Savaged by Nacole Stayton
Synopsis
The twist of a knife shredded Niko Kincaid’s world all around him, leaving him with two choices—accept his fate and die, or fight to live.
He chose to fight, but the aftermath became a daily reminder, carved into his once flawless flesh.
Despite years of self-imposed solitude, Niko hungers for companionship and suffers from an aching loneliness that the darkness cannot satisfy. He temporarily soothes his pain with women, hired women, whose only purpose is to service him. Easy.
He didn’t expect a complication like Cambree Evans, but desperation corrupts even the most innocent.
When emotions blend with lust, will Cambree’s softness and ability to look past Niko’s flaws be the one thing that releases him from his own personal hell?
Will the monster in the dark prove that his savaged heart is worth saving?
My Review
Part Beauty and the Beast and part Little Red Riding Hood, this new adult contemporary romance has a little bit for everyone. There’s the purchase of sexual favors that hints at eroticism, the romance that unfolds when Cambree is more than Niko bargained for, the mystery of who attacked Niko Kincaid, and the thriller aspect when Niko’s worlds collide. With so much going on, I was afraid this novel would get away from itself, but it’s woven together nicely as all the pieces flow together.
Plot
The plot ties together all of the aspects mentioned above, but it’s primarily a romance, focused heavily on the relationship between Niko and Cambree. The other elements help build tension and conflict, but at the end of the day, it’s their story. At times, it felt predictable, but at others, it was anything but your average steamy romance with a wounded bad boy and the good girl who saves him. There was always the potential underlying the surface that things could go off in a completely unexpected direction, which kept me on my toes.
Characters
Both Niko and Cambree are both likeable, wounded, and in need of healing. All things considered, both characters could have been darker and more brooding considering their circumstances in life, and the fact that they weren’t made them more interesting in my opinion. At times, Cambree spoke in a way that seemed too mature for a woman of her age who dropped out of college and worked a minimum wage job, but otherwise, she was believable as a 22-year old orphan willing to do anything, at first for her grandmother, and later for Niko.
Bottom Line
I liked the edginess of this story, the fairy tale elements, and the fact that both main characters were equally flawed. It’s a solid NA contemporary romance.
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
About the Book
Title: Savaged
Author: Nacole Stayton
Release Date: September 12, 2014
Pages: 177
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
Author Nacole Stayton
About the Author
Nacole Stayton is the Amazon Bestselling author of The Upside of Letting Go, as well as other new adult and contemporary romance titles, including A Graceful Mess and In the Lyrics.
She is twenty-something years young and currently resides in the Bluegrass State where she spends her days working at a local hospital in the billing department and nights writing vigorously on her current novel.
She has a passion for helping others and wears her University of Kentucky gear proudly. While her husband loves all things outdoors, Nacole enjoys the finer things in life, like getting pedicures while reading on her Kindle. She is passionate about her faith, family, and The Vampire Diaries.
Where to Find Nacole Stayton
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon
Giveaway
$50 Gift Card and 2 Signed Copies (Three Winners)