Review: Hell Breaks Loose by Sophie Jordan

Hell Breaks Loose

Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher: Avon
Series: Devil's Rock #2
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 359 pages
Genre: Romance
Release Date: July 26th 2016

Summary:

Hell hath no hunger like a man let out of a cage . . .

Shy and awkward, First Daughter Grace Reeves has always done what she’s told. Tired of taking orders, she escapes her security detail for a rare moment of peace. Except her worst nightmare comes to life when a ruthless gang of criminals abducts her. Her only choice is to place her trust in Reid Allister, an escaped convict whose piercing gaze awakens something deep inside her. Reid is nothing like her other captors.

He’s tougher, smarter…and one blistering look from him makes her hotter than any man ever has.

Reid spent years plotting escape and revenge . . .years without a woman in his bed. For this hardened felon, Grace Reeves isn’t just out of his league—she’s from another planet, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting her. Escaping Devil’s Rock was tough, but resisting this woman could be the end of him. For a man with nothing to lose, protecting her . . . claiming her as his own, becomes more necessary than his next breath.

Review:

This is so well written. Let me tell you! Brilliant. I was sure I wasn't going to fall for the Stockholm Syndrome love affair.. BUT I so so did.

I adore Reid. Completely fell for him. Really like Grace as well.
Love their chemistry and totally got their attraction and all that.
The thing that however didn't work for me: the last bit of the story line. There is this huge build up. Then the reckoning is supposedly happening.. and it was just meh. Somehow it just fizzled out.

*warning! There might be some minor spoilers after this*

I mean what was she thinking walking through the front door knowing what Sullivan had planned? But even worse the reaction of her father, and well actually I would have been fine with that sorta. Except that then they just decided to go another way - the end.
Also the sudden big love declarations felt too rushed. It was too much.

The end felt too convenient and rushed.

Still bloody brilliantly written. I can't wait for the next novel!!


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Review: While the Duke Was Sleeping by Sophie Jordan

While the Duke Was Sleeping

Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher: Avon
Series: The Rogue Files #1
Pages: Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: October 25th 2016

Summary:

Sometimes the man of your dreams . . .

Shop girl Poppy Fairchurch knows it’s pointless fantasizing about the Duke of Autenberry. Still, dreams can’t hurt anyone . . . unlike the carriage Poppy spies bearing down upon the unsuspecting duke. After she pulls him to safety, the duke lapses into a coma and Poppy is mistaken for his fiancée. But one person isn’t fooled: his arrogant and much too handsome half-brother, Struan Mackenzie. Soon Poppy isn’t sure what she wants more . . . the fantasy of her duke or the reality of one smoldering Scot who challenges her at every turn.

. . . is not who you think.

An illegitimate second son, Struan may have built an empire and established himself as one of the wealthiest men in Britain, but he knows he will always be an outsider among the ton. Just like he knows the infuriating Poppy is a liar. There’s no way the haughty Duke of Autenberry would deign to wed a working class girl. It doesn’t matter how charming she is. Or tempting. Or how much Struan wants her for himself.

Review:

A new take on While You Sleeping. Well new as in a new storyline, it's after all a historical.
To be honest, I am not a huge fan of the movie. I mean it's sweet and all, I did enjoy it, but I did only watch it only once and that's years ago so the details are rather fuzzy. Hence I wouldn't be able to tell if a die-hard-fan of the movie would find this novel adequate or not. I however did enjoy the storyline even if it all seems to have happened terribly fast.

I really enjoyed the toying and back and forth between Struan and Poppy. But I also wish there was more banter. Alas Poppy in all her sweetness isn't really the banter type.
Still her sweetness and good opinion was a wonderful character trait even if she was a total dreamer with her head in the clouds at the beginning. While in the beginning I found it difficult to relate to Poppy, with her seeing the world through pink glasses and all, I quickly grew to care for her and like her.
Struan was a great male lead. I love his struggles and roughness, his gentleness and compassion, but also his honesty and the fact that he does care, even if he claims not to. A interesting alpha male showing the other side of aristocracy, the effects of careless male behaviour at the time.
The character building of the MCs is splendid. They are multifaceted and interesting characters, I feel like I gotten to know and understand them over the story.
The support cast however, while interesting and intriguing left me a bit iffy. I feel like they were just that, the support. Each of them just enforcing whatever the MCs felt or went through. I mean Bryony for example, while on the one hand she is perfectly written 15yr old, I didn't quite see where her change of heart came from nor did I expect it. I did obviously applaud it, but it left me baffled. The same with the dowager. The changes made no sense to me. I do hope there will be books about them ALL though, because I did like this little group of people and the setup is really clever.

As expected this is beautifully written, the descriptions of the setting feels authentic, the emotions real... This is after all written by Jordan. And frankly I would have been shocked if it were different.

I really enjoyed While The Duke Was Sleeping. There are fantastic moments and I adore Struan and Poppy. But somehow something was missing- and I can't put my finger exactly on what- and I felt at the end that I expected somewhat more. I am not sure what. I am not even sure if it's just to do with my mood? *shrugs* oh well. Anyway. It's enjoyable, hotilicous and intriguing. So mostly what I want in a historical!
An interesting start to a new series. I can't wait to read more!

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