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Reckoning
Once upon a time, there was a princess.
She wasn’t a real princess, but her parents treated her like one because they loved her so much. She grew up poor, but you wouldn’t know it by the way they showered her with love and affection. When she became a woman, she wanted to spend her life helping others. And she always dreamed that one day, she’d meet a prince. Not to sweep her off her feet and take her away, but to complement the life she already loved.
But before that prince could arrive, a villain showed up instead.
He swept her off her feet, not with love but with threats.
He took her away, not to a castle but to a prison.
And he destroyed the wonderful life she’d built for herself.
But the princess saw that her villain had fears of his own. There was another devil much worse than him. Someone who would go to endless lengths to bring torment to her while she was still alive. Somewhere along the line, the villain started to show that he might not be brute the princess thought he was. And she started to fall for him.
And then hell came to her all on its own.
She wasn’t a real princess, but her parents treated her like one because they loved her so much. She grew up poor, but you wouldn’t know it by the way they showered her with love and affection. When she became a woman, she wanted to spend her life helping others. And she always dreamed that one day, she’d meet a prince. Not to sweep her off her feet and take her away, but to complement the life she already loved.
But before that prince could arrive, a villain showed up instead.
He swept her off her feet, not with love but with threats.
He took her away, not to a castle but to a prison.
And he destroyed the wonderful life she’d built for herself.
But the princess saw that her villain had fears of his own. There was another devil much worse than him. Someone who would go to endless lengths to bring torment to her while she was still alive. Somewhere along the line, the villain started to show that he might not be brute the princess thought he was. And she started to fall for him.
And then hell came to her all on its own.
Unknown Binding
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About the author
Riley Ashby
13 books83 followersRiley Ashby lives in the American Midwest. She eats entirely too much tofu and owns just the right number of cats. She enjoys reading and writing anything romantic, be it dark and suspenseful or light and fluffy - always with a Happily Ever After.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 8, 2020
Please note...trigger for abuse and sexual assault...ends on a cliffhanger
This was not what I was expecting...this was for sure a page turner. I didn't know what was going to happen from chapter to chapter.
Kudos to this author that kept me glued to every page...I enjoyed the character development and the side characters added to the overall storyline.
A woman is kidnapped by a ruthless man for his son. She is taken because of her mother. She doesn't know what to expect and I didn't as well. It wasn't this story line. Wow! Loved it.
The cliffhanger has me hanging...looking forward to the next book.
This was not what I was expecting...this was for sure a page turner. I didn't know what was going to happen from chapter to chapter.
Kudos to this author that kept me glued to every page...I enjoyed the character development and the side characters added to the overall storyline.
A woman is kidnapped by a ruthless man for his son. She is taken because of her mother. She doesn't know what to expect and I didn't as well. It wasn't this story line. Wow! Loved it.
The cliffhanger has me hanging...looking forward to the next book.
May 30, 2020
We jump directly in the story, with no info about who they are, or their past, only a few glimpses here and there,that's why it was really hard for me to get into the story, i really wanted to DNF but then i decided to keep going until i found out more about the reasons of the H .
Basically Maddie our h was taken away by Conrad which is Mayer's dad.
They taken her as a revenge, because Maddie's mom run away from them 20 years prior ,and when they found them they decided to take her.
Up till 30% i was annoyed and confused because i didn't understand what is happening and why, the H was strange and a jerk but still i couldn't understand his reasons, but i had a feeling he wasn't like that for nothing, i felt like he was controlled by his dad and i was right.
From 30% the story finally started to build up good.
I have a few problems here with the h past. She is 22 how can she be already in a business? we know almost nothing about her life prior but we have all the details about Mayer.
(i hope i can find more in the next book, because this one ends in a cliffhanger)
Our h is really annoying , i disliked her almost in all the book, ok having a back bone but at least pick your battles well, at least be good with Mayer, because she knew very well he was kind of saving her from the hands of his father which is the real beast. I can understand in the start but then when she saw it with her eyes how bad Mayer is treated by his dad, she should show him more compassion , she was selfish , i didn't like how she treats him, and also i disliked how she put her self in more harm, because she can't freaking keep her mouth shut, she rather poke Conrad and get beaten, and she made the things harder for Mayer because she showed Conrad how "soft" Mayer was with her🙄.
Our H had a really really bad childhood and adulthood too, he is being beaten by his dad all his life basically, he tried multiple times going away but he couldn't , he even tried different times to end his life, i felt so bad for him honestly , i even tear up a few times, and even if he grow up like that he was still kind with Maddie he truly fight with himself to not be like his father, even when she was a B*** to him. I truly melted for him,if it wasn't for him i wouldn't finish this book, and i will read the next book for him, i hope Maddie will be better in the next one , at the end of this she said she love him, i wish to see it too, you know? i want more from her, because Mayer needs the best,he showed her love even without knowing what that is, he showed her in facts and without words.
The read was truly long and slow but it finally get my interest at some point.
So yeah it was good, i didn't give more stars only because of Maddie and for the start of the story.
Basically Maddie our h was taken away by Conrad which is Mayer's dad.
They taken her as a revenge, because Maddie's mom run away from them 20 years prior ,and when they found them they decided to take her.
Up till 30% i was annoyed and confused because i didn't understand what is happening and why, the H was strange and a jerk but still i couldn't understand his reasons, but i had a feeling he wasn't like that for nothing, i felt like he was controlled by his dad and i was right.
From 30% the story finally started to build up good.
I have a few problems here with the h past. She is 22 how can she be already in a business? we know almost nothing about her life prior but we have all the details about Mayer.
(i hope i can find more in the next book, because this one ends in a cliffhanger)
Our h is really annoying , i disliked her almost in all the book, ok having a back bone but at least pick your battles well, at least be good with Mayer, because she knew very well he was kind of saving her from the hands of his father which is the real beast. I can understand in the start but then when she saw it with her eyes how bad Mayer is treated by his dad, she should show him more compassion , she was selfish , i didn't like how she treats him, and also i disliked how she put her self in more harm, because she can't freaking keep her mouth shut, she rather poke Conrad and get beaten, and she made the things harder for Mayer because she showed Conrad how "soft" Mayer was with her🙄.
Our H had a really really bad childhood and adulthood too, he is being beaten by his dad all his life basically, he tried multiple times going away but he couldn't , he even tried different times to end his life, i felt so bad for him honestly , i even tear up a few times, and even if he grow up like that he was still kind with Maddie he truly fight with himself to not be like his father, even when she was a B*** to him. I truly melted for him,if it wasn't for him i wouldn't finish this book, and i will read the next book for him, i hope Maddie will be better in the next one , at the end of this she said she love him, i wish to see it too, you know? i want more from her, because Mayer needs the best,he showed her love even without knowing what that is, he showed her in facts and without words.
The read was truly long and slow but it finally get my interest at some point.
So yeah it was good, i didn't give more stars only because of Maddie and for the start of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2020
Where to even start?
How about our villain?
Or one of them - The leader of this little nightmare
Just a heads up a lot is going on in the background of this story so look for breadcrumbs
Back to Daddy psycho douche
I actually got queasy a couple of times when it came to his character - He wasn't just some lost soul who could be saved I truly believe that the man had no soul - never did
His warped sense of reality is the catalyst for the events that trigger this tragic tale
Meyer is our antihero, or I hope he will eventually be a hero when it comes to Madeline.
He is having a little trouble locating his spine at the moment.
Though to be fair he may require a miracle himself, just my opinion there. He is not impressing me at the moment.
Mads is a little hellion - She impresses me. She can take just about anything you throw at her and just pops right back up. I will admit her early capitulation irked me a bit but hellllooooo it is a dark romance-themed story
Oh and sister dear - I'll let you figure that one out on your own
I want to mention real quick only because I know I shouldn't have but after reading a certain scene my first thought was that line from the horror film "it rubs the lotion on the skin " yeah completely inappropriate but I'm sure you'll recognize it when you read it🤣
Back to the story. This was a good read overall. I do wish certain scenes had been expanded on. I realize it may have been a trilogy then but it would have, for me anyway, enabled me to possibly immerse myself a bit more in the story line. I didn't get to connect as closely as I would have preferred. Some scenes travel so far outside the realm of plausible that it took me a moment to assimilate them. How did you heal so quickly? Why would you just walk away? Seriously that is your answer?
I guess I would have liked more details - again that is me
Why? Who? How???
This ends on a cliffy you see coming
Does it make it easier to handle?
No
Does it make it easier to wait?
No 😳
How about our villain?
Or one of them - The leader of this little nightmare
Just a heads up a lot is going on in the background of this story so look for breadcrumbs
Back to Daddy psycho douche
I actually got queasy a couple of times when it came to his character - He wasn't just some lost soul who could be saved I truly believe that the man had no soul - never did
His warped sense of reality is the catalyst for the events that trigger this tragic tale
Meyer is our antihero, or I hope he will eventually be a hero when it comes to Madeline.
He is having a little trouble locating his spine at the moment.
Though to be fair he may require a miracle himself, just my opinion there. He is not impressing me at the moment.
Mads is a little hellion - She impresses me. She can take just about anything you throw at her and just pops right back up. I will admit her early capitulation irked me a bit but hellllooooo it is a dark romance-themed story
Oh and sister dear - I'll let you figure that one out on your own
I want to mention real quick only because I know I shouldn't have but after reading a certain scene my first thought was that line from the horror film "it rubs the lotion on the skin " yeah completely inappropriate but I'm sure you'll recognize it when you read it🤣
Back to the story. This was a good read overall. I do wish certain scenes had been expanded on. I realize it may have been a trilogy then but it would have, for me anyway, enabled me to possibly immerse myself a bit more in the story line. I didn't get to connect as closely as I would have preferred. Some scenes travel so far outside the realm of plausible that it took me a moment to assimilate them. How did you heal so quickly? Why would you just walk away? Seriously that is your answer?
I guess I would have liked more details - again that is me
Why? Who? How???
This ends on a cliffy you see coming
Does it make it easier to handle?
No
Does it make it easier to wait?
No 😳
March 29, 2020
Wow this was not at all what I was expecting from this one. Meyer gets quite the present for his birthday. Not at all what you are thinking trust me when I say this to you. Someone that represents his past. Madeline has no idea why she is in the situation that she is in. She has no idea what Meyer is going to do to her or what type of life she is going to have from this point on.
This storyline was intense from the very beginning to the very freaking end. Heart stopping moments where I wanted to throw my kindle. Not knowing what was going to happen next between these two. Meyer's has his own issues that he has to deal with. Then throwing in feelings that he isn't suppose to have for Madeline. That really starts to mess with him. But will things between these two change? The freaking ending to this book. Riley you had me on the edge of my seat and left me hanging there. So unfair this ending. I cant wait to read the next book. I have to know what is going to happen. There is so much evil in this book yet at the same time there is so much more in these two characters. This was an amazing book that was nonstop page turning from beginning to end. I absolutely loved the storyline and cannot wait to read the next one.
This storyline was intense from the very beginning to the very freaking end. Heart stopping moments where I wanted to throw my kindle. Not knowing what was going to happen next between these two. Meyer's has his own issues that he has to deal with. Then throwing in feelings that he isn't suppose to have for Madeline. That really starts to mess with him. But will things between these two change? The freaking ending to this book. Riley you had me on the edge of my seat and left me hanging there. So unfair this ending. I cant wait to read the next book. I have to know what is going to happen. There is so much evil in this book yet at the same time there is so much more in these two characters. This was an amazing book that was nonstop page turning from beginning to end. I absolutely loved the storyline and cannot wait to read the next one.
March 27, 2020
This review is going to be short and straight to the point.
I am at a loss for words right now. This book has a great storyline, but fell a little short for me. I know that sounds kinda contradictory, but the storyline is very strong. We get a headstrong heroine that refuses to bow down to anyone. Our hero is a little weak in my eyes, but I have a feeling he is going to redeem himself. Our villain is exactly that. A huge douche who needs to be taken out in the most painful way. I am not gonna lie there were a few times I really really wanted to throw my kindle. I'm not even sure how to word my review. There were things I liked about this book, as well as a few I did not like. I really wanted to shake Meyer a few times. I don't want to give anything away, but know I understand that his life has been hard. I adore Maddie's character. She has spunk and refuses to let anyone beat her down. I feel she is the link that will cause Meyer to see the light.
I am at a loss for words right now. This book has a great storyline, but fell a little short for me. I know that sounds kinda contradictory, but the storyline is very strong. We get a headstrong heroine that refuses to bow down to anyone. Our hero is a little weak in my eyes, but I have a feeling he is going to redeem himself. Our villain is exactly that. A huge douche who needs to be taken out in the most painful way. I am not gonna lie there were a few times I really really wanted to throw my kindle. I'm not even sure how to word my review. There were things I liked about this book, as well as a few I did not like. I really wanted to shake Meyer a few times. I don't want to give anything away, but know I understand that his life has been hard. I adore Maddie's character. She has spunk and refuses to let anyone beat her down. I feel she is the link that will cause Meyer to see the light.
April 1, 2020
This book was definitely not what I expected and is definitely not for the faint of heart. From kidnapping, torture, slavery. You name it this book had it and from page 1 had you and wouldn't let go and on top of it all it leaves off with a cliffhanger. You have Madeline-(Maddie/Mads), depending who is talking to her and about her. You have Meyer who was given Mads by his father who is a very, very ruthless, abusive, bad-man to anyone even his own son. This book will make your stomach get very queasy regarding some of the actions that are taken place in this book and no one really stopping it. Overall it was a really good book, 5 star, but the mother in me can not support the exploitation of a woman-(the reason for the 3 stars) by any means and definitely can not support the way Maddie was treated in this book.
April 3, 2020
I had a hard time with this book at first. Meyer was an abusive, kidnapper who got off on Maddie's pain and humiliation. It took quite a lot of reading to find anything endearing about Meyer. Maddie comes across as naive. She's kidnapped to seek revenge by her mother's ex, Conrad. Why someone would hold a grudge for over 20 years is kinda crazy. Then he takes it out on her daughter. As I got more into the story, the more I enjoyed it. Although there were plenty of times I was saying "oh, come on," I'm glad I stuck through it. I will be reading the next book because this one ended in a cliffhanger.
April 16, 2020
This book will suck you in. I love a dark romance but please keep in mind that this book does have triggers.
The story between Meyer and Madeline will have you glued to each chapter wanting to see what happened next...and what this is all about. While there are things I do not agree with, the characters are great and the development and chemistry between them will have you happy, mad and sad with them throughout the book. The author draws you in a hooks you. I even want to know what happens with the side characters.
Now I have to wait for the next part since it does end on a cliffhanger.
The story between Meyer and Madeline will have you glued to each chapter wanting to see what happened next...and what this is all about. While there are things I do not agree with, the characters are great and the development and chemistry between them will have you happy, mad and sad with them throughout the book. The author draws you in a hooks you. I even want to know what happens with the side characters.
Now I have to wait for the next part since it does end on a cliffhanger.
April 3, 2020
Wow! This book had me reeling with so many different emotions! The book begins and the reader is introduced to the main characters right away along with the dark and brutal nature of some of them.
There is one character who shocks and surprises. I initially loathed this character, and then my heart broke for them once I understood everything. This ended on a major cliffhanger and now I’m salivating for the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
There is one character who shocks and surprises. I initially loathed this character, and then my heart broke for them once I understood everything. This ended on a major cliffhanger and now I’m salivating for the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
September 6, 2025
I thought the book was soso. I felt like everything was just a bit too forced and unrealistic. I found the whole kidnapping to be a bit sloppy, Meyer's darkness to be a bit unrealistic and unattractive, and Mads to not really know her mind. I just felt like it wasn't very dark for being a "dark" book, but felt like an attempt at it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. Ends in a cliffhanger.
April 1, 2020
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy. What a wonderful book! It came to life like a movie and the action never stopped. I’m really unsure how I feel about Meyer. One minute I hate him and the next I’m falling in love with his character. I really liked Madeline’s character. She’s a no nonsense kinda gal. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews