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Let It Go
alternate cover edition of ASIN B00O3V6PNS
When alcohol and fierce tempers land two cowboys from the rodeo circuit under house arrest, it may be time to Let It Go. Can hidden secrets and a common enemy hold the key to happiness or... will they destroy them both?
Creed was the main focus of Eli’s fierce temper. For ten years the two men left a trail of destruction in their wake, with rodeo, beer, and fists all they had in common. Until a judge had enough and sentenced them to house arrest—in the same house. They’d either learn to get along or they’d kill each other.
Trapped on Eli’s rundown Florida ranch, Creed discovers Eli’s secret, one that he shares. But he didn’t count on Eli learning all of his secrets, especially the one that would shatter their newfound truce.
Scarred to his bones, Eli avoided relationships like the plague. Yet something about the quiet Creed had always pushed his buttons. Falling in love with him was never part of Eli’s plan. When it happens he’s unprepared and out of his league.
When a shared enemy comes calling Eli can only think of keeping Creed safe. He never dreamed that their lives were linked or that Creed’s former life could destroy them both. Will love be enough to save them?
Previously published.
Warning:Story of abuse, mental, physical, as well as sexual. Scenes of extreme violence.
When alcohol and fierce tempers land two cowboys from the rodeo circuit under house arrest, it may be time to Let It Go. Can hidden secrets and a common enemy hold the key to happiness or... will they destroy them both?
Creed was the main focus of Eli’s fierce temper. For ten years the two men left a trail of destruction in their wake, with rodeo, beer, and fists all they had in common. Until a judge had enough and sentenced them to house arrest—in the same house. They’d either learn to get along or they’d kill each other.
Trapped on Eli’s rundown Florida ranch, Creed discovers Eli’s secret, one that he shares. But he didn’t count on Eli learning all of his secrets, especially the one that would shatter their newfound truce.
Scarred to his bones, Eli avoided relationships like the plague. Yet something about the quiet Creed had always pushed his buttons. Falling in love with him was never part of Eli’s plan. When it happens he’s unprepared and out of his league.
When a shared enemy comes calling Eli can only think of keeping Creed safe. He never dreamed that their lives were linked or that Creed’s former life could destroy them both. Will love be enough to save them?
Previously published.
Warning:Story of abuse, mental, physical, as well as sexual. Scenes of extreme violence.
436 pages, ebook
First published September 24, 2012
56 people are currently reading
755 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
October 2, 2012
I should have let this go once I realized it was heading down the path of doom and gloom but I was determined to finish and see if the MC's made it through their horrible, disgusting ordeal. Alas they were put through the wringer as I was, pain, pain and more pain. The flashbacks of rape and abuse were horrendous enough, I mean seriously how many times does one need to be tortured and broken? Hello, I got it the first few times why the long drawn out drama? Wrong on so many levels, I hated the whole bloody sickening mess.
I am so angry because the MC's were likable and this could have been a great book but any affection or understanding went out the window with the horrible crap and rape that was inserted for maximum angst near the end, how much abuse does the victim need to be subjected to? Does the suffering have to be so extreme. Ugh, the more I think about it the more I hate it, with a passion. It would have gotten 1 star but I liked Creed and Eli. Sorry for the ranting and negative review, my opinion only!
I am so angry because the MC's were likable and this could have been a great book but any affection or understanding went out the window with the horrible crap and rape that was inserted for maximum angst near the end, how much abuse does the victim need to be subjected to? Does the suffering have to be so extreme. Ugh, the more I think about it the more I hate it, with a passion. It would have gotten 1 star but I liked Creed and Eli. Sorry for the ranting and negative review, my opinion only!
September 1, 2020
***4 - 4.5 Stars***
Finally a book that pulled me out of a massive slump! 🙏 What an angst-fest, but I loved every second of this ride. Now I'm wrecked and heartbroken, but happy. What more could I possibly want? 😉
Finally a book that pulled me out of a massive slump! 🙏 What an angst-fest, but I loved every second of this ride. Now I'm wrecked and heartbroken, but happy. What more could I possibly want? 😉
December 5, 2015
Re-read November 2015: Cried like a fucking BABY during the second read. This one is for those that can handle SEVERE angst. Seriously, it's brutal but so, so worth it.
Holy angst-fest! Hot m/m action I love with extra angst. Loved it!
November 15, 2020
**** 4.5 stars ****
I read some books by Mercy Celeste.
They were all 4 stars or more.
She writes thought provoking and daring stories and I love that.
I love a fearless author, brave enough to write a story without following a list of "Do’s & Don’ts" during a creating process. Besides, she's a damn good storyteller! Her words just suck me in.
"I don't really consider myself to be a writer. I'm a storyteller, and when I have a story to tell, it won't rest until it's twisted me up and purged itself."
was such a great story! Full of hurt, feelz and very strong content not for the faint hearted. 💔
It is a pity that it has disappeared.
Now, we can only find it in websites selling second-hand paperbacks.😔
I read some books by Mercy Celeste.
They were all 4 stars or more.
She writes thought provoking and daring stories and I love that.
I love a fearless author, brave enough to write a story without following a list of "Do’s & Don’ts" during a creating process. Besides, she's a damn good storyteller! Her words just suck me in.
"I don't really consider myself to be a writer. I'm a storyteller, and when I have a story to tell, it won't rest until it's twisted me up and purged itself."
was such a great story! Full of hurt, feelz and very strong content not for the faint hearted. 💔
It is a pity that it has disappeared.
Now, we can only find it in websites selling second-hand paperbacks.😔
February 17, 2016
There's a thin line between love & hate...or so they say.
Mercy Celeste - damaged cowboy, enemies to lovers style with a rape-happy villain/creature/twisted fuck. And a ginger MC! And damaged rent boy MC! All the ingredients for a story sandwich with my name all over it!!
Can I say I'm on the fence with rating this? Because I am. I both almost loved and almost hated this story. I might come back and rate this 3 stars. I might come back and rate it 5. Right now it's in the middle with 4. (I'm just going to write down my thoughts as I go)
Oh ho there's drama, babes! The drama tidal wave crashes in Non-Con Island many times (which I'm fine with). [Note: The rape happens both in the past and presently so if that's a trigger, this is not the one for you. And there's abuse both of the physical and sexual kind. So yeah not so light.]
Mercy Celeste is known for having some drama for everyone and your mama, so I knew what to expect but I seriously couldn't believe I got to a HEA.
Creed and Eli have hated each other for about ten years, both competing in rodeos, both damaged young men who grew up to be even more damaged adults. Once I learned Creed's entire history, I was hooked on him. I felt sorry for the life he had and could see why he had to make the choices he did. I think the author did a great job describing Creed's backstory. His horrible parent...he's fucking vile. Eli's uncle...he too is vile. Not the worst villain I've ever read but he's up there. What a maniacal son of a bitch.
My biggest issue with the story is about Uncle Owen. I can't beat up on victims, so I'm not going to gripe (too much) about the MC's reactions to abuse. I think the author laid enough evidence to support why the characters reacted the way they did. Sometimes it pissed me off but I was intrigued throughout the entire story.
Creed and Eli when they had sex...boy was it hot. One scene irked me...
The drama/hurt/damage was peppered throughout the story. By 50%, things progressed so nicely. Both men were working their way to a satisfying happy ending, no pressing issues impeding their way or so I thought. The flashback to both MC childhood and years apart was heavy with pain but it just added to how these men got to where they are today.
By 60%, I was a little fearful.
By 70%, I was nervous at what other tricks the author had up her sleeve.
At 80%...I was like:
At 90% -
By the time I got to the end, I almost thought it was a trick and there was more story hiding somewhere ready to make a magic appearance and kick the HEA down the drain with another hurtful plot twist.
Luckily it was the actual ending and the epilogue was a nice enough 'snapshot'.
Would I recommend this story for everybody? NO! See the triggers I describe above. This is a dark story with (off page) incest, rape, abuse, hurt and a boulder-sized angst nugget. I think it was a great story, even when I was mad. I loved Creed.
Not my favorite story by her but certainly not my least favorite.
ETA: *snaps fingers* Remembered one more thing: The overuse of the phrase "Let It Go" in the last 20%. Look, I get it. Really I do. The first time an author uses a title in the story, I usually smile(or something to that effect). But after 15-20 times...let go of using "let it go".
And I didn't care for Sly even after the epilogue. He's an ass.
Mercy Celeste - damaged cowboy, enemies to lovers style with a rape-happy villain/creature/twisted fuck. And a ginger MC! And damaged rent boy MC! All the ingredients for a story sandwich with my name all over it!!
Can I say I'm on the fence with rating this? Because I am. I both almost loved and almost hated this story. I might come back and rate this 3 stars. I might come back and rate it 5. Right now it's in the middle with 4. (I'm just going to write down my thoughts as I go)
Oh ho there's drama, babes! The drama tidal wave crashes in Non-Con Island many times (which I'm fine with). [Note: The rape happens both in the past and presently so if that's a trigger, this is not the one for you. And there's abuse both of the physical and sexual kind. So yeah not so light.]
Mercy Celeste is known for having some drama for everyone and your mama, so I knew what to expect but I seriously couldn't believe I got to a HEA.
Creed and Eli have hated each other for about ten years, both competing in rodeos, both damaged young men who grew up to be even more damaged adults. Once I learned Creed's entire history, I was hooked on him. I felt sorry for the life he had and could see why he had to make the choices he did. I think the author did a great job describing Creed's backstory. His horrible parent...he's fucking vile. Eli's uncle...he too is vile. Not the worst villain I've ever read but he's up there. What a maniacal son of a bitch.
My biggest issue with the story is about Uncle Owen. I can't beat up on victims, so I'm not going to gripe (too much) about the MC's reactions to abuse. I think the author laid enough evidence to support why the characters reacted the way they did. Sometimes it pissed me off but I was intrigued throughout the entire story.
Creed and Eli when they had sex...boy was it hot. One scene irked me...
The drama/hurt/damage was peppered throughout the story. By 50%, things progressed so nicely. Both men were working their way to a satisfying happy ending, no pressing issues impeding their way or so I thought. The flashback to both MC childhood and years apart was heavy with pain but it just added to how these men got to where they are today.
By 60%, I was a little fearful.
By 70%, I was nervous at what other tricks the author had up her sleeve.
At 80%...I was like:
At 90% -
By the time I got to the end, I almost thought it was a trick and there was more story hiding somewhere ready to make a magic appearance and kick the HEA down the drain with another hurtful plot twist.
Luckily it was the actual ending and the epilogue was a nice enough 'snapshot'.
Would I recommend this story for everybody? NO! See the triggers I describe above. This is a dark story with (off page) incest, rape, abuse, hurt and a boulder-sized angst nugget. I think it was a great story, even when I was mad. I loved Creed.
Not my favorite story by her but certainly not my least favorite.
ETA: *snaps fingers* Remembered one more thing: The overuse of the phrase "Let It Go" in the last 20%. Look, I get it. Really I do. The first time an author uses a title in the story, I usually smile(or something to that effect). But after 15-20 times...let go of using "let it go".
And I didn't care for Sly even after the epilogue. He's an ass.
August 13, 2014
I wanted to like this. I love Behind Iron Lace but despised Beyond Complicated so I thought I'd give this one a try since I love cowboy books and MC can write some damn hot scenes. I've learned my lesson. I will no longer read her stories unless someone I know, who knows me, tells me it's good. This is the third book I've read and the third that has traumatic rape scenes that dominate the book. This one was the worst. Rape flashbacks every twenty pages is not something I want to read about. Especially in an erotic book. It takes away all the sexy and leaves me angry and disgusted. As if the flashbacks weren't awful enough. There is a rape in real time and then we find out he was raped by the guy who thought was his dad. Give me a break! How is anybody suppose to enjoy that much awful? The book would have had to be 400 pages to balance out the light and dark in the book. Surely she can come up with a way to do pain that doesn't make me want to scrub my brain free of the book I'm reading. Uhhhhgggggg....I couldn't even get into the couple, which were adorable, because I was so sick to my stomach. No more MC for me. I read a lot of different stuff but this was too much. I don't like to leave bad reviews but I feel like she tortured that poor guy for dramatic effect, like we would have been able to forget it the first 10 times it happened!
October 4, 2012
This could have been great. I loved Creed and Eli and their interaction. However, this is the 3rd of 4 books of Ms Celeste's that I've read which feature gratuitous rape (the others being In from the Cold and Beyond Complicated). It's irresponsible and ridiculous to continue to use this tactic to create an angst-filled past. I'm disappointed in both this talented writer and the publisher for continuing to push these story lines.
And what's with all the dry fucking? Jesus. Either go find some damn lube or get creative.
And what's with all the dry fucking? Jesus. Either go find some damn lube or get creative.
Shelved as 'no'
December 8, 2015oh, fuck off with the rapey escandalo already.
i mean, honestly.
i mean, honestly.
June 19, 2021
This is a story that really breaks your heart at times. I did not expect such an emotional ride.
The main characters, Creed and Eli, experienced a great deal of cruelty in their short lives, also from those who should look after them. They are both tortured heroes who have a hard time finding their way in ordinary life and building relationships with other people. Both experienced deep trauma. And while this is their main personality trait to some extent, fortunately we see their other traits as well, and they don't seem flat or one-dimensional.
There is something special about them. I really enjoyed them as a couple, even if I have some doubts as to whether their relationship is truly healthy. But more on that in a moment. Nonetheless my doubts never concerned the truthfulness of their feelings, which I always thought were believable.
Moving on to my doubts. One of the supporting characters believes that due to similar experiences, Creed and Eli will be able to help each other. And although this seems to be the case, I am not entirely convinced of this reasoning. Maybe if Creed and Eli had talked honestly about their difficult experiences and tried to come to terms with their past together, I would have seen it all differently. Don't get me wrong, I think they make a really lovely and well-matched couple. I just don't think they can really help each other deal with their pasts, at least not alone. Their problems are too big and the past too harsh and too visible in their present lives.
This book is not for readers who are particularly sensitive to violence or sexual abuse. There are some very vivid scenes where one of the characters has sex (with someone else than the other main character) when he clearly doesn't feel like it. It's not a story that will appeal to everyone, and that's okay too.
I don't usually like too much drama in my books, but here all the more dramatic scenes were well justified by the personalities of the characters involved, so I had no problem with that.
As I said, it may not be a book for everyone, but I liked it. It is possible that one day I will come back to this story.
The main characters, Creed and Eli, experienced a great deal of cruelty in their short lives, also from those who should look after them. They are both tortured heroes who have a hard time finding their way in ordinary life and building relationships with other people. Both experienced deep trauma. And while this is their main personality trait to some extent, fortunately we see their other traits as well, and they don't seem flat or one-dimensional.
There is something special about them. I really enjoyed them as a couple, even if I have some doubts as to whether their relationship is truly healthy. But more on that in a moment. Nonetheless my doubts never concerned the truthfulness of their feelings, which I always thought were believable.
Moving on to my doubts. One of the supporting characters believes that due to similar experiences, Creed and Eli will be able to help each other. And although this seems to be the case, I am not entirely convinced of this reasoning. Maybe if Creed and Eli had talked honestly about their difficult experiences and tried to come to terms with their past together, I would have seen it all differently. Don't get me wrong, I think they make a really lovely and well-matched couple. I just don't think they can really help each other deal with their pasts, at least not alone. Their problems are too big and the past too harsh and too visible in their present lives.
This book is not for readers who are particularly sensitive to violence or sexual abuse. There are some very vivid scenes where one of the characters has sex (with someone else than the other main character) when he clearly doesn't feel like it. It's not a story that will appeal to everyone, and that's okay too.
I don't usually like too much drama in my books, but here all the more dramatic scenes were well justified by the personalities of the characters involved, so I had no problem with that.
As I said, it may not be a book for everyone, but I liked it. It is possible that one day I will come back to this story.
April 7, 2013
Normally I love it - angst, awful pasts, sad broody people... But this book is pushing it too far. I think there's less than thirty pages, tops, in this book where the two MCs are actually happy.
Every other chapter there's a flashback to one of the MCs either being raped, selling themselves, or being beaten into a bloody pulp. Both MCs are scarred all over and there's hardly a single paragraph that goes by where we're not reminded of it.
In fact, all the pain and angst is elaborated on so much that I can't actually define the MCs without the pain. I don't like the both of them, simply because I don't know who they are. All I hear about is what was done to them, and what they suffered through. I can't tell you a single personality trait of theirs, except maybe that they have great tempers.
I'm not even convinced about their love. They spend 80% of their time together trying to kill each other. When they sit down and talk, they hurt each other's feelings, insult the other, say the wrong thing. When they have sex, they stop talking to each other for weeks.
This is romantic?
Up until the last ten pages or so, this is still the main theme of their story:
Deus Angst Machina all over. I get it, I really do. Sad past is sad. This book just shoves it in your face too much to make it good.
April 4, 2013
After reading through some of the more negative reviews I have only a few things to say. The entire premise of this book was about pain and redemption. Anyone who thinks that too many scenes of pain, anger, fear and angst is not appropriate in an erotica book needs to stick with the easy romances and leave the tough stuff for the big girls.
This book was wonderful. It was sad, tragic and hopeful.
This book was wonderful. It was sad, tragic and hopeful.
October 27, 2013
What an incredible story. I was stunned. I was horrified. I was in awe. This story broke my heart.
Read this story, people. Read it.
Read this story, people. Read it.
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 15, 2012DNF 50%
Usually I wouldn`t touch a Mercy Celeste book with a ten feet pole but I sent Let It Go as a present to a friend who loved Ms Celeste`s first book very much. Well, my friend hated Let It Go - with passion - and I wanted to find out what went so badly wrong....
I`m sorry to say I won`t find out. I was halfway through the story (with help of Skippy) but I couldn`t read on. The writing style made me want to pull out a machine gun....running amok...aaaaaarrrgh!
Totally overblown, stagy, dialogue like the cheesiest soap opera ever, characters acting like morons...I simply couldn`t.
I agree with Alex Ramirez short but spot-on review:
"Totally Unreadable"!
Usually I wouldn`t touch a Mercy Celeste book with a ten feet pole but I sent Let It Go as a present to a friend who loved Ms Celeste`s first book very much. Well, my friend hated Let It Go - with passion - and I wanted to find out what went so badly wrong....
I`m sorry to say I won`t find out. I was halfway through the story (with help of Skippy) but I couldn`t read on. The writing style made me want to pull out a machine gun....running amok...aaaaaarrrgh!
Totally overblown, stagy, dialogue like the cheesiest soap opera ever, characters acting like morons...I simply couldn`t.
I agree with Alex Ramirez short but spot-on review:
"Totally Unreadable"!
February 18, 2014
Mesmerized. I could not look away and I so loved these guys - so imperfect, so damaged, and so lost. I cheered for them and I talked to them and I so wanted it to work. From internal to external pressures these guys kept getting knocked back down but they got up. Sometimes I didn't like them - but I was always feeling for them.
I started this at 10pm and closed the Kindle cover at 1:05am and I'm tired as hell today but I could not put this book down. Not a perfect book - in fact I'm still a bit confused on the Sly part and how that played into Creed's heritage but the core of Eli and Creed and the obstacles in their lives was so engaging. I've learned this author plays with my emotions. That's an o.k. thing to do - esp. because I always get so damned invested in the characters!
I started this at 10pm and closed the Kindle cover at 1:05am and I'm tired as hell today but I could not put this book down. Not a perfect book - in fact I'm still a bit confused on the Sly part and how that played into Creed's heritage but the core of Eli and Creed and the obstacles in their lives was so engaging. I've learned this author plays with my emotions. That's an o.k. thing to do - esp. because I always get so damned invested in the characters!
February 14, 2013
Wow, what a ride. I started out thinking I had a pretty good idea of where this story was going. Boy was I wrong and totally blindsided, over and over again. I will admit to not totally understanding the whole fist fighting business happening every time they saw each other over the years, even after I had an explanation.
Aside from that, this was one gutwrenching story. My heart just broke over and over the more I learned about Eli, and especially Creed's, lives. Eli was physically abused. Creed went from one bad situation to the next, including rape and abuse, hustling, etc. All of this begins before the boys are even teens. So, if you are unable to read about this kind of stuff, turn away now.
Eli seems like such a total jerk about things, but when you get beneath the surface, he really shines. And, Creed, poor Creed. I just fell right in love with him.
I won't say any more about the actual story other than I am really happy things ended the way they did, or I would need some serious uppers. Once I made it to the halfway point where the "OMG moments" were happening with greater frequency, I simply could not put this book down.
Aside from that, this was one gutwrenching story. My heart just broke over and over the more I learned about Eli, and especially Creed's, lives. Eli was physically abused. Creed went from one bad situation to the next, including rape and abuse, hustling, etc. All of this begins before the boys are even teens. So, if you are unable to read about this kind of stuff, turn away now.
Eli seems like such a total jerk about things, but when you get beneath the surface, he really shines. And, Creed, poor Creed. I just fell right in love with him.
I won't say any more about the actual story other than I am really happy things ended the way they did, or I would need some serious uppers. Once I made it to the halfway point where the "OMG moments" were happening with greater frequency, I simply could not put this book down.
May 1, 2017
I really liked this. Lots of angst, yes, which is perfect for me. The premise is ridiculous so I had to suspend disbelief, but once I get there, the book was really good. The men acted like men (complete lack of communication--yes it's a stereotype but it's so true in so many cases) and the MCs were two distinct individuals. I wanted them to be together even if Eli was a total asshole at first. There was lots of danger and peril and OMG HE'S GONNA DIE!! which is my favorite thing ever. I liked that when they overcame an obstacle, things didn't suddenly get all perfect. I really liked when one of the MCs told someone else that he didn't need to sleep with women to know he was gay. Did the other man have to sleep with men to know he was straight? Awesome.
A couple minor points: I don't know why Eli kept calling Creed "Kid" when he was only a year older. I'm not sure why it was painful when Creed climaxed. Court doesn't meet on weekends, especially not in a town small enough that everyone knows each other. I don't like it when a book ends in some POV other than one of the MCs.
But those things are trivial. I really like Mercy Celeste's stories and this was no exception.
5 stars
A couple minor points: I don't know why Eli kept calling Creed "Kid" when he was only a year older. I'm not sure why it was painful when Creed climaxed. Court doesn't meet on weekends, especially not in a town small enough that everyone knows each other. I don't like it when a book ends in some POV other than one of the MCs.
But those things are trivial. I really like Mercy Celeste's stories and this was no exception.
5 stars
November 19, 2014
Good lord, this story was all kinds of messed up! Eli and Creed were so damaged, having been subject to years of mental and physical abuse. The further I got into the story, the more my heart broke for these two lost souls. This is NOT a lighthearted read, but I’m so glad I read it. What an amazing story!! Highly recommended.
January 7, 2017
4.5 stars.... (sick fucks should be made to suffer longer and painfully)
I know to expect to be put through an emotional wringer when reading a Mercy Celeste book but, damn, this one was really a doozy! It's going to take a lot of fluffy books to help me deal with what I just read.
I know to expect to be put through an emotional wringer when reading a Mercy Celeste book but, damn, this one was really a doozy! It's going to take a lot of fluffy books to help me deal with what I just read.
December 3, 2013
This book hooked me in really early and it was definitely great. Not at all your typical boy meets boy, boy likes boy, boy loves boy, a little bit of angst, boy ends up with boy type of story.
Eli and Creed hate each other so much that trouble occurs whenever they are near each other. Something happens that results in them spending a great deal of time together. And I think we all know where that leads :)
Throughout the story we learn of each of their pasts and some of it is pretty dark. I was rooting for each of them the entire book and it was nice to see the transition in each of them as the story progressed.
Sometimes it was funny, sometimes it was heartbreaking, and sometimes, it was just hard to read because of the subject matter. But, I'm glad that I did because I loved it!
Eli and Creed hate each other so much that trouble occurs whenever they are near each other. Something happens that results in them spending a great deal of time together. And I think we all know where that leads :)
Throughout the story we learn of each of their pasts and some of it is pretty dark. I was rooting for each of them the entire book and it was nice to see the transition in each of them as the story progressed.
Sometimes it was funny, sometimes it was heartbreaking, and sometimes, it was just hard to read because of the subject matter. But, I'm glad that I did because I loved it!
October 25, 2014
The first time I picked this book up, I ended up eventually abandoning it before completing it--I just wasn't in the mood for an angst-fest; strike that, an angst-pandemonium! The second time I picked it up? Blazes. From one star to pushin' five stars. Eli and Creed just exploded in a brilliant shower of feelz, all over my face. *wipes sticky face with cloth* These boys took the practical for the "Emotional Intelligence" class and learned the fuck out of it.
The writing is mesmerizing; the characters are high strung but believable and compelling. The monsters are developed enough to make me care about the boys, but they are somewhat removed as real people. I'm sure there are other minor quibbles I'll think of over time, but--holy sugar snaps--the writing is so vivid in its deceptive simplicity, the emotions so powerful, the roller-coaster events so wildly moving, I didn't notice anything but Eli, Creed, and their swirling world. It's sensational. But it's also deep, calm, and it hits home at basic, quiet, living day-to-day truths, making it real enough to pull all heart strings.
The writing is mesmerizing; the characters are high strung but believable and compelling. The monsters are developed enough to make me care about the boys, but they are somewhat removed as real people. I'm sure there are other minor quibbles I'll think of over time, but--holy sugar snaps--the writing is so vivid in its deceptive simplicity, the emotions so powerful, the roller-coaster events so wildly moving, I didn't notice anything but Eli, Creed, and their swirling world. It's sensational. But it's also deep, calm, and it hits home at basic, quiet, living day-to-day truths, making it real enough to pull all heart strings.
April 2, 2013
Well crap....apparently I forgot to come back and give my review and now I need a reread to actually give a review. **Smacks Self**
It all came back to me without a reread so here goes:
The uncle was a sick fuck!
It all came back to me without a reread so here goes:
The uncle was a sick fuck!
Shelved as 'do-not-read'
November 15, 2020Excessive use of rape for melodrama. No thanks.
February 14, 2021
Ufff... przeciągnęła mnie ta książka przez emocjonalne piekło. Razem z bohaterami. Bohaterami, którzy są fantastyczni. Bohaterami, których nie sposób nie pokochać. Creed i Eli - ich historia łamie serducho, ale na całe szczęście składa je ponownie. Tak jak i chłopaków. Może i autorka złożyła ich ponownie w całość z widocznymi bliznami, gdzieś zaginionymi niewielkimi odłamkami i śladami po klejeniu pęknięć, ale jednak mogącą żyć i cieszyć się w końcu z tego życia całość.
A nie było to łatwe, bo poziom złamania bohaterów był naprawdę wysoki. Poziom dramatu, gniewu, bólu, emocji, przemocy czasami zbliżał się niebezpiecznie do czerwonej linii grożącej przegrzaniem. Przewyższał "Protektorów" Sloanki, a to wcale takie łatwe nie jest. Tak naprawdę prawie do samego końca było trudno i emocjonalnie, zatem tym bardziej cieszy fakt, że jednak autorka dała chłopakom ich zdecydowanie zasłużone "żyli długo i szczęśliwie". Na całe szczęście, byłam po sporej ilości książek, które były lekkie, łatwe, choć niekoniecznie zawsze przyjemne, i zagrała ta historia dla mnie idealnie w tym momencie. Może - gdybym to czytała w innym czasie i w innych okolicznościach - ocena byłaby inna. A tak, dokładnie tego mi było w tej chwili trzeba.
A nie było to łatwe, bo poziom złamania bohaterów był naprawdę wysoki. Poziom dramatu, gniewu, bólu, emocji, przemocy czasami zbliżał się niebezpiecznie do czerwonej linii grożącej przegrzaniem. Przewyższał "Protektorów" Sloanki, a to wcale takie łatwe nie jest. Tak naprawdę prawie do samego końca było trudno i emocjonalnie, zatem tym bardziej cieszy fakt, że jednak autorka dała chłopakom ich zdecydowanie zasłużone "żyli długo i szczęśliwie". Na całe szczęście, byłam po sporej ilości książek, które były lekkie, łatwe, choć niekoniecznie zawsze przyjemne, i zagrała ta historia dla mnie idealnie w tym momencie. Może - gdybym to czytała w innym czasie i w innych okolicznościach - ocena byłaby inna. A tak, dokładnie tego mi było w tej chwili trzeba.
November 15, 2012
I think this could have been a higher rating for me if it had just ended at 80%. . It was waaaay more intense emotionally than I had anticipated, so be prepared. Some of the effed up shit had me crying. And some of the effed up shit had me yelling "oh come on already give me and these guys a break!"
I dunno. In some ways I felt like as opposed to the characters growing or us learning more about them, the author simply changed them in ways to fit the story. And I felt like a lot of the sex scenes were from Eli's POV, or even when they were from Creed's we didn't really get his whole thought process. Although they beat them to death, Creed's issues/neurosis and reasoning still didn't always make sense or have consistency to me.
I had to reign in my temper initially when Eli was, unprovoked, such a royal douche. He ended up sweetening up a lot. But it annoyed me at the end how Tom and everyone was saying they thought Creed was the one who needed saving (what, cuz he was skinny?) but it turned out it was Eli. Umm... what? Eli was the one drinking and starting fights while Creed kept to himself and followed the rules for the most part, so what would make you think that? And anyways, I call bullshit. Creed was so royally fucked up in the head it's not even funny. But again, I think it's sketchy the author kept that from us for so long when we were in Creed's head.
I dunno. In some ways I felt like as opposed to the characters growing or us learning more about them, the author simply changed them in ways to fit the story. And I felt like a lot of the sex scenes were from Eli's POV, or even when they were from Creed's we didn't really get his whole thought process. Although they beat them to death, Creed's issues/neurosis and reasoning still didn't always make sense or have consistency to me.
I had to reign in my temper initially when Eli was, unprovoked, such a royal douche. He ended up sweetening up a lot. But it annoyed me at the end how Tom and everyone was saying they thought Creed was the one who needed saving (what, cuz he was skinny?) but it turned out it was Eli. Umm... what? Eli was the one drinking and starting fights while Creed kept to himself and followed the rules for the most part, so what would make you think that? And anyways, I call bullshit. Creed was so royally fucked up in the head it's not even funny. But again, I think it's sketchy the author kept that from us for so long when we were in Creed's head.
May 22, 2016
Wow. Let it Go was like a cross between a soap opera and an after school special for adults. I don’t have any triggers (well that’s not entirely true, I don’t have *these* triggers) but it was still exhausting. There was just so much trauma � past and present –loss, sexual abuse, physical abuse, child abuse, rape, assault � it didn’t end. Needless to say both MCs are completely fucked up � it’s kind of a toss up as to who has more and worse issues � Eli or Creed - actually, no it isn’t � Creed wins.
Eli and Creed first met when they were 18 and 17 respectively and competing in the rodeo circuit. Both had already experienced the early loss of (decent) parental figures as well as varying forms of abuse at the hands of the adults who stepped in to “care for them�. There was an immediate attraction between them but both were manipulated into believing they were hated by the other for being gay; so they never knew they had the same sexual orientation. In present day story-telling, 10 years have gone by and a legendary rivalry has developed between the 2; an obsession born of perceived unrequited attraction and misplaced animosity. And then it all comes to a head with the popular enemies forced into close quarters trope � and it was good � until the fall out from the abuse reared it’s ugly head.
Both MCs exhibit varying degrees of post traumatic stress disorder, but they were good together and good for each other and it was nice to see them � heal or at least start to - in each other’s company. They had chemistry � but sometimes the sex was off because Creed would flashback. (And then there was the whole issue of � I wonder why lube was ever invented; since saliva works so well”�). And of course the abuse didn’t stay in the past, and as the past unraveled � it was one traumatic reveal after another; and just as I was thinking “Well, at least the relationship isn’t blowing up� � Boom � taxi ride to break up angst-ville. Thankfully when all was said and done there was a very solid HEA.
Eli and Creed first met when they were 18 and 17 respectively and competing in the rodeo circuit. Both had already experienced the early loss of (decent) parental figures as well as varying forms of abuse at the hands of the adults who stepped in to “care for them�. There was an immediate attraction between them but both were manipulated into believing they were hated by the other for being gay; so they never knew they had the same sexual orientation. In present day story-telling, 10 years have gone by and a legendary rivalry has developed between the 2; an obsession born of perceived unrequited attraction and misplaced animosity. And then it all comes to a head with the popular enemies forced into close quarters trope � and it was good � until the fall out from the abuse reared it’s ugly head.
Both MCs exhibit varying degrees of post traumatic stress disorder, but they were good together and good for each other and it was nice to see them � heal or at least start to - in each other’s company. They had chemistry � but sometimes the sex was off because Creed would flashback. (And then there was the whole issue of � I wonder why lube was ever invented; since saliva works so well”�). And of course the abuse didn’t stay in the past, and as the past unraveled � it was one traumatic reveal after another; and just as I was thinking “Well, at least the relationship isn’t blowing up� � Boom � taxi ride to break up angst-ville. Thankfully when all was said and done there was a very solid HEA.
January 4, 2014
This book was everything I was looking for, and so so much more.
I have given it 5 stars because I have nothing negative to say about it. Seriously, not one thing. That doesn't happen to me very often.
I was sucked in right from the very first page, staying up well into the early hours of the morning just to see what would happen next.
The book as a whole was amazing. The writing was fantastic. The pacing was perfect. The characters are likable, lovable even. The settings were great and the author managed to give a good amount of background knowledge, especially given the length of the book. It's one thing that I tend not to like about shorter length books, there never seems to be enough page time to give the characters as much depth as they need to be relatable. But Mercy Celeste got the balance just right.
I could go on, really there's more! LOL
I could not believe the storyline involving Eli, his Uncle Owen and Creed. It was so dark, ugly and twisted. Yet incredibly well done, all at the same time.
Eli and Creed are such a great couple. I know they'll be on my mind for a long time to come.
This was my first book by Mercy Celeste, but it certainly won't be my last.
If you're looking for a book that has an enemies-to-lovers feel, with two incredibly sexy Rodeo hunks, some sizzling hot sex, a storyline that will keep you on edge... or your head on the edge of the toilet seat at least... an injection of angst, just to make you suffer that tiny bit more and an HEA that will melt your heart, then this might just be the book for you.
Give it a go and find out...
'A tear slipped from Creed's eye, followed by a second, and he trembled. This was real. No lies. Eli wiped the tears away with his thumbs. Creed caught a trembling breath and Eli kissed him. Creed seemed to melt into him his lips soft, his tongue sweet. Just a kiss. But damn, what a kiss. "Welcome home."
I have given it 5 stars because I have nothing negative to say about it. Seriously, not one thing. That doesn't happen to me very often.
I was sucked in right from the very first page, staying up well into the early hours of the morning just to see what would happen next.
The book as a whole was amazing. The writing was fantastic. The pacing was perfect. The characters are likable, lovable even. The settings were great and the author managed to give a good amount of background knowledge, especially given the length of the book. It's one thing that I tend not to like about shorter length books, there never seems to be enough page time to give the characters as much depth as they need to be relatable. But Mercy Celeste got the balance just right.
I could go on, really there's more! LOL
I could not believe the storyline involving Eli, his Uncle Owen and Creed. It was so dark, ugly and twisted. Yet incredibly well done, all at the same time.
Eli and Creed are such a great couple. I know they'll be on my mind for a long time to come.
This was my first book by Mercy Celeste, but it certainly won't be my last.
If you're looking for a book that has an enemies-to-lovers feel, with two incredibly sexy Rodeo hunks, some sizzling hot sex, a storyline that will keep you on edge... or your head on the edge of the toilet seat at least... an injection of angst, just to make you suffer that tiny bit more and an HEA that will melt your heart, then this might just be the book for you.
Give it a go and find out...
'A tear slipped from Creed's eye, followed by a second, and he trembled. This was real. No lies. Eli wiped the tears away with his thumbs. Creed caught a trembling breath and Eli kissed him. Creed seemed to melt into him his lips soft, his tongue sweet. Just a kiss. But damn, what a kiss. "Welcome home."
November 29, 2015
3.5 Stars
The hate-love relationship here was astounding, I loved the way the characters were defensive and hostile and at the same time so insecure, and that their relationship started in a kind of dub-con. The first half of the book was surly a five-star read for me, but in the second part things got too dramatic.
My main complaint is that the writer seemed to be stuck in the past life and feelings of the characters more than their present. Even in the first part I perfectly felt it that the MCs were both in their own way broken characters, there was no need for making it overabundant. They could be haunted by their past but the way they, as adults, were again put in the same situations didn’t sound believable to me. I like angst if and only if it wouldn’t turn too dramatic, and while reading and moving to the end of the book, I was constantly thinking that “less is more�, why should our information about Creed’s abuse in the past turn to become worse and worse! And that twist about Sly, I still don’t know what was the point there! And at the end, after all those tortures regarding Creed’s life, we are told that
Anyway, though things got messy, I still loved the MCs a lot, it was such a waste that their real connection NOW was getting ignored in favour of BEFORE. I especially lost Creed in the present, his character felt so detached in the second part I wasn't sure what he even wanted.
The hate-love relationship here was astounding, I loved the way the characters were defensive and hostile and at the same time so insecure, and that their relationship started in a kind of dub-con. The first half of the book was surly a five-star read for me, but in the second part things got too dramatic.
My main complaint is that the writer seemed to be stuck in the past life and feelings of the characters more than their present. Even in the first part I perfectly felt it that the MCs were both in their own way broken characters, there was no need for making it overabundant. They could be haunted by their past but the way they, as adults, were again put in the same situations didn’t sound believable to me. I like angst if and only if it wouldn’t turn too dramatic, and while reading and moving to the end of the book, I was constantly thinking that “less is more�, why should our information about Creed’s abuse in the past turn to become worse and worse! And that twist about Sly, I still don’t know what was the point there! And at the end, after all those tortures regarding Creed’s life, we are told that
Anyway, though things got messy, I still loved the MCs a lot, it was such a waste that their real connection NOW was getting ignored in favour of BEFORE. I especially lost Creed in the present, his character felt so detached in the second part I wasn't sure what he even wanted.
November 25, 2012
Gosh, this was a very, very tough book to get through. I'm still not sure I want to rank it 3 stars or what, because emotionally it packed a serious punch and there were a couple of places where I almost didn't finish it because the characters were just tortured so much in the flashbacks to the past. Honestly, if there had been a warning on the site where I bought this book (which I'm almost certain there was not) I don't know if I would have bought it, because there was just too much noncon elements to keep reading over and over and over.
But really, I just wanted to give Creed and Eli a big hug and wish for more happy moments for them together, because there weren't many in this book.
But really, I just wanted to give Creed and Eli a big hug and wish for more happy moments for them together, because there weren't many in this book.
April 4, 2017
Wow! Seriously wow! I'm speechless.
This was a really intense read with some very heavy angst; not recommended for those faint at heart or who have an issue with child abuse. Because it's pretty brutal, let me tell you that. But if you can stand it, it's also very much worth it.
I had an issue with Sly's role near the end, I never got why he said the things he did to Eli, but that wasn't enough to make it less than excellent for me. In the keeper shelf it goes :)
This was a really intense read with some very heavy angst; not recommended for those faint at heart or who have an issue with child abuse. Because it's pretty brutal, let me tell you that. But if you can stand it, it's also very much worth it.
I had an issue with Sly's role near the end, I never got why he said the things he did to Eli, but that wasn't enough to make it less than excellent for me. In the keeper shelf it goes :)
November 6, 2014
Just what I wanted from a book. There is a lot going on in this one; an emotional roller coaster with twists, WTF moments, hot sex and romance. This one definitely has a darker edge to it with past and present abuse and a really BAD bad guy. It won't be for everyone, but I'm glad I picked it up.
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