Between Commitment and Betrayal, a forced proximity, arranged marriage, sports romance, is the first installment of the Hardy Billionaire Brothers series. Let me begin by saying, there’s no doubt in my mind that this will be someone’s comfort series or favorite book. It just wasn't for me and that's okay.
Going into this without reading any of the author’s previous work, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
It seemed promising at the beginning. Then we got about a quarter of the way in and there is an…unexpected plot twist. I’m talking, out of absolutely nowhere. The only foreshadowing was perhaps a mere sentence at the beginning of the novel. Try as I might, this sentence set a precedent for this book and not a very good one. Though I tried to power through, it seemed as though this one ill-timed moment put every other discrepancy under a magnifying glass. At first, it seemed as though it was the sort of conflict that should’ve been saved until the climax. Then we learn it is actually the inciting incident that sets the story into motion.
Once I came to terms with this, it was the characters I couldn’t get behind. I will say, Everly, our female protagonist has a backbone. She’s willing to stand her ground with everyone…or at least everyone that isn’t her husband. Now, I’ve not swayed either way when it comes to the alpha male trope. As long as the man is respectful, all is well. But here’s where I draw the line with these characters. Evie’s independence would’ve been empowering had she not succumbed to her arranged husband’s way during literally every disagreement. I don't think she got her way once. She’s come from a dark past, not one of her own choosing. She’s fought through hell and back to get to where she is today and while it should’ve been inspiring, it was actually the opposite. Her motivations didn’t align with her choices and it just didn’t sit well with me.
Now don’t even get me started on Declan. He is a walking definition of the words toxic masculinity. So essentially, Evie is someone that struggles with a lack of control. She’s got all of these demons taking space in her heart and her mind. So in Declan’s mind, his way of caring for her would be to let her lose control when it comes to him. I usually love this trope. I crave the dynamic between one high-strung and one spontaneous, loose-edged lover. But there’s trust that needs to be built before that pairing becomes mutually beneficial. Instead, we jump straight into that balance, or lack thereof, and it comes across as controlling. There’s this man that barely knows you that decides to come bulldozing into your life, making choices you most certainly can make on your own. Tell me how you’d feel. Not head over heels in love, that’s for sure. Declan’s behavior could’ve been redeemed if he had let Evie take control every once and a while, and I’m not talking just in the bedroom. Every choice they needed to make, both as individuals and as a married couple, was decided on by Declan. Evie didn’t want to be tied to this man for a year. Yet his reputation and empire mattered more to him than this woman he supposedly loves. So, they got married. Now a couple of months into marriage and you learn there are stipulations that you need to comply with, or else everything you’ve sacrificed is completely null and void, but it determines who and what controls your body. So naturally, you’re against it. But your husband that was forced onto you demands that you go through with these conditions and though you argue, at the end of the day you comply and why? I’m not sure why Evie backed down most of the time. Declan is just a disaster of a man. He takes the word possessive to a different level and not a good one. He used Carl’s will as a way to manipulate an unfortunate situation in his favor. I have no respect for that man. He should’ve groveled way more than he did for making Evie feel the way he did about just about everything, but especially the Anastasia ordeal at the end of the story. She should’ve brought that man to his knees and made him worship her and I’m so upset she didn’t. He should’ve never entertained even the mere idea of another woman, even if it was for their future. He also thought he got a say in whether or not she was on birth control because of what? The will? No baby, that’ll do it for me. I’ve seen everything I needed to see. I’m out.
While Declan and Evie’s relationship was toxic in every sense of the word, at least the sex was hot. Gave me butterflies every time. Though in the grand scheme of it all, their relationship was built on lust. Even after reading the entire book, I struggle to believe they truly love each other. Perhaps it’s because I couldn’t get past their personality flaws, but their relationship is very surface-level. It in no way was healthy. The hate-sex trope is my guilty pleasure, but even I can admit that getting it on every time you disagree is not going to nurture a lasting relationship. Once again, as someone that loves the angst the silent treatment builds, resorting to it every time isn’t getting anyone anywhere.
I also couldn’t get past Declan’s nickname for Evie. I am an avid lover of nicknames, but only when they bear importance. They need to be tied to a significant moment for them to be impactful. But no, he calls her Drop because she was, and I quote, “as small as a raindrop.” There was so much physicality in this book, it was unsettling. Going back to the lust over love structure, it was dwelled on so much throughout the novel that it came across as superficial.
Structure-wise, I wouldn’t say it was a character or plot-driven story. It just…was. It was a very digestible read. I was able to read it in almost one sitting, yet given the quality, I’m not sure if it was out of boredom or intrigue. I will say, the premise of the story seemed promising, but the execution just lacked originality. I’ve read this concept at least twice before this, and given the copy-paste nature of this, it seems this author has as well. I’m all about being inspired by another’s work, but at some point, you can become so obsessed that it seeps into your own. I mean even some of the names and occupations were the same. I don’t want to assume, but it seems a little too convenient.
The plot revolved around Declan demanding Evie do something, her not doing it, and them arguing about it until they end up sleeping together. It just seemed mundane and repetitive.
There’s drama and there’s angst. The difference between the two is the development that leads to either one or the other. I prefer the latter, with it being the result of a natural progression of events. With angst, there’s a build-up, a proper story that gives way to palpable emotion. Drama just exists. There isn’t always a catalyst for it, and if there is, it is almost never significant. It just exists for the sake of it. Unfortunately, in this novel, all we got was very stereotypical drama.
I very clearly missed a series with Declan’s siblings or maybe his brother-in-laws. There was so much going on in that regard that I was just lost. Truly, the men didn’t interest me very much, giving off the same vibe as Declan, but I might look into it if only for his sisters that seem absolutely hilarious.
But…despite all of this, clearly, the author did something right because I am just dying to read Clara and Dom’s book. It’s gonna be so hot. Given the glimpses we got of them, I’ve come to terms that their relationship won’t be any healthier than Declan and Evie’s, but I am manifesting a stronger development. Their build-up seems promising. They’ve clearly got a longer history. I’ve got a sense I’m just gonna keep coming back for more. My curiosity is going to get the best of me.
I’m stuck between a two-star and three-star rating, but overall, I don't regret the read. You never know until you try.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Shain Rose for providing me with this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by early access to this title.