HJ Bellus

That Girl, My Now and Forever, My Today

That Girl by H.J. Bellus

This book is about That Girl…

The girl who leaves behind her past, including her name; runs away from home and vows to never let another identity claim her again. Broken dreams, an abusive step-dad and ugly memories from her childhood are the only shattered remnants that have the ability to haunt her.

With no money, an endless blank slate laying ahead of her and no hopes for the future, she sets out to survive at minimum wage jobs, moving from town to town, changing her name with each move, and never allowing glimpses of her past to threaten her empty future.

Average in every way, from her looks to her personality and even her style, there is not much to remember about her. When she abandons one town for another, she leaves behind her fake identity in the search of the next one, while leaving people asking themselves, “I wonder what ever became of that girl.”

This was her reality until Lincoln Wilks.

The number one defensive football player in Fort Collins who finally names That Girl.

Manda's 5 Star Review:

This story is about a girl who is running from her past. Raised in an abusive home that leaves her scarred both emotionally and physically. She escapes to various new towns with a new identity at each stop. Never allowing herself to get to comfortable, never finding a home. Until she Meets Lincoln Wilks. Lincoln is the first person to ever stand up for her and fight for her. He is determined to give her a name that she can be proud of. He knows she has a painful story and he wants to be there to take some of her burden. As she slowly begins to open up to him, she finds that maybe she could finally find a home. Lincolns friends welcome her with open arms and she finally starts to feel comfortable. She can't imagine ever finding a more perfect person, but Lincoln has some scars of his own. His family has never been interested in his accomplishments and is more focused on his brother. He never fit their mold and never will. When his vengeful mother decides to take action their pasts collide and threaten to end their future.

Such a beautiful story. H.J Bellus is an an amazing writer. I have yet to read one of her books that I didn't absolutely love. That girl has lived a painful life. The abuse she endures is heartbreaking and at time difficult to read. The characters she meets on her journey range from beautiful to scary and each on adds a little something to the girl with no name. The storyline may sound like something you have read before but the delivery is unlike anything I have read before and it is absolutely beautiful. Each and every character has a personality that sticks out. Some you will love and some you will not. Then there is Lincoln! His character is amazing in his patience and determination. This really is a beautiful and heartbreaking story. This book has moved to my list of must reads and comes highly recommended. I cannot wait to see what comes next from author H.J Bellus I am never disappointed by her stories!! Well done and congratulations on a fantastic book!

 

Whose parents abandon them in a trashy trailer when they are five years old? Oh Yeah! Mine do!

Hey Hoochies! I'm Milly, and I am tired of taking kicks to the gut. A broken family, an asshole husband and the loss of loved ones have left me crying Uncle, and declaring a serious case of the Fuck-Its! 

I had my heart broken, stomped on and shattered before I ever started on my journey to find my little piece of happiness. With a bucket list, a '66 Ford and wild dreams, I set out on an adventure that changed my life forever. Follow me on my journey that resurrected my inner badass.

I found my soul sista from another mista, and opened my dream shop along the way. Just when I gave up on finding true love, a pirate and a princess swept me off my ever lovin' feet and filled my world with sprinkles, mac n’ cheese and the courage to live again. They forced my fragile heart to trust and love without fear. 

Truth is, nobody’s past stays hidden forever. It’s an invisible monster waiting to attack and destroy. It has the capability to ruin everything you’ve worked to set right. All it takes is one final blow to the gut to end everything.

Manda's 4 Star Review

Milly had a truly terrible start to life that led her to a truly terrible marriage. The only thing she has in life that has worth to her is the relationship she shares with her crazy mother-in-law. After living a life of heartache and loss Milly decides to set out on a journey to find herself. Armed with her '66 Ford and an amazing bucket list, she sets off in search of happiness. Her journey leads her to a small town and a group of characters that show her what family really is. The only problem is that sometimes the things you thought you left in the past don't always stay there.

I loved this book! The dialog between Milly and Lacey is hilarious and I love the sisterly relationship they form. Milly's start in life is completely heartbreaking and will emotionally attach you to her character. As she sets out on her journey with bucket list in hand I found that I was unable to set this book down. Then enter the pirate and the princess and I REALLY didn't want to put it down. The characters in this book are so well written and the bonds they form are beautiful and at times hilarious. Such a fantastic story from start to finish. This is a book that I would definitely recommend to anyone. HJ Bellus is a fantastic writer and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

My 4 Star Review!!

I was drawn to this book from the very beginning!! The bond between Francis and Milly just about broke me. I was laughing and crying at the same time, and we are talking crocodile tears. Milly grows so much in this book, and with that growth she is able to help some many others. I laughed so much in this book!! When Milly meets Lacey, I about died from a laughing fit! Bottom line from the beginning I did not want to put this book down. The characters and their relationships between each other were amazing. Hands down one of the funnier books I have read. I strongly recommend reading this one!!

~Mags

Lacey’s Story…

Covering up pain is easy. It’s keeping it tucked away that’s hard. I’ve always needed the cover of tattoos to hide the nasty past that leached its way into me, tainting me beneath my skin. Not the shiny, trendy tats, but the ugly broken kind, meant to keep the world at bay. If they weren’t enough, then my piercings, foul mouth and crazy hair usually did the trick. Life had taught me to never follow the rules, because when you do, you get burned.

That philosophy served its purpose, until I met someone who turned my life upside down. Milly, the little hoochie, stormed into my life and changed everything with her undying faith in me, her love and her shitty coffee concoctions. I found a family in Milly, and her sexy farm boy, Cree. She accepted me without hesitation, and never ran from the dark and dangerous secrets that I harbored. My new family loved me unconditionally, with their showers of sprinkles and impromptu dance parties. 

My life was perfectly imperfect until Tripp and his crazy-ass ideas of princesses. Our relationship is what most would describe as fuel meeting fire. We were both hell bent on burning each other to the ground. Tripp, fresh out of rehab, moved in with Milly and Cree to try and make a new life for himself. Tripp, the sexy as hell, charismatic beast, soon became one of my best friends. We shared our love of ice cream and tattoos as we blazed our own path that could only lead to a beautiful train wreck. The only question left is, will we set the countryside ablaze with our hot tempers and foul mouths, or will we paint our own happy ending filled with all the gushy shit normal people crave?

***Who Picked This? Book Blog was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review***

This is the 2nd book in the series and may contain spoilers from the 1st book. We recommend reading book 1 before reading these reviews. 

Manda's 4 Star Review:

Lacey has always used her crazy hair, tattoos and foul mouth to cover up her pain. That is until she meets Milly and finds a friend and sister that she can really share her past with. Someone who understands her and loves her unconditionally. In finding Milly she also finds herself a big family complete with Milly's sexy farm boy, his daughter, his sister and his cousin Tripp.

Tripp has lived a life of heartache and addiction. After finishing a round of rehab he moves in with his cousin to try and get his life back on track. What he finds is a crazy, loud and wonderful family unit. He also finds Lacey. She is tattooed and wild and the most beautiful woman he has ever met. They form a bond and a relationship that is full of ups and downs. As the demons of their pasts resurface, bonds are tested and true strength is tested.

Wow. This book is a crazy emotional roller coaster. Heartbreaking and tear inducing but also funny and loving. Could not put this book down. Each book in the series keeps getting better and better. The family unit in these books are once again phenomenal. I love the relationships formed in this book. Again Lacey and Milly are hilarious. The relationship between Lacey and Tripp is so filled with emotion and depth. HJ Bellus is such a fantastic writer and really brings these characters to life. I am definitely a fan and will read anything she writes. I really can't say enough about these books. Such a great series that I fully recommend to anyone looking for an amazing read. Cannot wait to see what happens next.

My 3 Star Review!!

Lacey is a loud & opinionated spitfire, who speaks her mind without caring what others think. From her crazy hairstyles and clothes to her bold beautiful artwork that surrounds her body, Lacey is something to pay attention too. But Lacey is hiding something under her looks, something that she has been running from for a very long time: pain. Lacey meets Milly and finally finds a family she has been looking for all along. Tripp is a user. Drugs, alcohol, and women are the vices he uses to escape reality, even if it’s only for a little while. When Tripp moves in with his cousin Cree after leaving rehab, he meets Lacey and neither of their lives will ever be the same again. 

I really enjoy this series!! I love Lacey and her personality. She makes me laugh like a crazy person and call my own PMP!! She is strong but at the same time still needs others, even when she is trying to deny it. Her and Milly once again made me read with a smile on my face. Tripp’s character was a bit tough for me to read. He had some issues that I am glad he was able to work through. Overall, the story was hilarious but I just didn’t feel the same connection I did with Milly and Cree’s story. I think it was missing a little Francis May Crazy Pants. I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone looking for a romantic comedy with a bit of crazy thrown in!! 

~Mags