karenmsecrest's review against another edition
The heroine is so boring; the hero has too much inner monologue about jacking off. I’m over it.
laurenjodi's review
3.0
All Chained Up
3 Stars
Reluctantly volunteering at the local maximum-security prison known as the Devil's Rock, nurse Briar Davis knows she is in over her head with the inmates. One in particular, Knox Callaghan, raises all the red flags with his intense stare and taciturn nature. But when he risks his life to protect Briar and is granted parole, Briar cannot deny their connection. Now all she has to do is convince Knox that he is worthy of being loved.
For some reason, I expected this to be a romantic-suspense novel, but aside from a couple of intense action scenes at the prison, this is a straightforward contemporary romance.
Despite an excellent premise and engaging characters, there is actually very little plot in this book. The story starts out well with Knox and Briar's interactions in the prison and the intensity of their chemistry is enhanced by the enclosed setting and forbidden nature of their attraction. However, once the action shifts to outside the prison walls, everything changes, and their relationship develops rather awkwardly and is primarily a series of sex scenes with some angsty conversations in between.
Both Briar and Knox have compelling backstories, and there is a great deal of potential in their relationship. Briar is a sweet heroine, and her loyalty and courage in the face of dangerous circumstances are admirable. Unfortunately, all of this is undermined by the focus on Knox's anger management issues and his belief that he is unworthy of being in Briar's life - both of which feel forced. Moreover, the shift in his behavior at the end is sudden, and it is difficult to believe that he would to show that he is now in control of his violent tendencies.
Finally, a note on the writing. In general, the writing is well-paced and flows smoothly. However, there are a couple of editing issues, such as two different characters named Tyler, the confusion (perhaps typo) for DVD and DVR, and a truly egregious sentence "even though he had no idea what flavor Cherry Garica was" - umm, I'm taking a leap here and going to say ... cherry!
Overall, this is an OK read, and I am interested enough in the secondary characters to continue with the series.
3 Stars
Reluctantly volunteering at the local maximum-security prison known as the Devil's Rock, nurse Briar Davis knows she is in over her head with the inmates. One in particular, Knox Callaghan, raises all the red flags with his intense stare and taciturn nature. But when he risks his life to protect Briar and is granted parole, Briar cannot deny their connection. Now all she has to do is convince Knox that he is worthy of being loved.
For some reason, I expected this to be a romantic-suspense novel, but aside from a couple of intense action scenes at the prison, this is a straightforward contemporary romance.
Despite an excellent premise and engaging characters, there is actually very little plot in this book. The story starts out well with Knox and Briar's interactions in the prison and the intensity of their chemistry is enhanced by the enclosed setting and forbidden nature of their attraction. However, once the action shifts to outside the prison walls, everything changes, and their relationship develops rather awkwardly and is primarily a series of sex scenes with some angsty conversations in between.
Both Briar and Knox have compelling backstories, and there is a great deal of potential in their relationship. Briar is a sweet heroine, and her loyalty and courage in the face of dangerous circumstances are admirable. Unfortunately, all of this is undermined by the focus on Knox's anger management issues and his belief that he is unworthy of being in Briar's life - both of which feel forced. Moreover, the shift in his behavior at the end is sudden, and it is difficult to believe that he would
Spoiler
accept a beatingFinally, a note on the writing. In general, the writing is well-paced and flows smoothly. However, there are a couple of editing issues, such as two different characters named Tyler, the confusion (perhaps typo) for DVD and DVR, and a truly egregious sentence "even though he had no idea what flavor Cherry Garica was" - umm, I'm taking a leap here and going to say ... cherry!
Overall, this is an OK read, and I am interested enough in the secondary characters to continue with the series.
thegeekyblogger's review
4.0
Read for Review (Avon)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 4.25
First Thought when Finished: All Chained Up was a story that I knew I wouldn't make my final decision about till the very end and it ended up working.
Quick Thoughts: There was a 50/50 chance that All Chained Up would not work for me. I am not a fan of romances with lead characters that are or start out on the wrong side of the law. It really does have to be a redeeming sort of story for it to work ( I stay away from a lot of biker MC/OC romances). This one worked because of the character ARC of Knox. I won't give much away because I think everyone will have a different reactions to it. For me, I think the combo of his back story and his acknowledgment went a long way to me accepting his romance. CAVEAT: though there was a point where I was almost sure that I was done with him and shut the book. I am glad I stuck it out! I think his path in life could not have come without someone like Briar. She was a little mousy for my taste but had backbone when needed. She also had a quiet strength that someone like Knox probably needed. So this was a case of two characters that would not normally work for me ending up being a truly enjoyable read. I look forward to the rest of the series to see if each of the men can be the kind I can root for. I am not sure they will but Sophie will probably find a way to make it so!
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It DONE! Reviews
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 4.25
First Thought when Finished: All Chained Up was a story that I knew I wouldn't make my final decision about till the very end and it ended up working.
Quick Thoughts: There was a 50/50 chance that All Chained Up would not work for me. I am not a fan of romances with lead characters that are or start out on the wrong side of the law. It really does have to be a redeeming sort of story for it to work ( I stay away from a lot of biker MC/OC romances). This one worked because of the character ARC of Knox. I won't give much away because I think everyone will have a different reactions to it. For me, I think the combo of his back story and his acknowledgment went a long way to me accepting his romance. CAVEAT: though there was a point where I was almost sure that I was done with him and shut the book. I am glad I stuck it out! I think his path in life could not have come without someone like Briar. She was a little mousy for my taste but had backbone when needed. She also had a quiet strength that someone like Knox probably needed. So this was a case of two characters that would not normally work for me ending up being a truly enjoyable read. I look forward to the rest of the series to see if each of the men can be the kind I can root for. I am not sure they will but Sophie will probably find a way to make it so!
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It DONE! Reviews
planningwithgrammy's review
4.0
Not sure where I got the recommendation to read this book from. I am thinking it might have been a patron with another book in the series and I went back to number one to start with. It has a little blurb by Jill shalvis on the front and that was very encouraging. I didn't really care for the cover the title is all chained up and there is a man with chains on him and it's just too literal. This book reminded me of Fifty Shades. Every book seems to be compared to 50 Shades lately. But this one had that instalove. And I had lots of sex. And sometimes it didn't feel like it had the emotional backup to support the sex scenes. This book does start in a jail and that is really unusual I think for romance novels as a setting and I think the author might have done a really good job with it I never lived in a jail I've never been to a jail but it just seems similar to what you hear about jails. So I was able to visualize a lot of the story. And there was a lot of things to love and sometimes that's a good thing in a book. I'm not sure I really liked the setup for the Nextbook. I just feel like when you have a character that is the president's daughter it's just so outrageous there's only like five or six people that can even claim that title it's not as relatable for me. Not that a romance and a Jill sounds relatable but if you think about it there's a lot more people in jail than there are Daughters of presidents. But I want to give this author another try I did enjoy this book but I have a feeling when I recommend it some people may take issue with parts of it. I think I would like to continue on with the series and see what happens.
myzanm's review
3.0
I'm wavering between a 2 or a 3 star rating.
I mostly enjoyed the story. There really weren't that many twists and turns, so it was rather straightforward.
The heroine, Briar, was a little shifty. And whiny. And condescending. And judgmental.
Knox was a bit better. He did develop a bit in the course of the story.
There were some plot hole, but my main problem is that it was boring. Nothing much happend.
And then we had the whole WTF moments that litters the story , from Knox getting beaten by his brother and closing the circle with the beating after Briar's date.
I'm still contemplating which rating ...
I mostly enjoyed the story. There really weren't that many twists and turns, so it was rather straightforward.
The heroine, Briar, was a little shifty. And whiny. And condescending. And judgmental.
Knox was a bit better. He did develop a bit in the course of the story.
There were some plot hole, but my main problem is that it was boring. Nothing much happend.
And then we had the whole WTF moments that litters the story , from Knox getting beaten by his brother and closing the circle with the beating after Briar's date.
I'm still contemplating which rating ...
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
4.0
Only Sophie Jordan could get me to read a prison romance.
Unique setting, great tension, engaging characters and lots of steam. Lots of it.
Knox and Briar are both strong characters and watching their story unfold was a lot of fun! The supporting cast was very interesting too, and I'm really looking forward to Reid's story.
Great start to a new series!
Unique setting, great tension, engaging characters and lots of steam. Lots of it.
Spoiler
I'll never be able to look at a carton of Cherry Garcia the same way again.Knox and Briar are both strong characters and watching their story unfold was a lot of fun! The supporting cast was very interesting too, and I'm really looking forward to Reid's story.
Great start to a new series!
sadie_rae's review
4.0
Knox and his brother North, awesome names by the way, are serving out there Prison sentences after killing the man who raped their cousin. It should be noted that they didn't intend or set out to kill him, but with emotions running high and a few ill chosen comments directed towards their cousin, things obviously escalated.
When Briar meet's Knox while volunteering at the prisons HCU tension turns into a burning attraction that she is determined to ignore. All goes well enough until Knox hears about two prisoners planning to attack Briar. Eventually Knox ends up out of prison on parole, two months later he meets Briar in a convenience store and the rest is history- kind of, ok not really.
So honestly not a whole lot of action in this book but with the whole tortured hero thing, it works out and I didn't find it boring which was nice. Knox spends a lot of time doubting himself and his self worth, eventually he visits his brother back in prison and North essentially guilt's/revers psychology him into realizing that he's a bit of an idiot.
Reid, man H in second book, is mentioned and has a small bit of the book to himself though I thought that it would have been better to have moved that the the epilogue.
4 Stars!
When Briar meet's Knox while volunteering at the prisons HCU tension turns into a burning attraction that she is determined to ignore. All goes well enough until Knox hears about two prisoners planning to attack Briar. Eventually Knox ends up out of prison on parole, two months later he meets Briar in a convenience store and the rest is history- kind of, ok not really.
So honestly not a whole lot of action in this book but with the whole tortured hero thing, it works out and I didn't find it boring which was nice. Knox spends a lot of time doubting himself and his self worth, eventually he visits his brother back in prison and North essentially guilt's/revers psychology him into realizing that he's a bit of an idiot.
Reid, man H in second book, is mentioned and has a small bit of the book to himself though I thought that it would have been better to have moved that the the epilogue.
4 Stars!
zerisse's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I honestly didn't know what to expect when I read All Chained Up. In fact, contemporary romance is a genre that I hardly read at all. But of course, there are certain exceptions.
When I read the blurb for All Chained Up, I was a little apprehensive because the hero is an ex-convict. I mean, not that I have anything against ex-cons but it is unusual to have an ex-con hero in contemporary romance. I also haven't read a book with an ex-convict as the hero.
Just to be clear, I received an eARC for the second book, Hell Breaks Loose, so I decided to read book 1. I picked the audiobook version this time and was mildly disappointed that the narrator was male! I think I mentioned somewhere that I prefer female narrators to males because it is hard for me to focus when it's a male narrator. However, let me just say that CHRISTIAN FOX IS AMAZING. There is a certain cadence to his voice that is infinitely appealing and very appropriate for this book. Yes, I did not regret listening to All Chained Up.
What struck me as awesome is that Sophie Jordan knew how to handle the ex-convict stuff. She knew how to treat the almost rape scene. AND SHE KNOWS HOW TO WRITE AN AWESOME HERO! Man, Knox is one hot dude! And not precisely a bad boy, but of course, being locked in jail for eight years, he had to survive in jail. Being locked up for murder, well, that also carries another icky situation that Sophie Jordan really handled well.
Read the full review on I Heart Romance & YA
When I read the blurb for All Chained Up, I was a little apprehensive because the hero is an ex-convict. I mean, not that I have anything against ex-cons but it is unusual to have an ex-con hero in contemporary romance. I also haven't read a book with an ex-convict as the hero.
Just to be clear, I received an eARC for the second book, Hell Breaks Loose, so I decided to read book 1. I picked the audiobook version this time and was mildly disappointed that the narrator was male! I think I mentioned somewhere that I prefer female narrators to males because it is hard for me to focus when it's a male narrator. However, let me just say that CHRISTIAN FOX IS AMAZING. There is a certain cadence to his voice that is infinitely appealing and very appropriate for this book. Yes, I did not regret listening to All Chained Up.
What struck me as awesome is that Sophie Jordan knew how to handle the ex-convict stuff. She knew how to treat the almost rape scene. AND SHE KNOWS HOW TO WRITE AN AWESOME HERO! Man, Knox is one hot dude! And not precisely a bad boy, but of course, being locked in jail for eight years, he had to survive in jail. Being locked up for murder, well, that also carries another icky situation that Sophie Jordan really handled well.
Read the full review on I Heart Romance & YA
myendlessshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing!!
I loved this. Characters and story was amazing. I hope there's more!!! If you're looking for a seriously hot romance with a happy ending this is for you!!
I loved this. Characters and story was amazing. I hope there's more!!! If you're looking for a seriously hot romance with a happy ending this is for you!!