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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟰/𝟱
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝟮/𝟱
This is a spicy Hades and Persephone retelling that follows 21-year-old Paige Fairchild who is a hotel heiress. When her parents decide it's time for her to get married and try to arrange a marriage with the boy who tried to assault her high school Paige goes on the run and seeks out shelter from billionaire Hayes Olsen.
Hayes is known as the king of the corporate underworld he's the CFO of Olympus International alongside his two brothers. The one thing Hayes wants is the Fairchild family hotels and when the hotel heiress comes seeking shelter Hayes uses the closeness to his advantage but what starts as a business tactic turns into more when he becomes obsessed and protective. What will Paige do when she finds out he's been taking advantage of her and will Hayes be able to let her go and watch her marry someone else?
It took me a little bit to get into it. The beginning just didn't grab my attention but it did pick up and kept my attention to the end.
This was a roller coaster of emotions I kept going back and forth trying to figure out Hayes's intentions and if he was being genuine. Paige's mother also drove me crazy I can't stand her haha
I liked that it didn't end with them being happy and perfect it's different and has me dying to read the next book
This is a slow burn but it's so worth it. It also ends on a cliffhanger so make sure you have book two ready!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
❥Age Gap
❥Slow Burn
❥Touch Her & Die
❥Billionaire
❥Virgin FMC
❥Virgin FMC
❥Forced Proximity
❥Marriage of Convenience
❥”My Wife”
I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 ⭐️
3.5 🌶️
First off thank you Adrian R. Hale and Sunny Babe PR for this amazing ARC.
I was so engrossed with this book that it was finished without 24 hours. Sometimes I have books that I can’t read that fast but this one just pulled me in. Honestly I didn’t really feel this was a Hades/Persephone retelling but it was definitely still an excellent book. But that cliffhanger was something I was not prepared for at all. So I suggest having the next book on standby. LOL
“You’re far more romantic than you give yourself credit for, you know that?” “Absolutely not. All lies.”
“I would give my soul to make sure she had everything she wants, and my very life to keep her safe.”
🩶Morally Grey MMC
💖Virgin MFC
🐢Slow Burn
💀Touch her & ☠️
👰♀️Marriage of Convenience
🤌Age Gap
🤑Billionaire/Heiress
🤌Forced Proximity
Thank you @sunnybabepr and @adrianrhale for this ARC to read and review! 🫶
“Holy Jesus, sweet tea and vodka!”
The Bourbon Bride is book 1 in the Southern Gods series by Adrian R. Hale.
Tropes:
✨ Dual POV
✨ Slow Burn
✨ Age Gap
✨ Marriage of Convenience
✨ Virgin FMC
✨ Morally Grey MMC
I was instantly drawn into the Southern charm of this book and the lives of Paige and Hayes.
I love that Hayes is all business-like and intimidating in his life and work, but with Paige he is soft and gentle; the way she makes him want to be better and the way he is so protective over her is super sweet 💕 I appreciated Paige's innocence in the beginning and I love that Hayes was patient and moved at her pace, never pushing her or expecting anything from her.
The whole story evolving in a little over a week was maybe a bit fast and unrealistic, but it works with the length of the book so I'm not overly bothered by it.
"You're far more romantic than you give yourself credit for, you know that?"
"Absolutely not. All lies"
The slow burn is so good - sexy and addicting and so well written that you just can't get enough of it. And when the spice hits?! 🥵 I was so not ready for it, but I absolutely loved it!!
I love all the characters in this story, not just Paige and Hayes, but also Payton and Zander and Cerberus! No love for Garrison though!! I really hope to see more of Payton and Zander in the rest of the series because they add so much to the story.
My favourite part is the chapters from the Atlanta Haute List and the way they added perfectly to the story with the little bursts of gossip column 🎙️
This book hits the ground running from the first chapter and carries you through all the way to the end! The twists and turns in this book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster in the best way and the ending will definitely leave you wanting more - thankfully there is another book, The Bourbon Bargain, and I can't wait to dive into what's next for these two special characters!!
🎉🎉 The Bourbon Bride is available now!!
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this. I read this in 2 days and let me tell you... yes. Hayes is a god, and we love him ❤️. Paige is a southern belle who is as sweet as pie and innocent to no end. Of course, she would fall for the Devil of Georgia. It was a great story even tho it was fast-paced. I will 100% be reading the second part because the cliffhanger the first was left on had me on my toes. Thank you to Sunny Babe PR and the author for an E-ARC of this book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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:
No
I loved this so much! The romance between Paige and Hayes was so beautiful, and I loved how protective Hayes was. Paige was such a wonderful combination of innocence and strong will. The way that Hayes loved Paige was just so dreamy. The southern charm throughout this book made me swoon. I was so in love from the moment they met. I was delighted around every twist and turn. And the way he was so against miscommunication?? Man of my dreams! But then the ending..... I was expecting a possible third act break up, I was even expecting to be heartbroken for a time.... What I was not expecting was the way this book dropped me at the doorway to hell and left me there! I was devastated! She wouldn't even hear him out?? He wouldn't even attempt to run after her?? What is this?? I felt so neglected and I am unwell. What a cliffhanger to be left on. I need book two NOW!
dark
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
❀ 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ❀
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.7/5 ⭐
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 3/5 🌶️
Paige and Hayes had such good chemistry from the start and I actually loved how innocent she was compared to him. Paige definitely has some hidden teeth and tbh I would have preferred if they weren't so hidden. Our guy Hayes is absolutely whipped from the start, but I was disappointed in him in the final chapters (no spoilers but SHAME ON YOU HAYES 😭)
The plot was GOOD 👌🏼. Like I really enjoyed all the "tea" and the hidden plans both Paige and Hayes had. I love how much of a green flag this author is tbh. And although Hayes had some questionable motives there was no doubt he would do anything for Paige. And Paige's trauma is presented so well imo (be careful of the trigger warnings people, mentions of SA in this book) because it plays a big part in her growth as a person and her development as a character.
Honestly, the main reason I docked so many "points" off this one was because I was super hooked at the beginning, but after the 60% mark it turned into a whole different book. The smut was good for SURE, but there were L-words thrown around after only a week of Paige and Hayes knowing each other. Some people like the instant love trope but it is NOT for me.
All in all, it was a good book, with drama, spice and most importantly HAYES. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a broody man turning soft for a woman. Be mindful of the tropes and triggers though people!
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3.7/5 ⭐
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 3/5 🌶️
Paige and Hayes had such good chemistry from the start and I actually loved how innocent she was compared to him. Paige definitely has some hidden teeth and tbh I would have preferred if they weren't so hidden. Our guy Hayes is absolutely whipped from the start, but I was disappointed in him in the final chapters (no spoilers but SHAME ON YOU HAYES 😭)
The plot was GOOD 👌🏼. Like I really enjoyed all the "tea" and the hidden plans both Paige and Hayes had. I love how much of a green flag this author is tbh. And although Hayes had some questionable motives there was no doubt he would do anything for Paige. And Paige's trauma is presented so well imo (be careful of the trigger warnings people, mentions of SA in this book) because it plays a big part in her growth as a person and her development as a character.
Honestly, the main reason I docked so many "points" off this one was because I was super hooked at the beginning, but after the 60% mark it turned into a whole different book. The smut was good for SURE, but there were L-words thrown around after only a week of Paige and Hayes knowing each other. Some people like the instant love trope but it is NOT for me.
All in all, it was a good book, with drama, spice and most importantly HAYES. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a broody man turning soft for a woman. Be mindful of the tropes and triggers though people!
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes