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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
Look I am not too picky when it comes to my romance reads. I am here for a good story, strong characters, and of course the spice. But it does take a lot to get a five star rating out of me. The writing truly has to be excellent, and let me tell you Naomi has done it again with her second novel Was I Ever Real. This story follows Connor, the adorably possessive psycho, and Lenix, the confidant baddie I only wish I could be, in their marriage of convenience love story. Let me tell you, these two love to hate each other, and tell each other as much over and over as they are tearing each others clothes off. The fire between them is hot hot hot and the story of Lenix facing her mysterious past is twisty and compelling in some surprising ways. A must read!
TW: Voyeurism (non-con), exhibitionism, sexual coercion, findom, cults, childhood SA (implied), predatory behavior by a parental figure/religious leader, torture, gore, murder, humiliation (non-sexual), themes of shame and guilt, religious trauma, kidnapping, praise, degradation, nightmares, suicidal thoughts (quick mention), alcohol and drug use (weed) and explicit sexual situations for 18+
Merged review:
Look I am not too picky when it comes to my romance reads. I am here for a good story, strong characters, and of course the spice. But it does take a lot to get a five star rating out of me. The writing truly has to be excellent, and let me tell you Naomi has done it again with her second novel Was I Ever Real. This story follows Connor, the adorably possessive psycho, and Lenix, the confidant baddie I only wish I could be, in their marriage of convenience love story. Let me tell you, these two love to hate each other, and tell each other as much over and over as they are tearing each others clothes off. The fire between them is hot hot hot and the story of Lenix facing her mysterious past is twisty and compelling in some surprising ways. A must read!
TW: Voyeurism (non-con), exhibitionism, sexual coercion, findom, cults, childhood SA (implied), predatory behavior by a parental figure/religious leader, torture, gore, murder, humiliation (non-sexual), themes of shame and guilt, religious trauma, kidnapping, praise, degradation, nightmares, suicidal thoughts (quick mention), alcohol and drug use (weed) and explicit sexual situations for 18+
TW: Voyeurism (non-con), exhibitionism, sexual coercion, findom, cults, childhood SA (implied), predatory behavior by a parental figure/religious leader, torture, gore, murder, humiliation (non-sexual), themes of shame and guilt, religious trauma, kidnapping, praise, degradation, nightmares, suicidal thoughts (quick mention), alcohol and drug use (weed) and explicit sexual situations for 18+
Merged review:
Look I am not too picky when it comes to my romance reads. I am here for a good story, strong characters, and of course the spice. But it does take a lot to get a five star rating out of me. The writing truly has to be excellent, and let me tell you Naomi has done it again with her second novel Was I Ever Real. This story follows Connor, the adorably possessive psycho, and Lenix, the confidant baddie I only wish I could be, in their marriage of convenience love story. Let me tell you, these two love to hate each other, and tell each other as much over and over as they are tearing each others clothes off. The fire between them is hot hot hot and the story of Lenix facing her mysterious past is twisty and compelling in some surprising ways. A must read!
TW: Voyeurism (non-con), exhibitionism, sexual coercion, findom, cults, childhood SA (implied), predatory behavior by a parental figure/religious leader, torture, gore, murder, humiliation (non-sexual), themes of shame and guilt, religious trauma, kidnapping, praise, degradation, nightmares, suicidal thoughts (quick mention), alcohol and drug use (weed) and explicit sexual situations for 18+
What a phenomenal second book from Naomi Loud. It deserves every single star.
This was beautifully written in a way that had me in tears. It was part romance, part dark, part healing, and part faith in the unknown. Here is a list of all of my favorite things about this book:
1. Connor. He is perfection.
2. Lenix. She is such a strong FMC, but she also realizes she can't do everything herself even if she may want to. She understands what her strengths are, but also her weaknesses. Lenix was a breath of fresh air, and I won't stop thinking about her journey for a long time.
3. This book is one of the best examples I have ever read of a fantastic marriage of convenience. I read a lot of this trope because it is one of my favorites, but a lot of times it feels forced and almost like I don't believe one of the characters reasons for getting into the arrangement. That wasn't the case for this book. It was so believable and I loved every second of their relationship dynamic. Every single interaction this couple had was pure perfection.
4. The spice in this book was top tier. It was sensual, and at the same time deliciously filthy.
5. The way the religious trauma was handled. I am not even someone who has religious trauma from childhood, and this was still hugely healing for me.
This book is now my entire personality. It is my favorite book I've read in a long time.
"She is Lilith personified. And I am the devil at her feet."
Merged review:
What a phenomenal second book from Naomi Loud. It deserves every single star.
This was beautifully written in a way that had me in tears. It was part romance, part dark, part healing, and part faith in the unknown. Here is a list of all of my favorite things about this book:
1. Connor. He is perfection.
2. Lenix. She is such a strong FMC, but she also realizes she can't do everything herself even if she may want to. She understands what her strengths are, but also her weaknesses. Lenix was a breath of fresh air, and I won't stop thinking about her journey for a long time.
3. This book is one of the best examples I have ever read of a fantastic marriage of convenience. I read a lot of this trope because it is one of my favorites, but a lot of times it feels forced and almost like I don't believe one of the characters reasons for getting into the arrangement. That wasn't the case for this book. It was so believable and I loved every second of their relationship dynamic. Every single interaction this couple had was pure perfection.
4. The spice in this book was top tier. It was sensual, and at the same time deliciously filthy.
5. The way the religious trauma was handled. I am not even someone who has religious trauma from childhood, and this was still hugely healing for me.
This book is now my entire personality. It is my favorite book I've read in a long time.
"She is Lilith personified. And I am the devil at her feet."
This was beautifully written in a way that had me in tears. It was part romance, part dark, part healing, and part faith in the unknown. Here is a list of all of my favorite things about this book:
1. Connor. He is perfection.
2. Lenix. She is such a strong FMC, but she also realizes she can't do everything herself even if she may want to. She understands what her strengths are, but also her weaknesses. Lenix was a breath of fresh air, and I won't stop thinking about her journey for a long time.
3. This book is one of the best examples I have ever read of a fantastic marriage of convenience. I read a lot of this trope because it is one of my favorites, but a lot of times it feels forced and almost like I don't believe one of the characters reasons for getting into the arrangement. That wasn't the case for this book. It was so believable and I loved every second of their relationship dynamic. Every single interaction this couple had was pure perfection.
4. The spice in this book was top tier. It was sensual, and at the same time deliciously filthy.
5. The way the religious trauma was handled. I am not even someone who has religious trauma from childhood, and this was still hugely healing for me.
This book is now my entire personality. It is my favorite book I've read in a long time.
"She is Lilith personified. And I am the devil at her feet."
Merged review:
What a phenomenal second book from Naomi Loud. It deserves every single star.
This was beautifully written in a way that had me in tears. It was part romance, part dark, part healing, and part faith in the unknown. Here is a list of all of my favorite things about this book:
1. Connor. He is perfection.
2. Lenix. She is such a strong FMC, but she also realizes she can't do everything herself even if she may want to. She understands what her strengths are, but also her weaknesses. Lenix was a breath of fresh air, and I won't stop thinking about her journey for a long time.
3. This book is one of the best examples I have ever read of a fantastic marriage of convenience. I read a lot of this trope because it is one of my favorites, but a lot of times it feels forced and almost like I don't believe one of the characters reasons for getting into the arrangement. That wasn't the case for this book. It was so believable and I loved every second of their relationship dynamic. Every single interaction this couple had was pure perfection.
4. The spice in this book was top tier. It was sensual, and at the same time deliciously filthy.
5. The way the religious trauma was handled. I am not even someone who has religious trauma from childhood, and this was still hugely healing for me.
This book is now my entire personality. It is my favorite book I've read in a long time.
"She is Lilith personified. And I am the devil at her feet."
⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️
This was so good, I spent hours reading this and I didn’t even realize. I was in a bit of a readers block but this took me right back out again.
I wasn’t too sure about the whole “marriage of convenience” trope but damnnnn yesss. I loved the cat and mouse kind of relationship between Lenix and Connor. The back and forth banter at the start.. and then the switch flipped!! Also loved the way he let her fight her own battles and didn’t stand in her way, just supported her.
I’m not sure if I want to be Lenix or be with her.. either way, both Connor and Lenix are
Merged review:
⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️
This was so good, I spent hours reading this and I didn’t even realize. I was in a bit of a readers block but this took me right back out again.
I wasn’t too sure about the whole “marriage of convenience” trope but damnnnn yesss. I loved the cat and mouse kind of relationship between Lenix and Connor. The back and forth banter at the start.. and then the switch flipped!! Also loved the way he let her fight her own battles and didn’t stand in her way, just supported her.
I’m not sure if I want to be Lenix or be with her.. either way, both Connor and Lenix are
This was so good, I spent hours reading this and I didn’t even realize. I was in a bit of a readers block but this took me right back out again.
I wasn’t too sure about the whole “marriage of convenience” trope but damnnnn yesss. I loved the cat and mouse kind of relationship between Lenix and Connor. The back and forth banter at the start.. and then the switch flipped!! Also loved the way he let her fight her own battles and didn’t stand in her way, just supported her.
I’m not sure if I want to be Lenix or be with her.. either way, both Connor and Lenix are
Merged review:
⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️
This was so good, I spent hours reading this and I didn’t even realize. I was in a bit of a readers block but this took me right back out again.
I wasn’t too sure about the whole “marriage of convenience” trope but damnnnn yesss. I loved the cat and mouse kind of relationship between Lenix and Connor. The back and forth banter at the start.. and then the switch flipped!! Also loved the way he let her fight her own battles and didn’t stand in her way, just supported her.
I’m not sure if I want to be Lenix or be with her.. either way, both Connor and Lenix are
-BOOK REVIEW-
Was I Ever Real by Naomi Loud
After “Was I Ever Here,” I couldn’t NOT jump right into book two. All of the hinted chemistry and barbs from book one were in full force here. Talk about a wild ride. Connor and Lenix were absolute enemies to lovers perfection. The added twist of a secret marriage, which turns into a marriage of convenience? SOLD.
Was I Ever Real delivers on:
❤️
Was I Ever Real by Naomi Loud
After “Was I Ever Here,” I couldn’t NOT jump right into book two. All of the hinted chemistry and barbs from book one were in full force here. Talk about a wild ride. Connor and Lenix were absolute enemies to lovers perfection. The added twist of a secret marriage, which turns into a marriage of convenience? SOLD.
Was I Ever Real delivers on:
❤️
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love, love, loved it. Lenix is such a rich and complex character and Connor is the perfect protective mafia boss himbo asshole. The chemistry between the two is top notch.
This book has banter, it has delicious spice, there is a marriage of convenience, and of course we have "I'll burn the whole fucking city down in my wife's name" vibes.
Naomi really stepped it up a notch with this second installation of their series and I look forward to both the upcoming novella and the third installment.
While this book is part of a series it absolutely could be read stand alone.
Merged review:
Love, love, loved it. Lenix is such a rich and complex character and Connor is the perfect protective mafia boss himbo asshole. The chemistry between the two is top notch.
This book has banter, it has delicious spice, there is a marriage of convenience, and of course we have "I'll burn the whole fucking city down in my wife's name" vibes.
Naomi really stepped it up a notch with this second installation of their series and I look forward to both the upcoming novella and the third installment.
While this book is part of a series it absolutely could be read stand alone.
This book has banter, it has delicious spice, there is a marriage of convenience, and of course we have "I'll burn the whole fucking city down in my wife's name" vibes.
Naomi really stepped it up a notch with this second installation of their series and I look forward to both the upcoming novella and the third installment.
While this book is part of a series it absolutely could be read stand alone.
Merged review:
Love, love, loved it. Lenix is such a rich and complex character and Connor is the perfect protective mafia boss himbo asshole. The chemistry between the two is top notch.
This book has banter, it has delicious spice, there is a marriage of convenience, and of course we have "I'll burn the whole fucking city down in my wife's name" vibes.
Naomi really stepped it up a notch with this second installation of their series and I look forward to both the upcoming novella and the third installment.
While this book is part of a series it absolutely could be read stand alone.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for this, and it’s INCREDIBLE.
Lenix and Connor are both so hot omg. The writing was just as beautiful as her first book, and I did cry several times reading this.
Also the spice?? Had me sweating. Go read this.
Merged review:
I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for this, and it’s INCREDIBLE.
Lenix and Connor are both so hot omg. The writing was just as beautiful as her first book, and I did cry several times reading this.
Also the spice?? Had me sweating. Go read this.
Lenix and Connor are both so hot omg. The writing was just as beautiful as her first book, and I did cry several times reading this.
Also the spice?? Had me sweating. Go read this.
Merged review:
I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for this, and it’s INCREDIBLE.
Lenix and Connor are both so hot omg. The writing was just as beautiful as her first book, and I did cry several times reading this.
Also the spice?? Had me sweating. Go read this.
DNF 50% - I felt like I came in midway through their romance and the scenes are so short I can't relax into the book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
See review attached to written edition