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Always Yours
Vegas.
Drinks.
A hot guy.
A mind blowing night you can’t remember.
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Right?
Gertie Anderson had never wished for anything as badly as she wished for that statement to be true when she wakes up married to her high school bully.
A bully who has grown up into a man who has no intentions of letting her go when he finally has her exactly where he wants her. As his.
Cailean Baker ruined my life and now he’s done it again when he tied me down in ways a divorce can’t even fix.
Drinks.
A hot guy.
A mind blowing night you can’t remember.
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Right?
Gertie Anderson had never wished for anything as badly as she wished for that statement to be true when she wakes up married to her high school bully.
A bully who has grown up into a man who has no intentions of letting her go when he finally has her exactly where he wants her. As his.
Cailean Baker ruined my life and now he’s done it again when he tied me down in ways a divorce can’t even fix.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2019
25 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Grace Owens
9 books15 followersGrace Owens is a first-time novelist and an avid reader. She has been enjoying writing and reading since the height of FanFiction. When she’s not working her boring 9-5 job, she enjoys consuming and decorating cookies.
She decided to chase the American dream and leave Europe a handful of years ago. She is currently living in rainy Washington with her husband and two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 5, 2019
Another writer for the continued perpetration of misogyny, and another damp dishrag of a heroine who passively accepts unwarranted abuse.
I don't understand the whole bully/victim mentality, honestly. Where I come from, we stood up for ourselves and didn't put up with being tormented and pushed round. We pushed back and sure as shit weren't going to be someone else's victim. So, to me? The heroine in this book was pretty much a loser.
I don't care if that sounds harsh. It's meant to. According to the story, the H ruined the h's childhood. Ruined high school for her.
You're not going to forget the person who did those things to you. But on a trip to Vegas almost a decade later, the h doesn't recognise her old tormentor and a night of drunken debauchery ends with her married to him - and we soon learn, pregnant to boot.
Heroines like her earn nothing but my contempt. Weak-willed marionettes too stupid to control their libido or know that their attraction is inappropriate. How pathetic and what an embarrassment to the female gender. I can't respect anyone who lets a man run roughshod over her. Who meekly goes along with everything he says like an obedient little girl, who doesn't argue because it's easier to ignore their own wants or there 'is no changing his mind.'
You know who thinks like that? Someone without a mind of their own.
The 'hero' was simply a clone of all the other spoilt, entitled shitebags that mistreat women and yet somehow garner reader descriptions of 'hot,' 'swoony,' or - lord help me 🤮 - 'book boyfriend.' He's not worth any more space.
The writer also had questionable taste in names.
For instance: Gertrude.
Really?!
Ugh. No.
And 'Gertie.'
Just...please, no.
That name wasn't in fashion or remotely attractive when my own octegenarian Aunt Gert was born last century. Trust me when I say that 80 or so years have not improved it.
Some names are just the antithesis of romantic.
Ethel. Algae. Gert.rude.
If I ever encounter a heroine in this genre named 'Bertha,' I'm done.
And yeah, I read the note at the end. It didn't alter my opinion any. My convictions are unlikely to be swayed by a claim that a story or character is based on writer experience. In this case, I wouldn't feel compelled to admit such.
The heroine was still a doormat. The hero was an unlikable caricature. Their relationship was shallow and devoid of connection, and there was nothing remotely engaging about their 'story' - which was about 90% sex.
One star, because no-star ratings have a knack for disappearing.
I don't understand the whole bully/victim mentality, honestly. Where I come from, we stood up for ourselves and didn't put up with being tormented and pushed round. We pushed back and sure as shit weren't going to be someone else's victim. So, to me? The heroine in this book was pretty much a loser.
I don't care if that sounds harsh. It's meant to. According to the story, the H ruined the h's childhood. Ruined high school for her.
You're not going to forget the person who did those things to you. But on a trip to Vegas almost a decade later, the h doesn't recognise her old tormentor and a night of drunken debauchery ends with her married to him - and we soon learn, pregnant to boot.
Heroines like her earn nothing but my contempt. Weak-willed marionettes too stupid to control their libido or know that their attraction is inappropriate. How pathetic and what an embarrassment to the female gender. I can't respect anyone who lets a man run roughshod over her. Who meekly goes along with everything he says like an obedient little girl, who doesn't argue because it's easier to ignore their own wants or there 'is no changing his mind.'
You know who thinks like that? Someone without a mind of their own.
The 'hero' was simply a clone of all the other spoilt, entitled shitebags that mistreat women and yet somehow garner reader descriptions of 'hot,' 'swoony,' or - lord help me 🤮 - 'book boyfriend.' He's not worth any more space.
The writer also had questionable taste in names.
For instance: Gertrude.
Really?!
Ugh. No.
And 'Gertie.'
Just...please, no.
That name wasn't in fashion or remotely attractive when my own octegenarian Aunt Gert was born last century. Trust me when I say that 80 or so years have not improved it.
Some names are just the antithesis of romantic.
Ethel. Algae. Gert.rude.
If I ever encounter a heroine in this genre named 'Bertha,' I'm done.
And yeah, I read the note at the end. It didn't alter my opinion any. My convictions are unlikely to be swayed by a claim that a story or character is based on writer experience. In this case, I wouldn't feel compelled to admit such.
The heroine was still a doormat. The hero was an unlikable caricature. Their relationship was shallow and devoid of connection, and there was nothing remotely engaging about their 'story' - which was about 90% sex.
One star, because no-star ratings have a knack for disappearing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2019
1 ⭐- Ugh! Didn't like it or triggers or pet peeve!
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SPOILER
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Romanticized abuse, bullying, Zeroine is a doormat, Zero has a fiancee, Vegas wedding to take revenge, Zeroine didn't recognize him when drunk, Zero spoiled her childhood and adolescence by tormenting and humiliating her. He didn't deserve forgiveness and she's a complete moron.
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SPOILER
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Romanticized abuse, bullying, Zeroine is a doormat, Zero has a fiancee, Vegas wedding to take revenge, Zeroine didn't recognize him when drunk, Zero spoiled her childhood and adolescence by tormenting and humiliating her. He didn't deserve forgiveness and she's a complete moron.
September 4, 2019
It's okay in parts but not in others.
I love the drunk married in Vegas troupe.
But for me it felt there was too much going on, the author tried to pack too many storylines in.
First of all there was the bullying in high school then she wakes up finding she married him in Vegas, 8 years or so later.
The bullying is pretty severe, I know people grow up and change but really.....
The motives behind his actions were a bit bizarre, some family history the heroine didn't know about. I didn't really see what the Hero got out of marrying her, he's on some revenge trip but she could have divorced him and taken half his worldly goods so that didn't add up to me, surely he's shot himself in the foot actually marrying her, esp as his family is rich and hers is poor.
They get married then part ways for a few weeks. They meet up again, the Hero says they should be exclusive and when she comments on him being with others he looks guilty, so I wasn't sure I believed there had been no-one else in their time apart.
Later she finds out she's pregnant. The heroine rages that he's tried to trap her as part of his revenge but again to me it didn't make sense. Surely he's trapped himself if it was deliberate.
There is other woman drama which was really bizarre, a woman who believes she's his fiancee, arranged by his grandfather.
I didn't see why that needed to be added, other woman, yes, you could see that coming but the whole family tradition of arranged marriage was out of the blue.
The heroine is constantly pushing away, which got too much, I wouldn't have touched him with a barge pole but she needed to make up her mind with clear boundaries.
Bit mills and boon, couldn't resist, her mind says no, her body says yes.
No cheating.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
During separation the Hero says there is no-one else.
Hero has previously 'not dated', we all know what that means, the heroine is quite inexperienced, not a virgin.
Secondary characters that could have or maybe have had their own stories.
HEA.
Epilogue from Hero's POV.
I love the drunk married in Vegas troupe.
But for me it felt there was too much going on, the author tried to pack too many storylines in.
First of all there was the bullying in high school then she wakes up finding she married him in Vegas, 8 years or so later.
The bullying is pretty severe, I know people grow up and change but really.....
The motives behind his actions were a bit bizarre, some family history the heroine didn't know about. I didn't really see what the Hero got out of marrying her, he's on some revenge trip but she could have divorced him and taken half his worldly goods so that didn't add up to me, surely he's shot himself in the foot actually marrying her, esp as his family is rich and hers is poor.
They get married then part ways for a few weeks. They meet up again, the Hero says they should be exclusive and when she comments on him being with others he looks guilty, so I wasn't sure I believed there had been no-one else in their time apart.
Later she finds out she's pregnant. The heroine rages that he's tried to trap her as part of his revenge but again to me it didn't make sense. Surely he's trapped himself if it was deliberate.
There is other woman drama which was really bizarre, a woman who believes she's his fiancee, arranged by his grandfather.
I didn't see why that needed to be added, other woman, yes, you could see that coming but the whole family tradition of arranged marriage was out of the blue.
The heroine is constantly pushing away, which got too much, I wouldn't have touched him with a barge pole but she needed to make up her mind with clear boundaries.
Bit mills and boon, couldn't resist, her mind says no, her body says yes.
No cheating.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
During separation the Hero says there is no-one else.
Hero has previously 'not dated', we all know what that means, the heroine is quite inexperienced, not a virgin.
Secondary characters that could have or maybe have had their own stories.
HEA.
Epilogue from Hero's POV.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2019
What a mess of a Story. like seriously the bully stuff needs to stop already. Why would you want to be with a guy that treated you like trash. Bullying is not romantic.
He married her for revenge. Unplanned pregnancy and fiancée too in this one. The sink and all.
He married her for revenge. Unplanned pregnancy and fiancée too in this one. The sink and all.
October 14, 2019
Another bully romance ... h is a perpetual doormat and really grows up very little ... She remains a pushover ... H is very dominant and I saw very little apologies from him on his bullying of a little girl who came from a less than ideal family environment ...
He marries her for revenge ...
I kept waiting for h to grow up and realise she didn't have to put up with h ...
Towards the end she gets upset at H because he has a supposed fiancee ... She leaves his house and starts living with a female friend ... I felt that that issue was really a misunderstanding ... What she should have moved out over was when he tells her he married her for revenge ....
Ultimately very little remorse or apology over his past bas behavior ...
Again he sleeps around ... She has one poor sexual experience before meeting him ... Their relationship was so very unequal ... He owns a prosperous business while she is still a struggling intern ... And something about a H who sleeps with a woman who is drunk and doesn't recognize him was skeevy ...
He marries her for revenge ...
I kept waiting for h to grow up and realise she didn't have to put up with h ...
Towards the end she gets upset at H because he has a supposed fiancee ... She leaves his house and starts living with a female friend ... I felt that that issue was really a misunderstanding ... What she should have moved out over was when he tells her he married her for revenge ....
Ultimately very little remorse or apology over his past bas behavior ...
Again he sleeps around ... She has one poor sexual experience before meeting him ... Their relationship was so very unequal ... He owns a prosperous business while she is still a struggling intern ... And something about a H who sleeps with a woman who is drunk and doesn't recognize him was skeevy ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2019
Once a pushover always a pushover. She didn't stand up for herself..just accepting the bully.. just like when she was in high school. I almost DNF, but I need to know that in the end she would've standup for herself and just not surrender to conditions.. Dissapointing.. very dissapointing
March 19, 2020
Always Yours by Grace Owens is a modern day bodice-ripper.
Some readers might be offended by the premise—naïve recent college graduate Gertrude Anderson gets drunk at a bachelorette party in Vegas (where else?) and wakes in the morning thinking she’s had a really good dream. She soon discovers it wasn’t a dream but a night in bed (and the shower) with a hunk that just happens to be Cailean Baker, the high school bully introduced in the prologue.
In the MeToo era, a drunken sexual encounter is a form of rape, but this is fiction. After all, Margaret Atwood didn’t write Rape Fantasies because women have never had them before.
The coincidences and improbabilities pile on in quick succession. Gertrude finds out that she and Cailean got married before the sex (even went out and bought rings). Then, surprise, surprise, he shows up at her friend Hannah’s wedding because he’s the groom’s cousin.
As a reader, I felt like I had to suspend all reason and rational thinking for 180 pages. There were too many shallow motivations and inappropriate reactions that didn’t serve the story well. My main beef was the overbearing writing style of telling the reader what to think and feel on every page.
I must admit once I got into the story, I had to see how it ended. The author did a good job of ratcheting up the tension with a few twists and turns. But for too long she had Gertrude deny her love for Cailean. Very late in the story, Gertrude persists in believing they won’t be together, but she has no problem giving him blow-jobs and living with him.
For readers looking for a steamy romance, there’s enough conflict and erotica to satisfy them.
Some readers might be offended by the premise—naïve recent college graduate Gertrude Anderson gets drunk at a bachelorette party in Vegas (where else?) and wakes in the morning thinking she’s had a really good dream. She soon discovers it wasn’t a dream but a night in bed (and the shower) with a hunk that just happens to be Cailean Baker, the high school bully introduced in the prologue.
In the MeToo era, a drunken sexual encounter is a form of rape, but this is fiction. After all, Margaret Atwood didn’t write Rape Fantasies because women have never had them before.
The coincidences and improbabilities pile on in quick succession. Gertrude finds out that she and Cailean got married before the sex (even went out and bought rings). Then, surprise, surprise, he shows up at her friend Hannah’s wedding because he’s the groom’s cousin.
As a reader, I felt like I had to suspend all reason and rational thinking for 180 pages. There were too many shallow motivations and inappropriate reactions that didn’t serve the story well. My main beef was the overbearing writing style of telling the reader what to think and feel on every page.
I must admit once I got into the story, I had to see how it ended. The author did a good job of ratcheting up the tension with a few twists and turns. But for too long she had Gertrude deny her love for Cailean. Very late in the story, Gertrude persists in believing they won’t be together, but she has no problem giving him blow-jobs and living with him.
For readers looking for a steamy romance, there’s enough conflict and erotica to satisfy them.
Want to read
September 7, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/7/2019)! 🎁
March 17, 2020
I've read my share of romance (not much, granted), but I've never come across what's officially classified as "bully romance." Having come across this book, I've also realized that I wouldn't classify myself as a member of its target audience. Having said that, and knowing each person's preferred cup of tea is quite different, my aim is to review this book solely on writing merit, character development, and the quality of its storytelling.
In school, it's obvious that Gertrude was a victim of bullying. In particular, by one bully named Cailean Baker. Her fear of him, tinged with more than a little lust, and paired with her own sense of inferiority and overwhelming insecurity, are partially justified by the implication of a dysfunctional family and no friends in school (the latter because of Cailean!) -- something that I would have preferred being shown rather than told. I would have loved to see far more of her personality than just this. Then the setting of high school disappears as quickly as it came, and the story jumps right years into the future. Poor college graduate Gertrude wakes up after a night that started as a girls' bachelorette night out and ends with her being in some dude's hotel bed.
The pace of the narrative is brisk, though a final round of proofreading may have made it smoother. The curveballs begin to get thrown soon and without mercy. :) The twists that happen are a bit much, but they are certainly interesting (and, hey, this is fiction after all). Some incidents are really cute, and they made the scene come to life in my mind (like from a really endearing Sandra Bullock or Reese Witherspoon movie). At Hanna's party, when Gertrude overheads Hanna trying to set C up with someone, she nearly chokes to death on tortilla chips.
It's a dysfunctional relationship, obviously -- and those are quite real, so the premise isn't unbelievable to me. But the characters' approach to each other -- particularly Gertrude's, whose emotions are repetitively declared and thrown our way, and whose "hatred" for Cailean goes up in smoke every time she looks at his "simply amazing" body -- often feels unsubstantial. That's not how you exemplify hatred. Yet hatred is exactly what she should have initially harbored given their history...
Can she get over that emotion, forgive him, be manipulated by him, give in to his lust? Yes -- but that takes development (well, un-development, in this case). I wanted more than a repeated mantra of "I still hated him and I still feared him in some messed-up way [...] I was trapped in his eyes." As an adult, she has a bit more backbone, but not nearly enough, and it dissolves. She is still obsessed with her tormentor. She suffers... and calls herself happy.
I needed more of an evolution in their relationship, however toxic or strange it was, to buy into it early on in the book. (Maybe getting more into Cailean's head may have clarified his "evolution", for me at least; the last chapter feels far too late to experiment with that.) I wanted more in the friendship department too -- I would have loved more interaction, character development, and investment in other characters, for that would enable me as a reader to be invested in those people in turn. Instead, we get obviously-more-gorgeous-than-me, initially-don't-trust-them-enough-to-tell-them, blind-to-the-expensive-rings-on-my-finger (seriously yo, how is that possible?) girl pals.
This story isn't meant to be a study of human psychology nor is it a handbook for overcoming toxic relationships -- though I feel, if written quite differently, it could have been. At any rate, I wanted more character depth, more vivid imagery, more showing rather than telling, and memorable and developed backstories. But if you're looking for something faster and something hotter, you might find exactly what you're looking for in here. ALWAYS YOURS is a lusty read with a heaping dose of sizzle and modern drama, a dramatic stretch on submissive "love" (lust), and a Hallmark-movie-gone-dark vibe. If that sounds enticing, grab yourself a glass of wine and curl up on the couch. You'll like this.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
In school, it's obvious that Gertrude was a victim of bullying. In particular, by one bully named Cailean Baker. Her fear of him, tinged with more than a little lust, and paired with her own sense of inferiority and overwhelming insecurity, are partially justified by the implication of a dysfunctional family and no friends in school (the latter because of Cailean!) -- something that I would have preferred being shown rather than told. I would have loved to see far more of her personality than just this. Then the setting of high school disappears as quickly as it came, and the story jumps right years into the future. Poor college graduate Gertrude wakes up after a night that started as a girls' bachelorette night out and ends with her being in some dude's hotel bed.
The pace of the narrative is brisk, though a final round of proofreading may have made it smoother. The curveballs begin to get thrown soon and without mercy. :) The twists that happen are a bit much, but they are certainly interesting (and, hey, this is fiction after all). Some incidents are really cute, and they made the scene come to life in my mind (like from a really endearing Sandra Bullock or Reese Witherspoon movie). At Hanna's party, when Gertrude overheads Hanna trying to set C up with someone, she nearly chokes to death on tortilla chips.
It's a dysfunctional relationship, obviously -- and those are quite real, so the premise isn't unbelievable to me. But the characters' approach to each other -- particularly Gertrude's, whose emotions are repetitively declared and thrown our way, and whose "hatred" for Cailean goes up in smoke every time she looks at his "simply amazing" body -- often feels unsubstantial. That's not how you exemplify hatred. Yet hatred is exactly what she should have initially harbored given their history...
Can she get over that emotion, forgive him, be manipulated by him, give in to his lust? Yes -- but that takes development (well, un-development, in this case). I wanted more than a repeated mantra of "I still hated him and I still feared him in some messed-up way [...] I was trapped in his eyes." As an adult, she has a bit more backbone, but not nearly enough, and it dissolves. She is still obsessed with her tormentor. She suffers... and calls herself happy.
I needed more of an evolution in their relationship, however toxic or strange it was, to buy into it early on in the book. (Maybe getting more into Cailean's head may have clarified his "evolution", for me at least; the last chapter feels far too late to experiment with that.) I wanted more in the friendship department too -- I would have loved more interaction, character development, and investment in other characters, for that would enable me as a reader to be invested in those people in turn. Instead, we get obviously-more-gorgeous-than-me, initially-don't-trust-them-enough-to-tell-them, blind-to-the-expensive-rings-on-my-finger (seriously yo, how is that possible?) girl pals.
This story isn't meant to be a study of human psychology nor is it a handbook for overcoming toxic relationships -- though I feel, if written quite differently, it could have been. At any rate, I wanted more character depth, more vivid imagery, more showing rather than telling, and memorable and developed backstories. But if you're looking for something faster and something hotter, you might find exactly what you're looking for in here. ALWAYS YOURS is a lusty read with a heaping dose of sizzle and modern drama, a dramatic stretch on submissive "love" (lust), and a Hallmark-movie-gone-dark vibe. If that sounds enticing, grab yourself a glass of wine and curl up on the couch. You'll like this.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
October 7, 2019
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The book starts out with a prologue that takes place in Gertie’s last days of high school and they’re not pretty. I like seeing the difference in her when she wakes up in Vegas next to Cailean. You can still see a little bit of that girl from the prologue, but she’s grown a bigger backbone.
As the weeks pass, there’s a few interactions with Cailean but none of them compare to the one where she drops the pregnancy bomb on him. I loved that scene - one of my favorites in the book - because it shows Cailean as a person. Sure, he’s an asshole, but I felt like his reaction was realistic and genuine.
While I wished Gertie’s backbone from the first few chapters were still there, I loved seeing their relationship blossom from there. There are ups and downs, back and forth, but Cailean really redeemed himself for me.
Like 90% of other books out there, there’s a fallout toward the end. I have to be honest, I was prepared to stop reading it when the “fiancée” showed up, BUT THERE WAS NO CHEATING! It was more like a misunderstanding, which I think Gertie realized eventually before she even forgave Cailean for not saying anything.
There was a happy ending and no cliffhangers. Although, I have to say I’m curious about Matt... *sending a pointed look to Miss Grace to please write his story next*
The book starts out with a prologue that takes place in Gertie’s last days of high school and they’re not pretty. I like seeing the difference in her when she wakes up in Vegas next to Cailean. You can still see a little bit of that girl from the prologue, but she’s grown a bigger backbone.
As the weeks pass, there’s a few interactions with Cailean but none of them compare to the one where she drops the pregnancy bomb on him. I loved that scene - one of my favorites in the book - because it shows Cailean as a person. Sure, he’s an asshole, but I felt like his reaction was realistic and genuine.
While I wished Gertie’s backbone from the first few chapters were still there, I loved seeing their relationship blossom from there. There are ups and downs, back and forth, but Cailean really redeemed himself for me.
Like 90% of other books out there, there’s a fallout toward the end. I have to be honest, I was prepared to stop reading it when the “fiancée” showed up, BUT THERE WAS NO CHEATING! It was more like a misunderstanding, which I think Gertie realized eventually before she even forgave Cailean for not saying anything.
There was a happy ending and no cliffhangers. Although, I have to say I’m curious about Matt... *sending a pointed look to Miss Grace to please write his story next*
October 14, 2019
What got me interested in the book was the plot...the bulled marries the bully. This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I love that it opens after high school and it does start in Vegas. It tells you a little bit of her high school experience without flashbacks and you understand the loneliness that she went through. As that story progresses he wants his feelings for her to be acknowledged and that he is a changed man and wants her in his life. This story is about their relationship but the author wrote in a fiancee that had nothing to do with them, although it did test the relationship, it had nothing to do with them in a sense kind of last-minute kind of thing. I know it goes well with the plot, but if this book was not first-person of his perspective so you only got her perspective. Although his friends stick up for him before the bombshell, she finds it ominous. Although it is a happy ending, I enjoyed the journey of their love story.
March 31, 2020
Glorifies abusive relationships
Gertrude makes bad decisions when she's drunk. Hey that's fine. But when she's been conned into marrying her high school bully after a drunken bachelorette party in Las Vegas we're stretching it a little.
The opening scene is so rapey that I expected Robin Thicke to be singing in the background.
This could have been a story of empowerment. Of a young woman getting a grip on the lack of self-esteem that causes her lack of self-control, but it turns into a cliched "if you love a bastard hard enough you can change him" tale.
Bad boy romance lovers may enjoy Always Yours.
Gertrude makes bad decisions when she's drunk. Hey that's fine. But when she's been conned into marrying her high school bully after a drunken bachelorette party in Las Vegas we're stretching it a little.
The opening scene is so rapey that I expected Robin Thicke to be singing in the background.
This could have been a story of empowerment. Of a young woman getting a grip on the lack of self-esteem that causes her lack of self-control, but it turns into a cliched "if you love a bastard hard enough you can change him" tale.
Bad boy romance lovers may enjoy Always Yours.
October 20, 2019
I couldn’t finish this unfortunately. I just couldn’t empathise with either of the main characters. The basic plot of marrying someone in vegas has a lot of potential but the back story of it being someone that used to bully her just made no sense, he was a very controlling character that just had no likeable qualities to him and then the whole pregnancy thrown into that mix too just didn’t work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2019
What a messy story!
Hero is a psychopath. And even if the writer showered him with adjectives about him being sexy as fuck, he’s still a crazy psycho for me. And what happened to them in Vegas (for me) is nearly close to rape. Urgh.
Hero is a psychopath. And even if the writer showered him with adjectives about him being sexy as fuck, he’s still a crazy psycho for me. And what happened to them in Vegas (for me) is nearly close to rape. Urgh.
Read
June 3, 2022Always Yours by Grace Owens. I loved it!! Ms. Owens is a very meticulous writer. She kept me engaged in the story through to the very end.
Want to read
October 23, 2024someone knows where I can find this book? i cant find anywhere, amazon either..... :(
February 24, 2020
I would advise the author to add trigger warnings to the information for this novel. A woman is raped and somehow forced to marry childhood bully, whilst supposedly so drunk she doesn't even recognise him. The bully who has made her life hell for years. She doesn't recognise him. She then somehow continues to spend time with him, waking up in his home not knowing what has happened to her...and still for some reason she doesn't call the police and stop the abuse. She finds out she's having his baby and at that point tells other people about what has been happening to her...no-one advises her to get the law involved. What is wrong with the people in this storyworld? I found this book too difficult to carry on with.
October 23, 2019
Just so you know what to expect, a lot of detailed sex and cussing.
If it weren’t for the author’s note at the end, I’d have rated it lower.
I spent the first half of the book rolling my eyes and forcing myself to keep reading so I could review it.
I spent the rest of the time annoyed that Gertie is so indecisive and a pushover.
This book is basically a mini porno, so after the first detailed sex paragraph, I got the point and just skipped over the next parts.
Having sex with someone does create really intense emotions but it is not the whole relationship. It seemed like the author is saying, he’s an asshole but sex is so good so I’ll stay around. I hate that. There are other people who aren’t jerks that can please you. Just saying.
Some people enjoy an overbearing dominate male partner, but I am not that person. So for people who enjoy that, they might like this book.
I respect that the author is trying to tell a story about people who act on emotions and that there are two sides to every story. I also respect that the characters do what they can to be the best parents.
I believe in second chances and that people can change. It’s possible to be hurt and move on from it. But the way it was executed in this book was a bit annoying.
When I read a book, I want to feel like I’m a part of their world. I want to be invested in their characters. If I can’t find some sort of similarity or shared sentiment with a character, it’s hard for me to care about how the relationship turns out. I was very annoyed with the lack of dominance Gertie had. When she seemed to have a backbone it felt forced. A good writer can have you understand the person to a point where you don’t need it constantly spelled out for you. Every time she stood up to him, there was an explanation sentence about how she was doing so and not acting like she did in high school.
I feel bad writing negative things because I know authors put a lot of time and effort into creating and editing stories etc. I respect what she was trying to accomplish. This just isn’t the book for me.
If it weren’t for the author’s note at the end, I’d have rated it lower.
I spent the first half of the book rolling my eyes and forcing myself to keep reading so I could review it.
I spent the rest of the time annoyed that Gertie is so indecisive and a pushover.
This book is basically a mini porno, so after the first detailed sex paragraph, I got the point and just skipped over the next parts.
Having sex with someone does create really intense emotions but it is not the whole relationship. It seemed like the author is saying, he’s an asshole but sex is so good so I’ll stay around. I hate that. There are other people who aren’t jerks that can please you. Just saying.
Some people enjoy an overbearing dominate male partner, but I am not that person. So for people who enjoy that, they might like this book.
I respect that the author is trying to tell a story about people who act on emotions and that there are two sides to every story. I also respect that the characters do what they can to be the best parents.
I believe in second chances and that people can change. It’s possible to be hurt and move on from it. But the way it was executed in this book was a bit annoying.
When I read a book, I want to feel like I’m a part of their world. I want to be invested in their characters. If I can’t find some sort of similarity or shared sentiment with a character, it’s hard for me to care about how the relationship turns out. I was very annoyed with the lack of dominance Gertie had. When she seemed to have a backbone it felt forced. A good writer can have you understand the person to a point where you don’t need it constantly spelled out for you. Every time she stood up to him, there was an explanation sentence about how she was doing so and not acting like she did in high school.
I feel bad writing negative things because I know authors put a lot of time and effort into creating and editing stories etc. I respect what she was trying to accomplish. This just isn’t the book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2019
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I thought the premise was interesting and I wanted to see where it went.
The biggest problem I had was that Gertie didn’t find out until halfway to 2/3 through the book why he bullied her when they were kids. It just seems like if you found yourself unexpectedly married to someone, you would first find out why you got married, and then if you realize it’s your childhood bully, you would demand to know why they bullied you, especially if they knew who you were before you got married. And also get an apology of some sort.
