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My Name is Not Isla

Eliza Freed (Goodreads Author)

4.21 · Rating details · 47 ratings · 21 reviews

A man can’t set you free—only you can.

Backstage and in front of the world, a vicious record executive rules over his kingdom and the perfect little doll he’s created. He pulls the strings and poses her under the lights, and in the cage of the public eye, she’ll remain, until one day . . . she takes flight.

Where she lands, only one man will know—the one who’s being paid to ...more

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ebook, 270 pages

Published April 4th 2017 by Brunswick House

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· 47 ratings · 21 reviews

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Apr 11, 2017 Jennifer Kyle rated it really liked it

4 STARS

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Apr 07, 2017 Donna ~ The Romance Cover rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-5-star-2017

My Name is Not Isla by Eliza Freed
4.5 stars!!!

“A man can’t set you free – only you can.”

Thanks to one of my fellow bloggers I discovered Eliza Freed last year and have been in love with her writing ever since, this is my fifth book by this author and I still have a few back-catalogue books to read too.

My Name is Not Isla is more a romantic suspense, action packed, fast paced and totally unputdownable. Our heroine, Isla is a singer at the top of her game, the worlds darling but all th ...more

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Apr 16, 2017 Renata Rukavina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

As always, Mrs. Eliza Freed leaves me breathless and wishing for more. Her heroines always start at some points in their lives where you can judge them for some of their choices (if you like, I never do) but they find their ways to make wright. They are sensual, cynical, smart, I would love them to be my friends. And I always think at the end of the book "yes, good for you, brave girl!". The hero is fine, although I would like him to be more dangerous (see some more of those secret agent skills ...more

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Mar 01, 2017 Eliza Freed added it · (Review from the author)

This book is properly Eliza. Slightly dark and twisted.
ARCs available for request at http://xpressobooktours.com/2017/03/2...
...more

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Jun 26, 2017 Lisa Doherty (Rambling Lisa's Book Reviews) rated it liked it

Shelves: reads-and-reels

3.5*

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Jun 25, 2017 Leanne rated it really liked it

I've never read anything by this author before. I stumbled across a promo for this book,loved the cover, read the blurb and instantly knew I NEEDED to read it.

I must admit, generally my taste lays on the disturbing side of dark but there was just something about this story that sucked me in.
I have devoured it only a few hours. I almost burnt my roast potatoes because I was that caught up in the world that Eliza has created.
She is a mistress at making you feel her words. Every emotion portrayed ...more

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Jun 22, 2017 Kaye rated it it was amazing

Gripping story!

Not only will the title catch your attention, but the synopsis will definitely intrigue you! A story of control, betrayal, freedom, drama and obsession, this story will definitely keep you glued to your book!

When I started reading this story, I thought this was just an ordinary story about a pop star who got tired of the publicity, but as you read on, you'll realize that there's so much more to this book! And Isla? She's more than just a pop star!

I was provided a copy for review p ...more

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Jul 31, 2017 Siobhan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Sometimes you get a book you’re mildly interested in but do not pick it up straight away. Then, when you return to the book, you’ve completely forgotten the details. Such is what happened with My Name Is Not Isla. I was interested by the synopsis, but not crazy so. I opted to read other books first, and then when I came back to it I could not remember what kind of story I was to be given. Thus, I went in blind.

Having now read the book and gone back to look at the synopsis, I can honestly say the Sometimes you get a book you’re mildly interested in but do not pick it up straight away. Then, when you return to the book, you’ve completely forgotten the details. Such is what happened with My Name Is Not Isla. I was interested by the synopsis, but not crazy so. I opted to read other books first, and then when I came back to it I could not remember what kind of story I was to be given. Thus, I went in blind.

Having now read the book and gone back to look at the synopsis, I can honestly say the book is so much more than the synopsis had me believing. I can understand why I was interested but not crazy so. The synopsis left me intrigued, yet it failed to highlight the amazing story contained within the pages of this book. In other words, this story was so much more than it appears to be.

A lot of stories dealing with fame are rather light and fluffy reads. There’s always plenty of drama, but unless it’s a hardboiled thriller we miss out of the gritty details. This story gives those details. It was much darker than I anticipated the story to be. It is not the level of dark you see in the aforementioned hardboiled thrillers, but it was much darker than most romances that deal with fame. In all honesty, this story was much closer to being a romantic suspense novel than it seems. The first couple of chapters I expected a drama filled fame read, but then the details started coming in – details that were much darker than anticipated – and I was truly gripped.

I loved the surprise of this read being darker than anticipated. It was exactly what I wanted to break up the large number of lighter reads I have been working through recently. Usually I need a lighter read to break through all my darker reads, yet my advance read books as of late have been on the fluffier side of things. This book worked to remind me why I favour the darker reads. Light and fluffy is good for a while, but these deeper reads certainly pull me in much deeper.

This story is very much one that pulls you in deep, once it has a hold on you it is impossible to put down. The storyline grips you, leaving you curious as to how everything will come together. The characters are wonderful, as you quickly come to love them. The romance is great, playing out in a fashion that will leave you experiencing all kinds of emotions. Everything comes together so well with this one, the story being truly addictive.

Honestly, I had so much fun with this one. I’m annoyed I waited a while before diving in, as it was such a fun read. I’ll certainly be looking to read more of the author’s work in the future, as this one has certainly left a mark. ...more

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Apr 11, 2017 Nina rated it liked it

Shelves: angst-fest, chick-lit, insta-love, love-triangle, smut-alert, spies-and-thrillers, you-kiss-your-mom-with-that-mouth

OK, so the blurb isn't that helpful, so here's the short version: Isla Monroe is a world famous pop singer who wants to escape her fake life and abusive manager, so she runs away to Portland, OR.

This was going to be one or two stars, but the book ending (at least for the thriller subplot, not the romance plot) was so wild I'm gonna give it an extra star.

Things I didn't like:

Clunky, amateur-ish writing. Ack. It's moderately bad during Isla's perspective, it's unbearable during Dalton's parts. Unf ...more

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Aug 02, 2017 Beth Rinyu rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I feel a book hangover coming on!

If you love romantic suspense, pick up this book now. From the very first page I was hooked, needing to know the backstory of these characters and the fate of their futures.

Isla/Mae was such a strong and independent heroine. I loved that despite her situation, she didn't play the damsel in distress role.

Dalton...wow! I could just feel the heat coming from the pages with this hero. He was sexy, caring, and fiercely protective over Mae. I enjoyed how she changed hi ...more

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May 07, 2017 Vickie rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: anyone

My Name Is Not Isla
by Eliza Freed
Publication date: April 4th 2017
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

I've loved all of Eliza Freed's books in the past, and I truly enjoyed this one as well. It is a departure from her normal adult romance books, but its written in a way that kept me captive. I felt that the story progressed naturally and I enjoyed the storyline of the budding romance and friendship between the main characters. I did feel that the story ended before I was ready, and could've explore ...more

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Apr 22, 2017 Nina Rodriguez Colon rated it it was amazing

All that glitters isn’t gold, just ask Pop Superstar Isla Monroe. Caught in the celebrity world where lies are the truth and those that you are suppose to be able to trust claim to own you, Ilsa longs for simple, for normal, and for the first time in her life the chance to be finally free from all her pain.

Secret Operative Dalton travelled the world on tactical missions for the world’s elite. So when he receives orders to follow a Pop Princess who has run away, he is not happy to say the least. ...more

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Jun 22, 2017 Shelley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017

My Name Is Not Isla is the story of one young woman’s journey to regain control of her life. What began as a God-given talent and a dream, turned in the hectic, taxing life of a pop star that didn’t glitter quite as brightly as she her wide eyes had imagined. Along with fame and fortune came a world filled with dominance, abuse, prying eyes, obsessive fans, and lies masquerading as the truth. When the price of fame becomes too high, and her freedom becomes a greater desire than her celebrity lif My Name Is Not Isla is the story of one young woman’s journey to regain control of her life. What began as a God-given talent and a dream, turned in the hectic, taxing life of a pop star that didn’t glitter quite as brightly as she her wide eyes had imagined. Along with fame and fortune came a world filled with dominance, abuse, prying eyes, obsessive fans, and lies masquerading as the truth. When the price of fame becomes too high, and her freedom becomes a greater desire than her celebrity life, she escapes the bright lights, the flashbulbs, the pretend relationships, and the hulking security in search of the simple life and freedom that she craves.

Eliza Freed consistently creates characters that I am immediately drawn to. Isla Monroe may have reached stardom, but she is far from the perfect, idyllic woman that her fans fawn over. Isla is troubled, flawed, quirky, obsessive (and rightly so), and lost. I wanted nothing more than for her to succeed and escape her new life and find her true self again. But what makes her so intriguing is that she is so much stronger than even she believes. Despite the fact that she has been under the thumbs of controlling people for her entire adult life, she is still so determined, resourceful, and brave.

When all eyes are always on Isla Monroe, it’s difficult to truly escape. Dalton is the over-qualified, former military specialist who is hired to track the famous singer – much to his chagrin. Following a spoiled diva on a cross-country trip is the last thing that he wants to do to occupy his time. The more time that he spends in her presence, the more he learns about her, and he quickly realizes that she might not be the self-important celebrity that he originally thought she was. With every interaction, his protectiveness grows. He wants to help Isla, be there for her, get to know the real her. Of course, Dalton is keeping his own secrets as well. As they become closer, the lines begin to blur, and what once was merely a job is turning into stronger romantic feelings that he can’t deny.

My Name Is Not Isla is a fast-paced romantic suspense that I could clearly visualize while I was reading. I had a deep sense of foreboding throughout a large part of the book. I knew that the author wasn’t going to make Isla’s story easy – I didn’t want her to. Isla had been through hell and back, it was only fitting that her story played out the same way. This was her story. Her life. I was rooting for her from the very beginning. It was up to Isla to take her life back.

...more

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Jun 07, 2017 Christel rated it liked it

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May 26, 2017 Dani rated it it was ok

Eliza Freed has written a slow romance that builds up to an intense, albeit brief climax reminiscent of one you would expect from a sub-par thriller. The climax is what made me not entirely dislike this book. The characters, setting, and storyline for this book were superficial and frivolous without enough realism to make this book relatable enough to make me care about these characters or what happened to them on any personal level.

The main character of this book Isla was neither a person in t Eliza Freed has written a slow romance that builds up to an intense, albeit brief climax reminiscent of one you would expect from a sub-par thriller. The climax is what made me not entirely dislike this book. The characters, setting, and storyline for this book were superficial and frivolous without enough realism to make this book relatable enough to make me care about these characters or what happened to them on any personal level.

The main character of this book Isla was neither a person in this book that I hated nor did I care for her enough for this storyline to grab me. She was portrayed as a strong but caring female lead as more so seen through the eyes of Dalton. However, when experiencing this story from Isla's point of view she's a worrisome skittish girl who's mindset is constantly paranoid with minimal other emotions or traits to flesh her out as a person. What I find inconsistent about Isla's character is the sudden lapse in her paranoia when only concerning Dalton, a lapse which is purely based off of a gut instinct despite this girl being drawn by all other aspects of this book as being calculative and methodical. The relationship that sporadically seemed to ignite between Isla and Dalton once they had met is too much of a "love-at-first-sight" for me which is a simple-minded almost boorish method that authors seem to use when there is not enough of a personality between characters to build a proper relationship upon.

Once this relationship had suddenly emerged it became a road trip romance dragged out in what felt like more of a filler to take up space in this book. There was little suspense for what was about to happen, little foreshadowing except for occasional letter snippets that allude to a mundane static character "Ian". This "alluded-to" character "Ian" played a role in this novel that I saw coming by the fist page of this novel so that it was no surprise when the climax of this story revealed his part in this novel to be what it was. The confrontations that finally bring excitement to this story are no real shocker and inspired little emotion from me.

The characters, plotline, setting and even the story's twist came off as bland to me; inspiring no real thought or emotion inside of me, making it hard to relate to or care about this novel. I just simply couldn't hate it because nothing about this book offended me neither as that would have at least required this book to inflict some emotion for me. ...more

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Sep 06, 2017 Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-to-review-read, standalone

3.5 Stars!

I quite like Eliza Freed so I jumped at the opportunity to review this book. I have to admit this took me quite awhile to get into it. I was supposed to have it finished months ago but I just couldn't get into it then I made myself plow forward. But then I was totally happy I did because this book grew into something so much more.

"Because sometimes you have to let the evil in to fully escape it."

Isla didn't win me over but Mae did once Mae was able to truly be Mae. However, I did ador ...more

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Aug 03, 2017 Andrea Britton rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What a wild ride we take! Highly recommended.

I loved this book! Like truly fell in love with both characters. A little dark, a whole lot of suspense, questions that needed answers and a heart warming story all wrapped up in one AMAZING BOOK!!!

Isla Monroe is getting her life back anyway she can! Come along and watch as she fights for her freedom and she fights for a love that she's finally found.

Ahhhhh I just can't say how much I loved this book. Go and one click! Highly recommended. ...more

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Jul 06, 2017 Laura rated it it was amazing

I love Eliza Freed and each book seems better than the last! My Name Is Not Isla did not disappoint and once I started I didn't put it down. Freed always makes me feel like I'm right there in the story and her characters haunt me long after I've finished the book. You have amazed me yet again Eliza Freed. Thank you for sharing your talent with us! ...more

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Feb 09, 2018 Melissa Hodgins rated it really liked it

For a fluff read I really liked it.

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Jul 01, 2017 N Swaffar rated it it was amazing

**Copy provided by Tour Host, in exchange for an honest review**

My Name is Not Isla is an action suspense, romance and I loved every part of it. Once I started reading Dalton and “Isla” story I couldn’t stop. The story was very engaging and full of surprises. It’s been a while since I read one from Eliza Freed, which the Lost Soul Series and I’m glad I started with this one. It was a quite a read with a strong heroine and strong alpha male.

This story is all about Isla, a celebrity that was ...more

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Mar 05, 2020 KindleCousins added it

Shelves: dnf, i-don-t-care-what-happens-next

41% I feel zero connection to these characters and I'm bored af. DNF'd. 1st of 2020 ...more

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Eliza Freed

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Eliza Freed graduated from Rutgers University and returned to her hometown in rural South Jersey. Her mother encouraged her to take some time and find herself. After three months of searching, she began to bounce checks, her neighbors began to talk, and her mother told her to find a job.

She settled into corporate America, learn ...more