Review: Cover to cover in one sitting!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 30, 2014
Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.I normally don't go for stories involving cowboys, it just not my thing; but based on the synopsis of the book, I just couldn't pass this one up.Denver is a college freshman and rodeo star with a colorful past. She is known as the ultimate "friend with benefits" in her small hometown of Anaconda, MT and she moves on to college in the hope of leaving that life behind. What she is not expecting is to run in to the number one person she is trying to get away from, her best friend Greer. Denver is a self-described slut, a label that many around her are also quick to bestow upon her; however, we quickly learn that things are not always what they seem, and there is far more to Denver's story than she will ever share with anyone. It's just easier to let people believe what they want, that way they can't get too close.Greer, also a college freshman, has decided to go to the Montana State University after originally deciding to go to Wyoming. He is in pursuit of his best friend Denver. He thinks that getting away to college, where the two of them together can have a fresh start is just what they both need in order to make a relationship work. They've been best friends since before they were born, they've been something more than friends for the past couple of years, there's no reason a "real" relationship wouldn't work, right?Ransom is the textbook, bull-riding, bad boy, cowboy. He's tall, dark, handsome, and comes with his own broken past. What is originally set up as just a love triangle quickly becomes so much more. Ransom has met his female counterpart in Denver, and what seems like what might be a perfect "relationship" (you'll understand the quotes around the word once you read the book) between the two of them, is further complicated by the secrets both of them are keeping.For me, at least, Used became far more emotional of a read than I had expected. Denver's pain is so readily apparent and you can feel that inner turmoil that she has when weighing her relationships with both Greer and Ransom. Ms. Halat did an excellent job of developing the relationships between each pairing; the relationship Denver has with Greer just "feels" different than the relationship with Ransom. It's like a different set of emotions are in play. You have the nostalgia and safety of the known with Greer, and the danger and newness of Ransom; but then everything is turned upside down with revelations of deception. There were plot twists I truly didn't see coming.I like the development of secondary characters as well and Ms. Halat has definitely set us up nicely to continue on with the stories of Maggie, Pete, and Austin. That's not to say that I'm not ready for more Denver, Ransom, and Greer, because I definitely am! While I wouldn't necessarily call it a cliff-hanger, we're definitely left on the edge of knowing there is far more of this story to come, and I frankly, can't wait!My only problem with the book was there were times when I just wanted to take Denver by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. I know it would have cut down on a whole lot of the drama of the book, but she could so easily have redeemed herself by just speaking out and standing up for herself. I really hope that we see that strength develop in her character in the next installment. She is so straightforward and outspoken that sometimes it is painful to see her take the types of verbal abuse she does from others, and almost seems unnecessary.Used was a five star read from cover to cover. Ms. Halat gave us characters that I felt we could really connect with and the storyline kept me guessing. I am definitely ready for the next book, Freed, which is set for an April release.