Review: The Wildflower by JL Beck

April 26, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

THE WILDFLOWER
Series: Oakmount Elite Book 2
Author: JL Beck
Genre: Dark, New Adult Romance
Release Date: April 26, 2024

Lies. Betrayal. Loss.

They’re all I know, see, and feel.

I don’t know what is true, or a lie. I don’t know who to believe or who what is real.

Broken and grieving I find refuge in an unlikely foe.

A man who claims to be my brother, who vows to protect me, and destroy those that hurt me.

But not even he can’t protect me from the nightmare that is Drew Marshall.

Deranged. Psychotic. Immoral.

He broke my heart, and publicly humiliated me. Leaving me shattered and broken when I needed him most.

I should hate him, and I do, but a sick twisted part of me craves him as well.

The harder I fight to escape him, the deeper he digs his claws into me.

They say the truth will set you free, but ours didn’t do that.

It locked us inside the cage, and tossed away the key.

AMAZON

Hard-edged and cutting, or soft and sensual, it doesn’t matter… I’m always his willing victim somehow. His voice ignites the embers of desire deep in my gut.

After the jaw dropping cliffhanger in book one, I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on the conclusion. And it did not disappoint! Because even groveling Drew is still in top form and while he may have caught feelings, he didn’t lose any of his edge.

You want me to take it from you so you don’t have to admit how much you wanted me in the first place, and that’s fine. You can hate me for it, hate me as you come all over my cock, because to me, your hate and love taste the same.”

There is quite a bit that happens in this book and I found myself falling even harder for Sebastian, seeing him as the uber protective older brother. I also really enjoyed Bel’s growth in this book. She went from unassuming and shy to fierce and fiery with a backbone and a mouth to go along with it. It felt like a switch was flipped for her and I was totally here for it.

The story itself was fun, steamy and entertaining. The ending, while I thought I knew what was coming, managed to catch me by surprise, which I really appreciate.

And the set up for the next book? Utterly delicious.

If you read and enjoyed the first book, you’ll definitely appreciate the fiery conclusion. Bel and Drew are incendiary together and while their romance is all kinds of toxic, that’s what I loved most about them.

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Review: Puck Block by SJ Sylvis

April 25, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

PUCK BLOCK
Series: Bexley U #3
Author: SJ Sylvis
Genre: New Adult, Sports Romance
Release Date: April 25, 2024

Ford Collins is my brother’s best friend and Bexley U’s favorite defender on the ice. Unfortunately, he feels the need to block much more than the puck.

Namely, ME and any chance I have with a guy.

Encouraged by my older brother, Ford has ruined every single date I’ve ever had. With his hot smirk and sly maneuvers, he has made it his mission to make me the most unattainable female college student in the world—that is, until I have a brush with death, and I beg him to help me.

After all, he owes me. And I’ve come to collect.

Determined to rid himself of the guilt, Ford promises to help me score a boyfriend—or two—and swears he won’t interfere.

But the more time I spend learning from one of Bexley U’s most desirable playboys, the more I start to question the real reason why he’s been sabotaging my dates over the years.

With the lingering touches, heated stares, and sizzling chemistry between us, we both know we’re playing with fire. What happens when our game of “practice” and Ford’s spicy lessons become something real that we not only need to hide from my older brother, but from each other?

Puck Block is book #3 in the Bexley U series and CAN be read as a standalone in this interconnected series.

AMAZON

because tonight you’re not my best friend’s little sister.” Her wrists are trapped in my hand, and I pin them to the pillow. “Tonight, you’re mine.”

Best friend’s little sister trope is one of my favorites. And when you combine that with a steamy hockey romance? I. Am. PUTTEH.
This was Ford and Taytum’s story, Taytum being Emory’s sister. And when I tell you that Ford was impossible not to fall in love with, I mean I was obsessed with this man.

She has me in the palm of her little hand, and I’m not even sure she knows it.

The way he cares for Taytum and the way he takes care of her even when she fights him tooth and nail on it was perfection. But Taytum took me a minute to warm up to admittedly. While I understood her struggle with the Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, I couldn’t understand her petulant and almost blasé attitude to it at first. She does everything, it seems, to not take it seriously at first. Until a hospital visit forces a much needed dose of reality. And Ford comes to the rescue.

What begins as Ford helping Taytum experience college dating outside of her brother’s strict sheltering, soon turns to something much more. But boy did I love their fumbling through this experience. Taytum is desperate to get out from the shadow of her big brother’s overprotectiveness that has foiled all male interest and dating prospects in high school. She doesn’t want her diabetes to stop her life and she wants to experience going out and getting guys and hooking up. Her brother’s best friend is her unlikely partner in crime. The only problem? The chemistry that just so happens to brew between these two.

Why her? Why now?” I peer over my shoulder at my best friend. “How could there be anyone else when she exists?”

And while I’m not usually a fan of seeing the MCs dating others, it just worked for me here. Yes Tay had some chemistry with a certain secondary character who I hope will get a book later in the series, but it was nothing in comparison to what sizzles between her and Ford. And the more each of them fought it, the more invested I became.

This was a slow burn that had me wanting to shake both Ford and Tay at times, but when it finally happened, WOWZA. It was worth every agonizing minute of the wait. I’m seriously so obsessed with this series and can’t wait for the next book!

 

S.J. Sylvis is an Amazon top 50 and USA Today bestselling author who is best known for her angsty new adult romances. She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, two small kiddos, and dog.

She is obsessed with coffee, becomes easily attached to fictional characters, and spends most of her evenings buried in a book! 

 

Connect with SJ

Website | https://www.sjsylvis.com/

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Review: Slay King by Abbi Glines

April 14, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

SLAY KING
Series: Georgia Smoke #2
Author: Abbi Gaines
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 14, 2024

This world I live in isn’t one that builds strong relationships. It rips them apart.”

Perhaps that was true, but nonetheless, I had fallen in love with him anyway. The man who had lied to me, the man I couldn’t trust, the man who would never love me back, yet even knowing all that, I loved him still. His smile could make me forget all the reasons why I shouldn’t. I was so easily blinded by the charm that was King Salazar.

He used it like a weapon, and I was one of the many who fell under his spell. Accepting that I had nowhere else to go and running from the southern mafia was impossible, I gave in to my feelings for him. All the while knowing he would eventually break me in a way that my abusive husband he had killed had not.

While he kept me locked away, safe from the gang bent on finding me, I had to sit back and watch him live out a fake relationship with the next Governor of Georgia’s only daughter. We all know how that story goes. I’d read enough of those tropes in books to prepare myself for the end. When he would fall for her and, I would, once again, be left alone. Shattered beyond repair.

This is the second book in the Slay duet in the Georgia Smoke Series.

AMAZON

Love is weak,” I said, taking another step toward her. “It fades.” She looked stricken. Reaching up, I cupped her face in my hand. “So, it’s a fucking good thing that you possess my soul, sweets. You’re under my skin, in my blood, locked so damn deep inside of me that I could never let you go.”

Lately, it takes me days to finish a book because my attention span is that of a squirrel on the best of days. But when it comes to Abbi Gaines books? I’m not capable of not devouring them in one sitting. I don’t know what the woman laces her books with, but they’re absolute book crack. BOOK CRACK I tell you. And Slay King was no exception.

This is the conclusion to King and Rumor’s story and the start of a brand new spinoff from the Smoke series. There’s new characters introduced with some favorites from the Smoke series who make cameos. While I prefer my heroines a bit more on the ball busting variety, I couldn’t help but love Rumor and her quiet strength. The woman is a survivor and I loved watching her put her broken pieces together. While I wanted her to make King work for it more, she wasn’t a pushover and she spoke her mind. But of course his sexual magnetism was impossible for her to resist.

If you like uber alphas who are slightly psychotic, irrationally possessive and fiercely protective with a splash of dirty talk, you would love King. I do wish we got to see a bit more of his kinks play out in this book, but considering Rumor’s past, it also made sense that he tame that part of himself down for her.

While the ending felt a little abrupt it was immensely satisfying all the same. I binge read this in one sitting and enjoyed it from cover to cover. I can’t wait for my next hit of this addictive new series.

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Review: Moonlit Thorns by P. Rayne

February 29, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

MOONLIT THORNS
Series: Midnight Manor #1
Author: P. Rayne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 29, 2024

No one knows what happens up at Midnight Manor.

The home of the Voss brothers sits like a sentinel looking down on our small town, remaining a mystery. The four brooding billionaires rarely leave the confines of the iron gates, fueling rumors that have existed for decades.

When my father dies, all the security I’ve known is ripped away, forcing me to come face to face with the eldest brother, Asher Voss. His outward beauty is just as I’d heard—it belies a predatory nature, irresistibly drawing me in.

A bargain is made, and I have no choice but to live in the shadowy confines of his gothic manor to save my family. As time passes, it becomes harder and harder to deny our attraction.

Asher Voss might be too old for me, and he’s definitely cursed by his own demons, but an inferno of passion between us threatens to either consume or destroy us both.

MOONLIT THORNS is a dark contemporary romance Beauty and the Beast retelling.

AMAZON

…she’s a motherfucking flame, and I’m the moth who doesn’t care if my wings get burned.

A modern day Beauty and the Beast retelling with a broody hero, some D/s, gothic vibes, and an exclusive sex club? Sign me up immediately!

Am I fully obsessed with the Voss brothers after finishing this book? You bet, I am. But before I gush about the broody brothers who live in the dark manor with a dark history shrouded in secrets and murder, let me talk about this book. Moonlit Thorns is the story of Asher Voss and Annabelle; an age gap romance with some D/s, good girl meets tortured bad boy vibe. In true Beauty and the Beast fashion, Asher is a dark and broody man who doesn’t let anyone close besides his brothers. After the sudden death of her father, Annabelle is still picking up the pieces of her life and trying to keep her family in one piece. So when a notice shows up on her door that her family is about to lose their home, she’s desperate. So desperate, that she agrees to a deal with the devil. The devil being Asher Voss, the man who her father owes a debt to that he never repaid before his death. And the deal? Work for him for a year. Whatever he says, whenever he says it.

I loved that the story mirrored many elements of the fairy tale, including characters, scenarios, and vibes. I loved Annabelle’s mix of innocence and resilience. She’s 22 to Asher’s 36 but she’s no naive girl. She is drawn to Asher’s broodiness like a flame. But I don’t blame her. I love the mean ones myself and Asher was so hot and cold, I didn’t know if I wanted to kill him or hump him. Mostly both at the same time.

And while I loved Asher, I’m already dying to get my hands on Kol’s book. And after that set up at the end of this book, I’m absolutely ravenous for it. 

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Review: Where’s Molly by H.D. Carlton

February 17, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

WHERE’S MOLLY
Author: H.D. Carlton
Genre: Dark Romance
Release Date: February 16, 2024

A spinoff of the Cat & Mouse Duet…

“Molly Devereaux has been missing for more than two weeks, and police are still searching for the girl who seemed to vanish out of thin air. The world still wants to know… Where’s Molly?”

In my dreams, I never escaped the Oregon woods.

Life after death isn’t easy to accept, especially when I still feel like a ghost.

Now, I live deep in the mountains of Montana—the paradigm of beauty. But they are also the home of horrors.

Horrors that I only unleash at night.

When my pigs are allowed to feast.

It is strongly recommended to read Haunting Adeline and Hunting Adeline before reading Where’s Molly.

Important Note: This is a dark romance that contains dark subject matter. Please refer to the author’s website for content warnings

AMAZON

She escaped me once, and I let her go.
I won’t allow it a second time.

If you’ve read the Cat & Mouse duet, then you know the name Molly. The girl who got away and whose journals became Addie’s balm and sanity in that house of horrors. When H.D. Carlton announced the character of this book, I was equally excited and terrified. Excited because I will eagerly devour everything this woman writes. But also terrified because I wasn’t sure I could survive a reminder of the first half of Hunting Adeline. I still have PTSD from that. Luckily, while there are flashbacks to what happened with Milly, mostly all details are off the pages and I was grateful. This was a short read that was more gray than dark and I devoured it in one sitting.

Molly was a character that I immediately connected with.

My human interaction is very limited.
Especially because that’s what my pets like to eat for dinner.

A woman who’s been through hell and back. She now lives off the grid on a farm with her pigs and a unique job that is oh so fitting. She never expected to run back into a man who gave her a nigh to remember for years to come before she disappeared.

Cage. OH CAGE. God but this man was perfection. His undivided attention and single minded obsession made me fall hard and fast.

Because as long as I was inside her, her sadness would be powerless to my obsession.

I mean, the things he say. HARD SWOON.

I want to be the only man on this entire fucking planet that knows what you feel like. And if I’m sharing this knowledge with a single soul still walking this earth, then I will be removing them from it.

This was a shorter read. A bit longer than a novella but not the beast that the Cat & Mouse duet was. It was the perfect hit I didn’t even know I needed from HD before we get immersed in the crazy world of Sibby and I loved every page of it.

Cage and Molly were incidiary together. Usually, I’m not a fan of insta anything, but god their instant chemistry and connection just did things for me. I loved Cage’s obsession and the way he fought for Molly.

I will chase away all your nightmares until they grow wary of returning.

Molly was so fierce and I loved her unassuming and quiet strength. This is a woman who saw hell and came out of it a fighter. And can we talk about that ending? DELICIOUS. And the bonus scene? I NEED TO KNOW MORE.

If you’re looking for a quick hit of the Cat & Mouse world, this book is perfect. I read it in one delicious sitting and enjoyed every page. I only wish it was a bit longer but it was also super satisfying for the length, so I can’t even complain. Now I’m left desperately needing Sibby and Rio’s book.

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Review: The Wallflower by JL Beck

February 16, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

THE WALLFLOWER
Series: Oakmount Elite Book 1
Author: JL Beck
Genre: Dark, New Adult Romance
Release Date: February 16, 2024

She needs me, because she needs money. 

I don’t need her. Just her complete submission…

Maybell Jacobs is the Wallflower: quiet, shy, socially awkward and hell-bent on hiding even from herself, that is until a chance encounter takes place between us.

Instantly she hates me and for good reason. I’m a walking-red-flag. Filthy rich jock, short tempered, and violent.

I can have anyone and anything I want.. except her.

Little does she know her disgust, anger, and hate for me fuels my obsession to own her, completely in every single way. 

Maybell resists, predictably… but her fight only makes her more desirable and I have plans that will lead her right into my lap and never want to leave. 

When she joins the sinful tradition put on by the elite of the town, the Hunt, I’m shocked. The pretty little thing has no idea how much danger she’s in if she decides to become my prey.

Sweet, innocent, and fragile like a flower. I’ll have to be careful or risk breaking her. 

Because I’m the ultimate predator and when I play there are no rules. 

I don’t chase. I capture.

And I like to own my bait.

★ Tropes include: secret society, college, touch her and die, CNC & chasing bait fantasy ★

AMAZON

I want you to scream for me because of me. I want you gasping for breath. I want you crying, your eyes shimmering with tears. I want you running, doing everything you can to escape me, while knowing deep down inside you’ll never get away. I want all of it. So I’ll give you one more chance to get away.”

Well then, clearly I have been sleeping on JL Beck, because this hit all sorts of spots for me. ALL THE SPOTS.
Enemies to lovers? CHECK
Bully/alphahole vibes? CHECK
DubCon/CNC? CHECK
Primal Play? CHECK
Bad Boy/Good Girl? CHECK
Obsessive hero and touch her and die vibes? CHECK CHECK AND CHECK

If your hate tastes this good, I can’t imagine what your desire tastes like.”

I live for a dark secret society read almost as much as I live for a good alpha hole and this was pure book crack. Drew is a bad boy that I loved to hate. Part of the elite, of course this is a guy who has broody and tortured down to a science. Every year, he and his friends host something called The Hunt. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. But it’s been a while since a woman truly gave Drew the chase he craves. A woman who doesn’t just pretend to run from him. The man is depraved with a capital D and I loved him for it.

Maybel (Bel) is the quintessential good girl. A scholarship student, she’s used to being unseen and blending in. In a school of the rich and elite, she’s the wallflower…until she unwittingly catches the attention of Drew. And now he’ll stop at nothing to have her, even if she doesn’t want anything to do with him.

Drew isn’t the person he plays or the mask he slips on. He’s unhinged, sinister, and dark. He’s hiding in plain sight, afraid of what the world will think of him if they see the monster beneath the beautiful exterior.

Their relationship is one of antagonistic push and pull. Bel runs and Drew chases. But somewhere along the road, the lines begin to blur and someone that Bel couldn’t stand, she soon unwillingly gets feelings for. But Drew’s family and history is a dark one and Bel lands in the middle of something she can barely comprehend.

This was a twisty, deliciously dirty story. I loved the chemistry between Drew and Bel. I craved every morsel of information about these two. And while we only graze the surface in this one, I think we’re in store for a great deal more with the next one. I’m fully hooked on the series and as much as I’m dying for the conclusion, I also can’t wait for the rest of the guys to get their story. Especially Sebastian. That boy will likely put Drew to shame with his depraravity. I just know it. And that ending? JAW DROPPING!

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Review: Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione

February 6, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

LEGACY OF TEMPTATION
Series: Demonica Birthright #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Larissa Ione
Release Date: February 6, 2024

The legacy continues…

It’s a gritty new world.

Three decades after the events of REAPER, the world is a different place. The secret is out. The existence of demons, vampires, shapeshifters, and angels has been revealed, and humans are struggling to adapt. Out of the chaos, The Aegis has risen to global power on the promise of containing or exterminating all underworlders, even if that means ushering in the End of Days.

Standing in their way is the next generation of warriors, the children of demons and angels and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

See how they become legends in their own right.

Legacy of Temptation

Eva Tennant, like everyone at The Aegis, hates demons. But she loves her job as Deputy Spokesperson for the global demon-slaying organization, and she’s excited to be in the running for Chief Spokesperson. All she has to do is not screw up the two-week exchange program with The Aegis’s rival agency, the Demon Activity Response Team. But things go horribly wrong when a murder turns her into a fugitive from justice and puts a demonic target on her back.

Logan, son of the Horseman of the Apocalypse known as Death, has dedicated his life to fighting demons alongside his colleagues at DART. He loves fighting, females, and his pet hellhound, Cujo. What he doesn’t love is The Aegis, whose leadership attempted to slaughter him at birth. Understandably, he balks when he’s ordered to protect an Aegis Guardian responsible for the deaths of his friends. Really, he’d rather feed her to Cujo.

But when an old enemy rises from the ashes, Eva and Logan find themselves giving into temptation even as they sacrifice the things…and people…they love the most.

AMAZON 

Logan was dangerous. Dangerous in ways that made every female instinct scream to run away. Or let herself be caught.


I had to pinch myself when this landed on my kindle. I have spent years, YEARS, waiting for another full length novel from Larissa Ione and now we get a brand new series and it’s set in one of my favorite worlds? Stick a fork in me. I’m done.

Now while this is a new series, it’s a spin off of her Demonica & Lords of Deliverance series . This series brings you the new generation of the kids from the Demonica couples and I. AM. OBSESSED. You can read this as a new series, but I really highly recommend you read the Demonica series to truly appreciate the cameos and the backstories.

Logan is the son of Thanatos and Regan from Lethal Rider and Eva is a human Deputy Spokesperson for the demon slaying agency, Aegis. The Aegis and DART (Demon Activity Response Team) have a long standing, messy history of hate, rivalry and betrayal. And seems like nothing has changed with this new generation of characters. But when a two-week exchange program between DART and the Aegis goes horribly wrong, things take turn from bad to horribly wrong in one shattered breath.

It took me a minute to wrap my mind around all the new characters, but it didn’t take long as soon as I connected the new names to the parents. And of course I absolutely loved the cameos of all my favorites, including Reaver and Harvester. Man but I love those two HARD. In usual Ione fashion, she brings a gritty story full of rich world building and fiery passion. I loved Logan and Eva’s story. A human demon slayer falling for the son of the Horseman of the Apocalypse. Yes, please and thank you.

Scream, baby,” he grunted. “All the bedrooms are soundproof.”

I became enraptured with this new slew of characters and I’m already dying for the next book. As for this one? It was full of jaw dropping twists and unforgettable events. At one particular part towards the end, I was caught between raging at the ceiling, wanting to sob, or throwing my kindle at the wall. Ione never shies away from taking some dark chances with her characters, and this was no different. It brings emotion, pain, and so many new layers to the old and new characters. I loved Eva and how she slowly but surely fell for Logan. Logan may be a fierce warrior, but the man is a total marshmallow with Eva and I loved it. That’s not to say this was a fluffy story you’d expect with a cinnamon roll hero. Far from it! It was full of emotional torture and brimming with new pains and betrayals.

I usually like my romance with a bit more pain, but there was plenty of hurt to be had with the story arc. The ending left me with my jaw on the floor and reeling and absolutely incapable of even an ounce of patience for Stryker’s book.

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Review: Scorned Vows by Victoria Paige

January 29, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

SCORNED VOWS
Series: Scorned Fate #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mafia
Author: Victoria Paige
Release Date: January 16, 2024

He was the perfect husband until she got pregnant.

An arranged marriage was always in Natalya Conte’s future.
Luca Moretti is charming and considerate.
Handsome like the devil, he dotes on her and spoils her.
But when two pink lines should have brought them unbridled joy, her husband ices her out.

An arranged marriage gives Luca great power.
To cement that power, he needs an heir.
The quickest way to do it is to make Natalya fall madly in love with him.
He will have her loyalty without risking his heart because love to him means weakness.

Natalya needs Luca to love her.
Because she has secrets that will put them all in jeopardy.
Her heart shatters when Luca shows her exactly how little she means to him.
But it isn’t until she sees evidence of the unforgivable that she loses all hope for a happily ever after.

AMAZON 

You’re mine, and I’m done pretending that you’re not.”

As a self proclaimed alphahole addict, the second I read this blurb, I knew I’d be all over it. Arranged marriage, ruthless mafia antihero? Sign me up I say!

You’re mine, and I’m done pretending that you’re not.”Up here, I wasn’t the boss of the Chicago crime family. Up here, I was merely a mortal man falling in love with his family.

An arranged marriage doesn’t sound like one paved in love. But young Natalya is instantly enraptured with her future husband. He may be a ruthless in everything that he does, but he’s soft and attentive with her. But what Natalya doesn’t know, is Luca is not above playing the romantic to get to what he needs from her; an heir. And when Natalya gets pregnant, things take a turn in a direction she never saw coming.

This was a quick paced page turner and I was instantly hooked with Luca. Natalya, admittedly, did take me a minute to warm up to. She’s not at all what she seems, but she sure hides it well. I definitely did myself a disservice by not reading book one first, because there’s some backstory to her that makes it feel like you start this book already partially through her development. But then it didn’t take me long to connect to her and her very many layers. She’s a fascinating mix of fierce and vulnerable. The second half of this book, we get an entirely different side to her and I loved it.

There’s a little bit of everything here; suspense, action, mafia, betrayal, revenge. The chemistry was delicious and the grit was the perfect addition. I’m definitely hooked on this series and will immediately be reading the first book.

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Review: A Vicious Proposal by Kristy Marie

January 22, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

A VICIOUS PROPOSAL
Series: The Fallen Kings of Eden #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kristy Marie
Release Date: January 17, 2024

Bestselling Author Kristy Marie brings you a brand new standalone with a morally gray hero who sentences his past love to six years of marriage to serve as punishment for her betrayal.

I knew him only as Van Gogh.
A tortured artist who owned the night as he moved through the shadows, cloaked in hate and madness.
He was a vicious vigilante—a serial arsonist who thrived on the fear he triggered with a single match between his tattooed knuckles.
We were told to lock our doors and stay inside.
I wanted to. I really did.
But then I saw his eyes, burning like embers as he watched me through the smoke.
And like the flames at his feet, I delighted in his attention.
I became his muse.
His passion.
His obsession.
His perfectly flawed flower.
But that was years ago.
Before my seaside town became his canvas…
Before the ashes of my enemies became his paint…
Before he hated me… and made me his wife.

AMAZON 

For the crime of betrayal, Reese Carmichael, I sentence you to six years as my prisoner.” I flash her a wink and a smile. “I believe society calls that a marriage.”

I have been eyeing this author for so long and when I saw the blurb for this book, I knew this would be my first Kristy Marie book. And I can say I’m officially hooked. I need more from this author and I definitely need more for this series.

She’s always been mine to ruin and love as violently as the flames that dance between my fingers.

Admittedly, I felt darker vibes from the book than the story itself ended up being. If you’re expecting a dark romance, it’s not really that. It has dark undercurrent, but it’s really more gritty and gray.

Reese once thought “Van” was her everything, until he disappeared as suddenly as he appeared in her life. Van spent six years in prison and he’s convinced that Reese is the one responsible for his arrest and ultimately his conviction. Now I will say, I was generally confused about all of the things up until well into 75% of the story. The way that it starts thoroughly threw me. It felt like we were diving head first not the middle of a book. The author cleverly continues to peel back the layers throughout the story, but where it worked for some of the things, for parts of it, it was frustratingly confusing. I would have loved a flashback to when they first met. As it was, it took me a while to fully click.

Now the banter in this book was everything. Reese is a spitfire and a half and this woman sure knows how to give as good as she gets.

This is why he hides in the shadows. Everyone wants to kill him for being a giant pain in the ass.

The chemistry between the two of them was seriously delicious. Though again, I would have loved to see flashbacks of them to really connect with their relationship. I did have to suspend my disbelief, since Van is now an ADA after a 6 year prison sentence. Did I care? Not in the least. It was so entertaining.

The author keeps you guessing about everything until the last few chapters and then the plot twists leave you reeling. It wasn’t quite what I expected but it hooked me hard on the series and it hit the spot just right.

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Review: Get Him Back by CoraLee

January 18, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

GET HIM BACK
Genre: Contemporary Romance, RomCom
Author: CoraLee
Release Date: January 18, 2024

From CoraLee comes a second chance workplace romcom with a dose of revenge and irresistible passion.

Meet Jack Thompson: charming, captivating, and my newest co-worker—the same man who heartlessly ghosted me in college.

Now, it’s payback time.

With a sly smile and a plan for revenge, I’m ready to make him suffer. I seduce him, unravel his world, and leave him craving more.

But to my surprise, Jack revels in the torment, finding a twisted pleasure in our vengeful escapades.

I’m not sure who’s being played at this point.

I thought I had the game plan down to a science. But sometimes the line between revenge and passion is blurred—and in the biggest plot twist of all, settling scores might just mean falling head over heels.

AMAZON 

You don’t just forget the girl who once meant everything. You sure as hell don’t forget the one who got away.

I first discovered CoraLee’s books when I read No Such King and then binged the entire trilogy in two days. Being the picky beech that I am with dark romance, it’s always hard to find great dark romance. And dang, but this author could write it. I was immediately hooked and knew that I would read anything and everything she releases.

Now the last thing I would expect for a dark romance author to write is a romcom. Or, if I’m being totally honest, I should probably say a “good” romcom. I’m judgy, ok? Get off my case! But I knew if this author wrote it, I’d be reading it. And boy am I glad I did.

I am generally not a romcom reader, nor am I usually a fan of the cinnamon roll heroes. But this book did it for me in all the right ways. The humor was humoring. The banter was bantering. And the cinnamon roll had just the right amount of tortured to him, that I loved him even when I wanted to c*ck punch him. But I digress.

Sadie and Jack had a bit of a situationship in their college days where Jack didn’t want the label and Sadie fell hard, only for Jack to leave her in her most vulnerable. Now, years later, Sadie is a boss b*tch, though maybe not in her dream job yet. But she’s just waiting for a chance to prove to her boss that she deserves it. And who walks in as the company’s new CPO? Why none other than the situationship from college who ghosted her. And the kicker? The man doesn’t even remember her! So what’s a girl to do? Make him suffer. Obviously.

I straightened my spine and glared at him. “Fine. If we’re going to hash this out, then let’s get it all in the open. There’s no time limit on heartbreak. And I’m going to rip you a new one, then I’m going to nail this presentation, then I’m going to find some rich investor with big dick energy to take me home tonight.” “I’m fine with about eighty percent of that plan. Continue,” Jack replied.

Now it’s not just any author who can write about an FMC who goes from constipated to blowing up her boss’s previous porcelain throne to the mortification of her college ghoster in hearing distance and make her be a fierce b*tch. How she managed this? I have no idea. But I was in literal tears laughing.

The humor of this book was amazing! It was a delicious slow burn, though admittedly at times I found myself craving a bit more conflict. But that’s because I’m crazy like that. I need my books to hurt my feelings. But if you’re looking for a hilarious, playful and heartwarming story of second chances, this one is it!

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