**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
A kickass book fit for a kickass heroine. Broken or not, LianaMy Rating: 4-4.5 stars!
**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
A kickass book fit for a kickass heroine. Broken or not, Liana Volkov is a force to be reckoned with. Giovanni Agosti added fuel to the fire, and together, they were an unbelievable pair!
This book is constantly progressing, but the storytelling felt well-paced. You’re thrown into the deep end right from the get-go, and immediately get bombarded with emotional highs and lows.
Although this book goes back and forth from past to present through flashbacks, if you haven’t already, I recommend reading Reign of a Billionaire (from the Billionaire Kings series) first, to get a fuller insight into Liana’s backstory, and how she came to be in the present time.
Liana has a truly gut-wrenching past that follows her well into the present day that’s tough to witness, but something you couldn’t tear your eyes away from either. I was wholly invested in Liana and Giovanni. I was invested in seeing her anger, her desperation to keep her fierce façade, and her determination to mete out vengeance. Her emotions leaped off the pages, and you couldn’t help but sympathise. I was invested in Giovanni striving to break through her defences, and connect with her on a deeper level.
Giovanni Agosti could not have been more of a swoon-worthy MMC, and a perfect match for Liana. Powerful, protective, patient, and loving. The list could go on. He brings in a lot of the lightness to an otherwise heavily dark and brutal narrative. He provided stability and security, when all hell felt like it was breaking loose. Some of the most memorable and favourite parts of this book for me were moments Giovanni had fulfilled.
It’s a mixture of sugar and spice. For the romantics, there are plenty of sweet, affectionate parts in the book. For spice lovers, there is plenty of heated passion throughout and a good amount of build-up to those moments.
Be prepared for a barrage of feels. This one can be a bit of a tearjerker.
It broaches on dark themes and sensitive subject matters than some readers may find triggering. It contains graphic violence, kidnapping, torture, captivity, human trafficking, sexual assault, loss of a child— all resulting in PTSD. It’s intended for readers 18+ only.
Their story is of pain that one goes through, but also one of healing. Giovanni is nothing but a pillar of strength and support for Liana at a time where she felt more alone than ever. I loved seeing the gradual development of trust and ease within their relationship. The gentleness, understanding, and the pacing in which Giovanni wooed Liana was truly genuine, especially with the brutality Liana had been subjected to in her past. The trauma she exhibited was dealt with respectfully, and with thought and care.
The secondary characters were equally intriguing, with a handful of them already catching my eye from the moment they appeared. Whilst I did find the more significant plot twists predictable, seeing them coming a mile away, Winners still managed to take me by surprise in the end, which is a testament of her complex, yet addictive writing.
Dark and mafia romance readers should add this one to their TBR. It’s a gripping story that you’ll be hard-pressed to put down once you start it. It’s also a beautiful addition to the series, and to the interconnected criminal underworld Winners has created through her characters. Told from dual POVs, it’s high-intensity, character-driven, and will take you on an angsty roller-coaster ride. The ending left me sighing in contentment. It has one of my favourite HEAs Winners has ever written, and I can only hope we get to see more of Giovanni, Liana, and the mass of secondary characters that made their presence known in this book.
**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
Oooh. I loved the change of pace this book offered from the reMy Rating: 4-4.5 stars!
**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
Oooh. I loved the change of pace this book offered from the rest of the series. It was MC-lite but I hadn’t even minded in the slightest as my attention was wholly focused on Kyle and Sutton, and their fun, flirty chemistry.
This book combined a mixture of elements I can never pass up:
Kyle and Sutton’s complex relationship was very much the focal point of this book. After reading the premise, I was anxious to say the least going into this story and seeing how the love triangle between Kyle, Sutton, and Rafe would play out. What I ended up getting was a genuine, heart-warming friendship blossoming amid a fun, entertaining adventure. The backdrops were vivid and exciting, and elevated each scene between the MCs. It also set the tone of the book’s overall atmosphere. I was immediately invested.
There were very little spicy scenes in this one, yet it made a lot of sense as to why that was. I appreciated how the narrative was written. It may have started out as an instant attraction and a secret little crush, but it organically evolved into a real and relatable friendship, and an understanding of the circumstance they found themselves in. There’s no cheating involved. If you’re a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, this one will have you smiling!
I was amazed at how opposite Kyle is to Wolf. I’m a big Wolf fan, but I kinda dig the fact that he’s gotten is act together a lot sooner than when his dad was about his age. He knows what he wants, but he’s also willing to put in the hard yards to get it. But it’s also good to see he’s got some of his dad’s charm, which just about put the cherry on top of his already “book boyfriend material” personality. And who wouldn’t fall head over heels for a man who can cook?!
And Sutton? First off, she has such cool name. I haven’t come across another Sutton ever. She’s adorable, sweet, and just effortlessly lovable. She’s half the reason why this was such a light-hearted read. Her positivity is infectious and I couldn’t get enough of her interactions with Kyle. I lost count of how many times I fangirled over their scenes.
I wish this book was longer. Truly. Whilst I enjoyed the friendship and intense sexual attraction between the two, I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more romance. This book came across more so a beginning of a new chapter for these characters rather than a story ending on a definitive HEA, which I’m all for as I always enjoy seeing character crossovers in future books, but yeah, it was definitely romance-deficient.
Dark themes and sensitive matters are included— either off-page/ mentioned in passing, or a small on-page scene in the book, that some readers may still find disturbing or triggering. It contains a murder plot, drug trafficking, graphic violence, and attempted SA. Intended for readers 18+ only.
Having said that, this book sets it apart from the rest of the series. It’s more easy-going, less suspenseful. There’s still an ongoing storyline concerning the MC, but it’s secondary. I wouldn’t hesitate to pick this book up again whenever I need a mood-booster.
The usual brotherhood, hilarious banter, and overall tight-knit familial dynamics are still very much present, and seeing both old and new characters together added comfort and another layer of satisfaction to my reading experience. I will say though—never in a million years would’ve guessed that Green would have a more prominent role and evolve into this fun uncle-type character who moonlights as a dating guru/matchmaker. LOL. He’s made some memorable appearances in this second-gen series, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of him.
For me, James is an auto-read author. Her writing is always so gripping, and her characters are equally appealing. Certain parts of this story could have been more in-depth, but all in all, Kyle is a fantastic addition to the series. You can read it as a standalone, but for a fuller experience of EDMC’s second generation, I highly recommend you read the previous books in the series, if you haven’t already.
**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
Hot-blooded. Intense. Unhinged.
What a gripping conclusion to the TMy Rating: 4 stars!
**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
Hot-blooded. Intense. Unhinged.
What a gripping conclusion to the Team Zulu duet, and final book in the series! Hope and Vaughn’s relationship has grown leaps and bounds since their very first encounter. Honestly, I wasn’t completely sold at first with the abrupt shift in intimacy, considering Vaughn’s weighty triggers. But as the story progressed, it was evident that Hope was a genuine balm to his trauma. They are the epitome of two halves making a whole.
Besides the romance side of things, there was an air of desperation and urgency that constantly shrouded Hope and Vaughn in this book. The suspense leaps off the pages, pulls you in, and plops you smack dab in the middle of their deadly undertaking.
The storytelling is faster-paced in this second half, which only drove the sense of risk and danger home even more. You get to witness not only how Vaughn and his team band together for a mission, but also their contrasting team dynamics. There’s a solid sense of brotherhood and all that it entails; banter, bickering, and all-out protectiveness. If this story is your introduction to the Team Zulu series, the secondary characters will certainly have you curious. (I know I’m partial to Vaughn’s brother). ...more
** ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
Ooh. Snap, crackle, and pop! All good things come to those whMy Rating: 4-4.5 stars!
** ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**
Ooh. Snap, crackle, and pop! All good things come to those who wait! Prepare yourself for high intensity banter and sexual chemistry in this calculated slow-burn romance story. Jenshak has certainly left this cracking duo last for a good reason.
Although you can technically read this book on its own, I highly suggest you at least read the first two books of the Wildcat Hockey series before diving into this one just so you can familiarise yourself with the cast of hockey players in this series, and read Everly’s introduction to their world.
Each book in the series is a relatively quick read. I binge-read them pretty easily, and I’m glad I did because I don’t think the Wildcat Hockey world would have been as in-depth if I had only read this book, and Jack and Everly’s relationship and evolving dynamics definitely would not have felt as momentous without knowing their backstory in detail beforehand.
Everly has always been a spitfire of a character, but seeing her come into her own as a FMC with undeniable character growth, you cannot hate her. She’s fun, caring, and completely added lightness to this story.
Since the very first book in this series, Jack has always piqued my interest, being the standoffish, broody guy, with a protective older brother persona amongst the friends. He draws attention without even trying, and finally seeing him as the leading hero was well-worth the fifth book wait! ...more
I’ve been grappling with which book is my favourite because the further I get into this series, my favourite ends up being the last read. After finishing this one, I’m happy (and positive) to say, THIS is my new favourite! ...more
My gosh, this one had me in a giddy mood from start to finish. I love a juicy bodyguard, forbidden romance story, and this one fast became one of my favourites. It’s racy, thrilling, and exuded so much longing.
The mystery surrounding both MCs, but for totally different reasons, yet still linked them to one another made for an intriguing storyline. The increasing sexual tension and their little exchanges was another. Altaj sure knows how to tease her readers with enough morsels of spice here and there to keep you hooked.
This book had amazing, detailed world-building, weighty developments, and the romantic build-up between Ravenna and Alessandro just about had me salivating. Their chemistry was freaking smoking! Their love affair, the plot twists, and the cast of characters who added another layer to the story were all well-written in. It not only delivered in the romance department, but the Taken-esque revenge scenes filled me with utter satisfaction (cue: evil laugh). ...more
“I might be broken, but what’s left of me is desperately in love with him.”
- MCs: Pavel & Asya - Tropes: Age-Gap, Opposites Attract,My Rating: 4 stars!
“I might be broken, but what’s left of me is desperately in love with him.”
- MCs: Pavel & Asya - Tropes: Age-Gap, Opposites Attract, Protective Hero/Tortured Heroine, Close Proximity - TWs: Graphic Violence, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, Drugging, PTSD, Death
*Exhales* Heartbreaking. Admittedly a little tough to get through at first. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you’re easily triggered, I would recommend (if not skipping this book) skimming past the first few chapters as the sensitive subject matters are on-page and vivid.
I’m not usually triggered, but with how detailed Asya’s haunting experiences were, I’m not going to lie, my eyes stung reading it.
Readers may find the entire narrative debatable, especially with how Pavel (aka Pasha) and Asya’s relationship developed, especially with her horrific trauma, but to me, I found it to be a beautiful, complex story. There was genuine care and protectiveness from Pasha that gradually grew into a deep-seated love. My heart went out to Asya, but what she found with Pasha, I would imagine, is rare and authentic. This may be a fictional story, but what she experienced and the life-changing effects of said events parallels real-life occurrences. It’s evident Altaj has put care and thought into the topics broached in this book.
I loved Pasha’s efforts, his understanding, and his gentleness despite having had a difficult life himself. Mafia elements of this story are secondary but still contains action and suspense. It’s angsty, emotional, and heavily focuses on Pavel and Asya, and the solitary bubble they encased themselves in. Although it’s steadily-paced for the majority of the book, it includes a third act breakup that will jump-start your heart in more ways than one.
Entertaining as hell! Salvatore and Milene are complete opposites who peaked my interest from their very first encounter. This book had a lot of twists and turns, and I enjoyed reading every bit of it.
Just when I thought it was heading in one direction, it completely changes course, and I’m right back to guessing where Salvatore and Milene’s story will head to. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and the romance has a glorious build-up that had me on the edge of my seat.
Salvatore is another MMC with an unsuspecting disability (at least at first) and an atypical personality. I applaud Altaj for not immediately revealing it because it made his mysterious, untouchable, and oh-so dangerous persona that much more believable.
Milene is independent, fierce, and will stand her ground. Although Salvatore acts and feels unapologetically, she pushes him out of his comfort zone and gets him to reexamine his idiosyncrasies.
There is a particular part of this book that lives rent free in my mind, only because it’s hair-raisingly heart-palpitating. It’s so good and so vivid that the rampant emotions practically leaped off the pages.
“You better be ready, Luca Rossi, because all’s fair in love and war.”
- MCs: Luca & Isabella - Tropes: Age-Gap, Amnesia, Opposites Attract, She Falls First - TWs: Graphic Violence
Ooh-wee! Once again, Altaj switches it up with different tropes. This had an interesting premise. I haven’t read many romance books where an MC has amnesia, and Luca and Isabella straight away already had a somewhat thought-provoking relationship as is. As the story progressed, their actions became more questionable. Putting aside their arranged marriage, not only was there a distinct age gap between the two, there was also an obvious push-and-pull in their relationship.
The first half of this book felt slower-paced but once the amnesia came into play, it altered their dynamics and in turn, picked up speed, and elevated their story.
Luca and Isabella’s relationship evolved a little abruptly for my liking, but I still very much enjoyed it and think it’s another page-turning addition to the series. It’s a naughty little romance filled with lust and desire, with a smidge of suspense thrown into the mix.
This one switches it up (again). It’s mafia romance but with military elements, and the change of pace added another layer to the world-building. This story not only introduced Sergei and Angelina as a couple, but it also introduced their backstories and expanded connections amongst the cast of characters.
A tortured hero and the unexpected heroine who ends up saving him from himself. It may be a common narrative you come across in a lot of different romance sub-genres, but Altaj’s writing is so likable, effortless to follow, and grips you immediately. I became easily invested in Sergei’s and Angelina’s quickly developing relationship and how they navigated through his traumas.
If you’re wondering if there are any unhinged MMCs in this series, look no further. Sergei is erratic; a daredevil, and despite his issues, is protective, possessive, and will go through hell and back for Angelina.
“The only thing I want, is you. Can I have you, please?”
- MCs: Roman & Nina - Tropes: Age-Gap, Grumpy/Sunshine, Forced Marriage, Disability-Rep - TWs: Graphic Violence— Torture, Death
Ooh, okay. This book is not perfect, no. But did it hold my attention? ✊ ABSOLUTELY! The story tended to be abrupt at times, doesn’t go into depth, but my gaaawd was it the gateway to what is an unbelievably addicting mafia series. I’ve always thought the first book is the introduction to the world-building, the cast of characters you’ll be seeing in future books, and sets the tone for the overall series— and this book definitely does that. It intrigued me to no end.
Roman and Nina are opposites but there was no denying together they provided stability and symmetry that neither were expecting, yet heavily needed. Their togetherness may have come by chance, and developed hard and fast, but their emotions felt genuine, which made me all the invested in seeing their story unfold.
I love the dynamics with its characters, and the balance of romance and dark mafia elements combined. I’m excited to know that there’s room for growth and expansion. As each can be read as standalone book, this series is interconnected through its characters and the different mafia factions.
Rina | booksofthemuggleborn
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