Used by Kate Dunbar

Posted March 8, 2021 in review Tags: 4 stars, dysfunctional family, friends to lovers

Used by Kate Dunbar
Pages: 229

Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: ARC

Heartbreakingly beautiful and completely engrossing, USED is packed full of twists, turns, and a gripping romance sure to leave readers emotionally spent and asking for more.

At the age of seventeen, after a decade of lies, hurt, and severe abuse by her brother Lucas, Sabra Valentine is able to breathe.

Lucas is behind bars thanks in large part to Sabra’s quick thinking and self-preservation—even if that’s one more secret she has to keep.

Now, seven years later, life is moving forward, and Sabra is starting to heal, live, and love again with her friends and Trevor Collins by her side. He’s tall, dark, and sexy, and he doesn’t fall for Sabra’s games. The future is finally looking bright—until one phone call shatters everything.

Used is a romantic suspense with domestic thriller elements. Please be aware that there are topics that may be triggers for some readers, and this work is meant for mature readers.

Kate Dunbar’s debut, Used, is a blend of thriller and romance that will suck readers in quickly. There are darker themes of domestic violence, so reader beware. You learn of Sabra’s past mostly through her memories, so it’s not gory or detailed, but it is unsettling.

Sabra is trying to move forward with her life after her brother is imprisoned. She goes to college, and tries to be normal. She makes friends, and meets Trevor. Trevor is dream boyfriend material, but Sabra isn’t ready to be in a relationship. So, she and Trevor remain friends even though he wants more.

Trevor is supportive of Sabra in every way in all she experiences. As a reader, your heart hurts for Sabra, but you are so thrilled she has Trevor. You can really feel Sabra’s emotions and it creates a very suspenseful read, but also a very deep romance. Readers who like thrillers like Mud Vein by Taryn Fisher and darker romances like Prisoner by Skye Warren and Annika Martin will find Used to be their kind of read!