Battered & Torn by Allison Pearl Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: Battered & Torn

Author: Allison Pearl

Genre: Faith-Based Romantic Suspense

Release Date: February 6, 2023

As just another staff member in the mansion of billionaire Archie Hamilton, Nora’s finally found a place to hide from her murderous family. But when the handsome bigshot asks her out on a date, she worries Archie’s interest—no matter how thrilling—will blow her cover and shoot up a flare for those hunting her. And if she can’t squash his crush, only God will be able to keep him out of danger.

When Archie turned in his scalpel to run the family business, life became too busy to go home and deal with his grief. But when he discovers a suspicious hire at his ancestral estate, he’s forced to confront the situation as well as his anger at God for taking not only his family, but his dreams. Despite his objections, his grandmother is determined to keep Nora on staff, but that isn’t going to stop him investigating her on his own—no matter how attractive he finds her. But the more he digs, the more questions he has.

Drawn to Nora again and again, Archie wonders if she’ll help lead him back to the truth or get him killed. Is trusting a beautiful stranger worth the risk to his family, his life, and his heart? And when Nora’s past catches up with them, will anyone be left alive?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This novel got off to a bit of a rough start for me. The Prologue eventually fit but I would have preferred finding out later the information it contained, along with the characters in the novel. Nora and Archie, the main characters, are presented well. I did find Archie to be inconsistent, however, and hard to like. He vows to protect Nora yet makes really bad decisions about her welfare. He seems oblivious to the danger he places her in when he should know better. He expresses his love for her yet deliberately aggravates her. He is doubting his Christianity for most of the novel then, at a suspenseful scene, is suddenly very spiritual.

While there are scenes of suspense, most of the plot is about the developing relationship between Nora and Archie. Honesty and trust are hard for Nora and the budding romance is a bumpy journey. There is the constant threat of danger because of the Prologue information. The current villain is no surprise. The twist at the end was expected in a way but not the similar obsession.

This is a good novel for readers who like more about relationship development than suspense. There is a good Christian message near the end. While this book is part of a series, I felt it read well on its own.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Allison Pearl is a small-town girl who’s lived just about everywhere. She loves books, tea, chocolate, and watching old movies with her husband and furbabies. To keep in touch and get updates on new releases visit www.allison-pearl.com or follow her Facebook page ‘Books by Pearl’ at www.facebook.com/allisonnicolepearl/, on Twitter at @AllisonPearl5, and on Instagram at @allisonnicolepearl.

More from Allison

We’ve all fantasized about running away and starting over. Maybe it’s to some gem of a small town or a thrilling big city, but who hasn’t wondered what it would be like to leave our history, our anxieties, and our problems behind and trade them in for something fairytale-worthy and new? Nora didn’t just dream about starting over, she did. But did she run far enough? The nightmares that haunt her at night say otherwise, leading her to wonder Can we ever really start over or do our fears just lie in wait?

Nora’s written her own fairytale, but will her murderous family steal the happy ending? Find out the truth by getting your copy of BATTERED & TORN!

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I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)