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Blade of Shadows #3.5
Wicked Lovers of Time
The highly anticipated villains story in the Blade of Shadows Series...
Enveloped in a shroud of darkness and driven by an unrelenting thirst for vengeance , Balthazar, a tormented soul haunted by his tragic past, transforms into a merciless dark demon on a quest to bring retribution to Mathias—the man he holds responsible for his suffering.
A twist of fate awaits as Balthazar crosses paths with Alina, the seductive and enigmatic daughter of his sworn enemy. Unexpectedly drawn to her, Balthazar finds himself torn between his burning desire for revenge and the growing, forbidden allure of Alina. The revelation that she shares his sinister dark nature only adds complexity to their entangled destinies.
United by a shared obsession, Balthazar and Alina embark on a perilous journey to acquire the legendary Blade of Shadows, a weapon promising unimaginable power. However, the fragile alliance fractures when Alina's betrayal sets her on a treacherous solo quest to claim the coveted blades, fueled by an insatiable hunger for power and wickedness.
In a tale woven with darkness, desire, and treachery, Balthazar and Alina push the boundaries of morality, confronting the depths of their own depravity. As they vie for ultimate power, the cost of their actions escalates, leaving a trail of consequences in their wake. The quest for victory becomes increasingly perilous, and the sacrifices they must make reach profound depths. Brace yourself for an exhilarating and seductive journey where not everyone will find redemption.
Continue your adventure with Wicked Lovers of Time, the villains book in the Blade of Shadows series!
The Blade of Shadows series is an intricate and interconnected time travel saga that must be read in order to unravel the mysteries within. It's intricate plot twists and turns are mesmerizing and unpredictable, with every book bringing readers closer to a shocking conclusion.
Enveloped in a shroud of darkness and driven by an unrelenting thirst for vengeance , Balthazar, a tormented soul haunted by his tragic past, transforms into a merciless dark demon on a quest to bring retribution to Mathias—the man he holds responsible for his suffering.
A twist of fate awaits as Balthazar crosses paths with Alina, the seductive and enigmatic daughter of his sworn enemy. Unexpectedly drawn to her, Balthazar finds himself torn between his burning desire for revenge and the growing, forbidden allure of Alina. The revelation that she shares his sinister dark nature only adds complexity to their entangled destinies.
United by a shared obsession, Balthazar and Alina embark on a perilous journey to acquire the legendary Blade of Shadows, a weapon promising unimaginable power. However, the fragile alliance fractures when Alina's betrayal sets her on a treacherous solo quest to claim the coveted blades, fueled by an insatiable hunger for power and wickedness.
In a tale woven with darkness, desire, and treachery, Balthazar and Alina push the boundaries of morality, confronting the depths of their own depravity. As they vie for ultimate power, the cost of their actions escalates, leaving a trail of consequences in their wake. The quest for victory becomes increasingly perilous, and the sacrifices they must make reach profound depths. Brace yourself for an exhilarating and seductive journey where not everyone will find redemption.
Continue your adventure with Wicked Lovers of Time, the villains book in the Blade of Shadows series!
The Blade of Shadows series is an intricate and interconnected time travel saga that must be read in order to unravel the mysteries within. It's intricate plot twists and turns are mesmerizing and unpredictable, with every book bringing readers closer to a shocking conclusion.
554 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2024
268 people are currently reading
7798 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
August 14, 2024
⏳️ Book Review ⏳️
Wicked Lovers of Time • Sara Samuels • Romantasy • 4 🌟
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⏳️ Thoughts ⏳️
Okurrrrr, this is what I call a good romantasy but let's make the villains the main character. This is a thick book but definitely worth reading! I absolutely enjoyed the roller coaster ride of emotions and this book definitely was spicier and impactful. If you love hidden identity, forbidden love, betrayal, and ANTI-HERO, this one is for you!
Wicked Lovers of Time • Sara Samuels • Romantasy • 4 🌟
.
.
.
⏳️ Thoughts ⏳️
Okurrrrr, this is what I call a good romantasy but let's make the villains the main character. This is a thick book but definitely worth reading! I absolutely enjoyed the roller coaster ride of emotions and this book definitely was spicier and impactful. If you love hidden identity, forbidden love, betrayal, and ANTI-HERO, this one is for you!
April 2, 2025
Long over due rating as an ARC reader:
I couldn’t put Wicked Lovers of Time down, just like Sarah’s other books. Balthazar and Alina are so interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. Honestly I felt a bit emphatic towards Balthazar in the last book and reading this book helped me under these two characters a bit better. You can’t help but fall in love with every single character Sarah creates! Can’t wait to start the next book.
I couldn’t put Wicked Lovers of Time down, just like Sarah’s other books. Balthazar and Alina are so interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. Honestly I felt a bit emphatic towards Balthazar in the last book and reading this book helped me under these two characters a bit better. You can’t help but fall in love with every single character Sarah creates! Can’t wait to start the next book.
January 25, 2025
I was lucky enough to be part of her ARC group for this addition to the Blade of Shadows series by Sara Samuels. Still trying to perfect my reviews, so here goes my review of Wicked Lovers of Time:
WOW!!! If you have not read any of this series, you need to. Each book in the series builds on the previous one, and this one did NOT DISAPPOINT!!! Just wow. This book follows two of the characters that have been a part of the series from the first chapter, which was a jaw dropping scene right out of the gate for the first book. The FMC, Alina, is the mother of the FMC, Olivia, of the first three books. The MMC is Balthazar is a long-time lover of Alina. Wicked Lovers of Time is a synopsis of their relationship and the twists and turns that lead up to the replay of the aforementioned "jaw dropping scene" from their perspective brought a new view to what transpired. Established characters were further developed, to include a few surprises in who they were. New characters were introduced that will play major roles in the rest of the series (2 more books after this one due out in 2025.....YEA!!!). A lot of questions answered, and more questions to be answered.
This book was touted as a wild ride of emotions toward the characters. I was just not expected a top level roller coaster of a ride. Whew. IF I could give this book twenty stars, I would.
WOW!!! If you have not read any of this series, you need to. Each book in the series builds on the previous one, and this one did NOT DISAPPOINT!!! Just wow. This book follows two of the characters that have been a part of the series from the first chapter, which was a jaw dropping scene right out of the gate for the first book. The FMC, Alina, is the mother of the FMC, Olivia, of the first three books. The MMC is Balthazar is a long-time lover of Alina. Wicked Lovers of Time is a synopsis of their relationship and the twists and turns that lead up to the replay of the aforementioned "jaw dropping scene" from their perspective brought a new view to what transpired. Established characters were further developed, to include a few surprises in who they were. New characters were introduced that will play major roles in the rest of the series (2 more books after this one due out in 2025.....YEA!!!). A lot of questions answered, and more questions to be answered.
This book was touted as a wild ride of emotions toward the characters. I was just not expected a top level roller coaster of a ride. Whew. IF I could give this book twenty stars, I would.
August 16, 2024
This book is dark and sexy, and I completed enjoyed it! I have read the first 3 books in the series. This one goes back into time and tells the story of Balthazar and Alina lives across time. We already knew Balthazar was evil and dark but OMG Alina is a whole new level of evil. I have never loved and despised a character so much before. I know the characters from the other books but this was a completely different level of darkness. Book 3.5 is a great complement to the series. The author has crafted a unique story full of characters and twists that has been enjoyable to read. The ending was great and it leaves me so excited for book 4 coming next year.
July 18, 2024
A TRUE villain origin story with no redemption and nothing morally gray.
August 8, 2024
This is a real villain story. There is no redemption for the characters in this book. In fact, they actually just get worse and show us how truly evil they actually are!
I feel like there isn't much I can say without spoiling the book, but what I will say is that it was amazing and definitely gave us more insite into the villains in this series and will hopefully give us a better understanding going into the next books in the series.
I feel like there isn't much I can say without spoiling the book, but what I will say is that it was amazing and definitely gave us more insite into the villains in this series and will hopefully give us a better understanding going into the next books in the series.
August 6, 2024
✨ARC Review✨
**WARNING that there will be possible spoilers in this review as its book 3.5 in the series**
I have to say, Balthazar is such a terrible person (hello, villain) that I wasn’t majorly looking forward to his backstory. However, I do feel that it has added depth to his character and I can empathize with him to a degree.
Alina is a well known character in the series that we’ve mostly only heard about from other characters. After a surprise in book 3, I feel that we as readers will be much more prepared for book 4 now. I have so much more to say about Alina but I don’t want to give too much away!
This book was full of action and GASP moments (hello, page 167) and I got through it pretty quickly! I would definitely suggest reading it before book 4!
“He was devouring me, and I wanted to be devoured. I wanted to be consumed completely, my soul merging with his.”
“You are my monster, and I love you. I don’t care what you are.”
**WARNING that there will be possible spoilers in this review as its book 3.5 in the series**
I have to say, Balthazar is such a terrible person (hello, villain) that I wasn’t majorly looking forward to his backstory. However, I do feel that it has added depth to his character and I can empathize with him to a degree.
Alina is a well known character in the series that we’ve mostly only heard about from other characters. After a surprise in book 3, I feel that we as readers will be much more prepared for book 4 now. I have so much more to say about Alina but I don’t want to give too much away!
This book was full of action and GASP moments (hello, page 167) and I got through it pretty quickly! I would definitely suggest reading it before book 4!
“He was devouring me, and I wanted to be devoured. I wanted to be consumed completely, my soul merging with his.”
“You are my monster, and I love you. I don’t care what you are.”
August 6, 2024
OMG! I never thought I would love a .5 story but this was everything!!! So much of the story is tied up in Balthazar and Alina so seeing their pasts and how it all led to the continuous battles Olivia and Roman have to fight through was so satisfying.
The spice in this one is off. The. CHARTS!
There are of course heart pains with all of the past that is revealed but I know Sara will fix it!
The spice in this one is off. The. CHARTS!
There are of course heart pains with all of the past that is revealed but I know Sara will fix it!
July 24, 2025
I mean at this point I almost feel bad for Balthazar? Alina is horrible! Took me way longer to get through this as it is a retelling of the other 3 books but from Alina and Balthazar’s point of view….
December 18, 2024
I was annoyed the whole time. You would think by book 3.5 that I would give up. But nope.
Will I read the next book? unfortunately yes but mostly to see how this all pans out. Im more interested in seeing how this storyline will end rather than being interested in the characters.
To date , my least favorite characters include Alina and Olivia.
Most liked characters so far remain Malik and Marcelious for now. ( liking Roman is a given)
Will I read the next book? unfortunately yes but mostly to see how this all pans out. Im more interested in seeing how this storyline will end rather than being interested in the characters.
To date , my least favorite characters include Alina and Olivia.
Most liked characters so far remain Malik and Marcelious for now. ( liking Roman is a given)
August 10, 2024
➳❥༻🖤🕰️🖤༺➳❥
➳༻❀☕️🅱︎🅾︎🅾︎🅺•🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆☕️❀༺➳
Wɪᴄᴋᴇᴅ Lᴏᴠᴇʀs ᴏꜰ Tɪᴍᴇ ʙʏ Sᴀʀᴀ Sᴀᴍᴜᴇʟs
📚📝✨𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊•𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒✨📝📚
🖤𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟹.𝟻 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙻𝙰𝙳𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝚂𝙷𝙰𝙳𝙾𝚆𝚂 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂
✨𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚅𝙴𝙻 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙲 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈
🕰️𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙰𝚄𝙶𝚄𝚂𝚃 𝟼𝚃𝙷 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
🖤𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗬 𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗦: 𝙼𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙾𝚄𝚂; 𝙰𝙳𝚅𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙾𝚄𝚂; 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺; 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
✨𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟻𝟶𝟺 𝙿𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂
🕰️𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘: 𝚅𝙸𝙲𝙸𝙾𝚄𝚂 𝚅𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂; 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙱𝙸𝙳𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴; 𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙸-𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙾; 𝙷𝙸𝙳𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝚂𝙴𝙲𝚁𝙴𝚃𝚂; 𝙱𝙴𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚈𝙰𝙻; 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚅𝙴𝙻
🖤𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
✨𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
➳❥༻🖤🕰️🖤༺➳❥
✨✨𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠✨✨
Thank you so much to 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐬 for my Advanced Reader Copy of 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.
I’ve been waiting so long for the villains book in this series - the story of Alina and Balthazar and how they came together, and I gotta say - I loved every second of it! Sara delivered in every way imaginable! In true Sara fashion, this book is full of emotional impact, crazy twists and turns, and so many WOW moments that I couldn’t put it down!! I get a little on the fence about .5 books, but I really loved this one!
This is a 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 villains book, where there is no redemption arc, and where you honestly aren’t really sure how to feel about its characters as you read. Alina and Balthazar are WILD, to say the least. We have seen these two throughout Books 1-3, but this is the tale from their POVs of everything that has led up to the jaw dropping moment at the end of Book 3. It’s absolutely a must to read Books 1-3 before this one so you know what’s going on! This book helped to answer so many questions I’ve had since Book 1 in the Blade of Shadows series. As conflicted as I’ve felt about Balthazar and Alina throughout the series so far, this book really helped to give them more depth and I absolutely loved getting to be inside their heads, as vicious and twisted as they are.
The tension between these two was spot on throughout the entirety of the book and the spice was next level delicious! I loved getting their story and I think it not only helped me understand these two more, but also helped me to understand how their story impacts Olivia and Roman’s story, too.
If you haven’t started this series yet, this is your sign that you absolutely need to pick it up because it will change your life! This book was AMAZING and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
➳❥༻🖤🕰️🖤༺➳❥
➳༻❀☕️🅱︎🅾︎🅾︎🅺•🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆☕️❀༺➳
Wɪᴄᴋᴇᴅ Lᴏᴠᴇʀs ᴏꜰ Tɪᴍᴇ ʙʏ Sᴀʀᴀ Sᴀᴍᴜᴇʟs
📚📝✨𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊•𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒✨📝📚
🖤𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟹.𝟻 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙻𝙰𝙳𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝚂𝙷𝙰𝙳𝙾𝚆𝚂 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂
✨𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚅𝙴𝙻 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙲 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈
🕰️𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙰𝚄𝙶𝚄𝚂𝚃 𝟼𝚃𝙷 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
🖤𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗬 𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗦: 𝙼𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙾𝚄𝚂; 𝙰𝙳𝚅𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙾𝚄𝚂; 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺; 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
✨𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟻𝟶𝟺 𝙿𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂
🕰️𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘: 𝚅𝙸𝙲𝙸𝙾𝚄𝚂 𝚅𝙸𝙻𝙻𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂; 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙱𝙸𝙳𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴; 𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙸-𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙾; 𝙷𝙸𝙳𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝚂𝙴𝙲𝚁𝙴𝚃𝚂; 𝙱𝙴𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚈𝙰𝙻; 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚅𝙴𝙻
🖤𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
✨𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
➳❥༻🖤🕰️🖤༺➳❥
✨✨𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠✨✨
Thank you so much to 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐬 for my Advanced Reader Copy of 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.
I’ve been waiting so long for the villains book in this series - the story of Alina and Balthazar and how they came together, and I gotta say - I loved every second of it! Sara delivered in every way imaginable! In true Sara fashion, this book is full of emotional impact, crazy twists and turns, and so many WOW moments that I couldn’t put it down!! I get a little on the fence about .5 books, but I really loved this one!
This is a 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 villains book, where there is no redemption arc, and where you honestly aren’t really sure how to feel about its characters as you read. Alina and Balthazar are WILD, to say the least. We have seen these two throughout Books 1-3, but this is the tale from their POVs of everything that has led up to the jaw dropping moment at the end of Book 3. It’s absolutely a must to read Books 1-3 before this one so you know what’s going on! This book helped to answer so many questions I’ve had since Book 1 in the Blade of Shadows series. As conflicted as I’ve felt about Balthazar and Alina throughout the series so far, this book really helped to give them more depth and I absolutely loved getting to be inside their heads, as vicious and twisted as they are.
The tension between these two was spot on throughout the entirety of the book and the spice was next level delicious! I loved getting their story and I think it not only helped me understand these two more, but also helped me to understand how their story impacts Olivia and Roman’s story, too.
If you haven’t started this series yet, this is your sign that you absolutely need to pick it up because it will change your life! This book was AMAZING and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
➳❥༻🖤🕰️🖤༺➳❥
August 1, 2024
I am absolutely feral for the Blade of Shadows series. This is my guilty pleasure series for a very good reason.
Sara Samuels manages to carefully curate a time travel romantasy series that is somehow cozy and high stakes all at once. Her writing style is simplistic and straightforward, which allows readers such as myself to simply escape into her world without any struggle. The ability to create a series that is a gateway for magic, heavy themes, plots, and character development in such a way that the reader doesn't feel exhausted at the end from just world building alone.
Wicked Lovers of Time is a true testament to Sara's craft. The series does need to be read in order beginning with Timeborne to understand book 3.5. The dual POV is an origin story of Balthazar, the known villain from the very beginning of Timeborne. The darkness and his romantic entanglement and obsession with Alina - another well-known character in the Blades universe. If you've read the first three books, it should be no surprise that our villain is full of pain, depravity, and spice that are just as unrelenting as they are. No spoilers here!
This book gives the reader exactly everything you didn't know you needed. Providing an indepth account of the wicked ones we've come to detest in the series. Offering a peak into the psyche and motivations behind our beloved villians and dare, I say their forgotten humanity locked away somewhere. The backstabbing and betrayals woven in are beyond brutal and had me sobbing more than once. Managing to expand on the stories of other beloved characters in the series, Sara set the scene for Timehunters beautifully. Thus, she's written her best work to date with the dark and delicious tale of Balty and Alina.
Sara continues her descent, which leads her readers into a labyrinth of emotional investment and distress, turning every page until we reach the inevitable end. Saras' passion jumps off the page every time, but this time, she closed the book with a fierceness that is so well deserved.
Sara Samuels manages to carefully curate a time travel romantasy series that is somehow cozy and high stakes all at once. Her writing style is simplistic and straightforward, which allows readers such as myself to simply escape into her world without any struggle. The ability to create a series that is a gateway for magic, heavy themes, plots, and character development in such a way that the reader doesn't feel exhausted at the end from just world building alone.
Wicked Lovers of Time is a true testament to Sara's craft. The series does need to be read in order beginning with Timeborne to understand book 3.5. The dual POV is an origin story of Balthazar, the known villain from the very beginning of Timeborne. The darkness and his romantic entanglement and obsession with Alina - another well-known character in the Blades universe. If you've read the first three books, it should be no surprise that our villain is full of pain, depravity, and spice that are just as unrelenting as they are. No spoilers here!
This book gives the reader exactly everything you didn't know you needed. Providing an indepth account of the wicked ones we've come to detest in the series. Offering a peak into the psyche and motivations behind our beloved villians and dare, I say their forgotten humanity locked away somewhere. The backstabbing and betrayals woven in are beyond brutal and had me sobbing more than once. Managing to expand on the stories of other beloved characters in the series, Sara set the scene for Timehunters beautifully. Thus, she's written her best work to date with the dark and delicious tale of Balty and Alina.
Sara continues her descent, which leads her readers into a labyrinth of emotional investment and distress, turning every page until we reach the inevitable end. Saras' passion jumps off the page every time, but this time, she closed the book with a fierceness that is so well deserved.
August 7, 2024
“I’m going to make you my queen forever. I shall make you darker and more wicked. I shall make you as dark as me.”
ARC Review: Balthazar has a darkness inside him that rivals the devil himself. After everything he loved was brutally taken away from him, Balthazar set out on a path of revenge to find the daughter of his enemy and end her life. After traveling through time to find Alina, he instead instantly succumbs to her beauty and seduction, falling head over heels for her. Only Alina has a growing darkness inside her that threatens to put everything they’ve built and share at risk as she allows her darkness to take hold and drive her towards the ultimate power.
“He seemed both a predator and a friend, an angel, and a devil, all at once.”
Book Rating: 4.5/5
Steam/Spice: 2.5/5
Tropes:
- time travel romance
- vicious villains
- forbidden love
- hidden secrets
- betrayal
- anti-hero
“I arrived to kill her. Instead, I found a stunning creature whose villain ways were only beginning to reveal themselves.”
“I was meant to slaughter you, Alina. I hunted you, certain I would kill you when I found you. Instead, I fell in love.”
Final Thoughts: As always Sara took us on another exhilarating roller coaster ride with this installment of the Blade of Shadows series. I have been dying for Sara to write the villains’ story since way back in book 1 of this series and she did not disappoint! Wow! This story was spicier and darker than the earlier books in this series and I ate it up in its entirety. Alina is a piece of work and poor Balthazar was so head over heels for her and fell for her conniving and seductive ways. I felt bad for Balthazar along the way and his story opened my eyes to his pain and misfortune. I now have some answers that I’ve been seeking while also having more questions for the rest of the series to answer when the final two books release next year.
ARC Review: Balthazar has a darkness inside him that rivals the devil himself. After everything he loved was brutally taken away from him, Balthazar set out on a path of revenge to find the daughter of his enemy and end her life. After traveling through time to find Alina, he instead instantly succumbs to her beauty and seduction, falling head over heels for her. Only Alina has a growing darkness inside her that threatens to put everything they’ve built and share at risk as she allows her darkness to take hold and drive her towards the ultimate power.
“He seemed both a predator and a friend, an angel, and a devil, all at once.”
Book Rating: 4.5/5
Steam/Spice: 2.5/5
Tropes:
- time travel romance
- vicious villains
- forbidden love
- hidden secrets
- betrayal
- anti-hero
“I arrived to kill her. Instead, I found a stunning creature whose villain ways were only beginning to reveal themselves.”
“I was meant to slaughter you, Alina. I hunted you, certain I would kill you when I found you. Instead, I fell in love.”
Final Thoughts: As always Sara took us on another exhilarating roller coaster ride with this installment of the Blade of Shadows series. I have been dying for Sara to write the villains’ story since way back in book 1 of this series and she did not disappoint! Wow! This story was spicier and darker than the earlier books in this series and I ate it up in its entirety. Alina is a piece of work and poor Balthazar was so head over heels for her and fell for her conniving and seductive ways. I felt bad for Balthazar along the way and his story opened my eyes to his pain and misfortune. I now have some answers that I’ve been seeking while also having more questions for the rest of the series to answer when the final two books release next year.
December 30, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh. My. God! This book was incredible. I am all for the prequels that are written after the main storyline is well into play. Being 3 books in, this sheds light to characters' previous lives. This dive into the main villain of the main storyline and the mother of the FMC from the main storyline, adds so much more depth to the other 3 books. It made me see scenes in a completely different light, hear lines being said with different emotions, and again showcases how great Sara’s storytelling abilities truly are.
If you have been looking for a book that is all about villains and how they came to be, this is it! Not quite an origin story, but shone a new light on both Balthazar and Alina. On why they feel about each other the way they do, why Balthazar views Olivia the way he does, and the hurt these two cause each other. Both characters are beyond twisted and vicious, but this book allowed readers into their heads like never before.
It’s hard to go into a review like I usually do, since there would be spoilers. I highly recommend this book and this entire series! You must read it in order though, as if you start with this you will ruin the other books. I continue to be blown away by Sara’s writing talent and how she can weave together a story that is beautiful, emotional, full of drama, but still stay true to the overall storyline and continue its cohesiveness. I can’t wait for book 4!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
Tropes:
⏲Time Travel Romance
🐍Forbidden Love
⏲Hidden Secrets
🐍Anti-Hero
⏲Betrayal
🐍Origin Story
Oh. My. God! This book was incredible. I am all for the prequels that are written after the main storyline is well into play. Being 3 books in, this sheds light to characters' previous lives. This dive into the main villain of the main storyline and the mother of the FMC from the main storyline, adds so much more depth to the other 3 books. It made me see scenes in a completely different light, hear lines being said with different emotions, and again showcases how great Sara’s storytelling abilities truly are.
If you have been looking for a book that is all about villains and how they came to be, this is it! Not quite an origin story, but shone a new light on both Balthazar and Alina. On why they feel about each other the way they do, why Balthazar views Olivia the way he does, and the hurt these two cause each other. Both characters are beyond twisted and vicious, but this book allowed readers into their heads like never before.
It’s hard to go into a review like I usually do, since there would be spoilers. I highly recommend this book and this entire series! You must read it in order though, as if you start with this you will ruin the other books. I continue to be blown away by Sara’s writing talent and how she can weave together a story that is beautiful, emotional, full of drama, but still stay true to the overall storyline and continue its cohesiveness. I can’t wait for book 4!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
Tropes:
⏲Time Travel Romance
🐍Forbidden Love
⏲Hidden Secrets
🐍Anti-Hero
⏲Betrayal
🐍Origin Story
February 10, 2025
This is a marvelous creation by Sara Samuels. It is a tale that creates a world of time travel, medieval love, wonderful characters, and so many twists and turns at every step. And just like her other books, this book, Book 3.5 in the Time series, has made me fall in love with time travel even more.
Overview of this book: This book follows Balthazar and Alina and their wicked, twisted love and hate story. This book is about their journey of revenge, power, darkness, and truth.
Best parts of this book:
We see the true personalities of each character, making us understand the whole plot and backstories even more. After reading the first three books, I wanted to know more about the back story of Balthazar and also Alina and in this book, we get it all.
The twists and turns that are added in this book are too entertaining and would keep you on edge.
If you have read the first three books, things will make more sense. And you'll be able to understand the characters more.
A few things that made me mad - Ugh! I kind of do not like Alina's character. I won't say much but you'll have to read the book. No spoilers here. But I am saying it in a good way, in the sense that the character was so well written that It made me hate her, well not exactly hate but I was annoyed.
Let's not forget the spice and the steam that captured my attention as well. It wasn't too much, nor was it absent but the perfect amount to blend with the story.
Now let's get to the point where I am eager to find out more. I highly recommend this book to all.
Overview of this book: This book follows Balthazar and Alina and their wicked, twisted love and hate story. This book is about their journey of revenge, power, darkness, and truth.
Best parts of this book:
We see the true personalities of each character, making us understand the whole plot and backstories even more. After reading the first three books, I wanted to know more about the back story of Balthazar and also Alina and in this book, we get it all.
The twists and turns that are added in this book are too entertaining and would keep you on edge.
If you have read the first three books, things will make more sense. And you'll be able to understand the characters more.
A few things that made me mad - Ugh! I kind of do not like Alina's character. I won't say much but you'll have to read the book. No spoilers here. But I am saying it in a good way, in the sense that the character was so well written that It made me hate her, well not exactly hate but I was annoyed.
Let's not forget the spice and the steam that captured my attention as well. It wasn't too much, nor was it absent but the perfect amount to blend with the story.
Now let's get to the point where I am eager to find out more. I highly recommend this book to all.
June 10, 2025
Wicked Lovers of Time is a breathtaking prequel that pulls readers into the origin of everything that set the events of Blade of Shadows into motion. While previous books follow Olivia’s journey through time, this one takes us further back—to the root of the chaos, the romance, and the revenge.
🖤 Alina is a girl with a storm inside her. Dark, determined, and unafraid to go against the grain, she does whatever it takes to chase what she believes in.
🔥 Balthazar, on the other hand, begins as a devoted husband and father, living a peaceful life. But when tragedy strikes and he loses everything, grief turns to fury—and he sets his sights on revenge. He blames one man: Mathias.
Their worlds collide when Alina and Balthazar meet—two dark souls drawn together by fate, pain, and purpose. What follows is a love story unlike any other—twisted, intense, and brimming with consequences that echo through time itself.
This book adds essential backstory and emotional complexity to the Blade of Shadows series. It deepens our understanding of the timeborne world, showing how the past carved the path Olivia and others would eventually walk.
Final Thoughts: Wicked Lovers of Time is a dark, romantic, and powerfully tragic tale of how love, grief, and vengeance can shape entire timelines. The writing is rich, the characters unforgettable, and the payoff—devastatingly beautiful.
Happy reading!
🖤 Alina is a girl with a storm inside her. Dark, determined, and unafraid to go against the grain, she does whatever it takes to chase what she believes in.
🔥 Balthazar, on the other hand, begins as a devoted husband and father, living a peaceful life. But when tragedy strikes and he loses everything, grief turns to fury—and he sets his sights on revenge. He blames one man: Mathias.
Their worlds collide when Alina and Balthazar meet—two dark souls drawn together by fate, pain, and purpose. What follows is a love story unlike any other—twisted, intense, and brimming with consequences that echo through time itself.
This book adds essential backstory and emotional complexity to the Blade of Shadows series. It deepens our understanding of the timeborne world, showing how the past carved the path Olivia and others would eventually walk.
Final Thoughts: Wicked Lovers of Time is a dark, romantic, and powerfully tragic tale of how love, grief, and vengeance can shape entire timelines. The writing is rich, the characters unforgettable, and the payoff—devastatingly beautiful.
Happy reading!
August 6, 2024
✨ARC REVIEW✨
Enveloped in a shroud of darkness and driven by an unrelenting thirst for vengeance, Balthazar, a tormented soul haunted by his tragic past, transforms into a merciless dark demon on a quest to bring retribution to Mathias—the man he holds responsible for his suffering.
A twist of fate awaits as Balthazar crosses paths with Alina, the seductive and enigmatic daughter of his sworn enemy.
United by a shared obsession, Balthazar and Alina embark on a perilous journey to acquire the legendary Blade of Shadows, a weapon promising unimaginable power.
The Blade of Shadows series is an intricate and interconnected time travel saga that must be read in order to unravel the mysteries within.
Get ready to be utterly enthralled by Sara Samuels’ latest masterpiece in her electrifying series! This villain book takes the narrative to soaring new heights, finally delivering answers we’ve been craving since the debut of the Blade of Shadows series. We delve into the origins of Balthazar and Alina’s saga, and trust me, the revelations are nothing short of mind-blowing. This book it’s a crucial piece of the puzzle. To fully immerse yourself in this story, reading the first three books in this series is an absolute must.
Embarking on this journey through Sara’s intricately woven and spellbinding world has been a privilege. Some questions were answered but new questions have been added leaving me eagerly anticipating what comes next.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Enveloped in a shroud of darkness and driven by an unrelenting thirst for vengeance, Balthazar, a tormented soul haunted by his tragic past, transforms into a merciless dark demon on a quest to bring retribution to Mathias—the man he holds responsible for his suffering.
A twist of fate awaits as Balthazar crosses paths with Alina, the seductive and enigmatic daughter of his sworn enemy.
United by a shared obsession, Balthazar and Alina embark on a perilous journey to acquire the legendary Blade of Shadows, a weapon promising unimaginable power.
The Blade of Shadows series is an intricate and interconnected time travel saga that must be read in order to unravel the mysteries within.
Get ready to be utterly enthralled by Sara Samuels’ latest masterpiece in her electrifying series! This villain book takes the narrative to soaring new heights, finally delivering answers we’ve been craving since the debut of the Blade of Shadows series. We delve into the origins of Balthazar and Alina’s saga, and trust me, the revelations are nothing short of mind-blowing. This book it’s a crucial piece of the puzzle. To fully immerse yourself in this story, reading the first three books in this series is an absolute must.
Embarking on this journey through Sara’s intricately woven and spellbinding world has been a privilege. Some questions were answered but new questions have been added leaving me eagerly anticipating what comes next.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
August 13, 2024
Wicked Lovers of Time by Sara Samuels is book 3.5 in the incredible "Blade of Shadows" series and it was flipping outstanding! I am very grateful to be part of the ARC team for tis series and oh my life, so grateful that we had a .5 book to tide us over (seriously, this series is fire!)
Balthazar is one of those baddies you cannot help but love, albeit with a grimace! He is such a delicious villain that as much as I despise every fibre of his being, there is also something that has me intrigued by this enigmatic soul. It was a genius move to have a romantic tryst between Balthazar and Alina, the daughter of Olivia who is the awesome FMC of the series. I mean, whaa?!
Wicked Lovers of Time is the perfect blend of stage setting for the rest of the series, while keeping us sated as readers until the next book. Because once you start this series, you will be utterly invested, it is just that good! (also, if you are a cover lover, just looksee becaus oh my life, I am not usually someone who is drawn by a cover, but my goodness these books are gorgeous!)
Thank you very much to Sara Samuels for the opportunity to be part of the ARC team. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Balthazar is one of those baddies you cannot help but love, albeit with a grimace! He is such a delicious villain that as much as I despise every fibre of his being, there is also something that has me intrigued by this enigmatic soul. It was a genius move to have a romantic tryst between Balthazar and Alina, the daughter of Olivia who is the awesome FMC of the series. I mean, whaa?!
Wicked Lovers of Time is the perfect blend of stage setting for the rest of the series, while keeping us sated as readers until the next book. Because once you start this series, you will be utterly invested, it is just that good! (also, if you are a cover lover, just looksee becaus oh my life, I am not usually someone who is drawn by a cover, but my goodness these books are gorgeous!)
Thank you very much to Sara Samuels for the opportunity to be part of the ARC team. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
September 6, 2024
Wicked Lovers of Time is book 3.5 of The Blade of Shadows series by Sara Samuels.
In this installment, Sara weaves a very intricate tale of Balthazar and Alina’s love affair, throughout time and it is DARK and SPICY 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ which you expect from a meticulously crafted villains story.
Balthazar and Alina connect through their shared passion for all things wicked and dark and when they learn of the legendary blades of shadows, two daggers that promise the one who possesses it unimaginable power and darkness. In a quest to be the ultimate power, betrayals are made and a trail of collateral damage is left in their wake, spread throughout history.
Characters you thought you knew, YOU DIDN’T! but you will now. This is a very layered and intricate story and I don’t even think we know the half of it yet!
if you enjoy dark romance, forced proximity, time travel, Secret Identity, fated mates, emotional, found family, betrayal, secrets and lies, and vicious villains with so many plot twist your head will spin as well as 🌶️🌶️🌶️ then I strongly recommend “The Blade of Shadows” series by Sara Samuels
In this installment, Sara weaves a very intricate tale of Balthazar and Alina’s love affair, throughout time and it is DARK and SPICY 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ which you expect from a meticulously crafted villains story.
Balthazar and Alina connect through their shared passion for all things wicked and dark and when they learn of the legendary blades of shadows, two daggers that promise the one who possesses it unimaginable power and darkness. In a quest to be the ultimate power, betrayals are made and a trail of collateral damage is left in their wake, spread throughout history.
Characters you thought you knew, YOU DIDN’T! but you will now. This is a very layered and intricate story and I don’t even think we know the half of it yet!
if you enjoy dark romance, forced proximity, time travel, Secret Identity, fated mates, emotional, found family, betrayal, secrets and lies, and vicious villains with so many plot twist your head will spin as well as 🌶️🌶️🌶️ then I strongly recommend “The Blade of Shadows” series by Sara Samuels
July 25, 2024
Sara Samuels has done it again with her latest masterpiece, providing deep insights into the villain characters and their roles in the series. This book answers many questions that arose during books 1-3. It presents Alina and Baltazar in a completely new light. Alina, while not entirely bad, is undeniably vicious, and her story captivates you as you read. I was so engrossed that I finished the book in just two days, reading from chapter 19 all the way to the end.
Alina and Baltazar's story is a wild roller coaster of intriguing journeys. To fully grasp what is happening in the series, you need to read the whole series and experience the progression of the story. Additionally, understanding their story is crucial to see how it impacts Olivia and Roman. As I've mentioned in my previous reviews of this series, it keeps getting better and better, and "Wicked Lovers of Time" does not disappoint.
"Wicked Lovers of Time" is a thrilling tale of time travel, villains, betrayal, hidden identities, and intense passion. Do not hesitate to read it!
Alina and Baltazar's story is a wild roller coaster of intriguing journeys. To fully grasp what is happening in the series, you need to read the whole series and experience the progression of the story. Additionally, understanding their story is crucial to see how it impacts Olivia and Roman. As I've mentioned in my previous reviews of this series, it keeps getting better and better, and "Wicked Lovers of Time" does not disappoint.
"Wicked Lovers of Time" is a thrilling tale of time travel, villains, betrayal, hidden identities, and intense passion. Do not hesitate to read it!
August 13, 2024
In this captivating novel, we delve into the dark and twisted world of the villains from the Blade of Shadows series. Balthazar, a tormented soul haunted by a tragic past, seeks vengeance with unwavering determination. Alina, a woman devoid of love, conceals a hidden darkness within her, using manipulation to achieve her desires.
Fate takes an unexpected turn when Balthazar and Alina's paths collide, intertwining their wicked ways as they embark on a perilous journey in pursuit of power. Sara's mesmerizing storytelling ensures that readers remain captivated throughout this time-travel series.
"Wicked Lovers of Time" is a cleverly crafted and interconnected book that masterfully blends elements of mystery, time travel, betrayal, hidden identities, and intense passions. It seamlessly fills in the gaps left throughout the series, providing Balthazar and Alina with their long-awaited moment in time.
This series is highly recommended for those seeking a powerful and captivating time-travel experience that delivers on all fronts.
Fate takes an unexpected turn when Balthazar and Alina's paths collide, intertwining their wicked ways as they embark on a perilous journey in pursuit of power. Sara's mesmerizing storytelling ensures that readers remain captivated throughout this time-travel series.
"Wicked Lovers of Time" is a cleverly crafted and interconnected book that masterfully blends elements of mystery, time travel, betrayal, hidden identities, and intense passions. It seamlessly fills in the gaps left throughout the series, providing Balthazar and Alina with their long-awaited moment in time.
This series is highly recommended for those seeking a powerful and captivating time-travel experience that delivers on all fronts.
February 23, 2025
This was incredibly good! This is the back story to Alina and Balthazar's love story. We got a lot of insight about them in the first three books, but this shows so much more depth. This was one crazy villain love story and Sara wrote it so well.
Balthazar's back story actually shows a little bit of a soft side to him under all of his evil ways. I felt a bit sympathy for him and it explains a tiny bit about the way he is, but you know he's still the villain here.
Olivia discovers so much about her mother in the previous books and I really wanted to like Alina a little bit more. She is so terrible and surpasses Balthazar in the evil compartment. Just when you think she couldn't be any worse she does something else letting you know she has a lot more darkness buried deep within her.
Alina and Balthazar also spend decades with this passionate game of cat and mouse with each other causing each other more pain as time goes on. This is a series that should be read in sequence for the best experience though I think this could easily be a standalone.
Balthazar's back story actually shows a little bit of a soft side to him under all of his evil ways. I felt a bit sympathy for him and it explains a tiny bit about the way he is, but you know he's still the villain here.
Olivia discovers so much about her mother in the previous books and I really wanted to like Alina a little bit more. She is so terrible and surpasses Balthazar in the evil compartment. Just when you think she couldn't be any worse she does something else letting you know she has a lot more darkness buried deep within her.
Alina and Balthazar also spend decades with this passionate game of cat and mouse with each other causing each other more pain as time goes on. This is a series that should be read in sequence for the best experience though I think this could easily be a standalone.
August 5, 2024
🗡️'Wicked Lovers of Time' ARC Review🗡️
Book 3.5 - 'Blade of Shadows' Series
By: @storytellersarasamuels
Rating: 4⭐️
Release date: 13th August 2024
“𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤.”
I'd apologise for blowing up your DM's whilst reading this but we all know that you love it😜
The Queen of plot twists has striked again! Sara never fails to have us all engrossed in yet another masterpiece, as she once again, throws multiple twists and turns at us (with a smile on her face, I'm sure😉) as we are in constant disbelief and amazement within her storytelling!
This story follows the characters, Alina and Balthazar, whom we've meet within this series already but showcases series of events that have happened from their point of view, up until present time.
"𝐇𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞."
Holy smut, this is for the smut and villain lovers out there! 🌶️😈💀
“𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐦. 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.”
This beauty includes:
🗡️Time Travel
🗡️Vicious Villians
🗡️Forbidden Love
🗡️Anti-Hero
🗡️Betrayal
🗡️Hidden Secrets
(this is a given with Sara🥲)
"𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝..."
I strong recommend this series, it's truly unforgettable and I am so thrilled to support Sara through her author journey and can't wait for book 4!
(I miss Olivia and Roman❤️)
Book 3.5 - 'Blade of Shadows' Series
By: @storytellersarasamuels
Rating: 4⭐️
Release date: 13th August 2024
“𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤.”
I'd apologise for blowing up your DM's whilst reading this but we all know that you love it😜
The Queen of plot twists has striked again! Sara never fails to have us all engrossed in yet another masterpiece, as she once again, throws multiple twists and turns at us (with a smile on her face, I'm sure😉) as we are in constant disbelief and amazement within her storytelling!
This story follows the characters, Alina and Balthazar, whom we've meet within this series already but showcases series of events that have happened from their point of view, up until present time.
"𝐇𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞."
Holy smut, this is for the smut and villain lovers out there! 🌶️😈💀
“𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐦. 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.”
This beauty includes:
🗡️Time Travel
🗡️Vicious Villians
🗡️Forbidden Love
🗡️Anti-Hero
🗡️Betrayal
🗡️Hidden Secrets
(this is a given with Sara🥲)
"𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝..."
I strong recommend this series, it's truly unforgettable and I am so thrilled to support Sara through her author journey and can't wait for book 4!
(I miss Olivia and Roman❤️)
July 31, 2024
Rating: 5🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I always get a little nervous reading the .5 books thinking I won’t like them near as much BUT Sara’s writing has a way of capturing your attention from the beginning.
I have been curious about Alina and Balthazar’s past and how they’ve come to be who they are and this book did not disappoint…and the tension and spice 🫠 SO. GOOD!
I love seeing the insight of the villains in the story and it gives more perspective. As usual Sara takes you on the rollercoaster of emotions and has a way of making you feel exactly what the character is feeling.
Questions were answered but there are more questions to be answered! Hopefully in the next book to come.
I highly recommend you pick up book 1 in this series, Timeborne.
Sara’s writing is phenomenal and will take you on a whirl wind of emotions with impeccable plot twists that will have your jaw dropping!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I always get a little nervous reading the .5 books thinking I won’t like them near as much BUT Sara’s writing has a way of capturing your attention from the beginning.
I have been curious about Alina and Balthazar’s past and how they’ve come to be who they are and this book did not disappoint…and the tension and spice 🫠 SO. GOOD!
I love seeing the insight of the villains in the story and it gives more perspective. As usual Sara takes you on the rollercoaster of emotions and has a way of making you feel exactly what the character is feeling.
Questions were answered but there are more questions to be answered! Hopefully in the next book to come.
I highly recommend you pick up book 1 in this series, Timeborne.
Sara’s writing is phenomenal and will take you on a whirl wind of emotions with impeccable plot twists that will have your jaw dropping!
August 14, 2024
WOW! Sara Samuels has such immense talent. Wicked Lovers of Time is the love story of Balthazar and Alina, the villains of the series. Upon reading that, I assumed that meant a wild love story where we empathize and humanize the morally grey bad guys. Nope! Balthazar and Alina are absolutely terrible. I do have to admit, after reading the series thus far, I still have a soft spot for Balthazar. However, this is not a redemption story. Sara was able to write the story in such a way that you do not side with the villains, but you understand them. And to get the other versions of their history. So many gaps were filled in. In true Sara fashion, they were replaced with more clues and easter eggs for the series. Does anyone else try keeping track of these?
I absolutely love this series. Wicked Lovers of Time blew me away. You will not regret reading the other side of the story.
I absolutely love this series. Wicked Lovers of Time blew me away. You will not regret reading the other side of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2025
I can honestly say that i enjoyed reading about Balthazar, the villain , never thought i would from the previous books, but we can truly understand now why he is “the darkness” that he is. Which the betrayal that came from Alina (which I felt was sort of necessary on her part) didn’t help at all either.
This book is critical on how the story can proceed, by us learning more about Alina and Balthazar and other characters that came into play in prior books and possibly beyond.
This book level of spice I’d say is about a 3.5 chili peppers since they were absolutely totally devoured by each other with love and lust. Of course in Sara like manner this book just leaves you asking more questions and leaves you wanting more!! Can’t wait to read what twists and turns come next and hopefully get some answers in the next book!!
This book is critical on how the story can proceed, by us learning more about Alina and Balthazar and other characters that came into play in prior books and possibly beyond.
This book level of spice I’d say is about a 3.5 chili peppers since they were absolutely totally devoured by each other with love and lust. Of course in Sara like manner this book just leaves you asking more questions and leaves you wanting more!! Can’t wait to read what twists and turns come next and hopefully get some answers in the next book!!
August 23, 2024
Trigger SPOILERS ahead
Okay so Balthazar and Alina the love we thought we knew?!??!
Absolutely not Balthazar while evil seems to be a helpless romantic that just wants the family taken from him and taken his pain and ran with it.
Now Alina his love, her love? Alina gives obsessed with the idea of love without the mental capacity to actually love. She is the VILLIAN.. this book is so freaking juicy, the SPICE IS 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ the storyline is chefs kiss 💋 ,this book was a wild ride and now has me questioning everything and I mean everything I thought I knew and every guess I had for how the series would end is now up in the air because wholly balls I’m thrown for a loop with Alina alone. 10/10 not so patiently waiting for the next book.
Okay so Balthazar and Alina the love we thought we knew?!??!
Absolutely not Balthazar while evil seems to be a helpless romantic that just wants the family taken from him and taken his pain and ran with it.
Now Alina his love, her love? Alina gives obsessed with the idea of love without the mental capacity to actually love. She is the VILLIAN.. this book is so freaking juicy, the SPICE IS 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ the storyline is chefs kiss 💋 ,this book was a wild ride and now has me questioning everything and I mean everything I thought I knew and every guess I had for how the series would end is now up in the air because wholly balls I’m thrown for a loop with Alina alone. 10/10 not so patiently waiting for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2024
Having read the other 3 books I couldn’t wait to read this one , and this one doesn’t disappoint . And give an entirely new prospective on the other side , the spiciest out of the series so far with some suprises in story especially chapter 14 . I love the story ,how it fills all the gaps from all the other books . It gives a prospective of why people are are the way they are , why evil is preferred over good . Also make you see that the person you might think is innocent is actually the worst one ever ( in my opinion ) .
Sara Samuel’s continues the amazing writing and I cannot wait for the next book , this book is worth the read and has me begging for more
Sara Samuel’s continues the amazing writing and I cannot wait for the next book , this book is worth the read and has me begging for more
August 6, 2024
When Sara said that this is a villain story with no redemption arc, she was not lying!
Balthazar and Alina are one messed up couple. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get chapter 14 out of my head (IYKYK). So many wtf moments!
This story definitely adds a lot of depth to their characters and prepares us for book four. There were a lot of twists I wasn’t expecting, and some new characters I’m curious to see more of!
Happy release day, Sara!! Thanks for being such a joy to work with and for providing an arc for an honest review. 💕
Balthazar and Alina are one messed up couple. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get chapter 14 out of my head (IYKYK). So many wtf moments!
This story definitely adds a lot of depth to their characters and prepares us for book four. There were a lot of twists I wasn’t expecting, and some new characters I’m curious to see more of!
Happy release day, Sara!! Thanks for being such a joy to work with and for providing an arc for an honest review. 💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2024
Get ready, book lovers! If you adore twisted, wicked stories, enemies-to-lovers romances, time travel, and jaw-dropping plot twists, look no further. Author Sarah Samuel has done it again with Wicked Lovers of Time.
This isn’t just another suspenseful, addictive tale. In Wicked Lovers of Time, we dive into the twisted lives of our villains, Balthazar and Alina, through their first-person accounts. We uncover the horrific events that shaped them, driving their darkest desires for power.
The spice is intense, and the unexpected plot twists are mind-blowing! I’m thrilled to learn more about the new characters introduced in this book. The suspense continues...
Thank you, Sarah, for the opportunity to work with you and pre-read your incredible work! I can't wait for book four!
This isn’t just another suspenseful, addictive tale. In Wicked Lovers of Time, we dive into the twisted lives of our villains, Balthazar and Alina, through their first-person accounts. We uncover the horrific events that shaped them, driving their darkest desires for power.
The spice is intense, and the unexpected plot twists are mind-blowing! I’m thrilled to learn more about the new characters introduced in this book. The suspense continues...
Thank you, Sarah, for the opportunity to work with you and pre-read your incredible work! I can't wait for book four!
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