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Torture to Her Soul (Monster in His Eyes, #2)

J.M. Darhower

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What Members Thought

Sep 14, 2020 Lindsay rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3stars, contemporary-romance, ibooks, read-in-2020

2.5 stars

7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 27, 2014 Diana's rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bump-it-up

Loved how we got Naz's POV but in a totally different story..not a recap of the original one.... ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 29, 2014 Jamie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-obsess-over, unbelievably-sexy-heros, dark-and-gritty, holy-hawt-sexiness, male-main-character-pov, series-ender, non-paranormal, arcs, damaged-characters, angsty

Torture to her Soul is the rare sequel that is better than the original book. This book is the continuation of Naz's and Karissa's story, with the major difference being that it is told from Naz's point of view. I loved this sequel to pieces - it had romance, angst, drama and plot twists. Not only did Naz have to face what he had previously done to Karissa, but he also had to deal with his own family, Ray Angelo and his tortured past.

You already know that Naz narrates this story. But let's face Torture to her Soul is the rare sequel that is better than the original book. This book is the continuation of Naz's and Karissa's story, with the major difference being that it is told from Naz's point of view. I loved this sequel to pieces - it had romance, angst, drama and plot twists. Not only did Naz have to face what he had previously done to Karissa, but he also had to deal with his own family, Ray Angelo and his tortured past.

You already know that Naz narrates this story. But let's face it, Naz is who we want to hear from. This is his story, not Karissa's. This story was about Naz's soul - coming to terms with his life and with the kind of man he is and wants to be. Maybe I felt more of a connection to this book because in my mind, Naz is the more interesting character. While Karissa's life changed dramatically in Monster in his Eyes, the story was never hers. For me, this was always about Naz, his life, his past and how that past has fueled him to become that man that he is at present. Karissa becomes a part of this story, but the depth and emotion comes from Naz.

One thing I really enjoyed in this book was how Naz faced his demons. We know from the previous book that Naz lost his wife at a young age. He never really dealt with that and the rage and anger he felt overtook his emotions and left him a hollow, shell of a man. That is until he met Karissa. By not dealing with his wife's death, Naz became the monster he is. It left him cold and calculating, with only revenge to keep him warm at night. Although Karissa is the new love of his life, he has dealt with tremendous guilt over his feelings for her.

Naz didn't just stop with dealing with the fall-out of his wife's death, he also had to deal with his family, especially his father who has basically disowned him. We meet Naz's father a few times, and one thing I learned quickly was that Naz's father imparts vast amounts of wisdom. His wisdom might not always be pretty or nice to hear, but the man has lived a long life and understands people and their motivations. "Don't say it unless you mean it," is just one of the kernels of truth that Naz's dad preaches, and it is a theme throughout this book. This is a phrase that we hear directed at Naz, Karissa and Ray at different times.

Karissa was very distant from Naz at the beginning of this book, dealing with her own issues. She had every right to hate Naz after what he did in the previous book, and she felt that she was being held prisoner in his house. Karissa very slowly, agonizingly slowly, warms up to Naz. He has to work very hard to get Karissa to even speak to him. But this goes both ways. Naz and Karissa must learn to trust one another again, and it's not something that is fixed after one good bout of hat sex! Their story is not rushed, and in the end, it is obvious that these two belong together.

Ray Angelo plays an important role in this book. You may remember Ray as the Boss. He also happens to be Naz's father-in-law. Ray is a very secretive and manipulative character. He has used Naz to further his own agenda for many years, and when Naz starts questioning Ray's motives, Ray becomes increasingly cold towards him. Ray had a blind hatred for Karissa, only because of what she represents to him, having nothing to do with the kind of person she is.

There is a philosphical undertone that is front and center throughout this story. We are continually faced with the question of if man can exist in gray, or only in a sense of black and white. Does doing bad things make you a bad man? Does a bad man deserve any good in his life? These are all questions that Naz and Karissa tackle as their story plays out.

I enjoyed the ending very much. From the Epilogue to Karissa's PoV chapter at the very end. It was nice to get a glimpse of the man Naz becomes in the not so distant future.

If you are a fan of smartly written, dark romances, then give this series a try. The main character is written with so much anguish and depth that you have to love him at some point! I am sad to leave Karissa and Naz behind, but every story comes to its end. I applaud the author for ending this after two books and for not dragging it out. This was a perfect ending to one of my favorite mafia couples! ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 09, 2014 Stacey rated it it was amazing

**5 Totally cried at the end of this one Stars!!!**

2 likes · Like · see review

May 20, 2016 Robin rated it really liked it

Shelves: chick-lit, romantic-suspense, dark, nsfl, may-bonus

This book is from another POV and it is interesting to know what he is thinking how he is so taken with her genuine appreciation of the little things in life. It is creepy almost the way he is so absorbed by every detail. I can't figure out where this story will go. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 07, 2016 Louise rated it it was amazing

Shelves: z2016-botb

If two characters ever seemed fated NOT to have a happy ending, it's Naz and Karissa. He's a hitman for a Mafia boss, and she's the daughter of the man who murdered the love of his life (who just happened to be said Mafia boss's daughter!). He has lived his whole life seeking vengeance, and fully expected to find it by finally killing Karissa and her parents. And then he falls for her...

As this, the second book, opens, Naz has killed Karissa's father and she knows it. She knows the truth of who ...more

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Apr 29, 2014 Saunders rated it liked it

Shelves: illicit-love, 2014

there is not doubt in my mind that J M Darhower is a good writer and this was well written but I just didn't like Naz. Nope not one little redeeming bit. Not a monster really (well he wasn't to me) displaced maybe, lived in the past too much and he took a while to come into the 21st century.

Found it hard to reconcile with what he did and what Karissa went through) that it ended the way it did.

But everyone to their own eh? ...more

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