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Mob City #3
Phantom's Baby
They say I want doesn't get. But I'm not asking.
I'm not the muscle for the Antonov family, I'm its goddamn Prince. At least, I was until they betrayed me... But there's only one thing I take lying down, and it sure ain't a kicking.
With ice grey eyes and abs as hard as cut glass, I could have had any girl. Cara was the only one I ever wanted. But while I was gone, life never stopped beating her down. This whole time she kept a secret, and I never knew.
But I never lose. I either win or I learn. Two years locked in a concrete box didn't teach me what I stand to lose. It showed me what I have to gain.
She's not one in a million. She's once in a lifetime. And I'm going to make her mine.
Again.
Phantom's Baby is a standalone, novel-length mafia baby romance. Holly Hart's bad boys are dark and dirty, she hates cheating, and guarantees an HEA every time.
I'm not the muscle for the Antonov family, I'm its goddamn Prince. At least, I was until they betrayed me... But there's only one thing I take lying down, and it sure ain't a kicking.
With ice grey eyes and abs as hard as cut glass, I could have had any girl. Cara was the only one I ever wanted. But while I was gone, life never stopped beating her down. This whole time she kept a secret, and I never knew.
But I never lose. I either win or I learn. Two years locked in a concrete box didn't teach me what I stand to lose. It showed me what I have to gain.
She's not one in a million. She's once in a lifetime. And I'm going to make her mine.
Again.
Phantom's Baby is a standalone, novel-length mafia baby romance. Holly Hart's bad boys are dark and dirty, she hates cheating, and guarantees an HEA every time.
356 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2016
76 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Holly Hart
36 books242 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
I make my bad boys jump from the frying pan into the fire, and straight into the heroine's bed. I like 'em bad, foul mouthed, and with eyes for the only woman in their life.
Sign up to my mailing list http://redcaperomance.com to get them for free!
I make my bad boys jump from the frying pan into the fire, and straight into the heroine's bed. I like 'em bad, foul mouthed, and with eyes for the only woman in their life.
Sign up to my mailing list http://redcaperomance.com to get them for free!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 28, 2016
Just an ok read for me. I appreciate that there was no cheating or ow/om . The epilogue was lacking, it felt vague.
July 25, 2017
I think it was a waste of time to read this book. It started of well but got me confused. It took a while to understand if the characters were in the present or past. Many things were lacking in the story, like how the characters met and made a baby. That was not explained, considering he's super rich n she's poor, how did they end up meeting?
There weren't many sweet father-daughter moments like i thought there would be after reading the blurb of the book.
The female protagonist was dumb- and that is putting it sweetly. Which idiot goes to meet her abusive father from who she stole and fled that too when she is in danger from a rival mob boss!?
The male protagonist was NOT admirable. He failed every mission in the book. Lost all his men due to his incompetence. Went inside some apt though he knew it was a trap and then when he lost his men, felt enraged at the rival!? Xcuz me!!?? What did u expect idiot!Despite all his idiocy, he was somehow rich!
I was bored 2 chapters into the novel. The author elaborated on stupid things which didnt seem important to me but didnt even mention their love story.
I usually enjoy any novel. There is always one thng about every novel that i come to like, but this disaster of a novel gave me nothing to apprecaite.
There weren't many sweet father-daughter moments like i thought there would be after reading the blurb of the book.
The female protagonist was dumb- and that is putting it sweetly. Which idiot goes to meet her abusive father from who she stole and fled that too when she is in danger from a rival mob boss!?
The male protagonist was NOT admirable. He failed every mission in the book. Lost all his men due to his incompetence. Went inside some apt though he knew it was a trap and then when he lost his men, felt enraged at the rival!? Xcuz me!!?? What did u expect idiot!Despite all his idiocy, he was somehow rich!
I was bored 2 chapters into the novel. The author elaborated on stupid things which didnt seem important to me but didnt even mention their love story.
I usually enjoy any novel. There is always one thng about every novel that i come to like, but this disaster of a novel gave me nothing to apprecaite.
September 4, 2016
Cara is trying to keep herself and her daughter safe from her father and has no choose but to leave. She wants anything to give her daughter a good life. She must go back to her old house in order to move on but comes face to face with her worst nightmare, her father. Trying to get away she runs into the last person she thought she see Val. Cara thought he abandon her and her daughter and living it up while she just gets by. When the truth comes out will they try to be together or will the danger keep them apart?
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
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October 2, 2016started out with a good premise but the writing style felt choppy and I really felt the story jumped around too much. I felt no chemistry between main characters or the guy and his child. when he found out he even had a child it was like no big deal. sorry couldn't finish so I don't think it's fair to give a rating.
September 29, 2016
Arc review
For honest review lots of action in this story with Val he's out for revenge against his father and he gets his girl back cara and much more. Great story.
For honest review lots of action in this story with Val he's out for revenge against his father and he gets his girl back cara and much more. Great story.
June 23, 2018
Cara had enough of living with her abusive, alcoholic father so she runs away with her 2-year-old daughter, Kitty. She never heard from Kitty's father, Val, and thought he was living a life of luxury when really his father, Arkady, (a Russian mafia don) had traded him to the mob as collateral. Val had spent the last 2 years imprisoned and tortured. Now that he's free he wants revenge. The thought of Cara was the only thing that kept him sane while imprisoned so when she literally runs into him he wants to help her and prove he is a dependable man.
Cara doesn't know if she can trust Val so doesn't want him to know Kitty is his child. She tells him they are sisters. She keeps up the lie and gets angrier all the time. This book is full of action, danger, deception, secrets, and romance. I really liked the first 2 books in this series so when I was offered Phantom's Baby in exchange for my honest review, I jumped at the chance. I liked the strong chemistry between Val and Cara as well as his determination to keep her and Kitty safe. While I enjoyed the plot I didn't care for the characters. It took me a long time to understand Val and how his past issues affected him. Cara had a right to not trust men and loved her daughter to distraction. Kitty didn't play a big part in the story in general except to bring Cara and Val together so they could keep her safe. I expected more because of the title.
I do like Holly Hart's books and will definitely be reading more of her work.
Cara doesn't know if she can trust Val so doesn't want him to know Kitty is his child. She tells him they are sisters. She keeps up the lie and gets angrier all the time. This book is full of action, danger, deception, secrets, and romance. I really liked the first 2 books in this series so when I was offered Phantom's Baby in exchange for my honest review, I jumped at the chance. I liked the strong chemistry between Val and Cara as well as his determination to keep her and Kitty safe. While I enjoyed the plot I didn't care for the characters. It took me a long time to understand Val and how his past issues affected him. Cara had a right to not trust men and loved her daughter to distraction. Kitty didn't play a big part in the story in general except to bring Cara and Val together so they could keep her safe. I expected more because of the title.
I do like Holly Hart's books and will definitely be reading more of her work.
November 7, 2017
Pretty kinky stuff happening between Joe and Katie around a casino. Very Hot and sexy. Loved the way this story came together,
I can imagine this kind of thing happening in reality, and so much was unexpected. The romance is a real sizzler. It is a great read, I am looking forward to more True Desires. This was my first read from Sasha White and really didn't disseappointed !!
I can imagine this kind of thing happening in reality, and so much was unexpected. The romance is a real sizzler. It is a great read, I am looking forward to more True Desires. This was my first read from Sasha White and really didn't disseappointed !!
June 14, 2020
The book was barely enjoyable with the overuse of hardly used words for meaningless effect as it was when I stumbled upon the most prejudiced, hate-filled line I've read in a long while.
"government that isn't as corrupt as a banana republic down south"
One star is too good for a book like this one. I would give it negative 5 stars if I could!
"government that isn't as corrupt as a banana republic down south"
One star is too good for a book like this one. I would give it negative 5 stars if I could!
March 22, 2020
It starts off good and then died. The story and timeline was hard to keep up with. The characters didn't really connect. Barely finished but I did.
September 28, 2016
Cara has had a hard life living with her abusive father and being left by her boyfriend before she knew she was pregnant. She is determined to have a better life for her daughter all she has to do is get away from her father’s home. While running away from one bad memory she literally runs into another.
Val had it all he was the golden son until his family betrayed him. Locked in a cell for two years, forgotten about has changed him. Now that he’s free he can only think of one thing revenge until his past and future runs into him.
I was gripped from the very first page. Yes, this is a book about romance but it’s so much more growth, love, hope and forgiveness. Cara always thought Val had left her while he was living a privileged life but the truth is completely different. Val needs Cara and Kitty they are his light in a world that had turned dark. Cara needs Val to protect her and show her how strong she can be.
The plot has you gripped from the start as these two have to fight against their enemies for the family and future they both want. The characters are very likeable and Val is a fantastic alpha bad boy. The action scenes are well written and keep you gripped till the end, while the sex scenes are hot.
Overall a great read that I would happily recommend to anyone that loves a bad boy alpha, a HEA and action on every page. A great job.
Independent Reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock On
Val had it all he was the golden son until his family betrayed him. Locked in a cell for two years, forgotten about has changed him. Now that he’s free he can only think of one thing revenge until his past and future runs into him.
I was gripped from the very first page. Yes, this is a book about romance but it’s so much more growth, love, hope and forgiveness. Cara always thought Val had left her while he was living a privileged life but the truth is completely different. Val needs Cara and Kitty they are his light in a world that had turned dark. Cara needs Val to protect her and show her how strong she can be.
The plot has you gripped from the start as these two have to fight against their enemies for the family and future they both want. The characters are very likeable and Val is a fantastic alpha bad boy. The action scenes are well written and keep you gripped till the end, while the sex scenes are hot.
Overall a great read that I would happily recommend to anyone that loves a bad boy alpha, a HEA and action on every page. A great job.
Independent Reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock On
September 15, 2016
I received this ARC book from the Author in exchange for my honest review.
This....was....awesome!!!!! Too good not to read and re-read.
Cara - barely surviving and now on the run. Being on the run is nothing new for her. Her mom is dead, her father is a mean drunk and probably worse. It isn't just herself she needs to think of either. Reminding Cara daily what transpired between her and Val two years ago before he left her all alone. She wants to be angry but there is no time for that now. She needs to get away from a$$hat dad, like yesterday.
Val - angry then, angrier now....it has been two years of utter hell for him. Lied to and wanted dead by his own father....but the reason for that will be a bigger surprise to you. Unheard of and wrong....but Val paid the price. But now he is free and he is all sorts of going to make it rain revenge right now. That was what he is in the middle of doing until he sees the red headed woman running for her life.....he KNOWS this woman. He will stop at nothing, absolutely nothing to save her and protect her from this moment on.
Imagine two years ago you fall in love and poof he is gone. Not without there being a reminder to Cara of the brief time they shared. She knew he loved her and he knew she loved him. Thus the reason she is confused, angry and hurt about it.....but now dear old dad has gotten tons worse in his drinking and the abuse. In order to make a fresh start she will need records (birth certificate and the like) in order to change her identity and get her far FAR away from him. She picks a time she knows he will be three sheets to the wind and passed out to make her move. But as is the story of Cara's life, karma steps in and ruins the process. She is able to get something of her being from daddy dearest before she is left literally running for her life from his four legged protector. (Just so you know the dog also needs to run from daddy dearest, and I promise you for those of us who are dog moms "Rat" does have a happy ending, no spoilers given other than that.)
It has been two years and all he hung on to while he was locked away and tortured by his own doucheknuckle father and his father's men was that beautiful redheaded woman that made him happy and feel good....Cara. Val wants revenge and he will get it, as a matter of fact he is well on his way at the very moment this terrified running for her life woman rounds the corner. He sees the red hair and then she turns around enough for him to know who this is.....time stops....then he sees why she is running and it is no longer an option of what happens. His body goes into overdrive to save and protect HIS woman.
Now the fireworks can start. Anger, hurt, tears, yelling, and oh by the way SURPRISE! all rolled into one. But this is not the only surprise these two will endure while putting themselves back together and a whole. No, there are very very unexpected twists that happen. Can they survive both literally and figuratively? Do they wind up back together? Is there more to their story to come? That last question, I am hoping the answer is yes. Read this book and I bet you will feel the same way!
This....was....awesome!!!!! Too good not to read and re-read.
Cara - barely surviving and now on the run. Being on the run is nothing new for her. Her mom is dead, her father is a mean drunk and probably worse. It isn't just herself she needs to think of either. Reminding Cara daily what transpired between her and Val two years ago before he left her all alone. She wants to be angry but there is no time for that now. She needs to get away from a$$hat dad, like yesterday.
Val - angry then, angrier now....it has been two years of utter hell for him. Lied to and wanted dead by his own father....but the reason for that will be a bigger surprise to you. Unheard of and wrong....but Val paid the price. But now he is free and he is all sorts of going to make it rain revenge right now. That was what he is in the middle of doing until he sees the red headed woman running for her life.....he KNOWS this woman. He will stop at nothing, absolutely nothing to save her and protect her from this moment on.
Imagine two years ago you fall in love and poof he is gone. Not without there being a reminder to Cara of the brief time they shared. She knew he loved her and he knew she loved him. Thus the reason she is confused, angry and hurt about it.....but now dear old dad has gotten tons worse in his drinking and the abuse. In order to make a fresh start she will need records (birth certificate and the like) in order to change her identity and get her far FAR away from him. She picks a time she knows he will be three sheets to the wind and passed out to make her move. But as is the story of Cara's life, karma steps in and ruins the process. She is able to get something of her being from daddy dearest before she is left literally running for her life from his four legged protector. (Just so you know the dog also needs to run from daddy dearest, and I promise you for those of us who are dog moms "Rat" does have a happy ending, no spoilers given other than that.)
It has been two years and all he hung on to while he was locked away and tortured by his own doucheknuckle father and his father's men was that beautiful redheaded woman that made him happy and feel good....Cara. Val wants revenge and he will get it, as a matter of fact he is well on his way at the very moment this terrified running for her life woman rounds the corner. He sees the red hair and then she turns around enough for him to know who this is.....time stops....then he sees why she is running and it is no longer an option of what happens. His body goes into overdrive to save and protect HIS woman.
Now the fireworks can start. Anger, hurt, tears, yelling, and oh by the way SURPRISE! all rolled into one. But this is not the only surprise these two will endure while putting themselves back together and a whole. No, there are very very unexpected twists that happen. Can they survive both literally and figuratively? Do they wind up back together? Is there more to their story to come? That last question, I am hoping the answer is yes. Read this book and I bet you will feel the same way!
September 12, 2016
I've been a fan of mafia romance since the beginning of the year. That's mostly why I decided to review this book. I love being able to dip into the world where murder, illegal dealings, and blurred lines of right and wrong reside.
Phantom's Baby however, didn't really feel like a mafia romance to me. Maybe it's because I've gotten too picky with the books I read. I've noticed that again and again as time has passed. That's the dangerous part of what I do. You know what you like and you begin to have standards. While it's good to have standards, I won't lie to my readers, it's not good to be so cynical.
So while I wouldn't call Phantom's Baby a Mafia Romance, I would call it a Grey Romance. What the hell is Grey Romance? Well it's where you have just enough blood and gore and violence to take it out of the contemporary spectrum, but not enough to put it in the dark spectrum.
The people in Grey Romance aren't the creatures of the night like Dark Romance characters are. They have hearts, they have souls.
Val has a soul. He is nicknamed Phantom for a short while but it doesn't really fit. Because he doesn't belong in the world that he is living in.
Neither does Cara. The woman he falls in love with.
Apparently the two of them had a fling before life screwed Val over and stole him away from her. It doesn't go into much detail, which I was sad to see, but based on the situation they find themselves in, you can guess what happened.
These characters are good. Yes there are some evil ones thrown into the mix, but only because that makes it a hell of a lot more exciting.
Phantom's Baby was a quick romance with a smooth plot, even if I did want to learn more about the past between Cara and Val. I felt that Cara was at times childish and immature. And I felt that Val was someone who had a split personality. It seemed to take the whole book to figure out who he really was. But then when the character is in love, that's usually when their true nature comes out, correct?
I've never read a Holly Hart book before, but I can say the next time I'm looking for a quick read with a little bit of the danger I like and some hot sex thrown in, I might just pick up another one.
Phantom's Baby however, didn't really feel like a mafia romance to me. Maybe it's because I've gotten too picky with the books I read. I've noticed that again and again as time has passed. That's the dangerous part of what I do. You know what you like and you begin to have standards. While it's good to have standards, I won't lie to my readers, it's not good to be so cynical.
So while I wouldn't call Phantom's Baby a Mafia Romance, I would call it a Grey Romance. What the hell is Grey Romance? Well it's where you have just enough blood and gore and violence to take it out of the contemporary spectrum, but not enough to put it in the dark spectrum.
The people in Grey Romance aren't the creatures of the night like Dark Romance characters are. They have hearts, they have souls.
Val has a soul. He is nicknamed Phantom for a short while but it doesn't really fit. Because he doesn't belong in the world that he is living in.
Neither does Cara. The woman he falls in love with.
Apparently the two of them had a fling before life screwed Val over and stole him away from her. It doesn't go into much detail, which I was sad to see, but based on the situation they find themselves in, you can guess what happened.
