Hero by Samantha Young

This wasn’t happening.

This couldn’t be happening.

I curled my hands into fists to stop them from shaking as I made my way through the hallway into the open-plan living area of the penthouse apartment.

Published by Piatkus in March 2015

Summary

Alexa Holland's father was her hero-until her shocking discovery. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who's as damaged by her father's mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.

Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa's efforts at redemption, but it's not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and all-consuming affair.

Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for, and when they're on the precipice of danger, he finds he'll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again . . .

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When I started reading this book, I was convinced I wouldn’t like it. I rarely read books set in America these days and the thought of it didn’t appeal to me. However once I got past the first couple of chapters I completely forgot that it was set in America – I was too busy being sucked into the sexual tension increasing rather quickly between Caine and Alexa.

I actually read this book in one evening, which surprised me. I don’t know how Samantha Young does it, but she writes unputdownable books. I found myself so invested in this fictional relationship, I couldn’t stop reading. I had to find out what happened in the end. To the point, I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning.

Caine is a hard nosed businessman, who didn’t get where he is by being nice. OK, so there is a little of  Christian Grey lurking through Caine’s character and it is difficult not to notice. Thankfully there is no Red Room of Pain, as I seriously would have been turned off reading this book. Not surprisingly, Alexa is attracted to Caine straightaway. He comes across as extremely possessive, but some girls like that in a man as it makes them feel loved. Personally, I’m not keen as it comes across as stifling. However, even I can’t deny that Caine is a very hot character.

Alexia had sass written all over her when she first came in contact with Caine, and I really loved that about her. Her sarcastic comments while working with Caine, really made me laugh. Unfortunately as the book progressed, she appeared to be conforming to Caine’s demands, as she went out of her way to please him and be nice, just to keep him from running. No man is worth changing that much for.

I loved Effie. Oh my God, I want to be just like her when I get old. Sophisticated, yet mischievous, she happily poked her nose in where ever she felt it was needed. There was nothing old and prudish about this woman! She had lived her live well and enjoyed it. She didn’t care if she interfered with other’s lives or not, telling it exactly how it was.

I am pretty sure now that I would ready anything that Samantha Young wrote, because I adore her style of writing. I love the way she writes relationships - they always look like they won’t make it to the end, but magic happens along the way and the girl finally gets the guy.

This book shows that it is pointless to hold grudges. Life is way too short to keep blaming people for their involvement in turning your life upside down. You will stop seeing the good in life and people, if you are so wrapped up in hating everyone. Move on with your life!