Synopsis (Goodreads):
Ellie Watt is used to starting over. The daughter of a grifting team, Ellie spent her childhood being used as a pawn in her parents' latest scam. Now she’s much older, wiser and ready to give her con artist life a rest. But returning to the dry desert town of Palm Valley, California means one more temptation than she bargained for – Camden McQueen. Once known as the high school weirdo, Camden is bigger and badder than the boy he used to be and a talented tattoo artist with his own thriving business. Ellie’s counting on Camden still being in love with her but what she’s not counting on is how easily unrequited love can turn into obsession over time. When Camden discovers Ellie’s plan to con him, he makes her a deal she doesn’t dare refuse, but her freedom comes with a price and it’s one that takes both Ellie and Camden down a dangerous road.My Thoughts: You know when you're reading a book and you can see something serious on the horizon for the characters -- something that will fundamentally change either their outlook or the path that they're on -- and you start getting all tied up about it because OMG! IT'S COMING AND IT'S GOING TO KILL YOU JUST AS MUCH AS IT HURTS THEM? Yeah. That happened more than once in this book for me. I had to put the book down and quietly walk away for a few minutes to get myself under control. Yes, Karina Halle stirs up all my emotions and gets me invested in her messed up characters. And that's exactly what I love about her writing.
*deep breath* This book was very, very good. Ellie does some things that are hard to watch. She does some things that were painful and hurtful and ... I get it. With the way she grew up, I get why she did some of the things she did. She's a mess and she's spent her whole life running. Heck, she's spent her whole life grifting and she tends to fall back on the things that she knows when the opportunity presents itself. She and Camden are complicated and messy and sexy as all hell and I loved them together. Even when I wasn't sure what Camden's plans for her were -- and, yes, he gets a little scary in there for a while -- I wanted the two of them together.
Deceit, betrayal, lies, danger, and a whole lot of conning kept me on edge from beginning to end. Ellie and Camden don't necessarily have a pretty relationship but it's a damn INTENSE one. The people around them are dangerous and things are only going to get worse before they get better.
*inserts gratuitous fangirl flailing because this book is JUST THAT GOOD*
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Books in this series
0.5. On Every Street
1. Sins & Needles - Kindle
2. Shooting Scars
3. Bold Tricks
Author Links
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |
I need more Karina Halle in my life.
ReplyDeleteI believe everyone would benefit from more Karina Halle in their life. *nods*
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book. I'm going to add it to my 'must-check-out' list. Intense relationships, when well written, are awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteIntense, screwy relationships are so fun when they're done right!
DeleteAwesome review, Kelly! This one was so, so good ... Karina Halle is just pure awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteYES! This book just... *flails*
Delete