His Salvation (Cavalieri Della Morte Series Book 4) by Claire Marta

Book Blurb:

I’ve been betrayed. A hit gone wrong. I’m hurt and hunted.

She helps me out of fear–an innocent snatched up in my bid to escape. I can’t let her live because she’s seen my face.
No survivors. No witnesses. That’s a code I live by and one I’ve always upheld. Yet when it comes to my petal, she makes me hesitate.

I want to taste her and make her mine in the most primitive way. Ravage her. Devour her. Allowing my need for her to take hold.

Unsure of who to trust, I feel the enemy closing in. I should set her free, but I can’t. I’ll discover who has a price on my head and I’ll end them, meeting blood with blood, and bullet with bullet.

Would she still want me when she sees me kill? Or will it scare her off for good?

My Review:

When I first heard about a series written by different authors that are all focused on twelve individual assassins who work as part of the Cavalieri Della Morte run by Arthur, I knew that I was very intrigued. All thirteen of the standalone books are loosely connected and based around the idea of Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, which is a concept that I loved. But this book more than lived up to my expectation, having read some great books in the series before. There was blood, kidnapping, torture, angst, heartbreak and love which for me makes up one hell of a story.

Kay has been a member of the Cavalieri Della Morte for years but being an assassin is in his blood. As a child Kay became an orphan with a past that is filled with bloodshed and heartbreak and he knows nothing but death. Taken in and raised by Paulo Jilani, Don of the Italian Mafia crime family he was always treated like an adopted son. He was taught to fight, turn off his emotions and kill. Despite Paulo having a legitimate heir in his son Mauro he has been grooming Kay for the role and to take over when the time comes. But not everyone is happy with this plan, including Kay himself. Kay has no intention of running the crime family and so he leaves to work for Arthur and joins the Cavalieri Della Morte. But the past has a habit of catching up with you.

Evelyn is a shy but feisty veterinarian who has always loved a very quiet life in England. Loved by her mum and step father she has never really travelled or experienced the rush of life. So when she wins an all-expense paid trip to Italy she jumps at the chance of having her first taste of freedom. But all of that changes before she even has chance to check into her hotel room when a gorgeous, wounded man gets into her car holding a gun and kidnaps her. Eve knows she should be terrified throughout her whole kidnap ordeal with Kay but she can’t help but feel something toward this dark, brooding man. He makes her feel safe, she is drawn to him and he turns her on more than any man ever has done. But can Eve really trust the man who kidnaps her and puts her in harm’s way.

I absolutely loved Kay and Evelyn’s relationship. Kay is instantly protective over Eve and he cannot explain why. When he looks at her he feels things that he didn’t know he was capable of. I loved Kay but the heartbreak he experienced, that made him who he is now, was awful. But despite being a tough, cocky killer he softens and shows Eve his sensitive side and when he realises his feelings for her he will stop at nothing to keep her safe.

Evelyn was such a great character for me. When we first meet her she comes off as being quite shy and meek, almost submissive which I wasn’t sure I would like. But that is quickly put aside when she sticks up for herself and fights with Kay at every turn. She doesn’t want to be attracted to him but she can’t help be drawn to him. Watching her fall for Kay and helping him to open up and learn to love when he thought he wasn’t capable was stunning to watch and made their relationship so much more believable.

In this book we are introduced to two more members of the Cavalieri Della Morte when we meet Gerwain and Ber. I loved both Gerwain and Ber and I was instantly intrigued by them and the relationship that they seem to have with Kay. They have such great banter and a fantastic friendship even when they are all apart. If the epilogue is anything to go by both Ber and then Gerwain will be getting their own great story and I cannot wait. I only hope that I get to see more of Kay because man is that cocky, broody man gorgeous!

Overall, I loved this book. It had everything I was looking for in an assassin story. There is death, intrigue, back-stabbing, sarcasm, banter, love and some incredibly hot sex scenes. I loved the friendships and backstory behind Kay and Eve and the more we learnt the more it drew me in. I literally could not put this book down having read it all in one day. I would recommend it to anyone and cannot wait for the next books in the series!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2QDIbXG

Boss I Love To Hate by Mia Kayla

Book Blurb:

Dear Mr. Brisken,

How do I hate you?
Let me count the ways.

>I hate your smug, sexy millionaire face.
>I hate your cocky, skirt chasing, playboy ways.
>I hate working as your secretary–but, I love the pay. It almost makes dealing with you worth it.

>I hate how my friends call you a BILF, when really BILK (Boss I’d like to kill) is more appropriate.

>I hate that I need you to be my date for my best friend’s wedding because my ex-boyfriend, the King of Heartbreakers, and his new busty blonde girlfriend will be in attendance.

>But mostly, I hate how once the charade is over, I might not hate you at all . . .it was so much easier when you were the Boss I Love To Hate.

My Review:

This book is a fantastic, slow burn with comedic elements that will leave you with a massive smile on your face at the end. It’s a classic love story that centres around the idea that you don’t always realise that what you are looking for in life might have been right under your nose the whole time. But when you do find them you have to fight, hold on and never let go. This book epitomises that belief and that is what makes it such a superb read.

Sonia has been working for her irritating boss for the last two years now. He is a billionaire who owns the family business with his two brothers. He is cocky, arrogant and sometimes just plain rude because he is so focused on his work and that is what makes him extremely good at his job. Sonia pushes back, not wanting to be the secretary who gets pushed about and this allows a banter to develop within their relationship. When Sonia was hired to be Brad’s secretary he had gone through six secretaries in just six months. The only job requirements were to make sure that he gets organised and to stay out of his bed, something the last ones had failed to do. But when she started Sonia was in a serious relationship and head over heels in love with Jeff and as a result Brad, despite how unbelievably gorgeous he is, soon became known as her BILK (Boss I’d Like to Kill). But things didn’t work out with Jeff and for the last eight months Sonia has been left heartbroken, not that Brad even realised or saw how effected Sonia was by the break-up. But all of that was about to change.

Brad has always wanted to find true love. He was getting bored of picking up the wrong kind of women, going on a few dates, having sex and then losing interest. It happened every time and the women did not always take his refusal well. Whilst he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his parents and older brother to find happiness and love, he is unsure if it’s on the cards for him. So instead Brad throws himself into his work and spending time with the only two female loves of his life; his niece’s Sarah, aged 12 and Mary aged 5. Brad’s family have faced so much heartbreak in the past resulting in Brad and his younger brother Mason moving into their childhood home with Charles and his daughters to help raise them. They are a very close family so when Charles and his new wife go on honeymoon for a month Brad and Mason step in to babysit. But whilst Brad is responsible for the girls Sarah gets her first ever period and he is in well over his head so he asks the only female that he trusts for help letting Sonia into his family. But she will only agree to help if he does her a favour, which he instantly agree to without even knowing what it is. She asks him to go with her to her friend’s wedding as her date because her ex-boyfriend Jeff and his new, very attractive girlfriend will also be there. Sonia has not fully moved on from her old relationship and she stalks the new girlfriend on social media causing her to feel jealousy towards her. Brad agrees to go to the wedding because he will do anything for his niece Sarah and the more time he spends with Sonia he starts to think he might do anything for Sonia too. The wedding and pretending to be a couple turns out to be the turning point in their relationship. But can Sonia forget about the past, put her job on the line and fall for her BILK? Can Brad be trusted to fall for a girl and not lose interest straight after sex?

I loved Brad and Sonia’s relationship because it developed in such a life-like and realistic way. Their relationship started off as pretend and fake until they both realised they were not really pretending at all. But then Brad needs to help Sonia get over her heartbreak and put her trust into him. He has to prove to her that he can earn her trust and that he deserves to keep it. There is so much chemistry between this couple that it is sizzling off them and I have to admit that there were times that I just wanted them to tear each other’s clothes off but they took it slow and it made their relationship that much better.

I loved Brad as a character. When we first meet him he is exactly what you would expect from a billionaire businessman with a cocky self-assured nature but that couldn’t be any further from who he really is. He is self-less giving up everything to be there for his brother and nieces and the love and adoration that he shows them will melt anyone’s heart. But the uncertainty he faces when he is trying to win over Sonia and how he feels like a lost little boy not knowing how to deal with being in love for the first time, was gorgeous to witness. If I hadn’t already fallen for him, I would have done by that point. Poor Sonia had no chance!

I actually did like Sonia as a character. She was a very strong, geeky independent woman. Her love for all things Harry Potter more than won me over. But I liked that no matter how intimidating Brad, as a BILK was, she still managed to push back. She knew she was good at her job and she maintained the relationship she was hired to do. What really broke my heart for her was her lack of confidence, anxiety and the fact she didn’t realise how beautiful she was. But as Brad showered her with love it made her believe and her confidence grew which was so great to see.

This book introduced us to some other secondary characters in both Brad and Sonia’s family. Mason having just struggled through five years in a not-so-great relationship more than deserves to find love. Also, I liked the idea of Marco, Sonia’s brother finding his happily ever after too. I cannot wait to read more books and will keep holding out to find out what is next for Brad and Sonia because that amazing epilogue made me want so much more.

Overall, I loved this book. It is a classic enemies to lovers’ story, where the character doesn’t realise that exactly what they have been looking for has been under their nose the whole time. It is a very slow burn but it is packed with enough love and chemistry to keep you addicted throughout. I loved the banter, the push-and pull behaviour between the couple and the way that the relationship develops. It is an incredibly life-like story and I loved it. I could not recommend this book more. Please bring on Mason’s story next!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2I4SVdC

The Enlightened (Entitled Book Two) by Cassandra Robbins

Book Blurb:

My secret’s out. Reed knows the truth.

The destruction’s done. There’s no taking it back.

Reed took all my firsts like a shiny present. He made promises with silky words I greedily kept as truths. But the moment I faltered, he took everything away.

Now we’re both guilty of sins.

As we come together for Grandfather Ian’s funeral, it’s time to face what I’ve done—what we’ve done. The boy I’ve loved since age eight is now a man, his rage palpable, his turquoise eyes piercing me with an intensity that sets me on fire. Each delicious kiss seems to peel away our ugly past—a past we’re desperate to escape.

They say forgiveness comes from within. Can I trust him to forgive me? Have we both been enlightened?

I used to believe in the fantasy of a happily ever after. Trouble is my life’s not a fairy tale.

The Enlightened is second in The Entitled duet.
The story begins in The Entitled.

My Review:

The Enlightened picks up from the cliff-hanger ending of the first book. So if you have not read The Entitled then this review will feature spoilers and so keep this in mind before you continue reading. As this is a duet you have to read the first book before the second. I always worry when I love part one so much whether I would feel the same about part two. That was particularly the case because I knew that both the main characters had made mistakes and had grown into very different people, so worried that this could not live up to the feelings I got from book one. But man was I wrong. This book is so completely amazing!

Picking up from the bombshell of Reed finding out that Tess lied to him and never actually went through with the abortion. Instead he is now a father to almost three year old twins, Luke and Lily. Reed is understandably hurt that Tess, aided by Brance initially and later by all of Reed’s family, kept the twins existence from him and so naturally he is struggling to forgive Tess for missing out on everything. But Tess has, in her head, turned Reed into the bad guy claiming he left when things got rough and was in no fit state to be around the twins given he turned to drink and drugs to deal with his separation from Tess. Both Tess and Reed are such messed up characters but actually they both grow up a lot throughout this book and they are both great parents to the twins. But that obsessive love that they have for each other and the sizzling chemistry remains and they just cannot seem to get over each other!

There were parts in this book when I struggled with both characters and their personalities but this was what made them seem more real and believable. I did not want to see Reed as the bad guy at all because as far as I was concerned Tess is the one who lied and kept the kids away from him and caused him to miss out on them growing up. But if I was a mother then I wouldn’t want a volatile person who is known to misuse drugs and alcohol to be in their life either. I can see why Reed blames Tess and why he is so pained by her original decision to have an abortion but had he been my boyfriend I would have been mortified if he just left me there feeling sad and overwhelmed by all of my weaknesses. Reed knew Tess better than anyone and should have supported her and understood her feelings. I think essentially when they both realise that they have both made mistakes and they need to forgive each other before they can finally begin to move on with their relationship and possibly get their happily ever after. But can their sins be forgiven and forgotten? Is the soul-mate love they have for each other enough to conquer all?

I made no denial that I struggled with the idea of finding your soul-mates and being so obsessed at the age of eight but for this book it really does work. Even when Tess and Reed’s brains are not quite in sync their hearts, souls and bodies still are. Sex is how they learn to trust and fall in love again as they say how they really feel when they are at their most exposed. Their relationship is unusual but actually they are incredibly beautiful together.

Once again we are exposed to some fantastic secondary characters. I am so happy to learn that Jax will be getting his own book and I cannot wait! We were also introduced to Reed’s new friend David who is an ex Disciple MC member and I am very excited that Cassandra Robbins next book will feature his cousin Jason/Blade and will give us more insight into the Disciples MC. This should be a great read and I cannot wait!

Overall, I loved this book and the duet as a whole. There were times that I wasn’t sure I liked or could not relate to the characters but in a weird way it made them more believable. The way that the plot is told through different perspectives and timelines was fantastic and really helped build a thorough picture and build suspense. At no point did the timeline get muddled and as they go back and forth so much it would have been very confusing had this happened. This book is essentially a love story and that was what I loved. I enjoyed seeing how their relationships changed throughout the years as the characters developed and grew. Eventually both Tess and Reed become adults and are in the same place to accept their happily ever after but my word getting their takes a lot of work! I loved this book and the duet as a whole. I would read them again and so I would be more than happy to recommend them to people. Now I just have to sit here and wait patiently for the next book, as I am sure it will be just as good if not better than this duet!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2W6MbpA

The Entitled (Entitled Book One) by Cassandra Robbins

Book Blurb:

People say you can’t find your soul mate at eight years old. I did.

I found Reed and loved him more than I loved myself. We were young…beautiful…entitled.

Money and private schools, our families’ lavish parties and posh New York City apartments—it was all mere window dressing. What was real was our obsessive love, which grew right along with us as we moved toward adulthood. It consumed me, and only in his arms did I feel wanted and safe.

But I have a secret. It’s big and to some, unforgivable. And it’s why I let Reed destroy me, or maybe I destroyed us. Either way, I’m worse than broke—I’m broken.

Once upon a time, we were happy…Yet privilege has an ugly underside and in the blink of an eye, my world crashed down around me.

I don’t feel entitled anymore.

The Entitled is the first in The Entitled duet. Their story concludes in The Enlightened.

My Review:

Whenever I start a duet I always go into it knowing that I will not get all the answers in the first book and so I try to gear myself up for the cliff-hanger ending that I know will undoubtedly come. But no amount of preparing could have helped me with such a mic-drop ending to this book. My feelings when I finished reading pretty much summed up how I felt the whole way through, and that is the sense of needing and wanting more, but in a very good way.

This book tells the story of Reed and Tess who have been in love with each other since the day that they met aged eight. If ever two people could be described as soul-mates it would be this couple. But the path of true love never does run smoothly. The book is told from both Reed and Tess’s perspectives and starts off when they are 25 years old and obviously not together. It then goes back and tells the story of them over the years and the hurdles that they have faced. It felt so strange for me because it almost felt like I had read the ending of the book and now I just had to learn how they get to that stage. But as they weren’t together I wanted to know why and see if they get their happily ever after. The structure of the book is incredibly clever as it keeps you on the edge, giving you tiny glimpses of the future and as more secrets are exposed then more things are revealed in the present. The suspense was such a killer and had me living with this book in my hand until I finished it.

Reed Saddington is a gorgeous, rich, cocky guy who has so much self-confidence it oozes out of him. He has always been incredibly sure of himself and what he wants. Which is why at aged eight years old when he is introduced to new girl in town Tess he knows that she will be his forever and he nicknames her his Kitten. He grows up to be self-assured and entitled with a very easily triggered anger problem. Reed doesn’t really care about anyone but Tess and his twin brother Jax, and he has a very strong connection with both. But as events take place through his life, Reed struggles to deal with things properly and lets his anger or possessiveness rule, which is what gets him into some trouble. For the longest time he is so sure that Tess is his everything, but what happens when they are not together or he has to let her go?

Tess Gallagher is a shy, quiet and extremely nervous girl. She is raised in an unhappy home with an unstable mother and an absent father has left Tess feeling very lonely and anxious. But then she meets Reed and Jax and for the first time she has friends. Her friendship with Reed soon becomes more and he becomes her crutch. He knows her and her moods inside out and always wants to take care of her which is why Tess leans on him for her mood and anxiety. But all of that changes when they are forced apart. Both of them make mistakes and blame each other for them but the path of true love never does run smoothly. However, Tess knows this time she may have broken Reed’s heart beyond repair.

I loved Tess and Reid’s relationship. At first I found it difficult to understand the concept of finding your soul-mate at aged 8 but seeing how they knew each other so well and the love they had was beautiful. But it also showed that falling in love so young has its problems and they definitely did not know how to deal with the trials and tribulations of being in a serious relationships at such a young age. This resulted in them both making silly mistakes and unreasonable, hormone-fuelled demands. I found Reeds possessiveness to be a little over powering at times and Tess’s clingy, needy behaviour to be a bit irritating but actually their behaviours made them appear more real. They have an obsessive element to their relationship and it brought out the bad side of each other. But the love, care and adoration that they had for each other was truly beautiful. They most definitely had some seriously hot chemistry that was always obvious and sizzled.

Overall, I loved this book and I could not stop reading. Essentially Tess and Reed are two very broken souls learning how to be in an adult relationship and how to deal with the possessive behaviour that they feel towards each other. They have love, chemistry and passion but they also have jealousy, anger and infatuation which makes them act irrationally. They both make stupid mistakes which cause them to be apart. But the mic-drop cliff-hanger ending left me speechless and I cannot wait for the second book. I am always supportive of soul-mates finding their happily ever after but that is amplified in this book. I not only think that Tess and Reed deserve to be together and I want them to be but I genuinely feel like they need to be. I am not sure that they can live without each other. The suspense over will they or wont they end up together is what kept me interested throughout this book and has me dying to read book two. But before I go off and tell everyone who will listen that they need to read this book I would also like to ask Cassandra Robbins if she could please write Jax’s book. If you love Reed then his sexy, geeky, playboy twin brother Jax will really get you going. I loved him just that little bit more than Reed and so I cannot wait to see if he gets a book and finds the woman who makes him want to settle down. Until then I will see how Reed and Tess’s story ends and if it is anything like this book then we are in for one hell of a ride and I cannot wait!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2JCVSFD

Learning Curve by Andi Jaxon

Book Blurb:

My subconscious wanted him even when logic said I shouldn’t.

Alister Bennet

Loyal, reliable… predictable even, I’ve always done what’s expected of me. Stay out of trouble, get my teaching degree and build a respectable career as a college professor. The job comes with a long list of rules and at the top of that list is no fraternizing with students. Following the rules seemed easy enough, until a dark, tortured boy sat outside my office waiting for me. His voice told me it was his grade he was worried about, but the deep onyx pools of his eyes told me more as they shook the solid ground I’d always stood on.

Am I willing to risk my career, my carefully built reputation, to help one so filled with pain I can taste it?

Benjamin Wallace

Rejected, abused, and abandoned my entire life, all I’ve ever wanted was to be accepted, loved even. I thought going to college on a scholarship would be my ticket out of hell, but nothing good ever comes without a price. As graduation nears I find myself drawn to the mysterious professor like a moth to a flame. Just one meeting with the man that has been starring in my dreams has my soul screaming for him to hold me, comfort me. A relationship isn’t just frowned upon, it’s forbidden, but the heart doesn’t always know the difference.

Can I trust my mangled heart in his perfect life when my past repeats itself or will he destroy what is left of me?

*Author’s note: This is an MM teacher-student romance with themes including abuse and kidnapping. This story ends with a HEA.*

My Review:

Who knew that a book about a teacher who falls in love with his student could make you feel so many strong emotions. It is a trope that a lot of people would associate with being a bit sleazy or taboo and so they avoid it. That can also be said for gay male relationships or age gap romances. This book contains all three genres and I can honestly say that despite having reservations before I started it is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. I started reading with low expectations and it managed to blow my mind and had me addicted right from the start.

Alistair appears to have the perfect life. He has a mum and dad that love and support him unconditionally. He has a twin brother who is also his best friend and they share a unique bond, a fantastic amount of banter and a lot of love. His family have weekly dinners so that they can return back to the home the twins grew up in and catch up, so that they can all remain close. He also has his dream job teaching maths at the local Christian college. His students love him and he is well known on campus for being the hottest teacher as well as being a bit of an enigma as nobody has ever seen him in a relationship. This is the only area in Alistair’s life where he knows that he is missing out as he really wants to find love but it is not easy given that he is gay. Alistair doesn’t have an issue with his sexuality and he has been out to his family for years but the college that he works for would not approve of his sexual orientation. But they would hate it even more when Alistair becomes deeply attracted to someone for the first time and it just so happens to be one of his students.

Ben has had a horrible existence so far. He was placed in foster care as a child and his foster father severely abused him for years before Ben finally ran away into hiding. He is 23, living in a run-down flat in a dangerous neighbourhood. Ben is determined to graduate and make it on his own, but to graduate he needs to pass one more class that he is currently failing. He needs to ask his gorgeous maths teacher to tutor him but every time he tries to ask him Ben gets distracted by how attracted to Alistair he is. Feeling worthless and undeserving of love has always made Ben shy and withdrawn until his feelings for Alistair come out and he makes his feeling clear. This leads Alistair to take the leap and kiss Ben, which is the start of one hell of a relationship.

The relationship that Ben and Alistair share is so beautiful to witness for lots of reasons and it is something new for both of them. Alistair has never had a serious relationship but he has been with men before and he has fantastic role models to base his relationships on. Whereas Ben has never been with a man, after he was shamed growing up for his feelings. So Alistair has to tread carefully to ensure that Ben is well cared for and does not freak out. Watching Ben heal and grow in confidence when he is surrounded by love was breathtakingly beautiful to see. But watching him have everything torn from him and seeing him being forced to relive his trauma was truly heart-breaking. Never have I been more pleased that a character has found someone in the way that Ben found Alistair. He cares for him, treats him with respect and shows him that his feelings are normal, which all helps him grow as a person. Every time Alistair tells Ben to take what he wants, it made me smile because Alistair had to give up a little control for Ben to be able to grow but because of his love he did not hesitate to do it for him. You cannot help but love this couple and the chemistry between them is off the charts. The sex scenes are steamy but they are also beautiful at times as they are used to show how love helps Ben to heal.

I loved the secondary characters that we are introduced to in this book. Sexy, dirty, bad boy cop Alex ticks so many boxes for me and I sincerely hope that he gets his own book. But if he does I am sure it will feature Ben’s feisty best friend Kristen. Their banter ad chemistry just as additional characters was extremely hot, so I can’t wait to see what would happen if they do get their own book.

Overall, I loved this book. I went into the book with low expectations and I am ashamed to say that because this book definitely does not deserve that. It is beautiful, heart-breaking and heart-warming all at the same time. There is a great level of banter and sarcasm between the characters to keep things light in between dealing with the very heavy subject matter. For some people abuse, gay relationships and discrimination may be triggers, so please bear that in mind before you start reading. But I loved this book so much and I am happy to shout it from the rooftops and recommend it to everyone!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YHTAs2

Stolen Love (The Wildheart Duet Book One) by Murphy Wallace

Book Blurb:

Book 1 in The Wildheart Duet

Marshall ~ The day that Adrienne Hamilton crashed into my world, everything changed. I had always lived life my way. What I thought I’d never want – a wife, a family – was now the most important thing in the world to me. Then it was gone. Lochlan Finch took everything from me before leaving me for dead. He won’t get away with it. I will find him and once I do, I will destroy him. Just like he destroyed us.

Adrienne ~ Marshall Trent opened my eyes to a new world. A life that I never thought possible, was now ours. It’s amazing how one person, one moment, can change the entire course of your life. Marshall changed my life for the better. But the loss we suffered at the hands of Lochlan Finch would change us irrevocably.

Lochlan ~ No plans are flawless, but there weren’t supposed to be this many misses. Trent should have died and Lana should have woken up ready to be the devoted housewife that I was planning for. No matter. I will find Trent and get rid of him for good this time. As for Lana, she’s always had a very strong will, but everyone breaks eventually. I won’t stop until she shatters.

Lana ~ When I woke up everything was black. I don’t know who I am, aside from my name. I have no one to count on. No friends. No family. There is a man out there named Marshall Trent and he wants to kill me, but no one scares me more than Lochlan Finch. He calls himself my husband, but he’s no lover of mine. He’s my worst nightmare come to life.

My Review:

This book is very different to anything that I have ever read before. It features two different storylines, one set in the past and one in the present but they could not be more different. It features four different points of view. They feature some connecting characters but the themes could not be more different. This book is a dark romance and is definitely not for the faint hearted as it features themes that can be triggers for some people. This fast paced read is full of lies, violence, deception and love. It will have you hooked right from the beginning.

The past storyline tells the story of Marshall Trent who meets a young girl called Adrienne and it details how they fall in love. From the minute they meet their chemistry is instant but Adrienne has had a rough life with a difficult past. Even though she feels for him straight away she makes him work for it and their relationship develops naturally. Marshall is a sexy CEO who has always had everything that he ever wanted and when he sees Adrienne, he knows that he wants her and he is prepared to fight for her. Their love is beautiful and they have such passion that they do not think anything could come between them but they are wrong.

The present storyline features Lochlan ‘Lock’ Finch and Lana. Their relationship is the complete opposite of Marshall and Adrienne’s. They have a very unhappy marriage filled with abuse, violence and trauma. Lana has no memories of her life other than the last three years and all she knows is what Lock tells her. She is being kept prisoner by him under the pretence that he needs to keep her safe from Marshall Trent who is trying to kill them. He explains how Trent and Lock were business partners until Trent stole the company from Lock and they had to get protection and go into hiding. Lock uses drugs, rape and manipulation to control Lana but mostly it is through fear. Lock is not afraid to destroy anyone who gets in his way. Lana has been told for as long as she can remember to fear Trent, so why when Trent finally gets close enough to talk to her and touch her does he not try to hurt her. But more importantly why when she should feel nothing but fear does she instead feel things that her body has not felt in the last three years. Why does someone who she is supposed to fear make her feel so safe?

Lana is such a lovely character as she spends most of her life scared but still has so much fight left in her. She knows that there is something better out there than the life she has with Lock and she craves it. She manages to stand up to Lock and fight whenever she gets chance, even when it puts her in more danger. My heart literally breaks for the things that she has to go through and you cannot help but hope for a better future for Lana, one where she does not have to fight so much.

Lock is quite possibly one of the worst book villains that I have ever come across. He is a crazy lunatic at best and a vindictive psychopath at worst. There are hints that he has suffered a traumatic event in his past and that is what has caused long term side effects but nothing is expanded upon in this book. He is an extremely hurtful, evil person with violent tendencies. He says that he loves Lana but it’s obvious that his need is to possess and control her rather than any tender feelings. I’m not even sure he is capable of love.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is full of danger, drama, twists and turns. Some of the plot twists are more obvious but they are all enjoyable none the less. I know that this is book one in a duet so there will obviously be issues that are unresolved but the ending is one of those big OMG moments. I mean we are talking a big cliff-hanger moment that will leave you desperate to get your hands on book two. This is a great book and I hope the next book lives up to the incredibly high standards that this book sets.

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YPxCn7

Vow of Obedience (Cavalieri Della Morte Book 2) by Brianna Hale

Book Blurb:

Don’t cry, little girl. Daddy will forgive you.

The job was meant to be impossible, even for the Cavalieri Della Morte. Kill Adelmo Lange, the reclusive crime boss who murdered my brother.

Until her. Adelmo’s daughter.

Branwen has taken a vow of silence to atone for her sins, but I don’t need her to say a word. She’s the bait that’s going to draw my target out.

Now she’s going to swear another vow. A vow of obedience. To me.

Together, we’re going to take down her father. If she does exactly what I tell her, she may even escape with her life.

Do as daddy says.

VOW OF OBEDIENCE is a standalone novella of 30,000 words and part of the CAVALIERI DELLA MORTE SERIES.

My Review:

This book is unlike anything I have ever read before and it is fantastic. It is a dark romance with some trigger warnings and BDSM/Daddy kink. Whilst this may not sell the book all that much there is so much more to it than just these labels. It is dark, dangerous and very sexy. It will draw you in and keep you engaged right till the end. This is a fast paced, short book that will thrill you.

Geraint is an assassin in the Cavalieri Della Morte and follows the orders of group leader Arthur. Geraint’s latest job sees him in San Antonio doing a hit and laughing at the irony of killing a man next to a catholic church. As he is making his getaway a terrified young girl literally runs straight into him. He should be fleeing but instead feels an overwhelming urge to protect this girl and takes her into the church but she does not say a word. Five months later Geraint finds out that his brother Trefor has been murdered by Adelmo Lange, a mafia kingpin, whilst he was undercover with them. After his brutal murder all they sent back was his crucifix chain and a finger. Arthur gives permission to Geraint for him to take his revenge but it will be a difficult task. All the family is heavily protected except for Lange’s daughter who is missing and cannot be located. When Geraint sees a photo of the missing girl he realises that the girl he saved in the church all those month ago is exactly the person he needs to get his revenge. So he heads back to San Antonio to get the girl and payback for his brother’s murder.

Bronwen has been through so much at the hands of her father. She has seen things that will haunt her for the rest of her life. It is the horrors of her past that forced her to run away from her family but they continue to torment her. She feels an overwhelming amount of guilt, which is why she has taken a vow of silence until she feels her sins are forgiven. She plan to stay at the church and live her life quietly as far away from her old life as possible but that all changes when Geraint storms back into her life and kidnaps her with plans to use her against her father. Bronwen is terrified of facing her father and leaving the church but it is her feelings towards her kidnapper that scare her the most. She knows she should be afraid of him but she is not, instead she feels safe when with him and loved.

The relationship between Geraint and Bronwen is quite a strange one as it develops without Bronwen ever saying a word. Geraint helps her to heal in his own special way and gives her the pain and punishment that she feels like she deserves. But more than that he shows her the love that she has been starved of. This is a dark romance and it could be said that this book blurs the lines of consent and there may be triggers for some people. I think the way sex is used in this book was almost very clever as it was exactly what both characters needed and it helped them to develop as people and grow as a couple. Bronwen may have taken a vow of obedience to Geraint in almost a BDSM style way but there are definitely more elements of love and care in the relationship than kink.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I love the concept of 13 books that are all wrote by different authors but focus around a central theme, the Cavalieri Della Morte. The idea is loosely based around the idea of Arthur and his 12 knights of the round table and the books feature the stories of 12 assassins and their boss Arthur as they do their jobs and find love. It is a very clever idea and this book lives up to it. This is the first book that I have read from Brianna Hale and it makes me want to read more. I hope the other books in the series can live up to the high standards set with this instalment. I would definitely recommend this fast paced, dark romance.

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2VTHVtj

Fade (Book Two) by Ashley Munoz

Book Blurb:

Laney:
Jackson Tate and I are over. Done. Finished.
Then again, how do you end something that never really started?
Now, three months later we’re being thrown back together for the sake of an investigation and forced to coexist.
I thought falling in love with someone who didn’t want to be loved was hard but going into witness protection with the man who ignorantly took my heart? Yeah, that was going to be impossible.

Jackson:
Time and distance were what I needed to forget Laney Thompson. A Jack and Jill bathroom and the bedroom next door was what I got instead. Witness protection on her family’s farm? I was skeptical too, especially with our icy reunion. But the longer I was around her the more I realized how much I missed her, needed her and wanted her. With her, it was easy to forget.
Forgot about my life and who I was, and why we needed things to fade between us in the first place. All I needed was one tragic reminder.

My Review:

I think that this book has to be the easiest five star review that I have ever given. I very rarely call a book perfect but to me this book was. From the minute I started reading I did not want to stop. It infused into my veins and I became addicted wanting more. When I wasn’t reading Fade I was thinking about it, wondering what was going to happen next and hoping for that happily ever after. This book got under my skin and I couldn’t help but love it.

Laney Thompson is broken. After suffering a traumatising event that left her with severe PTSD she began shutting everyone else out of her life except for Jackson. She thinks that her life can’t get any worse. Until one day Jackson reminds her that despite the last seven months with him, he has always said that they can never be in a relationship because he doesn’t do commitment and they part ways. The three months that they spend apart gut Laney leaving her a shell of her former self. But then her past comes back to haunt her pushing Jackson back into her life and results in them both needing to go into hiding on Laney’s family farm.

Jackson has never known love or family. Raised by his father who has shown him no love or affection his entire life, all Jackson knows is how to be alone. He has watched his best friend from college Jimmy become a dad and find the love of his life and he has always made Jackson feel like part of his family and tried to show him the love he lacked growing up. But Jackson has never been in love and is not sure he is capable of it. He is determined to live a commitment free life, seeing women for one night only until he meets a redheaded spitfire who lights up his world. When Laney suffers a trauma and she leans on Jackson for support he wants to be there for her and take care of her. But after a while fear and his abandonment issues creep in and he pushes Laney away believing that she is too good for him and deserves better but also that he is not capable of giving her the love she needs. But then fate throws them together again and he is forced to go into hiding and live with Laney and her family on their family farm. Seeing Laney with her parents and four brothers as a strong family unit is hard for Jackson and it makes him start to crave a life he didn’t even know he wanted. But is it too late for him and Laney?

I want to start by telling you how much I absolutely love Jackson. I know in this book he makes a lot of mistakes but it is genuinely done out of fear rather than lack of feelings. He really does love Laney but having never experienced or being exposed to love, and without any role models to learn from, he doesn’t know how to deal with his feelings. There were times that I just wanted to hug Jackson and cry for the lonely, broken little boy that appeared to have it all because he grew up with money but really he had nothing at all. Jackson has grown up to be a gorgeous, successful man who doesn’t have to rely on anyone but he needs to learn to allow people to love him. When he realises that he loves Laney his behaviour is beautiful and watching him try to win her over genuinely had my heart skipping a beat. He is just one of those heartbreakingly beautiful characters that you cannot help but love.

If you have read my review for the first book, Glimmer, you will know that I was initially unsure about Laney as a character and didn’t really like her. But I am not ashamed to admit that boy did I get her all wrong! She is such a tortured soul. Having once been a bright and fierce girl she has had the fight stolen from her and it has left her a shell of her former self. Laney wants to be strong but initially she uses Jackson as a crutch, so when he leaves her she falls even further. She had to learn to fight all over again but by herself this time and that is proving to be a difficult task. Then after being thrown together Jackson tried to win her over and it throws her brain and her heart. Her body and soul will always belong to Jackson but the fear of abandonment and the fact he is not able to commit to the future she so desperately wants is tough to witness. But I loved watching Laney learn to forgive and to find her spark again.

Laney and Jacksons relationship is truly beautiful. If ever you were going to use the term soul mates it would be with these two. So much fear and lack of communication gets in the way and prevents them from actually being together for the majority of the book. But Fade shows us that it is ok to need someone else in your life and that to fall in love sometimes you have to be brave and put your heart on the line hoping that the person you give it to loves you enough to keep it safe. This book is definitely a slow burn but it is oh so worth it when you finish reading.

Overall, I cannot express how much I loved this book. I liked that we saw Jimmy and Ramsey from Glimmer and got to catch up on their life. I loved the introduction of Laney’s brothers and I want the three single brothers Zane, Ty and Leo to each get their own books. It sets up Zane to be the next book lead but personally I want more of Ty. He intrigued me and whilst he will never overthrow Jackson as my favourite male lead, I still want him to try! This book has drama, angst, laughter, romance and heartbreak. It has everything you could ever want in a book and then the gorgeous man that is Jackson is the cherry on top. This book will draw you in and get under your skin. It gave me so much feels that I am sure I was almost tearing up during the epilogue and that never happens to me. It takes a lot to move me but this book definitely did. It is also not often that a second book outshines the first but this one certainly does. It shines and I could not recommend this book more.

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2VHGHfI

Glimmer (Book One) by Ashley Munoz

Book Blurb:

Jimmy:

The loyalty that binds me to the biker gang I’ve been in my whole life isn’t loyalty at all. It’s fatigue. Exhaustion from the game I’ve played for so many years.
I’ve had fictitious freedom for five years but I knew eventually they’d be back. I was expecting it after all.
What I wasn’t expecting was Ramsey. She was supposed to come in and out of my life, quickly like a fast-moving storm. But against her own plans, she’s been thrust into my world. The only problem is, the freedom I need is solely based on knowing the game.
And she just changed it.

Ramsey:

I don’t fully know Jimmy Stenson and I don’t entirely understand him but I want him.
Against every fiber of sense in my brain, and every morsel of caution in my heart. I do.
He’s a single dad- with the world’s cutest kids. He’s my boss. He’s my enemy….and after a strange kind of agreement; my friend.
He’s going to ruin me if I don’t get free of him.
Too bad the skeleton’s in his closet had the same idea.
Biker gang…Motorcycle Club…The Brass…none of it mattered when it all ended with me tied to a chair, begging for mercy from a demon in a leather cut

My Review:

This book is nothing like you are expecting and when you start reading it will literally take over your whole life until you finish it. This is Ashley Munoz’s debut novel but is nothing like you would expect from a first book. It is a slow burn with romantic suspense elements that will leave you with emotional whiplash but ultimately a smile on your face.

Single dad Jimmy has been on sabbatical from his MC ‘The Brass’ after their leader Davis allowed him to take some time out to be with his family after his wife Lisa abandoned him and his two young children. Jimmy had no choice but to join the MC as his father Theo was a member. But when Jimmy’s mum died her final wish was that her boys get out of the life for good and so Theo fought for his freedom. Jimmy however was not granted freedom, just some time away with a reminder that when the club calls he should answer.

Jimmy has spent the last five years focusing on being a good dad to his daughter Jasmine and his son Sammy. He started off working odd jobs and living with his dad. But when he finally had enough money Jimmy and his best friend Jackson bought a restaurant, which has quickly become a success. Jimmy now runs the restaurant after Jackson moved to Chicago and acts more as a silent partner. Jimmy’s whole life is his family and his work, which leaves no time for women or dating. He is still traumatised by the departure of his wife five years ago. When Jackson moves back to Chicago they are in need of an accountant and Jimmy sets up an interview with his favourite candidate but has no idea how much that will change his life.

Ramsey’s whole life has changed in such a short space of time. After being let go from her job and finding out that her mother’s cancer is now terminal, she decides to leave her life in Chicago behind and moves back home to be with her mum. Her best friend Laney is the only person that she will really miss and they agree to stay in contact. But Ramsey is still struggling with the idea of facing life without her mum. Then she gets offered a job interview that could seriously help their financial situation and she is more than qualified to be the restaurants accountant. However, on the way to the interview Ramsey has the fright of her life when she is nearly in a car crash after some seriously reckless driving from a motorcyclist. Then when she pulls into the car park of the restaurant she is shocked to see the biker is there and he is actually young and gorgeous. But that doesn’t stop her from ripping him a new one for his driving before walking away to get ready for the interview. So imagine Ramsey’s surprise when she walks into the interview and he perspective boss Jimmy is the gorgeous biker she just yelled at.

After Jimmy refuses to interview Ramsey she drives back to town and finds a local bar called Sip ‘n’ Sides where she drown her sorrows. The kind old man who owns the bar offers her a bartending job which she happily accepts. When she arrives the next day to start she is bowled over when she meets his amazing grandkids and agrees to babysit them. Later on in the evening when she is making drinks, a customer starts harassing her and she is rescued by the bars other boss who turns out to be Jimmy, who happens to be Theo’s son. Ramsey cannot believe her luck and is shocked that Theo offered her the job after listening to her insult his son. Then she remembers the grandkids she has offered to babysit and realises that they must be Jimmy’s but says she will still do it as does not want to let them down.

Even though Jimmy and Ramsay’s relationship gets off to a frustrating start it becomes very clear that they have feelings for each other but they have both been burned in the past. With so much at stake they agree to write down how each of them feels and what their dreams are for the future before sealing them in an envelope. They agree to spend six weeks getting to know each other as friends and then if they both want more at the end of that timescale then they will have a good foundation to build on. As a result this book is most definitely a slow burn and there are more twists, turns and frustrating events in that six weeks than I can possibly begin to explain but I was literally hooked.

Ramsay was such a difficult character to figure out but there were aspects of her personality that I loved. One thing I loved was how she cared for her mum and how she wanted to make her the centre of her universe until she passes away. I also loved how she took on Theo, Jasmine and Sammy and made them a part of her world. Even when her future with Jimmy was unclear she wanted to be there for the kids and I respected the hell out of her for that. But then comes her behaviour with Jimmy and whilst I could understand her fear and the fact her priorities are messed up because of her mum, I did find myself getting frustrated that she was pushing Jimmy away for irrational reasons. I wanted her to fight for Jimmy. But then events happened and I saw a braver side to Ramsey which I liked. She tried to be strong but her insecurities bled through and she became very relatable then. It is only natural to have fear that you might lose something you want so much but in the early stages they hadn’t even labelled it as anything, making her behaviour a bit irrational. But I did like how her character progressed through the book and the way she handled her trauma was very brave and beautiful.

Jimmy was such a gorgeous character and it is difficult not to like him. After everything that he has been through in the past it is not surprising that he knows heartbreak and has abandonment issues. His children are his whole world and when you see him being a dad to them it literally melts your heart. I am sure the tattoos, bad-boy looks and motorbike help to break your heart just that little bit more as well. Watching the way that he deals with his feelings for Ramsey was maddening but I understood his behaviour as he has an awful lot to lose.

Their relationship builds slowly, goes through enough twists and turns to give you whiplash but comes out the other end shining brightly and I loved it. I enjoyed how the storyline emphasis was placed on them getting to know each other and dealing with their issues rather than the just falling into bed together. As a result this book has so much chemistry it steams off the page and when you finish it will give you all the feels.

Overall, I loved this book. The only negative I had was that it felt like the book was maybe a little too long but when I think about what bits I would have cut I struggled to answer that. So maybe the story is exactly the length it needs to be but for me as a reader it felt a little too long. I loved the secondary characters that we are introduced to, specifically Jimmy’s best friend Jackson who is out of this world hot. It turn out to be a very small world when Jackson becomes enamoured by a crazy girl at his new work who just so happens to be Ramsey’s best friend Laney. They too appear to have a rocky start, or at least I hope it is the start that will be carried over into the next book. I am eager to learn more about Jackson as he stood out. But I also want to know more about Laney as in this book I did not really warm to her as a character, she came across quite selfish and needy so it will be interesting to find out more about her. But this book drew me in, captured my attention and left me with a great big smile on my face. I would definitely recommend it.

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Ehh9jS

Emma by Stacey Broadbent

Book Blurb:

Fame, success, addiction…

A simple kiwi girl turned Hollywood superstar, that’s what they call me.
After a few too many drinks at one of the biggest awards ceremonies on the planet, I make one of the most epic faux pas of the century; I try to run off with someone else’s award. You’d think it would be enough to put me on the scrap heap, forever known as, “that has been actress from New Zealand”. As luck would have it, a plucky drunk is just what the Ramirez brothers are looking for.

Turns out, they’re not the only ones.
Literally falling into the strong, capable arms of my neighbor, Brock Appleby, I can’t help but turn into a bumbling idiot whenever he’s around.

Hardworking, kind, and a gentleman to boot, Brock is everything I need, and nothing I feel I deserve. Running from a past that won’t let me forget, it’s no wonder I turn to the only thing that dulls the senses; alcohol.

Can I overcome my past and forgive myself, or will I let my addiction take hold and drag me down?

My Review:

This book is really something special and I don’t think that I have ever liked a female lead as much as I have with Emma. She is funny, quirky and incredibly flawed which is what makes her more real and relatable. She is the reason that I became consumed with the book and did not finish it until 3am after reading it all day. It is addictive and after the first chapter it will draw you in and make you want to know what other shenanigans Emma will get herself into.

Emma Jones is a relatively new Hollywood star after coming over from New Zealand three years before to chase the dream. After working hard she finally makes it and one of her films leads to a nomination in the category of Best Actress at the Oscars. Whilst on the surface Emma’s life seems perfect she is running from her heart-breaking past and the only way that she can forget is to self-medicate with alcohol. Emma is sure that she does not have a problem, that she just likes a nice drink or ten. This is how she finds herself stood on the Oscar stage accepting the Best Actress Oscar that was meant for Emma Stone. When she is told of the mistake instead of giving up graciously she runs off trying to steal the Oscar and has to be thrown out by security, all whilst it is filmed for national television.

For most people that sort of humiliating experience would be the end of their career but luckily for Emma new producers Bo and Blake Ramirez decide to give her a chance on a new role that they think she would be perfect for. Ironically the role involves playing a drunk who ends up losing everyone in her life. But the Ramirez brothers have a bad reputation and their father Marty is right hand man to local gangster Al Breakwell. So when Emma is offered the part she knows that she is taking just as much of a chance on them as they are on her.

Wanting to help Emma to improve her image Blake invites her to parties where she can meet influential people. Blake and Emma quickly become friends and she agrees to a fake relationship with him to help him deal with his own personal demons. But the parties cause more problems for Emma as she does not mix well with alcohol, particularly when they attend the party of a Hollywood legend Tony Bradford who takes an unhealthy liking to Emma and is known for getting exactly what he wants.

Whilst all of this is happening in her professional life, back at home after a run in with reporters we see Emma scaling the wall to her next door neighbours’ house to escape. But the wall is higher up than expected and as she falls she is saved by her incredibly gorgeous, southern cowboy neighbour Brock. This is the start of their hilarious, turbulent but incredibly sweet relationship.

Emma is such a likable character and you cannot help but feel for her. It is obvious that she is hurting herself with her drinking but she is so traumatised by her past that she cannot see it as a problem. The pain and guilt that she carries around has caused her a lot of deep self-loathing and it is hard to witness. But when Emma is with Brock it is like she allows herself to be the real Emma who happens to be very funny, quirky and so very clumsy. She gets nervous and says inappropriate things in front of him and is always embarrassing herself. She accepts that she does not have the traditional type of Hollywood beauty, instead being shorter and curvier. But Brock really does have a way of making her believe that she is the most beautiful woman in the world and I loved that.

Brock is the kind of guy that every girl, particularly one with a screwed up past, needs. He is patient, kind and loving. He knows that Emma has a problem and a past that she is running from but he gives her the time to build up trust enough so that he can help her with her issues. His southern cowboy style is so hot and when he takes Emma to his ranch to teach her how to live a laid back country lifestyle, I found myself wishing it was me. The way that he bestowed his love and adoration on Emma, particularly when she thinks that she does not deserve it, is beautiful. I challenge anyone not to fall for the hot, smooth talking cowboy after that.

Emma and Brock’s relationship develops slowly with Brock wanting to treat her like a lady and not rush her straight into bed. They take their time getting to know each other and gradually they fall in love. But Emma still struggles to talk about her past and she is worried that when Brock finds out the truth that he will push her away. But by not trusting him she risks having the same outcome.

Overall, I love this book as it was so incredibly funny. There were times that I actually covered my face with my hands and felt genuine embarrassment for Emma. But at the same time I wanted to hug her and fix her. I think that is the sign of a great writer that Stacey Broadbent was able to create a character that I was so invested in and cared for so much. But she was also able to create a strong male lead that broke the mould. The handsome, strong cowboy was so kind and caring for a nice boy. Normally male leads are alphas or bad boys but Stacey was able to create a lead that was a nice boy which was great. I loved their relationship and how sweet it was. There are no steamy sex scenes in this book but you do not need them. I could see the chemistry and feel the heat anytime they are together. I loved the epilogue and it definitely left me with all the feels. But my only issue was that Blake’s story went unfinished. We never got to see if his story worked out or if he gets his happily ever after. But maybe that’s a story for another book? However, I can absolutely recommend Emma to anyone. I am sure you will be laughing, cringing and smiling right through to the end as you fall in love with Emma the way that I did!

Note: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is available for Free on Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased here:

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2VdDODe