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Love So Dark #1
Cut So Deep
This is an alternative cover edition of the Kindle edition, ASIN B07K8JSFW8.
“Are you his willingly?” Jackson demands, his blue eyes as dark as the clouds above our heads. “Tell me. Are you?”
Jackson Vale. My boss’s rival and the man I’ve thought far too much about since we were introduced last week.
Of all the— “I’m not his,” I sputter indignantly. “I’m just his employee. He doesn’t own me.”
And for some reason this sets off a flare of intensity and… satisfaction? in Jackson’s expression. That’s it, I officially give up trying to understand any of this.
But then Jackson leans over and speaks so softly in my ear I can barely hear it above the falling rain.
“If you belonged to me, Miss Cruise, you wouldn’t look so disgusted. True ownership goes both ways. I would own you, but you’d own me, too. A concept I’m sorry to say Bryce Gentry’s never understood.”
My breath hitches and I pull back from the intimacy of his voice on my ear, only to get lost in the dark blue of his eyes.
“Let me go,” I whisper.
He does, but before he turns to go, those brooding eyes pierce me one last time. “I’ll be seeing you again soon.”
And then he turns and is gone into the rain-soaked street, leaving me behind, breathless and confused.
Warning: Contains triggers and dark themes which may be distressing to some readers.
“Are you his willingly?” Jackson demands, his blue eyes as dark as the clouds above our heads. “Tell me. Are you?”
Jackson Vale. My boss’s rival and the man I’ve thought far too much about since we were introduced last week.
Of all the— “I’m not his,” I sputter indignantly. “I’m just his employee. He doesn’t own me.”
And for some reason this sets off a flare of intensity and… satisfaction? in Jackson’s expression. That’s it, I officially give up trying to understand any of this.
But then Jackson leans over and speaks so softly in my ear I can barely hear it above the falling rain.
“If you belonged to me, Miss Cruise, you wouldn’t look so disgusted. True ownership goes both ways. I would own you, but you’d own me, too. A concept I’m sorry to say Bryce Gentry’s never understood.”
My breath hitches and I pull back from the intimacy of his voice on my ear, only to get lost in the dark blue of his eyes.
“Let me go,” I whisper.
He does, but before he turns to go, those brooding eyes pierce me one last time. “I’ll be seeing you again soon.”
And then he turns and is gone into the rain-soaked street, leaving me behind, breathless and confused.
Warning: Contains triggers and dark themes which may be distressing to some readers.
292 pages, ebook
First published January 5, 2017
3730 people are currently reading
1831 people want to read
About the author
Stasia Black
73 books2,092 followersStasia was born in Georgia, grew up in Texas, recently spent a freezing five-year stint in Minnesota, and now is happily planted in sunny California, which she will never, ever leave.
She loves writing, reading, listening to podcasts, and has recently taken up biking after a twenty-year sabbatical (and has the bumps and bruises to prove it). She lives with her own personal cheerleader, aka, her handsome husband, and their teenage son. Wow. Typing that makes her feel old. And writing about herself in the third person makes her feel a little like a nutjob, but ahem! Where were we?
Stasia’s drawn to romantic stories that don’t take the easy way out. She wants to see beneath people’s veneer and poke into their dark places, their twisted motives, and their deepest desires. Basically, she wants to create characters that make readers alternately laugh, cry ugly tears, want to toss their kindles across the room, and then declare they have a new FBB (forever book boyfriend).
She loves writing, reading, listening to podcasts, and has recently taken up biking after a twenty-year sabbatical (and has the bumps and bruises to prove it). She lives with her own personal cheerleader, aka, her handsome husband, and their teenage son. Wow. Typing that makes her feel old. And writing about herself in the third person makes her feel a little like a nutjob, but ahem! Where were we?
Stasia’s drawn to romantic stories that don’t take the easy way out. She wants to see beneath people’s veneer and poke into their dark places, their twisted motives, and their deepest desires. Basically, she wants to create characters that make readers alternately laugh, cry ugly tears, want to toss their kindles across the room, and then declare they have a new FBB (forever book boyfriend).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 364 reviews
October 6, 2021
DNF 15%
This one is not for me there’s nothing wrong with the writing itself and I’m usually a sucker for a good dark romance but this instantly left a sour taste In my mouth and the whole situation with Callie’s and her new boss was just totally fucked up.
I felt mega uncomfortable and completely on edge regarding where this was going and I’m not sure why as it’s not like I’m a stranger to darker reads.
I must admit I never actually got around to Jackson’s involvement who is the actual love interest here just because I was so nervous and uncomfortable so much so that I skipped forward which I rarely do just to see how bad it could get and hit on the scene with Callie in the boardroom with Gentry and his associates and decided I was out.
This one really didn’t sit well with me at all. It seemed like the abuse here was just for the sake of shock value and Callie herself had literally no self-esteem or self-worth and her sister was a bloody cow also in fact I think it may have been Callie herself that was the main issue here for me not the actually darker content which I was expecting who knows I just know it wasn’t sitting well with me but as I said earlier the writing itself was good.
what I did manage to read there wasn’t one thing that actually appealed to me and usually, I can find something, This one's a not for me, unfortunately.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
This one is not for me there’s nothing wrong with the writing itself and I’m usually a sucker for a good dark romance but this instantly left a sour taste In my mouth and the whole situation with Callie’s and her new boss was just totally fucked up.
I felt mega uncomfortable and completely on edge regarding where this was going and I’m not sure why as it’s not like I’m a stranger to darker reads.
I must admit I never actually got around to Jackson’s involvement who is the actual love interest here just because I was so nervous and uncomfortable so much so that I skipped forward which I rarely do just to see how bad it could get and hit on the scene with Callie in the boardroom with Gentry and his associates and decided I was out.
This one really didn’t sit well with me at all. It seemed like the abuse here was just for the sake of shock value and Callie herself had literally no self-esteem or self-worth and her sister was a bloody cow also in fact I think it may have been Callie herself that was the main issue here for me not the actually darker content which I was expecting who knows I just know it wasn’t sitting well with me but as I said earlier the writing itself was good.
what I did manage to read there wasn’t one thing that actually appealed to me and usually, I can find something, This one's a not for me, unfortunately.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
June 16, 2017
***** 4 Stars *****
If you're looking for a dark erotic story with lots of twists, you need to pick this up. Some of the scenes were just so dirty, but I couldn't stop reading. The storyline and plot was like a drug.
Calliope is a single mother fighting for custody of her son. She can't afford a decent lawyer, so she is at a disadvantage. When a job with good pay falls on her lap, she can't decline the offer because she can finally catch up on her rent and hire a better lawyer.
But there is a price.
Her boss uses her like a toy and dangles her in front of his colleagues.
Bryce Gentry wants to break her.
But Jackson Vale wants to save her.
I'm so hooked, and I can't wait to read the next book. There are scenes that are extremely abusive, and some readers may be turned off by it...but I loved all the dark parts.
If you're looking for a dark erotic story with lots of twists, you need to pick this up. Some of the scenes were just so dirty, but I couldn't stop reading. The storyline and plot was like a drug.
Calliope is a single mother fighting for custody of her son. She can't afford a decent lawyer, so she is at a disadvantage. When a job with good pay falls on her lap, she can't decline the offer because she can finally catch up on her rent and hire a better lawyer.
But there is a price.
Her boss uses her like a toy and dangles her in front of his colleagues.
Bryce Gentry wants to break her.
But Jackson Vale wants to save her.
I'm so hooked, and I can't wait to read the next book. There are scenes that are extremely abusive, and some readers may be turned off by it...but I loved all the dark parts.
December 10, 2019
Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I recently just read my first Stasia Black book and had really enjoyed it so I picked up this book for more of her taboo hotness. But even though I didn't hate the book it just wasn't my favorite unfortunately. It had more to do with my own personal frustrations whenever there is a situation like a custody battle involved in a story and it all makes me so very frustrated. I hate being frustrated and it was hard to get past that so I struggled with wanting to go on.
It ends on a cliffy and I'll still go on to see what happens, but I'm not sure it will be anytime soon.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I recently just read my first Stasia Black book and had really enjoyed it so I picked up this book for more of her taboo hotness. But even though I didn't hate the book it just wasn't my favorite unfortunately. It had more to do with my own personal frustrations whenever there is a situation like a custody battle involved in a story and it all makes me so very frustrated. I hate being frustrated and it was hard to get past that so I struggled with wanting to go on.
It ends on a cliffy and I'll still go on to see what happens, but I'm not sure it will be anytime soon.
February 10, 2017
Quite possibly the worst book I have ever read in awhile... Seriously how is this rated so high? Terrible. From the start I was disgusted... Callie walks into an interview and because she's "desperate" she takes her shirt off and has an orgasm right there. I wanted to delete the book there... I went back to read everyone's reviews thinking that maybe it would get better. Everyone loves this book!!? How?? As many times she says she's not a slut she sure is a SLUT! No making excuses for herself. She always said she was going to change and she never did... She enjoyed all of it. Nasty. Finally a good thing came for her and that was Jackson. I loved Jackson and how he treated her but of course she ruined that. Everything that happened in this book was her own fault. Like seriously she let all those guys do that to her!!? No. She had Jackson who in a quick second would have saved her from everything... But she allowed that. I couldn't even read any of those parts. Then I read the preview for the next book and I felt sick. So instead she starts using guys to get revenge? Not my kind of book I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2017
Calliope Cruise is desperate. Fighting the sperm donor dead beat father who now wants full custody of her two year old son and lacking a college degree to get a high paying job, it's imperative she lands the PA job at Gentry Information Technologies interview if she's to afford rent, lawyer retainer fee, and all the day to day costs that comes with being a single mom.
Putting a positive spin on her qualifications and real life experiences, Calliope is hired as Bryce Gentry's PA though he's made it clear the job requires extra duties not specified in her official job description. Needing the money, Callie does what she has to do even though she knows better.
Things seem to be going well until Bryce enters negotiations with Jackson Vale of Cubethink, a major industry rival, looking to collaborate on a new drone design that would revolutionize drone technology. It's an uphill battle to make a collaboration happen as Bryce & Jackson have history and rumored to be cutthroat enemies both professionally and personally, though no one really knows why.
When Jackson expresses interest in a collaboration if Callie represents Bryce Technologies during contract talks, Bryce makes it known this is her make or break moment with the company. Succeed and she moves up the corporate ladder, fail and she's out.
If that isn't enough pressure, the sperm donor father is increasing pressure to get full custody of Charlie.
* * * *
Warning: This is a dark themed story that includes graphic scenes of non-dub consent, humiliation, abuse, harassment, and erotica scenes that may be disturbing. The topic and content are consistent with what a female will do to survive. Those having triggers with such content should proceed with caution, heck those with such triggers should not read this story, period. Consider yourself warned.
This is a book that should only be read by those who can appreciate fictional dark themed stories as it will test the reader into making sense of topics that defy logic and/or have empathy with what she goes through without wanting to either cry or commit bodily harm to a fictional character. In the final analysis, the questions of why bad things happen to good people transmutes itself into some very different questions, no longer asking why something happened, but asking how we will respond, what we intend to do now that it happened.”
~ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
There are actually three main characters in this story. Calliope, Bryce, & Jackson. What starts out as a possible m-f relationship soon morphed into a possible love triangle or menage situation. I totally appreciate that the author was able to twist and turn circumstances so it never became apparent which of these options were pertinent until things played out at the climatic ending. Sorry, my interpretation of that ending is that it's a cliffhanger though some may argue it's more a HFN sort of thing. To each their own but I was ready to blast the author for the ending ..... until I discovered Please Me (Crush Me #2) picks up where things ended. I defy anyone not to want to read the follow up (Please Me) if they get through this story. Regardless, readers can depend on multiple adult content erotica scenes that aren't always enjoyable to read.
There is so much more I'd love to share about this book but my head is reeling with emotions. Never EVER have I hated a fictional character more than I do after reading this story. Hate as in an all consuming feeling that there is no punishment or consequence evil enough that could satisfy feeling karma was justified and satisfied for this character. Normally a story has enough fiction that I can distance my personal feelings but not in this case as it had too much reality based potential. Which character? Sorry, only those who read this story and why such feelings result will identify and understand.
Yet, I'm so appreciative that the author chose to pen this story though it was difficult to get through and read. Shedding the light on those who have a similar story to tell such as Calliope is the first step in understanding and appreciating what true horror abuse survivors experience and the strength of body and mind required to move forward despite an overwhelming feeling of udder despair and shame.
Not much else to say other than I totally appreciated this book and recommend that readers of dark themed contemporary erotica check it out for themselves. Those with existing triggers to sexual abuse and non consent situations should definitely give it a miss. Now I'm off to find out the rest of the story in Please Me (Crush Me #2) because I need to know how things play out and if karma does indeed live up to my expectations.
Putting a positive spin on her qualifications and real life experiences, Calliope is hired as Bryce Gentry's PA though he's made it clear the job requires extra duties not specified in her official job description. Needing the money, Callie does what she has to do even though she knows better.
Things seem to be going well until Bryce enters negotiations with Jackson Vale of Cubethink, a major industry rival, looking to collaborate on a new drone design that would revolutionize drone technology. It's an uphill battle to make a collaboration happen as Bryce & Jackson have history and rumored to be cutthroat enemies both professionally and personally, though no one really knows why.
When Jackson expresses interest in a collaboration if Callie represents Bryce Technologies during contract talks, Bryce makes it known this is her make or break moment with the company. Succeed and she moves up the corporate ladder, fail and she's out.
If that isn't enough pressure, the sperm donor father is increasing pressure to get full custody of Charlie.
* * * *
Warning: This is a dark themed story that includes graphic scenes of non-dub consent, humiliation, abuse, harassment, and erotica scenes that may be disturbing. The topic and content are consistent with what a female will do to survive. Those having triggers with such content should proceed with caution, heck those with such triggers should not read this story, period. Consider yourself warned.
This is a book that should only be read by those who can appreciate fictional dark themed stories as it will test the reader into making sense of topics that defy logic and/or have empathy with what she goes through without wanting to either cry or commit bodily harm to a fictional character. In the final analysis, the questions of why bad things happen to good people transmutes itself into some very different questions, no longer asking why something happened, but asking how we will respond, what we intend to do now that it happened.”
~ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
There are actually three main characters in this story. Calliope, Bryce, & Jackson. What starts out as a possible m-f relationship soon morphed into a possible love triangle or menage situation. I totally appreciate that the author was able to twist and turn circumstances so it never became apparent which of these options were pertinent until things played out at the climatic ending. Sorry, my interpretation of that ending is that it's a cliffhanger though some may argue it's more a HFN sort of thing. To each their own but I was ready to blast the author for the ending ..... until I discovered Please Me (Crush Me #2) picks up where things ended. I defy anyone not to want to read the follow up (Please Me) if they get through this story. Regardless, readers can depend on multiple adult content erotica scenes that aren't always enjoyable to read.
There is so much more I'd love to share about this book but my head is reeling with emotions. Never EVER have I hated a fictional character more than I do after reading this story. Hate as in an all consuming feeling that there is no punishment or consequence evil enough that could satisfy feeling karma was justified and satisfied for this character. Normally a story has enough fiction that I can distance my personal feelings but not in this case as it had too much reality based potential. Which character? Sorry, only those who read this story and why such feelings result will identify and understand.
Yet, I'm so appreciative that the author chose to pen this story though it was difficult to get through and read. Shedding the light on those who have a similar story to tell such as Calliope is the first step in understanding and appreciating what true horror abuse survivors experience and the strength of body and mind required to move forward despite an overwhelming feeling of udder despair and shame.
Not much else to say other than I totally appreciated this book and recommend that readers of dark themed contemporary erotica check it out for themselves. Those with existing triggers to sexual abuse and non consent situations should definitely give it a miss. Now I'm off to find out the rest of the story in Please Me (Crush Me #2) because I need to know how things play out and if karma does indeed live up to my expectations.
September 2, 2017
OK, so this book is highly rated and several of my GR friends really liked it. But not me.
*** Trigger warning - "non-con" seems insufficient ***
The set-up has a lot of potential, where a smart-but-naive woman with money problems is used as a pawn between 2 powerful alpha males who are business adversaries. There is a lot of humiliation and voyeurism in the first half, which was intriguing and well written. How much would you put up with for a big pay-check?
By the end, the h has proven herself TSTL several times (how did she get into a fancy university?), and both Hs show that they love to manipulate everyone around them. Yes, one guy is outwardly much worse than the other, but neither one has many redeeming characteristics.
I know that there is a book 2 which supposedly makes everything OK, but I'm not reading it.
*** Trigger warning - "non-con" seems insufficient ***
The set-up has a lot of potential, where a smart-but-naive woman with money problems is used as a pawn between 2 powerful alpha males who are business adversaries. There is a lot of humiliation and voyeurism in the first half, which was intriguing and well written. How much would you put up with for a big pay-check?
By the end, the h has proven herself TSTL several times (how did she get into a fancy university?), and both Hs show that they love to manipulate everyone around them. Yes, one guy is outwardly much worse than the other, but neither one has many redeeming characteristics.
I know that there is a book 2 which supposedly makes everything OK, but I'm not reading it.
February 20, 2020
Good? Bad? On the fence!
This is one of those books that sometimes you just want to quit reading. I only kept coming back for 2 reasons. 1. It's extremely hard for me to NOT finish a book. I mean it has to be really bad for me to dump it unfinished. (Only done that with 2 books in my life). 2. I really, really liked the Hero... an alpha male with a heart. Even though he's into control (there is a bsdm theme in this story) he treats her with respect, love and care. There isn't anything he wouldn't do for her.
What I didn't like, and what made me keep walking away from this book, was the heroine and the stupid decisions she made. Considering her past, the decisions she makes and the things she allows don't make any sense. You get to where you don't even feel sorry for her.
So, I finally make my way to the end expecting an HEA and a much grown, smarter heroine only to discover more stupid decisions and a cliffhanger. What??? I thought this was a stand-a-lone!!! Nope, published as a duet!
So will I read the next? Probably...Just because I really like the H and I'm hoping to see him kick her psycho, perverted ex boss's a$$.
This is one of those books that sometimes you just want to quit reading. I only kept coming back for 2 reasons. 1. It's extremely hard for me to NOT finish a book. I mean it has to be really bad for me to dump it unfinished. (Only done that with 2 books in my life). 2. I really, really liked the Hero... an alpha male with a heart. Even though he's into control (there is a bsdm theme in this story) he treats her with respect, love and care. There isn't anything he wouldn't do for her.
What I didn't like, and what made me keep walking away from this book, was the heroine and the stupid decisions she made. Considering her past, the decisions she makes and the things she allows don't make any sense. You get to where you don't even feel sorry for her.
So, I finally make my way to the end expecting an HEA and a much grown, smarter heroine only to discover more stupid decisions and a cliffhanger. What??? I thought this was a stand-a-lone!!! Nope, published as a duet!
So will I read the next? Probably...Just because I really like the H and I'm hoping to see him kick her psycho, perverted ex boss's a$$.
April 21, 2021
Lectura del 23 de marzo, 2020 y dije:
Anoche tenía insomnio. Es muy del team cualca de cualquiera. La protagonista tiene todos los matices que detesto. Los chabones son una versión clichetera entre C.Grey y el marqués de Sade devenido a un populacho ubicado en la tribuna de Tristán Suárez. 🙈😂🙈😂
Anoche tenía insomnio. Es muy del team cualca de cualquiera. La protagonista tiene todos los matices que detesto. Los chabones son una versión clichetera entre C.Grey y el marqués de Sade devenido a un populacho ubicado en la tribuna de Tristán Suárez. 🙈😂🙈😂
November 11, 2018
Ugh
Warning: Main characters having sex with other people. The summary says no cheating, but sex with other people is almost as bad. Authors need to start putting warnings for OP sex now. It's ridiculous to have it in a romance, but if you're going to, make sure there's a warning that we can clearly see before we make a purchase. Be more considerate to those who don't like that.
What I didn't like - I didn't like the sexual acts with other people. Callie's lawyer asked her how much older David was when she got pregnant. She said that he was 19 years older than her at that time. Um...what? If he was 19 years older than her then, he's 19 years older than her now. Their ages will increase of course, but their age gap doesn't change. There were a few errors that should have been caught before publication. I really didn't like it that much, but I need to know how it all ends. The darker stuff didn't bother me. I didn't like that she participated in sexual acts willingly at first with someone other than Jackson.
Warning: Main characters having sex with other people. The summary says no cheating, but sex with other people is almost as bad. Authors need to start putting warnings for OP sex now. It's ridiculous to have it in a romance, but if you're going to, make sure there's a warning that we can clearly see before we make a purchase. Be more considerate to those who don't like that.
What I didn't like - I didn't like the sexual acts with other people. Callie's lawyer asked her how much older David was when she got pregnant. She said that he was 19 years older than her at that time. Um...what? If he was 19 years older than her then, he's 19 years older than her now. Their ages will increase of course, but their age gap doesn't change. There were a few errors that should have been caught before publication. I really didn't like it that much, but I need to know how it all ends. The darker stuff didn't bother me. I didn't like that she participated in sexual acts willingly at first with someone other than Jackson.
Want to read
February 23, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/23/2018)! 💝
Blurb:
Two powerful, handsome billionaires are vying for my body...
But only one of them wants my heart.
From the very beginning, I suspected I was making a bargain with the devil. I accepted Bryce Gentry’s position as his personal assistant knowing there was more to the job than answering emails and taking meeting notes. I mean, so what if he likes to watch me do my office work without my shirt on? No big deal. All I care about is making ends meet and taking care of my son. But Gentry seems determined to make me a pawn in his personal vendettas and power plays.
And then there’s Gentry’s handsome former collaborator and current rival: Jackson Vale. Jackson makes me FEEL. He makes me feel alive. Feel sexy. Feel in control and out of control at the same time. He makes me want a future when I can barely manage the day to day.
For a girl like me, it’s dangerous to want. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this life, it’s to never put my heart on the line.
The stakes of these games are getting too high, too fast. It was just supposed to be a job. But now I’m stuck between two men intent on destroying one another. Will I make it out of this with my heart, soul, and body intact, or will this CRUSH ME?
Warning: Contains triggers and dark themes which may be distressing to some readers.
Book 1 of 2 Part Series. Second book available now.
Blurb:
Two powerful, handsome billionaires are vying for my body...
But only one of them wants my heart.
From the very beginning, I suspected I was making a bargain with the devil. I accepted Bryce Gentry’s position as his personal assistant knowing there was more to the job than answering emails and taking meeting notes. I mean, so what if he likes to watch me do my office work without my shirt on? No big deal. All I care about is making ends meet and taking care of my son. But Gentry seems determined to make me a pawn in his personal vendettas and power plays.
And then there’s Gentry’s handsome former collaborator and current rival: Jackson Vale. Jackson makes me FEEL. He makes me feel alive. Feel sexy. Feel in control and out of control at the same time. He makes me want a future when I can barely manage the day to day.
For a girl like me, it’s dangerous to want. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this life, it’s to never put my heart on the line.
The stakes of these games are getting too high, too fast. It was just supposed to be a job. But now I’m stuck between two men intent on destroying one another. Will I make it out of this with my heart, soul, and body intact, or will this CRUSH ME?
Warning: Contains triggers and dark themes which may be distressing to some readers.
Book 1 of 2 Part Series. Second book available now.
January 9, 2019
Buyer Beware - This is a definite DNF. this book has a disclaimer "This book is a Dark Romance with no cheating" I am sorry but where the fuck is the part about this girl being gang banged by her bosses associates, made to show him her "big" tits in the job interview - called into his office to mutually masturbate - Callie Cruise is fighting to keep her son from his wealthy baby daddy and lands the ONLY job available to her (Callie I am quite sure Walmart was hiring) which she takes regardless of being molested, degraded and abused - but OMG it's sooo hot.- Callie's thoughts - definitely NOT mine - And you if care enough to know - there is a tug of war between Callie's boss Bryce and his ex-business partner/rival Jackson, who is made to be the lesser of 2 evils - Real hero material - NOT
and it ends in a cliffy - Callie who has ZERO self esteem is nothing but a pathetic excuse for a woman.
I would rather she became a stripper or prostitute/escort - at least that would have made her credible. As for her boss - he would have been on the news - in handcuffs.
and it ends in a cliffy - Callie who has ZERO self esteem is nothing but a pathetic excuse for a woman.
I would rather she became a stripper or prostitute/escort - at least that would have made her credible. As for her boss - he would have been on the news - in handcuffs.
November 22, 2020
DNF for me and I don't do that often to books I always try and finish them even if its painful. Any person who let's others treat them in such a disgusting and disrespectful way and goes along with it just to get a job has no self respect and is an idiot and all this in the first chapter, this book just made me so angry I had to stop reading it, and I have read some pretty dark and sordid books.
June 1, 2023
This was my first introduction to this author. This book had enough to get me to finish the book but not enough to read the sequel. Unfortunately, I don’t care about either character to want to know how they get revenge.
February 6, 2021
4.6 stars
November 18, 2018
Cut So Deep By: Stasia Black"Cut So Deep" Is A Solid 5 Star Reading Treat!!
All her life she's been Cut...
Raw, Emotional, Betraying, & Deep...
Over, & Over, & Over Again... The Cuts keep coming, until it feels like it's never gonna END...
This is Part 1 of her Story, & it's a Doozy...
Don't buy it if you're faint of HEART, because this Lady gets "Cut So Deep" it'll make you Sceam, Rage, & Cry!!
Beware, it's gonna leave you Hangin'...
Right on the Cliff, waiting for the Next Installment!!
But, the writing is Solid! Stasia Black draws you into this Tale & keeps you on the Edge of your Seat turning Pages until the last one's gone... Just in time to One-Click, "Break So Soft (Break So Soft Duet Book 2)," & finish the Story...
I rarely give Coveted 5 STAR ratings; they're saved for Books/Items that Outshine, Outclass, & Outperform their competition... They've gotta give me something MORE! Stasia Black's won that Distinction Once Again for "Cut So Deep;" Kudos Ms. Black for your Stellar work!!!
I was granted an ARC of Stasia Black's "Cut So Deep" via Booksprout; I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!
March 29, 2017
*** 3 Cranky Stars ***
Calliope Cruise hasn't made many wise choices. She was a promising young mind at Stanford in the field of robotics engineering until a dashing professor comes along. Flash forward to almost 3 years later she's struggling. Living with her sister trying to make ends meet. We can only guess how that meeting went with the professor.
Bryce Gentry is the owner of a cutting edge robotics company. He seems charming at first glance but underneath he's a manipulative jerk who plays with people making it seem like they wanted to be treated this way. He hires Calliope simply because she has a nice body among other assets. He does unspeakable things to Calliope and even goes as far as to use her to woo Jackson Vale to collaborate on a new drone. Him and Jackson aren't on stable ground their friendship burned to the ground.
Jackson Vale is the owner of a robotics company as well. Focusing on more civilian and company use. He meets the beautiful Calliope Cruise during a lunch meeting one that didn't sit well with him. He sets out to win Callie over with his gentlemanly ways and a job offer. He also gives Callie fair warning of who the real Bryce Gentry is. He finds himself very drawn to her and get's involved in her personal life. Feelings and hearts are on the line.
I'm all for a good smutty book and this book read like a soft core porn. Some plot and steamy sex yet we get to that pivotal moment toward the end that kind of came out of left field and was rather disturbing. I'm a huge fan of dark books but this didn't sit right with me for some odd reason. Also Gentry needs to work on his terms i mean half the stuff he said was just juvenile and rather cringeworthy. He needs a class on talking dirty. I wish I could say a million nice things. At its core it had a lot of potential especially the story running parallel to the kinky stuff. Yes there is a second book so I heard but I'm thinking i'll end the Callie, Jackson, Gentry train at this stop.
January 31, 2017
As I was pulling this book up, I noticed that it's the author's debut! OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I NEVER EVER would have guessed that fact in a million years as this book is FREAKIN' AWESOME! I cannot give any type of description, sorry not sorry, you'll just have to read the blurb, as I'm not going to give anything away, plus, not sure there are really any words eloquent enough. So everyone is just going to get some serious gushing, with dramatic girly girl emotions thrown in. I LOVED Callie so much, but the things she went through broke my heart, and I'm not ashamed to say that my eyes leaked more than once, as it was heart wrenching. Stasia Black has a brilliant writing style that had me fully captivated from cover to cover, and I didn't move until the very last page. Her diabolical twists and turns had me all kinds of jacked up, which ultimately led to very loud f-bomb dropping on every page. Of course now I have her on the list of authors trying to KILL ME, so she's earned the hash tag #EVILWHORE forevermore, with an ending that almost had my kindle as collateral damage. Please Me CANNOT come out quickly enough for me, so while I wait, plotting to message this author with very bad names, I'll just HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND Crush Me to everyone!
February 23, 2018
Calliope Cruise. Daughter, sister, mother. Victim!
I liked this book. Gentry was a total tool, but Jackson had the potential to be her swoon worthy Knight in shining armour. But when it got to... That... Part, I can honestly say that I felt devastated for her, but also routing for her to be strong and not let those vile men win.
Life was hard for Calliope, Callie, Cruise. A single mother to her little boy, Charlie, and a long list of low paid jobs.
Things were looking bleak until she gets a job with Gentry Tech. It was to be her salvation, her way to providing a better life for her son.
Gentry had other ideas about what her job description as a personal assistant entailed.
Degraded by Gentry from the start, but she needed this job. Then she meets Jackson Vale, Gentry's former friend and business partner and sparks fly.
She likes him and he is totally into her. "Come work for me. No strings attached"
So she hands her notice in with Gentry. But he isn't going to let her go quietly. One last boardroom meeting. Make your presentation and you can leave.
Ten men, one board room table, held down, gagged, degraded and Callie's conference room version of hell on earth.
How do you come back from that?
Maybe you don't.
I liked this book. Gentry was a total tool, but Jackson had the potential to be her swoon worthy Knight in shining armour. But when it got to... That... Part, I can honestly say that I felt devastated for her, but also routing for her to be strong and not let those vile men win.
Life was hard for Calliope, Callie, Cruise. A single mother to her little boy, Charlie, and a long list of low paid jobs.
Things were looking bleak until she gets a job with Gentry Tech. It was to be her salvation, her way to providing a better life for her son.
Gentry had other ideas about what her job description as a personal assistant entailed.
Degraded by Gentry from the start, but she needed this job. Then she meets Jackson Vale, Gentry's former friend and business partner and sparks fly.
She likes him and he is totally into her. "Come work for me. No strings attached"
So she hands her notice in with Gentry. But he isn't going to let her go quietly. One last boardroom meeting. Make your presentation and you can leave.
Ten men, one board room table, held down, gagged, degraded and Callie's conference room version of hell on earth.
How do you come back from that?
Maybe you don't.
January 28, 2020
The main character will piss you off beware
Congrats on writing a horrible book. You made the reader hate Callie she is weak and stupid has no back bone. Barely ever sticks up for herself against a bitchy sister and a horrible asshole boss. Or against the douchebag ex and his wife who are trying to take away her son. Annoying through out the whole book the worst female character I've ever read in a book.
Congrats on writing a horrible book. You made the reader hate Callie she is weak and stupid has no back bone. Barely ever sticks up for herself against a bitchy sister and a horrible asshole boss. Or against the douchebag ex and his wife who are trying to take away her son. Annoying through out the whole book the worst female character I've ever read in a book.
August 28, 2019
“If you belonged to me, Miss Cruise, you wouldn’t look so disgusted. True ownership goes both ways. I would own you, but you’d own me, too. A concept I’m sorry to say Bryce Gentry’s never understood.”
I have read another series from Stasia and was kinda on the fence about her overall....it wasn't an awful experience overall (3 to 3.5 stars for each book I think) so I hadn't written her off as an author altogether. This one kept popping up in my kindle recommends and I finally added it and gave it a shot.
"And just like the first time, it takes my breath away. It’s like he’s looking into me. Seeing me."
Its told from our heroine's POV, and a mix of a bully romance and lighter dark erotica.....that is until the ending---lets just say you need to be prepared because it is full of disturbing events and triggers galore. The writing was good (no typos or grammar issues that stood out) and the plot was interesting and held a certain level of mystery that made me eager to turn the page. And the ending though gut wrenching, also set up a very promising part 2.
And then he does it again. The other ass cheek this time. Jackson’s voice is calm as he slaps each cheek twice more with slightly increased force, “Your safe word is red.”
The story being told is of one woman caught in a game that she should have NEVER been a part of, but her beauty and physical assets (what she was taught from childhood to rely on) is exactly what makes her the perfect pawn. With a toddler who relies on her and his father showing up after being a deadbeat for two years to take him away, Callie will do WHATEVER it takes to keep him with her and provide the life he deserves, which leads her to take the personal assistant job with the powerful Bryce Gentry.....only the role she fills isn't exactly what she envisioned when she applied for the position......
"Bryce destroys everything he touches. This woman, whoever she is, still has plenty of life left in her eyes. He hasn’t broken her yet. Yet. "
Jackson Vale, former friend and business partner to Gentry, knows ALL about how Bryce operates....he destroys EVERYTHING and EVERYONE he touches. A master manipulator, Bryce can't be trusted. So when he meets the woman Gentry calls his "PA", he vows to save her....to not let another innocent fall victim to such a dangerous man. Jackson doesn't just want to protect Callie, he wants to make her his in every way.
“I want you, in every possible way the word can be understood. Forget about work for a minute. Let’s talk about the personal now. Because tonight was just the beginning. You’re going to be in my bed, Calliope. On my desk. Against my wall.”
Can Callie escape Bryce's control, or does he hold the power to destroy her already? What if the one thing she has to do to break free from Gentry is also the one thing that can break her in the process? This book DOES NOT have a HEA, ending on a cliffy with a continuation in book 2.
"Life is a shit storm. Still, it’s one I’m going to make it through. I might come out beaten, battered, and more than a little bit bruised. But no fucking way am I broken."
All in all, this book had everything necessary to make it a steamy yet suspenseful read. Don't get it twisted though, this is not a love triangle. One man wants Callie forever while the other wants her to use to get ahead.....both are dangerous and powerful hotties but to survive Callie must decide if trusting one is worth the price. I recommend it to anyone who likes these kinds of stories, but be warned....the ending is tough to get through.
"Because before we can have our happily ever after, we have to cut the head off a snake."
I have read another series from Stasia and was kinda on the fence about her overall....it wasn't an awful experience overall (3 to 3.5 stars for each book I think) so I hadn't written her off as an author altogether. This one kept popping up in my kindle recommends and I finally added it and gave it a shot.
"And just like the first time, it takes my breath away. It’s like he’s looking into me. Seeing me."
Its told from our heroine's POV, and a mix of a bully romance and lighter dark erotica.....that is until the ending---lets just say you need to be prepared because it is full of disturbing events and triggers galore. The writing was good (no typos or grammar issues that stood out) and the plot was interesting and held a certain level of mystery that made me eager to turn the page. And the ending though gut wrenching, also set up a very promising part 2.
And then he does it again. The other ass cheek this time. Jackson’s voice is calm as he slaps each cheek twice more with slightly increased force, “Your safe word is red.”
The story being told is of one woman caught in a game that she should have NEVER been a part of, but her beauty and physical assets (what she was taught from childhood to rely on) is exactly what makes her the perfect pawn. With a toddler who relies on her and his father showing up after being a deadbeat for two years to take him away, Callie will do WHATEVER it takes to keep him with her and provide the life he deserves, which leads her to take the personal assistant job with the powerful Bryce Gentry.....only the role she fills isn't exactly what she envisioned when she applied for the position......
"Bryce destroys everything he touches. This woman, whoever she is, still has plenty of life left in her eyes. He hasn’t broken her yet. Yet. "
Jackson Vale, former friend and business partner to Gentry, knows ALL about how Bryce operates....he destroys EVERYTHING and EVERYONE he touches. A master manipulator, Bryce can't be trusted. So when he meets the woman Gentry calls his "PA", he vows to save her....to not let another innocent fall victim to such a dangerous man. Jackson doesn't just want to protect Callie, he wants to make her his in every way.
“I want you, in every possible way the word can be understood. Forget about work for a minute. Let’s talk about the personal now. Because tonight was just the beginning. You’re going to be in my bed, Calliope. On my desk. Against my wall.”
Can Callie escape Bryce's control, or does he hold the power to destroy her already? What if the one thing she has to do to break free from Gentry is also the one thing that can break her in the process? This book DOES NOT have a HEA, ending on a cliffy with a continuation in book 2.
"Life is a shit storm. Still, it’s one I’m going to make it through. I might come out beaten, battered, and more than a little bit bruised. But no fucking way am I broken."
All in all, this book had everything necessary to make it a steamy yet suspenseful read. Don't get it twisted though, this is not a love triangle. One man wants Callie forever while the other wants her to use to get ahead.....both are dangerous and powerful hotties but to survive Callie must decide if trusting one is worth the price. I recommend it to anyone who likes these kinds of stories, but be warned....the ending is tough to get through.
"Because before we can have our happily ever after, we have to cut the head off a snake."
February 22, 2017
5 out of 5 stars
Warning, this book is full of dark themes.
I am not sure what I just read. My mind is entirely frazzled. I cannot believe what poor Callie went through.
Callie is a single mom struggling to pay the bills. She loves her son and would do anything for him.
When Callie takes a job as a personal assistant with a high profile tech firm, she isn’t at all ready for the expectations her new boss has of her. She has to keep reminding herself that everything she does is for her son.
On a dinner meeting with her boss, Callie meets her boss’s rival Jackson. He is handsome and oozes sex appeal. She knows she needs to focus on her son and job, but she can’t help the feelings she has for Jackson.
Jackson seems to be for real but she just doesn’t know who she can trust. Another man who she thought loved her burned her big time in the past.
I loved Callie but I am shocked that Callie could be so naïve. I don’t know how she could have thought that all her decisions weren’t bad ones.
I am appalled at how evil her boss Bryce Gentry was. No woman deserves to be treated like she was. He completely broke her.
I cannot wait to read book 2 to see what happens to poor Callie.
Warning, this book is full of dark themes.
I am not sure what I just read. My mind is entirely frazzled. I cannot believe what poor Callie went through.
Callie is a single mom struggling to pay the bills. She loves her son and would do anything for him.
When Callie takes a job as a personal assistant with a high profile tech firm, she isn’t at all ready for the expectations her new boss has of her. She has to keep reminding herself that everything she does is for her son.
On a dinner meeting with her boss, Callie meets her boss’s rival Jackson. He is handsome and oozes sex appeal. She knows she needs to focus on her son and job, but she can’t help the feelings she has for Jackson.
Jackson seems to be for real but she just doesn’t know who she can trust. Another man who she thought loved her burned her big time in the past.
I loved Callie but I am shocked that Callie could be so naïve. I don’t know how she could have thought that all her decisions weren’t bad ones.
I am appalled at how evil her boss Bryce Gentry was. No woman deserves to be treated like she was. He completely broke her.
I cannot wait to read book 2 to see what happens to poor Callie.
September 22, 2021
This book was recommended, and I don’t even remember why. I hate office relationship books although I really liked beautiful bastard (I think that’s the name,) I read it like 8 years ago and loved the banter and comedy. I was soooo on edge and felt sooo uncomfortable for her. I felt so bad for her character. I also liked that the sister wasn’t a total monster, she was a 3 dimensional character. I feel there is a backstory to the sisters hate. Like maybe she also has past trauma and sees Callie as the perfect one while she had to endure things on her own. It will be interesting if that’s the case. No one in the book is completely perfect and they are all flawed. Gentry is a monster. And I have a feeling Jackson may have participated in gentry’s games in the past, hence why he was sooo protective of her. I’m interested to see how this story goes. I really enjoyed this book, bc I like the unpredictability and that bad stuff does happen. It won’t always be a near miss, perfect ending. Hence why I love horror movies too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2019
This was good in that it definitely kept me interested throughout the whole book and wondering what would happen next. I’m not thrilled that it ended on a cliffhanger because I don’t have the motivation to read the sequel. For some reason the age of Charlie really bothered me, probably because I have a 2.5yo. In the beginning of the book he can barely talk and she’s spoon feeding him mashed peas and towards the end of the book he’s saying full sentences... for some reason I just couldn’t get over that.
December 7, 2018
Wow...
I can’t remember what I read in the blurb set me onto this book (probably something hot)... I can’t remember what other book or books of Stasia Black’s I have read (but I wanted to read more)...
This book had some hard triggers, made harder by being so well written, but it has you so deeply invested you can’t NOT continue. It’s heartbreaking and heart wrenching and validating. It reminds you of some of the horrific deals you make with yourself when you’re trying to survive but it shows you there’s light on the other side if you’re willing to choose it. If you’re lucky, you find someone willing to walk the path with you. I have to read the next book. We can’t just leave her...
I can’t remember what I read in the blurb set me onto this book (probably something hot)... I can’t remember what other book or books of Stasia Black’s I have read (but I wanted to read more)...
This book had some hard triggers, made harder by being so well written, but it has you so deeply invested you can’t NOT continue. It’s heartbreaking and heart wrenching and validating. It reminds you of some of the horrific deals you make with yourself when you’re trying to survive but it shows you there’s light on the other side if you’re willing to choose it. If you’re lucky, you find someone willing to walk the path with you. I have to read the next book. We can’t just leave her...
December 12, 2018
Loved this one. This was the first book by this author & I'm looking forward to reading more. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book.
April 18, 2020
Rating: 3 Stars
I have to rate it as a middle of the road read. I did not have any issues with the writing. It was good. I do not like love triangles, I was not expecting it in this book or I would have passed on it.. I also do not really care for workplace romances either. Again, this was just not my type of book. On well, you can't love them all. On to my next good read!
I have to rate it as a middle of the road read. I did not have any issues with the writing. It was good. I do not like love triangles, I was not expecting it in this book or I would have passed on it.. I also do not really care for workplace romances either. Again, this was just not my type of book. On well, you can't love them all. On to my next good read!
July 23, 2023
The idea is good but this book gets bogged
Down by the minutiae. I need more of the relationship between the mcs and less details about work etc.-it’s just useless filler. More than half of this book could have been scrapped.
Down by the minutiae. I need more of the relationship between the mcs and less details about work etc.-it’s just useless filler. More than half of this book could have been scrapped.
July 4, 2019
Whoa
Ok first, if you have any triggers don’t read this. It’s dark and gritty and very very raw. The characters are great. Story is incredible. Just read with caution.
Ok first, if you have any triggers don’t read this. It’s dark and gritty and very very raw. The characters are great. Story is incredible. Just read with caution.
June 27, 2017
Brave character
Crazy ass book!!! Callie is one stronger women. The shit storm of her life has her bouncing back in every turn. By the end of the book I was ugly crying. It is a dark erotic book, but damn how much can this poor girl can take!
Crazy ass book!!! Callie is one stronger women. The shit storm of her life has her bouncing back in every turn. By the end of the book I was ugly crying. It is a dark erotic book, but damn how much can this poor girl can take!
October 11, 2019
OK read
I hate Bryce, love Jackson, let's hope the snake loses his head, hopefully Callie will pull through, it would be hard for anyone to get through what she as been through, and poor Charlie.
I hate Bryce, love Jackson, let's hope the snake loses his head, hopefully Callie will pull through, it would be hard for anyone to get through what she as been through, and poor Charlie.
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