Title: Let It Go
Author: Mercy Celeste
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: 214 pages
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books (September 24, 2012)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts
Blurb: Eli had a temper. Creed seemed to be the main focus of that temper. For ten years the two of them left a trail of destruction in their wake. Rodeo, beer, and fists were all they had in common. Until the judge in Eli’s hometown had enough and sentenced them to house arrest. In the same house. They’d learn to get along or they’d kill each other. Either way it was a win for the tax payers.
Trapped alone on Eli’s rundown Florida ranch, Creed discovered Eli’s secret, one that he shared. But he didn’t count on Eli learning all of his secrets, especially the one that would shatter their newfound truce.
Scarred to his bones, Eli avoided relationships like the plague. But there was always something about the quiet Creed that pushed his buttons. Falling in love with him was never part of Eli’s plan. When it happens he’s unprepared and out of his league.
But when a shared enemy comes calling Eli can only think of keeping Creed safe. He never dreamed that their lives were linked or that Creed’s former life could destroy them both. Will love be enough to save them both or will they return to their bitter rivalry
Product Link: http://www.lsbooks.com/let-it-go-p704.php
Reviewer: Showme
Review: I really wanted to like this book. I love cowboys and the enemies become lover’s trope so this sounded good to me. It didn’t however come with a rape warning and it absolutely should have. There was on page and off page rape, so if that’s not something you can stomach to read about I’d skip this one because there is a lot. Honestly, I read slave books and love a good hooker story but this was way beyond my comfort zone. I need something to balance out the awful or at least leave me feeling the journey was worth the pain. Sadly I didn’t feel that way about this book.
Creed’s life hasn’t been good one since his mom died when he was eleven. His father was a rodeo rider and an addict and neglected his fatherly duties while dragging Creed around the country. Creed loves horses. He has a natural connection with them and becomes a star the rodeo circuit riding them. His father however takes his money and he’s forced to sell his body for food from the age of twelve. He’s ashamed but somehow comes to terms with the fact he’s got nothing but his horse and rodeo because what else does a whore deserve? He’s a survivor and hides away the pain. He doesn’t feel capable of love but that all changes after he’s forced into house arrest with a man who proves every time sees Creed he hates him by starting fight.
Eli hasn’t had the easiest life either. His family is killed in a car wreck and his uncle takes over his care. He’s a truly despicable man. I will say that I thoroughly hated him. He beats Eli often and Creed showing him up in the ring just fuels his uncle’s fire. Eli can’t seem to control his temper when Creed walks into the room even though he’s never actually done anything. The guys quickly realize all that hate was a masquerade for lust and give into the lust. Is it just lust and taking advantage of the opportunity for good sex or is it more? Can Creed feel love or will he bail when he’s released from house arrest?
The forced cohabitation could have been an enjoyable read if not for the, what felt like, constant abuse flashbacks. I have a hard time falling in love with the guys if I’m pulled out of the love fest and into a nightmare. Initially I thought I’d like Creed the most because his story is so incredibly sad but I enjoyed Eli’s willingness to love and hope. My stomach actually hurt throughout the book and I couldn’t get into the sexy scenes because my mind was still whirling around one of the abuse scenes. My suggestion is if you think the blurb sounds interesting and are okay with the rape warning, check with a friend who has read it and see if it’s something they think you would like. In the end this was way too much for me and I wished I’d been warned.