“My stepmother shattered me. My ex ruined me. One look at Tax and I knew he would kill me.”LoveLove. It’s a name given to people that you care about. And it was a name given to a little girl that no one cared about. The irony is not lost on me. I’ve always been a bit separate. First in my family and then in my relationships. Maybe you have to understand the emotion to feel it. I’ve never … understand the emotion to feel it.
I’ve never understood how people will lie, cheat, steal, and murder for it. Why some people hand it over like pennies in their pockets. Or others hoard it like it’s their only valuable possession. I don’t do either. I’m convinced I don’t have any love to give. Someone is going to have to breathe life into my damaged soul before I can ever even consider loving them.
Tax
I’m a shit storm just waiting to happen. Actually, scratch that, I usually don’t wait for anything or anybody. The only things I give a fuck about are my boys–my band–and my little sister, Ally.
I’ve gone from underground kid fighter I was to whatever the hell I am now–guardian, bandmate, neighbor to a fucking woman that messes with my head. I want to know her secrets, her pains, and everything dark inside of her and whether or not her darkness matches my own.
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Such a lovely book to read! Easy read that gives you all sorts of feelings. You can tell just how much emotion and time has gone into writing this and as a reader, that really makes it that much better.
Tax and Love have very similar backgrounds, their parents didn’t give a hoot about them, although the were both handed this is different ways. Love’s step mom was a real piece of work, Love was made to do everything and anything whilst her step sister did nothing (although this isn’t her fault and she still loved Love.) As soon as she could she got out of that hell hole but found herself in a new one that wasn’t any better. Tax was made to fight for his family, he was told that it was to help them and he would do anything to protect his little sister. As soon as he could he got out, but he returned for his sister and took care of her when she needed him most.
When Tax and Love meet you feel the chemistry straight away and it was truly something! But relationships aren’t easy and this one is no exception. A must read for sure!
Utterly, painfully beautiful.
This book captivated me from start to finish. Love & Tax’s story will just grab you heart and soul and demand your attention. It is certainly an emotional ride, but well worth every second. The pain in both of their pasts may bring them together, but it also tries to tear them apart. It’s like a car wreck you don’t want to see, but can’t look away — you know it’s going to be hard to read, but you have to see what beauty comes from all this pain. The book does have a “happy for now” ending and there is good that comes from the bad. Well worth the read!!!
Quick & Dirty Facts:
Contemporary, Male/Female Romance, Angsty (somewhat dark)
Love – 21 yrs writer
Tax – 23 yrs musician, fighter
Can be read as a standalone (different couple for each book in the series)
Triggers – domestic abuse, suicide, attempted sexual assault
Phenomenal Story!
WOW! This book is freaking intense and broke my heart over and over again. It was a rollercoaster ride of explosive emotions. Tax and Love’s story is dark, twisted, raw and very gritty. Be ready to delve into a gut wrenching ride of epic proportions.
Tax and Love are phenomenal characters with very dark and twisted pasts. It’s their pasts that made them who they are with their hate, anger and insecurities. Right from the first time Tax and Love met they were drawn to each other by some invisible force. They have amazing chemistry and are perfect together even with all of their imperfections. But their relationship is not an easy one and their story at times is completely gut wrenching but beautiful in its own dark and twisted way.
I loved the story and the characters. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, enthralled and highly captivated by Tax and Love’s passion and determination. Highly recommend.
This book blew me away and left me at a loss for words. It got under my skin and will be with me for a long time. It’s a dark read, with some triggers in it. If non-consensual sex and suicide bother you then you should skip it. But if you like stories where a pair of main characters who live in the dark manage to find light in each other, then you will want to read this book. Love and Tax have super explosive chemistry, and their flaws and darkness are so well written, that their story will dig into you and refuse to let go. Their pasts are so haunting, and you cannot help but root for them to be happy in their futures. This one is going to be with me for a long time.
Holy f*cking WOW!!! That was incredible! This is one seriously incredible, intense, emotion filled read! I’m in serious awe right now. I absolutely loved this book, the characters, holy sh*t, the characters are amazing. They are easy to relate to, 100% believable, and I fell head over heels in love with Love and Tax. Both of their stories/backgrounds are heartbreaking, and they absolutely belong together. I seriously hope that there are stories for the other characters in this book, because every single one of them are amazing. The writing, work, emotion, detail and just everything that Lucy Smoke put into this book is amazing. I can’t wait to read more of her works. I absolutely, without a doubt, 100% recommend this read for anyone looking to read a dark contemporary romance with heart, emotion, and fantastic characters. This was beautiful.
Wow that was intense! This is also relatable on so many levels. It deals with emotional and physical abuse, depression, suicide and some other things. If you are easily triggered this book may not be for you . But if you like stories with a darker theme the this story is phenomenal! In this story we follow Love and Tax as they journey to overcome their pasts and work towards the future and their love for each other. Beautifully written with an amazing storyline! I love the dynamic between Love and Tax and how they are with each other opposed to without each other. I would love to read side stories on some of the other characters like Cross, Blake, Trisha and Ally. Love’s tattoo sound fricking amazing too! I absolutely loved this story!