What do you think?
Rate this book
A Love So Tragic
Promises.
We all make them. Sometimes we break them. But what happens when the promise you break haunts your dreams, when that moment of betrayal echoes within every last beat of your heart?
Love.
Love is passionate, painful, and all consuming in the most brutal yet beautiful way. How many people have you said 'I love you' to? Five, ten, maybe no one? I've said that word to two men, but only one where I felt it.
Tragic.
This word sums up my relationship with Nicolas: devastating, painful, depressing.
A first love that should have lasted a lifetime, but I ruined with a stupid decision. Nicolas is my star crossed lover, and even though Shakespeare has taught me that stories such as ours always end in tragedy, I can't not love him, even if I'm married to someone else.
We all make them. Sometimes we break them. But what happens when the promise you break haunts your dreams, when that moment of betrayal echoes within every last beat of your heart?
Love.
Love is passionate, painful, and all consuming in the most brutal yet beautiful way. How many people have you said 'I love you' to? Five, ten, maybe no one? I've said that word to two men, but only one where I felt it.
Tragic.
This word sums up my relationship with Nicolas: devastating, painful, depressing.
A first love that should have lasted a lifetime, but I ruined with a stupid decision. Nicolas is my star crossed lover, and even though Shakespeare has taught me that stories such as ours always end in tragedy, I can't not love him, even if I'm married to someone else.
203 pages, ebook
First published February 15, 2016
214 people are currently reading
1886 people want to read
About the author
Stevie J. Cole
63 books2,175 followersStevie J. Cole is a USA Today bestselling romance author and a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award finalist.
Her titles have made it into Amazon's Top 5 bestsellers, reaching number one in the contemporary and new adult genres.
Her titles have made it into Amazon's Top 5 bestsellers, reaching number one in the contemporary and new adult genres.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
April 30, 2018
**Proceed with caution. Review will cudgel you with spoilers**
NMmomof4, Jeannine Allison, Janie, Rejane
This review is for the above listedfriendsrenegades, who shelved A love So Tragic as:
I'LL RATHER CHEW GLASS (or something of such).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
You're welcome!
(Friends, if you persevere through the quotes, I swear there's a review at the end of it)
“We will never be anything more than strangers who used to be in love with each other, and as tragic as that fucking is, it's life.” <------(Life..pfft, fucking tragic, I tell you. Despite being healthy, having a great source of income, living way above middle class....the fact that these two can't be grateful, breaks mytragicheart)
**
“You broke my heart…Hearing him say that in Spanish makes it seem that much more tragic.”<----(Spanish. The language of all broken hearts)
**
“This kind of love, it's what Shakespeare wrote about. And why? Because only something so rare, so all-consuming could create a tragic love story. ” <-------(Seriously?)
**
“You once told me our story was better than fiction, and reading back over it now, it is tragically beautiful. Thank you for being my Shakespeare.”<-------(Seriously?)
**
“I mean, that shit is tragic. It's sad that you love someone so much but can't be with them because you're an idiot.” <-----------(Truer words have never been spoken. That Jen deserves an award)
**
“Sometimes it's best to know when to write the end and put a story on the shelf before you ruin the ending. And I never wanted our story to end, Nic, but it did. Tragically. It’s such a shame that two people as in love with one another as we are can't be together.”<----------(Seriously, Peyton? Seriously?
**
“Nothing can ever change that I was yours and you were mine, and for a short period of time, we had something people write books about. We lived love. A love so tragic and beautiful that it's only fitting it doesn't have a happily ever after. I love you.”<-------(Fitting there's no HEA? Jeez Louise, you guys are just 27 yrs old! This is not a tragedy! You are not Romeo and J! There's no century old feud keeping you apart!)
**
“And what truly is tragic is to never love someone the way I love you.
And those lines are so true. What would have been tragic is if we'd never found each other.”<-----(And?)
.
.
.
.
.
In case you didn't get that, let me summarize: No love has been this TRAGIC, like ever!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THETRAGICSTORY
Peyton, ourtragich lost, Nic, the love of her life, in atragicincident; with no desire to live on, she swallowed some bluetragicpills, then miraculously joined her life-love in the afterlife. With both living on as caterpillars, floating on love-shaped pond fronds, sipping Manhattans & quoting Shakespeare-ishtragiclove poems....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Huh?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I jest, I jest......
THE TRUETRAGICSTORY
Please, friends, tell me, what was so tragic about any of the above? But don't let me influence you, I merely did a "friendship" service for my above-listedrenegadesfriends, so, please, send all comments to them.
The End.
February 17, 2016
4 Stars!!
Oh my…this book turned out to be so much more than I expected. This was my second book by this author and she really proved here than she can write angst as much as she can write dark and gritty novels. While I don’t like the cover…like at all, I really like the title. It’s very fitting describing perfectly what this book is about. “A Love so Tragic” is…well, tragic, heartbreaking, beautiful and most of all real. Because yeah…you will definitely feel the realistic aspect of this story. Stevie J. Cole delivered a gripping, haunting, beautiful written story about life, second chances, soulmates, true love; about learning that every decision you make has a consequence.
Peyton learned early in her life that every choice we make in life has a consequence. She’s married with Isaac, a lovely man who is good with her and maybe he would be good for her as well if she didn’t live in the past. She never forget her first love, the man who gave her everything, the man who still means so much with her, the man who still loves, the one that got away.
Nic was Peyton’s high school sweetheart and from the moment they’ve met they were inseparable. They started a beautiful relationship being together for years, but their lives are completely changed when Peyton makes a mistake, breaking Nic’s trust and devaluing their love.
Four years later, something happens in Peyton’s life that makes Nic reappear. Despite everything that happened years ago and despite the fact Peyton broke his heart, Nic never forget “his pretty girl”. Maybe he was supposed to hate her now or maybe not, but one think is for sure – he never stopped loving her.
Full of angst and a real emotional rollercoaster, “A Love so Tragic” was raw, tragic and so heartbreaking at times. I was engrossed in this story from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. Told from both MC’s POV both in the past and in the present, this story felt so real to me. The intensity, the emotion and the consuming love story between these characters, everything really kept me at the edge of my seat. This book simply made me feel. Peyton and Nic’s story is beautiful unique, yet frustrating and so complicated.
Both Peyton and Nic were well portrayed, flawed, but also relatable in some way. Peyton was a heroine I didn’t like very much. She angered me, frustrated me and annoyed the hell out of me both in the past and in the present. She’s a liar, an hypocrite, a selfish woman who got in my nerves so many times. Needless to say I didn’t agree with some of her decisions and some of her actions were reckless to say the least. But well…I can’t say I hated her, because people grow and change, but for sure I had a hard time connecting with her.
Nic’s character was one of the best aspect of this story for me. He was simply wonderful. At times I truly felt he was too good for Peyton. However, I really felt they were the perfect match. This man’s love for this woman was beautiful and in some way inspiring. It was simply moving. I absolutely loved his letters which I found so genuine, honest and beautiful and also his Spanish words of affections. He melt my heart!
I loved how both Peyton and Nic never forget everything there is about is each other. After four years apart their connection was stronger than ever and every one of their interactions showed how deeply they still love each other.
All in all, “A Love so Tragic” was a angsty wonderfully written story that will make you reflect and move you from the beginning.
“This is our love story... It’s a love that is raw. And unforgiving. And that's just how it should be because those are the emotions that will strip you bare and never let you go.”
Oh my…this book turned out to be so much more than I expected. This was my second book by this author and she really proved here than she can write angst as much as she can write dark and gritty novels. While I don’t like the cover…like at all, I really like the title. It’s very fitting describing perfectly what this book is about. “A Love so Tragic” is…well, tragic, heartbreaking, beautiful and most of all real. Because yeah…you will definitely feel the realistic aspect of this story. Stevie J. Cole delivered a gripping, haunting, beautiful written story about life, second chances, soulmates, true love; about learning that every decision you make has a consequence.
“This is a love so tragic—Shakespeare would have loved our story... “
Peyton learned early in her life that every choice we make in life has a consequence. She’s married with Isaac, a lovely man who is good with her and maybe he would be good for her as well if she didn’t live in the past. She never forget her first love, the man who gave her everything, the man who still means so much with her, the man who still loves, the one that got away.
Nic was Peyton’s high school sweetheart and from the moment they’ve met they were inseparable. They started a beautiful relationship being together for years, but their lives are completely changed when Peyton makes a mistake, breaking Nic’s trust and devaluing their love.
“Sometimes,” she smiles tenderly, “fate gets derailed by mistakes...”
Four years later, something happens in Peyton’s life that makes Nic reappear. Despite everything that happened years ago and despite the fact Peyton broke his heart, Nic never forget “his pretty girl”. Maybe he was supposed to hate her now or maybe not, but one think is for sure – he never stopped loving her.
Full of angst and a real emotional rollercoaster, “A Love so Tragic” was raw, tragic and so heartbreaking at times. I was engrossed in this story from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. Told from both MC’s POV both in the past and in the present, this story felt so real to me. The intensity, the emotion and the consuming love story between these characters, everything really kept me at the edge of my seat. This book simply made me feel. Peyton and Nic’s story is beautiful unique, yet frustrating and so complicated.
Both Peyton and Nic were well portrayed, flawed, but also relatable in some way. Peyton was a heroine I didn’t like very much. She angered me, frustrated me and annoyed the hell out of me both in the past and in the present. She’s a liar, an hypocrite, a selfish woman who got in my nerves so many times. Needless to say I didn’t agree with some of her decisions and some of her actions were reckless to say the least. But well…I can’t say I hated her, because people grow and change, but for sure I had a hard time connecting with her.
“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.”
Nic’s character was one of the best aspect of this story for me. He was simply wonderful. At times I truly felt he was too good for Peyton. However, I really felt they were the perfect match. This man’s love for this woman was beautiful and in some way inspiring. It was simply moving. I absolutely loved his letters which I found so genuine, honest and beautiful and also his Spanish words of affections. He melt my heart!
“I may be a guy, you may expect me to be hard, and I am, as long as it has nothing to do with her. “
I loved how both Peyton and Nic never forget everything there is about is each other. After four years apart their connection was stronger than ever and every one of their interactions showed how deeply they still love each other.
All in all, “A Love so Tragic” was a angsty wonderfully written story that will make you reflect and move you from the beginning.
February 29, 2016
What a perfect title for this book. There is nothing easy about love sometimes, and this author shows us the real feelings, the hurt, the regret, and the longing for “the one that got away”.
What do you do, years after you let your one true love go, and you are suddenly faced with all the feelings neither of you have gotten over? Some people would walk away, knowing just how much that hurts. Others may jump in head first and take life by the balls. While others yet will be somewhere in the middle.
This excellent portrayal of a tragic love is that “somewhere in the middle”. Ms. Cole doesn’t make this story all sunshine and unicorns, although there were plenty of times I smiled, and even laughed, right along with the characters. There were also a lot of tears, sobs, and sad feelings but the ending… PERFECTION. While it may not be the ending everyone expects, and it’s a rough road to get there, I truly think it made all the emotions with it.
Warning, this book does contain cheating. If that is a hard limit, or a trigger for you, you may want to pass on this story. ~ Devlynn, 5 stars
What do you do, years after you let your one true love go, and you are suddenly faced with all the feelings neither of you have gotten over? Some people would walk away, knowing just how much that hurts. Others may jump in head first and take life by the balls. While others yet will be somewhere in the middle.
This excellent portrayal of a tragic love is that “somewhere in the middle”. Ms. Cole doesn’t make this story all sunshine and unicorns, although there were plenty of times I smiled, and even laughed, right along with the characters. There were also a lot of tears, sobs, and sad feelings but the ending… PERFECTION. While it may not be the ending everyone expects, and it’s a rough road to get there, I truly think it made all the emotions with it.
Warning, this book does contain cheating. If that is a hard limit, or a trigger for you, you may want to pass on this story. ~ Devlynn, 5 stars
January 14, 2019
WOW! I loved it so much! This is the book deserves more than five stars and I honestly say it’s one of the best books I’ve read in my entire life.
“ I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply without problems or pride : I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this in which there is no I and you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close”
This Neruda poem is a great summary of their love story. I love the characters. They have flaws, ups and downs. They’re real. They have their own fears to fight but they never ever stop loving each other.
So wonderful, so memorable words, really good written!
“ I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply without problems or pride : I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this in which there is no I and you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close”
This Neruda poem is a great summary of their love story. I love the characters. They have flaws, ups and downs. They’re real. They have their own fears to fight but they never ever stop loving each other.
So wonderful, so memorable words, really good written!
March 16, 2016
6 **all the stars** STARS
This book. OMG. This book was everything. I knew right from the start A Love So Tragic was going to wreck me and man, when I'm right I'm right. I finished around 1am yesterday morning and I'm so deep in book hangover land I can't even entertain the thought of picking up another book. Major love and welcome to my 'best of 2016' book-shelf Ms. Cole.
A Love So Tragic is a standalone contemporary romance. A gripping, raw, angsty, sometimes difficult and very addictive 'the one that got away' love story. I read it in one sitting. Cover to cover. Once I got into this world there was no stepping away. Like watching a car crash in slow motion and no chance of escape. I fell in love, my heart broke more than once, I was on the verge of tears about eighty percent of the time and then there were three pages I legit ugly cried my heart out.
Do you need any more reasons to pick up the book? Well ok, let's talk story...
This is the story of Peyton and Nicolas. About finding love, losing it, fighting for it, giving up, impossible choices and the point of no return. You might ask why I'm being so vague? Well, I'm a firm believer in experiencing the tragedy for yourself. One thing is for sure, Peyton and Nic belong together, but they have a very hard time getting there. Bad choices and broken hearts are only a few of the obstacles they have to face. In the end human beings are usually their own worst enemies and these two are no different.
This book is angst filled and I have to say, there might be people out there who would like to strangle the heroine. In fact, I know at least one lady who read the book and she very much hated Peyton...while still rating the book with 5 stars. My point is, those characters are very flawed and you might not like how they act or understand their choices, but for me it felt real. No matter what. On top of that I sometimes enjoy wallowing in angst alongside my heroines. Just to make this clear, I didn't want to strangle Peyton. ;)
Now...Full disclosure. There is one thing some people might object to and I just wanted to let you know it happens and you can decide for yourself if that is the kind of book you want to read...
If I had to had to make a list of things I loved the most about A Love So Tragic I would begin with the writing. Ms. Cole has a way with words. Every paragraph, every word was poignant and hit its target - right in the feels. I highlighted half the book, there are so many quotable segments, letters and little snippets of wisdom. When I was done reading I wanted to go back and start all over just to soak it all up again.
I loved the way flashbacks and letters were seamlessly woven into the story. A lot of the times those can be more of a hurdle, but here it really helped move the story and showing just how much Peyton and Nic love(d?) each other. Seeing the struggle hurt my heart...in a good way. No matter what you think about the what happens in this book, there is no question the author knows how to make you feel raw emotion and gut wrenching pain. That's all I was asking for and I got so much more in the end. Wonderful and moving read.
I guess it is pretty obvious that I'm a fan and I'll be hunting for some more Stevie J. Cole books in the future. And of course I highly recommend you guys check out this lady as well.
That's all. Thank you for your time. ;)
**ARC very kindly provided by Publicist (Social Butterfly PR) in exchange for an honest review.
“Sometimes in life you want nothing more than to go back in time and shake the absolute shit out of yourself, screaming to get your act together. One mistake can end up ruining your fucking life. One. Stupid. Mistake.”
This book. OMG. This book was everything. I knew right from the start A Love So Tragic was going to wreck me and man, when I'm right I'm right. I finished around 1am yesterday morning and I'm so deep in book hangover land I can't even entertain the thought of picking up another book. Major love and welcome to my 'best of 2016' book-shelf Ms. Cole.
A Love So Tragic is a standalone contemporary romance. A gripping, raw, angsty, sometimes difficult and very addictive 'the one that got away' love story. I read it in one sitting. Cover to cover. Once I got into this world there was no stepping away. Like watching a car crash in slow motion and no chance of escape. I fell in love, my heart broke more than once, I was on the verge of tears about eighty percent of the time and then there were three pages I legit ugly cried my heart out.
Do you need any more reasons to pick up the book? Well ok, let's talk story...
“Your mind can tell you a million different things, Peyton, but your heart, if you really listen to it, is always telling you one.”
This is the story of Peyton and Nicolas. About finding love, losing it, fighting for it, giving up, impossible choices and the point of no return. You might ask why I'm being so vague? Well, I'm a firm believer in experiencing the tragedy for yourself. One thing is for sure, Peyton and Nic belong together, but they have a very hard time getting there. Bad choices and broken hearts are only a few of the obstacles they have to face. In the end human beings are usually their own worst enemies and these two are no different.
This book is angst filled and I have to say, there might be people out there who would like to strangle the heroine. In fact, I know at least one lady who read the book and she very much hated Peyton...while still rating the book with 5 stars. My point is, those characters are very flawed and you might not like how they act or understand their choices, but for me it felt real. No matter what. On top of that I sometimes enjoy wallowing in angst alongside my heroines. Just to make this clear, I didn't want to strangle Peyton. ;)
Now...Full disclosure. There is one thing some people might object to and I just wanted to let you know it happens and you can decide for yourself if that is the kind of book you want to read...
“You never fall in love with someone having the thought that one day you'll need to hate them, but you see, the consequence of loving someone more than they love you is hate. You have to learn to hate them or they will strip your soul fucking bare when they leave you.”
If I had to had to make a list of things I loved the most about A Love So Tragic I would begin with the writing. Ms. Cole has a way with words. Every paragraph, every word was poignant and hit its target - right in the feels. I highlighted half the book, there are so many quotable segments, letters and little snippets of wisdom. When I was done reading I wanted to go back and start all over just to soak it all up again.
I loved the way flashbacks and letters were seamlessly woven into the story. A lot of the times those can be more of a hurdle, but here it really helped move the story and showing just how much Peyton and Nic love(d?) each other. Seeing the struggle hurt my heart...in a good way. No matter what you think about the what happens in this book, there is no question the author knows how to make you feel raw emotion and gut wrenching pain. That's all I was asking for and I got so much more in the end. Wonderful and moving read.
I guess it is pretty obvious that I'm a fan and I'll be hunting for some more Stevie J. Cole books in the future. And of course I highly recommend you guys check out this lady as well.
That's all. Thank you for your time. ;)
**ARC very kindly provided by Publicist (Social Butterfly PR) in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2017
Don't let the title of the book discourage you, this is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read....
More than 5 stars...
“I remember when I told you that I wanted my life to be like a Shakespearean play. You reminded me Shakespeare wrote tragedies, not happily ever afters. I should have listened to you. This is a love so tragic—Shakespeare would have loved our story”
This is an epic story...
This is the story of Peyton and Nic...
This is not an easy reading at all.
It is consuming, savage, brutal, agonizing, but there is a raw honesty to it, it is very real, very sincere and though painful, it is an extremely beautiful story.
The writer does an amazing job of conveying feelings. From the very first moment, the book captures you and your torture begins. In the end, it is worth the torture, so keep reading. I really really loved it...
The book begins with an amazing Prologue. I had never started crying over a book in the prologue section, (on page 1 of the book, for God’s sake), it was so intense.
A part from the prologue:
“If I could, I would let you live this, feel it, experience it the way I did, but I can't make you me. Just know that whatever you feel during the course of this story most likely isn't even a tenth of what I felt, and when you cry, it won't be as hard as I did.”
As you can see, this prologue promises you one thing for sure: Heartache! And yes, I read the book aching, hurting, crying, yelling, rebelling, but still hoping and believing...
I must applaud the writer for her beautiful writing. First of all, you cannot put the book down, it is literally unputdownable. You feel every word, every sentence deep down in your heart. You ache with them, when they are hurt, you are hurt...
My book is full of highlights – like 70-80 per cent of it... The whole book is like a bunch of amazing quotations.
And, I could not guess how it would end…. And that was good!
One moment, there was hope, but another moment, there was no hope. One moment, there was nothing but darkness and impossibility. Later, there was a glimpse of light again. By 95% of the book, I still did not know how it would end. The book kept me surprising. One shock after another, one twist after another... My heart was torn into so many pieces.
“A LOVE SO TRAGIC” is the story of a love between two soulmates. They have this unique relationship and then one mistake leads to another and they fall apart.
Years pass by but they cannot get over each other. They are with different people they kind of love but they aren’t in love with. Their pain and regret about their loss of love is immense.
“You lose a love like this and you’ll never find it again. Never.”
***
“I never meant to leave him. I never meant to hurt him, and if I could take it all back, I would. I would give anything to have him again, to never know what it’s like without him, and I'm well aware how wrong that is.”
***
“As much as you may want to, you can’t make yourself love someone, and as much as it sucks, you can’t make yourself not love someone either. Love is its own fucking beast.”
They try to forget each other but they cannot.
“How do you stop loving someone like this?”
She thinks I’m over her. She thinks I’ve let her go. That I stopped loving her.
“Why are you asking me that, Peyton? I haven’t figured that out yet.” Her brows pinch together, and when they do a few stray tears roll from the corners of her eyes.
***
"It took me an hour to know you, and only a day to fall in love, but it will take me a lifetime to forget."
When they have a second chance, things do not go easy and they still make mistakes. When they try to make up for their mistakes, fate does not allow them... It goes on and on like that from “hope to hopelessness” and calling it “a roller coaster of emotions” is not enough.
I can’t tell you how intense it is, words are not enough.
This story sheds light into human weaknesses and you are bombarded with so many strong and agitating feelings all at the same time. The characters are both perfect and flawed at the same time, just as any human being can be. That makes them more real. They make poor decisions, they make mistakes that cannot be undone and they suffer immensely because of them.
“It's sad that you love someone so much but can't be with them because you're an idiot.”
***
“Unfortunately, in life, there is no redo. We live with the mistakes we make. And that mistake haunts every last beat of my heart. It was so pointless, so thoughtless, so selfish.”
The story is told by dual point of view, so you can enter both Peyton’s and Nic’s head and heart, see how much they are hurting and suffering, feel how much they love and miss each other, witness their dilemma. And therefore, knowing how they feel and what they are going through, even when you should hate them, you can’t help yourself but love them, feel sorry for them, wish that there is a second or a third or a fourth chance for them.
“You were always mine, Peyton, and then one day you weren’t. You have no idea how hard that was for me.”
***
“Losing someone you love that much…” His breath blows across the line. “That’s pain in its rawest.”
***
“You’re my exception to everything, Peyton. I’d do anything to be with you, even if it goes against my morals.”
***
“That affair showed me what kind of person I am: one that makes mistakes. One that has weaknesses.”
I remember myself yelling at the female character, Peyton all the time, being angry with her, wanting to shake her but (unlike some readers) I was never ever able to hate her. Her stupidity, her suffering, her vulnerability, her self-disgust, her poor choices and everything just made me suffer for her.
“Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else. And what truly is tragic is to never love someone the way I love you.”
***
Nothing can ever change that I was yours and you were mine, and for a short period of time, we had something people write books about. We lived love. A love so tragic and beautiful that it's only fitting it doesn't have a happily ever after.
Well, the ending was one of the best parts of the book for me. When you are for sure how it ends, everything changes in the last 4 pages - yes, in the last 4 pages the whole view in front of you changes all of a sudden and I will never ever recover from that shock! I really appreciate an ending this good. And the very last sentence of the epilogue - just wow!
This is a book that I will never ever forget. It will stay with me forever... It is worth more than 5 stars for me...
*** This novel involves , but even so, I highly recommend it. Try it if you do not have stiff and strong feelings about it.
More than 5 stars...
“I remember when I told you that I wanted my life to be like a Shakespearean play. You reminded me Shakespeare wrote tragedies, not happily ever afters. I should have listened to you. This is a love so tragic—Shakespeare would have loved our story”
This is an epic story...
This is the story of Peyton and Nic...
This is not an easy reading at all.
It is consuming, savage, brutal, agonizing, but there is a raw honesty to it, it is very real, very sincere and though painful, it is an extremely beautiful story.
The writer does an amazing job of conveying feelings. From the very first moment, the book captures you and your torture begins. In the end, it is worth the torture, so keep reading. I really really loved it...
The book begins with an amazing Prologue. I had never started crying over a book in the prologue section, (on page 1 of the book, for God’s sake), it was so intense.
A part from the prologue:
“If I could, I would let you live this, feel it, experience it the way I did, but I can't make you me. Just know that whatever you feel during the course of this story most likely isn't even a tenth of what I felt, and when you cry, it won't be as hard as I did.”
As you can see, this prologue promises you one thing for sure: Heartache! And yes, I read the book aching, hurting, crying, yelling, rebelling, but still hoping and believing...
I must applaud the writer for her beautiful writing. First of all, you cannot put the book down, it is literally unputdownable. You feel every word, every sentence deep down in your heart. You ache with them, when they are hurt, you are hurt...
My book is full of highlights – like 70-80 per cent of it... The whole book is like a bunch of amazing quotations.
And, I could not guess how it would end…. And that was good!
One moment, there was hope, but another moment, there was no hope. One moment, there was nothing but darkness and impossibility. Later, there was a glimpse of light again. By 95% of the book, I still did not know how it would end. The book kept me surprising. One shock after another, one twist after another... My heart was torn into so many pieces.
“A LOVE SO TRAGIC” is the story of a love between two soulmates. They have this unique relationship and then one mistake leads to another and they fall apart.
Years pass by but they cannot get over each other. They are with different people they kind of love but they aren’t in love with. Their pain and regret about their loss of love is immense.
“You lose a love like this and you’ll never find it again. Never.”
***
“I never meant to leave him. I never meant to hurt him, and if I could take it all back, I would. I would give anything to have him again, to never know what it’s like without him, and I'm well aware how wrong that is.”
***
“As much as you may want to, you can’t make yourself love someone, and as much as it sucks, you can’t make yourself not love someone either. Love is its own fucking beast.”
They try to forget each other but they cannot.
“How do you stop loving someone like this?”
She thinks I’m over her. She thinks I’ve let her go. That I stopped loving her.
“Why are you asking me that, Peyton? I haven’t figured that out yet.” Her brows pinch together, and when they do a few stray tears roll from the corners of her eyes.
***
"It took me an hour to know you, and only a day to fall in love, but it will take me a lifetime to forget."
When they have a second chance, things do not go easy and they still make mistakes. When they try to make up for their mistakes, fate does not allow them... It goes on and on like that from “hope to hopelessness” and calling it “a roller coaster of emotions” is not enough.
I can’t tell you how intense it is, words are not enough.
This story sheds light into human weaknesses and you are bombarded with so many strong and agitating feelings all at the same time. The characters are both perfect and flawed at the same time, just as any human being can be. That makes them more real. They make poor decisions, they make mistakes that cannot be undone and they suffer immensely because of them.
“It's sad that you love someone so much but can't be with them because you're an idiot.”
***
“Unfortunately, in life, there is no redo. We live with the mistakes we make. And that mistake haunts every last beat of my heart. It was so pointless, so thoughtless, so selfish.”
The story is told by dual point of view, so you can enter both Peyton’s and Nic’s head and heart, see how much they are hurting and suffering, feel how much they love and miss each other, witness their dilemma. And therefore, knowing how they feel and what they are going through, even when you should hate them, you can’t help yourself but love them, feel sorry for them, wish that there is a second or a third or a fourth chance for them.
“You were always mine, Peyton, and then one day you weren’t. You have no idea how hard that was for me.”
***
“Losing someone you love that much…” His breath blows across the line. “That’s pain in its rawest.”
***
“You’re my exception to everything, Peyton. I’d do anything to be with you, even if it goes against my morals.”
***
“That affair showed me what kind of person I am: one that makes mistakes. One that has weaknesses.”
I remember myself yelling at the female character, Peyton all the time, being angry with her, wanting to shake her but (unlike some readers) I was never ever able to hate her. Her stupidity, her suffering, her vulnerability, her self-disgust, her poor choices and everything just made me suffer for her.
“Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else. And what truly is tragic is to never love someone the way I love you.”
***
Nothing can ever change that I was yours and you were mine, and for a short period of time, we had something people write books about. We lived love. A love so tragic and beautiful that it's only fitting it doesn't have a happily ever after.
Well, the ending was one of the best parts of the book for me. When you are for sure how it ends, everything changes in the last 4 pages - yes, in the last 4 pages the whole view in front of you changes all of a sudden and I will never ever recover from that shock! I really appreciate an ending this good. And the very last sentence of the epilogue - just wow!
This is a book that I will never ever forget. It will stay with me forever... It is worth more than 5 stars for me...
*** This novel involves , but even so, I highly recommend it. Try it if you do not have stiff and strong feelings about it.
December 19, 2020
The most boring book to ever contain an illicit affair.
February 15, 2016
4-4.5 EMOTIONAL STARS
This is my first book by this author but I have heard great things. And everything I heard was true! I've never read a book before like this before.
The story was so realistic, intense and emotional. I started it yesterday and finished it In one day because I simply couldn't put it down! This story is about love, forgiveness and second chances. And believe me this couple needed the second chance more than anyone else!
Stevie J Cole did an amazing job with this story. It was captivating and I could feel every emotion. I had so many emotions that sometimes I was crying and other times I was upset. It was amazing!If you haven't read a book by this author and you are looking for a unique story then this one is definitely for you!!
*An advance reading copy was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
This is my first book by this author but I have heard great things. And everything I heard was true! I've never read a book before like this before.
The story was so realistic, intense and emotional. I started it yesterday and finished it In one day because I simply couldn't put it down! This story is about love, forgiveness and second chances. And believe me this couple needed the second chance more than anyone else!
Stevie J Cole did an amazing job with this story. It was captivating and I could feel every emotion. I had so many emotions that sometimes I was crying and other times I was upset. It was amazing!If you haven't read a book by this author and you are looking for a unique story then this one is definitely for you!!
*An advance reading copy was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
February 15, 2016
LIVE on AMZ- http://amzn.to/1PWRM6y
5+ "You're my exception to everything" Stars!
I read A Love So Tragic in one sitting. One sitting, people! I read like a snail! The book is 100% unputdownable! It's virtually impossible to review without spoiling anything but I'll try to give this book, and this author, the acclaim it deserves.
I'd first been introduced to Stevie J. Cole's writing just recently when I read Absolution. I saw postings for this book and was assured it's nothing like the dark and twisted book that Absolution is. Instead, it's a story that's very raw and full of angst. Did someone say angst? Sign me up!
There's good and bad about being a blogger and getting the opportunity to read and review books prior to publishing. Obviously the good is getting to read the books before everyone else but that can also be the hard part. This is a story where a little hand-holding throughout would've been nice. It's so emotionally gripping, it's almost memoir in feeling. I needed a hand to hold onto- emotional support and nobody had started it yet! So, instead, I found myself reaching out to the author...at least there I was safe from spilling the spoilers. For that I am thankful as I got to meet the mind behind such a gripping and truly heartfelt journey for a young Peyton.
A Love So Tragic is all about the one that got away. You know, your one true love? How many people truly end up with that one soul mate that never seems to give up that space deep within our heart? People grow and change and even if life just doesn't align perfectly for your happily ever after, that person holds that special spot. For Peyton, that is her high school love Nicolas Torres. They were young and stupid and well, over... But is it ever truly over?
Stevie J. Cole captures our hearts from the get-go and doesn't let go once during this journey of sadness and heartache, of growth, of undying love and true hope for a long past-due happily-ever-after. It's not an easy road for these characters and my heart bled right alongside them. How is making a choice between someone you love and your one true love ever easy? The pain was palpable for all. A Love So Tragic is narrated in dual POV of both Peyton and Nic which only further added that much more connection to their torturous love story. Couple that with letters from the past both characters held onto all these years, I was gutted right alongside the recipient of the letters...
I can't say enough how much I 'enjoyed' this gripping story of true love that stands the test of time. I'd highly recommend A Love So Tragic for fans of books that will truly draw you in and make you feel. It's a very emotional and heartfelt journey and you can't help but pray for her to get back "the one that got away." I'm so happy to have found this author and anxiously look forward to what she has in store for us next.
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
5+ "You're my exception to everything" Stars!
I read A Love So Tragic in one sitting. One sitting, people! I read like a snail! The book is 100% unputdownable! It's virtually impossible to review without spoiling anything but I'll try to give this book, and this author, the acclaim it deserves.
I'd first been introduced to Stevie J. Cole's writing just recently when I read Absolution. I saw postings for this book and was assured it's nothing like the dark and twisted book that Absolution is. Instead, it's a story that's very raw and full of angst. Did someone say angst? Sign me up!
There's good and bad about being a blogger and getting the opportunity to read and review books prior to publishing. Obviously the good is getting to read the books before everyone else but that can also be the hard part. This is a story where a little hand-holding throughout would've been nice. It's so emotionally gripping, it's almost memoir in feeling. I needed a hand to hold onto- emotional support and nobody had started it yet! So, instead, I found myself reaching out to the author...at least there I was safe from spilling the spoilers. For that I am thankful as I got to meet the mind behind such a gripping and truly heartfelt journey for a young Peyton.
A Love So Tragic is all about the one that got away. You know, your one true love? How many people truly end up with that one soul mate that never seems to give up that space deep within our heart? People grow and change and even if life just doesn't align perfectly for your happily ever after, that person holds that special spot. For Peyton, that is her high school love Nicolas Torres. They were young and stupid and well, over... But is it ever truly over?
Stevie J. Cole captures our hearts from the get-go and doesn't let go once during this journey of sadness and heartache, of growth, of undying love and true hope for a long past-due happily-ever-after. It's not an easy road for these characters and my heart bled right alongside them. How is making a choice between someone you love and your one true love ever easy? The pain was palpable for all. A Love So Tragic is narrated in dual POV of both Peyton and Nic which only further added that much more connection to their torturous love story. Couple that with letters from the past both characters held onto all these years, I was gutted right alongside the recipient of the letters...
"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you, simply without problems or pride. I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that when I fall asleep, your eyes close."
I can't say enough how much I 'enjoyed' this gripping story of true love that stands the test of time. I'd highly recommend A Love So Tragic for fans of books that will truly draw you in and make you feel. It's a very emotional and heartfelt journey and you can't help but pray for her to get back "the one that got away." I'm so happy to have found this author and anxiously look forward to what she has in store for us next.
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
February 21, 2016
5 Stars
This book ...
WOW
My pillowcase is a little damp, having cried myself to sleep after reading it.
And I just know …
This is a book that I will never forget.
My reasons for loving this may be too personal to put into a book review.
Perhaps it's that deeply personal, extremely emotional connection that puts this in contention for top read of the year for me. (I know it's early, but I doubt my feelings will change).
Stevie J Cole has such an eloquent way of putting words on a page. Words that captured my heart and soul. This was my first book by her, but most certainly will not be my last!
There is such a raw, brutal honesty to this story.
It’s savage.
It’s agonizing.
It’s also breathtakingly beautiful.
The characters are so wonderfully real. Hurting, hoping, second guessing and making poor choices. Each moment spent in their thoughts unveils how perfectly human they are - fragile and flawed. They made me cry and scream and swoon and then cry some more. Even when I should have hated them, I couldn’t help but love them.
I hesitate in saying that everyone should read this book - quite frankly, this story will not be for everyone. But for those with an open mind and an open heart - take the chance! I truly believe you’ll be rewarded.
AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1SDfTd1
This book ...
WOW
My pillowcase is a little damp, having cried myself to sleep after reading it.
And I just know …
This is a book that I will never forget.
My reasons for loving this may be too personal to put into a book review.
Perhaps it's that deeply personal, extremely emotional connection that puts this in contention for top read of the year for me. (I know it's early, but I doubt my feelings will change).
Stevie J Cole has such an eloquent way of putting words on a page. Words that captured my heart and soul. This was my first book by her, but most certainly will not be my last!
There is such a raw, brutal honesty to this story.
It’s savage.
It’s agonizing.
It’s also breathtakingly beautiful.
The characters are so wonderfully real. Hurting, hoping, second guessing and making poor choices. Each moment spent in their thoughts unveils how perfectly human they are - fragile and flawed. They made me cry and scream and swoon and then cry some more. Even when I should have hated them, I couldn’t help but love them.
I hesitate in saying that everyone should read this book - quite frankly, this story will not be for everyone. But for those with an open mind and an open heart - take the chance! I truly believe you’ll be rewarded.
AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1SDfTd1
January 14, 2019
“It took me an hour to know you, and only a day to fall in love, but it will take me a lifetime to forget you.”
This one was one of the most beautiful book I have ever read.... :) There was cheating in this book, okay I get that and I'm sure some of my friends won't even read 1 chapter of this book because it's include that subject BUT still I really, really loved this story sooooo much! :)
Peyton and Nicolas were high school sweethearts but one misunderstanding, one mistake took them to the wrong road and that beautiful love was shattered like a glass... Of course none one of them were right to cheating their partner (she's married and he has a girlfriend) but when I read that book, my god I really felt Peyton & Nicolas's love. :) Because they are really belong to each other, they are soulmates... :)
I loved every single word of this book... It made me cry, made me smile but most important thing it made me feel every emotion...
I highly recommend this book to everyone and I hope you give a change this beautiful love story... <3
Ps. Dilek, thank you so much for the recommendation darling. <3
“Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else. And what truly is tragic is to never love someone the way I love you.”
This one was one of the most beautiful book I have ever read.... :) There was cheating in this book, okay I get that and I'm sure some of my friends won't even read 1 chapter of this book because it's include that subject BUT still I really, really loved this story sooooo much! :)
Peyton and Nicolas were high school sweethearts but one misunderstanding, one mistake took them to the wrong road and that beautiful love was shattered like a glass... Of course none one of them were right to cheating their partner (she's married and he has a girlfriend) but when I read that book, my god I really felt Peyton & Nicolas's love. :) Because they are really belong to each other, they are soulmates... :)
I loved every single word of this book... It made me cry, made me smile but most important thing it made me feel every emotion...
I highly recommend this book to everyone and I hope you give a change this beautiful love story... <3
Ps. Dilek, thank you so much for the recommendation darling. <3
“Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else. And what truly is tragic is to never love someone the way I love you.”
February 14, 2016
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author
"Stevie J. Cole" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: A Love so Tragic
AUTHOR: Stevie J. Cole
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: 15th February, 2016
MY RATING
WARNING: This book contains cheating so if this is a hard limit for you please find something else to your taste :) because it is very much in your face and not sugar coated..
A First love, A love betrayed, A love lost, A love never replaced, A love never conquered, A love never forgotten. A love that comes full circle..
I love you...todavia te quiro. I still love you. - Nic
This is going to be soooooo different to what I usually expect from this author, usually she throws the dark and grit at us so this is totally left field from anything I've read from her previously.
A Love So Tragic is all about Peyton's first love, the one that got away, her high-school sweet heart, Nicolas Torres..Her soul mate, the one person she loved more than life itself, the one she could never forget, a distant yet painful memory..Until he wasn't, until he reappears in her life..
How do you tell the one man you love with every fiber of your being that you're leaving him for a man you don't love?
This is Peyton's and Nic's story, it's not pretty, it's raw, emotional and real..
Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else, And what truly is tragic is to never love someone the way i love you. - Peyton.
This man is my past, and at one point, he was my future.
Tragic: This word sums up my relationship with Nicolas: devastating, painful, depressing. A first love that should have lasted a lifetime, but I ruined with a stupid decision.
Have you ever had that one true love that you'd go back to? This is one question that Peyton asks herself time and time again..
Unfortunately, in life, there is no redo. We live with the mistakes we make. And that mistake haunts every last beat of my heart. ~ Peyton.
Gods the feels reading this is like an adrenaline rush to the bloodstream..Peyton made so many stupid young teenage mistakes that she regrets, especially where Nic is concerned..Your heart breaks for these two..Both have moved on, but are stuck in the past, Nic is in a one year relationship and Peyton is married to a man who is more married to his career..
You never should have left me, and I never should have let you.
From day one, Peyton's had a way of making me do things I never thought I would. She made me want to fall in love, she made me want to settle down at twenty-one, and now she's making me want to f*ck a married woman.
“I remember when I told you that I wanted my life to be like a Shakespearean play. You reminded me Shakespeare wrote tragedies, not happily ever afters. I should have listened to you. This is a love so tragic - Shakespeare would have loved our story...”
Cheating in books used to be one of my hard limits but so many authors now try and push us out of our comfort zones before you know it your mind is open to take on anything they throw at you, this book is no exception, Peyton and Nic were like many young lovers, they had their ups and downs, their squabbles, but they always found their way back to each other, until one argument crossed the line of no return which in turn resulted in a domino effect, a reckless act that destroyed both of them, this subsequently resulted in years of unresolved feelings, no closure, years where that love was still simmering under the surface, one forbidden kiss and that fire is rekindled..
You never know what kind of person you are until you love someone, lose them, and get them back only to see you stand the chance of losing them again. Love can make you do things you never thought you would.
MY THOUGHTS: I felt like my heart had been kidnapped and held hostage until the very end of this story, I know what they were doing was wrong, wrong on so many levels, some will love this book and some will hate this due to the cheating involved, I'm not going to lie I did get frustrated with Peyton, her second chance was handed back to her on a gold plate ( I say that because I loved Nic) instead of ending her marriage or the cheating it carried on, that in my eyes was unforgivable so it kind of put me in a mind funk, but because I was so invested in this second chance love I forgave all, Nic stole my heart right along with Peyton's he embodied what book boyfriend material is all based on, when he loved he loved fully..
"Stevie J. Cole" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: A Love so Tragic
AUTHOR: Stevie J. Cole
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: 15th February, 2016
MY RATING
WARNING: This book contains cheating so if this is a hard limit for you please find something else to your taste :) because it is very much in your face and not sugar coated..
A First love, A love betrayed, A love lost, A love never replaced, A love never conquered, A love never forgotten. A love that comes full circle..
I love you...todavia te quiro. I still love you. - Nic
This is going to be soooooo different to what I usually expect from this author, usually she throws the dark and grit at us so this is totally left field from anything I've read from her previously.
A Love So Tragic is all about Peyton's first love, the one that got away, her high-school sweet heart, Nicolas Torres..Her soul mate, the one person she loved more than life itself, the one she could never forget, a distant yet painful memory..Until he wasn't, until he reappears in her life..
How do you tell the one man you love with every fiber of your being that you're leaving him for a man you don't love?
This is Peyton's and Nic's story, it's not pretty, it's raw, emotional and real..
Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else, And what truly is tragic is to never love someone the way i love you. - Peyton.
This man is my past, and at one point, he was my future.
Tragic: This word sums up my relationship with Nicolas: devastating, painful, depressing. A first love that should have lasted a lifetime, but I ruined with a stupid decision.
Have you ever had that one true love that you'd go back to? This is one question that Peyton asks herself time and time again..
Unfortunately, in life, there is no redo. We live with the mistakes we make. And that mistake haunts every last beat of my heart. ~ Peyton.
Gods the feels reading this is like an adrenaline rush to the bloodstream..Peyton made so many stupid young teenage mistakes that she regrets, especially where Nic is concerned..Your heart breaks for these two..Both have moved on, but are stuck in the past, Nic is in a one year relationship and Peyton is married to a man who is more married to his career..
You never should have left me, and I never should have let you.
From day one, Peyton's had a way of making me do things I never thought I would. She made me want to fall in love, she made me want to settle down at twenty-one, and now she's making me want to f*ck a married woman.
“I remember when I told you that I wanted my life to be like a Shakespearean play. You reminded me Shakespeare wrote tragedies, not happily ever afters. I should have listened to you. This is a love so tragic - Shakespeare would have loved our story...”
Cheating in books used to be one of my hard limits but so many authors now try and push us out of our comfort zones before you know it your mind is open to take on anything they throw at you, this book is no exception, Peyton and Nic were like many young lovers, they had their ups and downs, their squabbles, but they always found their way back to each other, until one argument crossed the line of no return which in turn resulted in a domino effect, a reckless act that destroyed both of them, this subsequently resulted in years of unresolved feelings, no closure, years where that love was still simmering under the surface, one forbidden kiss and that fire is rekindled..
You never know what kind of person you are until you love someone, lose them, and get them back only to see you stand the chance of losing them again. Love can make you do things you never thought you would.
MY THOUGHTS: I felt like my heart had been kidnapped and held hostage until the very end of this story, I know what they were doing was wrong, wrong on so many levels, some will love this book and some will hate this due to the cheating involved, I'm not going to lie I did get frustrated with Peyton, her second chance was handed back to her on a gold plate ( I say that because I loved Nic) instead of ending her marriage or the cheating it carried on, that in my eyes was unforgivable so it kind of put me in a mind funk, but because I was so invested in this second chance love I forgave all, Nic stole my heart right along with Peyton's he embodied what book boyfriend material is all based on, when he loved he loved fully..
February 17, 2016
5 Stars!
Wow! I was up all night reading this angsty book! I couldn't put it down once I started. Books like this are usually not my cup of tea but I'm glad I read this one because I loved it!!
This is a love so tragic—Shakespeare would have loved our story...
Nic and Peyton connect the first day of their senior year. They fall in love. Years later they are both stressing over college exams and have a bad argument which leads them to taking a break from each other. Peyton makes a bad decision. A decision that later has her and Nic's life changing. A decision that leaves them both apart from each other.
A decision that leaves Nic hating Peyton!
Years later something happens in Peyton's life that brings Nic back into it. These two should of moved on from each other. But they clearly haven't because when they look at each other the feelings all come crashing back.
Peyton and Nic are both in a relationship with someone who they should be able to be in love with. But aren't because Peyton and Nic are still thinking about the one they let get away. The one they thought they would love forever. The one they thought they would marry, have kids and grow old together with.
This is told in Nic's and Peyton's POV. I fell hard for Nic right away! He was sexy and sweet. I loved how he did the most romantic things even if it really wasn't his usual style. I loved how he wrote her poems, talked Spanish to her, danced under the stars with her and wrote her sweet letters telling her how much he loved her.
“Tardé una hora en conocerte y sólo un día en enamorarme,” he whispers against my ear. “Pero me llevará toda una vida poder olvidarte.” It took me an hour to know you, and only a day to fall in love, but it will take me a lifetime to forget you.~Nic
I can't say I loved Peyton. I didn't hate her but I didn't agree with some of her choices. She defiantly made me want to reach in my kindle and shake her. lol I did love her best friend Jen!! She had me laughing many times!
I can't tell you more about this book with out spoiling it. If you're in the mood for some angst this is the book for you! I loved it and I hope you do too:)
“I think I’ll keep you, pretty girl,” I whisper as I pull away.
Wow! I was up all night reading this angsty book! I couldn't put it down once I started. Books like this are usually not my cup of tea but I'm glad I read this one because I loved it!!
This is a love so tragic—Shakespeare would have loved our story...
Nic and Peyton connect the first day of their senior year. They fall in love. Years later they are both stressing over college exams and have a bad argument which leads them to taking a break from each other. Peyton makes a bad decision. A decision that later has her and Nic's life changing. A decision that leaves them both apart from each other.
A decision that leaves Nic hating Peyton!
Years later something happens in Peyton's life that brings Nic back into it. These two should of moved on from each other. But they clearly haven't because when they look at each other the feelings all come crashing back.
Peyton and Nic are both in a relationship with someone who they should be able to be in love with. But aren't because Peyton and Nic are still thinking about the one they let get away. The one they thought they would love forever. The one they thought they would marry, have kids and grow old together with.
This is told in Nic's and Peyton's POV. I fell hard for Nic right away! He was sexy and sweet. I loved how he did the most romantic things even if it really wasn't his usual style. I loved how he wrote her poems, talked Spanish to her, danced under the stars with her and wrote her sweet letters telling her how much he loved her.
“Tardé una hora en conocerte y sólo un día en enamorarme,” he whispers against my ear. “Pero me llevará toda una vida poder olvidarte.” It took me an hour to know you, and only a day to fall in love, but it will take me a lifetime to forget you.~Nic
I can't say I loved Peyton. I didn't hate her but I didn't agree with some of her choices. She defiantly made me want to reach in my kindle and shake her. lol I did love her best friend Jen!! She had me laughing many times!
I can't tell you more about this book with out spoiling it. If you're in the mood for some angst this is the book for you! I loved it and I hope you do too:)
“I think I’ll keep you, pretty girl,” I whisper as I pull away.
February 18, 2016
3.5 Stars
Not so tragic...
Not so tragic...
March 5, 2016
I have to admit that the prologue and the title really threw me for a loop and had me questioning everything that was going on with the story. The author sets it up as though the heroine is writing her story, which she is just not for the whole book.
Peyton and Nicolas became involved in high school and broke up when they were twenty-three. The reason for the break up is your typical case of miscommunication however there is a huge and ~almost~ unforgivable part on Peyton's side that Nicolas cannot see through at the time.
They spend four years apart before a horrible event brings them face to face. Unfortunately, Nicolas has a girlfriend and Peyton is married. Time and maturity has given them time to reflect on their reasons and behaviors...plus like they always say "absence makes the heart grow fonder".
So, is there cheating? Well, if you really want to know... and while you can't help but root for Peyton and Nicolas, I kept questioning Peyton's husband, Isaac.
We get to know a lot about Peyton and Nicolas' past relationship and how much in love they were. It was really sweet and romantic. I loved how Nicolas spoke to Peyton in Spanish and the poems and letters he wrote to her.
There is a lot of drama but nothing like the ending! Shame on the author for doing that to us! ;) I'll only let her slide because of the ending!
This is my first book by Stevie J. Cole and it certainly won't be my last!
Favorite quote:
♥ "You're my exception to everything, Peyton."
Peyton and Nicolas became involved in high school and broke up when they were twenty-three. The reason for the break up is your typical case of miscommunication however there is a huge and ~almost~ unforgivable part on Peyton's side that Nicolas cannot see through at the time.
They spend four years apart before a horrible event brings them face to face. Unfortunately, Nicolas has a girlfriend and Peyton is married. Time and maturity has given them time to reflect on their reasons and behaviors...plus like they always say "absence makes the heart grow fonder".
So, is there cheating? Well, if you really want to know... and while you can't help but root for Peyton and Nicolas, I kept questioning Peyton's husband, Isaac.
We get to know a lot about Peyton and Nicolas' past relationship and how much in love they were. It was really sweet and romantic. I loved how Nicolas spoke to Peyton in Spanish and the poems and letters he wrote to her.
There is a lot of drama but nothing like the ending! Shame on the author for doing that to us! ;) I'll only let her slide because of the ending!
This is my first book by Stevie J. Cole and it certainly won't be my last!
Favorite quote:
♥ "You're my exception to everything, Peyton."
November 6, 2016
*****4.5*****
I’m struggling on how I want to start this review, so bear with me. I sometimes write all over the place – blame it on my ADHD – so this one will most likely be worse than normal.
From the prologue…
“You may say what I did was wrong, and I don’t deny that. But if you understood the way my heart felt, staying faithful would have been unforgivable.”
Peyton and Nicolas are soulmates, there is no denying that – but Peyton is married to another man, Isaac. Nicolas was her first love but she broke his heart when she slept with her ex, Issac, when they broke-up for 2 weeks. And then she told him about it. I’m going to honest, I wouldn’t have said a damn thing, but that’s just me. He didn’t need to know that, IMO. All it would do is cause him to hurt so why do it? Y’all weren’t together at the time and her telling him was more her than him.
Now let me explain myself here….
When you are not with someone and you have sex with someone else, that is not cheating. You may feel bad about it but you still want to be with your them. So, you decide to tell them because you think it’s the right thing to do.
Here’s the question….
The right thing for you or the right thing for them? Is it because you feel guilty? Is it because you think it will make your relationship better by breaking their fucking heart? Newsflash, it won’t!
IMO, confessing can be selfish at times. You think you can’t live with the guilt of not telling them? Okay, sure….but can you live without them? Because they just might leave your ass when you tell them you fucked somebody else. If you can’t live your life without them, why risk your relationship by telling them? Why let them hurt forever because you wanted to clear your conscience?….You better find a different way. Pray, light some candles, confess to your priest or whatever else you think might work.
Now back to my review….
Of course they break up and Peyton starts seeing Issac again but this time she gets knocked up and Issac marries her. Nicolas, is just devastated and struggles for years to open up his heart again. But they find their way back to each other after 4 years apart.
I told ya, soulmates.
“As much as you may want to, you can’t make yourself love someone, and as much as it sucks, you can’t make yourself not love someone either. Love is its own fucking beast.”
You see Peyton was never in love with Issac, so is it fair to him staying in a marriage where he is never truly loved?
“Sometimes we make a mistake that can never be undone. We hurt people we never intend to hurt, and it isn’t until years later we realize that although we hurt them, letting them go was the kindest thing we could have done.”
Settling hurts just as much as cheating. I would rather be loved completely than live in a loveless marriage. If your not in love with me, please go, let me find someone who will love me the way I deserve. It might hurt like hell to watch you leave but at least I’m able to find who and what I deserve.
I do believe that in the case of this book the situation could have been handled better but when are standing face to face with the love of your life all logic goes out of the window. You may make some bad decisions. Peyton and Nicolas definitely made some bad decisions. It is not the way I would have gone about it. I would have gotten divorced first and them been with Nicolas.
Peyton once asked yourself….
“What will the truth do the man who says he loves me? What would I be doing to him?”
There’s the million dollar question….
What pulled at my heart strings was how much cheating affected Nicolas life when he was younger. His mom cheated on his dad and it tore their family apart. He grew up believing that cheating meant the person was too weak. He despised cheating yet he was doing it and didn’t feel guilty about it. He wanted to feel guilty but he couldn’t.
“Love can make you do things you never thought you would. Maybe those people I thought were week, maybe they weren’t – that weakness may have been a strength. The people I thought were selfish, they could have been desperate. Because right now, I just realized that whether she leaves him or not, I won’t leave her. I have no idea who I am anymore….”
Well damn….
Peyton never should have married Issac, she never should have cheated with Nicolas but life isn’t a goddamn fairytale so what can you do. I didn’t think she was a bad person. I think both her and Nicolas made some mistakes but does that mean they shouldn’t be happy? I don’t think so.
For my unflited review.... https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
Follow all my crazy....
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettymessr...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prettymessre...
Twitter https://twitter.com/prettymessread
I’m struggling on how I want to start this review, so bear with me. I sometimes write all over the place – blame it on my ADHD – so this one will most likely be worse than normal.
From the prologue…
“You may say what I did was wrong, and I don’t deny that. But if you understood the way my heart felt, staying faithful would have been unforgivable.”
Peyton and Nicolas are soulmates, there is no denying that – but Peyton is married to another man, Isaac. Nicolas was her first love but she broke his heart when she slept with her ex, Issac, when they broke-up for 2 weeks. And then she told him about it. I’m going to honest, I wouldn’t have said a damn thing, but that’s just me. He didn’t need to know that, IMO. All it would do is cause him to hurt so why do it? Y’all weren’t together at the time and her telling him was more her than him.
Now let me explain myself here….
When you are not with someone and you have sex with someone else, that is not cheating. You may feel bad about it but you still want to be with your them. So, you decide to tell them because you think it’s the right thing to do.
Here’s the question….
The right thing for you or the right thing for them? Is it because you feel guilty? Is it because you think it will make your relationship better by breaking their fucking heart? Newsflash, it won’t!
IMO, confessing can be selfish at times. You think you can’t live with the guilt of not telling them? Okay, sure….but can you live without them? Because they just might leave your ass when you tell them you fucked somebody else. If you can’t live your life without them, why risk your relationship by telling them? Why let them hurt forever because you wanted to clear your conscience?….You better find a different way. Pray, light some candles, confess to your priest or whatever else you think might work.
Now back to my review….
Of course they break up and Peyton starts seeing Issac again but this time she gets knocked up and Issac marries her. Nicolas, is just devastated and struggles for years to open up his heart again. But they find their way back to each other after 4 years apart.
I told ya, soulmates.
“As much as you may want to, you can’t make yourself love someone, and as much as it sucks, you can’t make yourself not love someone either. Love is its own fucking beast.”
You see Peyton was never in love with Issac, so is it fair to him staying in a marriage where he is never truly loved?
“Sometimes we make a mistake that can never be undone. We hurt people we never intend to hurt, and it isn’t until years later we realize that although we hurt them, letting them go was the kindest thing we could have done.”
Settling hurts just as much as cheating. I would rather be loved completely than live in a loveless marriage. If your not in love with me, please go, let me find someone who will love me the way I deserve. It might hurt like hell to watch you leave but at least I’m able to find who and what I deserve.
I do believe that in the case of this book the situation could have been handled better but when are standing face to face with the love of your life all logic goes out of the window. You may make some bad decisions. Peyton and Nicolas definitely made some bad decisions. It is not the way I would have gone about it. I would have gotten divorced first and them been with Nicolas.
Peyton once asked yourself….
“What will the truth do the man who says he loves me? What would I be doing to him?”
There’s the million dollar question….
What pulled at my heart strings was how much cheating affected Nicolas life when he was younger. His mom cheated on his dad and it tore their family apart. He grew up believing that cheating meant the person was too weak. He despised cheating yet he was doing it and didn’t feel guilty about it. He wanted to feel guilty but he couldn’t.
“Love can make you do things you never thought you would. Maybe those people I thought were week, maybe they weren’t – that weakness may have been a strength. The people I thought were selfish, they could have been desperate. Because right now, I just realized that whether she leaves him or not, I won’t leave her. I have no idea who I am anymore….”
Well damn….
Peyton never should have married Issac, she never should have cheated with Nicolas but life isn’t a goddamn fairytale so what can you do. I didn’t think she was a bad person. I think both her and Nicolas made some mistakes but does that mean they shouldn’t be happy? I don’t think so.
For my unflited review.... https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
Follow all my crazy....
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettymessr...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prettymessre...
Twitter https://twitter.com/prettymessread
February 19, 2016
4.5 Tragic Stars
This book was gifted to me by one of my fave authors and a woman so genuine that I knew she would never lead me astray. I should be thanking her because, I myself would have never bought this book as cheating has always been hard limit for me. So I do acknowledge the definite infidelity, but sometimes the worst of all wrongs has a true purpose.
“As much as you may want to, you can’t make yourself love someone, and as much as it sucks, you can’t make yourself not love someone either. Love is its own fucking beast.”
Perhaps that is hypocritical of me as I have stopped books and simply refused others for similar situations. While I find infidelity to be awful…I’m also not naïve to the fact that life happens…mistakes are made…true love does exist. I also believe in the whole concept of right person and wrong time. Stevie J Cole, took my hard limit and pushed me into her taboo emotional territory. This book fragmented my mind and my heart. I felt like I was reading shredded pieces of the heart from a man and a woman over the years.
The love story or rather love journey of Peyton and Nic was epically emotional. This first love, forever love, was so young and so fragile. Youth and immaturity, and the frustrating typical miscommunicate lends itself to heat of passion mistakes breaking two lives forever
“How do you tell the one man you love with every fiber of your being that you're leaving him for a man you don't love?”
Tear soaked good byes. Years of anger with secret longing. Moments from the past, memories of sweet moments. Times of pure regret and bitterness. Nic lives alone, unable to really connect or truly love again. Peyton lives with the other man, her husband, with a comfortable existence yet caged by her heart’s true desire.
Dual POV’s capture your soul and bleed their tears into you with each page…
Unfortunately, in life, there is no redo. We live with the mistakes we make. And that mistake haunts every last beat of my heart.
I want her. I want the life we should’ve had. I want everything that was taken from me, and that’s a bad thing.
This read was brutal. It was everything it claimed to be. Painfully tragic yet full of unbridled lust, passion and pure adoration of two people who should have been. What if the one that got away was “the one” that was supposed to stay? What if you covet another’s knowing that it is and always has been yours? How long can you possibly wait for another person?
I applaud this author for pushing my limits. Infidelity is not always so cut and dry. I was grateful for dual pov’s and for the constant conflict and internal struggle of a married woman and her first true love. I was appreciative of the love they shared once and the beyond love they found again. Hearts were destroyed, lives shattered, promises broken, lies told…then again…
“Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else.
This book was gifted to me by one of my fave authors and a woman so genuine that I knew she would never lead me astray. I should be thanking her because, I myself would have never bought this book as cheating has always been hard limit for me. So I do acknowledge the definite infidelity, but sometimes the worst of all wrongs has a true purpose.
“As much as you may want to, you can’t make yourself love someone, and as much as it sucks, you can’t make yourself not love someone either. Love is its own fucking beast.”
Perhaps that is hypocritical of me as I have stopped books and simply refused others for similar situations. While I find infidelity to be awful…I’m also not naïve to the fact that life happens…mistakes are made…true love does exist. I also believe in the whole concept of right person and wrong time. Stevie J Cole, took my hard limit and pushed me into her taboo emotional territory. This book fragmented my mind and my heart. I felt like I was reading shredded pieces of the heart from a man and a woman over the years.
The love story or rather love journey of Peyton and Nic was epically emotional. This first love, forever love, was so young and so fragile. Youth and immaturity, and the frustrating typical miscommunicate lends itself to heat of passion mistakes breaking two lives forever
“How do you tell the one man you love with every fiber of your being that you're leaving him for a man you don't love?”
Tear soaked good byes. Years of anger with secret longing. Moments from the past, memories of sweet moments. Times of pure regret and bitterness. Nic lives alone, unable to really connect or truly love again. Peyton lives with the other man, her husband, with a comfortable existence yet caged by her heart’s true desire.
Dual POV’s capture your soul and bleed their tears into you with each page…
Unfortunately, in life, there is no redo. We live with the mistakes we make. And that mistake haunts every last beat of my heart.
I want her. I want the life we should’ve had. I want everything that was taken from me, and that’s a bad thing.
This read was brutal. It was everything it claimed to be. Painfully tragic yet full of unbridled lust, passion and pure adoration of two people who should have been. What if the one that got away was “the one” that was supposed to stay? What if you covet another’s knowing that it is and always has been yours? How long can you possibly wait for another person?
I applaud this author for pushing my limits. Infidelity is not always so cut and dry. I was grateful for dual pov’s and for the constant conflict and internal struggle of a married woman and her first true love. I was appreciative of the love they shared once and the beyond love they found again. Hearts were destroyed, lives shattered, promises broken, lies told…then again…
“Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else.
February 15, 2016
I cannot believe this shit...
1 - h cheats on H who she was with for five years
2 - H has moved on and is in a long-term relationship (AND WE HAVE IN DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF HIM FUCKING A WOMAN WHO IS NOT THE HEROINE!!!!)
3 - They cheat on their SO's with each other
4 - Nothing would have made me like either the h or the H after their intros
1 - h cheats on H who she was with for five years
2 - H has moved on and is in a long-term relationship (AND WE HAVE IN DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF HIM FUCKING A WOMAN WHO IS NOT THE HEROINE!!!!)
3 - They cheat on their SO's with each other
4 - Nothing would have made me like either the h or the H after their intros
February 13, 2016
4.5 emotional stars
‘Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else. ‘
Well, what a different side to Stevie J Cole we witnessed in A Love So Tragic. This lady is proving to be such a creatively versatile author and an automatic 1click for us! We’ve tasted the gritty, we’ve winced at the ugly and now we’ve fallen in love with the romantic, if not extremely angsty, side of this incredibly talented author.
'I want her. I want the life we should’ve had. I want everything that was taken from me, and that’s a bad thing.’
Heartbreaking, beautiful, tragic, frustrating, painful…LOVE! Stevie J Cole….you made us crazy with this book, you made us fall in love with a romantic, beautiful and sensitive man, you brought an honesty to this story and you made us cry!
“Love is an unusual creature. It’s painfully beautiful but brings out some of the darkest, ugliest parts of your heart.”
When love hits you so deeply, when every breath you take is a reminder of a love who shouldn’t have got away, it’s hard to forget them when they’re etched deep into your soul. How do you deal when you’ve married the man who wasn’t your soulmate? It’s very easy to say ‘listen to your heart’but with that comes the pain of betraying those in your life.
‘Letting go of your past is hard, and sometimes you just have to accept you’ll never be able to completely let some things go.
The story had such an enormous effect on us both because it felt real, personal and from the heart. It was as though the emotions were seeping directly from the soul of this author onto the pages, aiming directly to our hearts. This is a potent, passionate, conflicting and consuming love story.
‘We will never be anything more than strangers who used to be in love with each other, and as tragic as that fuck was, it’s life.’
In the middle of this tragedy is Peyton and boy did we want to shake some sense into this young lady. The decisions she made and the justifications for her actions were immature and though she acknowledged to her faults and did regret them, she never really did redeem herself completely in our eyes. Peyton was the instigator and the cause and the word ‘frustrating’ doesn’t even cover her actions!
Nic was the glue that held A Love So Tragic together. His all-encompassing love for Peyton made him the hero in this story and we fell in love with this man heart and soul. Oh, what a romantic. His letters…his poems….swooooon! We felt everything Nic experienced. When he hurt, we hurt. When he was angry, so were we. This guy loved with all his heart and he held ours in the palm of his very capable hands.
“You were always mine, Peyton, and then one day you weren’t. You have no idea how hard that was for me.”
Well played Stevie J Cole! You manipulated our feelings with your vague descriptiveness about one particular character. Had we been given more than what you provided, our dislike for Peyton would have risen to stratospheric proportions! Very clever writing indeed!
This is a story of deep, soul reaching love that painfully yet beautifully conveyed the inner turmoil experienced by these characters. Stevie J Cole you moved us implicitly! And that ending….tissues required!
“You broke my heart…..”
Come say hi and follow us at:
✦ TotallybookedBlog
✦ TB on Facebook
✦ TB on Twitter
✦ TB on Pinterest
February 16, 2016
Wow!
5 stars*****
Stevie, you just made my day!
I started this book yesterday, and I was sitting in my office today on my lunch break thinking about it.
I could not put it down! As soon as I got home, I grabbed it again and finished it in a couple of hours.
Talkin' bout' an emotional rollercoaster! And that twist at the end?! OMG! I was speechless.
This was soooo, soooo good! I loved it!
I loved everything about this book.
Author has wonderful writing skills and she created these really believable characters that are complex and memorable.
Everything about this story felt real. It is captivating, emotional, unique and at the same time, I felt this deep emotional connection to it... and I bet almost anyone can relate to it.
This was my first book by Stevie J. Cole, but it certainly won't be my last.
5 stars*****
Stevie, you just made my day!
I started this book yesterday, and I was sitting in my office today on my lunch break thinking about it.
I could not put it down! As soon as I got home, I grabbed it again and finished it in a couple of hours.
Talkin' bout' an emotional rollercoaster! And that twist at the end?! OMG! I was speechless.
This was soooo, soooo good! I loved it!
I loved everything about this book.
Author has wonderful writing skills and she created these really believable characters that are complex and memorable.
Everything about this story felt real. It is captivating, emotional, unique and at the same time, I felt this deep emotional connection to it... and I bet almost anyone can relate to it.
This was my first book by Stevie J. Cole, but it certainly won't be my last.
March 18, 2016
I never thought it was possible to feel so much so fast. The prologue sucked me in. At the second chapter I was already a mess and Nicolas first letter made me shed a few tears.
The writing felt so personal, so raw, so real, it was gripping from the start.
A Love so Tragic is a rollercoaster of emotions. Peyton's pov was shattering filled with guilt and regret. Nicolas' pov was heartbreaking
When two people have everything together but one stupid mistake changes it all and when pride makes you take silly decisions, what's left?
I never meant to leave him. I never meant to hurt him, and if I could take it all back, I would. I would give anything to have him again, to never know what it’s like without him, and I'm well aware how wrong that is.
As much as it was painful to read through Nicolas' mind, it shows how much Peyton screwed up. Because she did and she knows it. Nicolas was a perfect boyfriend: attentive, caring. As he didn't get to witness love with his parents' wedding he wanted something else for himself. And there he is at nearly 30 and nothing in his life but longing and sorrow.
You should probably know that this book deals with cheating. I know it's a hard limit for a lot of you but you should still consider to read this one.
As much as you may want to, you can’t make yourself love someone, and as much as it sucks, you can’t make yourself not love someone either. Love is its own fucking beast.
For a small part of the book I wanted to shake Peyton. I even slapped my Ipad because she drove me crazy at some point. But here I am writing my review after reading the end and well I'm gutted. I'm shocked and I'm in awe. The cheating is not the main part of the book. It's not what you have to focus on while reading. A Love so Tragic is without a doubt a real love story of epic proportion.
One everybody needs.
One everybody deserves
One that hurts but a beautiful one.
To let go of something you love, you have to forget it, and I will never be able to forget Nicolas.
~ ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR in exchange of an honest review ~
The writing felt so personal, so raw, so real, it was gripping from the start.
A Love so Tragic is a rollercoaster of emotions. Peyton's pov was shattering filled with guilt and regret. Nicolas' pov was heartbreaking
When two people have everything together but one stupid mistake changes it all and when pride makes you take silly decisions, what's left?
I never meant to leave him. I never meant to hurt him, and if I could take it all back, I would. I would give anything to have him again, to never know what it’s like without him, and I'm well aware how wrong that is.
As much as it was painful to read through Nicolas' mind, it shows how much Peyton screwed up. Because she did and she knows it. Nicolas was a perfect boyfriend: attentive, caring. As he didn't get to witness love with his parents' wedding he wanted something else for himself. And there he is at nearly 30 and nothing in his life but longing and sorrow.
You should probably know that this book deals with cheating. I know it's a hard limit for a lot of you but you should still consider to read this one.
As much as you may want to, you can’t make yourself love someone, and as much as it sucks, you can’t make yourself not love someone either. Love is its own fucking beast.
For a small part of the book I wanted to shake Peyton. I even slapped my Ipad because she drove me crazy at some point. But here I am writing my review after reading the end and well I'm gutted. I'm shocked and I'm in awe. The cheating is not the main part of the book. It's not what you have to focus on while reading. A Love so Tragic is without a doubt a real love story of epic proportion.
One everybody needs.
One everybody deserves
One that hurts but a beautiful one.
To let go of something you love, you have to forget it, and I will never be able to forget Nicolas.
~ ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR in exchange of an honest review ~
February 28, 2018
DNF @ 28%
After I had my little temper tantrum over Hello Stranger, I decided to take a step back, not sure whether I was simply not wanting to like the book. And I won't do that with a Lisa Kleypas book.
So, without looking up what I had on my pile on GR, I scrolled down on my Kindle, hoping something would catch my eye; either new or another re-read, I didn't care. After scrolling down for quite some time, I saw this one: A Love So Tragic. I had no idea when I had bought the book, and it's only now, whilst I'm writing thisrant review, that I saw that I had shelved it some time in November 2016.
So...A Love So Tragic...
Now I know with a title like that, the likelihood of my enjoying the book was rather low, but hey, I've been surprised before. Besides, I needed a CR.
Weeeeell, there are books that surprise me, and there are books where I would love to be able to at least change the title. I was thinking of
A Book So Stupid
Alternatively,
A Story So Cheesy
In those 28% I read of this book, there was nothing tragic. It was one tremendously big 'woe is me', or 'woe is us', in which the main characters were in a perpetual state of:
Oh, how I love my tearjerkers, my emotional manipulators, my 'CRY FUCKING NOW' books where everything is so over the top schmaltzy and there's not an ounce of realistic human emotion. Take this, for example, right from the prologue:
And on and on it went.
Star crossed lovers, doing stupid things, unable to forget each other. We've heard it all before. But the execution? Hmmm.
I'm a sucker for stories of flawed characters. But when I read something as manipulative and pathetic as this:
Peyton, our heroine, decides to marry a man she doesn't truly love because the man she truly loves doesn't tell her not to marry the man she doesn't truly love? Gimme a break. Does it matter what mistakes she's made, or he's made? You're to marry a man you don't really love. How idiotic is that?
And to add insult to injury, not only is the reader being manipulated into feeling pity for her...noooooooo...Nic should have said 'Don't marry him!' How I love characters who - deep down - don't take responsibility for their actions. But never fear, folks. All of this is buried so deep under the thickest layer of 'emotional torture', 'endless longing' and 'eternal regret', that we just have to feel so, so sorry for poor, poor Peyton! Pity her now, or be damned forever!
A few pages later and....tadaaaaa...this year's first DNF for me! But before I deleted the book from my Kindle, I had a quick peak at the ending? And, oh yes! The drama went on till the very end. Nonetheless, what is a good drama without a tooth achingly sweet epilogue?
After I had my little temper tantrum over Hello Stranger, I decided to take a step back, not sure whether I was simply not wanting to like the book. And I won't do that with a Lisa Kleypas book.
So, without looking up what I had on my pile on GR, I scrolled down on my Kindle, hoping something would catch my eye; either new or another re-read, I didn't care. After scrolling down for quite some time, I saw this one: A Love So Tragic. I had no idea when I had bought the book, and it's only now, whilst I'm writing this
So...A Love So Tragic...
Now I know with a title like that, the likelihood of my enjoying the book was rather low, but hey, I've been surprised before. Besides, I needed a CR.
Weeeeell, there are books that surprise me, and there are books where I would love to be able to at least change the title. I was thinking of
A Book So Stupid
Alternatively,
A Story So Cheesy
In those 28% I read of this book, there was nothing tragic. It was one tremendously big 'woe is me', or 'woe is us', in which the main characters were in a perpetual state of:
Oh, how I love my tearjerkers, my emotional manipulators, my 'CRY FUCKING NOW' books where everything is so over the top schmaltzy and there's not an ounce of realistic human emotion. Take this, for example, right from the prologue:
You may say what I did was wrong, and I don’t deny that. But if you understood the way my heart felt, staying faithful would have been unforgivable.Give me a moment to
And on and on it went.
Star crossed lovers, doing stupid things, unable to forget each other. We've heard it all before. But the execution? Hmmm.
I'm a sucker for stories of flawed characters. But when I read something as manipulative and pathetic as this:
“You know, all I wanted you to do was tell me not to marry him. That is all I wanted. I just wanted you to tell me you loved me, not to do it because you still wanted me, and you didn’t.” I stop for a moment to catch my breath and the more I think about it, the more it hurts. “I didn’t fucking love him, I loved you. I. Loved. You!” I shout. “Had you told me not to marry him, I wouldn’t have.” My chest burns, tears stinging my eyes. “I wouldn’t have...”even my up until then slight amusement about these overly sappy and idiotic characters comes to an end.
Peyton, our heroine, decides to marry a man she doesn't truly love because the man she truly loves doesn't tell her not to marry the man she doesn't truly love? Gimme a break. Does it matter what mistakes she's made, or he's made? You're to marry a man you don't really love. How idiotic is that?
And to add insult to injury, not only is the reader being manipulated into feeling pity for her...noooooooo...Nic should have said 'Don't marry him!' How I love characters who - deep down - don't take responsibility for their actions. But never fear, folks. All of this is buried so deep under the thickest layer of 'emotional torture', 'endless longing' and 'eternal regret', that we just have to feel so, so sorry for poor, poor Peyton! Pity her now, or be damned forever!
A few pages later and....tadaaaaa...this year's first DNF for me! But before I deleted the book from my Kindle, I had a quick peak at the ending? And, oh yes! The drama went on till the very end. Nonetheless, what is a good drama without a tooth achingly sweet epilogue?
skip-next-please
November 6, 2016Just a note for me this one has cheating.
Can't touch this....
Can't touch this....
June 20, 2019
I am going to request a medal for finishing this book. As you may know with my reviews, I only write one when I love or hate a book. And you can see where this one is headed with my rating. Also, I can't rant unless its spoilery (so be warned)- here i go.
This is literally a fraction of my thoughts. There's still so much more that I can't remember right now- I can't fathom these stupid characters. Hopefully I'll soon be able to read a book which doesn't have characters that makes me want to rip my head off.
This is literally a fraction of my thoughts. There's still so much more that I can't remember right now- I can't fathom these stupid characters. Hopefully I'll soon be able to read a book which doesn't have characters that makes me want to rip my head off.
August 7, 2019
Non vedevo l’ora di poter iniziare la Cole, ne avevo sentito parlare tanto e bene, ma con questo libro non ho provato assolutamente nessuna emozione. È una storia a mio parere moscia e in alcuni punti senza alcun senso, non ho sentito nessuna connessione fra Nicolas e Peyton e io stessa non ho sentito nulla nei loro confronti. Forse Arsen mi ha spolpata di tutte le emozioni, puo anche darsi, ma A Love so Tragic non mi ha proprio trasmesso nulla. E in più, non ho trovato proprio nulla di tragico in questa storia. La Cole ha una scrittura molto fluida che ti permette di leggere velocemente e con facilità.
February 16, 2016
Holy hell did Stevie J. Cole just do a mind f*ck on me with A Love So Tragic. My emotions are all over the place as I sit here and try to write my review of this book. I have so many thoughts and I don't know where to begin.
I'm not a fan of the topic cheating but Stevie J. Cole's writing worked flawlessly and she really created a strong and powerful story, that I had to say "screw it" and just go where the story takes me. I'm so happy that I did but it didn't come easy. I was so frustrated by the two main characters, Peyton and Nicolas and their actions. There were times when I was shouting out loud just to make them listen and hope that they would finally man up do the right thing. But as it's in real life it isn't always that easy and actions usually have consequences. That's the lesson Peyton and Nicolas had to learn.
I understand why they acted the way they did, because their shared history and connection was so strong and so was their love for one another. Every flashback was powerful whether it was filled with hate or love. Peyton and Nicolas grew on me as the story unfolded and I really love that they learned something from their actions. They both changed as people and how they viewed themselves.
A Love So Tragic was an experience. An emotional draining one at that but in a very good way. Feelings were going on inside me through out this story. It was very intense and at times moving as well. This is a story that's not easily forgotten and with good reason.
5 BadAssALoveSoPowerfulStars
Arc generously provided by the author for an honest review
I'm not a fan of the topic cheating but Stevie J. Cole's writing worked flawlessly and she really created a strong and powerful story, that I had to say "screw it" and just go where the story takes me. I'm so happy that I did but it didn't come easy. I was so frustrated by the two main characters, Peyton and Nicolas and their actions. There were times when I was shouting out loud just to make them listen and hope that they would finally man up do the right thing. But as it's in real life it isn't always that easy and actions usually have consequences. That's the lesson Peyton and Nicolas had to learn.
I understand why they acted the way they did, because their shared history and connection was so strong and so was their love for one another. Every flashback was powerful whether it was filled with hate or love. Peyton and Nicolas grew on me as the story unfolded and I really love that they learned something from their actions. They both changed as people and how they viewed themselves.
A Love So Tragic was an experience. An emotional draining one at that but in a very good way. Feelings were going on inside me through out this story. It was very intense and at times moving as well. This is a story that's not easily forgotten and with good reason.
5 BadAssALoveSoPowerfulStars
Arc generously provided by the author for an honest review
February 17, 2016
3.5-3.75 STARS
I loved this story. I really did…right up until I didn’t.
This is a great love story full of emotion. Nic was amazing. The writing is top notch. Buuuut OMG I so wanted to punch some sense into Peyton. She was a bit infuriating to say the least. I wanted to finish this in one sitting, but around the 78% mark I seriously had to put it down. I was at the are-you-serious-you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me-give-me-a-break point. Peyton seriously made me stupid angry, and I did not feel once ounce of sympathy for her. I know I was warned at the beginning, but I really didn’t think I would not like her as much as I did. My frustration with Peyton really kept me from being over the moon crazy for this one. Yes it was great, but I couldn't fully enjoy it the way I wanted because of my annoyance with Peyton and her rationale.
It's hard for me to buy the whole tragic love thing when it was mostly of their own creation (well, more like Peyton’s design). Both Nic and Peyton had the ability to change it but chose not to. Yes, it was sad. Yes, their situation sucked. Yes, they were soul mates. Was it tragic? Technically, yes, but the magnitude and enormity of it was diminished by the cause of what happened. I have no issue with what happened. I do find issue with why it happened and continued to happen. And, it was the 78% mark that pushed me over the edge.
Overall….. FABULOUS storytelling and writing…. not so fabulous heroine and events.
I loved this story. I really did…right up until I didn’t.
This is a great love story full of emotion. Nic was amazing. The writing is top notch. Buuuut OMG I so wanted to punch some sense into Peyton. She was a bit infuriating to say the least. I wanted to finish this in one sitting, but around the 78% mark I seriously had to put it down. I was at the are-you-serious-you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me-give-me-a-break point. Peyton seriously made me stupid angry, and I did not feel once ounce of sympathy for her. I know I was warned at the beginning, but I really didn’t think I would not like her as much as I did. My frustration with Peyton really kept me from being over the moon crazy for this one. Yes it was great, but I couldn't fully enjoy it the way I wanted because of my annoyance with Peyton and her rationale.
It's hard for me to buy the whole tragic love thing when it was mostly of their own creation (well, more like Peyton’s design). Both Nic and Peyton had the ability to change it but chose not to. Yes, it was sad. Yes, their situation sucked. Yes, they were soul mates. Was it tragic? Technically, yes, but the magnitude and enormity of it was diminished by the cause of what happened. I have no issue with what happened. I do find issue with why it happened and continued to happen. And, it was the 78% mark that pushed me over the edge.
Overall….. FABULOUS storytelling and writing…. not so fabulous heroine and events.
February 23, 2016
i must be ice cold because... not so tragic.
March 2, 2018
WARNING: This book may not be for everyone as it does contain cheating, so if this is a hard limit for you, then please move on as I do not care for bashing reviews when the reader knows what they will not accept in a story. So move on and find something else that suits your needs.
Now......... how does one write a review for a book that leaves a huge gaping hole in your heart? I've ponder this for a few days, and I still can't formulate the proper words that will do this story justice. I was beyond moved by this story and I think it's honestly because I could relate to the heroine in some ways.
Read the synopsis; I mean really read it. There are no hearts and flowers in this story (ok, maybe some roses), it's simply put, A Love So Tragic.
Quote: Love is an unusual creature. It's painfully beautiful but brings out some of the darkest, ugliest parts of your heart.
Marriage is a life time commitment; a vow of Til death do you part; however, not all marriages are formed with good intentions; some are a matter of convenience.
Quote: As much as you may want to, you can't make yourself love someone, and as much as it sucks, you can't make yourself not love someone either. Love is its own fucking beast.
Nic and Peyton have a love so unique and profound that most wish they could have. For those that have this type of love, I can only urge you to hold onto it with everything in you, because you are one of the lucky ones.
Quote: Love is tragic. Love is painful and brutal, but above all, within true love, there is a beauty matched by nothing else. And what truly is tragic is to never love someone the way I love you.
Now, I must point out that there were some things that our heroine did that made me want to slap her, but, sometimes things just aren't so black and white.
We all make mistakes, and we learn to live with the outcome of our decision and move on (or at least try too).
I could go on and on about how relationships change over time, but then I could probably publish my review it'd be so damn long. All I wanna say is that, sometimes we find ourselves in a situation that we never ever thought we'd find ourselves in. In those moments, it's that one decision that can alter your life forever, whether it's for the good or the bad.
Additional favorite quotes:
I remember when I told you that I wanted my life to be like a Shakespearean play. You reminded me Shakespeare wrote tragedies, not happily ever afters. I should have listened to you. This is a love so tragic - Shakespeare would have loved our story....
You can love a million people, but there's only one person you can completely give your heart to, and once you've done that, it will never belong to anyone else. No matter how much you try, no matter how often you lie to yourself. It's just not possible. And if you say it is, then you've not experienced the kind of love I have for Nic. This type of love is- it's destructive, it's raw, it's unforgiving, and it changes you.
A huge Thank you to Stevie J. Cole for having the lady balls to write this kind of story; you have no idea how it touched the inner parts of my heart :) and Allison, Thank you for being there to discuss this heartbreaking story just moments before I finished it :D
Release day: February 15, 2016
Final honest rating: 5 You are my exception stars
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
February 21, 2016
I honestly can't say that I loved this book. I'm not even sure if I liked it. This was incredibly hard to read due to its theme, but I think that it may have been equally hard to write. I commend this author for making something as distasteful as adultery into something that didn't leave a nasty taste in my mouth. Although the topic is rough, in no way was it ugly. It was as the author wanted it. Tragic. I was warned in the prologue that I probably wasn't going to like Peyton all that much. And this is true. But I still found a lot to like about her. Number one was taking ownership for her wrong doing. She owned that shit. And I respect that. I adored Nic. This poor man suffered the most and it showed. I'm glad that his suffering wasn't for nothing. I'm happy he got his HEA.
The writing of this book was phenomenal. And despite the subject matter, nothing can take away from that. I enjoyed the letters and poems. This story was bittersweet and full of feels.
The writing of this book was phenomenal. And despite the subject matter, nothing can take away from that. I enjoyed the letters and poems. This story was bittersweet and full of feels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews