(33% in) Imagine marrying a man you love, having him take your virginity, and then dump you off on a far-flung estate after a cruel conversation where he makes it crystal clear that he doesn’t care about you. Then imagine living at that estate for a year, spending months writing letters he never responds to, only for him to show up suddenly with his mistress and give you the boot to London. On what planet would this be a logical thing to say to him?

“What, was making love to me too much for you? Too genuine? Because I know you felt it. I don’t know a damn thing about men—that much is obvious—but I know you felt what I did that night. And you’re a blasted imbecile to deny it.”

I wanted to like this more because Reanna is one seriously downtrodden heroine, but the angsty drama was a bit over the top in some ways. Not that that is necessarily a drawback to me, but at times it felt like the story was trying too hard to incorporate too many drama tropes. Like, the heroine is a bit of a Mary Sue and of course stunningly beautiful, but then there’s a line or two that implies she doesn’t think she’s pretty when there is no reason for her to be insecure about her appearance. You can’t have it both ways! Same too with the repeated betrayals and trials and tribulations; I felt like Reanna was supposed to simultaneously be an abused martyr waif AND a plucky, determined firebrand. And I was super excited for some extended groveling, but it seemed like sex was used as a shortcut to intimacy. None of this is particularly damning, but that in addition to the modern language (peppered with what I think is some invented cant - “piss whipper”??) made it hard for me to really lose myself in the characters. Brilliant angsty set-up though (2.5 stars) ( )

Another great story from K.J. Jackson

This is the second book in the series -A Hold Your Breath Novel. Again another page Turner. This story was so good I finish the book in less than two days. Now to read the last book in this novel. ( )