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The Cruelest Stranger

Winter Renshaw (Goodreads Author)

4.19 · Rating details · 1,636 ratings · 402 reviews

The first time I saw him was at a bar called Ophelia’s on a misty Thursday night. I was there to drown my sorrows after a trying day, he was there to escape the storm. After a brief yet incredibly cruel exchange, the handsome stranger bolted before I had a chance to tell him off. Incensed and two cocktails deep, I followed him out the door, determined to give the audacious ...more

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300 pages

Published January 20th 2020

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The Cruelest Stranger
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Release date: Jan 20, 2020

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Jan 28, 2020 Jennifer Kyle rated it liked it

3 Stars ...more

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Jan 23, 2020 Dora Koutsoukou rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2 s

Let me catch my breath since I have just finished this cruel stranger’s marathon story.
The first couple of chapters had me hooked and I was very excited. Astaire and Bennett were totally opposite characters, yet very interesting. She was joyful and pleasant, he was an arrogant and cruel arsehole.

Bennett was cold, indifferent and remote, I couldn’t believe he responded to Astaire’s emails and wrote so many words!!! It was so out if his character.
Astaire, towards the ending mentioned she ...more

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Jan 19, 2020 Myla rated it it was amazing

After having read just the first few pages, I was completely hooked. I stayed up all night to finish this novel - because I just couldn't put it down. A heartwarming story wherein characters were believable and flawed and wonderful.

Astaire a pre-school teacher who grew up in a not so ideal environment but it didn't make her hard or jaded. She has this positive attitude and chooses to see the good in people. So, meeting Bennett is really a challenge to her personality.

Bennett the arrogant, ...more

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Jan 18, 2020 Bookgasms Book Blog rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ratula

Anyone who knows me knows that fictional mean boys make the world go round. THE MEANER THE BETTER! There is something about the spirited banter and the back and forth that has made me an addict. For that reason I loved Bennett Schoenback from the get go. He was cruel and heartless (oh the irony!) with a huge dose of cynical charm that I could not get enough of. At first his connection with Astaire was tumultuous at best but after getting to know one another, a love story was born. I thought ...more

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Jan 18, 2020 Keri Loves Books rated it it was amazing

Rain Brings New Beginnings

A heart-wrenching and heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romance that will make you believe in fated soul mates.

One night in a random bar and both their lives change forever. He’s the biggest jerk she’s ever met. She’s sunshine and all the good things about life. He’s a pessimist but sees it as being a realist. She always gives everyone the benefit of the doubt and looks at the bright side of life. She’s the light to his dark.

You never know the pain that someone else is ...more

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Jan 21, 2020 Brown Li rated it it was ok

ARC COPY RECEIVED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

I may be a cruel bastard, but I’m no monster. And there’s a difference.

Bennett is a dickhead. And Astaire is a ray of sunshine who just can’t help herself and meddle into a complete strangers life by sending him an email consoling him for his loss. First I was annoyed with her being so nice to a dickhead like Bennett, it was completely unnecessary but then later I just got over it because that’s how her personality really is. You can’t really change a ...more

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Jan 31, 2020 Kristiej rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, cynical-hero-heroine, opposites-attract, rich-hero, anti-hero, ass-hole-hero, tough-guy, memorable-heroine, intense-read, likeable-heroine

I’ve long been a fan of Winter Renshaw and consider her a hidden gem of an author and I would love to see other readers discover her.

Astaire is a young woman grieving. Her fiancé died in a car crash way too soon. And what makes it sadder is she grew up in foster care and has no family. She does have a job she loves though, as a kindergarten teacher. But it’s time she starts to move on and she is waiting in a bar one wet and rainy night for a blind date. She approaches a guy who she thinks might I’ve long been a fan of Winter Renshaw and consider her a hidden gem of an author and I would love to see other readers discover her.

Astaire is a young woman grieving. Her fiancé died in a car crash way too soon. And what makes it sadder is she grew up in foster care and has no family. She does have a job she loves though, as a kindergarten teacher. But it’s time she starts to move on and she is waiting in a bar one wet and rainy night for a blind date. She approaches a guy who she thinks might be her date, only to be blown away by his rudeness. And he really is rude to her, a complete stranger. But despite it, when she notices he left his umbrella behind she tries to return it until she finds him heading into a funeral parlor and what with the recent loss of her fiance, her heart softens until another interaction and meeting and each time he’s just a cynical as ever. But Astaire is nothing if not an optimist and she refuses to believe he’s as mean as he comes across.

Turns out he’s both. Bennett is both cruel and soft. He was raised by a monster of a mother and an equally cruel and sadistic brother and he’s had to cover himself in layer after layer of coldness in order to protect himself.

But when a little girl is mysteriously thrust into his life, a little girl with close ties to Astaire, Bennet finally begins to let her in and she knows she’s been right all along, there is something special about him. Astaire is so good. She hasn’t let all the losses she’s experienced harden her heart at all and she has so much to offer Bennett. And though it takes a while, he sees how special she is. And while at the start Bennett isn’t the easiest hero to like, it isn’t long before we readers see beneath his icy exterior to the caring man he is underneath and who he could have been all along given the right circumstances.. This is another book I’m sure I’ll read again.

As I said, she is an autobuy author and one I would love to see more readers discover. I’ve read a number of her books now. There was one I read a few years ago that I HATED and declared that was it, I was finished with this author. But I’m ever so glad I didn’t listen to me because I was wrong. So try her, try this one. It’s good.
...more

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Jan 27, 2020 Anna rated it really liked it

Well, HE was definitely just one fine SON OF a BITCH!!! Till 60-70% of this book.. His behavior was just... Cruel, Cruel, Cruel...
She was a goodie-two-shoes, ... Too much gold heart here, but well, i liked her: she didnt have sex with him till 60-70%... She was kind and all that but yes, she had a backbone as well... Although she grew up in system, and only from 14 years old she got a stable home... She was through a lot in her life... And then she went and took a pity of this cruel man.
Too much ...more

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Jan 24, 2020 Anna Valsa rated it it was ok

She was amazing, he was an asshole. That's it. ...more

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Jan 22, 2020 Ria Augustine rated it it was ok

Had so much potential to be a 5 star read but it just missed the mark.
Super disappointing.

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Jan 28, 2020 Dísir rated it it was ok

Shelves: bored-boneless, contemporary-romance, eyeballs-rolled-into-my-head, indifferent-shrugs, oh-for-fucks-sake, idiotic-lead-character, skimmed-through, young-adult-new-adult

Bennett’s and Astaire’s story takes off on the wrong foot, then slips bewilderingly into instalove with a relationship built on a clash of personalities and a series of coincidences, each one more mind-boggling than the past. That, in short, is ‘The Cruelest Stranger’.

It was the title that was eye-catching—and I’m always intrigued by grumpy (sometimes hurtful) characters, though Winter Renshaw gave some basis for understanding the kind of behaviour Bennett showed. Like several asshole ‘heroes’ Bennett’s and Astaire’s story takes off on the wrong foot, then slips bewilderingly into instalove with a relationship built on a clash of personalities and a series of coincidences, each one more mind-boggling than the past. That, in short, is ‘The Cruelest Stranger’.

It was the title that was eye-catching—and I’m always intrigued by grumpy (sometimes hurtful) characters, though Winter Renshaw gave some basis for understanding the kind of behaviour Bennett showed. Like several asshole ‘heroes’ written to specifically show character growth and starting off as an unlikeable protagonist, Bennett slowly thawed out (but not that much) to reveal a heart that was part flesh at least.

The bigger picture that Renshaw presents is the monstrous, manipulative family in contrast to a stable, happy one—and the assumptions made along the way that threaten to tear relationships apart. Bennett seeking some kind of vengeance against his own brother played a secondary but important role in this, giving some credence and some backing for his callousness.

There’s always the danger that the reader may or may not end up seeing Bennett in a different light by the end of the story; certainly Bennett’s words and sometimes-vindictive actions didn’t endear him to me at all despite the reasons he seemed to produce for his behaviour; in contrast, Astaire’s soft, rose-tinted optimism and hopeful-caretaker personality however, came across as naive in contrast to Bennett’s hot-and-cold.

Their relationship—if you could really call it thus—was rocky from the beginning, aided by a surprising number of coincidences that is so unlikely to happen in real life, Bennett and Astaire’s connection would have been otherwise tenuous without these touches of ‘kismet’. It was hard to see past just how much of polar opposites they were, more so when Bennett strung Astaire along with some hint of spite in the early part of the story. That they made their way from hostile strangers to doting ‘parents’ so quickly somehow lacked a certain excitement of a burn that I think I missed here. ...more

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Jan 20, 2020 Anna rated it it was amazing

All the angst I expect from a Winter book, some steam, some drama, and a HEA

On a dark, rainy night, Astaire goes to meet a blind date. She was set up by a co-worker. After a stop to make herself presentable after the rain, she sits at the bar waiting for her date. All she knows is his name, he has dark hair, and is over 6 ft. Not altogether down with this after a long day, but she tries anyway. And a case of mistaken identity leads to Bennett and Astaire's first encounter.

And it is far from ...more

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Jan 20, 2020 Thuy Taylor rated it it was amazing

In my opinion, this is my favorite WR book. Bennett and Astaire had the worst accidental meet up. She thought there was a possibility that he was her blind date, but Bennett is angry, exasperating, infuriating, standoffish, a big ole meanie to her, just by her trying to ask a question. GAHHHHH, I felt my anger rise when that happened to her. This guy, really? But, when someone is that angry, there is a backstory there. Astaire is wanting to find out, she always looks on the bright side of ...more

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Jan 18, 2020 Dayang rated it really liked it

4.5

Winter Renshaw is one of my favorite go-to authors. I devour all of her books that I pick up, and this is no different.

I was captivated from the outset. I read it overnight! It's angsty and sad but also sweet and swoon-worthy... I think this book is definitely more emotional the other books that I had read of hers.

Gosh, and that plot twist?! I was like, what are the odds? If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. There is no fighting fate.
...more

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Jan 21, 2020 Cynema rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: enemies-to-lovers, refreshing, reviewed, arc, standalone, opposites-attract, kismet

THEIR FIRST MEETING WAS KISMET … WHAT FOLLOWS IS PURE SYNCHRONICITY **4.5 heart pounding stars**

“The man remains a mystery … an infuriating, enigmatic mystery man with a story begging to be unraveled” …“Caring is a weakness, a gateway to destruction. And I’m as indestructible as they come”

Hey, have you heard the one about the kind-hearted kindergarten teacher and the cruel-hearted rich guy who walk into a bar one rainy night? Well, you haven’t heard this one! As she does so mesmerizingly, Winter THEIR FIRST MEETING WAS KISMET … WHAT FOLLOWS IS PURE SYNCHRONICITY **4.5 heart pounding stars**

“The man remains a mystery … an infuriating, enigmatic mystery man with a story begging to be unraveled” …“Caring is a weakness, a gateway to destruction. And I’m as indestructible as they come”

Hey, have you heard the one about the kind-hearted kindergarten teacher and the cruel-hearted rich guy who walk into a bar one rainy night? Well, you haven’t heard this one! As she does so mesmerizingly, Winter Renshaw gives us yet another fresh romance infused with tons of angst, tempered by oodles of warmth, more than a few well-placed surprises … and maybe her best hate-to- love him hero to date. Bennett Shoenbach and Astaire (yes, she’s named after the famous dancer) Carraro rub each other the wrong way in every way, and yet they’re destined to keep coming back for more. As much as Bennett repeatedly tries to crush Astaire’s spirit after they meet, the harder she tries to bring out the good man she believes exists inside the hardened shell. But both will stumble by making untrue assumptions about each other.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE go into this story TOTALLY BLIND – even about knowing what brings this couple together in the opening meet-cute. To do otherwise, does a huge disservice to the surprise element of each revelation producing a genuine shockwave to the reader. This story starts out being pure serendipity with their first meeting (which is as unconventional as it gets). But everything after that accidental meeting -- the strange intersections of their lives that happen over and over and over again -- is pure synchronicity. Kudos Ms. Winters to creating a bewitching ambiance in this rocky romance like no other, and unfolding an opposites-attract/enemies-to-lovers friendship and love story that peels away their differences layer by layer. It wasn’t a bunch of convenient contrivances either. Instead, there was a such a beautiful symmetry to all that transpires between a woman full of light and hopefulness and humanity who has risen above life’s adversity with a heart of gold before bumping full force into a man jaded by a family of vipers, the pressures of life, and a rulebook littered with cynical conduct that keeps people at arms-length. He isn’t prepared for her resilience or that she keeps fighting his unapologetic cruelty with kindness. She won’t give up and he won’t give in… “You see, that’s your problem, Astaire … you’re much too soft in a world of jagged edges.”

The trail of their encounters is peppered with crazy, funny and observantly sarcastic emails that are both crushing and enlightening – a shared connection to an adorable child – a minefield of complications and surprises – and a secret that explains and drives much of Bennett’s pessimism. I was bawling at 62% and still rooting for Astaire to crack Bennett wide open. But, Bennett is a bit of a fraud … his cruel exterior protects his soft center and anonymous benevolence toward others in need. Will he ever let the real Bennett out? The heartless Bennett has definitely met his match.

“Authenticity is everything. Believe people when they show you who they are and not when they tell you who they are”
...more

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Jan 19, 2020 READ ME ROMANCE rated it it was amazing

Shelves: finished

Looking for something angsty to read that will keep you entranced the entire time? Then read The Cruelest Stranger by Winter Renshaw. I read over 200 books a year and have read almost everything published by this author and in my opinion her latest release, The Cruelest Stranger, is her best work yet. It’s a suspenseful enemies-to-lovers drama with many, many layers that were interwoven perfectly.

I do believe people are a product of their upbringing and Bennett Schoenback is a prime example. As Looking for something angsty to read that will keep you entranced the entire time? Then read The Cruelest Stranger by Winter Renshaw. I read over 200 books a year and have read almost everything published by this author and in my opinion her latest release, The Cruelest Stranger, is her best work yet. It’s a suspenseful enemies-to-lovers drama with many, many layers that were interwoven perfectly.

I do believe people are a product of their upbringing and Bennett Schoenback is a prime example. As CEO of his family’s company, he is crass, cruel and heartless. Just wait until you meet his reprehensible mother and brother. It’s a bit “Beauty and the Beast” and trust me, you will understand his broodiness and cynicism and will grow to love him as the story unfolds.

He meets Astaire, our sweet and optimistic heroine, by chance and does not make a great first impression. Or second. Or third. Their relationship is serendipitous and takes a direction that neither would have ever imagined. These complete opposites are drawn to one another, both physically and emotionally. They need each other and I so admired Astaire’s beautiful, kind soul and for taking a chance to help a stranger. She is guarded and protective of her heart, yet her inner voice tells her to let him in.

The two of them do not begin an immediate intimate relationship; it is a slow burn of the best kind. They take their time getting to know one another, trusting each other with their past, and leaning on each other in time of need. And when they finally give into their desires, it is passionate and hot!

Astaire, a beloved kindergarten teacher, has not had it easy either, but remained honest, direct, positive, and nurturing even after all that she has been through. I loved how she could be open-minded and trust her heart and instincts while not being a pushover. Everything is not always what it seems, and this book will captivate you page after page.

Their relationship was often tumultuous and the more Bennett let down his guard, the closer they became. It was really beautiful watching their relationship grow and how they opened up their heart and home to Honor, a child who came into their lives unexpectedly. Although errant behavior is never acceptable, the more that is revealed about Bennett, the more you will understand the choices he made. He is not only a smart and successful business man, but very generous as well, often giving back anonymously to people in need.

He has been given a second chance at life and at love, and I loved the epilogue three years into the future where everything comes full-circle and they live happily ever after! Fabulous book Winter, I loved it! ...more

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Jan 29, 2020 Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: cold-af, damaged-soul, arcs, enemies-rivals-to-lovers, asshole, children-babies-toddlers

Astaire has suffered the kind of loss no one should ever suffer, but yet she's so kind and compassionate, she's like sunshine. When she meets Bennett Schoenbach, it's on the anniversary of that loss, and she's had a day. And he makes it worse, so much worse just by being his hostile, asshole self.

So how on earth did she come to fall for such a dick? Well, the heart (and body) wants what the heart wants, and she's determined to figure him out, as determined as he is to keep her out, to keep his ...more

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Jan 17, 2020 Bel rated it it was amazing

After being fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book, I was so excited to delve in and see where this story would take me. Right from the get go, I wanted to dislike Bennett. No matter how bad your circumstances, there is no excuses for taking it out on a stranger. Astair has had a tough up bringing, but still sees that there is more to Bennett even after the way he treated her the first time they met.

Bennett had built up a wall and was not really living, just more existing. He really ...more

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Jan 18, 2020 Madeleine East rated it it was amazing

I have loved every book by Winter and this was another homerun. Enemies to lovers book. Bennett is a jerk but, I love him anyway. The characters were amazing and really made this book.

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Jan 20, 2020 ☆Tweety ~ purplebass ☆ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, slow-romance, 5-stars, characters-with-issues, slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, read-in-english, romance, contemporary-romance, favorites

"The Cruelest Stranger" is the first book by Winter Renshaw that I read, although I've added some of her older books in my TBR list that I will read in the future because I really liked this one. It didn't just have a hot guy on the cover, it also had a nice story that was my cup of tea because it's an enemies to lovers romance.

The book tells the story of Astaire and Bennett, two people who couldn't be more different if they tried. Astaire is in a bar waiting for her blind date. Thanks to the "The Cruelest Stranger" is the first book by Winter Renshaw that I read, although I've added some of her older books in my TBR list that I will read in the future because I really liked this one. It didn't just have a hot guy on the cover, it also had a nice story that was my cup of tea because it's an enemies to lovers romance.

The book tells the story of Astaire and Bennett, two people who couldn't be more different if they tried. Astaire is in a bar waiting for her blind date. Thanks to the heavy rain, her clothes and everything is ruined, so she tries to fix her attire in the bathroom and misses the guy she has to meet. But she does meet another man, that she mistakes for her blind date. Bennett doesn't want anybody to bother him while he's drinking, and when Astaire is about to ask him if he's the man she's supposed to be meeting that night, he cuts her off with a venomous tone that chills her to the bone. After he walks away and forgets his umbrella, Astaire, like the good woman she is, follows him to give it back despite his treatment. She could have ignored the stranger that was cruel to her, but she didn't. And this will change everything for both of them.

Astaire was a special woman. She's a kindergarten teacher and she is a simple and mature person who always tries to see the good in people and in life. Speaking of which, life wasn't kind to her. The blind date was a way for her to try to move on from the death of her fiancée who died a year before in an accident. Nobody knows when it's the best moment to go on with their life after such a tragedy, but Astaire felt like it was time she tried to get in touch with people again, to try to find love again, despite she will always be attached to the fond memory of her boyfriend. When Bennett treats her like crap, Astaire doesn't get mad because she assumes he's had a bad day and since she follows him to give him back the umbrella, she reinforces her assumptions and forgives him for replying her as if she did something bad to him in the bar. It's what Astaire does later that starts a series of exchanges with Bennett and that keeps the line alive between them. I liked that despite Bennett was truly an ass whenever he met Astaire (because he also assumed something about her from their encounter), she stood her ground with kindness and always tried to be sincere with him despite he didn't believe her at first.

Like I said a while ago, Bennett was an ass ever since the first encounter with Astaire. He basically assumes the worst scenario possible as the reason why she approached him at the bar, which is terrible, but at the same time I get where he's coming from. Bennett is a private person and he grew up in a family of wolves: his mother only cares about appearances and his older brother envies his success with women and with the family business he's managing. This is why Bennett never shows his true feelings to anybody and questions everything and everyone. In his life he's only dealt with greedy people who stopped at nothing to steal what he liked. Bennett makes assumptions before even knowing people better because he wants to save himself from rejection and delusion. Plus, he doesn't think he's worthy of being loved, since his so called family never showed affection towards him. In the end, people will always want money and nobody wants to stick around to be with him. He is annoyed by Astaire's messages and casual meetings because he thinks she's a fraud, but in the end he'll see that it was just a defense mechanism and that he just imagined that she could be doing that, but he realizes that Astaire is really like that and she's being honest with him. Basically, Astaire will make him see that not everyone is bad and that if he wants, he can be happy.

I would consider this story a slow burn, because the feelings between Astaire and Bennett grow chapter after chapter but not too soon. There isn't insta love nor insta lust in this book, on the other hand, the thoughts of the characters are realistic and natural. I don't know how to explain this... unlike some books of this genre where both characters think "omg he/she is hot" all the time, and say the usual lines during sex, this one showed that life isn't only made of sexual thoughts. I mean, it didn't revolve everything around the budding romance between Astaire and Bennett but also around other aspects of daily life. Their life was... normal. I mean, their actions and thoughts were normal in the way that seemed believable, not like those stories where it seems the characters only have one thing on their mind and it all comes down to that in the end.

There isn't only romance in this book, but many other things that you'll discover chapter after chapter. So my suggestion is read it and found out for yourself. ...more

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Jan 20, 2020 B. C. Booklover rated it it was amazing

On a stormy night, one year to the day after her worst heartbreak, Astaire Carraro, a kind, thoughtful and sweet kindergarten teacher, has a verbal run in with the absolute worst human on the planet in the neighborhood bar where she's late to meet her blind date. Yeah, he's beautiful on the outside but cold as ice, nasty and a condescending a-hole without an ounce of guilt about it on the inside. Clearly, he must be having a very bad day to hand her the most callous dressing down she's ever On a stormy night, one year to the day after her worst heartbreak, Astaire Carraro, a kind, thoughtful and sweet kindergarten teacher, has a verbal run in with the absolute worst human on the planet in the neighborhood bar where she's late to meet her blind date. Yeah, he's beautiful on the outside but cold as ice, nasty and a condescending a-hole without an ounce of guilt about it on the inside. Clearly, he must be having a very bad day to hand her the most callous dressing down she's ever experienced in her life. Curiosity gets the best of her, she needs to know what has made him treat her this way, tonight of all nights.

It turns out, as her amateur sleuthing reveals, that there is no excuse for Bennett Shoengard's behavior except he's a wealthy, handsome, privileged CEO who treats everyone this way, so she calls him out anonymously on his actions. Oh boy, I was hooked from page one and this just sealed the deal for me. Don't you just love it when the bad boy gets 'schooled' by the the loveliest woman around? I enjoy watching the mighty crumble every now and then!

The witty, cutting back and forth remarks were contained to emails until the clues become so obvious that hiding is no longer an option for Astaire, who was just curious at first but is now completley fascinated and obsessed by what makes Bennett tick.

As much as he hates to admit it, and maybe he won't, that woman is getting under his skin. He finds himself thinking about her constantly and looks for ways to be near her...what's wrong with him? How can she be so 'happy' all the time? Maybe he needs to get her out of his system but time and togetherness show there is more to each of them than the other would ever be able to surmise from the outside image they present to the rest of the world. Your heart may do some melting here and there, just saying! So much to discover under the surface of these characters.

Coincidences, fateful, crazy and plentiful keep piling up, making it impossible for them to avoid each other. Will the positive, beautiful and persistent Astaire finally be the one to break through Bennett's iron clad armour? He's been polishing it for most of his life, after all!!! There are many obstacles in this twisty climb to happiness and some shocked, inhaled breaths taken, but that makes the ending all the sweeter to me.

Angsty, deliciously slow burning, with dual POV's and the steamy moments I was hoping for, Winter has done what she does best and given this reader another reason to love her all the more. With each new story, she keeps her place as a go to author who always leaves me with the ending I was hoping for and an unforgettable journey while getting there. This might be one of my favorites of hers to date and that's saying something! I'm going to highly recommend The Cruelest Stranger, he won't be a stranger for long!

My thanks to the author for giving me an early, complimentary copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased review of it. ...more

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Jan 21, 2020 Marnie rated it it was amazing

When the heart knows it’s other half

Winter Renshaw writes damaged heroes with a flavour all of her own. It doesn’t matter how many books she writes about deep and profound men who haven’t experienced the best things in life like love, and a loving family, I can never get enough of her books.

Bennett Schoenbach is one such man. Born into Chicago Royalty, the family seems perfect, but, as we get to know him, we realise that all he knows is to expect the worst in human behaviour. And the stormy When the heart knows it’s other half

Winter Renshaw writes damaged heroes with a flavour all of her own. It doesn’t matter how many books she writes about deep and profound men who haven’t experienced the best things in life like love, and a loving family, I can never get enough of her books.

Bennett Schoenbach is one such man. Born into Chicago Royalty, the family seems perfect, but, as we get to know him, we realise that all he knows is to expect the worst in human behaviour. And the stormy evening that they initially meet in Ophelia’s Bar, happens to be one of poignant sadness for both him and Astaire. He’s avoiding a meeting, and she’s on a blind date, and she inadvertently interrupts his morbid thoughts when she attempts to ask an innocent question. He sees, and instantly judges her approach as predatory, dismissing her in the most vicious and verbally cruel way possible. In her typical upbeat way, she attempts to repay his cruelty with a kindness.

Astaire Carraro spent a significant number of years in the foster system until she was adopted at 14 and shown unconditional love from an amazing woman. Even though Astaire lost her adoptive mother at a young age, their time together built valuable memories and taught her that love and forgiveness can be freeing. That you are not the sum of your childhood experiences.

When Astaire and Bennett clash and crash together, the dynamics makes for great reading. Ms Winter has made their story beautiful AND heart-breaking, and, the fateful tie between them both broke, and warmed my heart in more ways than one. Fate and coincidence in romances are another area that I have found I love very much.

This right here is a book about how love changes your life, and how forgiveness changes your entire outlook. For me personally, I believe that forgiveness is for the person who has been wronged. It gives those who have hurt you, no power over the past, and shows that the past in no way defines who you are now. In, The Cruellest Stranger, Winter Renshaw cements not only my beliefs, but my love for this book and my love for her writing in general. I also cruelly enjoyed the comeuppance that came to those who deserved it. I just love when Karma comes back and bites nastiness on the @rse!!!

Ms Renshaw is an auto-one click author for me, and one whose books I will always highly recommend. And, this book deserves 5 Stars 💔💖💔
...more

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Jan 20, 2020 Courtney rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-or-beta-reads

Received ARC from BookSprout for Honest Review.
I Give this Book a 3.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as 3.

HEA(?): Yes.
Insta(?): I would classify this as such, yes.
Romance: 3/5
Heat: 3(?!!)/5, I’m Just Gonna List is as 2.5/5
Drama: 3.5/5
Suspense: 3/5
Spoiler in Review(?): No? Honestly, I’m Forcing Myself To Avoid Adding Any.

I Have to say this is a hard one to rate, cause when I finished book..I had to ask myself... Did I Actually Enjoy The Book?
Well I Did and Didn’t.
The whole reasoning for him being labeled ...more

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Jan 26, 2020 Lauren - SERIESous Books rated it it was amazing

Shelves: high-anticipation, provided-copy, met-expectations, contemporary

**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest voluntary review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**

Winter Renshaw's novels always surprise me with their trajectory and this one was no exception!

While I was able to put together the pieces fairly quickly, that didn't stop me from becoming engrossed in this couple's story. From their hostile first meeting to the crazy coincidences that happen afterwards, there was something captivating about these two.

The ...more

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Jan 29, 2020 Beneath The Covers Blog rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-reads, kelly, arcs

I went into this book blindly, intrigued by the title alone–a title that gave me the impression it was to be an enemies-to-lovers story. And in its own compelling and ambiguous way, it is. But between the complex layers of story line is woven a perception of opposites attract – a story of two damaged and flawed characters, but where one is bitter and pessimistic, the other is compassionate and sincere.

The Cruelest Stranger is an emotional love story of redemption and second chances, a romance ...more

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Jan 19, 2020 Caroline F rated it really liked it

Shelves: dual-pov, teacher, arc, billionaire-millionaire

4.5 do-life-with-me stars!

"I want to know his story. I'm going to know his story. One way or another. I don't know how, but I will. And I'm sure it'll explain everything."

When Astaire Carraro misakes Garrett Schoenbach for her blind date, she's completely blindsided by his rudeness and cruelty. Nonetheless, he ignites a curiosity in her that she just can't let go of - even though it invites more scathing, cruel words from him.

"I can fight it all I want, but Astaire is a delicacy. If I let ...more

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Jan 19, 2020 Comfy Couch Book Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: enemies-to-lovers, romance

Definitely one of the best books Winter has written, amazing! Bennett and Astair run into each other accidentally in a bar where she is waiting to meet her blind date. Thinking that Bennett might be her date she tries to attract his attention only to be shot down in flames in a nasty and cruel way.

As Bennett leaves the bar his umbrella is left behind Astair runs after him to return it back to him, only to see him going into a funeral home. Being the good person that she is, once she finds out ...more

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Jan 20, 2020 Jeeves Reads Romance rated it it was amazing

This book is.... pretty fantastic. I always enjoy Winter Renshaw’s writing but this is without a doubt the best I’ve read from her. The first half of the book is a tension-filled mix of contrasts, punctuated by the most effective use of dual perspective I can remember.

Bennett is cold, cruel, pessimistic, engages in countless casual affairs, and has the kind of life many would envy. Astaire is warm, kind, optimistic, grieving the loss of her fiancé, and brought herself up from nothing. Together ...more

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Jan 21, 2020 Kari rated it it was amazing

I was so fortunate to receive an ARC of this book. It was so good that I read it in one sitting. I've been looking forward to reading this since Winter announced it. The title alone is intriguing, and that made me anticipate the female lead meeting this stranger just to see what made him so cruel.

The main lead, Astaire, is a character you can't help but love. She's a teacher, a natural nurturer, and she truly cares about everyone she comes into contact with. Of course, when she comes into ...more

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Jan 19, 2020 Stacey Timmons rated it it was amazing

I was hooked from the first chapter. I loved getting to know Bennett and Astaire. What they've had to go through in life and how they've come out the other side, happier (Astaire) and more relaxed (Bennett). Astaire is forever the optimist and well what can I say about Bennett? He was just downright cynical.
Until one Thursday night that was pouring with rain that changed the trajectory of his life for the better.
As the saying goes "kill them with kindness" and I think it worked in this case ...more

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