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beckyrendon's review
3.0
3.5 stars
This book is many things.
It's long.
It's a dark...romance.
It has the ability to make you sympathize with the Beast and simultaneously hate him.
It gives you hope.
It is both Beauty and the Beast and a tale from the city of Verona...
It is also a cliffhanger. There is so much information and background to develop the story. You can tell early on that there will be more to come. Even the title hints at it...
The real question is whose side are you on?
Reviews for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
This book is many things.
It's long.
It's a dark...romance.
It has the ability to make you sympathize with the Beast and simultaneously hate him.
It gives you hope.
It is both Beauty and the Beast and a tale from the city of Verona...
It is also a cliffhanger. There is so much information and background to develop the story. You can tell early on that there will be more to come. Even the title hints at it...
The real question is whose side are you on?
Reviews for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
naughtybookaffair's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. It was not at all what I believed that it would be. It was very well written with great chemistry between the characters. I absolutely loved how the Beast tries so hard not to fall for the "slave". But in the end that is far from what happens. I was gripped from the beginning by the storyline. I wanted so much more while reading this book. I can honestly say that I did not like that it left me hanging at the end. I am dying to know what happens to everyone that is involved in this book. But it is a must read that I guarantee you will enjoy. It is not your fairy tale that you believed that it would be. The Beast is a man that you love to hate even if there are some moments that you want to like him. I just couldn't. But overall this was a very good book. I cant wait to read the next one and see what happens.
oliviagracereads's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mel_read_that's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kodom251999's review
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I love dark takes on fairytales. Beast is type of man you love to hate. The type you have to dig to find his hart that is ultimately there. The longer he’s with Frankie the more you see it. Frankie has had a rough life, but has never let it break her. The longer she is with him the more her defenses come down.
This is not a romantic romance. It is a dark romance that is twisted. I highly recommend!
I love dark takes on fairytales. Beast is type of man you love to hate. The type you have to dig to find his hart that is ultimately there. The longer he’s with Frankie the more you see it. Frankie has had a rough life, but has never let it break her. The longer she is with him the more her defenses come down.
This is not a romantic romance. It is a dark romance that is twisted. I highly recommend!
apagetoturn's review
5.0
This book is actually so far out of my wheel house, but I decided to give it a shot anyways. Only because of the slight references to one of my most favorite fairy tales! I'm so glad that I did. Be prepared for some dark romance and themes in this book, but the author writes so beautifully! I liked the third person perspective, but also liked that each chapter still switched from Beast to Frankie, giving the reader a really full view of what was going on, so it didn't need to be told in first. I liked this choice a lot, on the author's behalf. It was bold, and it paid off.
"The Beast, as he was called, was going to kill her father."
Chills.
The Beast is a scary dude. The idea that things like this could and probably do happen in the world surrounding the Mafia types, is even scarier.
"Everything happened so quickly after I traded myself."
I actually finished this book in a matter of hours. It was intriguing and compelling. It was complex with layers and layers to unfold. The mind games alone were something to fear. He kept Frankie fearful and in need of him. The emotion needed to tell this story this was, building it up and then breaking it down, was beautifully done. I will definitely be reading more from Gebhard in the future. Even though this book isn't for everyone, you should definitely give it a chance!
"The Beast, as he was called, was going to kill her father."
Chills.
The Beast is a scary dude. The idea that things like this could and probably do happen in the world surrounding the Mafia types, is even scarier.
"Everything happened so quickly after I traded myself."
I actually finished this book in a matter of hours. It was intriguing and compelling. It was complex with layers and layers to unfold. The mind games alone were something to fear. He kept Frankie fearful and in need of him. The emotion needed to tell this story this was, building it up and then breaking it down, was beautifully done. I will definitely be reading more from Gebhard in the future. Even though this book isn't for everyone, you should definitely give it a chance!
booklovinmamas's review
4.0
Full Review posted at Book Lovin' Mamas
The kicker is with that this book left me hanging at the end, and now I need to make time to read BEAUTY: The End. I know it’s going to get even better in the end. There were a couple of times that I almost stopped myself from reading this book due to specific triggers, but I kept going.
This is the first book I’ve read by Mary Catherine Gebhard, and I can’t wait to read more from the author. I’ve only read a couple of Dark Romance books, but Mary had me enjoying this dark, gritty Mafia Romance story.
Story Rating: 4 stars
Steaminess Rating: 4 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of Duet and highly recommend reading in order.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Dark; Gritty; Organized Crime; Mafia Romance; Abuse; Rape; Attempted Rape; BDSM; Taboo; Sex Trafficking; Drugs
Hero: Mafia Boss; Alpha; Criminal; Bad Boy; Cruel
Heroine: Kickbutt (Fights Back); Captive; Vulnerable; Strong
The kicker is with that this book left me hanging at the end, and now I need to make time to read BEAUTY: The End. I know it’s going to get even better in the end. There were a couple of times that I almost stopped myself from reading this book due to specific triggers, but I kept going.
This is the first book I’ve read by Mary Catherine Gebhard, and I can’t wait to read more from the author. I’ve only read a couple of Dark Romance books, but Mary had me enjoying this dark, gritty Mafia Romance story.
Story Rating: 4 stars
Steaminess Rating: 4 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of Duet and highly recommend reading in order.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Dark; Gritty; Organized Crime; Mafia Romance; Abuse; Rape; Attempted Rape; BDSM; Taboo; Sex Trafficking; Drugs
Hero: Mafia Boss; Alpha; Criminal; Bad Boy; Cruel
Heroine: Kickbutt (Fights Back); Captive; Vulnerable; Strong
amz101's review
5.0
Mafia romances are my weakness. I love the dark, twisted, mind fucking romances, the ones that have you second-guessing your own sanity, have you on the edge of your seat and just when you think you have worked out what's to come... It takes a twist that gut-punches you hard. Those romances? My favorite and this one was everything and more.
Truth be told, many people won't like this. It's not for everyone and that is for many reasons, but for me... I couldn't get enough.
Beast? He is the definition of an anti-hero. A character you love to hate and hate to love. He had me so torn all the way through this, but I still felt drawn to the character... Something about him that has had me completely consumed by him. I mean, I needed to know more about the Beast...
I didn't like him. He was not a nice man... But still, I wanted more of him... I was torn!!
He's withdrawn and... He's a compelling character but he's cold and callous, cruel and he lives without mercy and he is not a nice man. AT ALL. But the author has written him like that for a reason.
Enters...... Frankie. A naive young woman who thinks if she offers herself to this mafia man in an effort to keep her father safe. But doing so she hadn't the faintest idea what she was trading her own life for. The Beast saw her as an object, a nothing, just something he could use, control and command to do what he wanted when he wanted and at times without consent. (As I said, this isn't for everyone...)
He wanted things from her, but then he didn't... He was a very callus man. He was no lover, he was no hearts and flowers. He was a monster and he was an enemy and he was feared.
Frankie was taken from her home in New Jersey only to end up in New York in Beasts "castle"... Where they spend most of the time in the library... Just like the fairytale, but this was no fairytale. It was dark, it was twisted and even though Beast was this evil monster, he did show Frankie restraint BUT.. his threats and everything he did, was still cruel... He would play mind games, he would twist things around to make Frankie believe things that weren't true. Like her safety for one. He wanted to own every part of this girl. He wanted to control it. It was a game for him...
I really... I can't describe it, to be honest. All I know is this had my head spinning in all kinds of direction and I'm straight on to book two...
Jesus Christ, I was not expecting what I got, but I am glad I took a chance on this and that ending? SERIOUSLY!?!
Readers will have their own opinion, and that's natural how these kinds of romances/dark romances go. Some love them, some do not, some can't get enough... I'm the last one. I like a romance that plays on that line and plays with my mind and the author did just that with this one... And I can't wait to continue it in book two and see what else she has up her sleeve!!
5 Stars!
Truth be told, many people won't like this. It's not for everyone and that is for many reasons, but for me... I couldn't get enough.
Beast? He is the definition of an anti-hero. A character you love to hate and hate to love. He had me so torn all the way through this, but I still felt drawn to the character... Something about him that has had me completely consumed by him. I mean, I needed to know more about the Beast...
I didn't like him. He was not a nice man... But still, I wanted more of him... I was torn!!
He's withdrawn and... He's a compelling character but he's cold and callous, cruel and he lives without mercy and he is not a nice man. AT ALL. But the author has written him like that for a reason.
Enters...... Frankie. A naive young woman who thinks if she offers herself to this mafia man in an effort to keep her father safe. But doing so she hadn't the faintest idea what she was trading her own life for. The Beast saw her as an object, a nothing, just something he could use, control and command to do what he wanted when he wanted and at times without consent. (As I said, this isn't for everyone...)
He wanted things from her, but then he didn't... He was a very callus man. He was no lover, he was no hearts and flowers. He was a monster and he was an enemy and he was feared.
Frankie was taken from her home in New Jersey only to end up in New York in Beasts "castle"... Where they spend most of the time in the library... Just like the fairytale, but this was no fairytale. It was dark, it was twisted and even though Beast was this evil monster, he did show Frankie restraint BUT.. his threats and everything he did, was still cruel... He would play mind games, he would twist things around to make Frankie believe things that weren't true. Like her safety for one. He wanted to own every part of this girl. He wanted to control it. It was a game for him...
I really... I can't describe it, to be honest. All I know is this had my head spinning in all kinds of direction and I'm straight on to book two...
Jesus Christ, I was not expecting what I got, but I am glad I took a chance on this and that ending? SERIOUSLY!?!
Readers will have their own opinion, and that's natural how these kinds of romances/dark romances go. Some love them, some do not, some can't get enough... I'm the last one. I like a romance that plays on that line and plays with my mind and the author did just that with this one... And I can't wait to continue it in book two and see what else she has up her sleeve!!
5 Stars!
beckiebookworm1974's review
4.0
I loved Beast: The Beginning (Hate Story, #1). From the minute I started reading This I was lost in another world, one of blood, hate and organised crime.
Where being bad was good and innocence is soon corrupted and lost forever.
So beast is about Frankie Notte and Anteros Drago a boss in the Pavoni family.
Frankie trades herself for her Papas life accompanying the beast to a fate unknown.
The Beast himself has every intention of selling Frankie to the Institute to be sold to the highest bidder.
But sometimes the best-laid plans can go awry, as is what happens here, leaving the beast with a slave that he's not quite sure what to do with.
Now, this was described as a dark read, and there is plenty of evidence of that darkness scattered throughout Beast, but behind closed doors, the Beast becomes increasingly fascinated with his new toy and there is at times a surprising gentleness to some of his interactions with Frankie.
He continues to try and keep up a front in front of his wolves as they start to lose confidence in their leader, questioning his actions towards an inconsequential Slave.
There is also a lot of secrets and intrigue running beneath the surface and rumours running amok concerning the Pavoni Princess, even Beast himself starts to listen and doubt what is real.
So dissecting our two main honchos here.
Anteros Drago/ Beast first, he's Ruthless, cruel, seemingly without mercy, he wants to break Frankie reducing her to nothing, he even initially tells her she is nothing.
His Black-heart is dark to the core, he lives for the job having spent years planning, with his wolves there rise to the top of the family from mere foot soldiers.
He appears to have no weaknesses. that is until Frankie slowly starts to thaw his ice-cold heart, not that you would major notice this as he's still a complete bastard to Frankie subjecting her to awful situations to teach her her place and generally playing mind games, belittling her at every turn while fighting his growing affections and deceiving himself regarding his feelings towards her.
Now Frankie herself, she is multi-faceted in regards to what she portrays outwardly.
Shes, not a worldly girl having been ill much of her teenage years, but From day one despite her apprehension, Frankie refuses to back down, sometimes even stupidly goading Beast, She grows so much in character throughout this story, seeming to get stronger with each new trial experienced, she also tries daily to fight her strange attraction towards the Beast that she swears she hates.
When we get the final satisfying reveal, setting us up for book two all players have been moved around into their new places almost like a chess match.
Or maybe even a new blood war.
You can see straight off that the next instalment is going to be very different in regards to changing tides.
So Really well done to the author I can't wait to get stuck into Beauty: The End (Hate Story, #2).
This may have been my first Mary Catherine Gebhard book, but definitely won't be my last.
It's been quite a while since I indulged myself in a good Dark romance and though this was not as dark as some I have read I found this a great addition to its genre.
So Give this a go if you like a good anti-hero romance, happy reading.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/ (less)
Where being bad was good and innocence is soon corrupted and lost forever.
So beast is about Frankie Notte and Anteros Drago a boss in the Pavoni family.
Frankie trades herself for her Papas life accompanying the beast to a fate unknown.
The Beast himself has every intention of selling Frankie to the Institute to be sold to the highest bidder.
But sometimes the best-laid plans can go awry, as is what happens here, leaving the beast with a slave that he's not quite sure what to do with.
Now, this was described as a dark read, and there is plenty of evidence of that darkness scattered throughout Beast, but behind closed doors, the Beast becomes increasingly fascinated with his new toy and there is at times a surprising gentleness to some of his interactions with Frankie.
He continues to try and keep up a front in front of his wolves as they start to lose confidence in their leader, questioning his actions towards an inconsequential Slave.
There is also a lot of secrets and intrigue running beneath the surface and rumours running amok concerning the Pavoni Princess, even Beast himself starts to listen and doubt what is real.
So dissecting our two main honchos here.
Anteros Drago/ Beast first, he's Ruthless, cruel, seemingly without mercy, he wants to break Frankie reducing her to nothing, he even initially tells her she is nothing.
His Black-heart is dark to the core, he lives for the job having spent years planning, with his wolves there rise to the top of the family from mere foot soldiers.
He appears to have no weaknesses. that is until Frankie slowly starts to thaw his ice-cold heart, not that you would major notice this as he's still a complete bastard to Frankie subjecting her to awful situations to teach her her place and generally playing mind games, belittling her at every turn while fighting his growing affections and deceiving himself regarding his feelings towards her.
Now Frankie herself, she is multi-faceted in regards to what she portrays outwardly.
Shes, not a worldly girl having been ill much of her teenage years, but From day one despite her apprehension, Frankie refuses to back down, sometimes even stupidly goading Beast, She grows so much in character throughout this story, seeming to get stronger with each new trial experienced, she also tries daily to fight her strange attraction towards the Beast that she swears she hates.
When we get the final satisfying reveal, setting us up for book two all players have been moved around into their new places almost like a chess match.
Or maybe even a new blood war.
You can see straight off that the next instalment is going to be very different in regards to changing tides.
So Really well done to the author I can't wait to get stuck into Beauty: The End (Hate Story, #2).
This may have been my first Mary Catherine Gebhard book, but definitely won't be my last.
It's been quite a while since I indulged myself in a good Dark romance and though this was not as dark as some I have read I found this a great addition to its genre.
So Give this a go if you like a good anti-hero romance, happy reading.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/ (less)