Book Title: Take My Hand Series
Author: Nicola Haken
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Take My Hand
Twenty-four year old Dexter Michaels has arrived in the UK for a fresh start - leaving everything and everyone he knows behind in the states. Determined to put right some of the wrongs he’ll never be able to forgive himself for making and make his Aunt Sarah – the only person left who still believes in him - proud, he lands in London with the intention of working hard, getting his degree and keeping himself to himself. He can’t destroy anybody else that way…
His heart and his body have other ideas however when he finds himself sitting next to nineteen year old Emily Barton in his Psychology class. Moving down south to find her own New Life, Emily is shy, smart and beautiful – everything Dexter knows he should stay away from… everything he knows would be too easy for him to break.
But she makes him feel things he’d forgotten even existed. She makes him laugh, smile, care… forget. Without her trying, and without him realizing, Emily has wound her way into the one place he swore to keep locked away forever – his heart. But can she stay there when she discovers the dark past he’s so determined to keep hidden from her? Or will he destroy her too, just like he always expected? Hold On Tight (Take My Hand #2) A figure from Dexter’s past has uprooted all the memories he has tried so desperately to bury… to forget. The terrible events of his past have been blown wide open once again, immersing him a pool of guilt deeper than he’s even experienced before. Dexter feels powerless. The future he foolishly allowed himself to conceive is falling apart around him and there’s nothing he can do about it. But there’s one thing he can control – one thing he’s an expert at… blocking everything out. Losing all control, Dexter copes the only way he knows how – he dives so far into the well of addiction, the only thing that matters anymore is where his next fix is coming from. Mission accomplished – there’s no one left. He’s successfully pushed everyone away. Nobody left to care about means no more guilt, right? You can’t hurt people who aren’t there… But has he really pushed Emily as far away as he thinks he has? She’s given up everything for him – her home, her friends… her whole life. And she doesn’t regret a single thing. But can she save him from drowning, or has he finally sunk too far?
Lean On Me (Take My Hand #3) Rachel Mason oozes confidence. She’s outgoing, adventurous and would chop off her right arm before caring what other people think of her or her disability. Right? Jared Mattheson on the other hand, is more than a little goofy and a whole lot of carefree. He’s happy living the bachelor life on his father’s credit card, takes nothing seriously and wouldn’t know difficulty if it slapped him in the face. Right? With Emily and Dexter away in the States, Rachel and Jared are left behind to keep each other company. They share the same sense of fun, their personalities bounce off one another perfectly and perhaps inevitably, they become best friends. But what happens when the lines of friendship start to blur? How will they cope when the sides of themselves they’ve kept hidden from the world for so long begin to show? Their journey together may have started with fun, games and alcohol – but it seems the future has other ideas. Turns out, even the strongest of people need someone to lean on sometimes.
Never Let Go (Take My Hand #4) In the final book of the Take My Hand Series, Emily and Dexter are finally on course to a happy future. Arriving back in the UK with Aunt Sarah in tow, everything seems to be slotting into place. For the first time in his life, Dexter has found his purpose. Surrounded by family, friends and the woman he adores, he has at long last made peace with his demons and is determined to fight for the life he now knows he deserves. With best friend Rachel back by her side and a resolve to work things out with her parents once and for all, Emily’s life is also on the right track. Or so she thinks… When a tragic revelation threatens to destroy Emily’s world, it sends her spiraling down a path leading to more secrets, lies and heartache – leaving her questioning her whole life and everyone in it. To top it off, Emily almost lost one of the most important men in her life once before, is it about to happen again?
*Not suitable for under 18's due to language, sexual content and scenes of explicit drug use*
Take My Hand
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Nicola Haken has once again produced a story of the highest quality. What I like about her stories is that she takes some really tough subjects and produces work that doesn't shock but that actually helps the reader better understand those issues. "Take My Hand" is no exception with issues such as drug and alcohol addiction and domestic violence at the heart of the story and instrumental in the shaping of Dexter's character.
Emily has arrived in London with her best friend, Rachel to go to University and to escape from the oppressive nature of her parents. Emily is painfully shy and if she had her way, she would eat, sleep and study. Thankfully her best friend is outgoing and pushes her outside her comfort zone to meet new people. It is through this pushing that they meet Dexter at a local bar where Dexter is working. He is not very forthcoming about himself but for different reasons to Emily. Dexter doesn't believe himself worthy of love or a relationship so he keeps himself to himself and focuses on meaningless encounters. He does find himself drawn to Emily but fights it. He has secrets that he thinks that once Emily finds out them, she will run in the opposite direction as quickly as she can.
Emily is a keeper though and when Dexter reveals his battle against drug and alcohol addiction, she doesn't run and she doesn't judge. She offers her support and love; something which is alien to Dexter. It is not smooth running for the couple as Dexter keeps trying to push Emily away and his destructive behaviour rears its ugly head. They both also have more secrets that could potentially drive them apart forever.
Emily and Dexter are characters that you will fall in love with and their journey of self-discovery. There are moments of immense sadness but also moments of immense happiness, as they both battle the demons of the past. The beauty of this story is that it is understated and the subjects dealt with sensitively. It doesn't glamourise any of the issues but instead looks at their impact on the characters' lives. Their journey does not conclude in this book and I am looking forward to seeing what is next for the couple.
Emily has arrived in London with her best friend, Rachel to go to University and to escape from the oppressive nature of her parents. Emily is painfully shy and if she had her way, she would eat, sleep and study. Thankfully her best friend is outgoing and pushes her outside her comfort zone to meet new people. It is through this pushing that they meet Dexter at a local bar where Dexter is working. He is not very forthcoming about himself but for different reasons to Emily. Dexter doesn't believe himself worthy of love or a relationship so he keeps himself to himself and focuses on meaningless encounters. He does find himself drawn to Emily but fights it. He has secrets that he thinks that once Emily finds out them, she will run in the opposite direction as quickly as she can.
Emily is a keeper though and when Dexter reveals his battle against drug and alcohol addiction, she doesn't run and she doesn't judge. She offers her support and love; something which is alien to Dexter. It is not smooth running for the couple as Dexter keeps trying to push Emily away and his destructive behaviour rears its ugly head. They both also have more secrets that could potentially drive them apart forever.
Emily and Dexter are characters that you will fall in love with and their journey of self-discovery. There are moments of immense sadness but also moments of immense happiness, as they both battle the demons of the past. The beauty of this story is that it is understated and the subjects dealt with sensitively. It doesn't glamourise any of the issues but instead looks at their impact on the characters' lives. Their journey does not conclude in this book and I am looking forward to seeing what is next for the couple.
Hold On Tight
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Dexter has to be the most infuriating character in a long time. I constantly found myself screaming at my kindle at his actions. Now that is out the way, this is the continuation of Emily and Dexter's story, picking up exactly where 'Take My Hand' finished. With an unexpected and unwanted blast from Dexter's past turning up and reawakening old feelings, his path of self destruction starts and the life he has fought so hard to rebuild comes tumbling down around him as he slips back into old, bad habits.
For Emily it is sheer torture as she tries to be supportive and save their relationship but with Dexter pushing her away, she has no choice but to head back home. Despite everything that Emily has been through and experienced in her life, she is still naïve in some respects and with little understanding of the path Dexter is taking there is little she can do for him.
So this is an uncomfortable read with subject matters of drug abuse and violence as a recurring theme but they are dealt with in such a way that you are drawn into the story. Even though I found Dexter infuriating, he has a lot going in his life that you feel a certain empathy with him. I think that had we not seen Dexter with his life mostly together in the first book, we as readers would struggle with the Dexter we find in this one.
With their journey still far from over, I am eagerly waiting to see where this gritty series takes the reader next. The very talented Nicola Haken has produced another amazing story and a fantastic instalment to an excellent series.
For Emily it is sheer torture as she tries to be supportive and save their relationship but with Dexter pushing her away, she has no choice but to head back home. Despite everything that Emily has been through and experienced in her life, she is still naïve in some respects and with little understanding of the path Dexter is taking there is little she can do for him.
So this is an uncomfortable read with subject matters of drug abuse and violence as a recurring theme but they are dealt with in such a way that you are drawn into the story. Even though I found Dexter infuriating, he has a lot going in his life that you feel a certain empathy with him. I think that had we not seen Dexter with his life mostly together in the first book, we as readers would struggle with the Dexter we find in this one.
With their journey still far from over, I am eagerly waiting to see where this gritty series takes the reader next. The very talented Nicola Haken has produced another amazing story and a fantastic instalment to an excellent series.
Lean on Me
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the third installment in the 'Take My Hand' series that has so far concentrated on Dexter and Emily's troubled relationship. Rachel is Emily's best friend: vibrant, sassy, oozing in confidence and in a wheelchair. While she has been with men in the past, she is reluctant to get involved in a long term relationship for fear of losing her freedom and being smothered and also fear of how people will treat them. Her confidence is just a façade that she hides behind.
Jared finds himself falling for Rachel but faces an uphill battle in convincing her. Jared is determined though so it becomes a matter of when rather than if. She has to overcome her own preconceptions before they can move forward and realise that caring is completely different from smothering. While Rachel is fighting her own demons, Jared is hiding his own, scared to confront it straight on for fear of the results. It takes a life changing piece of news and a reminder of his own mortality for him to take action.
Jared and Rachel's story takes place at the same time as the events in 'Hold on Tight' . There were a number of unexpected and surprising twists and turns in Jared and Rachel's story and deals with the rooted ideas hold of people with a disability. Once again Nicola Haken has produced a story that draws into the lives of the characters and keeps hold of you until the very end. Real, down to earth characters, a touching and gritty story and awesome writing.
Jared finds himself falling for Rachel but faces an uphill battle in convincing her. Jared is determined though so it becomes a matter of when rather than if. She has to overcome her own preconceptions before they can move forward and realise that caring is completely different from smothering. While Rachel is fighting her own demons, Jared is hiding his own, scared to confront it straight on for fear of the results. It takes a life changing piece of news and a reminder of his own mortality for him to take action.
Jared and Rachel's story takes place at the same time as the events in 'Hold on Tight' . There were a number of unexpected and surprising twists and turns in Jared and Rachel's story and deals with the rooted ideas hold of people with a disability. Once again Nicola Haken has produced a story that draws into the lives of the characters and keeps hold of you until the very end. Real, down to earth characters, a touching and gritty story and awesome writing.
Never Let Go
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the final instalment of the Take My Hand series and what an ending. When I started the series if I had known what this final part of the story was about, I probably wouldn't have started it. This is not because I hated it or because it was badly written; I loved it and it is so beautifully written. It is because the subject is a little close to home and I wondered if I would be able to deal. I'm so glad I did. Even though I spent the entire book in tears and it brought back many memories, it reminded me of the strength, courage and dignity of my own mum in finding out that not only did she have cancer but that she didn't have long left with us. It was definitely a raw and emotive read for me but comforting at the same time.
Emily's strength of character that comes out so strongly in helping and supporting Dexter with his issues, with a huge amount of compassion and love, are severely put to the test when she discovers that her brother has terminal cancer. It is Emily's turn to confront her demons and Dexter to be her rock and, man oh man, he does step to the plate. This is Dexter as the man Emily always knew he could be. The raft of emotions that Emily goes through is something I can empathise with.
Chris showed an enormous amount of strength, courage and dignity in finding out that not only does he have cancer but that it is terminal. The emotional rollercoaster that he and Emily are on is a powerful one, with every emotion stripped bare and experienced by the reader. The inner strength he finds to make sure that those around him will be secure when he can't is immense.
Make sure you stock up with tissues before you start this one and while you will run the emotional gauntlet it is a must read.
Emily's strength of character that comes out so strongly in helping and supporting Dexter with his issues, with a huge amount of compassion and love, are severely put to the test when she discovers that her brother has terminal cancer. It is Emily's turn to confront her demons and Dexter to be her rock and, man oh man, he does step to the plate. This is Dexter as the man Emily always knew he could be. The raft of emotions that Emily goes through is something I can empathise with.
Chris showed an enormous amount of strength, courage and dignity in finding out that not only does he have cancer but that it is terminal. The emotional rollercoaster that he and Emily are on is a powerful one, with every emotion stripped bare and experienced by the reader. The inner strength he finds to make sure that those around him will be secure when he can't is immense.
Make sure you stock up with tissues before you start this one and while you will run the emotional gauntlet it is a must read.
Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children and she is the author of New Adult/Contemporary romance novels Missing Pieces, Saving Amy and the Take My Hand series, and m/m erotic romance - Being Sawyer Knight and Taming Ryder. When she is not busy playing with her imaginary book friends (or talking about them with real life friends!) she can usually be found carrying out her ordinary mum/housewife/all round slave duties! Oh, and she's also addicted to tattoos and Pepsi Max!
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