Sade Rena

This was an interesting read. I loved the game of cat and mouse Christian played. He was the perfect obsessed stalker. I can't believe how dumb Sean was. There is some amount of stupidity expected; otherwise, she would never have fallen for the bad guy, but this woman was so dumb. There were so many red flags that presented themselves, and she just flat out brushed them aside. Her naivete was so over the top that it made everything seem so convoluted. I had a hard time suspending my show more disbelief, but like a junkie I will go back for more. I have to know how it truly ends because this ending was a slap in the face. show less

A Twisted and Darkly Compelling Tale of Obsession
As a fan of stalker romances, this book delivered a gripping, intense story that I couldn’t put down. From the very first three chapters, I knew I was in for a wild ride tailored perfectly to my tastes. Christian, the dark, obsessive antihero, stole the show with his deeply flawed yet fascinating character. Possessive, manipulative, and mentally terrifying, he embodies the ultimate predator, and his psychological warfare is equal parts show more horrifying and mesmerizing.

Christian’s complexity is what makes this book shine. His multifaceted personality, switching from the shadowy stalker to the charming manipulator to the menacing terror, keeps the tension high throughout. Watching his disturbing obsession with Siân unfold felt like peeling back layers of darkness. His warped sense of control, narcissism, and willingness to cross any boundary make him a character you can’t look away from, even as your skin crawls.

Siân, on the other hand, was harder to connect with. She’s naïve to a fault, ignoring glaring red flags and making questionable decisions that had me rolling my eyes repeatedly. At times, her choices felt less like character flaws and more like contrivances to keep the story moving. While I understand her role as the foil to Christian’s darkness, her naivety stretched believability, especially in her interactions with the two men vying for her attention. Still, her innocence heightens Christian’s dangerous allure, creating an intriguing dynamic that kept me invested.

The book’s mafia subplot was minimal and served more as a backstory than a significant part of the narrative. While this wasn’t a dealbreaker, it left me wishing for more depth in that area. Additionally, the story felt unnecessarily stretched out, clearly setting up for the duet. This drawn-out pacing diluted the impact of an otherwise compelling premise, making parts of the book feel repetitive and verbose.

Surprisingly, despite the intense sexual tension, the spice factor was underwhelming. Aside from one incident, the book withheld intimacy until the very end. While Christian’s dark and dirty talk during these moments was captivating, a few more steamy scenes could have balanced the story’s intensity and heightened the romance. There’s also a non-consensual scene that may not appeal to everyone, so readers should tread carefully.

Despite these drawbacks, Christian’s character is a standout. His dichotomy of personalities, his sweet, wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing facade versus his true, dominating nature, kept me glued to the pages. He’s not a good man, but his morally grey actions and unwavering obsession with Siân make him an enthralling antihero. In contrast, Siân’s lack of growth and frustrating naivety left much to be desired, though I’m curious to see how her character develops in the sequel.

Overall, this dark romance delivered on its promises of obsession and psychological intrigue. A tighter story, a more realistic heroine, and a touch more spice could have elevated it further. Still, Christian’s sinister charisma makes this a must-read for fans of twisted, possessive romances. show less

This audiobook, narrated by Anastasia Watley and Curt Bonnem, plunges listeners into the intense world of a dark stalker mafia romance. As the story unfolds through their voices, I felt the fire crackle between Christian Russo and Sian Guiliani. Christian's enigmatic and possessive nature comes alive with Bonnem's narration, while Watley captures Sian's innocence and vulnerability. The characters' complex chemistry is palpable, even as Sian's occasional naivety irked me. The audiobook show more skillfully balances suspense and sensuality, making the darker themes and psychological warfare enthralling. Although the plot occasionally feels prolonged, but the narrators kept me engaged. This production's strength lies in its portrayal of Christian's multifaceted character. Watley and Bonnem's performances leave me eager to continue the journey in the sequel. Be warned that this audiobook contains explicit content and triggers. show less

My Review is for Broken Beauty
ARC received via Wildfire Marketing Solutions in exchange for a honest review.

The first thing about Broken Beauty to grab my attention was the cover. However, my decision to request a copy for review was due to it being a Beauty and the Beast retelling. A wonderful time was had with this interesting take on a well-loved fairytale.

New to me, author Catharina Mauer delivered a tale which hooked me from the very first page. It’s always nice discovering a new show more author and Mauer did not disappoint. I would definitely read more of her work.

This retelling of Beauty and the Beast introduces to Felix and Arabella. Felix is the ruler of the Kingdom Eldiria and a powerful sorcerer. Known as the Shadow Emperor. A powerful leader, feared by all. However, no-one outside his kingdom knew of his curse. A curse which forced him to live in the shadows bathed in inescapable darkness. A prophecy revealed that the key to breaking the curse lay in Arabella, princess of Althea.

The ruler of the kingdom of Althea, Arabelle’s father, banned magic. Because of the ban, the people of Althea treated Arabella like a pariah because of her magical powers. Her father despised her, so it came as no surprise when he readily agreed for her to marry the Shadow Emperor. Arabella, however, will not give without a fight.

Felix and Arabella were interesting characters. At first, I feared for Arabella, recognising she was walking into the unknown. After all, Felix was rumoured to be evil. But the thing with rumours is most time they are created out of fear. After getting to know Felix, I recognised the fears were for naught. A true alpha who was caring, smart, fearless, protective, powerful and a fair leader.

Despite the abuse Arabella suffered at her father’s hand, it didn’t break her. It only made her determine to forge her own part. However, with her marriage to Felix, this may be difficult. But what she saw as a fate worse than death proved to be her saving grace.

The relationship which developed between the protagonists warmed my heart. Under Felix’s tutelage, she learned to harness her magic, making her more powerful than she could imagine. The story delivered moments, which made me laugh, broke my heart and had me cheering for the characters. The scene that had me cheering the most involved Arabella standing up to her father. Wow! Just priceless. The world building fascinated me, and I enjoyed spending time in this magical world. It was interesting learning about the origin of the curse and the impact it had on both Felix and his kingdom.

Broken Beauty was a beautiful story that enthralled the reader with its magical and romantic moments. Fans of fairy tale retelling and stories set in a world where magic reigns will love what Mauer offers in Broken Beauty. show less