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A War Like Ours
A liar…
Three weeks ago, James Maxwell’s wife died in a car accident, but he hasn’t been able to tell his five-year old daughter the heartbreaking truth behind her mother's death. Instead, he packs them up and leaves for a summer resort in upstate New York to spend a few peaceful weeks and to gradually break the news. But a spirited and outspoken maid at the resort has figured out his secret.
A hater…
After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of her stepfather, Madison Smith has turned aimless and bitter toward the world—men, in particular. Her dead-end job at the local resort and her convenient girlfriend barely keep Madison from falling apart. When she meets James, however, she’s driven to protect his child from the darkness she sees inside him.
A forbidden kiss…
But Madison doesn’t expect to find that very darkness irresistible. Drowning in guilt and memories, neither does James expect to be drawn to the sharp-witted woman who has made his life miserable. When their tempers flare, a brutal kiss triggers a need that blurs the lines of hate and desire. As their lust spins out of control, they must decide if their attraction is worth fighting for or if love is the real enemy.
Author's Note: This book is intended for mature audience. It has trigger elements: Abuse, self harm, death. 18+ ONLY. Despite having an HEA, this story doesn't follow the usual or conventional rules. It's rough, edgy and yes, difficult to read in places. The characters are broken and jagged and so is their descent in love. Please proceed with caution. Thank you!
Three weeks ago, James Maxwell’s wife died in a car accident, but he hasn’t been able to tell his five-year old daughter the heartbreaking truth behind her mother's death. Instead, he packs them up and leaves for a summer resort in upstate New York to spend a few peaceful weeks and to gradually break the news. But a spirited and outspoken maid at the resort has figured out his secret.
A hater…
After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of her stepfather, Madison Smith has turned aimless and bitter toward the world—men, in particular. Her dead-end job at the local resort and her convenient girlfriend barely keep Madison from falling apart. When she meets James, however, she’s driven to protect his child from the darkness she sees inside him.
A forbidden kiss…
But Madison doesn’t expect to find that very darkness irresistible. Drowning in guilt and memories, neither does James expect to be drawn to the sharp-witted woman who has made his life miserable. When their tempers flare, a brutal kiss triggers a need that blurs the lines of hate and desire. As their lust spins out of control, they must decide if their attraction is worth fighting for or if love is the real enemy.
Author's Note: This book is intended for mature audience. It has trigger elements: Abuse, self harm, death. 18+ ONLY. Despite having an HEA, this story doesn't follow the usual or conventional rules. It's rough, edgy and yes, difficult to read in places. The characters are broken and jagged and so is their descent in love. Please proceed with caution. Thank you!
ebook
Published February 24, 2017
About the author
Saffron A. Kent
33 books5,618 followersSaffron A. Kent is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and New Adult romance.
She has an MFA in Creative Writing and she lives in New York City with her nerdy and supportive husband, along with a million and one books.
She has an MFA in Creative Writing and she lives in New York City with her nerdy and supportive husband, along with a million and one books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
February 24, 2017
4.5 Stars!!
Find me on:
Saffron A. Kent’s debut novel is simply enthralling. I like nothing more than to be blown away by a debut author and this author totally accomplished just that. She managed to captivate me from the beginning with her amazing writing and her engrossing storytelling. 'A War Like Ours' is fantastically written. It’s compelling, unique and addictive. It’s an unconventional story that kept me immersed from beginning until the end. I couldn’t put it down for one minute - that’s how much I enjoyed it!
“Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison.”
James Maxwell is a tortured man who doesn’t know how to deal with his past. He has many regrets and does not know very well how to deal with the guilt regarding some aspects of his life. He feels lonely and now, more than ever, lost. His wife is gone. She’s dead. And his four year old daughter doesn’t know anything about it. Because he is weak, a coward, a liar,“wrong in the head”, and doesn’t know how to deal with everything. He needs some time alone with his daughter, Katie, to figure out how to break the news of her mothers death. He decides to take Katie to a summer resort for three entire weeks.
“A beating heart doesn’t mean that I’m alive.”
“No, it only means you want to be. It’s the nature of all living things. They want to live, break free. They want a miracle. It’s called hope. Hope that one day something will transform our life, transform us as we know it.”
Maddison ‘Maddie’ Smith is broken. She’s depressed. She’s sad and she hates men. All she feels is disgust for them. She wants to forget about her tragic past and about her mother’s death, about her childhood and about the fact that her mother wasn’t there enough for her over the years. Maddison has a job at a summer resort she doesn’t particularly enjoy, being in a relationship with a woman, her boss, who in her opinion saved her over the four last years in more ways than one.
“She kept pushing, and I kept straddling the precarious line of control and chaos.”
James had never expected his life to be so irrevocably changed by a strange woman. She’s assertive and sharp-witted and tries with every opportunity to make his life miserable. So why he finds her to be so irresistible? Maddison thinks she figured out the stranger who seems so raw and angry. She thinks the darkness she sees in him is dangerous, so she’s more surprised by the attraction she feels towards him.
Everything changes between Maddison and James with just a simple kiss. Soon, lust spins out of control between them, but in order for them to have something real and meaningful, they have to figure out if their relationship is toxic or not, if their attraction is worth fighting for.
“Tell me a dream.” (…)
“You and me.”
She frowned. “We’re a dream?”
I swallowed. “We are.”
Sifting her fingers through my hair, she asked, “Do your dreams ever come true?”
'A War Like Ours' was most of all original. I liked the premise, but I have to say that I loved the execution. If you are a fan of dark-ish, rough and edgy stories, then trust me, you don’t want to miss this one. Mrs. Kent’s debut was flawlessly written, the writing here, actually being one of my favorite aspects of the story. It is captivating and evoked so many emotions in me. I enjoyed the story-line a lot, loving how the story unfolded.
To say that James and Maddison’s relationship is unconventional it’s an understatement. The push and pull between these two is fantastically done. The ups and downs between are many and I loved to see how these two try to overcome their pain, the pasts and everything new and complicated there is between them. James and Maddison are wrong for each other in some way, but at the same time very good in a f@cked-up, intriguing way. I liked them together an I liked how their complicated relationship was done. As the story unfolds, you will truly believe they can heal each other, without destroying themselves in the process. At least, I did...at some point, even if their relationship is so unconventional, so implicitly, unrelatable. I liked how their relationship progressed, the passion and intensity between them and even the 'ugliness' that for sure you will feel between them.
“Every day I fight with myself to stop seeing you. I tell myself that I can end it, that I don’t need to see you to feel something. But every day I fail.”
While I liked them as an item, I can’t say I liked them too much individually. I mean...I liked some of their characteristics. Both James and Maddison are intricate, flawed characters I have struggled to like or connect with, but not because they are not well portrayed, because they are, but because I got so frustrated at times with their decisions and actions. Both these characters annoyed the hell out of me at some point and I honestly wanted to punch them in the face a couple of times. However, I understood some of their decisions, even if I didn’t totally agree with them. James and Maddison are both fragile in some way and twisted, their emotional turmoil being fantastically done. I loved the emotional aspect of the story very much!
“It was addictive, the things I felt when I was around him. I wanted to hurt him. I wanted him to hurt me. I wanted to bite him so he’d bite back. It was masochistic, sadistic, twisted, tangled and so very, very us.”
All in all, 'A War Like Ours' was a fantastic, unique read I urge you to try if you like unconventional stories and if you’re not afraid of raw, broken characters.
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February 13, 2019
Definitely not for me.
I completely misinterpreted what this book was about. My laziness and hastiness have finally caught up on me. This is what happens when you pick up a book based on the cover and the title
Unfortunately, this book contains all the elements I’m usually avoiding like the plague.
I completely misinterpreted what this book was about. My laziness and hastiness have finally caught up on me. This is what happens when you pick up a book based on the cover and the title
Unfortunately, this book contains all the elements I’m usually avoiding like the plague.
February 24, 2017
3.75-4 STARS
Wow I’m completely blown away that this is the author’s debut novel. The story was extremely well written, am I’m interested to hear where the author got the idea for the plot, these characters, and the setting.
Please take the author’s warning very seriously as this was a hard/painful read for me. I found the characters’ misery and self-harming ways at times unsettling. Though the storytelling is extremely strong and I was eager to see where the author was bringing these damaged characters.
”I wondered what it would feel like to be loved like that, with such abandon and ferocity. Love that destroyed everything. Love that felt like war.”
The heroine, Madison Smith doesn’t like men at all. She’s in a not so healthy lesbian relationship. Her girlfriend feeds off of taking care of Madison's pain. Madison works at a resort wherein she meets a lovable young girl wearing red lipstick and her father James, who turns out to be the liar of this story.
The attraction between the hater and the liar is intense as is how they express their feelings for one another.
”…no matter how much I tried, his words still echoed in my ears. He just wouldn’t go away. He’d said this couldn’t happen again. Well, it could and it would. He’d said whatever we had was a game. It wasn’t. It was a war, and I’d do anything to win.”
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As James and Madison show one another their scars and mark each other with more. They do fall into a sometimes brutal love. This love at times tips into unhealthy as the two characters are so emotional damaged a reader wonders how this story could end well. This is the aspect that kept me turning the pages. The sex scenes are intense and definitely pass my level of comfortable cutting and violent.
“She kept pushing, and I kept straddling the precarious line of control and chaos.”
My intrigue was in my wondering if either character can ever be happy and of course little Kate. This standalone is powerful, yet extremely painful read, be warned I’m not sure I liked the journey but definitely appreciated the story as a whole and the delivery.
”I don’t care if you’re abnormal or crazy or whatever. I don’t care if you want to see my cry or if you get off on it. I don’t care if you’re the bad guy. I just want you to be my guy, okay? I want you to be mine.”
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Wow I’m completely blown away that this is the author’s debut novel. The story was extremely well written, am I’m interested to hear where the author got the idea for the plot, these characters, and the setting.
