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.
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.
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.
After
all he and Chloe have been through, Michael swears he’s damaged goods. Can
Chloe convince him that love is worth the risk?
Review- 4.5 Stars
I loved
this book!! I’ve always enjoed Lauren Layne’s books Michael and Chloe are both
funny characters. Although, Michael’s funny is in a more dark and brooding way.
Lol. If Chloe’s sarcastic wit doesn’t have you laughing…you need your funny
bone checked.
This
story is fairly simple and the book is an easy and quick read. That doesn’t
mean it isn’t worth every minute. The author kept my attention and built a few
surprises into the plot. I will admit, most of them were a little predictable,
but I didn’t care.
The
author does a really great job of cultivating the characters, giving them each
a unique personality and making it stand out so that their actions completely
fit their personalities.
Michael
is so tortured, my heart broke for him. He’s had it rough, there is no doubt
about that. I can see how he felt that the world has turned against him. He
pissed me off a little though. Even when it seems as though his life is turning
around, he pushes Chloe away thinking that he isn’t good enough for her.
However, he does truly care for her and the sweet things he does melted my
heart.
Chloe,
she is just hysterical. She made me laugh a lot. However, it’s easy to see that
her humor and sarcasm covers up a lot of hurt. The truly terrible thing is that
her self-consciousness about her body and personality are all most completely
caused by her sister. No matter the body type, she would have had a lot more
confidence and liked herself more if she hadn’t had to deal with her bitch of a
sister. Michael wants her to be healthy and I admired his approach.
The
book had just a little bit too much angst. I got a little tired of Michael’s
whiplash mood swings, wanting Chloe, not wanting Chloe,...etc. He just kept
pushing her away and I was done with it a little earlier. However, that’s
completely a personal choice. It’s possible it wouldn’t even be noticed by
other readers. I think you’ll enjoy Michael and Chloe’s story!
Author Info
Lauren Layne
is the USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary 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.
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.
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