"Doesn't every man want to own a beautiful woman? Or at the very least, take care of her?"

Dear Readers,

There wasn’t much about Owning Violet that surprised me, except how much I wound up enjoying it. For a good while after starting the book, I thought I wouldn’t even be able to finish it, so it comes as a great revelation that I gave it such a high rating. Everything about the book that might draw other reads in –  the dual first POV in present tense, the setting – are details that I usually find rather annoying in fiction. In fact, I didn’t even like the characters at first.

Violet is introduced in the novel as a character who is fragile – mentally and physically. She appears to be a woman whom is controlled by a need to please (especially her father), and is perceived as the ice queen of the Fowler sisters. She’s also extremely family oriented, and feels responsible for keeping the family name unsullied. I didn’t like this woman at first. I saw her as a woman who was so afraid to be alone, she’d let anyone with a penis walk all over her. Everybody, including herself, thinks she is a tame kitten, when it is soon clear she’s actually a lion in sheep’s clothing.

Ryder, the male MC, works as the head of packaging in Fleur Cosmetics, the business that Violet’s grandmother started, and her father heads. I absolutely hated him for about 200 pages, until I realized he experiences just as much character growth as Violet. For most of the novel, I didn’t see much difference in him than Zachary, Violet’s douche bag ex. He willfully admits to using Violet as a stepping stone (one he plans on crushing) in his attempt to work his way up the corporate ladder at Fleur. What really grates is he absolutely hates Zachary, the reason being because he thinks Zachary is a “conniving, underhanded asshole.” I found this infuriating, until I realized he was always upfront about his plan to use Violet, while Zachary professed to love her, yet cheated on her every chance he got. Meanwhile, Ryder warned Violet over and over not to trust him.

I was thankful Murphy redeemed Ryder and Violet, and allowed them the space for character growth. It made Owning Violet better for it, because there is nothing worse than reading a book where you can’t connect with the main characters. While this book won’t score any points for surprising plot twists, I really enjoyed it. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one sitting. I’d recommend this book to people who enjoy their sex hot and their business men tatted and pierced. Give Owning Violet a shot and see what you think!

 ~ One Curvy Blogger

This review was originally posted on One Curvy Blogger

I received this book for free from LibraryThing, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

 

I'm still trying to find the words to explain my feelings about Owning Violet...

Does it make sense to love it just as much as I was frustrated by it?? I'm just going to divide this into two parts. What I loved and what frustrated me to no end (but the good kind of invested frustration!!)

What I loved:

Violet. I love everything about her. On the outside she seems meek, mild, and timid, but when she needs to, she can be quite fierce. She is sweet and kind, and people tend to take advantage of that, but she's also incredibly strong when she needs to be. I seriously love everything about her.

It's dual POVs. Nothing makes me happier that opening a book to find this!!

That moment when you understand the book's name. After seeing the dynamics of Violet and Ryder's story, no book has been more aptly named.

That there's more to come!! I can't wait for Rose's story!!

What caused me serious frustration (Again, the good kind of frustration!!):

RYDER MCKAY!!!!!! The one line in the book that sums him up completely is: "Why do I want him one minute and loathe him the next?". After reading his back story, you totally get why he is like he is, but DEAR GOD, a more frustrating man has never been written!! He is endearing and hot, but be prepared to pull your hair out. (Oh, and about 56% in he gets REALLY interesting!!)

Pilar. That is one woman whose character has been written so well that you seriously hate her. Like really hate. She definitely adds angst to the story. As much as I hate her, the story would not have had the same depth to it without her, so she's a necessary evil.


To sum this up, you definitely need to read Owning Violet. It's gripping, it's well written, it's yummy hot, and it needs to be high up on your to-read list!! You'll be happy to be owned by Ryder McKay!!  

I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY for Monica Murphy's upcoming new release Owning Violet. If you're interested, it can be found on my blog!

So, I've been struggling with this book for 3 days. I think it's time I give up on it. I just dread wanting to read it. I can't stand the d-bag anti hero & I want to smack the heroine. The sex scenes were ok & after awhile they got boring because there's so many (I know, I can't belive I'm saying that either). I even think there was some sort of plot in this book between all the sex. The secondary characters were something special too *rolls eyes*. This book had potential but, for me it missed the mark.

I'm struggling with wanting to read this book. I HATE the hero & the heroine. Ryder, our "hero" is the worst anti-hero I've ever read.