Nineteen-year-old Rick Delaney is at a masquerade party when temptation dangles in front of his eyes in the form of fifteen-year-old Vee Wyland. Not only is she too young for him, but she’s too pure to taint with his wild ways and—worst of all—the crush of his reckless younger brother’s eyes.
Beneath their masks burns a fiery hunger for each other; however, it’s a desire they must quell. Their situations are fraught with risk. But age isn’t the only obstacle. Dark secrets brew between their ongoing game of masquerades. And it might just spell the end before they get a proper beginning.
** This book doesn't contain underage sex, but it is sexually explicit. **
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Masquerade can be read before or after The Rental.
Having read The Rental and seeing that this short prequel was free on Amazon and Smashwords, I figured I'd go for it.
This story was split into halves. The first is from the POV of Rick, and the second half is seen from Vee's POV. She's the point of view character in The Rental, so this might be a case where the prequel is more appreciated after reading the main novel. Readers that take this on first might be expecting Rick's perspective in the longer work, where prior readers will see it as an interesting twist to get his view firsthand in this story.
I wondered how Berto would handle the age thing in this. In The Rental, Vee is just turning legal. So a prequel would put her at...not. But it's handled very creatively here. Fairly wickedly, I must say. And that's all I'll say on the matter...
So either as an appetizer or a small dessert, this little story will give a taste of things to...happen. Enjoy.
Steamy sensual and downright delicious – Rebecca Berto has CREATED A prequel that will have you wanting the next installment in the character lives right now!! ** The Rental **
It is a story filled with intrigue -lust - laughter - smexy hot characters and a story line that will keep you entranced till the last page.
The writing is crisp, fast paced and at just 35 pages long The Masquerade is filled to the brim with all the goodies.
The Masquerade is a great introduction in the characters and the chemistry between them giving us background information ready for the next installment.
The chemistry between Rick and Vee was volcanic - sizzling... The physical attraction is undeniable. Sparks fly!!
Be prepared for The Rental due September 22nd! You don’t want to miss this story...
The Masquerade was the perfect kickoff to this series! I loved getting inside of both Rick's and Vee's heads and seeing how they fought their feelings for one another. Rick knows he should back off from his brother's girl, especially with their difference in age…problem is, Vee has feelings for him too. In just a few short pages, Ms. Berto grabbed my attention with the perfect mix of sex appeal, humor, and characters that have you crawling back for more. This stories flows right into The Rental, and let me just say, you won't be disappointed!
Masquerade is a prequel novella in the Rebecca Berto series entitled The Rental and introduces readers to the lead characters, Rick Delaney and Genevieve "Vee" Wyland. There's about a four-year age difference between Rick and Vee, something that Rick considers a major obstacle to pursuing anything romantic with her. He's also preoccupied with his younger brother's drug addiction and the fact that he appears to have his own thing for Vee. While four years may not seem like that big of a deal, it does seem exactly like that when you're in your teens, so Rick's hesitance was something easily understood.
This is a very quick read, with the story's text at less than thirty pages, and it does give you enough of an idea of what's going on--Rick and Vee having feelings for one another but neither knowing that it's easily reciprocated. The ending also leaves you curious as to what may have happened and you want to know if everything will tie in once you read the full-length book. I read the books in order and this prequel is available as a free download on a number of e-retailers, so you may want to check it out to see if it'll tickle your fancy. I'm giving Masquerade 3.5 stars, rounded off to four stars. ♥
I would have continued to read this if the author had actually thought about her diction. Writing is bizarre
e.g. Her mouth found my neck as we stepped into the area followed by her mouth at the top of my chest! I found the hem of her short dress and pulled my hand underneath searching for her panties, slow and teasing. I rubbed up her inner thigh all the way and discovered she wore nothing there........ So no I couldn't get into this.
This is the prequel to The Rental which is available now. Rick is nineteen and has a crush on fifteen year old Vee. But he leaves her alone because his younger brother Justin likes her too. Thing is, Vee likes Rick too. Now he's left town and she's afraid she won't see him again. Looking forward to reading what happens next.
I love Vee and Rick and getting to see how it all began and some of the reasons why there story went the way it did right from the start they had a connection right onto The Rental for some more of Vee all grown up!!!
The Masquerade is a sexy short beginning to what I am sure will be an amazing series. I loved getting a glimpse into teen Vee and the way Rick saw her then. Some of the feelings and thoughts Vee has are so easy to relate to. Can't wait to read more