Power & Passion

Riches & Romantics #2

by Sarah Lane

The second book in a series of interconnected standalones centered around real historical couples. An interracial, he falls first, power couple romance set in Los Angeles, California.

~Power & Passion is a twisted, contemporary romance inspired by Livia Drusilla, Empress Consort of Rome, and her second husband, Gaius Octavius, later known as Caesar Augustus, Emperor of Rome, as well as historical figures from the same time period.



It is not fantasy, historical romance, or a literal retelling. You don’t need to know the history to enjoy the book, but if you do, it will definitely add to the experience.

~

Grant Oliver fell in love with Lucy Driscoll nearly two decades ago ...

But as a married father-to-be, he couldn't have her.

A year and a half after taking over for Jonathan Carter at Rubicon Pictures, Grant has only had one taste of his beloved a passionate kiss on her wedding day to another man. Yet, he wants more and has decided he's done waiting. With his daughter finally eighteen years old, and no custody battle to be had, Grant leaves his wife for the woman he's always loved.

As a new mom feeling trapped in a marriage she was tricked into, Lucy finds herself fed up with her disappointing husband and accepts Grant's offer of marriage. To all, it looks awful ... especially when Grant directly caused the heart attack that killed her father. But Lucy's professional drive has left her with no choice but to trade up for a better partner.

Grant sees Lucy's brilliance and wants to put it to use.

Lucy sees Grant's ambition and vows to help him succeed.

The consequences of their actions will come to either destroy them, or elevate them as the most powerful couple in Los Angeles.

~

Please check the front of the book or the author's website for a full list of tropes and trigger warnings.

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2026

About the author

Sarah Lane also writes under the name Samantha Renee in the fantasy romance genre. She is a Michigan born and raised author whose dream was to write books since she was twelve years old. Debts & Devotion is the first novel under her second pen name. When she’s not writing, she’s usually re-watching one of a half-dozen shows for the infinitieth time, playing World of Warcraft, Mass Effect, Dragon Age or Baldur's Gate 3 very badly, and spending way too much time in Disney Dreamlight Valley. She currently lives in Texas.

Reviews

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought I was over my addiction to the world created by Sarah this book pulls me right back into obsession. And I am so grateful for that. Just as with book 1 I was pulled in to this story from the first line and was so invested in it that I just couldn’t bring myself to put it down. I devoured this book so quickly I’m a little mad at myself about it. Cause now I don’t have anymore to read. Lucy and Grant are the definition of a power couple. Morally grey but powerful all the same. Lucy demands the best from everyone, herself included, and that is so relatable. And Grant is so dedicated and devoted and determined. These two together are a force to be reckoned with. Their connecting and chemistry have stood the test of time. And it was so satisfying to get to see them lean into that finally. Their bond feels grounded and genuine. I was absolutely captivated by the tension and drama and intensity of this story. I was lost to the world created in the pages and fell so hard for these two. My obsession with this series may be concerning but I have no plans to walk away from it.

[Sabína · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pobozkať „cudziu“ nevestu na jej vlastnej svadbe? Škandalózne!
Aj takto by sa mohol začať príbeh univerzitnej učiteľky Lucy Driscoll a filmového producentského velikána Granta Olivera. Pre Granta však bola Lucy jeho vyvolená už dávno predtým. No čo z toho, keď on bol ženatý a Lucy už patrila inému mužovi…
Nečakané stretnutie o rok neskôr však v oboch vyvolá driemajúce city a konečne sa obaja rozhodnú konať. Jednoduché to však nebude, obzvlášť v Hollywoode.

Absolútne som si zamilovala prvý diel interconnected série Riches & Romantics. Preto mi láme srdiečko, že druhý diel ma ale že vôbec neohúril. Ja vlastne ani poriadne neviem, o čom mal byť! Čakala som búrlivú romancu plnú vášne, zrady, rasizmu (Lucy je černoška) a hier mocných… A nič. No začnime pekne po poriadku.

Veľmi sa mi páčilo, že všetky postavy (až na deti) sú v ich late 30s, early 40s. To znamená, že už majú niečo odžité a aj napriek tomu stále robia chyby. Všetky postavy sú dokonale nedokonalé a buď si ich kvôli tomu zamilujete alebo znenávidíte. Prechádzajú si určitým vývojom a najlepšie to je vidieť hlavne pri Lucy a jej roli matky. Musím ešte vyzdvihnúť prepojenie (také na pozadí) s prvou knihou – odporúčam si najprv prečítať Debts & Devotion, aj napriek tomu, že knihy spolu nesúvisia. Ak ste po dočítaní D&D mali nejaké otázky, tie vám v P&P mohli byť dostatočne zodpovedané.
Ak sa zameriame na štýl písania, ten je fakt super – stále sa niečo deje, minimum dier v deji a pekná dynamika priamej reči, myšlienok a opisu. Čo sa týka opisu, nebolo ho príliš veľa.

A teraz na negatíva.
Počas čítania som mala neustále pocit, že celý príbeh sa točí len a iba okolo Granta, ako nového CEO filmového štúdia Rubicon. Udržať si moc a byť ešte lepší, ustáť zradu kolegu a výstrelky čerstvo dospelej dcéry počas toho, ako prechádza rozvodovým konaním a získať ženu snov… Lucy, aj napriek tomu, že bola hlavná ženská hrdinka, bola v tomto celom podľa mňa zasa len ďalšia vedľajšia postava. A aby som nezabudla, kniha obsahovala dosť zbytočných pasáží a momentov, ktoré mohli príbeh skrátiť aspoň o 50 strán. Práve tieto pasáže vo mne zanechali dosť (možno až moc) nezodpovedaných otázok. Dúfam, že nám na ne autorka odpovie v tretej knihe.

Nová kniha v R&R sérii by podľa autorky mala vyjsť ASAP, niekedy v prvej polovici 2027. Medzitým si môžeme skrátiť čakanie na nový príbeh čítaním jej fantasy série, ktorú publikuje pod menom Samantha Renee alebo detektívnou romancou s názvome Endangered Hearts s týmito trópmi: Small Town/Rural Montana, MMF, Two FBI Agents x Cowgirl,
Black Cats x Golden Retriever, Enemies-to-Lovers,
One Bed/Motel Room, Mental Health Rep. EH je dostupná na autorkinej webstránke.

[Simplymetaramarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Yes, so good! A retelling of Gaius Octavian (Caesar Augustus) and Livia Drusilla. A year and a half after Grant takes over as head of Rubicon Pictures, he leaves his wife to persue a woman he has wanted for two decades. Lucy Driscoll, is unhappily married to a man she was tricked into marrying. Both divorce their first spouses to marry each other and create a formidable power couple in modern day Los Angeles.

The story provides passion, tension, and a fight for power. Lucy doesn't like to fail and refuses to except anything less then someone's best because that's what she strives for in herself. That drive and passion is exactly what caught Grant's attention almost 20 years ago. He has spent the last two decades honoring his commitment to his child and marriage, but now that his daughter has reached the age of 18, he walks out on the loveless marriage. Grant, as head of Rubicon, works to expose those who were behind, or had any knowledge of, the assassin attempt of his former boss and mentor in an effort to ruin them and protect his throne. Lucy, who purposely worked hard for a career separate from the movie industry her father made his world, is shown how her talents are valued and can be used alongside Grant's to dominate. They provide exactly what there others wants and needs in a partner. Grant helps Lucy grow in her role as a mother, and encourages her dominance in and out of the bedroom. Lucy uses her talents to help Grant uncover the truth he has been looking for and build his vision.

[Barbara Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5...This was a complicated, messy read, and I definitely had mixed feelings about it. Grant and Lucy’s relationship is intense, but there were quite a few moments where their choices made it difficult for me to fully get behind them. The ambition, betrayal, power dynamics, and morally gray decisions kept things interesting, though. I liked the underlying theme of two driven people recognizing something in each other and wanting to build something bigger together. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I appreciated that Lucy wasn’t simply written as someone who exists to support Grant—she has her own ambitions and agenda.
That said, some of the character decisions felt frustrating, and there were moments when I wanted more emotional depth and accountability from both of them. The drama definitely kept me reading, but I didn’t always feel emotionally connected to the characters.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brittany Affeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story embraces complex, morally gray characters. While certain choices and cutthroat circumstances cause unavoidable emotional fallout along the way, it fits the ruthless, ambitious nature of the original historical figures. Lucy’s detachment in certain personal relationships made her a bit harder to connect with at times, but her cold ambition aligns directly with the cutthroat world Lane has built.
If you love morally ambiguous characters, relentless devotion, and scheming power couples who will stop at nothing to build their empire, this is definitely worth adding to your TBR!
Tropes & Themes:
🍇 He Falls First (and HARD)
🏛️ The One Who (Almost) Got Away
🍇 Girl Boss Awakening
🏛️ Second Marriages
🍇 (Lite) Femdom & Masochism
🏛️ Power Hungry Couple

[Ashley Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lucy and Grant! Can we talk about how much of a powerhouse couple they are!

Lucy hold everyone to a standard - herself included. Grant has a determination and will not deviate from his goals. Throw in some morally grey and shewww!

The power struggle in this story is slightly different from book 1. Both are leaving pasts for each other. The tension and passion you can feel through the pages! The way they support and build one another - love it!

This series is so much fun to read and I look forward to what’s to come. Thank you Sarah for having me on your arc team! All opinions are my own!

[BookBaddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fast-paced, high-stakes romance that delivers on intensity, passion, and intrigue. Watching two powerful people navigate a secret 20-year connection while bound to unhappy marriages. The dynamic between them is top-tier: he dominates his industry, but with her sharp mind by his side, they are an absolute unstoppable power couple.

The interracial love story feels grounded and deeply devoted, seamlessly balancing intense, steamy romance. If you love long-burn chemistry, high-society tension, and couples who rule their world together, this is an absolute must-read.

[EP Gazette · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐
2.5 🌶️ Several explicit scenes, light kink
1 ☠️ Some triggers apply

Power corupts, and passion breeds possibility!

Grant and Lucy are far from conventional, with both being married at the start, and Lucy a reluctant new mother. Their story is raw, messy and turbulent, though their devotion to each other and drive for greatness bring out the best of them.

Lucy seems to be living the dream, but for her it's a nightmare. She's done playing the perfect daughter, too many decisions made to keep others happy have trapped her in a life she doesn't want. I enjoyed getting to see her confront the aspects of motherhood she despised as well as realizing her potential in business strategy, negotiations and wielding power. Beginning with choosing Grant, she finds her voice and learns to prioritize herself, blooming into the vibrant, confident woman he fell for all those years ago.

Grant is a powerful man raised by powerful men. He wants to be the best of the best, a god among men, and is willing to do whatever necessary to accomplish his goals. Having fallen for Lucy long ago, circumstances kept him from pursuing her, but now his obligations no longer bind him. When the opportunity arises, he makes her an offer he desperately hopes she'll take. Watching this power hungry man at the top of the world simp so hard for his girl was absolutely decadent! The way he supports her with her weaknesses and pushes her to step out of her comfort zones and become the bada$$ bossbit¢h she's always been, without asking her to leave her current life behind is just perfect!

Once again Sarah has kept me on the edge of my seat the whole ride and run me through all the emotions, while providing a delicious serving of spice! I enjoyed the cameos from Debts & Devotion and getting to see more of her world! Also, if you don't know the historical couple's story, you should really check it out! Eagerly waiting for the next book and couple!