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Belgrave Dynasty #1
King of the South
The year is 1919, and the Great War has ended. As everyone picks up the pieces of their lives, I have only copious amounts of alcohol and women keeping me together.
Most of the men I went to war with didn’t make it home, including my best friend, Miles. I thought I knew everything about him until I discovered he made me the executor to his little sister Rainey’s dowry.
Rainey Pleasonton is anything but pleasant. Most men in Charleston found her wild and carefree ways to be terrifying, which explained why she was twenty-eight and still unmarried.
I have sixty days to help her find a husband before she loses her inheritance, her family’s legacy, and I lose the last of my sanity.
The only problem is, I’ve watched her go from a little girl who chased us around with a bow and arrow to the only woman in the South immune to my charm. And the men who were once scared of Rainey? They now find my le savauge beguiling, and I do not care for it one bit …
Most of the men I went to war with didn’t make it home, including my best friend, Miles. I thought I knew everything about him until I discovered he made me the executor to his little sister Rainey’s dowry.
Rainey Pleasonton is anything but pleasant. Most men in Charleston found her wild and carefree ways to be terrifying, which explained why she was twenty-eight and still unmarried.
I have sixty days to help her find a husband before she loses her inheritance, her family’s legacy, and I lose the last of my sanity.
The only problem is, I’ve watched her go from a little girl who chased us around with a bow and arrow to the only woman in the South immune to my charm. And the men who were once scared of Rainey? They now find my le savauge beguiling, and I do not care for it one bit …
495 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2020
704 people are currently reading
13825 people want to read
About the author
Calia Read
15 books2,932 followersCalia Read is the author of the Belgrave Dynasty, The Surviving Time Series, and several other works. She lives in the Midwest and is hard at work on the fourth book in the Belgrave Dynasty.
You can find her constantly on Facebook and Instagram:
http://www.facebook.com/CaliaRead
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ailacread/
You can find her constantly on Facebook and Instagram:
http://www.facebook.com/CaliaRead
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ailacread/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 540 reviews
September 15, 2022
"The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." -Mark Twain
I'm not sure how Calia Read's work has evaded me until now, but I am SO glad that I stumbled across this title on Kindle Unlimited. Between the witty banter, the slow building, but eventually steamy romance, and the deeply felt insight into the horrors of war and familial expectations, King of the South is truly a 6 star read. My only caveat is with myself, as I had no clue that this series is a spinoff of the author's historical time travel series beginning with The Surviving Trace, but I will earnestly devour those books as well as soon as physically possible. Based on the epilogue, I'm giddy to learn more about Nathalie, her deceased husband Oliver + family, and her childhood love Asa. Highly, HIGHLY recommended, although it might be wise to start with the above mentioned trilogy, rather than diving directly into this historical fiction that branches off from there.
"Rainey, you have more strength in your pinky finger than most grown men will ever possess. Soon, you'll conquer this pain. You were born to survive this."
"Where is love born from? Does it take a second of direct eye contact? Or is it an accumulation of innocuous moments that start the fire?"
"I'm so sorry for hurting you," he says against my ear. "I love you, Raina. I've loved you for years. Admired you for your quick aim as a girl with your bow and arrow. Applauded your strength when your daddy died. Recognized your beauty when I came home from France. I loved you all along. I've loved you when I didn't know anything else. If you pick a bachelor today, that's fine. I can love you from afar again."
I'm not sure how Calia Read's work has evaded me until now, but I am SO glad that I stumbled across this title on Kindle Unlimited. Between the witty banter, the slow building, but eventually steamy romance, and the deeply felt insight into the horrors of war and familial expectations, King of the South is truly a 6 star read. My only caveat is with myself, as I had no clue that this series is a spinoff of the author's historical time travel series beginning with The Surviving Trace, but I will earnestly devour those books as well as soon as physically possible. Based on the epilogue, I'm giddy to learn more about Nathalie, her deceased husband Oliver + family, and her childhood love Asa. Highly, HIGHLY recommended, although it might be wise to start with the above mentioned trilogy, rather than diving directly into this historical fiction that branches off from there.
"Rainey, you have more strength in your pinky finger than most grown men will ever possess. Soon, you'll conquer this pain. You were born to survive this."
"Where is love born from? Does it take a second of direct eye contact? Or is it an accumulation of innocuous moments that start the fire?"
"I'm so sorry for hurting you," he says against my ear. "I love you, Raina. I've loved you for years. Admired you for your quick aim as a girl with your bow and arrow. Applauded your strength when your daddy died. Recognized your beauty when I came home from France. I loved you all along. I've loved you when I didn't know anything else. If you pick a bachelor today, that's fine. I can love you from afar again."
February 23, 2020
This is just the kind of story my heart needed. A rare six star perfect book for me ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Although it’s Livingston’s story, you can easily go into this one without reading the Echoes of Time books (I think you’re bonkers for missing them, but you could).
I smiled so much in this one. The banter, the wit, the camaraderie and humour was just perfect. The innocent, yet explosive chemistry poured from the pages & I have to make special mention of Livingston’s dirty talk - in French! Talk about H.O.T 🔥
The imagery of the scenes played like a movie for me - my favourite kind of storytelling - it felt like I was living in the South back in the early 20th Century. Suffering through all the ridiculous societal restrictions women lived under.
Rainey and Livingston do not go easy on your heart. These characters have known each other their whole lives & think they know everything about each other - yet they actually know nothing at all.
I swooned.
I cried.
I snort laughed.
I ranted.
And I smiled a whole lot.
This is the kind of character driven romance I have missed. Extraordinary storytelling that I simply adored. Definitely recommend.
I received an arc of this book.
Although it’s Livingston’s story, you can easily go into this one without reading the Echoes of Time books (I think you’re bonkers for missing them, but you could).
I smiled so much in this one. The banter, the wit, the camaraderie and humour was just perfect. The innocent, yet explosive chemistry poured from the pages & I have to make special mention of Livingston’s dirty talk - in French! Talk about H.O.T 🔥
The imagery of the scenes played like a movie for me - my favourite kind of storytelling - it felt like I was living in the South back in the early 20th Century. Suffering through all the ridiculous societal restrictions women lived under.
Rainey and Livingston do not go easy on your heart. These characters have known each other their whole lives & think they know everything about each other - yet they actually know nothing at all.
I swooned.
I cried.
I snort laughed.
I ranted.
And I smiled a whole lot.
This is the kind of character driven romance I have missed. Extraordinary storytelling that I simply adored. Definitely recommend.
I received an arc of this book.
January 26, 2021
i really hate to be the one dissenting opinion because it seems like everyone adored this
but good god i could not get past 50%
something about the way this was written really threw me off. i don't normally get thrown out of a story with writing but this did not work for me. it wasn't that the prose was bad or that there were grammatical issues, it was just... wordy?
and then the characters. boo. rainey was a little irritating and didn't actually have enough fire to back up her reputation. livingston (imagine screaming that name in bed) was a really flat and stereotypical rake type character. their dialogue? too damn long and extremely bland. there were scenes that i think were supposed to get us to believe in this angsty slow burn but there was no burn. it was just slow.
i feel like an ass saying all of this since so many people liked this book and it objectively is not even close to the worst thing i've ever read. but sometimes when something is so shockingly unlike what you expected, you get a little disappointed.
but good god i could not get past 50%
something about the way this was written really threw me off. i don't normally get thrown out of a story with writing but this did not work for me. it wasn't that the prose was bad or that there were grammatical issues, it was just... wordy?
and then the characters. boo. rainey was a little irritating and didn't actually have enough fire to back up her reputation. livingston (imagine screaming that name in bed) was a really flat and stereotypical rake type character. their dialogue? too damn long and extremely bland. there were scenes that i think were supposed to get us to believe in this angsty slow burn but there was no burn. it was just slow.
i feel like an ass saying all of this since so many people liked this book and it objectively is not even close to the worst thing i've ever read. but sometimes when something is so shockingly unlike what you expected, you get a little disappointed.
February 19, 2020
'KING OF THE SOUTH' is the first full length historical romance book in Calia Read's 'Belgrave Dynasty' duet. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives.'
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
Follow over characters which I loved seeing again from, Echoes of Time it felt like coming home after a leave of absence, how I love all these characters! Admittedly I’ve not read a lot of historical novels but if this author rewrote the phone book I’d make sure to read it! Like magic she waves her wand and I fall in love with her writing. If Cupid’s arrow didn’t strike Livingston you can make sure Rainey’s arrow will leave its mark! I loved their banter, like a tennis match the backwards and forwards between them made for a light hearted read. So many times I just closed my ipad and just sighed. Childhood friends to more are my kryptonite if done right and this was just perfection at its best!!
It's after the Great War, not only has Rainey lost her brother to the war but Livingston comes back a different man, plagued by nightmares and drinking excessively he's not the man Rainey knew. Upon the reading of her brothers will it stipulates that twenty eight year old Rainey finds a suitable husband within sixty days and will be granted a dowry of $60,000. Putting Livingston an executor of the funds.
Putting these two in the same room as each other is disastrous. You would think they were siblings with the way they bicker! I've called Rainey le savauge since she was a little girl because she's ferocious and untamed. Her tongue was as sharp as her mind. Her confidence as big as her opinions.
Let the games begin when a Bachelor Ball is underway...
In every possible way, Livingston and I are a terrible match. I wake up early, and Livingston sleeps the day away. His shirks his duties, while I prefer to be on time to every event. Livingston is Charleston's number one womanizer. I am Charleston's untamed debutante
* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *
September 11, 2021
Oh. My. God. When I tell you I sat down in my living room recliner and didn’t move for 10 hours because of this book, I am NOT exaggerating. I even forgot to eat dinner. I LITERALLY NEVER FORGET TO EAT. I LOVE FOOD. MY LIFE IS FOREVER JUST COUNTING DOWN THE MINUTES UNTIL I EAT AGAIN.
1. I’m going to be in the minority when I say this controversial opinion: do not bother reading the Surviving Time series before this one.
That series is awful. Serene is ridiculous and unlikable. Etienne is one dimensional. Skip it and go straight to this one. Skip. It. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. The only thing you need to know from that series (and this is not a spoiler because it says it in the synopsis of the first book) is Serene time traveled from present day back to 1912 and fell in love with Etienne. That’s it. That’s the series. You’re welcome. Now you’re ready to read this one. It focuses on Etienne’s twin brother, Livingston, and Rainey, a close friend of the family. Neither are time travelers and are 1000000x more likable.
2. THE GODDAMN SLOW BURN HOLY SHIT.
If you’re a sucker for slow burns, READ THIS RIGHT NOW. I had to keep refilling my water bottle because THE SEXUAL TENSION WAS KILLING ME SOFTLY (in the best way, obviously). Omg. At one point, I thought I was going to go into cardiac arrest, my heart was beating so fast. I just 😏💀😏💀😏💀😏💀😏💀😏💀😏😏😏😏😏😏😏😏😏
3. If you’re here for the bone town, this one will not disappoint.
And is the precise reason I won’t be recommending this to anyone related to me.
4. There is no communication disease between the two leads.
I can’t stand when that happens in romantic books. There’s always some misunderstanding that could be easily fixed if the two characters just stopped overreacting and talked to each other for five seconds. That doesn’t happen here. Rainey, the woman MC, is direct and blunt, so she speaks up if something’s bothering her. She lets Livingston know when he’s being an idiot instead of silent brooding over it. Mad respect. We need more characters like this in the world.
5. I already have a book hangover.
And I only just finished this 10 minutes ago.
6. I think I need to see an optometrist due to 10-straight-hours-of-reading eye strain.
Totally worth it.
1. I’m going to be in the minority when I say this controversial opinion: do not bother reading the Surviving Time series before this one.
That series is awful. Serene is ridiculous and unlikable. Etienne is one dimensional. Skip it and go straight to this one. Skip. It. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. The only thing you need to know from that series (and this is not a spoiler because it says it in the synopsis of the first book) is Serene time traveled from present day back to 1912 and fell in love with Etienne. That’s it. That’s the series. You’re welcome. Now you’re ready to read this one. It focuses on Etienne’s twin brother, Livingston, and Rainey, a close friend of the family. Neither are time travelers and are 1000000x more likable.
2. THE GODDAMN SLOW BURN HOLY SHIT.
If you’re a sucker for slow burns, READ THIS RIGHT NOW. I had to keep refilling my water bottle because THE SEXUAL TENSION WAS KILLING ME SOFTLY (in the best way, obviously). Omg. At one point, I thought I was going to go into cardiac arrest, my heart was beating so fast. I just 😏💀😏💀😏💀😏💀😏💀😏💀😏😏😏😏😏😏😏😏😏
3. If you’re here for the bone town, this one will not disappoint.
And is the precise reason I won’t be recommending this to anyone related to me.
4. There is no communication disease between the two leads.
I can’t stand when that happens in romantic books. There’s always some misunderstanding that could be easily fixed if the two characters just stopped overreacting and talked to each other for five seconds. That doesn’t happen here. Rainey, the woman MC, is direct and blunt, so she speaks up if something’s bothering her. She lets Livingston know when he’s being an idiot instead of silent brooding over it. Mad respect. We need more characters like this in the world.
5. I already have a book hangover.
And I only just finished this 10 minutes ago.
6. I think I need to see an optometrist due to 10-straight-hours-of-reading eye strain.
Totally worth it.
November 24, 2021
Loooovvvveeee it! ❤ I absolutely loved Rainey and Livingston's lively, romantic journey. Although I didn't really like the Livingston character from the "Surviving Time" series, I still enjoyed this book a lot because of our kick-ass leading lady. There were some scenes that were so funny. Especially when our badass protagonist Rainey shoots an arrow at the hero's ass. At that time, Livingston was in a different situation with another girl. lol. Even Étienne and Serene's reactions were just as funny as theirs, I couldn't stop myself from laughing my head off.
...............................
É𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦-𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯. “𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯’ 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘴, 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯’ 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭.”
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺. “𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘴 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘲𝘶𝘦����𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵.” 𝘐 𝘱𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦. “𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥.”
É𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸. “𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘯?”
“𝘖𝘣𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦,” 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘴.
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸.”
.....................................................
My reaction: 🤣 🤣 🤣
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Without a doubt, this telanted author manages to deliver fun, light-hearted, and a stunning love story again. Believe it or not, I'm completely addicted to this world from the book "The Surviving Trace" and can't wait to get back to Belgrave for another romantic ride.
P.S: Must read the "Surviving Time" series before reading this one, or you will not get the real fun aspects of all the characters in their story. Because, besides the main characters, the side characters have played a very important role in this book.
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É𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦-𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯. “𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯’ 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘴, 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯’ 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭.”
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺. “𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘴, 𝘢𝘴 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘲𝘶𝘦����𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵.” 𝘐 𝘱𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦. “𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥.”
É𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸. “𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘯?”
“𝘖𝘣𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦,” 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘴.
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸.”
.....................................................
My reaction: 🤣 🤣 🤣
...................................
Without a doubt, this telanted author manages to deliver fun, light-hearted, and a stunning love story again. Believe it or not, I'm completely addicted to this world from the book "The Surviving Trace" and can't wait to get back to Belgrave for another romantic ride.
P.S: Must read the "Surviving Time" series before reading this one, or you will not get the real fun aspects of all the characters in their story. Because, besides the main characters, the side characters have played a very important role in this book.
February 28, 2020
4.5 stars
This felt like coming back home after being away for so long. After finishing ‘The surviving trace’ trilogy, I was so invested in the side characters, I knew I had to read their story. I love this world. I love those characters. And I just love everything about it. I don’t even know if Belgrave is a real place, but I know that I love it.
I’ve been highly anticipating Livingston’s book. And even though you could read this book without reading ’The surviving trace’ trilogy first, I highly recommend that you read those books, because they’re just so good! I love them so much. Meeting Etienne and Serene again in this book made me so happy.
“But you cannot dwell on this, Livingston. It will destroy you. You are not the sum of your decisions, or the worth of your words. But the contents of your soul.”
I loved Livingston in the previous books as a brother, a supporter, and as a friend. But seeing him as lover and a broken soul made my love towards him surprisingly grow. He and Rainey couldn’t be more different, yet exactly the same. Rainey was such a feisty heroine with a smart mouth. Just how I love my heroines. Their chemistry was so explosive. Their banters and fights were so enjoyable.
This book was such an adventure. I love Calia Read’s storytelling. And I can’t believe that I’m still not used to the author’s epilogues and how she ends her books. Because that ending was so mean! And now I’m dying to read Natalie and Asa’s book. Those two deserve everything.
Song recommendation:
Death of a bachelor by Panic! At The Disco
Drowning shadows by Sam Smith
I’ve got you under my skin by Frank Sinatra
This felt like coming back home after being away for so long. After finishing ‘The surviving trace’ trilogy, I was so invested in the side characters, I knew I had to read their story. I love this world. I love those characters. And I just love everything about it. I don’t even know if Belgrave is a real place, but I know that I love it.
I’ve been highly anticipating Livingston’s book. And even though you could read this book without reading ’The surviving trace’ trilogy first, I highly recommend that you read those books, because they’re just so good! I love them so much. Meeting Etienne and Serene again in this book made me so happy.
“But you cannot dwell on this, Livingston. It will destroy you. You are not the sum of your decisions, or the worth of your words. But the contents of your soul.”
I loved Livingston in the previous books as a brother, a supporter, and as a friend. But seeing him as lover and a broken soul made my love towards him surprisingly grow. He and Rainey couldn’t be more different, yet exactly the same. Rainey was such a feisty heroine with a smart mouth. Just how I love my heroines. Their chemistry was so explosive. Their banters and fights were so enjoyable.
This book was such an adventure. I love Calia Read’s storytelling. And I can’t believe that I’m still not used to the author’s epilogues and how she ends her books. Because that ending was so mean! And now I’m dying to read Natalie and Asa’s book. Those two deserve everything.
Song recommendation:
Death of a bachelor by Panic! At The Disco
Drowning shadows by Sam Smith
I’ve got you under my skin by Frank Sinatra
March 9, 2020
2.5 Just Okay Stars!
Eh. Well that was a disappointing read. The cover deceived me. It made me think this would be a more emotional, maybe a bit dreary book, but all I got was missed opportunities.
It started out with the hero being a manwhore. Of course, the manwhore part is very much on screen when the hero chooses a conquest over the heroine when he slams the door in the heroine's face, even though he supposedly is supposed to "care" very much for her and her family. Then the heroine proceeds to walk in on the naked conquest and half naked hero just about to have sex, literally, like an inch away. After this I was VERY close to DNFing it. WHY do authors have this in books? Is there an actual reason? Or is it to show just how loose the hero is? Because that is really attractive in a man.
When I started this, I was under the full impression it was a standalone, because no where that I read did it say it was connected to another story. But as I read on, I literally felt like I was missing half the story. Things would be mentioned or glossed over and I had no clue what they were talking about half the time. For example, the hero's sister in law, kept mentioning things that were from "her time", or asking her husband if she finally sounded like she was from "this" time, or her making references to the bachelorette or Chandler Bing, all in the 1900's. Now, luckily I had actually read the blurbs for this authors time traveling trilogy, so I caught on that this must be the couple from those books, but anyone who never read those books, will probably be VERY confused going into this book like I was. Another example was the hero being attacked previously and him losing his memory. There were mentions of it and a flashback of it, but we were never really told exactly what happened, or why, or the aftermath, it was just glossed over, I almost felt as if maybe I missed a whole book on these characters. It shouldn't feel like this in a standalone. Then there were mentions of the sister and her husband nobody liked, and how she had apparently loves someone the brothers work with, and again all glossed over. I can go on and on.
Then we have the actual plot which was B-O-R-I-N-G. There was no emotion or buildup whatsoever, and the characters were all bland. It is pretty much a lighter bachelorette but instead she is falling for a guy not in the running. This plot and pretty much everything that happened was also very cliche. Right off the bat, the hero starts getting a little jealous, but supposedly doesn't care for her in 'that way'. Even the heroine was a bit jealous in the beginning with the OW. Like where is the buildup of feelings? I'm told they have always hated or had a love-hate relationship, and have never thought of each other that way, and yet they start getting feelings and are jealous right away. Then they decide to have sex, still saying they won't fall in love, more jealousy, the heroine picks the hero, the end.
This book honestly had sooo many missed opportunities, especially with a gorgeous cover like that. Even the romance was eh. There could have been more mentions of the time period, or the war, or the death of her brother, but nope. If anything, this book actually seemed like it was in present day.
The hero was bleh to me. Nothing special. He had a bit of an alcohol problem because of his PTSD and survivors guilt, but even all of that was glossed over, which sucks because it could have added more depth. The heroine was also okay, I like how she was headstrong against the hero, but I lost a bit of respect for her for how easily she "loved" him. She was also a virgin at 28, and yes this is a historical book, but the hero was very public about his manwhore ways and the women he was with and bringing into his home, as if all women were that publicly promiscuous too, and that just didn't seem really right for that time period. Anways, the heroine being a virgin at 28 annoyed me a bit, maybe if she was a bit younger it wouldn't have, but I cannot stand manwhore-virgin books. I did let it slide a bit because I was thinking it is a conservative time and obviously she is waiting for marriage, BUT NOPE. She has SEX with the hero only a few days after kissing him and not even really having "feelings" for him. WTF? If she so easily gave it up to him, why couldn't she have given it up for anyone else before?? What makes matters even worse was there was zero chemistry or sexual tension between them.
Then there were so many sentences spoken in French that I had to Google translate, and it got annoying. They also kept talking about themselves being a King and Queen *cringe*. Then at the end they tell each other they "have always love each other", umm bish when tf was that? You guys hated each other 60 days ago, and he even said he was totally fine marrying her off then. There was hate, to lust, to saying "I love you", but no actual love.
Overall I'm pretty sure I forgot some more I had to say, but this book was just a total miss.
Eh. Well that was a disappointing read. The cover deceived me. It made me think this would be a more emotional, maybe a bit dreary book, but all I got was missed opportunities.
It started out with the hero being a manwhore. Of course, the manwhore part is very much on screen when the hero chooses a conquest over the heroine when he slams the door in the heroine's face, even though he supposedly is supposed to "care" very much for her and her family. Then the heroine proceeds to walk in on the naked conquest and half naked hero just about to have sex, literally, like an inch away. After this I was VERY close to DNFing it. WHY do authors have this in books? Is there an actual reason? Or is it to show just how loose the hero is? Because that is really attractive in a man.
When I started this, I was under the full impression it was a standalone, because no where that I read did it say it was connected to another story. But as I read on, I literally felt like I was missing half the story. Things would be mentioned or glossed over and I had no clue what they were talking about half the time. For example, the hero's sister in law, kept mentioning things that were from "her time", or asking her husband if she finally sounded like she was from "this" time, or her making references to the bachelorette or Chandler Bing, all in the 1900's. Now, luckily I had actually read the blurbs for this authors time traveling trilogy, so I caught on that this must be the couple from those books, but anyone who never read those books, will probably be VERY confused going into this book like I was. Another example was the hero being attacked previously and him losing his memory. There were mentions of it and a flashback of it, but we were never really told exactly what happened, or why, or the aftermath, it was just glossed over, I almost felt as if maybe I missed a whole book on these characters. It shouldn't feel like this in a standalone. Then there were mentions of the sister and her husband nobody liked, and how she had apparently loves someone the brothers work with, and again all glossed over. I can go on and on.
Then we have the actual plot which was B-O-R-I-N-G. There was no emotion or buildup whatsoever, and the characters were all bland. It is pretty much a lighter bachelorette but instead she is falling for a guy not in the running. This plot and pretty much everything that happened was also very cliche. Right off the bat, the hero starts getting a little jealous, but supposedly doesn't care for her in 'that way'. Even the heroine was a bit jealous in the beginning with the OW. Like where is the buildup of feelings? I'm told they have always hated or had a love-hate relationship, and have never thought of each other that way, and yet they start getting feelings and are jealous right away. Then they decide to have sex, still saying they won't fall in love, more jealousy, the heroine picks the hero, the end.
This book honestly had sooo many missed opportunities, especially with a gorgeous cover like that. Even the romance was eh. There could have been more mentions of the time period, or the war, or the death of her brother, but nope. If anything, this book actually seemed like it was in present day.
The hero was bleh to me. Nothing special. He had a bit of an alcohol problem because of his PTSD and survivors guilt, but even all of that was glossed over, which sucks because it could have added more depth. The heroine was also okay, I like how she was headstrong against the hero, but I lost a bit of respect for her for how easily she "loved" him. She was also a virgin at 28, and yes this is a historical book, but the hero was very public about his manwhore ways and the women he was with and bringing into his home, as if all women were that publicly promiscuous too, and that just didn't seem really right for that time period. Anways, the heroine being a virgin at 28 annoyed me a bit, maybe if she was a bit younger it wouldn't have, but I cannot stand manwhore-virgin books. I did let it slide a bit because I was thinking it is a conservative time and obviously she is waiting for marriage, BUT NOPE. She has SEX with the hero only a few days after kissing him and not even really having "feelings" for him. WTF? If she so easily gave it up to him, why couldn't she have given it up for anyone else before?? What makes matters even worse was there was zero chemistry or sexual tension between them.
Then there were so many sentences spoken in French that I had to Google translate, and it got annoying. They also kept talking about themselves being a King and Queen *cringe*. Then at the end they tell each other they "have always love each other", umm bish when tf was that? You guys hated each other 60 days ago, and he even said he was totally fine marrying her off then. There was hate, to lust, to saying "I love you", but no actual love.
Overall I'm pretty sure I forgot some more I had to say, but this book was just a total miss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2020
"She is the phantom echo of my heart I once had before everything changed. The amount of love she has for me is irrelevant because every part of me beats for her.”
You know what? Calia Read could write my grocery list out for me and I would probably lick the paper and enjoy doing my shopping at the same time. Not only am I a forever fan of this woman (I mean come on, have you ever read a book of hers that you didn't love? I haven't) but I am forever convinced that this woman can write whatever, whenever, and about whatever and turn it into a masterpiece. Time travel? CHECK. Romantic suspense? CHECK. Mystery? CHECK. Love? CHECK. I mean what can she not do?
LIVINGSTON IS MY WORLD. I thought I really loved him before when I was at Belgrave but that was just a baby crush. After reading King of the South I was convinced it was love. And if you missed absolutely anything about Belgrave or Serene and Etienne then you are in for a tasty treat! I thought it was great the way those two still played a huge role in Rainey and Livingston's world and as always Serene added so much fun and wit to the story.
If you enjoy internal struggles and amazing internal dialogue that doesn't drag on and on and really helps you to understand the character themselves-- well let me just tell you, King of the South really is perfect for you! Calia wrote in dual POV and gave us as a reader a true understanding of how these two people operate and what they internally struggle with.
AND THAT ENDING.
Jesus. I think I had to recover from a heart attack after reading that.
If you ever want to get lost in world, pick up a book from Calia Read. You will forever cherish the journeys and adventures that she takes you on with each and every page turn and character encounter. King of the South was the whole package. Love, mystery, heartbreak, angst, and above all of that, it was such an adventure! I loved this book. But I know you all are not surprised by this.
You know what? Calia Read could write my grocery list out for me and I would probably lick the paper and enjoy doing my shopping at the same time. Not only am I a forever fan of this woman (I mean come on, have you ever read a book of hers that you didn't love? I haven't) but I am forever convinced that this woman can write whatever, whenever, and about whatever and turn it into a masterpiece. Time travel? CHECK. Romantic suspense? CHECK. Mystery? CHECK. Love? CHECK. I mean what can she not do?
LIVINGSTON IS MY WORLD. I thought I really loved him before when I was at Belgrave but that was just a baby crush. After reading King of the South I was convinced it was love. And if you missed absolutely anything about Belgrave or Serene and Etienne then you are in for a tasty treat! I thought it was great the way those two still played a huge role in Rainey and Livingston's world and as always Serene added so much fun and wit to the story.
If you enjoy internal struggles and amazing internal dialogue that doesn't drag on and on and really helps you to understand the character themselves-- well let me just tell you, King of the South really is perfect for you! Calia wrote in dual POV and gave us as a reader a true understanding of how these two people operate and what they internally struggle with.
AND THAT ENDING.
Jesus. I think I had to recover from a heart attack after reading that.
If you ever want to get lost in world, pick up a book from Calia Read. You will forever cherish the journeys and adventures that she takes you on with each and every page turn and character encounter. King of the South was the whole package. Love, mystery, heartbreak, angst, and above all of that, it was such an adventure! I loved this book. But I know you all are not surprised by this.
February 27, 2020
Calia Read has made me a fan of historical and time traveling romance. She not only makes you feel like you’re a part of that era but that you’re witnessing something great and life changing. King of the South had the incredible backdrop of the lifestyle of the upper class, a forbidden romance between two complex characters, and a light hearted humor that was incorporated when we needed it the most.
From the moment I finished reading the Surviving Trace series, I knew that I wanted to read about the side characters and have the opportunity to immerse myself into their world again because they were worth it. Livingston and Rainey grew up together but there was always this light hatred between them that seems to develop when they’re both in the same room with each other. When a stipulation ensures that they have to be around each other due to a legal matter, Livingston and Rainey’s almost non existence will soon take a turn that no one saw coming.
As I’ve said before, I’m so in love with this time era and this author did such a beautiful job with capturing the essence of that time frame. I loved seeing Livingston and Rainey in their element and I adored the little bit of flashbacks that we were given because we saw their relationship in a whole new light. Livingston had his own struggles and certainly felt for him in some moments but a part of me wished that he would’ve gotten his stuff together a little bit sooner.
With memorable characters from the past series, a passionate romance that is guaranteed to be complicated and life changing, you’ve got a story that is sure to keep you entertained. If you’re a fan of this author and historical romance, then this is one story that is not to be missed out on.
March 21, 2024
I absolutely adore this book. It's one of my favorite books to re-read. It has top-tier jealousy from a possessive male main character plus some really good groveling. It's a small age-gap and it's a brother's best friend romance (which I usually hate), but with a small twist. This book is set in the past, so it's a bit of a historical romance (but not really--I don't really read historical romance and this one does not feel like one). This book has The Bachelor vibes.
Plot
The female main character's brother died in the war, and now her brother's super-rich best friend is in charge of the FMC's estate and money. She needs to get married ASAP, and if she doesn't, then she and her mom will lose everything. The male main character is tasked with helping her find suitors so she can choose a husband, and he has to supervise all of her dates in the process.
This book is super fun because while it's set in the past (I think it's set in like the 1800s or early 1900s?), the story is a bit like The Bachelor. The FMC's best friend sets up a game where the FMC starts being courted by 20+ attractive bachelors. The MMC doesn't think he cares about the FMC, and he is annoyed that he is in charge of her estate, but then he slowly loses his mind with jealousy watching her go on all her bachelor outings and dates.
He then starts teaching her sexual lessons (in private), and things get really steamy. The spice is really hot. There are some surprisingly long steamy scenes and dirty talk. It's kind of hot that everything they do sexually has to be a secret, but then he has to watch her go on her dates the next day.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves romance books. I loooove it. The only thing that I would change in this book because it kept making me cringe was how they kept calling each other "the King" and "the Queen." Otherwise, it's one of my favorite books.
Plot
The female main character's brother died in the war, and now her brother's super-rich best friend is in charge of the FMC's estate and money. She needs to get married ASAP, and if she doesn't, then she and her mom will lose everything. The male main character is tasked with helping her find suitors so she can choose a husband, and he has to supervise all of her dates in the process.
This book is super fun because while it's set in the past (I think it's set in like the 1800s or early 1900s?), the story is a bit like The Bachelor. The FMC's best friend sets up a game where the FMC starts being courted by 20+ attractive bachelors. The MMC doesn't think he cares about the FMC, and he is annoyed that he is in charge of her estate, but then he slowly loses his mind with jealousy watching her go on all her bachelor outings and dates.
He then starts teaching her sexual lessons (in private), and things get really steamy. The spice is really hot. There are some surprisingly long steamy scenes and dirty talk. It's kind of hot that everything they do sexually has to be a secret, but then he has to watch her go on her dates the next day.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves romance books. I loooove it. The only thing that I would change in this book because it kept making me cringe was how they kept calling each other "the King" and "the Queen." Otherwise, it's one of my favorite books.
March 12, 2020
LOVED IT!!!
Livingston and Rainey are truly soulmates. Their banter was amazing and their chemistry was off the charts! There’s some scenes that are so sensual I felt butterflies in my stomach. So good!! This book is going straight to my favorites of 2020.
I can’t wait for Natalie and Asa’s book next!!
Livingston and Rainey are truly soulmates. Their banter was amazing and their chemistry was off the charts! There’s some scenes that are so sensual I felt butterflies in my stomach. So good!! This book is going straight to my favorites of 2020.
I can’t wait for Natalie and Asa’s book next!!
April 28, 2022
“She is the phantom echo of the heart I once had before everything changed. The amount of love she has for me is irrelevant because every part of me beats for her.”
If there’s one thing I’m certain of it’s my intense love for Calia Read’s words. This. Book. Consumed. Me. I want to wrap Livingston up and just hold him, but I’m sure Rainey would not have that!! This book fed my soul! Brother’s best friend. Slight age gap and childhood friends to lovers/slightly “enemy-ish”, but not quite because it’s really foreplay. Calia checks all my boxes, but she got me at time travel!! I have missed my Bellgrave family so much! It felt good to see Etienne and Serene happily married and with a family.
Bless Calia for giving us dual pov that gives such rich insight into Rainey & Livingston’s thoughts and feelings. This had the perfect amount of angst and torture. What happens when you fall in love with your deceased brother’s best friend whom he left in his will as ward over your dowry with tough stipulations. You must read to find out and after THAT ending…I’m ready to dive into the second book!
If there’s one thing I’m certain of it’s my intense love for Calia Read’s words. This. Book. Consumed. Me. I want to wrap Livingston up and just hold him, but I’m sure Rainey would not have that!! This book fed my soul! Brother’s best friend. Slight age gap and childhood friends to lovers/slightly “enemy-ish”, but not quite because it’s really foreplay. Calia checks all my boxes, but she got me at time travel!! I have missed my Bellgrave family so much! It felt good to see Etienne and Serene happily married and with a family.
Bless Calia for giving us dual pov that gives such rich insight into Rainey & Livingston’s thoughts and feelings. This had the perfect amount of angst and torture. What happens when you fall in love with your deceased brother’s best friend whom he left in his will as ward over your dowry with tough stipulations. You must read to find out and after THAT ending…I’m ready to dive into the second book!
June 4, 2020
4 “Speak French to Me” Stars
This is my first book by Calia Read and it was a great surprise. Slow burn, great banter, hot romance and an interesting group of characters--basically everything I need in a good romance. It's been a while since I last read HR, and this book made me want to find other titles and dive deeper into this subgenre.
January 12, 2021
King of the South is the first book in the Belgrave Dynasty series and it's a spin-off of the "Surviving time " series. I was disappointed because there's no indication in the book or in the blurb that this is a spin-off and it was strange to read a historical novel, set in 1919, where a character spoke about " Friends" or other TV shows. I did not know that Serene, a side character was a time traveler and the heroine from the " Surviving time" series, and it would've been nice to know because I would have read it, and probably some facts in " King of the South" would have made sens
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January 3, 2021
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
But that was the truth. If Livingston was the king of the South, I was the queen of lies. From my deceit and his charm, we could build a kingdom that would last for centuries.
King of the South is a swoon-worthy historical romance of a fiery wild woman and a wicked and broken war hero engulfed in the burning flames of love.
Charleston – 1919
The Great War ended but the tragedy of the blood-soaked years lingered. 39-year-old Livingston Lacroix returned home grief-ridden after witnessing the deaths of his fellow soldiers and the news of his childhood and best friend's death, Miles Pleasonton. With wars comes deaths and trauma and the Pleasontons were not spared. 28-year-old Raina Pleasonton has no living family members except for her mother. Both Pleasonton ladies were surprised to find that Miles had left his sister a dowry in his will and appointed his best friend as the executor.
Rainey is outraged that her brother's best friend and long-time nemesis has control over her dowry and that she must wed within sixty days. For Livingston is nothing but a roguish charmer and a man she had been in war with since her childhood.
Livingston is baffled, for what man will have the strong-headed and too wild to tame Rainey for a wife. The very same woman that pulled an arrow at him when she was younger in a rage. To him, being at war was easier than being near that hellion of a woman.
If someone is not prepared for Livingston and me, you can feel as though you've been swept into a hurricane. By the time we're done snarling at one another, all the poor, unsuspecting people around us are a bit lost, scratching their heads, and saying, "what just occurred?"
Despite their 11-years age gap, both of them have shared a solid and unique bond since they were young even if that bond sprouted from plotting wars against one another.
"God be with the world with which we live in," I would mutter whenever he left because wherever he walked, there was potential for a trail of broke hearts.
I must say my reading experience was delightful because I've had a taste of every aspect of a book I could enjoy, the humor was spot on! I loved the banter and bickering between Rainey and Livingston. Their witty humor and sarcasm were so entertaining, it takes me a while for characters to grow on me but I instantly liked both. Livingston interactions with his twin-brother and sister-in-law were comedic I didn't think I'd laugh this much.
I love that both Rainey and Livingston are characters with different layers to them. Rainey can be too wild but she is also passionate while Livingston is a rogue but he has a darker side to him which has to do with his PTSD from his time at the war. It marks them as characters with such depth.
Livingston is Charleston’s number one womanizer. I am Charleston’s untamed debutante.
This book serves a platter of slow-burn chemistry, enemies-to-lovers goodness, and a passionate love that will keep you on the edge of swooning.
For all my romance enthusiasts out there, you will have your fill of a heated romance between two long-time foes that unfolds beautifully and chaotically.
Throughout the years, we have found ourselves at war with one another, but with love, we found peace.
Note that this book is a spin-off from its original series The Surviving Time. But it can be read as a stand-alone and I had no problem understanding the context of the story. I'm intrigued by the original series since it has time-travel romance.
This is the first book I read by Calia Read and I have to compliment her flowy and immersive writing because I had issue delving straight into the story and she kept me hooked.
Ah... you must be wondering why this book has the title King of the South? . . . It is a title well-earned by Livingston in 1902 thanks to his dangerous charm and gorgeous looks.
This is a must-read if you're a fan of historical romances!
But that was the truth. If Livingston was the king of the South, I was the queen of lies. From my deceit and his charm, we could build a kingdom that would last for centuries.
King of the South is a swoon-worthy historical romance of a fiery wild woman and a wicked and broken war hero engulfed in the burning flames of love.
Charleston – 1919
The Great War ended but the tragedy of the blood-soaked years lingered. 39-year-old Livingston Lacroix returned home grief-ridden after witnessing the deaths of his fellow soldiers and the news of his childhood and best friend's death, Miles Pleasonton. With wars comes deaths and trauma and the Pleasontons were not spared. 28-year-old Raina Pleasonton has no living family members except for her mother. Both Pleasonton ladies were surprised to find that Miles had left his sister a dowry in his will and appointed his best friend as the executor.
Rainey is outraged that her brother's best friend and long-time nemesis has control over her dowry and that she must wed within sixty days. For Livingston is nothing but a roguish charmer and a man she had been in war with since her childhood.
Livingston is baffled, for what man will have the strong-headed and too wild to tame Rainey for a wife. The very same woman that pulled an arrow at him when she was younger in a rage. To him, being at war was easier than being near that hellion of a woman.
If someone is not prepared for Livingston and me, you can feel as though you've been swept into a hurricane. By the time we're done snarling at one another, all the poor, unsuspecting people around us are a bit lost, scratching their heads, and saying, "what just occurred?"
Despite their 11-years age gap, both of them have shared a solid and unique bond since they were young even if that bond sprouted from plotting wars against one another.
"God be with the world with which we live in," I would mutter whenever he left because wherever he walked, there was potential for a trail of broke hearts.
I must say my reading experience was delightful because I've had a taste of every aspect of a book I could enjoy, the humor was spot on! I loved the banter and bickering between Rainey and Livingston. Their witty humor and sarcasm were so entertaining, it takes me a while for characters to grow on me but I instantly liked both. Livingston interactions with his twin-brother and sister-in-law were comedic I didn't think I'd laugh this much.
I love that both Rainey and Livingston are characters with different layers to them. Rainey can be too wild but she is also passionate while Livingston is a rogue but he has a darker side to him which has to do with his PTSD from his time at the war. It marks them as characters with such depth.
Livingston is Charleston’s number one womanizer. I am Charleston’s untamed debutante.
This book serves a platter of slow-burn chemistry, enemies-to-lovers goodness, and a passionate love that will keep you on the edge of swooning.
For all my romance enthusiasts out there, you will have your fill of a heated romance between two long-time foes that unfolds beautifully and chaotically.
Throughout the years, we have found ourselves at war with one another, but with love, we found peace.
Note that this book is a spin-off from its original series The Surviving Time. But it can be read as a stand-alone and I had no problem understanding the context of the story. I'm intrigued by the original series since it has time-travel romance.
This is the first book I read by Calia Read and I have to compliment her flowy and immersive writing because I had issue delving straight into the story and she kept me hooked.
Ah... you must be wondering why this book has the title King of the South? . . . It is a title well-earned by Livingston in 1902 thanks to his dangerous charm and gorgeous looks.
This is a must-read if you're a fan of historical romances!
February 27, 2020
I really had high hopes for this book.
I liked the beginning, Rainey and Livingston were cute (although it was obvious they were in love from the very start so there was no tension there). But the plot was, to simply put it, b o r i n g. Not much happens. With Serene & Etienne's books there was the time-travel aspect which made it more interesting. If the author plans to make this a series I really hope next books have better plots.
I liked the beginning, Rainey and Livingston were cute (although it was obvious they were in love from the very start so there was no tension there). But the plot was, to simply put it, b o r i n g. Not much happens. With Serene & Etienne's books there was the time-travel aspect which made it more interesting. If the author plans to make this a series I really hope next books have better plots.
June 3, 2021
It’s so great to be back in Belgrave with the Lacroix Family. Livingston and Rainey’s book was fantastic! I love their love story and the Bachelorette type setting. It’s also good to see Serene adjusting so well to her new life, Etienne being awesome and finding out what happened after Echoes of Time I will say that this is definitely a spin off of the Surviving Time series ( start with The Surviving Trace ) so if you haven’t read those you should cause they’re awesome. And also because there’s a lot of background. The audiobook is also fantastic. I can’t wait for Natalie and Asa’s story to be completed so I can dig in! Overall I’m in love with this family and these books!
October 14, 2020
This was such a lovely book. I loved every single one of the characters, it's rare for me to find a book where I don't have any issue with them. I enjoyed that I got to see both POVs as this is something I wish all books had. I liked that the heroine was very expressive and wasn't really constrained about her personality especially considering the time she was in.
That little snippet of Natalie's story has me more than ready. Can't wait for it.
That little snippet of Natalie's story has me more than ready. Can't wait for it.
December 11, 2022
REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"A kiss is a kiss, but a touch can break you."
I'm pretty certain, it's at this point in my "Calia Read Reading Career" that I can put her on my list of must read authors. I need to read her and cannot wait for more words to come from her. She's a special someone - I cannot deny that. I enjoy her group, her books, and she's got a comedic side to her as well. I feel like I got pretty lucky when I decided to jump into my first book of hers, The Surviving Trace. That book set my love in motion and it has kept pace with each book since. So now I have moved onto my fourth book of hers and my love affair is only growing. There's an authenticity to her stories that is unrivaled in many of the stories I'm reading or have read. She definitely dominates a corner of my kindle and I will keep feeding this need for her words.
My goal with my reviews is to always share what a book did to me or for me or with me. I want to show you how it made me feel. The emotions I waded through, and why it did that. I feel that my review for this book won't properly deliver the amount of love I have for Livingston and Rainey. This book spoke to me. It gave me all the feelings and emotions, it brought me back to a time that I have already fallen in love with and it put me right back in my favorite fictional world. I can't say it enough HOW MUCH I loved everything about this story and this family.
"Perhaps, when you dislike someone long enough, the animosity can burn bright enough to start a fire."
I love that the barrier of proper versus desire is the weighted gate between these two lovers. Protocol and responsibility; it’s all so intriguing. What a window into the past with restrictions and requirements. This was a best friends' younger sister/enemies to lovers style trope set in the early 1900's, so it hit the historical romance genre as well - one I don't read often, but I do know that Calia Read delivers it with precision. The fact that she was able to showcase not only the proper side of things, she also shared the very reality of a love that was undeniable - this really was the perfect example of an undeniable pull confronting circumstance. A magnetism that could not be fought.
It blew my mind that she was able to bring me back to a place I loved in another book and the storyline didn't suffer, and if anything, it kept the love alive. It kept the 'dream' alive. I was honestly concerned about this series having the same magic as her Surviving Time series did, but she put my fears to rest. Her delivery of this storyline was unmitigated - completely undiluted perfection. Oh my gosh, I loved this one so much!! I love this family, this era....this dynasty. Absolutely love it!!
"Everything I do seems wrong. But you? You are the only thing that feels right."
Read's words are so descriptive. The way she gives me the sights, the smells, the life of a long ago forgotten world. I smelled the scents, heard the southern drawl, felt the mugginess of the southern summers. It's always amazing to read her stories and be transported to another time and place, and yet, I always feel at home within her stories. She will easily give me story after story to dream upon, and I will happily get lost in them, each and every time.
And let's discuss all that French. It's not just the language of love, but it's clearly Livingston's preferred way to sneak his emotions out. He definitely made me swoon. Livingston has a tongue, and he puts it to good use. Oh my gosh, because wooh-wee. I swooned so hard. I used the translate option on my kindle often, and I just melted every single time he would say something. There was something so intimate about his deepest thoughts and desires being whispered and put out into the universe with his sexy tongue. Grrr, baby. Seriously.....{{drool}} and swoon. I am eagerly awaiting Nat's story, and while I know she is writing that one currently, I am very (im)patiently waiting to see where she takes it. HIGHLY anticipated next book....in one of my new favorite series.
"Je te veux plus que tout."
~BEE
PURCHASE: https://amzn.to/3awoNns
Affiliate Link
ENTER HERE TO WIN AN ECOPY: https://bit.ly/2XZ9DF0
"A kiss is a kiss, but a touch can break you."
I'm pretty certain, it's at this point in my "Calia Read Reading Career" that I can put her on my list of must read authors. I need to read her and cannot wait for more words to come from her. She's a special someone - I cannot deny that. I enjoy her group, her books, and she's got a comedic side to her as well. I feel like I got pretty lucky when I decided to jump into my first book of hers, The Surviving Trace. That book set my love in motion and it has kept pace with each book since. So now I have moved onto my fourth book of hers and my love affair is only growing. There's an authenticity to her stories that is unrivaled in many of the stories I'm reading or have read. She definitely dominates a corner of my kindle and I will keep feeding this need for her words.
My goal with my reviews is to always share what a book did to me or for me or with me. I want to show you how it made me feel. The emotions I waded through, and why it did that. I feel that my review for this book won't properly deliver the amount of love I have for Livingston and Rainey. This book spoke to me. It gave me all the feelings and emotions, it brought me back to a time that I have already fallen in love with and it put me right back in my favorite fictional world. I can't say it enough HOW MUCH I loved everything about this story and this family.
"Perhaps, when you dislike someone long enough, the animosity can burn bright enough to start a fire."
I love that the barrier of proper versus desire is the weighted gate between these two lovers. Protocol and responsibility; it’s all so intriguing. What a window into the past with restrictions and requirements. This was a best friends' younger sister/enemies to lovers style trope set in the early 1900's, so it hit the historical romance genre as well - one I don't read often, but I do know that Calia Read delivers it with precision. The fact that she was able to showcase not only the proper side of things, she also shared the very reality of a love that was undeniable - this really was the perfect example of an undeniable pull confronting circumstance. A magnetism that could not be fought.
It blew my mind that she was able to bring me back to a place I loved in another book and the storyline didn't suffer, and if anything, it kept the love alive. It kept the 'dream' alive. I was honestly concerned about this series having the same magic as her Surviving Time series did, but she put my fears to rest. Her delivery of this storyline was unmitigated - completely undiluted perfection. Oh my gosh, I loved this one so much!! I love this family, this era....this dynasty. Absolutely love it!!
"Everything I do seems wrong. But you? You are the only thing that feels right."
Read's words are so descriptive. The way she gives me the sights, the smells, the life of a long ago forgotten world. I smelled the scents, heard the southern drawl, felt the mugginess of the southern summers. It's always amazing to read her stories and be transported to another time and place, and yet, I always feel at home within her stories. She will easily give me story after story to dream upon, and I will happily get lost in them, each and every time.
And let's discuss all that French. It's not just the language of love, but it's clearly Livingston's preferred way to sneak his emotions out. He definitely made me swoon. Livingston has a tongue, and he puts it to good use. Oh my gosh, because wooh-wee. I swooned so hard. I used the translate option on my kindle often, and I just melted every single time he would say something. There was something so intimate about his deepest thoughts and desires being whispered and put out into the universe with his sexy tongue. Grrr, baby. Seriously.....{{drool}} and swoon. I am eagerly awaiting Nat's story, and while I know she is writing that one currently, I am very (im)patiently waiting to see where she takes it. HIGHLY anticipated next book....in one of my new favorite series.
"Je te veux plus que tout."
~BEE
PURCHASE: https://amzn.to/3awoNns
Affiliate Link
ENTER HERE TO WIN AN ECOPY: https://bit.ly/2XZ9DF0
Want to read
July 14, 2020whoa! this one got a pretty good average rating and the synopsis sounds very interesting. i add it in my tbr now and guess i might pick it up soon!
March 1, 2020
She is the phantom echo of my heart I once had before everything changed. The amount of love she has for me is irrelevant because every part of me beats for her.
From the first page on I fell in love with the characters, I fell in love with the story and the storytelling.
I honestly feel like this story is so good, it could be a classic. It's not one you read and as the time goes by, you forget. This one stays with you forever.
Can't wait for the next one.
From the first page on I fell in love with the characters, I fell in love with the story and the storytelling.
I honestly feel like this story is so good, it could be a classic. It's not one you read and as the time goes by, you forget. This one stays with you forever.
Can't wait for the next one.
October 28, 2020
This book was perfect.
If I were able to give this book over five stars, I would, in a heartbeat. The world Calia Reed has created is so breathtaking and captivating. You aren't given a choice but to fall in love with her words. I am feeling so many emotions right now, I don't know what to do with myself. Or how else to tell you how much I loved every moment I spent reading this book.
I always had the hots for Livingston and his charm but his book intensified it 10x over. He came back from war, a broken veteran, lost his best friend and doesn't know how to continue on living a normal life. Here, you have Rainey who knows how to push all of his buttons, in the best of ways. Which brings him relief from the PTSD he is suffering from. He seeks her out further and more often.
Rainey always has had a thing for Liv but has a hard time admitting that to herself. I think this story is a great example of lust, love, and hate being all mixed up into one. She can tell Liv is not his usual self, and has this great desire to, not fix him but help him as best as she can. Clearly, that scares her because they're supposed to be "enemies" but here they are being thrusted into each other's lives by reasons you'll find out when you read the book.
I love how much Serene and Etienne were in this book, it felt like returning to a past love. Serene bringing modern day things into Rainey's life, basically creating an Edwardian era bachelors show. That's all I'll say, I tried to keep this as spoiler freeish as possible. I desperately want everyone to read The Surviving Trace trilogy and then King of the South. I don't how much I shove these books in people's faces but I am desperate for them to get the attention they deserve. Calia Reed is a beautiful writer.
If I were able to give this book over five stars, I would, in a heartbeat. The world Calia Reed has created is so breathtaking and captivating. You aren't given a choice but to fall in love with her words. I am feeling so many emotions right now, I don't know what to do with myself. Or how else to tell you how much I loved every moment I spent reading this book.
I always had the hots for Livingston and his charm but his book intensified it 10x over. He came back from war, a broken veteran, lost his best friend and doesn't know how to continue on living a normal life. Here, you have Rainey who knows how to push all of his buttons, in the best of ways. Which brings him relief from the PTSD he is suffering from. He seeks her out further and more often.
Rainey always has had a thing for Liv but has a hard time admitting that to herself. I think this story is a great example of lust, love, and hate being all mixed up into one. She can tell Liv is not his usual self, and has this great desire to, not fix him but help him as best as she can. Clearly, that scares her because they're supposed to be "enemies" but here they are being thrusted into each other's lives by reasons you'll find out when you read the book.
I love how much Serene and Etienne were in this book, it felt like returning to a past love. Serene bringing modern day things into Rainey's life, basically creating an Edwardian era bachelors show. That's all I'll say, I tried to keep this as spoiler freeish as possible. I desperately want everyone to read The Surviving Trace trilogy and then King of the South. I don't how much I shove these books in people's faces but I am desperate for them to get the attention they deserve. Calia Reed is a beautiful writer.
February 18, 2020
3.5+ Le Savauge Stars
The prologue sets up the story perfectly of what’s to come between Livingston Lecroix and Rainey Pleasonton. From childhood to adulthood, their relationship is a mutual give and take, love and hate. Their banter and wit are whip smart. Livingston with his tortured soul and Rainey with her strong will and sharp tongue need each other more than they care to admit. Their attraction crackles. They circle one another patiently waiting to see which one gives in first.
And Livingston’s whispered French is sexy and intimate. Ooo la la!
Ms. Read’s vibrant descriptions makes it simple to picture the early 1900’s in Charleston with its southern charm, but also a woman’s place in life and expectations. Luckily, Rainey and Livingston go against that grain in the best ways. And while I really enjoyed their story, it was also great to be back at Belgrave. Etienne and Serene added a special charm and bit of fun to the romance. I look forward to what’s coming next.
The prologue sets up the story perfectly of what’s to come between Livingston Lecroix and Rainey Pleasonton. From childhood to adulthood, their relationship is a mutual give and take, love and hate. Their banter and wit are whip smart. Livingston with his tortured soul and Rainey with her strong will and sharp tongue need each other more than they care to admit. Their attraction crackles. They circle one another patiently waiting to see which one gives in first.
And Livingston’s whispered French is sexy and intimate. Ooo la la!
Ms. Read’s vibrant descriptions makes it simple to picture the early 1900’s in Charleston with its southern charm, but also a woman’s place in life and expectations. Luckily, Rainey and Livingston go against that grain in the best ways. And while I really enjoyed their story, it was also great to be back at Belgrave. Etienne and Serene added a special charm and bit of fun to the romance. I look forward to what’s coming next.
February 19, 2020
Thank you Calia for allowing me to have an ARC of this book. I’m a huge fan of these characters and your writing. 😍
I absolutely adored Rainey & Livingston. I’ve always been a huge fan of Livingston since day 1 of meeting him in the Surviving Trace books. I love how far his character has come and am so happy to see Calia writing more in the Belgrave era! This book was so good, I loved how everything played out and I’m a huge fan of this time era (early 1900s). I would say this is your typical predictable romance book. It has all the right things to swoon over and some moments you were at the edge of your seat wondering what would happen next with the story. I cannot wait to see what Calia has in store for the next book in this series. I loved the ending and will definitely be reading the next!
I absolutely adored Rainey & Livingston. I’ve always been a huge fan of Livingston since day 1 of meeting him in the Surviving Trace books. I love how far his character has come and am so happy to see Calia writing more in the Belgrave era! This book was so good, I loved how everything played out and I’m a huge fan of this time era (early 1900s). I would say this is your typical predictable romance book. It has all the right things to swoon over and some moments you were at the edge of your seat wondering what would happen next with the story. I cannot wait to see what Calia has in store for the next book in this series. I loved the ending and will definitely be reading the next!
April 13, 2020
UH-MAZING!! This book. This series. These characters (starting from The Surviving Time series)
It's been an all consuming world I can't get enough of and I want more of it.
Nathalie's book is next and I'm soooo here for it.
I FREAKEN Love Livingston ♡ He is so sweet and hot and everything.
And I loved the buildup and slow burn between Raina and Livingston ☆
She is the phantom echo of the heart I once had before everything changed. The amount of love she has for me is irrelevant because every part of me beats for her.
It's been an all consuming world I can't get enough of and I want more of it.
Nathalie's book is next and I'm soooo here for it.
I FREAKEN Love Livingston ♡ He is so sweet and hot and everything.
And I loved the buildup and slow burn between Raina and Livingston ☆
She is the phantom echo of the heart I once had before everything changed. The amount of love she has for me is irrelevant because every part of me beats for her.
April 19, 2020
Story, characters, plot was very satisfying I love it. Out of 4,5 stars gave it 5 (just last couple of pages can be short, thats it not much).
February 17, 2020
King of the South is just wonderful. Calia Read takes us on a journey that is sweet and witty and at times heartbreaking. But through it all, it's the love, whether between soulmates or family members that clearly drives this story. This continuation of all things Belgrave features the seemingly roguish Livingston Lacroix and the woman who is both his formidable adversary and closest confidante, Rainey Pleasanton. The subtle heat between them only gets hotter as Rainey's life is turned upside down after her brother Miles's death. With Livingston his war-ravaged best friend, it's a complicated path to his finally seeing Rainey as much more than just an obligation.
This gorgeous slow-burn romance is downright addictive! I love the way Read carefully crafts a story-line that is not only brilliant but full of mirth that only she can deliver. With Serene and Etienne a huge component of the ultimate in 'capers', I couldn't help but smile often and chuckle softly to myself as the city of Charleston is all agog over the chance to both court and marry Rainey. Serene is a true saving grace (which trust me, is not the usual with her) for both Rainey and Livingston as she cleverly figures out a way to finally get these two to admit their feelings for one another.
I could not put this book down as hearts are tethered together, broken apart and mended just when all seemed lost. In addition, the passion that is both welcomed and a bit surprising to Livingston and his Raina is quite intense. It's not only sexy but filled with emotions only they are capable of feeling towards the other. The years-long relationship gives this burgeoning affection of theirs a tenderness that is truly beautiful, even in the dark.
Right along with the author, I could read about Belgrave and the incredible occupants forever. Read has found a rhythm with this time-frame that is wildly compelling. Her continued seduction of our attention with her stellar words is more than welcomed by this reader. And I look forward to the next book in the series as the world of Lacroix and all that entails keeps me happily captive.
5+++++ huge stars once more!
This gorgeous slow-burn romance is downright addictive! I love the way Read carefully crafts a story-line that is not only brilliant but full of mirth that only she can deliver. With Serene and Etienne a huge component of the ultimate in 'capers', I couldn't help but smile often and chuckle softly to myself as the city of Charleston is all agog over the chance to both court and marry Rainey. Serene is a true saving grace (which trust me, is not the usual with her) for both Rainey and Livingston as she cleverly figures out a way to finally get these two to admit their feelings for one another.
I could not put this book down as hearts are tethered together, broken apart and mended just when all seemed lost. In addition, the passion that is both welcomed and a bit surprising to Livingston and his Raina is quite intense. It's not only sexy but filled with emotions only they are capable of feeling towards the other. The years-long relationship gives this burgeoning affection of theirs a tenderness that is truly beautiful, even in the dark.
Right along with the author, I could read about Belgrave and the incredible occupants forever. Read has found a rhythm with this time-frame that is wildly compelling. Her continued seduction of our attention with her stellar words is more than welcomed by this reader. And I look forward to the next book in the series as the world of Lacroix and all that entails keeps me happily captive.
5+++++ huge stars once more!
June 25, 2021
Me merezco algún tipo de remuneración monetaria por haber terminado de leer esta aberración.
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