Brantley Morrison is a drinker of whiskey, a solver of problems, and a collector of mutts; the kind of loyal, hardworking guy you want on your side—and you’d best not get on the wrong side of. Alyssa Walton never meant to find herself on Brant’s bad side—never even met the man until he showed up in her bedroom with a loaded gun and a plan to destroy her.When Alyssa and Brant collide, his simple … Brant collide, his simple problem-solving mission gets a whole lot more complicated. Turns out, Alyssa is nothing like he expected, and she just might be everything he’s ever wanted. Sure, she’s a little afraid of him, but every relationship has its obstacles.
Brant’s never had anyone like Alyssa around, someone loyal and kind who smoothes over his rough edges like she was born to do it. Alyssa’s never met a man like Brant, either, and while she admires the way he looks out for those he loves, she can’t help wondering, who’s looking out for Brant?
Now, faced with wanting the girl he was never supposed to keep, Brant has to make an impossible choice. Does he give up the girl who has brought sunshine into his lonely life, or does he hold on tight, even if it might mean letting down the people he’s spent his whole life protecting?
**The Imperfections is a full-length standalone novel that includes dark and sensitive themes. **
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The Imperfections: A Forbidden Romance
By: Sam Mariano 5 Stars
******** May Contain Some Spoilers ********
I will try my absolute best to keep spoilers to a minimum or completely out of my review. Sometimes it can be hard to do so.
This is not your normal contemporary romance! The storyline gets a little dark through out the book. I was reading chapter when I got to a particular scene, I almost stopped reading . I was thinking this book is way to dark for me, but I kept reading . I’m glad I did, what I was afraid was going to happen, didn’t. There are some crazy obstacles standing in the way of Alyssa and Brant being together. You can feel the love they have for each other. Even though this gets a little dark, it does have a HEA!
•••••• I highly recommend this book/series! ••••••
~~ I have Kindle Unlimited, and I used that service to read this book. ~~
Sam Mariano writes edgy, dark, witty, romantic, clever, romance. The Imperfections is all of that and I take pleasure in reading her passion for the unique and unconventional story that this is. The Imperfections starts with a bang and it took me a minute to think about what I just read and that was just the first couple of chapters. Sam does an amazing job of keeping you on your toes and also, interested in her characters, all of them not just the two main ones. 4 stars for a story that has Sam Mariano signature all over it.
Felt it was kind of all over in the beginning but it all fell into place a couple of chapters in. Brant comes across as complete alpha and stuck in his ways. He’s also got a mysterious, dangerous side. He’s very much a family man and protects them to a fault.
This is my first Sam Mariano book ever and WHAT A BOOK to start off with.
Age gap, forbidden love, drama, whit. I couldn’t put it down. Dark, twisted. Things that make you go “Hmmmm”
Brant is not your normal hero but has all the Alpha traits that you’ll love!! Alyssa, at times, feels like she has an old soul that is still naive. I absolutely loved every bit of this book but especially their relationship. The ups and downs, the insecurities they worked through. Amazing!! Great read!!!
Sam Mariano is a fairly new to me author as I have only read one other book but after reading The Imperfections it is now obvious that I need to go out and buy and read ALL THE REST. This book completely hooked me from the start. Granted it was definitely dark and twisted, but that made it all the more intriguing and engaging and interesting for me. I could not put it down. I was so invested in learning more about Brant’s character and what was behind why he was the way he was and if he going to end up being a good guy. Bri’s flip flopping attitude towards him had me baffled considering she was his twin, which I think was definitely well played by the author. I 100% enjoyed every moment of this twisted age gap read and would definitely recommend it, though it for sure is not for the faint of heart. I cannot wait to read more from this author!!!
Before you pick up this book cancel all your plans, because you won’t be able to put it down.
The Imperfections was twisted, wild and dark in the most delicious way ever.
Character development was insane, I absolutely love Brandt (swoon) and Alyssa.
A definite must read.
In true Sam Mariano style, She’s delivered us another fantastic read which contains triggers for some. Me personally, I freaking love her triggers. Yes yes they are unethical for some but hell.. it’s just a book so deal with it.. Brant is 100% hotness a sexy bar owner and Alyssa is well his hit which turned, frenemy with benefits.
This book is so much more that what I’ve written, come on y’all read this and you’ll love it. Again if you are a prude or have cheating issues this book is NOT for you.
The blurb caught my eye and the fact that Sam wrote the book ultimately made my one click. I love Sam’s writing, she definitely pushes boundaries and this book was no different.
It was twisted, but for me I enjoyed it. There were a few scenes in there that were wild to watch unfold. Definitely devoured this one!
YES!
This book starts out with a bang… of triggers. That said, if you were able to handle Untouchable then you’ll probably be fine here.
Now that we have that unpleasantness out of the way, onward to the good stuff!
Oh, I so needed more Sam Mariano. And here she comes to save the day with another one of her otherwise unlikable anti-heroes. How does she do it?? How does she take a man, who by all accounts is completely unacceptable as a romantic interest, have him do despicable things, and yet by the end of the book scores of otherwise sensible women are ready to fight over him? It defies logic. And yet… whatever sorcery it is certainly works on me. Every damn time.
“If it counts for anything, I’m glad I didn’t kill you tonight,” I tell her.
“You’re a true romantic,” she spits back acerbically.”
Did I love Brant in the first few pages? No. However, I never love her anti-heroes within the first few pages. They need space to spread their terrible wings and do very bad things before she turns on her magic trickery to make us love them.
Brant is not what most folks would call a “good guy.” I say most because it depends on your definition. Does that person have to abstain from killing people? Well, Brant is out. Does that person have to abstain from kidnapping? Assault? Okay, well… he doesn’t pass that hurdle, either. Some might say you are being picky with these requirements, I’m gonna be honest with you. BUT- he doesn’t cheat on his romantic partners! And what’s more? He is very loyal to his family. So there! All is forgiven, eh?
We good here? Did I mention he is also hot, and kinda jerky sometimes? Yeah, I thought that last part would do it.
Alyssa is an interesting character. She is young, but due to growing up in a small, overcrowded house with several hot mess relatives she is somehow more laid back and logical than you would expect for a person her age. She also has a strange approach to threats and/or danger in that she just sort of… bends to it. Rather than being rigid and unyielding (and thus easy to break) she instead adapts to what comes her way. Figures a certain degree of pliability will protect her. And you know what? She’s right. My magic 8 ball predicts that some readers might accuse her of being a doormat, but I counter that with the argument that her ways are what saved her. Her ability to turn a would-be enemy into an ally isn’t weak- it’s enviable. Because if I got kidnapped? My dead body would be thrown from the moving getaway vehicle with a quickness, no doubt.
As is the norm for Sam Mariano the relationship that is eventually forged between these two is NOT a typical progression for a romance. Does she love him? Should she call the police? Is he going to sleep with her, or kill her? Could he possibly be more hurtful? I mean, possibly… but he did do a damn good job of it.
True to her style, this book had me hooked right away. The story popped out of the pages and slapped me right in the face before darting back with a sinister giggle. And quite frankly, that’s how I like my books.
Recommended as always, but be mindful of trigger warnings.
Triggers: non-con, dub-con, violence
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