ameliawilde – booksofthemuggleborn

Force Of Nature by Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains a minor teaser!

booksofthemuggleborn_forceofnature — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

Carter Morelli survived a violent childhood and dangerous missions. After he emergency lands the small aircraft, he faces something even worse: having someone depend on him. Geologist June Porter wants to study rocks. She didn’t plan to be stranded on a deserted island.

They aren’t alone on the island. A man hides among the broad leaves. He’s almost feral, this man. But he provides them shelter and food.

There are secrets in his hidden cabin. Desire, too.

Carter doesn’t want to care about the bookish, beautiful June.
But he doesn’t like this strange man’s interest in her, either.
Simmering chemistry wars with the need for survival.

Will they be found before they give into temptation?

Welcome to the Midnight Dynasty… The warring Morelli and Constantine families have enough bad blood to fill an ocean, and their brand new stories will be told by your favorite dangerous romance authors.

WARNING: This book is intended for readers eighteen years old and over. It contains material that some readers could find disturbing. Enter at your own risk…

•••

• MY REVIEW •

“Everything has its equal. Its opposite. That’s you. You’re my equal and opposite.”

Hmm. I think I was just as lost and hallucinatory as June was whilst reading this book. I was intrigued after reading the prologue; The Crash and by this book’s initial premise, unfortunately it ended up not being my cup of tea.

I am grateful for getting a chance to read an advance copy, I just wished I knew before signing for an ARC that this story contained MMF romance. I’ve read a handful of romances with this trope and whilst they’re not my typical go-to, I don’t mind them on occasion… IF they fit organically into its storyline. However, in this instance I just didn’t get a genuine connection amongst all three characters involved and the transition leading up to this development felt rushed and a little confusing. Call me crazy, but with how Carter was introduced in the prologue and for the first half of this story, I didn’t get the slightest hint that he’s bi-sexual/ attracted to both sexes. Despite the multiple POVs when the third party was introduced, the emotions and sexual attraction evoked out of these characters just didn’t come off as believable, in my honest opinion.

I liked the relatively short chapters and fast-pacing heightening the suspense— really transporting you to the dangers and the unknown looming over Carter and June on that island. But the downside to the fast-paced storytelling was it lead to abrupt developments (both storyline and relationships) that lacked depth or complexity. I was hoping for more character growth and genuine connection. I had gotten invested throughout the first half of the book seeing a potential romantic relationship between Carter and June, but it subsided almost immediately once their ménage à trois began.

In saying that, I strongly feel other romance readers will feel differently and end up loving this story. I think Warren and Wilde’s collaboration was executed well. I had no inkling of when one’s writing ended and the other began. I thought their writing styles blended seamlessly. I enjoyed the gradual suspense, the unpredictability, and the ache Carter and June felt for one another. The sexual tension practically leaped off the pages and had me gripping the edge of my seat hoping to see more interactions.

The first book in the Deserted Island Trilogy has set up the grim ambience and provides readers an intriguing insight into both Carter and June’s backstories. With the brutal elements of a deserted island as the backdrop, forced proximity between its protagonists, and danger lurking all around, Force of Nature has a Tarzan meets The Blue Lagoon atmosphere about it! It has a little bit of everything from romance, adventure, to action and suspense. You can easily read it in one sitting, but just know it concludes on a cliff-hanger.

I may not continue with the rest of the series but I am glad I got to see more than a glimpse of Carter Morelli and the mystery surrounding his life. This book finally lets you see him as a full-fledged character within the Midnight Dynasty. I think you’ll find the setting of his story a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of the city and of the Morellis usual corporate lifestyle.

If you follow the world of the Midnight Dynasty, I still recommend you give this one a try.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Skye Warren, Amelia Wilde, and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💙

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🧭 Deserted Island Trilogy!

booksofthemuggleborn_thecrash — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Prologue: The Crash by Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde

•••

More Midnight Dynasty reviews!

🥿 Skyscraper Cinderella | Book One:

Stroke Of Midnight by K. Webster

🤍 Dark Hearts Trilogy | Book One:

Stolen Hearts by M. O’Keefe

🌹 Beast of Bishop’s Landing | Book One:

Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

🔥 Hellfire Club | Book One:

Wicked Idol by Becker Gray

✝ Standalone Taboo Romance:

Lessons In Sin by Pam Godwin

🕊 Dark Dream Duet | Book One:

Dangerous Temptation by Giana Darling

🎨 The Collector Trilogy | Book One:

Dark Reign by Amelia Wilde

♠ Wonderland Trilogy | Book One:

King Of Spades by Alta Hensley

🥃 Hughes Series | Book One:

One For The Money by Skye Warren

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

The Crash by Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contain minor teasers!

•••

• BLURB •

Carter Morelli works alone, but his orders are clear. Pilot the small aircraft carrying the renowned geologist to a remote island. Except the plane malfunctions at a crucial moment.

June Porter wants to stay on solid land. She doesn’t want to fly, but it’s the only way to get to the dig site. Then her worst fears come true.

A heavy storm. A swift fall from the sky. And a heart stopping crash.

An emergency landing leaves them stranded.

A shadow moves through the trees. They aren’t alone in the jungle.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

“I said we wouldn’t crash, and life made a fool out of me. It can’t happen again. It’s up to me to get us to safety, somehow.”

Warren and Wilde must’ve laughed at the thought of a prequel novella being an easing introduction to its main story because they plunge you straight into the deep end with this one! 😱

It’s fast-paced, punchy, and already has the heat levels rising. You can’t fault the premise because you’re getting exactly what it says it entails…

Plane crash? Check ✔
A deserted island? Check ✔
Lust-fuelled interactions? Check ✔
Danger lurking in the shadows? Again… check ✔

The Crash has set the atmosphere and the instantaneous dynamic between June and Carter. It’ll leave you armed with the know-how of the ominous situation they’ve been unexpectedly thrust into, and raring to start Force Of Nature.

I immediately perked up at the opposites-attract trope in this story, and I can already tell June will be a breath of fresh air in the Morelli family, and ultimately within the world of the Midnight Dynasty. Carter is not at all what I had expected from his brief appearances in previous stories, but I’m intrigued by his character, now more than ever.

“But I want her. The crash shattered my self-control.”

It’s a contemporary, billionaire romance with a twist. Carter may be a Morelli but he’s certainly not the intimidating, suit-wearing type, who flaunts his wealth and power… well, not yet at least. June is a likable heroine who screams “damsel-in-distress”, but having read quite a few books from this world and in particular from these two authors, there’s always more than meets the eye with the characters.

It’s a great little intro to June and Carter as protagonists, and seeing their first encounter. I would’ve loved to have seen a tad more suspense to really amped up the story and for what’s to come, but I’m not fussed because this is just the prequel. The instant-attraction mixed with the life and death experience they share leaves plenty of room for their relationship to develop, and with how this novella concluded, another element has been added to keep things on the island just a smidge more complicated.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐¾

Thank you Skye, Amelia, and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💚

•••

More Midnight Dynasty reviews!

🥿 Skyscraper Cinderella | Book One:

Stroke Of Midnight by K. Webster

🤍 Dark Hearts Trilogy | Book One:

Stolen Hearts by M. O’Keefe

🌹 Beast of Bishop’s Landing | Book One:

Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

🔥 Hellfire Club | Book One:

Wicked Idol by Becker Gray

✝ Standalone Taboo Romance:

Lessons In Sin by Pam Godwin

🕊 Dark Dream Duet | Book One:

Dangerous Temptation by Giana Darling

🎨 The Collector Trilogy | Book One:

Dark Reign by Amelia Wilde

♠ Wonderland Trilogy | Book One:

King Of Spades by Alta Hensley

🥃 Hughes Series | Book One:

One For The Money by Skye Warren

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Nightingale: Charity Anthology

Adult Romance, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

booksofthemuggleborn_nightingale — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

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• BLURB •

NIGHTINGALE is a romance anthology with over FIFTY original, never-before-seen stories from bestselling authors. 100% of the royalties will be donated to relief and human rights organizations working in Ukraine. NIGHTINGALE is only available for a limited time, so one-click your copy before it’s gone.

AUTHORS INCLUDE: Katee Robert, Siobhan Davis, Robin Covington, Xio Axelrod, Vanessa Vale & Renee Rose, Terri E. Laine, Lucy Lennox, C. Hallman & J.L. Beck, Sara Ney, Willow Winters, Rebecca Yarros, Sienna Snow, Ana Huang, Willow Aster, Pepper Winters, Piper Rayne, Rebecca Zanetti, Honey Meyer, Alta Hensley & Livia Grant, Samantha Chase, Parker S. Huntington, T.K. Leigh, Kate Canterbary, Laura Thalassa, Carian Cole, Natasha Knight & Ashleigh Zavarelli, Rina Kent, Lauren Rowe, Rachel Van Dyken, Karla Sorensen, Claudia Burgoa, Kelsey Clayton, Helena Hunting, Aleatha Romig, K.A. Linde, Carly Phillips, Meredith Wild & Chelle Bliss, Kelly Elliott, Brenda Rothert, A.L. Jackson, Jenika Snow, Katie Ashley, Amo Jones, Susan Stoker, Harloe Rae, L.B. Dunbar, Gina L. Maxwell, Tijan, Amelia Wilde, Skye Warren, Penny Reid, Susannah Nix, Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Dylan Allen, Kandi Steiner, Raine Miller, Toni Aleo, Natalie Wrye, Debra Anastasia, Brittney Sahin, Heidi McLaughlin, Melanie Moreland, Jay Crownover, Catherine Cowles, Roni Loren, Shantel Tessier, Aly Martinez, Julia Kent

All royalties from this project will be donated to relief and human rights organizations working in Ukraine. We aren’t affiliated or endorsed by these charities. We are simply authors who want to help.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

📎 Please Note: My review is NOT for all the short stories included in the anthology. I read and reviewed the stories I wanted to read from this collection, and my overall rating is based off of them.

QUEENSIDE by SKYE WARREN

Genre: Contemporary Romance

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

An okay little novella but I think I would have definitely connected with the characters and their story more if I had read The Pawn first where they’re originally featured in. The setting of this story seemed somewhat like an added bonus scene because Avery and Gabriel are already a couple here and it’s evident they’ve been through a lot together. If you’re not familiar with these characters then I don’t think this particular story would appeal to you—at least not until you read The Pawn.

But the writing is effortless to follow and despite not knowing Avery’s and Gabriel’s history, I do see the connection and love between them.

•••

OLD MONEY by AMELIA WILDE

Genre: Contemporary/ Billionaire Romance

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐½

A little bonus scene of Mason and Charlotte from the Wealth Trilogy, and I thought it was an honest-to-goodness sweet addition to their happily ever after. I recommend you read Net Worth first to know how they first met and how far they’ve come in their relationship, but even if you read this novella first, I think it would only have you more intrigued in starting their story.

It may only be a chapter but it displayed Charlotte’s goodness and Mason’s protective alpha-hole-ness to a T! It left me smiling in happy contentment for the two of them and for what their future holds.

•••

HACKER IN LOVE by LAUREN ROWE

Genre: Contemporary Romance

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Loved it! Whilst I’m familiar with Rowe’s amazing romance books, I have yet to read The Josh & Kat Trilogy. And although this particular novella centres around two secondary characters; Hannah and Henn, they have made me all the more excited to read these books. I love the strong friendships included. In such a short length of time, Rowe has executed vivid world-building, especially from a reader who hasn’t read the initial books these characters are from. It’s well-paced storytelling, full of life, and has an overall bubbly happy atmosphere.

It’s a great little teaser for those new to Rowe’s writing. It sucked me in right from the very beginning and I was immediately giddy for more! I can only hope Rowe ends up giving them their own full-length novel one of these days because after having reading Hannah’s and Henn’s epic first date, I’m already hooked on them as a couple! An adorable, wackadoo pair whom you’re going to fall in love with!

•••

ROOM ENOUGH FOR TWO by SARA NEY

Genre: Contemporary Romance

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I want more! I’m ashamed to admit I have a handful of Ney’s books in my kindle but this gripping, too-short-of-a-story was my first official piece I’ve read of hers, and dammit I need more of Eva and Robert! The problem is, by the end, it didn’t exactly mention whether these lovable characters are from an upcoming new book or an already existing one, and now I’m shaking my fist in the air cursing the book gods for the injustice of it all. 😭😅 On the upside? I will absolutely not take Ney’s books for granted any longer!

A contemporary sports romance story with delightful light-hearted humor throughout. I adore the whole forced proximity theme going on here. Eva and Robert (aka Rocko) have found themselves renting out the same private little holiday home— Eva needing a bit of a vacation, and Robert needing a place to lay low until his sports career-changing decision hits the public eye. It’s a quick but saucy read, with strong chemistry between the protagonists. The secluded setting will transport you to their cozy little bubble and will have you cheesily grinning at what is gradually developing between them. I reiterate: I want more!

•••

SWEET TEMPTATION by A. ZAVARELLI & NATASHA KNIGHT

Genre: Dark Romance

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*singsong voice* Purrrrfection! 👏👏👏 This short story is the prelude to Zavarelli’s and Knight’s upcoming new trilogy set in the IVI world. If you’ve read The Society Trilogy, then you’ll be familiar with Mercedes De La Rosa and Lawson Montgomery (aka Judge). This little introduction to their story was perfection. It had me completely intrigued and excited to start The Rite Trilogy! Their chemistry crackled right from the very beginning and the constant banter between them is already something I’m looking forward to seeing more of. A little hate-to-love, a little forbidden, and it kicked off their romance story with a bang! A must-read!

•••

Whilst I didn’t end up reading all the stories included in this collection, I did skim through all of them and realised the majority of the stories are connected to the author’s pre-existing books/series. Most of the authors and books mentioned I have not read, and I can’t help but think it might’ve been difficult for me (or for anyone else in the same boat) to connect or get invested in these short stories unless they knew the characters or their world prior to reading them.

The stories I had read were from authors I was already familiar with, and the stories and characters that did connect with a pre-existing or upcoming series I was already well aware of. It was the biggest factor in why I ended up reading only those stories.

Please keep in mind if you’re considering reading this anthology. It’s a great way to introduce you to some new-to-you authors but just know (with a couple of exceptions) these “never-before-seen” stories are interconnected to full-length novels— whether they be prologues, bonus scenes, or epilogues.

OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Net Worth by Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

booksofthemuggleborn_networth — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

Mason Hill wants one thing: revenge. When Charlotte Van Kempt walks into his office, all innocence and desperation, he knows the perfect way to get it. He makes a dark bargain. She’ll give him her body to save her family. Little does she know he plans to ruin both.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

After having recently read the prologue, I could not get started on Net Worth fast enough… and it soooo did not disappoint in regards to storyline, character chemistry, and overall flow.

This book gave me twisted Cinderella meets Party of Five meets Fifty Shades vibes. Unusual mix, I know. But once you read it, you’ll hopefully know what I mean. 😅

When Mason’s family was first introduced in the prologue, I didn’t have a strong connection to any of them, but Net Worth gave me a better understanding to their situation and seeing their family dynamic, my impression of them have now somewhat altered. Mason’s siblings all have distinct personalities and all seem to have their own coping mechanisms for dealing with the tragedy that’s surrounded their family— so I’m eager to see how each of their character develops as this story continues.

The introduction of Charlotte in The Proposition, she was instantly the type of heroine I could back due to her sweet disposition, yet determined attitude despite her current standing. Whilst I thought she did lose some of her spunkiness since the prologue, she’s still a likable character. I admit I didn’t agree with all of her decisions and actions throughout this book, but when it comes to Charlotte it’s not hard to look past it and carry-on reading. She’s the light-hearted element within (other than her awesome-sauce of a bestie Elise), that balanced out the sombre atmosphere that usually followed Mason around.

You’ll either love or loathe Mason Hill, or in my case, interchange from loving to loathing and back again all throughout. Seeing the different sides of him whether he’s with his family or with Charlotte was one of the big reasons I ended up emotionally invested.

What immediately struck me in this story was the genuine intrigue and attraction between Mason and Charlotte. There interactions were weirdly addictive to see play out. I honestly didn’t know what to expect each time they were together. I especially wasn’t expecting the slow burn romance despite the fact that almost every interaction had some sort of sexual encounter. I don’t know how Amelia has managed to put some very raunchy exchange, yet still leaves you hanging for more. But she’s done it! 🙈

It’s told from first person, dual points of view, well-paced storytelling, and can be read in one sitting. As the POVs interchange back and forth chapter by chapter, reading from each of their own perspectives, you can see the differences between them and their lives, especially when it came down to the dynamics of their households.

There are quite a few tropes in this story, so if you enjoy any or all of the following in your romance reads, I really recommend you read this one.

Billionaire Romance
Age-Gap Romance
Virgin Heroine
Tortured Hero
Enemies to Lovers
Opposites Attract
BDSM

As a romance reader who usually passes up books that include BDSM (just my preference), I was second-guessing whether or not that this particular feature would dampen my reading experience as I hadn’t expected it. But I can honestly say that the minor (and some might say tame) BDSM included didn’t deter me from finishing, and most importantly, from enjoying the book overall.

Amelia Wilde has a unique way of writing her characters and their monologues. If you’ve read enough of her books, you can easily identify her work. If you enjoyed her writing style in the past, I have no doubt you’ll enjoy reading this one just as much. 😊 I’ve always found her writing easy to follow. The setting and world-building are already so vivid and very much present by the first chapter, along with the intrigue of getting to know more about the protagonists.

Net Worth is one seductive start to the Wealth Trilogy. The deal that ultimately started the steamy yet swoon-worthy relationship between Mason and Charlotte had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and desperately needing more of their story. With an air of danger, secrecy, and provocation, there’s tons of build-up and suspense to this billionaire romance. It won’t be for everyone but if you enjoy edgy contemporary romance reads with a side of smut, then give this one a try. It has good bones, with tons of potential. The characters are all promising and definitely add an extra oomph to this meaty, multi-faceted storyline.

Please note, as it is part of a trilogy and a continuous storyline, this book does end on a cliffhanger.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Amelia Wilde and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! ❤

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👠 Read my review for the Wealth Trilogy Prologue!

booksofthemuggleborn_theproposition — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Prologue Novella: The Proposition by Amelia Wilde

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

The Proposition by Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

•••

• BLURB •

Retribution (verb): inflict hurt on someone for an injury or wrong

Vengeance. It runs through Mason Hill’s veins. Except the person who walks through his office door isn’t his enemy. It’s the man’s daughter.

