Series: Standalone
Published by Self-published on November 1, 2018
Genres: Military Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 381
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Buy on Amazon
Rating:
Heat:
Briggs,
Remember when we parted ways in Germany? It was the day I broke your heart. What you didn't know was that I was breaking mine too.
I thought they’d be enough–my husband and my son. That I’d get home and everything would go back to the way it was . . .
Before the war. Before the ambush. Before you.
But, no matter how hard I try, I can’t erase the trauma we shared. I can’t seem to forget the way my heart beat in time with yours.
The truth is I’m lost without you.
I thought the nightmare was over when they pulled us from that hole in the ground, but nothing could have prepared me for the war I’d face at home.I know it’s selfish of me to ask, but, please, I have to see you one last time. . .
All my love, Scottie
I went into this book blindly on the whim. I wanted something different. I want a romance, but I wanted something I’ve never read before. I stumbled onto Heartbreak Warfare and boy did this book take me by surprise.
Emotional, dark and gritty are a few terms that come to mind. The romance is angsty, the characters are amazing and well fleshed out. The two authors take you on a rollercoaster ride from the beginning of how Briggs and Scottie got thrown together, through the horrors they have undergone and how these events eventually frame them as a person.
This romance is not for the faint of heart. It comes with its own trigger warnings, including abuse, cheating, and rape. Some parts were hard to read, some parts were downright heartbreaking and hard to get through. I thought the two authors did an amazing job crafting the story, crafting the characters that felt so real you couldn’t help but care for them. I found myself on the edge glued to the pages wondering how everything would turn out.
I love how the romance was handled, I love the way the authors handled everything. It really makes me want to explore what else I missed from them.
Series: Standalone
Published by Self-published on February 1, 2020
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 376
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Buy on Amazon
Heat:
WSJ bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a gripping enemies-to-lovers, secret admirer, high school romance.
The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world--until they destroyed me.
The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them.
Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer?
Knox, the scarred quarterback.Dane, his twin brother.Or Chance, the ex who dumped me. . .
Dear Ava,Your eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea.Wait. That's stupid.What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL.
It's been ten months since you were here, but I can't forget you.I've missed seeing you walk down the hall.I've missed you cheering at my football games.I've missed the smell of your hair.
And then everything fell apart the night of the kegger.
Don't hate me because I'm a Shark.I just want to make you mine.Still.
Mature Content. Recommended for 18+.
A short excerpt of Dear Ava appeared in Team Player 2. (No longer available) This all-new, full-length version is 376 pages and 100,000 words.
An enemies-to-lovers, secret admirer, older high school romance.
Ava used to want to fit into the Sharks world, a bunch of rich and popular kids who ruled Camden Prep until one party that ruined her.
No one believes her when she says she was sexually assaulted, and the last year was supposed to be her way of taking back control of her life, revenge and finding out who hurt her. And then there’s Knox and a secret admirer love letter that keeps appearing in her locker.
Dear Ava, is another gritty romance that tackles sexual assault and how some victims that don’t remember, because she had been drugged, may cope.
Ava and Knox drew me in. I love the whirlwind of emotions between them that had me hooked. I loved the banter. I loved the tension. I thought Ava was a strong character despite everything that life threw at her and I admired her strength and resilience in a world that was stacked against her. I admired Knox and what he did for her as well. I thought the two were great characters.
The characters in this book are both 18 years old, it’s not a high school romance for the younger audiences.
Hey, welcome back to the blogosphere, lady! Hoping you’re doing well and staying healthy. Let me know if you want any reviews. 🙂
I want to read Dear Ava. I am in the mood for just such a book. Glad they were both good ones for you, Lily!
Just from your review I already know that I need to add in Heartbreak Warfare to my kindle and pronto. I love those gritty and emotional reads.
Lovely reviews here. hope you are staying happy and safe.
Renee @ Addicted To Romance
The first one sounds good, but a little too heavy for me right now. Dear Ava sounds much more my speed. Glad to hear you enjoyed both books, Lily! 🙂
I don’t think either of these would be more me but I’m glad you liked them for the most part.
These romances are on the darker side of things, but I think that might really appeal to this long time crime fiction reader!
These sound good. I do enjoy the darker romances, as well as the sweet ones. Great reviews!
Emotional, dark and gritty, that sound intense on all the feels
Thanks for these recommendations. I have been some dark romance and these look perfect.
Heartbreak Warfare sounds like a bit of a rollercoaster. It definitely sounds like a dark read from all of your trigger warnings so definitely not for the faint of heart. I don’t know if it’s really one for me and yet I’m still intrigued by your review. And Dear Ava is another heavy read but I like the sound of the secret admirer love letters.
I’m sorely tempted by Heartbreak Warfare but I’m also a little bit afraid of it! Sounds like it may be worth the rollercoaster of emotions though!
I love the sound of Heartbreak Warfare . I’m definitely interested in reading that one for myself. Not like I need more emotions right now though. LOL!
I read Dear Ava. It was a good read.
I did pop over and grabbed Heartbreak Warfare… got to use my KU subscription! Awesome review!
Heartbreak Warfare sounds like a book that I might like when I’m in the right mood. I’m glad to see you back on the blogs.
Wow, Heartbreak Warfare sounds intense and what an emotional ride!
Wonderful reviews, Lily! I’ve had Heartbreak Warfare on my Kindle for a while now. I feel like it’s one I will love but I need to be in the right mood for it. I definitely can’t handle dark and angsty right now but as soon as life feels a little more normal and settled I really want to read it!