Red Flags

Smoke and Mirrors #1

by Skye Warren

"You’re part of the circus now, which means you belong to me. You’re mine."

Logan Whitmere, the handsome owner of Cirque des Miroirs, is full of red flags. Secretive. Commanding. Dangerous.

I know better than to trust him, but I'm desperate for a way out of my small town.

He offers me a job as the fortune teller.

What does Logan know that he isn't telling me? He seems to want to protect me...from the performers. From himself. I fall for his possession. I'm afraid of his obsession.

There are secrets even the crystal ball won't reveal.

When the truth is unveiled, I'm forced to confront my dark past.

“Red Flags is completely captivating. There’s nothing I love more than a possessive hero and Logan Whitmere delivers. He has so many red flags I can’t even count them all and I'm obsessed.” - Ivy Smoak, Amazon bestselling author

“This story has everything—intrigue, allure, lust—and in the most perfect setting, the circus. Logan and Sienna’s chemistry sizzles from the moment they meet, and I want more, please!” - Willow Aster, USA Today Bestselling Author

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Contemporary Romance, Dark, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Mystery

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2023

Reviews

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY REVIEW AND OTHERS can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

ღ 🆁🅴🅳 🅵🅻🅰🅶🆂 ღ Is the first full length romance book within the (Cirque de Miroirs) series by author Skye warren. Ends in a cliffy. HERO Logan & HEROINE Sienna.

I'd seen this popping up everywhere.. Couldn't resist..Had to oneclick!!

Not gonna lie this did take me a wee bit to get into, you kind of had to read between the lines, interpret what the author was trying to convey, then I got into my groove and started to enjoy it a wee bit more.

When the Cirque des Miroirs comes to Forrester, a small town in Texas, Sienna comes under the eye of Logan.

'𝑯𝒆'𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝑰 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈.
𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆'𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒈 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒚 𝒊𝒕𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.'

Logan was a hard one to crack, a bit obsessive, secretive, powerful, an enigma.

Sienna living with an overbearing fist happy drunk of a father, and a mother who is meek and under her husbands thumb urges Sinna to leave this small town, and that's all she dreams about. A township shrouded in secrecy and lies. I loved her sassiness, her toughness, her quirks. She was really easy to connect with.

The ending does has your heart missing an extra beat as your flung over a cliffy, all I was worried about was the fictional dog..But yes the dog is ok..It's piqued my interest enough for me to be keen for the next book.
 

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[Babel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what I love about this author's books. Red Flags is exhilarating, sensual and hits so many spots inside me that it leaves me bewildered. I wasn't the same at the end of the book. Why? Because I thought I knew what it was about. I thought it was just an ordinary story of lust and love. Instead, it is filled with the unknown, the struggle for freedom and safety, a feast of desires to be unleashed, and the unrelenting quest for belonging.

No, there's nothing simple about it. It starts at a dark hole of an outback town with its load of gossip and terror. Then the magic happens. The circus comes to town and it triggers a chain of unfolding secrets and twisted passions.
I think this first novel is captivating. From the very first page, I needed to know more. I needed to know why Sienna is so defiant yet jaded. I wanted to know the enigma that is Logan, the charismatic face of the circus. I had to know all the mysteries lurking inside this kaleidoscopic world of illusion, awe and skill.

I really liked the bond between the main characters, how they feel the pull to each other and try to resist it for different reasons. And I loved seeing the plot blossoming into something meaningful that I cared about until that explosive ending that left me breathless with longing and ache.

I give this book top stars because of three things: the mystery of it all (so intense), the creative way that Sienna eases into a role at the circus, and the beautiful words that shine through every moment of strength, fear, pleasure or vulnerability. I wish I could read the next book right now!

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Sienna had an upbringing scarred by the presence of her abusive father. To shield herself from his torment, she made every effort to keep her distance whenever possible. However, fate took a surprising turn when the enchanting Cirque des Miroirs graced her small town. Within the mesmerizing spectacle, Sienna caught the attention of none other than the circus's enigmatic owner, Logan. After spending some time together, he offered her an escape from her dreadful hometown - an opportunity to travel across the country alongside his extraordinary circus. Little did Sienna know her troubles were far from over.

The author did a great job of building up the romantic tension. Also, the incorporation of darker themes added depth to the reading experience. However, I would love to see a bit more character development with the secondary characters. Overall, I found this book to be a quick and entertaining read. I'm looking forward to the next one, especially with that cliffhanger.

*** Thank you to NetGalley, Skye Warren, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐
Genre ~ romantic suspense
Series ~ Smoke & Mirrors #1
Setting ~ a traveling circus in Texas
Publication date ~ August 15, 2023
Est Page Count ~ 334 (23 chapters)
Audio length ~ 7 hours 23 minutes
Narrator ~ Leanne Woodward
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ small town, parental abuse, past bullying, past r@pe, age gap, workplace romance, some steamage, cliffhanger

Sienna (20) & Logan (32)
Sienna has been abused by her father for most of her life. Also, bullied by classmates in high school, so she's ready to leave her small town behind. She joins a traveling circus as a fortune teller, and falls for the owner.

I don't mind age gap per say, but I much more prefer if the younger character is at least in their 30's, not a baby adult at 20. And we don't find out Logan's age until like chapter 20, so by that time it was too late for me to pull the plug.

Logan is pretty possessive and a douche at times, especially at the end. Sienna is a pretty strong character, but doesn't make great decisions, but do we really at that age?

This is probably not something I’d normally read, but Hoopla bonus borrow got me again and now I'm kinda invested due to the cliffhanger. Overall, it was fine.

Series notes:
The story continues in White Lies

Narration notes:
She did a great job. I didn't even mind her male voice.

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[PP's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The background of circus always gives the romance a dark, spooky and sensual vibe. So I couldn't wait to read Red Flags by Skye Warren. Sienna and Logan come from two very different sides. Logan is the charismatic rich owner of Cirque des Miroirs and Sienna is the town outcast. Together they shouldn't make sense. But they have this electric connection from the first meeting. But it's just the beginning of a dangerous and seductive journey.

This is a first book of a trilogy.Nothing ever happens in the sleepy small town of Forrester. Until Cirque des Miroirs come to the town. Sienna is the town's outcast, given a bad reputation by people who couldn't control her, lives in a broken home and wants to leave desperately. Meeting the reclusive owner of the circus accidentally seals her fate. But the circus is a big family full of people who don't like and trust her. Is she really safe here?

I loved Sienna's character. The odds are piled up against her and she is fighting constantly. An abusive alcoholic father. A mother who is too scared to leave. Bullies. And all these made her cynical and hard. She is constantly trying to find herself a better place in world. And for a moment, the circus and Logan felt like it. He is definitely alpha with a dominating, confident and edgy personality. He turned the circus around after he left his life of financial wizard. This is his family and his whole life. Sienna blazed through it. He warned her that he has darkness inside. The darkness that kills and hurts. The darkness that can do deplorable things to protect Sienna. He is obsessed with Sienna's beauty and her fire that refuses to die down. But Sienna doesn't believe is happy endings. She is sceptical about such an enigmatic man feeling something real for her. She kept her distance and she kept her guards up but Logan pushed through. It was definitely an exotic and sexy setting. And so many secrets, so many evil people, so much suspense and finally an epic cliffhanger. My heart hurts for Sienna and I am angry with Logan but I know he is in for a rude awakening..

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally sucked into this story. Loved the vibe of a love story involving a traveling circus. It gave me the feeling of excitement but also danger and uncertainty. I totally loved Logan until the end of this and now I'm mad at him. And I love Sienna, she's a survivor of a small town with limited choices and I get that.

I can't explain how much I didn't want to put this down. Whenever I was doing anything else...working, visiting with friends, going to sleep, I just wanted to get back to the book. There were some fun steamy moments that got to me and beyond that, like, A great storyline so far. I say so far because....cliffhanger. I need to know what happens and how this all plays out!

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Cirque des Miroirs comes to Forrester, Texas, 20-year-old Sienna Cole catches the attention of its owner, Logan Whitmere.

Red Flags is an incredibly unique story of struggle and survival, strength and secrets. So much more than a love story, Sienna and Logan’s journey is captivating from the first page.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩🥺☺️🤬😳
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 🧍🏻‍♀️ {Single}

🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance

✨ Tropes: Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Virgin h, Who Hurt You

💋 Kinks: n/a

⚠️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!

🚩 Safety Squad: SA (Past, Not by H), VioIençe (Off Page), and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Red Flags is part of the Cirque des Miroirs series and ends on a cliffhanger.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its been a minute since I've read anything from this author and I have to say that I'm so glad that I was able to dive back in to her world.Red Flags will have you wanting to be a part of the mysterious circus and everything that it entails.



Sienna has had to be tough throughout her entire life so far. Living in a small town where the gossip mill spreads like wildfire has earned her a not so good reputation and because of that, she's had to develop a tough exterior. When the alluring circus comes to her town and the mysterious owner offers her an opportunity to leave, she takes it. But is she trading one nightmare for another?



I really liked the premise of the story and I think that it's off to a solid start. My only issue with this is that I wanted it to focus a bit more on the day to day scene of the circus along with traveling. Certain things were a bit rushed and I was left confused for a minute but I also think that it was done that way to set things in motion for book two so I'm not too upset about it.

This story is going to leave you with more questions than answers but you're going to be desperate for part 2. What other secrets are lurking in the background? Will Sienna fight for the life that she desperately deserves? I guess we'll find out in White Lies.

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first by skye warren and I'm Completely Blown Away!!!
Skye explores the family of clowns and jugglers, acrobats and magicians, all that move from town to town. Pitch tent and open their pavilion of freaks for public entertainment.
But underneath runs a tight family bond. One that is wary and suspicious of Townies .
Even though they showcase their physical skills to the world, their hearts & souls remain closely guarded secret

"it's the only thing that's real In a world full of smoke and mirrors"



Never read a story like this, full of bravery and courage in a young warriors heart. Sienna is from an abusive/neglectful house. Constantly looking over her shoulder in a bid to survive another day,till fate catches her and beats her black and blue.
Meanwhile an enigmatic circus is in town, Cirque De Miroirs . Owner Logan Whitmere is a man with secret agenda. He is equally mysterious, brooding and hides a hint of violence that unleashes on those who bully and protects those who can't defend themselves.

"You want someone to take you far away form home, don't you?
You want to walk into the mirrors and never come out, don't you?"



The journey they both embark on is fraught with danger, both physical & emotional. While they both can't deny the sizzling chemistry between them, or can't even keep their hands off each other, their relationship- much like the circus, is temporary. It's hurtling fast on a time line awaiting the end, but also red flags are flying high and fluttering on both the circus tent and the adopted life as a travelling troupe.

"why do you think people work in curcus? always travelling. Never staying put.
Bullies are in every city we visit, but we don't stick around. The circus is a safe haven for a lot of people"



There are certain scenes that are written so beautifully, the pages just come alive. the scene of the girl in the mirror is not only poignant, it's is foreboding. Drawing parallels between normal life and a mirage, skye builds the pathos up deftly, till I was fighting my own tears.

"No matter how quaint our living rooms or how ornate our fireplaces, we all go through the mirror alone"



A bona fide page Turner, it left me panting for more after taking a sharp left turn and ending on a cliffy. I cannot wait for book 2
Dangerous with a hint of mystery, the enigmatic story is a web of secrets just waiting to unravel and I for one, cannot wait to get to the bottom of that trunk........or in the crystal ball!!
5 stars for hidden agendas
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[Cécile Smits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Flags was a story that intrigued me from the moment i read the excerpt.
If only i’d been smart enough to check if it was a standalone……because it turns out it’s not!
And even though i enjoyed it,it also left me with a book hangover that won’t be solved until October…

Sienna has been an outcast in Forrester as long as she can remember.
When she was 5, she thought she had a few friends,but growing up changed that.
Now she has only one,but Maisie is worth 10 friends,all by herself!
With a circus in town,they decide to check it out.
That’s where she meets Logan,a very intriguing and mysterious man…
And when things turn ugly again at home,he’s the one she runs to.
He makes her feel safe,gives her space,and doesn’t force her to do things she doesn’t want.
But there’s more to consider than “just” him,and his secrets alone might do her in….
Being with the circus,being surrounded by people that judge her as much as she was judged at home,is tough.
And she finds out exactly how far they’re prepared to go to get her in trouble….
Who will Logan believe when she tells him what happened,her or “his family” ?

And that leads to the cliffhanger that i have to live with until October.
Until White Lies….

[Betül · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

“You have no idea, do you? How much I’d give you if you let me. How much I’d do for you. How far I’d go to bind you to me. You should get the fuck out of here while you still can.”

Red Flags by Skye Warren tells the story of how the main character Sienna Cole gets drawn to Logan Whitmere, who owns Cirque des Miroirs. She's wary of his secretive and controlling nature, yet takes a job as the circus' fortune teller to leave her small town behind. Their connection grows, revealing Logan's hidden motives and possessiveness, creating a suspenseful and mysterious plot. As the truth comes out, the protagonist has to face her own troubled past.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Sienna Mae. I think I’d even kill for you.”

The book kicked off on a strong note, reeling me in right away. Logan's intense personality was a plus for me – he's all about knowing what he wants and making sure Sienna knows too. But, his family and the circus are his top priorities, no doubt about it. Overall, "Red Flags" was a solid 4 stars, until things took a turn towards the end. Logan's behavior didn't quite jive with his usually protective self, almost like the author needed a breakup scene and threw something together. It felt a bit hard to buy. That final chapter bumped my rating down to 3.5 stars. Still, I'm curious about the next book and where the story's headed.

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skye Warren's books always require me to pause, ruminate, digest. I put the book aside to ponder and absorb the words because her writing is deep with so much meaning, the characters are three dimensional with hidden agendas. Red Flags was another one of those books.
Sienna is a young woman living in small town dreaming of the day she escapes and leaves behind the rumours and innuendos that only townies can create.
Cirque de Miroirs comes to town promising some fun in this mundane life.
Fabulous story, gut wrenching at times, sad and heartbreaking at other times but exciting too, the sense of adventure keenly awaiting!

[✰ Liz ✰]

I cannot wait to read this!

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read Skye Warren in ages and what a welcome back! This has a unique story and some tropes you don't see everyday.

When I was young I had a dream of running away with the circus a time or two, then we grow up and realize how impractical it is. But this book gives you the dream back a little bit. Though.. I might not be tough enough to cut it at Logan's circus.

Sienna isn't from the safest environment, so I understood why she was drawn to this place, drawn to Logan. Things are a bit rushed but I can see how she would rather take her chances with the intriguing man who offers her a place in his travelling family and in his bed.

I had a good time with this story and I can't wait to learn more about this circus and it's broody owner. If our heroine can survive long enough to get back to him..

There was a cliffhanger that kind of came out of nowhere.. and I don't know how I feel about it... but I will definitely jump on White Lies as soon as I can.

4 stars
2.5 on the spice scale

[LianaReads blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step into the enthralling world of 'Red Flags' by Skye Warren, where danger and desire collide under the big top of the enigmatic Cirque des Miroirs. Logan Whitmere, the captivating mastermind behind the circus, exudes an aura of mystery that sets off alarms. Handsome yet secretive, his commanding presence raises questions about his true intentions. As the story's protagonist seeks an escape from her mundane existence, she finds herself ensnared by Logan's proposal to become the circus's fortune teller. But the enigma deepens—Logan conceals truths that keep her teetering on the edge of trust and apprehension. The story takes an irresistible turn as the protagonist grapples with her attraction to Logan's possessive nature, simultaneously fearing the depths of his obsession.

Skye Warren's signature talent shines through as she crafts a narrative that skillfully dances on the line between darkness and allure. 'Red Flags' captivates from the very first line, holding readers hostage with its intoxicating blend of sinuous suspense and palpable sensuality. The magnetic pull between the characters drives the story forward, weaving a tale of secrets that even the most mystical crystal ball cannot divulge. As the layers of deception peel away, the protagonist must confront her shadowy past, culminating in a revelation that will leave you breathless.

In 'Red Flags,' Skye Warren masterfully channels the essence of the dark genre while infusing every page with a gripping intensity that commands attention. Her words cast a spell, enveloping readers in an irresistible blend of sexiness and suspense. This novel's ability to merge sin and secrecy with a tantalizing narrative is a testament to the author's prowess. If you're seeking a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, 'Red Flags' is an unmissable journey into a world where the unknown beckons and red flags beckon in equal measure.


Arc review

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had really high hopes for this one.
I mean it's a kissing book that takes place at a circus, that sounds amazing!
There is a lot packed into the book and it felt like in trying to include so many elements, a lot of them didn't get time to breathe.
Most notably, the dialogue was very flat and (at times) confusing.
Like I walked into a conversation half finished and was trying to figure out what I missed.

My biggest want for this book was for Logan to be more richly developed. He seemed very flat and not nearly the badass mysterious fella I hoped for. It was all very underwhelming.
The way to book ends leads me to believe this is the start of a series and I am not opposed to checking out the next book to see where this goes. The plot is a cool concept and I would love to see how it progresses, especially looking for more circus world building.
We got very little inner circle circus bits and I want more!
Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my ALC.

[Kitty Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SO mad at Logan right now! I need book 2!

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pure sorcery! It pulled me in and kept me enthralled in the dark and twisted story for hours! The narration on the audiobook was almost hypnotizing as it kept me listening into the wee hours of the night to find out what happens to our damaged heroine, but be forewarned, you will not find out fully in this book alone as it ends on a cliffhanger. Not just any cliffhanger either, it leaves you falling off the cliff waiting to see what happens so make sure that you have book 2 cued up and ready to go or you'll be like me, yelling nooooo into the dark night! The author has woven a dark and twisted romance that will have you panting for more and furious on behalf of the battered heroine. Our main character has endured years of abuse at the hands of the adults who were supposed to love her, the townspeople who should have looked out for her and her peers who bullied her. She finally escapes, but has she escaped one hell only to land into another? You'll have to read to find out and I promise it will be worth every minute you spend devouring the words on the page or better yet, listening to the audiobook as the narration really brought the story fully to life! I'm off to see if I can get my hands on the next book, you should seriously consider joining me in reading this story if you love a good, dark, twisted romance with a bit of mystery and intrigue.

[Linathebookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this!!!! It was so refreshing and it had me on edge.
Sienna is such a strong, badass heroine.
Logan is a mystery and I am so curious to know more about him.
We have a circus setting and I just loved the obscure circus family.
That ending though!!! I am so excited for White Lies, I cannot wait.
If you love a strong heroine, age gap and morally grey heroes , then you need to read this!!!
The book deals with sensitive subject matters ,so please be aware of that before you go in.



*I am so grateful for the ARC. Huge thanks to the author!*

[Madison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Valentine PR and Skye Warren for the arc!

This book had a little bit of everything. There was a suspenseful element that had you wondering why this Cirque de Miroirs wasn’t all that meets the eye, and why our fmc, Sienna, was so standoffish.

I think that this book could have benefited greatly from a longer start. We immediately jump into things, which does a great job of drawing you in and making this mysterious girl intrigue you and wonder what all is going on in her town.

A lot of the dialogue felt very stilted and unnatural and there were at least two points in the book where I was flipping back a page or two because it felt like I had missed something in the text that could explain why we were talking about what we were talking about. There was even a point where I had wondered if they had forgotten to add a page or two into the arc.

Logan, our mmc, fell very flat for me. He was meant to be mysterious, but rather than feeling like that i felt like he was very one dimensional and really only thought of her as hot and for some reason wanted to house her?

The story goes on with Sienna having some trouble in her very small “everyone knows everyone” type of hometown and Logan is meant to help her escape that whilst also explaining to her that bullies are everywhere. Part of what adds to this is it seems like nobody at this circus likes her and they all want her gone for one reason or another, and it did make me wonder why not a single person there was friendly to her.

There was a lot of repeated information throughout the book that I think was meant to serve as reminders to the reader, and maybe the issue is that I read this over 2 days or maybe it’s because the length is pretty short, but I found that I didn’t really need these reminders and was wondering if there was an error in the text.

Logan’s dirty talk to Sienna seemingly comes out of nowhere and I unfortunately didn’t feel much tension. Logan would say outrageously sexual things to Sienna what felt like out of the blue and Sienna’s responses rather than feeling like banter felt more dismissive. Which would make sense if she was genuinely not interested in anything, but then they’d be doing sexual things and it felt like a double take moment for me where I was like, “When did THIS happen?”

This book ends on a cliffhanger that felt very far fetched for me. I’m all for farfetched billionaire cinderella stories, but somehow in this middle of nowhere on a long road these people happened to drive past at the exact right time.

Overall, there was a story there full of mystery and intrigue, but it didn’t hit home for me. This is one of those books that if someone asked me to share my thoughts I’d have to say it wasn’t for me. I’d like to think that maybe I just missed something here. Maybe misread an important paragraph that would’ve made it all make sense. But unfortunately it came across as discombobulated and unsure.

I would’ve liked to see more of Sienna and her role with the circus, and maybe manage to make one friend (besides the grumpy cook). And more of Logan honestly, it feels like he really only popped up at very random times and we didn’t really get to see much of why Logan cares for her.

2/5 ⭐️

[Sara Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ALC & eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ALC:

Everting from my original review still rings true. It was so great on audio! the narrators did a wonderful job with bringing them to life.

ARC:

I’ve read a few books by this author, and I absolutely love her writing. Her books, for me, are so easy to get into. It took me quite a few days to finish reading this book, not because I didn’t enjoy it, but so that I could savor it. This book felt really different from any of the other books that I’ve read by this author, which is why I enjoyed it so very much. I haven’t read many romance books in a circus setting, but like the ones I have read, this story had such an interesting vibe to it. It was spooky, dangerous, mysterious, heartbreaking, and fun. Sienna and Logan are both great main characters and I’m really excited to see where things go with them and also to learn even more about them. I can’t wait for the next book to come out because that cliffhanger was so freaking good. At the beginning I definitely thought I knew how the book was going to end, but boy was I wrong. I did not see that coming, at all!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[💜VGreedyReader🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ 4.50 flying stars ★

Ms Warren will pull you into a dazzling story with an alluring Circus as background to further entice you into this enthralling world. The circus life will take on a whole new meaning in this mysterious journey.

~“𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚?”
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮.”~

Sienna is a young woman who has learned how to fight tooth and nail for her own safety, life in a small town isn’t easy, escaping a violent and dangerous future is her only hope, when the opportunity arise to join the circus in order to seize that morsel of hope, she takes it. Only things never go according to plan, Sienna’s illusion that someone in her life wouldn’t disappoint her is soon crashed. I like Sienna and her strength, her young age and naïve attitude spin her into a tricky web where she’s chased down by unscrupulous selfish individuals.

~“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄’𝙢 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙉𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩.”~

Logan is the typical alpha who saves the day, only to fall victim of his surroundings and ruin it all. I like his persona and his way of wanted to repair mistakes that aren’t his to bear. His willingness to help and protect are his strong traits. However he harbours secrets and lies which hinders his path towards a less tormented life. Hopefully he’s not too late to make amends and protect Sienna from a dire situation whose unrolling he may have put in motion.

~“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.”~

The fast paced and sizzling atmosphere of this tale were a whirlwind of feels, told from Sienna’s POV I was driven on a high so delicious the ominous cliffhanger slammed down way too fast. I can’t wait for the segue of this fascinating adventure.

[Love (lovesworldofbooks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️

I want to start by saying normally I do not mind cliffhangers especially when I’m enjoying the main characters.
Let’s start with Sienna, she was supposed to be a strong female character who was handed a shitty father and an Asian mother who was ashamed of her race/heritage. I don't know if she was proud to be Asia American or not because it was never discussed in detail. In some parts, I understood why Sienna had to be strong. But some of her behavior/feelings didn’t click with me for example she had only known Logan for one maybe two days she was talking about how she wouldn’t beg him or have sex only a couple sentences ended up doing exactly that. Guess what that orgasm fixed her and has a deep connection to Logan.
When it came it to Logan, I didn't anything about him except he was rich, owns the circus and his father was a bad guy. And oh he found a family member.
I never got their connections because they were getting to know each other off the page. I was being told they were intimate (even that was not in-depth detail) and not just f*ckin. Instead of 20-25% of the book being spent telling me with in-depth details of the circus performances and tasks maybe it should have gone to intimacy between Sienna and Logan. Everything just felt rushed but the none important things took forever.

Thank you The Author Agency and publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Leanne Woodward’s narration on this book! She completely encompasses all the characters and makes the story easy and entertaining to listen to! I liked the premise of the book and how it’s a steamy romance that takes place amongst the backdrop of a traveling circus. There could be some triggers for people regarding violence and sexual abuse, but it didn’t negatively affect the story for me. If you like steamy romance, give this book a try!

[Gabriëlla Croes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆, 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍. 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒊𝒓𝒒𝒖𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒊𝒓𝒔. 𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒐𝒇."

This was such a different and enchanting read. Sienna has not been living an easy life. Her home life is rough but she has a loving mother. And when the circus arrives in town, it might just be what Sienna needs.

Sienna first meets Logan Whitmore when he saves her. Enigmatic and full of red flags, Sienna wants to know more about him. And the way he looks out for her...I ate it up! There is still so much to learn about him.
Sienna finds herself as the temporary fortune teller. But there is so much mystery.
I am so happy that we will be able to read much more in the upcoming books.

Sky's writing kept me invested. The story progresses and the main characters connect. It has so many layers. And there was just enough added suspense to keep the flow going. The side characters are interesting and I just simply need to know more and all.

It ends on a suspenseful cliffhanger that I did not see coming. Like seriously I need book 2 now!

𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻.

➛ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
➛ 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐎𝐕 - 𝑺𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒂
➛ Forbidden Romance, Boss x Employee, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Secret Billionaire, Found Family, Mystery, Circus Setting, Suspense, Small Town, One Bed
➛ Cliffhanger
➛ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 🔥🔥.5
➛ Book 1 in the 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐫𝐬 trilogy. Cannot be read as a standalone!
➛ Book 2 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬 releases on October 17.
➛ KU ❌

[CourtneyS · Rating 5 out of 5]

•Overall:  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💫/5
▪︎Spice Level:  🌶🌶🌶/5
•Recommend: Yes
▪︎Re-read/re-listen: Yes
•Trope: Age-gap (12 years) Boss/employee, tragic past, one bed, close Proximity, alpha hero
•Release date: 8/18/2023

• Thoughts: So good! I had half the book read before I forced myself to go to bed, so I had this book finished pretty quickly. This book held my attention from the beginning. There are secrets that have yet to be revealed... so you just keep on turning those pages..

The characters: We have Logan, the billionaire who owns the traveling circus and is captivated by Sienna. Sienna is one tough cookie. She has been delt a very crapoy and tragic past. It has forced her to string and very guarded and to rely on her and only her.

Now, for the story: Holy hot sea biscuit, I am on the cliffhanger era of my reading. LOL. this book ends on a cliffhanger, but the next book is set to release in October, and let me tell you, I am here for that hot little baby! Logan tells Sienna the circus is family, the mystery and secrets that surround this book is so compelling. You can't help but be hooked. But is Logan blinded by his love for his family??
Read this book you will not be disappointed!

[Cheyenne Mcdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and fast pace read. I really liked the plot and I like Sienna. I can’t decide if I like Logan or not because I really didn’t like that he didn’t believe Sienna.

The spice was okay. I would’ve liked to have seen more spicyness. I’d say its a solid 2 on the spice scale.

I’m excited to see where this story leads though because the way it ends, anything could happen.

[bailey grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I tend to love Skye Warren books and I loved this one. Her writing style always keeps me hooked and focused on the story. There were times that I was confused during this book but I’m tired so it’s probably just me. I liked the setting of the story and how it follows a circus. It’s different! I can’t wait to see what Skye Warren writes for the next book to continue Sienna’s story.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

We need half stars! I give this 3.5 stars I did not know what I was getting into when I started this book but the book kept me on my toes. I thought from the cover it was going to be just about a spicy romance but it’s not that it’s about deeper topics like trauma and escaping a small town when you have nothing. I think the title was perfect because the MMC has all the red flags and it also relates to the circus.

The main reason I didn’t give this a 5 star was mostly because it did get a little repetitive FMC kept thinking/saying Logan was only after sex so many times. I also did not understand the relationship with Travis, Kyle, and Sienna. And the endings cliffhanger did upset me 😆 how can you end it like that!

I listened to the audio and the narrations did a great job!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to review the audiobook!

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

——4⭐️
Book: Red Flags
Genre: Romance

Red Flags is the first in the Cirque de Miroirs Series. Cirque de Miroirs is a traveling circus that has just stopped suspiciously in the small town of Forrester.
Sienna has lived in Forrester her whole life. But one of the only things the wants it to escape it, though she would have to leave her mother behind with her abuse father.

“If you ever get the chance to leave, Sienna Mae, leave. Don’t worry about me. And don’t look back.” (Siennas mom told her)

When the circus came to town her and her friend decided to go. That night when breaking up a fight she meets Logan, who at the time she doesn’t know owns the circus. They have an immediate connection. After coming to him one night after being hurt he offers her an escape one night, to travel with the circus…

At first I was kind of not too interest but a few chapter in I started getting more into it! And the end!!😱 I literally cannot wait to read the next one whenever it comes out! I love love love the circusy vibe!

-small town romance
-circus romance
-age gap