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Skull #3
The Skull Ruler
He was supposed to return me—but he chose to keep me instead.Balto and Lucian finally came to terms on their agreement. Balto would finally get what he wants—and Lucian would get back his wife. But at the last moment, Balto listened to my pleas and chose me over everything else. Now he’s vowed to kill Lucian so I can finally have my freedom.But the truth is—I don’t want freedom. I want Balto—and I want him for the rest of my life. This time together has deepened my feelings to bottomless depths. Lucian tortured me, but Balto healed me. But he’s the Skull King, so he’ll always have enemies, always be dangerous. He says their no future for us.But I’m far more scared to live without him than take on those risks. I’d rather die beside him than live a lifetime with someone else.He can try to push me away—but it won’t work.Pick up the next installment of this dark romance bestseller 2023 now by clicking the BUY NOW button at the top of this page. This dark alpha male romance trilogy is also available in Kindle Unlimited!
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2019
2744 people are currently reading
1744 people want to read
About the author
Penelope Sky
74 books6,614 followersA New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Penelope Sky is known for her dark romance that makes you fall for her characters….no matter how dark they seem. Her books are being translated into several languages around the world, and she’s sold more than a million books worldwide. She lives in a small town in California with her husband, where she spends most of her time writing on the back porch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
April 13, 2025
SERIES REVIEW:
For some reason, I have fallen down a Penelope Sky rabbit hole this last week and have apparently decided to read her entire back list. Not sure how or why this is the case, but I am a mood reader and her formula is really hitting the spot for me. So here we are.
Speaking of formula...she has a VERY obvious one. And by that I mean that her characters are almost literally the same across every single series, which I can confidently say as I have literally read five of her series (three books each) since the beginning of the year. Four of those happening in the last week.
And I'm not even joking, her male/female leads are almost carbon copies of each other. The males are all billionaire assholes with ripped physiques they cultivate through a regimented workout program and a strict diet. Except for the scotch, of course. They ALL drink scotch. They also all call the lead female by a specific nickname for entirety of each series and sometimes cheat.
The female leads on the other hand are basically female perfection personified. They are all tiny, with tiny waists, but luscious breasts and asses. They never workout, but maintain their figures despite eating whatever they want. And, of course, they are the most beautiful females to ever live. In every room they enter. And the hero always becomes obsessed with them as they are so not like other girls, you know? Because sassy and sexy and best sex ever. And they sometimes have liaisons of their own.
And you know what?
Cause I am loving it at the moment. It's like reordering your favorite current meal every day, knowing it's going to be delicious. And I am perfectly content to gorge myself right now.
So there you go.
Cassini and Balto were solid. I liked them and they of course had great chemistry. Will definitely re-read.
For some reason, I have fallen down a Penelope Sky rabbit hole this last week and have apparently decided to read her entire back list. Not sure how or why this is the case, but I am a mood reader and her formula is really hitting the spot for me. So here we are.
Speaking of formula...she has a VERY obvious one. And by that I mean that her characters are almost literally the same across every single series, which I can confidently say as I have literally read five of her series (three books each) since the beginning of the year. Four of those happening in the last week.
And I'm not even joking, her male/female leads are almost carbon copies of each other. The males are all billionaire assholes with ripped physiques they cultivate through a regimented workout program and a strict diet. Except for the scotch, of course. They ALL drink scotch. They also all call the lead female by a specific nickname for entirety of each series and sometimes cheat.
The female leads on the other hand are basically female perfection personified. They are all tiny, with tiny waists, but luscious breasts and asses. They never workout, but maintain their figures despite eating whatever they want. And, of course, they are the most beautiful females to ever live. In every room they enter. And the hero always becomes obsessed with them as they are so not like other girls, you know? Because sassy and sexy and best sex ever. And they sometimes have liaisons of their own.
And you know what?
Cause I am loving it at the moment. It's like reordering your favorite current meal every day, knowing it's going to be delicious. And I am perfectly content to gorge myself right now.
So there you go.
Cassini and Balto were solid. I liked them and they of course had great chemistry. Will definitely re-read.
January 19, 2024
2 Woman Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Fun Fact the term "woman" like you are my woman and I am your man...was used 162 times. Now I don't mind when a man calls me "woman"...BUT to constantly say shit like - because I am your man and you are my woman is such a caveman juvenile alpha mentality, that was fine the first few times and then got REALLLLLY ANNOYING....
So this went from bad to worse as the story progressed and is the worst book out of the series. I skimmed the smut, plot, dialogue, and just everything so the book would finish, AND I NEVER SKIM.
Honestly, I believe this series could have been wrapped up in 1 book - clear up the duplication and repetition (of which there was a lot, and not just in sentences but in the actual progression of the story and the smut - it was like it was all seen before)
This book gives us nothing new except Cassini is pregnant and she and Balto are fighting as normal because he is an ass and doesn't want to tell her he loves her or stop being a big ol macho man and settle for her... It was an unnecessary drama that I didn't need in my life.
Overall I did devour the books because they are easy to read so if you want something that's just brain-numbing while you read it - this is good...
Trope Summary:
▶ Mafia/Organised Crime
▶ Captive/Captor
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Insta-Attraction
▶ Posessive Alphahole
▶ Accidental Pregnancy
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Fun Fact the term "woman" like you are my woman and I am your man...was used 162 times. Now I don't mind when a man calls me "woman"...BUT to constantly say shit like - because I am your man and you are my woman is such a caveman juvenile alpha mentality, that was fine the first few times and then got REALLLLLY ANNOYING....
So this went from bad to worse as the story progressed and is the worst book out of the series. I skimmed the smut, plot, dialogue, and just everything so the book would finish, AND I NEVER SKIM.
Honestly, I believe this series could have been wrapped up in 1 book - clear up the duplication and repetition (of which there was a lot, and not just in sentences but in the actual progression of the story and the smut - it was like it was all seen before)
This book gives us nothing new except Cassini is pregnant and she and Balto are fighting as normal because he is an ass and doesn't want to tell her he loves her or stop being a big ol macho man and settle for her... It was an unnecessary drama that I didn't need in my life.
Overall I did devour the books because they are easy to read so if you want something that's just brain-numbing while you read it - this is good...
Trope Summary:
▶ Mafia/Organised Crime
▶ Captive/Captor
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Insta-Attraction
▶ Posessive Alphahole
▶ Accidental Pregnancy
June 4, 2019
Hmmm sorry I can only give 2.5 stars..
It’s my opinion, you guys are free to have different thinking😊😊😊Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read all this author books, but is is wrong that I think most of the heroines are same attitude, almost same characters, nothing knew in this book??!!🧐
I found it was boring half of the first book, nothing excited about, and you can also predict the ending. I like HEA🥰, but think that all her books have the same HEA..
Same most of her books that the heroine want that the hero quit his job to be with her. And Balto was not as badass i think he was, not strong enough i think..
It’s my opinion, you guys are free to have different thinking😊😊😊Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read all this author books, but is is wrong that I think most of the heroines are same attitude, almost same characters, nothing knew in this book??!!🧐
I found it was boring half of the first book, nothing excited about, and you can also predict the ending. I like HEA🥰, but think that all her books have the same HEA..
Same most of her books that the heroine want that the hero quit his job to be with her. And Balto was not as badass i think he was, not strong enough i think..
June 5, 2019
She leaned down and pressed a kiss to my neck.
I grabbed her wrist and pushed her off. “Kiss me like that again, and I’ll break your hand.” I released her then glared up at her.
Instead of being angry, she smiled. “The king has a queen…
This Series was awsome💕 !
A crime romance written beautifully till the end and an HEA ending. It was funny, sarcastic, cruel and filled with hope. Honestly this is one series that shouldn't be missed -
She sighed in disappointment. “I don’t think you understand how much cash is on the table—”
“I don’t think you understand how rich I am.”
I grabbed her wrist and pushed her off. “Kiss me like that again, and I’ll break your hand.” I released her then glared up at her.
Instead of being angry, she smiled. “The king has a queen…
This Series was awsome💕 !
A crime romance written beautifully till the end and an HEA ending. It was funny, sarcastic, cruel and filled with hope. Honestly this is one series that shouldn't be missed -
She sighed in disappointment. “I don’t think you understand how much cash is on the table—”
“I don’t think you understand how rich I am.”
December 6, 2021
I'm officially addicted to Penelope Sky's books! I just love dark romance. She always writes the best 'I hate everyone but you' guys and I'm here for it!
July 28, 2022
Great series
Loved this story, you never knew where it was taking you next and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Loved this story, you never knew where it was taking you next and kept me on the edge of my seat.
August 17, 2024
Cassini & Balto
April 25, 2020
Ein schöner und gelungener Abschluss dieser Trilogie! 🤗
Ich hätte mir insgesamt etwas mehr Handlung gewünscht, da der Erotikanteil recht groß ist, aber dafür mochte ich die Geschichte einfach gerne.
Sie konnte mich fesseln und hat immer dafür gesorgt, dass ich direkt den nächsten Teil lesen wollte. 🙋🏼♀️
Ich hätte mir insgesamt etwas mehr Handlung gewünscht, da der Erotikanteil recht groß ist, aber dafür mochte ich die Geschichte einfach gerne.
Sie konnte mich fesseln und hat immer dafür gesorgt, dass ich direkt den nächsten Teil lesen wollte. 🙋🏼♀️
June 13, 2019
"What I feared had already come to pass. I’d softened for a woman, made a decision based on emotions rather than logic. I put her life before an item so valuable that the people of the world would kill one another for it."
Well she's done it again....Penelope wrote another trilogy that has my heart! The Skull King trilogy was well written from start to finish. Packed with action, angst, violence, sex, and most importantly love....it had all the ingredients to make it a 5 star read. Now I know some complain about all her series being too similar and I can see the "issue". But she follows a specific model that has worked for her, and she adds in different elements and "worlds" within her Penelope universe to make each couples story worth investing in. Diehard fans can typically tell how her stories will end, BUT there is always a different spin on the journey getting there.
At the end of The Skull Crusher, I was over the moon.
Seriously, Balto decided to not go through with trading her back to Lucian....but I knew that there was bound to be something that went wrong, otherwise what would The Skull Ruler be about? Well I was in for a treat.
The final installment is told in dual POV picking up right where book 2 left off. It contains violence and sexual situations.
Synopsis:
“She’s worth more than all the diamonds in the world—but you already knew that.”
Balto has decided to back out of the deal with Lucian. He refuses to trade Cassini no matter the rewards or the consequences. Instead, he vows to protect her and fight her enemies so that she can finally have the freedom to live the life she deserves....even though he knows it won't be with him. No matter how he feels about her, she has no place in his world, so once it's safe for her to leave he's letting her go.
"All I wanted was for her to be happy, to have the life that was taken from her. Now she knew how a real man treated a woman, how a man should sacrifice everything for his woman."
Cassini loves Balto and hopes that she can change his mind before their expiration date. With no plans to take down Lucian, Balto is only prolonging the inevitable. But when Lucian makes a move against Balto that has devastating consequences for Cassini, he forces Balto to make a move. Problem is, Balto intends to give Lucian a much more valuable person instead.
This was me, seriously.
But Cassini will not stand by and do nothing. After everything Lucian has put her through, she demands revenge and boy does she get it.
Seriously, YOU GO GIRL
With the threat gone, Cassini is ready to trade in the freedom Balto offers for a place by his side. She loves him and his actions have proven he feels the same despite his refusal to admit it. But Balto knows the risks of what being his Skull Queen would bring, and he refuses....making her leave.
"A selfish asshole would stay, but I’m not a selfish asshole…at least not when it comes to her."
I went from.....
to this....
My emotions were everywhere.
Cassini is determined to live the life she deserves, with or without Balto. And Balto refuses to give up being The Skull King despite being without the one woman who penetrated his cold, empty heart. But when Cassini is hit with and unexpected surprise, , and it gives her more of an incentive to move on.
"He would never really belong to me. I would always be second priority. That was something I couldn’t live with. So he ended that possibility before we could even consider it."
Balto knows to have the woman he loves, he has to tell her how he feels and give up the only thing he's known for the last decade.....but is being the king worth it when his queen isn't by his side? And if he gave it all up, could he really be happy with a boring life as a family man? It takes him MONTHS to make up his mind, and it's a miserable existence while he does.
"You’ve always been mine, even when you belonged to someone else."
In standard Penelope fashion, there is a HEA---but it doesn't come without tons of angst, heartbreak, reckless behavior, and rock bottom.
"The night we met, my life changed forever, and I think in that exact moment I fell pathetically in love with you. My dick never stays in my pants, but the second I had you, I didn’t want anyone else. There are so many beautiful women out there, but once you stepped into my life, I stopped noticing anyone else but you. Love is a concept I struggle to understand, but when a man becomes faithful to a woman, that’s love. That’s not lust, obsession, or a fuck-buddy situation. That’s just love, baby.”
Characters:
As much as I loved Cassini in the first two installments, she made me fall even more in love with her in book 3. Her strength is unmatched by any other female lead (at least as far back as I can remember). She isn't stubborn just for the sake of being stubborn, she refuses to accept or settle for anything less than everything. She's a fighter and I love that she takes every blow with grace. She gets to show a bit of her ruthless side, and proves she shouldn't be underestimated.
"You’re the only woman in the world who has ever meant anything to me. I would die for you—always. You won’t be part of my life, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have my heart. You’ll always have it with you, no matter how much time has passed. Even when you love someone else, my heart will still be yours."
Balto did some things in this book that made me love him even more. He did things that broke my heart. And he also did things that made be blind with rage. But there was no doubt that he loved Cassini and would trade his life for hers, all except giving up his position and the power that came with it. He is bullheaded and refuses to accept any change that Cassini brought out of him. And because of that he spends some time in this book at rock bottom. But there is a type of redemption for him, and I loved that he got his HEA despite not thinking it was possible. He is tied with Crow as my top book bf from Penelope. And the way he says baby when referring to Cassini (hell most of the words that come out his mouth concerning her) had me totally sighing to myself often.
“Kiss me like that again, and I’ll break your hand.” I released her then glared up at her. Instead of being angry, she smiled. “The king has a queen…"
Final Thoughts:
"Baby, I’ll always be the Skull King. And you’ll always be my queen."
If you love Penelope and her stories, this one will definitely satisfy your Pen craving. If you haven't read anything from her, this is a great intro to her work (but read her Buttons series after). Of the three books in this trilogy, I have to say this one is my favorite because of the growth of both characters and the final chapter of their relationship. I just hope we see more of these characters from the Skull "world" in future series (hint: Case and Heath please)....but I'm excited about the next series with that teaser included in the back!
If you are on the fence about this book, go for it! Just make sure you read the first 2 books first!
Well she's done it again....Penelope wrote another trilogy that has my heart! The Skull King trilogy was well written from start to finish. Packed with action, angst, violence, sex, and most importantly love....it had all the ingredients to make it a 5 star read. Now I know some complain about all her series being too similar and I can see the "issue". But she follows a specific model that has worked for her, and she adds in different elements and "worlds" within her Penelope universe to make each couples story worth investing in. Diehard fans can typically tell how her stories will end, BUT there is always a different spin on the journey getting there.
At the end of The Skull Crusher, I was over the moon.
Seriously, Balto decided to not go through with trading her back to Lucian....but I knew that there was bound to be something that went wrong, otherwise what would The Skull Ruler be about? Well I was in for a treat.
The final installment is told in dual POV picking up right where book 2 left off. It contains violence and sexual situations.
Synopsis:
“She’s worth more than all the diamonds in the world—but you already knew that.”
Balto has decided to back out of the deal with Lucian. He refuses to trade Cassini no matter the rewards or the consequences. Instead, he vows to protect her and fight her enemies so that she can finally have the freedom to live the life she deserves....even though he knows it won't be with him. No matter how he feels about her, she has no place in his world, so once it's safe for her to leave he's letting her go.
"All I wanted was for her to be happy, to have the life that was taken from her. Now she knew how a real man treated a woman, how a man should sacrifice everything for his woman."
Cassini loves Balto and hopes that she can change his mind before their expiration date. With no plans to take down Lucian, Balto is only prolonging the inevitable. But when Lucian makes a move against Balto that has devastating consequences for Cassini, he forces Balto to make a move. Problem is, Balto intends to give Lucian a much more valuable person instead.
This was me, seriously.
But Cassini will not stand by and do nothing. After everything Lucian has put her through, she demands revenge and boy does she get it.
Seriously, YOU GO GIRL
With the threat gone, Cassini is ready to trade in the freedom Balto offers for a place by his side. She loves him and his actions have proven he feels the same despite his refusal to admit it. But Balto knows the risks of what being his Skull Queen would bring, and he refuses....making her leave.
"A selfish asshole would stay, but I’m not a selfish asshole…at least not when it comes to her."
I went from.....
to this....
My emotions were everywhere.
Cassini is determined to live the life she deserves, with or without Balto. And Balto refuses to give up being The Skull King despite being without the one woman who penetrated his cold, empty heart. But when Cassini is hit with and unexpected surprise, , and it gives her more of an incentive to move on.
"He would never really belong to me. I would always be second priority. That was something I couldn’t live with. So he ended that possibility before we could even consider it."
Balto knows to have the woman he loves, he has to tell her how he feels and give up the only thing he's known for the last decade.....but is being the king worth it when his queen isn't by his side? And if he gave it all up, could he really be happy with a boring life as a family man? It takes him MONTHS to make up his mind, and it's a miserable existence while he does.
"You’ve always been mine, even when you belonged to someone else."
In standard Penelope fashion, there is a HEA---but it doesn't come without tons of angst, heartbreak, reckless behavior, and rock bottom.
"The night we met, my life changed forever, and I think in that exact moment I fell pathetically in love with you. My dick never stays in my pants, but the second I had you, I didn’t want anyone else. There are so many beautiful women out there, but once you stepped into my life, I stopped noticing anyone else but you. Love is a concept I struggle to understand, but when a man becomes faithful to a woman, that’s love. That’s not lust, obsession, or a fuck-buddy situation. That’s just love, baby.”
Characters:
As much as I loved Cassini in the first two installments, she made me fall even more in love with her in book 3. Her strength is unmatched by any other female lead (at least as far back as I can remember). She isn't stubborn just for the sake of being stubborn, she refuses to accept or settle for anything less than everything. She's a fighter and I love that she takes every blow with grace. She gets to show a bit of her ruthless side, and proves she shouldn't be underestimated.
"You’re the only woman in the world who has ever meant anything to me. I would die for you—always. You won’t be part of my life, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have my heart. You’ll always have it with you, no matter how much time has passed. Even when you love someone else, my heart will still be yours."
Balto did some things in this book that made me love him even more. He did things that broke my heart. And he also did things that made be blind with rage. But there was no doubt that he loved Cassini and would trade his life for hers, all except giving up his position and the power that came with it. He is bullheaded and refuses to accept any change that Cassini brought out of him. And because of that he spends some time in this book at rock bottom. But there is a type of redemption for him, and I loved that he got his HEA despite not thinking it was possible. He is tied with Crow as my top book bf from Penelope. And the way he says baby when referring to Cassini (hell most of the words that come out his mouth concerning her) had me totally sighing to myself often.
“Kiss me like that again, and I’ll break your hand.” I released her then glared up at her. Instead of being angry, she smiled. “The king has a queen…"
Final Thoughts:
"Baby, I’ll always be the Skull King. And you’ll always be my queen."
If you love Penelope and her stories, this one will definitely satisfy your Pen craving. If you haven't read anything from her, this is a great intro to her work (but read her Buttons series after). Of the three books in this trilogy, I have to say this one is my favorite because of the growth of both characters and the final chapter of their relationship. I just hope we see more of these characters from the Skull "world" in future series (hint: Case and Heath please)....but I'm excited about the next series with that teaser included in the back!
If you are on the fence about this book, go for it! Just make sure you read the first 2 books first!
August 8, 2020
They have to be great to make u read them all in 1 night!!! from 10 pm to 5 am!!! thank you Pen!
March 25, 2024
This started out intense, and really strong! Cassini finally showed us just how much of a badass she is, and came through for Balto showing him her loyalty and that she deserves to be his Queen!
Balto struggles with saying “I love you” but he shows her through actions, which just never seems good enough - now obviously his cold indifference doesn’t help his case here. He pushes her away out of fear for what it all means, and she asks him to give up everything for her. Which given he risked his life for her that surely should be enough? Why does he then need to give up everything he’s worked for?
It ends weakly tbh, Balto gives up everything to be with Cassini, which for me just didn’t align with who he is. Why couldn’t she be his Queen of the Skulls? She’d shown us how much of a badass she could be, it all felt like in order to be with her he had to continually jump through hoops, so this became a boring woman tames the ultimate bad boy cliche. The ending for me was majorly disappointing, Balto’s love and affection for Cassini is clearly seen, but Cassini seems almost like a temperamental child who only wants her own way.
This book like the others has a lot of repetitive content, going over and over the same things that are in the MC’s heads. All of which are completely unnecessary, the smut was the same over and over again, never doing anything to move the story along.
An alright quick read if you have nothing else to read.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
TROPES: Dark Mafia / Possessive H / Pregnancy /
PAIRINGS: MF
POV: Duel (MFC / MMC)
TRIGGERS: Human trafficking / Death / Torture
KINKS: Somnophilia / CNC /
Balto struggles with saying “I love you” but he shows her through actions, which just never seems good enough - now obviously his cold indifference doesn’t help his case here. He pushes her away out of fear for what it all means, and she asks him to give up everything for her. Which given he risked his life for her that surely should be enough? Why does he then need to give up everything he’s worked for?
It ends weakly tbh, Balto gives up everything to be with Cassini, which for me just didn’t align with who he is. Why couldn’t she be his Queen of the Skulls? She’d shown us how much of a badass she could be, it all felt like in order to be with her he had to continually jump through hoops, so this became a boring woman tames the ultimate bad boy cliche. The ending for me was majorly disappointing, Balto’s love and affection for Cassini is clearly seen, but Cassini seems almost like a temperamental child who only wants her own way.
This book like the others has a lot of repetitive content, going over and over the same things that are in the MC’s heads. All of which are completely unnecessary, the smut was the same over and over again, never doing anything to move the story along.
An alright quick read if you have nothing else to read.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
TROPES: Dark Mafia / Possessive H / Pregnancy /
PAIRINGS: MF
POV: Duel (MFC / MMC)
TRIGGERS: Human trafficking / Death / Torture
KINKS: Somnophilia / CNC /
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2019
As much as I enjoyed the first two books, this one felt flat to me. Penelope took away my badass Balto to make him a suburban dad? Eh? I also didn’t buy the whole transfer of Skull King to Heath. He wasn’t hard enough to be king and I cannot believe there was no challenge or plot by Vox to take over and to target Balto to make sure their line ended. Plot holes galore. Additionally, I am finding myself a little tired of these weak ass so-called females. I am not saying Cassini had to be a stone cold killer or a manly she-woman, but dammit, I need these book chicks to grow a spine. Balto could have remained Skull King if Cassini had truly been his equal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2021
3.5
Este final fue muy al estilo, Sr. y Sra. Smith. Me gusto que Cassini estuviera involucrada en la venganza, fue una protagonista que disfrute.
El final es muy al estilo de Penélope, Balto sufriendo y pidiendo de rodillas por Cassini. Y esos epílogos que me encantan!
Se que son repetitivos, pero dicen que a veces menos es mas. En este caso, Penélope tiene una formula que entretiene por mas que se repitan ciertas características. Siempre la voy a recomendar.
Este final fue muy al estilo, Sr. y Sra. Smith. Me gusto que Cassini estuviera involucrada en la venganza, fue una protagonista que disfrute.
El final es muy al estilo de Penélope, Balto sufriendo y pidiendo de rodillas por Cassini. Y esos epílogos que me encantan!
Se que son repetitivos, pero dicen que a veces menos es mas. En este caso, Penélope tiene una formula que entretiene por mas que se repitan ciertas características. Siempre la voy a recomendar.
June 11, 2019
As Balto drives Cassini back to his compound she cannot help but think Balto has saved her life and will keep her with him. Could she hope for love?
Balto is a pragmatist. Keeping Cassini is not possible while he is The Skull King. Once he made the decision to be King, he also knew he would never be able to have children or a wife. Too dangerous to have someone his enemies could hurt and so hurt him. No matter what emotions he feels for Cassini, their relationship is at an end. All that is left is to ensure Lucian will never come after Cassini again. She deserves the life she dreamed of: a house, white picket fend, and children running around in safety and love.
As you can expect, Lucian will never give up getting Cassini back. As Balto and Lucian fight this out and strategize each other's downfall, Cassini is left hollowed out knowing she must give up Balto once he sets her free.
The plot explodes fast and furious as these men plot their demise. I felt bad for Cassini. Will she get a break and end up with someone who will love her and keep her safe? Do not miss the conclusion of the Skull King!
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
Balto is a pragmatist. Keeping Cassini is not possible while he is The Skull King. Once he made the decision to be King, he also knew he would never be able to have children or a wife. Too dangerous to have someone his enemies could hurt and so hurt him. No matter what emotions he feels for Cassini, their relationship is at an end. All that is left is to ensure Lucian will never come after Cassini again. She deserves the life she dreamed of: a house, white picket fend, and children running around in safety and love.
As you can expect, Lucian will never give up getting Cassini back. As Balto and Lucian fight this out and strategize each other's downfall, Cassini is left hollowed out knowing she must give up Balto once he sets her free.
The plot explodes fast and furious as these men plot their demise. I felt bad for Cassini. Will she get a break and end up with someone who will love her and keep her safe? Do not miss the conclusion of the Skull King!
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
December 13, 2023
I just wanted something trashy to read, and I BINGED the series quickly. I wasn't sure it was going to read the final one, but it was free in Kindle Unlimited, so I thought I may aswell fonish it. They were just that; trash. Could have been one book, not three. The first one was ok, but the others were pretty bland and boring.
The spicy scenes were so repetitive to the point where they were literally just repeated phrases. They just became tedious and pointless in the end. I don't ever need to hear the words "his seed" or the phrase "buried to the hilt" again. They're also written as if by a man?? As in, they were always just straight to it. Boring and unimaginative.
The characters were so 2D and the plot was ridiculously predictable. HOW did Balto become the Skull King??? He says he took over but we have no idea how?? I also wish Heath had more involvement.
What is the point of it being set in Italy?? It's like she picked Tuscany as a setting but has never been there, as the references are ridiculously limited. Case and Dirk aren't Italian names, but they are supposed to be "a traditional Italian family." Cassini is supposed to be Italian but doesn't speak Italian once!!
I'm glad it was free!
The spicy scenes were so repetitive to the point where they were literally just repeated phrases. They just became tedious and pointless in the end. I don't ever need to hear the words "his seed" or the phrase "buried to the hilt" again. They're also written as if by a man?? As in, they were always just straight to it. Boring and unimaginative.
The characters were so 2D and the plot was ridiculously predictable. HOW did Balto become the Skull King??? He says he took over but we have no idea how?? I also wish Heath had more involvement.
What is the point of it being set in Italy?? It's like she picked Tuscany as a setting but has never been there, as the references are ridiculously limited. Case and Dirk aren't Italian names, but they are supposed to be "a traditional Italian family." Cassini is supposed to be Italian but doesn't speak Italian once!!
I'm glad it was free!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2024
This review is for all 3 of the books in the series. Number 1 is the only one I would consider giving 2 stars to, the others both deserve 1 star. As I do my best not to DNF books, I read all 3 in one day.
It reads like something a 12 year old wrote on wattpad, the flow isn’t great and the characters inner dialogue is written like the reader is stupid and needs help understanding how cool and hot these characters are. Every single thing is spelled out for you. Also, they bring up the MMCs dick and how big it is probably once a chapter.
The MMC is also not a good guy, the only reason the MFC likes him is because hes a little younger than her husband, has abs and his hair isn’t greasy?
There are many characters (MMCs brother, MFCs second brother) who literally serve no purpose in the story? If they weren’t there it would read the exact same.
Personally, I can’t stand any single cliche in this book, I think the only one of my list that that wasn’t used was the memory loss cliche, all other stereotypical boring cliches are there over the 3 books.
Extra note: it is all porn. Like every single chapter. Also the MMC admits to having sex with her while she’s asleep?
Book One gets a 3/10
Book Two gets a 1/10
Book Three gets a 2/10
It reads like something a 12 year old wrote on wattpad, the flow isn’t great and the characters inner dialogue is written like the reader is stupid and needs help understanding how cool and hot these characters are. Every single thing is spelled out for you. Also, they bring up the MMCs dick and how big it is probably once a chapter.
The MMC is also not a good guy, the only reason the MFC likes him is because hes a little younger than her husband, has abs and his hair isn’t greasy?
There are many characters (MMCs brother, MFCs second brother) who literally serve no purpose in the story? If they weren’t there it would read the exact same.
Personally, I can’t stand any single cliche in this book, I think the only one of my list that that wasn’t used was the memory loss cliche, all other stereotypical boring cliches are there over the 3 books.
Extra note: it is all porn. Like every single chapter. Also the MMC admits to having sex with her while she’s asleep?
Book One gets a 3/10
Book Two gets a 1/10
Book Three gets a 2/10
October 23, 2019
Well this was disappointing. I'd actually give this a 2.75 if I could. Loved Balto's character.
What turned me off was him giving up everything for this woman. Massive injustice to his character in the very first book. He was a total badass in the first book. If he was such a badass there was no need for him to give up being the Skull King. I get why the author wrote it this way and why? I'm just not down with it. I'm not down with guys having to stop being who they are just to get a woman. I wouldn't allow some guy to tell me this in real life so why should guys? I guess I'm a woman who wants men to be men. If you're going to get in bed with a criminal and he tells you he is a criminal and he has killed people then don't get in bed with him. Fairly simple really. If you do get in bed with a criminal then you accept who and what he is. The ending was unrealistic to me. Very few women get the opportunity to successfully led men in the criminal underworld away from that life in real life. It just doesn't happen. Way to fairy tale ish for me for me as a dark romance.
I also wouldn't classify this as a dark romance story. Totally, not a dark romance. Nope.
What turned me off was him giving up everything for this woman. Massive injustice to his character in the very first book. He was a total badass in the first book. If he was such a badass there was no need for him to give up being the Skull King. I get why the author wrote it this way and why? I'm just not down with it. I'm not down with guys having to stop being who they are just to get a woman. I wouldn't allow some guy to tell me this in real life so why should guys? I guess I'm a woman who wants men to be men. If you're going to get in bed with a criminal and he tells you he is a criminal and he has killed people then don't get in bed with him. Fairly simple really. If you do get in bed with a criminal then you accept who and what he is. The ending was unrealistic to me. Very few women get the opportunity to successfully led men in the criminal underworld away from that life in real life. It just doesn't happen. Way to fairy tale ish for me for me as a dark romance.
I also wouldn't classify this as a dark romance story. Totally, not a dark romance. Nope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2019
Okay, it really took me until book three to LOVE this couple. They may have started hot and heavy with the physical but the emotional connection took a lot longer, then there was denial. There's a good amount of action in this book, but also a fair amount of heartache. I found myself hoping and wishing for things to work out, and I wasn't disappointed. Balto and Cassini are perfect for each other and this wrapped up nicely.
January 6, 2025
The last book in the series was the perfect ending to the story. Balto and Cassini together vanquished Lucien. Then Balto set Cassini free as he promised. Making both of their lives miserable.
This book gave me all the feels…joy, laughter, sadness and the thrill when Lucien was dealt with. There’s a HEA and the story was wrapped up with no disappointments.
Borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited
This book gave me all the feels…joy, laughter, sadness and the thrill when Lucien was dealt with. There’s a HEA and the story was wrapped up with no disappointments.
Borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited
February 25, 2020
Wow this is by far my favourite Penelope Sky books. I love Balto and Cassina characters. Balto is such a hard man, killer and the Skull King. I love the grovelling and regret element in the book.
Cassina and Balto deserves the happy ending. ❤️💯
Cassina and Balto deserves the happy ending. ❤️💯
June 5, 2019
LOVED THIS SERIES!!!!!
August 31, 2020
Enjoyed this series overall!
This particular book I’d rate 3.5 stars!
Series rating 4.
This particular book I’d rate 3.5 stars!
Series rating 4.
June 7, 2019
This is an awesome conclusions to a wonderful series full of drama and passion. I stayed up all night reading
February 21, 2022
So I was on the fence on whether I was even going to finish this series after the first two books. Balto’s self-righteousness became totally annoying. He acted like he was so “just” and despised Ethan and Lucian for their actions regarding Cassini and her “freedom,” when he literally did the same thing. In fact he was worse, because Cassini essentially volunteered herself to Lucian, while Balto’s helped traffic innocent women and girls into that life. Totally different than what happened to Cassini, even if it was the same/similar outcome. He literally said how their(the victims) tears didn’t bother him, but yet he constantly talked about how unfair it was for Cassini to be trapped in a similar manner. Mild spoiler…. This topic is addressed in this book, but I don’t think it’s enough for me to ignore his previous take on the subject. I wonder how Cassini would have felt knowing he was more than just a murderer. How her so called “good hearted criminal” was a slave trader.
Spoilers….
I hated Cassini’s character in this book. Not only was she still whiney, but she was totally self absorbed. She always made Balto out to be the bad guy to her brothers, because she didn’t want to look bad (never told them how they truly met and the made him out to be deadbeat). She wanted him to give up everything, but never even offered any insight on what that would look like. He told her that being the Skull King was his identity and he couldn’t see himself as anything else and she had nothing to offer him than her love. Like she didn’t say, we can figure it out, ask him what he liked other than drinking and killing, etc., all she cared about was getting what she wanted. He was literally supposed to give up everything for her, yet she had nothing to offer in return besides her love. It’s not like she really had anything going for herself, so I felt like she never really understood the magnitude of her request as she never had anything to lose or even offer to lose. She couldn’t even imagine loosing her dream of a family, but was supposedly to lose his reality with no questions or hesitations.
I was also so tired of hearing about his “load,” all the time. It was crass to begin with, but it’s overuse totally made it cringy.
There was definitely some plot holes in the whole pregnancy trope, I’m from the US, so maybe there are other meds in other countries in which this applies, but Depo shots only lasts for 3 months, not 6; Nausea and vomiting usually improves after the first trimester, not start (though I’ll admit it’s not impossible). Also she talks about morning sickness as though it just happens in the AM and once you throw up and then all is good. I’ve personally never come across a women with pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting who immediately feels well enough after vomiting to scarf down a big breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. It’s not like when you’ve rated some bad food and once you throw up, you feel so much better; The underlying cause is so different. Also am I the only one who thought it was odd that she talked about being in the advanced stages of pregnancy, to include swelling in the hands and feet, yet she was in missionary position during their intimate times. If she was that advanced, she would have already been advised not to lay fully supine and they would have started to have to get creative with positions by this time. Also for her to be that far along in her pregnancy before her first kid turned one, definitely meant she got pregnant back to back lol
Another set of plot holes was his whole resignation. He was widely known in the underworld and had known enemies. Do these enemies just give up, because he retired? Like how could they stay living in the same city with his past? What was to keep people from mistaking him from his brother. Or attacking him and his family to get at Heath. Like all the reasons he said he couldn’t stay with Cassini are the sake reasons I would have expected them to leave the area once he retired. I guess enemies give up once you resign lol
Overall the series was decent, I just wish it was more believable toward the end.
Spoilers….
I hated Cassini’s character in this book. Not only was she still whiney, but she was totally self absorbed. She always made Balto out to be the bad guy to her brothers, because she didn’t want to look bad (never told them how they truly met and the made him out to be deadbeat). She wanted him to give up everything, but never even offered any insight on what that would look like. He told her that being the Skull King was his identity and he couldn’t see himself as anything else and she had nothing to offer him than her love. Like she didn’t say, we can figure it out, ask him what he liked other than drinking and killing, etc., all she cared about was getting what she wanted. He was literally supposed to give up everything for her, yet she had nothing to offer in return besides her love. It’s not like she really had anything going for herself, so I felt like she never really understood the magnitude of her request as she never had anything to lose or even offer to lose. She couldn’t even imagine loosing her dream of a family, but was supposedly to lose his reality with no questions or hesitations.
I was also so tired of hearing about his “load,” all the time. It was crass to begin with, but it’s overuse totally made it cringy.
There was definitely some plot holes in the whole pregnancy trope, I’m from the US, so maybe there are other meds in other countries in which this applies, but Depo shots only lasts for 3 months, not 6; Nausea and vomiting usually improves after the first trimester, not start (though I’ll admit it’s not impossible). Also she talks about morning sickness as though it just happens in the AM and once you throw up and then all is good. I’ve personally never come across a women with pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting who immediately feels well enough after vomiting to scarf down a big breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. It’s not like when you’ve rated some bad food and once you throw up, you feel so much better; The underlying cause is so different. Also am I the only one who thought it was odd that she talked about being in the advanced stages of pregnancy, to include swelling in the hands and feet, yet she was in missionary position during their intimate times. If she was that advanced, she would have already been advised not to lay fully supine and they would have started to have to get creative with positions by this time. Also for her to be that far along in her pregnancy before her first kid turned one, definitely meant she got pregnant back to back lol
Another set of plot holes was his whole resignation. He was widely known in the underworld and had known enemies. Do these enemies just give up, because he retired? Like how could they stay living in the same city with his past? What was to keep people from mistaking him from his brother. Or attacking him and his family to get at Heath. Like all the reasons he said he couldn’t stay with Cassini are the sake reasons I would have expected them to leave the area once he retired. I guess enemies give up once you resign lol
Overall the series was decent, I just wish it was more believable toward the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2020
Me encantoooo está pareja y este libro estoy en duda de cuál de los 3 libros me gustó mas , eran tan tiernos en momentos , en otros no tanto pero aún así Balto y Cassini tuvieron que enfrentarse contra el sería el villano pensando que era lo difícil pero en realidad lo complicado de todo lo que se presentó fue afrontar lo que verdaderamente sienten el uno por el otro y si el trabajo es más importante que el amor . Separados se dan cuenta que sin el otro no pueden vivir pero depende de ellos que estén juntos.
El final me encantooo fue super dulce y hermoso , aunque fue predecible no le quitó lo especial 😍😍😍
Otra pareja de la cual me tengo que despedir 😭
El final me encantooo fue super dulce y hermoso , aunque fue predecible no le quitó lo especial 😍😍😍
Otra pareja de la cual me tengo que despedir 😭
February 18, 2023
Once again smut with little to no plot—
If you’re horny this is definitely the book for you but I honestly skimmed through the smut throughout this whole series. Balto acted like an a$$hole throughout all three book and decided at the very end to confess his “love” and they lived happily ever after. The surprise pregnancy really wasn’t a surprise at all and i could’ve predicted from the first book when they stopped using condoms and every scene emphasized on the fact that he had came inside her. The romance really wasn’t romancing for me and the plot was so boring and stupid but the writing was actually pretty good for a “mafia” book.
If you’re horny this is definitely the book for you but I honestly skimmed through the smut throughout this whole series. Balto acted like an a$$hole throughout all three book and decided at the very end to confess his “love” and they lived happily ever after. The surprise pregnancy really wasn’t a surprise at all and i could’ve predicted from the first book when they stopped using condoms and every scene emphasized on the fact that he had came inside her. The romance really wasn’t romancing for me and the plot was so boring and stupid but the writing was actually pretty good for a “mafia” book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2024
NOT EVERYBOOK NEEDS TO BE A SERIES
the literal most dragged out plot and story. ridiculous we could’ve wrapped this up in book two. hell if you were a better writer this could’ve been one book. we wait three book to finally get to a cliche surprise pregnancy plot and after all the torture you’ve put the readers through you make up some bullshit plot line about him letting her go??? after spending two book telling us he would never let her go???? ma’am do you know what an outline is?
the literal most dragged out plot and story. ridiculous we could’ve wrapped this up in book two. hell if you were a better writer this could’ve been one book. we wait three book to finally get to a cliche surprise pregnancy plot and after all the torture you’ve put the readers through you make up some bullshit plot line about him letting her go??? after spending two book telling us he would never let her go???? ma’am do you know what an outline is?
June 9, 2019
Scandalously Romantic series
Balto and Cassini had me in tears in this third and final book of the series. So much happened here but still kept me hooked on every word when I felt broken hearted for Cassini.
This series is so freaking good and romantic and nerve wrecking and let's not forget eroticallly charged too. I swear it's the best series I have read this year so far topping any other. ENJOY!!!
Balto and Cassini had me in tears in this third and final book of the series. So much happened here but still kept me hooked on every word when I felt broken hearted for Cassini.
This series is so freaking good and romantic and nerve wrecking and let's not forget eroticallly charged too. I swear it's the best series I have read this year so far topping any other. ENJOY!!!
June 6, 2019
I am never reading a Penelope Sky book again!
Penelope Sky must take us for idiots and fools. That's the only explanation I have for the mess I read in this book.
You don't have to read this book to know what happens, just read the banker series or the lingerie series and you'd get the whole picture.
Penelope Sky must take us for idiots and fools. That's the only explanation I have for the mess I read in this book.
You don't have to read this book to know what happens, just read the banker series or the lingerie series and you'd get the whole picture.
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