by Samantha Young
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that her mother and she weren’t his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him. Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts at redemption, but it’s not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and explosive affair. Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for. And when they’re on the precipice of danger, he finds he’ll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again....
If you follow my blog, you already know I am a huge fan of Samantha Young and I was excited to devour Hero. Filled with feels and flawed characters Hero kept me up all night and gave me that book high I so desperately chase. Consider yourself warned Hero is a one sitting, just “one more chapter” romance.
Secrets, redemption, forgiveness and taking a risk are all ingredients of Hero. Young gives us two flawed characters, forever damaged who take a risk and well, spoilers darling.
My ride with Hero found me hooked from the start. We have Alex Holland a successful PA, who is just coming back to work after suffering a loss. Her first day back she comes face to face with Caine Carraway. Alexa sees a chance at redemption and a kindred spirit. Caine wants nothing to do with the past or Alex. Right away, I could feel the character’s raw emotions and admired their success and tenacious personalities.
Alexa is stubborn but so is Caine and thus beings their delicious banter and wicked game of advance and retreat. I laughed at their tango and was in awe of Alexa’s strength and patience. Caine did an excellent job of hiding his own emotions and seeing Alexa chip away at his carefully crafted façade had me fully engaged. Their interaction was a joy to observe and something everyone in the room could feel. Alex matched him step for step and caught him off guard. I love a strong woman and she does not take crap from anyone while still being sensitive and observant. An ornery, meddling old woman who I would like to be when I grow up added to the mix and stirred the pot, as did Caine’s best friend. These two had me giggling aloud. We get a little side romance and it is one I would have liked a full book of. *hint I am thinking companion book with overlapping timeline *
Young weaved some angst into Hero with some clever twists and a dash of danger to keep me singing the “just one more chapter” mantra. I love how she makes me fully connect to her characters. I experienced all the feels from wanting to hold them and just flat out wanting to slap them in the back of the head. It was perfectly orchestrated and skillfully pulled at my heartstrings. I was chasing my HEA, and although I felt certain it was just around the corner, Young did not make it easy. Sometimes a story can be so overwrought with angst that I do not enjoy it but such was not the case with Hero. It felt genuine and raw. Gads I fell in love with Caine Carraway. The man made me swoon one moment and want to hug him the next. The romance brings heat and passion. It was sinfully delicious from raw primal need to earth shattering sweetness.
Hero by Samantha Young…Own it, read it, love it and fall in love with your new book boyfriend.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Priscilla and her Books
Alexa is such a smartass! 😀 This is my favourite quote of hers: “Throw me out and I will come back quicker than a boomerang.”
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed and ooh yes love the quote
Lorna
I’ve never read this author, but your review sold me-heading to Amazon now. Glad you loved it, I am sure I will as well. Thank you!
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet Lorna I am all kinds of excited to see what you think!
Naomi
I actually won this book last week, I am super excited to read it… 5 STARS!!
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet..it is sooo good!
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
I enjoyed this one too Kimberly. I’m glad you told me it wasn’t an NA read. I was really not looking forward to reading it when I saw that was what it was listed as over on Goodreads. I’d seriously dragged my feet on it. But I really did have a good time with these two as well. 🙂
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I have enjoyed everything I have read so far by Samantha Young so I’m really looking forward to reading this book, I’m pleased you enjoyed it Kimba!
A great review.
kimbacaffeinate
I have too, some more then others but always a solid read:)
Ramona
Well, I don’t know if hubby would appreciate much me falling in love a new boyfriend, but since you recommend this so warmly, I’ll risk it and read it 😀 Excellent review, Kimba, thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
Book boyfriends don’t count Ramona and you can collect them like candy!
Jessica
I love Samantha Young too, so this is already on my TBR, but now I’m even more excited. And YAY, released yesterday, so no waiting! Great review 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Jessica this one rocked
blodeuedd
Lots of covers lately with just a guy in a suit on it
kimbacaffeinate
True, but then I do like a man in a suit just as much as I do blue jeans and cowboy boots
Teddyree
Holy cow .. I want! My friend who guest reviews on my blog loves her On Dublin Street series and lent it to me but I haven’t had a chance to pick it up yet. Is this a stand-alone? Got time for a stand-alone lol or getting in at the start of a new series is always fun 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes total standalone..so dive in!!!
Brandi Breathes Books
The flawed characters easy to love sounds great and I need to read some Young soon.
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoy her characters Brandi and hope you try her
Rashika
A lot of my friends adore Samantha Young as well but my experience with her books hasn’t been as awesome. I cannot help but be tempted though because even if I didn’t fall in love with her books, they made for such brain candy!
It’s been a while since I’ve read books by her so maybe going in with a fresh outlook will help me enjoy her books more! 🙂
Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed this book, Kimba!
Lovely review! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Cannot help you there, although this couple is slightly older than Dublin folks. I hope you give this one a go.
Stacy (StacyHgg)
I also love Samantha Young and this one is sitting on my iPad so I think I’m going to dive in now. I just needed that little push 🙂
Great Review!!!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, see ya after the last page..I couldn’t set this one down
braine
I plan to read this because it sounds so good and the fact that its standalone makes it even more attractive to me.
kimbacaffeinate
Isn’t that nice, although I would like the other couples full story…but as a companion novel
Angela Adams
That cover is going to look great on my bookshelf! Thanks for the awesome post!!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah it will! Thanks Angela
Lupdilup
I also really enjoy Samantha Young audiobooks. I just bought this one. I can’t wait to listen!
Thank you 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, maybe her next one I will try on audio. I adore her characters
Heidi
You and Christy have me convinved today that I need to read this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, I am doing a happy dance over here!
Kristin
A dash of danger? I’m only just halfway through and I haven’t come across that plot twist. Can’t wait to see what that’s all about.
kimbacaffeinate
It’s coming in the last 1/4. 🙂 Hope you are loving it as much as I did
Lark
You know I tend toward the small-town contemporaries rather than the high-powered city ones, but you’ve almost tempted me with this one! Glad you enjoyed it and it lived up to your expectations for this author.
kimbacaffeinate
Despite the setting, it has a small group feel, and it is always nice to step out and try new genres/authors
Candace
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this author but I haven’t read any of her books yet. I’m glad you enjoyed!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Candace 🙂
Felicia the Geeky Blogger
This was one that I asked my library to get the audiobook. It wasn’t on my radar until today–I am mixed on contemporary but this one I think would work for me.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you like it, I love her characters and this was such a good read
Jonetta (Ejaygirl)
Yay! I have this audiobook in the queue for this month! Thanks for the great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I haven’t tried contemporary romances, well beside Ugly Love but I bet this will be hot on audio..enjoy!
Sharlene Wegner
I was lucky enough to win this on GR! Hope to get to it next wk-end. Glad you loved it!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh how exciting..enjoy. I love this author
aurian
Great review Kimba, glad you found another winner!
kimbacaffeinate
I did. Thanks Aurian 🙂
Sarah
I haven’t read Samantha Young in a long time. I need to read this, it sounds amazing!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you give it a go Sarah..the characters were fantastic.
Sophia Rose
Okay, don’t throw any rotten tomatoes, but I haven’t tried her books yet. I have this one so I’ll be remedying that at some point. Thank you for the sleep loss warning. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
This is the perfect book to begin with Sophia!
Jenny
WOO HOO!!!! I couldn’t agree more Kim! LOVED this book:) Caine and Alexa were absolutely amazing together and I fell as much in love with them as I have all Samantha’s couples. She just writes the best characters:) And now the wait begins for whatever she’s going to write next!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..may I say you have amazing tastes in books *winks*
Debbie Haupt
Wow Kim, nice review. I’ve never read her and if she’s a five on your scale she tops the charts. She’s now on my list too 🙂
Thanks pal! 😉 LOL
kimbacaffeinate
Awesome!
Red Iza
I’ll make sure to read this as soon as I’ve begun reading… On Dublin street (I’ve got it since last year !). Great review 😉
kimbacaffeinate
I really like her characters 🙂 enjoy
Katherine
You’re really a terrible influence! This sounds so good and I love “just one more chapter” books. Samantha Young has been on my radar for awhile but I’ve yet to try her books. Thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL..I am sorry, well maybe not.
Nick
Kim, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this book because it sounded so angsty, but when I saw that you had rated it 5 stars I knew that I would HAVE to read it, so I downloaded it OMG I loved it so much!! I love Samantha’s stories and couples.
Caine was the kind of guy who simultaneous made me want to punch him in the face and make out with him! Haha! I loved how Lexie pushed his buttons though!
” *hint I am thinking companion book with overlapping timeline *”
YESSSS! I need this to happen!
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I am so glad you saw my rating at snagged it Nick..*happy dance*
Bieke
I’ve only read On Dublin Street but I quite liked that one 🙂 I’ll probably try this one too some time!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Beike I hope you love it
kindlemom1
Ha you and Christy are review twins today! I am glad you both really enjoyed this one!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes we are cool like that. .lol
Christy
I was totally just bouncing in my seat while reading this. Ditto to it all!
Melliane
It’s great that you had once again a wonderful time with a book by Samantha YOung. I haven’t tried the author yet but I should.
kimbacaffeinate
I love her characters
Faye
Geez, Kimberly, your enthusiasm for this book and for this author is so contagious! I love how you’re pretty much gushing and flailing here 😉 I’ll try Samantha Young even if Contemporary Romance isn’t the genre I usually read. I’ve always wanted to explore it, might as well start with an author and series you absolutely endorse!
kimbacaffeinate
*fist pump* YES, I cannot wait to see what you think Faye.
Alreem
sound like a good read, I’m adding this one to my pile 🙂 lovely review
kimbacaffeinate
Woot..enjoy sweetie