Imogen Hardy hit the dirt hard and often when in the presence of Kane Jessop, not because she was so besotted with him and clumsy that she fell at his feet, but because he put her there. Usually with a hard shove or a swift swipe of her ankles.He was a vicious and unruly child; then a boy, now a man. He is in every bad memory Immy has ever had. He consumes her thoughts, her nightmares and … reluctantly, her dreams; even now, years after she fled.
She hoped she could stay gone, but life hands out jokers sometimes disguised as aces. The ace being her grandmother is dead, good times. The old hag can rot, but not before Immy makes the journey back to Faceless, Texas, to give a eulogy fit for no child’s ears. Releasing years’ worth of weight from her chest. A much-needed release.
The joker being… this brings her straight back to her hometown, straight back to him.
And unfortunately for her, he is waiting.
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I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review. As if it is possible to give a dishonest review to any A.E. Murphy’s books. All of them that I have got my hands on have been exceptional. So is Vicious. It is a book you just cannot put aside once you started reading it. Not a moment spent with it is wasted.
A story of Imogen and Kane. Both are damaged and life has not treated them fairly. Most of the people they have entrusted with their love do not deserve it. This has made them believe they are not lovable. There is a lot of bullying involved. Sometimes the feelings we have are something we do not understand and therefore cannot express them in an appropriate way. As you advance reading you understand that all the bullying is just an armor that has been built up to protect the bully. Better to be vicious and make sure noone gets close and that’s how hurt is kept at distance, or so the bullies believe. It takes time to come to the understanding that love heals and it is OK to let it show.
My opinion on the book – read, weep and rejoice. It has so many facets and layers – expect the unexpected and you will not be dissapointed. I loved it.