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The Exodus
Scorpion
Three days is all it took for everyone I love to die.
The fall from grace hurt.
I was one of the few specialist snipers in the military who is a woman. I made a name for myself. Set records.
But death has a way of changing everyone.
The descent from Special Forces, to dirty fighting pits, to becoming a bodyguard for the man whose heart I broke, I never thought I’d stop drowning.
One night is all it took for everything to change.
One shot is all I need.
My name is Zalak Bhatia. They call me Scorpion.
*This book is set in a shared world with authors Lauren Biel, Dana LeeAnn, Harleigh Beck, Amber Nicole, Willow McQuerry, Jenn Bullard, Kinsley Kincaid, and Ann-Marie Davis.*
The fall from grace hurt.
I was one of the few specialist snipers in the military who is a woman. I made a name for myself. Set records.
But death has a way of changing everyone.
The descent from Special Forces, to dirty fighting pits, to becoming a bodyguard for the man whose heart I broke, I never thought I’d stop drowning.
One night is all it took for everything to change.
One shot is all I need.
My name is Zalak Bhatia. They call me Scorpion.
*This book is set in a shared world with authors Lauren Biel, Dana LeeAnn, Harleigh Beck, Amber Nicole, Willow McQuerry, Jenn Bullard, Kinsley Kincaid, and Ann-Marie Davis.*
244 pages, Paperback
Published August 23, 2024
1405 people are currently reading
19701 people want to read
About the author
Avina St. Graves
8 books4,625 followersFrom an early age, romance author Avina St. Graves spent her days imagining fantasy worlds and dreamy fictional men, which spurred on her introverted tendencies. In all her day dreaming, there seemed to be a reoccurring theme of morally grey female characters, love interests who belonged in prison, and unnecessary trauma and bloodshed.
When she isn't reading, writing, doom scrolling, or figuring out how to make red flags look green, you can find her holed up in bed, combating the three Ps: back pain, neck pain, and knee pain.
When she isn't reading, writing, doom scrolling, or figuring out how to make red flags look green, you can find her holed up in bed, combating the three Ps: back pain, neck pain, and knee pain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,027 reviews
July 21, 2024
Wow. This book is great. I’m not the author at all…
December 15, 2024
Cured my insomnia xx
DNF’d @65%
*
*
*
HE HIRES HER TO BE HIS BODYGUARD?!?!
TAKE MY MONEY 💳💥💳💥💳💥
DNF’d @65%
*
*
*
HE HIRES HER TO BE HIS BODYGUARD?!?!
TAKE MY MONEY 💳💥💳💥💳💥
August 6, 2024
4 stars
Another hero who fucked the heroine with a gun.
This novella-not-a-novella is a blast to read. I finished it quickly and loved it. The author claimed it wouldn't be complex or in-depth, but she nailed every detail perfectly.
We've got a black cat and golden retriever combo, with the twist of her being his bodyguard. It's a total grumpy x sunshine vibe with loads of cute scenes courtesy of Mathijs. and the brown-family/desi household rep in this novella is literally so harsh? 😭 pls everything was hitting home.
﹒⪩⪨﹒tropes ﹒⪩⪨﹒
• Reverse Grumpy x sunshine
• Reverse Bodyguard
• Second-chance romance
• touch him/her and you die
• Indian fmc x dutch mmc
﹒⪩⪨﹒characters ﹒⪩⪨﹒
Mathijs (Ma-tays) – is the ultimate simp, head over heels for Zalak. He's so down bad for her that it was too much to handle! 🤭 His personality is a mix of funny, adorable, cute, & gives off major sophisticated vibes. His povs were a blast, especially when he lamented about blood on his suits or listened to songs in a helicopter lol.
I desperately want to quote some scenes because this man just skyrocketed my standards. LIKE WAY UP. His way with words? Chef's kiss.
Zalak (zuh-luck) – was likable but doesn't quite shine next to Mathijs. She felt like a ghost half the time due to her past, but her povs had that perfect Avina-Graves-humor that I devoured. LIKE EVERY TIME.
Overall, this novella is short and sweet, with a hero who's ready to kill for his girl—never mind that the girl might be even more badass than him 😉
This novella-not-a-novella is a blast to read. I finished it quickly and loved it. The author claimed it wouldn't be complex or in-depth, but she nailed every detail perfectly.
We've got a black cat and golden retriever combo, with the twist of her being his bodyguard. It's a total grumpy x sunshine vibe with loads of cute scenes courtesy of Mathijs. and the brown-family/desi household rep in this novella is literally so harsh? 😭 pls everything was hitting home.
﹒⪩⪨﹒tropes ﹒⪩⪨﹒
• Reverse Grumpy x sunshine
• Reverse Bodyguard
• Second-chance romance
• touch him/her and you die
• Indian fmc x dutch mmc
﹒⪩⪨﹒characters ﹒⪩⪨﹒
Mathijs (Ma-tays) – is the ultimate simp, head over heels for Zalak. He's so down bad for her that it was too much to handle! 🤭 His personality is a mix of funny, adorable, cute, & gives off major sophisticated vibes. His povs were a blast, especially when he lamented about blood on his suits or listened to songs in a helicopter lol.
I desperately want to quote some scenes because this man just skyrocketed my standards. LIKE WAY UP. His way with words? Chef's kiss.
Zalak (zuh-luck) – was likable but doesn't quite shine next to Mathijs. She felt like a ghost half the time due to her past, but her povs had that perfect Avina-Graves-humor that I devoured. LIKE EVERY TIME.
Overall, this novella is short and sweet, with a hero who's ready to kill for his girl—never mind that the girl might be even more badass than him 😉
September 8, 2024
what kirillsasha could’ve been if their author wasn’t a misogynist
June 21, 2025
The moment I saw the description, I was getting MAJOR Kirill-Sasha vibes, and let me tell you, I was so here for it! 🙌 I mean, the second I read that Zalak is this badass ex-military sniper with a past darker than midnight, and Mathijs is her rich ex with that golden retriever energy who hires her as his bodyguard?! I was like, Yes, PLEASE! 💳💥
Let’s talk tropes because this book nailed them:
◇ Reverse bodyguard 💥
◇ Black Cat x Golden Retriever 💘
◇ Second-chance romance 💔
◇ Ex-military FMC 💣
◇ He's her boss 💼
◇ Secret Society 🕴️
◇ Organized Crime 🔫
◇ Touch him/her & you die 💀
◇ Forced Proximity 💕
◇ Traumatic past
Now, onto the book itself—Scorpion was a wild ride from start to finish, and I devoured it like it was the last piece of chocolate in the house. Avina St. Graves really knows how to serve up a novella that’s so action-packed, it feels like an epic saga. Think: Mission Impossible, but with all the emotional punches and a side of smoldering romance. 😏
Zalak, our fierce FMC, is like a phoenix who’s been burned to ashes and somehow, despite all the trauma and PTSD, has risen again—stronger, tougher, but still so heartbreakingly human. Life has handed her the absolute worst, not once but TWICE, and you can just feel the weight of everything she’s lost. My heart was shattered into a thousand pieces for her. 💔 But make no mistake, Zalak is no damsel—she’s stubborn, proud, and even in her brokenness, she’s lethal. I was cheering for her every step of the way as she fought through her pain and protected Mathijs with everything she had.
Now, Mathijs—oh sweet MA-TAYS—he’s like the ultimate golden retriever MMC with a dark twist. Sure, he’s got ties to organized crime and he doesn’t flinch at the sight of a severed head, but when it comes to Zalak? He’s the ultimate simp, doing whatever it takes to help her heal and shield her from her inner demons. Who wouldn’t swoon over a guy who stalks your every move (in the most romantic way, of course) and makes sure you’re okay while looking absolutely killer in a suit? I was swooning so hard over here. 😩
Their chemistry? Off. The. Charts. The tension between them was so thick, you could slice it with a knife. 🔥🔥 Every interaction was electric, with Mathijs being super careful with Zalak, fully aware she’s holding herself together by sheer will and a bit of duct tape. His possessiveness, his protective nature—chef’s kiss—it’s everything. And don’t even get me started on the banter! Squeal—SO GOOD.
This novella-that’s-not-a-novella packs more punch than most full-length novels. It’s intense, the action is nonstop, the romance is scorching, and the emotional depth will leave you reeling. Avina wrote Mathijs to perfection—he’s hands down the best book boyfriend I’ve read in AGES. Like, where can I find one just like him?
If dark, emotional romances with a touch of spice (and by spice, I mean pew-pew scenes 🫣) are your jam, then Scorpion is a must-read. And don’t let its length fool you—this story hits as hard as a full-on epic.
CW:
Sex, questionable use of a gun (yep, there’s a pew-pew scene), knife play (nonpenetrative), bad gun safety, alcohol use, death of loved ones, trauma, PTSD, profanity, mental health issues, attempted suicide (on-screen), self-harm, parental abuse, financial abuse and manipulation, graphic violence, childhood trauma, blood, gore, murder.
This book SLAPPED. 10/10 would recommend. 🖤
Let’s talk tropes because this book nailed them:
◇ Reverse bodyguard 💥
◇ Black Cat x Golden Retriever 💘
◇ Second-chance romance 💔
◇ Ex-military FMC 💣
◇ He's her boss 💼
◇ Secret Society 🕴️
◇ Organized Crime 🔫
◇ Touch him/her & you die 💀
◇ Forced Proximity 💕
◇ Traumatic past
Now, onto the book itself—Scorpion was a wild ride from start to finish, and I devoured it like it was the last piece of chocolate in the house. Avina St. Graves really knows how to serve up a novella that’s so action-packed, it feels like an epic saga. Think: Mission Impossible, but with all the emotional punches and a side of smoldering romance. 😏
Zalak, our fierce FMC, is like a phoenix who’s been burned to ashes and somehow, despite all the trauma and PTSD, has risen again—stronger, tougher, but still so heartbreakingly human. Life has handed her the absolute worst, not once but TWICE, and you can just feel the weight of everything she’s lost. My heart was shattered into a thousand pieces for her. 💔 But make no mistake, Zalak is no damsel—she’s stubborn, proud, and even in her brokenness, she’s lethal. I was cheering for her every step of the way as she fought through her pain and protected Mathijs with everything she had.
Now, Mathijs—oh sweet MA-TAYS—he’s like the ultimate golden retriever MMC with a dark twist. Sure, he’s got ties to organized crime and he doesn’t flinch at the sight of a severed head, but when it comes to Zalak? He’s the ultimate simp, doing whatever it takes to help her heal and shield her from her inner demons. Who wouldn’t swoon over a guy who stalks your every move (in the most romantic way, of course) and makes sure you’re okay while looking absolutely killer in a suit? I was swooning so hard over here. 😩
Their chemistry? Off. The. Charts. The tension between them was so thick, you could slice it with a knife. 🔥🔥 Every interaction was electric, with Mathijs being super careful with Zalak, fully aware she’s holding herself together by sheer will and a bit of duct tape. His possessiveness, his protective nature—chef’s kiss—it’s everything. And don’t even get me started on the banter! Squeal—SO GOOD.
This novella-that’s-not-a-novella packs more punch than most full-length novels. It’s intense, the action is nonstop, the romance is scorching, and the emotional depth will leave you reeling. Avina wrote Mathijs to perfection—he’s hands down the best book boyfriend I’ve read in AGES. Like, where can I find one just like him?
If dark, emotional romances with a touch of spice (and by spice, I mean pew-pew scenes 🫣) are your jam, then Scorpion is a must-read. And don’t let its length fool you—this story hits as hard as a full-on epic.
CW:
Sex, questionable use of a gun (yep, there’s a pew-pew scene), knife play (nonpenetrative), bad gun safety, alcohol use, death of loved ones, trauma, PTSD, profanity, mental health issues, attempted suicide (on-screen), self-harm, parental abuse, financial abuse and manipulation, graphic violence, childhood trauma, blood, gore, murder.
This book SLAPPED. 10/10 would recommend. 🖤
August 25, 2024
4.5 Lieverd Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
“To the girls who see guns as potential sex toys, why stop there? It’s time to get laid while using a rifle”
Avina St. Graves has such a fantastic ability to make a short book feel so much better, so much more well-founded with a stronger character and plot foundation that I have seen in some books twice the length. Yes, Scorpion is pretty fast-paced but fuck me if I wasn't inhaling it like air, her words the literal thing keeping me alive.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
When Zalak ("Zuh-luck") was 17, with plans to go to university and study political science while secretly dating her rich (white) best friend Mathijs ("Ma-tays") her controlling mother gave her a choice. Marry the man she has chosen - not Mathjis (because no daughter of hers will ever marry or be in a relationship with a white man) - or walk out the door and never come back. She chose to leave and left her life and Mathjis in the past. Now 10 years later, 2 years after being discharged from the Army following a tragic disaster that took the life of her best friend, as well as losing her sister in a tragic plane crash; our former sergeant Zalak (and one of the best Snipers in history) is one step away from being homeless with nothing to live for. That is until Mathjis comes back into her life with a proposition she cannot refuse. He needs a bodyguard, and who better than the only woman he has ever loved, the one that got away but the one he has never forgotten?
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Zalak my girl, GOSH my heart broke for her! She's lost everything! TWICE... her life and then everyone who ever mattered in it. She's utterly broken as life has not been kind to her. A shadow of herself tortured by her past and beyond traumatised from her experiences. She's volatile and feisty and while in the past she tried to shape herself into an actual lethal badass, now she's nothing but a shell of who she used to be. She is very proud, stubborn and doesn't like to accept help easily. I love that she chose to stand up for her morals and eventually wouldn't let anyone push her around or control who she is or the decisions she makes. But after all her trauma she is fragile, battling with survivor's guilt, PTSD, grief and emptiness at having nothing. She is exceptionally hard on herself and the standards she lives by to the point that any vulnerability or failure is not acceptable.
Mathjis is like the biggest green flag golden retriever MMC I have ever seen Avina write, I mean HE'S STILL GONNA HAVE LIKE 100 RED FLAGS BUT STILL.... While he does skirt on the side of organised crime and doesn't bat much of an eye when bullets fly, severed heads cross his path or someone is being tortured in front of him... with Z he is a literal sweetheart (almost SIMP). My HEART MELTED FOR THIS MAN! He was so sentimental, kind, CONSIDERATE and genuine. There is and has never been anyone for him but Zalak. Yes, he technically stalked her every move. But the pining and the longing and the fact that he looked after her and ensured she had everything she needed, both physically and mentally for her to heal from her trauma and PTSD was stunning!!! ABSOLUTE BEST BOOK BOYFRIEND material and the best man I think Avina has ever written!!! It also helps that he's basically a sexy Draco Malfoy that with one look will make your panties melt off and have you dying to listen to him when he says "Spread Those Legs" in his sexy Dutch Accent....
The relationship between Zalak and Mathjis was spectacular. He is extremely straightforward with her, to the point that even her logic cannot argue with his. Yet he's also so careful with her, knowing she's holding herself together with hopes and ducktape. He never takes her choice away and while he might manipulate their interactions to his favour (he often feels 10 steps ahead of Zalak), he is never seen as pushy or making her do something that she doesn't choose. He is a man of consent both sexually and out of the bedroom (though most of their intimate scenes seem to happen everywhere but between literal sheets). The banter between them had me squealing and kicking my feet at how funny, witty and quick their back and forth could be!
DO NOT BE FOOLED in thinking that because this is a "Novella-Not-Novella" (It's Short) it's not going to have elements of heavy! There is darkness in these pages that can be triggering and it's sometimes difficult to stomach and read, especially with regards to Zalak and see how she constantly breaks herself down and tortures herself to feel something because of how empty she feels.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Second Chance
▶ Dual POV
▶ Billionaire Romance
▶ Indian Girl X Dutch Boy
▶ Organised Crime
▶ Multiauthor Interconnected World
▶ Reverse Body Guard
▶ Black Cat X Golden Retriever Vibes
𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Gun Play
▷ Rolles Sleeves
▷ Mine
Ultimately BLOODY GOOD READ!!! While this is not my favourite Avina St. Graves Book (Deaths Obsession is still number 1), this came VERY VERY CLOSE to taking that spot on the podium because I loved it so much! It had everything I needed, plot, emotionally driven characters, steamy spice that was a little risque to make it exciting and one of the BEST MMC'S I HAVE READ ABOUT IN A LONG LONG TIME!!!!
Thank you to Avina St. Graves for my gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
“To the girls who see guns as potential sex toys, why stop there? It’s time to get laid while using a rifle”
Avina St. Graves has such a fantastic ability to make a short book feel so much better, so much more well-founded with a stronger character and plot foundation that I have seen in some books twice the length. Yes, Scorpion is pretty fast-paced but fuck me if I wasn't inhaling it like air, her words the literal thing keeping me alive.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
When Zalak ("Zuh-luck") was 17, with plans to go to university and study political science while secretly dating her rich (white) best friend Mathijs ("Ma-tays") her controlling mother gave her a choice. Marry the man she has chosen - not Mathjis (because no daughter of hers will ever marry or be in a relationship with a white man) - or walk out the door and never come back. She chose to leave and left her life and Mathjis in the past. Now 10 years later, 2 years after being discharged from the Army following a tragic disaster that took the life of her best friend, as well as losing her sister in a tragic plane crash; our former sergeant Zalak (and one of the best Snipers in history) is one step away from being homeless with nothing to live for. That is until Mathjis comes back into her life with a proposition she cannot refuse. He needs a bodyguard, and who better than the only woman he has ever loved, the one that got away but the one he has never forgotten?
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Zalak my girl, GOSH my heart broke for her! She's lost everything! TWICE... her life and then everyone who ever mattered in it. She's utterly broken as life has not been kind to her. A shadow of herself tortured by her past and beyond traumatised from her experiences. She's volatile and feisty and while in the past she tried to shape herself into an actual lethal badass, now she's nothing but a shell of who she used to be. She is very proud, stubborn and doesn't like to accept help easily. I love that she chose to stand up for her morals and eventually wouldn't let anyone push her around or control who she is or the decisions she makes. But after all her trauma she is fragile, battling with survivor's guilt, PTSD, grief and emptiness at having nothing. She is exceptionally hard on herself and the standards she lives by to the point that any vulnerability or failure is not acceptable.
Mathjis is like the biggest green flag golden retriever MMC I have ever seen Avina write, I mean HE'S STILL GONNA HAVE LIKE 100 RED FLAGS BUT STILL.... While he does skirt on the side of organised crime and doesn't bat much of an eye when bullets fly, severed heads cross his path or someone is being tortured in front of him... with Z he is a literal sweetheart (almost SIMP). My HEART MELTED FOR THIS MAN! He was so sentimental, kind, CONSIDERATE and genuine. There is and has never been anyone for him but Zalak. Yes, he technically stalked her every move. But the pining and the longing and the fact that he looked after her and ensured she had everything she needed, both physically and mentally for her to heal from her trauma and PTSD was stunning!!! ABSOLUTE BEST BOOK BOYFRIEND material and the best man I think Avina has ever written!!! It also helps that he's basically a sexy Draco Malfoy that with one look will make your panties melt off and have you dying to listen to him when he says "Spread Those Legs" in his sexy Dutch Accent....
The relationship between Zalak and Mathjis was spectacular. He is extremely straightforward with her, to the point that even her logic cannot argue with his. Yet he's also so careful with her, knowing she's holding herself together with hopes and ducktape. He never takes her choice away and while he might manipulate their interactions to his favour (he often feels 10 steps ahead of Zalak), he is never seen as pushy or making her do something that she doesn't choose. He is a man of consent both sexually and out of the bedroom (though most of their intimate scenes seem to happen everywhere but between literal sheets). The banter between them had me squealing and kicking my feet at how funny, witty and quick their back and forth could be!
DO NOT BE FOOLED in thinking that because this is a "Novella-Not-Novella" (It's Short) it's not going to have elements of heavy! There is darkness in these pages that can be triggering and it's sometimes difficult to stomach and read, especially with regards to Zalak and see how she constantly breaks herself down and tortures herself to feel something because of how empty she feels.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Second Chance
▶ Dual POV
▶ Billionaire Romance
▶ Indian Girl X Dutch Boy
▶ Organised Crime
▶ Multiauthor Interconnected World
▶ Reverse Body Guard
▶ Black Cat X Golden Retriever Vibes
𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Gun Play
▷ Rolles Sleeves
▷ Mine
Ultimately BLOODY GOOD READ!!! While this is not my favourite Avina St. Graves Book (Deaths Obsession is still number 1), this came VERY VERY CLOSE to taking that spot on the podium because I loved it so much! It had everything I needed, plot, emotionally driven characters, steamy spice that was a little risque to make it exciting and one of the BEST MMC'S I HAVE READ ABOUT IN A LONG LONG TIME!!!!
Thank you to Avina St. Graves for my gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 28, 2024
Sigh I'm disappointed 😔 this book lost me at the 50% mark I fear.
This is my 3rd book by this author and there is a glaring similarity in all of them and its the fact the the fmc is just so unlikable:/
The fmc in skin of a sinner was actually my most hated fmc in any book I have ever read. That book triggers me so much and my review showcases my anger lol🤣 This book suffers the same issue.
Yes Zalak is a badass but the fact that she refused to communicate well and just kept jumping to conclusions that were so unwarranted annoyed me. The guy is giving you hundreds of signs that he is into you and yet you keep thinking to yourself that he doesn't want you. Like bfr😭
However, as with her other books, the mmc is amazing. They are always so funny, snarky, sassy and hot and Mathijs was no exception. He was so down bad for her it was actually adorable. His back must hurt bcz he carried that whole book for me.
The plot was ok, nothing special.
This is my 3rd book by this author and there is a glaring similarity in all of them and its the fact the the fmc is just so unlikable:/
The fmc in skin of a sinner was actually my most hated fmc in any book I have ever read. That book triggers me so much and my review showcases my anger lol🤣 This book suffers the same issue.
Yes Zalak is a badass but the fact that she refused to communicate well and just kept jumping to conclusions that were so unwarranted annoyed me. The guy is giving you hundreds of signs that he is into you and yet you keep thinking to yourself that he doesn't want you. Like bfr😭
However, as with her other books, the mmc is amazing. They are always so funny, snarky, sassy and hot and Mathijs was no exception. He was so down bad for her it was actually adorable. His back must hurt bcz he carried that whole book for me.
The plot was ok, nothing special.
October 24, 2024
3.75 Stars!
I saw the author's reel about this book and ran here as fast as I could!
I saw the author's reel about this book and ran here as fast as I could!
September 15, 2024
3.5 ★
I have some mixed feelings I think I might have made my expectations for this novella a little too high😅
main thoughts:
First off I did still enjoy this book for the most part like it was fun and easy to read, but I think maybe instead of a novella it should have been an actual novel cause I know that you can only fit so much into 211 pages, but I feel like I wanted more fleshed out characters and scenes. Like I enjoyed it but it didn’t really have a wow factor which sometimes those easy and mindless reads are fun but I think I was expecting something a little different i don’t know why. I just feel like it was easy to binge but hard to fully enjoy when there’s not enough chapters to really absorb and understand the characters and world.
characters:
mathijs: he carried the book on his back mans was whipped for zalak from day one and never stopped not even ten years later. He was pretty fun kinda gives manchild, but also serious at the same time
zalak: she was an enjoyable fmc I just wish we got to see more of her personality but she was also going though a lot. The trauma that she went through was unreal and I felt so bad for her (same for mathijs) I know she’s a badass but I needed more from her just a little bit.
romance:
The romance was pretty good I hate to say it but I wish there was actually more of it even though it was easy to tell they both clearly loved each other and never stopped. But I wish we could have had some more sweet moments between them and more development.
𓆫
Overall i would still recommend this book because you could end up loving this novella I just think it’s not for everyone. It’s definitely a book that’s more just for the vibes than anything else. But it could help with your reading goal👀
A little more plot and writing and I think I could have been absolutely obsessed
quotes I loved:💚
“Let me make you another promise. One day, you will finally be my wife.”
“You kept my clothes.”
“I did.”
“For ten years.”
“I would have held on to them for a lifetime.”
“I want you to myself, in any shape you come in, because I’ll love you regardless of it. Jagged edges and all.”
“You don’t need to be alone to find yourself. Loving someone is being there to help them if they get lost along the way. It’s about growing together and becoming two different puzzles that create a similar picture.” Mathijs grasps my chin to tip my head up to his. “If you go, there would be nothing left inside me. So stay, Zalak. Fight me. Hate me. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better. But don’t leave.”
pre review:
not completely sure how I feel rtc
pre read:
I felt like I needed something short to read and I’ve seen people reading this novella so we’re going to see how it goes🫣 I’ve only read one book from this author so far btw
I have some mixed feelings I think I might have made my expectations for this novella a little too high😅
main thoughts:
First off I did still enjoy this book for the most part like it was fun and easy to read, but I think maybe instead of a novella it should have been an actual novel cause I know that you can only fit so much into 211 pages, but I feel like I wanted more fleshed out characters and scenes. Like I enjoyed it but it didn’t really have a wow factor which sometimes those easy and mindless reads are fun but I think I was expecting something a little different i don’t know why. I just feel like it was easy to binge but hard to fully enjoy when there’s not enough chapters to really absorb and understand the characters and world.
characters:
mathijs: he carried the book on his back mans was whipped for zalak from day one and never stopped not even ten years later. He was pretty fun kinda gives manchild, but also serious at the same time
zalak: she was an enjoyable fmc I just wish we got to see more of her personality but she was also going though a lot. The trauma that she went through was unreal and I felt so bad for her (same for mathijs) I know she’s a badass but I needed more from her just a little bit.
romance:
The romance was pretty good I hate to say it but I wish there was actually more of it even though it was easy to tell they both clearly loved each other and never stopped. But I wish we could have had some more sweet moments between them and more development.
𓆫
Overall i would still recommend this book because you could end up loving this novella I just think it’s not for everyone. It’s definitely a book that’s more just for the vibes than anything else. But it could help with your reading goal👀
A little more plot and writing and I think I could have been absolutely obsessed
quotes I loved:💚
“Let me make you another promise. One day, you will finally be my wife.”
“You kept my clothes.”
“I did.”
“For ten years.”
“I would have held on to them for a lifetime.”
“I want you to myself, in any shape you come in, because I’ll love you regardless of it. Jagged edges and all.”
“You don’t need to be alone to find yourself. Loving someone is being there to help them if they get lost along the way. It’s about growing together and becoming two different puzzles that create a similar picture.” Mathijs grasps my chin to tip my head up to his. “If you go, there would be nothing left inside me. So stay, Zalak. Fight me. Hate me. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better. But don’t leave.”
pre review:
not completely sure how I feel rtc
pre read:
I felt like I needed something short to read and I’ve seen people reading this novella so we’re going to see how it goes🫣 I’ve only read one book from this author so far btw
September 17, 2024
Their dynamic was unmated 🥵😮💨
„In our relationship, there’s no question of who wears the pants. No. Ours is a question of who’s carrying the bigger gun. After all. I’m here to look pretty next to my wife.“
Sadly, the book was too short. There were too many unexplored topics 😔
„In our relationship, there’s no question of who wears the pants. No. Ours is a question of who’s carrying the bigger gun. After all. I’m here to look pretty next to my wife.“
Sadly, the book was too short. There were too many unexplored topics 😔
August 29, 2024
»You could be on my arm, in a twenty-thousand-dollar dress, and no one would know that you could take them out in seconds. Beautiful. Violent. Deadly.«
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝒁𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒌
Poor girl suffered a lot. She is traumatised but still so strong and confident. Really liked her.
❥ 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒋𝒔
He is obsessed and does everything to get Zalak back.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This story was an enjoyable and fast read. I liked the writing style and the idea. It‘s easy to understand with heavy topics.
I discovered this book in TikTok and it did not disappoint!
Zalak and Mathijs are great characters with amazing tension and good development. I liked them together. It was interesting to read that she is his bodyguard (and his childhood love). Both are relatable and I enjoyed following their story.
Overall an entertaining romance book with likeable characters, a solid storyline and a lot of emotions.
𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
Yes, if you‘re into dark bodyguard romance where she is as strong as the male lead.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 3/5
spice: 2/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
possessive and protective hero, mafia, instant attraction, lies and secrets, forced proximity, he falls first and harder, morally dark hero, darkromance, traumatic past, she is his bodyguard, childhood love, military
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: Zalak (26) and Mathijs (26)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: he fucks her with a gun
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Scorpion ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Karma ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Thrill of the Hunt ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝒁𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒌
Poor girl suffered a lot. She is traumatised but still so strong and confident. Really liked her.
❥ 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒋𝒔
He is obsessed and does everything to get Zalak back.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This story was an enjoyable and fast read. I liked the writing style and the idea. It‘s easy to understand with heavy topics.
I discovered this book in TikTok and it did not disappoint!
Zalak and Mathijs are great characters with amazing tension and good development. I liked them together. It was interesting to read that she is his bodyguard (and his childhood love). Both are relatable and I enjoyed following their story.
Overall an entertaining romance book with likeable characters, a solid storyline and a lot of emotions.
𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
Yes, if you‘re into dark bodyguard romance where she is as strong as the male lead.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 3/5
spice: 2/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
possessive and protective hero, mafia, instant attraction, lies and secrets, forced proximity, he falls first and harder, morally dark hero, darkromance, traumatic past, she is his bodyguard, childhood love, military
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: Zalak (26) and Mathijs (26)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: he fucks her with a gun
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Scorpion ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Karma ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Thrill of the Hunt ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 30, 2024
Another banger by Miss Avina and I'm not even surprised. Scorpion was a fun and fast paced second chance romance and I absolutely adored Zalak and Mathijs! Bonus points for the desi/south asian rep and the fact that it was on point lolz👏🏽
safety squad:
- no OW/OM drama
- no cheating/sharing
- no condoms
- second chance romance
- 10 year seperation (no info on MCs sex lives during the seperation except that the h went on a couple of dates and the H saying that the h was always it for him and he waited for her. So I'm just gonna assume that both MCs were celibate☺️)
- ex military (she's a sniper)
- mafia/underground dealings vibes + a secret society???
- HEA with marriage and pregnancy
***
desi rep? LFGGGG BITCHESSSSS🥳 avina's books usually don't have OWD so i'm hoping that's the case with this one too☺️ will read this on release day!
safety squad:
- no OW/OM drama
- no cheating/sharing
- no condoms
- second chance romance
- 10 year seperation (no info on MCs sex lives during the seperation except that the h went on a couple of dates and the H saying that the h was always it for him and he waited for her. So I'm just gonna assume that both MCs were celibate☺️)
- ex military (she's a sniper)
- mafia/underground dealings vibes + a secret society???
- HEA with marriage and pregnancy
***
desi rep? LFGGGG BITCHESSSSS🥳 avina's books usually don't have OWD so i'm hoping that's the case with this one too☺️ will read this on release day!
August 25, 2024
3.5 ⭐
It was okay; maybe because it's short, that's why I feel like I'm missing some things. But it was a decent read, and I love that the FMC is a badass.
Mathijs (27/28) hired Zalak (27/28), his ex-girlfriend, to be his personal bodyguard. She's a sniper in the Marines but got discharged two and a half years ago. Barely surviving with the earnings from winning underground street fights. He found out she came back to the city and offered the job. While he does need protection, the most important reason for hiring her was because he wanted his girl back. Apparently, he didn't move on from her, and I think that's the same for her??? It was vague, tbh, no direct confirmation has been given if they got associated with OP in those years. Zalak said that she went on "hopeless dates", but there's no info on Mathijs. 🤷♀️
Anyway, moving on, I maybe teeny tiny bit hoped for some angst because this is a second chance romance after all. But it feels like 10 years was just a small matter in the grand scheme of things because they basically picked up where they left off. No serious conversation had happened about their past or how life had treated them during their years apart.
Tbf, there were time jumps and a bit of hesitation from Zalak's side, but Mathijs has been all in since he knew she came back. He was just waiting for her to come around and be on the same page with him. There's no angst or drama because it's so obvious how much they still want one another, even after years have passed. And they're hellbent on making the most of this second chance.
There's some suspense and action at the end, but it got resolved quickly thanks to Zalak. Like I said, badass. 👏 The epilogue was cute, and it's nice to see them expanding their family. 🤭
Book info:
- Romantic suspense
- Violence
- Badass FMC
- Loss of loved one
- PTSD
- Second chance romance (10 yrs)
- No cheating, OPD, separation
- Unsure about celibacy, but I think they were
- HEA (2 yrs later, married and pregnant)
It was okay; maybe because it's short, that's why I feel like I'm missing some things. But it was a decent read, and I love that the FMC is a badass.
Mathijs (27/28) hired Zalak (27/28), his ex-girlfriend, to be his personal bodyguard. She's a sniper in the Marines but got discharged two and a half years ago. Barely surviving with the earnings from winning underground street fights. He found out she came back to the city and offered the job. While he does need protection, the most important reason for hiring her was because he wanted his girl back. Apparently, he didn't move on from her, and I think that's the same for her??? It was vague, tbh, no direct confirmation has been given if they got associated with OP in those years. Zalak said that she went on "hopeless dates", but there's no info on Mathijs. 🤷♀️
Anyway, moving on, I maybe teeny tiny bit hoped for some angst because this is a second chance romance after all. But it feels like 10 years was just a small matter in the grand scheme of things because they basically picked up where they left off. No serious conversation had happened about their past or how life had treated them during their years apart.
Tbf, there were time jumps and a bit of hesitation from Zalak's side, but Mathijs has been all in since he knew she came back. He was just waiting for her to come around and be on the same page with him. There's no angst or drama because it's so obvious how much they still want one another, even after years have passed. And they're hellbent on making the most of this second chance.
There's some suspense and action at the end, but it got resolved quickly thanks to Zalak. Like I said, badass. 👏 The epilogue was cute, and it's nice to see them expanding their family. 🤭
Book info:
- Romantic suspense
- Violence
- Badass FMC
- Loss of loved one
- PTSD
- Second chance romance (10 yrs)
- No cheating, OPD, separation
- Unsure about celibacy, but I think they were
- HEA (2 yrs later, married and pregnant)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2024
От мені чогось не вистачило. Можливо деталей подій минулого, життя після. Можливо розвитку стосунків героїв після такої довгої розлуки. Але якщо спиратись на передмову авторки, те як вона описує цю історію - більше ніж новела, але і до повноцінного роману не дотягує. Тоді в принципі питань немає.
Що ж, якщо говорити в цілому - історія хороша. Легкий дарк. Мені сподобалось. Зворотні буркотун і сонечко тут дуже добре описані. Без зайвої драми між героями, але трохи екшену присутньо.
Підняття важливих тем: птср і життя з ним, боротьба, робота з тригерами і терапія, підтримка і прийняття близькою людиною.
Між Залак та Матесом все було дуже екологічно та здорово. Навіть сцени 18+, незважаючи на їх специфічність - органічні. Герої пройшли довгий шлях один до одного. І нарешті вони щасливі. Разом. 4/5 🖤
Що ж, якщо говорити в цілому - історія хороша. Легкий дарк. Мені сподобалось. Зворотні буркотун і сонечко тут дуже добре описані. Без зайвої драми між героями, але трохи екшену присутньо.
Підняття важливих тем: птср і життя з ним, боротьба, робота з тригерами і терапія, підтримка і прийняття близькою людиною.
Між Залак та Матесом все було дуже екологічно та здорово. Навіть сцени 18+, незважаючи на їх специфічність - органічні. Герої пройшли довгий шлях один до одного. І нарешті вони щасливі. Разом. 4/5 🖤
August 25, 2024
OK THIS FUCKING SLAPPED.
She’s super grumpy and traumatized, he’s the biggest golden retriever, and he hires her to be his bodyguard bc he misses her and he knows she’s the best in the business?? Like that’s such a unique and fun plot. Also it’s a little longer than a novella, so it’s a quick read. And, it’s packed with excellent action and scorching smut. Seriously no notes. I loved this.
She’s super grumpy and traumatized, he’s the biggest golden retriever, and he hires her to be his bodyguard bc he misses her and he knows she’s the best in the business?? Like that’s such a unique and fun plot. Also it’s a little longer than a novella, so it’s a quick read. And, it’s packed with excellent action and scorching smut. Seriously no notes. I loved this.
November 21, 2024
This book wasn't really what I'd like but I'm giving it 3 stars for the MMC.
September 18, 2024
3,5 /5
Мені дуже сподобався початок і середина книги, але під кінець я трохи втомилася.
Коротко про плюси:
🔸Цікава головна героїня (про снайперок я ще не читала). Дівчина зі сталевими нервами витримкою, дівчина яка стільки всього пережила і втратила, що аж страшно;
🔸Дуже сподобався Матес, його терплячість, розуміння, відданість, його вміння посміятися над собою, його жарти, те як він підтримував Залак, як він пишався її перемогами, те що він пам'я��ав і зберігав так багато речей про неї. Чоловік, який піде на все заради своєї коханої.
🔸Сподобалося, що розкрили ПТСР Залак. Не просто один раз згадали, а дійсно показали, як всі травматичні події в її житті вплинули на неї, як вона справляється з цим.
🔸Лайк за те, що в стосунках головних героїв все було добровільно, з повагою до особистих кордонів, з усвідомленням травмованості один одного, без засудження, лише абсолютне прийняття.
А тепер про мінуси:
🔸Мені не вистачило розвитку стосунків головних героїв, я розумію, що в них була історія в минулому, але в теперішньому все виглядало трохи скомкано. Я хотіла побільше спільних моментів разом, побільше взаємодій, всього побільше. А фраза, що вона вже 8 місяцем є його тілоохоронцем мені взагалі не сподобалася. Тобто 8 місяців?! А чим ви займалися протягом цього часу. Я просто хотіла побільше деталей.
🔸Також було дуже мало сказано про сім'ю Залак і її друзів, якось так ненароком згадувалося про те, що з ними сталося, що я повністю і не зрозуміла. Про її відносини з братом теж майже нічого, хоч би показали його;
🔸Таємна організація. Я не зрозуміла навіщо її було туди впихувати, тому що ніякого сенсу в цій історії вона не відіграє. Щось дуже мутне і непонятне, ніби секта якась. Про випробування я взагалі мовчу.
В цілому, мені сподобалося, але відчуття, що, якби ця історія була трохи більшою, було б набагато краще
Мені дуже сподобався початок і середина книги, але під кінець я трохи втомилася.
Коротко про плюси:
🔸Цікава головна героїня (про снайперок я ще не читала). Дівчина зі сталевими нервами витримкою, дівчина яка стільки всього пережила і втратила, що аж страшно;
🔸Дуже сподобався Матес, його терплячість, розуміння, відданість, його вміння посміятися над собою, його жарти, те як він підтримував Залак, як він пишався її перемогами, те що він пам'я��ав і зберігав так багато речей про неї. Чоловік, який піде на все заради своєї коханої.
🔸Сподобалося, що розкрили ПТСР Залак. Не просто один раз згадали, а дійсно показали, як всі травматичні події в її житті вплинули на неї, як вона справляється з цим.
🔸Лайк за те, що в стосунках головних героїв все було добровільно, з повагою до особистих кордонів, з усвідомленням травмованості один одного, без засудження, лише абсолютне прийняття.
А тепер про мінуси:
🔸Мені не вистачило розвитку стосунків головних героїв, я розумію, що в них була історія в минулому, але в теперішньому все виглядало трохи скомкано. Я хотіла побільше спільних моментів разом, побільше взаємодій, всього побільше. А фраза, що вона вже 8 місяцем є його тілоохоронцем мені взагалі не сподобалася. Тобто 8 місяців?! А чим ви займалися протягом цього часу. Я просто хотіла побільше деталей.
🔸Також було дуже мало сказано про сім'ю Залак і її друзів, якось так ненароком згадувалося про те, що з ними сталося, що я повністю і не зрозуміла. Про її відносини з братом теж майже нічого, хоч би показали його;
🔸Таємна організація. Я не зрозуміла навіщо її було туди впихувати, тому що ніякого сенсу в цій історії вона не відіграє. Щось дуже мутне і непонятне, ніби секта якась. Про випробування я взагалі мовчу.
В цілому, мені сподобалося, але відчуття, що, якби ця історія була трохи більшою, було б набагато краще
August 31, 2024
3.75 ☆
Byeeeee, I liked this book more than I should have (or for what i expected at the start). I didn't particulary love the first book of hers that I read, i think last year. But this one, kinda made me curious enough to check out her other two works.
Everything was not perfect and the writing was okay, nothing remarkable.
BUTTT Mathijs and Zalak were so fine to read together that it didn't matter. Wished to see more bodyguard moments from her, but idk, I still ate it up.
Do I reccomend it? Yes, if you are searching for a short book (almost a novella), a not demanding plot, with a bit of spice in the second part and two hot protagonists 🤸🏻♀️
Byeeeee, I liked this book more than I should have (or for what i expected at the start). I didn't particulary love the first book of hers that I read, i think last year. But this one, kinda made me curious enough to check out her other two works.
Everything was not perfect and the writing was okay, nothing remarkable.
BUTTT Mathijs and Zalak were so fine to read together that it didn't matter. Wished to see more bodyguard moments from her, but idk, I still ate it up.
Do I reccomend it? Yes, if you are searching for a short book (almost a novella), a not demanding plot, with a bit of spice in the second part and two hot protagonists 🤸🏻♀️
November 1, 2024
"𝓐𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓵𝓵, 𝓘'𝓶 𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝔂 𝔀𝓲𝓯𝓮"
I really liked this book,it was short and I had so much fun reading it.
I love the characters,the story,Zalak and Mathijs' love😍 and their dynamic.
I will always love a powerful and traumatised woman(🔪👀🫦💔🔛🔝).
And obviously,I will always love an arrogant and flirty man(🔪💦🔥💔🫦).
I for sure will read more from this author
"𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓷𝔂 𝓫𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓯𝓲𝓽𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝔀𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝓪𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓾𝓷𝓮𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓸𝔂𝓮𝓭 -𝓮𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓸𝔂𝓮𝓭 𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯-𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝓸𝓭𝔂𝓰𝓾𝓪𝓻𝓭.𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓷𝓸 𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓷𝓼,𝓸𝓻 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓯𝓪𝓻 𝓘 𝓰𝓸, 𝓼𝓱𝓮'𝓵𝓵 𝓴𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓶𝓹𝓽𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓶 𝓶𝓮.
𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓯 𝓲𝓽 𝓲𝓼𝓷'𝓽 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓮 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮? "
I really liked this book,it was short and I had so much fun reading it.
I love the characters,the story,Zalak and Mathijs' love😍 and their dynamic.
I will always love a powerful and traumatised woman(🔪👀🫦💔🔛🔝).
And obviously,I will always love an arrogant and flirty man(🔪💦🔥💔🫦).
I for sure will read more from this author
"𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓷𝔂 𝓫𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓯𝓲𝓽𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝔀𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝓪𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓾𝓷𝓮𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓸𝔂𝓮𝓭 -𝓮𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓸𝔂𝓮𝓭 𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯-𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝓸𝓭𝔂𝓰𝓾𝓪𝓻𝓭.𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓷𝓸 𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓷𝓼,𝓸𝓻 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓯𝓪𝓻 𝓘 𝓰𝓸, 𝓼𝓱𝓮'𝓵𝓵 𝓴𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓶𝓹𝓽𝓼 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓶 𝓶𝓮.
𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓯 𝓲𝓽 𝓲𝓼𝓷'𝓽 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓮 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮? "
September 18, 2024
Warning: This review contains some spoilers. I’m not marking it as a spoiler just so you could see the length of my dissaproval.
——————
The concept was good but the execution was horrible.
This book is all over the place and it makes no sense. It looks like halfway through the author came up with random things and just added it in the story. As a dutch person.. “My little lieverd” is such an odd thing to say. Nobody says that. My little darling? Nah. Characters switch up constantly, making them seem unstable and lack personality.
The smut was written even more poorly than Haunting Adeline and that’s saying something (at least to me): I absolutely despise that book. The scenes were—again—random, made no sense, exaggerated.. What is it with gun scenes? What point did it have in this book? At least in HA, there was sort of a point to it. This could never..
The quotes felt out of place too. It did not seem like they came from the hearts of the characters. They seemed like they were written purely to be quoted on booktok. That’s not what you write a book for.
Let’s not forget the lack of show and tell. She’s coming undone because of Mathijs? Show us why. Show us their history instead of just randomly adding her feelings to the plot. Mathijs’ family does some shady business? Show that more in the beginning of the book; the only hint we had was the helicopter. Also—just what was the point of her family being bitches and all of them dying? It added little to her character and the story.
Conclusion: it was a short book but a waste of time. There was no order to it, the “lore” was random and it felt like there was no point to it in the first place. The concept of the FL being ML’s bodyguard was amazing, but the execution could not have been worse. She does not come over as strong and badass as promoted online. I don’t recommend in the slightest.
I see where the author was trying to go. The book had potential; I just don’t think this was the proper way to go about such a plot.
——————
The concept was good but the execution was horrible.
This book is all over the place and it makes no sense. It looks like halfway through the author came up with random things and just added it in the story. As a dutch person.. “My little lieverd” is such an odd thing to say. Nobody says that. My little darling? Nah. Characters switch up constantly, making them seem unstable and lack personality.
The smut was written even more poorly than Haunting Adeline and that’s saying something (at least to me): I absolutely despise that book. The scenes were—again—random, made no sense, exaggerated.. What is it with gun scenes? What point did it have in this book? At least in HA, there was sort of a point to it. This could never..
The quotes felt out of place too. It did not seem like they came from the hearts of the characters. They seemed like they were written purely to be quoted on booktok. That’s not what you write a book for.
Let’s not forget the lack of show and tell. She’s coming undone because of Mathijs? Show us why. Show us their history instead of just randomly adding her feelings to the plot. Mathijs’ family does some shady business? Show that more in the beginning of the book; the only hint we had was the helicopter. Also—just what was the point of her family being bitches and all of them dying? It added little to her character and the story.
Conclusion: it was a short book but a waste of time. There was no order to it, the “lore” was random and it felt like there was no point to it in the first place. The concept of the FL being ML’s bodyguard was amazing, but the execution could not have been worse. She does not come over as strong and badass as promoted online. I don’t recommend in the slightest.
I see where the author was trying to go. The book had potential; I just don’t think this was the proper way to go about such a plot.
January 26, 2025
Safety:
• No OW or OM drama
• No info on if they were with others during the 10 year separation but I don’t think so. FMC did go on a few dates during that time but it didn’t seem like it went any further than that.
• No OW or OM drama
• No info on if they were with others during the 10 year separation but I don’t think so. FMC did go on a few dates during that time but it didn’t seem like it went any further than that.
August 27, 2024
Una cagata assurda.
Lei dovrebbe essere il bodyguard di lui ma letteralmente non c'è mezzo momento in cui si comporta come tale e anzi si ritrova ad avere più traumi che denti a momenti. Non è stato piacevole, non c'è stata tensione e non c'è stato un nesso logico nella narrazione.
Avina cancellata perché mi ha mentito spammandolo per mesi su Tiktok per quello che non era e ne sono rimasta molto delusa e amareggiata.
!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!
Questa è stata in guerra e ha un PTSD talmente forte che appena sente dei botti rivive le situazioni tragiche e le viene dato il posto da guardia del corpo di un mezzo mafioso altamente a rischio di schiattare??????? Non riesce a badare a se stessa e secondo voi sta dietro al piskello??? Raga ma tutto bene???
Poi boh le scene di sesso panico e paura, lei letteralmente sempre zitta e quasi immobile che si faceva le pare ma diceva "no ma non voglio che smetta" BOH MATHIJS LETTERALMENTE L'UNICO A FATICARE.
Sto fatto che poi lei a na certa sia arrivata a tentare il suicidio sensato all'interno della storia del personaggio ma totalmente randomico all'interno della narrazione anche perché poi si fa un balzo temporale di sei mesi e si risolve tutto con "Zalak ha fatto terapia e ora sta un fiore" MAGARI NOI, ZALAK, MAGARI NOI TUTTƏ.
E vabbè, l'accenno alla mezza setta di cui Mathijs è membro, la proposta di matrimonio e il rapimento di Aldo Moro nelle ultime venti pagine? Randomico da far paura, letteralmente si è girata una ruota e si è scritto le prime tre cose capitate. Pagliacciata.
Lei dovrebbe essere il bodyguard di lui ma letteralmente non c'è mezzo momento in cui si comporta come tale e anzi si ritrova ad avere più traumi che denti a momenti. Non è stato piacevole, non c'è stata tensione e non c'è stato un nesso logico nella narrazione.
Avina cancellata perché mi ha mentito spammandolo per mesi su Tiktok per quello che non era e ne sono rimasta molto delusa e amareggiata.
!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!
Questa è stata in guerra e ha un PTSD talmente forte che appena sente dei botti rivive le situazioni tragiche e le viene dato il posto da guardia del corpo di un mezzo mafioso altamente a rischio di schiattare??????? Non riesce a badare a se stessa e secondo voi sta dietro al piskello??? Raga ma tutto bene???
Poi boh le scene di sesso panico e paura, lei letteralmente sempre zitta e quasi immobile che si faceva le pare ma diceva "no ma non voglio che smetta" BOH MATHIJS LETTERALMENTE L'UNICO A FATICARE.
Sto fatto che poi lei a na certa sia arrivata a tentare il suicidio sensato all'interno della storia del personaggio ma totalmente randomico all'interno della narrazione anche perché poi si fa un balzo temporale di sei mesi e si risolve tutto con "Zalak ha fatto terapia e ora sta un fiore" MAGARI NOI, ZALAK, MAGARI NOI TUTTƏ.
E vabbè, l'accenno alla mezza setta di cui Mathijs è membro, la proposta di matrimonio e il rapimento di Aldo Moro nelle ultime venti pagine? Randomico da far paura, letteralmente si è girata una ruota e si è scritto le prime tre cose capitate. Pagliacciata.
August 31, 2024
Oh my God, what a boring book!
The dumbest book I've read this year. Every sentence has a time jump. No, no, no!
"My little Lieverd"
“Ik ben duizend keer voor je gevallen, Lieverd.”
"She was mine before and it’s time to make her mine again, because I was always hers. I have been since day one."
"Every time I see her, she disarms me. The word breathtaking was made for her."
"She would kill for me, and I would do far worse for her."
“Let me make you another promise. One day, you will finally be my wife.”
“If you go, there would be nothing left inside me. So stay, Zalak. Fight me. Hate me. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better. But don’t leave.”
The dumbest book I've read this year. Every sentence has a time jump. No, no, no!
"My little Lieverd"
“Ik ben duizend keer voor je gevallen, Lieverd.”
"She was mine before and it’s time to make her mine again, because I was always hers. I have been since day one."
"Every time I see her, she disarms me. The word breathtaking was made for her."
"She would kill for me, and I would do far worse for her."
“Let me make you another promise. One day, you will finally be my wife.”
“If you go, there would be nothing left inside me. So stay, Zalak. Fight me. Hate me. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better. But don’t leave.”
August 31, 2024
4.75
My song for Scorpion>: Silhouette by Aquilo
”If you go, there would be nothing left inside me. So stay, Zalak. Fight me. Hate me. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better. But don’t leave.”
I knew I would love this book from the moment I saw the fan art. And the way it did not let me down has me love it just the more for it.
”You don’t need to be alone to find yourself. Loving someone is being there to help them if they get lost along the way. It’s about growing together and becoming two different puzzles that create a similar picture.”
The author has taken a rather simple premise – second chance love that got divided by her strict family – and given it this amazing twist.
Now, the FMC is the world’s best sniper and knows how to hold herself, no longer dependent but with a large amount of baggage to make up for it.
”I kept thinking you’d come back. And you did. But you never came to me. Not a single call. Not a text. Every single morning when I wake up, I feel sick to my stomach while I check my phone to see if you’ve died. And every night, I torture myself thinking that the next time I see you will be when you’re in a casket.”
The MMC does not only have Draco vibes but is the bad guy we love. Nothing morally grey about his occupation, he has no qualms taking over the family business that is all black and illegal. And still he’s simping for her in a way that has me weak.
’We were never done. We were always meant to come back to each other.’
The plot combines forced proximity and awkward rekindling with anxiety and the dangers of the world they live in. Somehow they get tangled in the mess that is their lives and it is beautiful to watch how it only makes them realize there is no getting away from each other.
”You want honesty, I’ll give you honesty. We have both come too far to speak in riddles. You’re mine. I’m yours. That’s how it was before, and how it is tonight, tomorrow, and every day after that.”
The writing is so good. It’s my first book from this author, although I’ve heard a lot about her. She has a talent for giving us quotes that slap so hard and the dialogues are as intense as beautiful.
’In this moment, we’re untouchable. There’s no death, no war, no pit of despair waiting for us to drown in. But there are two things I know to be true. She would kill for me, and I would do far worse for her.’
I have miiiinor points of critique and I am very sure most people don’t even mind. During some of the spice scenes I was rather confused by the logistics… not that it did any harm to how good they were.
Also, the author reliably confused the words debrief and brief every time. (A briefing is before, a debrief is after a mission/project/…). As I said, it’s minor but unfortunately I’m weird like this and was thrown off by it.
That being said, I am positive that normal people who don’t get as hung up on stuff like this can love this book even more.
I especially see the Dramione girlies devour this one
Scorpion is, so far, my favorite from the Exodus series and I can’t wait to read the rest of it, hoping there will be more gems like this one.
My song for Scorpion>: Silhouette by Aquilo
”If you go, there would be nothing left inside me. So stay, Zalak. Fight me. Hate me. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better. But don’t leave.”
I knew I would love this book from the moment I saw the fan art. And the way it did not let me down has me love it just the more for it.
”You don’t need to be alone to find yourself. Loving someone is being there to help them if they get lost along the way. It’s about growing together and becoming two different puzzles that create a similar picture.”
The author has taken a rather simple premise – second chance love that got divided by her strict family – and given it this amazing twist.
Now, the FMC is the world’s best sniper and knows how to hold herself, no longer dependent but with a large amount of baggage to make up for it.
”I kept thinking you’d come back. And you did. But you never came to me. Not a single call. Not a text. Every single morning when I wake up, I feel sick to my stomach while I check my phone to see if you’ve died. And every night, I torture myself thinking that the next time I see you will be when you’re in a casket.”
The MMC does not only have Draco vibes but is the bad guy we love. Nothing morally grey about his occupation, he has no qualms taking over the family business that is all black and illegal. And still he’s simping for her in a way that has me weak.
’We were never done. We were always meant to come back to each other.’
The plot combines forced proximity and awkward rekindling with anxiety and the dangers of the world they live in. Somehow they get tangled in the mess that is their lives and it is beautiful to watch how it only makes them realize there is no getting away from each other.
”You want honesty, I’ll give you honesty. We have both come too far to speak in riddles. You’re mine. I’m yours. That’s how it was before, and how it is tonight, tomorrow, and every day after that.”
The writing is so good. It’s my first book from this author, although I’ve heard a lot about her. She has a talent for giving us quotes that slap so hard and the dialogues are as intense as beautiful.
’In this moment, we’re untouchable. There’s no death, no war, no pit of despair waiting for us to drown in. But there are two things I know to be true. She would kill for me, and I would do far worse for her.’
I have miiiinor points of critique and I am very sure most people don’t even mind. During some of the spice scenes I was rather confused by the logistics… not that it did any harm to how good they were.
Also, the author reliably confused the words debrief and brief every time. (A briefing is before, a debrief is after a mission/project/…). As I said, it’s minor but unfortunately I’m weird like this and was thrown off by it.
That being said, I am positive that normal people who don’t get as hung up on stuff like this can love this book even more.
I especially see the Dramione girlies devour this one
Scorpion is, so far, my favorite from the Exodus series and I can’t wait to read the rest of it, hoping there will be more gems like this one.
August 13, 2024
Firstly I want to thank Avina St. Graves for allowing me the opportunity to read this book, I ate this book up.
If you’re head over heels for bodyguard, second chance, secret society, military this book if definitely for you, after reading this book I can not wait for the rest of the series to come out.
When I tell you didn’t want this to end, I could not put this book down for the life of me, from the beginning of the prologue I was hooked to this book instantly. When you meet Zalak you will love her, hands down she is the best FMC that I have ever read.
While on a mission gone bad Zalak ends up losing her loved ones and after losing them she ends up not being the same girl that she once was after some years go by Zalak ends up in a fighting ring fight man. That fact that she is fighting a man that weights in at 300 pounds is crazy 🤪. Zalak is that bitch for sure lol.
Omgggg Mathijs was everything!!!! This man was head over heels for Zalak so when she was no where to be found he stopped at nothing to find her, and when she popped back up and in his city it was like sign from god when he found her. He then offered her a job to become his bodyguard, which was beneficial for her and for him because now he was able to keep track of her and in a way also look after her. He is literal perfection. He literally build her humanity back up and seeing her smile and laugh again just put a smile on his face. And the way he would talk to her aghhhhhhh had me in a chokehold 🤭😂
This was my second book by Avina ST. Graves that I have read and I’m in love with her writing style I will definitely be reading more of her books.
“I’m a respectable man, darling and you make me want to do things to you that will make me lose that title” 🤭🤭🤭
Tropes
💸 Reverse bodyguard
💸 Second chance romance
💸 Ex-military FMC
💸 Reverse grumpy/sunshine
💸 Indian heroine
💸 Secret Society
💸 Pew Pew scene
If you’re head over heels for bodyguard, second chance, secret society, military this book if definitely for you, after reading this book I can not wait for the rest of the series to come out.
When I tell you didn’t want this to end, I could not put this book down for the life of me, from the beginning of the prologue I was hooked to this book instantly. When you meet Zalak you will love her, hands down she is the best FMC that I have ever read.
While on a mission gone bad Zalak ends up losing her loved ones and after losing them she ends up not being the same girl that she once was after some years go by Zalak ends up in a fighting ring fight man. That fact that she is fighting a man that weights in at 300 pounds is crazy 🤪. Zalak is that bitch for sure lol.
Omgggg Mathijs was everything!!!! This man was head over heels for Zalak so when she was no where to be found he stopped at nothing to find her, and when she popped back up and in his city it was like sign from god when he found her. He then offered her a job to become his bodyguard, which was beneficial for her and for him because now he was able to keep track of her and in a way also look after her. He is literal perfection. He literally build her humanity back up and seeing her smile and laugh again just put a smile on his face. And the way he would talk to her aghhhhhhh had me in a chokehold 🤭😂
This was my second book by Avina ST. Graves that I have read and I’m in love with her writing style I will definitely be reading more of her books.
“I’m a respectable man, darling and you make me want to do things to you that will make me lose that title” 🤭🤭🤭
Tropes
💸 Reverse bodyguard
💸 Second chance romance
💸 Ex-military FMC
💸 Reverse grumpy/sunshine
💸 Indian heroine
💸 Secret Society
💸 Pew Pew scene
October 20, 2024
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 3 stars ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
the author herself claims that the book doesn’t have the deepest story line or most complex world building and I agree.
it’s clear that this book is mainly meant for entertainment and maybe that only sounds judgmental to my ears but it’s not meant to.
this is a quick, fun dark romance with morally grey characterssome questionable use of weapons delicious tension and just the right amount of possessiveness.
what drew me in is the fact that the FMC Zalak is the ex military bodyguard who protects him. I wouldn’t mind her story to be longer because I really enjoyed how she picks herself up and fights her way back into life.
Mathijs (apart from the fact that I can’t pronounce his name for the life of me - or any name in this book for that matter) pleasantly surprised me. He isn’t your typical arrogant prick fuck boy but he actually *gasp* cared about Zalak and stood by her no matter what.
yeah sooo.. what can I say.. I liked this more than I probably should have! I don’t know they were kinda sweet and then the endi-
I‘m babbling. Go see for yourself.
xx
the author herself claims that the book doesn’t have the deepest story line or most complex world building and I agree.
it’s clear that this book is mainly meant for entertainment and maybe that only sounds judgmental to my ears but it’s not meant to.
this is a quick, fun dark romance with morally grey characters
what drew me in is the fact that the FMC Zalak is the ex military bodyguard who protects him. I wouldn’t mind her story to be longer because I really enjoyed how she picks herself up and fights her way back into life.
Mathijs (apart from the fact that I can’t pronounce his name for the life of me - or any name in this book for that matter) pleasantly surprised me. He isn’t your typical arrogant prick fuck boy but he actually *gasp* cared about Zalak and stood by her no matter what.
yeah sooo.. what can I say.. I liked this more than I probably should have! I don’t know they were kinda sweet and then the endi-
I‘m babbling. Go see for yourself.
xx
August 25, 2025
Estuve a punto de abandonarlo, el libro no me atrapó para nada 😔
August 21, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Scorpion was a wonderful read. I really enjoyed Zalak and Mathijs. Zalak is a strong FMC that you will love. I adored how head over heels Mathijs was for Zalak. If you're looking for a dark novella, I highly recommend reading Scorpion by Avina St. Graves.
Tropes:
Ex-Military
Reverse bodyguard
Second chance
Secret society
He's her boss
Indian FMC
Scorpion was a wonderful read. I really enjoyed Zalak and Mathijs. Zalak is a strong FMC that you will love. I adored how head over heels Mathijs was for Zalak. If you're looking for a dark novella, I highly recommend reading Scorpion by Avina St. Graves.
Tropes:
Ex-Military
Reverse bodyguard
Second chance
Secret society
He's her boss
Indian FMC
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