These Battered Hands by Laurel Ulen Curtis
Date of Publication: September 29, 2015
Blurb
Callie
Blood, sweat, hard work, and a disconcerting lack of tears—my entire life—was meant to culminate in a flourish of glory and significance.
I'd thought I'd always known exactly what that meant.
But I'd had the timing wrong by about three minutes.
I knew now.
This moment wasn't everything. The one person I found myself wanting more than anything during it was.
Nik
One preconceived notion can haunt you for the entirety of your life.
I thought I owed it to myself and to everyone who'd ever backed me to do what was expected. What was right. What I was supposed to do.
But nothing is forbidden in love. Not circumstances or propriety or the denial of the object of said affection.
I knew now.
This was it.
If I wanted it, I had to take it.
This gymnastics love story is more than grips, rips, and battered hands.
For Calia Nickleson and Nikolai Bagrov, it was everything.
Blood, sweat, hard work, and a disconcerting lack of tears—my entire life—was meant to culminate in a flourish of glory and significance.
I'd thought I'd always known exactly what that meant.
But I'd had the timing wrong by about three minutes.
I knew now.
This moment wasn't everything. The one person I found myself wanting more than anything during it was.
Nik
One preconceived notion can haunt you for the entirety of your life.
I thought I owed it to myself and to everyone who'd ever backed me to do what was expected. What was right. What I was supposed to do.
But nothing is forbidden in love. Not circumstances or propriety or the denial of the object of said affection.
I knew now.
This was it.
If I wanted it, I had to take it.
This gymnastics love story is more than grips, rips, and battered hands.
For Calia Nickleson and Nikolai Bagrov, it was everything.
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Review: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Back in August I went to the Carolina Book Fest with my good friend. While at the event, I heard all about Laurel Ulen Curtis from her. When I met her in person, I immediately knew she would be so much fun to be around. And when you have such a fun personality like Laurel, you're bound to write good books. Also, her mom is pretty badass. Maybe one day I will be that mom for my kids. I picked up the paperback of Hate: A Love Story that weekend as well. Look for a review on that one soon. :)
Not long after the signing, I received an invite for the blog tour for These Battered Hands. One look at the cover and I knew I had to read it. I don't know what it is about it, but its so simple, beautiful and perfect.
Cal is pushing herself to the limit for one last Olympic chance and she is convinced that she doesn't need anyone's else to accomplish it. Her hard, cynical exterior is hard. Not a single person has ever been able to get past it. But now that Nik has arrived on the scene to become her coach, things are about to get interesting. Nik has his own heartbreaking story, but he still manages to function and run his life better than Callie. Will they constantly butt heads? Or is Nik the only one to see into Callie's mind and see her fears?
Now, ask me what I know about gymnastics....Not a dang thing. The only knowledge I have is that I freak out while watching it on tv. Gymnasts perform some crazy, dangerous stuff! So when I opened the pages of this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. To me, the book was less about gymnastics and more about Cal finding herself. She has so much pressure placed on her by her Dad and her own ideas of what others think of her that she doesn't even know what makes her happy. Nik seems to be the only person in the world capable of standing toe to toe with Callie and respecting her at the same time. I love their relationship and the character development between the two.
If you are looking for a great book, I highly recommend TBH. It flows well, the characters are strong, the humor is great and the plot and development of the book are wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Well done, Laurel!
About Laurel Ulen Curtis
Laurel Ulen Curtis is a 28 year old mother of one. She lives with her husband and son (and cat!) in New Jersey, but grew up all over the United States. She graduated from Rutgers University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, and puts that to almost no use other than forecasting for her friends and writing a storm chasing heroine! She has a passion for her family, laughing, and reading and writing Romance novels. She's also addicted to Coke. The drink, not the drug.
Find Laurel Ulen Curtis Online
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