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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
No, no, no, no, no, no, NO.
That's what I found myself thinking through a vast majority of this book, if you can even call it that (books are supposed to have a plot, right?).
Told from alternating POVs, Braelynn's (gag) and Declan's (bigger gag), you have your meek, innocent (but also totally insatiable) recently divorced leading lady reconnecting with your classic, rich, club owner/mob boss because, yes, of course they knew each other during their youth. Is this really expanded on, though? No. Do we get maybe a paragraph of insight into this before it's never mentioned again? You got it.
And while this is supposedly a mob romance story (because apparently that's a genre now), there's really no romance and quite frankly, there's not really much talking either, if you catch my drift.
Now I am not one to shy away from a a saucy scene or two, don't get me wrong. But there is a fine line between a story with some intimate moments and full-on porn with a few random conversations thrown in here and there. And more frustrating than that, what little plot there is to the story is completely unbelievable. You're telling me that a victim of domestic abuse would so willingly submit herself to repeated dehumanization and borderline violence in her first intimate relationship following the breakup of her marriage? Yeah, I don't think so. Maybe it's just me, but I find the idea of a man calling me "his little pet" to be absolutely revolting and an embarrassment to all woman-kind. But hey, to each their own.
Special mention to the run-of-the-mill BDSM sex scene that starts of the book with absolutely no relevancy or further mention later on in the story. Did I think it would be mentioned again later on to tie everything together? Yes. Was it at all? Nope, not even a little. Honestly, that should have prepared me a lot better for what the rest of the book entailed a lot more than it actually did.
And finally, this book ends on a rather abrupt cliffhanger, which aggravates me to no end, as it appears to me to be a cheap ploy to get readers to buy the next book. But I guess that means I have to give props to W. Winters for being a decent enough writer that I was able to make it through this absolute dumpster fire of a book and now might have to force myself to see what happens in the next one.
Rating: 1.5/5
That's what I found myself thinking through a vast majority of this book, if you can even call it that (books are supposed to have a plot, right?).
Told from alternating POVs, Braelynn's (gag) and Declan's (bigger gag), you have your meek, innocent (but also totally insatiable) recently divorced leading lady reconnecting with your classic, rich, club owner/mob boss because, yes, of course they knew each other during their youth. Is this really expanded on, though? No. Do we get maybe a paragraph of insight into this before it's never mentioned again? You got it.
And while this is supposedly a mob romance story (because apparently that's a genre now), there's really no romance and quite frankly, there's not really much talking either, if you catch my drift.
Now I am not one to shy away from a a saucy scene or two, don't get me wrong. But there is a fine line between a story with some intimate moments and full-on porn with a few random conversations thrown in here and there. And more frustrating than that, what little plot there is to the story is completely unbelievable. You're telling me that a victim of domestic abuse would so willingly submit herself to repeated dehumanization and borderline violence in her first intimate relationship following the breakup of her marriage? Yeah, I don't think so. Maybe it's just me, but I find the idea of a man calling me "his little pet" to be absolutely revolting and an embarrassment to all woman-kind. But hey, to each their own.
Special mention to the run-of-the-mill BDSM sex scene that starts of the book with absolutely no relevancy or further mention later on in the story. Did I think it would be mentioned again later on to tie everything together? Yes. Was it at all? Nope, not even a little. Honestly, that should have prepared me a lot better for what the rest of the book entailed a lot more than it actually did.
And finally, this book ends on a rather abrupt cliffhanger, which aggravates me to no end, as it appears to me to be a cheap ploy to get readers to buy the next book. But I guess that means I have to give props to W. Winters for being a decent enough writer that I was able to make it through this absolute dumpster fire of a book and now might have to force myself to see what happens in the next one.
Rating: 1.5/5
I was captivated by this book and I did not want to put it down! Wow, Declan was intense and mysterious and I just want to know more about him. This is the first Cross brother I have read because life is crazy busy and I loved that I didn't feel confused or left out by not reading the others, which I will hopefully read soon in the future. I loved the dynamics between Brealynn and Declan and I think Willow is trying to kill us with that cliffhanger. Can't get enough and cannot wait for more!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
I can only say, WOW! This book is so intense. It is the first book in the Shame on You series. It is a spinoff from the Merciless series.
This story is about Declan and Braelynn. They knew each other when they were kids and now Braelynn is working in Declan's exclusive adult club as a waitress.
They are drawn to each other, but unable to reconcile the past. Declan decides to try to get Braelynn out of his system by making her his. However, the more time they spend together, the more he craves her.
But he is not a good man and they both know it. Can she live with his lifestyle?
This book ends on a cliffhanger.
This story is about Declan and Braelynn. They knew each other when they were kids and now Braelynn is working in Declan's exclusive adult club as a waitress.
They are drawn to each other, but unable to reconcile the past. Declan decides to try to get Braelynn out of his system by making her his. However, the more time they spend together, the more he craves her.
But he is not a good man and they both know it. Can she live with his lifestyle?
This book ends on a cliffhanger.
ARC Review
When I tell you that I devoured this book I mean it, the only reason I stopped was because I was literally about to fall asleep on my kindle. The wait for this book was completely worth it.
From the possessive growls of ‘mine’, to when he goes out of his way to emphasize the need for open communication about her triggers and both their expectations, to how he can flip his switch and go into ‘business’ mode; Declan is just a damn good time wrapped in a damn good suit. I’m already itching for book 2 and I cannot wait to see how he handles the information given to him at the end of this book.
It’s a part of the Merciless world and can technically be read as a standalone but in order to get the full experience of the story I’d recommend reading the others books in this world first.
Also Declan has beat out Carter for the second spot as my favorite Cross brother. Jase still holds the title.
When I tell you that I devoured this book I mean it, the only reason I stopped was because I was literally about to fall asleep on my kindle. The wait for this book was completely worth it.
From the possessive growls of ‘mine’, to when he goes out of his way to emphasize the need for open communication about her triggers and both their expectations, to how he can flip his switch and go into ‘business’ mode; Declan is just a damn good time wrapped in a damn good suit. I’m already itching for book 2 and I cannot wait to see how he handles the information given to him at the end of this book.
It’s a part of the Merciless world and can technically be read as a standalone but in order to get the full experience of the story I’d recommend reading the others books in this world first.
Also Declan has beat out Carter for the second spot as my favorite Cross brother. Jase still holds the title.
dark
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was my first Willow Winters read, and let me tell you it did not disappoint!! The draw between Declan and Braelynn is so intense. You can truly feel their emotions through Willow’s words. The story goes from 0-100 really fast and the reader gets sucked into Declan’s world right along with Braelynn. I also really enjoyed that their story is written from both perspectives- it definitely makes the reader feel more involved in what’s going on. I opened this book & could not put it down - I finished it within a matter of a couple hours. After Tease Me Once, I am a Willow Winters fan for life - and I cannot wait for I’ll Kiss You Twice!!
This was okay, but I bought the trilogy on Kindle so I'll continue.