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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
3.5 stars rounded up
I don't read many taboo romances and I wasn't sure how this would work for me but I'm glad I gave it a try because woo, the chemistry between Knox and Eden was explosive! This does have a big focus on sex but it also has its share of angsty emotional revelations and confrontations. Again, I'm personally not always a fan of angsty romances cos I'm weak and can't handle the feels but I thought Naima Simone did a great job balancing all the elements so that none of them was overwhelming.
The story is told in dual first-person POV and I liked both our H/h a lot. Knox is the type of H that I'm kinda weak for—scowly but deeply emotional under the stoic exterior, also tatted up as hell and fiercely protective of his family and friends. Knox's POV in particular was filled with so much raw emotion and longing and it wasn't hard to feel for him. When he first meets Eden five years ago, it doesn't take long for him to fall in love with her and those feelings only intensified over the years, even after his brother was the one who 'got the girl'. Knox is the oldest brother and the carer of the family after they lost their father and it was evident in the way he'd always put those he cared about first. My heart broke for him thinking that he'd always be everyone's second choice—no, Knox! ☹️ Eden has also been through a lot and now that she's found a family who has been so good to her, she's scared for things to change as she acknowledges her growing feelings for Knox. I thought Simone sensitively handled Eden's difficult position and made it easy to empathise with her situation. No one should ever be made to feel guilty about moving forward with life after processing such loss.
As you can imagine, the confrontation of their feelings for each other was so emotionally charged! Although Knox has always been sure of his feelings for Eden, I appreciated how he never pressured her feelings. I'm a sucker for H's that are simps for the h's and Knox's worship of Eden was F-I-R-E! Holy hotness, this man
I don't read many taboo romances and I wasn't sure how this would work for me but I'm glad I gave it a try because woo, the chemistry between Knox and Eden was explosive! This does have a big focus on sex but it also has its share of angsty emotional revelations and confrontations. Again, I'm personally not always a fan of angsty romances cos I'm weak and can't handle the feels but I thought Naima Simone did a great job balancing all the elements so that none of them was overwhelming.
The story is told in dual first-person POV and I liked both our H/h a lot. Knox is the type of H that I'm kinda weak for—scowly but deeply emotional under the stoic exterior, also tatted up as hell and fiercely protective of his family and friends. Knox's POV in particular was filled with so much raw emotion and longing and it wasn't hard to feel for him. When he first meets Eden five years ago, it doesn't take long for him to fall in love with her and those feelings only intensified over the years, even after his brother was the one who 'got the girl'. Knox is the oldest brother and the carer of the family after they lost their father and it was evident in the way he'd always put those he cared about first. My heart broke for him thinking that he'd always be everyone's second choice—no, Knox! ☹️ Eden has also been through a lot and now that she's found a family who has been so good to her, she's scared for things to change as she acknowledges her growing feelings for Knox. I thought Simone sensitively handled Eden's difficult position and made it easy to empathise with her situation. No one should ever be made to feel guilty about moving forward with life after processing such loss.
As you can imagine, the confrontation of their feelings for each other was so emotionally charged! Although Knox has always been sure of his feelings for Eden, I appreciated how he never pressured her feelings. I'm a sucker for H's that are simps for the h's and Knox's worship of Eden was F-I-R-E! Holy hotness, this man
This book.
Knox is in love with his brother’s widow. He’s wanted her for himself since the first moment he saw her- but his brother beat him to it. Now she works in his tattoo shop, and for years he’s been shoving aside the temptation to make her his.
She’s forbidden. There’s no way she feels the same. He’s the reason his brother was killed in the ring. He’s the reason she’s a widow.
Eden has always been drawn to Knox. And she dreams about what it would be like if she had his full attention. His hands on her body. If she was at his mercy.
They’re both tired of fighting the incessant need for one another’s touch, one another’s acknowledgement. And then Eden lets Knox see how much she wants him- that she reciprocates his feelings. The tiptoeing around their lust and their emotions comes to a screeching halt and they dive into a relationship.
But Knox made a decision he can’t share with her. One she won’t agree with and won’t support.
This tangled web of duty and denial pushes them apart and pulls them together. Their stolen moments become an addiction they can no longer deny or run away from.
This is one of the spiciest, yet most tender, romances I have ever read.
Please sign me up for lessons at the school of Hard Knox.
Knox is in love with his brother’s widow. He’s wanted her for himself since the first moment he saw her- but his brother beat him to it. Now she works in his tattoo shop, and for years he’s been shoving aside the temptation to make her his.
She’s forbidden. There’s no way she feels the same. He’s the reason his brother was killed in the ring. He’s the reason she’s a widow.
Eden has always been drawn to Knox. And she dreams about what it would be like if she had his full attention. His hands on her body. If she was at his mercy.
They’re both tired of fighting the incessant need for one another’s touch, one another’s acknowledgement. And then Eden lets Knox see how much she wants him- that she reciprocates his feelings. The tiptoeing around their lust and their emotions comes to a screeching halt and they dive into a relationship.
But Knox made a decision he can’t share with her. One she won’t agree with and won’t support.
This tangled web of duty and denial pushes them apart and pulls them together. Their stolen moments become an addiction they can no longer deny or run away from.
This is one of the spiciest, yet most tender, romances I have ever read.
Please sign me up for lessons at the school of Hard Knox.
The story was okay but the audio was really ruined the vibe. His voice didn’t fit a tough tattooed mma fighter who dripped sexy appeal. His voice for the heroine was equally as bad. There actual plot I did like and it was engaging. I should have read this one.
Knox was a brother weighed down from guilt since he introduced his little brother Connie to MMA fighting. Connor died fighting and Knox’s mom can’t forgive him but Connor’s widow not only forgives him, she has developed feelings for him. That’s just not a relationship that the family will be okay with. So what should Knox and Eden do with all those feelings, passion, guilt etc?
The relationship made sense to me. People bond because of grief. People also change because Of grief. Comfort love can be healing and Knox definitely helped Eden pick herself back up and find a new pathway to living. Unfortunately Knox is still hurting from the lack of family support with his own guilt. Eden helps him in that arena so it makes sense that they cling together and want to also jump each other’s bones.
The writing was okay. I will read book 2 and see if how i feel about the authors storytelling style.
Knox was a brother weighed down from guilt since he introduced his little brother Connie to MMA fighting. Connor died fighting and Knox’s mom can’t forgive him but Connor’s widow not only forgives him, she has developed feelings for him. That’s just not a relationship that the family will be okay with. So what should Knox and Eden do with all those feelings, passion, guilt etc?
The relationship made sense to me. People bond because of grief. People also change because Of grief. Comfort love can be healing and Knox definitely helped Eden pick herself back up and find a new pathway to living. Unfortunately Knox is still hurting from the lack of family support with his own guilt. Eden helps him in that arena so it makes sense that they cling together and want to also jump each other’s bones.
The writing was okay. I will read book 2 and see if how i feel about the authors storytelling style.
3.5 stars
This book sounded like it was made for me: I mean, HELLO, hero carrying a torch for his dead brother's widow? SIGN ME THE FUCK UP.
While I acknowledged that the angst was delicious, I didn't feel connected to the characters, unfortunately, which makes it hard for me to rate this book higher. I wish I felt more for Knox and Eden's relationship too, but oh gosh, the sexy times? Amazeballs.
Also, I'm a pacifist but I would really like to smack Knox's mother around because THAT WOMAN TESTED MY PATIENCE SO MUCH.
I think this is my first Naima Simone? Will surely not be my last. I'm already eyeing the second book in the series because stepbrother romance? YES, PLEASE.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
This book sounded like it was made for me: I mean, HELLO, hero carrying a torch for his dead brother's widow? SIGN ME THE FUCK UP.
While I acknowledged that the angst was delicious, I didn't feel connected to the characters, unfortunately, which makes it hard for me to rate this book higher. I wish I felt more for Knox and Eden's relationship too, but oh gosh, the sexy times? Amazeballs.
Also, I'm a pacifist but I would really like to smack Knox's mother around because THAT WOMAN TESTED MY PATIENCE SO MUCH.
I think this is my first Naima Simone? Will surely not be my last. I'm already eyeing the second book in the series because stepbrother romance? YES, PLEASE.
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
fast-paced
Reread this quick today as I was searching for a rec for someone. Upped the rating to 4 stars from 3. It’s very hot and sexy, but the guilt is very over-the-top and the two MCs and the mom really need to be in some serious therapy!
emotional
tense
medium-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes