The Destiny of Violet and Luke - By Jessica Sorensen *Review* #COYER

The Coincidence Series - Book 3 | Add to Goodreads
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Luke Price's life has always been about order, control, and acting tough on the outside. For Luke, meaningless relationships are a distraction-a way to tune out the twisted memories of his childhood. He desperately wishes he could forget his past, but it haunts him no matter what he does.

Violet Hayes has had a rough life. When she was young, she was left with no family and the memory of her parents' unsolved murders. She grew up in foster homes, living with irresponsible parents, drugs, and neglect, and trying to fight the painful memories of the night her parents were taken from her. But it's hard to forget when she never got closure-and she can't stop dreaming about what happened that tragic night. To make it through life, she keeps her distance from everyone and never allows herself to feel anything.

Then Violet meets Luke. The two clash instantly, yet they can't seem to stay away from each other. Although they fight it, they both start to open up and feel things they've never felt before. They discover just how similar they are. But they also discover something else: The past always catches up with you . . .

The son of a heroin addict and the daughter of murdered parents. Sweet jesus, why do these characters have to have such horrible pasts?! Then upon meeting one another they come to lead lives heavily dependent on the other. It's unhealthy! Violet pushes every boundary and lives off adrenaline rushes which normally consists of risking her life. Luke is an alcoholic diabetic, nuff said. Both of them get into situations that could have resulted in their death but don't care - ah, kindred souls. Yes, I am employing a bit of sarcasm here because it is a horrible trait to have in common! Luke and Violet bond over their understanding denial, recognizing a person with secrets to hide in the other. I found this book generally uncomfortable. I disliked the relationship that was created on the "birds of a feather" and all that. I was constantly cringing at the graphic situations the characters had been forced to suffer. While I admire the writing of Sorenson as she developed the book beautifully I dislike books that rely heavily on disturbing graphic and tragic drama in order to build emotion. It makes books feel like a soap opera filled with over dramatic shocking events that create the interesting storylines but in the end are SO dramatic they come off as unbelieveable. I'm not saying an alcoholic son of a heroin addict and a murdered parents orphan adrenaline junkie with a death wish can't meet and have a perfectly believable love story I just find ALL of the problems overkill. The book has a cliffhanger ending but it appears to be typical for Sorenson to write novels as a two part series. Sorenson is a solid writer but I don't think I can handle much more of this kind of novel. I might pick up book two just to see how Sorenson rounds out her characters.

Copy received from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Mad Love - By Colet Abedi *Review* #COYER

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23-year-old aspiring artist Sophie Walker can think of no better place than the exotic paradise of the Maldives to escape the wrath of her controlling parents, the monotony of her boring legal work and her passionless boyfriend. With her two best friends along for the ride and to help her find herself again, Sophie is not prepared for the enigmatic Clayton Sinclair. Clayton comes from another world of privilege that seems like a fantasy to Sophie. Can this man introduce her to the passion & seduction she never realized she was desperately searching for? Sophie quickly becomes ensnared in Clayton's seductive web until a shocking treachery makes her question her judgment and actions...

I have an issue with what I call the "virgin burden." The idea that being a virgin past your teens is unacceptable and a burden which must be dealt with by the first attractive male to give a woman attention lest she miss her opportunity. "Mad Love" is an example of the virgin burden because poor Sophie is a 23 year old virgin - *Gasps of terror* - but frankly it isn't that big a deal. Unfortunately it is also teamed with a possessive male who is practically drooling at being the one and only male whose blessed penis has touched her vagina... *smacks head* I just hate this combination because a) being a virgin past your teens doesn't make you a prude b) virgin doesn't mean pure, innocent and naive c) cavemen are extinct stop with the he-man routine. Aside from this and the ridiculous notion that a handsome billionaire becomes enamoured with a young girl he just met (curse 50 Shades of Grey for starting this trend) Abedi writes a lovely romance novel.

It's a typical fluffy read and is perfect romance fodder - being set in the Maldives was a nice change. The story is well written and the characters developed if not likeable. Sophie was a little too flaky and insecure allowing Clayton to push her around. She isn't what I prefer in my leading ladies but it's a satisfying read with a cliffhanger ending. If you like reading billionaire romances containing full functional and not traumatized at some point in their life alpha males then this is perfect for your next to read. The gay friends while slightly over the top were welcome comedic relief.

Copy received from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Undeniable - By Madeline Sheehan

Undeniable Series - Book 1

Warning: This is not a "typical love story". This is an all-consuming, soul-crushing, tear-your-heart-into-pieces story. It’s intense, gritty and raw, dark and disturbing, and it doesn’t happen overnight. This is an epic love story that knows no boundaries and has no time limits. It grows and develops—with hurt, sacrifice, and heartache—over the span of a lifetime.

Eva Fox is the princess of the Silver Demons Motorcycle Club. Growing up with bikers in the club lifestyle is all that she knows. When she’s a young girl, Eva meets the reason for her existence. Deuce West is the sexy, biker bad-ass of the Hell’s Horsemen Motorcycle Club. Like Eva, he was born and raised in the club—but that’s where the similarities end. Their first meeting is innocent, but as Eva matures into a woman, their chance reunions evolve into a fit of lust and love. Fate continues to bring them together time and time again, but their twisted journey is filled with pain, betrayal, and bloodshed that could tear them apart. Eva sees in Deuce what he cannot see in himself—a man worthy of love—and Eva spends her lifetime proving to him that her undeniable love is the one thing he can’t live without.

This is Eva and Deuce’s story.

It wasn’t easy.

Nothing worth doing ever is.

And love is worth everything.

I believe the phrase "book hangover" was invented with writers like Madeline Sheehan in mind. If you don't need to take a moment after reading these books I'll eat my hat. Sheehan writes with grit - clench your jaw, grind your teeth, grit. She pushes romance beyond it's pretty, cozy, safe boundaries and hurls it into a world of hard truths and tough lives. Yet it doesn't make this love story any less romantic. You will fall in love with Eva "fucking" Fox (as Deuce likes to call her) who lives to love despite having an unlikely environment to grow up in. You'll fan yourself at Deuce's tough talk and rugged charm. He's hyper masculine and that's not always in his favor. Their crazy love story doesn't focus on whether or not they belong together -because it's obvious they do - it's all about the how of it. Deuce screws up A LOT and yet Eva loves him enough to give him a second chance and a third chance and well you get the picture. There were so many things that could and do throw them apart. Yet the dogged determination of them both is what makes this story magnetic. The way they fight to get their happy ever after and they bloody deserve it too.

Reading Undeniable is like watching an volcano erupt, horrifying in it's terrible, mesmerizing beauty. It's hard to tear your gaze from something equal parts dangerous as it is stunning and much like Deuce and Eva, it's not about when it ends but how it happens. Sheehan's writing broadens the scope of a genre that was waiting for something edgier without needing the BDSM and Dom/sub hooplah that's been bandied around since a wider audience found 50 Shades of Grey. Not that I'm not a fan of BDSM and Dom/sub, it just gives readers a different kind of romance to sink their claws into. Undeniable is fresh, new and necessary. It's no wonder Sheehan already has an avid following.

5/5
xxx Literary George
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