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Deviant by Ivy Fox
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
๐
ณ๐
ด๐
๐
ธ๐
ฐ๐
ฝ๐ ๐๐
ด๐
๐
ธ๐
ด๐
Author: Ivy Fox
Couple: Rowen Hawthorne & Elias Larsen
Tropes:
๐ค แด
แดสแด สแดแดแดษดแดแด
๐ค แดษดแดแดษชแด๊ฑ แดแด สแดแด แดส๊ฑ
๐ค ๊ฐแดสแดแดแด
แดสแดxษชแดษชแดส
๐ค สแดสษด แดสแด แดกแดสสแด
๊ฐแดส สแดส
๐ค แดษชสสแดส/๊ฑแดแดษชแดแดแดส
๐ค แดแดสแดสสส ษขสแดส แดแด
๐ค แดแด๊ฑแดแดแด
แดแดษด
๐ค แดษดสแดแดแด๊ฑ สแดส แด
แดสแด ๊ฑษชแด
แด
๐ค แดษดษข๊ฑแด
๐ค แดแดสแดแดสแด ษขแดแดแด๊ฑ
๐ค แดแดแดกแดส ๊ฑแดสแดษขษขสแด๊ฑ
๐ค ษขแดแดแด แด๊ฐ ๊ฑแดสแด ษชแด แดส
Review: ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐จ๐ต๐ป was one of my most anticipated Spooky Season releases and Ivy Fox did not disappoint with this darkly disturbing read! Blackwater Falls kept me in a COMPLETE chokehold while reading and I found it IMPOSSIBLE to put down once I began. Elias, Rowe and the Harvest Dozen will be haunting my thoughts for the foreseeable future as I come to terms with the ABSOLUTE WILD ride Ivy put me through while reading this book. ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐จ๐ต๐ป had ALL the vibes for a dark romance from the forbidden and taboo to the deeply dark and morally gray anti-hero and Ivy led me on a path that made me question my morals, sanity and taste in book boyfriends as I fell HARD for Elias Larsen!
๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐จ๐ต๐ป is all about the dark and disturbed. The way Ivy set the plot for the book BLEW my mind in ways I never thought possible. The whole foundation of the story hinged on the mystery, intrigue and suspense surrounding The Scourge and the Harvest Dozen. The depravity Ivy put into this bookโฆI have no words for it. I found myself questioning everything as I read and was left baffled when the final events unraveled. Ivy was able to both captivate me and disturb me with the unhinged and blood thirsty vibes Blackwater Falls and The Scourge created in my head while reading and I was not ready for all the secrets and betrayals that she left me with.
The romance in ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐จ๐ต๐ป hinged on the way Elias both HATED and LUSTED after Rowen and the way he sta!ked her to get his revenge! The moral compass this man lacked allowed for an absolute wreckage for my mind while reading and I found myself submerged inside his POV every chance I got! The way he went from obsessed about his revenge plans to obsessed over her safety and attention flabbergasted me but also warmed my little dark heart since this morally gray red-flag of a man fell hard, fast and all consumingly for his woman.
While Elias was everything bump in the night, Rowen was a conundrum in contradictions. Her POV was littered with guilt, hatred and self loathing which left me questioning her sanity from page one. Ivy was able to capture her story PERFECTLY from start to end and while her story arc was devastating, I appreciated how it was written and the beauty Ivy put into the brokenness of her character. Rowen is a character that truly hits a certain way and her growth and journey to her HEA is one that is wholly deserved after everything she preserved through to get it!
๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐จ๐ต๐ป is a DARK romance that pushes boundaries and toys with the forbidden. The tension and sparks that flew between these two every time they shared space added a nice point of contention and Ivy dominated the forbidden lust between them while also toeing the line of cheating since Rowen is dating Elvisโ younger brother when we meet her. I found myself questioning EVERYTHING in this book but one thing I always felt safe knowing was Elias would truly do everything to keep Rowen his. The absolute FILTH that came out of this man lit the pages on fire and if Ivy did one thing on an immortalized level it was the way Elias perfected the dirty talk and degradation.
