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Title: Used (Unlovable #1)
Author: Lynetta Halat
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: January 19, 2014
Series: Unlovable
Hosted by: Love Between the Sheets Promotions
Synopsis
I am a slut. No worries. I've come to terms with it, and you will too. I’m not one of those girls who thinks she’s too plain, too fat, too skinny, too shy … no, I don’t have that kind of luck. I’m the girl who knows she’s just right for everyone. — Denver
A reputation as a manwhore–with–a–heart–of–gold tends to precede me. But, I don’t do girls with issues, that is until this girl. It's this girl I want to fix. This girl I want to protect. And maybe … more. — Ransom
Being in love with the same girl your entire life isn't all it's cracked up to be. She uses me in every way imaginable. How does she see me? I am her perpetual one-night stand. No strings, no attachments. Just mind-numbing sex ... for her anyway. — Greer
Feeling like the life is being choked out of her in the small town of Anaconda, Montana, Denver Dempsey craves the escape that college offers … even if that means leaving her “best friend with benefits” and looking for a new way to forget. Thinking she's found the perfect hookup in Ransom, Denver's outlook on college is bright. That is, until Greer shows up looking for a second chance, and Ransom's interest turns to hatred.
Love. Hate. Triangle.
Who's using who?
Excerpt
Meet Denver
“She’s, at best, a fuck buddy. However, I prefer the term ‘whore.’ Fuck buddy is far too nice a term for the likes of her,” a catty voice cracks from behind me.
I take a deep breath and look up at the ceiling, saying a little prayer that maybe the venomous voice isn’t referring to me. I thought I left all that behind in Anaconda. We’d been here for all of three days, so it’s highly probable they’re not talking about me, right? Looking back down, I continue pouring Jack in my Solo cup, surpassing the line that is recommended for liquor.
“Yeah, so apparently, she’s got some serious issues and doesn’t ‘do’ relationships. So, she puts out for her guy friends whose girls are too good to give it up. That’s her idea of a relationship.”
“Really? That’s kinda gross,” I hear the other girl mutter.
Sonofabitch! I groan. Yep, they’re talking about me. I splash a little bit of Coke in my cup and stick my finger in to stir it around a little. Tears spring to my eyes, and I berate myself for still having feelings and giving a shit what people think about me. Years of dealing with this crap should have made me immune, but I really hoped college would be different. And how the hell do they even know about that shit? Strengthening my spine, I turn and give them a beguiling smile, which causes them both to blanch. Yeah, bitches, you’ve no idea who you’re dealing with.
“Ladies,” I say with a quirked eyebrow. Removing my finger from the drink, I place it in my mouth and suck off the excess. With a pop, I release it. “I see my reputation precedes me. Well, let me just reassure you that I’m very good at what I do. When you won’t give it up for your guy, he’ll be looking me up, and I’ll be more than happy to take care of him. No questions. No strings. Just lots of meaningless … hot … sex.” I peer around them with a searching look. “Are they here? Your boyfriends?” I look back at them innocently. I almost snort at their mutual expressions of surprise and disdain. “Or,” I continue, “are the sticks up your asses enough so that you don’t need a man?” Both of their mouths drop on that line. Yep, gets ‘em every time. “Oh, no judgment here,” I vow. “I totally get not wanting to be tied down to any one Dick … or Tom … or Harry.”
Kota's Review
I haven’t read any of Lynetta Halat’s work – after reading Used I am curious to read more.
Used is the story of Denver, Greer and Ransom. It is a real cowboy story set in Montana and around the collegiate Rodeo circuit. I thought I had read cowboy stories, and didn’t mind a cowboy – but truly, they were likely pretend cowboys (but I think I like my pretend kind!) True cowboys are something different all together!
Anyway, Denver and Greer have been best friends forever, their relationship is complex, intense and beautiful in so many ways. Starting college though, offers some new opportunities and Denver has a path that she wants to follow. When Greer shows up, unexpectedly by Denver, it changes the ball game.
Ransom is the number 1 bull rider, he is a bad boy with tatts and a past. He loves being in control, and the feelings Denver evoke in him cause him great turmoil.
Ms Halat has spent time building these characters from the ground up, we certainly get a sense of what makes them tick and why. The intensity of the emotions these characters feel is translated perfectly on the page. The story is told from multiple perspective and includes the past and present tense. I did struggle to understand Greer and Denver’s dynamic in the begging as only snippets of the past were shared, but once we got a more substantial idea – it all made perfect sense.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had no expectations, but still it was not at all what I expected. It took some time for me to warm to Denver, but I empathise with her, and her self-perceptions, being a firm believer of if you are told something often enough you start to believe it. I disagree with Denver’s label, but can really see how she gets there – what a horrible way to live.
Greer – wow, my empathy for him is through the roof, my heart broke for him, and still days after am concerned about his wellbeing… funny how fictional characters get to you like that – I really want to make sure he does nothing silly!
Ransom is a great character full of depth, yet there is still so much about Ransom that is unknown, and I am keen to find those things out. He is not my cup of tea, but his compassion and logic when processing situations make him quite desirable. The next phase has me very curious!
The secondary characters support this story well. Austin is a hoot and Maggie and Pete round out a great supporting cast.
Ms Halat writes an engaging story that has so many layers that keep you wondering. The betrayals in this story broke my heart and I really want to see these characters get past it all… Used ends mid story – the kind of cliff hanger that is enough to entice you, but sort of makes you angry that it ended where it did.
Read Used, it sucks you in – and takes you on a journey.. you wish for good things – but know that Karma is a bitch too… Where will Ms Halat take us in the next installment? Here’s hoping we don’t have too long to find out.
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| Used gets 4 ½ hearts… |
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About the Author
Since the dawn of time, Lynetta Halat has lived to read and has written innumerable stories and plays. A lover of good books, bad boys, and kickass tunes, she'd always dreamt of penning books that people could connect with and remember. She also has a secret penchant for wringing the emotions out of unsuspecting readers, and she collects reader's tears in much the same way that wine connoisseurs collect their favorite vintage.
Her first novel, Every Rose, was the perfect catalyst to launch her into the world of publishing, effectively burrowing her way into the hearts and minds of readers throughout the world. Everything I've Never Had was her follow-up adult romance novel. Now, she has penned Used, a New Adult Romance that she hopes sinks its teeth into you and doesn't let go.
Her love of the English language prompted her to pursue a Master's degree in English from Old Dominion University in Virginia, where she also minored in snark and interpretive dance. She lives somewhere along the Mississippi Gulf Coast with her adorable husband, two amazing sons, and two loveable dogs. When she's not writing riveting stories, she likes to focus on her macramé art and her scouring of eBay, where she buys locks of hair from her favorite rock stars, most especially Bret Michaels and Dave Grohl.
Facebook Page | Website | Twitter: @LynettaHalat | Goodreads | Amazon
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