Review: Nearly Mended by Devon Ashley

Title: Nearly Mended
Author: Devon Ashley
Series: Nearly #2
Publication: April 7th 2014
Genre: New Adult ~ Dark Romance ~ Suspense
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 5/5

Megan Whitaker desperately wants to forget what the Malone brothers have done to her over the past two years – the haunting images and sensations still plaguing her thoughts and dreams – but she can’t. Charles may be dead, but Zander isn’t. I’ll bring you back to me. She wants to believe she’s safe with Nick in their secluded new home, but it doesn’t keep her from looking over her shoulder, jumping over unexpected sounds, carrying a concealed weapon or even preparing for the worst. Because she fears the time is near.

Nick Ellis has seen a change in his long, lost love. Battered emotionally and physically, Megan spends her days at self-defense classes and researching things that’ll never allow her to let go of the past. And he feels guilty even wanting her to, because he knows that heathen will return, it’s only a matter of time. And when he does, Nick knows he will do everything possible to save her, even if it means taking another shot to the heart.

But for Megan, there is no escaping the world of sex trafficking, nor the band of men who continually aid one another to keep it thriving. And as her nightmarish world encroaches on reality, Megan soon realizes there are far worse evils to fear than the sadistic man who haunts her dreams.

New Adult Romantic Suspense / Dark Realistic Fiction Recommended for 17+ for mature and disturbing situations, language and sexual content.

I'm sure I'm not the only one when I say that Nearly Mended blew me away. It took me a while to actuallty get to it, but I really wish I had read  the book sooner. I absolutely loved it!

I thought the first book, Nearly Broken, was likable but not as amazing as I wanted it to be. Nearly Mended was a thousand times better, in my opinion. It did surprise me because I hadn't expected it to be as dark, twisted and crazy as it was. And yes, these are very good things with a book like this. It just was so much more different than the first book and liked it so much more that I wish I could've given it more than five stars!

I don't know where Megan gets her strenght but I was very surprised by how strong she was in this book. She might've had a hard time in the beginning of the book, readjusting and everyting but once she gets taken again by Zander she's doing everything she can not to break down. There's a different factor this time around, though. I won't reveal what it is, for the sake of spoilers but damn, such a good twist!

I'm not sure what to say about Nick in this book. He definitely had his good moments but I'm just not a big fan of his. But I have to say that at least he never gives up on Megan, no matter what crap Zander makes both of them go true. That's something at least!

Also, I heard (before reading Nearly Mended) that people want Megan to end up with Zander. Of course, I was wondering what that all was about because Zander was a pretty fucked up psycho in the first book but now? Now I'm totally seeing it and damn it, Devon Ashley actually made me care about Zander. I still think he's a bastard and I want to hate him so much but yeah, there's something about him, I won't deny it.

Overall, Nearly Mended definitely had everything I'm looking for in a book like this. It had so much suspense, I almost couldn't take it anymore. The sex scenes were scorching and panty-dropping hot. And the last couple of chapters literally made my jaw drop. I can't wait for the next book. I want to read it as soon as it comes out!

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

I'm a mom, a wife, a lover and a fighter, a coffee addict, a total smartass, wicked knitster, a Microbiologist, a baker of fine yummy treats, and someone who will fight you to the death for that last Twinkie bag of M&Ms during the zombie-apocalypse. Seriously, my addiction is that important to me. Oh, and I say seriously way too much. Seriously…

Review: Nearly Broken by Devon Ashley

Title: Nearly Broken
Author: Devon Ashley
Series: Nearly #1
Publication: June 4th 2013
Genre: New Adult
Format: e-book
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Cover Rating: 4/5
Overall Rating: 3/5

e-copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

   

We’d both gone missing at one point, but Claire had one thing I didn’t. Someone to notice. So why was I the one still here and she the one still gone?

Nineteen year old Megan Smith has spent the past year working in a small town diner in the middle of nowhere. Life is quiet, simple, safe. Then comes the news that her look-a-like has gone missing.

Claire.

Still damaged both physically and mentally, Megan's not looking to be noticed. Wherever she goes from here, it's a road she needs to take alone. But when Nickolas Ellis takes the job as the new nightshift cook, it scares her how easily her defenses crumble down, down, down for him. But there are secrets she can't bear to share with just anyone, unspeakable acts that continue to haunt, and when the similarities of Claire’s abduction couples with the fear of an unwanted visitor in town, the urge to run before it all happens again intensifies, threatening the only happiness Megan's ever found.

New Adult Romantic Suspense / Dark Realistic Fiction
Recommended for 17+ for mature and disturbing situations, language and sexual content.

~My Thoughts:

The author, Devon Ashley, gave me this book for review month ago. Due to life getting in the way I didn't get to read this until now but I'm glad I finally did read it. Even though most people think three star ratings aren't so great, it doesn't mean this book was bad or anything. Let's just get that clear. It was a great book but not four or five star material. Now that we've got that out of the way...

I definitely liked where the story was going when it started. I really liked Megan and the mystery that surrounded her. It wasn't clear right away what really happened to her. The only thing we know was that according to her she did something awful and was on the run from someone. And then Nick came into the picture. I liked him too. Very much, actually. But what I didn't like when everything got revealed, I can't tell what exactly of course if I don't want to spoil things but I didn't like when all these things got revealed about Megan and who she really is and who Nick is all alone and how he handled it. That just put me off a little bit but other than that he was pretty great and sweet and so understanding.

I couldn't help compare this to another book that also involves human trafficking, although that book was even darker but I didn't like Nearly Broken as much for some reason. Anyway, I think some parts of the storyline just didn't feel right to me. It felt like the story was devided into these parts. The first part where Megan meets Nick, works with him and start their relationship, then the part starts where Megan finds out things and then the part where shit is hitting the fan. And I must admit I lost a little bit of my interest during the part where Megan found out who her family is. Just was a tad boring. But I liked the story overall well enough. I liked most of the characters and not only Megan and Nick, although Megan was definitely my favorite because she was so strong and sometimes snarky and she went through a lot. I really wanted her to be happy. And Nick too.


Overall not my favorite new adult book ever but Nearly Broken by Devon Ashley was a likably read with a bit of darkness that I love in some books. The characters were all great as was most of the story. I also had nothing to bad to say about the writing. I really liked it and Megan's voice. I only wish some things were handled a little different but aside from that I do want to read the next book and see what's going to happen next because the ending was really interesting. I'm sure it's going to have a twist in Nearly Mended. 

Favorite Quotes:

And I hated to admit it, but his smile warmed my heart a little, despite the hardened shell I kept around it for protection.

I no longer liked the night. The darkness was where he lied in wait, waiting for it to swallow me whole each night, suffocating my senses with fear.

After that heart-stopping kiss, my crazy grin was so wide I could've played back-up for the Joker in Batman.

Cover Reveal: Nearly Mended by Devon Ashley + Giveaway! (INT)

So this is my stop for the cover reveal of Nearly Mended by Devon Ashley, which is the second book in the series. I have yet to read the first book but I can tell you I will very soon and am so very excited about it! =D

On to the cover reveal...

Devon Ashley:

"I'm in COVER LOVE right now! I've once again got Megan and Nick on the cover, but this time you get the chance to stare into those stunning eyes that just scream Don't f*ck with me. However, that is not Nick on the back. That is the unconscionable Zander Malone, who thanks to the authorities, has his blond locks rockin' a darker hairdo to help stay off the radar a bit. Of course he'll be making an appearance in Nearly Mended, but for how long and whether or not he'll obtain any pleasure while there, I won't say! But he has definitely got some wicked things planned this time around.

Oh...and did I mention it's dual point-of-view this time? Both Megan and Nick will be gracing us with their thoughts and opinions in Nearly Mended. I've dabbled with the idea of getting into Zander's sick head a time or two, but in all honesty, I'm still against it, forcing us as readers to learn only what he wants us to know."

To view full size image of cover, click here.

Gorgeous cover, right? I LOVE it!

Expected Publication: Winter 2013 (hopefully December)

He’ll pay for what he’s done to her…for what he’s done to me.

Megan Whitaker desperately wants to forget what’s happened over the past two years – the haunting images and sensations still plaguing her thoughts and dreams – but she can’t. Because he’s still out there. Zander Malone. I’ll find you and bring you back to me. She wants to believe she’s safe with Nick in their secluded new home, but it doesn’t keep her from looking over her shoulder, jumping over unexpected sounds, carrying a concealed weapon or even preparing for the worst. He’s coming for her, but this time, she won’t let him get the jump on her, nor will she go quietly into the night.

Nickolas Ellis has seen a change in his long, lost love. Battered emotionally and physically, Megan has turned her fear into anger, spending her days at self-defense classes and researching things that’ll never allow her to let go of the past. And he feels guilty even asking her to, because he knows that heathen will return, it’s only a matter of time. And when he does, Nick will do anything to protect her, even the unthinkable, risking everything he’s fought so hard to get back.

New Adult Romantic Suspense / Dark Realistic Fiction

Recommended for 17+ for mature and disturbing situations, language and sexual content.

Haven’t read Nearly Broken yet? Now’s your chance to pick up a copy on sale for just $1.99! If you’d like to be entered for the $20 Gift Card from Amazon or the Book Depository, just enter using the rafflecopter below!

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