Kane:One night, that’s all it was supposed to be. Tony—my confidant and the bartender I made friends with when I moved to Emerson Falls, Oregon—pushed me to have some fun, a word I’ve forgotten the meaning of since I was betrayed three years ago. But that deep red hair and those curves on that woman drew me in.After life-altering sex, I resigned myself to the fact I’d never see her again. But it … her again. But it seems the universe had other plans. Now we work together and I’m feeling things I never thought I could feel again. Before I know it, we’re so tangled up in each other, these feelings I’ve avoided for years come rushing back, and I feel like I’m on top of the world…That is until a ghost from my past threatens to tear my happiness apart once more.
Olivia:
I’m thirty-one and single, again. After catching my boyfriend with his dick in his secretary, I take off and head back home to Emerson Falls, reuniting with my family and my three best friends after years away. An out of character decision of mine to have a one-night-stand leads to the best sex I’ve ever had in my life with a man that makes me want more than just orgasms from him.
Lucky for me, we cross paths again when I realize he’s actually one of my new co-workers. After a push and pull of emotions, he finally admits he wants more with me, and I fall—hard. Just when all the pieces of my life feel like they’re finally falling into place, fate stirs the pot and threatens to shatter our romance. The threads of our lives were woven so tight, neither one of us thought that the edges could fray. Now the question is, can we untangle the mess and find our happily ever after?
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Four and a Half Stars
“Tangled” had me from the word go. That cover and that title intrigued me. It was no surprise that I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of this book. Kane and Olivia are such beautifully damaged characters. Having suffered at the hands of their exes they both carry the baggage that that entails. The two meet and their chemistry is off the charts and as with all good one night stands things get complicated when they discover that they are colleagues – cue the insanity. What happens next will take you the reader on an incredible journey as you watch how their love story unfolds but just when you get comfortable, the plot twist that you never saw coming. My dear Harlow, you did what few authors have been able to do, got me to willingly read a book that ends on a cliffhanger and enjoy doing so. Hats off to you. And to you my fellow readers, TBR this book and fall in love with Emerson Falls.
My review-
What worked for me:
-it didn’t take long for the first steamy scene to begin
-the following slow burn romance hurt so good
-the title was woven into the plot beautifully
-I appreciated the pop culture references
-the plot was believable
-the friends, on both sides, were awesome
-I can’t wait for the next book
Tangled is so worth it! Kane and Olivia are such a great match for each other. They both have a past that includes heartache, that only they both can understand. What they don’t know is that their past is actually tangled together. They have a strong connection from the beginning. Which only seems to intensify which each encounter. I love how smitten they are with each other and how they were both able to break down the walls they had built because of their past, for one another.
Harlow did an outstanding job creating these characters with so much dept that you are able to feel their emotions from happiness, love, and heartache.
No spoiler here, but that ending…oh my goodness… talk about a cliff hanger. I am dying for book two already.
Two broken blue collar characters who find love after what both thought was just a one night stand. Great book, great writing and loved the secondary characters!
So glad to find a new author. Harlow James dished our the feels when writing Tangled. Kane is all Alpha and swoon-worthy and Olivia was his perfect match with her feistiness and big heart. They were both left hurt in previous relationships. I loved watching them grow. This book is packed full of steam, funny situations and let me tell you the surprises that you don’t see coming, well you will have to read that for yourself. You will want to read it. Such a great love story, filled with wonder characters and a HEA.
I came upon Tangled as it was recommended in one of my many reading groups and I was impressed with the number of “likes” it garnered. I am glad I gave new-to-me author Harlow James a chance because I loved it and was totally engrossed in their story.
While I don’t mind the bad boy once in a while, my heart swoons when it’s a good regular guy. Not a billionaire, and not someone who has to pretend to be engaged, and Kane Garrison is your all-American hero. He’s an Army veteran, a high school History teacher, and a rugged fit and of course sexy man. He seems to have it all except the love of a good woman. As the overview lets readers know, he was betrayed in the worst way, and this very sensitive man doesn’t want to risk that kind of heartbreak again so he chooses to live alone, in a cabin he helped renovate, deep in the woods.
When he meets Olivia, all bets are off, and we know we will be in for a ride with their insane chemistry. She’s smart and independent, and moves from California back home to Oregon after her own heartbreak, and accepts a job at her alma mater as a math teacher (it rocks that she teaches STEM).
What I like so much about Harlow’s writing is the character development. I admire how they dealt with their feelings, how things played out after their hot night together, and how they made an effort to get to know one another. I couldn’t love Kane more! He was so dedicated to his students, a great friend, was so thoughtful and caring, so naturally complimentary, and was just in awe and smitten by our sweet heroine.
He took time to carefully plan their dates, meet her family, and when he was ready, humbly opened up to her about his past. And to top it off, this man cooks, cleans, has carpentry skills, and rides a motorcycle! He is also a man of great character with morals, listens to advice, and asks for forgiveness when he wrongs someone. He possessed an inner strength, and I liked that he valued his mental health enough to see a therapist. I would marry him in a minute if he weren’t already taken!
I liked that Olivia had family that she was close to, especially her mom, the bond she shared with her girlfriends, and how supportive they were. I admired how she reflected upon her past relationship, realized it was a mistake, and that she deserved more. I also really liked how she was also an awesome STEM/math teacher and how positive and hopeful she was. I loved how she was so patient with Kane, and even though she was confused at first, she was able to trust him, articulate her feelings, and take chance on love.
I am a true romantic at heart and believe that two souls know when they are destined to be together, and that is the case with Olivia and Kane. Their passion and desire for each was other undeniable, and their sexy times were super hot! These two had electric chemistry and it just goes to show you how much better it is when it’s with someone you love. The author did an amazing job drawing the reader in with her words. These two had a long journey before they got to their HEA, but it was well worth the ride. Now I am onto book 2, Enticed!
That twist though!
I admit I struggled to get into this book for the first half, but I’m glad I stuck it out. What seemed like a typical “we’ve both been burned before” love story came with a twist I didn’t see coming at the worst possible time. In other words, it made for great drama and really allowed them to reconnect meaningfully while learning from everything. And those sex scenes! Phew! The ending was also a perfect setup for the next book, which I’m definitely looking forward to reading!
I really love when an author does the widow/widower story well.
This was done Amazingly well!
Luke found his first and believed his only love, in Hannah. They build a life together and have a son Grayson. Unfortunately, when Grayson is 3 months old they lose Hannah to a car accident.
The book flashes to 5 years later and Luke, with help from family and friends is raising Grayson. But when something happens and his parents can no longer care for Grayson. He scrambles to find a nanny.
This brings us to Rachel, who is new to town from New York and looking for a job. She is studying to be a teacher, but her classes aren’t available right now.
Due to circumstances, that you will have to discover on your own, Hannah becomes the live in nanny.
Can Rachel make Luke see that it’s ok to move on and still honor Hannah, you will have to read to find out!!
This book took me on a journey!!! I LOVED THE HELL OF THIS JOURNEY!!