To my siblings, Jane was a friend. A pseudo-sister, the girl we grew up with.To me? She was everything.Our passion consumed us.When our world fell apart, I thought our love would be the thing that held us together.She was the love of my life. But she abandoned me when I needed her most.And I’ll never forgive her.For years I’ve been planning my revenge against the people who took everything from … the people who took everything from me.
Jane won’t be an exception. I’m coming for her.
She knows it.
She says she wants to help me serve my version of justice on the people who hurt me.
I’ll let her.
She probably thinks it will save her from me.
It won’t.
*This is a complete standalone. The Play On series are books connected by the theme of the arts industry, not by characters.
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I adore Samantha Young’s writing and this is an epic romance about revenge, angst, passion, and ultimately an HEA. Awesome.
Samantha Young delivers this darker contemporary romance about a man who wrongfully imprisoned who returns to wreak revenge on the people responsible, including the woman he thinks abandoned him. It’s enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, revenge romance, emotional contemporary romance all rolled into one intriguing adventure.
4.5 Stars
In the first part of the book we go back in time.
Artist Jane is 13 and writer Jamie is 15 years old.
The day Jamie and his two sisters move into the apartment complex in Glendale, California, Jane becomes the new best friend of Jamie’s younger sister Lorna. Their older sister Skye is an actress – she took the teenagers in when their mother died a few months ago.
Jane has been living with her current foster family for a couple years now. She’s happy with them.
As the months and years go by, Jane and Jamie become friends … and more. Jane’s had a crush on Jamie since day one! But Jamie won’t date her until she’s 18.
And he does. They are so unbelievably happy together – even though they’re still so young.
But then things happen and Jamie and Jane don’t see each other again for six years.
What will happen with Jane & Jamie?
Will there be a Happily Ever After?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
OY!
I really loved this…. but also … ugh.
I don’t even know where to start with my review.
Maybe with a huge complaint.
Sam! I really think this book should’ve been two books.
The first book with the young couple falling in love… and then the present.
I was so mad at the story while reading. The whole first half I kept wondering when the big thing from the blurb was going to happen – and what it was going to be. And then when it happened it was too late and I was still mad. Because it was a handful of stupid things that could’ve been prevented by talking about things and doing things differently. Ugh. I was mad at the people in the book and at Sam! I almost stopped reading. Several times. The blurb is so not what this book is about. The revenge thing doesn’t even start in the first half of the book. So, either the blurb needs to be changed, or better yet – the book needs to be turned into two books with a few more pages added. Like more details about his professional life and her art and … just more.
Now about the story. Or rather … about how I loved it! I really did.
It was so full of all the feels!!
It was all so sad and heartbreaking and sweet and adorable and sexy and ugh.
I loved Jamie and Jane – even though they were really stupid with a lot of things.
But the story was really so very adorable and exciting and moving and just beautifully written.
I really need Netflix to come and do this!
BLACK TANGLED HEART was a heartbreakingly beautiful & emotional Young Adult/New Adult/Adult love & second-chance love story. Run to your nearest amazon for your own Jamie – this one is MINE!
Holy crap! What an amazing book. This is the third book in the Play On series; however, they can all be read as stand alone’s. They are not tied to one another. This book deals with so many things. We have abandonment, loss, betrayal, crime, resentment, revenge and of course love. Being part of a family is all Jane has ever wanted. So when the McKenna’s move in, she was swept right into their lives. Jane and Lorna were fast friends. But Lorna was very manipulative when it came to Jane being with other people. Lorna wanted her for herself. So, when Jamie and Skye become close with Jane, Lorna is so hurt. Jamie is your typical teenage playboy. But over the years, he begins to notice Jane a little bit
more. Jane and Jamie connect in a way that others would love just a glimpse at. But when tragedy strikes this family, things seem to take a turn. As the years go on, so much bitterness and resentment take hold. Can Jane and Jamie hold onto what they have? Are they strong enough? Or does something steal that all away from them? So much happens from page to page, I couldn’t put the book down. I felt the pain in these characters but also felt the good in them as I read. Samantha has nailed it again with another heartfelt story. A definite read!
I enjoyed this even though my heart ached for most of it.
I really liked Jane and Jamie, they had been through so much, and I just want to hug them. I’ll never get over Skye, I’m glad she had justice. As for Lorna, she can rot in hell for all I care.
I wouldn’t mind a story about Asher btw.
p.s.: Skye & Lorna are the hero’s sisters and not OW.
*arc provided in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t know how Samantha does it with this standalone series, but they just get better and better. This one was so good and unexpected. I loved it!
This is one of the most heart wrenching books I have ever read. Filled with manipulation, love, angst, substance abuse, death, mystery, Black Tangled Heart needs to be read in one sitting. Luckily for me, I was able to do just that. It is such an amazing story that I had a hard time putting down.
We meet our characters as kids. They have their moments of innocence, then thrust into teenage years. Attraction and jealousy rear it’s ugly head and thus really begins the story. So much happens in this story that if I put it all in this review, I fear I’ll ruin the book for everyone else.
I will say that I wanted to strangle all of the characters at some point. In the end,I fell in love with the story and can’t wait to see what the arts hold in store for us next.
Samantha Young never fails to suck readers in, put them through the ringer, and spit them out at the end. This book follows the story of Jane and Jamie. Jane is in the foster care system when she befriends a girl named Lorna. Lorna and her family become Jane’s anchor–the only people who really care about her. Lorna–Jane’s one and only true friend. Skye–the older sister Jane’s never had and somewhat of a mother figure. And finally Lorna’s brother, Jamie, who makes her heart skip beats.
This story unfolds over a number of years. It details the complicated relationship that Jane has with the McKenna family. The story is filled with lies, betrayal, and misunderstandings. And also a deep and abiding love between Jane and Jamie.
Samantha Young is one of my FAVORITE authors. She really knows how to captivate an audience and have your attention from page one. Her story-telling ability is amazing and I absolutely LOVE the way she writes her heroines. She always has a strong heroine who always says the things I am thinking in my head which makes me love her all the more! This book was awesome–definitely a touch on the darker side but it was such a great overall story. I honestly had been putting this book off and wanting to read lighter stories due to all the things going on around us at the moment but I decided to go ahead and get this book started and I am so glad I did!
I begin by saying that this synopsis does not even prepare me for everything I have lived through reading this book. There were so many emotions that I felt floating when it was over. OMG!
Much of the book takes place in the past slowly showing everything that Jane and Jamie faced to be together but without showing the true reason why Jamie is so angry with Jane.
Jane is a girl who carries within her the feeling of rejection and the dreams that were stolen at a very young age. When she met someone who gives her attention, it doesn’t matter if she keeps being hurt because thanks to Lorna that she had Skye and Jamie in her world.
Lorna is a popular, repressed, and selfish girl who, at every moment, is happy to manipulate everyone around her, but Jane manages to get around this situation and get closer to Jamie.
Jamie is a serious boy and committed to his family that sees Jane as a consolation for the hard life that he has and day by day the passion accumulated within them and a strong love wells up in their hearts and unites them strongly.
Throughout the reading, I understood why Samantha Young devoted so many pages to the past and every minute was more anguished by knowing the reason for Jamie’s anger and Jane’s attitudes. When it comes to the end, my jaw dropped and I realized that thanks to the connection created with protagonists in the course of reading, it was possible to understand the dimension of everything that happened to them
It is a strong and tense story and at the same time unique and romantic. I loved the participation of Archie and the couple is very beautiful together.
So sad because in one scene, in the end, I thought that Jamie could act different after everything he saw and suffered.
4/5 stars
4.5 stars
Poignant and compulsively readable, Samantha Young’s Black Tangled Heart is an emotional second-chance romance with a payoff that is worth all of its turmoil and angst. The connection that Jamie and Jane share is palpable, and the reason for their separation, tragic. It’s a story about pain, revenge, forgiveness, and love. And, holy chemistry, Batman. Even in its darkest moments, there is always a sliver of hopefulness that two broken people just might make their way back to each other, obstacles notwithstanding.
Another amazing read, courtesy of Young, who is always an insta-purchase for me, regardless of the genre.
