Wicked Heart

Starcrossed #3

by Leisa Rayven

The one guy she can’t have is the one she can’t forget.

Liam Quinn is one of the biggest movie stars in the world…and the only man Elissa Holt has ever truly loved.

After being out of her life for six years, he and his gorgeous fiancée are set to star in the new Broadway show Elissa is stage managing. The only trouble is, when late night rehearsals bring Elissa and Liam together, the line between what is and what could have been gets blurred. Now one moment of weakness is about to create a scandal that will echo around the world.

Elissa knows that falling for Liam again would be a tragedy in the making, but as any good romantic knows, love doesn’t always follow the script.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Humor, Chick Lit

304 pages, ebook

First published May 17, 2016

About the author

Author of swoony, sexy, slow-burn romances. Fluent in sarcasm. Professional snuggler. Guacamole addict.

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Reviews

[Aestas Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED :::


Leisa Rayven will make you laugh, cry, and swoon in this fantastic addition to the Starcrossed series. Elissa and Liam’s love story is brimming with emotion, intensity, and hotness that will keep your heart racing. Once you start reading this book, you won’t be able to stop.

5 STARS!!

“I’m not saying goodbye,” he says as he shoves his hands in his pockets.”Because this isn’t over. One day, fate’s going to fix this. Bring us back together. I believe that.”

Whenever you start a Leisa Rayven book, you know you're in for a roller-coaster of feels and romance. From the very first chapter, the intensity sparked when Elissa was confronted with the only man she'd ever loved -- who happened to also be the same man who broke her heart and her trust -- after years apart without so much as a goodbye. They'd met six years ago by chance and, even though she promised herself she'd never give her heart to an actor, they'd fallen for each other. But Hollywood was calling his name and life just didn't allow them to stay together then. And when his actions crushed her, her heart was never same. After their brief time together, she went on to become a Broadway stage manager, and he became the world's hottest, most successful, and lusted after movie star. And as luck would have it, he landed the lead in the Broadway show she was currently managing, throwing all their past hurt, longings, desires, and heart-break right back into the spotlight. That alone was enough to turn her world upside down, but to further complicate matters, his co-star happened to also be his beautiful, sweet fiance.

RECIPE. FOR. ANGST.

“In that moment, he’s not a movie star, and I’m not his stage manager. We’re the same two desperately connected people who fell down a rabbit hole years earlier and climbed out forever changed.”

Now, I know that some of you are going to read the blurb and think this book is a love triangle, and I know some of you don't like love triangles (I don't either) buuuuuuut.... *grins* just trust me on this one, okay?? I don't care if you adore or detest love triangles, if you're a fan of romance, read this book. TRUST ME. You'll be thanking me by the end, I can almost guarantee it!

It's very rare for me to say this, but this book is genuinely PERFECT. In my eyes it is 150% perfection. Actually, I'd even go so far as to say that... This is the best book I've read this year!!

“I’ve missed you, Liss. It hurts not seeing you for all those years, but this? You being right here and me not being able to have you? Hurts so much more.”

Every single interaction between Elissa and Liam was supercharged with spine-tingling feels and raw sexual tension. I was laughing out loud one moment, swooning the next, fanning myself, hyperventilating, tearing up, falling in love. This book put me through almost every single emotion you can think of!

I felt for Liss so strongly as I was reading. The whole book is told from her POV so all you see is her side of the story (which was perfect for this book, by the way) and my heart broke right alongside hers because this girl had actually really gone out on a limb, against everything her instincts told her, and trusted him. She'd had this amazing time with a man she fought so hard to believe in, and then just when she'd given her heart over, he'd broken it. And now here he was -- right back in her life again. With him half a world a way, it had been easier to forget the pain, but with him right here and engaged to someone else, while her feelings for him were just as strong as they'd been when they first met... IT TORE MY HEART OUT.

“Jesus Christ.” He rakes his fingers through his hair. “Could you please stop talking to me like you’re my bank manager? Like we don’t even know each other?”
“I don’t know you anymore.”
“You’re the only one who’s ever known me.”

At one point, I even cried. She'd done everything in her power to protect her heart but when she fell for him, she fell with all her heart and soul. She fell forever. And the pain of her not being able to have him just about broke me. I wanted to hug her, slap some sense into him, cuff them to each other, and march them down to Vegas for an immediate wedding because THEY NEEDED TO BE TOGETHER. Dammit.

Seriously. I almost couldn't take the angst. I wanted to simulaneously hug the book has hard as I could and throw it across the room. THERE IS A LIMIT TO WHAT ONE HEART CAN TAKE!! Gah. Feels. So many feels! And then taking a step back to a more serious look on this situation, it was like -- ok, let's be honest. I love Liam and (as Elissa says) he makes me swoon like it's his damn job, but how am I actually supposed to forgive this dude for what he did? I mean, he makes my heart melt into a puddle of goo every time he comes near her but I was genuinely getting nervous that there was really no way out of this mess.

BUT THEN!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhh. A huuuuuge reveal that just... ahhh. Omg. YES YES YES. It was perfect. BRILLIANT. I did not see it coming. I repeat: DID NOT SEE IT COMING. Like, I didn't even suspect this.

You guys, Liam is pure book boyfriend material. He'll make your heart melt as soon as you meet him, but once you learn his secrets, be prepared to swoon even harder. It's been a long time since I fell this strongly in love with a book boyfriend, but if I had to pick, he'd be right up there with the old school favorites like Kellan and Travis and Will. Just give him a chance and before you know it, he'll steal your heart!

“I notice that every single person has their eyes glued to him, and this is why he’s a star. Liam is one of those actors who just has it. It’s part talent, and part confidence, and just enough raw vulnerability to make you want to fuck him and hug him at the same time.”

Leisa Rayven is brilliant. She is the queen of angsty romance. Her books have the perfect balance between angst and emotions that always delivers a heart-felt, deeply satisfying love story. With the way she pulled this book together, she has completely gained my trust as an author. It was genius. From now on, I will read anything and everything she writes next. Honestly, even if she were to write a book about a subject that I'm not comfortable with, I'd still read it without question because I totally feel like I trust the direction she'd take the story in. I can't tell you enough how much I LOVED THIS BOOK.

Wicked Heart can be read as a completely separate standalone novel. You do not need to read any other books before reading this. Unless you want to. So, how does this relate to the other Starcrossed books? Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet are a duet about another couple (Ethan & Cassie). Ethan is the brother of Elissa, the heroine of this book. Wicked Heart is a single standalone novel about Elissa & Liam. I've read all three books and highly recommend them all. But you can easily choose to only read Bad Romeo & Broken Juliet, or you can only read Wicked Heart, or you can read them all together. The choice is yours.

This book rocked my world. It is the perfect read for fans of heart-racingly intense angst, smoking hot romance, and passionate love stories. I highly recommend pre-ordering it immediately and clearing your schedules for release day because once you start this book, you won't able to stop.

“You’re everything to me. You always have been.”

Rating: 5 STARS!!! Can be read as a standalone.

Pre-order WICKED HEART (Kindle)
Pre-Order WICKED HEART (Paperback)

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[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!!!



After reading three books by Leisa Rayven, I have now dubbed her the queen of second chance romance. This woman writes angsty second chance romance stories better than anyone. All three of her books have been huge hits for me. I devoured this one. I started it and read it in one sitting. When you start this book, be prepared to read into the wee hours of the night. You will be unable to put it down! It was completely addictive.

Elissa Holt is Ethan Holt’s sister and the best stage manager around. She is amazing at her job, but she’s being tested. She is now a stage manager to a show that Liam Quinn is staring in. Liam, her gorgeous, sweet, funny and sexy ex. AND it’s not just Liam. It’s his fiancé, Angel, too.

Things with Liam and Elissa ended six years ago. It’s still a mystery about what exactly happened, but things aren’t always as they seem.



Things are strained between them, but Elissa is ever the professional. Or she tries to be. Thankfully, she has a best friend/roommate named Josh that has her back. There were a lot of parts in the story that stressed me out in the best way. I had to know what had happened to cause this divide between these two. It’s so glaringly obvious that something is still there…

Goddamit. I hate this. Love. Longing. Attraction. Need. Everything he brings out in me. I’m so tired of wanting what I can’t have. Wanting him. I can’t do it anymore.

I know what you’re thinking if you’ve read the blurb- but put anything you’re thinking out of your mind! I swear this was so different than I expected it to be and in the best way possible.! Things I thought were going to bother me in the beginning were such non-issues.

I loved both Elissa and Liam so much, but let me tell you about Josh. Josh kind of stole the book for me. He was fantastic, hilarious and the best friend ever! I would love a Josh book!!! I also thought Angel was pretty great and I didn’t even want to like her from the start. I couldn’t help myself!

Wicked Heart is another fabulous addition to Rayven’s Starcrossed series. If you’re looking for a read that’s captivating and addicting and you love slightly angsty, sexy and fun second chance romances pick this one up! You won’t be disappointed!

One thing you’re absolutely not allowed to give up on is true love. When you find it, you should grab it with both hands and never let go, because although it might not always be easy or convenient, it’s worth it.

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****FIVE+++++STARS*****
{Netgalley ARC}


Heartache doesn’t teach you to be resilient. It teaches you to protect your fragility. It teaches you to fear love. And it draws a bright red circle around all the ways you’ve failed as a person and laughs while you cry.


LOVED THIS ONE SO HARD!!!!







I don’t know where to even begin with my review on this book. I want to start off by saying that you can’t judge an author by only having read one book by them. I was one of the rare few that didn’t love BAD ROMEO. I actually kind of despised it. I decided that I wouldn’t bother to continue on with this series. A month ago, I received an email from the publisher, offering a Netgalley ARC of WICKED HEART. Not sure why I accepted it, but THANK GOD I DID!!!! This book was so addicting for me! It was seriously book crack!! I loved the story and I loved the characters. Most of all I fell pretty hard for Liam Quinn. He is nothing short of SPECTACULAR!! I am now wholeheartedly apologizing to Leisa Rayven for having doubted her writing ability and I am officially going to be fangirling over her when I meet her this summer!!




Lissa Holt is Ethan’s, from Bad Romeo, younger sister. She’s currently working as the Production Manager on the Broadway rendition of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. She’s about to come face to face with the man who obliterated her heart, Liam Quinn. He’s the male lead in the show and he’s the one guy she broke her ”no dating actors” rule for, six years ago. It has taken Lissa years to get over the heartache Liam caused but with just one look, all those feelings come rushing back. What’s worse is Liam’s co-star on the show, Angel Bell, is his fiancé and Lissa will be forced to witness their tender and loving gestures towards each other on a daily basis. When Liam finally crosses paths with Lissa, it is very apparent that she still has an effect on him and there is a tortured sadness in his eyes.







From there, we are brought back six years in the past, where these two first met. I loved the transition to the past because in this one we follow it all the way through. The author doesn’t alternate every chapter between the past and present. We get a few chapters in the beginning that are in the present and then we are transported back to the past and we don’t come back to present day until the whole story from how these two met and fell in love and then lost that love is totally explained to us. I LOVED how Lissa and Liam first met and how that first date ended made me weak in the knees. It’s just how I’d fantasize about meeting that once in a lifetime true love. I felt the butterflies in my stomach the entire time.




At the time that the two met, Liam was a construction worker and Lissa was a production manager on the set of the Broadway rendition of Romeo and Juliet. After their beautiful night together, Lissa refused to give her number to Liam. The girl was seriously NUTS!!! But she did mention that there were open auditions for the part of Romeo and Liam decides to give it a try. So this is how the two meet up again. Unfortunately, he gets the part and Lissa has a very strict rule about not dating anyone that she works with. For two months they have to endure the torture of seeing each other every day but not being able to be with each other. Let me just say I was in agony along with the two of them and HOLY HELL, on the night that the show is finally over when these two finally get together again, my freaking panties nearly disintegrated!!!! The sex is seriously EXPLOSIVE!! I was panting and just relieved that they were finally together, but it was bittersweet because Liam was off for Hollywood the next day. My heart hurt so much for the two of them.




I loved that there were some refreshing surprises in this one. Like I had expected to really despise Angel, but she ends up being a real sweetheart and it’s literally impossible to dislike this character. The angst was just on the verge of unbearable but it was oh so good!!! Even though I predicted what the true story was behind all the angst, it never did take away from my pure enjoyment of this book. Liam Quinn had my heart from the beginning and by the end I decided he is so worthy of being added to my top ten book boyfriends of all time list.




WICKED HEART is due out on May 16th. Don’t let this one slip through your fingertips. Get that one-click trigger finger ready ladies!! Liam is waiting for you!!! Even though this is book three in the series, it can be read as a standalone. So see, you have nothing standing in your way, well except for the nine-day wait!!



http://amzn.to/1T5BNqc

[Pearl Angeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Wickedly Swooning Stars!

(I buddyread this book with sis Bea. Click her name to read her review) :)

Wicked Heart, for me, was like a tornado of emotions! Ever read a book where you find yourself swooning yet you feel scared at the same time because you know your heart's going to break at the later part? That's exactly what I felt while reading this book. Gratefully, it ended with a perfect HEA, so no complaints at all from my satisfied heart!

Leisa Rayven has quickly become one of my favorite authors in the New Adult genre. This author really has the gift of hooking her readers and making them feel drawn because of her awesomely attractive and well-defined characters and of course, her brilliant writing style and beautiful romantic plot. Once again, I'm awed. I loved Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet and I also loved this book!

Wicked Heart focuses on Elissa and Liam's story. Elissa, an aspiring stage manager, met Liam one day. Having been broken-hearted a few times by her ex-boyfriends who happened to be actors, she swore she will never ever date and fall in love with one ever again. But when she learned that Liam was aspiring to become an actor, her heart became confused whether to continue her romantic affair with him or not. An opportunity that offered a promising future to Liam's career eventually came to him which led him to abandon Elissa and go to New York. This changed their relationship to a whole new level and Elissa ended up broken-hearted. After years of being apart, they met and sparks once again flew.

"Love in an asshole. It doesn't care about people's plans. It's never convenient. It crawls inside of you at the most ridiculous times and makes you feel, whether you like it or not. And even after the time when you should have learned to stop loving someone, it just keeps holding on to them."

I fell in love with the way the author plotted the scenarios here. It made me miss Ethan and Cassie when they were still working together as actors at The Grove because of the stage works done by the characters. What made me even fall in love with this book was LIAM effin' QUINN. Darn, why do book Gods continue to shower us with such oozing hot male characters? Liam is definitely one of them!

The only thing that quite bothered me (maybe it was just me) was Elissa's character. It's ironic how I find the jolly, naughty Cassie in her character. Like no difference at all. When I've read Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet last year, I saw Elissa as someone who's a bit demure or if I'm not wrong, a woman with a sense of fashion and sophistication. In this book, however, I thought her character changed... or my perception with her character changed, either ways.

Also, I find Liam (most of the time) an a-hole. What he did to Elissa during the first half of the book was really frustrating and unforgivable. However, he was able to redeem himself in the end and yes, I forgave him and loved him for that.

The journey that both Liam and Elissa went through in this book was really beautiful. How they were able to come back to each other after years of being apart-- that was so heart-warming. It made me cry and want to simultaneously punch things just because. ALL THE FEELS!

"In the words of Ancient Chinese proverb, it's all very well for the bird and the fish to fall in love, but where will they make their home?"

All in all, Wicked Heart is wickedly and heart-breakingly beautiful. Definitely a must-read if you are into romantic NA reads with broken and gorgeous heroes. I am excited to find out what Leisa Rayven has in store for us in the future. :)

(Thank you to St. Martin's Press for generously sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review! :))

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Heartache doesn't teach you to be resilient. It teaches you to protect your fragility. It teaches you to fear love. And it draws a bright red circle around all the ways you've failed as a person and laughs while you cry.”

I feel like I've been run over by the angst truck. I don't know whether I want a drink, a hug, or a cigarette. All I know is that I love the absolute hell out of this book and I'm not even a little sorry!

As a self professed angst whore, second chance romance happens to be my favorite catnip. I lurve it. Seriously. If there's a grovel involved? Putty. Just scrub my completely melted self off of the floor and go about your business because I can't even! So when I read the blurb to this book, I knew I had to read it.

COnfession time: I didn't love the first two books in this series. (hides) I know, I know. But save your rotten tomatoes because while I didn't love the characters, I knew this author was gonna be one to watch out for me. The woman writes good angst and the feels she's able to pack into it, I gobbled right up. So I knew it was just a matter of time before she was going to give me characters to swoon over and luckily for me, Liss and Liam were that.

I’m not saying goodbye," he says as he shoves his hands in his pockets.
"Because this isn’t over.
One day, fate’s going to fix this.
Bring us back together.
I believe that."

Liam wasn't a famous action star when he first met Lissa. But for one day six years ago, he was her everything. That is until he walked away and shattered her heart. Lisa never quite recovered and she's held herself aloof to all men since. Now a successful stage manager, she gets the shock of a life time when not only is the new star of the show she's working on the love of her life, Liam. But the co-star is his gorgeous and disgustingly sweet finance, who's also impossible to hate.

Enter: über angst. Holy mother. You GUYS. I couldn't get enough of them. The tension was so thick and palpable, you can practically taste it. And. It. Was. Delicious.

I didn't know what I was feeling. I wanted to hate Liam, but it was impossible. I wanted Lissa to make Liam grovel, but I also got why she couldn't. The connection they share is so obvious, and the chemistry between them was so hot, it made it completely impossible to put the book down for even a second.

I used to think that if I just waited long enough, fate would bring us back together. That our stars would align, or whatever, and you'd come crashing back into my life to stay. But that didn't happen. So now I say, screw it. I'm done waiting. Sometimes, fate is what you make it."

