S. C. Stephens

"Addicting and heart-pounding-you won't be able to put it down until you've devoured every word." ---Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author #1 New York Times bestselling author S. C. Stephens brings us the next book in her Thoughtless series! The spotlight doesn't only shine. Sometimes, it burns. UNTAMED Being the bad-boy bassist for the world's hottest band has earned Griffin Hancock some perks: a big house, a fast car, and most importantly his incredible wife Anna. The one thing it hasn't brought him is the spotlight. Anna tells him to be patient, that his talent will win out. But Griffin is through waiting for permission to shine. Without warning, Griffin makes a shocking decision and takes the gamble of a lifetime. Suddenly he's caught up in a new level of lights, cameras, and chaos--one that pushes his relationship with Anna to its limits. Anna has always found his unpredictable behavior sexy, but lately he's seen an ache in her eyes, and it has his soul in knots. Just as the recognition Griffin seeks is finally within reach, the thing he loves most in life could be slipping through his fingers . . .

Untamed

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

4.5 STARS

HOLY SHIT!!!!! I am SHOCKED, utterly shocked, at how much I loved Untamed. I can firmly say I was NOT a fan of Thoughtless (I loathed Kiera and Kellan), but I liked Griffin for the most part, so I thought I’d give his book a chance even though I hadn’t finished up the series… and I’m so glad I did. This book was so much more than I expected, so much more emotional and meaningful, and I loved it. Untamed is jam-packed with hilarity and heart-wrenching moments (I even freaking teared up at some parts, and I am NOT a crier for books), and I am just so impressed with the way Griffin is portrayed. I applaud S.C. Stephens for her wonderful storytelling and brilliant character development – especially since I almost DNF’ed this book. So if you’re like me, and feel like giving up on this – on Griffin – I promise that if you keep reading, he will surprise you in the best of ways and it will totally be worth it in the end.

Fuck being lead guitarist. I could be lead everything.

Griffin, bassist for the D-Bags, is rude, obnoxious, and from the other members’ POVs, he doesn’t really contribute to the band. He’s kind of there to always make a mess of things. And his way of thinking is just… awful. It’s practically pornographic and very, very arrogant. I almost couldn’t keep reading Untamed, Griffin was so idiotic and ridiculous. But somewhere along the way… I felt sorry for him, which I’m guessing is the author’s intention. Griffin is tired of living in the shadows of lead singer Kellan Kyle, who gets all the fame and glory. All he wants is just a little spotlight on him, but time and again, everyone refuses to give him even five minutes of it. They all have zero faith in him, and I felt so sad for how he never even gets a chance to really prove himself. My feelings about Griffin – amazingly – slowly changed from annoyance to sympathy, and he went from being a moronic character to someone with depth and issues.

I’d had it all, and now… I had nothing.

Oh, Griffin made my heart hurt. He makes a life-changing decision that not only affects him and the band, but also his pregnant wife and daughter. He’s a literal train wreck waiting to happen – actually, not even. He’s a train wreck that is HAPPENING. I wanted to reach into the pages and strangle him for the dumb, desperate decisions he makes, but when things start spiraling out of control and he starts to lose everything, I wanted to cry for him. His fall from the top hurts, and I almost couldn’t keep reading because of how my heart broke at how hard he crashes to the bottom.

“…more people care about you than you think. But… it’s like your ego is a force field… it pushes people back, instead of letting them in. You’d see the world differently if you opened yourself up to the possibility that…”
… “That what?” …
“That you’re an imperfect person… just like the rest of us.”

The best part about Griffin is definitely the way he is with his family, no matter the horrible decisions he makes. He adores his wife, daughter, and the upcoming baby, all of whom I adored as well. I don’t really remember how I felt about Anna when I read Thoughtless, but I absolutely loved her in Untamed. She’s a kickass woman, mom, and wife, and she’s the only person who endlessly supports Griffin, even when it seems like she shouldn’t. I truly enjoyed reading about her character, and I loved that she and Griffin were just perfect for each other. She’s pretty much the only woman who could handle Griffin, and for that I admire her.

I’d been handed fame on a platter and hadn’t appreciated it until it was too late.

This book is definitely eye-opening, both for Griffin and the reader. Griffin’s heart-wrenching fall from the top and his climb back up is a tumultuous journey that is truly incredible to witness. S.C. Stephen’s writing had me feeling like I was there right alongside Griffin through his ups and downs. And as emotional as this book is, it’s also pretty freaking hilarious. I laughed so much at all the insanely ridiculous, inappropriate things Griffin says and does. Also, I’ll admit, Kellan and Kiera grew on me later on in Untamed – they were pretty much the only supporters of Griffin, besides Anna. Plus, I was highly amused by how Griffin thought they were annoying.

Untamed is so worth the read. Griffin makes HUGE changes in his character as he learns to be the person his family and band deserve. I’m honestly so proud of Griffin right now after finishing this book – and I’m so impressed with the way S.C. Stephens was able to make me change my feelings towards him! The way he learns to appreciate the life he has is just beyond incredible and I’m so glad to have read his story.

“Mrs. Anna Hancock… you are my best friend, my partner in crime, my reason for living, and the only thing that really matters to me. Forever only scratches the surface of how long I’ll love you.”

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1EomuzE
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1w3I5q0

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Shelby Hall

Aditi

"Addicting and heart-pounding-you won't be able to put it down until you've devoured every word." -- Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author #1 New York Times bestselling author S. C. Stephens brings us the next book in her Thoughtless series! The spotlight doesn't only shine. Sometimes, it burns. UNTAMED Being the bad-boy bassist for the world's hottest band has earned Griffin Hancock some perks: a big house, a fast car, and most importantly his incredible wife Anna. The one thing it hasn't brought him is the spotlight. Anna tells him to be patient, that his talent will win out. But Griffin is through waiting for permission to shine. Without warning, Griffin makes a shocking decision and takes the gamble of a lifetime. Suddenly he's caught up in a new level of lights, cameras, and chaos--one that pushes his relationship with Anna to its limits. Anna has always found his unpredictable behavior sexy, but lately he's seen an ache in her eyes, and it has his soul in knots. Just as the recognition Griffin seeks is finally within reach, the thing he loves most in life could be slipping through his fingers . . .

Untamed

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