Oh, Samantha Young, you had me absolutely entangled with this third Play On novel! If you’ve never read either of the first two books in the series, fret not, fellow romance reader! All three currently available books are standalones, and when I say “standalone”, the books really do stand ALONE, meaning you’re not required to read anything else in order to understand and/or enjoy the story you have in your hands. And what a story Black Entangled Heart gives us. Jamie and Jane…goodness, but how these two desperately deserved a happily-ever-after. Seriously! The romance and angst were wonderfully intense, with all the mixed up feelings leading to heartrending and heartwarming moments. There’s also a hint of suspense, which just made this an even more intense read. Definitely one of my favorites for 2020. 5+ stars for Black Tangled Heart.
Such an emotional roller coaster ride that this book will take you on. From one moment to the next I really didn’t know if my heart was going to break it I was going to be happy. This was an amazing book and I definitely recommend it.
3.5 stars
Black Tangled Heart is the third book in Samantha Young’s Play On series but is a standalone book. In it we meet Jane who at first appears to be such a tragic character but who grows up to be one surprisingly strong woman. Left as a baby, she was adopted by a loving family but then when her adoptive parents died she was returned to the foster system as Jane Doe. As a teen she befriends a girl whose big sister and big brother also become her family. Only, her feelings toward Jamie are anything but brotherly.
This book had Samantha Young’s strong characterization and beautiful writing that weaved many themes within the storyline. Given this I’m sure there will be many 4 and 5 star ratings for this book. I rated it a 3.5 because I didn’t like the story. I also felt on edge the entire time reading it and didn’t leave with a particularly good feeling once I finished it. That being said, if this story line and subject matter is for you, it was a very well written book and one you’d probably like.
The beginning of the book was really setting the stage for these characters. You learned about Jane, as well as siblings Jamie, Lorna and a bit about Skye to understand the past that shapes them and the actions they take as the book goes on.
The book then takes on a “MeToo” storyline akin to the Harvey Weinstein scandal that exploded a few years ago – so fair warning for anyone with specific triggers of the sexual assault nature. No instances were in your face or detailed graphically but they are mentioned and become a major factor in the second part of the book.
Themes Explored
Young Love: This book definitely took on the theme of young love. Can you find your soulmate at age 16? Some believe yes and some believe no. When there are doubters, can that negatively impact your relationship?
Sibling Relationships: Even with a basis of love, siblings can prove very difficult to be lovable. Blood isn’t the only thing that can bond you with someone that feels like a sibling. But just because you share blood with someone, does that mean you have to repeatedly forgive them for hurts they cause?
The Past Shapes You: There was such a dichotomy in the friendship between Jane and Lorna. Once Jane lost her parents at age 7, she never truly felt loved again until meeting Jamie. She was continually left by the few who did but she had such a strong backbone which surprised many in the story, especially me in a really great way.
Lorna did not have the best childhood but despite siblings who were there for her she was a selfish, narcissistic human being who never saw the error in her ways. I cannot stand people like her who emotionally manipulate the people you supposedly love.
Overall, this was an intriguing romance that turned into a romantic suspense novel with a revenge angle. It had great writing but was just not a book that made me feel good.
Check out this review and all my romance book reviews and romance book lists on my book blog, She Reads Romance Books: http://www.shereadsromancebooks.com
Reading a Samantha Young book just puts me into a happy place, especially when reading has been so difficult with the times we are in. Black Tangled Heart was an emotional and heart wrenching story that involves two young lovers having to make some pretty emotional decisions that involve friendships broken and manipulation lasting years. Honestly, I didn’t care for Lorna at all, I found her extremely irritating, demanding and highly selfish, which I know played into the storyline, but didn’t care for that aspect of the story with her involvement. Now Jamie and Jane were a whole different story, loved their passion, chemistry and devotion to each other which made what happen to Skye and their life even more tragic.
The first part of the story dragged on for me, not normal from this author, but the second half picked up and got my blood boiling with the challenges that were presented to these two lost lovers. Twists and turns made the book in the end and I loved it. What happened to Jane made me hyperventilate and want to jump into the story to take care of things, but in the end everything was as it should be. It was nice to see where they ended up at, I love Portland and Colorado it’s a perfect place for people who love art and writing to be. Very peaceful.
With the exception of Lorna I truly loved this intense book. Well worth the read!
I reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
Black Tangled Heart by Samantha Young is the first book I have read by this author. Let me tell you I fell in love with it. The aspect of it, had me thinking of how my relationship is with my significant other. And every page turn reminded me of that. So when I got the opportunity to read it, I was like omg!! I even messaged Samantha and told her my story lol..
When I say you will love this book I mean it. You have the whole first love but something gets in the way, and reuniting but with a twist, now its more of a revenge you can say. Ofc we do get to the end and the forgiveness..
I cant wait to read more of her stories!!!
Samantha Young readers are going to love this dark enemies-to-lovers tale of revenge! Second chance romance fans unite!
The cold, hard truth is I must not be an overly fan of going back really far and spending a lot of time trapped in past history/girl crush drama, I wound up here feeling like I was reading a middle school/teen romance for a very l-o-n-g time, folks. Nope, just give me a quick, factual summary (maybe a flashback or two) to catch me up to speed on the present, and I’m good to go. After reading the synopsis I wasn’t expecting to be trotting alongside a 13 year old heroine, her “with a crazy friend like this you don’t need enemies” bestie, and a handsome, whiny, boyho hero.. for so dang l-o-n-g. I know I’m using the same word over again, but I really need to stress that point.
The intermittent mental dialog of this boyho hero (cause he’s not old enough to technically be a manho yet, especially if maturity is factored in) certainly did not help.
Trying to sell us on the notion it wasn’t odd at all to use Jane Doe as the heroine’s name should have been the first red flag. Because, really? That name is not original to say the least. Nope, I don’t think that would have happened, especially when she actually did have a real name that could have/should have been used.
I gave up the ghost at 28%, because the writing itself was also torturous and showed no signs of improving. No where near the quality I’ve learned to admire and expect from this author. Yes, people, I am 99% of the time a huge fan of this author.
I hope others enjoy this book and wish her all the best. She’s still at the top of my favorite romance author list. This book though felt like it was written by someone else entirely.
Title: Black Tangled Heart, Series: Play On (Book 3), Author: Samantha Young, Pages: 371, stand-alone but part of series, just didn’t work for me.
Book 1 – Play On
Book 2 – As Dust Dances
Book 2.5 – Hold On
Book 3 – Black Tangled Heart
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no relationship or affiliation between this reviewer and the author, publisher, or PR firm.)
I was REALLY excited to get my hands on Black Tangled Heart as an eARC. Samantha is hands down my favourite author as her books seem to reach in to my soul and stay there forever! One sleepless, reading fuelled night later, I can tell you that BTH did not disappoint.
It’s definitely a story of two halves. The first (set in the past) is an achingly sweet romance of two troubled young soulmates finding each other. Jane and Jamie have the kind of epic love that most people can only dream of.
This contrasts heavily with the darker second half (set 6 years later) once tragic events have driven them apart and Jamie is seeking revenge and retribution. Will the lovers be able to find their way back together or will revenge destroy them? I rooted for them every step of the way, but Samantha definitely kept me guessing!
Samantha ties these two halves together brilliantly, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat with a myriad of plot twists and turns throughout.
As always, Samantha’s characters are three dimensional and really well written. I loved Jane, Jamie, Skye and Asher and laughed and cried alongside them. And I REALLY wanted to slap Lorna. Jane is a brilliant heroine – quiet, thoughtful and kind, yet strong, independent and feisty when she needs to be. And Jamie is the dream book boyfriend – brooding, sexy and he even loves reading … what more could a girl want?!
I loved how the book told the story from both Jane and Jamie’s point of view so I felt like I was in the story with them. I also liked how Samantha wrote the time difference in the storyline, splitting it in to two halves rather than jumping back and forward which can be confusing at 3am!
It’s definitely a 5 star rating from me. I’m off to re-read it more slowly and savour it as I’m not ready to let the characters go just yet.
Readers are in for a thrilling and emotional ride with this one! The storyline is engrossing, the characters are complex, and the chemistry is off-the-charts palpable. It’s my favorite book by Samantha Young to date.
I had no idea what this book was about when I received an ARC (I didn’t read the description) but because it was Samantha Young writing it, I didn’t feel the need to check.
I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading last night and it was SO worth the loss of sleep. This story spans from childhood to adulthood and it’s done with perfect pacing. I love that we get to see Jane and Jamie’s relationship evolve over the years. It gives readers a real sense of all that they’ve lost and all that they need to regain. Sam writes some seriously steamy scenes and lots of them. Readers will definitely be satisfied in that regard 😀
I highly recommend picking up this book if you want a robust love story with some suspense woven in.