These characters are good. Yes there are some evil ones thrown into the mix, but only because that makes it a hell of a lot more exciting.
Phantom's Baby was a quick romance with a smooth plot, even if I did want to learn more about the past between Cara and Val. I felt that Cara was at times childish and immature. And I felt that Val was someone who had a split personality. It seemed to take the whole book to figure out who he really was. But then when the character is in love, that's usually when their true nature comes out, correct?
I've never read a Holly Hart book before, but I can say the next time I'm looking for a quick read with a little bit of the danger I like and some hot sex thrown in, I might just pick up another one.
September 28, 2016
Phantom s baby
This was so good I couldn't put ut down the things they went through with their fathers was unthinkable glad they got back together
This was so good I couldn't put ut down the things they went through with their fathers was unthinkable glad they got back together
September 11, 2016
*I received this ARC from the author in exchange for a honest review*
PHANTOM'S BABY by Holly Hart
Cara has had a difficult life, living with an alcoholic father who abused her. She now has her daughter to keep safe and wants to give her a life she never had. In order to move forward, she has to go back to his house and get something. But her father catches her and she runs, but she runs into the last man she ever thought she would see again. Val. Thinking he abandoned her and was living the good life, while she struggled and barely lived.
Val was betrayed by his people and for two years he was locked up in a concrete box. He was beaten and left with only his own thoughts. Thoughts that turned black and left him with a heart and mind filled hate, rage, and revenge. Never did he think he would have a second chance at life, or love. The woman he never forgot, that owned him was like a distant memory.... until she literally runs straight into him.
She is the light to his dark, and the good to his bad. And even though his life is filled with revenge, blood, and death, he can't let Cara go. He wants her with a passion he can't deny, she will be his. But when his past tries to destroy his future, the rage within him takes over.
I'm sort of on the fence with this book, because I found that even though there were parts of the story I loved, there were parts that didn't really work for me. I think that the storyline was interesting and enjoyable, and the characters were very likable. I loved the bases of this story, it had a lot of potential to be an amazing read, but there a few problems. Firstly, there were a few discrepancies in the storyline. Secondly, at times in this book I felt really confused about what I was reading and had to go back pages and reread certain paragraphs so I could understand what was going on. Thirdly, I found that the little girl, whose still very young, seemed to be left alone quiet alot. For someone whose a very important part of the family, there wasn't much interaction with her and she seemed to fade into the background a bit. So overall, I wanted to really love this book because parts of it were awesome and it had alot of potential, unfortunately I didn't.
PHANTOM'S BABY by Holly Hart
Cara has had a difficult life, living with an alcoholic father who abused her. She now has her daughter to keep safe and wants to give her a life she never had. In order to move forward, she has to go back to his house and get something. But her father catches her and she runs, but she runs into the last man she ever thought she would see again. Val. Thinking he abandoned her and was living the good life, while she struggled and barely lived.
Val was betrayed by his people and for two years he was locked up in a concrete box. He was beaten and left with only his own thoughts. Thoughts that turned black and left him with a heart and mind filled hate, rage, and revenge. Never did he think he would have a second chance at life, or love. The woman he never forgot, that owned him was like a distant memory.... until she literally runs straight into him.
She is the light to his dark, and the good to his bad. And even though his life is filled with revenge, blood, and death, he can't let Cara go. He wants her with a passion he can't deny, she will be his. But when his past tries to destroy his future, the rage within him takes over.
I'm sort of on the fence with this book, because I found that even though there were parts of the story I loved, there were parts that didn't really work for me. I think that the storyline was interesting and enjoyable, and the characters were very likable. I loved the bases of this story, it had a lot of potential to be an amazing read, but there a few problems. Firstly, there were a few discrepancies in the storyline. Secondly, at times in this book I felt really confused about what I was reading and had to go back pages and reread certain paragraphs so I could understand what was going on. Thirdly, I found that the little girl, whose still very young, seemed to be left alone quiet alot. For someone whose a very important part of the family, there wasn't much interaction with her and she seemed to fade into the background a bit. So overall, I wanted to really love this book because parts of it were awesome and it had alot of potential, unfortunately I didn't.
December 28, 2016
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Phantom’s Baby was a great 5 star read.
Cara is trying to protect herself and her daughter from her horrible father, she chooses to run but has to return for some important documents. While fleeing the house with her dad's dog rat on her heels, she runs into the last person she ever expected to see.
Valentino (Val) and his men are on a job when he sees the woman from his dreams. Is it really her? He immediately wants to help her and takes her back to his home to clean up. He doesn’t want to let her go again, however he gets called away for some important business. When Cara wakes up he is gone and she is hurt and takes off.
Sometimes, what you need in life, you can’t have. Sometimes it’s a want and not good for you; sometimes it’s not there at all.
When Cara gets to her friends house to get her daughter, she kicks Cara out because of who Val’s family is. So Cara has no choice but to go back to Val for help. How will he react to the big secret that she has? Where has he been the last two years?
Apparently Valentino No-Name was a man of many faces. A killer; a brutally honest man; as well as honestly brutal.
There is so much more to this great read. Suspense, murder, anger, revenge, hot sex, and some huge secrets are revealed.The chemistry comes right off the pages between these two. Will Val get his revenge? Can him and Cara get their HEA? Phantom’s Baby by Holly Hart is the 3rd book in the Mob City series. If you're looking for a great series I highly suggest you 1-click and get started today. Thank you Holly for another great read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
Phantom’s Baby was a great 5 star read.
Cara is trying to protect herself and her daughter from her horrible father, she chooses to run but has to return for some important documents. While fleeing the house with her dad's dog rat on her heels, she runs into the last person she ever expected to see.
Valentino (Val) and his men are on a job when he sees the woman from his dreams. Is it really her? He immediately wants to help her and takes her back to his home to clean up. He doesn’t want to let her go again, however he gets called away for some important business. When Cara wakes up he is gone and she is hurt and takes off.
Sometimes, what you need in life, you can’t have. Sometimes it’s a want and not good for you; sometimes it’s not there at all.
When Cara gets to her friends house to get her daughter, she kicks Cara out because of who Val’s family is. So Cara has no choice but to go back to Val for help. How will he react to the big secret that she has? Where has he been the last two years?
Apparently Valentino No-Name was a man of many faces. A killer; a brutally honest man; as well as honestly brutal.
There is so much more to this great read. Suspense, murder, anger, revenge, hot sex, and some huge secrets are revealed.The chemistry comes right off the pages between these two. Will Val get his revenge? Can him and Cara get their HEA? Phantom’s Baby by Holly Hart is the 3rd book in the Mob City series. If you're looking for a great series I highly suggest you 1-click and get started today. Thank you Holly for another great read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
September 16, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review...
I really liked this story. The plot was interesting and the storyline flowed smoothly. The characters were fairly well-developed though Cara could be a little juvenile along the way. I loved Kitty and wished there had been more interaction with her. I think Holly gave enough background for us to know how Val and Cara met in the beginning. Val's recuperation time was unrealistic - I think Holly should have gave more thought to that part. It's still a great read!
I really liked this story. The plot was interesting and the storyline flowed smoothly. The characters were fairly well-developed though Cara could be a little juvenile along the way. I loved Kitty and wished there had been more interaction with her. I think Holly gave enough background for us to know how Val and Cara met in the beginning. Val's recuperation time was unrealistic - I think Holly should have gave more thought to that part. It's still a great read!
September 7, 2016
Cara's lived in fear her whole life, fear of a man who should have protected her, not abused her. When Cara decides to finally make a run for it, to protect her little girl Kitty from falling into her world of hell, Cara makes a last dash home to retrieve all her legal papers that her Dad has kept hidden from her. Not everything goes as planned, but when running for her life, Cara sees the one person she never expected to see again, Kitty's father Val. Val has just escaped his own living hell, held prisoner for two years with no contact from the outside world, sold out to the enemy by his own dad. Val needs to end his dad to finally get the closure he needs, but Arkady seems to always be at least a step ahead. Val can't believe it, that on his first real mission to track down his traitors, that the person that comes running around the corner is the love of his life he never thought he'd see again, Cara. When Cara is threatened, Val does all he can to protect her, including hiding his past from her. Cara thinks Val had forgotten her and been living in the lap of luxury whole she struggled to put food on the table for their child, so she decides to lie and say that their daughter is her sister. As the lies grow, so does Cara's bitterness. They both need to come together and fight to protect each other and Kitty.
I enjoyed this story, I loved Val's commitment and dedication to Cara. I loved how he helped her find courage in herself, and I must admit one of my favorite passages from the book was Val's quote to Cara about her fleeing, not staying to fight "Sometimes running is fighting." I was worried as I got closer to the end that there wasn't going to be enough time to finish the story off fully, but it was brilliantly done, complete closure to the story.
I received an ARC for an honest and fair review.
I enjoyed this story, I loved Val's commitment and dedication to Cara. I loved how he helped her find courage in herself, and I must admit one of my favorite passages from the book was Val's quote to Cara about her fleeing, not staying to fight "Sometimes running is fighting." I was worried as I got closer to the end that there wasn't going to be enough time to finish the story off fully, but it was brilliantly done, complete closure to the story.
I received an ARC for an honest and fair review.
September 10, 2016
Review by Reading Tigress
Phantom's Baby by Holly Hart and Ellen St Claire
I'm giving this book 3 stars!!
This is a mafia bad boy romance featuring second chance love.
Cara has a sad excuse for a father, drunk, abusive, using her for what he wants. Cara however has Kitty to think about, her 2 year old daughter. Cara's run away but returns to obtain their birth certificates and passports so they escape the life they live. Things don't go to plan and Cara ends up running into Val, her long lost love and friend.
Val never expected to find Cara when trying to complete an assignment but there she is, running with fear s d all he wants is to be the man to help her. 2 years of torture has made him the man he is today but Cara was always on his mind and kept him sane in the conditions he was forced to live in.
Together once again there's no denying their chemistry. Val soon learns that Cara has been doing it hard and now wants to step in and become the man she needs but when your fathers are bitter mafia bosses waking away us never easy.
This was a good read with excitement at every corner.
ARC provided by the author for an honest review
Phantom's Baby by Holly Hart and Ellen St Claire
I'm giving this book 3 stars!!
This is a mafia bad boy romance featuring second chance love.
Cara has a sad excuse for a father, drunk, abusive, using her for what he wants. Cara however has Kitty to think about, her 2 year old daughter. Cara's run away but returns to obtain their birth certificates and passports so they escape the life they live. Things don't go to plan and Cara ends up running into Val, her long lost love and friend.
Val never expected to find Cara when trying to complete an assignment but there she is, running with fear s d all he wants is to be the man to help her. 2 years of torture has made him the man he is today but Cara was always on his mind and kept him sane in the conditions he was forced to live in.
Together once again there's no denying their chemistry. Val soon learns that Cara has been doing it hard and now wants to step in and become the man she needs but when your fathers are bitter mafia bosses waking away us never easy.
This was a good read with excitement at every corner.
ARC provided by the author for an honest review
November 1, 2016
When I started to read the other book from this series I had no idea what I was going to find, but in this case, to start reading this one my anxiety level was super high. The way the story ran in the previous book made me think that I would be prepared for what I would find, but I could not be more wrong.
Like the other book, Holly Hart’s writing remains intense, complex and quite detailed. There were certain words that I didn't understand at first, being Portuguese and all, but by completing the phrase I manage understand everything.
“Phantom's Baby” is the third book from the “Mob City” series and oh boy it is intense. This book tells the stories of Cara and Val and all book is switched between their points of views.
Cara is a girl for whom life has never been easy. Used to neglect and abusive treatment by her father, She’s obliged to flee so she can survive the madness and torture. But her life was not always like this, but when her mother disappeared the torture started
Val is the head if an organized crime cell. He's a well known killer. He hadn't had an easy life growing up and so he needs to protect himself from those memories that haunt him every day.
When his path intersects with Cara he doesn't want to believe. Had the past come back to haunt him or to forgive him?
Is it possible to escape from our past? Hide from the ones that hurt us the most?
I have no words to describe this book. I love what I’ve read. The level of feeling is at its highest level. In this work we were able to verify that some humans are just disgusting and petty, capable of the greatest atrocities in the name of power.
Molly it was a pleasure to read this series. I loved the way you wrote these books. There were parts where I was really scared because I didn't know what was going to happen, but you manage to ease my heart a little. And now what? What’s your next work?
Like the other book, Holly Hart’s writing remains intense, complex and quite detailed. There were certain words that I didn't understand at first, being Portuguese and all, but by completing the phrase I manage understand everything.
“Phantom's Baby” is the third book from the “Mob City” series and oh boy it is intense. This book tells the stories of Cara and Val and all book is switched between their points of views.
Cara is a girl for whom life has never been easy. Used to neglect and abusive treatment by her father, She’s obliged to flee so she can survive the madness and torture. But her life was not always like this, but when her mother disappeared the torture started
Val is the head if an organized crime cell. He's a well known killer. He hadn't had an easy life growing up and so he needs to protect himself from those memories that haunt him every day.
When his path intersects with Cara he doesn't want to believe. Had the past come back to haunt him or to forgive him?
Is it possible to escape from our past? Hide from the ones that hurt us the most?
I have no words to describe this book. I love what I’ve read. The level of feeling is at its highest level. In this work we were able to verify that some humans are just disgusting and petty, capable of the greatest atrocities in the name of power.
Molly it was a pleasure to read this series. I loved the way you wrote these books. There were parts where I was really scared because I didn't know what was going to happen, but you manage to ease my heart a little. And now what? What’s your next work?
September 11, 2016
Cara is running from a abusive father. Val is running to get revenge on his father. It's been a few years since they were together. Cara was left alone to raise a daughter that Val doesn't know about. Val is battling inner demons with wanting Cara, and thinking leaving her alone. A threat against Cara makes Val's decision easier. Can Val keep his new family safe, while getting his dad for all the wrong against him. Or will Cara's dad add more danger? Holly is a new author to me. I like the plot of story and liked the characters. Know real compliant, but it took me a few chapters to get use to her writing style like starting in the future and relieving what they went through but over all she is an author i will read again. I received an ARC fir honest review.
September 29, 2016
I received an ARC from the author for an honest and unbiased review. Having said that, I have to tell you that I started the book and then put it down. I don’t know what put me off on the book but I just wasn’t in the mood for it. I picked it back up a week later and it didn’t seem like the same story at all so I know that it was me! It’s intense and not exactly the HEA that I’ve come to expect in novels, but I’ve not been reading Bad Boy/Mafia novels for a while either.
I can’t really tell you if reading the beginning twice was what did it for me but you certainly can’t be interrupted when you are reading this! Too much action, too many details that you need to remember or you’ll get lost in the shuffle. I definitely enjoyed the writing and the alternating from hero to heroine didn’t seem to cause me the confusion that some books have when written that way. I know it’s the trend but I’m old school for most of the time. I’m not the person in the book so when written in first person, I find it hard to BE that person as well.
Holly/Ellen can write and write well – the story unites two very damaged souls together into a HEA with many twists and turns. It’s keeps you engrossed from beginning to end. Cara and Valentino have no idea what a family looks like or feels like. They only know that to trust someone has always hurt them so trusting each other won’t happen easily. Val is in competition with his own father to become the ‘boss’ and Cara just wants to escape her father’s abuse and raise her daughter in a safe environment. Together they could be a family but it will take all the courage they have to make it happen.
I can’t really tell you if reading the beginning twice was what did it for me but you certainly can’t be interrupted when you are reading this! Too much action, too many details that you need to remember or you’ll get lost in the shuffle. I definitely enjoyed the writing and the alternating from hero to heroine didn’t seem to cause me the confusion that some books have when written that way. I know it’s the trend but I’m old school for most of the time. I’m not the person in the book so when written in first person, I find it hard to BE that person as well.
Holly/Ellen can write and write well – the story unites two very damaged souls together into a HEA with many twists and turns. It’s keeps you engrossed from beginning to end. Cara and Valentino have no idea what a family looks like or feels like. They only know that to trust someone has always hurt them so trusting each other won’t happen easily. Val is in competition with his own father to become the ‘boss’ and Cara just wants to escape her father’s abuse and raise her daughter in a safe environment. Together they could be a family but it will take all the courage they have to make it happen.
October 10, 2016
Cara was a mother who was trying to do the best she could do for her baby at this time she was trying to find a place for her and Kitty to live but she needed to have their birth certificates but in order for them to get help she had to come to her father's house and get the papers. She has the papers and an unopened letter from her mother who left her when she was a child but she is running for her life right now and the evil pet that her father keeps in this dump of an apartment he lives in is after me I come around a corner and run right into a man I thought I would never see again my ex lover Val he pushed me behind him just as one of the men with him was about to shoot me with the gun in his hand but Val stopped him and shouted but something to the men in the stairwell. Val knew that the mission was ruined because the gun shoot alerted whomever was in the safe house that they were there so Val sent his men on and then he took on the dog that came around the corner after Cara as Val pushed her behind him he knew he would not left her go until they had spent time together. Val and Cara have found each other again and she is not sure she wants to get involved and he is sure he does not but they both want to make love again before they go their separate ways but things are not always what they seem it this case that is a definite. Really good story. I provided an honest review.
September 26, 2016
Cara had enough of living with her abusive, alcoholic father so she runs away with her 2 year old daughter, Kitty. She never heard from Kitty's father, Val, and thought he was living a life of luxury when really his father, Arkady, (a Russian mafia don) had traded him to the mob as collateral. Val had spent the last 2 years imprisoned and tortured. Now that he's free he wants revenge. The thought of Cara was the only thing that kept him sane while imprisoned so when she literally runs into him he wants to help her and prove he is a dependable man.
Cara doesn't know if she can trust Val so doesn't want him to know Kitty is his child. She tells him they are sisters. She keeps up the lie and gets more angry all the time. This book is full of action, danger, deception, secrets, and romance. I really liked the first 2 books in this series so when I was offered Phantom's Baby in exchange for my honest review, I jumped at the chance. I liked the strong chemistry between Val and Cara as well as his determination to keep her and Kitty safe. While I enjoyed the plot I didn't care for the characters. It took me a long time to understand Val and how his past issues affected him. Cara had a right to not trust men and loved her daughter to distraction. Kitty didn't play a big part in the story in general except to bring Cara and Val together so they could keep her safe. I expected more because of the title.
I do like Holly Hart's books and will definitely be reading more of her work.
Cara doesn't know if she can trust Val so doesn't want him to know Kitty is his child. She tells him they are sisters. She keeps up the lie and gets more angry all the time. This book is full of action, danger, deception, secrets, and romance. I really liked the first 2 books in this series so when I was offered Phantom's Baby in exchange for my honest review, I jumped at the chance. I liked the strong chemistry between Val and Cara as well as his determination to keep her and Kitty safe. While I enjoyed the plot I didn't care for the characters. It took me a long time to understand Val and how his past issues affected him. Cara had a right to not trust men and loved her daughter to distraction. Kitty didn't play a big part in the story in general except to bring Cara and Val together so they could keep her safe. I expected more because of the title.
I do like Holly Hart's books and will definitely be reading more of her work.
September 10, 2016
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Cara comes from a broken home. Her mother walked at when she was younger. Her father is the boogeyman. Her father is a drunk. He is abusive. He has Cara living in a constant state of fear. He has hit her several times. At this point, Cara has had enough b/c she has a young daughter to think of. Cara has only one other lifeline, her friend Lexie. Her child's father is out of the picture. She gets the nerve to run but needs some paperwork from home to help secure a way out. so that she and her daughter can start over.
Val is a newly minted crime boss. He is on a mission of revenge. He has been betrayed by the person closest to him, his father. He was left to rot in jail for two years. By taking over another man's organization, he is gaining power. Power in order to take out his rival. Power can't buy trust or loyalty, though. Some of the men accept Val as the new leader, some appear to be on the fence. His time in that cell changed who Val is. He is a darker, more dangerous creature. Rumor call him the Phantom. Cara was the light in the dark of the cell. Thoughts of her helped keep Val sane.
Happenstance brings Cara and Val into each other's path. Val is able to rescue Cara from the terror that her life has become. In return, Cara fills an emptiness inside Val that he didn't know he was missing.
Cara comes from a broken home. Her mother walked at when she was younger. Her father is the boogeyman. Her father is a drunk. He is abusive. He has Cara living in a constant state of fear. He has hit her several times. At this point, Cara has had enough b/c she has a young daughter to think of. Cara has only one other lifeline, her friend Lexie. Her child's father is out of the picture. She gets the nerve to run but needs some paperwork from home to help secure a way out. so that she and her daughter can start over.
Val is a newly minted crime boss. He is on a mission of revenge. He has been betrayed by the person closest to him, his father. He was left to rot in jail for two years. By taking over another man's organization, he is gaining power. Power in order to take out his rival. Power can't buy trust or loyalty, though. Some of the men accept Val as the new leader, some appear to be on the fence. His time in that cell changed who Val is. He is a darker, more dangerous creature. Rumor call him the Phantom. Cara was the light in the dark of the cell. Thoughts of her helped keep Val sane.
Happenstance brings Cara and Val into each other's path. Val is able to rescue Cara from the terror that her life has become. In return, Cara fills an emptiness inside Val that he didn't know he was missing.
September 27, 2016
An ok read
Phantoms baby? unsure on the title the plot didn't focus enough on that for it to warrent that title and Phantom that name was mentioned 3 times the rest of the time the main characters were Val and Cara.
I'm unsure how to review, I'm a little disappointed, did I enjoy it? Phantoms baby was ok.
There was danger, angst? hot moments. I didn't get the mafia feel though, Val after being captive for 2 years returns and was pretty much on his own seeking revenge on his father while getting Cara the love of his life back and protecting her along with the little girl that he meets for the first time, like I said the plot doesn't focus on this or add suspense to this fact.
Dislikes:The childhood friendship with Lex, Cara biggest support, best friend that just ended without anything further with a lame reason,not even following up with anything near the end once they were safe left me questioning the flow of the plot and reasoning behind how things played out. This is just an example, I have too many questions unfortunately.
Sadly I think I lost Interest along the way, the characters were in their own heads too much, talking to themselves and it got confusing and I couldn’t run with the story or connect to the characters.
Phantoms baby is a hot quick read with action, bloodshed and drama and does lead to a hea.
Arc gratefully received for review
Phantoms baby? unsure on the title the plot didn't focus enough on that for it to warrent that title and Phantom that name was mentioned 3 times the rest of the time the main characters were Val and Cara.
I'm unsure how to review, I'm a little disappointed, did I enjoy it? Phantoms baby was ok.
There was danger, angst? hot moments. I didn't get the mafia feel though, Val after being captive for 2 years returns and was pretty much on his own seeking revenge on his father while getting Cara the love of his life back and protecting her along with the little girl that he meets for the first time, like I said the plot doesn't focus on this or add suspense to this fact.
Dislikes:The childhood friendship with Lex, Cara biggest support, best friend that just ended without anything further with a lame reason,not even following up with anything near the end once they were safe left me questioning the flow of the plot and reasoning behind how things played out. This is just an example, I have too many questions unfortunately.
Sadly I think I lost Interest along the way, the characters were in their own heads too much, talking to themselves and it got confusing and I couldn’t run with the story or connect to the characters.
Phantoms baby is a hot quick read with action, bloodshed and drama and does lead to a hea.
Arc gratefully received for review
September 7, 2016
This one starts off a bit slow
Don't let that put you off because
after you get into the story you
Will not be able to put it down.
Cara had a relationship with Val
a few years back but he disappeared
and she did not know that he was kept
a prisoner of one of his fathers rival.
After two years Cara went back into her fathers
house to get some papers that she needs to
start a new live for herself and her daughter.
When she was there she had to make a run for
her life as she was coming around a corner she
runs into Val.
This is where the story gets that way you can not put it down
until you get to the end because you want to find out if everything
also going to turn out right for them.
Received this book for an honest review.
The hole of this series of bad boys is a fantastic read.
Don't let that put you off because
after you get into the story you
Will not be able to put it down.
Cara had a relationship with Val
a few years back but he disappeared
and she did not know that he was kept
a prisoner of one of his fathers rival.
After two years Cara went back into her fathers
house to get some papers that she needs to
start a new live for herself and her daughter.
When she was there she had to make a run for
her life as she was coming around a corner she
runs into Val.
This is where the story gets that way you can not put it down
until you get to the end because you want to find out if everything
also going to turn out right for them.
Received this book for an honest review.
The hole of this series of bad boys is a fantastic read.
September 5, 2016
Val is the son of Arkady, the Don of the Antonov crime family. Although the Prince, he has been abused, beaten and betrayed by his father all his life. Through the years, the anger and rage has built up so strongly that now when he becomes angry and loses control, there is a darkness that overcomes him and he consciously blacks out. When he comes to his senses again, there are mangled bodies and pools of blood surrounding him. He views himself as a monster, unfit for a "normal" life and unworthy of Cara, the love of his life. Cara, unfortunately, also has had a life of abuse and hardship from her father, leaving her angry, beaten down, insecure and fearful. Finds it difficult to trust anyone. Although this is a dark romance, it is also a story of second chances, of the inner strength and resilience of the human spirit. There are chuckles, cheers, suspense and tears. The writing captures ones heart, hoping for the light for Val & Cara. I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Excellent! Five Stars!
September 8, 2016
"I received an ARC in exchange for honest review." This was a beautiful love story. Not for the faint of heart because it's a little on the dark side but so good. Cara overcame a lot of darkness that was unnecessarily thrust upon her by her dad. She has the love of her life back to help her become set free from the past. Val narrowly escaped his own tormented past with the love he held onto for Cara. Now that their paths have crossed again, they're fighting to keep their heads above weather and begin a new life journey.
September 15, 2016
Cara has spent the last 2yrs struggling. Shes a single mother living with an abusive father wondering what happened to her father of her daughter. She believes that Val just abandoned her. Little did she know that he was living in his person hell as a captive thanks to his own father. A chance meeting brings them back together.
This is my confession: to be quite honest, I had more than a few problems with this story. IMO it isn't a mafia romance. With a genre so saturated with Russian mob books this one fell very short. Plot holes and discrepancies were also big factor. The title was also on the misleading side, being as the child was merely a secondary character at best. Perhaps with a prologue with a sufficient back story on Cara and Val would have given some answers to unanswered questions but Im not even sure that would have helped much. If you are looking for a mafia romance with a strong 'alpha' male role, unfortunately, you wont find it here. All in all, this may be a great read for some but for me; it came too close to a DNF ending.
This is my confession: to be quite honest, I had more than a few problems with this story. IMO it isn't a mafia romance. With a genre so saturated with Russian mob books this one fell very short. Plot holes and discrepancies were also big factor. The title was also on the misleading side, being as the child was merely a secondary character at best. Perhaps with a prologue with a sufficient back story on Cara and Val would have given some answers to unanswered questions but Im not even sure that would have helped much. If you are looking for a mafia romance with a strong 'alpha' male role, unfortunately, you wont find it here. All in all, this may be a great read for some but for me; it came too close to a DNF ending.
November 16, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I swear this author knows how to write alpha men that aren’t afraid to smile, laugh or tease, or be completely embarrassed about almost falling over.
Val has to be my favorite so far, though I’ve thought that about the other two guys as well. I can’t wait for the next books.
I really love the fact that the author bring in at least one past character so, they aren’t really as standalone as the author wants the readers to believe and I’m so happy about it.
The cover remains amazing, the different guys keeping it from getting stale, the writing is simple yet full of emotion and the pace is excellent.
There was a comment in another review that said Val didn’t react to knowing he had a kid. I’m not sure what book that reviewer was reading but I saw a reaction from him.
I also got a new book from this author that is the start of another series and I’m excited yet scared at the same time.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
I swear this author knows how to write alpha men that aren’t afraid to smile, laugh or tease, or be completely embarrassed about almost falling over.
Val has to be my favorite so far, though I’ve thought that about the other two guys as well. I can’t wait for the next books.
I really love the fact that the author bring in at least one past character so, they aren’t really as standalone as the author wants the readers to believe and I’m so happy about it.
The cover remains amazing, the different guys keeping it from getting stale, the writing is simple yet full of emotion and the pace is excellent.
There was a comment in another review that said Val didn’t react to knowing he had a kid. I’m not sure what book that reviewer was reading but I saw a reaction from him.
I also got a new book from this author that is the start of another series and I’m excited yet scared at the same time.
Thank you for reading my review.
-Sam
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