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The Good Bad Man
Kane I’ll admit it. I’m not a good man. I make my living on the shady side of the dollar. It’s the hand I was dealt as a kid with nothing. But, even so, that doesn’t mean I’d put my own kid in a cage and treat her like bait for sharks. There’s something about Laurel Steiner that makes me want to shield her from all the dirtiness in this city. Can this bad man be good enough for her? Laurel Everyone in the city has heard of Kane Santino. He’s a big bad man who is all bite, no bark. You won’t get a warning before he smushes you into dust. It just happens. One minute you’re there and the next minute, your building is blown up. My father refused to sell and put me in a cage to lure someone else to save him. Of course, no one showed up. No one that is except Kane Santino. He seems to want to lock me in a new prison. It’s pretty and warm but I don’t know that I can handle a man like Kane. Can a girl like me really be bad enough for him?
98 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
December 30, 2023
•| ⊱✿⊰ |• 3,5 Stars •| ⊱✿⊰ |
Lauren was sold by her father, to a cruel man.
Before he could claim her, Kane Santino went to her dad laundry to collect the debt he had.
His men found Lauren in a cage, and they took her to Kane's house.
When he sees her, he can't let her go.
Even if he has to fight the superior order in society.
This story interacts with
.Angel is Lauren best friend, and when she tries to save her, Kane sends her to Bjornssen.
Both will fight the order to keep both of his wives.
May 4, 2023
I apologise for my third class inglis.
⏬
⏬
⏬
Book this boring is.
🌈KANE AND LAUREL
🟥I'll tell you WHY this was boring--
◾The book is about a businessman who takes down a building after evicting a sleazy old man from there. He finds that the old man has been keeping his 19 yera old daughter in a cage. Yes, in a cage like a ...dog or a bird. The hero feels sympathy in his cold heart and from there on takes upon himself to care for the heroine. The heroine, Laurel is sassy and initally resists Kane's advances because she believes the world is cruel like her dad.
🟥No new concept, no new characters. Same old stockholm syndrome shit.
🟥I left the book midway because this book has more or less the same vibes that MINK's old books have.
🟥You can read if you want to, but, there's really nothing new here. Read her previous release instead, it's SO much more exciting, like a Love Island sorta book.
⏏Dual virgins.
🟥OW Drama- He dosent give a horse sh*t about her.
🔹No-cheating.
🔹Sassy h.
🔹JP Hero.
💥Smut- 6/10.
🎀HEA.
💗Epilogue-Married with kids.
⏬
⏬
⏬
Book this boring is.
🌈KANE AND LAUREL
🟥I'll tell you WHY this was boring--
◾The book is about a businessman who takes down a building after evicting a sleazy old man from there. He finds that the old man has been keeping his 19 yera old daughter in a cage. Yes, in a cage like a ...dog or a bird. The hero feels sympathy in his cold heart and from there on takes upon himself to care for the heroine. The heroine, Laurel is sassy and initally resists Kane's advances because she believes the world is cruel like her dad.
🟥No new concept, no new characters. Same old stockholm syndrome shit.
🟥I left the book midway because this book has more or less the same vibes that MINK's old books have.
🟥You can read if you want to, but, there's really nothing new here. Read her previous release instead, it's SO much more exciting, like a Love Island sorta book.
⏏Dual virgins.
🟥OW Drama- He dosent give a horse sh*t about her.
🔹No-cheating.
🔹Sassy h.
🔹JP Hero.
💥Smut- 6/10.
🎀HEA.
💗Epilogue-Married with kids.
April 30, 2023
Insta love between a possessive villain and the brave woman he rescues. I devoured this little story with gusto. It's over the top, hot, even cute.
The bad man who's busy doing bad deeds encounters a victim of abuse that suddenly changes his attitude towards women and intimacy.
He craves her company, her touch, her love, but of course like the caveman that he is, he just claims her, owns her, pleasures her and feeds her, and protects her even from his real feelings.
It's fun between them with the dramatic reactions, his grand gestures, her unexpected comebacks, and then danger threatens their love but he burns the world for her and finally all is well and they have time to indulge in bed and in life. Very entertaining :-D
I love it when the author proudly announces that she'll be back with the story of one of the characters in this novella. It was only a hint, but oh what a good hint! I'm ready for that fiery couple, too.
The bad man who's busy doing bad deeds encounters a victim of abuse that suddenly changes his attitude towards women and intimacy.
He craves her company, her touch, her love, but of course like the caveman that he is, he just claims her, owns her, pleasures her and feeds her, and protects her even from his real feelings.
It's fun between them with the dramatic reactions, his grand gestures, her unexpected comebacks, and then danger threatens their love but he burns the world for her and finally all is well and they have time to indulge in bed and in life. Very entertaining :-D
I love it when the author proudly announces that she'll be back with the story of one of the characters in this novella. It was only a hint, but oh what a good hint! I'm ready for that fiery couple, too.
October 5, 2023
Was good at first but then got boring
May 3, 2023
3-3.5 stars
It was a nice read but didn't hold any depth for me and it all happened within a few days: the 'kidnapping', the instavibes, the love and the marriage.
And despite the fact that I wasn't a fan of the heroine, I must admit that I did love Kane with his ott, possessive streak, the man cave behaviour and the fact that no other women have ever been on his radar because his eyes are on Laurel and Laurel only.
And I kinda dug that.
But I desperately needed some depth to make me believe in them as a couple.
Hence the missing stars.
But on the plus side, I did like the writing so imma try something else from the writer.
So fingers crossed!
It was a nice read but didn't hold any depth for me and it all happened within a few days: the 'kidnapping', the instavibes, the love and the marriage.
And despite the fact that I wasn't a fan of the heroine, I must admit that I did love Kane with his ott, possessive streak, the man cave behaviour and the fact that no other women have ever been on his radar because his eyes are on Laurel and Laurel only.
And I kinda dug that.
But I desperately needed some depth to make me believe in them as a couple.
Hence the missing stars.
But on the plus side, I did like the writing so imma try something else from the writer.
So fingers crossed!
May 12, 2023
Good
Safety and Spoilers
Safe. No om drama. Daughter of another mob boss causes some minor drama. Her father thinks H is going to marry her. H never corrected the lie and they are now angry he refuses to marry her. She shows up at his condo very angry.
Both H and h are virgins.
No cheating.
While I enjoyed this story it wasn’t my favourite by this author. There were some things that could have been expanded on. Like who was h’s friend that showed up and how the H who tough and has lots of security managed to get kidnapped. We also don’t see how h reacts to learning her father was murdered.
Safety and Spoilers
Safe. No om drama. Daughter of another mob boss causes some minor drama. Her father thinks H is going to marry her. H never corrected the lie and they are now angry he refuses to marry her. She shows up at his condo very angry.
Both H and h are virgins.
No cheating.
While I enjoyed this story it wasn’t my favourite by this author. There were some things that could have been expanded on. Like who was h’s friend that showed up and how the H who tough and has lots of security managed to get kidnapped. We also don’t see how h reacts to learning her father was murdered.
Read
May 25, 2023𝑵𝒐 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒗𝒂𝒅𝒂, ¿𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒅? 𝑸𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒓 𝒎í𝒂.
November 15, 2023
'No tenía idea de lo hermosa que podía ser una criatura. Ahora puedo entender por qué se libraron tantas guerras por las mujeres. Son lo suficientemente poderosas como para poner a los hombres de rodillas.'
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.
The good bad man de Ella Goode
Argumento:
Kane
Lo admito. No soy un buen hombre. Me gano la vida en el lado turbio del dólar. Es la mano que me repartieron cuando era niño sin nada. Pero, aun así, eso no significa que pondría a mi propia hija en una jaula y la trataría como cebo para tiburones. Hay algo en Laurel Steiner que me hace querer protegerla de toda la suciedad de esta ciudad. ¿Puede este hombre malo ser lo suficientemente bueno para ella?
Laurel
Todo el mundo en la ciudad ha oído hablar de Kane Santino. Es un hombre muy malo que muerde, no ladra. No recibirás una advertencia antes de que te aplaste hasta convertirlo en polvo. Solo pasa. En un minuto estás allí y al minuto siguiente, tu edificio explota. Mi padre se negó a vender y me puso en una jaula para atraer a otra persona para que lo salvara. Por supuesto, nadie apareció. Nadie que lo sea excepto Kane Santino. Parece querer encerrarme en una nueva prisión. Es bonito y cálido, pero no sé si puedo soportar a un hombre como Kane. ¿Puede una chica como yo realmente ser lo suficientemente mala para él?
Mi humilde opinión:
Romance Instalove, mafioso con algo de drama, acción e intriga.
Disfruto de todas las historias de EG, unas más que otras, y esta aunque que estuvo bien no fue una favorita para mí.
En lo que tiene que ver con el mundo peligroso de la mafia y poder, me pareció que lo tenía. Hasta hubo un momento con un enfrentamiento con sangre y balas.
No sé si me gustó Kane... Adoro los hombres posesivos exagerados de EG pero este chico malo me pareció realmente inescrupuloso con su plan de obligar a los dueños a vender sus negocios para que él pudiera hacer el suyo. Si no aceptaban vender por las buenas, era a las malas. De pronto se encuentra a Laurel y por amor cambia.
Su actitud con la amiga de Laurel fue fría. Kane la envía a que un tal Bjornsson para que le saque información sobre Laurel... Matándola de hambre? Menos mal que este tipo no lo hizo, seguramente le pasó como a Kane quedó flechado por la amiga pero si no?
Toda la situación fue rara porque la amiga llegó de la nada preguntando por Laurel. Y cómo pudo entrar a hablar con Kane? debería haber sido imposible llegar al jefe mafioso! Y sabiendo que es amiga de Laurel (se notaba una amiga cercana y preocupada) él la entrega a un hombre desconocido y nunca se lo dice a Laurel?
En el capítulo donde Kane es secuestrado por un traidor fue confuso, no sé ni cómo lograron secuestrarlo con toda la seguridad que siempre tenía en su condominio, nunca se mostró cómo se lo llevó Luca.
Laurel era una chica que nunca fue querida, era un personaje que luchaba verbalmente con Kane y era dulce a la vez Me pareció indignante lo que le hizo el padre. Sin embargo, no entendí si Kane mandó a matar al padre o qué pasó con él También me pareció que pasar por esa clase de trauma y por años te hace algo dentro y esto no lo mostró Laurel. Salió de una jaula para entrar a otra y ella estaba bien con eso? La parte que más me sorprendió de todas fue cuando ella intenta matarse y Kane la salva, nunca esperé encontrar un momento así en una de las historias de esta autora.
Esperaba una mejor boda! no sé qué pensar de cuando firmaron un papel con el novio todo ensangrentado. No me gustó eso. Laurel se merecía una boda mejor con semejante vestido!
El romance tenia pasión y drama, había algo de falta de comunicación y de información. El epílogo fue lindo.
May 9, 2023
I liked it
I liked it. I found Laurel a little annoying at times which is why I didn’t rate it higher. Seems that there is a fine line between feisty & bratty & I don’t like bratty which Laurel definitely bordered on for a lot of the book. There were a few lose ends that I get into cause I don’t want to do spoilers but a couple plot points are ever finished. We don’t even know who the girl was that came looking for Laurel. No name. Laurel never makes any mention of a friend. She was caged up literally, & her unnamed friend who is brave enough to go to Kane’s house to look for her didn’t know that & Laurel never was like “oh I should let my unnamed friend know I’m okay”. I know she’s set up for another book with the guy who was supposed to be getting information from her but nothing else. I don’t like loose ends in books on major plot points & this had a few.
I liked it. I found Laurel a little annoying at times which is why I didn’t rate it higher. Seems that there is a fine line between feisty & bratty & I don’t like bratty which Laurel definitely bordered on for a lot of the book. There were a few lose ends that I get into cause I don’t want to do spoilers but a couple plot points are ever finished. We don’t even know who the girl was that came looking for Laurel. No name. Laurel never makes any mention of a friend. She was caged up literally, & her unnamed friend who is brave enough to go to Kane’s house to look for her didn’t know that & Laurel never was like “oh I should let my unnamed friend know I’m okay”. I know she’s set up for another book with the guy who was supposed to be getting information from her but nothing else. I don’t like loose ends in books on major plot points & this had a few.
May 30, 2023
I loved this book. Kane made me swoon.
October 13, 2023
My reviews always contain spoilers, I write them so I can remember the story.
Laurel literally goes from one cage to another, granted the cage her dad put her in was a dog cage and the cage Kane puts her in is a fancy apartment, a gilded cage but for her it’s a cage nevertheless.
Laurel’s dad is a money launderer for a mob guy, when Kane, who is a higher level mob guy wants the property that Laurel’s dad owns his enforcer goes to secure it, there he finds Laurel in a dog cage. He brings her to Kane. Fearing for her life she defies Kane and grabs a gun and pretty much says she ‘now gets to choose how her life is going to be’, and puts the gun to her head. Kane is able to save her but she does get cut on her leg badly from a broken piece of glass. He has a Dr come in and sew her up. He takes care of her and soon they are getting closer. Dual virgins! He is so sweet to her, she can be a bit bratty but it works for them.
Drama when Kane is kidnapped by other mob guy, he wants Kane to marry his daughter, Kane refuses, he’s never been interested in women before Laurel. Plus the daughter is sleeping with one of his guys. Kane proves why he is the superior mob guy by taking out a bunch of goons and escaping.
Back at the apartment he quickly marries her, I love yous and more sexy times. Epilogue with Laurel 20 weeks pregnant with twin girls.
There is a scene where a young woman comes and demands to know what Kane has done with Laurel, he doesn’t answer her questions and has her taken away. You are not told her name but do find out the man who has her now is a very powerful man and he will not be releasing her, she’s his now. Laurel’s existence was bleak with very little outside contact except this friend yet she never mentions her or is told by anyone her friend had come to find her. That sucked for the friend, to be forgotten.
Laurel literally goes from one cage to another, granted the cage her dad put her in was a dog cage and the cage Kane puts her in is a fancy apartment, a gilded cage but for her it’s a cage nevertheless.
Laurel’s dad is a money launderer for a mob guy, when Kane, who is a higher level mob guy wants the property that Laurel’s dad owns his enforcer goes to secure it, there he finds Laurel in a dog cage. He brings her to Kane. Fearing for her life she defies Kane and grabs a gun and pretty much says she ‘now gets to choose how her life is going to be’, and puts the gun to her head. Kane is able to save her but she does get cut on her leg badly from a broken piece of glass. He has a Dr come in and sew her up. He takes care of her and soon they are getting closer. Dual virgins! He is so sweet to her, she can be a bit bratty but it works for them.
Drama when Kane is kidnapped by other mob guy, he wants Kane to marry his daughter, Kane refuses, he’s never been interested in women before Laurel. Plus the daughter is sleeping with one of his guys. Kane proves why he is the superior mob guy by taking out a bunch of goons and escaping.
Back at the apartment he quickly marries her, I love yous and more sexy times. Epilogue with Laurel 20 weeks pregnant with twin girls.
There is a scene where a young woman comes and demands to know what Kane has done with Laurel, he doesn’t answer her questions and has her taken away. You are not told her name but do find out the man who has her now is a very powerful man and he will not be releasing her, she’s his now. Laurel’s existence was bleak with very little outside contact except this friend yet she never mentions her or is told by anyone her friend had come to find her. That sucked for the friend, to be forgotten.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2024
Al principio fue raro, después ya se puso como todos los libros de este tipo.
December 4, 2023
The couple: Kane and Laurel
Romance trope: instalove
Length: 97 pages
Plot: Kane always gets what he wants, so when he wants to buy the local dry cleaners in a real estate deal, he sends his goons to make sure it happens. They do make it happen, but also find a girl locked in a cage. They bring her home to their boss and he discovers that she may be the one person he was looking for all along.
Commentary: Too bad Kane couldn't have just told her right away that he wanted to keep her. I don't guess she would have believed it though. It's a shame that nobody except Lauren's friend Angel noticed that something might be wrong. Being put in a cage for punishment is pretty wrong. I guess that at the end of this one I was conflicted as to whether things were supposed to make me feel happy or not - she was still caged just in luxury. And she was aware of that. But didn't mind, I guess. She did have someone to love her though.
Next book in the series: The Good Bad Girl
Romance trope: instalove
Length: 97 pages
Plot: Kane always gets what he wants, so when he wants to buy the local dry cleaners in a real estate deal, he sends his goons to make sure it happens. They do make it happen, but also find a girl locked in a cage. They bring her home to their boss and he discovers that she may be the one person he was looking for all along.
Commentary: Too bad Kane couldn't have just told her right away that he wanted to keep her. I don't guess she would have believed it though. It's a shame that nobody except Lauren's friend Angel noticed that something might be wrong. Being put in a cage for punishment is pretty wrong. I guess that at the end of this one I was conflicted as to whether things were supposed to make me feel happy or not - she was still caged just in luxury. And she was aware of that. But didn't mind, I guess. She did have someone to love her though.
Next book in the series: The Good Bad Girl
May 3, 2023
DOUBLE VIRGINS!! *happy dance with dumb grin on my face*
So I am going to sound like a broken record but Ella Goode did it again!! Yes, I am singing her praises, she has been knocking 'em outta the park! This one is a gem!
Safe
No cheating
No OM
unwanted OW attention (at the very beginning, the secretary of one of the people Kane (H) was closing deals with came up to him when he was alone unbuttoning her blouse. He rejected her harshly, to the point where she just stood there stunned and then told one of his men to "take the trash out".) We also get our first hint that he has never been with a woman because he simply was not attracted to one. He is very much a male with needs, but always took care of it with his own hand. I LOVE THAT!! This is OW drama done right. OW drama, in my opinion, should be to show us that our hero is not a womanizer, he even hates female attention to the point where he thinks something is wrong with him, but we know that it is because his body wants one woman, he just hasn't met her yet, but we know he will soon and when does his body will come alive and he becomes insatiable! *cheeky smirk* It establishes his character, that sex for him is to be with the one woman he falls in love with. *SWOON* I already love him and was rooting for him from the start!
OTT, growly, alpha male (yes please)
Feisty, strong, has not lost her sense of humor even though her life was hell, heroine. *sigh* My heart broke for Laurel, but she is strong facing her demise, but also she is just done and was ready to free herself in the darkest way. It made me so sad that she was hurting so much she became numb and unafraid.
WARNING: dark themes: attempted suicide, h suffered abuse at the hands of her father, h tortured and caged in a dog crate (torture not shown, her in a crate hugging her knees is shown in a picture) she was abused at the hands of her father. Hero is ruler of his criminal underworld and is in the gray area of business, dark humour, kidnapping, gunfight, bloodshed.
There is also slight misunderstandings that don't last long and quickly resolved (OW promised to H to marry, but he never accepted, nor did he correct the father so as to be ahead of the game in terms of business).
I AM GIVING A WARNING FOR THESE DARK THEMES IN CASE SOME ARE SENSITIVE TO THEM. I am alright with dark themes as long as the love story is safe, and the couple have eyes only for each other, then it is alright with me.
HEA in the sunshine! These two deserved it!
We have Kane, a wealthy and dangerous business man that is ok being in the grey, and in comes a girl in a dog cage! He feels a pang in his chest when he sees her picture and tells his men to bring her to him. She outsmarts his men by taking a gun, calmly telling them and Kane that she is not afraid before putting the gun to her head. She says that this time, SHE gets to choose, she apologizes for the broken vase, closes her eyes accepting her death,*gunshot*. Kane is so fast and stops this suicide attempt, the shot was fired but did not touch her and she lands on broken glass vase slicing her thigh. Before she passes out, Kane promises that he will take care of his little bird.
So, yeah, oooooof! Dark stuff, but this is how it is done! It is dark, and intense, and so good. One thing I will say about Ella Goode in this novella is that she balances dark themes with lighter banter to alleviate the heaviness we feel when we read on. It can be done and it is a sense of relief, when for example, she is so loopy from the painkillers after being stitched up that Kane gives her a sponge bath and in her delirious state she says that most random, funny things, wrapped in dark humour and when he reaches the shower to rinse her, he puts in on cold and plops it on his head to cool his hard on......BAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHAH!!! I loved that scene! Inserting humor and comedic moments in dark themed stories, when done well really puts you in a roller coaster ride of emotions, and when we needed a good laugh, we got one!
I strongly urge you to read this, of course, I am a sucker for strong men who remain virgins for whatever reason, but some of the best reasons is simple. He just didn't feel attracted to a woman to have sex so he waited. He even didn't understand that what he was feeling for Lauren is love, showing us that he was NEVER even CLOSE to falling in love before her. She is ALL his and he is ALL hers, mind body and soul, and seeing them experience these new passions and love together for the first time is so romantic!*sigh*
One teeny tiny gripe, nothing bad just I wished that he told Lauren that she was his first and only too, that they lost their virginity together. It's ok though. I love Kane!
We are going to get his enforcer and Lauren's best friend (she is feisty, I already like her) and Bjornsson's love story (Bjornsson seems to have fallen for her fast just on the phone call to Kane he is ready to kill the driver if he ever took her away from him)! Oh, I am praying that it is another double virgin story! *crossing fingers, wishing and hoping*. From the little bit we get from both, I think it will be good! My motto now, In Ella Goode we Trust! *rubbing my palms together in anticipation*
And, there you have it.
Want REAL ROMANCE? One and only true love? A hero and heroine who has only been with each other and no other? Strong characters, dark themes balanced with lightheartedness? Funny moments and good drama? Hot sex scenes and a happily ever after? Look no further, get the book, make some hot cocoa (spiked), cozy up in your reading chair, and dive into this world....I promise you it is worth it!
I for one, will reread this again and again, at least until we get Bjornsson and Laurels best friends love story which I am already too excited and impatient for!
Ella Goode, thank you for this gem of a story and I am excitedly waiting for the second book!
Happy reading everyone!
So I am going to sound like a broken record but Ella Goode did it again!! Yes, I am singing her praises, she has been knocking 'em outta the park! This one is a gem!
Safe
No cheating
No OM
unwanted OW attention (at the very beginning, the secretary of one of the people Kane (H) was closing deals with came up to him when he was alone unbuttoning her blouse. He rejected her harshly, to the point where she just stood there stunned and then told one of his men to "take the trash out".) We also get our first hint that he has never been with a woman because he simply was not attracted to one. He is very much a male with needs, but always took care of it with his own hand. I LOVE THAT!! This is OW drama done right. OW drama, in my opinion, should be to show us that our hero is not a womanizer, he even hates female attention to the point where he thinks something is wrong with him, but we know that it is because his body wants one woman, he just hasn't met her yet, but we know he will soon and when does his body will come alive and he becomes insatiable! *cheeky smirk* It establishes his character, that sex for him is to be with the one woman he falls in love with. *SWOON* I already love him and was rooting for him from the start!
OTT, growly, alpha male (yes please)
Feisty, strong, has not lost her sense of humor even though her life was hell, heroine. *sigh* My heart broke for Laurel, but she is strong facing her demise, but also she is just done and was ready to free herself in the darkest way. It made me so sad that she was hurting so much she became numb and unafraid.
WARNING: dark themes: attempted suicide, h suffered abuse at the hands of her father, h tortured and caged in a dog crate (torture not shown, her in a crate hugging her knees is shown in a picture) she was abused at the hands of her father. Hero is ruler of his criminal underworld and is in the gray area of business, dark humour, kidnapping, gunfight, bloodshed.
There is also slight misunderstandings that don't last long and quickly resolved (OW promised to H to marry, but he never accepted, nor did he correct the father so as to be ahead of the game in terms of business).
I AM GIVING A WARNING FOR THESE DARK THEMES IN CASE SOME ARE SENSITIVE TO THEM. I am alright with dark themes as long as the love story is safe, and the couple have eyes only for each other, then it is alright with me.
HEA in the sunshine! These two deserved it!
We have Kane, a wealthy and dangerous business man that is ok being in the grey, and in comes a girl in a dog cage! He feels a pang in his chest when he sees her picture and tells his men to bring her to him. She outsmarts his men by taking a gun, calmly telling them and Kane that she is not afraid before putting the gun to her head. She says that this time, SHE gets to choose, she apologizes for the broken vase, closes her eyes accepting her death,*gunshot*. Kane is so fast and stops this suicide attempt, the shot was fired but did not touch her and she lands on broken glass vase slicing her thigh. Before she passes out, Kane promises that he will take care of his little bird.
So, yeah, oooooof! Dark stuff, but this is how it is done! It is dark, and intense, and so good. One thing I will say about Ella Goode in this novella is that she balances dark themes with lighter banter to alleviate the heaviness we feel when we read on. It can be done and it is a sense of relief, when for example, she is so loopy from the painkillers after being stitched up that Kane gives her a sponge bath and in her delirious state she says that most random, funny things, wrapped in dark humour and when he reaches the shower to rinse her, he puts in on cold and plops it on his head to cool his hard on......BAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHAH!!! I loved that scene! Inserting humor and comedic moments in dark themed stories, when done well really puts you in a roller coaster ride of emotions, and when we needed a good laugh, we got one!
I strongly urge you to read this, of course, I am a sucker for strong men who remain virgins for whatever reason, but some of the best reasons is simple. He just didn't feel attracted to a woman to have sex so he waited. He even didn't understand that what he was feeling for Lauren is love, showing us that he was NEVER even CLOSE to falling in love before her. She is ALL his and he is ALL hers, mind body and soul, and seeing them experience these new passions and love together for the first time is so romantic!*sigh*
One teeny tiny gripe, nothing bad just I wished that he told Lauren that she was his first and only too, that they lost their virginity together. It's ok though. I love Kane!
We are going to get his enforcer and Lauren's best friend (she is feisty, I already like her) and Bjornsson's love story (Bjornsson seems to have fallen for her fast just on the phone call to Kane he is ready to kill the driver if he ever took her away from him)! Oh, I am praying that it is another double virgin story! *crossing fingers, wishing and hoping*. From the little bit we get from both, I think it will be good! My motto now, In Ella Goode we Trust! *rubbing my palms together in anticipation*
And, there you have it.
Want REAL ROMANCE? One and only true love? A hero and heroine who has only been with each other and no other? Strong characters, dark themes balanced with lightheartedness? Funny moments and good drama? Hot sex scenes and a happily ever after? Look no further, get the book, make some hot cocoa (spiked), cozy up in your reading chair, and dive into this world....I promise you it is worth it!
I for one, will reread this again and again, at least until we get Bjornsson and Laurels best friends love story which I am already too excited and impatient for!
Ella Goode, thank you for this gem of a story and I am excitedly waiting for the second book!
Happy reading everyone!
May 5, 2023
Like depression. Weirdly numb about intense situations
Kane is not a good man. And he doesn't even try to be. So when he liberates Laurel from her abusive father, only to keep her for himself, he doesn't feel bad about it. Laurel obviously isn't very inclined to stay in Kane's cage just because it's a little nicer than her father's. TW suicide attempt (kinda right off the bat too)
This is a weird one tonally. Goode usually had a very idealistic tone, kinda whimsical, but this is a very realist book. It fell a little flat. I think part of that is how rushed it seemed. And that combo made the stakes seem really low for being actual kidnapping and death. Just kinda odd. I did like Kane's POV because the flatness worked for him. And I know this is strange, but I thought Laurel suicide attempt in the beginning was well done, there was a numbness that works in the beginning that doesn't make sense to continue to the end. And I was not expecting a literal cage.
Kane is not a good man. And he doesn't even try to be. So when he liberates Laurel from her abusive father, only to keep her for himself, he doesn't feel bad about it. Laurel obviously isn't very inclined to stay in Kane's cage just because it's a little nicer than her father's. TW suicide attempt (kinda right off the bat too)
This is a weird one tonally. Goode usually had a very idealistic tone, kinda whimsical, but this is a very realist book. It fell a little flat. I think part of that is how rushed it seemed. And that combo made the stakes seem really low for being actual kidnapping and death. Just kinda odd. I did like Kane's POV because the flatness worked for him. And I know this is strange, but I thought Laurel suicide attempt in the beginning was well done, there was a numbness that works in the beginning that doesn't make sense to continue to the end. And I was not expecting a literal cage.
May 29, 2023
it’s okay, but…
So, this book was okay. I’ve definitely read better by Ella Goode, though. There were some editing issues, and I felt as if Ms Goode didn’t quite get the balance between a transition of the H from bad guy that doesn’t care about anything to man in love. However, probably the biggest drawback for me is knowing from the beginning that the H is the type of Boss that tortures and forces business owners to get them to sell their property against their will for H’s benefit (it’s just by happenstance that this owner happened to be a horrible person) as well as sending an innocent woman (friend of his love interest no less) to be tortured for information (that’s definitely not life/death).. Yes, I know it’s a mafia romance, but I can’t appreciate a hero like that, need them at least have a few scruples. Also, why no mention from h ever about contacting her friend? They’d have to be pretty close for the friend to show up at a mob boss’s place looking for h.
So, this book was okay. I’ve definitely read better by Ella Goode, though. There were some editing issues, and I felt as if Ms Goode didn’t quite get the balance between a transition of the H from bad guy that doesn’t care about anything to man in love. However, probably the biggest drawback for me is knowing from the beginning that the H is the type of Boss that tortures and forces business owners to get them to sell their property against their will for H’s benefit (it’s just by happenstance that this owner happened to be a horrible person) as well as sending an innocent woman (friend of his love interest no less) to be tortured for information (that’s definitely not life/death).. Yes, I know it’s a mafia romance, but I can’t appreciate a hero like that, need them at least have a few scruples. Also, why no mention from h ever about contacting her friend? They’d have to be pretty close for the friend to show up at a mob boss’s place looking for h.
July 12, 2023
Kane and Laurel
My first Ella Goode, and I was not disappointed. If you love Cassie Mint or Diana Palmer, you will love this little book I’m already addicted. Need to find out what happens with Laurel’s feisty girlfriend that braved Kane’s condo to save Laurel on her own and Bjornsson who works for Kane and braved Kane’s ire when he refused to torture the girl to get information on Laurel for Kane, his mob boss.
I loved the characters and the storyline being often surprising (in a good way). The cover model not too bad, of course being “old school”, I “dig” the hairy chest. Do I sound like a hippie from the nineteen-sixty’s? Well I was just a little too young to be a hippie but I learned the lingo, lol. Anyway I loved the book.
My first Ella Goode, and I was not disappointed. If you love Cassie Mint or Diana Palmer, you will love this little book I’m already addicted. Need to find out what happens with Laurel’s feisty girlfriend that braved Kane’s condo to save Laurel on her own and Bjornsson who works for Kane and braved Kane’s ire when he refused to torture the girl to get information on Laurel for Kane, his mob boss.
I loved the characters and the storyline being often surprising (in a good way). The cover model not too bad, of course being “old school”, I “dig” the hairy chest. Do I sound like a hippie from the nineteen-sixty’s? Well I was just a little too young to be a hippie but I learned the lingo, lol. Anyway I loved the book.
July 18, 2023
Kane and Laurel
This is a sweet standalone story with an interesting plot and great characters. It started out with some pretty serious overtones; this couple did not "meet cute." However, the story also had some funny moments and lots of instalove goodness.
This is a safe read with some explicit language and sex. There is FMC does suffer some mental and emotional abuse by her father, so please be warned if this is a trigger for you.
The book has warmth and heart. I definitely recommend it!
This is a sweet standalone story with an interesting plot and great characters. It started out with some pretty serious overtones; this couple did not "meet cute." However, the story also had some funny moments and lots of instalove goodness.
This is a safe read with some explicit language and sex. There is FMC does suffer some mental and emotional abuse by her father, so please be warned if this is a trigger for you.
The book has warmth and heart. I definitely recommend it!
October 1, 2023
2.5✯
°Virgin heroine
°Seems like the hero was also a virgin (I wish he had told the h that she was his first, he only implied it in his inner monologue)
°Dual POV
°Insta love/lust
°Attempted suicide (heroine)
°No OM drama
°OTT alpha hero
°Annoying childish heroine
°Unwanted attention from 2 OW -nothing serious, he was not interested
°No cheating or scenes with OP
°No separation
°Epilogue: a year later maybe ? -married with twins on the way (I hate when authors don't mention how much time has passed in the epilogue, Ella G. loves to do this I don't know why 🙄)
°Virgin heroine
°Seems like the hero was also a virgin (I wish he had told the h that she was his first, he only implied it in his inner monologue)
°Dual POV
°Insta love/lust
°Attempted suicide (heroine)
°No OM drama
°OTT alpha hero
°Annoying childish heroine
°Unwanted attention from 2 OW -nothing serious, he was not interested
°No cheating or scenes with OP
°No separation
°Epilogue: a year later maybe ? -married with twins on the way (I hate when authors don't mention how much time has passed in the epilogue, Ella G. loves to do this I don't know why 🙄)
May 13, 2024
Touch her and die
“Does that make me more valuable? If I’m a virgin? Or are you going to sell my organs? What does an organ go for these days? There are seventy-eight organs in the body, but I think only twelve would be the money makers. Would the sale of those be worth more than a virgin?” “Organs aren’t cheap.” “I wouldn’t think so. What have you sold them for before?” Kane leans back in his chair. I think he might be amused by my line of questions. “I see the drugs are kicking in.” “Will that ruin the organs?” A bark of laughter erupts from him.”
“Does that make me more valuable? If I’m a virgin? Or are you going to sell my organs? What does an organ go for these days? There are seventy-eight organs in the body, but I think only twelve would be the money makers. Would the sale of those be worth more than a virgin?” “Organs aren’t cheap.” “I wouldn’t think so. What have you sold them for before?” Kane leans back in his chair. I think he might be amused by my line of questions. “I see the drugs are kicking in.” “Will that ruin the organs?” A bark of laughter erupts from him.”
May 12, 2023
Eh, the spice is good
Originally I was going to give this book 1 or 2 stars, but I was able to read it to the end and parts of it weren't all that bad. But it was too short, too quick. If they had taken that plot line and added another 100, 200 pages then I would've loved this book. But the quick speed of this book just isn't for me, and even the spice let me down after a minute.
Originally I was going to give this book 1 or 2 stars, but I was able to read it to the end and parts of it weren't all that bad. But it was too short, too quick. If they had taken that plot line and added another 100, 200 pages then I would've loved this book. But the quick speed of this book just isn't for me, and even the spice let me down after a minute.
May 27, 2023
Bad man in need of a good woman
I enjoyed this story. Kane doesn't make excuses for the way he is, not even with Laurel. She pushes his buttons, but doesn't get the same reaction from him that anyone else would. She makes him want to be better for him. I loved the banter and chemistry. I loved that while it was insta-love, it was not insta-sex. Too many authors forget that love and sex are not the same. Great job!
I enjoyed this story. Kane doesn't make excuses for the way he is, not even with Laurel. She pushes his buttons, but doesn't get the same reaction from him that anyone else would. She makes him want to be better for him. I loved the banter and chemistry. I loved that while it was insta-love, it was not insta-sex. Too many authors forget that love and sex are not the same. Great job!
September 27, 2023
I’m usually a big fan of Ella Goode but for some reason this was a miss for me. It wasn’t so much the plot or characters as the way it was written. The bad guy is not really redeemable but it’s too short to care. The steamy scenes were just ok but nothing special. Probably my least favorite book by this author but I’ll still continue to pick her books up. Not every book can be a hit every time and this author is generally more hits than misses with me.
May 4, 2023
Kane might be a bad guy but he is a good man to Laurel. He had no plans to get involved with a woman but Fate had other plans. Laurel doesn't know how to take someone caring about her and her needs above anything. I loved these two, especially Laurel. She is feisty and Kane is so protective. Couldn't put it down, another great read from this awesome author.
June 20, 2023
This was a great quick and steamy read with a seriously swoon worthy hero. Kane might be a bad man, but when it comes to Laurel he’s sweet, protective and possessive.
I love that despite going through so much, she didn’t cower to him, she was feisty and gave him a hard time. She’s not used to someone caring and putting her needs first, and I really enjoyed the progression of their relationship.
I love that despite going through so much, she didn’t cower to him, she was feisty and gave him a hard time. She’s not used to someone caring and putting her needs first, and I really enjoyed the progression of their relationship.
September 7, 2023
Kane may find love!
Kane is a bad man and when his men find a woman locked in a cage he decides to take her. Laurel has always tried to be a good daughter but her father seems to think she is nothing but trouble and locks her in a cage to try to tame her. Will Kane save Laurel or just give her a different kind of cage?
Kane is a bad man and when his men find a woman locked in a cage he decides to take her. Laurel has always tried to be a good daughter but her father seems to think she is nothing but trouble and locks her in a cage to try to tame her. Will Kane save Laurel or just give her a different kind of cage?
December 17, 2025
The MMC is tied up with too many other women and having an arranged marriage for the purpose of “uniting two families” business (two other women btw). It’s too much and too much apart of the story to ignore it. I always thought Ella Goode was a “safe” read and while there is no cheating there is just too much OW drama. Pass.
May 2, 2023
🔥🔥🔥
Um…can I just say that Ella completely outdid herself with all that is Kane 🔥😘👌🤤 Laurel and Kane’s story is one that you definitely need to read. So sweet and hot at the same time!
Um…can I just say that Ella completely outdid herself with all that is Kane 🔥😘👌🤤 Laurel and Kane’s story is one that you definitely need to read. So sweet and hot at the same time!
May 3, 2023
Laurel and Kane
Kane is a really bad man, but when his men find Laurel in a cage he can't stop himself from wanting her close.
Laurel knows who he is and shouldn't want nothing to do with him but she can't stop herself from pulling the man's leg.
Highly recommended
Kane is a really bad man, but when his men find Laurel in a cage he can't stop himself from wanting her close.
Laurel knows who he is and shouldn't want nothing to do with him but she can't stop herself from pulling the man's leg.
Highly recommended
May 3, 2023
Swwoooon!!!
I love kane and his OTT greatness. He was sweet and scary and ..... sigh....perfect. lol this was a sweet, short, instalove read. Everything you'd expect and no angst. All the fun and fluff you could need!
I love kane and his OTT greatness. He was sweet and scary and ..... sigh....perfect. lol this was a sweet, short, instalove read. Everything you'd expect and no angst. All the fun and fluff you could need!
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