They always say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what happens when your brain is set on lying to you every time you look in the mirror?
The thing about emotional pain is that it leaves invisible scars.No one sees them but you.No one feels them but you.But those scars can be traced by the gentlest of touch and I found that touch in the form of a man. He didn’t heal me, but his love … form of a man. He didn’t heal me, but his love changed me.
The start of our relationship was … intense. Why? Well, because that same man rejected me years ago and he didn’t even remember. I was invisible to him.
Now his heart beats for me and mine for him. Our souls are entwined in a way that would never be separated, but this almost perfect man has a secret that could alter the course of our lives forever.
This is a standalone contemporary romance novel that is part of the Imperfectly Perfect Series. No book is required to be read before this one.
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This is the second stand-alone book in the Imperfectly Perfect series and gives us Christina and Ezra’s story. It’s a great read! It’s intense and full of twist and turns that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat in suspense.
Rejected is an emotionally complex story that was a pleasure to read. Christina’s flaws are hard to read at times, but worth reading nonetheless. She has a pretty severe eating disorder and you get to see every aspect of her struggle to hide it and overcome it. She is also perpetually angry, particularly at Ezra. While their fights were at times cringe worthy I enjoyed reading them. I think Cruz did an excellent job at portraying the struggles with bulimia with grace and truthfulness.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rejected is the second book in the Imperfectly Perfect series written by Lym Cruz. Even though this is book two of the series, it can be read as a stand-alone because the author does a great job introducing the secondary characters throughout.
Both books in the series are beautifully written and one hell of an emotional rollercoaster.
Rejected follows Christina and Ezra’s enemies to lovers story and will pull you in deeper with each chapter! There are so many emotions… along with some secrets and a ending you will not see coming!!
Thank Lym for allowing me to be one of the first to read your work! I can’t wait for your next story!
I really enjoyed this book. Both of the main characters are dealing with being rejected. It took me awhile to warm up to Christina but I ended up loving her by the end. Ezra was a sweetheart and I loved how he wanted to help Christina. These characters wormed their way into my heart. Truly a great read with an entertaining storyline.
Lym said she didn’t want this book to be overly depressing and she achieved it. This book talks about eating disorder, so just a warning if that would trigger you. And this topic was describe in a way that will help people understand it a little better.
This second book was even better than the first one. This heartbreaking story is an example that you can overcome all difficulties with love and support from your loved ones. I loved how Ezra handled Christina’s eating disorder. He didn’t push her too much about it.
I really enjoyed it! It had so many twists and turns which I love because it keeps things interesting!
Oh this book! It broke my heart but it put it back together again.
Lym Cruz writes such touching books that just draw you in. I feel in love with her first book but there was just something about this one that made me love it even more.
Maybe it was the fact that Christina, who in book 1 seemed like such a fun and strong lady, was in fact playing a role. She broke my heart so many times throughout the book with how she saw herself. I just wanted her to love herself and see that she wasn’t what she saw in the mirror.
Ezra this man. I felt for him in book 1, poor guy couldn’t catch a break. So to see he got his own story with Christina made me happy. To get his side of the story right after he gets rejected by Melissa and to see how he tries to get over it, I was surprised with how he did that. He was such a sweet guy and to see the stuff he got himself into just made me so sad for him.
When these two get together it was not what I was expecting. I knew Christina had feelings for Ezra but the way she acts whenever he is around and speaks to her was a little off but I got where she was coming from. I was happy to see what Ezra did for her.
5⃣
recommendation
This is my first Lym book, and I adored it.
The story was sad with heavy themes. At first impression, I didn’t like Cristina, but that quickly changed. My God, this girl was in pain. When Erza came in the pic, and I found out she had a thing before I immediately felt for her.
I love books were guys finally open their eyes and see what’s always been in front of them. And oh boy did Erza see. He was confident, gentle, and the way he was there for Cristina had me swooning.
When he read her diary…I. Was. Not. Okay.
Ezra was going through his own things, and he still took that and Cristina demons and slayed.
I didn’t see some of the twists, and that epilogue. Shit, I need the next book now.
I loved the story. Lym has a poetic way to tell a sad tale full of second chances and redemption.
Thrilling Read!
This was an intense and thrilling story from beginning to end. There were so many twists and turns throughout that kept me entertained.
The only issue I had with the story was that I had a very hard time connecting with Christina. She seemed so childish and immature. All of her insecurities and issues come to light over the course of the story but even with that I still didn’t like her. Ezra on the other hand is a strong character and I grew to like him as the story evolved. Both Ezra and Christina have many flaws which helps them become a better couple. The fact that Ezra could love Christina and help her see how beautiful she really was made them feel more real and relatable. Their relationship grew stronger and their love for one another was in the end very powerful.
Overall this was a thrilling story to read and I enjoyed it.
Christina and Ezra have been enemies since he wanted to be with her friend Melissa from the previous book. Ezra never really saw Christina as anything but an enemy because he didn’t see past the one he thought he wanted for his own. Now the two have crossed paths again and things take a twist and turn for them. Christina is hard to like at first until you get the feel for her character and what makes her tick. Ezra finally sees what’s in front of him after letting go of a fantasy. This is an intense read with real life problems and open ended as to how the couple will end up.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving a review.
Spanish:
“Rejected” de Lym Cruz es el segundo libro completamente independiente perteneciente a la serie “Imperfectly Perfect” Es un romance contemporáneo con mucho suspense, de enemigos amantes y con temas sensibles como desorden alimenticio que pueden que pueden herir la sensibilidad de algunos lectores.
Ezra rompió el corazón de Christina años atrás, teniendo una relación con su mejor amiga, aunque el destino rompió esa relación. Ahora ambos se vuelven a encontrar, pero cada uno con sus problemas personales, pero con ayuda mutua ambos intentaran salir adelante y darle una oportunidad que años atrás no aprovecharon.
Madre mía, que demonios acabo de leer. Este libro me mantuvo demasiado intrigada y enganchada con todo el suspense que hay, además los personajes han mostrado partes de ellos que no me esperaba.
Empezando con Christina y su problema alimenticio. Es un tema del que estoy familiarizada, aunque no tal extremo que sufre Christina. Su narración de cómo empezó todo, y lo que la lleva a ello, es un claro ejemplo de lo que muchas personas sufren. Con ella he llorado por su lucha diaria y constante.
“No me curó, pero su amor me cambió.”
Ezra para mí es un héroe que se merece muchísimo más. Paso por tantas cosas y se metió en aguas muy turbulentas, para que en los últimos capítulos te deje impactada y con ganas de saber que ocurrirá. Me encanto el breve repaso de su relación con Melissa, protagonista del primer libro “Flawed”.
“Me di cuenta de que no estaba enamorado de ella. Estaba enamorado de la imagen que había creado de ella cuando en realidad, no tenía ni idea de quién era”
Su relación ha tenido demasiados baches por ambas partes, aunque no es culpa de ninguno. Este libro te abre los ojos en muchas cuestiones, y te deja las expectativas muy altas, pero habiendo leído el libro anterior no me esperaba nada menos.
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English:
“Rejected” by Lym Cruz is the second standalone book in the “Imperfectly Perfect” series. It’ s a contemporary romance with a heavy dose of suspense, enemies to lovers, and with sensitive topics like eating disorders that may hurt some readers’ sensibilities.
Ezra broke Christina’s heart years ago, having a relationship with her best friend, although fate broke that relationship. Now they both meet again, but each one with his problems, and with mutual help, they both try to get ahead and give her a chance that years ago they didn’t take.
Oh my God, what the hell did I just read? This book kept me too intrigued and hooked on all the suspense there is, plus the characters have shown parts of themselves that I didn’t expect.
Starting with Christina and her eating problem. It’s a subject I’m familiar with, though not to the extreme that Christina suffers. Her story of how it all began, and what leads to it, is a clear example of what many people suffer. With her I have cried over her daily and constant struggle.
“He didn’t heal me but his love change me”
Ezra, to me, is a hero who deserves so much more. He went through so many things and got himself into very turbulent waters so that in the last chapters, he leaves you shocked and wanting to know what will happen. Also, I loved the brief review of his relationship with Melissa, the protagonist of the first book, “Flawed”.
“I realized that I wasn’t in love with her. I was in love with the image I’d created of her when in reality, I had no idea who she was”
Their relationship has had too many bumps on both sides, though it’s not the fault of either. This book opens your eyes in many ways and leaves your expectations very high, but having read the previous book, I expected nothing less.
Rate:
I loved reading Ezra and Christina’s story. The struggle with an eating disorder that doesn’t just disappear when Ezra and Cristina finally get together makes it more real. This book keeps you on your toes from start to finish and you don’t want to put it down until you read the last word in this book.
I have received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
ARC REVIEW
An emotionally proving and intriguing love story.
‘Rejected’ by Lym Cruz is a very powerful and proving book from an author who isn’t afraid to speak the truth, to show the ugly side of things, to be willing to put your heart through the wringer just to make you understand and feel what these characters feel.
This book could be triggering to some readers because of the presence of an eating disorder, so it may not be suitable for all.
A hilarious and powerful relationship between two people who couldn’t be more different but that despite the situations they find themselves in, they can’t help but get each other, soul to soul.
Christina is a little ball of fury and fire from the very beginning, she is stubborn, feisty and powerful. A woman who could bring any man to their knees and she doesn’t even realize, a warrior and a survivor who has to battle with her inner demons and the voices in her head constantly, a woman who no matter how strong she is, she still can be weak and broken but that doesn’t mean she is repulsive.
Christina has gone through so much in her life and is still going through so much, so the last thing she needs is a cocky and too-gorgeous man telling her how she should act, caring for her and forcing her to face the truth.
Ezra is as gorgeous as his name is, he is confident, smart and funny. A true gentleman who will go above and beyond for those he cares about, even if they don’t to be cared for.
He is an amazing man that you will love from the get-go, one that will make you dream and see stars, a true book boyfriend through and through.
After one bad decision, his life seems to just get worse and worse, a weight on his shoulders that seems almost unbearable. That is until a firecracker of a woman barged into his life, frustrating and gorgeous.
Their story is not an easy one, they will have to fight and scream and cry to finally accept the truth and see what’s in front of them.
This is not only an emotional and entertaining book, but it is also a fast-paced and intriguing story that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
I would’ve liked to see a bit more development and growth in some situations but overall I definitely devoured this book and would recommend it if you like a sweet love story with more of a rough and sharp edge to it.
Ezra is my new book boyfriend! He is lovable, flawed, and is fiercely loyal to those he cares about! A broken heart landed him in a position he should never have been in! This is a wonderful story of love and redemption!
Christina!! Ahhhh! She is one of the most frustrating characters I have read in a while. She is downright unlikeable for a while! But the more you get to know her, the more it makes sense! She is battling her own wicked demons. When you hate yourself, it’s hard to show compassion & love to others!
Together they are something else! Be warned this is a SLOW burn! But when it catches, it is FIRE I was shocked by all the twists and bombs I got so much more out of this book than I was expecting! Even if this is not your typical genre…give it a try!
I am so excited about the next book
I received a copy of this ARC for an honest review.
Lym Cruz is a new to me author, and Rejected is the 2nd book of the Imperfectly Perfect novels. If you are new to this world, I would highly suggest starting with Flawed and then working to Rejected. Both novels are standalone but you will meet the characters from Rejected in Flawed and will understand Ezra’s fight with rejection a little more.
Rejected is the story of Ezra and Christina, both of whom you meet in book 1, Flawed. Both of them have imperfections that they can’t work past, both not knowing that they are inevitably being drawn together.
I would call this book an Enemies to Lovers standalone. Lym brings the story of Ezra and Christina to life in a way that had me grasping for more as it all played out in front of me. Ezra is reeling from his own pit of rejection, stung by it, and ultimately it leads him to a life he never saw himself in. Then we have Christina, sweet misguided Christina. She is suffering from an eating disorder that not only plagues her mentally, but physically as well, and creates her own reeling from the pits of rejection. Lym highlights the effects that this disease has on a person without buying into the hoopla that surrounds it in the world of today.
When they first come together, it is a forced working relationship that causes so much tension that you could literally cut it with a knife. I loved the banter they had back and forth, but what I loved even more was how Ezra helped Christina. His overall devotion and love in her was amazingly beautiful and heartfelt. He melted my heart.
All in all, the storyline was captivating and engaging. You had to keep turning the page, wanting and needing more from the book. As it came to a close, you are on the edge of your seat, hoping and praying that you aren’t really reading what you are reading… but Lym redeems it in a way that is beautiful and breathtaking.
Four beautiful stars for this romantic suspense novel that will literally have you on the edge of your seat most of the time, biting your nails in anticipation.
This enemies to lovers romance is emotional, suspenseful, sweet, and swoon worthy.
If you read Flawed, the first book in this series, you met Ezra who was rejected by Melissa. We also met Christina who we discover felt rejected by Ezra, although Ezra didn’t even realize he did it.
“All these years we’ve known each other but you never saw me.”
“That’s because I had my eyes fixed in the wrong direction.”
Initially they hate each other with a fiery passion, but that fine line between hate and love eventually starts to blur.
Ezra is caught up in something he wants nothing to do with but getting out isn’t an option. Christina is battling demons that are affecting her life and her health. Ezra may not have been able to completely save Christina, but with his love, he supports her while she saves herself. Nobody’s perfect and these two help each other to live with their scars. I love how Lym Cruz dealt with a very difficult subject without being unrealistic.
Hang on, because your emotions will run the gamut, including some crazy twists and turns and edge of your seat suspense…this book delivers in a big way!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Content warnings: violence, eating disorder
Rating: 4/5 stars
Rejected is book number two in the Imperfectly Perfect series by Lym Cruz. It follows the ebb and flow of Christina and Ezra’s relationship as they navigate from hate to love. Even though it is book two of the series, it can be read as a stand-alone because the secondary characters are introduced and woven into the story of the main characters very well.
The book alternates the storyline between Ezra and Christina’s points of view. It starts off with finding out that Ezra, who was in love with one of Christina’s best friends, being rejected by this friend. He is wandering around and trying to figure out how he’s going to go on without her and runs into an old friend of his who has an opportunity that might help him get her off his mind and make him a little cash in the process. Christina is introduced when Ezra is making a deal at a club and sees that she is way too intoxicated to be left alone with a shady guy. She is none too happy with Ezra interfering with her hookup.
Ezra and Christina end up having some serious arguments ensue that send sparks flying. Ezra doesn’t understand why Christina hates him so much, but will soon find out. Christina doesn’t understand why Ezra keeps disappearing and is being so secretive about where he goes. Once communication finally opens up then they both start to understand the other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Lym definitely has a knack for writing suspense and character arcs that leave you wanting to keep going to find out where it will lead. I highly recommend this book.
WOW! This book was intense!
Ezra and Christina are mutual acquaintances. Christina bares emotional scars that run deep within her. Ezra thought he was in love with Christina’s best friend, Melissa.
They had a rough start to their friendship then eventual relationship. Ezra felt heartbroken and started to rebel. Christina couldn’t stand any type of rejection from Ezra or anyone and started to harm herself.
Ezra and Christina eventually come together and form a beautiful relationship, but what will be the cost?
Surprises ensue and the epilogue is out of this world. I am really looking forward to the next book.
I thought I was prepared for this book. I’ve read Flawed so I thought I knew how Lym Cruz could mess with my emotions. But I wasn’t prepared for this story. My poor heart is bruised after experiencing Christina’s feelings for herself, so heartbreaking! And don’t even get me started with Ezra and his secrets. The back and forth between Christina and Ezra had my heart and head confused, I didn’t know if I wanted them to love one another or run in the other direction. This book has the perfect mix of imperfect characters, angst, romance and some sexy times. Such an emotional roller coaster but so good!!
This book is the second instalment in the imperfectly perfect series and the second I’ve by by this author.
Christina is dealing with alot she has an eating disorder and we see her daily struggles, and how hard it can be.
Erza is a hot,sexy accountant who actually has alot of problems himself. He has made some dirty dealings and has alot of issues to deal with. Erza knows how to handle Christina and he’s very loving, caring, tender and very delicate with her.
This book is a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance that keeps you guessing. Christina is also dealing with alot of emotional pain which is sometimes the worst kind of pain. These characters have good chemistry between themselves when they can put there differences aside.
Can these characters save each other’s heart and souls?
This book is very real and their is a very real struggle happening between this couple.This story is very realistic and true. It’s filled with alot of drama and love too, and there are twists and shockers that you won’t see coming. This book is very intense and very raw and emotional.
This story hit very close to home with me as I’ve also dealt with eating disorders myself. This author knows how to open people’s eye’s to the struggles with these issues.
This book is a complete page turner and will hold your attention.
I absolutely loved this book and I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I will highly recommend reading this book when it gets released.
This book is Now Live.
REJECTED is the second book I’ve read by Lym Cruz. The first book was Flawed and if you like this book you should read that book, too. This is an enemies to lovers story. My title for this review is “A Beautiful Thing Is Never Perfect” or “Imperfectly Perfect Book Review!”
Ezra Collins life is off the rail. Ever since that night Melissa, who he had secretly loved for years, gave him the “It is not you, but me” speech. His entire world had fallen apart. He had known that he would eventually gotten over her, but the decision he made that same night would be the biggest mistake of his life. Ezra is a really good guy who has got himself in trouble way over his head. When his friend is shot dead right in front of his eyes, the realization of just how much trouble he was really in with no easy way out.
Christina Garza was in a really bad place in life. She felt like she had hit rock bottom. She is living at home, has no relationship, but one night stands. Also she is currently unemployed. Her best friends were Melissa and Erica. She met Erica back in elementary school and they had both met Melissa six years ago. Since then they have been practically inseparable. But in the past few months so much has changed. Erica got married and Melissa was engaged to the man of her dreams. In their matrimonial bliss she felt they had forgotten her.
Ezra was at a bar attending to his much hated side job when he “bumped” into a very drunk Christina. He recognized her as a friend of a friend that just happened to be his ex-love Melissa. When he sees Christina is in trouble and being molested by some strange man, he reacts by saving her and removing her from the situation. She is so wasted that she can’t even tell him where to drop her off. Then her phone rings and it is no other than Melissa. She wants him to bring her to her place. So he does. This is where I kind of lost any liking for Christina. Ezra is really her savior, but she doesn’t thank him. Time and again he helps her, but she has her guard up and is a complete snob. She felt lower than low and hated herself, but couldn’t bring herself to apologize. She figured he wouldn’t understand.
Someway and somehow Ezra and Christina were drawn to each other. They both had mega problems. There are many twist and turns to their story. She saw him as too perfect, but he had failures as well as virtues. He thought she was beautiful, but she had scars that she kept hidden. She also had an eating disorder that was ruining her life. Lots of secrets will be revealed and some are big surprises.