Title: Blessed Betrayal
Author: Livia Grant
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: October 5, 2018
Blurb
She wanted happily ever after.
He thought he had it.
Underneath the perfect exterior of Calista Bennett’s marriage lay an ugly truth
that threatens to drown her when she is betrayed.
Across town, Nickolas Mikos isn’t doing much better after his life is plunged
into his new reality by his wife’s lies.
Life can change in the blink of an eye. Can Cali and Nick comfort each other’s
raw pain enough to allow for a second chance at happiness, or will their fears
and anger prevent them from uncovering the blessing in the betrayal?
*My Review*
Welcome to my stop on the tour for Livia Grant’s Blessed Betrayal! This contemporary romance is about two people, Calista, and Nikolas that are each married to horrible, despicable spouses. When an accident occurs that drastically changes each of their lives, they find themselves turning to each other to talk about things resulting in an unusual but supportive friendship. But as their friendship deepens, more secrets come out that are shocking, yet serve as a symbol of things in life coming full circle.
The author’s characterization is something that truly stands out in my mind after reading this. I have so much respect when there are characters that are so horrible that I can feel it in my bones just how much I hate them. Nikolas and Calista were fantastic, as was Nikolas’ daughter, but the “bad guys” really stood out, just adding to the juicy qualities of this book.
Blessed Betrayal was originally published as a novella in 2015, however, this was my first time reading anything by Livia Grant. I loved the blurb and was so excited to read this one and there was plenty of conflicts and detailed characterization right off the bat – which was wonderful! Anyway, I loved this book until details are revealed about one of Calista’s secrets from her past, at which point I struggled because it was so far-fetched. I understand that this is a fiction novel, and in some ways, I found the ending and resolution completely beautiful and moving. But on the other hand, I was sort of like, “really, I’m supposed to buy into this?” On the other hand, the resolution to this novel also had some wonderfully spiritual and almost magical qualities that many may find an amazing addition. Can you tell I’m a bit torn about it?
Despite my own contradictions about the plot and ending, I honestly did love this novel. I was completely engaged from the beginning, even more so after the accident, and was crossing my fingers the entire time for a romantic ending. The themes surrounding unhealthy relationships, betrayal, loss, and redemption provide a very entertaining novel that I recommend. Whether you are like me and struggle with the realism of some of it, or if you just go along with the journey, I think you will like this one!
*Thanks to Give Me Books and the author for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
*Warnings: this novel contains possible triggers involving domestic violence.
Purchase Links
Excerpt
I’m sorry, Cali. I know it isn’t what you wanted to hear,
but the test was negative.”
but the test was negative.”
Her hopeful apprehension morphed to dread. “Are you sure?
Should we do another?”
Should we do another?”
Dr. Galloway smiled indulgently. “That won’t be necessary.
The tests are very reliable. I’m sure you took one at home as well, didn’t
you?”
The tests are very reliable. I’m sure you took one at home as well, didn’t
you?”
“Yes.” Her dejected reply was barely a whisper.
“Then you already know taking it again would just be a
waste.” The OBGYN doctor wheeled his rolling stool closer to the exam table to
pat Cali’s knee in a fatherly way. “I know you and your husband are anxious to
get your family started, but you’re only twenty-four. You have plenty of time.
We have a lot of options we haven’t tried yet.”
waste.” The OBGYN doctor wheeled his rolling stool closer to the exam table to
pat Cali’s knee in a fatherly way. “I know you and your husband are anxious to
get your family started, but you’re only twenty-four. You have plenty of time.
We have a lot of options we haven’t tried yet.”
Cali struggled to hold back her tears. How could she tell
her kind doctor how important it was for her to get pregnant?
her kind doctor how important it was for her to get pregnant?
“I think it’s time for us to do testing on your husband.
Since we haven’t found any smoking gun on your side of the equation, it’s time
to take a look at Mr. Bennett’s sperm count and mobility. That will help me
decide our next steps.”
Since we haven’t found any smoking gun on your side of the equation, it’s time
to take a look at Mr. Bennett’s sperm count and mobility. That will help me
decide our next steps.”
“I don’t know about that, Dr. Galloway. Kevin is so busy
with his job. He joined his father’s law firm last year and is working crazy
hours. I doubt he can come in for an appointment.” Cali didn’t know how to tell
the good doctor her husband had made it very clear giving him an heir was her
responsibility, and the only help he planned contributing to the process was a ‘daily
hard fuck.’ The array of bruises scattered across her body were proof
he was living up to his hard promise.
with his job. He joined his father’s law firm last year and is working crazy
hours. I doubt he can come in for an appointment.” Cali didn’t know how to tell
the good doctor her husband had made it very clear giving him an heir was her
responsibility, and the only help he planned contributing to the process was a ‘daily
hard fuck.’ The array of bruises scattered across her body were proof
he was living up to his hard promise.
Calista trembled as she realized her temporary veil of
protection had fallen with the negative test result. Kevin was gentler with her
during the weeks of the month she might be in the process of forming a fragile
new life. For the last year, each month the results were negative, he not only
deemed it his responsibility to punish her for failing him yet again, but he
then proceeded to make up for lost time. The next two weeks of her life were
going to be hell.
protection had fallen with the negative test result. Kevin was gentler with her
during the weeks of the month she might be in the process of forming a fragile
new life. For the last year, each month the results were negative, he not only
deemed it his responsibility to punish her for failing him yet again, but he
then proceeded to make up for lost time. The next two weeks of her life were
going to be hell.
No. She couldn’t tell the kind doctor that.
“What would he have to do?”
“Us men have it pretty easy, to be honest,” the doctor
grinned wolfishly. “You poor women get poked and prodded with all kinds of
needles and drugs. Your husband just needs to come in and give us a deposit of
his sperm. He’ll have a private room and will be able to bring along reading or
viewing material he might need to help. All in all, the men have it pretty good
in this deal.”
grinned wolfishly. “You poor women get poked and prodded with all kinds of
needles and drugs. Your husband just needs to come in and give us a deposit of
his sperm. He’ll have a private room and will be able to bring along reading or
viewing material he might need to help. All in all, the men have it pretty good
in this deal.”
How right he was. “Okay, I’ll talk to him about it.”
“Sounds good. Keep your chin up. We’ve done a lot of tests,
and I see no reason why you can’t get pregnant. It’s gonna happen when the time
is right and not a minute before.”
and I see no reason why you can’t get pregnant. It’s gonna happen when the time
is right and not a minute before.”
“Thanks again, doctor.” She forced a smile to hide her
growing sense of dread. “I’ll see you next time.”
growing sense of dread. “I’ll see you next time.”
As Calista redressed, she said a small prayer that Kevin
would be in a good mood when he got home today. He’d been out of town on
business the last two days. Since passing the bar exam, he’d been working
eighty hours a week or more, and in truth, he was gone so much, it made her
life less stressful most of the time. Unfortunately, he still checked in at
home often enough to dump his dirty laundry and contribute his duty to operation
‘give me an heir.’
would be in a good mood when he got home today. He’d been out of town on
business the last two days. Since passing the bar exam, he’d been working
eighty hours a week or more, and in truth, he was gone so much, it made her
life less stressful most of the time. Unfortunately, he still checked in at
home often enough to dump his dirty laundry and contribute his duty to operation
‘give me an heir.’
Sitting at a stop light on the drive home, Cali once again
questioned why she stayed with her husband. He’d changed so much since they got
married almost two years before. He had always been dominant… demanding. The
problem was he’d begun to take the definition of dominant to a whole new level.
Cali used to think of herself as a submissive. Lately, she felt more like a
well-worn doormat.
questioned why she stayed with her husband. He’d changed so much since they got
married almost two years before. He had always been dominant… demanding. The
problem was he’d begun to take the definition of dominant to a whole new level.
Cali used to think of herself as a submissive. Lately, she felt more like a
well-worn doormat.
Author Bio
USA Today bestselling author Livia Grant lives in Chicago with her husband and a furry rescue dog named Max. She is fortunate to have been able to travel extensively
and as much as she loves to visit places around the globe, the Midwest and its
changing seasons will always be home. Livia’s readers appreciate her riveting
stories filled with deep, character-driven plots, often spiced with elements of
BDSM.
and as much as she loves to visit places around the globe, the Midwest and its
changing seasons will always be home. Livia’s readers appreciate her riveting
stories filled with deep, character-driven plots, often spiced with elements of
BDSM.
Author Links
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