Layla Frost Follow

Wow, this was not what I was expecting. So much darker than I anticipated and with elements that squeezed my heart and others that ramped up the angst level. This felt like I was experiencing an emotional war and I loved every moment of it.

Ms. Frost presented this heroine’s issues in such a way that I was pulled completely into Briar’s life to the point that I felt her pain and struggles, along with the despair. I must confess, it was written in a manner that I literally felt the suffocating weight of Briar’s desperation.

Alexander was an amazing hero, with his full on protective mode as well as his delicious instinct to possess Briar, in the very best of ways. I adored him on so many levels. Definitely a hero you have to get to know on your own to truly appreciate how unique he is.

While this has a darker, heavier feel to a good portion of it, I loved how this author conveyed the changes within Briar as the story progressed. Soon I was smiling at her little quips and small antics and in awe how this book effortlessly took me through such a wide range of emotions.

I could not put this book down!! It had all the feels, the heroine being alone most of her life just living day to day and then have this amazing man come into her life and give her the love and family she's always wanted but never believed she could have!! I kind of figured Theo had some secrets that would not be seen as "good" but it's not always as simple as black or white, good or bad, it was gray and I was okay with it, just like it was okay for Dahlia.

I love the stories with the alpha possessive and protective hero, Theo was all that and more! Amazing book!

Augusta “Gus” Allan was just in the process of moving in with her boyfriend when that was interrupted by finding out he was cheating on her. Lucky for her, Nox just happened to live next door and witnessed the whole scene and gave her an opportunity to stay at his place in exchange for watching his dog while he was gone for three weeks. Apprehensive in the beginning but realizing she was basically homeless she accepts. Even though they are separated for the majority of the beginning, you can feel the chemistry between these two with just the phone calls and text messages. But when he gets back early and convinces her to stay, this is when their relationship starts to really develop.

Until Nox is part of the 2018 Happily Ever Alpha World so we also get see the Maysons in their story. When Gus is notified by Susan Mayson that her Meema is hospitalized, Gus runs back home to Tennessee. It was so great to catch up with the Mayson clan. This move really accelerated Gus and Nox’s relationship, and due to the help of the Hyde clan they give him the push to claim Gus as his own.

I seriously loved this book so hard! Killian Nox is one bada$$ alpha male and the way he is with Gus is so very very swoon-worthy. He is possessive, protective and so dang sexy. Gus was just so hilarious, she is one feisty southern woman with the best comebacks.

This was definitely a 5 star read!

I thought I was shocked and dumbfounded after reading Deathly by Brynne Asher, book 1 in the Dillon Sister Duet, but Damaged had me messed up and then surprisingly satisfied. Like in my review for Deathly, I am not going to say too much so I won’t spoil anything, but just know if you think you know where Briar and Alexander’s story is going to take you, just be prepared! Like the blurb and the title says, Briar is damaged, she is constantly told she is but it is Alexander that sees all of her; the good, the bad and the ugly (not that Briar could ever be ugly, but you know what I mean). And as you delve into their story, you are a witness to every emotion and pain they both go through but you also see how incredibly perfect they are for each other. Briar’s turmoil is so raw and absolutely gut-wrenching and Alexander is just as damaged but what they give to each other is exactly what the other needs and maybe a little bit of hope. Now it's been established that this is dark, darker than anything this author has ever written but there are some light moments sprinkled throughout which evens things out a bit. The writing is also top-notched and powerful, there were so many moments where I actually felt what Briar was feeling.

These two books can definitely be read as a stand-alone but you would really miss out on these incredible sisters, who are absolutely dedicated to each other, and the men who they love and love them back whole-heartedly. In reading these books, you will be taken on an incredible ride, with twists and turns and emotions all over the place. They are a must-read and I highly recommend them.