What do you think?
Rate this book
Between Passion and Revenge Part One
In African legend, they were She, the calm. He, the storm.
In the wealthy corners of modern-day Chicago, they’re two star-crossed lovers caught in a war of legacy, betrayal, and desire.
I’ve always known who I am: Heir to a dynasty built on Black excellence, top of my class, and next in line to inherit a billion-dollar global empire.
But no one told me that claiming my rightful place would cost so much…or that the price of power would be the only thing I ever truly wanted.
Her.
Shae Rivers is brilliant, beautiful, and untouchable.
The kind of woman who doesn’t fall for trust fund golden boys with chaos in their blood and kingdoms at their feet.
She was supposed to be a distraction.
But I became obsessed. Addicted. Owned.
Somehow, I got under her skin.
And she got under mine—buried so deep, I can’t breathe without her.
But my family holds secrets with the power to burn down nations.
And now those secrets are catching up to me.
There are enemies watching.
Deals in motion.
And a target on my back with Shae’s name right beneath mine.
If I let her in, she’ll never be safe.
If I shut her out, I’ll never be whole.
The clock’s ticking, and I have a choice to make.
One that could cost me everything.
Including her.
Between Passion and Part One is the first installment of a new dark and angsty billionaire romance with high heat, haunting secrets, and razor-sharp stakes. Inspired by the Orisha of African mythology, it’s a story of obsession, betrayal, and the storm that follows when opposites collide. See all content warnings on the author's website.
In the wealthy corners of modern-day Chicago, they’re two star-crossed lovers caught in a war of legacy, betrayal, and desire.
I’ve always known who I am: Heir to a dynasty built on Black excellence, top of my class, and next in line to inherit a billion-dollar global empire.
But no one told me that claiming my rightful place would cost so much…or that the price of power would be the only thing I ever truly wanted.
Her.
Shae Rivers is brilliant, beautiful, and untouchable.
The kind of woman who doesn’t fall for trust fund golden boys with chaos in their blood and kingdoms at their feet.
She was supposed to be a distraction.
But I became obsessed. Addicted. Owned.
Somehow, I got under her skin.
And she got under mine—buried so deep, I can’t breathe without her.
But my family holds secrets with the power to burn down nations.
And now those secrets are catching up to me.
There are enemies watching.
Deals in motion.
And a target on my back with Shae’s name right beneath mine.
If I let her in, she’ll never be safe.
If I shut her out, I’ll never be whole.
The clock’s ticking, and I have a choice to make.
One that could cost me everything.
Including her.
Between Passion and Part One is the first installment of a new dark and angsty billionaire romance with high heat, haunting secrets, and razor-sharp stakes. Inspired by the Orisha of African mythology, it’s a story of obsession, betrayal, and the storm that follows when opposites collide. See all content warnings on the author's website.
- GenresRomance
484 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2025
65 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Angel M. Shaw
11 books61 followersLove stories that hurt, haunt, and heal.
Unrepentant Rattie. Chronic overthinker. Queer she/they who loves a good four-letter word. Believer that crawfish is a primary food group.
Unrepentant Rattie. Chronic overthinker. Queer she/they who loves a good four-letter word. Believer that crawfish is a primary food group.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
Read
June 1, 2025Dear Readers,
I’m so excited to finally share Between Passion and Revenge: Part One with you. This story is very special to me, and I wanted to take a moment to explain a little more about it, especially for those who might not be familiar with the rich mythology that inspired it.
At the heart of Between Passion and Revenge is the reimagined love story of the African Orisha Shango and his three wives: Oshun, Oba, and Oya. In the legend, Shango, the Orisha of fire and lightning, is a powerful and revered warrior, symbolizing masculine strength. He had three great loves, each representing a different facet of femininity and strength. Oshun, the embodiment of divine feminine beauty and grace; Oba, the loyal wife who experienced the deep pains of unmatched love; and Oya, his warrior queen, his equal in every sense.
But Between Passion and Revenge is not a love triangle. Rather, it’s a story of transformation—one woman, Shae, who evolves through the identities of Oshun, Oba, and Oya. As she faces the challenges of life, love, and ambition, you’ll see how she grows from the softness of Oshun to the fierce, battle-hardened power of Oya.
The story asks the question: What if one woman could live through all three identities and evolve with the storms life throws her way?
In this duet, you’ll see Storm grapple with the fire that burns within him, revealing layers of complexity hidden beneath his charismatic exterior. But no one changes more than Shae. At the start of the story, she embodies the grace and warmth of Oshun, but as events unfold, especially in part two, she begins to tap into the warrior strength of Oya. The transformation is subtle, with symbols, motifs, and nods to the Orisha and other mythological figures woven throughout the narrative.
It’s important to me that you understand this: Yoruba is a living religion, practiced by millions around the world. This story is not meant to directly represent or embody the Orisha. Instead, I’ve drawn inspiration from the rich stories and legends surrounding them, aiming to honor and amplify their beauty while being respectful of the traditions and customs that are sacred to so many.
Please note that Between Passion and Revenge is a dark contemporary romance, not a Paranormal Romance or Romantasy.
As with most dark romances, it’s intense, complex, and has its share of twists and turns. Book one ends with a cliffhanger, and book two takes place approximately eight years later, continuing Shae and Storm’s journey.
I sincerely hope you enjoy Between Passion and Revenge: Part One. Thank you for joining me on this emotional, transformative ride. Your feedback and support mean the world to me.
With love,
Angel M. Shaw
I’m so excited to finally share Between Passion and Revenge: Part One with you. This story is very special to me, and I wanted to take a moment to explain a little more about it, especially for those who might not be familiar with the rich mythology that inspired it.
At the heart of Between Passion and Revenge is the reimagined love story of the African Orisha Shango and his three wives: Oshun, Oba, and Oya. In the legend, Shango, the Orisha of fire and lightning, is a powerful and revered warrior, symbolizing masculine strength. He had three great loves, each representing a different facet of femininity and strength. Oshun, the embodiment of divine feminine beauty and grace; Oba, the loyal wife who experienced the deep pains of unmatched love; and Oya, his warrior queen, his equal in every sense.
But Between Passion and Revenge is not a love triangle. Rather, it’s a story of transformation—one woman, Shae, who evolves through the identities of Oshun, Oba, and Oya. As she faces the challenges of life, love, and ambition, you’ll see how she grows from the softness of Oshun to the fierce, battle-hardened power of Oya.
The story asks the question: What if one woman could live through all three identities and evolve with the storms life throws her way?
In this duet, you’ll see Storm grapple with the fire that burns within him, revealing layers of complexity hidden beneath his charismatic exterior. But no one changes more than Shae. At the start of the story, she embodies the grace and warmth of Oshun, but as events unfold, especially in part two, she begins to tap into the warrior strength of Oya. The transformation is subtle, with symbols, motifs, and nods to the Orisha and other mythological figures woven throughout the narrative.
It’s important to me that you understand this: Yoruba is a living religion, practiced by millions around the world. This story is not meant to directly represent or embody the Orisha. Instead, I’ve drawn inspiration from the rich stories and legends surrounding them, aiming to honor and amplify their beauty while being respectful of the traditions and customs that are sacred to so many.
Please note that Between Passion and Revenge is a dark contemporary romance, not a Paranormal Romance or Romantasy.
As with most dark romances, it’s intense, complex, and has its share of twists and turns. Book one ends with a cliffhanger, and book two takes place approximately eight years later, continuing Shae and Storm’s journey.
I sincerely hope you enjoy Between Passion and Revenge: Part One. Thank you for joining me on this emotional, transformative ride. Your feedback and support mean the world to me.
With love,
Angel M. Shaw
June 14, 2025
This book is lit ! No seriously it has all the elements that makes it a great read. This book is centered around African Mythology mainly the Orisha. The focal deities are Shango and he is associated with thunder , lightning and justice. His three wives Oba- She is a goddess of feminine power and strength of waters. , Oshun-She is a goddess of freshwater, live sensuality and prosperity. and Oya- She is a goddess wind , lightning and storms. I wanted to give a back story to the inspiration the characters are drawn from. Please be respectful of others practices and beliefs.
This book about a woman name Shae, a woman that has her whole life planned for her. She comes from a strong religious background. In this book, she is seen as a caring, nurturing, intelligent,witty, down to earth, focused, and beautiful. Until she so happens to run into Storm.
Storm well his name says it all. He is seen as a man that already has his life planned for him and he doesn’t see nothing else outside of that. His character is displayed as strong , fierce, protective , attractive and a very strong sexual presence. He meets Shae and his life completely changes.
This book does ask the burning question is love enough? I did like the family dynamic in the story with both of the characters and their seemingly complex relationship with their parents. All I can say was the plots were plotting !This book is a slow burn with the spice level that is off the charts. Some of the scenes in this book can melt ice cubes, but nonetheless this book is a very fun entertaining and quick read for me. I cannot wait to read book 2.
Thank you Angel, for being so gracious with providing me an ARC copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
This book about a woman name Shae, a woman that has her whole life planned for her. She comes from a strong religious background. In this book, she is seen as a caring, nurturing, intelligent,witty, down to earth, focused, and beautiful. Until she so happens to run into Storm.
Storm well his name says it all. He is seen as a man that already has his life planned for him and he doesn’t see nothing else outside of that. His character is displayed as strong , fierce, protective , attractive and a very strong sexual presence. He meets Shae and his life completely changes.
This book does ask the burning question is love enough? I did like the family dynamic in the story with both of the characters and their seemingly complex relationship with their parents. All I can say was the plots were plotting !This book is a slow burn with the spice level that is off the charts. Some of the scenes in this book can melt ice cubes, but nonetheless this book is a very fun entertaining and quick read for me. I cannot wait to read book 2.
Thank you Angel, for being so gracious with providing me an ARC copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
June 19, 2025
3.75 stars, rounded up for Goodreads
I was so excited when I saw this ARC come across my email because I hadn’t yet read anything inspired by African mythology, and this mythology sounded incredibly interesting!
Thank you to The Smuthood and Angel M Shaw for this eARC! Shaw’s writing style was so fun to read and I loved her approach to complex themes and storytelling.
Shae is a quiet baddie, she’s focused on her and her goals, and doesn’t have time for distractions. Until Storm thunders into her life and creates an opening for the chaos she keeps locked up.
Storm has the world at his feet and he wants it all, and he wants it to be uncomplicated. But that isn’t what destiny has in store, starting with the first woman to make him chase her.
This story holds so much more beyond this description and the book description, and was darker than I expected. But that wasn’t a bad thing, and it felt in line with our characters.
I will issue two warnings for my fellow readers, because I know people are very opinionated about the following. 1) This is part 1 of a duology, and there is a MASSIVE cliff in the last chapter, so watch your step. 2) ***SPOILER*** There is a surprise pregnancy. This was my first time reading this trope, and I understand why it can be so divisive!
I’m so excited for part 2 of Between Passion and Revenge, I need to know where fate takes Storm and Shae!
I was so excited when I saw this ARC come across my email because I hadn’t yet read anything inspired by African mythology, and this mythology sounded incredibly interesting!
Thank you to The Smuthood and Angel M Shaw for this eARC! Shaw’s writing style was so fun to read and I loved her approach to complex themes and storytelling.
Shae is a quiet baddie, she’s focused on her and her goals, and doesn’t have time for distractions. Until Storm thunders into her life and creates an opening for the chaos she keeps locked up.
Storm has the world at his feet and he wants it all, and he wants it to be uncomplicated. But that isn’t what destiny has in store, starting with the first woman to make him chase her.
This story holds so much more beyond this description and the book description, and was darker than I expected. But that wasn’t a bad thing, and it felt in line with our characters.
I will issue two warnings for my fellow readers, because I know people are very opinionated about the following. 1) This is part 1 of a duology, and there is a MASSIVE cliff in the last chapter, so watch your step. 2) ***SPOILER*** There is a surprise pregnancy. This was my first time reading this trope, and I understand why it can be so divisive!
I’m so excited for part 2 of Between Passion and Revenge, I need to know where fate takes Storm and Shae!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
Between Passion and Revenge: Part One by Angel M. Shaw is a dark, high-stakes billionaire romance that fuses African mythology with modern-day power dynamics. Set in Chicago, the story follows Storm Sandoval, a magnetic heir to a powerful Black dynasty, and Shae Rivers, a brilliant, guarded woman with dreams of Harvard and a deep commitment to community. When the two are paired for an academic project, their lives spiral into obsession, betrayal, and emotional chaos.
Storm’s world is upended when his father names his brother Lakewood as heir to the Stratos legacy, while Shae begins to question whether her Ivy League dream is truly her own. As secrets unravel and loyalties shift, their connection deepens—but not without turbulence.
The book starts strong, with compelling characters and rising stakes that had me hooked. The final chapters, though somewhat predictable, still delivered tension and emotional payoff. However, the middle falters with pacing issues and repetitive emotional loops, particularly Storm’s obsessive behavior and Shae’s indecision, which at times felt exhausting. And yes—his constant use of “Sweetness” definitely veered into cringe territory.
Despite its flaws, Between Passion and Revenge is a solid read with a gripping premise and enough intrigue to warrant picking up the sequel. Here’s hoping the next installment delivers on the promise of all that simmering tension and unfinished business.
Storm’s world is upended when his father names his brother Lakewood as heir to the Stratos legacy, while Shae begins to question whether her Ivy League dream is truly her own. As secrets unravel and loyalties shift, their connection deepens—but not without turbulence.
The book starts strong, with compelling characters and rising stakes that had me hooked. The final chapters, though somewhat predictable, still delivered tension and emotional payoff. However, the middle falters with pacing issues and repetitive emotional loops, particularly Storm’s obsessive behavior and Shae’s indecision, which at times felt exhausting. And yes—his constant use of “Sweetness” definitely veered into cringe territory.
Despite its flaws, Between Passion and Revenge is a solid read with a gripping premise and enough intrigue to warrant picking up the sequel. Here’s hoping the next installment delivers on the promise of all that simmering tension and unfinished business.
June 18, 2025
This story held my attention. When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it and when I was reading it I couldn’t put it down. But this is definitely for the slow burn crowd. While the buildup and the anticipation draws you in, when they finally come together it just wasn’t as satisfying as I would have liked. Because the characters never settled into the moment. Honestly for me it didn’t feel as inevitable as Shae eluded to. It felt like Storm wore her down until his efforts and her hormones finally synced up. But you didn’t get to enjoy it because Debbie Doubts strikes immediately. I think I would have enjoyed this as more than a well written story if there felt like there was any joy in any of the moments. But it was always overshadowed by Shae’s stress, anxiety, doubts, and inability to process her emotions. The other thing that has me on the fence is Axel’s character didn’t seem necessary. And the plot around Storms dad and uncle feels cloak and dagger but with no actual progression. So while I’m fully invested in part two, after the cliffhanger that you kinda see coming a mile away, it’s going to need to pay big dividends to make the cost of sitting through 400pgs of wafting.
Read
July 27, 2025From start to finish, this was such an entertaining, emotional page-turner read. The tension, the slow burn, the complicated characters. I was in. And then that ending? That cliffhanger?? I need book two ASAP because I’m not okay 😭
Huge thank you to the author for sending this my way! I truly enjoyed the ride.
Huge thank you to the author for sending this my way! I truly enjoyed the ride.
June 12, 2025
“I don't want to cry. It would be idiotic for me to cry over Storm
Sandoval.
Even if he did save me.”
-5
Tropes:
♥️Enemies to lovers
🩷Billionaire
♥️Class rivals
”You're already twice as good as any of these fools. Don't let them
tell you how far you can go.”
Spice:
1🌶️
This was a fantastic and super engaging read! I love Storm, I love his depth and character. Shae is such a unique and strong FMC! The two of them together make an addictive book! Completely recommend!
“Bambi murmurs, "Storm, don't. Not here."
But I can't hold it in any longer. I push past the knot of well-wishers and step right up to my father, forcing a smile onto my face as I say, "Dad, may I have a word with you in private?”
Sandoval.
Even if he did save me.”
-5
Tropes:
♥️Enemies to lovers
🩷Billionaire
♥️Class rivals
”You're already twice as good as any of these fools. Don't let them
tell you how far you can go.”
Spice:
1🌶️
This was a fantastic and super engaging read! I love Storm, I love his depth and character. Shae is such a unique and strong FMC! The two of them together make an addictive book! Completely recommend!
“Bambi murmurs, "Storm, don't. Not here."
But I can't hold it in any longer. I push past the knot of well-wishers and step right up to my father, forcing a smile onto my face as I say, "Dad, may I have a word with you in private?”
June 23, 2025
I initially rated this 4.5 ⭐️ but I can’t stop thinking about Storm and Shae sooooo to 5⭐️ it goes
I’M SO FCKN UNWELL
I finished this book over a week ago and I couldn’t compose myself enough to write a review until today.
Shae and Storm? I love you. Miss Angel M Shaw, friend… it’s the complete audacity to end the book that way for me. I need answers and I need them now!!!!!! Expeditiously.
I’m genuinely counting down the days until I get to read part 2.
This book has a whole bunch of my favourite tropes but managed to execute them in a way that didn’t make them feel like they were all just thrown in there while providing no real impact on the plot.
❤️💔Dislike to lovers to enemies
🏫 College Romance
⛪️ Pastor’s daughter
💰 Heir to a billion dollar enterprise
🫂 Found family
And the side characters all SERVE!
I can’t say enough good things about this book. This was my first book by this author, but it most definitely will not be my last I plan to go through her entire backlist.
Thank you to Angel M. Shaw and the Smuthood for the ARC!!
I’M SO FCKN UNWELL
I finished this book over a week ago and I couldn’t compose myself enough to write a review until today.
Shae and Storm? I love you. Miss Angel M Shaw, friend… it’s the complete audacity to end the book that way for me. I need answers and I need them now!!!!!! Expeditiously.
I’m genuinely counting down the days until I get to read part 2.
This book has a whole bunch of my favourite tropes but managed to execute them in a way that didn’t make them feel like they were all just thrown in there while providing no real impact on the plot.
❤️💔Dislike to lovers to enemies
🏫 College Romance
⛪️ Pastor’s daughter
💰 Heir to a billion dollar enterprise
🫂 Found family
And the side characters all SERVE!
I can’t say enough good things about this book. This was my first book by this author, but it most definitely will not be my last I plan to go through her entire backlist.
Thank you to Angel M. Shaw and the Smuthood for the ARC!!
June 8, 2025
This book was definitely a 10 out of 10 for me. The entire plot of this book kept me intrigued from start to finish. Storm and Shae was so personal to me with the issues of always trying to put other people's wants before your own and sometimes feeling guilt for wanting to put your need first. In the black community anyone would know the feeling and pressure of always having to be the best of the best but also balancing the confusion of young love mixed into that. Oh my gosh the Author of this book definitely wrote that entire situation so precisely. And the ending just made me want part 2 IMMEDIATELY. Thank you so much Angel M. Shaw for letting me be one of your ARC reader this book was amazing!
August 7, 2025
First of all, thank you so much to Angel M. Shaw and the Smuthood PR for this ARC. This book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible, with an intriguing plot and unforgettable characters that stayed with me long after the final page.
As the first installment in a duet, Between Passion and Revenge definitely delivers, and fair warning: you’ll want to have tissues nearby. I guarantee you’ll shed a few tears, especially with that ending (we’ll get to that in a minute).
Let’s talk characters. Shae is strong, resilient, and deeply lovable ,but she’s also carrying a lot on her shoulders, especially due to the pressure from her father. You can understand where he’s coming from, wanting her to succeed, but wow, it’s a lot for her to deal with.
Then there’s Storm. And let me just say, he absolutely lives up to his name. He’s intense, obsessive, possessive, but also completely devoted. He’s dealing with his own family burdens, yet his love for Shae is wholehearted and fierce. That level of devotion? Seriously swoon-worthy. My heart hurt for both of them.
Their relationship is a slow burn, but it’s the kind that’s full of tension, chemistry, and emotional payoff. The “f*ck it” moment? Beyond satisfying. Shae’s hesitation around relationships felt so real and understandable, and it made their connection even more compelling.
The plot was gripping from the very first chapter, it really pulled me in. The pacing was tight and never dragged, which made it a hard book to put down.
And now… that ending. Oh my world, it shattered me. I was crying at 3 a.m. and immediately craving more. I need the second book like air. Pretty please? ❤️
As the first installment in a duet, Between Passion and Revenge definitely delivers, and fair warning: you’ll want to have tissues nearby. I guarantee you’ll shed a few tears, especially with that ending (we’ll get to that in a minute).
Let’s talk characters. Shae is strong, resilient, and deeply lovable ,but she’s also carrying a lot on her shoulders, especially due to the pressure from her father. You can understand where he’s coming from, wanting her to succeed, but wow, it’s a lot for her to deal with.
Then there’s Storm. And let me just say, he absolutely lives up to his name. He’s intense, obsessive, possessive, but also completely devoted. He’s dealing with his own family burdens, yet his love for Shae is wholehearted and fierce. That level of devotion? Seriously swoon-worthy. My heart hurt for both of them.
Their relationship is a slow burn, but it’s the kind that’s full of tension, chemistry, and emotional payoff. The “f*ck it” moment? Beyond satisfying. Shae’s hesitation around relationships felt so real and understandable, and it made their connection even more compelling.
The plot was gripping from the very first chapter, it really pulled me in. The pacing was tight and never dragged, which made it a hard book to put down.
And now… that ending. Oh my world, it shattered me. I was crying at 3 a.m. and immediately craving more. I need the second book like air. Pretty please? ❤️
June 22, 2025
The premise of this book really stood out to me - a dark billionaire romance with heat, secrets, and razor-sharp stakes. Think: touch her and die vibes. We’ve got a morally grey MMC, and what caught my attention the most, was that it’s inspired by African mythology. It felt like it was going to be something a little bit different.
Note: If, like me, you're unfamiliar with this mythology, Shaw includes a helpful summary in the foreword.
“With the promise of obsession, betrayal, and the storm that follows when opposites collide”—honestly, I’ll eat that right up.
However... I’m not quite sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this.
The story kept me reading - billionaire romance? Yes, please! There was build-up, tension, anticipation - it had all the ingredients to keep me invested.
But by the end, I couldn’t help but feel a bit underwhelmed. A kind of “Oh… was that it?” feeling.
The MMC, Storm, is your typical billionaire heir with a troubled future and big plans to fix it. The fathers background subplot though, in all honesty, didn’t add much weight or depth to the main story.
Then comes Shae - the woman who turns his world upside down. She’s the FMC who lives her life by everyone else’s expectations. She’s full of insecurity and doubt, constantly second-guessing herself and under pressure. When she and Storm are paired for an academic project, their different backgrounds bring forth an emotional spiral into an obsessive, chaotic mess of a relationship.
I will say, Storm’s gentler side was refreshing. He was incredibly supportive of Shae - challenging her to make decisions for herself, not others; he was also doing what he could to try to win over her father and best friend. He wasn’t your stereotypical self-absorbed rich guy, and I appreciated that touch.
Romance-wise, this was a very slow burn. Which is fine, except it didn’t build to a satisfying climax. Instead of a rewarding payoff, it felt more like Shae just gave in out of exhaustion - like she got worn down and thought, “Fine, let’s give this a go.”
The story started strong but didn’t need to be as long as it was. The final chapters became a bit predictable, though they still offered a decent emotional payoff.
That said, Storm’s obsessive behaviour and Shae’s constant indecision started to grate on me towards the end. It became repetitive and, frankly, exhausting.
Also… can we please lose the “sweetness”? It didn’t work for me and definitely edged into ‘ick’ territory.
Despite all of the above, this wasn’t a bad read. It’s not exactly dark romance, but there are spicy moments and some darker themes. I think any romance reader - no matter how fluffy their preferences - could find something to enjoy here.
It’s clear from the start that there’s going to be a second book. For most of the read, I didn’t feel particularly fussed about continuing the series. But then the ending happened - with its mildly predictable, but still effective, cliffhanger - and I found myself saying, “Oh, for goodness’ sake… now I need to know what happens next!”
And for that, it bumped it up to 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Angel M Shaw & BookBuzzPR for sending me a review copy.
Note: If, like me, you're unfamiliar with this mythology, Shaw includes a helpful summary in the foreword.
“With the promise of obsession, betrayal, and the storm that follows when opposites collide”—honestly, I’ll eat that right up.
However... I’m not quite sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this.
The story kept me reading - billionaire romance? Yes, please! There was build-up, tension, anticipation - it had all the ingredients to keep me invested.
But by the end, I couldn’t help but feel a bit underwhelmed. A kind of “Oh… was that it?” feeling.
The MMC, Storm, is your typical billionaire heir with a troubled future and big plans to fix it. The fathers background subplot though, in all honesty, didn’t add much weight or depth to the main story.
Then comes Shae - the woman who turns his world upside down. She’s the FMC who lives her life by everyone else’s expectations. She’s full of insecurity and doubt, constantly second-guessing herself and under pressure. When she and Storm are paired for an academic project, their different backgrounds bring forth an emotional spiral into an obsessive, chaotic mess of a relationship.
I will say, Storm’s gentler side was refreshing. He was incredibly supportive of Shae - challenging her to make decisions for herself, not others; he was also doing what he could to try to win over her father and best friend. He wasn’t your stereotypical self-absorbed rich guy, and I appreciated that touch.
Romance-wise, this was a very slow burn. Which is fine, except it didn’t build to a satisfying climax. Instead of a rewarding payoff, it felt more like Shae just gave in out of exhaustion - like she got worn down and thought, “Fine, let’s give this a go.”
The story started strong but didn’t need to be as long as it was. The final chapters became a bit predictable, though they still offered a decent emotional payoff.
That said, Storm’s obsessive behaviour and Shae’s constant indecision started to grate on me towards the end. It became repetitive and, frankly, exhausting.
Also… can we please lose the “sweetness”? It didn’t work for me and definitely edged into ‘ick’ territory.
Despite all of the above, this wasn’t a bad read. It’s not exactly dark romance, but there are spicy moments and some darker themes. I think any romance reader - no matter how fluffy their preferences - could find something to enjoy here.
It’s clear from the start that there’s going to be a second book. For most of the read, I didn’t feel particularly fussed about continuing the series. But then the ending happened - with its mildly predictable, but still effective, cliffhanger - and I found myself saying, “Oh, for goodness’ sake… now I need to know what happens next!”
And for that, it bumped it up to 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Angel M Shaw & BookBuzzPR for sending me a review copy.
June 7, 2025
Solid 4.5 ⭐️ Read 2.5🌶️ Level
Starting off this review with the following partial quote from this thrilling and phenomenal story…
Quote 1:
“I want to find the woman who can match me… stimulate me intellectually and physically; emotionally and spiritually. When I find that woman, …”
There are many more amazing dialog like this between our MC that Seniorita Shaw has laid out for us to read.
They add to slow burn anticipation of the two MC’s getting together, which is absolutely GIVING. I just didn’t know if I wanted it to continue or for it to finally happened. That is how crazy good the chemistry between them was described. Then that cliff hanger!! Wow! What an ending! She made my heart bleed with that ending.
Overall, Seniorita Shaw did an amazing job in producing a Duo POV book that provided me mental academic stimulation, morally grey dilemmas, frustrating supporting characters that add to the story, MC that will do anything for the FMC, and an FMC well despite being so strong still needs to address personal issues that hold her back to be the person she is ment to be. Then to top it off, she just leaves you in a desperate need of the second book.
Like always, check the trigger warnings since this book does touch in some subjects hat can trigger you. I will say that she just mentions them but doesn’t go into extreme details. STILl, Your mental health is important!!! So check.
With that said, thank you Mrs. Shaw for letting me read this book a little early. I will close this review with the following ….
Quote 2:
“You know I want your body. I want you to have my name on your lips… shut your brain off and feel because it’s safe to do so…I want you in every single way possible.”
Absolutely loved the chemistry between the MC’s.
Starting off this review with the following partial quote from this thrilling and phenomenal story…
Quote 1:
“I want to find the woman who can match me… stimulate me intellectually and physically; emotionally and spiritually. When I find that woman, …”
There are many more amazing dialog like this between our MC that Seniorita Shaw has laid out for us to read.
They add to slow burn anticipation of the two MC’s getting together, which is absolutely GIVING. I just didn’t know if I wanted it to continue or for it to finally happened. That is how crazy good the chemistry between them was described. Then that cliff hanger!! Wow! What an ending! She made my heart bleed with that ending.
Overall, Seniorita Shaw did an amazing job in producing a Duo POV book that provided me mental academic stimulation, morally grey dilemmas, frustrating supporting characters that add to the story, MC that will do anything for the FMC, and an FMC well despite being so strong still needs to address personal issues that hold her back to be the person she is ment to be. Then to top it off, she just leaves you in a desperate need of the second book.
Like always, check the trigger warnings since this book does touch in some subjects hat can trigger you. I will say that she just mentions them but doesn’t go into extreme details. STILl, Your mental health is important!!! So check.
With that said, thank you Mrs. Shaw for letting me read this book a little early. I will close this review with the following ….
Quote 2:
“You know I want your body. I want you to have my name on your lips… shut your brain off and feel because it’s safe to do so…I want you in every single way possible.”
Absolutely loved the chemistry between the MC’s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2025
I’m dead, my heart has stopped beating, it’s cracked open and shattered into a million pieces. Honestly I saw the possibility happening ever since the author said it would end on a cliffhanger but I didn’t expect it to break me so much. Ok so let’s rewind. This story is based on African legends which I found super infesting and that’s why I picked it up. What I didn’t expect was for this book to swallow me whole then throw up my pieces out. This is a rich guy, poor girl romance which sure is overused but I still love the trope. The whole plot is something I love, he’s obsessed, she’s a little skeptical, but he is determined to make it work. And Storm is everything I love in a dark romance man! He’s obsessed, seriously possessive and will stop at absolutely nothing to have her and keep her safe. Except his fathers company does some questionable things that could, let’s say change things for him… I love Shae and she was a pretty relatable character because we’ve all felt incredible amounts of pressure on us from people we love, and in those moments you really don’t want to let them down. That plot twist at the end…it happens often in books like these but it still kills me every time. I never understand why authors build this incredible relationship between two characters just for one of them to suddenly become a completely different person, make a terrible choice and strip it all away. So yes I love this book, it was such an experience and yes you should read it. I give this a 5/5
June 17, 2025
ARC READ
OMG!! That cliffhanger has me reeling!! I need the next book IMMEDIATELY!! This was a slow burn for me, but when it got there, it GOT THERE, lol. The drama, the longing, the intensity, wow!! Shae had everything weighing on her. Making her family proud, helping the community, and in walks a Storm. Literally, Storm stirred up so many things in her but also urged her to do what was right for her and to think about what SHE needs. His family is a hot ass mess, and that's all i can say without spoiling, lol. That ending broke my damn heart! I need the next book right now, lol.
OMG!! That cliffhanger has me reeling!! I need the next book IMMEDIATELY!! This was a slow burn for me, but when it got there, it GOT THERE, lol. The drama, the longing, the intensity, wow!! Shae had everything weighing on her. Making her family proud, helping the community, and in walks a Storm. Literally, Storm stirred up so many things in her but also urged her to do what was right for her and to think about what SHE needs. His family is a hot ass mess, and that's all i can say without spoiling, lol. That ending broke my damn heart! I need the next book right now, lol.
June 26, 2025
This is a slow burn angsty dark romance inspired by African mythology and follows Shae and Storm. Shae is very much thought and rationality, has things planned out, from a Church going home, where Storm is from a wealthy family and very much his namesake, and these two worlds collide. The push and pull of their romance made me feel everything from anger, to frustration, to envy, to sheer happiness, and back around again and again.
I have never needed Part Two of a book so bad in my life!!
I have never needed Part Two of a book so bad in my life!!
June 19, 2025
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Trope(s): Star-crossed lovers, college romance,
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Trigger Warnings: Attempted SA (off page and not from MMC, on-page gun and physical violence, abortion contemplation, on-page death of a parent, discussions of human trafficking (not descriptive)
🩶 Vibe Check:
Dark, messy, and so good I had to take breaks to breathe. Imagine a man who would destroy the entire world for you, but won't completely let you in. Imagine a woman who fights her feelings at every chance, but opens up completely to you. That was this book. I know that sounds basic asl but it was soooo good y'all!
Both the tension and chemistry between the characters meshed so well that I couldn't tell if I wanted to root for them or against them lol
The author did a really good job of keeping you on your toes. Between Storm's secrets and Shae's life, I don't know who my heart hurt for more. I finished this book in less than a day because every time I put it down, I needed to pick it back up to see what happened next 😂
I can't wait to read part two because I absolutely need to know what happens next!! Definitely a 5-star read for me!
Trope(s): Star-crossed lovers, college romance,
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Trigger Warnings: Attempted SA (off page and not from MMC, on-page gun and physical violence, abortion contemplation, on-page death of a parent, discussions of human trafficking (not descriptive)
🩶 Vibe Check:
Dark, messy, and so good I had to take breaks to breathe. Imagine a man who would destroy the entire world for you, but won't completely let you in. Imagine a woman who fights her feelings at every chance, but opens up completely to you. That was this book. I know that sounds basic asl but it was soooo good y'all!
Both the tension and chemistry between the characters meshed so well that I couldn't tell if I wanted to root for them or against them lol
The author did a really good job of keeping you on your toes. Between Storm's secrets and Shae's life, I don't know who my heart hurt for more. I finished this book in less than a day because every time I put it down, I needed to pick it back up to see what happened next 😂
I can't wait to read part two because I absolutely need to know what happens next!! Definitely a 5-star read for me!
June 22, 2025
Angel Angel, this book sent me through it. I was rooting for everyone to come out winning. But uch is life that doesn't always happen. The main characters Storm and Shae had me glued to the pages. There relationship or what I'm calling an emotional rollercoaster ride kept me wanting more and cheering for their passion. A strong woman and equally strong man, I'm hear for it. This book has it all intelligent characters whonchallenge each other, friendships that bonded from grade school, family drama and dysfunction, love and passion and bot to forget violence. Now Angel you really set me up for book two when is it going to be released I need to know more about my girl Shae and Storm.
June 24, 2025
“Find peace within yourself. Allow yourself a moment to breathe and bare your heart to her. Don’t fight against her fears. Embrace them.”
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5 (rounded up)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
I was SO excited to dive into this African mythology retelling! I’m not familiar with the original story, but the author provides excellent context in the front matter of the book to perfectly set the stage. And while there are many moments when Storm’s temper seems to precipitate nasty weather, this isn’t a paranormal romance.
First of all, I love a strong, competent FMC. And Shae is such a baddie. I loved the moments she shines as a successful entrepreneur and mentor. Her internal struggles about her future paths are also highly relatable and definitely appropriate for her age (24) and place in life (graduating undergrad).
And Storm? He’s something else. A complex character often fraught with competing desires between romance and duty (though his eye never wanders once he meets Shae). He’s a compelling billionaire play boy with layers upon layers to him, thanks to childhood trauma and a host of other challenges. Despite the baggage, he’s down bad for our girl. Add his dirty mouth and earnest declarations and it’s no wonder their relationship feels inevitable.
There are two aspects to this story: the romance and the business. While some of the business is pretty tame, the mysterious side of the plot is suspiciously evil-cabal-shaped (which I’m honestly a bit tired of in dark romance…but that’s probably a me thing). It’s an engaging storyline though a bit predictable.
Shaw has a very detailed narrative style that paints vivid pictures of their characters and settings. I could see the scenes play out easily in my mind’s eye. I’m interested to see how this duet ends, particularly after that cliffhanger!
Highly recommended for the dark romance fans who love a contemporary billionaire spin, fierce FMC, and multi-faceted BIPOC cast.
Please check content info for heavy themes including .
📚Fast facts📚
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Wealthy play boy x preacher’s daughter
✨ University setting
✨ Touch her and die, literally
✨ Possessive / OTT MC
✨ Slow burn
✨ Dark themes
✨ African mythology (Orisha Shango) retelling
✨ Black leads (and author!)
✨ Dark contemporary MF
✨ First in a duet, cliffhanger
✨ First person, dual POV, present tense
I am so grateful to the author and The Smuthood to have received an advanced copy of this story! This is my honest and unbiased review.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5 (rounded up)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
I was SO excited to dive into this African mythology retelling! I’m not familiar with the original story, but the author provides excellent context in the front matter of the book to perfectly set the stage. And while there are many moments when Storm’s temper seems to precipitate nasty weather, this isn’t a paranormal romance.
First of all, I love a strong, competent FMC. And Shae is such a baddie. I loved the moments she shines as a successful entrepreneur and mentor. Her internal struggles about her future paths are also highly relatable and definitely appropriate for her age (24) and place in life (graduating undergrad).
And Storm? He’s something else. A complex character often fraught with competing desires between romance and duty (though his eye never wanders once he meets Shae). He’s a compelling billionaire play boy with layers upon layers to him, thanks to childhood trauma and a host of other challenges. Despite the baggage, he’s down bad for our girl. Add his dirty mouth and earnest declarations and it’s no wonder their relationship feels inevitable.
There are two aspects to this story: the romance and the business. While some of the business is pretty tame, the mysterious side of the plot is suspiciously evil-cabal-shaped (which I’m honestly a bit tired of in dark romance…but that’s probably a me thing). It’s an engaging storyline though a bit predictable.
Shaw has a very detailed narrative style that paints vivid pictures of their characters and settings. I could see the scenes play out easily in my mind’s eye. I’m interested to see how this duet ends, particularly after that cliffhanger!
Highly recommended for the dark romance fans who love a contemporary billionaire spin, fierce FMC, and multi-faceted BIPOC cast.
Please check content info for heavy themes including .
📚Fast facts📚
✨ Forced proximity
✨ Wealthy play boy x preacher’s daughter
✨ University setting
✨ Touch her and die, literally
✨ Possessive / OTT MC
✨ Slow burn
✨ Dark themes
✨ African mythology (Orisha Shango) retelling
✨ Black leads (and author!)
✨ Dark contemporary MF
✨ First in a duet, cliffhanger
✨ First person, dual POV, present tense
I am so grateful to the author and The Smuthood to have received an advanced copy of this story! This is my honest and unbiased review.
June 21, 2025
I will say first, please read the trigger warnings as this is a dark and angsty romance. In this you will find #dualPOV, #slowburn, #lotsofspice, #easyread, #darkromance, #angsty, #college, #oppositesattract, #cliffhanger, #mythology, #africanmythology
Come join me and read a new dark and angsty billionaire romance with heat and haunting secrets, high stakes, and opposites collide. This book is inspired by African Mythology, and is a story of obsession, betrayal and the storm that follows when they collide.
I love reading books based on mythology, and especially ones that are brought to modern times, it just adds something. This book kept me reading, wanted to know what secret would be exposed next, and Storm the MMC had a lot of secrets. I loved Storm, he is from a family that has so many issues, and his name is very fitting, he is a man that will storm into your life.
This story asks one question, “What if one woman could live through all three identities and evolve with the storms life throws her way?” Now I am sure you’re asking what three identities, well here they are:
Oba – she is goddess of feminine power and strength
Oshun – is a goddess of fresh water, life sensuality and prosperity
Oya – she is goddess of wind, lightning and storms
Then there is the male. Shango – he’s associated with thunder and lightning and justice.
Now meet Shae, she has her life all planned out, goals all set. She is in college and working hard to succeed. Here she meets Storm (and the name fits). They meet in Economics class and are partners in a project. These two are from totally different worlds. Storm is working hard to prove to his father that he is capable of taking over the family's company, especially after his brother died. However, his father has other plans and doesn’t allow that to happen. Storm is determined to find out why. These two together are fire, they put people first.
I loved the transformation of Shae throughout the book. She took on the three identities as she faced life’s challenges, a very strong FMC. And the cliffhanger, so not nice. Heartbroken.
“You know I want your body. I want you to have my name on your lips…shut your brain off and feel because its safe to do so. I want you in every single way possible.”
You need to read the note from the author to give you the story of the African Myth. Loved it.
Come join me and read a new dark and angsty billionaire romance with heat and haunting secrets, high stakes, and opposites collide. This book is inspired by African Mythology, and is a story of obsession, betrayal and the storm that follows when they collide.
I love reading books based on mythology, and especially ones that are brought to modern times, it just adds something. This book kept me reading, wanted to know what secret would be exposed next, and Storm the MMC had a lot of secrets. I loved Storm, he is from a family that has so many issues, and his name is very fitting, he is a man that will storm into your life.
This story asks one question, “What if one woman could live through all three identities and evolve with the storms life throws her way?” Now I am sure you’re asking what three identities, well here they are:
Oba – she is goddess of feminine power and strength
Oshun – is a goddess of fresh water, life sensuality and prosperity
Oya – she is goddess of wind, lightning and storms
Then there is the male. Shango – he’s associated with thunder and lightning and justice.
Now meet Shae, she has her life all planned out, goals all set. She is in college and working hard to succeed. Here she meets Storm (and the name fits). They meet in Economics class and are partners in a project. These two are from totally different worlds. Storm is working hard to prove to his father that he is capable of taking over the family's company, especially after his brother died. However, his father has other plans and doesn’t allow that to happen. Storm is determined to find out why. These two together are fire, they put people first.
I loved the transformation of Shae throughout the book. She took on the three identities as she faced life’s challenges, a very strong FMC. And the cliffhanger, so not nice. Heartbroken.
“You know I want your body. I want you to have my name on your lips…shut your brain off and feel because its safe to do so. I want you in every single way possible.”
You need to read the note from the author to give you the story of the African Myth. Loved it.
June 19, 2025
I read this book as an ARC and it destroyed me. That ending!! My gut was telling me one of the things that happened would but I wasn’t expecting the other two big things!
Where do I start with Shae and Storm. They met at college and end up being partners in their economics class. They come from two completely different backgrounds and Shae spends a nice portion of the beginning of this book thinking he has a girlfriend. What happens when sparks fly but there are things trying to snuff them out left and right? Will the sparks turn into a flame or will they get snuffed out?
Both Storm and Shae had so much pressure from their family and friends to do one thing even if it wasn’t really what they wanted to do in the end. Shae had a plan of how her life would go since she was 10 so she felt like she had to stick to that plan and if she didn’t she would be letting down a lot of people. Storm was brought up to do one thing after his brother died and that was take over his fathers company and when that’s not what happens he is left not knowing what to do and is determined to find out why his father changed his mind.
I loved the characters and there were times I wanted to strangle almost all of them (except the mothers I always loved them). The little bit of what I will call a plot twist in the middle had me wanting to scream and I had to take a second to process what I had just read. And then the ending had me wanting to cry and I don’t just mean shed a few tears and be done I mean cry. I get why a part of the ending happened but it hurts more because of the thing that happened right before.
The only reason I’m not giving this book 5 stars is because it’s book 1 and I can’t get myself to click the fifth star knowing what I do but I’d give it 4.5 or 4.75 stars. I also definitely didn’t read the prologue for book 2 since it was offered at the end of the ARC. It definitely made my heart feel better after that ending (note sarcasm). I’m scared for the next book but I desperately need it because I need to know what happens next. I have so many questions and not enough answers.
Where do I start with Shae and Storm. They met at college and end up being partners in their economics class. They come from two completely different backgrounds and Shae spends a nice portion of the beginning of this book thinking he has a girlfriend. What happens when sparks fly but there are things trying to snuff them out left and right? Will the sparks turn into a flame or will they get snuffed out?
Both Storm and Shae had so much pressure from their family and friends to do one thing even if it wasn’t really what they wanted to do in the end. Shae had a plan of how her life would go since she was 10 so she felt like she had to stick to that plan and if she didn’t she would be letting down a lot of people. Storm was brought up to do one thing after his brother died and that was take over his fathers company and when that’s not what happens he is left not knowing what to do and is determined to find out why his father changed his mind.
I loved the characters and there were times I wanted to strangle almost all of them (except the mothers I always loved them). The little bit of what I will call a plot twist in the middle had me wanting to scream and I had to take a second to process what I had just read. And then the ending had me wanting to cry and I don’t just mean shed a few tears and be done I mean cry. I get why a part of the ending happened but it hurts more because of the thing that happened right before.
The only reason I’m not giving this book 5 stars is because it’s book 1 and I can’t get myself to click the fifth star knowing what I do but I’d give it 4.5 or 4.75 stars. I also definitely didn’t read the prologue for book 2 since it was offered at the end of the ARC. It definitely made my heart feel better after that ending (note sarcasm). I’m scared for the next book but I desperately need it because I need to know what happens next. I have so many questions and not enough answers.
June 19, 2025
Between Passion and Revenge part one, was nothing short of amazing and I am ready for part 2 IMMEDIATELY lol! I started my first ARC read with a BANG! I honestly rate this book 5 stars from start to finish with a spice level of 3.5/5, and don’t even get me started on the FMC Shae Rivers and MMC Storm Sandoval, I was obsessed with how their angsty slow burn was unfolding the way they were obsessed with each other. The fact that the author wrote this as a duet storytelling/ dual POV storyline was chef’s kiss for me.
The FMC was a preacher’s daughter and the MMC is the son of a billionaire, and the curiosity of how these two would wind up being star crossed lovers, coming from two very completely different upbringings had me not wanting to put the book down. Between their own family drama, drama amongst friendships (despite that they both have an amazing set of friends), navigating through college and trying to decipher the chemistry sparking between them was so much to digest in a clever way. If I had to name any dislikes it would be Bambi and Lakeland lol, they got on my nerves so much!
This book had an ample amount of urban authenticity as far as cultural experiences, realistic life events within the black community, black love, and black romance. I had a multitude of favorite moments from this book but the one that really did it for me is when Shae’s mother said “If you do not remember anything else remember this: Fear may be loud, but God will never lead you wrong. You just have to pray about it” I felt like her mom was talking to me too, full transparency my biggest fear is failure and the stress of that is a heavy burden to bear and I too needed that reminder, just like Shae did.
To end this review on a high note, for this genre to be completely out of my comfort zone I wholeheartedly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who looks to me for their next book rec! Now I just need a physical copy for my in-home library. Thank You Angel M. Shaw for granting me the opportunity to ARC read such and amazing book! The cliff hanger was jaw dropping, and I cannot wait for part 2!
The FMC was a preacher’s daughter and the MMC is the son of a billionaire, and the curiosity of how these two would wind up being star crossed lovers, coming from two very completely different upbringings had me not wanting to put the book down. Between their own family drama, drama amongst friendships (despite that they both have an amazing set of friends), navigating through college and trying to decipher the chemistry sparking between them was so much to digest in a clever way. If I had to name any dislikes it would be Bambi and Lakeland lol, they got on my nerves so much!
This book had an ample amount of urban authenticity as far as cultural experiences, realistic life events within the black community, black love, and black romance. I had a multitude of favorite moments from this book but the one that really did it for me is when Shae’s mother said “If you do not remember anything else remember this: Fear may be loud, but God will never lead you wrong. You just have to pray about it” I felt like her mom was talking to me too, full transparency my biggest fear is failure and the stress of that is a heavy burden to bear and I too needed that reminder, just like Shae did.
To end this review on a high note, for this genre to be completely out of my comfort zone I wholeheartedly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who looks to me for their next book rec! Now I just need a physical copy for my in-home library. Thank You Angel M. Shaw for granting me the opportunity to ARC read such and amazing book! The cliff hanger was jaw dropping, and I cannot wait for part 2!
June 25, 2025
First I want to thank Angel Shaw for letting me into her world of African mythology, centering around Orisha. This book, phew, what can I say about it without screaming, kicking my feet and clutching my chest like I'm about to have a panic attack but with a smile.
Her characters, Shae and Storm are very authentic! You can tell that she took her time to give them their own voice. Her character development is creatively one of the best. I felt like I was catching up with old friends instead of reading a beautifully written novel. Shae, being self motivated, extremely smart, and doesn't take no crap from anyone, type of woman. But within her being strong for everyone else she does have her moments of vulnerability. And Storm, despite him being a silver spoon, having everything he could want and more. He is still an independent, hardworking, builds instead of taking what he wants, type of man. But just like Shae he has his own personal issues as well.
The plot has me in my feelings. I normally don't go for billionaire driven stories. But the twist and turns. Thinking that something you work so hard for, given away. Thinking that you know everything about a person but how you view them is completely different than who they are. And having to decide between doing the right thing or letting go of someone you love, even if it means keeping them safe. The ups and downs and the sheer mystery of it keep me engaged from start to finish.
This book has taught me a lot of things in my own personal life. To put my needs and myself before anyone. Because as the saying goes "You can't help anyone until you help yourself. So as Shae is going through her own doubts and fears and questionable moments, it makes me realize that I need to do the same.
Angel's book is definitely in my top 5. Like literally number 2, because of the connection with her characters, the focus of detail and the plot that makes you stay up all night and just how she writes overall, it's like a safe space.
Thank you Angel for your novel and I can't wait for Part two!!
Also, for the people like myself that love smut, trust me, the smut is smutting!!!!!
Her characters, Shae and Storm are very authentic! You can tell that she took her time to give them their own voice. Her character development is creatively one of the best. I felt like I was catching up with old friends instead of reading a beautifully written novel. Shae, being self motivated, extremely smart, and doesn't take no crap from anyone, type of woman. But within her being strong for everyone else she does have her moments of vulnerability. And Storm, despite him being a silver spoon, having everything he could want and more. He is still an independent, hardworking, builds instead of taking what he wants, type of man. But just like Shae he has his own personal issues as well.
The plot has me in my feelings. I normally don't go for billionaire driven stories. But the twist and turns. Thinking that something you work so hard for, given away. Thinking that you know everything about a person but how you view them is completely different than who they are. And having to decide between doing the right thing or letting go of someone you love, even if it means keeping them safe. The ups and downs and the sheer mystery of it keep me engaged from start to finish.
This book has taught me a lot of things in my own personal life. To put my needs and myself before anyone. Because as the saying goes "You can't help anyone until you help yourself. So as Shae is going through her own doubts and fears and questionable moments, it makes me realize that I need to do the same.
Angel's book is definitely in my top 5. Like literally number 2, because of the connection with her characters, the focus of detail and the plot that makes you stay up all night and just how she writes overall, it's like a safe space.
Thank you Angel for your novel and I can't wait for Part two!!
Also, for the people like myself that love smut, trust me, the smut is smutting!!!!!
June 19, 2025
✨ Happy Juneteenth! ✊🏾 And what better way to celebrate Black excellence, Black storytelling, and Black chaos than with this explosive, soul-snatching read: Between Passion and Revenge: Part One by Angel M. Shaw 🔥
This book?? Is not just a billionaire romance. It’s African mythology meets modern drama.
It's enemies to lovers with trauma.
It’s storm clouds rolling in and thunder cracking through your chest.
It’s hot. It’s messy. It’s my whole personality now.
👑 Let’s talk about STORM. A name, a warning, a lifestyle. Grumpy, obsessive, loaded, and deep in his villain era. I swear the man walked straight out of a mythology and into my toxic book boyfriend roster. Every time he said “mine,” I lost brain cells in the best way.
🌞 And then there’s SHAE. Smart, loyal, goal-oriented... but caught in the web of everybody else’s expectations. Church girl turned chaos magnet. The only woman who could crack a billionaire’s steel-plated heart and make him beg. And yes, she made him grovel. We love to see it.
💥 Tropes that had me hooked:
– Enemies to lovers – Grumpy x sunshine – Billionaires behaving very badly – “Touch her and die” 😵💫 – Found family, big secrets, bigger betrayal – He’s obsessed and she’s so not ready – Inspired by the ORISHA 🔥 (the mythological tie-ins??? STUNNING.)
🌀 The tension? A+ 🌶 The spice? Slow burn but SCORCHING 💔 The emotional wreckage? Personal. 🎯 The cliffhanger?? Filed a restraining order.
Storm and Shae’s chemistry is ELECTRIC.
One minute they’re glaring, the next they’re combusting, and in between there’s grief, guilt, secrets, and sabotage. It’s messy. It’s real. It’s everything.
If you love your romance with depth, drama, and darkly devoted men who’d raze the world for one woman then this book is your next obsession.
⚠️ Content warnings are listed on the author’s site, so check those before diving in. But once you're in? You're not coming out the same.🖤
This book?? Is not just a billionaire romance. It’s African mythology meets modern drama.
It's enemies to lovers with trauma.
It’s storm clouds rolling in and thunder cracking through your chest.
It’s hot. It’s messy. It’s my whole personality now.
👑 Let’s talk about STORM. A name, a warning, a lifestyle. Grumpy, obsessive, loaded, and deep in his villain era. I swear the man walked straight out of a mythology and into my toxic book boyfriend roster. Every time he said “mine,” I lost brain cells in the best way.
🌞 And then there’s SHAE. Smart, loyal, goal-oriented... but caught in the web of everybody else’s expectations. Church girl turned chaos magnet. The only woman who could crack a billionaire’s steel-plated heart and make him beg. And yes, she made him grovel. We love to see it.
💥 Tropes that had me hooked:
– Enemies to lovers – Grumpy x sunshine – Billionaires behaving very badly – “Touch her and die” 😵💫 – Found family, big secrets, bigger betrayal – He’s obsessed and she’s so not ready – Inspired by the ORISHA 🔥 (the mythological tie-ins??? STUNNING.)
🌀 The tension? A+ 🌶 The spice? Slow burn but SCORCHING 💔 The emotional wreckage? Personal. 🎯 The cliffhanger?? Filed a restraining order.
Storm and Shae’s chemistry is ELECTRIC.
One minute they’re glaring, the next they’re combusting, and in between there’s grief, guilt, secrets, and sabotage. It’s messy. It’s real. It’s everything.
If you love your romance with depth, drama, and darkly devoted men who’d raze the world for one woman then this book is your next obsession.
⚠️ Content warnings are listed on the author’s site, so check those before diving in. But once you're in? You're not coming out the same.🖤
June 14, 2025
Title: Between Passion and Revenge: The Griot Chronicles (Book 1)
Author: Angel M. Shaw
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Pages: 415
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)
“But here’s the thing: Real men know what they’ve lost. I hope you figure that out soon. For all our sakes.”
Storm Sandoval was born into Chicago royalty—the son of Black financial titan Chuck Sandoval, heir to the Stratos Wealth Fund, and raised for power. But when his father handed the empire to Storm’s uncle instead, he was left with a name that holds weight but no crown. He doesn’t chase anything… until Shae—the preacher’s daughter—smart, driven, and unimpressed by wealth or secrets. She wasn’t supposed to matter, but he can’t stop thinking about her. And just as she starts to fall too, the cracks in his world deepen. His family’s past is darker than she knows, and the danger now threatens them both. Let her in, and she becomes a target. Let her go, and he loses the only thing that’s ever felt real.
Between Passion and Revenge is a star-crossed billionaire romance—but make it darker, messier, and way more intense than you expect. Storm and Shae have this wild, addictive chemistry—you can tell they shouldn’t work, but somehow they just do. There’s so much going on behind the scenes too: deep family secrets, betrayal, trauma, and a level of obsession that had me flipping pages like crazy. The tension never lets up, and every time I thought I could breathe, something new hit. And that cliffhanger? Ugh, it annoyed me—like, WTF that’s it?! I want more! Lol. If you’re into love stories that hurt a little (in the best way), this one’s got you!
A big thanks to Book Buzz PR and Angel M. Shaw for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing 06/19/25, on Amazon, KU and paperback.
E-book pre-orders are available NOW.
—
#AdvancedReaderCopy
Author: Angel M. Shaw
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Pages: 415
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)
“But here’s the thing: Real men know what they’ve lost. I hope you figure that out soon. For all our sakes.”
Storm Sandoval was born into Chicago royalty—the son of Black financial titan Chuck Sandoval, heir to the Stratos Wealth Fund, and raised for power. But when his father handed the empire to Storm’s uncle instead, he was left with a name that holds weight but no crown. He doesn’t chase anything… until Shae—the preacher’s daughter—smart, driven, and unimpressed by wealth or secrets. She wasn’t supposed to matter, but he can’t stop thinking about her. And just as she starts to fall too, the cracks in his world deepen. His family’s past is darker than she knows, and the danger now threatens them both. Let her in, and she becomes a target. Let her go, and he loses the only thing that’s ever felt real.
Between Passion and Revenge is a star-crossed billionaire romance—but make it darker, messier, and way more intense than you expect. Storm and Shae have this wild, addictive chemistry—you can tell they shouldn’t work, but somehow they just do. There’s so much going on behind the scenes too: deep family secrets, betrayal, trauma, and a level of obsession that had me flipping pages like crazy. The tension never lets up, and every time I thought I could breathe, something new hit. And that cliffhanger? Ugh, it annoyed me—like, WTF that’s it?! I want more! Lol. If you’re into love stories that hurt a little (in the best way), this one’s got you!
A big thanks to Book Buzz PR and Angel M. Shaw for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing 06/19/25, on Amazon, KU and paperback.
E-book pre-orders are available NOW.
—
#AdvancedReaderCopy
June 23, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
"I want to find the woman who can match me. I want to be with a woman who can go toe to toe with me and hold her own. Who will stimulate me intellectually and physically; emotionally and spiritually. When I find that woman, she'll have all of me, which is something that those in my past will never be able to say." - Storm
Prepare to be swept away by Shae, a character who embodies intelligence, unwavering focus, and a meticulous pursuit of perfection. Raised in a devout religious environment where her future was meticulously planned out.
She thought she had it all fgured out until Storm entered he picture and completely shattered her preconceptions, forcing Shae to confront what truly mattered to her.
And Storm? His name is berfectly ntting! He's the enigmatic billionaire playboy with a fiery temper and hot-and-cold demeanour. Yet, peel back the layers, and you'll discover a man of incredible depth - undeniably intelligent, passionate, fiercely caring, and possessive, especially when it comes to those he loves.
What started as seemingly a simple clash of worlds for these two strong-willed individuals, initially appearing to be just their socioeconomic differences, quickly evolved with an unexpected plot twist that took me by surprise, which kept me hooked.
The romance between Shae and Storm is a slow-burn, but you can practically feel the magnetic pull between them, even if I found myself rooting for Shae to fully embrace her feelings and speak her mind more often, without running everytime. She's amazing with intellectual conversations, but her emotional evasion was recurring frustration.
Still, their journey is utterly compelling, and that cliffhanger ending? I'm already excited Part 2 😊
Thank you to Angel Shaw and BookBuzzPR for this ARC in exchange for an honest review ❤️
"I want to find the woman who can match me. I want to be with a woman who can go toe to toe with me and hold her own. Who will stimulate me intellectually and physically; emotionally and spiritually. When I find that woman, she'll have all of me, which is something that those in my past will never be able to say." - Storm
Prepare to be swept away by Shae, a character who embodies intelligence, unwavering focus, and a meticulous pursuit of perfection. Raised in a devout religious environment where her future was meticulously planned out.
She thought she had it all fgured out until Storm entered he picture and completely shattered her preconceptions, forcing Shae to confront what truly mattered to her.
And Storm? His name is berfectly ntting! He's the enigmatic billionaire playboy with a fiery temper and hot-and-cold demeanour. Yet, peel back the layers, and you'll discover a man of incredible depth - undeniably intelligent, passionate, fiercely caring, and possessive, especially when it comes to those he loves.
What started as seemingly a simple clash of worlds for these two strong-willed individuals, initially appearing to be just their socioeconomic differences, quickly evolved with an unexpected plot twist that took me by surprise, which kept me hooked.
The romance between Shae and Storm is a slow-burn, but you can practically feel the magnetic pull between them, even if I found myself rooting for Shae to fully embrace her feelings and speak her mind more often, without running everytime. She's amazing with intellectual conversations, but her emotional evasion was recurring frustration.
Still, their journey is utterly compelling, and that cliffhanger ending? I'm already excited Part 2 😊
Thank you to Angel Shaw and BookBuzzPR for this ARC in exchange for an honest review ❤️
June 19, 2025
I chose this book because I found the African legends that inspired this story to be incredibly captivating. I never expected to be thoroughly captivated by this book and then feel the need to throw up afterward. Even though this wealthy man, needy woman love story is clichéd, I still cherish the trope.
This book narrates the tale of Shae, a woman whose whole existence is mapped out. She was raised in a highly religious environment. In this book, she is depicted as a caring, supportive, bright, witty, down-to-earth, determined, and appealing woman. That is, until she encounters Storm.
The name Storm accurately reflects his character. He is viewed as an individual who has his life sorted and feels no necessity to chase any additional ambitions. His character is depicted as strong, combative, safeguarding, enticing, and exuding a potent sexual allure. His life transforms drastically upon meeting Shae.
I love the whole storyline; he is infatuated, she is somewhat skeptical, yet he is determined to succeed. Storm represents all the traits I seek in a dark romantic figure! He will go to any lengths to have her and safeguard her because he is extremely possessive and obsessed. Nonetheless, his father's enterprise involves questionable activities that could, shall we say, change his situation.
We’ve all felt immense pressure from our loved ones, and in those moments, you genuinely want to avoid disappointing them, which is why I admire Shae and consider her a very relatable character.
The manner in which the author kept you engaged was superb. I can't tell if my heart shattered more for Shae's existence or Storm's hidden truths. Since I needed to revisit it to find out what occurred next whenever I set it down.
This book narrates the tale of Shae, a woman whose whole existence is mapped out. She was raised in a highly religious environment. In this book, she is depicted as a caring, supportive, bright, witty, down-to-earth, determined, and appealing woman. That is, until she encounters Storm.
The name Storm accurately reflects his character. He is viewed as an individual who has his life sorted and feels no necessity to chase any additional ambitions. His character is depicted as strong, combative, safeguarding, enticing, and exuding a potent sexual allure. His life transforms drastically upon meeting Shae.
I love the whole storyline; he is infatuated, she is somewhat skeptical, yet he is determined to succeed. Storm represents all the traits I seek in a dark romantic figure! He will go to any lengths to have her and safeguard her because he is extremely possessive and obsessed. Nonetheless, his father's enterprise involves questionable activities that could, shall we say, change his situation.
We’ve all felt immense pressure from our loved ones, and in those moments, you genuinely want to avoid disappointing them, which is why I admire Shae and consider her a very relatable character.
The manner in which the author kept you engaged was superb. I can't tell if my heart shattered more for Shae's existence or Storm's hidden truths. Since I needed to revisit it to find out what occurred next whenever I set it down.
Read
June 23, 2025*Leaving unrated, but that doesn't mean zero stars! I wanted to share my thoughts as I received an ARC (thank you!) but don't feel drawn to adding a star rating.*
This one wasn't for me. I was super excited for it with the mythological inspiration, but the let-down was strong. 🫤
Honestly, I rather enjoyed each character's individual stories, to a point - Shae's work with mPower and Storm's unraveling the mystery of his family business were both compelling threads, and the social commentaries of income inequality, action, and privilege felt important and well-integrated. But it felt like Shae deteriorated into only indecision. Though she certainly had a compelling decision to make (I appreciated the authenticity of her parents and the exploration of generational responsibility to "better" oneself vs making a personal choice) her stakes were just so much lower than Storm's that it was hard to take it (or her) seriously.
And truly, I just could not get on board with the romance. Typically, I love a he-falls-first, especially when he's a rough billionaire. But I hated them together. Shae's resistance felt forced, like we just needed to draw out the story to get to the cliffhanger. They had a few cute moments, but we didn't get to enjoy them because almost immediately one of them was back into their head about all the reasons (?) they shouldn't be together? or something? I liked their first scenes together, and I would've liked the skating date, maybe, but we only got a reference to that after the fact. Let me see more of why they love each other!
Anyway, I'm clearly in the minority of reviewers here, and I'm thrilled that it hit for so many people! I would've loved to love it.
This one wasn't for me. I was super excited for it with the mythological inspiration, but the let-down was strong. 🫤
Honestly, I rather enjoyed each character's individual stories, to a point - Shae's work with mPower and Storm's unraveling the mystery of his family business were both compelling threads, and the social commentaries of income inequality, action, and privilege felt important and well-integrated. But it felt like Shae deteriorated into only indecision. Though she certainly had a compelling decision to make (I appreciated the authenticity of her parents and the exploration of generational responsibility to "better" oneself vs making a personal choice) her stakes were just so much lower than Storm's that it was hard to take it (or her) seriously.
And truly, I just could not get on board with the romance. Typically, I love a he-falls-first, especially when he's a rough billionaire. But I hated them together. Shae's resistance felt forced, like we just needed to draw out the story to get to the cliffhanger. They had a few cute moments, but we didn't get to enjoy them because almost immediately one of them was back into their head about all the reasons (?) they shouldn't be together? or something? I liked their first scenes together, and I would've liked the skating date, maybe, but we only got a reference to that after the fact. Let me see more of why they love each other!
Anyway, I'm clearly in the minority of reviewers here, and I'm thrilled that it hit for so many people! I would've loved to love it.
June 14, 2025
Boyyy I see why this is a duet! A whole lot happened in the first book alone. I had to take a bit longer than usual to read this book because I wanted to process everything that happened, but it definitely had me SAT. This is another one where I had to remind myself how young the MCs are because some of their decisions had me so frustrated. Super realistic. Knowing where the second book picks up had me so invested I couldn’t have given up on them if I wanted.
I LOVE the way the weather seems to weave its way around Storm’s intensity. It’s such a nice mythological touch to a story grounded in a deeper exploration of what lies beneath some of the Black excellence we hold so high. Not everything is as it seems, and that’s a great reminder for life. And ooooh baby, having huge feels comes with wild consequences. Who doesn’t love a “raze the world to keep her safe” kinda guy (in books)? Swoon.
This is a Riale stan review, just so y’all know. I love a good bestie/bodyguard combo and he puts in work at both roles. Everyone needs a rider like him because he’s genuinely down like four flats. Also, I want everyone to read this and tell me if it strikes y’all as a love letter to the late 90s and early oughts. Only old heads (I’m 36, I can make this shady observation lol) say frontin’ anymore so I’m just saying! It’s amazing.
I received a copy of this book directly from the author via The Smuthood and this is my honest review. 4.5 stars with a breathless countdown until part 2 comes out on July 31st. Lies I tell. I’m getting another advance review copy FOR SURE.
I LOVE the way the weather seems to weave its way around Storm’s intensity. It’s such a nice mythological touch to a story grounded in a deeper exploration of what lies beneath some of the Black excellence we hold so high. Not everything is as it seems, and that’s a great reminder for life. And ooooh baby, having huge feels comes with wild consequences. Who doesn’t love a “raze the world to keep her safe” kinda guy (in books)? Swoon.
This is a Riale stan review, just so y’all know. I love a good bestie/bodyguard combo and he puts in work at both roles. Everyone needs a rider like him because he’s genuinely down like four flats. Also, I want everyone to read this and tell me if it strikes y’all as a love letter to the late 90s and early oughts. Only old heads (I’m 36, I can make this shady observation lol) say frontin’ anymore so I’m just saying! It’s amazing.
I received a copy of this book directly from the author via The Smuthood and this is my honest review. 4.5 stars with a breathless countdown until part 2 comes out on July 31st. Lies I tell. I’m getting another advance review copy FOR SURE.
June 17, 2025
I received an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
When I first saw the synopsis for this book, I immediately knew I had to read it. Based on the African myth of Orisha Shango, the story reimagines the tale of Orisha Shango and his three wives in a contemporary setting.
Going in, I was unfamiliar with the myth, but Shaw does share the cliff notes version in her forward.
The story follows Storm and Shae, two college students living in Chicago who come from different worlds. Storm grew up on the North Shore, with nannies, governesses, and a father in hedge funds, while Shae grew up in on the South Side to a preacher father. As the two continue to interact and learn more about the other, both learn that neither is entirely as they appear at first glance.
Simply put, I loved this story so much. Storm was such a complex and interesting character, who would burn the world for Shae, all while trying to reconcile what he thinks he knows of his father with new, dark information he’s learning. Shae is a smart, dedicated young woman who is trying to find her way in the world, without disappointing those she loves.
And that twist?! Ugh I am dying for part two!
While this marketed as a dark romance, and it absolutely has dark themes and elements, it is worth a read from anyone, not just dark romance lovers. It is not what I would consider a DARK romance like some others.
Tropes:
- College
- Slow burn
- Wealth gap
- Opposites attract
- Star crossed lovers
- Cliffhanger
When I first saw the synopsis for this book, I immediately knew I had to read it. Based on the African myth of Orisha Shango, the story reimagines the tale of Orisha Shango and his three wives in a contemporary setting.
Going in, I was unfamiliar with the myth, but Shaw does share the cliff notes version in her forward.
The story follows Storm and Shae, two college students living in Chicago who come from different worlds. Storm grew up on the North Shore, with nannies, governesses, and a father in hedge funds, while Shae grew up in on the South Side to a preacher father. As the two continue to interact and learn more about the other, both learn that neither is entirely as they appear at first glance.
Simply put, I loved this story so much. Storm was such a complex and interesting character, who would burn the world for Shae, all while trying to reconcile what he thinks he knows of his father with new, dark information he’s learning. Shae is a smart, dedicated young woman who is trying to find her way in the world, without disappointing those she loves.
And that twist?! Ugh I am dying for part two!
While this marketed as a dark romance, and it absolutely has dark themes and elements, it is worth a read from anyone, not just dark romance lovers. It is not what I would consider a DARK romance like some others.
Tropes:
- College
- Slow burn
- Wealth gap
- Opposites attract
- Star crossed lovers
- Cliffhanger
June 19, 2025
ARC review
I was very excited for this one, I love modern retellings/influences of mythology and I had every hope this would be a slam dunk 5 star read... or a 1 star chaos read.
I got stuck in the middle.
I liked the book as a whole, but the BLURB kind of fooled me or had me prepared for something different.
The main characters are Storm and Shae, He is supposed heir to a billionaire hedge fund, she is supposed to go to Harvard but not sure if it's what she wants.
He learns early on that his heirdom is going up in flames and tries to fight back with the emphasis on tries. Enter Shae, a woman that makes him shifts his priorities.
She becomes his priority, but is unable to make herself a priority.
Living her life by expectations of others.
And that is where I struggled, I get expectations but the only valid argument "they" have is; "you wanted this since you where 10".
for example: I wanted a pony when I was 10, I don't anymore, dreams change.
But her father and her best friend seem unable to accept that fact.
Storm, however, is supportive of her, what she wants, calling her out on bullshitting herself.
But again, her father and her best friend are against Storm from the beginning, (The father I get, he is clear in his reason why) but her supposed best friend is annoying and loud and nowhere near helpful in any way.
But the story arc is there, it has some good parts and the chemistry between Storm and Shae is definitely there so I am looking forward for part 2!
I was very excited for this one, I love modern retellings/influences of mythology and I had every hope this would be a slam dunk 5 star read... or a 1 star chaos read.
I got stuck in the middle.
I liked the book as a whole, but the BLURB kind of fooled me or had me prepared for something different.
The main characters are Storm and Shae, He is supposed heir to a billionaire hedge fund, she is supposed to go to Harvard but not sure if it's what she wants.
He learns early on that his heirdom is going up in flames and tries to fight back with the emphasis on tries. Enter Shae, a woman that makes him shifts his priorities.
She becomes his priority, but is unable to make herself a priority.
Living her life by expectations of others.
And that is where I struggled, I get expectations but the only valid argument "they" have is; "you wanted this since you where 10".
for example: I wanted a pony when I was 10, I don't anymore, dreams change.
But her father and her best friend seem unable to accept that fact.
Storm, however, is supportive of her, what she wants, calling her out on bullshitting herself.
But again, her father and her best friend are against Storm from the beginning, (The father I get, he is clear in his reason why) but her supposed best friend is annoying and loud and nowhere near helpful in any way.
But the story arc is there, it has some good parts and the chemistry between Storm and Shae is definitely there so I am looking forward for part 2!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews