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The Optional Aunt
She's the older woman. He's the man who killed her husband.
Rosalie Carmichael has spent most of her life doing as she's told. She is the perfect wife, a loving mother, and the aunt everyone calls on when they need a favor.
Her life is peaceful until her happy family is torn apart and she finds herself at the mercy of the Coalition once again.
Scared and alone for the first time since she was sixteen, Rosalie seeks comfort in the arms of her much younger bodyguard. Together they dream of a future where they’re free to love each other out in the open without fear of recriminations or bloody repercussions.
And for six short months it seems as if escape might be possible.
Then the Coalition requests a meeting, and Rosalie is left with an impossible choice.
Choose the bloodless—and loveless—option or follow her heart down the violent path to freedom?
The Optional Aunt is a dark and erotic romantic suspense novel set in a world where deception is the norm and the truth can’t be trusted. It is the second book in The Coalition Collection, a series of interconnected standalones featuring the Ingram-Greaves, Averell, Zidane, and Du Croix crime families.
*Full-length novel, complete with a HEA, and can be read as a standalone*
Should you prefer to read The Coalition series in release order, it is as follows:
The Dangerous Son
The Optional Aunt
The Worthless Brother
The Unsuitable Wife
Rosalie Carmichael has spent most of her life doing as she's told. She is the perfect wife, a loving mother, and the aunt everyone calls on when they need a favor.
Her life is peaceful until her happy family is torn apart and she finds herself at the mercy of the Coalition once again.
Scared and alone for the first time since she was sixteen, Rosalie seeks comfort in the arms of her much younger bodyguard. Together they dream of a future where they’re free to love each other out in the open without fear of recriminations or bloody repercussions.
And for six short months it seems as if escape might be possible.
Then the Coalition requests a meeting, and Rosalie is left with an impossible choice.
Choose the bloodless—and loveless—option or follow her heart down the violent path to freedom?
The Optional Aunt is a dark and erotic romantic suspense novel set in a world where deception is the norm and the truth can’t be trusted. It is the second book in The Coalition Collection, a series of interconnected standalones featuring the Ingram-Greaves, Averell, Zidane, and Du Croix crime families.
*Full-length novel, complete with a HEA, and can be read as a standalone*
Should you prefer to read The Coalition series in release order, it is as follows:
The Dangerous Son
The Optional Aunt
The Worthless Brother
The Unsuitable Wife
- GenresDark Romance
450 pages, ebook
Published November 12, 2020
4 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Hill
10 books342 followersZoe Hill is an Australian writer. Having found her niche spinning tales about love and villains--a trope she affectionately termed Villainous Romance, Zoe loves nothing better than typing all the words and consuming exorbitant amounts of coffee and Skittles while her teens are at school.
A country girl at heart, she is a rabid reader, a metal head, and UFC fanatic. When not writing, Zoe can be found chatting about plot bunnies with her menagerie of animals and musing out loud about how well she's moonlighting as a competent wife and mother.
Zoe Hill is active online and loves nothing better than chatting about books. Feel free to friend her on Goodreads, check out her website www.zoehillwrites.com, or search Zoe Hill Writes to find her social media accounts.
A country girl at heart, she is a rabid reader, a metal head, and UFC fanatic. When not writing, Zoe can be found chatting about plot bunnies with her menagerie of animals and musing out loud about how well she's moonlighting as a competent wife and mother.
Zoe Hill is active online and loves nothing better than chatting about books. Feel free to friend her on Goodreads, check out her website www.zoehillwrites.com, or search Zoe Hill Writes to find her social media accounts.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 20, 2020
Hang onto your hats for one wild ride, this is another incredible story in this series. In book one, The Dangerous Son, we met a lot of the characters in the Coalition and the Samaritan’s Soldiers MC but not so much the two lead characters in this story, Rosalie Carmichael and Oliver Tennyson. This story centres around them both and of course their families and the Coalition too.
Oliver is a strong minded, take-charge alpha character and he truly has his heart in the right place but unfortunately there were a couple of times when I wanted to ‘grip his chin fiercely’ as Rosalie did to get someone’s focus. 😄 Rosalie goes through an enormous amount but more than the emotional time she faces is the emotional growth she experiences. I really like her ‘take no rubbish’ attitude by the end much better than how she was portrayed in the beginning.
Together these two had explosive chemistry and although this isn’t something that was explored quickly, it is something that truly went up in flames when they did. Talk about red hot, steamy scenes! Where’s a fan when you need it? 😆
I am impressed with the fact that this really could be read as a standalone book but I suggest you read the first book if you haven’t, simply because it is superb. The quality of this author’s writing is evidenced by the complex and creative storyline that doesn’t drag at all. The fast pace keeps you invested in the story from the first word until the last.
Oliver is a strong minded, take-charge alpha character and he truly has his heart in the right place but unfortunately there were a couple of times when I wanted to ‘grip his chin fiercely’ as Rosalie did to get someone’s focus. 😄 Rosalie goes through an enormous amount but more than the emotional time she faces is the emotional growth she experiences. I really like her ‘take no rubbish’ attitude by the end much better than how she was portrayed in the beginning.
Together these two had explosive chemistry and although this isn’t something that was explored quickly, it is something that truly went up in flames when they did. Talk about red hot, steamy scenes! Where’s a fan when you need it? 😆
I am impressed with the fact that this really could be read as a standalone book but I suggest you read the first book if you haven’t, simply because it is superb. The quality of this author’s writing is evidenced by the complex and creative storyline that doesn’t drag at all. The fast pace keeps you invested in the story from the first word until the last.
December 8, 2020
I have been expectantly waiting for this book to release and was definitely not disappointed by this latest book by Zoe Hill. Be forewarned that the Coalition world is one intense and violent place. The Optional Aunt is the second book in this series and runs concurrently with the first book. You can read them as stand alone books but I would start at the beginning because the plot is so complex and filled with so much suspense and mystery that you will get lost. The Optional Aunt is a very dark and very erotic story and I am thrilled with the age gap between Rosalie and Oliver. I will be counting the days until the next book in the series. *I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2021
4*
Rosalie is 16 and pregnant when she marries her love Aaron. Been part of the coalition things aren't always as they seem.
Oliver is tasked with watching Rosalie but how will she feel when she learns the truth?
When secrets and lies become exposed who can one trust.
Another lovely addition to the series
Rosalie is 16 and pregnant when she marries her love Aaron. Been part of the coalition things aren't always as they seem.
Oliver is tasked with watching Rosalie but how will she feel when she learns the truth?
When secrets and lies become exposed who can one trust.
Another lovely addition to the series
November 25, 2020
Rosalie looses her beloved husband suddenly and takes comfort in her bodyguard Oliver. He looks so much like her dead husband it’s uncanny. Secrets are discovered and more blood is shed as they both take on the Coalition to uncover the secrets and put an end to it. Twists and turns, suspense that will have you on the edge and romance is all in this amazing book.
December 5, 2020
Zoe Hill has blown me away again in her second novel The Optional Aunt. Her ability to create complex imperfect characters that are not easily categorized is enticing as is the contrasting traits of both Rosalie and Oliver. In addition, questions of conscience are posed to and through her characters actions and circumstances that really took the book to another level. I love books that cause me to think about more than simply “who done it”. Plus, PLUS the differentiation between good and evil (or evil and evil) and good but does bad to what makes a hero and can a person be a hero in one instance and a villain in the same or another. I am just speechless. I loved every second of the character building and storytelling.
And the storytelling is phenomenal! I was holding my breath waiting for the climax without feeling like the suspense was drawn from me not knowing part of the story but rather knowing most of the story and just not sure how any of it was going to work out. I was quite scared because I knew it could and probably would go very very badly before the end. Add in a tremendous amount of heat and exploring sexual proclivities without turning into something base, banal, or gimmicky - I could not ask for more. For me, in this type of story, the characters walk such a fine line that when I make it to the end and I have nothing to critique about their strength or weakness or dominance or choices that I simply love them, respect them, and I am grateful to have taken a journey through a story with them… as a reader it’s an awesome feeling. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and while I didn’t want to put it down, I also wanted to take my time and wasn’t ready when it was finished. I might have even gotten choked up a few times there towards the end. The action, the love, the forgiveness and family. All the Feels
Bravo Zoe Hill you did it again!
And the storytelling is phenomenal! I was holding my breath waiting for the climax without feeling like the suspense was drawn from me not knowing part of the story but rather knowing most of the story and just not sure how any of it was going to work out. I was quite scared because I knew it could and probably would go very very badly before the end. Add in a tremendous amount of heat and exploring sexual proclivities without turning into something base, banal, or gimmicky - I could not ask for more. For me, in this type of story, the characters walk such a fine line that when I make it to the end and I have nothing to critique about their strength or weakness or dominance or choices that I simply love them, respect them, and I am grateful to have taken a journey through a story with them… as a reader it’s an awesome feeling. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and while I didn’t want to put it down, I also wanted to take my time and wasn’t ready when it was finished. I might have even gotten choked up a few times there towards the end. The action, the love, the forgiveness and family. All the Feels
Bravo Zoe Hill you did it again!
December 8, 2020
Wow what a ride!!
My love for this author seems to grow with each book.
Yet again she's created lovable characters and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat from cover to cover.
You don't need to read The Dangerous Son prior to reading this, but I'm glad that I took the time to re read as the timing of events of this book and how they correlate to the first will astound you.
Not only that your mind is going to be blown at how skillfully the author is weaving all the different threads together.
Yet again I cannot reccomend this book enough.
Look forward to seeing what happens next.
My love for this author seems to grow with each book.
Yet again she's created lovable characters and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat from cover to cover.
You don't need to read The Dangerous Son prior to reading this, but I'm glad that I took the time to re read as the timing of events of this book and how they correlate to the first will astound you.
Not only that your mind is going to be blown at how skillfully the author is weaving all the different threads together.
Yet again I cannot reccomend this book enough.
Look forward to seeing what happens next.
December 1, 2020
I'm all about the #GirlPower all the time, but somehow I don't read the age gap trope when the woman is older which confuses me now that I fell in love with The Optional Aunt. Rosalie is older than the man (Oliver) who killed her husband, and is now her bodyguard. That alone brings out all the emotions since he came to be protecting her right after she lost her husband so the guilt was overwhelming. There's no doubt that they have all kinds of chemistry, and it isn't denied for too very long because it's intense. So there's that, but there's more. The danger is quite crazy which is forcing her to make decisions which will be hard no matter which way she decides so I was on the edge of my seat from that point on because I'm talking brutal, bloody kind of danger that gets the heart pounding. I'm telling y'all that you need to read this exciting story but maybe not in public because if you're anything like me, you'll definitely yell out colorful metaphors throughout. I love those types of books because it only adds to my experience since I forget I'm not in the story itself. Anyway, I'm very excited to read more of this new to me author, and HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
December 1, 2020
I loved Rosalie and Oliver!!!
This is new author Zoe Hill’s second published book. Really? I hear you ask. Yep, I tell you it’s a true story. And while it can be read as a stand-a-lone, I’ll also tell you that you really need to be reading Book One, The Dangerous Son first, because in this series there are four crime families involved and a lot of characters. They, and the family dynamics are introduced to you in the first book so I believe that it is important to hit it first before getting into Aunt Rosalie’s story. Is this a plot to get you to spend more money on Author Zoe Hill’s books? Well no, but as a passionate reader, that would be a huge hell yes to getting you into reading an amazing book with more twists and turns than a cheap garden hose!!!! Of course, I want you to be reading the first book in the series and therefore end up being as hooked as I am.
This is just as much of an amazing book as the first, and I can’t wait to be reading more!!! Another 5 Star book from Author Zoe Hill 🌹
This is new author Zoe Hill’s second published book. Really? I hear you ask. Yep, I tell you it’s a true story. And while it can be read as a stand-a-lone, I’ll also tell you that you really need to be reading Book One, The Dangerous Son first, because in this series there are four crime families involved and a lot of characters. They, and the family dynamics are introduced to you in the first book so I believe that it is important to hit it first before getting into Aunt Rosalie’s story. Is this a plot to get you to spend more money on Author Zoe Hill’s books? Well no, but as a passionate reader, that would be a huge hell yes to getting you into reading an amazing book with more twists and turns than a cheap garden hose!!!! Of course, I want you to be reading the first book in the series and therefore end up being as hooked as I am.
This is just as much of an amazing book as the first, and I can’t wait to be reading more!!! Another 5 Star book from Author Zoe Hill 🌹
November 26, 2020
Wow, Zoe really knocked this out the park. 2nd book in the series and although can be read as stand alone this is much better read as past of the series. Rose's husband is murderer, and she knows the coalition is behind it, but who? That who? is Oliver, and he is sent to be Rose's bodyguard in the aftermath her her husbands death. When Rose meets Oliver, (the day she found out her husband was dead) it's a real shock. Oliver is her husbands double, but whats worse for Rose, is the instant attraction they have between them. For Rose, giving in to this attraction would be betraying her husbands memory, but the chemistry between them is off the charts. Danger surrounds them, and even more so when the attraction between them ignites into a hot, steamy affair, but to survive Rose has to do the unthinkable, leaving Oliver wondering why and greaving over what might have been. This is a fast paced book, filled with action and not just the hot ans steamy type action. I loved it.
November 25, 2020
I read The Dangerous Son which was book one, it gave me an insight to the happenings of life on the dark and dangerous side...
The Coalition strike again bringing , Death ,mayhem, and disaster added with lies, untruths , untrustworthy families---- what and who do you believe?
Rosalie Carmichael leads a quiet life as the wife of a powerful MC family until one day she found that life had altered nothing was or would be the same … more blood was shed..
Who can you trust ? Who can you believe ?
Oliver Tennyson is the sensual bodyguard who is sent to protect Rosalie , he is much younger with an extremely fit body he also resembles someone from Rosalie's past …
Attraction between them both is off the charts they learn from each other what they want but can they be together ?
Is it safe to be together?
Such a good story with cover ups ,people not being who they seem .
Twists and turns with a powerful finish…
Can be read as a standalone.
The Coalition strike again bringing , Death ,mayhem, and disaster added with lies, untruths , untrustworthy families---- what and who do you believe?
Rosalie Carmichael leads a quiet life as the wife of a powerful MC family until one day she found that life had altered nothing was or would be the same … more blood was shed..
Who can you trust ? Who can you believe ?
Oliver Tennyson is the sensual bodyguard who is sent to protect Rosalie , he is much younger with an extremely fit body he also resembles someone from Rosalie's past …
Attraction between them both is off the charts they learn from each other what they want but can they be together ?
Is it safe to be together?
Such a good story with cover ups ,people not being who they seem .
Twists and turns with a powerful finish…
Can be read as a standalone.
November 24, 2020
The Optional Aunt is another beautiful, steamy, action packed love story by Zoe Hill. The writing draws you in from the first page and it doesn’t let go until the very end. You become consumed with the characters and what will happen next. This author is great at drama and suspense. This is a reverse age gap story. Rosalie was born into the coalition and lucked out by marrying for love not by arrangement. She lives a life of leisure as a pampered wife never knowing the full extent of her husband’s involvement with the coalition. That is until he dies and in walks her new younger body guard. Ollie bears a striking resemblance to her late husband both in looks and mannerisms. Intense, sizzling chemistry brings them closer together as the past begins to unravel and Rosalie’s life is blown apart. Will these two survive the cataclysmic revelations? I loved this book and this amazing world Zoe Hill has created. I can’t wait for the next installment.
November 23, 2020
This is the 2nd book in this intriguing series and is Oliver and Rosalie’s story. Rosalie has spent her life being the perfect wife, mother, and aunt, who everyone comes to when they need her. Oliver is sent to protect Rosalie when her husband is killed, and the chemistry between them is sizzling. However, who is Oliver, and what are her family hiding from Rosalee? This is a well written story which is dark, raw, gritty, emotional, and with suspense, mystery, and love, which all lead to an all-consuming and riveting read. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
November 24, 2020
Another fantastic book for this series. Oliver and Rosalie’s story was packed with mystery, suspense and lots of steamy moments. I was hooked from beginning to end. I’m really looking forward to reading more by this author.
November 25, 2020
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. Oliver and Rosalie. Their story had me from the first page. Couldn’t put the book down. The lies and secrets between them as well as her brother. The secrets her husband kept even her son. Absolutely loved it and I look forward to more.
December 11, 2020
This is a difficult book for me to review. On one hand, I really loved the premise and most of the execution was really good. The writing seemed a bit on the poetic side in the prologue but quickly found its proper rhythm.
My only problem was that The Optional Aunt felt like a book in the middle of a series, where you've had 2-3 instalments before this one, that set up the world and the characters that seemed to just be name-dropped without any explanation. I get there's another book before this, but I checked it out and it actually runs parallel with the story unfolding here so I doubt there's more backstory to the side or even main characters.
It took me awhile to roughly understand the dynamics of all the characters (and I still didn't get them all) but I enjoyed this story and I'll definitely be giving The Dangerous Son a go because I was intrigued by the main of that book when I met them in The Optional Aunt.
There's really something here but the chaotic delivery kinda took away some of its shine.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
My only problem was that The Optional Aunt felt like a book in the middle of a series, where you've had 2-3 instalments before this one, that set up the world and the characters that seemed to just be name-dropped without any explanation. I get there's another book before this, but I checked it out and it actually runs parallel with the story unfolding here so I doubt there's more backstory to the side or even main characters.
It took me awhile to roughly understand the dynamics of all the characters (and I still didn't get them all) but I enjoyed this story and I'll definitely be giving The Dangerous Son a go because I was intrigued by the main of that book when I met them in The Optional Aunt.
There's really something here but the chaotic delivery kinda took away some of its shine.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
November 22, 2020
Plots, sub plots, mystery suspense, death destruction and smouldering hot chemistry all the makings of a must read mafia romance. Zoe Hill has produced a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sensation!
This is an age gap romance, our leading lady Rosalie is nearly 10 years older than Ollie who after the sudden death of her husband has been sent to protect her. But who is he really, why does he look so much like her dead husband and what is her family not telling her..For 32 years ever since she meet her husband at 16 she was by his side but did she really know him. From the moment Ollie meets Rosalie he want's her the dark side that wants to control is drawn to the submissive he can see in her! For 21 years Ollie has kept that side of him shut away but this grieving widow is calling out to him but when the truth is revealed well will that leave them!
This is an age gap romance, our leading lady Rosalie is nearly 10 years older than Ollie who after the sudden death of her husband has been sent to protect her. But who is he really, why does he look so much like her dead husband and what is her family not telling her..For 32 years ever since she meet her husband at 16 she was by his side but did she really know him. From the moment Ollie meets Rosalie he want's her the dark side that wants to control is drawn to the submissive he can see in her! For 21 years Ollie has kept that side of him shut away but this grieving widow is calling out to him but when the truth is revealed well will that leave them!
"Grief is a lot like the ocean. The tide comes in and you feel like you're going to drown. Then the waves recede for a little while and you can breath again."
December 15, 2020
Loved Rosalie and Oliver!
Intrigued by these two characters from The Dangerous Son (these are standalone books but I love getting the interconnected stories one after the other) I couldn’t wait to read more about them and their briefly mentioned relationship.
There was mayhem, secrets, lies, deception and death tied together with love, alpha-ness and romance. I enjoyed it all. Zoe has a way with words to keep you hooked right until the very last page.
I loved the relationship between Ollie and Rosalie. I enjoyed the back and forth between them right until they finally gave in. Rosalie was such a strong character, I just loved her whole persona even the vulnerable side she showed at the beginning and around Ollie. These two together were hot. I loved that demanding and controlling side of Ollie’s, hot damn was he hot then. When he let that side of him lose as well as his more caring side my heart just melted.
Such a good read
Intrigued by these two characters from The Dangerous Son (these are standalone books but I love getting the interconnected stories one after the other) I couldn’t wait to read more about them and their briefly mentioned relationship.
There was mayhem, secrets, lies, deception and death tied together with love, alpha-ness and romance. I enjoyed it all. Zoe has a way with words to keep you hooked right until the very last page.
I loved the relationship between Ollie and Rosalie. I enjoyed the back and forth between them right until they finally gave in. Rosalie was such a strong character, I just loved her whole persona even the vulnerable side she showed at the beginning and around Ollie. These two together were hot. I loved that demanding and controlling side of Ollie’s, hot damn was he hot then. When he let that side of him lose as well as his more caring side my heart just melted.
Such a good read
November 29, 2020
I received an ARC via netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Okay, i think it was my mistake not to read the description box before i requested the book, but this book is completely out of my alley.
The plot wasn't strong enough for me, Oliver's character wasn't attractive, and rosalie was a whiny child the whole time!!
The inner thoughts of every character were so stretched that it was borderline boring.
Some of the dynamics of the story didn't make sense sometimes, too.
Overall, not a good experience.
Okay, i think it was my mistake not to read the description box before i requested the book, but this book is completely out of my alley.
The plot wasn't strong enough for me, Oliver's character wasn't attractive, and rosalie was a whiny child the whole time!!
The inner thoughts of every character were so stretched that it was borderline boring.
Some of the dynamics of the story didn't make sense sometimes, too.
Overall, not a good experience.
January 12, 2021
I started reading this book and immediately felt like I was missing something, that continued during different moments of reading this.
People popped in and out without it really being mentioned who they are or how they fit into the organisation.
Also Roman, who are you and what is your story because you make no sense to me.
Overall it needed edited down so it was more cohesive, 3 Stars
I received a free copy of this book via netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
People popped in and out without it really being mentioned who they are or how they fit into the organisation.
Also Roman, who are you and what is your story because you make no sense to me.
Overall it needed edited down so it was more cohesive, 3 Stars
I received a free copy of this book via netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
December 11, 2020
Once I got into this book I really enjoyed it great story older woman younger man the characters from dangerous son make an appearance as well bringing the series together looking forward to the next instalment
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews