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Coastal Elite #2
Undertow
Currently featured in the Bully God anthology! Will release on its own with a bonus chapter from Parker's POV summer 2022!
HAYDEN
Cheerful, doe-eyed, mildly neurotic—Gemma Cane is not at all my type, but when the brown-eyed beauty stormed into my office, all fired up and wearing the garb of a belly dancer, I couldn’t tear my gaze away.
She was seeking justice, but I had something else in mind.
She couldn’t afford me, but I had other ideas about that, too�
GEMMA
Arrogant, cocky, an outright bully—Hayden Atwater is the sort of man I usually go out of my way to avoid, but when my horrible neighbor stepped way over the line, I wanted to crush him, and to do that, I knew I’d have to fight fire with even hotter fire.
The notoriously cutthroat lawyer was the first weapon I could think of, but the last man I should trust. I realized that as my anger subsided and I registered the predatory gleam in his stormy ocean eyes.
I left his office empty-handed, but now, he won’t leave me alone.
I know there can never be anything between us and we are completely impossible, but that word isn’t in Hayden’s vocabulary. If there’s no room for him in my life, he’ll make room.
But then, disaster strikes.
Surely now, even Hayden can see that some things really are impossible, and maybe we’re one of them.
HAYDEN
Cheerful, doe-eyed, mildly neurotic—Gemma Cane is not at all my type, but when the brown-eyed beauty stormed into my office, all fired up and wearing the garb of a belly dancer, I couldn’t tear my gaze away.
She was seeking justice, but I had something else in mind.
She couldn’t afford me, but I had other ideas about that, too�
GEMMA
Arrogant, cocky, an outright bully—Hayden Atwater is the sort of man I usually go out of my way to avoid, but when my horrible neighbor stepped way over the line, I wanted to crush him, and to do that, I knew I’d have to fight fire with even hotter fire.
The notoriously cutthroat lawyer was the first weapon I could think of, but the last man I should trust. I realized that as my anger subsided and I registered the predatory gleam in his stormy ocean eyes.
I left his office empty-handed, but now, he won’t leave me alone.
I know there can never be anything between us and we are completely impossible, but that word isn’t in Hayden’s vocabulary. If there’s no room for him in my life, he’ll make room.
But then, disaster strikes.
Surely now, even Hayden can see that some things really are impossible, and maybe we’re one of them.
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About the author
Sam Mariano
50Ìýbooks4,645ÌýfollowersFollow Sam Mariano on , Instagram (@sammarianobooks), or check out her If you need to email her, she can be reached at [email protected] (but she is sometimes tardy about checking email. Mateo is very demanding).
Sign up for Sam's (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on ! (And don't forget to follow Sam's to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
Sign up for Sam's (to stay up to date on current projects--she won't spam you! Only for notification of new releases or book sales.)
All of Sam's books are available on ! (And don't forget to follow Sam's to get notified about the newest releases.)
Sam Mariano has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She lives in Ohio and has a sweet and wonderful daughter.
Because of You was her first finished story (she started writing it when she was 18) and due to a full-time work and college schedule, it took her years to finish. She has also been telling people for years that there would never be a sequel (sorry, guys!)…which turned out to be a lie.
Sam Mariano is currently working on Dante’s book (if you’re a Morelli reader) and some other WIP.
Feel free to find her on Facebook, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
October 28, 2022
4.5 stars: The H wasn't really a bully
But I looooved how much of a bulldozer he is... Gawd, Sam Mariano knows how to write them. It's the first time I read a book by her where the MCs have a kid (and both happen to be single parents).
Gemma's (35 ish?) being bullied by her neighbor. Her neighbors, Brent and Lisa, want her to move out so that their higher-class friends can move inðŸ˜. Gemma happened to own the property and her modest house for a while now before her neighbors came into her turf with their own agendas. But they're doing stuff to her property and she's tired of it. When Brent corners her and threatens her daughter, Parker, she realizes she's had enough. Parker suggests she go see Hayden; Hayden happens to be the father of Parker’s school bully, Landon.
Hayden's (late 30s?) been a widow for a while. He loved his wife very much and thinks about her constantlyðŸ˜. When Gemma bursts into his office asking for help, he mistakes her for being an *erotic* dancer because she just got out of work😬 (she teaches dance) and she's dressed on the skimpy side😅. Once he realizes she's actually there as a potential client, he changes his tune, not before he tells her just how expensive he is... and then she declines his help. The problem? He wants her👀, and he's gonna have her... whether she wants him or not 😈(okay, she also wants him, but she just keeps saying no... what ELSE is poor Hayden supposed to do??? 💅🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�)
Oh LAWD, I love that Hayden doesn't like being told no😈. Sigh- SM writes some of the best n0ncon/dubc0n scenes👀, and here, they're definitely in the dubc0n category🙃. From the simple hand on her thigh scene 🔥to the more *aggressive* hotel room scene🥵, I was eating it up like candy👀. I wish we had more smexy times scenes though lol (I know... I'm so greedy... considering it's only 147 pages long, I needed to be grateful for what we got lol😅).
Although Landon's a bulldozer, he's also pragmatic and doesn't have blinders on when it comes to his son and the bullying he's done to Gemma's daughter. Even when it seems like he and Gemma don't have a future, he keeps going. He's really into her, and he's gonna do whatever he can to make it happenðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�.
Even though I read this after I read Even If It Hurts, I didn't feel lost. I can't wait to read the next book in the Coastal Elite series- Parker and Landon's book. I can only imagine the tension that we'll experience👀... now Landon really IS a bully to Parker😉... GAHHHH👀!
This would've been 5 stars if I hadn't felt how much love Hayden felt for his dead wifeðŸ˜. She's dead- she's not a b... she's not an evil crackling w#0re, so how am I supposed to hate her😒? Considering how short this book is, I felt satisfied *enough* to feel like there really IS an HEA/HFN for Hayden and Gemma, but I didn't like how hesitant Hayden was about this😑. Ugh... I get it- it shows that he's not a fickle person when it comes to love, but I wanted to KNOW he was over his dead wife... I didn't wanna QUESTION it... SighðŸ˜... As for Gemma's ex, good riddanceðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�.
Overall, I really enjoyed this! Word on the grapevine is that she's planning to expand on the ending (when Parker goes to talk to Landon👀) when she releases this on its own (in the summer). I can't waitâ¤ï¸!
âš ï¸ safety squad âš ï¸
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-noncon ish/dubcon ish
-H is a widow/both single parents
-the h’s neighbor is kind of a bully/corners her
But I looooved how much of a bulldozer he is... Gawd, Sam Mariano knows how to write them. It's the first time I read a book by her where the MCs have a kid (and both happen to be single parents).
Gemma's (35 ish?) being bullied by her neighbor. Her neighbors, Brent and Lisa, want her to move out so that their higher-class friends can move inðŸ˜. Gemma happened to own the property and her modest house for a while now before her neighbors came into her turf with their own agendas. But they're doing stuff to her property and she's tired of it. When Brent corners her and threatens her daughter, Parker, she realizes she's had enough. Parker suggests she go see Hayden; Hayden happens to be the father of Parker’s school bully, Landon.
Hayden's (late 30s?) been a widow for a while. He loved his wife very much and thinks about her constantlyðŸ˜. When Gemma bursts into his office asking for help, he mistakes her for being an *erotic* dancer because she just got out of work😬 (she teaches dance) and she's dressed on the skimpy side😅. Once he realizes she's actually there as a potential client, he changes his tune, not before he tells her just how expensive he is... and then she declines his help. The problem? He wants her👀, and he's gonna have her... whether she wants him or not 😈(okay, she also wants him, but she just keeps saying no... what ELSE is poor Hayden supposed to do??? 💅🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�)
Oh LAWD, I love that Hayden doesn't like being told no😈. Sigh- SM writes some of the best n0ncon/dubc0n scenes👀, and here, they're definitely in the dubc0n category🙃. From the simple hand on her thigh scene 🔥to the more *aggressive* hotel room scene🥵, I was eating it up like candy👀. I wish we had more smexy times scenes though lol (I know... I'm so greedy... considering it's only 147 pages long, I needed to be grateful for what we got lol😅).
Although Landon's a bulldozer, he's also pragmatic and doesn't have blinders on when it comes to his son and the bullying he's done to Gemma's daughter. Even when it seems like he and Gemma don't have a future, he keeps going. He's really into her, and he's gonna do whatever he can to make it happenðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�.
Even though I read this after I read Even If It Hurts, I didn't feel lost. I can't wait to read the next book in the Coastal Elite series- Parker and Landon's book. I can only imagine the tension that we'll experience👀... now Landon really IS a bully to Parker😉... GAHHHH👀!
This would've been 5 stars if I hadn't felt how much love Hayden felt for his dead wifeðŸ˜. She's dead- she's not a b... she's not an evil crackling w#0re, so how am I supposed to hate her😒? Considering how short this book is, I felt satisfied *enough* to feel like there really IS an HEA/HFN for Hayden and Gemma, but I didn't like how hesitant Hayden was about this😑. Ugh... I get it- it shows that he's not a fickle person when it comes to love, but I wanted to KNOW he was over his dead wife... I didn't wanna QUESTION it... SighðŸ˜... As for Gemma's ex, good riddanceðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�.
Overall, I really enjoyed this! Word on the grapevine is that she's planning to expand on the ending (when Parker goes to talk to Landon👀) when she releases this on its own (in the summer). I can't waitâ¤ï¸!
âš ï¸ safety squad âš ï¸
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-noncon ish/dubcon ish
-H is a widow/both single parents
-the h’s neighbor is kind of a bully/corners her
August 15, 2023
4.5 I’m-gonna-have-you stars
What a bulldozing treat!!! Hayden is exactly that- a bulldozer, and Sam Mariano knows how to write the best kind. It's the first time I read a book by her where the MCs have a kid (and both happen to be single parents).
Gemma's (35 ish?) being bullied by her neighbor. Her neighbors, Brent and Lisa, want her to move out so that their higher-class friends can move inðŸ˜. Gemma happened to own the property and her modest house for a while now before her neighbors came into her turf with their own agendas. But they're doing stuff to her property and she's tired of it. When Brent corners her and threatens her daughter, Parker, she realizes she's had enough. Parker suggests she go see Hayden; Hayden happens to be the father of Parker’s school bully, Landon.
Hayden's (40 ish?) been a widow for a while. He loved his wife very much and thinks about her constantlyðŸ˜. When Gemma bursts into his office asking for help, he mistakes her for being an *erotic* dancer because she just got out of work😬 (she teaches dance) and she's dressed on the skimpy side😅. Once he realizes she's actually there as a potential client, he changes his tune, not before he tells her just how expensive he is... and then she declines his help. The problem? He wants her👀, and he's gonna have her... whether she wants him or not 😈 (okay, she also wants him, but she just keeps saying no... what ELSE is poor Hayden supposed to do??? 💅🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�; we really should feel pity for poor Hayden ðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�)
Oh LAWD, I love that Hayden doesn't like being told no😈. Sigh- SM writes some of the best n0ncon/dubc0n scenes👀, and here, they're definitely in the dubc0n category🙃. From the simple hand on her thigh scene 🔥to the more *aggressive* hotel room scene🥵, I was eating it up like candy👀. I wish we had more smexy times scenes though lol (I know... I'm so greedy... considering it's only 198 pages long, I needed to be grateful for what we got lol😅).
Although Landon's a bulldozer, he's also pragmatic and doesn't have blinders on when it comes to his son and the bullying he's done to Gemma's daughter. Even when it seems like he and Gemma don't have a future, he keeps going. He's really into her, and he's gonna do whatever he can to make it happenðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�.
I can't wait to read the next book in the Coastal Elite series- Parker and Landon's book. The tension we get at the end when we see Parker’s POV is simply scrumptious 🔥😉... GAHHHH👀!
This would've been 5 stars if I hadn't felt how much love Hayden felt for his dead wifeðŸ˜. She's dead- she's not a b... she's not an evil crackling w#0re, so how am I supposed to hate her😒? Considering how short this book is, I felt satisfied *enough* to feel like there really IS an HEA/HFN for Hayden and Gemma, but I didn't like how hesitant Hayden was about this😑. Ugh... I get it- it shows that he's not a fickle person when it comes to love, but I wanted to KNOW he was over his dead wife... I didn't wanna QUESTION it... SighðŸ˜... As for Gemma's ex, good riddanceðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�.
Overall, I really enjoyed this!
Is it 2023 yet 😩😩😩😩 I need to see Parker and Landon 👀. I can only imagine 😈😅
âš ï¸ safety squad âš ï¸
-no cheating/sharing/owd/Omd
-the h’s neighbor is kind of a bully and corners the h/the h’s daughter is being bullied by the H’s son
-noncon ish/dubcon ish
-H is a widow/both single parents
-HEA/HFN
What a bulldozing treat!!! Hayden is exactly that- a bulldozer, and Sam Mariano knows how to write the best kind. It's the first time I read a book by her where the MCs have a kid (and both happen to be single parents).
Gemma's (35 ish?) being bullied by her neighbor. Her neighbors, Brent and Lisa, want her to move out so that their higher-class friends can move inðŸ˜. Gemma happened to own the property and her modest house for a while now before her neighbors came into her turf with their own agendas. But they're doing stuff to her property and she's tired of it. When Brent corners her and threatens her daughter, Parker, she realizes she's had enough. Parker suggests she go see Hayden; Hayden happens to be the father of Parker’s school bully, Landon.
Hayden's (40 ish?) been a widow for a while. He loved his wife very much and thinks about her constantlyðŸ˜. When Gemma bursts into his office asking for help, he mistakes her for being an *erotic* dancer because she just got out of work😬 (she teaches dance) and she's dressed on the skimpy side😅. Once he realizes she's actually there as a potential client, he changes his tune, not before he tells her just how expensive he is... and then she declines his help. The problem? He wants her👀, and he's gonna have her... whether she wants him or not 😈 (okay, she also wants him, but she just keeps saying no... what ELSE is poor Hayden supposed to do??? 💅🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�; we really should feel pity for poor Hayden ðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�)
Oh LAWD, I love that Hayden doesn't like being told no😈. Sigh- SM writes some of the best n0ncon/dubc0n scenes👀, and here, they're definitely in the dubc0n category🙃. From the simple hand on her thigh scene 🔥to the more *aggressive* hotel room scene🥵, I was eating it up like candy👀. I wish we had more smexy times scenes though lol (I know... I'm so greedy... considering it's only 198 pages long, I needed to be grateful for what we got lol😅).
Although Landon's a bulldozer, he's also pragmatic and doesn't have blinders on when it comes to his son and the bullying he's done to Gemma's daughter. Even when it seems like he and Gemma don't have a future, he keeps going. He's really into her, and he's gonna do whatever he can to make it happenðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�.
I can't wait to read the next book in the Coastal Elite series- Parker and Landon's book. The tension we get at the end when we see Parker’s POV is simply scrumptious 🔥😉... GAHHHH👀!
This would've been 5 stars if I hadn't felt how much love Hayden felt for his dead wifeðŸ˜. She's dead- she's not a b... she's not an evil crackling w#0re, so how am I supposed to hate her😒? Considering how short this book is, I felt satisfied *enough* to feel like there really IS an HEA/HFN for Hayden and Gemma, but I didn't like how hesitant Hayden was about this😑. Ugh... I get it- it shows that he's not a fickle person when it comes to love, but I wanted to KNOW he was over his dead wife... I didn't wanna QUESTION it... SighðŸ˜... As for Gemma's ex, good riddanceðŸ’ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�.
Overall, I really enjoyed this!
Is it 2023 yet 😩😩😩😩 I need to see Parker and Landon 👀. I can only imagine 😈😅
âš ï¸ safety squad âš ï¸
-no cheating/sharing/owd/Omd
-the h’s neighbor is kind of a bully and corners the h/the h’s daughter is being bullied by the H’s son
-noncon ish/dubcon ish
-H is a widow/both single parents
-HEA/HFN
October 22, 2023
Maybe it's because Parker and Landon's story is coming out TOMORROW, but this time around i didn't care one bit about the parent's story 🤷ðŸ¼â€â™€ï¸ðŸ¤”ðŸ¤�
Plus i got the distinct feeling this was done only as a set-up for Parker and Landon, so you know, not the best book out there.
I was intrigued by all the hints of Parker&Landon. As i understood, she was kind to him ONCE after his mother's death, and it triggered something in him because he became obsessed with her and started bullying her since middle school.
.
.
ORIGINAL COMMENT:This was great, but it felt like an appetizer to the next meal, Parker and Landon's story.
Also, Sam Mariano, you'll never see my comment, but for the love of all psychopaths in the world, STOP USING THE WORD "TUMMY" INSTEAD OF "STOMACH"!
Imagine reading a scorching scene, where hot as fuck lawyer thinks of railing a woman he likes and then thinking about her "on her tUmMy" 🤡😌
Plus i got the distinct feeling this was done only as a set-up for Parker and Landon, so you know, not the best book out there.
I was intrigued by all the hints of Parker&Landon. As i understood, she was kind to him ONCE after his mother's death, and it triggered something in him because he became obsessed with her and started bullying her since middle school.
.
.
ORIGINAL COMMENT:This was great, but it felt like an appetizer to the next meal, Parker and Landon's story.
Also, Sam Mariano, you'll never see my comment, but for the love of all psychopaths in the world, STOP USING THE WORD "TUMMY" INSTEAD OF "STOMACH"!
Imagine reading a scorching scene, where hot as fuck lawyer thinks of railing a woman he likes and then thinking about her "on her tUmMy" 🤡😌
May 21, 2022
Hayden is probably the sweetest Sam Mariano hero I've read! LOL I loved him though, and I'm super fucking excited to read Parker and Landon's book! I have a feeling Landon is going to be the exact opposite of sweet. 😂
September 6, 2023
4/5 âï¸ This was a great novella that sets up the next book in the series and I really enjoyed it!
Even If It Hurts is one of my favorite books of the year but I was hesitant to read this next book in the series. I LOATHE the dead wife trope which is why I avoided this book for so long but Sam Mariano said to read this before Contempt so I just went for it. I only read it because of Landon and Parker. I didn’t really care about Gemma and Hayden but I did enjoy the spice 🥵.
I also loved how persistent Hayden was in getting Gemma to even have a drink with him ðŸ¤. She was really hesitant because his son Landon has been bullying her daughter Parker since middle school.
And Landon and Parker??? I’m so ready for them!!! I cannot wait for Contempt!!! ðŸ˜ðŸ¤â¤ï¸. I just know I’m going to love their story!!! The 4 stars are solely for them 🫶ðŸ»â¤ï¸.
I would have loved Gemma and Hayden’s romance if Hayden wasn’t so in love with his dead wife. I just hate this trope with a passion. Sorry 🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�. I personally don’t like it when the hero has loved someone before. I want the heroine to be his first and only love, but that was not the case here.
Nevertheless, this was still an enjoyable read mainly because of the tension between Landon and Parker towards the end ðŸ¤. UGH I NEED THEIR BOOK ASAP!!! ðŸ˜.
Even If It Hurts is one of my favorite books of the year but I was hesitant to read this next book in the series. I LOATHE the dead wife trope which is why I avoided this book for so long but Sam Mariano said to read this before Contempt so I just went for it. I only read it because of Landon and Parker. I didn’t really care about Gemma and Hayden but I did enjoy the spice 🥵.
I also loved how persistent Hayden was in getting Gemma to even have a drink with him ðŸ¤. She was really hesitant because his son Landon has been bullying her daughter Parker since middle school.
And Landon and Parker??? I’m so ready for them!!! I cannot wait for Contempt!!! ðŸ˜ðŸ¤â¤ï¸. I just know I’m going to love their story!!! The 4 stars are solely for them 🫶ðŸ»â¤ï¸.
I would have loved Gemma and Hayden’s romance if Hayden wasn’t so in love with his dead wife. I just hate this trope with a passion. Sorry 🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸�. I personally don’t like it when the hero has loved someone before. I want the heroine to be his first and only love, but that was not the case here.
Nevertheless, this was still an enjoyable read mainly because of the tension between Landon and Parker towards the end ðŸ¤. UGH I NEED THEIR BOOK ASAP!!! ðŸ˜.
Shelved as 'avoid'
May 19, 2022self note
avoid because pet peeve.
- Single parent MCs.
- middle aged MCs. mid 30s.
- Widow H-dead love trope. Loved his dead wife, still pining for her.
avoid because pet peeve.
- Single parent MCs.
- middle aged MCs. mid 30s.
- Widow H-dead love trope. Loved his dead wife, still pining for her.
January 25, 2024
2.5 â�
This was okay, I guess???
It's kind of hard to like Hayden in the beginning; he's way too cocky and arrogant, but I did get used to him eventually. As for Gemma, I could care less about her. Her daughter has way more spine than her in this novella (not sure about her own book, though, if she still has this backbone). This grown woman can't even think using her brain and is always led by her hormones, and I really don't enjoy reading such characters.
Also, this could be a me thing, but I feel like these two MCs are the most selfish people I've ever read.
Gemma hid from Parker that she was seeing her bully's father and even decided in the end to move in with him and his son, despite knowing the animosity between their children. Why can't they wait and just be engaged? She should've put more thought into her own daughter's safety. Parker's way too good and selfless to put up living with her bully for the sake of her mom's happiness, and this didn't sit well with me. I despise it when teenagers act more like adults in these kinds of situations.🤦â€â™€ï¸�
Then we have Hayden, with his own selfishness, who was willing to kick out his own son and move him elsewhere if he became a problem for Parker. Aren't parents supposed to be there for their kids? Instead of building something good with his own son, after admittedly confessing he hadn't been a good father after his wife died, he decided he would rather live a happy life with his new fiancee and her daughter than fix his issue with Landon. 🤦â€â™€ï¸�
Anyway, I feel like nothing really happened here, and this was more of a prequel than an actual standalone story. Sadly to say, I'll never find out what's going to happen to these two. I read the reviews of the next book, and I realized that it's not for me. 🤷â€â™€ï¸�
This was okay, I guess???
It's kind of hard to like Hayden in the beginning; he's way too cocky and arrogant, but I did get used to him eventually. As for Gemma, I could care less about her. Her daughter has way more spine than her in this novella (not sure about her own book, though, if she still has this backbone). This grown woman can't even think using her brain and is always led by her hormones, and I really don't enjoy reading such characters.
Also, this could be a me thing, but I feel like these two MCs are the most selfish people I've ever read.
Gemma hid from Parker that she was seeing her bully's father and even decided in the end to move in with him and his son, despite knowing the animosity between their children. Why can't they wait and just be engaged? She should've put more thought into her own daughter's safety. Parker's way too good and selfless to put up living with her bully for the sake of her mom's happiness, and this didn't sit well with me. I despise it when teenagers act more like adults in these kinds of situations.🤦â€â™€ï¸�
Then we have Hayden, with his own selfishness, who was willing to kick out his own son and move him elsewhere if he became a problem for Parker. Aren't parents supposed to be there for their kids? Instead of building something good with his own son, after admittedly confessing he hadn't been a good father after his wife died, he decided he would rather live a happy life with his new fiancee and her daughter than fix his issue with Landon. 🤦â€â™€ï¸�
Anyway, I feel like nothing really happened here, and this was more of a prequel than an actual standalone story. Sadly to say, I'll never find out what's going to happen to these two. I read the reviews of the next book, and I realized that it's not for me. 🤷â€â™€ï¸�
December 29, 2022
I really liked this novella and the way it sets up Contempt.
Hayden was one of the most respectable SM heroes I've ever read, even if he let's his son get away with shit.
I loved Gemma and she was a wonderful single mom for once in an SM book. So that was nice to see too.
Looking forward to what's next!
4.5 stars
2.5 on the spice scale.
Hayden was one of the most respectable SM heroes I've ever read, even if he let's his son get away with shit.
I loved Gemma and she was a wonderful single mom for once in an SM book. So that was nice to see too.
Looking forward to what's next!
4.5 stars
2.5 on the spice scale.
October 27, 2022
“You make it so hard to resist you.�
When I say I am OBSESSED. I mean it. Can’t wait for more in this coastal elite world.
Gemma is a single mother who is dealing with bullying from her jerky neighbors. When the harassment/pranks turn into threats she enlists the help of the towns best lawyer, Hayden Atwater. Unfortunately for her his services are pricey, AND his son is her daughter’s bully. Fortunately for her, Hayden is instantly enamored by her. Well maybe that’s not so fortunate because she could never be with the father of her daughter’s bully, and plus she’s focused on her daughter’s last year at home. Right?! Well, you’ll just have to read it and find out.
CW/TW: dubcon, home invasion, discussions of bullying, bullying/harassment from a neighbor
When I say I am OBSESSED. I mean it. Can’t wait for more in this coastal elite world.
Gemma is a single mother who is dealing with bullying from her jerky neighbors. When the harassment/pranks turn into threats she enlists the help of the towns best lawyer, Hayden Atwater. Unfortunately for her his services are pricey, AND his son is her daughter’s bully. Fortunately for her, Hayden is instantly enamored by her. Well maybe that’s not so fortunate because she could never be with the father of her daughter’s bully, and plus she’s focused on her daughter’s last year at home. Right?! Well, you’ll just have to read it and find out.
CW/TW: dubcon, home invasion, discussions of bullying, bullying/harassment from a neighbor
January 2, 2023
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Introduction
Undertow is the second book in the "Coastal Elite" series by Sam Mariano. I was first introduced to this book by Jenn@ The Book Refuge. And I just knew that I had to jump into this one. Now I will say that you do NOT need to read the first book to read this one. But from the author notes, you will need to read it before the third book is released. Which I do plan on doing, as I hear it's really amazing and one of the author's best books. Undertow is nothing like what I have read previously by this author. It was sexy but the emotion and romance itself was soft, poignant and sweet!
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Hayden Atwater
Hayden, is a widower, a single father and mature in his age. He is a seasoned lawyer with a reputation of getting things done as a defense attorney. He is hot in bed, but sweet and protective outside of it. I would term the hero a alphamellow.
The Heroine: Gemma Cane
Gemma, is a single mother, a belly dancer and teacher. She has a teenage daughter, never married. She is strong and sassy and will do anything to protect her daughter.
Summary
In this installment, we have Gemma, who is being bullied by the neighborhood to leave as its obvious they don't have the wealth and prestige as others in the neighborhood. Her daughter is a teenager. When she gets threatened by a neighbor, she decides enough is enough. Then she goes out to seek help from a well-known lawyer, Hayden, but when his fee is too high for her, she is shocked when he offers a date instead. Through a set of events, Hayden, realizes what Gemma and her daughter have been going through and seeks to get to the bottom of it only to realize his son, the child of his beloved late wife, has been a bully to Gemma's daughter. And now he will have his work cut out for him to prove to Gemma his intentions are genuine and sincere.
My Outlook
I absolutely adored this book; it was such a delightful read! There was so much goodness in this one and was NOT what I was expecting from this author. Of course, I only have "Untouchable" as a reference so it's not like I have read her other books so to be honest I am not sure if she has written other books like this one. However, I fell so hard for this one. And honestly was such an endearing romance with a pining hero. I wasn't a fan of the ending, but I have a feeling the third book is going to really show more of their story, at least I hope so. I really adored both characters, they both are such good people. The hero is more alpha leaning but has such a soft side for the heroine. The way in which he is so protective of Gemma and her daughter just delivered all the feels to me. I think fans of light bully romance, or just regular contemporary romance will really enjoy this one. So I recommend it to any fan of regular adult contemporary romance with single parents as a focus.
Overall View
Undertow was a delightful installment that had me going all soft and gooey on the inside from the get go. Its a story that will surprise you by its heart, honest intention and deliverance of powerful characters to steal your heart!
Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4/5
World Building: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 5/5
Steam: 4/5
Heart & Feels: 5/5
Ending:2/5
Overall View: 4/5
November 3, 2023
3âï¸
Started off interesting for a novella, FMC being harassed by her neighbour so hires top Lawyer who also happens to be the father of the boy bullying her daughter at school.
But kinda got lost, the neighbour thing didn’t really go anywhere? And THE NON CON 🫠jesus. This man is supposedly a hot shot lawyer but forces woman (pretty much) to have sex with him. But for me, non con only works if the MMC is given the chance to redeem himself. Bc it’s a novella we don’t really get to know him, so there’s no opportunity for that to happen. It didn’t work for me.
This does pack a punch for 200 pages tho, lots going on, it was engaging for the most part. But I was bored by the end, didn’t care about the characters and wasn’t sad for it to be over 😂
Started off interesting for a novella, FMC being harassed by her neighbour so hires top Lawyer who also happens to be the father of the boy bullying her daughter at school.
But kinda got lost, the neighbour thing didn’t really go anywhere? And THE NON CON 🫠jesus. This man is supposedly a hot shot lawyer but forces woman (pretty much) to have sex with him. But for me, non con only works if the MMC is given the chance to redeem himself. Bc it’s a novella we don’t really get to know him, so there’s no opportunity for that to happen. It didn’t work for me.
This does pack a punch for 200 pages tho, lots going on, it was engaging for the most part. But I was bored by the end, didn’t care about the characters and wasn’t sad for it to be over 😂
Want to read
May 7, 2022The heroes are not my type at all, but I need to read this before "Contempt" to be aware of all the nuances! thank god it's a short novel!
October 31, 2022
Ok
So I give up on Sam Mariano. Which pains me because she is a fine fine writer.
It is also irionic that it took her mildest hero for me to finally give up. But I can’t not face it. Her hero’s are shady and slimy AF, they manipulate and lie and give rape threats, rape, are violent and groom their victims into a state of compliance, which is then called love. I have read Untouchable, Descent, Even if it Hurts and now this. And at this point all heroes sort of blend into each other as versions of each other.
There is a straightforwardness to her heroines which I loved. I loved Zoey in Untouchable. But really after reading four essentially same books, the heroines are just sad. But the writing carries it through. The author is the real deal where writing skills are concerned. What finally made me give up was:
1. The only reason all of Sam Mariano’s heroes (????) get away with all the harm that they do is because they are rich, good looking and white. After reading essentially the same book four times, it’s a fact you cannot escape.
All four books that I read, reek of privilege. Privilege is the plot point, privilege is the plot twist and privilege is what drives the climax. And it’s ok to some extent for a an author to make us sympathise with a morally grey character but it’s another expectation to try and make us ok with a morally grey world. I am frankly not ok with underlying messaging in these books, that the world is like this only, keep your head down, let the privileged white guy get away with his shit. He anyways will so why protest. That’s neither romantic, nor escapist. It’s not alternate world building or historical or mafia. This is our world, contemporary and current and the author is romanticising the worst of its rot. All that in real life we stand up for, call out, or protest against is not only excused but romanticised. And I for one have spent too much time unlearning internalised misogyny to now read this for few hours of subservient pleasure. I owe myself more.
2. Secondly, listen the heroes are needy AF. There is zero alphabness about them. They rarely ever punch up, always picking on people less privileged them. Off course they are violent both sexually and otherwise. And they flex their unearned wealth after every third sentence. But mostly they are whiny and clingy. Carter was most compelling because we did not have his POV. I did not realise what a blessing that was. The inner monologues of these man-childs are just so tedious. It’s endless repeated loop of let’s sexually assault her, now why is she unhappy when I did assault her, let’s trick her, but now her love is not genuine because I tricked her, why is she not sharing her thoughts, why does she have best friend, let’s threaten the friend, she can have no one but me, I am a toxic pond, she is an insect that survives me, she can love no one but me. No parent pet or person but me. Endlessly this, on a loop, and really there is absolutely nothing remotely alpha or attractive about this much whining. Constant tantrums are thrown and atleast half the book is the heroines placating these manboys out of their sulks and snits. Again not my idea of romance, tabboo or otherwise. The insecurity and desperation cannot be hidden by the swag.
This particular book was a real gem on the sheer sliminess of the male character. The older rich privileged white male manipulating the 16yr old victim of his son’s assault into withdrawing her statement. Off course he does not like it, but what can he do, that’s the world we live in, we have to accept it. When did these guys become our romance heroes?
Anyways, it’s done. Sam Mariano Mam, You have mad skills, I would love to read you when you move beyond this particular trend you are on. I seriously believe sometimes that you are playing a grand joke at all our expense. How much misogyny is too much misogyny cannot be a question in today’s time.
So I give up on Sam Mariano. Which pains me because she is a fine fine writer.
It is also irionic that it took her mildest hero for me to finally give up. But I can’t not face it. Her hero’s are shady and slimy AF, they manipulate and lie and give rape threats, rape, are violent and groom their victims into a state of compliance, which is then called love. I have read Untouchable, Descent, Even if it Hurts and now this. And at this point all heroes sort of blend into each other as versions of each other.
There is a straightforwardness to her heroines which I loved. I loved Zoey in Untouchable. But really after reading four essentially same books, the heroines are just sad. But the writing carries it through. The author is the real deal where writing skills are concerned. What finally made me give up was:
1. The only reason all of Sam Mariano’s heroes (????) get away with all the harm that they do is because they are rich, good looking and white. After reading essentially the same book four times, it’s a fact you cannot escape.
All four books that I read, reek of privilege. Privilege is the plot point, privilege is the plot twist and privilege is what drives the climax. And it’s ok to some extent for a an author to make us sympathise with a morally grey character but it’s another expectation to try and make us ok with a morally grey world. I am frankly not ok with underlying messaging in these books, that the world is like this only, keep your head down, let the privileged white guy get away with his shit. He anyways will so why protest. That’s neither romantic, nor escapist. It’s not alternate world building or historical or mafia. This is our world, contemporary and current and the author is romanticising the worst of its rot. All that in real life we stand up for, call out, or protest against is not only excused but romanticised. And I for one have spent too much time unlearning internalised misogyny to now read this for few hours of subservient pleasure. I owe myself more.
2. Secondly, listen the heroes are needy AF. There is zero alphabness about them. They rarely ever punch up, always picking on people less privileged them. Off course they are violent both sexually and otherwise. And they flex their unearned wealth after every third sentence. But mostly they are whiny and clingy. Carter was most compelling because we did not have his POV. I did not realise what a blessing that was. The inner monologues of these man-childs are just so tedious. It’s endless repeated loop of let’s sexually assault her, now why is she unhappy when I did assault her, let’s trick her, but now her love is not genuine because I tricked her, why is she not sharing her thoughts, why does she have best friend, let’s threaten the friend, she can have no one but me, I am a toxic pond, she is an insect that survives me, she can love no one but me. No parent pet or person but me. Endlessly this, on a loop, and really there is absolutely nothing remotely alpha or attractive about this much whining. Constant tantrums are thrown and atleast half the book is the heroines placating these manboys out of their sulks and snits. Again not my idea of romance, tabboo or otherwise. The insecurity and desperation cannot be hidden by the swag.
This particular book was a real gem on the sheer sliminess of the male character. The older rich privileged white male manipulating the 16yr old victim of his son’s assault into withdrawing her statement. Off course he does not like it, but what can he do, that’s the world we live in, we have to accept it. When did these guys become our romance heroes?
Anyways, it’s done. Sam Mariano Mam, You have mad skills, I would love to read you when you move beyond this particular trend you are on. I seriously believe sometimes that you are playing a grand joke at all our expense. How much misogyny is too much misogyny cannot be a question in today’s time.
April 5, 2023
3.5!
sam mariano books are just fun
sam mariano books are just fun
May 11, 2024
âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸/5
🌶ï¸ðŸŒ¶ï¸ðŸŒ¶ï¸�/5
Sam Mariano nunca me decepciona y este libro no fue la excepción. Me encanto!!. Posiblemente Hayden sea el prota más dulce que ella haya escrito. Lo ame . Ya quiero empezar el tercero.
🌶ï¸ðŸŒ¶ï¸ðŸŒ¶ï¸�/5
Sam Mariano nunca me decepciona y este libro no fue la excepción. Me encanto!!. Posiblemente Hayden sea el prota más dulce que ella haya escrito. Lo ame . Ya quiero empezar el tercero.
May 22, 2024
FREE AGAIN 22 MAY 2024 💃💃💃💃Free 19 September 2023
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✨Originally part of
✨Hero: Hayden Atwater
✨Heroine: Gemma Cane
✨HFN continues in future book, Contempt, Landon and Parker’s story
✨See my private notes
✨Author’s note:
"My god is Poseidon, god of the sea! Now, these are not paranormal stories so he will not be an actual god, but he will have Poseidon vibes (and be a god among men, obviously 😂ðŸ˜). My hero is ð™ƒð™–ð™®ð™™ð™šð™£ ð˜¼ð™©ð™¬ð™–ð™©ð™šð™§, a cocky, notoriously cutthroat lawyer living in an elite coastal town. I'm so excited for you guys to meet Hayden and his lovely heroine for a lot of reasons! I'm excited for them, but they're also ushering in a whole new corner of the Sam Mariano world that we'll be spending a lot of 2022 in, so... super excited!! 🤩
🤌#³¦³ó±ð´Ú²õ°ì¾±²õ²õ
💯#³Ù³ó¾±²õ¾±²õ³ó´Ç·É¾±³Ù²õ»å´Ç²Ô±ð
🖤#»å³Ü²ú³¦´Ç²Ô³Ù³ó²¹³Ù·É´Ç°ù°ì²õ
ÓË¥ï¸#¾±±ô±ô±ð±¹±ð²Ô°ù±ð²¹»å³ó±ð°ù²õ³ó´Ç±è±è¾±²Ô²µ±ô¾±²õ³Ù
✨Originally part of
✨Hero: Hayden Atwater
✨Heroine: Gemma Cane
✨HFN continues in future book, Contempt, Landon and Parker’s story
✨See my private notes
✨Author’s note:
"My god is Poseidon, god of the sea! Now, these are not paranormal stories so he will not be an actual god, but he will have Poseidon vibes (and be a god among men, obviously 😂ðŸ˜). My hero is ð™ƒð™–ð™®ð™™ð™šð™£ ð˜¼ð™©ð™¬ð™–ð™©ð™šð™§, a cocky, notoriously cutthroat lawyer living in an elite coastal town. I'm so excited for you guys to meet Hayden and his lovely heroine for a lot of reasons! I'm excited for them, but they're also ushering in a whole new corner of the Sam Mariano world that we'll be spending a lot of 2022 in, so... super excited!! 🤩
November 23, 2022
This was a great little novella from Sam Mariano. I honestly wish it could have been a full book because the last half of the book was rushed and had an abrupt ending. I loved how alpha the H was, but what else do you expect from Sam. I just didn't buy into him proposing to her so fast. The h didn't even want to date, yet she agreed to a proposal....
I am worried the H's wife isn't really dead though, seems fishy. I feel like their story could continue in their kids book. I am very interested in reading their book.
Not sure I would be ok moving my daughter into the same house with her bully. Can't wait to continue with Landon.
I am worried the H's wife isn't really dead though, seems fishy. I feel like their story could continue in their kids book. I am very interested in reading their book.
Not sure I would be ok moving my daughter into the same house with her bully. Can't wait to continue with Landon.
November 3, 2022
Forced. Did not flow. Dead wife…UGH…not another dead wife story.
DNF
DNF
October 27, 2022
(review from Bully God antho, prior to Even if It Hurts being released) Oh my goodness, that was DELICIOUS! Sam Mariano knows just how to hit the spot, and while this one felt more contemporary in nature, we still have the chemistry dynamic that I adore in the possessive, manipulative alpha hero in lawyer Hayden and the pliable and gentle heroine Gemma. Hayden is a force, pulling Gemma under into his desires quickly- this is a classic, but a bit gentler, Sam Mariano leading man. He decides what he wants- and he relentlessly gets it. This is one of the longer novellas in the batch, and Sam really builds some insane emotional and physical chemistry in this short novella. These characters are really vividly realized. Expect a bit of questionable consent, but nothing as dark as we’ve seen in her other shorts, and the bully is not who you expect. This is a complete story, but Sam has announced the secondary characters will be getting a story- which is brilliant given who they are. Sam has given us a perspective/insight in this story of the archetypal characters we often judge in bully romances, and I found it super clever that we’re getting their story BEFORE we get the one to come.
May 9, 2022
Undertow was included in the BULLY GOD ANTHOLOGY . This story was SUCH an amazing sddituona to this author's Coastal Elite series and the perfect prequel of sorts to Contempt. I am SO ready for more about Parker and Landon. I legit can not take the wait!! No one writes unapologetic, *cough* Cruel and Sociopathic *cough* heroes like Sam Mariano. I am OBSESSED with her stories! Undertow was a slightly less intense story (than Mariano's norm) but no less addicting. I really loved Hayden and Gemma and how intensely connected they were. But what I loved more than anything was how protective Hayden was of Parker. That stood out to me and really made an impression, especially because of the drama between her and his son. Mariano really made him out to be a decent guy (who also had that magic assertive and dominant touch.) He so obviously loved his son but the fact that he respected Parker's intelligence, backbone and strength was admirable.
I am so so intrigued about Hayden and Gemma's future and can't wait formore.of themmin Contempt! 5 stars! ~Ratula
I am so so intrigued about Hayden and Gemma's future and can't wait formore.of themmin Contempt! 5 stars! ~Ratula
November 13, 2023
Story: âââââ�
Trope: single mom, single dad
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Seriously enjoyed this book so much! Hayden is definitely not as over the top as some Sam Mariano heroes, but he's definitely no slouch in the push obese department either, lol. He's smart, super manipulative, and unrelentingly goes after what he wants and what he wants is Gemma. That being said, I love how confused he is by his attraction to her, lol. I loved Gemma. She's not a fan of confrontation and tends to get pushed around, but she'll definitely go all mama bear for her daughter. She definitely brings out the protectiveness in Hayden â�. The story is well written, fast paced, and has that interesting examination of red flag relationship dynamics that typically come with Sam's books ;) The chemistry between them was super hot and I was so happy to see them get their HEA. The breadcrumbs for the next book have me super excited!! Can't wait!
Trope: single mom, single dad
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Seriously enjoyed this book so much! Hayden is definitely not as over the top as some Sam Mariano heroes, but he's definitely no slouch in the push obese department either, lol. He's smart, super manipulative, and unrelentingly goes after what he wants and what he wants is Gemma. That being said, I love how confused he is by his attraction to her, lol. I loved Gemma. She's not a fan of confrontation and tends to get pushed around, but she'll definitely go all mama bear for her daughter. She definitely brings out the protectiveness in Hayden â�. The story is well written, fast paced, and has that interesting examination of red flag relationship dynamics that typically come with Sam's books ;) The chemistry between them was super hot and I was so happy to see them get their HEA. The breadcrumbs for the next book have me super excited!! Can't wait!
October 29, 2022
𖤓â¥ð‘ðžð‘ðžðšð�: first published as part of the ð˜½ð™ªð™¡ð™¡ð™® ð™‚ð™¤ð™™ ð˜¼ð™£ð™©ð™ð™¤ð™¡ð™¤ð™œð™® 𖤓â�
Undertow is a delicious small treat. Even in the short amount of time this story spans it managed to make me fall for Hayden. Although he doesn’t bear the typical bully trademark only Ms Mariano owns, he’s still sinfully wicked and just as addictive.
~ð‘° ð’…ð’ð’'ð’• ð’Œð’ð’ð’˜ ð’‰ð’ð’˜ ð’•ð’‰ð’Šð’” ð’Œð’†ð’†ð’‘ð’” ð’‰ð’‚ð’‘ð’‘ð’†ð’ð’Šð’ð’ˆ ð’•ð’ ð’Žð’†, ð’ƒð’–ð’• ð’‚ð’• ð’ð’†ð’‚ð’”ð’• ð’•ð’‰ð’Šð’” ð’“ð’†ð’ð’†ð’ð’•ð’ð’†ð’”ð’” ð’‘ð’–ð’“ð’”ð’–ð’†ð’“ ð’Šð’” ð’‰ð’‚ð’ð’…ð’”ð’ð’Žð’† ð’‚ð’ð’… ð’–ð’ð’Žð’‚ð’“ð’“ð’Šð’†ð’…~
Gemma bears the same soft and naïve traits all heroines Sam draws seem to carry; her caring nature and mama bear attitude are a winner, however, I can’t help wishing she was more determined.
~ð‘¾ð’‰ð’‚ð’•ð’†ð’—ð’†ð’“ ð’Šð’ð’”ð’•ð’Šð’ð’„ð’• ð’”ð’‰ð’† ð’•ð’“ð’Šð’—ð’ˆð’†ð’“ð’”, ð’Šð’• ð’”ð’„ð’“ð’†ð’‚ð’Žð’”: ð’”ð’‰ð’†'ð’” ð’Žð’Šð’ð’† ð’•ð’ ð’‘ð’ð’‚ð’š ð’˜ð’Šð’•ð’‰, ð’ð’ ð’ð’ð’† ð’†ð’ð’”ð’†'ð’”~
The added bonus scene between Parker and Landon is a nice addition to the end of this short intense journey. Sam plants juicy seeds into the ground that hold promising future characters. I can’t wait to explore more of Landon and Parker. I have no doubt Landon will be deranged and out of control (giddy with excitement), Parker gives off some wild strong vibes, I hope we will finally see a heroine with some spunk from this formidable author.
Also a certain brother definitely piqued my curiosity🔥
Undertow is a delicious small treat. Even in the short amount of time this story spans it managed to make me fall for Hayden. Although he doesn’t bear the typical bully trademark only Ms Mariano owns, he’s still sinfully wicked and just as addictive.
~ð‘° ð’…ð’ð’'ð’• ð’Œð’ð’ð’˜ ð’‰ð’ð’˜ ð’•ð’‰ð’Šð’” ð’Œð’†ð’†ð’‘ð’” ð’‰ð’‚ð’‘ð’‘ð’†ð’ð’Šð’ð’ˆ ð’•ð’ ð’Žð’†, ð’ƒð’–ð’• ð’‚ð’• ð’ð’†ð’‚ð’”ð’• ð’•ð’‰ð’Šð’” ð’“ð’†ð’ð’†ð’ð’•ð’ð’†ð’”ð’” ð’‘ð’–ð’“ð’”ð’–ð’†ð’“ ð’Šð’” ð’‰ð’‚ð’ð’…ð’”ð’ð’Žð’† ð’‚ð’ð’… ð’–ð’ð’Žð’‚ð’“ð’“ð’Šð’†ð’…~
Gemma bears the same soft and naïve traits all heroines Sam draws seem to carry; her caring nature and mama bear attitude are a winner, however, I can’t help wishing she was more determined.
~ð‘¾ð’‰ð’‚ð’•ð’†ð’—ð’†ð’“ ð’Šð’ð’”ð’•ð’Šð’ð’„ð’• ð’”ð’‰ð’† ð’•ð’“ð’Šð’—ð’ˆð’†ð’“ð’”, ð’Šð’• ð’”ð’„ð’“ð’†ð’‚ð’Žð’”: ð’”ð’‰ð’†'ð’” ð’Žð’Šð’ð’† ð’•ð’ ð’‘ð’ð’‚ð’š ð’˜ð’Šð’•ð’‰, ð’ð’ ð’ð’ð’† ð’†ð’ð’”ð’†'ð’”~
The added bonus scene between Parker and Landon is a nice addition to the end of this short intense journey. Sam plants juicy seeds into the ground that hold promising future characters. I can’t wait to explore more of Landon and Parker. I have no doubt Landon will be deranged and out of control (giddy with excitement), Parker gives off some wild strong vibes, I hope we will finally see a heroine with some spunk from this formidable author.
Also a certain brother definitely piqued my curiosity🔥
October 31, 2022
I appreciate that Hayden loved his deceased wife. They had a good life together, he misses her but isn’t hung up on her. I felt these emotions were realistic.
I didn’t like that he manipulated his sons freedom and we don’t really see any repercussions for Landon’s actions. Plus, he’s putting his soon to be step daughter in a bad situation. Both him and Gemma are overlooking the obvious and are setting themselves up for being labeled “bad parents� in the next book.
I didn’t like that he manipulated his sons freedom and we don’t really see any repercussions for Landon’s actions. Plus, he’s putting his soon to be step daughter in a bad situation. Both him and Gemma are overlooking the obvious and are setting themselves up for being labeled “bad parents� in the next book.
February 17, 2023
4 stars
A quick, steamy and engaging read. The dynamic between Hayden and Gemma is very hunter/prey with a protective MMC twist - Gemma comes to him for help with a horrible neighbor, and Hayden is all “no one’s gonna push your boundaries but me�. The book flirts with a lot of dubcon but I wouldn’t call it a bully romance because Hayden never tries to tear her down. The emotional connection is quite insta-love, so it’s definitely more about the kink and steam. I liked this much more than I expected to.
Edit: I haven't read any other books by Sam Mariano, but apparently this is sweeter than the norm for her.
A quick, steamy and engaging read. The dynamic between Hayden and Gemma is very hunter/prey with a protective MMC twist - Gemma comes to him for help with a horrible neighbor, and Hayden is all “no one’s gonna push your boundaries but me�. The book flirts with a lot of dubcon but I wouldn’t call it a bully romance because Hayden never tries to tear her down. The emotional connection is quite insta-love, so it’s definitely more about the kink and steam. I liked this much more than I expected to.
Edit: I haven't read any other books by Sam Mariano, but apparently this is sweeter than the norm for her.
January 6, 2023
I enjoyed this set up for the next book. Hayden is forward,frank,and quick to pull the trigger on pursing Gemma. I love that he immediately defends her honor while coaxing the time he wants out her. Out of all of her heroes, Hayden read like a gentleman.
Gemma was a loving mother. Despite, her interest in Hayden, she was still willing to walk for Parker. Yet, I’m not mad at the arrangement she allows to unfold in the end. I can’t wait for the next book.
Gemma was a loving mother. Despite, her interest in Hayden, she was still willing to walk for Parker. Yet, I’m not mad at the arrangement she allows to unfold in the end. I can’t wait for the next book.
October 25, 2023
reread 24 oct�23 - 3.5 stars
October 27, 2022
Sam Mariano can write no wrong. Wonderful and short but not dark like her other books
October 30, 2022
—“ðˆð’ð� ð¥ð¢ð¤ðž ðð¡ðžð«ðžâ€™ð� ð¬ð¨ð¦ðžðð¡ð¢ð§ð ð¢ð§ ð¡ðžð« ðƒðð€ ðð¡ðšð ð¬ðð¢ð«ð¬ ðð¡ðž ð©ð«ðžððšðð¨ð«ð² ð¢ð§ð¬ðð¢ð§ðœðð¬ ð¨ðŸ ðð¡ð¨ð¬ðž ðšð«ð¨ð®ð§ð ð¡ðžð« ð°ð¡ð¢ð¥ðž ðšð ðð¡ðž ð¬ðšð¦ðž ðð¢ð¦ðž ð¢ð§ð¬ðð¢ð¥ð¥ð¢ð§ð ð¢ð§ ðð¡ðžð¦ ðš ððžð¬ð¢ð«ðž ðð¨ ð©ð«ð¨ððžðœð ð¡ðžð«. ð–ð¡ðšððžð¯ðžð« ð¢ð§ð¬ðð¢ð§ðœð ð¬ð¡ðž ðð«ð¢ð ð ðžð«ð¬, ð¢ð ð¬ðœð«ðžðšð¦ð¬: ð¬ð¡ðžâ€™ð� ð¦ð¢ð§ðž ðð¨ ð©ð¥ðšð² ð°ð¢ðð¡, ð§ð¨ ð¨ð§ðž ðžð¥ð¬ðžâ€™ð�.â€�
—ð€ð›ð¨ð®ð ðð¡ðž ð›ð¨ð¨ð¤: ð’ð¢ð§ð ð¥ðž ð¦ð¨ð¦, ð’ð¢ð§ð ð¥ðž ððšð, ð…ð¨ð«ð›ð¢ðððžð§ ð«ð¨ð¦ðšð§ðœðž.
ðŸ.ðŸ“/📠â�
🚨ð“ð¡ðž ð«ðžð¯ð¢ðžð° ðœð¨ð§ððšð¢ð§ð¬ ð¬ð©ð¨ð¢ð¥ðžð«ð¬ðŸš¨
—Undertow is the second book in Coastal Elite series. It's about Gemma & Hayden. Hayden is Dare's lawyer (he was mentioned in "Even if it hurts". He is widowed and she is a single mom and belly dance instructor. Parker (Gemma's daughter) and Landon (Hayden's son) attend the same school with Dare, Aubrey and Hannah. If you remember, in "Even if it hurts" Dare saw a photo of Hannah with a red head girl. This girl is Parker.
—The book is only 198 page and it's more like a setup for the next book, Contempt, Landon & Parker's book, imo.
—I liked how Sam broke the stereotyping. Usually authors portray people with red hair as angry or scream all the time. That's inaccurate. Your hair color doesn't define your personality. Here, Gemma is nice. Her daughter Parker is mature for her age and both of them have red hair.
—Let me tell you the book isn't bad. Actually, it's an ok read. Isn't bad but also isn't fascinating as "Even if it hurts".
—They started their romance so fast despite her insistence they can't be together due to his son bullying towards her daughter. It was rushed.
� If you are going to read the book just lower your expectations. Don't expect book like "Even if it hurts" or interesting H like Dare.
—I also didn't like when Hayden suggested to get Landon out of his house if he continue with his behavior when Gemma and Parker move in with them. I know Landon is a bully. I know what he did and how he is a jerk and a**hole...etc. I knowÌý Hayden is in love with Gemma. But also he's his son after all. Gemma herself was surprised by it and thought if it was the reverse that her daughter is the jerk one towards someone moved in, no way she would tell her to leave. Plus Hayden said he wasn't close to his son since his wife died. He was lost in his grief to pay attention to his son. I'm not trying to give excuses to Landon but he strikes me as a traumatic and neglected. And Hayden didn't try to bond with him but instead he would move him out of the house. I think with someone like Landon it would make him more angry and grudge towards Parker. It would make things worse. How didn't Hayden see this even after what his son did to get to her?
—Parker & Landon will have their book. It's called "Contempt" and will come out early 2023. If you want to read it you need to read "Even if it hurts" then "Undertow" before it.
—I have hopes for Landon & Parker. Gemma said the bullying started after Landon's mom died. Parker said he targets her because she tried to be nice to him once. Maybe he interpreted it as pity? Also Hayden said Landon likes Parker. So maybe deep down he actually likes her and he hates it. He hates to care for someone that's why he drives her away 🤔
—ð€ð›ð¨ð®ð ðð¡ðž ð›ð¨ð¨ð¤: ð’ð¢ð§ð ð¥ðž ð¦ð¨ð¦, ð’ð¢ð§ð ð¥ðž ððšð, ð…ð¨ð«ð›ð¢ðððžð§ ð«ð¨ð¦ðšð§ðœðž.
ðŸ.ðŸ“/📠â�
🚨ð“ð¡ðž ð«ðžð¯ð¢ðžð° ðœð¨ð§ððšð¢ð§ð¬ ð¬ð©ð¨ð¢ð¥ðžð«ð¬ðŸš¨
—Undertow is the second book in Coastal Elite series. It's about Gemma & Hayden. Hayden is Dare's lawyer (he was mentioned in "Even if it hurts". He is widowed and she is a single mom and belly dance instructor. Parker (Gemma's daughter) and Landon (Hayden's son) attend the same school with Dare, Aubrey and Hannah. If you remember, in "Even if it hurts" Dare saw a photo of Hannah with a red head girl. This girl is Parker.
—The book is only 198 page and it's more like a setup for the next book, Contempt, Landon & Parker's book, imo.
—I liked how Sam broke the stereotyping. Usually authors portray people with red hair as angry or scream all the time. That's inaccurate. Your hair color doesn't define your personality. Here, Gemma is nice. Her daughter Parker is mature for her age and both of them have red hair.
—Let me tell you the book isn't bad. Actually, it's an ok read. Isn't bad but also isn't fascinating as "Even if it hurts".
—They started their romance so fast despite her insistence they can't be together due to his son bullying towards her daughter. It was rushed.
� If you are going to read the book just lower your expectations. Don't expect book like "Even if it hurts" or interesting H like Dare.
—I also didn't like when Hayden suggested to get Landon out of his house if he continue with his behavior when Gemma and Parker move in with them. I know Landon is a bully. I know what he did and how he is a jerk and a**hole...etc. I knowÌý Hayden is in love with Gemma. But also he's his son after all. Gemma herself was surprised by it and thought if it was the reverse that her daughter is the jerk one towards someone moved in, no way she would tell her to leave. Plus Hayden said he wasn't close to his son since his wife died. He was lost in his grief to pay attention to his son. I'm not trying to give excuses to Landon but he strikes me as a traumatic and neglected. And Hayden didn't try to bond with him but instead he would move him out of the house. I think with someone like Landon it would make him more angry and grudge towards Parker. It would make things worse. How didn't Hayden see this even after what his son did to get to her?
—Parker & Landon will have their book. It's called "Contempt" and will come out early 2023. If you want to read it you need to read "Even if it hurts" then "Undertow" before it.
—I have hopes for Landon & Parker. Gemma said the bullying started after Landon's mom died. Parker said he targets her because she tried to be nice to him once. Maybe he interpreted it as pity? Also Hayden said Landon likes Parker. So maybe deep down he actually likes her and he hates it. He hates to care for someone that's why he drives her away 🤔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2024
This book was a little in between series book just to introduce Parker and Landon’s parents and their dynamics.
It was short and sweet which was a bucket of cold water on me since it’s Sam Fucking Mariano and since when she does short and sweet ?
But oh well. I am reading the next one but idk if I am going to like it because I felt nothing towards Parker and Landon the little I saw here. Plus I don’t think any book in this series will be ever better than Even if it Hurts. We’ll see it �.
It was short and sweet which was a bucket of cold water on me since it’s Sam Fucking Mariano and since when she does short and sweet ?
But oh well. I am reading the next one but idk if I am going to like it because I felt nothing towards Parker and Landon the little I saw here. Plus I don’t think any book in this series will be ever better than Even if it Hurts. We’ll see it �.
January 18, 2023
I LOVED the first book in this series but this one was a bit of a flop for me. I did not really care for either MC. I found Gemma really blah and I didn't really care for Hayden. He is the crappiest dad if he is willing to turn his back on his son for a new family that he just met 5 minutes ago. Landon might be an a-hole, but he is YOUR a-hole. He doesn't have anyone else in his corner.
I am looking forward to reading Landon's story.
I am looking forward to reading Landon's story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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