I was running to read this book after the bombshell ending in the previous one! My heart was pounding insanely. Was I surprised? Heck no, I was STUNNED! Never, not in a million years, would I have guessed that... that... THAT person was a mole, a traitor, a betrayer. Although, I should have learnt by now, nothing is simple with Ms Butler's plot, she twists and turns things meticulously, I'm seeing one thing, then I'm suddenly exposed to something else, yes, eyes wide moments apleny!
It's never a good idea to pit oneself against a rival Mafia faction, but Alastair has no choice, he will take down the gates of hell for those he loves. My word, I honestly loved him more with every book! The sacrifices he's willing to make, the sacrifices he does make, are rivaled only by Henderson. And Ariana. And I sobbed. I actually sobbed a few times in this book, there were many very poignant moments, the author carried me gently through it all and I ended up, after major anguish, with a huge smile on my face at the best HEA I could have wished for.
Ivy has come a long way from the fierce activist with a million inhibitions, the feeling of guilt she constantly carried around, never allowing herself to just be. Always being the good girl, always being "respectable", ashamed of having desires. That all changed since meeting Alastair, sure she still feels guilty, she still wants to save the planet but now she has let herself go, embracing her inner goddess, claiming her sexuality, her worth, her self esteem. As she tells Alastair, "With you, there's none of that. It's the opposite of that. With you, it's free love and unconditional bliss". They are a very special couple, the fullfil each other in a way neither thought possible, Ms Butler has put all the fun into their relationship with the gorgeous banter they share and a rare bond, a love so alive, so real, so uncomplicated in their need for one another, it can ignite a fire from 10 paces away. And the smex? Well... that's hotter than hell! And Alastair? Oh flipping hell! He's just the most loving, caring, protective, awesome mobster!
I flew through this book. I didn't, couldn't stop reading from page 1 to the final page. This read was adrenaline at full force coursing through me, intense, dramatic, scary, heck, I couldn't even blink. The author couldn't have put it better, in the author note at the end of the book, she mentions that she enjoyed Ivy and Alastair's company a lot more than she anticipated and I completely concur with that sentiment. Ivy and Alastair took me on an incredibly enjoyable ride, full of passion and pain, full of danger and adrenaline, full of, well, just about everything there is! It's a book about liberating oneself, to acknowledge and accept ones sexuality and sensuality. To feel empowered. It's a book that reiterates that their are no taboos between consensual adults, that being comfortable, loved and explorative is as natural as breathing.
🎧 Audiobook Review – 4⭐ Surrendering to Bad – Blair Butler 🎙 Narrated by Emily Dugan & Derek Duvall 📚 Blood Money Billionaire #6 ALC provided by Blair Butler & High Gravity Productions 💌 Thank you!
Ivy & Alastair’s journey? Whew. It’s been messy, bloody, passionate, and so worth the fight and in Surrendering to Bad, Blair Butler delivers the finale they deserve. Every scar, every heartbreak, every inch of hard-won trust leads to an HEA that feels like both a deep exhale and a victory lap.
🔥 The heat? Off the charts. 💔 The emotions? Hit right in the chest. 🎙 But the magic here is the narration. Emily Dugan pours strength and softness into Ivy, while Derek Duvall gives Alastair that perfect blend of grit and vulnerability. Their chemistry? You feel it in your bones. Every whispered confession and shattered piece being put back together crackles through your headphones.
💡 New here? Start from Book 1 for the full, emotional punch.
✨ Tropes: ❤️🔥 Damaged Hero 🛡 Protector 💋 Fated Love ⏳ Slow Burn Payoff 💍 Hard-Earned HEA
Alastair & Ivy… you made me sweat, swoon, and sigh. What a ride.
In Surrendering To Bad, the sixth book in the Blood Money Billionaire series, author Blair Butler delivers the non-stop heat and a huge, satisfying Happy Ever After for Ivy and Alistair. The story is well-developed with strong characters, making for a compelling listen.
What truly makes this audiobook shine is the narration. Emily Dugan and Derek Duvall are the real sellers here, delivering fantastic performances that bring the story to life.
For the best experience, I highly recommend reading the previous books in the series before delving into this one. As a new reader to the series, I found myself slightly lost at times. To fully appreciate this gem, starting from the beginning is the way to go.
Overall, this is a great listen, earning a strong 4-star rating. It's a wonderful listen that is surely a 5-star experience for fans following the series in order.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Alastair and Ivy’s journey has been anything but easy, and Surrendering to Bad gives them the hard-earned, emotional, and deeply satisfying finale they deserve. After everything they’ve endured—every wound, every battle—they finally get their shot at forever. And wow, do they earn it.
Derek Duvall brings Alastair’s intensity and vulnerability to life with such raw grit, while Emily Dugan nails Ivy’s strength and softness in equal measure. Together, their chemistry practically crackles through the speakers. Every whispered confession, every broken moment stitched back together—it’s all here, and it hits deep.
If you’ve been rooting for this couple, buckle up. This is the kind of ending that feels like a victory lap and a deep breath all in one. HEA secured. ❤️🔥
From the very first page, this book was an absolute delight, immersing me in a world of captivating storytelling and unforgettable characters. What truly set this novel apart, however, were the numerous, incredibly passionate, and sensual scenes. These moments were not just added for effect; they were skillfully woven into the narrative, significantly elevating the reading experience and making it incredibly immersive. The author has a remarkable talent for crafting such intense and evocative scenes, leaving me thoroughly entertained, utterly captivated, and eagerly anticipating the next installment!
I received an advance copy of the audio and the narrators really brought this story to life!
Fabulous narration. Bring true life and emotion to this story and characters.
Book 6 Blood Money Billionaires Series *recommend reading in order for best experience*
This series is captivating and keeps you interested on the edge of your seat. Ivy and Alistar have not had it easy by any means and it continues in this book.
Emotional roller coaster ending to this series. HEA finally secured for these characters.
This was a lovely way to wrap up this series. Yeah, there was some scariness, and there was some gunfights, and yeah. It was kind of horrible for a minute. There, but the end was perfect. I absolutely love the ending and the way that it wrapped up the series so perfectly in a nice, neat little bow. It was perfect
🎧 Whew! This audiobook is a wild ride—dripping with drama, packed with tension, and sizzling with steamy scenes 😮💨🔥 Not for the faint of heart, but if you love an intense listen that keeps you hooked, this one delivers.