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Hush Hush #1

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Fifty Shades of Grey meets Revenge in this tantalizing new series about a young woman who’s willing to do anything in the name of vengeance.

Something terrible happened to April Morrison when she was eleven years old. When she returns home to New Orleans fourteen years later as “Sophia,” she has only one word on her mind: revenge. She’s got her eye on Charles and Barbara Hawthorne, the crowning jewel of New Orleans’ elite and the ones responsible for turning her life upside down.

Enter Liam Hawthorne, the couple’s successful, strikingly handsome, and irresistibly dominant thirty-two year old son. When Liam makes a provocative proposal, it occurs to April that he may be just the “in” she needs. But what she doesn’t bargain for is Liam’s insatiable—and thrilling—sexual appetite. And as Liam begins to test April’s limits, she realizes that appearances are not what they seem.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2015

22 people are currently reading
195 people want to read

About the author

Anneliese Vandell

5 books17 followers
Anneliese Vandell isn’t the kind of woman you want to bring home to your mother. She specializes in writing steamy erotic romance with a twist of suspense, starring alpha males who are handsome, commanding, and fiercely protective of the women they love. When she is not writing, she can most likely be found searching for the perfect New York bagel.

She loves to hear from readers, so please visit her on Facebook and Twitter.

Be the first to hear about upcoming releases from Anneliese Vandell. Subscribe to her mailing list at www.missanneliese.com.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Flo.
204 reviews585 followers
May 14, 2015
2-2.5 well that wasn't for me STARS



*sigh*

So, the premise for Hush Hush was Fifty Shades meets Revenge! And yes, I'm a glutton for punishment, and not the right kind of punishment...unfortunately.
I have this problem where cliché romance tropes just absolutely speak to me and then I feel sorry for myself when it doesn't turn out too well.

Let's just say Liam is in no Christian Grey (I rated those books very poorly as well, so that's not saying much) and April/Sophia is in no way as kick-ass as Emily Thorne! Not even close.

I'm really sorry to say, but this just didn't work for me. The author was so kind to give me an ARC and I had moderately high hopes, but I just can't give this book more stars.



Here is the story in a nutshell:

April Morrison (or Sophia, that's her undercover name) is back in New Orleans for the first time in fourteen years. And she is here to seek revenge against the Hawthorne family, who apparently caused her parents' imprisonment for cheating people out of their money. She is supposed to make first contact at a country club party, but fails miserably, only to run into a good looking guy instead. Turns out he is the family's son, Liam.

You can guess the rest.

**From here on out it gets a little spoiler-ish!

The thing is, the plan to take them down is supposedly so well thought out and researched, but she constantly seems like she has no idea what to do. And she doesn't even know the son? WTF? This is a rich and powerful family, the kind that gets photographed all of the time and she has no idea what these people look like? Yeah right.



Don't even get me started on the sketchy evidence that her parents are innocent. In fact, over the course of the book April herself indicated that something was fishy about her mum and dad. They lead a simple life with very little money, but every once in a while there would be first class trips across the country. But no money to buy April a new bike. Seriously? How? And why the revenge plot if they did it?

Also, where is the evidence that the Hawthornes are at fault? Your gut feeling? At that point I was just lost. I'm not taking this stuff at face value, you have to give me more than that. I've watched so many criminal procedurals over the years...but that didn't work for me.

Did I mention that she is a blushing virgin? At 25! With a tendency to make naive decisions! It just keeps on coming with this one. Honestly, I really tried, but at some point I just zoned out and let it happen. Yeah, Liam and April/Sophia together were steamy, but I couldn't connect with the characters and sorry, but I don't buy the romance. She says no to him the first time they met and then when she finds out who he is and how she could use him, she is all over it. And by 'over it' I mean insta-lust.

The only thing that actually worked for me quite well was the writing. It's a short read with a nice flow and I was done in no time. But even that can't save the book when the plot is standing on wobbly feet, not unlike April/Sophia in her four inch heels.

All in all...



Don't think I will read the next one. :(


**ARC very kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review




Profile Image for ☆ Sammy ☆彡.
273 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2015
Since my feelings for this book were pretty mixed, I thought it would be best to list what did and didn't work for me. The blurb intrigued me and I thought this story had a lot of potential but there were aspects of the plot that just didn't work for me.

What I Liked
~ I actually enjoyed the writing style. The author kept me engaged and there was a nice flow to the story. There were a few spelling/grammatical errors but not enough to be distracting.

~ Liam! I thought he was charming, sexy, and surprisingly thoughtful at times. For me personally, the kinky billionaire characters can seem a little cheesy or their dominant personality can feel forced but I didn't feel this way at all about Liam. His character totally appealed to me ;)

What I Struggled With
~ April's motivations for revenge seemed weak to me. It's kind of hard to explain this without giving too much of the story so I think I will just leave it at that.

~ April and Miranda supposedly spent a lot of time planning their revenge scheme so I expected the plan to be elaborate and organized. In reality, April didn't seem to know exactly what she wanted to accomplish and her actions were impulsive, uncoordinated, and messy. I just didn't understand how she could make such poor decisions given the amount of time she spent developing her plan for justice.

Review copy kindly provided by the author
Profile Image for ~Stéphanie~.
623 reviews361 followers
March 13, 2015
2,5 star

This is so hard! This is so hard because I have to give an honest opinion on a book because an author came to me to ask me to review her book. And I don't want to be too brutal but hell the heroine is so dumb!!

description

April is on a mission to get revenge. Her parents are in jail and she blames one of the most powerful families in the city: The Hawthorne. And when she realize that she may have a chance with their son Liam, she doesn't hesitate long to give it a try.

My first problem with April was how she seems to not be so sure about what her parents did or didn't do. It's not clear if they are really guilty or not. The Hawthorne may have something to do with them being caught but it seems that her parents weren't all innocent either.
Secondly, she seems to have it plan for several with some help BUT throughout the book you clearly see she has no clue how she will reach a goal!

At some point, it's even like she wants to target every single person who were involved in her parents trial. She wants revenge not only from the Hawthorne but also the judge, the lawyer,... It becomes a little messy.

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April meets Liam during a party and she doesn't realize who he is but they connect somehow and after he gave her his business card, she realizes her mistake. Fortunately for her, Liam is intrigued by her and wants to know her better.

Their relation starts in a lie and I have to say I'm curious to know how Liam is going to react when he learns the truth.
The book is told from April pov so we don't really know what goes through Liam's mind but I can already tell there's more to the guy that what we have at first glance.

There was something that annoys me a little; it was the reference to Fifty Shades. I would hope that one day people would stop referring to a book to be the next Fifty shades or having so sort of Fifty shades vibes.
When you write or when you try to attract the attention of people, the book and the book summary have to be strong enough to not use those reference.
Yes Liam has a dominant side. He is into BDSM. He seems to have secrets, he seems to like April quickly, he seems torn but that doesn't make him Christian Grey.

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Overall April was too naive, she is supposed to be 25 but it was like she was no more than 18. She is also so self- centred, I'm wondering if she will see more than herself in book 2.

The book wasn't bad - I don't know maybe I'm being more difficult - The scenes between April and Liam are beautiful, well written and steamy. The author can surely write different scenes to get my attention when it comes to immerse myself in the town. For some parts, it was like I was in the street of New Orleans even if I've never been there!

I will leave my review there with teasers from the author I've found here on Goodreads
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Profile Image for Melanie.
1,074 reviews11 followers
May 2, 2015
3.5*s
Review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
Hush Hush was an intriguing read in which we meet ‘Sophia’ the alter ego of April Morrison as she returns to New Orleans to seek revenge on those who ruined her life fourteen years previous. She has a mental list of all of those involved and along with her cousin, she has come up with a cunning plan to infiltrate New Orleans elite and show the world what liars they really are.
After striking up a conversation with a brooding, handsome man at a gala – he propositions her and she turns him down……until she realises that he is Liam Hawthorne, New Orleans most eligible bachelor and son of the Charles & Barbara – her intended targets. Seeing this opportunity as an ‘in’ to their lives she quickly changes her mind about his proposal thinking she can seduce him into anything…… little does she know that Liam is a sexual dominant and wants to push her boundaries in every way.
I enjoyed this book although it did feel more of an ‘episode’ in those serial novels and I really don’t like those.
I thought the premise was good and it had me interested straight away, I was curious to know all about Sophia/April’s background and what had happened to upset her childhood. I wholeheartedly believed that Charles and Barbara Hawthorne had done her an injustice and really wanted to see what she had planned for them. I wasn’t sure whether I believed that Sophia could exact revenge upon anyone because she seems way too innocent a person and it didn’t fit her personality much but, she was being guided by someone in the know so I was willing to go along with it. Liam entered the scene more or less straight away and there is an instant connection, did I feel it? Hmmm.. a bit, but that was their first meeting – plus I’m not overly keen on the ‘let’s just get out of here and go for it’ lines. Anyway, I was glad she turned him down at first; it showed some innocence to her and also showed that she wasn’t dumb although at times she was too easily influenced by others.
Now the big thing that interested me about this was the revenge plot, I was in it for the romance too but I like a good story and this had all of the elements that I would love. Unfortunately that took more of a minor role to the romance and relationship development, not that there was a great deal of depth to the relationship but it was enjoyable to some extent. What irked me was that it was like he was trying too hard to be Christian Grey and Sophia was meant to be all innocent but immediately let him touch her intimately in public on their first date – it just didn’t sit with my opinion of her character, I know she needed an ‘in’ for her plan but it seemed that she gave up her integrity straight away. I liked his dominance over her, I liked how he asserted himself too and I liked most of her responses because it did create some very heated moments that had you wishing they would get it on but also hoping they didn’t to draw out the tension. I’m willing to see where it will lead, it’s early days yet so they could grow on me even more.
What I did get of the story was interesting and I liked the setup, I’m intrigued about the circumstances and those involved and yes I really want the truth of what went down but I also felt that Sophia/April had blinkers on at times and what about if she was doing all of this for nothing? We do see her get a little taste of revenge on someone and it was satisfying but quite childish but again, she does seem quite naïve. I liked that someone is there for her (it’s hard to not give things away so I think this review will be quite vague) and I thought they had a very natural relationship and is someone I could imagine her being friends with and maybe more? To be honest, this instalment is just the tip of the iceberg – it whet my palette and left me wanting more where hopefully I will get some answers and warm to the lovers a bit more, it was good though and definitely worth a read.
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews490 followers
March 6, 2015
Sophia has returned to New Orleans on a mission to serve revenge on those that caused her world to crumble years ago. She's planned it for years and knows exactly whom to go after and nothing and no one will stop her from accomplishing it. As she sets her sights on those that have caused her pain, there is one thing she didn't count on… William Hawthorn.

William Hawthorn has been bred to take over the family business so he has no time for relationships, especially when most of the women only want him for what he has to offer them. When William meets Sophia, he realizes she's different than most of the woman he's seen, yet there is something about her that intrigues him and his curiosity gets the best of him. But he has to be careful because William guards a particular secret that he hasn't shared.

As I continued to read, I thought I had it figured out but truth be told, this story pulled a fast one on me and boy, was I shocked!

Sophia and William start a whirlwind romance to an extent; they are both careful to not give away too much of themselves with each other. William knows there is something different with Sophia but once he finds out, will he be able to give her what she wants? Will he walk away from her? When Sophia finds out what William is hiding from her will she run for the hills or give in to him? Will her plans of revenge still go forward? You have to one-click it to find out – and you won’t be disappointed. ~ Kara, 4.5 stars

~~~

The blurb for this book had me intrigued to say the least – Fifty Shades meets Revenge. It was the perfect description and since I loved both of those, I couldn’t pass on this book. I am so glad that I didn’t!

We meet April, aka Sophia, a young woman returning to her hometown in New Orleans to seek revenge on those who wronged her parents. She is out for vengeance against the Hawthorns, the rich socialites who turned her parents in, and Judge Connelly, the judge who sentenced them to life in prison.

She didn’t count on meeting and being attracted to the Hawthorns son, William, who goes by Liam.

“I don’t know what’s worse –- letting Liam put his hands on me against my will, or letting the son of my enemy touch me and liking it.”

With the help and support of her cousin, Sophia decides to “date” Liam to further her plan of revenge. However, she opened herself up to a lot more than she expected when she finds out that Liam is a dominant.

“I need someone,” he says slowly, advancing closer and closer to me, speaking into my ear, “who follows my rules. Who wants to obey me. Who wants nothing more than to please me.”

Sophia decides to step outside of her comfort zone and become who Liam wants her to be. The scenes between them are HOT!

This was a quick, sexy read full of secrecy. I love the premise and can’t wait to read the next installment to see what Sophia decides to do. Will she continue to seek revenge? Will she fall for Liam? Will she ruin the Hawthorns? I need the answers NOW! ~ Tiffany, 4 stars
Profile Image for L.J (Lisa Jane).
312 reviews55 followers
March 31, 2015
*ARR (Advance Reader Review) - copy provided as a gift in exchange for an honest review...

3.5
I liked the idea behind this story. A catchy dramatic plot with a side of romance.
The virgin and the millionaire with a dark side but it isn't like what you've read before.

It is dramatic but I wish there was more drama....I feel its coming though in book 2.

Check out my full review on my blog: http://wp.me/p54hW9-1us


Profile Image for Lorraine Joy.
49 reviews5 followers
March 23, 2015
Complimentary Review copy provided by author (Honest review, includes all my usual bias but nothing extra)

Not a good suspense and not a good romance so just not good

I read the first chapter of this book and I was intrigued. I got that Sophia/April had an ax to grind with the old wealthy family that had something to do with her parents downfall and that their son (Liam) was serving up hot sex on a platter. From that point, it was a straight downhill descent into one bad trip for me. I’m at the 70% point and I just don’t think I can go on because I am now at the point where Sophia has gotten on my one good nerve I had in reserve for the issues of the week. It’s only Monday, I can’t do it.

I don’t even know where to start but I think things started to fall apart for me when I could not make sense of the underlying mystery. I don’t mean I couldn't solve it, I mean that there was some big brew haha over Sophia’s parents and I couldn't figure out why Sophia thought the Hawthorns were involved. Also, Sophia is supposed to be participating in this sophisticated “con” that she and her cousin spent countless hours cooking up but she proceeds to have NO coherent plan. Not only does she not have an actual plan for her “revenge” she embarks on a journey of doing the most random nonsensical ish ever in life. She is depicted as being just really….stupid. And question: Why doesn’t Liam wonder why Sophia lives in a hotel or doesn’t work?

There is one particularly annoying scene involving the Hawthorn's Mardi Gras party. Sophia does something which I simply cannot wrap my mind around. In an effort to “rectify” her behavior, she does a number of other equally stupid but much more embarrassing things with Liam.

You want to know what the craziest thing is? One of Sophia’s 50 “plans” is to seduce Liam and make him fall in love with her. Small problem, she’s a virgin who doesn’t know her G spot from her elbow. To make a small problem a truly large and significant one, I got 70% through this book and notwithstanding some of the most ridiculous foreplay scenes I’ve ever read, there is no actual sex. Liam is supposed to be this guy who only has sex (and not just any sex, the hot, rough, ugly kind) but there is no sex in this book, at least I didn’t find any. Oh, I can’t tell you anything else about Liam because we don’t get to know him at all. Maybe it’s in the last 30% of the book and good luck with that if so.

I think that if an author wants to write a book with a really intricate mystery plot, the author needs to sketch that ish out before they ever start typing. Figure out where we are going to end up and how all the pieces of the plot fit together and THEN write the book. I felt like I was reading a story where the plot was being created as the author went along and that just doesn't work for a romantic suspense. Part of building suspense is plugging in plausible details that build on one another, there just has to be some planning to make that happen.

And did I mention that the sex stuff was really bad? It was. Just awful.
Profile Image for Bloggers From Down Under .
795 reviews37 followers
February 26, 2015
** Provided on behalf of the author for an honest review **

At the age of 11, everything was taken from her. Her parents, gone. Forced to move to Boston to live with her aunt. Her life will never be the same again.

Move fourteen years, three months, twenty-six days forward.

She has one thing in mind. Revenge. To seek out the ones that took everything from her and destroy them. Her target?

William Hawthorne. The son of the elite and rich Charles and Barbara Hawthorne.

You see to get to them she will use their son. She will make sure that she destroys them all.

But what she never bargained for was the attraction to him. The desire. The need.

Will she seek her revenge? Will she destroy those who destroyed her all those years a go? Or will she lose focus? Will her true identity be revealed?

This is April’s story.

Hush Hush is a quick read, but nothing short of amazing. We were absolutely mesmerised. We simply couldn’t put it down. It’s full of twist and turns. It’s full of emotion. And the sex…..Damn hot.

It’s just simply a brilliant read. We absolutely loved it. We highly recommend Hush Hush to everyone.

A definite 5 star read.
Profile Image for Tam Tam.
183 reviews
April 4, 2015
What is on top of the list? Revenge. April is learning the art of the con so she can exact revenge on the Hawthornes, the couple who ruined her life 14 years ago by sending her parents to jail. So now she is going by the name Sophie and is back in town to take them down. Then she meets Liam, the Hawthorne's son. Liam is intrigued by Sophie. Could this be her way in to carry out her plan? I enjoyed this book. It leaves you hanging a bit by the end and anxious for the next book. I want to see how this ends.
348 reviews4 followers
October 30, 2018
What the heck did I just read?! The whole story is really not appealing. Why take revenge if you can actually prove your parents' innocence? Like, I don't know, private detective, project Innocence, a decent attorney, anything...the whole love story is pretty twisted, and the whole SandM reference is just extra...I know that everyone wants to cash in on 50 Shades deal, but 50 Shades was actually a pretty sweet story, despite the terrible writing style..this one is not..
Profile Image for Echo.
362 reviews50 followers
March 23, 2015
Hush Hush is an intriguing debut from Anneliese Vandell. It's an ambitious mixing of Fifty Shades of Grey and Revenge, just like the synopsis says, but it's nicely it's own story. Sexy, mysterious, revenge-y, and intriguing - it's a fun, appealing, and easy read.

April wants revenge against the people who wronged her parents, and in turn - her. So when she returns to New Orleans, fourteen years later, she returns using the alias of Sophia. Trying to find an 'in' with the Hawthorne family, it's serendipitous that she meets their son - Liam, and that Liam has a deliciously intriguing interest in her. When she jumps into a 'relationship' with the mysteriously sexy Liam, things get a bit complicated and a delicious beginning of a series twists it's way through the pages.

I liked this book, it was intriguing and yes, I'm aware that I've used that word multiple times in this review, but that what it was for me - intriguing. I liked the Fifty Shades and Revenge elements, but I also liked that Anneliese Vandell made it her own. The writing is really very good, and the story bounces along quickly and nicely.

Where I struggled with this book is with Sophia or April...whatever, the girl narrating this whole shebang. I didn't...like her, she irritated the living crap out of me. One, she's a little more naive then I would have liked her to be for the subject matter of the book. She's supposedly twenty five, but she acts a lot younger than that. Plus, she's virginal...which is fine...but the way it's handled left me kind of shaking my head a little. And then, I just plain didn't like her decisions, she needs some work on her decision making skills.

Now Liam on the other hand...I liked him. Quite a lot actually...except for his handling of the virginity issue...but I still really liked him. He's the most interesting character in the book. I want and need to know more about this dominating, sexy, hot, mysterious man.

Overall, this a nice, enjoyable easy read. It's erotica with an intriguing twist and for the first book in the series, it whet my appetite and has me interested in seeing where it goes next. I'd like to see if Sophia gets her revenge or falls in love or gets both revenge and love. I'll definitely be tuning in for the next book to get some answers to my questions. If you're looking for a well written, easy erotica read, then definitely give Hush Hush a chance.

I was given a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Originally posted on Me, Myself & Books
Profile Image for Amy Shelton.
425 reviews10 followers
July 15, 2015
Anna, also known as Sophia, has lived a life of secrets, lies, deception, and confusion. Her parents were sent to jail for life for being con men, in which they pled guilty to their charges. Anna is hell bent on revenge against the people who “conspired” against her parents and treated them so poorly once their crimes came to light. Does Anna fully understand just how many people that might include? There are details to her parent’s case that aren’t clear to Anna, which could either open up her revenge pool or shut it down. Did her parents really deserve what they received as punishment or did others have a hand in the sentence?

Liam Hawthorne is a bright young man who could have anything he wanted in life. He is from a very well to do family, has incredible looks, and a line of women that is never ending. The only problem is that every single woman only wants to be with him because they want something from him; to use his name to get themself places, for money, or anything for their benefit. Once he meets Sophia, he thinks she might be different and be exactly what he is looking for, but is there more to her than meets the eye? Liam has a dark side to him that no one knows about and he has done bad things in his life. What are those things he has done and will he let Sophia in?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Anna is set on revenging her parents for the sentence they received, but she doesn’t know exactly why they received such a harsh sentence or the details of the crime and the circle of people it encompasses. I enjoyed the suspense of the story trying to figure out what Anna has in store next to make her plan successful. The flirtatious relationship between Sophia and Liam was fun and exciting. I am intrigued to find out more information about Anna’s parents’ case and the parties that were involved in it and how they had a part to play in it.

I have one complaint about this book. I understand the blurb about this book references Fifty Shades of Grey meeting revenge but I do feel the sexual feel of the story follows too close to Fifty Shades of Grey story. The last chapter really has my mind doing flip flops regarding this story as to whether I will enjoy the rest of the series. This book seemed incredibly unique in its own way until the end.

To be fair to the story and the author I will recommend this book to you. It's a fun, intriguing read. Will this story keep its unique identity throughout the series? We will just have to wait and see
Profile Image for Lustful Literature.
1,822 reviews336 followers
April 3, 2015
**TARA'S 3.5 STAR REVIEW**

The blurb sucked me right in. Fifty Shades meets Revenge, who can pass that up.

April Morrison heads back to her home town of New Orleans with one thing in mind, Revenge, to right the wrongs of those who put both of her parents in jail when she was a child. What she did not plan for is meeting the son of the people she was out to get. When William (Liam) Hawthorne walks into her life she realizes that he could be used as leverage to finally pay back his parents for what they did to her family.

Liam is Alpha with a capital A who sees the innocence of “Sophia” appealing. He sets out for a one night stand that turns into more. She keeps drawing him in and wants to see how far he can push her limits.

Sophia aka April comes off as very weak and unsure of her which made it easy for Liam to dominate her. I found it hard to believe that she would be able to exact revenge on anyone. Though, she did gain some spunk through the middle of the book, when she realized her feelings for Liam were changing, she resorted back to her shy, hesitant self.

I did enjoy the interactions between Liam and Sophia, though their physical relationship started out pretty innocent, toward the end, they had a pretty hot sex scene. Liam really knew how to take control of things and push Sophia’s limits. Their final scene in this book was HOT HOT HOT.

I really enjoy a great mystery/romance book, but this one did fall a little short for me in the mystery aspect. The part of the book I had a hard time connecting with was the “revenge”, I felt there was a lack of back story. I needed to know more detail as to why she was seeking revenge against the Hawthorne family. The basics were there but the full story would have pulled me in more to that aspect of the book. Having more detail would have made this first part of the series a 4.5 star book for me.

I am intrigued to see how the remainder of this series will turn out, so I will keep an eye out for the next book which is due to release soon. I am interested to know if April “Sophia” actually completes her plan, and how this debut author evolves this story.
Profile Image for Tbird London.
558 reviews4 followers
March 4, 2015
I am personally getting tired of the BDSM theme with nothing else to offer so you can imagine my excitement when I found this one to be more about revenge for the unjust wrongs a daughter believed was done to her parents. The suspense is strong in this story and her plots for revenge are not only realistic but down right brilliant. As an added bonus, the daughter seeking justice for her parents is not only a virgin but one of the most naïve women I have met and she is going to have to learn how to be flirty, street wise and forward in split seconds.
April has gone back to her hometown, where her world was torn apart as a child. She takes on a new name, trying on a new personality but mostly trying not to be recognized by people from her childhood. She is after the Hawthrone family in New Orleans. They have money, power and most of the city on their payroll which makes sense because they were also the two people who started the downfall of April’s parents. She lives with the memories of the court room, the sounds of angry voices, and the move to live in a new state. She endured the shame and questions and she is trying to reconcile if her parents were really the criminals or victims to the rich and powerful.
As she goes through the city to gain the information she needs to take down the Hawthornes, she realizes just how far their arms reach and the list of people who need to pay continues to grow. Then she meets Liam, as in Liam Hawthorne, the son of the couple she is after. Is she going to be willing to be his submissive to take down his family? He is a sexy demanding man who has already told her that love is not on his radar and his satisfaction and desires will always come first. Is seeking revenge worth giving Liam her virginity and soul?
I look forward to the next book in this series, the suspense and drama was on over drive at times and the scenes with Liam and April were hot. I have a feeling the truth will be uncovered slowly in this series and I want to be along for the whole ride.
Profile Image for Sarah.
362 reviews3 followers
April 6, 2015
This is the first in a new serial romance from Anneliese Vandell. If you’re a fan of the television show Revenge you’ll enjoy this story. I would say after finishing this first installment, there is definitely more suspense than erotica at this point, however, I would surmise it’s mostly because the details for rest of the story are being introduced.

Now in her twenties April Morrison is ready for vengeance against the people who put her parents in prison. As an 11 year old, her life was turned upside down when her parents taken away from her. She was placed with her Aunt and Uncle, who happen to be shady characters. Back in New Orleans after a decade away, she begins to put a loosely devised plan to bring down the Hawthorne’s into play.

At a party where she should be doing reconnaissance and finding an in with the Hawthorne’s, she meets Liam. There’s an attraction between the two quickly but she has a job to do. Once she realizes he’s the son of Charles Hawthorne, she promptly changes her mind and seeks him out. Liam has a secret of his own; his involves certain proclivities and a secret room.

If you read the synopsis and expect April to be as vicious and emotionally detached as Emily Thorne is on Revenge, she is not. In many ways this makes her character just as compelling; it’s like she has retained some of the innocence. I should also mention April is a virginal heroine which makes for fascinating character development…or go very, very wrong. Jury is still out on this aspect.

Overall, I can see a lot of potential with this series. While the first story is a bit bumpy, it’s a diamond in the rough type quality. I find the mix of suspense and sexual situations to be compelling enough to fly through the pages. It leaves me interested to see where the story will go because it’s bursting with possibilities.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

To see more reviews like this, go to Smut and Bonbons.


~Complimentary copy received in exchange for honest review.~

Profile Image for Sandra Shipman ~ Two Book Pushers.
2,079 reviews52 followers
March 2, 2015
When I read the synopsis and it says Fifty Shades of Grey meets Revenge I just had to have it. I am addicted to the show and love suspense in books and throw in a hot alpha male, yeah you got my attention.

April is back to her hometown of New Orleans to bring down the people that ruined her parents life and because of that, hers was changed forever too. Her parents are now in jail for crimes she doesn't believe they committed and she is ready to figured out the story behind the headlines of her life. She will now go by the name Sofia and she needs to find a way into the circle of the rich and corrupted people that changed her life and when she met a handsome man that wanted to know her better, she was in...

Liam was intrigued when he met Sophia. She was not like the other women that have been in his life and he wanted to know more about her. She wasn't easy...she wanted a real date and he was willing to try and he was hoping she was willing to try things his way later on. Is Sofia the woman he has been looking for?

Sophia only came back to get revenge and now she was also getting some pleasure. Liam happened to be the son of the family she had her eye on but she was starting to feel things for him. She wanted his touch, his attention and also his secrets. She needed to know about what happened all those years ago to her family and hopefully he would be the key. The only problem is that, what if she falls for him? Can she put the past in the past? I don't know but I can't wait to find out!

Liam is seriously sexy and Sophia is ready to explore his wants. And I can see Liam wants her to open up to him and maybe it can get him to do the same. I really liked the beginning of this series. I can't wait to see what happens next.

P.S. I loved their text messages!!!

Quotes:

“All men are the same, April,” Miranda says. “Dating, sex, the chase—it’s all a game to them. You just need to know how to play it.”

“Come hungry. And bring that red dress with you.”

No, it’s better than that—it makes me feel beautiful.
Profile Image for Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews).
1,450 reviews32 followers
May 31, 2015
Intriguing, suspenseful, and a quick read! April Morrison lost her parents when she was just 11 years old. They aren’t dead; they are sitting in jail for crimes that April doesn’t believe they committed. She believes the rich, powerful Hawthorne family of New Orleans are responsible. Now, she’s all grown up and has a plan to make them pay and pay dearly. She’s created a new persona with a new name, “Sophia.” She just needs a way to infiltrate the family, and a golden opportunity has just been given to her in the form of the Hawthorne’s sexy, dominant son, Liam. She meets him by chance at the bar at a party the Hawthorne’s are having. She realizes this is an opportunity to good to pass up, so she embarks on a journey that will take her well out of her comfort zone. How far will she go for revenge, and will Liam destroy all her careful plans as he introduces her to a world of pleasure and pain?

I will be honest; I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began reading since it involved BDSM. So many of the books in that genre have become the same. However, Hush, Hush was different. There was sex involved, but it wasn’t what the whole entire book was about. The twists, turns, suspense, and mystery is what kept me flying through the book. It was a perfect balance between sex and suspense. I finished reading it in one sitting. I was completely engrossed in the book and didn’t stop until I was done. WARNING: There is a cliffhanger of sorts, but not one that will cause you to want to throw your Kindle across the room in frustration. And…..the 2nd book is already out, so you don’t have to wait, and the 3rd book is coming out in June! If you like books similar to Fifty Shades of Grey and shows like Revenge, this will be the perfect book for you!

***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***

***Copy provided in exchange for an honest review.***
Profile Image for Ruth B.
676 reviews37 followers
March 31, 2015
Rating: 3.5 stars

"Revenge is a dish best served cold" but adding a little hot can be very satisfying as well. Hush Hush is a story about vengeance and learning the truth with an intense, dominant relationship in between.

April's parents were accused and found guilty of nasty crimes when she was only eleven. Fourteen years later she is now Sophia and revenge is her ultimate goal. She's sure the Hawthorn had something to do with her parents’ condemnation and is set to destroy them. However, she didn't count with Liam.

Liam is the typical mysterious, charming, intriguing rich man every girl wants. When she discover he is her enemies’ son, a new target is set. Of course somewhere in the chase she starts to feel something more. Liam offers the opportunity of experience a new side of her.

Before talking about the relationship and the characters I need to clarify that I haven’t read FSOG so I have nothing to compare this story with. Anyway, April is a mess, she wants revenge but she lacks the confidence and strength to do it. Despite those facts she tries to make good choices and her cousin helps her see the right path. Liam is a character that still needs more development; of course there are more books so hopefully we will learn more about him. Their relationship is intense and there is tension whenever they are together. The dominance is palpable and you get immediately that Liam is in control.

The plot is quite good, it seem solid and there are good secondary characters. I want to know what role her childhood friend will play. The passing is fast and the length makes the book an easy read.

Overall, it's a good read that leaves you waiting for book 2.

*** I received a complimentary copy in exchange of an honest review. ***
Profile Image for Shaz X.
401 reviews17 followers
May 1, 2015
I was provided with a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

If you love your Alpha males who enjoy dominating their women, then this may be the book for you. Here are my thoughts on Hush Hush #1:-

Likes:

- It’s fast paced and is character driven. April’s plot for revenge on her parents incarceration is the driving force behind this story.
- The secondary characters are quite humourous as well as kind and caring which is what April needs at this time.
- April is hell-bent on revenge, but you can see her conscience make an appearance from time to time making her doubt herself. I like how this was mixed in with her thoughts. This made her journey feel realistic. She is also quite naive and I dont think she realises what exactly she is getting herself into.
- This book stayed with me after it finished and left me wondering what April’s next move will be.
- Liam, our dominating alpha male; he’s a rich guy but he is also hard to figure out like any good character of this nature. I can’t say that I liked or disliked him, mostly intrigued by him.

Dislikes:

- I felt that it lacked emotional expression. I didn’t experience these feelings of hate and revenge as strongly as I expected. If anything, she came across as bored with the whole game.

Romance:

There are some steamy love scenes that may just get you hot under the collar. (BDSM content)

Standalone/Series:

This is part 1 in the Hush Hush series. The ending has been left open for the series to continue, however this installment leaves you satisfied that it’s finished….for now.

Conclusion:

Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I’d recommend it if you like a little BDSM and a dominating, mysterious male character involved.

3.5 stars!
Profile Image for C.
306 reviews
March 28, 2015
**ARC Provided for Honest Review**

When you are asked to read a book and give a review, you never know what lies under the cover. I turned this cover and started reading and found myself pleasantly sucked into the story pretty quickly, and there wasn't any sex yet.

The story is about April Morrison (aka Sophia) who returns home to New Orleans after being gone for fourteen years. She has a mission on this trip, a mission of revenge. What she doesn't plan on is meeting a man named Liam Hawthorne. The more she shows him her disinterest, the more he wants to get to know her. Then she finds out who he is and how he might be able to help her. While she only wants to use Liam for her needful purposes, she starts to develop feelings for him. That's a problem, especially for someone with little dating experience.

As the story progresses, "Sophia" gets braver and more bold in her acceptance of Liam's requests. She also learns to stand up for herself and find her voice and use it. Her goal is always in the back of her mind, the prize per say.

Ms. Vandell writes a very interesting story, one I truly enjoyed reading. It was an easy read and a story I could not put down. One that got my heart pumping at times too. At the end of the last chapter I almost screamed out loud my reaction to the end of the book. I showed some self control since my children were near by. But still, I am a little upset at how the book ended, always a sign of a good book. I was truly taken off guard by the ending.

As a new author, Ms. Vandell shows great promise and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Give her books a try. You won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for Busy Bumble Bee Book Reviews.
850 reviews5 followers
March 11, 2015
This book came as quiet the surprise to me. I hadn't heard of it, until the author asked if I'd be willing to review it. After reading the summary I agreed. I mean it sounded very interesting to me. But I was sure what to expect exactly going into it. But it definitely wasn't what I read and I mean that in the best possible way. This book isn't just an BDSM book. This book also has a little bit of mystery and a little bit of suspense in it. In this one we really just get to know April and Liam. 

     I liked April/Sophia. She's back in her hometown to get revenge on the people who destroyed her parents. And basically destroyed her. Even though she might have broke a little bit since she was a child. It's obvious that the whole situation has made her stronger. Though I do feel like she was a little naive about a few things. But that obviously comes with experience. 

    Oh what can I say about Liam. He's sexy, rich, and dominate. He's a man who obviously knows what he wants,  but hasn't found it yet. He is also a little mysterious and you want to find out more about him. You could feel the sexual tension between Liam and April through the whole book. 

    The author Anneliese Vandell pulls you into the story from the beginning and holds your attention throughout. The story was written very well and flowed very well. I really liked the plot also. It has a little mystery, a little suspense, it made me giggle a few times (in a good way). And the chemistry between the characters was Hot, Hot, Hot.

    I'd give the start of this series 4 Stars Out of 5. I can't wait to read the next one!!! 

**I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review**
Profile Image for Literary Lust.
49 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2015
This is a book we were contacted about, asking us to review it, luckily I had a few days break in between other scheduled reviews, or this Novella would have escaped me!

We have a girl, April, who’s Mum and Dad are taken away from her for living life on the con, forcing her to move away from everything she has ever known to stay with her Aunty.

To April, or Sophia as she will later be known, her parents were the best people ever and so with a little help from her cousin, she is now plotting revenge on all those who played a part in sending her parents to prison.

Whilst staking out her first targets at a country club bar, she bumps into Liam. A strong, dominant, Alpha-male who usually gets what he wants… Until Sophia that is… April/Sophia has an undeniable, instant attraction to him but with her head in the game she begrudgingly refuses his advances. He slips her his card and that is when Anneliese Vandell really stirs things up and the story becomes impossible to put down.

I did question at times if April’s sense of right and wrong was leading her down the wrong path but the drama definitely makes for good entertainment.

The story is well written and structured brilliantly, all making for a smooth, enjoyable read. The characters chemistry and the push and pull between them created enough angst to get you on the edge of your seat at times. Even though it is only a Novella, you still get a lot of story for your money.

I can’t wait for book 2 which is released on 2nd of April to find out what will become of Liam and April/Sophia when all is revealed!

I recommend that you go buy this book now and read it ready for books 2’s release in a few weeks time!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
657 reviews16 followers
March 8, 2015
Reviewed on Behalf of Give Me Books

The blurb for this book had me intrigued to say the least – 50 Shades meets Revenge. It was the perfect description and since I loved both of those, I couldn’t pass on this book. I am so glad that I didn’t!

We meet April, aka Sophia, a young woman returning to her hometown in New Orleans to seek revenge on those who wronged her parents. She is out for vengeance against the Hawthorns, the rich socialites who turned her parents in, and Judge Connelly, the judge of sentenced them to life in prison.

She didn’t count on meeting and being attracted to the Hawthorns son, William, who goes by Liam. “I don’t know what’s worse –- letting Liam put his hands on me against my will, or letting the son of my enemy touch me and liking it.” With the help and support of her cousin, Sophia decides to “date” Liam to further her plan of revenge. However, she opened herself up to a lot more than she expected when she finds out that Liam is a dominant. “I need someone,” he says slowly, advancing closer and close to me, speaking into my ear, “who follows my rules. Who wants to obey me. Who wants nothing more than to please me.” Sophia decides to step outside of her comfort zone and become who Liam wants her to be. The scenes between them are HOT!

This was a quick, sexy read full of secrecy. I love the premise and can’t wait to read the next installment to see what Sophia decides to do. Will she continue to seek revenge? Will she fall for Liam? Will she ruin the Hawthorns? I need the answers NOW! (4 stars)
Profile Image for Heather Ross.
134 reviews3 followers
March 6, 2015
I couldn't put this book down. From the very beginning I was dragged into April/Sophia's story.

We see her at the beginning of the book, setting out on a revenge mission against the people who ruined her life by ensuring that both her parents went to prison for life. En route, she meets somebody she didn't expect, the son of the very people she's set out to destroy.

The chemistry between April and Liam is instant and leaps from every page, tantalising you with the promise of more and yet tearing at your heart when you realise that sooner or later, he is bound to find out why she's really there.

The book is relatively short but held me in its grip right from the word go. I'll be going from here to pre-order book 2 in the series and can't wait to find out what happens next in their story.

I'm desperate to find out what makes Liam tick and why he has such a strong aversion to relationships beyond those he is completely in control of. The small teaser of book two included in book one only increased my desperation for more.

I suspect that maybe, with April by his side, he might find that he has a little more of a heart than he realises, and I'm so nervous about how he will react when he finds out her game.

The book is exquisitely written and well edited, which both make the reading experience an extremely pleasurable one.

I would recommend to anybody who enjoys reading well-written erotica with a huge side order of mystery and intrigue.

Five big, shiny stars!
Profile Image for Badass Bloggettes.
742 reviews44 followers
March 3, 2015
I have read a lot of BDSM books recently and wondered if this book would be the same as the others, however, I was very pleased to see that this book was not altogether about that. This book was full of revenge, intrigue and a lot of personal issues that required to be dealt with.

April is the main character and is set on revenge against the people who caused pain and heartache to her family. She believed her parents were mistreated and unjustly given a punishment that they did not fully deserve.

From the very first chapter the story set’s out the plot, it is easy, infiltrate the wrong doers and make them pay, isn’t that always easy LOL. Well not for April as there are complications in the way.

The actual story is full of suspense and intrigue and keeps you on your toes throughout. The plot is brilliant and you could actually see this being the way it would be played out on TV.

What I loved about April is her naivety; she is a virgin and has no real understanding on men. She is true but she is also one of those girls who just want's people to pay for their crimes. She has had to endure so much she wants justice.

This is a very realistic read but my only hang up was the cliff hanger. I just wanted the second book to find out what happens, however, if you are not bothered about cliff hangers then go read this book, you will not regret it.
Profile Image for Beth.
194 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2015
April Morrison is back in her hometown of New Orleans after a 14 years absence. Fourteen years ago the powerful Hawthorne family ruined her life. After years of plotting and planning, she returns as Sophia and she is ready for revenge.

Liam Hawthorne has been bred to take over the family business. Having no time for relationships, he doesn't need the distraction of women throwing themselves at him because of who he is, or will be. Liam meets Sophia at a party and it seems that she isn't one of the other type of girls. She is beautiful and interesting, and he sees something in her that may be his perfect fit.

Sofia and Liam's attraction to each other is powerful however, will their pasts and lies finally catch up and tear them apart?

This steamy read has all the qualities of a passionate page-turner. Revenge, intrigue, sexy times... Anneliese Vandall paints a great picture of New Orleans, bringing the city into the story like another character. April's family was wronged (or were they)? She has been so bent on revenge she never expected to fall for her mortal enemy. Liam himself is hiding something too, what will it be?! We can't wait to continue reading this series.

We give it 4 sighs.
Profile Image for Heidi Sturgess.
1,118 reviews20 followers
April 12, 2015
I received an ARC from TNT reviews in exchange for an honest review


Hush Hush is one of those books that leave you feeling FFF !? ....did all that just happen ?!

Must say I just say I love the cover art ♥
Hush,Hush has been compared to 50 Shades meets Revenge and that it is and SO MUCH MORE !
It's all set in the South and being a South African the Southerners have always intrigued me with their tales, folklore, traditions and society rules. 

April , aged 11 ,leaves her New Orleans  home town and life as she knows it changes drastically.  
Now, 14 years later,she's back and she's hungry for revenge. Revenge , against a powerful family,  the Hawthornes....what she didn't bargain on was the ever delectable Liam!
Trust me when I say he can melt any chastity belt and leave you in a hot mess!
April may be innocent but she's very clever at making situations work in her favour.

I really enjoy Anneliese Vandell's style. The storyline had me from the start and watching Liam and "Sophie" aka April and their dance of seduction was tantalising and temptous!

I'm holding my breath in anticipation for Hush Hush #2.

A seductive ★★★★★ read !
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