Gabe Matthews, rich, tall, and dominant in bed, compartmentalizes everything, including his relationships with women. He cannot believe his luck when Aelin Thorne, the woman who nearly killed his brother and whose picture he’s been carrying in his wallet appears in his life. He’s determined to get revenge and what better way than hire her for the renovation of his childhood home?
Aelin is a rising interior designer for whom the quality of a kiss decides the fate of the men she dates. When she meets Gabe, she embraces her strong attraction to him and soon they’re setting the sheets on fire. The first problem is that he’s been blaming Aelin for things perpetrated by another woman—Aelin’s sister. The second problem? His own heart.
Be Warned: bondage, sexual assault (past)
Excerpt:
I shiver at the heat of his skin on mine and moan into his kiss. We kiss long and wet until I have to turn my head to the side to catch my breath. His hands and mouth are everywhere, his touch feather light then heavy. I claw at his skin. I want him. I want him so much I ache in a way that feels both wonderful and torturous.
By the time his lips are on my chest, my whole body is on fire, and my lower belly spasms in need.
“Gabe.”
He grunts low in his chest, and I snap my eyes open as he lowers his head between my legs. What do I do? What…?
Wet warmth glides between my folds, and I moan as heat floods under my skin and sends me tumbling into something … somewhere I’ve never been before.
Oh, my God. Oh. God.
Gabe curls his hands around my thighs to spread me wider under his mouth and repeats the same slow pressure of his tongue, over and over again. When he penetrates me with his tongue, I claw at his neck while my body both clenches and liquefies at once.
“Oh … God … Gabe.”
“Let me hear it, baby.”
What? Hear what? Am I supposed to say somet…?
He sucks on my clit and… Oh…
I shatter in a scream with my fists clenched hard in his hair. When I come back into my body, I whimper as Gabe licks gently over my sensitive flesh. He trails his mouth on my inner thigh as he straightens up. He’s perfect, with wide shoulders, muscled arms, clearly defined abs, and these ‘arrow’ muscles on his hips that pull my gaze down.
He rolls the condom down and, he’s oh-so sexy, but the size of him is a little… There’s a lot of…
“Baby, look at me.”
I keep staring at his penis and clear my throat. He’s really…
“Aelin, look at me.”
My heart racing, I do and lose myself in the burning onyx of his eyes as he lowers himself onto his forearms on top of me. I curl my arms around his shoulders.
“Gabe…”
The Photograph was an emotional ride. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one. But if the authors goal was to give me all the feels- they certainly succeeded. This story kept me on the edge of my seat with all the heart palpitation creating drama. I will definitely be following the author to see what she comes up with next!
I absolutely loved this story. There were so many twists in the book that it made it a thrilling read. Good characters, although I wanted to punch Gabe a few times. Nice job on the writing!
I just finished this book and it seriously was one of the first books in a while that made me cry, laugh and gasp. I loved it! It's well written, funny, and moving. I would definitely recommend this book.
Aelin and Gabe’s relationship is full of miscommunication….which leads to so many hurt feelings! The push and pull that Gabe puts her through is heartbreaking and be prepared to cry! There were a couple of spots that the book seemed to drag in, but overall a solid storyline!
This was a great read. It had the tropes enemies to lovers and mistaken identity. I thought the characters were relatable and the story line completely enthralled me. The story was steamy and a little emotional. Can't wait to check out more from this author. Definitely a recommended read!
A new author for me. This story was about Gabe and Aelin. She’s an up and coming interior designer and Gabe was under the misunderstanding that she was responsible for almost killing Gabe’s brother. Gabe wants payback. You can’t root for the couple because you can’t root for him, nor even like him. I was frustrated that Aelin wouldn’t stick up for herself and telling the truth until she finally does because his action were awful. When Gabe’s brother comes back and sets him straight. Once Gabe realized he was wrong, he was apologetic but it almost didn’t matter. It took some time to see him differently. Well written.
You've got vengeance, secrets, twists, undeniable chemistry, heartache and more throughout this completely emotionally charged page turner! Will Gabe and Aelin make it through the obstacles in their way?...
Hard review. While there was a lot to like about this book there were a number of major issues. Let’s start with the good stuff. The story was dramatic and complex, full of unexpected twist and surprises, none of which I’m going to discuss as I don’t do spoilers. I wish I could say more because the very complexities of the story along with the dramatic reveals was the best thing about the book and the main reason I really enjoyed it. More than once I was surprised but in a good way. The other reason I really liked the book was because I found the characters, both main and secondary, were interesting and for the most part likeable, especially her sister and his brother. The two main characters, Aelin and Gabe, had great chemistry and I could totally see them falling for each other. Now the not so good. Although the story was a good one it dragged in places, especially since there were a number of unnecessary scenes that should have been edited out as they did nothing to advance the story or enrich the characters. The writing itself was inconsistent, sometimes eloquent but other times awkward and forced. While overall I liked Gabe and I certainly understand why he acted the way he did, I had a hard time connecting to him in the first half of the book. Aelin, while sweet and nice, was way too quick to forgive and it just made her look weak. Also, the main focus of the conflict was unbelievable. All it would have taken is one question to his brother and in ten years he never asked. After everything Michael went through there’s no way Gabe never would have discussed the details. Gabe’s ex girlfriend and his current partner were both completely unnecessary and did nothing for the story, not to mention there’s no way I can believe for even a second that he ever fancied himself in love with his ex. Another issue I had was the location. I never did figure out exactly where they were. I originally assumed it was California, but then I thought no, probably more Midwest. Later it appeared they were actually close to New York but then I wondered if perhaps they were in England. The references to London made it seem they might be plus some of the vocabulary came across British although it clearly wasn’t written to be that way. I found it rather confusing. I also felt there was a ridiculous amount of hesitation and delays on both main characters parts, not to mention, too much of Gabe was inner-monologues. Finally, I felt the bondage parts to be incomplete and erratic. It was almost like it was thrown in for effect but not really part of the story, which is too bad as this part had great possibilities that were pretty much missed. I read Claudia’s first book, Five of Clubs, which I absolutely adored. This is only her second so despite this book being only a 3 1/2 I’m cutting her some slack and rounding up rather than down. Hopefully in the future she’ll get the book edited properly and do a thorough rewrite. It has potential. In the meantime, if she’s new to you and you haven’t read it yet, grab a copy of Five of Clubs. It’s top notch and I’m pretty sure is the first in a future series, which would thrill me to no end.
Emotional, steamy, likeable, relatable - all the reasons I flew through this book. Really enjoyed the unpredictable story arcs - I love me a good reveal/surprise and the author delivered them with skilled finesse. Recommend for sure!
This is the second book I've read written by Claudia Landres; I can’t wait to read more of her books. She has written a good book. The story is about Aelin & Gabe. I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Aelin has a past that will make you want to give her a hug, but she didn’t allow it to change her she is still a good person and finally working as an interior designer headed right into a job that would lead her to the one man she doesn’t really want to see. Gabe sexy as all get out a grumpy jerk from the start but redeems himself along the way, he is out to pay Aelin back for nearly killing his brother he is so sure she is the one who tried killing his brother, and so the moment he sees her the first thought is revenge trying to put into action all the feelings of dislike he has for her. The moment they spend time together his heart and feelings of revenge won’t play nice, so he ends up getting to know the women against all odds. Aelin can’t figure out why he dislikes her so much but the more she got to know him the more she got past his grumpiness especially after learning he thought she tried to kill his brother but the moment he spoke with his brother finding out Aelin did nothing.
Gabe is out for revenge and Aelin is the woman to pay. His brother almost died and Gabe believes she is at fault. He courts her to get close and exact his revenge. It’s too late once he finds out she isn’t the woman he is looking for and her life is already destroyed. Grovel isn’t a strong enough word for what he must do to fix his wrongs and win her back.
Oh boy! If you want a story with angst, this is your story. Gabe believes that Aelin broke his brother’s heart and is determined to make her pay. He is so disgusting to her, he treats her so bad. He is dismissive and hurtful. Poor Aelin is truly a very nice person who got involved with the wrong guy. Aelin is too forgiving she almost came off as a doormat. I found myself angry at her for her acceptance of Gabe’s actions. He does some groveling and making up but it’s never enough for me. But this story is full of angst. If you like your heart to hurt and bleed for your characters, this is your book. Sooooo GOOD!!
My rating: 4.5 Tropes: Revenge - Enemies to lovers Heat: 7/10 Emotion 8/10 Story: 7/10 Characters: 6/10 Interest: 7/10 POV: Dual No Cheating No Cliffhanger "The photograph"... A complicated review... Overall i really liked it. The plot was good, it was interesting, steamy, angsty and highly emotional. What id didn't like:Too much OW drama for me and i found the heroine too forgiving. What i liked: it was different than the usual novels (where you know that around 70-80% of the story something will happen and the couple will fight or split. I will definitely read more books from the author.
Gab cannot believe his luck when Aelin Thorne, the woman who nearly killed his brother and whose picture he’s been carrying in his wallet appears in his life. So he plots his revenge, but it turns out its misplaced but what is the truth. Is the woman he is falling in love with telling the truth or the trusted friend.
This book is absolutely marvelous for several reasons!! At first, I thought this book was all about revenge with a side of enemies to lovers, but then the first big twist happened!! Then came the second twist and shortly thereafter another twist. For a romance novel with enemies to lovers and a couple of HEA’s because of second chance love, I was absolutely hooked and hard a difficult time putting the book down. The characters were all great as well as the world building. I highly recommend you read this steam filled twisty romance!!
Claudia Landres has written a good story, this is the story of Aelin and Gabe and it is full of misunderstandings and wrong assumptions. Gabe believes Aelin is to blame and that she almost killed his brother. An emotional rollercoaster of emotions. The shock is also great when Gabe finds out that he is wrong in assuming that she is guilty. Can Gabe make it up to her for all he's said and done? This is a must read because you are stuck with the story from start to finish.
This is my first Claudia Landres novel, and I wasn't disappointed. Delightfully hot and steamy. Great characters, and a well written storyline. Would recommend. Will read more from this author!
Aelin is an up and coming interior designer & from the moment she met Gabe the attraction is scorching. He believes that she is responsible for nearly killing his brother & he sets upon a path of revenge. I did not like Gabe at all until he realized how wrong be had been. Aelin needed to grow a spine and I am glad she finally did because Gabe was such a ass. I loved the sister relationship and how Gabes brother came back and finally put him in his place. Once Gabe realized he was wrong he definitely had a lot of groveling to do and he did it well. He made me like him by the end of the book. This a story of revenge and mistaken identity.
The Photograph is one of those stories that will have you thinking about it long after it is read. Gabe and Aelin will keep you glued to the pages and on the edge of your seat reading this one. It is filled with Emotional twist and turns that are breath taking and a few smiles as well.
"The Photograph" is an emotional roller coaster ride that is a very captivating read. The story is about Aelin and Gabe. Gabe is dominant, rich and determined to get revenge on the one who almost killed his brother. Aelin, an interior designer, with a troubled past and hired by Gabe to restore his childhood home. Their story starts with assumptions and revenge. There are miscommunications, misunderstandings, revelations and then ultimately forgiveness and love. This is an incredible journey for these two characters with such a loving and tender outcome.
4 Stars for The Photograph by new for me author Claudia Landres What initially got my attention was the pretty cover and book blurb! Gabe and Aelin have an instant attraction. This was a really well written story - lots of emotions ! I can’t wait to check out more of this authors work !
4.5⭐️ This book is emotional. I mean tears cleaning, snot wiping emotional. Please have tissues by your side when reading. If you read only one book this year, let it be The Photograph. This author is underrated. She can hold her own with the best of them. Her books are gripping and will stir something even in the hardest of hearts. The Photograph is an emotional story on mistaken identity and its impact on innocent victims. It deals with child abuse, revenge, forgiveness and love. The characters are relatable with every day nuances and problems. I love the description of sibling love among the characters. The plot is engaging and will leave you yearning for more. I love how the author dropped the tidbits about the FMC’s past but I was not ready for the bombshell. I had a hard time knowing the setting as there were names of places set in different countries. I love everything about this book and I will recommend it and I can’t wait to read more works from the author.
Gabe has his heart set on revenge against the woman he believes nearly killed his brother. Things are not always as they seem, especially in the case of mistaken identity. Emotionally charged.
This tale deals with some devastatingly painful experiences, but it also highlights the significance of not allowing abuse to define you. The way the story is written, things are revealed little by little. You can’t help but be drawn in. Aelin is an absolutely beautiful character. Gabe is something else, but that is part of his beauty. Very entertaining tale.
Misunderstandings, noncommunication, assumptions, and revenge will keep you on your toes on top of that a sexy and the women who changes everything. Aelin has a past that will make you want to give her a hug, but she didn’t allow it to change her she is still a good person and finally working as an interior designer headed right into a job that would lead her to the one man she doesn’t really want to see. Gabe sexy as all get out a grumpy jerk from the start but redeems himself along the way, he is out to pay Aelin back for nearly killing his brother he is so sure she is the one who tried killing his brother, and so the moment he sees her the first thought is revenge trying to put into action all the feelings of dislike he has for her. The moment they spend time together his heart and feelings of revenge won’t play nice, so he ends up getting to know the women against all odds. Aelin can’t figure out why he dislikes her so much but the more she got to know him the more she got past his grumpiness especially after learning he thought she tried to kill his brother but the moment he spoke with his brother finding out Aelin did nothing but it was her sister who did it but did he push her too far, will she forgive, will she understand the why, will he admit his feelings for her, will she admit her feelings, will her sister get what she deserves or did she have her reasons, and can they find happiness?
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book as I have never read anything by Claudia Landres but I was delightedly engaged! I love the way this story is written. I was going "eeee!" in my head at their comedy of errors. The way the story resolved itself was wonderfully executed. Kudos, author! I am looking forward to more excellent stories from you
Great story she landed the job of her dreams to then start falling for the owner not realising he had a hidden agenda of vengeance he would make her pay for his brother but boy their chemistry was causing an issue and when she found and lost their baby the sparks of rage flew even more how could this move forward there was so much heartbreak to get through
This is a new Author to me, the Photograph was a story that I was not putting down once I started. Because of a misunderstanding Gabe Matthews thinks he is going after the right woman when he targets Aelin Thorne after his brother near death. This story kept me on the edge of my seat with its drama, suspense and romance. The story is well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Photograph by Claudia Landres has really engaging characters and a strong storyline. Mogul Gabe has his heart set on revenge against Aelin. Hiring her to renovate a historical home and then sabotage her in the process, his intricate plan falls apart when he finds the chemistry between them is too much, and he can't resist her. Ultimately, I really liked the concept and deception occurring through the book. Clearly Aelin was hiding something and led the reader to question her intentions, and Gabe started out with a cloud of doubt over his head. Both their secrets have reasonable resolutions and the steamy scenes kept the book moving at times. I will say a detractor was too much of the characters inner monologues and the rehashing the same ideas in conversations through the book. It was the redundant info which happened several times in the book which slowed the pacing down. With that said, I liked the book. I will keep an eye out for more of Landres's writing so I can see how they grow as a writer.
Well written, full of mistaken revenge plot, steam, well defined characters and emotions. Gabe believes that Aelin is the woman who almost kills his brother. You find out later in this book that it was her sister per his brother. Gabe then has to make good all the bad he has done to Aelin. Gabe can only hope that he can prove to he that what he feels is the real thing. So curl up and enjoy this book. Would recommend this book to all.
I really enjoyed this story. It was very well written. The mistaken revenge plot was so well delivered and how they were able to overcome and keep pushing for HEA was just a great story. I will be watching and looking for more from this author for sure.
This was my first read from this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters and the chemistry between them was fantastic. The underlying betrayal by the hero due to false assumptions made for an interesting plot. A dash of angst and a HEA made me a happy reader.
I need a long lie down in a darkened room with a cold compress on my head after reading the utterly absorbing The Photograph. Shakespeare wrote a Comedy of errors and this is an angst ridden DRAMA of errors that is engaging from the first page. When the dominant, wealthy and handsome Gabe sets out to avenge the 'wrong' he perceives has been done to his brother the consequences of his actions almost prove fatal. All he he has to go on is the photograph of a beautiful woman and he will find her and make her pay. Aelin is an extraordinary designer of interiors with a tragic past, and when she goes after her dream job her path crosses with Gabe's. She is his prey and he is the predator. It is she who must pay. I can't go further without spoiling what is a brilliant, storyline, a total rollercoaster. There are major triggers here so please be warned. I want to throw my Kindle through the window in frustration at Gabe in one breath and root totally for him in the next. What he thought and what he actually said, were totally at odds with each other. His stubbornness, with blinkers on, was so frustrating! Aeline is a gutsy, warm and sympathetic survivor, she is no doormat and the push and pull is delicious. The angst is real, so very, very real. The heat - with the dominant Gabe and the innocent Aeline absolutely sizzles. You despair and then you swoon and then you despair again. I tell you, I'm exhausted. A story that whips along leaving you breathless and is brilliantly written. Read it. you'd be crazy not to.
This is one is going to the best of my best re read books. My god you have yourself another follower I really need to find other book from you. This book is fantastic. The story line was beautiful the characters was amazing they were matured and you can't help to love everyone of them. The chemistry phew . I enjoyed every page of avery chapter and I can't wait calibs (cal) story. I recommend this one to those who likes matured characters very good developing story with no playing hard to get no cheating and HEA. This one is long books but once you get in the story the longest of the book won't even bother you. Very good job to you and good luck with other. You did very good in this one. Good job????
This is one is going to the best of my best re read books. My god you have yourself another follower I really need to find other book from you. This book is fantastic. The story line was beautiful the characters was amazing they were matured and you can't help to love everyone of them. The chemistry phew . I enjoyed every page of avery chapter and I can't wait calibs (cal) story. I recommend this one to those who likes matured characters very good developing story with no playing hard to get no cheating and HEA. This one is long books but once you get in the story the longest of the book won't even bother you. Very good job to you and good luck with other. You did very good in this one. Good job????
