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The Kingcaid Billionaires #3
Wrecked By You: ein Tortured-Hero-Liebesroman (Die Kingcaid Milliardäre 3)
Wird mein grüblerischer, düsterer Boss mich ruinieren – oder retten?
Vor vier Wochen floh ich in einer Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktion vor einem Monster. Meine fünf Jahre alte Tochter schlief in meinen Armen. Ich war verzweifelt und das Geld wurde immer knapper, doch dann wendet sich mein Schicksal und ich ergattere einen Job als Bartenderin in einem piekfeinen Nachtclub in Los Angeles.
Der Besitzer ist schwierig, launisch und unnachgiebig in seinem Streben nach Perfektion, aber es ist nicht die harte Arbeit, die mir Angst macht. Es ist das wachsende Verlangen, das in mir aufsteigt, wann immer sich unsere Blicke über die Tanzfläche hinweg treffen.
Aber wenn ich angeschlagen bin, dann ist er ein Wrack. Die Wahrheit ist, wir können nicht vor unserer Vergangenheit fliehen. Die Dämonen, die in den Schatten lauern, erwischen uns am Ende immer.
Als meine an die Tür klopfen und die Wahrheit ans Licht kommt, wird er mich retten?
Oder ist er so kaputt von seinen eigenen Erfahrungen, dass ich mich meinem schlimmsten Gegner allein stellen muss?
Vor vier Wochen floh ich in einer Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktion vor einem Monster. Meine fünf Jahre alte Tochter schlief in meinen Armen. Ich war verzweifelt und das Geld wurde immer knapper, doch dann wendet sich mein Schicksal und ich ergattere einen Job als Bartenderin in einem piekfeinen Nachtclub in Los Angeles.
Der Besitzer ist schwierig, launisch und unnachgiebig in seinem Streben nach Perfektion, aber es ist nicht die harte Arbeit, die mir Angst macht. Es ist das wachsende Verlangen, das in mir aufsteigt, wann immer sich unsere Blicke über die Tanzfläche hinweg treffen.
Aber wenn ich angeschlagen bin, dann ist er ein Wrack. Die Wahrheit ist, wir können nicht vor unserer Vergangenheit fliehen. Die Dämonen, die in den Schatten lauern, erwischen uns am Ende immer.
Als meine an die Tür klopfen und die Wahrheit ans Licht kommt, wird er mich retten?
Oder ist er so kaputt von seinen eigenen Erfahrungen, dass ich mich meinem schlimmsten Gegner allein stellen muss?
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2024
1308 people are currently reading
1592 people want to read
About the author
Tracie Delaney
73 books731 followersTracie Delaney writes billionaire romance where the men fall hard and the women make them work for it. Even though she has more than 35 novels published across many different series, Tracie still considers herself a reader first and foremost and loves fangirling over her favorite authors.
At night she likes to curl up on the sofa with her two furbabies, Murphy & Cooper, and binge-watch shows on Netflix. There may be wine involved.
Stalk Tracie at:
Reader group: https://bit.ly/39f4sZz
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3yhM5N9
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Nj1kJW
TikTok: https://bit.ly/3tZZEye
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Oz11f4
Website: www.authortraciedelaney.com
At night she likes to curl up on the sofa with her two furbabies, Murphy & Cooper, and binge-watch shows on Netflix. There may be wine involved.
Stalk Tracie at:
Reader group: https://bit.ly/39f4sZz
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3yhM5N9
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Nj1kJW
TikTok: https://bit.ly/3tZZEye
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Oz11f4
Website: www.authortraciedelaney.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 16, 2024
I don’t remember if I ever wanted to rewrite someone’s book as bad as I wanted to do with this one.
It’s always so disappointing when the authors decide to build the story on lies rather than growth. I know, it’s easier, but Johannes and Ella’s story had such a great potential for using an external conflict to create an amazing character arc that it bugs me so much it went the most cliche route.
It started off really good - the banter, the little moments (cameo from Gia didn’t disappoint)… It was entertaining to see more and more dents in their respective walls they built around themselves, once they were slowly giving in to the feelings between them.
But then she chose to blatantly lie, instead of taking a leap of faith (which would actually be on point with her character arc when it comes to the relationship dynamic between the mcs) and that obviously came back to bite her.
Hence, instead of deep emotional connection and growth brought about by solving their issues together and relying on each other, we got the easy, obvious Hollywood-style drama.
Sure, it was still a fun read and a cute HEA, but those characters had potential to be so much better.
It’s always so disappointing when the authors decide to build the story on lies rather than growth. I know, it’s easier, but Johannes and Ella’s story had such a great potential for using an external conflict to create an amazing character arc that it bugs me so much it went the most cliche route.
It started off really good - the banter, the little moments (cameo from Gia didn’t disappoint)… It was entertaining to see more and more dents in their respective walls they built around themselves, once they were slowly giving in to the feelings between them.
But then she chose to blatantly lie, instead of taking a leap of faith (which would actually be on point with her character arc when it comes to the relationship dynamic between the mcs) and that obviously came back to bite her.
Hence, instead of deep emotional connection and growth brought about by solving their issues together and relying on each other, we got the easy, obvious Hollywood-style drama.
Sure, it was still a fun read and a cute HEA, but those characters had potential to be so much better.
Read
May 1, 2025Dnf, Not for me, there are plot holes, and too many things that doesn’t make sense to me. Jiggly tummy’s 🤦♀️ and Dual POV that is telling me everything all the time!
December 3, 2022
I was waiting - not - so patiently for this book. I knew Johannes had a story to tell, and by God was it a story. His dark and brooding attitude we've seen in previous books is unravelled in this book when his path crosses with Ella's.
Two lost souls hiding from their past. I loved this story. I loved the characters. I've always loved Joahnnes from the little parts he had in previous books. This just made me realise why I loved his character. It's a definite one click. The whole series is addictive. Each book is standalone. However, it's a series based on the Kingcaid family so the characters make an appearance in each book.
Two lost souls hiding from their past. I loved this story. I loved the characters. I've always loved Joahnnes from the little parts he had in previous books. This just made me realise why I loved his character. It's a definite one click. The whole series is addictive. Each book is standalone. However, it's a series based on the Kingcaid family so the characters make an appearance in each book.
July 13, 2025
[4★ Book]
This is the first actual book I’ve finished in well… ever. Therefore, I don’t have much to go off. I would also like to note, I haven’t read the first two books of the series (Captivated by You and Consumed by You) just as I haven’t read the following books to this one (trust me to read out of order lol).
Due to me reading the series out of order, I was obviously a bit lost when Johannes brought up his family (Asher and Penn + partners) but this is a fault on my part, I’m sure if I read the previous books first, I’d be more in the know.
Onto the actual book, I found it addictive to read, whether this was because it is in the small genre of books I enjoy, I don’t know, but every few days I kept opening the book to read more.
I enjoyed the dual POV’s in the book, especially because they didn’t just recount the same event from each of their perspectives, which I find a bit dry.
The characters both had interesting stories, with Johannes’ traumatic past with Sadie and his lack of trust in everyone, and Eloise’s previous relationship leaving her scared and on the run with Chloe, they were a nice mix of emotions and had plenty of trauma to unpack together.
My only real faults with the book were the cliché turns it took and the pacing. Getting so close to opening up to each other and then being interrupted by an old friend? Shocker, never saw that coming, might save that one for the history books… and as for pacing, it started off good, then after the first time together, things escalated quickly… Eloise went from being a rookie server to Johannes, to then being his assistant, to then not working and yet being the most important person to him within the space of? Weeks? A few months? Then there was the ending section, a few weeks after the traumatic kidnapping, sharing their truths and recuperating, Eloise decides she wants a baby with Johannes and Johannes wants several, definitely with her. To finish it off, time-skip a year and she’s six months pregnant. Maybe it’s just me, but a lot happened in that year and a half or so that the book spans over. (Unless I’m just slow and misunderstanding the timeline lol)
Aside from that, I would’ve also liked to have seen more about what actually happened in Oklahoma with Mateo, both POV’s heard gunshots, but all we knew after that was that Eloise and Chloe were safe and Mateo was in custody, what happened there?
Regardless, the book was still a good read and I plan on reading the others in the series at some point. I especially want to know how Nolen plans to get with Marlowe, and if he’ll succeed or not…
This is the first actual book I’ve finished in well… ever. Therefore, I don’t have much to go off. I would also like to note, I haven’t read the first two books of the series (Captivated by You and Consumed by You) just as I haven’t read the following books to this one (trust me to read out of order lol).
Due to me reading the series out of order, I was obviously a bit lost when Johannes brought up his family (Asher and Penn + partners) but this is a fault on my part, I’m sure if I read the previous books first, I’d be more in the know.
Onto the actual book, I found it addictive to read, whether this was because it is in the small genre of books I enjoy, I don’t know, but every few days I kept opening the book to read more.
I enjoyed the dual POV’s in the book, especially because they didn’t just recount the same event from each of their perspectives, which I find a bit dry.
The characters both had interesting stories, with Johannes’ traumatic past with Sadie and his lack of trust in everyone, and Eloise’s previous relationship leaving her scared and on the run with Chloe, they were a nice mix of emotions and had plenty of trauma to unpack together.
My only real faults with the book were the cliché turns it took and the pacing. Getting so close to opening up to each other and then being interrupted by an old friend? Shocker, never saw that coming, might save that one for the history books… and as for pacing, it started off good, then after the first time together, things escalated quickly… Eloise went from being a rookie server to Johannes, to then being his assistant, to then not working and yet being the most important person to him within the space of? Weeks? A few months? Then there was the ending section, a few weeks after the traumatic kidnapping, sharing their truths and recuperating, Eloise decides she wants a baby with Johannes and Johannes wants several, definitely with her. To finish it off, time-skip a year and she’s six months pregnant. Maybe it’s just me, but a lot happened in that year and a half or so that the book spans over. (Unless I’m just slow and misunderstanding the timeline lol)
Aside from that, I would’ve also liked to have seen more about what actually happened in Oklahoma with Mateo, both POV’s heard gunshots, but all we knew after that was that Eloise and Chloe were safe and Mateo was in custody, what happened there?
Regardless, the book was still a good read and I plan on reading the others in the series at some point. I especially want to know how Nolen plans to get with Marlowe, and if he’ll succeed or not…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2024
Has potential the first like 15% but it just flatlined for me..
August 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this book
I really enjoyed this book and this series and can't wait to read more from this author and in this series
I really enjoyed this book and this series and can't wait to read more from this author and in this series
May 14, 2025
The first time that Johannes snapped at me, I would have just left. Like, absolutely not. And when he kicked her out of the car, 5 miles from her home. . . I do not care that he immediately jumped out and apologized.
I don't think the MMCs that Tracie Delaney writes will ever measure up as being worth reading, at least for me. The past couple that I have read have been verbally cruel and abhorrent. And I think I'm just over it. And even with me being a Johannes hater, that does not save Ella from my ire as well. I don't have much to say about the idiot. She took Johannes verbal abuse and allowed it, constantly. She left her scary husband and moved on with a man who kept secrets from her, talked poorly to her, and threatened her job all the time. No thank you.
The pacing is good. The writing is decent. The characters are obnoxious.
I don't think the MMCs that Tracie Delaney writes will ever measure up as being worth reading, at least for me. The past couple that I have read have been verbally cruel and abhorrent. And I think I'm just over it. And even with me being a Johannes hater, that does not save Ella from my ire as well. I don't have much to say about the idiot. She took Johannes verbal abuse and allowed it, constantly. She left her scary husband and moved on with a man who kept secrets from her, talked poorly to her, and threatened her job all the time. No thank you.
The pacing is good. The writing is decent. The characters are obnoxious.
February 1, 2024
❤️Spoilerfreie Rezension für ein Buch, das in vielerlei Hinsicht atemberaubend ist– absolutes Lesehighlight ❤️
Gerade habe ich das Buch „Wrecked by you“ beendet.
Ich gebe generell keine Zusammenfassung des Buches ab, weil ich der Meinung bin, dass diese auch durch den Klappentext beim Buch schon aussagefähig ist. Insofern schildere ich hier lediglich meine Eindrücke, da dadurch sichergestellt wird, dass definitiv nicht gespoilert wird 😊
Autor:
Von Tracie Delaney kannte ich bereits das erste Buch über die Kingcaids. Und wie bei „Captivated by you“ war auch „Wrecked by you“ ein absolutes Leseereignis. Wie hat es mir gefallen? Lest selbst! 🥰
Titel:
Der Titel passt wirklich 100%ig zu dem Buch. Und ich finde es toll, dass man den Originaltitel auch bei der deutschen Ausgabe verwendet. Das ist super und trifft definitiv voll auf die Zwölf 😉
Cover:
Das Cover weckt die Neugier sicher genauso sehr, wie der Klappentext! Mir gefällt es echt gut! Und man sieht auch gleich, dass es zu der Kingcaid-Reihe gehört 🥰. Ich liebe es, wenn Bücher einer Reihe auch ähnliche Cover aufweisen! 👍👍
Schreibstil:
Wieder schaffte es Tracie, dass ich von der ersten Seite an direkt im Buch war. Das Ganze entwickelt eine absolute Sogwirkung und man will unbedingt weiterlesen um zu erfahren, wie es weitergeht! Insofern definitiv süchtig machend! Es waren durchaus auch sehr ernste und schwierige Szenen enthalten. Nicht umsonst geht es um die Tortured Hero – Thematik. Es sind sehr ernste Themen, die hier beschrieben und angesprochen werden. Zuweilen wirklich schwer erträglich. Und dennoch finde ich, dass die Umsetzung von Tracie mit dem nötigen Fingerspitzengefühl erfolgt. Das Buch ist extrem mitreißend und auch die Wendungen waren nicht vorhersehbar! Dazu waren die Charaktere lebensecht beschrieben …( siehe weiter unten 😉) – was will man mehr?
Protagonisten:👍🤗
Wie bereits mitgeteilt, ist es hier keine locker-flockig-leichte Lektüre. Die Charaktere sind sehr detailliert geschildert, man hat das Bild vor Augen – und kann sich wunderbar in sie einfühlen. So schrecklich es zuweilen auch ist: das Ganze wirkt glaubhaft und ist auch gefühlt authentisch geschrieben. Tracie schaffte es des Öfteren, mich auf eine falsche Fährte zu locken. Langeweile mit dem Buch? Fehlanzeige! Liebenswerte Charaktere? Definitiv! Gegenspieler? Pfui Teufel! Also alles rund? Definitiv! Und dennoch: es war ein Buch, das mich auf eine emotionale Achterbahnfahrt brachte!
Stimmung/Atmosphäre:
Atemberaubend! Nervenzerfetzend! Mitreißend! Rasant! Actionreich! Herzzerreißend! Ein Buch, das einen sämtliche Gefühlsregungen durchleben lässt! Und dennoch: Genau diese Eigenschaften stehen für die Bücher, die im Gedächtnis bleiben. Das ist hier nicht anders!
Setting:
Das Setting in dieser Art und Weise ist eines, wie es – wenn überhaupt – nicht allzu oft vorkommt! Und die Umsetzung – wow – diese ist wirklich absolut gelungen! Unvorhersehbar – und deshalb auch so gut! 😍👍🤗
Explizite Szenen:
Heiß 🔥😜 – aber definitiv auch niveauvoll!
Gibt es auch Kritikpunkte?
Ja, ich habe durchaus auch einen Kritikpunkt. Im Buch gibt es Kapitelüberschriften. Mir persönlich haben diese zuweilen zu viel verraten. Das sollte man ggf. noch etwas ändern….
Das ist aber nur ein kleiner Teil des Buches, mit dem Rest war und bin ich total zufrieden!
Bewertung:
Absolut überzeugte 5 von 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sternen. Das Buch beeindruckt mich – und ich will definitiv mitbekommen, wie es mit den Kingcaids weitergeht!
Insofern eine klare, definitive Leseempfehlung! Holt euch dieses Buch! Ihr werdet es nicht bereuen! 😉🤗
Gerade habe ich das Buch „Wrecked by you“ beendet.
Ich gebe generell keine Zusammenfassung des Buches ab, weil ich der Meinung bin, dass diese auch durch den Klappentext beim Buch schon aussagefähig ist. Insofern schildere ich hier lediglich meine Eindrücke, da dadurch sichergestellt wird, dass definitiv nicht gespoilert wird 😊
Autor:
Von Tracie Delaney kannte ich bereits das erste Buch über die Kingcaids. Und wie bei „Captivated by you“ war auch „Wrecked by you“ ein absolutes Leseereignis. Wie hat es mir gefallen? Lest selbst! 🥰
Titel:
Der Titel passt wirklich 100%ig zu dem Buch. Und ich finde es toll, dass man den Originaltitel auch bei der deutschen Ausgabe verwendet. Das ist super und trifft definitiv voll auf die Zwölf 😉
Cover:
Das Cover weckt die Neugier sicher genauso sehr, wie der Klappentext! Mir gefällt es echt gut! Und man sieht auch gleich, dass es zu der Kingcaid-Reihe gehört 🥰. Ich liebe es, wenn Bücher einer Reihe auch ähnliche Cover aufweisen! 👍👍
Schreibstil:
Wieder schaffte es Tracie, dass ich von der ersten Seite an direkt im Buch war. Das Ganze entwickelt eine absolute Sogwirkung und man will unbedingt weiterlesen um zu erfahren, wie es weitergeht! Insofern definitiv süchtig machend! Es waren durchaus auch sehr ernste und schwierige Szenen enthalten. Nicht umsonst geht es um die Tortured Hero – Thematik. Es sind sehr ernste Themen, die hier beschrieben und angesprochen werden. Zuweilen wirklich schwer erträglich. Und dennoch finde ich, dass die Umsetzung von Tracie mit dem nötigen Fingerspitzengefühl erfolgt. Das Buch ist extrem mitreißend und auch die Wendungen waren nicht vorhersehbar! Dazu waren die Charaktere lebensecht beschrieben …( siehe weiter unten 😉) – was will man mehr?
Protagonisten:👍🤗
Wie bereits mitgeteilt, ist es hier keine locker-flockig-leichte Lektüre. Die Charaktere sind sehr detailliert geschildert, man hat das Bild vor Augen – und kann sich wunderbar in sie einfühlen. So schrecklich es zuweilen auch ist: das Ganze wirkt glaubhaft und ist auch gefühlt authentisch geschrieben. Tracie schaffte es des Öfteren, mich auf eine falsche Fährte zu locken. Langeweile mit dem Buch? Fehlanzeige! Liebenswerte Charaktere? Definitiv! Gegenspieler? Pfui Teufel! Also alles rund? Definitiv! Und dennoch: es war ein Buch, das mich auf eine emotionale Achterbahnfahrt brachte!
Stimmung/Atmosphäre:
Atemberaubend! Nervenzerfetzend! Mitreißend! Rasant! Actionreich! Herzzerreißend! Ein Buch, das einen sämtliche Gefühlsregungen durchleben lässt! Und dennoch: Genau diese Eigenschaften stehen für die Bücher, die im Gedächtnis bleiben. Das ist hier nicht anders!
Setting:
Das Setting in dieser Art und Weise ist eines, wie es – wenn überhaupt – nicht allzu oft vorkommt! Und die Umsetzung – wow – diese ist wirklich absolut gelungen! Unvorhersehbar – und deshalb auch so gut! 😍👍🤗
Explizite Szenen:
Heiß 🔥😜 – aber definitiv auch niveauvoll!
Gibt es auch Kritikpunkte?
Ja, ich habe durchaus auch einen Kritikpunkt. Im Buch gibt es Kapitelüberschriften. Mir persönlich haben diese zuweilen zu viel verraten. Das sollte man ggf. noch etwas ändern….
Das ist aber nur ein kleiner Teil des Buches, mit dem Rest war und bin ich total zufrieden!
Bewertung:
Absolut überzeugte 5 von 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sternen. Das Buch beeindruckt mich – und ich will definitiv mitbekommen, wie es mit den Kingcaids weitergeht!
Insofern eine klare, definitive Leseempfehlung! Holt euch dieses Buch! Ihr werdet es nicht bereuen! 😉🤗
February 2, 2024
Johannes and Ella
The one I think we were all curious and worried about, Johannes. The middle brother, the black sheep, the no filter brother. Then we find out why he is the way he is and ugh! There goes your heart, right from the beginning.
Although not necessary, I would read in order so you have all the back details.
Johannes runs the night club sector and needs a bartender asap. They have a VIP occasion that night and he cannot be short staffed. That’s when Ella walks in. She is all wrong for the position. She has a gap in employment, that she lied about, she doesn’t have that much experience, and she evades any direct questions, so everything in Johannes says no for hiring her. So why is starting in a few hours?
Ella needs a job asap. No one can know about her life and/or past. She doesn’t want anyone getting tangled up in her web but more importantly she doesn’t want to be found, especially by him. She will do anything to protect herself..and her daughter. Finally she catches a break with this job.
Love that Ella didn’t back down when it came to Johannes. That is exactly what he needs. Love the banter between these two and the chemistry is hot. You feel for both of them and want love and happiness for them both. Should they have opened up to each other sooner? Yes. But still a good read just as the whole series is.
The one I think we were all curious and worried about, Johannes. The middle brother, the black sheep, the no filter brother. Then we find out why he is the way he is and ugh! There goes your heart, right from the beginning.
Although not necessary, I would read in order so you have all the back details.
Johannes runs the night club sector and needs a bartender asap. They have a VIP occasion that night and he cannot be short staffed. That’s when Ella walks in. She is all wrong for the position. She has a gap in employment, that she lied about, she doesn’t have that much experience, and she evades any direct questions, so everything in Johannes says no for hiring her. So why is starting in a few hours?
Ella needs a job asap. No one can know about her life and/or past. She doesn’t want anyone getting tangled up in her web but more importantly she doesn’t want to be found, especially by him. She will do anything to protect herself..and her daughter. Finally she catches a break with this job.
Love that Ella didn’t back down when it came to Johannes. That is exactly what he needs. Love the banter between these two and the chemistry is hot. You feel for both of them and want love and happiness for them both. Should they have opened up to each other sooner? Yes. But still a good read just as the whole series is.
November 29, 2022
I wasnt sure what to expect from Johannes' story having been very in love with both other Kingcaid brothers, however from the very start Johannes managed to grab onto my heart with his sullenness and determination to never let anyone in. I adored Ella (i am a sucker for a single mom) she was everything I want in a fmc she is bold, fierce and will go to the ends of the earth to protect her child but still manages to maintain a wonderful outlook on life and the way she snuck into Johannes' life was perfect, the banter between the two of them really had me rooting for their happy ending from the start.
I may have had a few tears when I got to the end and realised it was over! I need more of Johannes and Ella in my life!.
Another 5 star read from my favourite romance author! Im not sure how but Tracey has done it again, every book of hers i read is my favourite at that time but i know this is one that will stay with me for a long time.
I may have had a few tears when I got to the end and realised it was over! I need more of Johannes and Ella in my life!.
Another 5 star read from my favourite romance author! Im not sure how but Tracey has done it again, every book of hers i read is my favourite at that time but i know this is one that will stay with me for a long time.
November 27, 2022
J-boy, my darling butt-face J-boy! *dreamy sigh*
This series just keeps getting better and better. I wasn't sure where I was going to land on Johannes, but Delaney made me love him. Hard. What a beautiful and tormented man.
Tall dark and brooding, grumpy, and not at all like his brothers, I was definitely intrigued about his story. Once I was in, I was IN - and I didn't stop until I was done.
As someone who is fluent in sarcasm, I was living for the banter between the MCs. And while you don't necessarily have to read this series in order, I'd strongly suggest you do, so you get the depth of emotion and characters that have been layered from the first page.
I am so hooked on this series!!
This series just keeps getting better and better. I wasn't sure where I was going to land on Johannes, but Delaney made me love him. Hard. What a beautiful and tormented man.
Tall dark and brooding, grumpy, and not at all like his brothers, I was definitely intrigued about his story. Once I was in, I was IN - and I didn't stop until I was done.
As someone who is fluent in sarcasm, I was living for the banter between the MCs. And while you don't necessarily have to read this series in order, I'd strongly suggest you do, so you get the depth of emotion and characters that have been layered from the first page.
I am so hooked on this series!!
December 15, 2022
From the very first book Johannes has intrigued me wondering whatever In his past could have made him the way he is and when you finally find out… Wow… It is no wonder he doesn’t trust anyone not even his own family and that is heart breaking. It is no wonder he is the tortured soul he comes across as as he prefers to be on his own well that is until Ella comes into his life knocking on his door for a job. They both have a lot of baggage but the closer they get the more of the armour Ella chips away at proving he is human with a heart but just a bit misunderstood. Through Ella he learns to love and trust again which when her past meets up with Ella he moves heaven and earth to get her back. I really did enjoy this book and it was good to see the real Johannes emerge…
December 12, 2022
I love love love Johannes! He is the only reason for these 3 stars...I'm still waiting for Tracie to write strong female main character. I feel there were so many directions she could have gone with this book and she chose the single mom on the run from her mafia husband...yikes. It just wasn't giving what it was supposed to. I'm glad Johannes is set free from his weighing past but I was underwhelmed by the story as a whole. PLEASE let Marlowe be the bad bitch we've been waiting for. In my opinion men need to grovel because we've gotten 3 books where the women are begging for them to come back and i'm over it.
February 24, 2025
Another TikTok find and another first author. Tracie Delaney did not disappoint. I went into this book with the intentions of reading it as a standalone in the series and now I have to circle around and read the series. Thank you!
Secrets don’t make friend, they make lovers in this book. 🤭
Johannes, nightclub owner with a traumatic past, doesn’t trust and believes less in love. Ella running and trying to do everything to stay under the radar finds herself at a job interview in his club. Hires her despite knowing she hiding something.
“I’d kill for Ella. Die for her. Burn the world to the ground if it kept her safe.”
Secrets don’t make friend, they make lovers in this book. 🤭
Johannes, nightclub owner with a traumatic past, doesn’t trust and believes less in love. Ella running and trying to do everything to stay under the radar finds herself at a job interview in his club. Hires her despite knowing she hiding something.
“I’d kill for Ella. Die for her. Burn the world to the ground if it kept her safe.”
October 7, 2025
Tenía ganas de leer la historia de este hermano desde el primer libro y por suerte no me defraudó, es el protagonista masculino más interesante y que más me ha gustado de los 3, con mucha diferencia.
Aunque debo decir que no amé el libro, sentí que le faltó profundidad en algunos momentos y desarrollo en el final, como que me faltaron cosas. También la historia de ella es igual a una que leí en otro libro, no fue muy original evidentemente y bastante predecible. Y lo que no me gustó fue que quisieran tener hijos tan rápido, no era necesario.
Aún así estuvo bien, me entretuvo en todo momento y me gustó.
Aunque debo decir que no amé el libro, sentí que le faltó profundidad en algunos momentos y desarrollo en el final, como que me faltaron cosas. También la historia de ella es igual a una que leí en otro libro, no fue muy original evidentemente y bastante predecible. Y lo que no me gustó fue que quisieran tener hijos tan rápido, no era necesario.
Aún así estuvo bien, me entretuvo en todo momento y me gustó.
December 1, 2022
Oh Johannes what a beautiful broken man you was before Ella.
I flipping loved this book the best so far for me as everything about Johannes and Ella pulled me towards this couple the most. To say i devoured this book is a understatement, this story had me turning the pages eagerly wanting to find out how this couple was ever going to get their HEA.
This author sure knows how to pull on your heart strings with this story and i was along for the ride with the characters, the depth of emotions through out this book will keep you reading even though Johannes was grumpy and cruel at times who never smiled with what had happened to him in his past. I so happy with the end of this story and now can't wait until the next book comes out. Highly recommended.
I flipping loved this book the best so far for me as everything about Johannes and Ella pulled me towards this couple the most. To say i devoured this book is a understatement, this story had me turning the pages eagerly wanting to find out how this couple was ever going to get their HEA.
This author sure knows how to pull on your heart strings with this story and i was along for the ride with the characters, the depth of emotions through out this book will keep you reading even though Johannes was grumpy and cruel at times who never smiled with what had happened to him in his past. I so happy with the end of this story and now can't wait until the next book comes out. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2022
This author doesn’t play fair 😃. Just when I finish the previous book in the series & I think it’s the best by far she goes & tops it with another winner !!
Johannes & Ella right from the start have a very abrasive and explosive relationship. Neither one trusts each other which doesn’t augur well for their future. Eventually Ella manages to break down some of his barriers by giving as good as she gets but in so doing she fails to keep her own life & that of her child secure. A brilliant book which I didn’t want to end.
Johannes & Ella right from the start have a very abrasive and explosive relationship. Neither one trusts each other which doesn’t augur well for their future. Eventually Ella manages to break down some of his barriers by giving as good as she gets but in so doing she fails to keep her own life & that of her child secure. A brilliant book which I didn’t want to end.
January 14, 2023
Trusting
The two parts of a whole who both have been destroyed by their past partners in extremely horrific ways but they learn to trust and love again eventually. Its a good story with a few twists and turns that eventually lead them to happy ever after hopefully. He is the broken brother in the Kingcaid dynasty. His night clubs are his main baby until she organizes his world and brings his heart back to life. If only she wasn't married and running from her criminal husband. Its a great story.
The two parts of a whole who both have been destroyed by their past partners in extremely horrific ways but they learn to trust and love again eventually. Its a good story with a few twists and turns that eventually lead them to happy ever after hopefully. He is the broken brother in the Kingcaid dynasty. His night clubs are his main baby until she organizes his world and brings his heart back to life. If only she wasn't married and running from her criminal husband. Its a great story.
October 3, 2023
Definitely fiction.
Sorry. Story would have been so much better, except: folks don’t survive getting there throat slit. Writing that ‘blood was spurting out’ and he felt his life drifting(or something similar) doesn’t allow one to survive but maybe a couple of minutes. Not even long enough for someone to find you. I get this is fiction, but do your research, understand what is ridiculous before you add it into a story. A few other problems for me besides this. Had the possibility of a great story, but fell flat for several reasons.
Sorry. Story would have been so much better, except: folks don’t survive getting there throat slit. Writing that ‘blood was spurting out’ and he felt his life drifting(or something similar) doesn’t allow one to survive but maybe a couple of minutes. Not even long enough for someone to find you. I get this is fiction, but do your research, understand what is ridiculous before you add it into a story. A few other problems for me besides this. Had the possibility of a great story, but fell flat for several reasons.
December 19, 2023
Johannes and Ella
I loved the first two books of this series, but I love this one even more. Finally finding out what happened to turn Johannes into the snarky cold man he’d become, is so tragic it is no wonder he acts the he does. Ella is battling against her own set of demons and struggling to keep her and her daughter safe. Fortunately these two broken souls are brought together and begin to heal each other. I hope the author will eventually offer a novella on them in the future, and perhaps include his brothers Asher and Penn as well. I highly recommend this series.
I loved the first two books of this series, but I love this one even more. Finally finding out what happened to turn Johannes into the snarky cold man he’d become, is so tragic it is no wonder he acts the he does. Ella is battling against her own set of demons and struggling to keep her and her daughter safe. Fortunately these two broken souls are brought together and begin to heal each other. I hope the author will eventually offer a novella on them in the future, and perhaps include his brothers Asher and Penn as well. I highly recommend this series.
July 19, 2024
2⭐
This started off good, but as the book went along, it really got irritating and unbelievable. The banter in the beginning was top-notch. I love a tortured soul, and Johannes had all the tell-tale signs of my perfect MMC. Alas, the feeling did not last! It was a bit too insta-love, and the emotional development and romance were a bit unbelievable. I did not like the lies component, and if you throw in drug smugglers, runaways from husbands, and kidnappings, I prefer the story to be darker. This was too vanilla! So, unfortunately, not for me!
This started off good, but as the book went along, it really got irritating and unbelievable. The banter in the beginning was top-notch. I love a tortured soul, and Johannes had all the tell-tale signs of my perfect MMC. Alas, the feeling did not last! It was a bit too insta-love, and the emotional development and romance were a bit unbelievable. I did not like the lies component, and if you throw in drug smugglers, runaways from husbands, and kidnappings, I prefer the story to be darker. This was too vanilla! So, unfortunately, not for me!
August 14, 2024
DNF
Not sure how i feel about this one
I liked the others and got to 60% of this one, but the lie just spoiled the FMC…
I was already bothered that someone who should be under the radar would work in a big night club instead of a small dinner… let it pass
Then she was apparently kind of mature about relationships, which did not make sense with her age and inexperience, however she was in deep without telling the guy the truth - hypocrite
She living with a stranger… weird
Too bad, because I was excited to read this one
Not sure how i feel about this one
I liked the others and got to 60% of this one, but the lie just spoiled the FMC…
I was already bothered that someone who should be under the radar would work in a big night club instead of a small dinner… let it pass
Then she was apparently kind of mature about relationships, which did not make sense with her age and inexperience, however she was in deep without telling the guy the truth - hypocrite
She living with a stranger… weird
Too bad, because I was excited to read this one
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2025
Enjoyed every minute.
I felt like this book went way too fast!!
I loved this book, I loved how feisty Ella was, she had really found her voice and confidence and I loved how she fought back and was 95% herself always. The tension between the two and the gradual movement of feelings was so great to read! I loved Johannas, he was such a deep character and I loved how he fell hard and fast but fought so hard to ignore it.
I just wished the trauma was longer out a little as I felt the book sped up so quick at that point but I loved it!
I felt like this book went way too fast!!
I loved this book, I loved how feisty Ella was, she had really found her voice and confidence and I loved how she fought back and was 95% herself always. The tension between the two and the gradual movement of feelings was so great to read! I loved Johannas, he was such a deep character and I loved how he fell hard and fast but fought so hard to ignore it.
I just wished the trauma was longer out a little as I felt the book sped up so quick at that point but I loved it!
August 7, 2023
grumpy sunshine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Smut 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Plot 📖📖📖📖
Characters 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Writing Style ✏️✏️✏️.5
workplace / billionaire romance
no cheating
HEA
forbidden romance
forced proximity
found family
groveling / guilt
grumpy x sunshine
opposites attract
secret / mistaken identity
single parent
OTT protective MMC
TW:
kidnapping
mental illness
domestic abuse
child loss / infertility
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Smut 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Plot 📖📖📖📖
Characters 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Writing Style ✏️✏️✏️.5
workplace / billionaire romance
no cheating
HEA
forbidden romance
forced proximity
found family
groveling / guilt
grumpy x sunshine
opposites attract
secret / mistaken identity
single parent
OTT protective MMC
TW:
kidnapping
mental illness
domestic abuse
child loss / infertility
July 19, 2024
Johannes owns a series of nightclubs and is short a bartender on an important night, so the agency sent Ella. Despite knowing down deep she was hiding something, he gave her a chance in the position which then in turn allowed their attraction to grow into something special, but trust is hard to come by and give when you have a past like these MCs.
I liked that despite being rough around the edges, his actions showed how much he cared. I honestly have to say the part of the book that stood out to me the most was during the climax of the story the MMC had to stay in the vehicle, because if you are coloring within the law that would be the absolute closest they would let you come to an active event. Oftentimes, in the HEAs I read the white night defys odds to save the day, but their involvement isnt logical.
I liked that despite being rough around the edges, his actions showed how much he cared. I honestly have to say the part of the book that stood out to me the most was during the climax of the story the MMC had to stay in the vehicle, because if you are coloring within the law that would be the absolute closest they would let you come to an active event. Oftentimes, in the HEAs I read the white night defys odds to save the day, but their involvement isnt logical.
March 26, 2025
Der dritte Teil der Serie ist erneut sehr kurzweilig, obwohl er schwere Themen wie emotionalen Missbrauch und körperliche Gewalt behandelt. Besonders schön ist die Geschichte von Ella, eine alleinerziehenden Mutter, die trotz aller Widrigkeiten für die Zukunft ihrer Tochter kämpft. Ebenso spannend ist die Entwicklung von Johannes, der sich vom grummeligen Miesepeter zu einem warmherzigen Ziehvater wandelt.
December 1, 2022
Awwwwwe
Johannes is finally here and I love him! Even if he does want you to leap into the pages and slap him for his words!
The man whose captured our attention in captivated by you does not disappoint. And when he meets Ella, he's at a loss what to do for once!
Amazing read!
Johannes is finally here and I love him! Even if he does want you to leap into the pages and slap him for his words!
The man whose captured our attention in captivated by you does not disappoint. And when he meets Ella, he's at a loss what to do for once!
Amazing read!
January 22, 2023
I absolutely loved Johannes’s story. It was full of emotion and held me in its grips from the first page to the last. He is a man with a dark past, hurt by a woman he thought he loved. It takes a lot to get through his shields. But once you earn his respect and get through those defenses, he is a force to be reckoned with.
January 25, 2023
💖💖
This book was better then the 2nd book but not as good as the 1st book in the series. I did get to understand why Johannes was the way he was. The rest of the book was predictable; The ex would find Ella and the daughter, kidnap them, get caught, ex would get a long prison sentence, Ella and Johannes would find their way back to each other and then the HEA ending.
This book was better then the 2nd book but not as good as the 1st book in the series. I did get to understand why Johannes was the way he was. The rest of the book was predictable; The ex would find Ella and the daughter, kidnap them, get caught, ex would get a long prison sentence, Ella and Johannes would find their way back to each other and then the HEA ending.
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