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Improper Bastards #1
The Secrets of Jane: Forgotten
"I'm a disciplined man, Jane. I can stay here for as long as you need before the lesson sinks in that you don't run from me while in my charge."
¤ ¤ ¤
My village is aflame, and a deadly legend becomes my captor.
I'm to appear before the most elite faction of mercenaries and warlords, commanded to answer for a crime they refuse to explain. Even if my only guess for why they want me is wrong, they cannot have me. I've sworn to never return to Skull's Row, home to thieves and killers; the graveyard of my childhood.
He plans to unbury every memory until my soul is stripped bare: Soren, my captor, is strangely fascinated by me. By what I hide. Of the scars I have.
I'm unwillingly drawn to him. To his brutality. He harbors the same viciousness that coats my veins. He even seems persistent in taking me for himself...
He'll either be my reckoning, or my undoing.
...
This Dark Fantasy Romance is a Duet full of foul language, sensual scenes, and improper bastards.
DUAL POV - his/her
Duet with a Guaranteed HEA
Content Warning 18+: This series contains explicit scenes, depictions of war, battle violence, abduction, graphic depiction of violence, drugging, and overall a very crude world.
¤ ¤ ¤
My village is aflame, and a deadly legend becomes my captor.
I'm to appear before the most elite faction of mercenaries and warlords, commanded to answer for a crime they refuse to explain. Even if my only guess for why they want me is wrong, they cannot have me. I've sworn to never return to Skull's Row, home to thieves and killers; the graveyard of my childhood.
He plans to unbury every memory until my soul is stripped bare: Soren, my captor, is strangely fascinated by me. By what I hide. Of the scars I have.
I'm unwillingly drawn to him. To his brutality. He harbors the same viciousness that coats my veins. He even seems persistent in taking me for himself...
He'll either be my reckoning, or my undoing.
...
This Dark Fantasy Romance is a Duet full of foul language, sensual scenes, and improper bastards.
DUAL POV - his/her
Duet with a Guaranteed HEA
Content Warning 18+: This series contains explicit scenes, depictions of war, battle violence, abduction, graphic depiction of violence, drugging, and overall a very crude world.
440 pages, Hardcover
Published September 19, 2023
461 people are currently reading
10685 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Mallory
8 books321 followersCharlotte Mallory has joined Amazon and their Kindle programs to share her love for Dark Fantasy Romance stories. What she enjoys most is taking well loved tropes and adding her own take on them. Right now, she greatly enjoys anything with Fantasy or Contemporary with an Alpha male lead, paired with a female lead that can absolutely handle her own!
In her spare time, she enjoys nature, bonsai trees, coffee, and taking random art classes.
In her spare time, she enjoys nature, bonsai trees, coffee, and taking random art classes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 627 reviews
September 19, 2023
4.5 Juxtaposed Stars⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
At the start, I was a bit sceptical, thinking this would be another "she's not like the other girls". So colour me surprised that by chapter two and Soren entered the room, I was salivating like a puppy that hadn't had milk in 2 days.
I was hooked and all my previous expectations just poofed out the window and dissolved into metaphorical smoke. I honestly felt like this book was written just for me as it catered perfectly for what I LOVE in a Dark Romantasy.
Our story follows Jane, who for the past ten years has been hiding her identity. One night her whole life goes up in flames (literally) and the life she has been hiding from comes to fetch her, in the form of a Zenith - Soren.
Jane is the type of character who stabs first and asks questions later. She is very quick to anger. She is fiery, vicious, has teeth and isn't afraid to use them, especially against Soren. Jane's characterisation was done REALLY WELL as you can very clearly understand her motivations and inability to trust. She yearns for affection but guards her heart with an iron cage. I absolutely adored her. I loved that she was feisty, stubborn and tenacious.
Soren is the epitome of what you would classify as "morally grey"- AND I LOVE IT. He will murder, stab and steal if it benefits him, and he will most definitely cut your head off if you touch what is his. He has a reputation for being a killer, a serpent quick to strike and deathly lethal. He is instantly drawn to Jane, but underneath his "alphahole" tendency he is JUST EVERYTHING I LOVE in an MMC.
The banter between these two was Chef's kiss. The bickering, fighting and sexual tension were delightful. There is a feeling of instalust but underneath is actually a very complex, slow-burn relationship that has a beautiful progression of two beings who struggle to trust and slowly open their hearts to each other.
The book felt very character-focused; but despite this, there was a very detailed rich world with a unique magic system. I think this might be the one aspect that kept this from being a full 5 stars. I don't fully understand the magic system, and while there was captive and clever worldbuilding, sometimes I battled to imagine what the descriptions of the scenery were describing. This was especially prevalent in Skull's Row.
This book doesn't shy away from the life and characterization of what pirates and mercenaries are like. It is a dark world. It is a vicious world. And the only way that you survive in a world like that is to be a fighter. I strongly recommend that if you like Dark Romantasy then you will love this as much as I did!
It was the perfect book for my inner heart. There were all the tropes that I love:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Pirate/Mercenary World
▶ SOOO Many Secrets
▶ She Runs, He Chases
▶ One Horse
▶ "Pretend" Pet
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ He Falls First
▶ Touch Her and Die
If you love romantasy like I do this will be everything you want and more.
So many thanks to Charlotte Mallory for the gifted ARC!
All thoughts and feelings in this review are my own
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
At the start, I was a bit sceptical, thinking this would be another "she's not like the other girls". So colour me surprised that by chapter two and Soren entered the room, I was salivating like a puppy that hadn't had milk in 2 days.
I was hooked and all my previous expectations just poofed out the window and dissolved into metaphorical smoke. I honestly felt like this book was written just for me as it catered perfectly for what I LOVE in a Dark Romantasy.
Our story follows Jane, who for the past ten years has been hiding her identity. One night her whole life goes up in flames (literally) and the life she has been hiding from comes to fetch her, in the form of a Zenith - Soren.
Jane is the type of character who stabs first and asks questions later. She is very quick to anger. She is fiery, vicious, has teeth and isn't afraid to use them, especially against Soren. Jane's characterisation was done REALLY WELL as you can very clearly understand her motivations and inability to trust. She yearns for affection but guards her heart with an iron cage. I absolutely adored her. I loved that she was feisty, stubborn and tenacious.
Soren is the epitome of what you would classify as "morally grey"- AND I LOVE IT. He will murder, stab and steal if it benefits him, and he will most definitely cut your head off if you touch what is his. He has a reputation for being a killer, a serpent quick to strike and deathly lethal. He is instantly drawn to Jane, but underneath his "alphahole" tendency he is JUST EVERYTHING I LOVE in an MMC.
The banter between these two was Chef's kiss. The bickering, fighting and sexual tension were delightful. There is a feeling of instalust but underneath is actually a very complex, slow-burn relationship that has a beautiful progression of two beings who struggle to trust and slowly open their hearts to each other.
The book felt very character-focused; but despite this, there was a very detailed rich world with a unique magic system. I think this might be the one aspect that kept this from being a full 5 stars. I don't fully understand the magic system, and while there was captive and clever worldbuilding, sometimes I battled to imagine what the descriptions of the scenery were describing. This was especially prevalent in Skull's Row.
This book doesn't shy away from the life and characterization of what pirates and mercenaries are like. It is a dark world. It is a vicious world. And the only way that you survive in a world like that is to be a fighter. I strongly recommend that if you like Dark Romantasy then you will love this as much as I did!
It was the perfect book for my inner heart. There were all the tropes that I love:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Pirate/Mercenary World
▶ SOOO Many Secrets
▶ She Runs, He Chases
▶ One Horse
▶ "Pretend" Pet
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ He Falls First
▶ Touch Her and Die
If you love romantasy like I do this will be everything you want and more.
So many thanks to Charlotte Mallory for the gifted ARC!
All thoughts and feelings in this review are my own
February 28, 2025
This was a fun, steamy romantasy with an MMC that has a *mouth* on him. LOVE.
With quotes like, “Any man who inspires you to speak of love that isn’t me, Jane, won’t live to see the rising sun. That’s the kind of song we’re stuck in.” Yuuuuupppp!! Need more of him. I cannot wait to read the conclusion in book 2.
If you like mercenary MMC’s, pirates, etc. this book will be for you. Loved this! 4.5 stars! ⭐️
With quotes like, “Any man who inspires you to speak of love that isn’t me, Jane, won’t live to see the rising sun. That’s the kind of song we’re stuck in.” Yuuuuupppp!! Need more of him. I cannot wait to read the conclusion in book 2.
If you like mercenary MMC’s, pirates, etc. this book will be for you. Loved this! 4.5 stars! ⭐️
Want to read
September 20, 2023Oh damnit, I'm super late to the party 🥲
It's arc time!
It's arc time!
March 1, 2025
This was SUCH a fun listen!
I was absolutely enthralled! I listened to the audio book which was narrated in duet style by Anthony Palmini & Jacci Prior with sound effects and music as well! It almost gave me Graphic Audio vibes though it wasn't quite that type of production. However, if you enjoy that style of listen, I highly recommend.
Anyway, the story had so much I love! Fantasy, Pirates, True Enemies to Lovers. There was a capture and road trip to turn the heroine over to a council of goons. And our hero, Soren, is just here to do his job, but he can't help but be drawn into Jane. He wants to keep her in his orbit and there's something that tells him not to just hand her over.
Jane has secrets, as the title implies, and she's determined to evade Soren's sexy clutches. Her success may vary, especially when she comes to enjoy his broody asshole-ness more than she should.
I truly enjoyed myself and I'm so glad I hopped into this book. I have an ARC of book 2, but it is releasing for the public on March 3rd, so not long to wait. You have just enough time to snag this one and get caught up!
5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: War, violence, abduction, drugging, and gore.
*Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for a free copy of this book, both a physical copy and an audio.*
I was absolutely enthralled! I listened to the audio book which was narrated in duet style by Anthony Palmini & Jacci Prior with sound effects and music as well! It almost gave me Graphic Audio vibes though it wasn't quite that type of production. However, if you enjoy that style of listen, I highly recommend.
Anyway, the story had so much I love! Fantasy, Pirates, True Enemies to Lovers. There was a capture and road trip to turn the heroine over to a council of goons. And our hero, Soren, is just here to do his job, but he can't help but be drawn into Jane. He wants to keep her in his orbit and there's something that tells him not to just hand her over.
Jane has secrets, as the title implies, and she's determined to evade Soren's sexy clutches. Her success may vary, especially when she comes to enjoy his broody asshole-ness more than she should.
I truly enjoyed myself and I'm so glad I hopped into this book. I have an ARC of book 2, but it is releasing for the public on March 3rd, so not long to wait. You have just enough time to snag this one and get caught up!
5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: War, violence, abduction, drugging, and gore.
*Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for a free copy of this book, both a physical copy and an audio.*
October 15, 2023
4.5 - 4.75 stars!
The Witcher meets Pirates of the Caribbean - erotic version. This world and these characters were incredibly well written and developed. Filled with secrets and twists, this story gripped me by the throat and didn’t let go until the end.
Soren is your take no prisoner (well except Jane) morally grey mercenary hero that you’ll swoon over. He’s everything I love in my book boyfriends. Jane has so many layers and you’ll love the prickly rose she is. Soren and Jane’s sexual tension and banter was exquisite and the heat between them was HOT.
Fate can be a funny thing and these two are intertwined. In more ways than lustful glances and touches.
I don’t want to give too much away because the reading experience for this story is so much better going in blind. But if you like enemies to lovers with a feisty AF heroine and a “touch her and die” hero this is the book for you!
Seriously, go read this! It ends on a mild cliffhanger but totally worth it.
The Witcher meets Pirates of the Caribbean - erotic version. This world and these characters were incredibly well written and developed. Filled with secrets and twists, this story gripped me by the throat and didn’t let go until the end.
Soren is your take no prisoner (well except Jane) morally grey mercenary hero that you’ll swoon over. He’s everything I love in my book boyfriends. Jane has so many layers and you’ll love the prickly rose she is. Soren and Jane’s sexual tension and banter was exquisite and the heat between them was HOT.
“And since she responds so well to my touch, I might just have to fuck her into submission, so I can reap whatever fate has sewn.”
Fate can be a funny thing and these two are intertwined. In more ways than lustful glances and touches.
“I’ll always find you, Jane. Never forget that.”
I don’t want to give too much away because the reading experience for this story is so much better going in blind. But if you like enemies to lovers with a feisty AF heroine and a “touch her and die” hero this is the book for you!
“… Your affection… if you want to guard your heart, you can. But I’ll seek you out. I’ll give you patience, but I’m a mad fucker that is known to hunt what he wants, and as long as some part of you wants me, I’ll hunt you.”
Seriously, go read this! It ends on a mild cliffhanger but totally worth it.
February 20, 2025
4.5 rounded up!⭐️
this book was exActly what i needed, a fast paced dark & spicy book with pirates & magic. like seriously what more could a girl ask for?
the vibes of this book were perfect- think: pirates of the caribbean x the witcher but make it dark romance. both main characters have secrets and they aren’t afraid to be snarky to each other, but both take it as flirting and im so okay with that. book 2 is sure to be a crazy journey because of everything that was set up in this story!
the audiobook was phenomenal- dual narrators for dual pov’s with sound effects and music transitions? huge slay. loved both narrators, their performance definitely made the reading experience that much better!
highlights/ tropes:
- pirates, sirens, witches, & magic
- captor x captive
- mmc can read emotions 👀
-they’re both morally grey
thank you to TheNerdFam and Charlotte Mallory for the ALC! 🖤
this book was exActly what i needed, a fast paced dark & spicy book with pirates & magic. like seriously what more could a girl ask for?
the vibes of this book were perfect- think: pirates of the caribbean x the witcher but make it dark romance. both main characters have secrets and they aren’t afraid to be snarky to each other, but both take it as flirting and im so okay with that. book 2 is sure to be a crazy journey because of everything that was set up in this story!
the audiobook was phenomenal- dual narrators for dual pov’s with sound effects and music transitions? huge slay. loved both narrators, their performance definitely made the reading experience that much better!
highlights/ tropes:
- pirates, sirens, witches, & magic
- captor x captive
- mmc can read emotions 👀
-they’re both morally grey
thank you to TheNerdFam and Charlotte Mallory for the ALC! 🖤
June 4, 2024
Feral. Gnawing at the bars on my cage. I love this book so much. I love it so much that I didn't get 8 hours of sleep last night because I needed to finish it. I love it so much that for the last 2 days I haven't touched a single piece of work because I've been obsessed. Does that make me a bad adult? Maybe. But yall... what the everloving hell?
This world is everything that I ever want when people claim that a book is pirate inspired. We have a council that have elite members that wear freaking death masks that can adher to their belts. We got blood and death and a badass named Tempest that I already love even though she was only on page for like 1 second.
And Soren. Fucking Soren. Someone prone to this much violence should not have my full support like this. It's embarrassing honestly. He was talking about needing to go find a prostitute because he was so obsessed with Jane and I still somehow found that to be the hottest thing ever. What the fuck?
I need the sequel. I already ordered a paperback because I need to hold this baby in my arms and im also going to order a hardback. Because I'm fucking psychotic and also this author needs my money as gratitude. I'm begging all the book God's that she puts out a release date because I'm actually dying.
This world is everything that I ever want when people claim that a book is pirate inspired. We have a council that have elite members that wear freaking death masks that can adher to their belts. We got blood and death and a badass named Tempest that I already love even though she was only on page for like 1 second.
And Soren. Fucking Soren. Someone prone to this much violence should not have my full support like this. It's embarrassing honestly. He was talking about needing to go find a prostitute because he was so obsessed with Jane and I still somehow found that to be the hottest thing ever. What the fuck?
I need the sequel. I already ordered a paperback because I need to hold this baby in my arms and im also going to order a hardback. Because I'm fucking psychotic and also this author needs my money as gratitude. I'm begging all the book God's that she puts out a release date because I'm actually dying.
December 21, 2024
So, this book took me a really long time to finish. It was easy to read, in the sense that the dialogue and world were not difficult to understand. The thing that made it tough was maybe that characters were not super likable to me. Full disclosure - they’re murderous, angry, impulsive people, but both main characters tiptoe around sentences like ‘rapaciously looking her over’ as so regular and I was cringing hard at this. I’ve read dark romance that I enjoyed in the past (though honestly not my favorite at this time), and I did still like parts of this, but I found myself a bit taken aback a lot of the time with some of the wildness of the main characters inner monologues. The book ends on a MAJOR cliffhanger - which I genuinely enjoy in most novels. This book however, did not satisfy one single issue or major plot point being resolved. From someone who likes to have the carrot dangled at the end to excite me to read the next book, I also like a minor plot point or two closed by the end of a 400+ page novel. Again, the author can write well, but this was not for me and left me wholly unsatisfied.
March 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was lucky enough to get an ALC for this book, and I absolutely devoured it! I finished it in less than a week because it was so easy to listen to—the fast-paced plot made it nearly impossible to put down. Every chapter was packed with action, tension, and intrigue, keeping me hooked from start to finish.
This is a true enemies-to-lovers story, and wow, does it deliver. Soren, our MMC, is sent to capture Jane, and the sparks between them are absolutely apocalyptic. Their chemistry is intense, raw, and undeniable, even when they should be sworn enemies. The push and pull between them made every interaction electric, and I couldn’t get enough.
This is a spicy dark fantasy romance, so be prepared for a story that leans into both the spice and the darkness in all the right ways. It’s intense, emotional, and completely captivating.
The only reason this isn’t a five-star read for me? That brutal cliffhanger ending! I was left reeling, desperate for more. Thankfully, I’ll be picking up the next book ASAP because I need to know what happens next. If you love high-stakes tension, fast-paced storytelling, and scorching enemies-to-lovers romance, this one is a must-read!
I was lucky enough to get an ALC for this book, and I absolutely devoured it! I finished it in less than a week because it was so easy to listen to—the fast-paced plot made it nearly impossible to put down. Every chapter was packed with action, tension, and intrigue, keeping me hooked from start to finish.
This is a true enemies-to-lovers story, and wow, does it deliver. Soren, our MMC, is sent to capture Jane, and the sparks between them are absolutely apocalyptic. Their chemistry is intense, raw, and undeniable, even when they should be sworn enemies. The push and pull between them made every interaction electric, and I couldn’t get enough.
This is a spicy dark fantasy romance, so be prepared for a story that leans into both the spice and the darkness in all the right ways. It’s intense, emotional, and completely captivating.
The only reason this isn’t a five-star read for me? That brutal cliffhanger ending! I was left reeling, desperate for more. Thankfully, I’ll be picking up the next book ASAP because I need to know what happens next. If you love high-stakes tension, fast-paced storytelling, and scorching enemies-to-lovers romance, this one is a must-read!
June 20, 2024
I just want to say thank you to everyone who is interested in this book 🖤 As a lover of dark fantasy romances, this is a story I’m very excited to share
💀𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
💀𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘔𝘔𝘊
💀𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘧𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘍𝘔𝘊
💀𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴
💀𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮���𝘵𝘺/𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦
💀𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘴
💀𝘌𝘱𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥
💀𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘮𝘶𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘭𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵
A true enemies to lovers where we’re never quite sure who to trust, but the tension is immediate. Come read to find out what secrets Jane is hiding…
💀𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
💀𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘔𝘔𝘊
💀𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘧𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘍𝘔𝘊
💀𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴
💀𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮���𝘵𝘺/𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦
💀𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘴
💀𝘌𝘱𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥
💀𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘮𝘶𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘭𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵
A true enemies to lovers where we’re never quite sure who to trust, but the tension is immediate. Come read to find out what secrets Jane is hiding…
March 7, 2025
giant pirate lords are my type apparently
went into this one totally blind but it was so fun!! i read this entire book in 1-2 sittings today.
the storyline of this book is so interesting but I genuinely could not explain it succinctly if my life depended on it
things to know:
Dual pov
Captor x Captive
He’s a pirate lord & she’s on the run
He’s sent to find her
He reads emotions & she’s a healer
He falls first
Banter!!!
Forced proximity
Only one horse
Touch her & you die
I believe the 2nd book in this duology just dropped so I’m excited to see where this story goes!!
went into this one totally blind but it was so fun!! i read this entire book in 1-2 sittings today.
the storyline of this book is so interesting but I genuinely could not explain it succinctly if my life depended on it
things to know:
Dual pov
Captor x Captive
He’s a pirate lord & she’s on the run
He’s sent to find her
He reads emotions & she’s a healer
He falls first
Banter!!!
Forced proximity
Only one horse
Touch her & you die
I believe the 2nd book in this duology just dropped so I’m excited to see where this story goes!!
September 1, 2024
~0.5⭐️~
I wish I could get a "happy unreading" so this shit could erase itself from my brain
I wish I could get a "happy unreading" so this shit could erase itself from my brain
September 25, 2023
4.5 stars
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
Wow. wow. wow. wow. What a fantastic book! I don't read many dark fantasy romance books, but maybe I should start. Jane is a young woman that fled Skull Row 10 years ago, home to thieves and killers and mercenary rulers called Zeniths. The village she's hiding out in is set aflame and she's captured by one of the most ruthless mercenaries, Soren. His job is to return her to Skull Row to face the Council. They haven't told him why, which he doesn't like. Most of the book is their journey back to Skull Row until the climatic cliffhanger. It's a vicious story, filled with a lot of action and fighting. It's definitely not for the squeamish.
I loved Jane and Soren. Jane is fierce, dangerous and does not hesitate to fight first and ask questions later. She's just as brutal as Soren, and is instantly drawn to him because of it. She doesn't trust anyone and despite her attraction to Soren, can't allow herself to let her guard down. Soren is brutal, ruthless and gets what he wants. He doesn't suffer fools and he doesn't ask twice. Inexplicably, he's drawn to Jane and fiercely protective of her, a feeling he's not accustom to. Neither can show weakness, neither is used to wanting comfort or affection, and yet that's what both secretly crave. Jane and Soren are brutal characters. There is nothing touchy feely about them. But, in their own way, they slowly start to care about each other.
The book is focused mostly on the characters in the book and their relationships, although the author has created a very interesting world. The worldbuilding is done throughout the book, although the magic system is not explained at all. I hope the next book provides more insight into that. In addition to Jane and Soren, several side characters provide depth to the story. I didn't want this book to end and can't wait to see how it ends.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Breys Book Tour and the author. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
Wow. wow. wow. wow. What a fantastic book! I don't read many dark fantasy romance books, but maybe I should start. Jane is a young woman that fled Skull Row 10 years ago, home to thieves and killers and mercenary rulers called Zeniths. The village she's hiding out in is set aflame and she's captured by one of the most ruthless mercenaries, Soren. His job is to return her to Skull Row to face the Council. They haven't told him why, which he doesn't like. Most of the book is their journey back to Skull Row until the climatic cliffhanger. It's a vicious story, filled with a lot of action and fighting. It's definitely not for the squeamish.
I loved Jane and Soren. Jane is fierce, dangerous and does not hesitate to fight first and ask questions later. She's just as brutal as Soren, and is instantly drawn to him because of it. She doesn't trust anyone and despite her attraction to Soren, can't allow herself to let her guard down. Soren is brutal, ruthless and gets what he wants. He doesn't suffer fools and he doesn't ask twice. Inexplicably, he's drawn to Jane and fiercely protective of her, a feeling he's not accustom to. Neither can show weakness, neither is used to wanting comfort or affection, and yet that's what both secretly crave. Jane and Soren are brutal characters. There is nothing touchy feely about them. But, in their own way, they slowly start to care about each other.
The book is focused mostly on the characters in the book and their relationships, although the author has created a very interesting world. The worldbuilding is done throughout the book, although the magic system is not explained at all. I hope the next book provides more insight into that. In addition to Jane and Soren, several side characters provide depth to the story. I didn't want this book to end and can't wait to see how it ends.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Breys Book Tour and the author. All opinions are my own.
May 25, 2025
This was a fun dark romantasy ride & boy does that MMC have A MOUTH on him! Also a duet audio with awesome narrators so 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ feels right!
PLOT
Jane has been on the run from her old life for a decade, hiding out in villages where no one could know her past. It’s here where she and her best friend Kathleen have their fun. But one day their village gets lit aflame, & in the fray she’s taken by the extremely infamous & terrifying mercenary Soren. He doesn’t know why he’s been tasked with taking her to his Council, but he’s extremely intrigued to find out. This book has
- AN MMC WITH A FILTHY MOUTH
- enemies to lovers
- insta lust but NOT insta love; a slow burn romance but not a slow burn, uh, physical affection haha
- pirates, sirens, mercenaries, & criminal societies
- secret pasts
- higher spice
PROS
- EXCELLENT audiobook. Great narrators who I have heard many times & they’re great here too.
- I really like Jane. She’s like “why am I being such a horny idiot” & I respect her for knowing that. 😆 But she’s clever & tough & I really like her.
- Soren. My god the mouth on that man. He is filthy & brazen but we started to get to a softer part of him which was really nice for his character dev. But he’s an absolute slut hahah. & let’s be real he was a total dick for a lot of the book too so his continued evolution will be fun.
- I LOVE Kathleen as a side character.
- A quick read!
- Really interested in the pirate society & Tempest.
- Also into the sirens.
- Familial mystery in both sides is fun & intriguing.
CONS
- Feels a bit light on worldbuilding but I’m betting that’s because it’s just book 1 & we’ll get there so idk if can really call it a major con yet.
⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
No really
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
- Kathleen having a tie to Jane’s dad is super interesting & part of me is super scared she’s gonna betray Jane. The “you not telling me things makes me feel like we aren’t as good of friends” comment. 👀
- Soren opening up about his sister softened me on him a bit. Plus the foot massage bit was quite sweet.
PLOT
Jane has been on the run from her old life for a decade, hiding out in villages where no one could know her past. It’s here where she and her best friend Kathleen have their fun. But one day their village gets lit aflame, & in the fray she’s taken by the extremely infamous & terrifying mercenary Soren. He doesn’t know why he’s been tasked with taking her to his Council, but he’s extremely intrigued to find out. This book has
- AN MMC WITH A FILTHY MOUTH
- enemies to lovers
- insta lust but NOT insta love; a slow burn romance but not a slow burn, uh, physical affection haha
- pirates, sirens, mercenaries, & criminal societies
- secret pasts
- higher spice
PROS
- EXCELLENT audiobook. Great narrators who I have heard many times & they’re great here too.
- I really like Jane. She’s like “why am I being such a horny idiot” & I respect her for knowing that. 😆 But she’s clever & tough & I really like her.
- Soren. My god the mouth on that man. He is filthy & brazen but we started to get to a softer part of him which was really nice for his character dev. But he’s an absolute slut hahah. & let’s be real he was a total dick for a lot of the book too so his continued evolution will be fun.
- I LOVE Kathleen as a side character.
- A quick read!
- Really interested in the pirate society & Tempest.
- Also into the sirens.
- Familial mystery in both sides is fun & intriguing.
CONS
- Feels a bit light on worldbuilding but I’m betting that’s because it’s just book 1 & we’ll get there so idk if can really call it a major con yet.
⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
No really
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
- Kathleen having a tie to Jane’s dad is super interesting & part of me is super scared she’s gonna betray Jane. The “you not telling me things makes me feel like we aren’t as good of friends” comment. 👀
- Soren opening up about his sister softened me on him a bit. Plus the foot massage bit was quite sweet.
September 1, 2025
2.5 stars — The Secrets of Jane started strong but lost momentum. The premise had potential, but the plot became confusing and meandering, with unclear stakes, mysterious marks, and a tangled backstory that never fully clicked.
The audio narration was really great just so sad that the story didn’t align.
July 14, 2024
This leans heavily into the realm of dark romance with fantasy elements rather than dark fantasy. The book's primary focus is on the intense and tumultuous relationship between Jane and Soren, leaving world-building and broader storylines in the background. If you’re looking for a story where romance takes center stage and fantasy serves as an intriguing backdrop, this book might be just what you're looking for. Especially if you love all the red flags.
Initially, I found it challenging to engage with the story, as it introduced somewhat familiar characters whose primary focus seemed to be their instant attraction to one another despite their circumstances. For someone who prefers a slower build-up and logical progression in relationships, this sudden chemistry in a perilous situation was hard to grasp. However, once Jane and Soren began to trust each other, the story became more enticing, though Soren’s character remained problematic for me. His backstory attempts to justify his actions, but I struggled to find him likable due to his often cruel behavior.
The audiobook format was great with dual narration enhancing the story. However, the additional noises and music at the beginning of each chapter were occasionally distracting, leaving me unsure if they enhanced or detracted from the story.
The book makes an attempt to provide a fresh twist on familiar tropes, ie pirates and sirens. But it just feels like a contemporary biker/mafia romance to me. I will say that I was far more interested in the softer relationship between side characters because it seemed to have genuine emotion - still red flags though.
Overall, this book is tailored for readers who relish dark, intense romances and morally dark characters. If you're a fan of mafia or biker romances looking to venture into fantasy, this novel will likely be a satisfying read. However, if you prefer more traditional fantasy with extensive world-building and a balanced plot, you might find this book a bit lacking in those areas.
Thanks to the author and her team for providing an ALC. All opinions are honest and voluntary.
Initially, I found it challenging to engage with the story, as it introduced somewhat familiar characters whose primary focus seemed to be their instant attraction to one another despite their circumstances. For someone who prefers a slower build-up and logical progression in relationships, this sudden chemistry in a perilous situation was hard to grasp. However, once Jane and Soren began to trust each other, the story became more enticing, though Soren’s character remained problematic for me. His backstory attempts to justify his actions, but I struggled to find him likable due to his often cruel behavior.
The audiobook format was great with dual narration enhancing the story. However, the additional noises and music at the beginning of each chapter were occasionally distracting, leaving me unsure if they enhanced or detracted from the story.
The book makes an attempt to provide a fresh twist on familiar tropes, ie pirates and sirens. But it just feels like a contemporary biker/mafia romance to me. I will say that I was far more interested in the softer relationship between side characters because it seemed to have genuine emotion - still red flags though.
Overall, this book is tailored for readers who relish dark, intense romances and morally dark characters. If you're a fan of mafia or biker romances looking to venture into fantasy, this novel will likely be a satisfying read. However, if you prefer more traditional fantasy with extensive world-building and a balanced plot, you might find this book a bit lacking in those areas.
Thanks to the author and her team for providing an ALC. All opinions are honest and voluntary.
January 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶.5
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Forced proximity
✨ FMC held c@ptive - great escape attempts
✨ Fierce badáss mysterious FMC
✨ Magicky pirate world
✨ He falls first
✨ Great banter
🖤 Soren is a mercenary sent to find Jane and bring her in for questioning but he isn’t told why and becomes a bit enchanted by the mystery that is Jane. He’s dark, possessive, hot, and an empath (can sense emotions and can ever read minds a bit when it comes to those he’s closest to).
🖤 Jane is full of contradictions. She’s a fighter and a healer, she is full of secrets and has major trust issues (like genuinely does not believe a single word anyone ever says), she has been hiding who she is her whole life, and she is so strong and protective of the people she loves. I am rooting for her so hard, and soon she’ll realize that she isn’t the only one with secrets!
I adore Jane and Soren together. Their broken edges fit oh so perfectly allowing them both to be just a tiny bit softer (but only with each other and rarely) while still delightfully fierce! They are complex, dark and twisty, beautifully written characters that you can’t help but fall in love with.
I CANNOT wait for book 2 in this duet! I have hundreds of questions about Kathleen (best friend), Jane’s dad, Tempest (pirate leader), and so many more. It feels like I don’t know any of the side characters’ true motives and I am dying to find out what happens next!
✨ Quotes:
🖤 “What if my true purpose is that I am just here to seduce you, hmm?” ~ Jane. “Then hurry the fück up because you’re slow at it.” ~ Soren.
🖤 “That fast? You’re already thinking about ki!!ing me?” Why in the fücking hells does that turn me on even more? ~ Soren.
🖤 Since she responds so well to my touch, I might just have to fück her into submission, so I can reap whatever fate has sewn. ~ Soren.
🖤 “Any man that inspires you to speak of love that isn’t me, Jane, won’t live to see the rising sun. That’s the kind of song you’re stuck in.” ~ Soren.
✨ Thank you Charlotte Mallory for allowing me to ARC read this book, I absolutely loved it!
🌶🌶.5
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Forced proximity
✨ FMC held c@ptive - great escape attempts
✨ Fierce badáss mysterious FMC
✨ Magicky pirate world
✨ He falls first
✨ Great banter
🖤 Soren is a mercenary sent to find Jane and bring her in for questioning but he isn’t told why and becomes a bit enchanted by the mystery that is Jane. He’s dark, possessive, hot, and an empath (can sense emotions and can ever read minds a bit when it comes to those he’s closest to).
🖤 Jane is full of contradictions. She’s a fighter and a healer, she is full of secrets and has major trust issues (like genuinely does not believe a single word anyone ever says), she has been hiding who she is her whole life, and she is so strong and protective of the people she loves. I am rooting for her so hard, and soon she’ll realize that she isn’t the only one with secrets!
I adore Jane and Soren together. Their broken edges fit oh so perfectly allowing them both to be just a tiny bit softer (but only with each other and rarely) while still delightfully fierce! They are complex, dark and twisty, beautifully written characters that you can’t help but fall in love with.
I CANNOT wait for book 2 in this duet! I have hundreds of questions about Kathleen (best friend), Jane’s dad, Tempest (pirate leader), and so many more. It feels like I don’t know any of the side characters’ true motives and I am dying to find out what happens next!
✨ Quotes:
🖤 “What if my true purpose is that I am just here to seduce you, hmm?” ~ Jane. “Then hurry the fück up because you’re slow at it.” ~ Soren.
🖤 “That fast? You’re already thinking about ki!!ing me?” Why in the fücking hells does that turn me on even more? ~ Soren.
🖤 Since she responds so well to my touch, I might just have to fück her into submission, so I can reap whatever fate has sewn. ~ Soren.
🖤 “Any man that inspires you to speak of love that isn’t me, Jane, won’t live to see the rising sun. That’s the kind of song you’re stuck in.” ~ Soren.
✨ Thank you Charlotte Mallory for allowing me to ARC read this book, I absolutely loved it!
March 3, 2025
Jane's a straight-up badass—fierce, quick to throw hands, and hiding some deep scars. Soren? He's that dangerous, morally gray dude we can't help but love. Their chemistry? Off the charts. The banter, the tension, the "I hate you but can't stay away" vibes—it's all there.It’s messy, it’s intense, and it works.
The world-building is just wild. Pirates, mercenaries, magic—it's gritty and raw. The side characters add flavor, and the plot twists keep you guessing. Just a heads up: it's dark and spicy, so check those content warnings.
And guess what? The sequel, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙚: 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣 is dropping soon. If it's anything like the first, we're in for a ride.
The world-building is just wild. Pirates, mercenaries, magic—it's gritty and raw. The side characters add flavor, and the plot twists keep you guessing. Just a heads up: it's dark and spicy, so check those content warnings.
And guess what? The sequel, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙚: 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣 is dropping soon. If it's anything like the first, we're in for a ride.
September 6, 2023
The Secrets of Jane is one of the first pirate/mercenary centered books I’ve read, and it was a fantastic change of pace for me! I absolutely loved falling into this world and discovering every new strange thing about it. It has magic and a wonderful society set around the mercenaries that rule Skull’s Row, the Zenith. The titular Jane is in hiding, until a particularly nasty Zenith named Soren comes for her. The council of Zenith has set a bounty on her, rumors swirling around her that they want answers for. Jane is holding a lot of secrets, as the title suggests, and Soren gets wrapped up in them.
The setting of this book, as I mentioned, is fantastic. The way this world developed with mercenaries ruling and how pirates are second class to them. The way brothels and their petals are such a part of the world. Gladiator style fights between all the aggressive men, just to get the violence out. They have their own society within these lands, and when outside it, everyone defers to them. They are not to be messed with, and everyone knows it. Sirens and witches and magic exist, and everyone seems to have power of some kind. Learning everyone’s powers was a lot of fun, and I loved how they played into the story itself. The world felt real, and getting to explore each new area was a blast. I loved Skull’s Row and how vividly it was described. Especially compared to the peaceful village Jane had been hiding in. The contrast was wonderful and really highlighted the debauchery of Skull’s Row perfectly!
The characters were done so well. Everyone felt like they were real characters with backstories stretching far and wide. No one felt shallow. Even one off characters had so much, well…character, to them! You can just imagine what their lives were like and all the fights they’d been in. Jane was a troubled, untrusting character from the start. In hiding, she only has one real friend, even though she clearly cares for people deeply and tries to help the villagers as much as possible. She’s a healer, and she drains her magic to help them all during an attack. Yet still, she starts fights, particularly with men who take advantage or hurt women. Her background giving her a violent edge. She’s drawn to violence and brutality and longs for the life of Skull’s Row. Then there’s Soren, the legendary mercenary with the power to feel other’s emotions. It makes him untouchable and he can practically read minds with his power. Using it to predict attacks and manipulate. He’s brutal and hard edged, but there’s definitely a softer side in there. As he gets older, he’s seeking something new. When the two of them clash, it’s instant fireworks.
I absolutely loved Jane and Soren! Their relationship, if you can call it strictly that, was so well done. The progression of their relationship and their feelings felt so natural. It was paced perfectly where in the beginning, she’s fighting like a wildcat. And things progress much further. They’re frankly perfect together. They’re both the same kind of messed up! When they concoct a plan, Jane has a part to play and it leads to all kinds of fun things for us to read! The smut between these two…man! It’s seriously so good! The chemistry between them is off the charts. And all the little tender moments that freak them both out are fantastically done.
We don’t find out their motivations right away, but when we do, it’s instantly relatable and understandable, on both sides! Soren and Jane are both sympathetic characters whose actions and feelings make complete sense to me. They’re justified by their past and their present. Yet, they’re also both violent, brutal people. They feed on it and thrive on it. And they seek it in one another. Each offers the balance of violence and tenderness the other secretly yearns for.
I loved the side characters as well. Kathleen is so entertaining, especially her relationship with Bones. He’s one character that, much like Jane felt about him, I’m so back and forth on! His loyalty sold me on him I think, and his humor just pushed it over the edge. But Kathleen is a ride or die for sure, even with her secrets! I don’t really know what to make of Anya, but Soren trusts her so it makes me want to as well! I just can’t help listening to him, ya know? I totally understand Jane’s inability to resist…
The plot itself is so interesting. We spend time just as lost as Soren on what Jane is hiding. When it comes out why the council wants her, what her part is, things start to come together. Her constant escape attempts are also hilariously vicious and I loved reading them. But that softening between the two of them is just as sweet! When we start getting info from third parties that’s appropriately vague, we begin to get the idea that more is going on here than we thought. This is reinforced in Skull’s Row. Soren’s powers clue him into the fact that all is not right. What that is? Hmmm. Stay tuned for book 2 to find out I think!
And that ending?! Oh lord, do I want book 2 to start diving into THAT! I can’t wait to see Jane’s reaction. Both to what occurs at the end, and to what’s been kept secret from her. As a girl used to keeping secrets, I’m so curious how she’ll handle being on the other side of it! There’s a lot coming her way. And the tentative affection between her and Soren will surely be tested before the end. They’re still struggling through it after all. The whiff of a larger plot is certainly on the horizon! The Scorpion, a notorious and also suspiciously missing Zenith, and fate itself seem to be swirling around, along with some dark, unidentifiable magic. The other Zenith in the Council are surely going to be a problem, and I’m excited to see what happens with them. Not to mention the lost family on both sides, and things being left dangerously on edge! I seriously got into to this book so hard and can’t wait for more. I want more of this world and these characters! The wait for the next will be just as killer as Soren!
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
The setting of this book, as I mentioned, is fantastic. The way this world developed with mercenaries ruling and how pirates are second class to them. The way brothels and their petals are such a part of the world. Gladiator style fights between all the aggressive men, just to get the violence out. They have their own society within these lands, and when outside it, everyone defers to them. They are not to be messed with, and everyone knows it. Sirens and witches and magic exist, and everyone seems to have power of some kind. Learning everyone’s powers was a lot of fun, and I loved how they played into the story itself. The world felt real, and getting to explore each new area was a blast. I loved Skull’s Row and how vividly it was described. Especially compared to the peaceful village Jane had been hiding in. The contrast was wonderful and really highlighted the debauchery of Skull’s Row perfectly!
The characters were done so well. Everyone felt like they were real characters with backstories stretching far and wide. No one felt shallow. Even one off characters had so much, well…character, to them! You can just imagine what their lives were like and all the fights they’d been in. Jane was a troubled, untrusting character from the start. In hiding, she only has one real friend, even though she clearly cares for people deeply and tries to help the villagers as much as possible. She’s a healer, and she drains her magic to help them all during an attack. Yet still, she starts fights, particularly with men who take advantage or hurt women. Her background giving her a violent edge. She’s drawn to violence and brutality and longs for the life of Skull’s Row. Then there’s Soren, the legendary mercenary with the power to feel other’s emotions. It makes him untouchable and he can practically read minds with his power. Using it to predict attacks and manipulate. He’s brutal and hard edged, but there’s definitely a softer side in there. As he gets older, he’s seeking something new. When the two of them clash, it’s instant fireworks.
I absolutely loved Jane and Soren! Their relationship, if you can call it strictly that, was so well done. The progression of their relationship and their feelings felt so natural. It was paced perfectly where in the beginning, she’s fighting like a wildcat. And things progress much further. They’re frankly perfect together. They’re both the same kind of messed up! When they concoct a plan, Jane has a part to play and it leads to all kinds of fun things for us to read! The smut between these two…man! It’s seriously so good! The chemistry between them is off the charts. And all the little tender moments that freak them both out are fantastically done.
We don’t find out their motivations right away, but when we do, it’s instantly relatable and understandable, on both sides! Soren and Jane are both sympathetic characters whose actions and feelings make complete sense to me. They’re justified by their past and their present. Yet, they’re also both violent, brutal people. They feed on it and thrive on it. And they seek it in one another. Each offers the balance of violence and tenderness the other secretly yearns for.
I loved the side characters as well. Kathleen is so entertaining, especially her relationship with Bones. He’s one character that, much like Jane felt about him, I’m so back and forth on! His loyalty sold me on him I think, and his humor just pushed it over the edge. But Kathleen is a ride or die for sure, even with her secrets! I don’t really know what to make of Anya, but Soren trusts her so it makes me want to as well! I just can’t help listening to him, ya know? I totally understand Jane’s inability to resist…
The plot itself is so interesting. We spend time just as lost as Soren on what Jane is hiding. When it comes out why the council wants her, what her part is, things start to come together. Her constant escape attempts are also hilariously vicious and I loved reading them. But that softening between the two of them is just as sweet! When we start getting info from third parties that’s appropriately vague, we begin to get the idea that more is going on here than we thought. This is reinforced in Skull’s Row. Soren’s powers clue him into the fact that all is not right. What that is? Hmmm. Stay tuned for book 2 to find out I think!
And that ending?! Oh lord, do I want book 2 to start diving into THAT! I can’t wait to see Jane’s reaction. Both to what occurs at the end, and to what’s been kept secret from her. As a girl used to keeping secrets, I’m so curious how she’ll handle being on the other side of it! There’s a lot coming her way. And the tentative affection between her and Soren will surely be tested before the end. They’re still struggling through it after all. The whiff of a larger plot is certainly on the horizon! The Scorpion, a notorious and also suspiciously missing Zenith, and fate itself seem to be swirling around, along with some dark, unidentifiable magic. The other Zenith in the Council are surely going to be a problem, and I’m excited to see what happens with them. Not to mention the lost family on both sides, and things being left dangerously on edge! I seriously got into to this book so hard and can’t wait for more. I want more of this world and these characters! The wait for the next will be just as killer as Soren!
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
I am obsessed with this book. This is a dark romance fantasy and it’s exactly what books in that niche genre should be written like. Plus the audiobook production was phenomenal. \
If you want a book with a smart main character who is witty and a ball buster with a love interest who will literally burn the world down for you. THIS. IS. IT.
🖤 She’s his captive
🖤 She has a secret to hide which he wants to know
🖤 He’s possessive af
🖤 She’s smart, clever and acts like an adult (thank the gods)
🖤 So much good banter
🖤 Tasteful spice on the darker side 😮💨
🖤 Hate sexs
🖤 Very Morally grey mmc
From the very starts I loved Jane. She’s witty, smart, not weak of heart, can take it as much as she can dish it out and is a strong character with great sense of humour. Colour me even more impressed when in chapter 2 Soren enters and BAM I’m even more obsessed. These two are soulmates by their humour, banter and wittiness alone.
The whole plot of her being his captive was done so well. Their attraction to one another is fast but they both live in a world where people just take what they want or even who they want. Jane doesn’t let him get anything easy, she outsmarts him even and when he catches her. Oh boy 😮💨😮💨😮💨.
Ya all need to read this book. I don’t wonna say more and spoil anything. THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!!
If you want a book with a smart main character who is witty and a ball buster with a love interest who will literally burn the world down for you. THIS. IS. IT.
🖤 She’s his captive
🖤 She has a secret to hide which he wants to know
🖤 He’s possessive af
🖤 She’s smart, clever and acts like an adult (thank the gods)
🖤 So much good banter
🖤 Tasteful spice on the darker side 😮💨
🖤 Hate sexs
🖤 Very Morally grey mmc
From the very starts I loved Jane. She’s witty, smart, not weak of heart, can take it as much as she can dish it out and is a strong character with great sense of humour. Colour me even more impressed when in chapter 2 Soren enters and BAM I’m even more obsessed. These two are soulmates by their humour, banter and wittiness alone.
The whole plot of her being his captive was done so well. Their attraction to one another is fast but they both live in a world where people just take what they want or even who they want. Jane doesn’t let him get anything easy, she outsmarts him even and when he catches her. Oh boy 😮💨😮💨😮💨.
Ya all need to read this book. I don’t wonna say more and spoil anything. THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!!
April 22, 2025
Im so glad that I finally read this book. I absolutely loved it. We get a badass FMC and a downright cold MMC. I love the world and magical abilities. The banter and tension is chefs kiss. The spice was spicing and I ate up every page. The audiobook has sounds effects which is something I really enjoy in audiobooks. I thought the narrators did a great job. Im so excited for the next book.
March 11, 2025
Ich bin wieder auf Instagram hereingefallen und musste dieses Buch lesen – und ich muss sagen … ich bin nicht enttäuscht! Ein spannender Plot, guter Smut und jede Menge Szenen zum 'Kicking feet in the air'. Habe direkt den zweiten Teil heruntergeladen – 'Circe' muss warten! 😅
September 19, 2023
When I saw Charlotte Mallory's upcoming novel, The Secrets of Jane, described as story that will draw in fans who would love to see a fantasy space where Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Witcher, I could not wait to jump in! Needless to say, I was very excited to receive an eARC of this book and absolutely devoured this deliciously dark tale filled with vendettas, killers, secrets and lots of hate filled passion!
As the story opens, we meet Jane, a young woman trying to live a life of 'not so quiet' anonymity in a quiet village far from the haunted memories of her past. She is known not only for her healing magic, passed down from her mother, but for a fiery temper that often finds its outlet in many a late night bar brawl. However, underneath all of her simmering rage, Jane is hiding from the secrets of who she really is and the calling she feels to the dangerous territory of Skull's Row, where mercenaries reign and only the most vicious survive.
After nearly a decade of denying her own legacy, Jane's time for escaping fate is up and her reckoning comes in the form of a dangerously handsome warlord named Soren Latham, who epitomizes the violent brutality of Skull Row's inner ruling council, the Zenith. Soren, known as the Manipulator amongst his Zenith peers, is a ruthless hunter with the uncanny ability to unearth the truths and motives that others try to keep hidden; and now his one focus is Jane!
It is an understatement to say that when Soren and Jane meet it is an explosion of tempers, fury and passion. Beyond bringing Jane back to Skull's Row to answer to the Zenith council, Soren is determined to dig deep until he has learned all of Jane's secrets, both the ones about her relationship to Skull's Row and the ones that have caused her to ferociously protect her heart. However, Jane is not the only one with secrets and the closer Soren gets to unraveling the enigma of Jane, the more in danger he becomes of risking his own heart, making the reader wonder just who is the captor in this enemies to lovers relationship. That said, Soren is not a man who shies away from risk and when he learns that Jane just may be the key to reclaiming something that means more to him than his standing as a Zenith, Soren is unflinching in his determination to break down Jane's long standing walls.
Jane is a wonderful blend of a bold warrior who refuses to let anyone tell her what to do and a woman with a painful vulnerability born of childhood trauma and abandonment. As a counterpoint, Soren is wonderfully blunt and straightforward, never leaving Jane in doubt of who he is, what is he is capable of and what he wants, including her. As Jane and Soren struggle to navigate the minefield of mistrust and inescapable desire they feel for one another, Mallory brings the tension to a boiling point cliffhanger ending as ghosts from Jane's past threaten to shatter the tenuous understanding Soren and Jane have newly established.
I absolutely loved this dark fantasy romance and the detialed world that Mallory has built around some very complex characters. I cannot wait until book 2 comes out in 2024! This book is 18+ and like one would expect from a devilish pirate world filled with thieves and warlords, The Secrets of Jane is filled with foul language, plenty of sensual scenes and tons of improper bastards, so definitely give the trigger warnings a read before starting. That said, if you love any and all of the below then go and order it now!
* Enemies to Lovers
* Mercenary MMC
* Mysterious, Feisty FMC
* Forced Proximity
* One Horse (this gets me every time!)
* Epic Pirate World
* Dual POV (love when we get these)
* Super Steamy and Angsty
* He Falls First
* Touch Her and He Will End You
As the story opens, we meet Jane, a young woman trying to live a life of 'not so quiet' anonymity in a quiet village far from the haunted memories of her past. She is known not only for her healing magic, passed down from her mother, but for a fiery temper that often finds its outlet in many a late night bar brawl. However, underneath all of her simmering rage, Jane is hiding from the secrets of who she really is and the calling she feels to the dangerous territory of Skull's Row, where mercenaries reign and only the most vicious survive.
After nearly a decade of denying her own legacy, Jane's time for escaping fate is up and her reckoning comes in the form of a dangerously handsome warlord named Soren Latham, who epitomizes the violent brutality of Skull Row's inner ruling council, the Zenith. Soren, known as the Manipulator amongst his Zenith peers, is a ruthless hunter with the uncanny ability to unearth the truths and motives that others try to keep hidden; and now his one focus is Jane!
It is an understatement to say that when Soren and Jane meet it is an explosion of tempers, fury and passion. Beyond bringing Jane back to Skull's Row to answer to the Zenith council, Soren is determined to dig deep until he has learned all of Jane's secrets, both the ones about her relationship to Skull's Row and the ones that have caused her to ferociously protect her heart. However, Jane is not the only one with secrets and the closer Soren gets to unraveling the enigma of Jane, the more in danger he becomes of risking his own heart, making the reader wonder just who is the captor in this enemies to lovers relationship. That said, Soren is not a man who shies away from risk and when he learns that Jane just may be the key to reclaiming something that means more to him than his standing as a Zenith, Soren is unflinching in his determination to break down Jane's long standing walls.
Jane is a wonderful blend of a bold warrior who refuses to let anyone tell her what to do and a woman with a painful vulnerability born of childhood trauma and abandonment. As a counterpoint, Soren is wonderfully blunt and straightforward, never leaving Jane in doubt of who he is, what is he is capable of and what he wants, including her. As Jane and Soren struggle to navigate the minefield of mistrust and inescapable desire they feel for one another, Mallory brings the tension to a boiling point cliffhanger ending as ghosts from Jane's past threaten to shatter the tenuous understanding Soren and Jane have newly established.
I absolutely loved this dark fantasy romance and the detialed world that Mallory has built around some very complex characters. I cannot wait until book 2 comes out in 2024! This book is 18+ and like one would expect from a devilish pirate world filled with thieves and warlords, The Secrets of Jane is filled with foul language, plenty of sensual scenes and tons of improper bastards, so definitely give the trigger warnings a read before starting. That said, if you love any and all of the below then go and order it now!
* Enemies to Lovers
* Mercenary MMC
* Mysterious, Feisty FMC
* Forced Proximity
* One Horse (this gets me every time!)
* Epic Pirate World
* Dual POV (love when we get these)
* Super Steamy and Angsty
* He Falls First
* Touch Her and He Will End You
April 14, 2024
4.5 stars
Perfect for lovers of morally gray characters, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and SPICE!
I loved this one! I am a huge fan of both Pirates of the Caribbean and The Witcher. I was so excited to dive into this story, when I read what it was about! The romance was definitely one of my favorite aspects of the book, but we get so much more than that. Jane is a badass!! She is wanted by the council and they sent some one to find her. And this is when we are introduced to Soren, the mercenary sent to find her at whatever cost.
Jane is fiery, sassy, and not afraid to defend what she believes is right. Soren is what we all love... MORALLY GREY and ready to attack anyone that gets in his way. Both have insane tension and banter throughout the book .. the sexual tension is definitely *chef's kiss* and best of all he falls first. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
Huge thanks to the author for gifting me a copy of the book and collaborating with me! All Opinions are my own.
Perfect for lovers of morally gray characters, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and SPICE!
I loved this one! I am a huge fan of both Pirates of the Caribbean and The Witcher. I was so excited to dive into this story, when I read what it was about! The romance was definitely one of my favorite aspects of the book, but we get so much more than that. Jane is a badass!! She is wanted by the council and they sent some one to find her. And this is when we are introduced to Soren, the mercenary sent to find her at whatever cost.
Jane is fiery, sassy, and not afraid to defend what she believes is right. Soren is what we all love... MORALLY GREY and ready to attack anyone that gets in his way. Both have insane tension and banter throughout the book .. the sexual tension is definitely *chef's kiss* and best of all he falls first. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
Huge thanks to the author for gifting me a copy of the book and collaborating with me! All Opinions are my own.
September 17, 2023
“The woman in my lap begins to stir, but it’ll be a while before she’s coherent again. Speaking in her ear, breathing in her smokey scent, I say,
‘You’re in a world of fucking trouble, little one.’”
I was so excited then I got this ARC and it had me swoon from beginning to end, thank you so much Charlotte Mallory, I’m even more excited to read book two in early 2024! This releases September 19th and are up for preorder right now🔥
Preorder now at authors website and remember to submit your receipt to get some amazing swag!
This book immediately got me intrigued when it was described as Pirates of the Caribbean x The Witcher, that just sounded too good to be true, but it did NOT disappoint and maybe even topped my expectations!
⭐️ Enemies to lovers
⭐️ Angry spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️ Mercenary and possessive MMC
⭐️ Mysterious and feisty FMC
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Secrets and mysteries
⭐️ Epic pirate world
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ kidnapping
⭐️ she runs and he’s chasing
⭐️ One horse/bed
Content warning:
“Rated 18+ for: violence/killing, explicit sexual content, and foul language, Kidnapping, Murder, identity challenges, Cliffhanger.
Please note there is no rape, harming of children, etc. Most of the violence is what you'd see in The Witcher, or Pirates of the Caribbean if it had been Rated R.”
This world is just so unique and clever. It captured me right from the beginning. I love that it combines pirates, sirens, witches and mercenaries with a high Middle Ages vibe. I can’t wait to dive back in this world. It’s well written and described in a way so it felt like I really was right there with them. Im not always the best at imagining worlds, but this one really was made for me and had me captured the whole way through.
Both main characters had me from the start. Jane is a feisty, stubborn and strong woman that reminded me a lot of Jude Duarte, she is one of my favourite book characters so I really loved Janes personality from the start. Soren also had me quite early too with his broody and possessive bastard, but I found myself constantly surprising by his honesty and vulnerability. Together they make one hell of a couple that really tries to stay hard core in this brutal world. The spice between this two is so steamy, well written, perfectly placed and just delicious! I have no idea how to top this🥵❤️🔥
The side characters was really a fun edition that showed the differences and diversity of the personalities and cultures in the world in a really fun way. Some characters, especially a mom, had some really tough scenes, that for the first time in a fantasy brought some true horrors and devastating feeling from me. Wanted to mention that, but even if it was horrible, it was also so clever and realistic both in this world and with the characters reaction. Really well written🙌🏼 I truly enjoyed them all and hope to get to know even more in the next book. I’m really excited to more about all the secrets and mysteries from both the past and the present.
‘You’re in a world of fucking trouble, little one.’”
I was so excited then I got this ARC and it had me swoon from beginning to end, thank you so much Charlotte Mallory, I’m even more excited to read book two in early 2024! This releases September 19th and are up for preorder right now🔥
Preorder now at authors website and remember to submit your receipt to get some amazing swag!
This book immediately got me intrigued when it was described as Pirates of the Caribbean x The Witcher, that just sounded too good to be true, but it did NOT disappoint and maybe even topped my expectations!
⭐️ Enemies to lovers
⭐️ Angry spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️ Mercenary and possessive MMC
⭐️ Mysterious and feisty FMC
⭐️ He falls first
⭐️ Secrets and mysteries
⭐️ Epic pirate world
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ kidnapping
⭐️ she runs and he’s chasing
⭐️ One horse/bed
Content warning:
“Rated 18+ for: violence/killing, explicit sexual content, and foul language, Kidnapping, Murder, identity challenges, Cliffhanger.
Please note there is no rape, harming of children, etc. Most of the violence is what you'd see in The Witcher, or Pirates of the Caribbean if it had been Rated R.”
This world is just so unique and clever. It captured me right from the beginning. I love that it combines pirates, sirens, witches and mercenaries with a high Middle Ages vibe. I can’t wait to dive back in this world. It’s well written and described in a way so it felt like I really was right there with them. Im not always the best at imagining worlds, but this one really was made for me and had me captured the whole way through.
Both main characters had me from the start. Jane is a feisty, stubborn and strong woman that reminded me a lot of Jude Duarte, she is one of my favourite book characters so I really loved Janes personality from the start. Soren also had me quite early too with his broody and possessive bastard, but I found myself constantly surprising by his honesty and vulnerability. Together they make one hell of a couple that really tries to stay hard core in this brutal world. The spice between this two is so steamy, well written, perfectly placed and just delicious! I have no idea how to top this🥵❤️🔥
The side characters was really a fun edition that showed the differences and diversity of the personalities and cultures in the world in a really fun way. Some characters, especially a mom, had some really tough scenes, that for the first time in a fantasy brought some true horrors and devastating feeling from me. Wanted to mention that, but even if it was horrible, it was also so clever and realistic both in this world and with the characters reaction. Really well written🙌🏼 I truly enjoyed them all and hope to get to know even more in the next book. I’m really excited to more about all the secrets and mysteries from both the past and the present.
September 19, 2023
I loved this book! It was such a brilliant take on enemies to lovers - like true enemies to lovers. With all that dark deliciousness that goes with it! I thought that the world building was fantastic - the whole mercenary society, with an elite group of mercenaries at the forefront was ingenious. I also thought the inclusion of the (very unique) magic aspect was also extremely well done.
Jane has a LOT of secrets (hence the name of the book!). She is in hiding in Coalfell and running from her past/ childhood home. Soren is charged with finding her and bringing her back to Skull's Row. Jane gives him the complete run around - she is not being taken easily. Cue her attempting to escape, running away and him having to chase after her constantly! When I tell you Jane is resilient and resourceful, I mean she is so fanatastic at this is it is amazing! At one point she steals all his coin and makes a run for it!! Soren is the ultimate morally grey (well, more like light black?!) MMC - he is so fantasticly dark, murderous and determined to capture her. He will definitely murder you without a second thought... He is the definition of an alphahole... I love him!!!!Also did I mention Jane is a stab first and ask questions later FMC?! Honestly her fire and determination are
BUT! Then they have this sizzling tension between them, it is undeniable. They fight, banter, and just totally mistrust each other for the majority of the book. Whilst We do see Soren and Jane begin to catch feelings for each other, it is still very much a total enemies to lovers relationship, especially when it comes to the (delectable) spice.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book - it is the perfect enemies to lovers romantasy and the best thing? It's out today!
Jane has a LOT of secrets (hence the name of the book!). She is in hiding in Coalfell and running from her past/ childhood home. Soren is charged with finding her and bringing her back to Skull's Row. Jane gives him the complete run around - she is not being taken easily. Cue her attempting to escape, running away and him having to chase after her constantly! When I tell you Jane is resilient and resourceful, I mean she is so fanatastic at this is it is amazing! At one point she steals all his coin and makes a run for it!! Soren is the ultimate morally grey (well, more like light black?!) MMC - he is so fantasticly dark, murderous and determined to capture her. He will definitely murder you without a second thought... He is the definition of an alphahole... I love him!!!!Also did I mention Jane is a stab first and ask questions later FMC?! Honestly her fire and determination are
BUT! Then they have this sizzling tension between them, it is undeniable. They fight, banter, and just totally mistrust each other for the majority of the book. Whilst We do see Soren and Jane begin to catch feelings for each other, it is still very much a total enemies to lovers relationship, especially when it comes to the (delectable) spice.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book - it is the perfect enemies to lovers romantasy and the best thing? It's out today!
March 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Reread update:
I didn't write a review for the first time I read it, but I reread the book (along with the audiobook) to prepare for the second book of this duet.
Jane has been on the run from Skull's Row for the last ten years, waiting for her dad to find her. When a Zenith, Soren, is in charge of finding her and bringing her to the Council, he didn't expect his attraction to get in the way of his job. Not when he had his own mission to complete.
Overall, I liked the book a lot. Jane is a bådåss, and doesn't take shït from anyone. Soren is swoon worthy with all the things he says to her. The banter is great, and Soren will find every opportunity to flirt with Jane.
The book had such a strong start, but then started changing and slowing down by the 60-70% mark. It started to feel like a totally different book. The pacing changed, and it almost seemed like the story was changing from what was built in the beginning. I still think it is a strong book, but I hope the next book doesn't take on the theme and pace of the last part of this book.
Audiobook: The book is in duet narration via dual point of views. Not only that, but there are some sounds in the background during some scenes throughout the book. It did make it more engaging, without being dramatized. Worth the credit if wanting to read this book!
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ Betrayal
✅ Secret Identity
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Captor/Captive
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅ No OW drama
✅ No OM drama
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ Found Family
✅ He falls first
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Masked MMC
✅ One Bed
✅ One Horse
✅ MINE
✅ Cliff
🌶🌶🌶
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Reread update:
I didn't write a review for the first time I read it, but I reread the book (along with the audiobook) to prepare for the second book of this duet.
Jane has been on the run from Skull's Row for the last ten years, waiting for her dad to find her. When a Zenith, Soren, is in charge of finding her and bringing her to the Council, he didn't expect his attraction to get in the way of his job. Not when he had his own mission to complete.
Overall, I liked the book a lot. Jane is a bådåss, and doesn't take shït from anyone. Soren is swoon worthy with all the things he says to her. The banter is great, and Soren will find every opportunity to flirt with Jane.
The book had such a strong start, but then started changing and slowing down by the 60-70% mark. It started to feel like a totally different book. The pacing changed, and it almost seemed like the story was changing from what was built in the beginning. I still think it is a strong book, but I hope the next book doesn't take on the theme and pace of the last part of this book.
Audiobook: The book is in duet narration via dual point of views. Not only that, but there are some sounds in the background during some scenes throughout the book. It did make it more engaging, without being dramatized. Worth the credit if wanting to read this book!
⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ Stabby/Badass Heroine
✅ Banter *chef’s kiss*
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ Betrayal
✅ Secret Identity
✅ Dual POV’s (first person)
✅ Captor/Captive
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅ No OW drama
✅ No OM drama
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ Found Family
✅ He falls first
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Masked MMC
✅ One Bed
✅ One Horse
✅ MINE
✅ Cliff
March 24, 2024
Spice: 3 peppers
I knew from the moment I saw the cover that I would vibe with this book, and I did.
THE SECRETS OF JANE is the first book in a spicy dark romantasy duet that is pitched as perfect for fans of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Witcher. And guess what? I’m a fan of both, and I see it. It’s there.
The story has quite the interesting setup. Jane, our badass female protagonist, is immediately shown as a woman who isn’t afraid to throw punches and also as someone who is clearly hiding from something or someone. And then we have Soren, the male main character, who is a mercenary from Skull’s Row, tasked to find Jane and bring her back. But why? Who is she? These are questions that Soren keeps asking himself, and honestly so did I. I was very intrigued.
Once Jane and Soren meet, their banter is like dynamite and they’re quite attracted to each other rather quickly. Can’t blame them for that. Especially Soren, and sure, Jane’s gorgeous, but a lot of it I think has to do with the fact that he’s been trying to figure her out ever since being given his mission. The mystery, the enigma, are all part of the attraction and his need to have her. The man is willing to have her be his mistress just to keep her. I do wish we would have seen a little more hesitation on Jane’s part. Between the two, she’s the one who’s in danger and was taken. I appreciate her attempt to flee, but I think slowing down her attraction to Soren at the start would have been even more impactful.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
I knew from the moment I saw the cover that I would vibe with this book, and I did.
THE SECRETS OF JANE is the first book in a spicy dark romantasy duet that is pitched as perfect for fans of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Witcher. And guess what? I’m a fan of both, and I see it. It’s there.
The story has quite the interesting setup. Jane, our badass female protagonist, is immediately shown as a woman who isn’t afraid to throw punches and also as someone who is clearly hiding from something or someone. And then we have Soren, the male main character, who is a mercenary from Skull’s Row, tasked to find Jane and bring her back. But why? Who is she? These are questions that Soren keeps asking himself, and honestly so did I. I was very intrigued.
Once Jane and Soren meet, their banter is like dynamite and they’re quite attracted to each other rather quickly. Can’t blame them for that. Especially Soren, and sure, Jane’s gorgeous, but a lot of it I think has to do with the fact that he’s been trying to figure her out ever since being given his mission. The mystery, the enigma, are all part of the attraction and his need to have her. The man is willing to have her be his mistress just to keep her. I do wish we would have seen a little more hesitation on Jane’s part. Between the two, she’s the one who’s in danger and was taken. I appreciate her attempt to flee, but I think slowing down her attraction to Soren at the start would have been even more impactful.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
March 8, 2025
3.5⭐️ rounded up!
This one was fun overall but I’m definitely hoping for more action and plot development in book 2. I’m also hoping we get more background on these characters, and I’m excited to see how their romance progresses!
This book is set in a crude world of pirates, warlords, and mercenaries, so just be prepared for that going into it! I liked the magic abilities, the fierce FMC, the savage MMC, the captor/captive dynamic, the pirate vibes… This was definitely on the darker (& spicier) side!
While I was slightly hoping for more in terms of both the plot and the romance, I’m hoping we’ll see both fleshed out in the next book since a lot of my questions are still unanswered! I’m definitely intrigued though and will be picking up book 2!
This one was fun overall but I’m definitely hoping for more action and plot development in book 2. I’m also hoping we get more background on these characters, and I’m excited to see how their romance progresses!
This book is set in a crude world of pirates, warlords, and mercenaries, so just be prepared for that going into it! I liked the magic abilities, the fierce FMC, the savage MMC, the captor/captive dynamic, the pirate vibes… This was definitely on the darker (& spicier) side!
While I was slightly hoping for more in terms of both the plot and the romance, I’m hoping we’ll see both fleshed out in the next book since a lot of my questions are still unanswered! I’m definitely intrigued though and will be picking up book 2!
August 23, 2024
Mhmmm..
Mhmmm..Mhmmm, yup, I'm buying what Charlotte Mallory is selling.
Some books just hit different, right? Some books just grab you from the beginning, and by the end of the first chapter I said to myself: "Self,....this is gonna be one of those books I never shut up about"
Jane has been hiding from her past and tucking away tattoos and secrets, and she's pretty good at it. Introduced as a "kicking ass and taking names" kinda gal, she's just likable right away.
Insert Soren. He's a gruff, red leather clad mercenary looking for someone who perfectly fits Jane's profile. He's also sarcastic and full of witty banter and could convince me to leave my husband with a single glance... but I digress.
From here we follow Soren, Jane and a few other secondary, but none the less fun- I'm looking at you Bones- characters.
Secrets from both Jane and Soren's backgrounds unfold, pirate gangs abound and even some Sirens join the story. Fun, fun, fun.
Book One of the Improper Bastards Series, the only negative I can list is that Book Two isn't out yet. Go get this if you've always wondered what Pirates of Caribbean would be like with 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
Also- the Audible version is a delight. A freaking delight.
Mhmmm..Mhmmm, yup, I'm buying what Charlotte Mallory is selling.
Some books just hit different, right? Some books just grab you from the beginning, and by the end of the first chapter I said to myself: "Self,....this is gonna be one of those books I never shut up about"
Jane has been hiding from her past and tucking away tattoos and secrets, and she's pretty good at it. Introduced as a "kicking ass and taking names" kinda gal, she's just likable right away.
Insert Soren. He's a gruff, red leather clad mercenary looking for someone who perfectly fits Jane's profile. He's also sarcastic and full of witty banter and could convince me to leave my husband with a single glance... but I digress.
From here we follow Soren, Jane and a few other secondary, but none the less fun- I'm looking at you Bones- characters.
Secrets from both Jane and Soren's backgrounds unfold, pirate gangs abound and even some Sirens join the story. Fun, fun, fun.
Book One of the Improper Bastards Series, the only negative I can list is that Book Two isn't out yet. Go get this if you've always wondered what Pirates of Caribbean would be like with 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
Also- the Audible version is a delight. A freaking delight.
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