**3.5 Stars**

In the past few months, Emma has lost both parents, her Dad while fighting fires, and her mom to cancer. During one of her mom's few coherent days near the end, she asked Emma for two things...to visit a man named Aiden and have him accompany Emma to Texas to scatter her ashes. Emma has never heard of Aiden before, but assumes he was a previous boyfriend. Emma was completely wrong. Aiden is only slightly older than her, and was, up until the age of six, her mom's stepson.

Aiden, once a Marine always a Marine, is also an MMA fighter and rescues abused dogs. He's also surly, closed off about his past, and refusing to go to Texas with her, but, when Emma's truck refuses to start, he also offers her a place to stay for the night and to repair her truck the next day. But Emma sees through Aiden's protective barrier to the pain he tries to hide. She also knows the attraction she feels for him is mutual, even as she reminds herself she has a boyfriend, Kenneth, though she's been questioning that relationship for a while.

"You've been carrying it for a long time, Emma. Let someone else carry it for a while." - Aiden

In the short time Aiden and Emma spend together, Emma even assisting in a rough and heartbreaking rescue, something changes between them, and before he knows it, Aiden's informing he's going with her, after his fight in three days. What he hasn't told her though is one reason he decided to, Aiden's dad is out of jail, and Emma asking questions could be dangerous. 


"It's okay, Aiden. Put down your shield. You've been carrying it for a long time." - Emma

During Aiden and Emma's journey, they continually grow closer, sharing things with each other no one else knows. Aiden struggles with the secrets he's hiding, personal ones as well as those that'll impact Emma and all she's ever known, yet, he can't keep the emotional distance with her he normally uses as a shield. When they detour to see Emma's boyfriend on her birthday, both know things can't stay as they are. Emma breaks up with Kenneth, something she knows was a long time in coming, as evidenced by the news he inadvertently shares with her. However, Aiden, in protective mode for both himself and Emma, pushes her away, but this time he might've succeeded in doing so. Especially when she's misled into believing Aiden has found another, or two, to hold his interest for the night. 


One of my favorite lines - "Is this what the Grinch felt like when his heart started growing?" - Aiden

What happens when Aiden's past confronts his hope for the future? How far will Harlan, Aiden's dad, go to see Aiden suffer? Will Emma have faith in Aiden? Will Aiden have faith in he and Emma? Or will he push her away, believing the darkness within him makes him less than? How will Emma react when secrets about her whole life are exposed? Will she let Aiden help her work through them? Or will knowing Aiden kept everything hidden from her be too much to accept, to forgive? Can Aiden and Emma work through it all and find their HEA?

One-click now and follow along as two people, unexpectedly connected, meet and begin building a relationship that will see them through some emotional and dangerous times. As a whole, I liked the premise and characters, as well as the numerous twists and turns, however, as you'll see below, I did have a few issues.

On a purely personal note, having almost every woman Aiden and Emma came in contact with hit on him then, and/or in the past, got very old. Also, though we the reader know Aiden wasn't at all interested in or turned on by the two women at the club that hit on him and led Emma to believe he made plans with them, he doesn't once tell Emma he never even thought about, or wanted to, be with them. Yes, he tells her nothing happened, which she knows because she saw him leave the table to hunt her down, but she believes he contemplated it, which can hurt just as much sometimes. It would've been nice if he broke her of that notion. Lastly, though I understand the demons Aiden was fighting due to his childhood, his back and forth of pushing Emma away then wanting to be with her gave me whiplash, especially as it happened a couple times after they were officially together.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**

Unfortunately, the download came when I was out of town,and when I went to download it today it was too late to download for review today. I will be purchasing this novel soon to review. Thanks for the opportunity; sorry I was too late to read it on NetGalley.

This was my first book by this author so I didn't know what to expect. Did I expect my emotions to be all over the place? No, but the storyline was perfect! My heart broke for Aiden but his past helped us understand him more. I just loved him! He is just the best! It is easy to see the love Aiden and Emma have for each other!! This book is going to stick with my for a very long time!

ARC received in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 Stars

I was actually approved for this title after it was archived so I didn't get a chance to download the copy to review. Therefore, it would have messed up my review rating if I did not leave some type of review and if I'm unable to download the copy to review it, I'm unable to leave my honest opinion about the story.

I liked Emma but she was a little too much for me. She was just overly sweet and kind of naïve. I had an idea of some of the things that happened to her. She was the type of person who was shocked that bad things happen to people. I liked Aiden. He had a very rough past (which was revealed slowly throughout the story). I can understand his love for dogs and why he was so closed off. I did like them together though. I thought they were good together and despite the things I didn’t like about her she was a perfect match to Aiden.
One thing I did not like about Aiden was that he wanted Emma but he didn’t want her. He was too confused. Then when the story was getting into kind of a lull for me some things happened that had me like WHAT??? Then something happened near the end that had me like what??? The first reveal in my opinion brought something more to the book. It gave some backstory on the history between Emma’s mom and Aiden. I think this was needed. I really liked the flow of that reveal. The other thing closer to the end was just too much for me. I didn’t care for that part of the story. I can see what the author was trying to do but it was just outlandish in my opinion. I can see how certain things may have been swept under the rug years ago but this thing was never going to fly. 
Overall I think this was a good read. Even thought I had a few issues, I think other readers would like this story.

Review will post tomorrow, 7/24/2017.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The beginning completely drew me in and kept me reading. From reading the blurb I figured it would be a slightly darker, over the top, angsty contemporary romance. And I was right. When the book opens Emma sets out on a mission to find one Aiden Sheffield, who she’s never heard of before, but wants to find so she can fulfill her mother’s dying wish. The Aiden she finds is an enigma. He’s big and strong and gorgeous, but he’s also scarred and seems to be carrying demons around with him every second of the day. He’s an animal lover who helps run a sanctuary for abused dogs, yet is also a fighter who gets into the ring and beats his opponents down for money. He’s a former marine who has traveled the world. She learns that her mother was once his step mother, but he won’t tell her much more than that. But she forms a connection to him pretty quickly anyway.

Emma came across as a sad, lost woman who after the deaths of her parents, had no idea where she belonged. As she and Aiden head out across the country, taking the long way to Linx, Texas in order to spread Emma’s mother’s ashes, they get to know each other and honestly, I liked them together. I mean Aiden kept so many secrets that it began to drive me a bit nuts, but I still liked that this author let him and Emma get to know each other before they fell into bed. There were all kinds of lustful thoughts between them, but it took a good while before they acted upon them.

Then the fall into bed and all the secrets of Aiden’s relationship with Emma’s mother come out and I wasn’t so sure what the heck to think.

First of all, I was slightly nauseated by how Emma’s mother, Angela aka Amy, just left a young boy in such an abusive, terrible situation. Of course Emma and Aiden talk it out and excuse her actions because she herself was abused, but in my head I was like HELL NO. No excuses for you, lady. The flashback scenes Aiden has in the form of nightmares tell a terrifying, sadistic story of a man in power who mentally and physically tormented his wife and child, and no amount of excuses could make me feel better about why Aiden was left by someone he trusted to suffer alone. After all this comes to light I will admit I braced myself for more awful when this couple finally arrived in Linx. And I was right to do so. The ending is a turbulent, wtf is going on, whirlwind of confrontation and evil deals and violence and murder. Also, the whole town was in on it? Like nobody had the balls to come forward and protect this boy? Not one person? I mean.. what?

In the end, and despite the over the top dramatic conclusion, I liked this couple and was thankful for the way this author chose to revisit them in the future. 

Favorite Quote:

She is the girl who lost everything.
I am the boy who never had anything.

Before I started reading The Scars Between Us I was in a reading slump. Where it usually took me 3 days to finish a book it was taking me six, I just had no desire to read. And then I started The Scars Between Us and everything changed - I was suddenly interested in a book again!

I couldn’t wait to get to know the characters better, so much so that I was actually regretting having started so late at night 😂. Unfortunately the excitement didn’t last and the reading slump returned but that wasn’t the because of the book.



All wasn’t lost though because as I slogged my way through the book I found a new way to choose what I read next (thanks to Emma)…I’ve been meaning to broaden my horizons as a reader and the way Emma chooses her reads seems just like the pefect way to make sure whatever I read is completely random.



The last 10% of a book is usually smooth sailing towards the end of the book but for The Scars Between Us the last ten percent of the book was so… Eventful (for want of a better word) that my head was still spinning 24 hours after I finished reading it.


This book was just heartbreak, after heartbreak, after heartbreak - so many in fact that I didn’t think I’d be able to finish the book but I did and I’m so glad because the epilogue (and the up moments of the book) were completely worth it.

The Scars Between Us is a heartbreaking, emotional story about loss and healing. There is detailed abuse so be forewarned if this is a trigger for you.

Emma Cooper is fulfilling a promise she made to her mother. Go find a man named Aiden Sheffield and go with him to Linx, Texas to spread her ashes. She doesn't know what to expect when she meets him, but what she finds definitely isn't anything she could possibly have imagined. For one, he's the most beautiful creature she's ever seen. Two, he is cold and barely speaks to her. Three, he and a gorgeous older man named Mac run a dog rescue at their home. The contradictions abound...

As she and Aiden make the road trip to Linx, she discovers things about Aiden that make the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She also falls in love with him, and reluctantly, he with her.

Emma and Aiden have an interesting chemistry. On one hand, they push and pull and go back and forth. He insults her and she pulls back. But on the other hand, she lets him in and he reciprocates. And then there's their physical chemistry, it's pretty hot. The reluctance he feels to get involved seems to make it hotter, make them hotter. It's not quite love hate, but it's pretty close to it at times.

As things wrap up and the big reveal happens, I was cringing, because I knew from the earlier details about Aiden's past, that it was going to be brutal, and it was. But, it could have been much worse, I'm glad for MK's restraint so that The Scars Between Us was not truly dark. A little bleak and black at times, but not so detailed that I was dying by the end. And then the epilogue was so sweet, it wrapped things up perfectly.

Thank you MK for this beautiful story. It will stay with me for a long time!

It has been quite a while since I’ve reviewed a book, (new mom) but I am so glad that I took the time to read this one. It was brilliant. I loved the connection of the characters, the one liners, the sadness, the happiness, the twists and turns. This book has a little bit of everything all rolled into one.  It was a story that kept me completely enthralled, I couldn’t put the book down! 
MK writes her characters with so much heart and soul,  that they pull you into the storyline like you are there living it with them. Aiden and Emma are amazing characters that I will long remember, their story is heartbreakingly beautiful, you don’t want to miss out. 

Excerpt: 
I find a classic rock station. The familiar twang of a sweet guitar riff spills forth. “This is my jam.” “Your jam? Let me get past the fact that used that word- but seriously, Bruce Springsteen is your jam?”
“What? You don’t like Bruce?”
“I’m just surprised you do.”
“It’s on my all-time favorites playlist.” I star singing. It’s out of tune but who the hell cars. Aiden tilts his head at me, fighting the smile. “Don’t make me sing alone.” I jab his arm. “You know you want to.”
“That’s what you’re doing? Singing? Cause for a minute, I thought a cat was dying somewhere.”
I punch him in the arm. Dumb move. I shake my hand out after that. 
To my surprise, he turns up the volume and starts singing, too. His voice is deep, rich baritone that’s much more suited to the pursuit of rhythm than mine. 
He stops suddenly, staring at me as if I’ve grown another head. 
“Okay, I’m a crappy singer,” I say “but you don’t have to look at me all judgy.” 
“No, it’s nto that. What the hell did you just say?”
“Just following along with the lyrics.” 
“Repeat the last line.”
“Revved up like a douche.”
Aiden cracks a smile that morphs into a laugh that transforms into something so loud his bronze face turns red. 
“What’s so funny?” I demand.
“Shit, Cooper, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this hard. You think the Boss is singing about douche?”
“Yeah.”
“Duece. The right word is deuce.”
“How can you rev up a deuce?”
His eyes twinkle with mischief, “I don’t know. How can you rev us a douche?” He winces, “Never mind, don’t answer that.” …. 

~ One of my favorite things about this book, is there are definitely some dark issues, but MK knows that with the dark, you need a little light. <3 ~

Reviewed by Tonya Nichols with Eye Candy Bookstore

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of The Scars Between Us generously provided by the author and Entangled Publishing. Thank you so much for the reviewing opportunity!

Before I dived into the book, I have mentally prepared myself for the emotional ride that I am about to embark on. I had my crying kit beside me that is composed of a box of tissues, my favorite pillow, and a locked door so no one could bear witness to my ugly crying. BUT. No one warned me about the horrors that plagued the characters. It was so brutal, so raw, and I cried every second of it. 

I find it utterly refreshing that it is not your typical bad boy with a broken past story. The fact that Aiden Sheffield emerged from his past as a hero made me love him more. 

"A crusader fighting for those who have a bark but no voice." 

I honestly loved the road trips and pit stops that Aiden and Emma went on before arriving at Linx, it allows readers to read about their budding relationship as they uncovered bits and bits of their past. Reading about Aiden's horrors were truly heartbreaking, but it also made us understand why he became what he is. 

"I wear my scars like the battle wounds they are - with pride and honor." 

While I was engrossed from the start, it wasn't until towards the end of the book that the story took such a drastic and thrilling turn. It was terrifying and kept you on the edge of your seat. 

The only bummer was at times the writing seemed to be quite rushed, and there are certain conversations that were too cheesy for my liking. I also didn't mind much for the sex either, which is why I rated the book 4 stars. 

Filled with adventure, humor, heartbreaks, and romance, The Scars Between Us will guarantee to give you a ride of your life.

The Scars Between Us by M.K. Schiller is a stand alone novel. This book gutted the hell out of me. I literally just finished the book and now I'm sitting here and I have no words. What I can say is, This IS a 5 Star read !!
Meet Emma Cooper and Aiden Sheffield. Both are sent on a journey that will keep you at the edge of your seat.
Emma lost both her parents and mourns them deeply. Now she is about to fulfill her mothers last wish. This last wish includes a trip to Aiden and convince him to accompany her.
Aiden has deep issues and scars, visible and invisible.
Everytime I thought I had it all sorted out, bam, came another twist or unexpected turn that left me breathless.
Favorite Quote: " She is the girl who lost everything. I am the boy who never had anything. "
The Scars Between Us is the heart wrenchingly story of two lost souls, broken people. This book is raw and gritty and Wow, just Wow.
I highly recommend this book and wish I could give more than 5 stars. I love this book, Thank you MK Schiller !

Rating 4.5/5

From the moody cover to the tumultuous suspense, this book packs so much into this enthralling read. Endeavouring to fulfil the promise she made to her dying Mum, Emma Cooper is heading for Linx, Texas stopping en route to ask Aiden Sheffield to go with her. Only problem to start with is that she has no idea who Aiden is or what his connection is to her mother . . . but that’s a minor problem when you consider what happens as she uncovers secrets from the past and opens herself and Aiden up to the evil that awaits them.

This is a real page turner, with great characters with many facets and secrets. It is a story about grief, changes, danger, heartbreak and forgiveness as well as moving on in life. It is a complex story where only revisiting the past and discovering what really happened can help everyone involved come to terms with events and look forward to the future - if only they can survive the present! 

It is a story which involves some difficult subjects, including physical and emotional abuse, the abuse of power and trust and demonstrates how others don’t always know what is happening behind closed doors. It is also a story of an unexpected romance between two scarred individuals, with so many twists and turns! If you enjoy contemporary romantic suspense and can cope with the emotive abusive aspects that the author skilfully brings vividly to life you’ll probably love reading this - I did!

I requested and was given a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

I almost passed over this book because of the book cover. I don't know why but it just didn't catch my attention. It felt a bit plain and even after reading the book,I can't get it to sync with the story for me. But the blurb hinted in so many ways at a mystery in the tale that I was tempted to get my hands on it. And wow, the author has delivered an emotionally impacting book.

A bit of warning, guys, this book deals with abuse and there are so many triggers throughout the book. So be careful while reading it. If you are fine with sensitive material, you have to read this book. I recommend it strongly. I haven't read MK Schiller's other books so I went in blind but I can see myself reading this author in the future though with a bit of caution. 

