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Destroyed
She has a secret.
I’m complicated. Not broken or ruined or running from a past I can’t face. Just complicated.
I thought my life couldn’t get any more tangled in deceit and confusion. But I hadn’t met him. I hadn't realized how far I could fall or what I'd do to get free.
He has a secret.
I’ve never pretended to be good or deserving. I chase who I want, do what I want, act how I want.
I didn’t have time to lust after a woman I had no right to lust after. I told myself to shut up and stay hidden. But then she tried to run. I’d tasted what she could offer me and damned if I would let her go.
One secret destroys them.
I’m complicated. Not broken or ruined or running from a past I can’t face. Just complicated.
I thought my life couldn’t get any more tangled in deceit and confusion. But I hadn’t met him. I hadn't realized how far I could fall or what I'd do to get free.
He has a secret.
I’ve never pretended to be good or deserving. I chase who I want, do what I want, act how I want.
I didn’t have time to lust after a woman I had no right to lust after. I told myself to shut up and stay hidden. But then she tried to run. I’d tasted what she could offer me and damned if I would let her go.
One secret destroys them.
408 pages, Nook
First published March 4, 2014
About the author
Pepper Winters
95 books16.4k followersPepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.
She currently has thirty books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists (USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal) thirty-three times. She dabbles in multiple genres, ranging from Dark Romance to Coming of Age.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian, French, Hebrew, German, and Turkish.
NEWSLETTER: http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
Or follow her on her website
www.pepperwinters.com
She loves mail of any kind: pepperwinters@gmail.com
You can stalk her here:
Pinterest/Pepperwinters
Facebook Pepper Winters
Twitter @pepperwinters
Blog pepperwinters.wordpress.com
She currently has thirty books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists (USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal) thirty-three times. She dabbles in multiple genres, ranging from Dark Romance to Coming of Age.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian, French, Hebrew, German, and Turkish.
NEWSLETTER: http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
Or follow her on her website
www.pepperwinters.com
She loves mail of any kind: pepperwinters@gmail.com
You can stalk her here:
Pinterest/Pepperwinters
Facebook Pepper Winters
Twitter @pepperwinters
Blog pepperwinters.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,577 reviews
July 19, 2016
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5 Utterly Destroyed Stars
Oh. Wow. I don't remember the last time I have felt so utterly enraptured by a story. This book ruined me. It destroyed me. I spent the last 25% of it ugly crying all over my damn kindle, and I'm not even ashamed to admit it. If this is what Pepper Winters calls a "Gray Romance", I need to one-click all her Dark stuff because...DAMN.
Looking at that book blurb, I'm sure you thought it to be pretty vague. And I bet you're hoping to read this review and get some hints into the story. Well hope springs eternal, my friends, but you will not be getting any hints here. I will try to review this without giving anything away because this is a book that needs to be experienced without any preconceived notions whatsoever.
What happens when a a man that is by all intents and purposes broken, meets the one woman that he thinks can heal him?
Obsidian Fox is emotionally and physically scarred. He's broken, beyond redemption. He exists only for pain. Touch and emotion have all been effectively conditioned out of him; a product of a past that he never wanted.
Utterly incapable or being so much as touched without wanting to
Kill.
Sever.
Bleed.
Devour.
Violence and brutality are a constant presence in his life. A recluse in his mansion, he is the owner of a secret fight club where legal and not so legal things take place. His world is dark and he doesn't have much hope of ever feeling the light, until he meets her...
Hazel has not had an easy life, but it hasn't broken her. Her past is colored with pain and hardships, and her present is faced with a tragedy she's unable to prevent. But she holds it together. She stays strong.
When Fox spots the beautiful brunette is his underground fight club, he's immediately drawn to her. Never having felt a pull towards any woman, it takes him all of 3 seconds to understand that she's different...to him. He must have her, even if he has to buy her.
Now I'll admit, the first 20% of this book I was afraid that it was heading toward a very cliche and overdone plot. Boy was I wrong.
Pepper Winters takes a man that we should, by all accounts, absolutely hate. He's beyond redemption, beyond saving, beyond mercy. I loved that this was written in dual first person POV. It gives you a peak inside the head of a man that you would otherwise think of as a monster. The author not only makes you understand him, she makes you fall for him, she makes your heart break for him and everything he struggles with.
He craves touch, but is completely incapable of bearing it. Hazel sees the struggle inside him. She wants to heal him. She needs to help him.
But can Fox truly let her in without destroying them both in the process?
The author trickle feeds you information from both their past, crumb by tiny crumb. My heart broke with every new detail delving inside Fox's past. He's a man haunted by the demons of his past. But they're not only a part of his nightmares, they're very much there in his waking life. Hanging by a thread of sanity, any word or touch can set him off, turning him into a ruthless killer.
The writing is what captured me. It was almost lyrical, poetic, in a dark and sadistic way. Pepper has a true gift with words. You're not simply reading a story, you get to live it through these characters.
Then came that last 30% of the book. Holy mother of feels, it fucking gutted me. I was a hysterical, slobbering, ugly crying mess. But here's the thing; it was absolutely necessary in the story. There's many authors out there that like to throw a twist in the story just for the shock value of it. This was not one of those things.
This was an inferno of devastation, but one that needed to burn in order for the story to rise like a phoenix through the ashes of it. I knew it was coming, but it didn't prepare me for it in the least. As much as it gutted me, Pepper stayed true to the story and the characters and I can absolutely understand it.
If you're expecting hearts and flowers, this is not the book for you. If you're expecting a perfect hero with a just a few defects, this is DEFINITELY not the book for you. But if you like tortured heroes, strong heroines, an emotional and dark story that will grip you by the heart strings and not let go until the last page, you need to read this book.
I loved every single page of it. How have I not discovered this author before is beyond me. But I plan on rectifying this immediately. Pepper Winters is an auto-buy now for me.
For those wondering if there's a HEA
***ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review***
For more reviews visit
5 Utterly Destroyed Stars
His presence made me forget everything but him. He took over my world. He was an eclipse.
Oh. Wow. I don't remember the last time I have felt so utterly enraptured by a story. This book ruined me. It destroyed me. I spent the last 25% of it ugly crying all over my damn kindle, and I'm not even ashamed to admit it. If this is what Pepper Winters calls a "Gray Romance", I need to one-click all her Dark stuff because...DAMN.
Looking at that book blurb, I'm sure you thought it to be pretty vague. And I bet you're hoping to read this review and get some hints into the story. Well hope springs eternal, my friends, but you will not be getting any hints here. I will try to review this without giving anything away because this is a book that needs to be experienced without any preconceived notions whatsoever.
What happens when a a man that is by all intents and purposes broken, meets the one woman that he thinks can heal him?
Obsidian Fox is emotionally and physically scarred. He's broken, beyond redemption. He exists only for pain. Touch and emotion have all been effectively conditioned out of him; a product of a past that he never wanted.
Utterly incapable or being so much as touched without wanting to
Kill.
Sever.
Bleed.
Devour.
Violence and brutality are a constant presence in his life. A recluse in his mansion, he is the owner of a secret fight club where legal and not so legal things take place. His world is dark and he doesn't have much hope of ever feeling the light, until he meets her...
Hazel has not had an easy life, but it hasn't broken her. Her past is colored with pain and hardships, and her present is faced with a tragedy she's unable to prevent. But she holds it together. She stays strong.
When Fox spots the beautiful brunette is his underground fight club, he's immediately drawn to her. Never having felt a pull towards any woman, it takes him all of 3 seconds to understand that she's different...to him. He must have her, even if he has to buy her.
Now I'll admit, the first 20% of this book I was afraid that it was heading toward a very cliche and overdone plot. Boy was I wrong.
Pepper Winters takes a man that we should, by all accounts, absolutely hate. He's beyond redemption, beyond saving, beyond mercy. I loved that this was written in dual first person POV. It gives you a peak inside the head of a man that you would otherwise think of as a monster. The author not only makes you understand him, she makes you fall for him, she makes your heart break for him and everything he struggles with.
He craves touch, but is completely incapable of bearing it. Hazel sees the struggle inside him. She wants to heal him. She needs to help him.
But can Fox truly let her in without destroying them both in the process?
The author trickle feeds you information from both their past, crumb by tiny crumb. My heart broke with every new detail delving inside Fox's past. He's a man haunted by the demons of his past. But they're not only a part of his nightmares, they're very much there in his waking life. Hanging by a thread of sanity, any word or touch can set him off, turning him into a ruthless killer.
The writing is what captured me. It was almost lyrical, poetic, in a dark and sadistic way. Pepper has a true gift with words. You're not simply reading a story, you get to live it through these characters.
Then came that last 30% of the book. Holy mother of feels, it fucking gutted me. I was a hysterical, slobbering, ugly crying mess. But here's the thing; it was absolutely necessary in the story. There's many authors out there that like to throw a twist in the story just for the shock value of it. This was not one of those things.
This was an inferno of devastation, but one that needed to burn in order for the story to rise like a phoenix through the ashes of it. I knew it was coming, but it didn't prepare me for it in the least. As much as it gutted me, Pepper stayed true to the story and the characters and I can absolutely understand it.
If you're expecting hearts and flowers, this is not the book for you. If you're expecting a perfect hero with a just a few defects, this is DEFINITELY not the book for you. But if you like tortured heroes, strong heroines, an emotional and dark story that will grip you by the heart strings and not let go until the last page, you need to read this book.
I loved every single page of it. How have I not discovered this author before is beyond me. But I plan on rectifying this immediately. Pepper Winters is an auto-buy now for me.
For those wondering if there's a HEA
***ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review***
For more reviews visit
July 8, 2020
4 Destroyed stars!!!
For those of you who love a good dark romance with a damaged hero like me, this is the book for you. Destroyed was a story about secrets, acceptance, violence, danger, and salvation. The main characters were complicated, they both had issues and secrets. It was a little lengthy, but I enjoyed it!
Roan ‘Obsidian Fox’
After growing up in one of the most terrible ways imaginable, Fox’s life has changed dramatically. He runs an exclusive illegal fighting club. He fights, he needs the pain. One night, he see’s a woman across the room and he is enamored with her. That has NEVER happened to him. He was trained not to see women like that, but Hazel brings something out in him.
Going to this fight ring with her best friend Clue was difficult for Hazel. She has so much going on in her life right now. While watching Clue’s boyfriend fight, Hazel is drawn to a man. This isn’t a normal reaction for her. Her life is complicated and she doesn’t have time for men. When Hazel and Fox meet it’s... interesting. Hazel finds Fox volatile. Even so, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Stay with him, one month. He offers enough money to potentially fix what is wrong in her life.
Obsidian Fox is the poster boy for book boyfriends with issues. He’s got more going on than I can even begin to explain. It’s not safe for Zel to be around him a lot of the time, but she stays. Is it for the money? Or deep down does she feel that connection and want to help him? He wants things to change, but he’s not sure how to do that. His past is something he just can’t shake.
Hazel and Fox had an intense relationship. It was obvious they had an intense connection, but with Fox’s issues and Hazel’s secrets, could anything ever come of it? Fox struggles a lot internally. He wants Hazel more than he’s ever wanted anything, but is being with her the right thing to do? Is it safe for her? Maybe not, but letting her go isn’t an option.
I loved slowly getting all the background information on Fox. Why he is the way he is and what made him into the man he is today. I loved the beauty in him that came out at unexpected times. The way he was with Clara. The struggles he endured and how he wanted so badly to be touched, be normal. My heart broke for him.
Then there was Hazel. Such strength to endure all the hardships she’s had to handle. She had no choice. She had to stay strong for her situation. Her feelings for Fox were so conflicting. Just as she would start to feel one way, something dramatic would happen to change it. It was hard for her to be around him at times, but Zel would do whatever she had to do. She was a fighter.
As dysfunctional as their ‘relationship’ was, I loved Zel and Fox together. Getting dual pov was a must for this story. You had to know what was in both of their heads for the story to come together. My favorite part? When he asked her to call him Roan.
Destroyed was not an easy book to read. I found it difficult to take at times. Towards the end there were a lot of tears. There was devastation, heartache and despair. Fox was a tortured hero that inflicted such emotion in me. I loved reading from his perspective and watching his struggles and seeing him grow and change. I enjoyed the writing style, Pepper Winters just has this way with words. This story doesn’t have a lot of happy. If you’re looking for that, this is not your book. But if you’re looking for a dark /twisted read thats able to evoke strong feelings, you’ve found your next read!
**ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
For those of you who love a good dark romance with a damaged hero like me, this is the book for you. Destroyed was a story about secrets, acceptance, violence, danger, and salvation. The main characters were complicated, they both had issues and secrets. It was a little lengthy, but I enjoyed it!
Roan ‘Obsidian Fox’
He has a secret.
I’ve never pretended to be good or deserving. I chase who I want, do what I want, act how I want.
I didn’t have time to lust after a woman I had no right to lust after. I told myself to shut up and stay hidden. But then she tried to run. I’d tasted what she could offer me and damned if I would let her go.
After growing up in one of the most terrible ways imaginable, Fox’s life has changed dramatically. He runs an exclusive illegal fighting club. He fights, he needs the pain. One night, he see’s a woman across the room and he is enamored with her. That has NEVER happened to him. He was trained not to see women like that, but Hazel brings something out in him.
Something about her drew me. I didn’t lust or fuck or need. To be close to another filled me with horror not joy. So why the hell did I want to know her? Why were my thoughts full of nakedness and heat? What the fuck am I doing?
She has a secret.
I’m complicated. Not broken or ruined or running from a past I can’t face. Just complicated.
I thought my life couldn’t get any more tangled in deceit and confusion. But I hadn’t met him. I hadn't realized how far I could fall or what I'd do to get free.
Going to this fight ring with her best friend Clue was difficult for Hazel. She has so much going on in her life right now. While watching Clue’s boyfriend fight, Hazel is drawn to a man. This isn’t a normal reaction for her. Her life is complicated and she doesn’t have time for men. When Hazel and Fox meet it’s... interesting. Hazel finds Fox volatile. Even so, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Stay with him, one month. He offers enough money to potentially fix what is wrong in her life.
One secret destroys them
Obsidian Fox is the poster boy for book boyfriends with issues. He’s got more going on than I can even begin to explain. It’s not safe for Zel to be around him a lot of the time, but she stays. Is it for the money? Or deep down does she feel that connection and want to help him? He wants things to change, but he’s not sure how to do that. His past is something he just can’t shake.
Hazel and Fox had an intense relationship. It was obvious they had an intense connection, but with Fox’s issues and Hazel’s secrets, could anything ever come of it? Fox struggles a lot internally. He wants Hazel more than he’s ever wanted anything, but is being with her the right thing to do? Is it safe for her? Maybe not, but letting her go isn’t an option.
I loved slowly getting all the background information on Fox. Why he is the way he is and what made him into the man he is today. I loved the beauty in him that came out at unexpected times. The way he was with Clara. The struggles he endured and how he wanted so badly to be touched, be normal. My heart broke for him.
Then there was Hazel. Such strength to endure all the hardships she’s had to handle. She had no choice. She had to stay strong for her situation. Her feelings for Fox were so conflicting. Just as she would start to feel one way, something dramatic would happen to change it. It was hard for her to be around him at times, but Zel would do whatever she had to do. She was a fighter.
As dysfunctional as their ‘relationship’ was, I loved Zel and Fox together. Getting dual pov was a must for this story. You had to know what was in both of their heads for the story to come together. My favorite part? When he asked her to call him Roan.
Destroyed was not an easy book to read. I found it difficult to take at times. Towards the end there were a lot of tears. There was devastation, heartache and despair. Fox was a tortured hero that inflicted such emotion in me. I loved reading from his perspective and watching his struggles and seeing him grow and change. I enjoyed the writing style, Pepper Winters just has this way with words. This story doesn’t have a lot of happy. If you’re looking for that, this is not your book. But if you’re looking for a dark /twisted read thats able to evoke strong feelings, you’ve found your next read!
I thought she was a saint.
She thought I was a sinner.
Too bad we didn't try to find the truth.
We both paid the price.
We destroyed each other
**ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
July 23, 2015
1 Star
What in the hell is this shit?!?!?
At about 9%
"Who the f**k are you and why am I drawn to you"
How in the world is she supposed to know why YOU are drawn to her ????
This is just ONE example . There are just so many ridiculous dialogues . And it doesn't end . The same dialogues and conversations are repeated over and over and OVER .
I have never seen such a mentally redundant hero . He is damaged , more damaged than others I have read about , but that should mean he is emotionally inept not asinine .
Zel (short for Hazel) decides to sleep for one month with the hero for 200,000 dollars so that she can pay for her daughter's medical treatment . Now if someone told me my daughter were dying and had a few months , I think I would have focused on spending more time with her rather than getting hot and bothered with this egoistical , dumbwit hero . But at least that part is acceptable as she is earning money for her daughter.
What is NOT acceptable is the fact that she thinks she can change him somehow . Well , she learns her lesson when Fox [ that would be the dumbwit's name ] pretty much rapes her .
She goes back to him to teach him a lesson . Now here I'm thinking she would do something kickass , but when she goes there , she tries to find out about his past and feels SORRY FOR HIM .
Oh and knowing he might rape her again she says something along the lines of
"I'd hoped I would find some satisfaction , but you taught me another lesson.....I'm here for your enjoyment and don't expect anything in return but your cash , guess I am truly a whore "
This coming from a woman who calls herself strong and independent
DNF at 40%
What in the hell is this shit?!?!?
At about 9%
"Who the f**k are you and why am I drawn to you"
How in the world is she supposed to know why YOU are drawn to her ????
This is just ONE example . There are just so many ridiculous dialogues . And it doesn't end . The same dialogues and conversations are repeated over and over and OVER .
I have never seen such a mentally redundant hero . He is damaged , more damaged than others I have read about , but that should mean he is emotionally inept not asinine .
Zel (short for Hazel) decides to sleep for one month with the hero for 200,000 dollars so that she can pay for her daughter's medical treatment . Now if someone told me my daughter were dying and had a few months , I think I would have focused on spending more time with her rather than getting hot and bothered with this egoistical , dumbwit hero . But at least that part is acceptable as she is earning money for her daughter.
What is NOT acceptable is the fact that she thinks she can change him somehow . Well , she learns her lesson when Fox [ that would be the dumbwit's name ] pretty much rapes her .
She goes back to him to teach him a lesson . Now here I'm thinking she would do something kickass , but when she goes there , she tries to find out about his past and feels SORRY FOR HIM .
Oh and knowing he might rape her again she says something along the lines of
"I'd hoped I would find some satisfaction , but you taught me another lesson.....I'm here for your enjoyment and don't expect anything in return but your cash , guess I am truly a whore "
This coming from a woman who calls herself strong and independent
DNF at 40%
February 6, 2017
0 freaking stars
Unfiltered review here... https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
I don't know if I can really express my views on this book because I don't want someone to report my post. I'm going to keep it PG on Goodreads.
I hated this book with everything in my soul. It is not a love story. It's a story on how to justify domestic violence and rape. It's not dark romance, it's just dark.
This book truly lived up to it's name because I was destroyed after reading this. This book made me cry. I cried for every woman who is in a relationship where they are beaten and raped by someone. It was just plain out painful.
Domestic violence is not okay. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, please contact you local center for help and support. Find the link on my blog post.
Follow all my crazy...
Blog https://prettymessreading.wordpress.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettymessr...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prettymessre...
Twitter https://twitter.com/prettymessread
Unfiltered review here... https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
I don't know if I can really express my views on this book because I don't want someone to report my post. I'm going to keep it PG on Goodreads.
I hated this book with everything in my soul. It is not a love story. It's a story on how to justify domestic violence and rape. It's not dark romance, it's just dark.
This book truly lived up to it's name because I was destroyed after reading this. This book made me cry. I cried for every woman who is in a relationship where they are beaten and raped by someone. It was just plain out painful.
Domestic violence is not okay. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, please contact you local center for help and support. Find the link on my blog post.
Follow all my crazy...
Blog https://prettymessreading.wordpress.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettymessr...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prettymessre...
Twitter https://twitter.com/prettymessread
January 1, 2015
5+++ Torturously Dark Yet Beautiful Stars!
Wow! If you're a fan of dark, tortured, imperfect love stories then this book is for you! One word to describe it... Heart wrenching. Author calls this "gray." Well, I call it fantastically DARK. She will be an auto-buy for me in the future. The writing style is lyrical in prose. I highlighted examples below. But I digress...
This book gutted me. Absolutely down and dirty ugly crying. And I loved it. Does that make me weird?
I'm not going to delve too deep into the story for risk of spoiling it. But I'll briefly explain the plot. Obsidian Fox is a very wealthy, flawed man. He owns a very exclusive underground fighting club. He has secrets from his past that haunt him daily. Secrets that make it impossible for him to have friends or relationships of any sort. These secrets complicate his life...make him unable to tolerate any form of physical touch. If you touch...you may die.
Hazel Hunter is a single mom that goes along to the fighting club one evening with her BFF Clue. She too has lived a torturous life and a night out just sounded therapeutic....till she sets eyes on the enigma that's Fox.
But the moment I walked into Obsidian, the taste of violence rejuvenated me-- reminding me I was a fighter, and I would win. I just wished I could've avoided the catalyst that destroyed me.
Him.
Obsidian Fox.
Fox is drawn to Zel like no woman, or person ever. She warms something deep within him that has been cold...dead...for years. He has to have her. At any cost...
That all you get. I'd advise against reading a ton of reviews for fear of spoiling the ride. But be forewarned the book has a fair amount of emotional angst, violence, and deep-seated sorrow. Fox is a perfect specimen of monster and you will pray for redemption for him. For a happily ever after in his sad life. Do we get that?
Loved loved loved this book. It's a stand-alone and will be very difficult to put down once you dive into it. The writing drew me in like few other authors can or have done for me. She can take a blow-job scene and make it sound like an art form. It's erotic and alluring. A true art.
Spurt after spurt I jerked into her hold. She lapped up every thrust, swallowed every drop. No amount of prose or literature could describe the intensity, the visceral sublimity of my release.
Is this book hearts and flowers? Hell to the no. If you need fluffy romance and a flip of the switch resolution to the conflicts within a plot, this book will not work for you. But if you're a lover of all things dark but with a love story buried within the rubble, I assure you this book will deliver.
And I thank you,
Wow! If you're a fan of dark, tortured, imperfect love stories then this book is for you! One word to describe it... Heart wrenching. Author calls this "gray." Well, I call it fantastically DARK. She will be an auto-buy for me in the future. The writing style is lyrical in prose. I highlighted examples below. But I digress...
This book gutted me. Absolutely down and dirty ugly crying. And I loved it. Does that make me weird?
I'm not going to delve too deep into the story for risk of spoiling it. But I'll briefly explain the plot. Obsidian Fox is a very wealthy, flawed man. He owns a very exclusive underground fighting club. He has secrets from his past that haunt him daily. Secrets that make it impossible for him to have friends or relationships of any sort. These secrets complicate his life...make him unable to tolerate any form of physical touch. If you touch...you may die.
Hazel Hunter is a single mom that goes along to the fighting club one evening with her BFF Clue. She too has lived a torturous life and a night out just sounded therapeutic....till she sets eyes on the enigma that's Fox.
But the moment I walked into Obsidian, the taste of violence rejuvenated me-- reminding me I was a fighter, and I would win. I just wished I could've avoided the catalyst that destroyed me.
Him.
Obsidian Fox.
Fox is drawn to Zel like no woman, or person ever. She warms something deep within him that has been cold...dead...for years. He has to have her. At any cost...
That all you get. I'd advise against reading a ton of reviews for fear of spoiling the ride. But be forewarned the book has a fair amount of emotional angst, violence, and deep-seated sorrow. Fox is a perfect specimen of monster and you will pray for redemption for him. For a happily ever after in his sad life. Do we get that?
Loved loved loved this book. It's a stand-alone and will be very difficult to put down once you dive into it. The writing drew me in like few other authors can or have done for me. She can take a blow-job scene and make it sound like an art form. It's erotic and alluring. A true art.
Spurt after spurt I jerked into her hold. She lapped up every thrust, swallowed every drop. No amount of prose or literature could describe the intensity, the visceral sublimity of my release.
Is this book hearts and flowers? Hell to the no. If you need fluffy romance and a flip of the switch resolution to the conflicts within a plot, this book will not work for you. But if you're a lover of all things dark but with a love story buried within the rubble, I assure you this book will deliver.
And I thank you,
March 7, 2014
I didn’t believe her when she said she was complicated.
She didn’t believe me when I said I had secrets.
I didn’t understand the truth, even when she let me glimpse behind her mask.
She didn’t understand that I couldn’t live with the consequences.
I thought she was a saint.
She thought I was a sinner.
Too bad we didn’t try to find the truth.
We both paid the price.
We destroyed each other.
Well, I don’t think it’s any secret that I am a huge fan of Pepper Winters and I completely devoured the Monsters in the Dark Series so I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of Destroyed. Pepper is known for her dark erotic romances and, when she gave me this book, she explained that it’s not really dark, just a bit grey-ish so my curiosity was piqued and I delved straight in.
What we’ve got here is really something very different – it’s like a darkly deviant retelling of Beauty and the Beast with all the Disney stripped away and the gothic fairy-tale exposed. It’s even set in a gothic style mansion with a cavernous underground fight club set in it’s basement and an ominous entrance marked by impressive doors that depict heaven and hell.
Obsidian Fox is the owner of this club - he’s all scars, tattoos, muscles, gruffness and barely contained violence, a man to fear and respect. To be part of his illegal underworld, he demands obedience, discipline and the utmost secrecy He’s a man with a very dark past and an aura of mystery completely surrounds him. He won’t allow any one to touch him apart from in one to one combat and he oversees his club with a ruthless ferocity and intensity. And then one day, Hazel Hunter wanders in as an invited guest and the minute he sees her he loses a part of himself and he knows he has to have her even though he cannot even begin to understand the strange connection he feels with her – something he has never felt for anyone ever before. He has to have her and coerces her into staying with him but she has a secret and this secret will destroy them both.
Obsidian Fox is an incredibly dark character – very much scarred physically and emotionally by his horrendous past and his conditioning and can be lethally violent. He’s arrogant with a cast-iron will but infinitely alone – he’s a tortured, bleak black soul and he’s never found any semblance of peace in his life and Hazel has something that can offer him this and ease his soul and begin to thaw out his cold black frozen heart for the first time in his life but it’s this which will ultimately destroy them both.
Hazel also has a troubled past and an even more troubled present. Fox offers her something that she can’t refuse, something that could solve her problems and she agrees to his terms but she’s keeping so much back from him. She’s terrified of him and yet incredibly strong and resilient and determines to keep her end of the bargain even though all her instincts tell her to run and get the hell away from this man. Hazel is all passion, fear, strength and innate sadness. To Fox, she’s different from any other woman he’s seen before – she appears to be elusive and unobtainable.
This was such a darkly fascinating tale as both of their pasts are slowly drip-fed to the reader as you progress through the story. When Hazel first walks into Obsidian with her friend Clue, the whole gothic mansion and underground fight club came vividly to life through the writing. I could almost smell the club pulsating with testosterone and virile energy and feel Hazel’s uncertainty that she really shouldn’t be there.
Their relationship is one of the most challenging I think I have ever read – there are so many obstacles in their way and their growth and progress together is slow. Sometimes it really is a case of one step forward, two steps back – there’s so many issues to deal with but they really do have a lot in common even though it’s not immediately apparent. I so wanted them to get past the barriers and really connect – these two could be so good together but it was just never going to be that easy.
There’s a whole lot of angst, despair and fury packed into this novel and Pepper Winters makes some brave plot decisions and I’m so glad she did even though she made me ugly cry – anything other than that outcome would have been cheesy and she goes for the route less travelled and even though it’s incredibly sad, it’s the right one. This is a dark, twisted tale that will leave you frustrated yet desperate for more and I think it’s really quite different from her Monsters in the Dark series. The blurb’s not giving much away so be prepared to step into the unknown and let the experience wash over you.
4 fascinating stars
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December 25, 2015
Pepper Winters my beautiful dark queen. I just love you. I love your wicked mind and your amazing soul. Once again you show me love can heal all bad wounds.. So thank you very much for this unique and precious story...
You made me cried like a river... :(
--------------
“Her touch shattered me. Her touch awoke me. Her touch destroyed me.”
“No matter how you fight me, I will never stop. Every day, I’ll try again and again. Every hour, I’ll touch you, just to prove I’m willing to be everything you need and deserve. You’ll never be free of me because I can’t live another day without you in my fucking life.”
I fucking kissed her like I wanted to so many times before. I kissed her with everything that I was and hoped to be.
“I want you to touch me. I want you to break me. I’m yours, Hazel..."
You made me cried like a river... :(
--------------
“Her touch shattered me. Her touch awoke me. Her touch destroyed me.”
“No matter how you fight me, I will never stop. Every day, I’ll try again and again. Every hour, I’ll touch you, just to prove I’m willing to be everything you need and deserve. You’ll never be free of me because I can’t live another day without you in my fucking life.”
I fucking kissed her like I wanted to so many times before. I kissed her with everything that I was and hoped to be.
“I want you to touch me. I want you to break me. I’m yours, Hazel..."
October 22, 2015
This is a beautiful and tragic story about redemption and healing. This story will make you cringe, make you cry and take your breath away. I expected a gritty, bad guy meets good girl story. What I got was sooo much more.
I think that Roan is quite possibly the most screwed-up, haunted character I've ever read about. The horrors of his past are unimaginable and I didn't think there was any way he would ever overcome his "conditioning". There were several times when I hoped that Hazel would just run and never look back.
Although Hazel also has some skeletons in her closet, they don't come close to touching the terrors in Roan's past. As they forge a relationship out of past pains, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop...and then it did. The resulting heartache was tremendous, but played a critical role in fortifying their relationship.
I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that this was a beautiful story. It was unlike anything I have ever read. It is definitely a new favorite of mine. Be prepared to deal with some intense emotions. I couldn't focus on anything but this book, start to finish. Another 5 star rating for Ms. Winters from me!
I think that Roan is quite possibly the most screwed-up, haunted character I've ever read about. The horrors of his past are unimaginable and I didn't think there was any way he would ever overcome his "conditioning". There were several times when I hoped that Hazel would just run and never look back.
Although Hazel also has some skeletons in her closet, they don't come close to touching the terrors in Roan's past. As they forge a relationship out of past pains, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop...and then it did. The resulting heartache was tremendous, but played a critical role in fortifying their relationship.
I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that this was a beautiful story. It was unlike anything I have ever read. It is definitely a new favorite of mine. Be prepared to deal with some intense emotions. I couldn't focus on anything but this book, start to finish. Another 5 star rating for Ms. Winters from me!
April 17, 2014
2 1/2 to 3 Stars
I really wanted to like this book but I had a very difficult time connecting with the prose, the plot, and the characters. I can understand why many loved this story–it's a very intense read–but, for whatever reason, it just didn't capture my full attention. Happens.
I really wanted to like this book but I had a very difficult time connecting with the prose, the plot, and the characters. I can understand why many loved this story–it's a very intense read–but, for whatever reason, it just didn't capture my full attention. Happens.
September 10, 2016
The night belonged to my past.
The day belonged to my future.
Most of my friends loved this book. 4 and 5 stars all round. I found it a bit boring and repetitive. I struggled to finish it. This is being touted as a “Dark” read. I don’t usually read dark but colour me pink if this is dark! It’s not all butterflies and fairies but I did not find it that dark.
Those of you who have read and loved it are probably thinking "How could she not be moved by that?" Usually I am a sucker for a tearjerker but .....nada!
This is my first time reading this author. Maybe I was swayed by all the wonderful reviews and my expectations might have been a bit too high.
I am sure her fans will enjoy this book but, to be frank, it left me slightly annoyed that I spent so much time on it.
Off I go to find my next read!
September 13, 2016
☆☆4 Roan Loving Stars☆☆
Obsidian Fox, owner of an exclusive fight club, is a severely tortured man. A lifetime of conditioning has taught him to only give and receive pain. He is broken, scarred, and unable to handle physical contact or emotion. He only knows darkness, violence and death.
Kill.
Sever.
Bleed.
Devour.
Hazel Hunter is a young single mother with secrets of her own, specifically the impending loss she feels helpless to fix. During an outing with her best friend, Clue, she meets Obsidian Fox, and both of their lives are forever changed.
Hazel ignites emotions and feelings Fox has never known. He must have her, regardless the cost, so he makes her an offer she cannot refuse. Is Hazel the one woman who can save him?
I was obsessed with finding redemption.
Destroyed by love.
Possessed by hope.
Consumed by a past I couldn't shake.
This is not a fluffy romance - it's a man's quest to let go of the past and find happiness with a love story woven within the layers. Will Fox find redemption and finally escape the horrors of his past?
He was like a rabid dog, snarling, frothing at the mouth, guaranteed to bite my hand off if I got too close, but in his feral eyes lurked a plea. Something that said : don't give up on me even if I bite.
