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Sentenced

(Jaded Regret #1)

L.L. Collins (Goodreads Author)

3.95 · Rating details · 478 ratings · 155 reviews

THE BAD BOY: I’m Johnny. An ex-con with a bad attitude and a controlling demeanor that somehow made the women flock to my bed but never my heart. It was unavailable for possession.

THE TEMPTATION: She was just supposed to be a two day hookup. But one taste of her and I knew I was in danger of never getting enough. She had her own demons to contend with, and dealing with my ...more

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Kindle Edition, 267 pages

Published October 31st 2015 by LLC Books

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Oct 24, 2015 Olga therebelreader rated it really liked it

Shelves: bd-sm, contemporary-romance, suspense-angst, erotica-xxx, arc-cc-final-review, rockstar

Johnny comes out of prison after a two year sentence. His imprisonment was torturous, a complete nightmare. Now he is thirty six years old and has to decide what to do with his life and recover from the demons that are tormenting him. His greatest weakness is his sister Julia and her family. He loves her with no limits and would sacrifice everything for her. His parents, although they had kicked him out of the house when Johnny was 18, now they are helping him clean his record.

He's sexy, good l ...more

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Dec 10, 2015 Kristina marked it as dnr

Shelves: cheater

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 06, 2015 Fre06 Begum rated it did not like it

Sex scenes with 2 ow even after sleeping with heroine, not my cup of tea!

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Oct 12, 2015 Carissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-s-2015

Sentenced is one of those books that seriously throws you for a loop. We're given two broken persons, two souls. Each living in their own self-imposed prison. Fighting for some semblance of normalcy while surviving each day.

When Johnny- the ex-con, man-whore, meets Bexley- the sassy, foul mouthed and bitchy lead singer of Jaded Regret, there is an intense desire and draw, that Johnny can't resist. Even though Bex knows Johnny's type, she can't seem to keep her mind and her fingers from drawing h ...more

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Oct 17, 2016 Natalie ✩★ The Biblioholic ★✩ rated it really liked it

Shelves: sexy-times, contemporary, dual-pov, music, manwhore

Damn!! This was a hard book to read because of the topics it covered. There's abuse, promiscuity, and a whole lot of anger. But despite how difficult it was, this book held me firmly in its clutches from beginning to end.

Johnny was a manwhore. Not the classic one that you can't help but love. Where you think it's pretty neat to see the manwhore fall to his feet in praise of the one.

Except it's not. Because Johnny took his manwhoring to the extreme. To a level that hasn't even been freaking inven Damn!! This was a hard book to read because of the topics it covered. There's abuse, promiscuity, and a whole lot of anger. But despite how difficult it was, this book held me firmly in its clutches from beginning to end.

Johnny was a manwhore. Not the classic one that you can't help but love. Where you think it's pretty neat to see the manwhore fall to his feet in praise of the one.

Except it's not. Because Johnny took his manwhoring to the extreme. To a level that hasn't even been freaking invented yet! Luckily the reader gets his POV, which provides insight into the reasons for his behaviour. So although we can't condone it, we can understand it. He's masking a lot of pain and just wants his demons to shut the heck up. He was hard to like yet somehow very easy to get.

Bex was a huge bish. No really. I'm being serious. That was what her character's personality was supposed to come off ass. On the brink of stardom, she was the leader of the band Jaded Regret. With her POV, we get an opportunity to see that her utter rudeness is a mask as well. She was also hiding her lack of recovery from a huge and devastating loss. Somehow, she and Johnny seemed to be the perfect match. They clicked right away. You could hear that ish from the pages lol. And suddenly, two people with bottled up pain and emotions, let someone else in.

There were a few things that bothered me, but the biggest issue I had was the fact that Johnny had sex with someone else AFTER already having had sex with Bex. They were on a timeout but still. I'm not down with the H doing ANYTHING with ANYONE after the h is involved in the story. Sorry. That may just be me. It was just really gross and unnecessary. The story could have carried on without it IMO.

Regardless, there was a lot of hot sex between the main characters. At first, that's all they were. But those strings man. They catch on to everything.

Once these two got their ish together, it was magic. This story really did have a nice epilogue.

Recommended to lovers of rock band stories and to those who love internal struggles with beautiful rewards ...more

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Nov 08, 2015 Leo (Queen of the Rants and Spoilers) rated it did not like it

It doesn't even deserve my 1 star!!! Why does this book has a lot a good ratings I just don't know. This guy was whore he slept with the h and then went to the bar to sleep with two other women he left the bar with the h and slept with her the same night that he was gonna sleep with the ow. Why are women in books so damn doormats. I don't know why people thinks this is a good book. Waste of money and time by the middle of the book I was done I didn't want to finish it so DNF!!!! ...more

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Oct 23, 2015 🅙𝔲𝔩𝔷 rated it it was ok

This book was a 4 star right up until the 82% mark. then i just wanted to throw it in the bin. I HATE HATE what happened at that point and how it just spoilt everything for me. i so wish the author hadn't done that. After that I finished it but couldn't believe in Johnny love for bex. It felt shallow. ...more

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Oct 15, 2015 Romance Readers Retreat rated it it was amazing

I do love a tatted bad boy and Johnny is just that. After being released from prison 2 years earlier, Johnny has an offer from his sister, the only person he actually cares about, to go stay with her in Florda. He agrees and as soon as he arrives, he lands a job in a bar and has women throwing themselves at him straight away.

Bex is the lead singer in a band playing in the bar that Johnny is working at, and as soon as he sets eyes on her - he has to have her. Only one thing though, Bex hates men, ...more

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Nov 07, 2015 Gi's Spot Reviews marked it as can-never-read

Shelves: avoid-sex-with-ow-or-om, hero-slept-around-separation, cheating-in-my-opinion, cheating-bastard, can-t-read-cheaters, can-t-read-hero-disgusting, slept-w-after-mc, intimacy-w-ow-om-during-separation

Über disgusting male MC...

Self note:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ...more

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Aug 10, 2015 Carolyn's rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, authors-i-love, arcs

I have anxiously awaited the release of Johnny's story, Sentenced, and it was well worth the wait and read. I adore LL Collins writing and have read all of her books. Sentenced is one of my favorites.

Scruffy beard, hard body and sexy tattoos, Johnny is the typical gorgeous bad boy. Fresh from a stint in prison and studied in the school of hard knocks, Johnny is well learned on how to block out his feelings, keep anyone from getting close and exercise his demons with sleeping easy women. Although ...more

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Oct 15, 2015 Maryann Jordan rated it it was amazing

What a ride for Johnny and Bex! This book is very different from the previous books by LL Collins and I was blown away by the intensity of this story. Johnny and Bex came from difficult backgrounds and both had nightmares that they kept to themselves. It is ultimately a story of two broken people, finding each other, fighting those feelings, and then discovering that they were better together than they ever were apart. Well written, beautifully crafted, I loved this story. The author has done a ...more

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Oct 21, 2015 M.E. Montgomery rated it it was amazing

Two wrongs don't make a right? I think this theory might be challenged by Author LL Collins! This book was a change in style for this author - no more tears, but hot and steamy instead!! But true to her style, there's still a lot of angst and heart at the core of this story - mostly found in two broken people who believe that their future must remain defined by their past. Amazingly, it is that very brokenness which helps them find healing for and with each other. I loved Bex, with her feisty at ...more

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Oct 15, 2015 Christy McCurry rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, arc, erotica

What a freaking phenomenal read..

Have you ever read a story you just didn't want to end? Well for me this was one of those stories. LL Collins has done a wonderful job bringing these characters to life and creating a story that you won't be able to put down. I loved Johnny and Bexley. You have two broken souls trying to find their way.

This is one story you don't want to miss out on.

Christy
Radical Reads Book Blog.

...more

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Jul 20, 2017 Lu Bielefeld rated it liked it

Shelves: kindle-unlimited, douchebag, sex-om, sex-ow, sloppy-seconds, dick-need-bleach, fucked-up-shit, rape, rock-star, jerk

Keep your dick in your pants please! #JustSaying
The heroes have past traumas that affect their relationships.
I liked the story but I think it has sex scenes with other women too much.
The hero was not very selective and still screwed with heroin without a condom.

"I’d tended bar. I’d hooked up with many women. So many, I was embarrassed to realize I didn’t have a clue on the number."

SEX OW:
"It had been over a week since I took home ‘Zoey’ in Denver. It was time to silence the demons again."
“Wha

"I’d tended bar. I’d hooked up with many women. So many, I was embarrassed to realize I didn’t have a clue on the number."

