Carrigan Castle may be broken but she’s finally free. Free of the bonds holding her back. Free of her painful past. Free just to be. With the death of her mother, it’s time to leave her small town behind and find her own way—even if it means letting go of her ideals. A cross-country trip is about to take her to a brand-new life she never imagined. When Whit Barklay unexpectedly enters the … the picture, she begins the ride of her life—one filled with thrills and twists and turns. It’s time to figure out where she belongs. It’s time to find her way. Will Whit detour Carrigan from finding her true chance at happiness? Or will he be her North Star, pointing her to a better life with him?
One cross-country train ride to a brand-new life.
One man she never expected.
One relationship she’s too scared to begin.
One risk she may not be willing to take . . .
Unless he can show her she’s only bent and not broken.
more
Note: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger Warnings: Cheating, alcholism, mention of death.
I honestly think I read a different book to everyone else.
And I’ll tell you why.
Despite all the meaningful dialogues and emotional chemistry MCs had, they were too hard to root for.
For one thing they both engage in an affair that is forbidden and not in a good way. And then he never really apologises for what he does close to the end (referencing to the affair and his life), and when he does have an actual excuse for what he does, it’s pretty damn late, and I can’t trust him.
But the female MC has no problem with it. In fact, she doesn’t ditch him, just chases him around like his puppy and doesn’t let up.
I feel humiliated and disgusted by the way the female MC is portrayed. She keeps saying “I won’t be the other woman” but fate was laughing at her already by this point and decided to give her exactly what she said she wouldn’t do (be the other woman). She’s shown as weak, unable to keep from bad men, and too weak to make good decisions. I would never vote or even support a female MC like that in my life.
I hate cheating and pathetic excuses to explain away said cheating. They’re both grown ass 25 year old adults, yet they can’t make good choices in life. If he was so fed up with his prior matters, then he should have handled them better, instead of stringing around other girls like they’re leftovers. If she knew he couldn’t commit to her, she should’ve left him.
Sigh…it was such good writing and brilliant explaining of how travel in a train or any other transport works…but then this affair thing, lies, deceit and crap…I couldn’t.
I feel for Sarah, she didn’t even cheat on him even though things weren’t so damn great. And Matt. He deserved better.
I deserved better from this debut novel by Wynn. Sigh.
Maybe I’ll read her other works. Maybe I won’t.
Who knows? After this travesty, it’s hard to say.
PS: Thanks for the reminder Wynn, of my own cheating ex. Like I needed to remember that.
Until the next (hopefully better, and not filled with cheating) read,
-JB
Hollis Wynn has completely gutted me!
I love a good story that has such an emotional impact on you right from the very beginning. This was the case with Bent, book one in the Love’s Complicated series. Carrigan, oh dear, my heart went out to her and I just wanted to scoop her up and give her a hug. Like that old saying, if it wasn’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all. This could very easily have been the case with Carrigan. From the secrets that are revealed to the impact the truth has on her, Bent deals with some pretty harsh outcomes. Sometimes, though, leaving the past behind is the the best remedy.
Carrigan and Whit have a story to tell. And while I spent half of the story liking Whit and the other half wanting to choke him, there were things about him that shaped Carrigan’s character. Maybe not in the way the reader would’ve liked, but with the emotional turmoil that Carrigan dealt with for so much of her life, seems the reader can see the growth of the characters and not so much the flaws.
Hollis Wynn took me by surprise because of all the “feels” I got from this story. I was intrigued as well as proud of her for staying true to her characters. If you’re looking for a story that’s real and relatable, then you should definitely consider Bent. It might not be the ideal love story you’re looking for but there’s a fantastic message you’ll get after reading it.
What an emotional story! I couldn’t put it down even though there were times when I felt it was too much but I kept going. It’s heartbreaking and sweet, and full of anguish and so relatable. I felt for Carrigan and was rooting for Whit to be the man she needed. I love how the character told their story and the growth they both go through.
I absolutely love this story! The chemistry between Carrigan and Whit is electric. It’s not your traditional romance, there’s so much more to the story.
What a debut novel.
Wonderfully written with truly believable and relatable characters.
Slow bu8ld romance about learning to live, trust and love again.
Loved Carrigan’s emotional journey of discovery proving she was bent but not broken.
I was given an ARC but voluntarily chose to review
4 star review of Bent (Love’s Complicated #1) by Hollis Wynn
This was an emotional roller coaster of a read. There were times that my heart almost broke for Carrigan Castle. She has survived a painful past and now it time for her to fly the bindings that have kept her tied to her home town.
Embarking on a cross-country trip she encounters Whit Barklay who turns her plans upside down. What follows is an adventure, a journey about learning to live and love again. It was emotional at times as Carrigan and Whit struggled to get their happily ever after.
I believe that this was Hollis Wynn’s debut novel and it was a solid book. She certainly tackles some tough subjects and does it well. The writing was strong and I really liked Carrigan, although Whit took me a bit longer to warm up too.
This is Hollis Wynn‘S debut novel and what a great start to what looks like a very promising career, the writing is strong and the characters adorable, she certainly deals with some tough subjects and once you put all of this together Bent (Love’s Complicated #1) becomes a great read.
This is a slow burn romance about a young woman making a new life for herself in a strange city, she meets a stranger on the train and that’s where her journey starts, it’s about the trails and tribulations she encounters while just trying to be a woman who is just loved for once in her life….
Carrigan is an easy girl to love, she is easy to relate to and I found myself wishing and hoping she got the HEA she deserves, Whit was harder to like but as I joined this couple on their emotional journey I found myself opening up to the man who’s actions spoke louder than words. A roller coaster romance that I highly recommend and I can’t wait for more from Ms Wynn.
After her mother passes Carrigan Castle is ready to start living for herself, she wants to be daring and go somewhere new, which takes her to Chicago. Her journey is one that helps her grow, shed off some of her past hurts, and teaches her a new way to live. For so long she was expected to live a certain way, she endured tragedy, harbors old scars, and now for the first time in her life she feels like she can breath. Then she meets a man named Whit and she immediately sees something she likes. But the mere idea of a relationship scares her, she knows what those can do to a person, and she isn’t so sure she wants that for herself. Then again he is quite tempting…
Bent is a story with many ups and downs, but for every sad moment there are two good ones. Carrigan’s upbringing wasn’t a happy one, but it taught her a lot, the main one being always go after want you want. And she took her new beginning in both hands and made the most of it, she found a way to live without all of her trouble weighing her down, and she also found love, the true kind. But it wasn’t easy, it took time to develop and just when it was close to perfect one little thing completely up heaved it. But she didn’t give up, she stood her ground and made Whit work hard for her forgiveness. This wonderfully penned story has moments that will tug on your heartstrings and moments that will make your heart soar… it’s a bit of a roller coaster ride! I enjoyed this one, it was a refreshing little escape filled all the things necessary to leave me smiling and my heart happy. Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Bent will capture you from page one!
Wow, this book hit way too close to home for me in so many ways. I felt Carrigan’s pain in my bones! From the first letter to the very last one a year later I felt like my heart was laid open. I was starry eyed while she was falling in love and had a grin on my face as she met new friends and experienced life. I definitely feel like this book was aptly named and I can’t wait to see what happens next with this crew.
Overall, a very good debut book. The character development was good and the storyline was fabulous. The only thing stopping me from giving it five stars was the storyline got a little “heavy” in the middle. Otherwise, I can’t wait to read more works from Hollis Wynn.
When things are tough and you learn to let go and love again. this book has it all. when you have been through hell and back, and you pull your self through that is strength. what started out as a journey to a new life and meeting a strangers along the way, Carrigan starts to open up. Can she find the light, can she have that happy every after?
This book has everything and all things that you could want. the depths this store takes you to. this is a must read!
I just finished Bent by Hollis Wynn, and what an amazing journey she takes us on with this story!! Carrigan Castle is from a small town and hasn’t had things easy… growing up with an alcoholic parent is hard, when it’s the only parent you have…I just can’t imagine. I did relate in some ways to Carrigan and my heart broke for her. When her mother passes away she decides to pack up and start a new life in Chicago. On the very long train ride to her new life she meets a handsome stranger named Whit, there’s immediate sparks, and a boatload of chemistry. Unfortunately, Carrigan finds out Whit is about to marry someone else, so she figures she’ll never see him again….fate has other ideas when they run into each other unexpectedly, they spend some time together and Carrigan falls hard. Carrigan gets a job she really likes and once again fate is having her fun, see she gets a job with an event planner, and the first event that she is working is a wedding in Boston…Whit’s wedding!! Carrigan is floored, rightly so…what will happen? Does Whit go through with the wedding? Will Carrigan get her HEA? You’ll just have to read Bent to find out!! I can’t wait to see what Hollis comes up with next!!
This book is about learning to live and love again even through the hard times. Lana~White Hot Reads
Hollis Wynn’s debut novel Bent is everything the title says it is. The story of a young women, making a new life for herself after losing someone close to her. She decides to leave the only life she ever knew for a new one somewhere else. The trial and tribulations that she encounters are just part of her growing journey. Carrigan wants to be loved and as she says she’s on bent not broken. I can’t wait for other books from this author.
What a great start for a first book!
Has been a long time since a read a romance book without a sex scene and this sweet book was astonishing.
This book tells us about new beginnings, families secrets, love stories, friendships, betrayal, hard work and HEA.
Carrigan had a crap childhood with her mother loving more a bottle of alcohol than her daughter.
After the passing of her mum, Carrigan leaves her past behind, to starts a new life in a new city without the gossip to follow.
On her way to Chicago, big surprises happen.
Oh, my heart.
Whit & Carrigan love story is full of heartache, lies, sorrow, happiness, smiles, tears and HEA.
So much drama, secrets and alcohol!
I would love to know more about Amber and Matt and her relationship with her grandma, and why Whit was on the train?
I would love a second book, please!
Love, Love, Love
I am going to start out this review to say I have been with this author on her journey to publish this debut novel for quite some time now. Her writing has grown exponentially since one of the first drafts she sent me. As a matter of fact I found that draft on my phone recently and compared it to now and it’s amazing how far she came. I am proud of her for putting this out there and I’m excited to see what next. Ahem… I think you know.
Let’s start with all the good things in this novel for me.
First up is the secondary characters. Mrs. Scott, Matt, Amber, Chris, well all of them really. I adored each and every one of them for their own reasons. They truly helped drive this story and Carrigan’s growth throughout. They all had very different reasons for being in her life and they all brought something to the table that was needed. I wish we had seen more of Mrs Scott given the circumstances but I cherished the times we did get with her. By far Matt is my favorite and I would not be sad to see more of him in the future. His easy going attitude, support and just all around personality is exactly what was needed.
The setting.From the scenery on the train to the city of Chicago I loved how the author gave descriptions to certain things so you felt like you were right there. The perfect sunset on the train to the biting cold of the Chicago winter brought a realness to the story that made you want to take a picture or curl up with your favorite book and a nice hot cup of cocoa.
I have to admit I’m up in the air a bit on Carrigan. This book is about her journey and at times I felt that got a bit lost in the shuffle. She finds some major life changing things out early on in the book and sometimes I felt like she never truly dealt with them. She was so focused on the future it’s like the past took a back seat even though it seemed to be what drove her the most when we read her thoughts and insecurities. She grew in so many ways and at times I wanted to high five her but in other ways she stayed naive and timid on things I wanted to scream at her for. Throw in a love interest and most of her journey just didn’t work for me. I think the focus on the love interest took a bit away from the actual journey of finding herself and how I thought this book might go.
So let’s talk about that love interest which I know is going to be an unpopular opinion. I won’t sugarcoat this. I don’t like Whit. At all. I found him downright deplorable at times and he never ever redeemed himself in my eyes even a tiny bit. He just didn’t. I am all for second chances and I don’t even mind cheating in books but the guilty party has to do some major groveling and work to ever win me back and I just didn’t get that in this book. He pretty much lied the entire book about his circumstances and then had excuse after excuse it seemed like. His apologies seemed meaningless and thoughtless vs someone who wanted to truly win someone back he kept saying he cared so much for. We get to the last 85-90% and here he is again and pretty much forgiven overnight with flowers and a couple of conversations. Oh and an apartment. I just don’t buy it. I felt like Carrigan deserved so much more and should have fought for more.
All in all, I think this is a solid debut novel and it will be one that some are going to love, some will hate and some will fall in the middle like me. I do think this author has a lot of potential and I hope we get to see more from her in the future.
Love is complicated….
I really enjoyed this debut novel that chronicled a thoughtful and emotional journey to self-discovery and love. Carrigan’s past was laid out in notes she wrote to herself and to her mother. Raw, heartbreaking and always honest, it was easy to see the struggles and challenges she faced growing up. She was finally at a place where she could call her life, her choices, her own and she made the most of them. She longed for freedom and love but no one is prepared for the complications.
Carrigan was an easy character to relate to, to admire. She was naïve in some respects but had faced so much adversary that she was all too familiar with the realities of life. She was still optimistic though and embraced all the new experiences with open arms. Whit was unexpected but also a gift she relished. Whit was more of an enigma. Not hearing from his point of view meant words and actions spoke for him – some good, some not so clear…
Complicated was a solid, satisfying read with love more than worth the price! I’m looking forward to more…
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
Hollis Wynn did a fantastic job with her debut novel Bent. The story follows Carrigan’s journey as she leaves her old and miserable life in a small town and reaches Chicago. We read about some eclectic mix of experiences for her. Meeting a stranger in train who becomes gradually her love. The betrayal and shame after having her heart broken. Finding real friends in the mess of her life. Carriagan is not perfect. But she is real. The feelings and emotions she display may not be justifiable always. But heart doesn’t work by rulebooks. You may feel at times she is acting impulsive and a bit immature. But isn’t it natural for a young woman who had a difficult early life struggling every moment? I felt the male characters were not that well developed in comparison to Carrigan or the female characters. But the story was honest and different. The characters made mistakes like normal humans. They also showed emotions like real people. A great effort by Hollis as her first work!
BENT IS A GOOD BOOK….BUT CARRIGAN LET WHIT OFF TOO EASY
I enjoyed BENT…It was, definitely, a great first novel for Hollis Wynn…Plus she gave us some great characters from which to build a series….
I love the character of Carrigan Castle, and I started out loving the character of Whitten Barkley, but by the end….not so much….He wasn’t irredeemable, but I just don’t think Carrigan made him do enough groveling to get there…..I prefer a dual point of view, and in this case, it might have made me more warm and fuzzy toward Whit, had I known what was going on in his mind….
It’s realistic that Carrigan, with the inexperienced, loveless life she had lived, would fall in love with the man Whit was with her, and continually overlook the red flags, I (and probably everyone else) saw….And after she had found that kind of love, she wouldn’t walk away from it…or him….Truthfully, I believe Whit loves Carrigan, but he and Sarah, both, stupidly, put their families before their own happiness….And, one question I was left with…Will his family EVER accept Carrigan???…
As a side note, there are so many good peripheral characters in BENT…. #1 is MATT…I LOVED him so much (what’s not to love, a sweet, hot firefighter who is shirtless and barefoot most of the time)…..In fact, up until the end, I was hoping for a connection between Matt and Carrigan, but, now, I’m ready for his book with Amber or with whomever else he is meant to be …..Ms. Wynn left some great characters on which to build other books for a series..
OMG what a roller coaster, I seriously fell in love with the Characters, loved every single page, cried more than once, what Carrigan went through is hard as hell and sadly things like this happen every day, the way the story moved forward was magnificent, the way Carrigan grew was inspiring, Whit was breathtaking, made me hate him a little, but I knew he wouldn’t let me down, this book deserves more than 5 stars.
Hollis Wynn’s you wrote an amazing story that will capture the hearts of many, I know it’s captured mine.