Scarlett Ferguson wanted out of her dreary life in Cutler, Maine. Every day was only an existence living in poverty in a run down trailer with her dad and his girlfriend. Working a dead end job in a restaurant, Scarlett’s life changes the day Hugh Cruz walks into her world. He is gorgeous, rich and charming, sweeping Scarlett off her feet after a few dates. When he wants to marry her in a rush, … rush, she thinks nothing of it, other than it is true love. That changes on the night of her honeymoon. The night Scarlett realizes, things are not what they seem. It doesn’t take long for Scarlett to become someone she swore she never would be, in a life she swore she never would want.
Heartbroken and confused, Scarlett realizes that the life she ran away from is the life she truly wants. Secrets unravel as Scarlett discovers the real reason Hugh came into her life. No one is who she thought they were and the people she trusted are soon revealing their true identity. Hell Upside Down is a dark, emotional standalone novel filled with suspense. Each page has you wanting more.
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I read a lot of romance and needed to mix it up a bit and this did the trick. Don’t get me wrong there were some steamy moments dropped in the story, but the suspense is what really held my attention. Mia is a new author for me and she did not disappoint. Her writing flowed well and the story kept me engaged.
The prologue grabbed me right out of the gate and then the story kept hold of me and never let go.
Hell Upside Down is just what Scarlett went through, but it is finding out who sent her on that trip to hell that will have you flipping pages. I did figure it out where things were going. Nothing was too over the top, but it never took away from the story. I remained in “just one more chapter” mode until the last sentence.
Great, entertaining read!
HELL UPSIDE DOWN is not for the timid reader. But if you like your stories darker, mysterious, with twist and turns, then here is a book for you. I like a HEA and I will tell you that I got one.
Scarlett Furguson from Cutler Bay, trailer park, was living a dismal life. Struggling to get by. Working at The Chowder Shack as a waitress and going to a Community College. Then one day Prince Charming walked into The Chowder Shack and turned her entire world upside down. Hugh Cruz was rich, handsome, and the most desirable bachelor in the entire world. He was pursuing Scarlett relentlessly. What could Hugh Cruz, supposedly the hottest bachelor around, want with her? This might be too good to be true. He fluffed her worries off saying that he had passed through Cutler several times doing business. He had heard how good The Chowder Shack was, and had wanted to try it. Soon they were a couple. As fast as things are moving she believes they are meant to be together.
As much as she wants to believe that fate has brought them together. Falling together in love so quickly. She is completely and utterly overcome with being his. He tells her there is no turning back and they were now sealed together. That they would never end. Their new-found love is such a whirlwind and happening so fast. It is like a fairytale that suddenly turns into your worse nightmare.
Never seeing it coming, Scarlett has no rational explanation why her Prince Charming has turned evil as soon as they said, “I do”! She feels stuck and alone the first night of being his wife is hell on earth. She thought he was her knight in shining armor. He’s everything but that.
Wow! Twist and turns, and surprises galore. But after all the chaos there is a HEA!!
STARS
You know this was a great read that I really did enjoy.
I raced through here in record time and if it wasn’t for a few little niggles I would have given it the full five stars.
So I’m going to start by saying that this was a brand new author for me so wasn’t quite sure what I was going to be getting here.
Need not have worried “Hell Upside Down” Is one of those stories that hooks you in almost instantly.
So after that wowzer of an opener, we are then taken on a journey of discovery starting a year previously.
Alongside Scarlett herself, we get to accompany and experience how such a strong individual finds herself in such a harrowing and horrific position.
How Scarlet could so easily get sucked into the fraudulent facade of the charismatic and successful Hugh Cruz.
He was like an answer to her prayers sweeping in and giving her the whole fairy tale; rescuing Scarlet from the ordinary everyday drudgery that is her life.
And the whole time I was experiencing Hugh’s lavish courtship; I felt such a sense of unease just waiting for the other shoe to drop and when it did I felt the bewilderment and anguish of pain and confusion along with Scarlet as the rug was systematically yanked right from under her feet.
So this was such an enthralling read that dealt with some appalling abuse; the physical as well as mental.
I couldn’t help but feel real compassion for Scarlett as she tries unsuccessfully to fight against the circumstances she had unwittingly placed herself in.
And when things do eventually come to a head and everything implodes in a dramatic fashion.
We then do get to experience the fallout.
We also get a privileged up close and personal front seat view to witness and process how Scarlett manages to deal with the aftermath.
Shes definitely a changed girl in some ways for the better as she does seem to appreciate more of what shes got as opposed to what she actually wants.
Its the old adage be careful what you wish for.
But the nervy scared girl she now is; is so far from where she originally started; It just goes to show how easy it is for a predator to pounce and move on in.
“Hell Upside Down” also had some excellent side characters both good and bad.
Not necessarily the ones you would think either a couple did blindside me with their overall attention.
We do get some love here also; though I wouldnt necessarily describe this as a romance novel the courtship is actually more of a secondary concern to the whole story; almost an added bonus.
But the message it did impart here for me was; don’t be so blind to what is actually under your nose.
The best things can come from the most unlikely of places.
So I only had some slight issues with this: first Tabatha; there were a couple teensy things that perplexed me in regards to her part in the story and Scarlett, as a result, I was left feeling a trifle bewildered.
I was also never quite sure what Hugh’s main motive was in regards to Scarlett and why he was even doing what he was doing it was never adequately explained to my complete satisfaction.
So that’s it told you they were slight; all in all, this was a truly great read for me that kept me easily engaged and I’m happy to give the green light to.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC copy of “Hell Upside Down” of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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