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amberb0413's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars ⭐️
I really enjoyed Chantal’s character as she was an alpha female who spoke her kind and didn’t put up with anyone’s crap. I do feel she went soft when it came to Beni’s words and demands and at times she annoyed me with standing up for herself but falling into bed with him so easily.
Beni was the typical alpha male but he was respectful of Chantal and I loved the relationship that he built with her and all of the side characters in the book.
I really enjoyed Chantal’s character as she was an alpha female who spoke her kind and didn’t put up with anyone’s crap. I do feel she went soft when it came to Beni’s words and demands and at times she annoyed me with standing up for herself but falling into bed with him so easily.
Beni was the typical alpha male but he was respectful of Chantal and I loved the relationship that he built with her and all of the side characters in the book.
trish_beautifulchaosreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Dark Ruler was my first novel by Xavier Neal. Wow! What a story. The characters were multi-dimensional, and all the facets of their personalities entertained us. We cannot forget about Miko and Luther (Chantal's dad); they both added so much to the story.
Chantal is one tough cookie. She's not hardened, but her dad and uncle have raised her to take care of herself no matter the situation. And that willingness to be brave, speak her mind, and not hide her brilliance is what attracts Beni to her at the beginning of the novel. She is the opposite of what women are in his world. Chantal shatters all those notions the first time she opens her mouth. The banter between Chantal, Beni, and Miko is highly entertaining.
Beni, bred to be in his position as head of the Bennett family, is tough but has a romantic side he reveals to Chantal. His love of food and cooking for Chantal is a side you don't anticipate from this character, and I have to try his grilled cheese sandwich. We do get to see his tough side but also his soft side throughout the story. He is definitely the alpha male dominant in the bedroom, and Chantal submits to that willingly, and those are some steamy scenes. But Beni truly tries to listen to Chantal when she speaks up about things she is not happy about, and you can tell this is outside of the Bennett men's norm.
The mystery we are left hanging on to will not be resolved until the next book. Can we hurry that along, please? I have enjoyed getting to know this cast of characters, and I am ready to see them battle their way to their HEA. In the meantime, get to know Chantal and Beni and their grilled cheese sandwich--it's a win-win!
Chantal is one tough cookie. She's not hardened, but her dad and uncle have raised her to take care of herself no matter the situation. And that willingness to be brave, speak her mind, and not hide her brilliance is what attracts Beni to her at the beginning of the novel. She is the opposite of what women are in his world. Chantal shatters all those notions the first time she opens her mouth. The banter between Chantal, Beni, and Miko is highly entertaining.
Beni, bred to be in his position as head of the Bennett family, is tough but has a romantic side he reveals to Chantal. His love of food and cooking for Chantal is a side you don't anticipate from this character, and I have to try his grilled cheese sandwich. We do get to see his tough side but also his soft side throughout the story. He is definitely the alpha male dominant in the bedroom, and Chantal submits to that willingly, and those are some steamy scenes. But Beni truly tries to listen to Chantal when she speaks up about things she is not happy about, and you can tell this is outside of the Bennett men's norm.
The mystery we are left hanging on to will not be resolved until the next book. Can we hurry that along, please? I have enjoyed getting to know this cast of characters, and I am ready to see them battle their way to their HEA. In the meantime, get to know Chantal and Beni and their grilled cheese sandwich--it's a win-win!
thelovelybooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
YOU DID NOT JUST DO THAT TO ME!
Xavier Neal, you have a lot of explaining to do for the heart you just shattered! I want book 2 NOW!
DARK RULER, the first book in The Bennett Duet by @authorxavierneal is NOW AVAILABLE!!
Blurb:
I was raised to be a ruler of two worlds.
One with a pen.
One with a knife.
Be the king of the concrete jungle at all costs.
I should've simply taken a queen, not courted one.
I should've forced her submission, not earned it.
I should've let respect be enough, not fall in love.
Someone has made a grave mistake in coming for my company.
For my throne.
For my Mia Bella.
And for that, they will not only meet the man I was raised to become but the one I am now, for the only woman I will ever bow to.
___________________________________
Review:
Fuckity Fuck Fuck(don’t even care about the language)! That was a wild ride in the best possible way. I’d give you my goat for book 2 right about now. NO LIES.
Chantal. She is a badass Bitch. That is the best way to describe her. She is my dream FMC! I want more of her and I can’t wait to see what else she does!
Beni(Benicio). There are times I want to punch him in the face and a lot more times where I want to applaud him. I love seeing him change through the course of the story and I cannot wait until the next book to see how much more he grows.
Also I have to say I love Miko’s character and I really hope he gets a book about a female knocking him down some pegs. He’s awesome.
That’s all I’ll say because I don’t give away spoilers as you know so GO READ THIS AWESOME BOOK! You will of course not regret it! It’s amazing!!
___________________________________
Darkness Factor: I’ll give this a 6
Relationship Type: MF
Sub-Romance Genre: Mafia Romance
Trigger Warnings: trafficking, D, V
Age Appropriateness: 18+
Ending Type: UGH Cliffy ALERT!
Xavier Neal, you have a lot of explaining to do for the heart you just shattered! I want book 2 NOW!
DARK RULER, the first book in The Bennett Duet by @authorxavierneal is NOW AVAILABLE!!
Blurb:
I was raised to be a ruler of two worlds.
One with a pen.
One with a knife.
Be the king of the concrete jungle at all costs.
I should've simply taken a queen, not courted one.
I should've forced her submission, not earned it.
I should've let respect be enough, not fall in love.
Someone has made a grave mistake in coming for my company.
For my throne.
For my Mia Bella.
And for that, they will not only meet the man I was raised to become but the one I am now, for the only woman I will ever bow to.
___________________________________
Review:
Fuckity Fuck Fuck(don’t even care about the language)! That was a wild ride in the best possible way. I’d give you my goat for book 2 right about now. NO LIES.
Chantal. She is a badass Bitch. That is the best way to describe her. She is my dream FMC! I want more of her and I can’t wait to see what else she does!
Beni(Benicio). There are times I want to punch him in the face and a lot more times where I want to applaud him. I love seeing him change through the course of the story and I cannot wait until the next book to see how much more he grows.
Also I have to say I love Miko’s character and I really hope he gets a book about a female knocking him down some pegs. He’s awesome.
That’s all I’ll say because I don’t give away spoilers as you know so GO READ THIS AWESOME BOOK! You will of course not regret it! It’s amazing!!
___________________________________
Darkness Factor: I’ll give this a 6
Relationship Type: MF
Sub-Romance Genre: Mafia Romance
Trigger Warnings: trafficking, D, V
Age Appropriateness: 18+
Ending Type: UGH Cliffy ALERT!
jamies_bookreads's review against another edition
5.0
Sassy and Classy!
Love the raw grit of this mafia romance. Beni and Chantal have an intense relationship from the beginning. However, Chantal is a strong confident woman with a whole lot of sass that had me laughing out loud a lot! The passiveness of Beni towards her is drool worthy. I’m glad the duet is complete and I can not wait to continue because that ending has me needing answers. TW/18+ 4.5/stars
Love the raw grit of this mafia romance. Beni and Chantal have an intense relationship from the beginning. However, Chantal is a strong confident woman with a whole lot of sass that had me laughing out loud a lot! The passiveness of Beni towards her is drool worthy. I’m glad the duet is complete and I can not wait to continue because that ending has me needing answers. TW/18+ 4.5/stars
camrelind's review against another edition
3.0
DNF at 70%. Whew what a rollercoaster. It was too much. And keeping up with the translations were exhausting.
sandizzlereads's review against another edition
5.0
Umm, Wow! Just Wow!
This is my first time reading a story of Xavier Neal’s, it will NOT be my last. She has written a dark, gritty steamfest, and I’m here for it!
Benicio knows what he wants when he sees it, and he wants Chantal. He just doesn’t realize what he’s getting, as a man who is used to timid women who don’t question him, his world and heart are about to be turned upside down. Chantal knows what sort of man Benicio is and really wants to guard herself from him, but the pull is just too strong.
I have a couple of warnings, there are some possible triggering steamy scenes and it does end on a cliffhanger, but don’t fret as the second part of the duet will be out soon! Xavier Neal has written an amazing story and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
This is my first time reading a story of Xavier Neal’s, it will NOT be my last. She has written a dark, gritty steamfest, and I’m here for it!
Benicio knows what he wants when he sees it, and he wants Chantal. He just doesn’t realize what he’s getting, as a man who is used to timid women who don’t question him, his world and heart are about to be turned upside down. Chantal knows what sort of man Benicio is and really wants to guard herself from him, but the pull is just too strong.
I have a couple of warnings, there are some possible triggering steamy scenes and it does end on a cliffhanger, but don’t fret as the second part of the duet will be out soon! Xavier Neal has written an amazing story and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
the_novel_reader's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book in a new duet and can be read as a standalone.
I absolutely love how Neal writes her female main characters. They are always fierce, sassy, and witty. They embody inspiring traits and are empowering and uplifting. Chantal is no different. She is an absolute powerhouse, a force to be reckoned with. She does not take any of Benicio's crap and, in fact, gives it right back to him.
Benicio is a complicated character. He is definitely not a full on anti-hero but he does possess some rather unsavory characteristics. He is just far enough into the gray territory that makes him redeemable though. He is a true alpha male in all aspects. The chemistry was off the charts with these two characters. They were scorching throughout this book!
I enjoyed the flow of this book. The writing was clean, clear, and linear. I didn't feel like any part of this book dragged on. That ending, though! The characters, even the secondary ones, were written thoroughly and three dimensionally. As with all Neal's books, there are Easter eggs and cameo's peppered throughout.
I wouldn't necessarily consider this book dark, though there are definitely elements of it. It was still an engaging and enjoyable read, especially if you like mafia or organized crime books that are a bit gritty.
I absolutely love how Neal writes her female main characters. They are always fierce, sassy, and witty. They embody inspiring traits and are empowering and uplifting. Chantal is no different. She is an absolute powerhouse, a force to be reckoned with. She does not take any of Benicio's crap and, in fact, gives it right back to him.
Benicio is a complicated character. He is definitely not a full on anti-hero but he does possess some rather unsavory characteristics. He is just far enough into the gray territory that makes him redeemable though. He is a true alpha male in all aspects. The chemistry was off the charts with these two characters. They were scorching throughout this book!
I enjoyed the flow of this book. The writing was clean, clear, and linear. I didn't feel like any part of this book dragged on. That ending, though! The characters, even the secondary ones, were written thoroughly and three dimensionally. As with all Neal's books, there are Easter eggs and cameo's peppered throughout.
I wouldn't necessarily consider this book dark, though there are definitely elements of it. It was still an engaging and enjoyable read, especially if you like mafia or organized crime books that are a bit gritty.
eurydiceh's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty Good
Benicio Bennett was prepared to live the life expected of him until Chantal Brooks barged into his life. Chantal just wants to do the right thing and leave. Somehow they manage to build a life together.
It should be noted that this is a BDSM book, because I was pretty surprised when it came up. That being said, it was good fun and a great story. I liked the way the characters developed and the way the story flowed, though I felt we were too much in the characters heads at times.
I originally wasn’t going to read the second book, but that cliff hanger was pretty great. I hope the second book will be better.
I think the action and suspense makes separates this book from the others, but I’d still recommend it to the Dark Romance/Mafia Bae crew. Instalove girls will definitely be about it as well.
Benicio Bennett was prepared to live the life expected of him until Chantal Brooks barged into his life. Chantal just wants to do the right thing and leave. Somehow they manage to build a life together.
It should be noted that this is a BDSM book, because I was pretty surprised when it came up. That being said, it was good fun and a great story. I liked the way the characters developed and the way the story flowed, though I felt we were too much in the characters heads at times.
I originally wasn’t going to read the second book, but that cliff hanger was pretty great. I hope the second book will be better.
I think the action and suspense makes separates this book from the others, but I’d still recommend it to the Dark Romance/Mafia Bae crew. Instalove girls will definitely be about it as well.
savaburry's review against another edition
4.0
I am thoroughly shocked that I enjoyed this as much as I did? It had an extremely cohesive plot and no random violence? Everyone had thought out characterizations, and while the romance sort of jumped quickly, the timeline wasn't obscene or nonsensical. Truthfully, the most unbelievable part of the entire story was that Benicio was a crime lord who also had a billion dollar meat business but I guess in 2020 anything is possible.
BDSM isn't really my cuppa, so it's a bit awkward to read about but if you're into that and into what I assume is grammatically correct Italian conversation, this is a good book for you.
BDSM isn't really my cuppa, so it's a bit awkward to read about but if you're into that and into what I assume is grammatically correct Italian conversation, this is a good book for you.