Everyone’s got secrets to hide….Nola Monroe should know. She’s kept things from the people closest to her, including her twin. She’s in love with Travis Rhodes, a man sixteen years her senior and her late father’s right hand man. Since losing her parents unexpectedly, Nola is left emotionally scarred and unable to leave her home. Travis is always there, pulling her from the depths of a hell she … a hell she can’t escape easily.
Travis Rhodes made a promise to Marshall Monroe. A year and a half after the death of his mentor, Travis is fulfilling the man’s wishes by helping the twins cope with life- especially fragile Nola, the temptation he refuses to make a move on. The twenty-three year old beauty holds his heart, but Travis can’t allow anything more than to pine for her in silence.
She’s all he ever wanted, but she’s everything he can’t have….
When someone becomes hellbent on unraveling the twins’ world, Travis finds himself in a difficult position. He must keep Nola and her sister safe, and make sure his past stays behind him. One hint at a time, a dangerous threat is on the move, eager to send Nola over the edge when her mind is already on the brink of becoming unhinged….
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Will Their Forbidden Love Endure?
Nola Monroe has been switching places with her twin since they were old enough to think of it. Though lately her need to hide, with her twin’s help, has demanded they play their game more often. Nola has also always shared her secrets with her twin, except one very personal one.
Everyone has a past, but Travis Rhodes has a darker past than most. Still, he’s a good man who owes the Monroe family everything. He also has a secret that has nothing to do with his past and everything to do with his future.
For me, Forbidden Shelter by Nikki Lynn Barrett is one of those reads that falls between like and just okay. For example, I liked the humor and banter between the four main characters, but each character lacked a certain depth, and their internal dialogue was a bit shallow. I liked the sweet forbidden love between Travis and Nola, but the details of their relationship were a bit choppy and shallow. I liked the originality of the story, but it needed to be more tightly woven.
One aspect of this novel that I did appreciate was the focus on Nola’s struggles with her mental illness, which was caused by extreme events in her life. This author did a good job of taking the shame out of the subject.
All in all, when a read is 3.5, I like to round up to 4.
Content alert: There is no explicit sex, but to vulgar language and frank sexual discussions, I recommend this book to mature readers who are not easily offended.
Nola and Lizette Monroe [they are twins] who lost their parents. Travis Rhodes who was their father’s right hand man made a promise to take care of the twins. Travis is 16 years older than the girls, but Nola is in love with him and Travis has feelings for Nola, but will not act on those feelings. Nola developed panic and agoraphobia after her father’s death and has not left the house for over a year. Travis ended up moving into the house to take care of Nola. Remember Dirk (from the first book) who is Nola’s best friend, well Dirk and Lizette are now a couple and they moved into the house as well which causes some problems. Then you have Chip,you met him in the first book when he tried to get with Lizette. Well he is back and causing all kinds of problems. When there’s a threat to the twins safety, Travis must keep them safe. What kind of secrets get revealed? What kind of problems is Chip causing? To find out you really need to read this book!! I truly Loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!! This is book two of the “Winning Your Heart Book Series” I suggest you start with book one of this series which is “So Unlike Me (Winning Your Heart Book 1)”
3.5 stars.
Nola’s been in love with her father’s friend and right hand man, Travis, for years, but it’s not until she’s a bit older that she gets her chance with the man. But in the meantime, Travis has vowed to always look after her and her twin sister, Lizette, after promising their father. When he starts developing decidedly unfatherly like feelings for Nola, though, he knows he has to shove those feelings down deep inside and never let them out, especially after both their parents are gone, and it’s up to him to protect the sisters.
Although mostly interesting, I admit I skimmed a bit while reading Forbidden Shelter. I found Nola to be too much of a drama queen for my tastes. Yes, I felt for her, as her life was hard, and she and her sister went through a lot of pain. It’s just that it was too much for me, she was too much for me. I do like Travis, though, and appreciate how he handled not only the sisters, but his responsibilities to his family and his company, and especially, his newfound feelings for Nola. He’s the real standout in Forbidden Shelter, as far as I can see. Aside from Nola’s drama llama tendencies, though, and the slightly draggy pace, I mostly enjoyed Forbidden Shelter and wouldn’t mind reading more from this author.
This is a well written and entertaining book with interesting main characters.
The story has drama, suspense with a few twists and turns. There is mystery and hot chemistry and fiery passion.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Stunning emotional and riveting read!!! One that will
stay with you after you finish reading.
Anxiety attacks and agoraphobia are part of Nola
Monroe’s daily life. It is crippling her daily routine. It
was interesting learning about the effects of these
problems.
Her twin sister, Lizette has moved forward from the
death of both her parents. She and Travis Rhodes,
the right hand man of their father are taking care of
Nola best they can.
There is undeniable chemistry between Nola and
Travis which because of age and relationships with
her father’s company are blocking them from acting
out their feelings.
Someone is causing trouble for the twins. Travis is
investigating who could be stirring things up.
Will Nola and Travis be able to admit their feelings for
each other? Will Nola go for treatment?
Secrets, threats, hidden cameras, old letters make for
a puzzling, intriguing read with romance and humor
adding to the story. Plus there is the fur baby, Splasher
to liven the story.
This is book # 2 in the Winnng Your Heart series. It can
be read as a stand alone as the author weaves the past
and present together effortlessly.
I volunteered to read Forbidden Shelter. Thanks to the
author for the opportunity. My opinion is my own.
Book Review: Forbidden Shelter
Author: Nikki Lynn Barrett
FIVE STARS
This is the second book in the series and I highly recommend reading from the start. So Unlike me is the first story about the Monroe twins.
This book continues with Nola, Lizette, Travis and Dirk. It follows more closely Nola and her fight with agoraphobia. This is a great story about her fight with that and the demons that she has to deal with.
The four main characters are tormented by an outside sourse though and it is threatening to destroy Monroe Industries as well as the Monroe twins themselves. Can Travis and Dirk help the girls through this trying time? Will it be too much for them all?
The tenderness that Travis showers on Nola and the fact that he is the only one that can calm her, and now with her best friend Dirk back, can Dirk and Travis let the protectiive/jealous monsters go long enough to colaborate on a project to help Nola recover from her agoraphobia.
This book took a turn at the end that I never saw coming and I was truly suprised. It did however leave you with some unanswered questions but rest assured there is a third book coming that will hopefully answer those.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this series by Nikki Lynn Barrett
Kelli Harper