“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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Ok. It’s close enough now that I can just get all these feelings out.
MCG IS A LIFE RUINING EMOTIONAL TERRORIST! And I mean that in the most fabulous way.
She has this way of crafting these characters that just kind of suck your soul(not in the creepy PNR way) and leave you emotionally gutted and reeling for however long it make take you to recover.
From the first page to the last, I was enthralled with the dynamic between Story & Gray, turning pages furiously to find out what was going to happen next.
I’m not telling what happens in this story.
I’m also not not telling you.
What I am saying, in the most dramatic way possible is that you need to read this book. ASAP.
6-F*CKEVERYONEIAMRUINEDGODDAMNITGEBHARD stars
Do you see my jaw? No? Of course not! Because it’s buried 6 feet under along with my heart and what was left of my brain after finishing the second installment in the Crowne Point universe.
Stolen Soulmate is angsty AF and literally hookes you up right from the first chapter. It’s kinda bully, a little forbidden, ‘throw your kindle’ type of a book, the hero is a real asshole but it’s SO GOOD!!! I highly recommend it! I don’t remember the last time a book made me this crazy.
SIDE NOTE: You don’t need to read Heartless Hero prior to this one in order to enjoy it. I haven’t and the outcome’s been the same – I’ve been R. U. I. N. E. D. Wrecked by Gray. Not able to find a new book that would live-up to SS.
Five cruel stars for this amazing book that haunted me.
Darling, I wasn’t ready to read this one. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and I couldn’t stop reading.
Stolen Soulmate teases the line between darkness and light. A book that captures all the emotions and lets you experience them in full intensity. It was angsty, fresh and filled with a cruel love story.
I obviously met my match in this book.
I wish I could rate it higher because that’s what it deserves.
It. Is. Brilliant.
The Crowne’s are like royalty and maybe their influence is even more powerful. But behind the beautiful walls of Crowne Hall lives a family that is disfunction, where love is not the thing that keeps the house warm. Lies and image is everything to the Crowne’s even when the cost you pay is your sanity, your happiness.
Grayson Crowne, son, heir and tormentor. And the love of my life. This story starts when Gray kisses the wrong woman by accident. But after that, he can’t let go of the feeling, the connection he felt when his lips touched Story’s. The servant who is forbidden to even look him in the eyes.
Grayson is cruel in words and hides things that make him human. But slowly, the truth becomes clear to Story even when he uses her, torments her and says unthinkable things. But behind that steel facade is a man who is extremely complicated and capable of feeling. And let it be Story that evokes those feelings within him.
Their story is in a sense a tragic one. The life of a Crowne is complicated and their love is not on the agenda. Mistresses and arranged marriages are on the horizon and bring a certain shadow over the story while reading it.
But that doesn’t stop the intensity or the chemistry between the two main heroes. It’s electrifying and just meant to be. I couldn’t get enough of.
The ending was a total surprise to me. I didn’t know it was going to end like that. I was in total shock and not prepared for that at all. But one thing I am happy about…we will get more Grayson and Story and I can’t wait for that.
Mary Catherine Gebhard pictured the story so well. The depth of the characters was magical and just right. Her storytelling is what made me fall in love with this book so much. She’s extremely talented and left me with a serious book hangover. Writing at its finest.
Stolen Soulmate is five-star read. Unpredictable, haunting and a chemistry that will have you tied to the book. I couldn’t let go and I’m sure you won’t either. Beautiful writing, a storyline that is tragic, but filled with love as well. Stolen Soulmate by Mary Catherine Gebhard left me gasping and wanting more.
The cruelest kiss given
—>>> What would you do if the object of your fantasy presents a golden opportunity, a chance in a million to be someone else..wanted and loved? Only human, and a mere servant at that, Story Hale grabs onto that fleeting moment with both hands and steals a kiss meant for another girl. When the dust settles, Grayson Crowne ends up owning Story’s servitude, only he soon finds himself wanting much more than that as he unravels the girl who did not wish to be noticed. Grayson already enjoys a life quite entitled, long mapped out with the most advantageous outcome, but for this bothersome maid who has somehow taken up room in the darkness of his heart while she scrambles to do right by her uncle, also employed by the Crowne family. Story somehow can see through all that is essential to the real Grayson as well as his cruelty towards her, while not allowing herself to deviate from her own sense of self. The elite class is always restless and hungry, and those considered underlings are always expendable. Story finds herself in a wish-turned-dark-fairy tale as she finds she has never had much of a choice after all, after stealing the cruelest kiss given.
I’m not sure my review will do this book justice. Stolen Soulmate was cruel, angsty, emotional and brilliantly written.
Hmm, Grayson Crowne was not my favourite character but he intrigued me greatly. He was arrogant, cruel and humiliated others at the drop of a hat yet his upbringing taught him all that and more. Yes, this author certainly knows how to create superbly entitled pigs of characters. Not only just Grayson too. Yet, tiny glimpses of a different man peek through and that’s what’s so intriguing.
Story Hale, a Crowne family servant, is caught up in his web but really quite his match in everything except social class. So many times I wanted to yell at her to get away from him but then again I truly wanted them to work out too, just could never see how that could happen.
This story frustrated me to no end, I truly had to stop and put my kindle down at times for fear I would throw it, I became so annoyed and downright enraged with Grayson Crowne in particular, as well as the situation.
I have to say the storyline sucks you in and I am now eager for the next story in this series.
Reviewer: Robyn
Hmm, Grayson Crowne was not my favourite character but he intrigued me greatly. He was arrogant, cruel and humiliated others at the drop of a hat yet his upbringing taught him all that and more. Yes, this author certainly knows how to create superbly entitled pigs of characters. Not only just Grayson too. Yet, tiny glimpses of a different man peek through and that’s what’s so intriguing.
Story Hale, a Crowne family servant, is caught up in his web but really quite his match in everything except social class. So many times I wanted to yell at her to get away from him but then again I truly wanted them to work out too, just could never see how that could happen.
This story frustrated me to no end, I truly had to stop and put my kindle down at times for fear I would throw it, I became so annoyed and downright enraged with Grayson Crowne in particular, as well as the situation.
I have to say the storyline sucks you in and I am now eager for the next story in this series.
I AM NOT OK!!!!!
OMG!!!!!
Second book by this author and she has officially hooked me!
Omg my head is exploding.
What a heart breakingly beautiful story/couple.
This book shows how many different faces people show for many different reasons and how important it is to have some one you can trust and confide in.
Find your person and grab hold, they might flip your life upside down but the reward is worth the risk.
Cannot wait for more from this author!!!
This book stole my heart! 5 stars
This book didn’t waste any time getting started, and I loved it! The words, story and characters that the author created were captivating. The tension and spark between Grayson and Story was palpable, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how it would all unfold. Gray was cruel (so cruel), clever then sometimes caring, and Story saw through to the real him. He hated her for that because it wasn’t supposed to be her, yet he couldn’t get enough of her honesty. He was addicted to her, and she was the same. She wasn’t supposed to want him, but she couldn’t help herself. I admired that she was honest with Gray and tried to stand up for herself as much as could. When I read a certain part of the book (around 62%), I could literally feel my heart breaking for Story. Then I had to hold the Kleenex box the last 15% of the book. So what happens when addiction turns to love between two people who are not supposed to be together? Read this book, get addicted, get your heart stolen and find out!
*I received an advanced copy of this ebook for my honest review.*
I think Grayson & Story is the best book I’ve read this year. I am completely and utterly ruined with this 2nd book in the series. I don’t think I can get over this high any time soon.
Just the things these two had to go through, the pain and devastation of what family money and power can do to you — can certainly and will ruin you.
I’m used to reading love triangles and I have to say that it’s one of my favorite tropes to read, but I usually read two males and one female and usually I know who I’m rooting for since the beginning but this one is a little different. Two girls and one guy and both girls are hard not to like. I liked them both and I was heartbroken for both of them. To have a guy like Grayson Crowne, have his attention fully and completely is like a dream and for both Lottie and Story it was everything for them.
But to have to live a life that you feel like no one see’s you for you but only see’s you with those dollar signs in their eyes and to finally talk to and confide in someone that understands you and completely gets you with the kind of privilege that you yearn for is everything.
I’m still trying to recover from Stolen Soulmate and I don’t see myself recovering any time soon. I need the next book STAT!
Mary C. Gebhard really tore me up pretty bad with this one.
Completely consumed with every page that I read and every word that was uttered in this book.
Let me start with this… Mary is about to tear your heart to shreds! The whole time I was reading I kept saying how could she? Why is she doing this to poor Story?!!! There is nothing beautiful about this love story its painful and heartbreaking. But a Crowne has to do what a Crowne is expected to do. Love isnt in the cards because fate be damned. This is a true Cinderella story and Cinderella doesnt get her happily ever after. This book ends in a cliffhanger that pretty much throws you off the cliff itself. Kudos to Mary for writing this book that had me drawn from the very first word.
I recieved an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I finished this book 13 hours ago and I’m still trying to put into words how it made me feel. This book completely ripped my heart out. Even now hours later, I still cannot get Grey and Story out of my head.
Their story isn’t an easy one, nor is it all about hearts and flowers, but it is real. They are fire and passion. They are beauty and cruelty. From the moment Grey and Story met, I was rooting for them.
Stolen Soulmate is a top read and needs to be read. It will rip your heart out, and give you the worst book hangover ever, but it is phenomenal. I may have wanted to throw my kindle a million times from some of the events, but I couldn’t put it down.
Everyone needs to bow down to Mary Gebhard who in my opinion just wrote the best bully/angst romance I’ve ever read.
I definitely recommend this book
I received an arc of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review
Review
This book … has absolutely, beyond a doubt, ruined me. Stolen Soulmate broke my heart, shattered my soul, gave me irreparable hope, and had me cursing the Crownes while simultaneously falling in love with Gray and wanting to slap him silly.
There’s so much I want to say about this book, but I’m going to attempt to keep it relatively vague and spoiler-free.
The Heroine
Story (short for Storybook–seriously, one of the best character names ever) is one of my favorite heroines I’ve “met.” She’s strong, vulnerable, doesn’t take shit from Gray, and has a wealth of love and loyalty for those she loves. Story’s persona in Heartless Hero is incredibly deceiving. She comes across as so quiet and meek that you don’t get an accurate glimpse into who she truly is … then when you get to know her in Stolen Soulmate, you realize just how many facets there are to her personality.
The Hero
What is there to say about the infamous, cocky playboy Grayson Crowne? He’s so much more than the public persona he wears like armor. There’s so much more depth to him than what I expected. Honestly, I had major reservations about Gray–especially after seeing what a jerk he was in Heartless Hero. If there’s one thing I’m learning about Mary‘s characters, though, it’s that you’ve got to give them a chance before you totally dismiss them. Sure, there are some things that are pretty much unforgivable, but there’s always a calculated reason behind the action.
Bullet Points
*After finishing the first book, I began to think the Crowne matriarch was somewhat redeemable, but now that I’ve read Stolen Soulmate, I’m not so sure.
*These books make me so thankful that I’m not some sort of rich heiress. It may look like these people have everything, but the lack of freedom is horrid.
*I can’t wait to read more about Gemma and Grim. I’m so intrigued by these two!
*I’ve already mentioned this once, but it’s worth mentioning again–I love Story’s name!
Conclusion
I honestly can’t remember the last time a book jumped out at me with so many twists, broke my heart, and left me a devastated, hopeful mess. I’m not sure how Ms. Gebhard is going to go on from here, but if anyone can pull it together, it’s her. I can’t wait for the next books in this series!
This book comes out on the 27th, so make sure you pre-order it so you can start reading ASAP!
Happy reading!
Original review: https://alatedbibliophile.com/review-stolen-soulmate-mary-gebhard/
Have you ever read a story where the author tortures you to the point of insanity and gives you violent ideas because the angst is just too much to handle? If no, Stolen Soulmate by Mary Catherine Gebhard is your chance. If yes, welcome to the hell.
Graysone Crowne is the playboy and the heir to Crowne empire. He is the cruel ,callous and heartless guy who doesn’t care about anything or anyone. At least everyone thinks so. So does Story Hale. The servant in Crowne Hall. The girl with brazen attitude, poetic words and sassy armour. But one mistaken encounter in dark corridors of Crowne Hall made their worlds explode. Grayson doesn’t need this girl to get inside his heart and rip out all his well kept secrets. But he cannot keep her out even with her brutal words, inhuman gestures and ironclad contracts. Story does not need to fall for Grayson. Because he is from another world and belongs to another woman. But she cannot stop all the feelings those will ultimately tear her heart into pieces.
Broken a$$holes are my kryptonite. And Grayson checked every single box. He is bully extraordinaire who wears indifference and ruthlessness as armour. But beneath the surface, there is a good man with loads of compassion but trapped by family’s expectations and responsibilities. He is scared to be vulnerable and open. My heart broke for him so many times and I do not have all the pieces back. Story is absolutely amazing. I have so much respect for this girl. The life in Crowne Hall tests her dignity, perseverance and inner strength. But she can still feel one with Gray’s secret heart. They are impossible and nothing hurts better than unrequited love. She suffered through the degradation, the humiliation, the helplessness and above all the pain of falling in of love with the person she supposed to hate. The chemistry is right on point. The exact gut wrenching, heart shattering, soul breaking and deeply hurting feel I crave from a bully romance. And you won’t be able to predict the twists and turns. I promise you will curse Mary a lot and may even plot her murder. Like I did. I begged her to stop killing my heart slowly because sometimes I could not handle the intensity of Gray and Story’s love-hate story. At the same time, I begged for more steamy, angsty, breathtaking and suffocating emotions!
Mary Catherine Gebhard pushed me to the point of desperation, heartache and almost nervous breakdown in Stolen Soulmate. You are not ready for this story. All my emotions are messed up and my heart is in complete chaos. Just the feeling I live for!
Received ARC for honest review
4.5 Stars
I thought Abigail and Theo’s story was all kinds of angsty but Mary Catherine Gebhard upped the ante with Gray and Story’s tale. This is a couple that you want to root for while simultaneously wanting to shake them both and bring them to their senses. The angst is high, the situation all kinds of wrong. The prince inadvertently falls for Story, the help. Story floats in the unknown, too high for her servant peers, too low to be an equal, but Story is the only one that sees to the heart of Gray, The moments of happiness are fleeting, the angst is constant, the situation is a no win for everyone involved. I’m invested and hooked now.
“The more I touch Story, the deeper she sank. She was ink in the water of my soul, spreading, changing the color and the make of me.” ~ Grayson
“This thing between us in the dark was more dangerous than anything that he did to me in the light. These moments we snuck in the dark felt like our little secrets from reality.” ~ Story
I haven’t been so surprised by a book in a long time. Stolen Soulmate by Mary Catherine Gebhard is the second book in the Crowne Point series and it was mind blowing. I wasn’t thrilled about the self-depreciating tone behind the heroine of the story, but it was a necessary evil to establish the boundaries between the Have’s and the Have Nots. This story has so many ups and downs and will draw you in and not let you go. I just can’t even begin to explain the torment and longing that is in this story. I screamed when I got to the end and nearly threw my kindle, ugh the heartbreak that just pours off the pages of this book! 5-stars for Stolen Soulmate by Mary Catherine Gebhard.
Story Hale works for the elite family The Crowne’s. She is one of the maids and tries her best to stay out of the way and off the radar. A mistake and identity draws Story into a place that she now can’t get out of. The things Grayson Crowne whispered to Story in the dark were not meant for her, but they are things she could never forget. Grayson Crowne is meant to marry someone else and now that Story knows his secrets Grayson isn’t going to let her go. Story is a thief of secrets and kisses and now she has a Stolen Soulmate that she doesn’t want to let go of, and no one will walk away unscathed.
Story Hale has admired Grayson Crowne from afar for some time now, knowing making eye contact was forbidden, but every stolen glance was worth the risk. Then one night he takes her by complete surprise, sweeping her into a dark room and kissing her, making his claim on her.. only to find out later it was all a big mistake.
His plan was to seduce his true love, but by mistake he stole Story’s first kiss, and now he wants her to pay for her mistake. He despises her, and is willing to go to great lengths to protect the secret he let slip from his lips that night…even if it means torturing her. But somewhere along the line that hate of his starts to turn to something else, and it turns their worlds upside…
Stolen Soulmate is one of those stories that will have your heart feeling like it is in a vice, every word laced with so much pain and angst. Watching this forbidden love story unfold was rough on my heart, knowing they were meant for one another, but could never fully be together was pure torture. There is no way you can read this story and not be effected by it’s words, and feel for these characters and the impossible situation they find themselves in. It’s not a story for the faint-hearted, the words will push your boundaries, frustrate you, and possibly even leave you angered… Grayson is a hard character to love. I cannot wait to rejoin them in the next installment and see how it all ends, I pray there is some happiness lying ahead for them. If you like angst filled tales then I highly suggest you get your hands on this one, it’s words are destined to torture your heart and leave you completely breathless!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Well…. that just happened. I’m not even sure if we’ve invented the words yet to adequately describe what this book just put me through. Seriously.
ARC kindly provided. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Stolen Soulmate is book two in the Crowne Point series by Mary Catherine Gebhard. After reading Heartless Hero, I could not wait to see what happened with Grayson Crowne. He is the oldest Crowne sibling and heir apparent to the family business. The Crowne’s are the elite of the elite’s elite. Yea, they got it like that. There is only one rule really enforced in their family and that is marrying for the sake of strengthening the business. Now, I know that isn’t very specific and if you just read the book then you’ll understand why it has to be this way.
Just read this. Seriously, my heart hurts in all the best ways. This book had me all twisted up, the entire time I read it. I just finished it at 2:30 in the morning and I can’t even think about trying to sleep right now because my head is still spinning. I’m talking A+ bullying, the push and pull is REAL here. Chemistry off the charts. You do not know which direction you’re going and when and I loved it. Every single word. I cannot wait to see what comes next in this series. Like, give it to me right now. If you haven’t started this series yet then now is the perfect time because this book with my dropping on February 27 and you do not want to sleep on this series. Believe me. I’m just gonna go die a slow death while I wait for more from this author.Mary Catherine Gebhard
Stolen Soulmate Arc Review
Stolen Soulmate is the story of Grayson and Story and boy is it an emotional one.
Grayson Crowne isn’t the wolf he appears to be more like a sheep in wolves clothing. Hiding from the world to please his family and the Crowne name. He bares so much weight and no one sees or knows the real him but she does. Story is Grayson’s sister Abigail’s girl until a mistake is made landing her in deep with Grayson himself. With lines being crossed and more secrets being shared hearts are bound to be broken, tears will be shed, and lies will be told.
This story is heart-wrenchingly addictive with so much desire it leaves you wanting more even though you feel your emotions all over the place.
„Either allow me to love you or leave me to hate you.”
My mind is reeling and I can’t get a grip. This book is such a rollercoaster of feelings… but in the best possible way. I still want to bawl my eyes out and hide in the corner to suffer in silence, but Stolen Soulmate is honestly magnificent. It left my heart destroyed, but still I loved this story with every broken piece. I don’t know what witchcraft Mary practices, but the emotional masochist in me craves more of this magic.
I love my book boyfriends bad and Gray is so insolent, cruel and rude that I literally cringed a couple of times. Dear heavens, that guy could write a book how not to treat a woman, seriously. But at the same time under this thick armour he’s so vulnerable that I wanted to steal him away and hide from the vultures. During his earnest, sincere moments I wanted to give him my heart on a golden tray.
Story is just an ordinary girl with hopes and dreams. She’s caring and supportive, even when it hurts her inside. That’s why I was cheering her on and why my heart broke for her so many times. But I have to give it to her, the girl has spine. For her it’s all or nothing, she won’t be satisfied with scraps.
Their chemistry is out of this world. They’re compatible not only physically, but also emotionally and that was something that stole the show for me. I was waiting with bated breath for their vulnerable moments, when they both were honest not only with each other, but also with themselves. That’s when magic was happening. But the lust and indescribable passion definitely adds to their angsty romance.
I don’t know how to summarize Stolen Soulmate. This story is brilliant, but with Mary being an emotional terrorist I feel violated, lol. My heart was literally ripped out of my chest and the author played ping-pong with it, without the shame. The story she described is tragic, it left me in a state of anguish and most of the time I felt tortured, but I can’t deny that I loved every second of this torment. All I want to do now is to message Mary and ask her to hurt me more!