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Valentino Empire #5
Reclaiming Lola
⚠⚠⚠This is a dark romance containing scenes that could be triggering to some. This is not for the fainthearted.⚠⚠⚠
Lola
They want me to be her. Lola.
I’m not though. I haven’t been that girl for the last ten years.
My childhood was stolen from me.
And the monsters who took me, they make the devil look like a saint.
I was nothing more than a slave, trapped in a nightmare with no way out.
They say I’m free now, that I’m safe here. Safe with my family.
My mind, however, it’s still back there.
Trapped in the dark, damp cell.
He claims he’s here to help me heal my subconscious. To get me back to being Lola.
But men are all the same.
No matter how kind his smile is, I know it’s only a matter of time before Dr. James takes what he really wants.
What they all want. My body.
Dr. James
She’s a patient.
A mafia princess.
Someone I’m being paid a lot of money to help.
Her trauma is unlike any I’ve ever encountered,
her mind a twisted jungle consisting of nothing but the monsters who haunt her.
It took one look at the girl to know I’d do everything in my power to get her to reclaim the life they stole.
To show her that there’s a rainbow at the end of her storm.
And it took one week to know that, in fixing her, I might just break myself.
Cross the one line a doctor should never breach.
When she peers up at me with those broken doe eyes, it takes everything in me not to wrap my arms around her and never let go.
This is a standalone romance within The Valentino Empire Series. You can enjoy this without having read the previous books.
The Valentino Empire Series
Book 1: Devilish King (Theo & Holly)
Book 2: Unassuming Queen (Theo & Holly)
Book 3: United Reign (Theo & Holly)
Book 4: Brutal Princess (Neo & angelica)
Book 5: Reclaiming Lola
Lola
They want me to be her. Lola.
I’m not though. I haven’t been that girl for the last ten years.
My childhood was stolen from me.
And the monsters who took me, they make the devil look like a saint.
I was nothing more than a slave, trapped in a nightmare with no way out.
They say I’m free now, that I’m safe here. Safe with my family.
My mind, however, it’s still back there.
Trapped in the dark, damp cell.
He claims he’s here to help me heal my subconscious. To get me back to being Lola.
But men are all the same.
No matter how kind his smile is, I know it’s only a matter of time before Dr. James takes what he really wants.
What they all want. My body.
Dr. James
She’s a patient.
A mafia princess.
Someone I’m being paid a lot of money to help.
Her trauma is unlike any I’ve ever encountered,
her mind a twisted jungle consisting of nothing but the monsters who haunt her.
It took one look at the girl to know I’d do everything in my power to get her to reclaim the life they stole.
To show her that there’s a rainbow at the end of her storm.
And it took one week to know that, in fixing her, I might just break myself.
Cross the one line a doctor should never breach.
When she peers up at me with those broken doe eyes, it takes everything in me not to wrap my arms around her and never let go.
This is a standalone romance within The Valentino Empire Series. You can enjoy this without having read the previous books.
The Valentino Empire Series
Book 1: Devilish King (Theo & Holly)
Book 2: Unassuming Queen (Theo & Holly)
Book 3: United Reign (Theo & Holly)
Book 4: Brutal Princess (Neo & angelica)
Book 5: Reclaiming Lola
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2022
1028 people are currently reading
1495 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Kent
68 books2,588 followersKylie made the leap from kindergarten teacher to romance author, living out her dream to deliver sexy, always and forever romances. She loves a happily ever after story with tons of built in steam.
She currently resides in Perth, Australia and when she is not dreaming up the latest romance she can be found spending time with her three children and her husband of twenty years, her very own real life instant-love.
Come join me in my reading group on Facebook Kylie's Steam Room.
She currently resides in Perth, Australia and when she is not dreaming up the latest romance she can be found spending time with her three children and her husband of twenty years, her very own real life instant-love.
Come join me in my reading group on Facebook Kylie's Steam Room.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
August 26, 2023
I absolutely adored this book it had the best plot line in the series. Lola is Neo’s younger sister who was kidnapped from her own bedroom missing for a decade. In the previous book she was found alongside Izzy and reunited with family. She now has a psychiatrist called James to help with trauma.
I wish we had more flashbacks of what happened to Lola. The trauma response Lola had was heart breaking.
𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘰. 𝘐𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘦. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬.
"𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯," 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥.
"𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬."
James praising Lola through her treatment. WOW I loved the man. The entire time Older by Isabel LaRosa was playing through my head.
"𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥."
"𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭." 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦.
𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥. 𝘏𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐'𝘮 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.
"𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢."
"𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥," 𝘐 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴. "𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥."
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯'𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦.
Watching Lola rebuild her relationship with Helena, her parents, and Theo was adorable. But the one that touched me the most is her moments with Neo.
"𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐'𝘮 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰𝘰. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱."
"𝘔𝘺 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳."
"𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢. 𝘎𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱. 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶."
Angelica was such a sweetheart to Lola. Telling Neo to give Lola the chance to end the man who tormented her so she can prove how strong she is. I had so much happiness when Lola did take the gun from Angelica.
𝘕𝘦𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬. 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘯. "𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢?" 𝘐 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘥. 𝘐 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵, 𝘢𝘴 𝘕𝘦𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥. "𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶," 𝘕𝘦𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳.
So glad James and Lola got their happy ending. This moment jusy shows how much they cared for each other.
"𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵."
"𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘱. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺."
I am sad we didn’t get one big epilogue with all the characters in it. BUT I’m happy that we get a second generation series which I need my hands on ASAP.
I wish we had more flashbacks of what happened to Lola. The trauma response Lola had was heart breaking.
𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘰. 𝘐𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘦. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬.
"𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯," 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥.
"𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬."
James praising Lola through her treatment. WOW I loved the man. The entire time Older by Isabel LaRosa was playing through my head.
"𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥."
"𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭." 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦.
𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥. 𝘏𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐'𝘮 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.
"𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢."
"𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥," 𝘐 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴. "𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥."
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯'𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦.
Watching Lola rebuild her relationship with Helena, her parents, and Theo was adorable. But the one that touched me the most is her moments with Neo.
"𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐'𝘮 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰𝘰. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱."
"𝘔𝘺 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳."
"𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢. 𝘎𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱. 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶."
Angelica was such a sweetheart to Lola. Telling Neo to give Lola the chance to end the man who tormented her so she can prove how strong she is. I had so much happiness when Lola did take the gun from Angelica.
𝘕𝘦𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬. 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘯. "𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢?" 𝘐 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘥. 𝘐 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵, 𝘢𝘴 𝘕𝘦𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘭 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥. "𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘓𝘰𝘭𝘢. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶," 𝘕𝘦𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳.
So glad James and Lola got their happy ending. This moment jusy shows how much they cared for each other.
"𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵."
"𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘱. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦, 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺."
I am sad we didn’t get one big epilogue with all the characters in it. BUT I’m happy that we get a second generation series which I need my hands on ASAP.
October 29, 2022
Firstly a thank you to Kylie Kent for letting me read Reclaiming Lola before the book is released. I do love it when I get to read a Kylie Kent book!
This is the first dark romance mafia book I've read by Kylie. All her books I've read so far have been the Merge series which have not disappointed me, nor has this.
I didn't realise that Reclaiming Lola is from a series and book 5 in that matter, however, saying that it does read like a standalone and focuses on different characters.
This book has some massive triggers with sexual assult, kidnapping, rape, suicide and it's one that won't be for all. However I have to say this is the first book I've read that really dives into the trauma of the victim, and how they overcome it with therapy. I don't think I've read a book that not only has romance in, but has a focus on a characters mental health, emotions and the therapy they go through. A big concept in this story is hope, healing and to not go back to the old you, but be a person who is stonger and not known as the victim. I feel Kylie wrote this story with so much emotion and knowledge. It really is an emotional story, and at times I was in tears because of our main characters pain.
Our characters Lola and (Dr) James are exceptional and my favourite duo so far, from all of Kents books I've read.
Lola has gone through hell and back and honestly she has some massive load of strength to of gotten through everything she has gone through. I really like how she fought to get herself out of her nightmare and overcome her ptsd. I love how she grew but also how Kylie didn't just miraculously make Lola 'cured' but in fact taking life each day as it comes. That to me showed exactly how mental health is. There isn't a cure but you can live with it and Kylie showed that in Lola's character.
Dr James, oh gosh if I had a therapist like him I think life would be so much better. He is patient and kind and he was so emotional with Lola. All the things he said, the little actions he done for her to help her recovery. Gosh. I thought he was wonderful with Lola. I also have to appreciate how Kylie Kent did this relationship, I wondered how far she'd go with it being a patient/doctor and she did it just how I wanted.
I also have to appreciate the ending. I like how it was spanned for many years, and that it wasn't your typical happily ever after you always get. It was the perfect ending for Lola's character and I loved it.
Absolutely can't get enough of Kylies work and she is certainly an author I will always read for my romances. I am actually going to go back to the first book in this series and get to know the rest of the characters which all have their own different stories.
A brilliant emotional and well done read and certainly my fave so far.
This is the first dark romance mafia book I've read by Kylie. All her books I've read so far have been the Merge series which have not disappointed me, nor has this.
I didn't realise that Reclaiming Lola is from a series and book 5 in that matter, however, saying that it does read like a standalone and focuses on different characters.
This book has some massive triggers with sexual assult, kidnapping, rape, suicide and it's one that won't be for all. However I have to say this is the first book I've read that really dives into the trauma of the victim, and how they overcome it with therapy. I don't think I've read a book that not only has romance in, but has a focus on a characters mental health, emotions and the therapy they go through. A big concept in this story is hope, healing and to not go back to the old you, but be a person who is stonger and not known as the victim. I feel Kylie wrote this story with so much emotion and knowledge. It really is an emotional story, and at times I was in tears because of our main characters pain.
Our characters Lola and (Dr) James are exceptional and my favourite duo so far, from all of Kents books I've read.
Lola has gone through hell and back and honestly she has some massive load of strength to of gotten through everything she has gone through. I really like how she fought to get herself out of her nightmare and overcome her ptsd. I love how she grew but also how Kylie didn't just miraculously make Lola 'cured' but in fact taking life each day as it comes. That to me showed exactly how mental health is. There isn't a cure but you can live with it and Kylie showed that in Lola's character.
Dr James, oh gosh if I had a therapist like him I think life would be so much better. He is patient and kind and he was so emotional with Lola. All the things he said, the little actions he done for her to help her recovery. Gosh. I thought he was wonderful with Lola. I also have to appreciate how Kylie Kent did this relationship, I wondered how far she'd go with it being a patient/doctor and she did it just how I wanted.
I also have to appreciate the ending. I like how it was spanned for many years, and that it wasn't your typical happily ever after you always get. It was the perfect ending for Lola's character and I loved it.
Absolutely can't get enough of Kylies work and she is certainly an author I will always read for my romances. I am actually going to go back to the first book in this series and get to know the rest of the characters which all have their own different stories.
A brilliant emotional and well done read and certainly my fave so far.
November 8, 2022
Thank you Kylie Kent for letting me be part of the ARC team for Reclaiming Lola.
That being said, This review will be my completely unbiased opinion.
Reclaiming Lola touches on subjects that may be extremely triggering for some readers, including sexual assault, self harm and suicide. The story revolves around the main character receiving treatment/therapy after experiencing severe trauma from being held captive for 10 years.
*Note that this is book 5 of the Valentino Empire series, but can be read as a standalone.
Lola Valentino has gone by more than one name in the last 20 years. Up until she was 9 she was just Lola. But one night everything changes, she goes from being a carefree child, spending her days building pillow forts with her older siblings, to all of a sudden having her entire world ripped away.
Her new name, which wasn’t even a name at all, was thirty-six, given to her by her abductors. She then spends the next 10 years in captivity forced to suffer through truly horrible things.
The story revolves around what happens with Lola after she is rescued. Having been a prisoner most of her life, she now has to rebuild and relearn everything from the ground up, all while dealing with her traumas, reclaiming her freedom, and discovering who she really is.
To do this she is whisked away to a private island, whose only inhabitants include: a full time therapist, her older brother Neo, his fiancé Angelica, and their adorable daughter Lizzy. By being there, Lola is given the controlled environment she needs in order to focus on the healing process and regaining her confidence, before she can rejoin the world.
I really enjoyed how the main focus of this book was not solely only about the romance, but instead diving deep into Lola’s therapy and recovery process, emphasizing all the battles she must overcome in order to move forward.
Now, I think I speak for us all when I say we could definitely use a Dr. James in our lives!
He was kind, patient, and understanding with Lola throughout the whole book. Not to mention totally swoon worthy! He never pushed her to talk, and instead let her have full control of every situation. I loved just how much he valued and prioritized her mental health above his own selfish desires. He always put her first, and in doing so, ultimately prevented her from relying on him as a crutch and pushed her to heal and become stronger on her own. This was something you don’t often find in these types of books, it was admirable how truly selfless Dr. James was when it came to Lola. We heard a lot from his perspective on how much he struggled to resist the urge to just swoop in and save/protect her, which even though is a nice sentiment, it would have hindered her growth in the long run.
Honestly, this was such a refreshing change of pace from the usual books that just primarily focus on a broken girl who needs a guy to come and save her. Right from the beginning this was always about Lola taking the initiative for herself to discover who she is on her own.
Lola is no longer just a number, and her past traumas don't define her future. Her determination to recreate herself and grow from her experiences is inspiring! This was a raw and powerful story, about how everything takes time, you can’t just change over night. The biggest lesson here is that sometimes, in order to truly heal, you need to do it for yourself.
👏🏻 Round of applause for Kylie Kent, thank you for showing us through Lolas eyes, that you do not need a man to fix you, and you are in-fact just as capable and strong enough on your own! 👏🏻
That being said, This review will be my completely unbiased opinion.
Reclaiming Lola touches on subjects that may be extremely triggering for some readers, including sexual assault, self harm and suicide. The story revolves around the main character receiving treatment/therapy after experiencing severe trauma from being held captive for 10 years.
*Note that this is book 5 of the Valentino Empire series, but can be read as a standalone.
Lola Valentino has gone by more than one name in the last 20 years. Up until she was 9 she was just Lola. But one night everything changes, she goes from being a carefree child, spending her days building pillow forts with her older siblings, to all of a sudden having her entire world ripped away.
Her new name, which wasn’t even a name at all, was thirty-six, given to her by her abductors. She then spends the next 10 years in captivity forced to suffer through truly horrible things.
The story revolves around what happens with Lola after she is rescued. Having been a prisoner most of her life, she now has to rebuild and relearn everything from the ground up, all while dealing with her traumas, reclaiming her freedom, and discovering who she really is.
To do this she is whisked away to a private island, whose only inhabitants include: a full time therapist, her older brother Neo, his fiancé Angelica, and their adorable daughter Lizzy. By being there, Lola is given the controlled environment she needs in order to focus on the healing process and regaining her confidence, before she can rejoin the world.
I really enjoyed how the main focus of this book was not solely only about the romance, but instead diving deep into Lola’s therapy and recovery process, emphasizing all the battles she must overcome in order to move forward.
Now, I think I speak for us all when I say we could definitely use a Dr. James in our lives!
He was kind, patient, and understanding with Lola throughout the whole book. Not to mention totally swoon worthy! He never pushed her to talk, and instead let her have full control of every situation. I loved just how much he valued and prioritized her mental health above his own selfish desires. He always put her first, and in doing so, ultimately prevented her from relying on him as a crutch and pushed her to heal and become stronger on her own. This was something you don’t often find in these types of books, it was admirable how truly selfless Dr. James was when it came to Lola. We heard a lot from his perspective on how much he struggled to resist the urge to just swoop in and save/protect her, which even though is a nice sentiment, it would have hindered her growth in the long run.
Honestly, this was such a refreshing change of pace from the usual books that just primarily focus on a broken girl who needs a guy to come and save her. Right from the beginning this was always about Lola taking the initiative for herself to discover who she is on her own.
Lola is no longer just a number, and her past traumas don't define her future. Her determination to recreate herself and grow from her experiences is inspiring! This was a raw and powerful story, about how everything takes time, you can’t just change over night. The biggest lesson here is that sometimes, in order to truly heal, you need to do it for yourself.
👏🏻 Round of applause for Kylie Kent, thank you for showing us through Lolas eyes, that you do not need a man to fix you, and you are in-fact just as capable and strong enough on your own! 👏🏻
October 29, 2022
Another AMAZING Kylie Kent novel!!
Reclaiming Lola clears up all our questions after Brutal Princess. Lola is the sister of Neo Valentino-Mafia boss, who was kidnapped as a child. Through her story we learn of the horrors she experienced, her motivation for strength, and watch as her reclaimed life plays out.
Does she get a HEA? Does she heal? Is she able to lead a “normal life?”
Read Reclaiming Lola to find out. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
In truly Kylie fashion, Reclaiming Lola will make you want to scream, cry, and m*rd*r. Once again, Kylie doesn’t disappoint with her character development, her plot twists, and her exquisite writing style. I cannot get or say enough about Kylie’s amazing books and even more amazing talent. Through Reclaiming Lola, Kylie tells a story that so many struggle to understand.
Thank you Kylie for delivering ANOTHER beautiful story.
Reclaiming Lola clears up all our questions after Brutal Princess. Lola is the sister of Neo Valentino-Mafia boss, who was kidnapped as a child. Through her story we learn of the horrors she experienced, her motivation for strength, and watch as her reclaimed life plays out.
Does she get a HEA? Does she heal? Is she able to lead a “normal life?”
Read Reclaiming Lola to find out. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
In truly Kylie fashion, Reclaiming Lola will make you want to scream, cry, and m*rd*r. Once again, Kylie doesn’t disappoint with her character development, her plot twists, and her exquisite writing style. I cannot get or say enough about Kylie’s amazing books and even more amazing talent. Through Reclaiming Lola, Kylie tells a story that so many struggle to understand.
Thank you Kylie for delivering ANOTHER beautiful story.
November 7, 2022
Okay so this book right here just hit different. Talk about packing an emotional punch straight to the gut. I knew going into this book that I was going to have my heart stomped on but nothing and I mean NOTHING could have prepared me for what Lola had actually been through and then going through it and trying to overcome it with her as I was reading had me a complete and utter wreck. Lola is the absolute definition of a warrior and true strength, after everything she had been through she was still able to live for herself and her family and open her heart up to love. While she is not the same girl everyone knew she made the version of herself that she is happy with and everyone loves her for that. James was fantastic and who doesn’t love Neo just a bit more after this book. Such a fantastic series.
November 10, 2022
I'm not even sure how to put my feelings into words for this one.
I went through so many emotions while reading Lola's story. I was so angry about what she went through and at the same time I was very sad. And knowing that she endured years of unexplainable suffering, all to keep her family safe.
Then we add Dr. James Knight into the mix and it's a total game changer. He taught her how to be strong and love again.
Experiencing her trying to discover herself again was beautiful and distressing but her determination was inspiring.
I went through so many emotions while reading Lola's story. I was so angry about what she went through and at the same time I was very sad. And knowing that she endured years of unexplainable suffering, all to keep her family safe.
Then we add Dr. James Knight into the mix and it's a total game changer. He taught her how to be strong and love again.
Experiencing her trying to discover herself again was beautiful and distressing but her determination was inspiring.
October 30, 2022
Reclaiming Lola is a part of Valentino's series.
Nothing that I did will possibly prepare me for what Lola had undergone. Lola is the sister of Neo Valentino who was kidnapped when she was 9 years old. And all those trauma and struggle she undergone, I couldn't possibly imagine.
Yet her willingness to live and love captured my heart 💜. She pushed herself out of it and made her own version of herself. It was not possible without her ever loving mafia family. I loved each and every character especially James who did the right thing considering his professional ethics.
Neo is such a sweetheart 😘. I devoured this book within a day. I love love their series and I don't want Kylie to end it anytime soon.
I have read every Kylie Kent's book and I think happy ending for every couple is my fav part in her book
Nothing that I did will possibly prepare me for what Lola had undergone. Lola is the sister of Neo Valentino who was kidnapped when she was 9 years old. And all those trauma and struggle she undergone, I couldn't possibly imagine.
Yet her willingness to live and love captured my heart 💜. She pushed herself out of it and made her own version of herself. It was not possible without her ever loving mafia family. I loved each and every character especially James who did the right thing considering his professional ethics.
Neo is such a sweetheart 😘. I devoured this book within a day. I love love their series and I don't want Kylie to end it anytime soon.
I have read every Kylie Kent's book and I think happy ending for every couple is my fav part in her book
November 9, 2022
Reclaiming Lola follows the fall out from the previous book, Brutal Princess. Lola has been missing for a decade, she has been kept hidden from her family, she has seen and experienced some of the worst things imaginable. Now back with Neo and his family, can she really overcome the horrors of her past and be able to enjoy a life she deserves?
James is the doctor tasked with helping Lola to come to terms with her freedom. He can't imagine what she went through and knows it is going to take a long time to earn her trust... But then his own feelings start to get in the way.
I love that Kylie's books focus on characters we have gotten to know in previous works of hers and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. As always, it was packed with emotion, angst, love and action - this one certainly does pull at the heartstrings. Kylie has written Lola's character so well and her fear jumps off the page. A refreshing change to have such focus on mental health and the long journey it can take to recover, if even at all. The story, while not the easiest of subjects to read, flows really well. The chapters shift POV between Lola and James, and certainly had me desperate to keep reading. Would recommend.
James is the doctor tasked with helping Lola to come to terms with her freedom. He can't imagine what she went through and knows it is going to take a long time to earn her trust... But then his own feelings start to get in the way.
I love that Kylie's books focus on characters we have gotten to know in previous works of hers and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. As always, it was packed with emotion, angst, love and action - this one certainly does pull at the heartstrings. Kylie has written Lola's character so well and her fear jumps off the page. A refreshing change to have such focus on mental health and the long journey it can take to recover, if even at all. The story, while not the easiest of subjects to read, flows really well. The chapters shift POV between Lola and James, and certainly had me desperate to keep reading. Would recommend.
December 18, 2025
I liked Lola but for some reason I didn't like Dr James at all. I think I would have enjoyed this more without the spice so that the story could focus on Lola's healing and reconnecting with her family.
November 6, 2022
This story was beautiful and would have to be one of my all-time favorite Kylie Kent books. It was a tough story to tell and heartbreaking at times but it was done so well that I felt every emotion Lola had and felt stronger for reading it. Sappy maybe, but true.
We met Lola in Neo and Angelica's story, she's Neo's youngest sister and had been missing for 10 years. As you can imagine it wasn't a nice 10 years, she went through a world of nightmares none would want to experience. Now, 19 and free she doesn't feel that way. She is still trapped in her prison and is only waiting to be thrown to the wolves again. Her trust in men in particular is zero, even her brother has her wondering when he'll give her off to someone else. Her life for 10 years was one traumatic event after another. What Lola doesn't realize is just how strong she is and exactly how loved and treasured she is.
Enter the very sexy older Aussie male psychologist James Knight (Knight in shining armor) brought in by Neo to help his sister. From the moment he meets her though he's drawn to her. He is far too noble to cross the patient-doctor line but thoughts of her and the need to not only help her but keep her batter at his will. In the end, he'll have to make the tough call about how far he can push his want for her against being her doctor.
Throw in the rest of the Valentino family drama and you get a great addition to the Valentino Empire Series. Mostly we see Neo, Angelica, and Issy, and a fair bit of Helena (Neo and Lola's sister), but Theo and Holly pop in too.
It really is a beautifully emotional ride and I wish I had more words to tell you exactly how much I enjoyed every minute of it.
.
.
.
Neo whisked Lola away to a private island he owns after rescuing her. She is told she's free now but she doesn't feel free. Despite the big room and bathroom and all the clean clothes and food she could want she's still trapped in that basement in her cage. She keeps her back to the wall and avoids the others as much as she can, even going as far as to sleep on the floor in the corner. She's sure one day Neo will pass her on to someone else because in the world she knows that's how life goes.
'Trapped in a nightmare I can't escape. One I can't find my way out of. Surrounded by people who say they care, tell me they love me, with endless promises to never let anyone ever hurt me again. Yet I'm alone here. They think they know me, but they don't. No one does. Because I don't even know me.'
James left his life and patients in Sydney to travel to the island home of a well-known mobster from the States. He's not sure how long he'll be there but his desire to help someone as in need as he's told Lola is he couldn't refuse. When he first meets her though he's drawn in by more than her emotional and mental wounds. He's drawn to the woman he can see dragged down by her past. As he spends time with her his desire to protect and watch over her grows deeper and more powerful and with each little piece of Lola that gets put back together, he wants her more and more.
'I've only spent a week with this girl, and it's like there's an imaginary rope that keeps pulling me closer and closer.'
Lola starts to feel safe with James and safer around her brother and his family but her torment is never far and she suffers setbacks time and time again. James never leaves her side though, always there with his kind eyes and supportive words. The more Lola heals the more she starts to learn things about herself and how life should have been. Exploring her world and herself slowly opens Lola up to the idea that she's never going back to her tormentors again. She may not be that girl, or the girl she was before she was taken but maybe she can be somebody new.
"He makes me feel at ease. Like I can just be around him. I don't have to pretend to be someone else. I don't have to try to be who I was before. I can just be whoever I am today. When I look at James, I feel happy."
When James becomes far too tempted by Lola he knows he has to make a hard decision. But can he do it and what will it mean for Lola?
'I want nothing more than to make her mine. Showering her with love and affection. Showing her that there is still good in the world. And that she is the good in my world.'
Happy Reading.
We met Lola in Neo and Angelica's story, she's Neo's youngest sister and had been missing for 10 years. As you can imagine it wasn't a nice 10 years, she went through a world of nightmares none would want to experience. Now, 19 and free she doesn't feel that way. She is still trapped in her prison and is only waiting to be thrown to the wolves again. Her trust in men in particular is zero, even her brother has her wondering when he'll give her off to someone else. Her life for 10 years was one traumatic event after another. What Lola doesn't realize is just how strong she is and exactly how loved and treasured she is.
Enter the very sexy older Aussie male psychologist James Knight (Knight in shining armor) brought in by Neo to help his sister. From the moment he meets her though he's drawn to her. He is far too noble to cross the patient-doctor line but thoughts of her and the need to not only help her but keep her batter at his will. In the end, he'll have to make the tough call about how far he can push his want for her against being her doctor.
Throw in the rest of the Valentino family drama and you get a great addition to the Valentino Empire Series. Mostly we see Neo, Angelica, and Issy, and a fair bit of Helena (Neo and Lola's sister), but Theo and Holly pop in too.
It really is a beautifully emotional ride and I wish I had more words to tell you exactly how much I enjoyed every minute of it.
.
.
.
Neo whisked Lola away to a private island he owns after rescuing her. She is told she's free now but she doesn't feel free. Despite the big room and bathroom and all the clean clothes and food she could want she's still trapped in that basement in her cage. She keeps her back to the wall and avoids the others as much as she can, even going as far as to sleep on the floor in the corner. She's sure one day Neo will pass her on to someone else because in the world she knows that's how life goes.
'Trapped in a nightmare I can't escape. One I can't find my way out of. Surrounded by people who say they care, tell me they love me, with endless promises to never let anyone ever hurt me again. Yet I'm alone here. They think they know me, but they don't. No one does. Because I don't even know me.'
James left his life and patients in Sydney to travel to the island home of a well-known mobster from the States. He's not sure how long he'll be there but his desire to help someone as in need as he's told Lola is he couldn't refuse. When he first meets her though he's drawn in by more than her emotional and mental wounds. He's drawn to the woman he can see dragged down by her past. As he spends time with her his desire to protect and watch over her grows deeper and more powerful and with each little piece of Lola that gets put back together, he wants her more and more.
'I've only spent a week with this girl, and it's like there's an imaginary rope that keeps pulling me closer and closer.'
Lola starts to feel safe with James and safer around her brother and his family but her torment is never far and she suffers setbacks time and time again. James never leaves her side though, always there with his kind eyes and supportive words. The more Lola heals the more she starts to learn things about herself and how life should have been. Exploring her world and herself slowly opens Lola up to the idea that she's never going back to her tormentors again. She may not be that girl, or the girl she was before she was taken but maybe she can be somebody new.
"He makes me feel at ease. Like I can just be around him. I don't have to pretend to be someone else. I don't have to try to be who I was before. I can just be whoever I am today. When I look at James, I feel happy."
When James becomes far too tempted by Lola he knows he has to make a hard decision. But can he do it and what will it mean for Lola?
'I want nothing more than to make her mine. Showering her with love and affection. Showing her that there is still good in the world. And that she is the good in my world.'
Happy Reading.
November 10, 2022
This is a continuation and elaboration of Lola's story. Lola was pivotal in the previous book and it is only right that we get her full story and the journey of her healing and reconstructing her identity after being held captive for 10 years. She was taken at age 9 from her family and was witness to atrocities and subjected to abuse. Hers is not an easy to story to read. While most of the acts are off page and mainly recalled through her trauma reactions, it isnt hard to join the dots and understand the depravity. Being part of the Valentino family means she was part of a bigger political mafia game in which daughters and sisters are used as weapons to gain retribution and power.
The Lola at the start of the book is a broken shell of a person with little understanding of life beyond the trauma. It is through working on a remote island with a full time psychologist, Dr James, she is able to explore her reactions, emotions and start building a new person from the ashes of her past. The hiccup comes when Dr James is intensely attracted to her (he gives off strong protector "mine" vibes) and she begins to be drawn to him complicating her recovery. I wasnt sure how this would be ethically dealt with as this seems pretty forbidden. But it is dealt with sensitively and appropriately for her journey and to allow her the space and time to become her own person.
What you are left with is a beautiful love story that shows a strength and resilience and determination in Lola and a kind and devoted heart in James. If he is prepared to face Neo and the mafia to win her heart then he is a decent male lead for Lola. There is beauty in the simplicity of their love story and their devotion to live life together. A heartwrenching and challenging love story about surviving abuse and finding yourself again.
The Lola at the start of the book is a broken shell of a person with little understanding of life beyond the trauma. It is through working on a remote island with a full time psychologist, Dr James, she is able to explore her reactions, emotions and start building a new person from the ashes of her past. The hiccup comes when Dr James is intensely attracted to her (he gives off strong protector "mine" vibes) and she begins to be drawn to him complicating her recovery. I wasnt sure how this would be ethically dealt with as this seems pretty forbidden. But it is dealt with sensitively and appropriately for her journey and to allow her the space and time to become her own person.
What you are left with is a beautiful love story that shows a strength and resilience and determination in Lola and a kind and devoted heart in James. If he is prepared to face Neo and the mafia to win her heart then he is a decent male lead for Lola. There is beauty in the simplicity of their love story and their devotion to live life together. A heartwrenching and challenging love story about surviving abuse and finding yourself again.
November 10, 2022
Sadness, shock, heartbreak and gut-wrenching are just some of the emotions I felt while reading Reclaiming Lola. This book is part of the Valentino Empire series; believe me, it is one that you do not want to miss. Right from the start I was hooked and crying at what Lola had to endure from the age of nine to the present. Ten years of pain, suffering, abuse and who knows what else she had to deal with. What I can say is that Ms. Kent gave us a woman who although she did not know what living was, Lola fought to stay alive due to one man, Dr. James. There was a connection with him that had her feeling somewhat at peace. The nightmares that he was coming to get her. Never believing that she would find love or that any man would love her. All the while Dr. James was falling for her but he knew that was not right. There was a chemistry that was happening between them, but was it due to the act that he was helping her become the Lola that she wanted to be? Or were there feelings for one another deep down inside? Fighting his feelings he knew what he needed to do. Was Lola going to survive his decision? Would he survive it as well?
Reclaiming Lola deals with a lot of sensitive topics, including sexual abuse, rape, kidnapping of women and children as well as attempted suicide and all the while Ms. Kent never had me feeling uneasy reading her book. Yes, this book is dark and very emotional but it was well worth every emotion that I felt.
Reclaiming Lola deals with a lot of sensitive topics, including sexual abuse, rape, kidnapping of women and children as well as attempted suicide and all the while Ms. Kent never had me feeling uneasy reading her book. Yes, this book is dark and very emotional but it was well worth every emotion that I felt.
November 10, 2022
Absolutely fabulous.
Kylie Kent has given us an insight to what could happen if one is in this situation. She has treated a very delicate topic with great care.
Keep a kleenex handy. Settle in With your favorite beverage in you comfy chair as you will not want to put this books down until the last page.
Read the trigger warnings before you start this book. Your mental health is important to this author.
We learn about Lola throughout the Valentino series, as the sister that was lost and the whole family mourns. They didn't know that she was in New York being kept prisoner and abused.
In "Brutal Princess" we learn when izzy is taken that she is put in a cage with Lola.
Through Lola sacrifice and putting izzys safety above her own she seeks out her brother to help him rescue izzy. Not thinking that they would also want to rescue her.
This is where Lolas story starts
Reclaiming the person she was before is hard as she was a 9 year old child now a young adult she has to re learn everything. She overcomes the tragedies that she lived with for over a decade of being sexually abused, led to believe she was worthless.
With the help of Doctor James she learns to trust.
Kylie Kent has given us an insight to what could happen if one is in this situation. She has treated a very delicate topic with great care.
Keep a kleenex handy. Settle in With your favorite beverage in you comfy chair as you will not want to put this books down until the last page.
Read the trigger warnings before you start this book. Your mental health is important to this author.
We learn about Lola throughout the Valentino series, as the sister that was lost and the whole family mourns. They didn't know that she was in New York being kept prisoner and abused.
In "Brutal Princess" we learn when izzy is taken that she is put in a cage with Lola.
Through Lola sacrifice and putting izzys safety above her own she seeks out her brother to help him rescue izzy. Not thinking that they would also want to rescue her.
This is where Lolas story starts
Reclaiming the person she was before is hard as she was a 9 year old child now a young adult she has to re learn everything. She overcomes the tragedies that she lived with for over a decade of being sexually abused, led to believe she was worthless.
With the help of Doctor James she learns to trust.
August 12, 2025
Lola, quien en Brutal Princess queda atrapada como rehen de la trata de niños, y tras sobrevivir a un pasado inimaginable es Rescatada en el caos. Lola ha estado intentando reconstruirse en una isla remota al lado de Neo, Angelica y su sobrina Izzy. Diez años atrás, fue secuestrada desde los nueve y obligada a vivir como #36, atrapada en un horror indescriptible: violencia, maltrato a nivel psicológico, físico y sexual; su infancia fue arrancada sin piedad. Ese trauma la dejó rota, con su identidad destrozada.
En la isla, bajo el cuidado de Dr. James, un psiquiatra que trabaja para la familia Valentino, Lola lucha por reclamar su vida. Él le ofrece seguridad, cuerpo, palabras, y esa presencia compasiva le permite empezar a sanar. Aunque lo suyo está prohibido —él es su terapeuta— la conexión crece en noches donde solo ella abre los ojos y le dice que “quiere saber qué es la paz”. Él se enamora sin permiso y sin límite, en silencio, mientras ve cómo su paciente recupera pequeñas partes de la niña perdida.
