Review: Denver, Ransom, Greer... GAH! This book deserves 10 stars!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 19, 2014
I never thought writing a review for a book that I adore and love could be so difficult. But I have to admit, I have had a lot of problems coming up with what I want to talk about first when it comes to Used and I have to be careful so as not to spoil this book for anyone reading the review. Out of all of the books I have read, this one just stands apart. Yes, there is a hot guy or several and yes there is drama. Denver has more drama in her life than I care to imagine and in those regards it is like several books I have read. But the story sets Used apart from the others. It can turn a city girl into a cowgirl with the turn of the page and make every cowboy you see turn into a Greer or Ransom in the blink of an eye. You suddenly will start seeing big black trucks and wondering who is behind the wheel and some of you will even have to Google what an eight track tape is...which of course will completely break my heart and point out once again how old I am... but if the track fits the scene, you gotta turn it up and ride with it!So did all of that happen for me? Well, yes and no. I am a small town mountain girl so horses and cows really were nothing new to me; I've got several pairs of cowboy boots and hats to match. I think if I dig into storage, I could probably produce an eight track tape, but finding that black truck with the stereo to play it on may be a bit more difficult. I didn't have to look up pole bending and I tend to think of myself as a small town girl trapped in the big city and cowboy butts do indeed drive me nuts. What Used did for me was something different, it took something I dearly love and turned it into an amazing ride.Denver and Greer have grown up together. They know everything there is to know about each other. They are best friends and best friends with benefits. But Denver knows that she can never be what Greer deserves. She can't do a relationship. But that's the thing; Greer is so in love with Denver that it doesn't seem feasible to him to not win over her heart. That's why Denver has chosen to go to a different college than Greer. She wants him to be able to find what she can never be. But Greer is not giving up that easily. That's why he follows her to school but she doesn't know it until she is there and getting ready for her fresh start. A new beginning to become the person she wants to be without the reputation she has always held following her.So one of the first people she meets when she gets to college is this amazing bull rider by the name of Ransom... The attraction is there between the two of them, but he is a man-whore. But really is Denver any better being a slut? There lies the problem... Ransom doesn't want any part of a woman like her... but that attraction is there and no matter how much he wants to be away from it, it isn't going anywhere.So wait... so Greer is in love with Denver who is attracted to Ransom... oh my...This book is a page turner and so hard to put down and yes, as I told the author, I had to put it down because of prior commitments and that crazy thing called a day job and I hated every moment of it. I wanted to consume this book and devour each and every word in it.The thing about it is that you don't have to like cowboys or the rodeo to appreciate this book. The characters will make you fall in and out and back in of love with each one of them. I loved each of the characters for very different reasons. I loved that Greer was so in love with Denver that he would do anything for her. I loved that Ransom wanted to protect her. I loved that Denver was a sassy girl who didn't take crap from anyone.I have so much love for this story and I am so very excited that there is more of it to come. For those of you worried now that I have added that last sentence, there is no cliff hanger at the end of the book, but there is definitely more of the story waiting to be told and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. I am already getting ready to read this one again, it is THAT GOOD! No, it's better.Lynetta Halat has such a great writing style and it just captures me. I don't want to put the books down and this one seriously drove me over the edge to actually do it... I was dying! I even had this great little set up at my desk so people couldn't see me sneaking in chapters at work... Yes, that good.I just completely adore Lynetta Halat and she amazes me more and more each time she writes a book. Her books are beautifully written and so full of love and character and completely balanced out with angst and heartache. But Used definitely sold me on a new standard of greatness. I am so in love with this book that five stars will never do it justice. This book deserves all 10 stars that I am going to give it. It exceeded all of my expectations in a good book and has set such a high standard for which all books must follow.Whether it's the eight seconds on the back of a bull or the time to beat in tie-down roping or digging in with your heals and making every turn count... this book had every aspect of a great read all between the covers. When you read Used, hold on to your hat and get ready for a great ride! It is a ten out of five star read and I CANNOT WAIT for more!*I received a complimentary copy of Used in exchange for an honest review... and I honestly loved every moment of it!