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schnarah's review
3.0
Impeccable writing, here are some of my favorite quotes:
"Not only is Beat physically big, he is also somewhat of a human furnace. I swear he radiates enough heat to photosynthesize a whole forest."
...Is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever read, but it didn't stop, because there is this gem in the next paragraph:
"I jump into the shower and pee as the stream of gurgling water splashes over my body. My bladder is burning with release."
Also her new identity "Tanaka Cockburn" was hilarious.
"Not only is Beat physically big, he is also somewhat of a human furnace. I swear he radiates enough heat to photosynthesize a whole forest."
...Is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever read, but it didn't stop, because there is this gem in the next paragraph:
"I jump into the shower and pee as the stream of gurgling water splashes over my body. My bladder is burning with release."
Also her new identity "Tanaka Cockburn" was hilarious.
pattyfgd's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot even begin to write what this book gave to me. Fear, ugliness, angst, sadness, strength, beauty, happiness. Every emotion you can imagine is evoked in the story. Not your typical, alpha male saves girl, LJ Shen provides us with the strongest woman character I have come across. Prescott is full of grit, able to hold her own in any circumstance, and just when you think she has reached her limit, she comes through again. In comes Nate, the only man who brings peace to her storm. This story is not for the light of heart, but if you want a true dark romance, keeping you on the edge of your seat, giving you hot romance and sex, and a story that keeps you reading, this one is for you.
I listened to Michael Pauley provide us with an exceptional narration. He is perfect for the gritty, dark romantic suspense novel, never disappointing me. He is wonderful with accents and brings every emotion to the table so that you feel them right with the character.
I listened to Michael Pauley provide us with an exceptional narration. He is perfect for the gritty, dark romantic suspense novel, never disappointing me. He is wonderful with accents and brings every emotion to the table so that you feel them right with the character.
mistwithanie's review against another edition
3.0
So good, definitely had me wondering a few times how it was going to end.
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
3.0
If you're looking for dark romance, this is it. It's gritty, the characters are flawed, and there's a whole lot of sadness, dysfunction, and violence that happens. (Not to mention all the kidnapping.) However, if you don’t mind it when things get really real, maybe a little too real, you’ll not only appreciate the dynamic between Prescott and Nate, you’ll probably find it addictive.
I’m not typically a fan of this genre, so this book wasn’t for me, but it definitely has its audience. And it’s so well written, I couldn’t give it below three stars.
I’m not typically a fan of this genre, so this book wasn’t for me, but it definitely has its audience. And it’s so well written, I couldn’t give it below three stars.
aoibhrua's review
5.0
Rating: ★★★★☆
Genre: New-Adult, Romance
Recommend: yes!
Standalone
SPOILERS
Review originally posted on Aoibh Reads
Prescott is fighting to stay alive, when she is kidnapped by her ex's father. She is thrown into a basement and kept hostage by two men. Her days are numbered, knowing she will be murdered when her ex arrives back from the UK, so she has to work fast. Beat, one of the kidnappers, has a sensitive side and Prescott targets this. Through charm and flirtatious actions, Prescott aims to get Beat on her side so she can win and be free. And then murder her ex and his father for targeting her.
I haven't read anything else by this author but the blurb given is so vague it really piqued my interest - and I was not disappointed.
Prescott: She once had it all. But her mom went AWOL. Gay brother missing. And betrayed by her father. Now she is on her own, out for revenge. She is by no means a weak victim and I loved her for this. She was a badass strong heroine and it was refreshing to see how she fought back.
Nate: "Beat" is also quite badass with a rather dark history. Caught between a rock and a hard place, he owes Godfrey and this is in the form of keeping Prescott down in his basement and not to go near her. If he obeys, he lives. For Nate, this is simple. Or not. He has murdered and he has been violent, but he isn't really a bad guy - he would never hit a girl. He has standards. And after seeing the torture Prescott endures and her determination to not give in, he begins to admire her and question if his loyalties are in the right place.
Story; There is a lot of violence, abuse and pain - so not for the faint hearted to read. However, the writing is wonderful and the story of the characters is intriguing and addictive. The story is presented to the reader as a countdown to the day Prescott will be killed, and the constant tension and suspense is palpable. Eventually, Prescott and Nate realise they need to pair up and fight against the same enemy, and their journey is brilliant together, as they fight so hard to trust each other but can't break old habits too easily.
Overall:
This wasn't a story- it was a journey of freedom and breaking free from the safe constraints to trusting someone with your life. Both Nate and Prescott are used to life on their own, but if they want to survive, they need to trust each other - a foreign gamble to both of them.
See more of my reviews here
Genre: New-Adult, Romance
Recommend: yes!
Standalone
SPOILERS
Review originally posted on Aoibh Reads
Prescott is fighting to stay alive, when she is kidnapped by her ex's father. She is thrown into a basement and kept hostage by two men. Her days are numbered, knowing she will be murdered when her ex arrives back from the UK, so she has to work fast. Beat, one of the kidnappers, has a sensitive side and Prescott targets this. Through charm and flirtatious actions, Prescott aims to get Beat on her side so she can win and be free. And then murder her ex and his father for targeting her.
I haven't read anything else by this author but the blurb given is so vague it really piqued my interest - and I was not disappointed.
Prescott: She once had it all. But her mom went AWOL. Gay brother missing. And betrayed by her father. Now she is on her own, out for revenge. She is by no means a weak victim and I loved her for this. She was a badass strong heroine and it was refreshing to see how she fought back.
Nate: "Beat" is also quite badass with a rather dark history. Caught between a rock and a hard place, he owes Godfrey and this is in the form of keeping Prescott down in his basement and not to go near her. If he obeys, he lives. For Nate, this is simple. Or not. He has murdered and he has been violent, but he isn't really a bad guy - he would never hit a girl. He has standards. And after seeing the torture Prescott endures and her determination to not give in, he begins to admire her and question if his loyalties are in the right place.
Story; There is a lot of violence, abuse and pain - so not for the faint hearted to read. However, the writing is wonderful and the story of the characters is intriguing and addictive. The story is presented to the reader as a countdown to the day Prescott will be killed, and the constant tension and suspense is palpable. Eventually, Prescott and Nate realise they need to pair up and fight against the same enemy, and their journey is brilliant together, as they fight so hard to trust each other but can't break old habits too easily.
Overall:
This wasn't a story- it was a journey of freedom and breaking free from the safe constraints to trusting someone with your life. Both Nate and Prescott are used to life on their own, but if they want to survive, they need to trust each other - a foreign gamble to both of them.
See more of my reviews here
chandlerainsley's review
3.0
something different from lj shen
i've made it pretty clear over the years that lj's standalones don't tend to work for me. and i don't think this book is an exception, but i was kind of impressed by how different this one was.
the book is about a girl who is running from her enemies & the ex con who is helping her do it. the tone is dark and bleak & the pace of the story is break neck. really the only thing that identifies this book as an LJ one are the sex scenes. and i kind of enjoyed that!
i think when authors find a formula that works for them they tend to stick with it, with good reason. but i guess it's nice to know that lj can give us something a lil different.
if you're in the market for a dark romance and are kind of sick of a lot of the cheesiness of the genre, i think you might really enjoy this. i didn't love it because it didn't feel very romantic but it definitely did feel realistic. not much else to say but i think if lj writes another dark romance i would deeeefinitely give it a try.
i've made it pretty clear over the years that lj's standalones don't tend to work for me. and i don't think this book is an exception, but i was kind of impressed by how different this one was.
the book is about a girl who is running from her enemies & the ex con who is helping her do it. the tone is dark and bleak & the pace of the story is break neck. really the only thing that identifies this book as an LJ one are the sex scenes. and i kind of enjoyed that!
i think when authors find a formula that works for them they tend to stick with it, with good reason. but i guess it's nice to know that lj can give us something a lil different.
if you're in the market for a dark romance and are kind of sick of a lot of the cheesiness of the genre, i think you might really enjoy this. i didn't love it because it didn't feel very romantic but it definitely did feel realistic. not much else to say but i think if lj writes another dark romance i would deeeefinitely give it a try.
rme2020's review
5.0
Wow! What a great story! Lots of twists and turns! Definitely had me white knuckling the steering wheel while listening to the last couple hours on my road trip today! It was also cool that the story took place in my local area. I loved Nate and P. Did not want the story to end!
charlottenw1's review
2.0
I was really looking forward to this book. It's my first LJ Shen book and as much as I liked the sound of it, I just didn't enjoy the characters.
Maybe it was the audio or just the fact that I couldn't click with the characters overall. I really enjoyed Beat and loved some of his more tender moments when he was with Preston. Preston's character confused me. She was so switched on at times and then came across as a dumb blonde in the next scene. I understand why she was doing it to make others believe it but when it was her own narrative, it really frustrated me.
There were a fair few characters and I did get confused with who played what role in this kidnapping and the whole grand scheme of it all. At the same time there actually wasn't that many characters but I just couldn't pin point who was doing what and master minding all this.
I will try and read some of LJ Shens other stuff because I have her books but this one didn't set me on the right foot.
Maybe it was the audio or just the fact that I couldn't click with the characters overall. I really enjoyed Beat and loved some of his more tender moments when he was with Preston. Preston's character confused me. She was so switched on at times and then came across as a dumb blonde in the next scene. I understand why she was doing it to make others believe it but when it was her own narrative, it really frustrated me.
There were a fair few characters and I did get confused with who played what role in this kidnapping and the whole grand scheme of it all. At the same time there actually wasn't that many characters but I just couldn't pin point who was doing what and master minding all this.
I will try and read some of LJ Shens other stuff because I have her books but this one didn't set me on the right foot.
read_on_reader's review
5.0
Beat and Pea
This story was unique in a way that I ended up loving it. It starts off intense and the more you read and get through the book the more action packed and suspenseful it becomes. It honestly has my emotions all over the place because there are some really funny moments and then a lot of heart breaking ones. I loved how the two characters found love and passion for each other during the chaos that is their lives. Beat thinks he’s all some in this world but once he acknowledges his attraction and love for Pea he is devoted to her 100% and the same for Pea she has had a rough life lately and trusts no one but once she lets Beat in their chemistry is off the charts.
This story was unique in a way that I ended up loving it. It starts off intense and the more you read and get through the book the more action packed and suspenseful it becomes. It honestly has my emotions all over the place because there are some really funny moments and then a lot of heart breaking ones. I loved how the two characters found love and passion for each other during the chaos that is their lives. Beat thinks he’s all some in this world but once he acknowledges his attraction and love for Pea he is devoted to her 100% and the same for Pea she has had a rough life lately and trusts no one but once she lets Beat in their chemistry is off the charts.