Dirty Truths

Boys of Bellerose #2

by Jaymin Eve, Tate James

You know that saying, things can't possibly get worse? They always can.
I thought I'd reached a whole new low the day I ran from Bellerose. The day I was snatched by mafia goons, beaten half to death, and left wishing they'd finish the job.
But then an Angel saved me.
His kind of salvation wasn't the freedom I'd been hoping for, though. Two months later I'm his prisoner in the gilded cage of his home. His pregnant mistress.
Angelo Ricci--my Angel--holds my life in his hands. He's both protecting me, and condemning me, and if his father ever discovers our secret deal then death will be a blessing.
I'm tired, and scared, and don't know who I can trust. All I know is that I miss the boys of Bellerose. Grayson and Rhett still hold parts of my heart, even if I could happily kick Jace in the nu... face. And Flo? She's dead to me.
Literally. Like, dead dead. Wormfood.
Fate takes a turn in my favor when Bellerose gets a new owner, and an unexpected opportunity to reconnect with the band is forced on me. Getting locked in a secluded farmhouse with the guys who think I left them for my abusive ex sounds like a recipe for bloodshed, but I don't get a choice in the matter.
Except, this time I'm not going alone. Angelo is tagging along, and seems determined to cause drama. Somehow we all need to make it out alive, but that should be easy enough, right? After all, I'm Billie Bellerose.
Dirty Truths is book TWO of FOUR in the Boys Of Bellerose series. This is a mafia/rockstar reverse harem romance series with dark elements and gripping cliffhangers throughout. Content is intended for a mature audience. Please consult the warning at the front of the book if you have any content sensitivity.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Second Chance, Dark

440 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2023

About the author

Jaymin Eve is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and sci-fi novels filled with epic love stories, great adventures, and plenty of laughs. She lives in Australia with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and a couple of crazy pets. To date, she has sold over three million ebooks, and still can't believe that she gets to create fantasy worlds as a job. 

For action, adventure, romance, and a guaranteed HEA, start one of her series today.

Reading order:

Secret Keepers series (Paranormal Romance) House of Darken. House of Imperial. House of Leights. House of Royale.

Storm Princess Saga (PNR/Fantasy)
The Princess Must Die. The Princess Must Strike. The Princess Must Reign.

Curse of the Gods (Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance series) UpperYA/NA
Trickery. Persuasion. Seduction. Strength. Neutral. Pain.

Supernatural Prison (UF/PNR romance -shifter, vampire, fae, magic user) Upper YA/NA
Dragon Marked. Dragon Mystics. Dragon Mated. Broken Compass. Magical Compass.

NYC Mecca Series (UF/PNR Romance - shifters) Upper YA
Queen Heir. Queen Alpha. Queen Fae. Queen Mecca.

Hive Trilogy (UF/PNR Romance - vampires) Upper YA
Ash. Anarchy. Annihilate.

Walker Saga (Fantasy/adventure/romance - gods, mermaids, dragons) YA
First World. Spurn. Crais. Regali. Nephilius. Dronish. Earth.

Stay updated:

http://www.jaymineve.com

https://www.facebook.com/JayminEve.Au...

Reviews

[ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

the way Billie is the blandest, whiniest, most annoying ass RH heroine i have ever read yet these four guys can’t get enough of her.

her sole personality trait is fucking the guys in the worst scenarios... friend was just murdered? let’s fuck near their dead body!

sharing a small confined space with her first love who is in sheer anguish at her return to his life? lets fuck his best friend in the room next to him so he can hear us!

but Billie does have some sense of decorum, thankfully, because she doesn’t try to fuck anyone after one of her friends was beaten within an inch of their life... despite Billie really wanting to because “the mood isn’t amazing” 🤸



yeah i fucking imagine it’s not. Lord have mercy on my soul.

i was honestly enjoying this until the last 20% of the book... but i cannot be doing with the “Saint Billie” narrative as though she hasn’t fucked over a lot of people over the course of the first two books :/ she’s been through A LOT and i initially really sympathised with her. but once the other guys started to undermine Jace’s pain and trauma (that Billie caused), i was OUT.

Jace is a pretty awful and jaded individual, but the way everyone thinks Billie’s pain is ‘bigger’ and ‘worse’ than his doesn’t mean he has no right to react to it. it’s not a competition😭 he’s legit being harassed from every corner at this point so i don’t blame him for being so defensive all the time, tbh🌚

[Siobhan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is how you write the second book in a series! I didn’t think Poison Roses could be topped, but I was wrong! Dirty Truths is EPIC. It has it all - angst, emotion, suspense, action, drama, and steam. I’m in book hangover hell and I might have already begged Jaymin for book three!”

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some spoilers below because I can't bring myself to not speak on a few things.

I'm just not sure that I will finish this series. Boring Billie developed a bit more of a personality in this book, but she still is just not doing it for me. I don't really understand why all of these guys are so butt-hurt over her, especially the guys who dated her for 2 weeks. This is one of those contemporary reverse harems where the ~special snowflake~ and "I'm not like other girls" complex is real.

The fake pregnancy storyline was dumb. I hate that we had to wait 23 chapters for Billie to finally admit that she wasn't actually pregnant. The pregnancy was a stupid plan that Angelo concocted with Billie (how tf did they expect that to end?), and it was frustrating to read because it was just frankly not a smart plan. It felt like low hanging fruit aimed at going for the shock factor, but in reality, I'd be shocked if any reader actually believed that Billie was pregnant for a single second. I MIGHT have been more into it if there was more "who's the baby daddy" drama and jealousy from the guys, but they're all too busy being mean to her and calling Billie a whore. They also are dumb and don't question for a second that she's suddenly pregnant "with Angelo's baby" and yet doesn't even speak to him or seem to like him.

Weirdly enough, the characters that I'm most interested in are Angelo and Jace. Jace is an asshole, and I'm usually not super excited about ~the guy in the harem who is an asshole to the girl because he secretly loves her and can't act like an adult~, but I find his crazy emotions/occasional jealousy to be the only thing really surprising me or fascinating me throughout this book. Meanwhile, Angelo's rekindled romance with Billie has yet to begin, but the slow-burn of it is appealing to me. I want to know more about Angelo's past when he was third wheeling/having threesomes with Billie and Jace when they were dating as teenagers, and then what happened to him after Jace and Billie's breakup. I'm less interested in Grayson, as in this book, we find out that Grayson is ALSO in the mafia (because 1 mafia boyfriend and 3 rockstars wasn't crazy enough), and now he feels less distinct to me. I was ready for him to have a messed up past, but in creating another character in the mafia, it just felt lazy.

The story has decent thrilling action. Flo needed to die so that Angelo can eventually take her place in Bellerose, so that was good (+ she sold out Billie at the end of the last book, so she had to go).

The threesome between Billie, Jace, and the Mohawk Guy (blanking on his name) was really top notch spice too (V hot), so thank you to Tate and Jaymin for continuing to deliver in that aspect. This book was generally very focused on Jace, Angelo, and Mohawk Guy. We saw a lot less of Grayson, but I'm assuming his time is coming.

TBD on if I continue the series. Sorry that my thoughts are so scattered in this review LOL

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I CAN NOT GET ENOUGH OF THIS SERIES! The delicious romantic chaos, gripping emotional angst, and energizing action! All paired with some of the most complicated and enthralling character journeys I've read from the authors to date. Jaymin and Tate have delivered yet another thrill ride that has me desperate for more- I can guarantee this series will be one of the best reads of 2023!

The tension, the ANGST, the drama, all the secrets and longing- my goodness does this story have energy. This story is action-packed and gripping. Jaymin and Tate give us twists and suspense, and HOLY hotness they also give us steam…but most of all, they give us emotion. SO much emotion- past heartbreak, present devastation, passionate connections, anger and loss, and a whole lot of energizing uncertainty. While book 1 was an introduction into the psyche of our fantastic heroine, book 2 is chemistry immersive. We don’t quite know these heroes like we think we do, and we also realize we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of how their baggage (both before and after Billie) impacts their orientation and relationship to her. These characters have so much baggage and tension you can practically choke on it, and if that weren’t complicated enough, J and T hit our characters with a whole deluge of drama and complications, a whole NEW set of painful complications and tense tribulations that bring more nuance to their relationships.

But it also cracks things wide open. The jolt all these characters need to start confronting their ISH. To help us understand them more, but most importantly, to further develop the unique connections and feelings each of them has towards Billie. A harem can not be without the individual relationships, and each of them is on a very different trajectory. But one that makes sense for each of them. But all are uniquely messy….but also uniquely catalytic. Facing what they face forces them to face themselves- each realizing they can’t QUITE be with Billie in the way they desire until they drop their protective, defensive, or detached visages. They have to decide if they want to stay trapped in their pasts, drawing in pain, or if they want to expose their wounds to try to heal together…and to be whole enough to love Billie how she needs.

J and T beautifully give us meaningful moments between all of our characters. And i was NOT expected to cry in this one but someone better hold me because I sobbed. We’re left with more questions than answers and a DEVASTATING cliffy that has me desperate. I need answers, I need hugs, I need wine. I NEED MORE!

[Destiney Bomberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 4🌶

Pages that are completely snort worthy, this book was just as amazing as the first one!! Holy crap the plot, twists, and more spicy than the first one!!! YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!! But again I absolutely couldn’t put this down and was up until 3am finishing it!

I want to say so much about what takes place in this book but I just can’t because I don’t want to give a single freaking thing away!!
Just know this takes place right after the first book, some things you get in this one again are mafia, rockstar vibes, you also get one bed, forced proximity,yummy spicy scenes that left me sweating and it delicious why choose as always.

READ IT ❤️⭐️

[tane'a · Rating 3 out of 5]

this series is doing so much but nothing at the same time???

also if you listen to the audiobook, the songs are truly a jumpscare

[Krystal- Celestialbookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

To summarize my overall thoughts, this book HURT! Like way more than I was anticipating! 😭 Once I saw that the story picked up a few months after the ending of book one I knew that our characters would be a little bent out of shape but oh my goodness I was not prepared to read about everyone full on spiraling! If there is one thing this book made clear to me it was that everyone has their own demons they’re battling beneath the surface that have been exacerbated by all of the events that have taken place since the story began. This book gave our characters the chance to break down and hit their own versions of rock bottom. Quite honestly, it was needed in my opinion because now our characters have the chance to build something beautiful from the broken pieces now that Billie’s secrets have finally come to light. I’m not saying everything is perfect right now, if anything it seems like it’s going to get even worse before it gets better but I have faith that soon we’ll finally get to see some characters begin healing and making peace with their pasts.

And while I wasn’t expecting the amount of emotional pain we got I could easily handle that because I feel like it added depth to the story. But the thing that really upset me was how long it took for our gang to be reunited again. It physically pained me having to wait so long and I can admit I was very grumpy about it. 🤣 I didn’t care if they were awful to each other the whole time, which in hindsight probably should have been more of a priority lol, I just needed them to be physically reunited again so I could have some more angst! Although to be fair the actual reunion was just as entertaining as I thought it would be! 😈

Something different I liked was that this one focused a lot more on the mafia side of the story versus the rockstar side like Poison Roses did because it introduced a new layer to the story that I can’t wait to explore more deeply! We also got to see inside Angelo’s head for the first time and tbh I‘m still just as curious and confused about him as before! His own chapter didn’t even help me elucidate what the heck is going on in inside his head but one thing is for sure, he still loves both Billie and Jace even after these years and will do whatever it take to protect them even to his own detriment. I’m super excited to see what we will learn in book three and for the rockstar and mafia sides of this story to mix together instead of being more focused on one aspect than the other the way the last two books have been.

The other thing I’m looking forward to? MORE SPICE! While this book didn’t have much, I was having the time of my life whenever we got some! I was more than pleasantly surprised by Jace’s dirty mouth and I need more ASAP! His scenes with Rhett had me fanning myself in the best way possible! 🥵 If this is what we’re getting only halfway through I am so freaking excited to see where we’ll end up once all four boys are completely on board the Billie train! So if you need me I’ll be starting Shattered Dreams ASAP! 💜

[siu · Rating 2 out of 5]

wow i love reading a WHY-CHOOSE book where the fmc only keeps fking the same guy. and he's the guy i like the LEAST.

[nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yep, I know for sure now that these books have been laced with crack. Unputdownable. And the action and plot was fucking exhilarating even if it was a wee bit dramatic. The thing I loved the most in this book was the women supporting women and not being jealous bitches and tearing each other down aspect. I would love to see Vee and Billie's friendship develop in the next book. Grayson was my precious man as always...so fucking sensitive and understanding. Rhett was pretty good as well. Jace is...well he's slowly earning a spot in my heart because frankly speaking, I know all too well the way that pain and suffering can make a person act. It can make you irrational because after all, hurt people hurt people ya know? Not that I'm excusing his behavior. He def needs to make up for it. But I mean that I kinda sorta get where he's coming from. Also Billie deserves the world. Poor girl's been through sm shit ffs. As for Angelo...I'm still not sure where he stands but I'm curious to read more of his POV and his feelings regarding Billie and their past🙂

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m done. Lol

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how but there's definitely crack woven into these books. I couldn't put it down!

Poison Roses was so freaking good that I was DYING to read the next book in the series. Aaaaaand I was a little underwhelmed...

Billie was definitely a doormat in this one. I'm hoping this is the case in only this book! She has so much potential considering she has four men wrapped around her finger and (apparently) decent musical talent.

But the hate-fucking between her and (redacted bc spoilers but if you've read book one you can tell who I'm talking about here)??? I am speechless. And I'm here for it just like (second redacted) was and was down to make it a threesome.

I guessed that we'd get more mafia shenanigans in this one, and we do! There's a LOT going on in the one; lots of players introduced into the game and the plot thickens exceptionally. I honestly have no clue where we're going to go next but I'm excited to find out! The ending was giving me Hades vibes haha.

My copy of Shattered Dreams came today so I'll read it soon!

-----

Characters, thoughts and/or notable moments:

Billie: I was so fucking confused for the first handful of chapters because of something that's introduced and I was like: how/what/tf/when. Like I said before, she's not giving me much to like right now, but she knows she's attracted to the Bellerose guys and won't shy away from pursuing a relationship with them sooo you go girl.

Rhett: Cult leader grandpa? what? Also his smut scenes when they're on the run were fun lmao.

Grayson: A sweetheart. I adore him! I love that he believed in Billie and believed she wouldn't have run from them. I know these books aren't shadow grove but part of me wants to pretend he has ties to shadow grove lol.

Jace: GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR FUCKING ASS YOU FUCKING FUCKTURD. I hate that I love him.

Angelo: I am so intrigued by him. What we learn about him in this one paints him in such a positive light (murdering aside). I can't wait for his POV.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I genuinely don't know what to say about this book...

It's ridiculously over the top & dramatic, all of the relationships are toxic (except maybe Grayson?), and Jace is a GINORMOUS POS and I truly do not like his character at all… It’s not good and yet I couldn’t stop reading it.

[Giota (the reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart 💔😭.
I equally love and hate Jace, I’m so freaking torn about him!
His side of the story says a lot about how much he loved Billie but his reaction after their stand-off about what really happened 8 years ago had me reeling!
I felt so sorry for what Billie had to endure at the age of 16 and all alone, desperately hoping for him to look passed his ego and seek her out, and Angelo not being around anymore 😢.
Dirty Truths takes place 2 months after the ending of Poison Roses and everything is derailing. Rhett is one step closer to an overdose, Jace drowns his pain is his own personal poison, anonymous pussy, and only Grayson remains steadfast and can see through the lies the media is broadcasting… that Billie left them voluntarily and ran back to Angelo… which couldn’t be further from the truth!
Book 2 leans more towards the mafia aspect of the story, but I absolutely loved the little time they were to a creating retreat, trying to write new songs for their next album.
Yet again, the romances didn’t feel forced at all, but made sense and were believable, which I feel almost always lacks in RH stories but not when Tate James is involved 👌🏻.

[hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars? 3.75 Stars? Idk.

Listen, throw any sense of reality and common sense out the window, okay? Once you’ve done that and have promptly turned off your brain, then you can fully indulge this. Simply put, it’s a mess. It’s ridiculous and Billie might be a certified moron, but it’s fiiiine. None of these characters take a single second to think before they do the most bizarre shit, aka clowning around in a high stress situation where something truly traumatic just took place. Like…sorry??? Billie’s head is empty, and honestly…good for her.

I have never had so much beef with a character like I do Jace. The way I want to clock his ass every time he speaks. I hate him. He calls Billie “bitch” or “whore” every three pages and they just let him. Rhett and Gray have stood up for her here and there, but for the most part they let this overgrown man child throw temper tantrums over something that happened EIGHT YEARS AGO. Also, Billie just allows him to treat her like actual dog shit. She’d mouth off, but personally if that were me I’d be beating someone’s (specifically Jace’s) ass. The literal disrespect goes beyond “bullying” you find in other RH’s. He’s just the worst. Two books in and he still has no redemption arc, or one that even seems like it’s on the horizon.

This series is actually insane but I am devouring it. Rhett though? Loveeeee 🫶🏻

[⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꒰ঌ mimi ໒꒱ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ [semi-ia] · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t think I have it in me to continue this series 😭 literally so much is happening but at the same time there’s no plot.
Only thing saving these books are the cliffhangers at the end but I don’t think I care enough to know how this series ends.

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, shit. Did he live? I need to find out!

[Lunarbookwyrm aka Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG aahhh this was more than I had expected to be honest. I AM SO MADDDDD AT ONE CHARACTER!!! but it doesn't matter like the first book. I have devoured this one in one sitting. It's magic and like a drug.

How can I live without the boys of Bellerose?! In book 2 a LOT has happened. Secrets have been revealed, healing stages, omg i just am annoyed with Jace cause he's so blinded with his dislike and he denies to death AHHHH! I won't say more, but it's just a lot to process with these characters and what they have gone through with their past.

I am always on edge while reading this book cause holy fuck I get nervous and think I'm going to solve their problems as a reader LOL! It definitely is a page-turner you just can't stop. I just want JACE to crack. He definitely reminds me of nox from the bonds that tie. He has a lot of shit to work on.

and might I say the hate s3x was absolutely delish. I love this series so much. I am thinking of buying the physical copies even if they aren't signed or special editions. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

BOOK 3 though please giveee mee!

Rating 5/5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Spice Level 3.5/5🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶

[rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It only took two books and 700ish pages but they finally (sort of) had an honest conversation 👏👏👏👏

[nush ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

my love for grayson has only increased while my love for jace is close to non existent. although i do feel bad for what he's going through. for rhett its wavering even tho i liked him sm.

the initial 30% felt like it was written by completely different people. i was so confused. but it picked up after that. shit went from 0-100 real quick and just kept escalating after that. the pacing felt a little off tho. i liked the relationship development between the characters but my enjoyment of this book was way lesser than that of the first. i also rlly like angelo and i suspect he's going to be part of the harem now. still excited for the next book nonetheless. hoping it's good🫶🏻

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even more ridiculous than the first one but super entertaining. I still don’t feel any connection between the characters nor have I connected with them. Grayson is by far my favorite in this one. It’s like the authors in their quest to make the most ridiculous storyline ever forgot to make these characters actually attractive to the reader. So far they all fit the story fairly well and I’m sure it will all come together in the end but man, make them appealing at least all the way though!!I wasn’t a huge fan of Rhett in book one but he was majorly cringey here. The stuff between her and Jace is super annoying too. I wish they’d both take a Xanax, every interaction with them is just too manic.

[Jocie (so behind on reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

That cliff hanger 😭😭

[Aplis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk this series feels like it's been written by a ghostwriter. It doesn't look like Tate or Jaymin wrote it. The second book was better but it's like something is missing from this author duo? Almost like the magic that was present in their other series is nowhere to be seen here.

[Poppy Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ 2🌶️

I don’t even know what to say haha this was just such a whiplash plot?!
SO MUCH happens in this book but like why? there’s no focus on the characters at all, they’re all bland as anything apart from Rhett, I find Gray interesting but 2 books in I would’ve liked moreeeee about the characters but it’s so plot driven and not even in a good way, just jumps from one story line to the next!
I am literally bored of Billie, she gets away with not having to explain anything to anyone, I don’t understand why everyone is scrambling over themselves to have her, when she gives NOTHING back to them! Like you’re telling me she lets them all think she’s pregnant with someone else’s child they find out it’s fake and there’s NO repercussions whatsoever?! There’s no tension, no angst and when you’re getting into a rockstar mafia romance you’d be expecting some of that right?! The boys in this book are all a bunch of pansies 😂

It’s not a terrible book, there is so much potential if the characters were given a bit more detail and attention!
Not continuing the series atm because I just don’t care about these characters enough 😅

[tiffany dai jel 🐝✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirty Truths

“You are, Billie Bellerose, You’re what’s wrong with me. With all of us. I thought I hated you before, but that had nothing on what I feel now. Right when I started to care about your safety, you reveal that it was all a ruse. You need help, Billie.”

star rating: 3.95
spice rating: 3.5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I think this book gave me whiplash. Things started off slow this time around and it was a complete set up because it gave me a false sense of security. But once this baby kicked into full gear the floor was snatched from under me.

This book wrung so many gut-wrenching emotions out of me I honestly thought I would be a pile of goo.
The first half of this book I was totally just hating-reading out of HATRED FOR JACE ADAMS as the book went on that didn’t change for me but I got wrapped up in so many other emotions as well. I lost count of how many times I needed to stop because my eyes were full of unshed tears.
The hits just kept coming with this one. I could add a corny joke here seeing as this is a rockstar romance but I won’t, I don’t think my heart could take it.

[abbey willcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ending….not ok…not one bit!! I feel like I have travel sickness after that rollercoaster of a book!!! 🤯🫣😵🥴

I’m exhausted!! This book is pure angst!! I have never been so frustrated at a book in my life!! (In the best way) 😂 I legit put the book down, walked off to calm down then ran straight back and picked it up again 🤣 lies, secrets and more lies!!! This book is a lot more mafia with a sprinkling of rockstar. If you’re looking for happy reunions and rainbows… who am I kidding? None of us are that naive to believe we were going to get that yet! I doubt we will get that till the very last book!! But do we expect anything less from these two authors?! 😏😂 we have to go through all of the angst, longing, heartbreak, lies, deceit, secrets, hate, anger, hurt the list goes on! This book is jam packed with emotion!!! The suspense and storyline is non stop and honestly I was scared what was gonna happen next!! and let me tell you, prepare for the cliffhanger!! I’m left sat here in shock. When will they all catch a break?! … there are a few, well needed laugh out loud moments popped in there to cut through the darkness that is this book! This is one series you just wanna binge read and for it to never end!! Although, the HEA is very well needed.. I just hope everyone makes it there… 😱🫣

[Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ 3.5🌶️

I don’t know what they put in this, but it’s crack. I’m addicted. These books are something else!

This answered some questions and also gave me more.

If we don’t get some Jase grovelling… imma fight someone because that boy is cruising for a bruising.

Fucking love all the other boys though. Angel is questionable though, we’ll see where that one goes.

CW/TW: Miscarriage, death

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Baleigh's Bookends · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooo good. The action in this one had me hooked. I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what happened next.

The first half is kinda rough because everyone is just going through it. But it gets better as you go. Still isn’t like fixed between everyone but it’s better.

F the Ricci family, the Wilson family, and Valentina’s family. Lol.

[alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝟏.𝟐𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 (h) is with the Ricci family for protection and because she has Angelo’s heir. While she ran off from the Bellerose boys (𝐑𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 (H) to protect them, she ended up in a worse situation jeopardizing herself. Meanwhile, the boys think that she intentionally ran off to be with Angelo and that she is fine. As a result, they are falling apart without her and she is still hoping they will come to save her. When she eventually finds her way back to them alongside Angelo, she knows she will need to explain what happened and hopefully get their forgiveness.

༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳

𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘰 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘤𝘪 𝘢𝘯𝘥 “𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢”: They made us think Billie was pregnant for most of the book when they could have said it was a fake belly the entire time. When Billie gets kidnapped and momentarily tortured, Angelo comes to save her, so she calls him “Angel” because he is her guardian; yeah, it is too cheesy. She is also the mistress the entire time, and that man is MARRIED; I don’t care if it was arranged and there is no love; I hate that she is basically the side girl. He also has no soft spot for her, he saves her … yes, but he doesn’t let her push him around and has a tendency to snap. At least he is not a doormat and has the strength to deal with Billie because she would have given me a headache.

𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘛𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 “𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴” : He was the only one who did not fall apart because of Billie’s absence, so I respected him for that. Although Gray knew something was suspicious about Billie leaving, he investigated independently because he wanted to watch out for her and didn’t automatically jump to conclusions. When she returned, he treated her respectfully and allowed her to tell her side of the story instead of shutting her out completely. He is the only MMC in the book that thinks things through and doesn’t shut down whenever Billie wants to run or put herself in danger. He is still better off without her, and he deserves better.

𝘙𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘵 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 “𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯”: This man hit rock bottom after knowing her for a few weeks. Was it months.. I don't know. My brain still attempts to process what he sees in her because he treats her like some treasure when she is terrible. She is irrational and makes decisions that would jeopardize all the guys more, and she cannot have a decent conversation with anyone. Rhett acts like he lost his soulmate, but they barely knew each other; quite frankly, he was better off without her. I know he has abandonment issues because of his mom, but Jace did warn him plenty of times that she would run off. He shouldn't have been so attached because there is nothing special about Billie unless the sex was that great. While Rhett is sweet and is always there for her, it is odd that he is so intrigued by her. He is a rockstar, and Billie is a whiny FMC who does nothing but antagonize everyone. She worsens every situation and finds the worst moments to initiate sex with the rest. Nothing is compelling about her relationship with Rhett; she likes him because he is friendly, unlike Jace. When Rhett and Billie reconnect, at least she had the decency to tell him they knew each other for a heartbeat, so his "love" was not warranted. Of course, he said time doesn't matter; they were just meant for each other. It was just cheesy, and they had no real connection.

𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘈𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 “𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦”: I know these two have shared history, but they are complete assholes to each other, and this is not love. I don’t care what redemption arc they get; after so many years, they must overcome what happened when they were teenagers. They are grown adults still arguing over a breakup that occurred when they were sixteen; to me, it is ridiculous. They don’t act their age and throw meaningless insults at each other just because they can. Jace sulks throughout the book because his friends are with Billie, but he cannot let his hatred go, and she throws everything in his face and vice versa. He called her a backstabber the entire book, and I couldn’t care less if they ended up together or not. They have unresolved trauma they need to figure out because they hated each other but somehow still “love” each other deep down. While both of their trauma is valid, it is unfair to keep using it against each other. Majority of their interactions made no sense, they had hate sex and it would happen out of nowhere. I still don’t understand why people like this series.

*. ⋆𝐎͢𝐕͢𝐄͢𝐑͢𝐀͢𝐋͢𝐋͢

I don’t see this series getting better, but I am on a mission to complete it because I already got this far. This is probably the worst FMC I have read about and it's saying a lot. I love Tate James’s other RH series so I'm quite disappointed that this one did not hit the mark. Each character is disappointing and a bit childish, it just makes no sense for adults to act like this. 🎵🎤🎶🥁🎸

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars