I liked the concept of this much more than the exacution. The premise is what initially drew me in, it was definitely intriguing and I'm all for anythI liked the concept of this much more than the exacution. The premise is what initially drew me in, it was definitely intriguing and I'm all for anything dark, depraved and unusual, of which this seemed to have all three. That and this author is one that I'm usually all-over. Unfortunately whilst there was nothing overly wrong with this I just wasn't connecting and though I did enjoy parts of this I also found myself heavily skimming the further I read.
This has some real darkness especially the beginning when we join an abused Ember who has been at the mercy of her sadistic husband for years. When he finally takes things to.far leaving her near death Ember calls for the the darkness to save her. A visit to Cirque Obscurum as a child provided her with a joker card and It's this card that calls Diamond, Spade, Club and Heart to her side ready and willing to avenge and reap hurt upon her husband.
Now faced with a choice Ember leaves her old self behind and becomes Queen and the Cirque Obscurum becomes her new family. The Cirque is a sentiment entity and Ember it's newest acquisition so she now too must answer when they are called upon to avenge those that need saving from the true monsters.
So the concept of this was so good but I do wish much more had been made of the fact that the Cirque was apparently sentient. I also wasn't sure about the time this was set in as a war was mentioned, so that confused me. It was very insta-love which isn't my favourite and I didn't think the connections Ember made with the men stood out separate in any way. Apart from Heart they all kind of merged together and it all felt very surface level superficial. There was also and i can't believed I'm saying this too much sex and not enough substance and some of the sexy talk was majorly cringy.
So now the bits that hit the mark for me, well the whole theme and the sense of found family was a plus. I also appreciated the dark themes and how vindictive and ruthless they all were when they hunted the monsters. Heart was especially adorable and I loved his brand of Cray Cray. I definitely appreciated the creepy masks and how unhinged they all were. Finally the beginning and the finale here were the strongest parts of this and had the most impact on me.
So yeh totally mixed bag, overall this was a middle of the road read for me I liked it enough but probably won't revisit in the future and it isn't my favourite by this author. Be aware this does have some very dark themes the beginning of this mostly, when Ember is being brutalised and abused at her husbands hands. There's also a lot of blood and gore and violence which didn't phase me but thought I'd give you the heads up....more
I found this one really intriguing and unusual and I definitely enjoyed it a lot. This is part of the dirty hero’s collection and they are all s[image]
I found this one really intriguing and unusual and I definitely enjoyed it a lot. This is part of the dirty hero’s collection and they are all standalone reads with a loosely connected theme. This is the second book I’ve tried from this series and my first experience with this particular author. This is unusual in the fact that we are dealing with an already established couple so essentially not a typical romance but more of a suspenseful edge of your seat journey. This has Jared and Harper heading to his family cabin for a romantic weekend. The cabin and the surrounding land it stands on has been in Jared’s family for years and there are certain family rules that Jared is now breaking to bring Harper here. It’s not long after there arrival that things start to go downhill and basically spiral culminating in some seriously shocking events. This one does need to just be experienced raw to get the full effect so no spoilers from me but do be aware that It did have some dark aspects and situations so be mindful if you do have triggers. It’s told in dual POV but I did find it easier to connect to Harper than Jared I think mostly because for the majority of this we are dealing with his alter-ego. This drew me in easily and then kept me on my last nerve throughout it was also well written and a page-turner, I enjoyed it a lot.
I found this one really intriguing and unusual and I definitely enjoyed it a lot. This is part of the dirty hero’s collection and they are all standalone reads with a loosely connected theme. This is the second book I’ve tried from this series and my first experience with this particular author. This is unusual in the fact that we are dealing with an already established couple so essentially not a typical romance but more of a suspenseful edge of your seat journey. This has Jared and Harper heading to his family cabin for a romantic weekend. The cabin and the surrounding land it stands on has been in Jared’s family for years and there are certain family rules that Jared is now breaking to bring Harper here. It’s not long after there arrival that things start to go downhill and basically spiral culminating in some seriously shocking events. This one does need to just be experienced raw to get the full effect so no spoilers from me but do be aware that It did have some dark aspects and situations so be mindful if you do have triggers. It’s told in dual POV but I did find it easier to connect to Harper than Jared I think mostly because for the majority of this we are dealing with his alter-ego. This drew me in easily and then kept me on my last nerve throughout it was also well written and a page-turner, I enjoyed it a lot.
The conclusion to Chloe and Nikolai's story continues where we left of with Chloe injured and now back in the arms of her dark knight. Her eyes are noThe conclusion to Chloe and Nikolai's story continues where we left of with Chloe injured and now back in the arms of her dark knight. Her eyes are now wide open following the previous traumatic events and in the aftermath Chloe seems to be a strange mix of grudging gratefulness mixed up with plenty of superior judgement.
She's also curiously passive regarding her whole situation frankly I was slightly bemused when it came to her logic and inability to understand what needed to be done. There is innocent and naive and then just plain stupid and kinda asking for the worst and Chloe was definitely bordering on the latter. She's totally willing to bury her head in the sand and let Nikolai make all the hard decisions and when he does she then plays judge and jury. Never mind that he's doing everything to keep her safe, where the gratitude? She sees in black and whites and skips the grey completely. Frankly Chloe is infuriating.
Nikolai totally made up for it though and as much as Chloe could at times exasperate me when it came to him he could do no wrong. He's exactly what I look for in a book boyfriend and Nikolai was doing it for me in every single way. The man's a delicious steamroller and totally obsessed willing to go to extreme lengths to shield Chloe even from her own dangerous naivety. He's also not willing to let her go and he's refreshingly up-front regarding his intention to keep her.
I've got to mention the danger Chloe was in though, as i do wish we had delved into it this more than we did. I also feel that the way this resolved that plot point did feel rather anticlimactic and slightly redundant I do wish we'd focused on it as it felt like a missed opportunity.
This second book for me had the slight edge on it's predecessor and I did enjoy myself. It was well written and an easy read and gets an easy thumbs up from my camp it wasn't perfect (cough, cough, Chloe) but I did devour it in record time....more
Chloe Emmon's is running on empty exhausted and terrified so far she's only just managed to stay one step ahead of the men in hot pursuit of her and sChloe Emmon's is running on empty exhausted and terrified so far she's only just managed to stay one step ahead of the men in hot pursuit of her and she's scared her luck is about to run out. Ever since her mothers murder she's been constantly on the run attempting to evade those that for reasons unknown are now determined to end her. But now out of cash and viable options she's getting desperate.
An add for a tutor at an isolated compound with great pay is just the break Chloe needs to get back on her feet and even though the enigmatic Nikolai Molotov rings all sorts of internal alarm bells she's not in a position to be choosy. She's also equally attracted as she is wary and it's soon becomes obvious fairly quickly that Nikolai has set his sights on possessing Chloe in every way possible.
Nikolai is aware right from the onset that Chloe is keeping secrets and he's determined to discover just what she's hiding. Going against all of his instincts he hires her to teach his young son Savi English planning to use the opportunity to aqquire what he wants which is ultimately Chloe in his bed. But what begins as just want soon morphs into so much more and now Nikolai is determined to not only bed her but to keep her safe and with him for the long haul where he believes she belongs.
I enjoyed this it is a tad insta but I didn't find myself minding to much and the intensity of Nikolai more than made up for this. Chloe was also kinda naive and I typically prefer my FMC much more bolchy and decisive in temperament. I just wish she'd been a bit more confrontational and also somewhat less judgy. You'd think any innocence and lofty ideals would have been discarded especially considering the situation she's currently running from.
I definitely appreciated the dominant dynamic this had going on. Nikolai is a definite force of nature and I think Chloe's innocence did compliment this perfectly. His shady murky world combined with his background meant that Chloe brought forth the light that was sorely lacking.
This was of course well written I do love this authors writing and this as usual delivered on that front. The chemistry between Nikolai and Chloe was intense and filled with some delicious tension and all the danger of this appealed. This concluded on a pivotal moment and it will be interesting to witness Chloe with her eyes now fully opened and just how she handles the reality of what she's been thrust into going forward. But if anyone can keep her safe and alive and make her enemies pay in blood it's Nikolai. Whether she'll appreciate this well we'll have to see, but personally considering her temperament, I think not. But yeh a great first book and I'm looking forward to diving into the conclusion next....more
The premise of this book was right up my street and this was a book I had high expectations for. I'm a sucker for anything dark and disturbed so I actThe premise of this book was right up my street and this was a book I had high expectations for. I'm a sucker for anything dark and disturbed so I actually went into this blind. Unfortunately it didn't really deliver for me and whilst there were parts I enjoyed i also found it somewhat rushed and underdeveloped in places.
This type of fiction is hard to pull off with authenticity. There also needs to be decent back story and character development to give some nuance and hook in the reader. I just wasn't invested enough in the characters, they were not developed enough for me to experience that connection to them. Their actions didn't make much sense and the turn around in personality especially in regards to Dax just didn't feel believable or authentic.
This also didn't flow well, the narration style was overly simplictic with not enough added meat. The transition from captive to Stockholm occured over such a short period of time and there was no pivotal lightbulb moment for Flora when she then slipped over that edge. Basically the way I see it they just wore her down.
This also didn't feel that dark or shocking and for large parts of this I was wondering where that promised darkness was. When it did arrive it was such a 360 that I felt like I was reading a totally different book that just happened to share the same characters, it was that extreme. Dax and Lyka came across more as tyrannical schoolroom bullies than dark and without moral compasses which I'm assuming was the intent.
I also wasn't a fan of all of the earlier sexual shenanigans, it added zero to the overall plot. The Marty inclusion didn't lead anywhere so why even include it. Lyka and Dax's hook ups again why? Especially when Flora wasn't afforded the same courtesy and the fact every female except Nancy seemed to be a mega bitch.
I did like the whole set-up I just didn't think this was executed well. Also before anyone comes at me it wasn't the dark themes and content I had an issue with, these things I was 100% there for I just didn't find anything here that shocking if I'm honest.
The spice though that was definitely on point and I have no complaints in that department. The encounters between Flora Dax and Lyka were scorching. So if your after a hot read it definitely has you covered in that department.
Be aware though if you want to give this a go we do have dub-con and borderline non-con, but again it didn't even blip me, we also have some sexual sadism which honestly wasn't that bad. I was more shocked by the bear incident that was bloody sadistic. You're not me though so I'd definitely suggest you check your triggers before picking this up....more
This was a highly anticipated read for me, the blurb just totally appealed and ticked so many of my boxes so I was excited to pick this one up. It's aThis was a highly anticipated read for me, the blurb just totally appealed and ticked so many of my boxes so I was excited to pick this one up. It's a dark psycholocal occult romance with some pretty toxic romance and so many triggers I actually lost count. Got to say I totally devoured this one all 500 plus pages and in one sitting as well, I was that absorbed.
So our heroine Mia is a young girl without a past. She's currently living on the streets, an addict and her whole life before this is a blank. When she is taken at a gas station her whole life is placed in further upheaval as she now finds herself being whisked off to Russia in the company of some very bad individuals.
Alexander Ruslanovich, Sacha to those that know him is Mia's new jailor when he first encounters her he is intrigued but suspicious. He questions and doubts her motives including her story from day one and is determined to uncover her truths. He is also a ranking member of a very shady secret society and he believes Mia's sudden appearance maybe more than mere coincidence which could definitely result in some severe consequences on her end.
Mia now confined and isolated in Sachas home finds herself thrust into a world she didn't know existed. Sacha has dark secrets and is treated almost like a god by those that surround him. More of Mia's fractured memories are resurfacing every day but there's also so much she is still in the dark about. She's also totally disgusted with herself at the pull she feels towards her captor especially with the way he frequently treats her, he also blows hot and cold on her constantly. As the truth gradually emerges Mia is appalled and also terrified at the world she now inhabits and just what Sascha is capable off and what it could also then mean for her future.
So first thing this has triggers, it doesn't pull it's punches in any way. The relationship between these two is toxic and unhealthy as fuck but honestly that was definitely part of the appeal. Sasha is a true anti-hero who doesn't stray very far from his origins and Mia has to learn to accept him and his strange beliefs for what they are.
We have kidnapping, some serious dub-con, drug addiction, self harm, murder, an abusive and controlling relationship, and so much more, the list is endless. The sex between these two is rough and violent with lots of degredation and praise kink included. Also be aware that this involves worshipping the Occult and all that entails this is basically a cult romance. So don't be expecting a healthy normal relationship as this is so far removed from all that, this one is the true definition of a dark romance.
It had twists and turns around every corner and it was all so incredibly addictive and made for some compelling reading. I found it well written and it was also dual POV which is my favourite. So If your after a dark romance with a difference this one has you covered for sure. It's getting five stars for the sheer fact I couldn't put it down....more
An unusual and very distinctive series that is probably not going to be for everyone, but one I definitely appreciated once I found my flow. I'm not gAn unusual and very distinctive series that is probably not going to be for everyone, but one I definitely appreciated once I found my flow. I'm not going to go into this final book too extensively as i think I've said more than enough in my previous two reviews of book one and two. All I'm going to say regarding this one is that it gave me the closure I was looking for and I thought it was so cleverly done. The twists and turns and the way this has all been mapped out was nothing short of brilliant and extremely impressive.
So if your after a series that's going to tax your brain and definitely isn't an easy read. A series that deals with philosophy, chaos magic and ritualistic scenerios. A series with eccentric and unusual characters that manages to intrigue and captivate and who have an intense connection that transcends banal everyday reality's this is the series for you. I'm not going to forget this one in a hurry that's for sure....more
So I've rated book one and book two the same but this did have the edge for me and I think that's mostly down to the fact that I've settled into the sSo I've rated book one and book two the same but this did have the edge for me and I think that's mostly down to the fact that I've settled into the style of narration used. It took some acclimatising in book one but once it became more familiar I then found this much easier to digest.
I'm fascinated by the uniqueness of this series and it definitely felt fresh and original making this starkly stand out. This series makes you think, it's not an easy spoon-fed read and at times is very obscure in how it feeds you the information and I liked that about it.
I've definitely got a bit of a girl crush on Kallum and yes whilst he's as pretentious as fuck and definitely a total fruitcake there's just something about him that appealed and he most certainly proved his devotion going above and beyond for his chosen muse. Halen well she's had quite the awakening and she's such a curious cat lying to herself is her greatest sin but when the veil finally lifts Kalums patience is at last recognised.
If your going to pick up this series be aware it's not going to be a fit for everyone as I mentioned previously the style and voice used here can be difficult to wrap your head around. For myself, I'm now liking this a lot but it definitely wasn't the instant hit I initially thought it would be going to be from the initial blurb I had to give it a chance to dig deep and take root. The subject matter though total hit I adore anything with ritualistic and spiritual overtones and this had that in abundance....more
Halen St James is a criminologist and psychologist working as a crime scene profiler for a specialist unit. Kallum Locke is a Philosophy professor witHalen St James is a criminologist and psychologist working as a crime scene profiler for a specialist unit. Kallum Locke is a Philosophy professor with an interest in the dark arts and Halen's testimony assisted in him being placed in Briar an institute for the criminally insane.
When Halen is called to Hollows Row the scene of a grisly Ritualistic crime scene she sees this as a chance to obtain the truth of Kallum. So she negotiates a deal where he will act as an expert consultant on the case, monitored and under supervision of course. But what Halen didn't count on is the sizzling connection and bond between them and that kallum's unorthodox methods begin too open her eyes to truths that she won't accept or even believe.
This was an intriguing read and I'm definitely going to be reading book two. Despite the fact that at times I was confused and found the writing initially wasn't quite to my taste it did grow on me and because I loved the subject matter I persevered and I'm glad i did as the further I went the easier it became. I think it was all the philosophy antiquity and metaphorical language that I had some issues wrapping my head around.
As this story unfolded I was drawn like a moth to a flame both these characters are such enigmas and there dynamic together unlike anything I've read before. This was very cleverly done indeed and it only left me wanting to learn more.
Overall though once I got into my stride and passed the first 100 pages this grew on me. The material itself was fabulous and felt distinctive and fresh. Yes the execution felt a little odd but honestly that was part of the charm. So I made it work and gave some allowances based on how much the story and subject matter did intrigue me. So If you like ritualistic murder, symbolistic literature and all things slightly odd and out there this one might just be a hit for you, I'm now off to pick up book two....more
I really enjoyed this second book it continues Anton's and Viviana's journey together as they settle into there new marriage and there rapidly approaI really enjoyed this second book it continues Anton's and Viviana's journey together as they settle into there new marriage and there rapidly approaching parenthood.
But it's not all calm sailing, far from it a new danger threatens everything Anton holds dear. Someone is targeting Viviana taking pictures and slashing her tyres and when an old face makes an appearance it's obvious that the Jersey Bratva and Tatiana maybe at the bottom of it.
This was another great read Anton and Viviana make such a riveting couple and I adore the bond they share. This had action danger passion and so much heart. I'm loving this series and can't wait to continue on with the next phase in Anton and Viviana's lives....more
I'm trying to work out how to review this whilst still being as vague as possible. This is a story that's best read blind and that's what I did. When I'm trying to work out how to review this whilst still being as vague as possible. This is a story that's best read blind and that's what I did. When I first started this I was so confused and I nearly decided to put it down as I didn't think it was going to be for me, it was just really weird.
If I could give you one piece of advice though it's, please push through. Things initially might not make a whole lot of sense but as this unfolds it becomes clearer and this story is pure genius in how it goes about things.
I have no idea how to describe the genre this fits into, it's definitely not horror. Maybe dark psycholocal mystery fits it best but whatever it is I loved it. Especially when things began to make more sense.
This story relies on your oblivious curiosity and the need to find out more. It's totally different to what I was expecting some things I had an inkling, there is breadmarks dropped pointing at the truth and just as you think you've uncovered it all it's flipped on its head and you discover that you only solved a part of the puzzle.
It's so well written and the purposeful confusing narrative only serves to draw you in deeper. Totally impressed this is a story I won't forget in a hurry that's for sure....more
A solid debut novel and a different take on the supernatural world because of the set-up here this felt fresh and though I had some smal [image] [image]
A solid debut novel and a different take on the supernatural world because of the set-up here this felt fresh and though I had some small issues as a whole this was an enjoyable read with plenty of future potential and expansion within the world. It's sole POV and our heroine is Ava, she's a student who after some less-than-sensible choices finds herself mixed up in a world she had no idea even existed. Here she becomes the familiar of vampire Madigan, a supernatural with an old-world vibe.
I enjoyed this and thought it was intriguing. It was well written and a quick read and though I wasn't quite convinced of the chemistry between Ava and Madigan I did like them both as individuals.
I do wish the romance had been focused on more rather than the dangerous scenarios that we did, this was the area I had some issues connecting with. Madigan could also have used some deeper insights as I don't think he stands out as much as Ava did but this may have been because this was sole POV. I just didn't feel that I got to know him as well as I would have liked, he remains for the most part quite elusive and mysterious as a love interest. Especially when placed alongside Ava who i felt we got to know much better. The carnival setting could have also been expanded on as it wasn't a vibe and I think this would have greatly enriched this story.
This does have closure on Madigan and Ava and this is the first book in what I'd expect to be a series focusing on different characters within this world. Taken as a whole though this was still an interesting introduction and was an intriguing start. It was well written and I did enjoy myself I also loved that it was set in the UK as it made it feel relatable to me. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of The Vampire and the Scorpion.
Izzy finds herself on the wrong side of Montez Flores with her prior actions resulting in his men apprehending her alongside Adelmo a sc [image] [image]
Izzy finds herself on the wrong side of Montez Flores with her prior actions resulting in his men apprehending her alongside Adelmo a scarred stone cold killer who also has a hidden agenda and a penchant for murder.
I really enjoyed this one, you should know it's dark and twisted as fuck so please do check your triggers before reading but if you like your fiction with sharp edges this one more than has you covered.
It's a prequel read to the main CNC series but can definitely be read as a standalone, it's only related in as such that it's set in the CNC world. Be aware that this is pure dub-con and at times also non-con as the boundaries here are very hazy. Our FMC Izzy is also kinda into the twisted nature of the encounters between her and Adelmo and she's his perfect counterpart. He's also fascinated that she seems to enjoy the depraved stuff he's into and saving Izzy at least initially is more about his own selfish motives, in as such that he's not yet quite finished with her.
This is a shorter read but it's also a pretty decent length. It's consensual non-consent, so expect plenty of delicious dubious deeds and descriptive on-page depravity If you're ok with the dark nature of this then you're good to go with this one.
It actually has alternative endings a nicer version and the more evil twisted one. Though I liked both I personally preferred the evil version, what can I say I'm just wired that way. The karma of it just really appealed to me and I love a good anti-hero who stays true to his nature, makes it all feel more authentic.
This was well written and though the romance is very dark I could still sense the bond between these two. It's more implied than voiced, but this one is truly a definition of a dark romance where the actual relationship is dark rather than just the scenario. If all the above sounds like your jam I highly recommend reading. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Killer Bones.
This was an enjoyable read Hayden is still a walking red flag but Callie seems to like it and despite Hayden's controlling actions he di[image] [image]
This was an enjoyable read Hayden is still a walking red flag but Callie seems to like it and despite Hayden's controlling actions he did grow on me even though he was bloody certifiable and a control freak with zero boundaries.
Here we see a much more vulnerable Hayden who is struggling with his need to keep Callie safe from harm even if that means him completely disregarding her wishes. He also. steps up his game when it comes to stacking the deck in his favour.
He also has no plans to reveal that he's the reason her dad is dead and I did wonder how Callie would deal with this final reveal but frankly, it was underwhelming and hardly a blip. Despite that this for the most part was entertaining and I mostly enjoyed it. The writing was fine and I do have a soft spot for the psycho heroes.
I liked some parts more than others. The story set-up was interesting and I liked the fact that the heroine Emily Snow worked at her fam[image] [image]
I liked some parts more than others. The story set-up was interesting and I liked the fact that the heroine Emily Snow worked at her family business which happened to be a funeral home, the same one that our anti-hero Ruark is using to dispose of any inconvenient bodies. But then I found Ruark to be quite cold and one-dimensional in his behaviour. There was one main persona with him and he stuck to this religiously. We saw maybe a bit of emotional growth in the conclusion but frankly, Ruark was frustrating and didn't have much of a personality.
Emily could also be equally irritating and her metamorphosis from good girl to lovesick gangster moll just wasn't that convincing. If I'm honest I found the romance portion of this rather uninspiring and I did feel that something in their chemistry together was absent. I just couldn't see how they'd fallen for each other as their interactions together just weren't that deep, beyond the physical that is.
I did like the general storyline but I felt it took forever for Ruark to cease stalking and get on with kidnapping Emily. He was also very naive when it came to the traitor in his midst as it was so obvious who it was. I also liked the club storyline but did think it would be a bigger part of the story so I was disappointed when it wasn't.
Overall this was enjoyable enough and the writing was good I just didn't like it as much as I was expecting and at times struggled to connect, it also didn't feel that dark despite the content.
I enjoyed this, it's the first thing I've read by this author but I'm definitely going to be checking out their backlist now. It's a dar[image] [image]
I enjoyed this, it's the first thing I've read by this author but I'm definitely going to be checking out their backlist now. It's a darkish retelling of the little mermaid if it was crossed with pirates of the Caribbean and vampires. It was also so much fun and the spice level was through the roof, so definitely my kind of read.
Maren is a Syren princess and she's dissatisfied with her life under the sea in the kingdom of Limonos with her father the king and her older sisters. She feels ignored and underappreciated and like any teenager she rebels. When she spots Prince Aerik she imagines she's in love and so she makes a deal with the dupilous sea witch to be human. Sounds familiar doesn't it, but this isn't that story and Prince Aerik is actually a colossal douche, one Maren much to her regret is now married to. It's ten years later and twenty-six year old, now fully human Maren is deeply regretting all of her bad choices in life, she wants nothing more than to be back under the sea but is ultimately resigned to her fate and this is where things start to get interesting.
Captain Ramsey (Bones) sails the seas with his ship the Nightwind, he and his crew are pirates and are called the Brethren. When he accosts the royal vessel killing many of the crew and taking Maren and Aerik for ransom Maren has no idea that her new jailors are equally as monsterous as she once was. Captain Ramsey is a murderous brute he's also hiding secrets, secrets that could potentially prove dangerous for Maren. He's also on a quest for vengeance and she discovers they share a comment enemy in the sea witch.
This was duel POV and super spicy there was also an intriguing story that instantly captured my imagination. There is lots of murder and mayhem and bloodshed. The spice was chef's kiss and Ramsey has one hell of a dirty mouth on him when he gets going. The romance itself I didn't find that dark and I wouldn't class this as a dark romance, there's definitely plenty of push and pull and this isn't an instalove situation either. It's got an enemies-to-lovers vibe but when these two eventually succumbed it was explosive.
We have Syrens and vampires, sea witches and Kraken. Some creepy bone pirates and non-stop action throughout. This was a packed ride that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I recommend reading this especially if you're intrigued by all of the above.
This was an easy read with some scorching hot smut included. I was in the mood for this type of book and this one managed to scratch tha[image] [image]
This was an easy read with some scorching hot smut included. I was in the mood for this type of book and this one managed to scratch that itch. I actually got this one from a book box sub and I was definitely intrigued mostly because of the stalker aspect. it's book three in a larger connected series but I did manage to read this as a standalone with no issues, I'll admit I'd probably have appreciated this more if I'd initially read the first two in the series as there were some recurring characters, so some added background would have made me feel more connection but it can also easily be read on its own.
This focuses on Katie and Mac, there's a criminal element involved and also some history to their story. Mac is the brother of Katie's newish sister-in-law and he's been quietly obsessed with her for the last two years. Not that she has any idea. Katie is oblivious, she's also completely cowed and under the control of her abusive and narcissistic boyfriend who is the lead singer in the band The Gilded Knife, I think the band is called.
Initially, I found Katie hard to relate to, the way she behaved and her mindset were totally battered down, and her self-esteem was in tatters. I do think some of this is down to her background as well as her boyfriend Tommy's treatment, but it was still a hard watch. Also, be aware this book has triggers for SA from Tommy and it's not glossed over either, he's just not a good guy and it does take Katie a while to catch up to that and stop making excuses for him.
Mac inserts himself into Katie's life initially thinking he stands no chance with the girl of his dreams. He mostly wants her to wake up a realise her worth and leave Tommy. Before long his obsessive desires for Katie explode especially when Katie seems to get off on their games just as much as he does. The only issue is she has no idea her mysterious stalker is Mac and when she does realise he knows it will be game over for him. I felt sorry for Mac the guy has it bad and it's obvious he worships the ground Katie walks on.
The smut with this one is on point, totally depraved and contains equal praise and degradation play. This is definitely where this story shines most and I'll be honest this one's more smut than plot, but I enjoyed and appreciated this for exactly what it was. If the plot had been a bit more I would have rated it much higher, but the steam basically carries it. We do have some danger and a slight suspense storyline included but still this one I read mostly for the filth and also because I have a thing for sexy depraved dirty-talking stalkers in masks which I don't mind admitting to you.
Interesting premise, which is initially what made me pick this up. Tessa is a nurse who works at Blackthorne Correctional Institution. S[image] [image]
Interesting premise, which is initially what made me pick this up. Tessa is a nurse who works at Blackthorne Correctional Institution. She's married to the Warden, unhappily may i add as Vic is an abusive asshole. When Tessa gets close to a new prisoner at the facility her world is about to be turned upside down. Gracin has secrets and he's about to drag Tessa into a whole new world of trouble.
Not sure about this one at all, for me there was just something missing and I struggled to connect. I enjoyed some parts more than others but I think what may have been absent was the romance. This part of the story was sorely lacking, Yes I know this was a dark read, especially for the poor heroine Tessa. I mean the girl was certainly put through the wringer, first by her shitbag of a husband, then by the trouble she attracted from being connected to our anti-hero Gracin. But I still need to be convinced of the feelings involved in spite of all of that darkness and here I wasn't. I can't see how these two even ended up falling for each other as there's just zero build-up or any relationship evolvement besides the physical. Because of this I felt purely an observer and an apathetic one at that and during that torture session I should have been totally appalled, but I really wasn't that affected and I really should have been as it was hardcore.
I also think there wasn't enough meat to the story. We only skim a lot of the crucial information. There's a lack of background and further explanations. Gracin and Tessa didn't know much about each other at all, so we the readers are in the same boat. I think with some padding this could be a great story as the bones were good and the plot interesting. It just felt unpolished and stripped back.
The sex was hot and this did bring the heat but this was all resolved far too easily. Tessa did a complete 180 after fighting tooth and nail practically the whole book to leave Gracin in her dust. Then suddenly out of nowhere, she has an epiphany and she's all in it just didn't make much sense and felt very abrupt. Overall this was an ok read it was just missing heart.
3.5 Stars I enjoyed this conclusion and I do think book two may have had a slight edge for me in terms of my overall engagement. It just [image] [image]
3.5 Stars I enjoyed this conclusion and I do think book two may have had a slight edge for me in terms of my overall engagement. It just felt much faster in terms of pace and there was a lot going on. It also managed to turn up the heat on the spice and this one was scorching in its intensity.
At the end of the previous book our heroine Laundry due to Scout's sneaky manoeuvres discovers that the man she's been falling for is in fact three triplet brothers and she's not happy. Laundry is equally scared, upset and still attracted, she's also without viable options and despite discovering their secret it's not long before she's falling right back under their spell.
Here this unconventional set-up along with Della, Laundry's deaf sister, hide out from the girl's father, all whilst Laundry gives in to her deepest desires. When it all comes crashing down the fallout isn't pretty but Sully, Scout and Sparrow are all in and prepared to move mountains to rescue the girl they are all now equally obsessed with.
I enjoyed this duology it's certainly not my favourite by this author but I was entertained throughout and it was an easy quick read. I was also super happy that Laundry's father eventually got his just rewards. What a piece of work that guy was.
3.5 Stars I'm a big fan of this author and though this isn't my favourite read of there's, it was still very enjoyable it just also took [image] [image]
3.5 Stars I'm a big fan of this author and though this isn't my favourite read of there's, it was still very enjoyable it just also took me a while to connect to the story. What I did like was the concept, the idea of three identical triplets males playing one individual and attempting to fool the love interest into believing they are one and the same intriguing. This is all despite having such different individual personalities as only in appearance are they identical.
I also think these brothers were the protagonists in a previous story by this author, the Cinderella one I believe, I haven't read that but will certainly now backtrack and give it a whirl. This is the first book in a duet and it's set up like a reverse harem but with a difference. It's a darker romance and our heroine Laundry is almost a princess kept in a castle whose sole agenda since the death of her mother is to shield her deaf sister from their abusive father
Scout, Sully and Sparrow are triplets brothers under the thumb of their uncle. He holds all of the power and his latest scheme sees him sending them in to derail Laundry's father's attempt at an alliance through marriage using his favourite oldest daughter to cement those ties.
The family he is hoping to join with also happens to be prior enemies of the triplets so with their uncle's mandate looming they all now attempt to infiltrate every aspect of Laundry's life but it's not long before they all go off plan and are falling deep. Even Scout who is totally unhinged and with his history of previous obsessive behaviour is a total loose cannon
This was an easy read. I do think it took me some time to connect mostly because it seemed to be quite slow initially, but when this did take off I was invested. Also as I said earlier the concept and set-up felt unique and distinctive. I'm excited to see where this one goes next, especially with the cat finally out of the bag and the occurrences that snowballed at the finish of this. It was as usual well written and once it took off easily held my attention.
Bex (Beckie Bookworm)
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