Meli Raine

Four years ago Lindsay is bound, blindfolded, and brutally violated in the worst possible way and then imprisoned in a remote mental institution by her selfish and despicable parents. During that time she is violated once again when she finds out a video of her gang-rape goes viral and she (the victim) is slut-shamed by her friends and everyone who should have her back. Most notably her boyfriend, Drew, was there that night and did nothing to stop it. When she is finally released from the show more hospital, Drew is appointed her bodyguard while her detestable parents try to save face with the public and sweep everything under the rug. But wait. Not everything is as it seems. It appears Lindsay has become a target again with threatening texts and an attempt on her life.

Lindsay's ordeal is extremely heartbreaking as she deals with panic attacks and nightmares. However, I am confused at her sexual feelings for Drew considering his supposed inaction during her attack. In addition, Drew disappoints me when he could have told her the truth after she first arrived instead of letting her asshole parents humiliate her with an unforgivable surprise attack to vet her for her dad's run for President of the United States. Namely, they hired two handlers to control her. Drew does swear to protect her with his life this time, but he will have to earn her trust. Even with the flaws in each of the characters, I still couldn't put this book down. I wanted to see Lindsay and Drew find their happiness again and also get their revenge on everyone involved with her assault and the cover-up afterward. But I guess I'm going to have to wait after the interesting cliffhanger.

There are many vile characters in this book who need their ass's kicked and I hope it is done thoroughly with a wicked vengeance. Lindsay has a small circle of friends, but it is understandable she can't trust anyone. Especially, when there is an attempt on her life.

I recommend this deeply emotional story filled with triggers and many unanswered questions. What is everyone hiding? Who are the bad guys? And, will Lindsay get her revenge? Book 2 here I come. show less

He's there to protect her with his life, but who's there to have his back?

Book 2 in the series, 'A Harmless Little Ruse' is told from Drew's POV and his traumatic secrets come out. Lindsay wasn't the only one who was brutally attacked that night, but will the truth set him free?

Drew and Lindsay heal their hearts and begin to trust again, but the intensity increases as they are forced to play a dangerous game that they are not prepared for. The very attackers who shattered their lives four show more years ago are back again to take everything that's left and the people they care for are not who they seem.

Ms. Raine amped up the pace in this book. Even though they aren't any closer to catching the sick individuals behind their attacks, the big reveals and twists and turns kept my attention. Kudos to Ms. Raine for addressing Drew's vulnerability under his ruse of calm professionalism. His secret is heartbreaking and the scene where Lindsay finds out is a tearjerker. Drew and Lindsay have found their way back to each other, but with that explosive cliffhanger, who knows what is in store. There is no doubt the storyline is addictive and I plan to keep on reading. Stay tuned.

I have seen my share of vile human beings, but Lindsay's parents' actions are inexcusable. Her father is a self-serving politician who cares only for his run for the Presidency no matter the consequences to his daughter. And Lindsay's Mommie dearest is a cold-hearted, controlling bitch who doesn't have any compassion for her daughter's struggles. As for Drew's and Lindsay's close friends and colleagues, it remains to be seen who is legit.

I am thrilled to recommend this fast-paced thriller where everyone's a suspect and you'll have no clue who to trust or what will happen next.

Thank you to Ms. Raine for giving me the opportunity to read the book with no expectation of a positive review. show less

🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS .
A Harmless Little Game (Harmless #1) by Meli Raine is the first thing I have read by this author and it was that oh so intriguing blurb that initially attracted me to this book, that was such a killer of a synopsis, in my opinion, it actually deserves a rating all on its own.
So A Harmless Game is the first instalment in the Harmless Trilogy it is written from Lindsays POV and follows the story of Lindsay and Andrew after Linsay's release from "The Island " Where she's show more been recovering, hidden from the public eye for the last four year's, Yeh I kid you not, you heard that right I said FOUR BLOODY YEARS!!!
So Lindsay a senator's daughter gets sent to The Island after she is brutally attacked by three of her boyfriend Drew's old school friends while Drew himself supposedly stood by and watched without intervening.
The gang rape sees Lindsay in the hospital and then on to a rehabilitation unit to receive therapy for the attack.
It also goes viral, though the video is doctored to place masks on all involved to conceal all their identities.
Lindsay's name is then also leaked to the press but the investigation stalls when her friends make statements to the effect that Lindsay was high and drunk at the time of the attack and everything that occurred was consensual in nature.
Gives a new definition to the term frenemies, doesn't it?
fast forward four years and after aeons of incarceration in what is nothing more than a glorified prison, Lindsay arrives home to find things are not always what they seem.
What's more, her three attackers are walking around, not just free but in highly successful careers this is despite there young ages and to top it all off her ex-boyfriend Drew is now head of her security detail and seems a completely changed man.
So yeh, I really enjoyed this unusual romantic suspense, I loved the way this was essentially more plot driven and the romance was really just a backdrop, taking more of a back seat to the whole main event.
From the get-go, I surmised there was more here than was initially being drip-fed to the reader and without giving anything away turns out I was right.
This really was a total page-turner that manages to jump right into the fray from the initial onset.
I also found the two main characters extremely likeable, if I'm being honest I have to say I was drawn more towards Drew than Lindsay.
I just felt that sometimes she was too pliable, not inserting her independence more and reading outside the box.
Believing the worst of people she had no cause to doubt while not confronting the many snakes she seemed to be surrounded by.
I decided to give her a break though mainly because
A-I thought she was probably a product of her upbringing.
B-The poor girl had been attacked horrifically and essentially been kept in a mental institution against her will for the past few years.
C- The whole world had labelled her an internet slut while she was shut away unable to defend herself, harsh much.
So where was I, Oh yeh total page turner,
So why four stars instead of Five?
Well, there were a few things here that despite my enjoyment bothered me slightly.
The first one being Lindsays stay at the island, now I'm from the UK so I'm not sure exactly how it works over in the good ole USA, but it surely can't be that different from over here.
I'm slightly sceptical that she would be able to be kept locked up so tight completely against her will for so long, It just seems so far-fetched.
But then again, who knows what can be achieved with power and money, so I could be wrong.
I also couldn't believe Lindsay would put up no fight in regards to Drew being the head of her security detail if she really believes he is complicit in her attack surely that wouldn't have left her feeling very safe with him at all.
And finally, I also found it amazing her lack of major anger towards her parents all that she really does is act like a petulant child towards them.
Despite these three grievances I still very much adored this so I have just marked it down a star overall.
We left this story with Lindsay finally getting some answers to her questions and a much anticipated (from me that is) level of re-connection between her and Drew that definitely left me wanting more.
Harmless #1 closes on a cliffhanger which then assures me I am so going to pick up book two.
No problem recommending this it's a delightful read that despite certain plot-holes still manages to deliver.
(This first installment is currently free on Amazon.)

Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com show less

Audiobook Review: A Harmless Little Plan (Harmless) by Meli Raine (Author), Andi Arndt (Narrator), Sebastian York (Narrator)

The prey becomes the predator in the climatic conclusion of Meli Raine's Harmless series. Drew was there as Lindsay struggled to find her voice. Now she will be the one to shield him from the storm. A Harmless Little Plan marks the end of a cryptic puzzle that began in tragedy, but ends in triumph. This series was my introduction to a stunning storyteller. Drew and show more Lindsay appeal to the spirit that makes us human. We fight, we fall, we conquer, but we never lose hope. show less