No hero can save me. To survive this, I need a villain.
I have a dark secret.
To save my father, I had to figure out how to launder dirty money…and marry one of the heads of the New York mafia. But someone found me out. And he wanted to make me pay.
Malachi Bedford is not a good man. He thought I was helping his enemy willingly, so he humiliated me, degraded me, and blackmailed me into giving him information about the mob boss he planned to destroy. Then he discovered the truth behind my actions, and everything changed. Now, this villain, this monster, has become my savior. He’ll fight for me. Kill for me.
Set the world on fire. For me.
He’s obsessed with me in a way that I know isn’t right or healthy. But I’m very quickly learning that I don’t care. I’m bound to him. Forever. And I can’t bring myself to hate him for it.
Hell, I might even love him for it…
Bound by Gold, is a spicy, angsty, romantic Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale retelling. This is not a love triangle. The book contains dark themes that might not be suitable for everyone. Please check for full content disclaimer at the beginning of the book or on my website.
Eva has me dying with all her books! This one is a sorta retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, and we'll the bad guy gets the girl!!
Cadence is in the wrong place wrong time thanks to her father, who made a bad choice. Now, she has to make this mafia man (who's not the H) clean money and maybe be his wife. She's terrified since she doesn't know how to clean money she's a noob but her researching has her opening the door to Hacker Malachi (he's the H), who wants revenge on her new boss.. and since she's not a hacker or knows anything, it's easy for him to gain access to her.
Mal dislikes her on the spot, thinking she's doing this because she's bad, so he plans to help her but also humiliate her. And he does he makes her do degrading things on camera, over the phone they have a dom/subish going on as he helps her clean money to get closer to the enemy.
My body melted for Mal he was such a douche at first, then slowly started to become so yummy. HE TOSSED HER IN A TRUNK!! You know me with kidnapping, hehe. I loved that they both fell but still pushed away, so it wasn't super insta. As for Cadence a few times, I shook my head at her, not fighting back at the start she gave in, but she felt safer with Mal than the Mafia man!
No ow drama/tiny om drama, no cheating, Drama, sexy times, no virgins no manwhore
Recommend-yes Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️ Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Prologue Slowish burn Age gap 25h/32H Push away from both Humiliation Degradation Murder Orgasm denial Force orgasms Dom/sub undertones No condom Body modification (hood percing) Breeding Sensory play Hea Epilogue
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
TROPES: ~retelling ~enemies to lovers ~stalking ~forced marriage ~revenge plot
This book was absolutely amazing. Every single time Eva Marks writes a new book, I get so excited! She has a way of feeling like a familiar author throughout all of her very different books. They're definitely comfort books for me. This is a Rumpelstiltskin retelling. I've never read any of those before, but I adore other retellings so I knew I would love it. And I did! Eva Marks is a brilliant author and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
SAFETY: Ages: 32H, 25h Triggers: body modification, blackmailing dubcon, murder, violence, mentions of SA, Kinks: breeding, pierced d, bondage, dubcon, somnophilia, choking, spitting, praise & degradation, anal play, HEA? yes!
Beginning 20 years earlier, we learn what drives Malachi Bedford’s quest to bring down, Dario Leone, the mafia don.
Out of options, Cadence Wimberly becomes payment for her father’s debts.
Y’all, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you’ve been sleeping on Eva, rectify that shizz now. Her smutty goodness comes with enough plot to keep you invested in, not just BOB, but the story too. Seriously, if she’s writing it, I’m reading it. 🥵
I keep circling back to this author and I keep regretting it...
So, it's no secret I like breeding kink, but I don't always want to read mindless smut. I enjoy steamy, even highly steamy, books but I also enjoy plot and romance. There aren't a lot of author writing full length novels with breeding kink, which is why I've given this author so many chances despite knowing I don't enjoy her voice much.
I'm finally ready to throw the towel.
This was boring and unnecessarily long. They are declaring their love at 50%! If you do that, you better give me a strong, entertaining plot. She doesn't.
My biggest issues with this one, though is the retelling part.
This is a rumpelstiltskin retelling with a twist where the heroine is supposed to want to leave the king to be with the evil rumpelstiltskin.
Except..... The "king" in this story is evil and "rumpelstiltskin", aka the hero, isn't?
Why would she want to be with the evil character? It's not a big twist, just a role reversal.
Anyway, even if that made sense, the plot was boring. Twenty years trying to take the evil guy down yet he's unable to because the guy's cyber security is air tight.... until the heroine gets involved and creates the biggest cyber liability ever! Very convenient...
I ended up skimming a lot of the steam and didn't enjoy the plot.
In conclusion, I'm giving up on this author.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ──────────────── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮ . .┊𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 . .┊➛ 𝑺𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒆: 23 . .┊➛ 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆: A book that is a Fairytale Retelling . .┊➛ 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔: 62/100 ╰── ⋅ ⋅ ──────────────── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
TW: Stalking, Dub-con, Blackmailing, Murder, Violence, Mention of Sexual Assault (Not by MMC), Arthritis, Suicide, Kidnapping
Thank you to the author for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
Cadence's father has made a bad choice, and now Cadence has to suffer. She ends up having to launder money to this mafia man, Dario, that her dad has been involved with, and on top of that, she might possibly have to be his wife. Cadence knows NOTHING about laundering money, so she ends up doing research which leads to Malachi hacking her computer. Malachi wants revenge on Dario, and the only way her can get his revenge is helping Cadence with laundering the money and humiliate her by having her do degrading stuff over camera.
This is a dark Rumpelstiltskin retelling, where the bad guy gets the girl. Malachi is my new favorite man out of all of Eva's books. He was so demanding and sort of toxic in the beginning -- which is my favorite - I LOVE ALL THE RED FLAGS. Malachi eventually became a little soft, and I loved how he immediately realized that he was in love with Cadence. This book is filled with lies, passion, control, and love. I was hooked from the beginning, and almost read in all in one sitting! This book was an amazing story, but its also so spicy and kinky! I never read a book by Eva and hated it. Her work is always so beautifully written, and each time I read a new book from her, it gets better and better. I'm so excited to read her future work, I already know I'm going to love it!
“I love you,” I say. “I’m crazy about you. You weren’t supposed to be this person who makes me question myself. I wasn’t supposed to fall for who I thought was my enemy. Yet, there you were. Jesus, Cadence, you’re a whirlwind. You’re water and fire. You mess with my head and fuck if I don’t like it. You’re so fucking addictive, Cay. And I love you.”
I really been on an Eva Marks kick lately and I am not mad at it. First thing first I LOVEEE A MAN WHO IS OBSESSED😌! Mal was everything to me even when he wanted to hate Cadence he simply couldn’t. And all the ways he would pushed her into becoming the strong and confident woman she is meant to be was beautiful. Cadence was such a badass but with a sweet spot and seeing how she was there to support Mal emotionally when he was too busy blaming himself🥹. AND CAN I MENTION THE SPICEEEEE🙂↕️. So ready to read another of Eva’s works
💛Tropes💛 ~ Rumpelstiltskin Retelling ~ Arranged Marriage ~Forbidden ~ Antihero MMC ~ Age Gap
I thought I was clear the other day, Cay. You are never getting away from me. Never
I have never heard of a Rumpelstiltskin retelling, but Eva has made me absolutely wish there were more! Holy smokes, I think this is her best book yet, I am obsessed with Malachi and Candence and their very unconventional love story. A lot less dark compared to other books by Eva Marks, this one was super angsty and heartfelt and felt like I connected with the characters deeply. Both characters had deep hurt within and it cast a dark light over their views of one another for a while, but when things changed, it was beautiful and passionate and downright perfection. Overall this was another masterpiece from one of my favourite authors!
What To Expect: ⨳ MF Romance ⨳ Rumpelstiltskin Retelling ⨳ Angsty ⨳ Age Gap ⨳ Slow Burn ⨳ Antihero MMC
Trust me when I say I'm not beyond killing anyone. I will. For you. Don't take that from me.
❤︎ ARC provided in exchange for an honest review ❤︎
This was a really good Rumpelstiltskin retelling. This has revenge, redemption, passion, chemistry and angst.
The way that Malachi and Cadence meet and their interactions are delicious. They share a common enemy, but it takes Malachi a minute to figure that out for himself.
Do check the warnings.
*I received this as an ARC, and I am leaving an honest and voluntary review*
This was a book that came with a slight lesson…don’t always believe what you see because until you hear the truth things may not always be as they appear… This Rumplestiltskin retelling got me…sometimes the villain isn’t always the bad guy…sometimes the “villain” will burn the whole entire world to the ground to protect the ones they love *swoon*
Malachi & Cadence have a common enemy…problem with that was Malachi thought Cadence was also his enemy…that’s where the lesson comes in…thankful it doesn’t take Malachi long to figure out everything he thought he knew about Cadence was wrong…that is one thing I love about Eva’s books…she does not drag out the miscommunication or false knowledge throughout the book….she handles it direct & to the point pretty quickly so we can get on with the story…I love that about her books
I also love that Karma has a way of catching up with the characters…you will just have to read to see what I mean
Bound by Gold is a retelling of Rumplestiltskin but with a twist, the villain gets the girl... But is he the real villain?! This book tells the story of Malachi and Cadence, he is a man on a mission being that mission revenge, and Cadence is a regular girl caught in the middle of her fathers doings and held up to pay for her father's debts. That get's her in Malachi's radar, and from there what was bad got even worst, or did it!?
Bound by Gold grabs you from the start and never lets you go for even a little bit, it's a roller coaster of emotions, your heart will be it's hostage, and you feel everything, deeply.
It's a beautiful story, fast passed but so so good, and the spice in it is just top tier, Malachi is as twisted and unhinged as they come.
Eva Marks is becoming fast an automatic read for me!
What to expect: Rumpelstiltskin retelling Mafia and crime elements weaved throughout the book Enemies to Lovers Revenge OTT Dominant Possessive Protective H Eyes only for her Exhibitionism & Voyeurism (only with each other) Forced marriged/NOT a love-triangle Coercion/Manipulation Br33ding k!nk Stlking Body Modification Bl*ckmailing D*bc0n
Eva Marks is becoming fast, an automatic read for me!
In true Eva style, she never fails to hit the mark when it comes to obsessive alphahole stalkers. I've read alot of her books and she never disappoints and this one is tipping "Stalked" off my top spot.
Bound By Gold is a retelling of Rumplestiltskin.
Malachi is out for revenge and stumbles upon the perfect opportunity to use Cadence to his advantage. As he learns more about her he realises truths that have him questioning his treatment towards her, he shouldn't be feeling this way about her - she's the enemy!
Cadence finds herself in the worst possible situations through no fault of her own but she's strong, determined and fiesty.
I loved the power fight between the Mal and Cadence, but ultimately who doesn't want to submit to someone that makes u feel things u've never felt. The story sinks into ur bones and craving that HEA that Eva always delivers.
Thank you Eva for selecting me to ARC read ur book. And a special thank you for supporting me during my set up and helping me navigate receiving ebooks. Yours was the first ARC I was accepted for and I will always be grateful for that
“Life is filled with disappointments, pain that leaves most of us scared. It’s inevitable. Once in a while, though, a meteor falls from the sky. A bright light cutting through space. You’re that light for me, Cay.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was my very first book by Eva and I can tell you that now I’m obsessed! This lady can write some smut 🥵.
This is a retelling story of Rumpelstiltskin, which honestly I didn’t know anything about it until this book. This book follows the story of Malachai & Cadence. After so many years all Malachai wants is revenge for the death of his father and he has been working for this for over 10+ years, trying to pinpoint everything about the man that took his father away from him. Cadence was just throw in the middle of something that she had nothing to do with to save her family so she went over with the plans of her father not knowing she will meet the man that will change her life forever.
In this book, you will experience loss, lust, anger, loved and revenge for those you love. The story and plot is so good and the smut OMG, Malachai has a mouth on him 🥵😈 with a mouth like his he’ll get anything he wants, if you know what I mean. I love how the books progresses and how each character develops their own story, our FMC goes through so changes and growth and ends up surprising you, she proves herself to defend those she loves. And Malachai oh boy this good boy went through a lot to get where he’s at and he deserves all the good Cadence can offer him ❤️.
I really wanted to like this book, but I just had too many issues with it. I feel like it had great potential, but the plot was missing for me. We were 65% through the book and I didn't feel that anything had really happened other than a few sex scenes, and I was a little bored. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate spice, but I need some plot and genuine emotion to go along with it. The tension between the two MC's was not built well and felt very insta love to me. The book did start to pick up a little around 75% and I did appreciate the way Malachi built Cadence up and made her voice her strength. If you are someone who enjoys spice more than plot then this is for you, but it just wasn't my jam.
I keep saying this is my year of falling in love with retellings all over again, and this book definitely delivered a fantastic twist!
“You belong to me now. You’re my plaything. My spy. Mine to order. I’m the only one to make you wet. Understood?”
Mal & Cay’s individual journeys are inevitably intertwined when push comes to shove, and the execution keeps you thirsty for one more page. I devoured this book, it’s been days and I’m just now coming in to leave a review, because I wasn’t ready to give them up.
This was spicy, angsty, action packed perfection. Every single time, Eva Marks proves a heroine can remain in her core good, and caring, not giving up who she is, to find her end game, and being saying was the extra sprinkle I didn’t know I needed. And I’m here for it. Loved seeing their growth & strength, the perseverances, the teasing, the spice… damn the spice was spicing 🫠🥵
I'm always going to start off by saying that I have loved every single thing that Eva has written. I always look forward to what new book she is writing next.
Please make sure you check trigger warnings and content warnings.
You had me at a take on Mafia but add in a rumplestilskin retelling. First you need Malachi when he is younger working for his dad and he noticed that something is going on with his dad so he tries to step up and be grown and help him take care of it. As he grows up he is looking for revenge and going after a man Dario. While doing that he meets Cadence.
Cadence is the FMC in this and she gets forced into a marriage with a man named Dario by her father. She is going through a lot at the time and he offers her something that she just can't turn down. Even though she doesn't want to take it she feels like she has no other choice. Then she ends up meeting Malachi and together they come up with a plan to screw over Dario but it turns into something more than they ever thought would happen.
I couldn't get over the two of them together. They were supposed to be enemies and it turned into more. I loved how he was hard but soft towards her. It made my heart melt 🫠
Eva kills the spice in her books and these spicy scenes definitely didn't disappoint. It left me feeling like I had to read the scenes multiple times. 🥵
I loved the initial storyline, and the spin on Rumpelstiltskin! I also really loved the forced video cam time 🥵🥹
I think I struggled in the developing of their relationship and feelings for one another. I wanted more in terms of this and didn’t feel very connected to the characters and their happily ever after, but this could have just been me.
Overall I finished and liked the book, but wanted to see some more independence from the fmc and more development of their emotional connection.
I have always loved Eva Marks books and will continue to love, read, and devour them.
Get ready for an extremely possessive and morally grey MMC.
Favorite Quotes:
“I see you haven’t learned anything about what it means to be mine yet. Let me explain it to you.”
“Let’s get one thing straight. I am not a good guy. I’ll be his fuc**** nightmare if I have to. For you.”
This is the lastest book by the amazing Eva Marks. I was lucky enough to receive an arc copy of this book to review, all thoughts are my own.
I just have to say that Eva Marks never disappoints. I’ve yet to read anything by her that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. This book captured my attention from the very beginning. I love how thought out and detailed our main characters were. I have a major soft spot for dark and morally grey characters so I was in love with our leading man from the beginning. The instant obsession, the angst, the kinks?? This book packs a lot into it and does it very well.
Favorite Quotes: "He's obsessed with me in a way that I know isn't right or healthy. But I'm very quickly learning that I don't care."
"I see you haven't learned anything about what it means to be mine yet. Let me explain it to you.”
This book is like nothing I have read before. Love a good dark retelling. From the moment these two met, their fate was sealed. Destined to be together no matter what. This book has such a sad beginning with loss and betrayal but ends up being so good and spicy. Another amazing read from this author.
When Cadence’s father sets a precedence that drove Malachi to exact revenge not only against him but his boss, she becomes the sacrificial lamb to settle her father’s debt, but at what cost.
If you want a story that will blow you away, then this is that story. From the first chapter, it will reel you in. The author has a unique style of writing that captures her readers' interest, allowing them to fall into the world she created for her characters
Malachi at first was so self-absorbed, but as you get into the story, you can see that he is something more. Cadence in the beginning was a pushover, which will have you shaking your head at times, but once she felt safer and more comfortable, she began to hold her own.
If you love fairy tail retellings, enemies to lovers, stalking, forced marriage, revenge plot, slow burn, age-gap, push and pull, kinks, D/ s themes, body modification, breeding and a happily ever after then this story is definitely for you.
Highly recommend both the author and the book.
I received an ARC. Therefore, I am submitting a voluntary review.
Check TW's before reading as this one does get a little heavy/special spicy.
Another great read by Marks. This was a dark, unique take on the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale, and I must say, I really enjoyed it. I didn't necessarily find it as dark as her other books, but it was did love reading it, and was pulled into Malachi and Cadence's story.
I loved the mystery elements surrounding Malachi, though I feel the Rumpelstiltskin element could have been played upon much more. I also feel that this was marketed as "Cadence falls for the villain" - but to me, Malachi certainly is not the villain in this tale - but I could be alone in those thoughts.
But the twists and turns made this a great read, and the spice? Goodness me, it was off the charts and I loved it. It was definitely one of those books that you just did not want to put down, because you needed to see how it ended.
I do feel the initial few chapters took some time to get into the story, and a couple of plot points had me suspending reality slightly (iykyk), and the initial set up for why Cadence becomes a person of interest is almost a little forced, but overall, a great read which I absolutely ate up.
You own every part of me. Every. Single. Part. You strip me fucking bare, Cay, and I’m over here, willing to bleed myself dry for you.———Mal
This Dark Romance book is seriously one of the best BEEEEESSSSSTTTTTTTT reads I've had this year! I absolutely adore how Mal is completely obsessed with Cay. They are just so perfect together!♥️😭🥹
She finds a pair of AirPods, placing them in her ears . “Who are you?” the infuriatingly gorgeous and must-be-new hacker whispers.
Her round blue eyes stare at me in shock, her plump lips gaped. Tight nipples poke through her skin-tight gray tank top.
For a moment, I forget about revenge and just look at her. Then anger bubbles in my chest. Burns my insides.
Fuck him for hiring what must be the most beautiful woman in New York. In the world, even.
He had a thing for her since the beginning, but the only thing he wanted was revenge. But the more he knew her, the more addicted to her he became.
The hate inside me is familiar. All consuming. I hate her. Hate how beautiful she is and the way she fakes innocence and gets me hard for her.
Twenty years have made me this person. This angry, bitter man. A resentful man.
OOOOOMMMMMGGGGGG OMG you have no clue how incredibly satisfied I am with how H (Mal) groveled to h (Cay). I absolutely adore his hidden depths, his messed up side. He was a guy filled with rage and resentment due to his past, but he was also like a solitary creature.
Cadence. The woman stuck in my head. The woman whose taste still lingers on my tongue. I haven’t had my mouth on her, but I know how she’ll taste. Sweet. Delicious. Addictive. My poisoned apple.
Fuck.
The storylines were amazing and I just couldn't put the book down. I started reading yesterday and I was completely engrossed in what was going to happen next. Suddenly, it hit me that I had to go to work tomorrow when it was already midnight.
I promised Emmy and myself I’d keep my eyes on what’s important. I said I won’t let thinking with my dick fuck it up.
Yet here I am, sitting and eavesdropping on Cadence.
Getting fucking attached, even though I told myself I wouldn’t.
Getting hard while coming up with all the ways to bend Cadence over. Spank her until she admits she is into someone. Me.
As Sasha keeps probing, I start devising a plan to punish my little spy.
She strips me of my self-restraint. Of the need for my revenge. Of my loyalty to my family. She has it coming.
I had a blast reading Mal's point of view. It was super interesting to see how he tries to hate Cay, but his mind keeps going back to stalking her. I couldn't stop laughing at how adorable he is. The best part about our main character is that he's focused and there's abso-FUCKING-lutely NOOOOO other woman drama involved. He's the INSANELY PERFECT book husband!
Cadence shouldn’t find comfort with me. Fucking shouldn’t.
I sure as shit shouldn’t be satisfied to watch it. We’re both fucked.
This woman I intend to ruin, who stands against almost everything I believe in, she broke through my harsh exterior.
My satisfaction runs deeper than watching her being humiliated.
I feel protective of her. I can’t stay indifferent anymore. She’s wet on his chair. Mortified. And I did it.
So fucked.
There are so many things I really LOOOOOOVEEEEEEE about this book. The storylines and writing were really appealing, and I love H more than h because H was just perfect and soooo perfect in every single way!!!!!!😭😩♥️🥹
📖 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
She’s mine. Has been since the moment I found her online. Became more mine once she stepped into my penthouse. The sight of her—the intoxicating energy that radiated from her—that sealed her fate. Sealed our destiny. The last of my denial crumbled and died at my feet.
I still don’t need a girlfriend. It’s her I’m after. I thought she was my enemy. She’s way more than that.
She’s my everything.
My obsession with her is a real, tangible thing. Fuck, it was real when I hated her. It’s everywhere now.
📖🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
“What are you doing to me?” I mouth without saying the words aloud.
She licks her lips, swallows. My hand goes to the back of her neck, pulling her to me for a kiss. “More beer.” She’s breathless. Beautiful. “Sir?” “Only you, baby.”
My fingers roam through the hair she left down and wild. I push my hips up. Cadence dips her chin, batting her eyelashes at me.
I lower my hands to Cadence’s hips and her flesh dips for me.
She’ll never be Dario’s. She never was, either. She belongs to me. “Mine.”
📖🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overnight, her hair has dried. The blond locks glimmer around her in a halo. Her thick mass of hair covers the pillows under her head like streaks of light. Her thick eyelashes rest on her soft cheeks and her pink lips are slightly parted.
Beautiful.
Every strand of her hair, every patch of skin, every breath she takes between those plump lips. Each of them is beautiful. Each draws me to her. Each of them tortures me. To think not too long ago I considered her the enemy. Was too proud to run a simple search that would’ve spared her the heartache I caused.
Sure, I had my reasons. She and I were complete strangers. The half-truth I knew sounded like the typical, clichéd full story. Last but not least, there was me. The walls I’d built around me were harder to penetrate than those around Fort Knox, and my trust in humanity had been almost beyond repair over the years.
It still doesn’t absolve me from what I did. Fortunately, it’s not too late.
I’m keeping Cadence. Never letting go. We’ll have a lifetime together. I’ll have an eternity to make it up to her. I’ll tend to her and treat her like the bratty, delicate flower she is.
“Malachi,” she mumbles in her sleep. The way she says my name. It pulls my gaze to her face. On my way up her body, a smile curves my lips up. She’s so fucking beautiful. Sprawled here, between my sheets, hugging a pillow to her chest. Too fucking adorable for her own good.
📖🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Cadence’s lips curl in a smirk of her own. “I’m glad you didn’t go to the police, Mal.” “You are?”
“Fuck yeah.” The heat from her crotch matches the flames in her eyes. She presses herself to my thickening cock, her fingers digging into my neck. “He would’ve killed you before they even started investigating. Then we wouldn’t have met. I wouldn’t have had the absolute pleasure of helping you take your revenge.”
Cadence bends to kiss me. I grab her hips, my firm hold keeping her pinned to me.
Fuck holding back. Fuck hiding my feelings behind walls and locks. Fuck being safe.
“I love you,” I say. “I’m crazy about you. You weren’t supposed to be this person who makes me question myself. I wasn’t supposed to fall for who I thought was my enemy. Yet, there you were. Jesus, Cadence, you’re a whirlwind. You’re water and fire. You mess with my head and fuck if I don’t like it. You’re so fucking addictive, Cay. And I love you.”
The tears glistening in her eyes sparkles in the darkness surrounding us. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“No.” I crane my head up to kiss the corners of her eyes, tasting the salt in them. Loving how they, too, are mine. “It did, though. I’m not sorry—”
📖🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I’m savoring her. Taking her as if this is the last time I’ll ever have a chance to kiss her. She’s mine. Will never be anyone else’s wife, will never share another man’s sunrise or sunset. Her sweet little gasps in my mouth belong to no one but me.
“You own me, you know that?” I break our kiss without losing the grip on my human lifeline. My dick is hard, but my obsession with her, the person, burns brighter. “You own every part of me. Every. Single. Part. You strip me fucking bare, Cay, and I’m over here, willing to bleed myself dry for you.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This one just wasn't it for me. I wanted to love it. Bound by Gold is a modern-day, spicy Rumplestiltskin retelling, and I loved the idea so much. This was basically just a lot of smut. Which I would never hate on, but there was just something off about it. It felt forced, and it could've been done better. It was also kind of insta-lovey in the sense that suddenly they were in love and they didn't really know each other at this point so it didn't make sense. I would have preferred more build up. There were a few times where something to the extent of "filling up her belly with babies" or "putting babies in her belly" was said, and It. Just. Gave. Me. The ick. And guys, I'm not here to yuck anyone's yum. I'm not hating on the breeding k!nk. I just hate it when it's said like that 😂
Overall, I don't think this was a terrible book by any means. It just wasn't for me.
This one isn't considered dark romance, but still check the trigger warnings; they're there for a reason.
Spicy indeed!! I love the love Malachi has for Candence. Even though in the beginning she had to make dirty money clean thanks to being at the wrong place wrong time thanks to her father. Also, he stalked her for a while then basically beat her along with loving her and making love to her and she loved the pain he put her through! I loved how they ended up pregnant and married at the end of the story!! I really enjoyed this, and it was so entertaining. I love Eva books!
WAIT!! SO, YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE "VILLAIN" GETS THE GIRL?!?😱 GIRLLL..SAY NO MORE!! I NEED TO SIGN UP NOW!!
Eva did an Awesome job of recreating the Beloved Classic Tale into a beautifully dark, twisted and tragic modern-day story. This book sucks you in from the very first page, it was intense and the SPICE🥵 OMFG... Let's Not even go there, NO Scratch that!! The Spice was Damn🥵🤯 its Getting HOT IN HERE🥵🔥🔥🥵 I'm so In Love with This Book😍🥰 I HIGHLY Recommend it!
⚠️⚠️ Please Check Your TRIGGER WARNINGS Before Starting This Book⚠️⚠️
-Dark Romance✔️ -OTT Possessive/ Dominant/ Protective MMC✔️ -Rumpelstiltskin Retelling✔️ -Age Gap✔️ -Enemies to Lovers✔️ -Antihero MMC✔️ -Slow Burn✔️ -Dom/Sub✔️ -Forced Marriage (Not by MMC)✔️ -Eyes Only For Her✔️ -Revenge✔️ -Exhibitionism/ Voyeurism (Only With Each Other)✔️ -Betrayal✔️ -No Cheating or Sharing✔️ -Violence✔️ -Degradation/ Praise✔️ -Angsty✔️ -Humiliation✔️ -Stalking✔️ -Dub Con✔️ -Murder✔️ -Bondage✔️ -Suicide✔️ -Forced/ Denied O's✔️ -Blackmailing✔️ -Pierced 🍆✔️ -Kidnapping✔️ -Anal Play✔️ -Loss✔️ -Choking✔️ -Coercion/ Manipulation✔️ -Breeding✔️ -Push Away From Both✔️ -Sensory play✔️ -Somnophilia✔️ -No Condom✔️ -HEA✔️
"You won't run from the pain. You won't run from me. Most of all, you won't run from fear."
Genre: Modern day fairy tale retelling (Rumpelstiltskin) Tropes: Stalker (blackmail), (sort of) enemies to lovers, revenge plot, forced marriage (to other man - but no love triangle). Trigger warnings: Yes, but it's not actually a dark romance (just with darker themes)
"You, Cadence, are mine. Have been mine. Will. Be. Mine."
ARC review: I've not heard of the Rumpelstiltskin story before, but the blurb had me very intrigued, and who isn't in need of a villain once in a while. And the writing of this story made the depths of their feelings, and the layers of these characters stand out even more - it was addictive, riviting and spellbinding writing.
It was an intriguing story with a good balance of character growth, steam, tension and a bit of suspense. I was hooked from the start and highly enjoyed the story. The story is fresh and new, and very well developed and I highly enjoyed it. It had a good balance of between a plot, a growing relationship and SPICE.
"Say you're never leaving me. I won't fucking let you, but you have to say it. I need to hear the words."
Also, I love me a MMC named Malachi, and this one was a good one - incredibly obsessed and protective once he got his head out his ass, and the way he took charge, the mouth on him and his total devotion was perfect. Cadence was an interesting FMC. She wasn't meek or naive by any means and she definitely has a fire burning within her. But she is also sort of resigned to her fate, giving in to her mysterious stalker, while trying to fight of both. She needed a strong hand to guide her, support her and protect her, and she definitely find that in the most unlikeliest of men.
The chemistry between this two was scorching hot - even through a screen… I really enjoyed watching them get closer and actually getting to know each other and the loved they had was great. It was also a bit emotional, but great nonetheless, seeing them (and especially Malachi) let go of their demons, and heal a bit of past hurts and trauma with each other as a safe place.
He's robbed me of my soul. I'm not sure I want it back. The man who was quick to judge me and keen to torture me is the one I gave myself to.
The revenge plot was entertaining and well thought-out, although I wish it was explored just a bit more, as it was an interesting aspect of the story and I just wanted more of their vindictive sides…
Emmy was a great character as well, and I loved how it isn't just 'the man' being all dominant and in charge. The characters were all layered and backed their personalities up with their actions, even if it was a bit frustrating at times, luckily Malachi was prepared for everything and the way he dealt with Cadence at times was so good (and incredibly HOT!).
I highly enjoyed this story, and I really like how it had a great plot, a fierce couple and great spice, while also delving into darker themes without actually being a dark romance. I needed that bit of break from full out emotional dark romance angst.
This being my third read from EM, I think it’s official that I’m utterly obsessed with whatever is delivered! This book was the signing on the dotted line that has EM as an auto-need-to-read 👏🏼
I was taken to new heights with this read, so many in fact that I’m convinced I’ve discovered a new level of space, if you’re wondering if cloud 9 really exists, it does… and the key is hiding between the pages of this book.
I know it’s not stated as a Dark Romance, but don’t let that put you off because it’s in no way lacking in the “imagination” department 🥵, it provides everything that draws you into a darker side of heaven 😈
—— ❗️𝘔𝘠 𝘚𝘗𝘐𝘊𝘌𝘚 𝘉𝘌𝘓𝘖𝘞 𝘊𝘖𝘜𝘓𝘋 𝘉𝘌 𝘚𝘗𝘖𝘐𝘓𝘌𝘙-𝘠 ❗️——
_____________
🏷️ 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Modern Day Rumpelstiltskin Retelling, Brief Enemies to Lovers, Revenge Plot, Unaliver MMC & FMC, Age Gap (25/32), Boy Obsessed,
😈 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦: Böndäge, Somnophilia, Spitting, Praise, Degrädätion, 🍑 Play, Pierced 🍆, Yes Sir, Power Play, Screen Play, Spnking 👋🏼, Hand Necklaces, Consequences, Brëëding K!nk, Cūm Play
🫠 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀: —> “Yes, Sir will sound better.” —> “My good girl.” —> “You belong to me now. You’re my plaything.” —> “You don’t get to run from me.” —> “I’ll make all the wrongs in your world right again.” —> “You disobeyed me.” —> “Crawl back to me,” —> “Beg for me.”
🌍 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲: This book is a complete standalone with a HEA.
⛔️ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: Főrced Marriage (Not MMC), Mention SA of FMC (not by MMC), Depictions of Arthritis, Witnessing Süicide, Mentions Förced Süicide + other potentially triggering themes. If you are unsure, check TW/CW, otherwise buckle in! 🎢
𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.75 ✮ 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: - 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞: standalone 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: fairytale retelling romance 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞: Malachi Bedford & Cadence Wimberly 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫: Little Spy 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐦: Sir 𝐏𝐎𝐕’𝐬: dual first person 👫
All he does is take. Dario has threatened my family and taken everything. And now he demands to take my last name. Little does he know my dark knight, my stalker and protector is watching and waiting.
"I'll look after you. I'll protect you. I'll make all the wrongs in your world right again."
Eva has spun a brilliant love story loosely based on the magical tale of Rumpelstiltskin. Malachi is seeking revenge for his detrimental past traumas and Cadence is running from her unfortunate circumstances. Two revenge stories brought together by the same monster. And they will do just about anything to see him pay.
And man do they make him pay!
What starts out as a plan to erase the one they despise the most, quickly transpires into a lust and love filled battle within themselves. They know they shouldn't want the other but Cadence and Malachi's draw to each other is overpowering and will not be denied. They are bound together.
This was my first experience from Eva Marks and MAN OH MAN did she deliver. This plot y'all. I quickly became obsessed with the revenge aspects of this story. The hope that this dynamic couple gets their retribution building with the turn of every page just did something for me. AND THE SPICE. Holy HOTNESS. I mean online,the bedroom, the shower, on a car, in a cage there isn't anywhere this couple doesn't get it on. And although the spicy scenes were a main focus it really helped portray the deep love these two had for each other no matter how hard they tried to keep it buried. Mainly hot but with the right amount of plot to keep you hanging on to every word until that beautifully golden ending.
AND MALACHI...IM CALLING DIBS!!
*Please Note: Bound By Gold IS NOT a dark romance but it does have dark elements so please check trigger and content warnings
Happy Release day and A huge thank you to Eva Marks for an early opportunity to let Malachi hack into my kindle and make his way into my heart. 🖤