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Mason
Fearlessly Bound
554 pages, Paperback
Published March 8, 2024
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999 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 12, 2024
I thought I got what this novel is but now I’ve finished it I’m not sure I do.
If we start with the positives, then the downsides of each aspect, then the blurb promised you a powerful male billionaire lead and that’s what you get, with all the grumpy, ‘I don’t have time nor inclination for a partner’ vibes you’d expect. But I think this fell too far on the ‘I’m actually a controlling asshole and if I wasn’t ludicrously rich you’d warn your female friends about me’ side.
I’m almost certain at one point it stated he was like some gangster in London, giving us this Peaky Blinders suggestion… so that’s fun…. but then everything else seemed oddly American (including having to get a job to support her ill father’s medical bills rather then use the NHs and get a job to, like, pay for things. And having a mom. And the side characters could not be more caricatured.
The plot built up to this big love story and I would agree there is chemistry. But three things here…. One. Sometimes what was happening within the page didn’t make sense (I’d have to reread sentences ; paragraphs or whole sections again for example). Two- the background twist was just insane! And frankly going back to slightly creepy man, who was rather easily forgiven because… ‘feelings!’ (How about feeling this is batshit crazy and running needs to be done) And three, I am fairly sure this was meant to be erotica and, while I actually prefer romance to explicit scenes, it wasn’t clear then they actually had sex for the first time… surely this should be at least slightly clear? For ages I thought there was lots of kisses (and lots of focus on stroking necks and touching tongues) but I wasn’t clear if they actually knew what to do after that. So if you’re looking for erotic scenes you’re not going to get it here.
Anyway, suspend your worries that actually this is a fairly toxic relationship and you will quite enjoy it, possibly.
If we start with the positives, then the downsides of each aspect, then the blurb promised you a powerful male billionaire lead and that’s what you get, with all the grumpy, ‘I don’t have time nor inclination for a partner’ vibes you’d expect. But I think this fell too far on the ‘I’m actually a controlling asshole and if I wasn’t ludicrously rich you’d warn your female friends about me’ side.
I’m almost certain at one point it stated he was like some gangster in London, giving us this Peaky Blinders suggestion… so that’s fun…. but then everything else seemed oddly American (including having to get a job to support her ill father’s medical bills rather then use the NHs and get a job to, like, pay for things. And having a mom. And the side characters could not be more caricatured.
The plot built up to this big love story and I would agree there is chemistry. But three things here…. One. Sometimes what was happening within the page didn’t make sense (I’d have to reread sentences ; paragraphs or whole sections again for example). Two- the background twist was just insane! And frankly going back to slightly creepy man, who was rather easily forgiven because… ‘feelings!’ (How about feeling this is batshit crazy and running needs to be done) And three, I am fairly sure this was meant to be erotica and, while I actually prefer romance to explicit scenes, it wasn’t clear then they actually had sex for the first time… surely this should be at least slightly clear? For ages I thought there was lots of kisses (and lots of focus on stroking necks and touching tongues) but I wasn’t clear if they actually knew what to do after that. So if you’re looking for erotic scenes you’re not going to get it here.
Anyway, suspend your worries that actually this is a fairly toxic relationship and you will quite enjoy it, possibly.
July 7, 2024
Don’t judge the book by its cover. I was hating another book I’m still trying to finish, and Facebook kept targeting me with ads for this book on some app. I read the free chapters they let you read and was hooked. So, I bought the physical book off Amazon. It was a quick read with lots of plot twists. The main male character is toxic AF initially, but there was good character development, and the story was good. Surprisingly (given the type of cover it has), it’s not a smutty book. There is a lot of tension between the characters that builds throughout the book with the whole enemies-to-lovers storyline, but nothing explicitly sexual is ever discussed. Like I said, don’t judge the book by its cover. It was a solid 4.0 star read for me.
March 21, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance e-copy of Fearlessly Bound, in exchange of an honest review.
Mason Campbell, a figure of authority and influence in England, possesses an endless reserve of both resources and charisma. Despite his reputation for unyielding ruthlessness, he commands the envy of men and the desires of women with equal fervor. Enter Lauren Hart, a newly appointed assistant thrust into the tumultuous orbit of Mason Campbell. Tasked with navigating his explosive temper, disdain, and overbearing ego, Lauren finds herself treading on thin ice in her professional relationship with the formidable tycoon. While she yearns for an escape from the clutches of her tyrannical employer, fate has other plans in store for her. Unbeknownst to Lauren, Mason's icy exterior conceals a fiery passion directed solely towards her. As their professional dynamic teeters on the edge of chaos, Mason is poised to unveil an irresistible proposition that will alter the course of their intertwined destinies forever. Within the pages of this riveting tale lies a narrative brimming with intrigue, suspense, and unbridled desire. While the plot unfolds at a breakneck pace, weaving a tapestry of unforeseen twists and mounting tensions, certain segments may leave readers grappling with moments of confusion and a sense of hurried pacing. Nonetheless, the electrifying allure of the story's premise ensures an engaging read that captures the essence of a gripping tale of power, passion, and the perilous dance between ambition and allure. This was a solid 4.0 Star rating read for me!
Mason Campbell, a figure of authority and influence in England, possesses an endless reserve of both resources and charisma. Despite his reputation for unyielding ruthlessness, he commands the envy of men and the desires of women with equal fervor. Enter Lauren Hart, a newly appointed assistant thrust into the tumultuous orbit of Mason Campbell. Tasked with navigating his explosive temper, disdain, and overbearing ego, Lauren finds herself treading on thin ice in her professional relationship with the formidable tycoon. While she yearns for an escape from the clutches of her tyrannical employer, fate has other plans in store for her. Unbeknownst to Lauren, Mason's icy exterior conceals a fiery passion directed solely towards her. As their professional dynamic teeters on the edge of chaos, Mason is poised to unveil an irresistible proposition that will alter the course of their intertwined destinies forever. Within the pages of this riveting tale lies a narrative brimming with intrigue, suspense, and unbridled desire. While the plot unfolds at a breakneck pace, weaving a tapestry of unforeseen twists and mounting tensions, certain segments may leave readers grappling with moments of confusion and a sense of hurried pacing. Nonetheless, the electrifying allure of the story's premise ensures an engaging read that captures the essence of a gripping tale of power, passion, and the perilous dance between ambition and allure. This was a solid 4.0 Star rating read for me!
April 8, 2024
I got this as an ARC from netgalley so I’m very grateful for that !
Unfortunately this book didn’t hit for me at all, and unfortunately I had to DNF within the first 30 pages!
For me, the writing felt very choppy, some of the sentences had no flow and I felt myself going back over sections because it didn’t make sense to me!
The writing was also too much of telling me instead of showing me, there was a lot of “I did this” “I wore this” “I sat”
And it felt even worse when the FMC was talking about the MMC. I think a direct improvement of this would be to review the sentences once written, do they flow? Make sure there’s not several short, snappy sentences in quick succession. I think more showing rather than telling would have made a massive difference too!
The dialect also felt slightly off, as a British person myself the British slang in the book isn’t something I’ve ever heard! Plus in England you’re more likely to be called “miss” than “ma’am” (unless of course you’re the queen). The initial premise of the book also made no sense, her dad is needing medical care and the bills are racking up?? We have the NHS here, so medical care is free, no bills required! Again, improvement would simply be to do more research!
I think overall, I could predict the major plot holes, the poor character development, and the weaker writing, I think this needed a bit more finesse and focus on the quality of the writing, but the story line does have potential if the author wanted to give it another go!
Unfortunately this book didn’t hit for me at all, and unfortunately I had to DNF within the first 30 pages!
For me, the writing felt very choppy, some of the sentences had no flow and I felt myself going back over sections because it didn’t make sense to me!
The writing was also too much of telling me instead of showing me, there was a lot of “I did this” “I wore this” “I sat”
And it felt even worse when the FMC was talking about the MMC. I think a direct improvement of this would be to review the sentences once written, do they flow? Make sure there’s not several short, snappy sentences in quick succession. I think more showing rather than telling would have made a massive difference too!
The dialect also felt slightly off, as a British person myself the British slang in the book isn’t something I’ve ever heard! Plus in England you’re more likely to be called “miss” than “ma’am” (unless of course you’re the queen). The initial premise of the book also made no sense, her dad is needing medical care and the bills are racking up?? We have the NHS here, so medical care is free, no bills required! Again, improvement would simply be to do more research!
I think overall, I could predict the major plot holes, the poor character development, and the weaker writing, I think this needed a bit more finesse and focus on the quality of the writing, but the story line does have potential if the author wanted to give it another go!
March 18, 2024
Fearlessly Bound had all the makings to be a stellar novel: alphahole (check), damsel in distress (check), mysterious circumstances (check), chemistry (check) but it fell short in some pretty fundamental ways.
Firstly, the writing was very inconsistent, the structure, the plotline, it all felt like it was missing something. The holes started from the beginning when they first encountered each other after she mysteriously got a direct elevator to his heavily guarded and exclusive office and only spiraled from there. Certain references gave me the ick- particularly when we realize the nature of how Lauren and Mason first encounter each other- and he says something along the lines of "I felt a spark then" and got a tattoo- if I am not mistaken, she was a child???? The convenient amnesia, the immaturity of Lauren (even her friend walked out on her but then magically forgave her), how Mason seems to be dominant but is a bully and the sudden 180 of his family at the end.
The smut, or rather lack thereof was disappointing. I have no problem if authors want to play it safe with their spicy scenes, but the prelude i.e. the flirting scenes and the sexual chemistry was great, the fact that the act itself was passed over (multiple times) almost to the point that I didn't even realize it happened had me flipping back to see if pages were missing.
Thank you to the author Ms. Sambo, Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, the writing was very inconsistent, the structure, the plotline, it all felt like it was missing something. The holes started from the beginning when they first encountered each other after she mysteriously got a direct elevator to his heavily guarded and exclusive office and only spiraled from there. Certain references gave me the ick- particularly when we realize the nature of how Lauren and Mason first encounter each other- and he says something along the lines of "I felt a spark then" and got a tattoo- if I am not mistaken, she was a child???? The convenient amnesia, the immaturity of Lauren (even her friend walked out on her but then magically forgave her), how Mason seems to be dominant but is a bully and the sudden 180 of his family at the end.
The smut, or rather lack thereof was disappointing. I have no problem if authors want to play it safe with their spicy scenes, but the prelude i.e. the flirting scenes and the sexual chemistry was great, the fact that the act itself was passed over (multiple times) almost to the point that I didn't even realize it happened had me flipping back to see if pages were missing.
Thank you to the author Ms. Sambo, Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2024
The synopsis really got me excited to dive into this book about a complicated dynamic of boss to lover relationship.
The positives of this book are how well the author, Zainab Sambo, is able to create tension between love interests. I really fell for the main characters from the start. There are so many unexpected twists and turns in this book that had me on the edge of my seat all the way through. I’m happy I stuck with this book until the end and am curious about what comes next for the characters in the second book, Fearless King (The Mason Series).
Now that I’ve addressed the positives I have to move on to the negatives. From beginning to end the book was very inconsistent. There were some issues with the plot that as a reader I chose to overlook so as to better enjoy the overall story. These inconsistencies and plot holes may bother others who choose to read this book. Some of the unexpected twists and turns were also very extreme, and felt unnecessary at times.
I would also like to make clear that there should be multiple trigger warnings for this book including but not limited to: Kidnapping, Death, and Emotional Abuse.
I would recommend this book for someone who is looking for a suspenseful romance who is willing to overlook some plot issues.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Zainab Sambo (Author) for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The positives of this book are how well the author, Zainab Sambo, is able to create tension between love interests. I really fell for the main characters from the start. There are so many unexpected twists and turns in this book that had me on the edge of my seat all the way through. I’m happy I stuck with this book until the end and am curious about what comes next for the characters in the second book, Fearless King (The Mason Series).
Now that I’ve addressed the positives I have to move on to the negatives. From beginning to end the book was very inconsistent. There were some issues with the plot that as a reader I chose to overlook so as to better enjoy the overall story. These inconsistencies and plot holes may bother others who choose to read this book. Some of the unexpected twists and turns were also very extreme, and felt unnecessary at times.
I would also like to make clear that there should be multiple trigger warnings for this book including but not limited to: Kidnapping, Death, and Emotional Abuse.
I would recommend this book for someone who is looking for a suspenseful romance who is willing to overlook some plot issues.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Zainab Sambo (Author) for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 1, 2024
*I did receive this book from NetGalley*
This is the story of Mason and Lauren. Lauren is in need of a job to pay her father's medical bills and she literally runs into Mason who offers her a job. Mason is a cold, ruthless, billionaire who is the CEO of his company and hires Lauren to be his assistant. Soon, Mason asks Lauren to agree to be in a fake marriage with him. He will get his grandfather's inheritance and she will get her father's medical bills paid for. As they grow closer and closer as a married couple, many things try to push them apart. They must overcome jealousy in the family, threats, death, and kidnapping to test the true powers of their love.
I really liked this book. I will say it is not the best written book, but I still liked it. I liked that it was a slow burn, it was not too dramatic, it made me laugh, it made me cry, and the plot twist at the end was actually surprising to me. I am holding back from giving it five stars because it was choppy at some parts, made me cringe in others, and I feel like I just read three books in one because of all that happened. I will say that there was a lot of back and forth, which normally I despise, but I did like it in this book because it felt more realistic and I felt more connected to the characters. I just love a fake marriage book and this checked almost every box for me!
This is the story of Mason and Lauren. Lauren is in need of a job to pay her father's medical bills and she literally runs into Mason who offers her a job. Mason is a cold, ruthless, billionaire who is the CEO of his company and hires Lauren to be his assistant. Soon, Mason asks Lauren to agree to be in a fake marriage with him. He will get his grandfather's inheritance and she will get her father's medical bills paid for. As they grow closer and closer as a married couple, many things try to push them apart. They must overcome jealousy in the family, threats, death, and kidnapping to test the true powers of their love.
I really liked this book. I will say it is not the best written book, but I still liked it. I liked that it was a slow burn, it was not too dramatic, it made me laugh, it made me cry, and the plot twist at the end was actually surprising to me. I am holding back from giving it five stars because it was choppy at some parts, made me cringe in others, and I feel like I just read three books in one because of all that happened. I will say that there was a lot of back and forth, which normally I despise, but I did like it in this book because it felt more realistic and I felt more connected to the characters. I just love a fake marriage book and this checked almost every box for me!
May 5, 2025
I seem to be reading a lot of these books recently……girl gets involved with a sexy AF CEO/billionaire who is also totally toxic etc etc. Once again you have to get to the plot twists at the end to figure out why. Also with most of these books, you have to wait to the end because it’s only book 1 of their story. The female lead also goes through a ton of ups & downs (more downs honestly until the end and mostly because she falls in love and he’s still mean). For those looking for an erotic or sexy book, this isn’t it. There’s a lot of tension but nothing til the end which is really much more realistic than her jumping into bed with someone who treats her so badly.
Really wanted to give it 3 1/2 stars. Couldn’t give it 4 stars because there were just a few scenes I just couldn’t figure out the reason for - like her initial job interview with Mason. You’ll understand if you read it. He was a total jerk throughout most of the book, but he does it to protect her (this was not a spoiler because you’ll never figure out from what) so I’ll definitely read the next book.
Really wanted to give it 3 1/2 stars. Couldn’t give it 4 stars because there were just a few scenes I just couldn’t figure out the reason for - like her initial job interview with Mason. You’ll understand if you read it. He was a total jerk throughout most of the book, but he does it to protect her (this was not a spoiler because you’ll never figure out from what) so I’ll definitely read the next book.
March 19, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and author Zainab Sambo for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
"There is nothing more dangerous than a man with money and sex appeal. Mason Campbell had an infinite supply of both. As one of the most powerful men in England, despite being utterly ruthless, he is envied by men and wanted by women alike.
Lauren Hart has just landed a job as his assistant and is constantly on the receiving end of his tantrums, hatred, and arrogance. Life would be better if she was not working for the tyrant—better for her, at least. Unfortunately, Mason does not have eyes for anyone but Lauren, and is about to make her an offer she cannot refuse."
This is book is fast-paced, with plenty of twists and tensions. But some parts are confusing and/or feels rushed. I did enjoy reading this.
"There is nothing more dangerous than a man with money and sex appeal. Mason Campbell had an infinite supply of both. As one of the most powerful men in England, despite being utterly ruthless, he is envied by men and wanted by women alike.
Lauren Hart has just landed a job as his assistant and is constantly on the receiving end of his tantrums, hatred, and arrogance. Life would be better if she was not working for the tyrant—better for her, at least. Unfortunately, Mason does not have eyes for anyone but Lauren, and is about to make her an offer she cannot refuse."
This is book is fast-paced, with plenty of twists and tensions. But some parts are confusing and/or feels rushed. I did enjoy reading this.
July 31, 2024
The storyline is addicting and is a enemies to lovers type of book with a fake marriage. I kept waiting for things to spice up, as the story kept developing, but was left cold. Zero spice in this, which was dissapointing with all the build up scenes. But the story keeps you reading untill the end. And there were some nice new plot twists in the background, not to get the dejavu feeling when reading a book.
Main characters were well written and I loved the fact that the fmc was strong and not written as a weak toss around. The character development for mmc was also interesting and positive.
Some confusing parts, where I actually had to check that I did not miss a chapter. But while I kept on reading ut made somehow sense. A good read, not mindblowing, but enterntaining. Read this first part of Mason in Galatea app.
Main characters were well written and I loved the fact that the fmc was strong and not written as a weak toss around. The character development for mmc was also interesting and positive.
Some confusing parts, where I actually had to check that I did not miss a chapter. But while I kept on reading ut made somehow sense. A good read, not mindblowing, but enterntaining. Read this first part of Mason in Galatea app.
October 16, 2024
**Book Review: An Emotional Rollercoaster**
Prepare for an exhilarating journey! This emotionally charged story is a gripping marathon that maintains its breakneck pace and tension right up to the final page. The prologue offers a gentle start, but once the story takes off, it races ahead with relentless momentum.
The characters are richly developed, each grappling with their own struggles and desires. Their complex relationship unfolds against a backdrop of personal challenges, a cruel ex, and shady business dealings, keeping readers on their toes.
While the pacing is invigorating, the final stretch can feel overwhelming, as the action remains intense and the betrayals keep piling on. Ultimately, this book earns a solid four out of five stars for its compelling narrative. It’s a thrilling read that will keep you captivated until the very end!
Prepare for an exhilarating journey! This emotionally charged story is a gripping marathon that maintains its breakneck pace and tension right up to the final page. The prologue offers a gentle start, but once the story takes off, it races ahead with relentless momentum.
The characters are richly developed, each grappling with their own struggles and desires. Their complex relationship unfolds against a backdrop of personal challenges, a cruel ex, and shady business dealings, keeping readers on their toes.
While the pacing is invigorating, the final stretch can feel overwhelming, as the action remains intense and the betrayals keep piling on. Ultimately, this book earns a solid four out of five stars for its compelling narrative. It’s a thrilling read that will keep you captivated until the very end!
April 15, 2024
'Fearlessly Bound' offers a fun escapade despite its occasional logical lapses. The book's foreshadowing, while effective, might divulge too much, robbing some moments of their surprise. Additionally, the persistent hostility of the male main character towards the female lead may be off-putting for some readers. Nevertheless, this novel delivers on its promise of entertainment for those seeking an engaging read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Zainab Sambo, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you, NetGalley and Zainab Sambo, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance e-copy of Fearlessly Bound, in exchange of an honest review.
The characters are well written and nicely developed.
However, I got quite confused with this one and had to re-read sections. Plus it was quite repetitive. I also felt the dialogue was very stilted and unrealistic.
I can't really comment much more because it went over my head.
The characters are well written and nicely developed.
However, I got quite confused with this one and had to re-read sections. Plus it was quite repetitive. I also felt the dialogue was very stilted and unrealistic.
I can't really comment much more because it went over my head.
April 1, 2024
Fearlessly Bound was a pretty good read, there was some plot issues in my opinion. A lot of plot jumping that left me a little confused but was not hard to ignore and move on in the book if that makes sense.
The book is filled to the brim with thrilling suspense, sass, and tension. When the plot wasn't jumping it wasn't a terrible read. Would I read it again, probably not, but I am glad to have at least given it a chance.
The book is filled to the brim with thrilling suspense, sass, and tension. When the plot wasn't jumping it wasn't a terrible read. Would I read it again, probably not, but I am glad to have at least given it a chance.
January 10, 2025
This is a book I originally read on one of the internet sites. Cute might not be the word for it and maybe it isn’t the most compelling story, but I liked it.
Lauren’s dad is in the hospital and so she takes a job with the worst boss ever, Mason. He needs a wife in order to inherit, so he convinces her to marry for a year and he’ll help her pay for her dad’s medical expenses. Yada yada yada, grumpy guy and naive girl fall in love.
Lauren’s dad is in the hospital and so she takes a job with the worst boss ever, Mason. He needs a wife in order to inherit, so he convinces her to marry for a year and he’ll help her pay for her dad’s medical expenses. Yada yada yada, grumpy guy and naive girl fall in love.
April 13, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! I felt the book was written very well with great detail and emotion. It was engaging and I couldn’t put it down. There were surprises that made the book enjoyable as it tells the love story of Mason and Lauren. I was hoping to see some more explanation to certain events BUT mason doesn’t give details sooo….. overall good book. 4.5/5 ⭐️
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September 16, 2024Dnf at chapter 20 , this supposed to be very exciting and eventful but it was really plain and boring also I didn’t get the hero , you see some authors give me the right with only 4 or 3 chapter and I will be hooked but this wasn’t the case here until chapter 20 I didn’t get hero vibe was he childish,control freak,billionaire,mafia the author tried everything and nothing
March 29, 2024
Based on the synopsis of this book, I was really excited to dive in and read! However, once I started, I often had to re-read sections and would get confused about the timeline or the plot line, and by the end of the book was left with more questions. Overall, I would not recommend this book
August 25, 2024
This was actually really good, I was surprised because I didn’t expect a lot. The book was fun but towards the rest of the book it became boring, I’m pretty much struggling to read the rest of the series. Written decent and it’s fun but the story wasn’t my cup of tea.
March 23, 2024
Read this on Galatea. I thought this book was amazing. While there were issues with inconsistent time jumps, I chose to overlook them because I was wrapped up in the main character's relationship development. Their mix of sassy and bossy led to a tension filled battle for relationship dominance that kept me entranced on every page.
March 26, 2024
I enjoyed Mason and Lauren’s book. It was an intriguing read. And am voluntarily leaving this review.
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April 9, 2024Bellissimo romanzo voglio leggere il secondo libro.
April 15, 2024
Leído por Galatea.
Que fea portada. Pero la historia safa, no es nada nuevo.
Que fea portada. Pero la historia safa, no es nada nuevo.
October 6, 2024
Where can I read it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
Lu sur GALATEA.
Au début c’était trop trop bien puis c’est devenue nul à chier. Lauren je pouvais plus me la voir.
Au début c’était trop trop bien puis c’est devenue nul à chier. Lauren je pouvais plus me la voir.
March 6, 2025
A little slower than the first book and leaves you wanting more excitement. Definitely more of a romance story to this one. Great read and captivating throughout.
September 8, 2025
I really just didn’t care for this
November 9, 2024
I thought this book was pretty solid, it was like your standard K-drama CEO trope with the employee and boss. At first I thought it was going to be cheesy and boring but it was full of drama will not overdoing it and had one of the best plot twists i've ever read. It was sweet and charming but I think some people might be annoyed at the characters at first, but trust me it gets way better!
August 3, 2024
After a slightly strange start (where I seriously considered giving up reading), the story picks up and becomes more joined up. It’s dark and twisted in places, but as the story develops there is a surprising depth to Mason and Lauren. I also enjoyed the strength of their friends - it would definitely be interesting to find out more about Athena and her relationship with the dysfunctional family.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews