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! ❤
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:
I never imagined my first trip to Italy would be to bury my father. But I stood alone in the cathedral with my father’s casket and a handful of soldiers to keep me safe.
It didn’t occur to me that anyone would disrupt the sanctity of the church. Would march in, weapons in hand and turn my world upside down.
But the Caballero brothers have little regard for the church and even less for my family.
They destroyed what peace I had.
They desecrated my father’s body.
And they took me for themselves.
I’m a princess in a tower in a breathtaking villa.
My bedroom overlooks the turquoise sea, but the door is locked.
And I have to contend with not one but two dragons.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“She belongs to both of us.”
Knight did it, and with such finesse! She has effortlessly had me reading an MFM romance and loving the hell out it! Now, I’m in desperate need of Broken Queen! 🙈
I’ve never been so jelly of a heroine be the meat in a seriously spicy Caballero brothers sandwich! 🥪 Ugh, some fictional characters have all the luck. Hehe.
All joking aside, this was another masterful dark, mafia romance by the wonderfully talented Knight that I’ll be adding to my favourite reads list. I salivated over the intrigue, the suspense, and the constant plot twists coming at me left, right, and centre! The multiple POVs worked well in bringing about each of the character’s perspective to the forefront. Seeing everyone’s mindsets added such complexity and dimension to the overall storytelling. It’s fast-paced, but in my opinion, only added to the excitement building between the three leading characters.
It’s evident early on that Vittoria favours one brother more than the other, and whilst I do see his appeal, I was pleasantly surprised to find the other brother had caught my eye just a smidge more. 🤏 But make no mistakes, I ended up loving both Caballero brothers in their own right, and I have no doubt other readers will be hard pressed in sticking to only one throughout this book. *waggles brows*
“Maybe we’re not the monsters you make us out to be, Dandelion.”
There’s strong familial dynamics (a tried-and-tested element in Knight’s books) and a great contrast of personalities between the brothers. Besides the romantic elements, the interactions between the Caballeros made this story a gripping read! The handful of subplots added layer upon layer of history and secrecy in both Vittoria’s family and the Caballeros that I was constantly percolating theories and predictions of where the story could lead.
Please note this dark mafia romance has dark elements that readers may find offensive and/or triggering. It contains graphic violence, child abuse, physical and sexual assault, and kidnapping. There’s also debatable con/non-con adult content. Intended for readers 18+ only.
The premise caught my attention, the characters sucked me in, and the storyline left me reeling. I rarely read MFM romance, but the believable chemistry sold me, and to top it off, there’s a vulnerability that Vittoria, Amadeo, and Bastian each possess that had me irrevocably invested in seeing their story through. I was immediately transported to the vivid world-building and there was a great introduction to the cast of characters. I’m hoping to see more character growth and relationships evolve further in the next book.
It’s a deviously twisted and depraved story that was an absolute page-turner. It had just the right amount of grittiness to counterbalance all the seduction. I highly recommend it to avid fans of Knight and to any romance reader who is a fan of dark, mafia romances and/or MFM romance reads. It’s the first book in the Ruined Kingdom duet and concludes on a cliffhanger. I would normally suggest to wait until the duet is complete before starting the first book, but it’s honestly too good to wait. If you’re willing to suffer through a little bit of a wait time for book two, then I say open the floodgates and read Ruined Kingdom now!
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Thank you Natasha Knight and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advance copy! 💛
From the first night I bedded her I knew I was playing with fire.
And now I must face the consequence.
I betrayed my best friend. A man who was more a brother to me than my own blood.
And as her stomach swells with my child, I fear I have lost her too.
She claims men hold all the power in our world, but she has brought me to my knees.
I love her. I know that now. Too little too late.
Breaking a heart is easy. Mending one is where the difficulty lies.
But a predator lies in wait of her. And I’ll do anything I must to keep her safe.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“He cups the back of my skull in his palm, drags me to him, and kisses me. It’s a kiss of possession. Of claiming. But something deeper. Something unbreakable.”
What a beautiful conclusion to Mercedes’ and Judge’s journey. They’ve come full circle and this book was a culmination of the struggles, the push-and-pull, and the emotions they both went through, as well as the growth in their characters and within their relationship since the fateful day Mercedes and Judge became entwined in each other’s lives.
Since starting this trilogy, I have been anticipating each book, and it was no different with this one— I read it easily in one sitting. I’m in happy contentment knowing that they FINALLY accomplished their HEA, but knowing that this trilogy has come to a close also left a bittersweet feeling.
I really hadn’t expected for Mercedes to win me over, but she has, and not only that, she’s more than managed to get me emotionally invested in her story. The fact that I was #TeamMercedes numerous times throughout these books is a testament to how gifted Knight and Zavarelli are as writers having been able to turn the nature of one’s character around in such an effortless way. I’m still taken aback by how quickly I became somewhat protective of Mercedes now knowing the full extent of what she’s had to endure.
If you’ve read the first two books, you wouldn’t want to leave the trilogy hanging but not reading book three, right?! Trust me when I say this book sums it all up— from the secrecy, the danger, to all the familial drama. When it comes to Mercedes’ and Judge’s journey, all the unfinished issues, all the things unsaid, and any lingering questions have been resolved.
*cough* Although there’s good odds that we’ll see certain characters again… possibly in their own books *cough* 😉😁
Super fast-pacing, but still manages to keep the existing in-depth storytelling and flow that the first two books created and developed. I quickly discovered that it was just as equally emotional. The world-building is phenomenal, with IVI’s rich history and decades worth of laws and traditions in place, it really does feel like you’ve stepped into quite an unpredictable society that’s all very hush-hush. It’s mesmerising, vivid, and pulls you right in. And as Mercedes (and even Judge) has disclosed on multiple occasions it’s not a world without restraint.
This book very much encompasses two separate worlds colliding as Mercedes and Judge reach their breaking points. Whilst we see a gradual character growth in Mercedes all throughout the trilogy, Judge has always been a little more adamant. But you’ll see a side to him that will genuinely have you feeling more lenient towards his alpha-caveman style behaviour. Secondary characters brought upon a lot of influence in how this story progressed and showcased the importance and the impact a support system can be for both protagonists. I found the friendships/ comradery so organic and authentic that despite the dark world they inhabit, this aspect of their story is still something you can relate to.
It’s by far my favourite story from Knight’s and Zavarelli’s exclusive world of The Society. But I can’t reiterate enough how much I recommend all the books from this world. Each standalone/ duet/ trilogy can be read in any order but in my opinion, it’s best to read The Society Trilogy first and foremost because it’s the introduction to IVI, as well as to Mercedes and Judge.
This particular book doesn’t have any triggers, but I should point out that first two in the trilogy do contain sensitive subject matter that may be triggering for some readers. The characters have mental, physical, and emotional trauma stemming from graphic violence. It also broaches on substance abuse. It’s intended for readers 18+ only.
A gritty, suspense-fuelled romance story that’s full of complexity and heart. Both Knight and Zavarelli have created some memorable characters with some pretty savage stories in the past that stays with you, I consider The Rite Trilogy as one of those stories for me. Each book has been consistently gripping, angsty, and leaves you wanting more. It’s a must-read in my books (no pun intended)!
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Thank you Natasha, Ashleigh, and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! ❤
🔔 Interested in reading The Rite Trilogy? Grab the complete trilogy here:
Yet she stands tall against me, taunting me with her rebellion.
But we all have rules we must live by.
Even me.
And I have broken the most sacred.
I took her to my bed.
I claimed that which did not belong to me.
And now that the beast within has had a taste, it wants more.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“Some of our most painful experiences are the ones that leave scars nobody can see. That doesn’t make them any easier to live with.”
I have no words. Mercedes and Judge have taken up residence in my mind—and I’m not even one bit concerned! Her Rebellion is a straight-up solid continuation from His Rule!
More danger! More developments! More at stake!
The intensity and fast-paced storytelling transitioned seamlessly onto this second book that it almost didn’t feel like there was a month-long wait to read it. 🙌 I’m telling you now, if you were on the fence about Mercedes De La Rosa in The Society Trilogy, this story will undoubtedly have you loving her! I don’t think I’ve encountered a heroine like her in such a long time. The level of character growth she’s displayed is unbelievably amazing—going from a morally grey secondary character to a full-blown genuine, strong-willed heroine!
I was thrilled to see that the push-and-pull relationship that developed between Mercedes and Judge was still very much present, but that it had also evolved into this time-sensitive secret love affair that’s brutal in so many ways yet just as sweet and passionate… but heart-stopping all the same time. I lived for those moments because they were few and far between. It was, in my opinion what had me completely and immensely emotionally invested in seeing this next part of their story unfold.
After the jaw-dropping cliffhanger that His Rule concluded with, I was eager to see the direction Mercedes’ and Judge’s story would head towards. Would Judge finally open up? Would Mercedes have the strength to move on? When will we see the pivotal turning point in their relationship?
If you like slow-burn romances… or should I say start-stop affairs, then hunker down because you’re in for a treat! 😜
And if, like myself you ended up getting hooked on this trilogy after reading the first book, you would’ve undoubtedly have had questions that needed answering. I’m happy to report as the plot thickens within this book, some of those lingering questions do get cleared up… only for new questions to take its place, that is. Sigh.
From the saucy, flirtatious romantic elements, to the suspense, intrigue, and secrecy surrounding these characters, it wasn’t at all hard to escape into their world. The edgy atmosphere from start to finish really played well in keeping its readers absorbed in the story. Told from dual points of view, I enjoyed seeing the contrasting internal dialogues of both protagonists— seeing the similarities and differences where their feelings are concerned had me either giggling with excitement or face-palming in discontent. 😅
The simultaneous storylines, alongside appearances and interactions by secondary characters kept-up the complexity of the overall narrative. I’m always a fan of crossovers from other book series’ and I thought Knight and Zavarelli did an outstanding job at corresponding timelines and events to ensure readers can read the books from The Society in no particular order.
Just like the first book, Her Rebellion ends on a cliffhanger. If you’re unaware, this is a continuous story therefore this trilogy needs to be read in publishing order. I should also point out, this part of the story contains sensitive subject matter that may be triggering for some readers, such as graphic violence, abuse, and kidnapping. These characters have gone (and are still going) through a lot of darkness and cruelty that resulted in a lot emotional, physical, and mental scarring. This trilogy is intended for readers 18+ only. Please note, it also contains strong sexual content.
Although not yet completed, this trilogy fast become my favourite story from the ever-expanding world of The Society that Knight and Zavarelli have vividly created, and I highly recommend it to avid fans of dark romance books. It has the perfect balance one would expect from this romance sub-genre; a gripping, well-developed, gritty love story with tons of surprises. It’s a guilty pleasure read full of heart and substance. (There are certain parts of this book I can’t stop going back and rereading, it’s that good)!
I’m eager to see how it will all conclude in Their Reign! After the things both Mercedes and Judge have had to endure, they most definitely deserve a HEA!
Read it.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Thank you Natasha, Ashleigh, and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! ❤
🔔 Interested in reading The Rite Trilogy? Grab the first two books here:
I live in a world where secrecy reigns.
A Society rooted in power, wealth, and long-held dynasties.
Where men are Kings, and women are pawns.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamt of escaping the shackles of my expectations.
But it can only ever be a dream.
I made a fatal mistake, and those shackles became a cage.
Now I’m trapped in a war with a man who controls my every move.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
My enemy, my tormentor, and my solace.
His words have the power to wound me.
His touch just might break me.
But this is his kingdom, and as long as I’m here I only have one choice.
I’ll play by his rules.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“When Mercedes and I come together, it’s like fire and ice. A battle of wills. Two beasts with our jaws on each other’s jugulars. For one to win, the other must lose, but what will the cost be?”
Give this book ALL the stars! It may be a little premature since this is only the first book in the trilogy, but I’m calling it anyways… this is the BEST, most intense story I’ve read within The Society! I have enjoyed all the previous books set in this world but I just emotionally connected with Mercedes’ and Judge’s unbelievably in-depth story on a whole deeper level!
It’s ironic how much of a non-fan I was of Mercedes in The Society Trilogy (where she was first introduced) only to come back around after reading His Rule to become my favourite heroine! 😅 A true testament of Knight’s and Zavarelli’s high quality storytelling to have who was once considered a devious antagonist become a complex, misunderstood protagonist you can’t helped but be emotionally invested in… and lowkey wanting to kick ass!
Whilst I had instantaneously adored Judge in The Society Trilogy, Mercedes however was a tough character to support. But seeing how much her character has evolved and finally knowing her backstory made me realize how quickly I may have prejudged her and assumed she was just another trouble-making side character. 🤦♀️
Other than his sense of dominance and power within The Society, very little is known of Judge as a character before this book, and when you finally learn about his story, you will swoon over him more so. He blows hot and cold, yet I found myself mirroring Mercedes as she navigates through her feelings.
A fast-paced, super action-packed storytelling that has so many twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the book. It has an overall sense of mystery, danger, and thrill that only heightened the reading experience. I found the world-building so vivid and alluring that I wished I could transport to their world.
Knight and Zavarelli know how to write weighty, in-depth stories and this is another prime example of their honed skills. The secrecy lurking at what seems like every corner, the handful of seedy secondary characters that you can’t help but need to keep constant attention on, and the rollercoaster ride that Judge and Mercedes takes you on as they battle out the effects of their push-pull relationship is what makes His Rule a must read!
The chemistry between these two fierce characters was off the charts FIRE! The heated banter was entertaining and only increased my love for them as a couple. There’s such an appeal in the forbidden aspect of their relationship and as the story develops, the more you want to see their bond.
Just the dark, romantic suspense story I needed for the perfect escape. It has an amazing combination of elements I look for (and expect) in my dark romance reads. Yes, it’s ultimately a work of fiction, but a lot of the parts included are fairly realistic and relatable— from the complex family dynamics, to the bonds and friendships formed, to dealing with one’s own social standing. I love the many layers this story consisted of, with multiple subplots both in the foreground and background, it’s what made it such a gripping read. There’s an equal balance of romance, personal journey, and all-around suspense to keep the intensifying build-up that culminates to an epic cliffhanger. It’s safe to say this book left me in such a desperate state of needing book two!
Please note, this book does contain sensitive subject matter that may be triggering for some readers such as, child abuse, domestic abuse, and graphic violence. It also contains strong sexual content. Intended for readers 18+ only.
However, if you have no triggers, and love any of the following romance tropes and genres, I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR.
Hate-to-Love
Forbidden Romance
Dark Romance
Romantic Suspense
Brother’s Best Friend
Age Gap Romance
It’s not necessary to read The Society Trilogy first, but I still recommend you do so, or at least go back to it after reading this one as it introduces you to Judge and Mercedes, and how their intricate relationship began.
Knight and Zavarelli are THE dream romance writing team and in my honest opinion His Rule was beautifully executed. Mercedes’ and Judge’s story not only expanded the existing world-building but IVI have another striking couple added to their already impressive list.
All in all, it’s an unbelievably impressive start to The Rite Trilogy. I couldn’t fault it. It’ll definitely be a story I’ll go back and visit time and time again!
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Natasha, Ashleigh, and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💛
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.
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• 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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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.
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