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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Arranged marriage, billionaire, one bed, HE falls first, enemies to lovers.. everything you could want in a book, is within the pages of this one.
this book, i ate it up and left not a single crumb behind. it was everything i needed and more in a billionaire romance. gwen and atticus have my heart, that ending.. i need my hea’s and this was not one.. i need book 2 right now. I need closure, i need to know everything gets put back in place.
the rollercoaster of emotions in this book, i seriously could not put this down and it may have been my first book by Nana Malone but it is absolutely not my last!
this book, i ate it up and left not a single crumb behind. it was everything i needed and more in a billionaire romance. gwen and atticus have my heart, that ending.. i need my hea’s and this was not one.. i need book 2 right now. I need closure, i need to know everything gets put back in place.
the rollercoaster of emotions in this book, i seriously could not put this down and it may have been my first book by Nana Malone but it is absolutely not my last!
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ALC Review
-dual POV
- he falls first
- enemies to lovers
Loved this audiobook! The narrators did a fabulous job. The story was captivating and interesting. That cliffhanger is killing me!?!?! Like what!
So interested to see what happens next!
-dual POV
- he falls first
- enemies to lovers
Loved this audiobook! The narrators did a fabulous job. The story was captivating and interesting. That cliffhanger is killing me!?!?! Like what!
So interested to see what happens next!
Tropes:
-dual POV
-marriage of convenience
-betrayal
-insta-lust
-he falls first and hard
-interracial couple
-forced proximity
-one bed
-enemies to lovers
-billionaire romance
I absolutely loved this audiobook. The narrators were fantastic, and the plot was captivating. I had no idea this would be a multi-book series, and the cliffhanger left me in shock. I can't wait to read the next installment.
-dual POV
-marriage of convenience
-betrayal
-insta-lust
-he falls first and hard
-interracial couple
-forced proximity
-one bed
-enemies to lovers
-billionaire romance
I absolutely loved this audiobook. The narrators were fantastic, and the plot was captivating. I had no idea this would be a multi-book series, and the cliffhanger left me in shock. I can't wait to read the next installment.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🎧Audiobook Review
🎤Narrated in Dual style by Dane Anderson and Nikko Austin Smith
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance: 🎤🎤🎤.75
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual, first person, past tense
Tropes: Billionaire, interracial, arranged marriage, protective alpha hero,
boy obsessed, one bed, forced proximity, band of brothers, he falls first
OMG! That ending ripped my heart out! (It's the first book in a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger). Now I’m dying for the next book. This was my first Nana Malone book and I really enjoyed it.
Gwen is passionate about her work and cares deeply about her employees and well as her sister. All the sacrifices she makes in this book are to make sure that they're taken care of. Atticus comes of as cold and calculating in the beginning, but he’s also very protective of his loved ones. He’s thoughtful and makes sure Gwen takes care of herself because he knows how much she puts into her work, to the detriment of her own well-being. The banter between them, as well as with the side characters, adds an entertaining dynamic to the story.
I found the beginning a bit slow – which, I suppose, makes sense for a trilogy, as the author is setting the stage for the rest of the story. I’m just used to interconnected standalones, where the pace is faster since everything unfolds in one book. But once the story picked up, it was fire! There’s corporate intrigue, family drama, heartbreaking revelations, and some really hot spice.
I don’t agree with this being marketed as enemies-to-lovers. It didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book, but I think people might be annoyed if they picked it up specifically for that trope. From the moment Atticus meets Gwen, he’s taken with her. At no point does he actually dislike her. She, on the other hand, has some negative feelings, but I wouldn’t call it hate; it’s more like disdain. And as she spends more time with him and starts developing feelings, those negative emotions begin to melt away.
It’s interesting that, ultimately, what brings them together is the fact that both their fathers are terrible. Manipulative and indifferent to their children’s well-being, neither provides the support they need. Gwen’s father arranges the marriage for his own business interests, and while Atticus has his own reasons for agreeing, they aren’t immediately clear. As the story unfolds, his motivations add another layer of intrigue making their dynamic even more compelling.
Side note: Gwen’s best friend, Lance, and her little sister, Morgan, are always bickering, and I’m really hoping this turns into a best friend’s sister/sister’s best friend secondary romance!
Overall, I enjoyed the narration of this book. Nikko Austin Smith was new to me, but I’ve listened to and enjoyed a few books narrated by Dane Anderson. I think both narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life, capturing their personalities, and conveying their emotions. Their performances kept me engaged, especially at the beginning when the story felt a bit slow. My only critique is that Nikko’s male voices weren’t very convincing.
As much as I enjoyed this book, there is one detail that keeps bugging me, and I feel like if you read this with a more critical eye, you might find other inconsistencies. (Billionaire romances are as fantasy as romance gets, so I’m more willing to suspend disbelief.) When Atticus agreed to marry Gwen, he had his head of security do a background check on her. Yet he was surprised to learn that it was her birthday when Lance and Morgan had brought her a cake. Considering all the information he had on her and how attentive he was to her needs, shouldn’t he have known that and even planned something special for her?
This book is an intriguing start to the series. The chemistry between Gwen and Atticus is undeniable, and combined with the high stakes and emotional depth of the story, makes this a compelling read. The slow build-up at the start gives way to a rollercoaster of emotions, corporate power plays, steamy moments and a cliffhanger ending, that will leave you craving the next book. If you love billionaire romances filled with high stakes, strong-willed characters, supportive side characters, and plenty of twists, this book is a must-read.
Content warnings:
• Mention of loss of a parent and grief
• Discussion of a past sexual assault of the FMC (not by the mmc, not graphic),
• Violence on page (not graphic),
• Blackmail (not between the MCs)
*I received an advance copy from Valentine PR. These opinions are entirely my own.
🎤Narrated in Dual style by Dane Anderson and Nikko Austin Smith
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance: 🎤🎤🎤.75
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual, first person, past tense
Tropes: Billionaire, interracial, arranged marriage, protective alpha hero,
boy obsessed, one bed, forced proximity, band of brothers, he falls first
OMG! That ending ripped my heart out! (It's the first book in a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger). Now I’m dying for the next book. This was my first Nana Malone book and I really enjoyed it.
Gwen is passionate about her work and cares deeply about her employees and well as her sister. All the sacrifices she makes in this book are to make sure that they're taken care of. Atticus comes of as cold and calculating in the beginning, but he’s also very protective of his loved ones. He’s thoughtful and makes sure Gwen takes care of herself because he knows how much she puts into her work, to the detriment of her own well-being. The banter between them, as well as with the side characters, adds an entertaining dynamic to the story.
I found the beginning a bit slow – which, I suppose, makes sense for a trilogy, as the author is setting the stage for the rest of the story. I’m just used to interconnected standalones, where the pace is faster since everything unfolds in one book. But once the story picked up, it was fire! There’s corporate intrigue, family drama, heartbreaking revelations, and some really hot spice.
I don’t agree with this being marketed as enemies-to-lovers. It didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book, but I think people might be annoyed if they picked it up specifically for that trope. From the moment Atticus meets Gwen, he’s taken with her. At no point does he actually dislike her. She, on the other hand, has some negative feelings, but I wouldn’t call it hate; it’s more like disdain. And as she spends more time with him and starts developing feelings, those negative emotions begin to melt away.
It’s interesting that, ultimately, what brings them together is the fact that both their fathers are terrible. Manipulative and indifferent to their children’s well-being, neither provides the support they need. Gwen’s father arranges the marriage for his own business interests, and while Atticus has his own reasons for agreeing, they aren’t immediately clear. As the story unfolds, his motivations add another layer of intrigue making their dynamic even more compelling.
Side note: Gwen’s best friend, Lance, and her little sister, Morgan, are always bickering, and I’m really hoping this turns into a best friend’s sister/sister’s best friend secondary romance!
Overall, I enjoyed the narration of this book. Nikko Austin Smith was new to me, but I’ve listened to and enjoyed a few books narrated by Dane Anderson. I think both narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life, capturing their personalities, and conveying their emotions. Their performances kept me engaged, especially at the beginning when the story felt a bit slow. My only critique is that Nikko’s male voices weren’t very convincing.
As much as I enjoyed this book, there is one detail that keeps bugging me, and I feel like if you read this with a more critical eye, you might find other inconsistencies. (Billionaire romances are as fantasy as romance gets, so I’m more willing to suspend disbelief.) When Atticus agreed to marry Gwen, he had his head of security do a background check on her. Yet he was surprised to learn that it was her birthday when Lance and Morgan had brought her a cake. Considering all the information he had on her and how attentive he was to her needs, shouldn’t he have known that and even planned something special for her?
This book is an intriguing start to the series. The chemistry between Gwen and Atticus is undeniable, and combined with the high stakes and emotional depth of the story, makes this a compelling read. The slow build-up at the start gives way to a rollercoaster of emotions, corporate power plays, steamy moments and a cliffhanger ending, that will leave you craving the next book. If you love billionaire romances filled with high stakes, strong-willed characters, supportive side characters, and plenty of twists, this book is a must-read.
Content warnings:
• Mention of loss of a parent and grief
• Discussion of a past sexual assault of the FMC (not by the mmc, not graphic),
• Violence on page (not graphic),
• Blackmail (not between the MCs)
*I received an advance copy from Valentine PR. These opinions are entirely my own.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I did not properly do my research on this series and thought it was going to be 3 interconnected standalones, imagine my rage when the "third act breakup" happened 10 pages before the end of the book... thankfully, it's a trilogy lol.
My biggest issue with this book was some of the (sometimes internalized) colorist comments and undertones in the book, which in my opinion did not add anything to the book, it would've still been fine without it.... most of us (black women) read for escapism, if you must add racism in your book you have to make sure that there's a point for it to be there, otherwise it just unnecessarily brings in negativity and ruins the experience for us.
This would've been a 4 for stars until that one character called our maina "darkie" and implied Morgan was hotter because she was lighter or more "ambiguous" (assuming based on her description), you can tell at some point that even the FMC herself felt that way and that was one of the reason for her insecurities ... which quite frankly isn't what I ever want to read about. That character was despicable enough without the added racism/colorism, so once again that added nothing to the book... I even contemplated DNF'ing because at that point the book stopped feeling good for me.
On another note, who's out there looking at their newborn child and choosing to call them "Atticus"??????????
Other than that, it was a cute book.
My biggest issue with this book was some of the (sometimes internalized) colorist comments and undertones in the book, which in my opinion did not add anything to the book, it would've still been fine without it.... most of us (black women) read for escapism, if you must add racism in your book you have to make sure that there's a point for it to be there, otherwise it just unnecessarily brings in negativity and ruins the experience for us.
This would've been a 4 for stars until that one character called our main
On another note, who's out there looking at their newborn child and choosing to call them "Atticus"??????????
Other than that, it was a cute book.