Broody Marines, a motorcycle club, crooked cops and a strong heroine make this one page-turning trilogy you won't be able put down!
Ryder Callaghan didn't know a damn thing about the moody woman who moved in next door. But his military instincts told him she was in trouble. The deep kind that gets you six feet under. Elle was running from someone; and come hell or high-water Ryder was going to figure out exactly who and why. She was stubborn and beautiful, and he would use every Callaghan Security employee to find answers to questions she flat out refused to answer: Why she slept with a gun under her pillow. Why she dressed like she was on her way to a funeral in winter. Why she had more scars than men he'd fought with in Iraq. Ryder knew women. They came freely and easily for him. Yet the one woman he wants --for more than one night-- doesn't want anything to do with him. How do you save a woman who won't let you in? What if she doesn't want to be saved at all?
The Ugly Roses Trilogy #2
One crooked Mayor His fiance A few good men and a slut named Claudia. He lied. Ryder didn't help me. He broke my f*cking heart. I'm at a crossroad and no matter which way I turn, I'm f*cked. Ryder or retribution? This life of mine isn't a fairy tale. I know I can't have both.
The Ugly Roses Trilogy #3 A shady police force One unborn child Inmate number 67413 What you believe you know is all a lie. Trapped in a cage, the harsh bite of concrete under my knees is a cruel reminder of my past. Surrendering is not an option, and retribution may not be the answer. This is a reckoning.
"My life has an expiration date, Ryder. And it's not like yours that includes wrinkles, grey hair and grandchildren."
The Ugly Roses Trilogy is recommended +18 Due to mature content.
Harlow Stone is a thirty something contemporary romance author and avid reader from Ontario. One cold winter day she couldn't find the book she wanted to read, so she decided to write it herself.
She published her first book in January 2015 and immediately knew the story wasn't over. One book turned into a trilogy and the trilogy spun off into a series.
Harlow made the top 100 list on Amazon for her first book in The Ugly Roses Trilogy and hopes to break more lists in the future.
Harlow —a former construction worker— likes to stay busy. When she's not busy working on her books she can usually be found reading someone else's or working on her house.
If you would like to stay up to date with Harlow, make sure to click the follow here on GR, on Amazon or sign up for her newsletter : http://subscribe.harlowstone.com/
3 books? While the beginning of the story pulled me in, by the end of the 2nd, I found myself frustrated with things dragging on. To much filler, to much talk. The characters just seemed to far fetched. I found Jayne irritating, and all of the talk about wine made me feel like I needed a drink every time I picked up the story (not always a bad thing) !
Frayed Rope, Book #1 I am still reeling in all that happened to Jayne/Elle that has brought her to this point in her life. We meet Elle as she is finishing he recovery in the hospital after having her face reconstructed. She comes across as very reserved and to herself. Not willing to open herself to anyone. Her furry friend Norma is her only confidant. Elle's reserved nature is very calculated and researched. Almost like every step is being rehearsed first.
As we start to see into her nightmares and habits it soon become apparent of the trauma she has endured. It is so sick and twisted that you find yourself wondering how she is even trying to run and move forward after everything she has lost and experienced. She finds herself renting a small cottage on the outskirts of a small town and she might even be feeling a little bit of safety in the secluded area.
When she discovers that the closest neighbor is a handsome security company owner, that might help in her feelings of safety. She is not very quick to let Ryder into her life in any shape or form and she throws every bitchy attitude she can at him as a defense mechanism. In his line of business he quickly sees through her shit and understands that she has walls up and is trying to push him away. He is not easily deterred and he most certainly want to get to know this new beauty a little better. Drawn to her in ways he has never felt before.
Will Ryder convince Elle that he is a good guy and get her to let him in a little? Will Elle find someone to share her story with in Ryder? Is it possible that a woman who has lost everything might be willing to trust and feel again.
I found the story to start a little slowly as we were introduced to the characters and the beginning of the story, but once I got into the story I found it hard to put down. It is a bit of a dark topic and at times the detail is a little bit disturbing but it all adds to the story. I knew with it being part 1 of a trilogy to expect a cliffhanger and Ms Stone did not disappoint.
Concealed Affliction, Book #2 Elle has known one defense for the past year and that is run. She has let her guard down where Ryder is concerned and she has maybe even let herself feel and hope. She knew better, everyone she gets close to leaves at some point.
To many people are beginning to know her secrets and the only way to keep them safe is to go back and confront those secrets. She is determined to go alone and has made it very clear to Ryder that she can't deal with lies. She doesn't want his protection. Elle/Jayne goes to her friends that she willing left behind to keep them safe.
Ryder doesn't listen very well and sends his men in silence to be there is she needs them. They are all trying to find the pieces she needs to be safe. Unfortunately it seems it might be Ryder's personal problems causing her more heartache and danger. Will he be able to keep her safe and will she ever understand.
Hopefully she can hold strong and keep fighting. Fighting for her life, for justice to be served.
The twists that book 2 take us on are unexpected and just add to the depth of the story. She has undying love and friendship from more than she ever expected. Let's hope it enough to keep fighting.
Ms. Stone has my mind racing with what is going to happen in book 3.
Blinded by Fate, Book #3 Picking right up where we left off. Everyone is so very worried about Elle and how she will make it through these latest events.
Elle once again shows us her amazing strength and willingness to not give up. She once again has something to want to live for. Ryder has opened her heart in ways she never thought possible again.
Through all these events she has found herself with a family of friends as strong and loyal as once from blood.
Ryder has never seen a life of love and relationship in his future before finding Elle. But now that he has opened his heart he wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with her. He is determined to do everything in his power to make her safe and to "Keep" her.
Will the be able to free Elle/Jayne from the horror of her past. Will love prevail and will she finally get her happy ending?
This was a strong ending to this trilogy.
Ms. Stone kept me wanting to the very end, needing to know what happened next and hoping that justice would be served in the end. If you are looking for an on you toes kind of read, give Elle and Ryder a chance.
Overall, I enjoyed this journey. I absolutely adored Ryder. He was very patient, supportive, and encouraging. For the most part, I liked Jayne/Harley/Elle - she went through terrible tragedy and trauma, and eventually found herself on the other side. She had a few moments that I wanted her to stop acting childishly, but how people react to trauma varies, and I suppose this could just be her way of dealing. The editing left a lot to be desired. Book One wasn't too bad, but as the trilogy progressed, the editing became more lacking. Constant misuse of your/you're, their/they're, piece/peace, among others. Inconsistencies in details - Inmate 67413 vs Inmate 76413, Patrov/Petrov, left arm injured vs. right arm injured. Missing words. Awkward sentences. One or two misses don't take away from a story, and truthfully, people aren't perfect. However, the shear number of misses in this one definitely took away from the flow of the story for me.
Thankfully, the box set allowed for the story to be read with relatively little interruption between books. We meet Jayne when she is ready to leave the hospital after reconstructive surgery. As she moves cross country to assume a new identity, we learn that she has lost her parents and little girl to a terrible car accident. Not long after that, she was abducted, tortured, and nearly killed before she was able to escape. While her abductor is dead, she believes that there was another person involved, and she is terrified that he will come finish the job. When she finally settles in a little town near Jacksonville, NC, she finds she has a very intriguing neighbor. Ryder is ex-military and owns his own security business. They begin a tentative friendship, that leads to deeper feelings. When Ryder accidentally sees her scars, she decides to run before he can reject her. Months later, Ryder finally tracks her down, hoping to convince her to come home with him. Jayne (who Ryder knows as Elle), finally begins to really open up to Ryder about her story. He vows to help her find the second person, and find the truth of her abduction. Just as their relationship starts to look like it might be heading to solid ground, a job in Chicago casts doubt on Ryder's fidelity.
Jayne decides to go back to Canada to find the second person, get answers, and find closure. Ryder refuses to let her go - tracking her movements and sending his men to keep her safe. Unfortunately, the trouble in Chicago follows Jayne to Canada. Someone wants Ryder, and is not above using Jayne as leverage to meet their own agenda. Ryder races to untangle the Chicago mess and keep Jayne safe. Meanwhile, someone from the past wants Jayne to pay for the death of her abductor. Will they find the second person in time? Will they be friend of foe? Will Ryder be able to save Jayne from herself and the dark presence from the past?
So many twists and turns. What Jayne endured was really terrible. Losing her family, finding out it wasn't an accident while in the midst of torture, enduring the torture, escaping, recuperating, running, and facing her past to find her future was quite the journey. So many great people supporting her - Ryder, Denny, Brock, Maverick, Ivan, Jimmy, and Laura. Really wonderful when she finally opened her eyes to see the people that loved her and wanted to help her. It is good that she was strong and independent, but sometimes she just took it too far. I did wish for a little more in the resolution of the Chicago issue. Loved how things turned out with Matty. Also really glad to see the author mention that Jayne/Elle had to work through the anger, which is part of the grieving process. Glad that she finally realized leaving the anger behind was part of healing, and didn't mean that she loved her family any less. Enjoy!
Ideally this best works if summed up after each book, but I forgot and well now it's the end and i'm just going to go with overall feelings and bits i liked and didn't like etc,etc so therefore there may be spoilers ahead..so SPOILERS ALERT if you continue to read ......................... ....................... ......................SPOILERS ALERT AS THIS REVIEW IS TRILOGY*************
Overall this was not a bad read. There was good storytelling, the heroine Jayne/Elle was not always a pushover, she had her moments where she acted human yeah but yeah strong, cold, warm, hard after losing her family and then being taken and beaten for days by some dude who was obsessed with her. Our hero Ryder wasn't too bad either, hard ass, ex military turned security specialist etc, owns own company. One of those guys who knows he looks good and can have all the women in the world and expect if he shows interest she will drop her panties, because yes he will give her hers and get his too, she doesn't even need to finish undressing first ( he says this too)
Good, interesting side characters, I liked Jimmy, Brock, Denny yeah good guys, solid, friends of his and hers.
The first book we meet Elle, she is hiding out, we find out through vague flashbacks and a bit of discussion she was held and beaten nearly to death by a guy calle Andrew, he's now dead and the cops back in her hometown has questions for her because of certain things. Here we meet Ryder who shows his interest in her, things do eventually heat up and then he sees her scars when she is not ready..this causes a bit of fallout however the biggest is when Anne turns up when he's not here and reveals that she is his wife..cue running away and book 2 starts. Book 2 has mostly a lot of rumination and talk and not much else, a bit of back and forth between the main characters, we find out that Ryder has jealousy issues, he can't stand any man who is around her, even though he knows her back story and the men she is around are usually her trainers, people she pays to teach her to fight etc. So a lot of talk, Ryder having his men follow /tail her, tacking when she walks away and he goes away for work, they get back together, more talk blah, blah , blah and she eventually decides to go back to canada the scene of the crime to try the other person involved in her attack. Of course Ryder's work past comes back to haunt him and her and she ends up in jail and a few bad things happen here..assualt by a cop etc then on to book 3. Book 3 is the conclusion of this and it was quick, more invesigating going nowhere, she reveals to Ryder she doesn't want more childrena and got her tubes tied after her daughter, he reveals he did have plans but will tke her without them, while she gives the good girl speech about him having them elsewhere etc. Then a lot more talking and finally we get to the good bit. A revelation or not so much about her attackers etc and the twin brother and a not so surprising twisit about the kids father.
However the annoying thing in the last book is the stupid fact that shocker . Yup that just had me shaking my head..after all the song and dance she made the magical vagina wins again.
***Note, the first and second book of this trilogy do end with cliffhangers so I recommend reading them in order.
When I read the blurb of these books I thought to myself ‘this books sounds good’ and with the author being new to me I was a little nervous going in. I am SO GLAD that I gave this author and this series a chance. It is very well written and has a great storyline.
It is a heart wrenching page-tuner that pulls you in and won’t let you go. It’s an emotional roller coaster ride on a journey of twist and turns, ups and downs, and survival. Nothing will stop Elle from finishing what started so long ago. She is devoted to finding out the truth to what destroyed her life as she once knew it. Things got from bad to worse before they get better. Join Elle along the way of her darkest journey before ending with the beautiful HEA you’ve hoped for since the first page of this series.
The author done an amazing job capturing the details of the story and the character’s emotions from start to finish of this trilogy.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a “deep” and “emotional” read.
The Ugly Roses trilogy by Harlow Stone is a romantic suspense series containing three books Frayed Rope, Concealed Affliction and Blinded by Fate.
Wow, just wow. This series is an intense, sarcastic, raw, but also vulnerable, sweet and cathartic. Over the course of the 3 books, our heroine goes through so many tough situations whilst still trying to recover from her past.
I loved so many things about these books. From the characters and their relationships with each other, to the banter thats shared, to the sweet and sexy moments and all the angst, twists and turns and vulnerability in between.
It's truly a well crafted series and one that's had a lot of thought go into the story from beginning to end.
Well worth the read. I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
If you love a fantastically written story, If you love a sassy mouthed strong female lead, If you love a hunky ex military tough guy with a massive heart If you love a book that you will not want to put down If you love a dark, raw, emotional, sexy, thrilling read then i could not reccomend a better series. This trilogy has everything anyone could want from a story. Impeccably created characters and story line that grabs you from the off. I honestly can not praise these books enough and doubt anyone would be dissappointed in reading this.
Wow! I started reading and could NOT stop! I read the entire trilogy in just over 24 hours. Who cared about housework when there were so many wonderful words to read? I was hooked from the first chapter. To be able to connect with character right from the very beginning is rare and should be celebrated. I could feel Elle's pain and while she comes across as uncaring it was clear it was the opposite. After everything she had been through she had to shut down emotionally just to survive. Her chemistry with Ryder was amazing. I cannot wait to read more from this newly discovered author.
So exciting, I could hardly wait for the next chapter in Elle's life.. She definitely is a survivor. U had me in tears wen she announced she was pregnant.. I was jumping for joy.. She deserved a second chance in raising a family with Ryder. I have to admit he has patience of an angel.. Enjoyed reading his book, excellent material. Thank u Harlow Stone. Looking forward to reading more of ur books.
I love suspense and a strong heroine. And boy, did I get a strong heroine in Elle! I loved her! This trilogy had me reading them back to back! I couldn’t get enough! Even with the somber theme and strong issues dealt in the book, there were LOL moments that lightened the mood.
Loved Ryder’s POV. His character an d all the secondary characters were swoony! I loved Jimmy and Denny. I totally recommend this series and this author!
What an amazing trilogy! Each of the three books in this series were action packed, full of suspense and emotion. Understand there could be some triggers for some, but that given, it's a heart wrenching story of one woman finding her strength and will to live after a horrific experience. I loved it and it was so worth giving a chance on an unknown author to me.
This series is amazing. Elle/Jayne is so independent and not needing anyone to help. She maybe cold at times but she’s safer that way and not making many friends till Ryder comes along and pushes himself to her to see that others can help you along the way and become someone you can trust. Trust is hard for Elle/Jayne and will be till she stops looking over her shoulder.
Wow ! I really enjoyed this trilogy … there were times when my stomach was actually in knots waiting to see what is happening next. This is a great story of fighting your way through tragic life ending events to come out on the other side changed but ok. Love that this was not just another predictable romance between Ryder and Elle and looking forward to reading more of Harlows work.
I gave this 5 stars because I loved the storyline. Since I've started listening to more audiobooks (I read not listened to this series) I have learned to grade by the story not the editing. If I were to grade this book by editing, it would get a 1. But the story is one that I couldn't but down. I loved it.
It was good.. Nothing amazingly wonderful.. A lot of talk filler. More then I thought necessary. I really had to force myself to finish book 2 and keep going. I just couldn't really relate with the characters.. Seemed to far fetched.. Good but not really for me.
First time reader here, captured by the characters in this trilogy. Well written, erudite , literate read. Angsty, dangerous, romance , learning to trust, forgetting you trust, runaway of a book! Recommended I read as a marathon read, worth the time!
If it weren’t for the constant reference to the nicknames beautiful and handsome, I would have rated this higher. An occasional beautiful or handsome would have been fine but not in every conversation.
I loved the raw emotions of this book. Harlow took you roller coaster with so many twist and beauty. The strength Elle has is quite inspiring and I love how Ryder was able to open her back up from her shell and make her feel and love again
This trilogy will have you laughing,crying and on the edge of your seat in suspense. Once I started I struggled to put it down, late couple of nights it was lol. Highly recommend.
These books sucked me in and I did not let go! Harlow took me on a roller coaster ride with all the twist and turns, and i did not want to get off! Harlow delivered such raw emotions and it was a beautifully executed trilogy!
This series is heartbreaking beautiful. The things Elle went through are heartbreaking. Ry is amazing. They go through some hard times together but make it in the end. This series is a must read.
Wow this series blew me Away!! I was hooked to my iPad from page 1 to the end! I cried in some scenes!!! Amazing books and I will read some more books from her!!
Jayne O'Connor, 30, is escaping her past and becoming a new person, Elle Davidson. With help from Tiny, she is given a new identity and she leaves for a fresh start with hopes to stay one step ahead of her past.
Ryder Callaghan, 37, owns Callaghan Security and is Jayne's next door neighbor when she gets her fresh new start. Right away he knows that Jayne is hiding something and he slowly gains her trust and the two begin a friendship which gradually transforms into more.
But when Jayne feels like it is too much she runs when Ryder is out of town. Will Ryder track her down and will he stick by Jayne tells him the truth about her past?
This was a great book with lots of mystery and some pretty intense scenes with Jayne and Ryder!
Jayne had been through so much in her past and she needed to escape to figure out what had happened to her. She believed with everything that she had two attackers but no one else believed her so she knew that she needed to hide her identity.
Ryder was attracted to Jayne right from the beginning but knew she had so much going on in her life and past that she had her guard up. Ryder gradually was able to get through to Jayne and allow her to trust him until that twist!
I loved how dedicated Ryder was to Jayne and that he didn't give up! I loved the ending and what Ryder discovered!!
I can't wait for the next book!
2) Concealed Affliction
This is the second book in the series and book one Frayed Rope needs to be read first.
Jayne O'Connor is trying to figure out what she needs to do next in her life. She wants to discover the truth about who held her captive and knows that she can't do it on her own anymore. She decides to hire Ryder Callaghan's company to help her but she no longer wants anything personal with Ryder.
But Jayne is not the only person who wants Ryder. Mr.Becker, the mayor of Chicago wants Ryder to be with his daughter Claudia and will stop at nothing to get him with her, even hurting Jayne. Can Jayne find out enough information on her past while trying to stay clear of Mr. Becker and his men?
Wow, this second book was great! There was so much suspense and wondering what had happened and what was going to happen next.
Jayne is tough but she is also very vulnerable and does not want to get her heart broken again by Ryder. She knows he has kept something from her but doesn't know what it is but when he tells her what is going on I really don't think she understood the reach of Mr. Becker or how far he would go.
Ryder loves Jayne and knows he made a mistake but will do anything to prove his love for her and it's unclear how far he will need to go but it's looking big. I love the group of men he has around him and how they are ready to go to battle for Jayne with discovering the truth about her past and what is happening now.
This book is very gripping and their are twists and turns you didn't see coming and places where you see the light coming and then it is quickly squashed and you have to keep reading to find out what is going to happen next!
Can't wait for the conclusion!
Blinded by Fate
Jayne O'Connor is not having an easy go. She has been beaten in prison due to the evil in a man, William Becker, who wants to blackmail Ryder Callaghan into leaving Jayne.
But Jayne has strength and Ryder is not willing to give her up. As the two battle against everything that they come up against they know they still must solve the mystery of her past and figure out where Andrew's brother is.
Will Jayne and Ryder be able to figure everything out before Jayne takes matters into her own hands, not wanting to risk the lives of anyone else she loves?
This is a great conclusion to the series and it definitely does not let you down! There are so many twists that I didn't see coming that I was gripped from the beginning to the end.
I loved Jayne and how she saved herself in prison but I hated what she had to endure due to William Becker. She was a super strong character but it came at a price for sure. I wanted Jayne to really get her happy ever after but I knew that it wouldn't be easy with what she still had yet to discover.
Ryder was awesome and I loved how he didn't back down from Becker and focused on keeping Jayne safe. The two of them were extremely hot together and loved each other so much but both had rough pasts and had been hurt in love.
I hated how Jayne sometimes felt like she had to do things by herself but at the same time when I realized what she was doing it all made sense. I didn't see a couple of the things but I knew something was up with the one character and I did kind of piece of thing from the past together with the future.
The ending was awesome and I'm so glad for things and how they turned out for Jayne and Ryder!!