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Dark Desires #2
Undesirable
Attention, jeu dangereux...
Axel Rutherford est le mouton noir de sa famille. Il a du mal à voir en son père un modèle. Et pour cause, le chef du clan Rutherford est un homme tyrannique qui ne l’a jamais aimé. Sa vie en demi-teinte est bouleversée le jour où il rencontre la lumineuse Cleo McCarthy. Hélas, le père d’Axel a d’autres projets pour son fils, et Cleo n’en fait pas partie. En un claquement de doigts, il fait voler en éclats la tendre idylle, et la jeune femme n’est bientôt plus qu’un pion sur l’échiquier d’un jeu dangereux. Elle doit redoubler de prudence, car elle a une autre vie que la sienne à protéger. Mais Axel n’a pas dit son dernier mot, et l’heure des règlements de compte a sonné.
Retrouvez également la suite des aventures de Quinn et Elly dans la novella Weak Spot.
« Zara Cox a une plume addictive. Voici un roman qu’on dévore de bout en bout. » Jana Aston
« Un roman d’une beauté sombre, qui saura vous captiver et résonnera en vous bien au-delà de la dernière page. » Audrey Carlan
« Une fois que vous aurez aurez commencé, vous ne pourrez plus vous arrêter. » Tabitha A Lane
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2017
79 people are currently reading
1573 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
March 22, 2017
Book 1 in this series ("I, Porn Star" aka "Beautiful Liar") was marvelous... Such a different and unique read it was.
Therefore, despite its repulsive content, I wanted to give the second book in the series a chance. But now, it is very difficult to rate this second book as it is the combination of both “amazing” and “sickening”!
The plot line is already a hard pill to swallow and it is not safe for the light-hearted.
Two childhood sweethearts who are star-crossed lovers…
One evil sick bastard who happens to be the hero’s father.
Lies, threats and violence.
Misunderstandings and no communication.
8 years apart.
The girl lets “the father” claim her in every way!
The father tortures his son in every way possible.
The hero wants to understand, he wants to get out of his hell and take his revenge and reclaim his girl.
Now somebody please tell me…
How can a sane person give herself to the father of her one true love?
What reasons can make it understandable, justifiable and forgivable?
OK, of course he used some lies & threats but she shouldn't have surrendered. It was such a big mistake to trust the father rather than her loving boyfriend.
As one character in the book says, "Even with a gun to your head, you still have a choice."
When her reasons for surrendering were revealed, I must say I was totally disappointed.
The biggest problem is our brainless heroine doesn’t know how to think and how to communicate.
Not trusting the love of her life enough to ask him about the truth to see if what his father accuses him of is true or not, she just believes his evil father’s lies and gets on his side, letting him claim her.
It is not because she loves the father or something, she doesn't want to be intimate with him at all. It is a torture for her but she just thinks (stupidly) that it is her only choice in that situation!!!!!
I really condemn the heroine here and also want to criticize the writer for creating such a weak and dumb girl who doesn’t deserve the love of that great man, Axel.
Our heroine, Cleo, doesn’t deserve to be forgiven at all but in the end, she has her happily-ever-after! Such a shame…
I was yelling all through the pages of the book at Axel to go and find someone worthy of his love but in vain, of course. The stupid and treacherous girl wins in the end!
I did not pity or feel sympathy for Cleo just even for a second! Her reasons for letting her boyfriend’s father claim and f*ck her were not good enough for me.
She should have asked her boyfriend what really happened.
She should have trusted him better.
She should have asked Axel’s help instead of labelling him as “evil” with his father’s lies.
Axel never gave Cleo the reason to suspect. He worshipped the ground she walked on. He loved her like no man can. It was totally her stupidity and weak character. She ruined their pure and unique love.
Cleo constantly got on my nerves. She doesn’t know how to talk most of the time… Even when Axel begs her to answer and explain what happened, she is always on the “mute” mode. He wants to know what he did wrong or what happened but our heroine is incommunicado.
“Tell me what it is, Cleo. Make me understand so I can stop driving myself fucking nuts about it. So it doesn’t feel like my insides are being ripped every time I think about it.”
Her best communication is ether like the ones below or some lies!
“I ... umm..”
“You… I... umm I can’t…”
“I do… don’t... umm...”
"Oh, God, Axel... umm.. well.."
So no surprise the misunderstandings are not solved until the very end!
However, when it comes to her body... oh, her body responds to everything! She can’t resist Axel when sex is concerned although her heart is cold with his father’s lies…
You get the picture?
There is lots and lots of sex between two people who cannot communicate until the very last pages! So very frustrating!
On the other hand, the actions of the father is sickening… nauseating! Those parts are hard to read.
The evil and psycho mobster sends his sex video tape with his son’s ex-girlfriend to his son for his birthday… for him to watch… and see how his father tainted his first and one true love!
Can you imagine the level of torture here while Axel watches the tape on and on, torturing himself psychologically and physically while trying to hate her but failing all the time?
Axel endures unbelievable pain for 8 years! And it is amazing how he still loves her and tries to protect her no matter what…
And in the end, all she does as groveling is this:
"Oh God, the things I accused you of. I ruined us. I ruined everything .”
Yep, that's it!
So, if you can stand this evil father and the stupid heroine Cleo, then you will find the book really captivating.
Its writing is good with dual point of view. It makes you feel a lot!
It has its hot and emotional moments as well as nauseating ones.
The hero Axel is one of a kind. He is obsessively in love with the heroine, no matter what and he never stops loving her!
"Enough has never been enough with you."
It is really difficult to rate this book because as well as its pros, it also has its negative sides and I cannot decide if the pros or the cons outweigh.
So, I made a chart like the one below. Depending on this almost equally good and bad sides of the novel, I decided to give it 2,5 -> 3 stars but the chart will give you a better idea than my rating.
Some examples of the captivating writing...
At nineteen, I was fully cognizant of my obsession, was aware that it was a live grenade destined to blow me apart one day. But I was ready to die the first time I looked into her eyes. As long as I died in her arms.
I should have known my end was near the day she called me by her special name. My Romeo.
My Romeo. As if she knew we were doomed.
Perhaps she knew I was.
***
Because of Cleopatra McCarthy, my life exploded in a billion little pieces. Pieces I didn’t bother to put back again because I knew the exercise would be futile.
***
She was the golden princess. Put on earth to test every single one of my hardened edges. And I happily burned away every last one for her. But my reward wasn’t forever with her. Instead she turned away from me. And crawled into my father’s bed.
***
“You think it’s okay to teach your child a life lesson by forcing him to take a human life?”
***
I’m just as helpless in this as she. But it’s the only thing she is offering. And, from her, I’ll take anything I can fucking get. And set the whole fucking world alight for a chance to have more.
***
"Enough has never been enough with you. Are you prepared for that?”
“How about we promise to give each other as much as we can?”
“There has to be an acceptable baseline. Mine is high. I don’t want just your body, Cleo. I’m coming for all of it.”
***
From the moment we met, every breath I’ve taken is for you. I’ll lay down my life for you, Cleo, because it’s worth nothing without you.”
Shame on it... Such skillful writing is wasted, if you ask me...
It could have been a 5-star book despite its painful content but because of "not good enough" reasons for the heroine's brainless actions and also because of "barely no groveling on her side", all this beautiful writing is wasted.
Therefore, despite its repulsive content, I wanted to give the second book in the series a chance. But now, it is very difficult to rate this second book as it is the combination of both “amazing” and “sickening”!
The plot line is already a hard pill to swallow and it is not safe for the light-hearted.
Two childhood sweethearts who are star-crossed lovers…
One evil sick bastard who happens to be the hero’s father.
Lies, threats and violence.
Misunderstandings and no communication.
8 years apart.
The girl lets “the father” claim her in every way!
The father tortures his son in every way possible.
The hero wants to understand, he wants to get out of his hell and take his revenge and reclaim his girl.
Now somebody please tell me…
How can a sane person give herself to the father of her one true love?
What reasons can make it understandable, justifiable and forgivable?
OK, of course he used some lies & threats but she shouldn't have surrendered. It was such a big mistake to trust the father rather than her loving boyfriend.
As one character in the book says, "Even with a gun to your head, you still have a choice."
When her reasons for surrendering were revealed, I must say I was totally disappointed.
The biggest problem is our brainless heroine doesn’t know how to think and how to communicate.
Not trusting the love of her life enough to ask him about the truth to see if what his father accuses him of is true or not, she just believes his evil father’s lies and gets on his side, letting him claim her.
It is not because she loves the father or something, she doesn't want to be intimate with him at all. It is a torture for her but she just thinks (stupidly) that it is her only choice in that situation!!!!!
I really condemn the heroine here and also want to criticize the writer for creating such a weak and dumb girl who doesn’t deserve the love of that great man, Axel.
Our heroine, Cleo, doesn’t deserve to be forgiven at all but in the end, she has her happily-ever-after! Such a shame…
I was yelling all through the pages of the book at Axel to go and find someone worthy of his love but in vain, of course. The stupid and treacherous girl wins in the end!
I did not pity or feel sympathy for Cleo just even for a second! Her reasons for letting her boyfriend’s father claim and f*ck her were not good enough for me.
She should have asked her boyfriend what really happened.
She should have trusted him better.
She should have asked Axel’s help instead of labelling him as “evil” with his father’s lies.
Axel never gave Cleo the reason to suspect. He worshipped the ground she walked on. He loved her like no man can. It was totally her stupidity and weak character. She ruined their pure and unique love.
Cleo constantly got on my nerves. She doesn’t know how to talk most of the time… Even when Axel begs her to answer and explain what happened, she is always on the “mute” mode. He wants to know what he did wrong or what happened but our heroine is incommunicado.
“Tell me what it is, Cleo. Make me understand so I can stop driving myself fucking nuts about it. So it doesn’t feel like my insides are being ripped every time I think about it.”
Her best communication is ether like the ones below or some lies!
“I ... umm..”
“You… I... umm I can’t…”
“I do… don’t... umm...”
"Oh, God, Axel... umm.. well.."
So no surprise the misunderstandings are not solved until the very end!
However, when it comes to her body... oh, her body responds to everything! She can’t resist Axel when sex is concerned although her heart is cold with his father’s lies…
You get the picture?
There is lots and lots of sex between two people who cannot communicate until the very last pages! So very frustrating!
On the other hand, the actions of the father is sickening… nauseating! Those parts are hard to read.
The evil and psycho mobster sends his sex video tape with his son’s ex-girlfriend to his son for his birthday… for him to watch… and see how his father tainted his first and one true love!
Can you imagine the level of torture here while Axel watches the tape on and on, torturing himself psychologically and physically while trying to hate her but failing all the time?
Axel endures unbelievable pain for 8 years! And it is amazing how he still loves her and tries to protect her no matter what…
And in the end, all she does as groveling is this:
"Oh God, the things I accused you of. I ruined us. I ruined everything .”
Yep, that's it!
So, if you can stand this evil father and the stupid heroine Cleo, then you will find the book really captivating.
Its writing is good with dual point of view. It makes you feel a lot!
It has its hot and emotional moments as well as nauseating ones.
The hero Axel is one of a kind. He is obsessively in love with the heroine, no matter what and he never stops loving her!
"Enough has never been enough with you."
It is really difficult to rate this book because as well as its pros, it also has its negative sides and I cannot decide if the pros or the cons outweigh.
So, I made a chart like the one below. Depending on this almost equally good and bad sides of the novel, I decided to give it 2,5 -> 3 stars but the chart will give you a better idea than my rating.
Some examples of the captivating writing...
At nineteen, I was fully cognizant of my obsession, was aware that it was a live grenade destined to blow me apart one day. But I was ready to die the first time I looked into her eyes. As long as I died in her arms.
I should have known my end was near the day she called me by her special name. My Romeo.
My Romeo. As if she knew we were doomed.
Perhaps she knew I was.
***
Because of Cleopatra McCarthy, my life exploded in a billion little pieces. Pieces I didn’t bother to put back again because I knew the exercise would be futile.
***
She was the golden princess. Put on earth to test every single one of my hardened edges. And I happily burned away every last one for her. But my reward wasn’t forever with her. Instead she turned away from me. And crawled into my father’s bed.
***
“You think it’s okay to teach your child a life lesson by forcing him to take a human life?”
***
I’m just as helpless in this as she. But it’s the only thing she is offering. And, from her, I’ll take anything I can fucking get. And set the whole fucking world alight for a chance to have more.
***
"Enough has never been enough with you. Are you prepared for that?”
“How about we promise to give each other as much as we can?”
“There has to be an acceptable baseline. Mine is high. I don’t want just your body, Cleo. I’m coming for all of it.”
***
From the moment we met, every breath I’ve taken is for you. I’ll lay down my life for you, Cleo, because it’s worth nothing without you.”
Shame on it... Such skillful writing is wasted, if you ask me...
It could have been a 5-star book despite its painful content but because of "not good enough" reasons for the heroine's brainless actions and also because of "barely no groveling on her side", all this beautiful writing is wasted.
March 20, 2017
“I’m so into you, you have no idea. I’m also aggressively into the sweet addiction between your legs. I love knowing that you’re completely naked under that dress. I get hard as a fucking rock watching you walk across a room, knowing your pussy is wet with my cum.”
Axel Rutherford :)
"Do you know how difficult it was for me to hold back when I fucked you? How tough it was for me to stop from pounding that tight cunt every time you spread your thighs for me? You know how many dark fantasies I had about taking you so hard you would be sore for fucking days?”
Damn, this man and his fucking delicious dirty mouth made me so wet. :D
I,Porn Star (1st book) will always be my favorite Zara Cox book but I really, really enjoyed this one too. And I highly recommend this series, you must read this books asap! Trust me, you're gonna enjoy every minute. :D
Ps. You can find my "I,Porn Star" book review in here...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Ps. I need my husband right now... :P
Axel Rutherford :)
"Do you know how difficult it was for me to hold back when I fucked you? How tough it was for me to stop from pounding that tight cunt every time you spread your thighs for me? You know how many dark fantasies I had about taking you so hard you would be sore for fucking days?”
Damn, this man and his fucking delicious dirty mouth made me so wet. :D
I,Porn Star (1st book) will always be my favorite Zara Cox book but I really, really enjoyed this one too. And I highly recommend this series, you must read this books asap! Trust me, you're gonna enjoy every minute. :D
Ps. You can find my "I,Porn Star" book review in here...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Ps. I need my husband right now... :P
March 17, 2017
4.5 STARS
If I said that I was an insta-fan of this author after I finished I, Porn Star, this book solidified it. Damn. Just damn. Zara Cox knows how to weave one complex and erotic tale that's equally spine tingling and toe curling. It's addicting and twisty and downright intense.
If you like a good second chance romance with a healthy dose of hate lust mixed in to blur the edges, all wrapped in a story with dark undertones and enough twists and suspense to keep you glued to the pages from start to finish, you've found your next read.
Being born to a cruel and abusive father intent on hardening his sons enough to help run his mafia empire has hardened Axel. He's the black sheep of the family, the son that wants nothing of his father; not his name and not his infamy in the dark underbelly of organized crime. He dreams of escaping the life with the only person that makes his heart beat and gives him hope. But that hope gets ripped away from him with a jarring betrayal that now years later still continues to haunt him. Losing everything and the one person he always thought he could trust is enough to change a man and change the course of his life forever. Now Axel lives and breathes vengeance. His father will pay, and if the woman that's now back in his life after costing him everything is the pawn that he'll have to use in this brutal game, so be it.
As a young girl, Cleo loved Axel with everything she was worth. He was her everything...until he wasn't. Forced back into his orbit by an arrangement in which she's nothing but a puppet on a string of a cruel master that dangles the one thing she wants in exchange for her cooperation isn't what she wants, but she'll do it. Even if it forces her to own up that while she hates the man he is now and doesn't see a remainder of the boy she once loved in him, the carnal effect his mere presence has on her hasn't changed even a little.
Black Sheep delivers on another twisty story full of betrayal and revenge. Zara Cox is truly a master of her craft and I'm absolutely captivated by her writing style and the characters she creates. I couldn't put this book down for even a second. I walked the edge between hating and loving Axel. But between all the secrets and twists that kept unearthing, my mind was too busy spinning to focus on any singular emotion.
Axel was perfection. He was a dirty talking, angsty, domineering and deliciously sexy perfection. My heart broke for him and what he'd been through. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for all the secrets to finally get revealed so the puzzle pieces can click together. And let me just tell you, when they did? Mind. Blowing. Yet another addicting installment in what's now become a favorite series of mine. I absolutely can't wait for more!
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
In a family of cold-hearted black sheep, I, Axel Rutherford, am the blackest. Abundantly despised by my three brothers, actively hated by my father. She was the golden princess. Put on earth to test every single one of my hardened edges. And I happily burned away every last one for her.
If I said that I was an insta-fan of this author after I finished I, Porn Star, this book solidified it. Damn. Just damn. Zara Cox knows how to weave one complex and erotic tale that's equally spine tingling and toe curling. It's addicting and twisty and downright intense.
If you like a good second chance romance with a healthy dose of hate lust mixed in to blur the edges, all wrapped in a story with dark undertones and enough twists and suspense to keep you glued to the pages from start to finish, you've found your next read.
Being born to a cruel and abusive father intent on hardening his sons enough to help run his mafia empire has hardened Axel. He's the black sheep of the family, the son that wants nothing of his father; not his name and not his infamy in the dark underbelly of organized crime. He dreams of escaping the life with the only person that makes his heart beat and gives him hope. But that hope gets ripped away from him with a jarring betrayal that now years later still continues to haunt him. Losing everything and the one person he always thought he could trust is enough to change a man and change the course of his life forever. Now Axel lives and breathes vengeance. His father will pay, and if the woman that's now back in his life after costing him everything is the pawn that he'll have to use in this brutal game, so be it.
As a young girl, Cleo loved Axel with everything she was worth. He was her everything...until he wasn't. Forced back into his orbit by an arrangement in which she's nothing but a puppet on a string of a cruel master that dangles the one thing she wants in exchange for her cooperation isn't what she wants, but she'll do it. Even if it forces her to own up that while she hates the man he is now and doesn't see a remainder of the boy she once loved in him, the carnal effect his mere presence has on her hasn't changed even a little.
Black Sheep delivers on another twisty story full of betrayal and revenge. Zara Cox is truly a master of her craft and I'm absolutely captivated by her writing style and the characters she creates. I couldn't put this book down for even a second. I walked the edge between hating and loving Axel. But between all the secrets and twists that kept unearthing, my mind was too busy spinning to focus on any singular emotion.
Axel was perfection. He was a dirty talking, angsty, domineering and deliciously sexy perfection. My heart broke for him and what he'd been through. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for all the secrets to finally get revealed so the puzzle pieces can click together. And let me just tell you, when they did? Mind. Blowing. Yet another addicting installment in what's now become a favorite series of mine. I absolutely can't wait for more!
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
April 21, 2017
5 Stars
"In a family of cold-hearted black sheep, I, Axel Rutherford, am the blackest. Abundantly despised by my three brothers, actively hated by my father."
Dayum, this romance was compelling, it kept me hooked until the last page. Zara Cox’s riveting storytelling took my breath away, I was consumed by the story of Axel and Cleo, two childhood sweethearts doomed from the start by their parents' greed. Black Sheep is epic, amazing, intoxicating!
Axel Rutherford is haunted by demons from his past and by Cleo’s betrayal. She was his one true love but she chose his father, Finnan Rutherford, over him. Eight years later, Axel is worth billions but money didn't bring him happiness or redemption. He is bitter, tortures himself with his longing for the woman he can’t have and is plotting his revenge. He intends to dismantle his family’s business, linked to the violent world of underground crime and trafficking. This character is fascinating, calculating, intense and multilayered! His need for punishment was heartbreaking.
Cleo is nothing but a pawn in Finnan’s Rutherford twisted game to regain his son’s cooperation. Finnan is cruel and manipulative, blackmailing and abusing her. She complies but is bent on revenge and is biding her time. Axel and Cleo are bitter enemies, but their hatred for each other is based on false perceptions and deception. Cleo is convinced that Axel killed her parents in cold blood and Alex can't forgive Cleo’s betrayal. There is however a fine line between love and hate.
"Gentle. Sexy monster. Caring. Cold-blooded psychopath."
Axel is cunning, dominant, powerful but under his compelling exterior, he is utterly vulnerable. Cleo is his weakness, his addiction and he can’t break her, even if he wants to. For years, he has tried to shut off his emotions, he feels exposed and raw. Cleo and Axel’s feelings are unchanged and their reunion really packed a powerful emotional punch! Their sexual chemistry is intense, dark and highly erotic.
I was mesmerized by the deep layers of emotional complexity, palpable tension and angsty feels throughout this dark and mysterious story. Black Sheep is the second installment in Zara Cox’s Dark Desires, but it can be read as a complete standalone. I highly recommend it and will read anything this author comes up with next!
ARC kindly provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.
"In a family of cold-hearted black sheep, I, Axel Rutherford, am the blackest. Abundantly despised by my three brothers, actively hated by my father."
Dayum, this romance was compelling, it kept me hooked until the last page. Zara Cox’s riveting storytelling took my breath away, I was consumed by the story of Axel and Cleo, two childhood sweethearts doomed from the start by their parents' greed. Black Sheep is epic, amazing, intoxicating!
Axel Rutherford is haunted by demons from his past and by Cleo’s betrayal. She was his one true love but she chose his father, Finnan Rutherford, over him. Eight years later, Axel is worth billions but money didn't bring him happiness or redemption. He is bitter, tortures himself with his longing for the woman he can’t have and is plotting his revenge. He intends to dismantle his family’s business, linked to the violent world of underground crime and trafficking. This character is fascinating, calculating, intense and multilayered! His need for punishment was heartbreaking.
Cleo is nothing but a pawn in Finnan’s Rutherford twisted game to regain his son’s cooperation. Finnan is cruel and manipulative, blackmailing and abusing her. She complies but is bent on revenge and is biding her time. Axel and Cleo are bitter enemies, but their hatred for each other is based on false perceptions and deception. Cleo is convinced that Axel killed her parents in cold blood and Alex can't forgive Cleo’s betrayal. There is however a fine line between love and hate.
"Gentle. Sexy monster. Caring. Cold-blooded psychopath."
Axel is cunning, dominant, powerful but under his compelling exterior, he is utterly vulnerable. Cleo is his weakness, his addiction and he can’t break her, even if he wants to. For years, he has tried to shut off his emotions, he feels exposed and raw. Cleo and Axel’s feelings are unchanged and their reunion really packed a powerful emotional punch! Their sexual chemistry is intense, dark and highly erotic.
I was mesmerized by the deep layers of emotional complexity, palpable tension and angsty feels throughout this dark and mysterious story. Black Sheep is the second installment in Zara Cox’s Dark Desires, but it can be read as a complete standalone. I highly recommend it and will read anything this author comes up with next!
ARC kindly provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.
May 5, 2020
3 Stars
I’m going to keep this short. This book had the potential to be through the roof awesomeness. Zara Cox is a phenomenal writer. There is no arguing that. However, I had a MAJOR issue with the source of the conflict here between the H and h. To me there are some things that a couple can just never come back from. And a girl fucking the “love of her life’s” father...repeatedly...is probably #1 on the list.
You ALWAYS have a choice. Don’t tell me you didn’t. And, you just believed this known monster without communicating with Axel first, or at any point in time in 8 years, except if it was to carry out your order?
Umm, no. No thank you. As far as I’m concerned, you didn’t even deserve his forgiveness.
There, rant over. The sucker that I am for brilliant writing still really enjoyed parts of this book, despite the disgusting subject matter that goes on for THE WHOLE BOOK!!! Yep, this crap doesn’t come out until the 89% point of the book, which ends at 93%. Yeah...
Some of the scenes were super steamy too which I def enjoyed. Cleo and Axel did some phenomenal hate f&cking.
The ending seemed a bit rushed to me too...like, for instance, why was her mother in a coma or unconscious for the last eight years? They never go back to that at the end. Just lots of lose ends and no epilogue.
I would give it a lower star rating for all the peeves I had. However, the book is definitely a page turner and I could not put it down, so that counts for something.
On to the next one....
I’m going to keep this short. This book had the potential to be through the roof awesomeness. Zara Cox is a phenomenal writer. There is no arguing that. However, I had a MAJOR issue with the source of the conflict here between the H and h. To me there are some things that a couple can just never come back from. And a girl fucking the “love of her life’s” father...repeatedly...is probably #1 on the list.
You ALWAYS have a choice. Don’t tell me you didn’t. And, you just believed this known monster without communicating with Axel first, or at any point in time in 8 years, except if it was to carry out your order?
Umm, no. No thank you. As far as I’m concerned, you didn’t even deserve his forgiveness.
There, rant over. The sucker that I am for brilliant writing still really enjoyed parts of this book, despite the disgusting subject matter that goes on for THE WHOLE BOOK!!! Yep, this crap doesn’t come out until the 89% point of the book, which ends at 93%. Yeah...
Some of the scenes were super steamy too which I def enjoyed. Cleo and Axel did some phenomenal hate f&cking.
The ending seemed a bit rushed to me too...like, for instance, why was her mother in a coma or unconscious for the last eight years? They never go back to that at the end. Just lots of lose ends and no epilogue.
I would give it a lower star rating for all the peeves I had. However, the book is definitely a page turner and I could not put it down, so that counts for something.
On to the next one....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2017
NOW LIVE!
Amazon * Barnes & Noble
Enter giveaway HERE
3.5 Stars
I've only read one book by Zara Cox before Black Sheep but going into this story I was expecting a steamy and intense read, and that's what was delivered. These characters had so much chemistry and sexual tension between them that there was no way I couldn't be sucked into their story. But added to that was the twists and turns that this author took throughout the book and it made it even more captivating.
Axel and Cleo had a lot of different things going on but it was never too much. All the secrets and information that was revealed only added to how much I liked them and this book. I don't want to say too much and spoil anything so I will just leave at this and say that this is a big recommended read from me. And it could be read as a standalone with no problem.
Amazon * Barnes & Noble
Enter giveaway HERE
3.5 Stars
I've only read one book by Zara Cox before Black Sheep but going into this story I was expecting a steamy and intense read, and that's what was delivered. These characters had so much chemistry and sexual tension between them that there was no way I couldn't be sucked into their story. But added to that was the twists and turns that this author took throughout the book and it made it even more captivating.
Axel and Cleo had a lot of different things going on but it was never too much. All the secrets and information that was revealed only added to how much I liked them and this book. I don't want to say too much and spoil anything so I will just leave at this and say that this is a big recommended read from me. And it could be read as a standalone with no problem.
April 11, 2020
I loved the first book I, Porn Star. It was unique and enjoyable. When I finished that, I immediately jumped to the next book. I was intrigued by Axel's introduction in the first book and he is exactly how I expected him to be.
Ruthless
Cold
And domineering
I was enjoying the story until the end. The big revelation wasn't what I expected it to be, it was rather disappointing. How come Cleo believes Axel's father when she knows he is evil? She should have talked to Axel and ask for the truth. Axel never gave her any reason to doubt. He loved her fiercely.
It was hard to comprehend that his father raped Cleo multiple times. If Cleo wasn't stupid I might enjoy this story more. If she only talked to Axel instead of believing his father things might have been different. For me, Cleo is an extremely weak character. Axel was the perfect hero. If Cleo wasn't dumb this might have been more enjoyable.
Ruthless
Cold
And domineering
I was enjoying the story until the end. The big revelation wasn't what I expected it to be, it was rather disappointing. How come Cleo believes Axel's father when she knows he is evil? She should have talked to Axel and ask for the truth. Axel never gave her any reason to doubt. He loved her fiercely.
It was hard to comprehend that his father raped Cleo multiple times. If Cleo wasn't stupid I might enjoy this story more. If she only talked to Axel instead of believing his father things might have been different. For me, Cleo is an extremely weak character. Axel was the perfect hero. If Cleo wasn't dumb this might have been more enjoyable.
September 3, 2017
★3.5 STARS★
I was instantly attached to the allure of the blurb for Zara Cox’s, Black Sheep. It sold me a world of deceit, betrayal, revenge and a second chance romance that promised to be as passionate as it was dysfunctional.
Axel Rutherford & Cleo McCarthy were born to families whose dealings where on the wrong side of the law. As much as there can be honour among thieves, their fathers were brothers in arms until the glamour of power brought a change that would shatter their childhood romance beyond repair.
Axel is a formidable force who has directed his power and wealth into destroying his father, and along with him, the person he trusted above all others, Cleo. With the Rutherford Empire crumbling, Cleo is sent to negotiate with Axel on his father’s behalf.
There’s a thin line between love and hate and these two tested the theory on several occasions. Their relationship is driven by the potency of hate they have for once another, but even they can’t deny the attraction that burns even after all these years.
When it came to Cleo there was much intrigue into her resentment of Axel, and it’s this intrigue that kept the pages turning. When we finally discover her reason, misunderstanding is the name of the game and I admit I gave way to frustration at times with these two. There were also times where sex took over the story and for personally I felt it hindered the development of the plot.
Maybe I’m more blood thirsty than I care to admit but I felt the resolution came much too quickly without justice being served in the manner it was dished. Even so, I enjoyed my first foray into the Dark Desires series so much, I’ve got my eye on a Wicked S.O.B.
August 16, 2017
"In a family of cold-hearted black sheep, I, Axel Rutherford, am the blackest. Abundantly despised by my three brothers, actively hated by my father. She was the golden princess. Put on earth to test every single one of my hardened edges. And I happily burned away every last one for her."
Addictive.
Mind blowing.
Deliciously sexy.
Those are just a few adjectives that come to mind when referring to Black Sheep. Cox's will seize your emotions from the first few pages and it will not let them go until Black Sheep comes to its conclusion. With a deliciously twisting plot, Black Sheep held me hostage from start to finish.
Cleo hates Axel for reasons he doesn't know. Axel hates Cleo for reasons she doesn't know. And I kinda hate Cleo for reasons I just only know.
"If there were such a thing as born enemies, we would be it."
For so many years, they have been fed lies. Lies that destroyed them. Lies that made them hate the person they once loved. Revenge was what keep them going on. But little did they know that same feeling would be the one that would bring them back together again.
My reasons to not rate this book 5 stars are:
1. Finnan's ending. WTF was that?
2. Cleo! I know she was just a pawn in a twisted game but c'mon. That thing with Finnan...
Despite the above, I absolutely love Black Sheep, it's a story that ticks all my boxes. And one that I would recommend to all my romantic suspense lovers. But I have to say that if I had to choose between Q and Axel... I will go for Q. It's a no-brainer.
Zara Cox has spun a mesmerizing second chance romance, with captivating twists and turns, a dirty talking hero, a mind-melting love, and an array of intriguing characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I absolutely can't wait for more from this author.
Here's hoping Axel takes me to his Punishment Club. What? A girl can dream, can't she?
You can find me here: FB PAGE|INSTAGRAM
August 9, 2017
Originally posted at Booklovers For Life
4.5 STARS
I will admit that I was NOT a fan of the first Dark Desires book, but I had to take a chance on this second book because of the insanely intriguing blurb. Read that blurb for Black Sheep and tell me it doesn’t hook you in! Plus, I am the biggest sucker for second chance romances. Black Sheep had all the makings for a fantastic read, despite my hesitancy because of the first book… and it freaking blew my mind. I LOVED this book. I picked it up one day and literally couldn’t. put. it. down. It was a crazy, intense, angsty read, a second chance romance between lovers turned enemies, with an obsessed alpha hero – how could I not enjoy it?
Cleo McCarthy and Axel Rutherford were childhood sweethearts and the love of each other’s lives… until they weren’t. Axel worshipped the ground that his princess walked on and vowed to do everything he could to protect her and create a new life for themselves outside of the mafia world. But then heartbreak came, each thinking that the other betrayed them in the worst way possible, which tore them apart and turned that love to hate.
Now, Axel is on a vengeance, working his way toward his goal of making his father, the leader of the mafia empire, pay. Which means he can’t avoid the love of his life, but he won’t let anything stand in the way of getting revenge, especially the woman who betrayed him. Cleo can’t even recognize the boy who owned her heart in the man he is today. He’s become hardened and more powerful, but even he can’t break the hold Axel’s father has on Cleo. Or can he?
No matter how much they want to hate each other, there is no denying the fierce lust Axel and Cleo still have as soon as they’re in a room together. I LOVED this love-hate chemistry Zara Cox created, how twisted yet sexy as hell it was. Axel is pure alpha-male, hell bent on having everything: his revenge and the girl. And it’s so obvious that no matter how much hate they feel, it can’t be masked by the all-consuming love that never truly went away.
The writing in Black Sheep is cleaned up so much better than in Beautiful Liar (or back when I read it, I, Porn Star). I’m not sure if its due to the author or a new editor, but it was a stunning read. The story had me hooked, the writing kept me reading, and the characters made me fall in love. If you love addicting second chance romances that turn a little dark, I highly recommend Black Sheep. Now I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.
Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/2ve1SvQ
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2uBjJcx
Audible: http://amzn.to/2wCEaHr
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4.5 STARS
I will admit that I was NOT a fan of the first Dark Desires book, but I had to take a chance on this second book because of the insanely intriguing blurb. Read that blurb for Black Sheep and tell me it doesn’t hook you in! Plus, I am the biggest sucker for second chance romances. Black Sheep had all the makings for a fantastic read, despite my hesitancy because of the first book… and it freaking blew my mind. I LOVED this book. I picked it up one day and literally couldn’t. put. it. down. It was a crazy, intense, angsty read, a second chance romance between lovers turned enemies, with an obsessed alpha hero – how could I not enjoy it?
In a family of cold-hearted black sheep, I, Axel Rutherford, am the blackest. Abundantly despised by my three brothers, actively hated by my father. She was the golden princess. Put on earth to test every single one of my hardened edges. And I happily burned away every last one for her.
Cleo McCarthy and Axel Rutherford were childhood sweethearts and the love of each other’s lives… until they weren’t. Axel worshipped the ground that his princess walked on and vowed to do everything he could to protect her and create a new life for themselves outside of the mafia world. But then heartbreak came, each thinking that the other betrayed them in the worst way possible, which tore them apart and turned that love to hate.
Now, Axel is on a vengeance, working his way toward his goal of making his father, the leader of the mafia empire, pay. Which means he can’t avoid the love of his life, but he won’t let anything stand in the way of getting revenge, especially the woman who betrayed him. Cleo can’t even recognize the boy who owned her heart in the man he is today. He’s become hardened and more powerful, but even he can’t break the hold Axel’s father has on Cleo. Or can he?
She never needed a gentle knight in shining armor. So I become her marauder.
No matter how much they want to hate each other, there is no denying the fierce lust Axel and Cleo still have as soon as they’re in a room together. I LOVED this love-hate chemistry Zara Cox created, how twisted yet sexy as hell it was. Axel is pure alpha-male, hell bent on having everything: his revenge and the girl. And it’s so obvious that no matter how much hate they feel, it can’t be masked by the all-consuming love that never truly went away.
The writing in Black Sheep is cleaned up so much better than in Beautiful Liar (or back when I read it, I, Porn Star). I’m not sure if its due to the author or a new editor, but it was a stunning read. The story had me hooked, the writing kept me reading, and the characters made me fall in love. If you love addicting second chance romances that turn a little dark, I highly recommend Black Sheep. Now I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.
Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/2ve1SvQ
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2uBjJcx
Audible: http://amzn.to/2wCEaHr
Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!
July 31, 2017
*scrunches face* Nope.
This type of plot hinges on miscommunication. It is critical that the reasons for the miscommunication be believable. I need to believe that the misundertanding is so jusitified that there’s a reason their love wasn’t enough. All this miscommunication did was make me doubt that they ever loved each other. Lust, yes. Love? Well, it just fell a bit flat for me. I managed to make it through a good portion of the book because I was waiting for that turn where the miscommunication is addressed and the tables are turned. Also, lots o’ hot sex that, even if the romance was lacking for me, had its moments.
Ultimately, this book dangled the carrot a bit too long for me and the payoff wasn’t enough.
I’ll just chalk this up to a case of “it’s not for me.” I know others who loved this and I usually enjoy Ms. Cox’s writing style (it tends to be somewhat flowery in its prose at times but I can get down with that). I’ll stick to I, Porn Star as my fave in the series.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
For more reviews, visit
August 16, 2018
I wasn't sure what I would think about because of the blurb. But from the moment I've read that I was intrigued, it still took me a while to start it.
While I was in Den Hageu in the Netherlands I found this in a bookshop so it was like faith. I bought it. And while in Luxembourg on vacation reading it.
It was such a twisted story I needed my head straight. I thought I knew it all, but I was quite surprised.
It's also an Erotic story so it was indeed steamy too! A lot actually, but it worked well with the line.
I enjoyed it very much! I'm considering reading the third one as well.
While I was in Den Hageu in the Netherlands I found this in a bookshop so it was like faith. I bought it. And while in Luxembourg on vacation reading it.
It was such a twisted story I needed my head straight. I thought I knew it all, but I was quite surprised.
It's also an Erotic story so it was indeed steamy too! A lot actually, but it worked well with the line.
I enjoyed it very much! I'm considering reading the third one as well.
December 10, 2017
Be forewarned this review will contain spoilers and profanities (maybe a lot of them, I'm not sure yet, I'm writing it as I go)
You know something is wrong when you feel relieved that you are able to finish the book you were reading. And guess who is feeling that way right now?
You guessed it! It's Me!
So, you can imagine my shock when I finished this book and realized that this book was kinda meh for me. because I have read the first book in this series, I, Pornstar (Beautiful Liar), and I loved, I mean obsessively fangirl about the first book in this series. I loved the first book so much and was very pleased and surprised with Ms. Cox's ability to weave words. So as you already guessed, I go into this book with high expectations that Ms. Cox will knock me off my feet and make me gush over these characters.
But I didn't.
I was reading up until around 65% when the book completely lost me. Up until that point, I was still really enjoying this book, but once it got to the scene where – what's the her name again – Cleo and Axel was arguing over the fact that Axel confessed that the killed someone, and she was all upset and angry, and nauseous. Let me quote her exact thought.
“The shock of hearing the admission fall from his mouth sucker-punches me so hard, I’m certain I’ll never be able to take another whole breath. The blood drains from my head, and my hands fly to my mouth.”
But as soon as Axel touched her and said a few words to her, she's all but gushing from her vagina and ready to be fucked like a bitch in heat. I mean like,
Another thing that I seem to realize is the fact that, for all the hate that she says she has for Axel, she seems to be moaning and screaming in pleasure everytime they fucked. Not once had she tried to refuse him or tried to push him away. For someone who is determined to punish Axel for what she believed he did to her and get her revenge, she is doing a bad fucking job at it.
I am not even sure what is her role in the whole story other that to have sex with Axel. Because for all the fucking revenge that she keeps saying about, in the end, she did nothing. Axel did all the job for her. Like, the fuck what bitch.
I can't even. I honestly cannot stand her as a character. If you step back and take Axel out of the picture, she is one mother fucking bland as fuck character. She literally did nothing other than moan, scream or start a sentence without finishing them.
"I...um..."
"I...but..."
"I..."
Moreover, her story was not believable. With Axel, you understand why he is angry, and what pushes him to do what he did. With Cleo, I don't know. She was told by Axel's dad, – who she know was devil reincarnated – that Axel was the one who killed her parents. Add that with a video, and she believed him. I mean, how much more gullible could you be? Is that what you call "love"? You trust a stranger's words more than your own boyfriend's? Heck, she didn't even think of asking Axel if he did what his dad said he did.
I mean, come on, for someone who was described as strong and capable, she sounds pretty stupid to me. 8 years later, when she already know how manipulative Axel's dad could be, she still didn't even question the things that he told her and chose to believe blindly on his words.
Other than that, I liked Axel, and I liked the writing. I think if Axel was paired with a stronger and more stubborn heroine who can stand her ground and won't be turned into mush just by Axel breathing around her, I think this book could have done wonders.
This time I won’t be her Romeo.
I’ll be her whole fucking world.
And as long as the world spins, I’m never letting go.
Never.
For full review : http://www.literaturesandmovies.com/2...
You know something is wrong when you feel relieved that you are able to finish the book you were reading. And guess who is feeling that way right now?
You guessed it! It's Me!
So, you can imagine my shock when I finished this book and realized that this book was kinda meh for me. because I have read the first book in this series, I, Pornstar (Beautiful Liar), and I loved, I mean obsessively fangirl about the first book in this series. I loved the first book so much and was very pleased and surprised with Ms. Cox's ability to weave words. So as you already guessed, I go into this book with high expectations that Ms. Cox will knock me off my feet and make me gush over these characters.
But I didn't.
I was reading up until around 65% when the book completely lost me. Up until that point, I was still really enjoying this book, but once it got to the scene where – what's the her name again – Cleo and Axel was arguing over the fact that Axel confessed that the killed someone, and she was all upset and angry, and nauseous. Let me quote her exact thought.
“The shock of hearing the admission fall from his mouth sucker-punches me so hard, I’m certain I’ll never be able to take another whole breath. The blood drains from my head, and my hands fly to my mouth.”
But as soon as Axel touched her and said a few words to her, she's all but gushing from her vagina and ready to be fucked like a bitch in heat. I mean like,
Another thing that I seem to realize is the fact that, for all the hate that she says she has for Axel, she seems to be moaning and screaming in pleasure everytime they fucked. Not once had she tried to refuse him or tried to push him away. For someone who is determined to punish Axel for what she believed he did to her and get her revenge, she is doing a bad fucking job at it.
I am not even sure what is her role in the whole story other that to have sex with Axel. Because for all the fucking revenge that she keeps saying about, in the end, she did nothing. Axel did all the job for her. Like, the fuck what bitch.
I can't even. I honestly cannot stand her as a character. If you step back and take Axel out of the picture, she is one mother fucking bland as fuck character. She literally did nothing other than moan, scream or start a sentence without finishing them.
"I...um..."
"I...but..."
"I..."
Moreover, her story was not believable. With Axel, you understand why he is angry, and what pushes him to do what he did. With Cleo, I don't know. She was told by Axel's dad, – who she know was devil reincarnated – that Axel was the one who killed her parents. Add that with a video, and she believed him. I mean, how much more gullible could you be? Is that what you call "love"? You trust a stranger's words more than your own boyfriend's? Heck, she didn't even think of asking Axel if he did what his dad said he did.
I mean, come on, for someone who was described as strong and capable, she sounds pretty stupid to me. 8 years later, when she already know how manipulative Axel's dad could be, she still didn't even question the things that he told her and chose to believe blindly on his words.
Other than that, I liked Axel, and I liked the writing. I think if Axel was paired with a stronger and more stubborn heroine who can stand her ground and won't be turned into mush just by Axel breathing around her, I think this book could have done wonders.
This time I won’t be her Romeo.
I’ll be her whole fucking world.
And as long as the world spins, I’m never letting go.
Never.
For full review : http://www.literaturesandmovies.com/2...
February 25, 2017
***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion***
This book was a pretty quick read. I'm glad it's a standalone, but I feel like something is missing from the story. It all happened too fast and I would have liked more, the same story, but more developed.
The main characters have a previous relationship from before the story starts and I wanted to see more of that, because even with their past connection, it felt like insta-love to me.
The plotline is good, but the fact that it wasn't as developed as it could have been, make it unsatisfactory and rushed. It felt like things kept happening and, even though the book has a complete end, it jumped to the next thing without continuity. Even the bad things that should made us horrified, doesn't because it was all explained too fast and rushed.
It was hard connecting with the characters because of all that. I wish there was more to the story, because the premisse is good.
This book was a pretty quick read. I'm glad it's a standalone, but I feel like something is missing from the story. It all happened too fast and I would have liked more, the same story, but more developed.
The main characters have a previous relationship from before the story starts and I wanted to see more of that, because even with their past connection, it felt like insta-love to me.
The plotline is good, but the fact that it wasn't as developed as it could have been, make it unsatisfactory and rushed. It felt like things kept happening and, even though the book has a complete end, it jumped to the next thing without continuity. Even the bad things that should made us horrified, doesn't because it was all explained too fast and rushed.
It was hard connecting with the characters because of all that. I wish there was more to the story, because the premisse is good.
May 3, 2020
This was an average read.
To set the tone. This was a mafia book. Her family was on the lower end of power and the Hero's family was at the top. The heroine's father is murdered and then her mother is almost murdered. She's told some lies by her boyfriends father and because of the boyfriends OTT possessiveness and temper issues, she believes what the father says, especially after seeing what she thinks is video proof. This girl was a teenager forced to make decisions I wouldn't want to make in my forties.
A lot of reviewers have really jumped on the hate the heroine band wagon but I didn't see the need for all the hate. She was a victim of her age. Her boyfriends father showed her what looked like video proof that her boyfriend was responsible for some wartime atrocities as well as trying to kill her mother. Unbeknownst to the hero, her mother lived. She remained in a coma in a rehabilitation facility. The boyfriends father tells her that he will keep the mother safe from his son if she has sex with him. She does so as a teenager, which in my opinion if she's coerced then it's rape. He video tapes it and tells her that if she doesn't act like she's enjoying it then he'll keep screwing her longer. He sends the video to his son and his son tortures himself with it for years.
This girl is a VICTIM. Over eight years, she was raped a few more times and beaten severely by the boyfriends father. Her life was not good. The boyfriend on the other hand was a man whore. He slutted it up with women left and right. She'd only been with the boyfriend and the father, which was rape and certainly not of her own free will. When you're given a choice of whether to screw an old man or your mother will die, that's no choice at all. She felt she had no place to turn. I felt sorry for her.
To set the tone. This was a mafia book. Her family was on the lower end of power and the Hero's family was at the top. The heroine's father is murdered and then her mother is almost murdered. She's told some lies by her boyfriends father and because of the boyfriends OTT possessiveness and temper issues, she believes what the father says, especially after seeing what she thinks is video proof. This girl was a teenager forced to make decisions I wouldn't want to make in my forties.
A lot of reviewers have really jumped on the hate the heroine band wagon but I didn't see the need for all the hate. She was a victim of her age. Her boyfriends father showed her what looked like video proof that her boyfriend was responsible for some wartime atrocities as well as trying to kill her mother. Unbeknownst to the hero, her mother lived. She remained in a coma in a rehabilitation facility. The boyfriends father tells her that he will keep the mother safe from his son if she has sex with him. She does so as a teenager, which in my opinion if she's coerced then it's rape. He video tapes it and tells her that if she doesn't act like she's enjoying it then he'll keep screwing her longer. He sends the video to his son and his son tortures himself with it for years.
This girl is a VICTIM. Over eight years, she was raped a few more times and beaten severely by the boyfriends father. Her life was not good. The boyfriend on the other hand was a man whore. He slutted it up with women left and right. She'd only been with the boyfriend and the father, which was rape and certainly not of her own free will. When you're given a choice of whether to screw an old man or your mother will die, that's no choice at all. She felt she had no place to turn. I felt sorry for her.
May 30, 2022
This is the second book in this series. This is a very quick read. Each book in this series can be read as a stand alone read. This story is filled with pain, passion, love, lust, secrets and suspense. The characters are fantastic. The author has definitely packed a lot into this book. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
www.obsessedbookreviews.com
March 15, 2017
***AVAILABLE NOW - FULL REVIEW***
5 WORTH THE WAIT CROWNS
I have been waiting for Black Sheep since I closed the final page of Beautiful Liar (although it was called I, Porn Star when I read it). The darkness, the complex plots, the intricate characters make this book everything I love in a dark romance, and the wait was completely and totally worth it.
These characters are tragically flawed, coming from two opposing mafia families. Axel, although the son of a mafia boss, wants nothing to do with the family, and although he doesn't want to be involved with his family he is not clean in any way. He deals with bad men, has little to no moral compass when it comes to getting what he wants, but this edge of danger makes him enticing. There is also this underlying honor to his character. These questionable and unethical acts serve a larger purpose of revenge, and one readers will not fault him for.
His counterpart in the novel, Cleo, is also broken. She has been lied to and manipulated, and what she thinks is the truth isn't. The course of her life has been controlled by men who should not have been in control, and readers will desperately want her to realize the clear truth and earn back the life that is stolen from her.
These two characters are electric, and their hate for others, for their circumstances, and to an extent, each other, fuels a lot of steamy scenes. Their hatred though doesn't last, and the reader gets to watch this couple heal and evolve together.
This story has many layers, which is one of the many reasons I enjoy the series so much. There is the expected romance story line pertaining to the two main characters, but there is also the family drama. The family drama spurs the revenge plan, and Zara Cox expertly meshes all of these story-lines together for a story that will grip readers from the opening pages.
Black Sheep is a definite must read. It gives readers everything they could want in a suspense romance. There is darkness, romance, and danger that will suck readers in from the first word.
--------------------
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and other book news, check out Musings of the Modern Belle at www.modernbellebooks.com.
5 WORTH THE WAIT CROWNS
I have been waiting for Black Sheep since I closed the final page of Beautiful Liar (although it was called I, Porn Star when I read it). The darkness, the complex plots, the intricate characters make this book everything I love in a dark romance, and the wait was completely and totally worth it.
These characters are tragically flawed, coming from two opposing mafia families. Axel, although the son of a mafia boss, wants nothing to do with the family, and although he doesn't want to be involved with his family he is not clean in any way. He deals with bad men, has little to no moral compass when it comes to getting what he wants, but this edge of danger makes him enticing. There is also this underlying honor to his character. These questionable and unethical acts serve a larger purpose of revenge, and one readers will not fault him for.
His counterpart in the novel, Cleo, is also broken. She has been lied to and manipulated, and what she thinks is the truth isn't. The course of her life has been controlled by men who should not have been in control, and readers will desperately want her to realize the clear truth and earn back the life that is stolen from her.
These two characters are electric, and their hate for others, for their circumstances, and to an extent, each other, fuels a lot of steamy scenes. Their hatred though doesn't last, and the reader gets to watch this couple heal and evolve together.
This story has many layers, which is one of the many reasons I enjoy the series so much. There is the expected romance story line pertaining to the two main characters, but there is also the family drama. The family drama spurs the revenge plan, and Zara Cox expertly meshes all of these story-lines together for a story that will grip readers from the opening pages.
Black Sheep is a definite must read. It gives readers everything they could want in a suspense romance. There is darkness, romance, and danger that will suck readers in from the first word.
--------------------
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews and other book news, check out Musings of the Modern Belle at www.modernbellebooks.com.
March 15, 2017
Axel Rutherford has spent the last eight years trying to forget the betrayal that changed the course of his life. He’s immersed himself in everything as black as his soul and nothing has even come close to easing his pain - nothing except plotting his revenge.
Revenge on the father that took the one thing that meant so much to him and revenge on the girl who shattered his soul so completely.
My Romeo. She called me that the day I took her virginity beneath the stars on the beach of our families’ adjoining Connecticut properties.
My Romeo. As if she knew we were doomed. Perhaps she knew I was. Perhaps she’d known of the plan all along. Or she hatched it the day my father enrolled me at West Point. The day he embraced his grand and greedy plan to fatten his bank balance from war instead of just from common mafia mongering.
The irony was that I was the only fool in the piece. I may have accepted my role as Romeo, but her name wasn’t Juliet.
No, the devil’s siren went by the name of Cleopatra McCarthy.
Cleo McCarthy remembers being young and in love. That was long before she became a pawn in such a dangerous game. One wrong move and innocent lives will be lost.
Coming face to face again with the only man she ever loved is almost as frightening as the look of pure contempt that crosses his sinfully gorgeous features whenever she appears. Now the stakes are far too high and if she fails to bring him back into the fold, the darkness that she has fought so hard to contain will be unleashed.
But the desire between them still rages out of control and this time it threatens to reduce their entire world to ashes.
I walk her down the hall and into the suite in silence. I don’t want to confess what’s on my mind for fear that I’ll spook her.
Because I am possessed. By her.
She’s mine. She’s mine. She’s always been f*cking mine.
And regardless of the consequences, I’m keeping her.
Zara Cox has just upped the ante with Black Sheep. It’s more visceral, more savage and more addictive than ever before. Her darkly lyrical prose paints a chaotic landscape that is as equally haunting as it is unnerving. And it’s that feeling of teetering right on the edge that makes this book so utterly delicious…
Revenge on the father that took the one thing that meant so much to him and revenge on the girl who shattered his soul so completely.
My Romeo. She called me that the day I took her virginity beneath the stars on the beach of our families’ adjoining Connecticut properties.
My Romeo. As if she knew we were doomed. Perhaps she knew I was. Perhaps she’d known of the plan all along. Or she hatched it the day my father enrolled me at West Point. The day he embraced his grand and greedy plan to fatten his bank balance from war instead of just from common mafia mongering.
The irony was that I was the only fool in the piece. I may have accepted my role as Romeo, but her name wasn’t Juliet.
No, the devil’s siren went by the name of Cleopatra McCarthy.
Cleo McCarthy remembers being young and in love. That was long before she became a pawn in such a dangerous game. One wrong move and innocent lives will be lost.
Coming face to face again with the only man she ever loved is almost as frightening as the look of pure contempt that crosses his sinfully gorgeous features whenever she appears. Now the stakes are far too high and if she fails to bring him back into the fold, the darkness that she has fought so hard to contain will be unleashed.
But the desire between them still rages out of control and this time it threatens to reduce their entire world to ashes.
I walk her down the hall and into the suite in silence. I don’t want to confess what’s on my mind for fear that I’ll spook her.
Because I am possessed. By her.
She’s mine. She’s mine. She’s always been f*cking mine.
And regardless of the consequences, I’m keeping her.
Zara Cox has just upped the ante with Black Sheep. It’s more visceral, more savage and more addictive than ever before. Her darkly lyrical prose paints a chaotic landscape that is as equally haunting as it is unnerving. And it’s that feeling of teetering right on the edge that makes this book so utterly delicious…
March 24, 2017
*********I just want to remember only Alex.. Nothing more nor less...ONLY HIM *********
WARNING: stars goes to only ALEX.......
This book was one of the hardest book I have confused to write a review about and I really dont know how many stars deserve....
Firstly story telling and language were really perfect.. there is no doubt in here........ You will love the way words put together in this book........
And Secondly Alex..... you are the most unique character I have read till now...Why?
He was as perfect as every possible way.........
He was warm- hearted.... tolerant (mybe much more than necessary), adorable..
Unfortunately.... there were really so much thing in this book I really didnt like....
First... female character..... Zara COX I really want to believe that you want to joke with us....How you could do this to us. A character like Alex absolutalely didn't deserve to a character like Cleo....She had every characteristics I really didnt approve in a woman... She was beyond stupid....
Second..... Plot was really bad when I reach through the %80 of book I was still on the edge.. what will happen? or how this will be solved? After those pages.... actually nothing happened... BOOOM like a PUFFFFFFF
Why she had to done those things.. Why she choose that why? and Why she was so stupid almost whole book......
I was really sorry for Alex....
AND I will give this book three stars for ALEX... he deserved everything but didnt get.......
Yes book is HEA but I didnt satisfied with that end.. not a little bit.....
WARNING: stars goes to only ALEX.......
This book was one of the hardest book I have confused to write a review about and I really dont know how many stars deserve....
Firstly story telling and language were really perfect.. there is no doubt in here........ You will love the way words put together in this book........
And Secondly Alex..... you are the most unique character I have read till now...Why?
He was as perfect as every possible way.........
He was warm- hearted.... tolerant (mybe much more than necessary), adorable..
Unfortunately.... there were really so much thing in this book I really didnt like....
First... female character..... Zara COX I really want to believe that you want to joke with us....How you could do this to us. A character like Alex absolutalely didn't deserve to a character like Cleo....She had every characteristics I really didnt approve in a woman... She was beyond stupid....
Second..... Plot was really bad when I reach through the %80 of book I was still on the edge.. what will happen? or how this will be solved? After those pages.... actually nothing happened... BOOOM like a PUFFFFFFF
Why she had to done those things.. Why she choose that why? and Why she was so stupid almost whole book......
I was really sorry for Alex....
AND I will give this book three stars for ALEX... he deserved everything but didnt get.......
Yes book is HEA but I didnt satisfied with that end.. not a little bit.....
avoid
April 11, 2020I could not handle the review. I feel sick already. Claps for Dilek to finish this one!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November 5, 2017
2.5 stars
March 14, 2017
Black Sheep may be the second installment in Cox’s Dark Desires series, but it is so loosely related to the first book (I, Porn Star), that you do not have to read that title before jumping right into this one.
Jumping in is exactly what I suggest you do! Black Sheep mixes second chance romance, a dirty talking hero, and scandalous deceptions with an easy expertise.
Axel is the estranged son of a mob boss. His father is desperate to bring him back to the fold, by any means. Including tempting him with the love of his life, Cleo, who left Axel’s bed in the worst sort of betrayal. Axel has plans of his own, however, and Cleo and his father sit in the center of them. You get a bit of a Romeo and Juliet – star crossed lovers – feel with the added danger of mobster lifestyles.
This story moves fairly quickly, but is full of twisty secrets. Cleo hates Axel for reasons he doesn’t know. Axel hates Cleo for reasons she doesn’t know. Neither has the full story, they’ve been fed lies and half truths for so many years. The hatred, though, only feeds the sexual tension that still sizzles between them, which leads to some steamy sex scenes. Even though the story is a bit rushed at times, you still feel the depth of the secrets and the hurt of the betrayals. I found it very easy to like both Axel and Cleo, right from the start. Seriously, Axel’s dirty talk was an A+, for me!
The ending could have been fleshed out a little more to my liking, but overall Cox vastly improved in style and emotion from I, Porn Star to Black Sheep. Which has me eager for round three, Wicked S.O.B., due out this August.
Jumping in is exactly what I suggest you do! Black Sheep mixes second chance romance, a dirty talking hero, and scandalous deceptions with an easy expertise.
Axel is the estranged son of a mob boss. His father is desperate to bring him back to the fold, by any means. Including tempting him with the love of his life, Cleo, who left Axel’s bed in the worst sort of betrayal. Axel has plans of his own, however, and Cleo and his father sit in the center of them. You get a bit of a Romeo and Juliet – star crossed lovers – feel with the added danger of mobster lifestyles.
This story moves fairly quickly, but is full of twisty secrets. Cleo hates Axel for reasons he doesn’t know. Axel hates Cleo for reasons she doesn’t know. Neither has the full story, they’ve been fed lies and half truths for so many years. The hatred, though, only feeds the sexual tension that still sizzles between them, which leads to some steamy sex scenes. Even though the story is a bit rushed at times, you still feel the depth of the secrets and the hurt of the betrayals. I found it very easy to like both Axel and Cleo, right from the start. Seriously, Axel’s dirty talk was an A+, for me!
The ending could have been fleshed out a little more to my liking, but overall Cox vastly improved in style and emotion from I, Porn Star to Black Sheep. Which has me eager for round three, Wicked S.O.B., due out this August.
July 20, 2020
Let me tell you that this book has twist, turns and moments that had me gasping. Axel and Cleo had had the love many of us wish they had, but as quickly as they had it, it disappeared. Now that Axel is back in the picture he’s not holding back on the revenge he has planned. The one shock was seeing Cleo with his father- a betrayal. Though Cleo wanting to protect Axel knows that staying with his father is the way it has to be- until she can plan her revenge as well. The chemistry is explosive and the sexy!!! This is somewhat of a dark read so expect the unexpected and be prepared for a heck of a roller coaster! Kara-4.5 Stars
March 16, 2017
4 Whole World Stars
Alex Rutherford...leatheal, vengeful & oh so HOT....*sigh*!!! He didn't start out that way, but he sure came to be everything you'd want in a man!
Cleopatra McCarthy, was an unfortunate pawn in this story, but weak she was not!
The misunderstandings and lies, are not in short supply throughout this tale, which created a fair amount of angst.
Finnan, was the devil...no doubt about it!
The ending was good, but I would have really loved an epilogue, into the future of Axel & Cleo.
B's got to get her own story...there's got to be a good one there!
Alex Rutherford...leatheal, vengeful & oh so HOT....*sigh*!!! He didn't start out that way, but he sure came to be everything you'd want in a man!
Cleopatra McCarthy, was an unfortunate pawn in this story, but weak she was not!
The misunderstandings and lies, are not in short supply throughout this tale, which created a fair amount of angst.
Finnan, was the devil...no doubt about it!
The ending was good, but I would have really loved an epilogue, into the future of Axel & Cleo.
B's got to get her own story...there's got to be a good one there!
December 9, 2017
This book, it's DYNAMITE.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I haven't read the first book of the series, and I wasn't lost. Saying it's sexy is not enough. Wow.
I discovered a new author that I will very much enjoy to read!
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I haven't read the first book of the series, and I wasn't lost. Saying it's sexy is not enough. Wow.
I discovered a new author that I will very much enjoy to read!
April 11, 2017
FOUR BLACK STARS!!
Ramble...later? .__.
Ramble...later? .__.
June 26, 2017
I didn't know there was a previous book but this can definitely be read as a standalone.
What I didn't like?
I wanted a bit more of the +1. Ending was too fast for me. Also something left me with a question and it involved who helped Axel towards the end of the story. Will his brothers get a book? I must add Finnan because what a POS of a father. Let's add him to the worse father poll.
What I did like?
The storyline. It was great. Like Romeo and Juliet but the hero and heroine don't kill themselves. It's a bit on the dark side and it could've made one hell of a dark read in my opinion. It was my very first read from this author and I'm sure I will go back and pick up another one.
Yes, I recommend this book. Happy Readings!
*An arc was received by the publisher via NG.*
What I didn't like?
I wanted a bit more of the +1. Ending was too fast for me. Also something left me with a question and it involved who helped Axel towards the end of the story. Will his brothers get a book? I must add Finnan because what a POS of a father. Let's add him to the worse father poll.
What I did like?
The storyline. It was great. Like Romeo and Juliet but the hero and heroine don't kill themselves. It's a bit on the dark side and it could've made one hell of a dark read in my opinion. It was my very first read from this author and I'm sure I will go back and pick up another one.
Yes, I recommend this book. Happy Readings!
*An arc was received by the publisher via NG.*
March 20, 2017
Loooved this one so much, it was such a surprise, I love it when that happens. It's my first ever read by this author, and I'm definitely going back to read her other work - even the porn star one, which I passed on initially because of the porn start aspect.
So, what can I say about this one? I always have a hard time with positive reviews and have no idea what to say except for how much I loved it. In this case, I didn't love it that much in the beginning (or else it would've gotten 5*) - although I loved the writing from the first few pages and the intensity of the hero's feelings, I did find that there was a bit too much detail about things I just didn't care much about. At times, it was long-winded and a bit boring - but once the hero and heroine got together, I was never bored, not even for a second. I also wasn't a big fan of some of the heroes' action in the beginning...i'll get to that in a bit, though.
Now, as to what I liked... I loved the hero. He was my kind of book-boyfriend: obsessed as f***, OTT to the max, and his intense feelings for the heroine blew me away. We don't get much of their beginning as a couple, just the second chance part, and yet I felt more of their love's intensity than in books that follow the entire story of a couple.
The heroine was pretty great too, the story was engaging (especially once they got together, as I mentioned), my only complaint would be that it took them a bit too long to come clean with each other
Safety:
I loved this book soooo much! here's to hoping the other books by this author will live up to the high expectations this book's left me with:)
September 3, 2017
4.5 all day long
This book is damn naughty.
It's lost all touch with reality so i felt no need to over analyse things, the sex scenes were totally all absorbing so i forgave all the outlandish things happening and went with the flow. The "hero" and i have to put this in inverted commas because he is a bit of a c**t (sorry for the crude language but he is a crude kind of guy and it rubs off ) pardon the pun there.
I've read Zara Cox "porn Star" book previously and walked around with a lady boner for days as it was so darn hot so i knew what i was getting into and Black Sheep was no let down. The sex in this book is quite savage , the heroine describes this experience as enjoyable but it made me cross my legs a bit as it is very much on the rough side. ALthough i would be a dirty liar if i said this alpha male wasn't hot and the very disturbed relationship they had wasn't addictive to read about.
The way this author writes is very polarising so you're either going to love or hate it i would say, but i find it quite refreshing to see such a distinct style and an author who goes for it and nails their colours to the mast (or could say totally nails things full stop!) .
There were aspects of this book that didn't interest me, one of the biggest points being i wasn't too interested in the army stuff; I skimmed many pages talking about the bombs etc etc , i think the sex scenes were so smokin i didn't tire of them and just wanted to read another..... does that make me a perv?
The ending was far too brief considering the whole build up, the book as a whole i found too short but maybe that's me and my pervy brain, sometimes i'm just never satisfied! Plus the hero's dad and his consequence could have been fleshed out more as he was so repulsive.
Have a said i liked the sexyness of the book? You know sometimes you can see a guy and he's really hot but then you can see that he knows he's sexy, it can take away a bit of his sexyness and you don't really want to give in and grant him top rank but it's just a fact that he's SO hot - Thats Axel in this book. He's an adonis but he is full on mean with a really screwed up view of love and people in general. You get to see why he's such an extreme character but does it ever really provide an excuse for it, i don't think so. OK i'm overthinking things.
I really hope Zara Cox writes lots and lots of books because they are great.
This book is damn naughty.
It's lost all touch with reality so i felt no need to over analyse things, the sex scenes were totally all absorbing so i forgave all the outlandish things happening and went with the flow. The "hero" and i have to put this in inverted commas because he is a bit of a c**t (sorry for the crude language but he is a crude kind of guy and it rubs off ) pardon the pun there.
I've read Zara Cox "porn Star" book previously and walked around with a lady boner for days as it was so darn hot so i knew what i was getting into and Black Sheep was no let down. The sex in this book is quite savage , the heroine describes this experience as enjoyable but it made me cross my legs a bit as it is very much on the rough side. ALthough i would be a dirty liar if i said this alpha male wasn't hot and the very disturbed relationship they had wasn't addictive to read about.
The way this author writes is very polarising so you're either going to love or hate it i would say, but i find it quite refreshing to see such a distinct style and an author who goes for it and nails their colours to the mast (or could say totally nails things full stop!) .
There were aspects of this book that didn't interest me, one of the biggest points being i wasn't too interested in the army stuff; I skimmed many pages talking about the bombs etc etc , i think the sex scenes were so smokin i didn't tire of them and just wanted to read another..... does that make me a perv?
The ending was far too brief considering the whole build up, the book as a whole i found too short but maybe that's me and my pervy brain, sometimes i'm just never satisfied! Plus the hero's dad and his consequence could have been fleshed out more as he was so repulsive.
Have a said i liked the sexyness of the book? You know sometimes you can see a guy and he's really hot but then you can see that he knows he's sexy, it can take away a bit of his sexyness and you don't really want to give in and grant him top rank but it's just a fact that he's SO hot - Thats Axel in this book. He's an adonis but he is full on mean with a really screwed up view of love and people in general. You get to see why he's such an extreme character but does it ever really provide an excuse for it, i don't think so. OK i'm overthinking things.
I really hope Zara Cox writes lots and lots of books because they are great.
February 5, 2018
I fell IN LOVE with this book! It was such a far cry from the first one in the series, that’s for sure. It might be as hot and heavy, but the chemistry between the main characters was so much stronger and more palpable. It just has a different feel in all aspects, and I was definitely able to connect with not just the characters, but the story itself. It engulfed me with so many emotions and swallowed me whole. And I certainly never stopped cheering for Axel and Cleo!
Axel Rutherford is one of those dark alpha males you read about who appears to be merciless and brutal and heartless. He really was... until you see how he was with Cleo McCarthy—the girl who only ever owned him since they were young. How much he still protected and avenged her the only way he knew how. How much he showed his love for her after years of being apart and torturing himself in believing he was something that he’s not. Until all the secrets and truth come out. I wanted to win his heart and console him when he was in his lowest of lows and when no one bothered to comfort him or make him feel better. I just loved him and his wicked ways.
And Cleo—I knew where she was coming from. I knew what she, too, was made to believe. It was an evil clusterfuck of a set up after all. One neither of these two deserved, especially with the kind of love they shared. I don’t blame her with the move she made. But girl, seriously—if you loved Axel that much, even with all the evidence shoved in your face, wouldn’t you have at least wondered what really happened? Went straight to the source all those years ago, demanded for an explanation—or better yet the truth—and not just shut him out completely? But then again, innocent and pure-hearted Cleo was so young when it all went down, so it’s hard to lay all the blame on her. Especially with the kind of blackmail being held above her head. Good thing her heart knew the truth and still recognized who it truly beats for, after all this time and all of the things that happened. Or I would’ve totally stolen her man.
Black Sheep is far from your typical second chance romance with happy reunions and sweet “hello again” kisses. It’s everything dark and seductive. It made my stomach churn and my heart hurt. It was intense. It was addictive. It was every bit heart-stopping. Add on the twists and hidden truths, and you have an intoxicating and tragically beautiful tale.
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Axel Rutherford is one of those dark alpha males you read about who appears to be merciless and brutal and heartless. He really was... until you see how he was with Cleo McCarthy—the girl who only ever owned him since they were young. How much he still protected and avenged her the only way he knew how. How much he showed his love for her after years of being apart and torturing himself in believing he was something that he’s not. Until all the secrets and truth come out. I wanted to win his heart and console him when he was in his lowest of lows and when no one bothered to comfort him or make him feel better. I just loved him and his wicked ways.
And Cleo—I knew where she was coming from. I knew what she, too, was made to believe. It was an evil clusterfuck of a set up after all. One neither of these two deserved, especially with the kind of love they shared. I don’t blame her with the move she made. But girl, seriously—if you loved Axel that much, even with all the evidence shoved in your face, wouldn’t you have at least wondered what really happened? Went straight to the source all those years ago, demanded for an explanation—or better yet the truth—and not just shut him out completely? But then again, innocent and pure-hearted Cleo was so young when it all went down, so it’s hard to lay all the blame on her. Especially with the kind of blackmail being held above her head. Good thing her heart knew the truth and still recognized who it truly beats for, after all this time and all of the things that happened. Or I would’ve totally stolen her man.
Black Sheep is far from your typical second chance romance with happy reunions and sweet “hello again” kisses. It’s everything dark and seductive. It made my stomach churn and my heart hurt. It was intense. It was addictive. It was every bit heart-stopping. Add on the twists and hidden truths, and you have an intoxicating and tragically beautiful tale.
Follow me on: Instagram • Facebook • Twitter
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