Reviews with content warning for Grief - Highest Bidder

Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Highest Bidder by Sara Cate

55 reviews

icelandicbookreview's review against another edition

2.5

this just... was not it for me. the FMC's inner dialogue when it came to the MMC was just too much for me at some points. if that would have been different, I honestly think I would have liked this one more. plus, that twist towards the end? unnecessary. and that's coming from someone who enjoys that trope

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homerus's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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sindi_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I ate this book right up.

Like all the other books in the series, miss sara cate don’t miss.

I love a good 10 year age gap, but this 30 year age gap was really gapping but I was not mad at it.

Daisy is such a lovely fmc. But daddy Ronan🥵😮‍💨, did not know he had a soft side to him based on his appearance in the other books. Nonetheless I enjoyed every minute and moment between the two😭

This series be so emotional though 😭😭? Got me tearing up on both they back stories, my god.

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andeng's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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jessiereads98's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Sara Cate’s writing just isn’t very strong. Daisy is a basic two dimensional main character who I found incredibly cringey. I had to read far too much about her songs that weren’t good. Ronan was likeable enough as a main character, but again very surface level with not a lot going on. Everything that happened was predictable.

Last, but certainly not least, surprise pregnancy trope is tired, never really a surprise to the reader, and just plain sucks. Authors should retire that one. Let alone surprise breeding kink.

This all could’ve been done without the weird detail that he had previously been in a relationship with her mother. The story realistically would’ve been the same if it was about two people working through their grief and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

It ultimately doesn’t end up being why they break up. They break up due to their individual issues they need to work through. (Which I guess Ronan just never does? We never see him work through any issues, and he himself says that he hasn’t.) The line at the end about Daisy picking up where her mother left off and their hearts beating for the same man is also just weird, and squicks me out.

Additionally, I don’t understand why Daisy’s musical aspirations are made such a big deal of.

Ultimately, she doesn’t go to music school like she dreamed, and it seems like nothing really comes of any music career for her. The impression I got was that she gave it up to be a mother to Ronan’s kids; which really makes Ronan’s comment about bringing a strong woman to her knees for him look bad.

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bookbratkat's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I loved everything about this book. Ronan and Daisy are electric, addictive, and so freaking cute. Sara Cate has worked her magic yet again!! Definitely read this if you’re looking for a cute, sweet, spicy story. Yes, there is a rather large age gap but Sara Cate wrote her characters and their dynamics with such grace and respect that I would forget about the age difference while reading.

Daisy and Ronan’s story honestly made me cry a few times with how honest and touching it was. I’m absolutely in love with this book and these characters and hope to read more about them someday.

You don’t necessarily have to read the other books in this series to enjoy this standalone! I think it makes the world the book is set in a lot richer, but it is a standalone so if you want to jump right in you totally can! It will definitely spoil some things from the previous books - it opens up with a "here's a quick catch-up of everyone from the previous four books" so...maybe read those before hopping into this one! They're all amazing, and all worth a read in my opinion.

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emilysbookedup's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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weelasswithabook's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

*** ARC received in exchange for an honest review ***

CW: graphic sexual content, cancer, grief, death of loved ones, deception, homelessness

⭐️ Age Gap romance
⭐️ BDSM erotic romance

🌶 Daddy kink
🌶 Impact play
🌶 Pleasure dom
🌶 Restraints

Okay this one surprised me...

The SPC series is widely known for it's extremely spicy scenes and having a true emotional connection. They are notoriously wonderful romance novels.

However, the whole tone of Highest Bidder felt extremely different (not in a bad way, just generally). This was much softer and emotionally driven with the themes of grief and loss pushing the characters through the story.

This didn't detract from the erotic content of the book whatsoever (for those who follow the SPC series more for the spicy aspects) in fact, with the softer tone, it created a more startling contrast when it came to the erotic content. There was plenty of spice and kink in there to 110% categorise is as an erotic romance 👀

My only criticism was the instalove (or more just a really speedily falling in love would be a fairer description) vibe I got. And this is simply a me issue, not a reflection on the standard of the book itself. I think had there been a little slower of a burn, the emotional connection between the two might have been a little more impactful in the long run.

The conflict in itself was pretty solidified right at the start, but there was that anxious anticipation of not knowing when it was going to crop up. So it saved it from being predictable. I liked that it appeared when it did and how it did because it really propelled the character's relationship into a flux. And it's not a petty miscommunication trope either, it's a biggie.

One thing I really appreciated was the fact that the heroine wasn't saved or left needing to be saved by the hero. She healed and grew on her own to come to terms with her grief and take care of herself.

I cannot wait to see what's to come next.

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booklovinmamas's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

When Sara Cate announced she was writing two more books in the Salacious Player’s Club series, I may have squealed for joy and scared my family just a bit. The Salacious Player’s Club was my fave series in 2022, and I devoured the first four books when I read them. You best believe I was going to devour Highest Bidder. The second I got the ARC of Highest Bidder, I told my husband not to disturb me. His immediate response; you know we are on vacation, right? You will have to put the book down every once in a while. Damn him for reminding me we were on vacation in Tennessee. I did finish the ARC whenever we were not exploring and hiking in Gatlinburg.

Storyline/My Thoughts: What can I say about the Highest Bidder? If you read and loved the first four books, you’ll love this one, too. Ronan Kade was the one character in the series that I wanted to know more about, especially since he seemed to always be at SPC. He had a backstory that we readers’ needed to know. The young lady he falls for in his book is perfect for him because he falls in love again after so many times getting his heartbroken.

I thought Sara Cate couldn’t make me smile and blush even more with Ronan’s book, but she did. While typing this review, I’m blushing, remembering my favorite scenes between Ronan and Daisy. My husband caught me several times smiling and having to put the book down to cool myself down.

Sara Cate knew what she was doing when she wrote Ronan Kade. I’m not even sure who I love more now. Emerson Grant has been my favorite in the series, but Ronan Kade may have stolen that top spot. A fifty-six-year-old billionaire who loves to be called ‘Daddy’ and is a Pleasure Dom. Ronan is all about giving in the bedroom. Daisy is one lucky young lady is all I’m going to say. Everyone is going to want a Ronan Kate after reading this book.

What did I think about Daisy? I loved her character. She was curious about the man her mother dated and wanted to know why she had money in an account from him. She never expects to go on a date with him after he wins her at an auction at SPC when she loses a bet with her bartender there. I loved how she never gave up when it came to being with Ronan, especially when they were in Paris together. She may be young, but Daisy is mature for her age and knows what she wants, and that is Ronan Kade. Daisy has a backstory, too, but I don’t want to spoil it for readers.

You know what I loved most in this book, and no, it’s just not the spicy times. It’s a fact the characters eventually didn’t care about their age differences. Age is just a number. Take it from someone who has a husband fifteen years older. We met in the Navy; he was my best friend first before my husband. We’re happily married fifteen years later with kids. Ronan and Daisy had that instant connection; their ages didn’t matter because they fell in love. Ronan fell hard for Daisy, and you’ll find out how hard when you read his book.

I didn’t quite enjoy the emotional moments between the characters, but that’s because I’m not too fond of the characters going through heartbreak or drama, but Sara Cate made up for it with that beautiful, well-deserved HEA. Both characters deserved a HEA for everything they endured in their pasts and present. Their ending, in my opinion, is PERFECT, and I loved reading about their happiness together.

Another five-star book from the fabulous Sara Cate. (I wish I could give it more than five stars.) I’m so glad I found her SPC books last year because this series will forever be a favorite. Do you want to know how much I love these books? I’m making my husband read them, and he agreed too. He doesn’t read romance books, but he knows how much I loved this series and is curious why his wife loves them. I hope he doesn’t get jealous of Emerson Grant and Ronan Kade. He already says I’ve collected enough book boyfriends/husbands.

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Salacious Players’ Club series.

Steam/Spice: 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

Genre(s)/Trope(s)/Element(s): Contemporary Erotic Romance. BDSM. Billionaire Romance. Mother’s Ex-Boyfriend. Age Gap Romance. Daddy Kink. Pleasure Dom MMC.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy Age Gap Romance (35 years age difference) with a silver fox billionaire who falls for the Salacious Players Club’s drink server, this book is up your alley. Also, if you have read the previous books in the SPC series, you don’t want to miss out on Ronan Kade’s book.

Favorite Quote(s): He’s playing me like an instrument, and his fingers know all the right notes.

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chelsearose's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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