Also, Caliean’s reasons for bullying Gertie were all over the place. He first tells her it was because of what the other guys at school were saying, and how beautiful she was, and then later you find out about their families’ history and he claims that is the reason. He said he married her for revenge, but when you look at their flashback, he said she would always be his and kissed her... so which is it? Very confusing.
Gertie was a funny character and I did like her, but I feel like Caliean pushed her around through the whole book, and for all her talk of being a stronger woman, she let him.
I also dislike juvenile communication problems. If you decide to be in a relationship with someone, and a problem arises, talk to them! Don’t leave and hide at your friend’s house, super annoying.
Anyhow. Overall I was hoping for more, but it had some good dialogue and funny characters.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I thought the premise was interesting and I wanted to see where it went.
The biggest problem I had was that Gertie didn’t find out until halfway to 2/3 through the book why he bullied her when they were kids. It just seems like if you found yourself unexpectedly married to someone, you would first find out why you got married, and then if you realize it’s your childhood bully, you would demand to know why they bullied you, especially if they knew who you were before you got married. And also get an apology of some sort.
Also, Caliean’s reasons for bullying Gertie were all over the place. He first tells her it was because of what the other guys at school were saying, and how beautiful she was, and then later you find out about their families’ history and he claims that is the reason. He said he married her for revenge, but when you look at their flashback, he said she would always be his and kissed her... so which is it? Very confusing.
Gertie was a funny character and I did like her, but I feel like Caliean pushed her around through the whole book, and for all her talk of being a stronger woman, she let him.
I also dislike juvenile communication problems. If you decide to be in a relationship with someone, and a problem arises, talk to them! Don’t leave and hide at your friend’s house, super annoying.
Anyhow. Overall I was hoping for more, but it had some good dialogue and funny characters.
October 19, 2019
This book is classified as a bully Romance but it didn’t bother me like I thought it would.
Yes Cailean was a jack ass to Gertie when they were young, yes he bullied her, and yes he blamed her for a situation that was beyond her control. Gertie had a horrible high school experience and yes Cailean was to blame. But even during his awful behavior you could tell he was battling emotions deeper than he could deal with. He wanted to hate her and cause her pain, but deep down he had fallen for her.
From the beginning Gertie hates the way Cailean treated her but her body responded to him in ways it shouldn’t. Yes he trapped her in a marriage, but they ended up having amazing chemistry. I did get annoyed by Gertie not accepting that they had a real relationship and she keep saying everything was temporary. They had a bumpy road and a dark past, but once they finally moved past everything and let their hearts lead they had a great relationship.
I was given a copy to read for an honest review.
Yes Cailean was a jack ass to Gertie when they were young, yes he bullied her, and yes he blamed her for a situation that was beyond her control. Gertie had a horrible high school experience and yes Cailean was to blame. But even during his awful behavior you could tell he was battling emotions deeper than he could deal with. He wanted to hate her and cause her pain, but deep down he had fallen for her.
From the beginning Gertie hates the way Cailean treated her but her body responded to him in ways it shouldn’t. Yes he trapped her in a marriage, but they ended up having amazing chemistry. I did get annoyed by Gertie not accepting that they had a real relationship and she keep saying everything was temporary. They had a bumpy road and a dark past, but once they finally moved past everything and let their hearts lead they had a great relationship.
I was given a copy to read for an honest review.
November 1, 2019
It's really hard for me to rate and write a review for this book and there are many things I liked about it. I started out loving it and thought it was written very well. It was intriguing and I needed to find out what happened. The storyline was compelling but the more I read, the more confused I got. There were so many inconsistencies with timelines and backstories. Then there were the distractions of the typos, poor grammar and spelling. I would suggest the author find a better editor, or more than one editing, because I think maybe that's all she needs. The writing wasn't bad but it was almost like a rough draft and needed a little more polishing. I think the author has some talent as a writer and I hope she continues perfecting her craft. I received this book from Booksprout for an honest review.
Heat level: 3.5
Heat level: 3.5
September 19, 2019
Bullying hits very close to home for me, and romanticizing it is usually not something I agree with. I was recommended this book and I was glad I took a chance on it despite it being a “bully romance.” Apart from the prologue where we see a glimpse of Gertie’s time in high school, I didn’t feel like this was a bully romance. Gertie and Cailean were just two people with a past that they needed to work through for the sake of their future. Honestly, it almost felt like a second chance in a way. Their first relationship was shit, and while I didn’t agree with Cailean’s reason for marrying her, it gave them a second chance at having something good.
October 19, 2019
Gertie is bullied throughout her school life by Cailean, but is there a reason behind his behaviours or is it the fine line of love and hate.
After a drunken night in Vegas both of their lives will never be the same.
Can Gertie put aside her emotions from her childhood bullying for the new emotions she is feeling, will the reasons behind Calieans behaviours ever be for enough for them to move forward . This is a story of the extremes of love - hate relationship.
