I was worried going into this book that I wasn’t going to like it based on some reviews. So I’m pleased it wasn’t a 1 star. I do see how he purposely I was worried going into this book that I wasn’t going to like it based on some reviews. So I’m pleased it wasn’t a 1 star. I do see how he purposely embarrass her, but I was expecting a public humiliation and it wasn’t, so no TW for that needed. However he’s very selfish and though he doesn’t think he did anything wrong in the past he actually wronged her. Then jumped to so many conclusions without actually speaking to her it made him not a very likable character.
TW did mention of spousal rape and physical abuse along with miscarriage.
I felt so bad for the heroine. All of the men in her life who should cared for her did not. Her lover, her father, her brother, and her husband. She truly had no one to support her. In this book she does open up to one of her sisters who sees it for what it is/was and reassured her that she never deserved any of the abuse from the men in her life.
They work out their issues in the end, obviously, by actually talking. Imagine that. But still the hero doesn’t do it for me.
I will add that the title doesn’t fit. There is no wooing in this book. Angry sex, yes, but wooing? No. ...more
I’m between a 3 & 4 star rating, but rounding down due to so,e of the subject matter handled poorly (eg the rape was too flowery, downplaying the assaI’m between a 3 & 4 star rating, but rounding down due to so,e of the subject matter handled poorly (eg the rape was too flowery, downplaying the assaults), and the hero smoking. ...more
It was pretty much average Honey Phillips. But I had to take a break from reading it about 2/3 of the Trigger Warning: MMC is a rapist
2.5 rounded down
It was pretty much average Honey Phillips. But I had to take a break from reading it about 2/3 of the way through. I can’t do non-con or dub-con and this book is very heavy into that at a certain point. He literally chains her up and forces sex in her while she’s saying “no”. This really lead to the lower rating. Without the hero literally raping the heroine it would have been 3.5 to 4 stars. I would have like more of Melia’s story with her love interest. Overall it was okay but didn’t pull me in or make me want to drop everything to read it. No great work building, or connection to the characters or between them. ...more
Best one in the series by far. Rocco is the best hero in this series. He doesn’t deny his feelings. He respects her enough to know herself and what sheBest one in the series by far. Rocco is the best hero in this series. He doesn’t deny his feelings. He respects her enough to know herself and what she wants and her knowledge unless a couple others. Book boyfriend material.
Mercy is stronger than she knows at first and it was great to see her recognize that in herself.
Everything wrapped up well. Enough outstanding with the Sinning Light cult to bring it back in another book.
Can be read as a stand alone.
Also, thought not super steamy, it has the next sex scene out of any book in this series and you really feel the connection and heartbreak between them.
A great start to a new series. I just wish I didn’t have to wait for the next, but I guess that’s the plight of readers. It was great last year when IA great start to a new series. I just wish I didn’t have to wait for the next, but I guess that’s the plight of readers. It was great last year when I could binge all of IBP and Ice Home, and earlier this year with her Fire Blood series. Guess I’ll have to find something else to tide me over.
I enjoyed not R’Jaal and Rosalind (great name too!). I could totally connect to Rosalind for most of the book, she’s chubby and boobs, she’s nerdy, she has great internal dialogue too.
I thought this book was pretty good up until about the 80% mark or so then it kind of lost itself. The heroine stopped acting like how she had throughoI thought this book was pretty good up until about the 80% mark or so then it kind of lost itself. The heroine stopped acting like how she had throughout the rest of the book. There were just some odd choices by the author.
Also very repetitive. I know at the end in the author’s note she mentions not having an editor, it doesn’t necessarily read like it doesn’t have one, but it does read like it has a not very good editor. I would love to read this book after an editor worked on it. I’m sure it’s not cheap for an indie author but it might be that extra piece she needs to make it to the next level.
There is a lot of dark subject material in the book that is referenced too but nothing truly on page except for one scene near the end.
At first I thought the heroine was like in her 20s, so no problems reading about her and the hero. But then we find out she was taken from earth when she was 17 and can’t recall if it’s been a few months or possibly a year. So that kind gave it an ick factor.
Also very low steam, I think there is only one sex scene so it’s not erotica if you’re going into it thinking that.
I had zero expectations going into this book, someone on FB was looking for it in a book group based of the opening scene. It sounded intriguing and had some dark themes I enjoy reading so I decided to buy it and read it. Longer than most of the alien romances I’ve read (though the heroine does realize she’s the alien and those she’s around aren’t, which was a nice twist).
My biggest issue I think was the POV flips very quickly, a few times I had to reread a section to tell if it was the hero or heroine. But also during both POV of the MCs they process their thoughts of the other by name before they even know one another’s names. (Hope that makes sense) This is a great example of where an editor could have caught this quickly and it could have been fixed.
I enjoyed the story and many of the charger so I’m rating fairly high, 3.5 stars rounded up, and I would recommend it. ...more
Not bad but I didn’t feel overly connected to either of the main characters. I really wanted Faith to not be dead and for them to find her trapped someNot bad but I didn’t feel overly connected to either of the main characters. I really wanted Faith to not be dead and for them to find her trapped somewhere. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know, just seemed like it would make it exciting. >.<
I did have a few issues, and they pulled me out of the book, so that could have been why I didn’t feel overly connected. First: No way in a town of only 250 people would there be some of the things they had. (e.g. funeral home, there is no way for enough annual deaths to keep something like that in business) Second: this is not just with this book but often in “Christmas” titles books, this had absolutely zero to do with Christmas. Cold weather and snow were mentioned 2-3 times that’s the closest anything could be to making this a Christmas book. I get Harlequin doesn’t care once you buy the book, their marketing team has done their job, but sheesh stop using Christmas (or other holidays) to sell books that have zero to do with it. Third: I’m obviously not an expert in CIA special forces or whatever but I find it highly improbably that he’d hav ALLLLLLLL this real world experience and have been burned and hunted by the time he was 30.
I was happy that the heroine was strong. She wasn’t a doormat. She didn’t require the hero to tell her what she was worth. She knew her own worth. She was strong and independent.
Anyway, it wasn’t bad, would probably rate it 3.5 stars if there were half stars.
I have the next one so I’ll read that but not sure about the rest of the series....more
I’m so glad I read this book. After Judge’s book, the first one in this series, I wasn’t sure if I would read anymore in the series. It was heavy mafiI’m so glad I read this book. After Judge’s book, the first one in this series, I wasn’t sure if I would read anymore in the series. It was heavy mafia (and an annoyingly weak h) which I’m not into. Thankfully this one was pure MC with a badass heroine to save the day!
I loved Crow, we didn’t see much of him before his book but he is sexy and super into consent which is also sexy.
Gotta love a heroine who can hold her own and tries to take the hero out. Love when sexy confident guys are attracted to strong badass chicks.
Read it. It could probably be read as a stand-alone even. ...more
This one was pretty heavy. It reads like she has depression to go along with her anxiety. I feel the subject is handled well, especially compared to hThis one was pretty heavy. It reads like she has depression to go along with her anxiety. I feel the subject is handled well, especially compared to how Dixon often handles heavier issues.
I like finally getting Ariana and Zolaya’s story, it was told as a flashback and I thought it fit the storyline well. Only one major continuity issue with Haeden which was good considering there are often continuity issues in this universe.
Looking forward to Marlene’s story. Hope it’s good just well with the flashback. ...more
The story and main characters in this book were much better than the first. However the main characters from the first book have become very unlikeablThe story and main characters in this book were much better than the first. However the main characters from the first book have become very unlikeable. Georgie was still her selfish bubbly self in this book and Vektal became a dick, and not for enforcing rules but for not following his own rules about not forcing the human woman against their will. He decided to hold Liz as a prisoner and plans to mate her off to a widower. This goes against everything we’ve learned about how the kahui work and how mates resonate. We know in the past the tribe had deferred to the resonance over the wants/desires of the members of the tribe. So it’s odd that this is contradictory to that bit of history.
Anyways I really liked Liz and Raahosh. They’re good together. Opposite attract in a good way. I’m not happy with some of the continuity issues though especially when they contradict things from the first book. Example - in the first book we’re told mates will resonate when the female is fertile. This happens right at the beginning of Liz and Raahosh’s story yet they don’t have sex for weeks (oh and she never had her period while they’re away for nearly a month???). She is human and would only be fertile for a few hours to days but weeks. There would be no way she would have gotten pregnant right away.
Liz is mouth and chatty and strong. She tend to an unconscious Raahosh for a week and a half on her own, braving the wilds of the ice planet she is unfamiliar with. Yet as soon as she’s on house arrest she doesn’t fight back other than being mouthy/bratty like a teen trying to cause fights with siblings to get attention instead of actually work to escape or make a change in her situation. I would have liked to have seen that side of her be more demanding. Calling out the hypocrisy of the tribe. Fighting to be with the male/mate she loves. The “aliens” seem only to value her not as a member that could help their tribe and be part of their community but only as a host for a baby. She sees herself as more than this, she even tells the selfish Georgie this, but she doesn’t fight for it. I wish the way it had ended had been her choice not a “punishment”. It would have had a better story arc as well as shown her strength and truly having her mate’s back as an independent person and not a brat trying to force Vektal’s hand.
It’s really hard that I liked this book but it made me really dislike other characters who have no way to redeem themselves now since they’ve had their own book.
Very different from her Navesink Bank world. Doesn’t really feel like an MC, which is fine, but does very much feel like PNR/urban fantasy. The world Very different from her Navesink Bank world. Doesn’t really feel like an MC, which is fine, but does very much feel like PNR/urban fantasy. The world building is good but could be stronger. 3.5 stars
I felt this book had a better resolution to the heroine ending up living a completely different life. She gets to “get her shit” from her old life etc., but Lenore who was worried about who her mom would spend Christmas with had no mention in the first book about her life prior to become the Sacrifice after she decides to stay.
I’m craving the longer epilogues Jessica Gadziala is known for. They’re too short in this series....more
This is what I call horror lite, though it was pretty creepy about the last 50% and did take a few turns I wasn’t expecting. Has very much a Haunting OThis is what I call horror lite, though it was pretty creepy about the last 50% and did take a few turns I wasn’t expecting. Has very much a Haunting Of Hill House vibe to it but it’s not that, it goes in a different direction which I was happy about.
Darcy Coates knows how to make her books flow and keep the reader reading. I read about the last 2/3 tonight and finished it easily.
A few thing I didn’t like; the main one, especially as a romance reader, was the “I’m in love” so quickly. They hardly had any interactions and on his part it seemed mainly physical. It wasn’t really a believable romance but since this is a horror novel I didn’t knock it down much for that. Also if felt a little under developed. The characters weren’t deep enough. Plus way too much time in Sophie’s head with her thoughts.
I will most likely read the second book in this series while I wait for the next book in the Grave Keeper series....more
Okay so I pretty much read the entire thing last night (or you know, until 4:30am this morning).
The writing style took 3.5 first book by author stars
Okay so I pretty much read the entire thing last night (or you know, until 4:30am this morning).
The writing style took me a bit to get into it and wasn't sure I was going to like it but I ended up liking the book over all and by the end the writing style seemed to have improved(?).
I loved Trevor, he was great. Where can I get one? (lol) However I didn't like when he introduced himself her her parents and they were all "young man" and "son". Like....what...? He's an associate professor, not some high schooler, I found it very odd/condescending.
Two issues for me were 1) at the very end it explains (view spoiler)[ that Sabra lives with her parents for 3 months while she recovers, I take that to mean the sprained ankle and stiches which wouldn't take that long. I was truly surprised after all she went to that she would even want to go back to her parents house/be around her parents that much. Seemed at odds with the rest of the way she behaves. (hide spoiler)] and 2) I wanted(?)/needed more (view spoiler)[ explanation of what happened at each of the flash backs. My mind instinctually went to sexual assault/molestation but then at one point Sabra in the flash back knows how it feels when her brother punches her crush with a fist to the gut. So was it more physical abuse and mental than sexual? Did it evolve? The "Used" aspect and near rape by one of Lucas' friends pointed it back to sexual abuse but then at the after she is rescued the doctors tell her parents there is no sign of rape/sexual assault. This just made it all a little muddy for me. Treavor gets told but we the reader, living in Sabra's head don't. (hide spoiler)]
Overall a good first book by the author and I’d read mor by her but I was left guessing or filling in too many blanks on my own without feeling like I had enough to find the right answer to the blanks....more
Very interesting start. Would like to know a whole lot more about the witches. Also had to keep reminding myself this was an MC. I’ll keep rea3.5 stars
Very interesting start. Would like to know a whole lot more about the witches. Also had to keep reminding myself this was an MC. I’ll keep reading the series....more
This is the first book in The Professionals series that I’ve enjoyed. I really enjoyed this one and felt a connection to and between the characters.
IThis is the first book in The Professionals series that I’ve enjoyed. I really enjoyed this one and felt a connection to and between the characters.
If you enjoy the Navesink Bank universe I recommend this one even if you, like me, haven’t really connected to the first three books in this series....more
A solid 3.5 stars and a good start to a new series. I’m already wanting the other 3 books for the siblings.
The last half or mid part of the book dragA solid 3.5 stars and a good start to a new series. I’m already wanting the other 3 books for the siblings.
The last half or mid part of the book dragged a little. I get the needed time jump but it was a little too much telling. A good resolution to the story and peak at future stories.
A few inconsistencies like one character is called Bea sometimes and Bee other times, seems like a typo but if it wasn’t it wasn’t made clear. Other small things like that but are common with this author. ...more
A good companion novel to the BDB series. This book takes place in the same universe but doesn’t involve any of the BDB or trainees.
The heroine was strA good companion novel to the BDB series. This book takes place in the same universe but doesn’t involve any of the BDB or trainees.
The heroine was strong and badass though it wasn’t her natural instinct to be that way. We got to see this develop over the story as she grew and see how she accepted her new self that she’d fought against since the raids two years before.
The hero different than we usually in the BDB universe which was a nice addition.
There were two villains in this story and neither were lessers or the omega. I enjoyed learning/knowing that there is bad in the vampire world as well. That others besides the brothers can take on evil and win. Can stand up for good and the race.
If you read the BDB I recommend this one too. It doesn’t have to be read exactly in order like the series does as long as it’s read after the raids. ...more
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