by ELLA FIELDS
Callum Welsh perfected the art of hating me when we were two kids who believed we’d be forced into marriage.
He thought I wanted it, but my only wish had been for him to leave me alone.
Then one afternoon, he stole my first kiss.
Despite all he’d done, everything changed after that.
As the years passed, our hearts thawed, and he no longer hated me.
In fact, he loved me enough to make me his wife.
Until I ruined everything with one stupid mistake.
That hatred returned in the form of cruel words and even crueler deeds.
But we weren’t kids anymore.
I could handle his brand of venom.
He would be mine again, even if it cost me the remains of my heart.
Warning: contains cheating and an anti-hero who might make you throw your kindle.
"If someone has control over your heart, the worst thing you could do was make an enemy out of them."
Why do I constantly say this.....? I love the way Ella Fields tells a story. I do! I am not a YA/NA fan in general, but I love the way she sucks me in. The way she makes me feel. I don't get the immaturity of the words to fit the actions that I normally dislike. She tells her stories in a relatable fashion that always traps me in place and I can't quit reading. I love that about her. Ella is officially one of my favorite authors, and while I have only read 4 of her books, she is easily and quickly recommended every time someone asks for a great, well-written read packed with emotional consequences.
If there ever was a book in a series that I feel that could be read as a standalone, it is this one. Even though we met Callum previously, this one started from their beginning and carried us through their love story. I wish I knew how she did this. Evoking feelings that I wouldn't normally accept; I wouldn't easily condone. But her words, she gives them so freely and openly, and they make me feel. My gosh, she gave me a story that I never knew I craved in this one. From a very young and immature man to a very grown and smitten young man. I 'grew up' with them and fell in love, little by little. I could easily step in her shoes and fall into the perils of young love, and that is the unquestionable proof and pure truth to Ella's writing. Because there is so much truth....so much relatability to her characters and her stories, that you can't help but feel it every step of the way.
"I didn't give my heart permission to grieve. So it took what it needed when I wasn't able to stop it."
Anger? Sadness? Pain? Poor Renee. I truly mean it - poor Renee. Ella nailed the self-loathing, but she also rocked the pride and the fact that she could show Renee standing tall when all I'd want to do is cower and go cry in a corner. What I didn't expect at all was the anger I felt towards Renee for giving herself so freely when all Callum was doing was hurting her more and more....but what I got in return was an explanation, a story, a need to understand the why and the how. Why did she do this to herself repeatedly, and how did she live with herself; stare at herself in the mirror? Her story was definitely one that I couldn't put down. I wanted to understand her stance. I will say, Ella was very convincing in that department.
While I wanted to stand behind the fact that I felt that Renee was suffering - because she very definitely was, I also wanted to say poor Callum. I know!! I know!! Horrible, right?? He was an ass, but man, did he ever work through his turmoil in the harshest ways he knew how. He made her pay through the pain from his own torturous heart, and he was not easy on her at all. But he couldn't deny his feelings, his emotions....his pain, yet he most definitely didn't know how to accept them either. I think, honestly, that's what endeared me to not only his anger, but his agony. I understood why he was so angry, and I also understood why he did the things he did. I definitely do NOT excuse or forgive his actions, but I could sure understand where he was coming from. I'll tell you what though, he was a Grade - A asshole in this one. He was angering me quite a few times throughout, but again....I understood. But I sure didn't like it.
From the outside looking in, I could feel every emotion scream to get out as I watched Callum morph from this immature jerk into this young man that had a very definite change in his tune....and I started to thaw towards him and his actions. <sigh> I mean, I didn't hate him, but I was sure not liking what he was doing, but I understood. I loved seeing this different side to him than what we were originally introduced to, and yes. just yes. all the yes. All. The. Yes. When he lowered his voice and talked to Renee from behind, startling her? Not only did she get the chills, but I did as well. I smiled. I swooned. Crazily enough, I fell in love with a young man that seemed to have a lump of coal for a heart at times.
"It was ten times worse having to feign indifference when someone was trying to slay you with their eyes."
Once again, Ella Fields told a story that encompassed love, loss, heartbreak and redemption. A story that allowed me to follow a journey of the soul with trepidation, with sadness, with anger.....but most importantly, with heart. I love the way she tells stories and this one was no different. I'm so in love with her writing. Please read this one....let's chat. The discussions will probably become very animated and loud because there will be some with differing opinions, and I don't deny that this book will piss off many. But, I like those ones and there is no denying that books that challenge my heart and mind are usually my favorites. C'mon....grab your copy and let's chat. If you think this is a typical cheating book, then you are sorely mistaken. There is nothing typical about Ella's stories, and I hope you love this one as much as I did.
"I belong with you, and you only."
~BEE
PURCHASE PRETTY VENOM HERE
~MEET ELLA FIELDS~
Ella Fields is a mother and wife who lives in the land Down Under. While her kids are in school, you might find her talking about her characters and books to her two cats. She's a notorious chocolate and notebook hoarder who enjoys creating hard-won happily ever afters.
~CONNECT WITH ELLA~
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DeleteWow! WOW! I'm in awe with your review Bee!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bunny!
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