♥ ♥ ♥ 4.25 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“Three years ago, curious little Erika Fane wanted to play with the boys, so we indulged her, and she betrayed us. There was no way we'd forget.

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What. A. Book!! How do I even review a book like this one? Like seriously! This book was crazy good. I would say it was more of a thriller with an intense and twisted story line than actually dark, though. I started off reading this book not knowing what to expect and I think this the perfect way to get into this one. You should definitely just dive into this book without reading any reviews because I think you will get a better experience from it.

Rika Fane is tired of feeling trapped and controlled. She wants to get the reins back of her life, so she has decided to go away to college and live on her own. She just needs to breathe and be herself, something she has done since that one night years ago with Michael.

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"Such a good girl...
Say it, Rika."
"I'm a good girl," she panted, her voice shaky.
"And I'm going to fuck you up."

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Rika has known Michael Crist and his family her whole life. Michael has always been scary yet intriguing to her. She is drawn to him even though she knows she should stay away. Still, she falls for him despite him always overlooking and pushing her away. Rika saw something in him, something mysterious that she wanted to uncover. But, that was in the past. After what happened, she wants nothing to do with Michael and his friends, Kai, Will, and Damon. She just wants to be left alone. However, unbeknownst to her, Michael has her exactly where he wants her, in his building. He will get his revenge for what she did to his friends that night. No one gets away with betraying them. They will ruin her.

My feelings were pretty much all over the place with this book. There were some parts that were a bit hard to read through. Some things made me mad, others scared the ever-loving crap out of me. It was fast paced, and the things that happened. No matter what, though, I couldn't seem to put this book down. And when I did, it was all I could think about. I enjoyed the originality of the story. I liked seeing the characters grow. Especially Rika, because when she was younger, she kind of annoyed me a bit. But as she grew, she became stronger. Although, I really wanted her the make them work for her forgiveness. It kind of happened a little too fast for me. Then there was this one scene that I was totally not expecting but really liked. It was hot and sexy, and seemed to come out of no where, but again, I'm not complaining. All it left me with is a deep craving for Kai's book. I freaking hope he gets one and soon. The last part of this book was really good and it had me on the edge of my seat. The ending was good too, and it fit the tone of the story very well.

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'He was everything.
My entire life, I only felt completely alive when he was close, and while I knew nothing would ever be easy with him, I also knew nothing would ever be good without him, either.'

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Overall, this was a book that you will love and hate. Just how I loved and hated Michael at the same time. The events in this book are twisted, kinky, and just plainly effed up which is why it definitely won't be for everyone. Still, I was unable to put it down, I was that engrossed in it. This may be different from anything that Penelope Douglas has ever written, but I think she did a great job with it. If dark and twisted romances are your thing, then I definitely recommend you give this one a read.





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♥ ♥ ♥ 4.25 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“Do you have any idea what men would do to possess beauty like this?" he asked, shaking his head. "And, here I am, holding it."

Holy lord.

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After a friend of mine suggested I give this a read, I decided to read the blurb. And then I found out what exactly a sex surrogate does and I was like "What the what?". It definitely caught my attention and that is putting it mildly. I was so intrigued that I could not wait to begin.

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“Fuck me," he said, bringing a hand up to the side of my face for a second. "You're perfect just how you are, okay? Don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise." He paused. "Not even yourself."

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Ava is finally seeking the professional help that she needs. She is a young woman that is doing pretty well for herself. She lives with an annoying and very nosy roommate named Jake, and has a career. So, for the most part her life is good. Well except when it comes to her sex life. Ava hasn't gone through a traumatic event or anything like it, yet still she suffers from a disorder where she gets anxiety and can't seem to sexually connect with anyone when is start to get real. She is tired of not being able to feel aroused with a man, let alone come. Now she will have Dr. Chase Hudson to help her out.

Chase is a sex therapist and sex surrogate. His job is to teach Ava how to become comfortable in her own skin in front of any man she chooses. He tries to help her anxiety lessen until it's non existent. As soon as Ava and Chase meet, however, you can feel the attraction between them. With each session they have, where Chase makes Ava finally feel something from just kissing and touching, lines begin to blur for Ava. She starts to develop feeling for Chase, and there are moments that seem like he may feel the same way.

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“This is my spot,” I declared, tapping his chest with my hand.
His other arm went around me, his lips kissing the top of my head. “Yeah, baby, it is,” he agreed.
“Safest place in the world,” I murmured, drifting slowly off to sleep.

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The story itself was unlike anything I had ever read, which is what made it all the more interesting to me. It began a bit on the slow side for me, but soon after things picked up and I really enjoyed it. I loved the connection between them but it did happen a little too fast for me. I also definitely enjoyed the sensuality of their sessions. It was well written--well except for a few typos-- that it never became awkward or uncomfortable. I liked watching Ava grow and become more sexually sure and just overall more confident. Seeing Ava fall for Chase was really great, I just wish she would have said how she felt sooner. But I became quite engrossed in the story that I didn't want to put it down. I also really liked the secondary characters that added a humourous element to the story. Jake, her roommate, was such a jerk at times, but it was great to see him grow as well and become a better friend to Ava. Overall, this was a very enjoyable and unique read. The only thing I can say is I wish it were longer, and that we could have had at least one chapter in Chase's POV to get to know him better. I also would have liked an epilogue or something to see how what the future held for them. But other than that, I was great.



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♥ ♥ ♥ 5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

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“Zaal Kostava, you've stolen my forbidden heart."

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When I read Raze, I loved it. It was dark and crazy, but so good. When I heard there was a second book in the series, I was ecstatic but I was also really scared that this one wouldn't be as good. I am so glad that my worries were for nothing because I actually enjoyed this one a lot more.

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'Talia Tolstaia. My Talia Tolstaia.
I tried to find hate. I tried to despise.
I only found warmth.
It was her warmth. She was mine.
She had cleansed me. Cared for me. Cried for me. She was...for me.'

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Zaal Kostava has been 221 for as long as he can remember. He knows nothing about his past, he only knows that he has to kill for Master. Luka Tolstaia feels like he is indebted to Anri Kostava, because of him he survived. Now Luka will do whatever he can to pay him back and get revenge for him. After finding out that Anri has a brother in the same situation they were in, he will not stop until he saves him too. When Talia wants a bit of an escape from the Bratva life, she heads to their home in the Hamptons. Only for her time away to be disturbed when her brother Luka shows up with a savage man being hauled into their basement. She can't believe that the man is a Kostava, he is from the family her family hates. She needs to stay clear of him. But, every time she sees him through their security cameras, the more she seems to be drawn to him. The heavy drugs he was on are wearing off, and the true man he is begins to resurface. No matter what she tells herself, there is no way she is leaving him alone.





This story was beautiful and captivating. I found myself not being able to stop turning the pages. I absolutely loved Zaal. He made me swoon and melt so damn hard. It was hard to see him struggle with his memories since he seemed to be stuck in a fog after the drugs left his system. He was vulnerable but strong and possessive. He was just so awesome. Talia was a pretty strong heroine as well. She was patient and caring towards Zaal, something that was so novel to him since he has only been hurt by his Master. It was so heart warming to see them grow closer to one another. I could feel the connection between them so strongly that I couldn't get enough. I also really liked how Talia stood up for Zaal, when no one ever had.

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“You are… for me. No other male. Just me. And me… for you. This is my ‘I love you.’ These are my words from my scarred soul. They are not borrowed words, but words from my full heart, and my heart only.”

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This book was so great. It wasn't as dark and raw as Raze, but it wasn't fluffy either. It was a gritty emotional read, but the heaviness was elevated by the heart warming romance between Talia and Zaal. The story line was very interesting and the turns it took made it only so much better. I highly recommend this one. I just can't say enough how much I loved it. The ending has left me craving the next installment. I already have some theories of who that mystery woman could be, so I can't wait. I really hope that the next one will be as good the previous two.



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♥ ♥ ♥ 3 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

Well this was a highly anticipated book for me. I love this series, so when I found out Painter was getting a book, not gonna lie, I was freaking excited.

The book started off in a good way. It started with Painter getting really angry at seeing Melanie with a biker guy. I didn't know what the hell was going on but I knew one thing, Painter was ready to claim his woman. The book then goes back in time to when Painter was in prison. The only way he seemed to survive the time he was there was by reading the letters Melanie wrote to him. But once he is out, he decides that Melanie deserves a better man so he ignores her. Melanie tries to do just that but every time she does Painter ruins it.

Eventually Painter gives into his feelings and wants to try to make something work with Melanie. However his decisions ends up costing him everything. He just hopes Melanie will stay by his side after he screwed up.

The book continues on with time passing into years. We see how the characters change and become a bit more grown up. I really enjoyed the start of this book. I liked the chemistry between Painter and Melanie. Yes, Painter could at times be a jackass but the way he started to fall for her made me melt. I loved that these two started out as friends, then watching that tension between them grow and explode was so awesome. I liked Melanie, but there were also things that slightly annoyed me about her. Still, I didn't mind her and really appreciated the lengths she would go to protect her loved ones. Painter I also liked, but he wasn't without flaws. There were many times I wish he would have just man up already. He did improve in that aspect later on, which I was happy about.

Unfortunately though, I was hoping something would happen that would solidify them as a couple for me. Because if you add up all the time they actually spent together, it wasn't much. So I wanted more of them getting to know each other, or something that would strengthen their connection. I just didn't feel like it happened until the very end, and that left me a bit disappointed because then the book was over. They got together too fast in the beginning and then time was passing by as well. I guess I just wanted more romance between them. The sex was hot and all, but I wanted more scenes where you could see them emotionally connected. The story line involving the Reapers was pretty good though. It definitely made things a lot more interesting. Overall, I did enjoy the book despite it all. I thought it was a good read. I didn't love it like I was hoping but that's okay, it happens. I'm still very much excited to read Gage's book. I seriously cannot wait.



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♥ ♥ ♥ 3.5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥

I'm not going to lie, that cover and that blurb totally got me that I just had to read this one. While in the end I did like the book, I unfortunately did not love it as I had hoped that I would.

Elizabeth is a preschool teacher that comes from a wealthy family. She is quite the introvert and uptight. She dreams of finding the man of her dreams and settling down to start a family. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened for her yet. In the beginning of the book, she goes to a strip club where her friend is having her bachelorette party. Right of the back she lets you know how much she hates being there. She doesn't find anything remotely sexy about scantily clad men grinding around and on women. She can not wait to get out of there. And that right there, was what put me off of Elizabeth. I thought she was too prudish for my taste which is why I just couldn't connect with her.





Then she sees Matt across the room, and she is instantly consumed by lust for him. There is something different and mysterious about him that lures her in. She resists, however, and tries to ignore what she feels. Matt notices her as well, and ends up challenging her to give the club a second try. She is to come to his club Bare Assets twice a week for a whole month so she can watch all the shows from start to finish. Elizabeth doesn't like backing down from a challenge so she agrees. Each moment she is in his club, the attraction between them seems to grow in intensity until they can't hold back. Matt isn't her dream man, but she will allow herself to loosen up a bit and enjoy him. Meanwhile, Matt knows he will never be good enough for someone like Elizabeth, but he too will let himself have her, even if their time is limited.





I'd say this was a good easy read. There wasn't an over abundance of drama, but there were a few scenes. I never really got to connect to Elizabeth, but I was pretty happy with her growth, and how she began to accept herself as she was without always thinking what others would think. Matt I was able to connect more with through his POV. I felt bad for his upbringing and hated how he viewed himself. He was a pretty great guy and had done well for himself considering. He was also really freaking sexy, not point denying it. I had a bit of trouble feeling a real chemistry between these two that was beyond lust, though. When they got together, it was explosive. They were going at it like bunnies. There was just so much sex, and it was hot don't get me wrong, but I wanted more focus on their relationship. It almost seemed like every chapter had to have sex in it which I think is why it sometimes felt like the book was dragging on a bit. I didn't care for any of the secondary characters, well except for Robbie, he was awesome. I hated Elizabeth's friend Melissa the most and I felt like her story line was pretty unnecessary. The last part of the book was definitely a lot better for me. This is where I began to enjoy it. Overall, it was a good read and worth reading to meet Matt and Robbie. They were the best part of the book for me.





Thanks to Sultan for the wonderful Buddy Read.

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