Conquer

Triumph #2

by S.J. McGran

My name is Angelica McCoy and I am a man-eater. I use men. I use them to make me feel worthy and beautiful, to help me get through the day. To help me forget.

That is until a certain man walked into my life and turned it upside down. He’s the only person that’s been able to see through the lies, the bullshit masks. He turns every wall I've carefully constructed around my broken heart to rubble.

Without questioning it, without asking for permission he takes my heart and makes it his.

The question is can I get over my own fears, the suffocating disbelief in happily ever after to give him what he needs? What he deserves?

ebook

First published November 10, 2014

About the author

Born November 22, 1987, S.J. McGran is a new author with a penchant for writing, reading and reviewing romance novels.

She lives in Toledo, Ohio with her husband, cat and lots of siblings. She is a die hard Detroit Tigers fan, and has a love for ice cream and pizza.

S.J. is the author of the Triumph Series.

Reviews

[Hearts on Sleeves Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

ConquerbyS.J. McGran
SYNOPSIS
My name is Angelica McCoy and I am a man-eater. I use men. I use them to make me feel worthy and beautiful, to help me get through the day. To help me forget.

That is until a certain man walked into my life and turned it upside down. He’s the only person that’s been able to see through the lies, the bullshit masks. He turns every wall I've carefully constructed around my broken heart to rubble.

Without questioning it, without asking for permission he takes my heart and makes it his.

The question is can I get over my own fears, the suffocating disbelief in happily ever after to give him what he needs? What he deserves?

MY REVIEW
I was so happy when I read Vanquish (book 1). I knew immediately that S.J. McGran was going to be another notable author that I could fold up and put into my sacred box of "keepers". You know what I'm talking about, when your reading a book and it just.. clicks. So naturally I couldn't wait to read Conquer (book2).

It centres on Angelica McCoy who we are introduced to in Vanquish. She is a man-eater & party animal, and although her family comes from money & status, they are grounded and loving. Angelica harbours a deep seated pain from long ago and guards her heart fiercely. She is only capable of physical intimacy and is happy to burn through men to temporarily numb her pain. Until she meets the man who will not allow her to use him and throw him away. A man who, with his GQ good looks and exceptional intelligence, will melt your panties off!

I don't want to say who that man turns out to be because I dont want to spoil your experience, you'll just have to find out yourself. But I promise you this book will have you feeling every emotion on the spectrum.

S.J. McGran absolutely nailed it!I couldn't put Conquer down. It is written in dual POV in a tone that is flawless, I absolutely believed every word. These characters & their stories have permeated my heart and I CANNOT WAIT until book 3. LOVE LOVE LOVE this series and so will you- HOS guarantee!!
5 shiny, indefectible stars!! Thanks for another amazing instalment S.J McGran!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The slow simmer, the gradual build up, and the beautiful emotions unveiled throughout this incredible storyline was absolutely fantastic!! It was utter perfection in its finest form. We are guided along a stunning journey filled to the brim and overflowing with heartache, determination, and passion. Love doesn’t just heal the heart, it surrounds it, invades it, and ultimately conquers whatever is in its line of sight. There is no middle ground in this intense battle. You either fully succumb to it, or you will find yourself living an unfulfilled half-life. The enemy that we see barreling towards us with the full on intensity of a freight train isn’t love, the real problem and adversary is fear. Once we let go of our fear and allow ourselves to be ravished by the brilliant radiance of the love being freely offered to us, we will finally know what it feels like to be whole, complete, and truly happy.

You would think that fun loving, party going Angelica has it all with her loving parents, her drop dead good looks, all the money she could ever want, and any guy that she wants. Assumptions are such a horrible way to judge people. They will let you down 100% of time and get you into hot water along the way. Ryan finds that out in the worst possible way. He first saw Angelica at a charity dance, and he was immediately spellbound by her beauty. If he was honest though, he would say that it was her innocence that pulled him in, and he willing drowned in the sea of her eyes from the very first moment that he looked into them. He had it bad, and he knew he was a goner. The only problem was that from the moment another guy ripped them apart on the dance floor, Ryan has only been able to see the superficial, I’m-better-then-you act that Angelica puts on for everyone around her. He wants to get to know her, but it’s those pesky assumptions that hold him back and build up a fortress around his heart. Little does he know that once Angelica wants something, she will fight relentlessly until she gets it, and she wants him. Unfortunately, they both harbor dark and painful secrets that could easily tear them apart before they even find out how good they could be together.

If I am being completely honest here, I have to say that Angelica and Ryan have definitely found a place on my list of all-time favorite book couples! They are such amazing characters both together and individually. We are granted the privilege of seeing the depth of emotions and dreams that both of them have in spite of how they project the opposite to those around them. They have such heart, and they felt so real that I never once doubted that I could run into them on the street at any time. While I fell in love with Zhoe and Jared from book one, I freely admit that they have nothing on Angelica and Ryan. These two are feistier, more passionate, hands down more stubborn, and touch each other on every possible level that I was completely swept away in their hurricane of painful struggles, boundless passion, and fierce determination. I haven’t wanted to see a couple get together and stay together as badly as I wanted to see these two make it. They deserved and needed the love, strength, and life that they found in the other.

S. J. McGran is simply phenomenal! She swept me off my feet with Zhoe and Jared, but with Angelica and Ryan she completely blew me away. I have read my fair share of books, and I have to say that her writing has developed exponentially with this second installation in this series. My heart was utterly broken, unquestionably shattered, and then inexplicably healed at an agonizingly slow yet exquisitely perfect pace. At the risk of repeating myself, I have to say that this story was unreservedly perfect. Now, I just need to be patient as I wait for what I assume will be Rico’s story next.

[Jennifer Sons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much! Conquer is the 2nd of the Triumph series by SJ McGran. I couldn't put it down! I was drawn to Angelica & Ryan!

Angelica comes from money but isn't a spoiled brat, thank god! She is well rounded, pretty, smart & confident! She don't mind using men for sex to hide the pain of her past! That's until she meets Ryan, who she's told to avoid because he's the hired help! Being the independent woman she is, she follows her head & heart! It was so great to watch her grow into a woman every man would love to have! In the 1st book she's the friend of the main character, so we only see the party & promiscuous side! This book really showcases her caring, sensitive, loving side. I would say thank Ryan for that!

Ryan is a dream! Seriously! He's not what he seems to be! Ang makes him want to be a better person & not like his insensitive, pompous father! We learn as the book goes on that Ryan & Ang both have a shaded, emotional past that have made them cautious of getting close! I was so glad when the secrets came out! Can they survive tho? Can the new turn of events help them prepare for the future?

I would recommend reading this series! It's so good & very well written! I was shocked at parts & left wanting more! Amazing job!

[Beth Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆☆4 Hooked Stars☆☆

Conquer is Angelica's story of finding love &/or money, which does she want more? Angelica has always wanted what she has grown up seeing money and being a man's arm candy.

After losing the love of her life, the love no one knew she shared, she dove deeper into wanting the arm candy and money life. This will keep her from hurting again from another lost love. What she didn't expect was finding someone who could resist her beauty and offerings of a "good time" but she is always up for a challenge. Ryan is now the challenge Ang is ready to conquer but what she doesn't know is all she represents is everything he loathes. What happens when these two find themselves in a chance meeting in an unexpected place where they are both vulnerable and learn each is not what or who they seem.

I enjoyed Conquer. SJ McGran easily captivates my attention with her writing. I enjoyed both books in this series and I am excited to read Rico's story, they guy needs some happiness.

Reviewed for Hooked On Books

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conquer is a good read. It's book two in the Triumph series. Book one, Vanquish, is Zhoe and Jared's story. Book two, Conquer, is Angelica and Ryan's story. Angelica is Zhoe's best friends so we meet her in book one and in book two we get updates on Zhoe. After reading Vanquish, I couldn't wait to read Angelica's story. Her story was definitely a surprise. I have to admit I didn't think that Ryan would be the one for her.

Angelica has a past that she hasn't shared with anyone. It is a surprising and sad past but it explains why she keeps her heart guarded by some very strong walls. Ryan is a sweet sexy guy. He came across as a jerk at first but I grew to love his character pretty quickly. Ryan has some things is his past that he doesn't tell Angelica right away. When their pasts come out, I think they both dealt very well with it.

This is a great story and it doesn't have a cliffhanger.

A copy was received for a review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angelica wants the hot geeky guy with the glasses. Ya know Ryan, the one that has been rebuffing all of her advances for a year and is always pissing her off by being mean to her. All Ryan wants to do is find the woman beneath the façade. Ryan and Angelica both come from the same world but have had vastly different upbringings. I found it really endearing that Ryan called her Duchess and wanted to know Angelica for herself. As they try to make a relationship work, Angelica must find her way to giving her heart again. And Ryan does a really stupid thing that his Duchess may not forgive him for. I know that I wanted to just kick him.

I really enjoyed Angelica and Ryan and am glad this was their story. I look forward to the next book. Angelica was in the first book, Vanquish. I didn’t feel that I needed to read Vanquish before this one. Conquer is Angelica and Ryan’s story and it’s even better than Vanquish!

[Angel, Book Boyfriend Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conquer is the 2nd in the Triumph series by SJ McGran, This is Angelica & Ryan's story and what a story this is. I asked myself how could I love Conquer more than Vanquish, love someone more than Jared....book 2 is almost never as good as book 1, almost never but Conquer is as good and maybe even better and Ryan, Ryan, Ryan I must say he blew Jared right out of the water. Angelica and Ryan are a couple you will not forget and Ryan is as perfect as a book boyfriend can get. S. J. McGran writing is phenomenal, all her characters are well developed and just hope Rico’s story next....because I just loved him.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

At first I wanted to hate Angelica.
I wanted to hate Ryan.
I honestly wasn't sure I would get into this book based on the first chapter or two, but thankfully I didn't give up on it.
Ryan and Ang's story is one of yearning, of trust, love and learning to let go.
The story is intriguing with well developed characters and we get a HEA.
This was my first SJ McGran book so now I definitely have to go back and read book one to see what I've missed. I look forward to reading more from this author!

[Amie Morgado- We Stole Your Book Boyfriend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so first I will admit I did not read Vanquish , I plan to ASAP because I want Zhoe and Jared's story but regardless I was not lost at all and I followed along easily.

Secondly I have to say I was hooked on this book , I devoured it in a matter of hours and enjoyed every bit of it. Angelica was easy to relate to. She had been hurt in the past and was now only able to deal with the physical connection , no feelings , no love. Just SEX. This worked for her , she had some go to guys and of course she had new conquests. Angelica came from money but her parents were very loving. She didn't really care about the status but at times she made it seem to others she did.

A year ago she had a run in with a super hot , geeky guy that she just could not shake. An unfortunate incident left these 2 at each others throats for the past year. Angelica really had no clue why he treated her the way he did but it didn't matter , she wanted him so badly. Ryan never gave in , he was convinced she was too wrapped up in the status to be involved with him. Once the truths come out and pasts are discovered Angelica and Ryan have to decide whether it is worth the trouble to make it work or if they are better off continuing on the path they were both on. Angelica's secrets come out and they were heartbreaking. I was so happy to see her start to heal. This girl deserved some happiness and a great guy like Ryan to stand by her. At the same time Ryan's family life was his trouble and I was shocked at the details. It was great to see Angelica stand by his side and help him through the drama. There may have been some hurdles and bumps and bruises but it was worth it. I loved their journey , loved the openness of their feelings and how they handled the problems of their pasts together. I loved the dual POV's and cannot wait for more in this series as well as going back to read book 1 !!!!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in the Triumph series! The emotions are intense and the characters are easy to like. I couldn’t put the book down and I read it in just a few hours in the evening. You also get glimpses of the characters from book 1 (Triumph) so it was fun to get to see them again but Ryan and Angelica still got their own story.

Ryan and Angelica have a connection the first time they meet but outside influences lead to a lot of misjudgments about each other’s character. When they finally get a chance to see each other’s true character they decide to give that connection a chance. Ryan is sweet, sexy, and determined to make it on his own even though he comes from money. Angelica also comes from money but also a loving family and knows there is more to life than that. She comes across as shallow and a bit of a slut but once she shows her true self, its easy to see why she up that front. They’ve both lost someone they love and I think that just brings a whole other level to their connection.

The story line was easy to follow and it was one of those great ones that makes it easy to immerse yourself in the characters’ world. I felt connected to Ryan and Angelica. I found myself having a certain feeling on behalf of the character during a certain scene. This was also one of those books that has you thinking about it after you finish it. That, to me, is a mark of a great book. I look forward to more in the Triumph series. 5 out of 5 stars!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angelica comes from money but she isn't spoiled but she tends to come off as she's a stuck up bitch. She uses men for sex in one night stands to hide the fact that her heart is completely shattered because the love of her life died when he was 18. Until the day she met Ryan who was totally into her and she him until her jerk friend with benefits told her that he was the hired help and dragged her away. Now one year later Ryan and her have classes together only he is a complete ass to her. She doesn't know what she did to him to make him change the way he treats her but she finds he's the only one who can really see through to her and she really wants to be with him so she follows her heart and tries to get him to open up to her. But Ryan has secrets too, and when all their secrets come out will they be able to survive it or will it be the end of the tentative relationship that they have started?
I absolutely loved the book. Conquer is the second book of the Triumph series and for once the sequel completely out does the original. Ryan and Angelica pulled you in and made you feel. I just wanted to grab them and hold them in a hug so they never have to feel the pain that they feel ever again. I really enjoyed this book and I think you will too.

Reviewed for Renee Entress's blog

[Romance Readers Retreat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angelica has had her heart irrevocably broken. Broken in such a way that she knows it'll never be repaired and to make matters worse, she's kept this heart break a secret. 

Ryan is infuriated by the uppity girl he met at a function. She gorgeous but snooty and because she riles him so easily, although unintentionally, he does everything to get on her nerves. He's even coined his own nickname for her...Duchess.

Ang can't understand why Ryan dislikes her so much but she's doing her best to ignore it, as she goes about hooking up but never having a relationship. 

Ryan starts to see a different side to Angie. Maybe she's not the money-obsessed girl he thinks she is.

Tentatively, they form a friendship but can it withstand their preconceived ideas about each other? How will they cope with outside forces trying to come between their budding friendship?

There's plenty of drama in this enjoyable tale. 
It's well written and edited and a great second instalment to the Triumph series. 

All in all, a sweet, enjoyable, quick read. 

[The Book Fairy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angelica, going through life thinking that she can just she can just use men and never get hurt. Angelica is wrong. Well she did get hurt not intentionally and that is why she has closed herself off until she met that one man that not only saw her but made her feel again,Ryan.
Ryan fell for her hook line and sinker. He had her and was about to make her his until Brad came and took that moment away from him. Now he can't stand the sight of her. Until he challenges her to be the girl he saw that first time they met.
Amazing this romance and battle of wills was simply that... Amazing. Angelica or Duchess and Ryan calls her has the biggest transformation I have seen in any book. He heart opens and the beauty that she reveal to Ryan is breath taking to read. The love and devotion that Ryan shows Angelica is just breath taking. Yeah this book is that good. I didn't want it to end!

[Clista · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series continues & entertains

This story is Ryan & Angelica's. Zhoe & Jared are still around as well as Rico. Angelica certainly has baggage. Her indecisiveness drove me batty. I get that she'd been hurt & had secrets all locked away. Dang, more of a roller coaster than I can usually handle. Ryan & Ang have steamy chemistry. I adored how he madly, deeply & truly loved his Dutchess! Thanks for the HEA! Can't wait to see where their lives go in the next book.

[Vivienne Kauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Gillian Cassia PA · Rating 5 out of 5]

another amazing book by SJ McGran. Love Ryan. Beautiful love story.