SEX OW:
"It had been over a week since I took home ‘Zoey’ in Denver. It was time to silence the demons again."
“What’s your name?” Geena dropped her heels on the ground before I could tell her to keep them on.
“Johnny,” I said, kicking my shoes off and pushing her against the door. There was no time for talking. I hiked her dress up to her waist and pulled my pants down, springing myself free.

"I wondered if she was married, or attached. Not that I cared. I just wanted a romp in the sheets, or two or three, with her. Female lead singers were my favorite, especially ones that looked like her."

WANT SEX OW:
"The second my eyes met Dr. Mia’s, I stopped right in my tracks.
Carter and Julia might have neglected to tell me that she was fucking smoking hot."
Dr. Mia looked at me for so long, I started daydreaming about her standing up and stripping, then dropping to her knees and unbuckling my pants, leaning over with those ruby red lips and leaving a mark on my. . ."

"Natalie breezed in after them. I only knew because I saw her long blonde hair out of my peripheral vision. I’d thought she was the one I’d be after until I saw Bex in person. Hell, I wondered if they liked to do some sharing. That would be epic."

Johnny laughed, throwing his head back. “Baby, you don’t have to like me. But you will like what I do to you.”

“I’ll leave you be. That’s fine. I don’t need this shit.”

“Yeah, no problem. It was nice . . . hell, it was fucking hot to have you for the last two days. You’ll be hard to top.”
Bex snorted. “I have the feeling you’ll put a good effort into trying.”

WANT SEX OW:
"It didn’t hurt that the lead singer, Stephanie, was blonde with big tits and a body that wouldn’t quit. The way she filled out a jean skirt and cowboy boots . . . yeah, I had a thing for singers."
"I planned on wooing Stephanie right out of her panties."
“I want to fuck you, and hard,” I said into her ear. She gasped again, sending arousal straight to my groin. “I want to bury my fingers in your pussy until you come and then give you what you really want—my cock.”
Stephanie didn’t say a word, but she reached in between us and stroked me over my jeans. Fuck yeah. I didn’t wait one more second. I crashed my lips to hers."

"Rage flooded through my system. Of course, he would be here, ready to fuck another lead singer. That was his M.O. apparently. I watched as he kissed her, his hands a little too low on her backside. He then whispered into her ear, and she bit her lip in response.

NO CONDOM! WTF!
“And I want you bareback. Are you clean?”

SEX OW!
“Lead singer is Jennie. Band is Chick Lit.” Kirk raised his eyebrow at me, and I knew. They were hot. And all girls.
My dick stirred. I hadn’t even had the energy to jerk him off this week, so he was instantly interested. “They hot?”
“You know I’ll want the lead singer anyway.”
"Maddie nodded to Jennie and she settled on my right side, her hand replacing mine as she stroked soft, then hard. Jennie sat on my left, joining Maddie’s hand on my dick. This was going to be epic."
"I took turns fucking them until I couldn’t possibly think of anything else. While I was taking Maddie doggie style, I was fondling Jennie and sucking her tongue into my mouth. While Jennie was riding me, I’d been three fingers into Maddie."

“You better not fucking hurt her. She was a raging bitch for the last month because of you.”

"My sentence had been served. It was time to live. She’d freed me, and I’d freed her. Together, we put the past behind us and moved on to bigger and better things.

...more

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Nov 02, 2015 Sheila rated it it was amazing

Loved this book! I read it all in one night without sleeping...who needs sleep when they've got the perfect bad boy to keep them company? Johnny was everything I desire in an alpha bad boy character. He was cocky and tough on the outside, but troubled and vulnerable on the inside. Just because he avoided serious relationships didn't mean that he didn't have a heart, it just took the right person to open it up and let all that love come flowing through.

The relationship he had with his sister was Loved this book! I read it all in one night without sleeping...who needs sleep when they've got the perfect bad boy to keep them company? Johnny was everything I desire in an alpha bad boy character. He was cocky and tough on the outside, but troubled and vulnerable on the inside. Just because he avoided serious relationships didn't mean that he didn't have a heart, it just took the right person to open it up and let all that love come flowing through.

The relationship he had with his sister was so tender and loving that it brought tears to my eyes. I knew right then that once he found the right girl he would treat her like a princess. The girl, Bex, ends up being the lead singer of a band that plays at the bar Johnny works at. She's just as complicated and closed off as he is, so they both assumed they were safe from developing any kind of real feelings toward the other. Wrong! I think it was the fact that they could see parts of themselves in the other person that drew them together.

They both had suffered loss, betrayal, sacrifice and pain and they both had built thick walls to prevent any of it happening again. Once those walls start to crack, intense emotions and reactions are triggered and feelings demand to be dealt with instead of buried. As if that wasn't enough to cause a rocky relationship, the both hold back important secrets from their past that come back to bite them in their present. Johnny thought he was protecting Bex by not divulging the reasons behind his incarceration but instead he ends up risking the loss of their new relationship and even Bex's life is endangered.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching them peel the layers back from each other's hearts. Although I understood their reasons for protecting themselves I felt like Johnny was way too hard on himself and worth way more than he thought he was and I thought Bex was took everything out on everyone around her way too much. How she ever had any friends who loved her is beyond me, there's no way I could've been around her without wanting to knock her out for being so awful. She's extremely lucky that Johnny was strong enough to put up with it until she softened because I can't imagine too many guys thinking she'd be worth it. If she hadn't changed before the end I would never have liked her character; as it is I can say I hated who she was at the beginning, but felt better about her at the end. I don't exactly LOVE her, but as long as Johnny's happy, then so am I.

Now Johnny? I never disliked. Everyone deals with pain differently, and while Bex directed hers outwardly Johnny hurt only himself over and over again. That made me feel for him and hurt my heart just like it did his sister's. He deserves all the good things coming his way and I'm glad he was able to break through the coldness that Bex exhibited to find the girl that would help him find that future. ...more

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Aug 10, 2015 Kizzy rated it it was amazing

WOW!!! I knew Johnny was going to be something else. L.L. did it again!!

We met Johnny in Back to the Drawing Board. I was excited to know he was getting his own story. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

Johnny is still dealing with issues and he tries to use sex as a cover up. He is one filthy bad boy and I loved every minute of it. He doesn't have a care in the world until one night a band is performing at the bar where he works. He is then drawn to the lead singer Bex and she was a force t ...more

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Oct 10, 2015 Sandi rated it it was amazing

Holy Hotness!!! I love L.L. Collins books, but this is not like any of her other stories. This is raw, gritty, sexy, and hot, hot, hot. I loved it. She has shown us another side of what she can do. This is very well written as her others, she is a very talented author. This book hooked me right from the beginning. We first met Johnny in Back To The Drawing Board, and I have been waiting to find out his story. I was not disappointed. Johnny and Bex both have tragic past that keeps them closed off ...more

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Oct 16, 2015 Niki Shavell rated it it was amazing

Holy (expletive)! This book is unlike any other L.L. Collins book! It's is hot and deals with some seriously hard issues! I had been waiting for Johnny's story since he was introduced in Back to the Drawing Board but I never expected this. Bex and Johnny are absolute dynamite together and apart honestly. They are both such strong and damaged individuals and when they get together it is just crazy! While the story and language is different than the norm from this author, the one thing that didn't ...more

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Oct 13, 2015 Shawna (Blue's Books) rated it really liked it

after reading Back to the Drawing Board I was itching for Johnny's story & i finally got it! he was every bit of the rough neck, bad boy I was expecting but still kept me interested. Bex was sassy just the way I like my heroines & I couldn't believe all the hardships they both went through. overall, a pretty good read! ...more

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Mar 16, 2016 Davetta rated it it was amazing

I only read this book because I started reading "Snared" and got interested in this couple from that book. I had to read their story !!! And sooooo glad I did. What a Tragic story those two had. If two people deserved a happy ending, it was them. Great sexy read too ;) ...more

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Oct 14, 2015 Stephanie rated it did not like it

Shelves: dnf

Just couldn't get into it. ...more

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Jul 06, 2017 Laura Lee rated it really liked it

Sentenced (Jaded Regret #1)
By: L.L. Collins
4 Stars

I enjoy reading a good Rock n Roll book and when one of my favorite authors suggested this series, I jumped on it.

Johnny has a past. Don’t all tattooed, body to die for, hot as heck guys? Trying to figure out life after getting released from prison, he has settled to being a bartender. He can earn a paycheck and fulfill his needs by picking up random chicks to have meaningless romps with.

Bex is one tough cookie. She has lived the life of crap. ...more

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Jun 30, 2016 buzy_reading rated it did not like it

Shelves: romantic-suspense

Main characters: Bex and Johnny.
Story was told in alternating POV's. The story was about an alpha male bad boy and an abused foster girl that denied themselves love because it only brought forth pain. Included in the story were past references in italics. Past references in the form of nightmares.
Johnny was in prison for two years and had been out for two, he had recurring nightmares about Jill.
The story was sexually driven. The sex became routine and redundant. This story was about two musica Main characters: Bex and Johnny.
Story was told in alternating POV's. The story was about an alpha male bad boy and an abused foster girl that denied themselves love because it only brought forth pain. Included in the story were past references in italics. Past references in the form of nightmares.
Johnny was in prison for two years and had been out for two, he had recurring nightmares about Jill.
The story was sexually driven. The sex became routine and redundant. This story was about two musically talented characters that sought one nightstands as a form of coping mechanism.

I'm not a huge fan of arrogant alpha males and this story was a huge indicator for my dislike. I tried to remain open-minded, but Johnny's character treated women as a sexual tool to stem his pain from the loss he suffered in his past. I get his pain, but not to the extent of the way he chose to cope with that pain. It came across as an excuse. I need sex, but only for a one night hook up. No strings attached therefore no emotional connection. Yet, when Bex gained his attention, all of a sudden his rules were dismissed because it seemed they had a connection. He sensed a deep rooted pain that drew him in.

I had issues with the form of coping mechanisms used by both characters. The way the characters behaved angry and blasé bothered me. They could deal with physical aspects of sex, but not the cuddling or tender kisses. Apparently, this signified they cared for each other beyond the great sex. Yet, Bex allowed sex bareback and that usually indicates intimacy and being exclusive. The characters had no clue what they wanted. They contradicted themselves every step of the way. First it was only one night hook ups that led to three nights of sexual marathons. Second it was sleeping over and sharing a bed. Third it was cuddling with pillow talk. Finally, something to label them as friends with benefits.

Their back stories were not plausible. The way Bex acted bitchy because of her foster upbringing did not match her coping mechanism for sex. Johnny unable to fall in love because he watched Jill become numb from the abuse. In both cases both characters should have been pulling away from sex since sex was the underlying issue that brought about their denial of finding love. I'm having a hard time understanding why these characters shut out people for issues that were no fault of their own. The only faults made were the decisions made after to close people out and become angry and arrogant.
Johnny was an emotionally immature thirty-six year old driven by sex. His qualities included muscles, tattoos, played guitar, wrote songs, bartender, and a sex fiend.
I found these characters exhausting to read about. The constant reminder from them stating I don't normally act this way and what am I doing. This feeling is so foreign to me. These phrases wore down my patience.

Just another story about characters that deem love a weakness. They were afraid to love because then they would have to share secrets about their past. It was a taxing story to read. I could not wait to finish even though it was predictable I finished by skimming. ...more

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Sep 08, 2015 Letty (Cover to Cover Book Blog Reviewer) rated it it was amazing

This book is COMPLETELY different from any of Collins’ previous books. Known to me and my blog sisters as “Leaky Lids” Collins due to her tear inducing stories, she completely surprised me with this one. But it was a very exciting surprise! We have a tattooed bad boy and dirty talking girl who are a perfect match for each other, yet fighting the attraction. How can that not be a thrill?

Johnny doesn’t believe he deserves any happiness due to his past actions. Having served a prison sentence for s This book is COMPLETELY different from any of Collins’ previous books. Known to me and my blog sisters as “Leaky Lids” Collins due to her tear inducing stories, she completely surprised me with this one. But it was a very exciting surprise! We have a tattooed bad boy and dirty talking girl who are a perfect match for each other, yet fighting the attraction. How can that not be a thrill?

Johnny doesn’t believe he deserves any happiness due to his past actions. Having served a prison sentence for something not of his doing, he is finally out and using sex to forget about his problems. Going from one woman to the next is his new MO and this keeps him from allowing anyone to get emotionally close, not even his favorite people in the world, his sister Julia and her husband Carter. No one knows his thoughts, his reasons, or his actions. And he plans to keep it that way.

Bex is the singer in a Rock band and she too has suffered in the past. A past that has not allowed her to go on without remorse or fear and she also uses sex to feel in control. She feels broken and is unwilling to allow anyone else to do more damage, gaining her the reputation of being a b**ch.

When Johnny and Bex meet, sparks fly and almost burn the place down. But she “knows his type” and is definitely not going to be one of those women that fall to his feet and drop their panties for him. I was beyond entertained with their constant sparring of words as Bex sure knows how to hand it to Johnny, making him rethink his strategy a couple of times.

The chemistry between Johnny and Bex is obvious to anyone who’s in the same room with them, yet they fight it tooth and nail. But the more they struggle with themselves and each other over this feeling, the bond between them seems to grow, making them question if there’s a possibility of having something more than just physical.

As much as I loved when they clashed and the sexual tension that created, Johnny and Bex got on my nerves and made me mad several times. There were some things that I just couldn’t believe they were doing and ways they were acting that just made me want to hit them over the head. But they were two broken souls fighting to stay afloat and doing everything they could to make that happen.

Although this is not Collins’ usual style and genre, the writing is fantastic and flows so well; I started and didn’t stop until I was done. There is so much sexual tension and dirty talking to short circuit reading devices and singe eyebrows.

But, she still gives us those tender moments that she is known for, like the relationship between Julia and Johnny. It is beautiful the way he loves her and her family, showing that despite his tough exterior, he loves will all his heart.

Sexy, Raw, Smoldering HOT: so different, yet the same LL Collins story… one that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.
...more

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Jan 20, 2016 Socalgal5 rated it it was ok

Shelves: contemporary-romance, rocker-romance, ex-con-romance, angsty-romance, bad-guy-romance, blue-collar-romance, amz-reviewed, traumatic-past, almost-too-much-sex, dual-pov

Reading the blurb for Sentenced, I really wanted to like this book. It had a good set up with a high angst past and redemption down the road. However, the story never delivered.

The problems I had with the book were obstacles for me giving it any higher rating. A key issue was Johnny. He was not a likeable hero. He was about sex with whatever female struck his fancy. And it seemed like ALL the women wanted to sleep with Johnny. What?!? Why? Accordingly to Johnny his killer smile and body were all Reading the blurb for Sentenced, I really wanted to like this book. It had a good set up with a high angst past and redemption down the road. However, the story never delivered.

The problems I had with the book were obstacles for me giving it any higher rating. A key issue was Johnny. He was not a likeable hero. He was about sex with whatever female struck his fancy. And it seemed like ALL the women wanted to sleep with Johnny. What?!? Why? Accordingly to Johnny his killer smile and body were all he had to flaunt and women dropped their panties (UGHHH). Also, there were so many points that set up the issues in Johnny's life but then they were never discussed again or elaborated upon. SPOILER: (view spoiler)Also, I could never get past his age. His is 36 but he they way he talks and his maturity level seem like that of a young 20 year old. I mean, by this time and for what he went through, I felt Johnny should be more mature than just hitting the gym and hooking up. He blames his parents for kicking him out at 18 but he was in his early 30's when got arrested. You had time to grow up, Johnny. I found very little to like about Johnny as a hero or as a character.

One aspect I did enjoy about Johnny was his love for his sister, Julia. It was really refreshing to see a brother and sister share a close bond and be there for each other unconditionally. The scenes with Johnny and his niece were a nice change of Johnny's personality. Also, Johnny had a few moments of growth but that were always told from Bex's POV. It would have been great to read some of those moments through Johnny's thoughts. Those interactions were what made keep reading to the end.

I liked Bex much more than Johnny. I felt her character had more emotional depth and reasons for her behavior. She had a very traumatic childhood. She acted and reacted the way she did (very aggressive and hostile) as a defense mechanism. She showed change from the beginning of the book to the end. She was working towards something even after everything she had been through.

Sentenced was a story about two very broken individuals where the reader hope they find healing, emotion growth, some sort of peace and love. Unfortunately, the story missed the mark on most of these.

** Received an ARC in exchange for a honest review **
...more

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Oct 22, 2015 Rebecca rated it really liked it

I was so excited to find out that Johnny was getting to tell his story!!! I fell in love with his broken soul in Back to the Drawing Board and couldn't wait to find out his WHOLE story!!

Johnny has been out of prison for 2 years but he is still fighting his inner demons everyday. He has done nothing with his life except work at a bar and f#$k as many women as he could to forget his past. He VOWS that he will never love again, only loss comes from that. When his sister talks him into going to Flor I was so excited to find out that Johnny was getting to tell his story!!! I fell in love with his broken soul in Back to the Drawing Board and couldn't wait to find out his WHOLE story!!

Johnny has been out of prison for 2 years but he is still fighting his inner demons everyday. He has done nothing with his life except work at a bar and f#$k as many women as he could to forget his past. He VOWS that he will never love again, only loss comes from that. When his sister talks him into going to Florida, he decides that maybe he needs a change of scenery for awhile. Give him a chance to figure out what he wants to do with his sorry life. He immediately finds a job at a great bar that has live bands. He immerses himself in finding the best bands to play there. He hasn't played music in years but that hasn't stopped him from enjoying it. When Jaded Regret comes to town all he hears is how great this band is and the lead singer is hot. GREAT, another notch on his "pole"..heheheh....but when he meets Bex, she is the epitome of sex, anger, and bitchiness. He will have her, no matter what she says.

Bex hasn't had an easy life either but the only two people that know that aren't about to tell anyone. She has put up a wall so strong and tall Superman couldn't penetrate it! Scratch an itch and move on is her philosophy. Her band is on it's way to the top and she doesn't need any distractions. When she meets Johnny, the one who scheduled them to play, she instantly hates him. He is the type of guy who thinks everyone wants him and isn't shy about letting you know. But there is something about his pushy ways that makes her think that maybe once won't be so bad.

This has to be the grittiest, bold book that LL Collins has every written! Reaching Rachel was pretty raw but Sentenced has brought out a whole new author in LL Collins!! Bex and Johnny were anything but the perfect couple and both had more issues than People magazine! My heart hurt for what they both had gone through in their lives and how hard it was for them to accept each other and let their walls down. But oooooohhhhh the sex..holy SCHIZA was it HAWT!!! Johnny sure does know how to get a woman wet and make her scream!!! Another hit by LL Collins!! Can't wait to see what she has in store for us next. ...more

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Jun 14, 2016 Debbie rated it really liked it

Sentenced is the first book in the Jaded Regret series following the lives of the members of a rock band. This is Johnny's and Bex's story.

Johnny spent time in prison after getting mixed up with the wrong people who threatened his sister so he'd do what they wanted. Now he's out and is determined to put his past behind him. He doesn't trust and Johnny doesn't do relationships.

Bex had a horrible childhood and doesn't trust or like most people. She's the lead singer in an up and coming band and o Sentenced is the first book in the Jaded Regret series following the lives of the members of a rock band. This is Johnny's and Bex's story.

Johnny spent time in prison after getting mixed up with the wrong people who threatened his sister so he'd do what they wanted. Now he's out and is determined to put his past behind him. He doesn't trust and Johnny doesn't do relationships.

Bex had a horrible childhood and doesn't trust or like most people. She's the lead singer in an up and coming band and only cares about her music. She will never allow herself to fall for a man and become vulnerable.

When Bex's band Jaded Regret plays at the bar were Johnny is working, he's determined to spend a night or two with her. Neither Bex nor Johnny anticipated wanting more.

Both Bex and Johnny have serious issues and things that have happened in their pasts that they have never told anyone. They both use sex to forget and they have both constructed thick walls around their hearts. I liked Johnny and respected that he did what he did to protect his sister. The book doesn't go into much detail about his time in prison but enough hints are given that you know it was terrible. He was thrust on his own at an early age and ending up making bad decisions. He now is a hot, basically easy going guy just trying to survive. I tried to like Bex but sadly I struggled with her character for most of the book. She used her sarcasm and itchy attitude as a defense tool to keep everyone who tried to get close at a distance. She treated her band mates rudely and wasn't a likeable characters at all. We do eventually find out about Bex's past and therefore understand her personality more, but by that point I had a hard time forgiving her snottiness. I personally can better tolerate that behavior easier when the reader is told earlier in a story the reasons for it, whether those reasons are kept secret from the characters or not. In Bex's defense, she does change in the end and is a much happier person.

I've read this series out of order because I read Snared, book two, first. By the way, it's a really good book with a great story about Beau and the lady he falls for. Book three, Hartstrings is Tanner's book and has been released as well. ...more

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Nov 01, 2015 Chrissy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2015

MY OH MY! This is one hot and sexy book!

Sentenced is an intense read and nothing like the books you are used to from L.L. Collins. Johnny is one foul mouthed bad boy who uses sex to escape his demons. He’s had a rough life and it definitely shows. He’s rough around the edges, dirty mouthed, and sexy all at the same time. When he takes a job at a local bar in Florida he never expected to meet the equally rough and foul mouthed Bex. She’s the lead singer of an up and coming band, and there is some MY OH MY! This is one hot and sexy book!

Sentenced is an intense read and nothing like the books you are used to from L.L. Collins. Johnny is one foul mouthed bad boy who uses sex to escape his demons. He’s had a rough life and it definitely shows. He’s rough around the edges, dirty mouthed, and sexy all at the same time. When he takes a job at a local bar in Florida he never expected to meet the equally rough and foul mouthed Bex. She’s the lead singer of an up and coming band, and there is something about her that Johnny just needs.

Both of these characters have had a rough life, and throughout the book we get bits and pieces of everything they’ve been through. I knew Johnny’s back story as I had read Back to the Drawing board and we got to meet him some in his sisters book, but Bex… I was trying to figure out all her demons throughout this book. She also has not had an easy life and uses sex to forget, but never, EVER gets close to anyone. She pushes people away and she meets her match in Johnny.

Both of them don’t want “more” but can’t get enough of one another. They push each other to their limits, and they say they hate each other more times than I can count. I loved watching these two slowly start to open up to one another and seeing them tone down their anger and start to feel things again. Things between them are definitely not easy, but they are sooo very hot!

The angst, drama and everything in this story made it beautiful. I was loving Johnny and Bex one moment, and screaming at them the next. They both make some horrible mistakes in this book, and the subject matter at times is not easy to read, but in the end, their story is absolutely beautiful and ended in the most magical way.

If you love a dirty mouthed sexy bad boy, and a girl who doesn’t put up with his crap, you will love Sentenced by L.L. Collins. This book is nothing like anything I’ve read from L.L. Collins and she definitely pushed the limits in this story. I highly recommend reading Sentenced and falling in love with Johnny and Bex just as much as I did. This is an emotional and sexy read that I couldn’t get enough of! ...more

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Nov 26, 2015 1-Click Addict Support Group rated it it was amazing

Good grief, L.L. Collins...this book had my emotions all over the place!! At times I felt like a child throwing her own temper tantrum because things were not coming out the way they should have, and let me say, once I got to the end I was left just speechless!!!!

A beautiful story of two tortured souls who have been to hell and seem to stay there, yet when they finally realize what they mean to each other, they strive to get out of it. The odds are against them but love, the beauty of love, has Good grief, L.L. Collins...this book had my emotions all over the place!! At times I felt like a child throwing her own temper tantrum because things were not coming out the way they should have, and let me say, once I got to the end I was left just speechless!!!!

A beautiful story of two tortured souls who have been to hell and seem to stay there, yet when they finally realize what they mean to each other, they strive to get out of it. The odds are against them but love, the beauty of love, has the fighting for their freedom!!

Johnny's one goal in life was to protect his baby sister, Julia, from everything—even himself. Now that he's been given a second chance at life he's making sure he stays on the straight road, but to be able to handle the nightmares daily, he uses meaningless sex. He's never seen himself as the tie-me-down person, because he'll never feel worthy enough. Though the one person he never saw coming was Bex, and she knocked him on his a$$!

Oh Bex, I knew she had a rough beginning but what I didn't expect was how bad it was and how crippling it was for her. Like Johnny, she uses sex as a way to release the nightmare, even if for just a bit—until reality sets in again. As I read Bex's story, it had me in tears because the sad reality is that many in her situation can relate to what she's experienced. But just like Johnny, Bex doesn't feel she will ever be "girlfriend material" and I knew it was because she had not met the "right one".

Their stories had me crying and hoping they would find their happiness and finally break free from their nightmares. Well, love never disappoints and with love, anything is possible even when you feel there is no hope or way out! A beautiful, breathtaking love story of second chances and allowing someone to show you what it really means to be loved and cherished.

L.L. Collins sure knows how to tug at your heart and, right when you feel like it's going to burst, she seems to put it back in place where it belongs! ~ Kara, 5 stars ...more

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Sep 02, 2015 Jamie Rhodes rated it it was amazing

Whew!!! I have just read a hot book with an incredible storyline about two people who need each other. Johnny was one of my favorite characters in Back to the Drawing Board. Loyal readers of L.L. Collins fell for him while reading about his sister. Now, it's his turn to have his own book. I knew about Johnny's background, but we REALLY learn about what Johnny endured through flashbacks in this book. Johnny thought love was a weakness. We see him going through woman after woman to escape. He fina ...more

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About L.L. Collins

L.L. Collins

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L.L. Collins was born and raised in the eternal summer state of Florida. She lives with her high school sweetheart husband and is driven mad daily by her two teenage boys, but her princess dog is her favorite child and kind of makes up for the testosterone flying around her house. LL has been writing since she was old enough to write. Always a story in her head, almost six years ago she made her l ...more