by mvbookreviewer

Review: Hyacinth by S.M. LaViolette

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Historical Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: The Bellamy Sisters, #2
Publisher: Crooked Sixpence Press
Hero: Sylvester Derrick
Heroine: Hyacinth Mary Bellamy
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: February 28, 2023
Started On: October 22, 2023
Finished On: October 25, 2023

“Your mouth has been tormenting me and giving me… ideas.”
Hy wanted to beg him to describe those ideas, but she couldn’t make herself speak.
“I want to do unspeakable things to you… Hy.”

In Hyacinth, S.M. LaViolette crafts a deeply engaging tale set against the opulent and yet at times suffocating backdrop of London’s high society. The novel revolves around 36 year old Sylvester Derrick, the eighth Duke of Chatham, a man whose rugged exterior and cynical demeanor mask the scars of a tumultuous past. Haunted by the loss of his wife Mariah a decade prior, Sylvester is a complex hero—embittered by life’s harsh realities and yet unexpectedly stirred by the unusual 22 year old Hyacinth Mary Bellamy.

Hyacinth, or Hy, is anything but ordinary. As the second daughter of the Earl of Addiscombe, her striking orange hair and spectacles sets her apart from her conventionally beautiful siblings. But it is her bold choice to cross-dress as “Hiram” for nightly escapades that truly makes her character stand out, first out of a need for independence and later to alleviate her family’s financial burdens.

The novel deftly explores the stark contrast between Sylvester’s aristocratic world and the darker, illicit corners of the city that Hy and Sylvester converge. Their interactions are fraught with a simmering tension, as Sylvester, oblivious to Hy’s true identity, is drawn to her intelligence and charm, unknowingly flirting with the very essence of what he has long denied: love and vulnerability.

Ms. LaViolette masterfully intertwines themes of loss and regret, allowing Sylvester’s emotional scars to surface as he grapples with his burgeoning feelings for Hy. Hy is a wonderfully crafted neuro-divergent heroine, whose mind works distinctively differently from her peers. The scars that she carries, especially due to her mother who had found her tiresome in the extreme is one that makes your heart break for the younger version of Hy. It is also this very essence of her character which allows her to compete with men at high stake games of gambling at which she excels.

The gradual build-up of romantic tension between Hy and Sylvester evolves beyond mere physical attraction, culminating in a profound connection that highlights the strength of two seemingly disparate souls coming together. Their conversations reveal insecurities and desires, rendering their relationship not just a romantic entanglement, but a journey of self-discovery for both. It also leads Sylvester to gradually reevaluate his life, bringing him to conclusions about his past actions that does not sit very well with him and makes him understand how they could have hurt the very people who are important to him.

I loved both Sylvester and Hy. Sylvester because he was unabashedly male in a way that was breathtaking. Bored with his lot in life as it happens to most amongst the peerage with their excesses, Sylvester finally finds the solace and excitement that he seeks in Hy. It is only someone like Hy, who can stir his heart, body, and mind that would do for Sylvester and that is exactly what happens.

As mentioned earlier, Hy is an unusual heroine in many aspects. Her sense of curiosity and her lack of self-consciousness are perhaps the most alluring. It is most often our self-consciousness regarding what society demands and expects from us, that makes women hesitate most often when seeking our rightful place in society. While Hy knows her own mind and is fully cognizant of what she wants, a long-term relationship and marriage, especially to a Duke is not something she believes she is suited for. But of course, Sylvester is more than well suited and able to change her mind, with persuasive reasoning that proves to be Hy’s undoing.

Ms. LaViolette is an amazing writer and every single book she has penned to-date serves as a testament to that fact. The writing in this book too, is lush and evocative, painting vivid scenes that lives rent free in my head. One other factor when it comes to Ms. LaViolette’s writing is how rich her vocabulary is, and I always end up noting down a ton of words which I look up and learn from. This story is special for one other reason; the fact that Ms. LaViolette herself is touch averse as is Hy, and I believe her own experiences too have helped shape this book into what it is.

Hyacinth is a novel that ends up being more than just a romance; it is a profound exploration of identity, duty, and the transformative power of love. Sylvester and Hy are two halves of one soul, each challenging and complementing the other in ways that resonates deeply with the reader. Ms. LaViolette’s skillful storytelling and rich characterization makes this novel standout, making this a great second installment to The Bellamy Sisters series.

Recommended for fans of historical romances and for those who enjoy emotional depth and nuanced character dynamics in their romances.

Final Verdict: Hyacinth is a story that offers a refreshing perspective on the complexities of the human heart and mind, with characters that are deeply flawed and all too real!

Favorite Quotes

Ever so gently she caressed the thick fan of lashes that rested against his cheeks before lightly grazing the bony hardness of his nose, the velvety softness of his eyebrow, and the pulsing blue veins beneath the thin skin of his temples, not stopping until her fingers carded the fine, soft hairs near his ears. She was interested to discover that the gray hairs were slightly rougher than the glossy brown ones.
Hy saved the scar until last, careful not to touch the baby-soft skin too roughly.
She tried to imagine what he must have looked like before the injury but found that she could not picture him without the scar. It seemed so much a part of who he was. Had it changed him as much inside as it had externally?
How could you ever ask a person such an intimate question?

“My God you feel good.” His eyes closed as he took a moment to allow her to adjust, the pulse at the base of his throat throbbing so hard she couldn’t resist tonguing it.
He groaned as she licked him again and again. Hy lowered her mouth over the thin skin and sucked.
He gave a low chuckle. “Are you going to leave your mark on me?”
She nodded, using her teeth to graze the skin. When she pulled away, she smiled at the purpled, swollen skin.
“Proud of yourself?”
“Yes.”

He hissed, his jaws clenching and nostrils flaring as his eyes lowered to her lips. “I’ve dreamed about your mouth,” he said, his voice hoarse with desire.
Hy lowered her head until she could reach the slit in his crown with her tongue.
His body shook as she probed the tiny opening with the pointed tip of her tongue, teasing him until several vulgar, desperate words slipped from his lips.
Not until he whispered, “Please,” one more time did she take the fat head in her mouth and commence to wreck him.

Sylvester flung open the door to the connecting room and then grabbed Hy, who was in the process of shrugging out of her coat, by the upper arms and pinned her against the wall.
He claimed her mouth like a starving man falling on a banquet, more than a little pleased when she responded with equal hunger. She shoved her fingers into his hair, knocking off his hat and tightened her hands into fists.
“Mmmm,” he groaned, relishing the oddly pleasurable pain as she flexed her fingers, tugging hard enough to pull out more than a few hairs. “I thought the evening would never end,” he said when he came up for air.
“I noticed your playing was off tonight, Your Grace. Were you distracted by something?”
He nipped her lower lip. “You find that amusing, do you?”
She gave a throaty chuckle as Sylvester bit her chin.

Sylvester studied her from beneath lowered lashes, a sudden ball of anxiety pulsing in his belly.
She was clever, resourceful, loyal, sensual, adventurous—and more.
She was perfect for him—not just the perfect lover or companion, but the perfect person to share the rest of his life.
Perfect except for one, single, insurmountable obstacle: she was a stablemaster’s niece.

Purchase Links: Amazon

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Loving the Wounded Warrior by Adriana Anders

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Love at Last, #2
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Kurt Anderson
Heroine: O’Neal Jones
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: June 14, 2018
Started On: October 22, 2023
Finished On: October 22, 2023

Loving the Wounded Warrior by Adriana Anders, the second installment in her Love at Last series, is a short length novel that I wanted more out of. Featuring the rugged yet deeply scarred Kurt Anderson and determined reporter O’Neal Jones, this novel weaves a tale that had many elements that worked for it, while at the same time there were missing aspects to it to make the story more wholesome.

Kurt is a man struggling to find his footing after life deals him several harsh blows. Once a promising football player, a career-ending injury pushes him into the Marine Corps, where he faces the brutal realities of war. The physical and emotional scars are compounded by guilt and trauma of losing his closest friend while in the military, making the label of “wounded warrior” an apt description of the man he is.

In comes O’Neal Jones, a tenacious reporter for the Daily Dispatch, who is sent to cover a controversial event in Washington State’s North Puget Sound region. Her reckless driving nearly results in a deadly accident, bringing her face-to-face with Kurt, her brother Jared’s best friend, also her long-term crush while in high school.

An article that O’Neal writes with the best of intentions, ends up being the reason behind the wedge that drives Kurt away from Jared, and puts the nail in the coffin of his promising career in football. Kurt’s resentment towards O’Neal is palpable, which adds to the emotional intensity of the story. As O’Neal learns the full extent of her article’s impact, the feelings of guilt that she herself has to contend with, proves to be the undoing for someone like herself who does not do emotions.

While the dynamic between Kurt and O’Neal keeps the pages turning, it is Kurt’s character that gives the emotional punch to the story. Behind his rough and tough exterior lies a vulnerable heart, a man who has suffered much, both in professional and personal capacity. While O’Neal comes off as more tenacious, she shies away from exposing herself to emotional vulnerability, which perhaps makes her in fact, the more vulnerable of the two.

While the sexual tension and delivery was done well, I found that the novel’s pacing and character development left much to be desired. The story feels rushed, and the lack of depth in characterization detracts from the overall impact. The intense emotional themes and potential for deeper exploration are not fully realized, leaving readers yearning for more.

Despite these shortcomings, the novel does manage to capture Kurt’s struggle with his sense of self and O’Neal’s internal conflict between her professional instincts and personal feelings. Their relationship is a delicate balance of physical desire and emotional intimacy, pushing O’Neal to confront her usual approach to relationships and embrace a deeper connection with Kurt.

Recommended for fans of shorter novels featuring intense heroes that seeks deeper emotional ties with the heroines they fall for.

Final Verdict: In Loving the Wounded Warrior, Adriana Anders presents a heartfelt story that resonates with themes of forgiveness and rediscovery, making it a worthwhile read for fans of emotionally charged romances.

Favorite Quotes

It took just a slight shift for me to turn it into a hug. His head settled onto mine, and we were entwined. Not quite lovers, but more than two strangers comforting each other. Our parkas made a slithery sound, while the stuffing kept us from getting too close.
He inhaled, possibly sniffing me the way I’d done him, and I sank into his body, heavier, deeper, more relaxed and easy.

Lovers. That was what I wanted him to be. My lover, or…something.
Love.
Crap crap crap, O’Neal.
Yeah, so I’d fallen for the most emotionally unavailable man I’d ever met.
And I’d fallen hard.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Overkill by Sandra Brown

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Hero: Zach Bridger
Heroine: Kathryn Cartwright Lennon
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: August 16, 2022
Started On: October 19, 2023
Finished On: October 20, 2023

In Overkill by Sandra Brown, readers are thrust into the chaotic life of Zach Bridger, a former Super Bowl MVP quarterback whose life takes a turn for the worse when he receives news of his ex-wife, who has been placed on life support following a violet assault. His high profile marriage to Rebecca Pratt had ended bitterly five years prior to the events that takes place in the novel.

When Zach is notified that he still holds her Medical Power of Attorney, he is thrust into making life-altering decisions on behalf of her – a responsibility which he does not want and struggles to cope with, especially with Rebecca’s family breathing down his neck. The media’s relentless scrutiny and the Pratt family’s accusations only add to his torment.

The story picks up four years later, with Zach having walked away from making that difficult decision, leaving it up to the Pratt family. At the same time, the man who was held to account for Rebecca’s condition gets an early release from prison, which reeks of favoritism and cards being pulled by his wealthy family’s influence, which does not sit well with Kathryn Cartwright Lennon, a brilliant state prosecutor.

Kate, whose own past is tainted by darkness is adamant that the perpetrator be tried for murder if Rebecca dies. Once again, Zach is thrust into the midst of it all, amidst the legal and moral quagmire of which he finds an unexpected ally in Kate. Together, as they navigate the treacherous waters infested by the perpetrator and their unhinged actions, there forges to life an unexpected connection between Zach and Kate. Their relationship, though initially fraught with tension, evolves into something profound, providing Zach with the solace that he desperately needs.

As the story reaches its ultimate climax, the shocking twist does not come from the aspect of the perpetrator as is usual for novels of suspense, but rather from Rebecca’s father, who harbors a secret that shatters Zach to the very core. The subsequent events showcases Zach’s capacity for forgiveness and compassion, making him a truly compelling hero.

I found Overkill to be an interesting read; the concept that is explored, the ethical, moral, and religious dilemma posed by the decision that Zach has to take is something all too real in the world that we navigate today. Rather than leaving the action of taking one’s life up to God as society moves away from religion and the principles and ethical boundaries it dictates, communities are moving towards an ideology where ending one’s suffering early on is better than letting fate dictate their last moments on Earth.

As an individual, I can truly empathize and understand the appeal of such a route of escape. It is hell on earth to witness your loved ones suffering, being helpless to do much to ease their pain. For those suffering long-term, chronic conditions that makes their existence synonymous with debilitating pain, not to mention those who are counting their last days on earth following shattering news of diseases in their last stages eating away at their life expectancy, a way out of their pain would seem like Godsend.

With healthcare becoming costlier as the world advances in technology and development, putting affordable quality palliative care out of reach for most, the “solution” of pulling the plug becomes more attractive, given the choice. It is I believe, an equation that would continue to be debated, and moral boundaries pushed to the limits in the years to come.

The interesting moral questions aside, Overkill does have its predictable moments and deviates I would say, from the norm that is a Sandra Brown novel. The sizzle factor between Zach and Kate while present, feels slightly off, and their connection doesn’t quite reach the usual level of enchantment I have come to expect when I indulge in novels by Ms. Brown. Nonetheless, the unexpected twist towards the end does sort of make up for it.

Recommended for fans of Sandra Brown. This is definitely one of those novels that makes you think.

Final Verdict: Overkill is a page-turner that explores the complexities of human relationships and the moral dilemma of having to make life or death decisions. While not without its flaws, it remains a gripping tale that keeps you hooked until the very end.

Favorite Quotes

Braced above her, he looked into her face. His was flushed and taut. His eyes glinted with firelight and lust. His body radiated more heat than the flames licking at the logs.
Beneath him, she stirred. A slight lifting of her hips. A subtle grind. He hissed, “Christ, Kate.”
He pressed deeper and, lowering himself, took her mouth in a passionate kiss as he began to move. Her body fell into a rhythm of expansion and contraction. She wanted to clench him tightly and hold him deep, but his slow withdrawals and rapid stroking felt so good that she gladly gave herself over to the tempo he set.
As it escalated, he nestled his face against her ear and spoke in a rushed litany. The words ranged from romantic to earthy, sometimes profane, and often unintelligible.
But when an orgasm seized her, he also came, and his gruff whisper was clear, dear, and unmistakable. “It’s you, Kate.”

He pulled her to him and held her, his chin resting on the top of her head. He ran his hands down her back, over her smooth, shapely bottom. He couldn’t get enough of touching her, but eventually, he eased back and checked the water level in the tub. “If it fills up any more, it’ll be over your head.”
She took his hand and raised it to her lips. She kissed the bumpy knuckle of the index finger that had been broken three separate times by big-footed linemen. Tilting her head back to look into his face, she said softly, “I’m already in over my head.”

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | eBooks | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Out of Nowhere by Sandra Brown

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Hero: Calder Hudson
Heroine: Elle Portman
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: August 01, 2023
Started On: October 14, 2023
Finished On: October 19, 2023

Sandra Brown once again proves her unparalleled prowess in creating heroines of class and sensuality, coupled with smoldering heroes that set the pages ablaze. Out of Nowhere, first published in August 2023, is a testament to Brown’s superiority in weaving a spellbinding tale of romantic suspense, with romance and suspense delivered in equally tantalizing doses.

Out of Nowhere thrusts readers into the lives of Calder Hudson and Elle Portman, whose paths intertwine under the most tragic of circumstances. A visit to a county fair ends in disaster, when Elle finds herself grieving for the loss of her two-year old son. Elle, a children’s book author who chose to be a single mother, faces the worst possible calamity that would befall any parent – the untimely demise of their children.

The shooting incident itself is a gripping brain twister, with Ms. Brown keeping the readers guessing until the very end. While little headway is made in identifying the shooter, there are elements at play that leaves a bad taste in Calder’s mouth; his worst fear being that somehow he is the reason behind the shocking and unfortunate deaths of so many people. This twist adds flair to the mystery elements that only an author like Ms. Brown can bring to her stories, and that remains one reason why I always come back for more where her books are concerned.

As things escalate on all fronts, Calder finds himself unable to turn away from Elle, the woman who makes him feel alive and also at peace at the same time. It takes an extraordinary writer to be able to juggle an atrocious event such as a mass shooting, with the heroine facing an immeasurable loss which also results in her coming face to face with the man who undoes her, a bond that is heartfelt and poignant at its very core.

The sensuality between Calder and Elle is once again, classic Ms. Brown. Elle, the beautifully tender and strong heroine who brings Calder to his very knees, and Calder who is just effortlessly carnal in ways that pushes all your buttons. With a searing touch here, and a scorching glance there, Ms. Brown is often able to bring to life imagery of the kind that even the most hardcore erotica is unable to pull off. The earthy sexuality that resonates through the pages warmed the heart of the romantic deep in me, while the killer who remained at large left chills creeping up and down my spine.

Needless to say, I loved everything about the novel, from Calder in whose past lies the key to mystery that unfolds in the story to Elle who was undoubtedly the star of the story. Readers won’t remain untouched by all that she is – good-hearted to the very core, resilient in a way few of us can only ever hope to be, and elegant without even trying to be.

Recommended for everyone who loves a good romantic suspense. There are few authors who can compete with Ms. Brown in pulling one off!

Final Verdict: Out of Nowhere is a compelling and emotionally charged romantic suspense with a masterfully executed whodunit plot, carving into stone Ms. Brown’s reputation as a master storyteller.

Favorite Quotes

He eased his mouth down to hers, giving her time to protest, praying she wouldn’t. He tried a different slant, and this time her lips were more pliant. Their tongues touched. When his slid into her mouth, she gave a purr of permission.
He lowered his hands from her face to her waist, drawing her against him as he had when he’d embraced her the night before. This time, however, as though her form had been sculptured onto him, adjustments were unnecessary. On contact, they fit together so familiarly and perfectly, they breathed sighs into each other’s mouths.
He deepened the kiss, slipped one hand under the roomy sweatshirt, and splayed it over her bottom, lifting her against him until he filled the notch of her thighs. Filled it well.

Under her baggy sweatshirt was skin like warm satin. A scanty, lacy, see-through bra. The stuff of wet dreams, but bothersome as hell when trying to get his mouth around her nipple, already raised.
He would have been fine with the couch, the wall, the floor, but, still glued together, they’d somehow stumbled their way into her bedroom.
Clothing had been an aggravation, but she did manage to wiggle out of her leggings and underwear. He’d unbuttoned his shirt but didn’t waste precious time taking it off. Within a second of levering himself above her, he’d gotten his belt unbuckled, his zipper down, his slacks shoved past his hips.
She’d been wet, but tight, and had felt so good when he’d pushed into her that he’d shuddered and said… something. Hadn’t he? Maybe.
He’d pressed into her until he couldn’t press any farther, then began thrusting. He’d braced himself on his hands, arms straight, back arched. Her hands clutching his ass insistently. It had been hard and fast and vigorous, breath-stealing and heart-pounding, and then they came.
Jesus, it had been amazing.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | eBooks | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: My Darling Neighbor by Swati MH

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Penn Maddux Cooke
Heroine: Sita Stewart
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: May 26, 2022
Started On: October 07, 2023
Finished On: October 14, 2023

I hadn’t known she’d become my lifeline that night, my buoy in a cold and lonely ocean. But finding her here now, knowing that she stayed despite everything I put her through today, I know she’s so much more. She’s my refuge and my salvation.

Swati MH’s My Darling Neighbor delivers an intense blend of passion, emotional depth, and personal growth that hooks readers from the first page. The story revolves around Penn Maddux Cooke, a grumpy yet compelling hero, and Sita Stewart, a strong and determined heroine who knows what she wants.

Penn, at 37, carries the weight of a painful past. Losing his wife six years prior to the commencement of the story leaves its mark on him, so does the difficult marriage he had with her towards the end. This shapes Penn into someone who is guarded and reluctant to emotionally make himself vulnerable again. Yet, when 27 year old lawyer Sita ignites that undeniable spark in him, as much as he would like to, he knows that it is a losing war in which he fights.

Sita who has crushed on her neighbor for a long while, finds herself put off by his standoffish manner. However, a chance encounter puts them at crosshairs with each other, upon which Penn is finally forced to acknowledge that he has not been immune to Sita in any sense. But rather, it is Penn’s defense mechanism at work, trying to avoid especially women like Sita who reminds him of what he lost.

Sita’s character is driven by her own insecurities that stems from being an adoptee. The loss of her father has left its mark on her, and being responsible for her ailing mother stretches her thin, while handling the demands of her career. While Sita tries to tell herself that men like Penn would not want someone like her, the escalating sexual tension between the two, which Ms. Swati masterfully creates, is another reason this book stands out.

When the culmination of the build-up eventually takes place and Sita ends up pregnant, that is what sets in motion the events that brings to forth Penn’s history and his vulnerabilities. Penn’s gruff exterior that hides a sentimental side, his struggle with grief and guilt over his deceased wife all adds to the intrigue that is all Penn.

Sita’s strength shines through in many aspects, showcasing her maturity and resilience as a character. Despite the 10-year age difference between her and Penn, Sita is a woman who knows her mind and accepts herself on her terms, able to reconcile her wants and needs with handling a man like Penn with sensitivity required of her. Dealing with the gradual loss of her mother also makes her emotionally stronger perhaps, and more adapt to changing circumstances, which at times is required of her when dealing with Penn and his difficult past.

Once again, it is Ms. Swati’s ability to create a sexual dynamic that is intense, with scenes that are both explicit and emotionally charged that makes this story worth delving into. Penn’s possessiveness and dominance contrasts with his vulnerability, creating a multifaceted character that I found captivating.

While My Darling Neighbor delivers on many fronts, the angst that I expected from an enemies to lovers romance, with a grumpy widowed hero at that, left me a bit piqued. However, the maturity and depth with which Sita handles everything, especially curveballs that comes her way through Penn, make this book worthwhile.

Recommended for fans of romances featuring widowed heroes who are a bit broken on the inside and the heroines who bulldoze their way into mending them.

Final Verdict: My Darling Neighbor offers readers with a captivating blend of passion, emotional depth, and personal growth, with a complex hero coupled with a resilient heroine. Intense chemistry and rich backstories make this a page-turner!

Favorite Quotes

This guy has some nerve. I snort, trying to slide away from him when his large, warm hand wraps around my wrist. “Go to dinner with me.”
My eyes widen as my back is pressed against the wall behind me again and he takes over all the air around me.
There’s no oxygen left.
I’m going to asphyxiate.
I had my whole life ahead of me still.
My chest presses against his as he places his hands on the wall next to my head. The tip of his nose slides down my temple and every little hair on the back of my neck and my arms rises in anticipation.
In anticipation of what, I don’t know, but they’re anticipating something.
“You’re . . ..” Breathe, Sita. Fucking breathe. “You’re insane, you know that?”

“Did you finally get my flowers?” he asks as I continue my oral exploration of him.
“Yes.” My breath fans his face. “Thank you.”
His lips find my neck and his scruff scrapes deliciously against my skin. “Did you read the card?”
“Yes. Why should I apologize?”
He starts walking us back to his room and with every step, the bulge in his pajamas bumps against my heated center, creating this delicious thumping right inside my core. Even without seeing it, I know I’m going to want to ride it more than once. I haven’t orgasmed with anyone else before, but I swear, I’m headed toward that right now and he hasn’t even taken off his pants yet.
God, I need him naked right the fuck now.
Naked and ripping me right down the center with that huge rocket he’s packing.
A sweet and sizzling pain ripples across my ass as I realize he’s slapped it and I jolt. I’m about to protest when he does it again and this time, I moan. What the fuck? Why am I moaning?
“Because you’ve been a pain in my ass ever since the day you tried to start a conversation with me in the elevator about the fucking weather.”

I pull off her shorts and feast my eyes on her, completely bare to me–smooth tan skin, delicate curves, and those legs that I’m obsessed with. She’s fucking perfect, like a work of art in some gallery, really. She probably shouldn’t be touched or marked. And if I were a better man, I wouldn’t touch her. I wouldn’t mark her.
If I were a better man, that is.
Because I’m going to paint her with me. Stain her skin with my mouth and my hands. And I’m not even going to apologize about it.
I’m mesmerized taking her all in, suspended in a middle state between reality and fantasy. A fantasy I wish I’d never laid eyes on because now, all I want to do is dream all day.

His tongue pulls out and pushes back into me, and I feel like I lose consciousness, like I’ve just become one with the sky and stars. My release hits me so hard, I almost fold around him. His hands slip up to my waist, keeping me steady as he milks me for everything I have until there’s nothing left for me to give.
Laying me onto the blanket again, he waits for me to find his gaze. When I do, his smug smirk points back at me and I roll my eyes, hiding my own smile. His laugh masks any other sound on this rooftop and I bask in it, letting it descend down my chest and gather in my belly–the place I’m housing his secret.
Can you hear that, little man? That’s your dad’s laugh.

Purchase Links: Amazon

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Adrift by Swati MH

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Darian Meyer
Heroine: Rani Shah
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: November 10, 2022
Started On: October 03, 2023
Finished On: October 04, 2023

Rani smiles in my direction for the first time since she came out here and something unfurls inside my chest, catching me off-guard. The woman has curves I want my hands on, but there is one curve–her smile–that I know, without a doubt, will lead me into a lot of trouble.

Adrift by Swati MH is my first foray into the author’s writing. Drawn to take the plunge by the forbidden elements of the story and the May-December trope, I was intrigued and found myself with a tale that was engrossing in many ways. Adrift brings to readers the story of 32 year old Darian Meyer, a widowed single father, who is grappling with the overwhelming sorrow of his wife Sonia’s sudden demise, turning his world upside down as he is left to raise their son, Arman, alone.

The story takes an intriguing turn with the introduction of 19 year old Rani Shah, Sonia’s much younger sister. As Rani steps in to help take care of Arman, her presence while it eases the burdens that Darian has been carrying alone all along, it also brings to the forefront something neither would have thought possible; mutual desire that blossoms into something more.

As the fiery attraction between Darian and Rani heats up, Ms. Swati takes readers through the events marking the tumultuous nature of Darian’s past as well as Rani’s strained relations with her mother. While Darian battles with his inner self and laments himself for lusting after his sister in law, Rani grapples with her own feelings of guilt and confusion, acknowledging the vulnerabilities associated with her lack of experience when it comes to the opposite sex.

I loved how relatable both Darian and Rani were, how they were “real” in every sense, and worked through a lot of baggage on both sides to embrace the deep abiding love they find in each other. I loved Darian for bringing the kind of teasing sensuality to the story that is addictive, the kind that makes your heart go stumbling into overdrive, and how inventive he was as a lover. I loved the stolen moments between the two, and how Rani’s insecurities were real and just doesn’t magically disappear. I also loved the kisses between the two – they were of the best kind!

One of the best aspects about Rani’s growth in the story is how she stands up for herself, even when it pains her to do so, especially with her mother. I brought out the pompoms and rooted for her big time and was so proud of her. Coming from an Asian household where such actions are considered taboo at best, it takes great strength to do so and I believe that Rani’s trust in Darian played a huge role in her being able to finally stand up for herself.

Recommended for those who love an emotionally charged romance, featuring two protagonists who are real in every sense!

Final Verdict: Adrift is a beautifully crafted story of love, loss, and healing that would resonate deeply with the reader, with complex characterization and sensuality.

Favorite Quotes

Before I even finish thinking about what I’ve done, yet again, his lips are on mine with a soft growl. Both of his hands stroll up my bare shoulders, finding their way to the side of my face. He cups my cheeks as his tongue sweeps over my lips, asking–no, demanding–entrance into my mouth.
At first, I’m so bewildered by his scent and the feel of his lips on my mouth that I barely respond. But the more he coaxes me out of my stupor–his tongue teasing against my mouth–the more I feel myself give in.
My eyes finally close as my hands slide up his torso, finding purchase on his chest, and I open my mouth, letting him in.

She lets out a staggered breath. “Yes . . ..” Her eyes get a faraway look in them before she grazes her face against mine again and whispers, “No.”
“No?”
She shakes her head. “I mean, I have an idea, but by all means,” she swallows, “if you have more you want to do . . ..” She trails off like she’s imagining all the things I’ve been telepathically planting in her head.
My lips are right above hers. “What I want to do and what I should do, based on our little agreement, are two very different things. For example, what I want to do is take you upstairs and fill you up with my tongue and my cock so you’ll be dripping my spit and cum for days.”
She gasps, her eyes giving away the shock and lust building behind them.
“But I wouldn’t call that going slow,” I add with a raised brow. I inch closer, my lips almost laying on hers. “So, unless you’ve changed your mind . . ..”
“You,” she says breathlessly, pressing her finger into my chest, “are not playing fair, Mr. Meyer.”

His hand travels the length of the back of my thigh under the dress I’d worn to the nursing home today, and it drives me wild. Our lips mesh together and our tongues dance against our moans as his hand continues its slow upward perusal. His eyes fly open in alarm just as he finds my bare ass.
He pulls away from my lips. “You’re not wearing any underwear? What sort of nursing home party did you attend?”
I giggle, leaning further in to press another kiss to his lips before covering his hand–the one still on my bare bottom–with mine and scooting it further up so he finds the top band of my thong.
He groans, running his hand over my ass cheek before pulling me onto him. “Fuck.”

“Jesus, Rani.” He speaks low against my mouth, and I force myself not to scream from the pressure he’s inciting inside of me. “Tell me you want this because I might be getting past the point of stopping. But, baby, I need you to think.” “Yes,” I hiss into his mouth, undulating over him. I’m seconds from shattering, the friction too much, lighting up my body like it’s in a firework display on the Fourth of July. “I want this.” I cup his face with my hands, my eyes hooded. “You’re the only one I want this with.”

He lays a kiss on my lips, watching my face. “Are you okay?”
I nod, panting. “Yes. Darian?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Please move.”
He smiles as his hips start rocking inside me. He takes over with one hand grabbing the back of my knee before driving inside me and my fingernails bite into his shoulder. His lips find mine as we groan into each other, breathing, feeling, needing.
Finally in sync.

Purchase Links: Amazon

by mvbookreviewer

Review: The Deal by Elle Kennedy

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Off-Campus, #1
Publisher: Bloom Books
Hero: Garrett Graham
Heroine: Hannah Wells
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: February 24, 2015
Started On: September 11, 2023
Finished On: September 12, 2023

Elle Kennedy’s The Deal offers a potent mix of humor, emotional depth, and sizzling romance, all set against the backdrop of Briar University, known for its elite hockey program. Garrett Graham, the charming hockey jock with a past, and Hannah Wells, the brilliant and resilient heroine with her own trauma, navigate the complexities of university life on their journey towards embracing an unexpected love that blooms to life between them.

Hannah, a rape survivor, is not your typical college girl, harboring the painful secret which casts its shadow over her life, especially as she tries to move forward with her love life. Even as Hannah excels academically, she finds herself unable to do what it takes to make her crush notice her, someone who is painfully oblivious to her existence.

Garrett, the quintessential jock is in need of maintaining his GPA to stay on the hockey team. Hannah and Garrett’s paths cross when Garrett notices Hannah’s academic prowess and persuades her to tutor him, even with Hannah’s misgivings regarding the arrangements. However, a captivating dynamic unfolds between the two from the onset making the story worth delving into.

While Garrett promises to help her with her dating skills, what starts as a transactional arrangement between the two slowly evolves into something deeper. Ms. Kennedy masterfully executes their character development, revealing that when it comes to Garrett, behind the image of the average jock lies a heart of that yearns for deeper and meaningful connection, a man whose emotional depth and capacity alone is sufficient to set hearts afire.

Garrett’s background reveals a childhood that was far from perfect, trying to live up to the expectations of his famous hockey player father. Through his interactions with Hannah and encounters with his father, there emerges a picture of physical and psychological abuse, the trauma of which Garrett has never properly had the chance to heal from.

Hannah’s trauma is just as real, and it is Garrett’s sensitivity that helps her to move forward, especially when it comes to her struggles with exploration of her sexuality. The snarky character she is otherwise is a stark contrast to the vulnerability that she shows to Garrett, and this is one of the best aspects of the story as it unfolds.

The romance between Garrett and Hannah is intense and heartfelt, and I can understand why Garrett is such a favorite amongst romance readers. It is certainly an exhilarating journey to witness how the initial physical attraction between the two grows into something more profound, and ultimately into love. The protective instincts that are roused in both Garrett and Hannah when it comes to each other proves to be the icing on the cake, making both characters appealing and relatable.

In The Deal, Ms. Kennedy has crafted a story that is not only entertaining but also deeply moving, with characters that leave a lasting impression once you turn that last page. Highly recommended for fans of emotionally charged and character-driven love stories.

Final Verdict: The Deal is a compelling romance that balances humor, sensuality, and emotional depth, making it a standout in the New Adult genre.

Favorite Quotes

I falter.
Fucking hell. He can’t be serious.
And I can’t actually be considering meeting this inane challenge. I’m not attracted to Garrett, and I don’t want to kiss him. End of story.
Except…well, it doesn’t feel like the end of anything. My body is engulfed with flames, and my hands are trembling not from nerves, but anticipation. When I picture his mouth pressed against mine, my heart races faster than a drum-and-bass track.
What the hell is the matter with me?
Garrett inches closer. Our thighs are touching now, and either I’m hallucinating it, or I can actually see his pulse throbbing in the center of his throat.
He can’t possibly want this…can he?

“Come on,” he mocks. “We don’t have all night, baby.”
Now I’m bristling. Screw it. It’s just a kiss, right? I don’t even have to like it. Shutting that smart mouth of his will be reward enough.
Arching a brow, I reach up and touch his cheek.
His breath hitches.
I sweep my thumb over his jaw, stalling, waiting to see if he’ll stop me, and when he doesn’t, I slowly bring my mouth to his.
The second our lips meet, the strangest thing happens. Pulsing waves of heat unfurl inside me, starting at my mouth and then rippling down my body, tingling in the tips of my breasts before traveling even lower. He tastes like the peppermint gum he’s been chewing all night and the minty flavor suffuses my taste buds. My lips part of their own volition, and Garrett takes full advantage by sliding his tongue inside. When my tongue tangles with his, he makes a low, growling noise in the back of his throat, and the erotic sound vibrates through my body.

When he speaks, it’s so nonsensical I’m genuinely caught off-guard. “I thought your name started with an M.”
“You thought my name was Mannah?”
Garrett snickers. “No, I thought your name was Mona, or Molly, or Mackenzie. Anything with an M.”
I don’t know whether to be insulted or amused. “Okay…”
“For almost two months, Hannah. I went two months without knowing your name.”
“Well, we didn’t know each other.”
“You knew my name.”
I sigh. “Everyone knows your name.”
“How did I go so long without noticing you, damn it? Why did it take seeing a stupid A on your midterm to make me notice?”
He sounds so genuinely upset that I scoot closer and kiss him. “It doesn’t matter. You know me now.”

“Ohhh,” I cry out, sagging against him as a rush of sweet bliss races through my body.
Garrett rubs my back as I gasp in pleasure. My sex contracts, milking his hard shaft, and his fingers dig between my shoulder blades as he curses. “Hannah…oh fuck, baby, that’s hot.”
I’m still catching my breath when he starts thrusting upward, fast and deep, his hips snapping up as he fills me, over and over again until finally he gives one final thrust and groans. His features tighten, dark brows drawn together as if he’s in pain, but I know he’s not. I kiss his neck again, sucking on his feverish flesh as he trembles beneath me, holding me so tight he traps all the air in my lungs.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | eBooks | Apple

by mvbookreviewer

Review: One Fine Day Theresa Weir

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Molly, #2
Publisher: Fanfare
Hero: Austin Bennet
Heroine: Molly Bennet
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: January 01, 1994
Started On: August 11, 2023
Finished On: September 07, 2023

A guy should never marry a woman who was in love with someone else. Even if that someone was dead. Especially if that someone was dead.

One Fine Day by Theresa Weir, the second book in the Molly duology is loosely interconnected with Forever, the first book in the series. First published in 1994, One Fine Day brings to readers the much coveted story of Molly Bennet, whose marriage to Austin Bennet is on the rocks, and has been that way for a long time. Making the decision to leave Austin is one of the hardest decisions Molly has ever taken, and once she does so, she believes that she would never look back.

Almost a year passes by and it is the news that Austin has had a stroke and is in need of family that makes Molly return, especially with her daughter unable to juggle her own family with that of the responsibilities of taking care of her father. While Austin hates the very thought of being at Molly’s mercy, he has no choice but to, given the circumstances, but is determined to drive her away even if he has to be his worst self to do so.

Thus begins the struggle between Austin and Molly where each of them, with own versions of tainted memories of their marriage, try to adjust to the new norm defined by the roles thrust upon them; Molly as the caregiver and Austin, the dependent.

Austin is a proud man, brought up by a father who had no love to give, but drummed into him the critical importance of always saving face. For a man such as Austin, competing with a dead man for the affections of his wife had been a losing game from the onset. Molly’s ability to hide her emotions had made Austin’s worst side manifest, trying to shake out some form of reaction from Molly, when it had in fact done just the opposite. Molly’s departure from his life had shaken him up to face the bitter truth, and given him the time to grapple with his loneliness, reflect on his own failings, especially when it came to his attempts to dominate Molly emotionally.

Molly too struggles with her memories of the beginnings of her relationship with Austin, the man who had married her and given her security and support, despite her being in love with someone else. It is only as Molly’s patience gets tested to the very limits of her endurance, with Austin trying to drive her away, that she comes to see things through a different lens; that how difficult their union had been for a man like Austin from whom she had withheld her affections.

As always, the prose by Ms. Weir is evocative, painting scenes with vivid detail and emotional depth. Her narrative style captures the essence of longing and emotional conflict, weaving together intimate moments of physical passion with introspective reflections on love and self-discovery. The stormy imagery is powerful and perfectly in line with the characters’ inner turmoil, echoing the turbulent nature of their relationship.

I was astounded by how Ms. Weir shaped Austin and Molly’s story and completely reshaped my perspective of their marriage, when I had come out of reading Forever totally rooting or Molly, believing that Austin to be a douche-bag of the highest order. Little did I see, how Austin had suffered deeply given his love for Molly, and how his heart had frosted over time, eventually coming to the conclusion that he could not compete with Molly’s first and only love. From thereon, my sympathies shifted greatly towards Austin, while at the same time, knowing that it did not justify certain actions on the part of Austin.

Molly and Austin both coming from emotionally scarring childhoods in their own ways made profound sense in the end; that they both needed to heal in their own ways to really give their marriage a fighting chance. Ms. Weir with her flair delivering angst ridden reads, deftly draws readers into a world where love is not simply a romantic ideal but a battlefield of emotions, where characters wrestle with their pasts and strive for a future where healing and forgiveness might be possible.

The only issue I had with the story was how there was no resolution for the relationship that forges to life between the secondary characters, which left me with a feeling of emptiness. But therein also lies a message which I guess I was not really ready to receive, given my need for happily ever afters in my novels.

Recommended for those who love second-chance romances with characters who makes your emotions bleed and your heart yearn.

Final Verdict: One Fine Day is a compelling exploration of love’s complexities, filled with emotional depth and rich prose, leaving readers pondering upon the intricacies of the webs of desire, devotion, and heartache that defines our most intimate relationships.

Favorite Quotes

The years teach much which the days never know – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Him.
She wanted him.
Deeper. Harder. She needed … wanted– Something. Maybe the ground, maybe–
He pushed again, and her thoughts flew away.
She swung backward; he swung forward. She gasped and made a small sound of strangled pleasure. Something in her wound tighter, tighter, taking her to the edge … so close, so close–
He bent his legs and the swing dropped into a backward arc. Back and forth. Then he slowed it until they were almost to a stop, enough for him to touch her. While Molly clung to the ropes, he ran his hands over her perspiring body. He groaned her name and she felt him stir deep within her.

She wanted to let go, wanted to touch him, but she knew if she did she would fall. She wanted, needed–
His mouth was on her breast, his teeth scraped her nipple. She arched against him. “Austin, I want–”
“What?” He breathed against her hot, tingling skin while his hands supported her rib cage. “What do … you want?”
It was happening. Whatever it was. A coiling, a tightening, a longing, a need–
“You.”
She didn’t know what she was saying. It was talk. Just talk. “I want you.”

“Molly. God, Molly.”
They were both breathing hard, their chests rising and falling.
“I … didn’t … forget,” he said raggedly, the roar in his head competing with the roar of the storm.
“Me either.”
He said her name again and slid his fingers through the dripping hair at the nape of her neck, water trickling down his arm, her hair coiling around his wrist. “Want to kiss you.” He did want to kiss her. God how he wanted to kiss her. As he cupped her head in his palm, his mouth found hers.

She cried out. Her fingers dug into his shoulders. He froze.
Had to stop. Couldn’t hurt her. Couldn’t hurt Molly …
Her legs tightened around him. She lifted herself to him. “Don’t stop,” she said against his throat. Water from her hair trickled down his chest. “Don’t stop.”
The storm–it was in her too.
For the first time in his life, Austin let go. Completely. Mindlessly.
They came together like the raging storm. Fast. Wild and furious. A ragged, bursting tempest. Pounding, pounding, pounding, burning up every bit of energy in him.

Purchase Links: Amazon

by mvbookreviewer

Review: Forever by Theresa Weir

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
POV: Third Person, Dual
Series: Molly, #1
Publisher: Fanfare
Hero: Samuel Harden Thoreau
Heroine: Rachel Danielle Collins
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥
Published On: January 01, 1990
Started On: August 06, 2023
Finished On: August 11, 2023

In order to heal people, we must sometimes take their pain into ourselves.

Forever by Theresa Weir is an intensely poignant exploration of love, loss, and identity by an author whose captivating voice is one that is compelling. First published in January of 1990, the novel brings to us the troubled and yet irresistible hero, Samuel “Sammy” Harden Thoreau, a 38-year-old man grappling with the aftermath of a devastating brain injury and the loss of his memories. Dr. Rachel Danielle Collins, a 32-year-old psychiatrist whose own past is marred by personal tragedy and emotional scars is the main female protagonist of the story.

When Sammy wakes up at the hospital, disoriented and in pain and faces the reality of his memory loss, it is devastating news to a man who is renowned in his field as a freelance writer. This sets the stage in which Sammy struggles to accept his new reality and associated vulnerabilities in his desperate quest for identity.

Rachel takes on Sammy’s case believing that she would be able to make a difference with Sammy, the at times reticent patient who her peers seek to treat in a manner that is abhorrent for Rachel. Her professional demeanor masks deep-seated guilt and unresolved grief over the death of her daughter, Jennifer, and a failed marriage for which she blames herself.

As Rachel works with Sammy, it is a journey of healing not just for Sammy, a relationship that is fraught with challenges in more ways than one, it is not just Sammy who embarks on a journey of healing but Rachel as well. With Sammy, for the first time in her professional career, Rachel is tempted to crash through the boundaries that defines the ethics between doctor and patient. As such, Sammy’s pursuit of Rachel through his days of hospitalization is a tumultuous journey underpinned by the tender moments between the two.

While both Sammy and Rachel try to find validation in each other and ease their loneliness, their relationship which starts out on an uneven footing at best, requires more sacrifice than either of them thought possible. Sammy’s journey to find himself and Rachel’s quest to forgive herself are the very aspects of the novel which stands out, making this happily ever after one that is relatable on many levels.

As mentioned at the beginning of the review, Ms. Weir is an exceptional writer in her prose and ability to extract emotion from the reader, and needless to say, I found what I was looking for when I picked this up – a gripping read that held me enthralled from start to finish, making me want to read the sequel right after. Oh the devastation I felt when I thought that the second installment remained unpublished was all too real until I was proven wrong, to my absolute and utter delight.

One of the aspects that stood out is how Ms. Weir’s writing vividly captures Sammy’s internal battles, from his intense self-reflection to the traumatic flashbacks of his past life. His emotional breakdowns on the path towards recovery are gut-wrenching, showcasing his profound vulnerability. Somethings in life are meant to be left in the past and perhaps it is that very acceptance that proves to be the healing that Sammy needed before he could fully embrace a life with Rachel.

Rachel’s emotional vulnerabilities are also well portrayed, highlighting the burdens that women often carry due to societal norms and expectations, as a consequence of which women often carry more guilt for failed relationships. The self-recrimination is a huge part of Rachel’s inability in moving forward with her life, stuck in a constant cycle where she uses work as a shield in which she hides her pain and loneliness.

The secondary characters, like Molly (Sammy’s sister), adds further layers to the story which proved to be just as fascinating. It is the intriguing tidbits of Molly’s life that Ms. Their leaves as breadcrumbs leading us to the second and final installment in this duology which proved to be the icing on the cake.

Recommended for readers who wish for an emotionally captivating read to sink their teeth into. I loved every nuance and facet of this novel!

Final Verdict: Forever is a novel that masterfully explores the complexities of human emotions through deeply flawed and yet relatable characters, delving into the intensity of one’s journey towards healing, making this unputdownable!

Favorite Quotes

He leaned forward. Without making contact with any other part of her body, he touched his lips to hers. A feather-light brush.
As soon as his lips skimmed hers, Sammy heard her quick, indrawn breath. At the same time, he felt an incredible surge of desire rush through him.
He pulled away slightly, his lips inches from hers. “Did you guess, Rachel?” His voice was tight.
“Your mouth,” she whispered, her eyes still closed, as if she didn’t dare open them.

Without conscious thought, without relinquishing contact with her mouth, he positioned himself over her, urging her knees apart with his hips until he was where he wanted to be—between her thighs, his hardness pressing against her warmth.
His kiss deepened. His tongue slid past her lips, into the moist recesses of her mouth.
As he made love to her mouth, he could almost feel another part of him buried in her.
He began to move his hips.
Stroking . . .
One hand lifting her closer . . . Desire winding tighter . . .
Suddenly an uncontrollable shudder went through him, then another and another. He plunged one last time before collapsing on top of her.

“I’ve dreamed of this,” he whispered raggedly as he lowered himself into her. “Sweet, sweet Rachel.”
She couldn’t take her eyes from his face. “Me too …”
Slowly, ever so slowly, he entered her until she surrounded his firm flesh. And as he made love to her, he wrapped her in his innocence and beauty, in the vibrant way he looked at life.
Everything that she’d experienced before had been nothing but a poor imitation of life. Sammy was life. And in some way, in his holding her, his touching her, she was suffused with his electricity. She could feel it humming through her veins.

Purchase Links: Amazon

by mvbookreviewer

Review: The Man Upstairs by Jade West

Format: E-Book
Read with: Kindle Oasis
Length: Novel
Genre: Erotic Romance
POV: First Person, Dual
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Self-Published
Hero: Julian Lockley
Heroine: Rosie Flynn
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Published On: July 14, 2023
Started On: July 20, 2023
Finished On: July 29, 2023

The Man Upstairs by Jade West is a provocative exploration of forbidden desires that might not settle well with some readers. My first experience of a Jade West novel was certainly memorable, featuring 18-year-old Rosie Flynn and 48-year-old Julian Lockley, whose love affair is as illicit as they come.

Rosie resides in Crenham Drive, a housing block marked by faded green carpet hallways and the stale smell of decaying lives struggling to survive amidst constant and abject cycles of poverty. Rosie’s life is no walk in the park, and her dismal existence takes a dramatic turn when she comes face to face with Julian, a disgraced former English professor with a scandalous past, who moves into apartment number six of the same building.

Estranged from his family and haunted by his past, Julian is a man on the brink of self-destruction. He struggles with his thoughts and self-loathing, unable to bridge the chasm that he has caused between him and his family. Despite the dark urges that plagues his mind and his troubled history, Julian’s protective instincts kick in when it comes to Rosie, snowballing into something that leaves him perhaps hopeful, for the first time since the scandal that made him a pariah in his former life.

Rosie, in contrast, is a young woman on the cusp of her adulthood and her sexual awakening, whose interest in Julian is one most would see as problematic. However, in Julian, she finds for the first time, security of the kind she has never had, a man who through simple acts of kindness and taking care of her, invades her heart. Rosie is also captivated by all that is Professor Julian, with his penchant for rougher than average sex, the need for which rises ferociously in him as Julian and Rosie spends more time together.

While Rosie’s curiosity about Julian leads to a series of intense and explicit encounters, Julian remains locked in battle with his inner demons and attempts to protect her innocence, which is a losing battle at best. When Julian finally gives in to what is inevitable, the exploration of their mutual desires turns out to be complex, dirty, and powerful in a way that reshapes both of them emotionally.

The Man Upstairs is a novel that delves into several heavy themes, including abuse and poverty cycles, sexual awakening, and the quest for betterment in life, along with redemption. Rosie’s struggles with her mother’s inability to move on from abusive relationships and the trauma of it remains all too real and constant, until Julian steps into her life. Ms. West also explores how challenging it is for those stuck in such vicious cycles to move forward in life and walk away.

While Rosie was a sweet heroine in many ways, she is also one who has a very strong mind of her own, perhaps forged through years of living through constant cycles of abuse which made her wiser and perhaps grow up faster than her peers. Rosie is also lonely in a way that perhaps we can all relate – sometimes you can be surrounded by people and yet feel a yearning for something indescribable. Rosie’s need for love and affection might not be what initially draws her into the warmth of Julian’s existence, but it is definitely why she chooses to stay with him, even amidst all the judgement that society sees fit to throw their way.

Julian was an incredible hero in my opinion – what made him stand out being the fact that he truly accepted his past actions for what they were and understood the sort of man he was deep inside. While Ms. West does not try to portray Julian in a light that exempts him from blame, my perspective of his marriage was quite different. Julian’s undying devotion to Rosie and the way he takes care of her needs (and I do not mean sexual needs in this context), under whose gentle ministrations Julian was also able to heal was thought provoking. I believe that Julian was a man who was lost amidst a marriage that did not serve to fulfill his needs, and knowing that his wife had drifted apart from him and sought comfort elsewhere made Julian embrace his depraved needs in the worst ways possible. It is true that some are late bloomers and meet their true soulmates late in life, and in Julian’s case, I felt that the statement holds quite true.

If there is anything I would say about this novel, it is that the story is unflinchingly explicit, with graphic sexual scenes that illustrate the intense physical and emotional connection between Rosie and Julian. This exploration of sexual dynamics is both a rite of passage for Rosie and a moral predicament for Julian, making their relationship deeply controversial, yet undeniably compelling.

Fans of provocative and boundary-pushing romance will find The Man Upstairs to be a riveting read. However, due to its explicit content and controversial themes, it may not be suitable for all readers. Ms. West’s writing certainly makes for compelling reading, and I for one enjoyed exploring the forbidden world of Rosie and Julian.

Final Verdict: The Man Upstairs is a bold and thought-provoking novel where Ms. West crafts a story that is both deeply unsettling and intensely passionate, pushing the boundaries of conventional romance to explore the darker sides of love and lust.

Favorite Quotes

Julian: My body took over, nothing but pure white heat behind my eyes as I pulled my thumb free and set my mouth on hers. My kiss wasn’t tender. My tongue wasn’t gentle. I gripped her face in my hands and possessed her mouth with the desperate kind of lust that drove me wild.
She whimpered at the shock, dithering just a little before her senses flew free with mine. Instincts met instincts, raw and unfiltered.

Julian: I loved the way she giggled, just a little.
“You’re pretty cool, you know, Julian? Hot, and smart, and brilliant. You’re a lot more than a creepy man upstairs.”
It knocked me aback, hugely. I’d been approached and appreciated by many young girls in my life, but they had seen me against a different backdrop. Proud, successful, preened and polished. Not as a freaky loser in a suit from Crenham Drive.

I threw myself into Julian’s arms with such force that I knocked him backwards. I was as desperate as it’s possible to be as I jumped up and wrapped my legs around his waist, needing him more than life itself. I took hold of his shoulders, squeezing tight before I kissed him.
My lips met his like magic.
His body worked on instinct to support mine, and we were lost.
Consumed. Done for.
I kissed my saviour, and my saviour held me tight and kissed me right back.

“Rosie–” he began, still trying to clutch at his resolve, but I shook my head. I wasn’t listening.
I wanted him to claim me. I was done with my innocence.
My hands roved over his chest, and that was enough. He succumbed, hands reaching for me in return and ripping the shirt from my shoulders. He lifted me up, sitting me right next to the mugs on the counter, and I spread my legs, already panting as he peppered his beautiful mouth up my thigh.
He was rougher with my pussy this time. His tongue was fierce and wet, and fuck, I was done for… lost. I gripped the counter, clumsy, and the mugs went tumbling, smashing and spilling coffee all over the floor. But Julian didn’t care, or so much as flinch, just kept working his mouth against me. He was as done for as I was.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Apple