Not enough.

Catherine Pope has never been enough. Every man she has ever loved abandoned her—from her father to her fiancé. She finally accepted the fact she would never be enough to hold any man’s heart and soul.

Then Catherine met Jackson Cole.

When her world literally collided with the sexy former Navy SEAL, everything she always believed is turned upside down and left scattered. He made her feel alive and desirable, consumed her with fierceness and loyalty—which completely unnerved her. Jackson got her in a way no one ever had, giving him the power to destroy her. 

If she breaks down and gives him what’s left of her battered heart—will he protect it? Or will Catherine become an irrelevant part of yet another man’s life? 

Will she get the one thing that has always evaded her – to finally be someone’s beloved?

You know those books that you read and you fall so deeply, emotionally and physically into it that you don’t want to be anywhere but immersed in said book??

Well that is how Beloved made me feel…I was scheduled to go to a BBQ and all I could think about was how could I talk my way out of going so that I didn’t have to put this book down.  The prologue and first couple of pages of this book will suck you right in you won’t be able to stop until the very last page.

This is a debut novel by Corinne Michaels but honestly after reading it, you would never know that this wasn’t a seasoned author.  And I can honestly and wholeheartedly say that I can’t wait to read more from her.

This book has everything you want to read in a good love story – likable characters, an interesting story that keeps you engaged and captivated and a love that is so real and true that you can’t help but root for it, hope for it and fall in love with it too.

Catherine has always been let down by the men in her life – her father and then her fiance.  Until she meets Jackson, literally falling into his lap, and Jackson shows her how a good man treats a woman he cares for, for once he shows her what it is like to be someone’s beloved.  I have to say that some of these scenes were heartbreaking torture for me, Catherine’s feelings of never being enough sadden me tremendously.  This all changed for me when she met Jackson, Catherine is wary which is understandable but the sexual tension you could cut with the knife and you could live and breathe the dynamic between them.

Jackson and Catherine’s bantering and how they challenged one another had me not only laughing but fully connected to the story.

Somehow, Jackson has taken my life by storm.  He’s found a way to make me feel alive, as if a light switch has been turned on, illuminating all my dark corners.  He sharpens my senses and fills me with so many different things – excitement, fear, humor, anger.  It terrifies me.

^^This was so true for me too…At times I felt that Jackson would be the death of me too lol…I loved how good he was to her. She finally gets the wooing and romance she so rightly deserves, the want between them so incredible to watch unfold. All of this was made me so blissfully happy that I could experience it with them.

So while this story was filled with so many beautiful moments, there are secrets and pasts that shape who these characters are and how they react in situations.  Yes this story has a lot of angst…I felt tortured completely and fully…but this is why I read.  To escape, to feel, to get emotional and to wish and hope for that HEA.

Will Catherine and Jackson be enough for each other?  Will they find a way to be each others beloved?

You will have to read this book to find out!

So yes there is a cliffhanger and omg what a cliffhanger….I am already messaging Corinne for the next book because I can’t freakin wait to see what happens.  Beholden is on my highly anticipated list and Ms. Michaels has solidified her place in the book world so be on the lookout! You don’t want to miss anything she writes!

Beloved by Corinne Michaels from SchmexyGirl Book Blog on Vimeo.

Stop over at Corinne’s blog for an alt POV of one of the chapters in this book – from Jackson *swoons*.  Do not continue to the blog post unless you have read Beloved already.  Click here.