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Book CoverSandy M’s review of Wild, Wounded Hearts (Wild Hearts, Book 2) by Beth Kery
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by Amazon Digital Services 26 Jul 19

I hoped this second book in Ms. Kery’s Wild Hearts series would be a step up from the first. This time around we join the youngest and fragile Esterbrook sister and the wild, dominant Beckett brother as they discover and explore the forbidden heat between them. They can barely contain their emotions, so how can they expect their family to welcome a relationship they’re not sure will work?

It’s Ursa who initiates their meeting after some time. She’s the sweet one, now grown up and in good health after a frail and uncertain childhood. Zev, or Z as he’s affectionately called, is the bad boy, who has gotten himself involved with a criminal element and spent a bit of time in prison. He was there the day Ursa was born and has watched out for her ever since. So starting a sexual relationship isn’t something he’s thought about – until now. He can’t resist all that sweetness and sexiness wrapped up in a beautiful package. And they are hot together, no doubt about that. For the first half or more of the book, they can’t keep their hands off each other.

And that’s in between the arguing while Z walks away from what he wants most. He can’t and won’t put Ursa in the line of danger that has become part of his life, especially when she does get put in the middle of a revenge meeting with the earlier mentioned criminal element. In fact, Z walks away more than once, and that doesn’t sit well with me at all. His willingness to work things out comes too late in the story. I enjoy his character when he’s at his best, but the about-face he pulls irks a bit.

Ursa does pretty much the same thing, only she just does it by losing her temper when these two try to talk things out. I realize that all is meant to show she’s strong and independent, despite her young age, but her outbursts become tiresome after the first few times. For the first thirty chapters, neither Z nor Ursa really grow all that much. Too much in the bedroom instead of talking for the storyline to develop. It’s once they both return home that the plot expands some, when the rest of the family is present and trying to figure out new dynamics as long-held secrets are revealed. There’s a lot going on, a lot of characters involved. I do like the families and their relationship, but once again the Beckett brothers are quick to temper and have to apologize one more time. There’s a lot of apologies in this book.

Also, the errors in this book are too numerous to count. Better proofing is essential so that the storyline is not interrupted so much along the way. I’m quite surprised at this happening in a Beth Kery book. A lot of traditionally published authors are doing more self-publishing, but if this change ends with such inadequate end results, I’m not sure that’s the way to go. But I strongly recommend Ms. Kery get more help before publishing future books.

Grade: C

Summary:

When wild and sweet meet . . .

Z Beckett had always curbed the savage streak inside him when it came to his younger, fragile next-door neighbor, Ursa Esterbrook. Ursa was all that was good and right in the world. When Ursa unexpectedly walks in on an explosive situation involving Z and some vicious members of a biker crime syndicate, Z’s protective instincts blaze to the forefront. The only problem is, so does something else . . . something dark, forbidden, and intoxicatingly sweet. From the first taste of Ursa, he’s lost. He’s a despoiler of a girl that everyone calls a saint. What’s worse? He longs to do it all over again.

Passions flare.

Ursa Esterbrook had always had a crush on Z Beckett: the older bad-boy who may have been rough with others, but always reserved a sweet spot for her. When the opportunity finally arises for her to fulfill her fantasies, she doesn’t hesitate. She’s thrilled by Z’s forceful possession in bed. Unfortunately, he’s horrified by what he has done. It’s going to take some convincing to prove to him that she has every bit the strength, faith, and fire inside her to meet his dark and demanding nature.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

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