Rough Hard Fierce

With so many erotic romance novels following the same thread, Giving It Up changes the pace with a darker compelling theme that keeps the story riding on an intense emotional nerve. Written in first person, Author Amber Lin takes the reader inside the mind of a young woman struggling to keep her life together for her and her daughter while trying to control the hold her past demons have on her body and her mind. Only looking for a man to give her a night of sexual pleasure, Allie meets Colin, a handsome stranger whose desire to sexually please her, turns into a need to protect and care for her while trying to balance his life and the dynamics of his relationship with his brother whose ties to organized crime may ruin them both. The sex is erotic, vulnerable and sometimes raw, but their intimacy is passionate and tender. Mixed in with a suspenseful plot, there is more to the story than the complexity of their relationship. Lies, blackmail and betrayal deliver an explosive narrative. One of the best books I have read this year and I highly recommend it.

Loved loved loved loved every moment of Colin and Allie's story. Can't wait to read more books written by Sky Warren. Amazing Author with remarkable and moving characters. Storylines are deep and fierce.

Skye Warren always teeters on the verge of darkness. She might often cross over and into the chasm, but she does so with the grace of a ballerina.

Even when she describes black deeds, sleazy lives or stormy feelings, there is poetic softness in her words.

That paradox keeps drawing me back to her stories and that's how I found myself reading Rough. Just with the prologue I could feel the pain of a woman betrayed and thrown out into an unforgiving world, all alone.

Colin.

A gentleman-bad boy combo. I loved it. I loved how strong and giving he was towards Allie's twisted needs, and how layers of him would come apart to show his real, dark, human and gloriously beautiful self.

The plot gripped me right away. It's raw, emotional, dangerous. Allie has issues with men but she also has a difficult life with not much money, a hard job, a sweet responsibility and a danger lurking over her head from the past. And it all mingles with her strange, moving relationship with solemn Colin.

Let me tell you about the steamy times between these two. Desperate, sensual, sometimes too much but never enough.

Surprisingly, there was some humour thrown into the tumult of emotions and harsh life. One scene in particular was incredibly endearing and fun. That kitchen scene is just perfect in all its messy glory.

I was eager to see this weird but wonderful couple's relationship develop.

Hard. This second part cannot disappoint. Allie feels the need to fend for herself, but she's uneasily dependant of Colin. In the meantime, the noose is closing in around them due to his shady business with his brother. The evolution of their relationship is really well reflected in how they communicate through sex. Sometimes these encounters were hurtful, other times they were scorching hot. Regardless, they were always as emotional and intimate and significant as the way they behaved towards each other.

I really liked Allie's side as a mum or how Colin took to parenthood. Some humour was also very heart-warming and I could relate to Allie's awkwardness in certain scenarios. Though the dramatic part was gripping as this girl is like a magnet for bad luck. She's forced into situations that are clearly dangerous and had my nerves on edge. And she seems to be playing with fire. Wow, this story is growing so much with suspense and grit and life-like characters. I'm so ready for what's next!

Favourite quote: There's a certain magic to being held. No one could hurt me there.

Fierce:

Thrilling, sad and soulful. This third part is so full of drama and emotions that I read it in one whoosh. Allie shows a lot of courage, though she's rewarded with all her nightmares coming to life. I absolutely loved how valiant she was, how all the secrets spill out and put everyone, Shelly, Colin, Philip, under the harsh light of truth. And the story made me frustrated with all the longing for Colin and Allie to finally be happy and together, but it never did!

He is one stubborn man. Though that proves how resilient and strong Allie is. She's grown into this brave woman who knows her worth and her heart.

Until that moment when they do realize they belong together and it happens in a way that is so like them, with courage and pain and humour. Oh, this author always surprises me because not one of her stories is the same, but they're always so good, deep, real and haunting.

Favourite quote:
It would be scary to be that drop of rain. To know she was going down, but not know how or when it would happen.

Amazing story. Loved every word.

(I'm happy to share my honest opinion of a book I reviewed on my blog Literaria)

I loved each book in this tantalizing Chicago Underground Bad Boy boxed set!

ROUGH
This launch book in Skye Warren's provocative Chicago Underground series, transfixed me from start to finish. This is the first of three connected novellas (Rough, Hard, Fierce) that feature Allie and Colin's tumultuous young romance, and like all of Sky Warren's dark erotica tales, she spins an entrancing story about the agony and ecstasy of tainted love.

Colin and Allie are young lovers who are inexorably drawn together one night at a seedy bar when the struggling 19 year old single mom spots the cold and mean-looking Colin nursing a beer and singles him out as the perfect man to satisfy her dark cravings. Broken inside by a traumatic encounter that forever altered her life, she works a minimum wage job at the Sweet Spot bakery while raising a toddler on her own. She has some emotional and financial support from her best friend, Shelly, who turns tricks to help pay the bills, but nevertheless her life is one big, twisted mess.

Her only respite from the pain is the sexual release she gets from indulging in rough, dirty, mind-numbing hookups with random men. Hoping to put herself at the mercy of this dangerously sexy stranger, and surrender to the emptiness of being taken, she sidles up to him at the bar, bats her pretty eyelashes, and before she knows it, the sullen stranger hauls her off to a remote motel. But instead of roughly satisfying her carnal desires, as requested, her "conquest" catches her off guard by treating her like a lady to cherished. He takes her sweet and slow, lavishing her with an exquisite night of bone melting pleasure that takes her breath away. Never before has she been treated with such gentle tenderness, but when her heavily muscled knight in tattooed armor asks to see her again, it scares her. She isn't looking for hearts and flowers, and because of her shattered innocence, believes love is for suckers. Plus, she has a baby daughter to consider and doesn't have the first inkling of how to have a normal relationship.

But when fate intervenes one night and Colin swoops in and saves her from a horrible situation, her carefully constructed walls start tumbling down. He sees her flaws and wants her anyway. Before long, Allie's falling head over heels for her tough yet tender rescuer, who is sweet and attentive to her daughter and offers to whisk her away from her hellish existence. But Allie is harboring a devastating secret, and Colin, who has a dark, mysterious side, is fiercely loyal to his volatile, well-to-do family. Will their fragile union be able to bear the brunt of their hefty emotional baggage...or will their love crash and burn?

As with all of her books, Skye Warren takes readers on an emotionally tumultuous journey that skirts the edge of darkness, but hope still burns eternal. From the moment they first met, I was drawn in by the electrifying sparks and deep visceral connection between Colin and Allie. Their sexual encounters are hot and torrid yet tinged with an underlying sweetness. I also was intrigued by the heroine's devoted best friend, Shelly--a beleaguered hooker with her own thrilling story to be told in Wild, the 4th installment of the Chicago Underground series.

This novella wasn't as dark or haunting as some of Ms. Warren's other titles, but emotionally affecting all the same. Ultimately, this is a tantalizing start to a three-part romance that oozes with heat, danger and heartstopping emotion. My only quibble was that at times I felt a bit of a disconnect between these characters because Colin's so closed off, and his internal motivations and family background are still pretty ambiguous. But I have the upmost confidence that this is all part of the author's grand plan, and imagine we are just scratching the surface here with Colin's character and that more layers to his brooding persona will eventually be revealed. Fair warning: The book ends rather abruptly with an angsty "omg!" cliffhanger, which pretty much guarantees that readers will be chomping at the bit to read the next two installments to find out where Colin and Allie's dark and twisty romantic journey finally leads....

HARD

In this gritty second installment in Skye Warren’s Chicago Underground series, HARD picks up right where ROUGH left off. After the cliffhanger ending of the first novella, I was eager to find out how many more challenges would beset this tortured couple. Well, let me tell you: They are in for quite a roller coaster ride in this book!

With their story continuing to unfold, young lovers Colin and Allie find their destinies much more deeply intertwined, but looming danger, deception and heartbreaking strife keep dogging them at every turn. For some reason, this second book had me in an even stronger vise grip than the first, perhaps because all the key plot threads were now in place, and the author was able to spin an even more intricate web of passion and angst and heartwrenching drama!

“Don’t let me fall…”

As the emotional stakes intensify, I found myself incredibly entrenched in the romantic journey of this hero and heroine. Colin is a strong, taciturn hero who will go to extreme lengths to keep Allie and her daughter safe. Meanwhile Allie, a true survivor who has been dealt a horrible hand, never falters in her desire to build a safe, happy home for her toddler daughter. But this couple’s journey is fraught with so many obstacles.and when she finds herself more and more dependent on Colin, can Allie truly surrender her heart—and place her daughter future—in the hands of a sullen, tight-lipped loner who harbors deep dark secrets?

Through the course of this story, there are a couple of spine chilling plot twists --relayed via flashback---which totally blindsided me. Left me feeling sick and heartbroken and emotionally raw. But these jaw-dropping revelations definitely added more context to Allie's internal battle between light and darkness, and shed light on her sadomasochistic need to derive pleasure from pain. I felt the heroine's trauma so acutely at times, it was palpable--especially when her past and present collided in one soul-shattering, irrevocable encounter that showcased the damaged recesses of her heart in all its poignant, shameful, brutal glory.

“Hurt me, hurt me, hurt me. Make me hurt, cry, bleed. Help me get it out, because I can't cry on my own."

As the book title suggests, this couple’s journey is “Hard” at times, riddled with so much angst and drama, mistrust and uncertainty. But through it all, there is a potent, almost primal, connection that tethers them to one another. An achingly vulnerable Allie rouses Colin’s need to nurture and protect, to mark her as his, but how can he fulfill her dark desires without destroying the both of them the process? And will Allie ever forgive herself for pushing the man she loves to the absolute brink? I think Ms. Warren does a stellar job of exploring the shades of gray in these flawed characters as they try to navigate one emotional minefield after another.

Although there are certainly dark forces conspiring against this couple, there are also many sweet, sexy, heartwarming elements which add nice buoyancy to the plot. I was especially moved by the delightful family bonding that took place between Colin, Allie and baby Bailey. Precious moments which give us an inside glimpse of what happily ever after COULD look like if they somehow make it through to the other side. But when evidence of a devastating “betrayal” comes to light, will Allie be forced to forfeit her fairytale dreams to ensure her and her daughter’s very survival?

Ultimately, this suspenseful, emotionally-riveting second installment surpassed my expectations. And just like with the first novella, HARD culminates in a cliffhanger that will leave you aching for more.

FIERCE

When I first began this final installment of the ROUGH, HARD, FIERCE trilogy, I figured I’d read a couple of chapters and go back to it later. Wrong! I literally couldn’t put this novella down and devoured it in one sitting. FIERCE is a fast- paced page-turner, chock full of intense emotions, and it sure hits the mark!

These three connected novellas in the Chicago Underground series have very much been about Allie’s emotional journey, and Ms. Warren did an impressive job of showcasing a teenage rape survivor’s difficult, often arduous, transformation from self-loathing to self-empowerment. When we first met her in ROUGH, she was a downtrodden young single mom who was barely coping, but after facing down unspeakable heartache and danger, and coming out the other side, she finally emerges as a strong, vital, “kick ass” woman who fights hard for those she loves. And, in the process, she finally learns to love and respect herself as well.

The suspense arc featuring the Chicago crime syndicate, which has been building throughout the past two books, reaches a fever pitch fairly early in this story, culminating in an explosive showdown where lives--and hearts--are shattered. Perhaps forever? Once memories of the explosive gunshots and fiery inferno slowly fade away, the crux of the story focuses on the emotional fallout of all the betrayals, secrets and lies that the key players have been embroiled in. No one escapes unscathed…especially Allie and Colin. Tensions have been running high for this emotionally-adrift duo since the end of HARD, and when Allie’s “treachery” is fully exposed at the most inopportune time, the rift grows even wider. As eloquently stated in the ms, “Trust was a rare and precious thing, like a jewel” and when it was lost the ramifications were great indeed.

There is a lot of restitution that needs to be done to do to repair this couples fractured relationship, but their devotion to each other—and baby Bailey—still binds them together in profound ways. Nonetheless, if you thought a normally reticent Colin was difficult to live with, well that was NOTHING compared to an angry, ticked off Colin. Feeling betrayed by the woman he risked everything for to claim as his own, he licks his wounds for a long, long time. But just when I reached the point when I thought to myself, “Enough is enough, Colin…get over it already!” he’d up and do something so disarmingly sweet or chivalrous that would make me worship him even more than before!

Even though the steam factor is more subdued in this book than the first two installments, Colin and Allie’s pent up desire for each other still churns beneath the surface, and it finally all comes to a head during a hot, heated confrontation that lays everything bare. A gripping full circle moment that is hauntingly reminiscent of how they first met—ultimately paving the way for a HEA that it left me with a big, goofy grin on my face.

Bottom line? ROUGH HARD FIERCE is a must read Bad Boy boxed set that is impossible to resist!

Rough is another great read by Skye Warren. As with all her books, this one pulled me right in from the very beginning. This isn't quite as dark as her other books, but there are some dark elements. As I've come to expect from this author, there are plenty of hot, steamy scenes.

Allie is a single mother. Though she works full item, she is barely making it. She the support of her best friend, Shelly. Allie finds her escape at a club where she picks up a one night stand once a month. This is where she meets Colin. He is nothing like she expects when she first laid eyes on him. Colin seemed dark, rough, and wild, and while he is some of the times (and all the time alpha), he has a sweet, tender side. He seems to always know just what Allie needs. She was supposed to be a one night stand, but there is something about her that he can't let go. He quickly becomes someone she can rely on. But, she keeps pushing him away.

Allie doesn't trust men. She thinks they all want one thing, to use women and take from them. She is not used to being taken care of and she is waiting for the other shoe to drop. She knows she feels safe with Colin, but she doubts that safety. It is only because her daughter seems to be in danger that she gives in to the trust.

Rough is a well rounded story. It was a really quick read for me, especially since I couldn't put it down once I started. If you are looking for a story that is a little dark, some twists, and full of emotion, look no further. Be aware however, there is a bit of a cliffy. Colin and Allie's story is far from over and I can't wait to continue it. Luckily, I've got book two, Hard, in my hands now.

Rough:
I fell in love quickly with the characters. The story kept my interest and I definitely want to continue in the next book. Allie had a rough past, has no trust in men, she is hiding from the father of her child, her best friend is a hooker and then she meets the very quiet Colin who she claims has a white knight complex. But Colin has his own secrets that he keeps and isn’t quite the person Allie believes he is. I recommend reading this book.
Hard:
Things start to get complicated for Allie. Her daughter’s father shows up. Colin remains mysterious and quiet but Allie starts to learn more about his past, current work and more about his family. Detectives start snooping around and try to blackmail Allie. Allie start revealing her history to Colin. Her best friend, who’s a prostitute, starts living with Colin’s brother. The twist at the end epic. The story keeps getting better.
Fierce:
This book grabbed my attention from the beginning. Allie is changing and taking matters into her own hands. The twists in this book are great. Find out where Allie’s loyalties lie. This was a great conclusion to Allie and Colin’s story. I loved it and recommend reading this series.

NOTE: ARC copy provide by Amber Lin; reading and reviewing it was purely my option.

In a nutshell, 'Giving it Up' was a gripping and emotional romance that will stretch your comfort zone. If you like a dark mysterious hero as a Knight in Shining Armor, a damaged heroine who seems beyond repair, a heavy storyline with some dark moments (including the subject of rape), mixed together with some suspense and a bit of mystery, this might be for you.

This is an emotional romance story with a heavy tone and some dark graphic scenes, so I will say right now: it is not for the faint of heart or anyone looking for a light feel-good romance with a lot of gratuitous, hot steamy sex scenes.

GIU explores the troubled life of a young woman who was victimized by rape, now riddled with trust issues, and believes herself unworthy of any goodness life might offer. This is her journey from coping to healing, and introduces her to a man who will prove that not all men want to hurt women. It has a compelling heroine who you will route for, and a compassionate hero who will become her knight in shining armor.

Allie Winters is emotionally damaged, by her own admission, and uses rough sex with strangers as a coping mechanism. Once a month she ventures to a seedy bar with the singular purpose of picking up a man for rough, unapologetic sex. There is a strong self-deprecation motive involved, as she doesn't feel worthy of better. Then one night she chooses a man who treats her with tenderness, not roughness, and it almost unhinges her. Colin very much wants to see her again, but she refuses knowing that she is too damaged for someone of his caliber.

Allie is also a struggling single mom of an adorable toddler girl named Bailey, she works a low paying job in a bakery making exquisite cakes and confections, and her best friend Shelly is prostitute who will do anything to help her friend and child find peace.

Her daughter was conceived the night she was raped by a close life-long friend, and she is now facing a possible custody battle with her rapist. Her options are limited, but accusing him of rape after all these years in order to keep her daughter appears to be her only option. In a bid for their safety, she reaches out to Colin for help - who is more than willing to be there for her.

Colin is a man of mystery. We learn he is a major player in the Chicago crime scene, and works along with his older brother Phillip. He can make all of Allie's problems go away and provide her with a life of comfort, but the cost might be too high for her to accept. Cops have their eye on him, and if she's not careful they will use her against him. She finds herself wanting to trust him, but he makes decisions without consulting her, and threatens people around her who he feels mean her harm, and at times she questions just who is he? Can she trust him?

So Colin is not the typical `good guy' romance hero, but he does have a compassionate side that readers will connect with and love. He also wants to get out of the business, go legit, and settle down to start a family.

I only wish it didn't take quite so much time to finally learn much about Colin and his motives with Allie. I loved how he was willing to help her, but every time he did I kept asking myself: why is he doing this?? Since this story is told from her POV only, we rely on her interaction and dialogue to learn about Colin, but it left me wanting to know more.

The conversational dialogue between Colin and Allie are primarily `surface level' chat, but rarely do their talks explore who they are, what they feel, and what they desire. The dialogue between Allie and him felt limited, and it made me wonder how much these two ever talked about anything of a serious nature. In the end we get a clear enough picture of Colin, but I would have enjoyed seeing more meaningful dialogue between these two along the way.

I enjoyed these two as a couple, and felt they truly belonged together. Once the trust issues were addressed and they finally started opening up about their feelings, I knew Allie had turned a major corner in her life for the better. It was a great moment in the book!

And while this story is an erotica tale, the sex scene are not the typical `intermission breaks' meant to give readers some steamy relief. Instead, they are very much a part of the heroine's story and reflects the damaged person that she is. These scenes help display the struggle she deals with as she learns to cope with her past and learn to trust again. Some were very touching, while others were a bit difficult and sad to read.

Overall, Giving it Up is an emotionally-charged debut romance with a heavy subject matter. It will push readers out of their comfort zone, yet deliver a very satisfying ending. It will be a challenge to read certain parts of this story, and I admit that parts of it was a bit too dark for my taste. The heroine's constant self-deprecation was also hard to take, and even harder to understand. Her need to use sex as a coping mechanism was so sad, especially in light of the sexual violence she already endured. The ending made it all worth it, though. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed closing the book knowing Allie and Bailey were in a safe, happy place with Colin.

If you are looking for a realistic, not covered in hearts and lace romance, Giving It Up is definitely going to fit that criteria. First of all, the relationship in this one starts out as a physical one with very little spoken between the two beforehand. This may sound a little crazy now but it makes sense as you read! Next, even though Colin did some sweet gestures for Allie, he is not a romantic guy whatsoever! He can be tender and provide for her but this isn't one of those he-says-the-sweetest-things type books! And last, this book deals with the real serious issues that most couples do not have to deal with. Lin tackled them in a realistic, believable way!

Allie broke my heart. Reading about her need for her monthly dates and pain made me sad and angry for what she had endured and her reaction to it. Allie does not a victim that is looking for pity but rather she is looking for a greater pain that what she felt that day. She is worthy of so much more than what she believes she can have and has a hard time accepting a good thing when she finally finds it. She was an amazing mother and a hard-worker but her rape left a scar that overshadowed all of that.

Colin is a different kind of male. He exuded masculinity but could also be sweet at times. The thing about Colin is he doesn't talk much; he shows his feelings through his actions. There were a few times that this got to me because I wanted the couple to talk things out but what Allie needed was love and acceptance and he gave that to her. I didn't fully understand Colin until I learned a little bit more about his past and realized that he, like Allie, was damaged earlier in life. He can give Allie some of what she is missing and Allie can give him some of what he is missing. Just don't expect Colin to romance the pants off of Allie because that is just not the type of guy he is.

The couple has more to overcome than is standard within a relationship! Of course they both have their emotional issues but they also face the return of Allie's rapist and some difficulties that arise from Colin's family business. The romance mixed with the suspense made this book extremely hard for me to put down and I ended up staying up until the early morning hours.

The fact that the book was written from Allie's POV and showcased her emotions and thoughts brought it to a whole other level of rawness! Lin did an excellent job portraying Allie as rape victim working through the aftermath without going overboard. Since Colin was not a big talker, I did struggle a bit in getting to know him and felt that if I could have had a little bit more from him, I would have given this book a 4.5 to 5.

This is a great book for anyone looking for a darker, emotional romance with a few twists and turns along the way!

Reviewed by Mustang Sally
I recieved a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a Knight on a White Horse to save the damsel in distress...you are looking in the wrong neighborhood, however, there is a lot of saving going on in this book. Amber Lin's first foray into the erotic world is a definite good first effort and I look forward to reading more of her work. I would like to see her expand on some of the characters of this book to fill out the rest of the world she has opened up for us. There is definitely more to the story of Colin, Philip and Rose and it's a story I think I'd love.

There are many things I liked about this book and several things I didn't, but the good definitely outweighed the bad. First thing is that Allie is a rape victim and yes, that brings about bad mojo for a person, but not every rape victim basically becomes a slut looking for every man to debase her - Allie does. This is how she meets Colin and he rocks her world by giving her what she NEEDS not what she WANTS. Then when the rapist returns and threatens Allie she runs to Colin for protection. OK, you can have your rapist's child, stand on your own two feet and provide a decent life given your circumstances, but you just run and move in with a man that you slept with one time and let him take over your life for protection? Give me a break. These are the type of women that in real life would annoy me. With that said, Allie does eventually stand up for herself and starts to be the type of women I wanted her to be - self-sufficient and independent and able to defend what is hers. She was that way from the start, so to make her be whiney and fearful didn't fly too well for me.

Colin was dark and gritty from the start. He's real. Not some buffed up invincible body builder, but a real, good-looking, hard-working, rough hands and all man - thank goodness they really do exist in the literary world. Anyway, Colin picks Allie up in a bar and gives her what she needs and is opened up to the possibilities. Regardless of her past or present situation, he creates a safe home for her and her child - almost the perfect little family. He isn't very talkative and doesn't share a lot of himself. He stays true to himself from start to finish - a man that pulled himself up from his bootstraps in hell as a child to a successful business man with a dark side that if you hear his name you shake in your shoes...I liked him immediately. He isn't very trusting, and with good reason, but he listens to his gut and decides for himself - he doesn't have to be convinced. He wants that happily ever after, but his past has taught him that it's not for him, but he knows that if you change your circumstances you can get what you want...and he does.

There are many twists and turns...sex in an alley, an evening at the ballet, the brother living with a hooker, a dirty cop and an arms deal gone wrong which all made this book hard to put down. It's not for the squeamish to say the least. It isn't your typical erotic romance and if you don't like the dark stuff, the happily ever after may leave you empty but the writing and the story line were both excellent. I'll be honest, it could have used more smut...it had good smut...but I wanted more smut. The descriptions of Colin having both the vanilla sex and the hardcore sex...I wanted more of it...most eroticas they can't have a life because they can't get their clothes on...not so in this book. So, if you aren't a sex every page girl - you'll definitely appreciate the story and if you are a girl that likes sex every page, you'll still enjoy the path of Colin and Allie. The ending was believable and definitely makes me want the story to continue and I hope Amber Lin keeps going in this direction.

Wow, this book really stunned me!

This is contemporary romance but it has a raw, gritty feel to it. There's no sugary romance here - it's edgy, thoughtful, challenging.

Allie is a young single mother. She was betrayed in the most awful way by her best friend when he raped her and then disappeared, leaving her pregnant and alone. She has in fact been let down by just about everyone who should have been there for her - only her friend Shelly stands by her and she has a good share of demons of her own.

Allie is emotionally damaged - every bad thing a rape victim hopes that society won't think about her, Allie thinks about herself. Consequently, she trawls clubs once a month looking for rough sex, for a man to hurt her as if consenting to this will somehow make the rape not seem quite so bad in her mind. She thinks she's taking back control, giving consent which she rightfully feels was denied her before.

One night, she picks up Colin in a club. She wants sex in the alley behind the club but he takes her to a nice motel. Quickly, he shows her he has the strength to do what she wants but he doesn't do it. He treats her with reverence and a beautiful tenderness and makes love to her instead. Allie can't cope with this and, despite this being her first pleasurable sexual encounter, she runs. They do, however, start to build a relationship
.
Colin - how I loved him. He's strong, silent, taciturn, saying very little but communicating much. It's obvious how much he cares for Allie but he's so reticent, very little of it is vocalised but he's also over-protective, controlling and he is a very deeply flawed character and is involved in criminal activity that will eventually threaten Allie's safety. Allie's lack of self-esteem is emotionally destructive to their relationship and there's a moment when Colin's tears mingled with Allie's and I confess I cried with them.

With his care and protection, Allie is on a journey of self-discovery from emotionally destroyed rape victim to a strong, empowered woman who will stop at nothing to protect the man she has come to love. Her growth throughout the novel is tangible and the strength of the story.

The narrative is strangely atmospheric - even though it is written from Allie's POV in the past tense, it has an eerie `present tense' kind of feel to it. It feels almost otherworldly and I definitely lost myself reading this - stayed up way too late to finish it because I simply just could not put it down. I always know when I'm reading something special when I find myself transported to another world in my head and reality just slips away and this really was that special.
It's an incredibly accomplished debut by Amber Lin (which sounds like Ann Boleyn in my head) and I very much hope that she will write Shelly and Rose's stories.

So don't expect hearts and flowers, expect damaged characters, gritty reality and a raw edge.

5 big and shiny stars

This was a very intence read with situations that definitely keep your attention throughout the story, emotional with tons of secrets that are going to come out whether you want them to or not. I loved the characters with Allie being such a strong character with all turmoil in her young life that she had to deal with and Colin just being there to pick up the pieces and so so protective of her which I loved. I did enjoy the story and I thought the plot was great it definitely keeps your attention.

Reviewed by Sarah L.
Book provided by the author for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

Giving it Up is the emotionally engaging debut novel by Amber Lin. Allie is a very troubled young woman who has not gotten over the horrible rape by her best friend which left her not only betrayed but pregnant. One night at a club she meets Colin and the attraction is immediate although she fights it with everything she has. Colin has his own secrets and troubles as well. While he comes across as Allie’s knight in shining armor, in reality, his shield is a bit tarnished.

Over the years, I have reads tons of romance novels and I can honestly say this was one of the very few where I was left wondering throughout the entire story if Allie and Colin were going to get their happily ever after. There were so many twists, turns and blindsides that I was left sitting on the edge of my seat throughout. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Ms. Lin throws a curve ball at you and the story travels down a whole new path.

There are also many references and hints included throughout the story that point to events that have had a hand in shaping Allie into the person she is today. Gradually over time, similar to the healing and confidence changes that Allie experiences throughout, we the reader eventually learn more about these events. I enjoyed watching Allie grow and transform from a victim into a more confident young woman.

While this story would not qualify as warm and fuzzy, it was not as dark as I expected it to be after reading the publisher’s warning. If you are looking for a compelling story that will keep you on your toes, then definitely give this one a try.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: dubious consent.

Looking for a sexy read full of emotional upheaval, unforgettable characters, and unexpected truths, then Giving It Up fits the bill to a tee. It's a tough book to read as the events that befell Allie are truly horrible and have left her punishing herself and trusting virtually no one. There were times I admired her as I simultaneously became exasperated by her. With all the trauma she experienced early in life I can understand some of her baggage. But as she gains a better understanding of her inner psyche I wish she would've made those who hurt her held accountable. She took some emotional steps forward but by not being stronger and telling her story out loud, she took some steps back. These actions didn't ring true to me and were a constant source of irritation to me.

Colin too has a lot of emotional baggage stemming from a difficult childhood. To him, buying affection is the only way someone will love you. It leads him to be overbearing towards Allie and forcing her into making decisions she might not have normally made, even if those choices are ultimately for the best. He was a knight in shining armor, albeit a bit tarnished. I felt sympathetic towards him as his brother seems to have a complicated hold over him that makes his relationship with Allie even rockier. Those moments where he stood up to Phillip made me cheer.

Along with the emotionally complicated main characters comes a cast of equally intriguing secondary characters. Oldest brother Phillip has a very dark side that showed flashes of heart amidst his cruelty. I definitely want to see more of him and if he can ever find a bit of brightness to lighten his darkness. Allie's friend Shelly, the hooker with a heart of gold, puts her very life on the line for Allie and deserves some happiness. We're left with a glimmer of hope for her courtesy of an unexpected person. These two characters could easily sustain their own stories and deserve to be in the spotlight with their larger than life personas.

This was a tough book to read, very gritty and not pretty at times. The sexual interludes are not always romantic, but always intense. Guilt and lack of trust haunt all of these characters dragging them down so whenever there's a bit of brightness you embrace it. It's a thought provoking book and one whose realism draws you in with characters and actions that stay with you long after the book ends. But make sure to have tissues near by for those moments of tears and anger.

This Boxset was a really emotion packed read. Not your average romance. Damaged people doing the best they can to live a normal life. There is a fierce friendship between Allie and Shelly and I had a HUGE soft spot for Colin. Tough subjects such as rape and child abuse are covered in this series but nothing is gratuitous and the characters are so determined to survive you can't help but admire them. Plenty of action and hints at future storylines had me hooked til the very end.

******4.5 stars!!*******

Every once in awhile I come across a book that really worms it's way into my mind and turns my thoughts into a whirlwind. You know the type, where you can't for the life of you decide what outcome would be best and you question your emotions throughout the whole story. This was one of those books for me, and I have to say from the start that this isn't a book for everyone. It's dark, it's disturbing, and it's violent, and anyone who isn't comfortable reading stories with that type of setting should not read it. Having said that, Amber Lin has created an incredible story that is a captivating mix of redemption, love, and psychological suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I highly recommend it to more adventurous readers!

Allie is such an entirely broken character, I don't know that I've ever experienced a heroine so completely broken from the onset. She lives her life as best she can to support her daughter, and to not lose herself completely to the mental anguish she carries after being violated in the worst possible way 2 years ago. But her method of 'handling it' goes beyond the typical rape victim behavior, which is where her mental state brings into question her stability. She seeks out men that will hurt her like she wants to be hurt, having power in the act because she asked for it, all the while still hiding her pain well below the surface. That is, until that fateful night that HE was at the bar waiting. Colin, the silent, strong, mouth-watering temptation that shocks Allie by being tender and patient with her when she asks for just the opposite.

"It was as if I'd been searching for him without even knowing it, trying out random men at a bar in the world's stupidest litmus test."

I loved Colin from the start, because it was clear early on that Allie has some huge obstacles to overcome and he seemed like the man for the job. He wanted to give her what she needed, but you could see how he questioned what she asked for and how much it pained him to hear the words. He clearly was ready to give everything to Allie, and even though it all happened rather quickly I didn't find myself questioning his actions. They bonded on an emotional level even from that first night, and it was like Allie became a part of his life just by calling to that side of him. He's far from perfect, and his shady past and questionable family ties truly throw Allie's life into a tailspin at times. But deep down, there was never a question as to his feelings for Allie, and the chemistry between these two was off the charts H-O-T hot, hot, hot!!! *whew*

Allie as a mother pulled at the heartstrings; she did about as well as could be expected, and little Bailey was just so adorable! Allie loved her daughter dearly and was always considering her safety as best she could, and it just broke my heart what this woman was enduring just to keep herself sane.

"I didn't want to be like the alley cats, terrified of everything. They'd rather live wretchedly than take a chance. A leap of faith.

My stomach was in knots for a good portion of this read, and I was hooked until the very last page with every hope that these two would somehow be able to heal each other and find a way to get their happy life together. I absolutely loved the way Lin brought their story to a close, and I very much look forward to reading more from this author in the future!!

Amazing and perfect! Loved it!!!!!

We start we two damaged characters somewhere in their teens and a mention of a third damaged out there. It is clear none have a good home life and some bad things have happened to them

Fast forward a few years and our two are doing what they need to survive. The less damaged (?) meets mysterious man who sees through her front and sees her. He has some sort of secret life but is taken by her. She is drawn to him and they try and work out what they are to each other

You often wonder while reading, is this really a relationship or a just for now. What the heck is going in Colin's mind about everything going on and is Allie's complete story going to ever come to light? Can she ever trust Colin, can she ever trust herself?

There are so many heart-warming moments with Allie, Bailey and Colin, and really, that is what anybody should be looking for from the story. After all, this is the story of two people falling for each other and everything else is the pressures around them

As the story was unfolding, there was always the question on where the heck was this all leading? You knew something was going to make the tinderbox catch fire and explode, but there were so many possibilities!

Luckily the story played out and wrapped up in a fashion that wasn't predictable, but also wasn't too far off the wall. If you loved the characters, nothing seemed all that off with what they did, but boy, was it a gritty and wrenching ride to get there

When it finally wrapped up, it was so sweet, but so what you would expect from these two, and their supporting cast, so not classic sweet, but perfect for them!

Fast relationship, fast and instant love and commitment, dark and looming fear and pain - if that is your trifecta of perfection, read it, read it, read it and you will love it as much as I did!!!

Hard
the twisted minds of reality, my heart goes out to the way allie processes things. very strong characters. colin totally surprised me with his bad boy good lover persona. absolutely great story brewing

Rough
piecing together the bits of who Colin is, is he manipulative or just the typical possessive caring guy? the brother plays a deeper roll in this storyline and leaves so many questions of whats true and whats false. DOUBTS. amazingly written as the author keeps the suspense on high

Fierce
perfect ending! everything is answered and resolved. absolutely great plot. gripping, suspenseful, rollercoaster trip of emotions on how things would end up. curiousity in all the side characters as they all had strong presence and personalities in the book. I would love to read about shelley and the two men, rose and her man, colin and his sibling's history from the aunt.

Wow, as always Skye did not disappoint. The story twisted and turned. Held my attention from start to finish.
Rough - Skye sucked me into the story and I found myself saying one more chapter until I reached the end. I loved reading about Allie/Collin.

Hard - This story had a little bit of everything from suspense, romance and angst. I can't wait to see what's up next. We learn about Allie/Andrew past, plus Collin has a secret.

Fierce - This was a great way to continue the story of Allie/Collin. Well - written story filled with plenty of emotion. In this one we see Philip/Shelly both have secrets.

I loved each book in this tantalizing Chicago Underground Bad Boy boxed set!

ROUGH
This launch book in Skye Warren's provocative Chicago Underground series, transfixed me from start to finish. This is the first of three connected novellas (Rough, Hard, Fierce) that feature Allie and Colin's tumultuous young romance, and like all of Sky Warren's dark erotica tales, she spins an entrancing story about the agony and ecstasy of tainted love.

Colin and Allie are young lovers who are inexorably drawn together one night at a seedy bar when the struggling 19 year old single mom spots the cold and mean-looking Colin nursing a beer and singles him out as the perfect man to satisfy her dark cravings. Broken inside by a traumatic encounter that forever altered her life, she works a minimum wage job at the Sweet Spot bakery while raising a toddler on her own. She has some emotional and financial support from her best friend, Shelly, who turns tricks to help pay the bills, but nevertheless her life is one big, twisted mess.

Her only respite from the pain is the sexual release she gets from indulging in rough, dirty, mind-numbing hookups with random men. Hoping to put herself at the mercy of this dangerously sexy stranger, and surrender to the emptiness of being taken, she sidles up to him at the bar, bats her pretty eyelashes, and before she knows it, the sullen stranger hauls her off to a remote motel. But instead of roughly satisfying her carnal desires, as requested, her "conquest" catches her off guard by treating her like a lady to cherished. He takes her sweet and slow, lavishing her with an exquisite night of bone melting pleasure that takes her breath away. Never before has she been treated with such gentle tenderness, but when her heavily muscled knight in tattooed armor asks to see her again, it scares her. She isn't looking for hearts and flowers, and because of her shattered innocence, believes love is for suckers. Plus, she has a baby daughter to consider and doesn't have the first inkling of how to have a normal relationship.

But when fate intervenes one night and Colin swoops in and saves her from a horrible situation, her carefully constructed walls start tumbling down. He sees her flaws and wants her anyway. Before long, Allie's falling head over heels for her tough yet tender rescuer, who is sweet and attentive to her daughter and offers to whisk her away from her hellish existence. But Allie is harboring a devastating secret, and Colin, who has a dark, mysterious side, is fiercely loyal to his volatile, well-to-do family. Will their fragile union be able to bear the brunt of their hefty emotional baggage...or will their love crash and burn?

As with all of her books, Skye Warren takes readers on an emotionally tumultuous journey that skirts the edge of darkness, but hope still burns eternal. From the moment they first met, I was drawn in by the electrifying sparks and deep visceral connection between Colin and Allie. Their sexual encounters are hot and torrid yet tinged with an underlying sweetness. I also was intrigued by the heroine's devoted best friend, Shelly--a beleaguered hooker with her own thrilling story to be told in Wild, the 4th installment of the Chicago Underground series.

This novella wasn't as dark or haunting as some of Ms. Warren's other titles, but emotionally affecting all the same. Ultimately, this is a tantalizing start to a three-part romance that oozes with heat, danger and heartstopping emotion. My only quibble was that at times I felt a bit of a disconnect between these characters because Colin's so closed off, and his internal motivations and family background are still pretty ambiguous. But I have the upmost confidence that this is all part of the author's grand plan, and imagine we are just scratching the surface here with Colin's character and that more layers to his brooding persona will eventually be revealed. Fair warning: The book ends rather abruptly with an angsty "omg!" cliffhanger, which pretty much guarantees that readers will be chomping at the bit to read the next two installments to find out where Colin and Allie's dark and twisty romantic journey finally leads....

HARD

In this gritty second installment in Skye Warren’s Chicago Underground series, HARD picks up right where ROUGH left off. After the cliffhanger ending of the first novella, I was eager to find out how many more challenges would beset this tortured couple. Well, let me tell you: They are in for quite a roller coaster ride in this book!

With their story continuing to unfold, young lovers Colin and Allie find their destinies much more deeply intertwined, but looming danger, deception and heartbreaking strife keep dogging them at every turn. For some reason, this second book had me in an even stronger vise grip than the first, perhaps because all the key plot threads were now in place, and the author was able to spin an even more intricate web of passion and angst and heartwrenching drama!

“Don’t let me fall…”

As the emotional stakes intensify, I found myself incredibly entrenched in the romantic journey of this hero and heroine. Colin is a strong, taciturn hero who will go to extreme lengths to keep Allie and her daughter safe. Meanwhile Allie, a true survivor who has been dealt a horrible hand, never falters in her desire to build a safe, happy home for her toddler daughter. But this couple’s journey is fraught with so many obstacles.and when she finds herself more and more dependent on Colin, can Allie truly surrender her heart—and place her daughter future—in the hands of a sullen, tight-lipped loner who harbors deep dark secrets?

Through the course of this story, there are a couple of spine chilling plot twists --relayed via flashback---which totally blindsided me. Left me feeling sick and heartbroken and emotionally raw. But these jaw-dropping revelations definitely added more context to Allie's internal battle between light and darkness, and shed light on her sadomasochistic need to derive pleasure from pain. I felt the heroine's trauma so acutely at times, it was palpable--especially when her past and present collided in one soul-shattering, irrevocable encounter that showcased the damaged recesses of her heart in all its poignant, shameful, brutal glory.

“Hurt me, hurt me, hurt me. Make me hurt, cry, bleed. Help me get it out, because I can't cry on my own."

As the book title suggests, this couple’s journey is “Hard” at times, riddled with so much angst and drama, mistrust and uncertainty. But through it all, there is a potent, almost primal, connection that tethers them to one another. An achingly vulnerable Allie rouses Colin’s need to nurture and protect, to mark her as his, but how can he fulfill her dark desires without destroying the both of them the process? And will Allie ever forgive herself for pushing the man she loves to the absolute brink? I think Ms. Warren does a stellar job of exploring the shades of gray in these flawed characters as they try to navigate one emotional minefield after another.

Although there are certainly dark forces conspiring against this couple, there are also many sweet, sexy, heartwarming elements which add nice buoyancy to the plot. I was especially moved by the delightful family bonding that took place between Colin, Allie and baby Bailey. Precious moments which give us an inside glimpse of what happily ever after COULD look like if they somehow make it through to the other side. But when evidence of a devastating “betrayal” comes to light, will Allie be forced to forfeit her fairytale dreams to ensure her and her daughter’s very survival?

Ultimately, this suspenseful, emotionally-riveting second installment surpassed my expectations. And just like with the first novella, HARD culminates in a cliffhanger that will leave you aching for more.

FIERCE

When I first began this final installment of the ROUGH, HARD, FIERCE trilogy, I figured I’d read a couple of chapters and go back to it later. Wrong! I literally couldn’t put this novella down and devoured it in one sitting. FIERCE is a fast- paced page-turner, chock full of intense emotions, and it sure hits the mark!

These three connected novellas in the Chicago Underground series have very much been about Allie’s emotional journey, and Ms. Warren did an impressive job of showcasing a teenage rape survivor’s difficult, often arduous, transformation from self-loathing to self-empowerment. When we first met her in ROUGH, she was a downtrodden young single mom who was barely coping, but after facing down unspeakable heartache and danger, and coming out the other side, she finally emerges as a strong, vital, “kick ass” woman who fights hard for those she loves. And, in the process, she finally learns to love and respect herself as well.

The suspense arc featuring the Chicago crime syndicate, which has been building throughout the past two books, reaches a fever pitch fairly early in this story, culminating in an explosive showdown where lives--and hearts--are shattered. Perhaps forever? Once memories of the explosive gunshots and fiery inferno slowly fade away, the crux of the story focuses on the emotional fallout of all the betrayals, secrets and lies that the key players have been embroiled in. No one escapes unscathed…especially Allie and Colin. Tensions have been running high for this emotionally-adrift duo since the end of HARD, and when Allie’s “treachery” is fully exposed at the most inopportune time, the rift grows even wider. As eloquently stated in the ms, “Trust was a rare and precious thing, like a jewel” and when it was lost the ramifications were great indeed.

There is a lot of restitution that needs to be done to do to repair this couples fractured relationship, but their devotion to each other—and baby Bailey—still binds them together in profound ways. Nonetheless, if you thought a normally reticent Colin was difficult to live with, well that was NOTHING compared to an angry, ticked off Colin. Feeling betrayed by the woman he risked everything for to claim as his own, he licks his wounds for a long, long time. But just when I reached the point when I thought to myself, “Enough is enough, Colin…get over it already!” he’d up and do something so disarmingly sweet or chivalrous that would make me worship him even more than before!

Even though the steam factor is more subdued in this book than the first two installments, Colin and Allie’s pent up desire for each other still churns beneath the surface, and it finally all comes to a head during a hot, heated confrontation that lays everything bare. A gripping full circle moment that is hauntingly reminiscent of how they first met—ultimately paving the way for a HEA that it left me with a big, goofy grin on my face.

Bottom line? ROUGH HARD FIERCE is a must read Bad Boy boxed set that is impossible to resist!

This book is absolutely amazing. It is the first three books in Skye Warrens Chicago Underground Series. This book is hot and so realistic. Collin and Allie are two characters your going to fall in love with. down on her luck Allie meets Collin and just knows he is the man to fulfill her dark urges. The hard rough man she expects is not exactly what she gets . She ends up with a kindhearted bad boy who sees things in her that she cant even see in herself. I loved the way thhey fit together, their banter and their passion This is a book you do not want to miss

Rough is another great read by Skye Warren. As with all her books, this one pulled me right in from the very beginning. This isn't quite as dark as her other books, but there are some dark elements. As I've come to expect from this author, there are plenty of hot, steamy scenes.

Allie is a single mother. Though she works full item, she is barely making it. She the support of her best friend, Shelly. Allie finds her escape at a club where she picks up a one night stand once a month. This is where she meets Colin. He is nothing like she expects when she first laid eyes on him. Colin seemed dark, rough, and wild, and while he is some of the times (and all the time alpha), he has a sweet, tender side. He seems to always know just what Allie needs. She was supposed to be a one night stand, but there is something about her that he can't let go. He quickly becomes someone she can rely on. But, she keeps pushing him away.

Allie doesn't trust men. She thinks they all want one thing, to use women and take from them. She is not used to being taken care of and she is waiting for the other shoe to drop. She knows she feels safe with Colin, but she doubts that safety. It is only because her daughter seems to be in danger that she gives in to the trust.

Rough is a well rounded story. It was a really quick read for me, especially since I couldn't put it down once I started. If you are looking for a story that is a little dark, some twists, and full of emotion, look no further. Be aware however, there is a bit of a cliffy. Colin and Allie's story is far from over and I can't wait to continue it. Luckily, I've got book two, Hard, in my hands now.

Rough:
I fell in love quickly with the characters. The story kept my interest and I definitely want to continue in the next book. Allie had a rough past, has no trust in men, she is hiding from the father of her child, her best friend is a hooker and then she meets the very quiet Colin who she claims has a white knight complex. But Colin has his own secrets that he keeps and isn’t quite the person Allie believes he is. I recommend reading this book.
Hard:
Things start to get complicated for Allie. Her daughter’s father shows up. Colin remains mysterious and quiet but Allie starts to learn more about his past, current work and more about his family. Detectives start snooping around and try to blackmail Allie. Allie start revealing her history to Colin. Her best friend, who’s a prostitute, starts living with Colin’s brother. The twist at the end epic. The story keeps getting better.
Fierce:
This book grabbed my attention from the beginning. Allie is changing and taking matters into her own hands. The twists in this book are great. Find out where Allie’s loyalties lie. This was a great conclusion to Allie and Colin’s story. I loved it and recommend reading this series.

NOTE: ARC copy provide by Amber Lin; reading and reviewing it was purely my option.

In a nutshell, 'Giving it Up' was a gripping and emotional romance that will stretch your comfort zone. If you like a dark mysterious hero as a Knight in Shining Armor, a damaged heroine who seems beyond repair, a heavy storyline with some dark moments (including the subject of rape), mixed together with some suspense and a bit of mystery, this might be for you.

This is an emotional romance story with a heavy tone and some dark graphic scenes, so I will say right now: it is not for the faint of heart or anyone looking for a light feel-good romance with a lot of gratuitous, hot steamy sex scenes.

GIU explores the troubled life of a young woman who was victimized by rape, now riddled with trust issues, and believes herself unworthy of any goodness life might offer. This is her journey from coping to healing, and introduces her to a man who will prove that not all men want to hurt women. It has a compelling heroine who you will route for, and a compassionate hero who will become her knight in shining armor.

Allie Winters is emotionally damaged, by her own admission, and uses rough sex with strangers as a coping mechanism. Once a month she ventures to a seedy bar with the singular purpose of picking up a man for rough, unapologetic sex. There is a strong self-deprecation motive involved, as she doesn't feel worthy of better. Then one night she chooses a man who treats her with tenderness, not roughness, and it almost unhinges her. Colin very much wants to see her again, but she refuses knowing that she is too damaged for someone of his caliber.

Allie is also a struggling single mom of an adorable toddler girl named Bailey, she works a low paying job in a bakery making exquisite cakes and confections, and her best friend Shelly is prostitute who will do anything to help her friend and child find peace.

Her daughter was conceived the night she was raped by a close life-long friend, and she is now facing a possible custody battle with her rapist. Her options are limited, but accusing him of rape after all these years in order to keep her daughter appears to be her only option. In a bid for their safety, she reaches out to Colin for help - who is more than willing to be there for her.

Colin is a man of mystery. We learn he is a major player in the Chicago crime scene, and works along with his older brother Phillip. He can make all of Allie's problems go away and provide her with a life of comfort, but the cost might be too high for her to accept. Cops have their eye on him, and if she's not careful they will use her against him. She finds herself wanting to trust him, but he makes decisions without consulting her, and threatens people around her who he feels mean her harm, and at times she questions just who is he? Can she trust him?

So Colin is not the typical `good guy' romance hero, but he does have a compassionate side that readers will connect with and love. He also wants to get out of the business, go legit, and settle down to start a family.

I only wish it didn't take quite so much time to finally learn much about Colin and his motives with Allie. I loved how he was willing to help her, but every time he did I kept asking myself: why is he doing this?? Since this story is told from her POV only, we rely on her interaction and dialogue to learn about Colin, but it left me wanting to know more.

The conversational dialogue between Colin and Allie are primarily `surface level' chat, but rarely do their talks explore who they are, what they feel, and what they desire. The dialogue between Allie and him felt limited, and it made me wonder how much these two ever talked about anything of a serious nature. In the end we get a clear enough picture of Colin, but I would have enjoyed seeing more meaningful dialogue between these two along the way.

I enjoyed these two as a couple, and felt they truly belonged together. Once the trust issues were addressed and they finally started opening up about their feelings, I knew Allie had turned a major corner in her life for the better. It was a great moment in the book!

And while this story is an erotica tale, the sex scene are not the typical `intermission breaks' meant to give readers some steamy relief. Instead, they are very much a part of the heroine's story and reflects the damaged person that she is. These scenes help display the struggle she deals with as she learns to cope with her past and learn to trust again. Some were very touching, while others were a bit difficult and sad to read.

Overall, Giving it Up is an emotionally-charged debut romance with a heavy subject matter. It will push readers out of their comfort zone, yet deliver a very satisfying ending. It will be a challenge to read certain parts of this story, and I admit that parts of it was a bit too dark for my taste. The heroine's constant self-deprecation was also hard to take, and even harder to understand. Her need to use sex as a coping mechanism was so sad, especially in light of the sexual violence she already endured. The ending made it all worth it, though. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed closing the book knowing Allie and Bailey were in a safe, happy place with Colin.

If you are looking for a realistic, not covered in hearts and lace romance, Giving It Up is definitely going to fit that criteria. First of all, the relationship in this one starts out as a physical one with very little spoken between the two beforehand. This may sound a little crazy now but it makes sense as you read! Next, even though Colin did some sweet gestures for Allie, he is not a romantic guy whatsoever! He can be tender and provide for her but this isn't one of those he-says-the-sweetest-things type books! And last, this book deals with the real serious issues that most couples do not have to deal with. Lin tackled them in a realistic, believable way!

Allie broke my heart. Reading about her need for her monthly dates and pain made me sad and angry for what she had endured and her reaction to it. Allie does not a victim that is looking for pity but rather she is looking for a greater pain that what she felt that day. She is worthy of so much more than what she believes she can have and has a hard time accepting a good thing when she finally finds it. She was an amazing mother and a hard-worker but her rape left a scar that overshadowed all of that.

Colin is a different kind of male. He exuded masculinity but could also be sweet at times. The thing about Colin is he doesn't talk much; he shows his feelings through his actions. There were a few times that this got to me because I wanted the couple to talk things out but what Allie needed was love and acceptance and he gave that to her. I didn't fully understand Colin until I learned a little bit more about his past and realized that he, like Allie, was damaged earlier in life. He can give Allie some of what she is missing and Allie can give him some of what he is missing. Just don't expect Colin to romance the pants off of Allie because that is just not the type of guy he is.

The couple has more to overcome than is standard within a relationship! Of course they both have their emotional issues but they also face the return of Allie's rapist and some difficulties that arise from Colin's family business. The romance mixed with the suspense made this book extremely hard for me to put down and I ended up staying up until the early morning hours.

The fact that the book was written from Allie's POV and showcased her emotions and thoughts brought it to a whole other level of rawness! Lin did an excellent job portraying Allie as rape victim working through the aftermath without going overboard. Since Colin was not a big talker, I did struggle a bit in getting to know him and felt that if I could have had a little bit more from him, I would have given this book a 4.5 to 5.

This is a great book for anyone looking for a darker, emotional romance with a few twists and turns along the way!

Reviewed by Mustang Sally
I recieved a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are looking for a Knight on a White Horse to save the damsel in distress...you are looking in the wrong neighborhood, however, there is a lot of saving going on in this book. Amber Lin's first foray into the erotic world is a definite good first effort and I look forward to reading more of her work. I would like to see her expand on some of the characters of this book to fill out the rest of the world she has opened up for us. There is definitely more to the story of Colin, Philip and Rose and it's a story I think I'd love.

There are many things I liked about this book and several things I didn't, but the good definitely outweighed the bad. First thing is that Allie is a rape victim and yes, that brings about bad mojo for a person, but not every rape victim basically becomes a slut looking for every man to debase her - Allie does. This is how she meets Colin and he rocks her world by giving her what she NEEDS not what she WANTS. Then when the rapist returns and threatens Allie she runs to Colin for protection. OK, you can have your rapist's child, stand on your own two feet and provide a decent life given your circumstances, but you just run and move in with a man that you slept with one time and let him take over your life for protection? Give me a break. These are the type of women that in real life would annoy me. With that said, Allie does eventually stand up for herself and starts to be the type of women I wanted her to be - self-sufficient and independent and able to defend what is hers. She was that way from the start, so to make her be whiney and fearful didn't fly too well for me.

Colin was dark and gritty from the start. He's real. Not some buffed up invincible body builder, but a real, good-looking, hard-working, rough hands and all man - thank goodness they really do exist in the literary world. Anyway, Colin picks Allie up in a bar and gives her what she needs and is opened up to the possibilities. Regardless of her past or present situation, he creates a safe home for her and her child - almost the perfect little family. He isn't very talkative and doesn't share a lot of himself. He stays true to himself from start to finish - a man that pulled himself up from his bootstraps in hell as a child to a successful business man with a dark side that if you hear his name you shake in your shoes...I liked him immediately. He isn't very trusting, and with good reason, but he listens to his gut and decides for himself - he doesn't have to be convinced. He wants that happily ever after, but his past has taught him that it's not for him, but he knows that if you change your circumstances you can get what you want...and he does.

There are many twists and turns...sex in an alley, an evening at the ballet, the brother living with a hooker, a dirty cop and an arms deal gone wrong which all made this book hard to put down. It's not for the squeamish to say the least. It isn't your typical erotic romance and if you don't like the dark stuff, the happily ever after may leave you empty but the writing and the story line were both excellent. I'll be honest, it could have used more smut...it had good smut...but I wanted more smut. The descriptions of Colin having both the vanilla sex and the hardcore sex...I wanted more of it...most eroticas they can't have a life because they can't get their clothes on...not so in this book. So, if you aren't a sex every page girl - you'll definitely appreciate the story and if you are a girl that likes sex every page, you'll still enjoy the path of Colin and Allie. The ending was believable and definitely makes me want the story to continue and I hope Amber Lin keeps going in this direction.

Wow, this book really stunned me!

This is contemporary romance but it has a raw, gritty feel to it. There's no sugary romance here - it's edgy, thoughtful, challenging.

Allie is a young single mother. She was betrayed in the most awful way by her best friend when he raped her and then disappeared, leaving her pregnant and alone. She has in fact been let down by just about everyone who should have been there for her - only her friend Shelly stands by her and she has a good share of demons of her own.

Allie is emotionally damaged - every bad thing a rape victim hopes that society won't think about her, Allie thinks about herself. Consequently, she trawls clubs once a month looking for rough sex, for a man to hurt her as if consenting to this will somehow make the rape not seem quite so bad in her mind. She thinks she's taking back control, giving consent which she rightfully feels was denied her before.

One night, she picks up Colin in a club. She wants sex in the alley behind the club but he takes her to a nice motel. Quickly, he shows her he has the strength to do what she wants but he doesn't do it. He treats her with reverence and a beautiful tenderness and makes love to her instead. Allie can't cope with this and, despite this being her first pleasurable sexual encounter, she runs. They do, however, start to build a relationship
.
Colin - how I loved him. He's strong, silent, taciturn, saying very little but communicating much. It's obvious how much he cares for Allie but he's so reticent, very little of it is vocalised but he's also over-protective, controlling and he is a very deeply flawed character and is involved in criminal activity that will eventually threaten Allie's safety. Allie's lack of self-esteem is emotionally destructive to their relationship and there's a moment when Colin's tears mingled with Allie's and I confess I cried with them.

With his care and protection, Allie is on a journey of self-discovery from emotionally destroyed rape victim to a strong, empowered woman who will stop at nothing to protect the man she has come to love. Her growth throughout the novel is tangible and the strength of the story.

The narrative is strangely atmospheric - even though it is written from Allie's POV in the past tense, it has an eerie `present tense' kind of feel to it. It feels almost otherworldly and I definitely lost myself reading this - stayed up way too late to finish it because I simply just could not put it down. I always know when I'm reading something special when I find myself transported to another world in my head and reality just slips away and this really was that special.
It's an incredibly accomplished debut by Amber Lin (which sounds like Ann Boleyn in my head) and I very much hope that she will write Shelly and Rose's stories.

So don't expect hearts and flowers, expect damaged characters, gritty reality and a raw edge.

5 big and shiny stars

This was a very intence read with situations that definitely keep your attention throughout the story, emotional with tons of secrets that are going to come out whether you want them to or not. I loved the characters with Allie being such a strong character with all turmoil in her young life that she had to deal with and Colin just being there to pick up the pieces and so so protective of her which I loved. I did enjoy the story and I thought the plot was great it definitely keeps your attention.

Reviewed by Sarah L.
Book provided by the author for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

Giving it Up is the emotionally engaging debut novel by Amber Lin. Allie is a very troubled young woman who has not gotten over the horrible rape by her best friend which left her not only betrayed but pregnant. One night at a club she meets Colin and the attraction is immediate although she fights it with everything she has. Colin has his own secrets and troubles as well. While he comes across as Allie’s knight in shining armor, in reality, his shield is a bit tarnished.

Over the years, I have reads tons of romance novels and I can honestly say this was one of the very few where I was left wondering throughout the entire story if Allie and Colin were going to get their happily ever after. There were so many twists, turns and blindsides that I was left sitting on the edge of my seat throughout. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Ms. Lin throws a curve ball at you and the story travels down a whole new path.

There are also many references and hints included throughout the story that point to events that have had a hand in shaping Allie into the person she is today. Gradually over time, similar to the healing and confidence changes that Allie experiences throughout, we the reader eventually learn more about these events. I enjoyed watching Allie grow and transform from a victim into a more confident young woman.

While this story would not qualify as warm and fuzzy, it was not as dark as I expected it to be after reading the publisher’s warning. If you are looking for a compelling story that will keep you on your toes, then definitely give this one a try.

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: dubious consent.

Looking for a sexy read full of emotional upheaval, unforgettable characters, and unexpected truths, then Giving It Up fits the bill to a tee. It's a tough book to read as the events that befell Allie are truly horrible and have left her punishing herself and trusting virtually no one. There were times I admired her as I simultaneously became exasperated by her. With all the trauma she experienced early in life I can understand some of her baggage. But as she gains a better understanding of her inner psyche I wish she would've made those who hurt her held accountable. She took some emotional steps forward but by not being stronger and telling her story out loud, she took some steps back. These actions didn't ring true to me and were a constant source of irritation to me.

Colin too has a lot of emotional baggage stemming from a difficult childhood. To him, buying affection is the only way someone will love you. It leads him to be overbearing towards Allie and forcing her into making decisions she might not have normally made, even if those choices are ultimately for the best. He was a knight in shining armor, albeit a bit tarnished. I felt sympathetic towards him as his brother seems to have a complicated hold over him that makes his relationship with Allie even rockier. Those moments where he stood up to Phillip made me cheer.

Along with the emotionally complicated main characters comes a cast of equally intriguing secondary characters. Oldest brother Phillip has a very dark side that showed flashes of heart amidst his cruelty. I definitely want to see more of him and if he can ever find a bit of brightness to lighten his darkness. Allie's friend Shelly, the hooker with a heart of gold, puts her very life on the line for Allie and deserves some happiness. We're left with a glimmer of hope for her courtesy of an unexpected person. These two characters could easily sustain their own stories and deserve to be in the spotlight with their larger than life personas.

This was a tough book to read, very gritty and not pretty at times. The sexual interludes are not always romantic, but always intense. Guilt and lack of trust haunt all of these characters dragging them down so whenever there's a bit of brightness you embrace it. It's a thought provoking book and one whose realism draws you in with characters and actions that stay with you long after the book ends. But make sure to have tissues near by for those moments of tears and anger.

This Boxset was a really emotion packed read. Not your average romance. Damaged people doing the best they can to live a normal life. There is a fierce friendship between Allie and Shelly and I had a HUGE soft spot for Colin. Tough subjects such as rape and child abuse are covered in this series but nothing is gratuitous and the characters are so determined to survive you can't help but admire them. Plenty of action and hints at future storylines had me hooked til the very end.

I enjoyed reading Allie and Colin’s story very much. Allie’s story definitely broke my heart!! Most romance stories you read the male character is very alpha, over-the-top, caveman. But I found that Colin was very quiet and a bit reserved with a splash of caveman thrown in and I loved that about him!! The story line flowed nicely and I couldn’t put it down!! Definitely need to read the Chicago Underground series next!!
Gifted copy from author for honest review

******4.5 stars!!*******

Every once in awhile I come across a book that really worms it's way into my mind and turns my thoughts into a whirlwind. You know the type, where you can't for the life of you decide what outcome would be best and you question your emotions throughout the whole story. This was one of those books for me, and I have to say from the start that this isn't a book for everyone. It's dark, it's disturbing, and it's violent, and anyone who isn't comfortable reading stories with that type of setting should not read it. Having said that, Amber Lin has created an incredible story that is a captivating mix of redemption, love, and psychological suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I highly recommend it to more adventurous readers!

Allie is such an entirely broken character, I don't know that I've ever experienced a heroine so completely broken from the onset. She lives her life as best she can to support her daughter, and to not lose herself completely to the mental anguish she carries after being violated in the worst possible way 2 years ago. But her method of 'handling it' goes beyond the typical rape victim behavior, which is where her mental state brings into question her stability. She seeks out men that will hurt her like she wants to be hurt, having power in the act because she asked for it, all the while still hiding her pain well below the surface. That is, until that fateful night that HE was at the bar waiting. Colin, the silent, strong, mouth-watering temptation that shocks Allie by being tender and patient with her when she asks for just the opposite.

"It was as if I'd been searching for him without even knowing it, trying out random men at a bar in the world's stupidest litmus test."

I loved Colin from the start, because it was clear early on that Allie has some huge obstacles to overcome and he seemed like the man for the job. He wanted to give her what she needed, but you could see how he questioned what she asked for and how much it pained him to hear the words. He clearly was ready to give everything to Allie, and even though it all happened rather quickly I didn't find myself questioning his actions. They bonded on an emotional level even from that first night, and it was like Allie became a part of his life just by calling to that side of him. He's far from perfect, and his shady past and questionable family ties truly throw Allie's life into a tailspin at times. But deep down, there was never a question as to his feelings for Allie, and the chemistry between these two was off the charts H-O-T hot, hot, hot!!! *whew*

Allie as a mother pulled at the heartstrings; she did about as well as could be expected, and little Bailey was just so adorable! Allie loved her daughter dearly and was always considering her safety as best she could, and it just broke my heart what this woman was enduring just to keep herself sane.

"I didn't want to be like the alley cats, terrified of everything. They'd rather live wretchedly than take a chance. A leap of faith.

My stomach was in knots for a good portion of this read, and I was hooked until the very last page with every hope that these two would somehow be able to heal each other and find a way to get their happy life together. I absolutely loved the way Lin brought their story to a close, and I very much look forward to reading more from this author in the future!!

***original review by Jamie at Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance***

Giving It Up tackles some pretty dark and deep things. I really, really wanted to love it. It's written from Allie's point of view, which I think has its up and down. Allie was raped by her friend two years ago, and this encounter left her pregnant. She never pressed charges because of some things that happened in the aftermath. Now all she cares about is taking care of her daughter.

Allie has what she calls "date nights" where she goes out to a club or bar and has rough sex. It's on one of these date nights where she meets Colin. Colin isn't like the other guys, he considers her comfort rather than just a romp in the parking lot. This throws Allie and she finds herself feeling all this emotions that she's kept at bay.

Colin doesn't want just one night of meaningless sex. He seems to like Allie and is determined to stay in her life. When Allie's rapist returns she finds herself turning towards Colin. But can she trust Colin?

The first half of this book is so strong! I was sucked in from the beginning and couldn't put it down. But just as I was really starting to get into the relationship with Allie and Colin all hell broke loose. There was this mystery with Colin's brother and his family that just took away from the relationship. I wish that more time was spent exploring their relationship and watching Allie grow with Colin.

Colin was a mystery to me. He was quiet and gentle with Allie, but also fierce and protective. I just wish we got to understand Colin more. I really wanted to know him more. In the end, I had no idea why Colin loved her, or what he saw in her. He also never really told her how he felt.

It started out strong but in the end just fell short. I really liked Allie. She was complex and complicated and damaged. As I read I kept waiting for her to grow through her experiences, and she did a little, but she was still a bit broken. I wish we got more of Colin and I think that's where we would've benefited from a different POV. I will say that the writing is very good and this story will definitely stay with me. It's dark and twisted and makes you think.

***review copy provided by author for honest review***

How are the sex scenes?
Sizzling and real. Not everyone gets 12 orgasms and hears angels singing at the end. There is a lot of sex and sexual situations/references. There are no whips and chains, but there are BDSM undertones, sometimes force is used, and the heroine was raped (before the novel begins) and there are flashbacks.

How are the story lines?
Don't let the erotic genre fool you - this book is full of suspense and had me on the edge of my seat. Literally. The hero/heroine get most of the book time, naturally, but the hero's brother is a hugely influential character as is the heroine's best friend.

"Giving It Up" by Amber Lin is a contemporary erotica novel set in Chicago, Illinois.

Review

If you want to read a stunningly great novel with realistic other-side-of-the-track characters and intense sex scenes "Giving It Up" should be on your list. This story has is all: believability, realism, life problems no one wants to talk about, romance, love between friends, love between mother and child, struggles with self worth, suspense, mystery and best of all, empowerment.

Allie is a heroine everyone can love. She's an exceptional mother, choosing to move in with Colin because it's better than letting her daughter near a rapist. (I know many don't agree with a mother letting her child live with another man, but hear me when say it's better than letting her daughter near a rapist. It was Colin or that guy.) At all times Allie's daughter is her number one concern and the choices Allie makes for her - the decisions Allie refuses to even put on her - are nothing short of amazing.

Allie undergoes a tremendous life changing journey throughout Giving It Up. She doesn't travel anywhere or achieve something she's always sought. She learns she still has power, still has a choice and still has a say despite someone once taking it away. She realizes she's strong and can live her life. Her past be damned. And I think that's a message we should teach our children.

Colin is an understated hero. Yes, he's very controlling and scary as hell, but he's doing what's best for Allie and trying to make it easier for her and the world she lives in. Colin makes decisions many may not agree with, but keep in mind their situation, life and circumstance. His unpopular decision may be the best of his options. He tries to give Allie what she needs, even at the expense of himself, and that proves his loyalty to her. He's hard, but he cares and he won't toss her and her daughter in the street if things get dirty.

The supporting characters are so intense they deserve their own books. Amber Lin thinks so too, because Shelly is up next. As a prostitute, she's already your not-so-average heroine, but her heart of gold saves Allie and her daughter more than once and she deserves her happy ending.

There really are people who cannot seek help from the police or church or family, and sometimes hard and dirty choices have to be made. "Giving It Up" is a story of Allie and Colin making those choices.

I loved it.

Reviewed by Nadine for My Secret Romance Book Reviews
This book was provided by the author/publisher in return for an honest review.

Giving It Up is not your typical romance by any means. It's hard edged, rough and thought provoking.

Every month Allie hits up a local club searching for a hard looking man that can give her what she needs and not ask for more. Allowing these men to use her is what keeps her in control.

Colin is cold, surly and mean looking. Exactly what Allie needs for the night. However, after ending up in a hotel he turns out to be the exact opposite in the bedroom. He's gentle and kind. He arouses her. He shakes her control. Colin gives her exactly what she didn't know she needed. And for that she can never see him again. Allie doesn't do relationships. She's just looking for meaningless, rough sex.

Colin isn't through with Allie just yet. He's come to her rescue a few times. Allie eventually lets him into her world, but their relationship is anything but peaceful bliss.

This is a really intriguing story. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I was soaked up in it all. You have an unexpected person from Allie's past, good cops, dirty cops, a prostitute, and a small time mob family. This book is a Lifetime movie waiting to happen.

Allie is so emotionally damaged. I kept shouting for her to communicate with Colin, tell him what's going on. But, I completely understand why she held so much back. Trust is a huge issue for her. My heart bled for this girl. Just when I thought I knew there was all to know about her, there's one more reveal that left me screaming WTF!

If you don't mind some grit to your romance, then add this to your to-be-read list!

Review written by Lilith

Allison (a.k.a. Allie) is a girl on a mission. She wants to forget the terrible thing that happened to her in the past. The one thing, that while terrible, it also gave her a beautiful daughter. But it also destroyed her faith in men. Enter Colin, could he be the one to change Allie's mind? Could he be the one to help her finally heal and move on?

This book is what I would call a thriller/erotica wanna-be. As a thriller, it kept me glued to the pages of my Nook. It was slow going at first, but once it took off I couldn't put it down! I wanted to know what happened in Allie's past. I wanted to know what the deal was with Colin. I wanted to know why his brother was the way he was. And more than anything, I wanted to know if Allie was ever going to be happy.

As erotica, it left me wanting. The sex scenes in the book were kind of bland. They seemed lacking. I understand why some of them were the way they were, but later in the book there should have been more feeling to them. It's kind of hard to put into words exactly what was missing, but I just felt like the scenes weren't all the way there.

This book is still a good read. And I would recommend it to anyone!

Couldn't put this one down. The story begins with allie reading the result of her pregnancy test. Positive. But then my heart breaks when she admits that she was raped by someone she trustuded and thought was friend. It all went downhill from there. Then she met Colin.

A warm and uplifting, yet suspenseful story.