From USA Today bestselling author, Terri E. Laine, comes a new standalone contemporary romance novelA love story born out of chaos. Where light and dark both meet. Every story demands to be told. This is mine. I crave normal with a fierce passion that makes absolutely no sense. The sheltered life I’ve lived doesn’t even begin to cover it. Fear was taught. Fear was learned. But I want to be brave, … it.
Fear was taught.
Fear was learned.
But I want to be brave, fearless even.
I want to live.
And life doesn’t wait for me to be ready, it just provides.
One thing…
Him.
Tade Astor.
A guy so gorgeous he steals my breath away.
He jeopardizes all the tiny little barriers built around me.
He wants me.
He’s determined to have me.
But he’s not safe.
Not the guy I should give my heart to.
But he’s good at ripping down walls.
Past.
Present.
Future.
All collide.
This is my story.
The pretty.
The ugly.
The truly transcending.
And it’s all because…
Of.
HIM.
At the heart of Because of Him is a love story. But due to certain sensitive topics, it might not be suitable for all readers.
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Tricia….why have you left Terri E Laine books on you TBR so long??
Well I am so happy I finally read my first book and it was Because of Him!! Dang I had no idea what I was getting into and what a wild rollercoaster ride..Lord I had to hold on tight!!! So good!!
I definitely have a new author to stalk!!
A story full of intrigues and secrets. I loved it from the first lines and I could not stop listening until I knew the outcome of every character. A love story that push you a little more into a lot of emotions, easy to follow the plot but with twist that will surprise you at the end of each chapter.
I think the story has many hues, highs and lows, that I feel the narrations didn’t capture it in its entirety, I liked how it sounds but I felt that they lacked a bit to be a narrative according to the story, but that doesn’t mean that don’t be an excellent audiobook that wants to listen again, because it is!! An excellent story and a great performance.
Because of Him has so many elements that need addressing, you are going to think I’m a paid fangirl. I loved, Loved, LOVED this book.
I foolishly thought I had all the answers. I created a twist, made assumptions, and was bowled over when the truth came out. Jot for nothing, but Terri E. Laine is tricky little minx. Creating a suspenseful story with so many layers, its impossible not to get sucked in.
I fought with myself and lost the battle with my tears. It’s a powerful story. It’s a beautiful weaving of past and present. With wonderful friends and questionable decisions, navigating this story is like trying to swim upstream through rapids. It’s dangerous and tricky but what a rush!
The narrators on this project are two of my favorites so their whispering in my ear certainly didn’t hurt. But for once, all my praise goes to the author!
Because of Him has made me a fan. I look forward to Gavin’s story.
3.5 – you just can’t love them all – Stars
I was thrilled when I started reading this book because come on! This is a Terri E. Laine book and I haven’t missed one of hers so far.
Because of Him looked so promising and I was sure that I would love it! The beginning was definitely as good as I thought it would be but after a while, I don’t know what happened, the story just couldn’t keep my attention any longer.
The story was told in dual POV and switched between past and present although it was mostly in the present. So, even if you don’t like time jumps in a story, I’m sure you won’t mind the few in this book. Especially because I actually loved those chapters the most (I just can’t tell you why or anything else as to not spoil the story). But believe me when I say they were so different. This was also a reason why I couldn’t connect with the characters because I didn’t buy into them. The character from past and present felt like two different people which kind of ruined it for me because the characteristics didn’t feel real.
Anyway, there were parts I loved and then there were some scenes that felt a bit meh. As intrigued as I was at first with Gavin, he more often annoyed me with the constant back and forth with Megan. This was the first time that I wasn’t happy about the secondary characters in one of Terri’s books.
However, I did enjoy this read but my mind just couldn’t always stay focused. The characters, especially Reagan, weren’t the way I expected her to be after what she’d been through. It threw me for a loop because it gave me a hard time picturing her this way. It just made it harder to believe everything that was going on.
The Story:
Reagan just wanted to study and enjoy the kind of freedom she has being away from home and her overprotective mother. She doesn’t want to meet any guys but as soon as Tade laid eyes on her, her quiet life is gone and her emotions going crazy. But how could she trust a guy that everyone’s warning her from getting attached to?
Tade has never wanted a girl as bad as the beautiful girl with the blonde hair and streaks of pink in them. He’s persistent to get to know her; screw the rules he’d followed so far. Consequences be damned?!
Thoughts:
My opinion over this story is divided because some scenes just didn’t do it for me and others really intrigued me.
Too many things were going on and I felt like some of them weren’t explained properly or dealt with till the end. They felt like being left open and weren’t mentioned again afterwards. Most weren’t covered enough to my satisfaction and left me still confused or wondering after I had finished the book.
Maybe it’s just me because my attention wasn’t always on the story since it didn’t captivate me enough and maybe I missed something that had other people love the story.
The writing wasn’t at all bad and the book or parts of it made a very good story. But as I’ve mentioned above, there were so many things going on when I would have preferred just a few to take focus on and greatly cover them. So the story mostly felt like lots of strings ending nowhere or suddenly being cut off. I wanted to love it but I just didn’t buy into anything the characters did or felt. Parts of it made a nice school romance (’cause that’s how I saw it) but I just hadn’t expected to find this in the book so maybe I was too focused on something else that I had hoped for. I believe this is a book that will split reader’s opinions. Mine is that I felt confused about what happened and that I wished it was different so I could have loved it.
I’m sure that I’m in the minority with my thoughts on this book and that’s good (I’m really glad people got to enjoy it more than I did) although I would have preferred to love this book too. Maybe I should read it again? Maybe it will be different? Hm.. I’ll think about it..
Darkness & light, sweet & sour, past & present, a delicious recipe.
Because of him is full of mystery and suspense. You are captivated from the very beginning of this story. The story of a girl taken, sold, abused, its dark and raw then there’s the present a girl who just wants to study, get on with her life with no complications.
There’s a gradual build-up as the two eventually entwine keeping you wondering, guessing as to what will unfold.
The present: Reagan first meets Tate at a bar, Reagan isn’t the kind of girl to frequent bars but goes along at the instance of her friend.
You could say it’s lust at first sight for Tate but for Reagan she isn’t interested not in any boy, she doesn’t trust easily, especially someone with a reputation and with an overprotective mother constantly breathing down her neck, threatening to take her out of school and back to homeschooling at the slightest thing she needs to tread carefully and be there for her study’s.
Tate who has a reputation as a play boy, a rich guy with his own air of mystery, who is he? , whose son is he? Tate has his own secrets but he wants Reagan and he is persistent and determined to get her.
This is the sweet to this story, Tate eventually wins Reagan’s heart, the two become close, it’s a sweet and heartwarming journey until past and present collide, darkness and light collide and the conflicting recipe that could either lead to disaster or rise to something beautiful.
It was good, exciting, steady then fast-paced and perfectly balanced by the author with the suspense, angst, hotness and swoon-worthy moments right up until the end.
Because of him is a stand-alone told in first person. No cliffhanger and an exciting recommended read.
Silly me thought I had added my review after listening to this one..I loved this story it was an emotional roller coaster ride but I jumped and enjoyed from the first page to the last. This was my first Terri E Laine but of course not will be my last. Also Bonus of Erin and Jason as co-narrators. I was surprised by alot of things that happened in the story which is nice..
What a book! With flashbacks throughout the book you wonder what is going on, but when all is revealed you will be floored. That was a twist I didn’t expect! The ending was absolutely perfect! Narration with these two was a perfect blend with the writing.
Beautifully written!
Terri E. Laine never disappoints. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this Audible book. The performances by Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon were spot on and very believable. The story was everything I’ve come to expect and love about Terri’s writing. Always a bit of intrigue that leaves you wondering which turn the story will take, never rushed and rich, fully developed characters and storyline.
I was provided a copy of this audible book in exchange for an honest review. And I honestly can recommend this book/Audible with utmost confidence that they will love Because of Him as much as I did!
I love dark, I love really dark, and although this book I’m sure has triggers for some, it was just the right side of dark for me (I’ve read way more worrisome stories). The story goes back and forth in time, the past, definitely the dark side of the book is a story filled with criminals and abuse. The current day story tells of a sheltered college student not wanting or looking for love, but wanting to forge a future for herself, free from the hold of over protective parents. What Reagan was not expecting, was the attention of the college heart throb, Tade Astor, and it appears the more she tries to ward off his advances, the more persistent he becomes. So many surprises in this story. I was desperate for the connection between past and present, I had so many different theories, none of which were on the mark. I loved the characters (obviously not the really bad guys), but Tade and Reagan and their friends and family were just the right amount of intriguing, Terri E Laine wrote them perfectly, their feelings and their thoughts shone through in the writing, and it’s got to be said, in the narration. A perfect story for audio (especially with Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon narrating). I had all the feels – panic, elation, and of course a few tears. I loved it.
Amazing Story & Audible Listen Heartfelt & Emotional!
Because of Him
By: Terri E. Laine
Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Erin Mallon
Captivating and mesmerizing are just two of the words that can describe this great & amazing story. If I could I would give this book 100 stars, yes it is that good and deserving, from the characters, the story, the way it is written and the way it is told. Terri E. Laine is a gifted author and a master at plotting, she keeps you on your toes and has you thinking throughout. I did not want to put the book down, until the very end. The characters are complex and well developed. I loved Reagan’s strength and determination to finish school, not even allowing boys to distract her from her goal. Even a good looking one like Tade. Tade comes from an affluent family, is head of the school’s rowing team and is known to be a player. He too is focused on school and his sport, getting serious with a girl was not a part of his plan. But Reagan and Tade are drawn to each other and the chemistry between them is undeniable. I really liked Tade, his patience with her as well as his protectiveness. Also loved the mystery that surrounded both of them, her family, especially her mom, his family and skeletons in his closet. All is revealed by the end and the pieces fall in place. This is not your typical romance, it is so much more, there plenty of drama, twists, suspense and mystery that have your wondering as the story goes on. There is some dark subject matter covered but IMO, the author did a great job with & kept it real. That said, if you have any triggers I recommend contacting the author. Terri E. Laine thank you for another great story and the emotional rollercoaster ride!
I listened to the Audible edition, Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon are fantastic narrators and voice performers. They brought the characters to life, gave each their own voice and personality, as well as heart and attitude. They projected the emotions of the characters and the drama of the story in their performance. Each are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen
I loved this book, it got better and better the I read, well actually I listened to the audio version and I have to say the narrators were both excellent, the female Erin Mallin was I think the best I’ve heard.
Raegan is learning to live, she’s been sheltered, seemingly over protected by a slightly neurotic mother. She’s been home schooled but is determined to learn to have a life at college and overcome the fears she’s been taught, with great support from her best friend Megan. Boys are out of the question, until Tade Aster barrels into her life. He’s a player, but is Raegan the one to tame him?
I really did thoroughly enjoy this book, there is a good mixture of sweetness, suspense, angst and passion. Both characters have secrets galore, their attraction and chemistry is sizzling, but Raegan makes Tade work hard to gain her trust which I really liked. There is an underlying very dark theme to this book, which played out initially from the chapters set in the past. The author did in my opinion, a wonderful job of distracting me from the truth and the twists and revelations towards the end. The epilogue was beautiful and I really hope there will be more from the characters in this world. Recommend 5 stars
This was the first book I’ve read by Terri E. Laine, and it won’t be my last!
Reagan endured a difficult childhood. Her mother is overly overprotective of her, and has passed her neuroses onto Reagan. Thus, she has never dated or been interested in guys. Tade had a rough go of life in the beginning, but managed to overcome his difficult early years when he was taken in and adopted by his aunt and uncle (whom he calls Mom and Dad). He, is a serial dater, however, and Reagan wants nothing to do with him. But their attraction continued to pull them together until they finally gave in.
This book had a lot of elements to it that I don’t often read about. For me, it was a departure from my typical easy-going romance read, and had a lot more action. I liked having to try to piece together the puzzle. My one thing- and this probably wouldn’t bother most readers- is that the story takes place on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and begins in January, and yet the writer has characters laying out on the sand and swimming in the water. The water is much too cold for that in January/February, and I doubt it actually ever gets warm enough to go outside in a bathing suit that time of year (I lived in that area for a short time, but still have family down there, so it’s far-fetched to me). Besides this point, I did enjoy the plot, as well as the flashes of the past the author included. I do recommend this book, and will be reading others by Terri E. Laine!
Because of Him is a dark, intriguing, emotional story. The story was really well written and it had so much depth, that it kept me completely captivated from start to finish, I couldn’t put it down. The characters were very well developed. I loved Tade and Reagan. The showed true feeling. Best story I have read in a long time!