Author: Lauren Blakely
Series: No Regrets #1
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Published: November 21st 2013
A new adult story of Love. Sex. Addiction. Blackmail. And Power...
Some say love can be an addiction. Others say it's the thing that makes life worth living. Let me tell you everything I know about love...Love isn't patient, love isn't kind. Love is a game, a chase. A thrill. Love is wild and war-like, and every man and woman must fight for themselves. At least that's how it was for me. A high-priced virgin call girl by the time I started college, I was addicted to love and to sex. Even though I've never had either. I controlled love, played it, and held the world in the palm of my hands. Then I fell down from those highs, and I'm being blackmailed for all my mistakes, forced to keep secrets from everyone, except the only guy I don't regret.
Trey...
With all the other women, I knew what they were. They were temporary. They were pills, they were bottles, they took away all the pain, and numbed the awful memories that wore down my ragged, wasted heart. Until I met Harley. She's the only girl I ever missed when she walked away. But now she's back in my life, every day, and there are no guarantees for us, especially since I don't know how to tell her my secrets. What happened to my family. All I know is she's the closest I've ever come to something real, and I want to feel every second of it.
How can you love with no regrets when regret is all you know?
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The Thrill of It continues the day after the ending of The Start of Us, where both characters cross paths again at the love and sex rehab clinic. They realise they have more in common than just great chemistry. Throughout this book a lot of my questions were answered, in regards to their addictions and how far they go.
Harley's addiction is deep and started a long time ago. It had a lot to do with her mother and it really broke my heart to see what she went through, although for her at the time it may not have seem like that big a deal. But looking back now, no child should be raised that way and it definitely affected her adult life.
I really liked Trey, he treats Harley so well, even if they are just friends. Trey’s family likes to maintain a perfect façade, and they deal with loss in a way that damaged him. He then searched for compassion elsewhere and his kind of self medication became his downfall, and he took it upon himself to better his life.
Harley and Trey have a beautiful connection, but they need to deal with their pasts before they can start a new relationship. I enjoyed seeing their stories unfold and seeing them make decisions that make them better people now. They make mistakes and turn back to their own lives, but they manage to work through their issues eventually.
I enjoyed how this story played out. We were shown the extent of their addictions and what they would do to overcome it or to fall back into their old ways. Lauren wove the story perfectly and I enjoyed the glimpses into Harley's past with the excerpts from the book she is writing. Their stories were heart breaking, but their bond is strong and they keep being drawn back to one another. I'm excited to see how they deal with this new challenge, after the little revelation at the end of the book.
Other reviews featuring Lauren Blakely
No Regrets Series
The Start of Us #0.5
Caught Up In Love Series
Caught Up in Us #1
No Regrets Series
The Start of Us #0.5
Caught Up In Love Series
Caught Up in Us #1
Yep, gonna have to read this series. I love reading about characters' journeys - taking control of their life, making mistakes, figuring things out, moving forward...The Thrill of It seems to fit the bill. Plus, you loved it, so... ;)
ReplyDeleteHeh - like I said, I need to read these. I can't remember if I already got the prequel.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Naomi! Trey and Harley sound like an interesting couple. That cover is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteChanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
Love and sex rehab clinic? This is interesting. I need to start this series. Good review.
ReplyDeleteUm...really? "the love and sex rehab clinic" Oh my.
ReplyDeleteAdded! I still have to get caught up on the Caught Up In Love series first though ;) TBR keeps getting longer and longer . . .
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I just love that cover! Secondly, I love when characters have a, as you said, "beautiful connection." It just makes the story that much more fun to read! The story line sounds interesting as do the characters!
ReplyDeleteAmazing review!
Haha! Yes, it is a great series... It had me emotionally attached! I know You'd like it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you did, it's a freebie, but they all come in a bundle too.
ReplyDeleteThey are a great couple. I liked them a lot!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yes, they have some common interests *wink*
ReplyDeleteHehehe... I know what you mean, it was a little hawt!
ReplyDeleteTell me about it!! My TBR mountain is huge!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover too. And yes, these do have a great connection, I just loved them!
ReplyDeleteLove romances with darker themes such as addictions, makes the characters so much more complex, great review look forward to this one
ReplyDeleteI think so too. This one is not as deep as another sex addiction book I have read, but it is still terrific nonetheless.
ReplyDelete