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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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
sarakeepsgoing's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Car accident, and Pregnancy
andeng's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy
jessiereads98's review against another edition
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.
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.
Additionally, I don’t understand why Daisy’s musical aspirations are made such a big deal of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Child death, Medical content, Car accident, and Alcohol
weelasswithabook's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Medical content, Car accident, and Pregnancy
kristynpittman's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
SPC is one of my favorite romance series and I have eagerly been anticipating Ronan's book. He made such memorable appearances in the first 4, that I had high hopes when we eventually got his own story.
While this book was fun and steamy, the main reason it fell a bit short of the main series was the lack of backstory. Ronan is such a mysterious man, and unfortunately that mystery is never really solved. As a 56 year old billionaire I just know he had a wild life, but so much of this book focused on Daisy. Daisy...the 2o year old stalker. (Can you tell Daisy wasn't my favorite?)
I still think fans of Sara Cate and The Salacious Players Club will still enjoy this one! Especially if tropes like age gap, sugar daddy, mom's ex-bf, etc, are your cup of tea.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced copy for review
While this book was fun and steamy, the main reason it fell a bit short of the main series was the lack of backstory. Ronan is such a mysterious man, and unfortunately that mystery is never really solved. As a 56 year old billionaire I just know he had a wild life, but so much of this book focused on Daisy. Daisy...the 2o year old stalker. (Can you tell Daisy wasn't my favorite?)
I still think fans of Sara Cate and The Salacious Players Club will still enjoy this one! Especially if tropes like age gap, sugar daddy, mom's ex-bf, etc, are your cup of tea.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced copy for review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
sarahsbookstacks's review against another edition
challenging
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Medical content and Alcohol
haneyhayespr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
adventurous, emotional, hopeful, inspiring, reflective, sad, 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
Ronan Kade, why can't you be real? I need you in my life. Because let's face it, if I found a guy like you, I'd get remarried in a heartbeat. I know you're all reading this like, WTF? Let me explain. Daisy is great, but this book-I was all about Ronan. My heart broke for him in the prologue and then again closer to the end of the book. This man has a heart of gold and deserves to be loved. When he was upset, I was upset. I feel so much for him. Get ready for this Silver Fox, I thought I wand, and I so wasn't!
Now I have to talk about these RULES. Ma'am!
Rule#4 You can't kidnap young women living in their vans-even with good intentions.
Rule#11 If you can't sleep in your bed, try his.
Rule#14 Play with fire, and you'll get burned.
Rule#30 Give her O's at work. If she gets fired, it'll be worth it.
These are just a few y'all have to look forward to.
Quote from the Book.
I was absolutely laughing at Ronan's thought process throughout this section of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Child Death
Minor: Cancer and Pregnancy
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Ronan Kade, why can't you be real? I need you in my life. Because let's face it, if I found a guy like you, I'd get remarried in a heartbeat. I know you're all reading this like, WTF? Let me explain. Daisy is great, but this book-I was all about Ronan. My heart broke for him in the prologue and then again closer to the end of the book. This man has a heart of gold and deserves to be loved. When he was upset, I was upset. I feel so much for him. Get ready for this Silver Fox, I thought I wand, and I so wasn't!
Now I have to talk about these RULES. Ma'am!
Rule#4 You can't kidnap young women living in their vans-even with good intentions.
Rule#11 If you can't sleep in your bed, try his.
Rule#14 Play with fire, and you'll get burned.
Rule#30 Give her O's at work. If she gets fired, it'll be worth it.
These are just a few y'all have to look forward to.
Quote from the Book.
"Who do you think you are?" she argues. "You think because you're a man, you can just boss me around?"
Clearly, this won't work. I'll be thrown in jail within minutes if I try to abduct this flailing young woman and bring her to my apartment.
I was absolutely laughing at Ronan's thought process throughout this section of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Child Death
Minor: Cancer and Pregnancy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Pregnancy
laura_rheads_too_much's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy