As hard as I tried to keep him out of my heart, he broke through it like shattered glass. Even though my father didn't approve and our relationship would always be a secret, I didn't care. He was worth it...until he wasn't.
Six months have passed, and that's exactly how long it's taken me to get over what he's done. I never see him at my father's estate. My father never mentions him. Like he never existed at all, he's wiped from the face of the earth.
Until my father tells me he's going to stab Axel in the back and replace him with someone new. I know what a mistake that will be, but my warning falls on deaf ears.
We finally come face to face for the first time. His ingenious plan knocks my father off his feet and he takes the business for his own. If my father wants it back, it's going to come at a price. A price that he won't have to pay--but I will.
A New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Penelope Sky is known for her dark romance that makes you fall for her characters….no matter how dark they seem. Her books are being translated into several languages around the world, and she’s sold more than a million books worldwide. She lives in a small town in California with her husband, where she spends most of her time writing on the back porch.
Not sure where to kick things off with this review
I hate Dante with a passion Dante…. I’m not a violent person, But I am a manipulated bastard. who has lied time after time to Scarlett
To make matters worse, he pulled in billions of dollars through his drug deals. But yet he paid his daughter pennies on the dollar he treated her like some type of servant in my eyes. But yet she starved for his approval… God how I wish axel would’ve popped him upside the head a few times
Honestly, I can't find the words to explain how much I can't stand Dante. He’s such a mystery to me, and I’m not sure I’ll ever understand him. I thought maybe he was just using Scarlett and didn’t really care about her, which still seems to be the case at times. But it’s so confusing when he’s putting her in harm's way one minute and then acting like her hero the next. He really gets under my skin, and I can only guess how Axel must feel about him.
I think it’s hilarious that Dante thought that Axel was beneath his daughter and stopped at nothing to separate those two but yet he was willing to offer her a up like some kind of cattle to the new player Theo … Skull King.
I think I gave away too much on my review but I will leave you with this
Theo’s reply-“I’ve been offered a lot of things to forge a deal—including the heads of my enemies—but never this. It’s not something I can guarantee because she needs to consent to it.”
Two broken souls, one Suffering from the devastation of their past…… And the other one suffering from devastation of betrayal……… I have a hunch that this is the calm before the storm, but hey that’s just my opinion…. Let’s just hope and pray that this author closes this couple off in the proper way
Thank you, my friend, for recommending this series to me
I really liked this one. For a a second book as well... wow. It is frustrating because the Hero won't resolve the dad issue, kill him, or let him be killed so he can tell her he didn't cheat on her. His previous actions stand between them but there are some interesting things that happen in this book. I think it would read better as a complete trilogy but the author is releasing them fairly quickly after each other. Needs book 3 for a HEA. No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine. Both have been with others in the separation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Okay, so I enjoyed this one much more than the first. I've gotten over the instalove/lust at this point and am down in the trenches just yelling at both Axel and Scarlet.
Axel is not dumb, he's got his ducks in a row and finally got the girl, just not in the way he wants. Scarlet knows something's up, she just can't quite put her finger on it.
In the first book she was the only one to believe him with his past, but she can't manage to believe him now when he's basically telling her to trust him 'cause something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
The angst in this book is real! I cannot wait to see how all this ends. At this point I'm continuing on to make sure that those who deserve to get their just desserts get it. Plus, the spice is hot and I have a feeling the last book is going to be fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul of it.
Michael Ferraiuolo and Ramona Master are still glorious in these roles. Ramona has this way of making Scarlet seem pissed off with that bite in her voice yet so soft and vulnerable when needed. It's glorious to listen to.
It was an entertaining sequel but also an infuriating one . The miscommunication lasted for the entire book ( I'm not even joking). I know why they are acting that way but I rolled my eyes sooooo many time because of them not actually talking . If they would lay out every things that come between them it would be dramatic but the story would evolve . There were scene where the couple was "back together" but not together just because of the unsaid truths and I don't like it. I'll definitely read the last book in this trilogy because I a HEA for them .
All I have to say is WOW!!!! I love Axel 💖 Penelope, I love how you always throw in characters from old book series into your new book 📖 series. From Barsetti 🍷, Skull 💀 King to Vladimir. Loved it 📖 a must read as always. My last thoughts 🤔 I Want to BITCH SLAP 👋 Dante 😡
When I say I swallowed this book whole... The anticipation of waiting for this was too strong and once I had it, I just couldn't put it down until I finished. Love the fast-paced writing! It Breaks Me is packed with enough drama to keep you turning the pages, a sprinkle of spice, and a whole lot of things left to be unraveled. Axel is everything! If you loved him in book 1, you'll love him even more in book 2!
I’ve just finished the ARC of It Breaks Me, and this is my honest review
Where do I start?
So 6 months had past since Scarlett’s father Dante forced Axel to break up with Scarlett using the threat of unaliving his parents if he didn’t, and they’re both still devastated. Axel loves Scarlett and would do anything for her, but was forced by her father to break her heart, and is still trying to deal with the loss that he feels for her. Scarlett is still devastated that he ‘dumped’ her and moved on so quickly, and wants nothing to do with him. That is, until Dante tries to force Axel out of the business, by bringing a new middle man into the equation, Theo, not realising that he is Axel’s brother. They hatch a plan to topple Dante from his throne and execute it to perfection. Axel knows that he has to get Scarlett back, and when Dante goes crawling back to them to try and get his business back, they use it to their advantage, and offer him a counter offer. As much as Scarlett hates Axel, she can’t deny the electricity between them, and things start to hot up
This book is emotional, intense, romantic, passionate and at times heartbreaking, but it is so well written, that it draws you in from page one, and keeps you hooked all the way through.
I can’t wait to read book three from the series and see how their relationship continues
My heart breaks for Axel, He's such a beautiful soul. He deserves so much more than his worthless parents, and Scarlett, who doesn't know how to let go of a grudge. Scarlet father Dante, has her so brainwashed that she cannot see the forest for the trees. She never once try to figure out why Axel, would be with another woman, and hurt her deliberately for no reason. She takes everything he father says at face value. Dante, is such an asshole. And I cannot wait for the time to come when Scarlett, finally figure out that her father is really not what he seems. She'll see that he's a wolf in sheep's clothing. I want Axel and Theo, to find a way to make Dante, tell Scarlett exactly what he did to Axel and his parents, and how he set him up to hurt her. Oh I cannot wait to read the next book. I hope Dante gets his ass kicked again for putting his only daughter in harms way. I hope that Axel, gets his revenge against him . Thank you Penelope Sky, for giving me this chance to read this ARC. It's an honor to be able to read this fabulous story and write a review. I highly recommend this series. It deserves to be a series on Netflix.
The only words I have for this book are ….Wow,wow,wow and wow wee!!
I freaking love this series.
Love, love, love Scarlett and Axel together💞
Her father Dante…. I’m not a violent person but… 1. I just want to b**ch slap him. 2. I want to kick him between the legs…hard. 3. I want to slowly torture him. I swear aim not a violent person lol
I am so happy they are where they are! I can’t wait till the next book
It Breaks Me broke me!!! I loved this story. It was angsty and hot and action packed. Axel is definitely one of my top book boyfriends. I feel like Dante is still plotting something though and i’m kind of mad I haven’t figured out what yet. Can’t wait for the next book Penelope!!!
2 stars | It breaks me 💌 these two desperately need some kind of couple counseling or something to help them communicate because they spent the entire book doing the exact opposite. I was so frustrated I nearly screamed or I might have actually done it.
This is book two of Axel and Scarlett's story and ends on a cliffhanger. Their story continues in It Ruins Me. Scarlett needs to open her eyes where her father is concerned because he does not have her best interests at heart and would choose his business over her in a heartbeat. Axel is doing everything he can to protect her but Scarlett continues to throw what she believes was him betraying her in his face. If she only knew the truth she would truly see her father in a whole different light.
Six months after Axel broke Scarlett’s heart, they have move on, except it’s not entirely true. Axel is not happy anymore and resents Dante for what he did, and Scarlett has lost faith and don’t trust anymore in men. When Axel search for vengeance and Dante receives an opportunity to have a better distributor so he can finally get rid of Axel as a business partner, everything changes for them…
Since I begin reading the first page I couldn’t stop until I finished it and then I regretted because I realized I have to wait one month until book three 🥲, but I really couldn’t stop, it was soooo good. There are books where you know it’s good good, but there are a few where you know it and you feel it and this is one of them, while I was reading it it was like having a knot in my stomach because I was feeling a lot of things (about Axel and Scarlett,Dante 🤬, about THEO???? 🥵 OMG) and I loved every second of it 😍
Dear Lord when I get to heaven please let me bring MY MAN AXEL 😫😫😫 he’s so perfect. I know I say this with every man Penelope creates but listen to me Axel is my top #1, Crow from Buttons and Lace and Huntley from The Forsaken King have been replaced by him, I’m not sorry 🥲. Axel deserves the world, and deserves to be loved and have a happy family, and I can’t wait to read the moment where Scarlett truly understands what happened and reciprocate all the love he gives her 😭😭. But I do understand her indecision, it’s not easy and even less with her father 😡. I’M TIRED OF HIM, I hope after what happened at the end he changes to be someone better (we’ll find out).
Anywayssss, I really need like right now the third book, I know I’m gonna be sad because it will be over but I’m sure I’m going to re-read it as soon as I finish it because it’s that good❤️❤️.
And to finish this review, I cannot not mention Theo, like??? I GASPED WHEN HE AND SCARLETT WHERE IN HER APARTMENT😳. Please Pene, we will never have enough of Skull Kings and if it’s Theo?? Uummm no no, I need his own book, you can’t leave us with only that 😫😫😫.
I… am… speechless!! Scarlett and Axel, in It Kills Me, were the relationship goals relationship. Their relationship was real and they just fit. Dante.. well i don’t care for him… AT ALL. I really want to tell you how badly I don’t care for him, but I KNOW my review would get rejected for using the words I would say.
At the end of It Kills Me.. when Scarlett sees Axel with someone else, my heart broke with hers. And you know why? Because Penelope Sky has a way of pulling you into the story you’re reading, and places you there so you experience everything they do.. so you experience the book and not just read it. When I read It Breaks Me, it was the same, I felt every single thing Scarlett felt, and I felt Axle’s pain and his anger. I read this straight through and then read it again. And I STILL do not care for Dante…. Even more than before.
Character development.. Penelope Sky is exceptionally good at that. All of these characters are so very easy to read.. because they are so well developed and there’s no vagueness about them or what they do and say. A book that can make me angry, make me cry, and keep me completely enthralled; is a book that I will raise my voice to everyone and recommend. Penelope Sky is one of those authors for me.. I will recommend her books to anyone who will listen to me talk about her. I’ve been reading her books for a long time now, and I’ve not read one that I didn’t love. I am a big fan of her writing.
Woooooow. I went through a roller coaster of emotions reading that. But even when I was wishing bad on someone it was a good angry.
She’s done it again and it doesn’t seem she’ll ever stop. I’ve read every single one of Penelope’s books and drop everything the minute they come out and they are all spectacular and this one is no different.
I try to leave my reviews vague so I don’t give anything away and just make sure to tell you to ready everything by Penelope, so I’ll keep it that way and say that if you’ve already read the first one (which you should have anyway) then you all need to hurry up and freaking grab this at the speed of lightning, I swear! READ THIS BOOK. You WILL enjoy it. I bet that there is nothing that will stop you going through three or more emotions in one chapter or in a single sentence, it just not fair to illicit all these emotions from a person we can only take so much ma’am! That’s a mother freaking skill right there.
This is a great sequel to It Kills Me. It Breaks Me does exactly that as a reader, breaks you with an incredible story. There are many characters at play in a bigger picture and I can’t wait until the next book, I’m already too impatient until the final one drops!
Great, great, great, read, read, read, ten stars since I can’t give a million!!
Let me tell you after finishing the first book on a cliffy I was ready to get into this book, and Penelope did not disappoint. I DEVOURED this book in a day.
This picks up six months after Axel told Scarlett he doesn’t want her any more all because of her father Dante. This book was an emotional roller-coaster of emotions. It hurt so much see Scarlett and Axel’s relationship is a constant battle because her father disapproves of Axel and is trying to manipulate Scarlett to think Axel is a bad guy. My heart truly breaks for Axel because you see his soft side and how much he truly loves Scarlett.
This book is emotional, romantic, and at times heartbreaking. It is so well written; it drew me in from page one and keeps you hooked throughout the story. I can’t wait until the next book. I NEED to know what happens next.
“I wish you were my chef, but I’d rather have you as my wife” -Axel
“I loved you then, and I love you now. And all that time in between, I still loved you. I could have lost you tonight, so I’m not going to spend another moment pretending you aren’t the love of my life—because you are.” -Axel
After eagerly anticipating the release of this sequel following the first book, I found myself completely immersed once again in Penelope Sky's captivating world of dark romance. She effortlessly pulls readers into the story, making it nearly impossible to put down. The characters, particularly Scarlett and Axel, are incredibly endearing, their emotions practically jumping off the pages. While the first book was exceptional, the second installment surpassed all expectations with heightened conflict, cunning schemes, deepening love, and added spice. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, Penelope Sky throws in unexpected twists, showcasing the intelligence of her characters. I couldn't get enough of this book, especially Axel, who balances compassion and sweetness with his brutal criminal nature. I cannot wait for the next book and highly recommend this series to anyone who hasn't yet read it. Penelope Sky's track record speaks for itself—she never disappoints, and her books are consistently extraordinary.
From the get-go, Penelope's storytelling had me hooked! (As always!)
The depth of emotions and the tangled relationships between the characters drew me in immediately. With every turn of the page, I found myself on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. Dante's political maneuvers and personal dramas kept the tension high, while Scarlett's inner turmoil added another layer of complexity to the story.
Penelope has a knack for tapping into raw emotions that's truly remarkable. If you're looking for a thrilling journey through power struggles and passionate entanglements, this book is a must-read!! I cannot wait for book 3! ❤️
[Spoiler:
So thankful Scarlett and Axel found their way back together! I know it’s going to take some time but I can’t wait to see how they continue to grow in their relationship. I love how Axel absolutely adores Scarlett… you can feel all of the emotions! And hope that Axel finally explains everything that’s happened with Dante!]
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I NEED AN AXEL, LADIES!!!! This fine specimen 🫠 melts me🥵 every time. His love for Scarlett is everything. Finally having her again. But I’m sad for Axel. Coz this is not what i imagine their union will be like. And i understand Scarlett’s fear of being betrayed again. But her love and loyalty for Axel is so deep I’m sure sooner her father will realize this before any shit happens. And I can feel it coming. It will break Scarlett when the secret comes to light. I’m a daddy’s girl too and i can’t imagine how will that feel. Well, his a shitty father for doing that. And i hate Axel’s parents😤😡 like for real. How could you not believe your son? But believe a scamming bitch instead? Ugh, if those people are my parents, they better off gone. Their useless, they will only hurt you more. I slept almost 5am today just to finish this. I’m so excited for the finale😝. What will happen? Please please please let it be a hot🔥 and steamy 🔥🔥🌶️🌶️ hea. Axel pouring out those feelings is leaving me hanging 😣
How is it that a book can be simultaneously InstaLove and Slow Burn?!! Idk, but this one is. Just like the first book in the series, I love the characters and their interactions, but the book seemed to just end, kind of suddenly, with things still left very much unresolved. It doesn’t feel like a complete book in its own. More like each book is actually just part of a single, massive book. Part of it, too, could be that I get so into it that the end catches me by surprise. I read this in ebook form, so I don’t have the physical pages indicating how close I am to the end, and I never check the progress bar on my kindle. 🤷🏼♀️
Still, I really love the main characters and the MMC’s best friend. This book had some great scenes of protectiveness, which I love. It also had some of the FMC defending the MMC, which gives me warm fuzzy feelings. I am getting a little tired of the FMC’s father and the sort of miscommunication component to their relationship.
It was still steamy, with plenty of sweet moments too. I’m looking forward to the next book, definitely continuing this series.
Oh, where do I start? I am still very much on Team Axel!
Dante thought he had the upper hand when he pushed Axel out as his distributor. He failed to thoroughly research his new partner and listen to his daughter when she said Axel would retaliate.
Book two in this series had me on the edge of my seat with how intense it was. The betrayal and the emotional strain on both Axel and Scarlett. Axel because he knows she is all he wants in his life, someone he loves with his whole heart. Scarlett, however, still does not know the entire story of him being in the restaurant with Cassandra. She wants to hate Axel, but her heart does not fully cooperate.
I am interested to see what happens to Dante in book three, and if Axel and Scarlett can let love guide them both to the happiness they deserve
It Breaks Me is the second book in the Betrayal series by @penelopesky and it definitely needs to be read after the first one. It picks up right where the first book ended. I was definitely hooked from the start, it's fast paced and non stop action. There's never a dull moment, it's an absolutely addictive series.
This book was definitely also frustrating regarding Scarlet and her accusations, the fact Axel can't tell her the truth. So that did cause a lot of back and forth. I truly loved Axel in this book even more than in the first one. Dante is truly engaging with all his manipulation, how he just uses his daughter as a puppet.
I'm just having a lot of fun with this series, it feels like watching a tv show. I can't wait to see where the story goes in book 3.
🎧 The narration by Ramona Master & Michael Ferraiuolo was good. I liked her more than I did him. I thought his voice was off sometimes and his tone, but it was still an enjoyable and addictive listen.
Wow wow wow wow. That’s all I can say right now!! Another great read from Penelope Sky! All of her books are amazing and this isn’t any different! Axel is straight up a freaking saint. There is no way I wouldn’t have killed Dante or told Scarlett the truth! Dante is a little punk who I hope gets what he deserves. I also hope we learn the truth about Scarlett’s mom. I can’t believe he was stupid enough to think Scarlett could handle the business. I love Scarlett but her loyalty to Dante is annoying. She been shown evidence and she still continues to turn a blind eye. I truly hope she can over come the past and truly be happy with Axel! Gaaah I can’t wait for the next book!! Penelope killed it with this one!!
Woooow. This book was such an amazing follow up to It kills me. Axel and Scarlett continue to struggle with their blockades in their relationships but, he continues to pursue her in any way he can. I love that she sees through the bullshit and knows deep down that he would have never hurt her, I just wish she knew the truth of why he had to pretend to leave. Her father Dante becomes more aggravating as the plot thickens and, just annoys me to all ends. He acts as if he’s a loving father but truly only cares about his business. Axel is such a strong and loyal man and true to his word but not telling her what really happened so he doesn’t put a wedge between father and daughter and that just proves to show his true character even further. Love the spice between the two of the, so much 😰😰
I thought this book was in some ways easier to read than the 1st one, I’ve adjusted to Axels horrible parents and grateful I know no parents like them. . I’m liking Axel and Scarlet. I want Axel to come clean and tell Scarlett the truth about her father but I know as long as it risks his despicable Father , he won’t tell. Talk about undeserved loyalty . Her Father is another subject. So incredibly ubtuse to take Scarlett to meet Columbia drug lords. I have adored Penelope Sky every since Buttons but not as crazy about some of her later books, as I once was . Maybe book 3 will convince me it’s a 5 ?? I’ll keep you posted….
I have to say it. I hate Dante. I thought I would understand him and why he does what he does and I 'm like WHY. Then when Axel had no choice but to break up with Scarlett because of her. I love Scarlett, I feel very connected to her character, what she says or her feelings, despite everything, she knows that her connection with Axel is inevitable and they are everything together. I can't wait to find out what happens next and get more of them, and Theo is coming too!!! so excited to get his book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.