The first time I saw him was at a bar called Ophelia’s on a misty Thursday night. I was there to drown my sorrows after a trying day, he was there to escape the storm. After a brief yet incredibly cruel exchange, the handsome stranger bolted before I had a chance to tell him off. Incensed and two cocktails deep, I followed him out the door, determined to give the audacious Adonis a piece of my … mind.
Tearing after him in heels and barely able to keep up in the freezing rain, I ended my chase when I realized where he was going.
They say never to judge someone unless you know their story.
I never could have anticipated his…
And I never could have anticipated the way our paths would cross again—or that I would one day find myself falling for a man with a hollow cavity where his heart should be, a man as callous as he was beautiful, as complicated as he was mesmeric.
They say never to judge someone unless you know their story.
This one’s ours.
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Beautiful written! Exciting and interesting! Keeps you turning the page to the next, can’t put the book down! Love this story about Astaire and Bennett.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There’s so many sayings about judging people, don’t judge unless you’ve walked a mile in someone’s shoes, never judge a book by its cover, etc. This book is definitely resonant of those sayings. And the story you read is something quite unlike anything you’ve ever read in that you definitely shouldn’t judge people and that sometimes first impressions are not all what they seem.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An outstanding enemies to lovers romance by Winter Renshaw! Captivating read that gets your attention from the first chapter! Loved the characters and plot!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Epic enemies to lovers read. Winter Renshaw blows you away with this one.
Astaire, heart of gold kindergarten teacher, is in a bar to meet a blind date. She sees Bennett and thinks maybe it’s him. But oh my goodness, this man is mean, hateful, rude, cruel, and more.
This is angst at its best. Winter Renshaw gives you an awesome story to read here and I read it completely until I finished it! Best book of this year.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Cruelest Stranger by Winter Renshaw is a great read.interesting,captivating,emotional and touching story of Astaire and Bennett that you couldnt put it down,an enemies to lovers that you will enjoy reading from start to finish,well done!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have to say this book was pretty incredible, and the title suits this book perfectly. At the beginning I hated Bennett. Like really couldn’t stand the guy. He’s arrogant, rude and down right mean. But as the story develops you find little things to not hate about him. Then you down right fall in love with the big idiot. You can help but like Astaire. Her out look on life isn’t like anything I’ve ever read. Her past is quite tragic but she still has so much optimism. It’s hard not to love her character.
This story though was super interesting to read, has lots of ups and downs and it’s hard not to get addicted. Once I picked this book up I found it quite hard to put down. It’s definitely got a story that I’ll compare to books I read in the future. Highly recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Good, solid book with enjoyable characters. There were a few predictable twists but that’s fine with me because it didn’t need any OMG ones. Recommend if you want a jerk hero who falls for a strong and humble heroine. I really liked this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I just loved Bennett and Astaire’s story and was hooked right from the very first chapter I have read a few books from this author and enjoyed them all but this is definitely my favorite so far. This is kind of an enemies to lovers story that will have you reading late into the night they storyline was really good and I just could not get enough.
Astaire, a kindergarten teacher, meets Bennett on a rainy day at a bar. She was set up on a blind date and mistakenly thinks this tall, dark and handsome stranger is her date. Bennett brushes her off rudely and curiosity gets the best of Astaire and she follows him. This is where I was a bit put off by her character – why would you follow a stranger (who made rude comments, not so much “cruel)? It seemed a bit stalkerish to me. The following day, she creates an anonymous email account to send him a condolence message after seeing him enter a funeral home the night before. They exchange emails, coincidentally meet again at the same bar, etc.
The book was very fast-paced, however, I found that I wanted more depth. Everything seemed so convenient with the insta-love, the connection between Astaire’s dead fiancee and Bennett, etc. I always love seeing characters interact with a child in a story and Honor brought that warmth. Seeing how loving Bennett can be absolutely melted me. Despite Astaire’s stalkerish tendencies, I still appreciated her passion for helping others.
Captivating from the very beginning and this story never lets up. I could not put this down. Fascinating and well written characters and a story unfolding seamlessly as you forget to og to sleep. This goes in my favourite pile.
I loved this book. Winter Renshaw proves once again what an incredible storyteller she is in this amazing, emotional, beautiful love story about three people who come together and transform each others lives. I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting because I could not tear myself away. These wonderful characters each have each found a permanent place in my heart.
I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
Thought Provoking
Good book. I have read a couple of Ms. Renshaw’s novels to date and have found that she consistently delivers a solid, thoughtful and romantic tale. This novel holds true to this addage. This particular novel was thought provoking in a number of ways.
I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to this author.
ENTHRALLING Slow Burn read!
Another captivating read by this brilliant author that is impossible to put down with all the right feels and an enthralling storyline that I absolutely loved every word. Just get it and read. I guarantee you’ll love it as much as I did
4.5 stars
Absolutely awesome and beautiful romance. This book is more about how and what the couple goes through than the sex. And all on its own, it’s great. Would I have enjoyed some hot dirty sex, of course but this book has strong writing, great storyline and beautiful love story.
Definitely one of the best books Winter has written, amazing! Bennett and Astair run into each other accidentally in a bar where she is waiting to meet her blind date. Thinking that Bennett might be her date she tries to attract his attention only to be shot down in flames in a nasty and cruel way.
As Bennett leaves the bar his umbrella is left behind Astair runs after him to return it back to him, only to see him going into a funeral home. Being the good person that she is, once she finds out his name is she sends him condolences in an anonymous email, only to get a nasty reply and this is the start of a number of emails and random meets each interaction more hurtful than the last and you really begin to wonder why she is bothering with this guy, I mean enough is enough!
Both Bennett and Astair have had difficult lives but have risen above them, the difference is that she has become a better person, while he is full of hurt and resentment for his family and everyone around him. As an unbelievable family secret is revealed Bennett’s life is changed forever and he admits that he needs Astair’s help. Despite promising to be with him there is still a lot of push and pull and hurt as more secrets are revealed.
Be prepared to run the gamut of emotions from anger to happiness to sadness as you follow this intriguing story. Beautifully written it is really one of Winter’s best in my opinion.
This is a well written enemies to lovers romance with strong , well developed characters in Astaire , a kindergarten teacher and Bennett,a wealthy businessman. The author does a fantastic job developing the story and brings it to life with her vividly painted scenes,showing the hot chemistry and connection with each other. She delivers a page turning romance with an emotion filled story and had me glued to the pages from start to finish. I loved this book and would highly recommend reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I just loved reading this story about Astaire and Bennett. The couple meet in a bar and to say they get off to a rocky start is an understatement. Bennett is scathing and cruel whereas Astaire is caring and kind. This story had me gripped from the very beginning, just loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a great story! I was hooked from the very beginning. Astaire is set up on a blind date & is waiting for him at a bar. Bennett just happens to be at the same bar but is not Astaire’s blind date. Their encounter didn’t go so well. Bennett is very cold & cruel. Astaire tries to look for the good in everyone even after the life she was dealt. The chemistry between them is great but Bennett has his guard up. Can Astaire break that guard down? Will Bennett back down a little & not be so cruel? Winter Renshaw wrote a great book.
Oh. My. Gosh. I cannot tell you how many A-HA moments there were in this book. And with each one, there was a bigger look of shock on my face, or a bigger yell. I mean, holy cow!! Astaire is the epitome of a sunshine-y amazing human being, who has had some sad times. While being set up on a blind date, she accidentally mistakes, or should I say has the audacity to try to ask, a man at the bar who fits the description if he is in fact her blind date. Well, let’s just say say that just sets things off in a completely different way. Two complete opposites. But holy cow what a ride you are taken on. And truly, I don’t think you ever really know what to expect. And that’s the beauty of Winter Renshaw’s writing. Just loved!!!
I fell in love with Astaire. She has been dealt so many blows in life. So many tragedies. Yet she is a such a good, hopeful beautiful person. Bennett on the other hand, seems like a jerk. But a sexy jerk. This is a fabulous enemies to lovers romance. There is sadness, angst and redemption. What a fabulous book! I wish there were more epilogues! I didnt want the book to end.