Bestselling author R.L. Mathewson takes on the impossible with the Anger Management series.For readers who love to see someone who’s been to hell and back finally get their happy ending.Sometimes you have to go through hell to get what you want… her everywhere, determined to destroy her, and to make sure that she paid for the one thing that her family could never forgive her for.
Being born.
The last thing that Hunter O’Mallery needed was an assistant, but thanks to the deal that he never should have made, he has one. As long as she stayed out of way, he’d been more than happy to leave her alone, but now that she’s caught his attention, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. She intrigued him, drove him out of his mind, and he’d do anything to save her.
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I could not put this down! All of RL Matherson’s books are laugh out loud funny and you’ll reach for them again and again.
Devastated is book one in an all new romantic dramedy series by R.L. Mathewson. I was really unsure what to expect from this series, and even what to make of it when first starting it. R.L. never fails to entertain and pull me into her worlds, though, and I really enjoyed Hunter and Kylie’s story.
Summary:
Kylie Davis has tried so hard to move on from her past, but it just seems to follow her wherever she goes, infiltrating the life she’s trying to build and destroying it one piece at a time. Needing out of her current living situation, Kylie jumps at the chance to be a live-in assistant. It’s a temporary position, but it could just be the jumpstart she needs to truly move on and forward. Too bad she was too busy escaping her burning apartment building to read the fine print. There is no backing out, and walking into a potentially volatile situation carrying the baggage of her past is the last thing she needs. Hunter O’Mallery scoffed at hiring an assistant, and flat-out refused that unnecessary assistant to be live-in. Too bad that mouthy drunk couldn’t keep his mouth shut and now Hunter finds himself at the mercy of the District Attorney and without a choice. His plan to keep his unwanted assistant out of his way starts out brilliant, until she catches his attention. What starts as a pleasant diversion from boredom, soon becomes so much more when he can’t stop thinking about his dynamo of an assistant. She intrigues him, drives him crazy, and he’s determined to find out why he’ll do anything to protect her.
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I’ve been a huge fan of R.L. since stumbling across her Neighbor From Hell series roundabout 2013. What started as a tentative look at a new-to-me author became an obsession for her signature style of writing, and the lovable characters that come alive within her books. When Devastated was announced, I didn’t know how it would turn out after becoming so used to the Bradford appetite, arrogance, and humor. Hunter and Kylie didn’t disappoint, though. While the Bradfords can have serious moments, overall, they are a lighthearted, fun bunch. Hunter and Rylie’s story was a bit more serious and garnered a lot more emotion. There was still arrogance, humor, and love, but underlying all of that was a knowledge that these characters had been through h*ll. Kylie was kind, giving, hardworking, loyal, and an all around good person. To learn that she was all that after enduring and surviving all she had, was astounding. My heart cried for her past and the holdovers that she carried with her into adulthood while also cheering her on as she strived to have better in her present and future. Hunter perpetrated a sneak attack when gaining my affections. He’s an a$$hole that doesn’t care if he’s liked, and is happier maintaining a standoffish attitude. People irritate him, and he’s not afraid to show his displeasure, neither loudly nor physically. He stayed true to this character throughout the book, and I liked that. The story wasn’t about him finding love and that love changing who he is, but rather him finding the one person that complimented him and gave him peace. I’d also be hard pressed to deny that his reactions in general, and to his house arrest in particular, were hilarious. I loved Kylie and Hunter together. Their relationship was reminiscent of a Bradford relationship which was a draw, but they also had their own flair. They were complete opposites, yet perfectly matched. I loved watching them become best friends. Especially after seeing Kylie’s horror at the job situation she found herself in, and Hunter’s reaction to having a live-in assistant. They were both very aware of the baggage the other carried and made concessions to ease the effects of that baggage. My favorite aspect was seeing how patient and caring Hunter could be with Kylie, when he is anything but those things normally. Overall, I fell in love with the story and characters including the few side characters. Grey was an enigma as soon as he hit the page, and I definitely need more of him. He wasn’t intimidated by Hunter which means there is a story there. Ryan, was kind of like an annoying older brother through most of the book, until that last scene. Now, I need to know what happens next. I applaud R.L. on a great start to this new series. It had to have been hard to write without falling into darker content or coming out the other side too close to NFH. But she did it, and still has me wanting more. I’m excited to see where this series goes, as well as getting to know a new side to R.L. through her writing of it.
I absolutely loved this book! Such great writing that I have come to love from RL Mathewson. So much depth to the emotions and yet still that trademark humor that I adore. This is a book you won’t want to miss! I am so glad to have yet another book of hers to read!
Love it and can’t wait for the next book!!
Surviving forced cohabitation. Au bit of the Bradfords, without the food fixation. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next of this series.
Hunter is a gruff man, who keeps changing Kylie’s name. Petite Kylie has found herself caught in a job for one year. But she’s tougher than she probably realizes and is unfazed by her employer’s antics. Twelve months forced together, what better way to learn each others idiosyncrasies and fall in love.
A Wonderful Story Of Two Lost Souls Finding Each Other!!
Devastated (Anger Management #1)
I found this to be a lovely read. Hunter is a grumpy ex Marine with a thriving security firm. He’s got anger issues stemming from his childhood which have led to him being under house arrest for a year with an enforced Assistant by the D.A! He’s FURIOUS about the circumstances he’s found himself in!
Kylie is a kind, conscientious & empathic person. She’s an excellent worker that goes above & beyond her duties for her employers! She signed the contract the D.A offered her without reading it assuming it would be above board. She needed immediate employment with board as her apartment building was burned down!! She soon regrets her decision upon meeting Hunter & falling for his dirty tricks. A hilarious battle of wills commences that has Hinted growing to respect her & more!
I really liked Hunters choice of revenge on Kylie’s family!! With his hands tied legally & not wanting to lose a life with her, it was an excellent & conniving option I highly approved of! I loved watching these two become colleagues, friends & then each other’s everything!!
Debbie, 1970, UK
Great start to a new series! If you’re new to this author, I highly recommend her Neighbors from Hell series for some fun, laugh-out-loud moments!
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was sweet, but not sugary. It had an edge, but it wasn’t cutting. It was sexy, and had a great build up of the relationship to that point. It was full of emotion, but had no angst. It socked me in the gut sometimes, and made me giggle at others. I discovered and fell in love with these characters, as they discovered and fell in love with each other. And their happily ever after was so deserved, and I was overjoyed that they found each other and were perfect for each other, and I got to watch that happen
I love everything RL Mathewson writes, but I absolutely adore the Anger Management series
I couldn’t put this book down after reading it I’m finding it difficult to find a book as good to read
Although this book went in a new direction for RL Mathewson, it was absolutely intriguing and kept with the humor her books are known for.
The main characters, with their own heavy baggage, really showed how much you can grow if you try. I actually read this book in one sitting it was so good. I couldn’t put it down. I loved it so much!!! The rollercoaster of emotion that you go through in this book keeps you on the edge of your seat. All of RL Mathewson’s books are winners!!!
Overall, I’d say this was a good read to start off a new series by R.L. Mathewson. I was pretty desperate for a new one of her books since it had been awhile. I’ve loved her Neighbor From Hell series with its quirky hilarity and steaminess, so I wasn’t quite sure how I’d like this different angle to this new series. Yet, as she writes in a letter at the beginning of the book, the people in this series have been through the wringer but the books focus on their resilience and happy-ever-after versus their devastation so I was all in.
What I Liked
I love romance books where the angered, stoic alpha male is brought to heel by the herioine. Hunter O’Mallery is definitely one angered man in this book and I’ll admit a bully at the beginning to poor Kylie – his new live-in assistant for his term of house arrest. And, the beginning kind of gave me a The Wall of Winnipeg and Me vibe which was great.
His turn around just seems to happen where Kylie is concerned but from then on I loved him – his patience and care with her and his understanding of where she was coming from endeared me to him. I loved his careful interactions with her and his protection.
However, we really don’t get much of Hunter’s background (though his anger is briefly explained). I guess I expected more to him and his turn around given the series name but it more turned into a “save Kylie” story.
My Hang Ups
Although I liked the story overall, there were a few things that didn’t sit right while reading this book.
-At times the transitions were just….odd. Point of views would change and the focus of the plot would change so the story didn’t always flow smoothly.
-There seemed like a lot of repetition in the beginning which got old but worked itself out as the story went on.
-I wasn’t really sure what the ultimate goal of the story was. Obviously it was a happy-ever-after for Hunter and Kylie but there lacked a resolution with Kylie’s issues and Hunter’s anger issues, but I guess that didn’t detract from the HEA
That being said, I’m glad that I read it, but it was just good when it could have been great.
This is a great starter for a new series. I’m really enjoying the Anger Management theme. This series deals with some very real issues but still has that R.L humor we all love.
When business owner Hunter finds himself in legal trouble that forces him to make adjustments in his life. He’s beyond angry and is determined to be as difficult as possible.
Kylie is excited about her new job and can’t wait to start it. That all changes after the first encounter with her new boss.
These two unlikely people make up the best couple combinations. I loved challenges Hunter and Kylie faced, I also loved how they come together. This book felt very real life and I enjoyed that.
Hunter O’Mallery has a temper and its that legendary temper that gets him put under house arrest with a live in assistant he does not want. When Kylie Davis shows up to move in and work, Hunter does his best to not make her feel welcome and to try to get her to leave. Until one day Hunter finds that he wants to solve the puzzle of Kylie but when he does then what?
I don’t want to divulge much of this one because it is completely different then R.L. Mathewson’s other books. This was a page turner for me and I absolutely loved it. Hunter you want to throttle at times but he quickly becomes one of my favorite heroes as the story goes. Kylie is a wonder, going to reread again and again.
The Neighbors From Hell Series is what got me started on Mathewson. I just fell in love with the characters and Mathewson’s writing style. She writes an amazing rom-com that will keep you in stitches. So after I read that series I was really missing the writing of Mathewson. I devoured the rest of her books and she has given me a new love of paranormal romances too. Her writing style is unique and very funny. She does hit some serious notes in her books, but everyone ends up with a HEA in the end.
You read the blurb. I didn’t, but I will read anything that Mathewson writes. The blurb doesn’t even scratch the surface of how amazing this book is. I am having a very hard time coming up with a review that doesn’t give away spoilers.
Hunter. Alpha male with anger issues. He needs an assistant to keep his freedom. Kylie comes into the picture not really knowing what the heck she is getting herself into. Kylie has a very troubled past and Hunter is able to help her in the long run. One of the things I absolutely loved was he never calls her the same last name twice. For the record her last name is Davis, but he calls her anything but Davis. Miss Potts, Miss Moore and so on. It just tickled my funny bone.
Great book and great start to another (I’m sure to be) wonderful series by R.L. Mathewson. I seriously do not care what the story is about…I WILL READ IT if it is an R.L. Mathewson!
R. L Mathewson has done it again!
This book was worth the wait!
It had me crying within the first half of the book with a deep understanding of what the characters are going through on an emotional level.
I love how her writing pulls you into another world so smoothly.
One with hope, angst, triumph, a story line that doesn’t disappoint and the humor – especially the humor!
I am greedily awaiting for her next book.
All her series have been truly worth the read!
Keep up the excellent work!