Review: Hide and Keep by A. Marie

February 20, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

HIDE AND KEEP
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Villains of Lore #1
Author: Jasmine Mas
Release Date: November 26, 2024

Ever Munreaux is everything I’m not:
Wealthy
Flawless
A cheerleader
She’s also everything I hate:
Arrogant
Untrustworthy
Cruel
And I just moved in with her…as her bodyguard.


Crue Brantley’s everything I want to be:
Honest
Thoughtful
Free
He’s also everything my father says he is:
Disposable
Clueless
Off-limits
Despite spending every day—and some of our nights—together, I can’t let him know who I really am…or what he’s protecting me from.

AMAZON 

 

You need taken care of in every way.”
“That’s what our valet’s for.”
“Edwin doesn’t do for you what I do.”
“Ruin my life?”
“Make you so wet your thighs look like they’re crying.”

Confession time: the second I saw this cover, I knew this would be my first A. Marie book. Yes, the blurb definitely helped seal the deal but I am absolutely feral for a man in a ball cap. Swoony sigh. But I digress.

If you like a good hate to love situation, this one hits the spot so good. Let me paint the scene for you. You have Ever Munreaux, the daughter of the mogul owner of Munreaux motorcycles. On the surface, she has it all; wealth, popularity, looks, a talented flyer on her cheerleading team. But behind the veil, she craves independence, she craves acceptance, and she craves just one night of anonymity. All of which she can never have because of her despicable father. And oh the ways I LOATHED this man.

In a bid to get his daughter even further under his thumb and to stop her acting out, he hires her a babysitter in the guise of a bodyguard. Enter Crue Brantley.

Crue is everything that Ever is not. He comes from a happy home but with none of the wealth. Mostly stumbling his way through life, he takes gigs here and there, until an offer too good to pass up comes to him. Watch a wealthy man’s daughter and last through her tantrums to get him to quit long enough to collect a paycheck that can change his life.

To say that these two butt heads is an understatement of epic proportions. Ever is a downright b*tch to him, who I wanted to hate in parts, if we also didn’t get her internal monologue and understand how much it cost her to say and do the things that she does. I also loved the way that Ever was possessive and jealous over Crue just as crazed as he was for her. Admittedly, her penchant for saying “oh Goddess” took me out a bit, but this is also I recently came off of a romantasy binge. So this was a quirk that took me a bit to accept but it did grow on me with time.

Their chemistry was incendiary and I loved the slow burn romance that went from hate to lust to something so much more. This was a thick book but it read super quick and I didn’t find it dragging or slowing down. I enjoyed the character and especially the romance development.

Having finished this, I’ll be going back to A Marie’s backlist because her writing definitely clicked hard for me and I enjoyed this quite a bit. If you’re looking for a fun and steamy hate to lust, bodyguard, new adult romance, this one will definitely hit the spot.

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Review: The Broker by Nikki Sloane

February 16, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

THE BROKER
Genre: Erotic Romance
Series: Nashville Neighborhood #6
Author: Nikki Sloane
Release Date: February 20, 2025

I used to be daddy’s little princess, but I failed out of college and ran away with an older man. Now my father has me cleaning houses to make up for the biggest mistake of my life.

As if that wasn’t punishment enough, it becomes a million times worse when I’m forced to take on Noah Robinson as a client.

He was supposed to be a one-night stand. One scorching night with no last names or commitment. Now I’m working for him, and every week that goes by it gets harder for us to keep things professional.

Plus, the more I learn about him and the secret, sexy lifestyle he lives, the deeper my craving for him becomes.

But I’m out of chances with my father, I can’t risk blowing my life up again.

Noah and I know we can’t be together . . .

Because I’m his boss’s daughter.

AMAZON | iBOOKS | NOOK | KOBO | GOOGLE PLAY

 

Her eyes held secrets, and they whispered about how much fun it would be to tease them out.

This series is a pure, unadulterated, and dirty good time which seems to get hotter with each new installment. And let me just tell you, you will not want to be reading The Broker in public. Because holy hot flashes, batman!!!

I’m going to take you upstairs and f*ck that bratty mouth of yours while everyone watches. Is that what you want?”

Now if you’ve read anything by Nikki before, then you already know that she is simply the queen of erotic romance. She combines delicious smut with swoony romance like no one’s business and I am so here for it. And if you haven’t read anything by her yet, boy are you in for a good time. Because this series is absolute fire.

The Broker, while book 6 in this series, could easily be enjoyed as a standalone. But you’ll appreciate all the cameos in this book so much more having read the rest of the series.

This is a deliciously dirty age gap with plenty of kinky fun and I was instantly pulled into the story. At first I was a little bit afraid I wouldn’t connect fully with Charlotte because her description screamed immature. But I was so pleasantly surprised by the level of growth her character had that it took me no less than 3 chapters to change my mind. She’s definitely not without fault and dropping out of college and defying her parents while staying with her walking red flag of a soon to be ex was not her finest moment. But I also loved how she persevered and took charge of her own future.

Noah. *dreamy sigh*. Oh but I loved this man. I won’t spoil things for you by telling you the kinks explored here, but let’s just say it was fiery hot. Noah and Charlotte meet by coincidence at a bar when he rescues her from being left behind by a date. They share a fiery one night stand, never expecting to see the other again. So imagine their surprise when they figure out that Noah happens to work for Charlotte’s father’s company, where she also happens to help out two days a week cleaning. And her father unknowingly volunteers her to clean Noah’s house. These two fight their chemistry but they can only fight it for so long before an arrangement is formed.

Now if you’re looking for a super sexy book, this one is hot and I mean HAWT. I love how Nikki confidently explores different kinks in this series and it only continues to get hotter. Noah and Charlotte together were pure fire. And I absolutely loved how their romance developed gradually over the pages. I love a spicy book that also gives great character and couple development.

If you’re looking for a fun and sexy read, you won’t want to miss this one!

USA Today bestselling author Nikki Sloane landed in graphic design after her careers as a waitress, a screenwriter, and a ballroom dance instructor fell through. For eight years she worked for a design firm in that extremely tall, black, and tiered building in Chicago that went through an unfortunate name change during her time there.

Now she lives in Kentucky, is married and has two sons. She is a three-time Romance Writers of America RITA© Finalist, a Passionate Plume winner, a two-time HOLT Medallion finalist, and couldn’t be any happier that people enjoy reading her sexy words.

Connect with Nikki

Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bookbub | Goodreads | Joining her mailing list

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Review: Savage Lands by Stacey Marie Brown

February 9, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

SAVAGE LANDS
Series: Savage Lands #1
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance
Author: Stacey Marie Brown
Release Date: October 20, 2020

Almost twenty years after the barrier between Earth and the Otherworld fell in the Fae Wars, Budapest is balancing on the precipice. A battle for dominance is brewing between the elite fae and the privileged humans in Eastern Europe. The prejudice between the sides is bubbling with hate and violence.

Nineteen-year-old human, Brexley, has grown up in privilege, but not without heartbreak. After being orphaned, she is taken in by General Markos, living in a walled city rife with power grabs and ruthless political games. Then one night the course of her life changes, and Brexley is thrown into the most feared prison in the east. Halalhaz, the House of Death—where you go in but don’t come out.

She must learn to live with the worst of fae and human criminals. The rule of hierarchy puts humans on the bottom, where the only way to survive each day is to make alliances with the fae.

Here she meets the sexy, vicious legend, Warwick Farkas. A myth among man and fae. He is as brutal, cruel, arrogant, and as lethal as the lore says he is, ruling the prison with unchallenged authority. Brexley can’t deny an intense draw to him, one that might cost her life.

If The Games don’t take her out first—A fight to the death where only one survives.

AMAZON 

I would kill Warwick Farkas. It was a promise I would not break. I would become the very monster the House of Death created.

I have been eyeing this series for what feels like forever but was always intimidated by the size of it. But I find my greed for addicting stories spans multiple books as of late and so I decided to finally dive in. And holy gasp, batman. This was one killer story.

Will you retaliate?”
“Yes.” I snarled. That bitch stole my blankie.

Now admittedly, it took me a bit to get into the story. I’m not sure why, because the pacing, character development and world building was well paced. I wasn’t bored or disconnected by any means but I wasn’t fully immersed. But boy did that take a turn after the 20% mark. Because from there, I couldn’t put the book down and found myself binge reading it on sitting.

Brexley was exactly the kind of FMC I love reading about. She’s fierce with just the right touch of vulnerability and absolutely kick ass. She’s a warrior in her own right but nothing could prepare her when one fateful night lands her in a place nightmares are made of; Halalhaz, the House of Death. It’s a prison that you go into but never come out of that houses both fae and human. And this is where the story really begins to take of. As Brexley navigates survival in the brutality of Halalhaz. This is also where she meets the man she thought was made up to terrify both human and fae; Warwick.

Now brace yourself because 80% of this book is brutal as hell. Pun intended. Brexley is forced into a brutal world where only the strongest survive and a human is the very bottom of that totem pole. Warwick is mystery until the last page but oh my god did I fall for him. I was desperately grabbing at any morsel of detail about this man. Especially when the mysterious connection between him and Brexley begins to make itself known.

Now this is very much a slow burn so don’t expect much romance in this book. It’s brimming with tension and chemistry, but considering the size of the series, we don’t get much romance here, which is just fine with me. I devoured this book and was left with a jaw dropping ending which makes me so glad that the rest of the series is already out because I will be immediately jumping into the next book. I NEED ANSWERS!

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Review: Vengeful Lies by T.L Smith & Kia Carrington-Russell

February 1, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

VENGEFUL LIES
Series: Vengeful Lies #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: T.L Smith & Kia Carrington-Russell
Release Date: February 1, 2025

Dear Kitten,

Marry me and I’ll give you the world.

Refuse, and I’ll burn yours to the ground.

Sincerely,
Your soon-to-be husband



It started out as a hit. One bullet. One man.

My orders are clear—get close to the mafia heir, Eli Monti, play with his head, and wait for the signal to end it. End him.

I thought he would be my easiest mark yet. But somehow I’m the one being played.

Eli always gets what he wants and now, he wants me.
His vengeful proposal isn’t a request. It’s a demand.

When you play games with a man who’s been mastering them all his life, you learn some new tricks.

Top of the list: Find the best way to kill my fake fiancé.

From USA Today and Amazon Top 25 Best Selling Author duo, a new Standalone Dark Romance in the same world as the Lethal Vows

AMAZON 

Vengeful lies will have you winding up dead, Kitten…”

Know what I love more than a morally gray antihero? An equally morally gray FMC. Make her an assassin for hire and I am putty in your hands. PUTTEH I tells ya!

Oh God.” The words tore out of me, and I shook from the thought of it.
“That’s right. I’m your god. I take care of all your needs. You just have to be my good girl.”

Eli Monti is the cold and ruthless heir to the Monti criminal empire. And Jewel is a woman hired to get close enough to toy with him, right before she kills him. Except when Eli catches wind of this plot, he has better plans; demand she marry him instead and be his fake fiancé. Sound delicious? Well that’s because it really was.

The back and forth with these two was so good, it had a gleeful manic smile on my face the entire time. I loved their antagonism and their cat and mouse game. I loved that the more Eli pushed, the harder Jewel pushed back. And this is no weak FMC. Oh no. This is a woman after my own heart and I loved her sass almost as much as I loved how much hell she gave Eli. But I especially loved when she gave into the chemistry between them because these two were practically incendiary together.

The spice was definitely spicing in this one and the story was fun and action packed. And the twist? Suffice it to say that I never saw that coming and my jaw was on the floor. This was a fun and deliciously steamy mafia romance that I enjoyed from beginning to end. 

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Review: Texting Dr. Stalker by Pepper Winters

January 16, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

TEXTING DR. STALKER
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Pepper Winters
Release Date: January 16, 2025

From New York Times Bestseller, Pepper Winters, comes a green-flag stalker standalone romance

Now a #1 bestseller in Medical Romance!

I have a stalker.
A masked man who watches me from the shadows. A guardian who says he’s there to protect me—to help me heal from almost dying at the hands of another man.
He says he’s willing to do anything to help me move on. That I needn’t be afraid of him.
I agree to keep him my secret and share how much I’m truly struggling.
In return, he guards me. Even if it means guarding me from himself.


I’ve known her my entire life.
She’s the girl next door who I share a childhood betrothal with thanks to our two grandmothers wishing to turn their lifelong friendship into family.
I’m also the doctor who tended to her in the ER after her ex tried to kill her. I want to help her in any way I can, but I also know she’ll never accept my help because I’m the reason he tried to kill her in the first place.
But I can’t stand by and see her suffer, so…I come up with a plan.
A highly illegal plan that ends with me breaking laws, rules, and my own heart…

Doctor/girl next door, childhood friends to lovers, green-flag stalker, hidden identity, lots of texts, masked protector, would do anything to keep her safe, standalone, he has a motorcycle, he does things to her in the dark…

AMAZON 

I wasn’t just falling for this girl. I’d fallen. And I was petrified of losing something I’d never had.

I am so used to Pepper Winters brand of dark romance and morally gray antiheroes that I was wholly unprepared for the green flag that was Dr. Alexander North. And you know what makes a green flag better? Make him wholly obsessed with the heroine, with a dirty mouth and a penchant for some kinky fun. But we’ll get to that part in a second.

This was very much a slow burn romance and I loved that about it. Alex “Zander” and Sailor have been neighbors since they were kids, and their grandmothers were obsessed with matchmaking them and planning their future marriage when they get older. Of course, as kids they laughed it off. But they remained neighbors. When Sailor’s boyfriend goes on a psycho jealous rampage and tries to kill her, she lands in the hospital that Zander works for. Unbeknownst to Sailor, Zander is completely obsessed with her and is determined to help her heal from the super traumatic event. But he knows that she’d never give him the time of day and needs a faceless hero, so what’s a guy to do? Why dye his hair, put in colored contacts, don a deliciously sexy mask, and stalk the shit out of her to make her feel safe. I know, I know, it sounds crazy, but it worked. Just trust me on this.

Mine. She’s always been mine. My voice lowered to a growl. “Or I’ll take you into the house and show you exactly how furious I am.”
She quaked with a full-body shudder then shoved my hands off her. Her eyes flooded with heat. “No, you won’t. You would never lay a finger on me and that’s the damn problem!”
“I remember laying three fingers on you if I’m not mistaken,” I hissed, uncontrollable lust arcing through me. “And a tongue.”

I loved the way that Zander is just a quintessential good guy and tries to resist his need and desire for Sailor to help her. Even when she begs and makes it impossible for him to say no. But when he does finally give in? EXPLOSIVELY good.

This book was such a good time. It was emotional, sweet, and when the spice finally hits BOY WAS IT SPICING. I loved Zander and Sailor together. And I loved Sailor finally find herself again with his help. I also loved the way she takes the power back towards the end.

If you’re looking for a hero who would do anything for the woman he’s obsessed with, including disguising himself so he can help her heal anonymously, look no further. This was deliciously good.

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Review: Misfire by Rachel Robinson

January 8, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

MISFIRE
Genre: Dark, contemporary Romance
Author: Rachel Robinson
Release Date: January 6, 2023

I never wanted to rule an empire. I was a housekeeper. A hooker. A wrecked woman with a past full of scars and secrets. A chance encounter with an Astor swept me into the hurricane of their glamorous, organized crime world. Then, I met the other Astor brother, and nothing will ever be normal again.

One brother saved me but under false pretenses.

One brother is madly in love with me, but it’s complicated.

I’ve fallen for both men for different reasons, but there’s only one way this can end—in messy, tragic destruction.

Everyone tells you playing with fire is dangerous, but they never said it would be this intoxicating.

For readers 18+

AMAZON 

I feel like all I’ve seen you do is kill people.” He laughs. “Sometimes I paint in between.”

I’ve been eyeing this author for some time and when I saw the blurb to this book, I just knew it would be my first from her. And after finishing, I can definitely tell you that it will not be my last.

As a long time romance reader, it’s hard to find something that is truly unique. Not just different but unique, and boy was this story unique. It was unlike anything I’ve ever read and it had me on pins an needles from beginning to finish constantly trying to figure out where it’s going and always being wrong. It was unlike any other mafia romance I’ve read.

Now you may be thinking this is an MFM, which I will tell you that it isn’t. But it also isn’t a love triangle either. What it is, is a very complex and unique relationship that one woman has with two men.

Drew “Destiny” is a woman who has never had it easy in life. With nothing else available to her, she is forced to sell her body to survive as she watches the talented painter next door to escape reality. Then one chance encounter gives her an opportunity she could never so much as dream of but lands her in the middle of the dangerous world of the Astor brothers.

Jesse and Riley are not brothers by blood, but they are brothers by choice. They are two sides of a coin; one dark and dangerous, and the other sunny but with a hidden danger. Neither is safe to Drew’s heart.

I won’t tell you much more about this because you really need to experience this book blind. Trust me on this and don’t seek out spoilers. I will say that I spent the majority of the book waiting for the other shoe to drop but nothing could prepare me for the moment that it did. The twists and turns had me reeling, never knowing which end was up. The ending was satisfying in a way I couldn’t imagine and I keep finding myself thinking of the story days after finishing.

If you’re looking for something that’s a bit different with plenty of danger and steam, definitely give this one a try!

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Review: Bourbon & Secrets by Victoria Wilder

December 8, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

BOURBON & SECRETS
Series: The Bourbon Boys #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Victoria Wilder
Release Date: December 6, 2024

In Fiasco, Kentucky, there is one rule: never fall for a Foxx brother.

Any woman who did, ended up dead. It wasn’t just a rumor. It was my reality. I buried my wife along with too many secrets surrounding the night she died.

Now, I’m a single dad with two priorities above everything else: raising my two girls and making great bourbon.

But when Faye Calloway returns after I ran her out of my small town—looking like a fantasy on stage and nothing like the cop she was trained to be—I know for a fact that she’s hiding more secrets than the one she blackmailed me to keep.

While everyone is focused on the teasingly beautiful burlesque dancer, I’m distracted by the woman with a hidden agenda. The smart-mouth, who says what she wants. And the instigator, who prefers a very specific way to drink her bourbon.

But as secrets begin to unravel, I realize she’s fiercely protective of the ones she loves. When she puts herself in danger to right the past, the rules stop mattering.

Only two things have the power to keep my family from falling apart and losing the woman I love—bourbon and secrets.

Romantic Suspense
Single dad
Small town
Secrets & Blackmail
Hate-to-love
Returning home
Found Family
Bourbon “Tasting”

AMAZON 

I started falling in love with Faye Calloway on the edge of a cornfield, on a stage, over a bottle of bourbon, and every time she’s been in my arms since.

Did I add this book for the cover aline? Absolutely I did. The intriguing blurb was just the cherry on top. Did I also do things in my usual back @sswards way and read book 2 in the series before reading book one? I did indeed and I have no regrets! But also, I will immediately be reading the first book. But I digress…

You sound so pretty when you’re pissed off and moaning for me.”

As a lover of small-town romance, suspense, dirty talking MMCs, kickass FMCs, single dad and hate to love tropes, boy did this book hit the spot for me. And it hit it so hard!

The second Lincoln and Faye appear on the pages together, I was instantly sucked in! And when Faye comes back to the town she grew up in and no longer welcome in for a secret job, I was completely enraptured. This woman was so fascinating with her sass and strength. She was impossible not to love. And even though there was no love lost between her and Lina, he couldn’t stay out of her orbit for too long either. No matter how he tried to fight it.

Oh my god,” I moan. He smiles up at me. “Yeah, Peach, I can be that for you too.”

The suspenseful plot and the mystery that unravels in parallel to the romance was perfectly paced. And the romance was perfectly sprinkled in so you get a great dose of both story and spice. And let me just tell y’all, the spice was SPICING.

Don’t you fucking stop, Foxx. I want to hear you moan like a man.”

Did I mention that I absolutely loved Faye?

I really enjoyed this story and especially the secondary characters of Linc’s daughters. The family dynamics are fascinating and the story managed to also take me by surprise in parts, which rarely happens to me these days.

I’m definitely hooked hard on this series now and can’t wait for Ace’s book next. These Foxx boys are so addictive!

Connect with Victoria Wilder:
https://beacons.ai/authorvictoriawilder

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Review: Back in the Saddle by Kristen Ashley

December 3, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

BACK IN THE SADDLE
Series: Avenging Angels #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kristen Ashley
Release Date: December 3, 2024

Jessie Wylde is on a secret mission. She’s trying to find her brother. She hasn’t told her friends; this is about family.

She doesn’t think it’s dangerous.

Eric Turner disagrees.

Eric is a member of the Nightingale Investigations and Security team. Therefore, Eric knows what he’s talking about.

Eric isn’t only badass, he’s also a seriously gorgeous guy, and Jessie has a huge crush on him. She doesn’t think he knows she exists…until now.

Eric steps in, and so do Jessie’s besties, the Avenging Angels. Soon, the Angels and the Hottie Squad are on the case to find Jessie’s missing sibling.

There’s more happening when it comes to Eric, though. Jessie’s so worried about her brother, she’s not paying attention. Eric sets about changing that, and just like all the Hot Bunch before him, when he finds his one, he doesn’t mess around.

However, something is afoot in Phoenix. And as the Angels uncover the sinister workings behind people going missing, and Eric and Jessie unpack their emotional baggage, the Angels dive deeper into the dark underbelly of the city…

Finding heroes, more hot guys, lots of hijinks…and heart.

AMAZON 

Kristen’s Rock Chicks was one of my favorite series. Reading it is like putting on a pair of fuzzy socks and cuddling up with comfy blanked for the night. It’s the ultimate comfort read. And I didn’t think anything could ever top it for me. So when the first book in Avenging Angels came out, I didn’t immediately read it because I was terrified that the spinoff would just not hit the same. But I simply couldn’t hold off anymore and had to read book two. And now I am seriously kicking my own butt for not reading this series sooner. Because I AM IN LOVE!!

This series has absolutely all the feels of the original Rock Chicks but with new and amazing characters while also giving cameos by series favorites. And having Mace and Stella featured in this one? OBSESSED.

I immediately fell in love with the FMC, Jessie. who is desperately searching for her brother who fell off the radar. And of course there is a new brand of Hot Bunch, this time with the older and absolutely delectable, Eric, previous FBI now turned PI, who is obsessed with keeping her safe. Jessie is perfectly ignorant of him feeling her, of course, which made it that much more fun to see the realization slowly dawn on her.

I loved Eric’s understated intensity and the way he just casually courted Jessie without her being non the wiser. Which was also pretty entertaining considering the man was throwing some serious vibes her way.

Everything about this story just hit the spot, the suspense, the slow burn romance, the suspense. Admittedly, I did have a moment where I wanted to drop kick Jessie’s brother, but he did redeem himself for the most part. But I also loved their sibling journey in this story.

I can’t believe I slept on this series for so long and definitely won’t be missing the next installment because I am desperate for that story!

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Review: Hotter ‘N Hell by Abbi Glines

November 29, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

HOTTER ‘N HELL
Series: Mississippi Smoke #2
Author: Abbi Gaines
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Release Date: November 29, 2024

Saylor
Was it a sin to hate the dead?

It was something I had pondered many times over the past ten months. Although it wasn’t why I required medication to sleep at night. I wasn’t truly concerned about the level of darkness that resided in my soul. It was the images of the night I had watched a bullet take down the boy I had loved most of my life. Seeing the life leave his body, the way his eyes had gone void. It haunted me. Even now that I knew he’d betrayed me. That what I thought had been real had all been a lie. Crosby Cash had been in love, alright, just not with me.

Those closest to me, the ones who were supposed to love me, all accused me of being dramatic. Because that made sense. I just loved the panic attacks that robbed me of my ability to breathe. And the passing out from lack of oxygen was the best. Looking in the mirror and not recognizing the girl looking back at me was my favorite.

Perhaps that was the reason I sought solace in the last place anyone would think I’d go. We weren’t religious people. I’d been born into a family of organized crime. The day I walked into the catholic church seeking… forgiveness, closure, something…anything to find the girl I had once been, I hadn’t expected him. The man ordained by God to lead his people to salvation. Well, that man in the sky so many believed in made a grave mistake allowing a man who looked like Jude, or rather Father Jude, to wear that white collar.

I could lie and say I found what I was looking for standing in front of the altar, staring up at the crucifix, but even those with tarnished souls have their limits. I found something alright, but it wasn’t forgiveness. My answer wasn’t going to come from the one they called their Savior but the one they referred to as Father.

Jude

Temptation comes for all of us. I had thought I could overcome whatever Satan placed before me. This life had held little meaning for me after the day I lost the girl I loved. My first and only love. Too young, sweet, and beautiful for this world. But men are often fools. And I would soon learn just how weak I was – when a pair of bright blue eyes stood in my sanctuary staring back at me.
She was lost. Hurting. Seeking comfort.
She was the one temptation I never expected and would never regret.

Hotter N’ Hell features mature themes and content that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised. TW include: religion, death of a loved one, mental health, sexual content, and some violence.

AMAZON

The hunger in his eyes went beyond lust. It was desperate, uncontrolled, and so intense that everywhere his gaze touched me, it felt like an electric current..


Truth be told, the way that Saylor was described in Tore Up, I wasn’t exactly sure about having her book and story. Interestingly enough, while Saylor herself didn’t feature in that book, you get a lot of secondhand impressions and the impression is one of a spoiled mafia princess. But when I saw the blurb to this book, I knew I would tolerate a spoiled mafia princess for a forbidden romance.

I love a forbidden romance, and it just doesn’t get more forbidden than a mafia princess and a priest. But let me just tell you, I loved how Abbi wrote her story and finding out that her not being featured as a character but only getting her story from others in the first book was very much on purpose. Because Saylor is definitely not at all what she seems. Yes, she’s a mafia princess, but she’s far from spoiled. She’s also a woman nursing a broken heart after losing her fiancé not only to death, but also to another woman. Once she only found out about after his death. And now she finds herself spiraling in anger and resentment, desperately seeking purpose and finding it inside the walls of a church.

Father Jude is not a man who is easily tempted. He’s dedicated himself to his church and his vows due to his own tragic past. But the more he gets to know Saylor, the harder it is to resist the growing chemistry between them.

This was a slow burn that was full of emotion, tension, and all the forbidden vibes. Though Jude does go from 0 to 60 in the span of one forbidden look, I didn’t mind it. Give me a dirty talker and I’ll forget all the improbabilities. Admittedly, while I love how protective Saylor’s friends and family are, I did hate them for what they pulled at the end. I just didn’t understand the extreme reaction. But I also loved seeing Jude’s strength and love of Saylor shine through in those moments.

If you’re looking for a quick and steamy forbidden romance that has all the feels, definitely give this one a shot…

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Dirty Talkers, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: , ,

Review: The Predator by JL Beck

November 11, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

THE PREDATOR
Author: J.L. Beck
Series: Oakmount Elite #4
Genre: Dark Romance, New Adult
Release Date: November 11, 2024

What is a predator without his prey?

Elyse Silver was never mine to keep.

The day I saved her life, I ensured we would forever be enemies.

Hating her was easy.

Bullying her, as simple as breathing.

Stopping myself from falling for her… I had no idea how impossible that would become.

The harder I fought, the deeper I fell.

Love and happiness have never been part of my plan, but letting Elyse go isn’t an option, either.

Unfortunately, the truth always finds a way of revealing itself, and by the time she realizes who the real predator is, it’ll be too late for her to escape the trap I’ve put her in.

**This is NOT a standalone and must be read AFTER The Prey. This is a dark romance novel that contains numerous triggers.**

AMAZON

I’ve escaped one monster, only to be captured by another.

After the jaw dropping cliffhanger in The Prey, I have been absolutely rabid for the conclusion of Sebastian and Ely’s story. And this was worth every minute of what felt like an agonizing wait.

Shatter for me so I can piece you back together again.”

I love that we go to see deeper into Sebastian’s head and dark soul in the very beginning. Torturously, the book doesn’t begin in Ely’s POV as you would except, but the minutes before the ending of The Prey and in Sebastian’s. It’s the perfect way to set the scene and I was hooked from page one. I have absolutely loathed Tanya from book one, and the more you learn about her disturbing relationship with Sebastian, the more murderous the hate turns.

Elyse really came into her own. While Sebastian takes control of everything in her life in book one, she finally gets the reins back..well, within reason of course. But I do love me a girl who can stand up for and save herself.

When Sebastian comes for her, he’s determined to keep her and best way to do that? Force her to marry him, of course. Just par of the course for our Sebby here, so can’t be too surprised. But boy did I love his spiral down the ‘my wife’ path.

She slaps her palm down on top of the desk. “You’re an asshole.”
“Your darling asshole husband. Now be a good girl and say you’re my wife. Then I’ll let you come.”

There’s a lot that happens in this book and I loved the way that JL Beck gives a satisfying conclusion to every plot point. Nothing is glossed over and no detail forgotten. While it did take me a bit longer to read than book one, my weird reading mood these days may have had something to do with it. And ultimately, I loved this conclusion. But the set up for Lee’s book? Pretty sure I won’t have rest until I have it in my hands!

JL. Beck writes steamy romance that’s unapologetic, meaning it makes no apologies for the way it rips you open and makes you crave more. Her heroes are alphas who take what they want, and she pairs them with heroines that bring them to their knees.

She loves writing about darkness, passion, suspense, and of course, steam. Leaving her readers gasping and asking what the hell just happened is only one of her many tricks.

Her books range from morally grey to dark and spicy but always end with a happily ever after. She loves to write across numerous tropes, but her favorite is enemies to lovers.

She started her writing career in the summer of 2014 and hasn’t stopped since. She lives in Wisconsin and is a mom to two, a wife, and likes to act as a literary agent part-time.

Visit her website for more info:
www.beckromancebooks.com

Connect with JL Beck:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJLBeck/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjlbeck/
Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@authorjlbeck
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2srbge9
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2tOVZl8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8425041.J_L_Beck
Unapologetic Romance Book Club FB Group: http://bit.ly/2sWljZG

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