Cruel and Beautiful by A.M. Hargrove & Terri E. Laine ~ Review & Swoon Thursday (@Amhargrove1, @TerriLainebooks)

Cruel and Beautiful was an amazing read that I want everyone to read! It's based on a true story and it broke my heart over and over again!!
Cruel and Beautiful
Title: Cruel and Beautiful
Author: A.M. Hargrove & Terri E. Laine
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Published: November 12th 2015

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This is a New Adult Contemporary Romance standalone book that includes mature content, not suitable for younger readers. (Rated R)
This novel is based on a true story.

Cate Forbes, a dedicated college student with a carefully plotted future, doesn’t know the first thing about love. When she accepts a blind date with a tasty piece of eye candy, she thinks she can get by with a night of fun. Cate’s plans quickly unravel when she gets one look at the sexy…

Drew McKnight.

The relentless hockey-playing medical resident knows what he wants — a career in Oncology and Cate. Although he’s heard the gorgeous brunette is a little relationship skittish, a single night out isn’t what he has in mind. Determined to have her— in every way possible—he shows her just what a future with him would hold.

Only life has other plans. The unthinkable happens and everything begins to shatter. Both in too deep, they will have to fight the cruel and hang on to the beautiful.

I pre-ordered Cruel and Beautiful because the description sucked me in. I wanted to see Cate and Drew get together and what would happen when their world shattered. I finally got around to reading it and I’m kicking myself that it took me so long to read it! While reading the book, alternating between past and present, I was reading and I remember thinking that this is a great love story! The characters are passionate and are meant for one another… but after a few twists that broke my heart, and then the UGLY cry – you know the one… I had tears streaming down my face and I could feel my heart breaking and the HURT I felt was so overwhelming – I now truly appreciate the masterpiece that this book was! Now I want everyone to read it, because I tell you, you will not regret it!

Cruel and Beautiful was told from Cate’s perspective, and seems like every girl’s ideal fantasy; meet the perfect guy, be swept off your feet and fall in love. Now a lot of this is true but I don’t think that anyone could be prepared for the challenges that life can throw at you. And even though I spent a good part of the book thinking that I knew what was coming, I was not prepared for what actually happened and it knocked me for six. I would love to indulge more, but you need to get this book and meet the characters for yourself. I tell you it will be worth it.

A.M. Hargrove & Terri E. Laine managed to break me while reading this book. To know that it is based off a true story made it even more remarkable. To know that someone has lived through events just like this brings me to tears and the emotion, even now while writing my review, pours out of me. I could never imagine going through what happened between these pages and praise the authors for bringing this story to life. If there is one book you need to read, I encourage you to get this one! It was a beautiful read, but there are aspects that are cruel, but in the end make you appreciative of what you have.



*** Swoon Thursday was first bought to us by YA Bound. Since they are no longer with us, and with permission from Trisha Wolfe, I have decided that those of us that love to swoon need a central meet up point. So here it is ladies! I have a link up for everyone at the bottom of the post you can add your swoons to, and I’ll set it up every week! So tell all other swooners out there to come on over, link up so we can visit each other! ***


This was a big step for Cate! It was sweet and made me smile for her.

“Come back tonight. I’ll fix you dinner.”
He’s always been one to ask for what he wants. I waver while considering my minor freak after waking up in his bed.
“No breakfast.” As much as he lights my fire in a big way, I can’t. “I’m not ready for breakfast.”
His indulgent grin makes me feel silly for even bringing it up.
“No breakfast. Not until we’re both ready for breakfast. But maybe a snack.”
His brow arches in question and I stare at his lips. My gaze must have lingered too long because he assumes my answer. His lips radiate warmth and security as they press against mine. For so long I’ve missed this. I’ve missed him. He pulls back and I almost wish he’d taken it deeper.
“Just dinner,” he whispers.

Kindle Loc 753
Originally inspired by YA Bound



A.M. Hargrove
One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager A. M. Hargrove realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss, and quit her job. Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove’s career as a Naughty and Nice Romance Author.

Her books include Adult, New Adult and Young Adult Romances, including, The Guardians of Vesturon Series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent, and the novella Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Death Waltz (The Praestani Novels); The Edge Series (Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge, and Kissing Fire); The Tragic Series (Tragically Flawed and Tragic Desires); Exquisite Betrayal; Dirty Nights: The Novel; and The Hart Brothers Novels (Freeing Her, Freeing Him, and Kestrel).

Please find her at www.amhargrove.com.


Terri E. Laine

Wife and mother of three, I’ve always been an avid reader. In my early years, my best friend and I would tell each other stories over the phone when we were bored. We called them our “soap operas” and generally revolved around whatever boy we liked at the time.

Over five years ago, I got this crazy idea to write a novel and try to publish it. And the rest is history. This journey has been a blessing, and a dream realized. I look forward to many more memories to come.

Find more about me and social media links at www.terrielaine.com.



Other reviews featuring A.M. Hargrove
The Guardians of Vesturon series
Determinant #1






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