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The Vanity of Roses
Callan Rose.
That hadn’t always been his name.
When we were children, he was nothing more than a servant boy in my family.
He was an amusement to me.
A nobody.
A weak soul who refused to fight back.
It was so easy to take advantage.
But then my father died, and I was stolen. The family moved on without me. Until I was penniless with no place to go.
I returned to the Rose Estate not knowing Callan was the head of it.
He’d honed his body and temper in the underground fighting ring. The scars only made him more beautiful.
Now I’m trapped by a seductively dark man who has nothing but vengeance running through his veins.
I’d always wanted him to fight back, but you know what they say:
Be careful what you wish for.
That hadn’t always been his name.
When we were children, he was nothing more than a servant boy in my family.
He was an amusement to me.
A nobody.
A weak soul who refused to fight back.
It was so easy to take advantage.
But then my father died, and I was stolen. The family moved on without me. Until I was penniless with no place to go.
I returned to the Rose Estate not knowing Callan was the head of it.
He’d honed his body and temper in the underground fighting ring. The scars only made him more beautiful.
Now I’m trapped by a seductively dark man who has nothing but vengeance running through his veins.
I’d always wanted him to fight back, but you know what they say:
Be careful what you wish for.
431 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2020
About the author
Lily White
35 books2,604 followersLily White is a bestselling author who likes to dabble on the dark side of romance. She is most known for her Masters Series, Target This, Wishing Well, and The Five.
When she isn’t writing as Lily White you can find other books by her under M.S. Willis where she has penned the Control Series, the Estate Series, and Because of Ellison (contemporary romance).
Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.
When she isn’t writing as Lily White you can find other books by her under M.S. Willis where she has penned the Control Series, the Estate Series, and Because of Ellison (contemporary romance).
Lily enjoys stretching her writing muscles by continuing to challenge herself with each book she publishes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
March 21, 2020
Genre: Dark Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
3.75 Stars
Throughout her life, Lisbeth Rebel Rose had been served with a silver platter. But one fateful night changed everything she ever knew. After years on the run, she thought she’d finally be back to where she belonged. But her return home was met by a hostile welcome from Callan who was nowhere near the boy she used to know.
The sadist in me loved it when Callan unleashed his darker side. It got me excited when he behaved unapologetically but he also had a softer side that I liked to a certain degree.
Lisbeth, on the other hand, failed to claim me as a fan. Her attitude and life principles did not sit right with me. I liked that her character evolved but I needed a bit more convincing.
I enjoyed the overall storyline even though I felt the first half of the book was slow and not as dark as I preferred. I liked how it made me wonder about several characters’ motivations and a couple of the supporting characters ended up as my favorite.
The Vanity of Roses is a story of secrets and retribution. It would appeal to readers looking for enemies to lovers dark romance.
Note: My favorite scene was the one with Callan and Franklin “close encounter” lol!
◾🌹◾ . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . ◾🌹◾
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Throughout her life, Lisbeth Rebel Rose had been served with a silver platter. But one fateful night changed everything she ever knew. After years on the run, she thought she’d finally be back to where she belonged. But her return home was met by a hostile welcome from Callan who was nowhere near the boy she used to know.
The sadist in me loved it when Callan unleashed his darker side. It got me excited when he behaved unapologetically but he also had a softer side that I liked to a certain degree.
Without a single word, this man had broken my will so easily. Without one insult. Without one spoken threat.
Lisbeth, on the other hand, failed to claim me as a fan. Her attitude and life principles did not sit right with me. I liked that her character evolved but I needed a bit more convincing.
Every word she’d spoken was a price she would pay, a debt I would extract for a particular value until the ledger was balanced between us.
I enjoyed the overall storyline even though I felt the first half of the book was slow and not as dark as I preferred. I liked how it made me wonder about several characters’ motivations and a couple of the supporting characters ended up as my favorite.
The Vanity of Roses is a story of secrets and retribution. It would appeal to readers looking for enemies to lovers dark romance.
Note: My favorite scene was the one with Callan and Franklin “close encounter” lol!
◾🌹◾ . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . ◾🌹◾
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
March 27, 2020
***5 "Be careful what you wish for..." stars***
!!!AVAILABLE NOW!!!
"Forgiveness is difficult when the ego refuses to bow down, and absolution is impossible when we're chained to a refusal to accept sin.
Are any of us ever truly blameless?"
Is it possible after only two books to love a writer so fiercely??? I believe that Lily White had become one of my unicorn authors in such a short time and i want to read everything by her!!! Everything!!!
I can tell that this book wasn't so dark and painful than her previous, "In the garden of miscontent", but it still did the trick for me and i became a sucker for Callan, Lisbeth and the Vanity of Roses!
I read it in one breath, if that is telling you something...
"That's what we were.
Destruction and chaos
The absolute beauty of misery."
Well, this was a book about revenge and redemption...
It was about a boy who was mistreated by a girl that was having everything...
And yes, Lisbeth Rose had everything served to her in a silver plate from the moment that she was born and she was such a brat...
Her favorite play time was to toy with the poor servant boy, Callan...
And then, one fateful night everything changed for both of them...
"How was this the same boy I'd hurt so many times?
I almost didn't believe it."
Now, she's back in the same place after ten years of absence and what she wasn't prepared to face what she actually face...
Now, Callan is the head of the Rose family and he is determined to make her pay for all the wrongs that she did to him in the past...
Will Callan succeed to make the princess bow in front of the servant???
"It was like fate was kicking back on a throne next to Callan and laughing its ass off at the plot twist my life had taken. I'd abused a boy because he was weaker, and now he held all the power."
"She may as well have branded her name into me over the years I was her servant.
I'd been owed once, and now I struggled to break free."
Well, I have to admit that i loved Callan very much, even when he was mean and cruel toward Lisbeth!!! The man was so dark and intense... He was hating and loving with the same fierce passion and he had no boundaries...
Lisbeth had always been the thorn on his side... In many ways...
After all hate and love are sepetared only by a very thin line.... No???
"It didn't matter how much she'd hurt me, I would always want her.
How screwed up is that?"
"Lisbeth was the only woman in the world I would break my rules for.
Not because I wanted her so much.
Only because I hated her.
In many ways, I was the bomb waiting to explode and Lisbeth was the detonator, but even that wasn't enough to stop me."
I loved Lisbeth as well, even though i can say that yes, she was unfair and a total bitch toward Callan in the past and for no good reason...
I felt so sorry about all the things that Callan got her through in the present, but she really needed a good lesson.... And he was the perfect man to deliver it!!!
"He was a beast, this man.
A savage.
A force that could claim me over and over again until I became lost to the fury of his storm."
"This man would burn me alive if I let him, yet he tugged at me in ways I couldn't quite understand."
These two together were pure fire!!!!
I loved how they hating and how they were fighting each other....
I loved they intimate moments...
I loved how they couldn't see what it was in front of their eyes...
They were both intense and strongwilled characters and that was a very intriguing mix....
"When we were apart, all I felt was anger, but when we were together, all I wanted was to show her body what it does to me. To tempt and tease her with the truth of a hatred that walked the same line as love."
I really love the way that Lily is delivering her stories...
I love all these complicating matters that are getting born in her books...
I love how she is connecting the dots, when i'm pushing my brain on its limits to find an answer!!!
The secrets, the lies, the intrigues are so fascinating to get untangled after all!!!
Honestly, i can not wait to read more of her....
"When you can't love, you hate. When you can't have, you want. And when the truth is too painful to admit, you lie -just like we always had done.
We were the fine line between the two. We were darkness and light. Give and take. Opponents who only knew how to hurt each other because we were too afraid to stop for just one moment to admit that our lives were interwined, but not in the way we wanted."
***An ARC was given to me in the exchange of an honest review. Thank you.***
!!!AVAILABLE NOW!!!
"Forgiveness is difficult when the ego refuses to bow down, and absolution is impossible when we're chained to a refusal to accept sin.
Are any of us ever truly blameless?"
Is it possible after only two books to love a writer so fiercely??? I believe that Lily White had become one of my unicorn authors in such a short time and i want to read everything by her!!! Everything!!!
I can tell that this book wasn't so dark and painful than her previous, "In the garden of miscontent", but it still did the trick for me and i became a sucker for Callan, Lisbeth and the Vanity of Roses!
I read it in one breath, if that is telling you something...
"That's what we were.
Destruction and chaos
The absolute beauty of misery."
Well, this was a book about revenge and redemption...
It was about a boy who was mistreated by a girl that was having everything...
And yes, Lisbeth Rose had everything served to her in a silver plate from the moment that she was born and she was such a brat...
Her favorite play time was to toy with the poor servant boy, Callan...
And then, one fateful night everything changed for both of them...
"How was this the same boy I'd hurt so many times?
I almost didn't believe it."
Now, she's back in the same place after ten years of absence and what she wasn't prepared to face what she actually face...
Now, Callan is the head of the Rose family and he is determined to make her pay for all the wrongs that she did to him in the past...
Will Callan succeed to make the princess bow in front of the servant???
"It was like fate was kicking back on a throne next to Callan and laughing its ass off at the plot twist my life had taken. I'd abused a boy because he was weaker, and now he held all the power."
"She may as well have branded her name into me over the years I was her servant.
I'd been owed once, and now I struggled to break free."
Well, I have to admit that i loved Callan very much, even when he was mean and cruel toward Lisbeth!!! The man was so dark and intense... He was hating and loving with the same fierce passion and he had no boundaries...
Lisbeth had always been the thorn on his side... In many ways...
After all hate and love are sepetared only by a very thin line.... No???
"It didn't matter how much she'd hurt me, I would always want her.
How screwed up is that?"
"Lisbeth was the only woman in the world I would break my rules for.
Not because I wanted her so much.
Only because I hated her.
In many ways, I was the bomb waiting to explode and Lisbeth was the detonator, but even that wasn't enough to stop me."
I loved Lisbeth as well, even though i can say that yes, she was unfair and a total bitch toward Callan in the past and for no good reason...
I felt so sorry about all the things that Callan got her through in the present, but she really needed a good lesson.... And he was the perfect man to deliver it!!!
"He was a beast, this man.
A savage.
A force that could claim me over and over again until I became lost to the fury of his storm."
"This man would burn me alive if I let him, yet he tugged at me in ways I couldn't quite understand."
These two together were pure fire!!!!
I loved how they hating and how they were fighting each other....
I loved they intimate moments...
I loved how they couldn't see what it was in front of their eyes...
They were both intense and strongwilled characters and that was a very intriguing mix....
"When we were apart, all I felt was anger, but when we were together, all I wanted was to show her body what it does to me. To tempt and tease her with the truth of a hatred that walked the same line as love."
I really love the way that Lily is delivering her stories...
I love all these complicating matters that are getting born in her books...
I love how she is connecting the dots, when i'm pushing my brain on its limits to find an answer!!!
The secrets, the lies, the intrigues are so fascinating to get untangled after all!!!
Honestly, i can not wait to read more of her....
"When you can't love, you hate. When you can't have, you want. And when the truth is too painful to admit, you lie -just like we always had done.
We were the fine line between the two. We were darkness and light. Give and take. Opponents who only knew how to hurt each other because we were too afraid to stop for just one moment to admit that our lives were interwined, but not in the way we wanted."
***An ARC was given to me in the exchange of an honest review. Thank you.***
March 4, 2020
”For so many years, she had been the pinnacle of beauty in my world, even if her behavior never matched the fairness of her skin.”
As a teen, Lisbeth treated servant boy Callan like dirt. When an unexpected tragedy strikes, Lisbeth is forced to go into hiding. When she returns to her family home years later, Callan is in control, and he’s ready to have his retribution.
After reading my description above, you probably assume that the former enemies reunite and fall madly in love, but things are never sunshine and roses when Lily White is the author! Nothing about this story is boilerplate or predictable, even after the two finally succumb to their desires! I’ve read slow burns before, but damn!!! When the two do finally come together physically, WOW!!! I was absolutely mesmerized by what I read!
Intermingled with this intense romance there���s also MMA fights to the death, abduction, prostitutes, family secrets and more! The characters are rich in detail and description, eloquently described beyond anything I can express here. THE VANITY OF ROSES is intriguing, the characters are fascinating and the sexual tension is palpable!! This truly is another Lily White work of art!!
As a teen, Lisbeth treated servant boy Callan like dirt. When an unexpected tragedy strikes, Lisbeth is forced to go into hiding. When she returns to her family home years later, Callan is in control, and he’s ready to have his retribution.
After reading my description above, you probably assume that the former enemies reunite and fall madly in love, but things are never sunshine and roses when Lily White is the author! Nothing about this story is boilerplate or predictable, even after the two finally succumb to their desires! I’ve read slow burns before, but damn!!! When the two do finally come together physically, WOW!!! I was absolutely mesmerized by what I read!
Intermingled with this intense romance there���s also MMA fights to the death, abduction, prostitutes, family secrets and more! The characters are rich in detail and description, eloquently described beyond anything I can express here. THE VANITY OF ROSES is intriguing, the characters are fascinating and the sexual tension is palpable!! This truly is another Lily White work of art!!
March 25, 2020
He wasn't just beautiful in the traditional sense, he was exquisite. As if a sculptor had spent months chiseling marble to create the perfect masculine form, but then a painter came in to sweep deep shadows across him.
The Vanity of Roses is a fast-paced, twisty and totally captivating read.
With a Lily White book I know I'm always guaranteed a great read, yet no two books ever seem to be the same. The Vanity of Roses is a dark tinged romantic suspense, packed full of intrigue, secrets and lies. Manipulation is rife and this enemies-to-lovers romance kept me on the edge of my seat unable to put the book down.
Whilst Lisbeth should have been a dislikable character, she wasn't, so her childhood behaviour was a little puzzling. Of course as the many complex layers of this story were slowly revealed, we began to get a better picture of just what had happened in the past and why. Callan was much easier to like, though there were times when his treatment of Lisbeth made him seem quite cruel. Though again there were reasons.
"What have I done to deserve that?"
Hating the genuine fear I could hear in my voice, I refused to move away from him as his dangerous energy consumed the space around us.
It's a dual pov book, clearly labelled so you know who's "voice" you are hearing and is written first person. This enabled me to really connect with and understand both main characters. There is a lot of foreshadowing and I did guess one twist in advance . I loved how you weren't sure who to trust and who was telling what lies, you really need your wits about you when reading this one! The suspense, at times, was nerve shredding.
My nerves were live wires, the frayed ends dancing and arcing on the ground, a constant snap of electric fear bolting through me the farther into the desert we drove.
The writing is so eloquent and poetic, creating striking visuals and eliciting a myriad of emotions. Lily White doesn't just write a story, she constructs a living, breathing creation that absorbs your soul and challenges all your perceptions. There were secondary and even tertiary characters who had more depth and personality than some authors imbue in their main characters. Along with a complex plot, this ensures a rich tapestry of a story.
Whilst I enjoyed every single word I did feel that, at times, as though the pace slowed a little. Every scene was well written, but just a couple of times I felt as though they were not adding anything more to the story,
I massively enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it.
March 23, 2020
3.75 ★
Up until the age of 15, Callan lived at the Rose estate as a maid’s son. Infatuated with Lisbeth Rose, the 17-year old daughter and heir apparent to the Rose fortune, Callan always watched her, but she always spurned him. After a fatal event, roles changed and a decade later, Callan emerged as a fighter. But when Lisbeth returns home, it causes another shift for the Rose family.
What ensues is a plot based on revenge for past wrongs. For years, Callan endured punishment due to Lisbeth’s malicious actions, but now he is in the position to deliver pain. However, in the Rose family, all is not how it appears, as longstanding feelings emerge and secrets threaten to crumble an already weak foundation.
In this story, there is a cast of varied characters. Though Callan has scars and can deliver a humiliating blow, he also has compassion and I liked both sides of him. As for Lisbeth, it was tough to like her throughout the plot and it caused some disconnect between her and Callan for me. Perhaps, if there was more in their history, it would have provided a solid footing. However, the secondary characters had a strong presence and I really liked Franklin and Jacob.
With elements of darkness, adrenaline charged action and a plot steeped in greed, The Vanity of Roses is a romance suspense that would appeal to those who enjoy the push/pull dynamic of an enemies to lovers theme.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Up until the age of 15, Callan lived at the Rose estate as a maid’s son. Infatuated with Lisbeth Rose, the 17-year old daughter and heir apparent to the Rose fortune, Callan always watched her, but she always spurned him. After a fatal event, roles changed and a decade later, Callan emerged as a fighter. But when Lisbeth returns home, it causes another shift for the Rose family.
“You’d do well to mind your manners in this house. I’d hate for you to learn what happens to petty little brats who believe themselves larger than they are.”
What ensues is a plot based on revenge for past wrongs. For years, Callan endured punishment due to Lisbeth’s malicious actions, but now he is in the position to deliver pain. However, in the Rose family, all is not how it appears, as longstanding feelings emerge and secrets threaten to crumble an already weak foundation.
“Because I won’t ask for anything from you. If I want something, I’ll take it. Are we clear?”
In this story, there is a cast of varied characters. Though Callan has scars and can deliver a humiliating blow, he also has compassion and I liked both sides of him. As for Lisbeth, it was tough to like her throughout the plot and it caused some disconnect between her and Callan for me. Perhaps, if there was more in their history, it would have provided a solid footing. However, the secondary characters had a strong presence and I really liked Franklin and Jacob.
With elements of darkness, adrenaline charged action and a plot steeped in greed, The Vanity of Roses is a romance suspense that would appeal to those who enjoy the push/pull dynamic of an enemies to lovers theme.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
March 20, 2020
Wow! Talk about gut wrenching! This book tore through me in every way possible!
’When you can’t love, you hate. When you can’t have, you want. And when the truth is too painful to admit, you lie - just like we always had done.’
As teenagers, Lisbeth was the spoiled princess with Callan as her servant boy. She used him for her enjoyment and discarded him just as quickly. Callan, on the other hand, was entranced with her, despite the abuse he suffered at her will. But a brutal night and a decade later, things have drastically changed and now the power belongs to Callan.
’My hatred of her was a war cry in my head, but I made a mistake when I touched her. I made a mistake when I stared into a set of angry blue eyes and accepted the challenge of taming her.’
I have to admit, there were certain aspects of this story that I’m not a particular fan of but I’m a lenient reader and continued through some of the rougher parts and holy heck! All of it, the darkest dark, the sweetest light and everything in between, shone within Callan and Lisbeth and the relationship that they built.
It took some time for me to fully connect with Lisbeth but when I did, I totally understood where she was in life and her past and present motivations. She was one tough heroine but she needed to be because that was what life demanded in the past as well as the present.
Callan was fierce, intimidating in every way, and darkly scary...and I loved him because of it! He had a past that formed the man he was and yet he’s more than what he seems on the surface. When it came time to protect, he protected with every cell of his body.
’When we were apart, all I felt was anger, but when we were together, all I wanted was to show her body what it does to me. To tempt and tease her with the truth of a hatred that walked the same line as love.
And such a fine line it was. The two halves blending until black and white no longer existed, just an aggravating shade of grey that crept in like smoke to distort and disguise everything around me.’
Together, this couple were explosive! They were not sweet doe eyed lovers, they were rough and violent, claiming and demanding in their own ways. Every page cranked the angst up higher as they battled out their issues between themselves.
This is a lengthier book with a touch of mystery along with a few characters that helped to lighten this read, a bit. It’s a heavy story, with dark actions that kept me feeling like the next thing around the corner was going to be even darker. It was like watching a movie with my eyes peeking above the covers. Except it was raw and sexy, brutal and honest.
If you like to be tantalized by dark romance, this is a perfect choice.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
’When you can’t love, you hate. When you can’t have, you want. And when the truth is too painful to admit, you lie - just like we always had done.’
As teenagers, Lisbeth was the spoiled princess with Callan as her servant boy. She used him for her enjoyment and discarded him just as quickly. Callan, on the other hand, was entranced with her, despite the abuse he suffered at her will. But a brutal night and a decade later, things have drastically changed and now the power belongs to Callan.
’My hatred of her was a war cry in my head, but I made a mistake when I touched her. I made a mistake when I stared into a set of angry blue eyes and accepted the challenge of taming her.’
I have to admit, there were certain aspects of this story that I’m not a particular fan of but I’m a lenient reader and continued through some of the rougher parts and holy heck! All of it, the darkest dark, the sweetest light and everything in between, shone within Callan and Lisbeth and the relationship that they built.
It took some time for me to fully connect with Lisbeth but when I did, I totally understood where she was in life and her past and present motivations. She was one tough heroine but she needed to be because that was what life demanded in the past as well as the present.
Callan was fierce, intimidating in every way, and darkly scary...and I loved him because of it! He had a past that formed the man he was and yet he’s more than what he seems on the surface. When it came time to protect, he protected with every cell of his body.
’When we were apart, all I felt was anger, but when we were together, all I wanted was to show her body what it does to me. To tempt and tease her with the truth of a hatred that walked the same line as love.
And such a fine line it was. The two halves blending until black and white no longer existed, just an aggravating shade of grey that crept in like smoke to distort and disguise everything around me.’
Together, this couple were explosive! They were not sweet doe eyed lovers, they were rough and violent, claiming and demanding in their own ways. Every page cranked the angst up higher as they battled out their issues between themselves.
This is a lengthier book with a touch of mystery along with a few characters that helped to lighten this read, a bit. It’s a heavy story, with dark actions that kept me feeling like the next thing around the corner was going to be even darker. It was like watching a movie with my eyes peeking above the covers. Except it was raw and sexy, brutal and honest.
If you like to be tantalized by dark romance, this is a perfect choice.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
May 19, 2020
Lisbeth Rose, 17, is the typical rich spoiled brat with nothing to do but bully, mistreat her servant boy, Callan, 15, with her most favourite passing time was to belittled him to the amusement of herself and her friends, but than Lisbeth disappears with her mother.
Fast forward 10 years, Callan is now a Rose and is re-united with Lisbeth. He is thrilled to finally be able to get his revenge Every word she’d spoken was a price she would pay, a debt I would extract for a particular value until the ledger was balanced between us.
Callan is portrayed as a typical bully but to me he was more like a big teddy bear with a mean growl but no bite. He had just the perfect mix of dark and violence but with a soft hand. Her fucking pride is what made her so damn desirable. Made me hate her so fucking much.
Made me love her.
Lisbeth is a h that has failed to win me over, I just did not like her and felt sorry for Callan.
The story is told in dual POV, alternating between Callan and Lisbeth. The Rose imperium has a dark and shady underbelly. Overall this was an okay read, the start of the book was slow and dragged a bit. In the end there are a lot, I mean a lot, of secrets revealed. Secrets that will define the future of the Roses.
March 3, 2020
The Vanity of Roses is Lily White at her finest. This story combined the edgy darkness that I live for in her stories but with an added emotional depth I never saw coming. I loved Callan and Lisbeth. Their spitfire banter, heated anger, past history and intense connection could not be denied. The sparks alone between them were combustible but seeing them both go head to head was the icing on the cake. This novel was the perfect enemies to lovers story!!
Gah! What I loved more than anything was the darkness and light in Callan. His weakness has always been Lisbeth. But with the wrongs committed against him in his past, this powerful and deadly man now has Lisbeth in his crosshairs and revenge on his mind. But how he reconciles the Lisbeth from then with the Lisbeth of now and all the secret revelations will blow your mind.
Overall, this is another 5 star winner from this author and I cannot wait for more of her dark and sexy stories! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
Gah! What I loved more than anything was the darkness and light in Callan. His weakness has always been Lisbeth. But with the wrongs committed against him in his past, this powerful and deadly man now has Lisbeth in his crosshairs and revenge on his mind. But how he reconciles the Lisbeth from then with the Lisbeth of now and all the secret revelations will blow your mind.
Overall, this is another 5 star winner from this author and I cannot wait for more of her dark and sexy stories! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula
July 26, 2021
didnt like
not safe
not my cuppa
not safe
not my cuppa
February 23, 2023
Disappointing 💔
RTC
RTC
July 3, 2020
This had potential to be better than what it was if it wouldn't have taken 75% of the book to get to what the actual plot was. Also, I wouldn't really slate this as a bully romance since the MC's are just flat out physically and mentally abusive towards each other for majority of this book. Most likely would not recommend this unless super dark romance is your jam.
tw: abuse, physical violence, murder, mention of rape, sex trafficking
Blog | Twitter
tw: abuse, physical violence, murder, mention of rape, sex trafficking
Blog | Twitter
March 23, 2020
Trust lily to take a simple story, and add twists to it like thorns are to Roses. She makes this love story hurt and cut with her intentional cruel scenes and ruthless turn of fates of the main characters. It's like a Russian roulette of pride. She creates a worker and his princess, very clearly defined roles in the first chapter, then turns the tables and this becomes a vindictive tale of revenge. The mission- To usurp wealth as a means of power.
"A boy made a slave.
A slave treated as a beaten dog.
A man that had risen above the flames of a painful life"
It's the War of the Roses, the vanities sharp as swords, cutting and drawing blood.
Lisbeth Rebel Rose is a petulant brat who always got what she wanted. Using her personal manservant, Callan as her stepping stool and kicking puppy, she's manhandled, abused, ridiculed him for years. He bears all, because he is infatuated with her. Hoping his goodness might one day be noticed or appreciated.
"I existed to serve her. To appease her. To take her abuse, whatever she deemed necessary, so that she didn’t have to wait too long for her demands to be met."
The whys and wherefores are not revealed at this stage.
The story progresses at breakneck speed till Lisbeth is now the hunted and Callan the hunter.
They lock horns and are now engaged in a battle of wills, who will drop to their knees and fold first was a matter of time now.
"Our genetic makeup made Lisbeth and I the perfect opponents, and our past only served to fan those flames. I wondered how much it would take to make her cower. I hoped I would have a front row seat when she finally tipped and spilled out from her ivory tower."
Callan uses all his pent up rage and his fists in breaking down his opponents in the pit, yet his heart has trouble using the same methods in exacting his pound of flesh from his personal nemesis
I like how lily's devious intentions pour through on her pages. They make the story oh-so-delicious and tempting to my dark reader heart. Her heroes have always gone extra length in displaying evil methods to procure what they wanted and damned the world with their Devil-May-Care attitudes.
Her heroines are made of stainless steel too, tensile yet strong. They are Phoenix embodied, rising gracefully and holding on to their own at all times.
"I was a Rose. Not a weed."
She's bold and unapologetic in her treatment of plot and etches characters with shady graphite, balancing on the thin line between black and whites.
Intense narration, heartless emotions (oxymoron!)and iron-fisted treatment makes this a treasure trove for her loyal fans.
4 stars for Pit and Pedestal
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"A boy made a slave.
A slave treated as a beaten dog.
A man that had risen above the flames of a painful life"
It's the War of the Roses, the vanities sharp as swords, cutting and drawing blood.
Lisbeth Rebel Rose is a petulant brat who always got what she wanted. Using her personal manservant, Callan as her stepping stool and kicking puppy, she's manhandled, abused, ridiculed him for years. He bears all, because he is infatuated with her. Hoping his goodness might one day be noticed or appreciated.
"I existed to serve her. To appease her. To take her abuse, whatever she deemed necessary, so that she didn’t have to wait too long for her demands to be met."
The whys and wherefores are not revealed at this stage.
The story progresses at breakneck speed till Lisbeth is now the hunted and Callan the hunter.
They lock horns and are now engaged in a battle of wills, who will drop to their knees and fold first was a matter of time now.
"Our genetic makeup made Lisbeth and I the perfect opponents, and our past only served to fan those flames. I wondered how much it would take to make her cower. I hoped I would have a front row seat when she finally tipped and spilled out from her ivory tower."
Callan uses all his pent up rage and his fists in breaking down his opponents in the pit, yet his heart has trouble using the same methods in exacting his pound of flesh from his personal nemesis
I like how lily's devious intentions pour through on her pages. They make the story oh-so-delicious and tempting to my dark reader heart. Her heroes have always gone extra length in displaying evil methods to procure what they wanted and damned the world with their Devil-May-Care attitudes.
Her heroines are made of stainless steel too, tensile yet strong. They are Phoenix embodied, rising gracefully and holding on to their own at all times.
"I was a Rose. Not a weed."
She's bold and unapologetic in her treatment of plot and etches characters with shady graphite, balancing on the thin line between black and whites.
Intense narration, heartless emotions (oxymoron!)and iron-fisted treatment makes this a treasure trove for her loyal fans.
4 stars for Pit and Pedestal
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Follow me on:
BookBistroBlog@gmail.com
https://Twitter.com/BookBistro
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Shelved as 'avoid'
February 13, 2023Self note avoid
H gets oral from ow while h watches and gets aroused. Yuck, no thanks.
H gets oral from ow while h watches and gets aroused. Yuck, no thanks.
March 20, 2020
Totally consuming! I got lost in Callan and Lisbeth’s twisted love story. Callan is the ultimate bully worth fighting (or submitting) for.
Lisbeth has been gone for ten years. That night she fled with her mother is still a mystery. Now she's been lured back to her childhood home by her uncle when she finds herself completely alone,without a penny to her name. She has no idea that the boy she tormented for years is now the ruler of the family.
Callan wants revenge on Lisbeth for all the times she belittled and berated him. All the times she told lies that caused him to be beaten as a result. He will show her no mercy. The only problem is, that bratty teenager that left has become a woman he can't resist.
This story is dark and filled with cruelty. Callan has never forgotten the ways she made him feel or the greatest loss he suffered because of her. His revenge will be filled with rage. As a child he was meek and submissive, however as a grown man he is a fighter. He submits to no one and nothing. He lives without fear because he has become the one to fear.
Callan is determined to knock Lisbeth off her pedestal. The girl who had everything at her fingertips will be taught to serve others. He never expected that the selfish young girl would change into someone with kindness and compassion. Regardless he will show her the truth of her family's money. He is going to explode that bubble she grew up in and force her to see the truth.
Callan was cold and callous. Hurtful and cruel. Brutal and filled with rage. A man who literally and figuratively fought till the end. The girl who made him that way, also tempered it. They had always been drawn to one another. Now as adults, that hate is channeled into unadulterated mutual attraction. Hang on...it is going to be explosive!!!
A bully romance you do not want to miss. The story contained elements of suspense because the Rose family had it's fair share of secrets and lies. All will be uncovered and some will leave you shocked. A great author that I will continue to follow and read anytime she publishes.
Lisbeth has been gone for ten years. That night she fled with her mother is still a mystery. Now she's been lured back to her childhood home by her uncle when she finds herself completely alone,without a penny to her name. She has no idea that the boy she tormented for years is now the ruler of the family.
Callan wants revenge on Lisbeth for all the times she belittled and berated him. All the times she told lies that caused him to be beaten as a result. He will show her no mercy. The only problem is, that bratty teenager that left has become a woman he can't resist.
This story is dark and filled with cruelty. Callan has never forgotten the ways she made him feel or the greatest loss he suffered because of her. His revenge will be filled with rage. As a child he was meek and submissive, however as a grown man he is a fighter. He submits to no one and nothing. He lives without fear because he has become the one to fear.
Callan is determined to knock Lisbeth off her pedestal. The girl who had everything at her fingertips will be taught to serve others. He never expected that the selfish young girl would change into someone with kindness and compassion. Regardless he will show her the truth of her family's money. He is going to explode that bubble she grew up in and force her to see the truth.
Callan was cold and callous. Hurtful and cruel. Brutal and filled with rage. A man who literally and figuratively fought till the end. The girl who made him that way, also tempered it. They had always been drawn to one another. Now as adults, that hate is channeled into unadulterated mutual attraction. Hang on...it is going to be explosive!!!
A bully romance you do not want to miss. The story contained elements of suspense because the Rose family had it's fair share of secrets and lies. All will be uncovered and some will leave you shocked. A great author that I will continue to follow and read anytime she publishes.
March 25, 2020
i love symbolism in character's names: Lisbeth Rebel Rose - she is a queen; she fights, she blossoms and she has thorns!!
and we all need callan in our lives!!
Lisbeth was born privileged, she was the boss's beautiful and spoiled daughter but she was living in a golden cage with no control of her life except one: her servant boy she could do anything - throw things, humiliate him, make fun of him and he endured anything but he wouldn't give her the only thing she wanted: for him to look her in the eye and talk to her.
but then a horrible thing happen and she found herself running for her life and when she came back - everything was different -
that boy was a man now, a strong fighter and the head of the family . he is the one with the power to control , he hates her and blames her for what happen, puts her through hell - and he still doesn't talk to her and look at her.
vanity and pride - two words that are similar but not the same - who is which? two people trapped in a circle of love, hate, revenge, secrets and conspiracies.
is breaking her really what he wants?
they learn about the past, about the family's secrets, abut the powers that still are pulling the strings and they see each other for what they truly are.
it is a dark story ,Sensual with so many twists it keeps you constantly on your toes, very emotional, very deep, Callan and liz have fire - they are the worst and the best and there are sparks and storms when they are together and they are a force of nature.
a stormy, steamy journey from enemies to lovers.
They are the rose!!
**received an arc copy of the book for review
March 30, 2020
The Vanity of Roses by Lily White is the story of Lisbeth and Callan.
Lisbeth was a well off girl who had everything handed to her. Lisbeth loved to tease and torment Callan a servant boy at her Rose family home. But then something happened and she had to go on the run where life changed for her. But now several years later she is back to her roots at the Rose Family Home, but now the table has turned. Callan is the one who is in control who has rule over her. This is a dark tale of revenge along with redemption. If you have read Ms. White's books before than you will love this one. This is not for the weak!
Lisbeth was a well off girl who had everything handed to her. Lisbeth loved to tease and torment Callan a servant boy at her Rose family home. But then something happened and she had to go on the run where life changed for her. But now several years later she is back to her roots at the Rose Family Home, but now the table has turned. Callan is the one who is in control who has rule over her. This is a dark tale of revenge along with redemption. If you have read Ms. White's books before than you will love this one. This is not for the weak!
December 10, 2020
I have forgotten how I came across The Vanity of Roses by Lily White. Not that it matters, but I like remembering how a book came to my attention. Perhaps it has got something to do with the fact that this book promised to deliver a ruthless hero who in turn would give the story the angst that I so crave in my romance novels. But alas, all of what I was hoping for never did materialize in the story as I wanted it to.
The Vanity of Roses begins at a point where a tragic event takes place at the Rose Estate, home of Lisbeth Rebel Rose. The hero, Callan Rose was a servant boy in the family back then, at the beck and call of none other than Lisbeth who made his life a living hell. Ten years later, the roles are reversed and gives Callan the perfect opportunity to get back at Lisbeth for all the pain and misery that she had put him through.
However, even as Callan is at his most ruthless self, he loses his edge when it comes to delivering that needed lesson to Lisbeth. At the same time, Lisbeth fights back, until at long last, she gives into the push and pull factor between them, what she had perhaps craved all along and never quite accepted at heart. As the story plunges to its end, the stakes have never been higher, especially with both their hearts on the line; the question being, who will fall first into the deep abyss that is love?
While I found Ms. White’s writing style to be one that is highly readable, for the most part, The Vanity of Roses was filled with repetitive inner monologue that was tiresome so much so that I skipped parts of the story to reach those bits where things were actually happening. Lengthy descriptions trying to portray the hero as the badass character that perhaps Ms .White envisioned him to be also proved to be tiresome. Heroes are ruthless by showing to readers what they are capable of through their actions, not by painting a picture of the same without concrete action to back it up with.
The secrets when they were revealed about what took place that fateful day, which served to be the whole premise of the novel, was an overblown one in my opinion. We all get it. The family is dangerous, but to prove that point, to commit a crime so heinous – that to me was totally unrealistic, not to mention the fact that there was a noticeable lack of any mention of an ongoing investigation into the event, which for all intents and purposes remained unsolved.
I am guessing that above all of that, my biggest discontentment about the story arose from how I felt about main protagonists. For one thing, I found the Lisbeth to be quite awful at the beginning and for the most part. The way she thought that a mere apology would suffice for her bullish and cruel behavior was just unacceptable to me. She did nothing to redeem herself in my opinion, and I found her attempts or apologies to be half-hearted at best.
Callan also fell way below my expectations. I went into the story, pretty excited by the blurb and expecting a hero that would blow me away. He was big, brawny, good looking, and scarred in the way that makes for the most exquisitely crafted heroes. But alas, there was nothing about him that showed the growth of his character as the story progressed. At first, his revenge on the heroine or the way he at least tried was interesting, but it was evident from the start that he would not be able to see it through.
All in all, I ended up believing that neither Callan nor Lisbeth deserved the other. Or perhaps they do, because I found them both to be equally disappointing. The saddest part though was the fact that this could have gone in a totally different direction, had the main protagonists not being so unlikable.
Recommended for fans of mafia themed romances. There is a reason I steer clear of them. This one says it all.
Final Verdict: The Vanity of Roses fell short of every expectation I had when I first picked it up. Proved to be disappointing, most of all the main protagonists.
Rating = 2/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
The Vanity of Roses begins at a point where a tragic event takes place at the Rose Estate, home of Lisbeth Rebel Rose. The hero, Callan Rose was a servant boy in the family back then, at the beck and call of none other than Lisbeth who made his life a living hell. Ten years later, the roles are reversed and gives Callan the perfect opportunity to get back at Lisbeth for all the pain and misery that she had put him through.
However, even as Callan is at his most ruthless self, he loses his edge when it comes to delivering that needed lesson to Lisbeth. At the same time, Lisbeth fights back, until at long last, she gives into the push and pull factor between them, what she had perhaps craved all along and never quite accepted at heart. As the story plunges to its end, the stakes have never been higher, especially with both their hearts on the line; the question being, who will fall first into the deep abyss that is love?
While I found Ms. White’s writing style to be one that is highly readable, for the most part, The Vanity of Roses was filled with repetitive inner monologue that was tiresome so much so that I skipped parts of the story to reach those bits where things were actually happening. Lengthy descriptions trying to portray the hero as the badass character that perhaps Ms .White envisioned him to be also proved to be tiresome. Heroes are ruthless by showing to readers what they are capable of through their actions, not by painting a picture of the same without concrete action to back it up with.
The secrets when they were revealed about what took place that fateful day, which served to be the whole premise of the novel, was an overblown one in my opinion. We all get it. The family is dangerous, but to prove that point, to commit a crime so heinous – that to me was totally unrealistic, not to mention the fact that there was a noticeable lack of any mention of an ongoing investigation into the event, which for all intents and purposes remained unsolved.
I am guessing that above all of that, my biggest discontentment about the story arose from how I felt about main protagonists. For one thing, I found the Lisbeth to be quite awful at the beginning and for the most part. The way she thought that a mere apology would suffice for her bullish and cruel behavior was just unacceptable to me. She did nothing to redeem herself in my opinion, and I found her attempts or apologies to be half-hearted at best.
Callan also fell way below my expectations. I went into the story, pretty excited by the blurb and expecting a hero that would blow me away. He was big, brawny, good looking, and scarred in the way that makes for the most exquisitely crafted heroes. But alas, there was nothing about him that showed the growth of his character as the story progressed. At first, his revenge on the heroine or the way he at least tried was interesting, but it was evident from the start that he would not be able to see it through.
All in all, I ended up believing that neither Callan nor Lisbeth deserved the other. Or perhaps they do, because I found them both to be equally disappointing. The saddest part though was the fact that this could have gone in a totally different direction, had the main protagonists not being so unlikable.
Recommended for fans of mafia themed romances. There is a reason I steer clear of them. This one says it all.
Final Verdict: The Vanity of Roses fell short of every expectation I had when I first picked it up. Proved to be disappointing, most of all the main protagonists.
Rating = 2/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
March 26, 2020
***5 Stars***
Talk about a thin line between love and hate.
This baby took me on one hell of a ride, not surprising given who the author is, but Callan and Lisbeth definitely ramped up all the feels in me ~ the good, the bad and the ugly ~ as they sorted not only through their own wildly erratic emotions for each other, but the labyrinth of secrets and lies they’d been told all their lives.
Lisbeth is one strong woman. After all that she went through at the hands of those who should have protected and nurtured her, I fully expected her to turn out to be cold and unfeeling, but instead she turned out compassionate and stronger than anyone could have imagined. Callan. He’s hard, brutal and stubborn, but beneath all of that, all of cold is a man who feels deeply and will do anything to protect those he calls his own.
Their journey was a rough one from start to finish. With all the secrets and lies woven around them, it was no wonder neither could see what was right in front of them the whole time, though it was undeniable that the connection they had was intense, no matter if it was love or hate, or that strange mixture of both. And I won’t deny that even I wondered just how they could forgive each other for their transgressions at times, but once they both had their blinders ripped off, all bets were off.
As much as I enjoyed Callan and Lisbeth’s journey, it was the world the author created and the secrets and lies woven into it that kept me turning the pages. I NEEDED to know what the truth, or truths, were because it was obvious not everything was what it seemed and I wasn’t disappointed when all was revealed. And as for the secondary cast of characters, all were well written ~ even the ones I wanted to gut with a spoon ~ and while I didn’t have a clear favorite, I wouldn’t mind heading back into the world at some point in the future to see how everyone is doing.
~ Copy provided by EBJR/author & voluntarily reviewed ~
Talk about a thin line between love and hate.
This baby took me on one hell of a ride, not surprising given who the author is, but Callan and Lisbeth definitely ramped up all the feels in me ~ the good, the bad and the ugly ~ as they sorted not only through their own wildly erratic emotions for each other, but the labyrinth of secrets and lies they’d been told all their lives.
Lisbeth is one strong woman. After all that she went through at the hands of those who should have protected and nurtured her, I fully expected her to turn out to be cold and unfeeling, but instead she turned out compassionate and stronger than anyone could have imagined. Callan. He’s hard, brutal and stubborn, but beneath all of that, all of cold is a man who feels deeply and will do anything to protect those he calls his own.
Their journey was a rough one from start to finish. With all the secrets and lies woven around them, it was no wonder neither could see what was right in front of them the whole time, though it was undeniable that the connection they had was intense, no matter if it was love or hate, or that strange mixture of both. And I won’t deny that even I wondered just how they could forgive each other for their transgressions at times, but once they both had their blinders ripped off, all bets were off.
As much as I enjoyed Callan and Lisbeth’s journey, it was the world the author created and the secrets and lies woven into it that kept me turning the pages. I NEEDED to know what the truth, or truths, were because it was obvious not everything was what it seemed and I wasn’t disappointed when all was revealed. And as for the secondary cast of characters, all were well written ~ even the ones I wanted to gut with a spoon ~ and while I didn’t have a clear favorite, I wouldn’t mind heading back into the world at some point in the future to see how everyone is doing.
~ Copy provided by EBJR/author & voluntarily reviewed ~
March 22, 2020
This one has it all !!!! Angst, tension, betrayal, love, and above all Lilyness!!!
Lilyness always gets me. I think shes going one and whooppsss nope she veered the other way. Twice she Lillyed me in this book.
Callan and Lisbeth (which by the way LOVE that name) are cut from the same cloth. They both love fierce and hate firecly. Both thier characters are so strong and yet vulnerable at the same time. Together and apart they both grew in this story, finally finding thier true selves.
Lily also always gives us great side characters. Loved them all, just wish we could of seen more from Holly. There's a fighter itching to come out in her.
Overall I throughly enjoyed this story. The beginning had me on the edge, the middle had me cringing and the end was pure Lily.
I look forward to more of Lilys tortured souls. ⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘
Lilyness always gets me. I think shes going one and whooppsss nope she veered the other way. Twice she Lillyed me in this book.
Callan and Lisbeth (which by the way LOVE that name) are cut from the same cloth. They both love fierce and hate firecly. Both thier characters are so strong and yet vulnerable at the same time. Together and apart they both grew in this story, finally finding thier true selves.
Lily also always gives us great side characters. Loved them all, just wish we could of seen more from Holly. There's a fighter itching to come out in her.
Overall I throughly enjoyed this story. The beginning had me on the edge, the middle had me cringing and the end was pure Lily.
I look forward to more of Lilys tortured souls. ⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘
March 25, 2020
You won't have read a enemies story like this it is a Lily White book after all so think the unthinkable.
I absolutely loved Lisbeth and Callan they have a twisted history that sets the tone for when they are reunited years later. Younger Lisbeth is annoying self entitled brat. Every time she opened her mouth I cringed and wanted to slap her. He may have been infatuated by her by how didn't retaliate I really don't know. When she comes home years later everything has changed and the fun begins.
Callan is such a contradiction which I loved, he has flashes of gentleness but has a dark side that makes him a dangerous man. Lisbeth grows so much over the course of the book but her redemption in my eyes is not easy. This is a slow burn that really surprised me because I had no idea what to expect. I couldn't put this down, every page reveals a new secret and a new layer to the story. I'm not sure your ready for The Roses.
I absolutely loved Lisbeth and Callan they have a twisted history that sets the tone for when they are reunited years later. Younger Lisbeth is annoying self entitled brat. Every time she opened her mouth I cringed and wanted to slap her. He may have been infatuated by her by how didn't retaliate I really don't know. When she comes home years later everything has changed and the fun begins.
Callan is such a contradiction which I loved, he has flashes of gentleness but has a dark side that makes him a dangerous man. Lisbeth grows so much over the course of the book but her redemption in my eyes is not easy. This is a slow burn that really surprised me because I had no idea what to expect. I couldn't put this down, every page reveals a new secret and a new layer to the story. I'm not sure your ready for The Roses.
January 28, 2021
3/3.5 stars
Considering this was almost a DNF for me in the first quarter of the book, I didn't have high hopes that it would get any better continuing further but there was something about this story that kept me going. Something that kept me curious about how it would all tie together and end for the characters. Luckily, that curiousity turned out to be a good thing because the story picked up and I really enjoyed the book once we got past the slow paced start.
Although it's not the best enemies to lovers or rich girl/poor boy trope I've read, by the end of it, I wanted more. More of the main characters. More from the side characters. More from the plot. That's how I know the author got me hooked by the end. Enjoyed it.
Considering this was almost a DNF for me in the first quarter of the book, I didn't have high hopes that it would get any better continuing further but there was something about this story that kept me going. Something that kept me curious about how it would all tie together and end for the characters. Luckily, that curiousity turned out to be a good thing because the story picked up and I really enjoyed the book once we got past the slow paced start.
Although it's not the best enemies to lovers or rich girl/poor boy trope I've read, by the end of it, I wanted more. More of the main characters. More from the side characters. More from the plot. That's how I know the author got me hooked by the end. Enjoyed it.
January 22, 2021
Im confused as to what was the story..
June 21, 2020
A good enemies to love/ darkish read. I enjoyed the unique “bully” type plot and those cruel scenes had my stomach in knots.
April 2, 2020
5 Stars!!! Loved it!!!
Author Lily White delivers another fantastic read with The Vanity of Roses. It is a crazy rollercoaster ride. It is edgy with dark undertones and crazy twists. It is a turbulent journey from enemies to lovers that is steamy, erotic and sexy AF with a dangerous, scary, intimidating alpha hero bent on revenge and so much more. Callan could teach me a lesson any time! I was hooked from start to finish.
The characters, Callan and Lisbeth are well developed and more than meets the eye. Their banter is witty, sarcastic, heated and challenging. The push / pull is intense. Their chemistry is palpable. They grew up together, same house but in different worlds. I was completely invested in their story and I loved Callan, even though he was mean and arrogant. And I grew to love Lisbeth. She is stubborn and strong, even though she is spoiled on the surface. Not only did these characters draw me in, but they kept me captivated. I wanted to know why they were the way they were, what motivated them and why. I could feel the passion, fear, desire and menace bleed from the page.
Author Lily White develops the story perfectly. I love that it’s written in alternating POV because I get to be in both their heads and I learned things the other character didn’t know. I also found myself loving many of the supporting characters. The story is a cat and mouse game with secrets and lies.
The Vanity of Roses is another hit from author Lily White. Highly recommend. I absolutely loved it.
~ Maria
Author Lily White delivers another fantastic read with The Vanity of Roses. It is a crazy rollercoaster ride. It is edgy with dark undertones and crazy twists. It is a turbulent journey from enemies to lovers that is steamy, erotic and sexy AF with a dangerous, scary, intimidating alpha hero bent on revenge and so much more. Callan could teach me a lesson any time! I was hooked from start to finish.
The characters, Callan and Lisbeth are well developed and more than meets the eye. Their banter is witty, sarcastic, heated and challenging. The push / pull is intense. Their chemistry is palpable. They grew up together, same house but in different worlds. I was completely invested in their story and I loved Callan, even though he was mean and arrogant. And I grew to love Lisbeth. She is stubborn and strong, even though she is spoiled on the surface. Not only did these characters draw me in, but they kept me captivated. I wanted to know why they were the way they were, what motivated them and why. I could feel the passion, fear, desire and menace bleed from the page.
Author Lily White develops the story perfectly. I love that it’s written in alternating POV because I get to be in both their heads and I learned things the other character didn’t know. I also found myself loving many of the supporting characters. The story is a cat and mouse game with secrets and lies.
The Vanity of Roses is another hit from author Lily White. Highly recommend. I absolutely loved it.
~ Maria
Shelved as 'couldn-t-finish'
July 2, 2020DNF 20%
I regret picking this up on a whim. Didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
The “Hero” in this story is far from it. I don’t care if the h mistreated, bullied and made fun of him when they were teenagers, there is no justification for his actions. He mentally, verbally and physically abused the h for “revenge”. At 20 % he has pushed her to walk over broken glass so her feet were cut and the glass embedded into her soles, drag her all over the floor using her as a mop to clean her bloodied footprints when she refused to clean up the floor, humiliated her by making her get on her hands and knees to clean up after him just throwing things on the ground, smashing her hand/fingers with his foot when she’s down cleaning. And let’s not forget the typical scene where he is getting oral from one of the women he keeps and the h is watching them. Of course she gets somewhat aroused by this. I can’t even. And that’s only at 20%. I can’t read any further.
Then the plot is already nonsensical. The H now runs her former family “business”. What it is is an illegal fight ring gladiator style where only one fighter can survive 🙄. He is one of the fighter and obviously has killed a lot of men since he’s undefeated. But the worst part is they traffic women where they keep them as slaves to be the “prize” for the fighters and to just entertain the men around there?! They beat, torture, rape and abuse this women. Really?? Apparently, that’s the kind of thing this author writes, but let me tell you it’s just not for me. It would be asinine if it wasn’t so disturbing.
I regret picking this up on a whim. Didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
The “Hero” in this story is far from it. I don’t care if the h mistreated, bullied and made fun of him when they were teenagers, there is no justification for his actions. He mentally, verbally and physically abused the h for “revenge”. At 20 % he has pushed her to walk over broken glass so her feet were cut and the glass embedded into her soles, drag her all over the floor using her as a mop to clean her bloodied footprints when she refused to clean up the floor, humiliated her by making her get on her hands and knees to clean up after him just throwing things on the ground, smashing her hand/fingers with his foot when she’s down cleaning. And let’s not forget the typical scene where he is getting oral from one of the women he keeps and the h is watching them. Of course she gets somewhat aroused by this. I can’t even. And that’s only at 20%. I can’t read any further.
Then the plot is already nonsensical. The H now runs her former family “business”. What it is is an illegal fight ring gladiator style where only one fighter can survive 🙄. He is one of the fighter and obviously has killed a lot of men since he’s undefeated. But the worst part is they traffic women where they keep them as slaves to be the “prize” for the fighters and to just entertain the men around there?! They beat, torture, rape and abuse this women. Really?? Apparently, that’s the kind of thing this author writes, but let me tell you it’s just not for me. It would be asinine if it wasn’t so disturbing.
November 14, 2024
עשיתי קריאה חוזרת
והדירוג כמובן נשאר אותו דבר
מאוהבת בכתיבה של לילי וויט
הספר פשוט מלא באקשן אחד גדול 😍😍😍🔥🔥
והדירוג כמובן נשאר אותו דבר
מאוהבת בכתיבה של לילי וויט
הספר פשוט מלא באקשן אחד גדול 😍😍😍🔥🔥
March 21, 2020
Back up ladies....Callan Rose is mine...MINE..MINE!!! LOL
Lily White is at it again with her dark soul.. writing these amazing reads that keep us flipping those pages way into the night and then up sooo early to find out what is going to happen next.
Holy Hell I love reading her books. I never know if she is going to top her last book when I have already decided that it was now my fav Lily White book. Annnd then she goes and writes another Ahhhmazzzingg book and I have to change my mind and now say....Yuppp The Vanity of Roses is now my fav book she has written!!! Gahh I loved it!!!
It has my 3 D's..... DARK.DIRTY & DELICIOUS!!!
Ohhh and one more thing y'all, I am all about this cover!!! I love me some MMA and danggg did White deliver with all the hotness and everything that goes along with it. Sooo yummy!!!
Thank you Lily White for another 5 Star read...Can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!!!
Lily White is at it again with her dark soul.. writing these amazing reads that keep us flipping those pages way into the night and then up sooo early to find out what is going to happen next.
Holy Hell I love reading her books. I never know if she is going to top her last book when I have already decided that it was now my fav Lily White book. Annnd then she goes and writes another Ahhhmazzzingg book and I have to change my mind and now say....Yuppp The Vanity of Roses is now my fav book she has written!!! Gahh I loved it!!!
It has my 3 D's..... DARK.DIRTY & DELICIOUS!!!
Ohhh and one more thing y'all, I am all about this cover!!! I love me some MMA and danggg did White deliver with all the hotness and everything that goes along with it. Sooo yummy!!!
Thank you Lily White for another 5 Star read...Can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!!!
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