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romecca's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
First, there is no way my words are adequate enough to express how good this book is and how much I loved it. Steal Me is book one in India R. Adam’s Haunted Road series. The book is basically divided into two parts. The first half of the book is told mainly from Maverick’s POV. We see how Maverick meets Delilah and how their romance slowly develops. It’s a story of two people helping each other through loss and trauma. Maverick is definitely one of my new book boyfriends. I loved how he recognized Delilah’s trauma and allowed the relationship to progress at her pace. He never pushed hard, but he was always there for her. He also never sugarcoated the truth when helping Delilah through her trauma.
The second half of the book is told from Tuck’s POV. Tuck is Delilah’s brother. Tuck’s POV fills us in on his, Delilah and Viola’s childhood and the combined losses that forged their tight bond. We meet and learn about the mysterious Kenny, as well as see Tuck and Viola’s unusual path to romance. Tuck and Viola are definitely the caretakers in this group and always show depth of understanding that astounds me. And I loved how India R. Adam’s left hints throughout the book as to Kenny and Delilah’s relationship.
I also loved how strong the sibling relationships were – Maverick and Bailey, Tucker and Delilah, and Diesel and Viola. Those brothers loved deeply and would sacrifice anything for their sisters. All of the characters were complex and interesting, and the story definitely pulls in the reader. And although the book deals with tough topics like, depression, trauma, and abuse, I never felt like it was too much. I’m so glad I waited to read this series until all the books were published because the ending leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat (in a good way). Highly recommend!
The second half of the book is told from Tuck’s POV. Tuck is Delilah’s brother. Tuck’s POV fills us in on his, Delilah and Viola’s childhood and the combined losses that forged their tight bond. We meet and learn about the mysterious Kenny, as well as see Tuck and Viola’s unusual path to romance. Tuck and Viola are definitely the caretakers in this group and always show depth of understanding that astounds me. And I loved how India R. Adam’s left hints throughout the book as to Kenny and Delilah’s relationship.
I also loved how strong the sibling relationships were – Maverick and Bailey, Tucker and Delilah, and Diesel and Viola. Those brothers loved deeply and would sacrifice anything for their sisters. All of the characters were complex and interesting, and the story definitely pulls in the reader. And although the book deals with tough topics like, depression, trauma, and abuse, I never felt like it was too much. I’m so glad I waited to read this series until all the books were published because the ending leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat (in a good way). Highly recommend!
picky_book_b1tch's review against another edition
3.0
This is a case of mistaken identity and it's me, not you.
I judged the book by its cover and its blurb and I got it all wrong. I picked this up based on what I thought rather than what it is. It's an NA romance. I don't do NA romances. I can't handle the youthful angst and drama. I'm a woman of certain years that doesn't want to relive those days for anything, not even in fiction. With years of life and motherhood, comes a certain maturity and wisdom that I just can't shake. So while I can see the appeal of this story for others, it wasn't my thing.
In my defense, I will say there is nothing in that cover or the blurb that would lead me to believe this was a NA romance, and definitely not one that follows a couple and a group of friends from about age 16 to 21. It's a gorgeous cover and the reason I stopped to check this book out. But for me, that cover screams gritty adult romantic suspense, not youthful angst and heartache.
NA readers, you will love this story. It's a well written poignant, angsty and heartfelt coming of age story of teenage age love, family and friendship.
I judged the book by its cover and its blurb and I got it all wrong. I picked this up based on what I thought rather than what it is. It's an NA romance. I don't do NA romances. I can't handle the youthful angst and drama. I'm a woman of certain years that doesn't want to relive those days for anything, not even in fiction. With years of life and motherhood, comes a certain maturity and wisdom that I just can't shake. So while I can see the appeal of this story for others, it wasn't my thing.
In my defense, I will say there is nothing in that cover or the blurb that would lead me to believe this was a NA romance, and definitely not one that follows a couple and a group of friends from about age 16 to 21. It's a gorgeous cover and the reason I stopped to check this book out. But for me, that cover screams gritty adult romantic suspense, not youthful angst and heartache.
NA readers, you will love this story. It's a well written poignant, angsty and heartfelt coming of age story of teenage age love, family and friendship.
slumpreader's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've read so far this year.
Honestly, being new to the author I really didn't expect much from the book, but I was amazed.
Honestly, being new to the author I really didn't expect much from the book, but I was amazed.
reading_with_2_book_lovers's review against another edition
5.0
this was a first read for me by this author and wow what a great book, this story is about 2 broken people coming together and it nade me have so many different feels.
Maverick and Delilah made such a great couple.
Definitely recommend everyone giving this book a go.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
Maverick and Delilah made such a great couple.
Definitely recommend everyone giving this book a go.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
heloncha14's review against another edition
5.0
What the hell just happened to me?
Oh, my goodness! What a ride Ms. Adams has taken me on. This book was just pulling on all my emotional strings.
These beautiful band of kids and the grief they’ve had to experience so early in their lives. Watching them mature far too quickly when they should’ve just been enjoying life without worries.
Ugh, I’m still clutching on my chest.
I felt so much for Maverick. That boy went from being a careless 16 year old high schooler without a worry in the world, to a single parent for his younger sister.
After learning about his father untimely death, his mom couldn’t cope with the grief, AT ALL. If it wouldn’t have been for Mav stepping up, I’m pretty sure this family would’ve lost absolutely EVERYTHING.
Now, I understand that everybody grieves in a different way, but I was so angry at his mom for COMPLETELY forgetting about her son and daughter.
We see them moving to a new town because it was becoming too hard for them living in a town where their dad’s ghost was constantly around.
This is where Maverick meets the coolest and most understanding group of kids.
Ugh! I want a friends like them, especially Viola. I had a major girl crush on her.
With this group of friends, Mav realized that they’ve all experienced a loss like him. This ends up uniting them more.
Within this group is our gorgeous Delilah.
The girl with the weight on her shoulders and a secret so deep it’s prevented her from living her life.
Mav and Delilah meet and it’s like the world put these two in each other’s paths to help heal one another.
But, nothing is ever as easy as it seems, right?
There’s a secret too deep inside Delilah that’s tearing her apart, there’s anger inside Maverick that has him ignoring all the signs around his life.
Will these two be able to help each other? Steal one another from their pain?
Oh, my goodness! What a ride Ms. Adams has taken me on. This book was just pulling on all my emotional strings.
These beautiful band of kids and the grief they’ve had to experience so early in their lives. Watching them mature far too quickly when they should’ve just been enjoying life without worries.
Ugh, I’m still clutching on my chest.
I felt so much for Maverick. That boy went from being a careless 16 year old high schooler without a worry in the world, to a single parent for his younger sister.
After learning about his father untimely death, his mom couldn’t cope with the grief, AT ALL. If it wouldn’t have been for Mav stepping up, I’m pretty sure this family would’ve lost absolutely EVERYTHING.
Now, I understand that everybody grieves in a different way, but I was so angry at his mom for COMPLETELY forgetting about her son and daughter.
We see them moving to a new town because it was becoming too hard for them living in a town where their dad’s ghost was constantly around.
This is where Maverick meets the coolest and most understanding group of kids.
Ugh! I want a friends like them, especially Viola. I had a major girl crush on her.
With this group of friends, Mav realized that they’ve all experienced a loss like him. This ends up uniting them more.
Within this group is our gorgeous Delilah.
The girl with the weight on her shoulders and a secret so deep it’s prevented her from living her life.
Mav and Delilah meet and it’s like the world put these two in each other’s paths to help heal one another.
But, nothing is ever as easy as it seems, right?
There’s a secret too deep inside Delilah that’s tearing her apart, there’s anger inside Maverick that has him ignoring all the signs around his life.
Will these two be able to help each other? Steal one another from their pain?
saharadawn29's review against another edition
5.0
This is a story of tragedy, love and healing. Maverick and his family pick up the pieces and move to a different town to attempt to heal. New town, new people but Maverick finds some friends that have their own tragic stories and together they all try to heal. I love how they are all so loving to each other . The story starts with Maverick and as they move thru their lives, we learn about each person. Of course there are some very hot and steamy parts! As your reading you get caught up in each person and almost feel like you are a part of their group. I highly recommend this one!
diannasbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I found the author on tiktok, and I immediately checked this book out on KU. I’m so glad that I did. India shows the grief the characters go through so well. This book was difficult to read at times, but so worth it. There are triggers in here for sensitive readers.
I fell in love with almost all of the characters. I loved the relationship Maverick had with his little sister. This was written so well and I had troubles putting the book down at times. I cried, I got mad, I even laughed. It takes a lot for an author to make you feel like this. I don’t want to give anything away, but hey if you want to cry, pick this book up and enjoy the ride! I need the next book now. There was a bit of a cliffy at the end!
I fell in love with almost all of the characters. I loved the relationship Maverick had with his little sister. This was written so well and I had troubles putting the book down at times. I cried, I got mad, I even laughed. It takes a lot for an author to make you feel like this. I don’t want to give anything away, but hey if you want to cry, pick this book up and enjoy the ride! I need the next book now. There was a bit of a cliffy at the end!
literary_ya's review against another edition
4.0
Okay. First of all....WHAT THE FUCK. I'm not even sure about my emotions right now. I made the mistake of starting this book while on vacation & not being able to dive right into it quickly hindered me I think. I really enjoyed the characters. Some frustrated me to no end. But overall they were amazingly written & made me feel SO MUCH. SECOND OF ALL. THAT ENDING?! Are you kidding me right now. I HAVE SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. What in every loving hell. Welp. Looks like I'll need to WAIT for book #2....there is no way I'm going to NOT be able to read it. I NEED ANSWERS! This was my first read by this author & I thoroughly enjoyed it!
booksteacupnreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Note: I received book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. I am glad I got a chance to read this book. Many thanks to author.
Book was all about loss, grief, transformation, family, love and fight for yourself and for your loved one. There was everything in bits but majority was tragedy. Lot of. It was like characters are trying get over one tragedy, become stable and happy, another one is waiting to strike and threaten to shatter everything again. This was the journey of characters from tragedy to love and happiness, their walk out of tunnel of darkness towards the light.
Warning- few characters were abused in the book that might be disturbing. I didn’t cry I like I usually do while reading India’s books. I was on the edge of crying but didn’t. So, it was milder, for me, than Serenity and Destiny.
Characters-
India creates amazing crew. I loved Tucker’s group and their love for each other. Most of the story was centered on Maverick, Delilah and Tucker. Other characters in the book, and even parents and family of the crew had their solid imprints in the book. Mostly all characters were fighter and had important, major role. Main and my Favorite characters-
Maverick– lovely brother and fighter. Strong, wise, smart, sensitive and most chivalrous guy in the book. Delilah– smart, bookworm, and romantic but layered with timid, emotional and sensitive and hidden under her brother’s protective nature. Tucker– Delilah’s brother. Amazing friend, fierce when it comes to protecting his sister, reckless, and struggle in understanding his own emotion for Viola. He was exactly like Rocco in Serenity. Viola – vixen is perfect word and nickname for her. Strong, can fight for herself, rough, straightforward, loudmouth bitch, but she is more than that- empathetic, observer, brilliant counselor, and lovely friend. Without doubt she was my favorite character in the book. As I can relate with her. We both have our own mind. 😉 Bailey– what I say about this sweet little sister of maverick. She was the first one who took my heart in the book. She was most adorable character in the book and that make her my favorite.
Loved this book right from character to concept, plot, writing and end. Such gripping story and great concept! This was the kind of the book that can touch everyone’s heart especially of those who has lost someone and those who has found a light out of darkness. One thing I like most about all India’s book is, though the topic is very serious, touching and emotional, there is always breathers here and there in the book that make me smile, laugh and blush.
The story was in two parts- one, Life of Maverick from his POV and other, Life of Delilah and Tucker narrated by Tucker.
First part– This part solely focused on Maverick and his Maverick’s relationship with Bailey and Delilah. He and his sister just won my heart in this part. This dude’s maturity level increased from 3 to direct 10 after his father’s death. Maverick’s struggle, becoming pillar of his family, his sense of priorities and love for his sister, the way he grew up and sacrificed his needs for his family was incredibly touching and heart-melting. He totally drew me into his world.
I admired him for the way he handled Delilah, her and his own emotions, and the way he protected his two girls. I was constantly thinking in this part, why Delilah was weak or wearing a shell, what happened to her and why it was spooking her. The secret was predictable but I didn’t know the reason behind or that whole scene was not revealed in this part. The character development of Mav, his mother, Delilah was mind-blowing in his part. The end of this part was unbelievable, and unpredictable.
Second part– This part focused on Tucker. His relationship with Delilah and Viola. We are back paddling here to Tucker and Delilah’s childhood. How they grew up what was their story, how he met his crew, what happened to Delilah, his POV for Maverick and Delilah’s relationship. This part told the tales of all character including Tucker’s crew which was not told or revealed in the first one.
The pieces about Delilah past that was missing in the first part during her relationship with Maverick was filled in this second part. But few things were still not revealed in this book. So I’m desperately waiting for the second to find those left out pieces. I was shocked that even Tucker didn’t know all about Delilah. Tucker and Viola were surprise in this part. Most brilliant character development was Tucker. He changed a lot before and after Maverick came in his life. I thought I will give this book 4.5 star because of Delilah’s timid nature, but this second part changed my mind as this part also have a reason for that too.
I learned lot of things about all characters in this part and that’s why I loved reading second part more.
End– It was broken. I didn’t expected that and it broke exactly at very important point which blew my mind. I was yelling ‘I want to know more, I want finish what was going on in the end.’ And then I was sulking because I have to wait for the second book. Author’s note about reason for ending book at this point didn’t help much.
Overall, loved this book. There were good turning points. Little surprises. Freaking rocket speed book. And I’m sure you will love to connect with characters of this book like I did. If you have read India’s book before and you liked her writing style, you will definitely love this book. And if you haven’t this is best book to start reading her work, because this was milder than other books by India.
Book was all about loss, grief, transformation, family, love and fight for yourself and for your loved one. There was everything in bits but majority was tragedy. Lot of. It was like characters are trying get over one tragedy, become stable and happy, another one is waiting to strike and threaten to shatter everything again. This was the journey of characters from tragedy to love and happiness, their walk out of tunnel of darkness towards the light.
Warning- few characters were abused in the book that might be disturbing. I didn’t cry I like I usually do while reading India’s books. I was on the edge of crying but didn’t. So, it was milder, for me, than Serenity and Destiny.
Characters-
India creates amazing crew. I loved Tucker’s group and their love for each other. Most of the story was centered on Maverick, Delilah and Tucker. Other characters in the book, and even parents and family of the crew had their solid imprints in the book. Mostly all characters were fighter and had important, major role. Main and my Favorite characters-
Maverick– lovely brother and fighter. Strong, wise, smart, sensitive and most chivalrous guy in the book. Delilah– smart, bookworm, and romantic but layered with timid, emotional and sensitive and hidden under her brother’s protective nature. Tucker– Delilah’s brother. Amazing friend, fierce when it comes to protecting his sister, reckless, and struggle in understanding his own emotion for Viola. He was exactly like Rocco in Serenity. Viola – vixen is perfect word and nickname for her. Strong, can fight for herself, rough, straightforward, loudmouth bitch, but she is more than that- empathetic, observer, brilliant counselor, and lovely friend. Without doubt she was my favorite character in the book. As I can relate with her. We both have our own mind. 😉 Bailey– what I say about this sweet little sister of maverick. She was the first one who took my heart in the book. She was most adorable character in the book and that make her my favorite.
Loved this book right from character to concept, plot, writing and end. Such gripping story and great concept! This was the kind of the book that can touch everyone’s heart especially of those who has lost someone and those who has found a light out of darkness. One thing I like most about all India’s book is, though the topic is very serious, touching and emotional, there is always breathers here and there in the book that make me smile, laugh and blush.
The story was in two parts- one, Life of Maverick from his POV and other, Life of Delilah and Tucker narrated by Tucker.
First part– This part solely focused on Maverick and his Maverick’s relationship with Bailey and Delilah. He and his sister just won my heart in this part. This dude’s maturity level increased from 3 to direct 10 after his father’s death. Maverick’s struggle, becoming pillar of his family, his sense of priorities and love for his sister, the way he grew up and sacrificed his needs for his family was incredibly touching and heart-melting. He totally drew me into his world.
I admired him for the way he handled Delilah, her and his own emotions, and the way he protected his two girls. I was constantly thinking in this part, why Delilah was weak or wearing a shell, what happened to her and why it was spooking her. The secret was predictable but I didn’t know the reason behind or that whole scene was not revealed in this part. The character development of Mav, his mother, Delilah was mind-blowing in his part. The end of this part was unbelievable, and unpredictable.
Second part– This part focused on Tucker. His relationship with Delilah and Viola. We are back paddling here to Tucker and Delilah’s childhood. How they grew up what was their story, how he met his crew, what happened to Delilah, his POV for Maverick and Delilah’s relationship. This part told the tales of all character including Tucker’s crew which was not told or revealed in the first one.
The pieces about Delilah past that was missing in the first part during her relationship with Maverick was filled in this second part. But few things were still not revealed in this book. So I’m desperately waiting for the second to find those left out pieces. I was shocked that even Tucker didn’t know all about Delilah. Tucker and Viola were surprise in this part. Most brilliant character development was Tucker. He changed a lot before and after Maverick came in his life. I thought I will give this book 4.5 star because of Delilah’s timid nature, but this second part changed my mind as this part also have a reason for that too.
I learned lot of things about all characters in this part and that’s why I loved reading second part more.
End– It was broken. I didn’t expected that and it broke exactly at very important point which blew my mind. I was yelling ‘I want to know more, I want finish what was going on in the end.’ And then I was sulking because I have to wait for the second book. Author’s note about reason for ending book at this point didn’t help much.
Overall, loved this book. There were good turning points. Little surprises. Freaking rocket speed book. And I’m sure you will love to connect with characters of this book like I did. If you have read India’s book before and you liked her writing style, you will definitely love this book. And if you haven’t this is best book to start reading her work, because this was milder than other books by India.