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…
This was a book that I have been “Covet”ing (like what I did there?) for a really, really long time!! I absolutely LOVED it! This third installment of Elle James’ Forbidden Romance series (personally I loved the “Sinful Secrets” series title better) was an absolutely thrilling, sexy, angsty, keep you on your toes read. Declan “Homer” Carnegie is the star baseball player in Boston, but he has secrets – boat loads of them. He travels to Tristan da Cunha to “clean” up his act and is reintroduced to Finley who he first met on the island when he was a small child after she had experienced a traumatic event. Fast forward 20 years when they meet again, and Finley is determined not to like Declan – calling him just “The Carnegie” – until they are trapped for several days after a rock slide. Both have some sinful secrets that come out through the book that will definitely keep you frantically flipping your kindle pages to the very end.
What can I say about this book? OOOMMMGGG I absolutely loved it! Sloth still holds the #1 spot for my all-time favorite book every, but Covet quickly has become my #2. I loved Declan and Finley together, and I started freaking out the closer to the end of the book – mostly because I didn’t want it to be over and since the ending was absolutely killer! My heart was in my chest but not to worry – Finley and Declan get their HEA!
Read this book! You will not regret it!
Man do I love when Ella Janes writes a new book! Especially one I’ve been waiting for….
This was a read for me. I loved Declan and Finley. Sweet, kind, shy Finley, loved her. Baseball playing, needing an escape Declan, he’s so beautifully broken.
Finley is basically trapped on the island…afraid of so many things. Declan has so much depth, so much pain…he was also a very complex character.
I won’t be spilling spoilers but will be highly recommending Covet! Its a must read!
I should’ve known to expect the unexpected when it comes to this author but Covet took me completely by surprise. Despite its slightly whimsical and old fashioned feel, the unique, unpredictable storyline doesn’t pull its punches and deals with some quite heavy subject matter at times.
Finley has experienced her share of tragedy but on the whole lives a life sheltered from the outside world on the remotest inhabited island of Tristan da Cunha. She’s shy and slightly reserved but hugely independent. It took me a while to realise that the situations and behaviour she put up with didn’t make her weak, but instead showed her strength and resilience. When you live in such a small, isolated community, there is no running away from life’s challenges. You need to meet them head on and deal with them the best way you can, and this is exactly what she does.
Declan aka Homer, arrives on Tristan to much excitement but it soon becomes apparent that, far from leaving his troubles behind, he’s brought them right along with him. There is no escape and he needs to take a leaf out of Finlay’s book before he can move on with his life. The author does a fantastic job in letting us feel his pain and his struggles, the draw of his cravings and his desperation to battle his demons and come out on top. I was left believing that, out of all the places he could have ended up, Tristan was exactly where he needed to be, and not just for his sake. They say opposites attract and Finley and Declan are certainly an odd couple. Ultimately, they seemed to each be what the other needed and I was rooting for them. However, the cleverly woven plot and a big twist to the tale had me wondering whether or not they would actually have a future together.
Ms James clearly did her homework when it came to Tristan, which I can imagine was not an easy task. The island and its inhabitants, with their seemingly outdated and traditional ways, are beautifully, if sometimes a little excessively, described. As a reader, I felt the story was a little wordy in places and, in my humble opinion, certain scenes didn’t need such long explanations. For me, they could’ve been shortened without being detrimental to the overall story. However, this is just a personal observation and didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. For lovers of the unusual, of adventure and fun, of heartbreak and angst, not to mention great world building, Covet is the book for you.
Trust me you want to read this book. I will admit to reading and loving nearly everything Ella James has written, but this is so much more. Don’t argue just buy the book, spend a day completely immersed in a wonderfully complex story, and then do whatever you can to try getting back to real life. Full disclosure I was given an ARC but ended up buying a copy. Yes it is that good.
Covet by Ella James is a true masterpiece! This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, and fill your heart up with so many emotions.
This novel was a big one, and so worth the wait. It was a beautifully written tale about two people, who fighting their own demons, bond and help one another. I just absolutely adored Finley and Declan together. Even though imperfect, they were perfect for one another.
This book deals with quite a few tough subjects: abuse, addiction, grief, pain and relationships. It’s very intense a lot of the time, but is dealt sensitively and brilliantly.
And the scenery. GAH! I could picture everything in my head. The cliffs, the greenery and the sea. It was such a peaceful image in my head, and was so soothing and calming.
Finley and Declan were just awesome! Although flawed they were relatable and loveable and I could not get enough of them and their story. And Baby! Soooo cute!!
Covet is a masterpiece in the making. It’s fairy tale like wonder and tragedy take you to another planet, and the scenery will have you picturing yourself there quickly. It’s a fantastic read, and I most definitely would recommend it!!
Finley and Declan will have you swooning and tearing up!
What happens when you want something so forbidden you become obsessed? You COVET what you want most and would do anything and everything.
Finley thinks she deserves darkness for things that happen in her past.
Declan just wants to feel numb because when he does feel things they don’t feel real.
What happens when the become what the other needs?
Can Finley save Declan?
Can Declan save Finley?
Covet bring you all the emotions, angst, love, loyalty and drama that you need.
This book is so beautifully written and very touching.
It will be added to my list of tops reads for 2019.
There are things I liked & things I didn’t like about this book, so that is why I gave it 3 stars/tiaras. The prologue captivated me, & I couldn’t wait to start the story. Then it turned into a very slow burn between Declan and Finely, & I needed it to move a little faster. I completely felt for both of these characters & what they had been through. I loved that these were two broken souls who found & healed each other. One of the bigger problems I had was that Finley was so religious. Personally, I am spiritual, not religious, so when she was so devout it bothered me. I knew this book was about the sin of coveting, but I didn’t think that it would feature quite so prominently. I also didn’t appreciate how archaic the island is. When the big twist came, I did want to throw my iPad & I almost didn’t finish it. But this showed me that I cared about the characters and their journey, so I decided to finish. I am so glad I did because I loved the end! In conclusion, I am not sure I can recommend this book, but I am glad I read it.
This book was nothing that I was expecting and EVERYTHING that I wasn’t!!!! Wow – what started out as a simple and somewhat slow-paced tale of a man escaping back to his childhood home turned into so much more. The setting. The back-story. The mystery. The feeling that something was about to happen at every turn of the page! This story caught me completely off-guard. It was captivating and I couldn’t put it down until I knew the outcome of these characters. They are both passionate and hold secrets. These secrets are bigger than you would expect, and when they are revealed – you will want to throw your kindle and cry out!
I was completely drawn into both of these characters, especially when they find themselves in an unexpected and dire situation together. Your heart will race as time goes on and their pasts are revealed slowly. I absolutely love, loved Declan. His broody attitude but tender and tenacious spirit with Finley was so swoon-worthy. He will make you fall for him no matter his downfalls. He is attentive, charming, protective, and oh so sexy. I just wanted to bottle this man up and take him home with me. As his story goes on – I fell harder and harder for him, and shed both tears of pain and joy for him & Finley.
Finley broke my heart so many times. Just when you think you’ve heard the worst of her past – there is more. But she is so head-strong – and brave – and beautiful – and compassionate – and accepting. She makes others earn her trust and she does it justly. She wants to protect her heart, but also recognizes her happiness depends on letting go of everything she knows and putting herself first. Her character development is absolutely amazing in this book and E James did a fabulous job of depicting Finley as a fragile and meek young woman to a brave and confident one.
This book has twists and turns, surprises, steamy scenes, and moments that will break your heart. You will love these characters and they will stay with you long after you finish the book. This was my first book I have read by this author, and it certainly will not be my last. Well Done E James!
Covet was a beautiful love story between two broken souls. The love was created in between the beautiful Tristan Island. Honestly, this sounded like fairytale with spirits. Finley “the mute” girl, a girl who had to grow up with tragic past. Homer Carnegie, the golden sport boy.. my heart went with him..His pain and wasnt easy to read.
Covet was a brilliant read! I love the remote island , the vibe, the people and the twisted story thats happening.. Its never easy.. the story will lure you with emotional feelings.. the simplicity in a way.. Nothing was simple!
When Declan needs to get away from the mess he’s made of his life, he heads to Tristan da Cunha, the island in the middle of nowhere where his family are patron saints practically. It was on this island he witnessed something that made an impact on him years ago, and he’s never forgotten the special little girl involved in this incident.
Wow. That’s the main word I was thinking as I read this rather long story, and it’s the word still left in my mind when I finished. Covet is so not what I was expecting. It’s a beautiful, painful story filled with secrets, unexpected revelations and love. It’s also an unflinching look at addiction and an addict’s life. So be forewarned if you have those triggers. This is not the first book I’ve read by Ella James, but it’s definitely my favorite – Declan and Finley will long hold a place in my heart!
I enjoyed this story, but I didn’t love it as much as some of her other books. It was a bit overly descriptive, which made it quite long. There were a couple holes…I mean a small island and she is the “medical” person…and NOBODY comes looking for them in the rocks!
Tortured, sad, romantic, sexy? Yes, Covet by Ella James has it all. I was impressed with the beautiful writing and how James was able to capture the remote island life of the main character. Furthermore, Covet delves deep inside the life of an addict and what their struggles truly entail, and Ella James was able to write it in such a realistic and heart-wrenching way that I hurt for Declan. Covet is full of tragedy but also full of hope and love which give inspiration for not giving in or giving up. Covet is 4 sea worthy stars.
Homer Carnegie needs to escape, his only hope is an island that he remembers from his childhood. Homer (Declan) hopes that he can find the redhaired girl with the haunted eyes, because he knows that if he does all is not lost. Finley Evans is determined to stay away from the island’s savior, Homer Carnegie, but when he arrives with supplies and prepared to help lay the cable for internet, she can’t help being drawn to him. Remembering the stories that her mother told her as a child, Finley prays that Declan will truly be the prince she was told he was. As Declan and Finley spend more and more time together, they each hope for relief from their own personal hell. Declan’s time is limited on the island and they both know that once he leaves their memories will be all they have left to Covet.
This book is long, and started off slow, it took me a while to get into it, but when I did, it was smooth sailing.
This book is very… how shall I say it…different to what i’d normally read. Yes it pulls at your hearts strings, and there are times you’ll be going urghhhh!!
It was well written, and has so much potential.
3.5stars
This book was insane! I have no idea what I thought I was going to start reading, but it was not this freaking gem that captivated me from the very beginning. That in in itself is pretty freaking hard to do because this was a fairly long book with a LOT that happens but an amazing story underneath it all!
I originally signed up to receive an ARC for this book back a few months ago, so I was not expecting it to randomly pop up. I was not expecting it, but don’t they say that great things happen when you least expect it? Yup.. exactly!
Finley and Declan’s story is INTENSE and it spans YEARS that they did not even realize. These two people are the opposite of perfect, but what exactly is perfect?
The story takes places on an island completely isolated where Finley lives and has never left. Declan and his family are familiar with the island and have a lot of memories there, so he thought this would be the perfect place to recover from his issues.
These two people are so completely complex that just when you think you have things figured out, there is a HUGE TWIST! I cannot stress to you enough how captivating and haunting this book was.
5 outta 5 stars for sure!
PS: As stated above, I received this book as an ARC in return for my honest feedback.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Covet is book three in the Sinful Secrets Series but can be read as a complete standalone. This book started out a bit slow for me, but with the vivid imagery and great storyline, it didn’t take long to get into.
Our Hero and heroine weren’t without demons. Declan is a huge baseball star in Boston and he’s struggling with addiction. Needing to get away and regroup, he takes his timeout on the island of Tristan da Cunha. A remote island his father has helped thrive since Declan was little and is viewed by the occupants as a celebrity for different reasons. This island seems kind of like a time-warp when everything was simpler and full of kind, hard-working people.
Finley grew up with her mother telling her stories about a handsome, kind prince and rainbow fish. She witnessed a horrific event on her seventh birthday and has never fully recovered. Finley and Declan didn’t hit it off right away. But there was so much chemistry between the two I couldn’t wait for the implosion! And maybe they can help each other heal along the way.
I loved how the author showed the real struggle of addiction and it isn’t pretty. This book had it all. All the feels. All. Of. Them. And I didn’t want it to end.
How am I supposed to review a book that’s left me speechless?? I could almost see the places in this book. Such a fascinating setting to go with an incredibly beautiful story.
I have started and discarded the review draft for Covet by Ella James so many times. I don’t have words. For real. I don’t have adjectives to express my profound experience of reading Covet. This was a life changing story which has claimed my soul completely.
Tristan. The most isolated place on earth, sitting in middle of sea. Finley is living here forever. She is the multitasker of the small town. Her childhood started with a horrible tragedy. And the name Carnegie has a lot to do with it. She has a simple, shy and dull existence with all her fear and insecurities. Untill the day Declan “Homer” Carnegie, the badboy baseball superstar comes to visit the island to help with all the charity work of his father. He is actually running away from his own reality and fighting his own demons. He is an addict. Their paths collide and everything changes. Both of them have dark secrets. They resist each other but Finley is like a “siren” to the lost sailor Declan.
Ok. This is my first Ella James book and I am blown away completely. She put me right into the head of the characters. And that is both fascinating and terrifying. She went into excruciating details of the psychological part of the situations and I couldn’t help but getting sucked into it.The story has shocking surprises in every corner. Declan and Finley’s characters were beautiful. They were given imperfections. The love is so tragic and powerful. Ella James infused the story with heartbreak, emotions and passion that is beyond this world. The ending broke me but she helped me to the other side of darkness. This story about the worst and best part of humanity.
The storytelling of Ella James is like the classic love stories. It had an old world charm yet it is very contemporary romance. She took me to another hypnotic world and I didn’t want to come back. Ella James will make you feel every single painful and pleasurable emotion. I am just stunned.
RECEIVED ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW
First, if you are strong enough to pass by this cover and not be curious… well, you are way stronger than I!! I saw this cover and was beyond… curious, yes, we’ll go with curious. I mean, good Lord man… where is the warning label? This thing is insanely hot! I was a bit shocked with how long the storyline was. I’ve always been used to a decent story from Ella James, nothing too extreme but nothing short and abrupt. I’ll be strait and honest here; I could have dealt with about ¼ of the story removed. It felt like there was a bit too much… description, information… I’m not sure what was too much but it doesn’t feel like it’s all necessary.
However with all that being said, Miss James gives us some really deep and strong characters. The story itself starts off with an emotional bang and leaves you feeling ragged with every single emotion. These characters have connections and even though life has brought them in so many different directions; the island brings them back to the heart of everything. It’s really surprising how much I enjoyed the story… it was incredibly sweet at times and insanely sexy! I really love the way they discover and find themselves over time… it’s a personal adventure!
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
Covet by Ella James
Declan a sexy baseball star marooned to an island. Almost everyone is delighted to his visit where his family is a patron of the place. No one knew the real reason why he’s there — to get rid of something that has hunted him all his life. And he’s curious to know what happened to the girl he vividly remembers when he first visited the island with his father more than a decade ago.
“I’m just a girl locked on an island…”
Though life has not been kind to her, having to witness what happened to her parents on her seventh birthday had a great impact that left her traumatized while growing up. But with the love and guidance of her Gammy(her mom’s mother). Finley Evans grows up to be an independent, shy, gorgeous, and strong. She was the epitome of a simple girl with a beautiful soul.
The story of Declan and Finley is all-consuming! I like how it all begun when Declan met Finley, it wasn’t instant love, as a matter of fact, they hate each other. And Finley tries to avoid Declan as much as possible. But Declan needs Finley, so he tries to get to her good side. I enjoy that witty banter between these two, really naively hilarious at times. And the intimate scenes are scorching. *fans self* Still, there are some secrets that are bound to be known as the story progress and that twist I didn’t expect that I almost drop my kindle.
Covet is a heart-warming story that kept me hooked after a few pages of reading. I enjoyed this book so much that I read it all in one sitting. It’s more than just a forbidden romance, if I may say so. It was articulately well written, characters are well developed and the plot is well thought of.
Of all the books I read from this author, I’m glad to say that this is one of her best work yet. Ella James latest release is really worth the wait. It’s quite a long book, true, but if the story is this good the time I spent reading it is time well spent. Highly recommended.
So good in so many ways!
This book is longer than your average read but the author writes with a smooth flow that keeps the book going at a good pace, grabs your attention and gets you invested very quickly.
Covet had my emotions all over the place and covered so many themes that I love to sink my teeth into.
I would say this falls under the “friends to lovers” trope…but not in the typical fashion you would expect, and that alone makes the storyline unique and refreshing to read.
Both characters are broken, with very different backgrounds, life experience and obstacles to overcome.
Declan is baseball royalty. He lives a life of luxury that affords him the ablility to destroy himself in the process.
Finely is the sheltered caregiver, who lives a life of simplicity with her own wounds that have yet to heal.
They are two undone puzzles desperately wanting to be pieced back together.
Their journey is not an easy one. It is heartbreaking and riddled with angst and love, a slow burn that scorches with twists and turns and secrets that completely sink you mentally. It is unpredictable and completely worth it in the end.
This book is one of those “the less you know going in” type of books, so I don’t want to go into much more detail.
It is well written, with memorable characters, scenarios and will touch your heart in more ways than one.
I would highly recommend this book but make sure you have time on your hands because you won’t want to put it down.