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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Book Review-Hate To Want You by Alisha Rai

by | Oct 8, 2017 | Book Reviews | 14 comments

Book Review-Hate To Want You by Alisha Rai

Book Review-Hate To Want You by Alisha RaiHate to Want You by Alisha Rai
Also in this series: Wrong to Need You, Hurts to Love You
Series: Forbidden Hearts #1
Published by Avon on July 25 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 384
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
Goodreads
AmazonLibrary Thing
four-half-stars

Alisha Rai, one of contemporary romance’s brightest stars, makes her Avon Books debut with the first novel in the sexy Forbidden Hearts series!

One night. No one will know.

That was the deal. Every year, Livvy Kane and Nicholas Chandler would share one perfect night of illicit pleasure. The forbidden hours let them forget the tragedy that haunted their pasts—and the last names that made them enemies.

Until the night she didn’t show up.

Now Nicholas has an empire to run. He doesn’t have time for distractions and Livvy’s sudden reappearance in town is a major distraction. She’s the one woman he shouldn’t want . . . so why can’t he forget how right she feels in his bed?

Livvy didn’t come home for Nicholas, but fate seems determined to remind her of his presence—and their past. Although the passion between them might have once run hot and deep, not even love can overcome the scandal that divided their families.

Being together might be against all the rules . . . but being apart is impossible.

Hate To Want You is the first book in the Forbidden Hearts series by Alisha Rai. Alisha Rai is a new author for me, and I finally decided that it was time I needed to try this book out especially with how many good things I had heard about this one and I have to say that I am so relieved that I finally picked this book up and LOVED this book to pieces. This is a story that has a similar tone to the shakespeare play “Romeo and Juliet” only you are guaranteed a happy ending.

Hate To Want You is a story where we have two hearts that have been divided. Nicholas and Livvy were once high school sweethearts. They knew even while they were so young, how much they loved each other. But when a tradegy struck and their families were divided and became enemies, their love was forbidden. Every year they meet in secret and share in pleasure in each other’s arms. Now Livvy has moved back home, set up her tatoo parlour and to be closer to her mother who has had some health problems. Now Nicholas and Livvy are in close proximity with each other. Soon Livvy and Nicholas will need to face up to the secrets of the past and embrace what they have been hiding from everyone including themselves.

Hate To Want You is a powerful story, and one that I didn’t want to put down. I have a weakness for those “forbidden love” romances and this is at the top of the best I have ever read and most especially in a contemporary setting. This book took me in all forms of directions and feels and sighs. Its a story that is a magnetic force and pulls its readers this way and that way and leaves you needing more of this author and these families and engaging characters. At first I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book. I was pretty nervous about reading it beforehand, especially with the hype it had been getting since being published. I can say though with a certainty that it was worth every moment. In the beginning we see how Livvy and Nicholas truly care about each other, but its too painful for both of them to share their emotions so they release it all in one night every year in the bedroom. But now its different because they are living so close to each other and have to face up to their own pain and frustrations and the true depth of love they share with each other. We see the way they have to face up to their past, and as they do so, their bond with each other really blooms here. I couldn’t get enough of seeing the way our hero faces up to his father, and fights for his girl and the way he woos her is swoon worthy.

“I’m scared.”
“So am I. Let’s be scared together.”

We get some fun moments with characters you are guaranteed to fall in love with and people who you can’t wait for their stories.

Overall Hate To Want You is a delicious tale of heartbreak and loss, but also of courage and strength and the depths of love. Its a vibrant and vividly portrayed romance you can’t resist!!

 

 

About Alisha Rai

Alisha Rai has been enthralled with romances since she smuggled her first tattered novel home from the library as a teenager. She writes hot and emotionally complex contemporary romance novels and is frequently sought as a speaker on topics such as love in the digital age, sex positivity, and inclusive representation in romance and media.

She is the first author to have an indie-published book appear on Washington Post’s annual Best Books list. Her books have also won the RT Reviewers Choice Award and have received critical attention and rave reviews from sources such as Library Journal, USA Today, BookRiot, Washington Post, Bitter Empire, NPR, and Smart Bitches Trashy Books. Alisha spends most of her time traveling, reading, dreaming up sexy heroes and heroines, and tweeting.

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14 Comments

  1. kimbacaffeinate

    New to me author and series, so thanks for sharing them with us. Based on your thoughts this sounds good and I love the cover!

    Reply
  2. Christy LoveOfBooks

    Well, damn, like I can pass this up now. Just added it to my wishlist. I love the whole meeting once a year thing, even if that isn’t shown as much in the book.

    Reply
  3. Blodeuedd

    I so need to try her books!

    Reply
  4. Alyssa Susanna

    I’ve heard good things about Rai’s books, especially this one! It was pucked up by Avon though, right? I remember seeing it in Edelweiss. I don’t think I can do another second chance romance anytime soon but I will definitely check out the other books in this series. I’m so glad you liked this one, Renee!

    Have a lovely week. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

    Reply
  5. RO

    This sounds like a really good one! Hugs…RO

    Reply
  6. Kristin

    Wow. This sounds so good. I’ve been living under a rock apparently because this is the first I’m hearing about this book. I love forbidden romances so I will have to put this book on my GR list.

    Reply
  7. Rowena

    I just bought this book this morning because I got the second book for review. I can’t wait to dig into my copy. I’m so glad to see that you enjoyed this one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Renee. I’m excited to read this one.

    Reply
  8. LilyElement

    I enjoyed this one as well! Can’t wait for book 2!!

    Reply
  9. The Book Disciple

    Romeo and Juliet with an HEA? Score! Great review!

    Reply
  10. Jenea Whittington

    I think you had me Romeo and Juliet! This sounds delightful.

    Reply
  11. Joyousreads

    I’m always down for a forbidden romance, so heck ya. Sign me up. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Mallory M

    Oh!!! Forbidden Romance? Sign me-up! (Plus that cover is gorgeous!)

    Reply
  13. Naomi Hop

    The cover actually had me intrigued, but your review sold it! Off to check it out. Love it when a book hooks you, and I do love these forbidden romances too!

    Naomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace

    Reply
  14. Sharonda

    heard so much about this one too, I’ll have to check it out soon. Great review!

    Reply

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