ARC Review – Stealing Harper (Taking Chances #2) by Molly McAdams

This is not a happy story; it is gritty, it is painful, and it is one that I’m not likely to ever forget. ~ Slick, Guilty Pleasures

Description:
Chase Grayson has never been interested in having a relationship that lasts longer than it takes for him and his date to get dressed again. But then he stumbles into a gray-eyed girl whose innocence pours off her, and everything changes. From the minute Harper opens her mouth to let him know just how much he disgusts her, he’s hooked.

But a princess deserves a Prince Charming who can make her dreams come true. Not a guy who can turn her life into a nightmare.

All good intentions go out the window when Harper starts to fall for the guy Chase has come to view as a brother. He wanted to protect her by keeping her away, but he can’t stand to see her with anyone else, and he’ll do anything to make her his. But when it comes down to Harper choosing between the two, will Chase have the strength to step back from the girl who has become his whole world if it means she’ll be happy?

Lines will be crossed. Friendships will be put to the test. And hearts will be shattered.

Review copy provided for an honest review

When I read Taking Chances, I was blown away by the emotional battle the three main characters faced. I’ll admit, I cried and cried several times throughout that book. I love that in Stealing Harper we get to see the story from Chase’s point of view but because I knew what was going to happen and how it would end I wasn’t nearly as emotional reading this story. That’s not to say it wasn’t good…it was, however without the element of surprise this one wasn’t nearly as emotional for me.

Chase started out as such a man whore in this book so I very much enjoyed seeing the changes he made in his life, something we didn’t really see previously. I hate knowing everything he went through and all that he did in the name of love and it still wasn’t enough. It pains me that no one really saw or believed the changes he made other than his co-workers. I’m so grateful they were there for him as a sounding board and to help him through the hurt he was feeling.

I’ll admit reading the story from Chase’s point of view, Harper wasn’t nearly as likeable. In fact, because we really didn’t see her thoughts and emotions I found it hard to feel much for her which is odd considering how affected I was by her in the first book. It’s difficult for me to reconcile the Harper in the first book with the one in the second.

At some point, I plan to go back and read these two books together at the same time. I think I need that so I can mesh the two together better in my brain. While I enjoyed Stealing Harper, I just didn’t “feel” this story as much even though I very much appreciate the work that went into writing it. If you haven’t read Taking Chances, I’m not sure you would enjoy this book at all. If you have read it, keep in mind that you already know how and where it ends. I think what this book has taught me is how different a situation can be when seen from different perspectives and that you truly might not like yourself when you see what you’ve done from the other side of the fence. This is not a happy story; it is gritty, it is painful, and it is one that I’m not likely to ever forget.