As for reviewing the book, I don't even know where to start. The story itself is a very impacting one. The way the author has dealt with the subject is pretty good. And the story alone doesn't make the book.The characters and their reactions to their pasts and the journey they undertake to the future make the story an unforgettable one. The history of abuse highlighted is detailed enough to get me immersed in the pain. I felt as if I was there beside them during the scenes. 

The story is told in both of the protagonists',Emma and Aiden, POV. This is my favourite type so I was pretty happy to deal with their thoughts and feelings. And this also made me fall for them because I totally could understand their actions. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions for me. It made me sad, angry and happy as I read the book. At the end, I was sure I was smiling, happy with the way the author has dealt with the horrific antagonist. Wow, I never knew such a villain. It sure makes me wonder at the human mind and the way humans can be animalistic. 


As emotionally trapping as the book was, there were the love scenes which kind of didn't go with the flow of the story. I felt as if they weren't relevant to the tale and I could have done without them in such detail. Another part which I felt detracted a tiny bit from the book was the side journey they took on the way to Linx. I was wondering what was the point when reading it.

The story's pace was aligned well with the content. My mind didn't wander at any point and the twists and turns and detours the story took were hard hitting and kept me occupied till the end. As far as I am concerned the author delivered way beyond what she promised with the blurb.

My one line review : A poignantly hopeful love story with a hint of mystery.

My rating : 4.5/5

My reread factor : 4/5

Title: The Scars Between Us 
Author: MK Schiller 
Genre: Contemporary romance 
Stars: 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I saw this book was up for review and almost passed it by. The title got me and I had to take a closer look. It is a beautifully written story. Once I started I couldn't put it down. The characters are relatable, likable and real. The characters had me invested in what I was reading. I laughed, had my heart broken and fell in love with them. This is such a beautiful story and I'm so thankful I had a chance to read this book!

**received an advanced copy for an honest review**

The story in this called to me with this being the first time in reading this author. She has developed some strong characters in this one that are larger than life. Emma will combined with Aiden tell some turbulent story with the quest they are on. Together they will pull on every emotion you have at one time or another. The depth that this goes to is the kind I wish more had for example the parts that are dark but they are part of what goes on in life to some. The light is mixed in there two with it being stronger than the dark to slowly eat it away. Aiden was one fascinating guy too that my heart become his too real quick. Emma is quite the character also with her mouth saying some funny things. You stick to them all the way because you too have to know what the result is going to be.

Thur scars between us by MK Schiller
I received an ARC for an honest review.
So this doesn't happen often, but there are rare occasions when I read a book, especially one that I just happened upon, that I almost shudder to think, what would have happened if I never read this book. I'm not trying to be dramatic, however I never read anything by this author, but the title got me. So, I applied for the advanced reviewers copy.
I am so glad I got it! 
Emma and Aiden have a very interesting beginning. I won't tell any details. It's rare that a book takes me off guard and on a compelling journey from
chapter one, but this book is one of them. 
About a quarter through this book my heart melts when I see how Aiden and Emma really see eachother. It's not lust, it's soul deep love in the making. By half way through I am in love with this couple.
They have so much to over come, but love like theirs, it's worth everything!

https://www.amazon.com/review/RRJJKZOOGGX0Q/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Unique & angsty book filled with some unexpected surprising twists that made this a compelling romance

The Scars Between Us was my first read by M.K. Schiller and overall I enjoyed this unique and  angsty book filled with some unexpected surprising twists and turns that made this a compelling, suspenseful romance that keeps you intrigued from start to finish as secrets are unraveled. While this is well written, it is a fairly heavy read with some heart-aching scenes but does have some lighter moment here and there to give some relief and a sweet HEA that wraps up the story perfectly. Plus, who can resist when you throw in a sexy dog rescuer? 

Told from dual perspective, Emma and Aiden are two people where the scars of their pasts largely shape who they are at present. Watching the evolvement of both characters was intriguing and the chemistry between the two only continues to simmer to hotter levels as the characters grow. Despite their issues, as a reader you will be gripped by their story and get drawn into these characters who will have you rooting for them to find a happiness they both deserve. 

If you enjoy a story with a suspenseful edge, definitely give this a read!