Total Book Geek: Giveaway + Review: Damaged (Damaged #1) by H.M. Ward

Let's face it, that cover totally drew me in. If I ever had a teacher who looked like that I would have been in trouble as well. Last week I posted an excerpt from the book (I'm giving away an ebook copy) and it looked like quite the fun read. Also Damaged is currently on the number 1 spot in the Kindle store and people have been going crazy about it. Of course I had to read this!

Life sucks. And, as soon as Sidney picks up the pieces something always knocks her back onto her butt. It's never pretty, but this time is different. This time pretty isn't even the right word.

Peter is the personification of perfection. It's like he fell off his angel perch in purgatory, because let's face it--any guy that hot has got to be naughty. He was probably sent here to ruin her life.

Peter is beyond beautiful with his sexy blue eyes, dark hair, and toned body. Add in his charming wit and Peter is everything Sidney ever wanted in a man, but when things get hot and heavy Peter shows her the door. Sidney takes the walk of shame and leaves. It's the end of the worst blind date ever. Her life couldn't possibly reach higher levels of suckage, but it does.

The next morning everything comes crashing down. The insanely hot guy from last night, the one that saw her half naked, is teaching at the front of the class room.

Buy at Amazon (only $0.99)

Review:
The book starts of really well. When Sidney and Peter meet she's all flirty and very confident. It goes so well, they almost end up in bed together. Then the next day she shows up to class and finds Peter in the front. He's her new teacher.

"You infuriate me."
"Flattery will get you nowhere."

Overall it was an enjoyable read. With a fast paced plot, unique details, well rounded characters, it was enough to keep my interest. Even though the main story wasn't that original: they both have been hurt, both have secrets, one often has major problems with opening up and letting other people in and someone from the past tries to catch up. I really like New Adult, but sometimes all the angst and insecurities get to me and Sidney has plenty of both.

"He understands me better. He's become my best friend."

Now after they found out he's a teacher and she's a student, they know nothing can happen between them. Still she's his TA so they are spending a lot of time together, but that gets glossed over. Those moments they are alone are barely described in the book, so it's hard to understand how exactly they really fall in love.

Also the cover kind of promises lots of sexy time, but yeah, that's not happening. Which I can understand, seeing where Sidney is coming from, but it's total contradictory with the beginning of the book.

Then the ending, I did not see that cliffhanger coming at all! First of all, the ending is rushed. Secondly, the book is only 190 pages long, so with a ± 100 pages extra it could have been a well finished book. If there wasn't that cliffhanger, the story could have ended very nicely at that 190th page. And lastly, the cliffhanger doesn't have me convinced to read the sequel.

Damaged is a regular book about a student/teacher relationship, damaged hearts, letting go of the past and moving on.