From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

Sebring (Unfinished Hero, #5)

Kristen Ashley

Start date: June 24, 2023

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Nov 28, 2015 Ivy Deluca rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ka-books

The story gives long time readers the fruits of the redemption of Nick Sebring, the man who was one of the antagonists in Knight and coincidentally, his brother. In the kindness way possibly, believe me when I say Nick was a turdblossom, a misogynistic, entitled jerk hooked on drugs and basically a major pain in the kiester for Knight and Anya. Readers of the series have had glimpses of his story playing out during the other books, but this is the one where he gets to be front and center. Nick s The story gives long time readers the fruits of the redemption of Nick Sebring, the man who was one of the antagonists in Knight and coincidentally, his brother. In the kindness way possibly, believe me when I say Nick was a turdblossom, a misogynistic, entitled jerk hooked on drugs and basically a major pain in the kiester for Knight and Anya. Readers of the series have had glimpses of his story playing out during the other books, but this is the one where he gets to be front and center. Nick started to sort his shyte out, and for a time, worked as an informant, helping to end a human trafficking ring. This led to his learning to love and growing the hell up, which was sorely needed. Then he lost his love, and to avenge her, he decides to take down the Vincent Shade, the man responsible for her death. Which leads him to Olivia Shade, daughter of said man, and some messed up romance happens.

description

The Good : Nick showed a tendency towards a-holery, so thinking that he could seduce Olivia Shade in his quest for vengeance was completely believable. Seeing his feelings change through the story showed his vulnerability and his love for Olivia won me over, and the protectiveness and sweetness of his feelings kept me happy.

Olivia starts off a bit stiff, and she’s certainly not your usual heroine. She’s one of the House of Shade, a once-powerful, now declining criminal family. She’s in charge of the soldiers and the financial end of things, but she knows the score - more so than any other member of her insane family. As the story unfolds, you really get to see her suffering, and why she is the way she is. I am a sucker for a long-suffering heroine and Olivia certainly qualifies. Getting to know her place in her family’s hierarchy, I couldn’t help but want to nut-punch them all and root for her to get her HEA with Nick.

Most of all, I loved that there is a genuine concern as to how Olivia and Nick can possibly be together, and that allowed this story keeps its tension throughout. The love scenes are satisfying, in particular their first sex scene - lordy - and I was happily waiting to see how it would all work out.

The Bad : I would have loved to have seen Nick’s redemption unfold here, or at the very least, a few more glimpses of the relationship that changed him so fundamentally. A part of me understands that it would take the focus away from his relationship with Olivia. However, if a reader hadn’t read the books between Knight and Sebring, it loses a bit of the effect. Additionally, I needed a bit more when it comes to the final climactic resolution to the story. It felt like I was missing a part, just to lead up to the surprise of those scenes.

Everything in Between : I am grateful that the story didn’t just settle into supersized epilogue space towards the end, something that’s happened more and more in recent KA reads. Yes, there is a nice conclusion that gives long time readers glimpses of their favorites in this series and mentions of characters from other ones, so that was satisfying. The sex was good, and there’s a little bit of fun with BDSM, but in very light way, at least to me. I think it fits with the rest of the Unfinished Heroes, since they all have elements of domination, but not heavy into that scene. I think if there was anything that I would have liked to see KA not be afraid to get a little messier with the characters.
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[3.75-4 stars]
I really enjoyed it, issues aside. Nick grew on me in a way I wasn’t expecting and his and Livvie’s struggles pulled me in. The final book in the Unfinished Heroes series builds on the connections between all her Colorado series, ties a bow on these particular couples, but leaves a teeny tiny bit of room for more. I’ll admit, I’m curious as to where it will lead. I’d check it out.

**ARC provided by author for review** ...more

27 likes · Like · see review

Jan 11, 2016 Laura Elizabeth rated it it was ok

Shelves: alpha-hero-i-could-barely-stand, alpha-hero-that-is-a-dawg, alpha-hero-is-a-reformed-dawg, alpha-hero-that-can-be-serious-dick, burned-before, anti-hero, almost-dnf-at-beginning, asshole-douchbag

It wasn't as bad as Wild and Free, so that saved it from getting one star.

What we did have is recycled parts from about ten of her previous books. Our H lives in Hawks old lair, (including a beat up old chair). A recycled h ( Sadie from rock chicks). Only the h here has 100% zero personality. Nick is an asshole. Ren and Ally (like) hiding of relationship (goes on for whole book.) Stupid endearments. Just stupid stupid book. Crappy epilogue where half the characters in book are murdered. Sigh. I ...more

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Jan 11, 2016 Nancy rated it did not like it · review of another edition

i finished... i guess i am in the minority because i thought this book was a 1.5. i really liked Nick, probably because he was a clone of Knight, i really disliked olivia. she had no backbone, did whatever her dad then sister told her to and she was not smart or had any kind of personality. the book dragged on and on with meaningless conversations and more gross food discussions..until around 75% where some things happened, then of course magically everything got quickly fixed then really suspen ...more

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Jan 10, 2017 Paula White rated it really liked it

3.5*

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Feb 08, 2020 Christina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobooks-listened

I really enjoyed this one. Like everyone else, I wasn’t sure Nick could be redeemed but I was wrong. I LOVED HIM! (maybe a little more than Knight 🤫) My heart broke for Olivia. Her feelings of hopelessness and loneliness and just generally feeling trapped jumped off the page. Nick had to work hard to make Livvie believe but he did and I thought it was beautiful.

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Dec 06, 2017 Trisha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I held off reading this book because I hated the thought of this series ending. I really enjoyed Nicks book, like everyone else I wish we would have gotten more of Nicks story. It would have been nice to read about what made him turn his life around.

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Dec 30, 2016 Rebecca rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, favorites, sexy, alpha, heartbreaking

What can I say it's Kristen Ashley this time can Nick Sebring get away from the past and let people in or will the past haunt him forever. And Olivia will she let him in well you know what you have to do yep go read it. ...more

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