Hero
by Samantha Young
Publisher – Piatkus
Release Date – March 5th 2015
Buy – Amazon | Book DepositoryThe emotional and unforgettable new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series.
Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that she and her mother 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…
Oh it’s been a looong time since I devoured a hot, steamy romance like this one. So many feels in so many places, oh yeah. I don’t think I’ve read such a romance book like this probably since re-reading Fifty Shades but to be honest I don’t really count that as I’ve already read it. It was well…Wow! Samantha Young knows how to move, melt you and make you go all mushy in all the right places.
Hero takes two complete strangers of the eye and mix them up in a sexy, hot drink then throw in a bitter, twisted past and you got yourself a top seller of a cocktail. Alexa Holland has a very complicated family, her mum passed away only few months previous and her dad, well, he’s non-existent. Alexa does have a secret grandfather that she recently fell in contact with after he reached out. After she returns to works as a photographer’s assistant she is faced with the victim of her family’s demise, Caine Carraway, manager and owner of Carraway holding. Caine’s mum overdosed and Alexa dad was the cause of her death. Up until now, her father’s actions is left on Alexa’s shoulders, but it isn’t her fault. She is not her father. That’s what Caine doesn’t understand. He’s letting his past and emotions cloud his judgement. He gets Alexa fired, so she does something she wouldn’t usually do, confront him. Whilst there certainly is a very strong connection of hatred between them, who would have thought that he would offer her a job instead. That’s where it all falls apart for both of them…
What was indeed prominent throughout Samantha’s books is how she creates very strong characters. Alexa doesn’t come across as the damsel in the distress, only when she is looked upon by the familiar Mr Carraway. But generally she is the modern day heroine. She won’t let anyone walk over while she is down or up for that matter. She has control over her own mind and occasionally her body as well as her life and she won’t let anyone influence her otherwise.!she is often referred to as stubborn and quiet a smartass but I think that completely suits her to a tea. Alexa was a very likeable character and relatable character too. She had a very comfortable lifestyle, she has ambitions, aspirations, she wanted to finally move on. Mr Carraway wasn’t helping her current situation at all…
Unlike Alexa, Caine Carraway was something else entirely. He is your epitomy of Christain Grey or Gideon Cross. But his character was so written and created a 100% better. Caine had more depth to him, he didn’t seem traumatised by his past in the beginning and it certainly wasn’t laid on thick for us readers either, he unravelled himself throughout the book. Some shocking some, not so much. But it wasn’t his past that surprised it was his character progression. How he changed so much. If I’m brutally honest, Caine wasn’t remotely a nice man at the start, his physique was another matter obviously, *blushes*. He started to grow as a human being, more emotional, controlled, not in a control-freak sort of way, he relaxed. That was the man that I wanted him to become and to see that made me smile uncontrollably till the very last page.
As mentioned previously, you will undeniably relate it to Fifty Shades and the Crossfire series, but this is so much more. I loved either series but for me it was much more than the sexual intimacy between the characters, it what was beneath that. The rawness of them as a whole. Alexa and Caine really completed each other, they could fill in each other’s missing pieces and be what they needed for each other.
“Sighing, Caine laced his fingers through mine. “Did you ever really grow up, Lexie?” I shot him a saucy look. “I did in all the places that matter.”
It was refreshing to read something from this genre again and I think this will be the beginning of of this author for me. I know from word around the blogosphere that Samantha Young is best known for her On Dublin Street series, which I can’t wait to devour. Count on it! But Hero is certainly a very very good start to a strong relationship with her book and steamy hot characters.
Rating – 4.5
I recently read her On Dublin Street and LOVED it! I can't wait to read this and the rest of the other series. Great review!!
I really can't to read On Dublin Street after reading this. Can't wait to see what you think of this book! Thank you.
I read and loved On Dublin Street, so I might give this one a try too!
Great review Emma!
Can't wait to see what you think of this one Pili. I can't wait to read ODS though. 🙂
YEAH EMMA!!!! I so loved this too! I agree, Alexa was awesome. I loved that she stood up for herself and didn't become a puddle of goo whenever Caine attempted to make up for one of his many missteps:) Caine too me a little while to warm up to, but I absolutely adored him in the end. I need more Samantha Young in my life!
Yes I can see how Caine could be like that, he was quite a cold man that just needed a warm heart and person to break that ice and that was Alexa. Me too. 🙂
I don't really read books like that I confess but I heard so many wonderful things about this author and about this book as well so in the end I admit that I'm curious. great review!
Oh I hope your curious to read this book, Melliane!
I have been reading a lot of romance lately, but mostly with LGBT main characters. I can read pretty much anything when it comes to romance, but my characters need to be strong and well developed, which certainly seems to be the case here. I haven't read anything by Young but I've heard great things. I'm interested.
I haven't really read any LGBT romance novels. But I hope you give this one a try soon! 🙂
I don't know if this is the right fit for me, but that's awesome you loved it so much. I'm glad to hear that Alexa is a strong character too and not just another damsel-in-distress.
-Lauren
Yes I hate damsel-in-distress, they are very cliche! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Oh this book sounds fantastic Emma! I always have cravings for a binge read for a steamy romance, but never know what to go with. But I know that Young hasn't let Rachel down either in the past, so I shall definitely consider giving her books a go soon! Lovely review! 🙂
Oh you must Jasprit! It was my first of hers but no means my last either. Thank you, Jas! 🙂
So many people love this author and love this book even more. I've made a mental note before to read it before but now i'm definitely getting it tonight to start!
Lily @ Lilysbookblog
Oh I'm so glad my review has convinced you to give this a go. Yay!
I love this too and totally agree about Alexa. I didn't like FSoG, though. But her On Dublin Street series – at least the 1st book – is even better, so read that soon! 🙂
Haha, yeah I'm one of those who did but I admit that Hero is a more sophisticated well written version of FSoG.
I've been wanting to read a book by this author. I think I'll try ODS first!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen at YA Romantics
I can't wait to read ODS myself. That will be my next steamy romance read.
Oh, I loved this one, too, Emma! It definitely reminded me of 50 Shades. This is your first Samantha Young book? You definitely need to get to her On Dublin Street series. So hot and wonderful! Lovely review! 🙂
Oh can't wait to read her On Dublin Street series, Rachel. I'm so glad you loved this book and this author. Thank you! 🙂