Review: Hero by Samantha Young

Print Length: 414 pages

Publisher: Penguin Group (February 03, 2015)

From Goodreads.com: The emotional and unforgettable new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series.

Alexa Holland’s father was her hero—until her shocking discovery that she and her mother weren't his only family. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who’s as damaged by her father’s mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.

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

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

                              

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My Rating: 1 star out of 5
I've heard a lot of good things about this author's On Dublin Street series, so when I saw this come across my "must read" list I knew I had to have it. The premise was gripping, and I couldn't wait to read something from an author with such a well known reputation. 

However.... this book left me with mixed feelings, most prevalent of which was disturbed. I was completely hooked on the backstory of these two, both damaged by the same individual and that made me curious to see how their story would play out. As the story began to unravel however, one thing became clear to me - Alexa was a weak minded and pathetic excuse for a female lead. I understand that she carried around a lot of baggage, as did Caine, but that is no reason to allow a man to verbally and emotionally abuse you at every turn. Even when she wanted more, she was terrified to push him fearing that he would leave her, even going so far as to enter into a friends with benefits relationship just to keep him in her life. 

And he was just as bad, banging her brains out one minute, and being a total jerk to her the next. Seriously, I don't care how great a guy is in the bedroom when he is as demeaning and insulting to a person as Caine was to Alexa, he deserves to be kicked repeatedly in his family jewels. 

I read books to escape, whether it be romance, mystery, horror, etc. I go into the book wanting to be entertained and taken to a different world, so when I spend the majority of a story wanting to physically slap the main characters, and becoming increasing aggravated when nothing changes - I just can't give it a high rating no matter how good the plot-line or the author's writing. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own. 

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Hero is available from Amazon.com