HARD by Cheryl McIntyre ~ Review & Giveaway

HARD

Cheryl McIntyre

Released March 19th

AMAZON

GOODREADS

SYNOPSIS

I have been staring at her for three months. Watching her. Memorizing her.

For ninety-two days, I’ve looked into those lifeless green eyes.

And for ninety-two days she has inspired me in ways I never knew possible. A muse, unbeknownst to her. Motivating me. Encouraging my darkest desires.

I’m a man who knows what he wants. And what I want is the beautiful and broken Holland Howard.

My name is Jensen Payne—photographer, autocrat, lecher, Scopophiliac. I am who I am and I will not—cannot—change.

*This is an Erotic Romance. Recommended for readers 18+ ONLY.

WARNING: This book contains possible emotional triggers.

REVIEW

Nobody can take your misery away, that’s yours to keep all your own. Find the person who can make you forget you were miserable in the first place.

From the moment I heard about this book, I wanted to read it. From the minute I started it, I couldn't put it down. This beautiful story broke my heart, then healed it, and made me truly believe in second chances.

Hard is about a woman that suddenly lost NOT ONLY her mother but also her six month old baby within the span of just a couple of years. After months of grieving and barely holding her head above water she hits rock bottom when she walks in on her husband and best friend having sex. She runs. Flees actually, she has no destination nor does she believe she can out run her constant pain.

It’s this lack of self-preservation that has me fixated on this woman.So undeniably damaged to perfection.

The writing drew me right into the story and made me feel like I was right there with Holland. Given the enormity of the tragedy she'd faced, Holland had no intentions of ever moving on. She accepted the misery and at times she welcomed it since she felt she has no right to happiness.

I like the way I feel, this sick mixture of awakening—this humiliation, shame, boldness, and fearlessness all at once. A twisted paradox of emotions. Whatever degradation he has in store for me, I want it. I deserve it.

Jensen Payne is intense, mysterious, obsessive, erotic, controlling and H!O!T! Sadly, his reality is knowing that one day he will lose his eyesight, therefore he lives his life consumed with anger and resentment. 

At my lowest point, she awoke the artist in me. She stoked the embers, refueling my passion. My obsession. She had the kind of beauty people look right past. To everyone else, she was a pretty face they forgot about the moment they turned away. The quiet girl in the corner. But I saw her differently. That kind of beauty, sad, hard, damaged, raw—it was captivating. It told a story. One I needed to know the ending to.

Jensen and Holland embark on a dangerous relationship filled with secrets. In the beginning it is much more an obsession verses a relationship. Their private heartache put them near destruction since neither can ask for the help they each so desperately needs.

Jensen is living in fear of his future and I’m barely living, terrified of my past.

This story is so much more than an erotic romance. It's a story of love, loss, life, death and second chances. But more than anything, its a story of healing.  I totally devoured it in one day!  Honestly I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!  I highly recommend it!

Rating:4.5 Stars (standalone; alternating POV)

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