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Vas
He lived his life in darkness. A bleak landscape where friends were often enemies and trust was a commodity in short supply. His world was dangerous… immoral… forbidding. She was off limits. A light that should’ve never caught his notice. But like a moth to a flame, he was helpless against her pull. Greed was a powerful emotion, and when it came to her, that emotion was merciless.
The first time Anna saw him, he should’ve been just a customer and she, his waitress.
She should’ve never noticed how good-looking he was. And his terse responses over the months that followed should’ve cooled her curiosity, not fed into her obsession to know what lay behind his shuttered gaze.
What was he thinking as he stared out the window, gazing into the darkness while calmly eating pie and drinking coffee?
What drove him to hone his body into such a magnificent masculine machine?
Where did he go when he disappeared for weeks at a time, only to return with shadows in his eyes?
Anna had too much on her plate to waste energy on the aloof man who showed her little interest. So she kept him buried in her most private fantasies—and that’s where he stayed.
Until things suddenly went sideways, and he appeared out of the darkness like an avenging angel when she needed him most.
That should’ve been the end of their story—they both agreed.
But they were both wrong.
It was only the beginning.
Vas is a full-length, standalone, romantic suspense novel with a HEA. Due to sex, violence and adult situations, it is recommended for persons over 18. ***Trigger warning: Attempted sexual assault***
The first time Anna saw him, he should’ve been just a customer and she, his waitress.
She should’ve never noticed how good-looking he was. And his terse responses over the months that followed should’ve cooled her curiosity, not fed into her obsession to know what lay behind his shuttered gaze.
What was he thinking as he stared out the window, gazing into the darkness while calmly eating pie and drinking coffee?
What drove him to hone his body into such a magnificent masculine machine?
Where did he go when he disappeared for weeks at a time, only to return with shadows in his eyes?
Anna had too much on her plate to waste energy on the aloof man who showed her little interest. So she kept him buried in her most private fantasies—and that’s where he stayed.
Until things suddenly went sideways, and he appeared out of the darkness like an avenging angel when she needed him most.
That should’ve been the end of their story—they both agreed.
But they were both wrong.
It was only the beginning.
Vas is a full-length, standalone, romantic suspense novel with a HEA. Due to sex, violence and adult situations, it is recommended for persons over 18. ***Trigger warning: Attempted sexual assault***
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2023
42 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Curtis
22 books766 followersSarah Curtis is a writer of all things romance. She loves nothing more than a sexy alpha male who falls hard for their heroine, almost always in spite of themselves!
A life-long resident of Southern California, Sarah shares her writing den with her childhood sweetheart and very own alpha male. When she’s not writing or dreaming up plotlines you can find her wrangling her plethora of very spoiled felines—she currently has five, yes you read that correctly, furry companions. Sarah is a reader before anything else, and her TBR mountain is higher than Everest. She’s also addicted to watching cooking competitions, especially involving baking! Of her own admission, she rarely cooks, but she’s up for the occasional birthday cake for her children as long as it involves the opening of a box.
If you like romance in all its forms along with some healthy debates with a side of games and puzzles then head over to her Facebook group, Sarah Curtis's Alpha Overload, for fun chats and to discover your next BBF. https://www.facebook.com/groups/20646...
Or visit Sarah's website and sign up for her newsletter to receive a free copy of Alluring Honeymoon — https://sarahcurtisauthor.wixsite.com...
A life-long resident of Southern California, Sarah shares her writing den with her childhood sweetheart and very own alpha male. When she’s not writing or dreaming up plotlines you can find her wrangling her plethora of very spoiled felines—she currently has five, yes you read that correctly, furry companions. Sarah is a reader before anything else, and her TBR mountain is higher than Everest. She’s also addicted to watching cooking competitions, especially involving baking! Of her own admission, she rarely cooks, but she’s up for the occasional birthday cake for her children as long as it involves the opening of a box.
If you like romance in all its forms along with some healthy debates with a side of games and puzzles then head over to her Facebook group, Sarah Curtis's Alpha Overload, for fun chats and to discover your next BBF. https://www.facebook.com/groups/20646...
Or visit Sarah's website and sign up for her newsletter to receive a free copy of Alluring Honeymoon — https://sarahcurtisauthor.wixsite.com...
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February 3, 2024
Vas is a stand alone romantic suspense by Sarah Curtis. This is my favorite kind of romance, that obsessive, over the top possessiveness that makes me swoon. Anna is all light and Vas is the darkness but together, they are perfection.
Anna Hayden is doing her best to keep her head above water, working long hours as a waitress in a small diner, living in an apartment in a not so great part of town and driving a car that is barely holding itself together. But none of this dims her sweet disposition, nor her determination that she will someday save enough money to go back to school and make a better life for herself.
For months, the man who feeds her fantasies has been coming into the diner when she works. He sits at the same table, orders the same thing, and barely utters a word to her, while staring out the window. But he keeps coming back. Until the night when something happens and Vas swoops in as her savior. That should have been the end of it, but it was only the beginning.
Vas Dastoevsky never stays in one place long. But this time, he couldn’t make himself leave. Because of her. The brightest part of his days. Even if she didn’t know it. He could never bring her into his dark world. So he would just continue watching her until he could make himself move on. Until the night when everything changed. He tried to keep himself away after that night but he couldn’t do it. She was his, she had been since he first saw her and she would be until his last breath.
These two were perfect together. Anna seemed so innocent but as you get to know her, she’s a tough girl. And she was the perfect balance to Vas’s dark side. I loved seeing the changes in him the longer they were together. The way his whole world just seemed to brighten. But he has so many secrets. Is there any way to bring both worlds together? Is there a way he can keep Anna in his life forever? You’ll have to read this to find out!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Anna Hayden is doing her best to keep her head above water, working long hours as a waitress in a small diner, living in an apartment in a not so great part of town and driving a car that is barely holding itself together. But none of this dims her sweet disposition, nor her determination that she will someday save enough money to go back to school and make a better life for herself.
For months, the man who feeds her fantasies has been coming into the diner when she works. He sits at the same table, orders the same thing, and barely utters a word to her, while staring out the window. But he keeps coming back. Until the night when something happens and Vas swoops in as her savior. That should have been the end of it, but it was only the beginning.
Vas Dastoevsky never stays in one place long. But this time, he couldn’t make himself leave. Because of her. The brightest part of his days. Even if she didn’t know it. He could never bring her into his dark world. So he would just continue watching her until he could make himself move on. Until the night when everything changed. He tried to keep himself away after that night but he couldn’t do it. She was his, she had been since he first saw her and she would be until his last breath.
These two were perfect together. Anna seemed so innocent but as you get to know her, she’s a tough girl. And she was the perfect balance to Vas’s dark side. I loved seeing the changes in him the longer they were together. The way his whole world just seemed to brighten. But he has so many secrets. Is there any way to bring both worlds together? Is there a way he can keep Anna in his life forever? You’ll have to read this to find out!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
June 29, 2023
I absolutely love Vas! Both the book and the hero.
From the beginning, Vas had a dark aura about him that I could feel through the pages. It didn’t take long to learn the reason he walked on the dark side and then watch it control the situation with Anna. I don’t want to give it away, but oh my gosh! This is the stuff that I ache for when I read romance.
Anna was such a great heroine. I loved that she had an innate need to tell the truth which ended up being pretty freaking cute. I enjoyed her journey from her current struggles into a fuller life even as she opened herself up to a new relationship.
While this was filled with lots of fun couple moments, it also gave me just enough danger and conflict to keep me engaged and turning the pages. As always, Ms. Curtis gave me the perfect, safe, comfy read.
With low angst, high steam that doesn’t consume the storyline, and pure romance leading into a happy ever after with a wonderful epilogue, I found myself in my favorite happy place.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
From the beginning, Vas had a dark aura about him that I could feel through the pages. It didn’t take long to learn the reason he walked on the dark side and then watch it control the situation with Anna. I don’t want to give it away, but oh my gosh! This is the stuff that I ache for when I read romance.
Anna was such a great heroine. I loved that she had an innate need to tell the truth which ended up being pretty freaking cute. I enjoyed her journey from her current struggles into a fuller life even as she opened herself up to a new relationship.
While this was filled with lots of fun couple moments, it also gave me just enough danger and conflict to keep me engaged and turning the pages. As always, Ms. Curtis gave me the perfect, safe, comfy read.
With low angst, high steam that doesn’t consume the storyline, and pure romance leading into a happy ever after with a wonderful epilogue, I found myself in my favorite happy place.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
July 1, 2023
When I want a bad boy Alpha, Vas is what I'm looking for. His job doesn't make him the good guy and yet, he is a really good guy. He gets rid of the scum of the earth, and gets paid to do it. I also liked his approach with Anna. Give me a little stalking in my hero and I'm happy. Anna, while being a bit stubborn when it came to help, she was a heroine I could respect and one I loved seeing get the man of her dreams. She couldn't have done better than Vas. Great couple!
July 27, 2023
Can there be a cozy romantic suspense?? This book is surprisingly low angst but still entertaining. I like that their relationship develops pretty slowly and it doesn't feel rushed. Vas was a great overprotective, morally grey, obsessive hero. Anna was a sweet and smart heroine.
Overall, this was an easy read and I enjoyed all of it.
Overall, this was an easy read and I enjoyed all of it.
June 29, 2023
***ARC Provided in exchange for honest review***
Anna feels drawn to the mysterious man who comes into the diner, sits at her station, orders apple pie and coffee, then says nothing more. She tries to get up the nerve to engage him in conversation, but he remains an enigma. Vas does not consider himself a good man. He's a contract killer who should have moved on by now, but he can't seem to pull himself away from the beautiful waitress who fascinates him.
Vas has done bad things, but he is not evil. He did what he needed to survive and support his mother and sister. Anya (as he calls her) is a bright spot in his bleak existence. He is afraid to hope for more with her, but when she is attacked, he can no longer keep his physical and emotional distance.
This story has heart, heat, humor, and most importantly, an HEA.
Anna feels drawn to the mysterious man who comes into the diner, sits at her station, orders apple pie and coffee, then says nothing more. She tries to get up the nerve to engage him in conversation, but he remains an enigma. Vas does not consider himself a good man. He's a contract killer who should have moved on by now, but he can't seem to pull himself away from the beautiful waitress who fascinates him.
Vas has done bad things, but he is not evil. He did what he needed to survive and support his mother and sister. Anya (as he calls her) is a bright spot in his bleak existence. He is afraid to hope for more with her, but when she is attacked, he can no longer keep his physical and emotional distance.
This story has heart, heat, humor, and most importantly, an HEA.
July 1, 2023
4 stars. This is a good book! Vas is a standalone book by Sarah Curtis. This is Vas and Anna's story. Anna is works at a diner. She dreams of finishing college and being a teacher, but she doesn't have the money and instead is living in a poor neighborhood and barely making ends meet. Vas is a repeat customer at the diner, handsome and mysterious without much to say and who always orders pie. Anna crushes on him from afar, but it never leads anywhere. Until one night, when she is leaving the diner after closing and is attacked. Vas steps in to save her and their relationship changes forever.
This is a good story. I liked Vas and Anna. Vas was deliciously obsessive in the best way and Anna was sweet. This book was on the dark side, but not too dark, and was sexy and suspenseful. Overall, Vas was a quick, enjoyable and easy read. I look forward to more from Ms. Curtis in the future!
*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
This is a good story. I liked Vas and Anna. Vas was deliciously obsessive in the best way and Anna was sweet. This book was on the dark side, but not too dark, and was sexy and suspenseful. Overall, Vas was a quick, enjoyable and easy read. I look forward to more from Ms. Curtis in the future!
*arc provided in exchange for an honest review*
July 30, 2023
The writer Sarah Curtis is a writer whose books I have enjoyed in the past, so I was really looking forward to her latest book. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story, based on the blurb I expected a bit of a ‘dark’ story, but in the end it turned out to be a ‘sweet, lovely’ story . I enjoyed it.
The main characters are about Anna Hayden and Vas Dastoevsky, both are in their twenties. Anna wants to become a teacher but she currently works as a waitress in a diner.
Vas is her silent, mysterious customer, the one that always sits in her section and orders the same thing every time. Anna is very curious about him but she’s too shy to talk to him. Everything changes when Anna is attacked one night and Vas comes to her rescue. From then on they spend time together outside the diner and the more Anna gets to know Vas, the more she likes him. He’s protective, patient and thoughtful. But he also keeps secrets from her. Both have their reasons for only wanting friendship but the attraction between them is too strong. From the moment Vas saw Anna, he was attracted to her but he knows that his job is unusual and no woman will accept him and his past. But the attack on Anna changes everything. Now, they are spending time together and Vas does something he has never done before, he lets a woman into his life and heart. But will Anna still want him if she discovers his dark secrets?
The story was told from both POV’s. I really liked both Anna and Vas. Both were great characters. Vas moved to America from Russia with his mother and sister when he was ten years old. He had a hard time growing up, his family was very poor and then he did bad things to earn money to help his mother and sister. Now, at the age of 29, he led a solitary life and kept his distance from everyone. Vas had a job where he did bad things, but deep down he was a good guy (he followed his own ‘rules’ about right and wrong). I loved how he treated Anna, he was very protective, caring, attentive and observing. He was a real gentleman, who treated Anna like a princess and wanted to make all her dreams come true. It was great to see him spoil her, she deserved it.
Anna was a kind, intelligent, friendly and proud woman. She was also very curious by nature. Her dream was to become a teacher, she worked very hard to make this dream come true. In some ways she was a bit naïve, seeing the good in Vas and trusting him not to hurt her. But I liked that about her. Vas and Anna were a great couple.
There were some sex scenes in the story. I really liked how the story ended, it gave us an insight into their future.
There weren’t a lot of secondary characters in the story. You had Anna’s co-worker and friend Tiffany, she was a good friend. She was a good influence on Anna, she made Anna a bit more adventures, bolder. She was also very loyal and supported Anna in many ways. There was also Tamara’s boyfriend and Anna’s mother and husband.
‘Vas’ was a wonderful, sweet story about two lonely people who find love when they least expect it.
The main characters are about Anna Hayden and Vas Dastoevsky, both are in their twenties. Anna wants to become a teacher but she currently works as a waitress in a diner.
Vas is her silent, mysterious customer, the one that always sits in her section and orders the same thing every time. Anna is very curious about him but she’s too shy to talk to him. Everything changes when Anna is attacked one night and Vas comes to her rescue. From then on they spend time together outside the diner and the more Anna gets to know Vas, the more she likes him. He’s protective, patient and thoughtful. But he also keeps secrets from her. Both have their reasons for only wanting friendship but the attraction between them is too strong. From the moment Vas saw Anna, he was attracted to her but he knows that his job is unusual and no woman will accept him and his past. But the attack on Anna changes everything. Now, they are spending time together and Vas does something he has never done before, he lets a woman into his life and heart. But will Anna still want him if she discovers his dark secrets?
The story was told from both POV’s. I really liked both Anna and Vas. Both were great characters. Vas moved to America from Russia with his mother and sister when he was ten years old. He had a hard time growing up, his family was very poor and then he did bad things to earn money to help his mother and sister. Now, at the age of 29, he led a solitary life and kept his distance from everyone. Vas had a job where he did bad things, but deep down he was a good guy (he followed his own ‘rules’ about right and wrong). I loved how he treated Anna, he was very protective, caring, attentive and observing. He was a real gentleman, who treated Anna like a princess and wanted to make all her dreams come true. It was great to see him spoil her, she deserved it.
Anna was a kind, intelligent, friendly and proud woman. She was also very curious by nature. Her dream was to become a teacher, she worked very hard to make this dream come true. In some ways she was a bit naïve, seeing the good in Vas and trusting him not to hurt her. But I liked that about her. Vas and Anna were a great couple.
There were some sex scenes in the story. I really liked how the story ended, it gave us an insight into their future.
There weren’t a lot of secondary characters in the story. You had Anna’s co-worker and friend Tiffany, she was a good friend. She was a good influence on Anna, she made Anna a bit more adventures, bolder. She was also very loyal and supported Anna in many ways. There was also Tamara’s boyfriend and Anna’s mother and husband.
‘Vas’ was a wonderful, sweet story about two lonely people who find love when they least expect it.
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July 4, 2023
Once Vas and Anna get together, I could see that Vas wanted to only slowly build their relationship, because he wanted them to last unlike his own parents' relationship had. Meanwhile he is steadfast and very protective with Anna. 4 stars
August 6, 2023
I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did!
Oh man Vas is literally everything you could ask for. He’s sweet, protective, possessive, obsessive. Not overly so but it was prefect. I wasn’t expecting this book to be so damn sweet but I’m not mad about it.
I absolutely loved Anna. She was so sweet but feisty at the perfect moments. She stood up for herself when she needed to.
The sex scenes were hot, there weren’t too many. Honestly just the perfect amount. Vas seemed so damn sexy.
I will definitely be reading another book by this author.
NO CHEATING
NO OW/OM DRAMA
PROTECTIVE MMC
SWEET BUT STRONG FMC
Oh man Vas is literally everything you could ask for. He’s sweet, protective, possessive, obsessive. Not overly so but it was prefect. I wasn’t expecting this book to be so damn sweet but I’m not mad about it.
I absolutely loved Anna. She was so sweet but feisty at the perfect moments. She stood up for herself when she needed to.
The sex scenes were hot, there weren’t too many. Honestly just the perfect amount. Vas seemed so damn sexy.
I will definitely be reading another book by this author.
NO CHEATING
NO OW/OM DRAMA
PROTECTIVE MMC
SWEET BUT STRONG FMC
March 3, 2024
different
First time reading this author. The characters were interesting and the plot was a spin on the bad guy/ good girl trope.
I have no real complaints, found no glaring flaws. It just lacked energy for me. Overall was a sweet story, a slow burn leading to plenty of spice.
3.5 stars.
First time reading this author. The characters were interesting and the plot was a spin on the bad guy/ good girl trope.
I have no real complaints, found no glaring flaws. It just lacked energy for me. Overall was a sweet story, a slow burn leading to plenty of spice.
3.5 stars.
June 26, 2023
Vas & Anna are so sweet together. There is nothing like a Anti Hero Alpha with a sweet side for his girl. I like how independent and strong Anna is and I love how Vas is willing to do whatever it takes to take care of her. This couple does not disappoint.
June 24, 2023
This is a little shadowy, a little slow burn, definitely a tad unexpected, and completely engaging. Vas may not want to want Anna, but he does. He needs her safe. And sound. And once given a chance, he’ll do anything he can to make her life everything it should be. Well, once given a second chance. Because even stoic men who love apple pie aren’t immune to hesitation or fear…and then almost blowing it all! He more than makes up for it though, once he realizes just what he’s messing up. And Anna may need to work on her determination to never be seen as a mooch, so who better than Vas to show her how to let that worry go, too?
But there are secrets. And when they finally all come tumbling out, Anna proves she’s exactly who I’d hoped she would be. Mature, logical, a bit off-kilter, and utterly perfect for Vas.
Get comfortable for a slow burn that, once ignited, becomes a raging inferno that you won’t mind being caught in. Not even a little itty bitty bit.
But there are secrets. And when they finally all come tumbling out, Anna proves she’s exactly who I’d hoped she would be. Mature, logical, a bit off-kilter, and utterly perfect for Vas.
Get comfortable for a slow burn that, once ignited, becomes a raging inferno that you won’t mind being caught in. Not even a little itty bitty bit.
July 3, 2023
Vas is a well written slow burn romance by the talented Sarah Curtis. If she writes it, I’ll read it. Vas and Anna were from completely different worlds, yet they fit seamlessly. It may have taken him longer than most to get his stuff together, but once he did, there was no stopping him from claiming his Anya.
September 11, 2024
I love Vas and I would like to put in an order for an alpha, protective, possessive, hot, sexy contract killer of my own. Anna was exactly the type of heroine I love as well. She is level headed, knows her own mind and is not a pushover, but she is also willing to let Vas push her out of her comfort zone when it comes to him taking care of her. I love that she immediately accepted who he was when the truth came out and she didn't take it into a dramatic direction that a lot of heroines would when they find out they're in love with a hitman.
There is no cheating, no hint of OW or OM drama and no third act break-up so the angst was low but there was enough going on that kept it interesting. It's not super steamy but just enough to illustrate the chemistry between them. Ends in an HEA with them married.
Minimal grammar errors and the story was written well with a good flow. I never felt like skimming or skipping ahead.
I can see this becoming a re-read when I need a pallet cleanser.
There is no cheating, no hint of OW or OM drama and no third act break-up so the angst was low but there was enough going on that kept it interesting. It's not super steamy but just enough to illustrate the chemistry between them. Ends in an HEA with them married.
Minimal grammar errors and the story was written well with a good flow. I never felt like skimming or skipping ahead.
I can see this becoming a re-read when I need a pallet cleanser.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2023
wow
Wow! This book pulled me right in and kept me hooked. Vas was an interesting character, with so many dynamics and Anna took a while for me understand but eventually I got her. It was a great read.
Wow! This book pulled me right in and kept me hooked. Vas was an interesting character, with so many dynamics and Anna took a while for me understand but eventually I got her. It was a great read.
August 2, 2023
Started it last night and finished this morning. I was hooked. What an alpha, Vas. Anna is a sweet girl who captured his attention, and the story begins! Excitement, suspense, enjoy!
July 3, 2023
3.5-3.75*
A book that was more sweet than anything else and got me full of mixed feelings.
I honestly went in hoping for a mystery with some action and adventure. But that book was not it. I won’t say I didn’t enjoy it, because I actually liked quite a lot. However, it was very different from what I expected after reading the synopsis. I was anticipating a somewhat dark romance with a bad boy or at least very morally grey main character. This was almost the opposite. Yes, the hero was a contract killer, but he only killed very bad people (very John Wick style).
Both main characters were actually very nice. Anna was a sweet and cute heroine, but I loved that she still had a back bone and gave us some funny moments. Vas was honestly more of a true hero than an antihero. He was kind of obsessed with Anna, but in a endearing way (at least for me). They were a couple that went really well together and seemed to fit perfectly against each other.
I had some trouble with the writing style in the beginning, because of the way it was written in the 3rd person. It was not bad, but took me some time to get used to it and pick up the speed. I had never heard of Sarah Curtis, or any of her books, before finding this on my GR timeline. But I’m very glad I stumbled upon this book. It was not the best book ever, but I have the feeling that some of it will stick with me. I just really wish we had gotten more action and mystery. The end felt unfortunately rushed and anticlimactic, even if the romance was good and there was no third-act break up. I will probably try to pick up other books by this author, because she really got me intrigued with what else she could write.
A book that was more sweet than anything else and got me full of mixed feelings.
I honestly went in hoping for a mystery with some action and adventure. But that book was not it. I won’t say I didn’t enjoy it, because I actually liked quite a lot. However, it was very different from what I expected after reading the synopsis. I was anticipating a somewhat dark romance with a bad boy or at least very morally grey main character. This was almost the opposite. Yes, the hero was a contract killer, but he only killed very bad people (very John Wick style).
Both main characters were actually very nice. Anna was a sweet and cute heroine, but I loved that she still had a back bone and gave us some funny moments. Vas was honestly more of a true hero than an antihero. He was kind of obsessed with Anna, but in a endearing way (at least for me). They were a couple that went really well together and seemed to fit perfectly against each other.
I had some trouble with the writing style in the beginning, because of the way it was written in the 3rd person. It was not bad, but took me some time to get used to it and pick up the speed. I had never heard of Sarah Curtis, or any of her books, before finding this on my GR timeline. But I’m very glad I stumbled upon this book. It was not the best book ever, but I have the feeling that some of it will stick with me. I just really wish we had gotten more action and mystery. The end felt unfortunately rushed and anticlimactic, even if the romance was good and there was no third-act break up. I will probably try to pick up other books by this author, because she really got me intrigued with what else she could write.
July 4, 2023
Vas & Anna
I was intrigued by the blurb for this one.
Then, I wasn't sure about it at the beginning of the story. The cadence felt off, or something. Soon, though, I was sucked right into their story!
Anna is shy & sweet & strong. Vas is quiet, at first, too. Not shy, but guarded. For good reason, considering his profession! 😉
I love these two! The way their relationship begins, stutters, gets back on track, progresses... all well written & kept me engaged! The dates Vas comes up with - and how he finds date 3 - are so adorable! I love the conversations they have & the way they get to know each other. Vas definitely has the bossy thing down, and his Anya pushes him to stop leaving her outta the loop, but also shows her appreciation.
Also, Anna (Anya for Vas) has a best friend, Tiffany, who is a riot!!
Ahhh! I just want to gush about all the things I loved, but much more & I'm sure I'll spoil something, so... I'll just say - I enjoyed this a lot & it made me happy!
😍😍😍
I was intrigued by the blurb for this one.
Then, I wasn't sure about it at the beginning of the story. The cadence felt off, or something. Soon, though, I was sucked right into their story!
Anna is shy & sweet & strong. Vas is quiet, at first, too. Not shy, but guarded. For good reason, considering his profession! 😉
I love these two! The way their relationship begins, stutters, gets back on track, progresses... all well written & kept me engaged! The dates Vas comes up with - and how he finds date 3 - are so adorable! I love the conversations they have & the way they get to know each other. Vas definitely has the bossy thing down, and his Anya pushes him to stop leaving her outta the loop, but also shows her appreciation.
Also, Anna (Anya for Vas) has a best friend, Tiffany, who is a riot!!
Ahhh! I just want to gush about all the things I loved, but much more & I'm sure I'll spoil something, so... I'll just say - I enjoyed this a lot & it made me happy!
😍😍😍
July 2, 2023
When I saw Sarah Curtis had a new book out, I just had to read it! I love how she writes her heroes and her writing style always sucks me into the stories. I don’t think I would call this book a romantic suspense, but it definitely had some action. Anna was the light to Vas’ darkness. Vas was kind of stalking Anna before they officially met, but he thought she was too good for him. After saving her from attempted rape, their story truly began.
I did miss the sizzling chemistry I normally get from Sarah’s couples. Somehow it didn’t feel as exciting. Maybe it was my mood, maybe it was just this couple. The smut was good though and we also got some sugary romantic moments. This story was nothing too complex, but definitely entertaining and a good way to escape real life for a couple of hours. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Safety:
No OW/OM
No cheating
No separation / no third act break up
Attempted rape and assault
I did miss the sizzling chemistry I normally get from Sarah’s couples. Somehow it didn’t feel as exciting. Maybe it was my mood, maybe it was just this couple. The smut was good though and we also got some sugary romantic moments. This story was nothing too complex, but definitely entertaining and a good way to escape real life for a couple of hours. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Safety:
No OW/OM
No cheating
No separation / no third act break up
Attempted rape and assault
July 5, 2023
apple pie
Loved this book. Vas and Anna made an interesting pair. All American as apple pie with so much understanding of good bad and bad bad.
Loved this book. Vas and Anna made an interesting pair. All American as apple pie with so much understanding of good bad and bad bad.
July 3, 2023
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating:🌶.5
HEA
❗️Safety & Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Violence (on-page) Loss of family member (off-page) SA/Attempted Rape (on-page)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 No OWD
📌 No OMD
📌 No Third-act Breakup
📌 Physical Separation: MMC has a job that requires him to travel
Spice Rating:🌶.5
HEA
❗️Safety & Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Violence (on-page) Loss of family member (off-page) SA/Attempted Rape (on-page)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 No OWD
📌 No OMD
📌 No Third-act Breakup
📌 Physical Separation: MMC has a job that requires him to travel
July 1, 2023
Vas and Anna were the epitome of a hero steeped in darkness and mystery and a strong sweet heroine who unknowingly gets swept along. Even though the formula has been done before, the chemistry and the quality of the story telling is what makes this an excellent read.
June 30, 2023
I love a story where he doesn't want to want/need her in his life, but it happens anyway. Add into this the nature of his work, and you've got a fantastic story.
It's a slow burn, but it's so well written that, to be honest, you don't know or care.
author is one of my favourite contemporary writers, and she's delivered the goods yet again.
It's a slow burn, but it's so well written that, to be honest, you don't know or care.
author is one of my favourite contemporary writers, and she's delivered the goods yet again.
August 18, 2023
Rating: ☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶
Angst: 💔💔
Cliffhanger? ❌️
Do I recommend it? ✅️
Tropes: Contemporary Romance, romantic suspense, strangers to lovers
Vas 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. A bleak landscape where friends were often enemies and trust was a commodity in short supply. His world was dangerous, immoral, and forbidding. 𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙨. But like a moth to a flame, he was helpless against her pull. Greed was a powerful emotion, and when it came to her, that emotion was merciless. The first time Anna saw him, he should’ve been just a customer, and she, his waitress. She should’ve never noticed how goodlooking he was. And his terse responses over the months that followed should’ve cooled her curiosity, not fed into her obsession to know what lay behind his shuttered gaze. What was he thinking as he stared out the window, gazing into the darkness while calmly eating pie and drinking coffee? What drove him to hone his body into such a magnificent masculine machine? Where did he go when he disappeared for weeks at a time, only to return with shadows in his eyes? Anna had too much on her plate to waste energy on the aloof man who showed her little interest. So she kept him buried in her most private fantasies, and that’s where he stayed. Until things suddenly went sideways, and he appeared out of the darkness like an avenging angel when she needed him most. That should’ve been the end of their story as they both agreed. But they were both wrong. It was only the beginning.
This was my first read by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the lower angst, I was still entertained without getting bored. Both characters intrigued me just like they did each other. They were perfect for each other. Vas brought dark pleasure while Anna brought sunshine into his dark reality. I definitely recommend this to lovers of suspense without things getting too dark. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Angst: 💔💔
Cliffhanger? ❌️
Do I recommend it? ✅️
Tropes: Contemporary Romance, romantic suspense, strangers to lovers
Vas 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. A bleak landscape where friends were often enemies and trust was a commodity in short supply. His world was dangerous, immoral, and forbidding. 𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙨. But like a moth to a flame, he was helpless against her pull. Greed was a powerful emotion, and when it came to her, that emotion was merciless. The first time Anna saw him, he should’ve been just a customer, and she, his waitress. She should’ve never noticed how goodlooking he was. And his terse responses over the months that followed should’ve cooled her curiosity, not fed into her obsession to know what lay behind his shuttered gaze. What was he thinking as he stared out the window, gazing into the darkness while calmly eating pie and drinking coffee? What drove him to hone his body into such a magnificent masculine machine? Where did he go when he disappeared for weeks at a time, only to return with shadows in his eyes? Anna had too much on her plate to waste energy on the aloof man who showed her little interest. So she kept him buried in her most private fantasies, and that’s where he stayed. Until things suddenly went sideways, and he appeared out of the darkness like an avenging angel when she needed him most. That should’ve been the end of their story as they both agreed. But they were both wrong. It was only the beginning.
This was my first read by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the lower angst, I was still entertained without getting bored. Both characters intrigued me just like they did each other. They were perfect for each other. Vas brought dark pleasure while Anna brought sunshine into his dark reality. I definitely recommend this to lovers of suspense without things getting too dark. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
June 25, 2023
Even though Vas knows his life was not safe and too dark for Anna, he could not stay away from her. And even though this mysterious man, who happens to always be seated in her section at the diner and has only spoken a handful of words to her, Anna also could not keep her eyes from him. As the months pass with no change to their interactions, it was not until one night when Vas became her avenging angel that their relationship changed. Now Vas could not help himself, he needs to keep his Anya in his life and his bed, he is also determined to make life easier for her. Don’t get me wrong, he does mess up but now he knows how much light she brings to his darkness so he is determined for a second chance.
What a great read Vas and Anna’s story was. What I loved most, besides their intense attraction to one another, was how accepting Anna was. She was absolutely perfect for Vas.
What a great read Vas and Anna’s story was. What I loved most, besides their intense attraction to one another, was how accepting Anna was. She was absolutely perfect for Vas.
July 14, 2023
3.75
Not a big fan of 3rd pov BUT it was still good. I love romantic suspense so this book was a no brainer. Vas is a protective, possessive hero with a problematic past (but also present, since he has a kinda problematic job) and Anna is a sweet and kind heroine. The story is pretty uneventful and Vas and Anna's love story proceeds steady and gradually... the only hiccup is the secret job Vas hides from Anna that imo is easily dealt with.
No 3rd act breakup
No cheating, no OW/OM drama
trigger warning: attempted sexual assault (on-page), murders (off-page, and not in big details), loss of loved one (off-page)
Not a big fan of 3rd pov BUT it was still good. I love romantic suspense so this book was a no brainer. Vas is a protective, possessive hero with a problematic past (but also present, since he has a kinda problematic job) and Anna is a sweet and kind heroine. The story is pretty uneventful and Vas and Anna's love story proceeds steady and gradually... the only hiccup is the secret job Vas hides from Anna that imo is easily dealt with.
No 3rd act breakup
No cheating, no OW/OM drama
trigger warning: attempted sexual assault (on-page), murders (off-page, and not in big details), loss of loved one (off-page)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2023
Anna is sweet and is a waitress in a diner, while Vas, is a mysterious and handsome customer, who always sits in her section when he comes in. What Anna is in danger, Vas sweeps in as her avenging angel and saves her, which changes their relationship forever. Anna is the light to Vas’ darkness. This is a well written, slow burn story, which has suspense, danger, intrigue, violence, romance, emotions, and love, which leads to an entertaining and steamy page turner.
Be aware of the trigger warning due to the sensitive content!
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Be aware of the trigger warning due to the sensitive content!
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
June 30, 2023
I loved this novel! From the very first chapter I fell in love with the characters. I stayed awake all night reading I just could not put it down. I loved the characters, they both touched my heart. I loved Anna and Vas, their chemistry was off the charts. I love when a novel can make you smile, almost bring you to tears and finally leaves me with a happy heart. This novel checked all of my boxes. I loved it and can't wait to see what is coming next.
July 4, 2023
I really liked it. It was well written.
This wasn't Insta Lust, they both took their sweet time to get to know each other and formed an emotional connection first.
Vas wasn't your typical alpha possessive male who chest thump nearly in every chapter and screams mine. I Iiked how he was much more protective of Anna than controlling. He was caring and kind and treated her as his everything, and Anna also supported him when he needed her the most.
So overall I enjoyed reading this.
This wasn't Insta Lust, they both took their sweet time to get to know each other and formed an emotional connection first.
Vas wasn't your typical alpha possessive male who chest thump nearly in every chapter and screams mine. I Iiked how he was much more protective of Anna than controlling. He was caring and kind and treated her as his everything, and Anna also supported him when he needed her the most.
So overall I enjoyed reading this.
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