Reader Recommendations – Books that feature abused heroines (whether she is on the run, or still with her abuser)…

Lizzette is also looking for some very specific recommendations. I have a few categories that will certainly feed her trope interest, but if you have recommendations, too, we are all ears!!

PERSONAL MARYSE NOTE: I struggle with scenes of abuse BIG TIME (though I LOVE books about women on the run or starting over AFTER abuse, so in those instances, I can handle it). I don’t mind reading about obnoxiously bossy or possessive/jealous heroes, as long as they are ALSO protective and loving. Mental or physical (of any sort) abuse just kills it for me. I tend to DNF a lot of those depending on how “in your face” and upfront it is.

That said, this is a list of ALL of it. Abuse books, survival and aftermath of the abuse books, physical etc…

She asks for:

I’m also looking for any a abused heroine books.

• I don’t care if she’s on the run or if she still with him at the beginning of the book.
• I don’t care at all about the hero’s occupation I prefer standalones but a series is all right too

If you can help with either of these points I would be appreciative.

I love your blog and I found a lot of great books with it. You do great work.

Right off the bat, Lizzette, I do have two categories that have ALL sorts of features regarding abused heroines. Reviews, reader questions, series, etc…

While MOST of the featured characters in these two categories are the actual heroines, some might feature younger characters too (example, “Hopeless” by Colleen Hoover). You’ll be able to differentiate once you read the blurbs (or my reviews).

• Abused Heroines and/or other abused characters
• Sheltered Heroines
• Characters on the run or in hiding
• Kidnapped and/or Stockholm Syndrome
• stalkers & obsessive love
• Bullies
• Characters starting over

Anyone have specific recommendations? Let’s make a list!

Maryse: Right off the bat, the first one that comes to my mind is the Consequences series!! OH MY GOODNESS. Here’s my Book Review – Consequences by Aleatha Romig

Tessa: Consequence… *kicks, ALOT* That book had me swearing, getting up and ranting, then going back. It’s like a train wreck. You can’t stop watching.

Shaleen:

• Tormentor mine by Anna zaires
• BLAIRE: Blaire Part 1 (Dark Romance Series) by Anita Gray

Maryse: ANOTHER OBVIOUS CHOICE is “It Ends with Us: A Novel” by Colleen Hoover. I 5-starred that one, and yes, despite really struggling with the abuse scenes (and they are there), I knew (just be feeling the story) this one had a light at the end of the tunnel. Here’s my book review.

Danielle C: Went in blind. So glad I did! Tears, goosebumps, and a wonderful book hangover with this one. Colleen’s best book as far as I’m concerned!!!

Cheryl: Great review Maryse. I totally agree that this book does give you all the feels and you truly are the h dealing with life’s difficult decisions and situations. So many emotions. Ugh, now I am in a total book fog…

Erin M: Wow! Just wow! And I also didn’t sleep reading this well into the morning…crying my eyes out. I can’t stop thinking about it. What an ending…so good yet I was sad too. I have read the last chapter and epilogue several times now… wow! Maybe I just need a nap…

Tessa: Fear Me (Broken Love Book 1) by B.B. Reid – I loved Fear Me but that dude is SCARY! Good story, but Keiran is definitely no book boyfriend.

bev: Did he get physical with her? The hero in the book? If I remember correctly that is why Maryse didnt like Fear Me.

Tessa: …Fear Me is a somewhat dark book. I love it, but Keiran is physically abusive at a certain point. I don’t want you going in and not knowing how horrible he really is. That said, I love it. lol He’s a big jerk bully, the worst of the worst.

Nay: …this guy was just too much for me. I couldn’t read past 20% because I couldn’t see him redeeming himself in my eyes….

Tessa: Vicious (Sinners of Saint Book 1) by L.J. Shen  <— MARYSE!!! MARYSE!!!! MARYSE!!! MARYSE!!!! Put Vicious in your DNF pile. I absolutely loved it but I know you won’t. It has the same issue that Fear Me and Consequences had that you hated. Anyone without that issue, go forth and read Vicious. It was awesome. 🙂

Mona: I just finished a great book, Meet Me Halfway by Lilian T. James, a new to me author. It does come with a trigger warning for domestic abuse and sexual harassment, but the story actually takes place several years after the divorce and follows Madison, the 25 year old mother of an 8 year old son and her grumpy next door neighbor, Garrett. For having such a heavy warning, the story itself is witty and lighthearted. It says it’s the first book in the series but there is no cliffhanger and the second book appears to be about the bartender you meet in the first book. This was a 5 star read for me and it’s KU! I look forward to reading more by this author.

Sarah: One book that stays with me, though I have not re-read it, is The Boy Who Sneaks In My Bedroom Window by Kirsty Moseley. Again, angst filled due to the abuse that the h has encountered.

Leslie M: Reason to Breathe (Breathing series) by Rebecca Donovan. Holy pretzel tummy and angst-fest! This was sooooo good but very emotional and a difficult read as the h is severely abused.

Sonia: His Indecent Proposal by Lynda Chance – In it the girl moves and escapes the hero. Then later remembers what happens. When she escaped she made a life where she worked at a hippy cafe. She had a police officer bf and a loud/bossy neighbour.

*spoiler alert*

*spoiler alert*

*spoiler alert*

*spoiler alert*

*spoiler alert*

It turns out her husband would abuse sexually/verbally neglect her. Leave her in a room locked with no food.