“This is all of me. The good, the bad, the used, and the broken…”
USED, a brand new standalone romantic suspense from debut author Kate Dunbar is out now!
Heartbreakingly beautiful and completely engrossing, this book is packed full of twists, turns, and a gripping romance sure to leave readers emotionally spent and asking for more.
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Blurb
Heartbreakingly beautiful and completely engrossing, USED is packed full of twists, turns, and a gripping romance sure to leave readers emotionally spent and asking for more.
At the age of seventeen, after a decade of lies, hurt, and severe abuse by her brother Lucas, Sabra Valentine is able to breathe.
Lucas is behind bars thanks in large part to Sabra’s quick thinking and self-preservation—even if that’s one more secret she has to keep.
Now, seven years later, life is moving forward, and Sabra is starting to heal, live, and love again with her friends and Trevor Collins by her side. He’s tall, dark, and sexy, and he doesn’t fall for Sabra’s games. The future is finally looking bright—until one phone call shatters everything.
Used is a romantic suspense with domestic thriller elements. Please be aware that there are topics that may be triggers for some readers, and this work is meant for mature readers.
Review
3.5 stars
This is an emotional and suspenseful read with great characters and a beautiful romance, and it’s a really impressive debut from Kate Dunbar!
24-year-old Sabra Valentine is living wild and free after a childhood spent being tormented by her older brother. At the age of 17 she set things in motion which eventually saw Lucas put into prison, and since then she has been embracing her life, moving from man to man, never allowing herself to get attached and experiencing all that she can.
Her latest fling is Trevor – a man who has been one of her best friends for four years, and the one man that Sabra could see herself falling for if she were ever to allow herself to fall in love. Trevor pursued her for a while before she agreed to start something with him, he knows her patterns and the games she plays with men, and he is determined not to be one of them. And now that he’s been given the chance for more, he’ll fight to get beyond her walls and win her heart.
“I’m here. Whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with me. I’ll prove to you that you’re worth it. I will make you see what I see.”
But then, Sabra receives news that her brother, Lucas, has been released from prison, unleashing a flood of emotion and outright fear as Sabra relives the nightmare that is her relationship with her brother. We see glimpses of Sabra’s childhood through flashback, and it’s scary and disturbing. Nothing too graphic happens on the page, but the story alludes to emotional, sexual and physical abuse, so beware that this may be triggering for some readers.
As Sabra descends into horrifying terror, Trevor fights to be by her side to help her through her torment, and OMG, he just may be the perfect man. Determined to be there for his girl, he fights not only her demons, but also the walls that she has put up to protect herself. He wants in, and he’s not prepared to allow her to push him away, and his patience, gentleness, understanding and protectiveness is just gorgeous.
“Please don’t shut me out again. Please let me be here for you. For whatever you need.” He pauses. “I’m here, Say.”
But Lucas is out, and he is determined to push his way back into Sabra’s life. It’s suspenseful and a devastatingly emotional journey for Sabra as she drowns in her bad memories and the huge threat hanging over her. And I was really feeling for her as she fights to continue on with her life and finally let somebody in despite it all.
“I love you … No matter what. I’m sorry I’m used and broken and messed up. But I love you. I always will.”
It’s no surprise where the story is going, and the suspense builds really well throughout the book. The big climax is heartpoundingly disturbing…
…but it ends well, and though I would have liked to have seen a little bit more closure (I wanted to see Sabra’s dynamic with her parents explored a bit more), I was happy with how the story finished.This is a really good read. I was impressed with Dunbar’s writing – she handles a difficult subject matter respectfully and with heart, getting her message across without relying on graphic shock factor, and concentrating more on the emotional, which I really appreciated. And the gorgeous romance provides enough lightness and happy to keep things from getting too dark.
Emotional and intense, this story is really well done.
3.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Excerpt
“So, that’s rule one. What do you think?”
I shake my head and snap out of my reverie. “What?” I inch my way toward him and place my hand on his thigh. “I’m sorry. I got distracted. Tell me again.” Trevor’s jaw tightens. His eyes shift toward my hand.
“You got distracted? I’m telling you the rules to our relationship, and you got distracted? How is that even possible?”
“I started thinking about last night and your lips on me. And that made me start thinking about your lips on me again. And that made me think about your hands on me. And that made me think about everything else on me.” Trevor stares at me with his mouth hanging open.
“I swear, you never cease to surprise me, Sabra.” He grabs my hand and pulls me toward his chest. After a few moments, he uses his finger to gently lift my chin and brush his lips over mine. “Screw the rules. We’ll just wing it.” I smell his minty breath as he moves down my jaw with those magical lips and across my collarbone. Trevor’s fingers grasp the edge of my shirt. All I can think about is that same breath and those same lips scorching my skin again.
I’m losing myself in his touch. His kisses. The sweet words he’s whispering into my ear. I’m lost in him. And then my phone rings, blasting through the room. Shaking us out of the moment. Trevor pulls back to look over his shoulder at the intruder.
You have got to be kidding me. How is it possible the entire world seems to be calling me this early?
I glance at the phone sitting on the coffee table beside us and realize I don’t recognize the number. “I’m sorry. I have to answer this.” Trevor grabs my hand and settles it on his lap. I can feel how much he doesn’t want me to answer it.
“Are you sure it can’t wait, Say?” He smiles his crooked grin and cocks his head to the side.
“Can’t they leave a voicemail, and you call them back?”
“It could be my agent. I had that audition yesterday. I just need a second.”
“Fine. I’ll go get a donut hole.” He grins and stands. “And then I’m coming back for yours.”
“Ew, gross.” I snatch my phone and slide my finger across the screen, rolling my eyes at him as he walks into the kitchen laughing. “Hello?”
“Hello, Sabra. How are you, sis?”
*****
No. No. Nooooo…NO. This can’t be happening. I yank the phone away from my ear and stare at it. Absolutely not. The air feels thin. My lungs feel like they’re about to burst.
“Sabra? What is it?” Trevor stares at me with this look on his face, like he thinks I’m crazy.
Did I say that out loud?
I hit the end button and get up, pacing from one side of my extremely small living room to the other. This is a nightmare. No. It has to be a wrong number. He’s in prison. There’s a chant happening in my head.
He’s in prison. He’s in prison. He’s in prison.
“Sabra.” I flinch as Trevor touches my arm and instinctively move away.
“Don’t touch me.” The hurt in his eyes is obvious. So deep. I might as well have slapped him. And I don’t care. “Don’t. Touch. Me.” I growl it at him.
He’s in prison. He’s in prison. He’s in prison.
“Sabra, what the hell is going on? What happened?” Trevor paces a step away and turns to look at me. “Who was that?”
“No one. A wrong number. No one at all.”
But I know it wasn’t. He’ll call back. Come back for more. He always comes back for more.
Dammit. How is he coming back for more?
He’s in prison. He’s in prison.
I feel Trevor’s heat before I realize he’s next to me. “I don’t believe that. It was someone.” He grabs me by the upper arms and shifts me back against the wall. “You’re shaking and white as a sheet. What’s going on? Who the hell was that?”
I’m shaking?
He’s in prison. He’s in prison.
Wait. My mom called…
And I realize why she was calling so early. Dammit. Everything clicks into place. Tremors course through my body. I can’t control them. The chant changes in my head.
He’s out. He’s out. Oh my god, he’s out. I. Can’t. Breathe.
About the Author
Kate Dunbar is a wife, mom of three, and obsessive tea drinker who loves a great story. She’s passionate about people and learning what makes them tick. You can find her eavesdropping, people watching, and living her best life wherever the winds take her.
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