Review: Heartless by Elsie Silver

December 5, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

HEARTLESS
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Chestnut Springs #2
Author: Nikki Sloane
Release Date: February 23, 2021

Working as a nanny for the world’s grumpiest single dad should have been simple. Except I can’t keep my eyes off him. And he can’t keep his hands off of me.

Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than I am and barely looks my way. Until I get him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then all bets are off—and so are our clothes.

He’s gruff, a little rough around the edges. But broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who am I to resist?

But it’s in our quiet moments together that he softens. It’s when he takes care of me that I realize his hardened exterior is just a façade. It’s when I watch him go all sweet with his little boy that I really fall for him.

Someone convinced him once that his best wasn’t good enough. But I’ve never felt more cherished than I do in his arms.

My contract may say this arrangement is only for two months.

But my heart says this is forever.

 AMAZON 

Cade,” her lips part on my name, her tongue darting out to wet them. “God.”
“He’s not here right now, baby. It’s just me. And I’m done asking nicely. I’m ready to take.”

What rock have I been living under that this is my first Elsie Silver book? And why hasn’t everyone kicked out from under that rock sooner? Because OH MY GOD this book was EVERYTHING.

Right there at the birthday party?” Summer whisper-shouts across the small table at Le Pamplemousse. I take a sip of my mimosa and wink at her. “I saved another horse, Sum. I’m practically an animal rights activist at this point.”

Deeply immersed in my toxic antihero era as I am, I don’t venture out of the angst and gritty genre often. And I may have judged this cover and thought this book would be too fluffy for me. Boy was I wrong.

If you’re a fan of small town, grumpy/sunshine romances, you simply cannot miss this book. You just can’t. The banter here was utterly delicious. And the characters? Unforgettable.

Cade is the grump of his family and given his history, it’s understandable. After his wife walked out of his life leaving him to parent his adorable son on his own, he focused on two things; his son and his work. But he needs help and is seeking a nanny who can give his son the attention he needs while keeping the attention off of him. He may be a bachelor, but he doesn’t need the entanglement of another relationship and the broken heart that follows.

Willa is in town for the summer. She’s Summer’s best friend from Flawless. But if you’re like me and haven’t read that book yet, you can still enjoy this one as a standalone. However I’m not fully addicted to all things Elsie so plan on rectifying my oversight by devouring her backlist. But I digress.

Cade is immediately attracted to the younger woman but doesn’t want the complication. But the longer he spends in Willa’s presence, the more his resolve crumbles as their chemistry climbs to incendiary levels.

When I tell you I binge read this in one sitting, I’m not even a little exaggerating. It was sweet and spicy, emotional, hilarious, and everything I could want in a romance. An absolute must read and I can’t wait for the next installment. I’m a sucker for the unrequited love trope.

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Review: Playing Hard To Get by Monica Murphy

December 1, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

PLAYING HARD TO GET
Author: Monica Murphy
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: December 1, 2022

Knox Maguire is the king of our college campus.

Star offensive tight end on the football team.

He is the complete opposite of me in every way.

I’m quiet. He’s loud.

I’m shy. He’s definitely not.

Everyone loves him. No one knows me.

Fresh out of a breakup, I don’t really trust him, and why should I? Knox is the ultimate player. When I become his English tutor, I tell myself we need to keep things between us strictly business. Watching my mother deal with my ex-athlete father long, long ago taught me to stay far away from that type of man.

Yet Knox is impossible to resist. Next thing I know, we’re getting hot and heavy in the library—and that was never part of the plan. When Knox admits he can’t stop thinking about me, I have a realization.

I can’t stop thinking about him either.

Instead of keeping my distance, I pull him in closer. Until somehow, we’re spending all of our time together and I find myself falling for Knox. Hard.

Will this actually work between us? Or am I getting played?

AMAZON

You are my end goal, Jo Jo.”

My whole heart right now. It’s been a minute since I read a good college sports romance, and man did this deliver on all fronts.

I love when authors interconnect their characters throughout their books. And if you all loved Drew and Fable from One Week Girlfriend and recall Fable’s brother Owen in Four Years Later, prepare to meet his son Knox Maguire in this one. Knox is the football team’s tight end well on his way to the NFL. Knox has a packed schedule and a class in which he knows he’s going to struggle is the last thing he needs. He needs to focus, so what’s a man to do? Swear off women and go celibate of course. But you know what they say about no good dead…

Enter Joanna Sutton, the quiet studious girl who just got out of a three year relationship with a heartbreak she’s not yet over. She doesn’t like to be the center of attention and she doesn’t like jocks who draw all attention to them. So the ridiculously handsome Knox is the last man she should be spending time with. But when Knox hires her as his tutor following the most adorable meet cute at the book store she works in, sparks fly.

This was such a sweet romance, packed full of emotion and with a splash of steam. Knox is a reformed manwhore who is a total cinnamon role. And while that’s not usually my thing, it just worked for me here. The way he pursued Joanna and the easy camaraderie between them just did it for me. He’s not used to women turning him down, yet that’s what Jo seems to do at every turn. She’s not impressed with his rep and unwittingly forces him to chase her. I loved their banter and their instant chemistry and slow burn romance.

This was a one sitting read that I enjoyed from start to finish and I can’t wait for more in this series. Hopefully we get Knox’s sister’s book next. I do love me the brother’s best friend trope.

 

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.

 

Connect with Monica

Website | Goodreads  | Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | Bookbub | Pinterest | Verve Romance | Tik Tok 

 


 

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, New Adult · Tagged With: , , ,

Review: Broken Queen by Natasha Knight

November 15, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

BROKEN QUEEN
Series: Ruined Kingdom Duet #2
Author: Natasha Knight
Genre: Dark Mafia/MFM Romance
Release Date: November 15, 2022

Betrayal. Destruction. Truth.

He says you can only rise up once you hit rock bottom.
Only be made whole once you’re fully broken.

I don’t know that there’s anything left to break.

Time is running out for me. Enemies are closing in at every turn.

But this time I won’t be alone.

One brother has vowed his protection. The other reaffirmed his hatred of me.

Yet they both want me.

But something dark is unraveling inside me.
An event too terrible clawing its way into my consciousness.

And even as things begin to change between us, it’s those memories that may undo us all.

AMAZON | NOOK | KOBO | iBOOKS | GOOGLE PLAY

START WITH BOOK ONE
 
RUINED KINGDOM

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

And as they wipe the tears that fall while they make love to me and I too them, I know that we belong to each other. The three of us, we have always belonged to each other.

There’s a reason Natasha Knight books are pure crack for me. It doesn’t matter how many times I read a different variation of a similar trope, I will never grow tired of it. The woman just delivers each and every single time and this book was no exception.

After that shocking cliffhanger in Ruined Kingdom, I was dying for the conclusion. I just knew that this would be the book that would defrost the icy heart that Bastian has and I was not wrong. These two brothers go from ruthless, revenge driven beasts to ruthless, revenge driven beasts who would burn the world down to protect their woman.

I think that Vittoria Russo is one of my favorite heroines from Natasha to date. There’s just something so fierce about her. This woman is the definition of fighter and when you peel back the layers on her past, you see how much of one she is. She doesn’t stop fighting no matter how much the odds are stacked against her. And seeing her inevitably fall for her two captors melted my cold black heart.

I devoured this book in one greedy sitting. Emotional, gritty, and full of dark passion, I couldn’t get enough.

 

Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
 
 
AUTHOR LINKS
 
Website: http://natasha-knight.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/natasha-knight
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Natasha-Knight/e/B009MIHIFG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natashaknightauthor
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1752075498339742
Newsletter: http://natasha-knight.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashaknight13

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Review: Dukes of Peril by Angel Lawson & Samantha Rue

November 14, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

DUKES OF PERIL
Series: Royals of Fosyth University #6
Author: Angel Lawson & Samantha Rue
Genre: Dark Romance, Why Choose
Release Date: November 11, 2022

The ruin of obsession, the madness of love, and the peril of duty.

Remington Maddox broke my heart.

Simon Perilini bruised my body.

And Pretty Nick Bruin tried his hardest to steal my soul.

As we struggle to make amends, the four of us must face the real fights occurring in Forsyth: The battle against the legacies of our fathers, the conflict for a Kingdom that’s stronger than its King, and the wars we wage within ourselves.

My Dukes have become capable warriors, but Forsyth needs more than their fists. They need a leader. Who will rise to the challenge?

They plucked me from captivity, giving me a home and purpose, and now it’s my turn to fight for them. The fury of Forsyth will burn hot enough to melt my cage.

And my Dukes will forge a crown from it.

Dukes of Peril is book 6 n the contemporary, dark romance, Royals of Forsyth U series by best-selling authors, Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue.

Reading Order:

Lords of Pain

Lords of Wrath

Lords of Mercy

Dukes of Ruin

Dukes of Madness

Dukes of Peril

AMAZON 

 

 

I’d kill for her, die for her, burn this whole fucking city to the ground for her.

When I tell you I have been dying a slow death waiting for the conclusion of the Dukes’ trilogy I’m not even slightly exaggerating. I loved The Lords, but The Dukes had me in a full chokehold. The irony, though, is while book three of The Lords was my favorite of the three, the Dukes of Peril I found to be the weakest installment. Did I still enjoy it? Abso-fucking-lutely. But did it have the chokehold on me that the first two books did? Not really.

But even after all these years, you still think the way I love you makes you a prisoner. When are you going to get it?” His jaw tightens, and he reaches up, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re not shackled to me, Lavinia. I’m shackled to you.”

After the slow edging…erm…I mean burn, between Lavinia and Simon, I was really hoping for him being center stage in this book. But can’t help feeling slightly disappointed because I feel like he played a bit of second, or rather third fiddle.

The story was entertaining but felt anticlimactic in parts. There were parts of the book that felt dragged out and it almost had too much going on with Saul, Lavinia’s father, Remy’s father, and the Princes. I loved Nick and his crazy possessive jealousy. The man just continued to grow on me with each book. But dang, I needed more Sy in this book.

I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but I still wished for more. However, the set up for the next trilogy at the end? Delicious. Bring on the Princes and their breeding kink please!

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Review: Resisting Mr Granville by Sam Mariano

November 13, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

 Resisting Mr. Gainsville
A Blurred Lines Series Standalone
Author: Sam Mariano
Genre: Taboo/Forbidden Romance
Release Date: November 2, 2022

 
I found love where I wasn’t supposed to find it…

The night I met Mr. Granville, he was slipping out of my mother’s bedroom.
She was passed out drunk and I was on my own, but that was nothing new. It wasn’t even the first time one of her boyfriends looked at me for a little too long—just the first time I felt anything like interest in return.
My mother and I had never been close, but I knew I had to pretend not to notice his hot gaze lingering on me when he was supposed to be there to see her, had to resist the temptation to lap up all the attention he offered me.
Until the one night I didn’t.
 
After they broke up, I thought I’d never see Milo Granville again.
But my less-than-impressive grade in chemistry had me striking a deal with his brilliant son: he would help me bring up my grade, and I would pretend to be his girlfriend so he could get the attention of the girl he actually liked.
Pretending to date the youngest Granville has me spending a lot of time with the Granville men, and while he loves having me around again, seeing me with his son is not something Mr. Granville enjoys.
He seems determined to remind me of the night that changed everything between us…
As if I could ever forget.
Milo is devilishly handsome and too commanding for his own good, but I have to resist the attraction raging between us.
Too bad Mr. Granville is just as intent on tempting me at every turn.
 
I found love where I wasn’t supposed to find it…”

Well…that wasn’t at all what I was expecting. And I’m not sure if I mean that in a good way.

The blurb to this book is what hooked me. A forbidden age gap romance with a man who not only happens to be your mom’s ex, but also your friend’s father? Yes, please and thank you. I have never jumped on a book more quick. Heck, I’m pretty sure I left skid marks behind in my rush to get to it. But that’s not what this book was. Now how the heck do I review this without spoiling it? I’m going to do my damn best here.

First of all, I sat on my rating for days after finishing it. Did I like it? Yes. Did I love it? No. So here we sit with a middle of the road 3 star “I liked it but I won’t think of it again” rating. So let’s digest it.

The reason I love the forbidden trope is the feeling it gives. I love the tension of the ‘we want to but we can’t. That burn. The anticipation. The pit in your stomach feel when they finally give into the inevitable. However, this book didn’t have it. And the forbidden element of the romance had nothing to do with the age gap or the father thing. But I won’t spoil that for you. All I will say, is I’m still not sure how I feel about it. It reminded me of Cradence…but also didn’t feel right…or complete. Not story complete, but romance complete.

The romance between Milo and Kennedy was inevitable. Their chemistry instant, but also a slow burn. Milo wants her the minute he lays eyes on her. The fact that her mother is a total and complete piece of sh*t leaves you with no guilt about their “forbidden” relationship. The forbidden dynamic came completely out of left field, and while I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t love it either. It felt almost love triangle-y…and that’s not ultimately my jam. I felt a bit let down with the end and desperately hoping we get a book for a certain someone next. But I digress.

I think ultimately my issue is that what I thought I was getting was not what I got. I enjoyed it still, but it just didn’t fully hit the spot. Especially since I was going in with a set expectation from the blurb. Would I recommend it? Yes. It was still an enjoyable read that was a bit on the tamer side than what I’m used to from Mariano but still with a dose of an edgy grit.


Sam Mariano writes the books she wants to read. She loves edgy, twisty romantic reads with complicated characters you’re left thinking about long after you turn the last page. Her favorite thing about indie publishing is the ability to play by your own rules! If she isn’t reading one of the thousands of books on her to-read list, writing her next book, or playing with her adorable daughter… actually, that’s about all she has time for these days. Feel free to find her on Facebook or Instagram—she loves hearing from her readers!


AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/292083204528925 
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/_hSzL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sam__Mariano
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammarianobooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7375051.Sam_Mariano
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sam-mariano

 
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Review: Heist by Tate James

November 8, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

HEIST
Series: Valenshek Legacy #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Tate James
Release Date: November 8, 2022

Every four years, the criminal underworld engages in a game. The Game. The challenges range from the impossible to the deadly to the truly insane. Things that only a crazy person would tackle.

I’ve won the game 5 times. This time will be no different.

I’m at the top of my field now, the best of the world’s thieves. There’s nothing I can’t steal, and this time, the game is all about theft, subterfuge, and sleight of hand. Starting with a legendary painting of poppy flowers.

It’s a painting that disappeared into the blackmarket decades ago, but I know where to find it. The only person standing in my way is her.

Nothing will stop me winning the game, not even the sultry, quick witted brunette who lures me into her painting studio with the most irresistible bait.

I have no option to fail at The Game. It’s my legacy.

The Valenshek Legacy.

♥♥♥

HEIST is book ONE of THREE in the Valenshek Legacy series. This M/F romance is set in the Shadow Grove world but can be read independently of the other Shadow Grove books. Character cameos from other series are minor and inconsequential.

AMAZON

I wished she would trust me, and that was the most selfish thing I could possibly ask…because I had every intention of taking her trust and using it for my own gain.

I have clearly been living under a rock, because I only discovered Tate James books this year. I know! I know! I’m kicking myself, trust me. I started with her Madison Kate series and proceeded on an immediate binge of Tate’s backlist. And now here we are and desperately addicted to her words.

You think pretty highly of yourself, don’t you Tris?” His question was sharper than teasing, and it made me pull up short.
I whirled around to glare at the big, handsome prick.
“Yes, John. I do. It’s called confidence and self-respect. If that’s a problem for you, absolutely no one is making you continue this conversation. In fact, I’m actively trying to leave.”

One thing I absolutely love about Tate’s books are her sassy, witty, and sex positive heroines. They’re not blushing wallflowers and I can’t get enough of them. Tristian was no exception.

I loved everything about this heroine, including the way she made John work. She’s not interested in anything from men beyond scratching an itch. And lately, the men she meets can’t even do that right. So when the infuriating and handsome newcomer at her college turns out to be the new professor who she will be TA’ing for… Well, let’s just say sparks fly. The chemistry between these two is sizzling. And the banter! Oh dear lord the banter! I couldn’t get enough of it.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, John…but yours isn’t the only dick in town.” Her leg flexed, pushing me away far enough that she could hop off the desk. She picked up her bag and tucked the strap over her shoulder as my brain frantically processed what she’d said.
“Venus, you better not be saying that—”
“Sorry, Casanova, I can’t chat. I have a date.” Her wink fucking slayed me, and then she was sashaying out of the class with that short skirt swaying like a red flag in a bull pen.

John is mysterious, enigmatic, and practically oozes BDE (big d*ck energy for those not familiar). But John is also not who he makes himself seem and his cover at the school is his way on his mission to win the “game” that pits the most infamous thieves against each other. I loved peeling back the layers on this guy. I loved watching him fall for Tris as unwilling as it was. And he did fight it at every turn.

And then the cliffhanger hits you and holy mother. I should be used to these jaw droppers from Tate considering I binged 6 books of hers in a row. But I also wasn’t in a situation where I had to wait for the next book. And now that I do? I think I’m slowly dying inside until May 2023l

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#DGRFave & Review: Happenstance by Tessa Bailey

November 7, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

HAPPENSTANCE
Genre: Contemporary, Why Choose Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Release Date: November 7, 2022

From #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer comes a romantic comedy about an accidental relationship between three smitten men…and one commitment phobic woman.

Elise Brandeis has never won a Pulitzer—and she never will. At least not while she’s delivering sandwiches at the Gotham Times, instead of working there as an actual reporter. Her only shot at seeing her byline in print is to prove to the no nonsense managing editor that she has a nose for news. And she’s got just the story to grab her elusive attention.

Right after she delivers this turkey on ciabatta.

Chasing down leads brings Elise to Roosevelt Island, but just when the trail of clues begins to take shape, she gets stuck. Literally. On a cable car with three strangers who couldn’t be more different. An uptight rugby coach, a construction worker and a former adult film star she pretends not to recognize a little too well.

At first, Elise wants nothing more than to be rescued ASAP.

An hour later, everything has changed. By pure happenstance, four separate journeys have collided in an intense, meaningful way. Suddenly, disentangling their lives feels more impossible than winning that Pulitzer. Good thing Elise is too busy proving herself at work to consider three boyfriends. Nobody has time for that—even if they make giving in feel oh so right. But three heads are better than one and these loners will teach themselves to work together to win Elise over forever…

And more importantly, keep their dirty socks off her floor.

AMAZON | KOBO | IBOOKS | B&N 

“Just a brief rundown. You’ve come here to ask for a foursome.” I look each of them in the eye. “In broad daylight. Stone cold sober.” They trade glances and nod.

This cover is the Trojan horse of smut. You look at it and think, oh look, a cute little rom com. Or you would, if Tessa Bailey didn’t write it. But she did. And the woman is the queen of dirty talk for a reason. But this book? Oh this one may be her hottest yet. And having read her entire backlist, that’s saying something.

“You’re staring, love,” taunts the British man.

He’s right. I’ve been staring at him in the glass reflection. Because there is something familiar about him. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. Did he bartend at that hotel where I trained as a concierge three years ago before getting bored and throwing myself into the natural deodorant space? No, that’s not it. Where do I know him from?

“Porn,” he says from his elegant lean against the interior wall of the tram. “You know me from pornography, darling,” he drawls, his mouth spreading into a grin. “The good shit.”

Happenstance was the most fun I’ve had reading in book, like ever. It had everything you could possibly want; laugh till you cry humor, amazing characters, romance hot enough to singe your fingers when you turn each page, and a story fun and gripping enough to keep you glued to the pages from beginning to finish.

“My God,” Tobias says on an exhale, his hair in disarray. “I’ve seen it all, but I’ve never seen anything like you.”

We have Elise, a commitment phobic heroine who becomes the sheer obsession of not one, not two, but three men. And each of them was EVERYTHING.

We have Tobias, the British porn star who hides his pain be behind smarmy sexual jokes. Gabe, the sweet cinnamon roll construction worker who is obsessed with Elise from first sight and with debilitating confidence issues from his previous marriage. And Banks, the quiet and intense rugby star turned locally famous rugby coach with mommy issues.

“Gabe makes me wish for lazy Sunday mornings in bed with coffee and the smell of cinnamon in the kitchen. Sweet. Tobias is Saturday night. Strobe lights and moaning and…that tipsy feeling, like if you have one more drink, you’ll be sorry.” “And me?” “You are…” I swallow. Being open and honest to someone about how I feel on the inside is harder than I remember. I’ve been out of practice so long. “You’re real life. The place where I’m in my pattern and feel safe. You’re not a detour, you’re a path forward.”

I went through a ringer of emotion reading this star of a book; I laughed, I swooned, I squirmed uncomfortably, I simply devoured it.

The pacing, the humor, the romance, the character development, all of it was utter perfection. It was one of those reads where you can just shut your brain off and enjoy something that just absorbs you completely. And no one delivers that better than Tessa Bailey.

If you’re looking for sizzling hot romance with three men and one woman who they are utterly obsessed with but still packs humor and even a splash of suspense, you need this book in your life.

These men are desperate to praise me. And I let them, because my heart demands it.
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Review: Power by Cassandra Robbins

November 4, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

POWER
Genre: Forbidden Age Gap, Contemporary Romance
Author: Cassandra Robbins
Release Date: November 4, 2022

From USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Robbins comes her most forbidden romance to date. An explosive age-gap, complete stand-alone love story about infamous attorney Jett Powers and the woman who brings him to his knees.

Jett Powers is brilliant, nasty, and forbidden.

He takes what he wants, has no regrets, and makes no excuses.

Not to mention he’s tall, dark, and irresistible.

From our first secret encounter, I’m addicted.

He’s the last man that should be making my stomach flip, and heart pound.

Unfortunately, my mind and body are not in sync.

Because Mr. Powers is not mine.

He can’t be.

He’s my mother’s fiancé.

AMAZON

Look, you’re my mom’s fiancé. I should never—”
“That’s right, Raven. I am your mother’s fiancé. Who was just inside you.”

Well then, wasn’t this just the most deliciously kinky little romp of a book.

If you’re looking for something quick, dirty, with spice oozing from every page, but yet with just enough plot thrown in, look no further. Daddy Powers is here and nasty is an understatement for the shock and awe factor this man brings. He’s dirty charisma personified. How does a character make you feel both dirty and swoony at the same time? I don’t know but I want more of it.

This is a forbidden romance with a delicious age gap. Jett Powers is a man engaged, though theirs is not a relationship based in love. More like power, ambition, and sex with zero emotion. He’s made peace with the fact that the only love of his life is his successful law career. But then his fiancé’s 18 year old daughter comes for a visit, and let’s just say that things get interesting.

The spice starts almost immediately and the story is riddled with it. Not that you’ll hear me complaining. That sh*t was hot. I think my one and only quibble is I wanted the burn of the forbidden angst. That’s my favorite part of a forbidden romance, the we want to but we can’t feels. The angsty burn. This story didn’t really have it. These two pretty much jump straight into the deep end without much thought. Not that I’m complaining. Because, again, that sh*t was hot. But you get me.

And though I felt there was more sex than plot at times, that’s not to say there wasn’t plot. There was just enough thrown in, actually. There was still great character development and the romance development was delicious. I loved watching the notorious Mr Powers fall for Raven. But my favorite part? The epic grovel at the end. MY GOD. I lived for that grovel. The man messed up big time and he wasn’t afraid to crawl for his woman. GAH. So good.

If you’re looking for a spicy forbidden romance with a delicious dirty talker and an even more delicious grovel, look no further.

Cassandra Robbins is a USA Today, Amazon Top 100, KDP All-star and International bestselling author. She threatened to write a romance novel for years. Robbins finally let the voices take over with her debut novel, The Entitled. She’s a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic driven to create obsessive, angst-filled characters who have to fight for their happily ever after. Cassandra resides in Los Angeles with her hot husband, two beautiful children, and a fluffy Samoyed, Stanley. Her family and friends are her lifeline but writing is her passion.

Connect w/Cassandra: 

Website | Facebook | Facebook Group | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest  | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon | Newsletter Signup

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Review: Ruined Kingdom by Natasha Knight

November 1, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

RUINED KINGDOM
Series: Ruined Kingdom Duet #1
Author: Natasha Knight
Genre: Dark Mafia/MFM Romance
Release Date: November 1, 2022

I never imagined my first trip to Italy would be to bury my father. But there I was in the beautiful cathedral, alone, with my father’s casket and a handful of soldiers to keep me safe.

It didn’t occur to me that anyone would disrupt the sanctity of the church. Would march in, weapons in hand and turn my world upside down.

But the Caballero brothers have no regard for the church and even less for my family.

They destroyed the peace of that sad occasion.
They desecrated my father’s body.
And they took me for themselves.

I’m a princess in a tower in a breathtaking villa.
My bedroom overlooks the turquoise sea but the door is locked.

And I have to contend with not one but two dragons.

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COMING SOON
 
#2 Broken Queen – Releasing November 15

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I wonder who you will hate more, me or yourself, when you lie beneath me. When you beg for release.”
“I will never beg you.”
He draws back, bringing his forehead to mine, our eyes locked. “Won’t you?”

It’s official, Natasha Knight is simply not capable of writing a book that I won’t obsess over and make my entire personality. And now she served us with some mafia MFM goodness that combines a fierce heroine, captive trope, forced proximity, and all of the hate lust. And this girl? I was SO HERE FOR IT.

You’re going to be our little fuck toy. A perk. Do you understand that, Dandelion? Because that’s all you are. A weed. Something to be trampled on without a thought and eventually plucked out of existence entirely.”

Vittoria Russo is the beloved daughter of a now deceased mafia boss, who gets caught in the crosshairs of a revenge years in the making that was set in motion by her father and brother. Bastian and Amadeo are brothers who will stop at nothing to make the Russo family pay for the sins of their past that cost their family everything. Ruthless, cold, calculating, nothing is beneath their vengeance. Even kidnapping the Russo daughter during her father’s funeral and forcing her to marry one of them, willing or not.

This was such a ride. Like most Natasha series, the romance is very much a slow burn, with bits and pieces of sizzling hate lust and unwilling attraction. Vittoria fights the Caballero brothers at every step. She’s a fighter through and through, even when all the odds are stacked against her. I loved her so much. She gave as good as she got, and this is a woman who got a lot. The brothers are cruel and vicious, but there’s an undercurrent of lust that gives it a crackle. Though there was a bit of a misbalance because Bastian fought the attraction at every turn while Amadeo freely gave into it. And then there was that cliffhanger!!! MOTHER OF GAWD. Thank god the wait for book two isn’t long or else I would have thrown hands.

 

Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
 
 
AUTHOR LINKS
 
Website: http://natasha-knight.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/natasha-knight
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Natasha-Knight/e/B009MIHIFG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natashaknightauthor
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1752075498339742
Newsletter: http://natasha-knight.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashaknight13

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Review: Velvet Cruelty by Eve Dangerfield

October 11, 2022 by · Leave a Comment

VELVET CRUELTY
Series: Snow White trilogy #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Eve Dangerfield
Release Date: October 11, 2022

 

Once upon a time I was promised to a powerful man.I was raised to be dutiful and innocent. But on my wedding day, I’m stolen by four men. Men who loathe my fiancé. They’re going to use me to fulfill their vendetta.

One of them only wants my body.
One of them wants me as his wife.
Another one offers freedom… at a price.
And the last wants me dead.

I was raised to be a good society wife. Now I’m facing a battle of wits and breathless desire. My only hope is to set aside my innocence. Or learn to use it as a weapon.

Author’s Note: VELVET CRUELTY is a scorching romance between a woman and four beautifully dangerous men in which she never has to choose. Read at your own discretion.

Welcome to the Midnight Dynasty… The warring Morelli and Constantine families have enough bad blood to fill an ocean, and their brand new stories will be told by your favorite dangerous romance authors.

WARNING: This book is intended for readers eighteen years old and over. It contains material that some readers could find disturbing. Enter at your own risk…

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Even twitching on the carpet, she looks too pure to exist. Like she’s been kissed by angels. It makes a man want to violate her. Or at least it makes me want that.

Brace yourself and prepare to clutch some pearls, because this book was everything my toxic morally gray men dreams are made out of!!

Now look, this book is not for everyone. But if you love your men toxic, and I really do mean TOXIC. Unapologetically mean, crude, and darker than sin, prepare for a ride of your life because WOW. As for triggers, umm…all of them. Yes, all of them. This has dub con, degradation, captive, why chose, antiheroes and all of it together was simply delicious. Oh…and some breath play.

I like choking. Knowing I’m holding a woman’s life in my hands as I make the blood rush to her head.”

This is why I love Eve’s writing, the woman is simply not afraid to go there. And this book definitely went there. Deep there. As deep as it goes there. But I digress.

This is a Snow White reimagining…well, if instead of the prince she had 4 morally gray and dangerous captors. There’s Domenico ‘Doc’ Valente, the deranged horny one. Roberto ‘Basher’ Bassilotta, the sweet one who’s already halfway in love with her but hides a dark undercurrent. Adriano Rossi, the borderline serial killer. And Eliott Morelli, the king on the throne. And between all that is the sweet and virginal 18 year old child bride who they steel on her wedding day.

Admittedly naive virginal heroines are not my cuppa in the least. And January Whitehall is as naive as they come…sort of. Let me explain. The girl has been sheltered and hidden for most of her life. All of her steps supervised and controlled. She’s been promised to a man she only knows as Mr. Parker since she was just a little girl and now that’s she’s 18, all she’s known is the arrangement and she’s going willingly. But beneath the innocence is a woman who’s smarter than she even knows she is and while she may be naive, she’s got some willfulness which made it easy to connect with her.

Now if you’re expecting a fairy tale, pick a different book. This one is rude, crude, and is definitely a whole mood. But sweet it is not. It’s dark and these boys are mean. What they put January through is evil and they’re evil personified. If you like your fictional men on the mostly psychotic side, these guys bring that in spades. But there’s also just enough of a hint to something more with each of them which left me fully obsessed and completely enraptured.

If you liked Royals of Forsyth type of dark anti heroes, this one will hit every spot you didn’t even know you had. And that cliffhanger? Should be illegal in every state. There needs to be a warrant for Eve Dangerfield’s arrest because it was nothing short of cruel and unusual punishment. And the wait for book 2? CRUEL. Just cruel. I’m about to throw hands and riot. We ride at dawn!!

Eve Dangerfield has loved romance novels ever since she first swiped her grandmother’s paperbacks. Now she writes her own stories about complicated women and gorgeous-but-slightly-tortured men. Her work has been described as ‘genre-defying,’ ‘insanely hot’ and ‘the defibrillator contemporary romance needs right now’…and not just by herself or those who might need bone marrow…OTHER PEOPLE! She lives in Melbourne with her boy and a bunch of semi-dead plants. She can generally be found making a mess.

 

Connect with Eve

Website: www.evedangerfield.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14427168.Eve_Dangerfield

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Eve-Dangerfield/e/B094XMD32K

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evedangerfieldbooks/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/621731822071777

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evedangerfield

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@evedangerfield

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/eve-dangerfield

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