Unscathed in Tim O'Rourke Fans

Oct 30, 2013 Caroline Barker rated it it was amazing

I just absolutely had to be a little naughty and squeeze Unscathed into my schedule to read and review, after it has been written by two fantastic authors, Tim O'Rourke and C.J. Pinard (my personal favourites at the moment). I was also curious to find out what 'deadly twist' Unscathed had in store for its readers in this seemingly contemporary romance. After being wowed so often by Tim and C.J. on their solo ventures I expected a similar reaction to Unscathed, and I was not disappointed. Unscath I just absolutely had to be a little naughty and squeeze Unscathed into my schedule to read and review, after it has been written by two fantastic authors, Tim O'Rourke and C.J. Pinard (my personal favourites at the moment). I was also curious to find out what 'deadly twist' Unscathed had in store for its readers in this seemingly contemporary romance. After being wowed so often by Tim and C.J. on their solo ventures I expected a similar reaction to Unscathed, and I was not disappointed. Unscathed exceeded my expectation tremendously and was a different type of 'wow' as the authors interweave a unique story of romance with a paranormal edge. Unscathed comes complete with two amazing main characters in Mina and Jax who have their own demons to tackle and some pretty hot sensual scenes that certainly turn the heat levels up!!!

English-born Mina Porter is sent to Florida, USA, to live with her uncle after an incident in London upsets her mother. Unfortunately for Mina her secret is difficult to escape from and when she meets Jax McElvoy, a tattooed bad boy mechanic, she feels compelled to follow him. It isn't too long before Jax begins to take an interest in Mina and romance begins to blossom. That is until Mina's strange behaviour makes him question her motives and he becomes determined to discover Mina's secret. Once revealed, Jax wishes he hadn't found out as it shockingly affects him personally in an unimaginable way. Is Mina crazy? Or does she hold answers that he needs to seek? Either way, how will he now deal with his feelings towards Mina and her secret?

What began as a contemporary romance, and what I initially felt was right for the Young Adult alone, began to turn into something a whole lot more with hints of the paranormal and a darker, denser plot as the story moved on, encapturing the mind for all adults. Due to the momentum of the story, the strong characters, style of writing and of course the curiosity and need to have to find all the answers I found Unscathed to be a quick read and had it read within a day.

Unscathed is told from Jax and Mina's point of view, making it easy for the reader to connect to both characters as we are made aware of both of their histories. Mina is a girl that didn't intend to cause any of the trouble that she found herself in. And yet in many ways it couldn't be helped. Having to start a new life at her young age and to leave her mother and friends behind must have been an ordeal in itself as she has had to settle down and make new friends in Florida. This alone makes Mina a very strong character. She doesn't seem too daunted by her new life in the US and even with her secret shadowing her she appears confident and sociable.

Jax, I LOVED Jax!!! Although much younger I personally couldn't help but picture the character 'Jax' from FX's 'Sons of Anarchy' series. Whilst the two characters' appearance are different there were some similarities in their name, image of being a little rough/tough with tattoos and them both working at a garage. This made it so easy for me to instantaneously click with the character and want to fight his cause from the very beginning. Actually, 'can I be Mina?' I hear myself ask! Jax is HOT!

Jax and Mina's chemistry is ELECTRIC! The physical scenes are written very sensually. It kept the momentum and the passion/intensity flowing. There is also a sense of realism when some of these moments don't always end up rosey. The story can change very quickly from love being in the air to confusion and awkwardness between the characters due to the tension that is created from Mina's behaviour and the revealing of her past and how it is possibly connected to Jax. The reader is left feeling sympathy for both characters.

Both characters had a type of common ground and both, over the course of the story, were willing to change or at least try to listen. Unscathed is quite tragic in many ways. This is a story that not only tells of the romance between two young adults but also of how their young, innocent lives have been affected by their elders, which in turn has forcd them to face truths that no young person should have to face. Due to their separate ordeals they are actually more mature than their peers but still feel the need to try and fit in.

Even after reading Unscathed I was still excited about the characters, the chemistry between them and the emotional ride that the reader goes on with them. I simply couldn't stop thinking about this book. It is difficult to believe at the end of the novel that these two young individuals have only been together a short time as they have been through so much together.

Unscathed was received gratefully for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
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Nov 02, 2013 Judi rated it it was amazing

Tim has done it again! He never fails to give me a great read. My only complaint is that the stories are too short. I love big meaty books. I have read every book Tim has written up until this one, and LOVED every one of them.

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Nov 03, 2013 Stacey Tucker rated it it was amazing

Love all Tim's books and this one does not disappoint. Did not see that twist coming at all. Would like to read more about Jax and Mina, a sequel maybe?! :) xxxxx ...more

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Oct 26, 2013 Jenn Green rated it it was amazing

“I like crazy. You’re like no girl I’ve ever met before. I don’t know if all the girls in England are like you, but if they are, then its one fucked up place.”
“I’m not fucked up.”
“No? There is something crazy about you, Mina, and it drives me crazy, too. I’m gonna find out what ever it is.”
“Is that why you’re hanging around? As soon as you find out my secret you’ll be gone?”
“I love secrets.”
“You might not like this one.”
“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that, Mina?”

I love when one of m

“I like crazy. You’re like no girl I’ve ever met before. I don’t know if all the girls in England are like you, but if they are, then its one fucked up place.”
“I’m not fucked up.”
“No? There is something crazy about you, Mina, and it drives me crazy, too. I’m gonna find out what ever it is.”
“Is that why you’re hanging around? As soon as you find out my secret you’ll be gone?”
“I love secrets.”
“You might not like this one.”
“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that, Mina?”

I love when one of my favorite authors comes out with a new book. What’s even more exciting is when TWO of my favorite authors come out with one at the same time. But when two of your favorite authors get together to create one amazing story?? You just know you’re in for a treat and I was NOT disappointed!! Unscathed was a fun, hott, tattooed romance with a surprising & deadly twist.

“Why do you always seem so distracted, Mina?”
“Do I?”
“Yeah,” he said, glancing quickly over his right shoulder, then back at me. “It’s like you’re looking for someone the whole time.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s like you’re scared you’re being watched.”
If only he knew it was me who was watching him.

Mina is a girl with secrets, secrets that had her mother shipping her out of London to live with her Aunt & Uncle in sunny Florida where she attends college and meets Jax.

Why did I attract the damn psychos? I thought I was a pretty nice guy. Was I too nice? I don’t know, but I do know this; no more Mr. Nice Guy. Screw everyone. If these girls want a bad boy… an asshole… then that’s what I’ll give them.

Ahhh Jax, I do love a man with tattoos on a bike!! There is no denying the chemistry between these two but Jax is a little jaded when it comes to relationships and Mina has been burned in the past. Turned on but gun shy leads to some interesting and explosive encounters.

Wow, this British chick had serious attitude-and I liked it. I mean, she was pissing me off for a bit, but I think she was testing me, playing hard to get. And anyone who knows me knows I love that. To a point, anyway.

What was it about her that was getting to me? Yes, her voice was sexy… that accent, God, when she wasn’t talking I wanted to devour her mouth. I wanted to run my hands down the sides of her body, cup my hands on her terrific ass.

I don’t know what it was about being this girls company, but she kinda had me all tongue-tied, which made me feel a little uneasy.

Jax knows Mina is hiding something and is determined to find out what it is, but nothing could have prepared him for the mystery that is truly Mina. Yes, I’m being intentionally vague here. I never saw the twist coming, though knowing these authors the way that I do, I should have. This was definitely not your typical romance and I loved that!! Funny, sexy as hell, mysterious & heartbreaking, I can only hope that we will see more from Jax & Mina. Tim O’Rourke & C.J. Pinard made one hell of a team, cannot wait for more **fingers crossed**

This sexy English girl truly had me unraveled, and I knew from here on out, I would be nothing more than soft, pliable minion at her complete and utter mercy. ...more

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Oct 28, 2013 Lisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-favs, my-fav-author

'In hearing this, Evelyn sprayed laughter, sounding like something close to a donkey'

"So were you watching me?" he asked. " I didn't say that," I said. "Yeah you did - you definitely said you were watching me."

' She again had the denim shorts on and her long, tanned legs looked down right lickable'

'The music and dancing continued all around us, but it seemed muffled somehow, like someone or something had thrown a cloak over the world.'

I waited quite awhile for this book since it was written by ...more

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Oct 29, 2013 Jennifer rated it really liked it

4.5 stars
Not too bad for a first time co-author book from one of my favs, Tim O'Rourke and C.J. Pinard, who's writing I am not familiar with. I enjoyed the story line and characters, especially yummy Jax ;). I enjoyed the story line...a lot. I was kept guessing throughout...until that 'ahhh haaa' moment. The only reason I am not giving UNSCATHED a five star review is because I felt that there was a lot of repetition and I found myself trying not to skim at the beginning of some chapters.
Well d ...more

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Oct 27, 2013 Claire rated it it was amazing

After waiting what seemed like forever for this book to come out it was well worth the wait. When the likes of Tim O'Rourke and CJ Pinard come together you just know it was going to be good.

Jax and Mia are your total opposites Jax works in a garage, has tatoos, a different girl every night. Mia a goody goody, ok she's kind of a stalker but she has her reasons, right?

You'll just love this book it has a bit of everything and a little more, as I unexpectedly found out. Will Jax stick around when th ...more

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Oct 26, 2013 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Wow Seems like i had been waiting a very long time for Unscathed but the wait was well worth it. Two great Authors come together for this book. I actually could not put it down. Love how the twists unfold giving you clues but still making you guess. Just hope it does not make me look at photo's in a different light lol. Think these Authors should write another book together :) ...more

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