Review: Great start to a new series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 23, 2014
*spoilers ahead4.5 starsTainted Rose is the story of Rose Meadows, a 23 year-old woman who two years ago was forcefully taken to a dismal bar in the middle of nowhere in Canada. Rose’s life is a living nightmare from the moment she is taken by the Dark Rebel MC. She’s forced to work as a stripper and whore; she is abused, raped and mistreated in every possible way by a group of men who consider her worthless property.Her story is brutal and harsh, no details are left out and the villains are absolutely repulsive. The violence is vividly described so I felt at all times her pain and despair with the sexual abuse, the extreme loneliness and her vulnerability. Although the book is written in 3rd person, it was easy to get inside Rose’s head and understand her thoughts and emotions. The torment she faces is both physical and emotional, and Rose knows that sooner or later she’ll be completely broken if she can’t escape her personal hell.The beginning of the book was a bit slow; we get a lot of descriptions and background information and I was hoping for more action or dialogue. I did feel later that the background details were essential to fully understand her situation, but more dialogue would’ve helped keep the story flowing.Our hero, Josh, doesn’t make an appearance until halfway into the book. I do wish he would’ve appeared sooner because there was so much suffering in Rose’s life that I was anxious for her to finally have something good happen. Josh is finally introduced and before he meets Rose we get to hear his tale and how his story is connected to Rose’s past. Even though I was longing for an earlier meeting between them, I do understand why the author introduced Josh at a later time and why their personal histories needed to be told separately.I enjoyed the book in spite of the heart-breaking scenes and I was completely immersed in the story so that by 60% I couldn’t put it down. The descriptions of Canada and scenarios are fantastic so I felt like I was there. I loved both of the main characters and the fact that they were candid souls regardless of their actions and circumstances. I don’t agree with a decision they make at the end that will likely bring dire consequences, but their choice is part of who they are and what makes them unique.I was thrilled to finally see Rose and Josh together, their connection is poignant. When they finally meet at the bar where she works, Rose’s first impression of Josh is“It was as if the entire room, the entire world, filled up with sunshine when he entered”.As a whole I felt this book was drama rather than romance. We get a satisfying HFN ending and the beginnings of an incomplete romance. Josh and Rose’s time together is very brief. I also believe their story is still untold and I would love to see how they face life together and truly become one. On that note, I am really looking forward to the next book!A copy of this book was generously provided by the author for an honest review.