Betrayed

The Amado Brothers #2.5

by Natasha Knight

I didn’t think I had anything left to lose when I went to him. It was the only way to save what was left of my family. I knew I was taking a chance, knew there would be consequences, but I had no choice. Not if I wanted to save my brother.

He warned me to be careful. That my brother wasn’t who I thought he was. I didn’t believe him though. Not until it was too late.

And it cost us both everything.

Betrayed is the free 7500 word prequel to the intensely emotional dark standalone romance, UNHINGED.

Genres: Dark, Romance, Suspense, Dark Romance, Contemporary Romance, Crime, Contemporary

37 pages, Unknown Binding

First published September 20, 2017

About the author

Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.

Write Natasha here:
natasha@natasha-knight.com

Check out her books here:
https://natasha-knight.com

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Reviews

[Olga therebelreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayed is the prequel novella to Natasha Knight’s Unhinged novel. It gives you the back story of how Eve and Zach met and you get to see their relationship build. As this is only a prequel, be prepared for one hell of a cliffhanger! You will want to read the next book right away!! I think the author did a great job of building up to the tension that begins in the next book. I can’t say too much because it’s a short story, and I don’t want to give away any spoilers. I highly recommend this story, and that you continue on with the main book!!

[Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This prequel was like the cherry on top, it's in fact, a perfect dark prelude, a glimpse of the fraight train of clusterfuck that would transpire further on in Unhinged.

It will show you a 20 year old Eva El-Amin a frightened young woman that wants to save her brother from the crime deeds he does under the monster called Malik the Butcher. Her brother is all she has left from her family and she doesn't see any other way in helping him than to turn to the Americans, the mutual enemy of Malik...

The moment Master Seargent Zachary Amado takes over the operation of getting the information out of their informant Eve, there's no escaping the underlying fact that they are using her to get her brother and Malik. And Zach can't avoid that nagging sense that gut feeling about Eve, she's innocent in all this chaos and he wants to protect her, even though he shouldn't even consider getting closer to her than he is now.

Yet she delivers more and more info to Zach and even though she s aware of the betrayal she's committing against her own blood, the need to save her brother is stronger even if her brother can't see the right way...

But with the last deliverance of a crucial arms deal info, Eve is caught...

"What have you done, little sister
What have you done"

The betrayal runs deep and goes both ways as the dreadful event, that will change multipule lives forever, is yet to take place...

It will unravel the secrets, hidden agendas and devious ploy to destroy them all in Unhinged

***ARC generously given by the author in exchange for an honest review***

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve was 15 years old when her parents were murdered. Her older brother, Armen, took over the responsibility of raising her and their brothers. One day her brothers disappear without a trace and the only family she has left is Armen, but he’s found a new purpose in life. He’s become the follower of an evil man named Malik The Butcher, a man the US military is on the hunt to find. Desperate to help and save her brother, Eve turns to the US for assistance. The man who steps up to the plate is Zach, who is a part of special ops and in Beirut with a task force. He hopes to keep her safe while using her to get information to help locate their target. And then everything turns to shit.

Betrayed was the perfect prequel to Unhinged. It spoke to what was to come and set the stage for Eve’s fear and concern for her brother. It gave such a clear picture of the climate of the world Eve had grown up in in Beirut. And Zach was shown as the honorable and intelligent soldier that was willing to do anything to help her. I highly recommend that readers read this before diving into Unhinged so that they can get the backstory for these characters.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short quick read that was good. Eve El-Amin’s family has been taken from her at a very young age. Now, all she has left is her older brother Armen a man who changed and is now wanted and very dangerous. Eve turns to the US military to save her only living relative she is betraying her brother and it has put her in danger. Master Sergeant Zachary "Zach" Amado interrogates her and reveals deadly information about the dealings of her brother. This was a good short quick read by an author that I have read before this was a prequel. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading book 1 in this series.

[Dri ✰]

Apenas uma introdução para o livro Unhinged, mas me deixou curiosa!

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly do not see the sense that this was placed in a seperate "book" this would have better been placed at the beginning or the end of Unhinged

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prequel to Unhinged.

Ok, so I read Unhinged first, absolutely loved it but felt there was something missing. THIS!, this is what was missing.

I didn’t know there was a prequel so after a face palm and now having read this all my questions are answered, how Kat and Zach meet and the events that lead up to the first book.

Unhinged is s brilliant read, it's dark, dangerous, twists and turns and has great characters.

I am loving Natasha Knights books.
Both books highly recommend and obviously this book to be read before unhinged.

[Lea ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided by author.

Full review to come...

[Mg ♥ The Bookishmedialite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Fuck!

*Runs to read Unhinged*

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read. Nice setup for the story Unhinged.

[Elfina Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting...very interesting! Betrayed was a quick kind of read and I rapidly burned through the pages. Look forward to UNHINGED coming out and making a more informed decision. Happy reading...enjoy!

[Natalie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to me author and the story peaked my interest... moving on to Unhinged!.

[Jae Mod · Rating 5 out of 5]

** ARC provided by the author for an honest review **

In seventy-five hundred words Natasha Knight delivers a swift punch to the gut, leaving you breathless, stunned and begging for more. Betrayed is only seven thousand five hundred words people! That means pay attention because not even the word the is used without meaning. This is the prequel to Unhinged and shows us how Eve and Zach meet.

Eve El-Amin will do anything to save her brother. He is the only family she has left. In a last-ditch effort to save him, she ends up interrogated by Master Sergeant Zach Amado and reveals deadly information about the dealings of her brother. The blood vs. blood confrontation that follows leads to the cliffhanger of the freaking year!

This is super short because I don’t want to give anything away. You need to read this before you get your hands on Unhinged or you’ll have unanswered questions. A wonderfully told dark romance that will have you impatiently waiting to get your hands on more of Zach and Eve. FIVE stars!

[book bruin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this great prequel novella introducing us to Zach and Eve from Unhinged. It gives us the back story and circumstances surrounding how they met and takes places 2 years prior to Unhinged.

Zach and Eve's chemistry is undeniable from the start and I loved seeing their relationship grow and change. This novella really set the stage for the next book. Because it's a novella, it does end on a very huge cliffhanger, so you will want to have Unhinged ready to go! This novella is included in the audiobook version of Unhinged and is also narrated by Michael Pauley and Tracy Marks.

[Tanaka K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betrayed is a prequel to Unhinged that features Eve and Zach and when they first met. It is advised to read this prequel first before reading Unhinged. Betrayed just proved how much I love this storyline. It adds a more grittier and definitely gives more to the story of Eve and Zach. I am going to keep this review short and sweet because I devoured this prequel so fast. Betrayed was a fast paced action dripping with a high stake punch straight to my core. I loved it and Natasha Knight's writing just proves to be a reckoning.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

[LoveMyAuthors · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great big tease for the dark that's coming...you can feel it bleeding in through the cracks.

The innocent is resolute in her mission...
The betrayed isn't as he appears...
The protector...is he too late?

The short prequel sets up the scene and introduces complex characters, for what will surely be a dark and dangerous journey in Unhinged.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of Betrayed.

[Cécile Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intrigueging prequel! Makes me want more....and luckily i have more :-D Starting on Unhinged straight away,can’t wait to learn what happens!

[Diane Yoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy did this peak my curiosity!!!!

I only knew a little about Zach from the past 2 books of the Amado's Brothers series. I knew he was a soldier and I knew he was in some kind of trouble... What I didn't expect was for it to be this kind of trouble or for the heroine to be as brave and intriguing as she is. I need to start Unhinged!
This novella made me crave it!!! Loving this series

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!!!! I'm telling you! This author doesn't belong here, she's out of this planet AMAZING!
She not only will give us another book by the last Amado brother, but she give us this prequel, a little story not only to understand but to want to jump to the next book as soon as you see it in your kindle.
Zach and Eve past is not one of flowers and happy memories, is about pain and loneliness, suffering and darkness.
Natasha Knight is the queen of dark romance, she give us a story of love, redemption and twisted decisions. I definitely need more.

[Nina ~ Meleth Bookaddicted ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

BETRAYED – a short prequel novella to Natasha Knight’s UNHINGED definitely serves its purpose: It’s mouthwatering and has the reader salivating for more!

Eve El-Amin’s family has been ripped from her at a very young age. Now, all she has left is her older brother Armen – a man who changed paths and is now wanted and dangerous. In her despair, she turns to the US military on a quest to save her only living relative as a last resort. She knows betraying her won brother could very well put her own life in jeopardy, but her concern for him and his safety wins out. Only her gathering intel sets wheels in motion that can never be undone again – and not even Sergeant Zachary Amado – Zach – might be able to save her…

These events take place two years prior to those in UNHINGED, portraying Zach as such a different man – an honorable and charming soldier willing to do anything to help and protect Eve – and showing how he came to be the dark and unhinged savage that he is now.

This novella is quick yet incredibly suspenseful, with so much background information on the characters and prior events that just make this a must-read before the full novel, which will be an epic ride, if BETRAYED is any indication!

Ms. Knight has an unreal writing talent and I can’t wait to find out what she has up her sleeve with UNHINGED!

[Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayed takes place two approximately two years before Unhinged. It tells the story of how Eve el Amin and Zachary Amado first meet. It is not a standalone, but adds a great bit of depth and understanding to both Eve and Zach’s characters in Unhinged.

Eve has only one brother left as family, and is willing to do anything to save him including spying on him for the US military in exchange for their help in saving his life.

Freeing Armin el Amin is not in the plans, but the military have bigger fish to truly fry and need Eve’s information to find the man Armin is working for who is known as the Butcher. Zachary becomes Eve’s military connection and does what he can to help keep her safe. However, her brother and the Butcher have other plans.

Both are trying to do what’s right to save those they care about. Unfortunately, it costs them more than they should ever have to give.

This prequel is very dark and intense. I really appreciated learning the backstory explaining how Eve and Zach first meet, as it truly explains how Eve found her way to America and why Zach is seeking revenge. While it is not necessary to read this before Unhinged, I highly suggest that you do because it truly enhances the story. 4.5 stars.

[Thea™]

Dishonorable: Amado Brothers, the Complete Trilogy

--> https://www.goodreads.com/series/2162...

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well... I won´t summarize this book as it is a very short read and every word I´d write might spoil anything.

It was the first book I read by Natasha Knight and even though I´m not a fan of short reads this was good- especially for a Prequel.

I liked the writing style. The characters were fine too. Didn´t know what to expect of this story but now I´m curious and can´t wait to read Unhinged. The Prequel def. was good for building questions, for making me wanting to know more and finding out what´s going to happen next.

The book ended in a cliffhanger but I suppose that was clear from the start (I mean why else should there be and should it be called a Prequel ;) ).

I just saw that this is part of a series (The Amado Brothers). I haven´t read any other book in this series yet and do not know about anyone or anything. I hope this won´t be a problem as Unhinged will be my next read. At least I had no problem with Betrayed. Didn´t feel like I was missing something and I also wasn´t confused by anything.

So all in all- a good Prequel

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this prior to reading Unhinged which was a nomination in the Goodreads Dark Erotica Book of the Month discussion group for October 2017.
A young girl in Beirut seeks help from American soldiers to get her brother out of the terrorist gang he has fallen into. Master Sgt. Zachary Amado has been assigned to get information from Eve El-Amin regarding the terrorist group Eve's brother is a part of. Zach knows that Eve is in danger the longer she stays in the house that she and her brother share. The longer she feeds information to the Americans the greater the chances of Eve's brother finding out about her betrayal. Zach develops feelings for Eve and reassures her that he will keep her safe. But those reassurances are beyond his control.

[Romance Between The Sheets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betrayed will leave you hanging at the end, it is a great teaser to the Novel Unhinged which I have already bought.

We travel over a period of a few months and it gives us a build up to the history that is Zach and Eve and how they meet and the double-crossing involving her brother.

Upon finishing Betrayed I immediately went and began reading Unhinged which is already giving me a nervous energy. Betrayed is a delightful dark teaser that will ignite questions and also a slow burn with their chemistry.  I am dying to know what happens to these two characters and how Eve is treated by her brother.

[Mills]

Level with me here: When snooping through someone else's private papers, why stop to empty their ashtray? Don't you think that might be a bit of a giveaway that you've been in the room?

I'm a tad frustrated that the outcome of events in this novella were so patently obvious. I suppose, to be fair, that the outcome's actually pretty obvious just from the synopsis and the novella is simply to serve as an introduction to the characters. I'd potentially be interested in reading the next book in the series, just to see where these two characters go but I'm not invested enough to spend more than a pound or two on it.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I just finished Betrayed and all I can say is that I NEED UNHINGED NOW! This book sets the stage for Unhinged. In Betrayed, we are introduced to Eve and Zak, and a plot that promises to be dark and twisted.

I definitely recommend reading this book before digging into Unhinged. Natasha will lure you in with this seductively dark and gritty plot, and leave you begging for more! I devoured this book! It was fast paced, mysterious, and left me craving more of Eve and Zak. I can't wait to devour Unhinged next!

Jen ♡
LipSmackin' GoodBooks

[Pnina Azar · Rating 5 out of 5]

So what happens when you get a short but so important novella? What happens when you start reading and when you reach the end you stay if your tongue is out?

That's exactly what happened to me, Natasha knocked me a ticking bomb, and when I mean the bomb I'm talking about Eve and Zak, and about the whole story. In a few short pages you get a glimpse of what is going to be in the expanded book, you are being betrayed to schemes and dark.
I can't wait to devour Unhinged next!
So go read Betrayed before Unhinged.

[Crystal's Book World ~ Crystal Cordova · Rating 4 out of 5]

GAH! Betrayed was intense and had my heart pounding so hard with the anticipation of what is coming up next! This is the back story of how Eve and Zach meet. The darkness that fills Zach in Unhinged comes together in Betrayed. I was captured in the words. I did not put the book down as soon as I started to read chapter one. This book is written to captivate the reader. Natasha Knight gives her readers more than they can dream of! This is a great prequel to find out what has been haunting both Zach and Eve.

[WendyW ~ Girls Just Wanna Have Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prequel to the third in this standalone trilogy about the third and youngest of the Amado brothers. This is a short introduction to the backstory of Zach and Eve. It complements and strengthens the complete story.

Zach has had a military career and is on a mission in Beirut. He meets the lovely Eve who has lost her parents and two of her brothers and wants to do what she can to save her only remaining brother from the clutches of a very bad man.

I would suggest to pick up this little tidbit prior to reading Unhinged, but it is not necessary.