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Stringed: Connection Series: Alex & Sacha
Interior designer Sacha James was thrilled to land a highly lucrative job, redesigning a ten-room mansion for prominent club owner, Alexander Williams. What she isn't thrilled about was reluctantly accepting a second, more personal contract from the incredibly sexy and infuriating millionaire.
The moment Alexander Williams spotted Sacha at his club, he wants her in his bed just for a night. But once he discovers she would be in charge of the renovations, he knew one night with the confident, gorgeous blonde wouldn't be enough. So, he offered a personal live with him as his lover for one month.
But as the days pass and Alex and Sacha find themselves spending more time together, the walls around her heart begin to crumble and his bleak attitude about women and love starts to change.
Can two broken souls break free from the chains of their past and find the courage to trust and love one another?
The moment Alexander Williams spotted Sacha at his club, he wants her in his bed just for a night. But once he discovers she would be in charge of the renovations, he knew one night with the confident, gorgeous blonde wouldn't be enough. So, he offered a personal live with him as his lover for one month.
But as the days pass and Alex and Sacha find themselves spending more time together, the walls around her heart begin to crumble and his bleak attitude about women and love starts to change.
Can two broken souls break free from the chains of their past and find the courage to trust and love one another?
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2022
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 20, 2022
“There will be no feelings, no jealousy, no commitment, and, most importantly, no strings attached.”
Have you read anything that mixes work and pleasure? Saccha was an Interior designer and all she wanted to redesign a ten room mansion for Alexander Williams but it both surprised and shocked her when he listed his terms but she was such in an unfortunate situation that she had to agree with his terms. Their relationship begins with no commitment and no strings attached yet no one knows where destiny will take them? So, will Saccha agree to all his terms? Will they stay together after that ? Or will saccha have to start over her odyssey after her contract will be over?
The revelation at the end surprised her yet she has to make a decision now. It’s such a predicament, whether she should tell anyone or not? And then the epilogue, I absolutely loved their bond in the end.
Have you read anything that mixes work and pleasure? Saccha was an Interior designer and all she wanted to redesign a ten room mansion for Alexander Williams but it both surprised and shocked her when he listed his terms but she was such in an unfortunate situation that she had to agree with his terms. Their relationship begins with no commitment and no strings attached yet no one knows where destiny will take them? So, will Saccha agree to all his terms? Will they stay together after that ? Or will saccha have to start over her odyssey after her contract will be over?
The revelation at the end surprised her yet she has to make a decision now. It’s such a predicament, whether she should tell anyone or not? And then the epilogue, I absolutely loved their bond in the end.
November 12, 2022
Romance novels aren’t exactly what I go for, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to read one from a Pakistani author. Full disclosure, this is a MadeInPakistan book set abroad and with non-Pakistani characters. I wouldn’t call this a slow-burn romance because there is nothing slow about Stringed at all. The pacing is set right from the get-go and there are no allusions to what’s happening. It’s love at first sight between interior designer Sacha James and debonair nightclub mogul Alexander Williams. Brought together by a business concern, things escalate right off the bat when Alex makes his intentions known in a very ‘Indecent Proposal’ fashion.
While I was expecting things to take their time and go slowly, the story has further layers as it doesn’t just explore Sacha and Alex’s heady romance. Rather, it peels each layer off for further insights into their insecurities, with subtle clues for the reader to determine what the secrets are. But instead of being predictable, the writer creates brilliant reveals for each of the secrets that are unearthed, leaving one stunned and hungry for more.
There is ample drama and chemistry between the two leads and a superb supporting cast, all of whom have great dialogue. And let’s not forget the steam. This is strictly for mature audiences, particularly in Pakistan, which makes me ache for the possibility of the author writing a similar book with Pakistani characters. That would be pretty bold ;)
There are a few areas where I felt there could be improvements. Small details really, but things that stick with me like the US healthcare system, how some small side plots felt unnecessary, and how certain expressions and phrases feel out of place in American lingo. Still, this is a solid first effort by Sania Charles and I would love to read more.
While I was expecting things to take their time and go slowly, the story has further layers as it doesn’t just explore Sacha and Alex’s heady romance. Rather, it peels each layer off for further insights into their insecurities, with subtle clues for the reader to determine what the secrets are. But instead of being predictable, the writer creates brilliant reveals for each of the secrets that are unearthed, leaving one stunned and hungry for more.
There is ample drama and chemistry between the two leads and a superb supporting cast, all of whom have great dialogue. And let’s not forget the steam. This is strictly for mature audiences, particularly in Pakistan, which makes me ache for the possibility of the author writing a similar book with Pakistani characters. That would be pretty bold ;)
There are a few areas where I felt there could be improvements. Small details really, but things that stick with me like the US healthcare system, how some small side plots felt unnecessary, and how certain expressions and phrases feel out of place in American lingo. Still, this is a solid first effort by Sania Charles and I would love to read more.
September 13, 2024
This book is a powerful story of self-discovery, emotional healing, and the journey of letting go. At its core, it highlights how we often cope with past traumas in unhealthy ways—either by objectifying relationships, as Alex does, or by masking our pain through acts of selflessness, like Sacha James. Both characters provide a relatable exploration of how emotional wounds shape our interactions and perspectives on love.
One of the strengths of the novel is its dual narrative, told from both Alex and Sacha’s points of view. This allows readers to get inside the minds of two very different characters, each dealing with their own struggles. Alex, who has a tendency to keep his emotions at bay by treating women as commodities, and Sacha, who uses her generosity as a shield to hide her vulnerability after a painful breakup, bring unique dimensions to the story. Their emotional journeys feel raw and real, making their flaws deeply human and relatable.
However, while the character development is strong, there are moments where I wished for deeper insight into Alex’s mindset, emotional barriers are touched upon, but a more detailed exploration of his inner world could have added richness to his transformation. Also, it would have been lovely to have a trail of breadcrumbs leading to the climax of Sacha’s final decision after the deal was over as we know the heartache that still haunted her.
Though some questions were left unanswered, I can’t wait to see how it’s answered in the next book in the series. Overall, it’s a compelling look at how love, mistrust, and personal growth intersect, showing that when someone is truly in love, they’ll move mountains and rise above their insecurities.
One of the strengths of the novel is its dual narrative, told from both Alex and Sacha’s points of view. This allows readers to get inside the minds of two very different characters, each dealing with their own struggles. Alex, who has a tendency to keep his emotions at bay by treating women as commodities, and Sacha, who uses her generosity as a shield to hide her vulnerability after a painful breakup, bring unique dimensions to the story. Their emotional journeys feel raw and real, making their flaws deeply human and relatable.
However, while the character development is strong, there are moments where I wished for deeper insight into Alex’s mindset, emotional barriers are touched upon, but a more detailed exploration of his inner world could have added richness to his transformation. Also, it would have been lovely to have a trail of breadcrumbs leading to the climax of Sacha’s final decision after the deal was over as we know the heartache that still haunted her.
Though some questions were left unanswered, I can’t wait to see how it’s answered in the next book in the series. Overall, it’s a compelling look at how love, mistrust, and personal growth intersect, showing that when someone is truly in love, they’ll move mountains and rise above their insecurities.
April 4, 2023
This is an interesting romance with a focus on healing past trauma.
What worked for me:
I really loved the pacing of the story and the characters' backstories as well as the message that when we find the right person, the two complete each other and balance out the darkness and brokenness of the pasts each carries. The plot was pretty well thought out and certainly kept me engaged from start to finish. I was invested in the characters and really wanted things to work out for them, but the way the author did things was not conventional and made it difficult to guess where things were going - a definite bonus.
What didn't work for me:
I could see many opportunities to bring out the important themes of the book in ways that would have integrated them better into the storyline. The insta-love was a bit over the top and put me off a little and then there is also a lot of on-page, explicit sex, which can be fun, but I personally felt it detracted from the story. In the end, it just felt gratuitous to me and I ended up skipping over several scenes. I think if the author focused on building up to those scenes and only having a few of them, it would make things more impactful.
On the whole, a solid story with wonderful potential. I look forward to seeing what more this new author brings to the table, because Sania Charles is definitely a romance author to keep an eye on.
What worked for me:
I really loved the pacing of the story and the characters' backstories as well as the message that when we find the right person, the two complete each other and balance out the darkness and brokenness of the pasts each carries. The plot was pretty well thought out and certainly kept me engaged from start to finish. I was invested in the characters and really wanted things to work out for them, but the way the author did things was not conventional and made it difficult to guess where things were going - a definite bonus.
What didn't work for me:
I could see many opportunities to bring out the important themes of the book in ways that would have integrated them better into the storyline. The insta-love was a bit over the top and put me off a little and then there is also a lot of on-page, explicit sex, which can be fun, but I personally felt it detracted from the story. In the end, it just felt gratuitous to me and I ended up skipping over several scenes. I think if the author focused on building up to those scenes and only having a few of them, it would make things more impactful.
On the whole, a solid story with wonderful potential. I look forward to seeing what more this new author brings to the table, because Sania Charles is definitely a romance author to keep an eye on.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews