Wicked Heart (The Starcrossed Series Book 3)

From the very first pages, from those brutal words "He's engaged," the knots in my stomach began to twist. This book would hurt. This book would deliver all those feelings I both dread and crave, love and hate, feelings exclusive to this series. The dynamic between Liam and Elissa would be their own, but would parallel Cassie and Ethan in the very best ways. Their heartbreaking history comes full circle when they're brought back into each other's lives through their work in the theatre. The similarities end there, however. While Elissa Holt is a stage manager in the theatre, Liam Quinn happens to be the most famous movie star in the world. And on his arm is his equally famous fiance.

Dare I say these words aloud, but I think I was more taken by Liam Quinn than I was by Ethan Holt. And I was seriously freaking slain by Ethan freaking Holt. True to form, Leisa Raven paints an exquisitely detailed picture of Elissa and Liam's story through glimpses into the past and through the excruciating state of the present. Despite how brutally painful this story is, in both the past and the present, there is simply no denying how delectable Liam Quinn is. He's charming and flirtatious and swoon-worthy and funny. Every word, every delicious look, every nuance of his intriguing personality instantly captivated me. Liam is the personification of a magnetic leading man. 

The chemistry, the connection, the raw primal attraction between Elissa and Liam is a palpable thing that climbs from the page and claws the reader. It is impossible not to feel every lick of need and want and pain and lust and undeniable love between them. It is beautifully tortuous, this love story. I laughed out loud as often as I swooned. My heart strings twisted and panged as thoroughly as my stomach knotted. This story is wrought with humor and sarcasm and snark that is so perfectly timed, steam and sensuality so thoroughly built, romance so exquisitely eked. Part of me wishes I could read books like this everyday because it embodies all that I love in a novel. But the other part of me doesn't think my heart could handle that kind of stress.

Leisa Rayven demonstrates her wicked, twisted side with this story. It's cruel the way she so closely weaves humor and heartbreak. The flirty, witty banter between Liam and Elissa is so tightly juxtaposed with painful reminders of where these characters actually stand, that this book is just one festering ache. This story is so exquisitely executed, you'll momentarily forget how badly you've been injured by the truth, you'll find yourself laughing at the obvious comedic aspects of this story, leaving you painfully and unexpectedly blindsided by the fact that this story is slowly killing you. This devastating story is made that much more painful because of those moments of joy, of happiness, of peace, of hope, of laughter, because they are such a stark contrast to the sadness and longing and loss that is ever present, even in the most beautiful moments. This is a story about a woman forced to work each day with the man she loved and lost, a man she first lost to fame and celebrity and then lost to someone else. And even in those moments where their chemistry is so obvious, so delicious, so perfectly right, the blunt reality is that he isn't hers, he chose someone else, he doesn't love her back. 

Leisa Rayven is such a smart writer, her sharp wit and remarkable character development shines bright in this book. Wicked Heart is high drama, high emotion, high angst, but it's funny, and romantic and delivers such a satisfying ending. While I tend to bring up Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet often, I don't feel it's necessary to read them before reading Wicked Heart. This story can absolutely be read as a standalone. But honestly, you'd be doing yourself a huge disservice by not running to read them all immediately. The Starcrossed series is unequivocally one of the most unforgettably romantic, evocative, sexy, tumultuous, well-written series I've ever read IN. MY. LIFE. The way Rayven crafts a story, the way she molds the past with the present, the build with the devastation, the love with the loss, is unparalleled. Breathtaking. Masterful. Unforgettable. Unsurprisingly, Wicked Heart is one of my favorites of the year.

4.5/5 stars

Wicked Heart is the third and final book in the Starcrossed contemporary romance series. It is sort of a companion to Bad Romeo/Broken Juliet.

When I found out I was going to be able to read this book early I was practically jumping up and down. That's how excited I was to read Wicked Heart. And I was not disappointed.

The narrator is Elissa aged 25 (Ethan's sister) who was featured in the first books.

The narrators from Bad Romeo/Broken Juliet are featured in this book. If you are never planning to read the first two books then this book could be read as a standalone. However, if you are going to read Bad Romeo/Broken Juliet then you must do it before reading Wicked Heart, as those characters are featured in the ending.

When the book begins Elissa is starting work (as a stage manager on Broadway) for a new show. Someone she once knew, Liam Quinn, will be starring in this show. He is now a big movie star.

The book starts in present day in NYC. The book then goes back 6 years to show us how Elissa and Liam first met. Then the story moves forward in time from there. Until we get back to the present.

I am not usually a huge fan of a book going back and forth in time. But I really enjoyed seeing the past when they first met.

This was a really enjoyable book. I definitely liked it a lot. Elissa and Liam were very intriguing characters. And I absolutely loved Elissa's best friend and roommate Josh and Liam's co-star Angel. This book was fun, sexy and a delightful and captivating read. I loved it!

There was something in the epilogue that took me a bit by surprise. But overall it was still a nice epilogue and a really enjoyable book!

Thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book.

This was a fabulous and wonderful story. I loved Ethan Holt and Cassie Taylor's story and I love this one as well since we get to see Ethan's sister Ellisa's story. I really liked her in the Bad Romeo books but with this book we get so much insight into her and her story.

Elissa Holt is unlucky in love it seems. She's dated a few people but there was only one person that she loved and broke her heart. He also happens to be one of the biggest and popular movie stars and now she's going to have to work with him and his fiancee in her latest play. Elissa is a talented stage manager and she signed up for this play before she found out that Liam and his fiancee would be in the play with her. She does what she can to be professional but she has to watch Liam and his fiancee all the time and it breaks her heart.

Liam Quinn is a hugely successful actor who started out as Romeo in the play that he did with Ethan and Cassie with Elissa as the stage manager. She met him one night when she was out with her best friend and he was taken with her. While they work on the play, they do their best to just be friends and not let romance get in the way but they are drawn to one another. When the play is over, Liam is pulled away to Los Angeles to become a successful actor but he feels regret about leaving Elissa. He's thrilled to learn that Elissa is working on the play and it brings back so many good memories.

Definitely worth reading. The Starcrossed series books are wonderful!

This was an amazing book and much anticipated. Didn't let me down. I would love more stories in this series.

Elissa Holt prefers to be behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight, which is why she is a stage manager rather than an actor. She takes her job seriously, maintaining a calm and professional demeanor at all times. That is, until Liam Quinn comes back into her life and Elissa has no choice but to face him again. Six years ago, Elissa and Liam worked together on a Romeo and Juliet production and for a brief moment, they had something amazing between them, until Liam left to pursue his goal of stardom and then they were no more. Elissa's heart never recovered and has always doubted herself since then when it comes to love.

Now Liam and his fiancee, Angel Bell, are co-starring together in the new production and Elissa finds herself in the same situation as before, wanting someone she can't have or keep. The story is told in the present tense but there is a portion that flashes back to 6 years ago to describe how Elissa and Liam met and then how things ended, which I felt the pain of. Elissa is down to earth, funny and relatable. As for Liam, there's actually no reason not to like him as much as I wanted to find one because he's such a good guy. While he may be a talented actor and is engaged, there's no acting when it comes to being around Elissa. As for Angel, she surprised me, in a good way.

The story is a combination of angsty, heartbreaking, humorous, entertaining and sexy. There's a lot of things going on, mixed in with some drama of course, but had me glued to the pages, anticipating what would happen next. I love this series and Wicked Heart is no exception. Fantastic story!

I'd say the first half of this book was enjoyable and very funny. The second half read like a corny sitcom. I feel it had a weak plot. It just wasn't executed well. Also, it felt rushed at the end.

It was just unbelievable and that really took from the story. Cute read just didn't do it for me.

I loved Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet. Ethan and Cassie were a great couple, but Liam and Lissa are freaking HOT! I loved Elissa' s sassy persona and Liam was perfection. I laughed like crazy with these two. While with Cassie and Ethan my heart hurt, with Liam and Liss, I soared. Must Read

was blown away by how much I loved this book. The romance, humor, angst, and drama were a perfect balance. I loved everything about both Liam and Elissa. I often get angry or annoyed with characters but that did not happen once. I did not expect to love Angel but I did. I cannot review this book in a way that does it justice. I loved it.

I thought Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet were pretty awesome, so when I heard that Elissa was getting a story of course I had to read that one too. If you loved those books then you have to read this one because it was very similar, but at the same time it was really refreshing because some things happened that I didn't entirely expect. I thought I knew where the story was going, but it actually took a few turns that I wasn't expecting.

Elissa met Liam Quinn randomly years ago at a bar with her best friend Josh. She had been hurt several times by actors and didn't want to date another actor. Things didn't work out back then, but now he is back because he is an actor in a show she is running with his fiancé. Tension is still high between them when they are working together, but things can't happen because he is involved.

I loved this book! There was just so much chemistry between Liam and Elissa. It was there from the start. There wasn't instant love, which I can't stand. I love when a couple has a constant battle of not knowing what to do first, jump each other bones or get to know what makes each other tick. This was apparent throughout the whole book. Also the fact that the chemistry lasted after six years is crazy. I loved the secondary characters too. Josh was so cute. I wouldn't turn down a story or novella from his point of view.

I would go into more about the things that happened, but I don't want to give anything away. I read a review that hinted at something, and although it didn't ruin it, it just made me second guess things before they happened instead of just experiencing it as I was reading. My advice it to just go into it with very little info and know that you're going to love it!

5 Stars

Ps. I actually listened to this instead of reading it because the audiobook came out first and I couldn't wait.

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Once upon a time, Elissa Holt played the game of love and lost big time. There’s no way that she’s going to risk her heart again – especially for someone like Liam Quinn.

When Liam left her behind for the bright lights of Hollywood, she knew that he would become the biggest star in the world. But she never would have guessed that after all of these years that seeing him again could still hurt so much.

Liam Quinn is set to make his triumphant return to Broadway and it’s made all the sweeter by working once again with the girl that has haunted his dreams for so long. But Liam isn’t alone. He’s now half of Hollywood’s hottest couple and his gorgeous fiancé just also happens to be his costar.

But the chemistry between Liam and Elissa could still power all of the lights in Manhattan and he’ll do anything to win her back. Even if it means turning his back on fame and fortune.

In show business, not all that glitters is gold and maybe true love never dies.

Wicked Heart is the perfect combination of angst and uncontrollable passion! Leisa Rayven then brings these two elements together with her signature razor sharp wit and laugh-out-loud banter to make this book an experience that you’ll not soon forget.

The characters are real and so full of emotion. And I have to say that Elissa is my favourite Rayven heroine to date! Not only is she strong and beautifully vulnerable at the same time, I happen to share her illicit love of cheese. Nothing could be better than that…