Tate You learn from your past. They say that your childhood shapes you into the person you are today. My childhood was hell. I lived through the stuff of nightmares. So what does that make me as an adult? A cold, dangerous and damaged being. Friendships, love and trust mean nothing to me. Those words are fictional and they are nothing but lies.
Cleo I have a good life now, a happier one. I will never let myself be vulnerable again. I won’t be beaten and I will never stop fighting for a better life. I am a survivor of the evil that stole my childhood. My life is better and sure, I may sell my body for money. My life isn’t perfect but I control who and when. I have regained that power.
Tate and Cleo knew each other in a past life. They had a special bond but they aren’t the same people they once were. They thought the past was dead and buried, but sometimes the deceased can come back to haunt you.
Damaged is a dark romance, a unique love story built on violence, murder and sex.
I'm a self published author. I fell in love with reading as an adult, when I found the romance genre. I immediately got sucked into the stories and fell in love. The romcom, the dark, the Suspense, all of them!
I struggled a lot with reading and writing when I was younger. Being dyslexic made it extremely hard for me, but I loved writing stories even then.
I wrote Rise Above in secret too scared and embarrassed that it wasn't good enough, that people would laugh at it, at me. My husband pushed me to take the leap. So I did. Not having an editor to start with and a friend making my cover it scary jumping into a world your unsure of what to do. Learning as I go. Its the best decision I ever made. The response was amazing. I am currently working on the rest of the series. And plan on writing until I run out of words. I love it and one thing I've learnt is you only live once and you should to do what you love and what makes you happy. I hope that people enjoy my stories as much as I enjoy writing them.
As always L.G Campbell doesn't disappoint - I was given an ARC copy of this book for an honest review!
Let me say from page 1 I was not ready! Tate, holy hell, Tate - He had all the reasons to be the alpha anti-hero that he is. Cleo is broken in the same ways Tate is. The book is beautifully tragic with the HEA that the characters as well as the readers deserve!
I was so excited when this landed on my kindle, and it definitely did not disappoint.
This book broke my heart on many occasions, Cleo and Tates story is not an easy one. They both go through hell and back in this book, and you'll constantly be rooting for them both. Tate is not a nice man, he's a fantastic anti-hero though, and Cleo is incredibly strong for everything the two of them have been through. There's no fluffyness and nothings been sugar-coated in this book. You'll be thrown through a lot of emotions, and a lot of possible triggers so make sure you read the warnings.
A fantastic story, it consumed me and the spicy scenes are incredibly hot. You definitely will want to add this to your TBR!
After Loco I was interested to see what the author would write next and then along came Damaged and WOW. We first meet Tate and Cleo as kids in the foster home who form a little band of brothers called The Rejects. From the start this is a dark story both Tate and Cleo's backstory is heartbreaking and may be difficult to read for some. When they meet 15 years later life has changed them both, Tate is successful and Cleo is living with Billy doing anything she can to make ends meet. The story is sensual twisted and addictive reading. I liked the dynamic between the two main characters, the revenge element fuelled by anger that leads to some very hot passionate scenes. I loved Tate's darkness, he is not a good man and uses his power to try and intimidate Cleo. What he didn't count on was her strength and challenging nature. Some of their interactions were kind of funny in a dark humor kind of way. The way she pushed his buttons just to get a reaction from him. This was a story I couldn't put down, wanting to find out what was going to happen next was a delicious torture. I for one cannot wait to see what's next from this author.
This was a great read. It gives you Pretty Woman vibes but with a twist. The heroine is older than the hero by 6 yrs. The mystery around a murder gets you all intrigued.
Both Cleo and Tate had very bad childhoods. Especially Tate, my heart just broke for what he went through as a ten year old and to witness what happened to his 4 months old brother. Wow, that was a tearjerker.
I don't even want to mention what Cleo went through as a child, that was past sadistic. My heart was so broken when she told Tate what she went through as a child. She just continued on and tried to make her life as normal as it could be for someone who suffered what was done to her.
Cleo and Tate had this push and pull type of relationship for a short while, but eventually Tate got over being an ahole to Cleo and they formed this relationship only they could understand. The title of this book explains it all they're "damaged".
Then there is still the thread of a killer and no one knows who it could be. I was absolutely shocked when it was revealed who the killer was. I did not expect that.
“Cleo, My beautiful Cleo. They say the past has a way of coming back to haunt you. I’m not here to haunt you, I am here to show you. To show everyone, what you are all capable of. Nothing can stay buried forever, Knock, knock”
Oh my gosh and Shantel (Cleo's friend) was hilarious. I hope there is a book about her in the near future.
“Yeah, she don’t need no man coming to save her. Us bitches got to stick together,” Shantel boasts.
I laugh. Tate places a soft kiss on my head. “Where did you get that diamond incrusted gun anyway?”
Shantel smiles. “I did it with my glue gun and batch on diamantes. The boring plain gun didn’t match my get up so I gave it a little something extra.”
Trigger warnings
You'll be getting all the feels when reading Tate and Cleo's story from heartbreaking moments, find yourself crying at times, laughing out loud and mystery.
This was an excellent read. Well done Lauren Campbell on yet another excellent read.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
Thank you Robyn and Lg for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.
Damaged is A story that follows the Lives of Tate and Cleo. it is the second book in the nefarious souls series.
Both had a really really tough childhood. before being taken in to the care system both suffered at the hands of their families only to be taken into a system that abused them even further. Everyone who could let them down.
Both of these characters suffered so much abuse but they managed to survive and try to live as adults.
Cleo is strong but has very little if any self worth. she cares for others first. she works all the hours she can. first in the market and then at night selling her body.
Tate used his anger from the failures to become a pimp and a very successful one at that. He isnt like most pimps. he runs a huge escorting service and trafficking service. He only helps those that want it and strict rules in place to protect them.
These two were separated for 15 years after the fateful night. when they come across each other they are both shocked and uncertain. they have a connection that they struggle to fight but there is danger lurking and its closer to them both than they realise.
I enjoyed reading this story my only critique would be that there was such a brilliant build up in setting their story and the development of the characters that the ending i don't feel did them justice. but truthfully i would read this book again and would recommend you to.
There are triggers with this book. Abuse of many kinds, gas lighting, prostitution, BDSM paedophilia. just to name a few.
My Overall Rating is 4 💋💋💋💋 My Passion Rating is 3 💋💋💋
Having read and loved Loco I was excited to read Damaged This book follows Tate 10 and Cleo 16 and the other kids in the foster home they called themselves The Rejects. The beginning of the book is about Tate and it is heart breaking to read what he went through at such a young age . Go forward 15 years Tate and Cleo meet again Tate has done well for himself but life along the way wasn’t easy for him to get where he is now. Cleo is living with Billy and selling herself to make ends meet then she meets Tate again but things aren’t all hunky dory between them as Tate blames the Rejects for what happened to him all those years ago. I loved this story and the dynamic between Tate and Cleo was explosive from the start I loved Cleo’s sarcasm and the way she wound Tate up he said he hated the way she spoke back to him but I think he secretly loved it as no one dared to talk to him like that 😂
Tate and Cleo are in a Foster home and the start of the book is Tate at the age of 10. My heart broke for him as a little boy and what he went through. Cleo is one of the oldest and is trying to protect them all. Until one night something happens and they all have to runaway and split up, taking the secret with them. You find out a bit about Cleo's background later on in the book and that is also heartbreaking. Both Tate and Cleo have been through so much in their lives.
Fast forward a few years and Tate and Cleo meet again. Tate has turned into a cold and calculating man and done well for himself whereas Cleo has been struggling all her life. Can these two make it work? How will they cope when both their pasts come back to haunt them?
There is a mystery to the plot which will keep you turning the pages! It is a dark book so please read the TWs before starting. I really enjoyed reading this book it had plot, steam and good characters.
Another heartbreakingly unfathomable and sometimes uncomfortable ride from Ms Campbell. The second in the nefarious souls series brings us Cleo and Tate. Two people who have had the most awful atrocities inflicted on them. Yet despite everything they still manage to use their demons and live a life, one they have chosen. Ok in Cleo’s case it might not be the best, but she makes her own rules. Her grit and determination, her street smarts and quick wit get her by….
Tate…well wait until you meet Tate! I’m not sure why I thought his chosen life would be different but the more we learn of him and his layers the more we see his chosen path has many reasons and hidden agendas. I loved these two, and as with all LG Campbell stories her supporting characters are what truly bring the story to life. They are the light touch it needs to keep the darkness balanced and the story varied. Will we get Star’s story? Here’s hoping!
I received this book from LG Campbell in exchange for an honest review.
Damaged
Spice Rating 9/10 Book rating: 5/5
One of the things that caught my eye with this book is cover. Shattered glass and a rose. This reminds of song where the gist is like a push and pull type of relationship and thats how the way Cleo and Tate are. This book made me shed a tear there was a part of it that really made me feel the emotion Cleo was having her heart obliterated just like that. Two people with dark and damaged pasts come together to create a beautiful story.
I really like how dark and spicy the whole book was. This my type of romance, one way or the other its is very relatable to its readers. Damaged, helped me see more hope in things regardless of the situation. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who likes books with tons of spice, unusual love story and dark romance. This is the book for you then! Grab your copy now!
Ms. Campbell this was fantastic and fit the title perfectly. You have two damaged people who try to fit into the box that society has tried to put them in. This book is raw, heartbreaking, and soul-crushing. Be prepared for this book. Be prepared for Tates and Cleo's journey because no fluff was added. Cloe's battle was difficult to read but she pushed through it making the best of it. Tate was amazingly strong and honestly ended up coming out on top. These together were a force to be reckoned with. Please that there will be times when reading this that you may get tears in your eyes and sometimes you will gasp at the words you read. This story is not for the faint of heart hence the title but remember there is a happy ending. Also please read the trigger warnings they are there for a reason.
Damaged, something different by LG Campbell. This is Tate's and Cleo's story. Tate and Cléo didn't have a really good childhood. They both ended up in the system. They were placed in the same foster home with a few other kids. Tate and Cléo had a special bond from the first time they met. Even though all the kids had each other's backs, unfortunately, a fire in their home separated them. They didn't stay together as they grew up. A boy named Billy stayed with Cleo while the others went to other foster homes. Tate was severely burned in the fire and was in the hospital for a really long time. As an adult, Tate became a really successful pimp ,while Cleo had to work really hard to support herself and Billy. But fate had other plans for Cléo and Tate. They were meant to be together. I'll stop here because I feel like I'm giving away the whole story, but this was a great book.
Tate and Cleo's story is not for the faint hearted. Please take that with serious thought. Mrs Campbell sure knows how to get your heart pumping. Tate and Cleo, their story is something else. Those two definitely have a bond like no other, they've been through hell and back together and apart. This book had me on the edge of my seat at times and the steam was basically melt your kindle. Tate is not a nice man, he is very much an anti-hero exactly what Mrs Campbell was going for and she hit the nail on the head and Cleo, she was no weakling. She was strong as ever with everything she's gone through in her life. I'm excited to see what else Mrs Campbell has up her sleeve.
Wow this book broke my heart into a million pieces. Please excuse me while I go cry…… I’m not okay guys!!!!!
Talk about trigger warning…. Please be aware…
Okay okay now to the juicy stuff. Tate and Cleo did not have a great upbringing. Actually their upbringing was horrible, traumatic, painful. But for them to even after any life after what happened to them is so amazing.
Every character in this book played a big part into Cleo and Tate story.
If you are looking for a book that is full of so much emotions that you don’t know how to handle then I say go for it.
My brain is still processing what I just read! Miss Campbell, you seriously have wowed me!
Tate and Cleo are just soulmates and I love the cougar in her. Seeing their beginning, I was like where is this headed? I literally wept for Tate and what he had to endure and then Cleo! I almost threw my kindle, because no girl should have to go through that.
I love how strong you made them together, and how their strengths complimented the other.
By the end I was like waittttt I need more, so if you ever decide to add more I am on board with it.
L.G. Campbell sure knows how to throw a curve ball. Damaged is filled with many curve balls that you don't know what to expect even if you think you got it figured out. Trust me, you really don't!
Cleo and Tate has been dealt with a hard life but they try there best at making it a life to live. They were put into foster care together but get separated after a tragic event. Many years later and they are thrown back together. Are they able to rekindle the magic between them or was life to hard?
Tate and Cleo meet when in a shared social work house, both have had horrendous back stories and upbringings and it doesnt get any easier for them both now. Cleo is the leader of the group and does her best to keep the drama and brutality away from the others but thats not always possible. Jumping back and forth from their younger years until the present day this story gives you all the gory details and keeps you flipping those pages filled with twists, drama and evilness. *Read as part of KU*
This is a book not for the faint hearted! There are moments that will definately make you re evaluate your up bringing I for one will not moan again!!
Cleo and Tate are brought up in the system where they are less than cared for however his awful beginning shapes their future and happy ever after and what better way to end their story!!
As always LG Campbell leaves you a book you cannot put down and wishing she would write the next one faster!!
I finished this book in half a day. I couldn't put it down. L.G. Campbell has done an amazing job of making a difficult story easy to read.
It was hard knowing what some of these characters went through is a sad reality for many. But they get through so much together and reunite. Definitely not your typical romance but so happy there was a HEA for That and Cleo
My heart broke when reading tate an cleos story, they did have such an unbreakable bond from the start.
This story pulled all the emotions out, was so glad to see they both were happy in the end. If you ever decide to carry their story on into another book i would be more than happy to read more about them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
So many ups and downs. It is full of unexpected surprises. Tragedy hits which makes you feel for the characters involved. The characters were well written and strong. It is a rousing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat turning pages.
Be prepared for all the feels. Follow Tate and Cleo on an emotionally filled journey. Their childhood shapes their future. Tate uses his past to strength himself, become more than then ruined week child. He builds himself a business.
Cleo does all she can to survive and ends up working for Tate.the chemistry and sparks fly and all the drama keeps you hooked.
Oh. My. Shizz!! This book has consumed me and if not for a slight distraction, I would of read in one sitting! My heart has stopped on more than one occasion whilst reading this and there have been tears. It's not an easy read, it's heartbreaking, but also soul soothing. A contradiction I know, but when you delve into Cleo and Tate's past and then current, you will understand. As I have said, there have been tears but also laughter. This is a story of survival, doing what needs to be done, to get by. I am overflowing with FEELS! Go and one click this!
Tate and Cleo had a hard time growing up together until they get separated and go their separate ways. Not knowing if Tate is dead or alive it comes as a shock to Cleo to see Tate thriving. This story is heartbreaking at times and fantasically written. Another great read by LG Campbell
I started this book with a very tongue in cheek attitude. It is dark. Child abuse is a serious matter, but the hilarity that tends to break through is just genius on the author's part. Grammar mistakes are plenty, but the storyline is very good. Thank you
I absolutely loved this story. Tate and Cleo may have had a very messed up childhood, but they overcame it in the end. It's sad that this is actually a reality that people don't want to see or do anything about.