Love Me for Me (Safe Haven #1)
by Kate Laurens
Published March 26th 2013
Publisher ~ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
146 pages
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Average Rating: 3.86 / 5.00
My Rating: 4.00 / 5.00
Recommended for mature readers aged 17+ due to language and sexual content.
~ Synopsis ~
A fresh start...
It’s been three years since Serena King learned to say no—no to the boys that were a desperate cry for help, no to the extra weight she put on in self defense, and most of all no to the abuse that has haunted her since she was fifteen. Now a sophomore in college, all she wants is to be normal. The last thing she expects is a guy who can make her want... make her want everything.
A new guy...
Alex Blackthorn is a bundle of contradictions, a sexy dark haired badness who goes slow... deliciously slow. And despite the iron will that has gotten her through the last few years, Serena finds herself unable to ignore the heat that sizzles between them whenever they’re together.
A dark past...
Serena never thought she could be involved in a relationship, but Alex makes her long for things she thought were out of her reach forever. When he finds out her secret... when he finds out what she did to keep herself sane... will he still want her, or he will treat her just like everyone else?
And Alex has a secret of his own.
Recommended for mature readers aged 17+ due to language and sexual content.
It’s been three years since Serena King learned to say no—no to the boys that were a desperate cry for help, no to the extra weight she put on in self defense, and most of all no to the abuse that has haunted her since she was fifteen. Now a sophomore in college, all she wants is to be normal. The last thing she expects is a guy who can make her want... make her want everything.
A new guy...
Alex Blackthorn is a bundle of contradictions, a sexy dark haired badness who goes slow... deliciously slow. And despite the iron will that has gotten her through the last few years, Serena finds herself unable to ignore the heat that sizzles between them whenever they’re together.
A dark past...
Serena never thought she could be involved in a relationship, but Alex makes her long for things she thought were out of her reach forever. When he finds out her secret... when he finds out what she did to keep herself sane... will he still want her, or he will treat her just like everyone else?
And Alex has a secret of his own.
Recommended for mature readers aged 17+ due to language and sexual content.
~ My Thoughts ~
Whoa! This was a really emotionally intense as well as a hottt book, and yep, I just used three t's! The story begins by introducing Serena, a college age girl who suffered abuse when she was a teenager. During that time, she engaged in various unhealthy behaviors in order to cope with the abuse - her promiscuity, for one. I think because she felt like an object, she allowed herself to be treated like one. She didn't feel like she should take care of herself. Once she begins attending college, she leaves those behaviors behind in the past.
Serena meets Alex, and sparks just flew between them right away! Alex seemed so real and yet too good to be true. I loved everything about him - the tattoos, the way he managed to slowly break through barrier after barrier that Serena had put up, and the determination he had to love her no matter what ways she came up with to try to stop him. I really loved finding out along with Serena what made him tick, piece by piece.
Here were two emotionally damaged people with a lot of baggage, but I had a lot of hope for them to be able to work through their issues and find love. They seemed to fit together in ways they never had with anyone else before. I think they understood each other on a deeper level than if they had been in a relationship with someone who hadn't had the past experiences they had. They knew what it was like to want to run away from the pain rather than face it, and they understood this about each other.
I flew through the book! The story between Serena and Alex was so bittersweet and compelling, I was completely hooked. This was so well written and realistic, it almost hurt at times to read about Serena and Alex's pain. I wanted to get revenge for them and hurt the people who had hurt them. They were two people who had been through so much, and I couldn't help but want them together. I could see the potential in both of them to let go of their pain and find happiness.
The next book in the series (yes, it's a series!!!) is about Serena's roommate Kaylee and her entanglements which are hinted at in this first book. I'm looking forward to finding out more about her and the past she's trying to drown with all of her partying.
*I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review*
~ Purchase Links ~
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