Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
My rule is: if I read a book in one sitting, it deserves 5 stars. After a major reading drought, I finally sat down and started this one and well… a couple hours later and I’m done. Ariana is formidable and truly broken, with just enough redeeming qualities to have you rooting for her, and for her and Cash’s relationship. The burn is so slow, and the tension lasts for well over half of the book. This book definitely relies more on the rest of the series than the past few did, it doesn’t really feel like a stand alone, and I loved that. I want more in this dark and depraved world.
If the next book isn’t about Stella, I will be SO sad.
If the next book isn’t about Stella, I will be SO sad.
Взагалі нічого особливого не очікувала від цієї книги, але мені сподобалось.
ARC review of Souls and Sorrows by Sav. R. Miller
-Mafia(Italian)
-Arranged Marriage
-Enemies to lovers
This was my first book by Sav. R. Miller and it did not disappoint!!!! I know, I know I haven’t read the others in the Monsters and Muses series yet. But I WILL because I’m hooked. Her writing is unlike any I’ve ever read. The way she describes even the simplest thing makes you FEEL it. It’s almost like poetry. She makes dark romance, beautiful. I can’t wait to read more.
Thoughts:
*Cash and Adriana are explosive. There are so many secrets between them that makes the tension so high as they unravel. As broken as they both were, they fit together so well. The last 12% is INSANE in the absolute BEST way.
*I don’t know if it’s because of the glasses or what but Cash is high on the book boyfriend chart for sure! Don’t even get me started on him calling her "little nightmare"❤️ nicknames that aren’t typical are superior! I said, what I said and I do not take it back.
*If dark romance is your thing, you need to read this! (And I need to read the rest!!).
Favorite quote (besides "My Little Nightmare"):
"When you’re comfortable in chaos, peace feels like a threat"
Check trigger warnings, this is a dark romance
-Mafia(Italian)
-Arranged Marriage
-Enemies to lovers
This was my first book by Sav. R. Miller and it did not disappoint!!!! I know, I know I haven’t read the others in the Monsters and Muses series yet. But I WILL because I’m hooked. Her writing is unlike any I’ve ever read. The way she describes even the simplest thing makes you FEEL it. It’s almost like poetry. She makes dark romance, beautiful. I can’t wait to read more.
Thoughts:
*Cash and Adriana are explosive. There are so many secrets between them that makes the tension so high as they unravel. As broken as they both were, they fit together so well. The last 12% is INSANE in the absolute BEST way.
*I don’t know if it’s because of the glasses or what but Cash is high on the book boyfriend chart for sure! Don’t even get me started on him calling her "little nightmare"❤️ nicknames that aren’t typical are superior! I said, what I said and I do not take it back.
*If dark romance is your thing, you need to read this! (And I need to read the rest!!).
Favorite quote (besides "My Little Nightmare"):
"When you’re comfortable in chaos, peace feels like a threat"
Check trigger warnings, this is a dark romance
4.5 - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ✨
"F***, Little Nightmare. I'm so g*dd*mn into you that, sometimes, it physically hurts."
Souls and Sorrows is the fifth standalone novel in the Greek myth inspired series, Monsters & Muses, which falls within contemporary adult dark romance. Each book in the series is loosely inspired by greek mythology with this novel inspired by Eros and Psyche. There is an overarching world across the series and interaction between characters but each book follows a separate couple and you do not need to read the others. This is the first book I read of this series and I am eager to dive into the previous ones after finishing this one!
The story follows Ariana and Cash. Ariana is the middle daughter of the infamous Ricci family, a family steeped in the underground world even while her father sits in prison thanks to his own family. Ariana has been under her family's thumb all her life and the abuse has taken its toll. When her secrets begin to crumble apart, Ariana turns to selling herself for the highest bidder as a last chance to save herself. What she didn't expect was Cash. Cash is the top lawyer in his family's firm, Cupid, and struggling to find himself; yet in the numbness one face catches his eye - Ariana Ricci. Since her ballet days, she had always drew him in and he finds an unexpected opportunity when she appears on the auction block. A quarter of a billion dollars later and Cash finds himself a wife and a growing list of problems surrounding a beautiful temptress who may or may not be involved in a double homicide. Ariana is waiting for the other foot to drop but as Cash and Ariana begin their future together she is begins to realize the monsters she's known all her life may not be what she thought them to be...
Ariana was an amazingly well defined and rich character to dive into. Keeping in mind this is a dark romance, Ariana has been subjected to all manners of abuse at the hands of her cruel and manipulating mother and her distance but dictatorial father. Freedom isn't something she wholly understands and I felt the foundation of her character in the beginning provides readers with a really good entrance into her psyche. We might not understand all her decisions but we can accept the factors that contribute to them. Seeing the change in her over the course of her new relationship with Cash was absolute perfection. This is a women who is use to everything having to be a ploy or a tool and Cash isn't looking for that. It baffles her but the little bits of joy she finds trying to navigate this was lovely.
Cash is the amazing blend of morally grey and heroic that fits so well within dark romance. He may be a lawyer but he's not afraid to get his hands dirty and if anyone hurts his girl...they are DONE. I really liked how his relationship with Ariana evolved. He wasn't forcing her to play the marriage but over time it became real. There wasn't any denying of the relationship as it grew but the slow burn aspect brought it together effortlessly and I lived for it!
This book does have quite a bit of spice but the slow burn balances it out, which I really appreciated. Given their backgrounds I felt their relationship needed time and when the spice hits it marked such an important growth. It's exploratory as these characters learn to find solace in someone where there aren't strings attached. There is also a little voyeurism XD.
"Why are you s upset with them?"
"Because you're my wife and no one is allowed to hurt you."
"Except you?"
"Yes...because there are no lengths I wouldn't go to in order to earn your forgiveness."
In terms of plot and world building, I feel in order to get the true breadth of the world you would need to read the entire series. As is stands, though, I was able to make it through the novel fine without the other book's context but I could tell there was more at play. I will say I am now really iintrigued in going back to see what things I can pick up by reading the first book. The plot itself was interesting with the secrets being held by both characters and the looming threat of the police and others involved. The murder element really made this dark romance stand out for me as we often get these innocent FMC characters but in this case even the FMC is a little grey. We also get a lot of time with the characters so I felt it was more character driven but the plot was balanced well. I didn't feel rushed and the book was smooth and easy to fall into. I would say while the ending with the mom's story line was apropos, I was expecting a bit more dialogue or confrontation. Though, she deserves what she got.
If you like marriage of conveniences, dark romance, morally grey characters, excellent character growth, and a smooth slow burn this is a beautiful novel to dive into. Cash and Ariana provide us with a beautifully dark story that is filled with a love story that gleams against the grit of their world. I was hooked from the moment their eyes met.
Thank you to the author and Social Butterfly PR for the ARC.
"F***, Little Nightmare. I'm so g*dd*mn into you that, sometimes, it physically hurts."
Souls and Sorrows is the fifth standalone novel in the Greek myth inspired series, Monsters & Muses, which falls within contemporary adult dark romance. Each book in the series is loosely inspired by greek mythology with this novel inspired by Eros and Psyche. There is an overarching world across the series and interaction between characters but each book follows a separate couple and you do not need to read the others. This is the first book I read of this series and I am eager to dive into the previous ones after finishing this one!
The story follows Ariana and Cash. Ariana is the middle daughter of the infamous Ricci family, a family steeped in the underground world even while her father sits in prison thanks to his own family. Ariana has been under her family's thumb all her life and the abuse has taken its toll. When her secrets begin to crumble apart, Ariana turns to selling herself for the highest bidder as a last chance to save herself. What she didn't expect was Cash. Cash is the top lawyer in his family's firm, Cupid, and struggling to find himself; yet in the numbness one face catches his eye - Ariana Ricci. Since her ballet days, she had always drew him in and he finds an unexpected opportunity when she appears on the auction block. A quarter of a billion dollars later and Cash finds himself a wife and a growing list of problems surrounding a beautiful temptress who may or may not be involved in a double homicide. Ariana is waiting for the other foot to drop but as Cash and Ariana begin their future together she is begins to realize the monsters she's known all her life may not be what she thought them to be...
Ariana was an amazingly well defined and rich character to dive into. Keeping in mind this is a dark romance, Ariana has been subjected to all manners of abuse at the hands of her cruel and manipulating mother and her distance but dictatorial father. Freedom isn't something she wholly understands and I felt the foundation of her character in the beginning provides readers with a really good entrance into her psyche. We might not understand all her decisions but we can accept the factors that contribute to them. Seeing the change in her over the course of her new relationship with Cash was absolute perfection. This is a women who is use to everything having to be a ploy or a tool and Cash isn't looking for that. It baffles her but the little bits of joy she finds trying to navigate this was lovely.
Cash is the amazing blend of morally grey and heroic that fits so well within dark romance. He may be a lawyer but he's not afraid to get his hands dirty and if anyone hurts his girl...they are DONE. I really liked how his relationship with Ariana evolved. He wasn't forcing her to play the marriage but over time it became real. There wasn't any denying of the relationship as it grew but the slow burn aspect brought it together effortlessly and I lived for it!
This book does have quite a bit of spice but the slow burn balances it out, which I really appreciated. Given their backgrounds I felt their relationship needed time and when the spice hits it marked such an important growth. It's exploratory as these characters learn to find solace in someone where there aren't strings attached. There is also a little voyeurism XD.
"Why are you s upset with them?"
"Because you're my wife and no one is allowed to hurt you."
"Except you?"
"Yes...because there are no lengths I wouldn't go to in order to earn your forgiveness."
In terms of plot and world building, I feel in order to get the true breadth of the world you would need to read the entire series. As is stands, though, I was able to make it through the novel fine without the other book's context but I could tell there was more at play. I will say I am now really iintrigued in going back to see what things I can pick up by reading the first book. The plot itself was interesting with the secrets being held by both characters and the looming threat of the police and others involved. The murder element really made this dark romance stand out for me as we often get these innocent FMC characters but in this case even the FMC is a little grey. We also get a lot of time with the characters so I felt it was more character driven but the plot was balanced well. I didn't feel rushed and the book was smooth and easy to fall into. I would say while the ending with the mom's story line was apropos, I was expecting a bit more dialogue or confrontation. Though, she deserves what she got.
If you like marriage of conveniences, dark romance, morally grey characters, excellent character growth, and a smooth slow burn this is a beautiful novel to dive into. Cash and Ariana provide us with a beautifully dark story that is filled with a love story that gleams against the grit of their world. I was hooked from the moment their eyes met.
Thank you to the author and Social Butterfly PR for the ARC.
This one was the hardest to read of the series.
It's weird because there are so many secrets and you don't know everything, but then FMC's back story is juste awful and heartbreaking. It is talked about aaaall the time and is a MAJOR TW.
I really like the story and the chemistry between the characters, but I should have read the TW beforehand. My mistake.
It's weird because there are so many secrets and you don't know everything, but then FMC's back story is juste awful and heartbreaking. It is talked about aaaall the time and is a MAJOR TW.
I really like the story and the chemistry between the characters, but I should have read the TW beforehand. My mistake.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Souls and Sorrows: ★ ★ ★ ★
Sav R. Miller (Monsters & Muses, #5)
“I wouldn’t have ever given up on you, Little Nightmare, because it would’ve meant giving up all of that. And living without even an ounce of you would’ve been like living without the fucking rain: completely impossible.”
Tropes
- Marriage of convenience
- Lawyer & bratty mafia princess
- Auction
- Forced proximity
- Family revenge-ish
- Eros & Psyche inspired
Sav R. Miller’s writing is so poetic I find myself drawn into her world with every single book, and I never want to leave.
The fifth installment of the Monsters & Muses series, follows Cash Primrose, whose auction win—Ariana Ricci’s hand in marriage—might be more than what he had bargained for.
The Ricci middle child is a brat, there’s no question about it. Thriving off the attention of everyone around her, she’s not afraid to own who she is and cut with her mouth (and her hands). But underneath that flashy exterior, is a girl who has been burned over and over and over again by the people who are supposed to show her what unconditional love is. It took me a while to warm up to Ariana, but I genuinely liked her so much. I felt for her so deeply, the way she just wanted to be loved without anything in return. Even when I was reading the first book in this series, I said Ariana deserved a book and I was so right.
I want her invading my blood, replacing it with whatever the hell makes her so beautifully chaotic.
Now, Cash Primrose… ugh, he was amazing. Stoic and intelligent, the lawyer was mesmerized with his wife from the start. I loved the way he communicated with Ariana, trying to understand why she thought he was mad, and the way he gave her freedom. The second he said the words, “As my wife, you’re my partner,” I was totally gone for him. Such a gem. He was the epitome of patient, gentle, and I want him all to myself.
Sav delivers intricately crafted characters with deep pasts, who rely on one another to help them through the bad. Cash & Ariana were so sweet, and reading them was such a pleasure. I also think I may have a slight voyeurism kink? Or getting caught in public? Help? Anyway, I couldn’t put this book down after I got into it (which admittedly did take me a little bit). My only want was for more of a relationship development between them.
Honorable mention for my FAVORITES—Lenny & Jonas—who made appearances in this book. I love them with my whole heart & they deserve the world. Jonas being referred to as, "the one who would kill anyone who breathed wrong in Lenny’s presence" is exactly what I needed. I lived for those moments with my whole heart.
This series really sucks you in, and I can’t wait to read more of it! I wonder if the next book is Palmer’s… I love all the Primrose siblings deeply.
ARC kindly provided by author and Social Butterfly for an honest review.
Sav R. Miller (Monsters & Muses, #5)
“I wouldn’t have ever given up on you, Little Nightmare, because it would’ve meant giving up all of that. And living without even an ounce of you would’ve been like living without the fucking rain: completely impossible.”
Tropes
- Marriage of convenience
- Lawyer & bratty mafia princess
- Auction
- Forced proximity
- Family revenge-ish
- Eros & Psyche inspired
Sav R. Miller’s writing is so poetic I find myself drawn into her world with every single book, and I never want to leave.
The fifth installment of the Monsters & Muses series, follows Cash Primrose, whose auction win—Ariana Ricci’s hand in marriage—might be more than what he had bargained for.
The Ricci middle child is a brat, there’s no question about it. Thriving off the attention of everyone around her, she’s not afraid to own who she is and cut with her mouth (and her hands). But underneath that flashy exterior, is a girl who has been burned over and over and over again by the people who are supposed to show her what unconditional love is. It took me a while to warm up to Ariana, but I genuinely liked her so much. I felt for her so deeply, the way she just wanted to be loved without anything in return. Even when I was reading the first book in this series, I said Ariana deserved a book and I was so right.
I want her invading my blood, replacing it with whatever the hell makes her so beautifully chaotic.
Now, Cash Primrose… ugh, he was amazing. Stoic and intelligent, the lawyer was mesmerized with his wife from the start. I loved the way he communicated with Ariana, trying to understand why she thought he was mad, and the way he gave her freedom. The second he said the words, “As my wife, you’re my partner,” I was totally gone for him. Such a gem. He was the epitome of patient, gentle, and I want him all to myself.
Sav delivers intricately crafted characters with deep pasts, who rely on one another to help them through the bad. Cash & Ariana were so sweet, and reading them was such a pleasure. I also think I may have a slight voyeurism kink? Or getting caught in public? Help? Anyway, I couldn’t put this book down after I got into it (which admittedly did take me a little bit). My only want was for more of a relationship development between them.
Spoiler
As an aside, my dislike for Elena continues (sorry not sorry), especially in this book because of Ariana's POV. She really did just up and leave her sisters behind to go live her blissful life and leave them to deal with the repercussions, knowing that her father was a world class jerk and her mother was ten times worse than that. Literally nothing will ever redeem her in my eyes.Honorable mention for my FAVORITES—Lenny & Jonas—who made appearances in this book. I love them with my whole heart & they deserve the world. Jonas being referred to as, "the one who would kill anyone who breathed wrong in Lenny’s presence" is exactly what I needed. I lived for those moments with my whole heart.
This series really sucks you in, and I can’t wait to read more of it! I wonder if the next book is Palmer’s… I love all the Primrose siblings deeply.
ARC kindly provided by author and Social Butterfly for an honest review.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
**this is a dark romance so please check TW's/CW's
4.5 stars!!
I didn't know what to expect with this story but Sav did not disappoint! I was blown away! The tension, the spice, everything was so well done! If you're looking for a book with epic "MY WIFE" energy, then you won't want to miss this one.
This is the 5th book in the Monsters & Muses series and is a marriage of convenience romance between a lawyer and mafia princess and is inspired by Eros & Psyche. Ariana is the mafia princess who puts herself up for an auction and Cash ends up paying $250 million just so that nobody else can have her. Little did she know that the by signing the contract for the auction that she was also signing a marriage certificate. Ariana has had such a traumatic past and Cash seems to be the only one who has cared enough to get to know the real Ariana and help her fight her demons. Cash has his own internal battles and was probably one of the most unique MMC's I've ever read.
This can definitely be read as a standalone but if you've read previous books in this series then you'll enjoy getting to see characters from previous books. Cash is Lenny's brother and Ariana is Elena's sister. I especially loved the interactions between Ariana and Kal and their trauma bonding.
This story was a bit more of a slow burn than previous book but the tension made the spice that much better! The plot was also super interesting and I definitely wasn't able to predict what happened. Overall, I highly recommend this book and this entire series!
**this is a dark romance so please check TW's/CW's
4.5 stars!!
I didn't know what to expect with this story but Sav did not disappoint! I was blown away! The tension, the spice, everything was so well done! If you're looking for a book with epic "MY WIFE" energy, then you won't want to miss this one.
This is the 5th book in the Monsters & Muses series and is a marriage of convenience romance between a lawyer and mafia princess and is inspired by Eros & Psyche. Ariana is the mafia princess who puts herself up for an auction and Cash ends up paying $250 million just so that nobody else can have her. Little did she know that the by signing the contract for the auction that she was also signing a marriage certificate. Ariana has had such a traumatic past and Cash seems to be the only one who has cared enough to get to know the real Ariana and help her fight her demons. Cash has his own internal battles and was probably one of the most unique MMC's I've ever read.
This can definitely be read as a standalone but if you've read previous books in this series then you'll enjoy getting to see characters from previous books. Cash is Lenny's brother and Ariana is Elena's sister. I especially loved the interactions between Ariana and Kal and their trauma bonding.
This story was a bit more of a slow burn than previous book but the tension made the spice that much better! The plot was also super interesting and I definitely wasn't able to predict what happened. Overall, I highly recommend this book and this entire series!