The one thing that I need from a second chance romance is a good reason for the separation. I want to understand it, I want to feel it, and I really got that here. When everything is finally revealed, it's like the puzzle pieces all clicked together. It just made sense. And I loved that we got that. It wasn't some silly miscommunication or something ridiculous. It just made you connect with the characters that much more.

Wicked Heart is an angsty and emotional roller coaster with enough sexual tension to make even the toughest reader hurt. It was effortless in its execution and beautiful in its delivery. Liam and Lissa together were absolute perfection. If you don't head over heels for Liam Quinn, we haven't been reading the same book.

Ask me to give up a limb and I swear, I'll find a way to do it. But don't ask me to live without you anymore. I can't. I'm so goddamn in love with you, it hurts."

I already can't wait for the next tale that this talented author has in mind.

I did wish for a little more from the ending, which is what kept this from being a full 5 stars for me. But overall it was still a fantastic read!

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

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[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

”How long does it take to fall in love? A second? A week? A year?"

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Ethan Holt’s sister, Elissa Holt had met the love of her life six years ago. In this novel you fall for Liam Quinn six years prior and gut wrenchingly lose him. Six years in the present his fiancée and the now famous Liam Quinn are hired to star in Elissa's theater’s latest production of the Taming of the Shrew.



Elissa and Liam’s connection and attraction is just as strong as it was in the past. The author truly delivers with the dialogue and angst as she gets to know him and his costar/fiancée who is actually a great character as well.



The beginning of the story and the whole middle was spot on and will have readers dying to find out WHY Liam went from “I love you” to being in the arms of another woman, Angel.

”Tonight, I saw myself in that dress, and it hit me. You’re getting married. You. To someone else.” I swallowed and look at his chest. “I mean, I knew you were, but I didn’t know, you know? And now I do and it sucks.”



A reader will be so invested into the whys and I promise you will come up with endless reasons for Liam's treatment of Elissa in the past.

”Every day, I try to ignore my attraction to you. Every…damn…day. I tell myself I’m over you and can’t have these feelings, but it doesn’t help. Nothing helps.”



The author’s reasons for Liam breaking things off with Elissa and the driving force behind these actions didn’t fully work for me. Also the ending fell flat for me. I am a fan of this author and have a feeling that she’ll gift more of this couple without the distraction of the other two around because as much as I liked the other two characters they kind of took away at times from me fully immersing myself in their hea. Still, if you’re a fan of the series or if you want to try this one (can be a standalone) I hope you’ll enjoy this author’s gift for angsty love stories with steamy sex scenes and witty dialogue.

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the start, it was clear Elissa and Liam's story was not going to be smooth sailing. After six years, Elissa is reunited with the man who broke her heart, but a lot has changed. Liam is now a famous actor and he isn't alone. Liam and his beautiful fiancé are the stars of the Broadway show, Elissa is stage managing, yeah, can you say angst? So much angst.



I love that the story unfolded through past glimpses weaved into the present. I was riveted, anxiously waiting to find out what happened to cause these two to go their separate ways, because every bit of Elissa and Liam's beginning seemed perfect. And I felt so much longing, regret and chemistry between them after their reunion. I needed answers.

“I’ve missed you, Liss. It hurts not seeing you for all those years, but this? You being right here and me not being able to have you? Hurts so much more.”

As the production gets underway, Elissa and Liam find themselves unable to stay away from each other, but Angel is still very present. And eventually everything is revealed, now this is where I struggled a bit with the story. The build up was prefect, the angst and emotion were 100%, but when I finally got answers, I found myself a bit underwhelmed. Everything falls together a bit to perfectly and some of the reveals, just seemed a somewhat ridiculous. Either way, I devoured the first 70% of this story and while I didn't love the ending, it was still a solid read.

*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 "My BLiss" stars for Liam and Elissa***



It's unbelievable!!! I adored this book so much...

Why it seems unbelievable???
Well, i had some issues with the previous two books and especially with the main heroine, Cassie!!!
So, i was a little bit cautious about this one, and i'm so happy that Mrs. Rayven proved me wrong...

I loved every single moment in there, even if i was laughing or i was crying or i was mad with the heroes or when i was antsy as hell...
I loved very much the two main characters and i loved the way that they were together... or not!!!!

But let me take the things from the beginning...

In "Wicked Heart" we had to deal with Elissa Holt, Ethan's sister from the previous two books and Liam Quinn, a very famous and popular actor...

Those two meet each other for the new theatrical play that Liam would co-star with his lovely fiancée and Elissa would be their stage manager...
The only problem between them???
This is not the first time that they are meeting each other...
Liam and Elissa had history together...

A history that goes 6 years before and a heartbroken ending...

"At least having my heart broken by Liam Quinn taught me one thing. It's taught me that i never want to feel this way about a man ever again."

Elissa is anxious and exciting at the same time for meeting Liam again, after all those years...
She... used to be so in love with him... is still in love with him and her heart even though the distance and time that passed didn't get the memo that she had to move on from him...

But she is a professional and she had to do her job without any distractions...
But how can she ignore the love of her life to be in another woman's embrace???
How can she stay away from him when he seems like he wants to do to her the same things that she is wishing for???
And how can she act on her needs when she can't hate the lovely woman that he has by his side???


"He's the only man who's ever affected me like this, and it's safe to say I hold it against him. It's inconvenient and rude."

Well, Liam made something terrible back then and he left the love of his life behind...
Now he is very famous and with his fiancée, they are the most loving couple on the planet...

{Seriously, guys!!! They even had their own name... Angeliam... Ewwwww!!!}
But when he is seeing Elissa again, something snaps inside of him...
Will he be able to ignore this attraction for Liss or will he act on it???
And with what cost???


"I've missed you, Liss. It hurt not seeing you for all those years, but this? You being right here and me not being able to have you? Hurts so much more."

The book was clearly from Elissa's POV and it was written in the present with some chapters from the past... In there, we managed to see how Liam and Elissa had met and how everything played between them...

I won't hide from you that sometimes, i was feeling devastated from the turn of the events...
Something was very wrong and it was driving me mad...
Liam's behavior was very strange and it wasn't fitting with what his eyes were saying and that frustated me as hell!!!


"I've spent years trying to block out how you look. And sound. And feel. And before this show, I'd gotten pretty good at it. But now, here you are, in front of me every day, and it blows my mind that a single touch from you still has the power to ruin me. And whenever it happens, I forget about the choices I've made, and the circus my life's become, and I want you. Consequences be damned."

Those two deserved to be together and the situation that they were finding themselves were excruciating painful... My heart was aching so much for their behalf... Especially for Elissa's sake, since i couldn't understand Liam's attitude half of the times...

When Liam and Elissa were in the same room... God, the sexual tension was unbearable...
The air was thick with tension and lust and... love!!!
And for once again, i was thinking how unfair was for them what they have to get through...
Before and after...


"I hate this.
Love.
Longing.
Attraction.
Need.
Everything he brings out in me.
I'm so tired of wanting what I can't have. Wanting him. I can't do it anymore."

But no, don't you think that this book was only full of pain and sadness... NO!
Both Liam and Elissa were funny as hell, alone or together...

And when Josh was adding in the equation, i just couldn't stop laughing...

Elissa was a little bit of a freak with order and... cheese... and Liam, of course!!!

She was so damn funny and witty... She was a good person... and she proved it with her attitude toward Angel...
Liam was her thorn and her eternal dream... but he hurt her in the past and he was still hurting her in the present...
She had to stay away from him, but how that is even possible???


"I'm trembling with frustration that my heart still claims him as mine even though he's not. It's trying to convince me that he still loves me, but how can he? After everything he's put me through, he can't. This isn't love. It's lust. And weakness."

Liam was gorgeous, funny, a little bit smug and he was also witty!!!
He was also kind and for an actor, he was very grounded... But he had made wrong choices...
Choices that was hurting him and the only person that he ever loved...

He couldn't live anymore with the consequences of his choices...
He needed to take his life in his own hands... He ought it to himself and Elissa...
But how he can untangle himself from stardome's web???
Will he stand a chance to get back what he had refused to himself before six years??? Or is it too late???


"I used to think that if I just waited long enough, fate would bring us back together. That our stars would align, or whatever, and you'd come crashing back into my life to stay. But that didn't happen. So now I say, screw it. I'm done waiting. Sometimes, fate is what you make it, and I'm making my life with you."

As i told you, i loved Liss and Liam... They were such sweethearts...

But except from those two, there were two persons that i adored almost the same...
Josh was Elissa's best friend and he was such a cute and funny guy...
The other person that i ended up to love, even though that i wanted to hate was Angel...
Seriously, guys!!! It was impossible to hate that woman!!!

They were both of them amazing and lovely characters....

Finally, i would like to say that for once again, made me sick the game of the famous people...
All this fame can destroy a person and his life for good...
It was so sad to witness it....


"You can give up on a lot things in life and still be happy...
But the one thing you're absolutely not allowed to give up on is true love. When you find it, you should grab it with both hands and never let it go, because although it might not always be easy or convenient, it's worth it."

***ARC generously provided by St. Martin's Griffin publications via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***

[Geri Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!!

This book!!



The characters, the conflict, the angst, the dialogue, the writing...everything just worked for me. I was instantly drawn into the lives of Elissa Holt and Liam Quinn.

From the moment Elisse and Liam met, I was invested in their relationship. While their attraction was instant, it took a while for them to get together. I loved the waiting and tension. And when it finallu happened, it was so good. So I was gutted...GUTTED when circumstances conspired to keep them apart.

The angst just about killed me especially when they met each other again and Liam looked like he's moved on.



Unlike in the previous books where the conflict I felt was dragged throughout the book, here, it builds. With the attraction still simmering between Liss and Liam, along with Liam's popularity and not to mention his fiancèe, the tension built slowly and sure until it reached fever pitch until shit just hit the fan.

I was expecting it but I was still unprepared by how much it emotionally affected me. Leissa Rayven did a phenomenal job in making readers feel invested in these characters.

I've always loved Liss in the previous books, and in this book, I fell in love with her character even more. She was strong and yet vulnerable. Confident but self-deprecating. She's capable and can hold her own.

Liam, I hated for bit. But when reckoning came, he came through. And although I didn't 100 percent agree with his decision, I understand why he had to do it.

And it wasn't just Liam and Liss that were likable and relatable in this book. There are other characters that I really ended up rooting for even though they were part of the reason why Liam and Liss were apart. Like I said, not only did Ms. Rayven built a believable conflict, she also created really unforgettable and relatable characters.

Overall, this book satisfied my inner angst whore and my need to have a sweet satisfying ending. The author did not make it easy for Liss and Liam but it only made the conclusion all the more sweet and satisfying.



Highly recommended.


An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[~♡AB♡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ 4.5 Stars ★★★★

Now LIVE! (in the UK)
Amazon US | Amazon UK

"How long does it take to fall in love?
A second? A week? A year?"

Wow what can I say, it's been a long time since I read a book that was so angst-ridden and that had me on the edge of my seat. I was left wondering how on earth the author was going to pull off a happy ending but what a fantastic journey it was, I truly loved this book.

Elissa Holt is a stage manager working on Broadway, she's the best at what she does and highly professional. When Hollywood stars and celebrity sweethearts, Liam Quinn and Angel Bell, enter her world to try their hand at theatre, she is severely tested as it turns out that Liam is the man who broke her heart six years prior and the sole reason she vowed never to date an actor again.

Elissa is a better woman than I am because there is no way I could have watched the love of my life interact with his fiance on a daily basis, but that is exactly what she has to do. Luckily she has her best friend, Josh for support because it's clear as day that the attraction between them hasn't waned at all in the time they've been apart.

"In that moment, he’s not a movie star, and I’m not his stage manager.
We’re the same two desperately connected people who fell down a rabbit hole years earlier and climbed out forever changed."

Told in Elissa's point of view, we live the agony with her, and only get glimpses of how Liam is feeling about being in close proximity to the woman he left behind. Also, we have flashbacks to their time together as young lovers, and I was so eager to find out how they went from having such fantastic banter and explosive chemistry, to severing contact for good.

"I’m not saying goodbye," he says as he shoves his hands in his pockets.
"Because this isn’t over.
One day, fate’s going to fix this.
Bring us back together.
I believe that."

Wicked Heart is a second chance romance that has all the great elements that I like in this kind of story. It was angsty, heartbreaking, and suspenseful, and then it ripped your heart to pieces and built you right back up again. It was delicious torture.

I adored all of the main characters, but Liam and Elissa stole the show and so they should have since it was their book. Maybe we'll get lucky and get another book that features the other two ;)

Highly recommend this to anyone who loves the kind of book that makes you feel all the feelings, good and bad.

The last 10% felt a little dramatic and slightly OTT, which brought my rating down from a five, but I loved it all the same.

Wicked Heart is a standalone contemporary romance, told in the heroine's POV.

ARC gratefully received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Images featured in this review were created by me using stock images either purchased from deposit photo or from free stock sites.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s no secret I am not a fan of angst, it makes me a nervous wreck. I am also not a fan of second chance romances. That didn’t stop me from being a HUGE fan of this book.

“Three hundred dollars for the pleasure of your company, beautiful Elissa? Seems like a bargain, if you ask me.”

We met Elissa Holt previously, in Bad Romeo she is Ethan’s sister. I have always liked her, she is fun and quirky. I loved how she was outgoing and seemed full of life. In Wicked Heart you really get to meet Elissa and see what she is all about. You see the more serious and vulnerable parts of her. I loved seeing her POV throughout the story, especially when the former love of her life re-enters her life.



Liam Quinn is an a-list celebrity now, but years ago he was staring in his first play, working with Elissa. Liam is now back in her life and there is so much mystery surrounding their past. I was so desperate to understand his motives and reasons for his actions. Then you see these moments between Elissa and Liam and can’t help, but crave more.

"To stay away from you. Every single time, I’ve failed. You know that. Fighting what I feel for you is exhausting, and I can’t do it anymore."

I was completely twisted up reading this one. I knew how I wanted things to play out but wasn’t sure how it could be obtained. The direction this story took was perfect. I loved the plot and movement of the story. I loved how it read so quickly, but also had you completely feeling for the characters.



I couldn’t put this down if I tried, which is a huge feat since lately I can’t stay up to finish a book to save my life. Wicked Heart is addictive and engaging and one of the most entertaining books I have read this year. This book has been the benchmark for me lately because it truly is a huge deal that I stayed up until 2:00 AM reading. Then when I finished I was kicking myself for reading it so quickly.

Wicked Heart is the kind of book you just need to read in one sitting. I needed to know what happened in the past, I needed to know what would happen in the future, I just needed to know everything!! I absolutely recommend this read if you are looking for a story with angst, heart and steam!



ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

Teasers created by me with stock images purchased from depositphotos.

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 AMAZING STARS <3 <3

“And I have the strongest feeling that having part of you is going to be better than having all of anybody else.”

One of the best books I read so far! Elissa and Liam's romance is amazing, it has everything I want and even more! I could tell from the begining that this was a beautiful story and as I continued reading it I didn't want it to end because I loved it so much! Wicked Heart is an emotional, intense, super hot and a beautiful story!



I adored both Liam and Elissa! Their relationship is one of the best I've read in a book!OMG when these two were together you could feel the tension, the intensity, the passion, the love, the angst, the need and generally how desperate they were for each other! I have so many feelings and I was so into the story!I loved how this story developed showing us how they met and how things are now. And there are many moments I felt broken and I was crying feeling the need to see them together.



This was second chance romance one that you must read it! Seriously this is going in my favorite books for 2016! I highly recommend it!

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lucia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angst + super hot chemistry is killer combination and Mrs. Rayven mastered it again. If you want to read romance and feel true butterflies, read any book by Leisa Rayven, this one included.

However, no matter how much I like Leisa Rayven's writing, Wicked Heart contains one trope/twist that is my big pet peeve (fake relationship among famous co-stars to divide main duo and create drama) so because of strictly subjective reasons, I couldn't fully enjoy this novel.

But writing was amazing and if you don't share this pet peeve with me, I say go for this book because you'll love it!

MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing

[Megan✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****5 Stars*****



"Hearts never listen. Or learn."

“Wicked Heart” is the third instalment of the “Starcrossed” series by the absolutely talented Leisa Rayven and it is a swoon worthy story which captures all the things I love about romances; intense chemistry, angst, emotion and humour. This was such an addictive story that once I started it was impossible for me to put down. My warning to you if you plan to read this book is to clear your schedule before you start, because you won’t be able to stop until the very last page. Elissa and Liam’s love story is one that will stay with me forever.

“Heartache doesn't teach you to be resilient. It teaches you to protect your fragility. It teaches you to fear love. And it draws a bright red circle around all the ways you've failed as a person and laughs while you cry.”



Elissa and Liam had an instant connection when they first met six years ago and it ultimately changed their lives, leaving a permeant mark on each other. Elissa was the stage manager for a low budget theatre production of “Romeo and Juliet.” Liam played Romeo and Elissa had a strict rule of not becoming involved with actors.

Liam is now one of the biggest movie stars in the world and Elissa is a stage manager on Broadway. Liam has been cast in the new upcoming Broadway production of “Taming Of The Shrew” with his movie star fiancée, Angel. Elissa is the stage manager for this production. Elissa hasn’t seen Liam in six years, not since he left and broke her heart. Seeing each other again has stirred up all the emotions and feelings they have, that have been buried deep down all those years. Knowing Liam is engaged to his beautiful co-star and having to work with them whilst remaining professional, has completely tormented poor Elissa.

“But this kiss? It's ruined me. This is the type of kiss I never knew existed. It's like falling and flying, all in the same moment.”

Rewind six years, Liam and Elissa met randomly, or by fate as Liam believes, one night in Time Square, New York. Josh, Elissa’s best friend, invited Liam to come and have dinner with them, knowing they were both newly single. Liam has a spare ticket to a theatre production of King Lear and invites Elissa to join him. They quickly develop a profound connection and fall for each other in a big way. Elissa broke her golden rule of not dating actors due to the intense feeling they had for each other. It all falls apart when Liam breaks Elissa’s heart in the most horrible way; it was absolutely gut-wrenching to read. I felt terrible for poor Elissa, she had gone against her better judgement and put herself out there only to be crushed in the process.



“God…this,” he whispers against my lips. “You. You’re everything.”

I found this book to be absolutely perfect, I know that’s a massive call to make, but I found it to be extraordinary. I would most definitely recommend this sensational story to any fans of romance that thrive on intense sexual tension, powerful chemistry, angst and heartbreak. “Wicked Heart” has the ability to make the reader feel absolutely every emotion until the very last page is read. I will gush over this book to anyone and everyone for years to come who will listen to me.

[Hulya Kara Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes fate is what you make it, and I'm making my life with you.”

OK I have a confession. I really loved this book, I really enjoyed it too but God, nobody can't measure up with Ethan -fucking sexy- Holt! And I guess I love "Bad Romeo" and "Broken Juliet" books much more than that one... :)

Oh btw please don't get me wrong, I loved Liam & Elissa's chemistry too. They were so cute / hot together but sorry Liam, for me Ethan always will be the one! (^_^)

And I highly recommend this series to everyone.. You should seriously read them asap... :)

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review posted at Confessions of a Pinay Bookaholic

Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Buddy read this with my lovely sis Pearl (click to read her fab review! :))

"Heartache doesn't teach you to be resilient. It teaches you to protect your fragility. It teaches you to fear love. And it draws a bright red circle around all the ways you've failed as a person and laughs while you cry."

Being on Broadway shows is part of Elissa Holt's life as a stage manager. Her past relationships with actors are unfortunate and vows not to date them until Liam Quinn came into her life. His acting skills surely impressed a lot of talent agents and he's being offered with projects. He grabbed every opportunity in order to be successful. Things got complicated between them and sadly, it leaves Lissa broken-hearted.

"Time's supposed to heal everything right? Well, it hasn't educated my heart to stop wanting a man who doesn't want it back"

When a new Broadway production is on the making, she's having a hard time working with the man who broke her heart 6 years ago and is now engaged to someone else. Seeing Liam with someone else breaks her heart but she must remained professional and composed at all cost by trying to suppress her feelings . After all these years, their chemistry is still palpable. Are they willing to give their love a second chance?

I love Elissa Holt. She's simple, beautiful, laid-back and witty. She is a type of person who doesn't give her heart out easily to guys and acts maturely on difficult situations. Her friendship with Josh is adorable and sweet. I love how they throw witty banters with each other. They're so funny and I can't stop laughing at them. These two have friendship goals.

I love Liam Quinn. He's charismatic, sexy, hot, romantic and damn, he gives me HEART EYES. . I never ever expect to love this guy as much as Ethan. This guy has a great sense of humour. Holy mama, I swooned over him. Liam and Elissa definitely have the off-the-charts chemistry, angst and the sexual tension between them = Oh. My. Goodness. Scorching. Red.Hot. Chilli. Peppers. Their story is heart-warming and filled with emotions and some angst. I'm just touched with their wonderful journey on giving their relationship a second chance. There are parts that made me cry and gave me heartaches. The epilogue is fantastic. It's wonderfully wrapped up. MY DAMN FEELS.

"Sometimes fate is what we make it. You get the love you fight for. The one you think you deserve."

Leisa Rayven delivers another beautiful, passionate and blissful romance novel. Wicked Heart truly gave me butterflies and I devoured each moments. It's absolutely a swoon-worthy and an unputdownable book that kept me awake at night. I fell in love with Elissa and Liam's story as much as I did with Ethan and Cassie's story. I am still having a book hangover and without any doubt, this is one of my favorite books this year. I can't wait for more Leisa Rayven's novels!

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wickedly addicting book that made my heart ache and swoon and my face hurt with so many laughs and smiles. Leisa Rayven perfectly blends wit, sexiness and angst, all the elements for a great romance. This book is going straight to my favorite and re-read lists.

“One day, fate’s going to fix this. Bring us back together. I believe that.”

Even though Elissa didn’t date actors, much less allow herself to fall for one, fate brought her and Liam together for the briefest amount of time during which they were blissfully happy. She had to believe it would continue to be that way. But Elissa’s career was firmly set to go on to Broadway while Liam’s up and coming stardom required him to move to Hollywood and shatter Lissa’s heart in the process.

“Heartache doesn’t teach you to be resilient. It teaches you to protect your fragility. It teaches you to fear love.”

From construction worker to super star, Liam Quinn did not only become a household name, he got engaged to his beautiful and equally famous co-star and both are set to play the lead roles in the Broadway show Elissa is the stage manager, charged to make sure everything goes on without a hitch.

However, six years have done little to dull Elissa’s love for Liam albeit she hides it well. Sort of. The moment they come into proximity of one another the attraction and torture skyrockets. She knows he’s off limits especially after everything he did, but as they start spending more and more time together the longing, desire and pull between them is impossible to ignore.

“I’ve missed you, Liss. It hurts not seeing you for all those years, but this? You being right here and me not being able to have you? Hurts so much more.”

She knows her heart is in real danger of being broken once again and that under the scrutiny of adoring fans and paparazzi one wrong move can be misconstrued and could ruin them both. Is their love worth the risk?

"Love in an asshole. It doesn't care about people's plans. It's never convenient. It crawls inside of you at the most ridiculous times and makes you feel, whether you like it or not. And even after the time when you should have learned to stop loving someone, it just keeps holding on to them."

Leisa Rayven had me on the brink between utter anguish and elation, hooked and desperately turning page after page wanting to get to the end while wishing it would never come. I loved the clever and humorous banter, the longing and angst, the incredible chemistry, delicious tension and swoony romance that kept my emotions on high throughout the story.

The attraction and connection between Liam and Liss is practically its own entity that lights up whenever they’re together, I reveled in the incredible tension Leisa built between them. There were a lot of other reasons to enjoy and love this book. The writing is wonderful, the characters are loveable and well development. And I mean all of them, not just the hero and heroine but the Elissa’s bestie Josh and Liam’s fiancée Angel. Yes, Angel was a total sweetheart you can’t help but fall for and Josh is a total hoot.

Just like Liss, my feeling towards Liam were complex.

“He’s the only man who’s ever affected me like this, and it’s safe to say I hold it against him.”

There were a few times I wanted to hate him for breaking her heart, but mostly he absolutely won me over with his charm and confidence, the way he flirts with Liss like his life depended on it and his overall swooniness.

“Ask me to give up a limb and I swear, I'll find a way to do it. But don't ask me to live without you anymore. I can't. I'm so goddamn in love with you, it hurts."

The story’s pace is perfect. I loved how they fell in love and based on his reaction towards her, I knew there was more behind their rift. When the plot twists are revealed (which I didn’t see coming by the way) it all made sense and I really appreciated that it wasn’t due to trivial miscommunication or the like, and of course delighted when in the end love conquered all.

“I used to think that if I just waited long enough, fate would bring us back together. That our stars would align, or whatever, and you'd come crashing back into my life to stay. But that didn't happen. So now I say, screw it. I'm done waiting. Sometimes, fate is what you make it."

Wicked Heart is book #3 in the Starcrossed series by Leisa Rayven. It’s a contemporary romance that can be read as a standalone. It’s told from the heroine’s point of view. With a happy ending. If you like a NA romance with all the feels, this is must read.

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via St. Martin’s Press. The excerpts are from that copy. *

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[Ang C · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more reviews please visit www.angelas-sizzling-pages.blogspot.com

4.5 Stars

Years ago I saw a magazine article that claimed everyone should have their heart broken at least once in order to become a better person…Whoever wrote that article can go fuck themselves.

Reading Bad Romeo and Broken Juliette left me craving more. I’ve become happily addicted to the way Leisa Rayven pens her dramatic romances, which are jam-packed with loads of angst and passion. I couldn’t wait to jump into Liam and Elissa’s world and in the end Wicked Heart wrecked me. Chockfull of high anxiety and sexual tension, my head was spinning. Felt utterly shattered right along side the main characters when seeing all their heartache. Devouring this read in one sitting, I was instantaneously engrossed as my emotions were seesawing from all the intensity. I enjoyed this couples’ journey, regardless of how it played with my heart, and highly recommend it to fans that appreciate second chance romances.

Wicked Hearts can be read as a stand-alone, however Elissa Holt was first introduced in Bad Romeo as Ethan’s quirky yet loveable sister. Involved in the theater world, she became one of the best stage managers in New York. But six years ago, before she excelled in her career, a chance encounter in Times Square led her to Liam Quinn, the outrageously handsome contractor-slash-amateur actor that stole and eventually broke her heart. Now after all this time, still pining for the love she had inexplicably lost, super-star Liam returns to the stage, with his fiancé in tow, and working with poor Lissa.

He said he loved me. That he missed me. That some actors might fall for their leading ladies, but he never would. And I believed him.

The first part of the story captivated me with their relationship beginnings. Seeing their blossoming friendship and getting to know the overly sweet, charismatic Liam, I found myself totally smitten. He was so easy to love at first and I adored how their relationship grew into something more. Tender, affectionate and kind, I was enamored by all things Liam. The most perfect romantic hero…until he callously shattered Lissa’s heart.

For most of the story, curiosity got the better of me trying to rationalize the reasons why Liam ended their relationship so terribly. The moment he broke Elissa’s heart, I felt her devastation deeply and I resented him. With Liam’s return, now a famous celebrity and engaged to his long time leading lady, Lissa had my sympathies in her struggle to work with them while dealing with feelings of supposed unrequited love. I was obsessed with unraveling all of his secrets and deceits, hoping I could once again fall for him. Despite the reasons for leaving her behind, (which vexed me), Liam managed to finally win back my affections. It was his determination and undying love for Lissa that won me over. And I absolutely adored the sweet romantic hero he became...again.


Believe me, it took a long while, but I couldn’t help but fall for all his sexiness. Trust me, these two had me so frustrated at times, between Liam and his secrets and Lissa’s extreme friendliness toward both him and Angel (his fiancé), I wanted to scream. But I loved them both and all the turmoil. Not to mention their chemistry was scorching hot. I don’t want to give too much of the story line away, but for those who may have any concerns, I feel it’s important to note that this is by no means a love triangle.


I relished all the anxiety and sexual tension that consumed their story and loved the way this author wreaked havoc on my emotions, twisting me in knots. As far as the ending, I found it to be a bit rushed, leaving me wanting more insight into their lives together. Nevertheless, Leisa Rayven told a remarkable story of broken hearts, of healing, and of fated love that was laced with both deep passion and lighthearted humor. If you crave an angst filled romance with a swoon worthy hero, a spirited heroine, and the kooky cast of secondary characters, Wicked Heart is the perfect read.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 ★'s

Six years ago, Elissa and Liam met and had this intense connection but Elissa doesn't date actors and that's exactly what Liam is trying to be. After they work on a play together, they have an amazing night and then Liam goes off to Hollywood to pursue his passion.

They sort of keep in touch with voice mails but one day, Elissa decides to call Liam. He just happens to be in New York so they meet up where he is doing a photo shoot.

This is where things get messy...Elissa finds out that Liam is seeing someone else and all she gets is an "I'm sorry." text. She's heartbroken. It doesn't help that the person Liam is seeing is another actor who is working with him on a series of movies so Elissa really can't get away from them. Then, they get engaged and THEN they come to New York to work on a play where Elissa just happens to be the stage manager.

And things get even messier... My main problem with this was it was a little too easy to see where things were going. I enjoyed the drama but even without Liam's POV, it was fairly obvious to see where he was coming from.



They just can't stay away from each other. Liam has this whole theory about fate and it certainly seems like things are lined up that way.

Things hit the proverbial fan and it's not pretty but I did like how they managed to work things out.

These two are really hot...things were so intense! And I just loved, LOVED his tattoo. Liam is really romantic. ~sigh~

The epilogue was no different...Liam really pulls out all the stops.

*Note* I didn't read the first two books in the series...they are about Elissa's brother, Ethan, and they sound really good. However, I don't think I was missing out on much but I will definitely read them at some point. Ethan sounds really interesting!

[Patrycja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Review to follow!

[Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ bookwormthoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

★LIVE ★ Amazon US ★ Amazon UK ★



Movie star Liam Quinn is the only man Elissa Holt ever truly loved. Circumstance broke them apart but six years later throws them back together. Within the pages of WICKED HEART, Leisa Rayven depicts the past and the present in this romantic second chance romance set around the glittering world of showbiz and a Broadway Play. Told in first person narrative and from the sole perspective of the heroine this standalone story is about fate, second chances and love... I felt the romance and longed for their second chance to evolve.



As is indicative of this authors style the narrative explores their past taking us right back to the point of their meeting ensuring that the reader falls in love with Liam and Elissa as a couple and long for their second chance romance. Wind forward six years and the present day story showcases their passion, chemistry and deep connection. There are obstacles, reasons they’re not and can’t be together and, as the story fully unfolds, the reader gleans the secrets of the past and the present and waits with baited breath to discover if the protagonist's love is given the second chance we crave.

I really enjoyed this story and became utterly addicted to reading and discovering the fate of Liam and Elissa but if I'm blunt, there are times when I found the prose to be a little clichéd for my tastes and, in some areas of the story arc, I found the hero's choices to be jarring to a certain degree. Both aspects had the capacity to pull me out of my story bubble but having said that, by the end, retrospectively, I must admit that I totally bought into his motivation for everything and wish I had known a little more of his true reasoning earlier in the narrative. Some may argue that I should have had faith in the story telling and they'd probably be right!

Fans of Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet will be delighted with the glimpse we’re treated to of Ethan and Cassie; it certainly put a smile on my face and warmth in my heart. The inner monologue of Elissa engaged my attention and once I settled into the flow of this story I found it to be so cute, fun and enjoyable. I swooned and smiled and felt my heart swell with the romance of the piece. WICKED HEART turned into the loveliest read and one I'd recommend to all romance lovers.

Advance copy received for my honest review thoughts from NetGalley.

★ Graphics created by myself with stock image I purchased from deposit photos ★

[TheCrazyWorldOfABookLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How long does it take to fall in love? A second? A week? A year?” – Elissa

Well, it took about 15 pages for me to fall head over heels in love with Wicked Heart. That’s all. Leisa Rayven delivers angst, humor, and sexual tension like no one’s fucking business. And I devoured this book and loved every second.

Wicked Heart tells the story of Elissa (for those who read Bad Romeo & Broken Juliet, you’ll remember her as Ethan’s sweet sister). One fateful night she bumps into a delicious man named Liam Quinn while out with her best friend Josh. After hanging out and then learning they’ll be working together, Lissa decides (for professional reasons as a stage manager) she can’t be with Liam until the show is done. And when they do get the chance to act on their feelings, fate decides it has other plans. Years later, Lissa learns she’ll be working with Liam again. But this time, his fiancé is along for the ride. *cue dramatic music*



My three favorite things about this book? Easy. Elissa. Josh. AND LIAM.

Why you ask? Here, let me show you.

“…but really, no one needs to exercise as much as they do. It’s wrong and unnatural. My idea of working out involves yoga pants without the actual yoga. In fact, my yoga pants should be called “sitting around eating cheese pants.” A longer title, sure, but more accurate. “ – Elissa

A girl who loves cheese and hates working out? That’s my kind of lady.

“Nice to meet you, Liam. Hope we’ll be seeing you again. Please keep in mind that, even though you could crush my head with your bare hands, I’m going to have to ask you to treat Elissa with respect, or face the consequences.”

“What consequences?”

“Me running into your fist with my head, multiple times. But, be warned. I have a thick skull. Your knuckles will never be the same.”- Josh

God, I love him. My stomach hurt from laughing so much at his insanely funny commentary. *Ahem* Leisa are you listening? Because Josh should totally get a book of his own. A short story. An extended scene? Something. ANYTHING!

“Did you know I dream about your mouth? How it feels. And tastes. Every time I see you, the urge to kiss you is so damn strong, it hurts to deny it. Tell me you feel the same.”- Liam

I DO LIAM! I DOOOOOO!!!!!!

“Stay the night,” he says quietly. “I want to see how many more times I can make you scream before morning.” – Liam

Ummmmmmm. Yea. Don’t need to ask me twice.



Leisa’s words are SO beautiful, her characters are SO charming, and her humor is just perfection. This book delivered so much heartache and angst, but at the same time so much romance and love. You could literally feel the heartache, the sexual tension, and every other emotion that was portrayed. Elissa’s pain was my pain. When she delivered this little gem? CHILLS!:

“Heartache doesn’t teach you to be resilient. It teaches you to protect your fragility. It teaches you to fear love. Ad it draws a bright red circle around all the ways you’ve failed as a person and laughs while you cry.”

That line. My favorite line in the whole book.

Safe to say, I will continue to read anything Leisa writes. She has a forever-fan in me. And if this happens to turn into a short film like Bad Romeo is (oh yes! You didn’t know? Check out the FB page here) I volunteer to play Elissa!!!!! Remember that Leisa! I WAS FIRST TO OFFER!

Anyone looking for an amazing, humorous, insanely sexy read, you got it right here! (This can be read as a standalone, though I HIGHLY recommend reading Bad Romeo & Broken Juliet.)

Wicked Heart is out May 3rd | http://amzn.to/1QKhGYh

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 MASSIVE STARS!

OMG I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK!! It’s angsty, it’s sexy, it’s funny, it’s heartachingly beautiful and it’s epically romantic. After the epicness that was Bad Romeo / Broken Juliet, I was nervous that this book wouldn’t live up to my ridiculously high expectations, but Leisa Rayven absolutely nailed it, and this book took my breath away. I read it in one sitting, white-knuckling my kindle the whole way through, and when I finished I literally happy danced around my house in glee. It’s an absolutely amazing story, a total swoonfest, and I lapped up every moment of it! Second-chance romance at its best.

Elissa Holt is a talented and highly respected Stage Manager on broadway. Her latest play is about to start rehearsals and the leading man just happens to be the one man she has never been able to forget, the love of her life - “'Lord of My Underpants', Liam Quinn.”. Liam left Elissa and New York for LA 6 years previously without looking back, and has since become the hottest thing in Hollywood, and just to make things even more awkward, Liam’s leading lady in Elissa’s play is his equally famous fiancée, Angel Bell, and the two of them are Hollywood’s golden couple.

We were introduced to Elissa in Bad Romeo/Broken Juliet. As the sister of hero, Ethan, she was absolutely fantastic - smart, funny and no-nonsense with a huge heart. This book is written entirely from her POV so we get all of that and more, and I absolutely loved her!

To put it simply, he makes me swoon like it’s his damn job.
He’s the only man who’s ever affected me like this, and it’s safe to say I hold it against him. It’s inconvenient and rude.

From the moment Elissa and Liam lay eyes on each other, the chemistry is absolutely electric. We don’t know everything that happened between them in the past, but we know that it was strong, it was intense, and it’s something neither of them have been able to forget.

He’s not a movie star, and I’m not his stage manager. We’re the same two desperately connected people who fell down a rabbit hole years earlier and climbed out forever changed.

As the tension between them builds, the story takes us back to see Elissa and Liam in the past, and their initial coming together was absolutely sensational! Smart, funny, and chemistry-filled with epic banter, and the sexual tension is off the freaking charts.

He puts his hand on the wall next to my head and moves closer. I put my other hand on his chest. Not to stop him. Just to feel more of his body.
He closes his eyes and exhales before looking at me again. “If you’re feeling even half of the attraction I’m feeling toward you, then, no, I don’t think you could resist. In fact, I think if I kissed you right now, we’d barely make it through that door before tearing each other’s clothes off and fucking like there’s no tomorrow.”

I felt every moment of their flirtation, and my heart broke right along with Elissa’s when it all came to an end.

“I’m not saying goodbye,” he says as he shoves his hands in his pockets. “Because this isn’t over. One day, fate’s going to fix this. Bring us back together. I believe that.”

The story then moves back to the present where all of those same feelings are still there, and now possibly stronger. They clearly want each other, but their connection is so much deeper than just lust and watching them fight against their attraction, and the deep love they still have for each other, is heartbreaking!

“If I wasn’t such a selfish asshole, I’d wish to men to fall all over themselves to be with you. I’d want them to flatter you and buy you presents, and dedicate themselves to making you happy. But every time I have those thoughts…every single time, the deepest parts of me know without a doubt that the only man on this planet who could ever make you truly, deeply happy…is me.”

“I’ve missed you, Liss. It hurts not seeing you for all those years, but this? You being right here and me not being able to have you? Hurts so much more.”

The delicious angst of it all had my heart pounding. It’s so clear that Elissa and Liam belong together, but there is so much standing in their way! My heart was aching with the need for them to find a way to work it all out. The tension builds and builds until the inevitable happens and OMG, it’s hot, sexy and incredibly passionate. And I thought it all played out brilliantly!

“God…this,” he whispers against my lips. “You. You’re everything.”

I guessed where the story was going to go but that didn’t stop me from feeling every single moment of it. I love the way it all unfolded, and I thought they handled everything that was thrown at them perfectly.

“Ask me to give up a limb and I swear, I’ll find a way to do it. But don’t ask me to live without you anymore. I can’t. I’m so goddamn in love with you, it hurts.”

This is such an amazing story, and it’s made all the more special because these characters are sensational! They are so perfect for each other, and as individual characters they are instantly loveable. Elissa is great fun and completely relatable, and I could empathise with everything that she was feeling. And Liam… OMG Liam. Where Ethan was all tortured and broody bad boy, Liam is sweet, confident and funny. The man loves with his whole heart, and damn, he’s effortlessly sexy. I fell in instant love with him, and his love for Elissa and his emotional turmoil throughout this book is written brilliantly.

“God, Liss, I can’t live without you anymore, and I’m tired of pretending that I can.”

I also need to mention the awesomeness that is Elissa’s best friend, Josh. He’s an absolute riot, and I thought his role in the story was fantastic! Angel was also a fabulous character, and so well written. And fans of Leisa’s will be thrilled to know that Ethan and Cassie get some noteworthy scenes, and I loved catching up with them again.

This book is a perfect mix of angsty, funny, emotional and romantic. My heart broke at Elissa and Liam’s torment, and pounded at the intensity of it all. Parts of the story had me laughing out loud, and I was completely swept up in the sexy, swoony romance. It’s an instant favourite, and one that I look forward to rereading over and over again.

5 huge stars.


An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Syndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good. Wicked Heart just like the previous books, is good. Really good. Miss Rayven tells her story with non stop conversation and banter. I could not stop.

The chemistry is hot. Really sizzling. I like the jokes and the quick wit on the story. I am so looking forward for her next books. The story is about second chance romance.

A wonderful book.

4 stars

[London]

Even the fake situation doesn't help redeem anyone. Gross. No thanks.

Heroine has to see him with his fiancé and she's been pining away for him for years. I can't stand pathetic heroines like that. I cannot understand what's romantic about reading a story where the hero has had plenty during the separation while the heroine has had none. It's just so damn disgusting.

This is really unfortunate because the first two books in the series were some of my all time favorites.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

“See, that's the problem. Love is an asshole. It doesn't care about people's plans. It's never convenient. It crawls inside of you at the most ridiculous times and makes you feel, whether you like it or not. And even long after the time when you should have learned to stop loving someone, it just keeps holding on to them. Doesn't it?”

WOW!WOW!WOW! This was an angst-filled, romantic, steamy and complicated ride. My emotions were not spareded whatsoever in this rollercoaster of a book and I felt heartache, frustration, hope and love right along with the characters. I have no idea why I didn't pick this book up sooner!

Wicked Heart follows the story of Elissa Holt and Liam Quinn who we were introduced to earlier in in the star crossed series. Elissa would never have taken on this stage-managing job if she knew that Hollywood favourite Liam Quinn and his fiancé, Angel were staring. Six years earlier, Liam broke Elisa's heart and left her for fame and his new girlfriend. Liam and Elissa both try to ignore their electric connection and extreme attraction for each other. But, late night rehearsals and past feelings arise and neither can ignore what they feel anymore.

This book switches from the present to six years in the past when these two met. Their chemistry and banter sizzles right of the page from the first time they meet and even when they both try to control their feelings later on. Their romance brought me right back to when I read (and loved) Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet. I've been a fan of Leisa Reyven's for a while now and this book just added more reasons to why I love her writing style.

The characters in this book was well as the others in this series, are so genuine and completely loveable. The side characters, especially Josh and Angel were fabulous and brought so much to the story. Elissa was such a relatable character (especially the parts about her being "allergic" to exercise)! I felt so sad for her having to work alongside the man she loves and being super nice to his fiancé (that took a lot of guts). Also, when she got herself some revenge at the end...that was AMAZING!

“In fact, my yoga pants should be called “sitting around eating cheese pants.” A longer title, sure, but more accurate.”

See? She's totally hilarious!

Liam was also a really great character. Despite his circumstances (being engaged), Elissa was the only woman that he ever truly loved. He was so sweet with her and tried his all to get them back together. I relished in every moment that the pair were together and I certainly had butterflies in my stomach for most of their moments. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and was constantly in the edge of my seat just waiting for Elissa and Liam to get together. Both the characters really deserved each other and I was definitely satisfied with the HEA ending we received.

“Sometimes fate is what you make it, and I'm making my life with you.”

There was only one reason that I didn't give the book five stars; I was uncomfortable for some parts because the characters came so close to cheating on a couple of occasions. I'm so glad that Angel and Liam were only fake engaged and that it was all a publicity stunt Even after everything was sorted out, I still can't forget the moments when I believed that cheating was involved. For those who believe cheating is a deal breaker for books, there is in no real cheating in this book. I just felt like it could have got to the stage at so many points in the book and that made me a little hesitant.

“He’s not a movie star, and I’m not his stage manager. We’re the same two desperately connected people who fell down a rabbit hole years earlier and climbed out forever changed.”

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and fell in love with all the characters from the start. The book was humorous, romantic and had the perfect mixture of angst, sweetness and steam! I just wish I read this book when it first came out, I have no idea why I held it off for so long!

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six years ago 19 year-old Elissa was in love with Liam.
But he hurt her with his actions ... but still she never forgot him. No other guy ever lived up to him.

Now, a famous Broadway stage manager, she'll meet him again.
As a huge Hollywood star, he'll be the star of the new Shakespeare play she's working on. Also with him - his beautiful fiancée Angel.

But of course Elissa will be able to survive seeing him again, right?
She won't melt in a puddle of lust at his feet??

Liam Quinn ... he makes me swoon like it's his damn job.

And what's with those looks he constantly gives her? And what about his fiancée Angel??? She doesn't seem to get the same heated looks from Liam???
And why does Angel have to be so damn nice???

What will happen with Elissa & Liam???
Will there be a HEA??
Will everybody survive the book?



I'm not telling you that of course ☺



═════════════════════════════════





I LOVED the Bad Romeo/Broken Juliet books with Elissa's brother...and now it's her turn.
And it was just adorable!!!!
What's not to love about a HOT-AS-HELL Hollywood superstar?!?!

Liam Quinn

The story was soooo adorable!
So frustrating - because you want Elissa & Liam to finally be together again, but he's not free... But we're still hoping all through the book...
And the story was also very moving and sad and sooo very sexy...



I loved every moment of WICKED HEART!
I think with a good conversation early on, a lot of heart-break could've been prevented, but pfff, there has to be a bit drama in our books!
And Liam is just too amazing to be mad at ☺
He's such a good guy all through the book, he just wants what's best for Liss... ugh - so adorable!
Perfect Romance!!!

We even got to hear and see Ethan for a few brief moments!!!!☺☺☺

WICKED HEART was such a beautifully adorable & sexy & funny second-chance romance! Run to your nearest amazon for some Liam Quinn - you won't be disappointed!!!

[Natasha is a Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review posted at: http://natashaisabookjunkie.com/2016/...

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | iBooks | Paperback

[Pick a Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review in english and portuguese.
Resenha em inglês e português.

4,5 " lobster" stars!

Before I start I just wanna say this: I'm sorry Ethan. So so sorry. But my heart was stolen by another actor. I love you but Liam... OMG! Liam is my man now.

Ya know when you get to read a book, someone asks you if you're enjoying it and you just answer that you're "feeling it" yet? So ... It didn't happen to me in this book. From the first chapter, I was hooked, excited and happy because all I was reading was exceeding my expectations. The author managed to bring another great book to Starcrossed series, which also has its merits.

WICKED HEART tells the story of Elissa Holt, stage manager and Ethan Holt's sister from BAD ROMEO and BOKEN JULIET. It is not necessary to read the first two, but .. ah .. it's too good to not to! lol. So Elissa also fell in love in the past to the normal young aspiring actor Liam Quinn. And six years later (look at this, 'six years' making its appearance again. Is Leisa superstitious?), Now the super star and heartthrob on the big screen, Mr. Quinn will be on a play - also with his bride - directed by Marco Fiori . And guess where Elissa will be? That's right: Working with Fiori and working direclty with the delicious Liam.

The drama is back, but the personality of the characters, for me, let the story feel more lighter in drama than the first and second book. Elissa is funny, strong and I loved her inner monologues. Her thoughts were great.

But the gorgeous Liam is different from Ethan. He is playful, he is outspoken, says what he wants and he is soooo pretty (okay, in that he is equal to Ethan haha).

And I have to talk about Josh, Elissa's best friend. Guys!! He made me fall for him at the very first page! I was almost hoping that he would be the one to stay with her haha. Despite the other characters have their moments of humor, Josh was responsible for making me laugh out loud. Loved it!!!!

In WICKED HEART also we have the world behind the scenes of a theater we already know from previous books showing once again that the author knows well that world making us feel like we know about it too.

As in BAD ROMEO and BROKEN JULIET, we have a couple who truly are in love, but that is tested in various ways to prove whether or not they must be together. In spite of everything, there is no force against starcrossed lovers. For me, the best of these romance books is to really believe that that couple are in love for real. It gives me hope, ya know?!

WICKED HEART is clearly only one book and the epilogue will make you smile from the first paragraph to the last line of the book, with a special appearance that will make you see hearts everywhere haha. It was better than I expected and now I just want to Leisa to give me Liam's address :p

Aaaah! Why did I read it so fast? I didn't want it to end. Now I'm truly in love with Liam Quinn ( and Josh).

*I got an ARC. This book will be released in english, May 17, 2016. And after that, it will be released in Brazil by Globo Alt. No date set yet.
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4,5 "minha lagosta" estrelas

Antes de começar queria dizer uma coisinha: Desculpa, Ethan! Mil desculpas. Mas meu coração foi roubado por outro ator. Ainda amo você, mas... OMG! Liam é meu homem agora. Ufa! Bom desabafar...

Sabe quando você começa a ler um livro, alguém te pergunta se você tá gostando e você só responde que tá "sentindo" o livro ainda? Então... Isso não aconteceu comigo nesse livro. Desde o primeiro capítulo, fiquei presa, empolgada e feliz porque tudo que eu estava lendo era uma superação das minhas expectativas. A autora conseguiu trazer mais um ótimo livro pra série STARCROSSED, que também tem seus méritos.

WICKED HEART conta a história de Elissa Holt, diretora de palco e irmã do Ethan Holt dos livros MEU ROMEU e MINHA JULIETA. Não é necessário ter lido os dois primeiros, mas.. ah vai.. é bom né rsrs. Então, Elissa também teve um amor "pra vida toda" no passado; o jovem normal e aspirante a ator Liam Quinn. E seis anos depois (olha o '6 anos' fazendo sua aparição novamente. Será que a Leisa é supersticiosa?), o agora super star e arrasa corações nas telas do cinema, Sr. Quinn, é escalado para fazer uma peça de teatro dirigida por Marco Fiori juntamente com sua noiva. E advinha onde que a Elissa estará? Isso mesmo: Trabalhando com o Fiori e dando de cara com o delicioso Liam.

O drama tá lá, mas a personalidade dos personagens, pra mim, deixou a história mais light no drama do que os primeiros. Elissa é engraçada, forte e eu adorei os monólogos internos dela. Os pensamentos dessa garota eram ótimos.

Já o galã Liam é diferente de Ethan. É brincalhão, não tem papas na língua, não faz rodeios, fala na cara e é lindo de morrer (tá bom, nisso ele é igual o Ethan haha).

E tenho que destacar aqui o Josh, o melhor amigo da Elissa. Gente! Me ganhou na primeira página! Eu quase tava torcendo pra ele ficar com ela hahha. Apesar dos outros personagens terem seus momentos de humor, Josh foi o responsável por me arrancar risadas. Amei!!!!

Em WICKED HEART temos também todo o mundo dos bastidores de um teatro que já conhecemos dos livros anteriores mostrando mais uma vez que a autora conhece bem esse mundo fazendo a gente se sentir entendido do assunto.

Como em MEU ROMEU e MINHA JULIETA, temos um casal que se ama de verdade, mas que é testado de várias maneiras para provar se devem ou não ficar juntos. Apesar dos pesares, não há força contra o que tá escrito nas estrelas. Pra mim, o melhor desses livros de romance é acreditar de verdade que aquele casal se ama mesmo. Dá esperanças pra gente, sabe?!

WICKED HEART é claramente livro único com direito a epílogo que vai te fazer sorrir do primeiro paragrafo até a ultima linha do livro, com participação especial de coraçõezinhos saindo pelos olhos haha. Foi melhor do que eu esperava e agora só quero que a Leisa me passe o endereço do Liam :p

Ah! Por quê que eu fui ler rápido? Não queria que acabasse. To realmente apaixonada pelo Liam Quinn (e pelo Josh).

*Recebi um ARC (cópia de leitura avançada) para leitura. Esse livro será lançado oficialmente, em inglês, dia 17 de maio. E ainda no primeiro semestre de 2016 será publicado no Brasil pela editora Globo Alt.


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[Angela (Reading Frenzy Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Broadway, Hollywood, and a second a chance at romance. I’m a proud member of the Theatre Geek Society, so normally I’d be all over this story, but (you knew there was a but coming) there was one problem. Wicket Heart is the third book in the Starcrossed series. I already read the first book, Bad Romeo. You know how in some book reviews the reviewer says they didn’t love it, didn’t hate it? Well, suffice it to say that I pretty much hated Bad Romeo. I finished it, but then decided to wash my hands of the follow-up. When I heard there was a third book, I really didn’t give it a second thought. Some friends convinced me to give it a try, though, and you know what? It’s awesome.

To start with, this is a standalone that doesn’t center around the couple from the previous books. Since they were the main source of my dislike, that was a bonus. The story is still set in a theatre environment, but other than that it’s completely different.

Alissa and Liam fall for each other hard and fast, and I fell for their love story just as quickly. Instant bonding between two people tends to make me roll my eyes, but I liked the flirtations and delayed gratification despite their intense attraction.

This book includes plenty of triumphs, heartbreak, conniving, sacrifices, swooning, and passion. Maybe I’m just a drama queen, but I ate it up. Some aspects were a bit predictable and others surprisingly not so much. Leisa Rayven redeemed herself in my eyes, and I was quite pleased with this entertaining romance.

I listened to the audiobook and, as usual, Andi Arndt doesn’t disappoint. Her narration is excellent.

Recommended for fans of:
Hollywood super couples
Broadway
Second chance romance
Cheese