| Title | : | Anna's Dress |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 318 |
| Publication | : | Published January 2, 2018 |
She was the "bad girl" all the guys wanted and I was the "good girl" everyone overlooked.
Now my sister is dead. I'm alone, left in the shadow she cast over me.
He's the last person I expect to see at the funeral.
Anna's Dress Reviews
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#DNF 80%
I lost interest. Heroes TSTL.
Anna is a toxic addicted whore who has poisoned everyone's life.
And everyone accepted and was wrapping themselves in the web of destruction of this selfish and maipulative bitch. -
If you feel that you’re being taken advantage of by someone or you know someone who is being “used” by someone please read or pass this book to them...
This book made one thing perfectly clear - enabling someone instead of helping them - rehab, jail time, etc - you are ruining your life. No one in Anna’s life actually helped her...they kept making excuses for her and it cost everyone in the end.
I had sympathy for NO ONE in this book - least of all Anna who did what she did on purpose... -
It's me not the book
Still don't know what went ok with him and the sister but the heroine and hero both moved on while apart. They meet back at the funeral for the evil sister and bam they are still in love. But I didn't buy the B'S he was dishing out about how it was always for her. Gag me! And to the other reviewers who said he was their book boyfriend, you need to find a real man. He was just a poor excuse of a man! Unless you like heartbreak, deceit and neglect. And to lust after your sister too. Then this man is for you! -
I enjoyed reading this story and the storyline of small town life for teens, families going nowhere
Adena and Anna were orphan's living with their Aunt Beth, after their parents death.
Anna, the younger sister, was uncontrollable and was wild. She would sneak out of the house and drink, do drugs and smoke. Going to parties getting drunk and high and picked up by the police. Anna stole from her Aunt and sister. She caused arguments and chaos.
Adena was always there for Anna, even when it became verbal. Anna would be nice and then she would turn on her sister with her viscous insults and words. She would steall money, clothes whatever she wanted.
Then there was Evan. He was always there to take care of Anna when she called. He was at her beck and call. He would show up stand on the side of the house and wait for her to sneak out. Then who knew what they were up to until she returned the next day or days later.
The problem with Evan was that Adena was in love with him herself. But what she didn't know was that he wanted to date her, only Anna always needed him… When Anna was hurt in a car accident, Evan disappeared… -
Anna's Dress was truly one of the most emotionally heartfelt books I have read. I can't tell you how many times my heart just break for Adena and Evan individually and as you realize all the missed opportunities. As for Anna there is not much I can say about her other than she was a very well written character but wow I did not like her.
This book provided me such an amazing emotional roller coaster and I have read it twice now since it was released and I am sure it will be my go to book for the future too. Happy reading...... -
I love this book so much, it was easy to relate too. Anna what a hot frickin’ mess ruining everything because she was so miserable, she wanted to hurt everyone else & she she ruin lives because she could. Her death brought Adena & Evan together which was the best thing she ever did. With all the lies, all the stories, all the hurt, pain & destructions Anna cause Adena & Evan finally found their need, want & love for each other. It was heart breaking & beautiful all at the same time!
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I don't know why everyone bent over backwards for this Anna girl. She was a class A bitch throughout. No redeeming. I could have understood if she'd changed towards the end, it would have made the hero forever trailing after her to pick up her mess in order to make the girl he did love life better.
I felt the story was weak at best. -
Really liked reading this but what a heartbreaking story.. I think I shed one tear or two when Adena was reading Anna's letter. A great book to start the year right.
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As if 😒
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Beautiful and a little (a lot) heartbreaking. That's the perfect description of Anna's Dress. Jaxson and London never cease to tear my heart apart and by the end, piece it back together just a little. That's what they did with Anna's Dress, and what they'll probably always do with anything they write.
Adena is the good sister, the good girl. She's forever in the shadow of her bad girl younger sister. When Anna steals Adena's love, Evan, she figures her life can't get much worse. But, it can. So much worse. All because of Anna and her insane desire to tear the world apart and bring everyone down so they feel the misery she can't seem to control. But, in a twisted way, she's the cause of Adena getting her love back, because when Anna dies, Evan comes back to town for her funeral and Adena and Evan can't seem to resist each other, the way they resisted each other all those years ago.
Evan reminds me of Dean Winchester in Supernatural (my favorite show of all time!) with his never ending desire to take care of Anna. Dean takes care of Sammy because his dad force fed it to him from the time Dean was a little kid, that taking care of Sammy was Dean's job, his only reason for living. Evan is force fed the same thing, that he has to take care of Anna. His motivation is a little different, though, and it's that motivation that he keeps a secret, to his detriment, from Adena. Thank God Anna dies, though (I know, that sounds cruel, but it's true), because it gets Evan back into town and makes him realize just what he walked away from.
Anna's Dress is just as heartbreaking as
Dear Everly: a romance novel, and has as much emotional impact, if for different reasons. I don't think I'll ever tire of Jaxson and London's brand of heartbreak. It's beautiful and brutal and about kills me every single time, but it's so worth it. 1-click Anna's Dress today if you're as addicted to Jaxson and London's pain as much as I am.
I received an ARC for an honest review. -
Evan and Adena were brought together peculiar circumstances. Anna sister is a bit on the wild side and both try their best to keep her safe but Anna does what she wants when she wants and makes no apologies for it. From the moment Adena met Evan she was in love but it was Anna who always commanded his attention. Adena worked hard in high school to by a dress for a school dance. In Adena's heart that dance and that dress was suppose to be the beginning of Evan and her relationship but as it was always the case Anna ruined it. Anna stole that dress and wore it to that dance. Trauma after trauma proves too much for Evan and he finally leaves giving up on his job as Anna's babysitter. Starting a new path of his own despite his unrequited love he had for Adena. Anna continued to make life hell for her sister and their aunt. Anna is lost and damaged soul who is haunted by the memory of their parents and because of that pain she takes pleasure in hurting others. A tragedy brings Evan back and the love he and Adena were forced to deny blossomed though the past continued to haunt them both. Though in order to finally have the life they both deserve, its time they come clean on all the pain of the tragedy and pain that Anna caused. The missed kisses, glances, and the stolen confessions. Once they get through that they begin with not so clean slate and begin to have the love and life they were always destined to have together.
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This story was incredibly beautiful. The words give you all the feels. I absolutely loved this well-written, emotional journey of two broken souls and finding their way back to eachother!
Adena is the older sister. She’s the one that follows the rules, the boring one. She does all the right things and always takes care of Anna, her younger, wild sister. Her unconditional love, that causes her to lose so much, never waivers for Anna.
Anna was always trouble. Truly damaged. She hurt herself and others to make the pain of her past stop. She was a selfish, self-destructive, cruel total mess that hurt everyone around her.
Evan was the boy who Adena loved. But he was the boy that Anna stole from her sister. He took care of Anna, just like everyone else. He was the bad boy, the one that was always in trouble, no family life, no home. But he had so many secrets.
Years later after an accident involving Anna, Evan disappears. He left their small town to just start over. But a loss brings him back. But with his return, the past comes back as well. It’s full of so many secrets and pain. But in order to move forward, sometimes we have to re-live the past.
This is Adena’s story of her life with a sister who only knew how to take and hurt. It’s about her letting go of the pain and hurt to get what she deserves out of life. This story is unforgettable. -
Heart wrenching, page turning emotional read.
I loved this book. I truly hated Anna, she is a self centered, manipulative, wh@#e. Thankfully she is not the lead female character in this book. Adena is Anna's older sister by two years. After their parents died they moved in with their Aunt Beth. Anna definitely wins the worst sister award in this book. She does what she wants and says f#$k the consequences. She is always out getting drunk, taking drugs, stealing from everyone including her family and f#$king any guy that will have her. She constantly berates her sister and tells her she is fat and too much of a goody two shoes. When the sisters meet Evan for the first time, it's right after he steals a car and Anna robbed a house with Adena in tow. Adena truly fell in love with Evan the instant they met. Anna also found Evan attractive and wanted to f#$k him. With all of Anna's screwed up antics Evan tries to keep her safe and out of trouble. Adena is constantly disappointed that Evan seems to want to be with her sister, but the thing that really broke her was the incident with the dress. Then a pregnancy and proposal devastated Adena. Grab this totally heart wrenching book and hang on for the ride and find out what happens when all the secrets of the past come to light. Will Adena get a HEA or will her sister steal that from her as well? -
Big-time heartbreak and redemption rolled into one heart-wrenching drama
Jaxson Kidman and London Casey did it again with Anna’s Dress. It is a must read, not to be missed. This story is poignant, filled with heartbreak, drama and raw emotion. The story enthralled me and I just couldn’t put it down, but yet, with each turn I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was apprehensive that Adena and Evan would not get an ending deserving of the second chance that was a long time coming. But wow, what an ending.
Anna’s Dress tore my heart out, I admit I was a mess of emotion and outrage for Adena. Ever-supportive Adena was the protector and buffer between Anna and Aunt Beth. And well, everything really in life when it came to the disordered and confusing life that is Anna.
What I really loved about the story is how it unfolded. Things are not what they seem and the plot just blossomed into one revelation to the next. Backstory is intricately weaved and smoothly transitioned into past and present making Anna’s Dress a winner. Wonderful job, Mr. Kidman and Ms. Casey. I highly recommend this beautifully well written, second chance romance. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book. -
WOW! The feels. Ugly Cry. If you've read Dear Everly it's right up there with it. Jaxson & London strike again.
Anna, Party Girl, may it be boys, stealing, booze or drugs. All round trouble maker. Constantly putting & letting Adena and their Aunt down.
Adena, Older Sister to Anna, Good Girl, outside looking in, in Anna's shadow, bails Anna out, cause she does love her Sister, gets let down by Anna's behaviour & it gets reflected onto her, tries to take some of the pressure off their Aunt by getting a few jobs.
Evan, drawn to Anna cause she has this edge to her, but it's Adena who's gotten his hearts attention, he thinks he's helping Adena by keeping himself and Anna out of her way.
Evan leaves their home town after an accident and having enough of Anna's antics to work with his Uncle in his welding shop.
Years later he gets word that Anna's passed so he returns for her funeral. Coming face to face with Adena. Will he reveal all of his & Anna's secrets? Will Adena find out before Evan gets to tell her?
Can they sort things out between them, or has the time that's passed between them been too much?
Please have tissues at hand.
I received an advanced copy for an honest review.
I absolutely loved it & had to buy it. -
This book was beyond amazing. It was through a point of view that I totally could relate to. In any body's wildest dreams could we have imagined what thia story would tell. The life of Adena was so sad, that you couldn't help but fill for her and everything that she had to deal with. Then we have Evan, a young man who made promises to so many people that he did the only thing he could...he left for good. After years have past he comes home for the worse reason. The death of Anna. But through all the ups and downs it finally came full circle for Adena and Evan. Life, love and happiness was what they both deserved and got. Time was finally in their side.
I'd like to congratulate Jaxon and London on another brilliant masterpiece. This one is by far the best one I think I've had the privilege to read and I am giving this one more than 5 stars. They really out did it with this ine. I hoe that if some is to read my review that they think...wow this person said some wonderful things and maybe it's a great story to pick it up and read it. Please keep writing amazung, brilliant, wonderful pieces of work. You have a fan for life. I definitely give this 6 or more stars but rating only go up to 5. I voluntarily reviewed this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy. -
2.80 stars
So, here is my dilemma with this book. The blurb isn't accurate. And neither is the book promo posts I've seen on facebook "I didn't mean to fall in love with sisters."
The hero never loved the bitchy sister. He has some misplaced responsibility to forever keep her out of trouble (even though she never deserved anyone's loyalty, she was terrible and was terrible right till she died) For which I still don't understand. Why didn't he just take his happy with the sister he did love? that kind of hero is just too stupid to attach to.
It was okay. I like angst and longing from the H/h so that kept me reading, but the bitchy sister and the fact that the blurb made no sense irked me. -
So I was wrong at first, MY UPDATE on goodreads.com
I ended up absolutely loving Evan, I don't think of Adena as being as pathetic now putting up with what she did. I hated Anna for all things possible and still am disgusted with Evan for his part. Intentions were good but pissed me off to say the least. I enjoyed it alot even though I was going to do a DNF eventually, I'm happy I didn't. Things aren't always as they seem, not every detail that is. -
Kidman and Casey really delivered on this one! It’s not the angsty, “I can’t make up my mind" or love/hate book typical of young adult fiction, but a tenuous, tragic, harrowing look at devastated lives where hope, redemption and love win in the end. There’s so much authentic emotion that Evan and Dena’s story draws you in, ties your heart in knots and clings to your psyche long after the last page.
Anna and Adena were both affected differently by their parents' deaths. Dena, being the older sister, was the responsible one who constantly tried to put the pieces back together as Anna went off the rails, always leaving a wake of destruction in her path. Evan was a lost soul who recognized the pain in Anna and tried to keep her in check, all the while quietly in love with Dena. A guy with a huge heart, he knew he wasn’t good enough for Dena but thought that by trying to corral Anna it would free Dena up to realize her dreams and get out of their dead-end town. But of course, things didn’t work out quite like he hoped.
Evan and Dena are two of the most authentic, complex, troubled characters that I’ve read about in a long time, and I couldn’t help but love them. I was gutted as I watched Anna tear their lives apart, time after time, yet my heart went out to the troubled, toxic disaster that was Anna. I’m not sure when I’ve ever seen two people so deserving of their happily ever after, one that was ripped away so many times, and with so much heartache before finally being able to embrace their love and have a life together. This book will take you through every emotion possible as you experience Evan and Dena’s journey. It will leave you feeling a bit battered, but your heart will be full and happy as they find their forever. Don’t miss this raw, heart wrenching, phenomenal, uplifting story! Run to the 1-Click button and start reading now! -
If there is one thing London Casey and Jaxson Kidman are good at, it's writing phenomenal stories that you can't stop thinking about long after you've read the last page. Anna's Dress is an emotional, heartbreaking and breath stealing romance story where secrets are revealed and love is professed.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book. -
Arc review For honest review. Anna after her sisters death she is trying to find out were she in her life now. Evan is a man that always loved her. Very cute.
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[did not finish] stop at chapter 16, really did not like this book AT ALL. hate the interchanging of present n past scenes, really hate author who writes like that. characters felt stupid in general. adena is a doormat, anna is a bitch who is fuck in her head and evan just feel like an asshole. don't understand why the book is name "anna's dress" either when its adena's dress she wore.
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dnf at 60%
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This is a very emotional story about two sisters who live completely different lives. Anna is wild, while Adena is just the opposite and then comes the day they cross paths with Evan. When Anna realises there is a spark between Adena and Evan, she is determined to come between them anyway she can. Adena was always the perfect one, while Anna was never herself because she didn’t know who she was. Adena has a plan to attract Evan’s attention, and it all has to do with the dress, but her plan backfires and once again she is left wondering what could have been. When Anna dies, secrets are revealed. Adena would say that Evan has stolen her heart, but that had really happened years ago. I really enjoyed reading this book and would have no hesitation in recommending it.
This is a tumultuous story about Adena, her troubled sister Anna and Evan. From the moment the three meet, their lives are intricately linked. After the loss of their parents, Adena and Anna are taken in by their Aunt Beth, but Anna’s grief at losing her parents has a profound effect on her. Nevertheless, while her aunt fights a losing battle for years, she never once gives up on Anna. Anna feared nothing; she hid her pain and anger, but her eyes always showed the truth. Adena is the opposite of Anna and no matter how much she taunts or hurt hers, Adena still loved Anna unconditionally and did all she could to protect her; and in her own way Anna loved her too. Forever wild, from the moment Evan meets Anna, he has good and bad moments with her, sharing so many dark secrets. But Evan really loves Adena. Never knowing where he was sleeping or where his next meal would come from, Evan knows he has nothing to offer Adena, other than looking out for Anna, so Adena could have the life she deserved; if it made Adena’s life easier, then it was all worth it. The truth of the story is that Evan didn’t mess up Adena’s life, someone else did; Evan could have saved Adena from so much pain, but he didn’t and had even stolen her heart. Eventually circumstances force Evan to leave town, taking up a job with his Uncle; but all he is doing really is hiding out. When word reaches Evan that Anna is dead, he attends her funeral and Adena cannot believe that Evan is really back after all these years. The way Evan left, the words unsaid, the time wasted and now he was back and it was the same as before; him looking at Anna instead of her. If Adena and Evan want to put the past behind them and move forward, Evan has to reveal all the dirty secrets he shared with Anna and see where it eventually leads them. In the meantime, Anna has left one more surprise for Adena. In her closet is the dress and with it a handwritten note telling Adena everything she wants to know. Anna confesses she never knew who she really was, but it is too late now because she is gone; she had left behind scars that were unseen, but forever felt, but she had also left the dress behind; if Anna’s last and lingering memory was feeling pretty in that dress, then maybe everything was worth it. A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. -
First, this was more 4.5/5 for me. In the end, this is about weathering the storm of addiction and finding love and forgiveness on the other side. It is about love in so many forms and ways - patience, sacrifice, perseverance, selflessness, secret, unrequited, and true.
Well edited.
Adena has lived most of her life caring for her sister. She is older, and has felt responsible for Anna since she was born. Their mother was abusive, but after she was gone, the sister's found a home with their aunt. Adena thrived under their aunt's care. Anna grieved for her mother and resented her aunt. Anna embraced alcohol, drugs, manipulation, sex, and whatever trial she could find for her aunt and sister. In their teens, the girls met Evan. Adena harbors feelings for Evan for years. Unfortunately, he always ends up with Anna. After a particularly terrible night, Evan leaves town. Anna continues her wild ways. Adena is heartbroken.
Years pass. Anna continues on unabated. Adena continues to clean up mess after mess. Evan is still gone. Until Anna's life catches up with her. Once more, Adena has to pick up the pieces. And Evan finally comes home. As Adena tries to adjust to the new normal - finding her way in a world with no more drama and mess from Anna, she learns truths about Anna that rock her world. While she always knew Anna was troubled, she had no idea just how devious, hurtful, and hateful Anna really was. As Evan continues to come around after the funeral, Adena gains new perspective on the past. Will Adena let go of the past and embrace a future with Evan? Or will she allow Anna to steal happiness one more time? After all, the dress was never really Anna's to begin with.
Truth is, I love Jaxson's books. They deal with life - the ups, the downs, the hope, the fear, the nasty, and the love. Reading, you wonder why anyone tries with Anna. Reality is, when you love someone, you put up with a lot, hoping that THIS time will be the one that helps. The truth of Evan, Anna, and Adena is heart-wrenching. The lengths Evan goes to for the one he loves is amazing. When the truth comes out, you want to shake Evan even as you understand his reasoning. In the end, Love wins. What could be better? Enjoy! -
This is my first book by London Casey and Jaxson Kidman and definitely will not be my last. Damn real life for getting in the way of my reading. I did not want to put this book down.
Past and Present...
Present and Past...
The what if’s...
The second guessing...
The secrets...
Anna’s Dress is an emotional, earth shattering, heart breaking read. My poor heart wasn’t going to survive. From Anna to Adena to Aunt Beth and even Evan - there were times I wanted to smack each and everyone of them though and times that they frustrated the living daylights out of me. If my family wouldn’t have looked at me strangely I probably would have been yelling at my kindle. Total emotional overload but in oh such a good, ugly cry way (the freaking letter 😭).
When Adena and Evan’s lives intertwine again will they be able to get beyond what happened in the past and move forward to a happy future? In Anna’s Dress you are taken back and forth between the past and present and learn the story behind Anna’s Dress. At the end of the day, this is a beautiful, gut wrenching story about Second Chances and how your life can change even when you think you have lost it all.
Have you ever had a friend or loved one who is an attention seeker - whether it’s in a good way or bad? Well Anna is that one person - you want to feel bad for her, you want to smack her, you want to just wrap your arms around her and give her a huge hug and you also really want to hate her but deep down you can’t. Like I said before this book is a total emotional overload kinda read - just gut wrenching for all involved.
Then you have Adena - the good girl, the one always playing devils advocate and in the shadow of her baby sister. Can you see where the drama might come into play here? My heart ached for Adena while at the same time wanting to smack her head and tell her to stop being walked all over. Throughout the entire book I really didn’t know whether to love or hate everyone single one of the characters.
London Casey and Jaxson Kidman have written a BEAUTIFUL and HEARTBREAKING story. I truly loved every minute of this book. -
👗🥻Anna's Dress👗🥻
This is so good; it definitely deserves more than 5 stars. You have to give this book a chance and read it right away! It is a beautifully raw, heart-wrenching, and heartbreaking story. Adena(Dena) and her younger sister Anna's life was far from ideal. They spent the first few years of their lives being raised by parents who weren't only junkies; they were very abüsïvë. Especially to Dena, who was so smart for her young age, and they hated her for it. Luckily that abüsë didn't last long since they were kïllëd in a car wreck and the girls were sent to live with their aunt Beth. She did all she could to raise and love the girls but Anna was not having that. She wanted to do what she wanted and run wild. They meet Evan one day and while Anna is instantly attracted to him, he was instantly drawn to Dena. True to Anna's reckless behavior, she did all she could to keep Evan to herself and away from Dena. For years Evan stuck by Anna trying to keep her out of trouble and put of Dena's hair. In hopes that that would allow the older sister to flourish. It was working until it wasn't. There were so many secrets, regrets, and hidden feelings between everyone. Evan got tired of being Anna's self-appointed babysitter after an accident that almost killed her, so he left their dead-end town. He thought he was doing the right thing by putting distance between himself and Adena. But he was so wrong. Instead Dena was left to fend for herself and take care of Anna on her own while trying to run her business. The same that Anna single handedly ruined for her. Then suddenly Anna is gone, Evan is back and Dena is so lost. There's so much for them to talk and work through after so much time lost between them. And in the end they get their much deserved HEA that Anna ripped away from them over and over. Definitely recommend this book and the rest of the True Hearts collection. 💕 -
I don't really know what to think about this book. Well, I know I love it but I'm really confused about what to think about Anna.
After Anna's death, Adena The Good Sister is lost. She has no one left anymore in this world and she's lost everything because of Anna. But you can't help who your family is, right?
And then comes Evan, the ultimate bad boy, who loves both sister but in different ways and they both love him back. What happens now? And will their past stay hidden or will it come to haunt them?
Okay, so I really really really love small town romances. Love reading about the odd characters in town and the history between all the friends and the funny stories from high school.
I really liked Adena. She was cute, funny, sweet and so strong. I loved that she was a responsible adult and Sure, she seemed a little uptight at times but her heart was in the right place. I also liked her relationship with Aunt Beth as well as with her friends.
And God, Evan was so so so hot! He's the perfect example that you must never judge a book by its cover. Yeah, he hadhis moments where he was 'bad' but that and will change your mind so fast! Also, Aww! He was too cute with his Uncle.
I LOVED all the secondary characters in this book because they're so well written and you feels you know them already.
This story was so emotional and heartbreaking and you'll feel so bad for Adena and Evan. The build up is great and you feel the push and pull between them. Also, those sexy times are so dirty and hot! Yum!
At some point you will a little sorry for Anna. But not too long. I hated her for almost the entire length of the book and I loved that because again, she was so well written.
This duo is so dangerous for my bank account because I ALWAYS one-click them and they never disappoint. Can't wait for the next one!
