Caught Up by Navessa Allen

3.5 Stars

I wanted this woman, and I was a man who always got what he wanted.

Nico “Junior” Trocci knows Lauren Marchetti is off limits. She is sweetness and laughter, whereas Junior exists in a world of violence and depravity. Men like him don’t get to have women like her. It’s why he pushed her away back in high school and kept his distance ever since.

But when Junior looks Lauren up online, he discovers the shy, bookish girl he remembers is gone. In her place is a strikingly beautiful woman whose social media is filled with scantily clad pictures of herself and a connection to a nearby play club. Junior’s innocent curiosity quickly turns into a dark obsession. Watching Lauren from a distance isn’t enough; he needs to make her his.

He’s ruthless; a walking red flag. Good thing red is my favorite color.

Lauren is intrigued by the mystery man who keeps showing up at her club, who tempts her white-hot desires. But as their flirty online messages stir up a deeper form of connection, Lauren worries she’s developing real feelings for this brooding stranger. As their combined desire ratchets up to a breaking point, who will seduce who?

I took a minute to get into the story. Once I was into it I loved it. Listening to the book vs reading the book made it easier to fall into it. It was a darker book than book 1 which is why the struggle happened. I loved Nico and Lauren together. There were a lot more darker moments with them then book one characters. There were just as many new spicy scenes with some interesting locations. Definitely read the trigger warnings to make sure you are comfortable with this book.

Book 2 Into the Darkness

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He Sees You When You’re Sleeping by Atta Hensley

3 Stars

Why choose between naughty or nice in this steamy, suspenseful Christmas-themed stalker romance that’s perfect for dark romance readers seeking a spicy, festive read.

It’s the night before Christmas and I’m alone in the house…

Popular jewelry influencer Chloe Hallman is steeling herself to spend another holiday on her own. Instead, she finds herself drawn to two different guys… a smoldering hot fan of her secret, seductive online persona, and a sexy fireman named Jack who looks out for her in their NYC neighborhood.

She has no idea that I know her better than she knows herself. Her deepest secrets, her darkest desires—she's careful, but I’ve been watching, never leaving footprints in the snow outside her home.

Jack was the first responder to the accident that stole a beautiful young woman's family two Christmases ago, and he's been quietly guarding her ever since. When Jack uncovers Chloe’s secret account, his obsession only grows. Both he and Chloe are drawn to the darkness that mirrors their own.

She’s my Christmas wish come true. And I'm hers. She just doesn’t know it yet.

Will Chloe’s Christmas be a tale of fiery passion...or a dangerous game with a man whose love knows no bounds?

I liked this but not loved it. There was humor throughout the book with the stalking. The other man drama was just meh. I am still questioning how Jack finds Chloe when Chloe was in danger. I liked it enough to check out book 2.

Book 1 Naughty or Nice

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Undeniably Corrupt by J Shamen

3.5 Stars

When my ex leaves me and my little girl penniless, the last person I expect to step in is my childhood sweetheart, Vander Moore.

It's been years since he walked out of my life, and now he's barreling back into it, seeking redemption, and making me an offer I can't refuse--to become his new assistant.

But everything has changed, including him. The broody, sinfully hot bad boy CEO doesn't trust anyone. Especially me.

It isn't long before we're butting heads and fighting at every turn.

He’s a walking red flag. One I need to stay far away from.

Except when life throws me yet another curveball and my daughter and I are forced to move in with him, I start to see the man behind the mask.

And all the tension and heat we've been resisting ignites, consuming us both.

But with each forbidden touch and toe-curling encounter, I give him another piece of my heart.

He says he'll do whatever it takes to keep me and my daughter safe. Even if it costs him everything.

But there are some things even this undeniably corrupt man can't hack his way out of. And it's coming for all of us.

The ending was so rushed. Beyond that I enjoyed the story. Cander was a marshmallow with Liora and her daughter. The interactions between them were fire. They both wanted to protect the other one from all the bad in the world.

Book 7 Boston's Irresistible Billionaires

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Wonder by Evelyn Flood

3 Stars

I wasn’t expecting to find a man whilst drowning my sorrows and hiding from my responsibilities in the filthiest bar in the city.

Hatter is elusive, beautiful… and sad.

Tempting enough to make me throw my usual caution aside and steal him.

Just for a night.

One night, to help us both forget.

I expected him to leave me. But I didn’t expect the invitation he left behind.

Wonder.

The most exclusive club in the city. Always moving, never discovered, and impossible to enter without permission. So naturally, I stole it. Except Wonder isn’t quite what the whispers say. Once you enter, you can’t leave without permission.

Red runs Wonder with an iron fist, a calculating mind and possession in her gaze. And when I find myself in the middle of Red’s games, I’ll need to use every skill I have to keep me and the men around me alive.

She likes to collect broken things. Maybe I’m the most shattered of them all.

But Hatter, Buck, Aiden, Kayden and Chess won’t let me fall. They shine a light on my nightmares, offering a shield against the grief that haunts me even as I rip theirs apart in return.

Red thinks she’s facing Alyss Lidell.

I’m much, much more than that.

Caveat for this book. I hate Alice in Wonderland and have never found a story based off of that story that I actually like. This is a riff on that and though I love Evelyn Flood’s writing and most of her books I just didn’t like this one. If you like Alice in Wonderland this book will be an amazing read.

Book 3 Forbidden Fairytales

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