her nights locked away writing the stories her readers can’t get enough of!
Writing angst filled, plot driven, insanely sexy stories just the way we like it. CC has mad one liners, can be witty on the spot and curses like a sailor. Her best friend is coffee with a side of sarcasm.
Meet your new go to author—CC Monroe.
Writing angst filled, plot driven, insanely sexy stories just the way we like it. CC has mad one liners, can be witty on the spot and curses like a sailor. Her best friend is coffee with a side of sarcasm.
Meet your new go to author—CC Monroe.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
April 10, 2022
When I saw this cover and read the synopsis, I just knew I was going to enjoy this book. Y’all, this book was a mess. The characters weren’t likable, the romance was forced, and the plot was all over the place.
There were so many times that I wanted to shake Hanna. She kept a “woe is me” mentality the entire book. Do you know how exhausting that was? I get it, she was a bigger girl. Hell, I am too. I’m in a 16/18 size range. We never got a good description of Hanna so it’s hard to say what size she was. But she kept wallowing with she had no friends and god forbid someone actually thinks she's attractive. Along with that, she’s still making new people in her life pay for what one guy did to her in high school. The self-pity got old fast!
Theo. I refuse to call this man a love interest! He was such an asshole. He didn’t want a relationship, only casual until he left town. Fine, but the way he went about was such a turn-off. Anytime Hanna did something remotely affectionate he would always accuse her of falling in love with him and you know we can’t have that.
Speaking of love, there is not a way in hell that I believe that these two are in love with each other. This relationship was built on sex and that’s all it was. They never got to know each other past sex.
Also, since the author didn’t put in a warning, there’s blood and knife play in this one. I didn’t expect it and would have liked a heads up.
As you can see, this didn’t work for me.
There were so many times that I wanted to shake Hanna. She kept a “woe is me” mentality the entire book. Do you know how exhausting that was? I get it, she was a bigger girl. Hell, I am too. I’m in a 16/18 size range. We never got a good description of Hanna so it’s hard to say what size she was. But she kept wallowing with she had no friends and god forbid someone actually thinks she's attractive. Along with that, she’s still making new people in her life pay for what one guy did to her in high school. The self-pity got old fast!
Theo. I refuse to call this man a love interest! He was such an asshole. He didn’t want a relationship, only casual until he left town. Fine, but the way he went about was such a turn-off. Anytime Hanna did something remotely affectionate he would always accuse her of falling in love with him and you know we can’t have that.
Speaking of love, there is not a way in hell that I believe that these two are in love with each other. This relationship was built on sex and that’s all it was. They never got to know each other past sex.
Also, since the author didn’t put in a warning, there’s blood and knife play in this one. I didn’t expect it and would have liked a heads up.
As you can see, this didn’t work for me.
March 29, 2022
4.5⭐️
I have been waiting for this book since CC gave us some hints on her page and I LOVED EVERY SECOND! I laughed, cried and gotta say Theo pass to book husband for me!! Let’s start
When you first meet Hanna she’s already going though it the wired rattle of her door at night and from a young age being abandoned by mostly everyone. Now she hears she has a grandfather who passed away with nothing holding her back she ups and leaves. A small little town where her grandfather grew up in is her new fresh start but she still feels the sting of why didn’t this man ever find me, now let’s talk THEO!!! He’s back in his hometown he dislikes because it’s small he likes the big city life and when he meets Hanna he wants her but she turns him down many times because she knows his type. Only wanting to date her so he can nail the fat girl. And boy Theo was hot and cold for me I love how he told Hanna not to bad mouth herself but lord he was a jerk for a few minutes lol.
Theo knows what he wants and goes after it but he has rules this is a fuck only relationship nothing else.. 😂😂😂 boy did he try so hard few times the lines were blurred that had both trying hard to make sure it was just sex.
THERE WAS ONENSCENE I DIED!!! let me tell you lord 🔥🔥🔥 Theo has a tongue on him… we got some angst and some secrets that can ruin a relationship.. and when it comes out I was shocked and didn’t that. But glad our couple fought for their HEA. I can’t wait for more of this town.m
Low angst, no ow/om drama, No cheating, slight secondary chars, drama, sexy times, no virgins (H was a manwhore and had a pass)
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶🌶
Prologue
Slowburnish
Age gap
23h/30H
Push/pull from Both
Dom/sub undertones
Masturbation
No condom
Tiny knife play
Tiny Praise kink
Degradation kink
Tiny violence
Separation few weeks
Punisments
Sex toys
Epilogue
I have been waiting for this book since CC gave us some hints on her page and I LOVED EVERY SECOND! I laughed, cried and gotta say Theo pass to book husband for me!! Let’s start
When you first meet Hanna she’s already going though it the wired rattle of her door at night and from a young age being abandoned by mostly everyone. Now she hears she has a grandfather who passed away with nothing holding her back she ups and leaves. A small little town where her grandfather grew up in is her new fresh start but she still feels the sting of why didn’t this man ever find me, now let’s talk THEO!!! He’s back in his hometown he dislikes because it’s small he likes the big city life and when he meets Hanna he wants her but she turns him down many times because she knows his type. Only wanting to date her so he can nail the fat girl. And boy Theo was hot and cold for me I love how he told Hanna not to bad mouth herself but lord he was a jerk for a few minutes lol.
Theo knows what he wants and goes after it but he has rules this is a fuck only relationship nothing else.. 😂😂😂 boy did he try so hard few times the lines were blurred that had both trying hard to make sure it was just sex.
THERE WAS ONENSCENE I DIED!!! let me tell you lord 🔥🔥🔥 Theo has a tongue on him… we got some angst and some secrets that can ruin a relationship.. and when it comes out I was shocked and didn’t that. But glad our couple fought for their HEA. I can’t wait for more of this town.m
Low angst, no ow/om drama, No cheating, slight secondary chars, drama, sexy times, no virgins (H was a manwhore and had a pass)
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶🌶
Prologue
Slowburnish
Age gap
23h/30H
Push/pull from Both
Dom/sub undertones
Masturbation
No condom
Tiny knife play
Tiny Praise kink
Degradation kink
Tiny violence
Separation few weeks
Punisments
Sex toys
Epilogue
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2022
3.5 stars
Met Theo.
“Pull my cock out and choke on it, puppet.”
He's crass, possessive as ffffuck and a gentleman (a lil bit?).
“I will never let a man, or anyone for that matter, disrespect you, puppet.” He brings his other hand up, the one with a bit of blood on the knuckles... The blood streaks my cheek, and I shiver. “Now you wear the blood of the man who disrespected you.”
He's the one you want on your court.
Now meet Hanna.
“Is this funny? To insult me when I’m already a mess? Is this what you wanted? Get the fat girl all upset, make her feel bad about herself so you can laugh about it to your friends?”
She's sweet, very insecure about her weight (plus size h represents!), and on the run from a stalker.
But don't worry, Theo is there to set her straight.
“You call yourself fat in my presence again and so help me, Hanna.”
“Why does it mean anything to you?”
“Because the woman I plan to fuck and worship can’t possibly be insecure. You will need to love your body when you’re with me, or this won’t work.”
They met when Hanna came home to her deadbeat mom's hometown and Theo for an assignment. We all can guess what happened next.
As for my thoughts, I actually think this is a mediocre book. It's fun, alpha, instalove and safe (probably some trigger on the weight issues, Hanna's self esteem is very low on that department). However, now that I've finished the book, I actually can think of it quite fondly. It was just an okay book with pretty nice characters. Also the smut is fantastic (cw on knife play, totally forgot that happened).
So yeah, just a nice book. Not that super unique, with your typical plot but I love these characters. Recommended for some happy times smut reading.
P.s. Can we all agree that 'greens' is not a cute pet name? It's like calling someone's 'hey, fruits'. Right? Only me? Okay.
P.p.s. Where can I get myself a stalker? Asking for a friend. Okay no, that's for me. Fuck, I've finally lost my mind.
Met Theo.
“Pull my cock out and choke on it, puppet.”
He's crass, possessive as ffffuck and a gentleman (a lil bit?).
“I will never let a man, or anyone for that matter, disrespect you, puppet.” He brings his other hand up, the one with a bit of blood on the knuckles... The blood streaks my cheek, and I shiver. “Now you wear the blood of the man who disrespected you.”
He's the one you want on your court.
Now meet Hanna.
“Is this funny? To insult me when I’m already a mess? Is this what you wanted? Get the fat girl all upset, make her feel bad about herself so you can laugh about it to your friends?”
She's sweet, very insecure about her weight (plus size h represents!), and on the run from a stalker.
But don't worry, Theo is there to set her straight.
“You call yourself fat in my presence again and so help me, Hanna.”
“Why does it mean anything to you?”
“Because the woman I plan to fuck and worship can’t possibly be insecure. You will need to love your body when you’re with me, or this won’t work.”
They met when Hanna came home to her deadbeat mom's hometown and Theo for an assignment. We all can guess what happened next.
As for my thoughts, I actually think this is a mediocre book. It's fun, alpha, instalove and safe (probably some trigger on the weight issues, Hanna's self esteem is very low on that department). However, now that I've finished the book, I actually can think of it quite fondly. It was just an okay book with pretty nice characters. Also the smut is fantastic (cw on knife play, totally forgot that happened).
So yeah, just a nice book. Not that super unique, with your typical plot but I love these characters. Recommended for some happy times smut reading.
P.s. Can we all agree that 'greens' is not a cute pet name? It's like calling someone's 'hey, fruits'. Right? Only me? Okay.
P.p.s. Where can I get myself a stalker? Asking for a friend. Okay no, that's for me. Fuck, I've finally lost my mind.
dnf
May 5, 2022DNF - the hero’s pov was hilarious. - he gets turned on checking himself out naked in a mirror and ponders how he really needs to dominate someone. 👀🤡 I was cackling, which I don’t think the author intended.
Also, the h is a sad sack and her weight/body issues take center stage.
Not for me.
Also, the h is a sad sack and her weight/body issues take center stage.
Not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2022
This was my first CC Monroe book, and I really really enjoyed it.
This story follows Theo and Hanna.
Hanna was living in NYC until she found out her long lost grandpa passed away, leaving his estate to her, so she packs up and moves to South Carolina. Leaving behind her old life (which wasn't much of a life - she was a recluse) in the middle of the night. The problem is, she had a slight stalker problem, and no one believed her, until it was too late.
In walks Theo, he's back in town on Cherry Hill for a job. He meets Hanna and is immediately attracted to her. He says over and over again that he cannot and will not fall in love, but he can't seem to let Hanna go.
They move in to a friends with bennies situation, so what happens when feelings do get involved and lies are discovered??
What I liked - this book was super fast paced, and I couldn't really predict much. Obviously we know from the title his secrets that he had a secret, but it took me a very long time to figure it out. I like it when books aren't easily predictable. I really enjoyed the spice.. he was definitely dominant until he relinquished the control and I liked seeing that balance. I also LOVED his sister and hope she gets her own book one day.
What I didn't like - Hanna is insecure, and BIG TIME insecure. Now to be fair, something occurs in high school that makes her this way and I can understand her insecurities. However, with my own body issues personally, I didn't like getting reminded of insecurities consistently throughout the whole book. I more prefer a balance of confidence and insecurities, not just confidence because the hot man told her she is beautiful. But that is a personal opinion... she isn't annoying or fragile, she's just been hurt in the past. And just for my own inner thoughts, it felt like a lot of the book was about how she hated herself.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend!
4/5 stars for plot
3/5 spice
TW: on page violence, de@th, stalking, slight thriller vibes, foster care, abandonment issues
**Arc given for honest review**
This story follows Theo and Hanna.
Hanna was living in NYC until she found out her long lost grandpa passed away, leaving his estate to her, so she packs up and moves to South Carolina. Leaving behind her old life (which wasn't much of a life - she was a recluse) in the middle of the night. The problem is, she had a slight stalker problem, and no one believed her, until it was too late.
In walks Theo, he's back in town on Cherry Hill for a job. He meets Hanna and is immediately attracted to her. He says over and over again that he cannot and will not fall in love, but he can't seem to let Hanna go.
They move in to a friends with bennies situation, so what happens when feelings do get involved and lies are discovered??
What I liked - this book was super fast paced, and I couldn't really predict much. Obviously we know from the title his secrets that he had a secret, but it took me a very long time to figure it out. I like it when books aren't easily predictable. I really enjoyed the spice.. he was definitely dominant until he relinquished the control and I liked seeing that balance. I also LOVED his sister and hope she gets her own book one day.
What I didn't like - Hanna is insecure, and BIG TIME insecure. Now to be fair, something occurs in high school that makes her this way and I can understand her insecurities. However, with my own body issues personally, I didn't like getting reminded of insecurities consistently throughout the whole book. I more prefer a balance of confidence and insecurities, not just confidence because the hot man told her she is beautiful. But that is a personal opinion... she isn't annoying or fragile, she's just been hurt in the past. And just for my own inner thoughts, it felt like a lot of the book was about how she hated herself.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend!
4/5 stars for plot
3/5 spice
TW: on page violence, de@th, stalking, slight thriller vibes, foster care, abandonment issues
**Arc given for honest review**
April 18, 2022
uhhh how do I say this was pretty awful in a nice way? The premise of this book was great. The prologue was so intriguing...until it appeared in the second chapter. I actually had to go back and see if it was word for word the prologue and the author wasn't just using the same phrases. Usually the prologue shows up in the 75% mark, not the first few chapters. The suspense of the book was overshadowed by Theo's (the H) over-the-top caveman obsession with Hannah (the h).
Hannah is a plus size woman. Great! Does she need to say something about being "fat" on every page and every inner monologue? No. I was over the woe-is-me act within 25% of the book. I understand that it doesn't just go away, but I wanted to know more about Hannah the person. If I were to look back on her character and try to remember what she was like, all I would be able to recall is she was plus sized. That should never be the case. BEING PLUS SIZED SHOULD NOT BE A CHARACTER TRAIT.
Theo....is a psychopath, not a love interest. Other than him constantly reassuring her of her size, there weren't any soft or swoony moments. I love an obsessive H, but this was not my cup of tea.
Hannah is a plus size woman. Great! Does she need to say something about being "fat" on every page and every inner monologue? No. I was over the woe-is-me act within 25% of the book. I understand that it doesn't just go away, but I wanted to know more about Hannah the person. If I were to look back on her character and try to remember what she was like, all I would be able to recall is she was plus sized. That should never be the case. BEING PLUS SIZED SHOULD NOT BE A CHARACTER TRAIT.
Theo....is a psychopath, not a love interest. Other than him constantly reassuring her of her size, there weren't any soft or swoony moments. I love an obsessive H, but this was not my cup of tea.
April 9, 2022
This book is bananas. I finished it, but thought of DNF-ing it a few times. Theo is a control freak train wreck. Hanna somehow enjoys him. If your man makes you use words like cower and flinch, then maybe you should find a new one. Also, Hanna's self-hate about her body is yuck, then Theo goes grabbing her and trying to hate-love self-esteem into her. It was a bizarre read. I think I could have really liked this story if they characters were not so unbelievable and sometimes repellant.
January 6, 2025
I can honestly say I’ve never read anything like this. This man is so obsessed with Hanna and I loved every bit of it my god. I’m not even an insta love fan but this didn’t even feel that way, it was more insta lust which I personally can handle better.
Theo is SO HOT and possessive and absolutely insane but like… I’m here for it.
The plus size reforestation in this made me feel so seen and so understood and we need more of this. CC absolutely nailed the insecure thoughts and constant back and forth with your mind about worrying about your body as a big girl.
The 🔪 play was new for me but… lowkey.. kinda fire.
THE SPICE??? SHEESH 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Theo is SO HOT and possessive and absolutely insane but like… I’m here for it.
The plus size reforestation in this made me feel so seen and so understood and we need more of this. CC absolutely nailed the insecure thoughts and constant back and forth with your mind about worrying about your body as a big girl.
The 🔪 play was new for me but… lowkey.. kinda fire.
THE SPICE??? SHEESH 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
April 22, 2022
I like the grumpy asshole as much as the next person, and I don’t mind a story where the heroine learns to love herself either. But this was a train wreck. Theo is just an asshole - no love about him. That’s not a dom/sub relationship, that’s pure abuse. Hanna is so annoying - I KNOW how bad insecurities over weight can get. I’ve felt that sadness and anger. But geez I never used it to create a personality. She had no likeable traits. I only read as far as I did because I was interested to find out her backstory; but I stopped caring. DNF and no regrets
June 29, 2022
4.5 Stars
The ANGSTTTTTT. Omg this book was so angsty. I really love the curvy girl rep and I loved how the hero worshipped her!!
The ANGSTTTTTT. Omg this book was so angsty. I really love the curvy girl rep and I loved how the hero worshipped her!!
March 30, 2022
This book gave a little bit of everything! It was mega spicy, k!nky, suspenseful, and heartfelt.
Hanna leaves New York for Cherry Hill after finding out her grandfather, who she never knew about, passed away and left her his estate. New York has given her loneliness and a stalker so she takes the move in stride and within her first week, runs into Greek god-ish Theo. Theo's immediately interested in pursuing his dark, spicy desires with Hanna but she's plus-sized and been burned before so she writes it off as a cruel joke. Theo doesn't give up easily and what ensues is a sex-only arrangement... but we all know how that goes right?
Throughout this arrangement, we see both MCs sail right past the sex-only stipulation and all the while, Hanna's stalker keeps popping up. Theo has a big secret of his own as well.
I really, really liked this book. It read really fast and there was plenty to keep me interested. It was super spicy and I LOVE watching a total player fall headfirst straight into love. I wish we saw Hanna embrace her body a bit more. I love plus-size rep, and this was a really accurate depiction of how it can feel but throughout the book, we mostly see Theo's appreciation of her figure and Hanna going along with it. I don't expect a total 180 on insecurities but I would have loved to see Hanna have some more moments of confidence and see that she felt herself physically worthy of Theo.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Hanna leaves New York for Cherry Hill after finding out her grandfather, who she never knew about, passed away and left her his estate. New York has given her loneliness and a stalker so she takes the move in stride and within her first week, runs into Greek god-ish Theo. Theo's immediately interested in pursuing his dark, spicy desires with Hanna but she's plus-sized and been burned before so she writes it off as a cruel joke. Theo doesn't give up easily and what ensues is a sex-only arrangement... but we all know how that goes right?
Throughout this arrangement, we see both MCs sail right past the sex-only stipulation and all the while, Hanna's stalker keeps popping up. Theo has a big secret of his own as well.
I really, really liked this book. It read really fast and there was plenty to keep me interested. It was super spicy and I LOVE watching a total player fall headfirst straight into love. I wish we saw Hanna embrace her body a bit more. I love plus-size rep, and this was a really accurate depiction of how it can feel but throughout the book, we mostly see Theo's appreciation of her figure and Hanna going along with it. I don't expect a total 180 on insecurities but I would have loved to see Hanna have some more moments of confidence and see that she felt herself physically worthy of Theo.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2022
1.5/5 💩
I wanted to DNF this so bad but I also wanted to leave a bad review and I refuse to review a book I don’t finish so I had to suffer through it to write this review.
First, Hannah (the female MC) was TERRIBLE. Her only personality trait was that she was curvy and hated herself. She had these internal monologues like she was talking to herself, it was awful.
Second, Theo (the male MC). This man was absolute cringe and not in the good way. I like the asshole alpha just as much as the next smutreader but let me tell ya this guy was not it. He literally looked on the mirror and got turned on by himself? What is that a joke? He called the female MC “puppet” every freaking sentence. Like it’s not cute? Stop.
Third, all the side characters were trash too. Crappy personalities, subpar, did not help the book.
Tbh prob 50% of the book was smut scenes which would be totally fine if they were good, they weren’t. The characters had no chemistry, everything was forced.
Also, there was multiple typos and that was annoying.
I wanted to DNF this so bad but I also wanted to leave a bad review and I refuse to review a book I don’t finish so I had to suffer through it to write this review.
First, Hannah (the female MC) was TERRIBLE. Her only personality trait was that she was curvy and hated herself. She had these internal monologues like she was talking to herself, it was awful.
Second, Theo (the male MC). This man was absolute cringe and not in the good way. I like the asshole alpha just as much as the next smutreader but let me tell ya this guy was not it. He literally looked on the mirror and got turned on by himself? What is that a joke? He called the female MC “puppet” every freaking sentence. Like it’s not cute? Stop.
Third, all the side characters were trash too. Crappy personalities, subpar, did not help the book.
Tbh prob 50% of the book was smut scenes which would be totally fine if they were good, they weren’t. The characters had no chemistry, everything was forced.
Also, there was multiple typos and that was annoying.
September 17, 2024
Can't lie, I wasn't the biggest fan of the start of this one. I wanted things to get to the point already and I felt like we were just getting the same thing over and over again. Personally, the second half of the book saved it all for me.
This book follows Hanna and Theo.
Hanna was abandoned when she was a baby and hopped around foster homes. One day she gets a letter in the mail saying her grandfather passed and left everything to her. Having nothing in New York, she takes what she can, gets on a bus, and goes to Cherry Hill, South Carolina.
Theo grew up in Cherry Hill. His parents and sister still live there, but he moved to New York to get out of that town. Theo is back in town for a few weeks for a job and that's all he says. He wants to be out of that town as fast as he can be.
Theo and Hanna don't start off not the greatest foot and Hanna instantly does not like Theo, but Theo becomes intrigued with her instantly. Although Theo is a man who does not do commitment, he does go after what he wants and right now, he wants Hanna, so let the chase begin.
Theo and Hanna come to a mutual agreement on what this can and cannot be. Pleasure only, and once feelings show even a little, it stops. They're both on board and it seems to be going fine, until both of them find themselves seeking out the other a bit too much.
I felt like the beginning was a bit of a whirlwind. Theo and Hanna jumped into things really fast without knowing much about each other, so it was hard to root for them when I couldn't see the foundation. I know it was intentional since it was supposed to be a casual thing, but I felt disconnected from the characters. Once Hanna and Theo began to talk to each other more and be more open, then I found something to root for. I really enjoyed watching them get to know each other.
Watching Theo care for Hanna and slowly bring down his walls and soften for her gave me everything I could've ever wanted! Theo was so harsh at first that I didn't know if I would ever grow to like him, but by the end of the book I loved him.
I will mention - some of the nicknames Theo used for Hanna didn't do it for me at all. I also felt like the mystery was very in and out of the plot. Then the ending was giving me whiplash. I understand why the ending was so fast paced, but I do wish we got more sprinkles and foreshadowing of the mystery plotline more. I feel like it would've made it apart of the story instead of a convenient conflict/shock line.
This book follows Hanna and Theo.
Hanna was abandoned when she was a baby and hopped around foster homes. One day she gets a letter in the mail saying her grandfather passed and left everything to her. Having nothing in New York, she takes what she can, gets on a bus, and goes to Cherry Hill, South Carolina.
Theo grew up in Cherry Hill. His parents and sister still live there, but he moved to New York to get out of that town. Theo is back in town for a few weeks for a job and that's all he says. He wants to be out of that town as fast as he can be.
Theo and Hanna don't start off not the greatest foot and Hanna instantly does not like Theo, but Theo becomes intrigued with her instantly. Although Theo is a man who does not do commitment, he does go after what he wants and right now, he wants Hanna, so let the chase begin.
Theo and Hanna come to a mutual agreement on what this can and cannot be. Pleasure only, and once feelings show even a little, it stops. They're both on board and it seems to be going fine, until both of them find themselves seeking out the other a bit too much.
I felt like the beginning was a bit of a whirlwind. Theo and Hanna jumped into things really fast without knowing much about each other, so it was hard to root for them when I couldn't see the foundation. I know it was intentional since it was supposed to be a casual thing, but I felt disconnected from the characters. Once Hanna and Theo began to talk to each other more and be more open, then I found something to root for. I really enjoyed watching them get to know each other.
Watching Theo care for Hanna and slowly bring down his walls and soften for her gave me everything I could've ever wanted! Theo was so harsh at first that I didn't know if I would ever grow to like him, but by the end of the book I loved him.
I will mention - some of the nicknames Theo used for Hanna didn't do it for me at all. I also felt like the mystery was very in and out of the plot. Then the ending was giving me whiplash. I understand why the ending was so fast paced, but I do wish we got more sprinkles and foreshadowing of the mystery plotline more. I feel like it would've made it apart of the story instead of a convenient conflict/shock line.
"To be with someone who loves you so deeply, with such force and desire that they would do anything to keep you as theirs and theirs alone." (8)
"Don't be ashamed of desires, they are what makes life worth living" (110)
"What a shame that this world ever made you afraid or ashamed to love yourself. What a shame they don't see what I see" (120)
"Some scars are closed and only outwardly show for a reason, to remind you to be careful and to never open the skin again." (187)
March 24, 2022
I was lucky enough to get this as an ARC by the author!
This is my first read from CC Monroe and I would for sure like to read more from her.
I really enjoyed this book. Hanna is a plus size FMC and her inner dialogue really hit home. All her insecurities and hatred of her body is something I’ve dealt with so I can really relate to this character.
Although this isn’t insta love, it’s definitely insta lust!! Theo is a total simp for Hanna ♥️ I love how possessive and protective he is of her, bro knew he was falling in love.
This spice is flipping hot 🥵🥵
BDSM
Possessive alpha
🔪 play
Degradation/praise
I love the friendship between Hanna and Theo’s sister, Brenda. I plus have loved more time with them two together but Theo wasn’t having it! 🤣
I would have liked to see a bit more action during the ending because we kind of lost some of the suspense but it was still done pretty well.
THAT EPILOGUE 🥵🥵
This is my first read from CC Monroe and I would for sure like to read more from her.
I really enjoyed this book. Hanna is a plus size FMC and her inner dialogue really hit home. All her insecurities and hatred of her body is something I’ve dealt with so I can really relate to this character.
Although this isn’t insta love, it’s definitely insta lust!! Theo is a total simp for Hanna ♥️ I love how possessive and protective he is of her, bro knew he was falling in love.
This spice is flipping hot 🥵🥵
BDSM
Possessive alpha
🔪 play
Degradation/praise
I love the friendship between Hanna and Theo’s sister, Brenda. I plus have loved more time with them two together but Theo wasn’t having it! 🤣
I would have liked to see a bit more action during the ending because we kind of lost some of the suspense but it was still done pretty well.
THAT EPILOGUE 🥵🥵
September 2, 2023
The whole thing was a big phat no from me. The fmc is a plus sized girl and she made it her whole personality and I was not a fan and the way he “fixed her” made me want to projectile vomit
April 1, 2022
I got to 35% and decided I wouldn't go any further. The insta love was odd, because it's not insta-love the H really seems like a dominant a hole who just wants to get a sub. I liked the mystery of her maybe stalker, but the way the h and H talked to eachother isn't something I think I would enjoy. Also, the h is plus sized and I was excited for some representation but her constant belittling herself was overdone enough that her self esteem could have been a secondary character. The writing wasn't bad and the plot was an interesting concept, the dialog and characters just weren't for me.
June 7, 2023
CC really hit this one out of the flipping park.
It was dark where it needed to be.
But we still got love and humor.
It was also spicy af! Like oh my gawd. 👀❤️🔥
The foreshadowing through out this book was incredible. And the twist had me at the edge of my seat!
Easiest 5 stars I have ever given her!
So proud to see how much this woman and author is growing and doing for her readers 🖤
It was dark where it needed to be.
But we still got love and humor.
It was also spicy af! Like oh my gawd. 👀❤️🔥
The foreshadowing through out this book was incredible. And the twist had me at the edge of my seat!
Easiest 5 stars I have ever given her!
So proud to see how much this woman and author is growing and doing for her readers 🖤
Read
June 3, 2024dnf’d at 34%. it just got really boring and i’m already in a huge slump so i’m not gonna make myself read through this whole thing. they also genuinely had no connection what’s so ever.
March 29, 2022
This book is hands down CC Monroe's best to date.
From the moment I got my hands on this book, I cleared my schedule, and then devoured it, only pausing in my reading because I could physically not keep my eyes open. Theo and Hanna were everything, and I have never resonated so much with a character than I did with Hanna. As a plus size woman, I have felt everything that she has felt when it comes to being bigger. CC definitely knocked this one out of the park. If I could have filmed my facial expressions the entire time I was reading it, you would have seen a look of shock as I continued to consume the words on the page. I would recommend this book to anyone.
If you're going to read one book of CC's, this is the one.
From the moment I got my hands on this book, I cleared my schedule, and then devoured it, only pausing in my reading because I could physically not keep my eyes open. Theo and Hanna were everything, and I have never resonated so much with a character than I did with Hanna. As a plus size woman, I have felt everything that she has felt when it comes to being bigger. CC definitely knocked this one out of the park. If I could have filmed my facial expressions the entire time I was reading it, you would have seen a look of shock as I continued to consume the words on the page. I would recommend this book to anyone.
If you're going to read one book of CC's, this is the one.
March 29, 2022
This book was fire! It has action, suspense, desire, betrayal, love, forgiveness and healing all in one book. Our leading woman thinks she’s weak, but she is fierce once she gains the confidence that our totally possessive mysterious alpha leading man, Theo, shows her. Is he too good to be true? How can a man like him be attracted to a plus size girl like herself? She was always content to stay in the shadows. You’ve got to read this book to find out! I applaud CC Monroe for bringing to light the insecurities that so many women face and making us feel beautiful and accepted in our own skin.
May 18, 2022
DNF’d at 58%. BDSM scene and MMC takes 30 minutes to come back to start aftercare? No thanks.
I wasn’t vibing with the book to begin with but that was my breaking point.
I wasn’t vibing with the book to begin with but that was my breaking point.
December 10, 2023
3.5 Stars !!
January 21, 2024
CC did it again 😭👏🖤 the message in this book was so powerful and done so well ugh I loved every moment!
March 31, 2022
This book had me feeling all the feelings.
Theo was all over the place with me, certain times i absolutely loved him. Other times i wanted to stop reading over how annoying he was. He would win me over by being hot and/or sweet and then say things like "Her insecurity turns me on" and make me borderline gag. Honestly he went from so good to so bad so fast and it was different every chapter. When he randomly started recording him and Hannah having sex? He didn't ask at all or even stop to think she might not have been okay with it. That made me literally fume. But then the way he helped her see herself the way he did? I loved him for it.
Hannah was great. The first realistsic plus size oc i've ever read about. I loved how in the end she still had insecurities but now knew how to overcome them. The character development in her was amazing.
Overall the book was okayish? Some parts i absolutely loved and other parts i hated. A lot of the time i felt like i was reading something written for 40yr old women trying to read a risque book. Not for me. There were SO MANY typos in the book. It felt a lot like i was reading a book on wattpad written by a 14yr old. The potential this book had was so good but the exocution not as much.
Theo was all over the place with me, certain times i absolutely loved him. Other times i wanted to stop reading over how annoying he was. He would win me over by being hot and/or sweet and then say things like "Her insecurity turns me on" and make me borderline gag. Honestly he went from so good to so bad so fast and it was different every chapter. When he randomly started recording him and Hannah having sex? He didn't ask at all or even stop to think she might not have been okay with it. That made me literally fume. But then the way he helped her see herself the way he did? I loved him for it.
Hannah was great. The first realistsic plus size oc i've ever read about. I loved how in the end she still had insecurities but now knew how to overcome them. The character development in her was amazing.
Overall the book was okayish? Some parts i absolutely loved and other parts i hated. A lot of the time i felt like i was reading something written for 40yr old women trying to read a risque book. Not for me. There were SO MANY typos in the book. It felt a lot like i was reading a book on wattpad written by a 14yr old. The potential this book had was so good but the exocution not as much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2022
This book is one every women should read. Big or small, If you have problems loving your own body. The way Theo makes Hanna learn to love her body is simply incredible.
The love that Theo shows by the end is a love that you will fall in love with.
I know lot of people will relate to Hanna and her struggles. C.C. Monroe did Hanna and Theo’s story perfectly.
CC killed it with this book!
I love when a book gives me multiple emotions. Love, fear, heartbreak, everything.
We get to follow along with Theo becoming even more obsessed with Hanna and I’m all here for it.
10/10 recommend. CC has once again proven why she is my absolute favorite author.
“𝕋𝕠𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕕𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕗𝕦𝕔𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕒𝕣𝕞𝕤“
“𝕤𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕡𝕦𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕥. 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕞𝕖𝕟, 𝕞𝕖𝕟 𝕨𝕙𝕠 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕕𝕖𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕕 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟.“
“𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦. 𝕀 𝕗**𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦, ℍ𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕒.“
The love that Theo shows by the end is a love that you will fall in love with.
I know lot of people will relate to Hanna and her struggles. C.C. Monroe did Hanna and Theo’s story perfectly.
CC killed it with this book!
I love when a book gives me multiple emotions. Love, fear, heartbreak, everything.
We get to follow along with Theo becoming even more obsessed with Hanna and I’m all here for it.
10/10 recommend. CC has once again proven why she is my absolute favorite author.
“𝕋𝕠𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕕𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕗𝕦𝕔𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕒𝕣𝕞𝕤“
“𝕤𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕡𝕦𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕥. 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕞𝕖𝕟, 𝕞𝕖𝕟 𝕨𝕙𝕠 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕕𝕖𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕕 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟.“
“𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦. 𝕀 𝕗**𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦, ℍ𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕒.“
October 16, 2023
This was an easy and fun read!! My only complaint was I hated the nickname. Puppet lol. I cringed every time and it was A LOT. But everything was well written and I loved the ending.
May 26, 2022
when i tell you that i am absolutely obsessed with this book, i am not joking in the SLIGHTEST. this book made me feel all the feels. crying to cold shower. laughing to heartbreak. i'm still trying to process how much i loved it but this review needs to be FRESH because it deserves all the raw reactions. it was so different from anything ive read from CC before but i genuinely enjoyed every second of this book. hanna and theo's individual character growth was amazing and the twists had me so gripped - especially theos secret! I didn't see that coming at all and i love being surprised. i also absolutely loved brenda, she was such a breath of fresh air and a badass ball of sunshine. and oh boy. oh boy oh boy oh boy. THE SPICE. THE DAMN SPICE. CC absolutely spoiled us with the spice in this book...there was some kinks in this book that i hadn't read before and found unexpectedly hot. knife/blood play MY GAAAAAHD. and theos jealous/possessive/controlling nature had me by the THROAT (pun intended). and the window scene...yeah that had me wanting to cry but also feeling dehydrated.
reading about a body type similar to your own is such an emotional journey and one that was very eye opening and gave me a lot to reflect on. it broke my heart but helped it heal in a way.
CC: you absolutely fucking smashed it and i am so grateful for the ARC. i am in love with this book. 🤍
reading about a body type similar to your own is such an emotional journey and one that was very eye opening and gave me a lot to reflect on. it broke my heart but helped it heal in a way.
CC: you absolutely fucking smashed it and i am so grateful for the ARC. i am in love with this book. 🤍
April 20, 2022
Wack. Wack wack wack. I usually love insta-love tropes but the way this played out was bad and borderline weird as hell. He just started being dominant in a way that came off as creepy and uncomfortable, and instead of genuinely talking about their dynamic inbetween themselves he commanded his way into it. I instantly disliked him when he started describing how he treated women though so theres that. I like a dominating, I-only-care-about-sex main guy as much as anybody else, but he just rubbed me the wrong way.
That being said, I completely hated Hanna. As a big girl, I completely understood her insecurities. But just the way she came off was annoying and very woe-is-me. Entirely disliked how she rounded off all her problems to being fat, like I get it, but also its annoying.
Also, the fact that the characters did not develop in any way was boring. Like yeah, Theo was all like I hate love at the beginning , and then was like I love you queen at the end but it all felt very surface level. We didnt really learn anything new about any character, it was all pretty much brought up at the beginning and it all stayed present throughout the entire book. All in all, it felt very wattpad-ish and overall terrible.
That being said, I completely hated Hanna. As a big girl, I completely understood her insecurities. But just the way she came off was annoying and very woe-is-me. Entirely disliked how she rounded off all her problems to being fat, like I get it, but also its annoying.
Also, the fact that the characters did not develop in any way was boring. Like yeah, Theo was all like I hate love at the beginning , and then was like I love you queen at the end but it all felt very surface level. We didnt really learn anything new about any character, it was all pretty much brought up at the beginning and it all stayed present throughout the entire book. All in all, it felt very wattpad-ish and overall terrible.
August 17, 2022
As a fat woman, reading this book was headache inducing. I thought Hanna would get better with her body and confidence but it barely did. On a side note, based on the little description on her body, she didn’t seem that big? Anyway, it was redundant especially in Theo’s dialogue and Hanna’s self sabotage. Every other paragraph from Theo was reminding us how much he can’t do relationships and Hanna’s telling us every insecurity. The plot didn’t get interesting until the last 5 chapters. Even then this relationship and plot was messier then Theo’s glove box. I couldn’t believe they actually love each other especially since it was all sex and barely any talk of both past history (let alone their favorite snacks or color). I will say the sex scenes were hot. But the knife play without any warning was jarring.
April 18, 2022
oh no…i got catfished by another pretty cover.
when will end?
yeah this didn’t work out for me. i found both characters really unlikeable. hanna was woe me the ENTIRE book. like i get it, we all have our moments but girl c’mon. i appreciate the representation but i found her so annoying. theo? find a better name first up!! he was an asshole for no reason. my summary for him is he had big d!ck energy without backing it up. so honestly it was quite hilarious and i laughed at how stupid he was.
honestly? it had scenes that booktok would love. that’s the only highlight here. even the sex scenes were awful😭i never say that omg.
the first chapter really intrigued me but then it was downhill from there so yeah it’s a no from me
3/5 ⭐️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews