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Ruthless
He lurks behind the shadows and watches my every move keenly.
I feel his powerful presence in my sleep but it doesn’t frighten me.
I should hide.
I should feel suffocated.
I should try to escape.
But...
I want to stay.
I want him to possess me.
I want to drown in his pain and sorrow.
Between the walls of this castle, I found my escape and eternal peace.
We're the unlucky ones. The tortured ones. The pitiful ones...
I'm Anastasia Smirnov, and this is my story.
*Suitable for ages 18+
Note: This is a dark romance with intense and dark sensual scenes. Please proceed with caution.
I feel his powerful presence in my sleep but it doesn’t frighten me.
I should hide.
I should feel suffocated.
I should try to escape.
But...
I want to stay.
I want him to possess me.
I want to drown in his pain and sorrow.
Between the walls of this castle, I found my escape and eternal peace.
We're the unlucky ones. The tortured ones. The pitiful ones...
I'm Anastasia Smirnov, and this is my story.
*Suitable for ages 18+
Note: This is a dark romance with intense and dark sensual scenes. Please proceed with caution.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2020
15 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 27, 2020
Short and steamy Beauty and the Beast retelling!
First of all, I don’t know what is with the cover. But aside from that, I liked the this book very much. Of course it is a standard trope. The Heroine’s abusive parents sell her for the cash after the father loses his job. Though there were a few differences in this story. Most notably that the heroine, Anastasia has four sisters. Anna is the second oldest and also the second daughter to be sold.
*Trigger warning for rape/non-consent after Anastasia arrives at the Castle owned by the Hero, Dean. He has been overcome with sorrow after his family was killed when he was young. He saw his sister murdered right in front of him and has been wracked with guilt ever since, because he did nothing to save her. This is a contemporary romance, so he is a billionaire that just happens to live in a castle, it isn’t a historical romance.
Despite both parties living through the worst life has to offer, Anna tries not to dwell on what she went through. She is a strong heroine and sees the damage in the damage in Dean and the sadness and wants to help him deal with it. She knows he bought her to take his frustrations out on her because he doesn’t know how to get rid of the pain without causing harm to others.
There were a few things I didn’t like about the book. The beginning seemed very stilted to me. It shows Dean as a young boy when his family is killed and then Anna at her parents home with her sisters and what she went through there before they sold her to human traffickers. It is told in first person POV and it didn’t seem to flow like someone’s thoughts should. It seemed almost like list of everything that person did. I open…I blink…I look…I go…I wake…I wait…I know. The writing either got better later in the book or I was into the story enough where it didn’t bother me. Plus there was more dialogue instead of just thoughts so it didn’t seem stilted like the beginning.
I also think the background information could have been shortened so the time that the hero and heroine are together is longer. They fell in love a bit too fast. Though overall the main storylines and conflicts were good and I enjoyed the story quite a bit. It was dark and pretty steamy. I would say four flames out of five 🔥🔥🔥🔥. As for my star rating, I give this a 3.5 but without half stars that rounds up to a four.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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First of all, I don’t know what is with the cover. But aside from that, I liked the this book very much. Of course it is a standard trope. The Heroine’s abusive parents sell her for the cash after the father loses his job. Though there were a few differences in this story. Most notably that the heroine, Anastasia has four sisters. Anna is the second oldest and also the second daughter to be sold.
*Trigger warning for rape/non-consent after Anastasia arrives at the Castle owned by the Hero, Dean. He has been overcome with sorrow after his family was killed when he was young. He saw his sister murdered right in front of him and has been wracked with guilt ever since, because he did nothing to save her. This is a contemporary romance, so he is a billionaire that just happens to live in a castle, it isn’t a historical romance.
Despite both parties living through the worst life has to offer, Anna tries not to dwell on what she went through. She is a strong heroine and sees the damage in the damage in Dean and the sadness and wants to help him deal with it. She knows he bought her to take his frustrations out on her because he doesn’t know how to get rid of the pain without causing harm to others.
There were a few things I didn’t like about the book. The beginning seemed very stilted to me. It shows Dean as a young boy when his family is killed and then Anna at her parents home with her sisters and what she went through there before they sold her to human traffickers. It is told in first person POV and it didn’t seem to flow like someone’s thoughts should. It seemed almost like list of everything that person did. I open…I blink…I look…I go…I wake…I wait…I know. The writing either got better later in the book or I was into the story enough where it didn’t bother me. Plus there was more dialogue instead of just thoughts so it didn’t seem stilted like the beginning.
I also think the background information could have been shortened so the time that the hero and heroine are together is longer. They fell in love a bit too fast. Though overall the main storylines and conflicts were good and I enjoyed the story quite a bit. It was dark and pretty steamy. I would say four flames out of five 🔥🔥🔥🔥. As for my star rating, I give this a 3.5 but without half stars that rounds up to a four.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
June 8, 2020
I enjoyed the story and I think on the heroine’s part with her parents she showed her strength in her love for her sisters. The hero was a good person underneath and I can certainly understand why he was so tortured. I do wish there was a horrid retribution towards her parents as they were truly evil and deserved to have something happen to them instead of what they got. As for Laura she too deserved more than what she got so for those reasons I felt a let down and so stopped me from giving a higher rating. This was definitely engrossing from the first I just felt let down by the outcome of certain people,
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2022
I don't really like long books, but this particular book should be longer. Or it was necessary to shorten the beginning, because everything dragged on until the heroes met each other, and then everything happens quickly and he is no longer a monster and she loves him. There are a lot of inconsistencies, the most obvious, here she gets out of bed, she barely walks, she has a head injury, she comes to him and they have sex and she is in the position of a rider. Then she gets out of bed, he tells her not to get up, you have an injury.
How is everything so incomprehensible and quickly developed. For some reason, the hero chose a heroine for himself, because she looks like his dead sister, whose death he watched and reproached himself, although he was then 16 years old.
And by the way, the sex scenes are not very good.
How is everything so incomprehensible and quickly developed. For some reason, the hero chose a heroine for himself, because she looks like his dead sister, whose death he watched and reproached himself, although he was then 16 years old.
And by the way, the sex scenes are not very good.
June 9, 2020
Oh my, being my first read by this author I can honestly say I was impressed by this story. I thoroughly enjoyed this modern day version of Beauty and the Beast however this one was the adult version and in my opinion, much better!
I really liked the fabulous descriptions of both the characters and the settings. Set in Russia then Britain, the scenes were painted clearly and even though most were indoors, it was still detailed and easy to image. The same with the characters, both good and bad. Now, I won’t dwell too long on the bad characters but let’s just say there were some that needed a good thrashing and even that was too good for them. So, as you can tell, through these vivid descriptions the emotions flow.
Anastasia Smirnov was a young Russian girl who, although has never had an easy life, has retained her spunk and strength. I loved her feisty nature but more importantly the way she saw things in life, she was certainly a girl who saw the glass as half full. Dean Walker was such a tortured young man and my heart went out to him from the beginning. I don’t want to say to much about the Beast in case I give too much away, just be prepared to enjoy this fast paced story.
June 11, 2020
S.S. Richards did a great job on this story, Ruthless had a strong well written plot that will take you on a rollercoaster, it was packed with so many emotions, it'll leave you on the edge of your seat.
Dean and Anna were strong characters that have been through so much, nothing about their lives have been good or easy.
From the moment, they laid eyes on one another, they were drawn to each other. They were good for each other, completed and healed each other in a way that both needed. Their connection, the chemistry between them was off the charts. Anna and Dean were great together, they made a strong pair.
This was a great story, I enjoyed it. I'd suggest reading it.
I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you, S.S. Richards. Great work :)
Dean and Anna were strong characters that have been through so much, nothing about their lives have been good or easy.
From the moment, they laid eyes on one another, they were drawn to each other. They were good for each other, completed and healed each other in a way that both needed. Their connection, the chemistry between them was off the charts. Anna and Dean were great together, they made a strong pair.
This was a great story, I enjoyed it. I'd suggest reading it.
I'm looking forward to reading more.
Thank you, S.S. Richards. Great work :)
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June 12, 2020Full review to come
May 22, 2021
2.75
Not dark IMO
I felt like I already read this story
What is with authors and the belief that Russians sell their daughters...?
Not dark IMO
I felt like I already read this story
What is with authors and the belief that Russians sell their daughters...?
June 10, 2020
Oh my, being my first read by this author I can honestly say I was impressed by this story. I thoroughly enjoyed this modern-day version of Beauty and the Beast however this one was the adult version and in my opinion, much better!
I really liked the fabulous descriptions of both the characters and the settings. Set in Russia than Britain, the scenes were painted clearly and even though most were indoors, it was still detailed and easy to image. The same with the characters, both good and bad. Now, I won’t dwell too long on the bad characters but let’s just say there were some that needed a good thrashing and even that was too good for them. So, as you can tell, through these vivid descriptions the emotions flow.
Anastasia Smirnov was a young Russian girl who, although she has never had an easy life, has retained her spunk and strength. I loved her feisty nature but more importantly, the way she saw things in life, she was certainly a girl who saw the glass as half full. Dean Walker was such a tortured young man and my heart went out to him from the beginning. I don’t want to say too much about the Beast in case I give too much away, just be prepared to enjoy this fast-paced story.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
For more reviews, news and giveaways, check out Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner at;
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I really liked the fabulous descriptions of both the characters and the settings. Set in Russia than Britain, the scenes were painted clearly and even though most were indoors, it was still detailed and easy to image. The same with the characters, both good and bad. Now, I won’t dwell too long on the bad characters but let’s just say there were some that needed a good thrashing and even that was too good for them. So, as you can tell, through these vivid descriptions the emotions flow.
Anastasia Smirnov was a young Russian girl who, although she has never had an easy life, has retained her spunk and strength. I loved her feisty nature but more importantly, the way she saw things in life, she was certainly a girl who saw the glass as half full. Dean Walker was such a tortured young man and my heart went out to him from the beginning. I don’t want to say too much about the Beast in case I give too much away, just be prepared to enjoy this fast-paced story.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
For more reviews, news and giveaways, check out Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner at;
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |
June 14, 2020
Genre: Dark Romance
Book Length: Novella
POV: Alternating Dual
Hero: Dean is a wealthy recluse. He is the only survivor in his family after a horribly tragic event occurred in his youth. He’s 29, has dark hair and brown eyes.
Heroine: Anna is a young, poor Russian girl. She’s survived a life of pain at the hands of both parents. She’s 18, has blonde hair and ocean blue eyes.
Heat Level: Low/Medium
Frequency of Sex: Low
Angst Level: Low
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: Yes
Thoughts on Ending: OK ending, a bit rushed but happy for the H/h.
Would I Recommend? Yes
My Review: This book is a dark retelling of the classic Beauty and Beast tale. Anna is sold by her parents into the hands of an unknown stranger. Dean is that stranger; he’s dark, brooding, full of grief, regret and painful memories. He lashes out at the world because of his internal pain and hopes Anna will be a balm to his soul. I liked this book, it kept my interest well. It’s a quick read and as such the characters are not fully fleshed out. I wish the book was longer and we could’ve experienced more of Dean and Anna’s relationship developing. Their feelings were accelerated and the ending felt hurried and not completely satisfying. Overall a good read, but not perfect.
Disclosures: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book Length: Novella
POV: Alternating Dual
Hero: Dean is a wealthy recluse. He is the only survivor in his family after a horribly tragic event occurred in his youth. He’s 29, has dark hair and brown eyes.
Heroine: Anna is a young, poor Russian girl. She’s survived a life of pain at the hands of both parents. She’s 18, has blonde hair and ocean blue eyes.
Heat Level: Low/Medium
Frequency of Sex: Low
Angst Level: Low
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: Yes
Thoughts on Ending: OK ending, a bit rushed but happy for the H/h.
Would I Recommend? Yes
My Review: This book is a dark retelling of the classic Beauty and Beast tale. Anna is sold by her parents into the hands of an unknown stranger. Dean is that stranger; he’s dark, brooding, full of grief, regret and painful memories. He lashes out at the world because of his internal pain and hopes Anna will be a balm to his soul. I liked this book, it kept my interest well. It’s a quick read and as such the characters are not fully fleshed out. I wish the book was longer and we could’ve experienced more of Dean and Anna’s relationship developing. Their feelings were accelerated and the ending felt hurried and not completely satisfying. Overall a good read, but not perfect.
Disclosures: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 7, 2020
This was a beautiful Beauty and the Beast tale with a splash of dark 50 Shades of Gray.
Sam did a wonderful job with this one. I am loving all her dark romances. They are always just the right amount of dark that I love.
Dean, oh this poor, poor man. That prologue just broke my heart for him but also made me need to figure out his story more. He was the mystery man in the castle. But one day he gets a package that had pictures of a beautiful girl inside, with the message “Do you want her?” But he never expected anything to happen when she arrives.
Anna has always been a feisty young lady. Being the second oldest of 5 sisters, she never backed down from anything, her evil father included. But she never thought the day would come for her parents to start selling off their daughters to strangers. But feisty Anna doesn’t go quietly, she always has a comeback ready. But the question is, will she be ready for wherever she is going?
As usual I loved everything about this book. Yes there were some touchy parts to get through but as Sam said in her warning, if it isn’t something you like to read than this book isn��t for you.
The ending was absolutely beautiful and it made me want more books of Dean and Anna!
5️⃣🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥🔥🔥(yes it is steamy but as said before there are some touchy parts where the steam normally is.)
❤️❤️❤️❤️(this love is for the ending and how the characters ended up towards the end. Once you read this, you will understand my LOVE rating on it.)
💯Recommendation
Sam did a wonderful job with this one. I am loving all her dark romances. They are always just the right amount of dark that I love.
Dean, oh this poor, poor man. That prologue just broke my heart for him but also made me need to figure out his story more. He was the mystery man in the castle. But one day he gets a package that had pictures of a beautiful girl inside, with the message “Do you want her?” But he never expected anything to happen when she arrives.
Anna has always been a feisty young lady. Being the second oldest of 5 sisters, she never backed down from anything, her evil father included. But she never thought the day would come for her parents to start selling off their daughters to strangers. But feisty Anna doesn’t go quietly, she always has a comeback ready. But the question is, will she be ready for wherever she is going?
As usual I loved everything about this book. Yes there were some touchy parts to get through but as Sam said in her warning, if it isn’t something you like to read than this book isn��t for you.
The ending was absolutely beautiful and it made me want more books of Dean and Anna!
5️⃣🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥🔥🔥(yes it is steamy but as said before there are some touchy parts where the steam normally is.)
❤️❤️❤️❤️(this love is for the ending and how the characters ended up towards the end. Once you read this, you will understand my LOVE rating on it.)
💯Recommendation
June 15, 2020
Ruthless is a dark and harrowing story from the mind of S.S. Richards. The book has a kind of Gothic theme to it with additions of Beauty and the Beast with an 18+ rating. The book focuses on the main characters Dean and Anna. Dean is immersed in a world of darkness brought on by his own guilt and believing that he needs to be punished. He becomes the mystery man who purchases his ‘Beauty’ in the body of Anna. Anastasia hasn’t had an easy life, being brought up in Russia, poor and treated horribly by her parents, she has a backbone of steel and she isn’t going to let Dean destroy her, no matter what he puts her through… and boy does he put her through a lot.
Be warned that this book isn’t for everyone and that is something the author wants you to know before you dive in as there are some difficult scenes to read, but once you start reading, you get immersed in the characters as they develop a pseudo relationship with vivid twist and turns, dark thoughts and feelings and some extremely hot and vivid scenes. In this book, nothing is what it seems and in this book two lost souls definitely heal each other!
A definite dark read must from me!
ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review 😊
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
Be warned that this book isn’t for everyone and that is something the author wants you to know before you dive in as there are some difficult scenes to read, but once you start reading, you get immersed in the characters as they develop a pseudo relationship with vivid twist and turns, dark thoughts and feelings and some extremely hot and vivid scenes. In this book, nothing is what it seems and in this book two lost souls definitely heal each other!
A definite dark read must from me!
ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review 😊
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
June 11, 2020
Ruthless by S.S. Richards is the story of Anastasia Smirnov and Dean Walker.
This book starts off breaking your heart for Dean along with how Anastasia's life is going. Dean's past has made him what he is today, a harden man who looks for ways to get release in hurting another because of the hurt he has that he can't seem to get away from. Dean knows know joy and lives in a dark castle that just adds to his demeanor. Anastasia hasn't had a good life from the start but she is a fighter who even stands up as much as she can to her evil father. Anastasia has other siblings..sisters who are to be sold off to help support her father. Anastasia end up going to Dean who only wishes to hurt her to help his pain but Anastasia brings something to him he hasn't really felt in a long time something other than pain/hurt. Anastasia tries to see things that other might not and she works through them. This is how she starts to see Dean past the anger to see the guilt, hurt and pain that he can't move past. This does have trigger scene and is a dark romance read so it may not be for everyone.
This book starts off breaking your heart for Dean along with how Anastasia's life is going. Dean's past has made him what he is today, a harden man who looks for ways to get release in hurting another because of the hurt he has that he can't seem to get away from. Dean knows know joy and lives in a dark castle that just adds to his demeanor. Anastasia hasn't had a good life from the start but she is a fighter who even stands up as much as she can to her evil father. Anastasia has other siblings..sisters who are to be sold off to help support her father. Anastasia end up going to Dean who only wishes to hurt her to help his pain but Anastasia brings something to him he hasn't really felt in a long time something other than pain/hurt. Anastasia tries to see things that other might not and she works through them. This is how she starts to see Dean past the anger to see the guilt, hurt and pain that he can't move past. This does have trigger scene and is a dark romance read so it may not be for everyone.
May 29, 2020
🖤📖BOOK REVIEW📖🖤
RUTHLESS by @s.srichardsbooks is so dark and emotional read, I’m left speachless. My heart broke for Anastasia multiple times, for the sadness that casted her world. But I also find her an incredibly brave and strong woman, who despite all the bad things that happened to her never stopped believing life is more than black and white. I must say, I hated Dean in the begining for his cruelty, but time has been way too heavy on his soul and the more I got to know him, the more I understood his pain.
They’re a perfect match, both tormented and lonely, living in the darkness of their own despair. But their pain is what brings them closer, making a light lurk in the shadows that surround them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My heart🖤 I love the dark vibe of this book, the setting and saddness of this story. This beauty is a must read and releases June 11, 2020 🖤 Pre-order your copy today!
#bookreview #bookstagram #book #booklover #bookblogger #darkromance #ruthless #darkvibe #authorssupportingauthors #romancenovelreaders #readersofinstagram #readingromance #supportingindieauthors
RUTHLESS by @s.srichardsbooks is so dark and emotional read, I’m left speachless. My heart broke for Anastasia multiple times, for the sadness that casted her world. But I also find her an incredibly brave and strong woman, who despite all the bad things that happened to her never stopped believing life is more than black and white. I must say, I hated Dean in the begining for his cruelty, but time has been way too heavy on his soul and the more I got to know him, the more I understood his pain.
They’re a perfect match, both tormented and lonely, living in the darkness of their own despair. But their pain is what brings them closer, making a light lurk in the shadows that surround them.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️My heart🖤 I love the dark vibe of this book, the setting and saddness of this story. This beauty is a must read and releases June 11, 2020 🖤 Pre-order your copy today!
#bookreview #bookstagram #book #booklover #bookblogger #darkromance #ruthless #darkvibe #authorssupportingauthors #romancenovelreaders #readersofinstagram #readingromance #supportingindieauthors
June 5, 2020
Let me just start by saying anything S.S. Richards writes is truly phenomenal and amazing! Ruthless is no exception! Another hit girl!
In Ruthless we meet Dean Walker and Anastasia Smirnov; two tormented and lonely souls brought together through pain and a "transaction". Their story is a angsty, dark, intense, heart wrenching and emotional read.
**Be warned some dark themed situations; may cause triggers**
Dean is a dark beast billionaire who prefers to stay alone in a dark and drafty castle. He is a ruthless bastard. His past torments him daily.
Anastasia omg my heart breaks for this heroine throughout every bad situation that she goes through. Throughout the story she shows true bravery regardless of those bad things...
The moment they're brought together tiny little sparks appear...will they heal each other or break each other even more?
MUST READ
The story captivated me from the very beginning. Grab some tissues and prepare for a dark and stormy roller coaster ride.
5 stars
In Ruthless we meet Dean Walker and Anastasia Smirnov; two tormented and lonely souls brought together through pain and a "transaction". Their story is a angsty, dark, intense, heart wrenching and emotional read.
**Be warned some dark themed situations; may cause triggers**
Dean is a dark beast billionaire who prefers to stay alone in a dark and drafty castle. He is a ruthless bastard. His past torments him daily.
Anastasia omg my heart breaks for this heroine throughout every bad situation that she goes through. Throughout the story she shows true bravery regardless of those bad things...
The moment they're brought together tiny little sparks appear...will they heal each other or break each other even more?
MUST READ
The story captivated me from the very beginning. Grab some tissues and prepare for a dark and stormy roller coaster ride.
5 stars
June 18, 2020
Dean was a young boy when he saw his family murdered, so he's lived in his castle in pain & guilt ever since. Anastasia had such evil parents that I despised them long before her father lost his job and sold her. She went through horrendous situations after that, yet it didn't break her. She comes across Dean after he buys her for not so great reasons, which had me ready to set him on fire to be honest. Somehow, Anna sees the pain he's holding on to, so she's willing to help him deal with it. While I LOVED Anna, I don't see how she went along with what he put her through so easily as I was heartbroken for her, so I really wanted her to somehow get revenge on him, but it is what it is. I think the biggest thing that I couldn't swallow was the fact that the evil people didn't get any serious punishment. Don't take my word for it though, hit those one click buttons, however please be aware there are dark triggers. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
June 12, 2020
This was a new to author and one I've been interested in trying since I heard about this book, as this black heart loves anything dark.
In the first part of the story to set the scene both main characters draw you in instantly with either their horrific past or present that they are battling with in their own little corners of the world. Anna's story especially since it spans over years and we got to see more of it.
Second part starts back with Dean and makes you wonder how he got to this point, yes what happened in his past was terrible but if anyone should be a shell of a person, it should of been Anna. Sure wealth comes into play for their different situations but still. My heart breaks for her.
Unfortunately for me the story fell flat a bit but was still enjoyable enough to keep turning the pages to find out if fairytales can come true.
In the first part of the story to set the scene both main characters draw you in instantly with either their horrific past or present that they are battling with in their own little corners of the world. Anna's story especially since it spans over years and we got to see more of it.
Second part starts back with Dean and makes you wonder how he got to this point, yes what happened in his past was terrible but if anyone should be a shell of a person, it should of been Anna. Sure wealth comes into play for their different situations but still. My heart breaks for her.
Unfortunately for me the story fell flat a bit but was still enjoyable enough to keep turning the pages to find out if fairytales can come true.
June 13, 2020
Ruthless was my first venture into books written by S.S. Richards and I loved it. It was a quick read and it kept me 100% invested into Dean and Anastasia's story. Right from the very beginning, I felt each of their souls calling to one another. Dean can be considered a monster but yet Anastasia's soul speaks to his. Even though Anastasia's upbringing was surrounded in darkness, her heart could be his light. "His pain becomes mine, and my heart becomes his. Together, were corrupted, and filthy. We're Sinners. We're worthless."
Ruthless is a dark romance and the author warns the reader at the beginning of the novel. I just wish that the darkness visited Anastasia's parents in the form of retribution.
Ruthless is a dark romance and the author warns the reader at the beginning of the novel. I just wish that the darkness visited Anastasia's parents in the form of retribution.
June 6, 2020
This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a twist. The story follows Anastasia born in Russia and is 1 of 5 sisters, her family is abusive and poor and eventually its her turn to be sold to a mystery man. Deans haunted by his past and if filled with anger and pain, he wants to break another so they feel his torture but when he sees Anastasia the want to destroy gets over whelmed with wanting to be loved. The story starts out strong and with good direction with a lot of details and emotions but the story feels a bit underdeveloped and rushed towards the middle but ends strongly with a HEA..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 15, 2020
This story kept me turning pages. It was dark and gritty to start with, may even trigger some people. But my heart and head wanted so much more for Anna and Dean. Together, they brought light to their lives. For someone who lived such a dark and violent life, Dean turned out to be a protective and wonderful man. Anna never truly lost the strength within her to stand up for herself, and I loved how she asked questions despite knowing what could or would happen. I recommend this story, just warning about possible triggers.
I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
June 22, 2020
My thoughts on Ruthless:
**I received this book by the author for an honest review**
Although I did enjoy Ruthless, I feel it was missing a lot of the major points.. At the beginning of the story we fall into a prologue that sets what happens to Dean and somewhat of Anna. Reading on Anna comes from an abusive household. But then gets sold on her 18th birthday. That's cool
Then you get to her going to her Master.. This is where I had wished to seen a push and pull. Not a short conflict of things between the two characters. I feel it was kinda rushed, could have had more to the story. I hate giving reviews like this, but unfortunately I am
4 stars ~Chris
**I received this book by the author for an honest review**
Although I did enjoy Ruthless, I feel it was missing a lot of the major points.. At the beginning of the story we fall into a prologue that sets what happens to Dean and somewhat of Anna. Reading on Anna comes from an abusive household. But then gets sold on her 18th birthday. That's cool
Then you get to her going to her Master.. This is where I had wished to seen a push and pull. Not a short conflict of things between the two characters. I feel it was kinda rushed, could have had more to the story. I hate giving reviews like this, but unfortunately I am
4 stars ~Chris
June 12, 2020
Lately the books I’ve been reading have been a hit or a miss. This book was definitely a hit. It was all that and a bag of chips. Truly I couldn’t get enough of it. The characters has chemistry of epic proportions. I truly could not get enough of it. I was reading every chance i could. Going as far as to stay up late just to read. I honestly can say this is one of my favorite books. I have a plan to look up this author to see what other books they have written. This book truly tugged on my dark romance loving heart.
June 16, 2020
Anastasia has been abused by her parents and is sold by them for money. Dean is a dark and brooding, wealthy recluse, who is the only member of his family left. Both characters have horrific pasts, and Anastasia who is a strong heroine, recognises how Dean is living with his guilt and sadness, and wants to help him heal. This is a good story which is dark, intense, and heart-breaking. The only downside for me is that this story is a tad rushed. Be aware that this sensitive content may contain triggers for some.
June 11, 2020
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I really enjoy dark romance and to me, this was a very well written dark romance! Anastasia’s story was so heartbreaking and Dean’s past was too. They needed each other to bring light into the other’s world. The way Anastasia finally breaks down Dean’s walls was perfect. He is a tortured soul who needed to learn to forgive himself and love again. She did that for him. He unknowingly brought her peace and safety and rescued her from her shitty parents and gave her the life she truly deserved despite his dark ways. The ending was perfectIon!!
{There is one scene that pushed my boundaries and really made me think about dub-con so if you need clear consent take this as a warning.}
This story definitely has some Beauty and the Beast vibes and could be considered a dark romance retelling with a twist.
Another great book by S. S. Richards!
I really enjoy dark romance and to me, this was a very well written dark romance! Anastasia’s story was so heartbreaking and Dean’s past was too. They needed each other to bring light into the other’s world. The way Anastasia finally breaks down Dean’s walls was perfect. He is a tortured soul who needed to learn to forgive himself and love again. She did that for him. He unknowingly brought her peace and safety and rescued her from her shitty parents and gave her the life she truly deserved despite his dark ways. The ending was perfectIon!!
{There is one scene that pushed my boundaries and really made me think about dub-con so if you need clear consent take this as a warning.}
This story definitely has some Beauty and the Beast vibes and could be considered a dark romance retelling with a twist.
Another great book by S. S. Richards!
June 12, 2020
Not quite for me
Liked part 1 about Anna and her sisters and the background about Dean.
Then part 2 started quite well, but for me it was a ‘nice story’, but it didn’t quite get there.
I was glad the guys who collected her got what they deserved and that the sister’s were saved. But what happened to Laura and why weren’t Anna’s parents given there just desserts.
I have read other books by this author, so possibly expected more.
Liked part 1 about Anna and her sisters and the background about Dean.
Then part 2 started quite well, but for me it was a ‘nice story’, but it didn’t quite get there.
I was glad the guys who collected her got what they deserved and that the sister’s were saved. But what happened to Laura and why weren’t Anna’s parents given there just desserts.
I have read other books by this author, so possibly expected more.
June 16, 2020
This is a good read. Anastasia is one of five children who are born to truly awful parents, she is to be sold to an unknown man, a man who hurts and in turn enjoys hurting others!. Will Anastasia be the one to breakthrough his hard exterior. This is a loosely bases “beauty and the beast” story. An enjoyable dark read I’d definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 18, 2020
“Ruthless by S.S. Richards was unique! Anastasia parents were awful people she was sold to an unknown man that enjoys hurting others. My heart ached for her past but also for Dean’s past. Both of them were broken souls. It was a dark romance very well written. A journey about forgiveness and love. Fast-paced, intense and page-turner with lots of drama, mystery and chemistry off the charts. Highly recommend this book!”
May 24, 2020
Wow what a powerful story of such heartache and torment! I was so hooked on this book, it had me feel a range of different emotions throughout, which means you know its a genuinely good read. A few dark moments but it fit with everything in the plot. It is an experience you won't forget.
Definitely a book i recommend as always by S.S Richards ❤
Definitely a book i recommend as always by S.S Richards ❤
June 12, 2020
I loved this read. Dean and Anna have both been through so much. Anna is sold off to Dean who only wishes to hurt her to bring relief to his pain. She sees something in him that others don’t. Will they be able to heal each other? Fast-paced intense read with loads of drama, suspense and chemistry. I was hooked from beginning to end.
June 12, 2020
This is a new author to me, and I was surprised at how dark the book was. The main characters work through a lot together and they are both strong. It’s a great plot and has a lot of emotion and intense scenes in it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 19, 2020
I found a lot going in this story at some points to much. Having said that the characters are well developed and the flow of the storyline felt at times a little stilt. I still found myself turning the pages to see if Dean and Anastasia get their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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