Monday, July 16, 2012

Review: Giving It Up, by Amber Lin ~ 5 of 5 Stars

GIVING IT UP
by Amber Lin

Erotic Romance
Loose Id, 2012
ISBN 13: 978-1-61118-843-1

Allie prowls the club for a man who will use her hard and then ditch her. Hey, it’s not rape if she wants it. Instead she finds Colin, who looks tough but treats her tenderly, despite her protests.

He tempts her, but kindness and a few mind-blowing orgasms aren’t enough to put her back together again. Allie has no hope for a real relationship. Two years ago her best friend betrayed her in the worst possible way – she’d be stupid to trust a man again. Besides, she has her daughter to think of, the only good thing to have come from that dark night.

But when her rapist returns, threatening her sanity and custody of her daughter, Allie turns to Colin. Under his protection and patient touch, Allie begins to heal and learns to hope. Colin’s no saint, though, and his criminal past draws danger of its own. Allie must fight to protect her child and the man she loves, hoping her newfound power will be enough to save them all.

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Let me preface my thoughts on Amber's book by saying that I typically do not read books with a darker storyline like this. I use reading as my escape from the real world, so I prefer lighter stories or ones with paranormal elements that are far removed from reality.

But after reading only 27 pages, I had to stop mid-chapter and email Amber to tell her how enthralled I was with her writing and the story. Here's exactly what I told her...
"Your writing is like...whoa. I don't even know how else to say it. I'm loving this and according to my preferences, I really shouldn't. Allie is so beautifully damaged. She doesn't come off as a simpering victim you want to throw some Xanax at and drop her off at a shrink. She just IS and deals with it. Your metaphors are amazing, your descriptions and how she feels...all amazing. Nicely done, chica. Very nicely done."
I meant every word of it, too. I stayed up until 5:30 in the morning reading, and only stopped because my eyes would no longer cooperate with me and stay open. I loved Allie's character. The way she deals with the horrible events from her past is believable and, though dark and self-deprecating, even admirable. She does what she has to do in order to get through her day-to-day life for the sake of her daughter.

Colin has dark secrets of his own, but he does his best to keep Allie protected from them. From the moment he meets Allie he does his best to take care of her, despite them being virtually strangers. Situations throw them together and they're forced to learn how to deal with one another in a capacity neither one have any experience.

This book is not your typical romance. Though it has the required HEA (Happily Ever After) for any romance, I was unsure how it was going to work, right up until the last minute. Lin masterfully created a plot with conflicts that carry through right up until the end. Nothing is predictable and there's not a deus ex machina to be found. Just real efforts of real people.

I don't want to give anything away, because I truly want each and every one of you to buy the book. It's gripping, intriguing, and utterly spectacular. Amber Lin is a debut author who has instantly made a name for herself with this book, and she's one to keep tabs on for sure.

To see what others are saying about Giving It Up, watch the book trailer, read an excerpt from the book, and have access to the buy links, go here. ----> http://authoramberlin.com/books/

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Amber Lin is repped by Jewelann Cone by Cascade Literary Agency. Her debut novel, Giving It Up, releases from Loose Id on June 19th. She also has a historical manuscript in the works as well as the sequel to Giving It Up.

Amber married her high school sweetheart, birthed a kid who’s smarter than she is, and spends her nights writing down her dirty thoughts. In other words, life is good. 

Visit her at...

18 comments:

  1. I really liked this book. It was a crazy emotional roller coaster for me. Even though the subject matter was dark I still had quite a few laughs throughout the book. I loved the characters, even though the were all damaged they had such strength. I would definitely recommend this book. :)

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  2. Hey Gina. Great review! Like you I tend to avoid reading anything dark or sad because real life is depressing enough. This book sounds really intriguing though. Will need to check it out.

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    1. I know, Michele, but the writing and characters really do counter the dark pasts perfectly. I never once felt like the topic/theme was bringing me down or depressing me. I can't explain how she did it. You'd just have to read it for yourself. :)

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  3. Thanks Gina, another great review of Amber Lin's novel! Will definitely have to give it a look!

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  4. Congrats on another great review, Amber. Wishing you continued success.

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  5. Gina, loved your review. moving this up on the TBR pile.

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  6. Gina what a great review I can't wait to read it :)

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  7. I read this book and I did enjoy it. It was difficult subject matter and Amber handled it really well. My only regret is that we never got Colin's POV. I really wish the author hadn't written from only Allie's viewpoint. Still, this book is unique and it is cool that the author took a chance. Kudos to her.

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  8. This book is fucking awesome.

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    1. I love your enthusiasm, Remy and you made me smile BIG.

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  9. I read this following the review on "The Romamce Man". It wasn't a book that I would normally have read but I really enjoyed it!

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  10. Thanks Gina for a great review. With so many romance novels following the same thread, Giving It Up was a much needed change of pace for me. I found the darker intimate story compelling and I highly recommend it.

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  11. Hey Gina...It was a good review and I have put Giving It Up on my TBB list because it sounds like a compelling read:) Hope the ebook will eventually be available for Nook. I know I could purchase as .pdf but honestly, that's a PITA;)

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    1. I'm sure it will be put out on B&N soon, Nancy. I know what you mean about the .pdf thing.

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  12. I'm not sure I'm into something dark like this but your review makes me want to read it (after I read another Romance debut, btw ;-)

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  13. Gina, I just finished your book, Seducing Cinderella, straight through and loved it so much i jumped on line to find more books by you . . . imagine my surprise when i find it was your first book. I have been stumbling around and checking out everything. I'm delighted by your blog and your grandma and this review. I purchased the book for my Kindle and plan on reading it next because your review made it sound amazing! I am greatly looking forward to watching/experiencing your career take off as i know it will.

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    1. Hi Isabella! First, thank you so much. I'm thrilled to know you loved SC so much that you sought me out on the web. :) That's incredible and I hope you keep up with everything I have going on so you can read my future books! Second, thanks for believing in my review enough to buy Amber's book. I truly don't think you'll be disappointed. She's an amazing writer! I hope to see you around my fan pages, etc. :) Thanks again!

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