Made of Steel

Summer Brooks had a relatively happy existence with her family and her next-door neighbor and best friend, Miles. The two of them were inseparable. A love for the ages that even at a young ages that summer and miles were didn’t change their bond or meaning. Then a fateful night changed everything and she had to move away. Over the years, Summer suffered horrible things, that brought her to her new self (Sadie). This new identity and appearance helped to separate her from the horrific people from her past. Now a college student she is meeting new people, but still has to look over her shoulder and remain cautious. Then she runs into Miles on her dorm floor. But does he recognize her? She doesn’t let him close enough to build back their old relationship. Then there is the fact that there is a vigilante within the Cory fighting crime and protecting Sadie. Sadie feels a connection to “V” and feels safe for the first time in a while. All the characters seem genuine, but are they? This read kept the readers on the edge of their seats wondering who was who they really said they are and if they are truly on Sadie/Summers side? This book was awesome. As were the rest of the series. It was a must turn the page read no matter how long you have been in one position, and keep going until you get to the end type of series. It is exciting, sad, heart wrenching, filled with longing and romance, mysterious, and keeps you continually guessing about what will happen next. I loved the book and series! Ivy Smoak really kept my interest from page one until the very end. Although there is a cliffhanger, it only evokes more thrill of the plot line and keeps the reader engaged. As opposed to some books that through a cliffhanger in just to keep you plugged into buying more books. This was brilliantly placed and help facilitate the story line

This book was different than I thought it would be. I was not expecting a superhero story, but that’s what I got. I really enjoyed this book. It’s darker than anticipated, with Summer’s past abuse and her oppressor’s behavior. The story is intriguing and very mysterious and I am definitely anxious to see what happens next. I almost can’t keep all the different plots straight, but I think it will all even out and I’ll love it from a broader perspective. I don’t love that Summer fell in “love” with the vigilante and I’m not sure how I feel about him either. I’m not completely sold on him and the fact that he only exists for her and the idea that she is the cause for the evils in New York City seems excessive and unbelievable. I hope we learn more about Summer’s parents and more about Don, even though I almost don’t want to turn that rock over. Again, I think it will all come to a head perfectly and once everything is explained I think I’ll come to understand the vigilante. But if it isn’t Miles, I quit.

At 8, Summer was in love with the handsome boy next door; Miles, a little older, they shared a love of looking at the stars from his tree house. He was her first love. Her parents' death, and her grandmother's not long after, she bounced thru foster care homes until landing in the violent home of a notorious drug dealer. What unimaginable pain had she endured? Was he mafia too? Finding herself across the country, new to the witness protection program after finally getting help to leave his abusive home, Summer, now Sadie, embarks on a new life in New York where it was arranged to start a new life. But are there really eyes on her? Why did she always feel followed? Just after arriving in New York, crime soared, and a vigilante is heralded a hero for saving lives and dispensing with the bad guys. He "just happened" to know where she was; good thing tho because he saved her from an attacker more than once. Coincidence? Had darkness followed her? Were people around her truly friends, or on her attacker's list of helpers. He wanted her dead or alive. Were things happening to her random or planned? Could she stay in New York while feeling all around her were in danger? Where would she go ... Was it even possible to escape? Would she feel safe with Any one? I love Sadie/Summer. A character written so well, you feel her emotions, her fears, and her joys. I want her to be able to be honest with Miles (what IS the tattoo above his heart?). How long before she tells him who she really is? Is Eli really a good guy or is he a plant? Fast paced story from beginning to end. Definitely recommend; wonderful suspense. Read in one day...not able to put it down!. Going to read Book 2 in this series... Right now!

This is the first time that I've ever read a book written by Ivy Smoak, but it will not be the last! I absolutely loved it! The writing is captivating, intriguing and absolutely heart-wrenching. I started reading this before bedtime and just meant to read a few chapters, but instead I stayed up all night and finished the entire book! I completely fell in love with 8 year old Summer and 10 year old Miles. They were just little kids, but some force of nature or maybe the stars they both love to gaze upon, had drawn them together and they became best friends. They loved each other. Their favorite thing to do was hold hands and lay on the floor of Miles' tree house, with its open ceiling, and find star constellations. That is what they were doing the night when Summer's parents had gone out for the evening that changed everything. Miles had just given her a gift she would always treasure. They were holding hands, looking at the stars. The sky suddenly had red and blue lights filling it, they look and see police cars at Summer's house. She runs home. Her world will never, ever be the same. I highly recommend this book, it will not let you down! There are so many emotions within these pages. From jubilation to devastation, and some healthy libido moments as well.

I really struggled with what to rate this. I had such high hopes for this book. It kept popping up in my facebook feed and it always peaked my interest so I finally bit the bullet and bought it. Disappointing is a word I'd use for most of this book. Frustrating, beating around the bush are others. Still, I kept ready hoping it would get better when "the mysterious stranger" came into the picture. I kept muddling through even after he did, even though it didn't improve, because I can't NOT finish a book, even bad ones. I have to know how it ends. Only once in my life (I'm soon to be 65), did I come across a book sooo bad that, into the 3rd chapter, I not only deleted it from my kindle, but from my kindle library as well, never to be retrieved again. Okay, so what didn't I like! The title, "Made of Steel" is a misnomer. This heroine is more like jello except that even jello moves, where this girl always "freezes" in the face of adversity. Literally, she gets so scared she can't move. And she's wishy-washy. She can't make up her mind about anything ... Leave or stay, likes Eli- pushes him away, trusts him- suspicious of him. Make up your mind girl! There's also the guy from her childhood, Miles, who turns up years later as her TA in college. She reminds him of someone he once knew but she convinces him she's not that girl because, hello, she's in WITSEC and has a new identity and different color hair and she's not a 12 yr old girl anymore. She does her best to avoid him until about 80% into the story. Then there's the "mysterious guy", the vigilante who she and Eli are doing their joint project on so he and his antics are referred to every now and then, but he doesn't make an actual appearance until later in the book and nothing really significant until, again, about 80% into the story. So I'm thinking 80% in, it,s finally getting good; things are finally happening; coming to a head; secrets will be revealed.....WRONG! 90% in, it stops ... but the story doesn't end! Noooooo that last 10% is ads for other books and a sneak peek at the next book in this series! What????? Series????? Nowhere in this book's ads did it say anything about it being part of a series! (I don't download series even when the first is offered free ... Then they charge you an arm and a leg for subsequent books! ) So ... Will I or won't I? Though the beginning was boring, the last part was finally getting good, so... It depends ... 1. on how many more in the series ... Just one (maybe). 2, 3 or more...questionable because i'm thinking this could have been one 'edge of your seat book' and more than two is really going to drag it out with boring stuff! 2. cost. One thing is for certain ... If i download and it doesn't pick up where it left off and in the same vein (excitement, things happening); if even the first 10% is more wishy-washy, camel dung, I will delete them both, never to be seen or heard from again! Stay tuned if you want to find out what i decided!

This a good surprising superhero story, good characters, could not put it down, I'm getting the next part to read right now

WOW! I don’t really know how I feel about this book. It made me feel so many emotions I guess you could call that a win for Ivy Smoak. I was mad, hurt, sad, happy, hopeful, joyful. It was a rough ride. Roughest of all is that it’s a cliffhanger and you basically have no idea what’s going on. Thank god the next book is out because as soon as I finish this review I’m reading it. So if you’re wondering if you should pick up this book and you love single books with a HEA this isn’t for you. Like I said, no clue what is going on. Story wise the lack of understanding of the entire situation really hooks you. You keep reading to see what will happen, how things will turn out, who the F ARE these people??? I am pretty frustrated with the actual romance/love story. I want her to be with Miles! They belong together! I was so made that Eli was making her fall for him in the beginning. I don’t like people with indecisive love though it’s probably realistic. I felt like she was being untrue to him. And let me just say, if V and Miles aren’t the same person I’m going to flip the F out! Fair warning Ivy! The fact that Miles doesn’t know who she is or at the very least is pretending not to know is making me crazy. I really needed duel POVs in this book (granted I know that would ruin things if he IS V, but I need to see Miles perspective on all of this. Sufficient to say this book has me in a tizzy. I’m an Ivy Smoak fan and this gets 4/5 stars from me it would have gotten 5 if she hadn’t had so many feelings for Eli, duel POV, and if she just would have revealed Miles and V are the same person to at least the reader (they better be!). I’m off to continue the next book in this series and it better not disappoint!

Wow, I was not expecting what I just read. Summer’s story is riveting, and in constant flux! Wow, I have to read the next book!