hannas_heas47's review
4.0
I’m marking this a spoiler review but it’s really not.
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Poignant story …when life becomes your adversary and your scared of your own shadow due to a horrific ordeal. Arabella stays true to herself as she unfurls her hurt to become strong again. She meets a man who finally interests her enough to reach out and want to live again. Lorenzo himself has been through an ordeal which makes him sense something in Arabella.
What did I like? I’m not sure where I come up with most of the ARC’s that I read but this one has a lot of feels. Two broken people coming together to help mend the other. I like how they went against the odds despite what there lives befell them. It was an interesting story and well written. I’d definitely read more by this author! Four stars!
Would I recommend or buy? I like dark romance and how these two come together is not easy. I’m sure you need to read trigger warnings on this one, hopefully author displays them in blurb. I don’t have any triggers but the only reason it lost a star is because it was easy to guess the ending.
Thanks for letting me read this and this is my voluntary review.
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Poignant story …when life becomes your adversary and your scared of your own shadow due to a horrific ordeal. Arabella stays true to herself as she unfurls her hurt to become strong again. She meets a man who finally interests her enough to reach out and want to live again. Lorenzo himself has been through an ordeal which makes him sense something in Arabella.
What did I like? I’m not sure where I come up with most of the ARC’s that I read but this one has a lot of feels. Two broken people coming together to help mend the other. I like how they went against the odds despite what there lives befell them. It was an interesting story and well written. I’d definitely read more by this author! Four stars!
Would I recommend or buy? I like dark romance and how these two come together is not easy. I’m sure you need to read trigger warnings on this one, hopefully author displays them in blurb. I don’t have any triggers but the only reason it lost a star is because it was easy to guess the ending.
Thanks for letting me read this and this is my voluntary review.
bookfreak08's review
5.0
Naked Hearts by Valentina was a tremendously emotional read for me as it delved into sensitive and traumatic events and the main characters’ daily fight against their aftermath. Both Arabel and Enzo are so called damaged souls and carry demons of their past and suffer in silence. As fate has it, these two keep meeting at unexpected places and an immediate attraction and bond takes place. After a while, the unlikely couple starts mending each other’s hurts and shedding light to their darkness. (Their chemistry and intimacy are also off the charts which is a very appreciated bonus
atouchofsteamyromance's review
5.0
A Story of Heartbreak and New Beginnings
This is the debut novel by Valentina, and it is an absolutely incredible story.
*Warning* Please be advised that this book does contain mature content/themes, and there are triggers that may not be suitable to all readers, including sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, suicide, and physical and verbal abuse.
The story follows Arabel, who meets Lorenzo on New Year's Eve in San Francisco, during a dance performance. Their eyes find each other’s and there is an instant connection. However, Arabel's past causes her to be wary of him, and she runs off at midnight, thinking she'll never see him again. But fate has other plans.
When Arabel and her sister move from the city to the Lake Tahoe area, they run into Lorenzo and the story takes off from there. There are so many ups and downs, and they realize they have more in common than they ever knew. Both Arabel and Lorenzo have terrible past traumas that come up throughout the story, and while they find comfort and solace in each other, the past rears its ugly head, making readers wonder if they will ever find love or happiness again.
This book was amazingly written. Some aspects of the story are based on real-life experiences. It was heartbreaking, raw, and real and touched on some hard subjects. Sometimes the pain can overwhelm you, but other times the pain can be healed and you can come out stronger on the other side.
This is the debut novel by Valentina, and it is an absolutely incredible story.
*Warning* Please be advised that this book does contain mature content/themes, and there are triggers that may not be suitable to all readers, including sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, suicide, and physical and verbal abuse.
The story follows Arabel, who meets Lorenzo on New Year's Eve in San Francisco, during a dance performance. Their eyes find each other’s and there is an instant connection. However, Arabel's past causes her to be wary of him, and she runs off at midnight, thinking she'll never see him again. But fate has other plans.
When Arabel and her sister move from the city to the Lake Tahoe area, they run into Lorenzo and the story takes off from there. There are so many ups and downs, and they realize they have more in common than they ever knew. Both Arabel and Lorenzo have terrible past traumas that come up throughout the story, and while they find comfort and solace in each other, the past rears its ugly head, making readers wonder if they will ever find love or happiness again.
This book was amazingly written. Some aspects of the story are based on real-life experiences. It was heartbreaking, raw, and real and touched on some hard subjects. Sometimes the pain can overwhelm you, but other times the pain can be healed and you can come out stronger on the other side.
cait96's review
4.0
Heartbreaking! This book deals with some VERY heavy issues (Please check TWs). Arabel and Enzo are two very broken people who are trying to move past their traumas to give love another chance. Parts of this book were very difficult to read, but so worth it! I loved the side characters in this book. 4☆
bookdragonheart's review
5.0
This is a deeply emotional, deeply passionate, and beautiful love story. Arabel and Lorenzo have both dealt with deep tragedy, which has left them scarred and hesitant to open themselves up to love again. But a spark is ignited between them when they briefly meet on New Years Eve, which is quickly doused by an unexpected moment of panic triggered in Anabel that separates them without even knowing the other’s name.
But fate intervenes, thrusting them together, interested in the same property to purchase, which then puts them at odds, despite the intense chemistry popping between them. Every time they seem to be making progress toward each other, something happens leaving one of them retreating, but all the while, both are pining for each other in silence. They have to learn to not only trust each other, but trust themselves to move past their trauma, knowing that they can hold each other up. Emotions are high, the steam is even higher, and the HEA is oh so satisfying.
But fate intervenes, thrusting them together, interested in the same property to purchase, which then puts them at odds, despite the intense chemistry popping between them. Every time they seem to be making progress toward each other, something happens leaving one of them retreating, but all the while, both are pining for each other in silence. They have to learn to not only trust each other, but trust themselves to move past their trauma, knowing that they can hold each other up. Emotions are high, the steam is even higher, and the HEA is oh so satisfying.
booknerd92's review
5.0
This book will make you want to throw your phone or kindle across the room because of the twist and turns in it,it will break your heart and make your feels be out of control but trust me its worth it. The author did amazing writing this book with the details she wrote and the grabbing of her written words. I highly reccomand you to read this book.
sarareadsromance's review
5.0
Throughout this book I kept reminding myself that this is a debut novel, and I’m still shocked. This book was great, absolutely heartbreaking and soul crushing but great! Arabel and Enzo are two of my favorite characters. The fact that these two have been through so many heart-wrenching things and are able to understand, fight and move forward together was lovely to read. Not only do I love both main characters, but every single side character that’s in this book is awesome. This book was so easy to get caught up into. I definitely would’ve finished this much faster if life didn’t get in my way. I’m really excited to read book two and can't wait to see what else this author has up her sleeve.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
morebooksforever's review
5.0
This story will hit you deep in your soul and wrap around you heart! It’s heartbreaking and emotional and worth every year I shed. Lorenzo and Arabel are completely meant for one another they meet and sparks fly but Arabel has been through something very traumatic and is spooked causing her run. They meet later and this is where their love story begins. Both of them have been through so much and both are a bit broken but together they start to heal and while not everything is sunshine and rainbows their love for one another out shines the dark times. Together they begin a new life filled with love, honor, and happiness that they both deserve. This story is filled with twists and turns and is definitely not for the faint of heart but it’s worth every single moment. This is one of those books that is so moving and will have you thinking about it for days after you have finished reading it. I loved every single moment. Definitely a must read!
caseyscheetz2020's review
5.0
Arabel works in eco therapy helping people heal through nature and has dreamed of opening up her own retreat center in Northern California near where she grew up. Lorenzo is a single father whose girlfriend died before meeting their daughter. Three years after being assaulted Arabel is performing aerial dance when Lorenzo catches sight of her. When she finds out Lorenzo is Italian her PTSD is triggered and she runs away from him.
While touring a potential property for her retreat center Arabel runs into Lorenzo, who is also interested in the property. As they come to a compromise on the property they start to give into their attraction to each other. Are they enough to heal the other from their past and set them free to enjoy life to its fullest?
This book is Valentina’s debut novel and it brings with it all the feels. I found myself feeling all of the emotions from the characters and even crying as they told each other about their pasts.
Triggers: sexual assault, suicide
While touring a potential property for her retreat center Arabel runs into Lorenzo, who is also interested in the property. As they come to a compromise on the property they start to give into their attraction to each other. Are they enough to heal the other from their past and set them free to enjoy life to its fullest?
This book is Valentina’s debut novel and it brings with it all the feels. I found myself feeling all of the emotions from the characters and even crying as they told each other about their pasts.
Triggers: sexual assault, suicide