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Review

4.5 ‘limitless’ stars

Wow, what a read! An emotionally intense second-chance romance that is full of heartache, anguish and torment, with a fiercely passionate couple whose love for each other pulls them through the most horrific of circumstances. Connor is the ultimate tortured hero, and Alina is pure perfection. I devoured their story.

I have been so excited for this book. The lead up to this story has been building since book 1 of the series, Perfect Chaos, and the events of the last book, Perfect Ruin, let us know that this was going to be one very intense read! I would definitely not recommend reading this one as a standalone. I’ve read the last two books and it took me a little bit to remember everything that had gone on. Nashoda Rose throws you straight into the drama, and it doesn’t let up until the very end of the book. This is one emotional ride, and I loved it!

And beware spoilers ahead for the previous books.

Connor’s appearance in Perfect Ruin was of a ruined man. Held prisoner for 7 years, drugged, tortured and trained to be a ruthless killer, he had no memories of his life and was an aggressive, heartless monster. Hints of his memory started to return towards the end of the book and we were introduced to Alina, a woman from his past who clearly meant something to him. But the damaged man he had become was in no way able to return to his previous life, or even in a position to create a new life for himself. He was broken and ruined, with no hope for the future.

This book begins in the past, showing us who Connor was before he was taken, and I loved seeing the smart, fun-loving, sarcastic man that he was. As a special forces officer in Afghanistan, he is tasked with ‘babysitting’ a journalist and photographer who have come to visit a local orphanage, and that is how Alina comes into his life. Alina is travelling overseas as a photographer as a way to escape the dangers waiting for her at home. She is hiding from a bad situation and is feeling free for the first time in her life and she’s loving it. She’s also incredibly attracted to the handsome soldier tasked to protect her, and it’s not long before they fall head over heels in love with each other.

“I love you … I know it’s too soon, but I live in the now. I have to because there might not be a tomorrow and that makes this even more selfish of me. But fuck, just please say you’ll stay with me.”

It’s absolutely gorgeous, and I loved every moment of their early relationship. But as they plan for a life together, the two young lovers are torn apart, both subjected to a hellish existence without each other, and a life full of torment.

Back in the present, Connor has managed to detox from the drugs he was forced to take and his memories are starting to come back, but he is still a wreck of a man. But his draw to Alina is still there, even though he fears his inability to control himself, and he tracks her down where she is living near his family and old friends, unable to stay away from her.

Uncontrollable.
Uncontained.
The drug Vault had me on for years made me into a hard, cruel killer without a past. Without memories. And that made me dangerous as fuck.
Now the drug had stopped, but it was worse, because the memories filtered back in and with them surfaced a deep inner rage.
I was too dangerous to be near her and yet I sat on my bike across the street …
So fuckin’ close. Too close for her own good.

OMG, Connor and Alina’s story is absolutely amazing. Their connection is still so incredibly strong – they want each other and the feelings are still there, and even though there is SO much heartache and torment between them, they can’t resist the pull that so clearly binds them to each other. Their reunion is an epic journey of passion, heartache, slowly revealed memories and devastation as they slowly open up to each other and the full extent of all they have been through is laid open.

“Don’t give up on me, Alina” … “I’m lost, baby. I’m so fuckin’ lost and you’re the only one to keep me from disintegrating.” He lowered his head, lips a breath away from me as he murmured, “I can’t ever lose you again.”
“I’m here, Connor.” I whispered. “I’m right here.”

Connor’s torment is wonderfully written, getting us right to the heart of the broken man who doesn’t even know who he is or what he’s capable of anymore. His rage is countered by his fear and vulnerability, and by his need for Alina, and I loved the complexity of him as a character. His emotions are extreme but completely understandable and even though it hurt to read, I loved his journey.

“I am dead,” I shouted as the control broke and the rage pumped through my veins. I’m fuckin’ dead, damn it. There’s nothing left of me except raw, jagged pieces of a man I hate.”

And Alina blew me away with her strength and her determination to be there for her man and pull him through the hell he is living in. Time and time again she proves her love for him, standing by him, trusting him and loving him through his torment. She’s not stupid about it, she’s a smart woman and she knows what she’s up again, but she never waivers in her faith that Connor can find himself again. And she never holds back from him, opening up about her own hell and leaning on him as she allows him to lean on her. She is truly amazing, I loved her.

“Damn it, baby, I don’t know who the fuck I am anymore.”
“Connor,” she said. “You’ll always be my Connor.”

It’s not an easy journey for them and I was in tears more than once, my heart breaking right alongside theirs. But watching them fight against their demons to find their way forward together was absolutely beautiful and worth every moment of heartache.

“Love you so damn much, Alina.” My heart nearly burst through my chest. “I don’t want to hurt you. Tell me I won’t hurt you.”
“You won’t hurt me, Connor. I trust you.” The trust in himself was lacking but I had enough for both of us.

The characters from the previous books of the series are a big part of the story, and I really enjoyed their involvement. The boys, in particular, were fantastic, having Alina’s back and being there for their broken comrade. And I loved seeing them find their way back to their friendship again as Connor starts to claw himself out of his hell and we see the man he used to be.

“Head’s a little fucked up,” I finally said.
“A little?” Deck replied.
I snorted. Asshole. “A lot.”
He nodded. “And her?”
“Can’t fuckin’ breathe without her.”
“Know the feeling,” Deck murmured.
I snapped my head up to glare at him. “How long have you been fucking my sister? She better have been of age or I’ll kill you.”

This is a really intense read. If you’ve read this author before, you’ll know to expect heavy drama, intense emotion and passionate, all-consuming romance, and that’s exactly what she delivered. It’s everything that I wanted to see for Connor, and it’s finished off with a gorgeous epilogue that left me with a smile on my face.

“We’re permanent. We’ve never been any other way.”

I loved it. 4.5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Unyielding series