Cherished

Steel Brothers Saga #17

by Helen Hardt

He doesn’t know how much he’s cherished…

Dale Steel has fallen in love with his intern, Ashley White. She’s vibrant, intelligent, and full of life, despite a past that was far from perfect. She’s everything he’s not…which is why he’s determined to keep her at arm’s length. The emotions she’s awakened in him have stirred something dark that he’s kept buried for years, and a relationship with him would only destroy her.

Ashley has other ideas. She adores Dale, and more than anything, she wants him to understand he deserves her love. As they work together side by side, their passion grows, and Dale finally agrees to a trial run at a relationship.

But a secret from his newfound birth father and an act of God throw a wrench into his world once again, threatening not only his relationship with Ashley, but everything else he holds dear as well.

Genres: Romance, Erotica, Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2021

About the author

#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt's passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award winning author of contemporary and historical romance and erotica, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family.

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Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga Book 10) is AVAILABLE! Get it here👇
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Reviews

[TheSassyNerdBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Hardt has yet again delivered an outstanding, all-consuming, and addictive book that pulled me in from the very beginning and held my attention the entire way through.
It is the second book for Dale and Ashley (The next generation of Steel's) and it was an emotional one. Dale has been through so much as a child, alongside his brother, and even though after Talon and Jade adopted him and his life got so much better. He still lives with so many demons, so much pain from his past. It's not easy living through the darkness he remembers as a child is a war he battles daily. On the outside, he may come across okay, but inside, he is anything other than okay. It is when he meets Ashley that things start to turn around for him on the inside but he's more than scared that his demons and shadows of his past will come back and destroy everything with this amazing woman.
Will the past that still haunts him destroy everything he has with Ashley or is he strong enough to overcome everything he's been through and have an amazing life with the girl he is destined to be with?



5 + Stars!

[Syndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not feel cherished, to be honest. This book is suppose to be nail bitting suspense. After all we are talking about Miss Hardt.

Instead I got really annoyed. Annoyed with Ashley and Dale. Their chemistry becomes rude, selfish, forced and annoying. Dale self pity character making everything worse. While Ashley became needy.

The suspense is not as intense as the precious books in this series.

Overall, still OK read.

3 stars

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Few mixed thoughts - 4.5 STARS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It has been a while since I read a book in this particular series by Hardt. Even though I was able to catch up with the immediate happenings, the back story is one that will need to be built through reading the past stories.

There is one thing that that can be said for this series and that is the development of characters and the plot is awesome. Hardt is a creative writer and develops her stories in such a manner that you will continually feel that pull to connect and attach yourself to the characters. The development and connection between Dale and Ashely is such that it is almost tangible. You know they are meant to be together. There is just a lot of “Stuff” in the way.

There are issues in these two characters. Ashley pushes that man in big ways. For someone who has hidden problems like she does, she needs to tread carefully. There were several parts I did not like concerning her actions and mouth. Thankfully, he is strong in many ways.

With Dale, he too is holding back some serious issues and emotionally gutting feelings. Raw and tormenting imagery that makes your heart ache for him.

Together they are strong, but you can feel that tension and emotion vibrating off the pages. Not many authors can do that! That is what grabs you and hooks you right in. The heat and steam between these two is off the charts. Your buy-in is complete.

This story is loaded with so many additional pieces coming into play that you are looking for more answers to the questions popping up. However, at just the critical piece, a cliffhanger shows its face and you are left hanging until the next volume. Plus, this story went by so fast!! LOL

Hardt captures her readers with a strong connection in what is building to be a love story for the ages. So many emotions and hot scenes makes the reader anxious for the next installment. Her creativity, imagery, and wordsmith skills are off the hook with this one!

* Copy received for Review Consideration
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/cherished-by...

[Linda Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't get too close. It's dark inside. It's where my demons hide...

Dale and Ashley's connection to each other has accelerated. Dale knows without a doubt he loves Ashley, but believes he will bring her down with his dark side. She is the only one for him, always. Ashley worships Dale and will never give up on him. She is determined to stand by him and prove he is worthy of her love. Dale shares some of his darkest secrets with Ashley. That is a huge step for him. But he cannot bring himself to tell her his deepest demons.

Just when their relationship seems to be going in the right direction, Dale is thrown off balance when his biological father shares something unexpected with him. Dale finds everything overwhelming and has to flee to sort out all his emotions. Where does that leave Ashley? In Helen Hardt style, at the end of this story the author alludes that something tragic is on the horizon. I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

[Cailee Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
I don't belong here

She's running out the door (run)
She's running out
She run, run, run, run,
Run...
Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You're so effing special
I wish I was special...

I am reading this while I'm listening to Radiohead's Creep. It's very fitting, I may add.

I finally got my hands on this book. I've been waiting for this since the last book. Helen Hardt's never ceases to amaze me. I love her Steel Series so much.

This is the second book of Dale and Ashley. It focuses on Dale's traumas and Ashley's unfortunate life back then. This is an exhilarating read and the cliff-hanger? That's genius. I keep coming for more. I can't wait for December 28 to come.

I AM COUNTING THE DAYS UNTIL MS. HARDT RELEASES IT.

I love you so much Helen for this wonderful series <333

[Crystal Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Helen has done it again! Who doesn't love the Steel family and who wouldn't read any book she writes in this series? Where the Steels go, I go!
I am completely in love with Dale and Ashley. When I finished Awakened I wasn't completely sold on their love if I'm honest but now I totally am! I really really love Dale and have from the start of his books. He definitely has some demons but has truly overcome alot in his life. I love how he's following in Talons footsteps and his Uncle Ryan! It's like a mirror image of Talon all those books ago and I love being able to be a part of Dale's story as a reader. Ashley is incredible! She's got heart and sparkle and drive to be the best she can be. Again the comparison to Jade is really fun to see because Jade was always a favorite of mine! She is fighting for Dale in a standoffish way which I think is smart. She truly cares for the Steels and is already a part of the family. Her and Dale have alot to work through but it's awesome to see them trying. Alot of sweet moments for them in this book as well as the inevitable cliff hanger ending make this a must read for sure!
I'm very much looking forward to the next chapter in Ashley and Dale's love story and now the Steel Vineyard needs us!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale Steel
Ashley White

Love is not always all you need, or so Dale thinks.

Ashley loves Dale Steel with her whole being. Dale has finally opened up a small piece of his heart to know that he really did want, Ashley to know he loved her.

OMG!!! After years of wanting to know why it happened, Dale now knows the reason his brother and him was taken, held captive, starved, beaten and raped...if you want to know more, you have to read Cherished, to find out for yourself.

Helen Hardt, why??? You do it every time, and every time, I ask why... It keeps me reading is the only answer I can come up with. But I love this series. Cherished is book 17 in the Steel Brothers Saga and must be read in order, starting with Craving, book 1.

I cannot consciously give this book anything less than 5 stars, unless there's finally a 5000 stars entry.

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another nail biter by Helen Hardt. I love following the story of Dale and Ashley. There have been quite a few unexpected turns in this book. I absolutely can’t wait to read the final book in their series. Thank you for another cliffhanger!

[Corinne Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherished

The emotionally painful story of Dale continues in book 2 of the 3 book Trilogy about Dale and Ashley! I remember being 10 when my parents divorced and how vividly I remember everything that happened during that time that my younger brother and sister do not. The pain and agony Dale is still trying to fight off is palpable in this book! Dealing with trauma is never an easy road and dealing with what he and his brother went through seems insurmountable! Dale realizes that he is in love with Ashley, but because of what was done to him in his past he continues to fight against the feelings until he no longer can. Their journey is an excruciatingly emotional one that takes you on a journey that’s not only uplifting, and encouraging, but oh so beautiful to read.

Trauma of any kind leaves an emotional scar that children will forever live with. When every safe, loving, and “normal” thing you ever had in your life suddenly ends in a harsh, destructive reality it leaves an emotional unbalance in you for life. Helen captures not only the terror of a young child, but the healing of a strong adult so beautifully in this book. The feels I felt throughout this book are so numerous my heart aches. But isn’t that truly the mark of a great author - to make the reader feel something?! I highly recommend the entire Steel Brothers Saga to all, but especially the 2 books dealing with Dale and Ashley — so good!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherished..........Perfect name for a perfect book
I have read all the Steel Brothers books and when I think HH couldn’t write a better book, well she does it again. Dale had a bad childhood with his brother, but after being adopted by Talon and Jade life on the outside gets better. But on the inside....not so much till he meets Ashley. But he’s scared that his past will destroy everything good in her and unleash something in him that he can’t control.
But is love enough? Ashley will fight tooth and nail for the man she loves but can she get thru to him, Loved this book as well as the whole series!!!! What are you people waiting for!!!! Start the series now you won’t be disappointed
Thank you so much Helen Hardt for the chance to read this book, could not put it down till it was done and I will be waiting on pins and needles for Freed coming in June

[Nicole Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Dale and his moodiness. This continuation of his story has me all a mess. So much happens in this book i want to jump through and hug him. Oh and if what major secret gets exposed from his dad turns his life upside down then you have the ending that leads you to think something really big is about to happen in the next book. Helen continues to amaze me with her storylines and keeping her characters real and emotionally gripping. I highly recommend this series to others.

[Christine White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Hardt does it again!! Can't get enough of the Steel Brothers Saga. Cherished follows Awakened, where you will see the love between Dale and Ashley grow significantly. Slowly secrets are revealed that will leave you stunned. The emotions that come through on the pages will play on your heart strings. Cleverly written and I can't wait for the conclusion of Dale and Ashley's story. Highly recommend!!!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Hardt has done it again. She has me on the edge of my seat in this nail biter. Dale has so many walls built up and it take Ashley many time to break them down but slowly they are crumbling. There are many twist, turns, and surprises on this roller coaster of a story. I can not wait ti real the final installment of their story!

[Renae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don"t know how Helen Hardt does it! Every single story in the Steel Brothers Saga just pulls me farther in! I am so intwined with the Steels i feel like i personally know each & every character! Thats just how perfectly Helen Hardt writes her stories! She always leaves me hanging, just trembling with anticipation for next book!

[CAROLYN Wyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cherished by Helen Hardt

Helen Hardt continues the Steel Saga with the next generation, the book is set twenty five years after the events from the previous parts of the series. The family has kept many secrets from the new generation and like the secrets of the past, they are bound to come out. How will those secrets affect the new generation? And what new secrets are going to be revealed?
This book is about Dale Steel, who in so many ways, is a copy of his adopted father Talon. Dale has always believed that he isn’t worthy, that the abuse he suffered has damaged him in a way making him unlovable and unworthy, in many ways repeating the same beliefs that Talon had. This time, Dale and Donny’s biological father has hired a detective to find his sons, the same man they never had any relationship with. Dale is trying desperately to crush the memories that haunt him, believing that he is keeping himself protected from rejection.

Ashley has had a hard life, living on the streets when she was younger with her mother. Ashley has come to the ranch as an intern, to learn different aspects of wine making. But something about Dale makes her want more from him than learning about the winery, she wants him.

Once again secrets are hidden by both Ashley and Dale. Even though they are falling in love, neither feels comfortable sharing the dark parts of their past.
The book has the same style of heat and spice as the previous books and I’m interested in seeing how the story develops. How will Donny feel about being kept out of the picture as soon as Dale learned about their biological father? And what effect will Ashley’s secrets have on their relationship? And more importantly, is their a connection between Dales past and Ashley’s secrets?

Hopefully Helen will deliver another great story. Knowing that this was part of another three part story, I felt that she could definitely have told the story in less books. While I love the Steels I dislike when it’s drug out, making more filling than story. Once again this could have been told in two books instead of three.

[LaToya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey Fellow Readers!! This one was really hard for me to review. I was really conflicted between 3/4 stars and that’s because one I’m already in love with the Steel Brothers Saga.Two: I listen to the audiobook and Troy Duran and Jennifer Mack does an amazing job in narration. Last, Helen Hardt, is such an incredible writer with her plots, characters, and surprise plot twist that she always manages to blow my mind in one way or another. Oh and of course who doesn’t love her hit and steamy scenes, I especially love how she made Dale sexual behavior compatible with his personality. I was starting to think the Steel men all genetically had sex the same way. 😂😂That all being said this one wasn’t horrible but it’s not going on a favorites list. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Without spoiling anything let me just say hopefully you read Awakened which had already done the introduction and began the relationship between Dale and Ashley so I was expecting this book to continue, clear the air, and push forward, if not conclude that situation. Now I suspected a cliffhanger in Cherished because there always is but I didn’t expect Dale and Ashley’s storyline to still be so open....Not to mention Dale had a lot of flashbacks to me. I remembered their history. Some of the flashbacks made sense so I Really couldn’t complain but some stuff was redundant for me, not a refresher like I’m sure she wanted it to be.

I understand that Dale has a bunch of secrets and in this story we found Ashley even had secrets she was carrying about her past. Again in this book I was hoping their situations would be resolved since this is their second book. I was hoping we would find out about Donny, his brother, in the next book. Sorry if I spelled Donny wrong, that’s because I listen to the books.....

All that being said I still love this author, the Steel Brother Series. I just don’t want Helen Hardt to start phoning it in, or writing extra books so we’ll buy extra books just cause we love the series. That’s why I never read Legacy, and that other one. 🤔🤔🤔They go over the dad and mom’s history. So I just didn’t see the point.🤷🏽‍♀️

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think that I could like any couple more than Jade and Talon with Helen's first 3 books in this series. Helen has now written about 6 different couples and it just keeps getting better. Hardt has a way of making you fall in love with her central characters and make you long for their happiness. I can never put her books down! Dale and Ashley have such a complicated relationship that parallels Talon and Jade's on so many levels. It truly has us come full circle but with a whole new couple with their own dark pasts that they must live with and share with each other in order to make things work. Can't wait to read about how it all works out in the next book.

[Gabrielle Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even begin to describe the emotions I felt while reading this book. I read it in a day, couldn’t put it down. Helen Hardt is amazing and Steel Brothers Saga is a wonderful series but Dale is just WOW!! He’s been through some rough things and really doesn’t feel worthy of love but he feels things he never thought possible and you really feel his emotions in the text. I am dying to read the next book and wondering how I will survive the unknown until it comes out. I highly recommend the entire series but this book really just made me feel like I was part of the book.

[Beyond The Covers Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale and Ashley's chemistry is off the charts! They remind me so much of Talon and Jade. But Dale harbors so much more anger then what Talon did.

Ashley is head over heels in love with Dale and only wants to comfort him and be thier for him. When Dale finds out some pretty devastating news she wants to comfort him and show him how much she loves him. Will Dale finally let his walls he's built up around him down and let Ashley love him? Can he let the one person that so desperately wants to just love him in?

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as always!

Ashley is so good for Dale and he needs her.

Dale finally seems to be letting Ashley in and then this Doozy is thrown in the mix, just want he didn’t need, more on his shoulders. Is this going to be his breaking point?
I was sad when I reached the end of this book because I wanted more and more!

Waiting until June is going to be long, ugh!
Helen Hardt, you never disappoint!

[Lori Small Wojciechowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Hardt, I love your books!
Cherished is the second book in the series of Dale’s story. Dale is a troubled young man, and has fallen in love. I found myself feeling so many emotions in this story. It’s nice to also read about Talon and Jade in this series as well. Near the end of this volume there are unexpected twists and as always, yet another cliffhanger!!!
Thank you for the “arc”, it was really appreciated!

Waiting anxiously for the finale in this series as I do each time!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherished continues Dale and Ashley' story and sucked me in at page one. Dale and Ashley have an undeniable attraction and although Dale is fighting it, I think these two are destined to be together. So much happens in this story and one absolutely shocking, heartbreaking revelation that just rocks Dale's world. The ending left me wanting more! I absolutely cannot wait for the next book! The Steel Brothers Saga is amazing......every single book!

[Peaceful · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great second part to Dale and Ashley's story!! I was drawn to Dale right away and I love seeing the next generation of steels.

And now I have... Swoon🤩🤩.

The steel family has it all. Intrigue, mystery, heartwrenching pasts mixed in with insta love, compassion, love, and steamy panty melting scenes. This sage is swoon and binge worthy!!!

I'm counting down the days to the conclusion of Dale and Ashley's story.

[Jenna Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankful enough to receive this book as an ARC. I expect nothing less than spectacular when reading the Steel series and Helen Hardt as always, delivers with this next chapter of Dale Steel and Ashley White. Dale and Ashley are becoming one of my favorite couples from these books. Beyond excited to read the next installment and more!!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen ia a master at plot twist and turns. But I have to say mt heart is broken is for Dale, and I just hope that in the book we get to see him work through all of this pain and fight to keep Ashley. This is going to torture waiting for the next book. But I am sure like all of Helen's books it will be worth waiting for.

[MaryAnn Costanzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a roller coaster ride. While I think the Dale has met his match so many other things are coming to light. Meeting his biological father throws Dale for a loop. Death bed confessions SUCK.... and with an ending like that I have more questions than answers. Can't wait for next installment.

[Hannah James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like this other books this one is just incredible its amazing. I truly love how the steel family have each others backs and understand each others struggle and I'm really enjoying Dale's and Ashley's story. Its gonna be a long wait to June 😍

[Pamela Kras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen hardt has done it again this book blew me away
I loved reading about Dale and Ashley Wow what an ending didn't see that coming now I have to wait till June

[Leanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen Hardt doesn't let you down! Dale's story coming to light will make you rethink what you know and bring forth new feelings for this family.

[Jessica Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and can't wait to read the next one!!

So great that I need to read the next one!! I love the story and the pull of the two love birds.