Review: Chained (Roman Holiday #1) – Ruthie Knox

Posted 24 December, 2013 by Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 9 Comments

Review: Chained (Roman Holiday #1) – Ruthie KnoxChained by Ruthie Knox
Series: Roman Holiday #1
Published by Loveswept on 11 November 2013
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 40
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley

3 Stars

Ashley Bowman is having a bad week. Reeling from the death of her beloved grandmother, she returns to the Florida Keys only to learn that a heartless Miami developer has gotten hold of the crappy vacation rentals she calls home. Ashley has one day to clear out before Roman Díaz destroys the only place in the world that matters to her. Chaining herself to a palm tree in the bulldozers’ path seems like a good way to stop him . . . until she realizes she should’ve brought food and water. And pants. Also, it would help if the evil developer weren’t so ridiculously hot.

The last thing Roman Díaz needs is some sun-kissed blond protester getting her picture in the newspaper and messing up his plans. He bought the property fair and square, and the resort he wants to build on the site is the key to realizing his highest ambitions. But when a hurricane blows through, Roman has to hustle Ashley to safety if he wants to protect his reputation—and that means giving in to her unreasonable demands.

Roman needs to learn a little compassion, and Ashley’s decided to teach it to him . . . even if she has to drag him all over the Eastern Seaboard to do it.

*I received a free ARC of Chained from Random House Publishing Group / Loveswept via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*

Chained is the first part of a e-book series and it certainly has a lot of humor! And a little bit of creepiness, as well as a heroine who doesn’t think things through and a distanced hero. Ashley has chained herself to a palm-tree to stop Roman and his firm from demolishing the only place she’s been happy. She wants to keep her grand-ma’s little rental place on the beach in the Keys, even if her grand-ma sold everything to Roman, specifically saying nothing could happen to it while she was still alive, and that Ashley should not know until that had happened.

Chaining herself to a tree like an activist doesn’t work the way Ashley had planned, and Chained is going from one funny situation to the next. But not much really happens during this short story. And at least for this first installment, I didn’t get the usual hotness I get from this author’s books. The premise is quite good though, and the writing is as well. There is some fun wordplay, and the promise of more to come. And I will read on – I love road trips, and that’s where Roman and Ashley are headed next. I also want to know more about Ashley, because I have a feeling there is a lot more to her than the ditsy-ness she showed in Chained.

 Ashley liked a handsome man as much as the next girl, but the ones who really got her going always had endearingly imperfect teeth, bad haircuts, unfortunate facial hair – some flaw that made them approachable. She picked the sort of guys who were game to go surfing on a whim or try out sex in a hammock even if they risked ending up in the dirt, slightly bruised and laughing.

Experience had forced Ashley to conclude that – while there were certainly exceptions – Cadillac men were almost always assholes.

Roman Diaz was ruining her life. He could at least have the decency to be cruel.

His eyebrows gathered themselves together. He had abundant eyebrows – the kind of eyebrows with the potential to take over his whole face if he didn’t keep them carefully trimmed. Which he obviously he did, but still.

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Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.

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9 responses to “Review: Chained (Roman Holiday #1) – Ruthie Knox

  1. Are these being released every week or so, Lexxie? I do like the premise but I’m not a fan of serials, really. I don’t like reading a book in that fashion…I don’t know why. 🙂 I am glad that Chained captivated you enough to continue and I hope Ms. Knox delivers more of what you’re expecting in this future releases.

    Merry Christmas Eve, my dear! I hope you’re enjoying your family and are making great memories! And Merry Christmas, too, as I won’t be online tomorrow. 🙂 I’m grateful to have ‘met’ you, Lexxie! *hugs*

    Bookworm Brandee recently posted: **Teaser Tuesday**
    • I am not sure how often they will be released, Brandee, but I think I’m going to hold off on it all until several have been released so that I can get into the story and the characters a little bit more.

      We are definitely making some wonderful memories 🙂 Merry Christmas to you, too my friend. I am grateful we found each other on the internet as well, Brandee 🙂 *hugs*

  2. Aw…OMG. Seriously? The heroine chained herself to a palm tree? Is that the new method of fighting for your cause? Because if it is, that’s not very wise since you are at a disadvantage. Hahahaha.

    It’s a shame that the humor was sort of dampened due to lack of action in this book. Well, at least, it entertained you enough to read the next book. And I hope your expectations will be fulfilled by then.

    I hope you’re having a good time in Norway, Lexxie. I am sorry that you’re not experience a White snow. On the bright side, you can enjoy the outside without suffering too much from the cold. *hugs*

    Advance Happy New Year to you and to the rest of the fam.

    Charlotte @ Thoughts and Pens recently posted: Book Review: Addicted To You

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