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745 reviews
Touched by Sin by Harleigh Beck
dark
funny
mysterious
- 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
5.0
1st person/multi pov
Spice: 5/5
What in the actual Hell... I'm pretty sure endings like this are what my own personal torture loop would consist of if I do indeed wind up down there lol. And I say that with the utmost praise believe it or not. Because what a way to throw me into a tailspin at the last minute! I'm seconds away from pulling my hair out and completely mind-blown. It came so far out of left field and knocked the wind out of me!
I think it's safe to say this book is wildly amazing and so entertaining. Aurelia is living contently in Eden but is always so curious about the woods beyond the gates. They are not allowed to venture out of those gates though so she spends her days gazing and wondering. But when the day comes and she see's a chance to step outside of Eden and into the forest to investigate it herself she takes that chance her curiosity finally getting the best of her. It doesn't take long however for her to stumble across three sinful fallen angels traveling through the trees.
Enter Daemon and his two best friends Alaric and Ronan. They decide a pure angel of Eden is too good to pass up and bring her back to Hell with them. Aurelia shines in this world of darkness. Her blonde hair and white wings were a striking contrast to everyone else's dark hair and black wings. She radiates with the inner light of Eden brightening up Daemon's home but all he wants to do is dirty her up and dim that light. As he and his friends parade her around their academy showing off their prized catch Aurelia discovers so many things about these fallen angels she didn't know were possible. She in turn begins to wonder about her own self and what capabilities she may have. After all, they came from angels who once lived in Eden just like her.
If the story hadn't hooked me already I would have been snatched up by it at this point no matter what. Things go from interesting to 'I can't put this down' in a matter of minutes. It's like a switch gets flipped inside Aurelia and she goes from this timid innocent creature to a woman who is full of spark and as stubborn as the men who captured her. She has decided she will fight back and do what it takes to survive until she can figure out a way back home. But not before also learning all that she can about the things Eden refused to teach them. The more she learns the more she gives in to the life surrounding her in Hell. The pleasure, the excitement, the anger, the jealousy - all of these emotions and feelings she's never experienced before that she is finding are harder and harder to resist. The tether between her and the guys is growing as well as a pull to the feisty Darianna, one of the guys' usual playthings/friends.
The guys begin to notice how Aurelia is taking over their senses and quickly becoming the center of their attention, especially Daemon's. Daemon refuses to let a woman get to him as much as she does and will never let himself be controlled by one in any way. In an effort to maintain his control, he frequently pushes Aurelia's buttons as she pushes his right back. They constantly test each other's limits while they fight not only the lust but the yearning that has formed between them. But as Aurelia is learning more about herself and any powers she may or may not have it becomes clear that someone or something is not pleased with her arrival in this world. Her own mind is no longer safe and her life is suddenly hanging in the balance of a centuries-long agreement between powerful angels. Daemon, Alaric, Ronan, and even Darianna are determined to keep her as theirs and do everything in their power to make sure she isn't taken from them.
Once the suspense and mystery started falling into place I was done for. Flying through page after page as if I couldn't take a breath until I flipped to the next one. The characters had me laughing one minute and angry the next. I can't tell you how many times my heart constricted inside of my chest over things that were happening between Daemon and Aurelia. They are both exactly the same when it comes to how hard-headed they are and their need to control. However, as frustrating as they could be sometimes it also made for some seriously smoking hot spicy scenes! The other two guys are dominating and dirty in their own way but Daemon brings an extra level of authority to the mix and it just makes him even more delicious. When it comes to Darianna I couldn't breathe half the time! This was my first time reading anything that had an FF relationship in it so I was excited to pop that proverbial cherry but I wasn't prepared for how freaking sexy these two would be together - like set your skin on fire kind of hot. I now have some new criteria when looking for my next 'why choose' book that's for sure haha!
I'm telling you this book has all of my favorite things in it plus some things I had no idea I liked. I loved the hatred and anger in the beginning and how it morphs into so much more by the end yet still keeps that enemies-to-lovers vibe that I drool over. Daemon can make you swoon and piss you off in the same sentence and I couldn't get enough of it lol! Aurelia has such a transformation from the beginning of the book to the end but also remains true to herself deep down. But the ending...
The way this ends has to be at the top of my hate-to-love cliffhangers list. Because the cliffhanger is SO friggin good, it really is, but man is it one that will have you screaming in frustration and anger. It is one reason it has taken me a few days since finishing the book to finish this review. I just had to sit there at one point and try to work out my feelings over it. Granted it didn't work and I am still just as confused over how I feel about it lol but still at that moment, I was paralyzed from putting any thoughts into words. I am absolutely questioning everything I just read now and trying to predict where things could go from here, what could happen next, and/or who could be behind all the mysterious things that are happening. To say that I am ready for the next book is a severe understatement!
*Make sure to check the TW before reading - trust me it's a pretty dark book at times.*
~This is book one in a series and does end on a cliffhanger.~
Spice: 5/5
What in the actual Hell... I'm pretty sure endings like this are what my own personal torture loop would consist of if I do indeed wind up down there lol. And I say that with the utmost praise believe it or not. Because what a way to throw me into a tailspin at the last minute! I'm seconds away from pulling my hair out and completely mind-blown. It came so far out of left field and knocked the wind out of me!
I think it's safe to say this book is wildly amazing and so entertaining. Aurelia is living contently in Eden but is always so curious about the woods beyond the gates. They are not allowed to venture out of those gates though so she spends her days gazing and wondering. But when the day comes and she see's a chance to step outside of Eden and into the forest to investigate it herself she takes that chance her curiosity finally getting the best of her. It doesn't take long however for her to stumble across three sinful fallen angels traveling through the trees.
Enter Daemon and his two best friends Alaric and Ronan. They decide a pure angel of Eden is too good to pass up and bring her back to Hell with them. Aurelia shines in this world of darkness. Her blonde hair and white wings were a striking contrast to everyone else's dark hair and black wings. She radiates with the inner light of Eden brightening up Daemon's home but all he wants to do is dirty her up and dim that light. As he and his friends parade her around their academy showing off their prized catch Aurelia discovers so many things about these fallen angels she didn't know were possible. She in turn begins to wonder about her own self and what capabilities she may have. After all, they came from angels who once lived in Eden just like her.
If the story hadn't hooked me already I would have been snatched up by it at this point no matter what. Things go from interesting to 'I can't put this down' in a matter of minutes. It's like a switch gets flipped inside Aurelia and she goes from this timid innocent creature to a woman who is full of spark and as stubborn as the men who captured her. She has decided she will fight back and do what it takes to survive until she can figure out a way back home. But not before also learning all that she can about the things Eden refused to teach them. The more she learns the more she gives in to the life surrounding her in Hell. The pleasure, the excitement, the anger, the jealousy - all of these emotions and feelings she's never experienced before that she is finding are harder and harder to resist. The tether between her and the guys is growing as well as a pull to the feisty Darianna, one of the guys' usual playthings/friends.
The guys begin to notice how Aurelia is taking over their senses and quickly becoming the center of their attention, especially Daemon's. Daemon refuses to let a woman get to him as much as she does and will never let himself be controlled by one in any way. In an effort to maintain his control, he frequently pushes Aurelia's buttons as she pushes his right back. They constantly test each other's limits while they fight not only the lust but the yearning that has formed between them. But as Aurelia is learning more about herself and any powers she may or may not have it becomes clear that someone or something is not pleased with her arrival in this world. Her own mind is no longer safe and her life is suddenly hanging in the balance of a centuries-long agreement between powerful angels. Daemon, Alaric, Ronan, and even Darianna are determined to keep her as theirs and do everything in their power to make sure she isn't taken from them.
Once the suspense and mystery started falling into place I was done for. Flying through page after page as if I couldn't take a breath until I flipped to the next one. The characters had me laughing one minute and angry the next. I can't tell you how many times my heart constricted inside of my chest over things that were happening between Daemon and Aurelia. They are both exactly the same when it comes to how hard-headed they are and their need to control. However, as frustrating as they could be sometimes it also made for some seriously smoking hot spicy scenes! The other two guys are dominating and dirty in their own way but Daemon brings an extra level of authority to the mix and it just makes him even more delicious. When it comes to Darianna I couldn't breathe half the time! This was my first time reading anything that had an FF relationship in it so I was excited to pop that proverbial cherry but I wasn't prepared for how freaking sexy these two would be together - like set your skin on fire kind of hot. I now have some new criteria when looking for my next 'why choose' book that's for sure haha!
I'm telling you this book has all of my favorite things in it plus some things I had no idea I liked. I loved the hatred and anger in the beginning and how it morphs into so much more by the end yet still keeps that enemies-to-lovers vibe that I drool over. Daemon can make you swoon and piss you off in the same sentence and I couldn't get enough of it lol! Aurelia has such a transformation from the beginning of the book to the end but also remains true to herself deep down. But the ending...
The way this ends has to be at the top of my hate-to-love cliffhangers list. Because the cliffhanger is SO friggin good, it really is, but man is it one that will have you screaming in frustration and anger. It is one reason it has taken me a few days since finishing the book to finish this review. I just had to sit there at one point and try to work out my feelings over it. Granted it didn't work and I am still just as confused over how I feel about it lol but still at that moment, I was paralyzed from putting any thoughts into words. I am absolutely questioning everything I just read now and trying to predict where things could go from here, what could happen next, and/or who could be behind all the mysterious things that are happening. To say that I am ready for the next book is a severe understatement!
*Make sure to check the TW before reading - trust me it's a pretty dark book at times.*
~This is book one in a series and does end on a cliffhanger.~
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol
A Court of Wings and Ruin (1 of 3) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Sarah J. Maas
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
This cast nailed it again! I swear I can’t imagine listening to this series any other way. All of the sass you get from Feyre, who is giving me life in this book let me tell you, the sarcasm and snarky remarks from so many of the supporting characters, and the flirtatious bat boys 😏… it just brings the whole story to a new level.
I feel like some of Feyre’s attitude both real and fake may have come across when reading it but to hear her saying and thinking the things she does really makes you feel like you’re inside her head. After the way book two ended I am loving all of the scheming and planning going on. Things are stirring up and I can’t wait to see how it will all come together. I’m also thrilled that another person has been shown the truth about Rhys. That man deserves for people to know and I hope by the end of the series the world will know his truth without it bringing any threat to his people.
Off to part 2.
I feel like some of Feyre’s attitude both real and fake may have come across when reading it but to hear her saying and thinking the things she does really makes you feel like you’re inside her head. After the way book two ended I am loving all of the scheming and planning going on. Things are stirring up and I can’t wait to see how it will all come together. I’m also thrilled that another person has been shown the truth about Rhys. That man deserves for people to know and I hope by the end of the series the world will know his truth without it bringing any threat to his people.
Off to part 2.
The Right Wrong Number by Katie Warren
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
1st person/multi pov but mostly dual (I’ll explain below)
Spice: 4/5
*So the pov is mostly from the two main characters however, there are a couple of chapters that are from another character’s pov. I don’t want to spoil the surprise so I’ll just leave it at that. 😉
Now - if you want a book that is so down to earth, relatable, and will have you smiling so big your whole face hurts the entire time you read it then you must start this book ASAP! For at least 90-95% of the story I just couldn’t make myself stop grinning. Granted I wasn’t really trying to stop since I was enjoying it so much but still. The story follows Jules who is grieving the death of his husband. After letting that grief drown him Jules’ best friend Nora is there giving him the push that he needs to not waste away in his room and get back to living his life. To realize there is more life to live after loss. I enjoyed how the story explored just how life-altering death can be and gave an insight into some of the thoughts and feelings that accompany that grief. Having my own personal experience with this it really connected me to Jules as a lot of his thoughts, actions, and emotions were similar to my own. I felt seen and understood by a character who doesn’t exist and a person I’ve never met that wrote him. 🥹
When Jules takes Nora’s suggestion to talk to his late husband a tad to literal he unknowingly texts all of the things he would say to James to the new owner of his old phone number. Thinking it is a simple case of texting the wrong number the new owner, Liam, decides to respond in an attempt to clear up the mistake only to find out he’s speaking to the previous owners grieving spouse, Jules.
Liam is tired of the life he’s living and has started to notice just how lonely and unfulfilled it is. Realizing how much he has in common with Jules he decides to keep the conversation flowing. It is through the connection they have with each other that Liam finally discovers who he is and what he truly wants in life. He learns to embrace the parts of himself he was once unaware of and to accept his feelings despite any fear they bring with them.
Through all of the sorrow, there is humor and happiness. Through all of the guilt, there is support, love, and acceptance. And on top of that, there is some really good spice. The eagerness with which Liam dives into exploring this side of himself is contagious! I felt like such a cheerleader mentally giving him high fives and chanting encouragement as he gave it his best with little hesitation. 😂😂
And I can’t leave a review without mentioning the sassy feline that is Fishsticks. When I say this cat is a whole mood! 😆 You’ll see what I mean and love his wild self just as much as I did I can pretty much guarantee it.
This really was such an uplifting book about overcoming tragedy, the importance of finding our true selves, embracing any happiness that life brings our way, and how love can be the vehicle that takes us on that journey to our happy endings.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an inspiring read or in need of a reminder that love and belonging can be found in the most unexpected of places. It truly touched my heart, and I believe it will do the same for others.
Dark Side of the Cloth by Brooklyn Cross
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Forgive me father… for I am obsessed!!
3rd person/dual pov
Spice: 4/5
I am so glad I finally started this book! When I saw the audio was out I grabbed it right away.
The way the book starts showed me real quick how much this story was going to grab me and pull me in. It’s dark and tragic but with a little bit of light shining on a possible happy ending off in the distance. Yasmine’s character pulled at my heart with all the pain she’s experienced at such a young age on top of the domino effect it caused on the rest of her life. I took an instant liking to her and adored her relationship with Mabel.
But our “man of the cloth” Dean blew me away. His flashbacks to his past sometimes made my stomach turn knowing what his father put him through as a kid. Combine that with the hellacious situations he found himself in while serving in the military and I’m quite shocked he turned out as good of a man as he did. He’s kind when he needs to be or with someone he cares for and ruthless when it comes to his punishments. I applaud the work he does and I have to say some of the punishments were very creative and nicely done. 😆
Now this book gets to some spice fairly quickly haha, I truly wasn’t expecting it when it did happen even if it was just a sprinkle of spice. It made for a very awkward and funny moment between the two main characters the first time we see them interacting. Throughout the rest of the book that steam gets built up the more, they’re around each other. The tension grows as they keep pushing at the lines between them and fighting their internal battles over whether or not they should give in to their temptations. Every time they blur that line it just got hotter. I can never look at a confessional the same way again haha that was top-tier right there. Dean switches from the collected neighborhood holy man to a dominating and passionate lover flawlessly. It really made those spicy moments just a tad spicier in my opinion.
I also like the way the religious aspect was written into the story. You’ve got moments where there is a sermon, funeral, or other priestly duties that were described in ways that are familiar and you could see them playing out in the real world exactly like that. Then on the other hand you had moments where Dean spoke of religion in pretty thought-provoking ways. Asking questions or making statements that at some point I’m sure most of us have had or thought of as well. But never in my life did I think a man reciting anything about the Bible during any form of foreplay would be as sinfully hot as it was in this book. Talk about a jaw-drop moment - I was panting through fits of giggling with that one lol!
The audio for this was freaking phenomenal as well. Not only did the narrators give an EPIC performance to all of the characters they portrayed but the sound effects that were added in were an amazing extra touch. They really helped set the tone of some scenes and/or heightened the emotions they were meant to convey. It turns listening to a book from simply reading a story to an immersive experience. So yes the audiobook is highly recommended!!
Now due to the nature of this story, the content is pretty dark. Brooklyn does not shy away from details and paints very vivid and clear pictures of what the characters are seeing, smelling, feeling, etc. It is imperative if you have any triggers to read through the TW first before diving right in. And if you’re listening to the audio be prepared for some things to be more emotional than if you were just reading it. When I say these narrators get into these characters I am not exaggerating, and again they excelled at this performance. It’s one thing to read about a character breaking down but to hear their voice and the pain or heartache in it well it just hits different.
I cannot wait to continue with this series and see where it leads next.
3rd person/dual pov
Spice: 4/5
I am so glad I finally started this book! When I saw the audio was out I grabbed it right away.
The way the book starts showed me real quick how much this story was going to grab me and pull me in. It’s dark and tragic but with a little bit of light shining on a possible happy ending off in the distance. Yasmine’s character pulled at my heart with all the pain she’s experienced at such a young age on top of the domino effect it caused on the rest of her life. I took an instant liking to her and adored her relationship with Mabel.
But our “man of the cloth” Dean blew me away. His flashbacks to his past sometimes made my stomach turn knowing what his father put him through as a kid. Combine that with the hellacious situations he found himself in while serving in the military and I’m quite shocked he turned out as good of a man as he did. He’s kind when he needs to be or with someone he cares for and ruthless when it comes to his punishments. I applaud the work he does and I have to say some of the punishments were very creative and nicely done. 😆
Now this book gets to some spice fairly quickly haha, I truly wasn’t expecting it when it did happen even if it was just a sprinkle of spice. It made for a very awkward and funny moment between the two main characters the first time we see them interacting. Throughout the rest of the book that steam gets built up the more, they’re around each other. The tension grows as they keep pushing at the lines between them and fighting their internal battles over whether or not they should give in to their temptations. Every time they blur that line it just got hotter. I can never look at a confessional the same way again haha that was top-tier right there. Dean switches from the collected neighborhood holy man to a dominating and passionate lover flawlessly. It really made those spicy moments just a tad spicier in my opinion.
I also like the way the religious aspect was written into the story. You’ve got moments where there is a sermon, funeral, or other priestly duties that were described in ways that are familiar and you could see them playing out in the real world exactly like that. Then on the other hand you had moments where Dean spoke of religion in pretty thought-provoking ways. Asking questions or making statements that at some point I’m sure most of us have had or thought of as well. But never in my life did I think a man reciting anything about the Bible during any form of foreplay would be as sinfully hot as it was in this book. Talk about a jaw-drop moment - I was panting through fits of giggling with that one lol!
The audio for this was freaking phenomenal as well. Not only did the narrators give an EPIC performance to all of the characters they portrayed but the sound effects that were added in were an amazing extra touch. They really helped set the tone of some scenes and/or heightened the emotions they were meant to convey. It turns listening to a book from simply reading a story to an immersive experience. So yes the audiobook is highly recommended!!
Now due to the nature of this story, the content is pretty dark. Brooklyn does not shy away from details and paints very vivid and clear pictures of what the characters are seeing, smelling, feeling, etc. It is imperative if you have any triggers to read through the TW first before diving right in. And if you’re listening to the audio be prepared for some things to be more emotional than if you were just reading it. When I say these narrators get into these characters I am not exaggerating, and again they excelled at this performance. It’s one thing to read about a character breaking down but to hear their voice and the pain or heartache in it well it just hits different.
I cannot wait to continue with this series and see where it leads next.
Little Dancer by Rory Ireland, Tate Monroe
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 5/5 - HOT AF!
I don't even know where my head is at right now... I just devoured this and I feel like there is steam coming out of every single pore on my body. I mean what was in this damn thing?? Let's break it down...
Voyeurism & exhibitionism - yea this whole concept has never been high on my list of likes, not that I dislike it or anything I just usually don't care one way or the other if it's there. But in this book?? Lord, it just hit differently. I think maybe the FMC being so inexperienced and her reactions to it are why it stood out so much to me here.
The degradation & praise - mmmph it was so so good! I loved how he could be so stern and dominating but with this fatherly kind of aspect to it that made it somehow a little softer than what it normally would be. Like he was still demanding and degrading but in a way that felt like he was also mentoring her without expecting too much from her. He was just so gentle about it in some ways and it completely worked for his character. Plus the "little dancer" pet name just gave me life every time he used it!
Some mild dub-con is always a nice addition and added some extra tension at the beginning of the book. A very interesting cane scene that somehow went as I expected but also didn't lol. But the holy grail of all the things and what I have been trying to find more of recently is somnophilia!! My gawd! This is not just some light sprinkle of it in the story where it starts out that way and within seconds everyone is alert and aware. No - this is a legit full scene that I've been wanting so badly from these two and they delivered! It. Was. Sizzling.
Then of course there is the whole taboo aspect of their relationship that just brings it all to the next level. I mean I love a good age gap and this was definitely one of the bigger age gaps I've read so the whole Grandpa thing was way hotter than I anticipated it would be. I also feel like the circumstances around how she grew up and his place in her life during that time are what made this work so well. It sits on that fine line of taboo because of their relation to each other but at the same time it's almost easy to look past at certain points because she doesn't really know him at first. The whole storyline and the way their relationship plays out over time and then morphs by the end was just mouth-watering and I couldn't put it down. Highly highly recommend it for your next taboo read!
*Please remember to review the TW from the authors and keep in mind this is a TABOO romance before reading.*
Spice: 5/5 - HOT AF!
I don't even know where my head is at right now... I just devoured this and I feel like there is steam coming out of every single pore on my body. I mean what was in this damn thing?? Let's break it down...
Voyeurism & exhibitionism - yea this whole concept has never been high on my list of likes, not that I dislike it or anything I just usually don't care one way or the other if it's there. But in this book?? Lord, it just hit differently. I think maybe the FMC being so inexperienced and her reactions to it are why it stood out so much to me here.
The degradation & praise - mmmph it was so so good! I loved how he could be so stern and dominating but with this fatherly kind of aspect to it that made it somehow a little softer than what it normally would be. Like he was still demanding and degrading but in a way that felt like he was also mentoring her without expecting too much from her. He was just so gentle about it in some ways and it completely worked for his character. Plus the "little dancer" pet name just gave me life every time he used it!
Some mild dub-con is always a nice addition and added some extra tension at the beginning of the book. A very interesting cane scene that somehow went as I expected but also didn't lol. But the holy grail of all the things and what I have been trying to find more of recently is somnophilia!! My gawd! This is not just some light sprinkle of it in the story where it starts out that way and within seconds everyone is alert and aware. No - this is a legit full scene that I've been wanting so badly from these two and they delivered! It. Was. Sizzling.
Then of course there is the whole taboo aspect of their relationship that just brings it all to the next level. I mean I love a good age gap and this was definitely one of the bigger age gaps I've read so the whole Grandpa thing was way hotter than I anticipated it would be. I also feel like the circumstances around how she grew up and his place in her life during that time are what made this work so well. It sits on that fine line of taboo because of their relation to each other but at the same time it's almost easy to look past at certain points because she doesn't really know him at first. The whole storyline and the way their relationship plays out over time and then morphs by the end was just mouth-watering and I couldn't put it down. Highly highly recommend it for your next taboo read!
*Please remember to review the TW from the authors and keep in mind this is a TABOO romance before reading.*
Lily's Ash by Sarah J.D.
dark
mysterious
fast-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
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 5/5
WHEW! I'll be honest I wasn't sure how much I was going to like the reverse age gap in this one before I started reading it. It's not something I read a lot of because I'm usually not a fan of the MMC in them. Well, let me tell you I am a huge fan of this one! Asher was a guy I did not see coming and I couldn't get enough of him. In fact, I didn't see Lily's character coming either. After seeing her character in the previous book in this series, Dante's Inferno, I was sort of on the fence about whether or not I liked her. I was hoping that her book would change that and what I discovered about her shook me!
Finding out who she is as soon as the book opened was such a hook there was no way I was going to put it down after that. Because now that I knew I needed to know how she ended up here and what that meant for her character moving forward. Apparently Lily has done an excellent job of keeping this huge secret about herself hidden from pretty much everyone around her which explains why I didn't see it coming. It definitely answers some questions I had after finishing the first book. Her character is so much deeper than I originally pegged her to be and seeing all of those layers peeled back just made me want to read more about her.
Then we have Asher... oh my lord. At first, he felt like a kid because all I could see in my head was a teenager since Lily kept mentioning he was her twin boys' best friend. It didn't take long for Ash to change that image of him though. The mouth on this guy! He is so blunt and honest with her most of the time that it blew me away. He knows what he wants and he's not afraid to let her know that what he wants is her. Beyond the sexual attraction and chemistry, he really does care about her and sees all the different parts of her. None of that makes him want her any less which is something she needs and deserves. It's also worth mentioning that the way this guy worships her (even if he's a tad on the obsessive side lol) is the hottest thing about him. I mean his pleasure comes from her pleasure and that is just top-tier smut right there.
Now for all my fellow somno kink lovers out there - add this to your TBR. It had a good chunk of it and I devoured every second of it! I do not see enough of this in books so that was a huge bonus for me as I was reading to have it keep popping up in the story. Mmmph! Sarah is out here giving a girl what she really wants with this one lol!
*Please check the TW before reading as this is a dark romance.*
Spice: 5/5
WHEW! I'll be honest I wasn't sure how much I was going to like the reverse age gap in this one before I started reading it. It's not something I read a lot of because I'm usually not a fan of the MMC in them. Well, let me tell you I am a huge fan of this one! Asher was a guy I did not see coming and I couldn't get enough of him. In fact, I didn't see Lily's character coming either. After seeing her character in the previous book in this series, Dante's Inferno, I was sort of on the fence about whether or not I liked her. I was hoping that her book would change that and what I discovered about her shook me!
Finding out who she is as soon as the book opened was such a hook there was no way I was going to put it down after that. Because now that I knew I needed to know how she ended up here and what that meant for her character moving forward. Apparently Lily has done an excellent job of keeping this huge secret about herself hidden from pretty much everyone around her which explains why I didn't see it coming. It definitely answers some questions I had after finishing the first book. Her character is so much deeper than I originally pegged her to be and seeing all of those layers peeled back just made me want to read more about her.
Then we have Asher... oh my lord. At first, he felt like a kid because all I could see in my head was a teenager since Lily kept mentioning he was her twin boys' best friend. It didn't take long for Ash to change that image of him though. The mouth on this guy! He is so blunt and honest with her most of the time that it blew me away. He knows what he wants and he's not afraid to let her know that what he wants is her. Beyond the sexual attraction and chemistry, he really does care about her and sees all the different parts of her. None of that makes him want her any less which is something she needs and deserves. It's also worth mentioning that the way this guy worships her (even if he's a tad on the obsessive side lol) is the hottest thing about him. I mean his pleasure comes from her pleasure and that is just top-tier smut right there.
Now for all my fellow somno kink lovers out there - add this to your TBR. It had a good chunk of it and I devoured every second of it! I do not see enough of this in books so that was a huge bonus for me as I was reading to have it keep popping up in the story. Mmmph! Sarah is out here giving a girl what she really wants with this one lol!
*Please check the TW before reading as this is a dark romance.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder
Somnophilia
Sacrilege: A Forbidden Dark Romance Anthology by Mika Lane, Amber Nicole, S.J. Ransom, Sienna Varrone, Teegan Wylde, Lola King, Beck Knight, Hayden Locke, Harlow Layne, J.S. Mercier, C. Hallman, Delaney Dare, R.A. Smyth, Shanjida Nusrath Ali
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
So I really really liked pretty much all of these stories but this review will be highlighting a few of them.
♰ 𝗨𝗻𝗵𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗩𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗲 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This story wasted no time getting to the tension! Declan runs into Eve after years have passed of them not seeing each other only to find her dressed as a nun. You can feel how angry and hurt they are with each other right away. Both believing the other has broken their heart with no remorse yet still drawn to each other.
Knowing they are in the same city becomes too much for Declan and he needs answers. As the truth is revealed their hearts break all over again in a different way but also begin on the path to healing. Now that Declan has Eve back in his life there’s only one thing left to do - show her that the the sisters can’t offer her what he can. And boy does he offer it right there in front of God and anyone who may stumble upon them! 😂
The mouth on this man! 👏🏻👏🏻 Filthy! 🙌🏻
The rosary thing was so hot I can’t even explain why and I will never look at another one the same way. I loved these two, their connection, and their story. I would love to see more from them in the future!
♱ 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗞𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh. My. Gawd. 🙈
I didn’t know I needed a naughty Bratva godfather on my book boyfriend list but Konstantin is sure on it now! His loyalty is possibly the sexiest thing about him. I mean he’s basically sacrificed his full happiness for years because of it. And once he held his little bee in his arms and became Nicoletta’s godfather that loyalty shifted to her along with his protection for the rest of her life.
So naturally, sitting at an auction watching her sell off her V card to take the one thing from her father she felt like she could control didn’t go over well. After saving her from such a risky situation they wind up having to hide out underground to remain safe while they wait for one of her brothers to show up. Suddenly it’s all too clear that things have shifted between the two of them and the reactions they are having to each other can no longer be ignored. This poor man really does try to fight it but Nicoletta fights back just as hard for what she wants - and that’s Konstantin.
The spice takes a little bit to really get good and heated up but he more than makes up for it in the end. And let me tell you this brings a whole new meaning to giving yourself to someone being a religious experience. 💀
But that ending has me itching for more of their story! What a way to leave us on a cliffhanger! 😳 Without a doubt I MUST know what happens with them next especially when they are smack dab in the middle of a Bratva family war.
✟ 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh Nate… this poor sweet broken man!! 😭
His story breaks my heart into pieces! You always see women with his kind of past and trauma but hardly ever men. This story sheds light on how men can be manipulated, taken advantage of, abused, and shamed in the same ways that women can. Trauma is trauma no matter who it happens to or where it comes from. To know that he got out of his awful situation only to be betrayed in the end and left living a life he wasn’t sure he was worthy of anymore just hit me in the chest so hard.
But then Eden bounces into his life when he’s at one of his lowest moments and makes him feel things he thought he’d locked away for good. I loved the playful banter they have throughout the night they meet and how it builds up the steamy tension between them. And as he loses himself in her orbit at war with himself on who he’s meant to be she shows him what it’s like to have all of the pieces of you be accepted. Besides all that BDE running through his veins deserves to be let loose and appreciated not shamed away and locked in a box. 😆
And let me add one last thing - their ending and the path they take to get there was so perfect! It was exactly what each of them needed in order to be their best selves in their future. 👏🏻👏🏻
So yea I may come back and add some more specifics for other stories featured here later as I sort of process all the characters I’ve met recently but for now these are the three I’d say are must reads for sure!
*make sure to read the TW and/or author’s note before each story as they will differ some from one to the next.*
♰ 𝗨𝗻𝗵𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗩𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗲 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This story wasted no time getting to the tension! Declan runs into Eve after years have passed of them not seeing each other only to find her dressed as a nun. You can feel how angry and hurt they are with each other right away. Both believing the other has broken their heart with no remorse yet still drawn to each other.
Knowing they are in the same city becomes too much for Declan and he needs answers. As the truth is revealed their hearts break all over again in a different way but also begin on the path to healing. Now that Declan has Eve back in his life there’s only one thing left to do - show her that the the sisters can’t offer her what he can. And boy does he offer it right there in front of God and anyone who may stumble upon them! 😂
The mouth on this man! 👏🏻👏🏻 Filthy! 🙌🏻
The rosary thing was so hot I can’t even explain why and I will never look at another one the same way. I loved these two, their connection, and their story. I would love to see more from them in the future!
♱ 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗞𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh. My. Gawd. 🙈
I didn’t know I needed a naughty Bratva godfather on my book boyfriend list but Konstantin is sure on it now! His loyalty is possibly the sexiest thing about him. I mean he’s basically sacrificed his full happiness for years because of it. And once he held his little bee in his arms and became Nicoletta’s godfather that loyalty shifted to her along with his protection for the rest of her life.
So naturally, sitting at an auction watching her sell off her V card to take the one thing from her father she felt like she could control didn’t go over well. After saving her from such a risky situation they wind up having to hide out underground to remain safe while they wait for one of her brothers to show up. Suddenly it’s all too clear that things have shifted between the two of them and the reactions they are having to each other can no longer be ignored. This poor man really does try to fight it but Nicoletta fights back just as hard for what she wants - and that’s Konstantin.
The spice takes a little bit to really get good and heated up but he more than makes up for it in the end. And let me tell you this brings a whole new meaning to giving yourself to someone being a religious experience. 💀
But that ending has me itching for more of their story! What a way to leave us on a cliffhanger! 😳 Without a doubt I MUST know what happens with them next especially when they are smack dab in the middle of a Bratva family war.
✟ 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝘆𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh Nate… this poor sweet broken man!! 😭
His story breaks my heart into pieces! You always see women with his kind of past and trauma but hardly ever men. This story sheds light on how men can be manipulated, taken advantage of, abused, and shamed in the same ways that women can. Trauma is trauma no matter who it happens to or where it comes from. To know that he got out of his awful situation only to be betrayed in the end and left living a life he wasn’t sure he was worthy of anymore just hit me in the chest so hard.
But then Eden bounces into his life when he’s at one of his lowest moments and makes him feel things he thought he’d locked away for good. I loved the playful banter they have throughout the night they meet and how it builds up the steamy tension between them. And as he loses himself in her orbit at war with himself on who he’s meant to be she shows him what it’s like to have all of the pieces of you be accepted. Besides all that BDE running through his veins deserves to be let loose and appreciated not shamed away and locked in a box. 😆
And let me add one last thing - their ending and the path they take to get there was so perfect! It was exactly what each of them needed in order to be their best selves in their future. 👏🏻👏🏻
So yea I may come back and add some more specifics for other stories featured here later as I sort of process all the characters I’ve met recently but for now these are the three I’d say are must reads for sure!
*make sure to read the TW and/or author’s note before each story as they will differ some from one to the next.*
The Sacrifice by Shantel Tessier
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 5/5
"Are you ready, Little Darling?"
NO, I was NOT ready... but I don't regret a minute of it! I have been hearing that Ryat had some competition because Tyson was on his own level and I had a hard time believing it until I read this! I feel like I've said it so many times, but I'll say it again. Tyson has ZERO chill! I mean as far as unhinged goes I'd say he's pretty close to the top of that list. There were so many moments that left my jaw on the floor or had me hollering in shock. It was such a wild and entertaining read!
I have been wondering what had happened in the past with Tyson since I read The Ritual. I knew there would be quite a story there but I never imagined just how far it would go. If you've read any of the books about The Lords then you already know how manipulating and conniving they are. They are taught not to question anything and follow orders no matter what. Promises are made of protection and big rewards for carrying out the depraved tasks they ask of their members. Once you are in this world the only way out is with your final breath. So when The Lords failed to keep their promise to Tyson years ago simply leaving was not an option. Instead, he made a choice, his sacrifice, for the chance at revenge. A plan that he put into place and waited for the perfect moment to carry out. It was time to crash a wedding.
I have to say the moment Tyson hijacks Lake's wedding is one of my favorites! The way he just walks in and takes over the entire thing without a care in the world was perfect. I knew then that his character was going to be a force to be reckoned with and that Lake had no idea what all she was in for. The things this man put her through! Sometimes I didn't know if I was more shocked, appalled, turned on, or wanted to laugh over it. Sometimes it was more than one. Let me just say that the pretty little choker that is involved was already great but later on, when you find out more about it I couldn't breathe! I was laughing so hard I was crying but also going wtaf the entire time. It. Was. Great. I never expected it and it stopped me in my tracks for a good minute. Tyson wanted to show the world Lake meant nothing to him. He wanted to parade her around and embarrass her family in the process. He excelled at doing so to the point I was constantly questioning if things would ever take a turn between them. As well as at times when it seemed like they were I questioned if it was sincere or just another act. Can we get Tyson an Oscar for that performance? Cause he absolutely deserves it lol!
(Also, I looooove me some Ryat! So the fact that his character makes so many appearances in this book just made it even better! While you don't technically have to read The Ritual first to read this one I do highly recommend it so that his story is not spoiled in any way.)
I also felt so so bad for Lake. She didn't ask for any of this to happen to her. From the time they lost her sister forward, her life got even more strict and she had even more pressure put on her. The emotional abuse that her family put her through just broke my heart. There were several times I wanted to throttle members of her family for being such horrible people and it irritated me to no end that I couldn't reach into the book and accomplish that. Then let us talk about frustration... Whew! This girl may have been lacking in confidence but one thing she didn't lack was strength, even when she felt like she was weak. Because to have gone through all of the crap her family put her through, then the wedding to Tyson, the marriage that follows, the humiliation, the sexual frustration, and being so left in the dark on what was actually happening around her I'd have snapped within the first 25-30% of the book! Each time she would ask a question only to be ignored or have the answer swept under a rug I wanted to scream for her. While in the end, I understand why Tyson kept her in the dark about certain things I still think he didn't give her enough credit or opportunity to show him how much she truly could handle. Had he been more upfront with her there's a chance her reactions to some things would have gone differently as well.
But the SPICE between these two - good lord! (haha see what I did there?) For all of his flaws, the man knew his way around her body and commanded it like it was his own. I lost count of how many times I was left panting after reading a scene between them. I've never even read or heard of some of the things that were done to her before which is shocking to me considering all of the boundary-pushing smut I've read before this book. So if you want spice that will leave you almost breathless then buckle up and have a go at this one.
As for the storyline, it was absolutely a favorite of mine. So many secrets and twists are weaved through the timeline in this book that it will have you constantly wondering who you can trust, who is behind all of this, and what their motive could possibly be. I know I had a few guesses that as soon as I thought were about to be confirmed wound up being wrong. And as all of the information begins to unfold in front of you leading you to the final answer as to what started this entire thing the hits will just keep on coming. It was like one betrayal or shock wasn't good enough so here are three more to shatter your brain and your heart. Lake deserved none of this and my chest physically ached for her by the end. To think it all started over what it did... just goes to show how one act can snowball into something that touches so many lives whether good or bad. But as messed up as the events that occurred were Lake wouldn't have wound up with the ending she did. That ending is all I wanted for her and then some.
Now I can't wait to see where this world will take us next with Carnage. I have some thoughts on it and if any of them are correct then I know it will be phenomenal!
**Please do not skip the TW/CW on this book if you typically need them as there is without a doubt content that some readers may find triggering. It. Is. Dark.**
Spice: 5/5
"Are you ready, Little Darling?"
NO, I was NOT ready... but I don't regret a minute of it! I have been hearing that Ryat had some competition because Tyson was on his own level and I had a hard time believing it until I read this! I feel like I've said it so many times, but I'll say it again. Tyson has ZERO chill! I mean as far as unhinged goes I'd say he's pretty close to the top of that list. There were so many moments that left my jaw on the floor or had me hollering in shock. It was such a wild and entertaining read!
I have been wondering what had happened in the past with Tyson since I read The Ritual. I knew there would be quite a story there but I never imagined just how far it would go. If you've read any of the books about The Lords then you already know how manipulating and conniving they are. They are taught not to question anything and follow orders no matter what. Promises are made of protection and big rewards for carrying out the depraved tasks they ask of their members. Once you are in this world the only way out is with your final breath. So when The Lords failed to keep their promise to Tyson years ago simply leaving was not an option. Instead, he made a choice, his sacrifice, for the chance at revenge. A plan that he put into place and waited for the perfect moment to carry out. It was time to crash a wedding.
I have to say the moment Tyson hijacks Lake's wedding is one of my favorites! The way he just walks in and takes over the entire thing without a care in the world was perfect. I knew then that his character was going to be a force to be reckoned with and that Lake had no idea what all she was in for. The things this man put her through! Sometimes I didn't know if I was more shocked, appalled, turned on, or wanted to laugh over it. Sometimes it was more than one. Let me just say that the pretty little choker that is involved was already great but later on, when you find out more about it I couldn't breathe! I was laughing so hard I was crying but also going wtaf the entire time. It. Was. Great. I never expected it and it stopped me in my tracks for a good minute. Tyson wanted to show the world Lake meant nothing to him. He wanted to parade her around and embarrass her family in the process. He excelled at doing so to the point I was constantly questioning if things would ever take a turn between them. As well as at times when it seemed like they were I questioned if it was sincere or just another act. Can we get Tyson an Oscar for that performance? Cause he absolutely deserves it lol!
(Also, I looooove me some Ryat! So the fact that his character makes so many appearances in this book just made it even better! While you don't technically have to read The Ritual first to read this one I do highly recommend it so that his story is not spoiled in any way.)
I also felt so so bad for Lake. She didn't ask for any of this to happen to her. From the time they lost her sister forward, her life got even more strict and she had even more pressure put on her. The emotional abuse that her family put her through just broke my heart. There were several times I wanted to throttle members of her family for being such horrible people and it irritated me to no end that I couldn't reach into the book and accomplish that. Then let us talk about frustration... Whew! This girl may have been lacking in confidence but one thing she didn't lack was strength, even when she felt like she was weak. Because to have gone through all of the crap her family put her through, then the wedding to Tyson, the marriage that follows, the humiliation, the sexual frustration, and being so left in the dark on what was actually happening around her I'd have snapped within the first 25-30% of the book! Each time she would ask a question only to be ignored or have the answer swept under a rug I wanted to scream for her. While in the end, I understand why Tyson kept her in the dark about certain things I still think he didn't give her enough credit or opportunity to show him how much she truly could handle. Had he been more upfront with her there's a chance her reactions to some things would have gone differently as well.
But the SPICE between these two - good lord! (haha see what I did there?) For all of his flaws, the man knew his way around her body and commanded it like it was his own. I lost count of how many times I was left panting after reading a scene between them. I've never even read or heard of some of the things that were done to her before which is shocking to me considering all of the boundary-pushing smut I've read before this book. So if you want spice that will leave you almost breathless then buckle up and have a go at this one.
As for the storyline, it was absolutely a favorite of mine. So many secrets and twists are weaved through the timeline in this book that it will have you constantly wondering who you can trust, who is behind all of this, and what their motive could possibly be. I know I had a few guesses that as soon as I thought were about to be confirmed wound up being wrong. And as all of the information begins to unfold in front of you leading you to the final answer as to what started this entire thing the hits will just keep on coming. It was like one betrayal or shock wasn't good enough so here are three more to shatter your brain and your heart. Lake deserved none of this and my chest physically ached for her by the end. To think it all started over what it did... just goes to show how one act can snowball into something that touches so many lives whether good or bad. But as messed up as the events that occurred were Lake wouldn't have wound up with the ending she did. That ending is all I wanted for her and then some.
Now I can't wait to see where this world will take us next with Carnage. I have some thoughts on it and if any of them are correct then I know it will be phenomenal!
**Please do not skip the TW/CW on this book if you typically need them as there is without a doubt content that some readers may find triggering. It. Is. Dark.**
5000 Nights of Obsession: A Twisted Gatsby Story by Drethi Anis
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 4.5/5
This is the most romantic non-romance I’ve ever read! 😂
But I’m a sucker for grand gestures, especially from unhinged men so of course to ME it’s romantic. 🙈
Now the author does not classify this as a romance due to the nature of the story and I guess depending on how you look at it the ending. While I saw a happy ending others may not and that’s ok. I’m here to give you my personal opinion and thoughts so you can do with that what you will.
Let me start by pointing out this is a story involving relations outside of a marriage. Things are complicated and messy so it’s not strictly black and white when it comes to their situation. The time frames jump around a lot which I normally do not care for so much back and forth but with the way this story is written, it seems to work and didn’t bother me. In fact, it kept building this feeling of suspense because you know there’s more to this predicament they’ve wound up in from the start. If you got all the answers in the beginning it would have made the majority of the story boring in my opinion. On top of that, I feel like it was necessary to understand how they were feeling in both the past and present in order to fully understand why these things are happening now as well as their reactions to it all.
Piya at 21 is a free spirit with a huge heart who chooses to see the best in people. Unfortunately, people tend to let her down and it makes seem as if she’s making mistake after mistake. Fearing that she will alienate her entire family she makes some changes and ends up living a life they approve of. Piya in her mid-30s has everything she could have hoped for. The perfect husband, financial stability, a successful albeit private career, a brilliant daughter… for the most part she’s happy. Upon attending a lavish social gathering with her husband to help him further his business connections she catches the attention of the mysterious host, Axel Trimalchio. A man who is swimming in wealth and power with darkness pouring off every inch of him. Regardless of the pull she feels and how drawn he is to her she quickly shuts down any advances. It quickly becomes clear however that there is more to this man than fame and fortune and he has his sights set on her. However, when a man like him becomes obsessed there is nothing and no one he will let stand in his way.
When I say my jaw was practically dislodged from my face for most of the book I wish I almost wish I was kidding. The lengths this man is willing to go to are limitless. He is determined to get what he wants and nothing is going to stop him from achieving his goal. The author was not lying when stating this man is morally irredeemable and once you read some of the things he does you will understand why. But the more I learned about who he is and his past the more I understood why he is the way he is. The more I understood his reasoning in his own head for his actions. And lastly, I understood the reason for his obsession. Setting aside the fact that he’s done unspeakable things to get what he wants once I understood where he was coming from I could see past the horror of it all. And in the end, at its core, I could feel the romance. I can’t sit here and say that I agree with all of his methods but at the same time, I can’t say that I didn’t melt at how romantic his grand gestures could be even if they weren’t intended that way. But as I mentioned before I am a complete sucker for a bad man doing wherever it takes for the woman in his life no matter the consequences or how unhinged it may seem to others.
I also really enjoyed the whole concept of the story and the little twists that played out over the course of it. This felt like it had a unique twist on the whole stalker/obsessive MMC narrative and I found myself analyzing every single encounter or word said. Now because of this, I was able to pick apart some of the details and piece together the direction parts of the story were headed in but figuring it out and then seeing what parts I got right was half the fun and never felt like it spoiled the rest of the book. If anything it just made getting to the ending and seeing how it all played out even more satisfying.
The last thing I’ll mention is the spice. Good lord wrong or not this was spicy! Sometimes the fact it was so wrong just made it that much hotter. But for me, that’s how it works. I don’t normally point out specific potential triggers in reviews because I feel like they spoil the story for those of us who don’t need them but I feel like it’s necessary to point out one in particular. This story does contain dub-con/non-con more than once. If that’s not something you’re comfortable reading then this would not be the book for you. But if you’re like me and enjoy it then you should absolutely grab this book next because it’s a dub-con/non-con lover’s field day. 😂😂
In fact, I won’t even pretend like it didn’t make Axel more delectable at some points because his need for control and taking what he wants had me fanning myself more than once. 🙈
So please don’t skip the TW unless you know you won’t need them. And if you don’t or if you do and can handle them then you will enjoy the hell out of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking
Dante's Storm by B. Lybaek
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 5/5
I’ve been struggling to find the words I want to say about this book so bear with me here lol. I’ll start with I really enjoyed it some moments a little more than others but overall it was really good. I was surprised by the plot a little bit because I didn’t sense things going in the direction it did from the blurb. So that brought its own level of intrigue to the book and I really enjoyed how things played out in the background of their story in that regard.
When it comes to the relationship between Dante and Caitlin/Storm I had mixed feelings mostly in the beginning. Things started off with the usual tension you find in taboo romance. Dante and “Caitlin” both have feelings sparking for each other that they know are inappropriate but are getting hard to ignore. Then an “oops” moment that’s a tad awkward sort of shifts the dynamic a little and down the rabbit hole we go. The flirting and the teasing start to increase and it’s obvious there’s something between them even if there shouldn’t be. This is my favorite part of this kind of book because you really get to see how much or how little they fight the pull to each other.
And boy does Dante fight it more than I expected him to. Caitlin went after what she wanted there’s no denying that. Weirdly, this is where I was on the fence about my feelings, and don’t ask me why cause I can’t really answer that. Something about the way things went down in their first actual moment together just had me feeling off with Caitlin. I felt so bad for Dante through that entire scene and though his actions following it were pretty hurtful I understand him feeling like it was the best thing for him to do.
Once Caitlin becomes “Storm” thought I felt a shift in how much I was enjoying the book. I found myself liking her a little more as Storm and I feel like she somehow fits better with Dante more than she did before. Of course, this is where the spice kicked up quite a bit as well and I found myself with my jaw dropping a couple of times. 😂 I will certainly never look at bananas the same way again that’s for sure! 🙈
The ending was just a tad abrupt for my liking but I didn’t exactly hate it. Other than a moment where my heart took a beating that I didn’t see coming things got wrapped up and I wasn’t left with anything unanswered or unresolved. So like I previously stated as a whole I liked the story a lot and I’m interested in seeing how/if it ties into the others that are coming up in the series.
Make sure you check the TW before reading as this book does contain some fairly dark content.