Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this ARC and all opinions are my own, in exchange of an honest review.
2-ish-it-maybe-my-prThank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this ARC and all opinions are my own, in exchange of an honest review.
2-ish-it-maybe-my-problem stars
Rebecca Zanetti is one of those authors who are a one-click author for me. So needless to say, I was hyped to have this arc in my possession.
Let's get over with what's good about this book.
The unique magic system. It's a blend of AI technology, social media and magical crystals. Wonder how all three of them connected? Hit this book up.
Second, the he-fell-first trope. Let's just say, due to a precious someone *cough*Sunjae*cough*, I'm into hopelessly devoted male lead. Villain or morally grey as he is, Thorn is definitely an interesting persona.
And that's it guys. I ran out of things to say.
Onto some criticisms I have with this one.
First. Despite the unique magic system, I feel like we weren't given enough exposure or explanation behind them. Heck, it's even jarring in some scenes to see magic and AI tech being talk about in the same sentence. I want things to make sense. I want to understand how things work. So unfortunately, I wasn't satisfied with how things are. I mean, smut is smut. But when you promise an interesting magical system, I think I deserved to be stimulated a little bit in that department.
Second. I don't like the dynamic between the two leads. Yeesh, this could be my problem though. It seems like my standard is a little too high and so does my expectations of this book. I found our girl to be a little subdued, with no backbone. It only required a few touches from our male for her to drop all her independent self and submit to him. Hell, this could be another thing where my preference took a huge part on why I struggled with this book. I don't like the dom/sub role in romance book anymore. It's such an imbalance in a couple, especially when it wasn't developed properly. It just feels too empty for me.
Anyway, like I said, this could be my problem. My head just expected something else and this book delivered a different thing. With that said, don't let me deter you. If you love a darker gritty version of Beauty and the Beast retelling with a unique magic system, you should try it out. Never say no, you know....more
It is a completely on-brand kinda book for these duos. The absolute taboo storyline (I mean the last time I read a book abouhmm... I'm not feeling it.
It is a completely on-brand kinda book for these duos. The absolute taboo storyline (I mean the last time I read a book about a grandpa and a granddaughter, it was Jessa Kane's), a possessive older alpha asshole (not even Jeffrey Dean Morgan in my mind could fix this), completely unhuman-like interactions, and no depth whatsoever. I mean, if you're looking for an erotic book, yeah why not. Just, maybe I should stop looking for romance in books like this.
Plus, voyeurism/exhibitionism? If it was done to get a point across, I could get behind it. But as a normal kink, I don't think I can enjoy that whatsoever.
Merged review:
hmm... I'm not feeling it.
It is a completely on-brand kinda book for these duos. The absolute taboo storyline (I mean the last time I read a book about a grandpa and a granddaughter, it was Jessa Kane's), a possessive older alpha asshole (not even Jeffrey Dean Morgan in my mind could fix this), completely unhuman-like interactions, and no depth whatsoever. I mean, if you're looking for an erotic book, yeah why not. Just, maybe I should stop looking for romance in books like this.
Plus, voyeurism/exhibitionism? If it was done to get a point across, I could get behind it. But as a normal kink, I don't think I can enjoy that whatsoever....more
“Oh. I think you like that idea very much. Hmmm, Penelope? You want to be our little cow?”...“That’s right, little Penelope. Should I make you
“Oh. I think you like that idea very much. Hmmm, Penelope? You want to be our little cow?”...“That’s right, little Penelope. Should I make you moo for me?”
I did something stupid. I've read this before in an anthology. --> Used and Bound ...more
Another smutty novella under my belt! This time, it's about primal kink, which is a kink I didn't realize a well-loved among our 'community' lately. BAnother smutty novella under my belt! This time, it's about primal kink, which is a kink I didn't realize a well-loved among our 'community' lately. But hey, not complaining. Anyway, I'm sick of those BDSM books. Let's have more of these different kinky relationships. Hell, I kinda want to read some good furries books now (or anything that might come close). ...more
There goes another incestuous romance under my belt. Oof, what to say about this one? It was definitely psychotic and murdery. Like, I expected the psThere goes another incestuous romance under my belt. Oof, what to say about this one? It was definitely psychotic and murdery. Like, I expected the psychotic hero but honestly not the trail of bodies he left behind.
So, let me start by saying, I would've loved this duet a lot more if the author had pulled through with the DD/lg plot.
As for the book itsel3.5 stars
So, let me start by saying, I would've loved this duet a lot more if the author had pulled through with the DD/lg plot.
As for the book itself, I think the was a little issue with the pacing, especially toward the end. There wasn't any conclusive climax to this duet. It kinda fizzled out and left me quite unsatisfied. Plus, it meandered a lot too. There were just too many filler chapters for me to care about and adding to the unsatisfying conclusion to this couple's story, I was just not wholly impressed by this duet altogether.
However, the strength of this series is definitely the huge cast of characters and the dynamic between them. I do enjoy reading about the unique dynamic of the main couple. The whole thing with the soft Dom and alpha-ish sub is something I rarely see in my romance books and I appreciated that. I love how well they balanced each other out and how perfectly complimented one another. As much as I tend to stay away from BDSM stuffs, this one is alright.
Anyway, it was still a pretty decent duet. Started off strong and it fizzled out in the end there but I would still recommend this to anyone who wants a pretty nice BDSM/mafia book with an oblivious heroine and a very devoted hero....more
I still can't believe that's the title of this book.
Also, it gave me the same vibe as the last book I've read. It was different but man it couldn't hI still can't believe that's the title of this book.
Also, it gave me the same vibe as the last book I've read. It was different but man it couldn't hold my attention at all, except for that last scene with Minoka. That's fucked. Literally.
“You’re a crude man,” “And you’re a cruel princess... The Princess who begged me to fuck her last night.
She did it again. She won me over with anot“You’re a crude man,” “And you’re a cruel princess... The Princess who begged me to fuck her last night.
She did it again. She won me over with another unique story. I can't even stress out how much I love this author and her works. Each one of them bring a different dynamic, vibe and story to the table. I'm just oh so excited to see what's coming next from her.
All I have to say is, if you have never try this author yet, you're missing out. (Though maybe it's a good idea to start with some of her new releases first, the old ones, I can't guarantee ...more
What kind of man, that instead of asking a girl you're interested in out for a date like normal people, decides you know what I'm going to marry her mWhat kind of man, that instead of asking a girl you're interested in out for a date like normal people, decides you know what I'm going to marry her mother and become her stepfather and then I can be her daddy and asks her out for a date...
This man did.
Honestly though, in my opinion, it was a decent ddlg kink book (with a dash of Dom/sub vibe and 'sneaking' kink on the side). If these interest you in any way, you should try it. Also, very steamy....more
Even in a post apocalyptic world, we still got a former ballerina as a female lead.
Anyhoo, Yellowstone blew up and now the world is run by cannibals. Even in a post apocalyptic world, we still got a former ballerina as a female lead.
Anyhoo, Yellowstone blew up and now the world is run by cannibals. And our male lead, a serial stalker, is instructed to kill any human they meet on sight.... until of course, he saw the female lead dancing away in rubbles.
First thing that I did like about this book is the setting (although we couldn't see a lot of it since our girl here is trapped most of the time inside the guy's room) and the plot (with the secret group of rich people dominating the world). However, since this book was published in 2016 and we still haven't got any new book in the series, I think we maybe never got to see the end of this series at all.
Now, let's talk about the trigger warning. Noncon/dubcon is a big part of this book. So if you find this uncomfortable to read, then might not be the best choice to pick this one up.
All in all, it was pretty dark and I did like some of the components but it just left me feeling unsatisfied in the end. If you're okay with not probably seeing the ending of this series altogether, then maybe you could try it out. ...more
He's crass, possessive as ffffuck and a gentleman (a lil bit?).
“I will never let a3.5 stars
Met Theo.
“Pull my cock out and choke on it, puppet.”
He's crass, possessive as ffffuck and a gentleman (a lil bit?).
“I will never let a man, or anyone for that matter, disrespect you, puppet.” He brings his other hand up, the one with a bit of blood on the knuckles... The blood streaks my cheek, and I shiver. “Now you wear the blood of the man who disrespected you.”
He's the one you want on your court.
Now meet Hanna.
“Is this funny? To insult me when I’m already a mess? Is this what you wanted? Get the fat girl all upset, make her feel bad about herself so you can laugh about it to your friends?”
She's sweet, very insecure about her weight (plus size h represents!), and on the run from a stalker.
But don't worry, Theo is there to set her straight.
“You call yourself fat in my presence again and so help me, Hanna.” “Why does it mean anything to you?” “Because the woman I plan to fuck and worship can’t possibly be insecure. You will need to love your body when you’re with me, or this won’t work.”
They met when Hanna came home to her deadbeat mom's hometown and Theo for an assignment. We all can guess what happened next.
As for my thoughts, I actually think this is a mediocre book. It's fun, alpha, instalove and safe (probably some trigger on the weight issues, Hanna's self esteem is very low on that department). However, now that I've finished the book, I actually can think of it quite fondly. It was just an okay book with pretty nice characters. Also the smut is fantastic (cw on knife play, totally forgot that happened).
So yeah, just a nice book. Not that super unique, with your typical plot but I love these characters. Recommended for some happy times smut reading.
P.s. Can we all agree that 'greens' is not a cute pet name? It's like calling someone's 'hey, fruits'. Right? Only me? Okay.
P.p.s. Where can I get myself a stalker? Asking for a friend. Okay no, that's for me. Fuck, I've finally lost my mind....more
Maybe I'll wrap up everything in the last book because this book was a trip.
P.s. I think it was brilliant to make this boThat was... a lot to take in.
Maybe I'll wrap up everything in the last book because this book was a trip.
P.s. I think it was brilliant to make this book not in a chronological order. Since the events in this book happened before book 1, it was such a nice trick to make me want to read book 1 again but with a different perspective on what's going on. That's neat.
What we got here is the reverse grumpy sunshine trope, where our heroine is the grumpy one and the hero is the sunshine/talkative one. Which 2.5 stars
What we got here is the reverse grumpy sunshine trope, where our heroine is the grumpy one and the hero is the sunshine/talkative one. Which btw, I need more of! (do drop some recs if you have a good one!)
Anyway, the first half was hard for me to get into (I'd considered on three different occasions to just let this one go) and then our heroine decided to grow some balls and attacked the sunny hero.
And it is ON.
The second half saved it. I wished it happened sooner and we got more of those bedroom plays because that was far more interesting. It's kinky and it's not enough ...more
First of all, wow. I did not expect the unusual dynamic we have between these two main characters. Our heroine here didn't care for the hero at all inFirst of all, wow. I did not expect the unusual dynamic we have between these two main characters. Our heroine here didn't care for the hero at all initially... actually for the most part of the book. Well, not until they realized they were sexy pen-pal buddies with each other for quite some time.
It's a little sad to see the unrequited love Hunter (the hero) has over Aurora (the heroine) and how she never even entertained his flirtings or kind gestures over the years they know each other. Which btw, I didn't read the whole interconnected other series in order, so I have no idea if they were even a big part of those books or the history behind their previous relationship with each other. So yeah. It was definitely different in comparison to other books I've read.
Aurora was something else. She's a tough woman, a workaholic, and driven. But underneath all that, she was hurting and for lack of better words, haunted by something. She always feels ashamed of her kink and feels unaccepted sexually. Added to the trauma of her past, who can blame her when she acted like a bitch sometimes.
And Hunter. Oh Hunter. He's such a good guy that was handed the wrong life and the responsibilities that went with it. Again, a different type of archetype of romance heroes that I usually find in my books.
All in all, it's different compared to my usual reads and I did enjoy reading it a lot....more
So, our hero, Sterling is obsessing over his new employee, Caia. He broke into her house daily, watched her having sex with other men, slept4.5 stars.
So, our hero, Sterling is obsessing over his new employee, Caia. He broke into her house daily, watched her having sex with other men, slept under her bed, tracked her phone and knows her everyday schedule. Caia is now a sex addict and she hates her new boss but she knows he watches her sometimes.
This book is maybe my favourite stalker dark romance book so far. Everything Sterling did was so disturbing that I can't help but feel horrified and sort of interested (?). Not that I condone a man sleeping underneath the bed of his victim or being a voyeur of his stalkee's love life.
But man, I love that psychotic mind of his.
Also, did I mention he kills people too? My brand of villain here....more