Friday, December 20, 2013

Review: Take My Hand by @NicolaHaken


Take My Hand by Nicola Haken

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dexter Michaels - motorcycle, piercings (yes, THOSE kind of piercings), and a bad attitude; what’s not to like?

When Dexter goes to London to start over and make his Aunt Sarah proud he knows he should stick to easy women with no substance. A good one would only try to dig in and fix him and he’s not willing to hurt anyone else in his life. Emily Barton has moved to London to attend university away from her parents and learn much needed social skills. Beautiful, shy and innocent Emily is everything Dexter should stay away from and everything he needs to live again.

Dexter has some deep, dark secrets and doesn’t want anyone to know so he keeps everyone at a distance. Lacking social skills he knows well and he recognizes this in Emily. Emily has her own dark past she hides along with a dysfunctional family. They really are two peas in a pod and together they can overcome the terrifying secrets that keep them from truly living life. Guilt is a powerful feeling and both are crippled beneath it. Their lives are completely changed by events in their life and it’s so incredibly sad.

“It’s a form of cancer. It starts small - just a twinge deep inside your stomach. But then it multiplies. It spreads. It starts eating you alive until it’s claimed every part of you and your entire being begins the process of shutting down. It’s a selfish motherfucking disease that won’t ever rest until it’s left you alone and broken with only the pain it causes you for company.”
Dexter knows this about Emily because he feels the same. They need each other’s friendship, but they have undeniable chemistry and finally give in to their attraction. The sex is hot, but more than that it heals them and they finally see they are more than their dysfunctional pasts. By the way, dysfunctional is an understatement. These two have some seriously messed up pasts. I had that gut-punched feeling when the truth comes out. Their relationship is slow building and really feels genuine, which for me is a big deal. I’m not a fan of the love-at-first-sight. It’s rarely believable. Emily and Dex develop a real relationship that totally sucked me in. I loved it!

TAKE MY HAND is beautifully written and deep story about two broken individuals who feel they are doomed to be alone, until they find each other. I enjoyed being able to read a story that takes place in London and all the funny cultural differences Americans notice amongst the Brits. Emily has one friend, Rachel, who is bold and hilarious. The humor is wonderful and pure and a great addition to the story.


There is not so subtle foreshadowing of troubles ahead for Dex and Emily, but the ending is a great leeway into the follow-up story, HOLD ON TIGHT. Can’t wait to continue their story.

✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.

✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews by Tickled Pink for Book Ink

About the Author:


Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children (six if you include the dogs!) She is the author of New Adult/Contemporary romance novels Inevitable, Saving Amy and the Take My Hand series. When she is not busy playing with her imaginary book friends (or talking about them with real life friends!) she can usually be found carrying out her ordinary mum/housewife/all round slave duties. Oh, and if the kids ever ask, she moonlights as the Pink Power Ranger while they’re sleeping…



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