We’ve spoken. We’ve flirted. But she won’t let me close. She’s guarding herself even if her face says she’s the most approachable person I’ve ever met.Damaged Intimacy is the first book in a Complete Contemporary Romance Series from Internationally Bestselling Author, Hanleigh Bradley.Coming home to London, Tallulah is looking for a second chance, a fresh start. Her friends know something is … fresh start. Her friends know something is wrong, but they have no idea what’s she’s running from.
Tallulah is not herself. The usually happy, bubbly excitable girl is faking it. Inside, she’s a complete mess but she refuses to tell anyone why, choosing to keep it a secret, a secret that makes her skin crawl and leaves her crying herself to sleep.
She tells herself she’ll be okay. That she can cope. She can forget about how damaged she is, forget what she’s run away from. She’s fighting to hold it together.
When she meets Jarrod, he’s everything she’s ever wanted. He’s a hot, suited, motorbike riding, boss with a soft heart.
As perfect as Jarrod as, she can’t date him. She’s not the same girl she used to be and now she doesn’t think she deserves what she once wanted.
Damaged Intimacy is the first book in a complete Contemporary Romance Series.
This is a story of bravery and overcoming immense obstacles. It’s about choosing to trust again when your every instinct tells you not to.
“The friendship between these two is heartbreakingly beautiful. They both promise not to allow it to go further, but know deep inside that they both want more. Hanleigh’s gentle writing and sweetness comes across through both of these characters.” – Reading In Our Satisfaction
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Tallulah has been through a rough experience. Jarrod only wants to help. Will Jarrod’s love be enough to save Tallulah from her past? goos audiobook
Finally, we get Lulu’s story. I suspected the reason for her impromptu return was somewhere along these lines but it’s still awful to hear. I think Jarrod is good for her and look forward to the rest of their story.
I liked the narrator, Vera Zweig, even if I didn’t like her version of Landon. There are some editing issues with the audio, though. It makes it sound like it’s skipping.
Story: 4 Stars
Narration: 3.5 Stars
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Tallulah left school because of a traumatic event that she can’t share with anyone. She feels broken and alone, and she wants to find an escape so she seeks refuge at a restaurant she knows her friends don’t frequent. But the instant attraction she feels with Jarrod is a surprise, and his reciprocation of that attraction scares her. Jarrod is definitely interested in more than just friendship with Tallulah, but when that’s all she asks of him, he reluctantly agrees, accepting it’s the only way to be near her. This is a melancholy, but sweet story of two people falling in love. If only Tallulah can get past her pain and accept the love Jarrod wants to give her.
I would have enjoyed this audiobook much better with a different narrator. Her voice was so monotone. The start to the series was very good though and I like how it ties in with other books in Hanleigh’s London.
Amazingly well written. There are a lot of ups and downs in my opinion. Loved the characters. I really enjoyed listening to this and you will too. Narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. I can’t wait for more. Yes there is a cliffhanger.
Tragically beautiful…a well written romance that will break your heart. No happy endings here – yet at least. This is book 1 in Bradley’s new The Intimacy series. Tallulah is not who she once was. Escaping to come home, she hides her brokenness. She meets Jarrod and the two can’t help but fall in love – but Tallulah is not ready to admit her love and Jarrod won’t push. Will they find a way to a HEA – can’t wait to see what happens next in this series. Bradley does a great job writing these characters in an in depth way that is so personally reflective. While I loved the accent from the narration, there were a few louder / softer moments in the recording that came across wrong but I loved the vocal tone and accent.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
Damaged Intimacy by Hanleigh Bradley is a contemporary romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Vera Zweig.
Hanleigh does an amazing job pulling you into the story. I love that we get both Tallulah and Jarrod’s points of view throughout the book. The story does end on a cliffhanger but that was no surprise since it’s the first book in the Intimacy Series. I cannot wait for the next book in the series Entangled Intimacy to be released on audio.
Vera did a great job on the narration. I loved that she used different tones/voices for each character.
I would recommend this book if you love British Romances, Contemporary Romances, or Slow Burn Romances.
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What amazing start to a series. Intense read with twists and ups and downs.
Talullah have a secret. A very heavy secret. One which haunts her. She is falling for Jarrod, but she is more than afraid of even simple thought of it. And he had fallen for her, even if she push him out constantly. I know they are meant for each other, she just need to give him chance.
This is book 1 in the Intimacy Series and is the beginning of Tallulah and Jarrod’s story. Very well written with wonderful characters and a great storyline that will keep you wanting more.
She is running from a horrible incident that changed everything, especially herself. Jarrod is a sweetheart and an owner of a restaurant. A chance meeting leads to a friendship and slowly growing unexpected feelings.
She isn’t ready for a relationship but he loves her and promises to wait and be there when she’s ready, she knows where to find him.
I connected with Tallulah more than any of the other characters due to similar experiences. Her pain and all the horrible, complicated traumas and feelings that go with it are clear on the page. Jarrod has a long way to go if he hopes to gain her trust and help her heal. I’m eager to read the rest of the series and hoping they can find their HEA. With the other connected series I never had any real doubts that there would be a happy ending, but I’m not sure in this case.
I hate cliffhangers but this is the first part of a four part series so I have for a conclusion in one of the other parts. Likeable characters with nice chemistry. Not much of personality and development of the characters so I also hope that comes later.
Enjoyable to read and a nice start to the series.
The great plot was well written and the characters were so well developed that as I turned each page the chemistry between the characters kept me totally hooked until the very last page!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A well written great short intense start of the series ending on another cliff hanger that reads quickly and smoothly. Jarrod and Tallualah meet but she doesnt due relationships so he agrees to be friends even though the chemistry is hot. There is drama, twists and suspense in this heartfelt and heartbreaking story. Jarrod is giving her the strength to face her secret and the have such an emotional connection. Cant wait for book 2.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Damaged Intimacy was a great read. The storyline was really good and I just loved the characters. This was a quick novella and although I did have a hard time getting into it at first, once it kicked in I could not put it down.
Jarrod was a dream come true; the perfect guy. Tallulah had so much going on in her life and didn’t know how to deal with it, I did feel for her. These two have chemistry but Tallulah has emotions that keeps her from having any kind of relationship with a man. She had become extremely close to her best friends, boyfriends best friend. But she has made Jarrod promise nothing will happen between the two; because of a huge secret that she has not told anyone.
This is my first read by Hanleigh Bradley. That ending has me wanting more! I cannot wait for book two so I can find out what happens with Tallulah and Jarrod.
4 1/2 Stars
Damaged Intimacy is a quick read that had me hooked from the beginning. Tallulah is kind of broken. She’s struggling and in the beginning we don’t really know why. She’s a great character. She has a lot of layers and wall up. She ends up going to Thorpe’s restaurant. Jarrod is the owner of the restaurant. He is drawn to her. There is a great connection between them. He’s patient and calm with her. I really liked him. The end left me trying to turn for more pages. I’m definitely picking up Entangled Intimacy now.
The thing I love most about this author is her story. In this case she is building one that is going to be a doozy and worth the wait. Their beginning is teasingly done. There is so much bringing them together while at the same time keeping them apart. It is instant but not acted upon. There is time taken, action and direction. It is a tender story with painful and emotional trauma but this author is determined to take us on this journey slowly and skillfully. I love her style and can’t wait to see how she messes with my emotions as I become invest in the love between Jarrod and Tallulah.