Review: Shredded Tracy Wolff

Shredded By Tracy Wolff

Series: Extreme Risk # 1

Source: eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley

Published: February 4, 2014

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My Rating

In this intense and exhilarating New Adult series debut, a hotshot snowboarder and a vulnerable rebel with a cause try to let go of the past—and find a future in each other.

Twenty-one-year-old professional snowboarder Z Michaels is the bad boy of Park City, Utah. He’s always had his pick of any girl in town—and on the competition circuit. But underneath his cool exterior is a young man in turmoil, trying to take the edge off tragedy by overindulging in sex and shredding the slopes. In fact, Z’s reckless behavior is a thinly veiled attempt to blunt his emotional suffering with physical pain.

Ophelia Richardson isn’t like any girl Z has ever met. Though she’s from New Orleans high society, she’s no Southern belle—and she’s not shy about being miserable in frozen, godforsaken Park City. But laying low is her only option after her ex, a rich boy who couldn’t take no for an answer, nearly killed her in a jealous rage. Following that terrifying encounter, the last thing Ophelia needs is a boyfriend—especially one as rich and arrogant as Z. But Ophelia soon discovers that he isn’t what he seems. If anything, Z may be even more damaged than she is.

Tormented by their pasts and feeling alone in the world, Z and Ophelia find a connection unlike any they’ve ever known. But with Ophelia hiding the details of her life in Louisiana and Z’s death wish reaching terrifying new heights, their relationship seems to be going downhill before it even begins—unless they can find the strength in each other to trust, grow, and love again.

Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.

And for all of those who want the unedited version:

Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible. Tracy Wolff also writes as Tessa Adams

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You're a pain in the ass, is what you are. Too arrogant. Too talented. Too used to getting your own way. Too impulsive. Too handsome. Too protective. Too kind. Who the hell knows what I see in you." -Ophelia

*****

I can barely breathe, barely think, through the need, the joy, the absolute terror that comes with loving her like this. 

For a second I think about looking away, but she won't let me. -Z

"I've got you, too, Z. I promise. I've got you, too.

I really liked this book. I liked the characters, the writing, and the plot. I think it was well organized. I liked the snowboarding aspect of this book, it's the first book I've read about it and I liked it. I loved Z and Ophelia, I thought they were good together. I think their first meeting was so funny, Z was flirting with Ophelia and she wasn't impressed, in fact she dumped a cold drink on his pants because she thought he needed to cool down. He just laughed, he was amused, girls threw themselves at him all the time and he wasn't used to not getting his way. He thought Ophelia was interesting and he wanted to know more about her. When they got together, it was hot! I loved the way he protective over her, worried about her, more like over-protective but he cared about her and he was learning how to be in a relationship so he was just trying to protect what was his. I'm so happy Z found Ophelia, I think they were really good together and I also loved their little group, all the other characters were awesome. There was definitely drama in the circle of friends and they all had their secrets, but I loved how they had each others backs and were always so encouraging towards each other.  

The only thing that I didn't like was that Z felt so guilty because of his past, he tortured himself by putting himself in danger regularly. He took unnecessary risks, he loved the adrenaline he got from snowboarding but it was more than that, he needed to escape his memories and his guilt. What actually surprised me the most was that his father wasn't around because of what happened in the past. I hated that for Z, he was so talented, mostly because he did what nobody else would because it was so dangerous, but other than that, he had real talent. I hated that he was wasting it but when he got his act together, he was better than ever.

I really can't put into words how much I loved this book. It happens to me all the time, when I read a really good book I'm somehow speechless. That's kinda bad for someone that writes a blog, but there you go, lol. I just know that this book is really good, go read it. It's includes snowboarding, it pumps your adrenaline, keeps you on your toes, keeps you guessing, and leaves you wanting more. And I'm not just talking about the sport.
The writing was also really good, the plot, and the characters. What really hooked me where the characters, I love how they were so tight and such a family. Yes I repeated myself but it needed to be said. And can we please talk about this cover, OMG that's freakin' fantastic! You all know I'm a cover snob, lets not even hide that cause it's true. The cover looks just like Z is described; hot, hot, hot. Need I say more? I don't think so :)

I also read the next book Shattered and it was equally as good. It's about Ash, one of Zs best friends, when something unexpected happens he has to deal with it for the rest of his life. I also have more books by Tracy that I can't wait to read and review.