There are rules to being Abigail Crowne’s bodyguard, rules to watching the infamous billion-dollar heiress, otherwise known as the Reject Princess.Never forget your place, always put the Crowne name above all else, and never, ever hurt the Reject.Especially don’t torment the Reject.Even if she is a spoiled brat.So when an opportunity presents itself to punish her, you definitely shouldn’t take … it.Then again, Abigail loves to be tortured, and I’ve waited patiently for revenge.I’ll keep her safe… with cruel protection.Love is off limits with Abigail Crowne, but no one said anything about hate.
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One of my favorite reads of the year! This book destroyed me, then mended me. Each sentence was magic, each line like poetry. Every word was a found treasure. I soaked it up. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
There are rules to being Abigail Crowne’s bodyguard, rules to watching the infamous billion-dollar heiress, otherwise known as the Reject Princess. Never forget your place, always put the Crowne name above all else, and never, ever hurt the Reject. I did enjoy this book even though it was quite a strange read, the story line was interesting but a little confusing, this was supposed to be modern times but with all the reference to royalty, arranged marriages, gowns, concerts, dinners and constant entertainment going on every day it was more like a story set in the 1800’s. The sex was hot, the characters were interesting but their chemistry weird. All over it was an interesting read just…..weird.
This was my first read by MCG, and before I dove in I was told that she was the destroyer of hearts. Man, was that ever true. This book absolutely consumed me, it had me guessing, swooning, and breaking. I felt everything that Abigail and Theo were feeling, and my heart hurt for both of them. I think this may be high up on my favorite ever bully romance list.
Abigail Crowne is the black sheep of her family and just wants to have their love and attention.
Theo Hound is a bodyguard for the Crowne family who has recently been reassigned to guard Abigail.
Abigail and Theo have been friends since they were young, and were eventually torn apart, only to be back in each other’s lives five years later. Feelings between them are still strong, but they continue to keep their relationship built on lies and half-truths.
Theo’s love for Abigail is so strong, and he would do absolutely anything to protect her. To me, Theo was such a different kind of bully than I am used to reading about, and I loved that about him so much.
Abigail stood up to her family and those in her life that made it hell, and proved to be such a strong heroine. Her love for Theo was so strong, that she was willing to give up everything she’s ever known to have a life with him.
Their ending was absolutely perfect
5+ Stars
I thought the first two books in the series were great but thus one is even greater. It’s so intense! The rules and responsibilities that are forced upon an heir is strangulating.
My heart breaks for Grayson and Story.
The story is complex and beautifully written. The love, the chemistry, the pull that draws them together and the intimate scenes are what makes this book amazing!
Enemies to lovers? Check. Forbidden romance? Check. Sassy, rich girl and her sexy, brooding bodyguard? DOUBLE CHECK. This book came highly recommended, especially since the third book is due to be released any day now. And boy, did it not disappoint. I loved it. Right from the first chapter, I was hooked. And I also might’ve had a mini heart attack over the indication of where the story was going. I went in blind and I loved it. I screamed at my kindle probably over a hundred times, sighed at all the swoon-worthy scenes, and had my heart melt constantly.
This is a book I didn’t know I needed in my life. And considering this was my first book by this author, I think she might have gained a stalker in me. I can’t even begin to tell you how my heart ached for Abigail. I wanted to reach through the screen and go on strike for her. I wanted to go to war for her and give her all the love she deserved against her horrendous family. I couldn’t even believe that people like that even exist. In comes a blast from the past, Theo Hound who was the biggest asshole alive in my opinion. He literally made things worse and I just wanted to put Abigail in my pocket and protect her from the world. I love a good alpha asshole and watching these two go back and forth with each other, re-live their past and be afraid for the future they could never have tugged at my heart. I absolutely devoured this story in one day and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and see how else this author can ruin me. I definitely highly recommend this book.
I already knew the torture I was going to endure with this book. Being familiar with now Gebhard’s writing style and penchant for writing stories that obliterate your heart, I already knew what to expect.
Heartless Hero was no exception to her writing rule and had me damn hear tears several times through this story. This is the first book in her Crowne Point Series that is all about the three siblings of the Crowne family. They are the richest and most admired family around.
This particular book is about the youngest sibling, Abigail. She’s the one sibling that never really fit into this family and their non-chalant ways of staying distanced from showing love. She always just wanted to be loved and feel like her family wanted her.
She found Theo when she was a young girl and he was a poor boy living on the streets. She took him off the streets and into her home, where they became best friends and nearly lovers. After heart break and betrayal separated them, it’s now 5 years later and they’re both very different people.
But the attraction is there; the need is there; and so is still all the lies and betrayal. This is a story that will remind you what it feels like to desire a love you can never have, to want a family that never wanted you, and how to let it all go. If you want the real prize.
Gebhard is my new favorite romance author and I’ve said this before. She writes in a way that speaks deep down into your soul, draws out all of your inner insecurities and puts them on display in a way only she knows how to do. Does she put you back together when all is said and done? Yes, but there’s a lot of pain to wade through to get your Happily Ever After.
Intense!!
This book had me hooked from the first page and I couldn’t put it down!
These characters are imprinted on each other so deeply that they aren’t even fully aware of it themselves! There’s so much action, passion, emotion, betrayal and pain that one minute you could be crying and the next raging!
The story between Theo and Abigail is one of miscommunication, fear, love and strength and that ending got me right in the heart!
Looking forward to reading more about the other characters we met in this book!
Wow this book was incredible. It took me on a journey I didn’t expect. I heard a lot about this book and it was recommended to me by a couple friends. I am sure glad I took their advice and dove in. Abigail is a Princess, her family has wealth, power and everything she could ever want, everything but the man she loves. Theo is Abigail’s bodyguard, but first and foremost he was her best friend, her confidant and person she could rely on most. When he goes away suddenly, though she is furious, she never stops thinking about him or loving him. Then years later he returns to protect her and be by her side which confuses her and makes her broken-hearted. However, the kicker is she is about to be married off to a man who doesn’t deserve her. The minute Theo is back in Abigail’s life, their feelings come rushing back, but they are both harboring so many secrets, they both aren’t sure if their is any part of the old people they used to be and now that Theo is back to protect her, he will do everything and anything to do just that.
This book threw me for loops. When I thought it would go one way, it went the other. There were times where I threw my Kindle so mad, yelling no, please don’t go that way. Then however, I was so glad the way the story played out. Have I been living under a rock? I don’t know where I have been. Why I waited so long to read this. Abigail and Theo’s story is beautiful, broken, unpredictable and extremely well written. It is full on bully romance at its finest. This is the first book that I have read of Mary Catherine Gebhard and it certainly wont be the last. This book is a must read. If you love a good Bully Romance, with twists and turns and a happily ever after, then this is the book for you.
To be perfectly honest…..I have never, and I mean never despised a main character so much. There is absolutely nothing…nothing likable about Theo Hound….until there is. Mary Catherine Gebhard weaves a completely on the edge of my seat story from beginning to end. I wanted to cry…everytime one of Abigail’s family spoke a single word to her. I felt her pain, the pain of feeling constantly bombarded with hate and feeling unloved by the people who should love her most. Theo, from the beginning, tells her exactly what he plans to do…but often times…plans go awry and when they do…all bets are off. Ms. Gebhard’s words are all there for a reason, to make you feel…good, bad, angry, indifferent…but there is meaning behind every single one of them. “You wove yourself inside me before you even knew who I was.”
Heartless Hero is the first book in this series of stand alone, contemporary romance from the lovely author. Even hours from reading this book, I still haven’t come up with words to fully describe the pain and angst of unrequited love or the star-crossed lovers vibe that Abby and Theo had.
I hurt for Abby. For the girl who has everything and the only thing that she really wanted was for her family to love her unconditionally. She is so misunderstood that I’m itching to jump into this book world to comfort her. You can blame the mother in me for feeling this strongly for her. It isn’t until she found Theo that she had someone on her side, but that even isn’t enough in her world. Man, I’m so rooting for them to be together. I wanted Theo to whisk her away from her family, who on the surface appears so cold and unfeeling, but I feel that there’s still hope for them.
They have so much history and love between them and it really pains me, to the point that I cried, to the thought that they couldn’t possibly be together. I’m a hopeless romantic, what can I say? Also, I’m a sucker to this kind of love story and Ms. Gebhard delivered and ticked all the boxes on my list. What a ride! I loved it and I couldn’t wait to read the other sibling’s story.
Abigail Crowne had the sharpest thorns and the softest petals. Maybe that’s why I was so addicted to bleeding by her, it made her soft touches, looks, and kisses all the more intoxicating.
Holy crap on a cracker. I’ve been seeing the promo for the third book’s upcoming release everywhere, and it made me curious. What makes this book so good? Why is everyone raving about it? So I read it, and guys……I totally get it now.
We are just dumped right into a world of wealth and privilege. We are introduced to Abigail Crowne who is the Reject Princess. She is known for giving the gossip rags something to write about.. She’s always causing a ruckus in someway, so to reign her back in and get her under control her mom brings in Theo Hound. Theo is a poor boy Abigail brought home one day years ago. Like calls to like, and they pretty quickly fell in love with each other. But then something happens and they are ripped apart. Now that Theo’s back and acting as Abigail’s bodyguard, revenge is what’s on Theo’s mind. He wants to break Abigail like she broke him. Will she survive it? Will he?
Theo is the moment after agonizing pain subsides, when stark relief has you high and you’ve sworn you’ve never felt so good. It’s the most addicting thing I’ve ever felt.
The chemistry and angst is out of this freaking world. If you love asshole romances, you are going to eat this shit up. In fact, I hated every single person in this book for one reason or another. Some I hated that I loved them, some I hated because of how stuck up and entitled they were, and some I hated because they were pure evil.
The writing was amazing, the plot was evenly paced, and the smut was super freaking hot! I loved this first book and I can’t wait to read Gray’s book because I feel like he is going to consume me. In fact, I’m begging for him to consume me.
Overall rating 5 stars
Steaminess 3.5 stars
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
“Darling, darling
Doesn’t have a problem lying to herself
‘Cause her liquor’s top shelf
It’s alarming, honestly, how charming she can be
Fooling everyone, telling [them] she’s having fun.”
Carmen – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Theo is Abigail Crowne’s new bodyguard. She’s done being the shame of her family. Theo is putting an end to all of her shenanigans. He’s supposed to protect her, but Theo’s not in the mood for protection. He’s got his mind on one thing and that’s hate.
*Book one in the Crowne Point universe. Best enjoyed when read alongside the other books because the timelines overlap*
“She says, “You don’t want to be like me
Don’t wanna see all the things I’ve seen”
I’m dying, I’m dying
She says, “You don’t want to get this way
Famous and dumb at an early age”
Lying, I’m lying.”
Carmen – Lana Del Rey
I should’ve read this first. I read Stolen Soulmate first instead. Damn. You live and you learn though. Abigail and Theo’s story intrigued me from their small cameos in the other instalments of the universe. Picking this book up, I wasn’t sure what to expect! After finishing it, I must say Abigail and Theo are my favorites! Their story had it all; drama, angst, love, bitterness and most of all, STEAM. Abigail is a badass leading lady and she’s often times misunderstood by everyone around her. She has secrets, some of them painful. She suffers in wealth and broad daylight. I loved her. She’s the misfit and the underdog in a family full of a-holes HAHA. Theo, on the other hand, was just as badass of a leading man. Gorgeous and unyielding, he entered Abigail’s life at a delicate time for our Reject Princess. He’s what I’m missing from Gray, but I won’t get into that too much because SPOILERS.
Book one in the Crowne Point universe sets up this dark and broody world of the wealthy Crowne family where knives are constantly out. This is a cutthroat environment and Heartless Hero sets the mood for what’s to come.
I recommend this to anyone who loves themselves a delicious bully romance, misunderstood rich princesses and a hot and broody leading men that’ll do anything for what they believe in.
“Kiss me hard before you go
Summertime sadness
I just wanted you to know
That baby, you’re the best.”
Summertime Sadness – Lana Del Rey
Theo and Abigail are the kind of hate/love couple that make you want to burn down the world to destroy all the obstacles in their way. Because they are amazing and even though you sometimes want to shake them to just be together and be happy, there is so much standing in their way. Only letting it all go to hell will pave the path forward for them to be together fearlessly.
The tension between them is palpable, their chemistry undoubtable, and the depth of their love is endless. Childhood friends, it all went down the drain when Theo was kicked to the curb years ago. But now he’s back, shadowing her every move to keep the “party girl” in check as her mother readies to marry her off to the man that brings the most connections or their family. Abby has the reputation of a wild card, but she isn’t quite what the media has made her out to be – she just doesn’t waste energy denying it all because she knows people have made up their minds.
Everything between them creates a delicious tension – sexual and emotional – and as they orbit around each other, they are gradually drawn together until everything and everyone around them fades away. They’re explosive and the total implosion of their lives blasts a hole in all their walls, leaving them with an escape route to a shared life they so desperately want.
Before I really dive into this review, I have something on my mind. And it will soon be on yours as well, if it’s not already.
Ready?
MCG is an EMOTIONAL TERRORIST. There. I said it. No take backs.
Anyways. What the actual flub just happened to me? Theo is literal perfection. I like my boys mean, and Theo delivers. He’s callous, and unflinching, and stubborn, and so many other things. But under that layer is a whole other side. The guard dog, ever loyal, willing to battle. The lover. The swoon factor is real.
And Abigail. The reject princess. So many scenes, I wanted to cry for her. Her family wasn’t the most supportive, she was dealing with a lot of things on her own that would have been easier with a support system. And then she was dealing with Theo, who is intent on making things difficult for her.
MCG brought it in this one. The torment, the angst, the drama, the steam and the feels. I’ve been raked over the coals in the absolute best way. There’s no going back from this one.
Recommendation: put it on your reading list twice. You’re gonna need the second time to sort through the emotions the first time left you reeling in.
Ok this was a new to me author that I have been seeing so many post that you must read her books RFN! yes those are the exact words used. So I thought I would take a chance because I am all about finding new to me authors. HOLY HOCKYSTICKS!! This one fits in well with some of the newer genres I have read in the last year of Bully romance.
Some may not like them and that is ok but DAMN, I would suggest you go into this with your eyes wide open and give it a chance. All I can say is that this was my first read and will not be my last one from this author. She has a way to really pull at all of your emotions between two covers but puts them all back in order by the end.
This book was heartbreakingly good. Abigail just wanted one person to care. She made lots of mistakes along the way, but only wants someone to hear her. She just wants someone to love her. Theo saw her from beginning.
I loved hating Theo. They had so many missed truths of their relationship. I loved Abigail. I wanted to hug her, and tell her I cared. Her pain was so evident that it screamed off the page.
Abigail said this “Someday I will be special. Someday I will mean something to someone. Someday I won’t be so alone.” She was already special to Theo. I can’t wait to see what else comes of this family.
Theo is the type of bully you want to hate but you want to hug just because of how his past broke him. Abigail is the rich family black sheep that never quite fits in and she is as deeply flawed as Theo. Watching these two fight each other and for their HEA was fantastic and painful at times. An exquisite read that I recommend for enemies to lovers, second chance and bully romance lovers.
Review
The first book I read of Mary‘s was Skater Boy and I became an instant fan. Ms. Gebhard is one of the most incredible writers I’ve had the pleasure of reading; the way she weaves a story is nothing short of a work of art and this book was no exception.
I have to admit that when I first started to hear about what this series of standalones would entail–rich people who think they’re above everyone else–I had some pretty big doubts. Of course, I knew MCG can write a fantastic story, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to deal with the uber-rich family who owns everything mixed with an angsty and turbulent relationship between the hero and heroine. Honestly? I needn’t have worried. This book blew. me. away.
Heroine
I started out believing Abby was nothing more than a spoiled little princess. And in a way, she is–but she’s also so much more than that. Abby is lonely, starving for love, and desperate to make her own way in life. While it’s so easy to get upset and irritated with her, you can’t help but understand where she’s coming from.
The more I read, the more I liked Abby. Sure, she’s been spoiled, but she’s also been horribly neglected and pushed to the wayside by the people who should love her. Abby’s heart has been wounded over and over again before it was shattered by her best friend and the boy she loved several years prior. To fill the void, she’s learned to play the part of the stereotypical rich party girl.
Hero
Theo is the epitome of tall, dark, and broody. When he re-enters Abby’s life, he’s nothing but horrid to her. He bullies yet protects her; pushes her away yet drives her crazy with the promise of what he can do to her body. Theo is broken in his own right, but he keeps such a tight lid on his emotions that Abby doesn’t know what’s up or down when it comes to their strange relationship.
Theo is sexy and when he falls, he falls hard. There’s something that holds him back, however–something he believes Abby is responsible for and can’t forgive her for her betrayal.
Conclusion
Heartless Hero has easily become my new favorite bully romance and I highly, highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good friends/enemies-to-lovers, dramatic/angsty read. <3
Happy reading!
Original review here: https://alatedbibliophile.com/review-heartless-hero-mary-gebhard/
I don’t know why the hell I waited so long to read this. I could not put it down. It is deceptivly long though, and I was here for all of it.
Oh my gosh. What didn’t happen in this book?! I don’t want to give too much away. I went in pretty blind, only knowing it was a bully storyline and I was quite pleased. I kept reading because I just had to know what was gonna happen next. And man oh man, did the author draw the tension out with this one. You meet Abigail Crowne who just wants to be loved. Man, my heart broke for her. The youngest Crowne sibling and she just cannot seem to keep it together. Her mom is so frigid and her siblings are THE WORST. But Abigail’s one bright spot is her friend Theo. I know that is super vague but just trust me and read this… I don’t want to ruin the angst and the tension for anyone but you have to read it! I seriously did not know where all the pieces would land when it was all said and done. Mary Catherine Gebhard seriously obliterated my heart over and over with this book and I just kept wanting more. So angsty and delicious and deceptive and hot and swoon worthy. Just, YES… to all of it. I cannot wait to read the next book. If you have been sleeping on this book like I was, then WAKE UP and READ THIS ISH!!Mary Catherine Gebhard
Wow! This book was off the charts. Emotions all over the place. I went in totally blind and it was an author that was new to me, so I had no clue what to expect. Only that it was highly recommended by some people whose opinions I respect and often agree with. Such a great story and it was told so well. I definitely look forward to getting into more from this author and see what more she has to tell us!