There are some differing reviews on this book but dont be put off by these, read it and make your own decision.
Grace Owens
After a drunken night in Vegas both of their lives will never be the same.
Can Gertie put aside her emotions from her childhood bullying for the new emotions she is feeling, will the reasons behind Calieans behaviours ever be for enough for them to move forward . This is a story of the extremes of love - hate relationship.
There are some differing reviews on this book but dont be put off by these, read it and make your own decision.
Grace Owens
September 4, 2019
I don’t understand some of the reviews on here. Why are you complaining about the bullying part when the description clearly states that it’s a bully romance? I thought the story was great. It was amazing to see both characters grow as people and how they took their common love for one thing and turned it into their own.
If you don’t like bully romances, accidental marriages, a bit of an asshole H, then you should stay clear of this book.
I would recommend that you read this book before judging it by other reviewers. This author has a lot of potential.
If you don’t like bully romances, accidental marriages, a bit of an asshole H, then you should stay clear of this book.
I would recommend that you read this book before judging it by other reviewers. This author has a lot of potential.
September 4, 2019
Wow, this was a (good) weird twist of a bully romance I’ve never read or seen before.
Was Gertie a pushover? Yes, but I mean this is a bully romance and I think she grew into her own as the story progressed.
Was Cailean an asshole? Absolutely, but he had his sweet moments as well once they both decided to put everything behind them.
I think this author did a great job with this book, and while there were moments I didn’t agree with, she made the overall concept of marrying your high school bully work!
Was Gertie a pushover? Yes, but I mean this is a bully romance and I think she grew into her own as the story progressed.
Was Cailean an asshole? Absolutely, but he had his sweet moments as well once they both decided to put everything behind them.
I think this author did a great job with this book, and while there were moments I didn’t agree with, she made the overall concept of marrying your high school bully work!
September 7, 2019
There seems to be some bullies on here who hates bully romances. Guess what? You don’t have to read it. I feel like it’s unfair to the author that you go on here and basically act like mean girls simply because you don’t like the genre. The synopsis clearly states that it’s a bully romance.
That said, if you like bully romances, this was a good one. Yes, there was a lot packed into it, but the kitchen sink? No. I don’t feel like Gertie was a doormat. If anything, I feel like she pushed Cailean away too much. He was trying.
That said, if you like bully romances, this was a good one. Yes, there was a lot packed into it, but the kitchen sink? No. I don’t feel like Gertie was a doormat. If anything, I feel like she pushed Cailean away too much. He was trying.
September 26, 2021
2.75 stars
I think the first part of the book was good but the second half was rather repetitive and kind of boring. I liked the premise of the book but I think the readers don’t get enough background on the characters. Also there were things that needed more of an explanation like the H said he married the h out of revenge but then later in the book he mentions that he always kind of love her, so that revenge plot was confusing and silly.
The book would have also benefited from some Vegas flashbacks but all in all it was a decent read.
I think the first part of the book was good but the second half was rather repetitive and kind of boring. I liked the premise of the book but I think the readers don’t get enough background on the characters. Also there were things that needed more of an explanation like the H said he married the h out of revenge but then later in the book he mentions that he always kind of love her, so that revenge plot was confusing and silly.
The book would have also benefited from some Vegas flashbacks but all in all it was a decent read.
October 22, 2019
The story of Gertie and Cailean was intriguing at first but as the story progressed it became confusing.
I liked Gertie as character, although she was weak she was written as a nice girl one can relate to as a reader. Cailean, the bully, was somehow onedimensional. Surely the book would have profited if there had been alternate POV‘s.
Overall I did not like the story but I will definitely read another book by this author. She has a writing style that really draws you in, she manages to make her characters come to life.
I liked Gertie as character, although she was weak she was written as a nice girl one can relate to as a reader. Cailean, the bully, was somehow onedimensional. Surely the book would have profited if there had been alternate POV‘s.
Overall I did not like the story but I will definitely read another book by this author. She has a writing style that really draws you in, she manages to make her characters come to life.
September 14, 2019
For a bully romance, this was a great book. I understand if bully romances aren’t your cup of tea that you might dislike it.
The prologue started with a glimpse of what Gertie had to endure in high school, and while it broke my heart, it still felt as an important part of the book.
Loved the twist and turns in Gertie and Cailean’s relationship. Wish there was more from Cailean’s POV, but I could relate to Gertie.
The prologue started with a glimpse of what Gertie had to endure in high school, and while it broke my heart, it still felt as an important part of the book.
Loved the twist and turns in Gertie and Cailean’s relationship. Wish there was more from Cailean’s POV, but I could relate to Gertie.
October 8, 2019
This book wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. In fact, I actually quite enjoyed it. Over time the bullying aspect just faded into the background because the Hero actually worked for it. That’s not to say he’s perfect—there were moments where I cringed at his out of nowhere possessiveness. But in hindsight, it was still there even when he was bullying her. I guess there’s a very thin line between love and hate.
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