emmarj's review against another edition
3.0
Branded started off so well but I think having the same main chick in your trilogy on her deathbed twice in two books is just a little too dramatic for me.
daisybox's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVED this book so much !
Phina is now on my favorite female characters top list. She is strong, vulnerable, sassy, and one complex and lovable woman. Tara Sivec's best character ever written !
The only thing that prevented me to rate the story 5 stars was the drama part. I didn't like that it was linked to the first book. A bit redundant.
I enjoyed seeing Finnley and Collin again, and I hope in the next book we will see everyone. Gotta love Dax, can't wait for him to fall on his knees for Harley !
myendlessshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking
This book is so full of emotion that I cried through most of it. My heart went out to DJ and Phina and I think the author does a fantastic job.
This book is so full of emotion that I cried through most of it. My heart went out to DJ and Phina and I think the author does a fantastic job.
nina4five's review against another edition
4.0
A great short novella
A must read for the continued character Phina! This author is can really spin a wonderful story detailing her life!
A must read for the continued character Phina! This author is can really spin a wonderful story detailing her life!
smuthutbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Sigh....
So good and heart breaking.
Second time I've read this and I still got emotional.
Tara writes a great book no matter the genre.
LOVE IT!
So good and heart breaking.
Second time I've read this and I still got emotional.
Tara writes a great book no matter the genre.
LOVE IT!
kkecreads's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning
Branded by Tara Sivec
Published: January 12, 2015
Tara Sivec
I purchased this book on Amazon.
Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author, wife, mother, chauffeur, maid, short-order cook, baby-sitter, and sarcasm expert. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children and looks forward to the day when all three of them become adults and move out.
“What’s the point of masks if you can’t use them to your advantage?”
Phina has a dark past. She has a dark present, and she is convinced she has a dark future. She carries her secrets alone. It’s safer this way. DJ flitters from a good time to a good time, always keeping his eyes on the next adventure. When a blast from his past blows back into his life, he isn’t prepared for the backdraft.
As much as I love the lighthearted romcoms, TSiv is known for, and this book is far from light. It’s heavy and deep and emotional. And I love that. The weight of this book, the complexity of the contents is anything but lighthearted.
Yes, there is some witty banter. And yes, there are excellent characters, which we know we can count on from Tara. But there is such an emotional rawness and human vulnerability in these chapters. The emotion and the hurt, the anguish, is palpable. It is all-consuming.
I love that Tara isn’t afraid to tackle trauma. That she fearlessly dives headfirst into the fire and doesn’t shy away from the residual aftermath. She isn’t scared to write the ugly and the brutal aspects of humanity and love.
These characters are all so vivid. They have so much depth and such sharp angles. But there is also such a beautiful vulnerability and a romantic notion that finding the one thing worth holding on to may be the last thing we expected.
While there are some scorching steamy scenes in this book, I love that that wasn’t the primary focus. The human connection, the need for understanding, love, and forgiveness are the focus.
Reading TSiv’s catalog of work has made my brain explode. The dynamic range this woman creates is insane. This series solidifies her talent and may be the best character development I’ve ever read.
Branded by Tara Sivec
Published: January 12, 2015
Tara Sivec
I purchased this book on Amazon.
Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author, wife, mother, chauffeur, maid, short-order cook, baby-sitter, and sarcasm expert. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children and looks forward to the day when all three of them become adults and move out.
“What’s the point of masks if you can’t use them to your advantage?”
Phina has a dark past. She has a dark present, and she is convinced she has a dark future. She carries her secrets alone. It’s safer this way. DJ flitters from a good time to a good time, always keeping his eyes on the next adventure. When a blast from his past blows back into his life, he isn’t prepared for the backdraft.
As much as I love the lighthearted romcoms, TSiv is known for, and this book is far from light. It’s heavy and deep and emotional. And I love that. The weight of this book, the complexity of the contents is anything but lighthearted.
Yes, there is some witty banter. And yes, there are excellent characters, which we know we can count on from Tara. But there is such an emotional rawness and human vulnerability in these chapters. The emotion and the hurt, the anguish, is palpable. It is all-consuming.
I love that Tara isn’t afraid to tackle trauma. That she fearlessly dives headfirst into the fire and doesn’t shy away from the residual aftermath. She isn’t scared to write the ugly and the brutal aspects of humanity and love.
These characters are all so vivid. They have so much depth and such sharp angles. But there is also such a beautiful vulnerability and a romantic notion that finding the one thing worth holding on to may be the last thing we expected.
While there are some scorching steamy scenes in this book, I love that that wasn’t the primary focus. The human connection, the need for understanding, love, and forgiveness are the focus.
Reading TSiv’s catalog of work has made my brain explode. The dynamic range this woman creates is insane. This series solidifies her talent and may be the best character development I’ve ever read.
nbiblioholic's review against another edition
5.0
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series. Collin and Finnley were amazing. Although Finnley was weak in some instances, overall she had so many redeeming characteristics that she won me over completely. The same cannot be said of Phina. I gave this book a 5 star rating based on my love for Collin, Lee, and Drake. DJ carried this book. He was amazing!! I'm just glad Phina got a clue and finally gave him what he deserved.
I'm excited to read Dax's story. He really intrigued the crap out of me in this book. I loved how Harley was introduced lol.
I'm excited to read Dax's story. He really intrigued the crap out of me in this book. I loved how Harley was introduced lol.
bookhoarder76's review against another edition
4.0
Only 4 stars from me I so wanted this to be another 5 star Tara Sivec read but I just did.not.like Phina! I tried and tried I just couldn't. She got on my nerves more times than not and her poor pitiful me crap drove me nuts. I guess I like my female leads more kick ass and tough with very little woe is me. That said I LOVE all the other characters and the story is great even though I totally had it all figured out lol It's well written and I look forward to the next in the series. For those reasons it gets a 4 star rating from me.
theficster's review against another edition
3.0
Good book on audio. Lots of angst and misunderstanding. But I loved the end
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