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Collateral Claim: A Dark Enemies-to-Lovers Romance
He announced our engagement before I even knew his name.
My life was turned upside down the night a stranger stood before a room of powerful people and said that I was his fiancée.
My father did nothing.
Now I belong to Endo Macarley.
At least until he gets what he
his brother’s freedom.
I’m his collateral.
And his house is a prison of marble and menace.
Every corner hums with danger,
and it always finds me.
But the more I fight him, the more those lines between hatred and something far more dangerous blur.
Because the scariest part isn’t that he took me.
It’s that I’m not sure I want him to let me go.
* this enemies-to-lovers dark romance, where both characters are over 30, contains dark themes, suspense, and an unapologetic villain.
enemies-to-lovers
Morally grey hero
imposed engagement
close proximity
opposites attract
My life was turned upside down the night a stranger stood before a room of powerful people and said that I was his fiancée.
My father did nothing.
Now I belong to Endo Macarley.
At least until he gets what he
his brother’s freedom.
I’m his collateral.
And his house is a prison of marble and menace.
Every corner hums with danger,
and it always finds me.
But the more I fight him, the more those lines between hatred and something far more dangerous blur.
Because the scariest part isn’t that he took me.
It’s that I’m not sure I want him to let me go.
* this enemies-to-lovers dark romance, where both characters are over 30, contains dark themes, suspense, and an unapologetic villain.
enemies-to-lovers
Morally grey hero
imposed engagement
close proximity
opposites attract
- GenresDark Romance
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2025
52 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 8, 2025
Let me get back you when I get a chance to FULLY give you a GUSHING review. Because Endo and Scarlett need my FULL attention in writing out a non coherent review.
In the words of Nikkie Tutorials, "OBSESSED"!
In the words of Nikkie Tutorials, "OBSESSED"!
October 11, 2025
Dear author 💓😍🤌
just finished reading your book, and I'm still reeling from the experience! I picked it up on a whim, expecting a casual read to pass the time, but you had me hooked from the very beginning. The story is expertly woven, with a narrative that's both gripping and emotionally resonant. The tension is palpable, and I found myself on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages to find out what happens next.
💓😍🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌
The female main character is a force to be reckoned with – a true queen who embodies strength and resilience. Her journey is captivating, and I loved watching her navigate the challenges and complexities of the story. The way she saves the king and his family is a testament to her character's depth and power.
What really stood out to me, though, was the banter between the characters. It's witty, charming, and perfectly balanced, adding a delightful layer of tension and romance to the story. The slow burn is expertly handled, making the payoff all the more satisfying.
The side characters are equally well-developed, each bringing their own unique energy to the story. I found myself becoming invested in their journeys and rooting for them alongside the main character.
Please, please keep writing! Your work is truly exceptional, and I'm excited to see what you have in store for us next. If you're reading this, I'd love to connect with you on social media – your official Instagram handle seems to be elusive!
❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Thank you for crafting such an unforgettable story. I'll be eagerly awaiting your next release....
just finished reading your book, and I'm still reeling from the experience! I picked it up on a whim, expecting a casual read to pass the time, but you had me hooked from the very beginning. The story is expertly woven, with a narrative that's both gripping and emotionally resonant. The tension is palpable, and I found myself on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages to find out what happens next.
💓😍🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌
The female main character is a force to be reckoned with – a true queen who embodies strength and resilience. Her journey is captivating, and I loved watching her navigate the challenges and complexities of the story. The way she saves the king and his family is a testament to her character's depth and power.
What really stood out to me, though, was the banter between the characters. It's witty, charming, and perfectly balanced, adding a delightful layer of tension and romance to the story. The slow burn is expertly handled, making the payoff all the more satisfying.
The side characters are equally well-developed, each bringing their own unique energy to the story. I found myself becoming invested in their journeys and rooting for them alongside the main character.
Please, please keep writing! Your work is truly exceptional, and I'm excited to see what you have in store for us next. If you're reading this, I'd love to connect with you on social media – your official Instagram handle seems to be elusive!
❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
Thank you for crafting such an unforgettable story. I'll be eagerly awaiting your next release....
October 18, 2025
4,5⭐️/5
This book was A-MA-ZING 🤭🤭
First let’s start with the characters: I LOVED THEM BOTH !!! The FMC who was NOT an immature, delusional, doormat with no backbone 🤭. Her comeback whenever they were bickering ?? So so funny and smart ! She was so funny, smart, down to earth and overall interesting. It was so so refreshing to read a book from a woman, NOT a book from a girl who’s the age of a woman.
As for the MMC ? He was soooo well written too !!! He was so funny, emotionally mature ( which doesn’t happens all that often !!) and smart too ! I understand why Scarlett would be obsessed with Endo, and him with her 😭. Truthfully I don’t know which one I wanted to be and which one I wanted to be with the most 🥹 (I wanted both of them 🙂↕️🙂↕️)
The plot was really interesting and credible enough. Even though I had an idea of what the plot twist would be, I couldn’t have guessed everything that happened.
I really loved the writing, it sometimes was too much on the over described side of it. But funnily enough there was still a lot of description held from us ? I think that’s the reason I don’t give the full 5⭐️, because even though I love it when the characters aren’t overly described or even their surroundings. Here the author kept the whereabouts so vague that anyone could have situated the story almost anywhere they wanted. Even the main characters were so vaguely described and to such a small extent that they could have been just about anyone. And I love that but weirdly enough I would have loved slightly more information. Like for example in which part of the world Scarlett trip was located in. Or even in which part of the world the story was taking place.
Overall an incredible read, that made me laugh, giddy, giggle and smile so much. Michaela did such an amazing job, I couldn’t recommend this story enough 🙂↕️
This book was A-MA-ZING 🤭🤭
First let’s start with the characters: I LOVED THEM BOTH !!! The FMC who was NOT an immature, delusional, doormat with no backbone 🤭. Her comeback whenever they were bickering ?? So so funny and smart ! She was so funny, smart, down to earth and overall interesting. It was so so refreshing to read a book from a woman, NOT a book from a girl who’s the age of a woman.
As for the MMC ? He was soooo well written too !!! He was so funny, emotionally mature ( which doesn’t happens all that often !!) and smart too ! I understand why Scarlett would be obsessed with Endo, and him with her 😭. Truthfully I don’t know which one I wanted to be and which one I wanted to be with the most 🥹 (I wanted both of them 🙂↕️🙂↕️)
The plot was really interesting and credible enough. Even though I had an idea of what the plot twist would be, I couldn’t have guessed everything that happened.
I really loved the writing, it sometimes was too much on the over described side of it. But funnily enough there was still a lot of description held from us ? I think that’s the reason I don’t give the full 5⭐️, because even though I love it when the characters aren’t overly described or even their surroundings. Here the author kept the whereabouts so vague that anyone could have situated the story almost anywhere they wanted. Even the main characters were so vaguely described and to such a small extent that they could have been just about anyone. And I love that but weirdly enough I would have loved slightly more information. Like for example in which part of the world Scarlett trip was located in. Or even in which part of the world the story was taking place.
Overall an incredible read, that made me laugh, giddy, giggle and smile so much. Michaela did such an amazing job, I couldn’t recommend this story enough 🙂↕️
November 15, 2025
DNF - editing and typos, predictability
I wanted to like this book since it was a new author to me, but sadly it was the same plot that I have read many times before without any portion of the book I read giving me any incentive to continue reading. No one wants to watch a predictable movie or TV show; they want originality,as I do. If you are going to write a story in a repetitive genre, then give me a "gotch ya" or at least characters that are likeable. I didn't like either character. Endo is an arms dealer in the criminal world who thinks highly of himself and Scarlett is a doctor. The initial banter that everyone raves about in the reviews was something I didn't see as anything special. It seemed like banter you would expect from younger characters.
Endo comes off as a smooth operator when he crashes Scarlett's father's 65th birthday party with the announcement that he and Scarlett are engaged to the group of well wishers. Daddy (I can't picture a grown woman calling her father daddy), dad perhaps, but not daddy. Daddy doesn't say a word because his plan is to run for political office. Scarlet lies to her sister even though she has this big ethical issue with lying to her, but then does it.
The rest of the book is very predictable, so the entertainment value dropped proportionately. The supposed strong willed heroine becomes just another women that is controlled by sex instead of her head and has this amazing sexual connection with a man that was a complete stranger a few days ago. Some authors are able to pull this type of story off successfully , but only some authors.
I wanted to like this book since it was a new author to me, but sadly it was the same plot that I have read many times before without any portion of the book I read giving me any incentive to continue reading. No one wants to watch a predictable movie or TV show; they want originality,as I do. If you are going to write a story in a repetitive genre, then give me a "gotch ya" or at least characters that are likeable. I didn't like either character. Endo is an arms dealer in the criminal world who thinks highly of himself and Scarlett is a doctor. The initial banter that everyone raves about in the reviews was something I didn't see as anything special. It seemed like banter you would expect from younger characters.
Endo comes off as a smooth operator when he crashes Scarlett's father's 65th birthday party with the announcement that he and Scarlett are engaged to the group of well wishers. Daddy (I can't picture a grown woman calling her father daddy), dad perhaps, but not daddy. Daddy doesn't say a word because his plan is to run for political office. Scarlet lies to her sister even though she has this big ethical issue with lying to her, but then does it.
The rest of the book is very predictable, so the entertainment value dropped proportionately. The supposed strong willed heroine becomes just another women that is controlled by sex instead of her head and has this amazing sexual connection with a man that was a complete stranger a few days ago. Some authors are able to pull this type of story off successfully , but only some authors.
November 10, 2025
I soooo wanted to give this one 5 stars but it didn’t hit every criteria I have. Of course I’m literally nit picking but where was the spice I needed haha. And it was shorter than I would have liked it felt so rushed I wanted more Endo and Scarlett. I needed more Endo and Scarlett. But other than that the book was good I liked the banter between the main characters and it didn’t have humiliation or sexual assault when dealing with a dangerous man with enemies. But I wanted more Criminal Endo he was sometimes too reasonable hehe
I also don’t think I would call this a Dark Romance. To me there wasn’t anything “dark” about it even the sex was mid and there was what 3 or 4 scenes at basically the end and they weren’t dark.
I also don’t think I would call this a Dark Romance. To me there wasn’t anything “dark” about it even the sex was mid and there was what 3 or 4 scenes at basically the end and they weren’t dark.
November 28, 2025
1 to 5
Ok, I really wanted to like this book more. My problem, we went from being held against her will, her desiring him & then to her regretting the interaction, all on the same page! Bipolar? What happened with her sister? Her father? What about all the stuff that was being signed over to her? I just feel like a lot of stuff wasn't finished. I can't really say I wouldn't recommend because for all I know these answers could be in the next book. So if you don't like having to wait for answers, skip this book. If you don't mind going from 1 emotion to 5 others, than you will love this. I can't say absolutely don't read until I read the next & see how it plays out, till then it's on to the next!
Ok, I really wanted to like this book more. My problem, we went from being held against her will, her desiring him & then to her regretting the interaction, all on the same page! Bipolar? What happened with her sister? Her father? What about all the stuff that was being signed over to her? I just feel like a lot of stuff wasn't finished. I can't really say I wouldn't recommend because for all I know these answers could be in the next book. So if you don't like having to wait for answers, skip this book. If you don't mind going from 1 emotion to 5 others, than you will love this. I can't say absolutely don't read until I read the next & see how it plays out, till then it's on to the next!
November 25, 2025
I story captured my interest right away.
I couldn't put the book down until the end. It was funny, sexy, and has an interesting storyline. I'm not a spicy lover, so skipped past those parts. The interaction between characters was funny and I'm definitely looking forward to next book by this author.
I couldn't put the book down until the end. It was funny, sexy, and has an interesting storyline. I'm not a spicy lover, so skipped past those parts. The interaction between characters was funny and I'm definitely looking forward to next book by this author.
November 3, 2025
Loved this series - It had it all... Excellent writing, fascinating world building, engrossing story arc and absolutely wonderful characters. Who could ask for anything more ?!?
January 4, 2026
My God this Dctor FMC really pissed me off so much, oh daddy wouldn't do this or that😭
girl c'mon?
girl c'mon?
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews