Desire's Curse

by Maricca Wood

Amarah Patterson
Online dating, do or do not? This is the question she’s faced with when the time comes to let her childhood crush go and move on, someone who’d never see her as anything more than a little sister. Being an intelligent, ambitious, and outgoing woman whom some would even say very beautiful, she finds it hard to understand why she has… Well, just the worst of luck when it comes to men. Could it be that she’s too picky? Or maybe it’s that no man can measure up to the comparison of Liam, a mysteriously brooding walking weapon. A girl must have standards, right? Online dating, do!

Liam Godrik
The typical tall, dark, and handsome is the impression most people get when they meet Liam… A former Navy SEAL. After moving back home and taking over his father’s business, he settles back into civilian life with his best friend Travis, and his family. However, he finds himself reconsidering. Being around family and friends includes being around Amarah. How can he keep his thoughts and hands to himself when he’s constantly surrounded by her? Quiet glances from afar, deliciously sinful thoughts in his mind. But his best friend’s little sister is a no-fly zone.

After Amarah finds herself in a sticky situation, Liam steps in to help. Will his years of training be enough to save her from the clutches of an equally skilled psycho?

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Maricca is a hopeless romantic who, believe it or not, used to loathe reading growing up. Now, she finds it hard to put books down. She writes contemporary romance, some darker than others, and fantasy, all with plenty of angst, relatable characters, and of course, spice! She lives in Oklahoma with her family and enjoys reading a wide range of genres, playing video games, watching anime, doing puzzles, and building Lego sets.

Reviews

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I was invested in how this story was going to play out from the beginning. I wasn’t as invested in the characters, but I was still rooting for them. A story about a woman dealing with something that no one should ever go through and the man who will do anything to help her. Overall, I enjoyed this one! It was a quick read, and I want to read book two to see what happens! (Biggest complaint would be some word choices during the spice, but I can get over that 🤣)

[Heather Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark romance, brothers best friend, friends to lovers, and a stalker that’s not the love interest. Even though I felt like this was a light version for dark romance, be sure to check those TW. I did feel the angst as Derick stalked Amarah and it was immediately obvious that Liam was going to be the hero. I enjoyed the overall story and do love an HEA.

And now some of the things that bothered me. I did find the writing a bit choppy at times. Even though it’s written in third person, the frequent POV shifts within single paragraphs made it harder for me to stay fully immersed.I also didn’t like the religiously conditioned language that starts on page one - around virginity, ‘saving yourself,’ and ‘giving someone a piece of you.’ The framing of online dating, and the idea that a woman needs a husband and kids to live a complete life, all felt like purity-culture rhetoric used to control women, which really gave me the ick. It was weird seeing this theme in a dark romance.

[Hollie Feathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an Oklahoma girl myself, I had to give this a shot. It was nice to see OU mentioned during the book!!!

Amarah thought she was never going to find love, so what does she do? Signs up for an online dating site, even though she has been in love with her brother's best friend since she was young. Well that goes terribly wrong for her and Derrick. Amarah goes through something that no one should have to go through, but it just goes to show you that the internet is not the best place to meet someone!!! You never know what evil's lie out in the grass!!!

Liam.. man oh man.. first of all BROTHERS Best friend, former Navy Seal and the man who holds all the secrets!! He has secretly loved Amarah since he was young, but always tried to keep the distance due to the fact that she would be forbidden fruit! However, that all works out in the end!

The suspense.. the spice.. the banter.. and the love i felt in this book were amazing!!

[JR "Coffee & A Good Book" · Rating 5 out of 5]

In today's busy world, finding the time to curl up and enjoy a new book can be challenging.
So, make sure to carve out some time in your hectic schedule to dive into this captivating story.
The characters are well-developed and relatable with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning each page to uncover the next revelation. So let yourself be swept away by the magic of a truly exceptional story. It will have you anticipating more from this author. Trust me, it's worth every minute spent.

[Sara Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oklahoma Girl signs up for online dating site and clicks with a guy named Derick fairly quickly. Then creepy things start happening and she tries to break up with him. In comes her brother’s high school best friend and retired Navy Seal; Liam. For all the girls that need a strong confident hero to sweep them off your feet… Liam is your guy!

Tropes Are-
Stalker
Military
Brothers Best Friend
Virgin
Touch her and 💀
Rich Man

[Jennifer Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The connection of the main characters was sweet yet so made to be. The FMC had such a strong independent personality but wasn't afraid to lean on the MMC. The stalker aspect gave the story a real world situation that had to be fought against to reach the end they needed.
Definitely going to recommend. On to Book two!!

[Shelby Dowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading this as a BETA and it had me in an absolute chokehold! The secret pining, plot twists, the spicy scenes, it was almost too much to handle. I am dying to see what happens in the next couple books!

[Taylor Papera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book and its sequel up at a local OKC bookstore, and because the author is from Oklahoma. The writing was a bit choppy at times and the storyline felt a little rushed or jumpy, but otherwise, it was a decent dark romance!

[Draven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a dark romance and now I am a lover of this genre because of this book! I highly recommend you giving it a shot!

[Mary E · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable bad guy. Lacked any character development in FMC or MMC. Plot was shallow. Didn't hate it but didn't like it much either.

[Havoc Archives · Rating 4 out of 5]

copy & line edit; proofread

[Lisa Northey]

This being the first book in this series the characters were well defined and have a lot of potential for additional stories. Would like to see more from this author.

[Miranda Bickford · Rating 2 out of 5]

has a good plot, but the POVS jump around so often sometimes even within the same paragraph that makes the reading experience really odd.

[Charlotte Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was good from start to finish. No slow parts. The spice was good and the story. Loved it. the author was good at pulling you in, and you could feel how the characters felt. Can't wait to read more from Maricca Wood.