Review: Spare by Prince Harry

TitleSpare
Author: Prince Harry
Publisher/Year:  Random House Publishing 1/10/23
Length:  416 pages

Overview

Little boy, beloved son, brother, husband and father, prince, soldier, and advocate for social causes, Prince Harry Duke of Sussex has lived a life staged in the public eye, and who he really is has been the subject of second guesses, speculation, and projection. But no more. Spare is the up-close, behind the scenes, intimate, and forthright memoir of a man reclaiming his own story – its joys, sorrows, aspirations, conflicts, writ small and large. Pick it up for an unsparing glimpse into an extraordinary life!

My Thoughts

I’ll preface this by saying I USED to be a fan of Prince Harry, but I am no longer. So…if you like him, then perhaps stop reading now. Now…for those of you who decided to stick it out, I have to say something about this book. I have never and will never let a book beat me. Meaning no matter how bad a book is, i’ll finish it. It took me THREE WEEKS to finish this book, and there’s no reason that it should have. it’s 400 pages and that’s really nothing special in my eyes. what the issue was in my mind is that there was no story. It was poorly written and it’s incredibly whiny. For a man who was born into a life with no real struggles, it sure sounds like he wasn’t content, isn’t content with any opportunity that he has been provided and wants the world to pity him.

The book starts on the day of his mothers death. Not the night, but the day – where he makes you feel like he’s been living the best life ever – he says it was his happiest day. and then BOOM. That’s the day that his life went to shit. I don’t believe that’s the case – yes it was traumatic, but he was actually given all the means to cope and survive and chose to whine and blame instead.

From there we get glimpses into other aspects of his life. relationships, his time in school and his time in the army. More about the same stories that we heard about in the Netflix series telling us about how he met Meg and how their relationship evolved. Ironically there were inconsistencies AGAIN from what they shared in initial interviews and then in the series and now in the book. That’s probably one of my biggest issues with them too. But this is a review of the book and not the person.

Anyhow, what you have to suffer through here are recounting of all the wonderful things that he was provided. Houses, opportunities to travel the world and do charity work. Opportunities to provide safety in areas that were under attack and opportunities to provide light to people who were suffering. Yet, what we get in this slow reading, poorly written work is detail that makes him seem far less intelligent than we all wanted to believe he was, and stories that you begged to skip ahead because the level of detail just wasn’t worth the page it was written on.

So, if you feel the need to contribute to their family fortune, get this book, but only if you also want something to bang your head against rather than a wall. It’s not worth it…but that’s just me. Enjoy (or not!)

Review: Fate on Fire (Stars #3) by E.L. Todd

TitleFate on Fire
Author:  E.L. Todd
Publisher/Year:  E.L. Todd 7/17/20
Length:  200 Pages
Series: Stars #3

Overview

I’m alone on Earth and Neil is gone.

He may never come back.

I know I have to move on, to be strong, to carry on…especially since I’m not the only person I have to take care of.

Kyle gives me an option I can’t refuse.

So I take it.

My Thoughts

The unthinkable happens at the end of book two and we’re left picking up the pieces. We know that Neil’s #1 priority is space and working for NASA. This mission that he has been working towards for his whole career- going to Mars has finally happened and we watch him leave Earth, likely for 3 years if he ever comes back. We watch him fall in love with Charlotte before he leaves but never share that information since he knows that it’ll hurt her, but in return, he misses out on something amazing.

Charlotte on the other hand was damaged before this relationship and likely will be forever hurt. She’s fallen in love with Neil and makes her feelings known, knowing that he’s not able to give her what she wants in life – marriage and a family. Her first marriage ended because she was told she couldn’t have kids, so that wasn’t an issue with her future with Neil, until she learns the day before he leaves that she’s pregnant.

So we pick up book 3 watching Charlotte come to terms with being a single mom, living her life without Neil, and watching Kyle make his move. We know that all he’s ever wanted was to be with her, and it’s no surprise that he takes this opportunity to be the father that her child needs and to swoop in. It’s painful as a reader to watch this all happen because we know that Char is still very much in love with Neil, even though she knows that he won’t be back or back any time soon. So she chooses to settle. She goes for the man that she knows she loves, because he gives her the safety and support that she needs, but he’s not able to fulfill everything for her.

The story jumps bits into the future so we see Char give birth to Kingston, and then we see him grow into a 1 year old. We watch how she convinces everyone that the baby isn’t Neil’s but Kyles, and that makes our hearts hurt even more. It’s sad to think that while she feels like this is the right thing to do, it’s wrong on so many levels.

She feels vindicated though when there’s an explosion on Neil’s shuttle and comms are lost. NASA declares them dead since there haven’t been any communications in weeks, and that is what Charlotte needs to be able to move on fully with her life. She knows that Neil isn’t coming back and from there we watch this story become one of rebirth. Charlotte finds her new happiness in a life that works – it;s stable and secure and she gets the friendship and loyalty that she needs.

Until…..of course – you knew it, some how Neil manages to get the crew back to Earth and her world is in a tail spin AGAIN. She’s engaged to Kyle and yet Neil is back in the picture. She doesn’t want to break her word to Kyle, yet there’s a pull that she’s trying to fight from Neil. He doesn’t even know that he has a kid and all that adds to the complication.

You can only imagine the roller coaster of this story. How there are happy moments and heartbreak, there are lies and truths revealed left and right and there’s really no clear vision on how this will end. Will Kingston know his true father and will Neil want to be in the picture for that. What will Charlotte allow now that her live has moved into something new and different.

This is the closure that we needed but perhaps didn’t want when we saw the trajectory that they were on in the first two books. It makes you wonder if love is enough and if there’s something bigger out there that trumps love. On that note, now I have to find something else to read so…..Enjoy!

Review: When He Was Wicked (The Bridgertons #6) by Julia Quinn

Title: When He Was Wicked
Author:  Julia Quinn
Publisher/Year:  Harper Collins 2/28/17
Length:  330 Pages
Series: The Bridgertons #6

Overview

FRANCESCA’S STORY

In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer—the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets . . .

My Thoughts

One of the greatest things about how our amazing author writes this series is that each Bridgerton has a different personality, a different story and therefore gives us the reader a really good reason to continue on reading. We’ve had a tease of Francesca’s story throughout the series thus far and now it’s time to see how it all played out. While we don’t get the background on how she met and married her John, at least we understand what passed to make her life into what it is now.

Throughout some of the prior books, we learned that Francesca married a Scottish Earl and as a result, spent much of her year in Scotland. She returned to London for the season as was expected, but she spent the first two years of married bliss with her husband. She felt as though she had hit the jackpot with him as they shared intense passion and love, and all the while, she also gained a best friend in his cousin Michael – a man who was as close as one could expect. Michael of course had the same reputation of her brothers, and perhaps why she got on so well with him.

Then that all changed when one day while in London, he complained about a headache, went to bed and never woke up again. There was no rhyme or reason behind it, just that she now found herself mourning the love of her life. What she wasn’t aware of though is that the entire time that she had the company of Michael, her husband’s cousin, someone that was her true confidante -well…he was madly in love with her and had this jealousy that John found her first.

Once John passed, Michael found that he couldn’t be around Francesca any longer and he heads to India for several years. Over those same years, Francesca tries to figure out who she is now that she’s a widow and alone. We’re then fast forwarded into the future when she’s decided that she truly does want a baby and that means that she has to find a new husband. She’s resigned that she will never have what she shared with John, but she’s hoping for companionship at least. Parallel to that, Michael who is now the Earl of Kilmartin realizes that he’s due to get married in order to maintain stature and the line for his family, so we watch how these two play the game of trying to find someone suitable when we know that perhaps they don’t realize that their mate is right there. (at least Francesca doesn’t – even if her brother Colin does).

It’s a nice dance that we watch between them – they have this love hate relationship where they can’t quite go back to the ease of what they had in the past, but they also realize that they have both grown so much over the years that perhaps what they want is the same but in a different vantage point.

What I really enjoyed about this story are a few things. One, it’s happening the same time that Colin and Eloise are going through their own experiences so we know how those play out by now but we also know what prompts action by Francesca as a result. Two, because Francesca was married before, she’s not deemed an innocent by society so the way that men behave towards her or around her is different and perhaps a bit less gentlemanly. Three – we see the passion amped up quite a bit in this story since there’s something to be said about a lady who has experience. She has that and she takes control in instances and it’s really enjoyable to watch how it catches certain suitors off guard.

I have to say that the more time I spend with the Bridgertons the more that I truly love them and wish that I were in this fantasy 1820s world. There’s so much that a woman of the right stature could gain from society but then again there is the same level of cutting that would make it a catty and horrible place for the wrong type of person as well. I fall in love though with each character a bit more and can’t wait to see what’s next for the youngest two Bridgertons. I wish that we could also get a true story for Violet – the matriarch but I don’t think that’s in the cards based on what’s out yet. So on that note, i’m going to search out book Seven. Enjoy!

Cover Re-Reveal: Owen (Vale #1) by Sarah Darlington & Alora Kate

COVER RE-REVEAL!!!
Title: OWEN
Authors: Alora Kate & Sarah Darlington

When a beautiful woman grabs you, presses her soft lips to yours, and strips off all her clothes … you don’t think, you act.


I had no idea my brother came early with his girlfriend to our family’s cabin in Colorado.

I had no idea she wasn’t just another girl I’d picked up at the bar.

I’d been drinking.
These were all excuses. And by a stroke of luck, no one caught us together, and Joslyn didn’t seem to notice the difference between me and my twin. So maybe all is right with the world. Maybe I can pretend nothing happened and move past this.

Except…I like this girl.


Available for purchase on all platforms…
GET YOUR COPY HERE


Sarah Darlington

Sarah Darlington was born in Colorado and grew up all over the United States. These days, she calls Virginia home, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and large dog. The best word to describe Sarah is ‘creative.’ She’s passionate about designing, crafting, and photography. But most of all… she loves creating stories through her writing. Her romance books are sexy and heart-gripping at their core, guaranteed to make you swoon. Any of them can be read as a stand-alone, but all are connected within the same world.

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Alora Kate

“I hear voices in my head and I love that its totally okay.” – Alora Kate Alora Kate is a multi-genre author who likes to be bold and original; stepping outside of the box and bringing her readers fresh characters from all parts of life. She’s a mother, college student, photographer, and graphic designer. She resides in northern MN with her son, where she plans to stay for a long time despite the cold winters.

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Review: Savage Love (Savage Trilogy #3) by Lisa Renee Jones

Title: Savage Love
Author:  Lisa Renee Jones
Publisher/Year:  CreateSpace Publishing 4/21/20
Length:  240 Pages
Series:  Savage Trilogy #3

Overview

They say all is fair in love and war, but I really don’t give a damn about fair. In fact, when protecting those I love, fair is the last thing on my mind. Now that I’m back in Candace’s life, those who have used her to try to control me, may well put up a final fight, but they will not win. They will lose and badly.

My Thoughts

I really do love savage and i’m really enjoying his time with Candace, however when we left off at the end of book 2, we saw that there was a chance that they weren’t going to come out of this unscathed. I ‘mean, honestly, it’s really silly (slash stupid) to think that they won’t get their happily ever after, but to my wording choice at least, unscathed is the better description.

While going to the cemetery to search for the flash drive that Savage hid at his mother’s grave, of course drama has to follow – in the form of Wes, a man that has a vendetta against Savage for killing his wife (which was deserved based on the story we were told) and he has Candace by the throat with a knife there as well. There’s just a moment to react to save her life and that’s what Rick does – freeing Candace from his grasp and giving them a moment to flee safely (ish).

If only the drama stopped there, right? We know that there are so many uncertain pieces to this story – understanding who is going end up alive, who’s going to find out the motives behind everything and how to finish it all off. I know that the Walkers have some intense skill, so it’s only everyone’s guess that they they will prevail right?

We spend much of this final installment on the run. Every time we think there’s a moment to breathe, another adversary comes out. Tag is s till a wild card since Savage knows that he’s dirty yet doesn’t know how to bring him down without triggering all sorts of things. Gabriel is twisted and dirty on so many levels that it’s a mess in the making too. Candace is pulled into this every time she tries to get out because they what to make sure that she’s. safe meaning that she has to play the doting fiance (even knowing everything that she does about him)

Add to that, her father is still being held and they need to extract him, and then an assassin is put on Candace’s tail, one that doesn’t always follow the rules, so we see the call for help from a cartel lord – one that we haven’t met in this series, but one that’s from another LRJ series (which i’m going to pick up soon i think). Kane Mendez is a man that many fear, no one knows how to read, but that Savage trusts. It’s his assistance that helps in more ways than you can imagine.

So a roller coaster for sure, a story that gives you hope, takes it away and then gives you a new path to go down. We get to see the introduction of so many guys in the Walker family that i feel it’s our amazing authors way of keeping this series alive (for which i’m very thankful) and i can’t wait to get more. We also get the sexy intense passion and heat that we always come to expect from Ms Jones when we read her stories, and what Savage and Candace share is something that’s for the record books. It shows you that there’s so much that can come between a couple, but if you stay true to the heart of what you believe and know, that there’s a chance to make it. So, on that note, you have to read this story to see how it really evolves since it’s insane, but i think you’ll enjoy it!

Review: Savage Burn (Savage Trilogy #2) by Lisa Renee Jones

Title: Savage Burn
Author:  Lisa Renee Jones
Publisher/Year:  Independent 3/27/20
Length:  184 Pages
Series:  Savage #2

Overview

The second book in the Savage Trilogy…My name is Rick Savage but they call me Savage for a reason. But savage that I am, there is only one woman who can tame the beast in me, one woman who sees the real man. I loved Candace. I lost Candace. Now my enemies have targeted her. For this, they will not survive. I’m back home to save her and win her back, no matter what the cost.

My Thoughts

This series is getting Nasty in one of the best ways. We all love Savage and we all want the best for him since it seems as though he’s got the full package. The ability to protect, loyalty, he’s beyond intelligent, and he’s sexy. Candace saw that once years and years ago, and throughout the first book of this series we saw that she still sees it – big time.

We were left off from the first installment with these two facing Tag – an adversary that can’t win against Savage in a clean fight or a dirty one, but he tries and tries and tries. Using Candace as leverage, using her father as leverage and we see right off the bat in this book, using Savage’s father. That doesn’t work, but what it does show us is that there’s so much more to the story that we can’t wait to dive into.

Throughout this second book, we see the Walker institution come through big time, and i see EXACTLY what our amazing author is doing here with the introduction of a few new guys. We’re getting to see exactly how she plans to keep this whole group of series going. it’s smart and now i can’t wait to learn about these new guys.

Anyway – back to Candace and Savage. They are on the run again, hoping to figure out what’s going on and how to come out of everything alive before it’s too late, and it seems like every time they think they have made progress, a new obstacle pops up. The mystery of where Candace’s father is, and if he’s alive. The mystery of where Savage’s mission buddy Max is and wondering if it’s related. Wondering where the hiding spot is for all the evidence that could shut things down in a legal way. ….

