I've been a fan of historical romance as long as I can remember. Usually I go for the glamorous regency era, but this time I decided to try something new. The Loner rises above any expectations that I thought I had. Logan and Caroline take emotions on an adventurous route to romance. March intrigues with danger, tempts with passion and captures hearts with a whirlwind of emotion. I may just have to rethink my stand on western historical romance.

 

A special thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From the author of The Love Story of Jonny Valentine- a novelist, a columnist for the New York Times, and a regular toThe New Yorker, Teddy Wayne delivers a captivating novel of a Harvard freshman who becomes obsessed with a classmate.

LONER is witty, creepy, and layered with absorbing insights – a portrayal of the dangers of monsters which live among us, and the hyper-connected contemporary digital age of today. From privilege, entitlement, greed, a psychopath, to dark and dangerous obsession.

A terrifying cautionary stalker tale. A young man which does not have what he feels he's entitled to. Antisocial personality disorder characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in local culture. A marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules.

A smart, deeply insecure, and socially unacceptable Harvard freshman makes his way through life, relationships, and an attempt at love—from academics to social challenges.

David Alan Federman, a new Harvard student. His roommate Steven Zenger, the extroverted physicist in training. His New Jersey lawyer father and mother; they seem excited. The first day with their false words of wisdom. His dad said he had to find his "tribe". He had hoped his roommate would help upgrade him, to a higher social stratum. A new start from high school.

When the college acceptance list was posted, his classmates were shocked that he was their class’s lone Harvard-bound senior (David Federman’s yearbook prediction—fill in later). David is a loner. And he is troubled. His parents have always acted slightly unnatural around him. He hopes his luck will change when he gets to Harvard. He wants to become “someone”.

"It’s convenient, in hindsight, to blame Harvard." But it wasn’t the guilty party.

Immediately, David (which likes to spell things backwards) is captivated by Veronica Morgan Wells. He is infatuated with Veronica, a glamorous, sophisticated Manhattanite, in his dorm. The New Yorker. Park Avenue. Her world was not limited to high schools, but encompassed small-world networks of the well-heeled: second homes, clubs, family connections.

She is clearly “out of his league”. However, he is driven, misguided, and tenacious. He has an evil clever plan. He has a goal. Getting to her through her roommate, Sara, from Ohio. A two-person suite.

What begins as an infatuation, spirals out of control: a dark, disturbing portrait of obsession and an examination of class and gender politics.

"There’s just one Everest, and only the most heroic can reach the summit."

When things get intense, Veronica may have her own agenda. Who is using whom? The tables may turn. David thought, Veronica could be impressed with his idiosyncratic yet weird talent. David has hope--beneath her sophisticated outward appearance, she may be something of a loner which could be his soul mate, or so he wishes.

Though all his sacrifices with Sara, will Veronica overhear him? (the author really has some witty lines) Will his wacky plan work? He had the power to wound another person. He wanted to be the kind of person people gossiped about. He may just get his wish.

“She could coast at Harvard on sheer native aptitude. Just like me.”

My Favorite Part: Freshman Lower-Value Male “Beta!”Reality check. To what lengths would Beta extend himself for a presumptive possibility of sex? Power dynamics.

“Each time my eyes passed over the word 'Beta', it was as if an organ were surgically extracted from me without anesthesia and deposited on the operating table so I could witness my own vivisection.” That’s all I was to you? 'Beta'.“That’s all I was.”

A creative in-depth look at the disturbing psychotic mind of a young man, longing to be socially accepted. His whole world revolves around his obsession. From social media to stalking, he never lets up with the games. Quite entertaining.

In our world today of violence and hatred, a realistic portrayal of the minds of those, who resort to the horrific acts, we see plastered in the news today. From sexual assault, racial and sexual discrimination, predators, and blowing up night clubs, colleges, and schools. It starts somewhere and ignites.

Dark, twisted, and psychotic suspense. Yes, even literary, with the author’s well-crafted prose. A brilliant tale of obsessive love...it's GONE GIRL meets a version of YOU, and the guy everyone loves to hate “Joe.” However, David is not a likable soul, so he will not have the same love/hate affair relationship with the reader.

Fans of The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman will enjoy!

 

 

Some great posts and interviews with the author:

"Loner Author Teddy Wayne on Tackling the Campus Novel and Male Privilege" The author discusses the dark social forces that influenced his latest book. Vanity Fair

"A startlingly sharp study of not just collegiate culture, but of social forces at large; a novel as absorbing as it is devastating. " Chicago Tribune

"Teddy Wayne's Loner Sheds Light on the Plight of All the Sad, Insecure Young Men" Esquire

An unusual and interesting book, more snippets of philosophy than poetry by this Irish poet. Set in an easy to read format the, at times, deeply profound content is made easier to digest by its presentation. Written in 3 viewpoints - One, The Other, I - the text takes the reader on a journey through the poet's consciousness and reaction to life in the context of these different perspectives, with quotes from famous people as a starting point. Fascinating, challenging and thought provoking, I would have preferred more raw emotion to balance the highly intellectual ideas. My favourite piece was 175. safe love. This text is a keeper as, at a different times in life, a reader will always find further meaning in the words.

Roland West, Loner - Theresa Linden I really enjoyed this book. It introduced me to Saint Conrad of Parzham, and I love it when books introduce me to saints I didn’t know before. Roland West Loner is about two fourteen-year-old boys, Roland and Peter. Roland is trying to escape his maniac brother who will do pretty much anything to go on a trip to Italy that their father planned for Roland. Peter has just received an inheritance from his grandfather, and Roland feels very drawn to it. Peter is not very nice to his little brother Toby who has autism, or to his friend Caitlyn, while Roland is a very private person who has trouble trusting others. I really enjoyed watching the character growth of these two, as well as the character growth that Caitlyn had. Roland West Loner didn’t feel like it needs a sequel, but there were some unanswered questions that I will talk about under spoiler warnings.

I thought that the writing got a little bit sloppy at the end. I thought that the showdown, if you can call it that, with Mr. Reinhart could have been done better. I mean, Jarrett stops him from getting away and then tries to take the box from him and the other characters laugh. It didn’t make sense that they laughed, even though it probably looked funny, Mr. Reinhart and Jarrett getting into a cat fight and slapping each other’s hands, but Mr. Reinhart was trying to steal the Saint Conrad relics and I didn’t think that laughing at that part was very appropriate. I was also rather disappointed by how quickly Dominic and Foster made up. Foster had been bullying Dominic for the past year or more and then Dominic was miraculously healed from his paralysis and the next time Foster sees him they make up really quickly. I thought that there really would have to be more emotional healing for both of them. It makes it look like Foster had stopped being friends with Dominic because Dominic couldn’t walk, when Peter said it was because after he was paralyzed, Dominic spent a year pushing the away the people who cared about him, and Foster was hurt because of that, and then Foster hurt Dominic by horrendous bullying. I really thought that there would need to be more healing and forgiving each other.

I also thought that there could have been more of an exchange of explanations between Dominic and Roland. Dominic had been gossiping about Roland almost constantly at school, and there was never any discussion between those two. Dominic never talked to Roland enough to know how much his gossiping bothered Roland and apologize. In fact, I doubt that Dominic even realized he was gossiping. Once you start gossiping you start to forget that that is what you are doing, and you convince yourself that you are only ‘discussing’ a person, not tearing them down and spreading rumors, but I don’t think Dominic had yet admitted to himself that he was gossiping about Roland, and I still would have liked to have seen them get to know one another enough for Roland to help Dominic to realize that he was hurting people by spreading rumors, and Dominic to apologize.

Two other things that we never learned were; how did Roland’s mother die? And why is Roland afraid of cold water? Roland’s mother died in an accident during an archeology project and, because of Roland’s fear of water I’m thinking it had something to do with water, but did it? We never learn. There was another little tidbit hinted at that was never actually discussed and that was that Roland runs away every year on the day his mother died. Where does he go? What does he do? How does his family react? At this point Roland has had enough character growth that an explanation wouldn’t do that much for our understanding of his character, but if we had learned that at the beginning of the book I think it could have added character depth.

The ending was not very satisfying. It could almost be, but it isn’t. I feel bad for Keefe because Roland’s dad said “You’re the one I overlook the most.” Which is true. He isn’t as badly behaved as Jarrett that he gets a lot of attention from reprimands, but he isn’t as good as Roland so he gets attention for being a good person. Even so I was frustrated when Keefe got the trip to Italy. Jarrett describes Keefe as his conscience, and Keefe may stop Jarrett from doing worse things to Roland, but he doesn’t stop Jarrett from doing a lot of bad things to Roland. He even helps to lock Roland in his tower because “You have no idea what he originally had planned for you.” So he was stopping Jarrett from sinning, by committing a smaller sin himself, and that didn’t seem right. For that reason, I found it frustrating that Keefe ended up getting the reward of the trip to Italy. I know that it was more Roland’s victory, he controlled himself and accepted his punishment humbly, but if Roland messed up enough to lose his trip to Italy than Keefe didn’t deserve it either.

Despite of my issues with parts of it, I did really like this book, Roland and Peter both had really good character growth, as did Caitlyn, and I plan on reading Theresa Linden’s Liberty Trilogy. I feel sort of bad because I’m the first not-five-star reviewer, and I did enjoy the book, I just thought that it could have been even better than it was.

Uniforms add a certain something to a romantic lead as does a profession whose mission it is to protect and serve.

 

Enjoy these love stories featuring Sheriffs in Contemporary Romance.

 

My lists are never in any particular order. 

 

1. Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis 

 

Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble--and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways. 

Suddenly Chloe can't take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe's colorful past keep her from a love that lasts . . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor?

 

2. Angels Landing by Rochelle Alers 

 

Kara Newell has a big-city life that needs a major shake-up. Her dedication as a social worker is unwavering, yet her heart tells her that there is more to life than just work. Kara gets the push she needs when she shockingly inherits a large estate on an island off the South Carolina coast. Now the charming town of Angels Landing awaits her . . . along with a secret family she never knew she had.

After surviving war, loss, and heartbreak, ex-marine Jeffrey Hamilton takes his position as sheriff of idyllic Cavanaugh Island very seriously. So he is the perfect person to watch over the beautiful, confident woman who has turned her new family's expectations upside down-and stepped into the crosshairs of angry local residents. 

But soon Kara becomes more than just a job to him, and he begins to need her in ways he never expected. As Kara and Jeffrey confront the town gossips together, they'll learn to face their fears and forgive their pasts in order to find a future filled with happiness in Angels Landing.

 

3. I Want Candy by Susan Donovan 

 

Candace Carmichael was just getting used to the lavish life when everything went sour. Now the down-on-her-luck real estate agent is back in Bigler, North Carolina, jobless and illegally rooming with her her mother in a swank retirement community. All this makes her wonder why she ever considered her BFF Cheri's invitation to move back home. Life in this small mountain town may not be as glamorous as the one she had in Tampa, but she knows a girl can't be too choosy in this market. Besides, everyone's happy to welcome Candy back—especially one handsome widower named Turner…

 

Turner has grown up to be one fine-looking piece of man candy—and looks even tastier in his sheriff's uniform. Maybe that's why she couldn't resist kissing him when he pulled her over for a traffic violation. Even if a relationship was part of Candy's business plan, Turner would be off limits—he still wears his wedding ring, four years after his wife died. If falling in love too fast is a crime, Candy is soon guilty as charged and ready to be fingerprinted. But is she ready to lock away her dreams and hand Turner the keys to her heart?

 

3. Addicted to Love by Lori Wilde 

 

Growing up in Valentine, Texas, can make anyone believe in happily ever after. But newly declared recovering romantic Rachael Henderson has decided that love stinks. After having not one but two grooms ditch her at the altar, she announces her disenchantment in an uncharacteristic act of rebellion. She feels liberated...until she's arrested by Sheriff Brody Carlton.

 

4. Crazy on You by Rachel Gibson 

 

Lily Darlington's been called crazy in her day—and, yeah, driving her car into her ex-husband's living room probably wasn't the smartest move ever made—but the louse deserved it. Now Lily is happily single, and she's turned it all around. She knows she's a good mom, a homeowner, and a businesswoman, all wrapped up in one good-looking package. 

 

A package that police officer Tucker Matthews is dying to unwrap. This ex-military man sure doesn't need another woman in his life. His last girlfriend left him with nothing but memories and a cat named Pinky! But living next door to Lily has been driving him nuts. He dreams about her long blonde hair and even longer legs. And maybe it's time to go a little crazy . . . and fall in love.

 

5. Heartbreak Cove by Lily Everett 

 

Sheriff Andie Shepard may be new to Sanctuary Island but, like everyone else who comes here, she's already fallen under its healing spell. Andie is determined to leave her mistakes behind her and make this scenic haven her home. But she just might have to change her plans—as well as open her heart—when an unexpected visitor shows up on her doorstep…

Caitlin is the ten-year-old niece Andie never knew she had. Silent, wary, and shy as can be, Caitlin only responds to the horses that run wild across the island. Andie has no idea how to deal with Caitlin—until Sam Brennan enters the picture. A tall, handsome loner who rehabilitates abused horses, Sam is able to help Caitlin break out of her shell. But that's not all: He finds a way to touch something deep in Andie's heart, opening her up to the healing power of love. Together, these three lost souls must face the darkness in their past to build a brighter future. Because here, on Sanctuary Island, anything is possible…

 

6. Confessions Of A Wicked Woman by Susanna Carr

 

his is the reason Stephanie Monroe ran away from small-town America in the first place - this insane sense of buttoned-up propriety that's managed to get her thrown in jail. It's not her fault people can't tell the difference between her haute couture and lady-of-the-evening wear! But now, after several citizen complaints, Stephanie finds herself booked by one of Mayfield's finest...and finest is definitely the word. Everything about Jack Logan, from his strong jaw to the way he wears his holster, is irresistibly appealing. And now, the biggest temptation in town - a man in uniform - is resurrecting Stephanie's longburied, apple-pie good girl...and she needs to do something about it fast...It took a lot of hard work for Sheriff Jack Logan to turn away from his bad boy past and become the voice of authority and integrity in this town. So far, he's managed to keep that devilish wild streak buried beneath his badge and his duty. But the minute he looks into Stephanie's eyes, he knows he's in trouble. The big-city lady fights back with a style he admires, even if he suspects that bad-girl come-hither walk is nothing but an act. More and more, Jack can't decide whether to drag her across the city limits or into his bed. One thing's for sure - the longer she stays in town, the more ready this reformed bad boy is to shed his uniform and show Stephanie a whole new side to serve and protect...

 

7. Return to Homecoming Ranch by Julia London

 

Curly-haired Libby Tyler never stops smiling…until her beloved boyfriend suddenly forces her out of their home and away from his adoring kids. When she learns he dumped her for his flighty ex-wife, Libby’s sadness turns to fury—and she very publicly smashes his truck with a golf club, earning herself a trip to a mental health center for some “rest.”

Handsome, hazel-eyed deputy Sam Winters has been sober for two years. Afraid of backsliding, he lives in the mountains and keeps his distance from people. Yet he never forgot Libby, his former colleague at the sheriff’s office whose charm and cheerfulness always warmed his days.

Now Libby’s back, ignoring the townspeople’s whispers (and her ex’s restraining order) while desperately trying to make Homecoming Ranch a successful event destination. She keeps causing trouble for Sam, but he finds her smile more beautiful than ever…and his touch gives her thrills she’s never felt. Could these two lost souls mend each other’s broken hearts?

 

8. The Loner by Lindsay McKenna

 

n all her years as deputy sheriff, Shelby Kincaid never met a man as stubborn as Dakota Carson. Practically eaten by a grizzly bear and still that man insists on returning, alone, to his isolated cabin in the Tetons. Shelby's not even sure why it ruffles her—but she suspects it has a lot to do with the instant, powerful connection she feels with Dakota. If only he'd let down his guard with her….

Ten years as a Navy SEAL took its toll on Dakota's body, his mind and his heart. Since being released, he's endured months of painful physical therapy…and brutal nightmares. Dakota wants nothing more than to hide from the world, so why does Shelby's gentle presence suddenly make him question his seclusion? But when Shelby's life is threatened, Dakota knows his warrior spirit won't hide any longer. He just hopes it's not too late….

 

9. Deep Freeze by Lisa Jackson

 

Her Biggest Fan. . .

When she wakes up, she's very cold. Colder than she's ever been in her life. She can't move or speak. And then she sees him. The one who took her. And before she dies, she wishes she could scream. . .  

Is About To Become. . .

Former movie star Jenna Hughes left Hollywood for an isolated farm in Oregon to get away from fame. But someone has followed her--an obsessed fan whose letters are personal and deeply disturbing. And while Jenna's already shaken up by what she's seen on paper, she'd be terrified if she knew what Sheriff Shane Carter is investigating. It's a shocking case that started with the discovery of a dead woman in the woods. Now two more women are missing, one of whom bears a striking resemblance to Jenna. . .

Her Worst Nightmare. . 

 

10. Part Time Cowboy by Maisey Yates

 

Sadie Miller isn't expecting any welcome-home parades on her return to Copper Ridge. Least of all from part-time rancher, full-time lawman Eli Garrett. The straitlaced, impossibly hot deputy sheriff glares at her as if she's the same teenage hoodlum who fled town ten years ago. But running from her demons has brought Sadie full circle, ready to make a commitment at last. Not to a man, but to a bed-and-breakfast. On Garrett land. Okay, so her plan has a tiny flaw… 

 

Eli works too hard to let a blonde ball of trouble mess up his town. But keeping an eye on Sadie makes it tough to keep his hands off her. And if she's so wrong for him, why does being with her feel so right?

 

 

Got more Sheriff goodness? Gimme!

 

Vote on my Goodreads list: Sheriffs in Contemporary Romance.