Review: The Ritual (reread)

 

Title: The Ritual

Author: Shantel Tessier

Release Date: November 2021

AN AMAZON TOP 100 BESTSELLER

An all-new dark standalone romance from the USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Shantel Tessier

THE CHOSEN ONE

I vow. You vow. We vow.

Barrington University is home of the Lords, a secret society that requires their blood in payment. They are above all—the most powerful men in the world. They devote their lives to violence in exchange for power. And during their senior year, they are offered a chosen one.

People think growing up with money is freeing, but I promise you, it’s not. My entire life has been planned out for me. I never got the chance to do what I wanted until Ryat Alexander Archer came along and gave me an option for a better life. He offered me what no one else ever had—freedom.

I chose to be his. He made me believe that anyway, but it was just another lie. A way that the Lords manipulate you into doing what they want.

After being sucked into the dark, twisted world of the Lords, I embraced my new role and allowed Ryat to parade me around like the trophy I was to him. But like all things, what started out as a game soon became a fight for survival. And the only way out was death.

Things to know about The Ritual

It is MF

TRIGGER WARNINGS (Please see the author's note on the inside)

J/P & OTT Hero (jealous/possessive & over the top)

This is a 150K word dark romance and may contain triggers for some due to sexual situations, language, and violence.

So, I decided to reread The Ritual before the Sinner released, and let me just say, I still absolutely loved this book! 

Ryat Archer has been initiated to become a Lord. Lords are powerful, violent, and decor their lives to bring a Lord- and as a Lord, he gets a chosen one until he graduates college. 

The Chosen one is willingly given to the Lord- and vows to do whatever is asked of them. And Ryat chooses Blakely to be his. He offers her something she hasn't experienced before then- freedom. But did she sign up for more than she bargained for agreeing to be his? 

I loved how dark and delicious this book was. It was twisted, and sexy and just everything a Shantel book entails. 

Ryat was the ultimate bad boy book boyfriend- willing to dominate and claim what he wanted. Blakey was stubborn but willing- and wanted more from her life. This book was everything I wanted- & I cannot wait to dive into The Sinner to see what Shantel has in store for us next. 

If you love your books a little dark & twisted with heat - I definitely recommend The Ritual! 

5⭐ out of 5 ⭐. 

5🌶️ out of 5🌶️. 

Trigger Warnings: NatashaReadsBooks: Trigger Warnings (natashareadsbooksbookblog.blogspot.com)

Review: Kill Switch

 

Title: Kill Switch

Series: Devil's Night

Author: Penelope Douglas

Release Date: February 2019

"I've done far worse than what I went to prison for.
She has no idea how bad this can get."

WINTER

Sending him to prison was the worst thing I could’ve done. It didn’t matter that he did the crime or that I wished he was dead. Perhaps I thought I’d have time to disappear before he got out or he’d cool off in jail and be anything but the horror he was.

But I was wrong. Three years came and went too fast, and now he’s anything but calm. Prison only gave him time to plan.

And while I anticipated his vengeance, I didn’t expect this.

He doesn’t want to make me hurt. He wants to make everything hurt.

DAMON

First thing’s first. Get rid of her daddy. He told them I forced her. He told them his little girl was a victim, but I was a kid, too, and she wanted it just as much as I did.

Step two… Give her, her sister, and her mother nowhere to run and no fuel to escape. The Ashby women are alone now and desperate for a knight in shining armor.

But that’s not what’s coming.

No, it’s time I listened to my father and took control of my future. It’s time I showed them all—my family, her family, my friends—that I will never change and that I have no other ambition than to be the nightmare of their lives.

Starting with her.

She’ll be so scared, she won’t even be safe in her own head by the time I’m done with her. And the best part is I won’t have to break into her home to do it.

As the new man of the house I have all the keys.

Kill Switch is a romantic suspense suitable for readers 18+. It is advised to read Corrupt (Devil's Night #1) and Hideaway (Devil's Night #2) prior to reading this book.

So first, let me say that this is book 3 in the Devil's Night series & the previous books should be read before diving into this one. 

Winter was the girl who sent Damon away to prison. And now that Damon is out, and getting everything lined up, he plans on making her pay. Slowly, but surely he will get into her head, and extract his revenge. 

Damon may have went to prison for a crime caught on camera, but it's not the worst thing he's ever done. And now that he's out of prison, and back in town, his eyes are set on getting Winter back for her part in sending him away. And with him now living in her house... She has no escape. 

So, I have been looking forward to Damon's book since I first read about him in Corrupt. I loved him & he was my favorite out of the group. He was the most ruthless, and messed up out of the guys... But also the most broken. The more I read about him in Corrupt and then Hideaway, the harder I fell. But... Reading his book... Something felt... Off. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, loved seeing the other characters, following the main story line & plot and getting Damon for a whole book. But he didn't exactly live up to everything I read to this point- and maybe it was just me, and I built up something totally different in my head, but he was different. 

I still loved Winter & Damon's story. It just wasn't what I was expecting going into it. 

Damon was still who he was. Still ruthless and still broken, but there was more to him than that. Like I said... Different. He was... Almost softer somehow. But, I get that he was different around Winter Before - before prison (there are plenty of flashbacks to give you - maybe not the whole story, but so much more). Even after prison- he wasn't as ruthless as he seemed. Don't get me wrong- he still has done bad things- the ultimate rich bad boy every girl dreams of- but he was also... Less than. After everything that went on since he came back, losing everyone, it is understandable. 

Winter was brave, and strong, resilient and a fighter. After everything she has been through, she doesn't let Damon try to intimidate or scare her. She hates him- how could she not? Being around him comes with a price, one she's paid over and over again. And yet... He's also thrilling too. It's wrong. But... Maybe she just doesn't want to be right... Only, how much more can she pay just to be around him? 

Together- their relationship was filled with pain- maybe too much. Built on lies and deceit. Winter couldn't figure out how she fell in love with one side of Damon that no one ever saw, only to hate everything else about him. Damon just couldn't stay away- she was so innocent, pure... Happy. He wanted to keep her that way. But the price of being with Damon caught up to them both- and now both were caught in hate and revenge, lust, anger and resentment. 

I don't know... I feel like maybe this book relied a little more heavily on the miscommunication trope. If they sat and talked at... Well, absolutely ANY point so much could have been cleared up. Honestly I do get both of their reservations on opening up to the other, and get why they didn't want to talk- both feeling justified in how they felt and what they thought was right... And maybe that's the thing that bugged me the most out of this book. I know, I know, Damon isn't the talking type. But... He gets frustrated at Winter when she doesn't know something but never gives her the information either, & vice versa. 

And then, they also don't talk afterwards either. She asks him about stuff that happened before, -& he doesn't give her the info, despite not having any reason to hold back at this point. I don't know, maybe I'm just frustrated. Like I said, I loved this book- it just... Lacked something more- whatever that could have been. I am still excited to continue on the series - learn more about Will & finishing up the overall story & plot. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

4🌶️ out of 5🌶️. 

Trigger Warnings: NatashaReadsBooks: Trigger Warnings (natashareadsbooksbookblog.blogspot.com)

Review: Hideaway

 

Title: Hideaway

Series: Devil's Night

Author: Penelope Douglas

Release Date: October 2017

DEVIL'S NIGHT is returning! Hiding places, chases, and all the games are back...

BANKS

Buried in the shadows of the city, there’s a hotel called The Pope. Ailing, empty, and dark—it sits abandoned and surrounded by a forgotten mystery.

But you think it’s true, don’t you, Kai Mori? The story about the hidden twelfth floor. The mystery of the dark guest who never checked in and never checks out. You think I can help you find that secret hideaway and get to him, don’t you?

You and your friends can try to scare me. You can try to push me. Because even though I struggle to hide everything I feel when you look at me—and have ever since I was a girl—I think maybe what you seek is so much closer than you’ll ever realize.

I will never betray him.

So sit tight.

On Devil’s Night, the hunt will be coming to you.

KAI

You have no idea what I seek, Little One. You don’t know what I had to become to survive three years in prison for a crime I would gladly commit again.

No one can know what I’ve turned into.

I want that hotel, I want to find him, and I want this over.

I want my life back.

But the more I’m around you, the more I realize this new me is exactly who I was meant to be.

So come on, kid. Don’t chicken out. My house is on the hill. So many ways in, and good luck finding your way out.

I’ve seen your hideaway. Time to see mine.

*Hideaway is a romantic suspense suitable for ages 18+. While the romance is a stand-alone, the plot is a continuation of events that began in CORRUPT (Devil's Night, #1). It is strongly recommended that you have read Corrupt prior to reading this.

This is book 2 in the Devil's Night series & they must be read in order, This book picks up where Corrupt left off. 

Kai is one of the four horsemen from Thunder Bay. After getting out of prison he tried to move on with his friends, make a life for himself- but one mistake, from years past could wind him right back there. And he will do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen. 

But, after Damon left the group, he started circling them, toying with them... Dangling Kai's mistake above his head. How far will Kai go to protect his secret? 

Banks is loyal. But only to Damon. He was all she has and he made sure of that. But, now she was stuck trying to protect Damon- who didn't want to be found, and working for Kai. But as they grow closer, Banks has to choose between protecting Damon & hoping for that old life of hers back, or starting a new life. One where she doesn't have to hide, and can be whoever she wants to be. 

So, I enjoyed corrupt, but I loved Hideaway that much more. Both dark suspense, with twists and turns and secrets and that just scratches the surface. 

Kai may have done bad things, may have let his monster roam free on Devil's Night, but he was a good person in his core. He would do anything for those he cared about. 

Banks was loyal, and stubborn. She only cared about one thing- Damon. But one Devil's Night from years past she snuck out, like a little timid mouse, getting a taste of a world she may never have. But she didn't want the world, if she could only have Damon. 

But Damon was a threat. Not just to Kai, but all their friends as well. He was out there. Watching. Waiting. Stalking. Toying with his victims. Devil's Night was fast approaching, will they all make it out alive? Or will the devil call his Horsemen home? 

I love reading Kai & Banks story. Their push, pull & banter. & I can't wait to read Damon & Will's stories next! I love the dark & twisted four horsemen from Thunder Bay, and the twists & turns that come with them. Penelope Douglas managed to captivate me with the Devil's Night series. 

4.5 ⭐ out of 5 ⭐. 

4🌶️ out of 5🌶️. 

Trigger Warnings: NatashaReadsBooks: Trigger Warnings (natashareadsbooksbookblog.blogspot.com)

Review: Wicked

 

Title: Wicked

Author: Amo Jones

Release Date: November 7

I remember the day he walked through our front door, bloodied and broken with the kind of torment that breeds, but never dies. Papa had one rule for him. Stay away from his daughter. 

He didn’t. 

Years later, he crashes back into my life and tears down all of the walls I built up around myself. We’re both hiding secrets, but when the mafia world collides with the MC world, the shrapnel could destroy everyone around us. 

Now the president of the Chicago chapter, not even I was prepared for his return. He's going to see that I’m no longer the precious princess of the Cosa Nostra, and I won’t play his games anymore. 

He’ll play mine. 

This is a story about two souls destined to be together, but who are trapped in bodies that hate each other. It’s what happens when you both let love kill you.

Ruby La Rosa is the Princepessa of one of the biggest Mafia families- a family that has many secrets that come out once Ruby takes over leadership- with a few secrets of her own.

Wicked is a lost boy that Ruby's dad took in & made a Made Man out of- his only rule don't touch his daughter. But Wicked has never been one to follow orders. Now head of the MC, he's back and stronger than ever. But will his secrets come back and haunt him? 

Will these two who hate each other find their way to love, or will death claim them first? 

So as with any Amo book, the secrets play throughout the book and your left piecing the pieces together until the very end. I have been in a huge book slump for weeks, so I was glad to finally have found something to pull me out of it,but even now, after finishing the book I still don't have all the answers. I don't know if I just am missing something, or not taking in all the details because I've been sick the past few days or if it's just that not everything was addressed. Either way, I'm left with questions without answers. 

You don't need to read any of Amo's books to enjoy this one- it is a standalone- but characters from both Sicko and Antichrist make appearances in this, so if you want to know more about them, then definitely pick up their books too. 

As for these characters - you don't see everything about them, you are fed a little of their stories at a time but by the end still miss some details. 

All in all it was a good read, not my favorite from Amo but still a bit dark & twisted just how I like it. If your looking for a dark Mafia/MC crossover then I recommend Wicked. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

3🌶️ out of 5🌶️

Trigger Warnings: NatashaReadsBooks: Trigger Warnings (natashareadsbooksbookblog.blogspot.com)