32 reviews for:

The Empire

Lisa Renee Jones

3.86 AVERAGE

sinagaraw's profile picture

sinagaraw's review

3.0

finally finished this fucked up series (sorry not sorry)
booklovinmamas's profile picture

booklovinmamas's review

4.0

Full Review posted at Book Lovin' Mamas

Story Rating: 4 stars
Steaminess Rating: 4 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of the trilogy and highly recommend reading in order.
Do I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend reading this trilogy and also reading the Dirty Rich series.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes. She’s one of my auto-buy favorite authors.
Tropes/Elements: Second Chance at Love; Family Drama; Suspense
loverofromance's profile picture

loverofromance's review

4.0

Now we get the final installment of the Filthy Series ….”The Empire” and yeah this book worked for me in all the ways that we see building up within the trilogy. The suspense level of the plot is superb and it definitely had me so intrigued into wondering which of the family members were actually behind wanting Eric and Harper killed. Eric and Harper are definitely a unique couple, in that, nothing tends to get them down for too long. They are continually fighting for each other and I was intrigued in seeing how this book would play out in deepening their bond out. I do want to mention that its not an easy read to see them struggle at times within this finale, but I was impressed in seeing their faith in each other that was unconditionally unwavering. I honestly couldn’t get enough, and truly seeing how evil Eric and Harper’s family members are is just a reminder in the strength of what solid characters they both are to rise above that evil and come out on top. In many ways I just didn’t want their story to end, because I fell so hard for them in many respects, and they will be a couple to be missed. Somehow, this author won my heart in this taboo of a relationship and I am eager for more.
carleneinspired's profile picture

carleneinspired's review

5.0

Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.

Harper and Eric have only just found one another again and they can't focus on their emotions, on the fresh romance, when the world seems to be crumbling around them. Eric may consider his friends family, but his real family, the ones that call him The Bastard, are truly enemies and they're out for blood. After an avoided attack and some crazy coded messages Eric's father is hospitalized and his brother arrives unannounced and unhinged. For every puzzle solved there's a new challenge, not including the chemistry between Eric and Harper as they snag free moments for themselves and immediately jump back into the chaos. The Empire is the final novel in the Filthy Trilogy and boy is it filthy. Suspenseful, action packed, and as smutty as they come, Lisa Renee Jones closes this trilogy with a bang.

I didn't read the entire Dirty Rich series, it came at a time when my schedule was packed and I couldn't spare a moment to read 10+ novels, but something about a savant SEAL and a businesswoman, known as The Bastard and The Princess, just called to me. This trilogy is of the all consuming type, the characters and their stories don't leave your mind even while you're reading other books and participating in other activities. Eric and Harper just have that insane chemistry that makes you want a happy ending and yet their relationship, both romantic and familial, is just not as easy as anyone else's. The Empire, and the entire Filthy Trilogy, is jam packed with deceit, revenge, secrets, and, of course, lust.

Eric and Harper are meant to be, they fit together perfectly and it's oh so sexy, but they also have a mess to deal with. Eric isn't a fan of his savant nature and Harper is unsure of her family's intention, these issues lead to trust problems between them. Emotions are heightened as Eric and Harper's family use their soft spots against them, dangling secrets in front of them and threatening to reveal. Eric and Harper have a connection though, one that is almost inexplicable, somehow they work through it even when working through it is just the joining of their bodies. It's an exciting read, one with just enough mystery and suspense that I wasn't overwhelmed by the smut that fills the pages when the two are alone. I loved all the big reveals in The Empire, Lisa Renee Jones wrapped up the trilogy perfectly, answering every question readers had and giving us the perfect ending too.

The Empire is the perfect conclusion to Eric and Harper's story and the three are a great set of novels to pull away from the larger Dirty Rich series. I enjoyed the unique nature of the relationship between Eric and Harper and, like always, loved the business world that Lisa weaved into the book. Like all LRJ novels, this one is heavy on the sex scenes and even heavier on the suspense. Longtime fans, new readers, the in-between, will love Eric and Harper's journey from The Bastard, to The Princess, and finally to their empire.

ARC provided.
erinann78's profile picture

erinann78's review

5.0

4.5 Stars

The stakes are high and lives are on the line. Danger is simmering, just under the surface, ready to execute its hidden agenda. The mystery is woven throughout the story, revealing little pieces as we’ve read. With the final installment of this trilogy, we are finally getting the answers we’ve been desperate for.
There’s an element of repetition in the dialogue that can grow tiring, but the mystery is so captivating that it’s easy to stay engaged and overlook that aspect. I couldn’t put the book down. Shocking twists and exciting revelations had me picking my jaw up off the floor. I really loved the way everything played out. I’m excited to see what she brings us next.

I seriously don’t know why I am surprised every time Lisa gives us another book. But I am shocked, every single time. She brings it with this last one. The intrigue, the chemistry. Never a dull moment. Harper and Eric. The bastard and the princess. THE EMPIRE!!

THE EMPIRE is the final book in the Filthy Trilogy. You must read books 1 & 2 first!

In the finale of the series, we get back to Eric and Harper, find out what secrets Eric is keeping. We also finally get all the answers to the mystery and all the masks come off!

Here's a bit from my review of book 1 (5 stars):

5. Eric was so freaking smart! Ms. Jones always writes super intelligent characters but Eric had something special. I loved how DIFFERENT he was.
6. Harper, I seemed to like a bit less. Not sure why but I found myself struggling with her character. Maybe she could have been stronger?

And here's a bit from book 2 (3 stars):

1. I'm still in awe with Eric. He's a savant (I actually had to look up the definition of this word!), a genius actually and I loved the flashbacks to his childhood in this book.
2. I REALLY struggled with Harper! I wanted to shake her, yell at her to woman up and let the beautiful Eric do what he needed to do in order to keep them safe! GAH! I was so freaking frustrated with her!

Now, here's where I landed on book 3:

1. For me, Eric was the star of the series. I totally dug his genius, his patience with Harper and his loyalty to his friends.
2. Harper managed to redeem herself (mostly). She was still frustrating but I was able to tolerate her clingy-ness better.
3. I loved how it ended! The bad guy got what was coming to him and I enjoyed how the story wrapped up.
4. I really felt like this series either could have been cut back to just two books or that there could have been more action and suspense woven into the storyline.

Overall, I'm rating the series 4 stars! I think that anyone who enjoys a sexy, suspenseful romance will ultimately appreciate this story. Told from dual POVs with a sticky sweet ending. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

This books picks up where the Princess left off. Once again I was absorbed into a world where blood isn't always thicker than water. With outside forces working against them, Eric and Harper have to trust in their love and each other to come through the other side.

I don't know how she does it. But LRJ constantly delivers a book that pulls you in instantly. It was a brilliant ending to a beautiful love story. Thank you for these words.

Ehhhhh

While I liked the plot of the trilogy, the romantic leads were so whiny and needy for “adults.” And they kept repeating the same arguments/insecurities over and over.

Full Review posted at Book Lovin' Mamas

Story Rating: 4 stars
Steaminess Rating: 4 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of the trilogy and highly recommend reading in order.
Do I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend reading this trilogy and also reading the Dirty Rich series.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes. She’s one of my auto-buy favorite authors.
Tropes/Elements: Second Chance at Love; Family Drama; Suspense