Stripped by Brenda Rothert

Stripped 

by 

Brenda Rothert

Pub May 27th 2013 

by Author Self Pub 

ARC for Review 

  Abby Gillis is used to being called a promiscuous, uneducated whore. It’s all in a day’s work when you’re a stripper. Since her job allows her to support her siblings, 24-year-old Abby takes it all off in stride. She’s never had trouble keeping men at arm’s length – until she meets ER physician Chris Reneau, who is sexy, sweet and interested in more than what’s beneath her clothes. As their relationship unfolds, Abby becomes increasingly aware of the desire building in her for the first time, and of her yearning to be wanted by the one man who truly sees all of her.

Commitment-averse Chris finds himself in uncharted territory. He wants Abby, that’s clear, but he can’t accept not having all of her. As the distance between them erodes, he tries to convince Abby to give up stripping for a chance at something real.

As the two of them get closer, Abby realizes that truly baring it all has nothing to do with her body. Chris makes her feel more exposed than she ever has, and she has to grapple with what’s left when her notions about herself and those around her are stripped away, leaving only the naked truth.

The Way Ria Sees It

Bow Chicka Bow Bow! Woo! Abby, Abby, Abby!!! Okay so right away I was like man this girl has is rough! Her life is so hard and she is really really trying to create a better life for her sisters... Paging Dr Adonis ;)... Chris was so good for Abby I was happy with the way these two characters complimented each other. I zipped through this book soo fast. It wasn’t a life altering read that reached the depths of my soul, but my heart really went out to Abby I wanted to see her happiness and Chris was her perfect fit.

S-tranger, with golden locks will reject and intrigue Abby in a way that has never happened to her.
T-rapped, with a mother thats a leech and hurtful Abby endures so much pain, she feels as though she cant get away.
R-emorse, Abby longs for love and a life that feels out of her grasp. Her job has given her enough money but she feels as though she’s not truly living.
I-nnocent, Abby will do what it takes to protect her sisters by the end of the book she knows exactly whats best for them.
P-ain, Chris feels deeply for Abby but his past won’t let him embrace these new feelings. Although all he wants to do is care for Abby it seems as though he keeps hurting her.
P-ersuasion, after practically begging, Chris convinces Abby to take a trip with him and his friends. This is where these two bare their souls to one and other.
E-nraged After so much pain Abby has had enough. Now is the time for action she will save her sisters.
D-ream, together Abby and Chris can begin to build their happiness after so much pain.

The story was a little choppy I felt like it would jump a bit from scene to scene but other than that I really liked the story. Abby was able to face her fears and overcome the pain that life threw her way.

My Rating

4.0 Pole, Glitter Lotion, Smashing Pumpkins, Sleeping Rooms, Bed Dance, Ocean Breeze, Micky’s revenge, Renovation, Happy Students, Loving family filled stars!

Mikki's View

Stripped by Brenda Rothert was a quick enjoyable read. In this book, we have a nice mix of characters. Abby is an assistant by day and a stripper by night. She is doing everything in her power to give the best she can offer to her mom, sisters and brother. Her job as a stripper has ups and downs like any other job, but she goes through a lot of problems to get the bills paid and food on the table. Chris is a doctor who has commitment problems, but once he sees Abby he wants to change her world and get over all his insecurities. Abby thinks that Chris is the best side of humanity and she is the worst. Chris will work hard to make her change the way she feels about herself.

I liked the match-up in this book. The stripper/doctor combo was a winner in my books! These two got pretty steamy at each other's work ;) Both main characters have issues to deal with and with each other's help they get over those issues. It was a quick romance from the moment they meet at the ER. I found it a bit strange that they did not connect from the start at the strip club. It took me a bit of time to connect with both these characters. I found myself reading the story more than feeling it until we got a bit more details on Chris and Abby's past troubles. After that the story took a more interesting turn. They both had to work hard for their relationship to work and I think that both characters complemented each other very well. I liked the way he handled Abby's stripper job. He was not happy with it, but he stuck by her side and he even gave her a taste of her own medicine.

The other characters in the story were great. Two people stood out the most to me. I loved her sister Audrey! She was one courageous young lady and I loved the way she was dealing with all these difficult situations. She was mature about it. The other character that stood out was Abby's mom ... What a despicable woman! Many times while reading the story I was telling myself.... What the freak is wrong with this Lady?! How can she act like that when Abby is working two jobs to take care of her and her family? She's a really mean person! *Virtual Book Slap*

I did have a bit of trouble reading the story. The scenes did not seem to intertwine very easily. It took me a while to get used to that. I liked the story, but the scenes not really connecting to one another was an issue for me. I liked the way their relationship wrapped up and that Abby and Chris got exactly what they deserved, which was to find happiness and fix their insecurities.

I give Stripped by Brenda Rothert 3.5 enjoyable stars!

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About the Author

About the Author Brenda Rothert lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three sons. She was a daily print journalist for nine years, during which time she enjoyed writing a wide range of stories. These days Brenda writes New Adult Romance in the Contemporary and Dystopian genres.

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Blog Tour: Stripped by Brooklyn Skye

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Stripped
By:  Brooklyn Skye
Published:  May 14, 2013
Source:  YA Bound (Author)


GR's Summary:

“I like you.” His voice is low and soft, which I don’t deserve. I look away, down the rutted parking lot.

“Don’t... waste those words on me.”
He touches my cheek. “You just need someone to show you.”
“No.” I ease back again. “I don’t. So please, Torrin, stop trying to swoop in and save me. I don’t need saving.”

College freshman Quinn Montgomery will do anything to avoid the mistake her sister made—killing herself over a boy. But when she is forced into nude modeling at a local college to support her family after a bankruptcy, she begins to crack, just enough to let Torrin, the university’s top varsity oarsman, see that the real Quinn is not as feisty and unapproachable as she wants everyone to think. But letting someone in comes at a steep cost and, it turns out, Torrin is connected to Quinn’s family in more ways than she could ever imagine.

Welcome to my stop on the Stripped blog tour hosted by YA Bound.  Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

When I first had the opportunity to see Stripped on goodreads, I was intrigued by the synopsis, and book cover.  Words and phrases that stuck out to me were in regards to Quinn making the same mistake her sister made-killing herself over a boy, being "forced into nude modeling," and about Torrin (the love interest) being connected to Quinn's family "in more ways than she could ever imagine."  Right away I was interested, and already trying to figure out what the story was about, before I even opened the first page!  I just knew right away that this book would be good!  The question, I asked myself was "Would Stripped be able to hold my attention for the duration of the whole story?"  The answer is "yes!"  Stripped held my attention, and the more I read of the story, the more that I wanted to know!  This story was fast-paced, full of suspense, mystery behind Quinn's sister's suicide, and some family secrets!  I enjoyed Stripped.  In no way was it a light read.  However, it was a great read, full of the harsh realities of life, having the strength and courage to live fully, and to admit when your wrong, and learn from past mistakes.

Stripped is the story of Quinn.  She recently lost her sister, to suicide over a break-up, and Quinn vows to never fall in love, or let a guy have the same kind of hold over her.  She decides to live a life that her sister would be proud of.  She attends college, because college was important to her sister, and is a business major because that's what her sister's major was.  Quinn was two years younger than her older sister, and looked up to her, all of her life.  Throughout the story, Quinn reflects on memories of her sister, and we are able to see how close the two girls were, and how much Quinn has been affected by her sister's death.  On top of all of this, her dad recently had to leave his job as the dean of a college when he was involved in a huge well-known, and publicized scandal.  The ripple effect of losing his job has been great financial troubles for the family, which has lead to Quinn's parents not being able to afford the full tuition for her education at Loyola.  Consequently, Quinn is under a lot of pressure to earn a lot of money in a short amount of time, or be forced to go back and live with her parents, and attend the community college that has a memorial of her sister, and is the last place that she wants to be.  Quinn ends up modeling nude, at the very same college that her father use to work for, in still-life art courses.  It's the only job that will pay her enough to be able to stay at her school.  No one recognizes Quinn there, and she goes out of her way to keep it that way.  Even though she has a boyfriend named Derek, who she uses to remind her not to fall in love (because he is a dirtbag,) she still ends up meeting Torrin, a great guy that she can't help but fall for.  However, Quinn and Torrin are both withholding information from one another, and as Quinn's walls begin to crumble, the question becomes, "Will she let someone in enough to love her, and will she be able to love him in return?"

I really connected with this story!  It was difficult for me to read about Quinn losing her sister.  I related to the close-knit, and special bond that Quinn shared with her sister, and my heart just broke for her.  I couldn't picture life without my sister, and I could understand Quinn's mixed emotions of confusion as to why her sister committed suicide, sadness, anger, and guilt, wondering if she could have done anything differently to prevent her sister from taking her life.  I also felt bad for the parents losing there daughter, and I could clearly see, and feel the negative affects that Quinn's sister's suicide had on the family dynamic.  I also felt bad for Quinn's situation, due to her father losing his job.  This poor girl had so many obstacles in her path, and considering all of the burdens she carried, it's no wonder she was struggling in her day to day life.  Torrin, really did help Quinn to heal.  He was such an amazing guy.  He was a good listener, and found ways to get Quinn to talk, and open-up to him.  I loved the fact that no matter how many times Quinn pushed Torrin away, he was always there for her.  These two characters not only had a lot of physical chemistry, but they also connected on a deep emotional level.

Stripped was a great debut novel, that I highly recommend!  It is one of those books that will tug at your emotions, make you sympathize or empathize with the main character, and you will connect or relate to the story in one way or another.  Stripped is a story that stood out to me, and I know I will remember it a year from now!  Whenever a story affects me emotionally, I know that it is a good story!  Stripped is a story that made me feel, and moved me deeply.  I believe it will move other readers as well.

I give Stripped, by Brooklyn Skye, 4 Secret, Mysterious, Scandalous, Fast-Paced, Tension-Filled, Stars!  I recommend this book to readers that enjoy New Adult Contemporary Romances that are realistic, about real life issues, that include overcoming tragedy, meaningful messages, and the importance of learning from one's mistakes, and how to rebuild one's life after tragedy strikes.  I really connected to this story, and was mesmerized the whole time that I read it!  This was an excellent debut, and I hope to see more from Ms. Skye in the future!

"I'm not sure if trust is a psychological thing or an instinctive thing or where exactly it comes from, but I've learned over the year to recognize those little signals my body exudes."  (EARC, 48)

"A fatso?  Very blatantly, he looks me up and down then pushes his shoulders back.  I think you mean gain some muscle.  And yes, you caught me...  He leans in and whispers, I was dying to touch your carotid artery."  (EARC, 59)

"It's not like those in his room, the urgency and insistence and firmness.  Or even sweet like the first.  This kiss is everything I don't have a word for.  In a way it feels protective.  A boy claiming a girl.  And it's tender and confusing and beautiful and for the first time in my life I think:  So this is why Zoe went off the deep end."  (EARC, 124)

"I'm not okay with what your sister did.  But sometimes God creates mountains in life.  Trials.  She lays her hand on her chest, taps one finger twice.  And you have to find the strength within to climb them."  (EARC, 165)

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Brooklyn Skye is just your average awkward girl who's obsessed with words. She grew up in a small California town where she quickly realized writing was an easy escape from small town life.

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Swoon Thursday (18)

        Hosted By YA Bound

The Rules of Swoon Thursday:

"From the book you are currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON.  What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.  Try to make the Swoon 140 characters so you can tweet it.  Add the #YABOUND hashtag when you tweet."

To Add Stripped to Goodreads Click HERE

Goodreads Summary:

“I like you.” His voice is low and soft, which I don’t deserve. I look away, down the rutted parking lot.

“Don’t... waste those words on me.”
He touches my cheek. “You just need someone to show you.”
“No.” I ease back again. “I don’t. So please, Torrin, stop trying to swoop in and save me. I don’t need saving.”

College freshman Quinn Montgomery will do anything to avoid the mistake her sister made—killing herself over a boy. But when she is forced into nude modeling at a local college to support her family after a bankruptcy, she begins to crack, just enough to let Torrin, the university’s top varsity oarsman, see that the real Quinn is not as feisty and unapproachable as she wants everyone to think. But letting someone in comes at a steep cost and, it turns out, Torrin is connected to Quinn’s family in more ways than she could ever imagine.

What Made Me Swoon:

"He kisses me again.  And this time I do feel his lips.  How warm they are.  How they suspend for the tiniest moment over the corner of my mouth before centering again.  How that tiny moment reminds me of all the other tiny moments we've shared and that makes this kiss enormously different than the first one, like all those tiny moments added up together mean something.  His fingers draw down my sides and he starts to guide me backwards.  My legs bump the edge of his mattress and I sit down.  He knells in front of me.  "Torrin."  "Quinn," his low voice says.  My stomach's a little spongy-like mom's disgusting tofu.  I take a breath and let it out.  Here goes nothing.  "Don't say I didn't warn you."  He smirks.  "Consider me warned."  My fingers dance across his cheek and I pull his face close."  (EARC, 116)  

What Are You Swooning Over?

Cover Reveal: Stripped by Brooklyn Skye

Stripped

by Brooklyn Skye 

Release Date: 05/14/13

Cover designed by: Lisa Poff Photography

Cover reveal organized by: YA Bound

Summary from Goodreads:

“I like you.” His voice is low and soft, which I don’t deserve. I look away, down the rutted parking lot.

“Don’t…waste those words on me.”

He touches my cheek. “You just need someone to show you.”

“No.” I ease back again. “I don’t. So please, Torrin, stop trying to swoop in and save me. I don’t need saving.”

College freshman Quinn Montgomery will do anything to avoid the mistake her sister made—killing herself over a boy. But when she is forced into nude modeling at a local college to support her family after a bankruptcy, she begins to crack, just enough to let Torrin, the university’s top varsity oarsman, see that the real Quinn is not as feisty and unapproachable as she wants everyone to think. But letting someone in comes at a steep cost and, it turns out, Torrin is connected to Quinn’s family in more ways than she could ever imagine.

About the Author

Brooklyn Skye is an author, editorial intern, and just your average awkward girl (especially on the phone!).   Her new adult debut, STRIPPED, releases May 2013!

Follow Brooklyn at:

Website * Twitter * Goodreads

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