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Caveat
“You look nice.”
His voice inevitably drags my attention his way. He rocks back on his heels as he stares at the hem of my dress, barely reaching the middle of my thighs.
Before I can thank him, he opens his mouth again and ruins everything. “Easy, but nice.”
I feel my cheeks flush with indignation, and the happiness at seeing him evaporates into thin air. “Excuse me?”
Knox Hayes is a perplexing man. Handsome, ambitious, wealthy—he is the perfect package to anyone looking in from the outside. But I learn the truth soon after I meet him. Underneath all that perfection dwells a dangerous mixture of anger, mistrust and cynicism. He can be cold and arrogant, and I tell myself that I will keep my distance from him. But life has other plans. All too soon, I find myself caught up in a cat-and-mouse game I don't want to play. He is water—deep, restless, frightening, and I am the fly that drowns into the ocean's abyss.
His voice inevitably drags my attention his way. He rocks back on his heels as he stares at the hem of my dress, barely reaching the middle of my thighs.
Before I can thank him, he opens his mouth again and ruins everything. “Easy, but nice.”
I feel my cheeks flush with indignation, and the happiness at seeing him evaporates into thin air. “Excuse me?”
Knox Hayes is a perplexing man. Handsome, ambitious, wealthy—he is the perfect package to anyone looking in from the outside. But I learn the truth soon after I meet him. Underneath all that perfection dwells a dangerous mixture of anger, mistrust and cynicism. He can be cold and arrogant, and I tell myself that I will keep my distance from him. But life has other plans. All too soon, I find myself caught up in a cat-and-mouse game I don't want to play. He is water—deep, restless, frightening, and I am the fly that drowns into the ocean's abyss.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2024
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Dea Verdi
5 books21 followersDea Verdi is an author of romance novels with a twist of suspense and darkness. She started writing fanfiction when she was in college. During the pandemic, she decided to try her hand at creating her own original characters.
When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with friends and reading too many romance novels.
Connect with her:
Email → DeaVerdi.Author@gmail.com
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dea.verdi/
When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with friends and reading too many romance novels.
Connect with her:
Email → DeaVerdi.Author@gmail.com
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dea.verdi/
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 29, 2024
Knox and Carina’s story is one of the best books i have read this year! You really get into the book, i kept telling myself just one more chapter and low and behold i finished the book in the matter of a couple days🫣 The spice adds to the storyline and the plot beautifully, not many books are like that now. Definitely one of those books of if you touch her you ☠️!! Fantastic read would highly recommend! x.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2024
4 stars
The story of Carina and Knox captivated me from the very beginning. I liked the whole concept of the story, how the main and secondary characters were described, how New York was described, which brings back some good memories in me. What was wonderful for me was that Carina is from Eastern Europe and from a beautiful city that you should definitely visit.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story of Carina and Knox captivated me from the very beginning. I liked the whole concept of the story, how the main and secondary characters were described, how New York was described, which brings back some good memories in me. What was wonderful for me was that Carina is from Eastern Europe and from a beautiful city that you should definitely visit.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 9, 2024
I read this book solely based on the male main character’s name; Knox Hayes. It was so hot; I simply couldn’t resist – and the book did not disappoint! His name where in fact Knox Hayes on the inside as well.
On most other parameters this book left a lot to be desired.
As a quick disclaimer I’d like to say that I don’t usually read slow burn romances, as they are typically not my cuppa’ tea, so I might not be able to appreciate the finer details of the craft. That being said I do feel like I have the capacity to look beyond this and truthfully review the book. I get that the book is slow burn – it can be nice, when things aren’t all jammed up into the first 20% of the story – but for it to be a slow burn, it has to BURN. There as to be a spark, embers, an itsy-bitsy flame or even just someone lighting a cigarette. This book had none of that.
Before the smutty part starts the main characters have absolutely no chemistry. He is acting like a moody, little, emo, teenage girl who were forced to participate in PE after lying about having her period for the third time this month. This is not a case of me ‘not getting the guy’ – I do get it. He has an ugly experience from the past – I get it, but that doesn’t mandate a fully grown adult to behave immature. I get that the author probably aims to make him appear all gruff and complicated, but to me it just come of as whinny and prickly. Not exactly traits worth pinning over.
The female main character strongly disagree with me on that. She spends so much of her time overthinking and making stuff up in her head, I am even exhausted by it. She reads into the smallest little details and sees ‘all of his complicated nature’, while I’m out here on the other side of the pages screaming at her. She is being delusional over a boy, with zero situations to derive these delusions from. I tolerate this behavior in myself and in my girlfriends, but in books I don’t. I like my FMM to swoon over people, when there is more to the relation that just what they’ve made up – that’s how I know it is fiction.
The relation between the main characters shift and without spoiling or going into detail, it consist of him becoming somewhat territorial and them developing a sweet banter (more on that!). The territorial stuff I usually don’t mind (I’m a dark romance girly at heart 😉), but when Knox does it, he isn’t being possessive with an edge of sexy, he is just being mean.
Oh, and the banter! The banter is not the best I’ve ever read, but it is not the worst either. I distinctly remember laughing once. In general, I feel like a lot of the dialog in the book between all characters is very…. Polite? It is like they do not know each other most of the time. Especially between the FMM and her best friend feels very unnatural. I will say it get somewhat better as the book progresses, but maybe I just got used to it.
Carina, the FMC, is from Europe (I’m not sure that the actual country is disclosed on the back of the book so I won’t spoil it) and the social environment she finds herself in is very different from what she comes from. This is said in the book, but I don’t think it is said enough or shown to the reader in imaginary ways where it is showcased in just a fraction of all the ways this is wildly different from her normal. I can only imagine it as being worlds apart, and then some, but she doesn’t really have any moments where she is confronted with is, feels left out or doesn’t know how to navigate it. I am totally cool with this not being the focus of the book, but to me, her origin was such a breath of fresh air and leaving it so unmentioned makes it seem pointless.
The plot…. Where should I being? When I read a book, I like getting a sense of looking into a pot full of water, I do not know it is boiling or not but I can see it. At some point the author might put a lid on the put and show me another one, and then anther one. In some of these pots I might start to see small bobbles, but I keep getting distracted by new pots and lids coming on and off that I don’t notice that everything is boiling over at the same time! What I am trying to get across with this metaphor is, that I like subplots that get more pressing with time until it is reviled that everything is interconnected and going to shit all at once. In this book I get more of sense of the author showing me very boring pots for a long time. Some characters and stories are left out for so long, that I started to wonder if they even played a part. A when they reappear, you’re not even exited to see them because it is just another boring pot someone forgot to turn on.
The smut was actually very good, there were not too much or too little. It wouldn’t say it was mindboggling (Carina might disagree), but I liked it and it is much harder than one should think to write sex-scenes so I applaud the author for that.
I’d like to end all of my reviews on a good note, because at the end of the day all authors put tremendous amounts of effort into their stories and I doesn’t sit well with me not to acknowledge hard work, just because I happen to not like the output. This book had some good aspects like Carians upbringing and the smut, and if the dialog was revamped that would help a lot on my overall evaluation. But I have to be honest – I will not read this book again. I might read something from the author again, put I’d look closer into the preview before deciding.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
On most other parameters this book left a lot to be desired.
As a quick disclaimer I’d like to say that I don’t usually read slow burn romances, as they are typically not my cuppa’ tea, so I might not be able to appreciate the finer details of the craft. That being said I do feel like I have the capacity to look beyond this and truthfully review the book. I get that the book is slow burn – it can be nice, when things aren’t all jammed up into the first 20% of the story – but for it to be a slow burn, it has to BURN. There as to be a spark, embers, an itsy-bitsy flame or even just someone lighting a cigarette. This book had none of that.
Before the smutty part starts the main characters have absolutely no chemistry. He is acting like a moody, little, emo, teenage girl who were forced to participate in PE after lying about having her period for the third time this month. This is not a case of me ‘not getting the guy’ – I do get it. He has an ugly experience from the past – I get it, but that doesn’t mandate a fully grown adult to behave immature. I get that the author probably aims to make him appear all gruff and complicated, but to me it just come of as whinny and prickly. Not exactly traits worth pinning over.
The female main character strongly disagree with me on that. She spends so much of her time overthinking and making stuff up in her head, I am even exhausted by it. She reads into the smallest little details and sees ‘all of his complicated nature’, while I’m out here on the other side of the pages screaming at her. She is being delusional over a boy, with zero situations to derive these delusions from. I tolerate this behavior in myself and in my girlfriends, but in books I don’t. I like my FMM to swoon over people, when there is more to the relation that just what they’ve made up – that’s how I know it is fiction.
The relation between the main characters shift and without spoiling or going into detail, it consist of him becoming somewhat territorial and them developing a sweet banter (more on that!). The territorial stuff I usually don’t mind (I’m a dark romance girly at heart 😉), but when Knox does it, he isn’t being possessive with an edge of sexy, he is just being mean.
Oh, and the banter! The banter is not the best I’ve ever read, but it is not the worst either. I distinctly remember laughing once. In general, I feel like a lot of the dialog in the book between all characters is very…. Polite? It is like they do not know each other most of the time. Especially between the FMM and her best friend feels very unnatural. I will say it get somewhat better as the book progresses, but maybe I just got used to it.
Carina, the FMC, is from Europe (I’m not sure that the actual country is disclosed on the back of the book so I won’t spoil it) and the social environment she finds herself in is very different from what she comes from. This is said in the book, but I don’t think it is said enough or shown to the reader in imaginary ways where it is showcased in just a fraction of all the ways this is wildly different from her normal. I can only imagine it as being worlds apart, and then some, but she doesn’t really have any moments where she is confronted with is, feels left out or doesn’t know how to navigate it. I am totally cool with this not being the focus of the book, but to me, her origin was such a breath of fresh air and leaving it so unmentioned makes it seem pointless.
The plot…. Where should I being? When I read a book, I like getting a sense of looking into a pot full of water, I do not know it is boiling or not but I can see it. At some point the author might put a lid on the put and show me another one, and then anther one. In some of these pots I might start to see small bobbles, but I keep getting distracted by new pots and lids coming on and off that I don’t notice that everything is boiling over at the same time! What I am trying to get across with this metaphor is, that I like subplots that get more pressing with time until it is reviled that everything is interconnected and going to shit all at once. In this book I get more of sense of the author showing me very boring pots for a long time. Some characters and stories are left out for so long, that I started to wonder if they even played a part. A when they reappear, you’re not even exited to see them because it is just another boring pot someone forgot to turn on.
The smut was actually very good, there were not too much or too little. It wouldn’t say it was mindboggling (Carina might disagree), but I liked it and it is much harder than one should think to write sex-scenes so I applaud the author for that.
I’d like to end all of my reviews on a good note, because at the end of the day all authors put tremendous amounts of effort into their stories and I doesn’t sit well with me not to acknowledge hard work, just because I happen to not like the output. This book had some good aspects like Carians upbringing and the smut, and if the dialog was revamped that would help a lot on my overall evaluation. But I have to be honest – I will not read this book again. I might read something from the author again, put I’d look closer into the preview before deciding.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 15, 2025
Carina moving to America to start a new life, staying with her best friend Amanda. Meeting Knox, Amanda's cousin who has been hurt before, she is drawn to him, although attracted to Carina he doesn't want to get involved. But in saying that he is protective of her. The constant meetings between them lead to a secret releationship. Lies, misunderstandings and past hurt drive them apart.
They push and pull, their banter & chemistry is amusing & secretive the angst at times made me want to shake both of them!
An enjoyable book, but l felt lacked the depth that showed them as a couple. Their relationship didn't really feel obsessive, it felt more casual. I think they seemed like they had been together for years, very comfortable with one another but lacked the passionate lust at the first stages of a new love. The epilogue was a good addition and I enjoyed the ending. I would have liked to have more of a plot, rather than just hurt, and lack of trust. It needed abit more oomph to make it five stars.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
They push and pull, their banter & chemistry is amusing & secretive the angst at times made me want to shake both of them!
An enjoyable book, but l felt lacked the depth that showed them as a couple. Their relationship didn't really feel obsessive, it felt more casual. I think they seemed like they had been together for years, very comfortable with one another but lacked the passionate lust at the first stages of a new love. The epilogue was a good addition and I enjoyed the ending. I would have liked to have more of a plot, rather than just hurt, and lack of trust. It needed abit more oomph to make it five stars.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 30, 2024
I really loved Carina and Knox’s story. So much so that I read it less than 24 hours.
It was angsty and spicy and I thoroughly enjoyed the sort of enemies to lovers aspect of the storyline with a dash of touch her and 💀. There were parts of the storyline where I wanted to throw stuff at Knox but that just made for a better story in my opinion.
My only complaint was I wanted a little bit more between Knox and Carina. I felt like at times I was missing certain parts because of how the story jumped forward but none of that stopped me from absolutely devouring it! And honestly I am always going to want more. I can’t wait for the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was angsty and spicy and I thoroughly enjoyed the sort of enemies to lovers aspect of the storyline with a dash of touch her and 💀. There were parts of the storyline where I wanted to throw stuff at Knox but that just made for a better story in my opinion.
My only complaint was I wanted a little bit more between Knox and Carina. I felt like at times I was missing certain parts because of how the story jumped forward but none of that stopped me from absolutely devouring it! And honestly I am always going to want more. I can’t wait for the next book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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August 30, 2024I enjoyed reading this book. Once I started reading Caveat, I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to keep reading so I could see what was going to happen next. The characters are great and the storyline hooked me from the start. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, so I won't go into details. Please read the book blurb for some information about the book. I recommend reading this book! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
September 25, 2024
Loved Carina and Knox’s banter! This author did a fantastic job with such a great balance of romance, friendships, complicated family dynamics, humor, and spice. Can’t wait to see what Dea Verdi writes next!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 21, 2024
This book was a little slow to get started but once you got to the good part it blows you away. The angst between Carina and Knox has you wanting to shake them, but also just want them to finally kiss. The story has enough spicy and plot to keep you on the edge thru the end. I need a Knox in my life 😍
August 23, 2024
Caveat is Knox and Carina's nice, slow burn, somewhat angsty story. I completely enjoyed the characters and their journey. There were of course times I would love to have throttled a couple of characters but really, is it a good story if these feelings aren't there at some point. I'd LOVE to get Amanda and Ethan's story.
August 22, 2024
absolutely loved this book read it all in one sitting. the relationship between the characters were really nice to see great story line. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
September 15, 2024
Extremely well written, very slow burn with nice character building. Knox, the elusive, mysterious, moody bad boy, tries to resist his feelings for Carina. Carina, despite her better judgement, begins to fall for this enigmatic man.
The story is very slow and tense as Knox has to get over his inability to trust as he falls for Carina. Along the way there's moments of jealousy as old insecurities emerge and, for me, missed opportunities to create a deeper and more interesting story.
In short, a main character centric romance which focuses on a limited cast of people but will take you on an insightful journey into learning to love again and the mistakes we all make along the way. Has a nice resolution and HAE.
The story is very slow and tense as Knox has to get over his inability to trust as he falls for Carina. Along the way there's moments of jealousy as old insecurities emerge and, for me, missed opportunities to create a deeper and more interesting story.
In short, a main character centric romance which focuses on a limited cast of people but will take you on an insightful journey into learning to love again and the mistakes we all make along the way. Has a nice resolution and HAE.
September 22, 2024
Knox and Carina are fascinating characters. Their story is rather angsty, a tad twisty and includes a fair amount of spicy scenes. They start off as enemies, but gradually become lovers. Trust does not come easily to Knox, and Carina is soon well aware of it. It colours their relationship, forces her to keep secrets, and makes her very unsure of a future with Knox. Can love thrive without trust? The author deftly wove an emotional story that captured my full attention and made it impossible to put this book down until I discovered how Knox and Carina’s story ends.
I will definitely recommend this captivating book.
I will definitely recommend this captivating book.
September 27, 2024
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I truly enjoyed it. It's quite a bit more dramatic than I usually read, but I'm glad I did. Carina has moved to New York to take a job in advertising. Knox is the cousin of her best friend. Knox has a difficult time trusting because his ex-fiance cheated on him before the wedding. So Carina and Knox have several situations to work through before they get their HEA. The plot is intense and pulls you in from the first page to the last. This book has fantastic chemistry and hot spice! Great book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2025
Catrina is moving from Romania to New York fir a new job and living with a college friend for a while.
There she met Knox Amanda's cousin and get off to a really bad start, he ignores her to start with then later insults her.
Knox had been engaged before but caught his fiancé having an affair, so trust towards another woman is difficult for him.
He appears everywhere if only it wasn't for his attitude towards her she could really like him him.
That will come later as bit by bit his attitude changes completely and now wants to get to know all about her.
A misunderstanding brakes his trust in Catrina and refuses to listen to her explanation.
There she met Knox Amanda's cousin and get off to a really bad start, he ignores her to start with then later insults her.
Knox had been engaged before but caught his fiancé having an affair, so trust towards another woman is difficult for him.
He appears everywhere if only it wasn't for his attitude towards her she could really like him him.
That will come later as bit by bit his attitude changes completely and now wants to get to know all about her.
A misunderstanding brakes his trust in Catrina and refuses to listen to her explanation.
March 8, 2025
This wasn’t what I expected at all but it was wonderful. I absolutely loved the Knox and Carina love story. It was so real and they had to work so hard for their HEA but I think any love you have to work for is one that truly means something. Young people now days go into relationships with part of a foot out the door from the start and if an issue comes up they fin it so easy to just say “oh well” and just move on. A true relationship requires hard work to keep it moving forward.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 15, 2024
In all honesty, I did not finish this book. I may revisit it at another time though.
From what I did read though, the flow was fine, although I did think it was a little stilted in the dialogue.
The main guy, Knox started off (for me) as a bit of a weirdo. Cold demeanour but intense eyeballing of our main girl, Carina.
Carina was too inside her head that she was a little tedious.
I found her best friend (and his cousin) Amy more interesting.
Anyway.
Will review again if and when I finish it
From what I did read though, the flow was fine, although I did think it was a little stilted in the dialogue.
The main guy, Knox started off (for me) as a bit of a weirdo. Cold demeanour but intense eyeballing of our main girl, Carina.
Carina was too inside her head that she was a little tedious.
I found her best friend (and his cousin) Amy more interesting.
Anyway.
Will review again if and when I finish it
August 28, 2024
This is my first time reading a novel from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Carina and Knox. Both lead characters were easy to like and had lots of chemistry and the smexy scenes where hot. I enjoyed the writing style of this author and would definitely read more of her work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 13, 2024
Yes, I am so enjoying this author's stories! This is my third, and I keep coming back!
Knox is a complex character I enjoyed getting to know. I'm not going to say I loved him off the bat!
My goodness, the derogatory, demeaning things he says to Carina!
A Smack across the face is what he deserved!
Knox is a complex character I enjoyed getting to know. I'm not going to say I loved him off the bat!
My goodness, the derogatory, demeaning things he says to Carina!
A Smack across the face is what he deserved!
October 2, 2024
This is an entertaining book that grabs your attention from the start and holds it to the very end. The storyline is interesting and intriguing as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with depth to their personalities and steamy magnetic chemistry. I enjoyed this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 25, 2024
This story was very well written and the characters were well developed. It’s a great enemies-to-lovers storyline with a lot of angst and spice. Knox had a bad breakup in the past and couldn’t seem to get over it. It’s an emotional story that held my attention to the end.
April 14, 2025
Love this writer’s work - but Knox our not-so-fabulous MMC just drove me nuts with his asshattishness. Ugh. Carina was a character I fell into step with - fun, real and just well written, but I guess Knox just rubbed me the wrong way and I never felt for him.
June 8, 2025
Caveat is a compelling story filled with complex characters and dynamics that drew em into it. Carina and Knox made it addicting through their antics and banter making it hard to put down once I started.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 12, 2024
Absolutely enjoyed reading this novel. It was very well written, held my attention and made me want to continue reading well past bed time.
The characters are intriguing and the storyline is believable and flows nicely.
There is some Adult Content but it is also dealt with in a mature manner.
If you are looking for a good read that may be hard to put down, pick up this novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters are intriguing and the storyline is believable and flows nicely.
There is some Adult Content but it is also dealt with in a mature manner.
If you are looking for a good read that may be hard to put down, pick up this novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 19, 2024
This is a very slow burn romance. You get halfway through the book before anything really happens. The characters all have incredible depth so it's worth it. Once you hit that halfway point, though the story just keeps throwing things at you. As for being an age gap or dark romance story, not even close. Nothing is even slightly said about ages and this is so far from a dark romance it isn't funny. There isn't anything close to being murky, either. There is one fight and a couple coincidences you think might lead to something later on, but they never do. I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews