Riley Ashby

This story continues from the end of 'King.' Vail had been kidnapped months ago by a slavery ring, and rescued by Castel and her brother's dogged determination to do anything to rescue her.
Vail's brother and Castel took her in at fourteen, hiding her in their dorms to keep her safe. Castel always made her feel safe and even after all these years, he is the only one that helps keep her nightmares away. This foundation of trust, helps her tremendously to heal.

These two have loved each other for years but let outside forces keep them apart. As Vail goes through the difficult process of recovering from being raped and beaten and all the emotional trauma, she also tries to push Castel away. Castel received his wake up call with Vail and decides he will never let her go again. He shows amazing strength and insightfulness managing all the extremes that Vail goes through, even when he slips he returns to her.

Ashby brings us into Vail and Castel's world, making us feel all the good, bad and horrible and brings us out the other side to recovery, hope and love. This isn't a pretty story but it will grab you and won't let you go until the last page. I am very thankful I was given an advanced reader copy to review, it was a true pleasure to read.

I voluntarily received this book for an honest review.… (meer)

Josie was kidnapped and forced to become a sex slave, after she was freed she attempted suicide on the courthouse steps in front of her tormenter. She survives but must face a lot of physical and emotional therapy to recover.

Archer was a former FBI agent let go betraying his country, he was hired to protect Josie from both her captors and herself. She has a long rode to recovery, but his quiet authoritative ways anchors her. Archer knows it's wrong to be so attracted to his charge but her natural submissive nature calls to that side of him. His attempts at keeping her at a distance, confuse and hurt her. While he thinks she's using him as a substitute for her former captor, she just wants to feel in control of her own body and choices. He spends a good chunk of the story in denial not only about Josie but his former job and doing the push me, pull you thing with Josie.

These two have a rocky road, which isn't helped by her running off when she knows there's someone out their sending her creepy, mysterious notes. That part of the story didn't really fit for me, but I did love seeing all the other characters from the previous books and their chemistry was amazing once the tossed out the mental garbage.

I received an ARC copy and am voluntarily leaving a review. That said I expect any editing issues will be resolved before publishing. More of my reviews can be found at https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

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The Endgame series is my guilty pleasure and when I realized another book had been released and I missed it I had to read it immediately. Sorry TBR, I needed this fix.

Jamie Kemp is a MMA fighter in training, who also babysits Sophie's alcoholic, problematic father. When he isn't training, and cleaning up the gym, he's keeping Sophie's father out of trouble.
Victoria 'Tori' Ryder has been a body guard and friend to the Kings since she fled an abusive situation, that ended badly. She's kept herself locked down tight but when a night with Jamie let's her deepest desires off their leash, she craves more.

These two are genuinely nice people people, with kinky needs that not all will appreciate, but fulfull needs that make them both happy. The author shows us in Tori's previous abusive relationship how kinky needs can be abused and how wonderful they can be when shared with someone who cares.
Jamie shows the tough as nails Tori how to trust again and her submission never detracts from her strength. I loved them both.

My only complaint is the story ended just when it was getting to the best part, I wanted more of their story, the ending felt very abrupt.

This story contains violence and BDSM themes which may not be appreciated by all readers, such as dominance and submission, breath play, rough sex, bondage and anal play.

If you like my reviews I hope you will follow my blog. https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

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My rating is actually a 4.5 but Goodreads doesn't allow for half stars.

Copying author's warning 'that this is a dark romance/romantic suspense that contains themes that may not be appropriate for all readers, including sexual assault and self injury.' I'll also warn if you have sensitivities there is also human trafficking, and BDSM.

I didn't read the intro so I wasn't 100% sure where the story was going right away. At first we see Sophie as a child connecting with her father, managing her mother's abandonment and her father's struggle with alcohol and gambling. Fast forward to the present, her father's gambling debt has him in deep water and Sophie won't let them take her father without her. Sophie gives herself to Mr. King to save her father.

At first it is unclear what the cost to her will be as Ellery confines her to a fancy room and purchases clothing for her. I could feel how off balance and unsure Sophie was, knowing King was going to give her to someone else but his actions seemed to indicate otherwise.

It becomes clear that Ellery is a dominant, sadist and Sophie is a submissive, masochist. A perfect BDSM match accept he has plans to turn her over to a nasty man in order to save another. These characters have flaws but that made them very engaging, I loved learning about them.

I was asked by the author if I'd be willing to read her story, which I'm so glad I accepted. If you enjoy dark romance and BDSM I think you'll enjoy their story. They're complicated and their situation makes it even more complicated but this couple was clearly made for each other. I really enjoyed the extended peek into their future. For a first book I think Ashby has done a great job, with only a few minor editing issues.

More of my reviews can be found at https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/

… (meer)