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Texas Mutiny #3
Portero
Portero 2. m. y f. Jugador que en algunos deportes defiende la portería de su bando.
Entradas relacionadas: Santos y Mariana DeLaGuajardo
Como portero del Mutiny de Texas, a Santos se le da sumamente bien proteger la valla, pero nunca se molestó en hacer lo mismo con su matrimonio.
Al subírsele la fama a la cabeza, perdió a quienes más amaba: su esposa e hijos. Ahora tiene una única oportunidad para arreglar su relación antes de perderla para siempre, y está decidido a no dejarla escapar.
A Mariana le han hecho tanto daño las infidelidades de Santos que llevará las cicatrices toda la vida. Sin embargo, después de casi diez años como marido y mujer, ella lo conoce bastante bien, y tiene claro que no se dará por vencido sin presentar batalla. Aun así, se niega a ponerle las cosas fáciles…
… porque con el amor no basta.
Entradas relacionadas: Santos y Mariana DeLaGuajardo
Como portero del Mutiny de Texas, a Santos se le da sumamente bien proteger la valla, pero nunca se molestó en hacer lo mismo con su matrimonio.
Al subírsele la fama a la cabeza, perdió a quienes más amaba: su esposa e hijos. Ahora tiene una única oportunidad para arreglar su relación antes de perderla para siempre, y está decidido a no dejarla escapar.
A Mariana le han hecho tanto daño las infidelidades de Santos que llevará las cicatrices toda la vida. Sin embargo, después de casi diez años como marido y mujer, ella lo conoce bastante bien, y tiene claro que no se dará por vencido sin presentar batalla. Aun así, se niega a ponerle las cosas fáciles…
… porque con el amor no basta.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2017
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December 18, 2018There will be no rating.
It was the most raw and honest book about infidelity I ever read.
But even despite good writing and risky plot
any high rating will be against my morals.
Before reading this book, after reading this book and till the end of my life
I said, say and will say:
NOTHING justifies cheating!
Nothing excuses cheating and there is no 2nd chance for a cheater!
I despise cheating, I deeply abhor cheaters; but I’m adult enough to understand that the life is not black and white – it’s grey. Avoidance is not a solution. Not for me. So sometimes I step out of my comfort zone and face the issues I disrespect and even fear.
I read the blurb and I knew that the main topic was infidelity, but I never expect the extent of his cheating and the extent of her humiliation.
He cheated on her from the “first” day, through dating and through marriage; through 3 pregnancies and through all the time she unconditionally loved and supported him.
Since I never saw this book as a romance but as a real life story I wasn’t surprised that he didn’t stop having sex with OWs even after his wife left him; bj on the day of divorce was the last straw.
The author tried to describe him as a good father, but in my world the good father is not only the person who cares for his children and provides them, but also a man who respects their mother. The extent of his disrespect was endless.
The male character (sorry, I even can’t call him a hero) doesn’t deserve hate.
The opposite of love is not hate, hate is still a feeling.
The opposite of love is neglect, complete disdain.
It’s hard for me to write about the heroine. I liked and pitied her. I didn’t support all her decisions, but I tried to understand her. I wanted to shake and to hug her, and even if I don’t agree with her final decision I can’t dislike her.
She chose a life of inner fight and regret, she chose a life of daily fear and mistrust,
but she made her choice and I hope she (and the kids) won’t suffer much.
I don’t believe in any possibility of HEA for this couple, and I don’t believe in his future fidelity. (Sorry, but I didn’t buy his supposed addiction as an excuse for his regular and unhesitant cheating).
But again! I clearly understand that not everyone is like me.
People have and always will have various opinions and see the same situation differently.
I don’t judge. I live and learn. I try to understand and see the issue from a different angle.
I don’t regret reading this book. It was a painful but revealing journey.
But nevertheless
I said, say and will say:
NOTHING justifies cheating!
Nothing excuses cheating and there is no 2nd chance for a cheater.
It was the most raw and honest book about infidelity I ever read.
But even despite good writing and risky plot
any high rating will be against my morals.
Before reading this book, after reading this book and till the end of my life
I said, say and will say:
NOTHING justifies cheating!
Nothing excuses cheating and there is no 2nd chance for a cheater!
I despise cheating, I deeply abhor cheaters; but I’m adult enough to understand that the life is not black and white – it’s grey. Avoidance is not a solution. Not for me. So sometimes I step out of my comfort zone and face the issues I disrespect and even fear.
I read the blurb and I knew that the main topic was infidelity, but I never expect the extent of his cheating and the extent of her humiliation.
He cheated on her from the “first” day, through dating and through marriage; through 3 pregnancies and through all the time she unconditionally loved and supported him.
Since I never saw this book as a romance but as a real life story I wasn’t surprised that he didn’t stop having sex with OWs even after his wife left him; bj on the day of divorce was the last straw.
The author tried to describe him as a good father, but in my world the good father is not only the person who cares for his children and provides them, but also a man who respects their mother. The extent of his disrespect was endless.
The male character (sorry, I even can’t call him a hero) doesn’t deserve hate.
The opposite of love is not hate, hate is still a feeling.
The opposite of love is neglect, complete disdain.
It’s hard for me to write about the heroine. I liked and pitied her. I didn’t support all her decisions, but I tried to understand her. I wanted to shake and to hug her, and even if I don’t agree with her final decision I can’t dislike her.
She chose a life of inner fight and regret, she chose a life of daily fear and mistrust,
but she made her choice and I hope she (and the kids) won’t suffer much.
I don’t believe in any possibility of HEA for this couple, and I don’t believe in his future fidelity. (Sorry, but I didn’t buy his supposed addiction as an excuse for his regular and unhesitant cheating).
But again! I clearly understand that not everyone is like me.
People have and always will have various opinions and see the same situation differently.
I don’t judge. I live and learn. I try to understand and see the issue from a different angle.
I don’t regret reading this book. It was a painful but revealing journey.
But nevertheless
I said, say and will say:
NOTHING justifies cheating!
Nothing excuses cheating and there is no 2nd chance for a cheater.
February 19, 2017
Get ready for a rant everyone!!
So basically this guy was with heroine for over ten years and he cheated throughout all of them! We have lovely image of him sexing a groupie in the beginning that made me literally seethe with anger and disgust. I won't go into too much about this book but I will say that I felt the author using the storyline of him being a near sex addict felt like an excuse for them to wind up together again. In no way did he redeem himself he said he loved his wife and his three kids but that didn't stop him from screwing around for over ten years and disrespecting them by his serial cheating. Even when they separate he couldn't keep it in his pants knowing that his cheating was the reason his wife kicked him out, we have another lovely scene where he gets a blowjob on the day of his divorce. Great way to show his guilt and remorse right?! I also hated the fact that author made it known later that heroine always knew deep inside that he was cheating but still went on with the marriage and having three kids with this nasty scumbag. What does that say about her? Don't get me wrong I liked the heroine she was a great wife and mum but as a woman she was weak. Why do authors feel the need to make the female leads such virtuous forgiving characters? I don't think it makes a betrayed woman to be horrible just because she can't forgive or take back a cheater, in fact in my opinion it makes her bloody human and true for a lot of women out there who would feel the same! I can't believe she forgave him and one of the main ow who had been his regular groupie (apparently this ow is the main female lead in book 2 and there scenes with her and the main guy from this book) I was just so repulsed at how goody goody the author made this female lead. I 100% believe he will cheat again because temptation is everywhere as was witnessed by him changing career and still having lustful thoughts about another teacher training with him who gave him the come on towards the end. He resisted her but I won't believe that he won't succumb to future advances by ow down the road. There was no satisfactory conclusion at the end just the ending saying they will always be in therapy...meaning cheating is still very realistic and as the guy was so weak I believe that's inevitable!
So basically this guy was with heroine for over ten years and he cheated throughout all of them! We have lovely image of him sexing a groupie in the beginning that made me literally seethe with anger and disgust. I won't go into too much about this book but I will say that I felt the author using the storyline of him being a near sex addict felt like an excuse for them to wind up together again. In no way did he redeem himself he said he loved his wife and his three kids but that didn't stop him from screwing around for over ten years and disrespecting them by his serial cheating. Even when they separate he couldn't keep it in his pants knowing that his cheating was the reason his wife kicked him out, we have another lovely scene where he gets a blowjob on the day of his divorce. Great way to show his guilt and remorse right?! I also hated the fact that author made it known later that heroine always knew deep inside that he was cheating but still went on with the marriage and having three kids with this nasty scumbag. What does that say about her? Don't get me wrong I liked the heroine she was a great wife and mum but as a woman she was weak. Why do authors feel the need to make the female leads such virtuous forgiving characters? I don't think it makes a betrayed woman to be horrible just because she can't forgive or take back a cheater, in fact in my opinion it makes her bloody human and true for a lot of women out there who would feel the same! I can't believe she forgave him and one of the main ow who had been his regular groupie (apparently this ow is the main female lead in book 2 and there scenes with her and the main guy from this book) I was just so repulsed at how goody goody the author made this female lead. I 100% believe he will cheat again because temptation is everywhere as was witnessed by him changing career and still having lustful thoughts about another teacher training with him who gave him the come on towards the end. He resisted her but I won't believe that he won't succumb to future advances by ow down the road. There was no satisfactory conclusion at the end just the ending saying they will always be in therapy...meaning cheating is still very realistic and as the guy was so weak I believe that's inevitable!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2017
Honestly I got hammered over the head with a supposed 'sex addiction' - and maybe it is or maybe it isn't. But honestly, as with any disease, you need to do something to treat it - and here is where I am not feeling it.
The H does absolutely nothing about it until he has to, and even then he is still hooking up with OW and frankly - forgiveness is one thing, taking such miserable moral, ethical and narcissistic failure back is entirely another.
The h claims she takes him back cause he was her best friend and confidant, a good father and he was getting help for his issues. I am still wondering what drugs she was taking cause up until the divorce, the guy was never around to be much of anything - or if he was, the author sure did not show it. I don't think ten minutes of playing with your kids in between your games and your groupy banging makes you a good father.
What surprises me is the lack of awareness this h has about just how alone she really has been and continues to be even after the supposed reconciliation. It is still and always will be all about him, she and her needs are only an afterthought and it is sad that in order to feel self confident, she has to feel maternal and be the caretaker in order to be in a romantic relationship. But it does shed a lot of light on why she stays with him.
I did not buy it, I felt sorry for a woman who is so emotionally dependent that she is willing to treat an adult male like a child and ride herd on him for the rest of his life - cause that is what this is going to turn into.
She is going to have to check up on him all the time, and frankly that is just waay too exhausting to have to parent your kids and your hubby too for forever.
I did not like this one, mainly cause it read as a text book psych study of a mythical 'sex addiction' diagnosis and not a real relationship.
The H does absolutely nothing about it until he has to, and even then he is still hooking up with OW and frankly - forgiveness is one thing, taking such miserable moral, ethical and narcissistic failure back is entirely another.
The h claims she takes him back cause he was her best friend and confidant, a good father and he was getting help for his issues. I am still wondering what drugs she was taking cause up until the divorce, the guy was never around to be much of anything - or if he was, the author sure did not show it. I don't think ten minutes of playing with your kids in between your games and your groupy banging makes you a good father.
What surprises me is the lack of awareness this h has about just how alone she really has been and continues to be even after the supposed reconciliation. It is still and always will be all about him, she and her needs are only an afterthought and it is sad that in order to feel self confident, she has to feel maternal and be the caretaker in order to be in a romantic relationship. But it does shed a lot of light on why she stays with him.
I did not buy it, I felt sorry for a woman who is so emotionally dependent that she is willing to treat an adult male like a child and ride herd on him for the rest of his life - cause that is what this is going to turn into.
She is going to have to check up on him all the time, and frankly that is just waay too exhausting to have to parent your kids and your hubby too for forever.
I did not like this one, mainly cause it read as a text book psych study of a mythical 'sex addiction' diagnosis and not a real relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2017
2.5 I'm not sure how to feel stars but I'm TOTALLY rounding down because it's not worth rounding up!
First let me say that cheating is not my thing. Typically I avoid books that involve cheating like the plague. Therefore the only excuse I can give for reading this is that I'm a masochist. I knew going in that the heart was not only a cheater but a cheating SOB who had been doing it for years.
I'm putting my thought under spoiler so I don't ruin it for anyone else...
First let me say that cheating is not my thing. Typically I avoid books that involve cheating like the plague. Therefore the only excuse I can give for reading this is that I'm a masochist. I knew going in that the heart was not only a cheater but a cheating SOB who had been doing it for years.
I'm putting my thought under spoiler so I don't ruin it for anyone else...
September 1, 2021
Why one star?
This book has an H who just sleeps around habitually and frequently because he thinks it's his due. There are no extenuating circumstances or heat of the moment or tragedy or misunderstanding. He's married to lovely woman with whom he has children… he thinks it's aaaalll cool since he wears a rubber with all the randoms he sleeps with. 👀 He’d like a pat on the back for that. 😐🤮
Then, when his wife leaves him because of his ongoing and systematic planned-out cheating, he IS sorry (boo-f*cking-hoo 😭🙄) ... but really he’s only sorry about being caught and facing the consequences of losing his family. She leaves his ass. 🙌🏻 He drags her through very humiliating *public* marriage therapy, all the while never taking full responsibility for being the King of All Douche Bags. I'm not sure I've ever disliked a "hero" more. If he's not the *worst* hero ever written, he's certainly in MY top 5. It was the first time I've rooted for the h to leave the H and find a real man.... and I am willing to forgive all kinds of crazy shenanigans by an H, typically, including cheating, depending on the circumstances and if I believe the grovel. I did not believe this guy was sorry about anything but facing consequences. And that doesn’t make for an HEA, in my book.
I won't read another book by this author. So....
#notbitteratall 🤣🤣🤣
(PS, one of the nasty glorified prostitutes, he hooks up with regularly, gets her own book and her very own soccer player on his team to call her own. Awwwwww…. She’ll get to be a WAG right along with his WIFE. How’s that for an HEA??? 🤡)
This book has an H who just sleeps around habitually and frequently because he thinks it's his due. There are no extenuating circumstances or heat of the moment or tragedy or misunderstanding. He's married to lovely woman with whom he has children… he thinks it's aaaalll cool since he wears a rubber with all the randoms he sleeps with. 👀 He’d like a pat on the back for that. 😐🤮
Then, when his wife leaves him because of his ongoing and systematic planned-out cheating, he IS sorry (boo-f*cking-hoo 😭🙄) ... but really he’s only sorry about being caught and facing the consequences of losing his family. She leaves his ass. 🙌🏻 He drags her through very humiliating *public* marriage therapy, all the while never taking full responsibility for being the King of All Douche Bags. I'm not sure I've ever disliked a "hero" more. If he's not the *worst* hero ever written, he's certainly in MY top 5. It was the first time I've rooted for the h to leave the H and find a real man.... and I am willing to forgive all kinds of crazy shenanigans by an H, typically, including cheating, depending on the circumstances and if I believe the grovel. I did not believe this guy was sorry about anything but facing consequences. And that doesn’t make for an HEA, in my book.
I won't read another book by this author. So....
#notbitteratall 🤣🤣🤣
(PS, one of the nasty glorified prostitutes, he hooks up with regularly, gets her own book and her very own soccer player on his team to call her own. Awwwwww…. She’ll get to be a WAG right along with his WIFE. How’s that for an HEA??? 🤡)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2023
I don’t usually read cheating stories because for me the only possible happy ending is when the cheater gets dumped and is unhappy while the cheated finds a decent partner and is happy with him/ her.
This one caught my attention because it seems that the writer wants to justify the hero’s constant cheating with a sex addiction.
Let’s make some distinctions.
- a sex addiction is a disorder where the person is compelled to have sex repeatedly in every possible way and is very uncomfortable with it. The continuous pleasure seeking absorbs most part of the person’s thoughts and free time and sometimes it becomes an obsession that overcomes almost entirely the person’s life.
So, the addiction is a compulsion and the person is uncomfortable with it.
- this is not the hero’s case.
This book is basically the story of a serial cheater, a man who was never faithful to his wife during his 10 year long marriage.
The wife caught him and left with their children and asked for divorce. Even when he divorced he never stopped having sex with various ow, he decided to go to therapy when he started feeling lonely because he lost his family and wanted them back.
- this is a typical cheating from a narcissist person. The narcissist is - as the story says- a person that loves only himself, and has a low self esteem (or too high), anyway all the people around him are there only for one purpose: to make him feel good and to help him boast his self esteem. He needs reassurance and attention constantly. It’s quite different from an addiction. And it’s hardly solved. Because the person here feels good with what he does, and actually the hero never feels bad when he cheats, he only feels bad when he gets caught because of the consequences of his action and not because of the action per se.
- the hero tries to get his wife back and wants to change his behavior because his wife and his children left him and he wants them back, not because he realized that what he did was wrong, disgusting and irrespective of his wife.
So it’s his needs he care for, not his wife.
- As I said the person is very comfortable with what he does and doesn’t feel bad at all, if not for the consequences that his actions have in his life and that is the reason why a personality disorder is very difficult to cure. Those people are very liable to repeat their mistakes because they like what they do.
- there are many people with this kind of trait, and it’s no addiction at all. Sadly, because it’s easier to cure an addiction than a personality disorder.
- this book well represent how low a woman can stoop just to keep a man that never really loved her. And please, save me the fact that cheaters can love their partners anyway because surely this one never loved his wife because he always- always cheated on her.
Ok, maybe if he cheated on her after a very difficult period it could have been different but he never stopped just because he could, and even the most callous of men, the early stages of a relationship, when he’s smitten and infatuated, ceases at least for some time to chase other women.
This one never did, so actually the definition of narcissist is perfect for him.
- and the heroine? Well, she always had doubts about his faithfulness but decided to turn a blind eye and to have three children with him. I could accept it if she really didn’t mind his cheating. But she did, and when she had a confirmation she left him. After three children? Are you crazy woman???
- of course I didn’t like the book at all, it’s another sad demonstration of humiliation of women and lack of basic self respect. No one should accept what she did and there’s no love or respect between them, the heroine didn’t respect herself but didn’t even respect her husband because she allowed him to behave awfully without even blink, and of course the hero never respected his family at all.
This one caught my attention because it seems that the writer wants to justify the hero’s constant cheating with a sex addiction.
Let’s make some distinctions.
- a sex addiction is a disorder where the person is compelled to have sex repeatedly in every possible way and is very uncomfortable with it. The continuous pleasure seeking absorbs most part of the person’s thoughts and free time and sometimes it becomes an obsession that overcomes almost entirely the person’s life.
So, the addiction is a compulsion and the person is uncomfortable with it.
- this is not the hero’s case.
This book is basically the story of a serial cheater, a man who was never faithful to his wife during his 10 year long marriage.
The wife caught him and left with their children and asked for divorce. Even when he divorced he never stopped having sex with various ow, he decided to go to therapy when he started feeling lonely because he lost his family and wanted them back.
- this is a typical cheating from a narcissist person. The narcissist is - as the story says- a person that loves only himself, and has a low self esteem (or too high), anyway all the people around him are there only for one purpose: to make him feel good and to help him boast his self esteem. He needs reassurance and attention constantly. It’s quite different from an addiction. And it’s hardly solved. Because the person here feels good with what he does, and actually the hero never feels bad when he cheats, he only feels bad when he gets caught because of the consequences of his action and not because of the action per se.
- the hero tries to get his wife back and wants to change his behavior because his wife and his children left him and he wants them back, not because he realized that what he did was wrong, disgusting and irrespective of his wife.
So it’s his needs he care for, not his wife.
- As I said the person is very comfortable with what he does and doesn’t feel bad at all, if not for the consequences that his actions have in his life and that is the reason why a personality disorder is very difficult to cure. Those people are very liable to repeat their mistakes because they like what they do.
- there are many people with this kind of trait, and it’s no addiction at all. Sadly, because it’s easier to cure an addiction than a personality disorder.
- this book well represent how low a woman can stoop just to keep a man that never really loved her. And please, save me the fact that cheaters can love their partners anyway because surely this one never loved his wife because he always- always cheated on her.
Ok, maybe if he cheated on her after a very difficult period it could have been different but he never stopped just because he could, and even the most callous of men, the early stages of a relationship, when he’s smitten and infatuated, ceases at least for some time to chase other women.
This one never did, so actually the definition of narcissist is perfect for him.
- and the heroine? Well, she always had doubts about his faithfulness but decided to turn a blind eye and to have three children with him. I could accept it if she really didn’t mind his cheating. But she did, and when she had a confirmation she left him. After three children? Are you crazy woman???
- of course I didn’t like the book at all, it’s another sad demonstration of humiliation of women and lack of basic self respect. No one should accept what she did and there’s no love or respect between them, the heroine didn’t respect herself but didn’t even respect her husband because she allowed him to behave awfully without even blink, and of course the hero never respected his family at all.
April 13, 2020
WTF is this, where did the authors mind go.
H and h are married for 10 years and H has been cheating on her ALL THOSE TIME.
The h didn't even have a respect for herself and take back the cheater at the end after 10 years of marriage plus the years of dating.
His tears will never ever convince me that he love his wife, my brain will explode at every angle if i think about it.
Every time he told her "I love you" is just not believable especially the readers has a opening chapter of him humming to orgasm with fucking an OW. Not only that he claims to be remorseful,hates himself for cheating on h but up until the divorce which is about 50% +, he fucks OW.
We have his internal monologue of jealousy when he catch h from her date (which is a fucking joke). He said that during their separation he is NOT CELIBATE!!!where did author mind go, is she even a married? Did she think it romantic to have her husband talks to a person whose penis was inside her like friends? Like what she did with Mari and Tiffany. WTH, our h talks with the woman who at some many times has been naked and has been rut by her husband like 70% in the book.
This author will never grace my kindle. i don't know how she find cheating so romantic and her mom is weird, not ALL couples in the WORLD get a therapist when marriage fell apart to get even near accurate statistics, some divorced. And to those who remained? will i guess they don't respect themselves enough or they don't have a work to pay everything or they thought that nobody will have them because they old, anyways idk, im only 27yo and never have been cheated but FUCK for this "romantic" story.
Her mom should have told her that there are realities that are too hard to be written as Romantic and be overlooked, cheating for 10 years????? TEN YEARS?? CHEATING???? YEARS 10??? TECHNGA??? 1Y AEOSR??? PLUS THE YEARS WHEN THEY WERE DATING???
What's with the H SANTOS name, guess He is a Latino, and so now maybe her mom client are mostly Latino and based on internet surveys they are the most cheating husband??
-This is an angry review because i don't read fiction books like reading a Haiku, which is no emotion involved-
H and h are married for 10 years and H has been cheating on her ALL THOSE TIME.
The h didn't even have a respect for herself and take back the cheater at the end after 10 years of marriage plus the years of dating.
His tears will never ever convince me that he love his wife, my brain will explode at every angle if i think about it.
Every time he told her "I love you" is just not believable especially the readers has a opening chapter of him humming to orgasm with fucking an OW. Not only that he claims to be remorseful,hates himself for cheating on h but up until the divorce which is about 50% +, he fucks OW.
We have his internal monologue of jealousy when he catch h from her date (which is a fucking joke). He said that during their separation he is NOT CELIBATE!!!where did author mind go, is she even a married? Did she think it romantic to have her husband talks to a person whose penis was inside her like friends? Like what she did with Mari and Tiffany. WTH, our h talks with the woman who at some many times has been naked and has been rut by her husband like 70% in the book.
This author will never grace my kindle. i don't know how she find cheating so romantic and her mom is weird, not ALL couples in the WORLD get a therapist when marriage fell apart to get even near accurate statistics, some divorced. And to those who remained? will i guess they don't respect themselves enough or they don't have a work to pay everything or they thought that nobody will have them because they old, anyways idk, im only 27yo and never have been cheated but FUCK for this "romantic" story.
Her mom should have told her that there are realities that are too hard to be written as Romantic and be overlooked, cheating for 10 years????? TEN YEARS?? CHEATING???? YEARS 10??? TECHNGA??? 1Y AEOSR??? PLUS THE YEARS WHEN THEY WERE DATING???
What's with the H SANTOS name, guess He is a Latino, and so now maybe her mom client are mostly Latino and based on internet surveys they are the most cheating husband??
-This is an angry review because i don't read fiction books like reading a Haiku, which is no emotion involved-
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
no-way-jose
February 22, 2017https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm still wondering why cheating is so "ON" lately and I still can't think of it as natural and acceptable. I might have a psychological problem or I'm a moral snob. Either way, those authors are making me doubt myself and my thoughts and believes. I actually like respect and honesty. Yep, I might be sick. NOPE
Ewwwwwww
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 30, 2017
So I read this book to get out of my comfort zone. And nothing makes me more upset than reading a book featuring infidelity. No taboo/rape/assault affects my reading experience the same way.
He did not deserve her. Personally, I believe he should have gotten a taste of his own medicine, because fidelity never existed for him - there was no respect for her. I can't even believe she touched him after she found out. That she resigned herself to being alone for the rest of her life. That she resigned herself to celibacy for 8 months until they reunite. That she had no friends who were honest with her. This book revealed that she is a lonely, lonely woman who has immersed herself into the safety that her relationship offered her. She never even tried to leave her comfort zone.
I think had this book been about an amicable though painful separation, I would have rated it highly for it's honesty. And by taking him back, she did not set the right example for her children. It's only a matter of time before he cheats again physically, because he was already cheating in his mind once they started to reconnect.
I think this book needs to reiterate the message that love does have limits.
He did not deserve her. Personally, I believe he should have gotten a taste of his own medicine, because fidelity never existed for him - there was no respect for her. I can't even believe she touched him after she found out. That she resigned herself to being alone for the rest of her life. That she resigned herself to celibacy for 8 months until they reunite. That she had no friends who were honest with her. This book revealed that she is a lonely, lonely woman who has immersed herself into the safety that her relationship offered her. She never even tried to leave her comfort zone.
I think had this book been about an amicable though painful separation, I would have rated it highly for it's honesty. And by taking him back, she did not set the right example for her children. It's only a matter of time before he cheats again physically, because he was already cheating in his mind once they started to reconnect.
I think this book needs to reiterate the message that love does have limits.
August 26, 2024
Я люблю троп про зраду, спокуту та другі шанси, але цього мужика треба було кинути.
(Та шо за біда з обкладинками, йо-майо)
(Та шо за біда з обкладинками, йо-майо)
July 24, 2018
Eu li várias resenhas negativas e então resolvi ler o livro para ver qual era a coisa toda.
A autora escreveu uma história bem realista e que não vai deixar aquela sensação boa ao terminar a leitura, mas faz pensar.
O herói é um atleta profissional que transa com as groupies que cercam os jogadores do time dele. Durante os 10 anos em que foi casado com a heroína e tiveram os 3 filhos deles ele trai a esposa dele inúmeras vezes com mulheres diferentes. O herói deixa o leitor com muito ódio e nojo do comportamento dele.
Ela enfim acorda para a situação e o chuta para fora de casa e pede o divórcio. A heroína é a típica que foi traída e foi a última a ficar sabendo de tudo.
Ele reluta em aceitar a responsabilidade pelo ocorrido e continua cometendo os mesmos erros.
Nossa heroína fica firme nas posição dela e aos poucos vai ficando mais forte e independente apesar de ainda continuar amando o herói.
Eu confesso que se estivesse no lugar dela eu chutaria a bunda dele e não tocaria mais nele nem com a ponta do meu dedo.
Mas ela aos poucos vai perdoando e ele realmente tenta mudar o caráter dele e se tornar uma pessoa melhor.
Eu fiquei esperando ele trair novamente até o final e fiquei com a sensação de que ela vai ter uma vida muito difícil tentando ter paz sabendo que ele não vai estar lá fora transando com outra mulher.
A confiança nunca mais será a mesma e não sei se mesmo um grande amor vai sustentar o casamento deles. Mas ele pareceu estar disposto a mudar e realmente aos poucos foi demonstrando isso.
Gostei da leitura e mais um traidor para minha lista de leitura.
--------------
I read several negative reviews and then I decided to read the book to see what was the whole thing.
The author wrote a story very realistic and it's not going to let that feeling good when you finish reading, but makes you think.
The hero is a professional athlete who has sex with his groupies that surround the players of his team. During the 10 years he was married to heroin and had 3 children he cheated his wife numerous times with different women. The hero leaves the reader with a lot of hate and disgust of his behavior.
She finally wake up to the situation and kick him out of the home and asks for a divorce. The heroine is the typical who was cheated and was the last to know everything.
He is reluctant to accept responsibility for what happened and keep making the same mistakes.
Our heroine is firm in her position and gradually gets stronger and independent despite still loving the hero.
I confess that if I was in her place I'd kick his butt out and wouldn't touch him anymore even with the tip of my finger. But she will slowly forgiving and he really tries to change his character and become a better person.
I was waiting for him to cheat again until the end and I got the feeling that she's going to have a very hard life trying to have peace knowing he won't be out there having sex with another woman. The trust will never be the same and I don't know if even a great love will sustain their marriage. But he seemed willing to change and actually slowly came to demonstrating that.
I like reading and more a cheater to my reading list.
Highlights:
==>rolando de rir aqui! LOMAOF!
==>the prospects don't look very favorable for the couple
A autora escreveu uma história bem realista e que não vai deixar aquela sensação boa ao terminar a leitura, mas faz pensar.
O herói é um atleta profissional que transa com as groupies que cercam os jogadores do time dele. Durante os 10 anos em que foi casado com a heroína e tiveram os 3 filhos deles ele trai a esposa dele inúmeras vezes com mulheres diferentes. O herói deixa o leitor com muito ódio e nojo do comportamento dele.
Ela enfim acorda para a situação e o chuta para fora de casa e pede o divórcio. A heroína é a típica que foi traída e foi a última a ficar sabendo de tudo.
Ele reluta em aceitar a responsabilidade pelo ocorrido e continua cometendo os mesmos erros.
Nossa heroína fica firme nas posição dela e aos poucos vai ficando mais forte e independente apesar de ainda continuar amando o herói.
Eu confesso que se estivesse no lugar dela eu chutaria a bunda dele e não tocaria mais nele nem com a ponta do meu dedo.
Mas ela aos poucos vai perdoando e ele realmente tenta mudar o caráter dele e se tornar uma pessoa melhor.
Eu fiquei esperando ele trair novamente até o final e fiquei com a sensação de que ela vai ter uma vida muito difícil tentando ter paz sabendo que ele não vai estar lá fora transando com outra mulher.
A confiança nunca mais será a mesma e não sei se mesmo um grande amor vai sustentar o casamento deles. Mas ele pareceu estar disposto a mudar e realmente aos poucos foi demonstrando isso.
Gostei da leitura e mais um traidor para minha lista de leitura.
--------------
I read several negative reviews and then I decided to read the book to see what was the whole thing.
The author wrote a story very realistic and it's not going to let that feeling good when you finish reading, but makes you think.
The hero is a professional athlete who has sex with his groupies that surround the players of his team. During the 10 years he was married to heroin and had 3 children he cheated his wife numerous times with different women. The hero leaves the reader with a lot of hate and disgust of his behavior.
She finally wake up to the situation and kick him out of the home and asks for a divorce. The heroine is the typical who was cheated and was the last to know everything.
He is reluctant to accept responsibility for what happened and keep making the same mistakes.
Our heroine is firm in her position and gradually gets stronger and independent despite still loving the hero.
I confess that if I was in her place I'd kick his butt out and wouldn't touch him anymore even with the tip of my finger. But she will slowly forgiving and he really tries to change his character and become a better person.
I was waiting for him to cheat again until the end and I got the feeling that she's going to have a very hard life trying to have peace knowing he won't be out there having sex with another woman. The trust will never be the same and I don't know if even a great love will sustain their marriage. But he seemed willing to change and actually slowly came to demonstrating that.
I like reading and more a cheater to my reading list.
Highlights:
"Admittedly, I haven’t been exactly celibate since Mari left me."
"there has never been a time in our entire relationship when Santos wasn’t cheating on me. Not in college. Not when we first got married. Not when I was pregnant. Not ever."
"How could you do this to me? To us? How could you humiliate me like that in front of everyone we know? Do you know what that’s like?"
"You’re not sorry for doing it; you’re sorry you got caught"
“So it never occurred to you that you kissed these whores on the mouth, probably right after they got done sucking someone else’s dick without a condom, did it?”
“God, Santos. It’s a wonder I don’t have herpes in my mouth, you asshole.”
"How many more pieces of myself can be broken before I disappear forever?"
"Have I really changed my patterns enough for Mari to trust me again? Obviously not since I just got a blow job from some random chick."
==>rolando de rir aqui! LOMAOF!
“You’re saying Santos cheated on me for all those years because he might have a medical condition that exacerbates his stupid superstitions?”
“I call bullshit.”
“Why?”
“Why?” I laugh, humorlessly. “Because we were married for ten years. He could have easily come home and gotten his ‘medical condition,’” I sarcastically use air quotes, “… under control with me. But he didn’t. He chose to go out and bang any groupie who was willing to spread her legs for him. No way. He made a choice. Every time.”
==>the prospects don't look very favorable for the couple
“Mari, the kind of trust I broke doesn’t take weeks or months to rebuild. It takes years. Years. You have every right to doubt me. I can promise all day long, but in the end, the only way to help you feel better is to show you. Never be sorry for looking. Never be sorry for reminding me not to let my guard down. This is how we’re going to rebuild what was broken. Together.”
October 16, 2023
A friend asked me to buddy read this one with her. I did, kinda reluctantly, but I guess I was curious to see if anything would change, if maybe I'd see things differently now. I first read it 3 yrs ago, so it was possible. I consider myself a seasoned reader of cheating stories. LOL
The verdict? It worked so much better this time around. I can't believe Santos finally won me over. Crazy! I actually empathized with him. I felt his angst, his remorse and regret. It felt genuine. I would never justify his actions but at the end, I was convinced he deserved a second chance. And Mari? I got more emotion from her this time, but I still think she failed to show us the depth of her feelings. Unlike Santos', her emotions felt surface-level. I struggled to connect with her. She was still mostly predictable and boring. I do appreciate that she didn't take him back right away (after about 2 yrs?), and she did have a few shining moments that had me cheering her on. All in all, I'm glad I gave this book another chance. Thanks, Cindy 😘 I look forward to your review!
Upgrading rating from 2 Stars to 3.5 Stars. I'll probably read this again in the future. Who knows, maybe next time it will be even better.
(ebook borrowed from Hoopla)
**Original Review**
I need to rant badly.
Not gonna lie, I skimmed a lot after 20something%.
I picked this one because I find romance books with a cheating theme entertaining. I'm hopelessly addicted to the angst. Some of my favorites have actual cheating; some have a lot of gray area; others end up with no cheating at all--just a misunderstanding. Sue me, I'm a sucker for second chances, especially combined with the 'marriage in trouble' trope. Just give me all the redemption stories with lots of groveling and atonement.
But this book was a fail. A major one. This cheating was just completely OTT, heartless, and shameless. For years and years he cheated with hundreds of women. Was he a drug addict? An alcoholic? Was his wife a bitch? Was this revenge? Maybe he just wasn't in love with his wife? No, silly people! He just gets an adrenaline rush after a game and sex helps him calm down. WTF. He only realizes how despicable his behavior is AFTER he gets caught. But he continues to do it! And all that mumbo jumbo psycho bullshit about him being a "situational sex addict" did not make it better! It made it even more annoying. I had hoped the author would convince me to give Santos a second chance. Gag. By the way, 'Santos' means 'saint.' HA!
What's worse is that Mari was incredibly nice and civil to him. Sure, she leaves him but she was so damn passive. At one point she even says she will forever be alone because she can't love anyone else again. I HATE martyr heroines. I agree with what one of my Goodreads friends said in her review, I never even felt her pain. That's how passive and nice Mari was. He humiliated her the entire time they were together. More than a decade of screwing other women at after-parties and his teammates knowing about it. I mean, REALLY?
And as if all that wasn't bad enough, we also get him fantasizing about screwing someone else almost at the end of the book. But hey, he was finally able to stop the urge! Let's give the boy a medal!
The icing on the cake was Mari helping out one of his ex-fuck-girls just because said fuck-girl was reeeeally sorry. Ooooh, look how good Mari is for that selfless gesture. Grrrr
Okay, I got that out.
The verdict? It worked so much better this time around. I can't believe Santos finally won me over. Crazy! I actually empathized with him. I felt his angst, his remorse and regret. It felt genuine. I would never justify his actions but at the end, I was convinced he deserved a second chance. And Mari? I got more emotion from her this time, but I still think she failed to show us the depth of her feelings. Unlike Santos', her emotions felt surface-level. I struggled to connect with her. She was still mostly predictable and boring. I do appreciate that she didn't take him back right away (after about 2 yrs?), and she did have a few shining moments that had me cheering her on. All in all, I'm glad I gave this book another chance. Thanks, Cindy 😘 I look forward to your review!
Upgrading rating from 2 Stars to 3.5 Stars. I'll probably read this again in the future. Who knows, maybe next time it will be even better.
(ebook borrowed from Hoopla)
**Original Review**
I need to rant badly.
Not gonna lie, I skimmed a lot after 20something%.
I picked this one because I find romance books with a cheating theme entertaining. I'm hopelessly addicted to the angst. Some of my favorites have actual cheating; some have a lot of gray area; others end up with no cheating at all--just a misunderstanding. Sue me, I'm a sucker for second chances, especially combined with the 'marriage in trouble' trope. Just give me all the redemption stories with lots of groveling and atonement.
But this book was a fail. A major one. This cheating was just completely OTT, heartless, and shameless. For years and years he cheated with hundreds of women. Was he a drug addict? An alcoholic? Was his wife a bitch? Was this revenge? Maybe he just wasn't in love with his wife? No, silly people! He just gets an adrenaline rush after a game and sex helps him calm down. WTF. He only realizes how despicable his behavior is AFTER he gets caught. But he continues to do it! And all that mumbo jumbo psycho bullshit about him being a "situational sex addict" did not make it better! It made it even more annoying. I had hoped the author would convince me to give Santos a second chance. Gag. By the way, 'Santos' means 'saint.' HA!
What's worse is that Mari was incredibly nice and civil to him. Sure, she leaves him but she was so damn passive. At one point she even says she will forever be alone because she can't love anyone else again. I HATE martyr heroines. I agree with what one of my Goodreads friends said in her review, I never even felt her pain. That's how passive and nice Mari was. He humiliated her the entire time they were together. More than a decade of screwing other women at after-parties and his teammates knowing about it. I mean, REALLY?
And as if all that wasn't bad enough, we also get him fantasizing about screwing someone else almost at the end of the book. But hey, he was finally able to stop the urge! Let's give the boy a medal!
The icing on the cake was Mari helping out one of his ex-fuck-girls just because said fuck-girl was reeeeally sorry. Ooooh, look how good Mari is for that selfless gesture. Grrrr
Okay, I got that out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2017
If you were superman and cheating was your kryptonite than this book is going to be a nuclear bomb to your senses as it spans over a decade of serial cheating and the scenes of infidelity are explicit and bleed through from the previous book 'Groupie' with regards to the main character Santos .
The author handles the fallout of the wife leaving her sex addicted husband with the dexterity of a knife thrower juggling a dozen sharp objects in the air and ensuring that each knife that falls,lands safety and comfortably without any of them totally severing the fraying strings that hold this crumbling relationship together.
Despite any abhorrence of the subject matter this book is truthfully written and makes no attempts to hide any minute dirty struggle that the characters under go in order to achieve monogamy or regain any trust that had been eviscerated.
The author handles the fallout of the wife leaving her sex addicted husband with the dexterity of a knife thrower juggling a dozen sharp objects in the air and ensuring that each knife that falls,lands safety and comfortably without any of them totally severing the fraying strings that hold this crumbling relationship together.
Despite any abhorrence of the subject matter this book is truthfully written and makes no attempts to hide any minute dirty struggle that the characters under go in order to achieve monogamy or regain any trust that had been eviscerated.
April 14, 2018
***3.5 STARS***
dnf
February 23, 2017DNF @ 50% - so no rating!
I was already struggling with this book at 5% and didn't know if I would make it till the end. And like you can see I didn't. I do love this author's writing, that was the main reason I didn't DNF right away and continued reading. However, the 'hero' in this book did something that I wouldn't be able to forgive in a million years. I was reading to see how the author would try to redeem him. I wanted to see how he would react and how the heroine would deal with the situation.
No need for people to hit me with "it it just fiction'. Like every reader out there, I have my book pet peeves, and sometimes I can handle it and sometimes I can't. In this case I just couldn't get past it.
I was already struggling with this book at 5% and didn't know if I would make it till the end. And like you can see I didn't. I do love this author's writing, that was the main reason I didn't DNF right away and continued reading. However, the 'hero' in this book did something that I wouldn't be able to forgive in a million years. I was reading to see how the author would try to redeem him. I wanted to see how he would react and how the heroine would deal with the situation.
No need for people to hit me with "it it just fiction'. Like every reader out there, I have my book pet peeves, and sometimes I can handle it and sometimes I can't. In this case I just couldn't get past it.
October 16, 2021
4 stars!
Do I believe for one second that the hero redeemed himself? Nope. This dude sure as hell gonna cheat on her again.
But, there is a but, the grovel was delicious. I loved how the heroine made him do all the work. She literally made him beg. And if I was in her place I would one hundred percent return the guy to his mother after kicking him in the nuts lol.
Also, the therapy sessions was a big fat joke!
Do I believe for one second that the hero redeemed himself? Nope. This dude sure as hell gonna cheat on her again.
But, there is a but, the grovel was delicious. I loved how the heroine made him do all the work. She literally made him beg. And if I was in her place I would one hundred percent return the guy to his mother after kicking him in the nuts lol.
Also, the therapy sessions was a big fat joke!
February 7, 2017
4.5 R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Stars
Respect is earned. And it is often earned in pain and hurt feelings because sometimes we have to see someone at their worst, in the worst of times, to be able to respect that they came through those hard times.
Santos is the goalie of the Texas Mutiny. He has a great reputation on the field. His team respects him and embraces him and his family. The problem is that he can't keep it in his pants. And that respect doesn't extend past the field. Everyone know he is cheating on his wife and his children with anyone who is willing.
It's ironic he never protected our family the way he protects that damn net.
Mariana thought she had a great life. She thought she had friends and support. But it turns out she was blind to the real life they were living. Blind to the fact that her husband didn't respect her marriage. And the worst part....everyone knew it.
I deserve respect....But I also deserve no regrets.
Mari takes drastic steps to get the only respect she can get....self respect.
Goalie is a hard book to read. It is full of truth, raw truth and raw emotions that it takes to get there. Like ground up chicken livers....raw. Goalie is also a tale of trying. Trying really hard to figure out what you want. What you deserve and what you will put up with. Just like in soccer, there are lines that can't be crossed. Lines that you must protect.
Santos and Mari put it all out there. And ME Carter drags you through it all with them. This emotional meat grinder will have reading and hoping. The problem is you don't know what you are hoping for. Mari deserves to be happy but what does that mean? Can Santos be the man, the father, he wants to be?
Maybe it's time to try harder. Even if it's only for myself.
I love ME Carter's writing. She continues to amaze me as she grows a story teller. She has woven a story that is painful and private. You feel like you should look away. Or give someone a hug. Or a swift kick to the shin guards. So grab a tissue or a glass of wine and dive into Goalie. Don't expect ME Carter to protect your feelings.
Respect is earned. And it is often earned in pain and hurt feelings because sometimes we have to see someone at their worst, in the worst of times, to be able to respect that they came through those hard times.
Santos is the goalie of the Texas Mutiny. He has a great reputation on the field. His team respects him and embraces him and his family. The problem is that he can't keep it in his pants. And that respect doesn't extend past the field. Everyone know he is cheating on his wife and his children with anyone who is willing.
It's ironic he never protected our family the way he protects that damn net.
Mariana thought she had a great life. She thought she had friends and support. But it turns out she was blind to the real life they were living. Blind to the fact that her husband didn't respect her marriage. And the worst part....everyone knew it.
I deserve respect....But I also deserve no regrets.
Mari takes drastic steps to get the only respect she can get....self respect.
Goalie is a hard book to read. It is full of truth, raw truth and raw emotions that it takes to get there. Like ground up chicken livers....raw. Goalie is also a tale of trying. Trying really hard to figure out what you want. What you deserve and what you will put up with. Just like in soccer, there are lines that can't be crossed. Lines that you must protect.
Santos and Mari put it all out there. And ME Carter drags you through it all with them. This emotional meat grinder will have reading and hoping. The problem is you don't know what you are hoping for. Mari deserves to be happy but what does that mean? Can Santos be the man, the father, he wants to be?
Maybe it's time to try harder. Even if it's only for myself.
I love ME Carter's writing. She continues to amaze me as she grows a story teller. She has woven a story that is painful and private. You feel like you should look away. Or give someone a hug. Or a swift kick to the shin guards. So grab a tissue or a glass of wine and dive into Goalie. Don't expect ME Carter to protect your feelings.
November 5, 2021
Re-read 11/4/2021
I’m still torn… as far as a remorseful cheating husband… I think Santos fits the bill, and enough work was done (therapy, divorce, avoiding any temptation, starting from 0) to make the HEA believable. (for me) But having on-page cheating and the sheer number of occurrences is A LOT for readers to swallow. Add in his internal thoughts as he works through his “addiction” and fighting through temptation made it realistic, but added another layer to deal with. I guess I’ll leave it as I didn’t necessarily like everything, but it certainly made me think, so I went with the 3, but this book is not safe, and will not be for everyone. My biggest complaint is that it ends not completely settled, and the author wants you to pay .99 for a 50-page novella to get their HEA. I almost took a star of for that because that’s not cool.
Background- Santos is a professional soccer player that is devoted/over the moon love with his wife and kids, but developed a habit, superstition, addiction, whatever in HS that he “needs” to have sex right after games. (this is explained pretty thoroughly in the book) He’s utilized groupies for this. It started before he met his wife, and continued after, so he’s been having non emotional physical sex for years.
*****Original Review****
Santos and Mariana
They’ve been married for 10 years and have 3 small children. Mari finally decides to confirm her suspicions that he is unfaithful, and leaves him. The book follows their journey through separation, divorce and everything along the way.
The book is told through dual POV’s, there is audio that’s part of the audible escapes package although I didn’t listen to it.
There is cheating, he's been with numerous groupies over the years. There're two on-page scenes, one while married, and a BJ after the divorce. So if that is something that is a hard limit... I would pass. I’m torn, the subject matter made it very hard for me to care about the characters, but Santos is very remorseful so that helps.
I’m still torn… as far as a remorseful cheating husband… I think Santos fits the bill, and enough work was done (therapy, divorce, avoiding any temptation, starting from 0) to make the HEA believable. (for me) But having on-page cheating and the sheer number of occurrences is A LOT for readers to swallow. Add in his internal thoughts as he works through his “addiction” and fighting through temptation made it realistic, but added another layer to deal with. I guess I’ll leave it as I didn’t necessarily like everything, but it certainly made me think, so I went with the 3, but this book is not safe, and will not be for everyone. My biggest complaint is that it ends not completely settled, and the author wants you to pay .99 for a 50-page novella to get their HEA. I almost took a star of for that because that’s not cool.
Background- Santos is a professional soccer player that is devoted/over the moon love with his wife and kids, but developed a habit, superstition, addiction, whatever in HS that he “needs” to have sex right after games. (this is explained pretty thoroughly in the book) He’s utilized groupies for this. It started before he met his wife, and continued after, so he’s been having non emotional physical sex for years.
*****Original Review****
Santos and Mariana
They’ve been married for 10 years and have 3 small children. Mari finally decides to confirm her suspicions that he is unfaithful, and leaves him. The book follows their journey through separation, divorce and everything along the way.
The book is told through dual POV’s, there is audio that’s part of the audible escapes package although I didn’t listen to it.
There is cheating, he's been with numerous groupies over the years. There're two on-page scenes, one while married, and a BJ after the divorce. So if that is something that is a hard limit... I would pass. I’m torn, the subject matter made it very hard for me to care about the characters, but Santos is very remorseful so that helps.
February 10, 2017
I'll be honest, I went into this book preparing to hate Santos and rooting for Mari to kick him to the curb. While, initially I still felt like that, alas, my feeling about him and his relationship with Mari changed. He really fought hard and won me over.
I've noticed this is a continued trend with M.E. Carter, I went into Groupie prepared to dislike Tiffany or at least not love her, boy did that change. It is the same with Goalie.
I slowly but surely fell in love with, not the person he was but the man he became. I mean generally Santos is an awesome dad, he loves his children, and besides the cheating he was a good husband in all other regards.
"Watching" Santos and Mari's marriage disintegrate was heartbreaking, the damage and pain and the betrayal of what Santos has done ruined their relationship and the trust that was between them.
What I love though is how hard these fought for their marriage, and the changes they gave each other so there would be no regrets. I absolutely love that they are good parents, and co-parent so beautifully, they put their children first, they are Santos and Mari's priority (as they should be).
Reading about the journey these two went through was excruciating and brutal as heck. I cried so much, I went through every emotion under the rainbow. At first, I felt disillusioned, but in the end watching them grow individually and work on their flaws - Mari, too - and how they overcame obstacles and then grow together as two people was beautiful and heart-wrenching.
I felt emotionally and mentally drained after finishing this book, my soul was tired and I felt it deep in my bones. the impact it had on me. This book fundamentally touched me, it changed me, it's raw, painful, brutal and incredibly moving story touched a special place in my heart and deep in my soul. This book was to its core realistic, it never once diminished the severeness of Santos actions or the consequences of those, Mari did not excuse his actions or look away or easily forgive what he had done. But, it taught so many good life lessons, that no matter what you have done, it is never too late to be remorseful and fight for redemption, forgiveness and a second chance.
This is one of the most 'real' love stories I have read, I highly recommend it! Just prepare a s**t ton of Kleenex, you're gonna need it.
I've noticed this is a continued trend with M.E. Carter, I went into Groupie prepared to dislike Tiffany or at least not love her, boy did that change. It is the same with Goalie.
I slowly but surely fell in love with, not the person he was but the man he became. I mean generally Santos is an awesome dad, he loves his children, and besides the cheating he was a good husband in all other regards.
"Watching" Santos and Mari's marriage disintegrate was heartbreaking, the damage and pain and the betrayal of what Santos has done ruined their relationship and the trust that was between them.
What I love though is how hard these fought for their marriage, and the changes they gave each other so there would be no regrets. I absolutely love that they are good parents, and co-parent so beautifully, they put their children first, they are Santos and Mari's priority (as they should be).
Reading about the journey these two went through was excruciating and brutal as heck. I cried so much, I went through every emotion under the rainbow. At first, I felt disillusioned, but in the end watching them grow individually and work on their flaws - Mari, too - and how they overcame obstacles and then grow together as two people was beautiful and heart-wrenching.
I felt emotionally and mentally drained after finishing this book, my soul was tired and I felt it deep in my bones. the impact it had on me. This book fundamentally touched me, it changed me, it's raw, painful, brutal and incredibly moving story touched a special place in my heart and deep in my soul. This book was to its core realistic, it never once diminished the severeness of Santos actions or the consequences of those, Mari did not excuse his actions or look away or easily forgive what he had done. But, it taught so many good life lessons, that no matter what you have done, it is never too late to be remorseful and fight for redemption, forgiveness and a second chance.
"I demand respects because I deserve respect."
This is one of the most 'real' love stories I have read, I highly recommend it! Just prepare a s**t ton of Kleenex, you're gonna need it.
November 3, 2018
2.5 ⭐️'s
Ok, gonna be honest. I didn't like the authors writing style. I just couldn't connect with either character. But that's on me because this was a well written, interesting book, I just couldn't feel the angst. It was more tell than show and I just NEVER FELT HER PAIN OR HIS REMORSE. I capitalized that bc this book deals with the fall out of a sexual addicts behavior over YEARS, so, yeah. Again technically well written but missing the angst.
Ok, gonna be honest. I didn't like the authors writing style. I just couldn't connect with either character. But that's on me because this was a well written, interesting book, I just couldn't feel the angst. It was more tell than show and I just NEVER FELT HER PAIN OR HIS REMORSE. I capitalized that bc this book deals with the fall out of a sexual addicts behavior over YEARS, so, yeah. Again technically well written but missing the angst.
October 4, 2020
I hated it.
While the h is going around handling 3 children, keeping her marriage together , her husband is going around fucking groupies.
And somehow it is justifiable because he loves fucking and feels like his wife deserves to be made love to instead of 'getting fucked from behind'.
From henceforth I'm gonna call the male character "B" For Bastard, cause I canNot for the love of God call him Hero.
It felt like the book was trying to justify his cheating rather than condemning it. I don't think cheating is justifiable in any sense, but if I'm reading a book about it I'd prefer the B on his knees -humbled and begging.
And the worst thing is he kept sleeping around even when they were separated. All while whining about missing his wife.
The ending would have been so much better if he had woken up Dick-less. I'm sure with all the fucking around it would be STD ridden anyways.
Bloody fucktard bastard.
I don't believe for a second he won't cheat on her again.
This book got me all riled up.
Edit: So I re-read it and upped the rating from 1 to 2 stars. But that doesn't mean I take back anything I wrote earlier. It's still so flawed.
While the h is going around handling 3 children, keeping her marriage together , her husband is going around fucking groupies.
And somehow it is justifiable because he loves fucking and feels like his wife deserves to be made love to instead of 'getting fucked from behind'.
From henceforth I'm gonna call the male character "B" For Bastard, cause I canNot for the love of God call him Hero.
It felt like the book was trying to justify his cheating rather than condemning it. I don't think cheating is justifiable in any sense, but if I'm reading a book about it I'd prefer the B on his knees -humbled and begging.
And the worst thing is he kept sleeping around even when they were separated. All while whining about missing his wife.
The ending would have been so much better if he had woken up Dick-less. I'm sure with all the fucking around it would be STD ridden anyways.
Bloody fucktard bastard.
I don't believe for a second he won't cheat on her again.
This book got me all riled up.
Edit: So I re-read it and upped the rating from 1 to 2 stars. But that doesn't mean I take back anything I wrote earlier. It's still so flawed.
February 20, 2017
honestly, this writer's writing wasn't too bad except for editing errors. her subject matter was just very unpalatable. women can get cheated on but women who choose to get cheated on i don't identify with. it's simply a personal preference. i can't believe that a supposed great love would disrespect and endanger the love of his life. the idea that women get cheated on -especially in droves- and forgive is simply normalised abuse. i also resent women being written as people who would give up their sexuality and future happiness because the cheating ex does not want another man to raise is kids. this is a doormat's love story, not mine.
April 16, 2022
Conflicted with this one
I’m seriously conflicted about this book. I didn’t hate it but didn’t love it. It was recommended as the ultimate grovel but but I disagree. Yes, he eventually realizes that he was oh so wrong and yes he grovels but the whole thing is so icky and uncomfortable. He’s a serious cheater, we’re not talking once or twice, we’re talking over a decade of cheating on his wife with hundreds of women. I don’t think the cheating was justified no matter what the therapist “explained” but I’m willing to suspend disbelief. So anyway, I commend the author for going there and attempting to redeem the unredeemable. My rating is mostly, is not the book, it’s me. Cause again, I’m not sure I would’ve ever forgiven the amount of cheating that occurs in this book. Kudos to the heroine for being that forgiving…
I’m seriously conflicted about this book. I didn’t hate it but didn’t love it. It was recommended as the ultimate grovel but but I disagree. Yes, he eventually realizes that he was oh so wrong and yes he grovels but the whole thing is so icky and uncomfortable. He’s a serious cheater, we’re not talking once or twice, we’re talking over a decade of cheating on his wife with hundreds of women. I don’t think the cheating was justified no matter what the therapist “explained” but I’m willing to suspend disbelief. So anyway, I commend the author for going there and attempting to redeem the unredeemable. My rating is mostly, is not the book, it’s me. Cause again, I’m not sure I would’ve ever forgiven the amount of cheating that occurs in this book. Kudos to the heroine for being that forgiving…
May 30, 2023
This was so ridiculous I actually laughed out loud at 6 in the morning while everyone was asleep but some scenes were really, hilariously cringey and the mmc is one pompous arrogant stupid ass. The whole book is giving irrational excuses to cheating, is written in a very dumb way, and the fmc isn't familiar with dignity as a concept. I started this at midnight and finished it at 2pm with only 4 hours of sleep in between. Y'all would die if you saw my annotations. I don't remember laughing this loud at something being this bad in a long time.
Anyway the bar is in hell ladies please never settle for someone like this.
Anyway the bar is in hell ladies please never settle for someone like this.
May 16, 2024
Im okay with reading a book featuring infidelity IF there is GROVEL and the MC works hard to get her back. However, in here it's NOT the case. He did not deserve her 😭😭 It's only a matter of time before he cheats again physically, because he was already cheating in his mind once they started to reconnect 😫
If you like a cheating MC who do not deserve another chance like ever? Then go ahead this book is for you.
If you like a cheating MC who do not deserve another chance like ever? Then go ahead this book is for you.
Read
February 19, 2017Nope not gonna happen.Once a cheater always a cheater.Is the heroine at the end done with this ass? Did she have her HEA with someone else? Then I'll read it if not,there's no reason to.Don't f...... care if it's well written
February 21, 2017
Update: 21st of February, 2017
Before I begin this. Just because I read a book with a cheater/cheating in it, doesn't mean that I condone cheaters/the act of cheating. People who know me personally know just how much I hate cheaters/cheating. I've seen it happened to someone I care about. So yeah. Not condoning. Capiche?
This book is all about me wanting to get out of my comfort zone for a bit.
So after careful consideration, I decided to give this book a 2-star. I've had time to ruminate everything, and I think that while the author used a difficult topic/theme with this one, she went about it through an easy route.
Let me explain. The heroine, stuck through her guns for as long as she could. As long as she could being the keyword. They went through therapy and she still left him after that, she gave it good. I think.
But the author made her to be SO FUCKING NICE. So saintly. Doormat. It annoyed me too much.
I know that she was gunning for a happy ending for the characters but they made it so that she's ~too in love~ with him. They made both characters to be a soulmates. So how convenient that she would take him back right?
They separated for 6 months and they got divorced after that but how could you get over years of betrayal that quickly? The 6 months were even fast-forwarded. I need MORE.
And the Hero. He didn't fully redeem himself. Not at all. I mean there were times I thought that he could be redeemed but he disappointed me over and over again. What I do get is that he's good with his kid but I guess being a great father and a great husband do not go hand in hand for him.
Another thing I found too convenient. The reason for his cheating. Mind you, he was never faithful to her. Not even when they were still dating.
The book ended on a semi-good note where the Hero and heroine are living with each other. They don't share a room but they are taking it one step at a time. Which is... whatever. But it still felt abrupt to me. At that point it did feel like it was way too fast for me so it just ruined the flow.
While I hated those bits. There are certain things that I did like about the book. I liked that the heroine stuck to her guns.... longer than most heroine would (the bar is set so low!). I liked the author's writing style. I liked some of the scenes where the Hero was suffering. LOL.
Overall, this book was a... painful read. The heroine deserved better. Honestly I wish the heroine was more of a Scorpio like me. If I were her, I would make him grovel over and over again, continously....'till he bleeds..... and still leave him. Because this girl ain't got no time for anyone's bs.
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I feel like this book deserve a longer review but I'm too exhausted to write anything right now. I know. EXCUSES. But I'm not lying. I swear lol.
I would really like to give this book a 4 star at the very least but I can't. Bear in mind it has got nothing to do with the theme.
Anyway. This book is definitely NOT safe. Stay away from it if you hate cheating Heroes. Honestly in my opinion, this book is so much more than the infidelity in it, but I understand not everyone can stomach it.
Before I begin this. Just because I read a book with a cheater/cheating in it, doesn't mean that I condone cheaters/the act of cheating. People who know me personally know just how much I hate cheaters/cheating. I've seen it happened to someone I care about. So yeah. Not condoning. Capiche?
This book is all about me wanting to get out of my comfort zone for a bit.
So after careful consideration, I decided to give this book a 2-star. I've had time to ruminate everything, and I think that while the author used a difficult topic/theme with this one, she went about it through an easy route.
Let me explain. The heroine, stuck through her guns for as long as she could. As long as she could being the keyword. They went through therapy and she still left him after that, she gave it good. I think.
But the author made her to be SO FUCKING NICE. So saintly. Doormat. It annoyed me too much.
I know that she was gunning for a happy ending for the characters but they made it so that she's ~too in love~ with him. They made both characters to be a soulmates. So how convenient that she would take him back right?
They separated for 6 months and they got divorced after that but how could you get over years of betrayal that quickly? The 6 months were even fast-forwarded. I need MORE.
And the Hero. He didn't fully redeem himself. Not at all. I mean there were times I thought that he could be redeemed but he disappointed me over and over again. What I do get is that he's good with his kid but I guess being a great father and a great husband do not go hand in hand for him.
Another thing I found too convenient. The reason for his cheating. Mind you, he was never faithful to her. Not even when they were still dating.
The book ended on a semi-good note where the Hero and heroine are living with each other. They don't share a room but they are taking it one step at a time. Which is... whatever. But it still felt abrupt to me. At that point it did feel like it was way too fast for me so it just ruined the flow.
While I hated those bits. There are certain things that I did like about the book. I liked that the heroine stuck to her guns.... longer than most heroine would (the bar is set so low!). I liked the author's writing style. I liked some of the scenes where the Hero was suffering. LOL.
Overall, this book was a... painful read. The heroine deserved better. Honestly I wish the heroine was more of a Scorpio like me. If I were her, I would make him grovel over and over again, continously....'till he bleeds..... and still leave him. Because this girl ain't got no time for anyone's bs.
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I feel like this book deserve a longer review but I'm too exhausted to write anything right now. I know. EXCUSES. But I'm not lying. I swear lol.
I would really like to give this book a 4 star at the very least but I can't. Bear in mind it has got nothing to do with the theme.
Anyway. This book is definitely NOT safe. Stay away from it if you hate cheating Heroes. Honestly in my opinion, this book is so much more than the infidelity in it, but I understand not everyone can stomach it.
June 2, 2017
Wow. This is one of the better books I've read that tackles infidelity. I thought it was incredibly realistic. I wish more authors would go there as it's not a deal breaker for ALL readers. But if cheating is a no go for you then you should stay far far away from this book.
Mari has a gut feeling Santos, her husband of ten years and goalie for a pro soccer team, is cheating on her and her suspicions are confirmed when she confronts a groupie. She then packs herself and their three kids and goes to stay with her mother.
Santos needs to expend his excess energy after every game, that's how he justifies banging cleat chasers. And boy do we get a firsthand account of his activities. He also hates the idea of taking his wife like that, he feels she deserves to be made love to. But he gets a rude awakening when he comes home and discovers his family is gone.
I liked Mari in this book. She stuck to her guns and she demanded respect while still trying to make the divorce amicable for the kids' sake. But she was also vulnerable. When it's fiction it's easy to say divorce him and don't look back. But in reality it's messy. There's yelling and crying. It's not easy when kids are involved, it's not easy when there's ten years of good memories, it's not easy when you're afraid to be alone. Even though Mari was pretty decisive regarding the divorce she had moments of self doubt. I felt her pain and conflict.
Santos was something else. Wow. I can't even say I hated him. It felt like he separated himself from the cheating. He really was leading two lives. He loved his wife and kids and their home. But then he also loved his team and the parties. He never really woke up until Mari left him. He put in the work to get Mari back but I think therapy was his saving grace to change his patterns. I also thought Mari was spot on with all of the words she threw at him. He deserved it.
I wouldn't even say we got a clear cut HEA because that's not what their story calls for. It's a work in progress. I really enjoyed it.
Mari has a gut feeling Santos, her husband of ten years and goalie for a pro soccer team, is cheating on her and her suspicions are confirmed when she confronts a groupie. She then packs herself and their three kids and goes to stay with her mother.
Santos needs to expend his excess energy after every game, that's how he justifies banging cleat chasers. And boy do we get a firsthand account of his activities. He also hates the idea of taking his wife like that, he feels she deserves to be made love to. But he gets a rude awakening when he comes home and discovers his family is gone.
I liked Mari in this book. She stuck to her guns and she demanded respect while still trying to make the divorce amicable for the kids' sake. But she was also vulnerable. When it's fiction it's easy to say divorce him and don't look back. But in reality it's messy. There's yelling and crying. It's not easy when kids are involved, it's not easy when there's ten years of good memories, it's not easy when you're afraid to be alone. Even though Mari was pretty decisive regarding the divorce she had moments of self doubt. I felt her pain and conflict.
Santos was something else. Wow. I can't even say I hated him. It felt like he separated himself from the cheating. He really was leading two lives. He loved his wife and kids and their home. But then he also loved his team and the parties. He never really woke up until Mari left him. He put in the work to get Mari back but I think therapy was his saving grace to change his patterns. I also thought Mari was spot on with all of the words she threw at him. He deserved it.
I wouldn't even say we got a clear cut HEA because that's not what their story calls for. It's a work in progress. I really enjoyed it.
July 17, 2017
4.5 Brutally Honest Stars
This book surprised me. I normally run screaming for the hills when a book contains infidelity and sex scenes with other women/men. However, this one grabbed my attention and I dived into it , desperately hoping that I wouldn't be disappointed and heart sore after reading it.
This novel exceeded my expectations. Yes, there's infidelity and yes the break up is brutal but WOW, what an after story. This book is more about the survival of a break up and the healing.
Jump into this book and let it carry you along. I kept thinking about it all the time and at times I cried whilst reading , especially for Mari. But what really shocked me was that I felt sorry for Santos. Never expected that.
It left me feeling like love can conquer all. It's not pretty but it's powerful reading. There are welcome lighter moments too.
HEA? More an HFN but there is a short follow up, Megged, which I'm reading next.
Cheating? Yes. Clearly. The explicit scene is at the start and there is a brief interlude of him having (receiving) oral sex further on.
Recommend over 18's only.
This book surprised me. I normally run screaming for the hills when a book contains infidelity and sex scenes with other women/men. However, this one grabbed my attention and I dived into it , desperately hoping that I wouldn't be disappointed and heart sore after reading it.
This novel exceeded my expectations. Yes, there's infidelity and yes the break up is brutal but WOW, what an after story. This book is more about the survival of a break up and the healing.
Jump into this book and let it carry you along. I kept thinking about it all the time and at times I cried whilst reading , especially for Mari. But what really shocked me was that I felt sorry for Santos. Never expected that.
It left me feeling like love can conquer all. It's not pretty but it's powerful reading. There are welcome lighter moments too.
HEA? More an HFN but there is a short follow up, Megged, which I'm reading next.
Cheating? Yes. Clearly. The explicit scene is at the start and there is a brief interlude of him having (receiving) oral sex further on.
Recommend over 18's only.
October 2, 2024
More of a journey healing than Romance
Santos the serial cheater is shocked when Mari his wife leaves him. He really doesn't think he did anything wrong at first until he sees the devastation he has caused.
He has cheated on her for over ten years, but through therapy and changes this is their journey. I however won't read the next book as it is predictable.
Santos the serial cheater is shocked when Mari his wife leaves him. He really doesn't think he did anything wrong at first until he sees the devastation he has caused.
He has cheated on her for over ten years, but through therapy and changes this is their journey. I however won't read the next book as it is predictable.
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