I finally finished one book this month! Everyone cheer!
*crickets*
⋮ ⌗ ┆
This book sucks-
「 ✦ 𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐕 ✦ 」 ╰┈➤ (𝙛𝙘: 𝘿𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙣)
WE GET IT GIRL! You’re not like the others girls! You’ve been through worst and have developed trust issues and kept yourself closed off from everyone!
I hate when authors have to mention EVERY TIME that the badass fmc are not like other girls and they’ve seen worse and blah blah blah. We read it the first time. We get it.
Aside from all that, I didn’t care for her. I do feel bad when reading about the scars on her body and she did it to protect her sister. She annoyed me from time with her MISCOMMUNICATION! Like girl just listen and have an adult conversation!
「 ✦ 𝐖𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐇 ✦ 」 ╰┈➤ (𝙛𝙘: 𝙎𝙪𝙠𝙧𝙪 𝙊𝙯𝙮𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙯)
He was okay. We didn’t get really that much information about him except that he’s the Duke of Grandmont and he lost his wife. He’s very protective of Katarina which was nice.
Didn’t really care for him honestly.
⋮ ⌗ ┆
I was in a huge reading slump and I decided to read a mafia romance. I saw an edit on instagram and was like “this looks interesting” so I gave it a try… I regret it.
I will say I’m proud of myself for finishing a book before the month ends.
I don’t know if I was mentally in it but I didn’t see the chemistry between Kat and Win.
It felt insta-lust for me. Win already felt something for her and I was confused bc we weren’t even 100 pages in.
I absolutely hate revenge trope bc we all know how it goes. Win wanted revenge but fell in love with the daughter and now he’s hesitating to go forward with the plan.
Sasha and Ryker’s story sounded more interesting than this book!
The book was so fast paced. I don’t know if they fell in love in a matter of days or months?
The plot twist did surprise me even though I didn’t know about that one character.
Towards the end it got confusing and I was trying to put the pieces together but I couldn’t get it.
If I was Sasha I wouldn’t talk or even look at Kat for what she did. But that’s just me.
The spicy scenes were too much there shouldn’t be that many.
When they confessed their love for each other it was hard for me to believe bc it felt like they barely knew each other!
Maybe I should’ve read Sasha and Ryker’s book to understand this book but the blurb of this story was interesting. Keyword: was.
⋮ ⌗ ┆
Overall, 2.25/5 stars ★
I didn’t like this book at all. It was boring.
The insta-lust is what made me checked out. It felt insta love but not really.
I don’t know if this will pull me into a deeper reading slump but mafia romance isn’t what it’s like on Wattpad.
3.5 ⭐️. This was a fun mafia lite read. It’s set in a larger world, but you don’t need to have read the other books to enjoy this story.
Katarina ❤️ Winston
Katarina is the daughter of some sort of Russian crime boss and has been sold into marriage. She then convinces her fiance to let her go in exchange for her sister, so she can hunt down her maniacal father. She believes she’s protecting the sister and is out for vengeance.
Through some shenanigans she has ends up on a plane w her ex fiancés older brother, Win. The whole thing is too complicated to explain but suffice to say that they both want her father dead for different reasons.
She ends up in Win’s home, sparks fly, misunderstandings occur, loyalties are questioned, and all live happily ever after, except for her ‘dad’.
- No third act breakup - Miscommunication - Win insists he doesn’t lie but he does lie once to protect her; she knows he’s lying but she thinks it’s so he can go find a bride and is upset. He’s not, It’s dumb. - Strong bad ass mafia daughter and powerful Duke of somewhere lol - Equally matched in every way; both likable - She suffered severe physical abuse from her dad. No on page abuse - Nickname - Kitten - No OM/OW - she is jealous of his dead ex but doesn’t need to be. She’s also jealous bc she thinks he’s looking for an arranged marriage and that she’s not suitable. However, he only has eyes for her after the first day. He hasn’t been w anyone for 10 yrs (since his dead ex fiance). She’s a virgin. - Spice - open door, good chemistry; cute snuggling for two bad ass mafia types. - Protective H - Dual POV; Marriage and pregnancy in 6 month later epilogue
Overall, a fun story with some corny dialogue. The drama w her dad was a little disappointing after all the build up, but 🤷🏻♀️.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
"King of Damnation" the fifth book in the Kings of Las Vegas series. This dark romance follows Katarina Ivanov as she flees an unwanted marriage, only to be intercepted by Win, the Duke of Grandmont. While their connection begins as part of a vendetta against her father, it evolves into a compelling story of healing and slow-burn trust. The writing is vivid and cinematic, featuring sharp pacing, electric chemistry, and emotionally mature characters.I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I like this FMC in this book. But I don’t like the abrupt ending, and this time, there’s no epilogue. The confrontation with the enemies was chaotic and nonsensical. The entire book portrayed them as being attacked by a group of Russian Bratva soldiers, with shots fired everywhere. Surprisingly, both protagonists, who were in the middle of all this, were unharmed. Moreover, the FMC insisted on being present when her father and his soldiers attacked. During the attack, she rendered the MMC useless because, throughout the entire ordeal, he was on top of her, covering her while the rest of his men fought. Even after the attack, he continued to insist on covering her, but he did nothing. Many of the events in this book lacked any supporting evidence; they simply happened and were then forgotten. I wish the author would spend more time on her endings and epilogues like she does on the beginning of her book. She mentioned that the pregnant FMC is worried she wont be a good mother because of her past. So why not make an ending where she gave birth to their child and an epilogue where the child is a few years older and she turned out to actually be a great mom. Only 2 authors I know makes great endings and epilogues. That’s Devney Perry and TL Swan. They are unbeatable when it comes to happy endings and epilogues.
I always say that the book I'm reading from this author is my favorite but then she tops it the next time! This story is full of tension and drama that was so so good. Winston Smith is a Duke and has expectations for the woman he has to marry. Katarina is trying to escape a life of trauma and being imprisoned in her own home. They both have legitimate reasons for wanting to kill her father and they find ways to work together. Things don't always turn out well and the story is full of ups and downs. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and how they fit into the overall dynamics of their families. The cliffhanger of sorts with unfinished business just keeps us guessing.
PSA: I am not great at articulating my thoughts. This is just my opinion. Love what you love!
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
The Kings of Vegas take a detour and we get to see the Smith family estate in England. It was a fun shift to be in England, getting more of the 'regency' vibes within the context of a mafia romance. It was such a strange combination, having a Duke who was also in some kind of criminal organization. I am not sure it entirely works but it was an alright story. There is insta-love again, which does make me cringe, but I appreciated some little changes from the usual. I thought this book was okay at best, but had the chance to be better.
Previous Reviews: King of Depravity - 3.5 Stars King of Desire - 4.5 Stars King of Malice - 3.5 Stars King of Corruption - 5 Stars
~*~*~*~Character Reviews~*~*~*~
The FMC: Katarina Ivanova - 4 Stars The one thing I really did like about this book was Katarina. She had a lot of spunk to her that a lot of Andersen's FMCs just didn't seem to have. I loved the contrast between her and Sasha. She was so sassy/witty, always putting Winston on his toes. She wasn't worried about stepping up to his level. I think her backstory, her scars, the trauma she carries all made her super interesting - and yet, as independent as she was, she did fall victim to the insta-love curse. Can you tell I don't like it yet?
The MMC: Winston Smith - 4 Stars I think Winston is set apart from the brothers because of his responsibilities in England. It shows in the way he acts, talks and conducts himself. I appreciate that he has a military background and that he has some secrets of his own he has been keeping from his brothers. The biggest that makes him a more interesting character was definitely . Having that whole aspect to his life was fun to explore, though I think the author cheapened it by
The Antagonist(s): We're back with the same bad guy again as Ivan Ivanov is still after Katarina and his looking for some revenge. He pops up through the story, as expected, and makes a menacing figure over the happiness of the main characters. I am excited to see how things are set up next with the introduction of Vigo.
The Supporting Cast: Not going to comment much on this one since everyone who was a supporting cast member has either had either own book or will be getting their own book.
~*~*~*~The Little Details~*~*~*~
The Plot: Having fled the country to escape an arranged marriage to Ryker, Katarina finds herself on the Smith family jet. When turbulence causes her to be discovered, Winston explains his own plans of revenge against her father, Ivan Ivanov. Staying at the Duke's residence, the two work together to get back at Ivan, all while trying to navigate their own budding feelings. When Katarina's father finally makes his move, Winston realizes just how much he cares for his HellKat.
I did like the bones of this plot, but just didn't feel like it was utilized as well as possible. Would have been nice to have more with Winston's life as a Duke. There should have been more balls and other related things to his title. Of course, there was more insta-love, which is always going to take some stars off the overall rating. Overall, I feel like this plot was a bit forgettable, but also not awful either.
The Spice: There was the usual amount of spice in this book (compared to other Andersen Mafia novels). I will admit, I am getting a bit burnt out with how much there is sometimes and ended up skimming a lot of it. I don't think it was as graphic as some, but there was a decent amount for the length of the novel. I give it 4/5 peppers.
Emotional Damage: I really didn't have any emotional damage. Of course, Katarina's background was pretty traumatic and her 'father' was exceptionally abusive. This was disturbing and hard to read .
Reading Experience: This was an easy enough book to get through but I did end up skimming a lot of the spicy scenes. I did like the change of scenery into England, getting to see how this side of things worked. I am sure that Andersen liked it since she also writes historical stories. I thought a lot more could have been done with it, would have liked more detail really. Maybe it was done on purpose to lure the mafia readers into her other genre.
Book Length & Pacing: The length of Andersen's books are always quick and easy enough to get through. I found the pacing to be a little off. I can't even put my finger on it. There was some development which was interesting at the beginning, then two separate climaxes. The first made sense but the season was all over the place and a bit of a clusterf*ck. I wish there had been more of a balance.
~*~*~*~Questions to Consider~*~*~*~
Would I Buy the Book? Maybe. As per usual, I would only buy it if it was in a box set and on sale.
Would I Re-Read the Book? Maybe. In time, I wouldn't mind re-reading the series once I forget everything that happens.
Will I Continue the Series? Yes. I will continue to read any of Andersen's mafia books.
"No man who has made a mess of me has ever cleaned it up after."
Sin City has never felt more alive—or more ready to burn—than in King of Damnation, the fifth installment of Tammy Andresen’s Kings of Las Vegas series. This dark, intoxicating romance takes readers straight into the searing collision of Katarina Ivanov’s haunted past and Win “The Duke of Grandmont”’s unyielding desire. And trust me—sparks fly hard enough to scorch the pages.
The story ignites with a desperate deal: Katarina trades her engagement to Ryker for a million-dollar buyout, a last-ditch effort to escape Las Vegas and take down her ruthless father. But the moment she stows away on a private jet—believing she’s finally free—she realizes she’s been played. The jet belongs to Win, Ryker’s oldest brother, a man who has every reason to hate her family… and yet somehow becomes her only refuge.
Katarina is breaking and unbreakable all at once—fierce, sassy, and clawing her way toward freedom while carrying the scars of a life she didn’t choose. Watching her walls crack as Win truly sees and understands her is nothing short of devastatingly beautiful. And Win? He is a conundrum. Unyielding but willing to compromise, protective without being possessive, harboring his own grief and rage, yet never once turning it against her. The emotional maturity and slow-burn trust between them is perfection.
The banter crackles, the chemistry is fire, and the spice… let’s just say it’s sizzling hot! Tammy Andresen’s writing brings it all to life with vivid, cinematic intensity—her pacing is sharp, her dialogue electric, and her emotional beats hit exactly where they should. But what sets this book apart is its heart—the way pain, healing, and love are woven together in a story that refuses to let you go until the last page.
King of Damnation isn’t just another dark romance; it’s a love story born in the shadows of betrayal and revenge, one that leaves you aching for the next chapter in this criminally underrated series. If you haven’t met the Kings of Las Vegas yet, consider this your invitation. You won’t regret it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I finished this book in one sitting because Tammy really did it again. I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical going in because in the previous book I didn’t really like Katarina. I was this close to skipping it altogether, but I’m SO glad I didn’t.
The story starts on the same timeline as King of Corruption, picking up right where it left off when Katarina runs from her wedding. I completely fell in love with her in this book. My poor girl has been through so much. I literally wanted to jump into the pages and fight her father myself for what he put her through. She was feisty, sassy, and so strong despite everything, and I was rooting for her the entire time.
And then there’s Win. GREEN. FOREST. This man had zero red flags. Not a single one. He was so protective of Katarina, and what I loved most is that he never once hurt her even though he hated her father for killing his ex-fiancée. The emotional maturity?? Chef’s kiss.
Their relationship was everything. The banter was so good, they balanced each other perfectly, and the chemistry was insane. The spice had me blushing and kicking my feet, not gonna lie. It was that good. I also loved seeing the other characters again especially Killian.
I love this book just as much as I loved the previous ones in the series. This whole series is so underrated, and knowing the next book is the last one makes me a little emotional. I’m not ready to say goodbye to this family at all.
Please, if you haven’t read this series yet do it. You will not regret it
I normally won’t even attempt to read a book less than 300 pages and to be honest I didn’t know this book was less than 300 pages when I started it. When I found out, I decided to go ahead and give it a try anyway I always feel like books under 300 pages have abrupt endings and they aren’t long enough to have a full plot, but this book proved me wrong. it was pretty good.
This is the story of Katarina and the Duke of Grandmot… ie Win. Win has some under dealings but has remained mostly pristine due to his heritage and his responsibilities… one of which is to get married and have children since he’s 40 yrs old. So he decides to advertise and have a gala event where eligible women will show up and he can select a bride… no love involved just responsibility.
But in the meantime, Katarina’s brother sells her to Wins brother for marriage. Wins brother realizes she’s a bit too strong and outspoken for him and would be trouble so he decides he’d rather have her sister and gives her a suitcase full of cash so she can escape both her brother and her father who has abused her unmercifully since a very young age. She gratefully takes the cash and boards a plane as a stow a way to escape and begin a new life. However what she doesn’t realize is that the plane she’s boarded is Wins, and he’s made a deal with his brother to hold her hostage and dangle her before he father so he can kill her father.
When she’s “discovered” on board, she quickly realized that she’s, once again, just a decoy for another man to use her and she’s furious. Can Win handle her…. Read it and find out, lol. About 4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟. As predicted the ending was abrupt with a very small prologue, but the writing was good, the plot was strong and two leads were amazing and definitely a match for each other.
Tropes- Dislikes to Lovers, He falls first, He’s using her as bait, Age Gap, Touch her and Die, Forced Proximity, Mafia romance
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I was waiting for both of their book and when I found out that they were going to be togther I was sat and their book did not disappoint I read it in one sitting. This series is so good and I can’t believe we have one more book and brother left story to tell
Kat was suppose to get married to Ryker (Winston brother) but he offered her an out and ran but what she didn’t know was that the plane she was getting on Winston was also. At first I was kind of mad at her because of how she just ran and left her sister but once I fully understand why she left it made me love her shes such an amazing fmc and she strong af
Kat and Win fit so well together and I loved seeing them grow, trust each other with what their plans were. The chemistry was between them was just amazing I couldnt put the book down even there arguing had me hooked loll
Win is the oldest of the Smith’s brothers and also a Dukedom. I was waiting for his book since the beggining I love an mysterious older brother and Win was no different. He’s just everything and more had me twirling my hair and I love how he would do anything for Kat he fell so hard even though he was using her as bait for her father and his revenge but that went out the door quick
I loved seeing them come together and being open with each other. Their relationship may not have started great but the build up, and teasing they had going on made me wanting more and I’m so glad they got their happy ending cause their just so perfect for each other
I cant wait for the next book that sneak peak has me so excited for whats to come.
Thank You So Much for giving me this incredible arc !💐🖤
I always find it interesting when characters I did not like in a previous book of a series redeem themselves or reveal their reasons for their actions in a later book. Before this book, both lead characters were not a favorite of mine and as the book begins I was still a little leary of Katarina’s motives and even though I expected Win to be arrogant, in fact it would have been unlike a Duke if he wasn’t to some degree, but the way he deceived Kat into being bait to attract her father didn’t set well with me. Truthfully he does redeem himself somewhat but then he doesn’t trust her enough to tell her the truth later on, so again I struggled with him as to being a solid type of character. And Kat went back and forth too. She would be determined to break away and then be right back under, both figuratively and physically, Win once again. Yet even as I struggled to decide my feelings towards them, by the end they had both won me over and were definitely entertaining when they were together whether they were fighting, plotting against/with or loving each other. Something I missed though was how Ken recaptured Kat in London. She escaped the driver and the chapter ends with her safe but then she is being held by Ken while Win confronts Ivan. And if Killian is known as a shadow then Sver must be vapor by the way he disappears so often. To wrap up my review, the book delivers on intrigue with several dangerous fight encounters, on humor with a runaway bride stowing away on the private jet of her ex’s brother, and on hot chemistry between the Duke and his kitten. I received an Advance Review Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Of the Smith brothers, Win has been kind of a mystery. While he has popped into Vegas at times, Win has largely been out of sight in England, where he is best known as the Duke of Grandmont. The eldest Smith, Win has been holding the family together for years, rebuilding their dukedom and fortune after their father had left the estate in shambles. He has lived a life of responsibility, now deciding that it’s time to secure an heir. Love is not required, period.
Enter Katarina Ivanov, a Bratva princess, who is escaping an unwanted wedding to Win’s brother in Vegas. Kat is tough as nails, unpredictable, and out for revenge against her father. Underneath, though, she is kind of broken and vulnerable.
When these two meet on Win’s plane, it becomes clear very fast that neither will be the same again. Together, they are combustible. Win’s plans to wed a virginal debutante go up in flames, as he becomes consumed with Kat and their mutual goal to destroy Kat’s father. This is the start of an uneasy partnership. As much as each wants to remain separate and apart from the other, their chemistry is too strong. From their first meeting, it is like a magnetic force is pulling them together. Every interaction is passionate, steamy, and hot.
Win and Kat’s story is driving to the final book of the Kings of Las Vegas series. While I am really sad for this to end, I know that Tammy Andresen has something even better on the horizon.
King of Damnation: Dark, Steamy, Billionaire Romance Kings of Las Vegas #5 by Tammy Andresen
Winston Smith, Duke of Grandmont, everything you would think a Duke would be, who would have foreseen that our Duke is out to take revenge on Katarina Ivanov’s father?
An aristocrat and a Bratva Princess…..I never thought that Katarina the runaway bratva bride would have ended up on Winston’s plane! The fact that they both want to rid the world of her father…..a perfect way to work together and maybe learn that a Duke and a Princess both had similar fathers!
Win and Katarina storyline in England is unfolding at the same time and Ryker and Sasha’s in Las Vegas. They aren’t just working against her father, they are drawn more and more to each other.
Like all the Smith men, Win is, as if not more protective of Katarina. But what if there is someone trying to control both Win and Katarina, what if that puts them in danger?
Author Tammy Andresen’s King of Damnation, is full of action, seduction, feelings and twists. I found it to be a fairly quick read, in fact once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. Winston and Katarina’s story has moved them from Vegas to England, all leading to the introduction of her next book and the last Smith brother Rushton, who is in charge of Smith Brothers Real Estate in New York.
Oh Be still my heart. Every woman needs a Smith Brother in their lives. Especially one like Win, the eldest Smith brother. This book takes up right where book 4 (King of Corruption) ends. I would strongly suggest reading this series in order as the backstory overlaps and continues in each new book. Win and Olivia’s story begins as she is whisked away from her wedding day by Riker, Win’s brother, and put on a private jet as a stowaway. Little does she know, Win is very aware of her presence on his plane, as he has plans for the lovely Olivia in his revenge on her father. But when the two are thrown together face to face, literally due to turbulence in the air, sparks fly. Olivia is furious, learning she’s been played, and Win is surprised at not only her outward beauty but with the feisty, strong willed, stubborn woman who he is in total awe with. Their banter will keep you smiling and their chemistry will keep you sighing and rooting for them. But what happens when they learn they both want the same thing when it comes to her father? A man who has caused them both pain beyond what anyone should have to endure.
The storyline is full of suspense, romance, lies and betrayal. It is well written and kept this reader glued to the pages to see what would happen next. I can’t recommend it and the series enough.
Tammy Anderson really said morally gray but make him irresistible — and I ate it up. King of Damnation is dark, intense, and completely addictive from the very first chapter. The tension is thick, the stakes are high, and the chemistry? Absolutely explosive. This is the kind of romance where you know you’re walking into danger… and you go anyway. The MMC is ruthless, powerful, and unapologetic in the way only a true anti-hero can be — but when it comes to her? Protective. Possessive. Devoted in his own dark way. I love when a “touch her and you’re done” vibe meets calculated dominance, and this book delivers. The FMC is not weak or naive either. She holds her ground, pushes back, and refuses to be swallowed whole by his world. Their dynamic is a constant power struggle wrapped in tension and slow-burn heat. Every confrontation feels loaded. Every quiet moment feels earned. The romance builds through chaos, loyalty tests, and dangerous choices — and it never loses that edge. Tammy Anderson knows how to balance emotional depth with grit, and the result is a story that feels raw and consuming. If you love: Dark romance Powerful, morally gray kings High-stakes drama Possessive energy Intense chemistry King of Damnation needs to be on your TBR immediately. This one lingers.
This book was exactly what I needed! A morally grey MMC who has every intention of using the FMC for his own personal gain and then tossing her aside, only to be so enamored by her that he will give up everything to protect her. Win is exactly that! I was surprised at how quickly he became enamored with her, but it was done so beautifully. In their first interaction he's already asking her "who did this to you" and sees her strength. The part where Katarina comes down the stairs for the first event/ball was absolute perfection. It gave me Damon/Elena vibes from when he steps in after Stefan goes MIA. Win is possessive of Kat even when he knows he should be - considering he was looking for a wife Cinderella style (aka - a ball). I loved that Win say how strong and fierce Kat always has to be so he becomes her safe place where she can be soft and let her guard down. I was worried about drama between Win and Ryker, and Dimitri considering Kat's connection to them but I'm glad we didn't have that. This is my favorite book in the series and the epilogue just added to it!
“When we speak, it’s frequently teeth and fangs. When we touch though… it’s cashmere and kittens.”
⭐️ 3.5/5
This was a fast, addictive mafia romance that leans into high stakes and strong personalities. Kat immediately stood out to me. She’s sharp, calculated, and very much a morally gray FMC who knows exactly how to play the game. Watching her go head to head with Win, who is just as dangerous and controlled, made for a really fun dynamic.
The pacing is quick and keeps things moving with constant tension and power plays. I read this in one sitting! The chemistry between Kat and Win is strong, built on that push and pull of control and attraction. This is part of a larger series and every book really delivers that same vibe. There is just something about mafia romance when it is done like this that hits the spot every time.
Overall, this was a fun, easy read that is perfect when you want something quick with high stakes and strong characters. It may not be the most in depth story, but it knows what it is and leans into it.
This book was a one-sitting read for me and a fantastic addition to the Kings of Las Vegas series. It’s dark, fast-paced, and packed with tension: Katarina, a runaway bride, Win, a ruthless grumpy duke with a vendetta (it really doesn’t get much better than that), and a Bratva connection that keeps the stakes high from start to finish. Win and Katarina strike a dangerous deal to take down their shared enemy, her abusive father, with Win using Katarina as bait to draw him out. However, what begins as well-planned strategy quickly turns emotional as chemistry, secrets, and burning desire get in the way and their guards start to fall. The pacing is breathless, the spice delivers, and the grumpy, powerful hero paired with a strong, determined heroine makes this a satisfying dark romance that kept me hooked. Highly recommended for fans of fast, high-stakes stories with a possessive hero who would move heaven and earth for the woman he loves. I loved it.
Each time I read another Kings of Las Vegas, it becomes my favorite. Katarina is the abused and scarred daughter of a ruthless Russian mobster. She escapes Vegas with a million dollars and her freedom with her plan to protect her sister and take revenge on her father. She runs into Winston the Duke of Grandmont who is also the oldest of the Vegas Smith brothers. He is rich, powerful, and hard because he knows exactly what he wants and stops at nothing to get it. Katarina initially becomes his physical prisoner then held by her emotions. Win wants to extract his own revenge on her father so they conflict in their plans. But she is a strong survivor willing to stand up to him. Their attraction is steamy and powerful, their past a little dark which helps to bind them. Compelling with twists and dangers. Devoured in one sitting just to go back to read again and savor it. I received an ARC but the honest opinion is my own.
This book continues from the previous one in the series when Katarina runs from her wedding & finds herself on a private jet. Everything is fine until the plane hits turbulence & she’s discovered by none other than her former fiance’s older brother Winston, the Duke of Grandmont. The fifth book in the series & I’d highly recommend reading the books in order as the Smith family is one heck of a family. Win has been a bit of an enigma & I loved getting to know him. He’s confident, focused, protective & takes his standing as a very rich Duke seriously, oh he’s also gorgeous. Katarina is feisty, strong & more a lioness than a kitten. Together they were electric, the sexual chemistry was off the scale & their banter delicious. I loved their journey to a HEA which was strewn with obstacles especially a vengeful father. Engrossing, captivating & enthralling I read it straight through. I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
We finally get to know Winston. He has been in the background in the first 4 books living in England running the dukedom. But this is his and Katarina's story. Kat, the sister of Sasha featured in book 4, ditches her marriage ceremony and leaves her sister to deal with the fallout. She seems selfish and uncaring in that act. But in this book we learn what motivated her to do the unthinkable. She and Win find they are on the same page in their quest for vengeance and find love along the way.
Of the series, I liked this one the best. These two characters were equally matched. She is a tough as nails smart lady. She unfortunately is that way because of a terrible abusive father. She doesn't take his harshness and knows how to handle him. He doesn't really know how to deal with that. He is used to people being intimidated by his manner. But throughout the book they evolve with each other. I appreciated the growth in both characters.
If you’ve loved the first 4 installments in this series, you’ll love Katherine and Winston’s story. They are well matched and very likable. I enjoyed the banter and the give and take of their relationship. For the most part they act consistent with who they are. Winston isn’t evil or even too much of a hard a** in spite of how he is positioned in the earlier books. He is, however arrogant and behaves like an entitled royal which is a great counterpoint to Katherine’s feistiness and strong will. And while she is no damsel in distress, Winston does need to rescue her a few times after she rushes forward without careful thought. I found her recklessness a bit incongruous with her being described as smart and chose to think of these incidents as the author’s way to hasten Katherine’s softening toward Winston. So, a fun read with good characters and a satisfying story arc.
In the previous book her story starts out at the very beginning…. She runs away and you NEVER know what transpires after. This book tells you what happened. And it’s JUICY!
She’s always been a soldier and had to stand firm and tough to survive her life with her horrible mafia father.
So accidentally landing with the Duke is not anything she planned for.
He needs a wife. But finds a stowaway (her) from snarky remarks and complete disregard for his royalty he is SHOOK at what this woman does to him. And she’s….. been royally trained for a husband. Because her father’s twisted.
A lot of the past comes up for him and her and they realize their shadows are equally as dark. And find companionship in each other.
Their story is excellent and I cannot wait to continue with Rush’s story and the New York’s syndicate.
From the Lyon’s Pit into the Lyon’s Jaws? Catarina escapes one brother, only to land squarely in the hands of the other—arguably far more dangerous. What started as an attempt at freedom quickly turns into something much more complicated. Both Catarina and Win have their reasons for wanting revenge against her father, but will they recognize that shared goal before they destroy each other first? They begin as enemies, circling each other with suspicion and control, and yet the pull between them is hard to ignore. The tension builds quickly—so the question becomes, do they ever really stand a chance, or were they doomed from the start? I was pulled in right away and didn’t want to put Catarina and Win’s story down. There’s a certain intensity I’ve come to expect from this author—and this one definitely delivered. If you like your romance on the darker, steamier side, this one is worth a look.
Not my favorite couple but I love the entire series as a whole. It helps if you read the previous book, Sasha and Ryker’s story first, since everything here happens at the same time as that book. It also helps to understand Ryker a little better. We learn in this book that Ryker did not act alone and had the full support of Win. There’s references to characters from previous books. And also heavy references to past storylines. So I really think the series should be read in order.
Katarina is likable in that she’s strong, confident and determined. But she also makes rash decisions. She’s emotional and high strung. Win is patient and kind, and also very possessive. He’s more practical than Katarina. They have a solid dynamic and I love their banter. It’s just the right balance of funny and caring.
I’m looking forward to Rush’s book. He’s been hidden in the background long enough.
In Ryker's book, Win’s story overlaps with Katarina, sweetly nicknamed "Kitten." She was set to marry Ryker but is hiding on a private jet to seek revenge on her estranged father, Ivan. Unbeknownst to her, the plane belongs to Win, who has his own vendetta against Ivan. Will they unite or clash?
When Kat and Win come together, the chemistry is electric! Their witty banter and passionate arguments make their romance feel more authentic. By the end, I really loved Win as he softened under Kat's influence.
The plot flows well, blending action and romance, but I wish some moments had more depth, especially the conversation when Kat approaches Win. A scene between Kat and Dimitri would have also strengthened their bond.
Overall, I read this book in a day and loved it. If you enjoyed the other brothers, you’ll find them here too. I can’t wait for Rush's story, and you’ll love the epilogue!