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A Bitter Pill #1
Eye Candy
Stolen from the world, I was shown the truth. I’m just a pawn in everyone’s games… but no more.
Two years ago, I was kidnapped. Locked in a room with nothing to keep me occupied except a TV. From that room, I watched as the world continued without me. I saw my dad get what he’s always the mayor’s seat.
And then I escape.
But it’s been so long, my life isn’t my own anymore. My dad has a new wife, new responsibilities. I don’t belong anymore. So when a woman called Lola tells me she thinks I wasn’t the only one who was kidnapped, she gives me a bodyguard in case my kidnapper tries to take me a big mountain of a man named Mike. I don’t need him, but I don’t have a choice.
I also don’t need my new step-uncle, Kieran, acting like he cares about my return. When I was missing, no one cared, so why start now?
And that says nothing about Fang, another mysterious man Lola knows. The way he looks at me makes me feel like he wants to take a bite.
I’m not the same girl I was. My eyes are open, and I can see now in a city like this you’re either someone or you’re no one.
My name is Laina Hawkins, and I refuse to be no one. I plan on giving a big middle finger to my dad, the world, and all of their expectations. For the first time, I’m going to do whatever I want.
I never saw my kidnapper’s face, but if he comes for me again, I’ll be ready.
* Eye Candy is the first book in A Bitter Pill, a why choose/RH trilogy that follows the events in the sixth book in the A Death so Sweet series.
Two years ago, I was kidnapped. Locked in a room with nothing to keep me occupied except a TV. From that room, I watched as the world continued without me. I saw my dad get what he’s always the mayor’s seat.
And then I escape.
But it’s been so long, my life isn’t my own anymore. My dad has a new wife, new responsibilities. I don’t belong anymore. So when a woman called Lola tells me she thinks I wasn’t the only one who was kidnapped, she gives me a bodyguard in case my kidnapper tries to take me a big mountain of a man named Mike. I don’t need him, but I don’t have a choice.
I also don’t need my new step-uncle, Kieran, acting like he cares about my return. When I was missing, no one cared, so why start now?
And that says nothing about Fang, another mysterious man Lola knows. The way he looks at me makes me feel like he wants to take a bite.
I’m not the same girl I was. My eyes are open, and I can see now in a city like this you’re either someone or you’re no one.
My name is Laina Hawkins, and I refuse to be no one. I plan on giving a big middle finger to my dad, the world, and all of their expectations. For the first time, I’m going to do whatever I want.
I never saw my kidnapper’s face, but if he comes for me again, I’ll be ready.
* Eye Candy is the first book in A Bitter Pill, a why choose/RH trilogy that follows the events in the sixth book in the A Death so Sweet series.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2025
102 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Candace Wondrak
116 books1,844 followersHey guys! I'm a writer, an office worker, a wife, a mother to two dogs and two cats, and half of a strange pair of young adults who flip the houses they're living in with the goal of having no mortgage (so that I can eventually focus on my writing career!). Needless to say, I'm busy.
Still, I somehow find time to write, to read, and to enjoy life. Wish there were more hours in the day, really!
If you're active on Goodreads and have similar interests, friend me. I don't bite. Or if you'd rather follow my reviews, you can do that, too.
Happy reading!
Link to newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dppf_v
Still, I somehow find time to write, to read, and to enjoy life. Wish there were more hours in the day, really!
If you're active on Goodreads and have similar interests, friend me. I don't bite. Or if you'd rather follow my reviews, you can do that, too.
Happy reading!
Link to newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dppf_v
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 6, 2025
Loved this very much! I adored the Fang guy😍😂 Their story will be very interesting I guess. I can't wait to read about Laina taking her independence and say f*ck you to her father.
January 2, 2025
Starting off the new year with a phenomenal book! These characters were everything, I loved every second of reading this book. Laina is a great FMC with hints of darkness that slowly showed in this book - her men can barely keep their heads on straight with her. Fang has my heart, I've been wanting to see him and Big Mike in their own story forever, and I'm so excited to see where this goes! I hope we unmask the mysterious kidnapper soon. Realistically, I know this book was just released, but I NEED book two...
March 13, 2025
Let's start off with the really asinine nicknames that were given to the FMC. Princess and baby girl.
*eye rolls* So original.
The FMC only had two interactions with fang, and in those three chapters, we heard the word Princess fifty-two times.
However, the author decided to follow in Kristen Ashley's footsteps, and the FMC repeats tyhe MMC's names like every two paragraphs. Fang is said around 160 times, Kieran 308 times, Mike 299 times, Laina around 190 times.
We get it. We know their names by now.
And we have another dark romance writer who refuses to have their characters suffer any kind of traumatic repercussions from their abusive past. FMC is in the hospital and NO ONE knows what she has been through, and everyone is always touching her and coming close to her. Does the FMC stop any of this? No, of course not.
FMC is as strong as a walmart pickle. She has zero character growth in the story. She also makes some really TSTL decisions.
Fang's whole personality can be boiled down to two sentences. "Princess looks like cotton candy. I want to eat her up." That's it. Cause that's all he can say. Oh, he also says princess like every other line.
This whole book could have been 150 pages, that's how much nothing happened.
Oh, and the "cliffhanger?" Saw that one coming a mile away. Wondrak has a formula she likes to stick with, and she didn't break the mold when it came to this book.
At least in this book the men and the FMC suffer from BBS.
Oh, man the biggest pet peeve? Kieran. He's supposed to be 28 years old, but he is sooooo very immature. He actually pouts - MULTIPLE TIMES - when someone else is assigned to be FMC's bodyguard. He whines, makes things more difficult and becomes too possessive. Someone who is 19 years old, has to put him in his place. How embarrassing for him.
*eye rolls* So original.
The FMC only had two interactions with fang, and in those three chapters, we heard the word Princess fifty-two times.
However, the author decided to follow in Kristen Ashley's footsteps, and the FMC repeats tyhe MMC's names like every two paragraphs. Fang is said around 160 times, Kieran 308 times, Mike 299 times, Laina around 190 times.
We get it. We know their names by now.
And we have another dark romance writer who refuses to have their characters suffer any kind of traumatic repercussions from their abusive past. FMC is in the hospital and NO ONE knows what she has been through, and everyone is always touching her and coming close to her. Does the FMC stop any of this? No, of course not.
FMC is as strong as a walmart pickle. She has zero character growth in the story. She also makes some really TSTL decisions.
Fang's whole personality can be boiled down to two sentences. "Princess looks like cotton candy. I want to eat her up." That's it. Cause that's all he can say. Oh, he also says princess like every other line.
This whole book could have been 150 pages, that's how much nothing happened.
Oh, and the "cliffhanger?" Saw that one coming a mile away. Wondrak has a formula she likes to stick with, and she didn't break the mold when it came to this book.
At least in this book the men and the FMC suffer from BBS.
Oh, man the biggest pet peeve? Kieran. He's supposed to be 28 years old, but he is sooooo very immature. He actually pouts - MULTIPLE TIMES - when someone else is assigned to be FMC's bodyguard. He whines, makes things more difficult and becomes too possessive. Someone who is 19 years old, has to put him in his place. How embarrassing for him.
January 3, 2025
I absolutely love Candace Wondrak's interconnected psych0 universe, so I was so excited to see we were diving back in for more! This book definitely felt like coming home.
I love Laina. She was seriously so awesome and I love watching her try to find the balance between doing what she wants and what will make her happy vs everyone else. And seeing Big Mike and Fang again- this time as main characters versus side characters had me screaming in excitement. I love how both of them are with Laina, but especially Fang (the way he's absolutely devoted to his princess is just PERFECT). And Big Mike is so stoic but caring and protective. I can't get enough. I liked Kieran too - the chemistry between Laina and him is great and I loved the forbidden aspect of their dynamic. And the mystery regarding her Devil? I cannot wait to see where Candace takes us with that!
The cliffhanger had me screaming and I'm eagerly awaiting the second book in this planned Trilogy!
I love Laina. She was seriously so awesome and I love watching her try to find the balance between doing what she wants and what will make her happy vs everyone else. And seeing Big Mike and Fang again- this time as main characters versus side characters had me screaming in excitement. I love how both of them are with Laina, but especially Fang (the way he's absolutely devoted to his princess is just PERFECT). And Big Mike is so stoic but caring and protective. I can't get enough. I liked Kieran too - the chemistry between Laina and him is great and I loved the forbidden aspect of their dynamic. And the mystery regarding her Devil? I cannot wait to see where Candace takes us with that!
The cliffhanger had me screaming and I'm eagerly awaiting the second book in this planned Trilogy!
October 18, 2025
A Very Interesting Read
Laina was eight, the only child of a single parent when he decided he wanted to run for political office. Her life changed dramatically one minute it was her and her dad against the world and the next she was an accessory to an absentee father.
As life moved on her movements became restricted, a new girlfriend appeared on the scene almost all the time she caved to her father’s orders and became the model “good girl”. Then one night she was abducted from home and spent the next two years in captivity. This is the story of what happened next.
This author is absolutely brilliant! I’ve never read a book of hers that I didn’t enjoy. I’m fully on board with the anti AI storytelling, like most people I’ve looked it leaves an awful lot to be desired like a plausible plot, common sense, and decent spelling and grammar. Book 2 of this series - written by a real person - coming right up.
Laina was eight, the only child of a single parent when he decided he wanted to run for political office. Her life changed dramatically one minute it was her and her dad against the world and the next she was an accessory to an absentee father.
As life moved on her movements became restricted, a new girlfriend appeared on the scene almost all the time she caved to her father’s orders and became the model “good girl”. Then one night she was abducted from home and spent the next two years in captivity. This is the story of what happened next.
This author is absolutely brilliant! I’ve never read a book of hers that I didn’t enjoy. I’m fully on board with the anti AI storytelling, like most people I’ve looked it leaves an awful lot to be desired like a plausible plot, common sense, and decent spelling and grammar. Book 2 of this series - written by a real person - coming right up.
May 29, 2025
Oh how I’ve missed this universe. I would love more of Lola’s books but I love Laina and her story so much. The whole thing is just so intriguing. Fang is most definitely my favorite, sorry not sorry. Though I do love Mike and Kieran. This book was amazing and I am immediately diving into the next book once I finish writing this review. This next cliffhanger is going to be awful and I can’t believe I’m even doing this to myself knowing that the next book isn’t supposed to come out until February but here I am.
🖤Dark Romance
💞Reverse Harem
🔫Mafia
💰Mayor’s Daughter
👊Bodyguard
🎭Masked Man
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
🖤Dark Romance
💞Reverse Harem
🔫Mafia
💰Mayor’s Daughter
👊Bodyguard
🎭Masked Man
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
January 28, 2025
Laina was kidnapped, but the kidnapper never hurt her; he just showed her the truth about her time away. She meets two other guys and is attracted to them. She does not want to be the way she was at 16 years old; she wants to be a different person. She is confused about what she wants in life because the men care for her, but she feels the void when she uses them. Someone is after her, and she doesn't know why.
January 4, 2025
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT!!!
OMG. I can’t say enough about this story. All the stuff that she goes through along with the guys that really like her. So far I think that my favorite is Fang! He is totally different from any person that I have read about. I need book 2 to hurry up and come out so that I can see what happens next!
OMG. I can’t say enough about this story. All the stuff that she goes through along with the guys that really like her. So far I think that my favorite is Fang! He is totally different from any person that I have read about. I need book 2 to hurry up and come out so that I can see what happens next!
January 5, 2025
Spicy
Loved the story line. I enjoy books that have me wondering what next? Lo wrangled my favorite! But hoping the second book has the FC come stronger and bad ass because o. this first one she feels like she is on the fence on which way to go. Overall you will enjoy this book has enough steam to just wheat your appetite! Now need the full course meal...!!!!
Loved the story line. I enjoy books that have me wondering what next? Lo wrangled my favorite! But hoping the second book has the FC come stronger and bad ass because o. this first one she feels like she is on the fence on which way to go. Overall you will enjoy this book has enough steam to just wheat your appetite! Now need the full course meal...!!!!
January 14, 2025
i was expecting a more angrier or at least decided fmc.
the pace is just too fast for me and the meaningful interactions between the fmc and her men happens way too quickly and then we don’t get more on this dynamic.
wanted fang to appear more but we’ll see on the next book
i’ll prob read the sequel though, cause i liked the premise of this one
the pace is just too fast for me and the meaningful interactions between the fmc and her men happens way too quickly and then we don’t get more on this dynamic.
wanted fang to appear more but we’ll see on the next book
i’ll prob read the sequel though, cause i liked the premise of this one
January 6, 2025
Must Read
Oh I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Way to write a great story Candace Wondrak. I highly recommend you have something else lined up after this to tide you over until the next one comes out.
Oh I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Way to write a great story Candace Wondrak. I highly recommend you have something else lined up after this to tide you over until the next one comes out.
March 5, 2025
I love everything by this author so when I got to read this I was behind excited. I loved how the mfc was strong and the men are all crazy about her. The plot twists just kept coming and the ending had me on edge and wanting more and more
January 4, 2025
Another great book
Loved this book. I loved that it tied in with a previous series. The characters are great, and it pulls you straight in. Can't wait for the next one.
Loved this book. I loved that it tied in with a previous series. The characters are great, and it pulls you straight in. Can't wait for the next one.
7-tbr-ooit
January 5, 2025NOTE: Eye Candy is the first book in A Bitter Pill, a why choose/RH trilogy that follows the events in the sixth book in the A Death so Sweet series.
January 14, 2025
The entire book felt like one long prologue …. it pmo, felt like we weren’t given much
Read
March 2, 2025DNF at 46% … just wasn’t for me
January 27, 2025
Not a 4 but maybe 3.5 stars
Ends on cliffhanger and kind of want to read book 2
Ends on cliffhanger and kind of want to read book 2
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews