Every little girl dreams of the fairytale. The one where the white knight rushes in to save her from the clutches of evil. They fall in love, have babies, and live happily ever after.By that definition, my life should have been a fairytale too.When I was eight years old, Caven Hunt saved me from the worst kind of evil to walk the Earth. It didn’t matter that I was a kid. I fell in love with him … in love with him all the same.
But that was where my fairytale ended.
Years later, a one-night stand during the darkest time imaginable gave us a little girl. It was nothing compared to the pitch black that consumed me when I was forced to leave her with Caven for good.
At the end of every fairytale, the happily-ever-after is the one thing that remains consistent. It wasn’t going to be mine, but there hadn’t been a night that passed where I hadn’t prayed that it would be hers.
I owed Caven my life.
However, I owed that innocent child more.
And that included ripping the heart from my chest and facing her father again.
more
This book was pure awesomeness. From beginning to end, it captivated me. I found myself having to take huge deep breaths because the angst was just so intense at certain points. It’s such a soulful story, I felt every deep emotion. There was excitement, anxiety, happiness and the depths of despair.
This story spans over several years. I liked how it started off in the past and then dove into Caven and Hadley’s complicated relationship and connection. The author really makes us feel and live the depth of emotion and chemistry between the two. I was drawn into these characters instantly and found them to be unique and interesting. My heart broke for them over and over again.
Caven’s life changed when he became a single dad in an instant. He doesn’t know a thing about babies, but he wants to be a good father. Rosie is his life and he always makes sure she knows how loved she is, despite her mother’s absence.
Caven captured my heart, one of my favorite parts of this book is how the author dives so deep into his mind, exposing everything bare for us to see. The way his character transformed and transcended was beautiful. Hadley is a threat and he hates her at first. She wants to be involved in Rosie’s life and he is assuming the worst. He doesn’t trust her motives or her ability to care for a child.
Caven and Hadley have a connection, they have both experienced the worst darkness, they are survivors. The chemistry between them is really amazing and there are a lot of sweet moments with the adorable Rosie. All of it was just perfection. Hadley is exactly what Caven and Rosie needed, she is generous, kind and hilarious. She is a strong and pure heroine whose world has been torn apart by a mass murder.
Caven battles with his emotions to let go of his anger and anxiety, and the struggle is real. But Hadley always finds a way to touch him. After a short time, a forbidden romance blooms.
The sexual tension, emotional connection, the mystery, the tormented characters all add up to make this an absolutely brilliant book.
The plot twist was an interesting and surprising addition that led to one heck of a reveal. I always love when a story can throw a curve ball that I didn’t see coming but I’m very happy that wait for book two will soon be over!
I really want to use a whole boat load of expletives to help me explain how much I loved this book! It’s an amazing, outstanding, unpredictable, epic read that both lulled me into a happy false sense of security and had me on the edge of my seat in equal measure.
This story wrecked me in one way or another and I ran the full gamut when it came to emotions. I cried, I laughed, I gasped and I raged. From the writing style and the pacing, to the great character development and shocking storyline, it totally exceeded my already high expectations. This is a book that needs to be read from beginning to end, with an open mind, without judgement, because if you think you know where it’s going, you really don’t. I was so engrossed in the story that, apart from one tiny clue, which I admit I immediately dismissed, any others that hinted at things to come, completely passed me by. I love to be caught off guard by a storyline, to live it as I’m reading without skipping ahead in my mind and to feel the full impact when the emotional bombs start to go off. Written with Regret is one of those books best entered into blindly.
I fell in love with these characters and couldn’t put the book down. I’m now going to sit here chewing my nails, anxiously and not so patiently, awaiting the conclusion to this gripping tale.
The prologue alone had me hooked!! It is absolutely intense and devastating. My heart was beyond crushed. I could not imagine being in the situation these characters were in.
Certain chapters you read in the book will have you holding your breath! I was afraid to breathe and be heard!
As the story progresses, you can not help but to love Hadley and Caven. I will admit, Hadley took a while longer to love but once I knew her full story, she melted right next to Caven in my heart. Rosalee is the best!! This little girl had me laughing at her antics!
The story flows effortlessly while I chanted in the background, “Yes, you guys can do it!!”
Then…
Aly hit me with a mind twist out of nowhere!! Oh my goodness!!! I was not expecting that ending!!! Hold up!! How? Why? Noooooooooo!!!!!!!! Come on Aly!!
How can you leave us hanging like that?!
I need answers! Written with You can not come soon enough!!! Get this book and get ready for a heck of a cliffhanger!!! Whew!
Omg! Aly Martinez has done it again! I could not put this book down. I am not going to say much because I do not want to ruin it for anyone. But I will say this is a must read and my top read of 2019!
Right from the start of the story I was instantly consumed. This author has a way of weaving a story so beautiful, so intense that you can’t put it down. That’s the easiest way to describe it. It was a tale of ups and down that at times was not easy to read. I was very drawn to both Hadley and Caven. They both had such amazing qualities you can’t help but connect with them on a deeper level. We go through what they go through, endure what they did. So much I could say about this book but I’ll say if you love single dads, cute kids, suspense and angst then this book is perfect for you! 5 stars #2OCCJD
Aly Martinez knows how to suck you right into a story and then shock the crap out of you. This book is not easy or warm and fluffy but it is amazing!!
Written With Regret is the first book in the Regret Duet and it left us hanging and the absolute most inconvenient place possible. This story purposely left big secrets and had truths as breadcrumbs throughout but even I didn’t expect that. Now I have to wait to find out how much this author is messing with my emotions!! Ugh…the wait… Since I have read this author before, I am going to trust her to make it good…she always does.
I loved the high intensity emotions that this story provided and so far I’m loving the characters so I can wait to see how the rest of their story plays out! Get started now so that you are ready for the next book!
This is the first book I’ve read by Aly Martinez and I absolutely love her writing! It was a tough subject and emotional but she had some awesome banter going on between the lead characters, Caven and Hadley. It made them more human. And it made the book a little lighter and easy to read despite the heavy subject matter. And that cliffhanger! I certainly wasn’t expecting that! I really enjoyed the characters too. I don’t want to write too much and give it away! Just read this book!
Reviewed by: Alexis B.
A SHOCK INDUCING, WILL BLOW YOUR MIND AND LEAVE YOU ON THE EDGE STORY THAT LEFT MY JAW DROPPED, MY EMOTIONS RUNNING WILD AND MY HEART SHATTERED, MELTED, AND SOMEHOW MENDED BACK TOGETHER AGAIN!
Written With Regret is the first book in ALy Martinez’s new Regret Duet and I have to say y’all, this book WAS SOMETHING AMAZING! The story was written PERFECTION! It had my heart engaged from the very blurb right to the very end where the story ended on a such a shocking note. I am now on edge as I wait for the second book to hit my kindle. This is NOT to be missed!
Written With Regret gets a MIND BLOWING FIVE EDGE WORTHY STARS!
4.5 stars
This was excellent. Written With Regret is the Aly Martinez book that I feel I have been missing for a while. Still not a huge fan of all of the duet books but I still liked this one. I sped right through it. Aly excels at writing flow that keeps you turning the pages and huge plot twists. She lived up to her rep with this book.
I can’t really go into the story as it would be spoilery. I will say that if you love single dad romances you will love this. Caven and Rosalee were adorable. I loved Hadley too. If you are looking for a single dad romance that is a formula romance, you won’t get that here. Things are not always what they seem so be prepared for a twist. I can’t wait to get my hands-on book two.
WRITTEN WITH REGRET is the first instalment in Aly Martinez’ contemporary, adult REGRET erotic, romance duet focusing on IT millionaire Caven Hunt, and artist/photographer Hadley Banks.
NOTE: Due to the graphic nature and basis of the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told dual first person perspectives (Hadley and Caven) using present day and memories from the past WRITTEN WITH REGRET follows the tempestuous and caustic relationship between thirty-three year old IT millionaire Caven Hunt,and twenty seven year old artist/photographer Hadley Banks. Approximately nineteen years earlier, life as they knew, imploded for our story line couple. Fast forward fifteen years wherein a one-night stand left Hadley pregnant with Caven’s child, a child she was unable to care for or raise. Four years would pass before Hadley re-entered her daughter’s life, a life she now shares with her doting father. Hoping to reconnect with the child she loves, Hadley is at the mercy of Caven Hunt for access, and information about Rosalee Hunt. What ensues is the enemies to lovers relationship between Hadley and Caven, and the potential fall-out as Hadley’s motivation comes into question as it pertains to both Caven and their four year old daughter.
Caven and Hadley share a tortured past but a past more closely connected than Caven could have ever imagined. Years of therapy and reluctant acceptance found Hadley struggling to move forward but the possibility of never seeing her child continued to eat away at our story line heroine. Caven Hunt knows the true meaning of evil having lived a life with a monster few knew but of whom many had heard. Battling his own demons Caven must pull it together when a new born child is left on his door.
The relationship between Hadley and Caven is acrimonious at best. Caven is unable to forgive Hadley for sins of the past, ‘abandoning’ their daughter, and never affording him the decency of prior knowledge. Hadley’s state of mind is questionable under the circumstance, a circumstance that continues to pull Hadley towards the man that, years earlier, had saved her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Hadley and Caven’s daughter Rosalee; Hadley’s best friend and attorney Beth Watts; Caven’s brother Trent Hunt; best friend and business partner Ian Villa.
WRITTEN WITH REGRET is a forceful and thought provoking story of heart break and loss; of pain and suffering; of regret and trauma. Aly Martinez takes the reader on an emotional journey fraught with anguish and upheaval, regret and bitterness. The premise is dramatic, tragic and intriguing; the romance is provocative and intense; the characters are flawed, broken, and energetic. WRITTEN WITH REGRET ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.
5 stars
Holy wow, Aly Martinez blew my mind and heart to pieces in this one!! She’s one of the few authors for whom I’ll tolerate duets because she is so ridiculously amazing. Her stories are always so unique and compelling with rich, complicated characters. Frankly, I’d read her damn grocery list (even written as a duet)!
I was captured from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. The story is unbelievably heartbreaking, while at the same time life-affirming, which sounds weird, I know. I can’t say much because basically everything is a spoiler and I just wouldn’t do that to a reader. Plus, this book simply must be experienced. I can say; however, that I’m 100% sure it’s a physical impossibility a reader can resist the charm of Caven and his Rosie. They are perfection and when someone threatens to touch that perfection, he goes into father bear mode, which frankly is sexy as hell. I know I was supposed to be on the fence about the heroine but if I’m being honest, I loved her and the author did a fantastic job of making her likeable under the circumstances.
In true Martinez fashion, she walloped me in the end with that cliffy. I did not see that coming!!! I cannot wait for the conclusion to this incredible story! Hurry up, June!
AnnMarie – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
This book is, simply put, amazing. Aly Martinez is the Queen of Duets, in my opinion.
This book starts off with a flashback, and it’s a doozy. Whoa. Just whoa. And when we get back to present day. Whoa again! We take off on our journey from the very beginning and we never slow down. In fact, the twists and turns just keep coming. I could not put this book down.
Caven, which is an awesome name btw, is so amazing. He struggles with the hand he’s been dealt, many hands actually. So seeing him turn into the man he becomes is beautiful. I struggled a bit with Hadley. At first. But when I finally learned about her reasoning behind the decisions she made, I came to admire her. And the chemistry between them was off the charts, even when they were raging mad at each other. *fans self*
The story flowed so well and it was so intriguing and suspenseful and, holy cow, that ending. My heavens. I cannot wait for the next book. Aly is always a must read for me and this book is another winner from her. If you haven’t read her before, start now, and then go read everything she’s ever written because she’s that amazing of a storyteller. This is a top read of the year for me.
I love Aly. Her books are always intense interesting gripping with amazing characters. Her endings always have me wanting to throw my kindle. Yes this one was all that and more. This book was an emotional rollercoaster from the very beginning. I can’t believe how many twists and turns this authors has you going through that left me shocked to the core. Surprising moments that left me blinded with shock. Caven gets one curveball after another thrown at him after another. Life is full of surprises for him. Hadley was intriguing. I absolutely loved her story. It was heart wrenching and touching at the same time . Throwing these two together gives you a great storyline with two characters who have amazing chemistry. But that ending. You think you know where the story was going but NOPE not even close. It throws you for the biggest loop. I literally dropped my kindle with shock. Mind blowing storyline from the beginning. But so enjoyable. I love her style of writing and can’t wait to see what is going to happen.
First it started with a bang, then it went to an omg moment, after that it went to holy wow, but then it had me like what in the living f is going on!!!! I need book two like I need my next breath! I’m simply blown away by this author and the way she has with words!
I don’t even know where to start with this book. This is everything I’ve come to expect from Aly Martinez.
I went into this book knowing just the title and the author and I’ve got to say I definitely recommend going in blind. This is such a unique and emotional story and it didn’t play out quite as I was expecting. The characters share such a complicated history it’s all too easy to become fully invested in their story the more I got to know them, there’s twists that just keep coming,the whys, where’s, who’s etc had my mind working overtime, and it’s got so much delicious angst that I couldn’t put this book down. The ending is an absolutely fantastically delivered cliffhanger that left me picking my jaw off the floor while going huh? It’s left me desperate for the concluding part of the Regret Duet.
Que the tears. Make sure you have tissues handy are at home. I wasn’t so fortunate. I was a blubbering mess in the school car line. Aly Martinez is one of those authors always delivers the best story and always surprises me. This book had so many things happen I didn’t expect. I am so ready for the conclusion.
I don’t know how to put into words. This is a book you need to go into blind. Writtwn With Regret left me speechless and needing more. This book will give you all the feels and have you turning the pages fast.
Must read!
I’m… wow. I’m completely at a loss for words. That. Twist. That. Ending! I mean, what in the world just happened? My heart’s seriously still galloping wildly like it’s about to race out of my chest, my jaw’s probably permanently stuck on the floor right now, and my poor brain is just in overdrive.
“Life isn’t lived as a whole. We aren’t given a hundred years all at once. Time is doled out one very manageable second at a time. If all you focus on is the big picture and worry about tomorrow, you lose the happiness that can be found in the seconds.”
Aly Martinez has left me speechless time and again with every book of hers that I’ve read. She’s engulfed me with waves and waves of emotions that I couldn’t even count how many times she’s made me sob and bawl like a baby one minute, then giggle and chuckle like a loon the next whenever I was fully immersed in her words. And this… this one’s no different.
“Not everything was black and white. It was often in the gray areas where the hardest decisions were made.”
Written with Regret swept me off my feet, brought me to my knees, and crippled me with far too many feels all at the same time. Right from the very first page, I was absolutely hooked. I even thought, all along, that I already knew where the story was headed. But then I got whiplashed by one word right at the end. One. Word. Truly, this first half of the Regret Duet wasn’t only intense and emotionally poignant, but it was also utterly mind-blowing and unpredictable.
“Hadley and I did not have the best relationship. But there was something about her that made me feel.”
Caven Hunt is a broken hero you’ll just want to wrap up in a huge bear hug. I already loved his sense of protectiveness and courage from the start, but with every page you turn, you’ll find yourself falling even deeper and harder for the guy. Hadley Banks is a damaged heroine who’s so easy to connect and empathize with. She’s sweet and kindhearted with a kind of wit that will make you crack up—she’s no ordinary girl, that’s for sure. And Rosie Posie… man, this baby girl will just straight up steal and melt your heart. If you think this kid will fade into the background of Caven and Hadley’s tale, then you’re dead wrong. Because this adorable rug rat shined just as much as they did, if not more.
“There’s a reason time only marches in one direction. You can choose any second to start over again.”
If you‘re looking for an angsty, unputdownable and extraordinary kind of romance that strikes deep… one that swallows you whole and you won’t get enough of… then this one’s definitely for you. Don’t worry, I’m also holding my breath, dying and waiting not so patiently for the second book of the duet, Written with You, right alongside you.
4.5 stars for – Written With Regret – book one in the Regret Duet by Aly Martinez. This book is an epic roller coaster of emotions from high to low with everything in between in ways Aly has never taken us on before. Just when you think you have an understanding of what is happening the rug is pulled out from underneath you all over again with that cliffhanger!
Caven Hunt is an extremely wealthy man after selling his computer software to the highest bidder. The night the money hits the bank is also the night someone leaves a baby on his doorstep. His baby, according to the letter that was left with the little girl from a one-night hookup that can’t either physically or financially care for her. Caven’s world literally changes in the blink of an eye but he does what he has to do for his daughter ensuring the selfish woman who just left her outside a door without a care in the world would never be able to try and claim her as her own again. Caven foolishly assumes he will never see Rosie’s mother again but you know what happens when you assume…
This was a beautifully tragic and shocking portrayal of heartbreak, regret, forgiveness and love. We only know half of the story and I’m already in love with Caven and can’t wait to see what happens next!
Written with Regret is book 1 in the Regret Duet, and I can’t wait for the conclusion to this story.
“There’s a reason time only marches in one direction. You can choose any second to start over again.”
Aly Martinez is one of those authors that pulls you in from the very first page, and as usual, this book hooked me immediately. This storyline is so complex and written beautifully. And while I was sure I knew exactly where this book would leave off, the curveball thrown at the very end was so unexpected. Everything I was expecting went completely out the window and instead left off with cliffhanger of epic proportions.
I want to share so much, but I feel like this is one of those books you need to go into blind. The characters evolve throughout, and through past flashbacks and the present storyline, my perception of each evolved as well. While there are some funny moments, and Rosalee is pure sunshine throughout, this is not a romcom. This book is dark and twisty, and will definitely bring on all the feelings.
I highly recommend this book, and I’m excited to see how this story plays out!
Ok so this books left me with sooo many questions.This book sucks you in from the very beginning. There is so much emotion throughout the whole story. The pain from the past rests within both Caven and Hadley. I feel like this review is going to be all over the place, because that’s how I feel. I’m reeling from the ending.
Let me back up just a bit. Cavan is such a wonderful man. He’s smart and loving. He’s worked so hard to overcome his past. When we see Cavan with his daughter, it just makes your heart melt. She has her daddy wrapped around her little finger.
I didn’t want to like Hadley at all. I was set in hating her and thinking she was a horrible person. But I couldn’t help but love her. She’s funny and so wonderfully weird. No one but her frisky knows what she was thinking when she left, but she did come back. And you can tell she truly loves Rosalee.
Cavan does not want her around at all, and it’s so justified. But OMG the sexual tension is so off the chart HOT!!
I loved this book!! It is Aly Martinez’s best work to date!! Her writing is incredible. She has a was of invoking so many different emotions from me. There were so many moments I was left speechless. That ending?! Gah!!! I need book two like yesterday!
It deserves all the stars!! My first 6 star read of the year!!!