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Fifth Republic #1
Касапина
Фльор е на работа зад бара, когато Бастиен влиза в заведението. Един поглед ѝ е достатъчен, за да разбере, че този мъж не е като останалите. Той приковава цялото ѝ внимание още преди да са си казали и думичка. За кратко Фльор дори успява да забрави за своето разбито сърце и огромната каша, в която се е превърнал животът ѝ. И след една нощ на бурна страст, каквато никога преди не е изпитвала, тя най-после е открила начин да излекува болката от проваления си брак.
Фльор не е готова за нова ангажираща връзка и не вярва, че ще види този мъж отново. Той обаче се завръща – привлечен от нейната откровеност и страст. Скоро Фльор ще открие, че Бастиен не е просто мъж, с когото прави добър секс. Той може и иска да ѝ предложи много повече.
Защото той е най-могъщият мъж в Париж. Лидер на тайна организация, оплела в своята паяжина и официалната власт, и подземния свят на Франция. Мъж, в чиито вени тече благородническа кръв и пред когото треперят и най-големите мафиоти. Опасен, властен, жесток, понякога безскрупулен, но винаги честен, той крие зад страховитата си външност железни принципи и кодекс на честта, които не би нарушил никога. И този мъж е влюбен в нея.
Фльор не е готова за нова ангажираща връзка и не вярва, че ще види този мъж отново. Той обаче се завръща – привлечен от нейната откровеност и страст. Скоро Фльор ще открие, че Бастиен не е просто мъж, с когото прави добър секс. Той може и иска да ѝ предложи много повече.
Защото той е най-могъщият мъж в Париж. Лидер на тайна организация, оплела в своята паяжина и официалната власт, и подземния свят на Франция. Мъж, в чиито вени тече благородническа кръв и пред когото треперят и най-големите мафиоти. Опасен, властен, жесток, понякога безскрупулен, но винаги честен, той крие зад страховитата си външност железни принципи и кодекс на честта, които не би нарушил никога. И този мъж е влюбен в нея.
212 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2025
About the author
Penelope Sky
82 books7,440 followersA New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Penelope Sky is known for her dark romance that makes you fall for her characters….no matter how dark they seem. Her books are being translated into several languages around the world, and she’s sold more than a million books worldwide. She lives in a small town in California with her husband, where she spends most of her time writing on the back porch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,440 reviews
January 21, 2025
Where was the butchering?
This was just smut and her either talking to her ex or about her ex.
This was just smut and her either talking to her ex or about her ex.
June 2, 2025
This had so much smut I think I blacked out and forgot there was supposed to be a plot. She spends way too many pages yapping about the same crusty ex like girl, you’ve got a hot, rich new man obsessed with you, FOCUSSSS
🚨*spoiler*🚨
But I did like the part when he unalives the man that touched her and hangs him from the top of the Notre Dame so all of Paris can see how far he’ll go for his girl. That was iconic to say the least.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the arc💗
🚨*spoiler*🚨
But I did like the part when he unalives the man that touched her and hangs him from the top of the Notre Dame so all of Paris can see how far he’ll go for his girl. That was iconic to say the least.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the arc💗
February 10, 2025
4 Smut Scale Stars
How did I forget about Penelope Sky? I've read her before and somehow forgot that she writes smut that is totally to my taste.
I really enjoyed this and am only kicking myself because book two isn't out yet. Oh well.
Standby while I go tackle her entire backlist now.
How did I forget about Penelope Sky? I've read her before and somehow forgot that she writes smut that is totally to my taste.
I really enjoyed this and am only kicking myself because book two isn't out yet. Oh well.
Standby while I go tackle her entire backlist now.
February 16, 2025
Ugh. I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it ended up being quite the opposite. The plot fell extremely flat and essentially every time Bastien and Fleur are together it’s about sex, which in certain scenarios I don’t mind that but not when it becomes EXTREMELY repetitive. There was an absurd amount of analogies, like I’m not even kidding it was every other sentence especially during the spicy scenes. Constantly comparing their body parts and orgasms to random life things and it really took away from the smut for me because of the fact it was so overdone. Also, Bastien gets terribly mean towards the end of this book. I started to not like him as a character. Even Fleur is pointing out how mean and angry he’s been. I get he has a lot going on with his job being what it is, but the whole point of this relationship is giving her better than her cheating ex husband. Why bother saving her from that if you’re just going to be a jerk?
Fleur meets Bastien in the bar she works at. They hook up. He’s in the underground government in France. They hook up. They start catching feelings. They hook up. He’s trying to catch a sex trafficker (very small part of the book). Fleur fights her feelings cause she’s scared (she’s not even divorced yet). They eat pancakes….and hook up. Bastien refuses to let her stay single knowing they both have feelings. You guessed it, they hook up. The book ends (there will be a part 2) on the WEIRDEST place in the book ever, right after they hook up of course. There you go I just told you the whole entire book so you can save yourself from reading it.
Fleur meets Bastien in the bar she works at. They hook up. He’s in the underground government in France. They hook up. They start catching feelings. They hook up. He’s trying to catch a sex trafficker (very small part of the book). Fleur fights her feelings cause she’s scared (she’s not even divorced yet). They eat pancakes….and hook up. Bastien refuses to let her stay single knowing they both have feelings. You guessed it, they hook up. The book ends (there will be a part 2) on the WEIRDEST place in the book ever, right after they hook up of course. There you go I just told you the whole entire book so you can save yourself from reading it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 3 ⭐️ I don't have a lot to say about this book because it didn't have much to offer except that it was quick, mindless and completely freeing. Sometimes you just need a good palate cleanser amidst all your 'serious' reads.
In Paris, The Butcher is a powerful crime lord who runs the criminal underworld. He's the punisher, the enforcer and the eliminator. He's possessive of the things he owns and when he meets Fleur, she turns him into someone who has something to lose. Fleur just discovered that her husband has been cheating on her and she wants a divorce. When she meets Bastien, she isn't looking for anything serious and is interested in keeping things casual. No strings attached kind of situation begins but then evolves into something more serious.
This book is heavy spice and the mafia/crime plot is more of a backdrop. There is no 'butchering' here and the dialogue/scenes are repetitive. The story doesn't live up to its name as it doesn't exactly show Bastien's morally gray side. So if you're looking for a crime plot, you won't find it here. I also can't comment on characters.. well.. its because there isn't much to say .. except that Fleur wants her autonomy and freedom and Bastien's emotional appeal is that he become somewhat vulnerable when Fleur is involved but yet still remains objectively toxic.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine and the author, Penelope Sky for an ARC.
Publication date: November 3, 2026
In Paris, The Butcher is a powerful crime lord who runs the criminal underworld. He's the punisher, the enforcer and the eliminator. He's possessive of the things he owns and when he meets Fleur, she turns him into someone who has something to lose. Fleur just discovered that her husband has been cheating on her and she wants a divorce. When she meets Bastien, she isn't looking for anything serious and is interested in keeping things casual. No strings attached kind of situation begins but then evolves into something more serious.
This book is heavy spice and the mafia/crime plot is more of a backdrop. There is no 'butchering' here and the dialogue/scenes are repetitive. The story doesn't live up to its name as it doesn't exactly show Bastien's morally gray side. So if you're looking for a crime plot, you won't find it here. I also can't comment on characters.. well.. its because there isn't much to say .. except that Fleur wants her autonomy and freedom and Bastien's emotional appeal is that he become somewhat vulnerable when Fleur is involved but yet still remains objectively toxic.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine and the author, Penelope Sky for an ARC.
Publication date: November 3, 2026
March 3, 2025
"I want a divorce. I’m a fine piece of ass who doesn’t need this shit. I want a man who keeps his word and is so brutally honest that it’s almost cruel."
"like glass. It takes time to heat and temper, to make it transparent for both parties to see through. But once it’s shattered, there are so many broken pieces on the floor that it’s impossible to put back together. A year may pass, and you’ll step into the kitchen barefoot for a glass of water and get a shard in your heel. And you’ll remember how it got there.” A pain settled on my heart, an anchor lowered from a ship, a disappointment so heavy it dropped to the bottom of the ocean. “Power and wealth can be taken away—and all that’s left is your word. If you don’t have that, then you don’t have anything. He betrayed his word when he betrayed you, so he betrayed himself. There was a chance of redemption by being honest with you, but he chose cowardice instead."
Meh... a bit anticlimactic... there wasn't much butchering to be had in this book. Maybe in the second? I didn't hate this one, but I didn't love it. I'll give the second book a chance to see if the story picks up.
"like glass. It takes time to heat and temper, to make it transparent for both parties to see through. But once it’s shattered, there are so many broken pieces on the floor that it’s impossible to put back together. A year may pass, and you’ll step into the kitchen barefoot for a glass of water and get a shard in your heel. And you’ll remember how it got there.” A pain settled on my heart, an anchor lowered from a ship, a disappointment so heavy it dropped to the bottom of the ocean. “Power and wealth can be taken away—and all that’s left is your word. If you don’t have that, then you don’t have anything. He betrayed his word when he betrayed you, so he betrayed himself. There was a chance of redemption by being honest with you, but he chose cowardice instead."
Meh... a bit anticlimactic... there wasn't much butchering to be had in this book. Maybe in the second? I didn't hate this one, but I didn't love it. I'll give the second book a chance to see if the story picks up.
December 15, 2024
I was not ready for Bastian. But I definitely embraced and loved him. He is brutally honest to a fault and feared by his enemies. Fluer is a strong and independent heroine and a perfect match for Bastian.
I love the Persian background and the darker side of Paris. Plus you can never go wrong with a secret society. The Butcher is must read book. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Side note. The cover is stunning. My nurses in the hospital kept asking me about this cover and what was I reading.
I love the Persian background and the darker side of Paris. Plus you can never go wrong with a secret society. The Butcher is must read book. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Side note. The cover is stunning. My nurses in the hospital kept asking me about this cover and what was I reading.
July 29, 2025
Okayyyy Bastien 🥵🥵😍 Loved this one. Bastien just completely made it even better his bad boy vibe, but treating his woman like a queen was hot! Onto the next one in the series haha
January 25, 2025
Concerningly bad
May 24, 2025
This book was good but not great. I felt like there was a plot but not a lot happened at the same time. We have an instant connection situation between Fleur and Bastien. Fleur has found out her husband has cheated on her and after exploring a one night stand with Bastien she finds herself in his orbit. I felt there were a lot of teasers of how this book could continue as a trilogy and that it was a nice intro. I liked the darker aspect of it- that Bastien was the head of a group of men that kept Paris safe basically. They did bad things to do that though. I also liked watching Fleur coming out of her shell of her cheating husband. Bastien was so great at making this woman open up and realize how amazing she was. It felt a little too high school at points to me- like I am going to let her go and if she wants to come back to me she is far game. I know she felt a connection to the man but somehow she has found herself jumping back into a situationship after the disaster that was her marriage.
Fleur feels idiotic. How could she not have known sooner what was happening with her husband? That he was cheating on her. She doesn't know where it went wrong. How he couldn't have upheld their vows. But then she meets Bastien. A man who legit holds her attention. He is the most beautiful man she has ever seen and he seems to have his sights set on her. At least for the night. She experiences more passion with him that she did in her entire marriage. She doesn't expect to see him again but then she does. And he makes her feel free and strong and beautiful. She finds herself wanting to spend time with him. But her husband won't let her go. He asks her to try to make this work that he still loves her. She is torn. But then she makes her decision- she is cutting ties. She isn't sure where that leaves her with Bastien. He has told her who he is and it isn't someone she ever saw herself being involved in. But she finds herself intrigued. He makes her want to explore things she has never wanted to explore- parts of herself that maybe she never wanted to recognize. She realizes when he withdraws that she misses him. Which is her answer that yes she wants to be with him. Despite everything that means.
Bastien doesn't do relationships. He has one thing he is focusing on, and that is his brother. He has to stop the terrible things he is doing around town. But then he meets Fleur at the bar. And he can't think about anything but her. What would she be like in bed? Would she unravel around him? What is her story? And he gets to learn. He can't believe her husband was so stupid. But one man's mistake is another's treasure. Which is what Fleur is to him- a treasure. He understands she is scared and doesn't want to commit. Bastien usually doesn't do commitments but he finds himself wanting that with her. He finds himself wanting to solve all of her problems and help her see how amazing she is. So he does just that. He gives her space to figure out her marriage but recognizes that he doesn't want to wait forever. He CAN'T wait forever. He has to get his brother handled. But he would like to do that Fleur at his side. And his wish comes true after some back and forth. And now he knows he can concur anything because she is there.
I liked that this one did not end on a cliffhanger but that there is more that happens with Fleur and Bastien. There was a TON of spice in this one. Like more spice than plot maybe. I liked the narrators. It was definitely entertaining, but I don't know if I will dive into the other books. Though the reviews seem to be good so we shall see!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
Fleur feels idiotic. How could she not have known sooner what was happening with her husband? That he was cheating on her. She doesn't know where it went wrong. How he couldn't have upheld their vows. But then she meets Bastien. A man who legit holds her attention. He is the most beautiful man she has ever seen and he seems to have his sights set on her. At least for the night. She experiences more passion with him that she did in her entire marriage. She doesn't expect to see him again but then she does. And he makes her feel free and strong and beautiful. She finds herself wanting to spend time with him. But her husband won't let her go. He asks her to try to make this work that he still loves her. She is torn. But then she makes her decision- she is cutting ties. She isn't sure where that leaves her with Bastien. He has told her who he is and it isn't someone she ever saw herself being involved in. But she finds herself intrigued. He makes her want to explore things she has never wanted to explore- parts of herself that maybe she never wanted to recognize. She realizes when he withdraws that she misses him. Which is her answer that yes she wants to be with him. Despite everything that means.
Bastien doesn't do relationships. He has one thing he is focusing on, and that is his brother. He has to stop the terrible things he is doing around town. But then he meets Fleur at the bar. And he can't think about anything but her. What would she be like in bed? Would she unravel around him? What is her story? And he gets to learn. He can't believe her husband was so stupid. But one man's mistake is another's treasure. Which is what Fleur is to him- a treasure. He understands she is scared and doesn't want to commit. Bastien usually doesn't do commitments but he finds himself wanting that with her. He finds himself wanting to solve all of her problems and help her see how amazing she is. So he does just that. He gives her space to figure out her marriage but recognizes that he doesn't want to wait forever. He CAN'T wait forever. He has to get his brother handled. But he would like to do that Fleur at his side. And his wish comes true after some back and forth. And now he knows he can concur anything because she is there.
I liked that this one did not end on a cliffhanger but that there is more that happens with Fleur and Bastien. There was a TON of spice in this one. Like more spice than plot maybe. I liked the narrators. It was definitely entertaining, but I don't know if I will dive into the other books. Though the reviews seem to be good so we shall see!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
April 6, 2026
(2.5) Cometí el error de no haber visto que eran 3. Menos mal que no termina tan abierto.
A ver, no es una historia wow, pero entretiene y se lee súper rápido. Cumple la función cuando queres leer algo que sea simple.
El romance es medio instalove, pero me gustó que hay muchísima comunicación, no se ocultan nada y ambos son maduros.
Después la historia es demasiado simple, casi ni desarrollan lo que sucede y es muy corto el libro, no pasa nada en cuanto a la trama más allá del romance que tampoco tiene drama. Estoy segura de que es una trilogía que perfectamente podría haber sido un solo libro más completo.
No sé si leeré los otros, pero este al menos me entretuvo en el momento que lo necesite.
A ver, no es una historia wow, pero entretiene y se lee súper rápido. Cumple la función cuando queres leer algo que sea simple.
El romance es medio instalove, pero me gustó que hay muchísima comunicación, no se ocultan nada y ambos son maduros.
Después la historia es demasiado simple, casi ni desarrollan lo que sucede y es muy corto el libro, no pasa nada en cuanto a la trama más allá del romance que tampoco tiene drama. Estoy segura de que es una trilogía que perfectamente podría haber sido un solo libro más completo.
No sé si leeré los otros, pero este al menos me entretuvo en el momento que lo necesite.
August 9, 2026
0,5 ⭐️
Криндж.Палачинки.Криндж.Черно мастило.Криндж.Нелепи/невъзможни секс пози.Криндж бицепси.Криндж.Развод.Криндж.Грозен е.Криндж.Хубав е.Криндж.Мафиот.Криндж.Гладни са.Криндж.Скоч.Криндж.Палачинки.Криндж.Моя си, твой съм.Криндж.Татуси.Криндж.Бивши.Криндж.Мафия.Криндж.3 палеца.Криндж.Много съм яка.Криндж.Какво хареса в мен?Криндж.Повторения.Криндж.Авторката очевидно НЕ Е била в Париж.
Спестих ви 206 страници.
Криндж.Палачинки.Криндж.Черно мастило.Криндж.Нелепи/невъзможни секс пози.Криндж бицепси.Криндж.Развод.Криндж.Грозен е.Криндж.Хубав е.Криндж.Мафиот.Криндж.Гладни са.Криндж.Скоч.Криндж.Палачинки.Криндж.Моя си, твой съм.Криндж.Татуси.Криндж.Бивши.Криндж.Мафия.Криндж.3 палеца.Криндж.Много съм яка.Криндж.Какво хареса в мен?Криндж.Повторения.Криндж.Авторката очевидно НЕ Е била в Париж.
Спестих ви 206 страници.
May 19, 2026
A total palate cleanser this was such a quick, fun read that I binged in just a few hours! Fleur is struggling through a messy divorce after her husband cheats on her, and then she meets Bastien at work… and their chemistry is immediate, intense, and seriously hot. I enjoyed every second of their banter and tension.
There weren’t really any major plot twists or action scenes, but honestly, that’s exactly what I was craving. It was mostly dialogue, texting, and relationship-building in the best way just an easy, addictive read.
My only complaint is that the story kind of ends abruptly in the middle and continues in book two. I’m still not sure why it had to be split up that way, but overall, I enjoyed it nonetheless!
There weren’t really any major plot twists or action scenes, but honestly, that’s exactly what I was craving. It was mostly dialogue, texting, and relationship-building in the best way just an easy, addictive read.
My only complaint is that the story kind of ends abruptly in the middle and continues in book two. I’m still not sure why it had to be split up that way, but overall, I enjoyed it nonetheless!
January 22, 2025
Spoiler Review in 3…2…1…
I wish I would’ve waited until all the books were released so that I could read the entirety of Fleur and Bastien’s story, but then I would’ve postponed the joy that was this first installment!
Fleur is happily married to Adrien, a rich criminal art dealer (amongst other criminal activity, I’m sure). She dropped out of college and gave her marriage her all. She loved Adrien and saw herself married to him forever, having children and living a happy life, that is until Adrien’s mistress calls Fleur to tell her about their affair. Knowing her worth, and that she’ll be plagued with distrust in her husband’s faithfulness, Fleur asks for a divorce. But Adrien has reach and the courts deny her every request.
Bastien is the head of a secret branch of government known as The Fifth Republic, basically his job is to police the criminals, making sure they don’t harm innocents, be it women or children. Example? There used to be a prostitution ring of kidnapped women and teenagers that affected the tourism and safety in Paris. Bastien broke it up and restored the safety in tourism, and the local community. With the exception of prostitution rings, Bastien lets crime exist, in return, he gets a cut of the profits that he doesn’t pay taxes on. Anyway, he is powerful as shit and has a much farther reach, bigger bank account, and dick, than Adrien. Bastien doesn’t do relationships, opting for one night stands- or something as shallow as that. But then he goes to a bar one night and meets bartender Fleur. He’s immediately intrigued.
Fleur and Bastien are soooo good together. Their sex is amazing and they fit like they were made for each other. Fleur has the ability to be sassy. She held on to her principles by leaving Adrien and the lap of luxury, to struggle paycheck to paycheck. Fleur wants brutal honesty in her next partner, although she knows she won’t be ready for a relationship for quite some time. Fleur tries to hold Bastien at arms length, in a casual position, not committing to anything solid with Bastien. Bastien, on the other hand, knows that Fleur has a hold on him. He’s a brutally honest man (to Adrien’s cowardice), and he highly respects Fleur for walking away from Adrien and his money. As time goes on, Bastien doesn’t see Fleur as his girlfriend… “girlfriends are for pussies, this here is my woman.” Bastien pushes Fleur to confront her reasons for not wanting a relationship, and admit to them being in a relationship due to their attraction to each other, time spent together, constant communication, and their bedroom routine. But Fleur is scared. She doesn’t trust men anymore, and, Bastien told her that his used to be a hitman, but he hasn’t exactly moved on from taking a life, so she’s worried about how powerful he is and falling for someone again when she know that she feels more for him than she did for her husband.
Then there’s Godric, who is making Paris unsafe again, profiting from kidnapping women and girls to do his dirty work. Bastien won’t let that stand and he sets out to find Godric to stop him… even if Godric is his own brother.
Man, I loved this story and I’m so happy there’s more to come! Bastien is sexy as all hell, and Fleur deserves the love, commitment, and honesty that Bastien will give her. I cannot wait until the end of February for the next book!
4.5 Stars!!
I wish I would’ve waited until all the books were released so that I could read the entirety of Fleur and Bastien’s story, but then I would’ve postponed the joy that was this first installment!
Fleur is happily married to Adrien, a rich criminal art dealer (amongst other criminal activity, I’m sure). She dropped out of college and gave her marriage her all. She loved Adrien and saw herself married to him forever, having children and living a happy life, that is until Adrien’s mistress calls Fleur to tell her about their affair. Knowing her worth, and that she’ll be plagued with distrust in her husband’s faithfulness, Fleur asks for a divorce. But Adrien has reach and the courts deny her every request.
Bastien is the head of a secret branch of government known as The Fifth Republic, basically his job is to police the criminals, making sure they don’t harm innocents, be it women or children. Example? There used to be a prostitution ring of kidnapped women and teenagers that affected the tourism and safety in Paris. Bastien broke it up and restored the safety in tourism, and the local community. With the exception of prostitution rings, Bastien lets crime exist, in return, he gets a cut of the profits that he doesn’t pay taxes on. Anyway, he is powerful as shit and has a much farther reach, bigger bank account, and dick, than Adrien. Bastien doesn’t do relationships, opting for one night stands- or something as shallow as that. But then he goes to a bar one night and meets bartender Fleur. He’s immediately intrigued.
Fleur and Bastien are soooo good together. Their sex is amazing and they fit like they were made for each other. Fleur has the ability to be sassy. She held on to her principles by leaving Adrien and the lap of luxury, to struggle paycheck to paycheck. Fleur wants brutal honesty in her next partner, although she knows she won’t be ready for a relationship for quite some time. Fleur tries to hold Bastien at arms length, in a casual position, not committing to anything solid with Bastien. Bastien, on the other hand, knows that Fleur has a hold on him. He’s a brutally honest man (to Adrien’s cowardice), and he highly respects Fleur for walking away from Adrien and his money. As time goes on, Bastien doesn’t see Fleur as his girlfriend… “girlfriends are for pussies, this here is my woman.” Bastien pushes Fleur to confront her reasons for not wanting a relationship, and admit to them being in a relationship due to their attraction to each other, time spent together, constant communication, and their bedroom routine. But Fleur is scared. She doesn’t trust men anymore, and, Bastien told her that his used to be a hitman, but he hasn’t exactly moved on from taking a life, so she’s worried about how powerful he is and falling for someone again when she know that she feels more for him than she did for her husband.
Then there’s Godric, who is making Paris unsafe again, profiting from kidnapping women and girls to do his dirty work. Bastien won’t let that stand and he sets out to find Godric to stop him… even if Godric is his own brother.
Man, I loved this story and I’m so happy there’s more to come! Bastien is sexy as all hell, and Fleur deserves the love, commitment, and honesty that Bastien will give her. I cannot wait until the end of February for the next book!
4.5 Stars!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2025
I was really hoping for a dark romance with a sexy morally grey MMC and high stakes action, but unfortunately this fell a bit flat for me.
The book itself has tons of spice, so definitely be mindful of that if that bothers you. To me it felt like too much of the book relied on the intimacy and the rest wasn’t built up enough to be engaging.
There was a lot of potential and I wish there would have been more to connect with the characters and the overall storyline.
The narrators did a great job, and I’m grateful to NetGalley for the ALC!
The book itself has tons of spice, so definitely be mindful of that if that bothers you. To me it felt like too much of the book relied on the intimacy and the rest wasn’t built up enough to be engaging.
There was a lot of potential and I wish there would have been more to connect with the characters and the overall storyline.
The narrators did a great job, and I’m grateful to NetGalley for the ALC!
August 10, 2025
⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I am too annoyed to spend time on a review for this one. This book was a chaotic mess with no real plot. This literally just consisted of hook up, after hook up, after hook up. That's it.
Then it ended on a cliffhanger, so their story continues in another book, and I have absolutely no interest in continuing.
The heroine was also super annoying.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
I am too annoyed to spend time on a review for this one. This book was a chaotic mess with no real plot. This literally just consisted of hook up, after hook up, after hook up. That's it.
Then it ended on a cliffhanger, so their story continues in another book, and I have absolutely no interest in continuing.
The heroine was also super annoying.
May 12, 2025
3.75⭐ (Rounded up)
I was definitely just here for the vibes.
The Butcher is a really straight-forward crime-boss romance. Fleur is in the process of trying to divorce her husband for cheating on her, and while dealing with that, starts sleeping with Bastien. Both are only it for a quick hook up until they're not. (Totally shocking, right?) Crime-boss-things are also happening throughout, but that really takes a backseat to the romance and issues with her ex-husband.
I really enjoyed this. The FMC has a lot of mildly annoying hang ups. The MMC is kind of toxic. The language, especially in the smutty parts, is cringe as hell. But I am 100% here for it and will be continuing the series.
The narration was well done on Bastien's side, but I didn't love Fleur's. I had to speed up the audio more than usual because of just how slow her speaking felt.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with this ALC.
I was definitely just here for the vibes.
The Butcher is a really straight-forward crime-boss romance. Fleur is in the process of trying to divorce her husband for cheating on her, and while dealing with that, starts sleeping with Bastien. Both are only it for a quick hook up until they're not. (Totally shocking, right?) Crime-boss-things are also happening throughout, but that really takes a backseat to the romance and issues with her ex-husband.
I really enjoyed this. The FMC has a lot of mildly annoying hang ups. The MMC is kind of toxic. The language, especially in the smutty parts, is cringe as hell. But I am 100% here for it and will be continuing the series.
The narration was well done on Bastien's side, but I didn't love Fleur's. I had to speed up the audio more than usual because of just how slow her speaking felt.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with this ALC.
February 2, 2025
3.5 Stars
December 13, 2024
Bastien Bastien Bastien
I read this gem of a book today and HOLY. MOLY.
Bastien……😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨
There is something to be said about the strong moral character this “bad boy ” possesses.
This man is sexiness personified .
His quiet strength and unquestionable authority are exactly what Fleur needs after finding out her husband of three years has played with her time and emotions.
It was refreshing to enjoy a MMC who is honest, at times to a fault.
Never leaving anything to be desired,always saying precisely what he means,asking for what he wants and delivering nothing but loyalty and respect to the FMC.
I could gush about his honesty all day.
I’m looking forward to finishing the series and seeing where multiple aspects of the plot in book one takes them in the future.
This book does not end on a cliffhanger, but it does leave you wanting more.
Heat, heart, and a happy ending are what we readers have to look forward to!
I read this gem of a book today and HOLY. MOLY.
Bastien……😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨
There is something to be said about the strong moral character this “bad boy ” possesses.
This man is sexiness personified .
His quiet strength and unquestionable authority are exactly what Fleur needs after finding out her husband of three years has played with her time and emotions.
It was refreshing to enjoy a MMC who is honest, at times to a fault.
Never leaving anything to be desired,always saying precisely what he means,asking for what he wants and delivering nothing but loyalty and respect to the FMC.
I could gush about his honesty all day.
I’m looking forward to finishing the series and seeing where multiple aspects of the plot in book one takes them in the future.
This book does not end on a cliffhanger, but it does leave you wanting more.
Heat, heart, and a happy ending are what we readers have to look forward to!
May 17, 2025
Smut del bueno y sabroso por dónde fuese, amé
April 11, 2025
3,5.
My feelings about this book isn’t what I expected. I think the mmc is a little robotic and I don’t see the connection between them.
Maybe I will try to read more.
My feelings about this book isn’t what I expected. I think the mmc is a little robotic and I don’t see the connection between them.
Maybe I will try to read more.
July 27, 2026
3,5 ⭐️
Иху… въпреки хаотичното и скоростно начало… историята ми хареса. Не е уау, не е кой знае какво… обаче вървеше плавно и динамично. Определено добре си разпуснах с нея.
И да, Бастиан е 1:1 с всички женски фантазии - винаги знае какво да кажа, кога да замълчи… кога да даде пространство и кога да натисне! 🤭
Не е нужно да споменавам, че е секси мафиот с голям… потенциал и… енергията и издръжливостта на арабски жребец 🤭🫠 Шокиращо, нали?
А Фльор… Фльор си е… фльор… 👀 сещате се 😂 но държи фронта. 🤭
Еми… отивам към втора част!
Иху… въпреки хаотичното и скоростно начало… историята ми хареса. Не е уау, не е кой знае какво… обаче вървеше плавно и динамично. Определено добре си разпуснах с нея.
И да, Бастиан е 1:1 с всички женски фантазии - винаги знае какво да кажа, кога да замълчи… кога да даде пространство и кога да натисне! 🤭
Не е нужно да споменавам, че е секси мафиот с голям… потенциал и… енергията и издръжливостта на арабски жребец 🤭🫠 Шокиращо, нали?
А Фльор… Фльор си е… фльор… 👀 сещате се 😂 но държи фронта. 🤭
Еми… отивам към втора част!
February 4, 2025
1.5 Really disappointed in this one. I enjoyed her other series and was excited to read this one but it just didn’t do it for me.
The writing was just not well done, so many times I cringed at what both of them said.
Honestly I wanted the plot, but it got lost. The idea of his job, ruling the dirty, corrupt side of the city the government allows him to. The fact that his brother is his nemesis. So much potential but it just….wasn’t there.
The writing was just not well done, so many times I cringed at what both of them said.
Honestly I wanted the plot, but it got lost. The idea of his job, ruling the dirty, corrupt side of the city the government allows him to. The fact that his brother is his nemesis. So much potential but it just….wasn’t there.
Read
April 13, 2025Dnf at 17% — No🩵
May 10, 2025
𝘼𝙇𝘾 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙎𝙠𝙮!🎧
They said fuck first, bond later. And I didn't agree.
This was way too insta lusty for me. They met eachother in the very first chapter AND slept together in the very first chapter. Fleur's inner monologue was just so arghhhhhhh. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THE GUY!! I was practically screaming for her to use protection. But nuh uh. She needs to FEEL. EVERY. INCH. of the random dude she met a few hours ago. And who tf asks their partner (who's a stranger btw) if they're clean AFTER they ripped off each other's clothes and were just about to insert the thing? Wild.
Not to mention, her reaction to finding out about him being a killer was 'oh atleast he's honest. That's admirable.'
??????? 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗠𝗘 ????????
I know this is fiction and there's a universal rule out there that we forgive all mmcs as long as they're loyal and don't cheat. But you"d think a girl who finds out her stranger lover was actually a killer, would be a little more surprised and fearful than that. 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗧?
Chemistry? Non existent.
And communication where? They were basically fucking every other chapter. How they fell in love, don't ask me. Idk.
Bastian's inner monologue was basically his obsession with her tits and all about how he was so proud of her for 'choosing a hard life'. Mind you, the hard life he was referring to, was basically her choosing to leave her cheater piece of a shit husband who happens to be a bad guy and who's crazy rich. He went on and on about how brave he thought she was for choosing to work when she could've lived with him and blah blah blah.
To make things worse, I found out this is apparently a trilogy and not a single book. I have no fucking idea how these bland af characters are gonna carry three fucking books but oh well. This was a quick read but you literally could not pay me to care. The plot was so simplistic, there was no need to drag it out. I can literally picture how things are gonna go down. Absolutely no need for it to be THREE BOOKS! The characters don't even have that much depth for god's sake!
Needless to say, I will not be reading the next books.
(The narrators did a good job though.)
They said fuck first, bond later. And I didn't agree.
This was way too insta lusty for me. They met eachother in the very first chapter AND slept together in the very first chapter. Fleur's inner monologue was just so arghhhhhhh. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THE GUY!! I was practically screaming for her to use protection. But nuh uh. She needs to FEEL. EVERY. INCH. of the random dude she met a few hours ago. And who tf asks their partner (who's a stranger btw) if they're clean AFTER they ripped off each other's clothes and were just about to insert the thing? Wild.
Not to mention, her reaction to finding out about him being a killer was 'oh atleast he's honest. That's admirable.'
??????? 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗠𝗘 ????????
I know this is fiction and there's a universal rule out there that we forgive all mmcs as long as they're loyal and don't cheat. But you"d think a girl who finds out her stranger lover was actually a killer, would be a little more surprised and fearful than that. 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗧?
Chemistry? Non existent.
And communication where? They were basically fucking every other chapter. How they fell in love, don't ask me. Idk.
Bastian's inner monologue was basically his obsession with her tits and all about how he was so proud of her for 'choosing a hard life'. Mind you, the hard life he was referring to, was basically her choosing to leave her cheater piece of a shit husband who happens to be a bad guy and who's crazy rich. He went on and on about how brave he thought she was for choosing to work when she could've lived with him and blah blah blah.
To make things worse, I found out this is apparently a trilogy and not a single book. I have no fucking idea how these bland af characters are gonna carry three fucking books but oh well. This was a quick read but you literally could not pay me to care. The plot was so simplistic, there was no need to drag it out. I can literally picture how things are gonna go down. Absolutely no need for it to be THREE BOOKS! The characters don't even have that much depth for god's sake!
Needless to say, I will not be reading the next books.
(The narrators did a good job though.)
March 19, 2025
2.5 where’s the butchering?
Not much happening in this book. Pretty bland. The fmc has just left her husband because his mistress told her he was cheating. She’s working as a bartender when she sees the best looking man she’s ever seen. He falls for her first. They have sex a lot but overshadowed by her depression over the demise of her marriage. She’s brokenhearted but still attracted to the H. He’s one of the more bland characters I’ve read by this author. I guess were to imagine him butchering because that’s the name of the book. All that he does in this book is sort out political intrigue.
Not much happening in this book. Pretty bland. The fmc has just left her husband because his mistress told her he was cheating. She’s working as a bartender when she sees the best looking man she’s ever seen. He falls for her first. They have sex a lot but overshadowed by her depression over the demise of her marriage. She’s brokenhearted but still attracted to the H. He’s one of the more bland characters I’ve read by this author. I guess were to imagine him butchering because that’s the name of the book. All that he does in this book is sort out political intrigue.
January 20, 2025
well, well, well...
this book has, like every major red flag that would make me skip this baby in an instant, and yet it fuckin surprised me...
hopefully, the sequel will be even better...
this book has, like every major red flag that would make me skip this baby in an instant, and yet it fuckin surprised me...
hopefully, the sequel will be even better...
February 18, 2025
Wasn't really feeling this one. I have no desire to continue. And there's a continuing storyline..... 😐 meh.
March 18, 2025
Absolutely LOVE. The characters are built up and paint the picture so well. The relationship between Bastien and Fleur is intoxicating to a point where finding a mafia boss husband is going on my bucket list. Immediately starting The Carver!
January 28, 2025
Bastian is perfect. 😍🥵
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