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Two years of bitter loneliness have passed. The woman I love is now the woman I hate. I lose myself in beautiful women every night and tell myself that fortune reading was nothing but a scam.

But then her mother asks me to marry her.

I say yes.

Now this woman will be mine forever.

Maybe the prophecy really is true. I’m committing to a woman that will never love me in return.

But it was better to be her husband than allow someone else to take my place. It was better to conquer her body every night than be lonely with someone else.

Much better.

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2019

4483 people are currently reading
2782 people want to read

About the author

Penelope Sky

74 books6,615 followers
A 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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5 stars
4,144 (48%)
4 stars
2,658 (31%)
3 stars
1,251 (14%)
2 stars
310 (3%)
1 star
127 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 350 reviews
Profile Image for Fre06 Begum.
1,260 reviews205 followers
Read
December 12, 2019
I thought I would try one more book by this author but she seems to run the same themes in her books which I personally don’t like.
Her main leads are too sexually promiscuous for my liking and cheating seems to be a theme this author likes too much. Her main characters are always so beautiful and handsome and think nothing of jumping into bed with whoever takes their fancy. I guess I am old fashioned but this habit author has of almost making a mockery of wedding vows (I don’t care if it’s arranged or not) just really makes my stomach curdle. No more books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Abhilasha.
293 reviews27 followers
April 15, 2025
Read in 2021
Reread: Countless Times

➵ Not my Man saying, “My second reason is children. I want a family—and you will give me beautiful children. My third reason…I want to fuck you” on the second page, when Sofia asked him why he wanted to marry her?

Hades agreeing with Sofia's conditions (which were literally relationship ethics) made my heart flutter, considering what she thinks of him as a person. 🥺

Hades was acting cruel when meeting her after their breakup, but he was just putting on a facade because he wanted her to see how much he felt for her - feelings she couldn't reciprocate. His pride and the hurt he felt after Sofia left him couldn't let him confess, and I understand him. Who would tell someone they love them when the other person doesn't care about them at all?

➵ Their intimate scenes were chef's kiss as always 🤭

➵ I don't want to talk about Maddox. He'll rot in Book Universe's hell
Profile Image for Carla .
1,662 reviews531 followers
March 2, 2020
I think this story is becoming more and more amazing. The female character is totally blind because her actions. OMG.
I love this.
Profile Image for Angela Wilson.
243 reviews15 followers
December 12, 2019
Too Much Sex

This could have been an excellent read, but there is just too much sex. PS could have eliminated some of the sex and concentrated more on developing a love story. However; what is on point is Hades's desperation to have Sofia's love. I feel the author glossed over Sofia's feelings and replaced it with sex.I do feel like this should have been a duet, 50.00 is a lot to charge fans for this series since there are 5 more book left to be published. If you want to spend that kind of money on a sex series I would recommend this series (at least the first two books).
Profile Image for Izzie d.
4,298 reviews362 followers
December 11, 2019
Interesting scenario.
The couple get married.
The Hero has offers from others but refuses.
No cheating.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
This book starts with them getting back together after their separation, it is mentioned in passing that both had been with other people during the time apart.

Secondary characters with possible future storylines.
Hero is hard, he says, though he doesn't tell the heroine that he loves her but has a lot to learn about how you show love.
Cliffhanger end.

Seems series will be 4 books then a further 3 about the Hero's friend.
Profile Image for Kat |Demented Paramour.
174 reviews15 followers
December 12, 2019
I have so much expectation from Sofia. I don't remember much from book 1, but I believe she's much worse in this book. She's basically a damsel in distress in this one. She constantly needs Hades' help and protection. What happened about her needs for independence? She let every men (not only Hades) to walk all over her. If she really wants to be taken seriously at work, she should demand it. She should make sure that everyone respect her. Like for example, when they're on a meeting and the men didn't pay any attention to her, she just let them be and keep going on with her presentation, even though there are only 2 people that paid attention. Sure, maybe the men are sexist assholes, but I think that could happen to anyone who are too afraid to take control, even men. She constantly talks about wanting to be independent and strong and respected but she didn't do anything to earn any of it. I don't understand. She didn't even try to gain respect.

Like for example, when Hades said this:

“Most men would treat you like a dog. Trust me on that. You know I never would.”
After meeting Maddox, I believed him, but I still wasn’t happy.


I mean, how could she believe him so easily? Like I said, I don’t remember much from book 1, but I’m pretty sure she’s not someone with insecurities. After all her whining about being a strong woman, I don't believe she would let anyone treat her like a dog.

And she's actually pretty sexist too with her comment in this:

“You don’t need to think. Just listen.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Unlike your other girls, I actually like to think.”


How could someone that think men are sexist pigs say something like this? She whines about how men don't take her seriously and only see her as pretty, but she does exactly the same to other women. What's that word I'm looking for? Oh yeah, hypocrite

description

And Hades is exactly the same from book 1, an egotistical asshole. I can't even believe that Hades is in love with Sofia. His actions didn't show it. When they talk, Hades is so cold and often shut her down. I feel like he's obsessed with Sofia only because of her looks, and nothing more.

Sofia looked horrified. “This is happening too fast. I literally just got my ring today.”
“Because you wanted one,” I reminded her.


Because everyone needs a ring if they were to get married. The fuck dude?

Of course I didn’t want my mother-in-law in the house. I was marrying Sofia—and that was the only part of the package I wanted. Now I had another person to be responsible for.


Wow dude, asshole much?

“I don’t give a shit if you’re out having a good time. I’m more important than anything you could possibly be doing.”


Wow dude, asshole much?

A woman like her wouldn’t want to marry a gentleman. She needed a monster.


I wouldn’t even begin with this statement.

description

That was the downfall of having a sassy wife. She stood by her decisions and refused to apologize for her point of view.


Sigh
No dude, that was the downfall of having a human being as a wife. If you want a wife that won’t have opinions, you should marry a potato.

And I’m really pissed when Hades told Sofia that he met his favorite whore and said that he used to fuck the whore in the very bedroom they’re currently sleeping in. That’s disgusting. Any self respecting woman would refuse to sleep there ever again and move to a guest bedroom. But instead Sofia apologized to him??? (I do remember that in the beginning of the book Hades said that he changed the bed but still, ew)

This is basically their whole relationship. They argue, fuck, and Hades telling Sofia what to do. Even if they have a fight, Sofia is always the one to cave in and apologize first. She's just not what I expected from reading book 1. I expected her to be like Siena from The Banker series.

But I'll still read the next book because I'm curious what would happen next. I hope Sofia starts acting like her words.

description
Profile Image for Dai G.
784 reviews154 followers
December 11, 2021
Ay es que amo a Penélope, en serio.

Sus historias pueden ser repetitivas pero su formula no falla. Al menos para mi, se que algunos les aburre. Pero bueno como todo en la vida, para gustos...

Hades es todo lo que esta bien en un hombre, después de leer a Penélope, te queres matar por no poder encontrar un hombre como el. Pero al menos tenemos esta historia.

Ya quiero leer la historia de Ash y Demien!!

PD: el age gap es de 7 años
Profile Image for Myla.
640 reviews128 followers
December 25, 2019

4.5 Stars

Husband is captivating that you'll be intrigued to put it down. As the story progress, Hades became so protective of Sofia. He's got it bad for this woman. The woman who can't seem to love him unconditionally. I cannot wait to see how this story will pan out after that cliffy ending. Such an enjoyable and engaging book!
Profile Image for R Rais.
1,554 reviews43 followers
December 10, 2019
Ten awesome star!
In Wife I have trouble liking Sofia. Even the first chapter she still won't stand for her mistake and still blame Hades. But fortunetly she redeemed her self. Her gradual changes makes me like her better.
And Hades..the man already has my heart from the start. When in Wife he force him self with seduction in Sofia's life, in Husband, he put his feet down. His more firm, strick, cut to the chase. But he's still the same devoted, loving, loyal, and protective Hades as before.

The change in their ritmic kinda struck me at this point. How in Wife, Sofia use him and feels like walk on him with no respect when Hades was being more gentle and seductive although still dominant. But when Hades is being more strick, toward more mean, harsh in his dominant, take no BS, Sofia kinda submit. I wonder to my self if Sofia actually a submissive but didn't realise it and the author didn't put label in it. Cause the ritmic in their relationship changes gradually in that sense.
When Hades proves his dominant in or outside bedroom, she respect him.
When Hades proves he can and will protect her, put her above anything else in his life, respect her as his partner in marriage, she finally respect him.

Hades change too from Wife. Still dominant. In Husband though, we see Hades in the rougher eksterior. As Hades the drug Lord. As Hades the King of the Underworld.
We see his love toward Damien.
We see his love for Sofia that urge him to seek his long no see Brother.
We see this strong man being so humble in his love, that's actually makes me as a woman wish to have a man like him. I imagine it would be humbling yet feels like I'm the richest girl in the world.

Husband definitly lot better than Wife.
5 star for character grow
5 star for steamy
5 star for smooth plot flow
5 star for the chemistry between characters
5 star for the angst from Hades POV
5 star for that ending!

Can't wait to read the next book!
Profile Image for Harim.
1,203 reviews77 followers
December 10, 2019
I... I am at a loss for words. This came after a long wait and boy was it worth it. Just today I was missing this story something fierce and voila.. My ARC came. Thank you PS!

This was so effing good and had so much incorporated into it yet not a dull moment. The writing flows.
There's more and more about Hades and his life before..and the curse.. The goddamn curse. The story in this one has progressed even further and there's a lot happening..with all the characters. Some new one's, too.

This one had me crying because DANG IT.
Poor Hades.
He's doing so much, oh so much.



I just want happiness for him.

But Sofia.. I started liking her a bit in this as compared to the first one. She's .. warming up. But still.. The damn curse. I love the story Penelope Sky has created, it's definitely different, super frustrating, heart ripping, a torture but I wouldn't have it any other way. Because all this makes it work.

Ahhh but Hades and Sofia moments were just everything.. Enough to give me some warmth and to tide me over when it got too tough.



I just need the tables to turn and oh Lord there's two more books to go. I need some happy stuff pronto.

ARC received for review by Penelope Sky
Profile Image for Lisa.
248 reviews24 followers
February 20, 2020
Story took a nosedive. The whole book is just SEX.
Profile Image for Chloe reads.
454 reviews42 followers
January 6, 2020
4,5 husband stars

Oh how I love this series. It truly only gets better and better. I need more and MORE of Hades and Sofia. I'm literally addicted to their story. They both frustrated me at times but my heart broke for them as well.
Overall, I recommend this book and this series.

PS: Lover cannot come soon enough.





(Full Review To Come)
Profile Image for ❤Love&Books❤.
276 reviews11 followers
December 19, 2019
5 STARS

Second book in the series down. I didn't expect to enjoy this book more than the previous one. We begin where we left off, Sofia and Hades and their new agreement (marriage).
Unlike the first one this was more engaging. The author find space to include old/new characters and establish new dynamics.

The chemistry was off the charts and as a romance readers im glad to see that there weren't so many such sex scene as the previous book that madee the reading repetitive and boring.
and that cliffhanger 😱😰😡
I want it NOW!!!!
But we have to wait my friends.
Profile Image for Emma.
702 reviews7 followers
September 7, 2023
After being separated for two years, Sofia has to get married and Hades is the man for the job, even after time part he still loves her. He feeling haven't changed she still doesn't want to love him. but in this book their relationship goes to the next level which is crazy because Hades is already at the level to be an amazing husband. I found this read so gripping read it so fast. I was so happy that their was a second book and now i realise their is a third book.!! Hades in this book focuses on making Sofia fall in love with him. obviously she has feelings but she never speaks about them. Hades decide to go back to the gypsy who told him he would be punished for the rest of his life for the big crime his committed that ruined his relationship with his brother. The introduction to the brother Damien was good. I do wish he was more serious the job he has is disgusting and i feel he would feel more about it. Obversity I love Ash I think he's great. A bit of a idiot but I will love to read his books. He is such a playboy.

I knew the ending was coming. If the next book wasn't out the cliffhanger would of killed me.

*spice 5/5 🔥
*man obsessed
*kidnapping
*mafia
*arranged marriage

*man will to die for his wife.


Overall a good read. There is so much spice and you know what its still so good it's not boring as there's a lot. I have to mention the covers. The first book cover is great. The rest of the series need updating a lot. It would bring in readers who haven't read these book before. There are a lot of mafia lovers out there but the cover hold people back in my opinion.
Profile Image for whatsfordina.
279 reviews70 followers
March 17, 2022
“Once the line went dead, that was when I noticed the tears falling down my cheeks. I thought they were beads of sweat. But, no—they were drops of heartache.”

the angst is killing me
Profile Image for Bec.
1,354 reviews21 followers
January 10, 2020
This installment doesn’t progress the story much. It begins where we left the last story and told in both their POV’s. I’m truly hoping this isn’t really a curse otherwise we are in the wrong genre as it wasn’t depicted as being paranormal. The hero is beginning to believe the gypsy story that he will fall in love but won’t have the heart of the heroine. As far as I can tell he is clueless as to what love is if he can’t tell his wife he loves her. She is her own person as far as not wanting to fall at his feet and still wants to work at her hotel.

He goes back to the gypsy to see if he can get around this curse they believe it’s because he killed his dad and he needs to reconcile with his brother. Meanwhile Damien has been naughty which has forced them to make a deal with an enemy but hen tried double crossing him without letting the hero know.

I can’t understand why the hero cannot be honest with the heroine and believe if he does it will reveal her true feelings. I just don’t think she is wise enough to know how she feels and what does it matter anyway if they are both happy? It seems much ado about nothing! I hope the next book is filled with something more than the same sex/argument/ sex/dinner/sex/etc. 🙃
Profile Image for FictionalDen.
256 reviews273 followers
December 12, 2019
Im so angry right now
First i read that this book is a duology (2 book series)
Then when I finished reading the first book I got to know that this series is actually a triology (3 book series). Okay fine i was cool with that because it was just a matter of a few more weeks.
BUT NOW I GET TO KNOW THERE IS GOING TO BE BOOK NUMBER FOUR.

Oh which is going TO COME IN APRIL!
Not FEB BUT APRIL! 3 MONTHS AFTER THE THIRD BOOK!

WHAT IS HAPPENING CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME
AND PLEASE STICK TO ONE THING!

All of this is on Amazon, the last time I checked which was just a few minutes ago.

Also this series is kind off boring
Why is this being dragged so much?
And the whole gypsy thing? Is this a fantasy novel? Did I miss something?

Also Hades DEMANDING sex from her? Like wtf she is saying No. That means No. It doesn’t matter if she is his wife.
This book was all over the place from me.
So disappointed from this series.
Profile Image for Mehaque Khanum.
165 reviews34 followers
July 26, 2020
“Our bond needs to be stronger than the mafia’s. We need to be loyal like fucking gangsters.”


Ah, what more to say other than wow?

Because really, every book in this series is a wow.

"An invisible crown was on my head, and I tried not to smile in victory. I didn’t need to be jealous of the men who came after me because they never erased me. I’d always been there, always lived between her legs."


Sofia’s character was adjusted in this book. No matter how much she despised listening to her husband Hades or adjusting to the norms, she tried her best to be the wife she should. It was endearing to see her trying to defy him but at the same time bending for him.

Hades was and always loved Sofia and he kept on trying for her love, no matter the cost.

I want a Hades in my life really badly.

Absolutely wow.
Profile Image for Gloria Herrera for As You Wish Reviews.
2,181 reviews63 followers
December 17, 2019
As Hades convinces himself that it is easier to marry Sofia without her loving him, than watching another man marry her and take her away from him.

Life with Sofia becomes a struggle for control, loyalty, and trust. Just like any other new marriage, there has to be a period of adjustment. This story focuses on their interaction as they become more acclimated to each other and develop a routine that borders on happiness. This holds until business becomes a danger all those whom Hades loves.

I am not sharing anything more because you really need to read this book to get the full experience of the obstacles they are facing. Loved this book!

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
88 reviews12 followers
November 19, 2022
E-book

Deze was opnieuw heel snel uitgelezen want normaal lees ik een stuk langzamer. Dit was een spannend tweede deel waarbij Hades zijn echte naam gezegd heeft aan Sofia en probeert hij de relatie tussen hem en zijn broer te herenigen na de dood van hun vader. Om Sofia hem als zijn ware liefde te zien.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Krissy.
848 reviews59 followers
February 11, 2020
Defs did not like this instalment as much as the first one. I am still like the stories but a lot of it gets repetitive very fast
Profile Image for Yoselin.
196 reviews3 followers
July 18, 2020
Puntuación 4/5

Hades Lombardi: narcotraficante de 31 años.
Sofía Romano: heredera de una cadena de hoteles. Tiene 24 años.
Damien: narcotraficante y mejor amigo de Hades.
María Romano: madre de Sofía.
Maddox Stine: narcotraficante y principal rival de Hades.
Esme: mejor amiga de Sofía.
Ash: hermano de Hades.

NOTA: no hay engaño. Ellos están separados durante 2 años y ambos estuvieron con otras personas, pero mientras están juntos siempre son fieles.

Profile Image for Joanne Eglon.
481 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2023
Second book in the Bethrothed series and I loved it as much as I did Wife.
Powerful, well written read. Penelope has such a beautiful way of writing that the story flows brilliantly and you read it and feel like you're in the story. Husband ends on a cliffhanger so Lover (number 3) is already on download.
Would recommend 💕
Profile Image for thered_hairedreader.
185 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2020
Lots and lots of sex between two people who are cold-hearted and emotionless. It was very hard for me to like either Hades or Sophia. It seemed the only person who had a personality was the screw-up friend Damien. I guess with the line of work Hades is involved with he has to be cold and not let Sophia run all over him, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 350 reviews

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