| Title | : | Stealing Harper (Taking Chances, #1.5) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0062292110 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780062292117 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 |
| Publication | : | First published May 21, 2013 |
Chase Grayson has never been interested in having a relationship that lasts longer than it takes for him and his date to get dressed again. But then he stumbles into a gray-eyed girl whose innocence pours off her, and everything changes. From the minute Harper opens her mouth to let him know just how much he disgusts her, he's hooked.
But a princess deserves a Prince Charming who can make her dreams come true. Not a guy who can turn her life into a nightmare.
All good intentions go out the window when Harper starts to fall for the guy Chase has come to view as a brother. He wanted to protect her by keeping her away, but he can't stand to see her with anyone else, and he'll do anything to make her his. But when it comes down to Harper choosing between the two, will Chase have the strength to step back from the girl who has become his whole world if it means she's happy?
Lines will be crossed. Friendships will be put to the test. And hearts will be shattered.
CAUTION: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ TAKING CHANCES
Stealing Harper (Taking Chances, #1.5) Reviews
-
Ok, so let me get a thing out there first.
The 1 star I can give goes out to Chase because he is the ONLY one that deserves it. I love this man.
Now let me tell you just how pissed off I am.
First of all.
Love Triangle.
Seriously?In love with both?You met them at the same f*cking time for Christ's sake!Did it occur to you to, I don't know, PICK ONE??
I mean you're not trying to find the solution to world hunger.
You're not even with a boyfriend and then meet a new guy.
No. You didn't know them from Eve, so how hard could it be to pick one and start dating??
Killing off Chase.
Oh this is my favourite. Let's sum up what happens.
The characters involved spend months, and I repeat, months going back and forth. You wouldn't miss the drama and the angst if it were a polka-dotted elephant standing in your room wearing a pink ballet tutu.
They were driving me nuts. And then you know what happens?
She gets pregnant, tells Chase after such a long time that tested my patience to the point I thought I would explode, and finally everything seems to be going well because they're in love and they're going to have a baby.
And then you know what else happens??
Yes, that's right ANOTHER MISUNDERSTANDING.
And because of that Chase is killed in a car crash.
I stopped reading Taking Chances at this point, because really.
If after all this drama, this effort, this incessant will of this man to get Harper to be with him and prove to her that he loves her, this man dies leaving behind his baby without being able to see him grow up, I have nothing else to say.
I could care less what happens next.
But don't you dare tell me that crap about "Take care of my family, brother."
If you think this is romantic, then good for you.
But this will be anything close to acceptable when this man doesn't die for nothing and gets to be finally happy with his family.
Life has enough crap in it to not have it in fiction as well. -
“I’ll never leave you again.”
YOU FUCKING LIAR.
I am officially TEAM BRANDON
Confused if I should give this book a 1 star or a 4.
Read this part of the book only if you've read book Taking Chances OR Stealing Harper
THE BOOK WAS FRUSTRATING IS NOT THE WORD. I MEAN I WANTED TO RIP SOMEONE A NEW ONE... FUCKING HELL.
I actually did say a little pray before starting this book to give me courage to go through with it.
Like seriously I am frustrated with Harper the whore and irritated and my heart pains and burns and I just want to fucking sob my heart out. -
MOLLY!!!!! you killed Chase! again!!! Why?!!!!!!!! WHY????!!!! *sobs uncontrollably*
-----I was furious with taking chances! I wanted to strangle the book, burn and bury it and then dig it up just to stomp on it. I have never been more infuriated with a book ever before. I can't believe I clicked on this book. I think I'm gonna have a long talk and deep internalizing with myself to debate wether or not my heart can take to read chase's thoughts. I'm not so sure I can take such emotional roller coaster again. Argh! I have a love/hate relationship with Molly! It's been months since I've read taking chances but I'm still pissed as if I've only just finished reading it. -
01/07/13 - Okay, I am a masochist because I swore on all that was holy that I was not going to read this book. I think I did the whole "I am not reading this book" talk yesterday. So what did I do just now...went on Facebook, clicked on Molly McAdams' link, and read a teaser from Stealing Harper. Honestly, when will I ever learn???!!!! The teaser is between Chase and Brandon.
I do love the COVER!!!
01/06/13 - I am putting this on my shelf, but it is on my I CAN'T GO THRU THAT AGAIN. I think it will kill me to read every word that my FAVORITE character in Taking Chances thought, felt and said. Months after reading Taking Chances, I still remember what I felt when I read those last paragraphs with Chase.
http://www.shebookblogs.com/2013/02/w...
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5 heartbreaking, soul shattering stars!!!
And I thought Taking Chances was heartbreaking... Stealing Harper didn’t just break my heart. It was tore from my chest and stomped on. This book KILLED me. I just love Chase Grayson. Every time I start to write this review, I end up in tears so I apologize ahead of time if my review is a mess like me.
This was essentially Taking Chances from my Chase’s point of view. If you HAVEN’T read Taking Chances, I recommend you do it and you do it before reading this review. There may be some spoilers for those who HAVEN’T read TC.
I am a HUGE Chase fan. I seriously fell hard for this guy in Taking Chances. Chase is a player. He doesn’t do relationships, girlfriends, etc. But then he meets someone that changes EVERYTHING.
“That first night, I did realize I would never meet another girl like you. But you deserve someone who has waited for you as long as you have waited for them. And no matter how much I wish I could be that guy, I can’t, Harper. You’re amazing. There will never be anyone good enough for you.”
The problem is that Chase knows he isn’t good enough for Harper, so he backs off. But one of his bff’s Brandon wants her too. Once she and Brandon are together, Chase realizes he made a mistake. He can’t stand not being with Harper. He loves her.
When it came to this girl, I was no longer in control of anything. She consumed me in every way possible.
This whole thing is a mess. It causes a lot of problems between Chase and Brandon. Chase just can’t let it go.
“You’re such as ass, Chase. Why can’t you just leave him alone?”
“Because he’s with my entire world.”
Harper is with Brandon, but she has always had feelings for Chase too. A connection. She loves them both. I really liked Harper in the first book, but seeing her through Chase’s eyes and all that she put him through I really started to not like her at all. It was so much worse reading this from Chase’s pov. I felt his pain.
He and Harper get together. It is wonderful, magical, beautiful. Seeing it from Chase's perspective, I was just so happy for him.
“I’ve never been happier than when I just woke up with you in my arms. You’re the only girl I’ve ever fallen asleep with, and I want to keep it that way. You’re not just some girl. I’m in love with you, Harper. I wouldn’t want you anywhere else.”
Then we all know what she does. She goes back to Brandon... shame :( I understand it, I guess. But if that were me, I would have DUMPED Brandon, and stayed with Chase... just sayin’. Now, Harper finds out she is pregnant. And the only guy she has been with is Chase. Yup. So they get back together. It is beautiful. Chase is so happy.
Then the EVIL Trish F’s EVERYTHING up! And we all end up terribly heartbroken. We cry, we sob, we lose our shit. THE END!
Me at the end of this book:
I think that about covers it.
I had the tinniest hope that the ending would be different... but I can’t even be mad about this because I did it to myself. I KNEW what I was getting into, yet I still read it. It gutted me, but I love Molly’s writing and I love Chase so, yeah. It was what it was. I would NOT read this without reading Taking Chances first, but if you’ve read TC and you are feeling brave enough to read... trot on! Just don’t forget the essentials...
And this is to Chase, from me: -
Finally I find the guts to read this last night! I'm honestly slacking off in reading this coz as I've continuously said, I hate how Chase ended. I thoroughly hate it. But, of course curiosity eats me up and I can't let this book on his POV slip of my reading knowledge, so finally, I find the guts to read it.
Unfortunately, as I'm in the middle of the first chapter, this thought that "I already know what would happen in the end why I need to read it again blah" caught up to me, so I decided to skip it all and start on the 13th chapter (its not the last, but its the second to the last, I guess). It's cheating I know, but I just can't bear to go through it all again so I decided better rip it off like a band aid and see how this one would end.
So, this is me after reading Taking Chances or better yet after reading the part where something happened to Chase.
This is me before I started reading Stealing Harper. Nothing different from my reaction after reading the first because relieving Chase moments are 'nuff to make me feels sad again.
And finally, this is me after reading this book...
Breaking down, thinking how could someone like Chase end that way? How could he? His last thoughts are enough to make me bawl out my eyes. I'm telling you guys, those last thoughts are so ugh.
Dramatic much? But it's true. Sigh.
Oh and I didn't rate it coz, you know, I just can't. -
Pre-Reading:
I am terrified of reading this book! I cried my heart out for Taking Chances and I already know Chase's fate and I don't know if I am going to be able to bare reading him tell his side of the story. In a way I wish Molly McAdams would pull a paranormal thing and have him come back because its been weeks since I've read Taking Chances and the novel is still weighing heavily on my mind... So no matter how much my heart may break to read Chase's story I am going to do it because I want to know what was going through his head from the moment he met Harper because he had it bad and those are the best stories to see, hear, or read about
Post-Reading:
BIg Fat UGLY Tears are falling down my face right now! I'm a mess and I can't stand it. This book seriously wrapped me up inside Chase's story and that's that I even tried to read it slowly over a four day period and yet - here I am looking hideous as I try to calm my heart down.
Chase has my number 1 spot for book boyfriend and it just breaks my heart knowing that he didn't get to fulfill his life (yes, even fictional characters get to have full lives).
If you loved Taking Chances - and you found yourself crying over Chase's demise and you want to get his perspective of how everything went down then you need to read this novel.
I found myself crying from the moment I freaking turned on my kindle with the intent of reading this novel. I didn't want Chase to die and I knew starting out that he was going to.
God, this review is horrible! Sorry, about it - I'm just all discombobulated from this novel! It breaks your heart into a million little pieces and just leaves it there. -
So I was contemplating reading this and after procrastinating for a while I thought to myself...
OH HELL FREAKEN NO WAY!!!!!! AM I INSANE?!?!?!
Because the truth is...
It doesn't matter.... different story.... SAME ENDING!!! HEARTBREAK?! No thanks!!
Only to be..
And once again...
SO THANK YOU MOLLY McAdams... But I'll PASS....., -
Oh dear ..... I am not sure I can make it through this book the thought of it actually gives me a sore stomach. As much as I loved taking chances I promised myself I would never read it again only so much crying you can do. They say misery loves company so I actually made my friend read the book with no warning so I could have someone else feeling the same way lol. So thank you Molly McAdams I am now officially a glutton for punishment because I know as soon as this book is released I will buy and read it ;)
-
Before I started the book...
I already know....
After...
Well....I didn't cry!! Amazing I know...that doesn't mean it wasn't as heart wrenching as you all think it will be because it is. Mainly the last five percent is the killer but the whole book was like a train wreck waiting to happen. Am I happy I read it? Definitely! Would I recommend for you to read it? Only if you really, really love Chase and just want more of his perspective.
I'm not going to do a full book review because this book is basically the same as Taking Chances, so I'm just going to link my review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Reading over my review, I'm happy to say that some of the problems I had with it being long winded have been fixed. But you can't really read this book without reading Taking Chances. There are just things that are left out of this book that you probably won't understand.
So, since this is Chase's POV...I loved it. I loved being in his head and most importantly, I loved finding out how things went in the beginning with him, Harper and Brandon. It explains sooo much!! I was pleasantly surprised to get the more in-depth relationships between Chase and Brad, Chase and Brian, and Chase and his family. I guess those reasons are why this book is getting a higher star rating.
Chase is still sooo impatient and quick to anger. Things would have been sooo different if he wasn't always taking off even if he felt he was doing the right thing.
Sadly, I will miss him. I still hate how things ended but I do appreciate MM for giving us this book even with that killer ending!
BTW...the book ends at sixty-six percent. The rest is chapters from her other books.
Favorite quotes:
♥ “Why keep fighting the inevitable, baby? You want me. Even now, your body is shaking because you’re trying to keep yourself from touching me.”
♥ “Chase”—she blinked a few times and shook her head slightly as she looked back up into my eyes—“you’re beautiful.”
♥ "Harper, I will love you for the rest of my life."
♥ "You will always be in my heart, Chase Grayson." -
WTF IS THIS SHIT?!? Does Molly McAdams hate me? I still haven't got over losing Chase and now this book is coming out and I'm going to have to re-live it all over again?! Because obviously I can't not read it because it is from my Chase's point of view but still, shit this is going to hurt! And it comes out on my birthday. Wtf.
-
Okay so stupid me, thought I could so handle reading this - already knowing.... but nope. I think this was so much harder than reading Taking Chances. I did not expect the end of this, well - I expected that...but not the way it was done. I felt like someone reached into my heart and tore it from my chest. I could barely catch a breath between sobs.
For those who have not read Taking Chances...(first read it - get plenty of tissues)...I am not going to not include the details of what happens in TC in this post, so if you want to read TC it is highly recommended to avoid all SH postings.
So we all know the story. We all know what we are going to get out of this - and we will all kick ourselves once we are done. Why? Because we knew. And we still read it. Seeing Chase's POV through all the interactions with Harper and seeing sides to him that we did not see just made him more perfect. Okay, Chase was not Mr. Perfect, but he was perfect for Harper. And although I am not a big Team Brandon girl, I was so proud of him for stepping up in TC and after the last page of this book I am at peace with that.
But to think that this was going to be less or equally as horrible as TC was on my emotions was completely wrong. Not only did I know the whole time that this was going to happen, after all I already read the damn story. But I was sucked back in and for moments you forget about him dying...and you are cheering for the guy to get his girl and thinking all these great thoughts about HEA...then you remember. And you cry. A lot. I know it is tough for us Chase girls to read this...but it was so good and although I am still having to wipe tears away and will be for a while longer, seeing him in this way was like getting a piece of him back. Sides, scenes and feelings that we did not get to have. These are moments that existed that we missed out on and this is our chance to grab them. Now, even though I am so glad I read this - I still pretty much feel like throwing myself in front of a train.
I think I may have highlighted the entire book...but below are sample of quotes...
'I looked at Harper's mortified expression, and the urge to take her in my arms and take her away from this overwhelmed me. I didn't know where the protectiveness for her came from, but somehow I knew I'd do anything for this innocent girl, and I'd kill anyone who tried to take that innocence from her.'
"Oh my God! Princess! You're my new favorite!" That's it, that comment right there, and it was sealed. I would do anything to have this beautiful gray-eyed princess lying next to me, as mine.
'Good girl, keep looking at me like you can't stand to be near me. You need to run far away, so I can't catch you. Because if I get you, I'm keeping you, and you deserve so much better.'
'She's everything I never wanted in a girl and everything I wanted from her.'
"...Why can't you just leave him alone?"
"Because he's with my entire world."
'There were so many things I wanted to say to her right then. I love you. I want you to be mine.' "You're special, Harper, it's not hard to love you."
"Harper, I will love you the rest of my life."
'Please, God - please I'll take the pain, just don't take me. I don't want to die. Don't take me from Harper and our baby.'
...
"I'll never leave you - I'll always be with you."
...
"Tell GB I love him...everyday."
Dear Molly McAdams:
So after finishing this - my feelings pre-release have not changed....
I don't know why I would want to punish myself...but I am so going to read this...then cry like a baby.
Updated my Amazon review as well... needed to get more off my chest :)
http://www.amazon.com/review/R112KOKE... -
Do not read this review unless you have read Taking Chances!!!
Seriously just warning you!!!!
Now what can I say about this book?
This feels like someone took my favorite toy away from me and says I can no longer play with it no more!
Why?
It tore my fucking heart out and and gave it to me on a bow with tears falling down it!!!
Because I'm right freakin' here wanting nothing more than to love you forever.
When I seen Molly McAdams was writing a book in Chase's POV I was not sure I would read it. I mean I already know what is going to happen it would just make it even more real that Chase is gone by having it in his POV. But me being a masochist and all I had to read it..
Knowing the outcome in this book does make it hard to get through this book with out crying several times. A little part of me was expecting maybe a different ending like, hey I was fucking with you everything is happy ever after now! Whoot.
But no, there is not happy ever after in this book. No, Sir!!
And that bitch Trish
I seriously could cut a bitch if she was real.
Looking in Chase's eyes and seeing everything that Harper was putting him through made me dislike her so much more in this book then the first one. I know what Chase did and he did pussy out on not telling his feelings in the beginning so he lucked out but, she was fucking with his head.
Overall I am glad I read Chase's POV. Made me fall in love with him all over again and feel his heart breaks, my heart breaks!
Molly McAdams you did an outstanding job on bring more light into Chase's POV. Showing us every single detail of what he was feeling. I couldn't ask for a better POV but a different ending. I will be sobbing all night long over this book!
Buddy read with my friends Natalie over at Love Between The Sheets "book blog" and my bestie oyster Pam Godwin! Glad I got to read this with you girls. Couldn't have done it without you. xx -
One wasn't enough?
-
I don't know if I have it in me to review this book.
I thought since I already read Taking Chances and knew the ending that I could handle reading Stealing Harper. BOY WAS I WRONG!
My heart cannot handle this kind of pain!
I believe that Chase deserved to have his POV out there for the world to understand him better. I'm glad I read the book just so I could get a better glimpse inside his head. I love Chase more than a sane person should love a fictional character. I am completely heartbroken. It took me over a week to get back to normal after reading Taking Chances. Reading this tragic story from Chase's POV is SO MUCH WORSE! I had extreme anxiety while reading his joy and love for Harper and GB. I kept seeing an hourglass in my mind's eye as each grain of sand slipped through, knowing what was to come. I've never seen a character more devoted to someone than Chase was and then have it all thrown in his face without being believed. That absolutely crushed me; as did other things, but I won't spoil it. I know Chase's words will haunt me for a long time to come.
"Harper, I will love you for the rest of my life."
-
4 STARS
If you haven't read the 1st book in this series Taking Chances, I'd suggest not reading this review as this review may give spoilers from that book.
I'm glad I waited awhile to rate this book and give my review, because quite honestly I had so many emotions running through me when I finished reading Stealing Harper that I wouldn't have rated it as well as I am now. I'll start by saying I absolutely loved Taking Chances and have loved every book by Molly McAdams I have read so far, but when I was done with Stealing Harper, I not only felt the sorrow everyone else who read this book felt at the end when Chase dies, but I was also experiencing irritation and anger towards some of the characters in the book, so I knew I needed to wait to write a review and rate it so I could do it fairly without all my emotions getting in the way. I'm not sure why I subjected myself to this book, I don't like reading stories I know don't end well, but I was just so curious as to how the story would be from Chase's POV that I had to give it a try. I know many of you who read this book may not agree with my thoughts about this book, but I'll give my honest opinion of it anyway, after all - this is my review.
At the beginning of the story, I was disgusted with Chase- I mean, in the party that the books starts off with, in a very short amount of time- he has a woman go down on him, then he goes off right away and screws someone (who has a boyfriend) in the bathroom, then he goes off to another girl and starts sucking on her neck and the only reason it stopped there was because he spotted Harper, he was such a man-whore. Of course I knew ahead of time that is how Chase is until he fell in love with Harper, but it was difficult to not be disgusted anyway.
When he first sees Harper and through approximately the first 1/3 of the book, I honestly felt that Chase's feelings for Harper were only because he thought of her as a game or a challenge. He'd be sucking on some girls neck until he sees Harper, then take off to see Harper and later when women would fall all over him, he let it happen because he could see disgust and eventually jealousy on Harper's face when it happened and he liked getting reactions out of her. Even after he finds out she is a virgin and he tries to protect her from the other guys, I know he was attracted to her, but that's as far as his feelings went for her as far as I'm concerned at that point in the book. Quite honestly, I was irritated with how one minute he said he wanted her, then the next sentence he said he didn't want her and she was "just another girl" or "just his sister's best friend"- I was getting emotional whiplash with reading about him going back and forth with what he wanted.
"You deserve someone who has waited for you as long as you have waited for them. And no matter how much I wish I could be that guy, I can't, Harper."
Brandon, I really don't have anything negatively to say about him, he specifically asked Chase over and over and over again if he had feelings for Harper or if there was anything going on between them before he went after Harper. Chase said there wasn't, so Brandon made his move.
Harper I was irritated with because quite honestly I think that she was only using Brandon at the beginning to make Chase jealous. I know eventually she fell in love with Brandon, but I think at the beginning she was with him for the wrong reasons.
"I don't see why I shouldn't go out with him, and since you clearly don't want me, I don't think you're allowed to have a say in the matter."
"I don't want to be just another girl to someone, and when it comes to Brandon, I won't be. If you can convince me right now that I have a reason to not be with him, then start talking."
Later in the story, I couldn't stand the way Harper was playing with BOTH Brandon and Chase's emotions. They were both in love with her by that point and by the end of the book, she had broken both their hearts at some point in the book.
"I'm so in love with Brandon, but I can't help what I feel for you, and I know you know what I'm talking about. Whatever this is between us....it's been there since we met. It's like I can't get enough of you, but all you do is push me away. It's all you've ever done!"
I was so mad at how Harper handled the situation once her and Chase slept together.
"I want you, Chase, but I can't hurt him. I won't hurt him any more than I have. I love him too so much."
"No matter who I choose, people will get hurt. And then what happens if I leave him? He lives in your house, Chase. He'll have to see us together, and it will kill him. I can't do that to him! He loves me, he hopped the first flight he could because he was scared for me and wants to come back to take care of me. How am I supposed to tell him I'm in love with someone else after that? If I left him for you, it would be bad for us."
So of course Harper runs back to Brandon and breaks Chase's heart. When Brandon finds out Harper cheated on him, I was having mixed feelings about the whole situation:
I was absolutely heartbroken for Brandon when he found out Chase and Harper had slept together when he was out of town and she was pregnant. My heart broke for him in Taking Chances when this happened, but in Stealing Harper and seeing how he was when him and Chase finally talked about the situation and with how much he was clearly hurting over the whole thing, I was devastated for Brandon. He was planning on eventually proposing to Harper and she and Chase, who Brandon thought of as a brother up until this point, stabbed him in the back, and it was like twisting the knife every time he had to see them together.
I watched as tears rolled down his face, and for the first time since this all started, I felt sick. All I'd wanted was her, and I never considered how that would hurt my brother. All I cared about was how I felt like I was dying without her. "I'm sorry."
"You were like a brother to me." Before I could respond, he turned to glare at me again. "But I'm sure you can understand why I'm saying we're done."
"Chase." He cleared his throat and shook his head once. "That girl means everything to me. Which means her baby does, too. I will never do to you what you did to Harper and me. But know this. If you do not take care of them, and cherish them....I will not hesitate again to beat the living shit out of you."
I was also happy for Chase because he never gave up on his love for Harper and he finally had his chance. His adoration for Harper and their unborn son (or as they liked to call him Gummy Bear or GB) was obvious, and it was great to see Chase finally happy after all the suffering Harper put him though when she was playing with his emotions.
"Harper, I love you more than I could ever explain. Meeting you changed my whole world."
"The night you told me you loved me was the best night of my life, up until tonight. I never want to let you go again, I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I want to marry you someday, Harper. I would do anything for you. I don't know what to do to make you believe me, but I'll spend forever trying to show you."
"I've always thought about being with you and starting a family. And even though it's sooner than I thought it would be, I'm so freaking excited that it's happening."
A short time later in the book of course, we all know because of Trish (the new girl at the tattoo shop) meddling in their lives and causing problems, Harper gets upset with Chase and he goes out driving. I blame Trish for what ultimately happened to Chase. If she wouldn't have gotten involved, Chase wouldn't have been out on the road driving.
Don't read this spoiler block unless you want to read a small part in the book after his accident and before Chase's final moments.
"Princess? God Harper- what have I done? I don't want to leave you and GB. God, please don't make me leave them"
"I love you, Princess, I'll always love you."
"I'll never leave you- I'll always be with you."
"Tell GB I love him....every day."
"I'm sorry for the time I wasted, but I'll cherish every second we had together."
"Take care of my family, brother. Please."
"Live, Princess, for me. I love you."
I still like the first book Taking Chances and always will and may read it again some day, but if I could go back - I wouldn't have read Stealing Harper because quite honestly I'm afraid it changed my opinion of some of the characters and I know for a fact that I'll never put myself through reading Stealing Harper again. I can't say I'd recommend Stealing Harper to fans of Taking Chances. -
Oh. My. Gosh. I am completely wrecked...UGH! Review to come, I need to grieve the loss of Chase...again.
Excuse me while I go bawl my eyes out...
“I wasn’t used to insignificant girls not wanting me. And she had no idea how bad that was for her. It just made the challenge that much better. I would get her. And I would enjoy breaking her heart.”
Chase Grayson, resident bad-boy. He hooks-up, sleeps around, but doesn’t settle down. Why would he when girls throw themselves at him? Partying, drinking, sex with a different girl (sometimes two) every night sounds like the way to go…until the stormy-eyed redhead walks into his house. Her blatant disgust for him becomes a challenge; one he’s going to enjoy. But who is she anyway and why can’t he just leave her alone? She’s his sister’s new roommate, Harper. Game on!
“Challenge or not, she was already getting under my damn skin too much for me to think clearly…I didn’t know where the protectiveness for her came from, but somehow I knew I’d do anything for this innocent girl, and I’d kill anyone who tried to take that innocence from her.”
I can’t even think of how to start. This book wrecked me in a big way…and I ALREADY knew what was going to happen! I sobbed like a blubbering fool; in the school car-pool line no less (talk about embarrassing) but I just HAD to read it.
“Harper, I will love you for the rest of my life.” She sucked in a quick breath but didn’t turn to look at me, and before she hopped out of my truck and away from me, she whispered softly, “You will always be in my heart, Chase Grayson.”
I loved seeing this unfold from Chase’s POV and it only made me love him more…I can’t say the same for Harper but I guess when communication isn’t forged honestly, things get messy. Even with knowing the outcome of the story and trying not to read to the end, I did and it was more awful than I thought it would be…I mean, ripped my heart out, awful, but well worth reading and so good at the same time. Thank you Molly McAdams for breaking my heart twice (and a third time as I write this), it was truly the sweetest, most beautiful pain.
“Her eyes were red, her cheeks splotchy, and she looked like someone had ripped out her heart. Me. I did that. I’m the one who put that look on her face.”
**5 Soul-Shattered Stars** -
Molly, are you trying to kill us????? Because I'm pretty sure most of us BARELY got through what happened to Chase in Taking Chances, now we must relive it from HIS pov?? Yeah, don't think I'll make it. Losing Chase was bad enough the first time :(
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I am sitting here crying again
That's some fantastic writing Molly McAdams.
This women is brilliant and it's truly amazing how a good she is at pulling you into Chase and Harper's story. If you haven't read "Taking Chances" or "Stealing Harper" you're missing out. I've read books and the next day go to write the review I can't remember their names, but I can honestly say I will NEVER, NEVER forget this story.
L) -
WOW
TRULY HEART BREAKING
EPIC HEARTBREAK
I AM SPEECHLESS...
My heart is literally breaking...I think I can hear my heart shattering into a million teeny tiny pieces!
Stealing Harper will forever be one of those books that I will never read again...ever...! Why...? I don't think I can live through that kinda heart break again. I knew going into this book how it would end, even though I knew that it would eventually lead to Chase's demise...I never thought that it would affect me the way it did! I mean come on I ugly cried almost throughout the whole second half of Taking Chances...this one? I was a blubbering mess when I read the words Chapter One!!
Chase is your typical tattooed, playboy bad boy! He's in his last year of college, he knows he's hot and he ain't ashamed of it. His baby sister has just started college and is bringing her new roommate to their annual house party to kick off the school year, little does he know that this will be the night that will change his life forever.
Can I say big ups to the amazingly talented Molly McAdams for writing such an amazingly beautiful masterpiece with Stealing Harper.
I knew what was gonna happen but I never thought that seeing it through Chase's eyes that I would connect with him on such an intimate level. I shared his highs, his lows, his heart break, his joy, his pain, his desperation and ultimately his demise. I was rooting for him since day one. He was a real asshole to Harper but oh how my heart would ache for him, because after every mean word he'd say to her he would slowly die inside from the regret that he felt from seeing those stormy eyes that he loved so much fill with pain, and I felt like I was dying alongside him. He was so devoted to this girl and he loved her completely and it was a beautiful experience for me to see it through his eyes. *sigh*
I haven't stopped crying...ugly crying at that and every time I think about Chase I get all teary eyed. This book was so beautifully written that I cannot express how much I loved it! There really are no words that can describe how incredibly moved and touched I was reading this story. I don't think I've experienced so much heart ache reading a book and I am so happy that I stuck to my guns and soldiered on. Loved it!
5 HEART-BREAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL STARS -
If you forgot why you hated Harper in Taking Chances #1, you'll be reminded in this sequel. Perceiving how unheroic and weak and hypocritical she is from her own POV was painful. But from Chase's POV, it's excruciating. Especially since the story is just a repeat, and you already know how it ends.
All the things I liked about the first book are missing in this one. The family is preachy instead of supportive. Brandon, the truest thing to a hero in this story, is nonexistent. And the writing isn't as strong.
I read this with the hope Chase's POV would expose why he and Brandon want this unlikeable girl so badly. Chase is asked at one point what is it about her. His response: "Everything about her." That's as close as we get to learning what drives him. Character motivations are lacking. This POV doesn't add any depth or revelations and I was tempted to skim through most of it. -
Okay, so when I finished reading Taking Chances and heard about this book, I swore that I would never read it. Never in a million years!
But that was six months ago now, and when this was released I found myself desperate to read the story from Chase's POV.
I'm not going to give you quotes or tell you about the ending, which we all know is beyond devastating. But what I will tell you, was that this book was incredible.
I was hooked from start to finish and found myself more and more in love with chase after every word and every beautiful and selfless though that went through his mind.
I loved seeing how Harper's choices affected him, and how those actions seemed, coming from the other side or the situation. It totally blew me away and I understood his reasoning so much more.
I adored that we got to see Chase spend time with his parents and the way he spoke to them about pretty much everything. They are awesome and hilarious.
The relationship Chase had with Brian and Marissa was such a great addition to this story and I think it's a real shame that we only got to meet them now and not in TC.
Seeing Trish again was so awful, but it was also enlightening. To see just how differently she behaved when Harper wasn't around. I hated her even more for the disgusting way she behaved and tearing them apart for her own selfish and pointless reasons. I felt so much worse for Chase in this book; he really was completely unaware of what she was doing...
Anyway, I am going to leave it there and just say to all of you Taking Chances fans... I know you think this book will break your heart all over again, and I'd like to tell you it won't. But I'd be lying. Seeing Chase and what happened will destroy you, just like it did me. But I promise you, it's worth it. -
3 stars means I liked it. I did like it, I didn't love it. I liked Taking Chances, just as it was written. It would've been any ordinary book if Chase and Harper got together after she was knocked up and live happily ever after. Did I want Chase to die? No. But it did make for a interesting turn of events. Like Harper I liked both guys. Brandon was my favorite, I think. He was genuine, thoughtful, loyal and a good friend above all. Chase was a playboy, but he did change his ways after falling for Harper. Chase was underhanded in his pursuit of Harper. He was desperate. In this book, I see his he was tortured. But he also did it to himself. I don't like Chase any more or less than I did before, but it was nice being in his head. My heart ached for him at times. The accident scene was so incredibly sad.
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So utterly heartbreaking. Normally books don't make me cry but i had tears in my eyes for quite a lot of the book and at the end i was crying so hard it was a struggle to see the pages.
An absolute must read. Read Taking Chances first even though the heartbreak may then make you relutant to read this.
FULL REVIEW
Most of you probably know of my love of Taking Chances, the single most beautiful and heartbreaking book I have ever read. Until now. Stealing Harper is part of the story of Taking Chances told from Chase's point of view. Chase whose love for his best friends girl had thousands of readers across the world fall in love with him.
If you haven't yet read the first book I recommend reading my review and then immediately buying the book. However, this book is suitable for those who haven't read the first book as i have hidden the spoilers for Taking Chances.
This book is beautifully written and oh so sad. Molly McAdams is an incredible writer and has managed to successfully pull off a book that I don't think many people could. The writing is so expressive that you are dragged into the story and feel each characters every emotion.
One of the amazing aspects of this book is that it shows the transformation of someone who starts as just a womaniser into someone who is loyal and loving and crazy for one girl. It seemed very realistic and it was great to see this transformation explained.
Chase is definitely up there with the most lovable male characters ever. He is possibly my number one favourite. I am not normally the type of person to proclaim a book boyfriend but he makes me want to walk around in a t-shirt that says "Mrs Chase Grayson". He is kind, sweet, romantic and even though he messes up a little at times you can see that he truly cares for Harper.
If you are going to read this book then prepare to fall madly in love with the characters and even a little with the author for writing such an incredible book. Also be prepared to be heart broken. I recommend getting a big box of tissues and a feel good movie to watch when you have finished.
*Ahead are spoilers for Taking Chances*
You must read this amazing book. You must read ALL of Molly's books. The next to be released is Forgiving Lies and I have already read the start as it was at the end of this book and I need the rest now. I will just re-read this to feed my Molly McAdams addiction until I can get a copy of her next book.
*I received an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my opinions or my rating in any way*
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No entiendo cómo demonios le ponen 5 estrellas .-.
¿Qué cosas nuevas pueden pasar?
En serio... ¿Qué le ven a estos libros?!
Es lo más irreal y estúpido que he leído en mi vida.
Nadie va por ahí haciendo las cosas que pasan en el libro y tiene un final feliz... Lo creería si ALGUIEN le hubiera dicho sus verdades a Harper, ¡pero no! Todo el mundo la adora!!
Simplemente, no es creíble 77 -
I finished SH and it is nice to have his side of story.I did't cry like i thought and i think it's because i have mentally prepared myself.I love chase and i wish Molly didn't go to that route on the first book but then it's all done and i have cried buckets because of it.
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Meh, it was alright. I'd forgotten how much I hated Harper though and she annoyed me twice as much this time round. I loved Chase in Taking Chances but he was a bit of a sap in one.
I got my closure though and glad I read it. -
I was in the mood for a bit of angst, and I had been lately in a book funk, so I figured why not read Molly McAdams -Stealing Harper as I knew I would enjoy it and want to continue reading it. So I started at. First, I was trying to remember what happened in Taking Chances as of course it's been years since I had read that book. In fact, it was my second book I had read from Molly McAdams and seems like light years ago now. Of course, as I was reading Stealing Harper it all came rushing back, and then I hit the point on whether I should continue with this book as of course seeing as it was from Chase's POV - the story only had one way to end, and it was not an HEA ending for all those who remember what happened in Taking Chances. Stealing Harper is Chase's POV and we see his story from the first meeting of Harper - the girl with the gray eyes and how she consumed him so much that she became his whole world and would do anything to get her and then of course when he did, things were still rocky, and they weren't a perfect relationship around . In fact, Chase felt more destructive with her as he did without her. Also, I got to hate Trish all over again in Stealing Harper - I still blame her for the way Chase's life ended.
Stealing Harper should only be read by those who have read Taking Chances first as otherwise, it will spoil the ending.
