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4.09 AVERAGE


After Beautifully Cruel, I was dying to get my hands on Cruel Paradise and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. There is so much push and pull in this book that will blow you away and keep you on your toes. It sizzles but it is also heartbreaking. I loved how much Jules made Killian work for everything. There was an animalistic passion about these two but I love how she made him wait. How she played at his game too. There are a lot of moments that broke my heart for these two. Because of being so guarded over the past.
SOOO much happens in this book that honestly, I could not put it down. I really enjoyed the fact it was a real slow burn that will have you spinning with that underlying sizzle that these two have. The concept behind it made me giggle at times as well with everything Jules was up to with her partners in crime. Honestly could not get enough of these two.
adventurous dark funny fast-paced

Book 2 in this lovely, lovely series! I really grappled with whether or not you can read this as a standalone, and personally, I'm going to say no. It's no chore to read Beautifully Cruel though--it is one of my most memorable reads of this year, and it was a book that pulled me out of a wicked book hangover.

In Cruel Paradise, we go on Killian Black's journey post-events of Beautifully Cruel. I didn't have a huge impression of Killian--I thought he was pretty cool and had an interestingly aloof demeanor in his interactions with Tru, but aside from that, I gave him little though.

Cruel Paradise is an enticing dive into his mind: though he has some similarities with Liam, it is clear that this is a whole different character and a different game. Juliet, too, is so unlike Tru. She's touched by darkness, and her father's status as an unrelenting enemy of the very man who intends to pursue her certainly puts a damper on things.

Despite the things that may keep them apart, Killian is not one to let a thief go, especially when his desire to keep her has less to do with what she did than who she is. But while there's so much discovering to do of the who and what they each are, Juliet and Killian may very well be ruled by something more than the brain: fate.
adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Audiobook Review:

I’m not too interested in mafia romance, but I liked the twist in this one! It’s not dark at all and has some humor. The banter is great!

Juliette is the daughter of the head of the Italian mafia, but she wants nothing to do with her father or his life. She makes up for his evil by taking on a bit of a Robin Hood role. She steals from the bad and gives to the poor. She ends up stealing from Liam Black, the head of the Irish Mob and he becomes obsessed with her. He follows her everywhere and tries to convince her to trust him and be his.

Naturally, Juliette wants nothing to do with another mobster, but Liam (or Killian) tries to convey that he’s not who she thinks he is.

This is spicy and Killian is so sure in his love for Juliette. I also love how much he likes pissing her off.

The audio is duet so I love it!
adventurous fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

This book was not even close to as good as the first book. felt like the story was told in double time like rushed through, but I did really like both of the main characters. I just lacked depth.

honestly j.t. geissinger could publish her grocery list and i would probably read it tbh

Let me start by saying that I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first book. It was still good, though, and once again, a spectacular audiobook experience. The narrators are just so good. ♥️

Killian and Juliette were fun and I enjoyed myself. It did feel a bit insta-lovey and just didn’t quite work as well as the first book.

Still, a fun read and it sets up Carnal Urges, which I am VERY excited to read. JT Gessinger is definitely becoming a favorite author, and I’ve only read 3 books!

4.5★ the banter between these two was fabulous. Adding Killian's obsession with Juliet and his insta-love? I was living for this book