Sixteen years ago, Merit Young left Granite Harbor, Maine, for California in search of a future that didn’t involve Ryan Taylor.He’d left her in pieces on her bedroom floor, delivering a blow she couldn’t have expected. But, now, at the request of her brother, Eli, she must return and confront the demons of her past – Ryan included. After the loss they both suffered, she isn’t prepared to face … both suffered, she isn’t prepared to face him – especially considering he’s the only one who’s always been able to see right through her.
˃˃˃ Ryan has lived his entire adult life in survival mode.
Growing up with an abusive father has taught him to keep women at arm’s length, and that’s never been a problem. Until Merit – the only woman he’s ever loved -strides through his front door. He’s not sure how long she’s staying, but he knows it’ll be long enough to destroy what’s left of his heart.
˃˃˃ To overcome their dark past, they’ll have to shed light on a reality that will most likely tear them apart.
Merit has been hiding a heartbreaking decision from Ryan, and he’s been keeping lies of his own.
˃˃˃ Can two tortured souls heal after a lifetime of pain? Or will the hideous secrets of the past bury them both?
Fans of Devney Perry, Kristen Ashley, Harper Sloan with love the second installment of the The Granite Harbor Series.
Note to readers: Each book can be read as a stand alone.
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4 Facing Their Past Stars!
This is my first book by this author but I can unequivocally state it won’t be my last. This story is full of emotion, angst, love and just the right amount of drama given Merit and Ryan’s past. Our H/h were childhood friends along with her younger brother Eli and while they thought their friendship would be forever, things happen and not only does it not last forever, it may be irreparable!
Ms. Bailey drew me in with the beauty of her words weaving a story that had me emotionally invested from the very start. I could feel every emotion as the characters faced each other again after so many years. There’s a lot of healing that needs to take place but can they find that and their friendship again?
I loved how we flip back and forth from past to present allowing us to see what happened and how it affects everyone involved. And being in small town like Granite Harbor where everyone knows everything about your life, getting to the love I just know Ryan and Merit had for each other was a hard fought victory!
I haven’t yet read Peony Red, but I can guarantee you I’ll be reading this book very soon so I can absorb all of Ms. Bailey’s words!!
A very young girl who was forced to grow up, to be responsible for a home and for the others, while retaining all the pain she felt within herself to continue living. Even though she was a child, she knew that what was happening at her friend’s house was not normal, but she remained silent for fear. A little adult who went on to stifle any feeling, wearing a mask for the outside world, and with that, little by little who she was for real was getting lost. Until that boy who was her friend became her world, and with him she might have the chance to be normal again.
A boy who faced the neglect, contempt and abuse of the one who should above all protect him: his father. Who lived the horror inside his house, and carried in the body the marks and traumas of a not happy childhood. But that nonetheless, he was always sweet, polite and friendly. A child, whose safe place was always the home of his friends, the only place where he felt protected and loved. Until the girl who was always his everything became something more.
Two broken souls. A teenage love that promised a new chance, a fresh start. But before an unexpected fact, hard words are exchanged, lies are told and a beautiful love breaks in pieces. Merit and Ryan grow apart, with her leaving the city to go to college and never returning, although her father and brother still live in the same place. Until a phone call will make Merit return to her hometown and face the demons she left behind. Two adults now. She’s thirty-five, he’s thirty-four. Many years have passed. But grief, pain, and especially love, are still present. Two broken people can reconnect again? Or do they need someone “normal” to balance?
Merging present and past, Violet Ugly tells the story of Merit and Ryan, from childhood to the present day. And what story do they have to tell. The two have suffered greatly since kids, and have dealt with this pain each in a way. Merit broke my heart with her reports about her mother, but the moment she tells what happened to her version of eighteen years old, I burst into tears. I could imagine the scene and tears rolled freely. The writing of J. Lynn Bailey was brilliant. Ryan also has his share of suffering, and it’s amazing to see how even with everything that happened, he has become a wonderful person. The two characters were well built, very complex, real and human. It’s a book that could very well be the story of any of us. Where more than romance, the main thing is how to leave behind all the moorings we carry, get rid of the weight and move on. Sometimes, alone it is not possible, we must learn to ask for help.
It was a touching, sad book that made me reflect at various times. I have already said in another review that I could not reach the level of forgiveness of the characters, and here I will speak again. The only part I had trouble was when Merit very easily accepted what Ryan did, on the grounds that he wanted her to have a future. I did not attain this nirvana of forgiveness in my heart. But just like the characters, maybe I should also work on these moorings.
Love joined those two. Life tried to separate. Destiny intervened and showed that such a great love is worth rebuilding. And with that, there is only Hope for a new beginning.
I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this one to read, and oh man. It was beautiful and painful and tough on the emotions! It was not what I had expected from reading the preview and blurb (I’m realizing that this is a common theme with me) but I’m so happy to have gotten the chance to dive into this world.
Merit carries around some incredibly heavy baggage, but she’s ridiculously likeable and real so you just want to help her carry it, though sometimes you want to shake her as well. Ryan is tough but broken, in many of the same ways she is. After what could go down as the worst ever miscommunication and immensely painful intentional hurt so that Merit would continue to pursue college across the country, these former young lovers spend nearly 20 years apart, hurting and not really living. They come back together after Ryan is hurt, and Merit’s brother calls her in to help him recover. Figuring out if they make it work again after all the time, distance and pain between them is one heck of a ride.
I completely enjoyed reading this story. I didn’t find really any aspect that predictable and going along for the ride is a rare treat! I can highly recommend this read to anyone who is looking for a refreshing read that really hits you in the feels.
This book is a second chance romance between childhood friends, Merit & Ryan. I was first introduced to these two in Peony Red, however, you do not need to read that book before Violet Ugly.
There is so much history between Merit & Ryan…Ryan is Merit’s younger brother’s best friend, and the three of them grew up close together in tough times. While Merit lost her mother at a young age, Ryan suffered abuse from his father and together they formed a bond that was unbreakable…until it did break. Many years later Merit & Ryan find themselves again trying to take care of one another, heal old wounds and confront their undeniable love for each other.
I love Ryan’s character – he is known to be a cocky playboy, but he really is this tough, responsible and smart Game Warden. He has no fear, loves fiercely, and is loyal to a fault to those closest to him (which isn’t many). He is so selfless that he never wavers to put others ahead of himself, and in the instances that he does in this book – you will fall for him so hard!
Merit has a tough exterior – she is brilliant, motivated, and is a care-taker. But inside she is torn apart. She runs from her past, and does not face her problems and grief until she is forced to. I loved how her character developed in this story as she is able to let go of her past and push forward despite the inner turmoil she experiences.
This is a quick, sexy, and somewhat suspenseful read. You will swoon over Ryan, and want to cheer Merit on. J. Lynn Bailey will make you feel like you are right there in small town Maine with them all, and you can’t help but love the small community and closeness of their family. I have loved getting to know these characters! Well done!
What another great and emotional read by J. Lynn Bailey!! I knew going in that this one was going to be gut wrenching. To be completely honest it took me about 3 days after release to finally start this book. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able handle all of the emotions that I would be experiencing, but it was all worth it!
The story of Merit and Ryan was packed full of emotions. As children the bond between Merit, Ryan and Merit’s brother Eli was unbreakable. Merit’s family became a safe haven for Ryan. I loved how even with all that Ryan was enduring at home he would do little things for Merit, my heart just melted! Then as they got older, Merit and Ryan’s feelings changed for each other and they fell in love, until Ryan broke her heart. So Merit left home at 18 to get away from the pain that was caused by Ryan but she is now back in Granite Harbor and Ryan knew this was his chance to right all the wrongs that occurred sixteen years ago. What ensues is a journey of grieving, healing and letting go. I shed quite a few tears in this book. The pain that they both carried was tremendous, but once they got their second chance it was so beautiful! I highly recommend this book. Now I can not wait for the next standalone in this series, Magnolia Road!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Sixteen years ago, Merit Young walked away from everything she knew, for a place where she could make a new life, free from all the bad memories that home carried. In that time she has made her way through college, created a life for herself, and found a job she enjoys doing. But when her brother calls, and asks for her to return home to care for the man who broke her heart, and sent her running, she is a little hesitant to make the trip. Because going home means facing her past, and finding the courage to admit that she lost her heart when she left there, and the only way to get it back is to face the man who holds it.
The moment your eyes land on the first page of Violet Ugly you will be absorbed into Ms. Bailey’s well crafted words, and taken on a heart-wrenching journey that will leave a permanent mark on your soul. From the get-go it was evident these two not only had chemistry in spades, but they also had a lot of wounds that needed healing. This is a slow burning story, and as it progresses you will see them battle their demons, and rediscover all that was lost when she walked away, but not without a few bumps and bruises. It is a beautifully told story, but it comes with a heavy subject line, one that may have your heart in your throat and your tears welling, but know their is also some happiness to be discovered there too. This one hit deep for me, it came bearing an highly emotional story line that was pure torture on my heart… but so darn worth every ounce of pain! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
I don’t even really know where to start with this one. I can say that I couldn’t and didn’t want to put it down once I started. I am fully invested in all these characters from Granite Harbor and I’m so glad we got Merit and Ryan’s story after reading Peony Red. I will always always be up for a good second chance romance and J. Lynn hit the mark with this one.
“I don’t feel like I’ll be okay. I feel as though my skin has been turned inside out.”
I think one of the best parts of this book was the chapters that took us to Ryan and Merit’s past, not only when things seem to break down for these two but even farther into their childhoods. We got to see when their love for each other really started and see so many things that shaped them into the adults they became. Seeing these from each point of view really drove this story for me.
“Sometimes, there are secrets we keep so deep that our minds forget, not wanting to remember what the quiet chaos feels like against our hearts.”
There was something very profound about Merit’s growth as an individual in this book. At times I wondered if she was every truly going to stop running and just deal with things. Somethings we knew about right away and others that when I read them knocked the breath right out of me. My heart ached for her and I only wanted what Ryan wanted, for Merit to be happy and her heart to be at peace. When she decided she must put herself back together first in order to love I felt an overwhelming sense if pride in her. Her therapy sessions were hard to read but I knew they were necessary. They tore me open just as I imagine the author planned.
Ryan was a huge, handsome testament that you can overcome whatever it is life throws at you. He never used his childhood or even present day events to define him and he overcame them in ways that one could only witness with awe.
J. Lynn seems to love to add just a little bit of mystery to her books and Violet Ugly was no different. I believe it another layer to this story to help not only keep it a bit exciting but also maybe to add a bit of closure I think the characters needed to move on.
There’s a moment when you’ll know. You’ll stop runnin.”
If Peony Red taught us about fate then I think Violet Ugly teaches that timing is everything. There is a time to love, a time to grieve, a time to let go and finally a time to find our happiness. I can’t wait to see what Magnolia Road brings us.
*** ARC Received for Honest Review ***
4 stars
In one word… heartbreaking. This book had me doing an ugly cry. There were so many moments when I almost broke down and started to cry, then J. Lynn Bailey finally broke me with all of the intense heartbreaking moments and had me sobbing. I cried for Merit, I cried for Ryan, for Destiny and for Merit’s mom.
This is unrequited love, love that stands the test of time, love from afar, and second chance romance all wrapped in an emotional, ugly cry, HEA, package. (Review by Terri “Jane”)