Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Book Review: Hero by Samantha Young


Hero
By:
Samantha Young

Release Date:
February 3rd, 2015

Publisher:
NAL

Source: 
Publisher via NetGalley

eARC received in exchange of honest review

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Synopsis:

The emotional and unforgettable new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series. 

Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that she and her mother weren’t his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets,. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him. 


Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and explosive affair. 


Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for. And when they’re on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again…



Purchase links for Hero:


Lindy's Thoughts:


Hero by Samantha Young was a gripping romance that I did not want to put down! This story pulled me in, and swept me away!  I became engrossed in this seductive, sensual, and alluring storyline as my imagination took root!  Ms. Young seduces her readers by weaving her magic, and making them feel an array of emotions, as they become immersed in the story of Cain Carraway; who becomes the reader's hunky hero!

Alexa Holland is on her own.  She is estranged from her father, and her mother died recently.  She is a personal assistant to one on the most famous photographers in the world.  One day, when she returns to work after some time off, she is shocked to see Cain Carraway as the subject for the current photo shoot.  You see, her father is personally responsible for a tragedy that occurred in his life, and resulted in him being orphaned at a young age.  When she has an opportunity to talk to him, she tells him who she is and apologizes to him for her father's actions.  He is full of anger, and demands to have a different photographer.  Unfortunately, as a result, Alexa get's fired.

Cain Carraway is one of the youngest, wealthiest, and most powerful businessmen.  He has a great amount of respect and prestige in his field, but doesn't let himself get close or attached to anyone.  The only people that really know him are his best friend, Henry, and his neighbor, the kind and elderly, Effie.  When Alexa, shows up unannounced and uninvited to his office after he let her know that he never wanted to see her again, he is shocked and outraged!  

Alexa asks for his help to get her job back, and so that he can get rid of her he agrees.  Unfortunately, her boss refuses to hire her back.  Cain offers her a job as his P.A. with a great salary.  She accepts, because she wants to get to know Cain and make his life better.  She feels guilty for what happened to him, and wants to make amends.  However, it quickly becomes apparent that Cain wants to make Alexa's life difficult.  There is no denying the sexual chemistry and attraction between Cain and Alexa.  Pretty soon they embark on a hot and heavy affair.  Cain offers no-strings attached sex, but Alexa wants more.  As feelings complicate their situation, Cain tells Alexa that he's no hero.  She, however, begs to differ, and is determined to change his mind.  To complicate matters, Alexa's life is threatened.

Hero was spectacular!  I loved the complexity and authenticity of Cain and Alexa's characters.  These individuals came to life for me.  We are given a full picture of both of their lives, and I felt like I knew them both so well.  Cain was a stoic, aloof, and rude character at the beginning of the story. It was fun seeing how Alexa was able to win him over little by little by just being herself.  I loved Effie, Cain's elderly neighbor!  She was hilarious, nurturing, nosey, and a profound well of wisdom.  There was never a dull moment when Effie was on the page.  Alexa's character was witty, vivacious, fun, and a bit of a smart alec.  I loved her!!!  This cast of characters were phenomenal!

The plot was very fast-paced!  It was sexy, fun, chock full of drama at times, and suspenseful at the end!  The sex scenes were frantic, intense, passionate, and hot from the beginning to end of the story!    

My Rating:


I give, Hero, by Samantha Young, 4.5 Witty, Whirlwind of Rapture, Euphoric, and Sinfully Seductive Stars!  Romance Readers, it's one-click time!!!








Mikki's Review:
Are you ready for your next unputabledown read? Samantha Young’s latest novel, Hero, will captivate you from beginning to end! A reading journey filled with secrets, passion, romance and two unforgettable characters that will steal your heart. I have no clue why I waited so long to read a book by Samantha Young. I have heard amazing things about her writing and how her books make you live all kinds of emotions. Hero did not disappoint! 

You know that saying … There is a thin line between love and hate... Well, Alexa Hollands and Caine Carraway totally crossed that line. This enemies-to-lover office romance will make you cheer for this sexy and intriguing couple from beginning to end! Alexa meets Caine at a photo session. She gets in all kinds of trouble when she introduces herself. The moment she mentions her name to Caine, he sees black. What happens next leaves Alexa shocked and jobless. When the one and only Caine Carraway offers her a job as his PA she is surprised. This might be the perfect opportunity to get to know him better. Working with Caine is anything but easy. He's a real jerk and he's not giving her a chance to get close. Alexa is determined and she will do whatever it takes to break down the walls that Caine is so stubbornly putting up. What she did not expect was for this attraction that she feels for her boss to develop into something more. Will their relationship  grow into something more with all the lies and secrets that are surrounding them?

Hero was such an amazing reading escape! The chemistry between Alexa and Caine was absolutely electrifying! From the moment that their paths cross you can feel the tension between them. A tension that explodes in an all-consuming love affair that had my heart beating fast and left me fanning myself in more than one occasion. Alexa is exactly the kind of heroine I like to cheer for. She’s funny, patient, confident, and she knows exactly what she wants. Caine had a je-ne-sais-quoi about him that made my heart beat fast and gave me butterflies in my stomach. From the moment he meets Alexa he’s a complete jerk! I wanted to slap some sense into him a couple of times. If he was my boss I would have put salt in his coffee … lol!!! Gah!!!! I did not only read this book. I felt every single emotion and it left me with such a happy heart. Finally!!!! I well written standalone packed with angst, romance and a perfect balance of sweet, sexy and funny moments. 

As a reader I want to fall in love with the characters, feel their emotions and cheer for their HEA. It was so easy to fall in love with Alexa and Caine. Their all-consuming love story will leave you wanting more! I absolutely loved Caine’s neighbor, Effie, and his best friend, Henry. They are two very important persons in Caine's life and they became very good friends with Alexa. I loved all of the scenes that these two had with Alexa and Caine. I am so happy that I got the chance to read Hero. I am now looking forward to reading the other books that Samantha Young has written. I can see that I have a lot of catching up to do…lol!
My Rating:

I give, Hero, by Samantha Young 4.5 heartwarming, steamy, sensual, page-turning stars!





About the Author:
Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET and Best Romance 2014 for BEFORE JAMAICA LANE. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in twenty-eight countries.




3 comments:

  1. Awesome reviews Wow this book looks and sounds utterly fantastic I have not read a book by Samantha Young yet shame on me because by your reviews this books sounds like a major emotional high roller coaster ride with increatable characters. Thanks for your great reviews.

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  2. Great review! This one sounds pretty good. It is most definitely way outside of my comfort zone, my "box". However, I have been trying to push the boundaries a little, and maybe this is the perfect way?!

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  3. I've been interested to see what peeps thought about this one. I like fast paced so maybe it's gonna work for me.

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