ARC Review: Harder by Robin York

Harder by Robin York is part 2 of Caroline and West's story. This is not a standalone, and should only be read after Deeper as it is a continuation of the first book. I have been dying for this one since the second that I finished Deeper. I absolutely loved Caroline and West, and it killed me the way things were left between them. I needed to know what happened next for them, and I couldn't get my hands on this book soon enough. This book was really good, but its honestly hard to put into words everything that it left me feeling. This book was an absolute journey, and not all the parts were easy to get through.

Harder picks up after West has returned to Silt, Oregon and left her behind. She still dreams about him and wishes that they were together. She hasn't spoken to him in months, but after tragedy hits his family she receives a call from him out of the blue. Without thinking twice about it, Caroline heads to Silt to be there for West and give him her support. But when she arrives she immediately sees that this West is different than the West she knew and loved. This West is darker and filled with anger. West does everything he can to push Caroline away, but she is determined to show him that she is there for him. As Caroline continues to try with West, she is also dealing with the suit against her ex Nate. Can Caroline and West make it through the struggle and find their way back to one another?

I cannot even tell you how much I love Caroline and West. I could see just how much both of these characters were struggling through this book, and it killed me to see them going through so much. Caroline was doing everything she could and at times West just broke my heart. I felt bad for him, but I also really wanted to scream at him. He was so stubborn and refused to see that Caroline was what he needed. The worst part was that he never stopped loving her or wanting her, but yet he continued to push her away. I was so glad that Caroline didn't make it easy on him though and made him see what he was doing and that she loved him regardless. She never gave up, and I loved her even more for it. Caroline had been through so much herself and was continuing to have to deal with her painful past. Yet she was a strong role model for Frankie and she was so good with West all at the same time. Caroline is just one of those heroines that you can't help but love and admire. The chemistry and connection between West and Caroline was as strong as ever, and it was so clear that these two belonged together.

Overall, I thought that this book was fantastic. I am so greedy when it comes to these characters and their story though, and I will admit that I was absolutely not ready for this book to be over. I need more Caroline and West. I grew really attached to them and I was invested in their story from the start. Their journey was beautiful and unique, and yet it was heartbreaking at times. The first half of this book was a struggle to get through. Not because it wasn't well written, or true to the characters. But because you just hate to see these characters that you have come to know and love going through such an awful time. This book definitely left me an emotional wreck, and I just kept hoping that things had to get better soon. I had faith that things would be okay for them, because I knew in my heart that these two absolutely belonged together and deserved their HEA after everything that they had been through. I can't even tell you enough why this book is a must read. It is so good, it is well written, and it will definitely bring out all sorts of feelings. This New Adult series is one that I honestly cannot recommend enough. These books are captivating and emotional, and they are some of the best I have ever read. If you haven't read Deeper or Harder, I highly suggest that you pick them up right away. I honestly cannot wait to read more from Robin York in the future, and I know that Caroline and West will always stick with me and be some of my favorites forever.

**ARC Provided by Random House Publishing**

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Interview with Author Robin York and Giveaway

Meet Robin York, author of Harder.

Robin York grew up at a college, went to college, signed on for some more college, and then married a university professor. She still isn’t sure why it didn’t occur to her to write New Adult sooner. Writing as Ruthie Knox, she is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary romance, including RITA-finalists About Last Night and Room at the Inn. She moonlights as a mother, makes killer salted caramels, and sorts out thorny plot problems while running, hiking, or riding her bike.

Find Robin at:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Deeper by Robin York

Deeper by Robin York completely blew me away with how fantastic it was! I did not want to put this one down and when I got to the end I wanted to cry and scream and throw a huge temper tantrum. I was absolutely not ready for the ending, and I need the next book now. I cannot even tell you just how much this book made me feel. My emotions are all over the place in the best way possible. Robin York brought these beautiful and complex characters to life in such a real way that they will be on my mind until I get the rest of their story, and I am sure even beyond that. Caroline and West are impossible not to fall in love with, and they are definitely some of my all-time favorites after reading this book.

After ending her relationship with her boyfriend of three years, Caroline finds out via text from her best friend that her ex posted sexually compromising photos of her on the internet. Not only does this harm her reputation, but it also puts her future career into huge jeopardy. Not wanting her family to find out, Caroline does her best to get the pictures removed on her own but it seems to be a losing battle. People are constantly judging her and saying awful things to her, until one day when West, a guy she barely knows stands up for her. West is not interested in having any kind of relationship with Caroline including friendship, and he is determined to fulfill his purpose of bettering himself so that he can take better care of his little sister. But soon Caroline is spending her sleepless nights in the parking lot of the bakery he works at until one night he invites her in. Caroline and West begin spending time together and before long they are unable to fight the attraction between them. Caroline and West's relationship is anything but normal and becomes more and more complicated. Despite their feelings and attraction, there are many things that still stand in their way. Can Caroline and West get past all the obstacles in their way, or will they be forced apart regardless of how they feel?

I loved West. He was so deep and complex. He was sexy and sweet, caring, protective and loyal. He was so determined to help his family, especially his little sister. He went out of his way to work so much in order to send his family money. I loved that he worked as a baker, and understood why he dealt drugs. I also really liked that he tried so hard not to let Caroline in and tried to keep her at arms length because he felt she deserved better. But once he realized just how much he felt and she did too, he didn't let anything stand in their way. I liked Caroline. At first I thought that she was a bit weak and kind of flat. But she really grew on me over the course of this book. Once things started to get more serious with West, she really came into her own. She became fierce and protective and I loved how she stood by West no matter what. Through all the mistakes that they both made, she didn't allow West to get away with his crap and made sure that he treated her how she deserved. Caroline and West were really perfect together and even though they had so much standing in their way it was clear that they belonged together. They had amazing chemistry together and they were absolutely smoking hot! Their sexy scenes were beyond steamy, and some of the hottest I have ever read! I loved their dirty talk and phone sex scenes and thought that they were extremely well written.

Overall, this book was beyond amazing! I fell in love with Caroline and West, and was rooting for them from the very start. This book drew me in and would not let go of my attention until I devoured every last page. I will say that this was one of the most emotional books I can remember reading and I think part of that was because I just felt so connected to these characters and became so invested in their story. I really enjoyed the secondary characters as well, and thought that they really added to the story. I absolutely cannot wait until the next story comes out and I get my Caroline and West fix. I am not sure how I am going to make it until July, and I know that they will be on my mind until then. Deeper does end with a bit of a cliffhanger (not a huge one) and the reader is left wondering what will happen next. This book has left me with a huge book hangover and makes me want to go back and reread it. Robin York has written an amazing story that keeps you interested and wondering what will happen next. I would highly recommend this book to any fans of romance, but especially those that like the New Adult genre. This book is an absolute must read in my opinion and is one that I think is not to be missed. I am anxiously awaiting the release of Harder to get more Caroline and West, but I also can't wait to read more from Robin York in the future.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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Feature and Giveaway: Deeper by Robin York

In this New Adult debut by Robin York, a college student is attacked online and must restore her name—and stay clear of a guy who’s wrong for her, but feels so right.

When Caroline Piasecki’s ex-boyfriend posts their sex pictures on the Internet, it destroys her reputation as a nice college girl. Suddenly her once-promising future doesn’t look so bright. Caroline tries to make the pictures disappear, hoping time will bury her shame. Then a guy she barely knows rises to her defense and punches her ex to the ground.

West Leavitt is the last person Caroline needs in her life. Everyone knows he’s shady. Still, Caroline is drawn to his confidence and swagger—even after promising her dad she’ll keep her distance. On late, sleepless nights, Caroline starts wandering into the bakery where West works.

They hang out, they talk, they listen. Though Caroline and West tell each other they’re “just friends,” their feelings intensify until it becomes impossible to pretend. The more complicated her relationship with West gets, the harder Caroline has to struggle to discover what she wants for herself—and the easier it becomes to find the courage she needs to fight back against the people who would judge her.

When all seems lost, sometimes the only place to go is deeper.

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