Beautiful Betrayal is a contemporary, intensely emotional standalone romance with a HEA after a lot of struggles and misconceptions that might be upsetting to some to get there. This book contains a possessive alpha hero, plenty of explicit sexual content, and some profanity.
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Beautiful Betrayal by Lisa Renee Jones
Previously published as the Dirty Rich Betrayal duet
Rating -
1/2Standalone - Scandalous Billionaires #3
Release - March 7, 2024
Genre - Contemporary Romance / second chance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - several vaguely descriptive scenes
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 460 pages
The minute I met Grayson Bennett I was charmed. I had no idea he was the billionaire boss, I'd just started working for. The minute I found out, I tried to pull back. I had reasons to need my job and rather desperately, and I couldn't risk an affair with the boss, destroying my career. I tried to stay away, I did, but our attraction was magnetic and Grayson's a man who knows what he wants, and he doesn't stop until he wins his prize. I was that prize and a willing prize at that. I fell in love, and hard, and how could I not? Grayson was nothing like what you'd expect of a man with insane amounts of money and power. He never made me feel like I was less than him, in fact, he made me feel as if I was everything to him, the reason he breathed. And he said, I made him feel whole for the first time in his life.
But something happened, and the world as I knew it shattered.
My heart shattered.
The man I loved and trusted hurt me in ways I didn't know were possible. I will never be the same.
Then suddenly life throws us back together and demands we face a common enemy, and just that easily I'm melting with his touch again, desperate to push him away and yet just as desperate to feel him close. I can feel how easily I could fall under his spell again, how easily my delicately mended glass heart could shatter all over again, how easily he could break me.
I have to be strong.
I will not fall in love with Grayson Bennett again.
The problem is I'm not sure I ever stopped.
But something happened, and the world as I knew it shattered.
My heart shattered.
The man I loved and trusted hurt me in ways I didn't know were possible. I will never be the same.
Then suddenly life throws us back together and demands we face a common enemy, and just that easily I'm melting with his touch again, desperate to push him away and yet just as desperate to feel him close. I can feel how easily I could fall under his spell again, how easily my delicately mended glass heart could shatter all over again, how easily he could break me.
I have to be strong.
I will not fall in love with Grayson Bennett again.
The problem is I'm not sure I ever stopped.
What do you do when the man you love and what you feel for each other is just too perfect? If you're Mia, when you see the slightest hint of trouble, instead of talking to your billionaire fiance, or trusting in him and what you've built together, you run. I was dumped right in the middle of the beautiful reunion of two lovers who should have never been apart. Unfortunately when you're as incredible as Greyson is (and he really was AMAZING), there's always someone out there who wants to see you fall.
I loved that the author didn't make their reconciliation an easy one. It was an honest look at moving towards forgiveness and accepting the wrongs that each of them committed. Both Greyson and Mia had to work through their feelings of hurt and anger in order to really move forward. It was obviously hard but their love was more than enough to get them through and there was no lack of love in this book.
Did I mention how fantastic Greyson was? I really wish there was more of his POV in this story. I didn't feel like I was in his head enough. He was this strong, charismatic, intelligent, ethical and moral man so full of passion for his woman and I wanted to experience much more of that than I did. Maybe I'm just greedy. But he was so hot and how can getting more of his hotness be a bad thing?
I loved Mia and Greyson so very much and the only thing I didn't like about this story was that it had to end. This story was a second chance romance full of feels, high in intensity, with touches of suspense to keep the plot more than a little bit interesting. The second part read like an extended epilogue and for someone who adores these two (ME!!), it was very appreciated.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy – a modern girl we all can identify with. In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Visit https://www.lisareneejones.com for more information.
Hello and Happy Friday!
I hadn't played Animal Crossing New Horizons in what felt like forever, but I got back into it this week. I'm basically done with two islands and need to just upload my dream addresses and move on!
Alright, below I'm sharing a week's worth of what I'm currently reading, what I want to read, and several romance book bargains.
Hopefully you find something to enjoy here too. Have an amazing weekend!!
What I'm Reading Now
What I'm Hoping to Read Next
Master of Salt & Bones by Keri Lake
Shadow Falling by Rebecca Zanetti
Cluelessly Yours by Max Monroe
Shadow Falling by Rebecca Zanetti
Cluelessly Yours by Max Monroe
Romance Book Bargains
 99cHeartless Kingdom #1
Genre: contemporary Trope: marriage of convenience |
 99cGods of War #2
Genre: paranormal Trope: vengeance |
 $1.99LOST #6
Genre: suspense Trope: protection |
 $1.99Immortals After Dark #4
Genre: paranormal Trope: enemies to lovers |
 $1.99The Brown Sisters #3
Genre: contemporary Trope: enemies to lovers |
 99cUltimate #2
Genre: contemporary Trope: sports |
 99cBoxed Set
Genre: contemporary Trope: billionaire |
 99cBoxed Set
Genre: contemporary Trope: motorcycle club |
 FREEBoxed Set
Genre: paranormal Trope: various |
Hey everyone and welcome to another Throwback Thursday! Every other week I'll be sharing my book recommendations within a specific romantic trope or theme.
Today I'm sharing the first five Romance Retellings I loved and reviewed on the blog. Retellings are stories we've all pretty much heard, but the author has taken their own spin on things. It could be fantastical, magical, dark, contemporary, etc. There's something really special when a story retold has such a unique voice.
If you happen to know of a book in this theme that you think I'd love, please let me know.
The Bachelor Auction by Rachel Van Dyken
Cinderella never had to deal with this crap. I seriously enjoyed this book WAAAAY more than I expected to. It made me realize that RVD was someone I wanted to read more from. I easily fell for these main characters, Jane and Brock, and this attempt at a Cinderella retelling. It was hilarious and romantic and I only wanted more in the end.
Find my review HERE
Don't Speak by Katy Regnery
A fisherman’s daughter.
The governor’s son.
Two very different worlds.
It was slow to start, but I was soon engrossed in a story about two poor unfortunate souls. See what I did there? This book definitely tried to make a girl swoon with characters who quickly grab a hold of your heart and force you to enjoy the ride.
Find my review HERE
Beauty of the Beast by Rachel L. Demeter
Perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty of the Beast brings a familiar and well-loved fairy tale to life with a rich setting in the kingdom of Demrov and a captivating, Gothic voice. Honestly, this book made a bunch of promises and I was more than a tad skeptical when I cracked it open, but putting the odd blurb aside, I really enjoyed myself. Adam was a beast of a man, but no mythical beast and Isabelle was the only woman to see the very heart of him.
Find my review HERE
The Black Lily by Juliette Cross
Arabelle is sworn to kill Marius at all costs, but what if Prince Charming is more than he appears to be? If it weren't for this book, I never would have fallen in love with the way this author writes. I never would have met the witches, wolves, and grims that make up most of my favourite characters. So she's definitely worth the read :)
Find my review HERE
In Bed with the Beast by Tara Sivec
A tale as old as time: she needs a place to stay, he's a grump with a secret and an extra room...can love find a way? If you love your romance with a touch of ridiculous, you'll definitely enjoy this book. It's funny, silly, and endearing and very easy to recommend.
Find my review HERE
If they want his immortality—they’ll have to take it…in the second deeply sexy and bold Lone Wolf Legacy series from New York Times bestselling author N.J. Walters
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Protecting the Gray Wolf by N.J. Walters
Rating -
1/2Standalone - Lone Wolf Legacy #2
Release - February 12, 2024
Genre - Paranormal Romance / fated mates
POV - primarily dual 3rd person
Heat - descriptive scenes
Source - eARC provided by the publisher
Length - 278 pages
I’m used to other wolves coming for me. They want their chance to try and take out the infamous Gray Wolf. And every single one of them fails—because lone wolves aren’t like the others…we’re stronger. Harder. Meaner. Immortal.
But it also means I’m alone. No pack. No alpha. Just the three of us—white, gray, and black. Two too many, if you ask me.
But with power-hungry mages gunning for us, I don’t have the luxury of reflection. They’re in New York City, and I Will. Hunt. Them. Down.
Which is when I see her, and every cell in my body is on alert, filled with the kind of primal longing I never knew I was capable of. Luna West may be human, but there’s some kind of thread connecting us. Call it destiny, fate…or voracious animal hunger.
I know she’s bait. She’s meant to tempt me, to make me weak. But even if I could resist her, I’m not sure I want to.
Because I’ve never denied my wolf anything…especially the chance to raise some serious hell.
And I’m not about to start now.
But it also means I’m alone. No pack. No alpha. Just the three of us—white, gray, and black. Two too many, if you ask me.
But with power-hungry mages gunning for us, I don’t have the luxury of reflection. They’re in New York City, and I Will. Hunt. Them. Down.
Which is when I see her, and every cell in my body is on alert, filled with the kind of primal longing I never knew I was capable of. Luna West may be human, but there’s some kind of thread connecting us. Call it destiny, fate…or voracious animal hunger.
I know she’s bait. She’s meant to tempt me, to make me weak. But even if I could resist her, I’m not sure I want to.
Because I’ve never denied my wolf anything…especially the chance to raise some serious hell.
And I’m not about to start now.
Check out the first book of the series:
I loved how Walters took us even deeper into the conspiracy. Not only do we get to fall in love with a new couple, we get a glimpse into the true evil that is hunting them.
Kade spent his entire adulthood alone. For 85 years he was a hunter, taking out rogue wolves and protecting his kind and humanity. Now he was the one being hunted and with magic at play, his distrust of others had reached a whole new level. When he found his other half in Luna, he didn't know whether to give into the pull of their connection or resist it because it was borne of darkness.
And I understood his hesitation. I don't know of anyone who would want to be manipulated, playing right into the hands of their enemies.
But there was no denying the spark and everything that could grow between these characters and what they had was the true magic of this story.
I just want my lone wolf babies to get together and take these bad guys out. The black wolf, Dagen, has definitely intrigued me and I am so excited to see what happens in his story. Anyone want to put me out of my misery and tell me when I can get my hands on his book?
Once upon a time N.J. had the idea that she would like to quit her job at the bookstore, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown, and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the bookstore and her hometown and settled in for another seven years.
One day she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first romance novel and life would never be the same.
N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
Visit https://www.njwalters.com/books for more information.
Hello and Happy Monday!
Sorry I disappeared for a few days and not sharing my regular posts. However, I did make an effort to appear on pages and blogs to read your posts and leave comments if I could. My anxiety got really bad and when I feel overwhelmed like that, I step away from everything I can to give myself a chance to sort of reboot. I only needed a week this time, but I'm back!
Today's flashback is the Ransom series by A.T. Douglas. I read and reviewed these books back in 2015, in my early romance reading days, and I remember enjoying it. It's dark with a captive/captor theme, so if that's not your type of read, this won't be a recommendation for you. If it is your jam, have you given these books a try?
1. Beyond Ransom
My body is broken.
My life is shattered.
Everything I've ever known is gone from me, yet I've discovered something beautiful.
I didn't expect to be taken. I never dreamed that love would find me while my life was slowly stripped away. With him something new and alive stirs within me, and I am completely changed.
Though battered and broken-down, I'm not alone. The most unlikely man protects me and gives me strength.
I will survive this for him. I will find a way to save us both.
While they hold me, he holds my heart, and I'm not willing to pay the price to get it back.
Rating -
After reading the blurb, I honestly thought this book/series would be great. Not so much. The plot was hella interesting, but there was a real disconnect between logic and reality.
What I liked:
- Mark. Yeah, he's the bad guy. But he was the most consistent person in the book. He was also the most interesting. I really wanted to get to know him, especially after he revealed his motives for kidnapping Morgan
- The concept. I always find time to read a good dark book and it doesn't get darker than a captive book (i.e. Captive in the Dark -- so good!)
- Leo. His story is going to be amazing I'm sure, considering the big reveal of Mark's behind the death of his family
What I didn't like:
- Morgan. This chick was TSTL!! Usually I chalk it up to the fact of young age (her being 18 and all), but unfortunately, in her case, I can't. She's the daughter of a famous police detective. She's shown evidence (many times) that her father taught her well (she seems to know guns inside and out). She reminds of almost every other teenager out there who wants to grow up before it's time and plays grown up. Without any real concept of what being an adult really means. So I conclude that she's an idiot. My proof? You need more??? Well, at the 86% mark, she gives a lengthy monologue of how proud of herself she is to be a valuable member of Mark's crew. How everyone respects her for the great job she's doing. Am I the only one that could see that her "job" was as a distracting bimbo? Qualifications: empty space in your head. Skills: pretty to look at, ability to fill out hooker dress, know how to twirl hair around finger, be able to hold an empty stare, etc. This girl is a freaking idiot and there is not one quality of hers that is redeeming. She is unlikable, unappealing, and absolutely nothing she did was endearing. I have no connection to her and actually felt vindicated every time Mark roughed her up. I'm just saying *shrugs*
- time passes but there really isn't anything to show for it. It's casually mentioned, almost as an afterthought
- how unrealistic this story is. Let's be honest here. If this were "life-like", Morgan would have been brutally raped and/or murdered already. She has no means of escape. None. This has been established. But then she provokes the one person who holds her life in his hands??? More proof of how TSTL she really is. Oh, and then she trusts and immediately falls in love with one of her captors. I'm not saying Leo's not a great guy, but when given the chance to save herself from Mark's clutches, she chooses to stay for Leo. I know that choice needed to be made to even have a story, but it wasn't reasonable. Who would choose uncertain death and certain pain over family and safety???
So overall, a decent story, and because I want to see more of Leo and Mark, I will be reading book 2.
After reading the blurb, I honestly thought this book/series would be great. Not so much. The plot was hella interesting, but there was a real disconnect between logic and reality.
What I liked:
- Mark. Yeah, he's the bad guy. But he was the most consistent person in the book. He was also the most interesting. I really wanted to get to know him, especially after he revealed his motives for kidnapping Morgan
- The concept. I always find time to read a good dark book and it doesn't get darker than a captive book (i.e. Captive in the Dark -- so good!)
- Leo. His story is going to be amazing I'm sure, considering the big reveal of Mark's behind the death of his family
What I didn't like:
- Morgan. This chick was TSTL!! Usually I chalk it up to the fact of young age (her being 18 and all), but unfortunately, in her case, I can't. She's the daughter of a famous police detective. She's shown evidence (many times) that her father taught her well (she seems to know guns inside and out). She reminds of almost every other teenager out there who wants to grow up before it's time and plays grown up. Without any real concept of what being an adult really means. So I conclude that she's an idiot. My proof? You need more??? Well, at the 86% mark, she gives a lengthy monologue of how proud of herself she is to be a valuable member of Mark's crew. How everyone respects her for the great job she's doing. Am I the only one that could see that her "job" was as a distracting bimbo? Qualifications: empty space in your head. Skills: pretty to look at, ability to fill out hooker dress, know how to twirl hair around finger, be able to hold an empty stare, etc. This girl is a freaking idiot and there is not one quality of hers that is redeeming. She is unlikable, unappealing, and absolutely nothing she did was endearing. I have no connection to her and actually felt vindicated every time Mark roughed her up. I'm just saying *shrugs*
- time passes but there really isn't anything to show for it. It's casually mentioned, almost as an afterthought
- how unrealistic this story is. Let's be honest here. If this were "life-like", Morgan would have been brutally raped and/or murdered already. She has no means of escape. None. This has been established. But then she provokes the one person who holds her life in his hands??? More proof of how TSTL she really is. Oh, and then she trusts and immediately falls in love with one of her captors. I'm not saying Leo's not a great guy, but when given the chance to save herself from Mark's clutches, she chooses to stay for Leo. I know that choice needed to be made to even have a story, but it wasn't reasonable. Who would choose uncertain death and certain pain over family and safety???
So overall, a decent story, and because I want to see more of Leo and Mark, I will be reading book 2.
2. Beyond Revenge
We made a decision.
We had a plan.
We were so close to having it all, then it was snatched away before our eyes.
Our bodies and minds are pushed to the brink of destruction. We wither away into darkness with more to lose than ever, but we are strengthened by our love and hold on to hope. It’s all we have left in the devastating chasm between us.
We keep reaching and holding on, striving to overcome the power of vengeance.
We will find a way.
Rating -
Well I'm glad that evil didn't prosper in this book. That would have been terrible. But I must say that Mark gave me a lot of interesting parts to read. Again, he was the most interesting character. Leo made a wonderful appearance as well and I'm glad the author chose to change this into a dual pov installment. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it quite as much if it weren't for Leo's perspective. Why? Because I still just couldn't find a reason to like Morgan. I was so tired of seeing her, hearing her, reading her, etc. Truth be told, she's the reason this book lost two stars.
I must admit to a bit of confusion on my part. The book ends without any update on what's going on with Morgan's father. Am I really supposed to be invested in their HFN with this unresolved? They seemed a bit too carefree in the end, she keeps saying "We're free", but her dad was locked up last I heard. And you're living in hiding. Who the freak is free???
Now, maybe I'm a bit too optimistic, but I hope the confusion is cleared up with the next installment. Although, with the blurb and reviews I've seen, it doesn't seem that promising :(
Well I'm glad that evil didn't prosper in this book. That would have been terrible. But I must say that Mark gave me a lot of interesting parts to read. Again, he was the most interesting character. Leo made a wonderful appearance as well and I'm glad the author chose to change this into a dual pov installment. I don't know if I would have enjoyed it quite as much if it weren't for Leo's perspective. Why? Because I still just couldn't find a reason to like Morgan. I was so tired of seeing her, hearing her, reading her, etc. Truth be told, she's the reason this book lost two stars.
I must admit to a bit of confusion on my part. The book ends without any update on what's going on with Morgan's father. Am I really supposed to be invested in their HFN with this unresolved? They seemed a bit too carefree in the end, she keeps saying "We're free", but her dad was locked up last I heard. And you're living in hiding. Who the freak is free???
Now, maybe I'm a bit too optimistic, but I hope the confusion is cleared up with the next installment. Although, with the blurb and reviews I've seen, it doesn't seem that promising :(
3. Beyond Resistance
My family has suffered and sacrificed for me my entire life.
It's time for me to give back to them.
Over twenty years have passed since the events that both created and almost destroyed my family. We've been in hiding, secluded from the world for all these years, but that's about to change.
It's time to emerge and bring the rest of my family back to us after being separated for so long. It’s time for me to step beyond what’s safe to find something worth living for.
Or someone.
The danger we face is worth it. We'll risk everything to be together, because it's impossible to resist the power of family and love.
Rating -
I tried. I honestly really tried. I tried to give this book a chance. A real and fair chance. I just couldn't. I'm going to be honest even further and tell you that I skimmed through this sucker like crazy. Why? Because nothing, and I mean nothing, about it grabbed my attention long enough for me to actually pay attention. I get it. Dante is a big boy now, wanting to reunite his family. Mission accomplished. But the family is still in hiding. Maybe not on the run, but they have aliases. That is NOT living free people!
Here's why I can't complete connect with this story: why, of all the crimes and criminals in the United States of America, were these people the most notorious? A lot of serial killers don't even get that much attention. So again, what about them was supposed to convince me that the entire nation was on the lookout? What about them would have the entire nation in an uproar? I'm just not buying it and therefore I couldn't even believe in the unbelievable, because it was too unbelievable.
I tried. I honestly really tried. I tried to give this book a chance. A real and fair chance. I just couldn't. I'm going to be honest even further and tell you that I skimmed through this sucker like crazy. Why? Because nothing, and I mean nothing, about it grabbed my attention long enough for me to actually pay attention. I get it. Dante is a big boy now, wanting to reunite his family. Mission accomplished. But the family is still in hiding. Maybe not on the run, but they have aliases. That is NOT living free people!
Here's why I can't complete connect with this story: why, of all the crimes and criminals in the United States of America, were these people the most notorious? A lot of serial killers don't even get that much attention. So again, what about them was supposed to convince me that the entire nation was on the lookout? What about them would have the entire nation in an uproar? I'm just not buying it and therefore I couldn't even believe in the unbelievable, because it was too unbelievable.
Again, keep in mind I read this years ago and gave each book 3 stars.
After re-reading my reviews, I'm not entirely sure why, but I trust 2015 Natalie enough to go with it.
After re-reading my reviews, I'm not entirely sure why, but I trust 2015 Natalie enough to go with it.
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