“My top read in the last year. This book is why I fell in love with reading.” USA Today Bestselling Author Meagan BrandyThere’s a rule in Crowne Hall: never look a Crowne in the eyes.It protects us more than them.I broke it once, the night Grayson Crowne mistook me for his true love and stole my first kiss. I’ve regretted it every day since.He hates me.He torments me.He won’t let me go, because … me.
He won’t let me go, because that night he whispered a secret against my lips not meant for me. Grayson Crowne, heir to the Crowne empire and notorious playboy prince is… a virgin.
I signed a contract in my heart’s blood as much as ink: help him get back his love, repair what I broke. Give him my body, my soul, my heart, let him use all of me, so when the time comes to marry her, he won’t need me.
I shouldn’t need him.
But he’s my stolen soulmate, and I’m at his mercy.
Stolen Soulmate is the second book in the Crowne Point universe. You do not need to have read Heartless Hero to read Stolen Soulmate, though it is recommended. It will enhance your reading experience as you will catch easter eggs and the timelines overlap.
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*Stars blind our judgement and night hides our fear…*
Holy guacamole… this was an epic ride! In a way, this kind of reminded me of Downtown Abbey. Secrets, intrigue and a clear hierarchy.
Grayson is definitely cold and calculated and yet I felt sorry for him because he is always on the offensive, waiting for people to take from him. It’s sad that he is suspicious of everyone and their motives. I continually went back and forth: I like him, I hate him, I like him, I hate him, swoon and repeat.
Story. Wrong place, wrong time… or was it? She’s lived her life by hiding in the shadows but I feel as though she was always meant to stand out. She is trying so hard to protect herself from people who only want to use her.
The two of them have more in common than they first realised. They want to resist their attraction and yet they are drawn together. Gray wants Story, desires her and yet he actually loves someone else. Story is trying so hard to keep her distance from him because she knows they were never meant to be and yet her crush begins to grow. I experienced some whiplash from all the back and forth between Grayson and Story. They seem to lash out to protect themselves but they reveal bits and pieces of themselves more and more to each other. And then there was a moment were Grayson turned into such a jacka**. I was like, what are you doing!!!
The ending was not what I was expecting. I think that’s because I was hoping for one thing to happen but something else did instead. But it can’t be the end, I don’t want it to end! This was an incredible story and completely engaging from the start right until the end. Mary Catherine Gebhard twisted me up and gutted me. I was crying in so many places and wanting to scream in others. My heart was squeezed and my soul feels torn. I loved this story so much even though it left me drained and emotional from all the angst. I think I have found a new author to follow.
Oh my heart ….
This book is truly amazing but oh my heart hurts so bad ,it takes a phenomenal writer to gut the reader to the point its hurt your heart but also leaves you needing more, but my god tell me anyone can read the words written on these pages and be whole at the end .
This story is gut wrenching, heartbreaking and breathtaking all wrapped up in a huge bundle of crowne angst and believe me that comes in bucket fulls, I devoured the words and felt every single emotion and I cannot wait to be thrown back into this heartbreaking lie……
Beautifully written and characters you both love and hate perfection at its finest!!!
It’s Hard Out Here For A Snitch
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
“You’re not mean, you’re just born to be seen
Born to be wild
A little party never hurt no one, that’s why it’s alright
You want in but you just can’t win
So you hang in the lights
You’re so Art Deco, out on the floor
Shining like gunmetal, cold and unsure.”
Art Deco – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Story doesn’t want to be seen. She wants to do her job and get by, survive. One night, Grayson Crowne mistakes her for somebody else and he notices a snitch in his ranks. They enter an agreement that isn’t looking that rosy.
This is my second Mary Catherine Gebhard read. I read Dirty Law earlier this year, thus I know this lady can write EXCELLENTLY. This is a five-star read to me even if it’s not my type of read (because I don’t like Cinderella-type of reads or basically reads where leads have Story’s jobs, but that’s just me) So I’ll get you through all the parts that I liked because I don’t think there was any part that I didn’t like. It was a fast-paced, fun, steamy, entertaining and at times dark read. Gebhard is an emotional terrorist. She knows how to push the readers’ buttons and she once again did it so BRILLIANTLY. This story handed out so many feels, I couldn’t take it. Story was a lovely leading lady with lots of passion yet also submission. Her attitude throughout the novel was admirable and I can say that I rooted for her. She was a lowkey girl, sticking to how she entered the story. I have a question: Is the leading girl mixed/bi-racial? I saw the story listed on some African American Literature. If that’s the case, I needed more hints. The only barely there hint I remember is the fact that she has curly hair. It just sends the wrong message for me. Her chemistry with Grayson Crowne was immense. LET ME JUST GET THIS OUT: The moment I got to know Grayson Crowne a little better, I felt like this is the direction Vaughn Spencer should’ve gone in. Mean, weirdo, cruel but still redeemable somehow. Grayson is a MASTER of dirty talk. His bad mouth was GLORIOUS. Grayson and Story had a heart-breaking romance.
I recommend this read to people that love undeniable chemistry between two leads that have all the odds betting against them, dirty talk for DAYS, MONTHS, AEONS and all the tear-jerking feels.
“I know that getting you alone isn’t easy to do
With the exception of you, I dislike everyone in the room
And I don’t wanna lie, but I don’t wanna tell you the truth
Get the sense that you’re on the move
And you’ll probably be leaving soon, so I’m telling you.”
Stop the World I Wanna Get Off With You – Arctic Monkeys
I thought I would be able to hate him. I thought it’ll be easy. But dear god!!! It is fucking impossible to hate gray!! Fucking impossible. He holds my heart in the palms of his fucking hands. Your heart will be ripped out, your soul will weep, but damn is Gray worth it!!!! Stolen soulmate is by far the greatest love story I’ve ever read so far. I’ve never experienced heartache like this before. Dear god, GRAYSON CROWNE rules my motherfucking heart. I felt like he took my soul from me. The song SUICIDAL by YNW Melly played while reading this book !!! My heart couldn’t take it. I highly recommend listening to that song before and while you read this book.
I fucking hate you gray. I hate you!!! Whatever heartbreak you get you DESERVE it! Fuck you!!! How can you rip Story’s heart apart like that?! I understand why you did what you had to do, but fuck you gray! I still think you could’ve done something different!! Fuck you for doing what you did!!! You left fucking “claw marks in my gut” !!! I hate you!! I fucking hate what you make me feel !!! Fuck your gray for making me fall in love with you. Fuck you for making sure that no matter what you do, I could never truly hate you. You’ve got me all sorts of messed up. I wish I never met you. I HATE this feeling of heartbreak. FUCKING HATE IT !!!
The goal of this book was fucking achieved. For the love of God I can’t put it down. I’ve reread this book almost everyday since I got it. I just can’t put it down, it is impossible!!! I LOVE it too much. That is too messed up because I keep rereading it to experience each and EVERY emotion!!! I want to experience the heartbreak, the torture, the LOVE!!! I can’t put it down no matter what!! This is by far the greatest love story I have ever read. End of story!!!
Mary Catherine Gebhard, you have ruined me. You have stolen my heart. You have left me wanting more and my heart is hurting beyond its capability. Knowing we were getting a Grayson Crowne story filled me with excitement, made me giddy like a teenager. Reading the book, it was nowhere near what I expected. It surpassed them all. I have a love/hate relationship with Gray but quickly felt a protectiveness over Story. It was beautifully written, well thought out and I felt EVERYTHING. Every comment cut me, every action made me want to bang a hard object off Grayson Crowne’s head, but I couldn’t put the book down. I couldn’t stop reading. If you like suspense and romance, this is a book for you. It was excellent from start to finish and has so far been my 5* read of the year. I cannot wait to see where the journey goes now, but please Mary, spare a thought for my heart.
Still need to recover after that ending….
Well, that’s being said, let’s see.This story has been written to torture minds and souls. And that’s exactly what is doing.
Mary plays her magic just like that. You have no idea what are you getting in. But once inside, all you’ll want, need, breath is going to be SS, Gray and Story.
It will own your heart from the beginning, playing it like an instrument. It will give you all the feels. In fact you will always be between love and hate. That’s Gray will do to you. You’ll be a mess, because of him.
And still you will want more!
On the other hand, Story! God, she’s a fierce! A sassy fierce! So brave! She’s always shining even if her fate had put her in the darkest corner. Born to be ignore? Nah not for her.
Overall, I honestly think this is one of those cases where it’s nearly impossible to write a review without any kind of spoiler.but guess what? I just did it!
Now what are you wanting for? Start reading SS!!!
WOAH THIS BOOK! This was my first read from this author and while the blurb attracted me to it, the first few chapters sucked me in once I understood what was going on. I had no idea what to expect, but what I read wasn’t it and I was pleasantly surprised. Story has always worked and lived under the radar, until a mistake is made and threatens everything she’s worked for. Ending up in Grayson’s grasp doesn’t seem to bode well for her, and I was on the edge of my seat to see what exactly he intended to do. Throughout the book I constantly was getting frustrated at these characters because I just wanted them to be together after the push and pull they constantly had. What happened in the end didn’t surprise me, because it’s pretty standard and we saw it coming, but nonetheless I was disappointed in Grayson’s character. And after all that back and forth we get a cliffhanger! I’m not opposed to them because it draws out the suspense, but it definitely left me with questions I’m dying to have answered, mainly what Story ends up doing! Can’t wait for the next book and I’m definitely going to go back and read the first book in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
This book absolutely wrecked me!!! That ending @marycgebhard really?!? I’m heartbroken right now and utterly shattered! Stolen Soulmate with tear you to shreds!! You will begin this book and read it from cover to cover!! I cannot wait for Story & Grayson’s second book! My soul & heart are seriously at odds right now! That final line can’t be how the story ends. I. Need. More!!
This book was amazing from page one until the end. I was so entranced by their story stemming from all the hate and disrespect to the passion and fierce loyalty. Grayson and Story keep you on your toes and speculating.
Stolen secrets and hate-filled kisses, this book gives you so much. The ugly spewed from all the surrounding family and “friends” keeps the charm of what it’s like to be amongst the top tier and the expectations set before then. The beauty of their secret moments and dirty deeds leaves you wanting and praying the figure out a way to make things work.
The relationship between that builds between Gray and Story is one of the most complex and unexpected that I’ve seen in a book. They fight like scorned lovers and love fiercely. Their attraction to one another so intense you can’t help but anticipate the burn from the flames they produce. Wild and without reservation, these two give you everything you didn’t realize you were missing all the way until the end.
Just wait for it.
…because that ending, you won’t be ready.
Intense, hurts my stomach awesome book. MCG’s books always take me on twisty turn emotional ride. I love/hate but mostly love her characters. You won’t be disappointed!
Release Date: February 27 2020
Spoken In: Dual Perspectives – Story/Grayson
Rating: 5+ Stars
Stolen Soulmate is the second book in Mary Catherine Gebhards Crowne Point series. You do not need to read the first book in this series before jumping into this one.
What the freaking heck did I just read? I’m a ball of emotions. My head hurts, my heart is in pieces I am completely and utterly destroyed in the best way possible!
This book…. THIS BOOK!! My first read from this author and I am blown away I could not put it down. I can’t even put into words how much I loved this! Grayson and Story wreaked me and I don’t think i’m ever going to be okay!
I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I’m going to keep it nice and simple but I’m just going to say STOP what you are doing right now and READ this book! LOVE LOVE LOVED IT
ARC was kindly provided for an honest review
We knew this would be intense and hot and complicated. There was no way around that.
And MCG did not leave me hanging with those feels.
I absolutely loved the struggle of Grayson and Story! Nothing like a bit of angst and a bit of cruel, dark intensity.
You think you know Grayson Crowne, but you have no idea who he really is.
Gah!! I’m not even sure where to begin with this review…..so here goes nothing. This story was incredibly unique. Emotional and painful and absolutely beautiful. Was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Action packed and full of angst.
The biggest and best book hangover I’ve had in a while! This book completely blew me away and made my heart ache and burn in so many ways as I tore through the pages, reading like a woman possessed late into the night. I didn’t think anything could hurt worse and scoop out my soul like Theo and Abigail’s book, which was my favorite read of 2019, but Grayson and Story did that and more. I was so unprepared and my mind has been racing since finishing. It’s a book that you’ll want to re-read immediately after finishing to experience it all again and discover the complex nuances between the lines blooming even more.
My heart has cracked open and poured out all over the floor. Thanks for another incredible and emotionally eviscerating read, Mary! #iamnotok #wreckedbygray
I have a love hate relationship with Mary Catherine Gebhard. Meaning, I LOVE her books but HATE her!
“I wanted to tell him everything , give him everything, be everything for him. It was a darkness, a need I’d never known before.”
I kid of course, I could never hate her but she does torture your WHOLE soul. Right now, I’m not sure I can even write a review that makes sense, I am so broken emotionally.
“I tell you my deep secrets, my dirty pieces of me. I can breathe when I talk to you. With you I have no weight on my shoulders.”
Grayson. My God. His cruelness sends shivers down my spine but his truth, his vulnerable moments? Give me GOOSEBUMPS! He and Story have a up hill battle to say the least. It’s so tragic that you want to look away but the times that they’re together are so addictive and intense that they pull you in.
“I don’t want us to be something that only exists in the dark, in the cracks, in the places people don’t want to look or talk about.”
SS is not for the faint of heart, it’s wicked and frustrating in the best ways…. it’s mind blowing and sensual, it is 100% unputdownable and it will RUIN you! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
“I’d always read that soul mates were beautiful, pretty things. They fixed you, made you whole. But that doesn’t make sense to me. Souls are ugly, twisted, and dark.”
5 Lemon Lollipop Crowns
Don’t let Mary deceive you, she looks so sweet and innocent, but she will tear through your emotions straight down to your soul, leaving you completely destroyed and breathless. This book didn’t just ruin me it completely annihilated me. Mary has with way of developing characters that you love to hate, and Gray is another one. I thought I had a love/hate relationship with Theo, but Mary was just warming up.
“This moment didn’t belong to me, but I was going to steal it anyway.”
Gray is not at all who I thought he was in Heartless Hero; he is so much more complicated and layered. His cruelty knows no bounds, but it’s in the quite moments that you see his truth and those are the moments you live for. His soul is tainted and pure, he is light and dark, he will make you feel so many different emotions you won’t know which way is up by the end. I didn’t think I was going to like him but leave it up to Mary to make you fall in love with a complete asshole.
“I knew then that Gray could feel my butterflies, because he seemed determined to rip their wings off anytime they fluttered.”
I live for Story this woman is perfection. She is the missing piece to Gray his balance. And their love story feels inevitable as if it were fated to happen. Their moments together are blanketed in unparalleled tension, you can feel it fill the room trying to burst free, it’s intense, electric and utterly addicting. I lived for those moments between them, to get those glimpses of what’s really there, the beauty in the darkness.
“Ask for it, Snitch,” he said, breath hot on my flesh. “Beg.”
This book is so many things but one thing’s for certain this story has the ability to render you completely speechless and unsure how to go on with your life. I loved Theo and Abigail’s story, but I am obsessed with Gray and Story’s. This is so much more than a book; it is an all-consuming experience one you won’t be able to put down. Prepare yourself for a journey that will pull you through every single one of your emotions leaving you completely drained. I don’t know how Mary does it, but she can make you fall in love with anyone and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next, I need it like I need air.
What in the actual hell!!
My emotions are all over the place. The push and pull between this characters, the heartbreak, my goodness! MCG seriously did a number on me.
Grayson and Story are going to slay your heart, mind and soul!
I highly recommend this book!!
It’s gonna break you. MCG I need more.
5 stars read
* I read an arc and this is my honest review
Wow…. just Wow… I’m absolutely blown away. This book will tear you up and spit you out. It’s the first time I’ve read this author and my god I’m addicted to her words.
Gray and Story’s world is so cruel it will leave goosebumps of anticipation all over your skin. They are both from different worlds, the rich colliding with the help but when they do collide, what a boom factor you will be living in. Your skin will sear with bruises and lust like no other.
Story is one tough heroine, even though she might seam meek and fragile to others she can take on Grayson’s bullying like a champ. From their first hot, panty dropping meet, they just can’t deny each other the truth, their is a helluva of an attraction happening between their bargaining lies.
Get ready to be swept off your feet in a dazzling tale of lies, deceit and heartache. It’s definitely no Cinderella story.
“I tell you my deep secrets, my dirty pieces of me. I can breathe when I talk to you. With you I have no weight on my shoulders.”
I am not okay. I was a crying mess while I was reading Stolen Soulmate. ALL. THE. FEELS. I finished this book in less than a day, and all I want to say is Mary Catherine Gebhard messed with my emotions in the best way possible. Hands down it is one of the best forbidden/enemies-to-lovers romances I have EVER read. And I want more. I don’t ever want to leave the Crowne Point world.
I have already read Heartless Hero, and let me say that it was, without any questions, one of my biggest favourites in 2019. Mary became one of my favourite authors with that book. And here I am again, completely mesmerized by Grayson and Story.
In Heartless Hero, to be honest, I completely hated Grayson. He was so cruel, and until the very end I did not find him likeable at all, and I thought I would never ever read his book. But here I am, loving him so hard. Gray can be crude and cruel, but his emotional and sweet moments… SWOON. I want more. Story is such a fighter, I did not expect her to be one, she totally surprised me. They are such a imperfectly perfect couple.
Stolen Soulmate is a heartbreakingly beautiful story that will totally leave you speechless.
*Full review coming soon.*
*ARC was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
A book that should come with a recovery guide for your emotional healing
This book will forever be with me; as a reader I’ve got no idea where to go from here. What book to I grab next when it seems foolish to expect that just any book would do?
I’m completely and undeniably dumbfounded by how perfect this story is and I don’t know how long it will take for the aftershocks to ware off.
This book will make you want to put a pause on life. No time for even a water break. It’s THAT level of perfection.