Smut Fanatics: Laura’s Review of Sebring (Unfinished Hero #5) By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

Nick Sebring has issues. Born feeling like an outsider in his own family, growing up under the shadow of a brother who could do anything, Nick isn’t that great of a guy. But when this culminates with Nick lashing out to hurt his brother through the woman he loves, Nick turns inward and makes some decisions about the man he intends to be.

And as he does this, he falls in love and truly learns the man that he’s grown to be.

When his love is murdered right before Nick’s eyes, Nick knows he has to avenge her. He knows how he’s going to avenge her. And he has no qualms using Olivia Shade to exact that vengeance.

Olivia Shade has grown up on the outside of her family too. Her problem is that they don’t want her outside. They want her all the way in, right under their thumbs. She pays the price for seeking escape and learns her lesson—she’ll never see a dawn where she wakes up free.

Then she meets Nick Sebring, and even as she fights it, the hope that died years ago starts to blossom. She can find love. She can have a man of her own. She can be happy. She can be free.

Olivia hopes while Nick schemes.

However, as Nick peels back the layers of all that is Olivia Shade, he finds something surprising. He understands its fragility. He falls in love with its beauty. He seeks to protect it.

But he forgets to protect his Livvie from one thing: Nick Sebring.

What I Loved

First of all, the Unfinished Hero series is one my favorite Kristen Ashley series because there are more rough around the edges and bitter then her other series and that’s what sets them apart. Creed was probably my favorite because of how bitter sweet the entire plot was and I love books that can stir up that much emotion in me. Sebring might not have brought as many emotions to the forefront but it certainly brought a lot. There was point in the story that I was close to bawling and my heart was just completely shattered. Then there were times my heart was racing and I had a stupid smile on my face.

Olivia Shade immediately appealed to me because she was a smart poised woman in a horrible situation and saw no end in sight. You learn as the story continues that she has tried in the past to escape her reality only for it come violently back to her. She is a woman you can fall for instantly and I just wanted her to find her happy ending so badly.

I also really loved that from the first book in this series, you seriously hate Nick Sebring and want him to die. But as the story continues his character development goes from one end of the spectrum to another and by the time you get to his story you are absolutely in love with him. It kind of reminds of the Consequences series by Aleatha Romig. You start out hating Tony then by the end you are completely in love with him. Nick was that for me, a person who grows into a hero and completely changes your opinion.

I truly loved that not only do we learn that there is more to these characters than what we thought but along the way they learn that about themselves too. Nick didn’t think he was capable of falling in love again but he did. Olivia never thought she could find happiness in her life but she stumbles head first into a whole new wonderful life. Together they discover one another but also discover themselves along the way.

Not So Much

I think I disliked the lack of dialogue between Nick and Olivia in the beginning because in a way it kind of stalled the plot. It was just too much of wham bam thank you ma’am for it to completely hold my attention. After a while though the plot continues and they do build a relationship but it was just a step too far for me in the beginning. Also like all Kristen Ashley novels it’s very wordy and once again I found myself speed reading whole paragraphs so I could just get to the point of all of this. It’s always been a hang up I have with Kristen Ashley stories so I wasn’t too disappointed to find it again in this one.

To Sum It All Up!

I once again have fallen in love with a Kristen Ashley character and that my friend is Nick Sebring. There are no words to describe how hot this dude is and all the things he does for Olivia just made him even better! Olivia stood out to me from most of the heroines in a Kristen Ashley novel because she was truly alone in this world. Most leading ladies have a solid family or best friend but Olivia was on her own. She recognized her life for what it was and tried to carve some piece of happiness just for herself.

Of course no story would be complete without some sort of devastation and when it hit I was in pieces. I’m not going to give anything away just have Kleenex near you when it happens….trust me! Although this story followed similar Kristen Ashley models it deviated at times making the plot feel fresh, keeping me hooked. I really loved the ending because it definitely made Oliva and Nick’s story unique and all the more heart felt. I am so sad to see the end of this series, it is truly one of my favorites but what a wonderful way to end it! Thank you so much Kristen Ashley for giving us these characters, I will always remember them.

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