What do you do when the hand which held you becomes the touch you crave?I’ve loved her for twenty years.She’s a rare beauty luring with a dangerous high.And I’m addicted.I can’t get enough.There is only one problem.He’s an abusive asshole, destroying her down to the very root.He won’t get another chance.I’ll beat him to it.And steal his precious drug—my princess—my Poppy.There must be good things … drug—my princess—my Poppy.
There must be good things on the other side of bad.
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BR read with the cheerful Lara, I can’t stop praising ourselves for picking this read. We did good.
A new author to me who had me wonderstruck by her first book that I picked. Dealing with abuse and trauma, she created a hard, tragic romance with utmost patience from the heroine. The scenes here are created of a predictable selfless person.
No, I didn’t expect the ending the author gave us, if I knew such was an ending I would’ve stayed away from Poppy but then I wouldn’t have known this heartbreaking story. I highly recommend this book if you can digest a whole emotional mess. I don’t know if Kailees’ other books have this kind of ending because I’m looking forward to reading more of her books and I don’t want the ending that I endured here.
Marcus Abel Parker was Poppy’s everything. Optimism or devastation Poppy’s determination to give Abel everything through every challenges was an incredible feat.
Poppy was 17 when she met Kane, Abel’s father, who was 20 years her senior. Charming when he needs to be, he provides everything Poppy needs. She marries him,
“I knew when I said I do to Kane that meant accepting his kindness and cruelty. There was never any real reason for what drove one or the other, but after several years of his abuse, I began to see the warning signs and fought to avoid them.”
Despite the toxic relationship she was in Poppy held on for Abel,
“I was staring at my bloodied lip in the mirror and thinking how easy it would be to give up. Stop fighting. Stop his fists. And end my life. But what I realized as I heard you (Abel) knocking on the bathroom door, I did know what love was, and it was three feet tall and covered in ketchup. I stayed upright because of you. I bounced back because of you. So, when you ask me what you did for me—you gave me enough unconditional love to survive through my daily hell. That is what you did, Abel.”
The bond between Poppy and Abel was of facing a similar situation. While Poppy’s mother whored herself around Abel’s father was abusive, meaning both were from toxic families.
“The whole thought process got me thinking a lot about my mother and the cycles of our life. I hated to think I had become her, but then I realized—I hadn’t. I merely went from her shelter of abuse to his. I was trapped, spinning around and around, with no end in sight. The only possible end came at the hands of a three-foot-tall terror. If I could change his outcome, I would change my own. No one bothered to save me, but I believed saving Abel granted freedom under his umbrella. I would be permitted to seek something other than what I always had.”
Poppy waited for Abel to grow up, together they made plans where they can be away from Kane. Poppy and Abel have 13 year age gap. Poppy wasn’t his step-mother nor his caretaker although that’s what she is legally to him. They have a connection of sharing the same sensibility and being mature beyond their age. It did feel a little strange when they have adult talk which is very different from school and bed time stories but the writing was clear from the beginning, Poppy didn’t want Abel to turn like Kane and he needed saving from his abusive father and she was going to save him.
“Luck had a way of picking the broken ones to win misfortune.”
The sole reason for the ending the way it was of Poppy’s determination to save Abel, when no one did for her. They fell in love and their resilence knew no bounds. I’m honestly an emotional mess. I originally thought to rate it 4.5 stars only because of the ending but I didn’t have the heart to rate as such. This book is not our typically happy fiction, but a heart squeezing beautiful read. Poppy is going to stay in my heart for a long time.
“I was no hero, Abel.
I was only your temporary shield.”
Ok so its been a few since I finished this book and I am still trying to process. At first I didn’t think I was going to like where the book was heading but I stuck with it and so glad I did. There are triggers in this book so be prepared. This book has sadness, violence, strength, courage, devotion, love and so many other emotions. Poppy my goodness what a strong as hell heroine. She had such love and devotion to Abel. Their bond was off the charts amazing. She loved with all of her being and helped Abel become the man he became to be. Abel was amazing to have been through so much hate! He became a strong man and I hope I get to maybe see him in other books. Sal oh Sal I can’t wait to learn more about you!!
Kailee Reese Samuels never ceases to amaze me. Her books are brilliant and they keep you in the edge of your sit. Let me assured you that you’ll never be the same, because they change the way you see life.
Poppy is a story of a seventeen year old girl that wants to get out from the abuse she endures by her mother.
Poppy has two goals in mind, get her own place to live and get into college. She wants to become a better person, but she can’t while living under her mother’s roof.
In the process of working hard to try and fulfill her dreams she meets Kane. She finds herself very much attracted to him, even though he is 20 years older than her.
But like my mom always says not everything that shines is gold.
Poppy decides to live a life of torture all in the name of love. Her love for Abel, Kane’s son.
(“I married the man, fell in love with his son, and found the strength to fight for us both.”)
This story is about the great lengths that you’ll go because of love and how much are you willing to sacrifice for it.
(“This is about winning the game of life.”)
This love story is a train wreck waiting to happen, and I can’t stop reading it. I know it’s going to break my heart but I really can’t stop reading it.
(“Good things are what happens on the other side of bad.”)
Let me assure you that you won’t regret reading Poppy.
I’m left speechless. This was an amazing book highly emotional. Poppy is an amazing strong woman who is incredibly selfless. Ms Samuels has given us another must read book. Can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us
KRS has done it again flawlessly with this non stop twists and turns, emotional, angsty, attention kidnapping story of Poppy. Poppy has never had it easy, but nothing holds her back. Poppy is strong even tho she had a craptastic upbringing, she makes choices selflessly and with her whole heart. A must read and reread to make sure you capture every beautiful facet of this story
How can one person take so much in her life? A mother who ignores her has her looking for love, and she thinks she finds that peace with Kane, and older man with a young child. But things can be very deceiving, the hell this young woman goes thru and the lengths she goes to save and protect Abel is both heartwarming and heart wrenching!! Ms. Samuels makes you feel everything like your in the same space as her characters, you won’t leave untouched I promise you. There are scenes that the despair touches your souls, then the times you feel hope, love. For all her demons and the way she sometimes deals with them, she is so strong, has so much heart. Can she show Abel there is a better way, a life not full of fear? The monster is this story is truly that, no redeeming qualities AT ALL, there’s a special place for people like him. This is a beautiful story, but at the same time a story that is terribly hard to read, warning there is abuse, and if you have triggers, go in with that knowledge. I’ve read Ms. Samuels before and this book is one of her best to date.
Five plus stars.
I cannot put into words how fantastic this story is. Poppy is not what I expected at all and that is a good thing. This is a darker story that kept me enthralled to the bitter end. The characters with the twists and turns kept me so intrigued that I simply could not put this book down. I am always kept on my toes with her books and it is what keeps me coming back for more. Highly recommend. Another well done story.
FUN and just not right. I loved it!
Wow! This book is simply phenomenal. This story is full of emotional angst; it is riveting, dark, and wicked with some steamy sex scenes that are off-the-chart hot! You NEED to READ! I wasn’t expecting the turn this story took; it has quite an unexpected revelation that may leave you flabbergasted but it is jaw-dropping good! The story will keep you on the edge of your seat to find out what happened next. Not all of its surprises are pleasant ones, but there is a certain satisfaction in experiencing a thread that is so obstinately unexpected. With a diabolical plot that has twists and turns—some you see coming, some you don’t that makes it interesting! Kailee Samuels have constructed a deliciously duplicitous dark romance that will lure you into the wee hours and beyond that you will not be able to put this book down. You won’t regret reading Poppy!
Wow…just Wow! I don’t even know what to say, except I loved Poppy! After everything Poppy went through her strength is amazing. This is an emotional, beautifully written, captivating story full of drama, angst, abuse, tragedy, heartbreak, sacrifices, hope and twists that will bring you to tears. This is a fantastic book and I can’t wait to read the next one by this amazing author.
Everyone needs to check this coming of age story out!!
Writing reviews for Ms. Samuels is always a hard thing for me to do because I always feel that I cannot do the book justice in my review. I’ve been a fan of hers for a while and there is a multitude of reasons to be a fan of hers. First, she has created this amazing world in which all of her characters are tied together in some sort of magical puzzle. Secondly, her writing is unique, it’s beautiful and masterful and the world she has created is so vivid, you genuinely become a part of it.
So let’s talk about Poppy. Poppy is a girl who knows what she wants. She wants to finish school, earn her degree, and get the hell out of her mother’s path of destruction. Her life hasn’t been easy and with her mother’s constant parade of men, she’s finding it hard to stay out of their way.
Enter Kane, he’s handsome, has a bit of money, and his eyes are set on Poppy. Oh Poppy, if only you knew! 20 years her senior, Kane knows a thing or two about what women want, and it’s nothing like the boys that swarm around Poppy. So when he takes her home to meet his son Abel, Poppy is hooked. This little boy needs her and she’s all too happy to oblige.
Kanes behavioral change is almost instantaneous, he’s an angry man and he takes his anger out on Abel and Poppy. But Poppy has made a promise to Abel, stay with it until he’s old enough to get out of the house. So she endures years of his abuse, abuse that is incomprehensible to the average person, and while it’s easy to judge her for staying when you see her connection with Abel, you might just find it justified. Because she’s giving Abel her all, everything that boy has ever needed, she gives him. She’s going to make him the man his daddy never could be.
Oh hell, Ms. Samuels, I always say “well this book is the best” and then you release a new one, and I have to rearrange the favorite order. I loved Poppy, from start to finish, I absolutely adored her. She’s strong and determined, and she makes for a fine main character. I loved how she tied into Sal and Amber’s world, and I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing more of Poppy, and I couldn’t be happier. Nicely done!
Poppy will touch your heart and soul in so many ways. It’s heartbreaking that she is a survivor who has been abused by her husband. She is determined to see that little Abel, her husband’s son, is protected from his father’s abuse and will sacrifice herself instead. A woman who will protect someone else’s child and show him love and guidance until he becomes an adult. Poppy becomes the hero of this story.
Kailee Samuels never ceases to amaze me with her wonderful stories. She is a talented author who draws you into her stories and makes you feel the character’s emotions.
Ok so wow! i have to say that i have not ever read a book like this and i had to have alot of stops and starts to finish it due to the subject matter.
I just want to say to anyone who will read this book it is Raw , it is Emotional, it is Gut wrenching and it does have Triggers for those who have either been in abusive relationships on the past or present and for those who have been brought up in an abusive home. Which is the reason why i had to stop and start a few times and im sorry to say i couldnt finish it because of that fact. However in saying that. The book is well written it’s the first time ive read a book by this author she has a way of drawing you in to the story and at times i forgot how to breath . Kailee is an exceptional writer no doubt about that and i will definitely read another book of hers again for sure. But this one hit a bit to close to home for this reader and i just don’t have it in me to finish it.
Wow Kailee what an awesome read this was. I read Poppy in one sitting.
How can one person have such a messed up life. My heart went out to Poppy. Have her father die and a mother that never cared about her really messed uo her life but she is determined to make something of herself. In steps Kane a much older man who promises to love and cherish her always. This was not going to happen. Poppy stays with the abusive can becuase of his son that she does not want to leave behind.
True love prevails in the end but is short lived for Poppy.
I would reccomment Poppy to anyone looking for a good awesome read. Well worth a 5 star rating.
Kailee Samuels has written a heartrending story of innocence, sacrifice and unconditional love.
Poppy’s courage and tenacity will steal your heart and hold your emotions prisoner. While Poppy’s story is surrounded by domestic violence and the sex trade, fundamentally this is a story about a woman and her strength and devotion to the love of one little boy who grew into a dynamic and caring young man. How the sacrifices you make for those that you love, with a faith so blind in the hopes that the payment you have made will bring a just reward. If anyone was more deserving of that reward, it would be Poppy and Abel.
This story has wrought every emotion from me, and has taken a piece of me that will forever belong to Poppy!
While this book may leave you in pieces, the value of having read it is far greater.
When you’ve reached the last page of a book and you find yourself sighing with heavy emotions, you know that you’ve been affected by the story. Poppy’s meager, difficult beginnings made her crave love and acceptance, and it also made her life decisions a little brash and unconventional. This story moved me deeply – domestic violence and abuse are topics that are so hard to take, but in the end, those who make it through often come out stronger for it. That’s our Poppy – tough and resilient, yet loving and caring. She’s like a phoenix that rose from the ashes! I absolutely loved this book!
I don’t even know where to start with this one. This was a tough read and there were certain parts that turned me into a blubbering mess. The ending was so bittersweet and I’m still not sure how I feel. This is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time.
Wow! This book took my heart and put it in a blender. Two souls mates separated by two decades and societal demands. Can love conquer all or will these souls be destroyed by their desires?
That’s a catchy opening line, right! Poppy is a standalone novel and deals with some very hairy situations. The story follows a young woman, Poppy, desperate to escape the neglect and abuse living under her mothers roof. Working as a waitress to make ends meet she is sucked in by a handsome stranger. Figuring she will go along for the ride, as long as it lasts, the unexpected happens. Poppy ends up living in his home and caring for his 4 year old son Abel. Little does Poppy know that she has made a grave mistake! But desperate people do desperate things and I don’t think she thought her circumstances could get any worse. But once she met Abel, everything changed. Poppy felt kinship with the little boy, which morphed and grew as time goes on.
Things happens and boy will you be blown away by the direction this book takes. Shock and awe is what I was left feeling, but beware this book contains very graphic material and comes with a disclaimer. You have been warned.
Kailee Reese Samuels doesn’t just write dark, angsty fiction. She uses her beautiful mastery of words to relay the raw, gritty realities of the world. Her characters are complex and flawed, her interwoven stories always tie into some bigger profound picture, and her stories will absolutely make you Feel EVERYTHING. Poppy tackles the heartbreaking and soul-rending realities of domestic violence as Poppy and Able attempt to escape Kane’s deadly clutches, but can the cycle of abuse be broken before they are?