Please take the author’s warning very seriously as this was a hard/painful read for me. I found the characters’ misery and self-harming ways at times unsettling. Though the storytelling is extremely strong and I was eager to see where the author was bringing these damaged characters.
”I wondered what it would feel like to be loved like that, with such abandon and ferocity. Love that destroyed everything. Love that felt like war.”
The heroine, Madison Smith doesn’t like men at all. She’s in a not so healthy lesbian relationship. Her girlfriend feeds off of taking care of Madison's pain. Madison works at a resort wherein she meets a lovable young girl wearing red lipstick and her father James, who turns out to be the liar of this story.
The attraction between the hater and the liar is intense as is how they express their feelings for one another.
”…no matter how much I tried, his words still echoed in my ears. He just wouldn’t go away. He’d said this couldn’t happen again. Well, it could and it would. He’d said whatever we had was a game. It wasn’t. It was a war, and I’d do anything to win.”
[image error]
As James and Madison show one another their scars and mark each other with more. They do fall into a sometimes brutal love. This love at times tips into unhealthy as the two characters are so emotional damaged a reader wonders how this story could end well. This is the aspect that kept me turning the pages. The sex scenes are intense and definitely pass my level of comfortable cutting and violent.
“She kept pushing, and I kept straddling the precarious line of control and chaos.”
My intrigue was in my wondering if either character can ever be happy and of course little Kate. This standalone is powerful, yet extremely painful read, be warned I’m not sure I liked the journey but definitely appreciated the story as a whole and the delivery.
”I don’t care if you’re abnormal or crazy or whatever. I don’t care if you want to see my cry or if you get off on it. I don’t care if you’re the bad guy. I just want you to be my guy, okay? I want you to be mine.”
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
February 28, 2017
RATING: 4.5 Pain Hearts!! <3 :D
A War Like Ours is a dark and unconventional story, one that weighs heavily on our minds and hearts as we’re taken out of our comfort zones, yet enthralled by both Madison and James’ painful lives. Nothing about this debut sings a familiar tune, their story compulsively readable, and we find ourselves turning the last page before it feels as though any time has passed.
Both Madison and James are a study in extremes: strong mentally and physically as survivors of violent pasts, yet at the same time both are emotionally vulnerable to a staggering degree as they feel deserving of penance for such pasts. Ms. Kent’s brilliant writing evokes a barrage of emotions that stunningly depicts Madison and James’ characters—the pain of their lives visceral and unforgettable. Their story is not one of steady growth and love-heals-all, instead both realistically struggle all the way through, making several steps forward only to fall back several a few chapters later. Through every hard-fought battle however we cling to the hope that Ms. Kent will build them up without tearing them down and finally grant us their happiness.
The romance in this is turbulent (to say the least), eradicating the boundaries of typical love stories, instead embracing the dark where pain is pleasure, and pleasure is pain. The dark elements coupled with hints of tender love makes Madison and James’ relationship all the more deliciously tense and seductive.
Overall, A War Like Ours easily captures our attention with two broken characters and their twisted love story. Ms. Kent impresses with her dark contemporary tale and I will certainly be looking for more of her in the future.
~ Arc generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review ~
Posted: February 22, 2017
A War Like Ours is a dark and unconventional story, one that weighs heavily on our minds and hearts as we’re taken out of our comfort zones, yet enthralled by both Madison and James’ painful lives. Nothing about this debut sings a familiar tune, their story compulsively readable, and we find ourselves turning the last page before it feels as though any time has passed.
Both Madison and James are a study in extremes: strong mentally and physically as survivors of violent pasts, yet at the same time both are emotionally vulnerable to a staggering degree as they feel deserving of penance for such pasts. Ms. Kent’s brilliant writing evokes a barrage of emotions that stunningly depicts Madison and James’ characters—the pain of their lives visceral and unforgettable. Their story is not one of steady growth and love-heals-all, instead both realistically struggle all the way through, making several steps forward only to fall back several a few chapters later. Through every hard-fought battle however we cling to the hope that Ms. Kent will build them up without tearing them down and finally grant us their happiness.
“Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison. That’s the only way to stop this, to stop feeling.”
The romance in this is turbulent (to say the least), eradicating the boundaries of typical love stories, instead embracing the dark where pain is pleasure, and pleasure is pain. The dark elements coupled with hints of tender love makes Madison and James’ relationship all the more deliciously tense and seductive.
“I can’t cry. I don’t know how.”
She placed her palm on my chest, over my beating heart. “Crying is just a distant promised land for people like us. It doesn’t deliver. It doesn’t make you forget. But still I come here every day, thinking today will be different.”
Overall, A War Like Ours easily captures our attention with two broken characters and their twisted love story. Ms. Kent impresses with her dark contemporary tale and I will certainly be looking for more of her in the future.
~ Arc generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review ~
Posted: February 22, 2017
Want to read
January 26, 2017
COVER REVEAL! INTRIGUED!
Stand-alone.
Release: February 24, 2017
Giveaway: https://goo.gl/sSo8mL
ARCS: https://goo.gl/SPTsPQ
Pre-order: Coming soon!
Blurb:
A liar…
Three weeks ago, James Maxwell’s wife died in a car accident, but he hasn’t been able to tell his five-year old daughter the heartbreaking truth behind her mother's death. Instead, he packs them up and leaves for a summer resort in upstate New York to spend a few peaceful weeks and to gradually break the news. But a spirited and outspoken maid at the resort has figured out his secret.
A hater…
After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of her stepfather, Madison Smith has turned aimless and bitter toward the world—men, in particular. Her dead-end job at the local resort and her convenient girlfriend barely keep Madison from falling apart. When she meets James, however, she’s driven to protect his child from the darkness she sees inside him.
A forbidden kiss…
But Madison doesn’t expect to find that very darkness irresistible. Drowning in guilt and memories, neither does James expect to be drawn to the sharp-witted woman who has made his life miserable. When their tempers flare, a brutal kiss triggers a need that blurs the lines of hate and desire. As their lust spins out of control, they must decide if their attraction is worth fighting for or if love is the real enemy.
March 10, 2017
4.5 completely fucked up stars
Before I talk about the book, I just want to say that this is one book I would really heed the warning too. It's very dark, and not just because it contains non-consensual sex, and rape, but also because of the entire tone of the book. It's very disturbing, and even to someone who mostly reads dark romance like I do. And that is not a warning I give out very easily, so please keep that in mind before reading the book. Strong trigger warning.
Well I felt like that warning was a must, because I was pretty surprised by this book, and at this point there isn't much that particularly surprises me anymore.
The story is about a lesbian chick, Madison, who hates men on sight because of bad experiences in the past, and a newly widowered father, James, who doesn't know how to tell his 5 year old daughter that she had lost her mother. And Madison hates him for that.
So yes, while that remains the main focus of the story, there is a lot more going on. This book was a lot more than just two people clashing and being all humorous and cutely arguing with each other as foreplay.
Nuh-uh.
That is what I thought was going on before I started reading, and I was very quickly set right to my thinking.
Both Madison and James have had a traumatic past, which resulted in both of them being psychologically damaged. Only problem was, they couldn't recognize it. In their own way, they were both masochistic, and craved pain- because they believed that that was what they deserved.
James blamed himself for his father's abandonment in his childhood, and his wife's untimely death, and because of that he has a lot of repressed self-hatred that he releases in the form of self harm. In the book, Kent starts us off with bloody hands that come with brutally punching punching-bags, and then slowly escalates to cutting. Yes, James is a cutter, and usually I wouldn't lay out the spoiler for you just like that, but I felt because of the entire tone of the book, it was a bit necessary for me to mention.
Madison on the other hand had a dreamer of a mother who had been constantly abused by her boyfriends, until one of them finally killed her. Not stopping at that, her mom's partner then raped her when he was drunk, because of how much she resembled her mother. All those experiences made her into a man-hater, and dependent on a really viperous woman. Now, some might not call Julie, her girlfriend as viperous, but the thing about that woman was she loved that Madison was generally unhappy and miserable, she liked the fact that Madison was broken, and never let her heal, breaking her back down whenever Madison showed signs of healing. And Madison clung on to her, because she felt like no one else would love her.
This book deals with a lot of issues. Let's try and see if I can list them all:
→child neglect
→rape
→spousal abuse
→self-harm/cutting
→depression
→PTSD
→toxic relationships
→cheating
Think I got it all?
Well all those many issues, and Kent dealt with them brilliantly. Not once in the entire book did I feel a situation being half-assedly written, because usually by this time authors lose their charm, and start just plotting cliches just for the sake of completing the book. But not this one. Oh no.
Kent did not write a book about two characters who were flawed but quirky, and easily lovable. Making the reader love the characters was not what her goal was with this one I think. I think she wanted to show us two really fucked up people who got together, and learned how to deal with the current situation, and how to heal. (Mind you I've read about a lot of fucked up characters, and it's pretty safe to say that these two were the most fucked up of them all).
Kent doesn't make you love the characters, fuck that, she doesn't even make you root for James and Maddy to end up together. By the 65% mark I was just wishing for all this angst to get over. I just wanted to know that they fought their demons, and honestly I didn't care if they ended up together or not, not because I didn't care or didn't want them to, but because that was not the focus of the story I feel.
This is not a lovestory, it's a story about two really damaged people coming together, and healing with their own perverse sort of medicine.
What can I say, this book was very well written. It is not one of those books that you can just sit down with, and read in a go. You need to take your time with it because the book on the whole is just so goddam depressive. The entire tone of the book made me feel like I had a rainy cloud over my head, and that is something not many books could do.
For a debut novel, this was brilliantly bold and darkly unique. I would definitely be keeping my eyes on Kent, and watch out for what she puts out next, because if it is anything like this, then it's going to be magnificent.
June 3, 2023
Smiling, he bent down and caught my salty tears on his tongue… He pressed his forehead to mine and whispered against my wet cheeks, 〝Every day I fight with myself to stop seeing you. I tell myself that I can end it, that I don't need to see you to feel something. But every day I fail.〞He breathed against my lips.〝All night, I can't sleep. I count seconds until I'll see you again. Touch you, fuck you, make you cry.〞
this was soo fucked up, i should’ve despised it—part of me wanted to, the rest of me didn’t care to. i am soo fucked up.
February 26, 2017
3 Pain Stars
I think I should stop reading books with unusual relationships. Okay, just for a while! These books play with my feelings. I don’t know I enjoy them or not. I read a few of these books and enjoyed most of them but this one was a little harsh for me! Actually, I’m not good with
Madison is a hater. She hates everything that is around her. she is an addict, not to drugs but to sadness. Because of her mother’s relationship with men and her murdered, Madison hates all of the men. She feels broken. She is full of anger. She doesn’t want to care for anybody, but eventually she cares.
"Dead. I’m dead. A ghost, Cruella. Call me whatever you want. In fact, call me all the bad names you know. It turns me on."
James lost her wife in a car accident, recently. He has a four-year-old girl, Katie. She is so adorable. He can’t tell her daughter that her mother is gone. He thinks of himself as a coward, a liar, wrong in the head! And he finds his solace in pain!
"That was all I was good for-tainting things, killing them, polluting their goodness."
Madison and James find each other through Katie. When they meet each other, they were like two depressed people that desperately need to be loved, but in their own way.
"You’re right. Every moment with us is a battle. A war. And I’m going to win this war, James. You’re going to lose."
It was really heartbreaking reading about their emotions and feelings, about their lives. It was so sad. But the writing is in such a way that intrigues you to continue. I, myself, don’t understand why they do such things and I think I will never realize it. but if you like some harsh and nasty relationship, you should read this one and surely it pleases you!
I think I should stop reading books with unusual relationships. Okay, just for a while! These books play with my feelings. I don’t know I enjoy them or not. I read a few of these books and enjoyed most of them but this one was a little harsh for me! Actually, I’m not good with
Madison is a hater. She hates everything that is around her. she is an addict, not to drugs but to sadness. Because of her mother’s relationship with men and her murdered, Madison hates all of the men. She feels broken. She is full of anger. She doesn’t want to care for anybody, but eventually she cares.
"Dead. I’m dead. A ghost, Cruella. Call me whatever you want. In fact, call me all the bad names you know. It turns me on."
James lost her wife in a car accident, recently. He has a four-year-old girl, Katie. She is so adorable. He can’t tell her daughter that her mother is gone. He thinks of himself as a coward, a liar, wrong in the head! And he finds his solace in pain!
"That was all I was good for-tainting things, killing them, polluting their goodness."
Madison and James find each other through Katie. When they meet each other, they were like two depressed people that desperately need to be loved, but in their own way.
"You’re right. Every moment with us is a battle. A war. And I’m going to win this war, James. You’re going to lose."
It was really heartbreaking reading about their emotions and feelings, about their lives. It was so sad. But the writing is in such a way that intrigues you to continue. I, myself, don’t understand why they do such things and I think I will never realize it. but if you like some harsh and nasty relationship, you should read this one and surely it pleases you!
July 13, 2017
Saffron A. Kent has captured me with her exquisite and poetic prose. First with The Unrequited which I loved tremendously. So much that I immediately had to read A War Like Ours. She does it again. Wow! A War Like Ours was beyond amazing. It was my kind of edgy and dark. The flawless prose again in a league of its own.
Madison and James are two very flawed and broken people. Battling their own demons and these demons definitely showed their ugly and scary heads multiple times. The push and pull between James and Madison was phenomenal. I loved how she had to provoke him and how he struggled to resist. When he finally gave in it was twisted, gritty but erotic as hell. A fight at times but one they both reveled in and needed. They both saw sides of themselves in one another. Especially the ugly and it gave them comfort and silenced their demons.
Nothing is certain when I read a Saffron A. Kent book and she proved that yet again. She's a force to be reckoned with. One thing is certain. I need her books in my life.
5 BadAssDirtyBeautifulTearsStars
Madison and James are two very flawed and broken people. Battling their own demons and these demons definitely showed their ugly and scary heads multiple times. The push and pull between James and Madison was phenomenal. I loved how she had to provoke him and how he struggled to resist. When he finally gave in it was twisted, gritty but erotic as hell. A fight at times but one they both reveled in and needed. They both saw sides of themselves in one another. Especially the ugly and it gave them comfort and silenced their demons.
Nothing is certain when I read a Saffron A. Kent book and she proved that yet again. She's a force to be reckoned with. One thing is certain. I need her books in my life.
5 BadAssDirtyBeautifulTearsStars
February 20, 2017
5+++ STARS
What? A Debut novel? No way!
This book. Damn, this book is original through and through, and I mean that in the most positive way possible. It's unlike anything you've ever read before and so worth the read! I promise you, it'll leave a lasting impression on you. I love reading unique romance stories that tug at my heart and mess with my brain. This is one of those books!
"Love that destroyed everything.
Love that felt like a war."
Saffron's writing is superb, her characters are complex and flawed, and the story is painstakingly real.
James and Madison, at times, are hard to like and disturbing, yet I found myself rooting for them. Even when I didn't want to or thought I shouldn't. And there were moments that were like a train wreck and as much as I wanted to look away, I couldn't!
I was buzzing while reading this, my senses warring with anticipation, angst and dread. Saffron’s words leap off the page and seep into your bones. I found myself thinking about this story long after I’d finished it.
“Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison. That’s the only way to stop this, to stop feeling.”
If you're one to try something new or different, or looking for that next read that will rock your world, this is it!
I can't wait for what's next from this author. It'll be different. It'll shake things up and I know I'll be gobsmacked.
**ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**
For more reviews and blog posts.
What? A Debut novel? No way!
This book. Damn, this book is original through and through, and I mean that in the most positive way possible. It's unlike anything you've ever read before and so worth the read! I promise you, it'll leave a lasting impression on you. I love reading unique romance stories that tug at my heart and mess with my brain. This is one of those books!
"Love that destroyed everything.
Love that felt like a war."
Saffron's writing is superb, her characters are complex and flawed, and the story is painstakingly real.
James and Madison, at times, are hard to like and disturbing, yet I found myself rooting for them. Even when I didn't want to or thought I shouldn't. And there were moments that were like a train wreck and as much as I wanted to look away, I couldn't!
I was buzzing while reading this, my senses warring with anticipation, angst and dread. Saffron’s words leap off the page and seep into your bones. I found myself thinking about this story long after I’d finished it.
“Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison. That’s the only way to stop this, to stop feeling.”
If you're one to try something new or different, or looking for that next read that will rock your world, this is it!
I can't wait for what's next from this author. It'll be different. It'll shake things up and I know I'll be gobsmacked.
**ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**
For more reviews and blog posts.
February 22, 2017
4.5 stars
I can't really believe this is Saffron first novel! This is so accomplished, the writing style is rich, the characters are complex and the storyline is quite original.
“I told you to stay out of this. I asked you to. Why didn’t you listen to me?” "What do you want, Madison? Why do you keep coming back?”
He squeezed my bicep, making me flinch. “Do you want me to hurt you?”
This is not really a traditional love story. Saffron said so herself she doesn't write that way. So you know from the start that A War Like Ours is definitely not an easy route. It's full of pitfalls. But it's the way the author choose to deliver her first story and if you are willing to give it a try, you might end up falling for both Maddy and James just as much as I did.
When I was asked to read and review I didn't read the synopsis but once I did I knew I had to read the book. There were dark undertones that I love in books. James seems like a broken character with so many layers but I wasn't expecting Maddison to be the same way.
Their attraction comes from a dark place. Called it guilt or salvation but what they have is stronger than themselves. They can't resist even if it's wrong. James is not in a right place after loosing his wife. Maddy has never been ok with herself and she thinks her girlfriend is the answer to everything.
Them being together is like something they can't escape. They tease, they fight. But they find peace with each other. The dark is there but they both crave and need dark at the same time.
“Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison. That’s the only way to stop this, to stop feeling.” Yes, I wanted that. I wanted it to stop. Was that why I wanted him to hurt me, dominate me?
I wasn't on board with everything happening in the book. First I'm not a fan of FF scenes. It's not something I read... ever. Even if Maddy is with a girl for reasons I understood I didn't like the scenes with her girlfriend, not only because I hated her for what she does to Maddy but also because I don't read that kind of scenes.
That being said, this shouldn't stop you from reading because the story is much more than that.
James was a larger than life character. I enjoyed all his flaws. The way he takes care of his daughter is sweet and beautiful. Of course he knows he is not doing the right thing by hiding the truth about her mother but how do you broke the heart of a five year old little girl?
His dark needs match Maddy's darkness and I was 100% on board with what they are going through. I was immediately attached to their darkness. Their normal was so right for them. It was quite a long and painful journey for them to get where they needed to be but trust me, you'll be rewarded with the best epilogue EVER! After all the emotions you'll feel while reading A War Like Ours, you'll get a sense of accomplishment, as sense of rightness and a huge smile on your face.
“I kept my promise.” My voice, almost bordering on panicky, interrupted her. “What?” “I still dream,”
~ Arc provided by the author in exchange of an honest review ~
I can't really believe this is Saffron first novel! This is so accomplished, the writing style is rich, the characters are complex and the storyline is quite original.
“I told you to stay out of this. I asked you to. Why didn’t you listen to me?” "What do you want, Madison? Why do you keep coming back?”
He squeezed my bicep, making me flinch. “Do you want me to hurt you?”
This is not really a traditional love story. Saffron said so herself she doesn't write that way. So you know from the start that A War Like Ours is definitely not an easy route. It's full of pitfalls. But it's the way the author choose to deliver her first story and if you are willing to give it a try, you might end up falling for both Maddy and James just as much as I did.
When I was asked to read and review I didn't read the synopsis but once I did I knew I had to read the book. There were dark undertones that I love in books. James seems like a broken character with so many layers but I wasn't expecting Maddison to be the same way.
Their attraction comes from a dark place. Called it guilt or salvation but what they have is stronger than themselves. They can't resist even if it's wrong. James is not in a right place after loosing his wife. Maddy has never been ok with herself and she thinks her girlfriend is the answer to everything.
Them being together is like something they can't escape. They tease, they fight. But they find peace with each other. The dark is there but they both crave and need dark at the same time.
“Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison. That’s the only way to stop this, to stop feeling.” Yes, I wanted that. I wanted it to stop. Was that why I wanted him to hurt me, dominate me?
I wasn't on board with everything happening in the book. First I'm not a fan of FF scenes. It's not something I read... ever. Even if Maddy is with a girl for reasons I understood I didn't like the scenes with her girlfriend, not only because I hated her for what she does to Maddy but also because I don't read that kind of scenes.
That being said, this shouldn't stop you from reading because the story is much more than that.
James was a larger than life character. I enjoyed all his flaws. The way he takes care of his daughter is sweet and beautiful. Of course he knows he is not doing the right thing by hiding the truth about her mother but how do you broke the heart of a five year old little girl?
His dark needs match Maddy's darkness and I was 100% on board with what they are going through. I was immediately attached to their darkness. Their normal was so right for them. It was quite a long and painful journey for them to get where they needed to be but trust me, you'll be rewarded with the best epilogue EVER! After all the emotions you'll feel while reading A War Like Ours, you'll get a sense of accomplishment, as sense of rightness and a huge smile on your face.
“I kept my promise.” My voice, almost bordering on panicky, interrupted her. “What?” “I still dream,”
~ Arc provided by the author in exchange of an honest review ~
October 1, 2018
I just cannot go on any more; this book has literally sucked the life out of me.
DNF at %50
Our heroine is a troubled one. And that's why, she hates men and she has been in a lesbian relationship for a while, staying away from all men.
Then she meets our hero, who is also f*cked up in his own way. He deals with life and its hardships by inflicting pain on himself. He cuts and bleeds himself etc. He usually cannot deal with truth and he lies. As she is a good liar, she understands that he lies.
he takes his daughter and goes on a holiday to deal with his new life. He lies to his daughter by saying that her mum is on a business trip and he doesn't know how to break the news to her. That’s where he meets the heroine – while on holiday with his little daughter.
There is this weird attraction between the hero and the heroine when they meet. They are kindred spirits in their depression, pain, hurt and sadness.
She pushes on his buttons and declares a war between them until they both give in to their attraction. She does everything for his attention. Their intimate scenes involve an intensity as if they are fighting rather than having sex and it involves hurting each other (scratching, drawing blood, being rough etc and they both like it.)
By being with him in this way, she is cheating on her girlfriend. Actually, she is not in love with her. She started a relationship with her when she was at her lowest and she was there to take care of her. She cares about her but she is not in love with her. That, of course, doesn't mean she can cheat on her.
Having loved "Medicine Man", I wanted to try another book from this writer but it seems this one is definitely not for me. Everyone is weird in this book and I cannot relate to them. So, I really don't care what will happen to these characters. Dropping it here...
DNF at %50
Our heroine is a troubled one. And that's why, she hates men and she has been in a lesbian relationship for a while, staying away from all men.
Then she meets our hero, who is also f*cked up in his own way. He deals with life and its hardships by inflicting pain on himself. He cuts and bleeds himself etc. He usually cannot deal with truth and he lies. As she is a good liar, she understands that he lies.
he takes his daughter and goes on a holiday to deal with his new life. He lies to his daughter by saying that her mum is on a business trip and he doesn't know how to break the news to her. That’s where he meets the heroine – while on holiday with his little daughter.
There is this weird attraction between the hero and the heroine when they meet. They are kindred spirits in their depression, pain, hurt and sadness.
She pushes on his buttons and declares a war between them until they both give in to their attraction. She does everything for his attention. Their intimate scenes involve an intensity as if they are fighting rather than having sex and it involves hurting each other (scratching, drawing blood, being rough etc and they both like it.)
By being with him in this way, she is cheating on her girlfriend. Actually, she is not in love with her. She started a relationship with her when she was at her lowest and she was there to take care of her. She cares about her but she is not in love with her. That, of course, doesn't mean she can cheat on her.
Having loved "Medicine Man", I wanted to try another book from this writer but it seems this one is definitely not for me. Everyone is weird in this book and I cannot relate to them. So, I really don't care what will happen to these characters. Dropping it here...
June 16, 2017
***** 3.5 Stars *****
Because of her past, Madison doesn't trust men. She believes all of them are greedy and selfish. So even though she has an unexplainable attraction to James, she refuses to let him inside her heart.
James has a deep and dark secret. He plans on coming clean at a peaceful resort, but his lies just keep getting bigger with each passing day. He's damaged and broken. But whenever he is near Madison, some of the pain and confusion fades away.
Nothing can stop the chemistry. Not even Madison's girlfriend.
This story isn't a traditional romance story. As the point of view switches between Madison and James, we get to understand their terrible demons. I love dark and twisted books, but this wasn't a home run for me. I liked the idea and plot. The thing that didn't do it for me were the characters. I just had a difficult time finding them likable.
Because of her past, Madison doesn't trust men. She believes all of them are greedy and selfish. So even though she has an unexplainable attraction to James, she refuses to let him inside her heart.
James has a deep and dark secret. He plans on coming clean at a peaceful resort, but his lies just keep getting bigger with each passing day. He's damaged and broken. But whenever he is near Madison, some of the pain and confusion fades away.
Nothing can stop the chemistry. Not even Madison's girlfriend.
This story isn't a traditional romance story. As the point of view switches between Madison and James, we get to understand their terrible demons. I love dark and twisted books, but this wasn't a home run for me. I liked the idea and plot. The thing that didn't do it for me were the characters. I just had a difficult time finding them likable.
February 10, 2017
** 4.5-5 “debut books always ROCK” STARS **
Well I've already explained my feelings to the author herself, so here you go:
This is just the beginning of your journey Bestie, keep up the good work! :)
** ARC provided by the author aka my lovely bestie Saffron! **
Well I've already explained my feelings to the author herself, so here you go:
This is just the beginning of your journey Bestie, keep up the good work! :)
** ARC provided by the author aka my lovely bestie Saffron! **
February 7, 2017
Whoa. Like WHOA! What I just read...whoa!
As you can tell, I'm kind of speechless, but let's start at the beginning, because that's where all great stories start. I'll admit, I am not a blurb reader. I take recommendations, I listen to the buzz, I judge a book by its cover or pick it up because it's written by a favorite author of mine. In comes Saffron A. Kent and A War Like Ours.
Debut author, catching cover, recommended by a fellow respected author. So guess what I did...I broke my rule and read the blurb and BAM! I needed to read this book STAT and holy crap am I happy I did.
For the last few days I have been entranced by this book. Saffron's writing is flawless and mesmerizing. Yes, mesmerizing in the way that her choice of words and phrases literally hypnotizes you. I think I know why this talented woman chose her pen name, because . . . I'm just mad about Saffron and it has nothing to do with being mellow or yellow. (I'm a cornball, I know).
From page one I was hooked--these characters are sick and twisted, but beautifully and intricately flawed. Madison and James are two deep, dark, disturbed souls that I found myself loving with each turn of the page. They're abnormal and as weird as this may sound it made them that much more beautiful, that much more raw, intriguing, unforgettable.
It's crazy how much love and passion I felt from these characters who are void of love, so jaded and scarred that their form of love is pain. Their need for pain scared me at first, but as I grew to understand them, I grew to learn that their pain was beautiful too. And that brings me to the sex...I said it before but I'll say it again, WHOA! Hot is not the word. I usually skim through sex scenes once the couple has been together once, but each and every sex scene was different, necessary, important to the development of these characters. I found myself savoring each word, sometimes going back just to make sure I let the sentence penetrate, because they were that profound. They mattered. No fluff, no filler, just necessity in each and every breath shared between these two.
I'm still a little high off my read. My words aren't doing this book the justice it deserves with my rambling, but if you take one thing from my recommendation it's that this girl, Saffron A Kent, is one to watch. Everything I ever wanted in a book was in these pages. I haven't read many dark romances, but if this is what they're all like, I have a new favorite genre. I don't gush much, and I'm not the best review writer, but I felt the need to scream from the rooftops and get the word out about Saffron and A War Like Ours because it is a phenomenal, unforgettable debut that should not go unnoticed.
As you can tell, I'm kind of speechless, but let's start at the beginning, because that's where all great stories start. I'll admit, I am not a blurb reader. I take recommendations, I listen to the buzz, I judge a book by its cover or pick it up because it's written by a favorite author of mine. In comes Saffron A. Kent and A War Like Ours.
Debut author, catching cover, recommended by a fellow respected author. So guess what I did...I broke my rule and read the blurb and BAM! I needed to read this book STAT and holy crap am I happy I did.
For the last few days I have been entranced by this book. Saffron's writing is flawless and mesmerizing. Yes, mesmerizing in the way that her choice of words and phrases literally hypnotizes you. I think I know why this talented woman chose her pen name, because . . . I'm just mad about Saffron and it has nothing to do with being mellow or yellow. (I'm a cornball, I know).
From page one I was hooked--these characters are sick and twisted, but beautifully and intricately flawed. Madison and James are two deep, dark, disturbed souls that I found myself loving with each turn of the page. They're abnormal and as weird as this may sound it made them that much more beautiful, that much more raw, intriguing, unforgettable.
It's crazy how much love and passion I felt from these characters who are void of love, so jaded and scarred that their form of love is pain. Their need for pain scared me at first, but as I grew to understand them, I grew to learn that their pain was beautiful too. And that brings me to the sex...I said it before but I'll say it again, WHOA! Hot is not the word. I usually skim through sex scenes once the couple has been together once, but each and every sex scene was different, necessary, important to the development of these characters. I found myself savoring each word, sometimes going back just to make sure I let the sentence penetrate, because they were that profound. They mattered. No fluff, no filler, just necessity in each and every breath shared between these two.
I'm still a little high off my read. My words aren't doing this book the justice it deserves with my rambling, but if you take one thing from my recommendation it's that this girl, Saffron A Kent, is one to watch. Everything I ever wanted in a book was in these pages. I haven't read many dark romances, but if this is what they're all like, I have a new favorite genre. I don't gush much, and I'm not the best review writer, but I felt the need to scream from the rooftops and get the word out about Saffron and A War Like Ours because it is a phenomenal, unforgettable debut that should not go unnoticed.
February 9, 2020
This was a dark read cataloging the serendipitous meeting of two characters James and Madison with shared, yet different pain. This book revolves around multiple aspects of pain both physical and metaphysical. A WAR LIKE OURS was a twisty, unusual book that difficult to read at times due to the fragmented characters and relationships. Yet I found myself unable to look away.
Madison is in a relationship with Julia; Madison being the dependant and Julia the fixer. Madison is crippled emotionally by past events, existing but in pain. James arrives at the holiday village with his daughter, Katie. If I thought Madison was troubled, I soon reset my viewpoint when I met James. He was another level of troubled, pained and messed-up and Madison found herself utterly drawn to James and his daughter. I did not like either of the MCs, even as the book progressed I couldn't connect with either of them. Their thoughts and actions were desperate and sometimes a little too extreme for me to believe in their story.
I found the writing a little chaotic. I am unsure if this was purposeful considering this personified the MCs, however it made the narrative difficult to follow at times. I think this book will appeal to those fans of dark reads, especially readers that are open minded regarding emotional and physical pain. It was an interesting debut and I would consider reading a less dark read by this author.
A copy of this book was provided by the author in return for a honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
Madison is in a relationship with Julia; Madison being the dependant and Julia the fixer. Madison is crippled emotionally by past events, existing but in pain. James arrives at the holiday village with his daughter, Katie. If I thought Madison was troubled, I soon reset my viewpoint when I met James. He was another level of troubled, pained and messed-up and Madison found herself utterly drawn to James and his daughter. I did not like either of the MCs, even as the book progressed I couldn't connect with either of them. Their thoughts and actions were desperate and sometimes a little too extreme for me to believe in their story.
I found the writing a little chaotic. I am unsure if this was purposeful considering this personified the MCs, however it made the narrative difficult to follow at times. I think this book will appeal to those fans of dark reads, especially readers that are open minded regarding emotional and physical pain. It was an interesting debut and I would consider reading a less dark read by this author.
A copy of this book was provided by the author in return for a honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
April 30, 2017
4.5 I WANT JAMES TO BITE ME. HARD. STARS!!!
Wow. This is truly unlike any love story I have ever read. EVER. I was engulfed within the dark moments, I wanted to look away but couldn't. The push and pull between James and Madison kept me reading on. I needed them to get their happy ending.
A War Like Ours made me feel a lot of things. Many, many emotions. Some I didn't even know I had actually. I was stunned. I was pissed off. I was happy. I was sad. I was frustrated. And I was turned the hell on. Repeatedly. There were moments that I wanted to throw my kindle. But wow, it was so refreshing to read such an unconventional love story and I needed to find out how this book was going to end. I was not disappointed!
I still cannot believe this is Kent's FIRST BOOK. Her words are enticing, her writing is captivating and her style is just magic. I cannot wait to read more from this author! Bring on the next book!
BLURB
A liar…
Three weeks ago, James Maxwell’s wife died in a car accident, but he hasn’t been able to tell his five-year old daughter the heartbreaking truth behind her mother's death. Instead, he packs them up and leaves for a summer resort in upstate New York to spend a few peaceful weeks and to gradually break the news. But a spirited and outspoken maid at the resort has figured out his secret.
A hater…
After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of her stepfather, Madison Smith has turned aimless and bitter toward the world—men, in particular. Her dead-end job at the local resort and her convenient girlfriend barely keep Madison from falling apart. When she meets James, however, she’s driven to protect his child from the darkness she sees inside him.
A forbidden kiss…
But Madison doesn’t expect to find that very darkness irresistible. Drowning in guilt and memories, neither does James expect to be drawn to the sharp-witted woman who has made his life miserable. When their tempers flare, a brutal kiss triggers a need that blurs the lines of hate and desire. As their lust spins out of control, they must decide if their attraction is worth fighting for or if love is the real enemy.
A WAR LIKE OURS IS AVAILABLE NOW!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nulcCN
Wild Rose Press: http://bit.ly/2kw8wK4
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2j9UDM8
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2kExSAH
Play: http://bit.ly/2lUgSbv
Bookstrand: http://bit.ly/2kPJ8v3
Wow. This is truly unlike any love story I have ever read. EVER. I was engulfed within the dark moments, I wanted to look away but couldn't. The push and pull between James and Madison kept me reading on. I needed them to get their happy ending.
A War Like Ours made me feel a lot of things. Many, many emotions. Some I didn't even know I had actually. I was stunned. I was pissed off. I was happy. I was sad. I was frustrated. And I was turned the hell on. Repeatedly. There were moments that I wanted to throw my kindle. But wow, it was so refreshing to read such an unconventional love story and I needed to find out how this book was going to end. I was not disappointed!
I still cannot believe this is Kent's FIRST BOOK. Her words are enticing, her writing is captivating and her style is just magic. I cannot wait to read more from this author! Bring on the next book!
BLURB
A liar…
Three weeks ago, James Maxwell’s wife died in a car accident, but he hasn’t been able to tell his five-year old daughter the heartbreaking truth behind her mother's death. Instead, he packs them up and leaves for a summer resort in upstate New York to spend a few peaceful weeks and to gradually break the news. But a spirited and outspoken maid at the resort has figured out his secret.
A hater…
After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of her stepfather, Madison Smith has turned aimless and bitter toward the world—men, in particular. Her dead-end job at the local resort and her convenient girlfriend barely keep Madison from falling apart. When she meets James, however, she’s driven to protect his child from the darkness she sees inside him.
A forbidden kiss…
But Madison doesn’t expect to find that very darkness irresistible. Drowning in guilt and memories, neither does James expect to be drawn to the sharp-witted woman who has made his life miserable. When their tempers flare, a brutal kiss triggers a need that blurs the lines of hate and desire. As their lust spins out of control, they must decide if their attraction is worth fighting for or if love is the real enemy.
A WAR LIKE OURS IS AVAILABLE NOW!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nulcCN
Wild Rose Press: http://bit.ly/2kw8wK4
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2j9UDM8
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2kExSAH
Play: http://bit.ly/2lUgSbv
Bookstrand: http://bit.ly/2kPJ8v3
March 9, 2017
What an outstanding debut!! Sexy and intense and messy. If you're expecting a hearts and flowers romance, then find another book! James and Madison's painful story completely captivated me.
A War Like Ours is a compelling, gritty and enthralling book. Once I started I could not put it down! I love stories where the main protagonists are imperfect characters. James and Madison make poor choices in their lives, but somehow the author makes it all seem very believable and just plain real. Also: there is no insta-love here so if you like a story that takes some time to build, then you will love A War Like Ours.
“Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison.”
James Maxwell is harboring a big secret. A life-altering, painful secret. He is a brilliant cancer researcher but is not handling his personal life very well at all. He has a beautiful young daughter but he is keeping something from her that is getting more difficult to withhold with the each passing day. As much as I did not agree with James, I totally understood his pain and grief thanks to Saffron Kent's incredible writing. Lonely and tortured, he seeks out Madison, a staff member at the summer resort where he is staying. Somehow he sees a kindred spirit in her.
Madison is bitter and depressed. She is stuck in a relationship for all the wrong reasons. For some reason she is drawn to James. But their relationship is fiery, explosive and not at all peaceful. Madion has a deep-seated hatred for men but yet she feels something - sympathy? lust? - for the very sexy and emotionally unavailable James.
This story is raw and explicit and very emotional. I could not wait to see if James and Madison got the happy ending they so desperately deserved. All the characters in this book are very flawed and very unusual. I was blown away by this debut book by Saffron Kent and can't wait to read more from this very talented writer.
“A beating heart doesn’t mean that I’m alive.”
“No, it only means you want to be. It’s the nature of all living things. They want to live, break free. They want a miracle. It’s called hope. Hope that one day something will transform our life, transform us as we know it.”
ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.
A War Like Ours is a compelling, gritty and enthralling book. Once I started I could not put it down! I love stories where the main protagonists are imperfect characters. James and Madison make poor choices in their lives, but somehow the author makes it all seem very believable and just plain real. Also: there is no insta-love here so if you like a story that takes some time to build, then you will love A War Like Ours.
“Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison.”
James Maxwell is harboring a big secret. A life-altering, painful secret. He is a brilliant cancer researcher but is not handling his personal life very well at all. He has a beautiful young daughter but he is keeping something from her that is getting more difficult to withhold with the each passing day. As much as I did not agree with James, I totally understood his pain and grief thanks to Saffron Kent's incredible writing. Lonely and tortured, he seeks out Madison, a staff member at the summer resort where he is staying. Somehow he sees a kindred spirit in her.
Madison is bitter and depressed. She is stuck in a relationship for all the wrong reasons. For some reason she is drawn to James. But their relationship is fiery, explosive and not at all peaceful. Madion has a deep-seated hatred for men but yet she feels something - sympathy? lust? - for the very sexy and emotionally unavailable James.
This story is raw and explicit and very emotional. I could not wait to see if James and Madison got the happy ending they so desperately deserved. All the characters in this book are very flawed and very unusual. I was blown away by this debut book by Saffron Kent and can't wait to read more from this very talented writer.
“A beating heart doesn’t mean that I’m alive.”
“No, it only means you want to be. It’s the nature of all living things. They want to live, break free. They want a miracle. It’s called hope. Hope that one day something will transform our life, transform us as we know it.”
ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.
February 25, 2017
“You push me and push me and push me. Every single moment with you is a battle.”
“You’re right. Every moment with us is a battle. A war. And I’m going to win this war, James. You’re going to lose.”
Well wow, we may be lost for words. A War Like Ours is the debut novel by Saffron A Kent and it completely turned us inside out. You know those books that shock you, yet compel you, because they’re so unexpected. The kind of book that you just know is going to be a marmite book. Well this is it. We still don’t know what we truly feel and have spent hours discussing this story. It’s a fine line between love and hate and we veered across this line touching both sides throughout. We love books that provoke a reaction out of us.
‘Famished. Insatiable. Mad. That was what I felt when I was around her.’
“Hurt me. You know you want to.”
First of all we have to say that we are so surprised this is Saffron A Kent’s first book. The writing was sublime, flawless and highly evocative. She does not mince her words and the emotion they induce are spot on. The quality of writing is why we continued reading this story and why we could not look away. We struggled to connect with the characters and we’re not sure we liked them all that much. That may sound harsh but it’s a testament to this Author that we kept reading despite this struggle. James and Maddison intrigued us, they challenged us and they provoked us. We loved them – we hated them. Click here for full review at TBB
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March 10, 2017
A War like Ours is Saffron Kent's debut novel.
I never know what to expect from a debut - could be awesome, could be...not so awesome. Let's just say I was blown away by Saffron's talent.
I knew going into this book that it was going to be dark and twisted, not your typical light and fluffy romance story. I can't stress this enough. If you're looking for light and fluffy, where the characters skip through the fields to find their HEA, this book is not for you.
The author tells the story of James and Madison - two really screwed up characters. They're flawed, damaged from their past, and lonely. They don't want to want each other. But there is this...magnetic pull and they just can't fight it. When they come together, it's a collision. A battle of lips and teeth and touch.
Saffron made my heart race, my stomach drop, my eyes BULGE out of my head wondering what the EFF I just read and being disturbed with myself for thinking it was so darn hot.
What I loved about this book:
~ The writing. I was quickly sucked into the story and though it was different, I couldn't stop turning the pages.
~ Flawed characters. I love that James and Madison are so flawed.
~ Scorching hot chemistry. They try to fight it. But they just can't stay away from each other.
~ Taboo. Some readers might shy away from...a couple of the scenes in this book. Did it make me uncomfortable? YES. Did it make my stomach churn? YES. Did it make me want to stop reading? HELL NO. I love books that push my boundaries and throw me out of my comfort zone. Those are the books I remember the most.
~ Unpredictable. I had no idea what was going to happen. Love this in a book.
I highlighted SO many passages. Here are a couple:
"I shifted on my barstool, uncomfortable when I thought of him and his lying...sexy lips. NO, not sexy. They weren't sexy. They were too plump, if you asked me. Too plump and too... well biteable."
"A beating heart doesn't mean that I'm alive."
"No, it only means that you want to be. It's the nature of all living things. They want to love, break free. They want a miracle. It's called hope. Hope that one day something will transform our life, transform us as we know it.
She swallowed, looking away. I could tell this affected her. "Yeah, then what do you want to transform into?"
"Human. I'm tired of not being one."
"She just..makes me insane sometimes. On purpose."
"Insane how?"
"I don't know. I can't explain it. It's just...I've never felt this way before."
He appeared amused. "Never?"
"If the feeling oscillates between killing her or kissing her, than no, never."
Bottom line: If you like dark, gritty, messy, taboo reads, then ONE CLICK NOW.
I never know what to expect from a debut - could be awesome, could be...not so awesome. Let's just say I was blown away by Saffron's talent.
I knew going into this book that it was going to be dark and twisted, not your typical light and fluffy romance story. I can't stress this enough. If you're looking for light and fluffy, where the characters skip through the fields to find their HEA, this book is not for you.
The author tells the story of James and Madison - two really screwed up characters. They're flawed, damaged from their past, and lonely. They don't want to want each other. But there is this...magnetic pull and they just can't fight it. When they come together, it's a collision. A battle of lips and teeth and touch.
Saffron made my heart race, my stomach drop, my eyes BULGE out of my head wondering what the EFF I just read and being disturbed with myself for thinking it was so darn hot.
What I loved about this book:
~ The writing. I was quickly sucked into the story and though it was different, I couldn't stop turning the pages.
~ Flawed characters. I love that James and Madison are so flawed.
~ Scorching hot chemistry. They try to fight it. But they just can't stay away from each other.
~ Taboo. Some readers might shy away from...a couple of the scenes in this book. Did it make me uncomfortable? YES. Did it make my stomach churn? YES. Did it make me want to stop reading? HELL NO. I love books that push my boundaries and throw me out of my comfort zone. Those are the books I remember the most.
~ Unpredictable. I had no idea what was going to happen. Love this in a book.
I highlighted SO many passages. Here are a couple:
"I shifted on my barstool, uncomfortable when I thought of him and his lying...sexy lips. NO, not sexy. They weren't sexy. They were too plump, if you asked me. Too plump and too... well biteable."
"A beating heart doesn't mean that I'm alive."
"No, it only means that you want to be. It's the nature of all living things. They want to love, break free. They want a miracle. It's called hope. Hope that one day something will transform our life, transform us as we know it.
She swallowed, looking away. I could tell this affected her. "Yeah, then what do you want to transform into?"
"Human. I'm tired of not being one."
"She just..makes me insane sometimes. On purpose."
"Insane how?"
"I don't know. I can't explain it. It's just...I've never felt this way before."
He appeared amused. "Never?"
"If the feeling oscillates between killing her or kissing her, than no, never."
Bottom line: If you like dark, gritty, messy, taboo reads, then ONE CLICK NOW.
May 25, 2017
oh my goodness!!
I literally just finished reading this book, I don't have enough words to sum up how much I loved it.
I loved that Madison and James were very flawed and imperfect, yet perfect for each other. This story is angsty, brutal and raw. It deals with mental health issues that I love reading about and seeing being explored in books. Not only that, though. It takes a step into the darker side of love. Madison and James are each other's obsession and savior, all wrapped up in one. I teared up and swooned in equal measures. I laughed too. Madison is such a feisty character. James is so tortured, but swoonworthy at the same time. When these two meet the first time, I felt their chemistry. The pull toward each other.
Saffron's writing in this book is brilliant. You feel the emotions and turmoil these characters go through; the pain, internal struggle of who they were in the past and are in the present, who they want to be, the love they feel for each other even when they don't recognize it themselves. And eventually when they let go of their pasts, it's breathtaking! aaah!
Simply stunning.
I literally just finished reading this book, I don't have enough words to sum up how much I loved it.
I loved that Madison and James were very flawed and imperfect, yet perfect for each other. This story is angsty, brutal and raw. It deals with mental health issues that I love reading about and seeing being explored in books. Not only that, though. It takes a step into the darker side of love. Madison and James are each other's obsession and savior, all wrapped up in one. I teared up and swooned in equal measures. I laughed too. Madison is such a feisty character. James is so tortured, but swoonworthy at the same time. When these two meet the first time, I felt their chemistry. The pull toward each other.
Saffron's writing in this book is brilliant. You feel the emotions and turmoil these characters go through; the pain, internal struggle of who they were in the past and are in the present, who they want to be, the love they feel for each other even when they don't recognize it themselves. And eventually when they let go of their pasts, it's breathtaking! aaah!
Simply stunning.
February 24, 2017
Madison Smith has more than enough reasons to hate men. She watched as they abused her mother until finally taking her life. Now starting all over in the small town of Hedge Lake, she’s barely keeping her demons at bay. She longs for the oblivion offered by her girlfriend and by working herself into physical exhaustion.
Until everything she thought she knew is changed by precocious little girl and her father who hides painful secrets behind his eyes.
Back at home, I swallowed Julia’s love in the form of two pills. Instant oblivion. But even as I burrowed myself under the covers, smoky thoughts whirled inside my head. My mom’s laughter tinkled in my ears. I wondered what it would feel like to be loved like that, with such abandon and ferocity.
Love that destroyed everything.
Love that felt like a war.
James Maxwell is a man on the edge. Tragedy has sent his life spinning out of control and the only things that keep him from surrendering to the madness is his daughter and sweet relief offered by a blade.
In Madison, he finds the one woman who can look straight into his heart of darkness and not run away. Together they are dangerous and unpredictable. Together they can redefine what love really is - if they don’t utterly destroy each other first.
James splayed his fingers, taking hold of my entire cheek. He stared into my wet eyes. “Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison. That’s the only way to stop this, to stop feeling.”
Yes, I wanted that. I wanted it to stop. Was that why I wanted him to hurt me, dominate me?
Touching the hot skin of his forearms, tracing the bumpy veins and coarse hair, I whispered, “Show me how.”
A War Like Ours is an experience unlike any other. It’s completely visceral and chaotic while at the same time heartbreakingly poignant and hopeful. The trigger warnings are real. As someone who has struggled with some of the same demons, I literally felt every word, every cut and every sorrow.
Saffron masterfully dips her readers into the endless void only to propel them straight into the light. And it’s a literary journey that I’ll never forget…
Until everything she thought she knew is changed by precocious little girl and her father who hides painful secrets behind his eyes.
Back at home, I swallowed Julia’s love in the form of two pills. Instant oblivion. But even as I burrowed myself under the covers, smoky thoughts whirled inside my head. My mom’s laughter tinkled in my ears. I wondered what it would feel like to be loved like that, with such abandon and ferocity.
Love that destroyed everything.
Love that felt like a war.
James Maxwell is a man on the edge. Tragedy has sent his life spinning out of control and the only things that keep him from surrendering to the madness is his daughter and sweet relief offered by a blade.
In Madison, he finds the one woman who can look straight into his heart of darkness and not run away. Together they are dangerous and unpredictable. Together they can redefine what love really is - if they don’t utterly destroy each other first.
James splayed his fingers, taking hold of my entire cheek. He stared into my wet eyes. “Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Madison. That’s the only way to stop this, to stop feeling.”
Yes, I wanted that. I wanted it to stop. Was that why I wanted him to hurt me, dominate me?
Touching the hot skin of his forearms, tracing the bumpy veins and coarse hair, I whispered, “Show me how.”
A War Like Ours is an experience unlike any other. It’s completely visceral and chaotic while at the same time heartbreakingly poignant and hopeful. The trigger warnings are real. As someone who has struggled with some of the same demons, I literally felt every word, every cut and every sorrow.
Saffron masterfully dips her readers into the endless void only to propel them straight into the light. And it’s a literary journey that I’ll never forget…
February 24, 2017
Ummmmmmmm. <~ That's seriously the first thing that comes to mind when I think about my feelings after reading this book. Honestly? IDFK.
I'll start by saying this is DEFINITELY > a dark-as-hell read. From the cover and blurb and the first couple pages of the book, I knew I was not in for a sugary romance. But, TBH, I had no idea it would be as dark as it was.
Self-harm dominated a good portion of this book. It showed up early on, and it made me cringe, but I kept reading, thinking it would be mentioned here and there. Nope. It was pretty dominant in the book. I'd never read a book with such heavy focus on the subject, so it was quite uncomfortable in places, just as Saffron warned it would be.
The story follows Madison and James, both tortured souls with sordid pasts. James's wife has just recently died, and he keeps her death from his daughter. He struggles to tell her the truth. To escape reality, he goes to stay at a resort type place where Madison works. Madison, who is in a relationship with a woman and who has her own dark past, soon realizes what James is keeping from his daughter, with whom Madison instantly connects.
The book essentially details Madison's growing attraction and connection with James, one which she initially fights but then gives in to. James, too, fights his attraction to Madison, both because he's still reeling from the death of his wife and his self-perceived part in it, and his reluctance to drag Madison into his darkness with him.
Overall, I'm still not sure how I feel about this book. Honestly, it fucked me up. Bad. I have some personal experiences in the past that made me want to stop reading at times, but I found it difficult to look away. Since this is not a typical read for me, and since I had clouded expectations of what this book was about, I don't feel I can accurately rate this book on the actual content on a first-read, other than to say the writing and pacing worked well. I plan to re-read this book in the future once I've had some time away from the darkness.
I'm rating this book on how it made me FEEL, and that's fucked up. Fucked up means Saffron did her job at creating characters real and gritty enough to confuse the hell out of me. This book was a lot like cutting. There is pain, followed by personal relief. Much of the book was painful for me, up until the last 10%, where I finally felt like I could breathe a little. Maybe I was holding my breaththe entire book. I definitely pulled my hair a few times. HA! And let me say, I do NOT agree with almost everything these characters did. Except one part at the end, which was a great act of redemption and love. So, that's it. That's how I feel. Saffron's screwed-up, dark story evoked emotion, and that's difficult to do. Even though I don't like either Madison or James, Saffron still made me FEEL. And that's a skill that can't be taught. So, 5 stars for me not knowing WTF to think.
I'll start by saying this is DEFINITELY > a dark-as-hell read. From the cover and blurb and the first couple pages of the book, I knew I was not in for a sugary romance. But, TBH, I had no idea it would be as dark as it was.
Self-harm dominated a good portion of this book. It showed up early on, and it made me cringe, but I kept reading, thinking it would be mentioned here and there. Nope. It was pretty dominant in the book. I'd never read a book with such heavy focus on the subject, so it was quite uncomfortable in places, just as Saffron warned it would be.
The story follows Madison and James, both tortured souls with sordid pasts. James's wife has just recently died, and he keeps her death from his daughter. He struggles to tell her the truth. To escape reality, he goes to stay at a resort type place where Madison works. Madison, who is in a relationship with a woman and who has her own dark past, soon realizes what James is keeping from his daughter, with whom Madison instantly connects.
The book essentially details Madison's growing attraction and connection with James, one which she initially fights but then gives in to. James, too, fights his attraction to Madison, both because he's still reeling from the death of his wife and his self-perceived part in it, and his reluctance to drag Madison into his darkness with him.
Overall, I'm still not sure how I feel about this book. Honestly, it fucked me up. Bad. I have some personal experiences in the past that made me want to stop reading at times, but I found it difficult to look away. Since this is not a typical read for me, and since I had clouded expectations of what this book was about, I don't feel I can accurately rate this book on the actual content on a first-read, other than to say the writing and pacing worked well. I plan to re-read this book in the future once I've had some time away from the darkness.
I'm rating this book on how it made me FEEL, and that's fucked up. Fucked up means Saffron did her job at creating characters real and gritty enough to confuse the hell out of me. This book was a lot like cutting. There is pain, followed by personal relief. Much of the book was painful for me, up until the last 10%, where I finally felt like I could breathe a little. Maybe I was holding my breaththe entire book. I definitely pulled my hair a few times. HA! And let me say, I do NOT agree with almost everything these characters did. Except one part at the end, which was a great act of redemption and love. So, that's it. That's how I feel. Saffron's screwed-up, dark story evoked emotion, and that's difficult to do. Even though I don't like either Madison or James, Saffron still made me FEEL. And that's a skill that can't be taught. So, 5 stars for me not knowing WTF to think.
February 28, 2017
2 Stars
What draws me to this book at first was the first two words of the synopsis. A Liar...
Upon reading it, I was immediately intrigued. The title also seems to promise a lot of angst, which I love, by the way.
Unfortunate for me, I couldn't connect with the characters of the story. Reading this felt like I was from the outside looking in.
Definitely NOT because both characters were damaged and involved because believe me, I've read a couple of books with the same concept but did enjoyed it.
Normally, I would've just dropped this book for the lack of connection, but I was eager to know if I would end up liking the characters in the end. Also, I was curious how everything would turn out.
Sadly....
It seems that I fell under the minority here, another "it's not you, it's me". I just hope that my review won't deter you from reading this.
What draws me to this book at first was the first two words of the synopsis. A Liar...
Upon reading it, I was immediately intrigued. The title also seems to promise a lot of angst, which I love, by the way.
Unfortunate for me, I couldn't connect with the characters of the story. Reading this felt like I was from the outside looking in.
Definitely NOT because both characters were damaged and involved because believe me, I've read a couple of books with the same concept but did enjoyed it.
Normally, I would've just dropped this book for the lack of connection, but I was eager to know if I would end up liking the characters in the end. Also, I was curious how everything would turn out.
Sadly....
It seems that I fell under the minority here, another "it's not you, it's me". I just hope that my review won't deter you from reading this.
March 7, 2018
3.5 stars
I picked up this one because I wanted more of the feeling I got from Thomas and Layla in The Unrequited . A War Like Ours has similarities. Neither of these books follow conventions or rules in relationships. Saffron Kent can write a story and fractured characters. At times, it seems as if the characters won't make it through the morass of guilt, unworthiness, and despair to forge ahead in life. Sometimes the characters aren't likeable - sometimes pitiful in their torment - and then you end up hoping for them and understanding them after witnessing their descent and hard landing. Eventually, as the characters push from the bottom toward the surface, you see their desire to get better, make changes and become functional - to go on with life. I hope that made sense as this is what drew me into The Unrequited and into this one.
We get some of the same with James and Maddy. However, this one has more hard edges to the characters. There are a more triggers in this one .
In comparison, I liked TU more - so my rating for this one is lower. I enjoyed reading this one and maybe I'll change it over time. I will read other books by this author.
I picked up this one because I wanted more of the feeling I got from Thomas and Layla in The Unrequited . A War Like Ours has similarities. Neither of these books follow conventions or rules in relationships. Saffron Kent can write a story and fractured characters. At times, it seems as if the characters won't make it through the morass of guilt, unworthiness, and despair to forge ahead in life. Sometimes the characters aren't likeable - sometimes pitiful in their torment - and then you end up hoping for them and understanding them after witnessing their descent and hard landing. Eventually, as the characters push from the bottom toward the surface, you see their desire to get better, make changes and become functional - to go on with life. I hope that made sense as this is what drew me into The Unrequited and into this one.
We get some of the same with James and Maddy. However, this one has more hard edges to the characters. There are a more triggers in this one .
In comparison, I liked TU more - so my rating for this one is lower. I enjoyed reading this one and maybe I'll change it over time. I will read other books by this author.
May 2, 2022
Toxic. Addictive. So damn good. Review to follow.
February 24, 2017
Writing: 5 Stars
Story: 4 Stars
“You push me and push me and push me. Every single moment with you is a battle.”
“You’re right. Every moment with us is a battle. A war. And I’m going to win this war, James. You’re going to lose.”
Well wow, we may be lost for words. A War Like Ours is the debut novel by Saffron A Kent and it completely turned us inside out. You know those books that shock you, yet compel you, because they’re so unexpected. The kind of book that you just know is going to be a marmite book. Well this is it. We still don’t know what we truly feel and have spent hours discussing this story. It’s a fine line between love and hate and we veered across this line touching both sides throughout. We love books that provoke a reaction out of us.
‘Famished. Insatiable. Mad. That was what I felt when I was around her.’
“Hurt me. You know you want to.”
First of all we have to say that we are so surprised this is Saffron A Kent’s first book. The writing was sublime, flawless and highly evocative. She does not mince her words and the emotion they induce are spot on. The quality of writing is why we continued reading this story and why we could not look away. We struggled to connect with the characters and we’re not sure we liked them all that much. That may sound harsh but it’s a testament to this Author that we kept reading despite this struggle. James and Maddison intrigued us, they challenged us and they provoked us. We loved them – we hated them.
‘I looked up, and the fogged mirror reflected a man – diseased and inhuman – with tiny streams of blood snaking down his torso. A liar. A coward. A disappointment.’
This is not a hearts and flowers romance. This is an ugly and quite frankly painful romance. Why? Because Maddison and James are seriously chaotic and emotionally messed up characters. Their relationship is beyond anything we can relate to. Whilst it’s dirty and hot at times it’s the twisted actions, extreme behaviour and emotional turmoil of these characters that left us reeling. We were absolutely exhausted by the end of this book, though we have to give this Author credit for writing a believable ending that fitted the story and the characters. Our hearts bled for these characters.
‘Where had she been all these years? She matched me in every single way. She was just as raw and untamed. Just as angry and selfish. Perhaps that was why she got to me. Because I saw myself in her, a better me, in fact. I saw how unfettered she was, and I desired that, to be unchained, guilt-free.’
Maddison and James are both damaged emotionally for reasons very personal to them. Neither have had a life smelling of roses nor many happy memories. One could say that they have no idea or comprehension on what love truly is. Both have been starved of it. So when they meet, the recognition of themselves in each other, is incredibly visceral. Neither is convincingly looking to be healed nor looking to change or get better. Their pain is what it is. This is who they are, who they believe they are. What they do recognise after a physical empowerment spurred in the other, is the possibility of love. A War Like Ours was in our opinion a unique story brilliantly written with a bruised and battered pen.
“Let the pain take over. Let it own you, turn you inside out. Let it win, Maddison. That’s the only way to stop this, to stop feeling.”
“Show me how.”
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February 20, 2017 A War Like Ours
by Saffron A Kent
Publication Date: February 24, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Three weeks ago, James Maxwell’s wife died in a car accident, but he hasn’t been able to tell his five-year old daughter the heartbreaking truth behind her mother’s death. Instead, he packs them up and leaves for a summer resort in upstate New York to spend a few peaceful weeks and to gradually break the news. But a spirited and outspoken maid at the resort has figured out his secret.
A hater…
After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of her stepfather, Madison Smith has turned aimless and bitter toward the world—men, in particular. Her dead-end job at the local resort and her convenient girlfriend barely keep Madison from falling apart. When she meets James, however, she’s driven to protect his child from the darkness she sees inside him.
A forbidden kiss…
But Madison doesn’t expect to find that very darkness irresistible. Drowning in guilt and memories, neither does James expect to be drawn to the sharp-witted woman who has made his life miserable. When their tempers flare, a brutal kiss triggers a need that blurs the lines of hate and desire. As their lust spins out of control, they must decide if their attraction is worth fighting for or if love is the real enemy.
Please Note: This book is intended for mature audience. 18+ ONLY.
About Saffron A. Kent
Romance Writer and Reader. Coffee Addict. White Russian Drinker. Imaginary Ballet Dancer. Wanna-be Poet. Lana Del Ray & Gillian Flynn Worshiper.
My stories are grey-shaded and NC-17. I write what I love to read. And what I love to read is always twisted and angsty and emotional. My characters desperately need therapy. They tend to kiss a lot too, among other naughty things.
I LOVE to chat with readers about reading and writing so come follow me!
by Saffron A Kent
Publication Date: February 24, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play | Bookstrand | Wild Rose Press
A liar…
Three weeks ago, James Maxwell’s wife died in a car accident, but he hasn’t been able to tell his five-year old daughter the heartbreaking truth behind her mother’s death. Instead, he packs them up and leaves for a summer resort in upstate New York to spend a few peaceful weeks and to gradually break the news. But a spirited and outspoken maid at the resort has figured out his secret.
A hater…
After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of her stepfather, Madison Smith has turned aimless and bitter toward the world—men, in particular. Her dead-end job at the local resort and her convenient girlfriend barely keep Madison from falling apart. When she meets James, however, she’s driven to protect his child from the darkness she sees inside him.
A forbidden kiss…
But Madison doesn’t expect to find that very darkness irresistible. Drowning in guilt and memories, neither does James expect to be drawn to the sharp-witted woman who has made his life miserable. When their tempers flare, a brutal kiss triggers a need that blurs the lines of hate and desire. As their lust spins out of control, they must decide if their attraction is worth fighting for or if love is the real enemy.
Please Note: This book is intended for mature audience. 18+ ONLY.
About Saffron A. Kent
Romance Writer and Reader. Coffee Addict. White Russian Drinker. Imaginary Ballet Dancer. Wanna-be Poet. Lana Del Ray & Gillian Flynn Worshiper.
My stories are grey-shaded and NC-17. I write what I love to read. And what I love to read is always twisted and angsty and emotional. My characters desperately need therapy. They tend to kiss a lot too, among other naughty things.
I LOVE to chat with readers about reading and writing so come follow me!
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January 7, 2018
REVIEW: 4 STARS
"Why the fuck were we so fucked up?"
What in the hell did I just read!!?? Yes, I said that! I don't read a lot of dark and I don't read a lot of psychological intensity. I don't ever push those boundaries -- at least not willingly. But reading this book, it made me glad I dipped my toe into those proverbial waters. So, I have already read Saffron's second book, The Unrequited, but I hadn't read this one, so it was like going back in 'writing time' for me and I must say, while I could definitely see the improvement she had from her first book to her second, one thing she does well is INTENSITY. Without a doubt, she has a knack for head turning curiosity.
This entire book was one big mind game. I felt like I was watching for the shock and awe, like I couldn't look away and I felt like I was peering into the insanity....and really enjoying it. There was a lot of unknown, some confusion, and a whole lot of curiosity. Now, sometimes we read a book with a twist and sometimes we can even figure out the twist, but it's usually a storyline we can settle into. I could NOT settle into this one. You know why? She changed it up at every.single.turn. The depravity and depth these characters had always kept me on the edge of my seat. They weren't right in the head! But, I'm going to say this....I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. It was so damn good!!! Weird....so weird, right?? But man! So good. There were some parts that were a little disjointed, some things that didn't make sense to me, but they worked with this story, and I think that is a true testament to how different and addicting Saffron's words are.
Madison and James had a profound pull towards each other, but the push was so unyielding at times as well. The book felt like it was this thick sludge of murkiness that I had to wade through to get to the other side. So many shadows covering the light, so much dank in such a vibrant world. I honestly couldn't tell which way was up. They wanted, but denied. They sought, but fought. They pushed, but pulled. So many contradictory things going on in this story, it truly kept me on my toes.
Above all, I will say this book may not be for everyone. It may rub some the wrong way because of actions and dialogue. It probably wont bring out the warm and fuzzies in others either. But you know what? That's what I felt was so great about this book. The depth, the inner workings of the characters, the meanings behind the words, the actions/reactions of everything that went on; it was such a different read. So much so that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really like Saffron's voice. I like the way she tells a story. I like how different and quirky she is and it's without apology. She is not 'by the book' and that is what makes her stand out to me. This one, you could tell she was a little unrefined, but her voice has that artsy rasp to it that feels gritty and I love that about her stories.
"I know that I love you, Madison, with every inch of my insanity and darkness."
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"Why the fuck were we so fucked up?"
What in the hell did I just read!!?? Yes, I said that! I don't read a lot of dark and I don't read a lot of psychological intensity. I don't ever push those boundaries -- at least not willingly. But reading this book, it made me glad I dipped my toe into those proverbial waters. So, I have already read Saffron's second book, The Unrequited, but I hadn't read this one, so it was like going back in 'writing time' for me and I must say, while I could definitely see the improvement she had from her first book to her second, one thing she does well is INTENSITY. Without a doubt, she has a knack for head turning curiosity.
This entire book was one big mind game. I felt like I was watching for the shock and awe, like I couldn't look away and I felt like I was peering into the insanity....and really enjoying it. There was a lot of unknown, some confusion, and a whole lot of curiosity. Now, sometimes we read a book with a twist and sometimes we can even figure out the twist, but it's usually a storyline we can settle into. I could NOT settle into this one. You know why? She changed it up at every.single.turn. The depravity and depth these characters had always kept me on the edge of my seat. They weren't right in the head! But, I'm going to say this....I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. It was so damn good!!! Weird....so weird, right?? But man! So good. There were some parts that were a little disjointed, some things that didn't make sense to me, but they worked with this story, and I think that is a true testament to how different and addicting Saffron's words are.
Madison and James had a profound pull towards each other, but the push was so unyielding at times as well. The book felt like it was this thick sludge of murkiness that I had to wade through to get to the other side. So many shadows covering the light, so much dank in such a vibrant world. I honestly couldn't tell which way was up. They wanted, but denied. They sought, but fought. They pushed, but pulled. So many contradictory things going on in this story, it truly kept me on my toes.
Above all, I will say this book may not be for everyone. It may rub some the wrong way because of actions and dialogue. It probably wont bring out the warm and fuzzies in others either. But you know what? That's what I felt was so great about this book. The depth, the inner workings of the characters, the meanings behind the words, the actions/reactions of everything that went on; it was such a different read. So much so that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really like Saffron's voice. I like the way she tells a story. I like how different and quirky she is and it's without apology. She is not 'by the book' and that is what makes her stand out to me. This one, you could tell she was a little unrefined, but her voice has that artsy rasp to it that feels gritty and I love that about her stories.
"I know that I love you, Madison, with every inch of my insanity and darkness."
ENTER ON MY BLOG PAGE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY:
PURCHASE:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2CQwGs8
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