Wild

by Violet Rae

Cade
After six years, I've returned to my hometown - and to Lanie, the woman I left behind. I'm pretty sure she still hates me for the way I left - no note, no goodbye - just there one day and gone the next. But there are reasons I had to leave, why I had no choice but to let her go. The scars of my past run deep, and I know that a man like me can never truly be worthy of the love of a woman as sweet and pure as Lanie. Lanie
When Cade left, I was devastated. I've tried to forget him, to move on with my life and forget the feel of his mouth on mine, his hands on my body. But now he's back, bringing with him all the feelings I've tried so hard to bury. Will the past continue to keep us apart, or can we find the courage to move on with our lives? Together?

Genres: Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Romance, Novella, Second Chance, Second Chance Romance

166 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2022

About the author

Mom. Author. Chocoholic.

I am the author of steamy contemporary and paranormal romances.

Thank you for checking out my Author page. You can find me on most social media platforms.

Reviews

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"It won’t be easy—I’m sure she hates me for leaving. But I’m back now. Back to claim what’s mine."

This is such a good book. It's about love, heartbreak, and betrayal. Thankfully it's not TOO heavy- it's just the perfect amount of angst.

Cade left town and his best friend, Lanie, without notice six years ago. Now he returned determined to make up for lost time. Meanwhile, Lanie just lost her grandmother. She finds a letter in her belongings- and learns why Cade really left.

The chemistry between Lanie and Cade is intense. They were best friends as children and had their first kiss when Lanie was 16 and Cade was 19. Six years later, they do much more than that haha. This book is half present time and half when they were kids. I usually don't like flashbacks but it made this book even better. It would be a five star read for me but there were some inconsistencies with the timeline.

safety:
DUAL VIRGINS!
small age gap (22h, 25H)
no OM/OW
no cheating/sharing
HEA ♡

triggers: contains references to sexual abuse (off page, only REALLY vague details within story).

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reconciling the Past

4.5 stars - This is darker than Violet Rae usually goes, but it's still a good read. I connected with Cade and his traumatized childhood in too many ways. I could understand his hurt and why he felt he had to keep quiet. While much of the abuse is off-screen, the damage it causes is irrefutable and heartbreaking.

She’s always had this effect on me. She just never knew it.
-- Cade Jansen

There are many poignant moments, but there are also several bright and shiny spots that make this a must read.

[Chalice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The couple: Cade and Lanie

Romance trope: second chance
Series: Tainted Love
Length: 105 pages

Plot: After leaving her with no warning or explanation, Cade is back in town. Lanie is now mourning the death of her grandmother and discovering some truths she did not know before. Cade has the chance to make things right now; will he be able to?

Commentary: Ugh, I absolutely hated when she ran off after finding the contract, without even asking him about it! I'm all for a miscommunication trope, but I hope that the character is mature enough to stop and think. This showed her youth, definitely! Both of them, to be honest. They're going to need another 10 years to develop some communication skills - you can see that when he freaks out after she tells him about his mother (yes, it was a bombshell, but he had been thinking about how much he loved her and would take care of her and then he was all "I have to leave before I say something to destroy her" so...) However, it was a sweet story and you can see that they had built a history throughout their childhood that helped Cade deal with the trauma of his abuse.

Grammar/formatting: At one point, Cade calls her Jen, even though her name is Lanie - which cracked me up because at that moment, he was telling her there had never been anyone else.

Next book in the series: Playing Dirty

[PeaceOfGod · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Cristina]

DNF
It’s a short story but the writing style didn’t work for me.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book as it had all the feels and an HEA. I really enjoyed Lanie and Cade together; they have been through so much and now they finally get to be happy together. These two were meant to be together but unforeseen issues came and kept them apart until now. Now, Cade is willing to fight tooth and nail to finally have his Lanie.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is heart wrenching. I couldn't believe what happened to our MC. What is good about it is he did not let the bad things that happened to his life ruined his future. I guess its thanks to the little girl, his best friend, his love.

So much heartache, so much loss. I am glad that in the end he has found all that he has loss.

Thanks for the epilogue. That last scene was touching but I want more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet second chance love story. Cade and Lanie were fantastic characters and I loved how their story played out. The twist at the end was so sweet and the whole book was really touching.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Secret Smut Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Second Chance
Childhood friends to loves to strangers to lovers
Wounded/Abused MMC
Dual virgins 🎉
Both celibate during break
6 year break

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in The Tainted Love series and it is Cade and Lanie's story. Omg this book takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting because it was a real page turner with great characters and a storyline that pulled you in right from the start and kept your attention throughout and it was so addictive. My heart broke for everything that they had gone through and what Cade's father had done to him and the care that Cade had for Lanie right from the beginning of there friendship. The connection and chemistry between Cade and Lanie was so strong and intense even after there years apart and how they were with each other was such a beautiful thing to see and I loved how they got the happy ending that they both deserved after everything that they had both been through and I can't wait to read more book's by Violet Rae in the future.

I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Lanie and Cade's story. It is such a great read. Cade's father was abusive and when Cade first met Lanie she gave him hope. He was 12 and she was 8. But Cade left Lanie without saying goodbye when she was 16. Now Cade has returned to make sure Lanie is okay after her grandmothers death. Lanie just wants to know why he he left her without telling her goodbye. She is so angry that Cade feels he has to back off. While going through her grandmother's items Lanie finds a letter explaining how her grandmother talked Cade into leaving her. Lanie just feels betrayed by everyone, Cade for not fighting for her and her grandmother for not telling her while she was alive. This is such a deep story, well written, great storyline. It doesn't gloss over the abuse Cade suffered either. But is has a wonderful steamy scenes and great happy ending. I just loved this book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number 1 of the Tainted Love series and focuses on Cade and Laine. Cade and Laine were best friends growing up, they were also each other's first love. Their relationship was really developing when Cade up and left without a word. Laine was absolutely heartbroken and angry because she lost not only the guy she loved but also her best friend. Cade left in order to escape his life and make something of himself before he came back to fight for his girl. 6 years later, Cade comes back to finally claim the one person who has held his heart since he was a kid. They have a lot to navigate through and it was not at all an easy journey for either of them but it was definitely worth it for both of them in the end. This was such a great story and a great start to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins in the present but it does go back in time to explain things. It’s done beautifully and serves to add to the storyline. Cade came from an abusive home. His only light was his friend Lanie. They were wonderful together. Until Lanie was 16 when Cade up and leaves wi no explanation or even a goodbye. Once he hears that her grandmother has passed away and is now without family, Cade goes to her. He has a lot of explaining and making up to do.
This was an enjoyable book. I hated everything that Cade endured. His love for Lanie never faltered. Absolutely loved this book!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet Rae debuts a brand new series, Tainted Love, with Playing Wild. This is a beautifully-written, emotional, consuming, small-town second-chance romance. Cade and Lanie have a long, complicated and beautifully broken past. When he returns to town after leaving his best friend behind without a word six years ago, Cade doesn't exactly receive a warm welcome from Lanie. But once the truth comes out and a second chance is there for the taking...Well, at its heart, Playing Wild is a swoon-worthy, must-read romance.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second chance love story between Cade and Lanie. Their emotional journey to get their happily ever after was rough, but it made their reunion that much sweeter. The writing is well done and the flips between the past and present was a brilliant addition to this story. Playing Wild is the first book in the Tainted Love series and I look forward to reading more books by this author. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cade and Lanie were young loves, until he upt and left without a goodbye and now he is back and the draw to each other isnstill as strong but will other forces pull them apart? Well written steamy second chances at love romance.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Belle (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

– Dual pov
– Dual virgin
– Second-chance romance (H left 6 years earlier)
– Small age-gap (25H/22h)
– No cheating or OM/OW drama (both celibate during separation)
– HEA ending + epilogue (only a couple days out)
– Possible triggers: parent alcoholism, parent abuse (physical, sexual), abandonment, family member death, mental illness

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful second chance story that pulls us into the lives of Lanie and Cade and does not let go. The story keeps us turning the pages with heartbreak, secrets and steam.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute second chance romance but it also had a little darkness in it. Cade and Lanie had a strong connection and it was clear even after their 6 years apart. It was a story that had a good flow and I liked it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lizette Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved book one in the Tainted Love series. I'm such a huge fan of every book Violet writes. Cade and Lanie have such a wonderful story and you will cheer for these two to get their perfect ending. Always an incredible read from this author.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I understand they are both virgins but the way the hero sexualizes her in his head in gross. It kills the romance and he does it so often that it constantly took me out of the story with a cringe. Finally I just had to dnf.

No grovel. No romance. No thanks.

[Cathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, easy read. I felt for both the characters when reading the backstory, however by the end, I think it began to be laid on a little thick. Overall an enjoyable novella.

[Ashly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing Wild

This book had all the feels. It was a bit to fast but I loved it. All the pain being healed by love brings back very happy memories.

[Jamie Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, steamy and heartfelt. Former close friends reunited, and they are in love.

[Debra Johnson]

Prch Amz November 5, 2024