Charlotte Van Kempt tempts the worst part of him. He wants to use her.

He forms a new plan for revenge…He’ll take out every past hurt and dark memory on her sweet body. And to save her family, she’ll let him.

From USA Today bestselling author Amelia Wilde comes a sensual new series. THE PROPOSITION is a 17,000-word prologue to the new Wealth trilogy.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

The Proposition is the perfect flirty teaser to get you pumped for Amelia Wilde’s upcoming book; Net Worth (the first in the Wealth Trilogy)! 😍

You would’ve been familiar with Mason Hill if you’ve read the Devil Trilogy. This billionaire, anti-hero has been gunning for Charlotte’s father ever since he ruined Mason’s family. But when he ends up taking a meeting with Charlotte instead of his enemy, he revises his plans to mete out his revenge through her instead.

This introduction gave me enough of an impression of Charlotte to see she’s a likable heroine, as well as a little more perspective on Mason, and the situation that prompts Charlotte to ultimately make a deal with him and kick-off the main storyline for the first book. It’s short but packs a lot of punch and intrigue to this billionaire, enemies-to-lovers romance. It’s contemporary but has a layer of dark romance surrounding the entirety of their story — like you know Mason will ensure it’ll be just a little but twisted. 😉

I was curious about Mason when he was first introduced in the Devil Trilogy, but for some reason I can’t quite pinpoint at the moment, seeing more of his character in this novella altered my impression of him. It’s neither good nor bad, just different. So, I’m eager to see more character growth in Net Worth.

I want to say that the introduction of his family in this novella amped up my overall interest of Mason’s world but I couldn’t connect with his family or their unusual dynamic. Other than Mason, there wasn’t anyone in particular from his family that stood out to me that I was easily willing to get invested in. But I guess time will tell if that changes.

I can however say, the dynamics within Charlotte’s own family and seeing her household gradually crumble around her left me plenty curious to see further developments. Charlotte herself had me hooked from the very beginning with her down-to-earth, relatable personality and inner monologue that had me smiling throughout. She definitely contrasts Mason’s ruthless business mindset that I’m hoping her optimism, determination, and genuine persona carries throughout the rest of the main story. I’m looking forward to seeing how her character and personal story develops.

The little appearances from characters from Amelia’s other books was a bonus treat to discover in this novella, and their roles, although minor, still left a lasting impression. Amelia has incorporated them so well into the story that it felt seamless and believable to see the interconnection with these new characters.

It’s well-paced, told from dual POVs, and already has a relatively detailed world-building in place. The atmosphere is set, with mass amount of build-up, and intense heat leaping off the pages whenever Mason and Charlotte interacted— I can only imagine how it’ll escalate from here on out! 😬🙈

For romance readers, give it a try if you like any the following romance tropes:

Billionaire Romance
Age-Gap Romance
Enemies-to-Lovers
Contemporary
Opposites Attract

A must read prologue before you start Net Worth.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

🔔 Interested in reading The Proposition? It’s currently FREE! Grab your copy here: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA

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🔱 Read my reviews for The Devil Trilogy!

Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Book One | The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea by Amelia Wilde

Book Two | A Deal With The Devil by Amelia Wilde

Book Three | Devil May Care by Amelia Wilde

•••

Happy Reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Fallen Rose by Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ This review contains minor teasers

booksofthemuggleborn_fallenrose — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

Leo Morelli has lost everything.

His safety. His sanity. But worse than that, the woman he loves. He will destroy Bishop’s Landing to get her back, even if it means becoming the monster she fears.

The entire city will feel his wrath.

Haley Constantine loves her beast, but she can’t walk away from her family. They need her now more than ever. It will take more than violence to face these enemies. It will take sacrifice.

Can she give up the man she loves to save him?

Fallen Rose is the third book in the Beauty and the Beast Trilogy. Reading order:

Book One: Secret Beast

Book Two: Hidden Beauty

Book Three: Fallen Rose

•••

• MY REVIEW •

*phew!* Lots to process about this third book in the Beauty and the Beast trilogy. But what stood out the most for me, was how much Leo Morelli has evolved from Secret Beast… to Hidden Beauty… to finally, Fallen Rose.

“The jumble of feelings I have for Leo rises—the love and the hate, the frustration and the fear. He’s everything good and hopeful in a dark world…”

Cenerentola_Kiss

Sheesh! When did the “villain” become the hero? And when did the supposed “lesser of two evils” become the evil incarnate?! I’m looking at YOU Caroline Constantine. 😤 If you’ve read the first two books of this story, then you will know Leo’s history with the Constantines— specifically speaking with the she-devil herself, Caroline.

Now, I’ve never in all the books I’ve read from the world of the Midnight Dynasty have taken a liking to Caroline. Ever. She may be more ruthless in some authors’ stories more than others, and some even depicted her with some semblance of a beating heart, but in no way did that sway me from knowing that that woman needs to be six feet under. I’ve added her in with the likes of Professor Umbridge (from Harry Potter), Maeve (from Throne of Glass), and Amarantha (from ACOTAR) as villainous characters that even a reader who loves villains would sneer at!

And if anyone had the right to hate her, stare daggers at her, and plot her demise, it would be Leo Morelli.

Fallen Rose has not only enraged me with bloodlust (Go! #TeamLeoMorelli), but it has mentally and emotionally drained me. 😅 Whilst I initially thought it was slow-going for the first couple of chapters, I quickly realized it was to ease me into what was a cacophony of epic frustration! Lol. I was seeing red. Bloody red everywhere! Don’t get me wrong… it had nothing to do with Wilde’s writing (if anything it was multifaceted, wonderfully written, and easy to follow), but all to do with the injustice I felt for Leo!

“I love you.” The words are so small. My love for her so great.”

I may not have found it as addictively thrilling as Secret Beast, but Fallen Rose is just as dramatic of a roller coaster ride. Although Leo and Haley do get their HEA, I can’t help but feel like it’s left me a little unsatisfied with how it all came about. Maybe because right from the very beginning I’ve been so invested in Leo Morelli, and knowing his past only cemented my love for the gritty fictional character that I was hoping (and somewhat expecting) a mic drop moment or two from the Beast of Bishop’s Landing. But what I discovered was a man who so desperately needed help but as I mentally looked around, there wasn’t one damn person powerful enough, or willing enough to stand with him. And those who did, just didn’t have the firepower needed for the war he was facing.

There was so many things I hadn’t expected. Some of which I felt were left unfinished. But, I can only hope with how things concluded, that perhaps I’ll see some kind of ~~retribution~~ resolution in the future? 🙏

I will say this— I utterly loved how Wilde had cleverly connected characters from her others books into this one. The crossover felt effortless and I was truly amazed at how their stories meshed so well with Leo’s. It was like a light bulb moment reading those scenes. I found myself saying “OMG, that makes so much sense”, or “OMG, yes! That’s brilliant!” — Not only was it cool that Wilde has managed to sneak in familiar characters from her other series into this one, but the fact that there’s common ground amongst these characters that connect them. Sigh. Probably my favourite scenes to read! ❤

Besides Leo’s and Haley’s story, I have to mention this book is pivotal for readers who are knee-deep in the world of the Midnight Dynasty. It definitely gives massive indications as to what you can expect from future books. Whilst it had me excited with anticipation, not going to lie, it also made me think, “Fuuuuuuck… that’s a lot of new characters! *cough* siblings *cough* 🙊

Leo’s character development was sublime in this book. If you enjoyed him when he was wholly cruel, I think you’ll enjoy his softer side just as much. It was almost heart-wrenching to witness how much he’s opened up with his feelings in this book since meeting Haley. Before this trilogy, we only got snippets (mostly from a Constantine’s POV) of the Morellis. So, it was such a refreshing sight to see the Morellis through their own eyes.

Not only has Wilde given each Morelli who made an appearance (whether in a major or minor capacity) such depth, but she’s managed to take the Constantines that were already brought to life by other authors into her own story and kept their image consistent to how they were portrayed in their stories, making this entire interconnected world all the more seamless.

Wilde has a way of bringing her characters to life through their relatability and the realism of their emotions. I didn’t necessarily agree or like all the characters’ actions in this book, but I understood that they had a role to play in this storyline — whether they were an ally or an enemy, they added dimension to the story and kept up the suspense.

I liked the complexity of the characters, the dynamics between them all, and the fact that although this was initially a Beauty and the Beast retelling, Wilde has executed taking the backbone of the tale and weaving in her own style. The storyline still had the essence but reads as an entirely new love story.

“For a beast, you really wear your heart on your sleeve.”

I only wish the book had an epilogue, even if Wilde decides to continue Leo’s and Haley’s story or provide updates/appearances in future books, in my opinion, the ending of this trilogy would’ve felt a little more wrapped up if one was included.

But overall, I thought the story progressed well, with nicely-paced storytelling, told majority from dual points of view. Although I must admit, Leo’s POV was a highlight in comparison to Haley’s as I didn’t see as much development as I would’ve liked from her. I do however like that she was a constant steady force in Leo’s life.

He has been through horrifying trauma that has altered his life physically, emotionally and psychologically. You will see how much it has affected not only his nature but his relationships with the people closest to him. This book definitely focused a lot more on the constant struggles with his demons and his overall character growth.

It’s an enemies-to-lovers romance story with angst and heartbreak, but also one full of love and hope. Putting aside the sweet HEA for Leo and Haley, the ending also provided a sense of peace for Leo, which ultimately left me in happy contentment.

Please note, books must be read in order as this is a continuous storyline. It also contains some sensitive subject matter that may be triggering for some readers, such as child abuse, violence, kidnapping, and attempted rape. It also contains strong sexual content, suitable for readers 18+ only!

If you like dark romances, complex characters, and the whole good vs evil type storylines, I highly recommend this trilogy, especially if you love Beauty and the Beast retellings.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Amelia Wilde, Candi Kane PR, and Dangerous Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💗

🔔 Interested in reading the Beauty and the Beast Trilogy? Grab your copy here:

Book One: Secret Beast: Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Google Play
Book Two: Hidden Beauty: Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Google Play
Book Three: Fallen Rose: Amazon | Nook | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play

•••

🌹 Read my reviews for the Beauty and the Beast Trilogy!

Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

Book One: Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

Book Two: Hidden Beauty by Amelia Wilde

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

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Devil May Care by Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

booksofthemuggleborn_devilmaycare — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

What is a pirate without his ship? Without the sea?

I sacrificed everything to save Ashley. Now we’re hiding out while I build a new ship, a new life for myself. It’s paradise here on the island. Sparkling water and lush greenery. A beautiful woman by my side. But the threat of danger grows closer. The net tightens. We’re at risk every second we stay here, but there’s nowhere to run. Even the ocean won’t save us now.

Devil May Care is the third book in the Devil trilogy by USA Today bestselling author Amelia Wilde. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea and A Deal with the Devil must be read first.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

Ohh-kay… mental note: Don’t mess with a man, his ship, and the sea! Get out of Poseidon’s way, people! ☠

This is the conclusion to the The Devil Trilogy. The first two books will need to be read prior as this is a continuous storyline. I’m not going to lie, I thought this one was a bit of mixed bag for me. After reading the first two in the trilogy I was invested in seeing where Poseidon’s and Ashley’s turbulent relationship would end up. I was eager to read this book. But what surprised me is I ended up more absorbed in Poseidon and his brothers unusual relationship and their zany little interactions. The dynamics and the unique contrast they each bring was intriguing (and at times entertaining) to witness.

I’ve said this in my review for The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, I felt there was backstory between these brothers (at the time I hadn’t realized that Wilde had actually written separate book series’ for both Poseidon’s brothers all set in the same universe previous to this trilogy) but after seeing more of them in this third book, in my opinion it would be beneficial if their stories were read first before starting this trilogy. I had a lot of questions when they were first introduced in this story, and their reappearance in this final book only cemented the fact that I would’ve wanted to know more about Poseidon, his brothers, and their relationship in more depth — especially considering time has passed and both his brothers have their own families now. I felt a little lost at times. Other than a brisk overview of their stories, I still felt like I was missing a huge chunk of these brothers lives. Nevertheless, I found their unique bond and brotherly allegiance to each other my highlight of this read! It might have been brief but it’s what made this a hearty conclusion to Poseidon’s story. 😊

The length of the book is a relatively nice one for a full-length novel, with the pacing itself slower in comparison to the first two books. It’s character driven storytelling and a lot of it takes place in the one backdrop, and I felt just as equally frustrated as Poseidon and Ashley in having being stuck in the one place the majority of the time. Although, I thought Wilde executed the sense of dread and hopelessness in the atmosphere superbly. It certainly matched the environment they were in!

In regards to the writing format, I’m sure there are plenty of readers who find short, choppy storytelling to be lively but in this particular book I found it to be disjointed. Things constantly popped up only for it to be resolved just as quickly. I couldn’t connect with some of the more emotional scenes which was a shame considering those events were essentially life-altering for these characters. For example: Poseidon’s ultimate mission that had constantly been with him since the beginning concluded rather abruptly that the entirety of the story seemed somewhat anticlimactic. There was such mystery and suspense throughout just for it to end the way it did. Yes, overall it was a HEA but I don’t know, something was missing.

But in saying that, it still had plenty of dimension, with little side stories left, right, and centre. Poseidon’s and Ashley’s relationship was twisted and unconventional from the get-go and I all I can say is… it’s still going at it strongly! I’m talking an emotional rollercoaster — Passion. Drama. Angst. Tears.

I do have to point out there are sensitive subject matter that may be triggering for some readers. These characters are saturated in emotional, physical, and mental toll from their gritty lives. Please note it contains, violence, attempted kidnapping, domestic abuse, drugs, rape, and attempted suicide. It also contains strong sexual content — readers 18+ only!

As a whole, I found it to be an appealing take on the Greek mythology of Poseidon. I think the secondary characters are just as fascinating as the main ones. Besides Poseidon’s brothers, his crew were quite a band of lovable humans. It’s a bit slow-going for the majority but definitely picks up pace in the last third of the book — which, including the epilogue was my favourite parts of the story. There’s intrigue, some unexpected plot points, and a new adorable character that gave Devil May Care a decent, honest-to-goodness ending.

A pirate, his modern day princess, and their happily ever after. I have no doubt readers will enjoy this story. A twisted, dark contemporary tale of the god of the sea!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐¾

Thank you to Amelia Wilde and Candi Kane PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💙

🔔 Interested in reading Devil May Care? Grab your copy here: Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

•••

🔱 Read my reviews for The Devil Trilogy!

Book One: The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea by Amelia Wilde

Book Two: A Deal With The Devil by Amelia Wilde

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Hidden Beauty by Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ Warning: This review contains minor teasers

booksofthemuggleborn_hiddenbeauty — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

Haley Constantine traded her life for her father’s safety. Now she’s trapped in a castle with the Beast of Bishop’s Landing.

Her own family wants her dead.

The only man who can save her is the one she can’t trust.

Dangerous. Tortured. Furious. Leo Morelli wears a mask of cruelty to cover up a lifetime’s worth of scars. He’s been injured, but that only makes him fight harder. The only thing he cares about more than revenge is the woman he’s come to love.

HIDDEN BEAUTY is the second book in the Beauty and the Beast trilogy from USA Today bestselling author Amelia Wilde.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

“True love doesn’t have boundaries. It isn’t rational or kind. True love is brutal.”

Eeeeep! We’re two thirds of the way, people! The second book in Amelia’s Beauty and the Beast trilogy, and boy has the suspense and the air of doom and gloom amped up a notch! 🙉

This entire story makes me giddy with happiness. I loved the first book Secret Beast, with Haley’s and Leo’s twisted hate-to-love chemistry. It had such an electric shock generating atmosphere. With this book, it made me want to bundle myself up in layers upon layers of blankets, sip hot chocolate, and read it again. There was a veil of melancholy over the entire story that had me really taking a beat to soak up everything that transpired.

It has just the right amount of darkness in the romance, with plenty of dimension, thrill, and excitement. The characters are complex and ever-developing right alongside their blossoming relationship. I adore the initial hate-to-love/ enemies-to-lovers trope between Haley and Leo that gradually built into something a lot more than either of them expected. Seeing them navigate through their feelings — especially since they both come from two warring families and already have pre-conceived notions of each other was a highlight to see.

In this particular part of the story, not only do they try and get a handle over their feelings but they deal with the repercussions brought on by years’ worth of battles, and for Leo personally, the demons from his past that are very much still haunting his life.

“She touches me softly. Like I’m not a monster.”

When I first read the title for this book, I had assumed it was going to focus on Haley (considering Secret Beast seemed self explanatory that it was introducing us to Leo), but after reading it, I realized that Hidden Beauty might actually be a nod towards Leo as well, at least from my perspective.

This had a very different feel in comparison to the first book. It’s a very revealing chunk of the story. It delves into Leo Morelli’s life and I guarantee by the end it’ll have you seeing him in a whole new light. I was already pro Leo, but seeing the amount of effort he has put in for his family throughout his entire life, and the reasoning behind his actions had my heart cracking and double thumping at the same time. Is that even possible?

I also wasn’t expecting to see dynamics between Leo and his family, but surprisingly, it ended up being one of my favourite things to see in this book. I love that he has this hard shell of a façade but it can’t fool his siblings. Those scenes despite the reasoning behind their get-togethers, also brought upon some lighthearted, authentic moments that I truly hope we’ll get to see a lot more of in the future. 😊

It’s a character driven storyline and told from dual points of view. The storytelling itself has great pacing. The majority of the backdrop is set in one location, but not once did it feel restrictive or lacking a change of atmosphere. The secondary characters that are included play a big part in keeping things interesting — that is, whenever Haley and Leo are not fogging up windows together… *fans self*

There is no doubt that you will see some headway in Haley’s and Leo’s relationship. There’s no beating around the bush with these guys the second their walls are down. I was utterly there with my feels seeing their us-against-the-world stance. With a sense of dread in the air right from the get-go, it was gripping from start to finish.

Plot twists. Betrayal. Pain. These are just three of the things you can expect from Hidden Beauty. The rest you’ll have to discover for yourself!

Before I conclude my review I am adding my favourite quote from the book. It’s not a spoiler but for those who haven’t read the book yet will probably be confused (possibly even curious) about it. This line completely caught me off guard and made me laugh…. hard. 🤭🤭 It also made me love Leo more so! #TeamMorelli

“I want the soup. It’s my fucking favorite soup.”

I’m seriously digging these books within the world of the Midnight Dynasty because it gives you different perspectives to both the Constantines and the Morellis depending on whose story is in the foreground. Seeing the villain, an antagonist, or a morally grey character such as Leo through their own eyes is always insightful and a big reason as to why I always prefer them to heroes.

It’s a hearty book that not only discloses true identities and an understanding of the bigger picture, but displays one’s willingness to not lose. Wilde has created such soulful, perfectly imperfect characters who I effortlessly connected with and found genuinely compelling. Families play a vital role in Haley’s and Leo’s story, and they are the definitive reason in how things have played out so far and no doubt will continue to do so. Just like Secret Beast, this one leaves with a frustratingly overwhelming cliffhanger, but also leaves you looking forward to the next installment. I know I can’t wait to read the next book!

(P.S. I also liked that Amelia added a little snippet that was a nod to another character from one of her other book series’. I haven’t read it but it certainly has me wanting to add it to my TBR!) 😉

I recommended Secret Beast to friends and fellow romance readers. Now I’m recommending everyone to continue on with Hidden Beauty! If you haven’t started this trilogy yet, you must! It’s a continuous storyline so you’ll need to start with Secret Beast. It’s the most devious, most scrummy contemporary beauty and the beast retelling I’ve read!

Another book of Amelia’s I loved reading! It’s an exceptional addition to the expanding world of the Midnight Dynasty.

Contemporary
Dark Romance
Fairy Tale Inspired
Hate-to-Love
Forbidden Romance

There’s moments here and there that reminisce scenes from Disney’s version that honestly made me smile. So if you’re a Disney fan, love your fairy tales, and also love them on the dark side, then I truly think these books will be for you!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Amelia Wilde, Candi Kane PR, and Dangerous Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💜

🔔 Interested in reading the Beauty and the Beast Trilogy? Grab your copy here:

Book One: Secret Beast: Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Google Play
Book Two: Hidden Beauty: Amazon | Apple Books | Kobo | Nook | Google Play

•••

🌹 Read my review for the first book in the trilogy!

booksofthemuggleborn_secretbeast — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

📔 Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

•••

Hoped you enjoyed! Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

A Deal With The Devil by Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

booksofthemuggleborn_adealwiththedevil — Original post from my IG @booksofthemuggleborn

•••

• BLURB •

A man can only have one great love, and mine was the sea.

Until I pulled a half-drowned heiress out of the water. Until I kept her as mine. Until I hurt her to prove I didn’t love her.

Now we’re surrounded. Dangerous pirates want to use her for their own purposes. I won’t give her up that easy. I have a lifetime of treasure to protect. But with the ship going down, there’s only one thing I want to save. Her.

A Deal with the Devil is book two in the Devil trilogy by USA Today bestselling author Amelia Wilde. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea must be read first.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

The swashbuckling action, the steamy cabin romps, and the big bad trouble following the Trident has officially amped up a level in book two of The Devil Trilogy! The story picks right up after the end of The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea— where you’re thrown right back into the middle of nowhere surrounded by nothing but open water.

This one was intense that I had so many emotions swirling around. Whilst I admit I was a little confused in the first book, this book cleared up a lot of the mixed-feelings I had towards Poseidon and Ashley.

Let’s start with the devilled pirate himself; Poseidon. He was a total alpha-hole in The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Yes, he was a swoon-worthy pirate who took no shit on his own ship (he is captain after all), yet I never fully understood why he was cruel and hurtful towards Ashley… until now. Any lingering questions I had from the first book was cleared up in this one. It’s amazing once secrets and backstories are revealed how much you can sympathize and understand a character’s traits and actions better. 😅 And Poseidon’s past was quite a doozy. I’m not saying I condone his actions, but I’m in no way writing him off either.

I can’t speak for anyone else’s opinions of Poseidon but in my books as the story progressed, he was winning me over a little bit at a time. I’m always down for reading about a complex, morally-grey character, but they get bonus points from me when they can admit wrongdoings and regrets because it shows that underneath all their bravado and asshole-y attitude they have a conscience, a willingness to change… and have heart! You will see a lot more of Poseidon’s life in this book and how much of his family has had an affect on his upbringing, his adulthood, and even how he handles business affairs.

Seeing the interactions amongst his crew is probably one of my favourite things to see in this book. I’m loving the fact that crew members are getting some of the limelight here and there. Also gives Poseidon’s ship a little more life by having different dynamics besides the one between Ashley and himself.

I’ve read and seen enough pirate stories to know that a woman on board is usually a no-no. But the dynamic Ashley has with Poseidon’s crew was such a highlight to see. I love the camaraderie, their charm, the light-heartedness they provided in what was an overall gloomy atmosphere, and the bonds they all individually made with her.

I actually laughed a good handful of times reading this book, and all those scenes involved Ashley. I’m happy sighing with relief that she’s now at a place where she doesn’t seem so alone and completely lost aboard a pirate ship. I wasn’t expecting the humorous scenes but it’s definitely some of the more memorable ones. (I’ll just say this: chocolate lovers will get a kick out of it!) 🤭

This was fast-paced storytelling with action left, right and centre. You get a deeper insight into the situation and how Poseidon and Ashley are feeling as it’s told from dual points of view. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, these characters are making the most of their time on the ship before trouble catches up to them. Ashley and Poseidon’s complicated relationship finally picks up pace and it almost seems like things are heading in the direction of an actual relationship where honesty and admittance of feelings are in play, whereas before it was very much a captor/captive situation.

First book focused on Ashley as a hostage on the Trident, playing by Poseidon’s rules. This book focuses on how much her time on board and in his space has affected Poseidon and changed enough of his initial plans that it’s left this story on another cliffhanger. Plot twists galore! There’s quite a few developments some of which I suspected as much, but others were complete surprises that I’m keen to see how things will all wrap up in the final book. I’m wondering how things will work out between Ashley and Poseidon — not to mention his ship, his crew, and even with his family.

In my opinion, if you didn’t love the first book right off the bat but still curious to see more, then this book will win you over a little more. It’s definitely progressive with a clearer direction of where it’s heading. It’s one of those stories (although a continuous one) gets better with each book. I was kept in suspense from start to finish— whether it was due to Ashley and Poseidon’s intimate moments, Poseidon’s unfinished business, or due to the trouble that has followed Ashley whilst onboard the Trident.

✔ A modern day pirate.

✔ A wanted heiress.

✔ A devil in disguise.

In one dark, contemporary romance. Book two in The Devil Trilogy is hearty, where one problem is solved just for another to pop up in its place. Ashley and Poseidon’s relationship has evolved into something more substantial. Lots of questions are still left unanswered and by the way it ended, it can honestly head towards a number of different ways.

I was sucked in and completely invested in seeing how things would develop further between Poseidon and Ashley. There’s plenty of hot scenes… as well as a few scenes worthy of stunned silence. If you’re a fan of mythologies, this one has a cool, modern take on Greek Mythology, obviously focusing on Poseidon (God of the sea).

I haven’t read a lot of books by Wilde yet, but from the ones I have read, I’ve come to enjoy. Her writing style is engaging with her vivid world-building, intriguing characters, gripping storylines, and satisfying amount of romance!

If you’re looking for a pirate romance story, give this one a go, start with The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea and continue onto this one! Add Poseidon to your list of sexy pirates alongside Jack Sparrow, William Turner and Killian Jones! *waggles brows*

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Amelia Wilde and Candi Kane PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💙

🔔 Interested in reading A Deal With The Devil? Grab your copy here: Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

•••

Read my review for the first book in The Devil Trilogy!

📘 The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea by Amelia Wilde

•••

Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

Adult Romance, ARC Review, Book Review, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

⚠ Warning: This review contains minor teasers

•••

• BLURB •

The beast hides a dark secret in his past…

Leo Morelli is known as the Beast of Bishop’s Landing for his cruelty. He’ll get revenge on the Constantine family and make millions of dollars in the process. Even it means using an old man who dreams up wild inventions.

The beauty will sacrifice everything for her family…

Haley Constantine will do anything to protect her father. Even trade her body for his life. The college student must spend thirty days with the ruthless billionaire. He’ll make her earn her freedom in degrading ways, but in the end he needs her to set him free.

SECRET BEAST is a new full-length novel from USA Today bestselling author Amelia Wilde about revenge, family secrets, and the redeeming power of love.

•••

• MY REVIEW •

Annnnnnnnd that’s how you do a fucking Beauty and the Beast retelling! *mic drop!* 🎤

“The Morellis are evil people. And more importantly, they hate Constantines.”

I’ve read dozens of Beauty and the Beast retellings and/or stories inspired by the classic tale, and I have to say Secret Beast is a quality story. I’m talking mint! *chef’s kiss* 👌 I devoured this book in one sitting and it left me wanting the next book right there and then! I don’t know how I’ll hold up if there’s a long wait for it! Ugh.

This is the first book in Amelia Wilde’s Beauty and the Beast trilogy set in the world of the Midnight Dynasty. It’s fast-paced storytelling and told from both Leo Morelli’s and Haley Constantine’s points of view. Leo has appeared in other books in this world and I had always assumed that he was just a straight up villain. Always. But after reading Secret Beast, I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t care if he’s a villain or not because I am team Leo Morello all the way! I’ve always favored complex gray characters, charming antagonists, and swoony villains… and it’s clear that my tastes have not changed! 😅

Leo is just the right amount of mystery, intimidation and darkness. Call me crazy but I’m a fan of his cruel words and snarky ways. I found it hella entertaining and in some ways charming. He’s like a classy villain. Where he can destroy you and still look spiffing hot at the same time!

If you want to read a story with an alluring yet broken leading man who draws you in with his broody personality and the secrets he holds behind his dark, piercing eyes — then Leo Morelli and the Secret Beast is your book!

“There’s nowhere to run from the Beast of Bishop’s Landing.”

Such amazing storytelling. Beautifully told, and captured my every attention doing so. It’s a relatively quick read but it still gives you the backstory between these two warring families and the intense atmosphere surrounding them. I enjoyed the world-building and the constant build-up between our protagonists. It felt like there was electricity in the air reading this book, and I swear the wintery season leaped off the pages because I found myself bundling up in blankets whilst reading the scandalous development between Leo and Haley (which BTW is for readers 18+ only)!

Such likable lead characters and I am one hundred percent invested in their story! Haley made just as much of an impression as Leo did. She’s the softness to his hardness (no pun intended) 🤭 and I admire her determination and heart. Honestly… I couldn’t blame her for her rollercoaster of emotions. If it were any other heroine then I might have rolled my eyes but there’s something so engaging about Haley and her inner monologue throughout the book that you can’t help but want to befriend her.

Wilde has created such a character driven world and their interactions together is the main reason as to why I loved reading this book so much. You witness the gradual development between Leo and Haley and how their differences slowly but surely bond together. Such a guilty pleasure read and an enemies to lovers romance trope to boot?! Heaven!

I adored how Wilde has taken the classic tale and made it not only her own, but modern and refreshing, yet still incorporated all the elements we know and love so well. I’m talking about the bookish heroine… the beastly anti-hero… the entire trade. Then there’s the smaller details that are just as impactful such as the wolves, the staff, and of course the dress! 🙌🙌

Not to mention the handful of secondary characters who all played vital roles in helping make this an impressive story and getting you to be just as curious about their own personal stories. I’m already making a mental note of the next books in this world I want to get to next!

Strong plotline from start to finish
Gradual character growth
Constant suspense
Vivid fictional world

“Leo is a Morelli and I’m a Constantine, and there can never be any kind of affection between us.”

Would I recommend Secret Beast? Hell yes! Not only do I think it’s one of the finer modern retellings of Beauty and the Beast, it’s also an exceptionally addictive story. If you like enemies-to-lovers in your romances, with a little (or a lot) of raunchiness, then you need to add this to your reading list. Just be prepared for the cliffhanger at the end of the book!

A gripping, stomach-fluttering experience reading what is ultimately a love story between two opposites who discovered that they couldn’t be without the other. Ah swoon.