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Love Don't Cost a Thing #2
Lap of Luxury
Captive. Pet. Lover. Pawn…
Darkness lives inside Damir Ravnikar, and that darkness craves one thing: me. Rich, ruthless, and handsome as sin, Damir’s promised me the world to make up for my life’s myriad disappointments.
But his promise comes with a price.
Damir intends to use me to hunt down his double-crossing brother. With every jewel, every kiss, I can feel myself losing my morals, my freedom and even my sanity. Because darkness lives inside me, too. He’s laying my deepest secrets bare, and there’s nothing I can do to stop him.
My name is Bethany, and I’ve fallen into the lap of luxury.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Contains dark romantic themes. This book is NOT a standalone and is intended to be read after COME TO DADDY. No cliffhanger.
Darkness lives inside Damir Ravnikar, and that darkness craves one thing: me. Rich, ruthless, and handsome as sin, Damir’s promised me the world to make up for my life’s myriad disappointments.
But his promise comes with a price.
Damir intends to use me to hunt down his double-crossing brother. With every jewel, every kiss, I can feel myself losing my morals, my freedom and even my sanity. Because darkness lives inside me, too. He’s laying my deepest secrets bare, and there’s nothing I can do to stop him.
My name is Bethany, and I’ve fallen into the lap of luxury.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Contains dark romantic themes. This book is NOT a standalone and is intended to be read after COME TO DADDY. No cliffhanger.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2019
139 people are currently reading
1322 people want to read
About the author
Brianna Hale
26 books1,574 followersThere's nothing Brianna Hale likes more than a large, stern alpha male with a super-protective and caring streak, and when she's not writing about them she can usually be found with a book, a cocktail, planning her next trip to a beautiful location or attending the theatre. She believes that pink and empowerment aren’t mutually exclusive, and everyday adventures are possible. Brianna lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
May 30, 2023
5 Bloodthirsty Queen Stars ⭐
Blood and Violence
Fear and Arousal
This is their love story…
Bethany is a young woman who has carved out a nice little life for herself despite growing up in foster care. As the secretary of one of the wealthiest Ravnikar brothers, she has become familiar with the finer things in life; something her salary doesn’t cover.
Bethany isn’t opposed to sugaring. What’s better then wealthy men willing to shower her with gifts? She's convinced that this drives her happiness. There are aspects of herself that she prefers to ignore, such as her fascination with all things dark. Things that she’s never really understood and never fully embraced until Damir Ravnikar.
"There’s a scared little girl under that brash exterior. She’s terrified of what she wants, and that’s not surprising, because what she wants is me."
Damir Ravnikar, rich, dangerous, unscrupulous. He lives by his own rules, a king of his empire. Those that don’t fall in line will experience his wrath firsthand. He always takes what he wants and this time it's Bethany. Kidnapping is simply a means to an end. Damir has waited a long time for a woman that matches his dark soul. Now that he has found her, he will persuade her to unveil all that she is, by any means.
"“Aren’t you going to tie me up?”
“Go to sleep, princesa.”
“What if I try and kill you in the night?”
His teeth gleam in the darkness as he grins.
“You know I love foreplay.”"
Clutch on to your pearls because Damir is a glorious antihero. Where logically you should be disgusted by everything he represents, he was kind of delicious. One minute he was psycho, the next sweet and the sexual little games he played with Bethany, I loved. Be warned, some will be perturbed by what turns them on.
Blood and Violence
Fear and Arousal
This is their love story…
Bethany is a young woman who has carved out a nice little life for herself despite growing up in foster care. As the secretary of one of the wealthiest Ravnikar brothers, she has become familiar with the finer things in life; something her salary doesn’t cover.
Bethany isn’t opposed to sugaring. What’s better then wealthy men willing to shower her with gifts? She's convinced that this drives her happiness. There are aspects of herself that she prefers to ignore, such as her fascination with all things dark. Things that she’s never really understood and never fully embraced until Damir Ravnikar.
"There’s a scared little girl under that brash exterior. She’s terrified of what she wants, and that’s not surprising, because what she wants is me."
Damir Ravnikar, rich, dangerous, unscrupulous. He lives by his own rules, a king of his empire. Those that don’t fall in line will experience his wrath firsthand. He always takes what he wants and this time it's Bethany. Kidnapping is simply a means to an end. Damir has waited a long time for a woman that matches his dark soul. Now that he has found her, he will persuade her to unveil all that she is, by any means.
"“Aren’t you going to tie me up?”
“Go to sleep, princesa.”
“What if I try and kill you in the night?”
His teeth gleam in the darkness as he grins.
“You know I love foreplay.”"
Clutch on to your pearls because Damir is a glorious antihero. Where logically you should be disgusted by everything he represents, he was kind of delicious. One minute he was psycho, the next sweet and the sexual little games he played with Bethany, I loved. Be warned, some will be perturbed by what turns them on.
January 10, 2020
*****4.5 Stars!!!!****
I loved this book! It was a lot darker than the first, but I expected that considering this was about anti-hero; Damir! He may be the younger brother but that doesn’t mean he’s the sweetest. Oh no, Damir is quite psychotic... in fact, in this instalment he’s trying to find his brother to kill him. What he doesn’t count on is falling in love!
Bethany was Damir’s brother’s secretary, but after an encounter between Bethany and Damir, they realize they share the same lust for blood! These two have some kinks that might turn others off, but for them it fuels their passion for one another. Of course Bethany doesn’t make things easy for Damir... he ends up kidnapping her and taking her with him while he is on the run! Their escapades end up very entertaining, and Damir’s way of wooing a woman is very unconventional! I love it when an author can make me root for a bad guy.. and in this case towards the end I do!
This book is not for everyone... if you are a reader that doesn’t mind darker themes, or an anti-hero than I highly suggest giving this duet a go! The “Daddy” theme wasn’t really present in Damir’s book.. I just thought I would mention that!
I loved this book! It was a lot darker than the first, but I expected that considering this was about anti-hero; Damir! He may be the younger brother but that doesn’t mean he’s the sweetest. Oh no, Damir is quite psychotic... in fact, in this instalment he’s trying to find his brother to kill him. What he doesn’t count on is falling in love!
Bethany was Damir’s brother’s secretary, but after an encounter between Bethany and Damir, they realize they share the same lust for blood! These two have some kinks that might turn others off, but for them it fuels their passion for one another. Of course Bethany doesn’t make things easy for Damir... he ends up kidnapping her and taking her with him while he is on the run! Their escapades end up very entertaining, and Damir’s way of wooing a woman is very unconventional! I love it when an author can make me root for a bad guy.. and in this case towards the end I do!
This book is not for everyone... if you are a reader that doesn’t mind darker themes, or an anti-hero than I highly suggest giving this duet a go! The “Daddy” theme wasn’t really present in Damir’s book.. I just thought I would mention that!
October 31, 2019
4.5 STARS!
I'm sorry, do you not find that to be a very credible claim? But I swear, it's the truth. Somehow Ms. Hale managed to write about Damir Ravnikov's psychotic ways with a wonderful undercurrent of sarcastic humor.
But overall, I had a ton of jaw-dropping fun with this one. If you love a good captive romance, this is for you!
"If you crave someone who will love you to the point of obsession then I'm your man."Brianna Hale never lets me down! This book was crazy and I loved it . . . because what's not to love about a huge sociopath?
I'm sorry, do you not find that to be a very credible claim? But I swear, it's the truth. Somehow Ms. Hale managed to write about Damir Ravnikov's psychotic ways with a wonderful undercurrent of sarcastic humor.
I feel myself unclench a little. People saying yes to me. People doing as they're told. There hasn't been enough of that lately.Plot : After his brother, Misha, betrays him, Damir is forced to flee the UK. With nothing left to lose, he decides to take Misha's secretary, Bethany, with him. That she's unwilling is inconsequential. She'll provide plenty of entertainment while he plots out his revenge.
I'd rather have revenge than peace. It's more permanent.So honestly, Damir's warped sense of self was awesome. And poor Bethany . . .
"What does it mean when a madman finds you extraordinary?". . . doesn't actually need your sympathy, lol. With all her problems, she was the perfect foil for him. I also got a kick out of her.
Tomorrow, I'll get help. Find a therapist who can deal with all my kinks so I can get aroused by normal things. Men doing dishes or something. I don't know what does it for other women, but it's probably not blood, knives, muscle, and fear.They were perfect for each other in their own warped ways. I especially loved the way Bethany would bait Damir, and then . . . well you can only imagine. Like I said, this book was crazy!
So brave. So beautiful too, to withstand my storm and draw such delight from it.I couldn't give it a full 5 stars though. Considering some of Damir's behaviour, there should have been more page time dedicated to fleshing out the psychological consequences. While the author did deal with a lot of it, I thought she brushed a huge incident under the rug. And then the ending 'action' sequences became silly.
But overall, I had a ton of jaw-dropping fun with this one. If you love a good captive romance, this is for you!
October 19, 2019
4.5 Stars
Bethany Voight leads a fairly private life and has certain proclivities that make finding someone to excite her nearly impossible. But when all implodes at Ravnikar Enterprises, thanks to the man who always intrigued Bethany, she prepares for the chase. Damir Ravnikar is a man of many shady talents who isn’t ashamed of his base needs and recognizes a similar craving in Bethany. Taking what he wants, Damir is a true predator about to stake claim.
Told in dual POV, the plot unfolds quickly with sides drawn by Damir and his brother, but Bethany is torn between loyalties and her own insecurities. Immediately, Damir asserts himself as confident and dominant, yet there is much more lurking behind his steely exterior. Fueled by revenge and betrayal, Damir sets the tone, but together the tension between he and Bethany is explosively hot.
From the beginning, I was looking forward to Damir’s book because of his darker and intense nature and this book certainly delivered. While he is filthy and kinky, he is also deeply committed to his family, which shows his true heart. Bethany is exactly the kind of heroine I love to read about – she is resilient, sarcastic and with her own uniquely deviant quirks. The chemistry between Bethany and Damir is immediate and combustible. Plus, they mirror each other in ways that are quite complimentary for their personalities with an ending true to these characters.
Lap of Luxury is a hot, dark and delicious romance full of action and vengeance that will satisfy those with a taste for a chase.
Love Don’t Cost a Thing series: (need to be read in order)
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey! *
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Bethany Voight leads a fairly private life and has certain proclivities that make finding someone to excite her nearly impossible. But when all implodes at Ravnikar Enterprises, thanks to the man who always intrigued Bethany, she prepares for the chase. Damir Ravnikar is a man of many shady talents who isn’t ashamed of his base needs and recognizes a similar craving in Bethany. Taking what he wants, Damir is a true predator about to stake claim.
“Do this often then? Kidnapping?”
“Jealous of all the girls who came before you, princesa?”
Told in dual POV, the plot unfolds quickly with sides drawn by Damir and his brother, but Bethany is torn between loyalties and her own insecurities. Immediately, Damir asserts himself as confident and dominant, yet there is much more lurking behind his steely exterior. Fueled by revenge and betrayal, Damir sets the tone, but together the tension between he and Bethany is explosively hot.
“I want her unprepared, off balance, afraid of me. And horny as fuck.”
From the beginning, I was looking forward to Damir’s book because of his darker and intense nature and this book certainly delivered. While he is filthy and kinky, he is also deeply committed to his family, which shows his true heart. Bethany is exactly the kind of heroine I love to read about – she is resilient, sarcastic and with her own uniquely deviant quirks. The chemistry between Bethany and Damir is immediate and combustible. Plus, they mirror each other in ways that are quite complimentary for their personalities with an ending true to these characters.
“What does it mean when a madman finds you extraordinary?” “It means he’s met his match.” Damir’s mouth descends on mine, engulfing me in a searing kiss.”
Lap of Luxury is a hot, dark and delicious romance full of action and vengeance that will satisfy those with a taste for a chase.
Love Don’t Cost a Thing series: (need to be read in order)
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey! *
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
October 20, 2019
I'm honestly running out of things to say in my reviews for this author. 😂 Again, this was an excellent read. Well written and well paced. Hot sex. No OW or OM drama. Great characters, and a plot that kept me hooked from beginning to the end. The only tiny niggle I had, was I wish we had gotten a little more of an "in the future" look at this couple. But perhaps we will get an extended epilogue at some point?? Another fantastic read from this talented (and super sweet) author! Bring on the next book...
October 17, 2019
Genre: Dark Romance
Type: Book 2 of Love Don’t Cost a Thing series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Bethany Voight lived a normal life to everyone’s eyes, but deep down inside she craved darkness that can’t be fulfilled by just anybody. Damir Ravnikar’s thirst for revenge knew no boundaries. Harboring similar depravity, he took whatever he wanted like he owned it and she happened to be just the tool he needed. Together, they embarked on a journey of lust and vengeance, but they must decide what they valued the most or risk destroying everything they've worked for.
Right from book 1, Damir became my favorite in this series. So coming into this book, I had a certain hope and expectations. I’m thrilled the author did justice to his story.
Damir was everything I love in my hero. Dark, depraved and unapologetic, but with a weakness that made him human. He easily became my favorite hero by the author. Bethany was his perfect match. I loved her sass and quirks with just enough innocence.
I loved how the story took readers on a journey to various fabulous locations. The storyline was exciting with some actions and balanced with tender moments - by Damir’s standard at least lol! Of course, the scorching kinky sexy times wrapped it all up pleasurably.
Lap of Luxury is a story of retribution and closure. It would appeal to readers who enjoy sexy dark romance with a dash of sweetness.
Note: Throughout the book, I was hoping a certain ponytailed character to “join in the fun”, but alas, it’s not that kind of book haha!
Book in the series:
💎💰💎. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . .💎💰💎
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Book 2 of Love Don’t Cost a Thing series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Bethany Voight lived a normal life to everyone’s eyes, but deep down inside she craved darkness that can’t be fulfilled by just anybody. Damir Ravnikar’s thirst for revenge knew no boundaries. Harboring similar depravity, he took whatever he wanted like he owned it and she happened to be just the tool he needed. Together, they embarked on a journey of lust and vengeance, but they must decide what they valued the most or risk destroying everything they've worked for.
Right from book 1, Damir became my favorite in this series. So coming into this book, I had a certain hope and expectations. I’m thrilled the author did justice to his story.
“Do this often then? Kidnapping?”
“Jealous of all the girls who came before, princesa?”
Damir was everything I love in my hero. Dark, depraved and unapologetic, but with a weakness that made him human. He easily became my favorite hero by the author. Bethany was his perfect match. I loved her sass and quirks with just enough innocence.
I loved how the story took readers on a journey to various fabulous locations. The storyline was exciting with some actions and balanced with tender moments - by Damir’s standard at least lol! Of course, the scorching kinky sexy times wrapped it all up pleasurably.
I scream and struggle, but it’s useless. No one’s coming to save me.
Lap of Luxury is a story of retribution and closure. It would appeal to readers who enjoy sexy dark romance with a dash of sweetness.
Note: Throughout the book, I was hoping a certain ponytailed character to “join in the fun”, but alas, it’s not that kind of book haha!
Book in the series:
💎💰💎. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . .💎💰💎
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
December 16, 2019
Oh, these two crazy kids!!!! Lap of Luxury picks off where Come To Daddy left off. The first book was Mikhail 'Misha' Ravinikar and Ciara's book. This one starts off right after they've gone into hiding after setting up Damir Ravnikar, Misha's brother. Damir was one crazy, murdering psycho in the first one and I really didn't think I was going to like this book but it blew Misha's book away, IMO. Damir is a wanted man and vows to hunt down Misha, fleeing the country but not before kidnapping Bethany, Misha's loyal secretary and bringing her along for the ride. Damir, even though often coming off as a psycho has never had a problem getting a woman before with his looks and money, but Bethany's a little quirky with a strange fetish that makes her hot and Damir very early on decides she's the one for him even though she's not in on the decision yet. He's so out of touch for a lot of the book with normal behavior and communication that at times he truly had me cracking up. And I actually grew to love this psycho.
"I take a sip of champagne. I think I’m rather good at this kidnapping business. Just look at us, sitting here together by the pool, our relationship already consummated. More or less willingly. How many other villains in my position could say they’ve achieved so much, and so quickly?"
Like I said, slightly cray cray, a touch delusional but stuff like the above cracked me up.
Meanwhile, Bethany is still a virgin and her thing is she's never gotten off with a man because the only thing she's found that makes it work for her is horror movies. Something about being scared gets her very hot and bothered. Serial Killers, chain saw massacres.... Yeah, Bethany was one of a kind also. So being with a murderous half psycho is a match made in cray cray heaven! The majority of the book was on a luxury yacht and I loved the setting and the hijinks. Damir is focused on two things only as the voyage continues - Bethany, that she's the only woman for him and finding Misha and killing him. But the real icing on the cake is the interactions between the couple. Somehow their freak flags just perfectly fit together and their dialogue is classic in some places:
“Look at all we’ve done. We’re living Bethany. This is living. I’ve never known anyone like you,” he tells me, his mouth whispering over mine. “My extraordinary girl.”
“I always thought I was pretty normal,” I say in a shaky voice. “What does it mean when a madman finds you extraordinary?”
“It means he’s met his match.”
There's an action filled stop in Monte Carlo and of course the end game where Damir finally finds out where his brother is. Let's just say the situation that goes down between Misha, Damir, Ciara and Bethany is it's only little crazy ride and comedy of errors.
All in all, really enjoyed this book. Funny in a quirky, psycho way. A little dark and includes knife play.
Giving this one the full 5***** stars. Good on Brianna Hale for making someone go from so despicable to so entertaining!
"I take a sip of champagne. I think I’m rather good at this kidnapping business. Just look at us, sitting here together by the pool, our relationship already consummated. More or less willingly. How many other villains in my position could say they’ve achieved so much, and so quickly?"
Like I said, slightly cray cray, a touch delusional but stuff like the above cracked me up.
Meanwhile, Bethany is still a virgin and her thing is she's never gotten off with a man because the only thing she's found that makes it work for her is horror movies. Something about being scared gets her very hot and bothered. Serial Killers, chain saw massacres.... Yeah, Bethany was one of a kind also. So being with a murderous half psycho is a match made in cray cray heaven! The majority of the book was on a luxury yacht and I loved the setting and the hijinks. Damir is focused on two things only as the voyage continues - Bethany, that she's the only woman for him and finding Misha and killing him. But the real icing on the cake is the interactions between the couple. Somehow their freak flags just perfectly fit together and their dialogue is classic in some places:
“Look at all we’ve done. We’re living Bethany. This is living. I’ve never known anyone like you,” he tells me, his mouth whispering over mine. “My extraordinary girl.”
“I always thought I was pretty normal,” I say in a shaky voice. “What does it mean when a madman finds you extraordinary?”
“It means he’s met his match.”
There's an action filled stop in Monte Carlo and of course the end game where Damir finally finds out where his brother is. Let's just say the situation that goes down between Misha, Damir, Ciara and Bethany is it's only little crazy ride and comedy of errors.
All in all, really enjoyed this book. Funny in a quirky, psycho way. A little dark and includes knife play.
Giving this one the full 5***** stars. Good on Brianna Hale for making someone go from so despicable to so entertaining!
February 23, 2021
The thing about me—the super fucked up and secret thing—is that I like horror films. Like like them. As in, some people watch pornos to get off, and I watch slasher flicks and gore fests.
I can pinpoint the exact moment I went wrong in my life. I was thirteen years old, and I was alone at home watching Predator in one of my foster homes. I forget which one. There were so many through my teenage years. While I was watching the movie, every time the Predator creature appeared, I felt all…funny. He’s a huge, heavily muscled alien and an apex-tier killer. I touched myself where I felt funny, and it was good, so I kept going, all the while thinking about the big, deadly body of the Predator and his gruesome features, sharp teeth and muscular arms. That night, I had my first orgasm. I had loads more after that, all while watching Predator. Then Alien vs. Predator and the other Alien movies. Then I moved onto slasher movies like Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Scream. The entire horror genre was my teenage porn collection.
So, this book started off really well. I was at first concerned because the H, Damir, is a psychopath, but it became clear the author was going the dark comedy route, and I was finding both Damir and the h, Bethany, hilariously charming.
...
Then they end up on a yacht together and the plot stalled.
...
I skimmed some.
...
The reason this is 3 stars and almost 4 stars is the dark humour that was in this book, which I especially appreciate in dark romance (Gosh there are too many authors that take their rapey captive romances wayy too seriously) but after about 50% the plot became predictable and I lost interest. So 3 stars. The idea of pairing a girl turned on by horror movies with a psychopath is a brilliant idea though.
I can pinpoint the exact moment I went wrong in my life. I was thirteen years old, and I was alone at home watching Predator in one of my foster homes. I forget which one. There were so many through my teenage years. While I was watching the movie, every time the Predator creature appeared, I felt all…funny. He’s a huge, heavily muscled alien and an apex-tier killer. I touched myself where I felt funny, and it was good, so I kept going, all the while thinking about the big, deadly body of the Predator and his gruesome features, sharp teeth and muscular arms. That night, I had my first orgasm. I had loads more after that, all while watching Predator. Then Alien vs. Predator and the other Alien movies. Then I moved onto slasher movies like Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Scream. The entire horror genre was my teenage porn collection.
So, this book started off really well. I was at first concerned because the H, Damir, is a psychopath, but it became clear the author was going the dark comedy route, and I was finding both Damir and the h, Bethany, hilariously charming.
...
Then they end up on a yacht together and the plot stalled.
...
I skimmed some.
...
The reason this is 3 stars and almost 4 stars is the dark humour that was in this book, which I especially appreciate in dark romance (Gosh there are too many authors that take their rapey captive romances wayy too seriously) but after about 50% the plot became predictable and I lost interest. So 3 stars. The idea of pairing a girl turned on by horror movies with a psychopath is a brilliant idea though.
November 24, 2019
So funny and incredible story flowed smoothly.
October 14, 2019
I got this ARC and i am so happy!! I love Come to daddy and couldn't wait for Damir story and boy oh boy it didnt disappoint!!!
We got lies & betrayal, and blood and some dark moments (not to dark) but just enough. It was delicious and i love every single second!!
We get to see Bethany and Damir before Misha and Ciara meet and boy that was a explosive meet.. let me tell you it was bloody good ;)
This has to be my favorite couple Brianna has written!! These two blance eachother out, and they both fall so hard for one another. Even with Damir revenge path..
The teasing, punishments & games he plays with Bethany were so good and even if she gives in to his dark touch Bethany was so good at giving back to her psychopath boo. I just love this book so much!
Also idk what to tag this part in the book or a warning.. Damir punches a woman (wont say who lol dont worry it isn't. Bethany) BUT he didn't want to the woman wanted to be bait so she told him to so they can fight off some people and live.
Here tiny highlights!!
I can see she’s afraid of me. Maybe she’s even afraid of herself. Nice girls aren’t supposed to like getting fingered by strange men while they’re covered in blood. Nice girls aren’t any fun. I prefer the naughty ones.
“What if I try and kill you in the night?” His teeth gleam in the darkness as he grins. “You know I love foreplay.”
🔥🔥🔥🔥
I love this book!! And brother!! But you must read come to daddy.. since this isnt a stand alone book.
Angst, no ow drama & slight om (her ugly ass dates.. nothing serious cuz Damir handled them), Drama, secondary charas, virgin gal and not a manwhore but he had dated in his past nothing much about it.
Recommend- YESS!! Dark romance lovers
Cover-⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prologue
Slow-burn
Push/pull from h
Slight Dub-con turned consent
Slight slapping (during sex)
Anal play/sex
39H/21h
Breath play/choking
No condom
Safe-ish
Hea
Epilogue
We got lies & betrayal, and blood and some dark moments (not to dark) but just enough. It was delicious and i love every single second!!
We get to see Bethany and Damir before Misha and Ciara meet and boy that was a explosive meet.. let me tell you it was bloody good ;)
This has to be my favorite couple Brianna has written!! These two blance eachother out, and they both fall so hard for one another. Even with Damir revenge path..
The teasing, punishments & games he plays with Bethany were so good and even if she gives in to his dark touch Bethany was so good at giving back to her psychopath boo. I just love this book so much!
Also idk what to tag this part in the book or a warning.. Damir punches a woman (wont say who lol dont worry it isn't. Bethany) BUT he didn't want to the woman wanted to be bait so she told him to so they can fight off some people and live.
Here tiny highlights!!
I can see she’s afraid of me. Maybe she’s even afraid of herself. Nice girls aren’t supposed to like getting fingered by strange men while they’re covered in blood. Nice girls aren’t any fun. I prefer the naughty ones.
“What if I try and kill you in the night?” His teeth gleam in the darkness as he grins. “You know I love foreplay.”
🔥🔥🔥🔥
I love this book!! And brother!! But you must read come to daddy.. since this isnt a stand alone book.
Angst, no ow drama & slight om (her ugly ass dates.. nothing serious cuz Damir handled them), Drama, secondary charas, virgin gal and not a manwhore but he had dated in his past nothing much about it.
Recommend- YESS!! Dark romance lovers
Cover-⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prologue
Slow-burn
Push/pull from h
Slight Dub-con turned consent
Slight slapping (during sex)
Anal play/sex
39H/21h
Breath play/choking
No condom
Safe-ish
Hea
Epilogue
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2020
I don’t know what went wrong but it spiralled so fast. I read the first book in this duet. I liked it. I was prepared to like this too, but I was wrong which honestly makes me a little sad. I do like other things this author has written, and I think every book can find a home. This particular one just wasn’t for me.
Warning: this review will be long. I’ll have spoilers at the end which I will very clearly mark, but it’s also quite possibly the part of the review I’m the most proud of.
Here’s the premise for this one: it picks up during parts of the first book in the series, so the books should be read in order. This book is from Damir and Bethany’s perspective. If you’ve already read the first book this is Misha’s assistant and Misha’s brother. Damir Ravnikar is one sick dude. Bethany is into sick dudes, but feels like she shouldn’t be. Damir kidnaps Bethany. That’s pretty much what you need to know to get started.
So here were my issues with this one:
I’m a big fan of keeping the plot going. However, and I’d never thought I’d say this, it was too fast. I often found myself wishing the author would just slow down. It’s the type of fast that if you tune out even for a sentence you’ll be confused as to how you ended up on a boat and are now on a villa somewhere. For me, I just wished things would have slowed way down, given more description and details, and let tension build.
There are dark elements to this story; Damir isn't the most by the book type of guy and does some bad shit. Even though it has these dark elements, it all kind of left me emotionless with no reactions. While objectively the things the main character does are bad it’s written in such a way that left me feeling unmoved. The writing wasn’t completely make me claw my eyes out awful, it was just passionless. Everything from the horrible things Damir does to the romance between Damir and Bethany left me dead inside. This is not the reaction I want from my reading. This may be different for others, this was just my experience.
Side note: Comparatively, seeing Misha and Ciara together, who are couple goals, just made Damir and Bethany fall flat just a little more.
Also, I can forgive the odd typo here and there. I get it no one is perfect. It was pretty consistent and still I looked the other way. But at one point the author must have forgotten which perspective she was writing and wrote from the other character’s perspective. I had a head scratching moment of why was Damir talking about himself in third person from Bethany’s perspective. To be fair, it’s not really that big of a deal, but at that point I was already frustrated with all the other issues, it was kind of like the straw that broke the camel's back.
****Now for some spoilery stuff. Please DO NOT CONTINUE READING if you don’t want plot spoilers.
Damir wants revenge. This is his big goal. He just wants to kill people, his brother, his brother’s wife/girlfriend/person whatever, and some other man he holds responsible for the death of his sister. He’s got a list and he’s out for blood. And he’s very clear about this priority from the beginning and holds to it. His, and his family's feelings about him, change of mind almost gave me whiplash.
-So this is my condensed, shitty script version of the ending-
>Bethany: Damir I’m pregnant don’t kill your brother and his girlfriend person.
>Damir: But I want to.
>Misha: Leave us alone or I’ll kill you.
>Ciara: Plot twist I’m pregnant too now stop fighting.
>Bethany: Yeah, you two need to work your shit out. Ciara and I are having your babies so you need to get it together and talk about your feelings right goddamn now.
(Meanwhile that one bad guy and his cronies are on there way to kill all of them)
>Misha and Damir: I guess we should fight off the bad guy. Women, go hide in the bathroom.
>Ciara and Bethany: No, because plot and empowerment and stuff.
>Misha and Damir: Fine, but each of you is going with not the person who is your love interest because also plot.
>Misha: I trust putting the love of my life in the hands of the man who wanted to kill her until right now.
(Damir kills the bad dude. Bad dude is now lying dead in front of them all.)
>Damir: (Talking to Misha over the dead body of bad dude) Is now a good time to talk about our feelings and become a family again? I don’t want revenge anymore.
>Misha: For sure. We’re cool bro. You tried to kill me and the woman I love about an hour ago, but the past is in the past.
>Bethany: Go to prison Damir to prove you love me.
>Damir: What?…...Ok.
>Bethany: Psych!
>Damir: Oh haha good. I really didn’t want to...I’m gonna be a father!
>All of them: (still standing by dead body) Yay, family!!!
The end.
If you stuck with me to the end of this review, thank you so much. I may or may not go off the deep end like this again.
Warning: this review will be long. I’ll have spoilers at the end which I will very clearly mark, but it’s also quite possibly the part of the review I’m the most proud of.
Here’s the premise for this one: it picks up during parts of the first book in the series, so the books should be read in order. This book is from Damir and Bethany’s perspective. If you’ve already read the first book this is Misha’s assistant and Misha’s brother. Damir Ravnikar is one sick dude. Bethany is into sick dudes, but feels like she shouldn’t be. Damir kidnaps Bethany. That’s pretty much what you need to know to get started.
So here were my issues with this one:
I’m a big fan of keeping the plot going. However, and I’d never thought I’d say this, it was too fast. I often found myself wishing the author would just slow down. It’s the type of fast that if you tune out even for a sentence you’ll be confused as to how you ended up on a boat and are now on a villa somewhere. For me, I just wished things would have slowed way down, given more description and details, and let tension build.
There are dark elements to this story; Damir isn't the most by the book type of guy and does some bad shit. Even though it has these dark elements, it all kind of left me emotionless with no reactions. While objectively the things the main character does are bad it’s written in such a way that left me feeling unmoved. The writing wasn’t completely make me claw my eyes out awful, it was just passionless. Everything from the horrible things Damir does to the romance between Damir and Bethany left me dead inside. This is not the reaction I want from my reading. This may be different for others, this was just my experience.
Side note: Comparatively, seeing Misha and Ciara together, who are couple goals, just made Damir and Bethany fall flat just a little more.
Also, I can forgive the odd typo here and there. I get it no one is perfect. It was pretty consistent and still I looked the other way. But at one point the author must have forgotten which perspective she was writing and wrote from the other character’s perspective. I had a head scratching moment of why was Damir talking about himself in third person from Bethany’s perspective. To be fair, it’s not really that big of a deal, but at that point I was already frustrated with all the other issues, it was kind of like the straw that broke the camel's back.
****Now for some spoilery stuff. Please DO NOT CONTINUE READING if you don’t want plot spoilers.
Damir wants revenge. This is his big goal. He just wants to kill people, his brother, his brother’s wife/girlfriend/person whatever, and some other man he holds responsible for the death of his sister. He’s got a list and he’s out for blood. And he’s very clear about this priority from the beginning and holds to it. His, and his family's feelings about him, change of mind almost gave me whiplash.
-So this is my condensed, shitty script version of the ending-
>Bethany: Damir I’m pregnant don’t kill your brother and his girlfriend person.
>Damir: But I want to.
>Misha: Leave us alone or I’ll kill you.
>Ciara: Plot twist I’m pregnant too now stop fighting.
>Bethany: Yeah, you two need to work your shit out. Ciara and I are having your babies so you need to get it together and talk about your feelings right goddamn now.
(Meanwhile that one bad guy and his cronies are on there way to kill all of them)
>Misha and Damir: I guess we should fight off the bad guy. Women, go hide in the bathroom.
>Ciara and Bethany: No, because plot and empowerment and stuff.
>Misha and Damir: Fine, but each of you is going with not the person who is your love interest because also plot.
>Misha: I trust putting the love of my life in the hands of the man who wanted to kill her until right now.
(Damir kills the bad dude. Bad dude is now lying dead in front of them all.)
>Damir: (Talking to Misha over the dead body of bad dude) Is now a good time to talk about our feelings and become a family again? I don’t want revenge anymore.
>Misha: For sure. We’re cool bro. You tried to kill me and the woman I love about an hour ago, but the past is in the past.
>Bethany: Go to prison Damir to prove you love me.
>Damir: What?…...Ok.
>Bethany: Psych!
>Damir: Oh haha good. I really didn’t want to...I’m gonna be a father!
>All of them: (still standing by dead body) Yay, family!!!
The end.
If you stuck with me to the end of this review, thank you so much. I may or may not go off the deep end like this again.
December 23, 2020
Do Not Disturb
*read on KU. No need of sugar daddies called promo teams*
I was even more entranced by book 2 than book 1 and book 1 was already so AMAZING! A lot of intrigue. Cuteness in the midst of a lot of darkness. The main couple was once again FIRE, and oh, how I loved seeing Beth get her man. There was a lot of chemistry here!!!! With lots of twists, this story was another guaranteed page-turner. I had a lot of fun reading this duet. The new covers are so pretty, I CANNOT DEAL.
ORIGINAL COMMENT
5 very kinky Stars. Je suis in Love
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October 28, 2019
Full review can be found HERE --> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Sonal
*ARC provided for a voluntary honest review.* ~Sonal
January 5, 2021
I absolutely loved this!
Bethany is my type of heroine. Her crazy matched Damir so perfectly. I felt her voice and she was not anyone’s pushover. I loved every moment of this!
Bethany is my type of heroine. Her crazy matched Damir so perfectly. I felt her voice and she was not anyone’s pushover. I loved every moment of this!
December 30, 2019
Omggg this was SUCH A GOOD DARK ROMANCE!! I loved Damir and Bethany, even more than Misha and Ciara. Theirs is a dark, twisted kind of romance that I was crazy addicted to. It’s full of steam, suspense, and surprisingly humor too! I just really loved this book and can’t wait to read more from Brianna Hale.
October 22, 2019
I've been waiting for Bethany and Damir's story since I read Come to Daddy a few months ago and here it is!
Lap of Luxury (Love Don't Cost a Thing #2) will take you on an enticing journey, where action mixes with intensity.
Damir is a true antihero I loved from the beginning. Ruthless and merciless, he also hides a side of him that somehow touched me. Family, revenge and betrayal fuel his emotions, enhancing his mercurial behavior.
The author perfectly explored his darkness, as much from his businessman's point of view than his sexual preferences. He found his match in Bethany's feistiness and fire. Through danger and thrill, anger, lust, and mindf**ks reinforced her twisted desires, awakening the beast in Damir. How explosive are they together!!!
“What if I try and kill you in the night?” His teeth gleam in the darkness as he grins. “You know I love foreplay.”
If you're looking for a fast-paced and passionate read, Lap of Luxury is for you! Enjoy!
"There’s no way to tell them that his brutality and tyranny only made me love him."
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!
Lap of Luxury (Love Don't Cost a Thing #2) will take you on an enticing journey, where action mixes with intensity.
Damir is a true antihero I loved from the beginning. Ruthless and merciless, he also hides a side of him that somehow touched me. Family, revenge and betrayal fuel his emotions, enhancing his mercurial behavior.
The author perfectly explored his darkness, as much from his businessman's point of view than his sexual preferences. He found his match in Bethany's feistiness and fire. Through danger and thrill, anger, lust, and mindf**ks reinforced her twisted desires, awakening the beast in Damir. How explosive are they together!!!
“What if I try and kill you in the night?” His teeth gleam in the darkness as he grins. “You know I love foreplay.”
If you're looking for a fast-paced and passionate read, Lap of Luxury is for you! Enjoy!
"There’s no way to tell them that his brutality and tyranny only made me love him."
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!
October 24, 2019
2.5 stars
Dark Romance? Dark where?!!
Dark Romance? Dark where?!!
April 22, 2020
quite a suspense. feels like watching Bond movies.
Read
October 10, 2019
“A pleasure doing business with you,” I murmur silkily, shaking his clammy hand, and then head out of the bar into the lobby.
Then I spot her. Bethany.
She’s seated in the restaurant in a skin-tight red dress, her eyes wing-linered and her mouth painted a sultry red. She looks like a femme fatale, with just a hint of vulnerability about the way she plays with the stem of her martini glass. She glances up at her dinner date through her lashes and smiles.
Who the fuck is she looking at like that?
I move into the restaurant and see that her companion is a gray-haired man in the most horrendous burgundy pinstripe suit. I actually laugh. This is what she thinks she has to do? If she needs money, why didn’t she tell me?
Bethany’s date is signaling for a waiter when my hand descends, and I push his arm down. I smile my most pointed smile. “Well, isn’t this cozy.”
Her eyes grow as round as a startled rabbit’s. Her breasts are pushed high by her dress. Anger tightens my jaw. I should drag her out of here by her hair for dressing this way for other men.
Grandpa glares at me, and then at Bethany. “Do you know this man?”
Bethany looks coolly up at me. “I’ve never seen him before in my life.”
Oh, she wants to play? I can play. I turn to the man. “I do apologize for intruding. I can see you’re having a lovely time with my wife.”
“Your wife?”
“It’s a little game we play. In about thirty seconds she’s going to start screaming her head off, and so am I. How dare you have an affair? And, Why shouldn’t I when all you do is work? It’s going to be sensational. Everyone’s going to hear us. My wife will shout your name at the top of her lungs. You didn’t tell her your real name, did you?” I ask anxiously.
Grandpa’s face slackens in alarm.
Bethany’s hands are clenched on the napkin in her lap and she’s turning the same shade of red as her dress. I wink at her and turn back to Grandpa. “Then we’re going to go upstairs and have very loud, angry sex. This little game spices up our sex life, though it’s a shame for the men who get caught in her crosshairs. I suggest you leave now so that she throws her drink at me and not you.”
Grandpa stands up from his chair and flees, as fast as his geriatric legs can carry him. I watch him go, and then sit down in his seat and signal for a waiter. “Take these cocktails away and bring us champagne, would you? And some menus.”
Bethany watches her martini disappearing as if she would like to throw it in my face. She moves to get up but my hand descends on her wrist and I hold her in place. “No. Stay.”
Her eyes narrow at my order. “Why did you ruin my date?”
“Why are you dating a piece of gristle?”
“I have my future to think about,” she says icily. “Let go of me.”
The waiter arrives with a bottle of champagne, and I keep hold of Bethany’s hand. He pours two glasses and then departs.
“You need money?” I ask.
“I want to quit. I don’t want to date a piece of gristle, as you called him, but young men are such a pain in the ass. They always want to—” She breaks off, her cheeks coloring, and lifts her champagne flute to her lips and takes a large swallow.
“They always want to get their hands on you?” I ask softly, my eyes flicking over her. She doesn’t want other men to touch her body. That’s good. Very good.
Bethany puts her glass down and tries to pull out of my grasp again, but now that I’ve got her pinned down I’m not going to let her go so easily. “Tsk. It’s very rude to run out on your husband.”
She gives me a sour look.
“You don’t like men to touch you? Or just men who aren’t me?”
Her eyes snap away from mine in panic, and she glances around the restaurant as if looking for a savior. Foolish. No one can save her from me.
“If you don’t let me go, I really will cause a scene. One that will have the manager calling the police.”
Her voice trembles, and I wonder what she’s more afraid of: what I might do to her, or how she feels about what I might do to her. “Please do, and then we can go upstairs for that loud, angry sex we talked about.”
Bethany takes another sip of champagne. She’s silent for a long time, and then says, “I don’t want to date pieces of gristle. I don’t want to date anyone at all. I was going to be a lawyer.”
I turn my champagne flute around on the tabletop, but I don’t take a sip. “Oh?”
Her lower lip, so soft-looking that a feather-touch might bruise her, quivers slightly. Heat plunges through me. How incredibly sexy she looks when she’s afraid.
“Yes. I’m clever, you know.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“Instead, I’m going on dates with horrible men.” Her gaze travels back to mine, and I see from her expression that I’m included with these horrible men. “I could have been earning good money on my own a year or two from now.”
I’ll bite. “Why aren’t you?”
“I had to drop out.”
“Then go back. Mikhail can find someone else to make his coffee.” I’ll enroll her myself if it means getting her away from my brother. I imagine cute, student Bethany, her hair piled on top of her head as she scribbles notes and absent-mindedly chews on her pen. Tied up in my bed and spanked when she doesn’t get one hundred percent on a test. Hell, yes. Let’s do that.
I’m opening my mouth to tell her she can have anything she wants as long as she takes it from me, but suddenly she frowns over my shoulder.
“I thought Carlton Alders was dead.”
“What?” I lift my hand from hers and glance behind me, realizing my mistake even as I’m doing it. Of course Alders isn’t there. No one’s there.
When I turn back, Bethany and her clutch are gone. I see the flash of her red dress disappearing behind a marble column on the far side of the restaurant. I could chase her down, but for now I’ll let her think she won that round. I grin and pick up my champagne glass and toast her fleeing figure.
“Run, run, princesa. You only make the chase all the sweeter.”
June 6, 2021
4.5 stars!! rtc.. this one was so much wilder than Come to Daddy 😌
October 25, 2019
Bethany and Damir are a perfect bloody match.
I love how Damir goes unapologetically after what he wants and Bethany doesn’t take any BS and replies with an attitude to match.
This couple is a clear example of two halves of an apple coming finally together, they’re so perfect for each other and their chemistry is so powerful the reader can easily relate.
This author managed to create a perfect story in just a stand alone novel delivering the right amount of events to make the characters evolve and develop.
Needles to say how happy I was to see Mikhail and Ciara again 😍
And I find the epilogue of this duet perfect.
I love how Damir goes unapologetically after what he wants and Bethany doesn’t take any BS and replies with an attitude to match.
This couple is a clear example of two halves of an apple coming finally together, they’re so perfect for each other and their chemistry is so powerful the reader can easily relate.
This author managed to create a perfect story in just a stand alone novel delivering the right amount of events to make the characters evolve and develop.
Needles to say how happy I was to see Mikhail and Ciara again 😍
And I find the epilogue of this duet perfect.
October 12, 2019
Lap of Luxury by Brianna Hale is an edgy, suspenseful, and unbelievably sexy story that thrilled me from start to finish. Damir and Bethany’s journey was full of delicious tension and had a storyline that grabbed onto me with both hands and did not let go until the very end.
“Run, run, princesa. You only make the chase all the sweeter.”
I have been looking forward to this book for quite some time and was so happy to find that it exceeded my expectations. Hale’s writing is so good and her storytelling skills are fantastic. The characters were well developed and uniquely written. I loved Bethany fiercely; her intelligence and personality and witty humor made her one of the best heroines I’ve read in a while. The way she battled with Damir was so entertaining. And Damir, oh my, this man was everything I love in a hero- ruthless, possessive, violent, and with a obsessive need for only one woman.
”Bethany should be kept in the lap of luxury. My lap, where I can keep her in my sight and do all the filthy things to her that I want.
The tension between the two of them was incredibly well done. I love how they saw each other in a way that no one else did. The intimacy between them was raw and kinky and so very hot. Each and every encounter they had, be it inside or outside of the bedroom, served to solidify their growing connection and bind them together in an inexplicable way.
“I’ll surrender everything to the man, the only man, whom I need. Whom I crave, above all other things.”
Lap of Luxury had elements of suspense, angst, romance and action, all of which were amazingly well done. I enjoyed the way the author balanced the storyline so that there was just enough of everything to keep me hooked into the story. I enjoyed seeing the characters from the first book again, and I loved the way things wrapped up in the end. This book was everything I love in a romance, and kudos to Brianna Hale for delivering such a fantastic story.
“Run, run, princesa. You only make the chase all the sweeter.”
I have been looking forward to this book for quite some time and was so happy to find that it exceeded my expectations. Hale’s writing is so good and her storytelling skills are fantastic. The characters were well developed and uniquely written. I loved Bethany fiercely; her intelligence and personality and witty humor made her one of the best heroines I’ve read in a while. The way she battled with Damir was so entertaining. And Damir, oh my, this man was everything I love in a hero- ruthless, possessive, violent, and with a obsessive need for only one woman.
”Bethany should be kept in the lap of luxury. My lap, where I can keep her in my sight and do all the filthy things to her that I want.
The tension between the two of them was incredibly well done. I love how they saw each other in a way that no one else did. The intimacy between them was raw and kinky and so very hot. Each and every encounter they had, be it inside or outside of the bedroom, served to solidify their growing connection and bind them together in an inexplicable way.
“I’ll surrender everything to the man, the only man, whom I need. Whom I crave, above all other things.”
Lap of Luxury had elements of suspense, angst, romance and action, all of which were amazingly well done. I enjoyed the way the author balanced the storyline so that there was just enough of everything to keep me hooked into the story. I enjoyed seeing the characters from the first book again, and I loved the way things wrapped up in the end. This book was everything I love in a romance, and kudos to Brianna Hale for delivering such a fantastic story.
May 20, 2020
2nd book in dual book series, “Loves Don’t Cost a Thing”
Main characters: Damir Ravnikar & Bethany, Mikhail Ravnikar’s secretary. Told in dual POV.
This is a suspenseful story about Revenge, with a capital R. Damir is driven to exact deathly revenge on both Caria and his brother Mikhail, who betrayed Damir by first providing money to Ciara to pay back Damir, second for having a relationship with Caria and therefore putting her above Damir’s family relationship with Mikhail, and finally for obliterating Damir both financially and legally in Mikhail‘s escape to protect Caria from Damir as told in book 1, “Come to Daddy”, quite a miss title IMO.
In this book, “Lap of Luxury”, Damir kidnaps Bethany, who misses her boss’s phone calls and therefore misses her chance to escape with Mikhail and Caria. Instead of torturing & killing Bethany as one would expect; Damir is romantically interested in Bethany, who loves horror movies and therefore gets turned on by violence and suspense. I love how Bethany navigates her survival based on her “last girl left in a horror movie strategies”.
Plunged right into the story from the beginning, held my interest through out, ended with a satisfying conclusion.
Main characters: Damir Ravnikar & Bethany, Mikhail Ravnikar’s secretary. Told in dual POV.
This is a suspenseful story about Revenge, with a capital R. Damir is driven to exact deathly revenge on both Caria and his brother Mikhail, who betrayed Damir by first providing money to Ciara to pay back Damir, second for having a relationship with Caria and therefore putting her above Damir’s family relationship with Mikhail, and finally for obliterating Damir both financially and legally in Mikhail‘s escape to protect Caria from Damir as told in book 1, “Come to Daddy”, quite a miss title IMO.
In this book, “Lap of Luxury”, Damir kidnaps Bethany, who misses her boss’s phone calls and therefore misses her chance to escape with Mikhail and Caria. Instead of torturing & killing Bethany as one would expect; Damir is romantically interested in Bethany, who loves horror movies and therefore gets turned on by violence and suspense. I love how Bethany navigates her survival based on her “last girl left in a horror movie strategies”.
Plunged right into the story from the beginning, held my interest through out, ended with a satisfying conclusion.
April 6, 2021
naur what was this
did-not-finish
June 20, 2021dnf @ 12% | i picked this up solely for the sake of finishing a series but yeah, i‘m just not really interested right now and i‘m totally fine with where book 1 ended!
December 12, 2019
2019un en kötü romance'ydı sanıyorum öyle böyle değil.
bi yara yorum yazıcam şu an makale okumam lazım.
bi yara yorum yazıcam şu an makale okumam lazım.
August 20, 2020
Review coming after I've emotionally recovered from this sexual punch in the face.
Okay. I've had some time to digest this amazing book. Review below:
Brianna Hale writes a really good good guy, but she writes a fucking amazing bad guy. You love them. You hate them. You want to lick up their chest while simultaneously cursing them to every God that will listen. I love the conflicted feelings. And I loved Damir.
He was evil incarnate and I wanted him all the more for it. There's just something intoxicating about a man who has such few redeeming qualities. Our heroine wasn't trying to save him, she was just trying to survive him. The things he did to her, the games he played with her, were so cruel, but he knew it was exactly what she wanted... what she needed, even if she wouldn't admit it to herself.
Bethany was a fabulous heroine. I actually messaged Hale fourteen pages into the book virtually screaming, "Oh no, I'm Bethany!" At first I thought we were going to get yet another book on a dark soul corrupting an innocent girl (not that I don't love that shit), but Bethany wasn't all sunshines and rainbows herself. The darkness inside her was there, it just wanted a reason to break free.
The drama of kidnappings, and FBI manhunts, and brother trying to murder brother kept me on the edge of my seat the entire read. My head was spinning with sex scenes, escape plots, murders, and horror movies. There was no redeeming this murdering beast into a gentle husband (which is rarely believable when an author does it), so if you're into that you might want to look elsewhere. Damir starts as a cruel man and ends as a cruel man who would do anything for his woman, but he's not going to be nice about it... and Bethany doesn't want him to be. They truly had a connection that defied sanity, but felt totally believable and I was so jealous of her (insert dramatic weeping here).
Lap of Luxury is beautiful darkness, so be prepared to sink beneath the waves. You're going to drown in this book...and love every second of it.
Review note: some light blood play, but it was organic and 100% served a purpose.
Okay. I've had some time to digest this amazing book. Review below:
Brianna Hale writes a really good good guy, but she writes a fucking amazing bad guy. You love them. You hate them. You want to lick up their chest while simultaneously cursing them to every God that will listen. I love the conflicted feelings. And I loved Damir.
He was evil incarnate and I wanted him all the more for it. There's just something intoxicating about a man who has such few redeeming qualities. Our heroine wasn't trying to save him, she was just trying to survive him. The things he did to her, the games he played with her, were so cruel, but he knew it was exactly what she wanted... what she needed, even if she wouldn't admit it to herself.
Bethany was a fabulous heroine. I actually messaged Hale fourteen pages into the book virtually screaming, "Oh no, I'm Bethany!" At first I thought we were going to get yet another book on a dark soul corrupting an innocent girl (not that I don't love that shit), but Bethany wasn't all sunshines and rainbows herself. The darkness inside her was there, it just wanted a reason to break free.
The drama of kidnappings, and FBI manhunts, and brother trying to murder brother kept me on the edge of my seat the entire read. My head was spinning with sex scenes, escape plots, murders, and horror movies. There was no redeeming this murdering beast into a gentle husband (which is rarely believable when an author does it), so if you're into that you might want to look elsewhere. Damir starts as a cruel man and ends as a cruel man who would do anything for his woman, but he's not going to be nice about it... and Bethany doesn't want him to be. They truly had a connection that defied sanity, but felt totally believable and I was so jealous of her (insert dramatic weeping here).
Lap of Luxury is beautiful darkness, so be prepared to sink beneath the waves. You're going to drown in this book...and love every second of it.
Review note: some light blood play, but it was organic and 100% served a purpose.
November 5, 2019
Love this author but the plot made ZERO sense and everyone had over the top reactions to everything.
April 14, 2023
Damir(39) is a downright sicko, the opposite of his brother, a psychotic monster who expresses his love for Bethany(25) by punishing her but he loves revenge more than anything. He was possessive of her at first sight and jealous cause his brother got her first. Bethany is Damir's brother Misha's assistant who set up Misha/Mikhail and Ciara. Damir hates Ciara and he is after his brother and Ciara as they betrayed him. Mikhail and Bethany had a professional relationship and she is a virgin.
She is a little too weird but not much as him. And God when she goes on a date with an old man(He calls him Granpa🤣) he says she is his hubby and for the cheating, he will f@ck her much hard enough for her screams of his name to echo. He talks dirty🥵 The old man runs away. In another scene, he claims her as his fiance.
At 65% of this book, he gained some jewels fetish and made her wear gold(His dead sis wore them and yes he used it as his revenge against someone. He and his revenge😑) He wears her ruby droplet earrings after she awakes(from the rough night he punished) and says to marry him🙄 with those jewels on, then he will fuck her naked and decked out with jewels. He put brackets, a necklace, and a tiara on her too, and may or may not admires her. Guess, I'm sold for this🙈
And the pregnancy announcement of both Bethany and Ciara was hilarious while Damir aimed the gun at Mikhail. When the brothers settle and Damir says to her 'I love you' she sits to save it.
No cheating
No OW
Huge age difference(I guess two decades)
No dead Ex
The heroine was a virgin and the hero was giving a little bit of manwhore vibe.
He is Jealous, possessive Alphahole
She is a little too weird but not much as him. And God when she goes on a date with an old man(He calls him Granpa🤣) he says she is his hubby and for the cheating, he will f@ck her much hard enough for her screams of his name to echo. He talks dirty🥵 The old man runs away. In another scene, he claims her as his fiance.
At 65% of this book, he gained some jewels fetish and made her wear gold(His dead sis wore them and yes he used it as his revenge against someone. He and his revenge😑) He wears her ruby droplet earrings after she awakes(from the rough night he punished) and says to marry him🙄 with those jewels on, then he will fuck her naked and decked out with jewels. He put brackets, a necklace, and a tiara on her too, and may or may not admires her. Guess, I'm sold for this🙈
And the pregnancy announcement of both Bethany and Ciara was hilarious while Damir aimed the gun at Mikhail. When the brothers settle and Damir says to her 'I love you' she sits to save it.
No cheating
No OW
Huge age difference(I guess two decades)
No dead Ex
The heroine was a virgin and the hero was giving a little bit of manwhore vibe.
He is Jealous, possessive Alphahole
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2019
I am astounded. I was expecting dark romance, but this goes beyond the norm into ironic, witty, psychological territory that breaks boundaries between fun and wrong, hot and morbid, emotional and insane.
Ever imagined a psycopath with a soul and a prudish lady with macabre tendencies falling in love like puzzles from hell? This could be something like that 😂
Damir Ravnikar is a well-dressed brute, with a honed sense of revenge and a twisted sensual streak. He is the charismatic psycopath who teeters between the demented need for revenge out of a feeling of betrayal and this profound craving for his brother’s assistant. Bethany is the efficient orphan who gets aroused by violent danger with a proclivity to deviate into primitive coupling. That combination, my curious friends, is a masterpiece of entertainment.
What really cracked me up and enraptured me is that the author came up with a deconstruction of the whole horror film genre from the perspective of a hot-blooded female more interested in rutting than dying. That Predator fantasy was stolen right out my own filthy imagination! I think all the horror films should be re-shot to that new code 😆😈
Sumptuous settings, a sleek and villanous atmosphere, devious manipulation mingling with action-packed plot twists, a madman hellbent on vengeance and a woman in love with her monster of choice. This story of two brothers lost in a vendetta links with the first novel and ties both romances in a knot of blood, sex, soulmates, hatred and hope with a touch of dark humour and loads of steamy times. One of a kind and terribly addictive.
I don’t know about you, but I might look for my own good times in the next horror flick I watch 😄
Ever imagined a psycopath with a soul and a prudish lady with macabre tendencies falling in love like puzzles from hell? This could be something like that 😂
Damir Ravnikar is a well-dressed brute, with a honed sense of revenge and a twisted sensual streak. He is the charismatic psycopath who teeters between the demented need for revenge out of a feeling of betrayal and this profound craving for his brother’s assistant. Bethany is the efficient orphan who gets aroused by violent danger with a proclivity to deviate into primitive coupling. That combination, my curious friends, is a masterpiece of entertainment.
What really cracked me up and enraptured me is that the author came up with a deconstruction of the whole horror film genre from the perspective of a hot-blooded female more interested in rutting than dying. That Predator fantasy was stolen right out my own filthy imagination! I think all the horror films should be re-shot to that new code 😆😈
Sumptuous settings, a sleek and villanous atmosphere, devious manipulation mingling with action-packed plot twists, a madman hellbent on vengeance and a woman in love with her monster of choice. This story of two brothers lost in a vendetta links with the first novel and ties both romances in a knot of blood, sex, soulmates, hatred and hope with a touch of dark humour and loads of steamy times. One of a kind and terribly addictive.
I don’t know about you, but I might look for my own good times in the next horror flick I watch 😄
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