Beneath the Burn - Pam Godwin

"You’re my here, my now, if I’m lucky, my hereafter.” - jay

“If you throw me down and f**k me, I’ll be your hereunder.” - charlee

Told in alternating view of Jay and Charlee. This book is about abuse, slavery, survival and vindication. It also gives us a little bit of insight on BDSM, how it functions, how it helps some people and how it is abused.

I found the story hard to read because of the heavy subject matter and the pacing is also a bit slow at first which eventually picked up. The book is a bit long though but it completely captured the essence of what the book is about.

It is definitely not for the faint of heart. It can make you gag from the first scene of abuse to the last. The abuse is very graphic and detailed. From the scene of the first kidnap, I had to stop reading for a while to regulate the gag that's coming off of me.

There is no stockholm syndrome nor will you feel humanity in the abuser. Roy is a really sick animal who gets off on physical, emotional and verbal abuse. I can't help but also feel pity for him because he is also a very broken man. I wanted to know what drove him to become what he is, we didn't get to read about this though as it was not part of the storyline. I also wanted to know what happened to his empire and his people but the book was silent.

The heroin, Charlee became a broken girl because of Roy. I felt her pain, humiliation, guilt and hatred towards herself. I loved Charlee, her disposition, temperament, strength and willpower. I wanted to hug her and help her chase away her demons. She is both fragile and strong but can still be adorable despite everything that happened to her. I also felt happy that she always had Nathan supporting her.

In terms of Charlee and Jay's relationship I couldn't really feel their initial connection. It was too fast, too strong considering they don't know each other that well. And when they met again, I still felt disconnected. Eventually when they both started fixing each other unintentionally and unknowingly, that's when I felt something. The emotion was to slow building for me. However I loved Jay. He's done everything he could to keep her safe. He also tried his best to satisfy her. It was actually funny and frustrating their first time. I liked their banters and interactions and made me love them.

There were also scenes that are hard to imagine and rather impossible for me. There were tools used that made me cringe. The love scenes were detailed and both sexy and loving. All this factors made the book different and unique and original that compelled me want to finish the book. The author had a way of making cringe worthy acceptable. This is recommended for those who love dark romance.

Sins & Needles - Karina Halle

“I hope I'm always a part of you, Eden. You'll forever be a part of me. A world without you in it is a song without the music. You need both to make it whole.” 

This book is about finding love again unexpectedly. This is book 1 in the artists trilogy. Wow can’t wait book 2! While Camden and Ellie have known each other in the past, I still didn't feel their connection compared to Javier. I felt that Javier loves Ellie more than Camden. I felt the pain when reading the mean things that Camden said to Ellie, there was a constant pang in the gut. I also felt more attraction and hotness from Javier despite his bad ways. I loved On Every Street more and the pressure to not put the book down and to continue reading was stronger in that book. I also feel that there is more to Camden’s past which I still cannot grasp. How I wish in the next book that we eventually know what happened to Javier and Ellie's relationship.

On Every Street - Karina Halle (The Artists Trilogy)

The book is all about love, obsession, revenge, denial and betrayal. This is a prequel to book 1 Sins and Needles of the artists trilogy. The ending left my heart broken and shattered. The writer was successful in making the reader fall in love with a dangerous man. There were scenes where Javier exhibited his criminal nature, like the scene at the bar, where I felt it was downright sexy and hot and I hate myself for it. Damn how can that be sexy, hot and attractive! Javier’s flowery mouth and sweet nature is also very much appealing!!! I haven’t read Sins and Needles yet, I read this first, so yeah I’m in love with Javier at the moment and again I hate what I’m feeling. I cannot believe what he did, I hope in the next book I get an insight as to why he did that! My initial reaction during the first few chapters was I felt that Eden/Ellie’s reason for revenge was so trivial but I was satisfied with her decision in the end even if it did not end in a happy way. I felt her pain on what Javier did after everything she gave up just to be with him. It was devastating to feel so inadequate despite everything she has done. I’m not yet sure if they should really end up together, although I’m totally in love with Javier, just that I feel that their relationship is bordering on being destructive. But I’m also hoping that Javier will eventually redeem himself. The book is so thought provoking, made me feel different levels of emotions and left me with a major hangover! I cannot wait to read the next book!

Escape From Paradise - Gwendolyn Field

Disturbing yet captivating. Revolting yet sensual. Arousing yet depressing. Not for the faint at heart. But what started out as a desperation turned out to become a beautiful love story.

The author was able to convey the attraction, the connection and the love of Colin and Angela. I felt Angela's shame, remorse, fear, revulsion, acceptance and submission. I felt Colin's alpha male hotness from the start. I loved him and loved him more with every scene. I loved reading through his POV.

Definitely recommended for those who loved the Captive in the Dark series. There were scenes that were realy cringy and "shite" but it made the story all seem real and I felt really bad for the slaves. It was really hard to fathom how this inhumane situations could really exist.

Despite the circumstances surrounding Colin and Angela, it was written in a sensual way making their time together both arousing and depressing that transcends to the reader. It will make the reader feel lots of conflicting emotions. The strongest feeling was the connection between them. It would be really hard for me to find what book to read next. This left me with a hangover. I want to read more about Graham as well. How he will pick up his life in New York. I loved this book. Highly recommended. 

Shooting Scars - Karina Halle (The Artists Trilogy)

“I don’t have a soul,” he said softly. “You make me feel like I do.”

This book is about love, hate, revenge, redemption, passion, sacrifice, selfishness, deceit and lies. Told in alternating POV of Ellie and Camden. Shooting Scars is book 2 in the artists trilogy.

In this book i can't help but have mixed feelings about Javier. He is such a badass and still hot, if not hotter. Ellie and Javier's relationship is thrilling. But he broke my heart. I loved him. I felt betrayed. He became worse, broken. But I feel that deep inside there is still the old Javier. Despite his current demeanor and how he shows it in a twisted way, I still felt how strong he feels for Ellie. Eventhough they both hurt and ruined each other in the past. He is confusing and frustrating. But their connection is strong, undeniable. I felt really disappointed with Javier. He is confused with love and revenge. He is a walking contradiction.

I'm still not sure on Camden, i feel that anytime he's going to explode and become uncontrollable. But he has this great love for Ellie that im not sure can be returned by her in the same level and intensity. I felt his pain when he first saw Ellie and Javier. At first I really didn't feel their connection, but eventually he made me think otherwise. I fell for Camden as well. I also love him now. He's willing to do just about anything for Ellie even sacrificing himself. He brings out the good side of her.

Oh Ellie i still think she loves Javier, that she has a more deeper connection to him. My heart broke for Ellie when she realized what Javier has done. I felt bad for her when Camden found out what she did. I felt bad for her when she feels that everbody only thinks of her as a pawn, when questions her self worth. I felt that she wanted to change but gets stuck. I love Ellie I wish she finds the happiness in the next book.

This book evoked roller coaster of emotions in me and made me question everthing. The characters that I loved and rooted for in the first two books has left me disappointed, betrayed and heartbroken. I can't help but switch sides now and see the other guy in a good light and see the sincerity in his feelings. But despite everything i still symphathy towards Javier and still want to give him another chance. This feelings go back and forth, back and forth leaving me confused. Although I know who is good for Ellie, but it does not necessarily means he will make her happy. One brings out the bad side while the other side wants her to change for the good. It's like safe and secure versus risk and danger. Who would be enough for Ellie? Arrrgghhh!!!! I want the next book now! And I hope to read more of Camden and Javier's interactions because I find it amusing.

I really hope the next book (book 3 Bold Tricks) would be Javier's POV. I need to understand him. I want to know more about him. I can't wait for the next book!

Worthy of Redemption (Accidentally on Purpose # 2)- L.D. Davis

Told in alternating POV of Lily and Kyle. The story started off from book 1 Accidentally on Purpose when Emmy decided to finally leave Kyle for good. Gave us an insight on what happened to Kyle during that time. How he regretted what he did to Emmy. How de deeply questioned his self worth. In this book we got a chance to learn that Kyle really did love Emmy and that the bad choices he made was driven by his physical emotional issues. There was also a scene where we got to read his side when Emmy visited him to give back the bracelet. There were also chapters on Emmy's POV where we got to catch up with her life with Luke.

Despite everything, i still liked Kyle. He is the same bad-ass, conceited, with a-hole tendencies, very troubled and unable to forgive himself. I was so frustrated with him for what he put Lily through knowing her situation. He took too long to realize his worth. I am so glad that he eventually redeemed himself.

I loved Lily, she is funny, upfront, likable, patient, down to earth, selfless, strong, brave, stubborn and forgiving. I liked it that she maintained a relationship with Emmy. I loved how Kyle and Lily's relationship progressed, loved their interactions, both funny, infuriating but loving. I loved what lily did to Jessyca! I also loved Marco and Mayson, am not that fond of the Lydia-Marco tandem though it felt too fixed up.

"Maybe there will be a place for us in another lifetime” she said softly.

“I have no doubt about it” I told her.

Afterburn - Sylvia Day

This is a short story about second chance romance, corporate competition, betrayal, revenge and overcoming it. It was written in a fast pace, in Gia's point of view.

From the first time they me again it was pretty obvious how Jax still affected Gia. Gia's also a head trip like Jax, they're distant one minute and then intimate next. Their connection is undeniably palpable. He is also affected by her and a mystery.

It's not really a cliffy ending, but it will make you feel like they are headed to something good. Can't wait for the next book. If you love the Crossfire series, you will surely love this as well.

Unteachable - Leah Raeder

“I can’t hold on to you. You’re like that shooting star. Just a trail of fire in my hands.”

This is a story about forbidden romance, bad choices, dark pasts, unrelenting presents and bleak futures.

I liked the way how the writing captured my attention, like the heroin was telling the story face to face with the reader and there were pertinent pauses that gives us insights into her mind first hand. The book flowed like it was a blur but pausing in important details where it becomes suspended to be devoured, then move forward yet again and before you know it you are halfway through. Like there were fast forwards, reverse and pause auto functions in specific situations. There were instances where some conversations or insights were too deep and I had to track back and pause to understand. The book kept me up all night with a pinch to my heart until the very last page. And it was all worth it.

I loved how the book made me feel the attraction, sexual tension, thrill of being caught, the intense connection, the angst, the sadness, the negativity, disappointments, their frustration on the awful situations that kept piling up. The book is like a roller coaster of emotions with repeating high and low. I loved the characters, troubled but brave girl, lovable but troubled guy. I also liked park the friend. In the end I felt I still want to read more about Maise and Evan. How their love progresses, how they overcome their pasts and how they make a permanent future. I love it! Truly worth reading.