Destroyed is a standalone full of emotional turmoil, violence, and sorrow. It is long, complex and not very realistic, but entertaining. Being a huge fan of tortured men, I was drawn to Fox and found myself deeply invested in his story. Hazel, on the other hand was very frustrating - her feelings constantly going from one extreme to another - she was exhausting. There were things I loved and things I didn't love. My biggest issue was the ending... I think the story could have been executed better, but regardless, I still enjoyed it. Will Fox and Hazel save each other? Or will they completely destroy one another?
I thought she was a saint.
She thought I was a sinner.
Too bad we didn't try to find the truth.
We both paid the price.
We destroyed each other
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
Obsidian Fox, owner of an exclusive fight club, is a severely tortured man. A lifetime of conditioning has taught him to only give and receive pain. He is broken, scarred, and unable to handle physical contact or emotion. He only knows darkness, violence and death.
Kill.
Sever.
Bleed.
Devour.
Hazel Hunter is a young single mother with secrets of her own, specifically the impending loss she feels helpless to fix. During an outing with her best friend, Clue, she meets Obsidian Fox, and both of their lives are forever changed.
Hazel ignites emotions and feelings Fox has never known. He must have her, regardless the cost, so he makes her an offer she cannot refuse. Is Hazel the one woman who can save him?
I was obsessed with finding redemption.
Destroyed by love.
Possessed by hope.
Consumed by a past I couldn't shake.
This is not a fluffy romance - it's a man's quest to let go of the past and find happiness with a love story woven within the layers. Will Fox find redemption and finally escape the horrors of his past?
He was like a rabid dog, snarling, frothing at the mouth, guaranteed to bite my hand off if I got too close, but in his feral eyes lurked a plea. Something that said : don't give up on me even if I bite.
Destroyed is a standalone full of emotional turmoil, violence, and sorrow. It is long, complex and not very realistic, but entertaining. Being a huge fan of tortured men, I was drawn to Fox and found myself deeply invested in his story. Hazel, on the other hand was very frustrating - her feelings constantly going from one extreme to another - she was exhausting. There were things I loved and things I didn't love. My biggest issue was the ending... I think the story could have been executed better, but regardless, I still enjoyed it. Will Fox and Hazel save each other? Or will they completely destroy one another?
I thought she was a saint.
She thought I was a sinner.
Too bad we didn't try to find the truth.
We both paid the price.
We destroyed each other
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
March 14, 2014
I think that Pepper Winters is incredibly talented, and I'll read whatever she writes.
Destroyed is different than her Monsters in the Dark series...and that is all right. I love following wherever her twisted mind goes.
The story of Zel and Fox is intriguing and raw. It's brutal at times and heart wrenching at other times. It takes you on a difficult ride with two very strong individuals who know that they are meant to be together. However, not everything that is meant to be can be. Sometimes those things can destroy you.
I believe this is a standalone book. If you're looking for puppies and rainbows - you haven't found it. If you're looking for a great story about two scared and damaged people who just may have a chance of becoming whole...then I would highly recommend Destroyed!
Destroyed is different than her Monsters in the Dark series...and that is all right. I love following wherever her twisted mind goes.
The story of Zel and Fox is intriguing and raw. It's brutal at times and heart wrenching at other times. It takes you on a difficult ride with two very strong individuals who know that they are meant to be together. However, not everything that is meant to be can be. Sometimes those things can destroy you.
I believe this is a standalone book. If you're looking for puppies and rainbows - you haven't found it. If you're looking for a great story about two scared and damaged people who just may have a chance of becoming whole...then I would highly recommend Destroyed!
March 19, 2017
***4.25 To Love and Obey Stars***
Wow! This was quite the intense read. If I wasn't a fan of Pepper Winters before, which I was, this sure did cement my feelings.
Pepper Winters is able to write such vulnerable, tortured and three dimensional characters with ease. Nothing feels forced or contrived. Every action, reaction and conversation is ingrained in the character. True to their story and true to their journey.
Hazel and Fox tore every emotion out of me while reading this book. Hazel is a survivor dealing with another horrific hand that life has dealt her. Fox is a man who was thrust into a life that trained his mind to one command.....OBEY. All he knows is darkness and violence.
Kill. Sever. Bleed. Devour.
He sees Hazel one night and feels a pull he's never felt before. And in his mind, she's the key to his survival. His sanity. His future. But things aren't as simple as he would like them to be. Hazel is more than meets the eye and she's dealing with a bleak future. Fox sees the sadness in her eyes, but he'll deal with that in good time...he just needs her. So he makes her a deal, one month with him (to do with as he pleases) for $200,000. Hazel could be the cure for Fox, while his money could be the answer to Hazel's prayers.
From the moment the deal is struck, there is a push and pull with these two characters. And the underlying current carrying them through the story is the knowledge that eventually they will destroy each other. Not only will it be devastating, but it will be necessary to their survival.
"She thought she could fix me, and I wanted her to. Too bad it would never have a happy ending."
Watching these two characters battle their demons, whether it was their past, what was in their mind or the future heartbreak ahead had me gripping my kindle through most of this book. It was felt even deeper with the fact that the story is told in dual POV....and let me just say that being inside of Fox's head was utterly heartbreaking at times. He was fighting the battle of his life.....and the opponent was himself.
I don't want to say too much because this book MUST be experienced first hand. It's vital. You need to go through every emotion, every heartbreak, every victory without any prior knowledge. You'll feel everything that Hazel and Fox are going through....and it will gut you.
"Its too much. Too intense. Too dangerous."
If you like well rounded characters that are flawed and vulnerable with a deep sense of survival; To experience a full rainbow of emotions that ebbs and flows with realistic ease and a conclusion that leaves you feeling satisfied....than this book is for you.
"I want you to touch me. I want you to break me. I'm yours, Hazel."
Pepper Winters has managed to make an even bigger fan of me with this book. She's become an auto-buy author for me. I don't even need to read the synopsis, I just need to see her name listed as the author.
May 6, 2015
DNF at 36%!!
I'm definitely in the minority here. A lot of GR friends loved this. (You can check out
Lkay ❇✾The one-click buy button addict❇✾'s and
Allison ⛄️Is So Done With Winter⛄️'s reviews for this book.) But sad to say, I couldn't even finish it.
So instead of getting ragey and ranty in my reviews, I tried to channel my less-than-charitable-feelings into something positive. Hence, the things I learned about myself while reading Destroyed.
>
> I couldn't suspend my disbelief at the heroine's naivete believing she can save this guy after what he did to her. Just. No.
> I get bored easily. This book was just too long. The first 30% was pretty much, 'meh' with both MCs going back and forth about how much they want to bang each other and feeling guilty and conflicted about it. It was a little boring. I was waiting and waiting for something to happen, to feel something for the characters. Unfortunately, I waited in vain. And then when something did finally did happen, it was something I don't really like reading in my romance novel.
Final thoughts...
I wanted to read this book because the blurb clearly says that even though there are dark elements to the story, this wasn't as dark as the author's previous work. Plus, it had HEA, so I wanted to give it a try. But as you can see, it didn't work out.
I have nothing against dark reads in general. I've enjoyed dark reads before though admittedly, those books were not romance but still, I was kind of expecting an engaging story line and complex characterization. My expectations may have been too high because I found neither one of those in this book. For me, it takes a lot more than tortured-man-pays-girl-then-brutalizes-her-because-he's-tortured-but-he's-hot-so-it's-totally-okay-for-him-to-do-that to make a book dark or engaging.
So there you go! You could either listen to me or you could...
I'm definitely in the minority here. A lot of GR friends loved this. (You can check out
Lkay ❇✾The one-click buy button addict❇✾'s and
Allison ⛄️Is So Done With Winter⛄️'s reviews for this book.) But sad to say, I couldn't even finish it.
So instead of getting ragey and ranty in my reviews, I tried to channel my less-than-charitable-feelings into something positive. Hence, the things I learned about myself while reading Destroyed.
>
> I couldn't suspend my disbelief at the heroine's naivete believing she can save this guy after what he did to her. Just. No.
> I get bored easily. This book was just too long. The first 30% was pretty much, 'meh' with both MCs going back and forth about how much they want to bang each other and feeling guilty and conflicted about it. It was a little boring. I was waiting and waiting for something to happen, to feel something for the characters. Unfortunately, I waited in vain. And then when something did finally did happen, it was something I don't really like reading in my romance novel.
Final thoughts...
I wanted to read this book because the blurb clearly says that even though there are dark elements to the story, this wasn't as dark as the author's previous work. Plus, it had HEA, so I wanted to give it a try. But as you can see, it didn't work out.
I have nothing against dark reads in general. I've enjoyed dark reads before though admittedly, those books were not romance but still, I was kind of expecting an engaging story line and complex characterization. My expectations may have been too high because I found neither one of those in this book. For me, it takes a lot more than tortured-man-pays-girl-then-brutalizes-her-because-he's-tortured-but-he's-hot-so-it's-totally-okay-for-him-to-do-that to make a book dark or engaging.
So there you go! You could either listen to me or you could...
November 5, 2014
4.5 beautiful stars!
"We may be refined and socially acceptable on the outside, but at heart we were still animals. All my life, I’d fought my own battles, but now I wondered what it would’ve been like to have someone fight beside me."
-Hazel
Destroyed is a beautiful broken story. I found Destroyed to be unique from many of the other dark romance reads out there. The relationship between Fox and Hazel is unique. I found the dynamics between Hazel and Fox to be realistic and raw. The reader is left wondering...will there be a HEA at the end of this.
Hazel is one tough heroine. A survivor of abuse, violence, and the unthinkable she has made a way.
"I’d spun tales and weaved stories as effortlessly as if it were the truth. I wrote my own story with a magical pen called lies. And it worked. I survived."-Hazel
Even though she has learned to fight her way through the haze of pain, Hazel has a secret. I just can't ruin it for you...you will have to make the discovery on your own. Hazel and her roommate (and best friend) venture out to a fight club. Hazel has had a lot on her mind and is thankful for the distraction. When she enters the den of fighters, she is energized and overcome!
Through the swarm of fighters, sex, alcohol, and smoke her gaze falls on one man. One powerful force that she cannot help but be drawn to.
"The moment his eyes fell on me , I’d felt a shift. A spark. An awareness. Call it fear or acknowledgement of a virile male, it caught me by surprise. My entire body shot into hyper alert— heart racing, breath quickening. My body prepared to either fight or flee. I didn’t understand why he invoked such a reaction."
-Hazel
Fox is the owner of the club. He lives for the pain that violence brings. He wants to feel his fists crush agains flesh and hear bones crush. He spots Hazel watching and for the first time in his entire life he feels attracted. He wants her.
Fox drags Hazel to his office and he makes a proposition. As much as Hazel wants him, she knows their is darkness in him. When he offers her money, she can't refuse. She accepts.
"Pity filled me. Pity for her because now that I’d tasted what she could do for me, I wasn’t letting her go. She wouldn’t be going home tonight. Or the next or the next or the next. She’d be in my bed."-Fox
Fox is a deeply broken man. He cannot stand to be touched. When he is touched, he can become violent. Hazel has so much too loose and yet she is still drawn to him. She and Fox form an unconventional friendship.
"Obsidian Fox was so much male it was terrifying. Not only handsome, he wore his flaws for the world to see and offered no apology."-Zel
"Acceptance. Something wrenched painfully in my chest, dragging foreign emotions from depths I didn’t understand. I was right about her. She was magical—casting a spell over me, entwining me deeper into her web."-Fox
Hazel wants to wrap her body around Fox. She can't. He won't let her. When these two are together intimately it is violent. You struggle right along side them. You want them to find a way.
"However strange our interlude had ended, he’d been an eager lover and hadn’t tried to kill me. Progress."-Zel
Fox and Hazel both carry darkness. They are trying to find a way to survive together. There is a huge element of the story that I am purposely leaving for you to discover. I would say this book contains layer upon layer of emotional depth. The way that Fox's walls tear down make you want to weep. The passion these two feel for one another make you want to swoon. The heartbreak these two face will break you. The beauty in this writing is the way these two put the pieces back together. This was a great read!
“I want you to touch me. I want you to break me. I’m yours, Hazel. “No matter how you fight me, I will never stop. Every day, I’ll try again and again. Every hour, I’ll touch you, just to prove I’m willing to be everything you need and deserve. You’ll never be free of me because I can’t live another day without you in my life.”"-Fox
"We may be refined and socially acceptable on the outside, but at heart we were still animals. All my life, I’d fought my own battles, but now I wondered what it would’ve been like to have someone fight beside me."
-Hazel
Destroyed is a beautiful broken story. I found Destroyed to be unique from many of the other dark romance reads out there. The relationship between Fox and Hazel is unique. I found the dynamics between Hazel and Fox to be realistic and raw. The reader is left wondering...will there be a HEA at the end of this.
Hazel is one tough heroine. A survivor of abuse, violence, and the unthinkable she has made a way.
"I’d spun tales and weaved stories as effortlessly as if it were the truth. I wrote my own story with a magical pen called lies. And it worked. I survived."-Hazel
Even though she has learned to fight her way through the haze of pain, Hazel has a secret. I just can't ruin it for you...you will have to make the discovery on your own. Hazel and her roommate (and best friend) venture out to a fight club. Hazel has had a lot on her mind and is thankful for the distraction. When she enters the den of fighters, she is energized and overcome!
Through the swarm of fighters, sex, alcohol, and smoke her gaze falls on one man. One powerful force that she cannot help but be drawn to.
"The moment his eyes fell on me , I’d felt a shift. A spark. An awareness. Call it fear or acknowledgement of a virile male, it caught me by surprise. My entire body shot into hyper alert— heart racing, breath quickening. My body prepared to either fight or flee. I didn’t understand why he invoked such a reaction."
-Hazel
Fox is the owner of the club. He lives for the pain that violence brings. He wants to feel his fists crush agains flesh and hear bones crush. He spots Hazel watching and for the first time in his entire life he feels attracted. He wants her.
Fox drags Hazel to his office and he makes a proposition. As much as Hazel wants him, she knows their is darkness in him. When he offers her money, she can't refuse. She accepts.
"Pity filled me. Pity for her because now that I’d tasted what she could do for me, I wasn’t letting her go. She wouldn’t be going home tonight. Or the next or the next or the next. She’d be in my bed."-Fox
Fox is a deeply broken man. He cannot stand to be touched. When he is touched, he can become violent. Hazel has so much too loose and yet she is still drawn to him. She and Fox form an unconventional friendship.
"Obsidian Fox was so much male it was terrifying. Not only handsome, he wore his flaws for the world to see and offered no apology."-Zel
"Acceptance. Something wrenched painfully in my chest, dragging foreign emotions from depths I didn’t understand. I was right about her. She was magical—casting a spell over me, entwining me deeper into her web."-Fox
Hazel wants to wrap her body around Fox. She can't. He won't let her. When these two are together intimately it is violent. You struggle right along side them. You want them to find a way.
"However strange our interlude had ended, he’d been an eager lover and hadn’t tried to kill me. Progress."-Zel
Fox and Hazel both carry darkness. They are trying to find a way to survive together. There is a huge element of the story that I am purposely leaving for you to discover. I would say this book contains layer upon layer of emotional depth. The way that Fox's walls tear down make you want to weep. The passion these two feel for one another make you want to swoon. The heartbreak these two face will break you. The beauty in this writing is the way these two put the pieces back together. This was a great read!
“I want you to touch me. I want you to break me. I’m yours, Hazel. “No matter how you fight me, I will never stop. Every day, I’ll try again and again. Every hour, I’ll touch you, just to prove I’m willing to be everything you need and deserve. You’ll never be free of me because I can’t live another day without you in my life.”"-Fox
August 27, 2015
3.5 Conditioned stars!
I totally understand the mixed ratings for this one. I can see why some DNF'd and I can also see why there were many 5 stars. I never felt like quitting, yet I wasn't grabbed/invested for some reason.
Taken away from his home at the age of 6, Roan 'Fox' Averin was ruthlessly taught to become a killer. He was tortured and put through horrific and unspeakable events to aid him into becoming a brutal assassin. After escaping from his imprisonment and Hell two years ago, Operative Fox is still conditioned with the awful tutelage of his handlers. Even the faintest touch can trigger Fox to end your existence.
Hazel Hunter has endured a dark past as well. Shipped from foster home to foster home, she has learned to be strong when faced with situations. When she was fifteen, her whole world changed when she had a daughter. Clara is her everything. But now it will all fall apart, as doctors say the sweet 8 y/o is on bided time.
When a friend takes Zel to a mysterious fight club, she comes across the ruthless man. For both of them, there is something there with just one look at one another. While the feeling for Zel is intense, Fox is even more intrigued by the woman who he has never had this type of reaction to. He is convinced that their connection runs deeper than lust. Maybe this woman can help him move on from his past.
When Fox offers Zel $200,00 to stay with him for a month, she is conflicted. She needs the money to help her daughter, yet this could be last days her daughter breathes.
Told through both POV's, will Zel have the strength to help or cure Fox? Can Fox get past his conditioning and not hurt Zel? And how much time does Clara have?
It's hard to explain my reaction to this book. I liked it, but something was amiss for me.
I think the suspension of disbelief was the biggest reason. The whole instant connection thing threw me a little. I get that this happens a lot in romance books. The sparks fly when their eyes meet across the room...but this felt even more off for me. Maybe I felt this due to all the hero had experienced in his life. I also thought any mother would not have left her dying daughters side to be with some scary stranger.
Also...
Was it heart breaking and were there some beautiful moments? Absolutely! I spent the majority of the ending with tears in my eyes. Everything to do with Fox's past and other things that occurred, gave my emotions a workout.
Basically, I did like this, but I didn't love it. Even though the writing and the premise of the book was tragically beautiful, I never got the "this is amazing and epic" vibe like others had.
Pepper Winters does an amazing job writing dark romances, and this was no exception. I'm a huge fan of hers, but this was not my favorite.
I may be human on the outside, but inside...inside I had no control.
I totally understand the mixed ratings for this one. I can see why some DNF'd and I can also see why there were many 5 stars. I never felt like quitting, yet I wasn't grabbed/invested for some reason.
Taken away from his home at the age of 6, Roan 'Fox' Averin was ruthlessly taught to become a killer. He was tortured and put through horrific and unspeakable events to aid him into becoming a brutal assassin. After escaping from his imprisonment and Hell two years ago, Operative Fox is still conditioned with the awful tutelage of his handlers. Even the faintest touch can trigger Fox to end your existence.
Hazel Hunter has endured a dark past as well. Shipped from foster home to foster home, she has learned to be strong when faced with situations. When she was fifteen, her whole world changed when she had a daughter. Clara is her everything. But now it will all fall apart, as doctors say the sweet 8 y/o is on bided time.
When a friend takes Zel to a mysterious fight club, she comes across the ruthless man. For both of them, there is something there with just one look at one another. While the feeling for Zel is intense, Fox is even more intrigued by the woman who he has never had this type of reaction to. He is convinced that their connection runs deeper than lust. Maybe this woman can help him move on from his past.
Dared to believe that I was drawn to her because she might be impervious to my training. That I might be able to touch and be touched.
When Fox offers Zel $200,00 to stay with him for a month, she is conflicted. She needs the money to help her daughter, yet this could be last days her daughter breathes.
Told through both POV's, will Zel have the strength to help or cure Fox? Can Fox get past his conditioning and not hurt Zel? And how much time does Clara have?
It's hard to explain my reaction to this book. I liked it, but something was amiss for me.
I think the suspension of disbelief was the biggest reason. The whole instant connection thing threw me a little. I get that this happens a lot in romance books. The sparks fly when their eyes meet across the room...but this felt even more off for me. Maybe I felt this due to all the hero had experienced in his life. I also thought any mother would not have left her dying daughters side to be with some scary stranger.
Also...
Was it heart breaking and were there some beautiful moments? Absolutely! I spent the majority of the ending with tears in my eyes. Everything to do with Fox's past and other things that occurred, gave my emotions a workout.
Basically, I did like this, but I didn't love it. Even though the writing and the premise of the book was tragically beautiful, I never got the "this is amazing and epic" vibe like others had.
Pepper Winters does an amazing job writing dark romances, and this was no exception. I'm a huge fan of hers, but this was not my favorite.
January 22, 2015
♥♥♥ 4.5 'I am Destroyed' Stars ♥♥♥
What on earth did I just read. I mean, I read the blurb and I knew it was going to be dark and intense. I mean, hello, Pepper Winters wrote it. But, holy hell...I feel so freaking drained from the book. It left me completely destroyed. And I'm having a hard time on how to even begin with this review.
I started the book and right off the bat I thought 'Oh, no. This book might not be for me.', I was ready to give up because I didn't like the choices the heroine made. I read a bit more, saying to myself that this might be a DNF, but then such horrible things happen. You know when you see something you know is going to end so freaking bad that you tell yourself you have to look away but then end up looking anyway. Yeah, well that was what happened to me with this book. I kept on reading anyway because it freaking hooked me in. I kept telling myself to stop, but I just couldn't. I continued to torture myself with everything that was going on this book.
I'm not going to give any of the events that took place in this book away. Just in case you plan on reading this book, its best to do so with little knowledge of what it is about. I will say, that it did take me a while to connect with the characters, but when I did, I wish I hadn't. My heart so freaking much while reading this. I felt such anger, frustration, confusion, and sadness that I bawled my eyes out like crazy. This story was definitely everything you'd expect from a Pepper Winters book, dark, intense and emotional. It was so hard for me to read that I had to keep taking breaks in between reading. Yet somehow, by some miracle, I managed to finish it one day. Again, I won't give anything away, but damn there were some messed up things that happened. And I mean MESSED UP!
Both characters were so flawed and frustrating. I both hate and love them at the same time. The ending of this book I really enjoyed, but I do feel it went by a bit too fast, maybe a little too rushed which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. Other than that, I was really happy with it. The writing definitely deserved 5+ stars. I love how Pepper Winters is always able to get such strong reactions out of me when I read one of her books. The story was a unique one, and one I won't be forgetting any time soon. If you aren't afraid of your emotions getting battered and being thrown all over the place, then I definitely recommend you give this amazing book a try.
