Rupert & Vivian
Wow. Just WOW! I had to gather my thoughts to write this review because they were all over the place. First, this is the sloooowwwwweesssstttttttt burn I've ever, EVER read! I almost want to add the % just to prove my point, but I won't. If you go into this book knowing you won't have a Happily Ever After, you'll be good. If you're also looking for a dark romance with tons of smut, this isn't it.
"I closed my eyes. "What did you say?" "Once," he whispered. "Just once."
Jagged Thorns reminds me of when you watch a show and you don't get everything in the first episode. They have to lay down the ground work, introduce the characters, let them unfold a little, then start inserting their claws into you so you're hooked. THAT is how this book unfolded for me. I wasn't sure in the beginning, but as the bread crumbs were dropped, I kept following. Eventually I was hooked and had to know what the hell was happening.
"I keep telling myself it's a good pain," he said, his voice tinged with desperation. "At least if we feel some pain, we know we've lived."
There is a magical drug on an island full of millionaires and no one is allowed to go. Until now. Vivian has been hired to be a tour guide for their first visitors ever, but she has ulterior motives. Her little sister is in chronic pain and in dire need of ANYTHING to help her live a normal life. As her caretaker, Vivian is determined to do anything to help her.
"But you are the only thing worth keeping."
Rupert is a handsome man from one of the most prominent families on this secret island. He has obligations and duties to fulfill, but has a hard time because of greedy hearts in the family. He wants to make the world a better place. He is also promised in a sort of arranged marriage setup between the prominent families to keep the money from leaving their bloodlines.
"You were the most delicious-looking creature in that room, butterfly."
My heart was breaking by the end of the book. I die for that happy ending, but seeing as how there was a GIANT cliff hanger, I'll have to wonder for the next 6 months. Will I be reading the next book? Yes, yes I will.
TROPES:
- Arranged Marriage
- Billionaire Romance
- Suspense
- Forbidden Love
- Slow Burn