Showing posts with label Enemies to Lovers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Enemies to Lovers. Show all posts
A Discovery of Secrets and Fate is book two of the Chronicles of the Stone Veil series and is best enjoyed if read in series order.
A Discovery of Secrets and Fate by Sawyer Bennett
Chronicles of the Stone Veil #2
Release - March 2, 2021
Genre - Urban Fantasy
Dual POV - Finley (1st)/Carrick(3rd and rare)
Heat Level - none
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 250 pages
Publisher - Big Dog Books, LLC
In its place is an existence even the wildest imagination could never fathom. Strange creatures walk among us, plotting our demise, and I’ve come to find that the fate of our world rests squarely on my shoulders. We’re all in danger and I’m trying to figure out how to make it through each day.
The key to my survival is a man I can’t figure out. As dangerous as the darkest fae, I have no choice but to work with him to stop the prophecy that’s foretold to be the ruination of mankind.
Carrick Byrne continues to be my only source of information, but he doles it out as he sees fit. He intrigues and scares me in equal measure, yet I can’t help but be attracted to him. And the more I discover about him, the more it becomes clear he feels the same.
As we travel to Faere in search of answers, we find that every piece of information leads to more questions, that every question leads to a new piece of the puzzle, and that, most importantly, no one can be trusted.
The more secrets we uncover, one thing is certain— if we have any chance of saving the world, we have to do it together.
Amazon Kindle * iBooks * B & N * Kobo * Google * Amazon Paperback
While many of my questions were answered and while I got answers to questions I didn't even ask, I'm left at the end of A Discovery of Secrets and Fate with a confused look on my face. Knowing what Carrick is (and yes, I was totally right!), knowing what his reward is, has only made my journey going forward with this series that much harder. So will there or will there not be a romance in the future? Because this author has me practically begging for something to happen. If this is a slow burn kinda thing, it has to be the slowest freaking burn in the history of all burns.
I'm still not Finley's biggest fan. Again, I had to constantly remind myself that she was in her late 20s because she was a bit too childish and immature for words. However, her nonsense worked in some situations so I'll admit that she's growing on me.
Obviously I liked what I got out of this part of the story. I do believe I've been spending way too much time in Finley's head and there was a bit too much itemization of the minutiae of her daily life, but I am most definitely looking forward to what happens in book three. The Evolution of Fae and Gods is next and I'm looking forward to more Carrick, more Zaid, more everyone, but especially what the heck happens after the fiery cliffhanger I'm still a bit hungover from.
Check out my review of book 1, The Revelation of Light and Dark:
Leaning into me, Carrick warns, "Do not get aggressive with any form of fae or daemon. You stepped into Echo without any regard for your own safety. Had she wanted to, she could have hit you in the chest with enough force to rupture your aorta. You completely underestimated her, and you could have been seriously hurt."
"But... but... I had you, Titus, and Maddox there," I stutter a lame excuse.
"And you saw that neither one of us were able to stop her from doing that to you," he snaps, then lifts a finger and taps me on the head with it. "You need to think, Finley, or you're going to get yourself hurt or killed."
I wrench my arm away from him, now angry at being treated like a child. "I do think, I'm clever and yes, I may have underestimated her, but I went up against an incubus and won, I was smart enough to get out of an enclosed space in my bedroom, and lure him to my backyard so I could use my whip to —"
"You got lucky," he snarls. "Humans are no match for fae or daemons in strength. Don't ever forget it and always be wary, even if one appears to be on your side."
"Like Zaid?"
"Zaid isn't on your side," he replies, pointing out. "He's on my side."
A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.
If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
For more information about Sawyer Bennett and her books, visit her website: https://sawyerbennett.com
I had an odd thought just then, that I should only ever whisper her name, and that she should always be close enough to hear it.
Truth or Beard by Penny Reid
Standalone - Winston Brothers #1
Release - July 21, 2015
Genre - RomCom
Dual POV - 1st person/Duane Winston & Jessica James
Heat Level - 3 out of 5/pretty plain & vague
Format/Source - Kindle purchase
Length - 392 pages
Publisher - Cipher-Naught
Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my!
Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why Jessica James, recent college graduate and perpetual level-headed good girl, has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life.
His friendly smiles make her tongue-tied and weak-kneed, and she’s never been able to move beyond her childhood crush. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her…
But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks. Not helping Jessica’s muddled mind and good girl sensibilities, Duane seems to have gotten himself in trouble with the local biker gang, the Iron Order.
Certainly, Beau’s magic spell is broken. Yet when Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, now more dangerous than ever, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to risk?
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dYewG7
Nook: https://bit.ly/3bOwyrE
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/truth-or-beard
iBooks: https://apple.co/3bQlY3m
There's only one problem... Jessica believes that it's his twin, Beau, who has a chance of winning her heart. Duane was the her constant tormentor, the one person she argued with the most, her prank buddy, someone who didn't even like her very much. When she realizes his true feelings (and her own), she's quick to jump in with both feet and it was wonderful to watch.
I loved these two together for the most part. This story was hilarious! Honestly, I wasn't a fan of the beginning or the end, but everything in between was incredible.
I was going to kiss her.
But first I was going to strangle her.
“Duane…” She said my name again in that breathless way, making my neck itch and my throat tight.
Jessica was looking at me expectantly. Her big amber eyes on mine like I was the center of her world. I liked it too much. It was also irritating because I didn’t know what it meant, what she was thinking. She hadn’t said a damn word to me on our walk back from the lake. She hadn’t called me. We hadn’t spoken since Friday.
Five days. Five days without touching or tasting her.
I was going to kiss her while I strangled her.
“Yeah?” I said, the edge of my irritation clear. I wasn’t trying to hide it, there was no need. One way or the other we were coming to an agreement that involved definites, not definitely maybes. Better she knew I wasn’t planning on rolling over unless it involved her beneath me.
Jessica blinked at me, likely because of my tone, and I watched her shake herself a little like I’d startled her.
“Uh, so… the truck.” She cleared her throat, her eyes sliding to the side and away from me.
“What about the truck?”
“You towed it.”
“Yes I did.” I allowed myself a moment to look at her body. She was wearing a pink shirt with buttons down the front, thin fabric with a white, lacy tank top under. It was tucked into a tan skirt that ended at her knees. She was also wearing brown high heeled boots, the kind that don’t make sense.
Boots are for working, for walking through wet mud, for keeping feet from getting shredded by broken glass and falling machine parts. Boots with spiked heels were just as practical as sandals with steel toes.
Still not looking at me, she asked, “So, you want to buy it?” Her voice was different, higher pitched.
“That’s what I just said.” Again, my irritation was clear.
Her eyes cut to mine, throwing me splinters of frustration. “Well there’s no need to be rude, Duane.”
“I’m sorry, was I being rude?” I couldn’t help myself, I took a full step forward, forcing her to lift her chin to keep eye contact. “Should I have called?”
“Yes.” She ground out, “You can’t just tow other peoples’ cars without asking.”
“Excuse me, princess. But Mike McClure called me and asked me if I minded moving the truck here. I figured he was calling on your behalf.”
“No he wasn’t calling on my behalf. If I wanted to call you, I would have just called you.”
I felt those words in my stomach, just under my ribs, a quick slice. I’m sure I winced because her expression changed, but before she could explain away her meaning, I cut her off.
“Fine, I get you, loud and clear.”
“Duane-”
I lifted my hands to keep her from talking. She was so lovely, even her voice was pretty. But suddenly I couldn’t wait for her to leave and put me out of this misery of being with her when she wasn’t interested in being mine.
“We want to buy the truck and I’m willing to offer you a fair amount.”
“Would you just hold on a sec-” Jessica took my hand between hers, her grip surprisingly strong, her skin against mine sending a shock up my arm. I ignored it and ground my teeth.
“You can use the money for a new car, something smaller that gets better mileage.”
Paying no heed, Jessica took a half step forward catching me unawares. One second she was glaring at me, the next she was lifting to her tip toes and brushing her lips against mine.
And that was it, I was done for.
But first I was going to strangle her.
“Duane…” She said my name again in that breathless way, making my neck itch and my throat tight.
Jessica was looking at me expectantly. Her big amber eyes on mine like I was the center of her world. I liked it too much. It was also irritating because I didn’t know what it meant, what she was thinking. She hadn’t said a damn word to me on our walk back from the lake. She hadn’t called me. We hadn’t spoken since Friday.
Five days. Five days without touching or tasting her.
I was going to kiss her while I strangled her.
“Yeah?” I said, the edge of my irritation clear. I wasn’t trying to hide it, there was no need. One way or the other we were coming to an agreement that involved definites, not definitely maybes. Better she knew I wasn’t planning on rolling over unless it involved her beneath me.
Jessica blinked at me, likely because of my tone, and I watched her shake herself a little like I’d startled her.
“Uh, so… the truck.” She cleared her throat, her eyes sliding to the side and away from me.
“What about the truck?”
“You towed it.”
“Yes I did.” I allowed myself a moment to look at her body. She was wearing a pink shirt with buttons down the front, thin fabric with a white, lacy tank top under. It was tucked into a tan skirt that ended at her knees. She was also wearing brown high heeled boots, the kind that don’t make sense.
Boots are for working, for walking through wet mud, for keeping feet from getting shredded by broken glass and falling machine parts. Boots with spiked heels were just as practical as sandals with steel toes.
Still not looking at me, she asked, “So, you want to buy it?” Her voice was different, higher pitched.
“That’s what I just said.” Again, my irritation was clear.
Her eyes cut to mine, throwing me splinters of frustration. “Well there’s no need to be rude, Duane.”
“I’m sorry, was I being rude?” I couldn’t help myself, I took a full step forward, forcing her to lift her chin to keep eye contact. “Should I have called?”
“Yes.” She ground out, “You can’t just tow other peoples’ cars without asking.”
“Excuse me, princess. But Mike McClure called me and asked me if I minded moving the truck here. I figured he was calling on your behalf.”
“No he wasn’t calling on my behalf. If I wanted to call you, I would have just called you.”
I felt those words in my stomach, just under my ribs, a quick slice. I’m sure I winced because her expression changed, but before she could explain away her meaning, I cut her off.
“Fine, I get you, loud and clear.”
“Duane-”
I lifted my hands to keep her from talking. She was so lovely, even her voice was pretty. But suddenly I couldn’t wait for her to leave and put me out of this misery of being with her when she wasn’t interested in being mine.
“We want to buy the truck and I’m willing to offer you a fair amount.”
“Would you just hold on a sec-” Jessica took my hand between hers, her grip surprisingly strong, her skin against mine sending a shock up my arm. I ignored it and ground my teeth.
“You can use the money for a new car, something smaller that gets better mileage.”
Paying no heed, Jessica took a half step forward catching me unawares. One second she was glaring at me, the next she was lifting to her tip toes and brushing her lips against mine.
And that was it, I was done for.
For more about Penny Reid and her books, check out her website: http://pennyreid.ninja/
Why does he hate me? And, at the same time, why do I fascinate him? Conversely, why do I seem to have a pull toward him?
The Revelation of Light and Dark by Sawyer Bennett
Chronicles of the Stone Veil #1
Release - February 9, 2021
Genre - Urban Fantasy
Dual POV - Finley 1st person/Carrick 3rd person (his pov was sparse)
Heat - none
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 252 pages
Publisher - Big Dog Books, LLC
I always knew I was different.
From a young age, my mind has been plagued with things only I could see. Some hauntingly beautiful, others completely terrifying. Never knowing if these visions were real or just hallucinations, I learned how to lock them down and ignore them. I learned to take solace in the relative anonymity of city life and find peace in the rainy days my city of Seattle is known for.
But just when I think my life is getting on track and my dreams are achievable, a moment of weakness causes me to learn a hard and fast lesson.
My entire existence has been a lie.
Now I’m faced with a new reality that’s as implausible as it is fantastical. Filled with realms and veils, light and dark, fae and daemons, gods and angels—things I don’t understand but am forced to acknowledge. It doesn’t help that the man teaching me about my unique gifts is the gorgeously handsome Carrick Byrne, one of Seattle’s richest and most powerful men. He intimidates, annoys, and intrigues me all at the same time. I don’t trust him and yet there’s no one else to help me.
No longer certain who to put my faith in, what to believe, or how I fit into it all, one revelation is clear…
The world as I know it will never be the same again.
The Revelation of Light and Dark is book one of the Chronicles of the Stone Veil series and is best enjoyed if read in series order.
Finley is a woman with a particular set of skills - she can see beyond the veil. What does that even mean? Well, she seems to be the only human who can see past the glamour of the fae. Light fae, dark fae and daemons alike aren't safe from her unearthly talents. But what is she to do with them? And how does Carrick factor into everything? He seems to be the only one who has an inkling of what is going on with her. Is he helping her for altruistic reasons or is something bigger at play?
As the first volume in the Chronicles of the Veil series, The Revelation of Light and Dark was steeped in mystery and magic. From the creatures that exist among us to the worlds created around us, I am now left more questions than answers. And Carrick? He's got to be the biggest mystery of all. His enigmatic character leaves with the impression of confidence, arrogance, competence, honor and determination. I am so infinitely intrigued by this man and I'm looking forward to learning all there is to know about him.
Sawyer Bennett has created such an engrossing introduction to this new series and I'm absolutely hooked!
My other thoughts (the ones I won't include in my review) are hidden in a spoiler below. Just some rants and frustrations...
Amazon * Nook * Kobo * Apple * Google
A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.
If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
For more information about Sawyer Bennett and her books, visit her website: https://sawyerbennett.com
I genuinely don't know what the hell "acting naturally" would be around someone as glorious as Ryan Asshole Morgan."
Captain by Lauren Rowe
Standalone - Morgan Brothers #2
Release - May 14, 2017
Genre - RomCom/enemies-to-lovers
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/several scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from KU
Length - 360 pages
Publisher - SoCoRo Publishing
It wasn’t the way this kind of story was supposed to go . . .
Insta-love isn’t supposed to turn into insta-hate.
But that’s exactly what happened when the hot-as-hell dreamboat I met in a bar turned out to be a lying, cheating scumbag-player-douche looking for nothing but a little side action. Jerk.
And he has the nerve to call me a liar and a “sociopath”? Assh*le.
And now, three months later, through a mind-blowing series of events I couldn’t have predicted in a million years, it turns out my boss is marrying his sister in Hawaii and I’ve got to play nice with him for an entire freaking week.
Okay, sure, I’ll put on a happy face this week and act like I’ve never even met the jerk before--did I mention his sister is marrying my boss?--but that doesn’t mean I’ll like it. And it certainly doesn’t mean I’ll stop secretly hating the cocky bastard’s guts.
Because I do.
I hate him.
I really do.
I just wish my brain would explain the situation to my body . . . because every time he flashes that panty-melting smile at me, it takes all my self-restraint not to jump the bastard’s hot-as-f*ck bones.
I'm about to become Captain Ahab and this beautiful woman my whale.
After falling in love with Colby in Hero and then Zander in Mister Bodyguard, I knew that I had to get to know all of this characters as soon as possible. They were just too special to miss. Too awesome to be passed over. Too incredibly funny not to enjoy more and more laughs with.
Honestly, I thought that this story would be a no-brainer. Five stars like the rest of them and on to the next. And it would have been if it was about Ryan, the rest of the amazing Morgan family, and their equally phenomenal friends and family. However, I had to endure Tessa and she was a hard pill to swallow.
Burned by love, Tessa didn't need much to push her into believing that Ryan was pretty much like every other lying, cheating, scumbag of a man. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary... despite the many people who loved and respected him... despite how he carried himself... despite how obvious it was that he was a great man... she treated him like garbage. She was disrespectful, mean, and ugly to him. She went above and beyond to treat him like dirt while continuing to sleep with him.
Thankfully there were plenty of high points to this story to enjoy. Every moment with the Morgans was a delight and a half. The family (oh Peenie), the friends, the sweet and hilarious conversations and hijinks made this story amazingly entertaining. I loved Ryan so much and I look forward to seeing him again as I continue to read about his brothers.
Find your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/38KlhZc
FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited
Find out all about Lauren and her books on her website: https://www.laurenrowebooks.com/
Cillian was a dirty lullaby, inviting me to sink into his claws and nestle in his darkness.
The Villain by L.J. Shen
Standalone - Boston Belles #2
Release - December 17, 2020
Genre - Contemporary Romance/enemies-to-lovers
Heat level - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook borrowed through KU
Length - 395 pages
Cruel. Coldblooded. Hades in a Brioni suit.
Cillian Fitzpatrick has been dubbed every wicked thing on planet earth.
To the media, he is The Villain.
To me, he is the man who (reluctantly) saved my life.
Now I need him to do me another, small solid.
Bail me out of the mess my husband got me into.
What’s a hundred grand to one of the wealthiest men in America, anyway?
Only Cillian doesn’t hand out free favors.
The price for the money, it turns out, is my freedom.
Now I’m the eldest Fitzpatrick brother’s little toy.
To play, to mold, to break.
Too bad Cillian forgot one, tiny detail.
Persephone wasn’t only the goddess of spring; she was also the queen of death.
He thinks I’ll buckle under the weight of his mind games.
He is about to find out the most lethal poison is also the sweetest.
Persephone wasn't so lucky. I didn't grow fond of her. I'm not a fan of people who are reckless, irrational, immature, and doormats. It annoyed me that she didn't see beyond Cillian's surface. I get that it was necessary to push this story forward, but there's a saying that I'm prone to say to people like her... pick sense out of nonsense. Girl didn't have one observant bone in her body and stood up for herself at all the wrong times for the wrong reasons.
So Cillian gets all three stars. I liked what the author did to give this character dimension. His history broke my heart and only made me love him more. And the ending... yeah, that definitely gave me everything I wanted for this man and his future happiness.
FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited ➤ https://amzn.to/2WOZ1qo
I leaned against the doorframe, hands tucked in my front pockets, and observed. It took her three minutes to notice me. Another two to lift her jaw off the floor, straighten her spine, and turn scarlet. Our eyes met across the room, and that nagging murmur in my chest happened again.Get that checked. If you drop dead from a heart attack at forty, you’ll have no one else to blame. She winced, looking like I physically slapped her.
“Mr. Fitzpatrick.”
“Miss Penrose.”
“Veitch,” she corrected, just to spite me.
“Not for long,” I noted dryly. “A word?”
“I know many. My favorite one right now is—leave.”
“You want to hear me out.” I cracked my knuckles. “Now say goodbye to your little friends.”
She looked back and forth between the kids and me, then turned and murmured something to the teacher next to her, and hurried my way, dunking her head down. “What are you doing here?”
She closed the door behind her, whisper-shouting.
I’ve been asking myself the same question since bailing on Keith and his snooze-fest speech. What the hell was I doing here?
She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.
Find all of her details on her website.
Ice-blue eyes assess me in the coldest of ways.
My soul freezes even more.
My heart nearly disappears in a burst of molten ashes fanned by her presence.
She scares me to the core.
Fascinates me like the quintessential abyss calling my name.
I'm sure I'm not the first man to get aroused by the cause of his demise.
My soul freezes even more.
My heart nearly disappears in a burst of molten ashes fanned by her presence.
She scares me to the core.
Fascinates me like the quintessential abyss calling my name.
I'm sure I'm not the first man to get aroused by the cause of his demise.
Cursed by N. Isabelle Blanco
Standalone
Release - January 12, 2021
Genre - Dark Paranormal Romance
Hero POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5 (a couple of scenes)
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 180 pages
“They sent you here to kill me, but that’s not what you’re here to do. You’re here to own me . . .”
I let my blood hit that contract—thought it was a joke.
Later, I convinced myself it was a hallucination.
Truth is, I sold my soul.
“I awoke surrounded by death. It wasn’t long until I realized it’d all been by my hand . . . and my teeth.”
They call themselves The Bestowers.
They’ll give you the world, but it’ll come at a price.
And before they send their assassins after you, they’ll bring out the monstrous darkness within.
You’ll kill and destroy every bit of the gift they gave you, leaving nothing behind in your wake.
My time is up and they’ve chosen their most dangerous murderer to end my miserable life.
“I dreamt of her before I met her. I saw her. Tasted her. She’s a stain on my insides I can never erase.”
Her destiny isn’t to kill me, but she will own my soul.
I would’ve been better off dying by her hellish flames.
Silas had lived a broken existence and when, during a drug binge, he's offered the chance at a better life, he grabs onto it with both hands. Sell his soul to have a roof over his head, food in his stomach, and the kind of security he's never known? No problem. Especially when he can convince himself that it was all a hallucination. So what happens when that 'hallucination', that 'dream', becomes all too real? You get the madness I found in Cursed.
I really enjoyed the infusion of voodoo and the Creole culture. The depictions of legendary people were amazing and it was very easy to envision this other world in New Orleans. While Silas came off as pretty pathetic due to his obsession with his witch, and she came off as incredibly abrasive and unlikeable, I couldn't get enough of their cat and mouse game. It was scorching hot! There is so much more to explore in this world that Blanco has created, between these characters and the intriguing mythical others that were introduced, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with for them next.
Amazon US * Amazon CA * Amazon UK * Amazon AUS
Free with Kindle Unlimited
That is, until coffee came a long and took over everything else.
Nowadays, N. spends most of her days surviving the crazy New York rush and arguing with her characters every ten minutes or so, all in the hopes of one day getting them under control.
Website: https://www.nisabelleblanco.com/
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...sooner or later, he was going to find out that I f--king loved him. That I would do absolutely anything for him, even take out my heart and hand it to him if he asked. Nathan didn't understand the depth of my feelings, and I seriously wanted to keep it that way.
These videos contain scripted lies and staged kisses, but the hate... is very real.
His body was a love letter of perfection.
My eyes spring open when I feel his finger touch my chest, right where my heart is. “This,” he whispers. “I want this.” “That old, broken thing?” I give an awkward chuckle as my heart melts right under his finger. “Yes, so I can make it whole again. So I can make it better than it ever was. So I can keep it safe from ever being hurt again.”
Couldn't he be hot and sexy and a jerk? That would make my life so much easier. But no, he had to be hot and sexy and a sweetheart. God damn it.
"You know, for a guy who thinks that romance is dead, you sure are romantic, Logan no-middle-name Preston."
His hands land on my hips. "Only because you believe, Red."
"In romance?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "In me."
His hands land on my hips. "Only because you believe, Red."
"In romance?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "In me."
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