Forbidden

Review: Hotter ‘N Hell by Abbi Glines

November 29, 2024 by Lana · 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: Abbi Glines, Book Reviews: 4 stars, Forbidden

Review: Broken by Serena Akeroyd

August 13, 2024 by Lana · Leave a Comment

BROKEN
Genre: Forbidden Romance
Author: Serena Aneroid
Release Date: August 1, 2024

Forgive me, Father, for I am undeserving when blood soaks these hands that hold Your gift to me.

I am broken and find solace in the darkness.

She is pure and basks in the light.

Did You send her to be my shelter?

I made a vow of celibacy.

She remained untouched.

Did You create her for me?

I am a sin eater, a purger of evil.

She is an angel, a guardian of good.

Did You know she would be my savior?

Thank You, Father, for she is the one sin I will willfully commit.

Broken is a forbidden, dark romance and a complete standalone.

AMAZON

He is my purpose. My reason. This goes beyond being soul mates. This is divine intervention.

If there is one thing I can tell you, it’s that Serena Akeroyd is an immaculate story teller. She has a way with her words that manages to spin you into the story and suck you into the characters. And this book was a true testament of her craft. It’s a polarizing type of story where you definitely want to read and heed the trigger warnings for. I wouldn’t call it dark, per se, but it definitely has dark and heavy undertones and subject matter.

It’s a painfully beautiful story of soulmates and healing, and it didn’t take me long to be wrapped up with these characters. Now admittedly, that is also the part that worked against me too. While I loved the intention behind it, I also found the romance to be almost too sudden. But do take my review with a grain of salt because I’m also a reader that isn’t a big fan when the FMC is the main pursuer in an almost mindless and aggressive way, and try as I might to look past it, it did impact my reading enjoyment.

I loved the different elements of the book, but for some reason the romance just didn’t click for me. I liked it, but I just didn’t love it like I usually do with Serena’s characters. I just couldn’t connect with either one of them on a level I needed to really click with the story.

But having said that, I still enjoyed the book. It was incredibly unique and while it covered some dark and disturbing subjects, the way that Serena wrote it was masterful. I wish I clicked with the romance more, but even then, it was still an enjoyable read that I would recommend for anyone looking for something different and unique.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Dark · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 3.5 stars, Forbidden, Serena Akeroyd

Review: If You Want Me by Helena Hunting

July 13, 2024 by Lana · Leave a Comment

IF YOU WANT ME
Series: The Toronto Terror #2
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 11, 2024

There’s no one more off limits than my best friend’s daughter.

Peggy Aurora Hammerstein. The Toronto Terror’s unofficial team princess. I would never do anything to mess with our team dynamics this late into the hockey season, but seeing her work in the front office changed something for me.

I see her as she is now: a powerful woman with ambition for miles. When I hold her against me, she fits perfectly.

Her little flirts and taunts push my buttons, if she doesn’t stop–my control just might break. But I can never cross that line. I can never know what it could be to call her mine.

I’ve never wanted anyone more than Aurora and no one can ever know.

* This is Hollis Hendrix’s standalone novel. If you want to meet Hollis before you read this book, check out If You Hate Me, Rix and Tristan’s story.

AMAZON

I’ve never wanted anyone more than Aurora and no one can ever know.

If there is one thing I love more than a hockey romance, it’s a hockey romance with an age gap/forbidden element added. And nothing is more forbidden that your father’s best friend, eh?

If she was five years older, if she wasn’t still in university, if she wasn’t my best friend’s fucking daughter. If I wasn’t more than a decade older than her with enough relationship baggage to fill a dump truck.

Though it sounds worse than it is because the age gap is only 13 years. Aurora is 20 and Hollis is 33. Aurora’s father was a teen dad, and Hollis is a bit younger than him, but I digress. I read this in my usual back-asswards way, which is to say that I hadn’t read book one first. But look, in my defense, the blurb to this one was calling my name and I couldn’t help myself. So get off my back, gawd!

I want things I shouldn’t. Things I should erase from my brain, but I don’t. I can’t. Won’t.

Have you ever read a scene that gave you second hand embarrassment that your entire body feels? Because wowza was that the opening scene for me. Aurora looks after Hollis’s kitties (like the actual cats, ok? get your mind out of the gutter) while he’s away for hockey. She’s also had the hots for him for a while and so she decides that it’s a good idea to have a bit of a self help sesh with her vibrator in his bed…and then forgets her vibrator on his night stand. Yes, he finds it. Oh and I did I mention he also has kitty camps in his bedroom? Awkwaaaaard. But I digress again.

The chemistry and tension between these two was through the roof. I loved watching Hollis try and fail at fighting their growing attraction. Especially when he encourages her to date and then his possessive and jealous side rears its head when he walks in on said date. Aurora is also not shy about going after what she wants. She had her moments where she definitely showed her age, but she was also easy to like. And when these two finally give into the inevitable? SIZZLING.

It did take me a hot minute to wrap my head around all the secondary characters and even the main ones with all the different names. It almost felt like too much at times. Like Aurora is Peggy (Aurora is her middle name). Her dad call her Peggy and Hollis calls her Aurora and Princess, but then she’s also called Hammer, which is short for Hammerstein (her last name). Same for some of the other characters and I found myself quickly losing track of who is who. But I also have the attention span of a rodent, so do take that with a grain of salt.

In any case, I really enjoyed this sizzling hockey romance. It brought the laughs, the swoons, a little bit of the cringey, and plenty of the spice. It put a smile on my face and kept it there until the end. Definitely recommend for all my hockey romance loving readers out there.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: age gap, Book Reviews: 4 stars, Forbidden, Helena Hunting, hockey players

Review: Forgive Me For My Sins by Angel Anders

April 12, 2024 by Lana · Leave a Comment

FORGIVE ME FOR MY SINS
Series: In The Carolinas #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Angel Anders
Release Date: April 12, 2024

A married socialite escaping her husband.
A tormented priest running from his past.
A forbidden love that will consume them both.

Avery’s husband has been unfaithful. While trying to come to terms with her new reality, a man hidden in the shadows of her church catches her attention.

It turns out the man is the new priest everyone’s been expecting, Father Lachlan O’Connell. Only he’s nothing like what she thought he’d be. He is sin personified, and her every fantasy come to life.

They both know there’s a palpable attraction between them that they can’t act on. He’s off-limits, and she’s trying to divorce her husband. Working on the upcoming church gala together is going to be the ultimate test.

What happens when they give into temptation?

AMAZON

I don’t think having Avery be just my friend is an option anymore. I think I’d like to keep her for myself.

Look, if you know me, you know I love a good taboo/forbidden read. And when a bookish friend releases a book that has a priest falling for his parishioner? I’m all over it.

Now have I read my fair share of this trope, without a doubt. But I did love the unique spin that Angel put on this story with both Father Lachlan and Avery. Avery is an unfulfilled trophy wife who thought she was marrying the man of her dreams, only to realize that she ignored every red flag that showed his true colors. Now she finds herself in a loveless marriage to a narcissist and to add insult to cliche injury, she finds out he’s cheating on her with his assistant.

Lachlan is a man running from his past and has found salvation in priesthood. But when he spots Avery for the first time, it shakes the very foundation of him. She becomes temptation personified and when she doesn’t shy from admitting her connection to him, she becomes his damnation.

Now the story itself could have used a little bit more polish. But with this being a debut, I didn’t dwell on this much. My one quibble is the repetitive nature of the taboo element. When I’m reading a forbidden romance, I want to feel the forbidden elements. But here, the amount of times we get reminded of Lachlan’s priesthood did begin to wear on me after a while. I also wished there was more relationship development. While the characters are well developed and multilayered, I couldn’t help but feel that their connection was more driven by sex than anything else. The spice was great, but at points of the story it also began to be more of a distraction.

For a debut novel, this was fantastic and I can’t wait to see Angel grow into her own because she definitely has a a great start to a series with this book. If you’re looking to dip your toe into the forbidden genre but want it a bit lighter, this a great book. If you’re looking for a spicy romance with a dirty talking priest, this will definitely hit the spot.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: Angel Anders, Book Reviews: 3.5 stars, Forbidden

Review: Hush Hush by Lucia Franco

December 28, 2022 by Lana · Leave a Comment

HUSH HUSH
Author: Lucia Franco
Genre: Forbidden, Age Gap Romance
Release Date: August 14, 2019

A new, seductive forbidden romance that caters to Manhattan’s elite…

I knew the rules:

Never reveal my true identity.
Play the game, give the illusion.
Don’t get close to the clients.

The dark and glamorous lifestyle of the rich and shameless open my eyes to a lavish world of sin and wealth, and a man I can’t have.

A man I desperately want—James Riviera.

We’re treading a fine line as we live the ultimate double life until we make a startling discovery that tests both our loyalties.

I only had to follow the rules, but rules are meant to be broken.

AMAZON

Outside, on the streets, you’re a woman with no filter who can hold herself up to anyone, which I fucking love, but in bed, I think you need someone to make you forget your name. I can do that. I want to be that man for you. Between the sheets, you should be saying, ‘Yes, please, more, harder’—my fucking name and nothing else.”

I read this book in a desperate attempt to take myself out of a weeks long book slump and boy did it deliver. It delivered on everything I needed and some things that I didn’t even knew I needed.

First, I can’t believe this is my first Lucia Franco book, and it sure as hell won’t be my last, because WOW.

If you follow my review, you know I love me a sex positive FMC. I love a woman who unapologetically owns what she loves and doesn’t shame it or try to find a name or excuse for it. And I absolutely loved Aubrey. With only her grammy left as living family, Aubrey struggles to make ends meet with several jobs to get her through school. She’s focused on school and graduation and has no time for men outside of an orgasm they can offer. She lives with her wealthy best friend, who lives a luxurious life style that she shares with her friend. But little does Aubrey know how she affords those things when she says she doesn’t want to touch the trust from her family.

An exclusive escort for the rich and entitled, in a secret club who only the elusive few 1% can afford offers a solution she never knew she would entertain. But the money is too good to say no to. But then she meets a client who makes her want more. And when she learns who the client really is, everything is turned on it’s head. But by then, she’s far too deep in.

I have to admit that as much as I loved Aubrey, I disliked her relationship with Daniel. While I get why she clung to him, and she really opens up about it in the end, I also disliked it. It was especially frustrating knowing how Daniel shared why his previous relationship fell apart with her and she still made the choices she did. To be honest, the cheating in this book didn’t bother me. I knew what I was going into, and I knew this book would be deeply rooted in the gray.

I loved the forbidden romance and age gap between Aubrey and James. I loved his dominance as much as I loved her hidden fragility. When I tell you I devoured this book, I mean I devoured this book in one sitting. I couldn’t stop reading. I was immediately immersed and obsessed. And while I didn’t love some of the choices these two made, I simply loved them too much to care.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4.5 stars, Forbidden, Lucia Franco

Review: Resisting Mr Granville by Sam Mariano

November 13, 2022 by Lana · 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.

AMAZON

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

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Dirty Talkers · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 3.5 stars, Forbidden, Sam Mariano

Review: Power by Cassandra Robbins

November 4, 2022 by Lana · 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:

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Dirty Talkers, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, Cassandra Robbins, Forbidden

Review: June First by Jennifer Hartmann

May 17, 2022 by Lana ·

JUNE FIRST
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Forbidden/Taboo
Author: Jennifer Hartmann
Release Date: May 17, 2022

Want to know what happens to a man who barely claws his way out of a tragedy, only to fall right into the arms of the one girl in the world he can never have?

Another tragedy, that’s what.

When I was six years old, my father made a choice that altered the course of my entire life.
Because of what he did, the only girl I ever loved became the only girl I couldn’t have.

In a lot of ways, I did have her…
I had her first steps, her first words, her first smile. I had her milestones, her heartbreaks, her dreams. I had her heart so woven in with mine, I didn’t know where she ended, and I began.
Only, as the years pressed on, lines became blurred—and the blurrier the line, the easier it is to cross.

They say tragedy comes in threes.
For me, that was true.
The first one changed me, the second one broke me, and the third one healed me.

But at the center of all that tragedy… there is a love story.
And at the center of that love story,
There is June.

** Forbidden/taboo relationship, please read with caution **

AMAZON

June. My sweetest blessing and greatest sin.

June First was a riveting, poignant, and unforgettable blend of emotion and and a one in a lifetime love. It was one of the most unique stories I’ve read in a long while, and one that is likely to stay with me for quite some time.

She claimed me like the sunrise claims the morning sky with lightness and blush, promise and wonder. She claimed me like a cyclone, funneling through a quiet town, taking no prisoners.

My biggest recommendation for you is to go into this book absolutely blind. The blurb sounds vague and give you a little and nothing, but trust me, you don’t want more detail.

This is a taboo/forbidden romance, but not in the predictable way. It was unique in all of the best ways. A relationship like this would be almost impossible to pull off without making it almost cringey or have an ick factor. Yet Jennifer Hartmann did it flawlessly.

The story itself is a bit lengthy in parts, with many details and pivotal moments that span years in the life of June and Brant. It spanned their highest highs and lowest lows. At times the details felt slow paced, but I can’t think of one page that could have been removed, so there’s that.

I laughed, I sobbed, I swooned. I fell so hard for this beautiful romance. And it was beautiful. It was imperfect and painful, and gut wrenching in parts. And it was completely unforgettable. The secondary characters who stole and broke my heart. The love that bloomed in tragedy. The story that I’ll never forget.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, Forbidden, Jennifer Hartmann, taboo

Review: To Burn In Brutal Rapture by Nyla K

October 16, 2021 by Lana · Leave a Comment

TO BURN IN BRUTAL RAPTURE
Genre: Forbidden/Taboo Romance
Author: Nyla K
Release Date: October 22, 2020

From the author of PUSH comes a new epic tale of unexpected forbidden romance…

The ache of tragedy sunk deep, like the claws of a wicked monster.
To heal was to remember what my godfather told me when I was six…
Pain is a part of life. If you prepare for it, it will hurt less.
He would know, after all. Lazarus Weston is pain personified.
The scowling man with stormy eyes and tattoos covering his excessive muscles is not only my godfather, but also my dad’s business partner and best friend. A permanent fixture in our lives. Well, in Dad’s, not mine.
But when grief mixes with confusing new feelings, I’m forced to see Lazarus differently, in a way that severely complicates my world.
Because he’s too old for me. He’ll never be mine.
I’m not allowed to have him, but obsession burns a fine line between can’t and won’t.

I can’t want her…
The curse on my heart is heavy, the tale of my malediction drenched in brutal loss. Wearing ink like scars reminds me of the tomb I left behind.
I’ve been expecting pain all my life, yet I’m still unprepared, failing to see my downfall until she’s wrapped around my soul like barbed wire.
Tracien Wright. My best friend’s daughter. Part of my life strictly through association. She was never meant to be more than that.
But Traci is a trickster. A skilled predator in the most unexpected package, oblivious to her own power.
She’ll learn the hard way that not all beasts should be hunted.
I’m not what she thinks I am, having rose from a pit, only to bury myself in secrets and lies.
Deep down I’d love nothing more than to have her. But I don’t get to keep nice things.

**To Burn In Brutal Rapture is a standalone novel which contains sensitive subjects that may be triggering to some. Open-minded readers only! Please do not read or post spoilers.**

AMAZON

We’re a chemical reaction. Explosively beautiful. Dangerously exquisite.”

Clearly I have been living under a rock. How am I only reading this book now when it’s been out for almost a year? Me! ME! The reader that lives for all things taboo and forbidden. And it simply doesn’t get more deliciously forbidden than father’s best friend. This is an age gap with a bite, folks, and I was so here for it. DANG.

Every droplet of joy in this life comes at a price,” his jagged voice breaks through the silence, and the sounds of people chatting in the next room. “Happiness… It always turns to pain in the end.”

One thing I will advise is for you to go into this book absolutely blind. Seriously. I didn’t even read the full blurb let alone reviews. I first discovered Nyla with Distorted and am now just systematically making my way through her backlist because I’m obsessed. All I knew about this book was it was taboo and I needed it!

Now what can I tell you about this story? Well, almost nothing. *evil grin* It’s for your own good, trust me. But I will say, the one thing I’ve come to strongly appreciate about Nyla’s writing is that she’s not afraid to go there. This is clearly an author that writes for herself and her characters and not what she thinks is safer or would be more accepted. And I seriously love that. These characters are flawed and fucked up, my second two favorite f words. Ha! There are some twists to this story that were just UGH. To be honest, I’m still processing them and don’t know how I feel. Did I like it? No idea. I’m conflicted as fuck. But I digress.

One of the things that can be a make it or break it for me when it comes to age gap, is the heroine. I’m just not a reader that enjoys reading about sheltered ingenues. But Tracien (Trix) while young, was one of the most relatable characters. This is a girl with some deep rooted issues of her own, stemming from the loss of her beloved mother, to lusting after her father’s best friend. She’s not perfect by any means. She’s an old soul of sorts and that clearly comes across. She’s also not the typical rich girl and I loved that about her.

Lazarus was one of my favorite tortured souls. This is a man that your heart just hurts for.

But that’s all you’ll be getting from me. I will tell you that this story is fucked up. It’s downright uncomfy at times. It’s also sizzling hot and full of depth and emotion. I devoured this thick ass book in a span of two days and had a hangover from hell to follow. Did I love all parts of it. Well, there were parts that I’m still figuring out how I feel about. But what I will say, is if you like age gap/forbidden tropes, this one is simply not to be missed.

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Dirty Talkers, Erotic Rom · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4.5 stars, Forbidden, Nyla K

Review: Entice by Ava Harrison

September 17, 2019 by Lana · Leave a Comment

ENTICE
Genre: Contemporary, Forbidden Romance
Author: Ava Harrison
Release Date: September 16, 2019

Eight years ago, I gave Grayson Price a piece of my heart.

To him, I was the strange girl whose mom had just abandoned her.

To me, he was a savior, an anchor, someone who stood beside me on that beach.

The next time I saw him, I was twenty, and he was thirty-six.

He didn’t remember me.

And when he flirted…

I didn’t tell him.

By the time he found out, it was too late.

We tried to deny our desire, but our attraction was too enticing.

Eight years ago, I gave Grayson Price a piece of my heart.

Too bad he’s my dad’s best friend.

AMAZON

She was an itch I needed to scratch, an addiction I needed to kick, but I needed a few more fixes before I gave her up.

The second I read the blurb to Entice, I knew this would be my first Ava Harrison book. I’m a sucker for a forbidden romance, and it just doesn’t get more forbidden than your father’s best friend.

An age-gap romance is not always an easy one to pull off, but Ava Harrison handled this effortlessly. With fifteen years between them, there’s something about the connection that River and Gray share that just makes sense. Even though River is only twenty-one, she’s definitely mature beyond her years. Having the childhood that she had with a flighty hippy mother and a teenage father that she didn’t know until she was over 12 years old guaranteed that. River struggles with plenty of abandonment issues, but she’s not some spoiled brat, even though she had all the luxuries when she came to live with her father.

Gray is her father’s best friend. Even though they had a falling out years ago, Gray and Tyler are attempting to build their friendship back. Gray is assisting Tyler with a business deal that can make or break Tyler’s life. This added element adds an additional deliciously forbidden layer to River and Gray’s connection.

This is a slow burn since Gray spends a good chunk of the story fighting his attraction to River but ultimately not being strong enough to resist the pull between them. I loved his brooding intensity, even though he had plenty of moments that I wanted to shake him for his stubbornness and cold and hot demeanor.

I really enjoyed the story, though I did feel for how slow and somewhat dragged out the relationship development was, the ending felt a bit rushed and glossed over. I would have loved for the family dynamic and some other things at the end to be further fleshed out. But as it was, it still made for one enticing read. Ha!