From USA Today Bestselling Author Ella James, A Standalone Forbidden Romance with a throw-your-Kindle twist…
Homer Carnegie. Admit it–you know my name. Your kid’s got my e-trading card. Your husband sits up straighter when I stroll onto the TV screen. He knows I’m going to crack the bat and save the day. Even your grandma’s jonesing for my autograph. But women my age? They’re the worst. Or … women my age? They’re the worst. Or would that be the best?
It’s not my fault they line up at the door. They catch my balls all right, two at a time sometimes. Believe me, everybody wins.
At least they did–until the video. I heard TMZ paid a million for a bird’s eye view of Homer on his A-game. The only folks who didn’t watch with eager eyes? Red Sox management. They want me benched, or worse, shipped off to rehab.
It’s a long story, what happens next. How I end up on a boat, bound for the world’s most remote island: Tristan da Cunha. Just a speck of dust in the Atlantic.
Except my heart is there.
I don’t know that when I step onto the boat.
I don’t know a lot of things.
What I’ll covet…
What I’ll lose…
So I feel like Ive been waiting for this story like forever and let me tell you it was definitely worth the long wait.
This was so much more than what I was expecting and I’m going to try and articulate my thoughts and impressions here without giving anything away so you get to experience this as I did blind.
So brief run through here this starts with Finley and her parents and the events that traumatised a little girl of seven on her birthday all those years ago.
The conclusion of this event was witnessed by a young Declan on the island with his father and the young boy never forgot the little girl and the look in her eyes as she was finally brought home to safety after her terrible ordeal.
Fast-forward a few years and a grown-up Declan needs space, somewhere to recover out of the spotlight and away from his baseball career that at this moment in time is hanging somewhat because of Declan’s enslavement to his own personal demons.
Declan’s family are patrons to Tristan da Cunha almost becoming honoured guests over the years so this remote island secluded and off the grid is the ideal place for Declan to lie low and recover.
This island I was fascinated to realise is actually a real place and this to me made this all the more of an interesting and real story to experience.
Enter Finley, prickly and tad oversensitive especially at first in regards to the resident red sox all-star and after the first encounter between these two is such a bust Declan is then playing catch up trying to win Finley around to his corner.
Now it’s here that I thought I had Covet’s number: I’m thinking romantic but funny enemies to lovers type scenario with maybe some sinful secrets to impart: but what I got was so much more.
Covet deals with some harrowing and realistic scenes of addiction and withdrawal and it doesn’t gloss over this showing everything in all its unapologetic glory.
This gave us a window into the repercussions of dependence and its potential aftermaths.
We got to see Declan is such a stripped back situation and this really showcased his vulnerabilities and internal shame as Finley got to see maybe unintentionally beneath the persona and outward veneer he usually projects to those around him.
I think this is really how she manages to slip and burrow beneath his skin replacing and becoming his new drug of choice.
There is just something about Finley that soothes his inner angst calming him slightly and giving him a break from all the external noise he is currently experiencing.
I do have a somewhat limited understanding of these battles: not for myself but for a very close family member so I really liked that the author didn’t sugar coat this heavy topic: Covet basically hangs it all out openly to dry and I think this was what made this such a great story for me.
the scenes here were vividly intense and seemed to me, wholly authentic: they added a depth of feeling and emotion to the overall narrative that I was not actually expecting pushing this up to a whole new level of brilliance.
I felt so emotionally connected to both Finley and Declan and loved the slow burn pace that this took.
That first carnal scene between them was so hot and heavy that I could feel the sensual heat it projected, scorching me down to my very toes so great was the heat factor here: in fact, when this took off the intensity here was fiercely consuming.
There was so much here to recommend this twists and secrets from both sides that emerge out into the open, adventure and hardship it really was one hell of a read one that I really recommend highly.
It was a long read but one I enjoyed immensely and read in one complete sitting.
Covet definitely gets my seal of approval.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Covet (Sinful Secrets, #3).
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
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Wow…..
