Healing after a tragedy is hard enough. Doing it when you’re haunted by past betrayal and so many things left unsaid?Feels nearly hopeless. Is it impossible to come back from so much anguish and all the regrets? Can you ever truly mend your heart and move on?Or are Penelope and Linc destined for a life of punishment and pain?They’re about to find out whether the line between love and hate is … line between love and hate is clear. And if moving on after loss and the sting of deception is even possible.
Reviews
Holy heartache. “Regrets slayed my heart. Angst-lovers, this book is not to be missed. Brilliant writing from Nicole Dykes. I couldn’t ask for more in a book!” – LJ Shen, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author
“Tears flowed, my heart ached, and I could feel the anguish in my soul.” -Keri, Goodreads
“This is not your sweet, tragic love story. It’s got hard edges that keep you turning pages.” -Rmederios, Goodreads
“Nicole (Dykes) went really deep for this one and she didn’t disappoint. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for forbidden love, love triangle, tragedy, and just a great love story.” -Alexandra, Goodreads
“It’s got heartbreak, betrayal, guilt, and forgiveness. Yes, all that emotion packed into one book. Absolutely phenomenal.” -Emma, Ever Growing Book Obsession
“Nicole Dykes delivers with Regrets. It is an emotional roller coaster of a book and it takes you for a ride and the best angsty/dark way. Five out of five enthusiastic stars.” -Ash, Goodreads
“This is a love triangle story. Don’t let the blurb fool you. Prepare yourself. And what you think you know… Just prepare yourself.” -Jessica, Goodreads
“This book just proves why Nicole Dykes is my favorite author.” -Stacy, Goodreads
“This book hits the ground running. The intensity is real. Buckle up, buttercup, you have no idea what you’re in for!” -Elle, @Literary.ya
“Nicole Dykes is a new to me author, and what a punch to the heart this book was for a first timer… I’m still slightly in recovery mode, but I can’t get over how much I felt while reading this book!” – Elizabeth, The Book Boutique
“Powerful, emotional, all consuming, painfully beautiful and worthy of more than 5 stars.” -The Book Fairy Reviews
“Regrets is everything I love about Nicole Dykes’ writing dialed up to the next level! It’s darker, edgier, and more deliciously addictive than anything she’s written before. A forbidden romance full of angst, lust, and passion I couldn’t devour quickly enough.” -Ari, The Red Hatter Book Blog
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This is a new to me author and I fell in love with her writing right away! I was drawn in to the story immediately, and enjoyed the characters. Lincoln (Linc) and Penelope are dealing with a huge loss and dealing with so much guilt. They can’t help but hurt each other while dealing with the events of the past year and you go from loving them to hating them to loving them again pretty quick. It is impossible not to root for them throughout this book. I loved seeing how their friendship and relationship progressed through their dual POVs and flashbacks. And the interesting love triangle!! There is so much angst, drama, steam, and a surprise I was not expecting!!
This was a new to me author! The first work that I read and I was hooked from the start.
Always love me some love triangle.
No, for real read my tags. This book has angst written all over it, it’s beautiful and it’s heart wrenching. The pining for each other, the way it was toxic but also an escape.
The author built the world and the characters beautifully.
The relationship between each and every characters (even the side ones) are hashed out nicely.
We didn’t see full closure into some things but I was ok with that because in reality, one doesn’t always get the chance to say goodbye to every chapters in our life.
One thing though, the twist at the end was not what I was expecting, I mean I expected something but not what I found, well in the bigger picture it was kind of sweet and some form of closure we could get regarding one of the brothers.
This is a fantastic book. I loved the past and present scenes. This book takes you through the true emotions of losing someone, grief, and ultimately regret. By the end love finally conquers all.
What an emotional ride, the angst and darkness of an enemies to lovers romance was delivered in the best way. I really liked the story, Penelope and Linc´s story was emotional and full of angst and pain. The topics the author chooses for this story definitely gave it a boost. The characters are deep and the writing was great, I got the audiobook and I can say that the narrators Tor Thom and Charley Ongel did a brilliant job with their characters. I would definitely recommend it.
This is the first book in The Sterlings Series. Wow! I loved it! Link and Penelope’s story is beautifully written, emotional, intense, and captivating. Link is handsome, and intriguing. Penelope is a beautiful and strong. They are both tortured souls. I loved to follow Link and Penelope in their beautiful and emotional journey to love. Their story is heartbreaking. The back and forth, past to present, is well done and easy to follow. The Sterlings is a dysfunctional family, broken by grief. The storyline is filled with angst, unfaithfulness, and sorrow. I like the ending. Tor Thom and Charley Ongel did a fantastic job with the narration. I highly recommend this series.
Audio Review:
Regrets (The Sterlings #1) begins the love for the Sterling family. First word begins and brings history and present day together building a descriptive realistic world. I love the layout of the story and how smoothly it flows through till the very end. Characters are fully fleshed out with complex characteristics. Such much passion is built into this amazing story. Reams of angst and heartbreaking moments leading to tragedy. Slivers of unexpected twists seep through the pages in slices. A forbidden romance with a hint of taboo that is gratifying. I love the ending and look forward to listening to the next audio in this series about The Sterlings.
Narators Tor Thom, Charley Ongel natural chemistry shines through with their portrayal of Linc and Penelope. Each puts their own spin on their performance. Tor’s deep gravelly inflection brought a draw to Linc’s character. Charley brings her own dramatic flair in her performance of Penelope.
Excellently written and narrated audio.
A Heartrendingly Beautiful Story! Fantastic Listen
Regrets
By: Nicole Dykes
Narrated by: Tor Thom, Charley Ongel
Wow, Nicole Dykes sure knows how to take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride and has you holding on for dear life. This is a beautiful story, one that is high in angst and tears you heart out at times but that does not stop you from falling for the characters and rooting for them the entire time. The book starts off in the present with Linc and Penelope, they are college students and roommates. Both are train wrecks, Penelope leads a life of self destruction and while Linc is not much better he still looks out for her. The author then takes us back to where it all began, how they meet and what happens along the way to make them the way they are. It does alternate back and forth in time but it is easy to follow and the author keeps you wondering what went on along the way. This book is Linc and Penelope’s story, but it is just as much Colt’s story too, Colt is Penelope’s age and Linc’s younger brother. The three met when they were younger and the brothers took her under their wing. I thought It was brilliant a way to tell their story, showing who they were, where they came from, how their relationships grew and where do they go from here. I just loved where the story was taken in the end, though it was not an easy journey for them it was definitely worth the ride. Nicole Dykes, thank you for the awesome story, it did not just captivate my attention it captivated my heart as well.
I listened to the audible edition, Tor Thom and Charley Ongel are fantastic narrators and voice artists. They do an awesome job portraying the characters, humanizing them, giving each their own voice and personality. Tor Thom played Linc’s role with perfection and Charely Ongel did the same for Penelope. You could hear how much heart they put into their work as they capture the character’s emotions which is heard in their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fantastic listen
WARNING: Do not pick up this book and think you will be able to put it down to do anything else. You will want to grab a glass of wine and lock the doors until you have read the last page. A perfect love triangle between two brothers and the one girl they both fall in love with. But when a tragedy happens will it be the end for them all or will Linc and Penelope work through the heart ache. Filled with page after page of angst, drama and passion this book deserves so much more than 5 stars. This was my first book by Nicole Dykes but it will not be my last.
Beautifully painful. That what this story is, but the LOVE, the love the pours out is so strong in it tattooed into my heart. I finished reading and had a knot in my throat chocking me, my nose tingling and unshed tears, because of the love triangle in this book. A family united in love and divided in death all fighting to see and understand. Guilt, drowning them all. P and Linc are the definition of strength and bravery, for me at least. To love against all odds, to fight it for the love of another. To suffer in the shadows to honor love, is a powerful thing, something the Sterling’s learned to do at an early age. Sacrifice for LOVE. But as we read, we hurt, cry and anger for our couple, knowing that it all comes from the one emotion they can’t run from. This story is indeed painfully beautiful, Penelope, Linc, and Colt a love that will bury into you as you read. And, just like their love it will stay long after you have finish, begging for more of them and the Sterling’s. A family both decided and united because of a love that started when two brothers brought home a young girl for dinner.
Powerful, emotional, all consuming, painfully beautiful and worthy of more than 5 stars ~REGRETS
Regrets
The Sterlings #1
by Nicole Dykes
Narrated by Tor Thom and Charley Ongel
Regrets is all consuming as a listen. Nicole Dykes has written a forbidden romance that will stick with you long after you read or listen to it. Penelope is welcomed into Linc and Colt’s home. As a foster child, it’s hard to find any place that is comfortable. It’s clear she is in love with Colt, but has a love/hate relationship with Linc. And now as time goes by, tragedy strikes, circumstances change, and Linc and Penelope are left to pick up the pieces and move on. But will they be able to? Talk about dark, gritty and down right amazing. Dykes takes us on a ride that is hard to get off. I couldn’t stop listening to this book. It’s high on passion, full of remorse and guilt, and will hurt your heart. The twists and turns this book takes leading to closure are incredibly heartbreaking. This is a taboo in the most delicious of ways, and it’s easy to devour. I can’t wait to see what is coming next.
Tor Thom and Charley Ongel bring this gem to life. They are a perfect fit to these character. Tor brings an edginess to Linc, a man with attitude yet adds so much underlying emotion that your heart will break. Ongel nails Penelope with her outwardly passionate and temperamental outbursts. I love this team, and this book brings out their best.
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Forbidden Love, Are We Supposed To Be Together?
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Penelope and Linc aren’t doing well. There’s something they can’t get over. They crave the punishment. They crave the pain. They must live with the consequences of their actions. But in their case… what exactly does that mean?
This was my first Nicole Dykes book. And. DAMN. I was pleasantly surprised! I LOVED THIS BOOK. She served all the feels. I went in not knowing anything except that this is angsty and emotional. And what was promised was delivered.
Both characters are messy and imperfect, but they work so well in their chaos. I love them! The author slayed that part. Just when you thought you knew each character, the author comes in and surprises you! What a twist we were presented here. Her emotional game is on fleek and it definitely had my heart aching for the characters. There was tons of beautiful character development (sth the author displays in the rest of the series, too).
I never quite connected with Colt, but I connected with how everyone felt about him, which is super strange.
Once I finished this book, I binged the next two right away. The story is addictive. It’s fast-paced and it makes you feel so much.
I recommend it to all the forbidden lovers, angsty suckers and family drama obsessed readers.
ORIGINAL COMMENT:
Intense chemistry. Twists. Very emotional. Loved the forbidden nature of it all. I loved the growth. Can’t wait to read the rest of the family’s books!!
I don’t have enough words to say how good this book is. From the first word to the last, I was swept up in a story that took me on an extremely emotional journey. The love that Colt, Linc and Penelope shared was as beautiful as it was tragic. The ideals they struggle with, the pain they endured, and the grief that consumed them was tangible in every word and page of this book.
This is the first Nicole Dykes book I’ve read and what an introduction. “Regrets” is a beautifully written tragic love story that will have you enthralled. You will simultaneously love and hate the characters but you will never stop rooting for them to find eventual peace and happiness. This is an amazing book. Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. 5 exceptional s.
They took her under their wings, made her feel cared for, and welcomed her into their family. She never knew being part of a family could feel like this, to feel more like a blessing than a curse. The day she met the Sterling boy’s she knew her life was about to change, but nothing could have prepared her for how much.
It wasn’t long and her young heart started to beat for both of them, Cole quickly claimed her as his girl and his older brother Linc claimed her as a friend. Her romance with Cole started out as an innocent childhood thing, but the older they became the more evident it was that they were meant to be… or were they?
Linc was there too, always hanging back and observing, stealing her attention from time to time, and making her question her feelings. Somewhere along the way lines started to blur, relationships were strained and decisions were made… and that is when life with the Sterling boy’s became way more complicated than Penelope and her fragile heart were prepared for!
Regrets is a heart-wrenching tale of second chances, healing wounds, and finding the courage to let go. This perfectly penned tale stole my attention from the first page, and held it intently until the last page was swiped, I just couldn’t let these characters go. I adored these characters flaws and all, they were real, easy to connect to, and so easy to hand my heart over to. My heart broke for Penelope and the heart crushing situation she found herself in, I drowned in her pain right along with her, and reveled in her happiness right along with her too. Linc was impossible not to love, he felt like the second choice and craved to be her first, and it killed me to see her use him, and them hurt one another. Gahhh my poor heart!! This one was tough on the heart, but so worth every ounce of pain… it’s a breathtakingly beautiful journey that should not be missed! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Regrets packs an emotion punch!
Penelope and Lincoln’s Dark journey through betrayal, secrets and hidden feelings absolutely destroyed me. It’s dark and pulled at everyone of my heartstrings. I was deeply connected with these characters very early on and I laughed and ugly cried right along with them. This forbidden love romance is intense and full of angst and such raw emotions that will have you begging for more and reeling with emotions once it ends. This is by far one of my favorite reads of all times. Nicole took “an emotional and all consuming” read to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL.
I highly recommend this book to all romance lovers that enjoy a story with deep meaning with characters and an emotional journey that you’ll never forget.
Regrets….this book was so good!
I was hooked from the first page. These characters were so real I loved them & disliked them back to loving them all within a few chapters. It totally hurt my heart several times. I can’t wait for more from this family! So love all of Nicole’s books!!
Can you truly heal after a tragedy? This beautifully written story is filled with angst, heartbreak, emotional, love triangle and so good.
Yes. Yes. Yes. I need more!
I won this book for my kindle on a giveaway and she has now became my new favorite author! I’m in love with her writing and how she keeps you wanting more from the book! I couldn’t put it down! I started it at around 1 am (I’m a night owl and couldn’t sleep lol) and finished it at 3 am lol and I couldn’t fall asleep after because I just needed more. Contemplated buying book 2 right then and there but figured I should really try to sleep
I loved this book. And I already know I’ll love this series, and I know I’ll love l her other series!
Thank you for the opportunity and thank you for introducing me to the Sterling’s!
Rating:
Nicole has a way of breaking your heart and then slowly, SLOWLY putting it back together… but, she tends to lose a piece or two along the way.
Regrets is a book about finding yourself after a tragic situation. Penelope and Linc… ugh, they gave me all the feels! They’re kind of an enemies to lovers couple, but sort of friends to lovers, too. Add in a bit of a love triangle while you’re at it.
Moving on and healing after a loved one dies does not mean you’re forgetting. And that’s something that Linc and Penelope struggle with throughout the book. They have an undeniable connection with one another, but worry about truly taking the next step, because that (in their mind) means that they’re both forgetting about Colt. From my point of view, I don’t feel like Penelope and Colt really ever had a connection, even though they’d been together for a long time before his passing. We get little glimpses here and there on how things were between the two, but I wish we’d gotten a tinyyy bit more. It would’ve made the struggle between Penelope and Linc a bit more understandable.
The twists in this book were WILD and I loved them! There’s one REALLY big one that I never saw coming. Can’t really say too much about the twist because it’d spoil the book.
Regrets was a wonderfully written book that I devoured. I’m definitely going to be delving more into The Sterlings books because this one blew me away!
Read in one day. Seriously. I started reading this book on my coffee break at work and it wasn’t the best idea. I didn’t get anything done at work. I couldn’t tear myself away from this story…
The story that makes you think what you would do if you were in the shoes of the characters. I love stories like this one. They trigger so many emotions and thoughts in a person that you forget it’s fiction and live the life of the characters. Absolutely amazing
This story really captured my heart because I was once a foster mom myself. Penelope is taking into Linc and Colt’s home as a foster child. Their mother saved her. But her love for the brothers is what heats up the passion in this book. The struggles each of them goes through is heart breaking. I could not stop listening because I had to know what was going to happen, I had to get to the end. What I did not realize, is how much my heart would be torn apart. This may be a forbidden romance, but somewhere in the story, I forgot it was about that and thought it was more about healing. I cannot wait to find out more about the Sterling family.
Tor Thom and Charlie Ongel are the perfect narrating team for this story. With their natural chemistry, they brought this book to life. Tor brought a strength to Linc that gave me hope and brought out his pain that broke my heart. Charlie narrated Penelope perfectly. Penelope has so much in her past that her pain is deep rooted. Charlie’s performance of Penelope brought out that pain, and made Penelope the one I wanted to save. I loved the narration of this story.