A LOVE RECTANGLE
For years, infertility followed me like a cloud.
But finally, the sun has risen.
Finally, I am pregnant.
Except now a new storm rages in the distance—one I have no choice but to pass through.
I have no idea if the child I’m carrying belongs to my husband … or to the man I’ve betrayed him with—a man I’ve come to love but whose name I don’t know.
What I do know is that I’m … don’t know.
What I do know is that I’m a cheat. A liar. Undeserving of this baby inside me.
I don’t know how this will end. But I do know it won’t be without casualties, because this is a story in which a true happy ending cannot exist.
A story of how my love for one grew into three but must end with only two.
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Morgan Tyler is struggling with her relationship with her husband Aaron with her inability to get pregnant. The two are drifting apart and it doesn’t help that Morgan’s best friend Reagan is now pregnant.
Ryan Houston is a cop who has just lost his best friend, Trevor, in the line of duty while he was protecting Ryan’s daughter Ellie. Now Ryan finds his own marriage to Heather crumbling as Ryan refuses to quit his job or find the mystery driver who was involved in Trevor’s death.
When Morgan and Aaron get into a huge fight one night Morgan ends up meeting Ryan and the two spend a night together but when Morgan ends up pregnant and doesn’t know Ryan’s real name she needs to try and figure everything out.
Will Morgan stay with Aaron or will she try and make a go of it with Ryan?
This was a really interesting book and it really takes a look at how certain events and circumstances can tear a marriage apart.
I really didn’t think that Morgan set out for anything to happen with Ryan but she felt so alone in her marriage to Aaron and she wanted to feel appreciated and taken care of. I felt bad for Morgan as Aaron refused to do certain things and all of the pressure seemed to be on Morgan and the communication between the two certainly hit rock bottom.
Ryan was going through his own struggles with Heather due to Trevor’s death and it didn’t help that Heather’s family hated him and had no problem showing it. Ryan felt very alone in his marriage and Heather couldn’t support him and wanted him to quit the job that he loved.
There was so much chemistry between Ryan and Morgan but their relationship was also based upon false identities. I liked that they were there for each other but there was also so much more at stake and I wasn’t sure where things were going. It’s so hard with cheating as sometimes circumstances lead one down a path that they never thought they would take but they are so alone and distraught that they almost just give up.
I did like that Morgan recognized that Ryan was dealing with a lot and had turned to alcohol and asked him to get sober.
I must say I was completely shocked at the end of the book as it wasn’t what I was expecting! I don’t know if I was happy or sad with the way everything turned out.
By Rebecca
First of all let me say that I do not like books that revolve around the premise of cheating spouses – but this book was so much more. Vivi and Harrison have been disappointed and disregarded by their spouses and left them searching for hope and approval from each other. Complications and hurt ends up being the results of their indiscretions and it is not until the last chapter in the book does the reader fully understand the depth of their emotions. I highly recommend this book but must place the warning label that you will need chocolate and Kleenex by the end.
The author created a story that one didn’t expect and had it end on her terms. And that makes it her an admirable writer. A delicate situation that the writer is clearly upfront within the blurb. The characters were human which makes the story much more appealing. Good book, Standalone, and Original.
Circle of Hurt was not my normal read, cheating usually ends up a topic I can’t forgive or forget, but this book was worth it. All the characters had their real life flaws, human urges, and need to be loved. It’s angst ridden, heartbreaking, real life drama that sucks you in from the first page. Lauren Campbell has a way with her words that you see directly into the character’s minds with each chapter. A great read that’s original and something new.
Circle of Hurt was my first read from the author. The title and blurb had me guessed and I knew it wont be an easy read. Honestly, I had no clue what to say or feel. Morgan and Ryan stories were not for everyone..It was challenging and there were moments where I want to scream my head off. Each characters were real and they werent shy to express it. It was a totally different experience and I respect that
I really enjoy stories that tell the hard truths about marriages. This story presented a lot of troubles that people experience. It’s not easy to read. If that is not your thing, you might want to pass. But, I felt like this story was so well-written that you could honestly put yourself in the place of any of these characters and understand how they felt and the choices they made. And the ending left me feeling conflicted. It wasn’t really what I was hoping for, but definitely left me thinking about it for days!
Have you read a book that stayed with you long after you finished resding it? Circle of Hurt was that book for me. It sucked me in right from the beginning. I haven’t read many romance books that has a cheater theme, in fact, I normally don’t pick them out. However, I am glad I got the opportunity to read this book. It addresses serious issues that face married couples and how these issues can make or break them.
I couldn’t say that either Morgan or Ryan, the main characters, were terrible people for what they did. I actually felt for them and how their need for each other was a salve for their souls. I came to love these two so much.
Lauren Campbell’s writing made the story work so well. She knows how to get to the heart of her characters. Find their strengths and weaknesses. Lauren also knows how to write emotionally impactful books!
Please check Circle of Hurt out, it is beyond good!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I did not see this story ending the way that it did. It was a beautiful ending to a very heartbreaking, yet heartwarming story.
Once I started I didn’t want to put it down until I knew the ending. Lauren did an amazing job with the plot!
CIRCLE OF HURT is my first book by this author and I’m glad I read it, I know many people stay away from books with Cheating but it’s never been a deterrent for me but it’s also not something I go out and look for in a book either. This story was Raw, Heartbreaking, and Real. CIRCLE OF HURT had me hoping for one outcome while praying for another.
I don’t want to give anything away but what I can tell you is that both Megan and Ryan are in unhappy marriages and neither one went out looking to cheat, yes as corny as it sounds it did just happen. There is so much heartache on both sides it was sometimes hard to digest. My heart went out to both of them for what they were going through. Remember, glass houses and all of that so no casting stones before you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
I stayed up well past my bedtime because I couldn’t go to bed without knowing how things were going to play out for them. Like I said earlier I was hoping for one while praying for the other, nope I’m not going to tell you which one won out but there is a HEA at the end of it all.
I hope you decide to give this book a try because it was well written and definitely will evoke a lot of emotions from you while reading it, and maybe for a while after.
Happy Reading!!!
Morgan and Aaron were once a happily married couple, now they struggle to communicate, spend very little time doing things together, and their love life has become solely focused on trying to have conceive, instead of enjoying their intimate time with one another. Their struggle to have a child has started to drive a wedge between them, and push them in different directions.
It ultimately pushes Morgan to fall into the arms of a stranger, and make decision to will change their lives in unimaginable ways…
The pages of Circle of Hurt hold an emotionally charged story that will break your heart and leave your emotions in complete disarray. There is no way that you can read this story without feeling something for these characters, it’s words will have you fighting back the tears the whole way through. This one might not be for everyone as it has elements of cheating in it, but if you go in with an open and non-judgmental mind then I believe you can fully understand what leads them to make the decisions that they do. This is my first story from this author, and I have to say what she created here is pure literary magic, I loved every word of it! I liked it’s brutal honesty, that it was messy and had a real life feel to it, and that it pushed boundaries a little bit, even ending without a typical happily ever after. I highly encourage you to take a chance on this one, it’s destined to touch your heart!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Circle of Hurt will hurt your heart and tug at your emotions. You will feel the pain Morgan and Aaron are going through. You will understand “Harrison”. For those of you who do not enjoy a love triangle or cheating, please do not pick up this story to give a negative review or feedback. This book may not be for all; however, I will say while ‘cheating’ is not right many of us have been there, done that. We all learn from mistakes and suffer the consequences and at times it may bring couples closer. Each story is not the same. It will hurt, but how it ends is up to that couple and third person. I will say I felt the book to be rushed towards the end and would have liked a little more in the middle (best way to say this without a spoiler). Shocked is what I was at the end! Let’s say not how I saw this headed, while happy I am not if that will make sense. It truly was a Circle of Hurt for the characters. I can understand though how it ended based upon my own personal experiences. This story will show you just how some couples deal with a cheating spouse and how others will not. Get ready to feel hate, love, happy moments and circle again! Put aside the ‘cheating’ and I believe you will enjoy this story and would recommend it to others. Many may be able to relate to this story and bring closure or eye opening ways to fix a broken relationship. This is my first read by this author and I will be reading more by her.