This poignant, slow burn romance consumed me and I couldn’t stop thinking about this story and these characters long after I was finished! Ms. James expertly weaved a unique tale that was suspenseful, mysterious and at some points heartrending, yet also sweet, passionate, and hopeful. Both Declan & Finley have crushing pasts that are heartbreaking. They struggle to find their place in a world, keeping secrets that could destroy them both. They come from different worlds but are a perfect match, giving each other what they need to heal and become whole. Each facet of this story was cleverly unfolded in past and present sequence to keep you engaged and guessing on what made them who they are and why they make the choices they do. This story took me on a roller coaster of emotions that were raw, heartbreaking, passionate, and hopeful. It has several surprising plot twists, that make this an unforgettable journey. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of beautifully crafted, raw and seductive romance, it is an experience you don’t want to miss!
Ella James is a brilliant wordsmith. Covet is unexpectedly twisty, heartbreakingly emotional, and addictively sexy!
4.25 Stars – CONTAINS SPOILERS – a few tiny little ones!
Declan is a huge baseball star in Boston. But that’s pretty much over now.
His team wants him to go to rehab – but he’s not going to rehab – he’s going on a cargo ship!
A ship who brings him to the very remote south atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha.
He’s been there before as a kid. He’s kind of royalty there. His dad donated so much money to the islanders. (For reasons!)
Enter Finley.
She’s from the island.
Her parents died when she was only a little kid and since then she spent her life living and working for the island. She’s currently the resident nurse-doc until the real doc comes back. Plus she’s the island’s best shepherd! And she’s ‘renting’ out her late grandma’s house for the island’s celebrity visitor.
Finley and Declan don’t exactly have the cutest of meet cutes (it was for us though!) and Finley kind of hates him after that. But of course she’s also extremely attracted to the beautiful athlete!
Lots of problems and adventures and drama and heartbreak to survive until we can even think of getting a happy end!
LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN
Well, that was a huge book!
I’m not really a fan of too many words in books. I prefer dialogue-based, fast-paced stories. Too much describing the weather and landscape usually gets on my nerves real fast. BUT – this time it was fascinating! It was still way too long and there were still way too many words for my tastes, but I liked it anyway. I even googled the island – I wanted to see what it looks like down there! Really interesting!
The story.
It starts with this heartbreaking little prologue about how Finley loses her parents and then we fast forward twenty years to today and Declan arriving on the island.
It’s so adorable to watch Finley and Declan together. They just rub each other the wrong way – or rather he’s rubbing her the wrong way. She’s way too sweet and nun-ish for his city-boy ways.
I love how she calls him The Carnegie. Too cute.
The whole atmosphere of the story was a bit sad or melancholy – it rains a lot. It’s a tiny little island with not even 300 people living there. It’s all so … no idea what I mean. It felt a bit like going back in time. And with the islanders talking in that weird accent mix of all the british accents it was a bit like being in a 19th century scottish dramance!
It was a great book with adorable moments, funny moments, really exciting and sexy and even suspensy moments and so many heartbreaking moments. I really enjoyed reading it, but I also had lots of problems with it.
If you’re scared of spoilers – please stop reading now. I’m not really spoiling much – but a little bit!!!
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I hate it when the hero or heroine in my books is … how can I best say what I mean?? Leathally flawed? No. You know those romances where the girl had cancer and now all is good and she gets her HEA with the hot guy? Yeah – I HATE that! I don’t want to be scared after finishing a book – I don’t want to think about her cancer coming back in 4 years and bam! Dead! People have enough bad stuff in their private lives – romances should not add to that – they’re supposed to take you out of your sometimes horrible life! Declan doesn’t have cancer – it’s addiction in this case – which is just as bad. I would’ve been okay with it if he only got addicted after a baseball injury and taking too many pain pills. But that’s not the case. Not that he doesn’t have a good reason for his addiction, but still. I hated that part very much! He’ll never be really okay.
And as I mentioned before. The writing. The book is just way too long. Why didn’t Ella’s editor tell her to cut 100 pages? It would’ve made the story more interesting. Especially the cave time – way too long!
And then the accent. I can live with a british accent – of course! BUT! Finley talks so weird. Yes, she’s not a tv-watcher, not a cell-phone-owner, it’s all a bit back-in-time on that island. But she has such a very weird way of talking.
Another thing – just me being weird – I hate the word prior in books. It was never used much in recent years and these last months every author is mega overusing it. Just say earlier or before. I never heard that word used in conversation!
The cover! It’s sooo pretty and sexy and I love the (non)colors. But it’s so not the book. Not even a little bit. The book is a heartbreaking island drama … no idea how the cover should look – maybe a girl running up a grassy hill in the rain with a lamb following her – and she’s looking behind her – maybe trying to reach a guy’s hand? LOL! No idea – but this is not a good cover for this story!
Another tiny little thing … the religiousness of the book. People who read my reviews know I hate religion sooo much – and there was a lot of being religious in here.
End of rant!
Even if it didn’t sound like it – I really liked the story and most people in it. The last few chapters really made up for most of what I didn’t love! And the lamb! Oy – she was adorable – I want one too!!!!!!!
I really wouldn’t mind seeing this on Netflix one day!
COVET was such a beautiful & heartbreaking island-adventure-love-story-drama!!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own Declan – this one is MINE!!!
What a wonderful book…..one of the best I have read in a long time! Beautiful writing,amazing characters,a touching love story….I have read several of this author’s books and this is my new favorite…
Ella James is a master storyteller; she transports you into a completely different world full of passion, characters so alive they pop off the pages, and the truest of loves. Covet is so beautiful
I literally LOL. Loved it.
Addiction is an epidemic. I learned so much about the hold opioids have on an addict, while reading this story of discovery, trust, courage, and love. It’s been 2 weeks since I finished reading, and it’s on my mind.
Aw wow. This book was totally unexpected for me and I loved it so much.
The storyline in this book is different to what I’ve read from other books. It’s about old traditions and old ways and a stranger coming to land and ruffling up the place and turning all the heads.
Declan and Finley are a special kind of couple. Watching their relationship throughout this book has been my absolute favourite. She’s inexperienced but doesn’t mind asking questions. She’s intrigued by the handsome stranger and will do anything to help. He’s suffering from his sins from back home. He’s tired and hurting but can’t help but smile when she comes around. Both of them together are good, they’re good for each other and it’s been beautiful to see.
Also, I just want to put it out there that, that plot twist at the end had my damn heart breaking so….thanks for that woman.
When I seen the info for this book I knew I just had to have it, I’ve been a fan of Ella’s books for as long as I can remember. My love for her books started with Beast and hasn’t finished yet and Covet, that was just as amazing as her other books have been.
Ella James did an amazing job on this book. She brought her characters to life and made you feel exactly what they did and there’s nothing quite amazing as that. I simply can’t wait for what this author has in store for us next.
Another great story from Ms. James with so many unexpected things that you would never expect. There was quite a few surprises that I never saw coming but I enjoyed the entire story.
Declan Carnegie is a baseball star who has had some issues that is causing him some grief. He decides to take a few months off to go to a remote island to help out. His family has been a big contributor to his remote island so he is somewhat of a hero when he arrives.
Finley grew up hearing fairy tales from her mother about Prince Declan. Tragedy struck when she was just 7 years old and she was saved by Declan’s father but since then, she had not seen Declan or his father. When Finley and Declan are stuck buried under some rocks, they learn little about each other and Finley finds out Declan secret. They are attracted to each other the more time that they are trapped together. Once they got themselves out of the rock cave, they try to go back to their own lives but it doesn’t work out that way. Their attraction is too great so they act on it. They keep it a secret since it’s a small island where everyone knows everyone. As Declan’s time at the island nears it’s end, Finley and Declan must decide what they want. But when things come to light about Finley and the secrets that she has been hiding, things get a little crazy for everyone. Declan must decide if he truly wants Finley and if so, to what extent will he go to get her and will it work.
The book has some interesting things that come out that you would never expect but then you want to find out more and see how everyone deals with these surprises. I wanted to see Finley and Declan together but with some many secrets and surprises happening, you never know what will happen until the every end!
I never open an Ella James novel assuming the story will meet my expectations. No, they never meet them…they exceed every single time. As a professed romance snob—not my normal day to day read—Ella has a way of ripping away my reluctance to read romance and leaving me anticipating her next book. She was my first indie author read so many years ago, and she will always remain a favorite.
Thank you for taking me on this adventure to an island where to people destined to be together found one another. Declan and Finley were so much better than I even imagined. I still can’t quite believe all of that happened—wow—but what an ending.
Keep doing what you do, Ella. We’ll keep reading.
Where to start on this review….. I have no idea because this book was PHENOMENAL and AMAZING and everything else I can’t explain. Ella brought her A game and she did it so well I was breathless at the end. Oh and that ending just yes just simply yes! I had all kinds of feeling while I was reading this story. I laughed, I cried, and I screamed at my kindle thinking no you idiot don’t do that!
Homer and Finley are amazing characters and they both have had a rough past and they made it through. Yes they had their issues and mistakes were made on their parts but they came out on top and that is all that matters. The love that they had was slow to burn and I loved that was no insta love but slow and mature.
This is a story of love, strength, and pain and addiction. These two have overcome so much that when you are reading it you get sad for what they had to endure and poor Homer lord my heart went out to him and Finley oh Finley what she went through had me in tears. I wanted to reach through my kindle and hug her and hold her and tell her everything will be okay.
COVET is full-length standalone forbidden romance. From a slow-burn romance
that turns into blazing hot flames. The story takes place on Tristan da Cunha. An island, that in all the islands in the world, is the most isolated patch of land where humans live. With no airport and safe harbor for large ships, people live there cut off from the world. On this island, Carnegie is a holy name. It has been since Charles Carnegie, wandered off a ship bound for Antarctica. He had stayed a while but when he left, the Carnegie Foundation, had supplied the island with much needed supplies and aid. So the island was so excited when Declan Carnegie, the record-breaking Red Sox pitcher and Charles son, was due for a visit to look in on the wealthy family’s charitable endeavor.
Declan (Homer) Carnegie was greeted like visiting royalty, but on this island he really was just that. His appearance was quite stunning. He looked like a warrior. Like a king. When he smiled, he looked like a playboy prince. When he frowned, a pirate. All the young women swooned, except for one. He remembered Finley from years ago, as a young girl his father saved. He had only been six to her seven, but he had never forgotten the lost look upon her face. There first meeting on his return was anything but joyful. Hate at first sight would better describe it. But fate has a way of making friends from former enemies. And friends into lovers. There are secrets and hidden mysteries. Finley feels she is bound to the island. Where as Declan feels in so much pain, he wonders if going on living is even worth it. Yet, Finley can still hear her Grammy’s voice saying her favorite quote, “If you want a happy ending, it depends on where you stop the story.”
What a love story! Ella James writing is so descriptive, you feel you are there on that forsaken island. You feel all the pain, longing, and love that is endless and insensible. All they want is happiness, but so much stands in their way. I highly recommend. There are twist and turns until the very end.
This book is amazing!
Covet went beyond my expectations. I assumed a passionate though romantic enemies to lovers, but this was so much more. Darker than anticipated, this emotionally raw and harrowing narrative will leave your heart bruised and aching for Declan and Finley as they navigate a relationship where addiction is inescapable. Depicted realistically and unapologetically, the repercussions of substance dependence is broadcasted in distressing matters, but the poise this author approaches the subject with is astounding.
“I didn’t know. I didn’t know that loving him would ruin both of our lives. But if I had, I would have done it anyway.”
Finley Evans isn’t a stranger to traumatic experiences. However, she’s grown up to become a caring nurturer; a gentle, self-reliant woman with an abundance of love to give. And despite her endearing shy quietness, she doesn’t hesitate to stand up against Declan. She’s, without doubt, the epitome of a simple woman with a glowing disposition that manages to calm Declan’s inner turmoil.
Haunted by devastating memories, hunted by an unavoidable past and self-destructive through substance abuse, Declan Carnegie is damaged. But the suffering and hurting he experiences is soothed by Finley’s delightful and inquisitive presence. While he doesn’t love himself as he should, he can’t stop himself from gravitating towards the woman who soothes his shattering soul.
“Love is reckless, and the heart gets out ahead of the soul. Mine feels like an anchor dragging me down through the floor.”
Despite the dominating melancholia of this story, there are tender and heartwarming moments, even humorous situations, that eases the angst. Finley and Declan’s relationship is slow burn, but the journey is enticing and riveting. And when they are finally together, it is carnal and primal; heated and intense, an all-consuming and sensually erotic forbidden connection that sends the heart soaring.
I wasn’t certain what to expect with this—it wasn’t an emotionally captivating, heart-wrenching narrative featuring a couple traversing the difficulties of addiction; learning that love, in all its raw formations is both conflicting but wonderfully fulfilling, an experience that simultaneously heals and hurts. Newly found author to me, Ella James wowed me with this difficult, but beautifully written romance. It captivated me straight away, keeping me invested throughout as Declan and Finley traversed the seeming impossibilities of having a relationship.
“I’m choosing bliss for all the moments we can find it. When the game is over, no regrets. Even though I know I’m going to lose.”
If you want a romance that will leave your heart aching; your emotions soaring; your mind reeling; a story that will pique your interest straight away; a forbidden attraction and gruelling situations, I recommend Covet. Prepare yourself as this journey doesn’t hold anything back in emotions or in deliverance, as this author is an undeniably gifted wordsmith.
The story of Declan and Finley is a brilliant heartwarming story. The love I felt for these two damaged characters…
I highly recommend it.
Homer Carnegie. You know his name.
He’s the next big thing. Or was the next big thing.
One incriminating video later and Homer’s career is hanging off a very slippery ledge. His team wants him to go to rehab, but that’s not what he wants. Instead he goes to Tristan da Cunha, a tiny island that he’s visited many times before. Homer is practically royalty there and it’s the perfect place for him to hang low, let this storm blow over. Everyone has stars in their eyes where Homer is concerned. Everone except for one person.
Finley Evans.
Finley Evans is a nurse on the island, and she sees the baseball playing playboy for what he really is. Finley does not like Homer, and she’s not afraid to let his pompous ass know it. She also cannot help but be attracted to him. They both have a love-hate kind of relationship, and it’s entertaining as all get out.
Homer is crippled by his addiction, and Finley has been hurt before. After the trauma of losing her parents she’s not keen on letting someone in again. Especially someone as obviously flawed as Homer.
Covet was a looooong book, sometimes too long. I really enjoyed Ella’s longer books because she’s a fantastic writer, but I felt like some parts of this book could have been left out. That being said, I enjoyed it ALOT. I’ve been waiting to rrad Covet for a long time, and it did not disappoint me. And the island! I felt like it was a character in itself.
If you enjoy mystery, drama, and sex, with a dash of surreal in it, this is the book for you.
4.5 stars.
This was my first introduction to Ella James and the Sinful Secrets series. The writing was unique, as one character was almost stuck in a different era in the way she spoke, while the male lead was of the present. I liked how different they were from each other, but connected on a different level that brought them together emotionally and physically.
Covet follows Declan Carnegie, who is going down a dark path due to substance abuse. He comes from a well known family as well as being a star baseball player, so being in the spotlight while suffering isnt helping him. He gets away to get himself together by going to the island of Tristan. His father helped make the little area grow. He comes across a young woman who seems to be able to heal the broken side of him, she has no judgement on his past and sees the best in him. But both have something that stands in the way of them truly connecting.
This was a whirlwind story, it dives deep into someone who is suffering from substance abuse and really brings light on such a sad and dark situation. You really pull for Declan to find some help, to let this woman Finley help him. He has so much good in him, after so many bad decisions, I felt bad for the guy.
Finley is a very unique character, it took me a while to connect with her, mainly due to how she spoke. Since the people of the island were almost stuck in the past it seemed, it was hard to understand her at times. At first she can’t stand the sight of Declan, but soon see’s something in him, something vulnerable and she is pulled into wanting to know more about him.
Overall this was a really eye opening story, because of how deep the author went with Declan’s side of the story. You really want him to let Finley help him, you want him to win his battle. The author did a great job to make it real and see how it effect someone life. The romance is innocent and sexy, finely is naive and Declan is something out of the norm for her. In the end I enjoyed seeing how these two opposites could find their own little happiness.
Ella James is one of my favorite authors. I never miss anything by her but this one is everything!
WOW! This book blew me away. I felt so many emotions reading it. I don’t want to give any details, but the awful struggle Declan went through was heartbreaking. Finley was there every step of the way. I loved this deeply emotional book.