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The Hunted #4
Devotion
Tick tock. One day before the wedding of her dreams, Penny is in a city that is no longer her home. Alone. Heartbroken. Lost. Could the past few years really mean so little to a man that became her world? To a man she'd do anything to protect? There is no future without him. There is no her without him.
With only 24 hours until the wedding, is there enough time to repair the damage? Tick tock.
And even if Penny and James do come back to each other, Isabella is still out there plotting. The world is still against them. Darkness still lurks in the shadows of James' past. A student and her professor were never meant to be forever. They thought it was an everlasting love, but it was doomed from the very start. Tick tock.
Temptation led to addiction, which exploded into an eruption of chaos. And when the pieces settled, only one thing became clear...devotion. One great love. A love worth fighting for. Because the only thing that lasts forever is love.
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B01JHJH8SQ
here.
With only 24 hours until the wedding, is there enough time to repair the damage? Tick tock.
And even if Penny and James do come back to each other, Isabella is still out there plotting. The world is still against them. Darkness still lurks in the shadows of James' past. A student and her professor were never meant to be forever. They thought it was an everlasting love, but it was doomed from the very start. Tick tock.
Temptation led to addiction, which exploded into an eruption of chaos. And when the pieces settled, only one thing became clear...devotion. One great love. A love worth fighting for. Because the only thing that lasts forever is love.
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B01JHJH8SQ
here.
344 pages, ebook
First published October 27, 2016
9712 people are currently reading
5929 people want to read
About the author
Ivy Smoak
98 books8,205 followersIvy Smoak is the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon #1 bestselling author of The Hunted Series. Her books have sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
When she's not writing, you can find Ivy binge watching too many TV shows, taking long walks, playing outside, and generally refusing to act like an adult. She lives with her husband in Delaware.
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Join Ivy Smoak's newsletter for a sexy FREE story and exclusive material: https://www.ivysmoak.com/newsletter
Empire High
The Hunted & Light to My Darkness
Made of Steel
When she's not writing, you can find Ivy binge watching too many TV shows, taking long walks, playing outside, and generally refusing to act like an adult. She lives with her husband in Delaware.
Learn more about Ivy on:
Amazon ➜ http://bit.ly/IvySmoakAMZ
Facebook ➜ http://bit.ly/IvySmoakFacebook
Instagram ➜ http://bit.ly/IvySmoakInsta
TikTok ➜ https://bit.ly/3F6QML7
BookBub ➜ https://bit.ly/2VOZycg
Website ➜ bit.ly/IvySmoakWebsite
Reader Group ➜ bit.ly/IvySmoakGroup
Join Ivy Smoak's newsletter for a sexy FREE story and exclusive material: https://www.ivysmoak.com/newsletter
Empire High
The Hunted & Light to My Darkness
Made of Steel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 724 reviews
July 16, 2020
How many times can one author repeat the same useless drivel at a reader? Apparently in the case of this author, A LOT. Honestly over the course of not just this book, but the other three I wish I had kept track of just how many times I read that James "lowered both his eyebrows (apparently he spends a lot of times with them raised), or how many times during sex Penny felt "the familiar warmth" of his semen, "spread up into her stomach".
Ugh.
Once again we are treated to the angsty "love" between James and Penny - although honestly aside from some mediocre sex (that is meant to be really hot, but never gets there) there is nothing between these two. It's quite easy to see why his ex-wife (and James himself) repeatedly says it isn't love they share but he's addicted to her/sex.
I liked how the author tried to add substance to this novel through the use of James' ex-wife Isabella, however her villainy was just so over the top bad that I couldn't take her seriously either. I mean come on now - I'm expected to believe that one woman was so evil and diabolical that she not only enlisted the help of a former enemy of James, but a police officer, a member of his security team, a lawyer (to formulate fake paperwork), a nurse, AND James' own mother and absolutely NO ONE figures it out sooner? Come the heck on now! Sure one or two things might have slipped through the cracks, but not all of this. Added to that, when Penny and James are questioned by a new detective who is taking over their case and the detective point blank says he is missing key information when another officer was supposed to fill him in AND NOT A SINGLE PERSON IN THE ROOM THINKS THIS IS SUSPICIOUS?
And then we have the fact that EVERY SINGLE DOCTOR AND NURSE NOT BEING PAID OFF TURNS A BLIND EYE TO EVERYTHING GOING ON. I mean Isabella managed to get into his hospital room twice and none of the other staff thought it was odd even though the man was shot three times at his wedding reception? They literally have a list of people who can visit (his own friends are not allowed) and security on the door and no one sees his ex stroll in and out on two separate occasions? Anyway - the last time she gets in there, she has the member of his security team use chloroform on Penny and she wakes up in the hospital room duct taped to a chair. Isabella wakes James up from the sedative the nurse had given him and the whole time she's threatening Penny with a gun. AND NO ONE NOTICES THIS? I mean there IS more than one nurse on a floor.
So then Penny gets loose (after James tricks Isabella to get close to him and strangles her until she's unconscious) but she wakes up after only a couple of minutes and is going to shoot them both (because instead of getting help they have to hug it out or some nonsense), but luckily his other security guy busts through the door and shoots Isabella.... and the window behind her. And she falls out of the window. Ummmm okay. Sure. Let's go with that.
The part I'm most annoyed with? Is that I HATE leaving series unfinished. And just when I started to celebrate the fact that I have made it through four books of this unrealistic and unbelievable nonsense, I find out there are three more books written under a different name. Although to be honest, I can't tell if they are a continuation of the Hunted series or if the author decided to condense four books worth of a hot mess into three and finally come up with an actual ending for these characters instead of another useless cliff-hanger. Although they too appear to be available on KU, I think I'm going to take a break from this author for a good long while and then maybe, MAYBE, on a drunken whim try the new series. MAYBE.
Ugh.
Once again we are treated to the angsty "love" between James and Penny - although honestly aside from some mediocre sex (that is meant to be really hot, but never gets there) there is nothing between these two. It's quite easy to see why his ex-wife (and James himself) repeatedly says it isn't love they share but he's addicted to her/sex.
I liked how the author tried to add substance to this novel through the use of James' ex-wife Isabella, however her villainy was just so over the top bad that I couldn't take her seriously either. I mean come on now - I'm expected to believe that one woman was so evil and diabolical that she not only enlisted the help of a former enemy of James, but a police officer, a member of his security team, a lawyer (to formulate fake paperwork), a nurse, AND James' own mother and absolutely NO ONE figures it out sooner? Come the heck on now! Sure one or two things might have slipped through the cracks, but not all of this. Added to that, when Penny and James are questioned by a new detective who is taking over their case and the detective point blank says he is missing key information when another officer was supposed to fill him in AND NOT A SINGLE PERSON IN THE ROOM THINKS THIS IS SUSPICIOUS?
And then we have the fact that EVERY SINGLE DOCTOR AND NURSE NOT BEING PAID OFF TURNS A BLIND EYE TO EVERYTHING GOING ON. I mean Isabella managed to get into his hospital room twice and none of the other staff thought it was odd even though the man was shot three times at his wedding reception? They literally have a list of people who can visit (his own friends are not allowed) and security on the door and no one sees his ex stroll in and out on two separate occasions? Anyway - the last time she gets in there, she has the member of his security team use chloroform on Penny and she wakes up in the hospital room duct taped to a chair. Isabella wakes James up from the sedative the nurse had given him and the whole time she's threatening Penny with a gun. AND NO ONE NOTICES THIS? I mean there IS more than one nurse on a floor.
So then Penny gets loose (after James tricks Isabella to get close to him and strangles her until she's unconscious) but she wakes up after only a couple of minutes and is going to shoot them both (because instead of getting help they have to hug it out or some nonsense), but luckily his other security guy busts through the door and shoots Isabella.... and the window behind her. And she falls out of the window. Ummmm okay. Sure. Let's go with that.
The part I'm most annoyed with? Is that I HATE leaving series unfinished. And just when I started to celebrate the fact that I have made it through four books of this unrealistic and unbelievable nonsense, I find out there are three more books written under a different name. Although to be honest, I can't tell if they are a continuation of the Hunted series or if the author decided to condense four books worth of a hot mess into three and finally come up with an actual ending for these characters instead of another useless cliff-hanger. Although they too appear to be available on KU, I think I'm going to take a break from this author for a good long while and then maybe, MAYBE, on a drunken whim try the new series. MAYBE.
October 13, 2016
ARC provided for an honest review.
This book was high on emotion and full of drama. I was at the edge of my seat to find out who actually did it. Up until the very end, I suspected someone else also involved instead of the obvious ones. The author did a very nice job of leading you into that direction.
Fantastic side characters added depth to the story. I noticed Rob and Mason’s story out but I’d like to see one about Tyler.
In the final installment, we see different sides to Penny and James which adds a lot of growth to their relationship. Penny became stronger for James’ vulnerability to his addiction. Their relationship survives a lot of ups and downs but by the end they are stronger than ever.
As in the previous books, there were plenty of steamy sex scenes. Does anyone else miss Penny calling James, Professor Hunter during sex? I definitely do! Those scenes were hot!
I enjoyed reading this series and look forward to reading more from Ivy Smoak. The writing was smooth and authentic without forced dialogue or chemistry.
This book was high on emotion and full of drama. I was at the edge of my seat to find out who actually did it. Up until the very end, I suspected someone else also involved instead of the obvious ones. The author did a very nice job of leading you into that direction.
Fantastic side characters added depth to the story. I noticed Rob and Mason’s story out but I’d like to see one about Tyler.
In the final installment, we see different sides to Penny and James which adds a lot of growth to their relationship. Penny became stronger for James’ vulnerability to his addiction. Their relationship survives a lot of ups and downs but by the end they are stronger than ever.
As in the previous books, there were plenty of steamy sex scenes. Does anyone else miss Penny calling James, Professor Hunter during sex? I definitely do! Those scenes were hot!
I enjoyed reading this series and look forward to reading more from Ivy Smoak. The writing was smooth and authentic without forced dialogue or chemistry.
February 1, 2019
I was hoping for James the hero to finally break out into a song of reason to break the voice of monotony that was the dreary,insecure,whiny,mouse of a heroine.But four books and one continuous single POV was all that was written and so another wish goes unfulfilled.
March 15, 2022
Brilliant
Adored Penny and James' love story. There was a point that I remained teary-eyed the whole time. So emotional!
The villain was absolutely insidious. I knew her fate after reading the latest from Ivy Smoak, but it was still completely satisfying. Everything that lead upto the culmination of that plot had me questioning some of Penny's friends up until the wedding, so great writing kept everything interesting.
If you're looking for a spicy and somewhat angsty contemporary romance, with absolutely wonderful characters, a found family trope, and a classic villain, read this series.
Adored Penny and James' love story. There was a point that I remained teary-eyed the whole time. So emotional!
The villain was absolutely insidious. I knew her fate after reading the latest from Ivy Smoak, but it was still completely satisfying. Everything that lead upto the culmination of that plot had me questioning some of Penny's friends up until the wedding, so great writing kept everything interesting.
If you're looking for a spicy and somewhat angsty contemporary romance, with absolutely wonderful characters, a found family trope, and a classic villain, read this series.
September 16, 2022
Holy hell, this series.
Allow me to summarize my own way.
Book 1: Boring and innocent but beautiful college girl crushes on her professor. Professor lusts after dull college girl who is terrible at public speaking but is also super duper hot (all the boys want Penny) and makes all of her speeches about how much she wants him to give it to her.
They hook up. It's naughty! But hot! But naughty! And Professor Hunter (never to be called anything else, like his actual name for example, because we need to remember this is a risqué relationship) is keeping secrets but they love each other like crazy (for real, like CRAZY) but then after immediately wanting her to move in with him, he learns his assumption about her age was wrong and "needs time" to figure things out.
Book 2: Professor Hunter hasn't spoken to Penny in weeks and won't respond to any of her attempts to contact him. Her birthday passes with no word. She sends him a "goodbye forever" text and goes to a Halloween party as sexy Poison Ivy to get over the professor and ends up sleeping with her good friend Tyler (who tried to sexually assault her in the first book, but that's totally forgiven). The professor shows up, deduces that Penny slept with Tyler, and they brawl. Penny gets clocked in the head and ends up with a concussion. Professor Hunter (even though they've been banging constantly she still only calls him "Professor Hunter" instead of James) takes her to his apartment to care for her and admits that even though he never thought they'd broken up, he slept with his soon-to-be ex-wife because...well, it's not really clear why, because he apparently loathes her? Penny is understandably upset at his shameless hypocrisy and goes for a walk only to collapse and end up hospitalized. They have sex in the hospital because Professor Hunter loves her! He meets her parents, who believe the lie that he is a fellow student at the college. But uh-oh! Isabella, the scorned wife, leaks the news that Professor Hunter and Penny are sleeping together to the college and the media. Consequences ensue. James (I can't do it anymore) resigns to be with Penny. Everyone is horrible to Penny except Tyler, who is also in love with her, and James. James proposes to Penny after two months of screwing like bunnies in the coffee shop where they first met. She says yes, because she loves his sexy eyebrow hunger. Oh, and this is also the book where Penny learns that James is an addict.
Book 3: We're skipping ahead two and a half years. They've moved to NYC, and Penny is graduating. Penny and James are finally tying the knot, but his parents refuse to meet her, and when they finally host an engagement party for the couple, they invite Isabella. Penny is desperate for his parents to like her, but instead they offer her millions of dollars to stay out of their son's life for "his protection." She refuses and tells them what terrible people they are. Isabella confronts Penny and warns her to back off or else, then slaps her for good measure. James and Penny start a competition to see who can go the longest without caving and begging for sex. James is whisked away to his bachelor party in an undisclosed location, and Penny starts receiving anonymously delivered envelopes with photographs of James kissing other women (this series is aiming to cover all of the cliches). She worries that James is addicted to sex, and will get it elsewhere since they didn't do it for the week before he left. She cries and stresses the whole time he's gone, but when he gets back she doesn't mention the deliveries. James admits to Isabella kissing him but said he warned her off and now she's so helpful and friendly! (Side bar: he KNOWS Isabella smacked Penny, but apparently even though he's super protective and possessive - seriously it's mentioned multiple times per book - this doesn't mean she can't be a lovely person! He also knows Penny is insecure about Isabella but pish posh!) Isabella blackmails Penny with explicit sex photos into stealing twenty million dollars from James, but then warns her she can't tell him or else she'll release the photos anyway. James confronts Penny, and since she's freaked about Isabella knowing her every move, she doesn't tell him Isabella is the evil mastermind. James is furious because Penny only wanted him for his money, so she could run away with Tyler (who got the 20 mil), and he says a bunch of really messed up shit and tells her to leave him alone forever. Penny does leave. The wedding is off!
Book 4: The wedding is on! What if James hurts himself? Penny can't leave! Tyler pledges his love and begs Penny to run away with him, but she refuses because JAMES. Even though he's repeatedly lied to her while stressing the importance of no secrets between them, and said all of the terrible things he said, Penny immediately forgives him after some makeup sex. She told James' parents about Isabella, and she thinks his dad might have a soul, but mom is still firmly on team Psychopants even though there's evidence that Isabella stole 20 million dollars and all mommy wants is to protect James from gold-digging whores! Or possibly regular people who have the nerve to be middle class! There are jokes about Rob giving Penny roofies, because sexual assault is funny! Anyway the rehearsal dinner goes on as planned, but the parents show up, and Mommy Hunter is vile as always. Daddy Hunter takes Penny aside to confess his mistakes and welcome her to the family. More sex. More worrying about whether or not he's addicted to her, or he really loves her. The wedding happens. James is shot and nearly dies! Before they get to consummate the marriage! Penny discovers she's pregnant, but James doesn't want kids. But he's in a medically-induced coma! It's all very stressful. Meanwhile, they know Isabella tried to kill him! Which makes no sense, because apparently her motivation is to get him back? But she tries to kill him twice. And fails. James eventually wakes up, and Penny is mad because he's still keeping secrets four books later! GIRL, the man is just going to keep withholding because otherwise these books would just be sex scenes and far-fetched murder attempts. Then Isabella tries to kill Penny in the hospital room but a bodyguard bursts in at the last second to save the day. Isabella is dead, and they can finally be happy!
Penny is BORING. She has zero personality aside from her unconditional love for James. She actually thinks to herself in the book that there is no her without him, because she has no identity outside of her love for him. SEE A THERAPIST. He does! The drama is contrived. The sex scenes aren't as hot as they could be because Penny and James really don't have a connection outside of sex, and some kind of emotional connection would really help. Two books were more than enough, and that is evident because of the third and fourth. However, I would've thought four would be the absolute maximum as far as being able to squeeze any kind of plot out of this series. There are four more. FOUR. MORE. BOOKS.
How?
Allow me to summarize my own way.
Book 1: Boring and innocent but beautiful college girl crushes on her professor. Professor lusts after dull college girl who is terrible at public speaking but is also super duper hot (all the boys want Penny) and makes all of her speeches about how much she wants him to give it to her.
They hook up. It's naughty! But hot! But naughty! And Professor Hunter (never to be called anything else, like his actual name for example, because we need to remember this is a risqué relationship) is keeping secrets but they love each other like crazy (for real, like CRAZY) but then after immediately wanting her to move in with him, he learns his assumption about her age was wrong and "needs time" to figure things out.
Book 2: Professor Hunter hasn't spoken to Penny in weeks and won't respond to any of her attempts to contact him. Her birthday passes with no word. She sends him a "goodbye forever" text and goes to a Halloween party as sexy Poison Ivy to get over the professor and ends up sleeping with her good friend Tyler (who tried to sexually assault her in the first book, but that's totally forgiven). The professor shows up, deduces that Penny slept with Tyler, and they brawl. Penny gets clocked in the head and ends up with a concussion. Professor Hunter (even though they've been banging constantly she still only calls him "Professor Hunter" instead of James) takes her to his apartment to care for her and admits that even though he never thought they'd broken up, he slept with his soon-to-be ex-wife because...well, it's not really clear why, because he apparently loathes her? Penny is understandably upset at his shameless hypocrisy and goes for a walk only to collapse and end up hospitalized. They have sex in the hospital because Professor Hunter loves her! He meets her parents, who believe the lie that he is a fellow student at the college. But uh-oh! Isabella, the scorned wife, leaks the news that Professor Hunter and Penny are sleeping together to the college and the media. Consequences ensue. James (I can't do it anymore) resigns to be with Penny. Everyone is horrible to Penny except Tyler, who is also in love with her, and James. James proposes to Penny after two months of screwing like bunnies in the coffee shop where they first met. She says yes, because she loves his sexy eyebrow hunger. Oh, and this is also the book where Penny learns that James is an addict.
Book 3: We're skipping ahead two and a half years. They've moved to NYC, and Penny is graduating. Penny and James are finally tying the knot, but his parents refuse to meet her, and when they finally host an engagement party for the couple, they invite Isabella. Penny is desperate for his parents to like her, but instead they offer her millions of dollars to stay out of their son's life for "his protection." She refuses and tells them what terrible people they are. Isabella confronts Penny and warns her to back off or else, then slaps her for good measure. James and Penny start a competition to see who can go the longest without caving and begging for sex. James is whisked away to his bachelor party in an undisclosed location, and Penny starts receiving anonymously delivered envelopes with photographs of James kissing other women (this series is aiming to cover all of the cliches). She worries that James is addicted to sex, and will get it elsewhere since they didn't do it for the week before he left. She cries and stresses the whole time he's gone, but when he gets back she doesn't mention the deliveries. James admits to Isabella kissing him but said he warned her off and now she's so helpful and friendly! (Side bar: he KNOWS Isabella smacked Penny, but apparently even though he's super protective and possessive - seriously it's mentioned multiple times per book - this doesn't mean she can't be a lovely person! He also knows Penny is insecure about Isabella but pish posh!) Isabella blackmails Penny with explicit sex photos into stealing twenty million dollars from James, but then warns her she can't tell him or else she'll release the photos anyway. James confronts Penny, and since she's freaked about Isabella knowing her every move, she doesn't tell him Isabella is the evil mastermind. James is furious because Penny only wanted him for his money, so she could run away with Tyler (who got the 20 mil), and he says a bunch of really messed up shit and tells her to leave him alone forever. Penny does leave. The wedding is off!
Book 4: The wedding is on! What if James hurts himself? Penny can't leave! Tyler pledges his love and begs Penny to run away with him, but she refuses because JAMES. Even though he's repeatedly lied to her while stressing the importance of no secrets between them, and said all of the terrible things he said, Penny immediately forgives him after some makeup sex. She told James' parents about Isabella, and she thinks his dad might have a soul, but mom is still firmly on team Psychopants even though there's evidence that Isabella stole 20 million dollars and all mommy wants is to protect James from gold-digging whores! Or possibly regular people who have the nerve to be middle class! There are jokes about Rob giving Penny roofies, because sexual assault is funny! Anyway the rehearsal dinner goes on as planned, but the parents show up, and Mommy Hunter is vile as always. Daddy Hunter takes Penny aside to confess his mistakes and welcome her to the family. More sex. More worrying about whether or not he's addicted to her, or he really loves her. The wedding happens. James is shot and nearly dies! Before they get to consummate the marriage! Penny discovers she's pregnant, but James doesn't want kids. But he's in a medically-induced coma! It's all very stressful. Meanwhile, they know Isabella tried to kill him! Which makes no sense, because apparently her motivation is to get him back? But she tries to kill him twice. And fails. James eventually wakes up, and Penny is mad because he's still keeping secrets four books later! GIRL, the man is just going to keep withholding because otherwise these books would just be sex scenes and far-fetched murder attempts. Then Isabella tries to kill Penny in the hospital room but a bodyguard bursts in at the last second to save the day. Isabella is dead, and they can finally be happy!
Penny is BORING. She has zero personality aside from her unconditional love for James. She actually thinks to herself in the book that there is no her without him, because she has no identity outside of her love for him. SEE A THERAPIST. He does! The drama is contrived. The sex scenes aren't as hot as they could be because Penny and James really don't have a connection outside of sex, and some kind of emotional connection would really help. Two books were more than enough, and that is evident because of the third and fourth. However, I would've thought four would be the absolute maximum as far as being able to squeeze any kind of plot out of this series. There are four more. FOUR. MORE. BOOKS.
How?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2020
A hot mess!
I hate that I'm the type of reader that once I start a book I have to finish it... This series was a whole mess. I'm not sure how it came up in my search when it didn't for my criteria, but I digress. I HATE HATE HATE books that every male in the book has to repeatedly tell the main character how beautiful she is. EVERY man in the book wanted her. Give me a break already! Penny was ALWAYS crying, needing sex, playing the victim, and finding ways to blame James for everything. If it rained it was James's fault. James stops talking to her for 2 weeks and she's in the bed with someone else. She was so immature. She basically used Tyler. I actually kind of liked James, which is why I gave this book 2 stars The addiction storyline was weak. I'm not sure why the author added that to the book to be honest. I'm just happy to be done with this book. The author wrote another book from James's POV.... No thank you! I suffered enough through these 4 books. I wouldn't recommend this book and won't read another book from this author.
I hate that I'm the type of reader that once I start a book I have to finish it... This series was a whole mess. I'm not sure how it came up in my search when it didn't for my criteria, but I digress. I HATE HATE HATE books that every male in the book has to repeatedly tell the main character how beautiful she is. EVERY man in the book wanted her. Give me a break already! Penny was ALWAYS crying, needing sex, playing the victim, and finding ways to blame James for everything. If it rained it was James's fault. James stops talking to her for 2 weeks and she's in the bed with someone else. She was so immature. She basically used Tyler. I actually kind of liked James, which is why I gave this book 2 stars The addiction storyline was weak. I'm not sure why the author added that to the book to be honest. I'm just happy to be done with this book. The author wrote another book from James's POV.... No thank you! I suffered enough through these 4 books. I wouldn't recommend this book and won't read another book from this author.
March 1, 2021
Updated Review
I realized my rating needed clarification. Ivy Smoak's book Devotion is a 4-Star read. It is a well-written story with plot twists that also twist your emotions. Through the series, you learn a lot about the main characters James and Penny. In this story, the main characters continue to develop and are supported by their amazing friends and family. The chemistry is perfectly balanced with the story-line. There is the right amount of heat without feeling like you are reading smut (don't get me wrong, I also love to read smut). It was a page-turner, I finished it in two days.
I enjoyed the series but don't think it will go on my shelf to read again. I just didn't connect well with Penny. Her dialogue caused me much frustration. She wanted James to accept that they share true love. He believed what he felt was an addiction. How can she expect him to trust they share true love when Penny herself had doubts. That is why for me the story is 3.5-Stars. It's just me, not the writing.
I realized my rating needed clarification. Ivy Smoak's book Devotion is a 4-Star read. It is a well-written story with plot twists that also twist your emotions. Through the series, you learn a lot about the main characters James and Penny. In this story, the main characters continue to develop and are supported by their amazing friends and family. The chemistry is perfectly balanced with the story-line. There is the right amount of heat without feeling like you are reading smut (don't get me wrong, I also love to read smut). It was a page-turner, I finished it in two days.
I enjoyed the series but don't think it will go on my shelf to read again. I just didn't connect well with Penny. Her dialogue caused me much frustration. She wanted James to accept that they share true love. He believed what he felt was an addiction. How can she expect him to trust they share true love when Penny herself had doubts. That is why for me the story is 3.5-Stars. It's just me, not the writing.
Read
February 11, 2023rtc
October 8, 2016
“You promised you wouldn't push me away again, James. You promised.”
Oh my Gosh! I can't believe I'm done with this series!! From the day is started reading 'Temptation', I already fell in love with this characters. And when I found out it was a series, I couldn't be more pumped to get through them!! And now I'm finally at the end point, it's kind of sad to put these characters away :(
ARC Review:
I loved how easy it was to get back into this series and this world. I was only 3% into the book and waterworks already started on their own account.
I have always loved this series because of its dense and captivating plot filled with so much emotions.
Devotion opened up so many opportunities for many different characters. Matt and Melissa, Rob and Daphne, Rory and Kiera, even Justin who's just as gay XD
I was really in love with the emotions that this book brought out if me with the crying and laughing *about breaking up, marriage, gun shot. You know*.
This books comes out October 27th. For anyone who has started the Hunted Series or have read Eruption and is waiting for Devotion, IT IS WORTH THE DAMN WAIT.
For readers who are considering reading this series, you would not regret this decision :)
February 25, 2025
DNF!!! 11% in and I can’t take it anymore 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
I was gonna review them all at the end but I can’t put myself through any more words😫😫😫
This is the most RIDICULOUS plot I have ever read and the repetition of words and sentences and feelings Sweet Lord it was painful! The first 2 books weren’t great but not bad the 3rd book was so much better…this one from the get go was atrocious! The first 10% was so cringy!!! I’m done I can’t read anything else and don’t know that I will ever read this author again.
I was gonna review them all at the end but I can’t put myself through any more words😫😫😫
This is the most RIDICULOUS plot I have ever read and the repetition of words and sentences and feelings Sweet Lord it was painful! The first 2 books weren’t great but not bad the 3rd book was so much better…this one from the get go was atrocious! The first 10% was so cringy!!! I’m done I can’t read anything else and don’t know that I will ever read this author again.
October 18, 2020
Devotion completely pulled me in. There was so much action and drama and emotion here. I know it's where everything comes to a head, so it might not be fair to say, but this was the best book of this series. The others I kind of skimmed parts or had things I didn't love in them. But this was a fantastic ending.
October 14, 2022
i need a cigarette after reading this series
April 16, 2021
I liked the ending, Unfortunately I saw spoilers for the twist, I feel like i didn't get the full affect because of it, which sucks, i hate spoilers, but oh well, I still liked it :)
November 22, 2022
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October 9, 2016
***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review***
(spoiler-free review)
Devotion is the last installment in The Hunted Series. It is not a standalone and all of the other books must be read prior to reading this since it picks up exactly where Eruption left off. Devotion evoked so many different emotions in me throughout the story--happiness, devastation, anger, nervousness, excitement, surprise, desperation, hope and ultimately contentment. In the story, Penny and James not only need to find their way back to each other but they face incredible danger from James's psycho ex-wife, Isabella. It is so fast paced that I had difficulty putting the book down. So much happens and at times, it is completely heart-stopping. I found myself crying during many points over the various events that happen. The book is filled with mystery, suspense and some surprises that will completely shock the reader. Ivy Smoak truly knows how to grab her readers and hold them captivated until the very end. Of course I would be remiss if I failed to mention how steamy and sexy this book is. Penny and James have always been off-the-charts hot together and Devotion is no exception. I have to say that I'm really sad this was the last installment in The Hunted Series because it's been one of my favorites. I can only hope that Smoak gives us glimpses of Penny, James and all of the other characters in her future books since I'm really going to miss these characters who have become some of my absolute favorites. But knowing that she typically has crossovers in her books, I have no doubt we'll see all of them again in the near future. Thanks Ivy Smoak for giving your readers a satisfying ending to a deliciously beautiful story.
(spoiler-free review)
Devotion is the last installment in The Hunted Series. It is not a standalone and all of the other books must be read prior to reading this since it picks up exactly where Eruption left off. Devotion evoked so many different emotions in me throughout the story--happiness, devastation, anger, nervousness, excitement, surprise, desperation, hope and ultimately contentment. In the story, Penny and James not only need to find their way back to each other but they face incredible danger from James's psycho ex-wife, Isabella. It is so fast paced that I had difficulty putting the book down. So much happens and at times, it is completely heart-stopping. I found myself crying during many points over the various events that happen. The book is filled with mystery, suspense and some surprises that will completely shock the reader. Ivy Smoak truly knows how to grab her readers and hold them captivated until the very end. Of course I would be remiss if I failed to mention how steamy and sexy this book is. Penny and James have always been off-the-charts hot together and Devotion is no exception. I have to say that I'm really sad this was the last installment in The Hunted Series because it's been one of my favorites. I can only hope that Smoak gives us glimpses of Penny, James and all of the other characters in her future books since I'm really going to miss these characters who have become some of my absolute favorites. But knowing that she typically has crossovers in her books, I have no doubt we'll see all of them again in the near future. Thanks Ivy Smoak for giving your readers a satisfying ending to a deliciously beautiful story.
October 27, 2016
WOW!! Just.... I,... WOW! Ivy Smoak has clearly outdone herself with this one! What a way to round out an amazing series with characters I have grown to know and love. She really knows how to write in her characters' minds and make you see and feel all the nitty gritty emotions and turmoil. This is one of those books/series where the hero and heroine truly are strongest when together. They complete and balance each other on a very vital level. There are times where they take turns being strong for each other. Some readers may not like a heroine that is not strong and fierce all the time. But I think there is strength in admitting how you feel, even if it is self-deprecating, and fighting for those you love regardless. I think strength comes about in different shapes and forms. These tow people, Penny and James, are vital to each other. Oh, how I'm going to miss them!
So, to describe Devotion, I'm going to have to be very careful with how I word this. Spoilers would be a major bummer here! This book has all kinds of raw emotions, relationship struggles, crazy in-law drama ( like, wow ), paranoia, a "who done it" plot, hot, steamy sexxxxx, amazing supporting characters, and one earth-off-its-axis moment. I about threw my kindle!
I could go on and on. And quite frankly, I'll probably come back to this review later, when the hangover subsides and my heart settles, to revise and spruce up this review.
...but Penny and James, y'all. Penny and James just crush my heart and jolt it back to life all the time! Every book. They're so awesome. And gorgeous. And have beautiful hearts. I need more, Ivy. MORE! Maybe a POV book from James? Come on, ....you know you want to!
reviewed by Sweet Spot Sisterhood
So, to describe Devotion, I'm going to have to be very careful with how I word this. Spoilers would be a major bummer here! This book has all kinds of raw emotions, relationship struggles, crazy in-law drama ( like, wow ), paranoia, a "who done it" plot, hot, steamy sexxxxx, amazing supporting characters, and one earth-off-its-axis moment. I about threw my kindle!
I could go on and on. And quite frankly, I'll probably come back to this review later, when the hangover subsides and my heart settles, to revise and spruce up this review.
...but Penny and James, y'all. Penny and James just crush my heart and jolt it back to life all the time! Every book. They're so awesome. And gorgeous. And have beautiful hearts. I need more, Ivy. MORE! Maybe a POV book from James? Come on, ....you know you want to!
reviewed by Sweet Spot Sisterhood
October 13, 2016
I was very excited to see where the story went after the shocker end of book 3... But I found the reuniting of the two main characters a little predictable and I was a little disappointed that the "breakup" was morphed into a "row". They obviously still have huge trust issues and as the story line progresses those same issues just keep coming back - they claim to love each other but they just can't communicate. I wondered sometimes why they were even getting married, there just seemed to be a huge part of their relationship missing.... The scene on the rooftop really showed that to me. She wants romance, he gives her angry emotions through rough sex because he can't talk to her like an adult. it's not how you expect the scene to play out for a loving for a couple just hours away from walking down the isle, and she's upset by it. I was upset for her. But hey this is fiction and its there to entertain. And entertain it did. There's heaps of drama, twists and turns, and things I simply didn't see coming. Everything seems to stand in the way of them working out there issues, and interference comes from new characters that you just don't expect. Even though they don't work, they love each other and that's what they fight for.
November 10, 2022
two stars! ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ i definitely was not anticipating the plot for this and it caught me off guard, which was the only reason why i finished this.
all four of these books are like the same damn thing bc none of these characters learn from their actions. the miscommunication/lack of communication is literally suffocating in this series 😭 it makes me wanna rip my damn hair out. penny is the worst main character i have ever read about. she’s so dumb!! rip.
my friend did tell me she only read this for the spice bc they literally have sex like every other chapter and i was like… so you’re one of those people 🤨 but anyways, never trusting her book recommendations ever again LMAO if i hated myself more i’d force myself to pick up the book from james’ point of view but thankfully, i don’t hate myself that much. very glad to finally be over with this mess !!
all four of these books are like the same damn thing bc none of these characters learn from their actions. the miscommunication/lack of communication is literally suffocating in this series 😭 it makes me wanna rip my damn hair out. penny is the worst main character i have ever read about. she’s so dumb!! rip.
my friend did tell me she only read this for the spice bc they literally have sex like every other chapter and i was like… so you’re one of those people 🤨 but anyways, never trusting her book recommendations ever again LMAO if i hated myself more i’d force myself to pick up the book from james’ point of view but thankfully, i don’t hate myself that much. very glad to finally be over with this mess !!
April 29, 2020
This was my favorite book out of the series. I enjoyed the action and the way Penny and James finally put their issues out on the table. Although the whole relationship situation irritated me through the entire series because of the secrets and just the over all way they handled situations, I respect the author and the way she ended the series.
I'm glad I kept on with this one and didn't stop after the second book like I intended to!
I'm glad I kept on with this one and didn't stop after the second book like I intended to!
September 30, 2021
This series is pretty addicting
I have enjoyed following this series and reading in all in just a few days really. It’s got a decent storyline with some comical scenes and action scenes as well.
I have enjoyed following this series and reading in all in just a few days really. It’s got a decent storyline with some comical scenes and action scenes as well.
August 18, 2019
What a whirlwind
This book took me on so many rollercoasters.
That Isabella was something else and i hated her throughout the whole series...
This book took me on so many rollercoasters.
That Isabella was something else and i hated her throughout the whole series...
July 29, 2022
I know, I know, it's not that spectacular but I still absolutely love this series. 😖❤️
I'm going to start with the fact that I'm unhappy about Tyler going back to his old ways. I didn't like him with Melissa but his loving obsession with Penny is just too much now. Nevertheless, Melissa was fine and I adored who she ended up with.
So, Penny and James are back together and it seems as though they will have some rest from Isabella. There is the rehearsal dinner with all the fun and the clusterfuck of James's parents but I love his dad for admitting his mistakes and trying to be better. Mason and Matt's parents are just so wholesome and the found family aspect of Penny and James's friends just shines through. Loved Daphne + Rob, Mason + Bee, Matt + Melissa and Jen + Ian. All of them bring so much to the story. Now, even the two bodyguards are something good to be added.
I was completly thrown off course about what ended up happening. This book was packed with action and I was scared as hell. It had the 50 Shades once again but I was still scared. Isabella is an absolute fuck. The action portion was cool but a little too unrealistic with how it was handled. So that in the end wasn't my favourite. The two physical altercations were also stacked on top of each other so Penny and James didn't have time to breathe. I don't like how they let Briggs off that easy.
Again, because of the content of the story, you didn't get as much spice as I would have hoped. There was some roughness and the rooftop scene was very hot but I'm hoping the fifth book will sweep me off my feet. 🔥
I loved the wholesome ending and the surprise these two had in stock for us. Also, there was a lot of fluff woven through this book and Penny and James deserved that.
Once again, the second book is still my favourite, but this one is probably the second.
3.5 stars ✨
I'm going to start with the fact that I'm unhappy about Tyler going back to his old ways. I didn't like him with Melissa but his loving obsession with Penny is just too much now. Nevertheless, Melissa was fine and I adored who she ended up with.
So, Penny and James are back together and it seems as though they will have some rest from Isabella. There is the rehearsal dinner with all the fun and the clusterfuck of James's parents but I love his dad for admitting his mistakes and trying to be better. Mason and Matt's parents are just so wholesome and the found family aspect of Penny and James's friends just shines through. Loved Daphne + Rob, Mason + Bee, Matt + Melissa and Jen + Ian. All of them bring so much to the story. Now, even the two bodyguards are something good to be added.
I was completly thrown off course about what ended up happening. This book was packed with action and I was scared as hell. It had the 50 Shades once again but I was still scared. Isabella is an absolute fuck. The action portion was cool but a little too unrealistic with how it was handled. So that in the end wasn't my favourite. The two physical altercations were also stacked on top of each other so Penny and James didn't have time to breathe. I don't like how they let Briggs off that easy.
Again, because of the content of the story, you didn't get as much spice as I would have hoped. There was some roughness and the rooftop scene was very hot but I'm hoping the fifth book will sweep me off my feet. 🔥
I loved the wholesome ending and the surprise these two had in stock for us. Also, there was a lot of fluff woven through this book and Penny and James deserved that.
Once again, the second book is still my favourite, but this one is probably the second.
3.5 stars ✨
May 4, 2025
love watching the various relationships grow.
May 6, 2021
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! 4th book in the series. Fairly addictive, all the ups and down was killing me and of course the dreaded dramatic ex, ugh, she was a pill. Overall this series was good.
June 9, 2021
Redundant is a good headline for this series. I literally wanted to bang my head against the wall at times. The first book I liked pretty well, had me good and hooked, around the ending it started to teeter off, but it was good enough to get the next book. Now don't ask me why, but I always like to finish a series I'm reading, especially if it has some parts to it I like, for the hope of it picking back up and getting better. Unfortunately for me, that never happened in this series. There were so many scenes with unbearably obvious red flags that Penny was completely oblivious to, and then afterwards was " I'm so stupid for not realizing" and that happens over and over. Then the constant internal monologue that goes on forever over her feelings, I started skipping paragraphs just to get through it quicker. I was so relieved this was the last book in the series and I could finally be done with it, to find out it wasn't LOL I'm not reading another book in this series. I'm sure I couldn't take it. Penny makes incredibly stupid decisions and then is why me, my life is over. Ugh, no thanks. One thing I did like throughout the books was the banter. It was quite funny and I laughed several times, but it wasn't enough to make up for the lack of substance in this series. I will try other books from this author, I'm not giving up on her yet, because like I said, there were aspects I did enjoy.
December 17, 2018
Wow. This last book in this series was so intense!! Something crazy was constantly happening. I legit couldn't put this book down. I read it any chance I could.
I feel like we've come so far from the beginning of it just being a Professor and student which I really love. But I won't lie and say I miss that a little. But the passion between Penny and James is everything! These two are both a hot mess but just so perfect for each other. I felt everything in this book!
This book had my heart racing and felt more like a thriller. It was a little overly dramatic and intense but I thought it kept things twisty!! This whole series gave me some major fifty shades vibes which totally was okay.
I got way too emotionally invested in Peggy and James's relationship. I read all 4 books in 2 days...but I think it's pretty hard not too! I thought the end was perfect too. I feel like I already wanna go back and re-read it from the beginning. But my heart probably needs a break from this wild ride.
I feel like we've come so far from the beginning of it just being a Professor and student which I really love. But I won't lie and say I miss that a little. But the passion between Penny and James is everything! These two are both a hot mess but just so perfect for each other. I felt everything in this book!
This book had my heart racing and felt more like a thriller. It was a little overly dramatic and intense but I thought it kept things twisty!! This whole series gave me some major fifty shades vibes which totally was okay.
I got way too emotionally invested in Peggy and James's relationship. I read all 4 books in 2 days...but I think it's pretty hard not too! I thought the end was perfect too. I feel like I already wanna go back and re-read it from the beginning. But my heart probably needs a break from this wild ride.
January 16, 2022
Okay, I'm officially done reading this series. I know there's a few more that are included but not quite included. But after Devotion, I've officially lost interested.
Here again, we have the same drama and bullshit that is just carried over from the last installment, Eruption. This time the conflict isn't necessarily between Penny and James, which is a nice change of pace. They're involved, naturally, but it's not really between them the way it usually is. James' ex wife is still up to her jealous ways and trying to ruin everything.
His ex wife has it in his head that he's simply addicted to Penny and the sex they have . . . and honestly, I can see it. This is the side dilemma of Penny and James in this book. He's addicted to her and she doesn't deserve him, blah-blah-blah. She's trying to convince him it's not addiction, it's love. You know the drill. It got annoying after awhile.
The only thing that redeemed this book for me is the relationship with Penny and James' family, especially his brother — even if he is inappropriate with Penny most of the time.
Here again, we have the same drama and bullshit that is just carried over from the last installment, Eruption. This time the conflict isn't necessarily between Penny and James, which is a nice change of pace. They're involved, naturally, but it's not really between them the way it usually is. James' ex wife is still up to her jealous ways and trying to ruin everything.
His ex wife has it in his head that he's simply addicted to Penny and the sex they have . . . and honestly, I can see it. This is the side dilemma of Penny and James in this book. He's addicted to her and she doesn't deserve him, blah-blah-blah. She's trying to convince him it's not addiction, it's love. You know the drill. It got annoying after awhile.
The only thing that redeemed this book for me is the relationship with Penny and James' family, especially his brother — even if he is inappropriate with Penny most of the time.
October 27, 2016
while this wasn't my favorite of the series, it was the best ending to the series. after the conclusion of the last book, i couldn't even expect what was going to happen to james and penny. it kept me on my toes and wanting more. i am so glad things happened the way they did for all the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2022
This is my favorite book out of the series. Just when I thought that there couldn’t possibly be any more drama Ivy proved me wrong. It almost felt like I was reading a lifetime movie, but one of the good ones. I was captivated from start to finish.
June 15, 2020
This is the best of the four book series. First of all the beautiful wedding followed by intrigue and tragedy. What a roller coaster ride!
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