Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Mafia Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with my wife. That wasn’t part of the plan.
From the moment I first laid eyes on Madelena De Léon, I felt a primal urge to protect her. Keep her safe. Her father had failed her. I would not.
She is innocent, and I have no business taking her to my bed. But Madelena and I are bonded. Our destinies inexplicably linked. As is our survival.
My past is dark. I’ve made many enemies and betrayal runs rampant in my world. But sometimes those closest to you are the most dangerous of all.
If I was a better man, I would let her go. I know it’s the only way to keep her safe.
But any goodness I had in me vanished long ago. I am a man condemned. I want what I want.
And what I want is her.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“You and I belong to each other now. For better or for worse. Until death do us part. And I mean every word of that.”
What a page-turning ending to The Augustine Brothers duet! With the cliffhanger Forgive Me My Sins concluded with, I couldn’t get to this second half of the duet fast enough. Santos and Madelena had pulled me into their twisted and deadly world and I was completely enveloped in their stormy relationship.
As I mentioned in my review for the first book, I had my inklings about the plot twists and certain characters’ motives, and this second half of the story revealed all the mysteries. Although I found most of it fairly predictable quite early on, I still enjoyed the overall reading experience. Knight’s writing is consistently effortless to follow, with vivid world-building, and characters full of personality and intrigue. Her books are dark romance comfort reads for me and this story is another addition to the collection.
Santos and Madelena’s relationship evolved from distrust and uncertainty to one of love and loyalty. Whilst their characters could’ve been a lot more fleshed out in my opinion, there was still plenty of growth by each of them that kept me invested in seeing their story through. The complexity surrounding these MCs certainly made things interesting— I loved the additional murder mystery/psychological thriller elements thrown into this dark romantic suspense. It has the familiarity of Knight’s usual dark mafia romances but with a little something different included that set it apart from the rest.
Santos is a unique MMC having a less stereotypical alpha persona than I’m used to seeing in Knight’s books, and is more a protective and caring, albeit morally grey hero throughout. He opens up about is brutal history but acknowledges his wrongdoings and regretful actions. What you see is what you get with him.
For the most part Madelena has a fragility to her but when push comes to shove, you see determination and a fight in her that gave her character some much needed backbone. They’re quite a dynamic pair with contrasting personalities that worked well together.
The secondary characters’ roles in this book had taken things up a notch. New developments popped up but I can’t say all had been worthwhile plotlines. There were a couple I would’ve loved to have seen play out in more detail, but there were others that had me questioning why they were even included in the first place as they had eventually fizzled out by the end with no real importance to the main storyline.
I’m one of those readers that always seem to fall in love with a character who ends up either not getting the heroine in the end or… they end up dead. There’s a character in this story that fits one of these two categories, and I was honestly bummed to see it. I’m secretly hoping Knight will spin it around and give this character some kind of reprise. One can dream. 🤞😅
The fast-pacing is consistent with the first book and is continually progressing. Although it’s a dark romantic story, the spice level is relatively mild in this book and more on the sweeter side.
Dysfunctional families and dynamics, twisted mindsets and secrecy, a diverse cast of characters, and two MCs who discovered a surprising bond between them. The Augustine Brothers duet was an amazing read to escape into. It had a variety of elements that created an overall gripping fictional world with certain scenes I’m still replaying in my mind.
They went through some gruesome and exhausting experiences, and dealt with some realistic toxic relationships that many may find relatable. It was bittersweet and certain conclusions were somewhat debatable, but all in all, I was still left in contentment seeing how Santos and Madelena’s journey wrapped-up.
I think fans of Knight’s work will enjoy this one. It’s a dark romance story that isn’t as gritty as others out there and would be a great story for readers still new to the romance sub-genre (as long as you have no issues with dark themes and certain triggering content such as strong violence, sexual assault, and death).
If you like dark romances with an enemies-to-lovers, arranged marriage trope within a mafia-themed high societal setting, I recommend adding this duet to your TBR.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Natasha Knight and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an advance copy! ❤
🔔 Interested in reading The Augustine Brothers Duet? Grab your copy here:
Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Mafia Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
I’m not supposed to fall in love with my husband. It’s not part of my plan.
Forgive me.
Those were the first words Santos Augustine spoke to me before we sealed an unbreakable oath. A contract signed in blood binding me to him as payment for my father’s sins.
Wearing the mask of legitimacy, this powerful crime family has returned to Avarice to punish those who have wronged them and take what they’ve always been denied, a place among the elite.
Forced to marry my enemy, I’m thrust into his world of secrets and betrayals.
My husband is a dangerous man. And he has dangerous enemies. But it’s when I’m attacked that his fury is unleashed.
It’s then I see what it means to belong to Santos Augustine.
And although I know the safest place for me is in his bed, I can’t let myself fall in love with my husband.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“She and I have always been destined to be together. For better or worse. Even before our blood oath. We can each be the other’s savior. Or the other’s destruction. This is our destiny. Until death do us part.”
To put it simply… I loved it. Immensely. It had everything I expected a Natasha Knight romance novel would have, and it did not disappoint. Elements you can expect:
Tons of secrecy
Plot twists and suspense
Heartbreak
Some shady, shady characters
Complicated relationships
Nothing is what it seems where Madelena and Santos are concerned. One minute I’d be on the edge of my seat reeling, the next I’d be screaming into my pillow. It was utterly thrilling, angsty, and one hundred percent unputdownable.
Madelena is a mixture of damsel-in-distress and defiance, and you never know which side she’ll veer towards with each situation she’s thrown into. Santos is a conundrum that I found myself trying to decipher, and his unpredictability is one of the main factors in what kept me invested in seeing this story through. These MCs are broken in some way or another and it has resulted in their complex mentalities.
This is the first book in The Augustine Brothers duet and it painstakingly ends on a cliffhanger. It concluded with so many possibilities, plenty of developments that need resolving, and a handful of jaw-dropping plot points that I cannot wait to get to the bottom of in the next book. Knight has done an excellent job at creating a dark and curious world that I was easily transported to.
Just be aware that this dark mafia romance delves into sensitive subject matters that some readers may find triggering or disturbing to read. It contains graphic violence, domestic abuse, child abuse, self-harm, and mental and physical scarring. It has dark themes throughout, as well as sexual content intended for readers 18+ only.
If you enjoy dark, mafia romance books with a lot of push-and-pull between its MCs, I think this one is a must-read. Although there’s some spice, in comparison to some of Knight’s other books it’s not as steamy. Madelena and Santos’ relationship spans several years, and with how the story unfolds, I consider their intimacy a bit of a slow-burn development. This first book is an introduction to not only the dangerous elite world they’re associated to, but the intriguing group dynamics amongst the cast of characters. You’ll constantly be second-guessing anything and everything, and as the suspense builds, there’s a sense of desperation in the air that’ll have you anxious to figure out who can and cannot be trusted.
The characters are constantly evolving, and whilst they’re not completely fleshed-out, I have no doubt there’s still more to see. I fast became curious about the contrasting familial dynamics in Madelena and Santos’ respective families, so I’m hoping to see more of it in the next book. There’s a couple of secondary characters that caught my attention, and despite this being a duet, I’m lowkey hoping they get their own books in the future.
It’s well-paced storytelling and switches back and forth from the two MCs POV. There’s a sweet balance between the mafia and romance elements that makes this a solid dark mafia romance read. All in all, it’s a highly promising first half of the duet filled with intrigue, uncertainty, and seduction. It’s another well-put together narrative by Knight that I’m eager to read Deliver Me From Evil already! If you’re an avid fan, you’ll want to add this to your TBR.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Thank you Natasha Knight and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read an advance copy! ❤
Eva Winners released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing vigorously ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA.
She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails or exploring the beaches.
Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.
Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you’ll never want to leave.
I thought I knew him. I didn’t. I thought he was trustworthy. He wasn’t.
But nothing in this world is as it seems.
I caught the attention of the most notorious man in the underworld.
Konstantin wasn’t the type to be ignored. He commanded his criminal empire with an iron fist but he had secrets of his own.
But I was Tatiana Nikolaev. I’d never bend to a man’s will or be used as a pawn. Not again.
The moment I tempted the fates and played with fire, life spiraled out of control.
My only way of survival was to trust again.
But could I?
(A Complete Duet — The story of Tatiana Nikolaev!)
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“Now, yesterday, ten years ago. Tomorrow. Ten years from now. Forever. I wanted her forever.”
Book One: Thorns Of Lust
Not only was this a mammoth page-turning start to Tatiana and Konstantin’s story, but it was one impressive introduction to the Thorns of Omertà series!
Quickly discovering the level of complexity and highly-detailed developments, there was no way their story could’ve been told in a singular novel. There was so much to grasp from this book and knowing by the end of it that there was a lot more to be revealed, I’m thrilled Winners had decided to turn their story into a duet.
I love mafia romances, but what set this one apart from others I’d read was the constant secrecy, unpredictability, and how the entire narrative was set in a massive murder-mystery backdrop. It’s an element that immediately had my mind turning, whilst the anxiety-building, sexually-charged developments between Tatiana and Konstantin amped up the overall reading experience. It’s well-paced and full of interconnecting worlds from a few of Winners’ other series’. I’m in awe of how well Winners has incorporated these various worlds and timelines of certain events into this one.
If you’re not up-to-date with her backlist of books it shouldn’t be a problem. Although there are plenty of mentions and character crossovers, it didn’t feel like I missed out on the connections and relationships amongst the cast of characters. Brief explanations are provided, more than enough to get you curious, but it also added plenty of secondary plotlines. The world-building is expansive, vivid, and held wonder.
Tatiana and Konstantin have fast become two of my favourite characters by Winners. They each have a balance of fiery determination and heart to their personalities that not only made them such likable characters, but immediately had me emotionally invested in seeing where their complicated, totally screwed-up relationship would lead.
I loved the flashbacks provided. It enriched both Tatiana’s and Konstantin’s POVs, and gradually clarified plot twists little by little with each one. There was a nice slow-burn in developments that caused this book to be unputdownable, alongside a huge cast of secondary characters that helped add dimension to both Tatiana’s and Konstantin’s characters and interesting group dynamics throughout.
There’s already a deep and twisted attraction between the two that I cannot wait to see become a full-blown love affair. It was exciting, suspenseful, at times unrequited, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading every bit of it! I would absolutely recommend this story to fellow romance readers, whether you’re an avid mafia romance lover or not. It’s not heavily gritty or violent—perfect introduction to the dark and mafia romance sub-genre for those wanting to give it a try.
Winners’ writing is solid and effortless to follow. The characters are fleshed-out and immensely engaging. I was instantly transported to her fictional world. This is a must-read in my book!
•••
“It started with lust for me but it ended with love. I loved him so fucking much that it scared me.”
Book Two: Thorns Of Love
Freaking phenomenal! I was on tenterhooks from start to finish. The developments that transpired in Thorns of Lust had consumed my thoughts, that I couldn’t read Tatiana and Konstantin’s conclusion fast enough in Thorns of Love. Now that I have, I’m left speechless and utterly content. This story is an unbelievable example of what an exceptional fictional world and its characters can do to a reader both psychologically and emotionally. It was highly exciting, unpredictable through and through, and brought about some of the most heart-palpitating moments from this entire duet.
Just when I thought this story couldn’t surprise me anymore, Winners hits you with one shocker after another. The well-pacing from the first book continued onto this one and only sped up as secrets started to unravel. I loved the flashbacks in the first book, and I absolutely loved them here. It’s amazing once the fog cleared how things started clicking into place. Winners has written an amazing dark mafia romance that also doubled as this topsy-turvy murder-mystery that I couldn’t get enough of.
It was intricate. It was devious. It was spell-bindingly swoon-worthy.
There are a handful of juicy secondary storylines gradually developing in the background that are appetizers for the next books to come in the series, and I ended up just as giddy for them as I was seeing Tatiana and Konstantin navigate through not only their relationship but the dangers lurking about threatening their HEA.
This is definitely one of my favourite stories by Winners that I have read so far. It has a massive cast of characters that all played significant roles in expanding relationships, connections, and ultimately the world-building that Winners created and interconnected with all of her other book series’.
The familial bonds and dynamics have deepened so much from the first half of this duet to this second one. Their closeness, protectiveness, and love were a genuine sight to see. There’s a relatability in their relationships from the banter to their heart-to-hearts that I found to be some of my favourite parts of this book.
There are a lot of developments that could have easily been too much but it all worked well in elevating Tatiana’s and Konstantin’s story. The suspense kicked-up a few notches, and contained a darker tone in comparison to the first book. Please note, some parts may be triggering or disturbing for some readers as it contains kidnapping and graphic violence.
With the mystery surrounding Tatiana and Konstantin, this is a story that readers really need to experience and decipher for themselves. It has such a complex and impressive narrative that I highly recommend. It has elements that will undoubtedly captivate romance readers interests from the sizzling love story, friendships, family interactions, and a range of backdrops that’ll have you travelling from destination to destination. This second book in the duet concludes on a beautiful note that really was deserving of the intense journey that Tatiana and Konstantin go through.
I should note that I’m usually not a fan of huge age-gaps (15-20+) between MCs, and Tatiana and Konstantin have quite a bit of an age-gap between them. But Winners’ books tend to have this trope so I wasn’t surprised to see it here. If you have any hesitancy, don’t worry as the age difference between Tatiana and Konstantin in my opinion was rarely obvious, except for a couple of minor occasions.
But simply put, I loved it. It contains some pretty twisted characters—some you’ll hate, and some that may perk your interest. If you like dark mafia romance, romantic suspense, and/or a bit of murder-mystery in your romance books, then give this one a try.
DUET RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Thank you Eva Winners and Enticing Journey Book Promotions for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the duet! 💗
🔔 Interested in reading the Thorns Of Omertà Duet? Grab the books here:
(Book One) Thorns Of Lust:Amazon | (Book Two) Thorns Of Love:Amazon
He was the mysterious dark knight always swooping in to save me when I needed it most.
I was the troubled girl with scars and a bleeding heart.
He was the gifted guitarist destined for big things.
I was the small-town girl battling her demons.
He was my earth….always keeping me grounded.
And I was his sky…always just out of his reach.
Our love was everything I wished for.
Until I destroyed it.
I never thought I’d see Memphis Payne again after I broke his heart, but the stars had other plans.
Because here he is…needing me to clean up his mess this time.
Only problem is…
Doing so will break both our hearts.
They say only the strongest love can survive an apocalypse.
That if two people are meant to be, they’ll find their way back to each other.
I hope they’re right.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“The people you trust are the ones who hurt you the most.”
Jade has written another fleshed-out, thought-provoking story that will undoubtedly stay with me. The follow-up story to The Words centres around Memphis, Skylar, and Josh, as we delve into each of their backstories in this first book from the Star-Crossed Lovers Duet.
The strongest and most drawn-out emotion that The Choice surprisingly evoked out of me was utter frustration. But trust me, that’s a good thing—I was wholly absorbed. This trio of characters each played a role in adding complexity and dimension to the storyline that not only grabbed my attention, but had me invested in seeing how their warped relationships would unfold.
Memphis is Memphis, and for me, his character has never wavered. I immediately took a liking to him in The Words, and after reading this book, it only reiterated how easily he drew me in. As much as I adored Skylar in The Words, I wasn’t her biggest fan in this book, but I’m not worried as I know her character growth will develop further, and I, for one am looking forward to seeing it in the second half of this duet. Although Josh played a minor role in The Words, his character left quite an impression that was magnified tenfold in this one. Nothing could have prepared me for what this book entailed.
New Adult romance
Rock star romance
Next-door neighbours
Love triangle
Star-crossed lovers
Small-town romance
The storytelling is very character-driven and had me completely on edge. It’s twisted, erratic, and emotionally-charged through and through. While I would happily recommend it to fellow romance readers, it’s not for the faint-hearted. There are sensitive subject matters within that some readers may find triggering or disturbing to read about. Please note it’s graphic and contains domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, drug and substance abuse. These characters are traumatized, troubled, and the experiences they’ve had to endure resulted in psychological scarring and PTSD. It’s intended for readers 18+ only.
This is an interconnected standalone. You don’t have to read The Words beforehand but I highly advise you do read it before The Consequence. This half of the duet is their history. The Words takes you to their present (only their story is secondary), but The Consequence will pick up where The Words ended, and where their story will in evidently conclude.
These characters have been put into some pretty dicey situations that no one should have to bear. I wish I could say I completely understood or sympathise with all of their actions and life-altering choices but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Whilst some decisions were understandably made out of sheer desperation, other choices were fairly questionable. Like I said earlier, it’s thought-provoking and there’s a lot to absorb. It broaches on one’s moral compass, motivations, and ultimately questions one’s character. And I thoroughly enjoyed every minute getting to divulge into these characters’ innermost psyche.
“It’s wrong. It’s reckless. It’s perfect.”
I couldn’t have said it better than the quote above. I love Jade’s writing. It’s effortless to follow, pushes against the boundaries, and swallows you whole from the very beginning. It has a way of transporting you into the world that’s been so intricately created, and the world-building here is phenomenal. The overall atmosphere envelops you. Although I couldn’t relate to some of their experiences, I found Memphis and Skylar to be genuine, relatable characters I easily connected with—especially Memphis with his personality type.
The alternating POVs between Memphis and Skylar is what sets their small-town, young love story apart from other small-town romances I’ve read in the past. Their internal monologue, along with their heart-palpitating interactions is everything! I was left reeling at the events that took place, and by the time this book concluded, I was left just a smidge heartbroken.
The Choice is a contemporary star-crossed lovers romance story that packs one helluva punch! I’ll be twiddling my thumbs until I can get my hands on The Consequence because the ending in this book had my jaw dropping. I’m so glad Jade decided to return to this world and expanded it. It’s beautiful, soulful, and makes you wish only good things for these characters. This is definitely one of my favourite reads of year.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Thank you Ashley Jade and Candi Kane PR for the opportunity to read an advance copy! 💜
🔔 Interested in reading The Choice? Grab your copy here: Amazon US | Amazon INTL
With the impending war on our doorstep, I’m training harder than ever to become the woman I was always meant to be.
A warrior.
I’m faced with trials set out to break me, but I keep getting up and walking away stronger than before.
I quickly learn I’m not just fighting for freedom but for a world where women won’t be treated as breeders.
I’m fighting for the future of every woman.
I’m fighting to prove I’m not the coward I always thought I was.
I’m a leader.
Mostly, I’m the woman every man on this planet should fear.
Author’s Note: 18+ ONLY. This book contains mature language, graphic violence, and explicit content.
CRUELEST OBLIVION is book #1 and needs to be read before reading SWEETEST AWARENESS which concludes the duet.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“I’ve always wondered if there’s more out there.”
This was a whirlwind conclusion to the Cruelest Oblivion Duet. It’s fast-paced, punchy, and dropped one shocking development after another. There was definitely a sense of urgency and desperation surrounding Jai, Chance, and their group of friends as they brace themselves for the inevitable all-out war heading their way.
Forget everything and everyone you’ve learned about and have even grown attached to in the first book. This conclusion will turn everything on its axis and you’ll find yourself trying to wrap your mind around the turn of events that take place.
The build-up of action and suspense in Cruelest Oblivion has carried over to Sweetest Awareness, along with the impressive individuals that were introduced.
I do feel that this second book was abrupt in comparison, with a lot to take in but finding very little time to do so. One of the main things I ended up loving in the first book was the diverse cast of characters and the dynamics within their group, and I’m glad to see it has only evolved since.
However, I am left with plenty of questions that I know I’ll probably never get the answers to. With how this part of the story developed the storytelling was slightly on the choppy side, and in my opinion certain developments needed to be more extensive. But in saying that, I loved that there were still some unpredictability with some of the twists that played out completely coming out of left field.
There’s a little spice here and there, enough to keep the romance element present, but its the growing relationships and their main objective in this world that’s become the main focal point of this book. As I mentioned in my review for Cruelest Oblivion, if you’re a fan of other dystopian worlds like Veronica Roth’s Divergent, and Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, then I highly think you’ll enjoy the world Heard has created.
This is Heard’s debut into Dystopian fiction, and I truly hope she plans to venture back into the genre in the future. The world-building for this duet is vivid and leaves potential for expansion. Whilst I would’ve loved an epilogue, it still closes on a nice open-ended conclusion that left me in happy contentment.
Investing in these characters with their strong, individual personalities, and minor storylines developing in the background was easily done on my part. They’re flawed, emotionally-driven, and impulsive, yet they all have some lovable trait about them that had me rooting for their survival.
Heard had me returning to a genre I hadn’t read from in ages. It had an impressive premise that was well-executed overall in its storytelling. I love this duet! The writing was effortless to follow, kept me engaged from the first page to the last, and transported me to a captivating world. I highly recommend this duet to romance readers, even if you’re not big on Dystopian fiction. There’s plenty of action and suspense, strong friendships, and swoon-worthy romance that’ll keep you hooked!
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Michelle Heard for the opportunity to read an advance copy! 💜
🔔 Interested in reading the Cruelest Oblivion Duet? Grab your copy here:
He says you can only rise up once you hit rock bottom.
Only be made whole once you’re fully broken.
I don’t know that there’s anything left to break.
Time is running out for me. Enemies are closing in at every turn.
But this time I won’t be alone.
One brother has vowed his protection. The other reaffirmed his hatred of me.
Yet they both want me.
But something dark is unraveling inside me.
An event too terrible clawing its way into my consciousness.
And even as things begin to change between us, it’s those memories that may undo us all.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“This is Dandelion. A little weird. Damaged. But ours. Ours.”
What an emotional journey! Knight has a talent for putting her characters through the wringer. Ruined Kingdom was a strong introduction to not only Amadeo, Bastian, and Vittoria’s depraved world but to their devilishly complex love triangle. Broken Queen got bloody, it unearthed secrets, and more than ever, it cemented the trio’s bond.
After the cliffhanger that concluded the first book I couldn’t read this one fast enough, and I found that I read the majority of it with bated breath. It’s tense, dramatic, and was set in an overall murky atmosphere.
It’s a continual storyline therefore Ruined Kingdom must be read first in order to read this conclusion. It’s fast-paced, told from multiple POVs, and is constantly developing. The dark themes and content resumed in this book but if you’ve already read the first one, then you know what to expect going forward. If not, please note there are sensitive subject matter that some readers may find triggering, such as graphic violence, kidnapping, and sexual assault. It’s intended for readers 18+ only.
As I mentioned in my review for the first book in this duet, MFM romance is not in my usual wheelhouse of romance reads, but Knight undoubtedly hooked me in with her characters and their twisted, yet unmistakable connection.
“I know one thing more surely than I’ve ever know anything in my life. We were fated, the three of us…”
I liked the contrast and group dynamics between these three MCs. They each had differences in their character but all worked well together. It’s evident their stronger together than they are apart. And despite the brothers sharing a heroine, there’s genuineness within their unique relationship. Unlike some love triangles I’ve encountered in other romance stories, there wasn’t anything awkward or unconvincing about these brothers falling for the same woman. They all bring something worthy to the relationship and I found myself instantly invested in seeing their relationship evolve.
From the very beginning I gravitated towards one brother more than the other despite finding both to be such likable morally grey heroes, and this second half of the duet only cemented my love for said brother. I was drawn a smidge more to his parts of the story and his interactions, in my opinion, left lasting impressions.
There’s full character growth and backstory with each of the protagonists in this story. Amadeo, Bastian, and Vittoria come full circle that left me genuinely happy to see them secure their HEA. Yes, it’s unconventional, but I ran with it because it’s fictional, it’s swoon-inducing, and after having witnessed what they had gone through, they deserved a second chance and to find some contentment in their lives.
It’s another amazingly well-written dark, mafia romance story by Knight. She’s racked up so many of them that I love whenever I come across series crossovers. The appearances made here by certain characters was a giddy surprise! Their addition to the storyline was seamless, added extra dimension, but in no way stole the limelight from the MCs.
I enjoyed reading this story and highly recommend it to avid fans of Knight, fans of dark/ mafia romances, and for those who also enjoy the MFM romance trope. It’s brutal, at times unsettling, but balanced with a scorching, ravenous romance between enemies-turned-lovers.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Natasha Knight and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advance copy! 💛
🔔 Interested in reading the Ruined Kingdom Duet? Grab your copy here:
Over the past four decades, the dome over our Ecocity has protected us from the deviants living in the forbidden territory. Since the great war ended, our lives have consisted of virtue and order.
Once a year, seven people are sent out to the forbidden lands to see if there are any deviants worth saving. None have returned, only increasing people’s fear of what lies beyond the safe border of the dome.
When I’m chosen as a crusader, the world, as I know it, is ripped from under my feet. In the forbidden territory, I learn things I never dreamed existed – a world I’ve been totally oblivious to. I meet people who freely show emotion and affection. People who dare make their own choices.
It’s frightening and the opposite of everything I’ve ever known.
Suddenly, I have to fight for my life. I’m thrown into chaos where time is running out to become a skilled fighter who will be an asset for the coming war. But my mind’s bombarded with questions – who’s right and who’s wrong? Which side should I fight on?
I don’t belong in this world filled with cruelty and depravity.
Then there’s Chance, my reluctant trainer. The man is the definition of deadly and so attractive I struggle to think straight around him. I’m also pretty sure he would love nothing more than to snap my neck. Cruel, impatient, and harsh, he’s a brute who seems annoyed by my existence.
Honestly, I’m not sure I will survive living with the deviants, never mind fighting in a war. Unless I find my courage and learn to fight for myself, I fear this new world will crush me.
18+ ONLY. This book contains mature language, graphic violence, and explicit content.
CRUELEST OBLIVION is book #1 and ends on a cliffhanger. SWEETEST AWARENESS will conclude the duet.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“In the forbidden lands, there’s no good and bad, Jai. There are only those who are strong and those who are weak. The strong survive, and the weak die. It’s as simple as that.”
OMG this book is perfection, with an absolute savage of a storyline and attention-grabbing characters. It was unputdownable! 🙌 Heard needs to write more dystopian fiction because she definitely has a knack for it.
If you like Veronica Roth’s Divergent, Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, James Dashner’s The Maze Runner, Stephenie Meyer’s The Host, and/or even Stephen King’s Under The Dome, then I truly think you would enjoy Cruelest Oblivion. Heard quickly cemented her own epically brutal dystopian world-building and I felt as if I was transported right alongside Jai as she navigated through some massive life-altering developments.
It’s fast-paced.
It’s thrilling.
It’s utterly addictive.
It’s a harsh world where survival instincts either need to kick in, and kick in fast, or find yourself an easy target during hunting season (which in this world, is all year round)! A very real sense of fear and anxiety permeated the air as I read this story, and I found myself rooting for a multitude of characters to make it out on the other side.
The plot twists and unpredictability added excitement, the romance element added giddiness, the action and suspense kept things on edge, but the one element that completely took me by surprise was the lightheartedness— the ongoing comical relief and the smile-inducing internal monologue added extra oomph to an already unbelievably satisfying read. It balanced out the heartache, emotional turmoil, and some of the shock factor from events that transpired.
Please heed the trigger warnings and don’t read this book if you can’t withstand graphic violence and sensitive content such as abuse and mental trauma. It’s definitely intended for readers 18+ only.
The world-building is vivid, multidimensional, and has what feels like infinite possibilities for expansion. I can’t believe this is only a duet. I finished this book with so many lingering questions and a love for not only the protagonists, but the secondary characters that made just as punchy an impression. From the morally grey characters, to the law-abiding ones, to ones that seemed black-hearted but who I’m secretly hoping have some redeemable qualities in them have all left me wanting to see more. It’s a story that was made for the screen. Heard’s writing is imaginative and effortless to follow that it instantly pulls you in. Whilst it does occasionally have dual POVs, most of the narrative is through Jai’s perspective, which in my opinion, sets an apprehensive vibe throughout the book and elevates the entire reading experience.
Although it concludes on a cliffhanger, it still had a sense of closure. A chapter of Jai’s journey comes to a close but in no way is it nearing the final end yet. It’s a less mean, less dramatic cliffhanger, which I appreciated. 🙏😅
It’s a solid recommendation from me. I think it’s perfect for fans of dystopian romance, and a must-try for readers who love Heard’s writing. It may be a different genre from her previous books but it still has elements that is so quintessentially Heard and her writing style. The premise delivers and then some! There’s tingly romance, a diverse cast of characters, and constant developments all in a world that’s gritty and divided.
It’s definitely one of my favourite reads of the year. I can’t wait to read Sweetest Awareness and see how this duet wraps-up!
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Michelle Heard and Candi Kane PR for the opportunity to read an advance copy! 🧡
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