Synopsis.
Aidan Hunter lost the only girl he ever loved to his older brother. To numb his pain, he drinks in excess, parties too hard, and sleeps with countless women. When his family expresses concern, he does what he's been taught to do—fake it and pretend his life is perfect. Pretend he loves his new girl and pretend his heart isn’t broken.
Maria Santiago is simply trying to survive each day until she finishes college. As a single mother, life is a constant struggle. Add running from a dangerous past and working in the oldest profession, and all she has is hope for a better life. Hope one day she will no longer feel shame and hope her past never catches up with her.
After Aidan pays to spend one wild night with Maria, pretending to be unaffected by her is impossible. Their night comes to an explosive end and Maria hopes she never sees him again, but Aidan refuses to give up. As Maria begins to accept that Aidan’s feelings for her are genuine, someone from her past threatens her life. Aidan’s not intimidated and takes a huge risk to protect her.
Will the risk pay off and allow Aidan the opportunity to provide Maria with the better life she’s been hoping for?
SJ's Review.
TUG. Holy. Fuck
Shit.
That Ending!!!
I was stunned by this book. Well and truly stunned! It killed me, every word I read pulled me deeper and deeper into the book! When I first started reading this book I was aware that Tug had featured largely in Brady & Tori's series, but you didn't need to read that too understand this story. Tug has his own story, so you could say I went into this book blind. I didn't know what Tug was like when Tori made her decision between Tug and Brady.
Tug was lost, he was broken, when he wasn't pining for Tori he was fucking some random girl he met on a night out. Just a one night stand. Noone he ever remembered the name of. Nooone he cared about. Just someone. He was traipsing through life from one night to the next. Always making it into gossip magazines for being seen with this girl and that girl.
Tug had his heartbroken by Tori. Tori is Tug's brothers girl. Tori made her choice but Tug cant move past that he wasn't her choice. One fateful day to buy cigars is about to change his life forever.
Maria. Maria is just a broken as Tug, but she has a hard exterior. Career to her Papa & Mother to Javier. Maria doesn't have time for much else other than looking after the two men in her life. As much as Maria feels an attractive to Tug she doesn't want to get involved in anything serious. She will only get hurt or end up hurting them.
Maria and Tug finally give into the feelings they have for one another and end up together in a relationship, but what exactly is Maria hiding?
All the way through this book, I felt as if I couldn't connect to Maria, she seemed too.... hmmm... whats the word. She seemed to sorry for herself but always landed on her feet. She seemed like she wanted to do everything for herself but yet was quick to except help when Tug offered to help her. At the end I was left feeling that I was right about her, but then when I thought apon it I am not thinking she wouldn't do that.
Argh I'm so lost on whether Maria was geniue on not so much! I don't know how to feel about her right now. The end of this book left me gob smacked. I was atually sat looking at the last page for about 5 minutes with my mouth open just sat there..... and sat there... I then sat infront of my laptop and tried writing a review and I just couldn't... I decided to sleep on it then give it another go... Well here I am 4 days later, I am not behind on my reading/reviewing because I just can't get Tug out of my head.
This book was the least predictable book I have ever read. I NEVER in a million years saw that ending coming... What even happened. I'm so puzzled, and hurt, and angry, and, and, and Arggghhhhhh sad... yes I'm sad too!!!!
KJ Bell is a superb writer. I have read her work before but this.... Tug... she excelled herself with this book! My favourite book of 2014... And Tug has just barrelled his way up my Book Boyfriend chart and is sitting pretty at no.2... YES TWO!!!
Now all I have to say it HURRY UP with TUG #2 (Title to be confirmed) I can't wait any longer... I've been waiting nearly a week and I need you to help me out of my book funk!
About the Author KJ Bell.
K J Bell currently lives in California with her husband and three children. As a mother of three, when she’s not writing, she’s usually carting one of her children to their various activities.
She enjoys reading, and music, and is equally addicted to both.
Writing is a passion she simply can’t live without.
She loves hearing from her readers and can be found on various social media sites.
Stalker Links
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-KJ-Bell/326538807458760
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/authorkjbell
Website:
Instagram:
kjbell_author
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6994530.K_J_Bell
Amazon:
******************************************
PLEASE DO NOT READ PAST THIS POINT IF YOU HAVE NOT READ TUG AS THE FOLLOWING REVIEW
DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!
******************************************
Synopsis.
Aidan Hunter’s heart has been broken twice. The first time was his mistake; Tori belonged to his brother. The second time, an entirely different kind of void remained.
After months of trying to understand how Maria perpetrated such heartless betrayal, the only thing Aidan has left is the desire to seek revenge. With everything in place to work the hustle of a lifetime, Aidan learns the truth and he’ll stop at nothing to get Maria back.
Only in an unexpected twist, Peyton Miles, a woman completely opposite of Maria, begins to worm her way into Aidan’s heart. She’s mature, sexy and confident, and she doesn’t need to be saved.
When an irreversible mistake is made, Aidan loses both women.
Fate has other plans and a second chance emerges. Can Aidan let go of the guilt he carries and allow himself happiness? Or will he continue to fight his feelings and intentionally sabotage any hope of a relationship?
SJ's Review.
Tug. Tug.... Aidan
Firstly I'm not sure I can come to terms with Tug no longer being Tug but Aidan so before I start I'm going to warn you I will most definitely be continuing to call him Tug even if he himself doesn't feel like Tug any longer!!
Tug book 1 made me cry massive amounts at the end. Him & Maria deserved the happiness they found together, they did not need the heartbreak they had to deal with but hey everyone can't have a happy ending. Question is can they get the HEA they deserve in 'The Hustle'?
Tug is broken, he wants his family back. He had thought Tori shattered his heart but that is nothing compared to how Maria left him when she left with Javier and went back to her Baby Daddy!
Tug is all prepared to get his own back on the people who ruined his life. He wants to clear his house of all signs of Maria & Javier so he calls in an interior decorator.
Introducing Peyton. Peyton is a sexy little thing, with a feisty attitude to match. Aidan has never had someone to put him in his place & tell him 'NO' before, but Peyton is not scared to tell him she isn't interested.
As things process & Tugs plan comes together to get his revenge, all is not as it first seems. Tug soon learns the truth & he has an all new prospective on his mission. His new mission is to get his family back & resume life with the love of his life & their son.
But wait, what will Tug do with Peyton? She has clearly starting falling for him and him for her. Who can blame them? She was a comfort when nobody else could break through his walls. It's 'Okay' though. Peyton knew Tugs heart would never be hers, he always belonged to Maria.
Who will own Tugs heart in the end?
Who will Tug realise is the girl he can see in his future?
As much as he loves Maria & Javier he can't seem to stop thinking about Peyton. Both complete opposites of the other, but only one needs saving. The other is an independent women who doesn't NEED tug she just WANTS him!
This book was an emotional roller-coaster for me! I loved Tug & couldn't wait to pick up this book so when I had a chance to review before release I jumped at the chance. I was heartbroken at parts in this book but my heart swelled at other parts. It was a real emotion tester and I couldn't put it down. It pulled me in and spat me out feeling drained and suffering a book hangover.
I'm gutted this is the last in Tugs story but I'm guessing he will feature largely in his sister Liv's book. What ever will I do with my life when there is no book featuring Tug?
Let's get to my rating. As you have all probably guessed by now, I am eating The Hustle 5 rugged stars *****
The book has it all. Drama, love, heartbreak, angst, comedy! What more could you want from Author KJ Bell? This women just keeps getting better & BETTER!!