Description:
A figure from Dexter’s past has uprooted all the memories he has tried so desperately to bury… to forget. The terrible events of his past have been blown wide open once again, immersing him a pool of guilt deeper than he’s even experienced before.
Dexter feels powerless. The future he foolishly allowed himself to conceive is falling apart around him and there’s nothing he can do about it. But there’s one thing he can control – one thing he’s an expert at… blocking everything out. Losing all control, Dexter copes the only way he knows how – he dives so far into the well of addiction, the only thing that matters anymore is where his next fix is coming from.
Mission accomplished – there’s no one left. He’s successfully pushed everyone away. Nobody left to care about means no more guilt, right? You can’t hurt people who aren’t there…
But has he really pushed Emily as far away as he thinks he has? She’s given up everything for him – her home, her friends… her whole life. And she doesn’t regret a single thing. But can she save him from drowning, or has he finally sunk too far?
(Not suitable for under 18’s due to language, sexual content and explicit drug use)
Review:
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.
20 Fun Facts!!
20 Fun, possibly weird, definitely useless, facts about me!
1. I don’t like even numbers – Not good when eating biscuits; one isn’t enough, two is even so I couldn’t possibly stop there… so three it is. Unless I’m being a badass, then it has to be five!
2. I still eat like a child. Orange juice, chicken nuggets and fries for me any day over steak and wine. I won’t eat yogurt with ‘bits’ in and the only sauce I’ll entertain is ketchup. And tea and coffee? Blurgh…
3. I could easily recite the entire script from every Twilight movie.
4. Edward Cullen was my first book boyfriend… The first of many I might add ;-)
5. I’m a total Gleek and proud!
6. I have quite a vast collection of tattoos and hope to be almost covered by the time I’m a wrinkly old lady.
7. I couldn’t possibly get through a day without a bottle of Pepsi Max.
8. I married my high school sweetheart when I was 17 – No I wasn’t pregnant, and yes we’re still together!
9. My favourite food is mashed potato.
10. My favourite colour is purple.
11. I HATED school – like seriously detested the place. There is no way I’ll ever agree when people say they’re the best years of your life.
12. I collect Barbie dolls.
13. My favourite band in the world is The Script.
14. The thought of a world without Netflix makes me sad.
15. My favourite TV show is The Vampire Diaries (Team Damon all the way baby!)
16. If my kids ever ask – I’m secretly the pink Power Ranger ;-)
17. I was born on New Years Eve, which means the whole world celebrates my birthday with me!
18. My comfiest item of clothing is my leopard print pyjama pants (I wear them so often my husband keeps threatening to throw them out!)
19. When I was ten years old I decided I wanted to be American and vowed to only ever speak in an American accent from that day on. I’m not sure how long that lasted, but you can rest assured I’m not still pretending now ;-)
20. If you’ve made it to number 20 then I think you’re awesome!
20 Fun Facts!!
20 Fun, possibly weird, definitely useless, facts about me!
1. I don’t like even numbers – Not good when eating biscuits; one isn’t enough, two is even so I couldn’t possibly stop there… so three it is. Unless I’m being a badass, then it has to be five!
2. I still eat like a child. Orange juice, chicken nuggets and fries for me any day over steak and wine. I won’t eat yogurt with ‘bits’ in and the only sauce I’ll entertain is ketchup. And tea and coffee? Blurgh…
3. I could easily recite the entire script from every Twilight movie.
4. Edward Cullen was my first book boyfriend… The first of many I might add ;-)
5. I’m a total Gleek and proud!
6. I have quite a vast collection of tattoos and hope to be almost covered by the time I’m a wrinkly old lady.
7. I couldn’t possibly get through a day without a bottle of Pepsi Max.
8. I married my high school sweetheart when I was 17 – No I wasn’t pregnant, and yes we’re still together!
9. My favourite food is mashed potato.
10. My favourite colour is purple.
11. I HATED school – like seriously detested the place. There is no way I’ll ever agree when people say they’re the best years of your life.
12. I collect Barbie dolls.
13. My favourite band in the world is The Script.
14. The thought of a world without Netflix makes me sad.
15. My favourite TV show is The Vampire Diaries (Team Damon all the way baby!)
16. If my kids ever ask – I’m secretly the pink Power Ranger ;-)
17. I was born on New Years Eve, which means the whole world celebrates my birthday with me!
18. My comfiest item of clothing is my leopard print pyjama pants (I wear them so often my husband keeps threatening to throw them out!)
19. When I was ten years old I decided I wanted to be American and vowed to only ever speak in an American accent from that day on. I’m not sure how long that lasted, but you can rest assured I’m not still pretending now ;-)
20. If you’ve made it to number 20 then I think you’re awesome!
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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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