***WARNING: book contains scenes of violence and rape.***
September 2, 2016
4.5 (I heart Damaged Roan) Stars
I love Pepper Winter books. I have given her six stars reviews and so when I heard she had a new stand alone novel, I was nothing, but excited.
Destroyed is nothing what I expected, but as always, it gripped my heart and made it swell
Summary
Roan is messed up. He was taken when he was little and trained to be an assassin by a ruthless private organization. Years later, he’s no longer part of the organization and owns a fighting club. No one can touch him and he copes by fighting. Hazel is a single mother. She does what she needs to do to raise her child. One night, Hazel goes to Roan’s club and there’s something about Hazel that stirs life into Roan. It’s been years since he has been attracted to a woman (not by choice) and he will do everything he can to understand why.
Roan
Roan is really messed up. If you ever loved damaged Heroes, then he’s your man. His childhood is filled with pain, destruction and death. Roan isn’t capable of love and he has been condition to not be attracted to anyone. So when Hazel sparks something within Roan, he needs to get to know her. But he has issues. If anyone touches him, he goes kind of crazy.
Hazel
Hazel is a strong woman and you feel for her. I wouldn’t call her a damsel in distress, but just a sad soul. I love single mothers in books, so I knew I would love Hazel. Her daughter is eight and is Hazel’s world. Hazel doesn’t want anything to do with Roan, but Roan can offer her something that will make Hazel’s life, not perfect, but better.
Review
I really liked the storyline. I thought Destroyed was really unique and it wasn’t anything I expected. For some reason, when I thought fighter, I was thinking, oh he’s going to box. Oh no, it wasn’t anything like that and why should I be surprised. Destroyed is about two people who are very damaged and are put in impossible situation. You wonder how everything will work out with all the issues that are put against their relationship.
Roan and Hazel’s chemistry is INTENSE and wonderful to read. There’s a huge power struggle between the two and you just want them to work it out! Because of that, there’s crazy sexual tension. No, Destroy is not overly steamy, but there was enough to complete the story.
Since Roan was taken when he was a young child, he is really abrasive and a huge brute. He doesn’t do gentle. He can’t woo Hazel, so he makes a proposition with her, he will pay her for sex. Despite Roan’s battle scars, Hazel is attracted to Roan, but she isn’t a person who is willing to accept money for sex. Roan continually works to fix himself in his own way and Roan tries to be understanding, somewhat pushy, but somehow it never is enough.
There were some flash back scenes, but they were very minor and it helped you build Roan’s character. Roan is the star of the book and oh lord he’s so tortured. The whole read is him struggling, so don’t think this book is all happy. It’s not a light book and many things happen.
Some things didn’t work for me…
Destroyed could have easily been a five star read for me, but there were elements I couldn’t get past.
- I knew the spoiler. I can’t be too upset, but I understand why I was told, but had I not known, I think I would have a different reaction. There’s something about knowing a spoiler that can kind of change the way you see a story.
- Destroyed is very long. I love long books, but only if it’s needed. I feel like 20% could have been easily edited out (a good part of the beginning).
- Because Destroyed is so long, there is a lot of fighting to get to a point. For example, when Roan and Hazel first meet, Roan takes Hazel to his back office and tells Roan how much he wants her. She keeps on telling him to let her leave. This went on and on and on for pages. This happens a lot in a book.
o Insert issue
o Insert Roan’s side
o Insert Hazel’s side
o Fighting in circles for pages
o Finally, one of them gives up and we can move forward.
- There’s a lot of internal dialogue, which is no surprise, because it’s kind of Pepper’s style. It’s still something I do not care for. I get that when I am reading what Hazel is thinking is helping me set up the scene, but sometimes, I just want to move forward. Yes, I skimmed those parts a bit.
- I didn’t care for the mini-intros with each chapter. With each chapter, there’s a brief paragraph that kind of foreshadows how Hazel or Roan feels, which kind of made me cringe when I started to read the chapter. I get the prologue, that’s where you set up the book, but I didn’t need it for EACH CHAPTER. I kind of just wanted to skip those parts too.
Overall
Overall, the storyline nailed it for me. I loved the damaged hero. I loved the strong single mother Heroine. I love the give and take relationship and the crazy ride Pepper gave me. I’m a crazy fan of hers and I can’t wait for her next read.
AMAZON
For more reviews, http://jacquelinesreads.blogspot.com
I love Pepper Winter books. I have given her six stars reviews and so when I heard she had a new stand alone novel, I was nothing, but excited.
Destroyed is nothing what I expected, but as always, it gripped my heart and made it swell
Summary
Roan is messed up. He was taken when he was little and trained to be an assassin by a ruthless private organization. Years later, he’s no longer part of the organization and owns a fighting club. No one can touch him and he copes by fighting. Hazel is a single mother. She does what she needs to do to raise her child. One night, Hazel goes to Roan’s club and there’s something about Hazel that stirs life into Roan. It’s been years since he has been attracted to a woman (not by choice) and he will do everything he can to understand why.
Roan
Roan is really messed up. If you ever loved damaged Heroes, then he’s your man. His childhood is filled with pain, destruction and death. Roan isn’t capable of love and he has been condition to not be attracted to anyone. So when Hazel sparks something within Roan, he needs to get to know her. But he has issues. If anyone touches him, he goes kind of crazy.
Hazel
Hazel is a strong woman and you feel for her. I wouldn’t call her a damsel in distress, but just a sad soul. I love single mothers in books, so I knew I would love Hazel. Her daughter is eight and is Hazel’s world. Hazel doesn’t want anything to do with Roan, but Roan can offer her something that will make Hazel’s life, not perfect, but better.
Review
I really liked the storyline. I thought Destroyed was really unique and it wasn’t anything I expected. For some reason, when I thought fighter, I was thinking, oh he’s going to box. Oh no, it wasn’t anything like that and why should I be surprised. Destroyed is about two people who are very damaged and are put in impossible situation. You wonder how everything will work out with all the issues that are put against their relationship.
Roan and Hazel’s chemistry is INTENSE and wonderful to read. There’s a huge power struggle between the two and you just want them to work it out! Because of that, there’s crazy sexual tension. No, Destroy is not overly steamy, but there was enough to complete the story.
Since Roan was taken when he was a young child, he is really abrasive and a huge brute. He doesn’t do gentle. He can’t woo Hazel, so he makes a proposition with her, he will pay her for sex. Despite Roan’s battle scars, Hazel is attracted to Roan, but she isn’t a person who is willing to accept money for sex. Roan continually works to fix himself in his own way and Roan tries to be understanding, somewhat pushy, but somehow it never is enough.
There were some flash back scenes, but they were very minor and it helped you build Roan’s character. Roan is the star of the book and oh lord he’s so tortured. The whole read is him struggling, so don’t think this book is all happy. It’s not a light book and many things happen.
Some things didn’t work for me…
Destroyed could have easily been a five star read for me, but there were elements I couldn’t get past.
- I knew the spoiler. I can’t be too upset, but I understand why I was told, but had I not known, I think I would have a different reaction. There’s something about knowing a spoiler that can kind of change the way you see a story.
- Destroyed is very long. I love long books, but only if it’s needed. I feel like 20% could have been easily edited out (a good part of the beginning).
- Because Destroyed is so long, there is a lot of fighting to get to a point. For example, when Roan and Hazel first meet, Roan takes Hazel to his back office and tells Roan how much he wants her. She keeps on telling him to let her leave. This went on and on and on for pages. This happens a lot in a book.
o Insert issue
o Insert Roan’s side
o Insert Hazel’s side
o Fighting in circles for pages
o Finally, one of them gives up and we can move forward.
- There’s a lot of internal dialogue, which is no surprise, because it’s kind of Pepper’s style. It’s still something I do not care for. I get that when I am reading what Hazel is thinking is helping me set up the scene, but sometimes, I just want to move forward. Yes, I skimmed those parts a bit.
- I didn’t care for the mini-intros with each chapter. With each chapter, there’s a brief paragraph that kind of foreshadows how Hazel or Roan feels, which kind of made me cringe when I started to read the chapter. I get the prologue, that’s where you set up the book, but I didn’t need it for EACH CHAPTER. I kind of just wanted to skip those parts too.
Overall
Overall, the storyline nailed it for me. I loved the damaged hero. I loved the strong single mother Heroine. I love the give and take relationship and the crazy ride Pepper gave me. I’m a crazy fan of hers and I can’t wait for her next read.
AMAZONFor more reviews, http://jacquelinesreads.blogspot.com
Want to read
July 12, 2014
WE HAVE A DATE!!!
Teaser Time
His hands wrapped around my throat and slammed me against the wall.
I dropped the sheets and fought. My nails raked along his forearm, drawing blood instantly. The scar on his cheek only amplified the empty tomb of a soul inside him. His eyes showed nothing. No remorse. No excitement. Nothing.
My heart galloped as his fingers squeezed tighter. It was as if he wasn’t there. A robot. A well-oiled machine.
So, I did the only thing available to me.
I pushed off the wall and fought his devoidness with humanity. I kissed him. I bit him. I fought him.
And his fingers instantly loosened the noose and I slithered to the floor in shock. Lucky number third. This scarred stranger was the third man who ever dared hurt me against my will and he would pay.
Not by police or a judge, but by me. I took care of me. No one else.
Standing on shaky feet I launched into his body, tackling him to the bed. I expected a fight, but he did nothing. Nothing until I punched him square in the legs.
Then life exploded into his vacant eyes. The pain woke him from whatever slumber he’d been in and instead of the monster who just attacked me, a bomb of confusion and horror erupted in his eyes.
“Oh, my fucking God. I didn’t. Not again. Not again.”
Shoving me off him, he sat upright and clutched his skull in his hands. Rocking on the side of the bed he said. “It happened again.”
This man hurt my heart. Not because he’d shown me just how unstable he was, but because he looked on the edge of breaking. Holding onto his sanity with the slipperiest of grips, destined to fall down and down until he it lost completely.
I couldn’t let that happen. “Let me help you.”
And that’s when he lost it. Completely.
February 11, 2023
0,5 stars
i'm convinced that the author hates women, because not only is this book deeply misogynistic, but she wants us to believe that "добыча" is a cute name to call the love of your life like ok sis funny joke
basically, the story is about how hazel (h) goes to a fight club called obsidian because her "non-blood sister" (btw that girl's name is clue and she's asian and i think that's a crime against asians to name someone clue) is fucking some muay-thai fighter there. roan (H) owns obsidian, and he spots hazel and decides that he MUST have her. so what does he do? naturally, he buys her; my guy drops 200k to have her live with him for a month and fuck him on the reg.
what hazel doesn't know is that roan has severe ptsd and cannot stand physical touch, sh's himself regularly, and is basically fucked in the head because he was "stolen" at the age of 6 and turned into some assassin thing(idk i kinda glossed over that part because i just wanted this book to be over). he regularly goes back to what he was "conditioned" to do— kill. sever. bleed. devour.
back to the night after roan makes hazel sign a contract the stay a month with him. since miss girl is clueless, and he thinks she's a hooker (because dressing provocatively = asking for it), he almost strangles her to death, then rapes her. because he "can't control himself." my guy then goes on to almost kill her 2 more times, and rape her again. for those of you keeping count, roan tried to kill hazel 3 times and raped her 2 times
but girlie pop keeps going back because she thinks she can "fix him"
hazel also has a daughter named clara, but she has cancer (boo hoo). one day after hazel decides (for the 38654th time) that she's had enough with roan's sorry ass, roan takes a walk and finds clara there. AND HE FALLS IN LOVE WITH HER IN THAT INSTANT HUH SIR SHE IS EIGHT FUCKING YEARS OLD. apparently clara has the good touch and roan believes that she's the answer to all his problems. but then she dies. i honestly didn't even realize she had died because it was written so vaguely.
roan decides to fuck right off and go back to mother russia immediately after clara takes her last breath, leaving hazel to deal with everything all alone.
but he comes back after 3 days and they reunite at clara's funeral. this is also the point where hazel tells him she's preggo because turns out her fetus did not deletus whenmen people kicked her at the age of 18.
the book concludes with roan getting clarity and being free of his demons after he held his new born son.
btw, the book's set in australia so i fr did not take it seriously when all i could think about was this
oh p.s. whoever recommended this book to the world (i'm 99% sure i saw this on booktok), count your fucking days because i will find you and i will ruin your life.
__________________________________________
rtc because lmfaooo what the actual fuck did i just read
i'm convinced that the author hates women, because not only is this book deeply misogynistic, but she wants us to believe that "добыча" is a cute name to call the love of your life like ok sis funny joke
basically, the story is about how hazel (h) goes to a fight club called obsidian because her "non-blood sister" (btw that girl's name is clue and she's asian and i think that's a crime against asians to name someone clue) is fucking some muay-thai fighter there. roan (H) owns obsidian, and he spots hazel and decides that he MUST have her. so what does he do? naturally, he buys her; my guy drops 200k to have her live with him for a month and fuck him on the reg.
what hazel doesn't know is that roan has severe ptsd and cannot stand physical touch, sh's himself regularly, and is basically fucked in the head because he was "stolen" at the age of 6 and turned into some assassin thing(idk i kinda glossed over that part because i just wanted this book to be over). he regularly goes back to what he was "conditioned" to do— kill. sever. bleed. devour.
back to the night after roan makes hazel sign a contract the stay a month with him. since miss girl is clueless, and he thinks she's a hooker (because dressing provocatively = asking for it), he almost strangles her to death, then rapes her. because he "can't control himself." my guy then goes on to almost kill her 2 more times, and rape her again. for those of you keeping count, roan tried to kill hazel 3 times and raped her 2 times
but girlie pop keeps going back because she thinks she can "fix him"
hazel also has a daughter named clara, but she has cancer (boo hoo). one day after hazel decides (for the 38654th time) that she's had enough with roan's sorry ass, roan takes a walk and finds clara there. AND HE FALLS IN LOVE WITH HER IN THAT INSTANT HUH SIR SHE IS EIGHT FUCKING YEARS OLD. apparently clara has the good touch and roan believes that she's the answer to all his problems. but then she dies. i honestly didn't even realize she had died because it was written so vaguely.
roan decides to fuck right off and go back to mother russia immediately after clara takes her last breath, leaving hazel to deal with everything all alone.
but he comes back after 3 days and they reunite at clara's funeral. this is also the point where hazel tells him she's preggo because turns out her fetus did not deletus when
the book concludes with roan getting clarity and being free of his demons after he held his new born son.
btw, the book's set in australia so i fr did not take it seriously when all i could think about was this
oh p.s. whoever recommended this book to the world (i'm 99% sure i saw this on booktok), count your fucking days because i will find you and i will ruin your life.
__________________________________________
rtc because lmfaooo what the actual fuck did i just read
Want to read
January 10, 2014 This one looks good!!! Check out the prologue below... I'm intrigued!!!
She’s a woman with a dirty secret.
I’m complicated. Not broken or ruined or running from a past I can’t face. Just complicated. For good reason.
I thought my life couldn’t get any more tangled in deceit and confusion. But I hadn’t met him. I hadn’t been sucked into his lies or taught to run from everything that he is. Instead, I let him ensnare me, seduce me, trap me with secrets—Hazel Hunter
He’s a man with a killer secret.
I’ve never pretended to be good or deserving. Despite the shadows I live in, I’m ultimately a slave to my secrets and that gives me a free pass to chase who I want, be who I want, act how I want.
I didn’t have time to lust after a woman I had no right to lust after. I told myself to shut up and stay hidden. But how could I deny her? How could I deny my one chance at redemption? But then she tried to run. I’d found a cure to my existence and damned if I would let her go—Roan Fox
And secrets silently destroy them.
PROLOGUE
I didn’t believe her when she said she was complicated.
She didn’t believe me when I said I had secrets.
I didn’t believe the truth, even when she let me glimpse behind her mask.
She didn’t believe that I wasn’t strong enough to live with the consequences.
I thought she was a saint.
She thought I was a sinner.
Too bad we didn’t try to find the truth.
We both paid the price.
We destroyed each other.
She’s a woman with a dirty secret.
I’m complicated. Not broken or ruined or running from a past I can’t face. Just complicated. For good reason.
I thought my life couldn’t get any more tangled in deceit and confusion. But I hadn’t met him. I hadn’t been sucked into his lies or taught to run from everything that he is. Instead, I let him ensnare me, seduce me, trap me with secrets—Hazel Hunter
He’s a man with a killer secret.
I’ve never pretended to be good or deserving. Despite the shadows I live in, I’m ultimately a slave to my secrets and that gives me a free pass to chase who I want, be who I want, act how I want.
I didn’t have time to lust after a woman I had no right to lust after. I told myself to shut up and stay hidden. But how could I deny her? How could I deny my one chance at redemption? But then she tried to run. I’d found a cure to my existence and damned if I would let her go—Roan Fox
And secrets silently destroy them.
PROLOGUE
I didn’t believe her when she said she was complicated.
She didn’t believe me when I said I had secrets.
I didn’t believe the truth, even when she let me glimpse behind her mask.
She didn’t believe that I wasn’t strong enough to live with the consequences.
I thought she was a saint.
She thought I was a sinner.
Too bad we didn’t try to find the truth.
We both paid the price.
We destroyed each other.
October 27, 2016
Madness by Muse
Well, this is my first Pepper Winters book and I'll definitely be reading more from her! I picked this book up on a whim even though I already knew I had a bunch of other books I should be reading. But one glance at the cover and the next thing I know, I'm hooked into the book.
Hazel
Strong. Caring. Haunted. Three things things that make Hazel who she is. But they're also her faults. Hazel cares too much about other peoples wellbeing, whether it be a stranger or a friend. It's both a blessing and a curse and while her need to help people has always worked out in the end, this time it's what turns her whole life upside down. She is so strong, straight down to her core and people can feel it the moment she walks into a room. She's the kind of woman who catches a persons eye, that makes you want to tell her all your secrets because you know she can carry all your troubles and make you feel good again. It's something Hazel takes willingly, and you'd never know how scarred she is unless you looked deep in her hopeless eyes.
Roan "Fox"
He is indestructible.
He is a killer.
He is dying inside and no one can save him.
No one but Her.
Roan has never lived a normal life. Never felt a loving touch. He's never been touched and can never touch another. The only kind of touch he knows is the touch of evil, malice. Roan is dead inside, living life of solitude, violence surrounding him at all times. His past haunts him in his every waking hour and he fears he'll never be cured...until Hazel walks into the room and changes his whole life with one glance.
U & Ur Hand by Pink
When Hazel meets Roan for the first time, lets just say that things don't go over well. The song "U & Ur Hand" was blasting in my mind throughout that whole first meeting. And I was loving every minute of it. Hazel is such a strong character. Her life has never been easy and she doesn't let anyone ever try and take advantage of her. Roan, is a bit unhinged and frankly went about their first meeting ALL WRONG but I couldn't expect anything less from him.
"Resurrection, Impentrable, Invisible."
I really don't want to say anything else because it might be considered a spoiler but lets just say that after the initial first meeting, things move along very quickly. I wanted to judge these characters for their faults and actions but I just couldn't. If I were in Hazel spot, what's to say I wouldn't make the same choice? Honestly, I don't know if I would but I commend her all the same. At times I wanted to shake her but in the next minute I wanted to hug her. Roan is less than perfect and he's made some really messed up mistakes. And yet, I never once hated him. I just couldn't. His past is so sad, so disturbing I found myself making up excuses for him at every turn. I know that what he's done is unforgivable but I wanted him to find redemption anyway.
So why not 5 stars? Well there was one or two things that bothered me...
My main issue with a lot of books, is pacing. How much time goes by in a book, when they start admitting feelings, falling in love, etc. This book was a little bit over 400 pages and we get a lot of details and time with these characters but in all reality the whole book spans maybe around 2 months (not including the epilogue). Maybe it's just me and my pessimistic views on life but I just couldn't believe that 2 messed up individuals like Hazel and Roan, especially Roan could be healed and falling in love in such a short time. From the moment they meet, they felt a connection. And I was all for it. I could tell there was something there, something they needed to explore but because of Roan's issues, a lot of the book was spent in a push/pull showdown. They'd take 1 step forward and 5 steps backwards.
Roan has issues that I can't even begin to get into but they stop him from getting close to people and Hazel wasn't any different. Except for the first time in years, he wanted to try. But there are so many failures and so much time spent not together or hating each other that I couldn't really believe it when the characters would talk about having such strong feelings for each other. When it comes down to it, they hardly even know each other. Something both characters even admit to at the end of the book! I know people say how you’re whole life can change in the blink of an eye and how you can fall in love in a day but I just have a hard time believing into stuff like that. It’s my own little issue that my cold little heart won’t let me believe. They don’t fall in love in a day but despite the fact that it felt like so much had happened, when I thought back I realize hardly any time had gone by. For the amount of messed up feelings and torture these characters have gone through, I couldn’t believe how Pepper Winters wanted to say they could be healed. Again, this is my pessimistic views and just stubborn ways.
I wouldn’t consider this book very dark, more gray like the author mentions in the synopsis. It has some dark topics and some of the stuff I read hurt my head but it’s in no way unbearable. I know a lot of people said they cried and felt so many emotions but I was honestly pretty ok throughout the whole book. I think I have issues or something because I didn't even really care about Clara and what happened...I didn't shed not one tear. I found her role in the book a bit OTT and I'm sorry to say I kind of rolled my eyes at her lines.
Anywho, lets pretend I didn't just say that.
The first half of the book was definitely my favorite part of the book. I did find a few grammatical mistakes throughout the book but nothing too dire or consistent to take away from the reading experience. Besides my personal feelings about the pacing and the ending, I can totally understand why so many people loved this book so hardcore. It definitely has all the pieces to be a top fave of the year.
I look forward to reading more books by this author and moving onto her more darker reads! :)
**I'd like to thank Eda for recommending this book to me! I'm so glad I took your advice :D
March 18, 2014
3.5/4 Stars...
This was REALLY good. I liked the premise and the characters and all that jazz. There was angst and mystery and character development.
So why not more stars?
I felt like there was a little too much repetition and Fox's "epiphany moment" at the end of the story seemed a little too sudden, a little too miraculous, and little too clean cut for it to ring authentic for me.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed this and I will definitely read more Pepper Winters.
This was REALLY good. I liked the premise and the characters and all that jazz. There was angst and mystery and character development.
So why not more stars?
I felt like there was a little too much repetition and Fox's "epiphany moment" at the end of the story seemed a little too sudden, a little too miraculous, and little too clean cut for it to ring authentic for me.
Otherwise, I really enjoyed this and I will definitely read more Pepper Winters.
March 9, 2014
Love, touch, weakness, and emotion are unacceptable.
These are the mantras that had been enforced into the mind of Obsidian Fox ever since he was a boy.
Brought up in an unforgiving and cut throat world where blood, anger, and retribution is the key to survival, how will this “damaged, scarred, enigma of a man” who lives his life in pain and darkness ever find light in the brink of his black and white world?
Enter Hazel Hunter.
Hazel Hunter has a past but she is not broken. Growing up from foster home to foster home and having to fend for herself, she knows what it’s like to life the hard life.
She meets Fox at an underground club, Obsidian, that he owns and the two find themselves in a dangerous and tumultuous set of circumstances that could turn lethal at any given second.
As feelings begin to develop and grow, things hit a breaking point as years of brainwashing and conditioning lurk their way back into Fox’s icy foundation.
Can Hazel be the cosmos to Key’s very existence and be the key to Fox’s salvation? Will she be able to shed him of old demons to bring color to his dreary and f*cked up existence?
Can the monster Fox believes himself to be ever find hope forgiveness, and just be “human” again? And most importantly, can Fox ever shed himself from his “operative” self and find redemption and resolution to be a free man?
My thoughts: Omigah! I’m still trying to comprehend what I just read!
Fox was a conundrum in itself and always made me tremble with great trepidation as to what or how he was going to react! Everyday is a struggle and every day he sees less and less hope to find redemption for his sins. That is, until one woman (and child) shook his entire foundation and showed him that he did have a heart and soul after all!
I must have gasped, cried, raged, and held my breath throughout this entire story! What an emotional rollercoaster about angst, despair, helplessness, and even absolution!
I envied Hazel’s unwillingness to break and let her or Fox’s gritty pasts get the better of her. She really was a mixture of strength, beauty, determination but with an underlying hint of sadness and my heart really broke for her (and Fox) when that tragedy she had been dreading had finally occurred. It just made me sob and sob. I mean, I knew that it was going to come but at the same time I was still hoping it wasn’t.
*gets teary eyed*
Nevertheless, despite this tragic revelation, I think it was necessary because it set off a set of events that taught our characters to even more to cherish life and each other. It allowed for even more healing and exoneration to take place and for both characters to grow and find peace once and for all.
A very lovely and strenuous story about an imperfect love that despite its obstacles could lead to the most rewarding of things!
Pepper Winters' BEST WORK up to date!! I literally DEVOURED EVERY.SINGLE.PAGE!!
October 27, 2016
4* look but do not touch STARS!!
Pepper Winters always brings the dark out of me. Yeah, I'm such a masochist for dark romance. Destroyed really shattered my heart completely. The thing I've still remember is how much this book blindsided me. To be honest, Destroyed was hard to consume and not typical your read.
Roan is a troubled soul who couldn't bear any touch. He will destroy everything like a killin' machine. Hazel is a desperate woman with a sickly child. They met in unusual way but ends up wanting each other. Well, lusting each other. Desperately.
Ms. Winters created strong characters with dark past. The writing was brilliant. The plot was unpredictable and I haven't see other like this. So, yes this is original for me. It was very tense and erotic with what happened between Roan and Hazel. Almost hard to process but hey, I'm survive. Oh, when I mentioned the erotic part... was really raw and savage. But I hated when they're finished with sex, they seemed lost connection. Of course, I was frustrated with their on-off chemistry.
The ending really save the rating, because Roan finally opened up with his horrible past. Destroyed was really blew me in good way. I could feel the tension between them. How patiently Hazel survive Roan' on-off attitude. Everything has its own reasons and purpose. Argh. Destroyed really played my emotional very well.
“I was obsessed with finding redemption.
Destroyed by love.
Possessed by hope.
Consumed by a past I couldn’t shake.”
Pepper Winters always brings the dark out of me. Yeah, I'm such a masochist for dark romance. Destroyed really shattered my heart completely. The thing I've still remember is how much this book blindsided me. To be honest, Destroyed was hard to consume and not typical your read.
Roan is a troubled soul who couldn't bear any touch. He will destroy everything like a killin' machine. Hazel is a desperate woman with a sickly child. They met in unusual way but ends up wanting each other. Well, lusting each other. Desperately.
Ms. Winters created strong characters with dark past. The writing was brilliant. The plot was unpredictable and I haven't see other like this. So, yes this is original for me. It was very tense and erotic with what happened between Roan and Hazel. Almost hard to process but hey, I'm survive. Oh, when I mentioned the erotic part... was really raw and savage. But I hated when they're finished with sex, they seemed lost connection. Of course, I was frustrated with their on-off chemistry.
The ending really save the rating, because Roan finally opened up with his horrible past. Destroyed was really blew me in good way. I could feel the tension between them. How patiently Hazel survive Roan' on-off attitude. Everything has its own reasons and purpose. Argh. Destroyed really played my emotional very well.
December 21, 2016
5 Darkly Seductive Stars!!!
You know the story is good when you can't tear your eyes away for even a minute. Fucking hell. I really think Pepper Winters is trying to Destroy me. I couldn't help but feel every emotion Roan and Hazel suffered through. Damn it was hard getting through this book. Roan was beyond complicated; he gave new meaning to the word "tortured" hero in my opinion. And I loved Hazel and her strength. I can't even get into the other stuff in this book because I'm pretty sure I'll have a breakdown. Again. READ it.
You know the story is good when you can't tear your eyes away for even a minute. Fucking hell. I really think Pepper Winters is trying to Destroy me. I couldn't help but feel every emotion Roan and Hazel suffered through. Damn it was hard getting through this book. Roan was beyond complicated; he gave new meaning to the word "tortured" hero in my opinion. And I loved Hazel and her strength. I can't even get into the other stuff in this book because I'm pretty sure I'll have a breakdown. Again. READ it.
December 29, 2016
Title: Destroyed
Author: Pepper Winters
Category: Dark Romance
POV: Dual
Characters: 5
Plot: 5
Scorching Level:5
HEA: Not telling
Pepper Winters at her best!!!
5 Stars
July 12, 2016
"She thought she could fix me, and I wanted her to. Too bad it would never have a happy ending."
I'm so torn. I have a weird love/hate relationship with Pepper Winters' books. I don't totally hate them, but I don't exactly love them. Her stories always seem a little far fetched to me. Maybe that's why I'm always stuck somewhere in the middle in regards to them.
"Its too much. Too intense. Too dangerous."
Anyway the blurb is vague and mysterious, so if you're curious about what this is all about then read on.
In the beginning we meet Hazel, a twenty-four year old beauty who has lived a rough life. This girl has many skeletons in her closet, and is carrying around heavy baggage. When she agrees to visit an illegal, exclusive fight club with her best friend Clue, she meets Obsidian Fox. Now if I thought Hazel had baggage, the demons Fox has outnumbers hers. He's broken both inside and out. While the scars on the outside are easily seen, he carries deeper internal pain from his past. It took me a long time to warm up to Fox. He's not a typical hero, the "thing" he did the first time they were together made me hate him instantly. Fox wants Hazel, and will do anything in his power to have her. They make an agreement that she will stay with him for a month in exchange for two hundred thousand dollars. As a mentioned before, Fox messed up BIG TIME and Hazel flees. But she is drawn to him, and returns. There's a very good reason why Hazel returns to Fox even after he hurts her, she needs the money for a specific reason, and she senses that Fox needs her to save him.
"Obsidian Fox was so much male it was terrifying. Not only handsome, he wore his flaws for the world to see and offered no apology."
Fox is volatile, dangerous and scary. He's barely surviving, and self-inflicted pain is the only thing he lives for. There was so much darkness in Fox, I had no idea how Ms. Winters would redeem him, but she managed to do it. I won't say if there's a HEA, but the ending is satisfactory and I couldn't have asked for more. There was one particular scene that was heartbreakingly sad, and I didn't think it would actually happen, but when it did, I understood why it was done to move the story along.
"He had his secrets and I had mine. That was the way it had to be."
I'm sorry I can't provide more details, and I've kept this review intentionally vague because the satisfaction comes from witnessing the changes in Fox and Hazel's relationship. Fans of Ms. Winters will definitely enjoy this latest installment, and I'm hoping Oscar (Fox's business partner) gets his own book. Overall this was an entertaining read, if you're willing to not take it all seriously, and understand its fiction not 100% grounded in reality then this will definitely be enjoyed. I like my books firmly grounded in reality, unless its paranormal or fantasy, so this took away from my enjoyment.
"I gave myself to him. I lost myself to sin."
Rating: 3.5 Exhausting Stars
March 8, 2014
...I still can't comprehend what I've just read.
Only that it was one of the most unique, raw, profoundly beautiful books I've ever, ever read. It sucked me in and broke me, I can't believe I waited so long to read a Pepper book. Anyone who craves the different and wants to be shattered, pulled and pushed by a story in every which way direction, read this book.
March 11, 2014
WOOOW JUST WOOOW!!!
5* BIG DESTROYED STARS!
I looooved this book!
It was a rolercoaster of emotions!
I loved both h/H!They look so good together!
I was mad at them and cried for them,and I WANT MORE OF THIS BOOK!
This is a story about surviving...about love and about death!
Death is all our hero Fox/Rowan knows all his life.
He's trained to kill and by all means,he's a destroyed and broken person!
And then one night,he meet Hazel...and his life changed completly!
Hazel is perfect heroine,just as I loved them.
She's strong,independent,fearless and she can help him heal.
She can kill his demons...
And boy he has some batshit crazy demons,cuz he's incapable of being touched without wanting to:
Kill. Sever. Bleed. Devour.
Just when I thought I know how this book ends...BOOOM!
I did not see that coming!Not in the million years...
This book is "grey romance" and if you are looking for hearts and roses,go find another one!
This is a emotional and dark story!
And I loved every page of it!
5* BIG DESTROYED STARS!
I looooved this book!
It was a rolercoaster of emotions!
I loved both h/H!They look so good together!
I was mad at them and cried for them,and I WANT MORE OF THIS BOOK!
This is a story about surviving...about love and about death!
Death is all our hero Fox/Rowan knows all his life.
He's trained to kill and by all means,he's a destroyed and broken person!
And then one night,he meet Hazel...and his life changed completly!
Hazel is perfect heroine,just as I loved them.
She's strong,independent,fearless and she can help him heal.
She can kill his demons...
And boy he has some batshit crazy demons,cuz he's incapable of being touched without wanting to:
Kill. Sever. Bleed. Devour.
Just when I thought I know how this book ends...BOOOM!
I did not see that coming!Not in the million years...
This book is "grey romance" and if you are looking for hearts and roses,go find another one!
This is a emotional and dark story!
And I loved every page of it!
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