Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost!: Release Day Blitz, Review and Giveaway for RAW by Belle Aurora

Title: Raw

Author: Belle Aurora

Genre: New Adult Dark Romance

Release Date: January 3, 2014

Hosted by: Love Between the Sheets Promotions

*Author Note: This is not a love story. This is a story of love gone wrong.*

Growing up the way I did, you’d think I’d be more screwed up than what I actually am.

Soon as I turned sixteen, I left that bump in the road I called home and took my chances on the street.

Best decision I ever made.

Now, at the age of twenty six, I’m educated, employed and damn good at my job.

My friends have become my family. Like me, they know what it’s like to grow up unloved.

But the saying is true.

The world makes way for those who know where they are going.

That’s me.

I know where I’m going and I’ll get there eventually. On my own terms and at my own pace.

But then there’s him.

I feel his eyes on me. I see him hiding in plain sight. He watches me.

He makes me feel.

It’s unconventional.

But it’s real.

I’m sure you’re wondering how a person falls in love with their stalker.

So am I.

This isn’t a story.

This is my life.

ADD ON GOODREADS

U.S. AMAZON

U.K. AMAZON

SPOILER FREE REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.

4 HEARTS out of 5

DAMN THAT ENDING TO ALLLLLL HELL. WHY? WHY? WHYYYYYYY?

‘Some things in life are so sad that there are no words to describe the amount of sadness, grief, and sorrow a person is feeling. I assume this is why God allowed humans the simple act of crying. When a person cries, they feel the sadness slowly ease out of them. They feel as though they are justifiably respecting a person that has died through showing their grief. They allow a moment of sorrow to overcome them and cry out a small portion of their unseen pain.’ -Alexa

First of all this book DESTROYED ME and words…words FAILED ME by the end. I don’t think I have ever been so flustered when writing a review as I am with this one there was things I liked and some things I did not like.(I’ll expand on that later) One thing’s for sure, I was warned by the author as are you. ***Author Note: This is not a love story. This is a story of love gone wrong.***
Definitely safe to say I got what I asked for.

“Monsters don’t always lurk in the shadows.” Reaching up, he runs a fingertip slowly down the length of my jaw. Leaning forward, his breath warms me as he mutters a hairs-breadth away from my lips, “Sometimes they hide in plain sight.”

Alexa is an American working in Australia as a case/social worker. She considers her kids her cubs, she deeply cares for their well being and it shows in her actions. In fact I don’t think there is one bad bone in Alexa’s body. Coming from two parents who were not parents at all she personally knows from experience how bad it can be out on the streets.

Alexa is also aware of him; watching her. He’s been doing it for some time now and she can feel his eyes on her whenever he is near.

He is the eyes under the hoodie.

I need her. I want her. I will own her.’ -Twitch

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This is where things get complicated. Something bad happens and it brings hoodie stalker guy up close and personal with Alexa.

‘That’s when he does something I’ve been wishing for forever.

He lowers the hood.’

And dude is FRIGHTNING. Scares her, scares me, it gets real. You have no idea what will happen.

‘Opening my eyes to find his still on my face, I ask a hushed, “What’s your name?” The corner of his lip tips up. “Doesn’t matter. You’ll forget it once I’m gone.” Taking a small step towards him, I promise, “No, I won’t.” It’s his turn to take a step back. He watches me some more. Those eyes. It feels as if they see everything. Breathing in, he replies on an exhale, “I’m Twitch.”

We meet the guy in the hood. His name is Twitch and he has an itch so to speak for Alexa.

She wants him.

There’s something animalistic about this man. Something I want to be a part of. Something I want to be included in. He’s a force of nature.’ -Alexa

The attraction is very clear and she lets him know. Twitch is very up front with Alexa when he tells her what he is about and uhhh how he likes it.

DIRTY.

As readers take in both pov’s we learn that Twitch has an agenda. He wants to break Alexa, but why?

‘There’s something about having your choices taken from you that is equally liberating and frightening. Handing over control to a person is a big deal. A showing of trust. And sometimes, I would like to be taken on a ride rather than drive.’ -Alexa

My Sweet and Sour

My Sweet - I enjoyed how Belle Aurora gave us snippets of personality with the internal monologues. I found it witty and entertaining.

- Well my first choice is too spoilerish so here is my second choice, mean Twitch… I did not like mean Twitch at all.

My Thoughts

This is the first time secondary characters made the book for me and the main characters just seemed to give me a splitting headache. I was so unsure on how to rate RAW. Why? Well for one, I struggled with the hero, Twitch and his motives towards Alexa. More so the reasoning behind it. Second, Alexa and her internal battle with allowing Twitch to Dominate her.. It seemed like she fought it throughout the entire book and I just did not get that about her.

Basically I was unhappy with the explanation Twitch used for going after Alexa. Yes, I understand his anger but I feel as if he chose Alexa without just cause. His anger was completely misdirected. So maybe it was just me. I don’t know, it just felt wrong… Some may argue that that is the point, it was misdirected, that’s the tragedy of it all. And I guess *shrugs a shoulder* I can see how people feel that way.

I sort of thought there was a few plot holes. I wanted more. I felt these minor holes could have been filled and explored maybe cut out a few sex scenes. OH MY, I can’t believe I just said that… I NEVER opt to cut out sex. However, it would have upped my rating if I had these answers of this I am sure.

My Ratings
Characters- Likeable
Writing Style- Good
Plot/Storyline- Guy wants to break girl sexually and mentally, girl wants to be controlled. Can these two find love? Real love?
Steam Factor- High/Very Steamy on a scale of 1-10 I say 9
Overall- I liked it!

My Recommendation: Read at your own risk!

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it!

Staring down at my chest, she takes a step closer to me and whispers miserably, “I’m here to let Brad fuck me.” My cheek ticks and head implodes. She steps closer to me to add, “He’s going to fuck me. Fuck me til I forget you. Til I forget I ever met you. He’s helping me drown you out and I like when I’m not thinkin’ about you.”  

She looks into my eyes and repeats on a whisper, “You’re poison.”

Belle Aurora is twenty six years old and was born in the land down under.  At an early age she fell in love with reading. Boredom one summer had her scouring the bookshelves at home. She stumbled across Sandra Brown’s Breath of Scandal and fell in love with romance. Having been brought up in a loud and boisterous family of Croatian descent, she developed a natural love for dramatics and humor. Only some years ago had she discovered a new love.  Humorous romance novels. Kristen Ashley and R.L. Mathewson had opened a brand new world where she could lose herself yet feel safe and at home in their stories. Belle has been known to become a screeching banshee while anxiously awaiting their newest titles. Belle never thought she would write. It had never interested her until recently. Friend-Zoned began to form and in February this year Belle typed the words Chapter One. And she fell in love. With words. With writing. With a creative imagination she never knew she harbored.