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elicenange's reviews
14 reviews
High Bar by Ivy Nelson
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love a good Mafia story, so this one was a no-brainer. Throw in some BDSM elements (softcore or hardcore) and I’m sold. The set-up for the next books in this series was good, and I’m looking forward to delving into the rest of them.
This was a second-chance romance, so it was interesting to see how far both Matteo and Skylar had grown in the 5 years they were apart. The heart wants what it wants, that’s for sure.
That being said, I struggled with their relationship dynamic. Matteo is a Dom, clearly. But Skylar is not a sub. She did try to be what he needed her to be, to her credit. I don’t think he understood or even acknowledged that it’s not in her nature to submit. Given her background and current profession, it’s not something I would expect from her. If this was Ms. Nelson’s intention for Skylar’s character profile - then mission accomplished! Because while they ended up together in the end, I’m not entirely convinced that they will stay together. This is only Book 1 of the Sin City Suits series, so I look forward to being proven wrong.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Beast by Jenika Snow
5.0
[bc:The Beast|61068458|The Beast (Monsters and Beauties, 1)|Jenika Snow|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1654608980l/61068458._SY75_.jpg|96246626]
“I’m going to make sure your death is slow and painful, satisfying my bloodlust and delivering your heart in my palm to my female.”
Signed, sealed, and delivered! I love a man who promises, then delivers on exactly what he promises.
This was my first Beauty and the Beast retelling story, and boy, am I glad it did not disappoint. I’ve read the classic; all I can say is - screw the whole Beast turns back to human. Give me Beast in his truest, primal form - gnarly and ghastly, feline and feral - he really lives up to his name and I’m here for it! He knows he’s a monster and he owns it, 100%. Plus, he knows what he wants and he goes for it.
And Belle - sweet, sweet Belle. Like Beast, she lives up to her name as well - soft and docile, yet stubborn, fiercely loyal with a mind of her own. She sure knows how to provoke the Beast in order to get what she wants. The feels, the kinks, the steam, and all the spice!!!!!!
My only complaint is I wish it was longer!
*I was fortunate to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
“I’m going to make sure your death is slow and painful, satisfying my bloodlust and delivering your heart in my palm to my female.”
Signed, sealed, and delivered! I love a man who promises, then delivers on exactly what he promises.
This was my first Beauty and the Beast retelling story, and boy, am I glad it did not disappoint. I’ve read the classic; all I can say is - screw the whole Beast turns back to human. Give me Beast in his truest, primal form - gnarly and ghastly, feline and feral - he really lives up to his name and I’m here for it! He knows he’s a monster and he owns it, 100%. Plus, he knows what he wants and he goes for it.
And Belle - sweet, sweet Belle. Like Beast, she lives up to her name as well - soft and docile, yet stubborn, fiercely loyal with a mind of her own. She sure knows how to provoke the Beast in order to get what she wants. The feels, the kinks, the steam, and all the spice!!!!!!
My only complaint is I wish it was longer!
*I was fortunate to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Corrupted Innocence by Measha Stone
5.0
A Captivating Page Turner!
What I really enjoyed about this book is the fact that even though it is a Dark Mafia Romance, the growing relationship between Charlie and Nikolai really does take front and center. It was certainly a journey, and I’m glad I got to experience it right along with them.
Once I started, I could not put it down. I was hooked from Page One! Eight hours later (at 5:17 am) their story came to an end and I was nowhere near ready for it to end. Her vulnerability, His strength, Her stubborn streak, His possessiveness - it all hooks you right from the start and sucks you right in.
Personally, not a fan of the spanking, but Measha Stone certainly has a way with words that makes this not an issue (if that kind of thing isn’t a trigger for you). That, and this is a dark romance so I would have been disappointed if there wasn’t some pain-pleasure-play (Pun intended). You can tell right away that this is central to the storyline - there is beauty and pleasure in the pain, as long as it’s done right.
This was my first Measha Stone book, but it won’t be my last.
What I really enjoyed about this book is the fact that even though it is a Dark Mafia Romance, the growing relationship between Charlie and Nikolai really does take front and center. It was certainly a journey, and I’m glad I got to experience it right along with them.
Once I started, I could not put it down. I was hooked from Page One! Eight hours later (at 5:17 am) their story came to an end and I was nowhere near ready for it to end. Her vulnerability, His strength, Her stubborn streak, His possessiveness - it all hooks you right from the start and sucks you right in.
Personally, not a fan of the spanking, but Measha Stone certainly has a way with words that makes this not an issue (if that kind of thing isn’t a trigger for you). That, and this is a dark romance so I would have been disappointed if there wasn’t some pain-pleasure-play (Pun intended). You can tell right away that this is central to the storyline - there is beauty and pleasure in the pain, as long as it’s done right.
This was my first Measha Stone book, but it won’t be my last.
Worse Than Enemies by J.L. Beck
5.0
What a roller-coaster! I can honestly say that I did not see that plot twist coming. Sometimes things really aren’t as they seem.
I loved the heroine and identified with her every step of the way. She is a good example of how nurture and a person’s circumstances do not (and should not) define who they are as a person. She sees the good in Hayes, despite the shitty way he treats her. I wish she had more of a spine though, but in the end, I understand why she made the choices she did. Sometimes not fighting back is the best approach, if you know it will only make things worse. I get that.
And Hayes...oh, Hayes. This one was gut-wrenching. I was right there with him - the shame, the pain, the judgment, the humiliation, the wanting it all to end - and everything else in between. I also felt conflicted about his decision to take out his frustrations on Morgan. Maybe it was warranted in the beginning, but taking it that far was unwarranted on his part. It didn’t take a genius to see that besides sharing half her DNA, Morgan was nothing like her mother. And how he contradicted himself. I was conflicted when he told Salem she was allowed to say no. A little hypocritical of him, considering it was less than a day after he ignored someone else’s no’s. Same circumstance.
Overall, it wasn’t as dark as I was expecting, but that’s okay since not everyone’s definition of dark is the same. I would still say it is called a Dark Bully Romance for a reason. The ending felt a bit rushed but I’m a sucker for a good HEA, and that’s what J.L. Beck delivered for the main characters. For that, I give this 5-stars.
As Salem so succinctly puts it, for all its glitz, glamor, and prestige - the school is just teeming with kids who have fucked up relationships with their families. For this, I look forward to the rest of the books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Bleeding Heart Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the heroine and identified with her every step of the way. She is a good example of how nurture and a person’s circumstances do not (and should not) define who they are as a person. She sees the good in Hayes, despite the shitty way he treats her. I wish she had more of a spine though, but in the end, I understand why she made the choices she did. Sometimes not fighting back is the best approach, if you know it will only make things worse. I get that.
And Hayes...oh, Hayes. This one was gut-wrenching. I was right there with him - the shame, the pain, the judgment, the humiliation, the wanting it all to end - and everything else in between. I also felt conflicted about his decision to take out his frustrations on Morgan. Maybe it was warranted in the beginning, but taking it that far was unwarranted on his part. It didn’t take a genius to see that besides sharing half her DNA, Morgan was nothing like her mother. And how he contradicted himself. I was conflicted when he told Salem she was allowed to say no. A little hypocritical of him, considering it was less than a day after he ignored someone else’s no’s. Same circumstance.
Overall, it wasn’t as dark as I was expecting, but that’s okay since not everyone’s definition of dark is the same. I would still say it is called a Dark Bully Romance for a reason. The ending felt a bit rushed but I’m a sucker for a good HEA, and that’s what J.L. Beck delivered for the main characters. For that, I give this 5-stars.
As Salem so succinctly puts it, for all its glitz, glamor, and prestige - the school is just teeming with kids who have fucked up relationships with their families. For this, I look forward to the rest of the books in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Bleeding Heart Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.