Crushed
Redemption # 2
Redemption # 2
By: Lauren Layne
Releasing April 14th, 2015
Loveswept: Flirt
Blurb
Lauren Layne’s latest novel about the healing power
of redemption tells the story of a crush gone wickedly wrong, proving that what
you want isn’t always what you need.
of redemption tells the story of a crush gone wickedly wrong, proving that what
you want isn’t always what you need.
Growing
up in New York, Michael St. Claire never expected to spend his twenties wearing
cowboy boots. But that was before he learned about his real father, a total
stranger with a family in Cedar Grove, Texas. Once in the Lone Star State,
Michael meets Kristin Bellamy, who is exquisitely refined and everything
Michael always thought he wanted in a woman. The only problem is that Kristin
is dating Michael’s new half-brother, Devon.
up in New York, Michael St. Claire never expected to spend his twenties wearing
cowboy boots. But that was before he learned about his real father, a total
stranger with a family in Cedar Grove, Texas. Once in the Lone Star State,
Michael meets Kristin Bellamy, who is exquisitely refined and everything
Michael always thought he wanted in a woman. The only problem is that Kristin
is dating Michael’s new half-brother, Devon.
Kristin’s
mouthy, curvy sister Chloe has always been in love with Devon Patterson. So
when Michael offers to help Chloe break up Devon and Kristin, Chloe agrees to a
deal that seems too good to be true. Before long, Chloe finally gets her man,
only to make a startling discovery: She no longer wants the guy she had to fight
for—she wants the one who stood by her side.
mouthy, curvy sister Chloe has always been in love with Devon Patterson. So
when Michael offers to help Chloe break up Devon and Kristin, Chloe agrees to a
deal that seems too good to be true. Before long, Chloe finally gets her man,
only to make a startling discovery: She no longer wants the guy she had to fight
for—she wants the one who stood by her side.
After
all he and Chloe have been through, Michael swears he’s damaged goods. Can
Chloe convince him that love is worth the risk?
all he and Chloe have been through, Michael swears he’s damaged goods. Can
Chloe convince him that love is worth the risk?
My Review
4.5 Stars!
I fell in love
with this book! I have never read
anything by Lauren Layne before this book and now I am sitting here wondering
why I have missed this author. I have
read so many romance novels that lately I have starting feeling a little bored
by them. I have blamed myself and have
tried to mix things up a little bit by reading other genres. After reading this book, I realize that I
still like a well written romance novel as much as I ever did.
with this book! I have never read
anything by Lauren Layne before this book and now I am sitting here wondering
why I have missed this author. I have
read so many romance novels that lately I have starting feeling a little bored
by them. I have blamed myself and have
tried to mix things up a little bit by reading other genres. After reading this book, I realize that I
still like a well written romance novel as much as I ever did.
I find that I
usually like a book about as much as I like the characters in the book. There are exceptions to that rule of course
but speaking in generalities the characters oftentimes really can make or break
a story. The characters in this book really are phenomenal. I adore Chloe. Chloe has lived her life in her sister shadow
in a lot of ways. Chloe is funny, smart,
and says what she is thinking. Chloe is
not the Barbie doll that her sister, Kristin, is and has not had a luck of luck
when it comes to romance. Chloe has
actually been in love with her sister’s longtime boyfriend, Devon, for a very
long time.
usually like a book about as much as I like the characters in the book. There are exceptions to that rule of course
but speaking in generalities the characters oftentimes really can make or break
a story. The characters in this book really are phenomenal. I adore Chloe. Chloe has lived her life in her sister shadow
in a lot of ways. Chloe is funny, smart,
and says what she is thinking. Chloe is
not the Barbie doll that her sister, Kristin, is and has not had a luck of luck
when it comes to romance. Chloe has
actually been in love with her sister’s longtime boyfriend, Devon, for a very
long time.
Michael has had his world
turned upside down. He comes to Texas to try to figure things out
and has plans to get close to Devon and Kristin. Michael meets Chloe during one of her tennis
lessons and after a little bit of banter Chloe has a new personal trainer,
Michael. Michael and Chloe say what they
are thinking to each other and soon realize that they are becoming friends and
maybe feel a little bit more about each other.
turned upside down. He comes to Texas to try to figure things out
and has plans to get close to Devon and Kristin. Michael meets Chloe during one of her tennis
lessons and after a little bit of banter Chloe has a new personal trainer,
Michael. Michael and Chloe say what they
are thinking to each other and soon realize that they are becoming friends and
maybe feel a little bit more about each other.
This book did so
many things well. I was pulled into the
story right away and really had a hard time putting this book down until I was
finished. The characters were perfect. Chloe was so easy for me to relate to. I
loved that she wasn’t perfect and needed to learn to gain some control over her
life. I loved that the focus was never
on Chloe losing weight but on her gaining control and becoming healthier.
Michael had a few moments that made him look
a little bit like a jerk but because half of this book is spent inside of his
head you realize that he is really just as confused as anyone else. I think that the alternating points of view
in this book were perfectly executed and I just loved getting to know what both
Michael and Chloe were thinking. Not
only did this book do a great job with characters that I love, I can’t believe
how much I grew to hate some of the characters, namely Kristin and Devon.
many things well. I was pulled into the
story right away and really had a hard time putting this book down until I was
finished. The characters were perfect. Chloe was so easy for me to relate to. I
loved that she wasn’t perfect and needed to learn to gain some control over her
life. I loved that the focus was never
on Chloe losing weight but on her gaining control and becoming healthier.
Michael had a few moments that made him look
a little bit like a jerk but because half of this book is spent inside of his
head you realize that he is really just as confused as anyone else. I think that the alternating points of view
in this book were perfectly executed and I just loved getting to know what both
Michael and Chloe were thinking. Not
only did this book do a great job with characters that I love, I can’t believe
how much I grew to hate some of the characters, namely Kristin and Devon.
I love to laugh
and this book accomplished that goal.
This book was funny without trying too hard. The banter between Michael and Chloe was top
notch. I liked the fact that the story
was able to balance the funny moments with the more emotional moments. This is still most definitely a romance
novel. I really liked the fact that this
book was able to bring a couple together by getting them to really get to know
each other.
and this book accomplished that goal.
This book was funny without trying too hard. The banter between Michael and Chloe was top
notch. I liked the fact that the story
was able to balance the funny moments with the more emotional moments. This is still most definitely a romance
novel. I really liked the fact that this
book was able to bring a couple together by getting them to really get to know
each other.
I would highly
recommend this book to anyone who likes a great romance with a few laughs. I can’t wait to get my hands on some other
books by Lauren Layne because her writing style is just wonderful.
recommend this book to anyone who likes a great romance with a few laughs. I can’t wait to get my hands on some other
books by Lauren Layne because her writing style is just wonderful.
I received a copy
of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept via NetGalley for
the purpose of providing an honest review.
of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept via NetGalley for
the purpose of providing an honest review.
Author Info
Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author ofcontemporary romance.
Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in
e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from Seattle
to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing
career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent
assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren’s
gone on to publish ten books, including the
bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in
2015.
e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from Seattle
to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing
career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent
assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren’s
gone on to publish ten books, including the
bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in
2015.
Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and
spoiled Pomeranian. When not writing, you’ll find her at happy hour, running at
a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.
spoiled Pomeranian. When not writing, you’ll find her at happy hour, running at
a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.
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This is a book I would have never envisioned to read someday and yet, after going through your review, I've just added it to my list – well done 😉
That is high praise! Thank you! I really didn't expect to like it nearly as much as I did. Chloe was one of the best characters that I have come across in a very long time. I loved that this book had so many funny moments as well.
Thank you for hosting today! The Sex, Love & Stiletto Series is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will have to check that series out! Thanks for letting me be a part of this tour.