BLOG TOUR: Hold on Tight by Nicola Haken REVIEW + GIVEAWAY ~ Will Read For Coffee

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Hold on Tight by Nicola Haken REVIEW + GIVEAWAY

A figure from Dexter’s past has uprooted all the memories he has tried so desperately to bury… to forget. The terrible events of his past have been blown wide open once again, immersing him a pool of guilt deeper than he’s even experienced before. Dexter feels powerless. The future he foolishly allowed himself to conceive is falling apart around him and there’s nothing he can do about it. But there’s one thing he can control – one thing he’s an expert at… blocking everything out. Losing all control, Dexter copes the only way he knows how – he dives so far into the well of addiction, the only thing that matters anymore is where his next fix is coming from. Mission accomplished – there’s no one left. He’s successfully pushed everyone away. Nobody left to care about means no more guilt, right? You can’t hurt people who aren't there… But has he really pushed Emily as far away as he thinks he has? She’s given up everything for him – her home, her friends… her whole life. And she doesn't regret a single thing. But can she save him from drowning, or has he finally sunk too far?

(Not suitable for under 18’s due to language, sexual content and explicit drug use).

Hold Me Tight is one those deep books. This story is heavy in the sense that it deals with some pretty serious issues and they are not sugar coated.

I read some reviews about this book before I started reading it and people who have read the first book in the series, Take My Hand, are sort of disappointed that Emily and Dexter’s good friends don’t play as large of a role in this book. I understand where they are coming from, I too missed the friendship and banter between the group. For this portion of Emily and Dexter’s story, I felt like it was right for Jared and Rachel to be left out. What these two were going through was soooo deep and so personal, even with Rachel and Emily being as close as they are, friends really didn’t have a huge part in this struggle. This was something Emily and Dexter had to work through themselves, as a couple.

I loved how … raw this book was. It just laid everything out there for the readers to be a part of. It feels like you are right in the thick of everything with the characters. This book made me mad, made me cry, and made me laugh until there were tears in my eyes. Even though I have no experience with any of the issues the characters where dealing with, I felt like this was an excellently portrayal of real life without glossing over any part of what really happens in these situations.

My favorite thing about both books is the strong relationships between all of the charters, especially Emily and Dexter. They are put through the ringer, more than once, in Hold Me Tight and Haken manages to give them this strong bond without making it a fairy tale love or an unrealistic love. I really envied Dem and Em’s relationship by the end of the book.

Hold Me Tight is not for children. The characters have filthy mouths, passionate physical relationships and addictive personalities but they beautiful people whose story will suck you in from chapter one.

If you enjoy a good love story and can handle an honest portrayal of a struggling addict, you will LOVE Hold Me Tight! You should read Take My Hand first to get a good back story so just go ahead and get them both at the same time.

Nicola Haken is into cliffhangers but not in a bad way. Just in a way that makes it totally necessary for you to read the next book. Which is exactly what I will be doing when Lean On Me and Never Let Go are released later this year!

Emma Watson as Emily. I this she has the perfect combination of innocent, strength, and fieriness to portray Emily perfectly!

Alex Pettyfer as Dexter. I think he's gorgeous and could really pull

off the sexy bad-boy addict with a big heart. And he looks great on a motorcycle!

Diane Lane as Aunt Sarah. Aunt Sarah is wonderfully down to Earth. She can make you feel so loved and also whip you into shape when you need it. She's a caretaker to a fault. This would be just as demanding of a role to play than the kids. I think Diane Lane would be just perfect!

Matt Bromer as Jeff. I don't want to give away Jeff's role but I just pictured his face when I was reading. It's just.. him. Annnd he's gorgeous too!

Jake Abel as Chris. I think he would be a great big bro! And again... he's so cute!! LOVE him in The Host!

Even though they don't play a big role in this book, I had to include Jared and Rachel because you really should read the first book too!!

Liam Hensworth as Jared Kaya Scodelario as Rachel

Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children (six if you include the dogs!) She is the author of New Adult/Contemporary romance novels Inevitable, Saving Amy and the Take My Hand series. When she is not busy playing with her imaginary book friends (or talking about them with real life friends!) she can usually be found carrying out her ordinary mum/housewife/all round slave duties. Oh, and if the kids ever ask, she moonlights as the Pink Power Ranger while they’re sleeping….