Villainous Mind

Circle of Kings #2

by Finley Brown

A villain’s love is dangerous.It’s dark, sinister, and full of demons.And I craved it.I owe no one my loyalty.And I’ll do whatever it takes to advance my career as a journalist.Even if I’m thought of as cold-hearted.So when a lead to a story comes my way in an unsolved case involving two missing girls, I jump at the opportunity to take it.Little did I know it would get me captured.Now, I’m forced into the arms of reclusive billionaire Rhys Hughes, who is just as heartless as me.He promises to break me.One painful piece at a time.First, my body.Then, my mind.And lastly, my heart.Only it’s not just him I have to worry about.It’s the monster that dwells inside him.The monster who claimed me as his own.

Genres: Ebooks, Dark Romance, Mystery, Romance

393 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2023

About the author

Finley Brown has spent the past decade reading and writing both historical and contemporary romance books. She likes her men to be in control and her woman to be challenging. Her love of Scotland comes from her mother who was born there. She has traveled extensively throughout the beautiful and mysterious country, learning the history and walking the same path as many of her characters.

Reviews

[Moonburst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Navy Bardot is a coldhearted, driven, investigative journalist not afraid to use her body to get the information she needs. When she travels to Wales to investigate the case of two missing schoolgirls, she encounters the mysterious and domineering Rhys Hughes. A member of a secret society of billionaires, Rhys has secrets of his own and he can’t have Navy sticking her nose in his business. In an attempt to intimidate and control her, he kidnaps Navy. But their attraction is stronger than he thought possible, and he finds he would rather protect than dominate. Can Navy discover what happened to the missing girls while resisting Rhys’ attention and control?

Villainous Mind is a grey romance combined with a suspenseful mystery. Navy is an extremely fun main character. She’s an unapologetic jerk and she’s not afraid to do what it takes to get what she wants, but she clearly has some extreme aversion to intimacy and commitment. She does a good job staying focused on the missing girls without overstepping the bounds of journalism and going into sleuthing/detective work. Rhys is similarly interesting, having been bound with the spirit of the red dragon. I would have actually liked for the dragon to have had more impact and action within the book, but what actions it had were well within the realms of reality.

Overall this book is good, and I would say it’s a four star for the vast majority of the book. However, near the end Brown appears to be in a sudden hurry to tie up every last little aspect of the relationship between Navy and Rhys. In doing so, Navy does things that up until this point would be counter to her characterization and extremely abnormal. Things could have been settled fairly satisfactorily without these extra touches, and as this is part of a series we could have seen glimpses of the relationship developing further in the background of other books. Still worth reading and very enjoyable up until the end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It was interesting, I think. I’m kinda intrigued about the growing evil lady and whats to come next. About the main couple. I do love stalking, dark, gloomy and dominant mc’s but there was no real chemistry between them. The forceful way they had intimacy at the beginning didn’t really convince me of them falling in love. How did it even happened at all. The story was intriguing with a mystery in it, but the romance felt flat.
But the story line and the events have picked my interest and I’m going to read the first book and see what vibes it have.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Villainous Mind. It is the first book I have read in the Circle of Kings series. It was such a good book that I finished it in two days. It is a paranormal romance with a mystery storyline and who doesn't like a good mystery?

Both the main characters come with their flaws and of course, one comes with a demon/dragon, but their willingness to see each other's flaws and accept the other person stood out to me. I am trying to locate Book 1 and look forward to reading Book 3.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[SBee Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

★“You’re smart, Navy. Stop seeing what you only want to see.”★

Review Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars - An interesting look into this new-to-me author’s secret paranormal society series. Navy was hellbent on finding the missing girls of Milford Haven, but running into the mysterious Rhys Hughes begins to complicate their lives in ways they could not have foreseen. Good intrigue and mystery. Looking forward to discovering more of the Circle of Kings’ brotherhood doings and backstories.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journalist Navy is determined to get to the bottom of a case with 2 missing girls only her source leads her to Rhys, and once he has her, he doesnt plan on letting her go. Well written steamy engaging action drama and more!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheyney · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC review: This story has so much potential but I think I was held back by the writing. It felt rushed, getting through one section and then to the next. The words didn’t carry the emotion I would have liked. I enjoyed the story, but it needed more oomph to make it as great as it could have been.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jocelyn Stebbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Navy is the type of FH I absolutely love!!!! She is strong willed with a mind of her own and the MH, Rhys, is a villain. The book is fast paced and moves very quickly. I finished it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. The characters balance each other out well. There is a paranormal twist that I quite enjoyed. I can't wait for the next installment!

[Aedx3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book! Great mix of fantasy and real life. A fresh view on fantasy and shifters, with the added bonus of some spice!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[ReeBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I have enjoyed both books. A paranormal with mystery, thrills, and spice! You’ve got yourself a new fan Ms Brown!

[Claudia Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Villainous Mind was a fantastic read! I couldn't put it down. I gave this book a 4-star review instead of 5 because I felt there was a lack in depth to the relationship between Navy and Rhys. The relationship felt rushed with no real connection behind it. I would love to see more into their lives and feel that connect. I read the second book (Villainous Mind) first and will most definitely be going back to read the first. Finley Brown has an amazing way of writing so that you become immersed in the book. The plot and story were well executed and I am looking forward to reading more! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there was more romance? It was insta-love with dragons/monsters and the story felt a little more like You crossed with All Good People Here…

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hooked on this book from the start.
Navy a passionate journalist takes the lead on a case involving two missing girls where she meets loner billionaire Rhys.
Navy is strong, independent and in her own words heartless. But what will she do when she has been captured and claimed by a monster. Literally!!

I thoroughly recommed this book, it ticks all the boxes...
Fast Paced
Romance
Spicy
Paranormal
Mystery
Thriller

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.