Betrayal of the Phoenix

by Harley Parker

Estella's seemingly perfect life takes a twisted turn when she is forcefully taken by the notorious Bloodhound Gang. Unbeknownst to her, her father's hidden involvement in the sinister skin trade has put her in grave danger. As Estella grapples with the shocking revelation, she finds herself entangled in an unexpected web of family secrets.Bound to her captors, Estella experiences an unexpected twist of fate as she falls for the enigmatic gang leader and his loyal companions. However, amidst the blossoming romance, the truth about Estella's true identity as the main assassin slowly unveils itself. Caught in a dangerous game of love, betrayal, and hidden agendas, she must navigate treacherous waters to survive.But cunning gang member Tyson isn't oblivious to Estella's real prowess. Cunning and resourceful, Tyson realizes the power he holds over Estella's secrets, using it to his advantage. As their complicated relationship intensifies, Estella must decide where her loyalty truly lies and whether she can escape the clutches of her dangerous past.The pulse-pounding "Betrayal of the Phoenix" explores themes of trust, self-discovery, and the dark lengths one would go through for love. Will Estella be able to break free from the chains of her upbringing and forge her own path, or will she become a pawn in a deadly game she never asked to be a part of?

Genres: Why Choose

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2024

Reviews

[jess bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW!

THE TWISTS IN THIS BOOK!!! They had me gasping for air. I absolutely loved this book!

It being a why choose made it so much better! Spicy scenes were impeccable!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tucked myself into bed with this brand new book planning on reading a couple of chapters.

Estella grabbed me by the throat and I stayed in her world until I finished the whole thing!

Super spicy, and she doesn’t make you wait 20 chapters for the action either!

Thus wild woman is DTF anytime anywhere. Her sexy captors make resistance impossible so why even try!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what can I say... I ate this book up, it had me from the very beginning. I am honoured to have been chosen to be an ARC reader for this book as my first ARC read and what a book to start with. If you love a why choose dark mafia romance then this book is for you. It had 3 dark handsome men who would do anything for her and a kickass FMC Estella who would have to be one of my favourite FMC's, she doesn't take crap from anyone and has the best attitude. They all had a strong connection from childhood trauma and found a strong bond that just grew. For me it was a perfect balance of spice and plot that had me on the edge of my chair toward the end. I highly recommend this book.

[Danitta Stocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estella sure has her work cut out for her in this spicy story! I can't wait to see what else arises from this with so much potential for novellas and secondary novels following the lives of these why-choose men before this main bang!
Reading as an arc I'm so excited to see what the final product will produce with final editing taking place as this bad boy *girl surely hits a few nails on the head.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow.
This book had really related to me. Not in every way just with the men. Lol!

Anyways, a story that will invoke every emotion.

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC!

Make sure you read the trigger warnings! Not for the faint of heart!

[Erin Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Star: ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Trauma: ☠️

I read through some reviews on this and I’m low-key worried I read a different book.

I’m not entirely sure where to start with this review. The premise? Absolutely loved it. I jumped so fast to be a reviewer for this story. But after a few chapters in I knew it would not be it for me. This should have been a DNF for me, but I wanted to keep reading to see if it got better. Unfortunately I don’t think it did. I really wanted to love it. To love the characters, but it felt rushed, the MCs decisions sometimes made no sense. I wanted more from the supposed bad ass FMC, but we barely got any. She’s meant to be a feared mafia assassin, but she…. just isn’t. The hot/cold possessive alpha wanna be MMC of the group made me irrationally angry. His character could have been written much better. This entire story would have been better with expanding on world building, adding context and content and even making it a duology. Idk. Again, I wish I could have loved this.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review your story.

[Laurie Reads Reverse Harem · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 50%

Some work is needed to fix the non-descript, monotonous tone/writing of the book.
Unfortunately, I did not like Tyson, and Estella makes a very bad assassin.
Apologies - I had high hopes for the plot of this book but it has not delivered in reality, unfortunately.

[Chantelle Bensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal of the phoenix

I really enjoyed this book. Story of kidnapping, murder and betrayal. Finding old friends and new acquaintances. Love and friendship and even a couple of twists.
I also love the little nod of her reading a book of a different author whom I recognised

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a whirlwind, this book has everything from kidnapping to assassinations. It’s really good, I enjoyed it. make sure to add a trigger warning page. It was great writing, the twist right at the start was why I read this in 1 day. (That and the hot boyfriends we get) I love how each of them have their own personalities and are different. And I feel for Stella!

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book by Harley Parker. I can’t wait to have the physical book on my shelf.

Found families, enemies to lovers, SMFC, FMMM, MC, Gangs, rising from the ashes. What more can you ask for. I need so much more like this!!!

[TJ | TheEclecticBookFairy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
A slow burn with the spice being 🌶️/5

Harley has done an excellent job with the writing of this story.
FMC Estella is a silent assassin hidden in plain sight by her 'father' living her normal stabby life , until MMC 1 Tyson comes in and says Hi 😉 then her life changes....

A quick read with great vibes that leave you wanting to know more of the story.
Mafia style, Why Choose read with alpha dominance and a strong as F FMC.

Definitely add to your TBR.

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of being an arc reader for this story and what can I say. It was a hard book to put down, straight off the bat it was right into a plot twist that kept your interest right up until the end. There wasn't just one, not even 2 tall dark and handsome boyfriends but 3! Like wow and they had a bigger connection than just truama bonding.
This book is well worth a read having finished it in 24hrs I can guarantee it's a good read!

[Angiee.Fallenpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sucked me in well and truely! Which although isn’t always hard with me - keeping me interested can be - and I was definitely interested! I ate it up so damn quick!
If you are looking for a mafia, why choose, spicy romance, then look no further!
I was instantly love struck by the 3 mmc and how much they adored Estella.
The book is tied up so well and doesn’t leave you wanting more - well besides more of the story! But everything is finished beautifully!
I was so thankful to be chosen to read this ARC and wouldn’t hesitate to read another Harley Parker novel!

[Serafina Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for some deliciously dark, whychoose, vengeance fuelled romance? Then look no further! Betrayal of the Phoenix ticks all the boxes and then some. With three protective men attempting to right a lifelong wrong, our FMC Estella will reap her bloody vengeance on all those who wronged her. Chuck in some HAWT spice and you've got the perfect mix for this dark mafia story.
In case anyone was wondering I licked Tyson so that makes him mine!

[Kalie Kelly-Seymour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well well well, just when I thought i couldn't get out of the reading slump ive been in - Harley Parker shows up giving me a book i devoured in less than an hour i was hook from start to finish

Strong MFC, Strong MMC, Spicy, Love, Hate, Revenge, Justice it gets you in all the feelings

cant wait to see what more she brings

Have to say Zander is my favourite and a new book boyfriend added to the list.

[Danielle Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this ebook and as I'm in my Mafia era currently I dived right in.. I loved the storyline and the twists and turns.. the scenes were spicy and spot on.. I really enjoyed it and will delve further into this authors other books.

[Shianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A May Zing!!!

I loved reading this. She is such a strong FMC and feisty, I laughed, I screamed with excitement, and fist bumped the air towards the end! I loved each and every bond individually! Team Zander and Stella tho....shhhh

[Jacinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ADVANCED READER COPY**

I was lucky to be able to get this before release and absolutely smashed it out. The story could have been longer. Felt rushed but I loved it none the less. Estella was a strong fmc but with her boys, brother and father became even stronger. She loves hard as well. I'd really love another story on these guys set further into the future to see what happens with their relationship/business because this bought so many people together. The betrayal of Victor goes a long way back and I just want more. Estella bought so many people together without even knowing it. Now there's the Blood Hounds, Phoenix's, Cobras and the Devils all working together simply because of a past. I would love to see where they go in the future.

[Kate Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝑬𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆."

This is an action-packed, sassy and strong FMC who takes no sh!t when it comes to what is right and wrong. Estella is a bada$$ who had her life stolen from her by someone she thought she could trust.
When all the facts are given to her, she must make a decision to save her soul and protect the innocent or lose herself completely and work for the devil.

With her men by her side, she knows she can take on the enemy and do what she has to.

A solid debut mafia romance for this author!

Rating: 4 ⭐
Spice: 2 🌶️

[Amy Lifshack · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a decent dark romance with an interesting hook and some genuinely emotional moments, but it doesn’t quite push past its genre tropes to become something truly memorable. Recommended for fans of dramatic, tension-filled romance who enjoy a mix of betrayal and desire, but readers hoping for more depth or refinement might come away a bit underwhelmed.

[Bec Condran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the start. Being a why choose dark romance, to the spicy scenes. Over all well written and will definitely be recommending to others.
Was not expecting the twists in the book but made it so much better.
Would be amazing if there was a follow up book to this.

[Melody Madness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong badass FMC 💪

[Eri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book

[Tishie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved Betrayal of the Phoenix as an ARC read.
I loved the storyline and the little bit of spice along the way. I love that the FMC is consistently strong and intelligent through the whole book, and even though it's a whychoose there's still clear consent!
Zander, the childhood bestfriend that Estella doesn't remember from when she was 4 is my new book boyfriend!

[Tanisha Prior · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written so fast I didn’t care about any of them. The characters and story had so much potential but it was just so rushed. Writing like ‘He helps me shower. He helps dry me and my hair, he assists me into my pyjamas and tucks me into bed. He places a gentle kiss to my forehead and leaves the room.’ What is that? So cold! No description just info shoved at me with no feeling. This could have been such a good book.