Hello and Happy Monday!
Today's flashback is the Uncovering You series by Scarlett Edwards. I read and reviewed these books back in 2015 and enjoyed myself (as far as I can remember). It was only some time after I completed this series that it was released as a boxset. So those later (lucky) readers got to get the whole story in one shot!
It's a captive/captor story with BDSM elements. If that's not your jam, skip it. However, if it is, I hope you give it a try. And if you've already read it, did you like it too?
About the series: When I wake up in a dark, unfamiliar room, I have no idea what's waiting for me in the shadows. My imagination conjures up demons of the worst kind.
Reality is much worse:
A collar with no leash. A prison with no walls. And a life stripped of meaning.
I am presented with a vile contract and asked to sign. It outlines the terms of my servitude. The only information I have about my captor are the two small letters inked at the bottom:
J.S.
Armed with only my memories, I must do everything I can to avoid becoming ensnared in his twisted mind games. But in the end, it all comes down to one choice:
Resist and die.
Or submit, and sign my life away.
1. The Contract
Rating - 
The story is interesting so far. I'm really just interested in finding out Jeremy's motives for holding Lilly captive. However, I absolutely cannot stand Lilly and I'm disappointed that the story is told in her voice.
Words to describe Lilly: narcissistic, entitled, spoiled, ungrateful, rude, etc. She is too cool for you. Too smart for you. Too good for you. That's all I kept reading that the actual words of the book were just background. The only thing that really stuck out in this story was Jeremy so I will continue to read for his sake.
The story is interesting so far. I'm really just interested in finding out Jeremy's motives for holding Lilly captive. However, I absolutely cannot stand Lilly and I'm disappointed that the story is told in her voice.
Words to describe Lilly: narcissistic, entitled, spoiled, ungrateful, rude, etc. She is too cool for you. Too smart for you. Too good for you. That's all I kept reading that the actual words of the book were just background. The only thing that really stuck out in this story was Jeremy so I will continue to read for his sake.
2. Submission
Rating -
So my opinion of Lilly hasn't improved that much. I do admire her false sense of bravery and determination, but really... how much can you accomplish when your every endeavor is dictated by your captor? I sometimes wondered if she was just a glutton for punishment, with the way she purposely put herself in a situation that incurred discipline.
I would not be trying to aggravate Mr. Jeremy. He sounds scary!
Ah well, I'm still in it for Jeremy. I'm intrigued enough to keep reading to find out what drives him. I in no way condone non-consensual anything, however, this is fiction so the more twisted the better.
So my opinion of Lilly hasn't improved that much. I do admire her false sense of bravery and determination, but really... how much can you accomplish when your every endeavor is dictated by your captor? I sometimes wondered if she was just a glutton for punishment, with the way she purposely put herself in a situation that incurred discipline.
I would not be trying to aggravate Mr. Jeremy. He sounds scary!
Ah well, I'm still in it for Jeremy. I'm intrigued enough to keep reading to find out what drives him. I in no way condone non-consensual anything, however, this is fiction so the more twisted the better.
3. Resistance
Rating -
Poor Lilly. I really like the way this writer writes. She sets the stage so eloquently that I feel like I'm actually witnessing it, not just reading it. The ways that Jeremy torments Lilly are truly amusing to me. Hey, I never denied that I have a twisted mind lol. He even used kindness and tenderness to confuse her. And really why did she think she could outwit the man? Not only does he have 20 years of living experience on her, but he's extremely successful, a pursuit she hasn't achieved yet. He got to the top for a reason. And she's nowhere near his league. So her delusions are amusing to me as well.
My favourite scene was when Jeremy made Lilly eat the dove while he tossed its head back and forth like a ball. Hilarious!!
Poor Lilly. I really like the way this writer writes. She sets the stage so eloquently that I feel like I'm actually witnessing it, not just reading it. The ways that Jeremy torments Lilly are truly amusing to me. Hey, I never denied that I have a twisted mind lol. He even used kindness and tenderness to confuse her. And really why did she think she could outwit the man? Not only does he have 20 years of living experience on her, but he's extremely successful, a pursuit she hasn't achieved yet. He got to the top for a reason. And she's nowhere near his league. So her delusions are amusing to me as well.