Elias and Rowen bled me dry in this book and I donโt think Iโve completely recovered yet. Ivy Fox once again left me in a book hangover with ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐จ๐ต๐ป and the whole world of Blackwater Falls and I can only hope we see more of this darkly disturbed world again!
Rating: 100+; Ivy Fox destroyed my mental sanity with this book! Elias, Rowe and the Harvest Dozen took me on the most taboo, deliciously ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐จ๐ต๐ป ride and I have yet to recover after the madness!
Thank you to Ivy & Wordsmith Publicity for sending me this eARC!
Maison De Fous by Nova Kane
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
๐ช๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ - ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฏรฉ๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐๐ 2 - ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐ช
Author: Nova Kane
Couple: Lux, Indie Connors & Lux Julius
๐ฟ๐๐๐๐๐
๐ช Masked MMCs
๐ช Chaos & Carnage
๐ช Touch Her & Iโll wear your face. Literally.
๐ช Halloween Vibes
๐ช Multi POV (Lux, Indie & Johnny)
๐ช Clowns and Kinky Side Show Cirkies
๐ช Equally Insane Couple
Review: ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐ left me questioning my sanity! Nova Kane added Lux to the mix in this book andโฆyou are not ready for her brand of cr@zy! The depravity and darkness she added pushed the limits of how dark romance can go but also I have to say JOHNNY!! That man is just the right brand of unhinged and I was ecstatic to see him back in this book! ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐ was a fast paced, spicy and spooky read perfect for spooky sun but also satisfying for those who love their romance with a dash or gray but mostly black!
Nova gave us the Queen of the Cirque with Lux and that FMC will forever be branded in my head. I found myself wanting more and more of her but also enjoying the multiple POV style the book was done in. ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐ was the perfect balance of new plot and character additions to the dark ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฏรฉ๐๐๐ Nova built in book 1 and I am looking forward to the next!
Rating: 5/5; ๐ธ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐ is dark, delicious and depraved but I wouldnโt want it any other way!
Thank you to Nova for sending me this eARC!
ร La Folie by Nova Kane
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
๐ช๐ฌ๐ท๐๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ - ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฏรฉ๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐๐ 1 - ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐ช
Author: Nova Kane
Couple: Indie Connors & Lux Julius
๐ฟ๐๐๐๐๐
๐ช Dual POV
๐ช Kn!fe Play
๐ช Masked MMC
๐ช Blood Play
๐ช Whipping
๐ช Voyeurism
๐ช Chaos & Carnage
๐ช Touch Her & Iโll wear your face. Literally.
๐ช Halloween Vibes
๐ช Clowns and Kinky Side Show Cirkies
๐ช Equally Insane Couple
Review: ๐ฌ ๐ท๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ is your next dark romance OBSESSION!! Nova Kane gives us a delicious spooky, dark, twisted and horror inducing novella that has 5 ALARM SPICE and DEVIANT SPICE! From the first page this novella kept me in a chokehold and I could not believe all the boundaries that were tested while I read Indieโs and Luxโs story! These two are not gentle but instead are a CHAOS infused STORM that had me biting my nails, ripping my hair out and SCREAMING my lungs out at them!
๐ฌ ๐ท๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ was super fast paced, extra spicy, and had every k!nk you desired in a dark Circusesque romance. Nova was able to make me question my morals, my sanity and my mind as I read and fell into a hate-love-lust with this couple. ๐ฌ ๐ท๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ ends in a way that make you NEED book 2 and it also satisfies your โHEAโ in romance that is not straight-laced and wholesome but instead obsessive, possessive and ugh!nged! You best believe I will be running for book 2 (review coming soon)!
Rating: 5/5; ๐ฌ ๐ท๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ is a decadently, dark and delicious romance that will test your boundaries in way that is guaranteed to question your sanity!
Thank you to Nova for sending me this eARC!
Forever Starts Tonight by Karla Sorensen
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
โจ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐๐๐ฏ๐๐๐พ๐๐ฝ๐ - ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐น๐๐๐น๐ถ๐๐พ๐๐๐ต๐๐๐๐ฆ - ๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐โจ
Author: Karla Sorensen
Couple: Poppy Wilder & Jax Cartwright
Tropes:
๐ผOne Night to Get it Out of Their Systems
๐ผAccidental Pregnancy
๐ผBig Family Dynamics
๐ผAge Gap
๐ผBest Friendโs Little Sister
๐ผGrumpy/Sunshine
Review: ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐พ๐๐ฝ๐ is another knockout read by Karla and if you havenโt waited forever to get this story then I donโt know what youโve been reading! This book is Poppyโs and Jaxโs book and from the first page it is obvious the ANGST will be NEXT LEVEL! This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me but also one that kept me in a book hangover long after I finished!
Poppy Wilder was an adorable FMC and her story was such an experience to read, as she was the youngest Wilder sibling to find her match. Karla truly captured the way Poppy pined after Jax in this story and seeing the washer feelings evolved as the story went on made me want to hug her but also shake her when she began dating Dean. Karla did us dirty with the teasing we get with this swoon vet and we can only hope she gives us a short book for him after Poppy let him down!
Jax Wilder was HAWT. I was there for the forbidden vibes he threw out and from the way he had to literally leave the country to avoid his feelings for Poppy. His backstory was heartbreaking and I really loved how he was able to heal some as the book went on. They way Karla dealt with the accidental pregnancy with Jax was probably my favorite part of this book. I enjoyed seeing him go through all the EMOTIONS as he struggled to accept fatherhood. I also appreciated how Karla made his relationship with Poppy to be more raw and up and down than easy going as it proved how much they loved each other by the end!
Jax and Poppy are ANGSTY! These two are some of the most tension filled MCs I have read by Karla yet they also are so different at this point in their lives that you want to root for them. The turmoil Jax feels was compounded by the fact that Cameron was his best friend and the way Karla had the blow up between them was done perfectly while also showing how much Cameron needed their friendship. ๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐พ๐๐ฝ๐ was a binge worthy read full of heartstopping swoon and a must read for anyone enjoying small town, forbidden romance!
Rating: 100+; Poppy and Jax melted my heart and Karla once again gave us a romance perfect for anyone needing angst and found family!
Thank you to Karla for sending me this eARC!
The Thorne at My Side by Erin Marie Bassett
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
๐ซถ๐ป๐ฏ๐ฝ๐๐ฏ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐พ๐น๐ ๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ซถ๐ป
Author: Erin Marie Bassett
Couple: Maggie & Austin
Tropes:
๐ฉตEnemies-to-Lovers
๐ซถ๐ปEnemies-with-Benefits
๐ฉตWorkplace Chemistry
๐ซถ๐ปMMC Wears Glasses, and Suits
๐ฉต"Good Girl"
๐ซถ๐ปTextual Relationship
๐ฉตSpicy Romance
๐ซถ๐ปRomcom
Review: ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐พ๐น๐ was hilarious! Erin truly brings us a binge worthy romcom in this book and she just blew it out of the office with the banter, wit, snark, innuendo and the INSANE push and pull that Maggie and Austin had! The dynamic she created between them from the beginning hinted at how explosive these two would be and it is safe to say the Austin completely gobsmakecd me with how hard he fell and by how hard he denied the fall!
Erin was creative with how these two characters met and grew closer together in this book. The way they both hated each other at work but then had no clue they were online-chat buddies had me cackling throughout the book and I could not wait for them to each realize it. I do have to say though that Austin was a dumb boy with how he handled the truth once he realized it was Maggie all along! ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐พ๐น๐ is a enemies with benefits romance and I enjoyed the dynamic Maggie and Austin had behind closed doors, I found that they each were so perfect for the other yet in the light of day they could just NOT GET ALONG!
๐ฏ๐ฝ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐พ๐น๐ is spicy and hawt. Erin really nailed the benefits situation going on in this book and I loved every spicy minute! These two had insane on page chemistry but they also had quiet moments that added a lot to the book. Seeing them lower their walls was my favorite part of the story and I found myself rooting for them to get that HEA! While ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐พ๐น๐ is all about Maggie and Austin, I found myself enamored with Felix, Austinโs best friend, and cannot wait for his story to come!
Rating: 4.5/5; A hilarious enemy to lovers, workplace romance that made me sweat, laugh and rage from beginning to end!
Thank you to Good Girls PR & Erin for sending me this eARC!
When You Give a Lawyer a Kiss by Ann Einerson
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐ด๐๐ ๐ข๐พ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐พ๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐๐
Author: Ann Einerson
Couple: Reese Taylor & Dawson Tate
Tropes:
๐๏ธAge-gap
๐Heโs her boss
๐๏ธForced proximity
๐Grumpy Hero
๐๏ธOpposites Attract
๐No third act breakup
๐๏ธBillionaire Romance
๐Banter & Spice
๐๏ธNovella
Review: ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐ด๐๐ ๐ข๐พ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐พ๐๐ is a laugh out loud romcom that had me rolling on the floor but also biting my nails! Ann was able to bring all the broody and possessive vibes when writing Dawson Tate but also show a softer much loved side after he meets his matching Reese Taylor. This book was a sweet, fast paced, and quick read that brings the feel-good vibes with a touch of forbidden office romance at its best. Ann truly tied the novella up in a way that makes us want more of these two but also gives us a hint at whatโs to come!
Reese Taylor is a fierce and fiery FMC and I adored her from the moment we met her. Her unconventional meet-cute with Dawson brought me to tears because he is the GRUMPIEST MMC ever but also has a sweet side only shown to her. The way the meet-cute went from sweet to HAWT also showed just how much chemistry these two had and we can only leave it to Dawson to ruin his chance before it truly began!
Ann was able to make the couple have a more organic feel while reading through the way she added the push and pull between them. The fight they had to deny feeling and prevent them getting close to each other was comical and added OH SO MUCH angst to the book. I appreciated how the office romance was a slower build until the explosion and loved how Reese stayed independent and true to her self. Dawson was also the best match for the fiery red head and seeing the cold lawyer fall hard for his woman was full stop swoon!
๐ฒ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐ด๐๐ ๐ข๐พ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐พ๐๐ is a witty, fast paced romance that is built into Annโs interconnected world of billionaire romances. Reese and Dawson are two I would love to see more of and am looking forward to their cameos in future books!
Rating: 4.5/5; Ann once again gives us a heartwarming yet angsty workplace romance with a noteworthy HEA!
Thank you to Wordsmith Publicity & Ann for sending me this eARC!
Just Between Us by Lena Hendrix
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฐ๐ - ๐ฏ๐ฝ๐๐ฆ๐พ๐๐๐๐ฅ - ๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐๐
Author: Lena Hendrix
Couple: Veda Bauer & Royal King
Tropes:
๐Black Cat FMC
๐Golden Retriever MMC
๐Spicy lessons
๐Tattooed MMC
๐Hand necklaces
๐Secret relationship
๐Small town
๐Forced proximity
๐He falls first x harder
Review: Royal King is IN THE HOUSE!! ๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ was everything we wanted when told that this would be Royalโs book and I absolutely fell in love with this tattooed sweetheart. Lena shocked me with Royal and his story but in all the best ways! ๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ was a lot different than previous books in the Kings series but stayed true with ramping mod the mystery and suspense surrounding the mother to the King siblings. Lena truly kept me in a chokehold while reading partly to get Royalโs HEA and partly to get the answers to the mystery surrounding Maryann King!
Royal and Veda were a total opposites attract romance and from start to finish I was hooked. The level of angst these two had outdid previous books in this interconnect world Lena has created and I truly adored Royal and his Golden Retriever energy! The precious way he fell hard and fast for the grumpy and reserved Veda warmed my heart and it is safe to say that his dirty mouth and deviant desires shocked me to the core! HIs story has been the most tragic so far int he series of King siblings and I loved how Lena had his moments of healing intertwined with him finding his HEA with Veda.
Veda Bauer was a complete 180 to Royal. This FMC gave total black cat vibes and I WAS THERE FOR IT! I loved how she was fierce but also had insecurities. Lena was able to integrate her sassy attitude with a cocksure confidence that was a like catnip while reading but what did me in was her surprise connection to Royal *wink wink*! The way these two meet is unique, hilarious and kept me laughing as they try to navigate the shock of a lifetime when they each realize who the other is!
๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ was a seamless continuation of the Kings series and the shocking twist of events in this book was both chilling and heartwarming. Seeing the King men finally come together was worth all the turmoil and I cannot wait for JP King to fall hard next!
Rating: 4.5/5; Royal King was a breath of fresh air and a royally good time as he fell hard for Veda and all her sides!
Thank you to Lena for sending me this eARC!
Headed for Home by Harloe Rae
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
๐ค๐ป๐๐ถ๐น๐๐น๐น๐๐๐ป๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ค
Author: Harold Rae
Couple: Cassidy Brooks & Drake Granger
Tropes:
๐ค Sunshine x Sunshine
๐งก Small Town Romance
๐ค Childhood Crush to Fling to Forever
๐งก Boy Obsessed & relentless hero
๐ค Steamy Romcom
๐งกBaseball pro turned bar owner
๐คBarrel racing cowgirl
๐งกHe falls first
๐คSingle mom
๐งกโItโs always been youโ vibes
๐คFound family
๐งกHilarious farm animals
๐คSports romance
Review: ๐ป๐๐ถ๐น๐๐น ๐น๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐ was a spicy, quick, small town read by Harold Rae that kept me ensnared from the prologue! This book was nestled in her small town universe and centered on Cassidy and Drake who could not have been more different but were oh so perfect! From the minute these two meet again years after Cassidy left their hometown, IT IS ON! Drake Granger knows right away what he wants and that is Cassidy Brooks with his ring on her finger. I found the way Harloe developed Drakeโs character to be pivotal to this story since he was basically a big man child who was bad with the word โnoโ and personal space but also had a heart of gold.
๐ป๐๐ถ๐น๐๐น ๐น๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐ was a single mother, second chance book that makes you swoon. The chemistry between these two was burning yet sweet and I enjoyed the dirty mouth Drake had right out of the gate. This book was one that could fit any mood since it just makes yo feel good after reading and who doesnโt love a single mother romance!?
While the romance was a focus in this book, what dug into my heart was the relationship and bond Drake had with Cassidyโs twins. The way this man MELTED for them was the epicenter of this book for me. I found myself in awe of how fast he fell and how unapologetic he was in convincing Cassidy that he was her โoneโ. ๐ป๐๐ถ๐น๐๐น ๐น๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐ was another terrific read by Harloe and I hope we see these two more!
Rating: 4.5/5; Drake Granger is a 5 chili pepper alphamale made wholly of sin, whiskey and the south and I wouldnโt take him any other way!
Thank you to Harloe for sending me this eARC!
Merciless Queen by M.L. Philpitt
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
๐คโฐ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฐ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ข๐ซ - ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐
๐ฏ๐๐ฑ๐ณ๐'๐ฐ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ข 1 - โ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐ดโฐ๐ค
Author: M.L. Philpitt
Couple: Vanessa Volkov & Zeno Mancini
Tropes:
โFemale Mob Boss
โSlow Burn
โTRUE Enemies to Lovers (as in they try to unalive one another a few times)
โHe Falls First
โForced Marriage
โHate to Love
โMafia romance
Review: ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฐ๐ฐ ๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ข๐ซ is my newest mafia romance OBSESSION! ML Philpitt blew my mind with this first book in the Bratvaโs Elite series and if they all continue this way I will have a while new favorite mafia series! Vanessa Volkov is a Fierce FMC and in a refreshing twist is the new heir to the Bratva. I LOVED how ML Philpitt had a female mob boss as the FMC and found her POV to be both unique and challenging since she always had to be so on guard. The slow burn romance between her and Zeno was also perfection in this book and really allowed the emotions to shine through between both of them!
ML Philpitt did something a lot different in this book compared to her previous ones in terms of the SLOOW BURN romance. She gave the two MCs time to plot, fall and then choose to go after their HEA while also creating the perfect amount of tension between these two enemies. Vanessa and Zeno DO NOT start this book as friends but we do see some sparks fly between them upon first glance. I appreciated how the anticipation was built up between them and how the POV ping-ponged between the two as the tension racketed up in the initial meet-cute turned meet-hate. Vanessa was force of nature and I LOVED how she went after what she wanted and fought with everything to get it. Zeno was a conundrum of a mafia boss but also had a softer side that was nice to seeโฆespecially as he began fall for his sworn enemy!
๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฐ๐ฐ ๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ข๐ซ was a mafia romance that absolutely sucker punched me but in the best ways! Zeno and Vanessa are almost perfect reflections of one another and I enjoyed seeing them go head to head to one up the other. I also DID not see the twist coming towards the end that pushed them back together for this final time. ML Philpitt really kept me hanging on the edge in this book while also quenching my need for a TRUE enemy to lovers romance. ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฐ๐ฐ ๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ข๐ซ was a phenomenal start to this new series set in the Fractured Ever Afters universe and I am looking forward to seeing old couples cameo as well as new couples fall!
Rating: 100+; ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฐ๐ฐ ๐๐ฒ๐ข๐ข๐ซ is my next mafia romance obsession and Zeno Mancini is a level 5 book boyfriend!
Thank you to ML Philpitt for sending me this eARC!
Love so Hot: A small town, fake engagement romance by Ivy Wild
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
๐ฟ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ป๐๐ - ๐๐พ๐๐ป๐พ๐๐๐พ๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ถ๐พ๐๐๐๐ต๐๐๐๐ฃ - ๐
๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ฟ
Author: Ivy Wild
Couple: Willow Harper & Lawrence Sinclair
Tropes:
๐ฟFake engagement
๐ฟEnemies to lovers
๐ฟOpposites attract
๐ฟForced proximity
๐ฟWild child FMC
๐ฟBillionaire romance
Review: ๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐๐ was a fast, flirty, enemies to lovers forced marriage romance between the townโs wild child flower girl and the cold hearted billionaire determined to tear her town apart. Willow and Lawrence were the EPITOME of enemies and I dare say that Ivy gives us a true enemy to lovers romance in this book! The way these two butted heads was similar to how Titans would clash and in the endโฆno-one really wins. From the beginning I knew that Lawrence was going to shock me and Ivy really did a 360 with his character as this man begins falling for his wife!
๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐๐ is a forced marriage romance and it was a unique twist on the trope. I loved and hated Lawrence at the beginning when he was essentially telling Willow it was his way off the highway but I quickly learned that she would not go quietly. Ivy was able to truly capture their differences in this book and the way she created each backstory, character arc and redemption (in Lawrenceโs case) had my heart palpitating and my heart aching since YES this book does that the INFAMOUS third-act break-up!
Willow and Lawrence were the perfect mesh of hate to love you, forced proximity and opposites attract. While the romance was a slower burn it was definitely a HAWT lead-in. Lawrence had no idea the chaos that Willow would bring into his carefully constructed life and oh how I enjoyed seeing him fray at the seams as he learned how dangerous she truly was to his sanity, his business and his heart! ๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐๐ was a great read that had real world topics not typically seen in romance but Ivy was able to really capture the hotline topic of nature activity and the millionaire oilman in this one in ways that made the story more real. Ivy gave us a great book in, ๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐๐, and I am anxiously awaiting the next millionaire to fall!
Rating: 5/5; ๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐๐ was smoking as the Willow and Lawrence butted heads and then hearts as they struggled to their HEA!
Thank you to Ivy for sending me this eARC!