Review: Angsty and Passionate
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 30, 2014
Given that I am seriously into serial novellas lately, I was excited to start Untamed. One of my best friends read it and could not stop talking about how much she loved the story. While I didn't completely love it, I liked Untamed a lot.For me, Untamed was a strong story for a couple of reasons, the main one being our protagonist, Reagan McKinley. Bad boy heroes are a dime-a-dozen, but Reagan is the type of heroine we rarely get: she is unbridled when it comes to who and want she wants, she is unashamed of her lifestyle, seeking comfort in one-night stands, drugs and alcohol. Reagan comes from a wealthy family that's as cold and unfeeling as they come. Reagan doesn't fit in with her family in the slightest, wants to pursue art instead of business and politics as a career. She doesn't dress or act according to their wishes and she certainly doesn't encompass with what they want in a daughter and sister. It's  obvious from the get-go that a lot of Reagan's issues come from something that's happened four years prior (she's currently nineteen), something that caused her extreme emotional damage and her parents caused to go away quietly. I have my suspicions about what happened, which were slightly confirmed by the end of Untamed, though it's not fully revealed.I kind of loved that Reagan was the troubled, promiscuous character in this pair, though Dare Wilde's life is certainly no picnic.Dare Wilde is a dark mystery from the moment Reagan lays eyes on him. He's not immune to her allure, but he's also not powerless against it either. Dare has his own troubled home life, with a complications that come into play as the story progresses. And though he's had issues, Dare actually has himself put together pretty well. He was mature and thoughtful, and of course, damn sexy. His finest trait, for me, was how Dare makes Reagan feel. He gives her peace from the demons, he soothes her. It's a feeling that's hard to describe if you've never experienced it, but if you have, you know it is priceless.My only issue with Untamed was the initial scenes between Dare and Reagan. I completely understand the attraction across a crowded room, the draw between two people who've never met before. I even understand the overwhelming lust that can't be stopped. It's just, when they began talking, it felt as if they actually knew each other. It was a little too comfortable and familiar, given the tension going on between them. I felt like maybe the leap between strangers and familiar conversation was made a little too soon. I just needed a little more build up. Having said that, looking back, this is not a huge issue for me, just one that niggled at my brain and kept me from fully buying in for a while.Untamed was an extremely passionate story. One packed emotion and tension and angst, despite it's short length. It got off to a compelling start, and held that draw throughout. The ending? Oh gosh, it didn't destroy me, but it sure made my heart twinge. It also has me wanting to continue the series with Out of Control. I have a feeling I'm in for a bumpy, sexy ride.Favorite QuotesI searched his stare for the hungry submission I'd grown to expect from men, but it wasn't there. Hid look was unlike any other. The way he studied me was carnal, though different in a way I was unable to fully comprehend. It was as if he was searching for something more. Like I was a piece of artwork he was appraising. Dizzy with desire, I silently hoped that he'd decide he needed to own me, so badly he'd be willing to bid anything.I'm ashamed of them, Dare. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are the only person I've ever wanted to be with for more than one night--and every moment I am with you only makes me want you more. You are not my dirty little secret. You're everything I want in my life.