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Ruthless Beauty
Eleven years ago, my entire family was massacred.
Only my brother and I survived that fateful night.
Now someone has returned to finish what they started.
My notorious, gang leader brother keeps me in a gilded cage, out of his business and away from the sinister underworld of Reaper Falls.
When a threat too great for him to handle throws my perfectly orchestrated life into chaos, I’m finally set free. Free from not only him, but from myself.
Because I’m not the girl everyone thinks I am.
Those who crossed my family will pay a hefty price. I’ll make sure of it.
The only complication? Three men who refuse to let me out of their sight.
Emilio, my newly appointed, grumpy bodyguard.
My best friend, Rhys, who turned me down when I confessed my feelings for him.
And Torsten, the assassin who I want to kill as much as I want to f*ck.
Not only is my entire future on the line. We’re risking our lives, and hearts, as we try to uncover the true enemy before it’s too late.
Ruthless Beauty is a standalone with a HEA. This book contains dark content, please see the author's website for details.
Only my brother and I survived that fateful night.
Now someone has returned to finish what they started.
My notorious, gang leader brother keeps me in a gilded cage, out of his business and away from the sinister underworld of Reaper Falls.
When a threat too great for him to handle throws my perfectly orchestrated life into chaos, I’m finally set free. Free from not only him, but from myself.
Because I’m not the girl everyone thinks I am.
Those who crossed my family will pay a hefty price. I’ll make sure of it.
The only complication? Three men who refuse to let me out of their sight.
Emilio, my newly appointed, grumpy bodyguard.
My best friend, Rhys, who turned me down when I confessed my feelings for him.
And Torsten, the assassin who I want to kill as much as I want to f*ck.
Not only is my entire future on the line. We’re risking our lives, and hearts, as we try to uncover the true enemy before it’s too late.
Ruthless Beauty is a standalone with a HEA. This book contains dark content, please see the author's website for details.
486 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
716 people are currently reading
2907 people want to read
About the author
Cassia Briar
26 books462 followersHey, I'm Cassia Briar, author of reverse harem romances.
I live in the Pacific Northwest forest. Coffee addict, cat mom, and avid romance reader.
If you like angsty romance with twisty plots, dark themes, and steam, check out my books.
For updates, join my newsletter.
If you've read my books, feel free to add them to a list on here in the Listopia section. Doing so helps other readers find them. Thank you so much!
I live in the Pacific Northwest forest. Coffee addict, cat mom, and avid romance reader.
If you like angsty romance with twisty plots, dark themes, and steam, check out my books.
For updates, join my newsletter.
If you've read my books, feel free to add them to a list on here in the Listopia section. Doing so helps other readers find them. Thank you so much!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
July 21, 2023
✩‧₊˚ 𝟐.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
★¸.•☆•.¸★ 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 •☆•.★
𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐱 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞 (h) survived eleven years ago when someone murdered her family, but now that she's back from Paris, it seems the person is back to finish what they started. To protect her, 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 (H) is assigned to watch over her, as her brother's second in command, and her best friend 𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (H) doesn't want to leave her side now that she's back. Meanwhile, 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 (H), the man she slept with on her night back, is an assassin who accepted the job to end her but instead chooses to retire and vows to protect her.
_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐
⋆◦•●♡ 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 ♡●•◦⋆
𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐱 have a long history, being childhood best friend’s, so it makes sense that they fell in love. He was protective and would do anything for her but did not like to put her in danger. While she was capable of defending herself, he didn’t want her to because he wanted her safe in all capacities. If he had told her the truth about his feelings when she confessed how she felt in Paris, perhaps events would have been different, and this would not have been a RH. While she had a crush on Emilio, she never would have acted on it if Rhys had told her he felt the same when she told him how she felt. However, when he denies her, Phoenix finds Torsten at the sex club, who ultimately needs the protection of Emilio, and that’s how they all find their dynamic. Rhys had his chance, and he did not take it. Regardless, he loves her, and it’s pure. Even when they were not together, he showed up because she was his best friend. He had no ulterior motives other than that his friend needed him. Rhys is a sweetheart, but he’s also a dirty talker in bed, so we get both sides of his personality. There was a scene in the book where he asked her if she had to choose who she was picking between the three of them, and she couldn’t decide. It was surprising that she couldn’t pick, considering the Long SHARED history that they have, so I don’t know if I was into this reverse harem because she had more chemistry with Rhys. Out of all of them, she spent the most time with him and knew him on a deeper level; as with the others, she didn’t get to know them. It felt more like a crush between her and Emilio and affection for Torsten for giving her a sense of freedom, something she never experienced before. Rhys did not mind sharing her with the others as long as it was what she wanted and was happy. He fell into the role quickly and adapted to the dynamic, he even formed a friendship with Emilio and thinks Torsten is a psycho, but they still agree on things mostly — and that’s protecting Phoenix.
𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐱 have known each other for the same time she has known Rhys, but he’s always been closer to her brother and has spent every moment avoiding her. He speaks in grunts and does not like to indicate any sign of her affecting him, but he also notices how her hair is a different shade of red during the end of summer, so he cares. There wasn’t much development in the relationship, he was upset near the end of the book that she didn’t tell her brother she liked him, but he never did either. He could have done it first but complained that she wasn’t claiming him and only wanted the other two. He could have been in the book or not, and it wouldn’t have made such a difference.
𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 is deranged and possessive, but he loves her in his way. Phoenix gravitated towards him because the others coddled her and treated her like a child who couldn't defend herself. Meanwhile, Torsten praised her for her fighting skills and when she would take down men. He's what she needed, beyond the sweet words and the protective nature of Rhys and Emilio. He's a psychopath, for sure, but he would never harm her and respects her enough to give her the choice to make her own decisions. He is a menace, so his character might not be for everyone. Torsten, for sure, gets turned on by violence, and he thrives when blood is involved; I'll say that.
They have one thing in common: they will do absolutely anything for Phoenix's safety. Let's say a man at the club punched her in the face, and they did what they needed to do for payback. I feel like I've read a lot of dark romance, so that didn't phase me, but there are a lot of scenes like that here, so if that's not your thing — don't read this, perhaps. They all accept the dynamic and work together to please Phoenix; they get along and make it work. As long as Phoenix agrees with the poly relationship, they don't deny her anything.
The main issue I had, and why it's not rated higher, is that she slept with Torsten while she was "kidnapped," but she hadn't talked with Rhys about sharing yet. To have a successful dynamic like that, they should have discussed it beforehand, but she did it without making sure it was okay or if it would have been cheating. She had made things semi-official with Rhys, but while she's kidnapped, she doesn't even think about him until she remembers she has a boyfriend and tells Torsten, and he's the one who suggests sharing.
*•.¸♡ 𝐎͢𝐕͢𝐄͢𝐑͢𝐀͢𝐋͢𝐋͢ ♡¸.•*
The plot was rushed, and the person behind the scheming was predictable because of the beginning scenes; it could have been resolved quickly if they had questioned [redacted]. The romance was decent, I liked Rhys the best, and I don’t like to have favorites in RHs because it’s meant to be an equal relationship, but he’s the only one who had a meaningful connection with her and years of history together. Torsten felt like a weird addition and had a random obsession, but it was intriguing nonetheless. Emilio was there and just liked to have sex; they had a handful of conversations.
★¸.•☆•.¸★ 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 •☆•.★
𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐱 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞 (h) survived eleven years ago when someone murdered her family, but now that she's back from Paris, it seems the person is back to finish what they started. To protect her, 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 (H) is assigned to watch over her, as her brother's second in command, and her best friend 𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (H) doesn't want to leave her side now that she's back. Meanwhile, 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 (H), the man she slept with on her night back, is an assassin who accepted the job to end her but instead chooses to retire and vows to protect her.
_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐
⋆◦•●♡ 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 ♡●•◦⋆
𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐱 have a long history, being childhood best friend’s, so it makes sense that they fell in love. He was protective and would do anything for her but did not like to put her in danger. While she was capable of defending herself, he didn’t want her to because he wanted her safe in all capacities. If he had told her the truth about his feelings when she confessed how she felt in Paris, perhaps events would have been different, and this would not have been a RH. While she had a crush on Emilio, she never would have acted on it if Rhys had told her he felt the same when she told him how she felt. However, when he denies her, Phoenix finds Torsten at the sex club, who ultimately needs the protection of Emilio, and that’s how they all find their dynamic. Rhys had his chance, and he did not take it. Regardless, he loves her, and it’s pure. Even when they were not together, he showed up because she was his best friend. He had no ulterior motives other than that his friend needed him. Rhys is a sweetheart, but he’s also a dirty talker in bed, so we get both sides of his personality. There was a scene in the book where he asked her if she had to choose who she was picking between the three of them, and she couldn’t decide. It was surprising that she couldn’t pick, considering the Long SHARED history that they have, so I don’t know if I was into this reverse harem because she had more chemistry with Rhys. Out of all of them, she spent the most time with him and knew him on a deeper level; as with the others, she didn’t get to know them. It felt more like a crush between her and Emilio and affection for Torsten for giving her a sense of freedom, something she never experienced before. Rhys did not mind sharing her with the others as long as it was what she wanted and was happy. He fell into the role quickly and adapted to the dynamic, he even formed a friendship with Emilio and thinks Torsten is a psycho, but they still agree on things mostly — and that’s protecting Phoenix.
𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐱 have known each other for the same time she has known Rhys, but he’s always been closer to her brother and has spent every moment avoiding her. He speaks in grunts and does not like to indicate any sign of her affecting him, but he also notices how her hair is a different shade of red during the end of summer, so he cares. There wasn’t much development in the relationship, he was upset near the end of the book that she didn’t tell her brother she liked him, but he never did either. He could have done it first but complained that she wasn’t claiming him and only wanted the other two. He could have been in the book or not, and it wouldn’t have made such a difference.
𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 is deranged and possessive, but he loves her in his way. Phoenix gravitated towards him because the others coddled her and treated her like a child who couldn't defend herself. Meanwhile, Torsten praised her for her fighting skills and when she would take down men. He's what she needed, beyond the sweet words and the protective nature of Rhys and Emilio. He's a psychopath, for sure, but he would never harm her and respects her enough to give her the choice to make her own decisions. He is a menace, so his character might not be for everyone. Torsten, for sure, gets turned on by violence, and he thrives when blood is involved; I'll say that.
They have one thing in common: they will do absolutely anything for Phoenix's safety. Let's say a man at the club punched her in the face, and they did what they needed to do for payback. I feel like I've read a lot of dark romance, so that didn't phase me, but there are a lot of scenes like that here, so if that's not your thing — don't read this, perhaps. They all accept the dynamic and work together to please Phoenix; they get along and make it work. As long as Phoenix agrees with the poly relationship, they don't deny her anything.
The main issue I had, and why it's not rated higher, is that she slept with Torsten while she was "kidnapped," but she hadn't talked with Rhys about sharing yet. To have a successful dynamic like that, they should have discussed it beforehand, but she did it without making sure it was okay or if it would have been cheating. She had made things semi-official with Rhys, but while she's kidnapped, she doesn't even think about him until she remembers she has a boyfriend and tells Torsten, and he's the one who suggests sharing.
*•.¸♡ 𝐎͢𝐕͢𝐄͢𝐑͢𝐀͢𝐋͢𝐋͢ ♡¸.•*
The plot was rushed, and the person behind the scheming was predictable because of the beginning scenes; it could have been resolved quickly if they had questioned [redacted]. The romance was decent, I liked Rhys the best, and I don’t like to have favorites in RHs because it’s meant to be an equal relationship, but he’s the only one who had a meaningful connection with her and years of history together. Torsten felt like a weird addition and had a random obsession, but it was intriguing nonetheless. Emilio was there and just liked to have sex; they had a handful of conversations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2023
*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-POV
*darkish
*enemies to lovers
*friends to lovers
*organised crime
*bodyguard
*vengeance
*building harem (3)
*fastburn 🔥
*standalone
I’ve Cassia’s paranormal stuff previously and really enjoyed it, so I thought I’d definitely give this a go! And honestly for the first foray into contemporary it’s a super book 😃
We have our FMC who’s living under the thumb of her gang leader big brother who don’t get me wrong she adores but she needs him to really see her and not keep her boxed away 😖 thankfully her best friend Rhys is happy to help her out, despite the rocky place they’re currently in 😌
Yet being the brother of a leader of an organised crime gang, certainly brings its own perils…especially with their family past!
Thankfully Phoenix has a secret of her own and she’s ready to fight back! She also seems to have collected quite a fan club along the way 😄 Rhys is finally getting his head out his sun don’t shine, broody bodyguard Emilio is having a moral dilemma and then we have Torsten the possessive maniac assassin (who I’ve claimed!!)
Cassia writes great steam scene fyi!! 🥵🥵 They do not like each other but with the twists and turns they need to find a way to work together and work out who the puppet master is!
A really great standalone 😄
*Contemporary
*Multi-POV
*darkish
*enemies to lovers
*friends to lovers
*organised crime
*bodyguard
*vengeance
*building harem (3)
*fastburn 🔥
*standalone
I’ve Cassia’s paranormal stuff previously and really enjoyed it, so I thought I’d definitely give this a go! And honestly for the first foray into contemporary it’s a super book 😃
We have our FMC who’s living under the thumb of her gang leader big brother who don’t get me wrong she adores but she needs him to really see her and not keep her boxed away 😖 thankfully her best friend Rhys is happy to help her out, despite the rocky place they’re currently in 😌
Yet being the brother of a leader of an organised crime gang, certainly brings its own perils…especially with their family past!
Thankfully Phoenix has a secret of her own and she’s ready to fight back! She also seems to have collected quite a fan club along the way 😄 Rhys is finally getting his head out his sun don’t shine, broody bodyguard Emilio is having a moral dilemma and then we have Torsten the possessive maniac assassin (who I’ve claimed!!)
Cassia writes great steam scene fyi!! 🥵🥵 They do not like each other but with the twists and turns they need to find a way to work together and work out who the puppet master is!
A really great standalone 😄
August 14, 2023
so many things happening at once these people do not know peace! i was constantly at least a little confused about what was happening tbh and yknow sometimes not every kiss has to turn into sex sometimes a cute little kiss is enough ❤️ this is an emilio fanpage though
September 28, 2023
This was PERFECTION!!!
A badass FMC and 3 hot, psychotic men 🔥
I binge read this in less than a day and I didn’t ever want it to end!
Absolutely fucking epic.
The plot twists were mind blowing, the spicy scenes were off the charts hot and the entire story was just incredible.
It had me hooked from the very beginning and I seriously struggled to put it down.
Like holy hell it was just EVERYTHING.
I love me a dark why choose romance and this ticked ALL of the boxes!
❤️🔥Why Choose
❤️🔥Badass FMC
❤️🔥Overpossessive & Overprotective Men
❤️🔥Pierced Pecker
❤️🔥Forbidden Love
❤️🔥Best friends To Lovers
❤️🔥Captor/Captive
❤️🔥Assassin
❤️🔥Gangs
❤️🔥Bodyguard
❤️🔥Revenge
❤️🔥Grief & Loss
❤️🔥Group Activities
And so much more!!!!
A badass FMC and 3 hot, psychotic men 🔥
I binge read this in less than a day and I didn’t ever want it to end!
Absolutely fucking epic.
The plot twists were mind blowing, the spicy scenes were off the charts hot and the entire story was just incredible.
It had me hooked from the very beginning and I seriously struggled to put it down.
Like holy hell it was just EVERYTHING.
I love me a dark why choose romance and this ticked ALL of the boxes!
❤️🔥Why Choose
❤️🔥Badass FMC
❤️🔥Overpossessive & Overprotective Men
❤️🔥Pierced Pecker
❤️🔥Forbidden Love
❤️🔥Best friends To Lovers
❤️🔥Captor/Captive
❤️🔥Assassin
❤️🔥Gangs
❤️🔥Bodyguard
❤️🔥Revenge
❤️🔥Grief & Loss
❤️🔥Group Activities
And so much more!!!!
August 9, 2023
KC Rating: 4.5🍁 | 1.75🌶️
This was an absolute must read! I’ve been waiting for it for a long time (since March) and then I somehow missed the day when it got released, and then July was hectic so when i finally started reading this gem, i was ecstatic!
The book has everything you need! Reverse harem, mafia romance, forbidden romance (bodyguard), unhinged psycho assassin, age gap, enemies and friends to lovers, you get my drift! Oh did i mention absolutely amazing spice? And plot and character development?
Meet Phoenix, who survived her family massacre when she was little, so now she is dealing with the trauma as she can (gets one night stands at a sex club on the new years eve) but this time, the one she had the best s*x of her life will come back for her! Yeah, our viking Torsten is there to first kidnap her but for a good cause! And trust me, he was the absolute best character! I was not the biggest fan of Rhys (childhood friend) and Emilio (bodyguard + brother’s friend/right hand). Though Emilio did have redeeming qualities (he has some jewellery) and he did try his best to not be tempted!
I devoured the book, and the twists and turns in the plot were absolutely amazing! I can’t wait for the next book in the series because i hope as hell it’s about Griffin and his little captive!
This was an absolute must read! I’ve been waiting for it for a long time (since March) and then I somehow missed the day when it got released, and then July was hectic so when i finally started reading this gem, i was ecstatic!
The book has everything you need! Reverse harem, mafia romance, forbidden romance (bodyguard), unhinged psycho assassin, age gap, enemies and friends to lovers, you get my drift! Oh did i mention absolutely amazing spice? And plot and character development?
Meet Phoenix, who survived her family massacre when she was little, so now she is dealing with the trauma as she can (gets one night stands at a sex club on the new years eve) but this time, the one she had the best s*x of her life will come back for her! Yeah, our viking Torsten is there to first kidnap her but for a good cause! And trust me, he was the absolute best character! I was not the biggest fan of Rhys (childhood friend) and Emilio (bodyguard + brother’s friend/right hand). Though Emilio did have redeeming qualities (he has some jewellery) and he did try his best to not be tempted!
I devoured the book, and the twists and turns in the plot were absolutely amazing! I can’t wait for the next book in the series because i hope as hell it’s about Griffin and his little captive!
June 18, 2023
This is the first book of Cassia Briar’s I’ve read and OMG I loved it! It’s a whychoose dark mafia with friends to lovers, bodyguard and assassin love interests. The FMC is strong, bold and daring. Phoenix is back from a year in Paris and she’s trying to find a distraction for New Year’s Eve. Phoenix is the sister of a mafia don and tragedy stuck their entire family 12 years ago on New Years Eve. There is suspense, action, mystery and of course love in this world. The MMC being Rhys, Emilio and Torsten were the best book boyfriend material! I was sucked in from the first chapter and loved every page!
June 22, 2023
Ruthless Beauty is a contemporary, standalone, dark, reverse harem romance. It includes friends to lovers, bodyguard, assassin, forced proximity, and mafia/mob tropes. This book features Phoenix, Rhys, Torsten, and Emilio, on their twisted journey to a guaranteed HEA.
Phoenix is a strong willed, independent FMC, whom I absolutely loved. Rhys, Emilio, and Torsten are Phoenix’s three steaming hot men that are perfect for her in every way.
The story had me intrigued from the start and entertained throughout. The writing, flow, storytelling, characters, character development, world building, and relationship development are all incredible.
I would definitely recommend this book and cannot wait for more stories from this amazing author.
Phoenix is a strong willed, independent FMC, whom I absolutely loved. Rhys, Emilio, and Torsten are Phoenix’s three steaming hot men that are perfect for her in every way.
The story had me intrigued from the start and entertained throughout. The writing, flow, storytelling, characters, character development, world building, and relationship development are all incredible.
I would definitely recommend this book and cannot wait for more stories from this amazing author.
September 4, 2024
a ruthless beauty & her 3 beasts.
yuhh i devoured every single word of this book and i loved it all !!
rhys, emilio & torsten my babiess !!
these 3 men are a whole swoon fr !!
seriously couldn’t get enough of the way they’re obsessed with phoenix.
also the smut was delivering okayy !!
* gasps for air *
[death by orgasm.]
if you’re considering reading this book - go read it rn !!
i’m so glad i decided to read this after a dnf and a 2 star read.
i just lovee dark why choose romance so much and this one was so bombbb !! 🖤☠️🩷
yuhh i devoured every single word of this book and i loved it all !!
rhys, emilio & torsten my babiess !!
these 3 men are a whole swoon fr !!
seriously couldn’t get enough of the way they’re obsessed with phoenix.
also the smut was delivering okayy !!
* gasps for air *
[death by orgasm.]
if you’re considering reading this book - go read it rn !!
i’m so glad i decided to read this after a dnf and a 2 star read.
i just lovee dark why choose romance so much and this one was so bombbb !! 🖤☠️🩷
March 30, 2024
I cannot be the only person who has read this who didn't really like Pheonix? I just didn't gel with her at all. It's hard to root for someone who is getting on your last damn nerve.
June 25, 2023
ehhh
I couldn’t get through it though since she was such a bad character. Letting her brother push her around yet acting all tough otherwise.
I’m sure it’s just me but the only likeable character was Torsten. Rhys needed to grow a pair, and Emilio really didn’t like her-not really since he thought of killing her or maiming her and never thought it was wrongs
I couldn’t get through it though since she was such a bad character. Letting her brother push her around yet acting all tough otherwise.
I’m sure it’s just me but the only likeable character was Torsten. Rhys needed to grow a pair, and Emilio really didn’t like her-not really since he thought of killing her or maiming her and never thought it was wrongs
June 24, 2023
Cassia Briar did it again!
If you need 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ in your life ?! This is your book!
The plot, the characters, at least you going to fall for one of the characters. Is intense from Beginning to the end !! FMC is brave, self-confident and knows what she wants and how she wants it. I love Big Guy (Emilio).
If you need 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ in your life ?! This is your book!
The plot, the characters, at least you going to fall for one of the characters. Is intense from Beginning to the end !! FMC is brave, self-confident and knows what she wants and how she wants it. I love Big Guy (Emilio).
July 2, 2023
In love with this book
This was a perfect blend of action and romance. I love standalone series. They give you hits about other book and answer most of your questions. You also don't have to wait for the next book.
With that said, I do recommend you read this book if you like dark romance. It's spicy and action filled.
This was a perfect blend of action and romance. I love standalone series. They give you hits about other book and answer most of your questions. You also don't have to wait for the next book.
With that said, I do recommend you read this book if you like dark romance. It's spicy and action filled.
June 17, 2023
❤️Ruthless Beauty❤️
This book is hot from the start. After the death of most of her family she is raised by her older brother. After escaping to Paris for an internship at a design house,Phoenix returns from a year abroad.
Enter the men in her life.
Rhys BFF who rejected her advances before Paris but definitely wants it all with her.
Emilio the broody alpha who is her brothers second hand who has secretly been in love with her for years.
Torsten the one night stand who is an assassin who has decided to claim her as his own.
A hit has been put on Phoenix and it’s up to her and her men to unravel the truth and navigate a life working together.
This book was so good and oh so hot I couldn’t put it down. Hoping now brother Griffin gets his own book you just know it’s going to be good.
June 15, 2023
Aaahhhh ok this book was freak’n amazing!! I absolutely loved it & couldn’t put it down oh my gosh!!! Soooo soooo good!!
I love Phoenix soooo much!! Aahhh her character is everything!! She’s independent & strong & just aahhhh ok & don’t get me started on her men Torsten, Emilio, & Rhys!!🥵🥵🥵
Aahhhh I love them so much as well 😅 Their so different but each perfect in their own way!! Oh my gosh!!! 🥰♥️🖤
You have to read this book oh my gosh!!! Must freak’n read!!! Soooo dang good!!♥️🖤
I love Phoenix soooo much!! Aahhh her character is everything!! She’s independent & strong & just aahhhh ok & don’t get me started on her men Torsten, Emilio, & Rhys!!🥵🥵🥵
Aahhhh I love them so much as well 😅 Their so different but each perfect in their own way!! Oh my gosh!!! 🥰♥️🖤
You have to read this book oh my gosh!!! Must freak’n read!!! Soooo dang good!!♥️🖤
June 18, 2023
Fantastic!!
From the start this book grabbed my attention and kept it until the end!! Full of twists and turns, some keeping me on the edge of my seat.
It was also full of action and suspense. Throw in some humor. angst, delicious steam and so much more!!!
I loved Phoenix. She was intelligent, strong and a force to be reckoned with. She was an overall bad*ss.
Torsten, Rhys and Emilio I loved each of them. I think the author did a great job of making them each unique. I also liked that the harem wasn't already formed, they had to come together to make it work.
I loved it!
From the start this book grabbed my attention and kept it until the end!! Full of twists and turns, some keeping me on the edge of my seat.
It was also full of action and suspense. Throw in some humor. angst, delicious steam and so much more!!!
I loved Phoenix. She was intelligent, strong and a force to be reckoned with. She was an overall bad*ss.
Torsten, Rhys and Emilio I loved each of them. I think the author did a great job of making them each unique. I also liked that the harem wasn't already formed, they had to come together to make it work.
I loved it!
June 24, 2023
This book was so hot I swear it nearly melted my phone!
Phoenix is a kickass heroine and not one to be protected, so when she ends up with three bodyguards, things are sure to get interesting.
This book has it all. If you like dark romance, crime families, and spicy scenes, then this is the book for you.
I really enjoyed this book, and the twists and turns really kept me guessing until the end. I really would love a story about griffin and keira next!
Phoenix is a kickass heroine and not one to be protected, so when she ends up with three bodyguards, things are sure to get interesting.
This book has it all. If you like dark romance, crime families, and spicy scenes, then this is the book for you.
I really enjoyed this book, and the twists and turns really kept me guessing until the end. I really would love a story about griffin and keira next!
June 16, 2023
WOW, another great book by this author. It was hard to put down. This dark reverse harem had everything. Great characters that were all totally different. It has danger, secrets, surprises, and of course, lots of STEAM. I will definitely be reading more from Cassia Briar.
July 24, 2024
Felt like the author tried too hard to make the main character badass. In the end, she was just unlikable. Some good lines from the male characters in there, but otherwise the smut was boring and missing details. Too much things going on.
June 24, 2023
Love it
It was fast paced and super hot. Perfect amount of plot. I would reread again for sure in the future. Emilio and Torsten are perfect.
It was fast paced and super hot. Perfect amount of plot. I would reread again for sure in the future. Emilio and Torsten are perfect.
January 22, 2024
Why choose.........feisty FMC with bodyguard/best friend/assassin 🌶️🥵🔥
September 14, 2024
Amazing
The characters fit so well together, and the book was written so well that it kept my interest, and I didn't want to stop reading
The characters fit so well together, and the book was written so well that it kept my interest, and I didn't want to stop reading
June 17, 2023
Absolutely loved it. It's a RH dark mafia romance. It's got secrets, it's got thrills, And can't forget the spice %. The characters were well written with lots of depth. Can't wait to read more!
June 26, 2023
Daaaaaaaaammmmmnnnnn
July 15, 2023
Cheating isn't Polymore
I couldnt even finish this book and in my years of reading I can count on one handle the number of books that I couldn't finish. The female lead was in a relationship that was exclusive to someone. The minute an old sex buddy turns up she sleeps with him, and her excuse is the fact that it took the BF a few yrs out of his ass, and she had been physically intimate with him prior to being with her boyfriend...
I couldnt even finish this book and in my years of reading I can count on one handle the number of books that I couldn't finish. The female lead was in a relationship that was exclusive to someone. The minute an old sex buddy turns up she sleeps with him, and her excuse is the fact that it took the BF a few yrs out of his ass, and she had been physically intimate with him prior to being with her boyfriend...
August 6, 2023
Yes, I came here for the smut( no pun intended) but I have to say I’m disappointed. I’m a quality over quantity gal and the sex scenes lacked the details needed to be truly hot because there were so many to fit in. Add that to the insta love with Torsten that often took precedence over the decades long relationship with Rhys and Emilio, which didn’t wring true or plausible coupled some very juvenile dialogue and this was an all-around smutty miss for me.
June 25, 2023
It ticks all the boxes of a good dark RH. As always, I love a good psycho in the team 😍
Also, let's talk about that last group scene. IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE???! I don't think so. I'm not sure I want to know TBH. It seems like a lot 😂
Also, let's talk about that last group scene. IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE???! I don't think so. I'm not sure I want to know TBH. It seems like a lot 😂
January 6, 2025
New Years Eve is supposed to be a time of celebration, not for Phoenix, who lost her entire family.
Encounters with men give her a thrill, a high thay she chases and when she meets Torsten, he gives her a night to remember.
Phoenix's brother Griffin holds power over Reaper Falls. He knows everything there is to know, and he doesn't want her involved.
However, a threat to her life forces her to go into hiding with Emilio, her brothers second in command, and Rhys, her best friend.
Tension is brewing between all three. Emilio wants her, but he can't have her. Rhys stuffed up his only chance to be with her and is working towards making amends. Phoenix pushes buttons to get a reaction that leaves her feeling wanton and conflicted.
But that's not all they need to contend with. their location has been discovered, and Phoenix comes face to face with the man who gave her the best night of her life. Torsten's only goal is to get his Valkyrie to safety.
Torsten plays Phoenix's body like a strung violin, giving her insurmountable pleasure, passion, and pain. He sees her for the woman that she is, strong, fierce, and capable of handling herself in any situation.
When their location is discovered, Phoenix has no choice but to return home with Torsten. Jealousy between Rhys and Emilio arise, each of them not knowing where they stand.
When Rhys claims her, their connection as one is undeniable, but when Emilio finally gives in to his desires, it is bitter-sweet, yet conflicting.
There, newfound love will not wait as the threat to Phoenix's life continues to have a hold on them. No matter what connections they utilise and who they speak to, they are stumped as to who.
It seems to go from bad to worse when Emilio and Phoenix follow up on a tip and meet up with Stacy, only to be ambushed by another assassin. Griffin gets caught in the crossfire, and nothing Phoenix seems to be doing isn't going right.
Griffin is very protective of his baby sister. He will do anything for her, but he realises that she is a lot stronger than he thinks, no giving her enough credit. Phoenix's dream is to become a fashion designer and when Griffin gives her part of her inheritance she can now take the next steps, yet the wolf in sheep's clothing that had been laying in wait makes herself known, and there shocked to learn that Stacy is behind everything that Phoenix has been through.
Now they know they can put a plan into motion, which has led Rhys to distancing himself. Rhys feels bad, but he does as he must to appease his father. When Rhys comes face to face with Stacy and he learns who she really is, he must keep up the facade, and when Torsten, Emilio, and their crew arrive, all hell breaks loose. Stacey meets her match, and Rhys's father loses his life.
With the threat nutrilised, Phoenix, Torsten, and Rhys celebrate in their own way. However, poor Griffin gets an eyeful of his sisters proclivities, something he now can't unsee.
This now forces Phoenix to come clean with her brother about her relationship with Emilio, and when she lays everything on the line, her brother finally comes to accept her poly relationship with Torsten, Rhys and Emilio.
With everything settled its finally time for Phoenix to chase her dreams, she and her guys make a home in New York, supporting her dreams, wherever she is, they will follow, and they couldn't be more happy with the domesticated life they have created with her and for themselves.
Highly recommend both the author and the book!
And last but not least those smexy scenes were extremely hot, spicy, sinfully dirty, pure unadulterated pleasure, passion and pain, and Torsten, Rhys and Emilio are unapologetic in the way they love on there girl Phoenix.
Encounters with men give her a thrill, a high thay she chases and when she meets Torsten, he gives her a night to remember.
Phoenix's brother Griffin holds power over Reaper Falls. He knows everything there is to know, and he doesn't want her involved.
However, a threat to her life forces her to go into hiding with Emilio, her brothers second in command, and Rhys, her best friend.
Tension is brewing between all three. Emilio wants her, but he can't have her. Rhys stuffed up his only chance to be with her and is working towards making amends. Phoenix pushes buttons to get a reaction that leaves her feeling wanton and conflicted.
But that's not all they need to contend with. their location has been discovered, and Phoenix comes face to face with the man who gave her the best night of her life. Torsten's only goal is to get his Valkyrie to safety.
Torsten plays Phoenix's body like a strung violin, giving her insurmountable pleasure, passion, and pain. He sees her for the woman that she is, strong, fierce, and capable of handling herself in any situation.
When their location is discovered, Phoenix has no choice but to return home with Torsten. Jealousy between Rhys and Emilio arise, each of them not knowing where they stand.
When Rhys claims her, their connection as one is undeniable, but when Emilio finally gives in to his desires, it is bitter-sweet, yet conflicting.
There, newfound love will not wait as the threat to Phoenix's life continues to have a hold on them. No matter what connections they utilise and who they speak to, they are stumped as to who.
It seems to go from bad to worse when Emilio and Phoenix follow up on a tip and meet up with Stacy, only to be ambushed by another assassin. Griffin gets caught in the crossfire, and nothing Phoenix seems to be doing isn't going right.
Griffin is very protective of his baby sister. He will do anything for her, but he realises that she is a lot stronger than he thinks, no giving her enough credit. Phoenix's dream is to become a fashion designer and when Griffin gives her part of her inheritance she can now take the next steps, yet the wolf in sheep's clothing that had been laying in wait makes herself known, and there shocked to learn that Stacy is behind everything that Phoenix has been through.
Now they know they can put a plan into motion, which has led Rhys to distancing himself. Rhys feels bad, but he does as he must to appease his father. When Rhys comes face to face with Stacy and he learns who she really is, he must keep up the facade, and when Torsten, Emilio, and their crew arrive, all hell breaks loose. Stacey meets her match, and Rhys's father loses his life.
With the threat nutrilised, Phoenix, Torsten, and Rhys celebrate in their own way. However, poor Griffin gets an eyeful of his sisters proclivities, something he now can't unsee.
This now forces Phoenix to come clean with her brother about her relationship with Emilio, and when she lays everything on the line, her brother finally comes to accept her poly relationship with Torsten, Rhys and Emilio.
With everything settled its finally time for Phoenix to chase her dreams, she and her guys make a home in New York, supporting her dreams, wherever she is, they will follow, and they couldn't be more happy with the domesticated life they have created with her and for themselves.
Highly recommend both the author and the book!
And last but not least those smexy scenes were extremely hot, spicy, sinfully dirty, pure unadulterated pleasure, passion and pain, and Torsten, Rhys and Emilio are unapologetic in the way they love on there girl Phoenix.
July 2, 2023
I had the pleasure of getting an advance copy of this story, and I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into it! By 4% in, I was already hooked. I literally read this book all in one sitting. Phoenix Cole is one of two remaining members of their family, the other being her much older brother by 15 years, Griffin. (Their parents had a thing for mythology.) You learn very early on in the story that when she was only twelve years old, the rest of her family were all brutally murdered at a family gathering. Since then, Griffin has taken over as her guardian, but is VERY protective of her. She feels suffocated, so she lies to him every year on the anniversary of their family's death where she is and goes to have a hook up with a stranger to try and forget her memories. It's because of this routine that will quite possibly change the direction of her life.
There's a couple of things that I love about this book! One is the wonderful relationship between Phoenix and Griffin. Sure, she feels smothered, and he continuously looks at her like his baby sister, but he obviously cares so much about her. Eventually, he learns she can hold her own, but it's a really sweet relationship to have. It's also one that is important throughout the entire book, not just a small part of it. Griffin is an important character throughout.
Another thing I really liked is that one of the bulkier characters in this book has a fear of something relatively normal that most people can handle easily. You'd think as a "big, tough man" he would fear little, especially something so natural, but due to something in his past, he has a traumatic response to it. While sad, of course, I think it's awesome because while he comes off as gruff, this makes him appear more vulnerable and relatable, more human.
Each of Phoenix's men have something to bring to the table in their relationship. They all have different upbringings and different positions, but all come together pretty easily when they realize they all have a common goal: to love and protect their woman.
One of her men, as mentioned above, comes off as a quiet, grumpy fellow. He ignores Phoenix and can't make it more clear that he seems to hate her. Another is a crazy psycho who's madly in love with her after seeing her once. He was probably my favourite of the men (aren't those types usually our faves?). He's the kind who does all sorts of crazy stuff, yet things always seem to work out perfectly for him!
The third - best friend to lover. The one that should have been in a relationship with the woman from the start, but neither opened up to each other. A tale as old as time. So there you have it: there's the silent one, the crazy one, and the friend who becomes more. You get it all!
Looking at the book overall:
The book had great spelling, no major grammatical errors (if a book has these issues, I'll often take away a star). The story was consistent, just the right length, and nothing was drawn out more than it needed to be or was rushed. It had you questioning things, guessing who was behind certain attacks, and so on.
I recommend this if you're looking for a standalone read where the guys are smitten with the woman, but not necessarily instalove!
There's a couple of things that I love about this book! One is the wonderful relationship between Phoenix and Griffin. Sure, she feels smothered, and he continuously looks at her like his baby sister, but he obviously cares so much about her. Eventually, he learns she can hold her own, but it's a really sweet relationship to have. It's also one that is important throughout the entire book, not just a small part of it. Griffin is an important character throughout.
Another thing I really liked is that one of the bulkier characters in this book has a fear of something relatively normal that most people can handle easily. You'd think as a "big, tough man" he would fear little, especially something so natural, but due to something in his past, he has a traumatic response to it. While sad, of course, I think it's awesome because while he comes off as gruff, this makes him appear more vulnerable and relatable, more human.
Each of Phoenix's men have something to bring to the table in their relationship. They all have different upbringings and different positions, but all come together pretty easily when they realize they all have a common goal: to love and protect their woman.
One of her men, as mentioned above, comes off as a quiet, grumpy fellow. He ignores Phoenix and can't make it more clear that he seems to hate her. Another is a crazy psycho who's madly in love with her after seeing her once. He was probably my favourite of the men (aren't those types usually our faves?). He's the kind who does all sorts of crazy stuff, yet things always seem to work out perfectly for him!
The third - best friend to lover. The one that should have been in a relationship with the woman from the start, but neither opened up to each other. A tale as old as time. So there you have it: there's the silent one, the crazy one, and the friend who becomes more. You get it all!
Looking at the book overall:
The book had great spelling, no major grammatical errors (if a book has these issues, I'll often take away a star). The story was consistent, just the right length, and nothing was drawn out more than it needed to be or was rushed. It had you questioning things, guessing who was behind certain attacks, and so on.
I recommend this if you're looking for a standalone read where the guys are smitten with the woman, but not necessarily instalove!
June 25, 2023
Rating: 3 Stars
POV(s): Multiple—First Person
Relationship: Reverse Harem
Genre(s): Dark Contemporary Romance
❥
Truthfully, I wanted to DNF almost instantly. I’m talking, 2% and the FMC was getting on my nerves.
I just wasn’t getting the impression of a strong female that other reviews mentioned. Instead I was getting “loses all common sense at the sight of a pretty guy.” Still, I persevered in the hopes of it getting better. Did it? More or less. The FMC continues to make dumb decisions for a while.
At 16% she gets drunk and high despite the fact that she has an active threat against her life and may have to flee/fight at a moment's notice. For a while after that, she improved. Then at 46% she was somehow so distracted with arguing with one of the MMCs that she didn’t realize that the vehicle she was in was being actively shot at. Umm….is she deaf?!
Jump to 59%, she’s been attacked by mercenaries multiple times, and still has an active threat against her life, and we get this lovely quote from her, “We’re in New York City! I don’t care if there are a hundred hitmen between us and the nearest club, I won't miss this opportunity to see the city and have some fun.” You read that right. She wants to go clubbing. Granted, she’s not attacked whilst there out (other than a slight skirmish with a rando) but her thought process is still ridiculous.
The ending of the book was okay, and the FMC managed to develop into someone I tolerated (and maybe even slightly liked), but the overall reading experience was a struggle.
As for the writing—it wasn’t my favorite (I ended up skim reading). And whilst the plot was interesting enough, I mostly stuck around for Torsten and his psychotic tendencies.
❥
Title: “Ruthless Beauty” by Cassia Briar
Interconnected Series: Not Yet
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA:
Triggers: Yes
Tags/Tropes:
➢ Age-Gap (15 years between FMC and one MMC)
➢ Assassin-MMC
➢ Badass-FMC
➢ Best-Friends-to-Lovers (Between FMC and one MMC)
➢ Bodyguard
➢ Gangs/Organized-Crime
➢ Psycho-MMC
POV(s): Multiple—First Person
Relationship: Reverse Harem
Genre(s): Dark Contemporary Romance
❥
Truthfully, I wanted to DNF almost instantly. I’m talking, 2% and the FMC was getting on my nerves.
Reason 1: The FMC accepts a drink from a stranger (MMC) despite the fact that he fetched it out of her eyesight. I’m not victim blaming, but for someone who supposedly grew up in a crime family, and has been exposed to the dangers of the world THIS. IS. DUMB.
Reason 2: The book opens with the FMC turning down a guy due to his horrendous pick up lines, only for her to fall for some smooth/corny line from another complete stranger (MMC) within minutes.
Reason 3: She immediately has sex with the stranger (MMC) without a condom. STDs anyone? Her reasoning was she was so overcome with lust, which has never happened before.
I just wasn’t getting the impression of a strong female that other reviews mentioned. Instead I was getting “loses all common sense at the sight of a pretty guy.” Still, I persevered in the hopes of it getting better. Did it? More or less. The FMC continues to make dumb decisions for a while.
At 16% she gets drunk and high despite the fact that she has an active threat against her life and may have to flee/fight at a moment's notice. For a while after that, she improved. Then at 46% she was somehow so distracted with arguing with one of the MMCs that she didn’t realize that the vehicle she was in was being actively shot at. Umm….is she deaf?!
Jump to 59%, she’s been attacked by mercenaries multiple times, and still has an active threat against her life, and we get this lovely quote from her, “We’re in New York City! I don’t care if there are a hundred hitmen between us and the nearest club, I won't miss this opportunity to see the city and have some fun.” You read that right. She wants to go clubbing. Granted, she’s not attacked whilst there out (other than a slight skirmish with a rando) but her thought process is still ridiculous.
The ending of the book was okay, and the FMC managed to develop into someone I tolerated (and maybe even slightly liked), but the overall reading experience was a struggle.
As for the writing—it wasn’t my favorite (I ended up skim reading). And whilst the plot was interesting enough, I mostly stuck around for Torsten and his psychotic tendencies.
❥
Title: “Ruthless Beauty” by Cassia Briar
Interconnected Series: Not Yet
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA:
Triggers: Yes
Tags/Tropes:
➢ Age-Gap (15 years between FMC and one MMC)
➢ Assassin-MMC
➢ Badass-FMC
➢ Best-Friends-to-Lovers (Between FMC and one MMC)
➢ Bodyguard
➢ Gangs/Organized-Crime
➢ Psycho-MMC
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