This romance was definitely fun but not my favorite of all time. I enjoyed it however and both of the main characters were very appealing and ones that I liked.

An interesting book! I greatly enjoyed this one from beginning to end. Full review coming soon on my blog.

Where I End by Michelle Dare is a new adult, contemporary romance. Eve has always felt a connection to Cy, even though he seems pretentious, arrogant, condescending and cruel. All that changed one spring morning when she discovered that she know the man behind the facade at all. He is angry, desperate, and broken. Cy was second from ending it all when she intervened, and then tried to push her away. Can they save each other?

Where I End is a story of abuse, redemption, and bravery. Cy might have always acted like the confident soul people expect him to be- but it is all an act to hide a dark secret. When Eve uncovers the truth, she supports and defends him when no one else has. Each of them has things to overcome, and together with Cy's friend Parker we get glimpse into each of their minds. While not a easy read, particularly for those that are being abused or have been in the past, I think it it honest and extremely realistic. The suffering and journey towards healing pictured here is heart breaking but also hopeful in its own way. I loved Eve's character and how she refuses to back down, even when it might have been the safer choice. I really enjoyed Parker's character, and wonder what might be in store for him.

My only issue with the book, is one that seems to be prevalent in many romance books lately. That is the possessive and almost obsessive nature of the actual romance. While here is is based on a connection, love, and support- too often in real life the declaration of MINE is not healthy. While it is nice to have someone that does not even notice others, and have that reciprocated,the jealousy and possessiveness is not necessarily healthy. As someone that managed to escape an unhealthy and controlling relationship in my early years, the romanticizing of that attitude never sits well with me. However, that is my personal hang up- but I hope that younger readers are not holding up that aspect of a relationship as ideal because that can be a warning sign of abuses to come.

Where I End is a book that I enjoyed on many levels, but was bothered by on one. The possessiveness fit for these characters, but in real life it is often not a good thing. My worry that others might fall prey to, or search out, relationship where their partner is controlling or possessive because it seems so romantic really bothers me. I know it is nothing new, dysfunctional relationships have been part of literature forever, but it has always bothered me and always will. However, I keep reading these book- mainly because Dare does such a great job with the characters and other huge issues that I just cannot stop myself.

I enjoyed the beginning of this book and where the story was going. I was okay with the plot twist as well and felt that it added a different and important aspect to the story. The only thing that I had an issue with is that the relationship went 0-100 in no time at all and the one character became almost entirely dependant on the other. the story was not entirely unbelievable which I can really appreciate and I enjoyed the romance and the characters a lot. Overall I enjoyed the story line and the romance and would still recommend even with the issues that I had. I would like to read more by this author and I feel like this was still a good starting point.

Cy bullied Eve all through high school, but stopped when she started working for his mother. One day she heard Cy and his mother arguing and when she went to investigate, she found Cy with a gun pointed at his head. She ends up talking him out of it and he clings to her like a lifeline. Eve begins to see Cy in a whole new light because of the abuse he has suffered most of his life.

Although the premise of this book is good because of intense situation, I found it to be very repetitious when he kept saying he was no good. I also believe that she forgave him way too easily for the bullying in high school ... even though he says he did it because he liked her ... really! ... bullying for 4 years! Eve was definitely stronger than Cy. I have no words for Cy's step father ... and I believe that his mother was just as much to blame for ignoring the situation. But the plot kept me turning the pages because I wanted to see what would happen.

I received a copy from the author through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I didn't care for this book...not for lack of a plot because it had a great one. Not because the subject matter was hard to read, because it was but I didn't have an issue with it.

I found the characters to be very immature, which I know is fitting given that they were written only a year or two out of high school. But this immaturity is really what did it in for me. The constant back and forth, I love you I hate you crap that is high school was rampant in this book. It was too much and turned me off very quickly.

My 3.5 star review was sent directly to the publisher. Thanks.

Gripping. I absolutely LOVED Cy and Evie’s story. It caught me from the first page and I couldn’t put it down until I read the very last page. Ms. Dare’s words drew me in as they beautifully wove such a deep story. It was a story that broke my heart, but it also healed my heart, however, not perfectly. I think that’s what I loved about it. This story was real – just because Cy and Evie found romance, it didn’t solve anything, but it made life bearable and finally, finally some brightness and goodness could finally be felt.

The small town world that was created was so vivid to me. From the house Cy lived in, to Parker’s cabin. I envisioned all of it. To the coffee shops, to Cy’s truck. The way it was written made all of it come alive for me. Have I mentioned yet how talented the author is?

Cy was a jerk when we first met him in the prologue. I have to say, I don’t totally buy how awful it was, but after reading the story, maybe he really did do all that. He was a complicated, broken, yet really strong man, with a heart that was so big it made mine squeeze.

Evie was actually really strong, and even when she was scared her heart did the right thing. I loved, loved, loved her.

I have to, and I mean HAVE TO talk about Parker. Talk about secondary characters done right. Please, please, please Ms. Dare, please write his book. PLEASE!!

The romance and sexy times were perfect! The chemistry worked. It was palpable. But, here’s me the greedy reader…I actually needed more detail. (No, not just the naughty stuff!). I wanted to know more about the kisses, more about the gentle touches.

Interestingly enough there were definitely mommy issues, and once again the way this was handled felt real. So often a story solves everything with a finger snap to make everything hunky dorey. Not here. This was gritty, this was hard. It wasn’t fixed. I loved it.

The ending was intense. I did expect the other shoe to drop….and it certainly did. Even though I knew it was coming it still shocked me, and I don’t know why. I was cringing and biting my nails and so stressed out. It had to happen though. Had to. I felt so much relief. But my reader friends, please don’t worry, we got our HEA! It was all worth it.

Rec it? YES. If you love emotional stories, ones that break your heart but then heal it, ones with brooding heroes full of baggage, it’s a must for you.

Note: this book deals with very sensitive material and if you have an abuse trigger, this is not for you. It was hard to read, but I do think the author handled it in a way that never minimized anything.

Happy reading!

So this was my first Michelle Dare book and I have to say that I was woefully unprepared for the emotions I would experience reading this book; I was on the commuter bus doing my best not to cry! The interactions between Cy and Eve are nothing short of eye-opening and heartbreaking. The way he treated Eve in high school had me vacillating between anger and despair, but I kind of understood the way it was written since Eve manages to be in a position to provide help to Cy in the future. Of course that offer of help is a decision that changes the course of her life, but that's all I'm going to say about that. Suffice it to say that Michelle Dare has just earned herself another fan!

Book provided via NetGalley for honest review.

This book broke my heart. In a good way though. I’m really happy I got to read this story.

The issues of abuse, which are one of the main focus of the book, are not always easy to read but I think it’s important to acknowledge them because they can happen to whoever without it being necessarily obvious.

I would say the book wasn’t that long although the story had the time to develop.

I liked the characters’ strength: Eve is one of the most forgiving character I have ever found and I like how she tries to forgive Cy once she understands what is really going on. She is one of those rare people who stands by what she believes in and tries her best to be good.

It breaks my heart to see how a person can be that broken. Although the intensity of the issues in the book, they were approached in a way that wasn’t too heavy or with too much angst.

In the blurb we don’t really understand what the book is really about and, although we are given a hint, you are already in the story when you understand what is going on. I usually prefer when I know what I’m going to read but in this case I’m happy I didn’t otherwise I don’t know if I would have chosen to read the book. Not because it wasn’t good but because, although it wasn’t heavy to read, the subject can be hard.

I feel like this review is a bit all over the place but I liked this book, the style of the author was ok, not one of my favourite especially because some parts felt a bit “over the top” I would say but to be fair reading this book I concentrated more on the storyline rather than everything else.

I had a hard time figuring out how I was going to rate Where I End. On one hand, it was a visceral, gut wrenching story, filled with lots of emotions and brutal goings on. On the other hand, Cy was almost impossible for me to like for most of it. In the beginning I wanted to junk punch him for the way he bullied Eve for no reason at all. Even when Eve saved him, literally saved him, he never quite redeemed himself in my eyes. In the end, I decided on 4 rather than 3, stars because it's the kind of story I won't soon forget and 3 stars I generally use for boring, mediocre stories.

In the beginning of Where I End, Eve is being bullied by Cy in their high school years. He constantly singles her out and denigrates her, for no reason at all. Yes, her mother worked for his, but that's not a good reason (not that there is a good reason) for bullying Eve. Fast forward years later and Eve is the one working for Cy's mother. She's put up with Cy all these years since high school and he's still not a nicer person than he was in high school. Then one evening, Eve literally saves Cy's life and takes him away from the hell he had been living through.

From there, they start a tentative friendship that eventually becomes more. Eve is the strong one throughout and Cy is the needy, tormented one. Those roles never once change, though, and it got a little old. For as emotional as Where I End was, I kind of wished for a little levity, something to lighten up the dreariness and all the never-ending drama. It's a touch too much for my tastes and I found myself putting it down more than once to take a break from the, not silliness, but the OTT drama.

Now let's talk Cy and Eve. I like Eve. She's smart, she's strong, and she's forgives Cy for his ridiculous bullying. She's a much better person than I, because forgiving him for that insane bullying isn't something most people would be able to do. But then there's Cy. I can't say I ever liked him or connected to him. I felt for him, damn did I feel for him. What he went through is something no one should ever have to go through. But it turned him into an unlikable person. The bullying was just one facet of his unlikable personality. He's needy, aggressive, possessive and even cruel at times. Frankly, I felt Eve could have done a lot better than Cy. But, the heart wants what the heart wants, and Eve loved him. Hell, at least one person in his life (well, 2 if you count his best friend Parker), loved him.

Cy Revere is described as a hotshot and super wealthy. All the guys want to be him, and all the girls want to do him. But he is really mean and nasty with Eve.
Six years after, a shocking revelation takes place. And everything starts moving on in a really fast pace until the middle of the book. There is a moment when the plot gets stuck and it becomes a little bit repetitive.
The story is good but disappointing.

Loved this story, my heart broke for Cy so many times in this story, I had to remind myself he was just a fictional character I was so invested. Eve is my hero she was so strong and forgiving and she just never gave up, her character was so inspiring. Parker was a sweetheart I hope we get to see more of him.

This book will open your eyes in so many uncomfortable ways. We don't ever know what's going on in other people's lives and what pushes them to do hurtful things. Cy was the bully in high school towards Evie, causing her emotional pain that took years to overcome. But the dark story behind Cy's pain only comes to light when he can't take it any more. Evie and Cy are meant to persevere. Read with your tissues handy and a hope that maybe you will see things differently too.

When I first saw the synopsis I was intrigued about the book. It sounded like a good read and I was glad that I was able to dive into it. However, I just couldn’t connect. The story had so much potential but something was missing. I did like the premise and the prologue had me really enchanted. As the chapters went on I felt like the pacing and the flow was off. I had a hard time trying to keep the enjoyment that I had first gotten. I could feel the depth and emotion with the intensity of the subject but the execution wasn't there. There was some things that I saw that gave me a glimpse that it could get better but by the end I was disappointed. It just needed more. While it seems that others did like this story, sadly it just wasn’t for me.

I wasn't prepared for the story I was given with Michelle Dare's Where I End.

I'm drawn to stories that push the boundaries of darkness and that lead the characters on a rougher journey to healing. From the blurb and the opening chapters, I definitely got that vibe. This book, however, really needs a trigger warning. There's a massive trigger, and it comes almost out of left field. I really think more back story would have helped with this. Everything happens much too fast, and Cy and Evie connect on such a quick and visceral level, that from the glimpses of their past we had in the prologue, I didn't fully believe it.

The dialogue between them felt very awkward and almost too formal, and it further distanced me from the characters. I knew I wouldn't connect, so this one became a DNF at about 25%.

If you go in knowing that this is a dark, personal journey, and you don't mind a quick connection, I think you might enjoy this more than I did. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

Intense read in the best way.

Its taken me all day to think of how to write this review.

In hindsight if I could mark at 2.5 stars I would.

The overall storyline was very promising.
It was so hard to read in places but I felt as a whole the entire storyline was rushed.

It started off really well. Cy being Eve's high school bully. I have read this formula before and it turned out very well and I really do enjoy it. After the first chapter it skipped ahead 7/8 years (i think?). I could never have predicted the twist it was going to take.
For me personally though, I can't get over how quick their whole relationship was. He was going through some major trauma etc and yet they pretty much jump into bed with each other.
It creeped me out to be honest.

I felt like I had to keep reading. I needed that happy ending for Cy. Of course, things got worse before they got better.

I enjoyed the friendship between Cy, Eve and Parker ( ? omg i have totally forgotten his name lol) and for me that was pretty much the highlight of the book. Yes the characters had chemistry but the writing felt very rushed and as said above, the pace of their relationship just didn't sit right with me.

I am unsure if I would read anything by this author again.

It was only ok read form me.

The story line was interesting enough for me to finish this book. It was very fast-paced book so there was no time for characters to grow emotionally.
On the beginning they hate each other then he tries to kill himself and suddenly there is love.
So reading about the same emotions going through they head was just boring and I must admit I skip some parts of that.

Overall, I liked it, but there were too many things in this book that bothered me to enjoy it fully.

"He's mine. Every broken piece."

Where I End was my first read by this author. Being drawn to broken characters, I couldn't resist giving it a try after reading the synopsis.

Cy is both broken and beautiful. He is popular and draws a crowd wherever he goes. Nobody ever knew how damaged he was on the inside. He kept his pain to himself. He did however inflict his inner turmoil outwardly with bad behavior. The one that the suffered the most when that happened was Eve. She drew his attention. If he had not been striking out, how different would their lives have ended up?

Cy was her Kryptonite. She couldn't deny his beauty. She couldn't help being drawn to him. She didn't know why he had singled her out. Even when he was tormenting her... she wanted him.

Even years later, after high school, she couldn't stop her reaction to him. Just being in the same room with him affected her. Yes, she hated him... and she wanted him. Not that she planned to tell him. She never planned to give him the power to make her life hell, again. No, her response was usually her middle finger when she saw him.

Never in a million years would she have expected what happened, to happen. In spite of her feelings, her hatred, she couldn't walk away. She made a split second decision that would change both of their lives forever. She crossed a line that couldn't be uncrossed and put herself in his life whether he wanted her there or not.

She didn't know that he watched her when she wasn't looking. She never knew that he cared for her, he kept it well hidden behind his outrageous behavior. She never knew he was hiding in plain sight. Until he reached the end of himself. Until she stepped into his hell, determined to save him. Where I End is where they began. Can something be salvaged from the ashes? Will he share his demons and allow her to ease his pain? Is he too broken to share himself with her? Will she accept him once she knows the truth?

What a heartbreaking, emotional story. The deeper I went, more and more details were uncovered. Secrets were shared and suspicion was stirred. My sorrow and my anger got a work out. Now that I've turned the last page my mind is full, and so is my heart.