Beautiful Betrayal

Tempting Love #3

by Nikki Ash

Falling for a man who’s forcing me to marry him makes me sound weak. And in our world, the last thing a woman wants is to feel weak.

Brielle

Kane Morgan was never supposed to be anything more than one reckless night.
Turns out, he’s the enemy, and he knew exactly who I was when he was making me forget my name—while screaming his.
Now, Kane wants more than just revenge on my family. He wants me as his wife.
After a lifetime of heartache, all I want is to marry for love.
But Kane’s ripping that dream away, forcing me into a marriage of revenge.
He’s cold, ruthless, and calculating, and yet he’s everything I can’t seem to resist.
Because when we’re alone, he shows me a different side of him.
I hate that he comforts me when my past creeps into my nightmares. That he believes in my dreams. And most of all, that every stolen moment with him feels like it could put my broken pieces back together.
I shouldn’t be falling for my new husband. He gives me everything I’ve ever wanted … except the one thing I long for—his heart.

Please note: Beautiful Betrayal is not a mafia romance. The book is a dark romance because of its content. Since dark romance can mean different things to different readers, please check the detailed content warnings on my website. Your mental health matters.

Genres: Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Audiobook, Mafia Romance, Dark, Spicy

388 pages, Paperback

Published January 18, 2026

About the author

Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book.

Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. - Pam Allyn

While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!

Reviews

[Tashia · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know what I am?

A glutton for punishment.

Because even though I didn’t like book one…
and even though I didn’t like book two…

Here I am.

Book three.

Reading like I don’t have sense.

And as my grandmother used to say:

“You got about as much sense as God gave a billy goat.”

And at this point?

She was talking about me.

---

📚 **The Situation**

This is book three in the Tempting Love series by Nikki Ash and we are following Brielle.

And this book said:

“We’re starting with trauma immediately.”

First page?

Brielle is strapped to a gurney while her father is yelling over her.

Because she’s being forced to have an abortion.

Why?

Because she fell in love with someone she wasn’t arranged to marry.

And just to make it worse?

She was also assaulted by her arranged husband.

So she doesn’t even know who the father is.

Andrey Antonov then kills her boyfriend and blames her for everything.

So yeah.

We are starting in hell.

Now—none of this is new.

We’ve been hearing about this since book one.

Repeatedly.

Extensively.

In detail.

---

⏩ **Time Jump**

Six years later she comes back from Russia.

Why?

Great question.

Because depending on the paragraph:

* she missed her family
* her grandparents died
* Dominik asked her to come home
* Dominik forced her to come home

Pick one.

Please.

---

💀 **Character Energy**

**FMC (Brielle):**
I am trying.

I am really trying to understand her.

But she is making it DIFFICULT.

She says she wants control over her life…

Kane offers her control…

And her response?

“I don’t know what I want.”

Ma’am.

Then WHY are we here.

She has sex with this man. Enjoys it. Immediately starts thinking long-term.

The next day?

Marriage is arranged.

Her brothers literally say:

“We can find another way.”

And she still goes through with it.

Only to spend the rest of the book acting like a raccoon on meth.

I don’t understand.

---

**MMC (Kane):**
Now Kane walks in like:

“I’m Joseph Rothschild’s illegitimate son and I’m here to shake the table.”

And I said okay… plot.

Finally.

But then…

He’s just there.

Doing things.

Existing.

I did not connect to this man at all.

---

😭 **The Chaos**

Let’s talk about the setup:

Brielle meets Kane at a bar.

He offers her two orgasms. Three if she stays the night.

And at this point?

I just sighed.

Because this is my THIRD book in a row of:

“Nice to meet you, let’s go upstairs immediately.”

And now I have to reflect on my own life choices.

---

🗣️ **BUT WE NEED TO TALK**

This book is circling the drain.

Rapidly.

Nothing is moving forward.

All we are getting is:

* Brielle going back and forth every three pages
* constant repetition of her trauma
* plot threads that go nowhere

If I had to hear about Andrey Antonov ONE MORE TIME…

I was going to lose it.

We have been hearing the same story since book one.

I know what happened.

I was there.

---

😒 **What Didn’t Work**

Let’s break it down:

* Brielle’s motivation changes every five minutes
* The marriage decision makes no sense
* The emotional back-and-forth is exhausting
* The repetition?? Half the book
* Random side plots (Lorenzo… why are we here??)
* The mafia element is basically nonexistent

These are not mafia men.

These are morally gray men with access to money and vibes.

That’s it.

---

😏 **What Worked**

I’m going to be honest…

Very little connected for me here.

The concept of Brielle’s story?

Strong.

Execution?

Did not hit.

---

🔥 **Spice Report**

It was there.

Technically.

That’s all I’m going to say.

---

📊 **Rating (13Pages Scale)**

⭐⭐ — Why did I do this to myself

---

🧨 **Final Verdict**

This book did not move.

The plot stalled. The characters stalled. I stalled.

I understand trauma.

I understand healing.

But this was just repetition without progress.

And that made it frustrating instead of emotional.

I didn’t like Kane.

I didn’t like Brielle.

I didn’t connect to anyone.

I just wanted it to be over.

---

💬 **Signature Outro**

And just like a moth to a flame…

I will probably read book four.

Because I am, in fact, as bright as an unlit candle.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay y’all! Beautiful Betrayal is officially my favorite book my Nikki Ash! This story was fantastic and I standout in this series for sure.

Kane Morgan is a man DOWN SOOOOO BAD. This man came in hot looking for revenge and pivoted so quickly because of his connection & chemistry with Brielle.

“I’ve fallen in love with my soon-to-be wife, and I have no intention of letting her go.”

Brielle’s journey to a HEA was a LONG time coming. I’ve been anxiously awaiting her love story because she truly deserved to be happy after everything she went through. Kane went out of his way to make sure she knew he loved her. He made all of her desires in the bedroom come true and was 100% on board with relinquishing all control over to her to make sure felt safe.

“Ride me, Queen. You’re in charge, baby. Take us both over the edge.”

I can’t stress to y’all enough, Kane Morgan is top tier book husband material! Please run to read this one!

“I warned you before that I don’t share, and I meant it. You’re mine, baby.”

I am so ready for the last book in this series! I feel like it’s going to be a WILD ride and I can’t wait!

Tropes:
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to Lovers
💋 She’s In Control
🥵 He Makes Her Dreams & Desires Reality
🏡 Forced Proximity
💍 Coerced Marriage
👊🏼 Protective MMC
🤭 Secret Pregnancy
🩶 Dark Romance

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ride Me, Queen"

This starts in a very, very dark place, reliving two horrific, extremely traumatizing events that Brielle (princess) Antonov had forced upon her. The flashbacks are realistic, and the fear is palpable. These are definite reasons to check your triggers. I've been reading the series in order - not a requirement but strongly recommended - and knew about them, but it still has the potential to mess with a person.

Oh, I so want to hate Kane Morgan. I mean, he's the devil's relation. It's really unnerving that liking him is so much easier. 😉 I should probably have my head checked, but he gives her control when he realizes he needs it. 😍🔥 Sure, he can be a bossy SOB, but the ways he shows up are great.

I'm falling in love with my husband, and I think I'm actually OK with that.
-- Brielle Antonov Morgan

There's a plot twist (or two) that surprises me, but I like how it all comes together. Again, I recommend you read this series in order for the best understanding and enjoyment, but if you can go solo on this.

I listened to the audio book. While I wish the narrators were in duet, I really enjoyed listening to Marie Hawkins and Duncan Prescott. 🎧❤️🎧

Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x

H = 30s?; h = 27

TROPES & TRIGGERS:
🖤 Dark romance
❤️ Not allergic to 🐈
🖤 R@pe - past event w limited details
❤️ Sizzling chemistry 🌶
🖤 Soft for her, loved ones
❤️ Power dynamics
🖤 Sexual assault
❤️ Morally gray
🖤 Forced loss of pregnancy

From the author:
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available: https://rainn.org/resources

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikki writes for her readers. At least I believe she knows them well, she understands them, and knows what they want. In Beautiful Betrayal, she has truly captured one of the common reasons why many readers who have endured trauma similar to Brielle often gravitate toward dark romance. Or books with themes with varying degrees of darkness and spice. Nikki conveys, through Brielle, a character who reclaims her power—she dictates and rewrites the outcome she wants after facing trauma. It’s a journey to get there. When others may not understand this healing framework, Kane does. Kane understands and supports Brielle, giving her control—something he knows she needs.

I loved how Kane supports Brielle intimately, but he helps empower her in other aspects of her life—something she never received from anyone. The romance developed well in this story. The crime families storyline balanced well, too.

Once again, I have to say how much Nikki knows what readers want. An MMC that is humbled? Yes. Some groveling? Yes. Still, does he have alpha qualities? Yes. An FMC strong AF? YES!! And for the Secret Pregnancy lovers? Yes!

Nikki Ash gets it right. Beautiful Betrayal, as well as the Tempting Love series, is one you shouldn’t pass up.

Thank you to Author Nikki Ash for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Courtenay (ceelovesbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy smokes! What a wild ride ! This one was crazy and unexpected, but the ending was so so sweet. Full RTC.

____________________

When Nikki Ash says she writing a Secret Baby book.. you know I’m there ! Mix in a bit of Forced Marriage, a ONS turned to more, the characters we all know and love, and some Suspense and Drama? Well, that’s what you get when you pick up Beautiful Betrayal.

This book is probably the darkest of the series, Brielle has been through a lot at the hands of her father and some of the men in her life so please check TWs before diving in.

I definitely didn’t know what to expect from these characters! Kane was a complete mystery to me, and although I didn’t love him at first.. he really did grow on me. He’s very protective of his “wife” and watching him learn to understand and help Brielle when she needed him too was really sweet to watch.

Brielle really grew into a strong, lovely, confident woman. She went from feeling broken and lost to a woman with a plan and a future that she can be proud of.

These two definitely had some very hot & spicy moments, as well as some firey exchanges, and this book was truly a wild ride! The plot moves quickly so make sure you’re paying attention, especially at the end 👀 I’m very much looking forward to the next book.. because WHAT THE HECK is going to happen !

Thank you Nikki for the opportunity to read this copy early ❤️

[Noura j · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will miss kane so much
I feel like this is a breakup not finishing a book
Not to be dramatic but i loved this book and its vibe

[Insomnolent Reader °ㅠ_ㅠ° · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk where the betrayal part is. Like betraying her freedom? Choices? Idk.

I liked Kane. Brielle needs to see a therapist.

[Mandy Sickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Beautiful Betrayal in return for an honest review from the author. 

Brielle was expected to marry one of her father’s business associates son's but that didn't end up happening. Now his other son has come to claim her after one mind blowing night. Kane had planned to destroy Brielle's family but instead decides to go into business with her brothers and take her as his wife. 

I loved Brielle and Kane they have this sizzling chemistry and it's sweet how he takes care of her and worries about her needs. I loved that we got to see characters from the prior book as they are some of my favorite couples. I think all the characters are great I felt like every couple I've falling in love with and been able to connect with. 

While this series is a standalone the prior couples are part of the story and I suggest reading them in order. I ended up devouring this one in just one reading session I was hooked on the story right from the start. I'm a huge fan of the author's storytelling as I fall in love with new characters and every story. I think Brielle and Kane may be my favorite couple so far, because they just stole a little piece of my heart. I've loved all the authors books and she's on my autobuy list. If you are looking for a mafia romance highly recommend. 

[Kinjal Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

kane morgan will ruin you and you will thank him

I read this in one sitting. The book arrived and I did not move.
I have loved this series since Book 1 and I genuinely thought Nikki Ash had already given us everything this world had to offer. Beautiful Betrayal proved me completely wrong. This is the best book in the series so far and I say that having loved every single entry before it.
What this book is:
Enemies to lovers. Forced marriage. Secret pregnancy. Small town. A morally grey MMC with possessive energy that will ruin you. An emotionally complex FMC who will wreck your heart open.
Brielle is carrying wounds that go far deeper than any failed relationship. Father wounds. The kind that quietly shape everything — how you see yourself, what you believe you deserve, whether you trust that love can ever be real and freely given rather than conditional. All she wants is a marriage built on genuine choice. Instead she gets forced into one with a man who arrived with an agenda.
Her emotional arc throughout this book is one of the most real and layered I have read in this genre. She is insecure and guarded and so deeply human that I connected with her in ways I did not expect. There is a moment in this book that had me putting my kindle down just to breathe.
Kane Morgan is everything dark romance readers love in an MMC — obsessive, possessive, touch-her-and-die from page one. But what makes him exceptional is the subtlety of how he falls. It is quiet at first. It is in the small things. The way he watches her. The casual weight of my wife leaving his mouth for the first time. The tension between them builds so slowly you do not realise you are completely consumed until it is far too late.
What sets Kane apart from other possessive MMCs in this genre is the depth of his emotional intelligence. Underneath all that ruthless energy is a man who pays attention. Who reads her. Who understands what she needs even when she cannot say it out loud. That is what makes him one of my favourite MMCs of the year.
I cried. I laughed. I highlighted more than I will admit. The forced marriage tension is perfectly executed, the slow burn is agonising in the best way, and the emotional payoff of this entire book is deeply satisfying.
Series note: I always recommend starting with Sweetest Sin — Book 1 sets the world beautifully and each book follows a different couple. You can read them as standalones but the experience is richer in order.

[olivia☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Me waiting for the betrayal to happen in a book called Beautiful Betrayal. 🧍‍♀️

There is so much going on for such a short book, I actually cba. I saw another review that said these characters casually get shot, kidnapped, threatened, nearly murdered every three minutes, and then they’re just back to normal programming like Pilates as if nothing happened. How am I supposed to take any of this seriously?

I genuinely don’t think this book warrants a proper review because it’s that bad. Just read my notes below and you’ll understand exactly what happens—and why you’d be wasting your time if you picked it up.

The only thing I’ll mention is that it does tackle some genuinely heavy subject matter, and the problem is that the characters are so flat and uninteresting that I never actually felt anything for them specifically. I felt bad because the situations were horrific, not because I cared about the people they were happening to….which is not good writing.

Also… why does every single character have the same or similar tragic backstory? Trauma after trauma after trauma. Rape after rape after rape. And why are there babies everywhere? I definitely think you’re expected to have read the previous books because there are so many characters, side plots and family dynamics that the book just assumes you already know and care about. (I didn’t.)


General Notes I Made:
Six years go, Bri was forced to have an abortion by her abusive father, who controls every aspect of her life.

Her arranged husband rapes her.

She has just broken up with her boyfriend Theo because he can’t satisfy her sexually. She enjoys rough, dominant sex.

Kane overhears her talking in a bar about never having orgasmed with anyone except her first boyfriend, Owen, who was murdered by her father. He takes her back to his hotel, gives her control during sex, and actually listens to what she wants.

Kane wants to marry Bri because he likes her… and because it helps him get revenge. However, considering his own brother was a rapist, I wasn’t exactly sat for his revenge arc.

Bri agrees because it helps fulfil her brother’s dream of the waterfront expansion project and because she’s exhausted by all the bloodshed.

I’m sorry, but I’m not swooning for a man who says, “I’ve tasted your pussy and stuffed it with my cock, and it’s worth risking my life over,” while they’re literally having dinner. PUBLICLY. 😐

Kane takes her to a sex club where she witnesses what appears to be a rape scene. It’s CNC, but understandably triggers her and makes Kane start questioning what happened in her past.

Kane never shuts up about how love makes people irrational and how he’s triggered by love. We get it.

Lorenzo (whoever that is…) finds out his ex-girlfriend’s baby is actually his.

Kane starts hiding Dani’s birth control pills.

During a spa day, Carlos Santiago attacks the women, but Kane conveniently appears from down the street to save Bri.

Kane annoyed me so much when he became weirdly defensive about his rapist brother’s baby. No, actually, his mother doesn’t deserve the privilege of being a grandmother through her rapist son’s child.

Bru buys expensive designer clothes to keep up appearances and hide the scars underneath…. Whatever that means.

There are about fifteen different subplots happening at once: her Pilates studio, her abandoned dream of becoming a teacher, Nicole’s dad (the mayor) being involved in an attack, babies being born, someone targeting the family, Bri volunteering at the humane society… why?

Bri gets kidnapped.

She asks Kane to pretend to rape her. 🙂

Anyway… now they’re skiing. 🧍‍♀️

She finds divorce papers and the birth control pills in Kane’s office. She assumes he thinks she’s “damaged goods” after learning about her rape. That’s not actually why—he just wants her to decide for herself to marry him and start fresh.

She’s pregnant.

Now Kane’s CFO is stealing from him. 😭 Like… why? Who cares at this point?

During her first prenatal appointment, Bri discovers the doctor who performed her forced abortion years earlier is still practising.

I can’t imagine being threatened by a mafia boss into performing a forced abortion… only for that girl’s mafia husband to track me down years later and remove my hands. Heavy.

Kane gets shot. 😐 WILL. THIS. BOOK. END. I genuinely do not care anymore.

[Nikki Ash]

Beautiful Betrayal: an enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, secret pregnancy romance by Nikki Ash is live and available in Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and audio-narrated by Marie Hawkins and Duncan Prescott.

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5QW4PHD
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F5QW4PHD
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F5QW4PHD

You can also grab a limited special edition, which has foiled font, sprayed edges, and colored character art, on my website: www.authornikkiash.com/shop/

Brielle
 
Kane Morgan was never supposed to be anything more than one reckless night.
 
Turns out, he’s the enemy, and he knew exactly who I was when he was making me forget my name—while screaming his.
 
Now, Kane wants more than just revenge on my family. He wants me as his wife. 
 
After a lifetime of heartache, all I want is to marry for love.
 
But Kane’s ripping that dream away, forcing me into a marriage of revenge.
 
He’s cold, ruthless, and calculating, and yet he’s everything I can’t seem to resist.
 
Because when we’re alone, he shows me a different side of him.
 
I hate that he comforts me when my past creeps into my nightmares. That he believes in my dreams. And most of all, that every stolen moment with him feels like it could put my broken pieces back together.
 
I shouldn’t be falling for my new husband. He gives me everything I’ve ever wanted … except the one thing I long for—his heart.

[Donna reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn’t just pull you in…it drags you through fire, leaves you breathless and dares you to survive the fall.

Brielle calls herself weak but she is a storm.
Every shard of her vulnerability, every flicker of her defiance, every raw, aching moment of longing it cuts deep and burns beautifully.

And Kane Morgan… He’s every kind of dangerous and heartbreakingly perfect.
Cold, calculated, ruthless to the world… yet utterly devoted to Brielle.
He stands by her, defends her and believes in her when she can’t believe in herself. It’s so freaking swoon-worthy you’ll melt in your seat.
And the way he speaks to her behind closed doors, possessive, commanding, dirty-talking…it will leave you weak in the knees.

The tension between them? Electric.
Every glance, every stolen touch, every word unspoken is war, seduction and surrender all at once.
Desire and resentment collide in a way that will leave your heart racing.
But it’s not just the heated passion that makes this story unforgettable it’s the emotion, the healing, the ache of two broken people finding pieces of themselves in each other.

Kane isn’t just a lover, he’s her anchor, her storm and the one person who makes her feel whole.

This is a storytelling masterpiece: dark, addictive, profoundly human and unapologetically intense.

✔️A forced marriage.
✔️A morally gray hero.
✔️A heroine who refuses to stay broken.
And a love that terrifies, consumes and redeems.

Huge praise to author Nikki Ash for crafting characters that leap off the page, a story that lingers long after the last word and a romance that is as emotionally charged as it is intoxicating.

This isn’t just a book…it’s an experience.

If you want a story that will haunt your heart, ignite your soul and leave you craving more morally gray heroes and fiercely resilient women.. this is it.

[Khou Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

One night stand, forced marriage, forced proximity, morally gray hero. I suggest reading Sweetest Sin and Deadliest Desire before this book, they all interconnect. While it's not necessary, the plot between their fathers go all the way back in book 1, so you get a better understanding of the whole picture. With that being said, I think Kane Morgan is my favorite man out of the series. Well he's tied with Matteo. Kane Morgan is out for revenge after his father and brother's death. What better way than to mess with the business expansion of the people responsible for it? But after one night with Brielle Antonova, he decides he wants to keep hee forever. Breille is a strong independent woman whos been forced through things in her past. While she reluctantly agrees, she know it'll never be a love marriage. Something she's always wanted.

Okay this book was soooo good! I read it in 24 hours! Her books always make it seem like I'm barely reading before I'm even finished with the book. I love a strong FMC who foesn't annoy me. She tries to piss Kane off but he just smiles! Kane is literally the sweetest! He knows she needs control so he's always asking for permission and never asks for more than she can give. Between the storyline and the spice, I was not bored at all! This is not mafia but I would say mafia adjacent since her brothers are the heads of their crime organization. Definitely recommend this as a must read!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kane and Brielle are definitely my favorite couple in this series! At first I wasn’t too sure how I was going to feel about them but with each encounter, I just fell more and more in love.

Kane is such a green flag and the absolute best husband any girl could ask for. Minus the fact that he was forcing Brielle to marry him but that’s something that can easily be overlooked after everything he does for Brielle. He literally goes above and beyond to show her how much he loves her and how much he knows what she needs.

Brielle went through so much and it was so amazing to see the strength of her character and how she finally let down her walls with Kane after a lot of convincing. Kane always made sure she was comfortable in everything that happened and let her have the control she always felt like she needed.

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Betrayal is book three In the Tempting Love Series. It is a dark, forced marriage, surprise pregnancy, enemies to lovers romance. The story is told in first person with dual POV.

Kane wants revenge for the wrongs done to his family. He insists on an arranged marriage between himself and Brielle. She agrees in order to protect her family. But, when hard truths are revealed and emotions get involved their situation just may get even more complicated.

Brielle's tragic past, nightmares, and flashbacks broke my heart. She is such a strong and courageous woman. Kane's protective nature towards Brielle and how he slowly wins over her family was fabulous.

The chemistry and spice between these two was off the charts hot! The way their relationship evolves and how they help heal each other's wounds was wonderful. I really enjoyed the action, the drama, the emotional moments, and the family aspect of this story.

This book is amazingly written with terrific characters, plot, storytelling, storyline, pace, flow, character development, relationship development, and world building. If you are looking for a forced marriage romance with a strong FMC and a MMC who is looking for revenge, then I'd definitely recommend this book.

Thank you so very much to Nikki Ash
for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

#BookReview #BookRecommendation #ReaderRecommendation #NewRelease #NowAvailable

[Kelly - Kelly's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 BLAZING HOT stars!

Holy wow. What a book. What a ride. THE TENSION.

While I really enjoyed all of the Tempting Love series, this book steals the show for me. It's so dang good and I knew it would be as soon as I saw the tropes listed...

* Dark romance
* Enemies to lovers
* Forced marriage
* Secret pregnancy

The enemies to lovers tension and the fight and sass in the female main character was EVERYTHING. The male main character challenging yet catering to her was also everything. It all made some delicious moments and a book I inhaled.

Go read this book and series! (Please read the trigger warnings first. It is a dark romance!)

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a book that has me wanting to shake not just the hero but the heroine as well!

Omg there were so many times I wanted to jump through the pages because these two are vaults. They hold so much in but I get it, I totally get their hesitation. It’s not the infuriating “if they just talked”! No they have deep scars and Brielle has every reason to hold back her pain but once Kane understood her oh the man did everything he could to heal her wounds!

This by far is my favorite in the series but I can’t wait for the next!

[Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t get enough of the Tempting Love series. Each couple has stolen my heart, the add in the add drama and danger that keeps popping up and yet the twists and turns keep coming. Brielle has been through a lot and trying to figure out her life back home until her time night stand is demanding her hand in marriage. Kane is out for revenge and that means making Brielle his wife, whether she wants to be or not. These two have explosive chemistry, Kane ruins any chance when he forced Brielle into a loveless marriage. However, with danger still lurking and issues without answers, these two find themselves living together and quickly heading to the alter. Brielle is determined to keep their marriage a business deal, but Kane slowly starts to win her over and see a future of possibilities. Kane is head strong, but slowly starts to see things differently and will do anything for Brielle. Kane is the guy you hate, but he wins you over by the end. Brielle and Kane take us on a wild, emotional journey that will have you rooting for these two to figure things out. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Bia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Klaudia Kalinowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright book tbf, easy read. Some of the things I didn’t particularly enjoy reading but it’s my fault for not reading the trigger warnings other than that it was a good book

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Betrayal is the third book in the Tempting Love series, delivering a gripping enemies to lovers dark romance with forced marriage, a one night stand gone wrong (or right?), secret baby elements, suspense, and plenty of emotional depth.
It’s not a mafia romance, as the author clearly notes, but it still carries that intense, high stakes vibe in a world of power, revenge, and complicated family ties.

Brielle has endured a lifetime of heartache, especially from the men in her life, including her father. All she craves is a marriage built on genuine love, not obligation or vengeance. 😞

For Kane Morgan, what starts as one reckless, unforgettable night turns into a calculated power move when Kane reveals he’s the enemy who knew exactly who she was all along.
Now he’s forcing her into marriage as the ultimate revenge against her family.
On paper, he’s cold, ruthless, and terrifying, the kind of man who should make her run. But behind closed doors, he shows a protective, almost tender side that chips away at her defenses. He comforts her through nightmares, believes in her dreams, and slowly helps piece together her broken parts. 🥰

The tension is delicious. The story blends fast burn physical chemistry with a slower, more guarded emotional burn, creating sizzling scenes that feel earned rather than rushed.
Kane starts as a mystery, arrogant and driven by revenge, but he grows into someone surprisingly caring and devoted once he commits to “his wife.”
Brielle is a strong, resilient heroine who feels real in her vulnerability, her internal conflict between hating the situation and craving the connection is portrayed with raw honesty.
The supporting cast from the series adds familiarity, while the drama and unexpected twists keep the pages turning.

This is probably the darkest installment in the Tempting Love series so far, with heavy themes around trauma, control, and healing, (definitely check the content warnings before diving in), as Brielle’s past involves significant pain at the hands of others. That said, the redemption arc, protective hero moments, and sweet payoff at the end balance the darkness beautifully.

If you enjoy dark romances where the anti hero learns to soften for his heroine, forced proximity that turns addictive, and a mix of steam, suspense, and healing, Beautiful Betrayal delivers.
Kane and Brielle quickly became favorites of mine.

I couldn’t put it down, it’s fast paced yet deeply felt, and that contrast between Kane’s ruthless exterior and his quiet care for Brielle is 🤌🏻🤌🏻

Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something intense, spicy, and ultimately hopeful.

Just go in prepared for the darker elements and enjoy the ride!

🦋

[Alibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely intrigued me. My favorite of the series and I definitely enjoyed the others as well. Every time I had to stop to do life or sleep, I was dying to get back to it.I almost skipped ahead just to sate my anxiousness of what was going to happen! Kane and Brielle were epic enemies to lovers...well they should be enemies but their hearts definitely had other ideas, just took the rest of them a bit to catch up. Kane definitely had the burn the world down for Brielle vibes, and I loved that he adored her attitude. So much I loved about these two. And the narrators brought them to life.

[Hayley Gallant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for my copy.

Rating: 3.5 stars 🌟🌟🌟✨

Tropes:
🖤Dark Romance
🔫Open Door Spice
🖤Forced Proximity
🔫Marriage Of Revenge
🖤Secret Baby
🔫Past Trauma

Thoughts: This book was full of Nikki Ash tropes that you will come to find and love in all of her books. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, the suspense aspects, and the twists and turns along the way.

Narration: Both of these narrators did a wonderful job with the telling of this story.

[maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥︎ Maya's Reads ♥︎

★★★★★ overall rating

For starters, I got introduced to this book through a TikTok edit I have had in my saves for probably over a year now & finally got around to reading it now. The TikTok briefly mentioned the synopsis of the book, and once I heard the secret baby trope... I was hooked. From this moment, I have not had the great privilege to have read a Nikki Ash book, but what a great book to start off with. I will be reviewing this entire series, so here goes my review...

**SPOLIERS AHEAD**
**Bonus Chapter Review Included**

For this book, Brielle & Kane were such a highly anticipated couple on part of the fact that we have seen Brielle's journey since the beginning of the series, and saw her finally getting her HEA, which is what we wanted. I absolutely love this book. I enjoy the arranged marriage. That is one of my favorite tropes because of the fact that it's close proximity and then falling in love after the fact, I just love that type of writing.
I think for sure what was a shock was how this book started with her having sex with Theo, who was her boyfriend, but essentially how her sexual desires, which were essentially mixed with possible great fantasies, freaked her out so much that she just cut it off based on them not being compatible. But I think some people might be shocked, but I think it was a good way for us to get a sense of who she is because we have seizure journey so far since then, so we kind of had to jump right into the whole aspect of the book and her breaking off the connection. It was clear that she is deeply traumatized by the death of Owen, the rape, & the forced abortion, which resulted in skewed sexual results, but I think that was so nice to see because it shows the realities of people who are sexually assaulted and then, and then other people just truly having rape fantasies. And I think having this set foundation I think we were able to see how her very lively spirited was essentially like a mask that she was like, but also it's what prompted and understanding between them once they had their one night stand, and seeing that king was super respectful and understanding for sexual desires in wanting to be in control, and in a way understanding that she needed to be a control and aspect of the relationship. I think once they had their one down and her realizing that that she was normal and that she wasn't the issue and her seeing that she is willing to move on in a sense, I think that was super important for her to understand, but also once it finally happened, I think that scared her.
I think for me it was so funny was the way that Kane got introduced was a scene at the baby shower how he just popped up and essentially said all of yousss owe me, & he used the factthat Audrey (Brielle dad) & Lorenzo/Dani dad pushed his dad out the company after having been so invovled and invested, but he for sure used it to his advantage. But I think the fact that throughout the entire time he was like i know what I don't need to force Brielle into marriage, but I want to, and I think his being confronted with it constantly throughout the book by Dominick and Mateo is just so clear that they both can see that other motives aren't just purely revenge. I think for me, seeing how from the back Kane was able to see that Brielle had such a deep and traumatizing experience, in which he concluded it was raped. By the way she acted in the sex club, and his immediate response was to check on her and ask her who did this and who hurt you, and once she didn't respond, he went straight to her brothers and saying like who hurt your sister and they, in a way, just accepted and just told him just by seeing how he reacted to the news. And I think for me this moment once he goes to her brothers and truly makes the effort into ensuring that he gets his part of the company, but also every time he goes to them, he asks about Brielle and I think for them this is where they fully started to involve him when it came to the dangers from their families, even though they probably won't admit, but just them accepting that and seeing for themselves that Kane truly have feelings for Brielle and it wasn't us a revenge plot. I think he has shown this side of himself, wanting to be protective, is when anything he hears about her wants, especially when it came to her pilates studio and Theo's constant attempts to ruin her dreams, he takes care of it. Even though her desire for control is there, it is clear that she enjoys the fact that Kane is being protective and still takes control in a way that she wants and accepts.
I think for me, the fact that we got a love confession from Kane first wasn't a complete surprise because, based on the fact that Brielle was the way she was. I think another part that I enjoyed about the book was that from the beginning, Kane was able to spot all the manner of ways that Brielle was using shopping and drinking as a coping mechanism to avoid the trauma she had suffered. In addition to him witnessing this first hand, he then went on to confront her every time they were now sexual because now she was using them to avoid the fact that she was catching feelings. I think once she got over this hurdle was when she fully told him about her rape after she was kidnapped & asking him to recreate the rape in order for her to heal, like both were able to get their outlet because both have such a sexual centrtic but its perfect because that would have been the only way for them to truly realize that they were falling for each other. I think the fact that we got to see how their love flourishes to another level is when Brielle believes that she is preggo and then that's when she discovers that Kane had drafted up divorce papers, and then she runs away to Russia. I love the fact that once Kane finds out that Brielle found the divorce papers that he goes to her brothers and of course once they try to get answers and him holding it down to not tell them the true reason was that he wanted to give her the control in wanting their marriage but he understood that that reasoning wasn't intented for her brother, but they did give him a clue, bc they saw how sadden he was. I think once he realized lshe was in Russia an the she realized that she jumped the gun now she now to truly request form him the time to think about this decission and him responsing that she take all the time that she needed and that he will accept any choice she did whther it hurt him or not, even gioing to the point to tell her that she can separate and that he will happily co-parent with her. I think this part of the book was so beautiful because we got to see her slowly accept his love, THEN BOMB HE GETS SHOT BY THEO & MATTEO SAVES HIM. I loved the fact that we got this plot because although she made up her mind beforehand to accept her new ring, once she heard about him getting shot, that truly broke her because now she was able to see for a fact that she was scared of losing him.
Another thing I really did enjoy was the bond that Kane is building with the rest of the family. Although they all started on rocky roads, wounds left by their deceased family members, they slowly started to gain each other's trust. For example, when Lorenzo tells Kane about Hiliary coming back and him finding out he is a father and him being there for him, or when time got rough when it came to their enemeies they were working together like when recusing Brielle while being kidnapped or when they found out the doctor that performed her abortion and tortured him, Or another part when Dani allowed and asked him if he wanted to hold Alba since she was his only paternal connection, while also reausshing him that even though your brother did me wrong you are.a good man, and I want you to be there for her child. Just such beautiful writing when it comes to building trust between this family!!! aBUT OMGG THE ENDING LORENZO COMING WITH NICOLE STEPSIS AND SAYING THEY ARE MARRIED, LIKE QUE WHAT?!?!?!

**Bonus Chapter Review**
When it comes to books and them having bonus chapters, I immediately run to go get them because I truly only read bonus chapters when I'm so deeply connected and interested in my books, so having me download this bonus chapter, you already know I'm locked in. I think seeing them in full romantic bliss and seeing them happy in being pregnant with their baby girl on the way, but for the bonus chapter, seeing the Pilates studio opening and them getting freaky. I think this is honestly the best bonus chapter because we got to see them in their classic freaky mode, seeing them just like is so beautiful. And also seeing them open up the Pilates studio and just being able to see Brielle's successes being accomplished with the help of Kane, and him just absolutely loving to see her. Be happy with the success that she's building. Just such a beautiful ending and addition to already such a great book.

[K1470 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One-liner sentence: I never knew a dark romance book like this would make me (a hard-core soft romance girlie) swoon like this

Kane Morgan: as the hidden love child of the Rothschild family, Kane has been his whole life away from the spotlight, because of the sea even changed his surname to his mother's name. His upbringing and personality is so different to that of the Rothschild family, however upon the death of his father and his half brothers, he takes it upon himself to continue on the legacy.

He only sees revenge he strives to get justice for those who killed his father, and he will stop at nothing to take down the Antonov family.

He remembers that a deal was made to organise a marriage between both families however the deal was broken and blood was spilt, so that was set aside... until now.
He has a claim on the land that the Antonov brothers have an interest in, and threatens to hold this over their heads.

However, he proposes a joint partnership and promises to lay off their backs on the promise that he gets to marry their sister Brielle.
The girl who spent the previous night in his bed.
Will he be able to avenge his father? And what will he make out of the pain his family has caused to the Antonovs


Brielle Antonova: The only daughter of the Russian organised crime boss Andrey Antonov, Brielle lives every day with emotional and physical scars. She carries with her the loss of her innocence and the loss of a child. And she decides that there is nothing exciting there for him but just boring normalcy.

She has no pleasure in the current relationship that she's in with Theodore and ends things. The same night she heads to a bar speaks to her friend about the things that Theo couldn't do for her, and a man who heard everything approaches her.
He promises to do to her what her ex couldn't achieve.

She finally gets an O...verwhelming insight into what this new start could mean for her.
The next day she didn't expect this new start would be marriage. Forced marriage. Something out of her control.

Brielle strives for control she lives on it. It's the air that she breathes, without it, she is lost.
But because of what her brothers will lose if she doesn't agree to marry Kane, she decides to sacrifice one thing for them.

Will she be able to put up with Kane someone who is supposed to be here enemy? She can't forget that one night they spent together and what he did for her. But she's gonna try her very best to forget.

......

Oh my gosh, this book was a rollercoaster.
Good thing I read the content trigger warnings before reading the book and I really appreciate the author including this part on her website.
I recommend anyone who has been in similar situations surrounding trauma to read content trigger warnings.

I felt so strongly for Brielle's character, she went through so much and was utterly failed by those around her.
She strive for control, but she never got it and she just accepted that.

But when she met Kane, he was willing to sacrifice control to give her that power and that freedom. Oh my gosh, and did I love him for doing that!!!

Kane himself was such different character from the start of the book to the end and his character development was something that was so beautiful to read.

He knew her went through and he could read exactly what she was contemplating in her head

The protectiveness from the start and the willingness he gave when it came to giving Brielle the control was a breath of fresh air.
He truly loved her and would've obviously done anything for her. That much is true.

AND OH MY GOSH THE SPICE IN THIS BOOK 10 OUT OF 10 OUT OF 10 OUT OF 10!!!


Favourite quotes:

“I need to be in control,” I blurt out.
“You need to be in control?” he parrots. “Okay. Then you’re in control.”
“Just like that?” I scoff, taken aback by his simple response.
“Just like that.”

“Brielle,” Kane says, pinching my chin, “it’s just you and me. Now, tell me what you want from me.”

“We need a safe word.”
“What? Why?”
“Because if I’m going to do anything that could hurt you, even if you want it, we need to make sure it’s done safely. I’m not an expert on BDSM, but I know enough to know that we need a safe word.”

"I swallow thickly as tears prick my eyes. It’s insane how in sync we are. Kane might’ve forced his way into my life, but I can’t deny the way he’s burrowed himself deep inside my marrow. I don’t think there’s anyone who knows me like he does.”

I want you to be sure I’m who you want. Because, Princess”—he tips my chin until I’m looking at him—“if you agree to spend your life with me, there’s no way I’m ever letting you go again.”

“What are you thinking about?” Bri croaks out, rolling over so her bump is pressed against my torso.
“How long I have to wait to get you pregnant again.”
Brielle laughs. “Let’s have this one first, and then we can discuss it.”

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kane Morgan and Brielle Antonov are extremely hot 🥵🔥 The chemistry between them practically melted my kindle from the inside out, as these two never lacked passion from the moment they met. Instead what they needed was time to build an emotional connection since they met over a one-night stand first and the feelings came much later. So if I was going to focus on the burn aspect...physically it's a hot, fast burn, but emotionally it's a slow burn.

Stubborn doesn't even begin to describe Brielle, but she has extremely high walls for a reason, which makes them nearly impossible to climb or for anyone to get close and know the real person behind them. Kane Morgan wasn't a quitter by any means, he also wasn't a person used to hearing no. It also didn't mean that he didn't personally enjoy climbing Brielle's walls, or having her scale his.😉😏

Without getting into the twisted backstory, in a nutshell, Kane came to town seeking revenge. He'd built his empire on the back of his lost family that he felt the Antonov's had a hand in destroying. As an Antonov, Brielle is just a piece in his overall plan, but it doesn't take him long to realize that Brielle is worth more than just revenge. He wants her. Period. End of statement.😍 It's really romance and obsession at his finest if you ask me, especially since I love a morally gray man.😉

Brielle was in the process of getting her life back on track after her father had all but crushed her future when Kane came bursting through her door. Not really giving her a choice to decide her future, she felt like she was taking multiple steps backwards by letting a man run her life, just like her father used to. If there’s one thing she didn't like it was having all her autonomy taken away. Hence, her super high walls around Kane. However, Kane didn't get successful by not paying attention and he learns to speak Brielle from head to toe in no time. 😏

The women of this series are tough and ultra caring for a reason. Daniella, Peyton, and Brielle have all gone through the wringer, in one way or another, but still have hearts of gold. It's honestly what makes them perfect matches for their men.❤️ Brielle didn't have an easy life and it's not until Kane comes into her orbit and as he begins unwrapping her layers that she lets down her facade enough to let out the complex woman underneath. Brielle, for the first time in her life, is allowed to shine and become the woman she's meant to be. I love that for her. 😭

I tore through Beautiful Betrayal in one day and loved it from the very first page. Kane and Brielle are definitely my new favorite couple, which says a lot since each couple in this world has been my favorite. However, this book isn't to be taken lightly. It contains some dark themes, so please read it with care and know what your own boundaries are especially when it comes to personal triggers.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Story & Narration🎧Gripping & Heartfelt!

Beautiful Betrayal
Tempting Love, Book 3
By: Nikki Ash
Narrated by: Duncan Prescott, Marie Hawkins

Nikki Ash takes you on another wild and twisted ride, an enemies-to-lovers romance like no other and one that holds your attention hostage and tugs at your heartstrings the entire time. This third book of her amazing “Tempting Love” series is Brielle Antonov and Kane Morgan’s story, and wow, what a story it is! Brielle’s father did her wrong in so many ways, and it scarred her, leaving part of her broken, but she is a survivor and trying to find her way in life. After a breakup with a guy who did nothing for her, she met him, Kane Morgan, and while he may have done it for her, it was just a one and done, steamy encounter. Or so she thought, because there was more to him than he let on, and he showed up making demands of her brother. Kane is on a mission, avenging his family, and is all about taking down the Antonov and making them pay, starting with taking Brielle as his wife, a promised arrangement their father’s made. Except not all is as it seems, and his vendetta is based on lies and deception. There is never a dull moment in this book, and it was great watching Brielle give as good as she got, and not bow down to Kane. This cleverly plotted, multi-layered story is well-written and has plenty of drama, angst, some twists-and-turns, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. The world-building, character growth and development are amazing, and I loved how far each grew in the end, a healing heart for both. Nikki Ash, thank you for another fantastic story and the wild and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Duncan Prescott and Marie Hawkins did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life, humanizing them with their emotions and personalities. Both embodied their roles completely, with Hawkins nailing it as Brielle, showcasing her strengths, determination, fierceness, and her vulnerabilities. Prescott did the same as Kane and was a natural in the role. They set the ideal tone for the story, conveyed all the characters’ emotions, and had you feeling them all. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to, and their captivating performance keeps you hooked to the story.

[Lourdes | Lu and her books ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐4.5/5
🌶️3/5
📌Check TW

I think Kane might be my new favorite. I am fully swooning over that man. This one-night stand turned forced marriage delivers chemistry so intense it practically melted my e-reader. From the moment they meet, Brielle and Kane radiate raw, undeniable passion that never fades.

Brielle may challenge Kane at every turn, but beneath her strength is a deeply broken woman carrying the weight of unimaginable pain caused by her father. Her story hit hard. I could feel her pain through every page and honestly just wanted to give her a hug.

Kane is not easy to love at first. He comes across as cold and calculating, forcing Brielle into an arranged marriage tied to past agreements and his own revenge. But beneath that exterior, there is so much more to him. He owns his mistakes, tries to make things right, and ultimately gives Brielle something she has never truly had before, the freedom to choose her own life.

What really won me over was how intentional he became about loving her, showing her she was worth more than revenge, more than her past, more than anything she had been made to believe. He was determined to give her the happiness she deserved. Truly top tier book husband material.

I was hooked on Beautiful Betrayal from the very first page. Brielle and Kane have easily become my favorite couple in the series, which says a lot because I loved the previous ones. If you enjoy secret pregnancy, dark romance, suspense, and morally gray heroes, this is a must read.

That said, do not go in unprepared. This story explores some heavy and dark themes, so be sure to check the trigger warnings.

Thank you so much to Nikki for this great ARC!

[Emily Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 👑 👑 👑 👑 👑

This review contains a spoiler for the sake of a trigger warning!

Love, love, love did I mention LOVE?!

This is the third book in the series I’ve read and it’s easily my favourite so far. I knew I was going to love this one from the very first romance scene when everything shifts from intense to playful and he starts tickling her until she can’t breathe. That moment completely sold me.

I’ve been so excited for Brielle’s story. Watching her grow from a side character in her brother’s books to taking centre stage in her own was incredibly satisfying. Seeing her reclaim her power after such a traumatic and difficult upbringing was beautiful and honestly so deserved. I was genuinely happy she got her happily ever after.

Kane comes across as this tough, cockt businessman (which he totally is) but with Brielle he’s a total softie, a softie who can still be a little rough when the moment calls for it. What I loved most about him was how he recognised her need for control after a lifetime of having it taken away. He was willing to step back and give her that control and help her rebuild the parts of herself that had been broken over the years.

Watching them fall in love was so special. It definitely starts off rocky, two strong willed people clashing, but that just made their connection feel even more real. In the end, they balance each other perfectly.

Trigger warning: This book includes themes of sexual assault as well as a consensual role play scenario involving a simulated assault used as part of Brielle’s healing journey. This may be triggering for some readers, so please take care, your mental health always comes first.

All in all it was a great read I couldn’t put down! I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Bring on Lorenzo!!

[Victoria Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I've fallen in love with my soon to be wife, and I have no intention of letting her go."

This is book 3 in this series Tempting Love 3

This is Brielle and Kane's story.

What to expect
💜Enemies to Lovers
💜Arranged marriage
💜Secret pregnancy
💜Morally grey possessive MMC
💜Forced proximity


Brielle has been through so much but she also has alot of strength and has built up walls around herself to protect her.
Kane is a very dangerous, powerful guy who is on a path of revenge and he is determined no matter what at all cost to restore his family's legacy. Only the one thing he didn't anticipate was her and she has threw a curve ball right into his plans.

These characters had the most amazing chemistry between them both and the slow burn push and pull will have you rooting for them. I absolutely loved how Kane was there for Brielle and how he helped not, not suffocated her but gave her what she needed and helped her. I also loved how mega protective he is I love that in a MMC,and how he knows exactly what she needs.

I loved the suspense, the mystery and the way this story kept you on your toes and at the edge of the seat. I love the twists and the fact that I couldn't guess what was coming next. This book is a great read and one that will pull on your emotions and I love the character development. This author has a way of writing where she brings the characters to life on the page perfectly and makes you feel everything they do. This authors style of writing style always grabs my attention and keeps me hooked right until the very end.

I highly recommend this series.


Check triggers before you start there is some heavy content.


I can't wait to read more from this author.