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mellie_reads's review
3.0
This book was so well written! The drama and plot were well thought out. It gives a 50 shades of Grey but more fast paced. I also enjoy how the plot isn’t all over the place. Even when there different angles of drama it all focuses on one point. This is a really good bdsm book and that says a lot. He actually had a relationship with her that has nothing to do with him wanting her for that lifestyle. He’s very open and honest with his life and answers every question she has. I also liked how it ended on a cliffhanger and it had me reading book two almost immediately. Definitely worth the 3.5⭐️. Hopefully book two is just as good.
jduff86's review
1.0
While I read this book based on a recommendation, I was super disappointed. The characters felt hollow and one dimensional, lacking nuance. The love scenes felt emotionless. The dialogue read unrealistic. There was really no plot to speak of—and any attempt to add character development or depth felt forced. I won’t be reading the second instalment.
booklovershangout's review
4.0
I was in suspense and left wanting more. I was dying to know what would happen next throughout the whole book and I can't wait to read the next book from Helen Hardt. I am new to this author and I will definitely be looking for more. It was steamy and mysterious and I loved it.
stinajoramsay's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not my cup of tea. It was name dropped in a hockey romance but I preferred Becca Mack’s work.
jdemaere's review
5.0
Skye Manning, Kansas farm girl, aspiring photographer, and Addison Ames’ assistant. The day Braden Black notices her is a day she’ll remember.
Braden Black, wealthy, eligible bachelor, blunt, sexy, and Skye is having dinner with him. He’s blunt about what he wants, and she gives in.
The two of them together are fire! Their chemistry flies off the page and grabs you!! This book is fantastic!! I can’t tell you how much I loved it! Helen Hardt is so freaking good at creating characters and stories that just grab and hold on!! I’m ready for book 2!
Braden Black, wealthy, eligible bachelor, blunt, sexy, and Skye is having dinner with him. He’s blunt about what he wants, and she gives in.
The two of them together are fire! Their chemistry flies off the page and grabs you!! This book is fantastic!! I can’t tell you how much I loved it! Helen Hardt is so freaking good at creating characters and stories that just grab and hold on!! I’m ready for book 2!
theeclecticreview's review
4.0
When a farm girl from Kansas meets a self-made billionaire from Boston, the attraction is swift and the rules are made to be broken.
Skye Manning is a strong woman in control and lives by her own code. She is biding her time as a social media influencer and personal assistant to a vapid and self-important heiress until she can work full time on her photography. In walks the commanding and seductive Braden Black, self-made billionaire, and Skye's control starts to crumble along with her heart. But Braden has a secret past and people are warning her to be careful. Will his past destroy her?
Skye and Braden have a very provocative and carnal relationship with lots of erotic sex, but little else. I felt that Skye needs to stick to her guns and not totally lose herself in his demanding broody darkness. He's hiding something important enough that others have warned her about him. As for Braden, he definitely has some issues, but I see bits of compassion and kindness in him. Though the book ends with hope for their relationship, a lot of things need to get resolved and I get a sinking feeling that they are heading for heartache as the series continues.
Overall, this is an alluring & sensual billionaire erotic romance with angst, lots of hot sex, and dark secrets. If you enjoy the jealous and possessive hero type, with a strong heroine who constantly challenges him in and outside the bedroom, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. Hardt and Entangled Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Skye Manning is a strong woman in control and lives by her own code. She is biding her time as a social media influencer and personal assistant to a vapid and self-important heiress until she can work full time on her photography. In walks the commanding and seductive Braden Black, self-made billionaire, and Skye's control starts to crumble along with her heart. But Braden has a secret past and people are warning her to be careful. Will his past destroy her?
Skye and Braden have a very provocative and carnal relationship with lots of erotic sex, but little else. I felt that Skye needs to stick to her guns and not totally lose herself in his demanding broody darkness. He's hiding something important enough that others have warned her about him. As for Braden, he definitely has some issues, but I see bits of compassion and kindness in him. Though the book ends with hope for their relationship, a lot of things need to get resolved and I get a sinking feeling that they are heading for heartache as the series continues.
Overall, this is an alluring & sensual billionaire erotic romance with angst, lots of hot sex, and dark secrets. If you enjoy the jealous and possessive hero type, with a strong heroine who constantly challenges him in and outside the bedroom, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. Hardt and Entangled Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
emma_using1207's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I had NO business reading this. However, no regrets reading it but wouldn’t want to read the rest in the series.
_kaylareads's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
lola_t_05's review
3.0
2.5 ⭐️
I really wanted to like this, but it was almost repetitive at times and very similar to other books. Didn’t seem to have much of a plot
I really wanted to like this, but it was almost repetitive at times and very similar to other books. Didn’t seem to have much of a plot
cala_p's review against another edition
4.0
Voluntarily reviewing an ARC of this. All opinions are objective and my own.
This is my first novel by Helen Hardt. For the most part, I was impressed. It’s like 50 Shades but more intense.
I was very hooked by the story. There’s a small level of mystery in it, surrounding Braden to keep it really interesting. I had no complaints about Skye. She’s got a bit of spunk to her, she’s funny, and she fights back against Braden. What I disliked in this book, was Braden. While everyone critiqued Christian Grey and Edward Cullen, I enjoyed their characters, so my critique of Braden surprised even me. There’s sexy control and then there’s being mean, and I felt Braden fell into the mean category, especially at first. He talks down to her often, orders her around, and only seems to humor her want of a relationship, but not actually be in it. There was many scenes that unfortunately had me cringing. On the other hand, I also liked how refreshing he was. After the first time they have sex, he gets her a car home and it’s over. No snuggles, no emotions, and she doesn’t even stay in the house, but elsewhere, and for his type of character, this does make sense.
Skye is working for a media influencer as the photographer. Through Addison, she meets Braden who is instantly smitten with her and this starts her whirlwind romance. Again, she’s great for resisting at first. The romance has its sweet moments, but I did find it super realistic. She’s a woman in like, and he’s fairly ‘whatever’ about it. After reading the cliffhanger, I wonder if it’s truthful, because his character is aligned with those beliefs. His actions toward her throughout does suggest the cliffhanger having more truth to it than not.
The sex is insanely hot. I really enjoyed how it worked up to the BDSM and it wasn’t a fact right away. He always knew his goal with her, but didn’t scare her off.
All in all, it’s a good read and I definitely want to read the rest of the series. I enjoyed it quite a lot, save for Braden.
This is my first novel by Helen Hardt. For the most part, I was impressed. It’s like 50 Shades but more intense.
I was very hooked by the story. There’s a small level of mystery in it, surrounding Braden to keep it really interesting. I had no complaints about Skye. She’s got a bit of spunk to her, she’s funny, and she fights back against Braden. What I disliked in this book, was Braden. While everyone critiqued Christian Grey and Edward Cullen, I enjoyed their characters, so my critique of Braden surprised even me. There’s sexy control and then there’s being mean, and I felt Braden fell into the mean category, especially at first. He talks down to her often, orders her around, and only seems to humor her want of a relationship, but not actually be in it. There was many scenes that unfortunately had me cringing. On the other hand, I also liked how refreshing he was. After the first time they have sex, he gets her a car home and it’s over. No snuggles, no emotions, and she doesn’t even stay in the house, but elsewhere, and for his type of character, this does make sense.
Skye is working for a media influencer as the photographer. Through Addison, she meets Braden who is instantly smitten with her and this starts her whirlwind romance. Again, she’s great for resisting at first. The romance has its sweet moments, but I did find it super realistic. She’s a woman in like, and he’s fairly ‘whatever’ about it. After reading the cliffhanger, I wonder if it’s truthful, because his character is aligned with those beliefs. His actions toward her throughout does suggest the cliffhanger having more truth to it than not.
The sex is insanely hot. I really enjoyed how it worked up to the BDSM and it wasn’t a fact right away. He always knew his goal with her, but didn’t scare her off.
All in all, it’s a good read and I definitely want to read the rest of the series. I enjoyed it quite a lot, save for Braden.