My favourite scene was when Jeremy made Lilly eat the dove while he tossed its head back and forth like a ball. Hilarious!!
4. Retribution
Rating -
I had to rate this book higher because things just got interesting. If you don't wanna know, please don't read further because my review might spoil it for you.
Is Jeremy serious??? I know it isn't technically cheating because he and Lilly aren't in a relationship, but c'mon!! He's riding her bareback! That right there is reason enough not to involve someone else's privates!! And then to further torture her by forcing her to listen to them was a step too far, even for me. I felt so bad for Lilly. Here she is thinking that maybe she and Jeremy share a connection, but he's having sex with a "free" woman and it even involves loving murmurs (something she doesn't share with him). I just couldn't believe him because I honestly thought he really wanted Lilly underneath it all. But she seems expendable :(. I really wonder what his motives are now after this shocker.
He treats her really disrespectfully and I'm not sure if there is even a potential HEA for these two. How could there be? The things he's done are pretty unforgivable. Now he's subjecting her to the same mental torture as he did in the beginning (leaving her in one spot in the dark), and he still expects to take advantage of her body. WTF is going on???
I had to rate this book higher because things just got interesting. If you don't wanna know, please don't read further because my review might spoil it for you.
Is Jeremy serious??? I know it isn't technically cheating because he and Lilly aren't in a relationship, but c'mon!! He's riding her bareback! That right there is reason enough not to involve someone else's privates!! And then to further torture her by forcing her to listen to them was a step too far, even for me. I felt so bad for Lilly. Here she is thinking that maybe she and Jeremy share a connection, but he's having sex with a "free" woman and it even involves loving murmurs (something she doesn't share with him). I just couldn't believe him because I honestly thought he really wanted Lilly underneath it all. But she seems expendable :(. I really wonder what his motives are now after this shocker.
He treats her really disrespectfully and I'm not sure if there is even a potential HEA for these two. How could there be? The things he's done are pretty unforgivable. Now he's subjecting her to the same mental torture as he did in the beginning (leaving her in one spot in the dark), and he still expects to take advantage of her body. WTF is going on???
5. Confessions
Rating -
Oh my goodness!!
It's official... Jeremy is truly a sociopath. Now because of this revelation (that really isn't a surprise), I'm not surprised that Lilly cannot differentiate the truth from a lie. The things he's willing to do, the secrets he keeps, the way he manipulates, everything he does makes me doubt his sincerity. However, the fact that he removed her shock collar makes me second guess his feelings and whether or not he can change.
I feel so bad for Lilly because there is no way to predict his behaviour or reactions.
Walking on eggshells isn't easy.
There are still 5 more books in the series. I cannot even fathom what they will reveal.
Oh my goodness!!
It's official... Jeremy is truly a sociopath. Now because of this revelation (that really isn't a surprise), I'm not surprised that Lilly cannot differentiate the truth from a lie. The things he's willing to do, the secrets he keeps, the way he manipulates, everything he does makes me doubt his sincerity. However, the fact that he removed her shock collar makes me second guess his feelings and whether or not he can change.
I feel so bad for Lilly because there is no way to predict his behaviour or reactions.
Walking on eggshells isn't easy.
There are still 5 more books in the series. I cannot even fathom what they will reveal.
6. Deliverance
Rating -
This author's writing has me all twisted up inside! Every time I think things are going one way, they take an unexpected turn.
Is this side of Jeremy real? Does he really love Lilly? Considering the truth revealed at the end, could his feelings all be a lie? Part of his revenge plot? Holy moley!
First he removes the collar. Then he burns up the contract. But is it all for naught? How can Lilly ever trust that his action, words, or motives are pure? After everything he's done, I think everything he does is suspect.
I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop because I know there are more nefarious deeds that he's committed that have yet to be revealed. I'm on to the next book to find out more.
This author's writing has me all twisted up inside! Every time I think things are going one way, they take an unexpected turn.
Is this side of Jeremy real? Does he really love Lilly? Considering the truth revealed at the end, could his feelings all be a lie? Part of his revenge plot? Holy moley!
First he removes the collar. Then he burns up the contract. But is it all for naught? How can Lilly ever trust that his action, words, or motives are pure? After everything he's done, I think everything he does is suspect.
I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop because I know there are more nefarious deeds that he's committed that have yet to be revealed. I'm on to the next book to find out more.
7. Resurrection
Rating -
I really liked this installment. It just goes to show that Jeremy or Mr. Stonehart or whatever you want to call him is as devious and manipulative as ever. Just when you think you have an understanding of the situation, as you think you've got it all figured out and there's no more secrets... BOOM! Another twist is revealed. I love how he plays with Lilly's mind. I was even somewhat convinced that maybe she was losing her sanity.
I like the sweet glimpses we get of Jeremy.
I do believe he loves her, but it's not a hearts and flowers kind of love.
It's dark, twisted, obsessive, etc.
But I'm eager to see how it plays out and if there will be a HEA in the end.
I really liked this installment. It just goes to show that Jeremy or Mr. Stonehart or whatever you want to call him is as devious and manipulative as ever. Just when you think you have an understanding of the situation, as you think you've got it all figured out and there's no more secrets... BOOM! Another twist is revealed. I love how he plays with Lilly's mind. I was even somewhat convinced that maybe she was losing her sanity.
I like the sweet glimpses we get of Jeremy.
I do believe he loves her, but it's not a hearts and flowers kind of love.
It's dark, twisted, obsessive, etc.
But I'm eager to see how it plays out and if there will be a HEA in the end.
8. Redemption
Rating -
I'm not sure what to make of this installment. Ms. Edwards has woven an intricate tale of captivity, secrets, betrayal, manipulation, and has twisted and corrupted my damn brain! I love Jeremy. The only thing really missing is his pov but I guess that would defeat the purpose of the story. All of these secrets, lies and devious machinations would be revealed all too quickly.
I want to know what is going on with his father and what he wants from Lilly. What was in the second envelope?
Also, Jeremy informs her that she was in a coma for weeks. And that she has brain damage. But her reaction wasn't realistic at all! I'm not a fan of Lilly. I think that has been established and this book did her absolutely no favours. Especially with her behaviour towards her friends.
Ah well, on to book 9 and more Jeremy.
I'm not sure what to make of this installment. Ms. Edwards has woven an intricate tale of captivity, secrets, betrayal, manipulation, and has twisted and corrupted my damn brain! I love Jeremy. The only thing really missing is his pov but I guess that would defeat the purpose of the story. All of these secrets, lies and devious machinations would be revealed all too quickly.
I want to know what is going on with his father and what he wants from Lilly. What was in the second envelope?
Also, Jeremy informs her that she was in a coma for weeks. And that she has brain damage. But her reaction wasn't realistic at all! I'm not a fan of Lilly. I think that has been established and this book did her absolutely no favours. Especially with her behaviour towards her friends.
Ah well, on to book 9 and more Jeremy.
9. Liberation
Rating -
I swear, every time I think I have a handle on the plot, something else happens to throw me off.
Jeremy's evil mind knows no bounds. His devious plans are limitless it seems. I want to call him a sociopath, but I actually believe that he truly loves Lilly. I guess it's best to list his sociopath qualities rather than fitting him with a label. He's definitely apathetic. The way he clinically decides to drug, abuse, and manipulate Lilly is coldblooded.
The scene of Russian Roulette was insane. And now that Lilly has decided to stay by his side, Jeremy finally shows her how completely corrupted he is. I want to know what his ultimate plan is for Charles, Rose and Hugh.
I swear, every time I think I have a handle on the plot, something else happens to throw me off.
Jeremy's evil mind knows no bounds. His devious plans are limitless it seems. I want to call him a sociopath, but I actually believe that he truly loves Lilly. I guess it's best to list his sociopath qualities rather than fitting him with a label. He's definitely apathetic. The way he clinically decides to drug, abuse, and manipulate Lilly is coldblooded.
The scene of Russian Roulette was insane. And now that Lilly has decided to stay by his side, Jeremy finally shows her how completely corrupted he is. I want to know what his ultimate plan is for Charles, Rose and Hugh.
10. The Finale
Rating -
This book deserved every one of its 4 stars!! It was a crazy, incredible journey and definitely the best book out of the entire series!!
After being free from captivity and falling in love with her captor, Lilly is captured again... by Jeremy's enemies. And what she suffered while Jeremy's prisoner was a walk in the park in comparison. She was brutalized by his enemies. I can't think of a better word to describe what she endured. It was brutal, sadistic, cruel, inhumane... And the author wrote the scenes so powerfully that once again I felt like I was witnessing it instead of reading it.
In this book we get to read Jeremy's pov finally and it was amazing. The growth of this man made him that much more wonderful to me. I already loved him. This just made me appreciate him more. His love for Lilly knew no bounds and the lengths he went through to rescue her, both during her captivity and the resulting aftermath, were astounding. The resulting "craziness" told from Lilly's pov were written so eloquently that I really could imagine her losing her mind. It seemed that real.
I'm just glad that there's a book 11. Thank you very much for that Scarlett Edwards because if not for that I would be stalking your a** with some crazy messages for having the audacity to end this series with a damn eyelid flutter.
This book deserved every one of its 4 stars!! It was a crazy, incredible journey and definitely the best book out of the entire series!!
After being free from captivity and falling in love with her captor, Lilly is captured again... by Jeremy's enemies. And what she suffered while Jeremy's prisoner was a walk in the park in comparison. She was brutalized by his enemies. I can't think of a better word to describe what she endured. It was brutal, sadistic, cruel, inhumane... And the author wrote the scenes so powerfully that once again I felt like I was witnessing it instead of reading it.
In this book we get to read Jeremy's pov finally and it was amazing. The growth of this man made him that much more wonderful to me. I already loved him. This just made me appreciate him more. His love for Lilly knew no bounds and the lengths he went through to rescue her, both during her captivity and the resulting aftermath, were astounding. The resulting "craziness" told from Lilly's pov were written so eloquently that I really could imagine her losing her mind. It seemed that real.
I'm just glad that there's a book 11. Thank you very much for that Scarlett Edwards because if not for that I would be stalking your a** with some crazy messages for having the audacity to end this series with a damn eyelid flutter.
11. The Lost Chapter
Rating -
This book may seem like a whole bunch of nothing, which it is, but in the bigger picture it's about a lot. It's about what happened after that damn eyelid flutter. I get why the author chose to fast forward the story 14 months. It bypasses Lilly's struggle through all types of therapy. Waking up from a coma after a year sure cannot be easy. Muscle atrophy alone would be a hurdle to leap over.
This book gives closure on the love story between Jeremy and Lilly. Not once did the cold Mr. Stonehart make an appearance, much like he didn't in book 10. The change in him is surreal because his moods were so unpredictable, something I kind of relied on in a weird way. Now he's all about Lilly: his love in her, his faith in her, his respect for her... It was honestly a bit boring. Ah well, I needed my HFN and got that. Welcome to the fold Mrs. Stonehart!
This book may seem like a whole bunch of nothing, which it is, but in the bigger picture it's about a lot. It's about what happened after that damn eyelid flutter. I get why the author chose to fast forward the story 14 months. It bypasses Lilly's struggle through all types of therapy. Waking up from a coma after a year sure cannot be easy. Muscle atrophy alone would be a hurdle to leap over.
This book gives closure on the love story between Jeremy and Lilly. Not once did the cold Mr. Stonehart make an appearance, much like he didn't in book 10. The change in him is surreal because his moods were so unpredictable, something I kind of relied on in a weird way. Now he's all about Lilly: his love in her, his faith in her, his respect for her... It was honestly a bit boring. Ah well, I needed my HFN and got that. Welcome to the fold Mrs. Stonehart!
It was kind of exciting that Zip knew so much about me and my career.
I wasn't sure why.
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
I wasn't sure why.
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Killing Booth by Lani Lynn Vale
Rating -
Standalone - Welcome to the Circus #6
Genre - Contemporary Romance / instalove
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit scenes
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 262 pages
Every single thing you want is going to require you to be uncomfortable.
Those words had been shared with her by the one man she didn’t think she could take a chance on. She just didn’t know that he was right, or that he was going to be the one making her uncomfortable.
Nash Wilder Christopherson was the world’s golden boy.
For fifteen years, she watched Nash race from the safety of her phone. Every single race, PR event, ESPN interview—she was there for it. He was the one thing that kept her sane while having to live the life her father forced her to.
That was all he’d ever be to her, though. A face on the other side of the screen.
Until he showed up at her apartment complex, carried her sister down hundreds and hundreds of stairs during a fire, and changed her opinion of him.
Nash Christopherson was Mean. With a capital M. And he couldn’t stand her.
***
He thought he had everything under control. Then he met her.
Nash knew from the moment he saw Zip waiting in her apartment, looking panicked, that she was going to damage him. She was going to pull him in, chew him up, and spit him out.
What he didn’t know was just how much damage he could take.
Nearly a year passed as he tried and failed to stay away.
A full year of her smiles, her playful jabs, her teasing, her eyes on him.
Then he got news that changed his life, and she finally took matters into her own hands, forcing herself into his life and pretty much giving him everything he ever wanted.
Everything was great, until it wasn’t. Life smacked him hard, and when the dust settled, she was gone. The only sign that she was ever there was the cracked and bleeding heart, half beating inside his chest, that yearned to hold her one more time.
Those words had been shared with her by the one man she didn’t think she could take a chance on. She just didn’t know that he was right, or that he was going to be the one making her uncomfortable.
Nash Wilder Christopherson was the world’s golden boy.
For fifteen years, she watched Nash race from the safety of her phone. Every single race, PR event, ESPN interview—she was there for it. He was the one thing that kept her sane while having to live the life her father forced her to.
That was all he’d ever be to her, though. A face on the other side of the screen.
Until he showed up at her apartment complex, carried her sister down hundreds and hundreds of stairs during a fire, and changed her opinion of him.
Nash Christopherson was Mean. With a capital M. And he couldn’t stand her.
***
He thought he had everything under control. Then he met her.
Nash knew from the moment he saw Zip waiting in her apartment, looking panicked, that she was going to damage him. She was going to pull him in, chew him up, and spit him out.
What he didn’t know was just how much damage he could take.
Nearly a year passed as he tried and failed to stay away.
A full year of her smiles, her playful jabs, her teasing, her eyes on him.
Then he got news that changed his life, and she finally took matters into her own hands, forcing herself into his life and pretty much giving him everything he ever wanted.
Everything was great, until it wasn’t. Life smacked him hard, and when the dust settled, she was gone. The only sign that she was ever there was the cracked and bleeding heart, half beating inside his chest, that yearned to hold her one more time.
Previous books in the series:
Fun House * Freak Show * Show Off * Clown Motel * Sold to the Circus
Sweet baby love, this story wrecked me and I'm sitting here kinda rocking in my couch, typing this review, wondering when I'll start feeling normal again.
Zip was a firecracker. She was cranky, sweet and so tenderhearted even when she was mad.
Nash was a sweetie, even when he was doing his best to be cruel and push people away.
Their dynamic was intense, full of feels and I'm a mess here in the end.
I'm being intentionally vague here. There is so much to experience in this book and you really to experience it all for yourself.
Know this: This story will tear your heart out. It will also make you smile and swoon and believe in the love between Nash and Zip, far sooner than they did.
Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today bestsellers.
Visit https://lanilynnvale.com for more information.
Why the hell am I trying to make her the enemy?
It seems that's what she's endured all of her damn life.
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
It seems that's what she's endured all of her damn life.
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Naked Truth by Lisa Renee Jones
Previously published as the Naked Trilogy
Rating -
Standalone - Scandalous Billionaires
Release - March 7, 2024
Genre - Contemporary Romance / revenge
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit scenes
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 688 pages
Jax North. He's handsome, brutally so, and wealthy. Our first encounter is intense and sex is my escape. I go with it. I go with him and what a ride it is. And then, I say goodbye. Only you don't say goodbye to a man like Jax if he doesn't want you to. I've challenged him without meaning to. He wants me. I don't want to want him, and yet, I crave him. And he tears me down, my resistance, my walls. But those walls protect me. They seal my secrets inside. And I forget that being alone is safe.
Before long, my secrets begin to be revealed, and I trust him so deeply that I think maybe he can handle them. Maybe I dare to believe that alone isn't better.
Until I discover that Jax was never an accident.
He has secrets.
He knew my secret. He came for me.
Before long, my secrets begin to be revealed, and I trust him so deeply that I think maybe he can handle them. Maybe I dare to believe that alone isn't better.
Until I discover that Jax was never an accident.
He has secrets.
He knew my secret. He came for me.
The eldest North son is dead and it has been ruled a suicide. However, Jax has some serious doubts. All clues point to the Knight family's involvement and he intends to take them down. That is until he officially meets Emma Knight, the woman he was meant to use to further his revenge. She was nothing like he expected and he's got a choice to make—love or vengeance?
Emma tended to drive me up the wall, but I enjoyed the heck out of this story. Jax more than made up for any ill will I may have felt towards his lady love (which wasn't much). The bond that quickly grew between these characters drew me in like nobody's business. I was glued to these pages and I didn't just want, I needed to know how it would all turn out. Was Chance just like his father? Would Brody be okay? Have I already read Savage's book because dude needs his own story. And how exactly did Hunter die? Besides all that, thank you dear author for giving me some glimpses of the absolutely yummy Grayson and his equally delicious best mate, Eric.
So why 4 and not 5 stars?
In all honesty... and I'm no expert... but I think this story could have been shorter than it was. A lot of the happenings, though exciting, got a bit repetitive and I kept waiting for the plot to move along.
LRJ has been a favorite of mine since I rediscovered my love for romance novels. She delivers stories full of intensity, whether it's through feels, suspense, or heat. Her stories are easy recommendations to make.
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.
Off limits romance, intensely alpha hero, MF, standalone, dual POVPreviously published as the Filthy Trilogy, BUT this has been heavily updated. Same deliciously sexy story, new and improved delivery and scenes.
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Filthy Deal by Lisa Renee Jones
Rating -
Standalone - Scandalous Billionaires #1
Release - March 7, 2024
Genre - Contemporary Romance / forbidden
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - several descriptive scenes
Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 581 pages
They say my father is ruthless, CEO of the Kingston empire, while I remain the illegitimate backup heir, son to his mistress. He sent me to Harvard where he no doubt expected me to fail but I don't fail anymore than I take charity. My mother is dead, and not only do I blame him, if I had my way he'd be dead, too.
But I finished school and did it on my own dime. Now I'm the right-hand man to Grayson Bennett, the billionaire who runs the Bennett Empire, only a few months from being a billionaire myself. I don't need my father's company or his love. My "brother" and my new stepmother can have it all.
And then she walks in the door, my stepsister, the princess I'd once wanted more than I'd wanted my father's love. She wants me to come back. She says my father needs to be saved. She doesn't know how dangerous a ground she walks, how deadly, too. I don't want to save my father, I want to end him, but on the other hand, I do want her. Deeply. Passionately. More than I want anything else.
But she's the princess and I'm the illegitimate son. We don't fit. We don't belong together and yet, she says he needs me, that she needs me. We're like sugar and spice, we don't mix, but I really crave a taste. Just one. What harm can just one taste do?
After all, I'm just like my father, or so I'm told.
I'm ruthless in business and ruthless about getting what I want.
And I want her.
But I finished school and did it on my own dime. Now I'm the right-hand man to Grayson Bennett, the billionaire who runs the Bennett Empire, only a few months from being a billionaire myself. I don't need my father's company or his love. My "brother" and my new stepmother can have it all.
And then she walks in the door, my stepsister, the princess I'd once wanted more than I'd wanted my father's love. She wants me to come back. She says my father needs to be saved. She doesn't know how dangerous a ground she walks, how deadly, too. I don't want to save my father, I want to end him, but on the other hand, I do want her. Deeply. Passionately. More than I want anything else.
But she's the princess and I'm the illegitimate son. We don't fit. We don't belong together and yet, she says he needs me, that she needs me. We're like sugar and spice, we don't mix, but I really crave a taste. Just one. What harm can just one taste do?
After all, I'm just like my father, or so I'm told.
I'm ruthless in business and ruthless about getting what I want.
And I want her.
Part One: The Bastard ~ This story was almost overwhelming in its passion. It felt at times as if I was stuck in the erotic embrace of the couple while learning virtually nothing about the situation at hand. There's something going on at Eric's dad's company... something that is potentially dangerous... something that has jeopardized lives... and yet I'm no closer to figuring out what that something is at the end of this book. I hope it all becomes clear in the next one.
There's no doubt that Eric and Harper share a once-in-a-lifetime connection. Their connection never broke during their six year separation. I'm not sure what the future holds for this couple but knowing LRJ, their happy ending is somewhere on the horizon and I'm eager to watch it unfold.
Full review HERE
Part Two: The Princess ~ Aside from wishing that this was told entirely from Eric's perspective, hating Harper, and finding out that it's a filthy trilogy and not a filthy duet, I'm totally on board to discover all of this story's hidden truths and find out what's really going on. LRJ has the amazing ability to completely hold me captive to her stories and keep me guessing and I love it. With one heck of a cliffhanger, where Harper is once again questioning Eric, I'm really looking forward to how this author will close out this couple's saga.
Full review HERE
Part Three: The Empire ~ I love Eric so much! This man, this savant, this SEAL, this self-made billionaire, this honorable and incredible man earned a special place in my heart. I loved him for his inner strength and for his vulnerabilities. I admired his perseverance and his ability to see the big picture. I never doubted him and I'm glad that Harper learned not to as well. I must admit that I found parts of their dialogue and Harper's inner thoughts a bit repetitive, but I was still able to be wowed by this couple's romance. The Empire perfectly wrapped up the love and intrigue that the Filthy Trilogy successfully portrayed and I can't wait to see where all of these characters end up next!
Full review HERE
Soooo I've been gone, off and on, for a bit. Dang anxiety keeps getting the best of me. But I'm pushing through. I think I just needed to put things in perspective a bit and take a bit of the pressure off.
I'm refusing to bite off more than I can chew. Or some other idiom that makes sense.
I'll still be posting reviews as I read books, but my other posts will have a set schedule.
- Any series review will be posted on the 1st Monday of the month (if I have a series to review)
- Books that get less than 3 stars will be posted on the 2nd Tuesday of the month
- Worth Reading Wednesday will be posted on the 3rd Wednesday of the month
- Throwback Thursday will be posted every other week... on a Thursday
- My Friday Updates post will be shared every other week... on a Friday
I really hope you all will stick with me in the interim. I am looking forward to getting back on track sooner rather than later. I'm also hoping to get involved in some reading challenges, maybe sharing them and participating in them with some of you.
Again, I'm so sorry for not being terribly reliable. But I am back to liking and commenting on posts (at least on FB and blogs). I don't know why I struggle to engage on social media, but if someone has any tips, I'm all ears.
Take care!
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