Everyone has a secret… Gabe Hyde is on borrowed time. He’s been hiding his identity for over four years-hidden from the world that used to adore him–obsess over him–driven to the edge of insanity by one poor choice.
But that one choice, altered the course of his life forever.
Pretending isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially when pretending means hiding your real self from the people … people that care about you the most. But if anyone ever discovered the truth it wouldn’t just be his life at risk–but hers. Saylor doesn’t hate men. Just Gabe. Only Gabe. He’s a reckless, happy-go-lucky, silver spoon fed pain in her ass. Everything about him makes her more and more confused. Unfortunately they both donate time at the same Group Home. If she wasn’t afraid of flunking, she’d be long gone. She hates that she’s attracted to him almost as much as he hates that he’s attracted to her–and she can tell, especially since their first encounter ended up making her knees so weak she couldn’t form coherent sentences for weeks afterwards. But the closer she gets to him, the more confused she becomes. He isn’t who he says he is, and he’s hiding something big. What happen when two worlds collide? Two worlds that never should have met in the first place? Some secrets are too big to be hidden forever–the only question? Will his destroy everyone he loves? Or finally bring about the redemption he’s been craving for the past four years? Everyone has a secret…What’s yours?
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5 stars! Another great emotional story by RVD. We met Gabe in Ruin and know there is more to his story than meets the eye. He seems like a bad boy, but he has moments of true sweetness. He also has a tortured soul. He meets Saylor when he is trying to work through some of his emotions, so needless to say that meeting doesn’t go well. This story makes you feel so much for Gabe and what he has been through and hoping he can find he way to the other side with the support of his friends. Saylor wasn’t one of my favorite heroines at the start of the book, but as she really starts to see Gabe for who he is and how he is trying to cope with his past, I loved how she was totally there for him. Can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
I enjoyed this book though Gabe was an asshole for the first half. Like honestly I kind of wonder about Saylor’s character because I would have told him off way more than she ever did. He was awful to her. But this story was heartbreaking and we learned why Gabe is how he is. Overall a well-written storyline without really any twists.
*4 Stars*
Copy kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
I was really interested in reading Gabe’s story after the parts we saw of him in the first book in this series. He has quite the history and there are a lot of very emotional parts to his story. Some of the things alluded to were easy to pick up on, but there was one thing I definitely had no idea about until it was revealed.
Gabe is an interesting person, with the feelings he has because of his past and who he is trying to be in the present. And then Saylor comes along and throws a spanner in the works and he’s even more all over the place.
I liked Saylor and thought she was a great character to have in this story. She’s got a few layers as well but is a really good person.
Enjoyed this one, and look forward to the next.
Can second chances actually happen when you’ve been hiding from your past? Gabe has a lot of secrets he’s been keeping and they are about to explode around him. Saylor stumbles upon Gabe in her practice room & it wasn’t a great first meet. They continue to run into each other while trying to deny the attraction. Toxic was an emotional read, and was a great 2nd book in the series!
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Now we already knew that Gabe was all smexiness wrapped up in a pretty bow, but to see it through Saylor’s eyes was just, Heather needed a new pair of panties is what, “Spy?” His eyes narrowed but his smile stayed. He was beautiful. With dark brown hair that fell just below his ears. His white t-shirt was stretched across a broad, muscled chest. Tattoos covered every square inch of skin on both arms.” The boy is just a total tease, “his tongue found mine. I moaned as his hands tugged my shirt. He smelled like fresh soap and spices. I wrapped my arms around his neck. With a growl he pulled back, his eyes flashing. “We doing this here?” The boy can be a complete animal let me tell you what, “me thinks she wants to be chased.” Gabe licked his lips.” The boy also has no smoothness when it comes to Saylor like he’s just off base, “false.” I snickered. “I could charm the dress off a nun – I just choose not to when I’m around you.” Her face fell. “Shi**.” I wiped my face with my hands. “Let’s try that again shall we?” Did I mention that he can be a damn tease? “Sorry.” I shrugged helplessly. “Wife…” I said it in a deep sultry voice and then started peeling off my clothes. First my shirt, second my jeans, third my boxers.” Personally I was kinda hoping the boy went commando and let the boys breath, *sighs* but that’s not the case. I can’t wait for Lisa’s story it’s so hard not to fall in love with Rachel’s characters, that you cry when the book ends.
4-4.5 Princess Stars.
Death and love are the only two things that exist in this world that are strong enough to alter the course of your life, of your destiny. They either propel you or paralyze you. In the end, the choice is always yours.
Toxic is book two of the Ruin series. I suppose you don’t really have to read Ruin first, but if you don’t you’ll miss out on not only a wonderful story but the chance to know more background on Gabe. Gabe isn’t who you think he is, he isn’t who anyone thinks he is. He’s been hiding for four long years. He’s not even sure he knows his own name anymore. He’s totally lost.
Saylor is a music major and the hope of her family. They’re counting on her to fulfill her dreams so that she can help to fulfill theirs. When she stumbles upon Gabe, he’s abusing a piano in one of the practice rooms. Their initial meeting is brutal and it doesn’t really get better as time goes on. Until one day each of them is forced to confront their feelings. Although it doesn’t really matter as far a Gabe is concerned. Why? Well, it’s the reason he’s lost himself.
This is another emotional story of lost chances, living with mistakes, wishing for a do-over that you know isn’t going to happen. It’s about living with the consequences of your actions. It’s about living up to responsibility no matter the cost. It’s about friends that stand by you no matter what. It’s a story of redemption.