Collared

Collared by Nicole Williams 5 stars!!! “Everyone thought I was dead.” “Everyone was wrong.” This was a book that I have been itching to read since release day. I had it pre-ordered, I couldn’t sign up for the blog tour because my schedule was chock solid and I just knew that I didn’t know when I would find time to read. Well, today was the day and I couldn’t put it down and the midnight oil was well and truly burned. Sometimes, when you finish a book you know you have read a bloody good book and that was how I felt once I had finished Collared. I was lying in bed, husband fast asleep, tears streaming down my face and said to myself, that was an amazing read. I was mentally checking off all my favourite books and I knew without a doubt that this was up there…there has not been a new entry for a long time so I am truly honoured to add Collared to my list of all-time favourites ever!! This is one of those books where I cannot really talk about the story at all, it is one of those books that you need to go in blind and read the book as the author intended. Experience those highs and lows yourself and all the twists and turns in between. This book will grab you by the heart from the very beginning and won’t let you go until the end and even then it will still have a tight vice grip the following day. I dreamed about these characters last night and now that I am awake, I am still thinking about them and now I have to try to put into words just how awesome this book was. I truly hope I do it justice. Collared is a powerful, emotional, captivating story about friendship, love, hope, survival and the struggles in finding a new “normal.” It is also about forgiveness and most importantly of never giving up. An epic love story of teenage love and soul mate connection where no matter how dire the circumstances appear to be you just never give up, you keep looking, one day, two months, three years, five years, ten years…you just keep looking. “You brought me back…when everyone else just kind of left me behind.” Torrin and Jade were seventeen year olds who were hopelessly and devotedly in love, but not that puppy love or teenage infatuation, it was obvious they had found their perfect match. They complemented each other, they were there for one another, they loved fiercely and they were soul mates. The brief glimpse that we are treated to of them as a couple in the beginning is captured perfectly by Nicole Williams and you believe that these two have that forever love and will stand the test of time and everything that their families and the world could throw at them. Little did they know that this would be tested after the best night of their young lives. “I’ll never finish falling in love with you.” Nicole Williams delivers with stunning creativity and originality a story that will captivate you from the get go, a story that centres around life after Jade’s captivity rather than a harrowing account of her past ten years. You do get glimpses as she re-tells her story but this is all about the after affects and a love that would never let go, a man that would never give up and a man that just knew in his heart of hearts that his one true love was alive and kicking and was just waiting to be found. Torrin, I loved this man, when he loved, he loved completely, where most would have given up he didn’t, his sincerity, his tenacity and his drive to succeed ultimately brought Jade home. He was like a dog with a bone, he never, ever, let go. His love for Jade was bone deep, he couldn’t and wouldn’t forget and day after day, month after month, year after year…he kept going, kept looking and kept hounding the police. “I’ve got ten years of making up to do. I can’t afford to waste a single day.” Jade has a lot to deal with once she is found, ten years inside a house with only her captor for company leaves her with a mountain to climb. She hasn’t seen the outside, hasn’t felt fresh air or the sun on her face for ten years, hasn’t been around crowds and the sudden media frenzy that she finds herself in is overwhelming in every way. “It’s there, Jade. It’s not gone. He took ten years of your life – ten years…don’t hand him the rest of it by believing that s***” I loved the way that Nicole Williams captures how her family struggle too, how to integrate their daughter back into family life and how to deal with their own insecurities and guilt. This doesn’t just affect the person kidnapped, but all the people left behind too. “Everyone needs protection from me. There’s something dark in me now, Torrin, and I can’t get it out. It’s growing, spreading, and I don’t want it to infect the people I love.” Torrin had always been her anchor and never had Jade needed him more than she does now, ten years is a long time, the boy is now a man and a lot has happened. People change, but what Nicole Williams delivered in style was a believable account of a love that never died, a true account of soul mates in every sense of the word and friendships that stand the test the time. She stayed true to her characters and delivered a story that she obviously poured her heart and soul into. A story that will have you in tears at times but one that will leave with an overwhelming sense of hope. “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” This is by far Nicole Williams best book, the emotion, the flawless writing and that all-encompassing intensity make this a journey, a journey that will leave your heart in your mouth and your tear ducts empty. A journey that I was privileged to have taken with these characters and a journey that I will never, ever forget. These are two characters that will stay with me forever. I seriously cannot recommend this story enough. “I can’t bend anymore. I’m already broken.”

“The only way to have a future is to murder the past. To cut its throat, let it bleed out, and bury it in an unmarked grave.” Collared is a beautiful, emotional, thought-provoking story of captivity, of consuming love, and healing. Of coming back from ten years in the same house with a chain around your neck, to your home, where you might not fit anymore. The love story was definitely one of the most well done I’ve read. Their relationship was developed, and so real, it felt as if a fist were squeezing my heart. I love stories like this, because even though I’m not much of a romantic, I applaud those who can make me feel completely invested in a sweeter romance I wouldn’t normally enjoy. Jade was kidnapped in front of her house at seventeen, right after spending an evening with her high school love. She didn’t come home for ten years. We get to see a bit of her captivity, and it was more emotionally disturbing than physically. It wasn’t as dark as I expected, but the story of her captor, her life for ten years was different and a unique approach. I was hesitant to start this, because it’s hard for me to believe a romance after a woman was held captive for so long. But the romance was tame throughout the entire book; it took a backseat to her healing. When Jade returns, damaged, her high school love is back. Torrin didn’t stop looking for her, not once in ten years. But he has a secret—one that would make it impossible for them to be together. Jade doesn’t fit in. Her room with her high school trophies feels wrong, her parents aren’t the same, her sister doesn’t trust her, and the love of her life is lost to her. She struggles hard with life, and trying to find where she belongs. And when she feels deep loss for her captor, nobody can understand her. My heart ached like someone punched me in the chest while reading Collared. I was desperately searching for a happily ever after. For Jade and Torrin to throw caution to the wind and just be together. And while this ended the way it probably should have, there was a deep ache in my chest I was left with. It wasn’t a good feeling, but more of a bad taste. I didn’t get the closure I desperately needed. Still, this book really affected me emotionally, and I’d definitely recommend it if you are wanting a deeper, heart-wrenching read with a love story so sweet that even I enjoyed. In fact, my heart still aches while writing this review. “I’ve been sure about you since I was fifteen years old. And I’ll be sure about you for the rest of my life.”

Non trovo le parole per descrivere questo libro. Non era quello che mi aspettavo. Leggendo la sinossi ci si potrebbe aspettare una storia dark, gratuitamente dark. Invece il senso di Collared è altrove. E' una storia dolorosa, ma mai violenta. E' il racconto di una rinascita, del ritorno alla luce dopo anni di buio. Ho cominciato a leggerlo e non sono riuscita a metterlo giù finché non l'ho finito.

I don't think there are enough words or emotions to describe this amazingly unique story. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not put it down. This is the kind of book that stays with long after you've finished. A very different but beautiful story of love and failing better. I recommend going into this book blind because you'll get greater enjoyment out of not knowing where the character is going.

WHOA...just wow. What a beautiful and heart-wrenching story of an unbreakable bond, of healing, and above all else, TRUE love. The kind of love that REFUSES to be broken by tragedy, regret, or time. Collared was so refreshing in it's uniqueness. I find myself searching for books like this. A story that has NEVER been told before. When I do, I want the book to last forever but I can't stop reading it at the same time. That's what this book was like for me. 'It's not over and you know it. Time, circumstance, tragedy-nothing can change that. You and me, there isn't an over for us.' At 17 years old Jade and Torrin share a love that is intense. A bond that is unbreakable. They've been friends and neighbors since they were children but that friendship grew to love when they reached their teens. Even at their young age, they know that they will spend the rest of their lives together. And I BELIEVED it as much as they did. But evil lurks everywhere, even in a small town that has always felt like a safe place. Jade is kidnapped and held prisoner for ten long years. While the whole world seems to give up on the idea that she is still alive, Torrin never loses hope that she has somehow survived. He never stopped fighting to bring her home. She is rescued after ten years but her time in captivity has obviously changed her. The world is a different place and Jade is a different person. 'He didn't just look for me. He didn't just keep believing. He found me. He failed better until he got it right. Those ten years I thought I was so very alone, I really wasn't. He was still there, looking. Searching. Finding. That tether might have stretched and pulled near it's breaking point, but he never let go. He was with me then too.' This review might be vague but I don't want to ruin anything for you. I will say that most of the story takes place in the present, after Jade returns home. You don't have to worry about triggers from her time in captivity. There are a few chapters from that time but they center mostly around her emotions, not violence. It's told entirely from her POV. While I would've loved to hear Torrin's thoughts...this was Jade's story to tell, so it was perfect the way it was written. 'I never wanted to get used to it. I never wanted to equate it with 'home'. I never wanted to be kidnapped either. Some things in life we get to choose, and some things are forced upon us.' OMG...Torrin. He is so selfless. He is determined. He loves Jade with an intensity that will inspire you. It's sounds cliche, but he loves her with his ENTIRE heart and soul and it's absolutely beautiful. He would sacrifice ANYTHING for her. 'I told you I loved you for the first time thirteen years ago. It didn't come with an expiration date. It never will.' I don't want to tell you much about Jade. Like I said, this is her story to tell. This is a love story but it's also about her journey towards healing all her broken pieces. I can't imagine what she went through while she was in captivity. I can't imagine how hard it is to return to the real world with all of it's expectations. It was painful to watch her struggle with her freedom, but that is one of the reasons I couldn't put this book down. I wanted to see her regain her strength, and the life that was stolen from her. I have to mention that I've heard some people were disappointed with this ending, but I thought it was the RIGHT conclusion to this story, It seems that we always want more as readers, but sometimes that's not the way the story is meant to be written. Keep that in mind. 'Try again. Fail again. Fail better.' Nicole Williams is a beautiful writer. From the very first page, until you've read the final word, she draws every emotion out of the reader. Her depiction of Jade's emotional state was SO powerful. I felt every bit of pain and confusion. I felt her hopelessness and anger. And I clung to her fleeting moments of happiness. The characters were so well-developed. The plot and pace well-executed. This is the second book I've read by Nicole Williams and it won't be my last. Especially if she keeps writing books like Collared and The Fable Of Us. She is a new automatic one-click author for me. I can't recommend this book highly enough!!

I feel unusually nervous about writing this review because I am desperate to convey the brilliance in the words in this book. I finished it in the space of 24 hours and I truly would have read it cover to cover if life and work hadn't got in the way. I'd read the blurb for the book some weeks ago and it gave me a little punch then, I purposely didn't re-read the blurb going in. Everything about the first half of the book took me by surprise. Just when I got to grips with certain facts another twist came and pulled the rug from under my feet. This book is powerful. A poignant narrative of a fragile girl moving into womanhood. Jade was brave. Torrin was brave. More than anything, Nicole Williams was brave because this is a subject requiring sensitivity, delicacy and yet she didn't avoid the tough stuff. I can tell you this book caused me pain and it literally made my heart race. It also dealt with healing and restoration. I have to pause to say something about Torrin. This man, I admired him so much, not because of any outward beauty but because of his strength, loyalty and capacity to hope. He was the only one able to reach Jade. "Because you're my tether. The one who can pull me back from the dark places and lead me forward into the bright places again." This book has demonstrated the versatility that Nicole Williams is capable of. She can write YA, she can write NA and contemporary but now I know there is even more to her ability as a writer because few books have touched my soul and made it ache like this. I will say that I would like to know more of Torrin and Jade's story and I'll live in hope for this. The author provided a copy of this book in return for an honest review. Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

OMG!! Que sinopse é essa, minha gente?! No momento em que eu a li, meu coração começou a bater forte e eu me arrepiei todinha. Isso mesmo! E este sentimento se tornou constante até a última página desta trama. Primeiramente, eu devo avisá-los que esta será uma resenha curta, porque (mais uma vez) eu sinto que você deve entrar neste conto sabendo o mínimo possível. Confie em mim. A narrativa conta a estória de Jade e Torrin, dois adolescentes de dezessete anos que se amam profundamente. Logo nas primeiras páginas é possível sentir o poderoso elo que eles possuem. Mas, um namoro que parecia vindo diretamente de um conto de fadas se desfaz quando Jade é sequestrada e mantida em cativeiro por dez longos anos. Obviamente tendo em vista o tema do livro, há alguns pontos neste enredo que eu considerei intenso. Mas, eu acho importante deixar claro que esta leitura não é propriamente pesada. Ela foca muito mais no amor verdadeiro e na esperança. Além disso, por se passar após o resgate de Jade, não traz qualquer tipo de abuso sexual ou grandes alusões aos dias de cativeiro. Em verdade, nossa trama é sobre o que vem depois... É sobre um amor tão forte que, mesmo depois de anos, ele persiste. É sobre um garoto que mesmo depois de todos já terem perdido a esperança, desistido, superado... continua a procurar o amor da sua vida. E, principalmente, é sobre o que acontece quando ele finalmente a encontra. Desde o primeiro capítulo e me apaixonei completamente por esses personagens. Torrin... Uau! Que herói perfeito. O homem simplesmente estava disposto a desistir de tudo por Jade! O problema é que depois de um trauma como este, nada é como era antes... Além de que, há uma reviravolta no livro, logo no inicio, que tem um grande impacto no curso desta estória. Tal reviravolta torna o reencontro deles ainda mais emocionante, intenso, potente e talvez... impossível. Collared realmente mexeu com as minhas emoções. Eu passei a leitura toda num constante estado de ansiedade. Ele é lindo, intenso e emocionante. Talvez, o único ponto fraco deste enredo, ao meu ver, seja que ele implora por um epílogo. Ou talvez, quem estivesse implorando fosse eu. Implorando, suplicando, rogando, apelando, chorando... Se você está em busca de um conto que possui uma narrativa original, cativante, emocionante e que de quebra ainda traz um romance de abalar as estribeiras. Este é o livro para você!!!