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rihoward's review against another edition
5.0
Why had I never heard of this series before?!?
To say that I liked this story would be a lie. No, I didn't like it. I loved it. From the first chapter I was hooked. The author has an amazing writing style. Her characters, settings, storyline, dialogue, and chemistry were on point. I found myself smiling at times while being empathetic to them at the same time. There is mystery, and suspense but also a foundation being established that left me invested in knowing more.
I'm on to read the next in this series and if it is as good as this one then I have a new author to follow. I'm still gobsmacked that this was a debut book according to her forward.
To say that I liked this story would be a lie. No, I didn't like it. I loved it. From the first chapter I was hooked. The author has an amazing writing style. Her characters, settings, storyline, dialogue, and chemistry were on point. I found myself smiling at times while being empathetic to them at the same time. There is mystery, and suspense but also a foundation being established that left me invested in knowing more.
I'm on to read the next in this series and if it is as good as this one then I have a new author to follow. I'm still gobsmacked that this was a debut book according to her forward.
elvendorkette's review against another edition
1.0
This was a mishmash of every possible romance book trope, ever. There wasn't a single thing in this book that I hadn't read before. The writing was okay, thus the one star at least, but the lack of originality stole the rest of the stars.
Things that irked me:
a) Lucy's constant fascination with other women's looks,
b) Asher's lack of personality (other than the qualities stolen from, say, Christian Grey),
c) the evil bitches that needed to be put down so that we'd realise how awesome Lucy is,
d) the ladies and Monica who were constantly after Asher so that we'd realise how awesome he is,
e) the constant plot holes or inconsistencies,
f) the fact that Lucy was held in Asher's place for a month for no good reason,
g) aaaaaand Lucy - I kept hoping for dual POVs just so she'd shut up.
Things that irked me:
a) Lucy's constant fascination with other women's looks,
b) Asher's lack of personality (other than the qualities stolen from, say, Christian Grey),
c) the evil bitches that needed to be put down so that we'd realise how awesome Lucy is,
d) the ladies and Monica who were constantly after Asher so that we'd realise how awesome he is,
e) the constant plot holes or inconsistencies,
f) the fact that Lucy was held in Asher's place for a month for no good reason,
g) aaaaaand Lucy - I kept hoping for dual POVs just so she'd shut up.
olovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book was seriously one of the best books I have read to date. I love Parker's writing style. The quotes at the beginning of every chapter were so beautiful and went along with the chapters. I love how strong Lucy is and how she is such a great heroine. And the way she builds courage every chapter with the help of having Asher by her side.
Asher is great as well. I loved his character so much. How he ends up being everything that Lucy wants in a man. I love that their chemistry wasn't forced. They worked on an exercise together to help them get to know each other which helped them understand each other better, read each other better, respect each other, and have a relationship grow out of that. The most beautiful thing I have read. I seriously thought I was going to hate Asher, but I was definitely wrong.
My favorite part would have to be THAT part where Lucy stands up for him. YOU KNOW THE PART. Seriously, I reread that part like 10x before moving on because it was just so beautiful and I was like YES GIRL! Defend yo man lol
Anyways, beautiful story and I cant wait to start the next book!
Asher is great as well. I loved his character so much. How he ends up being everything that Lucy wants in a man. I love that their chemistry wasn't forced. They worked on an exercise together to help them get to know each other which helped them understand each other better, read each other better, respect each other, and have a relationship grow out of that. The most beautiful thing I have read. I seriously thought I was going to hate Asher, but I was definitely wrong.
My favorite part would have to be THAT part where Lucy stands up for him. YOU KNOW THE PART. Seriously, I reread that part like 10x before moving on because it was just so beautiful and I was like YES GIRL! Defend yo man lol
Anyways, beautiful story and I cant wait to start the next book!
jdemaere's review against another edition
5.0
I truly enjoyed this listen! Both for the characters and storyline as well as the narration!! I wasn’t completely sure about Asher at the beginning of the book, spoiled rich boy that he appeared .. but I gained respect and love for him as the story moved on!
The fake fiancé story always gets me at first because it’s a sad commentary on life usually, but this one wasn’t so much of that as I’ve read before. Parker S Huntington did a wonderful job developing the characters and writing this story.
Lacy Laurel is a great narrator and it’s always easy to tell which character is talking at any one time! This is no different!
The fake fiancé story always gets me at first because it’s a sad commentary on life usually, but this one wasn’t so much of that as I’ve read before. Parker S Huntington did a wonderful job developing the characters and writing this story.
Lacy Laurel is a great narrator and it’s always easy to tell which character is talking at any one time! This is no different!
theeclecticreview's review against another edition
5.0
I was planning to read book 2 in this series first and changed my mind after reading a note from the author to start at the beginning in order to get the full effect of the series. Holy cow! I'm so glad I did.
The story is told entirely from Lucy's perspective which is my favorite POV. Why? Because there is nothing more thrilling than peeling back the layers of an extremely dangerous and fabulously sexy mob fixer.
Lucy is a courageous foster kid who has never truly been loved and is terrified of being beholden to anyone let alone agreeing to be a fake fiancee to a killer. So she makes the best of her situation and little by little she hears his tragic story and discovers a whole new side to Asher's killer alter ego including his subtle sense of humor, his chivalry, and his attentiveness. He's a complex and provocative package that Lucy can't resist, but will her association with him get her killed?
Lucy and Asher's story is a slow burn that begins with their fake engagement to save Asher's seat as CEO to his company. When they start to spend more time together, the attraction builds and Asher reveals that he wants to get out of the mafia business altogether. There are so many ways Asher shows Lucy he cares by giving her gifts proving that he listens, respects her by asking her opinion, and protecting her with his life. In turn, Lucy returns the favor by vowing to make him smile every day, defending him in a kickass verbal dispute, and revealing her tragic past in a very public way. The supporting characters of Xavier, Lucy's hunky personal bodyguard, and Aimee, Lucy's hilarious best friend, and roommate, are essential to Lucy's protection and friendship and worthy of a story in their own right. Let's hope.
Overall, I was delighted to read Ms. Huntington's debut mafia romance with engaging characters and an interesting plotline filled with cool technological gadgets only an intelligent and savvy ex-mafia fixer would have for his protection. And naturally, this great read motivates me to continue with the series.
This is not my first Huntington book, but after reading Devious Lies which is an engrossing enemies-to-lovers page-turner, I couldn't wait to read another.
The story is told entirely from Lucy's perspective which is my favorite POV. Why? Because there is nothing more thrilling than peeling back the layers of an extremely dangerous and fabulously sexy mob fixer.
Lucy is a courageous foster kid who has never truly been loved and is terrified of being beholden to anyone let alone agreeing to be a fake fiancee to a killer. So she makes the best of her situation and little by little she hears his tragic story and discovers a whole new side to Asher's killer alter ego including his subtle sense of humor, his chivalry, and his attentiveness. He's a complex and provocative package that Lucy can't resist, but will her association with him get her killed?
Lucy and Asher's story is a slow burn that begins with their fake engagement to save Asher's seat as CEO to his company. When they start to spend more time together, the attraction builds and Asher reveals that he wants to get out of the mafia business altogether. There are so many ways Asher shows Lucy he cares by giving her gifts proving that he listens, respects her by asking her opinion, and protecting her with his life. In turn, Lucy returns the favor by vowing to make him smile every day, defending him in a kickass verbal dispute, and revealing her tragic past in a very public way. The supporting characters of Xavier, Lucy's hunky personal bodyguard, and Aimee, Lucy's hilarious best friend, and roommate, are essential to Lucy's protection and friendship and worthy of a story in their own right. Let's hope.
Overall, I was delighted to read Ms. Huntington's debut mafia romance with engaging characters and an interesting plotline filled with cool technological gadgets only an intelligent and savvy ex-mafia fixer would have for his protection. And naturally, this great read motivates me to continue with the series.
This is not my first Huntington book, but after reading Devious Lies which is an engrossing enemies-to-lovers page-turner, I couldn't wait to read another.
kaity_b's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-4 stars
I really enjoyed the beginning where they are trying to navigate their relationship.
There were spots in the book where I felt like it didn't flow, specifically in the relationship aspect.
Overall I really enjoyed the writing! I wished it was dual POV but I think that the next couple books in the series are.
I really enjoyed the beginning where they are trying to navigate their relationship.
There were spots in the book where I felt like it didn't flow, specifically in the relationship aspect.
Overall I really enjoyed the writing! I wished it was dual POV but I think that the next couple books in the series are.
rubellaface's review
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fake dating/fiancée trope is fun, but the emotional arc felt a big rushed. FMC is early 20s and while she's smart and bold and courageous at times, her temper tantrums (while understandable) were a bit much.
The MMC seems lovely and sounds hot, but I also struggled to fully trust and understand him since we get none of his POV on top of an unreliable narrator.
That said, I do enjoy this author's style of writing and the stories she wants to tell. You can tell this is an earlier book in her writing journey as the dialogue isn't as tight as it is in later books.
The MMC seems lovely and sounds hot, but I also struggled to fully trust and understand him since we get none of his POV on top of an unreliable narrator.
That said, I do enjoy this author's style of writing and the stories she wants to tell. You can tell this is an earlier book in her writing journey as the dialogue isn't as tight as it is in later books.
lenaoknihach's review against another edition
2.0
První díl Pěti syndikátů jsem zhltla do druhého dne. Hned ze začátku mě kniha zaujala a byla jsem z příběhu nadšená, jenže po první třetině už se čtení dostalo do fáze, kdy jsem chtěla mít co nejrychleji dočteno. A než se vrhnu na ty mínusy, ještě k té čtivosti musím přidat a vyzdvihnout playlist.
Překvapilo mě, že na obálce knihy je vyfocený chlap, který má s hlavním hrdinou společné snad jen to pohlaví. Uvnitř chodí pětadvacetiletý Asher v obleku, vůbec nic z něj nevyzařuje a já mu nevěřím ani nos mezi očima. Za mě to byla nevýrazná a plytká postava, byl mi zkrátka úplně jedno.
Tak jsem doufala, že to zachrání hlavní hrdinka, ale ani s tou to nedopadlo dobře.
Dvacetiletá Lucy byla strašná naivka, která vůbec nepřemýšlela. Bylo tam pár světlých momentů, ale více to převažovaly ty temnější, kdy mě hodně štvala. Ale furt lepší něco, aspoň mě štvala, než vůbec nic jak Asher Black.
Romantická linka v podobě falešného sňatku mohla být dobrá, kdyby byla mezi hlavní dvojicí nějaká chemie, ale bohužel se tak nestalo.
Asher Black je autorčina prvotina a to nevypsání (a že je Parker S. Huntington) teprve na začátku, je v tomto případě dost znát. Holt je tento první díl série zároveň i můj poslední.
#spoluprace @knihydobrovsky
Překvapilo mě, že na obálce knihy je vyfocený chlap, který má s hlavním hrdinou společné snad jen to pohlaví. Uvnitř chodí pětadvacetiletý Asher v obleku, vůbec nic z něj nevyzařuje a já mu nevěřím ani nos mezi očima. Za mě to byla nevýrazná a plytká postava, byl mi zkrátka úplně jedno.
Tak jsem doufala, že to zachrání hlavní hrdinka, ale ani s tou to nedopadlo dobře.
Dvacetiletá Lucy byla strašná naivka, která vůbec nepřemýšlela. Bylo tam pár světlých momentů, ale více to převažovaly ty temnější, kdy mě hodně štvala. Ale furt lepší něco, aspoň mě štvala, než vůbec nic jak Asher Black.
Romantická linka v podobě falešného sňatku mohla být dobrá, kdyby byla mezi hlavní dvojicí nějaká chemie, ale bohužel se tak nestalo.
Asher Black je autorčina prvotina a to nevypsání (a že je Parker S. Huntington) teprve na začátku, je v tomto případě dost znát. Holt je tento první díl série zároveň i můj poslední.
#spoluprace @knihydobrovsky
denissereads's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit that I have high standards when it comes to books about mob, but this was an interesting one. It wasn’t about mob entirely, but somehow it was involved in it. Asher was a dream, mostly because he was so careful when it came to Lucy. I liked how his attitude changed around her. As for Lucy, I liked how she took her time before throwing herself in a relationship with Asher. It was a nice reading, not my favorite but I’m going to keep reading the series for sure! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for this one.