Title: Beholden (Book Two in the Belonging Duet)
Author: Corinne Michaels
Release Date: October 22, 2014
Catherine Pope got a second chance at love, only to have it ripped away—again. She should’ve known better.
But she dared to hope.
She refuses to let fate take the reins this time. Catherine decides she’s going to fight.
Jackson Cole risked it all.
He thought this time would be different.
With his loyalties pulling him in two directions—it’s time to make a choice…his past or his future.
Will they be beholden to their fears or will they both fight against their demons and finally find the love they both long for?
To say that I am in awe of Corinne Michaels is an understatement! She burst on the scene with Beloved and just blew me away with the love story of Jackson and Catherine. I thought for two people that needed to find love they so needed each other. And how she ended Beloved… oh man I wanted to strangle Ms. Michaels!! But only for a bit because I love a good cliffhanger! I love the building the anticipation of the next novel. So for just a few short months we waited for Beholden and let me tell you, it was so worth the wait!!!!!! Her sophomore novel is no disappointment and I felt it was better than Beloved! Ms. Michaels definitely kicked up the angst factor and broke my heart all over again. Then she may have stomped on it, did a little jig, and then slowly put the pieces back together again.
We last left Jackson in bad shape. The extent of his injuries is quite severe and the thoughts of Catherine are what get him through the tough times. With her support he is able to build back up his strength and it appears their relationship will be stronger than ever. With Jackson being injured Catherine realizes how deep her feelings are for him and knows he’s it for her.
“With Jackson I can be me without fear.”- Catherine
Catherine helps with his rehabilitation and practically moves in with Jackson. They are getting ready to launch the new cosmetic line Raven and it looks like everything will work out. Until the little bomb that is dropped at the press event. Catherine discovers Jackson was hiding a secret about his past. When she confronts him, she feels like a fool as his friends and family all knew what he was hiding and Catherine is left shattered and alone.
“You broke my heart. You should’ve trusted me. I loved you with my whole being and should’ve heard this from you before everyone else. “ -Catherine
This was heartbreaking to read… gah… I wanted so bad to Catherine and Jackson to have their HEA but Catherine always had one deal breakers, no lies or secrets. It was just that easy. While apart, Catherine is offered the dream job of a lifetime, to setup and run the Los Angeles office for her PR firm. This is what she has had her eyes on ever since she started as an intern. But can she leave New York where her life is and move to the west coast? With her relationship with Jackson in shambles, she decides to follow her heart and move. I seriously thought she would stay. I was like… no!!! Don’t go!! Jackson is on the east coast!!! Not the west… how can they work things out on opposite coast!! You are killing me here! Did I mention the angst factor being kicked up a notch!!
Catherine settles into a routine in Los Angeles and she is getting her life back on track. Just when things start to get easier, Jackson appears at her doorstep and pours his heart out to her.
“I’m fucking dying without you, Catherine. My entire fucking world doesn’t exist anymore. How is that possible? How even after the absolute hell I’ve lived through does that make sense? Because it does matter. We matter… “ – Jackson
Sigh… what is not to love about that! A man flies cross county to show Catherine what her loves means to him. As I’m reading I kept thinking, how much more can my heart take of this!! But will things be too late for them? Has the lies and omission of truths be the nail in the coffin of their relationship? This is one of those love stories that will have you pouring the wine, cursing the author for making your feel like crap, cramming chocolate down your throat because you need something to comfort you, and finally at the end…. You’ll just need to read Beholden to find out!!!!!!!!! 5 huge stars for me!
“If you love something, you have to let it go. I love you enough to let you go. Go live your dream, baby.”- Jackson
Beholden is a poignant
love story. It's a gripping and addictive story that takes you on a journey
filled with angst, heartache, intrigue, passion and despair. Its real, its raw
and a bit painful.
In book 1 Beloved, we get to know Jackson and Catherine. They are two people with a past. A past that causes them to both be guarded, stubborn and at times insecure. Book 2, Beholden continues with Catherine devastated and Jackson in pain. And me a mess!!!!!!!! (needed tissues)
What can I say other than what a heartbreaking beginning Beholden started with! It gutted me and had my heart shattering! I felt the pain and fear. I truly had goosies multiple times reading the first few chapters... Well in all honesty, both books.. Not many take me to that place I like to go in a book, and when a book does that I am thankful. I am of the rare kind that enjoys a good torturing…. I guess I am a bit of a sadist!
Catherine & Jackson...
He is charming and disciplined. He's also sexy and loving. He's the guy that has swept her off of her feet. He is enchanted by her dark brown eyes. His name is Jackson Cole. Some call him Muff or Muffin. He's in bad shape. It's tragic and sad. He's in the fight for his life. He needs to come back and show her he's not like the others. But I don't know if it's possible!
"I'm not ready to go ... to lose everything and everyone. As much as I would like to live with no guilt and no remorse anymore, I can't leave them." -Jackson
"I'll always find you.. Jackson."
-Catherine
She once struggled with abandonment and trust issues. It affects her life choices. Catherine Pope is now ready to fight for the love if her life. She is ready to face the truth, she is deeply in love with Jackson and doesn't want to live without him.
"I'm determined to be more open, give him everything, including my trust." - Catherine
You won't leave me. I'd be lost." -Jackson
Their courtship was quick and intense. It was also genuine and beautiful! Does she know everything about him? He has demons, burdens and a past. Can he let her in? Will she stay or walk away once she learns it all? Sometimes love is not enough???
Corinne Michaels has mastered the art of channeling the readers emotions through her gifted writing. She also knows how to imbed parts of the plot within the story to keep it engaging and angsty. It is actually hard to do this well and she did it superbly.
In book 1 Beloved, we get to know Jackson and Catherine. They are two people with a past. A past that causes them to both be guarded, stubborn and at times insecure. Book 2, Beholden continues with Catherine devastated and Jackson in pain. And me a mess!!!!!!!! (needed tissues)
What can I say other than what a heartbreaking beginning Beholden started with! It gutted me and had my heart shattering! I felt the pain and fear. I truly had goosies multiple times reading the first few chapters... Well in all honesty, both books.. Not many take me to that place I like to go in a book, and when a book does that I am thankful. I am of the rare kind that enjoys a good torturing…. I guess I am a bit of a sadist!
Catherine & Jackson...
He is charming and disciplined. He's also sexy and loving. He's the guy that has swept her off of her feet. He is enchanted by her dark brown eyes. His name is Jackson Cole. Some call him Muff or Muffin. He's in bad shape. It's tragic and sad. He's in the fight for his life. He needs to come back and show her he's not like the others. But I don't know if it's possible!
"I'm not ready to go ... to lose everything and everyone. As much as I would like to live with no guilt and no remorse anymore, I can't leave them." -Jackson
"I'll always find you.. Jackson."
-Catherine
She once struggled with abandonment and trust issues. It affects her life choices. Catherine Pope is now ready to fight for the love if her life. She is ready to face the truth, she is deeply in love with Jackson and doesn't want to live without him.
"I'm determined to be more open, give him everything, including my trust." - Catherine
You won't leave me. I'd be lost." -Jackson
Their courtship was quick and intense. It was also genuine and beautiful! Does she know everything about him? He has demons, burdens and a past. Can he let her in? Will she stay or walk away once she learns it all? Sometimes love is not enough???
Corinne Michaels has mastered the art of channeling the readers emotions through her gifted writing. She also knows how to imbed parts of the plot within the story to keep it engaging and angsty. It is actually hard to do this well and she did it superbly.
I
was truly dying to know what Jackson was keeping guarded since book 1.
Just
when you think things are going well for these two, Bam! This couple had
obstacles and boulders to conquer. I
enjoyed being a voyeur into their world. Watching their world unfold captivated
my heart.
The supporting cast was just that. Super supportive to Cat and Jackson. They had their backs through thick and thin and the ups and downs. We got to see more of Ashton, Mark, Gretchen and Natalie. They were integral to the plot and the evolution of this story. Jackson and Cat have deep bonds with their friends and look to them for guidance and friendship. Their friends are their family.
The underlying message conveyed in this story is –
The supporting cast was just that. Super supportive to Cat and Jackson. They had their backs through thick and thin and the ups and downs. We got to see more of Ashton, Mark, Gretchen and Natalie. They were integral to the plot and the evolution of this story. Jackson and Cat have deep bonds with their friends and look to them for guidance and friendship. Their friends are their family.
The underlying message conveyed in this story is –
We
all have fears.
It is more than fine to lean on another.
To put your trust in the right person if it
feels right.
To not let your past define your future.
That it's not easy but second chances do exist
if you let them!
Follow
your heart it will guide you in the right direction.
Corinne
Michaels stories pack an abundant amount of emotion and it makes for a very
surreal and moving reading experience. Her stories are like a fine wine meant
to be savored….yet devoured simultaneously!
I give Beholden 5 LOVING STARS…….
I give Beholden 5 LOVING STARS…….
Beloved (Book One in the Belonging Duet)
Not enough.
Catherine Pope has never been enough. Every man she has ever loved abandoned her—from her father to her fiancé. She finally accepted the fact she would never be enough to hold any man’s heart and soul.
Then Catherine met Jackson Cole.
When her world literally collided with the sexy former Navy SEAL, everything she always believed is turned upside down and left scattered. He made her feel alive and desirable, consumed her with fierceness and loyalty—which completely unnerved her. Jackson got her in a way no one ever had, giving him the power to destroy her.
If she breaks down and gives him what’s left of her battered heart—will he protect it? Or will Catherine become an irrelevant part of yet another man’s life?
Will she get the one thing that has always evaded her – to finally be someone’s beloved?
Corinne is an emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun loving mom of two beautiful children. She’s happily married to the man of her dreams and is a former Navy wife. After spending months away from her husband while he was deployed, reading and writing was her escape from the loneliness.