Con el correr de los días, Lola empieza a recordar, a sentir, a nombrar lo que le pasó. Se enfrenta a la culpa de haber sobrevivido, al miedo de estar enamorada, y a una verdad devastadora: lo que vivió fue para que proteger un día a Izzy, pero siempre pensó y protegió a su hermana Helena a quien querían secuestrar. El Dr. James, roto y atormentado, decide dar un paso que ningún profesional debe dar: cruza la línea. Porque, cuando ella lo llama “Doctor James” mirándolo con esos ojos tristes, cualquier resistencia se desmorona. Sin embargo, él decide alejarse sabiendo que no le hace bien, y esperarla cuanto pueda (o si nunca puede) recuperarse.
Lola logra reconstruirse, encuentra valor para hablar sin miedo e ir a buscarlo como 6 meses después, y él le confiesa que la ama. No es un príncipe, no es perfecto: es alguien que vio su dolor y se quedó. Y ella, por primera vez, siente que pertenece a algo bueno.
Terminan estando casados, y viajando por todo el mundo solos. Ya que por decisión nunca fueron padres.
En la isla, bajo el cuidado de Dr. James, un psiquiatra que trabaja para la familia Valentino, Lola lucha por reclamar su vida. Él le ofrece seguridad, cuerpo, palabras, y esa presencia compasiva le permite empezar a sanar. Aunque lo suyo está prohibido —él es su terapeuta— la conexión crece en noches donde solo ella abre los ojos y le dice que “quiere saber qué es la paz”. Él se enamora sin permiso y sin límite, en silencio, mientras ve cómo su paciente recupera pequeñas partes de la niña perdida.
Con el correr de los días, Lola empieza a recordar, a sentir, a nombrar lo que le pasó. Se enfrenta a la culpa de haber sobrevivido, al miedo de estar enamorada, y a una verdad devastadora: lo que vivió fue para que proteger un día a Izzy, pero siempre pensó y protegió a su hermana Helena a quien querían secuestrar. El Dr. James, roto y atormentado, decide dar un paso que ningún profesional debe dar: cruza la línea. Porque, cuando ella lo llama “Doctor James” mirándolo con esos ojos tristes, cualquier resistencia se desmorona. Sin embargo, él decide alejarse sabiendo que no le hace bien, y esperarla cuanto pueda (o si nunca puede) recuperarse.
Lola logra reconstruirse, encuentra valor para hablar sin miedo e ir a buscarlo como 6 meses después, y él le confiesa que la ama. No es un príncipe, no es perfecto: es alguien que vio su dolor y se quedó. Y ella, por primera vez, siente que pertenece a algo bueno.
Terminan estando casados, y viajando por todo el mundo solos. Ya que por decisión nunca fueron padres.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2022
This story just gutted me. The emotions I experienced while reading ran the gamut.
Lola is the newly found, kidnapped sister of Neo Valentino who has gone through some of the worst traumas you can ever imagine during the 10 years she was missing. James is the doctor hired to help her heal.
The healing journey Lola takes is very bumpy and is not easy. But the author does a beautiful job showing how it takes time and not wrapped in a pretty bow quickly. James is perfect as the patient and understanding doctor who gives Lola that security she needed.
Though a bit taboo with the doctor angle, I appreciate the author not actually crossing that line until after another doctor takes over.
It’s a very slow burn but considering what Lola went through it’s understandable.
* I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
Lola is the newly found, kidnapped sister of Neo Valentino who has gone through some of the worst traumas you can ever imagine during the 10 years she was missing. James is the doctor hired to help her heal.
The healing journey Lola takes is very bumpy and is not easy. But the author does a beautiful job showing how it takes time and not wrapped in a pretty bow quickly. James is perfect as the patient and understanding doctor who gives Lola that security she needed.
Though a bit taboo with the doctor angle, I appreciate the author not actually crossing that line until after another doctor takes over.
It’s a very slow burn but considering what Lola went through it’s understandable.
* I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
November 9, 2022
(ARC REVIEW)
Words cannot describe the emotions this book brought me. A few times my heart broke, and a few times I got tears, but Lola was just simply a badass. The reality of this very thing happening puts things into perspective and this very same thing does happen. The heart and strength James had for Lola melted me. This man was her other half. This book isn't just a romance is so much more. If I say anything else I will simply give the book away. This book has a warning at the beginning consider that. Also, this book can be read as a standalone but I strongly suggest the previous books in this series.
Words cannot describe the emotions this book brought me. A few times my heart broke, and a few times I got tears, but Lola was just simply a badass. The reality of this very thing happening puts things into perspective and this very same thing does happen. The heart and strength James had for Lola melted me. This man was her other half. This book isn't just a romance is so much more. If I say anything else I will simply give the book away. This book has a warning at the beginning consider that. Also, this book can be read as a standalone but I strongly suggest the previous books in this series.
November 9, 2022
This is book 5 of the Valentino Empire series but can be read as a stand-alone. To start, it is important to know that there is a great need to check any content warnings prior to reading as this story deals massively with PTSD after trauma as a child and adult.
With all that being said, I loved this story and how the main emphasis is on healing, self-care and recovering from said trauma. It is a dark romance book and while it circles around a forbidden relationship, the way the author handles that relationship is with care and responsibility and she does so in a way that doesn’t diminish the story at all.
Reclaiming Lola is a great read and definitely I definitely recommend it!!
With all that being said, I loved this story and how the main emphasis is on healing, self-care and recovering from said trauma. It is a dark romance book and while it circles around a forbidden relationship, the way the author handles that relationship is with care and responsibility and she does so in a way that doesn’t diminish the story at all.
Reclaiming Lola is a great read and definitely I definitely recommend it!!
November 9, 2022
I was not mentally prepared for Lola's story and honestly I do not think anyone will be. Her story needed to be told tho. Lola's story is FULL of triggers, so much destruction, so much hurt and pain. There are literally not enough words to express how dark and tormented this story is. Kylie did an amazing job with Lola's story, showing her healing and working on herself, mending relationships, not letting her fear control her life. This story blew my mind! I knew it was going to be dark but never realized to what extent! Amazing job Kylie! I am so glad Lola got her story and it has been told as I think it needed to be done. Spoiler: it does end in a HEA!
November 13, 2022
Reclaiming Lola is heartbreaking, emotional, gut wrenching and beautifully written. Lola is unbelievably strong as she works to heal from the devastating pain and torment that she has gone through for the last 1o years. Her journey to self discovery is beautiful. The connection between Lola and Dr. James is amazing. I love how patient and kind he was with her. This is such an amazing book. I absolutely loved it!!!
November 5, 2022
This book is NOT for the faint hearted! A romantic suspense with trigger elements,.
This book is heartbreaking beautiful written, completely engrossing and sure to leave readers emotional spent.
A decade after Lola was kidnapped, severely abused and raped she is rescued by her brother. This is her long journey of healing and overcoming her past with the help of her family and doctors and to find her happy ever after.
Be sure to have a box of tissues. A must read book of talented Kylie Kent.
This book is heartbreaking beautiful written, completely engrossing and sure to leave readers emotional spent.
A decade after Lola was kidnapped, severely abused and raped she is rescued by her brother. This is her long journey of healing and overcoming her past with the help of her family and doctors and to find her happy ever after.
Be sure to have a box of tissues. A must read book of talented Kylie Kent.
August 18, 2025
3.5⭐️
my slump has been so so bad and i’ve been wanting to read so bad, sooo i turned to my trusty sidekick: a good old mafia romance. and with that being said i really liked this one. it was so much more than a romance; the family dynamic and the healing was incredible. i do wish tho that we almost got a little more of the romance at the end but i still really enjoyed this
my slump has been so so bad and i’ve been wanting to read so bad, sooo i turned to my trusty sidekick: a good old mafia romance. and with that being said i really liked this one. it was so much more than a romance; the family dynamic and the healing was incredible. i do wish tho that we almost got a little more of the romance at the end but i still really enjoyed this
October 30, 2022
The insight into what Lola has undergone in the past 10 years and how it was expressed, shared!!! This book is perfect. Dr James, can we get some more of him. The calm serene and ever patient DR!!! Loved the book!!!
November 3, 2022
I was sent an arc copy of Reclaiming Lola and I just finished it in one sitting.
There’s some triggers in this book but the male main character (James) is such a sweet heart and a real kind soul with his main goal and motivation to help others…which is pretty much the polar opposite to the normal guys I read 😅.
I really enjoyed the sweet aspects of this book but still felt the range of emotions for the main female character (Lola) who is recovering from quite a bit of trauma.
My only thing was trying to decide if I liked the sweet and kind hearted James more or less than the possessive boss man, Neo 🤷🏼♀️
There’s some triggers in this book but the male main character (James) is such a sweet heart and a real kind soul with his main goal and motivation to help others…which is pretty much the polar opposite to the normal guys I read 😅.
I really enjoyed the sweet aspects of this book but still felt the range of emotions for the main female character (Lola) who is recovering from quite a bit of trauma.
My only thing was trying to decide if I liked the sweet and kind hearted James more or less than the possessive boss man, Neo 🤷🏼♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2022
We are still in the Valentino family series. Lola was kidnapped by child traffickers 10years ago and her family finally found her. Now she need great help from her dr to find out who she can be now. My opinion only is that the relationship is not really realistic. Many trigger warnings so just beware.
November 10, 2022
Beautiful love story
This is emotionally intense but is primarily a beautiful love story between a strong, healing woman and a caring loving man. Well written and compelling story.
This is emotionally intense but is primarily a beautiful love story between a strong, healing woman and a caring loving man. Well written and compelling story.
November 5, 2022
Reclaiming Lola, this is the last in the Valentino Series or can be read as a Standalone!! (Read the series!!!) This story is about life after. About strength independence and love. It’s a story about not just surviving but being a Survivor. Get ready to laugh a little and cry a lot. Thank you Kylie Kent for writing Lola’s story xx
November 16, 2022
Wow…….
What an amazing read. This was so different to what Kylie usually writes, and man she killed it.
You better have a box of tissues ready, cause you are gonna need it.
I think I cried almost 70% of the book.
Lola will tear at your heart strings and you will feel every single emotion she went through.
There are some massive triggers in this book, so please check your trigger warnings before you read it.
If you haven’t read any of the Valentino Empire series yet, then today is the day to start.
In saying that you can read Lola as a standalone, but to get a better understanding of some of the storyline I would suggest starting at book 1…
What an amazing read. This was so different to what Kylie usually writes, and man she killed it.
You better have a box of tissues ready, cause you are gonna need it.
I think I cried almost 70% of the book.
Lola will tear at your heart strings and you will feel every single emotion she went through.
There are some massive triggers in this book, so please check your trigger warnings before you read it.
If you haven’t read any of the Valentino Empire series yet, then today is the day to start.
In saying that you can read Lola as a standalone, but to get a better understanding of some of the storyline I would suggest starting at book 1…
April 7, 2025
Absolutely amazing brilliant story...truly wonderful...loved it...
Very highly recommended!!!!
Very highly recommended!!!!
November 1, 2022
This is book 5 of the Valentino Empire Series, Lola is introduced in book 4 and many of the characters from the previous books appear in this. I’d recommend you read all the books and enjoy the characters stories but it is not necessary, this can be read as a stand-alone.
This book is very different to any of the others, although this is a dark mafia romance this is more about Lola’s fight for herself. Her journey as she heals and overcomes her PTSD. Lola has to work so hard for her HEA luckily she has a great family and she has Dr James (aka Dr Hunky) to help and support her.
I’ve enjoyed the whole series and am looking forward to the next generation of Valentino’s in the Sons of Valentino series.
This book is very different to any of the others, although this is a dark mafia romance this is more about Lola’s fight for herself. Her journey as she heals and overcomes her PTSD. Lola has to work so hard for her HEA luckily she has a great family and she has Dr James (aka Dr Hunky) to help and support her.
I’ve enjoyed the whole series and am looking forward to the next generation of Valentino’s in the Sons of Valentino series.
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