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Lifers
After eight years in prison, twenty-four year old Jordan Kane is the man everyone loves to hate.
Forced to return to his hometown while on parole, Jordan soon learns that this small town hasn't changed since he was carted off to juvie all those years ago. He is the local pariah, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn't even come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror.
Working odd jobs for the preacher lady, Jordan bides his time before he can leave this backwards town. But can distance erase the memories that haunt him? Trapped in the prison of his own mind Jordan wonders if the pain of living will ever subside?
Torrey Delaney is new in town and certainly doesn't behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. Her reputation for casual hook-ups and meaningless sex is the talk of the town. Add that to her budding friendship with the hardened ex-con handyman, and the good Reverend is less than thrilled with her estranged daughter’s path.
As friendship forms, is it possible for two damaged people who are afraid to love take their relationship to the next level? Can Torrey live with Jordan’s demons, and can Jordan break through Torrey's walls? With the disapproval of a small town weighing heavily on them, will they find their place in the world? Can they struggle against the odds, or will their world be viciously shattered?
Is love a life sentence?
Due to scenes of a sexual nature, not recommended for under 18.
Forced to return to his hometown while on parole, Jordan soon learns that this small town hasn't changed since he was carted off to juvie all those years ago. He is the local pariah, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn't even come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror.
Working odd jobs for the preacher lady, Jordan bides his time before he can leave this backwards town. But can distance erase the memories that haunt him? Trapped in the prison of his own mind Jordan wonders if the pain of living will ever subside?
Torrey Delaney is new in town and certainly doesn't behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. Her reputation for casual hook-ups and meaningless sex is the talk of the town. Add that to her budding friendship with the hardened ex-con handyman, and the good Reverend is less than thrilled with her estranged daughter’s path.
As friendship forms, is it possible for two damaged people who are afraid to love take their relationship to the next level? Can Torrey live with Jordan’s demons, and can Jordan break through Torrey's walls? With the disapproval of a small town weighing heavily on them, will they find their place in the world? Can they struggle against the odds, or will their world be viciously shattered?
Is love a life sentence?
Due to scenes of a sexual nature, not recommended for under 18.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2014
74 people are currently reading
4550 people want to read
About the author
Jane Harvey-Berrick
80 books2,028 followersAuthor also writes under Jane H. Berrick
Writing is my passion and my obsession. I write every day and I love it. My head is full of stories and characters. I'll never keep up with all my ideas...
All through 2021, I'll be including a new and original short story in my monthly newsletter. You'll get a FREE copy of my little heartbreaker PLAYING IN THE RAIN when you do.
http://janeharveyberrick.co.uk/newsle...
I live in a small village by the ocean and walk on the beach every day. It’s on those beachside walks that I have all my best ideas.
Writing has become a way of life – and one that I love to share.
I've just published my first ever historical romance - partly set in Britain during World War Two, and partly set in Iowa and Las Vegas today: THE LILAC CADILLAC
Did you know that I also write books with STUART REARDON, talented, kind AND handsome!
UNDEFEATED
MODEL BOYFRIEND
GYM OR CHOCOLATE?
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO VINCE
THE BABY GAME (Nov 24th 2021)
Find me!
Amazon US http://amzn.to/1M3cFuw amazon.com/author/janeharveyberrick
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1PdO987
FB Author page https://www.facebook.com/JHBWrites/
My Reader Group Jane’s Travelers https://www.facebook.com/groups/74596...
https://twitter.com/jharveyberrick
https://instagram.com/jharveyberrick
http://www.pinterest.com/jharveyberrick
Don’t want to miss a discounted book or a freebie? Follow me on Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jane-...
Email jharveyberrick@gmail.com
Youtube https://goo.gl/YBjWdd
Website www.janeharveyberrick.com
Writing is my passion and my obsession. I write every day and I love it. My head is full of stories and characters. I'll never keep up with all my ideas...
All through 2021, I'll be including a new and original short story in my monthly newsletter. You'll get a FREE copy of my little heartbreaker PLAYING IN THE RAIN when you do.
http://janeharveyberrick.co.uk/newsle...
I live in a small village by the ocean and walk on the beach every day. It’s on those beachside walks that I have all my best ideas.
Writing has become a way of life – and one that I love to share.
I've just published my first ever historical romance - partly set in Britain during World War Two, and partly set in Iowa and Las Vegas today: THE LILAC CADILLAC
Did you know that I also write books with STUART REARDON, talented, kind AND handsome!
UNDEFEATED
MODEL BOYFRIEND
GYM OR CHOCOLATE?
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO VINCE
THE BABY GAME (Nov 24th 2021)
Find me!
Amazon US http://amzn.to/1M3cFuw amazon.com/author/janeharveyberrick
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1PdO987
FB Author page https://www.facebook.com/JHBWrites/
My Reader Group Jane’s Travelers https://www.facebook.com/groups/74596...
https://twitter.com/jharveyberrick
https://instagram.com/jharveyberrick
http://www.pinterest.com/jharveyberrick
Don’t want to miss a discounted book or a freebie? Follow me on Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jane-...
Email jharveyberrick@gmail.com
Youtube https://goo.gl/YBjWdd
Website www.janeharveyberrick.com
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February 7, 2014
NOW LIVE ON AMAZON! (Feb 7th 2014)
Oh wow. Where do I start? Jordan Kane is possibly one of the best brooding bad boys I've ever read!!
5+ stars for Jordan and Torrey!
I was incredibly fortunate to receive an ARC of this fabulous book and I absolutely can not wait for it's release, so that you guys can share in this story.
Lifers is the story of Jordan Kane and Torrey Delaney. Jordan is twenty three and has just been released from an eight year stretch in prison. He's on parole and is trying to adjust to the outside world, but with little success, hindered largely by the judgemental, spiteful small town society in which he lives and also his own guilt and insecurities. The community will never allow him to forget the crimes he committed all those years ago, not that he'd allow that of himself anyway, with the memory and guilt etched into his brain as a torturous daily reminder.
Torrey has moved in with her mother, the town's preacher, whom she hasn't seen for years, to try and work out what she wants to do with her life, following an awkward situation with her ex-lover/ex-boss at her former work place that ended up costing her her job. She doesn't really know what she wants to do, but she does know that she isn't all that impressed with small town life or the people in it, so far. Until she meets the intriguing, deliciously hot Jordan Kane.
When Jordan starts working for Torrey's mother, the pair form an unlikely friendship. As Jordan stars opening up to Torrey, sparks begin to fly. And it all starts with a cup of coffee...
This was one of those books that completely consumed me whilst I was reading it. I couldn't think about anything else, I didn't want to do anything else, all I wanted to do was read about Jordan and Torrey. I adored both characters in this book. Completely and equally.
Let's start with Torrey. She is sassy, confident, independent, sarcastic, funny... I loved her. I loved her wit and her sense of humour. She's such a strong heroine and her strength and confidence was so vital to this story. However, as do most of us, Torrey has her own insecurities and often her sass is part of the self-preserving walls she has erected around her heart to keep her from hurting.
And then there is Jordan. Oh my. If ever there was a bench mark for brooding bad boys, Jordan has just raised and re-set it. He's gorgeous, tall, ripped, has a sexy Texan accent but he is painfully shy to begin with.
After having spent eight long years in prison, he has become totally dehumanised. He doesn't know how to function in ordinary every day life. After so many years of conforming and being told how to live, he doesn't know how to make his own decisions, he's constantly just agreeing with whatever he's told and he's always trying to please. He's afraid to have his own opinion, he's afraid of a life without routine and he trusts nobody. He's so used to living inside his own head, speaking to nobody, keeping his opinions to himself that he doesn't know how to lead a normal life now that he is out in the real world.
The narrative alternates between Torrey and Jordan's POV, which is fascinating, as we get an insight into what Jordan is thinking re. his lack of communication skills, what makes him nervous, how quickly he gets turned on and more. Jane has executed this perfectly. You really feel like your inside the head of an unsure, shy, horny ex-con. Lol!
It's so painful, yet eye-opening to read. We really do take our freedom for granted and this book made me sit back and think, 'wow, what would it be like to become accustomed to living without making even the smallest decisions... Like what time you get up in the morning, what you wear, what you have for lunch...' Jordan is scared and confused, which makes him defensive and suspicious.
These traits, coupled with his size and physical strength make him quite an intimidating prospect to most people. But not to Torrey, who might be small, but she's got bigger balls that most men in town. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
It's absolutely fascinating to read how Torrey, with her straight talking, no bullshit questions, yet her kind, gentle coaxing, gradually manages to draw the character and individuality out of Jordan and we start to see the man he would have become if he hadn't been locked away for eight long years. Throughout this story he goes from a robotic, almost mute, pariah amongst society, to a funny, caring, confident, beautiful person. And at the same time, Torrey's protective, impenetrable walls are broken down, as a result of how Jordan's sad story touches her and the feelings she has for him.
The build up of sexual tension in this book is scrummy! Jane is great at that. It was the same with The Education books and she's done it again with Lifers.
Jane seems to have a way with making vulnerable men totally sexy. I usually love a controlling, dominant man, but with both Lifers and The Education of Sebastian Jane Harvey-Berrick has successfully written smoking hot sexual relationships, where the woman is the more assured, confident one, to begin with. I also love that development within the relationship, where he goes from being the nervous, inexperienced one to eventually finding his stride and taking over as the dominant partner, with the encourage from our female lead. There's such a thrill, reading as the he begins to gain confidence and take control. Their relationship is just perfect.
This story really tugged on my heart strings. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me think. I want to know these characters. I want an epilogue for the epilogue, to see how they are doing in years to come. I want to know what kind of husband and daddy Jordan becomes, after having to endure so many years of guilt, solitude and hardship. Pretty please Jane, can we have a little insight into Jordan and Torrey's future at some point soon? I just loved everything about this story and these characters.
Have you read it? Tell us what you thought?
'Lifers' Statistics
• Steam Rating (out of 5): ♥♥♥♥
• Ending: HEA
• Length: 435 pages
• Narrative: Alternates between Jordan and Torrey's POV. Past tense.
• Series: ✗
• Can this be read as a standalone? Yes
• Themes:
Ex con
Second chance
Grief
Family tragedy
• WARNING. This book includes...
Sexual content. Violence.
• Writing: Great
Check out this review on my blog ➜
Release date: Feb 7th 2014
Pre-order available!
Like this review and want to keep up to date with more book news…?
My blog: http://smittensbookblog.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmittenSC
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/smittensc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmittensBook...
Oh wow. Where do I start? Jordan Kane is possibly one of the best brooding bad boys I've ever read!!
5+ stars for Jordan and Torrey!
I was incredibly fortunate to receive an ARC of this fabulous book and I absolutely can not wait for it's release, so that you guys can share in this story.
Lifers is the story of Jordan Kane and Torrey Delaney. Jordan is twenty three and has just been released from an eight year stretch in prison. He's on parole and is trying to adjust to the outside world, but with little success, hindered largely by the judgemental, spiteful small town society in which he lives and also his own guilt and insecurities. The community will never allow him to forget the crimes he committed all those years ago, not that he'd allow that of himself anyway, with the memory and guilt etched into his brain as a torturous daily reminder.
One mistake.
That's all it took.
One fuckin', stupid, childish, dumb mistake.
Torrey has moved in with her mother, the town's preacher, whom she hasn't seen for years, to try and work out what she wants to do with her life, following an awkward situation with her ex-lover/ex-boss at her former work place that ended up costing her her job. She doesn't really know what she wants to do, but she does know that she isn't all that impressed with small town life or the people in it, so far. Until she meets the intriguing, deliciously hot Jordan Kane.
When Jordan starts working for Torrey's mother, the pair form an unlikely friendship. As Jordan stars opening up to Torrey, sparks begin to fly. And it all starts with a cup of coffee...
"Except me," she said.
This was one of those books that completely consumed me whilst I was reading it. I couldn't think about anything else, I didn't want to do anything else, all I wanted to do was read about Jordan and Torrey. I adored both characters in this book. Completely and equally.
Let's start with Torrey. She is sassy, confident, independent, sarcastic, funny... I loved her. I loved her wit and her sense of humour. She's such a strong heroine and her strength and confidence was so vital to this story. However, as do most of us, Torrey has her own insecurities and often her sass is part of the self-preserving walls she has erected around her heart to keep her from hurting.
And then there is Jordan. Oh my. If ever there was a bench mark for brooding bad boys, Jordan has just raised and re-set it. He's gorgeous, tall, ripped, has a sexy Texan accent but he is painfully shy to begin with.
After having spent eight long years in prison, he has become totally dehumanised. He doesn't know how to function in ordinary every day life. After so many years of conforming and being told how to live, he doesn't know how to make his own decisions, he's constantly just agreeing with whatever he's told and he's always trying to please. He's afraid to have his own opinion, he's afraid of a life without routine and he trusts nobody. He's so used to living inside his own head, speaking to nobody, keeping his opinions to himself that he doesn't know how to lead a normal life now that he is out in the real world.
Your whole life can change in a heartbeat.
The narrative alternates between Torrey and Jordan's POV, which is fascinating, as we get an insight into what Jordan is thinking re. his lack of communication skills, what makes him nervous, how quickly he gets turned on and more. Jane has executed this perfectly. You really feel like your inside the head of an unsure, shy, horny ex-con. Lol!
It's so painful, yet eye-opening to read. We really do take our freedom for granted and this book made me sit back and think, 'wow, what would it be like to become accustomed to living without making even the smallest decisions... Like what time you get up in the morning, what you wear, what you have for lunch...' Jordan is scared and confused, which makes him defensive and suspicious.
These traits, coupled with his size and physical strength make him quite an intimidating prospect to most people. But not to Torrey, who might be small, but she's got bigger balls that most men in town. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
It's absolutely fascinating to read how Torrey, with her straight talking, no bullshit questions, yet her kind, gentle coaxing, gradually manages to draw the character and individuality out of Jordan and we start to see the man he would have become if he hadn't been locked away for eight long years. Throughout this story he goes from a robotic, almost mute, pariah amongst society, to a funny, caring, confident, beautiful person. And at the same time, Torrey's protective, impenetrable walls are broken down, as a result of how Jordan's sad story touches her and the feelings she has for him.
The build up of sexual tension in this book is scrummy! Jane is great at that. It was the same with The Education books and she's done it again with Lifers.
Jane seems to have a way with making vulnerable men totally sexy. I usually love a controlling, dominant man, but with both Lifers and The Education of Sebastian Jane Harvey-Berrick has successfully written smoking hot sexual relationships, where the woman is the more assured, confident one, to begin with. I also love that development within the relationship, where he goes from being the nervous, inexperienced one to eventually finding his stride and taking over as the dominant partner, with the encourage from our female lead. There's such a thrill, reading as the he begins to gain confidence and take control. Their relationship is just perfect.
This story really tugged on my heart strings. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me think. I want to know these characters. I want an epilogue for the epilogue, to see how they are doing in years to come. I want to know what kind of husband and daddy Jordan becomes, after having to endure so many years of guilt, solitude and hardship. Pretty please Jane, can we have a little insight into Jordan and Torrey's future at some point soon? I just loved everything about this story and these characters.
Have you read it? Tell us what you thought?
'Lifers' Statistics
• Steam Rating (out of 5): ♥♥♥♥
• Ending: HEA
• Length: 435 pages
• Narrative: Alternates between Jordan and Torrey's POV. Past tense.
• Series: ✗
• Can this be read as a standalone? Yes
• Themes:
Ex con
Second chance
Grief
Family tragedy
• WARNING. This book includes...
Sexual content. Violence.
• Writing: Great
Check out this review on my blog ➜
Release date: Feb 7th 2014
Pre-order available!
Like this review and want to keep up to date with more book news…?
Follow me at the links below…
My blog: http://smittensbookblog.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmittenSC
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/smittensc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmittensBook...
February 16, 2014
4 stars!
When I first heard about Lifers, I thought- MUST READ! It’s by Jane Harvey-Berrick and I enjoy her writing, it seems like an original and unique concept, AND the heroine is a ‘slutty’ reverend's daughter & the hero is a tattooed and broken boy who happens to be an ex-convict. Sign me up! It didn’t disappoint! I fall for this authors heros every single time, and I’m really loving Jordan right now!!!
Jordan and Torrey are both at a crossroads. They’re both currently stuck in this little town, but for very different reasons. Torrey is the reverend's daughter. After her father remarried, and she quit her job, she decided to come and live with her mother to get her life together. Jordan’s story is very different. After spending the last eight years in prison, he is back in his hometown living with his parents until his parole is up. And his welcome is not warm.
When Torrey first meets Jordan, she has no idea who he is or what he’s done. She just see’s a shy and extremely good looking man. The more she finds out about him, the less she cares about his past. She doesn’t judge him for the things he’s done, she only wants to be there for him.
Torrey and Jordan’s friendship slowly becomes something else. Something more. For the first time in a long time, Jordan has someone he can talk to, someone he can be with, and he’s falling for her. And even though she doesn’t want to, she’s falling for him too.
The dynamic between Torrey and Jordan just felt right. I loved everything about Jordan and his broken soul. It had been a really long time since he had been with a woman, but it only made the sex scenes hotter! Jordan appears to be the ‘bad boy’ with the prison background and all the tattoo’s, but he really is a big sweetheart. I adored him. Although I had a few small issues with the heroine in the beginning, she really came into her own by the end. I rooted for this couple. They have a long journey ahead of them, but they have the love to make it through.
Lifers did have a bit of a slow start for me. But once it started to pick up, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the slow burn of Jordan and Torrey’s relationship. There wasn’t insta-love, maybe instant attraction, but the love grew with time and friendship. Both parties were hesitant to get into a relationship, and for good reasons. Once they started to open up, it was lovely to watch. Besides the slow start and Jordan’s accent confusing me at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. With themes of love, forgiveness, and living life to the fullest, it was truly a beautiful story.
When I first heard about Lifers, I thought- MUST READ! It’s by Jane Harvey-Berrick and I enjoy her writing, it seems like an original and unique concept, AND the heroine is a ‘slutty’ reverend's daughter & the hero is a tattooed and broken boy who happens to be an ex-convict. Sign me up! It didn’t disappoint! I fall for this authors heros every single time, and I’m really loving Jordan right now!!!
Jordan and Torrey are both at a crossroads. They’re both currently stuck in this little town, but for very different reasons. Torrey is the reverend's daughter. After her father remarried, and she quit her job, she decided to come and live with her mother to get her life together. Jordan’s story is very different. After spending the last eight years in prison, he is back in his hometown living with his parents until his parole is up. And his welcome is not warm.
When Torrey first meets Jordan, she has no idea who he is or what he’s done. She just see’s a shy and extremely good looking man. The more she finds out about him, the less she cares about his past. She doesn’t judge him for the things he’s done, she only wants to be there for him.
“Here, everyone knows my story and has decided I’m trash.” “Except me,” she said.Jordan is the town pariah. No one talks to him or looks at him unless they are harassing him. Torrey’s mother is the only one who would give him a job to meet his parole requirements, and that is only because it was the ‘Christian thing’ to do. Even his own parent’s hardly speak to him. But Torrey is different. So different. She wants to know him, gets him to open up. Torrey needs someone in her life too. They both fill that spot for one another.
“I like talkin’ about it with you. It’s just a little strange for me. I feel like you’re a dream and I’ll wake up and find my life really is total shit after all.”
When I was with her, for the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel judged. I couldn’t figure out why, but she seemed to accept me for who I was. Not that I knew what that meant anymore, but she made me feel alive.
Torrey and Jordan’s friendship slowly becomes something else. Something more. For the first time in a long time, Jordan has someone he can talk to, someone he can be with, and he’s falling for her. And even though she doesn’t want to, she’s falling for him too.
The dynamic between Torrey and Jordan just felt right. I loved everything about Jordan and his broken soul. It had been a really long time since he had been with a woman, but it only made the sex scenes hotter! Jordan appears to be the ‘bad boy’ with the prison background and all the tattoo’s, but he really is a big sweetheart. I adored him. Although I had a few small issues with the heroine in the beginning, she really came into her own by the end. I rooted for this couple. They have a long journey ahead of them, but they have the love to make it through.
“I love you.” I said. “What we have, you and me, it’s what I thought love should be, but I’d stopped believing it existed.”
Lifers did have a bit of a slow start for me. But once it started to pick up, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the slow burn of Jordan and Torrey’s relationship. There wasn’t insta-love, maybe instant attraction, but the love grew with time and friendship. Both parties were hesitant to get into a relationship, and for good reasons. Once they started to open up, it was lovely to watch. Besides the slow start and Jordan’s accent confusing me at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. With themes of love, forgiveness, and living life to the fullest, it was truly a beautiful story.
November 16, 2014
Title: Lifers
Series: Standalone.
Author: Jane Harvey Berrick
Release Date: February 7th, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Cliffhanger:. No
HEA:
Lifers was definitely story like no other I’ve ever read. Jane Harvey – Berrick created something else entirely, something that caught my attention with unusual plot and heartbreaking storyline. It was not only your normal new adult read where both tortured characters find comfort in each other. Lifers was so much deeper and complex than that. I can honestly say I was hooked from the first page to the last and felt glued to them.
This is very complicated story. Told from dual point of views, Lifers is a novel focused on Torrey, twenty four year old woman who came to live with her mother who’s a preacher in small southern town. She’s wild, she likes to hook up with different guys and is definitely not a good little girl, her mom would like her to be.
Then, there is Jordan who just left prison after spending eight years behind bars. Being on parole makes him live in town where everyone treats him like trash and murderer. Even his parents hate him. The only person in the whole town who seems to be on ease with him is Torrey.
Together they start their journey of true love, loyalty, fighting with guilt and blame as well as finding their new path.
The main characters were awesome! Total opposites yet they were like two perfect for each other puzzles. While Jordan was shy and a little bit antisocial and insecure, Torrey was confident, outspoken, wild and crazy! Every time she made Jordan blush with her bluntness I was swooning. That was something else to see hero who’s not your usual badass jerk and heroine that isn’t naïve virgin. I had so much fun thanks to those two. And don’t worry, despite the fact that Jordan’s not your usual man whore with perfect moves, he’s total beast in the bedroom! Eight years without sex will do that to a man. Honestly, I think it would be even better if author made Jordan virgin, but you know, I was still extremely happy with what I’ve got.
Why not five stars then? Well, I found some parts cheesy and a little bit over the top. While romance was great, and the storyline refreshing there was a tiny, little bit thing missing, the cherry on the top, that would make me give it a perfect rating. Still, I highly recommend Lifers for those of you that want to read something different and well full of angst and hot sex!
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July 21, 2016DNF at 24%
Look there's probably nothing wrong with this book. Great blurb, great premise, great author = Feifei's supposed to like it. However, it's been 3 days and 17 hours I've been trying to read this and it feels like forever. I'm just not feeling it.
EDIT: okay so it was more than just boredom and I feel like I owe the author and other readers an explanation. To put it frankly, southerners will find offense with the book as the accents were completely butchered. On top of which, the female lead treats Jordan like crap: calling him idiot all the time, storming off; there was even a scene where she slapped him?! It's too hard to connect with a difficult heroine such as this one, and Jordan being the shy guy he is takes it all in because I mean, who wouldn't in front of the hottest girl he's ever seen? ;)
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Look there's probably nothing wrong with this book. Great blurb, great premise, great author = Feifei's supposed to like it. However, it's been 3 days and 17 hours I've been trying to read this and it feels like forever. I'm just not feeling it.
EDIT: okay so it was more than just boredom and I feel like I owe the author and other readers an explanation. To put it frankly, southerners will find offense with the book as the accents were completely butchered. On top of which, the female lead treats Jordan like crap: calling him idiot all the time, storming off; there was even a scene where she slapped him?! It's too hard to connect with a difficult heroine such as this one, and Jordan being the shy guy he is takes it all in because I mean, who wouldn't in front of the hottest girl he's ever seen? ;)
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2015
“I didn’t believe life was worth living ‘til I met you.”
I don’t know why I am even surprised anymore when I fall in love with another novel by this extraordinary author because it happens every single time, and I always end up walking away a total wreck, unable to pick up another book for days to come. An unexpected but truly phenomenal reading treat, this was a story I loved with all my heart, and even now, days after I first finished it, I am drawn to it again, aching for the characters, for more of their life journey, for more of that unique, exquisitely poignant feel a Jane Harvey-Berrick novel possesses beginning to end. This is a book I want to urge everyone to read, to drop everything and not wait another minute, because beautiful, inspiring stories like these are rare finds these days, and it baffles me why they are not on everyone’s lips when they truly deserve to be.
“What would it do to a person, living day in and day out surrounded by nothing but memories and hatred?”
Torrey Delaney does not believe in love. Her parents’ broken marriage and her mother’s subsequent abandonment when she was just a young girl have taught her that relationships are undependable, that hearts are expendable and that the only person she will always be able to rely on is herself. But while such a life mantra has protected her so far from heartbreak and disappointment, it has also caused her to act recklessly when picking her casual hook-ups, her latest affair finally driving her to leave her old life behind and to start afresh somewhere else. With limited resources at her disposal, however, Torrey is forced to make a small town on the gulf coast of Texas her temporary new home—the very town in which her estranged mother happens to be the local preacher. Perceived by everyone as the preacher’s trashy daughter, she does nothing to dissuade others of that opinion of her because it gives her the freedom to behave as she chooses…until she crosses paths with a young man who cannot escape what the whole town thinks of him as his every move is judged and condemned.
“I wouldn’t want a guy like me spending time with my daughter either.”
Jordan Kane has spent the last eight years of his young life serving a prison sentence for one careless act that cost him the life of his beloved older brother—the town’s golden boy. Now treated as the local pariah by everyone he once knew, Jordan is met with disdain and disgust everywhere he goes, but no one hates him as much as he hates himself for getting to live the life his brother never got to live. Alone and broken in a town that wishes he were dead, he struggles daily with the burden of his memories and his newly found freedom, clueless as to how to assimilate into a world that keeps rejecting him at every turn. Until an outspoken firecracker breaks through his defences and teaches him how to live again.
“In prison I’d kept to myself; out here, I didn’t know what the boundaries were anymore. It was a game of life where I didn’t know the rules and couldn’t work them out— and I was losing. Big time.”
A friendship born out of loneliness and curiosity soon becomes a powerful bond that neither of them can deny, or live without. But while Torrey struggles to recognise her feelings for the sad, broken man she is slowly falling for, for Jordan she represents everything he never dared to hope he would find in life, and everything he believes he will forever remain unworthy of. Torrey eases his despair, her no-nonsense attitude forcing him out of his self-imposed purgatory, and the more time they spend together, the more he no longer feels all alone in the world.
“If I could, I’d take you somewhere real upscale. There’d be a starched white cloth on the table, napkins folded into fancy shapes, and candles all around us. I’d order champagne and the best food on the menu. We’d eat and laugh and talk, and I’d take you dancin’ till dawn. Then I’d lay you down on soft sheets and love you till the sun was high in the sky.”
Living in a small town determined to never forget or let him forget his sins, however, remains a constant test for their budding romance, and while our hearts melt with delight as we watch them fall irrevocably and passionately in love with one another, they also break every time their love is met with hostility and intolerance. A story of forgiveness, of second chances, and of letting go of anger and self-hatred in order to be truly free to embrace all that life has to offer—a story like this is simply my favourite kind of reading escape. Confidently and eloquently written, addictive cover to cover, every emotional word of this oh-so wonderful tale stole my breath away and even though it was my undoing on more than one occasion, it left me with the goofiest grin on my face. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
“…the only thing I’d miss if I went back now would be you.”
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July 7, 2014
I was so excited when I was offered an ARC. Got that feel so good as I am such fan of Jane. I adore her writing. Thank you so much Lisa for this opportunity.
The story is about a broken boy and it was original and brilliantly written thou it was wee bit slow.
Jordan Kane, comes out of prison after 8 years on parole back to hometown. And everything is changed, even his parents.
The way the people treat him really is so heartbreaking and poor boy goes thru it daily. Until one day, a kind soul in the form of Torrey comes into his life. She gives him hope.
Torrey is the daughter of Reverend in their town. But she has a reputation for being a slut. No one knows that she hides her own secrets.
Jordan and Torrey become closer. They fight against the town for their love.
and she holds on to Jordan!
How will they survive this?
Jane does write hot scenes, no regrets there!
"Right now, I want to feel that big cock of yours inside me"
"Fuck"
"That's the general idea"
"Beautiful woman, I want to make love to you"
If you are looking for an original story about a broken hero and kickass heroine, grab it!
You are up for a roller coaster!
Will I Recommend? YES YES YES
Happy reading!
D xo
**ARC provided for review**
February 6, 2016
RE-READ
A Reverends daughter; who's not that good.
An Ex-con; who's not that bad.
4.5 STARS
Genre: Healing and dealing, casual romance.
Cover: 10/10
Writing: 9/10
Heroine: 9/10
Hero: 9/10
Amount of humour: 3/10
Hotness: 5/10
Romance: 8/10
Ending: 10/10
Extra book Details: HEA. Dual POV. Approx 409 pages.
BLURB: After realising her life is going nowhere, Torrey decides to leave Boston and start afresh, at least for a few months while she earns some cash to move onto somewhere else.
Her Mom left to become a Reverend when she was a young teen; Torrey felt her mom's calling was more important than her family.
Still not seeing eye to eye with her Mom, she starts working as a waitress where she sees Jordan for the first time. Sure, she wants him, he's hot, and she likes a casual hook-up more often than not. But there's something about him... he seems so shy.
Jordan, now 24, has lived the last eight years in prison. Coming home, he soon realises the whole town hates him, he's even hated by his own parents. Unable to get work anywhere, the Reverend gets him some odd jobs to meet with conditions of his four month long parole.
When Jordan starts working on the Reverends property, he bumps into Torrey. She can tell he's vulnerable and broken. She finds that he's also deserving, good and dealt a shitty hand.
Torrey amazes Jordan, she turns him on badly, but she also surprises him constantly, she's a total firecracker.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were great. It was refreshing to read.
Torrey is sarcastic, feisty, crude, easy going, life loving, funny, and had no brain to mouth filter.
Jordan is shy, nervous, lonely, subservient, grieving and doesn't know how to talk to people in general let alone women.
'Lifers' isn't very dramatic, I think this is what knocked it down half a star for me, and probably will knock it down a lot more for others as it is quite slow. Sometimes it felt like it had too much inner monologue, or more things needed to happen.
It feeds off the characters situation, emotions and relationship, not from ex lovers, partying, abusive parents, best friends, secrets, lies and all the other New Adult elements that create drama in NA romances. The sex scenes were good, and weren't overloaded, I loved how he was so unsure of himself after eight years without a woman, and how each time for them got better and better.
So, there's not a lot of storyline, it didn't bother me too much, the characters were great and they had some fab banter.
A Reverends daughter; who's not that good.
An Ex-con; who's not that bad.
“Maybe we'll both have to be bad together.” he whispered against my hair.
“Works for me.” I said.
4.5 STARS
Genre: Healing and dealing, casual romance.
Cover: 10/10
Writing: 9/10
Heroine: 9/10
Hero: 9/10
Amount of humour: 3/10
Hotness: 5/10
Romance: 8/10
Ending: 10/10
Extra book Details: HEA. Dual POV. Approx 409 pages.
BLURB: After realising her life is going nowhere, Torrey decides to leave Boston and start afresh, at least for a few months while she earns some cash to move onto somewhere else.
'So I'd ended up calling Mom for the first time in six years and taking up her offer of a room in Smallbutt, Nowheresville, on the gulf coast of Texas.'
Her Mom left to become a Reverend when she was a young teen; Torrey felt her mom's calling was more important than her family.
Still not seeing eye to eye with her Mom, she starts working as a waitress where she sees Jordan for the first time. Sure, she wants him, he's hot, and she likes a casual hook-up more often than not. But there's something about him... he seems so shy.
'Jordan was vulnerable, and he didn't need me making his life any harder.'
Jordan, now 24, has lived the last eight years in prison. Coming home, he soon realises the whole town hates him, he's even hated by his own parents. Unable to get work anywhere, the Reverend gets him some odd jobs to meet with conditions of his four month long parole.
'In prison I'd kept to myself; out here, I didn't know what the boundaries were anymore. It was a game of life where I didn't know the rules and couldn't work them out – and I was losing. Big time.'
When Jordan starts working on the Reverends property, he bumps into Torrey. She can tell he's vulnerable and broken. She finds that he's also deserving, good and dealt a shitty hand.
'I'd never met a person who needed a friend more.'
Torrey amazes Jordan, she turns him on badly, but she also surprises him constantly, she's a total firecracker.
'She was so fucking fearless; she'd charge hell with a bucket of iced water.'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were great. It was refreshing to read.
Torrey is sarcastic, feisty, crude, easy going, life loving, funny, and had no brain to mouth filter.
Jordan is shy, nervous, lonely, subservient, grieving and doesn't know how to talk to people in general let alone women.
'Lifers' isn't very dramatic, I think this is what knocked it down half a star for me, and probably will knock it down a lot more for others as it is quite slow. Sometimes it felt like it had too much inner monologue, or more things needed to happen.
It feeds off the characters situation, emotions and relationship, not from ex lovers, partying, abusive parents, best friends, secrets, lies and all the other New Adult elements that create drama in NA romances. The sex scenes were good, and weren't overloaded, I loved how he was so unsure of himself after eight years without a woman, and how each time for them got better and better.
So, there's not a lot of storyline, it didn't bother me too much, the characters were great and they had some fab banter.
“Well? How do I look?”
Beautiful. Gorgeous. Sexy. Off limits.
“Um, Fine.” I managed to squeeze out. She raised her eyebrows.
“You smooth talking stud. I can see that I'm going to have to watch myself with you.”
She seemed to be staring into the distance, but I guess she must have noticed my condition after all, because she said in a conversational tone, “If you want to use the bathroom to jack off, better do it now because I’m going to take a shower in a minute.”
I nearly swallowed my tongue, and I’m sure my jaw was pretty darn close to dropping on the floor.
“Excuse me?” I managed to cough out.
She turned an amused face toward me.
“You just look a little uncomfortable there, cowboy. I thought you might need some relief.”
December 4, 2014
dnf at 41%
The first 30 % were tolerable and ok. Even though I read in some reviews about the terrible southern accent I wanted to give it a try because I thought it wouldn't bother me much. But I was soo wrong, it bothered me a LOT.
It wasn't just the southern accent that made the heroine sound stupid. She actually said a lot of stupid things. Some might call her a direct person but I call her a brat.
For the hero I felt most of the time sorry. But no matter how sorry I felt for him it didn't stop me from skimming at 30%.
End of story is I quit at 41%. Not even skimming could make to finish it. It was just boring and slow.
I feel really sorry for dfn this book because I loved "Dangerous to know and love".
So I was looking forward to an angsty, emotional and steamy read
and what I got was a bunch of (no offense) hillbillies
The first 30 % were tolerable and ok. Even though I read in some reviews about the terrible southern accent I wanted to give it a try because I thought it wouldn't bother me much. But I was soo wrong, it bothered me a LOT.
It wasn't just the southern accent that made the heroine sound stupid. She actually said a lot of stupid things. Some might call her a direct person but I call her a brat.
For the hero I felt most of the time sorry. But no matter how sorry I felt for him it didn't stop me from skimming at 30%.
End of story is I quit at 41%. Not even skimming could make to finish it. It was just boring and slow.
I feel really sorry for dfn this book because I loved "Dangerous to know and love".
So I was looking forward to an angsty, emotional and steamy read
and what I got was a bunch of (no offense) hillbillies
no-way-in-hell
February 13, 2014I'm a hillbilly from the South and apparently this author just butchered our dialect so I won't be reading :)
February 9, 2014
When I heard the Jane Harvey-Berrick was putting out another book, I just had to get my hands on a copy! I have always enjoyed the fact that she has somewhat unique story lines in the books that she creates. This story was one that had a origional idea, and my curiousity was awakened immediately.
We are introduced to two people who couldn't be any more different than each other even if they tried. Torrey Delaney is the daughter of the local "Preacher-lady". Torrie just recently moved back with her mom in Texas due to the fact that she wasnt' getting along with her dad from Boston. Things were not smooth sailing for Torrie and her mother though, as Torrie was known for sleeping around. Her reputation made her somewhat of a person who people gossiped about rather than be friends with. One day while she is working at the "Busy-Bee" diner, Jordan Kane walks in looking for a meal and a coffee. Unfortunately, no one in the Texas town will have anything to do with him. It doesn't matter that he is super hot, and has lived in this town his whole life. He is known as a murderer, and the town folk are down right cruel to him. Not only does he get treated horribly by them; but by his parents as well. The person that Jordan killed was his brother, and he served his eight year sentence in prison. He is currently out on parole; but we learn very quickly that he really is still in a prison of his own making. Will Jordan ever be able to forgive himself for what went down that fateful night? While Jordan is in the diner, he finds out yet again that no one wants him there. In fact, Torrie had been warned not to serve him because of who he is. Of course, no one tells Torrie what to do, so she quickly runs down the street after Jordan to give him a coffee. This begins a beautiful relationship between these two misfits who are so different, yet also the same in how they are treated by people.
I loved the relationship that developed between Jordan and Torrie. I thought it was wonderful how Torrie gave Jordan a new sense of purpose in his life. He slowly started to realize life was indeed worth living, and that just maybe he deserved forgiveness. The couple find the strength from each other to make their lives more meaningful. As they become closer, the relationship becomes more intense. I loved how their sex life ends up very explosive. The passion these two share is through the roof at times. Another thing that I found interesting while I was reading this story, was what Jordan went through trying to integrate back into a normal society. The challenges he faced were huge after being locked up for eight years. Being in jail took away all of his rights, the ones that we take for granted. Even having to use the washroom, was something that he couldn't even do in private. It just brought to light so many facts that I had never thought about.
All in all, this was a great read, and a sweet love story. I fell in love with Jordan, especially his vulnerability. It was nice to see that he was able to keep his sensitivity even after he came back from jail. Too many people become hardened by jail, but Jordon was not one of them.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something a little different in their romance books.
I recieved an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was released on Feb 7/14!
We are introduced to two people who couldn't be any more different than each other even if they tried. Torrey Delaney is the daughter of the local "Preacher-lady". Torrie just recently moved back with her mom in Texas due to the fact that she wasnt' getting along with her dad from Boston. Things were not smooth sailing for Torrie and her mother though, as Torrie was known for sleeping around. Her reputation made her somewhat of a person who people gossiped about rather than be friends with. One day while she is working at the "Busy-Bee" diner, Jordan Kane walks in looking for a meal and a coffee. Unfortunately, no one in the Texas town will have anything to do with him. It doesn't matter that he is super hot, and has lived in this town his whole life. He is known as a murderer, and the town folk are down right cruel to him. Not only does he get treated horribly by them; but by his parents as well. The person that Jordan killed was his brother, and he served his eight year sentence in prison. He is currently out on parole; but we learn very quickly that he really is still in a prison of his own making. Will Jordan ever be able to forgive himself for what went down that fateful night? While Jordan is in the diner, he finds out yet again that no one wants him there. In fact, Torrie had been warned not to serve him because of who he is. Of course, no one tells Torrie what to do, so she quickly runs down the street after Jordan to give him a coffee. This begins a beautiful relationship between these two misfits who are so different, yet also the same in how they are treated by people.
I loved the relationship that developed between Jordan and Torrie. I thought it was wonderful how Torrie gave Jordan a new sense of purpose in his life. He slowly started to realize life was indeed worth living, and that just maybe he deserved forgiveness. The couple find the strength from each other to make their lives more meaningful. As they become closer, the relationship becomes more intense. I loved how their sex life ends up very explosive. The passion these two share is through the roof at times. Another thing that I found interesting while I was reading this story, was what Jordan went through trying to integrate back into a normal society. The challenges he faced were huge after being locked up for eight years. Being in jail took away all of his rights, the ones that we take for granted. Even having to use the washroom, was something that he couldn't even do in private. It just brought to light so many facts that I had never thought about.
All in all, this was a great read, and a sweet love story. I fell in love with Jordan, especially his vulnerability. It was nice to see that he was able to keep his sensitivity even after he came back from jail. Too many people become hardened by jail, but Jordon was not one of them.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something a little different in their romance books.
I recieved an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was released on Feb 7/14!
February 12, 2014
Jenny: Reading Lifers was akin to reading with a lead weight sitting on my chest. My heart was aching from the first few pages and I don’t think it stopped hurting until the end. The desolation and despair of Jordan and Torrey’s story could be felt through the pages and when every day is a battle and every thought is consumed with guilt, it makes for a very moving read that I felt in my heart. Jordan broke me. What he endured was beyond words.
‘I guess my punishment was to carry on living.’
Mind you, there were certainly moments of humour, passion, anger, nervous anticipation and outrage throughout Lifers as well, mostly provided by Torrey, which lightened the load.
This book consumed me. You know you’re on to a good read when you can’t even let go of your Kindle to cook the evening meal, isn’t that right G?
Jordan and Torrey’s story is one of misjudgement, misplacement, grieving, forgiveness of oneself and believing in yourself enough to move forward. Of finding that other half of your soul who makes you believe that love, happiness and a future are indeed possible when you have no hope left in your heart.
“She hates me. They both do. But no more than I hate myself.” -
“God, Jordan, I’d fix it for you if I could.”
Jane Harvey-Berrick’s writing was flawless. The story was sad, poignant, emotive, and tragic and held a valuable lesson we can all take with us and Jordan and Torrey completely stole my heart.
“I didn’t believe life was worth living ’til I met you. I’m so, so happy I was wrong”
We cried a few times in this one didn’t and some scenes had us sobbing didn’t they G?
Gitte: Oh wow, how much did I love Lifers, Jenny!!!!! I was hooked on this emotional, passionate and beautiful story and I fell in complete love with both Jordan and Torrey, two tormented individuals each with their own methods of coping. I couldn’t put their story down for anyone or anything, it was that powerful!
“A life without love is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.”
And you’re right Jenny, my heart hurt all the way through and I was on edge fearing for Jordan and crying over him and his situation. This Author truly made me feel everything through a flawlessly written story. Seriously, such talent, to have me laughing through my tears and feel such extreme emotions from one minute to the next. The message is clear and poignant and it incorporates valuable life lessons and the different stages of survival, consequences and emotional behaviour many of which are through society’s perceptions. Rules written or unwritten.
Everything was off the charts in Lifers; including the passion. I really wish everyone would pick up this book, its one hell of a journey and one of the reasons why I love reading so much!
“Every time they knocked him down he stood right back up and faced them…every time…until he couldn’t stand up anymore….”
Jenny: The characters were tenderly brought to life and I adored them both. Torrey, the strong willed, no nonsense preachers daughter, was a bit of a wild child, who guarded her heart with the same tenacity in which she led her life. Torrey had constructed walls that were nigh on impossible to penetrate until the day this sad and beautiful man walked into her life.
“Don’t it bother you? Sittin’ here with…with someone like me?” – Jordan
“I’d say it bothers you more than it bothers me.” – Torrey
Both Jordan and Torrey craved and needed love. Let down by those who should have loved and protected them unconditionally, these two damaged souls found a wholeness in one another.
Torrey brought a breath of fresh air, truth and feeling into Jordan’s sad and miserable existence. She was the light in his dark days and what an absolute joy these two were. You wondered how an outspoken woman such as Torrey could be the balm to the sensitive soul of Jordan’s but it worked and it worked beautifully.
‘What would it do to a person, living day in and day out surrounded by nothing but memories and hatred?’ – Torrey
Torrey floored me. She was witty, perceptive and a straight shooter. The things that came out of her mouth had me in stitches and I winced a time or two over her forthrightness and she always kept me on my toes.
“You’re an angel,”…..My guardian angel.” – Jordan
“If I’m an angel, we’re in more trouble than we thought.” – Torrey
Jordan couldn’t have found anyone better to help heal him and allow him to feel atonement for what he believed were his sins. Always accepting, always truthful, she was the perfect foil for the deeply brooding Jordan. Oh and Jordan….I could talk all day about him G, but I’ll leave that to you.
Gitte: Yeah Torrey, the outspoken, kick arse, passionate and sarcastic lovable girl was perfect for my Jordan, I bloody loved her, she brought humour, trust and understanding which balanced out the sadness. I say my Jordan because this man took a huge piece of my heart. The lump in my throat grew to near impossible size as I read his story, he was severely punished for something tragic albeit unintentional, accidental. So scary and sad how Jordan’s one mistake as a teenager robbed him of everything and left a black mark that determined how others felt justified in treating him. The punishment continued and was so painful to read about, as it reached extremities that he just didn’t deserve. The fact that people who should’ve loved him and protected him, in fact treated him like something evil and inconsequential, well it broke me, it truly did.
‘I had no clue how to live anymore.’ – Jordan
He accepts the way he’s ill-treated and believes it’s deserved, that he should continue to pay a penance for his guilt.
His life as it plays out, once he meets Torrey is so poignant, it highlights that there’s always a possibility of love and second chances no matter how appallingly you’re treated and how you’re perceived. That redemption is truly possible and forgiveness is attainable by your own hand and by others.
‘The loneliness hit me hard….I didn’t know what the boundaries were anymore. It was a game of life where I didn’t know the rules and couldn’t work them out – and I was losing. Big time.’
Jordan‘s so broken and emotionally beaten and oh so very lonely. Until Torrey….Now, Torrey brought out the real Jordan behind the mask. The Jordan who’s funny, sexy, passionate and protective.
“You’re not alone now.”
“I really want to kiss you right now.”
The Jordan who truly matters and who’s what he was meant to be. The Jordan who deserves to live life to its fullest potential. And wow, this man is hot, but not only that, his heart is so big and so gentle and so loving you’ll swoon in the same breath as despair at his circumstances.
This Author truly managed to find just the perfect balance of every emotion, it was extremely well written. Nothing felt forced, overdone or out of place. Nothing was superfluous or dragged out. It was perfection.
“Fast, slow, hard, soft – I want it all with you….” – Jordan
I felt like my heart had been ripped out and shredded by prejudice, violence and hate only to be mended by love, acceptance and understanding. Truly a magnificent harrowing and inspirational story!
J&G: Lifers really did touch our hearts, no doubt about it. This story tells how one wrong decision, one split second of misjudgment can change your life and it’s told beautifully.
‘A lot can happen in six seconds. Your whole life can change in a heartbeat.’
It’s about taking life by the throat and living every moment, about shedding guilt and not letting others preconception weigh you down. It was powerful, emotional and had us gasping with nervous anticipation. We fell in love with two characters who certainly took a piece of our hearts with them by the end of this book. Lifers is a standalone story and one we absolutely recommend picking up.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2014
Paperback Giveaway! Open Internationally! ➔ http://nobsbookreviews.com/lifers/
"A lot can happen in six seconds. Your whole life can change in less than a heartbeat."
The first thing that drew me to this book, besides the gorgeous cover was the unique synopsis. I immediately was intrigued by the premise of this story and was definitely NOT disappointed one bit. This book held me captive from beginning to end.
Lifers is the story of Torrey Delaney and Jordan Kane. Coming from very different circumstances, they both land in a small Texas town around the same time. Torrey has moved from Boston to live with her estranged mother who is the local preacher. She’s a bit wild and owns her sexuality. She’s unapologetic in her actions and it has made her the talk of the town… until Jordan comes home. Jordan Kane is fresh out of prison after being put away when he was sixteen. He’s completely alone, the whole town and even his own parents hate him for the crime he committed.
As part of his parole, Jordan must have a job. With nowhere to get regular employment, he starts doing odd jobs for the preacher, which is where he meets Torrey.
Torrey is the first person to talk to him like he’s human and soon Jordan craves that interaction, even though he doesn’t believe he deserves it.
I felt completely connected to both characters and getting this in dual pov was perfect. Every small interaction, every conversation, just everything had me completely enraptured. Seeing Jordan, who has been dehumanized for so long struggle with his feelings and be so completely vulnerable was incredible.
I love how things between Torrey and Jordan progress. He’s a different person when he’s with her and I love that she allows him to unwind. He’s just the perfect mix of manly, sexy, and vulnerable.
From the very beginning Torrey is accepting of him, but she is also apprehensive. There are many things she doesn’t know right away and I liked how she could go from being harsh and sarcastic to loving and understanding. She's not a sweet, generic, immediately likable character, but I loved her for her flaws and strength. She did everything she could to understand the layers of Jordan.
Torrey also pushes him to be a person again, to really LIVE his life. He’s learned to be stoic and follow the rules of prison, so now that he’s out in the real world he doesn’t know what to do with himself. He’s defeated and feels unworthy of the second chance he’s been given, so much so that he’s afraid of even having his own opinions. It was at times almost physically painful to watch his struggle.
The story that Jane told here felt so incredibly real to me. The development of the characters was so perfect for the situations they were in. There was never a moment when I doubted the truth behind either characters actions. It was all so fitting and just right. I know some have said this book is slow, but for me it was just the little things and I appreciated every page.
The depth of emotion I felt was palpable. This is truly a story with so much heart, hope, desperation, and pain. I felt everything along with the characters. I ached, I had butterflies, I swooned, I cried. I have come to the realization that I love this authors writing. It’s so understated, it flows so effortlessly, and the raw emotion that she conjures in me as a reader is amazing.
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"A lot can happen in six seconds. Your whole life can change in less than a heartbeat."
The first thing that drew me to this book, besides the gorgeous cover was the unique synopsis. I immediately was intrigued by the premise of this story and was definitely NOT disappointed one bit. This book held me captive from beginning to end.
Lifers is the story of Torrey Delaney and Jordan Kane. Coming from very different circumstances, they both land in a small Texas town around the same time. Torrey has moved from Boston to live with her estranged mother who is the local preacher. She’s a bit wild and owns her sexuality. She’s unapologetic in her actions and it has made her the talk of the town… until Jordan comes home. Jordan Kane is fresh out of prison after being put away when he was sixteen. He’s completely alone, the whole town and even his own parents hate him for the crime he committed.
”It was hard to make plans for what I wanted to do with my life when I didn’t deserve to have any… I guess my punishment was to carry on living.”
As part of his parole, Jordan must have a job. With nowhere to get regular employment, he starts doing odd jobs for the preacher, which is where he meets Torrey.
“Don’t it bother you? Sittin’ here with … with someone like me?”
“I’d say it bothers you more than it bothers me.”
“Yeah, it bothers me.”
Torrey is the first person to talk to him like he’s human and soon Jordan craves that interaction, even though he doesn’t believe he deserves it.
”Well? How do I look?”
Beautiful. Gorgeous. Sexy. Off limits.
“Um, fine,” I managed to squeeze out.
She raised her eyebrows. “You smooth talking stud. I can see that I’m going to have to watch myself with you.”
I felt completely connected to both characters and getting this in dual pov was perfect. Every small interaction, every conversation, just everything had me completely enraptured. Seeing Jordan, who has been dehumanized for so long struggle with his feelings and be so completely vulnerable was incredible.
“This is real good, Torrey,”
“I know. I’m the perfect woman: I can cook and I drive a cool car.”
“You are,” he said, quietly. “You’re perfect.”
His mood was serious as I looked over at him in surprise. “Um, thanks. I was joking actually. I’m a complete bitch most of the time and have gazillions of annoying habits.”
“I wasn’t jokin’,” he said, holding my gaze. “I’m just so fuckin’ grateful that you’re here.” He took a deep breath. “And I really want to kiss you right now.”
I love how things between Torrey and Jordan progress. He’s a different person when he’s with her and I love that she allows him to unwind. He’s just the perfect mix of manly, sexy, and vulnerable.
“Fast, slow, hard, soft— I want it all with you, Torrey. I cain’t imagine not wantin’ you. Ever.”
From the very beginning Torrey is accepting of him, but she is also apprehensive. There are many things she doesn’t know right away and I liked how she could go from being harsh and sarcastic to loving and understanding. She's not a sweet, generic, immediately likable character, but I loved her for her flaws and strength. She did everything she could to understand the layers of Jordan.
Through and through, Jordan was an intriguing mix of contradictions: his hard body, his soft lips; his serious, sensible nature; his wild and passionate side; the scary, prison demeanor he could switch on; his gentle soul.
Torrey also pushes him to be a person again, to really LIVE his life. He’s learned to be stoic and follow the rules of prison, so now that he’s out in the real world he doesn’t know what to do with himself. He’s defeated and feels unworthy of the second chance he’s been given, so much so that he’s afraid of even having his own opinions. It was at times almost physically painful to watch his struggle.
"I won’t stand by and let you self destruct out of some twisted sense of … justice … or atonement. If you can’t move on, I don’t see that we can have a future.”
The story that Jane told here felt so incredibly real to me. The development of the characters was so perfect for the situations they were in. There was never a moment when I doubted the truth behind either characters actions. It was all so fitting and just right. I know some have said this book is slow, but for me it was just the little things and I appreciated every page.
The depth of emotion I felt was palpable. This is truly a story with so much heart, hope, desperation, and pain. I felt everything along with the characters. I ached, I had butterflies, I swooned, I cried. I have come to the realization that I love this authors writing. It’s so understated, it flows so effortlessly, and the raw emotion that she conjures in me as a reader is amazing.
“I didn’t believe life was worth living ‘til I met you. I’m so, so happy I was wrong.”
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September 18, 2015
I picked this book up because I loved Traveling Duet and wanted to read more from this author. However, I was unpleasantly surprised because Lifers is written in completely different writing style than Traveling Duet and heroine's "voice" irritated me. Hero's POV was slightly better, but still not enough to make me enjoy the writing. On the top of that, romance was super corny and definitely not my style.
March 20, 2014
****4.25 Atonement Stars****
Wow...Lifers was such an emotional, heartbreaking and touching read. This book was so much more than finding love and second chances...Lifers spoke volumes about forgiveness, redemption, humanity and atonement, which are guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings. This book reminds us all that repentance is not punishment. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key in our hands and is up to us on how we use it. For Jordan Kane, his journey in escaping his inner prison is a long road of forgiveness, acceptance, and most importantly peace at heart.
“A lot can happen in six seconds. Your whole life can change in a heartbeat.”
After 8 years in prison, Jordan Kane returns home to his hometown in Texas to serve out his parole. Life back home was not easy for Jordan.. guilt ridden and ashamed, he lives a life of regret and sorrow. He becomes the town’s pariah and labeled as a “Murderer.” The ongoing harassment and stares takes its a toll on Jordan. What’s worst is that his parents even treats him as a nobody. His home life is no more worst than a prison. A home filled with anger, hatred, and disgust.
Torrey Delaney is the preacher’s daughter, who has been labeled by the townsfolk as a “slut.” Moving from Boston and quitting her job as paralegal, Torrey tries to begin anew in this small town in Texas with her mother. New to town, she quickly befriends Jordan. No questions, no judgement, no prejudice, Torrey reaches out to Jordan. She becomes his only friend and ally.
Torrey and Jordan’s friendship slowly became something more. After 8 years of loneliness, Jordan finally found someone he can talk to, someone he can be with, and someone who can relate and understand him. For the first time in a long time, he was falling in love.
I loved everything about Jordan and Torrey. I loved how we saw the progression from friendship to developing romantically more. They say love heals. Well for Jordan, this was the case. Torrey was his medicine and his perfect dose. She came at a right time in life when Jordan was losing hope. It was so moving to see a vulnerable man open up his heart and bear his soul. Let down by parents who should have loved them unconditionally, Jordan and Torrey were two broken souls who found a wholeness in one another. They were a couple that made you believed in the power of love. LOVE HEALS. Torrey was his light in his darkest tribulations. When he wanted to give up on life, Torrey was his reminder that hope exists.
Lifers was a beautiful well-written story that will pull all your heartstrings. Jordan and Torrey will make you FEEL from anger, resentment, sorrow, love, happiness, empathy, and forgiveness. I loved the overall message of Lifers that we hold the keys to our happiness and peace. The journey of atonement is not an easy one but it begins by taking the first step. Luckily for Jordan, he had Torrey by his side to pick him up when he falls. We may stumble and fall in life, but we should not condemn ourselves to sorrow and regrets. Thank you Ms. Jane Harvey-Berrick for reminding us all the everyone deserves a second chances.
** Reviews on Behalf of Give Me Books**
Jane Harvey-Berrick
Wow...Lifers was such an emotional, heartbreaking and touching read. This book was so much more than finding love and second chances...Lifers spoke volumes about forgiveness, redemption, humanity and atonement, which are guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings. This book reminds us all that repentance is not punishment. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key in our hands and is up to us on how we use it. For Jordan Kane, his journey in escaping his inner prison is a long road of forgiveness, acceptance, and most importantly peace at heart.
“A lot can happen in six seconds. Your whole life can change in a heartbeat.”
After 8 years in prison, Jordan Kane returns home to his hometown in Texas to serve out his parole. Life back home was not easy for Jordan.. guilt ridden and ashamed, he lives a life of regret and sorrow. He becomes the town’s pariah and labeled as a “Murderer.” The ongoing harassment and stares takes its a toll on Jordan. What’s worst is that his parents even treats him as a nobody. His home life is no more worst than a prison. A home filled with anger, hatred, and disgust.
Torrey Delaney is the preacher’s daughter, who has been labeled by the townsfolk as a “slut.” Moving from Boston and quitting her job as paralegal, Torrey tries to begin anew in this small town in Texas with her mother. New to town, she quickly befriends Jordan. No questions, no judgement, no prejudice, Torrey reaches out to Jordan. She becomes his only friend and ally.
Torrey and Jordan’s friendship slowly became something more. After 8 years of loneliness, Jordan finally found someone he can talk to, someone he can be with, and someone who can relate and understand him. For the first time in a long time, he was falling in love.
I loved everything about Jordan and Torrey. I loved how we saw the progression from friendship to developing romantically more. They say love heals. Well for Jordan, this was the case. Torrey was his medicine and his perfect dose. She came at a right time in life when Jordan was losing hope. It was so moving to see a vulnerable man open up his heart and bear his soul. Let down by parents who should have loved them unconditionally, Jordan and Torrey were two broken souls who found a wholeness in one another. They were a couple that made you believed in the power of love. LOVE HEALS. Torrey was his light in his darkest tribulations. When he wanted to give up on life, Torrey was his reminder that hope exists.
Lifers was a beautiful well-written story that will pull all your heartstrings. Jordan and Torrey will make you FEEL from anger, resentment, sorrow, love, happiness, empathy, and forgiveness. I loved the overall message of Lifers that we hold the keys to our happiness and peace. The journey of atonement is not an easy one but it begins by taking the first step. Luckily for Jordan, he had Torrey by his side to pick him up when he falls. We may stumble and fall in life, but we should not condemn ourselves to sorrow and regrets. Thank you Ms. Jane Harvey-Berrick for reminding us all the everyone deserves a second chances.
** Reviews on Behalf of Give Me Books**
Jane Harvey-Berrick
December 14, 2015
3.5-4 Stars
Review to come!
Review to come!
Want to read
February 4, 2014 Oooh!!! A new standalone romance from the author of The Education of Sebastian . I can't wait!!
After eight years in prison, twenty-four year old Jordan Kane is the man everyone loves to hate.
Forced to return to his hometown while on parole, Jordan soon learns that this small town hasn't changed since he was carted off to juvie all those years ago. He is the local pariah, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn't even come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror.
Working odd jobs for the preacher lady, Jordan bides his time before he can leave this backwards town. But can distance erase the memories that haunt him? Trapped in the prison of his own mind Jordan wonders if the pain of living will ever subside?
Torrey Delaney is new in town and certainly doesn't behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. Her reputation for casual hook-ups and meaningless sex is the talk of the town. Add that to her budding friendship with the hardened ex-con handyman, and the good Reverend is less than thrilled with her estranged daughter’s path.
As friendship forms, is it possible for two damaged people who are afraid to love take their relationship to the next level? Can Torrey live with Jordan’s demons, and can Jordan break through Torrey's walls? With the disapproval of a small town weighing heavily on them, will they find their place in the world? Can they struggle against the odds, or will their world be viciously shattered?
Is love a life sentence?
After eight years in prison, twenty-four year old Jordan Kane is the man everyone loves to hate.
Forced to return to his hometown while on parole, Jordan soon learns that this small town hasn't changed since he was carted off to juvie all those years ago. He is the local pariah, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn't even come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror.
Working odd jobs for the preacher lady, Jordan bides his time before he can leave this backwards town. But can distance erase the memories that haunt him? Trapped in the prison of his own mind Jordan wonders if the pain of living will ever subside?
Torrey Delaney is new in town and certainly doesn't behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. Her reputation for casual hook-ups and meaningless sex is the talk of the town. Add that to her budding friendship with the hardened ex-con handyman, and the good Reverend is less than thrilled with her estranged daughter’s path.
As friendship forms, is it possible for two damaged people who are afraid to love take their relationship to the next level? Can Torrey live with Jordan’s demons, and can Jordan break through Torrey's walls? With the disapproval of a small town weighing heavily on them, will they find their place in the world? Can they struggle against the odds, or will their world be viciously shattered?
Is love a life sentence?
January 4, 2015
***I received an ARC of this book from the author in return for my honest opinion***
This story blew me away. I picked it up in the morning to ‘start it’ and hours later, I was still glued to my kindle, completely unable to walk away and do anything else. I simply didn’t want this story to end.
The main characters were easy to love; Torrey is a feisty, sassy and wild preacher’s daughter who has returned to live with her mom following a disastrous affair with her boss that killed her career and ostracized her from her friends. Jordan is a ripped and tatted ex-convict, back living with his parents in an unforgiving small town where everyone knows what he did.
At the beginning, both characters struggle to fit in; they are both outsiders, treated with disdain and suspicion by everyone they meet, although for very different reasons.
Torrey is everything I love to read about in a female main character. She doesn’t give a crap about other people’s prejudices; she won’t tolerate injustice or discrimination and she gives as good as she gets. She’s also tender, beautiful and sexually confident. When she sees the way the townsfolk treat “sad, beautiful, broken” Jordan, she comes out fighting, determined to protect him and nurture him back to the man he was always going to grow up to be:
Ok, yes, so she also fancies the pants off of him, but y’know, he’s hot, ripped and tatted and she couldn't help but notice (ahem) size of his ever-present boner – hey, it has been eight years, give the guy a break – so I was totally with her there too.
The story is written from alternating first person point of view, so we get to live inside the heads of both characters. Jordan’s broken vulnerability at the beginning of the story is heart wrenching to read; I completely understood Torrey’s attraction and desire to care for him. The quality of the writing here was truly exceptional; Jordan’s inner voice didn’t whine nor did he wallow in pathetic self pity. Instead he quietly accepts his fate, his ever present guilt making him believe he truly deserves every shitty thing that happens to him. This was expressed with the lightest of touches, yet it managed to make me sob for poor, broken Jordan and the life he had missed and make my blood boil at the injustice he was suffering. (Note: books don’t make me cry. Ever).
This book is not a angst-filled sob-fest though. The banter is witty and laugh out loud funny in places, balancing the darker moments nicely.
As Jordan and Torrey spend more and more time together, Jordan gradually begins his long journey back to living. By this point, I’d already fallen for poor broken Jordan; but the southern gentleman Jordan that emerges at this point, quietly determined to cherish his woman and treat her right had me swooning for him all over again:
We see true character development in this book, as Jordan moves from the broken shadow we see at the beginning to the man he becomes later on, and experience everything he becomes in between:
The story is not just Torrey and Jordan's story. The consequences of Jordan’s crimes are far reaching; Jordan hasn’t carried his guilt alone. His family and even his former friends still carry the terrible burden of guilt for his actions years later. Torrey sees the corrosiveness that festers, particularly in Jordan’s own parents and the way she deals with this is moving but still typical of her sassy, no-bullshit nature.
So it’s beautifully written, worthy but lacking in sex scenes huh?
Don’t be ridiculous, this is a Jane Harvey-Berrick story.
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Whether it was raw, primal and urgent fucking against a wall or a gentle and endless love making session on a deserted beach the sex scenes in this book were seriously, blood-pumpingly, blush-inducingly, hot:
This is an outstanding story. Very highly recommended.
This story blew me away. I picked it up in the morning to ‘start it’ and hours later, I was still glued to my kindle, completely unable to walk away and do anything else. I simply didn’t want this story to end.
The main characters were easy to love; Torrey is a feisty, sassy and wild preacher’s daughter who has returned to live with her mom following a disastrous affair with her boss that killed her career and ostracized her from her friends. Jordan is a ripped and tatted ex-convict, back living with his parents in an unforgiving small town where everyone knows what he did.
At the beginning, both characters struggle to fit in; they are both outsiders, treated with disdain and suspicion by everyone they meet, although for very different reasons.
Torrey is everything I love to read about in a female main character. She doesn’t give a crap about other people’s prejudices; she won’t tolerate injustice or discrimination and she gives as good as she gets. She’s also tender, beautiful and sexually confident. When she sees the way the townsfolk treat “sad, beautiful, broken” Jordan, she comes out fighting, determined to protect him and nurture him back to the man he was always going to grow up to be:
It was fascinating watching him work, he was so competent and in charge. It offered another glimmer of the person he used to be, and the person I hoped he could be again.
Ok, yes, so she also fancies the pants off of him, but y’know, he’s hot, ripped and tatted and she couldn't help but notice (ahem) size of his ever-present boner – hey, it has been eight years, give the guy a break – so I was totally with her there too.
The story is written from alternating first person point of view, so we get to live inside the heads of both characters. Jordan’s broken vulnerability at the beginning of the story is heart wrenching to read; I completely understood Torrey’s attraction and desire to care for him. The quality of the writing here was truly exceptional; Jordan’s inner voice didn’t whine nor did he wallow in pathetic self pity. Instead he quietly accepts his fate, his ever present guilt making him believe he truly deserves every shitty thing that happens to him. This was expressed with the lightest of touches, yet it managed to make me sob for poor, broken Jordan and the life he had missed and make my blood boil at the injustice he was suffering. (Note: books don’t make me cry. Ever).
This book is not a angst-filled sob-fest though. The banter is witty and laugh out loud funny in places, balancing the darker moments nicely.
I realized what she'd seen: me kneeling with my head nearly in Jordan's lap. She'd obviously sprinted to the wrong conclusion.
"Jeez, Mom, really? Did you think I was blowing him right here on your sofa?"
Her face went an even darker shade of red, and behind me Jordan sounded like he was choking.
Mom uttered a few mangled vowels then almost ran to the kitchen, mumbling about making coffee.
As Jordan and Torrey spend more and more time together, Jordan gradually begins his long journey back to living. By this point, I’d already fallen for poor broken Jordan; but the southern gentleman Jordan that emerges at this point, quietly determined to cherish his woman and treat her right had me swooning for him all over again:
“You’re an angel,” he said, softly. “My guardian angel.”
We see true character development in this book, as Jordan moves from the broken shadow we see at the beginning to the man he becomes later on, and experience everything he becomes in between:
“Jordan was an intriguing mix of contradictions: his hard body, his soft lips; his serious, sensible nature; his wild and passionate side; the scary, prison demeanor he could switch on; his gentle soul.”
The story is not just Torrey and Jordan's story. The consequences of Jordan’s crimes are far reaching; Jordan hasn’t carried his guilt alone. His family and even his former friends still carry the terrible burden of guilt for his actions years later. Torrey sees the corrosiveness that festers, particularly in Jordan’s own parents and the way she deals with this is moving but still typical of her sassy, no-bullshit nature.
So it’s beautifully written, worthy but lacking in sex scenes huh?
Don’t be ridiculous, this is a Jane Harvey-Berrick story.
[image error]
Whether it was raw, primal and urgent fucking against a wall or a gentle and endless love making session on a deserted beach the sex scenes in this book were seriously, blood-pumpingly, blush-inducingly, hot:
“It was hard and shocking, coarse and crude. Utterly unrefined and utterly thrilling. His roar as he came was loud and certain.
We collapsed onto the bed, his weight on top of me, his hot breath searing my neck.
I felt his dick twitch inside me and I whimpered.”
This is an outstanding story. Very highly recommended.
February 22, 2015
I loved this book. Unique, very accessible characters and a truly interesting story. They seemed classless and trashy at first and then you learn not to judge a book by the cover. The hate of so many did seem overblown under the circumstances, but perhaps I'm bringing an educated mentality that doesn't take into account small-town prejudices. The hero is unbelievable, to so transform and overcome...he really defines "hero" to me. So much love and generosity, and true honor...I wanted both hero and heroine to WIN. Can't think of a couple I've wanted happiness for more. Very uplifting experience.
I particularly loved all the little things hero did for heroine...getting up with her, taking care of her car...what a hero.
I particularly loved all the little things hero did for heroine...getting up with her, taking care of her car...what a hero.
July 27, 2014
This is a beautifully heart warming love story, with some very serious themes, and it sucked me in right from first chapter.
Torrey is a no-nonsense, straight talking girl who finds herself down on her luck and out of options. Trying to get back on her feet, she makes a temporary move to “Smallbutt, Nowheresville” to live with her estranged Mother, the local preacher, where she quickly earns a reputation as a bit of a bad girl.
Jordan is back in his home town after spending eight years in prison. Sad and broken, he is persecuted by the community (including his family) who still want to punish him for his crimes, and he lives a mostly solitary life plagued by the guilt of his past actions.
Needing to work as part of his parole, the only person willing to hire him is the local preacher, and Jordan ends up working as a general handyman for Torrey’s mother. When he and Torrey meet there is an instant spark of attraction, and the two of them form an unlikely friendship.
Jordan’s shyness and insecurity is no match for Torrey’s straightforwardness, and she soon encourages him to open up, and as they get to know each other, they start to fall for each other, with Torrey determined to help Jordan move on with his life and Jordan trying hard to rebuild his life and be the man that Torrey deserves.
As with other books I have read by this author, her characters are amazing. Jordan’s vulnerability is absolutely heartbreaking. Reading all that he has been through, his struggle to readjust to life outside of prison and how it all impacts on him is devastating. And the fact that it’s a believably real-life situation makes his story even more emotional. His low self-worth and disbelief that Torrey would want anything to do him is so incredibly sad, but it forms a fantastic place for him to start finding his strength again.
Torrey is strong, sassy, and confident. She is a little bit lost herself, but she doesn’t let it get her down, she goes on living her life, uncaring about what others think of her, and encourages Jordan to do the same. She isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, or push him when he needs it, but is also caring and supportive, and their relationship is absolutely beautiful.
Their chemistry is crazy, but the romance is slow building and realistic, with every little moment captured – the meaningful moments, as well as the playful, sweet, and sexy times. And the more time they spend together, the more they impact on each other’s lives as Torrey finds her anchor, and the real Jordan starts to emerge. I loved the way he was with Torrey - he wanted her so badly, but was always respectful and so open with his feelings (and whenever he called her ‘sweetheart’, I just melted!). And I loved watching him learn how to cope with the demons of his past and claim his life back, and as his confidence grows, there is lots of swoon and hotness to be had!
With the story told in dual POV, we get right to the heart of both of these characters, and I loved seeing both sides of their story. I loved watching them find their way forward together while battling against the past, as well as the brutal and cruel judgements and expectations of others. Although possibly a little cheesy in places, Torrey and Jordan’s story is beautifully told, and I felt everything that they were going through as they fell in love and fought for a life together.
Deeply emotional, and truly heartwarming. 4 stars.
Torrey is a no-nonsense, straight talking girl who finds herself down on her luck and out of options. Trying to get back on her feet, she makes a temporary move to “Smallbutt, Nowheresville” to live with her estranged Mother, the local preacher, where she quickly earns a reputation as a bit of a bad girl.
Jordan is back in his home town after spending eight years in prison. Sad and broken, he is persecuted by the community (including his family) who still want to punish him for his crimes, and he lives a mostly solitary life plagued by the guilt of his past actions.
There were days when I wished they’d lock me away forever, because that’s what I deserved. For reasons I didn’t understand, life had given me a second chance, and that was hard to deal with. I had no clue how to live anymore.
Needing to work as part of his parole, the only person willing to hire him is the local preacher, and Jordan ends up working as a general handyman for Torrey’s mother. When he and Torrey meet there is an instant spark of attraction, and the two of them form an unlikely friendship.
“Here, everyone knows my story and has decided I’m trash.”
“Except me,”…
“Yeah, but that’s because you don’t know me.”
Her eyes don’t flinch.
“You want me to leave you alone?”
…
“No, I don’t want you to leave me alone.”
… “Good”.
Jordan’s shyness and insecurity is no match for Torrey’s straightforwardness, and she soon encourages him to open up, and as they get to know each other, they start to fall for each other, with Torrey determined to help Jordan move on with his life and Jordan trying hard to rebuild his life and be the man that Torrey deserves.
When I was with her, for the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel judged. I couldn’t figure out why, but she seemed to accept me for who I was. Not that I knew what that meant anymore, but she made me feel alive.
As with other books I have read by this author, her characters are amazing. Jordan’s vulnerability is absolutely heartbreaking. Reading all that he has been through, his struggle to readjust to life outside of prison and how it all impacts on him is devastating. And the fact that it’s a believably real-life situation makes his story even more emotional. His low self-worth and disbelief that Torrey would want anything to do him is so incredibly sad, but it forms a fantastic place for him to start finding his strength again.
“I’m just so fuckin’ grateful that you’re here.” He took a deep breath. “And I really want to kiss you right now.”
Torrey is strong, sassy, and confident. She is a little bit lost herself, but she doesn’t let it get her down, she goes on living her life, uncaring about what others think of her, and encourages Jordan to do the same. She isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, or push him when he needs it, but is also caring and supportive, and their relationship is absolutely beautiful.
“It’s okay, Jordan. You’re safe with me.”
Their chemistry is crazy, but the romance is slow building and realistic, with every little moment captured – the meaningful moments, as well as the playful, sweet, and sexy times. And the more time they spend together, the more they impact on each other’s lives as Torrey finds her anchor, and the real Jordan starts to emerge. I loved the way he was with Torrey - he wanted her so badly, but was always respectful and so open with his feelings (and whenever he called her ‘sweetheart’, I just melted!). And I loved watching him learn how to cope with the demons of his past and claim his life back, and as his confidence grows, there is lots of swoon and hotness to be had!
“I want you with me – all of you. It’s not just fuckin’. Not for me, not with you. I know you think it’s because I haven’t slept with a woman in a long time, but it’s not. It’s because it’s you, and I meant it when I said I wanted to make love to you.”
I was stunned by his little speech.
“Let me make love to you, Torrey Delaney,” he said, his voice tender and almost pleading.
With the story told in dual POV, we get right to the heart of both of these characters, and I loved seeing both sides of their story. I loved watching them find their way forward together while battling against the past, as well as the brutal and cruel judgements and expectations of others. Although possibly a little cheesy in places, Torrey and Jordan’s story is beautifully told, and I felt everything that they were going through as they fell in love and fought for a life together.
“It’s not just that you accept me for who I am. You make me want to be more than I thought I could ever be.”
Deeply emotional, and truly heartwarming. 4 stars.
August 24, 2015
LIVE TOMORROW FEBRUARY 7
BUMP IT UP
4.5 stars
STORY
The story was solid and this is written as a true novel and not like many of the shorter books we read today with instant gratification. The reason for the 4.5 stars and not 5 is in fact the length. As a reader I got it but many pages were filled with the same emotion and or information that was already covered in the story. The story about Torrey and Jordan is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and I absolutely loved both characters. They are both so strong in their own way and learn so much from each other. Jordan makes my heart break in the beginning then the story comes full circle and my heart swells for him. Its a story about forgiveness and acceptance , the obvious is for Jordan but in so many ways its for Torrey , and most of the characters as well. Torrey is a strong , mouthy, confident, fire-cracker all of which is just what Jordan needs. She knows it, he knows it and it was refreshing to read a story where they don't do the predictable and fight it. They succumb to it and are totally comfortable with it. The parents in this story, all of them, are so aggravating- it's a wonder either of these two made it this far. I did find myself asking who the hell was his lawyer and why did no one care enough about this child to help him? But that is the sadness of this story, the pure injustice of it all-be prepared to feel..sad,angry,sad,angry some more, then ahhhhhh!! He didn't fight it cause he didn't feel worthy-he wanted to pay his debt. This is an emotionally intense read and a story worth reading. The story also makes you question...is all that we remember true?
WRITING 4*****
Fantastic except a bit wordy /redundant at times. The story could have either had more drama or been shorter - one or the other. The non drama parts were the same over and over again and I wanted to start skimming. The entire story is filled with emotions-high and low but at times "more" needed to happen. Jordan has already been through so much that I don't think anything else could have been put on this character, again this is a story about forgiveness and acceptance BUT I still wanted a bit "more". I am a emotional book junkie however maybe I've also fallen into the "immediate gratification" trap ?
COVER 5 *****
Brilliant and the title is perfection
CHARACTERS 5*****
Very likable. The character development of all the characters; parents, Hulk, Ryan, Mikey, Bev, Pete is superb. I pictured each and everyone of them in my head and none are any less vivid than the others.
Should you read this EMOTIONALLY book? ABSOLUTELY !! I highly recommend this read and there are some hot shmexy scenes as well. Jane Harvey-Berrick's emotional story is a solid and worthy read. OH and you'll fall in love with yet another book boyfriend...Jordan.
BUMP IT UP
4.5 stars
STORY
The story was solid and this is written as a true novel and not like many of the shorter books we read today with instant gratification. The reason for the 4.5 stars and not 5 is in fact the length. As a reader I got it but many pages were filled with the same emotion and or information that was already covered in the story. The story about Torrey and Jordan is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and I absolutely loved both characters. They are both so strong in their own way and learn so much from each other. Jordan makes my heart break in the beginning then the story comes full circle and my heart swells for him. Its a story about forgiveness and acceptance , the obvious is for Jordan but in so many ways its for Torrey , and most of the characters as well. Torrey is a strong , mouthy, confident, fire-cracker all of which is just what Jordan needs. She knows it, he knows it and it was refreshing to read a story where they don't do the predictable and fight it. They succumb to it and are totally comfortable with it. The parents in this story, all of them, are so aggravating- it's a wonder either of these two made it this far. I did find myself asking who the hell was his lawyer and why did no one care enough about this child to help him? But that is the sadness of this story, the pure injustice of it all-be prepared to feel..sad,angry,sad,angry some more, then ahhhhhh!! He didn't fight it cause he didn't feel worthy-he wanted to pay his debt. This is an emotionally intense read and a story worth reading. The story also makes you question...is all that we remember true?
WRITING 4*****
Fantastic except a bit wordy /redundant at times. The story could have either had more drama or been shorter - one or the other. The non drama parts were the same over and over again and I wanted to start skimming. The entire story is filled with emotions-high and low but at times "more" needed to happen. Jordan has already been through so much that I don't think anything else could have been put on this character, again this is a story about forgiveness and acceptance BUT I still wanted a bit "more". I am a emotional book junkie however maybe I've also fallen into the "immediate gratification" trap ?
COVER 5 *****
Brilliant and the title is perfection
CHARACTERS 5*****
Very likable. The character development of all the characters; parents, Hulk, Ryan, Mikey, Bev, Pete is superb. I pictured each and everyone of them in my head and none are any less vivid than the others.
Should you read this EMOTIONALLY book? ABSOLUTELY !! I highly recommend this read and there are some hot shmexy scenes as well. Jane Harvey-Berrick's emotional story is a solid and worthy read. OH and you'll fall in love with yet another book boyfriend...Jordan.
November 5, 2017
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
***5 'Soul Journey' stars!***
Tell you what, I never really believe any reviewer's review about books I read before I read it. It's also when I read some friends and blogger's review, well, I said, let's see.
So I started read Lifers, and I got hooked since the first chapter.
This might be a typical NA story, bad boy, bad girl, tortured past, all complete with shitty parents and shitty friends.
But Jane Harvey-Berrick made it 'unusual and different' in so many points.
Not like some shy annoying virgins in so many books, we can call Torrey a bitch. Yes, she's a total bitch, with so many hooked ups and her dirty filthy mouth. Not my kind of girl.
But, damn! Torrey's a different kind of bitch, and I found my self have a girl crush on her!!!!
She's so frontal, blunt, bitchy, she know what she want, what to say, even she'll obviously pisses of almost very person she talked to! ...except me and Jordan, of course.
She's adorable in her own way, I loved Torrey! One of my very limited female favorite character in books!
And here comes Jordan, bad boy at 16 and living like a monk for 8 years in prison for a mistake (that I thought he didn't deserved to have so many years inside there), all complete with a burden, a guilty feeling he carried everywhere , until he met Torrey, and she changed him, with her so called 'attitude'....never bothered Jordan. At. All.
Well he's got a bonus of hot sweaty sex , of course.
I loved how Jane described it in two POV, in a total differences between Torrey and Jordan.
The funny, witty and naughty Torry's POV, and the bitter, dark, sad, Jordan's POV.
I loved the whole story and yes,I might be bias because I loved Jane's writing style so much. But I do recommend this to all readers who's looking for some deep thoughts of what is life, love, and forgiveness.
And for me, Torrey's love for Jordan is one of that 'unconditional love'. Really sweet and heart warming.
Can't wait for your next book, Jane!
Here are some of my favorite quotes...
***5 'Soul Journey' stars!***
And Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.”
Tell you what, I never really believe any reviewer's review about books I read before I read it. It's also when I read some friends and blogger's review, well, I said, let's see.
So I started read Lifers, and I got hooked since the first chapter.
This might be a typical NA story, bad boy, bad girl, tortured past, all complete with shitty parents and shitty friends.
But Jane Harvey-Berrick made it 'unusual and different' in so many points.
Not like some shy annoying virgins in so many books, we can call Torrey a bitch. Yes, she's a total bitch, with so many hooked ups and her dirty filthy mouth. Not my kind of girl.
But, damn! Torrey's a different kind of bitch, and I found my self have a girl crush on her!!!!
She's so frontal, blunt, bitchy, she know what she want, what to say, even she'll obviously pisses of almost very person she talked to! ...except me and Jordan, of course.
She's adorable in her own way, I loved Torrey! One of my very limited female favorite character in books!
And here comes Jordan, bad boy at 16 and living like a monk for 8 years in prison for a mistake (that I thought he didn't deserved to have so many years inside there), all complete with a burden, a guilty feeling he carried everywhere , until he met Torrey, and she changed him, with her so called 'attitude'....never bothered Jordan. At. All.
Well he's got a bonus of hot sweaty sex , of course.
I loved how Jane described it in two POV, in a total differences between Torrey and Jordan.
The funny, witty and naughty Torry's POV, and the bitter, dark, sad, Jordan's POV.
I loved the whole story and yes,I might be bias because I loved Jane's writing style so much. But I do recommend this to all readers who's looking for some deep thoughts of what is life, love, and forgiveness.
And for me, Torrey's love for Jordan is one of that 'unconditional love'. Really sweet and heart warming.
Can't wait for your next book, Jane!
Here are some of my favorite quotes...
"“Sure, you’ve got issues. Who doesn’t? You’re normal, Jordan. Your past is just a bit more colorful.” She arched an eyebrow. “You’re not that special.”"
"Just because Mom had assumed I was being my usual sluttish self. Okay, so I’d hooked up with quite a number of guys in the couple of weeks I’d been here, but did she really think I’d do a guy on her sofa in the middle of the day? Scratch that, because the answer was obviously ‘yes’.
"This woman. What she did to me. I felt as if I’d been in a dark cave for years and she was the sun exploding around me. She’d stripped away every layer of skin and poured her kindness and compassion into my body, healing me from the inside out."
"I’m not going to let him suffer anymore. What you do with your lives is up to you, but Jordan deserves better than that. And I’ll spend the rest of my life with him, making sure he knows he’s loved and forgiven.”"
""I love you, Torrey Delaney. You don’t have to say it back to me, but I love you. I didn’t believe life was worth living ‘til I met you. I’m so, so happy I was wrong.”"
February 6, 2014
3.75-4 Stars
“I think,” I said slowly, “that meeting you has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” ~ Jordan
As soon as Ms. Harvey-Berrick asked me to read her upcoming release, there was no way I was going to turn her down. I love this author’s writing. Her stories are amazing and the synopsis for this book immediately had me intrigued.
I’m a big fan of second chances, especially if those characters deserve it. In this story, Jordan Kane definitely deserves it. He’s been incarcerated for the past eight years. His crime: The accidental killing of his brother Michael. Forced to serve his parole in his hometown, Jordan has no choice but to endure the harsh treatment the townsfolk is bestowing on him – even calling him a murderer without any hesitation. The only persons speaking to him without curses were the Reverend Meredith Williams and her daughter Torrey Delaney.
…a woman like that got me imagining all kinds of things.
Along Jordan, Torrey was the other talk of the town. She’s known as the Rev’s wild daughter; promiscuous and unapologetic. When she first meets Jordan, she doesn’t understand why people are treating him so cruelly. She ignores their actions and decides to show him kindness. When she finds out about his past, she has a tough time believing that this shy, polite and handsome man could be a murderer. She knew there was more to it than that.
I couldn’t do the math. The sweet, shy guy I’d met on two occasions just didn’t fit with the image of a violent criminal that mom was painting. Something was off, but I had no clue what it was. I mean, I could see he was a big, strong guy with abs like a washboard, but he just didn’t seem the aggressive type. The only vibe I’d got from him was that he was lonely.
Torrey & Jordan start to form a friendship, though very reluctantly on Jordan’s part; he doesn’t want to bring Torrey into his already fucked up life. However Torrey is pretty persistent in her perusal of getting to know more about Jordan. Their friendship is constantly scrutinized by their community and especially from Torrey’s pastor mother. But nothing gets in their way and soon they find themselves falling for one another.
“You know what your problem is? You’ve turned Mikey’s death into a life sentence – for all of you – for Paul, for Jordan. You turned them into lifers. That’s what you’re doing here – and that’s what you want for Jordan. But I’m not going to let it happen. I’m not going to let him suffer anymore. What you do with your lives is up to you, but Jordan deserves better than that. And I’ll spend the rest of my life with him, making sure he knows he’s loved – and that’s he’s forgiven.”
Jordan’s character made me unbelievably sad at times. His belief that his brother’s death was completely his fault, lead him to believe that any punishment is justifiable: His alienation from his parents, the cruelty of community and a lifetime of loneliness. It wasn’t until Torrey started to break through his walls that he started to imagine a more different life.
This was such a moving story. I loved the relationship between Torrey and Jordan – they just seem to get one another. It was a bit slow moving at times, but once Jordan started to open up a little more, it moved at a better pace. There wasn’t a lot of steam, but that was okay. I just wanted Jordan happy again.
**ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
-----
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“I think,” I said slowly, “that meeting you has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” ~ Jordan
As soon as Ms. Harvey-Berrick asked me to read her upcoming release, there was no way I was going to turn her down. I love this author’s writing. Her stories are amazing and the synopsis for this book immediately had me intrigued.
I’m a big fan of second chances, especially if those characters deserve it. In this story, Jordan Kane definitely deserves it. He’s been incarcerated for the past eight years. His crime: The accidental killing of his brother Michael. Forced to serve his parole in his hometown, Jordan has no choice but to endure the harsh treatment the townsfolk is bestowing on him – even calling him a murderer without any hesitation. The only persons speaking to him without curses were the Reverend Meredith Williams and her daughter Torrey Delaney.
…a woman like that got me imagining all kinds of things.
Along Jordan, Torrey was the other talk of the town. She’s known as the Rev’s wild daughter; promiscuous and unapologetic. When she first meets Jordan, she doesn’t understand why people are treating him so cruelly. She ignores their actions and decides to show him kindness. When she finds out about his past, she has a tough time believing that this shy, polite and handsome man could be a murderer. She knew there was more to it than that.
I couldn’t do the math. The sweet, shy guy I’d met on two occasions just didn’t fit with the image of a violent criminal that mom was painting. Something was off, but I had no clue what it was. I mean, I could see he was a big, strong guy with abs like a washboard, but he just didn’t seem the aggressive type. The only vibe I’d got from him was that he was lonely.
Torrey & Jordan start to form a friendship, though very reluctantly on Jordan’s part; he doesn’t want to bring Torrey into his already fucked up life. However Torrey is pretty persistent in her perusal of getting to know more about Jordan. Their friendship is constantly scrutinized by their community and especially from Torrey’s pastor mother. But nothing gets in their way and soon they find themselves falling for one another.
“You know what your problem is? You’ve turned Mikey’s death into a life sentence – for all of you – for Paul, for Jordan. You turned them into lifers. That’s what you’re doing here – and that’s what you want for Jordan. But I’m not going to let it happen. I’m not going to let him suffer anymore. What you do with your lives is up to you, but Jordan deserves better than that. And I’ll spend the rest of my life with him, making sure he knows he’s loved – and that’s he’s forgiven.”
Jordan’s character made me unbelievably sad at times. His belief that his brother’s death was completely his fault, lead him to believe that any punishment is justifiable: His alienation from his parents, the cruelty of community and a lifetime of loneliness. It wasn’t until Torrey started to break through his walls that he started to imagine a more different life.
This was such a moving story. I loved the relationship between Torrey and Jordan – they just seem to get one another. It was a bit slow moving at times, but once Jordan started to open up a little more, it moved at a better pace. There wasn’t a lot of steam, but that was okay. I just wanted Jordan happy again.
**ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
-----
♥♥♥ FOLLOW ME ♥♥♥
Blog: www.sweetspotbookblog.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SweetSpotBookBlog
Twitter:@thessamari
November 3, 2014
2.5 stars
I'm going to try to make my review short and...not sweet.
Sorry, this did not do it for me...at all. This was my third Jane Harvey-Berrick book, and I know that it won't be my last. I really enjoyed the other books I've read of hers, but this one didn't start out great, and didn't get any better.
To begin, the premise sounded amazing. A bad girl moves in with her semi-estranged Reverend mother, and meets the town ex-con. We are all for the strong, non-virgin heroine, but Torrey, was too cocky, self assured, and in my opinion kind of a bitch. Her "humor" came out all wrong. What should have felt like light teasing, came off way to snarky. Especially to the poor hero. I more or less got used to this, but needless to say, I was not a fan.
I felt really bad for the hero, Jordan. Coming back from being locked up from society ( 2 yrs juvie, 6 years prison), to have the whole town hate him had to be hard, and overall he was a sweet guy. I still had issues with him. I eventually got used to him too, but his grammar? Dialect? Accent?...just made him sound dumb, which he was not. At first I kept picturing Adam Sandler from the movie Waterboy, if that helps. This was hard to envision, since he's supposed to be this hot tattooed bad boy.
I borrowed this from a friend that I have similar tastes with, and she really enjoyed it. At about 47%, I really wanted to call it quits, but I kept thinking that it might improve. I'm not sure what exactly it was, but I was bored. Maybe since I wasn't captivated right away, the length of the book, or I just didn't care what happened to these characters, but I skimmed the rest of the book to get the gist of the story.
I think it could have been something really good, as I think the premise was strong. But the characters, and the speed in which this moved, exhausted me.
Since there was a decent story, and the writing was good, it's hard for me to give less than 2 stars. This could have been me, as I noted, my friend and others have enjoyed this.
For me, no thank you.
I'm going to try to make my review short and...not sweet.
Sorry, this did not do it for me...at all. This was my third Jane Harvey-Berrick book, and I know that it won't be my last. I really enjoyed the other books I've read of hers, but this one didn't start out great, and didn't get any better.
To begin, the premise sounded amazing. A bad girl moves in with her semi-estranged Reverend mother, and meets the town ex-con. We are all for the strong, non-virgin heroine, but Torrey, was too cocky, self assured, and in my opinion kind of a bitch. Her "humor" came out all wrong. What should have felt like light teasing, came off way to snarky. Especially to the poor hero. I more or less got used to this, but needless to say, I was not a fan.
I felt really bad for the hero, Jordan. Coming back from being locked up from society ( 2 yrs juvie, 6 years prison), to have the whole town hate him had to be hard, and overall he was a sweet guy. I still had issues with him. I eventually got used to him too, but his grammar? Dialect? Accent?...just made him sound dumb, which he was not. At first I kept picturing Adam Sandler from the movie Waterboy, if that helps. This was hard to envision, since he's supposed to be this hot tattooed bad boy.
I borrowed this from a friend that I have similar tastes with, and she really enjoyed it. At about 47%, I really wanted to call it quits, but I kept thinking that it might improve. I'm not sure what exactly it was, but I was bored. Maybe since I wasn't captivated right away, the length of the book, or I just didn't care what happened to these characters, but I skimmed the rest of the book to get the gist of the story.
I think it could have been something really good, as I think the premise was strong. But the characters, and the speed in which this moved, exhausted me.
Since there was a decent story, and the writing was good, it's hard for me to give less than 2 stars. This could have been me, as I noted, my friend and others have enjoyed this.
For me, no thank you.
August 11, 2016
Lifers is the story of two broken spirits. Jordan, whom has been released from jail after eight years. He's having difficulty adjusting to life outside but his struggles are made even harder as he has literally no support from his parents nor the people in town. Torrey, is the reverand's daughter. She finds herself in small town America after making some mistakes in her personal life. Jordan and Torrey were so perfect together and it was beautiful to read these two broken souls make each other whole. This a story of love, loss, forgiveness, and friendship.
Once again, Jane Harvey-Berrick has another home run. I love that her stories are both emotional and sexy. She has such a gift for developing characters and showing us their growth as the story progresses. I'd also like to mention I really don't see why people are making a stink about the southern accent? I really didn't see what the big deal was. Anyhoo, this is a 5 star read for me! I look forward to future books from this author!
February 11, 2014
Jenny: Reading Lifers was akin to reading with a lead weight sitting on my chest. My heart was aching from the first few pages and I don’t think it stopped hurting until the end. The desolation and despair of Jordan and Torrey’s story could be felt through the pages and when every day is a battle and every thought is consumed with guilt, it makes for a very moving read that I felt in my heart. Jordan broke me. What he endured was beyond words.
‘I guess my punishment was to carry on living.’
Mind you, there were certainly moments of humour, passion, anger, nervous anticipation and outrage throughout Lifers as well, mostly provided by Torrey, which lightened the load.
This book consumed me. You know you’re on to a good read when you can’t even let go of your Kindle to cook the evening meal, isn’t that right G?
Jordan and Torrey’s story is one of misjudgement, misplacement, grieving, forgiveness of oneself and believing in yourself enough to move forward. Of finding that other half of your soul who makes you believe that love, happiness and a future are indeed possible when you have no hope left in your heart.
“She hates me. They both do. But no more than I hate myself.” -
“God, Jordan, I’d fix it for you if I could.”
Jane Harvey-Berrick’s writing was flawless. The story was sad, poignant, emotive, and tragic and held a valuable lesson we can all take with us and Jordan and Torrey completely stole my heart.
“I didn’t believe life was worth living ’til I met you. I’m so, so happy I was wrong”
We cried a few times in this one didn’t and some scenes had us sobbing didn’t they G?
Gitte: Oh wow, how much did I love Lifers, Jenny!!!!! I was hooked on this emotional, passionate and beautiful story and I fell in complete love with both Jordan and Torrey, two tormented individuals each with their own methods of coping. I couldn’t put their story down for anyone or anything, it was that powerful!
“A life without love is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.”
And you’re right Jenny, my heart hurt all the way through and I was on edge fearing for Jordan and crying over him and his situation. This Author truly made me feel everything through a flawlessly written story. Seriously, such talent, to have me laughing through my tears and feel such extreme emotions from one minute to the next. The message is clear and poignant and it incorporates valuable life lessons and the different stages of survival, consequences and emotional behaviour many of which are through society’s perceptions. Rules written or unwritten.
Everything was off the charts in Lifers; including the passion. I really wish everyone would pick up this book, its one hell of a journey and one of the reasons why I love reading so much!
“Every time they knocked him down he stood right back up and faced them…every time…until he couldn’t stand up anymore….”
Jenny: The characters were tenderly brought to life and I adored them both. Torrey, the strong willed, no nonsense preachers daughter, was a bit of a wild child, who guarded her heart with the same tenacity in which she led her life. Torrey had constructed walls that were nigh on impossible to penetrate until the day this sad and beautiful man walked into her life.
“Don’t it bother you? Sittin’ here with…with someone like me?” – Jordan
“I’d say it bothers you more than it bothers me.” – Torrey
Both Jordan and Torrey craved and needed love. Let down by those who should have loved and protected them unconditionally, these two damaged souls found a wholeness in one another.
Torrey, brought a breath of fresh air, truth and feeling into Jordan’s sad and miserable existence. She was the light in his dark days and what an absolute joy these two were. You wondered how an outspoken woman such as Torrey could be the balm to the sensitive soul of Jordan’s but it worked and it worked beautifully.
‘What would it do to a person, living day in and day out surrounded by nothing but memories and hatred?’ – Torrey
Torrey floored me. She was witty, perceptive and a straight shooter. The things that came out of her mouth had me in stitches and I winced a time or two over her forthrightness and she always kept me on my toes.
“You’re an angel,”…..My guardian angel.” – Jordan
“If I’m an angel, we’re in more trouble than we thought.” – Torrey
Jordan couldn’t have found anyone better to help heal him and allow him to feel atonement for what he believed were his sins. Always accepting, always truthful, she was the perfect foil for the deeply brooding Jordan. Oh and Jordan….I could talk all day about him G, but I’ll leave that to you.
Gitte: Yeah Torrey, the outspoken, kick arse, passionate and sarcastic lovable girl was perfect for my Jordan, I bloody loved her, she brought humour, trust and understanding which balanced out the sadness. I say my Jordan because this man took a huge piece of my heart. The lump in my throat grew to near impossible size as I read his story, he was severely punished for something tragic albeit unintentional, accidental. So scary and sad how Jordan’s one mistake as a teenager robbed him of everything and left a black mark that determined how others felt justified in treating him. The punishment continued and was so painful to read about, as it reached extremities that he just didn’t deserve. The fact that people who should’ve loved him and protected him, in fact treated him like something evil and inconsequential, well it broke me, it truly did.
‘I had no clue how to live anymore.’ – Jordan
He accepts the way he’s ill-treated and believes it’s deserved, that he should continue to pay a penance for his guilt.
His life as it plays out, once he meets Torrey is so poignant, it highlights that there’s always a possibility of love and second chances no matter how appallingly you’re treated and how you’re perceived. That redemption is truly possible and forgiveness is attainable by your own hand and by others.
‘The loneliness hit me hard….I didn’t know what the boundaries were anymore. It was a game of life where I didn’t know the rules and couldn’t work them out – and I was losing. Big time.’
Jordan‘s so broken and emotionally beaten and oh so very lonely. Until Torrey….Now, Torrey brought out the real Jordan behind the mask. The Jordan who’s funny, sexy, passionate and protective.
“You’re not alone now.”
“I really want to kiss you right now.”
The Jordan who truly matters and who’s what he was meant to be. The Jordan who deserves to live life to its fullest potential. And wow, this man is hot, but not only that, his heart is so big and so gentle and so loving you’ll swoon in the same breath as despair at his circumstances.
This Author truly managed to find just the perfect balance of every emotion, it was extremely well written. Nothing felt forced, overdone or out of place. Nothing was superfluous or dragged out. It was perfection.
“Fast, slow, hard, soft – I want it all with you….” – Jordan
I felt like my heart had been ripped out and shredded by prejudice, violence and hate only to be mended by love, acceptance and understanding. Truly a magnificent harrowing and inspirational story!
J&G: Lifers really did touch our hearts, no doubt about it. This story tells how one wrong decision, one split second of misjudgement can change your life and it’s told beautifully.
‘A lot can happen in six seconds. Your whole life can change in a heartbeat.’
It’s about taking life by the throat and living every moment, about shedding guilt and not letting others preconception weigh you down. It was powerful, emotional and had us gasping with nervous anticipation. We fell in love with two characters who certainly took a piece of our hearts with them by the end of this book. Lifers is a standalone story and one we absolutely recommend picking up.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2015
3 stars for good writing, witty and great characters
I loved both characters, Jordan and Torrey and the first 50% of the book was highly enjoyable and I loved Jordan for being such a tortured hero.
The story is about a convict who is back in his hometown and everyone treats him like crap and a sassy preacher's daughter.
And so the story goes on about how they go through obtacles to keep their newfound love.
There were times I teared up when reading about the hero. And the stars awarded are also for evoking emotions from me. Yes I am such a sucker for tortured quiet heroes.
Torrey with her sarcasm and take no shit attitude and how she makes fun of Jordan's woe is me attitude. I loved her for being so unique.
I could also see her obstacles of not being good with relationships.
The people of the town were damn annoying I just wanted to taser all of them. I appreciated the growth of the characters and I did end up liking the book for all its good things in the story.
I love sexy Jordan. Sexy Southern manners and being dark and brooding.
Just that woe is me was not working for me and how he wasnt willing to look past a lot of things so far into the story. I see too many of these people at work and I was just lke oh no. That was why I resonated with the tory as such and came close to not finishing it and I am glad I did finish it.
I loved also seeing a broke hero making things work for a date. oh my gosh it was so refreshing. I can also understand the woe is me because Jordan went to prison at 16 years old and could not had better examples to learn from.
There were many times I was laughing throughout the book because of the wit and humour.
Overall I liked the book and for the reasons above hence the 3 stars rating.
I loved both characters, Jordan and Torrey and the first 50% of the book was highly enjoyable and I loved Jordan for being such a tortured hero.
The story is about a convict who is back in his hometown and everyone treats him like crap and a sassy preacher's daughter.
And so the story goes on about how they go through obtacles to keep their newfound love.
There were times I teared up when reading about the hero. And the stars awarded are also for evoking emotions from me. Yes I am such a sucker for tortured quiet heroes.
Torrey with her sarcasm and take no shit attitude and how she makes fun of Jordan's woe is me attitude. I loved her for being so unique.
I could also see her obstacles of not being good with relationships.
The people of the town were damn annoying I just wanted to taser all of them. I appreciated the growth of the characters and I did end up liking the book for all its good things in the story.
I love sexy Jordan. Sexy Southern manners and being dark and brooding.
Just that woe is me was not working for me and how he wasnt willing to look past a lot of things so far into the story. I see too many of these people at work and I was just lke oh no. That was why I resonated with the tory as such and came close to not finishing it and I am glad I did finish it.
I loved also seeing a broke hero making things work for a date. oh my gosh it was so refreshing. I can also understand the woe is me because Jordan went to prison at 16 years old and could not had better examples to learn from.
There were many times I was laughing throughout the book because of the wit and humour.
Overall I liked the book and for the reasons above hence the 3 stars rating.
January 22, 2020
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Jane Harvey Berrick torna con una nuova storia intensa e due protagonisti che si contraddistinguono. Condannati: due persone condannate dalla società, due disadattati bloccati in una gabbia, due protagonisti che si liberano dalle catene invisibili e spiccano il volo verso la libertà e l’amore. Torrey e Jordan non potrebbero essere più diversi. Lei è un personaggio temerario, scapestrato e un po’ sopra le righe che vi farà divertire per tutta la durata della lettura per la sua parlantina facile, per la sua risposta sempre pronta e per le imprecazioni che rivolge quando è arrabbiata, ma soprattutto quando non sta tace di fronte alla crudeltà della gente ma attacca e risponde con quel modo impertinente che adorerete. È la figlia del pastore di una cittadina piccola e dalla mentalità ristretta che non fa altro che rivolgere occhiate malevole e spettegolare sotto voce con accuse e pregiudizi che a Torrey non stanno bene. Ed è proprio per questo che ha deciso da tempo di vivere la sua vita secondo le sue regole, con la libertà e la spensieratezza che desidera senza farsi coinvolgere né contaminare dai preconcetti della gente. La sua vita incrocia quella di Jordan Kane, un ex detenuto che, a differenza sua, si lascia investire dalle malelingue della stessa cittadina e dai suoi stessi genitori, portando dentro un tormento e un senso di colpa che non riesce mai a perdonarsi. Lui pensa di non meritare nulla, neanche una seconda possibilità, di non poter neanche vivere dopo ciò che ha commesso, ma di subire tutto il male che merita, di rimanere recluso nella prigione che lui stesso si è creato nella mente. È bellissimo vedere come queste due anime così diverse tra loro si intrecciano e fanno scintille, spargendo amore e colori. Lei illumina tutto ciò che tocca e lui con la sua oscurità si lascia baciare dai suoi raggi caldi e avvolgenti. In un mondo di stereotipi antitetici e stridenti, Torrey e Jordan ci insegnano a superare queste barriere che ci creiamo nella mente, a non fermarci a giudicare dall’esterno una persona solo perché ci è stato insegnato a vederla come una persona “cattiva”, ma a voler conoscere la sua storia, perché tutti abbiamo una storia, un dolore che portiamo dentro, anche se ci nascondiamo dal mondo e lo camuffiamo dietro una facciata rigida ne priva di emozione. Vi immergerete in queste pagine e leggerete come si sviluppa il loro rapporto, da amicizia a condivisione, da forza ad amore, da supporto fisico e morale a passione profonda ed esplosiva, quanto è meraviglioso il modo in cui Torrey guarda dentro di lui, lo capisce e non si sofferma a giudicarlo, il modo in cui lo sprona lentamente, passo dopo passo, bacio dopo bacio, carezza dopo carezza, parola dopo parola, a dare un nuovo senso alla sua vita. Perché tutti meritiamo una seconda possibilità e l'amore non fa altro che migliorarci e renderci più forti. L'amore è il sentimento più puro e incontaminato che esiste al mondo e amarsi non può mai essere una condanna. È impossibile per Jordan non lasciarsi travolgere dall'uragano Torrey, dalla forza che lei gli infonde spronandolo a perdonarsi, a far fuoriuscire tutto il dolore che lo avvelena dentro, a dare sempre il meglio di sé, a guardarsi dentro e a vedersi per la persona dolce, gentile, premurosa e protettiva che è. Questi due personaggi vi entreranno nel cuore in modo diverso: Torrey per la sua forza e determinazione, per il suo essere temeraria e senza filtri sulla lingua; Jordan invece, per la sua vulnerabilità e la sua sensibilità che entra nel nostro cuore e lì rimane. L’autrice porta alla luce una realtà che ci circonda e che molte volte diamo per scontato, ovvero quella del ritorno alla vita normale dopo anni dietro una gabbia di ferro. È importante capire questo significato, immedesimarsi in Jordan cercando di capire quando è difficile integrarsi in una società difficile e dalla mentalità chiusa, relazionarsi con la gente, affrontare le sfide dopo essere stato rinchiuso per molti anni, dove gli hanno portato via diritti, compiere delle scelte ogni giorno ed essere spaventati dalla libertà.
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Jane Harvey Berrick torna con una nuova storia intensa e due protagonisti che si contraddistinguono. Condannati: due persone condannate dalla società, due disadattati bloccati in una gabbia, due protagonisti che si liberano dalle catene invisibili e spiccano il volo verso la libertà e l’amore. Torrey e Jordan non potrebbero essere più diversi. Lei è un personaggio temerario, scapestrato e un po’ sopra le righe che vi farà divertire per tutta la durata della lettura per la sua parlantina facile, per la sua risposta sempre pronta e per le imprecazioni che rivolge quando è arrabbiata, ma soprattutto quando non sta tace di fronte alla crudeltà della gente ma attacca e risponde con quel modo impertinente che adorerete. È la figlia del pastore di una cittadina piccola e dalla mentalità ristretta che non fa altro che rivolgere occhiate malevole e spettegolare sotto voce con accuse e pregiudizi che a Torrey non stanno bene. Ed è proprio per questo che ha deciso da tempo di vivere la sua vita secondo le sue regole, con la libertà e la spensieratezza che desidera senza farsi coinvolgere né contaminare dai preconcetti della gente. La sua vita incrocia quella di Jordan Kane, un ex detenuto che, a differenza sua, si lascia investire dalle malelingue della stessa cittadina e dai suoi stessi genitori, portando dentro un tormento e un senso di colpa che non riesce mai a perdonarsi. Lui pensa di non meritare nulla, neanche una seconda possibilità, di non poter neanche vivere dopo ciò che ha commesso, ma di subire tutto il male che merita, di rimanere recluso nella prigione che lui stesso si è creato nella mente. È bellissimo vedere come queste due anime così diverse tra loro si intrecciano e fanno scintille, spargendo amore e colori. Lei illumina tutto ciò che tocca e lui con la sua oscurità si lascia baciare dai suoi raggi caldi e avvolgenti. In un mondo di stereotipi antitetici e stridenti, Torrey e Jordan ci insegnano a superare queste barriere che ci creiamo nella mente, a non fermarci a giudicare dall’esterno una persona solo perché ci è stato insegnato a vederla come una persona “cattiva”, ma a voler conoscere la sua storia, perché tutti abbiamo una storia, un dolore che portiamo dentro, anche se ci nascondiamo dal mondo e lo camuffiamo dietro una facciata rigida ne priva di emozione. Vi immergerete in queste pagine e leggerete come si sviluppa il loro rapporto, da amicizia a condivisione, da forza ad amore, da supporto fisico e morale a passione profonda ed esplosiva, quanto è meraviglioso il modo in cui Torrey guarda dentro di lui, lo capisce e non si sofferma a giudicarlo, il modo in cui lo sprona lentamente, passo dopo passo, bacio dopo bacio, carezza dopo carezza, parola dopo parola, a dare un nuovo senso alla sua vita. Perché tutti meritiamo una seconda possibilità e l'amore non fa altro che migliorarci e renderci più forti. L'amore è il sentimento più puro e incontaminato che esiste al mondo e amarsi non può mai essere una condanna. È impossibile per Jordan non lasciarsi travolgere dall'uragano Torrey, dalla forza che lei gli infonde spronandolo a perdonarsi, a far fuoriuscire tutto il dolore che lo avvelena dentro, a dare sempre il meglio di sé, a guardarsi dentro e a vedersi per la persona dolce, gentile, premurosa e protettiva che è. Questi due personaggi vi entreranno nel cuore in modo diverso: Torrey per la sua forza e determinazione, per il suo essere temeraria e senza filtri sulla lingua; Jordan invece, per la sua vulnerabilità e la sua sensibilità che entra nel nostro cuore e lì rimane. L’autrice porta alla luce una realtà che ci circonda e che molte volte diamo per scontato, ovvero quella del ritorno alla vita normale dopo anni dietro una gabbia di ferro. È importante capire questo significato, immedesimarsi in Jordan cercando di capire quando è difficile integrarsi in una società difficile e dalla mentalità chiusa, relazionarsi con la gente, affrontare le sfide dopo essere stato rinchiuso per molti anni, dove gli hanno portato via diritti, compiere delle scelte ogni giorno ed essere spaventati dalla libertà.
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November 1, 2023
4 Slow Paced But Beautifully Written And A Feisty Heroine At Last Stars
This was a really hard book to rate because I conflicted about how I felt.
For example, for me the book really dragged and wasn’t that interesting. There were even times when I considered DNF. However, I plodded on because:
1. I liked the two main characters a lot
2. The writing itself was very good, and beautiful in parts
Jane Harvey-Berrick can really set a scene. The way she writes them helps the reader to envisage exactly the way it should be, and flow is really good. The book cover is very clever and depicts the story perfectly.
However, this didn’t help with the story, or lack of it really. The whole thing was nice, with how Jordon and Torrey get to know each other and fall in love, whilst dealing with the small town prejudices that bring drama to their relationship, but there was not much else happening and it got a quite a bit boring a lot of the time. It was, however, worth plodding on with as it turned out to be a worthwhile read in the end.
Other reviewers have said about how the Author has butchered the Deep Southern accent, well I didn’t see much of that – to be honest I have read way worse recently, such as Sweet Home by Tilly Cole.
The main things the Author used was “caint” instead of cant and “waal” instead of well; the first didn’t bother me too much but the latter got on my nerves because it just sounds like something one would should out, and it didn’t fit. Those two examples aside, there wasn’t much more apart from leaving the “g” of the ending of words, etc. So don’t let that put you off this book.
Now, onto the two MCs. We have Jordan Kane, the male MC and Torrey Delaney, the female MC.
JORDAN
Twenty four year old Jordan is back in his hometown on parole after spending the last eight years in Jail. At first we are left wondering what it was he had done, and the way the whole town treats him makes the reader think it must have been something pretty shocking, like child murder or rape or something.
Torrey is about the same age (cant quite remember though) and she finds herself in this small Deep South town due to her own circumstances (screwing her boss and ending up without a job, apparently??) Anyway she’s there, because that is where her mother now lives, who by the way is the local Reverend.
TORREY
As far as female MC’s go, Torrey is pretty dam fantastic. She is feisty, she likes sex and is not afraid to go after it with random hookups just to get some satisfaction, doesn’t give a damn what other people think about her and tells it like it is. This is a refreshing change from all the virginal Mary Sue types and spineless/stupid/wimpy types I seem to read so much in NA these days. And it appears this is quite a difficult thing to write, because as soon as you get a strong feisty female character like this, other reviewers will say she is a brat or a bitch. Hmmm.
I thought she was written very well, and came across as strong willed.
Jordan is a also very likeable character, and Torrey helps him begin to see his self worth and value within this World. Her straight talking no nonsense approach refuses to let Jordan wallow in the past and live as though he should have died too eight years earlier. Gradually she helps him see a future that he wants; with her.
What I just couldn’t understand was the reaction of the town folk to Jordan; even his own parents acted like they hated him with a venom, and when you as the reader learn what it was he did, I was left thinking “really? Is that it?”
But the town people acted as though it had just happened recently, like in the last year etc. And they all acted as though Jordan was a piece of shit who had done this deliberately, and as though the brother was some kind of revered saint who everyone loved and adored. What bothered me as I was reading was that the more we learned about the brother, the more we knew that he was defiantly none of those things; he was the bad influence on Jordon, always getting into situations for which he was more than happy for Jordan to take the blame.
Basically, the brother was a no good drug taking troublemaker and his parents could not see that?? They always thought that Jordan was the one causing all the trouble?? Geez, they must have been preeeeettttty thick then.
And anyway, the brother was just as much to blame for his death as Jordan was; he should have been the one making sure his younger brother was ok and got home ok, not the other way around. Yet everyone puts the blame solely on Jordan. Why??
His parents pissed me off BIG TIME. They had already lost one of their sons, and had almost lost the other twice in jail, and yet not once did they visit him. When he comes home they treat him awfully and I cant as a Mom understand how they could be so cruel. What happened in the accident was dreadful, but Jordon was a sixteen-year-old kid, for heavens sake! He made a huge mistake that had consequences that he will struggle to live with all his life. No one felt worse about what happened than Jordan, yet everyone in town wanted him to suffer and suffer. Does this kind of mentality still exist in small Southern towns? Have the folk not got anything else to do in life but hold a grudge? I could not get my head around this whilst reading and thought is cant possibly be like this; then I watched a movie last night called “Homefront” with Jason Stratham, and this depicted exactly that, saying that people in the Deep South never shake hands and make up, carrying on the grudge as long as they live. Really? Jaysus. I hope not. Scary.
Eventually, after almost being beaten to death in an unprovoked attack whilst out with Torrey, Jordan finishes his parole and the two make a decision to leave.
The writing in the last 25% of the book is beautifully done. The scene where Jordan visits his brother’s grave is heart wrenching. As is the scene as he they drive away from his house forever. This is what made the book for me, it was so deeply moving and powerful.
Like I said, Jane Harvey-Berrick can really transport the reader with her writing.
The ending was beautiful and I am glad I finished it after all.
I would recommend this to those who don’t necessarily need a fast paced read, and who like the slow smoldering love stories that don’t have much else going on.
Because I enjoyed the writing style so much I am going to give Jane Harvey-Berrick another chance and try some of her other works.
This was a really hard book to rate because I conflicted about how I felt.
For example, for me the book really dragged and wasn’t that interesting. There were even times when I considered DNF. However, I plodded on because:
1. I liked the two main characters a lot
2. The writing itself was very good, and beautiful in parts
Jane Harvey-Berrick can really set a scene. The way she writes them helps the reader to envisage exactly the way it should be, and flow is really good. The book cover is very clever and depicts the story perfectly.
However, this didn’t help with the story, or lack of it really. The whole thing was nice, with how Jordon and Torrey get to know each other and fall in love, whilst dealing with the small town prejudices that bring drama to their relationship, but there was not much else happening and it got a quite a bit boring a lot of the time. It was, however, worth plodding on with as it turned out to be a worthwhile read in the end.
Other reviewers have said about how the Author has butchered the Deep Southern accent, well I didn’t see much of that – to be honest I have read way worse recently, such as Sweet Home by Tilly Cole.
The main things the Author used was “caint” instead of cant and “waal” instead of well; the first didn’t bother me too much but the latter got on my nerves because it just sounds like something one would should out, and it didn’t fit. Those two examples aside, there wasn’t much more apart from leaving the “g” of the ending of words, etc. So don’t let that put you off this book.
Now, onto the two MCs. We have Jordan Kane, the male MC and Torrey Delaney, the female MC.
JORDAN
Twenty four year old Jordan is back in his hometown on parole after spending the last eight years in Jail. At first we are left wondering what it was he had done, and the way the whole town treats him makes the reader think it must have been something pretty shocking, like child murder or rape or something.
Torrey is about the same age (cant quite remember though) and she finds herself in this small Deep South town due to her own circumstances (screwing her boss and ending up without a job, apparently??) Anyway she’s there, because that is where her mother now lives, who by the way is the local Reverend.
TORREY
As far as female MC’s go, Torrey is pretty dam fantastic. She is feisty, she likes sex and is not afraid to go after it with random hookups just to get some satisfaction, doesn’t give a damn what other people think about her and tells it like it is. This is a refreshing change from all the virginal Mary Sue types and spineless/stupid/wimpy types I seem to read so much in NA these days. And it appears this is quite a difficult thing to write, because as soon as you get a strong feisty female character like this, other reviewers will say she is a brat or a bitch. Hmmm.
I thought she was written very well, and came across as strong willed.
Jordan is a also very likeable character, and Torrey helps him begin to see his self worth and value within this World. Her straight talking no nonsense approach refuses to let Jordan wallow in the past and live as though he should have died too eight years earlier. Gradually she helps him see a future that he wants; with her.
What I just couldn’t understand was the reaction of the town folk to Jordan; even his own parents acted like they hated him with a venom, and when you as the reader learn what it was he did, I was left thinking “really? Is that it?”
But the town people acted as though it had just happened recently, like in the last year etc. And they all acted as though Jordan was a piece of shit who had done this deliberately, and as though the brother was some kind of revered saint who everyone loved and adored. What bothered me as I was reading was that the more we learned about the brother, the more we knew that he was defiantly none of those things; he was the bad influence on Jordon, always getting into situations for which he was more than happy for Jordan to take the blame.
Basically, the brother was a no good drug taking troublemaker and his parents could not see that?? They always thought that Jordan was the one causing all the trouble?? Geez, they must have been preeeeettttty thick then.
And anyway, the brother was just as much to blame for his death as Jordan was; he should have been the one making sure his younger brother was ok and got home ok, not the other way around. Yet everyone puts the blame solely on Jordan. Why??
His parents pissed me off BIG TIME. They had already lost one of their sons, and had almost lost the other twice in jail, and yet not once did they visit him. When he comes home they treat him awfully and I cant as a Mom understand how they could be so cruel. What happened in the accident was dreadful, but Jordon was a sixteen-year-old kid, for heavens sake! He made a huge mistake that had consequences that he will struggle to live with all his life. No one felt worse about what happened than Jordan, yet everyone in town wanted him to suffer and suffer. Does this kind of mentality still exist in small Southern towns? Have the folk not got anything else to do in life but hold a grudge? I could not get my head around this whilst reading and thought is cant possibly be like this; then I watched a movie last night called “Homefront” with Jason Stratham, and this depicted exactly that, saying that people in the Deep South never shake hands and make up, carrying on the grudge as long as they live. Really? Jaysus. I hope not. Scary.
Eventually, after almost being beaten to death in an unprovoked attack whilst out with Torrey, Jordan finishes his parole and the two make a decision to leave.
The writing in the last 25% of the book is beautifully done. The scene where Jordan visits his brother’s grave is heart wrenching. As is the scene as he they drive away from his house forever. This is what made the book for me, it was so deeply moving and powerful.
Like I said, Jane Harvey-Berrick can really transport the reader with her writing.
The ending was beautiful and I am glad I finished it after all.
I would recommend this to those who don’t necessarily need a fast paced read, and who like the slow smoldering love stories that don’t have much else going on.
Because I enjoyed the writing style so much I am going to give Jane Harvey-Berrick another chance and try some of her other works.
February 27, 2014
Lifers is one of those amazing stories that grabs you by surprise. I mean I was thinking okay a bad boy a bad girl come together hook up and move on before they get to attached. Okay so that is so not what I got and holy mother lover was I impressed! I loved every minute of this story and it tugged at my heart for a few reasons but the main reason being is that this is a story about second chances and love. You make a mistake and you own it and move on to bigger and better things.
Jordan Kane mad a mistake he paid for dearly by being incarcerated for 8 years. He is finally being released after 8 long years behind bars and he has to go back to the one place where it all started and he does not want to go back. Jordan knows that small town mentalities never change and when he arrives back in this small town where he is on parole he realizes that he was right because no one is forgiving and not even his parents. They treat him like the town pariah.
Torrey Delaney is the preachers daughter and she is supposed to be living the life of a good Christian girl right? Well she does not and she has moved to this backwards small town to get away from all her problems only she has more problems because she is considered the town whore. She does casual hook ups and the towns people do not like that. Her mother is the towns preacher and she is supposed to know better but she is trying to find herself. Then she meets Jordan and both of their lives are changed.
See Jordan and Torrey may be broken but together they build a friendship and something happens that blossoms into something so much more. This is one story you have to sit down and read because it will blow your mind!
Jordan Kane mad a mistake he paid for dearly by being incarcerated for 8 years. He is finally being released after 8 long years behind bars and he has to go back to the one place where it all started and he does not want to go back. Jordan knows that small town mentalities never change and when he arrives back in this small town where he is on parole he realizes that he was right because no one is forgiving and not even his parents. They treat him like the town pariah.
Torrey Delaney is the preachers daughter and she is supposed to be living the life of a good Christian girl right? Well she does not and she has moved to this backwards small town to get away from all her problems only she has more problems because she is considered the town whore. She does casual hook ups and the towns people do not like that. Her mother is the towns preacher and she is supposed to know better but she is trying to find herself. Then she meets Jordan and both of their lives are changed.
See Jordan and Torrey may be broken but together they build a friendship and something happens that blossoms into something so much more. This is one story you have to sit down and read because it will blow your mind!
May 3, 2015
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.
~Ezekiel~
4 stars
I really struggled with how to rate this book. In fact, even as I write this I am uncertain.
Drama. Angst. Tragedy. Heartbreak.
The concept ... I absolutely adored the idea of this story ... wild Reverend’s daughter meets quiet ex-con ... a very refreshing romance. Yet, it was all so freaking tragic. Loved how the entire storyline played out.
I also loved everything about our ‘bad boy’ Jordan - he was wonderfully written - sweet, yet sullen. Sexy, but not cocky. Damaged … oh so very, very damaged.
But ... for the majority of this book I really did not like our heroine Torrey ... her ultra-casual attitude drove me bat-shit crazy! Crass, outspoken, free-willed … usually characteristics that I love, yet in this instance made me want to slap her stupid face. Thankfully, she turned it all around by the end … but it took forever.
Passion. Compassion. Evolution. Love.
Overall, I really did enjoy the story. Definitely worth the read. My first book by this author - I will very likely read more.
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