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Contract Killers #1
Ripped
Cade “Ripper” Davies
I don’t do attachments. I don’t do affection.
I do my job, and it’s all I need. I’m a contract killer, and I’m a bad man.
But this girl, Shell, she’s getting to me. She started out as a convenient hostage, a means to an end. But for some reason, I’m keeping her safe, even though it means turning against a man I once considered my best friend.
There’s something about her, and not just that she’s sexy as hell. I can’t get her out of my head, and I can’t let her go.
Shell Birch
The first thing I notice about Cade is that he’s ridiculously attractive. The next thing I notice is that he’s pointing a gun at me. I’m not one of those girls who gets hot for dangerous men, but let me tell you, the shoulders on this guy… Looking at his hard, broad body makes me warm in all the wrong places.
He’s got a filthy mind and clever fingers, and he makes me dizzy when he touches me. I’m at his mercy, completely and utterly.
I’ve see another side of him, something unguarded and honorable. That side of him takes me and makes me his. But I can’t be his… not with the kind of life he leads, not with the kind of demons he has.
Oh, and I think I might be pregnant.
I don’t do attachments. I don’t do affection.
I do my job, and it’s all I need. I’m a contract killer, and I’m a bad man.
But this girl, Shell, she’s getting to me. She started out as a convenient hostage, a means to an end. But for some reason, I’m keeping her safe, even though it means turning against a man I once considered my best friend.
There’s something about her, and not just that she’s sexy as hell. I can’t get her out of my head, and I can’t let her go.
Shell Birch
The first thing I notice about Cade is that he’s ridiculously attractive. The next thing I notice is that he’s pointing a gun at me. I’m not one of those girls who gets hot for dangerous men, but let me tell you, the shoulders on this guy… Looking at his hard, broad body makes me warm in all the wrong places.
He’s got a filthy mind and clever fingers, and he makes me dizzy when he touches me. I’m at his mercy, completely and utterly.
I’ve see another side of him, something unguarded and honorable. That side of him takes me and makes me his. But I can’t be his… not with the kind of life he leads, not with the kind of demons he has.
Oh, and I think I might be pregnant.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2016
470 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
V.J. Chambers
104 books463 followersV. J. Chambers writes about being inexplicably attracted to the dangerously alluring. Her works span mundane settings and fantastic ones. She writes about serial killers, cult leaders, werewolves, witches, for-hire assassins, zombies, space pirates, and regular everyday people.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
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August 9, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/9/2019)! 🎁
August 7, 2018
Okay so the story was entertaining but then it got really unrealistic. Instead of going down the darker route where the love interest is held as hostage situation and they're so caught up in lust, lines are crossed...it just kind of slips into lovey dovey stuff. She completely trusts him from the get-go. So....no. I DNF this one
August 10, 2018
*face palm*
July 16, 2022
A solid romance featuring a Hitman kidnapping a girl after a kill, with a pregnancy, a bit of humor, and a satisfying ending. 4.5 ⭐ rounded up. Ripper was a wild ride!
February 2, 2016
I don't know why I liked this book as much as I did. Honestly, I started reading it and even though some of it was ridiculous and hard to believe...I could NOT stop reading. I read it in one sitting. I like V.J. Chambers style and hope that she writes more books, making this a series...please?
August 5, 2018
No no and just no
You know a book is poorly written when it has the next sentence: “and she was so yummy looking.” And that is the villain speaking. I could forgive the predictable storyline and the sad excuse of h n h. But the
Bad writing was the ultimate sad part so......no!
You know a book is poorly written when it has the next sentence: “and she was so yummy looking.” And that is the villain speaking. I could forgive the predictable storyline and the sad excuse of h n h. But the
Bad writing was the ultimate sad part so......no!
August 22, 2019
Dropped this quite early on. Was just too ridiculous. It could only have been more hilarious had our "contract killer" carried some lollypops with him to give to people he crosses paths with while on the job. No one's in character here. Not the victims, not the perpetuator. And I'm all for Stockholm-Syndrome in DE... but there wasn't even time to develop that. Our "heroine" doesn't show any outward signs of fear or shock after finding a just-dead body and its killer or when being taken hostage by the latter. She just gets wet more or less. Umm.. No. Even straight out porn does normally do a better job on the storytelling front than this book...I know insta-love is a thing. But insta-wet-panties for no apparent reason (and in a situation where you should at least be slightly confused and scared) was a tad too much. This is on the same level as some woman walking through the city, eying a stranger and boom.... wet panties galore. Except that would actually be more believable since the stranger did not just murder someone and might still kill her too.
March 17, 2019
this book was kinda awful but i also sort of loved it?
August 9, 2019
It had everything ... action, intrigue, sex, love, even a little sadness.
More of a romcom with a few dark elements.
Free for a limited time.
Merged review:
Free for a limited time.
More of a romcom with a few dark elements.
Free for a limited time.
Merged review:
Free for a limited time.
February 9, 2016
So glad she's writing bad boys again! If you loved Jason and The Assassins boys, you'll love Ripper. This book had action, suspense, humor, and romance and I enjoyed every bit of it. I didn't want to put it down. Though we know Cade, or Ripper, is a hired killer, he lives by a code and has a heart and actually helps people too. When Shell comes into the picture, he does everything he can to keep her safe. They're instantly attracted to each other, despite his profession. Shell sees the good in him, though she questions what kind of future they'd have, or if it's just about really good sex. So with a psychopath trying to get her and a pregnancy, Cade and Shell are trying to navigate this 'relationship' they seem to not be able to keep from happening. Their road to a happy ending isn't an easy one but I'm so glad they got their HEA.
Side note: Shell's internal dialogue about buying pregnancy tests and being pregnant so closely resembled my own thoughts when I was pregnant that I was laughing so hard.
Side note: Shell's internal dialogue about buying pregnancy tests and being pregnant so closely resembled my own thoughts when I was pregnant that I was laughing so hard.
March 7, 2016
When's the last time you got caught in a room where you shouldn't be?
Did I mention weapons are involved... and maybe, just maybe be a lifeless body in the next room?
Shell hadn't thought about these things because normal people don't rattle of life or death scenarios in their minds once they leave the 'safety' of home.
Enter Ripper. A horribly attractive man that looks exactly like a hitman would.
Anywho, he manages to do just that. Knock off some dirt bag, have Shell and her sister Starling stumble in; ensue chaos.
Lets just say we need a hostage and he's clear to exit. Besides, something about her is tripping his radar.
Instant chemistry, a changing scenery, lots of emotions and ever better love scenes. I opened this one with no expectations (my reading selection lately hasn't been thrilling...) and felt blown away. I escaped for a few days in the world of these to beings trying to make it out alive.
Pick it up! You won't be sorry!
Did I mention weapons are involved... and maybe, just maybe be a lifeless body in the next room?
Shell hadn't thought about these things because normal people don't rattle of life or death scenarios in their minds once they leave the 'safety' of home.
Enter Ripper. A horribly attractive man that looks exactly like a hitman would.
Anywho, he manages to do just that. Knock off some dirt bag, have Shell and her sister Starling stumble in; ensue chaos.
Lets just say we need a hostage and he's clear to exit. Besides, something about her is tripping his radar.
Instant chemistry, a changing scenery, lots of emotions and ever better love scenes. I opened this one with no expectations (my reading selection lately hasn't been thrilling...) and felt blown away. I escaped for a few days in the world of these to beings trying to make it out alive.
Pick it up! You won't be sorry!
August 6, 2018
Excellent read. The cover looks like it's going to be a dark read but it isn't. Don't get me wrong there are murders but it's humourous all the way through and the characters are very likeable. Maybe they were a little alike for me, but maybe that's what makes them click. The ending with the sister was odd but I understand she has her own book so maybe it will be explained more there. I felt sorry for Ice, he seemed quite a good operative, just a little enthusiastic at following his own agenda. I liked the way as the main character, Ripper, reveals himself to us, his sexual fetishism deepens, this is countered by his increasingly belief/ disbelief that Shell may really like him. Good enough book for me to write a review and recommend it.
January 13, 2020
Shell and Ripper
Honestly at first I didn’t think I would like this book, I had it in my TBR for ever. Once I started the book I couldn’t put it down. Between Shell asking a million questions to Ripper and Ripper thinking it’s just a normal day this book had me engrossed from the beginning.
I noticed the author posted a post review in regards to Austin, shell’s ex-finance who stated he way gay. The author wrote the scene in a non homophobic way. Sometimes I think people just look for things to accuse an author. IMO austin was a clingy little something who Shell needed to flick off. She had every right to tell him to leave her alone. Him being gay and hurting her two different things.
Honestly at first I didn’t think I would like this book, I had it in my TBR for ever. Once I started the book I couldn’t put it down. Between Shell asking a million questions to Ripper and Ripper thinking it’s just a normal day this book had me engrossed from the beginning.
I noticed the author posted a post review in regards to Austin, shell’s ex-finance who stated he way gay. The author wrote the scene in a non homophobic way. Sometimes I think people just look for things to accuse an author. IMO austin was a clingy little something who Shell needed to flick off. She had every right to tell him to leave her alone. Him being gay and hurting her two different things.
August 23, 2019
I enjoy when a books not at all what you expected!! You get stuck reading the same story over and over where you can become bored with reading so when something out of the ordinary comes along you go along for the ride. The story was well thought out and I enjoyed the link with the relationship they had going. The only thing I was bothered by was there wasn't much communication between the lovers, the only thing they had going off of was lust. Now don't get me wrong the sex was fun in this book and very exhilarating but in order to make things work they could have shown more communication skill.
August 15, 2019
Awesome
Everything about this book was wonderful. You could feel the hurt that She’ll felt
From falling in love with someone who wasn’t honest about his feelings towards another man, how it changed her perspective of love, you could feel the hurt that Sable felt because Ripper didn’t even notice how she felt about him. You got the mental instability that Cabe had and the reasons for Cane and Tipped I’m who they are. It was well written and kept me up till 2:30 am just to finish.
Everything about this book was wonderful. You could feel the hurt that She’ll felt
From falling in love with someone who wasn’t honest about his feelings towards another man, how it changed her perspective of love, you could feel the hurt that Sable felt because Ripper didn’t even notice how she felt about him. You got the mental instability that Cabe had and the reasons for Cane and Tipped I’m who they are. It was well written and kept me up till 2:30 am just to finish.
August 4, 2018
Not bad...but
Ripped is not a bad read, but it's definitely not what I was expecting. I was under the impression that I was getting a dark romance. Ripped is more of a romcom with a few dark elements. It's just a little to lighthearted and silly to be advertised as a dark romance. The MCs seem a bit immature imo and I had a hard time connecting with them. I only wanted to continue reading for the game of cat and mouse the characters were forced into.
Ripped is not a bad read, but it's definitely not what I was expecting. I was under the impression that I was getting a dark romance. Ripped is more of a romcom with a few dark elements. It's just a little to lighthearted and silly to be advertised as a dark romance. The MCs seem a bit immature imo and I had a hard time connecting with them. I only wanted to continue reading for the game of cat and mouse the characters were forced into.
August 27, 2018
Complicated
This was so different I honestly don't know how to review it. The main characters were sometimes idiots, very insecure, and just uncomfortable. The side characters added to the story and made it interesting. Ice was disgusting and I wished the author would have killed him off within the first chapter. I didn't get the relationship between them. Then the whole history creeped me out. I think for me that was the main problem and why I couldn't give it more than 3 *s
This was so different I honestly don't know how to review it. The main characters were sometimes idiots, very insecure, and just uncomfortable. The side characters added to the story and made it interesting. Ice was disgusting and I wished the author would have killed him off within the first chapter. I didn't get the relationship between them. Then the whole history creeped me out. I think for me that was the main problem and why I couldn't give it more than 3 *s
November 9, 2018
This book surprised me. I liked the characters and I also like that the danger wasn’t so cliche. I also liked that ‘Ripper’ came off as almost playful, which is super uncommon in these types of romances.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how quickly the two main characters met each other. I feel like most books have a chapter or to of introductions into both their lives. But this one just jumped right in.
Over all a I really liked it. Will be reading the other ones next I think.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how quickly the two main characters met each other. I feel like most books have a chapter or to of introductions into both their lives. But this one just jumped right in.
Over all a I really liked it. Will be reading the other ones next I think.
March 29, 2020
Happily ever after
This is a good book to read. I liked the the way Cade and Shell came together and fell in love and didn't realize it until the end. I kept trying to figure out if they would stay together so I was intrigued thru the entire book. I gave it three stars because I felt like the story drug on top long to get to the end. I also thought there was way to much sex in this book. Over all I think it would be a good book to readers who lots happy endings.
This is a good book to read. I liked the the way Cade and Shell came together and fell in love and didn't realize it until the end. I kept trying to figure out if they would stay together so I was intrigued thru the entire book. I gave it three stars because I felt like the story drug on top long to get to the end. I also thought there was way to much sex in this book. Over all I think it would be a good book to readers who lots happy endings.
November 22, 2024
I Loved this Story 😁
Although at times I knew this was a first book and some of the writing left a little bit of it undesired, kinda hard to read 🤔. I still truly enjoyed reading this story 😃. Men can really be oblivious about Love and women, but we always hope 😉. Thanks so much Jove, cuz by the end of the story I really fell in Love with all the characters and can't wait to read more 🤓.
Although at times I knew this was a first book and some of the writing left a little bit of it undesired, kinda hard to read 🤔. I still truly enjoyed reading this story 😃. Men can really be oblivious about Love and women, but we always hope 😉. Thanks so much Jove, cuz by the end of the story I really fell in Love with all the characters and can't wait to read more 🤓.
August 13, 2019
Contractual Hitman and Romance
Shell and Cade are driven together by circumstances, but that doesn't detract from their attraction to one another. Cade is surprised when Shell isn't turned off by his profession as a contract killer. On the run and falling in love, they bond while trying to stay a step ahead of a threat to her safety.
Shell and Cade are driven together by circumstances, but that doesn't detract from their attraction to one another. Cade is surprised when Shell isn't turned off by his profession as a contract killer. On the run and falling in love, they bond while trying to stay a step ahead of a threat to her safety.
October 13, 2019
Rom Com
I did enjoy this book - was a quick read
The sex was good but not dark; doesn't the description say it's dark?
There were a few things that were a bit off - I just kept going
Shell wasn't the best h I've read - she got a little better at the end, maybe?
Ripper, I liked actually. Ice should have been offed way sooner
I did enjoy this book - was a quick read
The sex was good but not dark; doesn't the description say it's dark?
There were a few things that were a bit off - I just kept going
Shell wasn't the best h I've read - she got a little better at the end, maybe?
Ripper, I liked actually. Ice should have been offed way sooner
November 12, 2020
Ripped - worth reading
This was my 1st encounter with Jove Chambers&I can already say it won't be the last one. Ripped took me by suprised, it's a quick&pleaseant read, with interesting plot, twists&turns, good characters creation&their interactions +good BDSM, so what want more?
For sure I'll seek to read another book of her :)
This was my 1st encounter with Jove Chambers&I can already say it won't be the last one. Ripped took me by suprised, it's a quick&pleaseant read, with interesting plot, twists&turns, good characters creation&their interactions +good BDSM, so what want more?
For sure I'll seek to read another book of her :)
August 9, 2019
Amazing book. You will not be disappointed
I am still shaking my head on this one. Cade is the most amazing character. What he does to Shell. WOW. Then his job and the details are terrific. I could not put this one down.
I am still shaking my head on this one. Cade is the most amazing character. What he does to Shell. WOW. Then his job and the details are terrific. I could not put this one down.
August 11, 2019
Hitman hit it on the head.
No matter who you are everyone should accept themselves and everyone deserves love. I really loved the sassy heroine who didn't let fear stop her sometimes.
No matter who you are everyone should accept themselves and everyone deserves love. I really loved the sassy heroine who didn't let fear stop her sometimes.
October 21, 2019
Don't Bother
If I could give this book a negative I would, The story line was so ridiculous I didn't get past the first chapter. I really tried but it was so difficult I just gave up.
If I could give this book a negative I would, The story line was so ridiculous I didn't get past the first chapter. I really tried but it was so difficult I just gave up.
April 27, 2020
Ripped
The book kept me glued to my sit, the plot was superb! Main characters were not much and relatable to real situations! And the steamy scenes were just great
For those who believe in there being good in everybody this is for you
The book kept me glued to my sit, the plot was superb! Main characters were not much and relatable to real situations! And the steamy scenes were just great
For those who believe in there being good in everybody this is for you
May 17, 2020
I started reading this book and with a lot of the story unbelievable it was still very entertaining read. I still wanted to keep reading to find out the ending. It was a different kind of read and that is also what caught my interest.
May 4, 2024
Was the book good? No. Would I recommend it to people? Yes.
The writing style and pacing wasn't great, but it made the book funnier to me 🤷🏼
If you want dark romance, I'd say give his book a miss. It's definitely not sunshines and rainbows, but it's more like over cast than thunderstorm dark 🤷🏼
The writing style and pacing wasn't great, but it made the book funnier to me 🤷🏼
If you want dark romance, I'd say give his book a miss. It's definitely not sunshines and rainbows, but it's more like over cast than thunderstorm dark 🤷🏼
January 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It has spice, romance, and danger. The only thing I would say that could have been better is the danger surrounding the main character and the end of the book. For a dark romance it could have been a bit better. Overall a really good read though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews