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thebritishbibliophile's reviews
711 reviews
The Dark King by Gina L. Maxwell
5.0
'One of the best erotic novels I've read in a very long time. Riveting as it is raunchy, I happily kneel before this King!' -TheBritishBibliophile_
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for sending me an ebook ARC via NetGalley for me to read and leave an honest review.
-------------------
When a book says or mentions--either on the cover or on the inside--Fifty Shades, I'm as intrigued as I am curious. Usually I read 'if you like Fifty Shades, you're going to love this', or 'better than Fifty Shades'. During these moments, I usually walk away from a read. Why? Because I don't believe in using the name of another book/author, or running down another book/author to bring more attention to the upcoming or released book. A book should be able to stand on its own merit, in my opinion.
However... The Dark King seems to be an exception to my rule. On the cover for this novel is a quote by Helen Hardt. It reads; 'Neon Gods meets Fifty Shades... Delicously dark and sexy!' . Where this is an obvious mention to Fifty Shades and regardless of if either author is a fan or not, I was intrigued as Helen is an author who's opinions I take in high regard and as a lover of both Katee Robert, author of Neon Gods and Erika L James, author of all things Fifty Shades, I was more than lured to give this read a chance, and to finally read my first Gina L Maxwell novel.
Time to meet the King.
As quoted on the cover, we were promised a story which is a mix of Neon Gods and Fifty Shades. Before opening the book, I broke this down in my mind as a story of supernatural-like creatures-meets-kinky fuckery, touching along the lines of BDSM in some way. Given how we know more about the latter, thanks to the continued success of the franchise. This, however, could always change once reading the contents of the book that promised a heady mix of these two already legendary reads. Will it live up to what has been quoted about it? Or will it do the opposite? Gentle readers, I'm very pleased to inform you that Ms Hardt was correct in her summing up of The Dark King .
Where we weren't exactly transported to a world like we were in Neon Gods , the supernatural came to us here on Earth. This is where the fun begins, for these beings are not what they seem. Especially The King and owner of Las Vegas' most prestigious casino & hotel. There is a man with many hidden secrets, AND hidden desires.
Caiden Verran--King of the 'Night Court' and fae--is a man not to be trifled with. Like Christian Grey, Caiden is a man--a fae--who gets what he wants and all who walk behind him or have the pleasure of seeing him, are simply filled with awe at his presence. Though alpha males like Caiden are usually full of swagger and arrogance, this alpha male is proud, passionate and stubborn. For he is not like other men--certainly not like any other leading book men--, he not only has to think about his life in the mortal realm, but the consequences and the domineering world in which he came from. He and his kind may no longer be in the fae world, but their lineage--and its curses--follow them every step they make. Like Bryn, I fell under Caiden's spell the moment I first read about him and from his first chapter POV. Although at times frustrating as alpha males go, Caiden is a very likeable character whom people--such as myself--easily warm to. Yet despite what we first know about him, there is more deep down that we discover as the chapters pass. Slowly unwound is the image projected into this fiction world that is Caiden Verran, and revealed is the man inside whom very few get to see but as a reader, we are privy to seeing him in all his shades of grey.
Standing beside him as fellow novel lead as previously mentioned, is Bryn Meara. As human as humans can get, she is dropped into this world by very unforeseen and unusual circumstances. It seems as almost as if 'fate' has dropped this young, driven lady into the world of kings, queens, and all things fae. Considering her backstory and past--which you'll discover when reading this book--, Bryn is a determined, headstrong young woman who knows her worth and value. In a world full of otherworldly creatures, situations and unexpected events, she is a diamond in the ruff who shines through and is much tougher than she looks. Bryn is every equal to Caiden, in terms of her personality and character. She is his equal. Which he will soon--or rather, eventually--realise.
Where this isn't a story which rivals the ACOTAR series in terms of all things fae and Night Court in terms of detail and complexity, The Dark King is its own brilliant entity. Whereas I did like the ACOTAR series, the detail and complexity of the books, especially stretching into several full-length novels, can be somewhat overwhelming at times. This novel's fae and Night Court kept things much simpler, easy to understand, and not at all complex. I'm confident that anyone can and will be able to pick this book up and not struggle to understand any of its content.
The Dark King was a pleasantly surprising romantically-steamy novel which isolates you from the real world, as the characters themselves have been, taking you on a journey that will test what the characters think they know about themselves, what they'll realise about themselves, and just what true hand fate has to offer them as after all, enemies are often kept closer than friends. And our beloved King has more than his fair share of enemies.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who has any taste in romance, the supernatural, for the steamier book among the bunch, and for those who are looking for their next 'must read' novel. I, for one, am glad to have taken up The Dark King as I not only have found a 'must read' novel, but a top read of 2022.
Hail to the King!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for sending me an ebook ARC via NetGalley for me to read and leave an honest review.
-------------------
When a book says or mentions--either on the cover or on the inside--Fifty Shades, I'm as intrigued as I am curious. Usually I read 'if you like Fifty Shades, you're going to love this', or 'better than Fifty Shades'. During these moments, I usually walk away from a read. Why? Because I don't believe in using the name of another book/author, or running down another book/author to bring more attention to the upcoming or released book. A book should be able to stand on its own merit, in my opinion.
However... The Dark King seems to be an exception to my rule. On the cover for this novel is a quote by Helen Hardt. It reads; 'Neon Gods meets Fifty Shades... Delicously dark and sexy!' . Where this is an obvious mention to Fifty Shades and regardless of if either author is a fan or not, I was intrigued as Helen is an author who's opinions I take in high regard and as a lover of both Katee Robert, author of Neon Gods and Erika L James, author of all things Fifty Shades, I was more than lured to give this read a chance, and to finally read my first Gina L Maxwell novel.
Time to meet the King.
As quoted on the cover, we were promised a story which is a mix of Neon Gods and Fifty Shades. Before opening the book, I broke this down in my mind as a story of supernatural-like creatures-meets-kinky fuckery, touching along the lines of BDSM in some way. Given how we know more about the latter, thanks to the continued success of the franchise. This, however, could always change once reading the contents of the book that promised a heady mix of these two already legendary reads. Will it live up to what has been quoted about it? Or will it do the opposite? Gentle readers, I'm very pleased to inform you that Ms Hardt was correct in her summing up of The Dark King .
Where we weren't exactly transported to a world like we were in Neon Gods , the supernatural came to us here on Earth. This is where the fun begins, for these beings are not what they seem. Especially The King and owner of Las Vegas' most prestigious casino & hotel. There is a man with many hidden secrets, AND hidden desires.
Caiden Verran--King of the 'Night Court' and fae--is a man not to be trifled with. Like Christian Grey, Caiden is a man--a fae--who gets what he wants and all who walk behind him or have the pleasure of seeing him, are simply filled with awe at his presence. Though alpha males like Caiden are usually full of swagger and arrogance, this alpha male is proud, passionate and stubborn. For he is not like other men--certainly not like any other leading book men--, he not only has to think about his life in the mortal realm, but the consequences and the domineering world in which he came from. He and his kind may no longer be in the fae world, but their lineage--and its curses--follow them every step they make. Like Bryn, I fell under Caiden's spell the moment I first read about him and from his first chapter POV. Although at times frustrating as alpha males go, Caiden is a very likeable character whom people--such as myself--easily warm to. Yet despite what we first know about him, there is more deep down that we discover as the chapters pass. Slowly unwound is the image projected into this fiction world that is Caiden Verran, and revealed is the man inside whom very few get to see but as a reader, we are privy to seeing him in all his shades of grey.
Standing beside him as fellow novel lead as previously mentioned, is Bryn Meara. As human as humans can get, she is dropped into this world by very unforeseen and unusual circumstances. It seems as almost as if 'fate' has dropped this young, driven lady into the world of kings, queens, and all things fae. Considering her backstory and past--which you'll discover when reading this book--, Bryn is a determined, headstrong young woman who knows her worth and value. In a world full of otherworldly creatures, situations and unexpected events, she is a diamond in the ruff who shines through and is much tougher than she looks. Bryn is every equal to Caiden, in terms of her personality and character. She is his equal. Which he will soon--or rather, eventually--realise.
Where this isn't a story which rivals the ACOTAR series in terms of all things fae and Night Court in terms of detail and complexity, The Dark King is its own brilliant entity. Whereas I did like the ACOTAR series, the detail and complexity of the books, especially stretching into several full-length novels, can be somewhat overwhelming at times. This novel's fae and Night Court kept things much simpler, easy to understand, and not at all complex. I'm confident that anyone can and will be able to pick this book up and not struggle to understand any of its content.
The Dark King was a pleasantly surprising romantically-steamy novel which isolates you from the real world, as the characters themselves have been, taking you on a journey that will test what the characters think they know about themselves, what they'll realise about themselves, and just what true hand fate has to offer them as after all, enemies are often kept closer than friends. And our beloved King has more than his fair share of enemies.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who has any taste in romance, the supernatural, for the steamier book among the bunch, and for those who are looking for their next 'must read' novel. I, for one, am glad to have taken up The Dark King as I not only have found a 'must read' novel, but a top read of 2022.
Hail to the King!
Sasha by Eva Winners
5.0
'Sasha should stand for Savage and Sexy, Heavens Above! What a novel Eva wrote with this manic mobster and his belle!' -The British Bibliophile
Thank you to Eva Winners for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy as part of her ARC team, for me to read and leave an honest review.
----------------------------------
Six books in, one to go. Sasha by Eva Winners turns the tables to probably the most insane of the Mobsters yet. Sasha Nikolaev. If you've read any of the previous books in this series, you will have already become somewhat familiar with him. But now, it's time for this savage sinner to get his own story and potentially, his own happily ever after.
Speaking of the series so far, here's the line-up if you are curious:
-Luciano, Book One (Luciano & Grace)
-Nico, Book Two (Nico & Bianca)
-Cassio, Book Three (Cassio & Aine)
-Alexei, Book Four (Alexei & Aurora)
-Raphael, Book Five (Raphael & Saylor)
-Sasha, Book Six (Sasha & Branka)
-Luca, Book Seven ( Releasing December 1st 2022 )
Sasha has been a long time coming, and throughout the mass of mobsters we've met so far, he was definitely one--along with his story--, who I at least, was keen to meet. Sasha has been a mystery to us so far, dotted here and there throughout stories where he made an appearance, now those mysteries and the mystery that is he is finally solved. And Branka is the lead investigator to work him, and his heart, out.
Again, if you're familiar with the works of Ms Winners, you'll know that we begin this story with a throwback. Said throwback, I will not spill the spoilers to you all, but it's nicely looped around in a quick fashion to bring us back to the present and to where Branka and Sasha's story kickstarts. I love that Eva has stuck to her guns and has kept this format for not just this series, but in other novels as well. It's her style and if you will, one of her signatures as an author, and it gives us time--as it did in this novel--to have a look at the backstory without spending too much time throwing it back to past events. This time around, we spend less time in the past as Branka & Sasha's story is more deeply-rooted in the present and their future.
Admittedly, it did get off to a slower start than previous books in the series, but that in no means is a bad thing. Because things from the slow start do then start moving and at a warp-speed unique to Branka and Sasha's rollercoaster relationship. Like the famous 'O', the build-up to the climax is well worth the slow, gentle, caressing start.
Once we were well and truly into the swing of things, there was no stopping reading until every last word of their story had been devoured. Sasha--the story, not the character--, was a meaty, mighty read and like the character himself, you simply did not just go one round with. Yes, dear readers, I went several rounds with Sasha until I had finally finished him off. A lot was packed into this story and this is by far a complaint. We're dealing with:
-Manic mobsters
-Kidnapping brides (singular)
-Steamy sessions
-Delayed gratification
-Waiting, waiting, waiting
-Twists and turns you didn't see coming
And that is simply skimming the surface. Eva doesn't do things by half measures, much like the men in her books, and the time spent crafting Sasha's novel has been time well spent. The end result is a story that can be read even without prior knowledge of the other books in the series, and one that will leave you as satisfied as Sasha left Branka. Several times.
It's been hard to sort out the order of my favourite mobsters in this series so far, but I think Sasha has firmly planted himself in the top three. What a man, and what a story!
Five stars!
Thank you to Eva Winners for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy as part of her ARC team, for me to read and leave an honest review.
----------------------------------
Six books in, one to go. Sasha by Eva Winners turns the tables to probably the most insane of the Mobsters yet. Sasha Nikolaev. If you've read any of the previous books in this series, you will have already become somewhat familiar with him. But now, it's time for this savage sinner to get his own story and potentially, his own happily ever after.
Speaking of the series so far, here's the line-up if you are curious:
-Luciano, Book One (Luciano & Grace)
-Nico, Book Two (Nico & Bianca)
-Cassio, Book Three (Cassio & Aine)
-Alexei, Book Four (Alexei & Aurora)
-Raphael, Book Five (Raphael & Saylor)
-Sasha, Book Six (Sasha & Branka)
-Luca, Book Seven ( Releasing December 1st 2022 )
Sasha has been a long time coming, and throughout the mass of mobsters we've met so far, he was definitely one--along with his story--, who I at least, was keen to meet. Sasha has been a mystery to us so far, dotted here and there throughout stories where he made an appearance, now those mysteries and the mystery that is he is finally solved. And Branka is the lead investigator to work him, and his heart, out.
Again, if you're familiar with the works of Ms Winners, you'll know that we begin this story with a throwback. Said throwback, I will not spill the spoilers to you all, but it's nicely looped around in a quick fashion to bring us back to the present and to where Branka and Sasha's story kickstarts. I love that Eva has stuck to her guns and has kept this format for not just this series, but in other novels as well. It's her style and if you will, one of her signatures as an author, and it gives us time--as it did in this novel--to have a look at the backstory without spending too much time throwing it back to past events. This time around, we spend less time in the past as Branka & Sasha's story is more deeply-rooted in the present and their future.
Admittedly, it did get off to a slower start than previous books in the series, but that in no means is a bad thing. Because things from the slow start do then start moving and at a warp-speed unique to Branka and Sasha's rollercoaster relationship. Like the famous 'O', the build-up to the climax is well worth the slow, gentle, caressing start.
Once we were well and truly into the swing of things, there was no stopping reading until every last word of their story had been devoured. Sasha--the story, not the character--, was a meaty, mighty read and like the character himself, you simply did not just go one round with. Yes, dear readers, I went several rounds with Sasha until I had finally finished him off. A lot was packed into this story and this is by far a complaint. We're dealing with:
-Manic mobsters
-Kidnapping brides (singular)
-Steamy sessions
-Delayed gratification
-Waiting, waiting, waiting
-Twists and turns you didn't see coming
And that is simply skimming the surface. Eva doesn't do things by half measures, much like the men in her books, and the time spent crafting Sasha's novel has been time well spent. The end result is a story that can be read even without prior knowledge of the other books in the series, and one that will leave you as satisfied as Sasha left Branka. Several times.
It's been hard to sort out the order of my favourite mobsters in this series so far, but I think Sasha has firmly planted himself in the top three. What a man, and what a story!
Five stars!
This Woman by Jodi Ellen Malpas
5.0
'3...2...1...Zero, baby. Jesse Ward, Lord of the Manor, is back and trampling his way into Ava's life & kickstarting his dead (ish) heart, seducing her--and us--until the last page' -The British Bibliophile
This Woman (This Man - The Story from Jesse, #1) by Jodi Ellen Malpas, is the long-awaited novel from the POV of Lord of the Manor, Jesse Ward. Ten years after we first met him, he's still got the same swagger and prowess, and packs even more of a literary punch now that we're inside his deeply troubled--and brilliant-- mind.
Jesse's POV has been highly requested by readers across the world and here in its--and Jodi's--home country, ever since This Man hit readers a decade ago. If you've had the pleasure of reading the rest of the books in Ava's POV, ( Beneath This Man & This Man Confessed ) you will already have had a taste of what it would've been like to read from Jesse's POV. This is thanks to an extract in the back of both books. With This Man is dual POV from both Jesse & Ava. These tastes, however, only touched the surface that is This Woman . Those were the entrees, this was the main course!
A main course I didn't have long to wait for, thankfully. Jodi has been an author I've had in my sights for the past decade, though I didn't until February 2021, actually grab a copy of This Man to meet Jesse and Ava. Having seen her and her work everywhere and recommended by fellow readers, Jesse Ward was where I knew I wanted to go first and since that moment, I've never looked back. Over the next weeks, I devoured the series and from the moment I closed the last page of With This Man I knew what I wanted most of all next, was a whole book from Jesse's POV.
This Woman answered my prayers. The moment the news broke on us, dearly beloved JEM readers that we were getting the original trilogy from Jesse's POV, I flew back to Central Jesse Cloud Nine level of happiness, contentment and of course, pleasure.
Jodi showed here in this book, that it doesn't matter how long you spend from first writing a book (especially one in a series), or how many have been written since then, that she's still got what it takes to dive back into that book's world and give us everything and more. Granted, this time around was from Jesse's POV--and having only done it twice before as previously mentioned--, that has not impeded Jodi's ability to still tell the story not only all over again but from quite literally a whole new perspective. If you thought This Man was a hot, steamy, hot-as-hell book then dear readers, Jodi truly has outdone herself by cranking every dial up to the max. Jesse Ward does not do things by halves and neither does the woman who created him. Fans of Jodi will love and appreciate just how much steam, spice and everything nice (ish) that has gone into create this one-of-a-kind novel that you won't be able to put down, not for anything. It might have only taken me two days to finish off the Lord, but I'll be back several times for more. That's a promise.
Jesse and Ava fast became two of my favourite literary couples--and characters--after finally getting to know them and their story in the original This Man books, but I've fallen all over again for them in this POV. I personally, have reached a whole new level of understanding and appreciation for Jesse. The insight into both his past and his mind...wow. I can't put it into words just how powerful and gut-punching it was to really know what had happened to him, what he thinks, how he feels, his struggles and his inner turmoil just to name a few things...woah. That scene towards the end of the book, which I cannot and will not spoil for those who have yet to read it, I.Was.In.Tears. Full-on crocodile tears. Normally I'm not the type to enjoy a book once it makes me cry, but just as this book also made me fan my cheeks, smirk and laugh, that scene made me cry and certainly made me want to leap into the pages and wrap my arms around Jesse and hold him close. As for Ava? It was lovely to see her again this time through Jesse's eyes. Ava is all of us who both want something and are afraid of it at the same time, wanting so much to reach out and eat the forbidden fruit but are nervous about the consequences. Ava has bitten the fruit, and both she and Jesse will journey through the trials and consequences of their star-crossed love.
What Jesse and Ava have goes beyond the simple constrains of what a 'relationship' is, this is love in its not so purest form. It's raw and it's real. It's not polished and perfect, it has its flaws and scars. And that's why I love them so much. They're two people you can root for and if they were real, could see them lasting the tests and indeed, the test of time.
I made a claim many months ago when Jodi first announced This Woman (plus its blurb) was happening, that in my gut I felt like that this would be the novel that would claim the top spot as my top read of 2022. A bold claim, as at that point there was about eight months until its release, but a claim that I am very proud to announce here and now, is very much true. Discovering the inner workings of Jesse's mind and soul quickly catapulted this novel straight to my number one spot of 2022, and I'm incredibly proud of Jodi of creating such a novel which will not only bring Jodi/This Man readers back into the fold, but will also bring hoards of new readers into the magnificent world of Jesse Ward and Ava O'Shea.
What you are looking at here, dear readers, is not simply a five-star book. This is a book that is worth an infinite amount of stars. Because like its author, it is priceless and precious both.
Thank you, Jodi, for taking the decision to gift us with Jesse and Ava both ten years ago, and today. I'll carry these characters with me for the rest of my life, where they truly belong. In my heart.
Jesse & Ava, I'll see you both next year. Until then, it's back to the beginning of this novel once more!
This Woman (This Man - The Story from Jesse, #1) by Jodi Ellen Malpas, is the long-awaited novel from the POV of Lord of the Manor, Jesse Ward. Ten years after we first met him, he's still got the same swagger and prowess, and packs even more of a literary punch now that we're inside his deeply troubled--and brilliant-- mind.
Jesse's POV has been highly requested by readers across the world and here in its--and Jodi's--home country, ever since This Man hit readers a decade ago. If you've had the pleasure of reading the rest of the books in Ava's POV, ( Beneath This Man & This Man Confessed ) you will already have had a taste of what it would've been like to read from Jesse's POV. This is thanks to an extract in the back of both books. With This Man is dual POV from both Jesse & Ava. These tastes, however, only touched the surface that is This Woman . Those were the entrees, this was the main course!
A main course I didn't have long to wait for, thankfully. Jodi has been an author I've had in my sights for the past decade, though I didn't until February 2021, actually grab a copy of This Man to meet Jesse and Ava. Having seen her and her work everywhere and recommended by fellow readers, Jesse Ward was where I knew I wanted to go first and since that moment, I've never looked back. Over the next weeks, I devoured the series and from the moment I closed the last page of With This Man I knew what I wanted most of all next, was a whole book from Jesse's POV.
This Woman answered my prayers. The moment the news broke on us, dearly beloved JEM readers that we were getting the original trilogy from Jesse's POV, I flew back to Central Jesse Cloud Nine level of happiness, contentment and of course, pleasure.
Jodi showed here in this book, that it doesn't matter how long you spend from first writing a book (especially one in a series), or how many have been written since then, that she's still got what it takes to dive back into that book's world and give us everything and more. Granted, this time around was from Jesse's POV--and having only done it twice before as previously mentioned--, that has not impeded Jodi's ability to still tell the story not only all over again but from quite literally a whole new perspective. If you thought This Man was a hot, steamy, hot-as-hell book then dear readers, Jodi truly has outdone herself by cranking every dial up to the max. Jesse Ward does not do things by halves and neither does the woman who created him. Fans of Jodi will love and appreciate just how much steam, spice and everything nice (ish) that has gone into create this one-of-a-kind novel that you won't be able to put down, not for anything. It might have only taken me two days to finish off the Lord, but I'll be back several times for more. That's a promise.
Jesse and Ava fast became two of my favourite literary couples--and characters--after finally getting to know them and their story in the original This Man books, but I've fallen all over again for them in this POV. I personally, have reached a whole new level of understanding and appreciation for Jesse. The insight into both his past and his mind...wow. I can't put it into words just how powerful and gut-punching it was to really know what had happened to him, what he thinks, how he feels, his struggles and his inner turmoil just to name a few things...woah. That scene towards the end of the book, which I cannot and will not spoil for those who have yet to read it, I.Was.In.Tears. Full-on crocodile tears. Normally I'm not the type to enjoy a book once it makes me cry, but just as this book also made me fan my cheeks, smirk and laugh, that scene made me cry and certainly made me want to leap into the pages and wrap my arms around Jesse and hold him close. As for Ava? It was lovely to see her again this time through Jesse's eyes. Ava is all of us who both want something and are afraid of it at the same time, wanting so much to reach out and eat the forbidden fruit but are nervous about the consequences. Ava has bitten the fruit, and both she and Jesse will journey through the trials and consequences of their star-crossed love.
What Jesse and Ava have goes beyond the simple constrains of what a 'relationship' is, this is love in its not so purest form. It's raw and it's real. It's not polished and perfect, it has its flaws and scars. And that's why I love them so much. They're two people you can root for and if they were real, could see them lasting the tests and indeed, the test of time.
I made a claim many months ago when Jodi first announced This Woman (plus its blurb) was happening, that in my gut I felt like that this would be the novel that would claim the top spot as my top read of 2022. A bold claim, as at that point there was about eight months until its release, but a claim that I am very proud to announce here and now, is very much true. Discovering the inner workings of Jesse's mind and soul quickly catapulted this novel straight to my number one spot of 2022, and I'm incredibly proud of Jodi of creating such a novel which will not only bring Jodi/This Man readers back into the fold, but will also bring hoards of new readers into the magnificent world of Jesse Ward and Ava O'Shea.
What you are looking at here, dear readers, is not simply a five-star book. This is a book that is worth an infinite amount of stars. Because like its author, it is priceless and precious both.
Thank you, Jodi, for taking the decision to gift us with Jesse and Ava both ten years ago, and today. I'll carry these characters with me for the rest of my life, where they truly belong. In my heart.
Jesse & Ava, I'll see you both next year. Until then, it's back to the beginning of this novel once more!