From award-winning author, Lyz Kelley… woman who demolished his heart. When childhood mentor asks for his help, the Hollywood film mechanic can’t refuse.
Kym makes him forget old hurts.
A slow sizzle burns between Zach and Kym until Hollywood calls him back forcing them both to make choices between their obligations and what they truly want out of life.
If you like heartfelt characters, deep topics with powerful emotional cores, and happy endings, then you’ll love this story of strength and love. Buy SPURNED to unlock the touching tale today!
Book Quotes:
“From where I was standing, looked like she gave adultery an exemplary try.”
“I get life is hard, but she’s let life corrode her. She reminds me of a bottle of drain cleaner—plastic on the outside and toxic on the inside—locked away until needed.”
“Dave moved in, eying Kym like she was a piece a beef jerky he’d like to chew on for a while.”
“Hank bent his knees, paused, and released a robust fart, then walked into his office and closed the door clearly demonstrating his position on the matter.”
“You like me, and I like you… at the same time. Two people liking each other at the very same moment in time doesn’t happen very often.”
Author Questions:
Why did you choose a Hollywood mechanic for Zach’s profession? My best friend since college has worked in feature films, most recently she worked on Fast and Furious 6. Hearing about the behind-the-scenes challenges, and seeing special footage of the car chase scene was fun. During those weeks of shooting, my friend got to know many of the guys working on the cars. While a Hollywood mechanic sounds sexy, most of the guys worked around the clock to modify cars ahead of the filming schedule. They are well aware that things can and do go wrong. Cars get crashed or dented or the on-board camera angle needs to be changed. It’s a hard job, but never more rewarding when a chase scene sequence runs perfectly.
What’s up with Kym and her sister? Kym has always been the more serious and responsible sibling, as demonstrated when she stays behind to help Mara recover from her near-fatal car accident. When Kym’s family essentially abandons her by moving away from Elkridge, she is determined to make her life work. Since the age of 19, Kym’s essentially taken care of herself, with little to no support, and resents her older sister who has always depended on others to bail her out.
What happened between Kym and Brad Clairemont? Brad has small-town syndrome. Like his sister, Rachelle, they are big fish in a small pond, and have an entitled attitude. According to the small town standard, their dad is wealthy and connected. The siblings have been raised to believe they are untouchable. Take an arrogant male, and pair him with a stubborn woman, and you get a combustible relationship. Unfortunately, Brad is no gentleman; he uses his fists to communicate and get his way.
My contemporary romance books can be found in the following categories:
Fiction > Romance > Contemporary Romance
Fiction > Romance > Romantic Suspense
Fiction > Romance > New Adult
Fiction > Contemporary Woman
Fiction > Women’s Fiction > Contemporary
Kindle > Romance
Kindle > Kindle Unlimited > Romance
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Although this was just a novella, Ms. Kelley packed a lot into those few pages. The heroine, Kym, was introduced in the first book, but you don’t necessarily have to have read the first one to read and understand this one. Kym is besieged by her “I-don’t-want-to-grow-up” older sister who is the total opposite of Kym. While trying to deal with sis and getting ready for her best friend’s wedding, Kym must also deal with her cantankerous car. Then enters the new-to-town mechanic, Zach, who not only gets Kym’s car running, but gets her heart running, too. Both Kym and Zach have been hurt by past family tragedies and past romantic relationships, read to see if these two can reach past these hurts and find a HEA with each other.
I received an ARC of this book and in exchange I am freely giving my open and honest opinion. All thoughts expressed above are strictly my own.
She gave up her family to help a friend whose life had been turned upside down by tragedy, while dealing with the abandonment of her family. She had built a life and sworn off men until she needed a jump. He was nursing his own abandonment and broken heart but she filled in his empty places, the ones he didn’t know he had. An insta-love kinda read that just made you all warm and bubbly. Love this standalone series of friends.
New Beginnings
Now it’s time for Kym to find happiness. She has been the greatest support for Mara, but she had plans before her family left and she was loyal to her best friend. Now her sister is back on town and a pain, her car is dying. Zack is in town to help his mentor, friend, and good person. He stops to help her but is there a spark.
I’m loving this well-written series. After reading the first book, Blinded, I wanted to know more about Mara’s friend, Kym. This book, Spurned, definitely showed how unselfish and loving their friendship is. Throw in another hunky man, Zach, and you have a recipe for success in this novella. I hope they pop up later in the series because I’m not finished with them yet.
I can’t wait to read book 3, Abandoned. I’m hoping the mystery will continue there. The author takes us on a journey that allows us to know that we cannot fully live in the present without letting go of the hurts of our pasts. Readers, you just cannot go wrong with a Lyz Kelley book!
Both Kym and Zach have been “spurned” in their relationships with other people. They have lost their sense of joy and the spontaneity that can often spark it. Trust is in short supply. But in this little gem of a novella, the main characters come to trust themselves and each other. They take their immediate attraction for each other and figure out what it is they really want in life. To build on their budding happiness the choices they make take courage and trust. This is such a lovely read.
This is a great short novella about Kym and Zach. Neither are looking for any type of relationship, until they meet. Kym wasn’t sure if Zach is real and she isn’t sure about him nor is he sure about her. They’ve both been hurt before so their terrified to be hurt again. Can Kym and Zach overcome their fears and let love in or will the go their separate ways. This is an easy to read novella. I can’t wait to read the next part in the Elkridge Series.
Favorite Quotes:
Dave moved in, eying Kym like she was a piece a beef jerky he’d like to chew on for a while.
From where I was standing, looked like she gave adultery an exemplary try.
I get life is hard, but she’s let life corrode her. She reminds me of a bottle of drain cleaner—plastic on the outside and toxic on the inside—locked away until needed.
Hank bent his knees, paused, and released a robust fart, then walked into his office and closed the door clearly demonstrating his position on the matter.
You like me, and I like you… at the same time. Two people liking each other at the very same moment in time doesn’t happen very often.
My Review:
I was immediately a fan of Kym from her introduction in Blinded, the first book in this sweet, steamy, and entertaining series. Kym was a loyal and caring friend as well as a hard working and responsible business owner. I enjoyed her feisty performance when meeting Zach’s cheating ex-girlfriend and former best friend. I hope Ms. Kelley tosses in frequent updates on Kym and Zach’s travels and adventures in her subsequent books.
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