On top of all that though is the notion that Candace and Savage still have so much history between them. They were engaged once and had a life planned out that Rick had to run away from to protect her. He’s back with NO intention of leaving her again, but that’s really hard for Candace to believe since she can only base her choices on what she’s seen so far. It’s hard for her to still love him so much but still fear that this will be a broken record.

What we do get to enjoy is EXACTLY what our author LRJ does best – the hot chemistry that leaps off the pages so high that smoke detectors go off. There’s passion because of such a deep connection that’s so clear and intense4. I love seeing the guy that we all knew Savage was come to life and even with the INSANE cliff hanger at the end, i want to hope for the best here. We know that everyone will NOT end up alive, and i’m really excited to see who ends p with us in April (since i now have to wait until April 21 for the final book). Enjoy!

Review: Dirty Pleasures (Dirty Billionaire #2) by Meghan March

Title: Dirty Pleasures
Author:  Meghan March
Publisher/Year:  Meghan March LLC 12/23/15
Length:  188 Pages
Series:  Dirty Billionaire #2

Overview

I did it. I married a billionaire.
My reasons are my own, but the last thing I expected was to feel owned.
I may have taken vows, but I’m still determined to be me.
Now his rules are taking over my world, but I’m not the kind of girl to just obey.
There’s only one problem: I might actually be falling for him…
I have no idea how this marriage is going to go, but holding onto a piece of myself while succumbing to his dirty pleasures is shaping up to be the ride of a lifetime.

My Thoughts

Two leading characters who are so driven by their careers that they have to decide if they can fit someone else in their life, even when it’s already too late given that they are married. Nothing is permanent right?

Holly made her deal breakers clear and Crey seemed to understand ad respect that, until he didn’t. And he messed up, and she left. That’s where we were left off at the end of the first book, Holly had to get to her tour, and so she left him because while he promised to be back in time to get her on the jet home, he wasn’t answering texts or calls and she had to make the decision on her own.

The first few chapters we spend watching Holly try to get back into the tour mindset, and we see that there are actually some great people with her who appreciate her talent and her heart. not everyone is scum and that’s really nice to see. Her friend Tana is there again to help her see reason, and to help her when she’s down, and i think that everyone needs a friend like that. Once Creighton realizes that she’s left, and figures out that she’s gone on tour, well, that voice of reason is going to be super helpful.

Then there’s Crey, and once he figures out why he screwed up and how to find her, all bets are off in seeing what this man will do to get his wife back. It’s nice to see that he’s so devoted to her, so smitten and in love with her that he’ll go to any length. What we see though in this story which is so rare compared to others, is that while he’s a billionaire, while he has this empire that he runs, he basically drops it all for her because that’s how important she is.

He grovels, they figure it out, until they don’t, and that’s where we are left at the end. Another . good-bye note, yet this one seems much more permanent.

Throughout this story, we get a lot of great dynamics through in, in addition to their relationship stuff. We have BT who’s the headliner on Holly’s tour, and while he looks rough, he’s really a teddy bear and he tries to make Crey see things that he’s not willing to see, given that their lives are so different. We are also faced with Holly’s mom through a series of annoying events, and that brings down the mood of the book too.

Underneath all that though is the great steamy chemistry that these two have. I still can’t say passion because it seems one sided, but i’m hoping that by the end of this trilogy, i’ll be able to use that word. I want a happy ending, but seeing how his high society life brings her down time and time again, i don’t know what’s realistic. I guess that’s what book three is for. So….i’m off to read it and i’ll let you know soon! Enjoy!V

Review: Five Dark Fates (Three Dark Crowns #4) by Kendare Blake

Title: Five Dark Fates
Author:  Kendare Blake
Publisher/Year:  HarperCollins Publishing 9/3/19
Length:  331 Pages
Series:  Three Dark Crowns #4

Overview

In the final book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Three Dark Crowns series, an all-out war is brewing—one that will pit sister against sister and dead against undead.

After the grim confrontation with Queen Katharine, the rebellion lies in tatters. Jules’s legion curse has been unbound, and it is up to Arsinoe to find a cure, even as the responsibility of stopping the ravaging mist lies heavy on her shoulders, and her shoulders alone. Mirabella has disappeared.

Katharine’s reign remains intact—for now. When Mirabella arrives, seemingly under a banner of truce, Katharine begins to yearn for the closeness that Mirabella and Arsinoe share. But as the two circle each other, the dead queens hiss caution—Mirabella is not to be trusted.

In this conclusion to the Three Dark Crowns series, three sisters will rise to fight as the secrets of Fennbirn’s history are laid bare. Allegiances will shift. Bonds will be tested. But the fate of the island lies in the hands of its queens. It always has.

My Thoughts

Even though it’s been quite some time since book 3 came out until now, and even though i’ve read quite a few things in between, the moment i started reading this fourth installment, i felt that we were right back where we had left off.

Things on the island are a mess, Katherine is still the Undead Queen, and Jules is still dealing with the ramifications of the Legion Curse that’s been released with the murder of her mother. Mirabella and Arsinoe are stuck in the middle of things once again as they have to pick sides while remaining true to themselves.

Add to all this, the fact that Peityr is still unconscious and no one knows how to wake him, especially as Katherine is the only one who knows what’s caused him to sleep.

The questions in this book overpower the answers and I can honestly say that I didn’t know how this story was going to play out. One thing for sure – we were going to lose many many characters here in this finale. There’s no doubt in my mind that many mains will die, and where that leaves the island will be anyone’s guess.

The Mist continues to be a power that no one can beat. Mirabella is the only one who’s been able to push it back, to keep it from killing more – but the assumption is that it’s because she’s the strongest elemental. There’s a theory that they need to kill her in order for the mist to go away – but that’s a price that no one truly wants to pay. (or do they).

The Rebellion being led by Jules shows us that the Legion Queen perhaps has more power than the triplet queens and that scares people. When we get about 2/3 into the story – we learn some of the origin story of the queens since the first queens weren’t included in the history that everyone learned and there’s an interesting twist there. Of course though, resulting in a death.

We know that the only way this story will end is after a war happens – laying out a new future for the island. The war finds itself at the gates of The Volroy, being fought by everyone including the undead, and it’s so intense that the mist wants in on it as well.

Friendships are created, torn apart, and the same goes for relationships (loving and otherwise). We see some of the chemistry that has played out in this series so far, and we see surprises of people who put their loyalties in new places. The outcome of those twists make this story even more exciting.

Betrayal, Trust, Love, Hate, Fear, Secrecy, Competition. All very deep themes of this series and they all play out in a strong way in this final book 4. I’m a bit sad to see this journey end, but i think that we were given what we needed to see the closure happen for whomever is left. Enjoy!

Review: Boss Games (Boss #7) by Victoria Quinn

Title: Boss Games
Author:  Victoria Quinn
Publisher/Year:  Createspace Publishing 3/9/18
Length:  150 Pages
Series:  Boss #7

Overview

I’ve found quite a woman.

Wealthy. Smart. Hooooot.

So hot.

She was supposed to be a plaything.

But I can’t help but wonder if I’m the one being played.

My Thoughts

I think this book summary is a bit closer to being target thankfully. In the last book, we were living through the hell known as Titan being shot, We know now that she’ll survive and that she and Hunt are as close as ever. We see the relationship with Vincent solidify both with Hunt/Titan as well as with Brett (just a bit though) and that means that at least one aspect of the world is in place.

Then there’s Thorn. So he’s being the supportive best friend and steps in to run Titan’s business while she’s recovering and that puts him in the path of one Ms Autumn Alexander. A woman who is just like Titan in the sense that she’s young, beautiful, but more importantly, she’s successful, extremely intelligent and knows exactly what she wants out of her business. She’s looking to partner with Titan, and Titan only wants to buy her out. Thorn tries to finalize the deal but realizes that 1) it’ll never happen because Autumn is too confident as to what she wants/needs and 2) that there’s an intense attraction between them, and he wants to know more.

So while the last book implied that he was going to find his path with a new partner, it really happens in this book. He gets Autumn to agree to a ‘casual yet exclusive’ relationship and it’s interesting to see how it plays out.

The other nice piece to this story is that we get to spend more time with Vincent. Titan has gotten in his head that perhaps he should be open to finding someone appropriate to spend his life with since he’s still young and everything else in his life is in order. When he’s approached by the editor of a fashion magazine to do an interview and spread, he doesn’t have high hopes for it but finds that the woman who he meets has some intriguing spark, something that draws him in and he wants to know more.

All in all we get to watch two new relationships form and it’s really great to spend time with characters outside of our mains. It gives this series a fresh feeling after 6 books and i can’t wait to see how everything plays out.

The Nice twist at the end – the introduction of someone new, but someone that i’ve waiting to see makes the cliff hanger all that much more interesting. So, on that note, i’m going to track down book 8 and see what comes next. Enjoy!

Review: Boss Alpha (Boss #5) by Victoria Quinn

Title: Boss Alpha
Author:  Victoria Quinn
Publisher/Year:  Createspace Publishing 2/23/18
Length:  168 Pages
Series:  Boss #5

Overview

Tatum Titan is mine now.

I finally got her back.

But we have a city to rule together.

A world to conquer.

And there’s no other woman I’d want by my side.

My Thoughts

This story keeps getting better and better. We still don’t know who’s the leak and what the motivation is, but throughout this fifth installment, we see worlds continue to crumble, and everything seem to be getting worse.

Hunt’s goal of finding out motives falls short. As a result, Thorn and Tatum are now engaged. Their lives are moving forward while he’s not willing to let go. That’s the thing about true and deep love – you can’t let go so easily even when it seems like there’s no hope. The persistence pays off in some forms because Tatum allows a new arrangement so that they can still be in each others lives, but in a new way. Rather the original way – no commitment, but allowing their passion and intensity come through in life.

That’s not good enough though for either and what we see happen from here on out makes this story even more exciting. The underlying issue of someone finding out about them and blackmailing them continues to be a thing, and what we see is that it’s Hunt’s father who becomes the worst in this situation. He’s already burned by the fact that Hunt bought Megaland, and uses that against him to get the company back or lose Tatum. When he gets his way, it’s still not enough and then he goes after something more personal.

At the same time, we see Tatum and Thorn moving forward with their arrangement – planning the wedding, building their future. What bugs me here is that i still don’t trust Thorn, he keeps talking about what he would have when they merge their assets, when they are married. Once he proposes, he even gets more touchy with her, more physical and that still irks me for some reason. I don’t trust him.

All of our main characters are forced to take really long looks internally and better understand what it is that they need in life and can’t live without vs what they want. When those things don’t match up, we know that there will be repercussions, but those are the important choices. Hunt makes his choice quickly, and he knows what is essential for life. Tatum in essence knows what that is, but she’s not ready to pull the trigger. Thorn i think doesn’t know what’s necessary for survival – just what fits in his image.

What i really like about this fifth book is that we see people trying to take higher roads, even through moments of tension and hatred. Tatum goes out of her way to get others to change their mind, to change their approach even at the potential sacrifice of herself. The reputation that she’s built all these years and the image that is her persona. I think that there’s hope coming from her that empowers others, but at the same time, all the broken trust, and mis-directed hatred pulls everyone off track.

The other nice thing about this story is that throughout the entire series, the chemistry and heat that Tatum and Hunt share continues to be beyond intense. Like next level intense. We know that control and rules, and power are both of their things, but the way that it manifests on the page is beyond hot, and i can’t wait to see how this all plays out. On that note, i think there’s a book six and i’m off to find it! Enjoy!