Posted by Donna
Release Date: September 1st, 2012
Finished Date: September 9th, 2012
Publishers: Self-Published
Source: Bought
Format: Kindle
Eighteen year old Harper has grown up under her career Marine of a father's thumb. Ready to live life her own way and experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit; she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.
Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family and emotions. Some she wasn't expecting yet, and others she never knew she was missing.
She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with her boyfriend Brandon, and her roommate's brother Chase. Covered in tattoos, known for fighting in the Underground and ridiculously muscled...they're exactly what she was always warned to stay away from, but just what she needs. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both adore and would do anything for Harper, including stepping back if it means she's happy.
Her first year away is turning out to be near perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.
Due to sexual situations and language, this is Mature YA/New Adult. Recommended for ages 17+
The Review: Non spoiler review – If you want to read my spoiler review - click HERE!
TEAM CHASE!!!!
I finished this book 8 hours ago and I was hoping once I had a few hours to think about the events that happened, I would have a different opinion. Well, 8 hours later and I still feel the same. When I started Taking Chances, I was really looking forward to it and you know what, it was so damn good too. Within 4% of reading, I was hooked. It had similarities to Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire but was unique in its own way and I loved it.
The story starts with Harper starting college and while there she meets Chase and Brandon, two extremely hot guys who she has a deep connection with. She starts dating Brandon but can’t get Chase out of her mind and one night she gives into her passion with Chase and that changes her life forever.
I could not put the first half of this book down, it was so addicting, hot and intense – all the things I love about a novel. I enjoyed it that much I even started adding bookmarks to my pages in my kindle, so I could go and re-read them at some point, and yes most of them where of Harper and Chase. I was rooting for this two and they had to go through so many obstacles, the main one being Brandon. To start with I was unsure who would be a better person for Harper but you once you start reading about Chase, you just can’t get him out of your head.
Now I bet you’re wondering why I only rated this book one star? To be honest, I’ve been going back and forth from a 1 to 2 to 4 and now I’m back to 1. Around 50% of the book, something happens and because of what’s happened, it changed everything for me. I cannot get my head around why the author thought it was okay to make readers invested and care for her characters and then snatch it all away with an event that seemed, in my opinion, pointless and unnecessary. Maybe she was going for the shock factor? – Well if she was, she won! I need a new word for shocked! I cried, I almost threw my kindle, I was gobsmacked. I just couldn’t believe it! I felt like my heart was pulled out of my chest – it hurt that much. Once this event happened, the book became very predictable – you just know what she was planning to do and where the story would lead and I didn’t like it! I ended up skimming the last 40% because everything I loved about the first part of the book….was gone. The characters I was invested in and loved…was gone. So really what was the point of me reading anymore?
Now I hear the author is doing a book from Chase's point of view and while I’m intrigued to read it, I have to ask myself if I will ever it? Well….probably not! Why? Because it’s pointless! What’s the point of starting to fall for him all over again only for it to be taken away? It broke my heart once; I won’t let it happen again. =(
This book easily could have become a favourite of mine but because of the direction the author took this book, I didn’t like it. If anything, I became frustrated, angry and mad – even more so as time passed, and I like to enjoy my reading not be a blubbering mess. I don’t like rating books poorly, but I have to be honest and even if you read this book, and don’t agree with me – that’s okay because I hope you love this book - I just couldn’t.
11 comments:
Oh wow!!!!! Intense!
So although I haven't read it, I guess that they didn't end up together even though it was obvious that the first part centered around those two? Am I on the right track?
If that's the case I complteley understand your frustration. I mean why get me invested and then take it from me.
Of course, sometimes relationships just don't work out and maybe that was what the author was driving at. But... we read books to dream and .yes I.want.a.happy.ending!
I also rated a few books much lower after reading the end and being frustrated so, I get your rating!
Now, I'm debating with myself if I should go for this heartbreak or leave my heart unscathed...
Ok so I just read your spoiler review on goodreads.. and I agree perfectly agree and.. I won't read it... too bad really!
Thanks Danny! It taken me two day to get over this book...it was like mourning. Lol.
UGH!!! I am so bummed about how it ends (read spoiler).....): It would have been such an amazing book if the author would have just NOT done that! It sounds like an amazing read, to bad that event ruined the whole thing -_- Awesome review though Donna as always! :D
Thanks for the honest review Donna :). I don't think I'll read this one though I actually want to know what it was that happened and made you change your mind about this book. I don't like when the ending is predictable so I think I'll pass. Thanks for a great review Donna :)
I've heard about this one. I'm going to pass. It sounds way too frustrating and I'm afraid I end up rooting for the the guy who doesn't win. Sounds like what happened to you. Great honest review. :)
Sounds like a major drama! What happened?! Need to read your spoiler review.I'm very careful about self-published books and don't think I'll pick this up if something so unpleasent happens and destorys the rest of the book
This was my first DNF book, I was an emotional mess because of it!!! The "event" was basically cruel for me. And the Chase POV won't be read by me either. This really blows because I was adoring the first 50% of this book!!!
I couldn't agree more. I was so depressed. My heart actually hurt, because as great as Brandon is...you're always rooting for chase! I mourned. And I skimmed it after that. It just seemed to draggggggg on. Like bringing carter into the story again? Who cared at all about that kid? I would of preferred reading more about chase. And another thing. When there is a love triangle, usually the girl is torn because they both seem good for her... But then her heart finally makes a right decision. And it was annoying me that even when she was with one, she still always wanted the other. She was NEVER satisfied. AND THEN CHASE IS GONE and its like he wasn't even competition! And THEN I feel bad cause Brandon truly is amazing and in a different story I would of loved him. But how do you even finish the last half of the book when the character you love most is just gone. I would NOT recommend this book. It brought only tears and heartache. And not in the Nicholas sparks kinda way.
I was obsessed with chase and I loved him. But I would of rather I never read it because of the direction the author took. And a chase version? Its like she wants me to cry mysled to sleep everynight after. LIKE I COULD ACTUALLY READ THAT AND LOVE HIM MORE FOR HER TO TAKE HIM AWAY? Lady. Is. Crazy.
I completely disagree, this is my absolute favorite book. I have read over 300 romance novels and yes BEAUTIFUL DISASTER is in the top 5. I too was heart broken and still have different times where Chase enters my memory and I greave his loss again. This book would not have had near the lasting impact on my if it was written any other way.
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