Shaken

Conflicted Encounters #3

by Alyne Roberts

“After an earthquake wreaks havoc, the earth is left disturbed and altered. Whatever remains in ruin is left shaken and in need of rebuilding.”

Scarlett Brooks doesn't need love. The only men she can trust in her life are her twin brother and his two best friends, Logan and Caleb. Every other guy has only let her down, and she promises herself to never to experience heartbreak again.

Logan King can't stand back and watch his best friend's twin sister continue to spiral out of control. With random hookups, drunken nights, and reckless decisions, she is on the path to self-destruction. He sets out to slow her down and prove that she isn't happy with her one-night stands.

The two come dangerously close to crossing lines. Is Scarlett capable of trusting and opening up to love again? Will it ruin their friendship if Logan is the one to teach her how?


This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Characters are introduced in Jolted and Impacted.

Genres: Romance

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2015

About the author

Alyne lives in Ohio with her husband, dog and cat. Working full time in an office all day, she spends her nights reading, writing or watching TV marathons.

She loves coffee, animals and country music.

Find Alyne at:

Website:
http://alyneroberts.com

Twitter:
@AlyneRoberts

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AlyneRoberts

Reviews

[Dayreader Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I was gifted an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review (Thank You)**
Logan and Scarlett have been best friends since the age of seven. Scarlett and her twin brother Ryder (Logan's best friend) comforted him when his mother dropped him of at his grandmother's house as if she were leaving only a parcel. Logan comforted Ryder and Scarlett when their father walked away and never looked back after his affair with the school science teacher had been revealed, leaving Ryder and Scarlett with serious abandonment issues. They along with a couple of other friends have become their own 'family'.
Scarlett goes through a devastating break up and questions her value and her worth. She decides to never fall in love again and risk being hurt that badly again and instead, became the party girl. The girl who, with each passing day, is more quickly being labelled the 'town slut'. All she does is drink and screw random guys, some whose name she doesn't even know, nor does she care to know. This is the life for her. According to Scarlett, love is not beautiful and whoever said it doesn't hurt is lying. She figures if she doesn't get attached to the men she sleeps with, they can't hurt her. And so it goes.
Logan is dealing with rejection issues, abandonment issues and major trust issues after what his mother did to him. He doesn't want to be attached to anyone. One-night stands are good for him. But when he sees what his best friend is doing to herself, he decides to challenge her to a game of no sex. At all. With anyone. He wants to show her how beautiful she is in her own right. Never one to back down from a challenge, Scarlett reluctantly agrees. But only if Logan will give up sex, too.
My Review
Shaken is the third book in a series and focuses on Logan and Scarlett. I enjoyed this book immensely! Even though I have not read the two prior books in the series, I didn't feel lost when the scene would switch to some of the secondary characters. The story flowed at a nice pace. It wasn't rushed, leaving me to feel cheated nor was it drawn out, leaving me bored to tears. Every scene was described in vivid detail so it was like watching a movie in my head.
The character development was phenomenal! These characters didn't change over night and become someone who looked down on the same people they used to part with. They went through the pains and withdrawls of becoming better people. Whatever they were feeling was tangible. The anger, the hate, the self-deprication, the laughter, the love, the acceptance. All of it could be felt by the reader. The author gave us enough backstory so we could emotionally invest in the characters and cheer them on throughout the book.
The storyline was completely believable. Every encounter, every conversation, every decision made was totally believable, logical and understandable. It wasn't just fluff to move the story along. It was all necessary to make the story flow the way it did.
Overall, I loved Logan and Scarlett. I cheered for them, hurt with them, laughed at some of the pranks they pulled on each other and fell in love with Logan's desire to get Scarlett to see in herself what he sees in her and how hard he worked at it. This is my first time reading anything by Aylene Roberts but it will certainly not be my last. Bravo, Ms. Roberts.
5/5 delicious, refreshing stars
Joanna

[Piseog · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 42%

This was a fine read for most of the first half, nothing amazing but maybe a 3 star read. Then the more I read the more Logan started to annoy me. The way he spoke about Scarlett was so off-putting. I understood he wanted to protect his friend from self-destructing and tried to help her, but he mainly just controlled her life. He slut-shamed her constantly, referred to her being a mess (before his amazing intervention) and how much he improved her. That was enough for me so I decided to DNF.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

Shaken is the third book in the Conflicted Encounters Series by Alyne Roberts. Though this book can be read as a standalone story, the characters are first introduced in the previous books Jolted and Impacted. Alyne Roberts is a new to me author, so I hadn't had a chance to read the previous books before this one and I can't wait to go back and read those. I am so glad that I took a chance on this book since it was several of my favorite tropes all rolled into one because it was really good and I really enjoyed the author's writing style.

Scarlett Brooks doesn't believe in love. Guys will only disappoint you and break your heart from what she has seen, and all she needs are her twin brother Ryder and their two best friends Logan and Caleb. They provide everything she needs, and what they don't provide she is happy to get through one night stands with strangers. But Logan King is tired of watching his best friend's sister act so reckless and continue to make horrible decisions. Logan and Scarlett have always been close, and he knows that the way to get her to change is by making a bet with her. When he wins, he convinces her to give him control of her decisions and stop sleeping around. But as Logan begins putting his plan into action, they notice that their once extremely close friendship is suddenly changing. They are still close, but there is also an attraction that they never acknowledged before. Can Logan help Scarlett open up and learn to trust again, or will they cross the line and destroy their friendship in the process?

I really liked Logan. He was so sweet and kind, and I loved how protective he was of Scarlett. He had always been a source of support and encouragement for her, and I really liked that he always stood up for her. He might not have liked her actions, but he was always the first to stick up for her. He cared about her so much, and it was clear that he didn't feel comfortable at first with the way things were changing between them. He had always felt like she was off limits, but he couldn't fight what he was feeling. I loved how easy their relationship was, and it was based off years of friendship and unconditional love. Scarlett knew without a doubt that she could always turn to Logan no matter what happened, and I think that went such a long way in helping her get over her fears and insecurities. Scarlett did have her moments that she annoyed me a bit, but for the most part I really liked her. I thought that she and Logan were perfect together, and they just clicked with one another. I understood why she had some issues with trust and men, but I thought that she took it a little too far at times. I didn't like how much she slept around, especially considering it wasn't even making her happy. I was really glad for her deal with Logan so we didn't have to see her continue to hook up with other guys. Logan and Scarlett had so much chemistry between them that it was surprising that they had never seen it before, but I really enjoyed seeing them figure it out together.

Overall, this was a really great story and I really liked the characters. Logan knew exactly what Scarlett needed, and I really liked seeing him help her realize that she didn't need to sleep around to feel wanted. He knew her better than anyone, and I loved how he was with her. I also really loved the friendship that they shared, and their pranks on each other were so much fun! I couldn't wait to see what they would do next, and I loved that they didn't change any of that as their relationship started to change. These two were great together, but I loved the family that they had created as well. Scarlett's brother and his girlfriend as well as Caleb had such great camaraderie, and I liked how close they were. It was proof that family is what you make it, rather that just what you were born into. I absolutely cannot wait to read more in this series and from Alyne Roberts. I have to admit I want to read Ryder's story, but I am really curious about Caleb. I can't wait to get to know him better. If you are looking for an all around good story about friendship and love I would definitely recommend this book. I think that it has something for everyone and the characters are very easy to relate to.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Was Provided A ARC In Exchange For A Honest Review

Shaken has quickly became another favorite friends to lovers story for me.


The love and banter, the humor and heartache, between the main characters make for a griping story.

Scarlett Brooks, is a broken women, hurt and used, she feels one night stands, drinking and partying, with fix everything that has hurt her in her life. But its slowing starting to eat away at her, and turning her into a less happy Scarlet, that her little family knows Scarlett as.

Luckily her best friend since childhood, Logan King, has appointed himself her "life guru." Giving her a list of things she should stop doing, and showing her that she can trust. That not every person in her life will disappoint her.

But along the way Scarlett and Logan realizes the feelings for one another, that they have been suppressing, are starting to surface.

Scarlett and Logan test one another with, pranks, kisses and secrets.

They characters in this story have alot of depth and interesting back rounds that are great to explore.

The friendships, the family this group of five share, show you not all family is blood. And that the bound can be just as strong, if not stronger.

Scarlett is a great character. She grows so much through out the book. Scarlett learns to trust, and learns she is worth so much than she was letting herself be.

Logan was another male lead that we can add to our ever growing BB list.
Sexy, cocky, with his own hurt weighing heavily on his own shoulders. He grows just as much as Scarlett through the book.

I haven't read the first two books in this series, but after reading Shaken, i cant wait to dive into them, and see where the other characters started.

[Melissa Miller-Mattern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by A Wanton Book Lover Blog:

This is the third book of the Conflicted Encounters series. This book can be read as a stand alone (I read it as a stand alone) or as part of the series.

Scarlett has a bad record with disappointment men. In an attempt to guard her heart, she has only let three me in: her twin brother, and his friends Caleb and Logan. Scarlett and Logan have always had a good relationship; almost like siblings. They play practical jokes on each other all the time. Scarlett has also spend more than one night hanging-out with Logan or sleeping off a alcohol-filled night. Logan is one of Scarlett's go-to-guys when she needs anything.
When Logan see Scarlett having meaningless sex with man after man, he sets out to try and help her. Logan makes a deal with Scarlett to quit having random hook-ups and drinking, in addition to following his other rules. Logan wants to help Scarlett see what she is worth loving and putting the time into. Logan becomes her "life coach" in a sense but is also more.
Scarlett begins to see Logan as more than her brother's and her good friend; in fact, she is beginning to develop more than friendship feelings for him. As their relationship develops, Scarlett and Logan hid it from her brother and best-friend scared of his reaction. Luckily, Logan is there for Scarlett in her time of need when something terrible happens to her family.
I enjoyed reading Shaken. It was a quick read and keep my attention. There was plenty of sexual tension and chemistry between Scarlett and Logan. I thought the plot was interesting. There was a HEA ending which I also liked. I would recommend Ms. Roberts' book and plan to go back and read the first two books in the series.

[Veronica of V's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Scarlett has survived a horrifying break-up...on the verge of marriage her fiancé was arrested for money laundering. Not trusting herself with another real relationship, she seeks thrills from any man who'll bed her. Her dear friend, Logan, who is best friends with Scarlett's twin brother Ryder, is tired of her self-destructive behavior.

Logan is the man Scarlett calls when she's too drunk to drive home from her hook-ups, but he's going to fix his girl's broken spirit--even if it kills their friendship. He gets Scarlett to agree to an abstinence game, so she'll stop prowling. Then, he works out several tasks for her to complete, all designed to bolster her confidence and open her up to the possibility of love.

Thing is, once Scarlett's heart is open, it's impossible for Logan not to fall directly into it. Of course, there's a strange girl lurking on the fringes and Logan's past seems to catch up at just the wrong time. Likewise, Scarlett has some intense family issues to survive, and Logan's game is getting too deep.

This a dual viewpoint contemporary romance about two people who have been wounded in life and love finding the courage to love with abandon. It's a quick read, with a satisfying HEA. Could have used another round of editing...lots of errors in my review copy. Began to get irritating. I hope the finished book is more polished.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Kindle Copy

Scarlett Brooks finds herself still dealing from a fiancée who broke her heart by lying to who he really was and left her at the altar in Hawaii. She believes that she does not need love as she goes on a downward getting drunk almost every night and having a string of one night stands.

The only males she trust is her twin brother Ryder and his best friends Caleb and Logan whom she known since she was young. All the other men have let her down even her father who ran off to live with the local science teacher.

Logan King is tired of watching his best friend’s life spiraling out of hand especially when she calls him constantly to pick her up when she has drank too much. He is tired of her path of destruction as he intervenes to her dislike. Making a bet knowing she loves games, he sets out to prove that she does not need these one night stands as they both bet on abstaining from any sex
.
But as they spend more time together things heat up between them. Realizing they is more than being best friends as they break the bet with each other. Can they both turn to each other and realize what they have before her brother finds out about them before he kills them instead?

[wendy Shelton(obsessedbybooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

* * ARC received on behalf of obsessed by books for an honest review * *

this book was awesome.
Scarlett has given up on love, her father cheated on her mother, her fiancée left her at their wedding destination, but he ended up being a con artist. She was done with love and men except her twin brother Ryder., of course she had Caleb and logan but they were like brothers.
Logan had always been closer to Scarlett they've always flirted but it was always innocent. Logan started worrying about how Scarlett was living, drunken nights and alot of one night hook ups. he made a bet with her that he could teach her to live again. he just didn't bet on falling in love with her. along their journey Logan helps Scarlett find herself and why people love her. Scarlett starts to realize that Logan is always there good or bad will they admit to feelings beyond friends, can Scarlett let her walls down and will Logan accept changes in his life. I loved this story. Logan is sexy hot I felt myself melting at his words. definitely a must read 5 stars.

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaken is book three in the Conflicted Encounters series. It can be read as a standalone. It's Logan and Scarlett's story. I read the previous two and would suggest you read them first too. Some of the things that happen Impacted has a major effect on Scarlett, in this one you do get a description of the her relationship with her ex but to get the full impact of how it changed her you really should read Impacted.

Scarlett is a strong independent character. She fell for a con man and is now on a downward spiral. Logan comes to bail her out. When Logan gets sick of watching her down fall, they play a game. Scarlett loses and has follow Logan's rules and learn to open up. One of the task was to ask her friend why the loved her. I thought that part was cute. Logan is a mission to prove to Scarlett that she is worthy of love.

It's not a fluffy sweet story, there is a lot of angst and both Scarlett and Logan have things to work through. Overall it's great story.

A copy was received for a review.

[Ashley Zeppuhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

(was given an ARC for an honest review)

Omg i love it love it love it!!!!

Scarlets story is the best so far! Im so happy her and Logan finally got their happy ending. 

I believe that this book shows us as readers that every woman deserves a man to try to break down her walls and let love in. Every woman deserves a Logan, a man who will do what it takes to get the girl and give her butterflies everyday. 

This book is a hit. 

The character development was great; we saw the change in scarlet over time. We cant change our habits over night and neither can she. Scarlets character lets us relate to her and see some of our characteristics in her. Whether it be the Rebel with hard edges, the girl who hides from love because of fear or being hurt, or the woman who finally accepts that it is ok to trust, we all have a piece of scarlet in us. 

alyne roberts is a genius when it comes to her writing. her stories are always full of emotion and there is never a dull moment. you go girl!!!!!!!

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

~~~~~~~~~~Dee's ★★★★✯ Review~~~~~~~~~~

One devastating heartbreak and Scarlett barricades her heart and surrounds it with ice. Becoming a Wild Child, she drowns in alcohol and meaningless hook-ups. Her best friend since grade school, Logan always bails her out regardless of the wee hours of the morning. Knowing her path is leading to self-destruction, he develops a plan that will open her eyes and transform her. But what he doesn't expect is he sets himself up to let someone into his own damaged heart.

Amazing story of the transformation of two hearts and lives through the power of love. Interesting to watch the plan unfold and see the changes taking place. The crescendo at the end was both heartbreaking and exhilarating. I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. Due to the many editing errors and misspelled words that disrupts the rhythm and pace of reading, one star is lost.

[Kelly (the book hussy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series and my favorite! I absolutely LOVE Scarlett and Logan!!

The best friends to lovers story I've read so far. It was also sexy and steamy! Amazing chemistry going on between these two.

Even though this book is part of a series, I believe it could be read as a stand-alone.

My one and only critique is the editing. It definitely needs to be cleaned up, but I loved the story so much I'm not letting it reflect my review.

[YYCGirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I see this book has a high rating but it's not for me. It's B O R I N G and predictable. I thought I'd like it since I have liked Scarlett on Jolted and Impacted but unfortunately didn't work this time.