He’s supposed to fix broken minds. Instead, he’s unraveling mine. Thread by thread. Dangerous. Obsessive. Addictive. He’s not the settling down type. Too bad I’m not in the market for a fling. I’ve played the game enough times to know a man like that is used to getting his way. Before I can stop myself, I’m tangled in his dark web. Paralyzed by the way I want him. The harder I push, the tighter he pulls. It started as an attraction, but now it’s bordering on venomous.
USA Today Best Selling Author T.L. Smith loves to write her characters with flaws so beautiful and dark that you can’t turn away from. Her books have been translated into several languages. If you don’t find her in her home town of Queensland, Australia you can usually find her travelling around the world to sitting on a beach in Bali, to exploring Alcatraz in San Francisco or walking the streets of New York.
Soft DNF might come back to this but wth was this I read like 40pg and something about the writing is not doing it for me maybe a little cliche and arlo is giving me (Mean energy)😬
----------------------------------- Who was going to tell me that the second one is out??? WAIT WHO WAS GOING TO TELL ME THAT THERES A SECOND ONE !!! I'm pretty sure the author note in venomous kiss said STANDALONE (I'm going to eat this up as soon as possible)
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. It took me entirely too long to read 251 pages. It didn't hold my interest very well. The FMC is kind of annoying, so that also didn't help.
If you have read venomous kiss you will remember that Arlo is a member of the Forsaken Society and therapist and now we are getting his story about the woman who captured his attention. Who might this be? Well it is Cora Ashford a real estate agent.
Initial contact between the pair was made when Arlo requested that Cora would be the one to find the new property, his instructions were very clear, no one but her would assist. Arlo was very straight forward and blunt with his intentions, but Cora was firm and held out because she knew exactly what she wanted and that was something along the lines of a long lasting relationship rather than a fling. This only contributed to the brewing tension and banter between the pair - you see Arlo wasn’t used to chasing a woman, but he soon came to realise he was quite content in chasing Cora👀
When Cora noticed that Arlo’s efforts became more strenuous her walls started to crumble. I mean this man firmly claimed her at a gala - talk about a man obsessed 🤭.
Overall I absolutely loved these two; the plot, the banter, the chemistry of this couple - all these elements were perfection.
I’m so excited for the next couple in this series. Thank you to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭
Tropes:
🖤 Dark Romance 🖤 Secret Society 🖤 He falls first and hard 🖤 Possessive/Obsessive MMC 🖤 Feisty FMC
Arlo is a man who knows exactly what he wants — and once Cora is in his line of sight, walking away isn’t an option.
Cora is strong, independent, and not looking for distractions. Her life revolves around her career and taking care of her mom, not falling for a man who refuses to let her keep her walls intact.
When Arlo steps into her world, everything shifts. She’s thrown off balance, resisting every pull — because taking the easy way has never been her style.
Just as she finally agrees to give him a chance, secrets start to surface… threatening to destroy everything before it even begins. ✨
This new series from T.L. Smith has me hooked, and I need the next book ASAP. Manifesting Soren’s story next. 🤞📚
My first 5-star read of the year, and I couldn’t put it down—I finished it in one sitting!
Arlo’s love for Cora was undeniable, even though he tried to deny it, and the same goes for Cora. The way he knew exactly when to give her space and when to apply just the right amount of pressure was so well done. I especially loved how protective he was of her—it was just so beautiful.
I may have finished this book in December and forgot to write a review…🫣 Anywho I’ve been really enjoying this series so far! The MMCs are unhinged in the best ways and the FMCs don’t take any shit which I love🤭 I also really enjoyed seeing Arlo’s therapist notes on himself at the beginning of every chapter. Overall this book was a spicy unhinged ride and I was here for every second of it!
Arlo! I really wanted a Soren story after Venomous Kiss, but Arlo made me change my mind from chapter one! The chemistry jumped off the page. I do love a TL unhinged MMC. #villianlover
3.89 I liked this book enough to give it 4 stars, but I did have some annoyances that kinda pissed me off. I think I liked the first book better than this one simply because I liked our FMC more.
Cora is this books FMC, a real estate agent that somehow only works for the first third of the book. This is a reoccurring pattern that I notice when reading books when the main characters, especially the FMC, have steady careers. They’re used to advanced their personality and lore, but then the careers are kind of forgotten about. This is what I felt happened in this book. She won my heart at the beginning because she was a hardworking woman that KNEW the struggles and how hard it was for her to be where she was career wise. She knew she EARNED her position, which made me proud for her and able to root for her. However, the deeper we dive into the romance, the less her career seems to make an appearance. This bothered me a little bit but I was able to move past it.
Something else I didn’t love about her was how inconsistent she was. Arlo is our MMC, and just like the last book, their relationship is mainly sexual. I don’t love that because I like the yearning and attention to little details that a more emotional connection can give. However, I knew what I was getting into, so I didn’t penalize them for it that much. Back to the inconsistencies, the amount of times that he propositioned her for sex and she said no one minute and the next gives in are CRAZYYY. IT HAPPENS SO MUCH. This pissed me off because this man from the beginning he knew he wanted her. Okay all good. But she was very clear with herself that she wanted more than sex. She wanted marriage and more of an emotional, deeper relationship. SO WHY IS SHE GIVING IN EVERY SINGLE TIME to have another sex only relationship??? I understand lust, but girl please. Pick something and stick to it 😭.
As for our MMC Arlo, there’s not much to say. He was the typical obsessive, dark, and rich guy in your typical dark romance book. He’s a therapist though, so that was interesting about him. His career is very flexible, so it makes sense that it’s only mentioned once in a while, but I still would have loved to see more of him working (the reason I’m not judging this harshly is because he was in the last book, and we saw him work a LOT over there, so his career is kinda established) I did see a lot more outside-of-sex bonding in this relationship to the last, which is to be expected since our FMC here doesn’t have out last FMC’s personality and blood lust.
Overall, it was a fun and quick read, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series when the next book comes out.
Arlo was arrogant, controlling, and very intelligent. Cora was hardworking, determined, and strong-willed and together they were dynamite.
I loved how strong-willed Cora was and showed Arlo she wasn’t going to be pushed past her limits. She was a powerhouse in her own right, and it’s no wonder Arlo was intrigued by her. The attraction they both felt was overpowering and yet Cora still managed to stay away from Arlo at times—what a strong woman!
Being a prominent member of the secret society, Forsaken, Arlo had his quirks and enjoyed them immensely. His attraction to Cora became almost an addiction and not even the Forsaken Society continued to stay at the top of his priorities. Certainly a shock for Cora but more so for Arlo.
Another fantastic story by this sensational author.
i really liked arlo. a hot, grumpy billionaire who only had eyes for miss cora😫 🙂↕️ he was basically like, well… i like her so now i’m just gonna do everything i can including stalking to get her to be with me. ..we love a persistent man😌. cora was independent and strong, but i liked seeing her slowly let her walls down for him. 🥹 cute read!! 🥰
‘“I listen when you talk. I listen to everything you say, Cora. And even the words you can’t quite bring yourself to say out loud to me.”’ -arlo 😩🥹
‘But I’ll do it. Because once you’re in, you’re in. And I’m so fucking in for her.’-arlo
‘I’ve become obsessed with a man, and I never thought that would ever happen. But I’m so glad he’s even more obsessed with me than I am with him. However, he’s trained better at hiding it.’-cora 🥹
We actually meet Arlo in book one of those series and learn about the forsaken society. Needless to say, he isn't a nice guy, he has certain 'things' he likes - mu®d3r and ch0king during s3x being the main two!
All that changes when he meets Cora. The strong standoffish woman who stands up to him and says no!
Attraction, steam, realisation that you can actually meet your person and a storyline alongside side characters that I really enjoyed!!
WOOOOW!! This book had me hooked immediately! I could not stop reading the perfection that was the push and pull between Arlo and Cora!
From the moment they are both on the same page you can feel the chemistry and you know things are about to get sooo good! Cora’s ability to push Arlo in ways no one else has shows him that maybe he isn’t so broken and the stability he brings to Cora…so beautiful!
I could not get enough of the steam between these two when they finally came together because…HOTTTT!
I definitely got sucked into this book more so than the first and I know it’s just going to keep getting better!
“That’s a red flag, you know” “We can go to Six Flags, and I can show you them all” Pretty much sums up Arlo. Possessive, obsessive, venomous, controlling, precise is Arlo in a nutshell and we are here for this morally grey man. However these FMC’s are fierce and giving their male suitors and run for their dang money! Cora and Arlo are like two pit bulls in a cage and you don’t know which one will come out in victory. But no matter how the path to attraction leads, in the end a power couple will be created that can burn the world down and these two have it all! I literally could not put this book down and was determined to read it and one day and I did. As these new series unfold they get better and better each time.
This book will suck you in from the first chapter. Arlo and Cora are like two vipers that are trying to beat each other, their attraction is white hot and explosive. Another fabulous read in this series and it did not disappoint. 5 big stars
I was upset at first for getting an Arlo book rather than a Soren book, but holy fff, I was not disappointed. Cora wasn't extremely special, but her resilience was rather fascinating. I really liked Arlo with all his turbulent personality. I liked him working through his trauma and finally advancing a step from his past. I kind of relate to her while also understanding him. I liked their relationship, somewhat like a cat and mouse type of thing. I loooved the happy ending even though it was a bit rushed in my opinion.
This is an ARC Review. Thank you for this honour ❤️
Okay what?!!! This book is amazing! I loved every second of it. I was hooked on from page one! I literally have no words. It was just sooo good and amazing, loved it!!
Genuinely have to stop listening to booktok reviews. This was just two people who were in lust with each other. Tons of lust and no real romantic build up, but then boom they’re in love. I didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t reread it and will remove it from my brain by tomorrow.
When I was ARC reading previous "Venomous Kiss" (that I adored), I had this recurring thought. And it only impossibly grew with this new book: T.L. is a dominatrix with her written words. She has us readers by our dark thoughts and our forbidden desires.
Venomous Attraction is dark, unhinged, strong and hard and raw. And delicious. I feel every word on my skin and deep inside my mind.
It follows Arlo (which we knew from Venomous Kiss), a world know therapist, and Cora, a successful real estate agent: opposites attract through and through.
Arlo is a prominent member of a secret society that is all surrounded by darkness. And Cora, although has sadness in her heart, is looking for love. And lust. And she founds both in this unexpected stranger Arlo, who is like a magnet.
This is insanely addictive. Proceed with cautious. But go. And feel. And get excited with this dark world. For me it a favorite.
Thank you to the author and Enticing Journey Book Promotions for this ARC.
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some my favorite quotes:
It's like he knows my deepest, darkest secrets.
You see, I have a certain taste in women. I don't do vulnerable because I plan to break them.
She is an enigma. (...) I enjoy breaking things, so Cora offers me a challenge with her impenetrable walls.
I can't say I have ever had a man proposition me quite like this before. It's intimidating, and yet it causes something to come alive in me.
And Momma always said, if a man scares you a little... run.
"Why the hell did he look at you like he wanted do eat you?"
I wonder what really fazes her, what gets under her skin and makes her scream. I really want to find out.
"Are you thinking of running?" "I like it when they run."
If I were a sane man, right here and now would be where I would have lost it and taken her. But luckily for her, I'm a fucked-up man, and she's only feeding the darker side of me.
Her words are like gasoline on an open flame. They ignite a wildfire of rage and possessiveness in my chest. Unleashing a feral beast that day by day is hidden under expensive suits, shiny shoes, and a practiced calm for a façade.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.
This is the story of Arlo and Cora. If you have been reading this series then you know all about he Forsaken Society. The nerve wracking hunts they do and how it is a top secret group of men. Arlo is a very wealthy and sought after therapist. He has a practice that he loves and the man certainly at some point has had to spend some time in a office just like his. However, his darkness is well understood by him it seems. The man is in the market for real estate and he isn't going to buy a thing until realtor Cora Ashford shows him a property. He doesn't do relationships and she certainly does not either. However, the second that Arlo saw her he becomes a little obsessed with her. He is certainly a man that is going to make sure she is looked after and well taken care of, weather she knows it or not. Cora is not one to fall at a mans feet. She grew up poor and her mother has to have care now. It is why she works so hard and grown her business like she has. But Cora is a girl who knows what she wants and she is not going to settle for less. She has a few people in her life and her best friend is everything to her. There is quiet a bit going on in this book and it will keep you on your toes and at times on the edge of your seat. This book is so good, you will not be able to lay it down. I devoured it. This will put you on a roller coaster than our never want to get off of. I think I went though a wide range of emotions and at times my heart was in my throat. I love Arlo. There is so much more to him than what he shows people and I love that Cora brought those things out of him and he did the same for her. These are two successful people that need someone in their life. I loved that Cora is so spunky and man she has a mouth on her. She doesn't let Arlo off the hook, or take his bossing her around laying down. I have to hush or I am going to start giving things away. You just need to run and get this book!!! You will love it as much as I did.
"Arlo Graves, what a venomous attracrtion you turned out to be!"
I loved so much "Venomous Kiss" and I was anticipating the next book in the series!!! And here we are, and this time our hero is no other than Arlo Graves and I was ecstatic!!! He was about to eat up his words in here and his match in Heaven was Cora Ashford!!! A woman that knew what she wanted, but whom Arlo was poisoning with his venomous attraction... He was becoming dangerous for her and she had to fight him with teeth and nails if she wanted to survive him!!!
Arlo had never chased a woman before in his life, until Cora got in the picture!!! He wants her and he is determined to have her, even though she is fighting him in every turn... But soon, he will realize that this woman is nothing like the others and that he is enjoying the chase a little too much!!! Cora is a business woman and she knows what she wants... She wants stability and something more than sex and Arlo is not the man to provide these things to her... But his persistence are making her resistance to crumble from time to time. What is this venomous attraction that is lying between them??? Will they survive the venom or they will get lost???
I liked both Arlo and Cora... Not more than Reon and Lilith, but that's a ME thing!!! Their story was more about the body pleasures than anything else.... It took a long time for them to get closer in emotional level... But still, I enjoyed the push and pull, the chase and the delicious banters between them... I just wanted a little bit more background action from the society games as it was in the first book!!! Either way, I love this series and I liked Arlo and his girl!!! I enjoyed their ride and now, I can not wait to learn everything about Soren!!! I am so intrigued by this man!!!
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
Kindle Unlimited: Yes Stand-alone: Yes*** Author: T.L. Smith Rating: 5/5 ⭐️ Spiciness Rating: 3/5 🌶 POV: First Person Dual Perspective Main Couple: Arlo and Cora Trope(s): Secret Society, Billionaire Anti-Hero, He Falls First, Strong Independent FMC
‘I didn’t plan on staying the night. I came here to nub myself. I like that when I’m with him, everything else kind of vanishes’
If you read Venomous Kiss Arlo Graves will be a familiar face And, if you have read T.L. before you won’t be surprised she gave him his own book. Because writing morally grey men is totally her jam. And, I am here for it. I have been reading T.L. since 2020 and I have to say Arlo and Cora are up there as a favorite couple. This book adds more to the Forsaken Society making me think we are going to get a couple more stories out of it. Arlo is straightforward and used to getting what he wants. Cora has built a life for herself. She is independent AF, confident, and knows what she wants out of life. She isn’t easily broken. With each passing day Arlo realizes the fulfilling life he thought he was leading pales in comparison to what Cora brings to the table. All his usual go to’s no longer hold the appeal they once did.
Arlo Graves is one of the leading therapists in the city. Cora Ashford is one of the leading real estate agents in the city.
And, Arlo wants nothing more than to break her. If only he could read her the way he can other people.
So, he propositions her for more than her ability to find him a suitable building to buy.
His proposition would normally be up her alley. Running her company and taking care of her ailing mother take up her time and energy.
But, she has heard the rumors about him. And, he makes her feel way too much.
Arlo’s obsession grows. He’s ready to give Cora more than he has anyone else. Ever.
But, their life and his Forsaken Society life intersect. As much as Arlo has tried to keep them separate.