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Cruel Bloodline #1
Unravelling: Aria & Crispin
Some love stories are meant to stay in the shadows.
Aria Bektashi has never belonged. A child refugee of war, she built a life on scraps and sacrifice, keeping her head down and her heart guarded. Then came Crispin Du Valares-the ambitious son of privilege, drawn to her in ways neither of them could explain. For three years, they existed in secret, bound by passion but divided by the world between them.
She never asked for love. Only honesty. But when a single cruel moment shatters everything, Aria walks away, determined never to be anyone's shame.
She disappears, leaving behind the ruins of what could have been.
But some bonds refuse to break. And when Crispin finally finds her, the woman standing before him is not the one he once kept in the dark. She has rebuilt herself-stronger, untouchable. Except for the one secret she can't outrun.
Now, he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back. But Aria is no longer willing to be anyone's secret.
A story of passion, betrayal, and the fight to claim the love we truly deserve.
Aria Bektashi has never belonged. A child refugee of war, she built a life on scraps and sacrifice, keeping her head down and her heart guarded. Then came Crispin Du Valares-the ambitious son of privilege, drawn to her in ways neither of them could explain. For three years, they existed in secret, bound by passion but divided by the world between them.
She never asked for love. Only honesty. But when a single cruel moment shatters everything, Aria walks away, determined never to be anyone's shame.
She disappears, leaving behind the ruins of what could have been.
But some bonds refuse to break. And when Crispin finally finds her, the woman standing before him is not the one he once kept in the dark. She has rebuilt herself-stronger, untouchable. Except for the one secret she can't outrun.
Now, he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back. But Aria is no longer willing to be anyone's secret.
A story of passion, betrayal, and the fight to claim the love we truly deserve.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
February 14, 2026
3.5 Stars
This offered decent angst…but the writing was a little messy and the delivery was rough. I would have liked a more solid foundational setup of their relationship before diving into the crux of the conflict here, as the lack thereof made the stakes feel lower than they should have.
Regardless, as I said, the angst and grovel was decent. I enjoyed it well enough.
This offered decent angst…but the writing was a little messy and the delivery was rough. I would have liked a more solid foundational setup of their relationship before diving into the crux of the conflict here, as the lack thereof made the stakes feel lower than they should have.
Regardless, as I said, the angst and grovel was decent. I enjoyed it well enough.
Did Not Finish
August 21, 2025Ok…. I want to rate this one star but it’s not fair since I didn’t finish. But I got through a lot.
Well this was a HUGE disappointment and not at all what I was hoping for. I wanted betrayal and grovel and instead got some very long drawn out wordy boring nonsense.
‼️Way too wordy this book is 500pgs!!! 😳
The writing just wasn’t for me. It takes to
Long to get to the point and even then still leaves you confused. There’s a lot of circling but nothing is really direct.
‼️The author focuses (constantly harps) on the class differences between the H and h.
She makes this woman’s life so horrible and POOOOOOR that it’s nonstop details about her poverty and disadvantaged youth and life.
Like it’s just chapter after chapter of this. Ugh…. We get it she is POOOOOR.
‼️She is sooooo down trodden AND POOOOOOR the author really plays up her poverty. Like some Shakespearean shit poor.
‼️But also she is old 😳 she is freaking 35!!! Like I thought this girl was 19-25 max! To my surprise she was older…. Way older and it’s just not a good look for this kind of trodden down h.
‼️So the h meets the H while being a maid at his place of work.
He is immediately fascinated w her
He takes 2 years building a secret friendship, taking her to small discrete places to eat.
Then one day he invites himself up at her POOOOOOR little hovel and they start fucking.
‼️😡 We also find out that…. Yup she is a NON VIRGIN VIRGIN … at 32!!!! I guess she was raped one time around 14/15 and she doesn’t remember it but that was her ONLY TIME. So she legit just never wanted love or relationship or anything. Never even tried to date. Just waited her whole life till some douche comes and offers you secret scraps and you take THAT as your moment to finally start to have a romantic life? One that isn’t romantic at all.
She is way too old! 35! 30 when she met the H. 32 when they started fucking and 32 when…. SHE LOST HER FUCKING VIRGINITY…… how did I end up with this book???! 😭
‼️As for the H….
This guy is the douchiest douches with zero balls I’ve ever read. Like no balls, can’t procreate at all. He just doesn’t have the equipment to make that happen.
See he is rich and his father is Duke and he has expectations on him. He also wants the family business. So of course a POOOOOOR maid can never be on his arm.
‼️So he pops in fucks her for 3 years then ghosts her for weeks at a time. He does this on purpose to keep him from exposing their relationship. Meanwhile he is publicly and privately dating OW.
‼️But he doesn’t have sex w them so it’s ok. 😳. After meeting and being interested in the h but before anything physical happened …..
He went out w an ex intent of having sex to get the h out of his head…. Cause she is sooo POOOOOOR 😳 she will never fit in w him. But only groped, kissed and ripped some clothes off before stopping it… so not to much happened 😳
‼️The author made the h to much of a victim who’s life was so bad that it explained away her being a doormat for the H, but alls it did was make me angry. I don’t care if your POOOOOOR! You can still have SELF RESPECT! PERIOD‼️ you can still find some happiness and value in your own life!
‼️And the H! Fuck that balless mother fucker. What a douche. I need bleach to wash is douchiness out of my brain.
‼️Then we find out….
HE INTENDED FOR 3 YEARS FOR HER TO BE HIS MISTRESS WHILE HE MARRIED SOMEONE ELSE. ….. so I thought maybe he was keeping her secret to get his company and money in order and that maybe he always planned to bring her out as his. But nope…. Cause she was a maid and an immigrant and POOOOOOR … and not from his wolrd….😳. So of course she would just be his life long secret mistress.
I mean 😳 what a douche.
But she also allowed it by being a total doormat.
Also he was way too late on realizing his true feelings and what he wanted from the h. To me he treated her like everyone else. Like garbage cause she was POOOOOOR.
So at this point I gave up. DNF at 50%
And 250 pgs!!!!
I just didn’t like either character. I hated the way this was written and all the circling. So many words to get to the point. I just at couldn’t anymore. I mean… gah
‼️One thing I did like… the H was celibate for most of those 5 years and definitely after they started a secret relationship. That’s THE ONLY THING
‼️Safety..
h is a non virgin virgin at 32. She was raped at 14/15 and never had sex or relationship after.
H was a player and had plenty of woman
H was celibate shortly after meeting the h. I would maybe give this book 2 ⭐️ for this alone…..
But he dated many OW those 5 years to hide his secret relationship. No idea if he kissed OW only that he gave them the GF experience
Well this was a HUGE disappointment and not at all what I was hoping for. I wanted betrayal and grovel and instead got some very long drawn out wordy boring nonsense.
‼️Way too wordy this book is 500pgs!!! 😳
The writing just wasn’t for me. It takes to
Long to get to the point and even then still leaves you confused. There’s a lot of circling but nothing is really direct.
‼️The author focuses (constantly harps) on the class differences between the H and h.
She makes this woman’s life so horrible and POOOOOOR that it’s nonstop details about her poverty and disadvantaged youth and life.
Like it’s just chapter after chapter of this. Ugh…. We get it she is POOOOOR.
‼️She is sooooo down trodden AND POOOOOOR the author really plays up her poverty. Like some Shakespearean shit poor.
‼️But also she is old 😳 she is freaking 35!!! Like I thought this girl was 19-25 max! To my surprise she was older…. Way older and it’s just not a good look for this kind of trodden down h.
‼️So the h meets the H while being a maid at his place of work.
He is immediately fascinated w her
He takes 2 years building a secret friendship, taking her to small discrete places to eat.
Then one day he invites himself up at her POOOOOOR little hovel and they start fucking.
‼️😡 We also find out that…. Yup she is a NON VIRGIN VIRGIN … at 32!!!! I guess she was raped one time around 14/15 and she doesn’t remember it but that was her ONLY TIME. So she legit just never wanted love or relationship or anything. Never even tried to date. Just waited her whole life till some douche comes and offers you secret scraps and you take THAT as your moment to finally start to have a romantic life? One that isn’t romantic at all.
She is way too old! 35! 30 when she met the H. 32 when they started fucking and 32 when…. SHE LOST HER FUCKING VIRGINITY…… how did I end up with this book???! 😭
‼️As for the H….
This guy is the douchiest douches with zero balls I’ve ever read. Like no balls, can’t procreate at all. He just doesn’t have the equipment to make that happen.
See he is rich and his father is Duke and he has expectations on him. He also wants the family business. So of course a POOOOOOR maid can never be on his arm.
‼️So he pops in fucks her for 3 years then ghosts her for weeks at a time. He does this on purpose to keep him from exposing their relationship. Meanwhile he is publicly and privately dating OW.
‼️But he doesn’t have sex w them so it’s ok. 😳. After meeting and being interested in the h but before anything physical happened …..
He went out w an ex intent of having sex to get the h out of his head…. Cause she is sooo POOOOOOR 😳 she will never fit in w him. But only groped, kissed and ripped some clothes off before stopping it… so not to much happened 😳
‼️The author made the h to much of a victim who’s life was so bad that it explained away her being a doormat for the H, but alls it did was make me angry. I don’t care if your POOOOOOR! You can still have SELF RESPECT! PERIOD‼️ you can still find some happiness and value in your own life!
‼️And the H! Fuck that balless mother fucker. What a douche. I need bleach to wash is douchiness out of my brain.
‼️Then we find out….
HE INTENDED FOR 3 YEARS FOR HER TO BE HIS MISTRESS WHILE HE MARRIED SOMEONE ELSE. ….. so I thought maybe he was keeping her secret to get his company and money in order and that maybe he always planned to bring her out as his. But nope…. Cause she was a maid and an immigrant and POOOOOOR … and not from his wolrd….😳. So of course she would just be his life long secret mistress.
I mean 😳 what a douche.
But she also allowed it by being a total doormat.
Also he was way too late on realizing his true feelings and what he wanted from the h. To me he treated her like everyone else. Like garbage cause she was POOOOOOR.
So at this point I gave up. DNF at 50%
And 250 pgs!!!!
I just didn’t like either character. I hated the way this was written and all the circling. So many words to get to the point. I just at couldn’t anymore. I mean… gah
‼️One thing I did like… the H was celibate for most of those 5 years and definitely after they started a secret relationship. That’s THE ONLY THING
‼️Safety..
h is a non virgin virgin at 32. She was raped at 14/15 and never had sex or relationship after.
H was a player and had plenty of woman
H was celibate shortly after meeting the h. I would maybe give this book 2 ⭐️ for this alone…..
But he dated many OW those 5 years to hide his secret relationship. No idea if he kissed OW only that he gave them the GF experience
August 5, 2025
Evil evil.people
Wow his family, except for Alice,were evil. Omg. I cried for Aria many times. She was a strong heroine and I loved that she didn't break at the big betrayal reveal. Except for one tear.,it was so.profound. just was sad. I did like that he was always faithful. Her too. He never stopped trying for her.I liked that and I always knew he loved her. Yes a little angst but not as bad as i thought it would be. plus celibate heroes always makes me believe the love.
Wow his family, except for Alice,were evil. Omg. I cried for Aria many times. She was a strong heroine and I loved that she didn't break at the big betrayal reveal. Except for one tear.,it was so.profound. just was sad. I did like that he was always faithful. Her too. He never stopped trying for her.I liked that and I always knew he loved her. Yes a little angst but not as bad as i thought it would be. plus celibate heroes always makes me believe the love.
May 28, 2025
A 5 star read at last!!!
I read this in Wattpad as the author was writing the story and I inhaled every word. Her writing is simply beautiful and so impactful and made me tear up a few times.
Aria and Crispin's story is more than a romance, it's about a woman's fight to survive from a little girl whilst protecting and raising her little sister, and every time the rug was pulled out from under her she got up and kept on fighting. The horrors of war are all too real, I remember watching the destruction of her country on the TV years ago and not until I read what these children went through did I really realise just how bad the suffering was.
The romance is there and it's angsty due to outside forces, yet Crispin won both Aria and me over with his tenacity to put things right.
This story and it's characters will stay with me for a long time.
The book is being taken down from Wattpad this week to be edited for Kindle Unlimited where it's going to include a novella on Aria's spunky sister Lule and her BF and I can't wait for it.
I read this in Wattpad as the author was writing the story and I inhaled every word. Her writing is simply beautiful and so impactful and made me tear up a few times.
Aria and Crispin's story is more than a romance, it's about a woman's fight to survive from a little girl whilst protecting and raising her little sister, and every time the rug was pulled out from under her she got up and kept on fighting. The horrors of war are all too real, I remember watching the destruction of her country on the TV years ago and not until I read what these children went through did I really realise just how bad the suffering was.
The romance is there and it's angsty due to outside forces, yet Crispin won both Aria and me over with his tenacity to put things right.
This story and it's characters will stay with me for a long time.
The book is being taken down from Wattpad this week to be edited for Kindle Unlimited where it's going to include a novella on Aria's spunky sister Lule and her BF and I can't wait for it.
Did Not Finish
December 2, 2025DNF @ 49%
I started losing interest less than half way through. It’s me, it must be because I’ve had a string of DNFs for a while now. I can’t seem to find something that keeps my interest. This one had an entirely angsty scene, very satisfying…but it didn’t last. It became predictable and having the hero’s PoV didn’t help. It was obvious he adored her and there wasn’t really any betrayal, so it’s all just perceived by the heroine. As a reader, I need the anticipation or I get bored, disinterested. I also think the story is unnecessarily wordy. I skimmed a lot. My friends gave this high ratings, so like I said, it must be me. Fingers crossed I hit the jackpot soon. I’m desperate for a 5-Star read.
I started losing interest less than half way through. It’s me, it must be because I’ve had a string of DNFs for a while now. I can’t seem to find something that keeps my interest. This one had an entirely angsty scene, very satisfying…but it didn’t last. It became predictable and having the hero’s PoV didn’t help. It was obvious he adored her and there wasn’t really any betrayal, so it’s all just perceived by the heroine. As a reader, I need the anticipation or I get bored, disinterested. I also think the story is unnecessarily wordy. I skimmed a lot. My friends gave this high ratings, so like I said, it must be me. Fingers crossed I hit the jackpot soon. I’m desperate for a 5-Star read.
May 29, 2025
A beautiful written story of absolute strength, grit and a journey of forgiveness, love and redemption. I absolutely loved and adored Aria. She is the backbone of the story-the one who shapes and spins the story and does it so exquisitely that you got sucked in. It takes a real long while to like Crispin but Aria makes you likes him and maybe even fall in love. Overall a great story, beautiful written and superb characters. Absolutely worth picking this up.
Read
November 19, 2025DNF - I kept plugging away at this story but I found it slow going and then totally lost interest
July 5, 2025
Wow
Wow
Ms Salander writes her book like a poetry. The perfect formulation of angst; grovelling with HEA..This one is a must read!!! You wont be disappointed.
Wow
Ms Salander writes her book like a poetry. The perfect formulation of angst; grovelling with HEA..This one is a must read!!! You wont be disappointed.
March 12, 2026
This is the love story between a woman who deserves the world and a man that doesnt deserve her.
Aria is a refuge from a war torn middle Eastern country who is settled in the UK in public housing as a teen. Shes been the role caregiver for her younger sister who is now living in Ixford. She works denials jobs like as a caregiver snd in a Cafe. Shes in a relationship with Crispin and is carrying her child. Both the relationship snd the pregnancy are a secret. Ctispins parents are rich snd Crispin is expected to marry into money to retain his sest at the table st his fathers firm.
At first Aria is ok with being hidden until Crispins engagement toanother woman is announced and when Aeia threatens yo out the relationship..she loses all of her jobs because of Crispin s family.
Crispins father kept a mistress for decades and he sees nothing wrong with doing the same to Afia although he claims to love her..until she leaves him..then the lightbulb goes off in his head.
I was really vibing with the story until about 60 percent in and all of a sudden angst snd drama turned into Sunshine and rainbows and I wanted the angst back.
Aria is a refuge from a war torn middle Eastern country who is settled in the UK in public housing as a teen. Shes been the role caregiver for her younger sister who is now living in Ixford. She works denials jobs like as a caregiver snd in a Cafe. Shes in a relationship with Crispin and is carrying her child. Both the relationship snd the pregnancy are a secret. Ctispins parents are rich snd Crispin is expected to marry into money to retain his sest at the table st his fathers firm.
At first Aria is ok with being hidden until Crispins engagement toanother woman is announced and when Aeia threatens yo out the relationship..she loses all of her jobs because of Crispin s family.
Crispins father kept a mistress for decades and he sees nothing wrong with doing the same to Afia although he claims to love her..until she leaves him..then the lightbulb goes off in his head.
I was really vibing with the story until about 60 percent in and all of a sudden angst snd drama turned into Sunshine and rainbows and I wanted the angst back.
July 20, 2025
Wow, this was fantastic…
This story… I have to say that I completely hated Crispin and the way he treated Aria. He was a complete and total failure as a Hero. I don’t know how he managed to keep her love after everything he did, but she loved him completely.
I love her sister, Lule, too. The very short story about her was lovely. My only real concern was that Lule had sex really early in her life and didn’t seem to have the same morals as Aria. And I thought she would have raised her sister with the same beliefs. But that’s just a me problem.
Anyway, I love this author and I’m looking forward to more from her.
This story… I have to say that I completely hated Crispin and the way he treated Aria. He was a complete and total failure as a Hero. I don’t know how he managed to keep her love after everything he did, but she loved him completely.
I love her sister, Lule, too. The very short story about her was lovely. My only real concern was that Lule had sex really early in her life and didn’t seem to have the same morals as Aria. And I thought she would have raised her sister with the same beliefs. But that’s just a me problem.
Anyway, I love this author and I’m looking forward to more from her.
February 8, 2026
Different
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: Opposite side of the tracks
Angst: 😱😱😱😱😱
Smexy: ⭐1\2
This book was a little different than the ones I normally read. The heroine was aThis book was a little different than the ones I normally read. The heroine was a refugee/immigrant who really struggled in order to provide the best life for her sister. The author does a fantastic job not just telling you that she struggled, but really making you feel it, just the weight of her day to day life. The angst in this book is top-tier and at some points the distance between the heroine and the MMC seems insurmountable. This was definitely not a makes you laugh and makes you cry book. It's more like a makes you cry and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy book, lol.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: Opposite side of the tracks
Angst: 😱😱😱😱😱
Smexy: ⭐1\2
This book was a little different than the ones I normally read. The heroine was aThis book was a little different than the ones I normally read. The heroine was a refugee/immigrant who really struggled in order to provide the best life for her sister. The author does a fantastic job not just telling you that she struggled, but really making you feel it, just the weight of her day to day life. The angst in this book is top-tier and at some points the distance between the heroine and the MMC seems insurmountable. This was definitely not a makes you laugh and makes you cry book. It's more like a makes you cry and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy book, lol.
July 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
The beginning was great. The writing had me in a chokehold. Loved it.
Then when she left I was expecting time skips, large ones. Where he’s not involved in the birth or wtv. Like there’s a long (years) separation and then they come back together. I thought that’s what the blurb was implying and that’s why I started the book.
I’m not disappointed per say, just had different expectations and when it wasn’t met I was sorta losing interest but i felt like it picked up again around 70% so yay
I enjoyed this and I wish this was one of those books I skipped reading the blurb
The beginning was great. The writing had me in a chokehold. Loved it.
Then when she left I was expecting time skips, large ones. Where he’s not involved in the birth or wtv. Like there’s a long (years) separation and then they come back together. I thought that’s what the blurb was implying and that’s why I started the book.
I’m not disappointed per say, just had different expectations and when it wasn’t met I was sorta losing interest but i felt like it picked up again around 70% so yay
I enjoyed this and I wish this was one of those books I skipped reading the blurb
September 21, 2025
Enjoyed this
This book by a new to me author was such a great find.
It does everything it should to be an enjoyable read.
There's angst, there's heartbreak, there's satisfactory grovel.
The h is lovable and I instantly rooted for this strong, kind woman with a core of steel. The H isn't as bad as he's perceived and he does more than enough to earn her forgiveness.
I can't wait to read Dorians book.
This book by a new to me author was such a great find.
It does everything it should to be an enjoyable read.
There's angst, there's heartbreak, there's satisfactory grovel.
The h is lovable and I instantly rooted for this strong, kind woman with a core of steel. The H isn't as bad as he's perceived and he does more than enough to earn her forgiveness.
I can't wait to read Dorians book.
August 27, 2025
Nope..
The writing style was missing the emotional feel. Narrative and lots of telling. Weak chemistry, with boring and weak heroine. Don't care for this one. Lost interest instead. DNF..
The writing style was missing the emotional feel. Narrative and lots of telling. Weak chemistry, with boring and weak heroine. Don't care for this one. Lost interest instead. DNF..
March 2, 2026
she forgave him toooooo easily
May 28, 2025
Raegan Salander has a gift for beautifully weaving words together. This is the story of Aria and Crispin. Aria and Crispin’s circumstances are vastly different. She has struggled her whole life to eke out a living. She comes from a worn torn country, forced to flee as a young girl with her even younger sister, taking on the role as parent. Her parents were dead, and her brother had most likely joined them in their demise. She tries to make a good life for her sister, by working multiple jobs. Her education being limited from being forced to grow up too soon. Her hard work pays off, and her sister Lule flourishes, working in a big city. Meanwhile, Aria continues to toil away, often in the homes of the elite, rich aristocracy. It is during one of her cleaning gigs, she meets Crispin. They have an instant attraction/connection. He comes from money rich in traditions, and class distinctions. So, Crispin keeps Aria his dirty little secret, while being pictured at events with far more acceptable women. Unfortunately, their secret love affair of several years is no secret. There are outside forces working to tear them apart, with Crispin seemingly allowing it to take place and Aria is treated like the sacrificial lamb. There are times in the story where one does not know who to trust. Friends become foes, and foes become friends. But Aria has a secret, one that will not remain secret for long. Her source of security starts to dry up, and in order to survive and keep her secret safe, she decides to leave and get a fresh start. Will Crispin be the hero and save her? Or the villain and destroy her?
I don’t want to spoil the twists and turns. I personally stayed up until 10 pm(est) each night wanting to go to bed but needing my Aria and Crispin fix as the author would release a couple of chapters at a time. I would not say this story is necessarily fast paced but it is engaging .
It reminds me of going down a river. Parts of the river flow seamlessly, it can be comforting but yet there is that undercurrent churning and whirling which causes the boat to thrash about. You are called upon to use all your might to keep from toppling over so you can reach the calm again.
Aria, the heroine will find a place in your heart. There is heartwarming conclusion and wrap up. I look forward to its release sometime in July. The author plans on adding bonus content
I don’t want to spoil the twists and turns. I personally stayed up until 10 pm(est) each night wanting to go to bed but needing my Aria and Crispin fix as the author would release a couple of chapters at a time. I would not say this story is necessarily fast paced but it is engaging .
It reminds me of going down a river. Parts of the river flow seamlessly, it can be comforting but yet there is that undercurrent churning and whirling which causes the boat to thrash about. You are called upon to use all your might to keep from toppling over so you can reach the calm again.
Aria, the heroine will find a place in your heart. There is heartwarming conclusion and wrap up. I look forward to its release sometime in July. The author plans on adding bonus content
January 26, 2026
Aria (now 35) and her younger sister Lule came to the UK as unaccompanied minors with refugee status. Aria now works at least 3 menial jobs and lives in a public housing apartment/council estate. Lule now studies at Oxford.
Five years ago, she met Crispin/Cris when she worked as a janitor for his family's corporation. (Du Valares Corp). Aria and Cris began a friendship 5 years ago, then sexual situationship 2 years ago. It's not going to last forever. He's the son of a Duke, so he's going to inherit the title. He keeps Aria secret. When Cris goes out in public, he goes out with other women. it's expected that he date a certain type of woman in public. He sees Aria when it's convenient for him.
Aria's starting to think she should move on, because Crispin is getting more serious with his sister's friend, Helga.
One of Aria's jobs is care giver to an rich widow, Ophelia. Ophelia asks Aria to come with her to a family party as her caregiver. She discovers Ophelia's family is Crispin's family when Crispin arrives with Helga. The purpose of this party is to announce Cris's engagement to Helga. And now the whole family is staring at Aria like they're smug about dropping the bomb on her.
Ophelia takes her home, and reveals that Cris's mother found out he was dating the janitor, and asked Ophelia to hire her and keep an eye on her. Ophelia eventually figured out what a good person Aria really is. Ophelia says she didn't expect Cris to bring Helga or announce an engagement. I guess Ophelia brought Aria to the party to show the family she approved of Aria. Aria tells Ophelia that Ophelia's whole family is trash, and she quits the caregiver job.
We learn from Cris's POV that as far as he's concerned, he and Helga have a fake dating arrangement, that's all. But Helga wants more, so he's planning to end things with Helga. As far as his relationship with Aria, he seems ambivalent. He intends to keep her, but he also avoids her, and sometimes they go weeks without seeing each other.
Helga schemed with Cris's mother to announce the "engagement." Cris intended to break things off with Helga, but then his mother blindsided him with this engagement announcement.
When he goes to Aria's apartment, she tells him how she ended up "like this." In 1998, when Aria was 10 and Lule was even younger, there was a civil war in Kosovo. Her parents were killed. She was raped by a soldier. Her brother went missing. She and little Lule ended up in the UK after being smuggled by human traffickers or something. Aria didn't even finish secondary school because she had to work to provide for Lule. They've been on their own since they moved into the council estate when Aria was 16. The reason Aria went along with this situationship with Cris is because she had something for herself that felt good for the first time in her life. But she realized he didn't feel the same, he was ashamed of her.
He tries to explain his side, but he doesn't do a good job of it, and she eventually tells him to leave because their situationship needs to end.
She's still a janitor at Du Valeres Corp, but she's laid off. She looses two of her other jobs. Then the employment agency finds her another cleaning job. The home owner offers her a live-in position. Then he reveals he's Cris's uncle, and he's the reason she lost all her jobs. If she wants the live-in position, she'll have to give up Cris. She just tells him she'll think about it, but she calls Lule, who has already offered to let her live with her.
Aria texts Crispin that she's moving in with Lule. He says it's more than just a situationship to him, but he knows he's given her no reason to believe that.
Part of why he kept their relationship secret was because he is going to get an inheritance when he turns 35, in 2 weeks. The inheritance will make it possible for him to be free of his family. He just needs to wait for his birthday. So he tells Aria he will call her one week after his birthday.
During this entire book, she's been pregnant with Crispin's baby, but she hasn't told him yet. When they first started having sex, Crispin was fanatical about contraception. She intends to tell him, but keeps putting it off because she's scared of his reaction.
One week after his birthday, he doesn't call like he promised. So she calls him. Someone answers his phone and says Crispin's busy, at his engagement party. Aria hears someone announce Helga and Crispin's engagement (again) in the background.
Lule, who was never a fan of Cris, suggests that something seems weird about the phone call, and maybe Aria should give Cris some time. Aria decides she's not waiting around giving him time forever, plus his family will probably do something crazy if they find out about the baby, so she's just going to move to Wales (where hopefully his family can't find her), and go no contact with Cris. Now she'll wait till AFTER the baby is born to tell him about it. Some time passes, and one day Cris suddenly shows up in Wales, saying that the phone call/ engagement party was a lie.
His version of events is: He was giving her short replies around his birthday because his father was trying to vote him out of the company, and he was busy trying to get votes. The vote was the day after his birthday. (I'm going to be honest, I'm not clear on the timeline, or why he didn't call her a week later, when he said he would.) But eventually his calls go to voicemail. That's when she moved to Wales, because she got a new phone and new number. He decides to go to Lule's house in Oxford and see Aria in person. Lule tells him Aria's not living with her, and says something about his wedding. But he doesn't know what she's talking about. Time passed as she got settled in Wales. Then Crispin shows up. By now she's obviously pregnant. He tells her he DOES want the baby. He rents a room at the Inn, and just kind of follows her around like a puppy all day, while she works. The guests at the Inn and the town locals figure out he's the baby daddy, and they think it's funny that the pregnant employee is ignoring him. It's the best entertainment the town has ever seen.
Cris doesn't want her to keep working. She says she has to work, she needs money for when he changes his mind. She still doesn't trust him. Then she has a bleeding episode because she was too overworked. So Cris asks her to live together till the baby's born. She agrees, for the good of the baby.
He tells her that he thought he could deal with his situation at the company, then somehow convince his parents to approve of Aria, and he'd end up with the best of both worlds. But he realizes now that he should have just walked away from the company.
In the meantime, the board members (like his father) who want to dismiss Cris get another vote somehow. In a twist, Ophelia had died and left Aria with 4% shares in Du Valares Corp., so Aria voted her shares for Cris to remain. (So he ended up winning both votes.)
Once they are living together, Cris is better able to earn her forgiveness.
Overall, it's very engaging, but a little long-winded.
Five years ago, she met Crispin/Cris when she worked as a janitor for his family's corporation. (Du Valares Corp). Aria and Cris began a friendship 5 years ago, then sexual situationship 2 years ago. It's not going to last forever. He's the son of a Duke, so he's going to inherit the title. He keeps Aria secret. When Cris goes out in public, he goes out with other women. it's expected that he date a certain type of woman in public. He sees Aria when it's convenient for him.
Aria's starting to think she should move on, because Crispin is getting more serious with his sister's friend, Helga.
One of Aria's jobs is care giver to an rich widow, Ophelia. Ophelia asks Aria to come with her to a family party as her caregiver. She discovers Ophelia's family is Crispin's family when Crispin arrives with Helga. The purpose of this party is to announce Cris's engagement to Helga. And now the whole family is staring at Aria like they're smug about dropping the bomb on her.
Ophelia takes her home, and reveals that Cris's mother found out he was dating the janitor, and asked Ophelia to hire her and keep an eye on her. Ophelia eventually figured out what a good person Aria really is. Ophelia says she didn't expect Cris to bring Helga or announce an engagement. I guess Ophelia brought Aria to the party to show the family she approved of Aria. Aria tells Ophelia that Ophelia's whole family is trash, and she quits the caregiver job.
We learn from Cris's POV that as far as he's concerned, he and Helga have a fake dating arrangement, that's all. But Helga wants more, so he's planning to end things with Helga. As far as his relationship with Aria, he seems ambivalent. He intends to keep her, but he also avoids her, and sometimes they go weeks without seeing each other.
Helga schemed with Cris's mother to announce the "engagement." Cris intended to break things off with Helga, but then his mother blindsided him with this engagement announcement.
When he goes to Aria's apartment, she tells him how she ended up "like this." In 1998, when Aria was 10 and Lule was even younger, there was a civil war in Kosovo. Her parents were killed. She was raped by a soldier. Her brother went missing. She and little Lule ended up in the UK after being smuggled by human traffickers or something. Aria didn't even finish secondary school because she had to work to provide for Lule. They've been on their own since they moved into the council estate when Aria was 16. The reason Aria went along with this situationship with Cris is because she had something for herself that felt good for the first time in her life. But she realized he didn't feel the same, he was ashamed of her.
He tries to explain his side, but he doesn't do a good job of it, and she eventually tells him to leave because their situationship needs to end.
She's still a janitor at Du Valeres Corp, but she's laid off. She looses two of her other jobs. Then the employment agency finds her another cleaning job. The home owner offers her a live-in position. Then he reveals he's Cris's uncle, and he's the reason she lost all her jobs. If she wants the live-in position, she'll have to give up Cris. She just tells him she'll think about it, but she calls Lule, who has already offered to let her live with her.
Aria texts Crispin that she's moving in with Lule. He says it's more than just a situationship to him, but he knows he's given her no reason to believe that.
Part of why he kept their relationship secret was because he is going to get an inheritance when he turns 35, in 2 weeks. The inheritance will make it possible for him to be free of his family. He just needs to wait for his birthday. So he tells Aria he will call her one week after his birthday.
During this entire book, she's been pregnant with Crispin's baby, but she hasn't told him yet. When they first started having sex, Crispin was fanatical about contraception. She intends to tell him, but keeps putting it off because she's scared of his reaction.
One week after his birthday, he doesn't call like he promised. So she calls him. Someone answers his phone and says Crispin's busy, at his engagement party. Aria hears someone announce Helga and Crispin's engagement (again) in the background.
Lule, who was never a fan of Cris, suggests that something seems weird about the phone call, and maybe Aria should give Cris some time. Aria decides she's not waiting around giving him time forever, plus his family will probably do something crazy if they find out about the baby, so she's just going to move to Wales (where hopefully his family can't find her), and go no contact with Cris. Now she'll wait till AFTER the baby is born to tell him about it. Some time passes, and one day Cris suddenly shows up in Wales, saying that the phone call/ engagement party was a lie.
His version of events is: He was giving her short replies around his birthday because his father was trying to vote him out of the company, and he was busy trying to get votes. The vote was the day after his birthday. (I'm going to be honest, I'm not clear on the timeline, or why he didn't call her a week later, when he said he would.) But eventually his calls go to voicemail. That's when she moved to Wales, because she got a new phone and new number. He decides to go to Lule's house in Oxford and see Aria in person. Lule tells him Aria's not living with her, and says something about his wedding. But he doesn't know what she's talking about. Time passed as she got settled in Wales. Then Crispin shows up. By now she's obviously pregnant. He tells her he DOES want the baby. He rents a room at the Inn, and just kind of follows her around like a puppy all day, while she works. The guests at the Inn and the town locals figure out he's the baby daddy, and they think it's funny that the pregnant employee is ignoring him. It's the best entertainment the town has ever seen.
Cris doesn't want her to keep working. She says she has to work, she needs money for when he changes his mind. She still doesn't trust him. Then she has a bleeding episode because she was too overworked. So Cris asks her to live together till the baby's born. She agrees, for the good of the baby.
He tells her that he thought he could deal with his situation at the company, then somehow convince his parents to approve of Aria, and he'd end up with the best of both worlds. But he realizes now that he should have just walked away from the company.
In the meantime, the board members (like his father) who want to dismiss Cris get another vote somehow. In a twist, Ophelia had died and left Aria with 4% shares in Du Valares Corp., so Aria voted her shares for Cris to remain. (So he ended up winning both votes.)
Once they are living together, Cris is better able to earn her forgiveness.
Overall, it's very engaging, but a little long-winded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 8/14/2025):
⭐: It was a struggle to read. I almost DNF
⭐⭐ : This could have been so much better.
⭐⭐⭐: Good/Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great book. I will probably reread it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I absolutely loved this book.
***********************************************************************
Triggers:
🚩On Page Humiliation
🚩Troubled Pregnancy
Tropes:
💕Grovel to HEA
💕MF Romance
💕Rich Man Poor Girl Romance
💕OW Drama
💕Forced Proximity
Spice Level: 🔥🔥
Spice Level Rating System (as of 9/4/25)
🔥: Clean. Handholding. Kissing.
🔥🔥: Non-Descriptive/Implied on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥: Hot-Descriptive on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥🔥: So Hot—Do Not Read in Public
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Oh My-BDSM. Blood Play. Smut.
*************************************************************************
Summary:
FMC and MMC have been in a secret relationship for two years. His family owns a company, and he needs to keep this relationship quiet so that he can inherit. However, people know about this relationship. The couple wasn't as discrete as they thought. FMC is invited to a dinner where the MMC's engagement to another woman is announced. This leads to the FMC breaking up with the MMC and leaving town. This is a story of the MMC doing everything he can to heal his relationship with the FMC while also gaining control of his inheritance.
Review:
I found myself skimming through this book. While the story was good there was a lot of filler---in my opinion. For some they may love the background stuff but for me I was really focused on the couple themselves. I enjoyed the sisters and other side characters as well.
Grovel to HEA Romance Authors Recommendations:
Groveltohea (Wattpad Author)
Maya Alden
Natasha Anders
Cate C Wells
Rating System (as of 8/14/2025):
⭐: It was a struggle to read. I almost DNF
⭐⭐ : This could have been so much better.
⭐⭐⭐: Good/Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great book. I will probably reread it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I absolutely loved this book.
***********************************************************************
Triggers:
🚩On Page Humiliation
🚩Troubled Pregnancy
Tropes:
💕Grovel to HEA
💕MF Romance
💕Rich Man Poor Girl Romance
💕OW Drama
💕Forced Proximity
Spice Level: 🔥🔥
Spice Level Rating System (as of 9/4/25)
🔥: Clean. Handholding. Kissing.
🔥🔥: Non-Descriptive/Implied on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥: Hot-Descriptive on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥🔥: So Hot—Do Not Read in Public
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Oh My-BDSM. Blood Play. Smut.
*************************************************************************
Summary:
FMC and MMC have been in a secret relationship for two years. His family owns a company, and he needs to keep this relationship quiet so that he can inherit. However, people know about this relationship. The couple wasn't as discrete as they thought. FMC is invited to a dinner where the MMC's engagement to another woman is announced. This leads to the FMC breaking up with the MMC and leaving town. This is a story of the MMC doing everything he can to heal his relationship with the FMC while also gaining control of his inheritance.
Review:
I found myself skimming through this book. While the story was good there was a lot of filler---in my opinion. For some they may love the background stuff but for me I was really focused on the couple themselves. I enjoyed the sisters and other side characters as well.
Grovel to HEA Romance Authors Recommendations:
Groveltohea (Wattpad Author)
Maya Alden
Natasha Anders
Cate C Wells
May 28, 2025
Unravelling is not your normal romance novel. Raegan Salander has given us a storyline that is refreshingly different to what seems to be the normal these day.
Aria is our h, who fled her home country ravaged by war as a child with her younger sister. A child herself she works herself to the bone to ensure her younger sister Lule has opportunities to thrive.
Crispin the H, has been raised in a very different lifestyle, one that has been privileged and a trust fund child.
These two are drawn to each other and begin a relationship that is kept under wraps for three years.
Their worlds collide in a public and cruel way, Aria disappointed by some she trusted and Crispin blindsided by members of his family.
The story takes us on the journey of Aria putting herself first, leaving what she had made her home to start over whilst receiving the support from her sister Lule, Aria's best advocate for the years she had put herself second to ensuring Lule thrived.
Crispin realising what he had lost when his family under-handily destroyed Aria, begins his journey to find Aria all the while working to ensure they can co-exist together in the world as a united couple.
The story takes us on the journey from heartbreak to joy. Aria is a strong commendable h, while Crispin works hard to be a better man for Aria, putting her first, taking her out of the shadows.
I originally read this story on Wattpad, but will secure a copy to have in my kindly library as this is one story I will enjoy reading many times over.
Aria is our h, who fled her home country ravaged by war as a child with her younger sister. A child herself she works herself to the bone to ensure her younger sister Lule has opportunities to thrive.
Crispin the H, has been raised in a very different lifestyle, one that has been privileged and a trust fund child.
These two are drawn to each other and begin a relationship that is kept under wraps for three years.
Their worlds collide in a public and cruel way, Aria disappointed by some she trusted and Crispin blindsided by members of his family.
The story takes us on the journey of Aria putting herself first, leaving what she had made her home to start over whilst receiving the support from her sister Lule, Aria's best advocate for the years she had put herself second to ensuring Lule thrived.
Crispin realising what he had lost when his family under-handily destroyed Aria, begins his journey to find Aria all the while working to ensure they can co-exist together in the world as a united couple.
The story takes us on the journey from heartbreak to joy. Aria is a strong commendable h, while Crispin works hard to be a better man for Aria, putting her first, taking her out of the shadows.
I originally read this story on Wattpad, but will secure a copy to have in my kindly library as this is one story I will enjoy reading many times over.
July 16, 2025
I read this book first on Wattpad so this was really a reread. Since I was already familiar with the story, I may have had less emotional engagement with the characters and events than if I had posted a review after my first read.
The H is set to get control of the family company after his 35th birthday which is in a few weeks. The h works 3 jobs and lives in a run down apartment as she puts her younger sister through school. They are the only survivors of her family from the conflict in Kosovo. A small glitch for me in the story was trying to figure out how she managed to work in three different locations, take public transportation and still be finished by 6 pm. It also seemed like she was cleaning offices of the H's company during office hours. Despite her desperate money situation she refuses to allow the H to provide financial support in their five year secret relationship.
The H's family is pushing him to marry the OW who travels in the same circles. They spring a surprise engagement announcement at a gathering that the h has attended as a carer for one of her clients. The H's family is aware of his relationship with a cleaner and the announcement was just one of their strategies to end the relationship. Thanks to pressure from the H's family the h no longer has jobs and she has been blacklisted. Pregnant she leaves London to live with her sister in Oxford. After fighting his father's attempt to force him out of the company, the H searches for the h.
The H is set to get control of the family company after his 35th birthday which is in a few weeks. The h works 3 jobs and lives in a run down apartment as she puts her younger sister through school. They are the only survivors of her family from the conflict in Kosovo. A small glitch for me in the story was trying to figure out how she managed to work in three different locations, take public transportation and still be finished by 6 pm. It also seemed like she was cleaning offices of the H's company during office hours. Despite her desperate money situation she refuses to allow the H to provide financial support in their five year secret relationship.
The H's family is pushing him to marry the OW who travels in the same circles. They spring a surprise engagement announcement at a gathering that the h has attended as a carer for one of her clients. The H's family is aware of his relationship with a cleaner and the announcement was just one of their strategies to end the relationship. Thanks to pressure from the H's family the h no longer has jobs and she has been blacklisted. Pregnant she leaves London to live with her sister in Oxford. After fighting his father's attempt to force him out of the company, the H searches for the h.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2025
Rate：3.75🌟..
Review：
I really enjoyed the story, but 500 pages feels a bit long—it could be shorter. The male lead comes across more as a beta than an alpha male. I initially expected him to be an alphahole, but he’s not that bad—though I wish he were more ruthless and cold. As for the female lead, she feels a bit bland to me. The overall tone of the story is very Harlequin-esque, and the execution is quite polished. That said, I have a couple of suggestions:
First, it didn’t seem logical when Ophelia transferred her 4% shares to Aria. While UK company law doesn’t explicitly grant shareholders a right of first refusal, it’s common for shareholder agreements to require that a majority of shareholders approve any external share transfer and that existing shareholders have priority to purchase the shares.
Second, I understand the author’s intention to show both protagonists’ perspectives, but when we switch to the male lead’s point of view after the female lead’s timeline has already progressed, having to rewind and revisit the same events feels repetitive and tiresome. I think this could be improved.
Review：
I really enjoyed the story, but 500 pages feels a bit long—it could be shorter. The male lead comes across more as a beta than an alpha male. I initially expected him to be an alphahole, but he’s not that bad—though I wish he were more ruthless and cold. As for the female lead, she feels a bit bland to me. The overall tone of the story is very Harlequin-esque, and the execution is quite polished. That said, I have a couple of suggestions:
First, it didn’t seem logical when Ophelia transferred her 4% shares to Aria. While UK company law doesn’t explicitly grant shareholders a right of first refusal, it’s common for shareholder agreements to require that a majority of shareholders approve any external share transfer and that existing shareholders have priority to purchase the shares.
Second, I understand the author’s intention to show both protagonists’ perspectives, but when we switch to the male lead’s point of view after the female lead’s timeline has already progressed, having to rewind and revisit the same events feels repetitive and tiresome. I think this could be improved.
July 25, 2025
Several things stopped me from giving it more stars
Let me start by saying I loved the story. There were moments that were heart-wrenching. Lots of emotions... crying, anger, happiness.
The reasons for 3 stars... well, it's too long, by at least 100 pages. Too much unnecessary detail. There were times when the POV just jumped from Aria to Crispin and back. It was confusing at times, and I would have to go back and reread a few paragraphs. Other times, it was editing and grammar. I'm usually forgiving for grammar and editing errors, but because of the POV changing sometimes from paragraph to paragraph, the editing issues became a problem. The last and final issue was that though the book was too long, I had issues with intimacy between the MC's. With this much length, there should have been a deeper connection between them. Separately, I could definitely understand them both and feel their pain, but together, it seemed like there was a definite lack of intimacy. I may try another of this authors books, but not if they're this long.
Let me start by saying I loved the story. There were moments that were heart-wrenching. Lots of emotions... crying, anger, happiness.
The reasons for 3 stars... well, it's too long, by at least 100 pages. Too much unnecessary detail. There were times when the POV just jumped from Aria to Crispin and back. It was confusing at times, and I would have to go back and reread a few paragraphs. Other times, it was editing and grammar. I'm usually forgiving for grammar and editing errors, but because of the POV changing sometimes from paragraph to paragraph, the editing issues became a problem. The last and final issue was that though the book was too long, I had issues with intimacy between the MC's. With this much length, there should have been a deeper connection between them. Separately, I could definitely understand them both and feel their pain, but together, it seemed like there was a definite lack of intimacy. I may try another of this authors books, but not if they're this long.
October 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this - but I was craving a betrayal/grovel read and this one absolutely delivered. There is OW drama but no cheating.
I loved the story; there was a very interesting plot angle through Aria being a child refugee - and this part was really devastating and difficult to read. However, it really set up the contrast of her life vs. Crispin, which just made the betrayal that much more painful.
It's always tough with betrayal & grovel reads; some people think the betrayal isn't enough or the grovel doesn't match the betrayal etc. I thought there was the perfect amount of both here. He really did work to get her back and she wasn't unreasonable in testing him.
There were a few things - the formatting was a bit off on my kindle (not sure why), a few plot holes and there was some opportunities where I would've liked some more lean in on details and emotions. It felt like a Wattpad story that is going mainstream BUT that's perfectly ok & I know that's how a lot of authors hone their skills. Overall, I enjoyed it and will be reading more from this author.
I loved the story; there was a very interesting plot angle through Aria being a child refugee - and this part was really devastating and difficult to read. However, it really set up the contrast of her life vs. Crispin, which just made the betrayal that much more painful.
It's always tough with betrayal & grovel reads; some people think the betrayal isn't enough or the grovel doesn't match the betrayal etc. I thought there was the perfect amount of both here. He really did work to get her back and she wasn't unreasonable in testing him.
There were a few things - the formatting was a bit off on my kindle (not sure why), a few plot holes and there was some opportunities where I would've liked some more lean in on details and emotions. It felt like a Wattpad story that is going mainstream BUT that's perfectly ok & I know that's how a lot of authors hone their skills. Overall, I enjoyed it and will be reading more from this author.
July 25, 2025
This book broke me. I am not a crier when it comes to the books & i have read some pretty angsty books in my life.
But for Aria, my heart broke & i cried….cried for every word that was written as i felt it. What she has been through & how strong she has come out. I am glad she held her spine up & didn’t give in easily.
I am still struggling with Crispy but i know he loved her in his own way.
Aria’s relationship with her Jiddo was truly special. It is true that blood doesn’t make the relations, people do.
Do i feel Aria deserves much much better man? I totally do, but this is the way author has written & i will respect that.
I am not sure if i will ever read Dorian’s book as i still have not forgiven him the way he treated Aria.
Lule & Rahul were the best.
There is a trigger for SA of a minor, not on page but mentioned in a conversation.
But for Aria, my heart broke & i cried….cried for every word that was written as i felt it. What she has been through & how strong she has come out. I am glad she held her spine up & didn’t give in easily.
I am still struggling with Crispy but i know he loved her in his own way.
Aria’s relationship with her Jiddo was truly special. It is true that blood doesn’t make the relations, people do.
Do i feel Aria deserves much much better man? I totally do, but this is the way author has written & i will respect that.
I am not sure if i will ever read Dorian’s book as i still have not forgiven him the way he treated Aria.
Lule & Rahul were the best.
There is a trigger for SA of a minor, not on page but mentioned in a conversation.
September 10, 2025
Originally read on Wattpad
Grovel = H is very weak and does not stand up to his family and is keeping the h a secret. H's relative (can't remember if it is his aunt or another relative) brings the h with her to a family dinner where it is rudely shoved in h's face how little the H will stand up for her. h has had enough and leaves. H must fight back against expectations, his upbringing and his family to improve himself and win back the h. It is a long grovel and believable.
h sees H with OW = h must always see media pics of H with OW
OW drama = it was the OW, H's family and others who all conspired against the h
Great read, but can get bogged down a bit in details and some extraneous writing that while informative is not critical to the story (seen in several of this author's works).
Grovel = H is very weak and does not stand up to his family and is keeping the h a secret. H's relative (can't remember if it is his aunt or another relative) brings the h with her to a family dinner where it is rudely shoved in h's face how little the H will stand up for her. h has had enough and leaves. H must fight back against expectations, his upbringing and his family to improve himself and win back the h. It is a long grovel and believable.
h sees H with OW = h must always see media pics of H with OW
OW drama = it was the OW, H's family and others who all conspired against the h
Great read, but can get bogged down a bit in details and some extraneous writing that while informative is not critical to the story (seen in several of this author's works).
September 30, 2025
Simply superb. The story of a woman who came here as a teenage refugee after the Bosnian Wars. She sacrificed her education so she could work to help her younger sister who has managed to get a good education and a good career. Aria works as a cleaner for a number of people many of them dismiss her because she is just a cleaner and a former refugee. A rape victim in her teens she hasn't had a relationship until one day she meets Crispin, a man from a posh entitled family and they begin a kind of FWB affair.
I loved Aria, she's an amazing character and sadly many people have experienced lives like hers. She suffers betrayal from more than one person. Crispin infuriated me at times and his family were appalling but it came good in the end.
Beautifully written and definitely recommended.
I loved Aria, she's an amazing character and sadly many people have experienced lives like hers. She suffers betrayal from more than one person. Crispin infuriated me at times and his family were appalling but it came good in the end.
Beautifully written and definitely recommended.
February 19, 2026
👌🏼 Disjointed Thoughts Below:
I liked the story. Aria's story was tragic and her grace in her everyday life was admirable. She's a little confusing for me because on the one hand, what she's had to endure as a refugee and then raising her sister—she's all strength. On the other hand, when it comes to Crispin she's too forgiving and too weak. Though I did want them to work and she finally put him through some paces, which he met and then some, I still feel there's something more I wanted but didn't get.
Moving along, Crispin's mother was a spineless, backstabbing, backhanded twat. Also, I would have enjoying a few chapters of his father getting what he deserves—complete, devastating ruin. But, sadly, it seems like he just gets carry on. Lulu was amazing and I enjoyed the peek into her and Rahul.
Decent story that was a-okay
I liked the story. Aria's story was tragic and her grace in her everyday life was admirable. She's a little confusing for me because on the one hand, what she's had to endure as a refugee and then raising her sister—she's all strength. On the other hand, when it comes to Crispin she's too forgiving and too weak. Though I did want them to work and she finally put him through some paces, which he met and then some, I still feel there's something more I wanted but didn't get.
Moving along, Crispin's mother was a spineless, backstabbing, backhanded twat. Also, I would have enjoying a few chapters of his father getting what he deserves—complete, devastating ruin. But, sadly, it seems like he just gets carry on. Lulu was amazing and I enjoyed the peek into her and Rahul.
Decent story that was a-okay
July 6, 2025
1. I really hate it when authors try to shift some of the blame for the terrible things that the H did to the h. After Crispen’s HUGE betrayals of Aria, he said to her, “I wasn’t always honest with you – I know that. But to be fair … you weren’t exactly showing me your true self, either. We were both wearing masks. The only difference is mine got ripped off first.” 🤬🤬🤬
2. There was some kind of formatting glitch in this book. When reading it on the Kindle Cloud Reader, the book was one long chapter, and the reading progress was measured in location. On the Kindle app, there were chapters, and the reading progress was measured in pages. This made it impossible to sync from one device to the other.
2. There was some kind of formatting glitch in this book. When reading it on the Kindle Cloud Reader, the book was one long chapter, and the reading progress was measured in location. On the Kindle app, there were chapters, and the reading progress was measured in pages. This made it impossible to sync from one device to the other.
September 21, 2025
Lots of Potential
Overall the story was solid and well planned. Unfortunately it was just too long. Instead of using the chapters to forge a stronger connection between the main characters, the author got lost in page after page of repetition. The same inner monologue from Aria on repeat that completely bogged down the narrative. Separately, Crispin’s and Aria’s stories showcased their pasts and current turmoil including the obstacles that were keeping them apart. Together however, there was a complete lack of passion and cohesiveness. Their partnership never felt legitimate. While the story had lots of potential, the delivery lacked the spark that would have made this a great read. 2.5 stars.
Overall the story was solid and well planned. Unfortunately it was just too long. Instead of using the chapters to forge a stronger connection between the main characters, the author got lost in page after page of repetition. The same inner monologue from Aria on repeat that completely bogged down the narrative. Separately, Crispin’s and Aria’s stories showcased their pasts and current turmoil including the obstacles that were keeping them apart. Together however, there was a complete lack of passion and cohesiveness. Their partnership never felt legitimate. While the story had lots of potential, the delivery lacked the spark that would have made this a great read. 2.5 stars.
February 12, 2026
📚"Unraveling" is a wonderful romantic novel written by Raegan Salander,📓🪡
📒 telling the story of Aria and Crispin. This book uncovers the mysteries of love, passion, and relationships. Salander's writing is deep and emotional, compelling the reader to become immersed in the story. 📝✨️✨️
💖✨️The relationship between Aria and Crispin slowly unfolds, with a mix of twists and emotions that keeps you hooked until the end. Unraveling is a must-read for those who love romantic drama and emotional journeys. 💯🪡
📒❤️The character development is breathtaking, and the plot twists are sure to surprise you. Overall, this book gives an unforgettable experience that makes you think 💖📚.💯👍
Rating 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✍️👌
📒 telling the story of Aria and Crispin. This book uncovers the mysteries of love, passion, and relationships. Salander's writing is deep and emotional, compelling the reader to become immersed in the story. 📝✨️✨️
💖✨️The relationship between Aria and Crispin slowly unfolds, with a mix of twists and emotions that keeps you hooked until the end. Unraveling is a must-read for those who love romantic drama and emotional journeys. 💯🪡
📒❤️The character development is breathtaking, and the plot twists are sure to surprise you. Overall, this book gives an unforgettable experience that makes you think 💖📚.💯👍
Rating 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✍️👌
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