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Enigma #1
Enigma
During a chance meeting, Isabelle Brahn fell at Isaac Holt's feet—literally. His enigmatic personality, dominant nature, and all-round sexiness were qualities she had only ever dreamed about. Although certain his eyes were hiding an arsenal of secrets, the immediate connection between her and the brooding businessman was undeniable.
With lines crossed and a date penciled in, things were set to get roasting... until fate intervened. Even being her first week on the job won’t alter the facts: federal agents aren’t allowed to date their targets.
Enigma is a fast-paced story about a rookie FBI agent and the alpha-male she’s been assigned to investigate. It’s full of steamy scenes and heart-thumping dominance. This is Part 1 of 4 in the story of Isaac and Isabelle.
With lines crossed and a date penciled in, things were set to get roasting... until fate intervened. Even being her first week on the job won’t alter the facts: federal agents aren’t allowed to date their targets.
Enigma is a fast-paced story about a rookie FBI agent and the alpha-male she’s been assigned to investigate. It’s full of steamy scenes and heart-thumping dominance. This is Part 1 of 4 in the story of Isaac and Isabelle.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2016
1971 people are currently reading
16184 people want to read
About the author
Shandi Boyes
96 books2,171 followersShandi Boyes is a USA Today Bestselling Author who was an avid reader for many years before she discovered the love of writing in February 2016. Her first penned novel 'Perception of Life’ is a new adult rockstar romance that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat until the very last word.
In September 2016, her focus shifted to hot alpha men in steamy contemporary reads that sizzle off the pages. Shandi’s novel ‘Enigma of Life’ is an award-winning story on an FBI agent and the subject she was assigned to investigate. Her men are swoon-worthy, devoted, and alpha; and her heroines are strong-willed, determined, and loveable. You should start her stories first thing in the morning, or you may not sleep.
You will laugh and you will cry, but Shandi's characters will stay with you for a lifetime!
Join my newsletter: subscribepage.com/authorshandi
SERIES ORDER:
Perception of Life (Noah and Emily #1)
Reality of Life (conclusion of Noah's story #2)
Fight of Life (Jacob's story - standalone #3)
Player of Life (Nick & Jenny - standalone #4)
Beats of Life (Slater's story - standalone #5)
Enigma:
Enigma of Life (Isaac #1) - ** FREE **
Unraveling an Enigma (Isaac #2)
Enigma: The Mystery Unmasked (Isaac #3)
Enigma: The Final Chapter (conclusion of Isaac's story #4)
Beneath the Secrets (Hugo #1)
Beneath the Sheets (Hugo #2)
Spy Thy Neighbor (Hunter's Story)
The Opposite Effect
I Married a Mob Boss
Second Shot
Bound:
Chains
Links
Bound
Restrained
Russian Mob Chronicles:
Nikolai: A Mafia Prince Romance
Nikolai: Taking Back What's Mine
Nikolai: What's Left of Me
You will laugh and you will cry, but my characters will stay with you forever!
I love writing and reading. They are both my passion. My genre is generally set to new adult and contemporary, with a few twists thrown in.
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Author-Shand...
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01D8C13WU
Enjoy reading!
In September 2016, her focus shifted to hot alpha men in steamy contemporary reads that sizzle off the pages. Shandi’s novel ‘Enigma of Life’ is an award-winning story on an FBI agent and the subject she was assigned to investigate. Her men are swoon-worthy, devoted, and alpha; and her heroines are strong-willed, determined, and loveable. You should start her stories first thing in the morning, or you may not sleep.
You will laugh and you will cry, but Shandi's characters will stay with you for a lifetime!
Join my newsletter: subscribepage.com/authorshandi
SERIES ORDER:
Perception of Life (Noah and Emily #1)
Reality of Life (conclusion of Noah's story #2)
Fight of Life (Jacob's story - standalone #3)
Player of Life (Nick & Jenny - standalone #4)
Beats of Life (Slater's story - standalone #5)
Enigma:
Enigma of Life (Isaac #1) - ** FREE **
Unraveling an Enigma (Isaac #2)
Enigma: The Mystery Unmasked (Isaac #3)
Enigma: The Final Chapter (conclusion of Isaac's story #4)
Beneath the Secrets (Hugo #1)
Beneath the Sheets (Hugo #2)
Spy Thy Neighbor (Hunter's Story)
The Opposite Effect
I Married a Mob Boss
Second Shot
Bound:
Chains
Links
Bound
Restrained
Russian Mob Chronicles:
Nikolai: A Mafia Prince Romance
Nikolai: Taking Back What's Mine
Nikolai: What's Left of Me
You will laugh and you will cry, but my characters will stay with you forever!
I love writing and reading. They are both my passion. My genre is generally set to new adult and contemporary, with a few twists thrown in.
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Author-Shand...
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01D8C13WU
Enjoy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 424 reviews
July 17, 2025
The main female character, Isabelle, is a complete airhead. I swear, the only thing she can do is bite her lip, get wet, and moan. She can't even put two sentence together; how is she an FBI agent?! How did she pass qualifications??? Sweet mercy! She just cries at the drop of the hat and follows Isaac around like a puppy dog that wants a treat-- drooling.
Just another lead female that is described as a badass and yet she is an airhead that puts her nose into situations and then cries and starts shaking because she is uncomfortable or horny (dripping wet).
Literally rinse, cycle, repeat thoughts and interactions between Isaac and Isabelle. I am reading the next one in hopes that she pulls her head out... I do not have high hopes.
Just another lead female that is described as a badass and yet she is an airhead that puts her nose into situations and then cries and starts shaking because she is uncomfortable or horny (dripping wet).
Literally rinse, cycle, repeat thoughts and interactions between Isaac and Isabelle. I am reading the next one in hopes that she pulls her head out... I do not have high hopes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2020
If Fifty Shades and the Crossfire series had a baby...it would be the Enigma series!
avoid-cheating
October 13, 2024Self note
Avoid The H cheats on the h in book 4 with his ex.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Avoid The H cheats on the h in book 4 with his ex.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 26, 2022
I loved this book! While there were some editing errors, they weren't egregious enough to take me out of the story, especially because I loved the plot so much. Isaac and Isabelle meet at an airport and have an immediate connection and plan to meet for a date after arriving to their destination. Unfortunately, when Isabelle starts her new job as an FBI field agent, she finds out that the person they are investigating...is Isaac. Despite knowing she should stay away, they are drawn to each other like moths to a flame.
Isaac is definitely an Alpha - rich, powerful, very possessive, protective, and jealous. Isabelle is also jealous over Isaac, so if you're like me and enjoy those type of characters, you'll find lots of that here (and throughout the rest of the series as well!)
Definitely recommend the book and I am looking forward to reading more of Shandi Boyes books!
Isaac is definitely an Alpha - rich, powerful, very possessive, protective, and jealous. Isabelle is also jealous over Isaac, so if you're like me and enjoy those type of characters, you'll find lots of that here (and throughout the rest of the series as well!)
Definitely recommend the book and I am looking forward to reading more of Shandi Boyes books!
February 12, 2017
Hell yes I did! ! FREE and it had me sucked in so tight, and want to talk about a pantymelter? Yes, Mr. Isaac Holt.
“It is a personal preference,” he replies coldly. “No brunette I’ve ever fucked has been able to maintain my interests once we leave the bedroom.”
This man is very alpha and damn how I love them but there were a few things that I just wanted Elle to stop squeezing her legs together, her ahhh, melting "break~downs", and getting caught up in his beautiful eyes and letting him get away with certain things... no matter how bad I want Mr. Holt, which I really, really, do...I'd have to walk away because of some of his actions. Yes, I could walk away from his fine ass without thinking twice~ just one example, because of what's in his top dresser drawer. Yep! OUT! Bye~bye without a glance back.
Now, Elle I do love her character and I shouldn't be so hard on her weakness because yeah, Isaac can turn me the hell on, so out in the real world I'd probably behave as she does. One huge surprise concerning her, for me was
“Any guy who tells you he is carrying a condom in his wallet in case of an emergency is full of shit. We only put a condom in our wallet with the full intention of using it the night we put it in there.”
On on to the 2nd and loving it so far.
July 19, 2022
On her way to her first posting as an FBI agent, Isabelle literally runs into the hottest guy she’s ever seen at the airport. After he helps her up off the floor they part, but guess what?! He’s seated next to her on her flight! They banter and flirt and he asks her to meet him at his club the next night. Isabelle learns that her first case is investigating this very same stranger! Do you think she disclosed to her boss they had met? No. But as fate would have it, on her first weekend off of work she runs into him again while drunk at nightclub! He takes her home after she passes out. Determined to stay away from him because of the conflict of interest she “skedaddles”. Oh but she runs into him again at a restaurant while out with a friend, and they all end up sharing a booth. Like, what are the odds?!
Yeah. What are the odds. So ridiculous. She’s an FBI agent and she acts like a horny teenager on spring break. She drinks in excess and allows the subject of her criminal investigation to take her to his home where she passes out. What? There is some other stuff going on, but it’s all just too much silliness. I’m out.
Yeah. What are the odds. So ridiculous. She’s an FBI agent and she acts like a horny teenager on spring break. She drinks in excess and allows the subject of her criminal investigation to take her to his home where she passes out. What? There is some other stuff going on, but it’s all just too much silliness. I’m out.
December 22, 2020
Barley a 3 star
Anyone else have whiplash after reading this book???....No one???...Anyone???
About 65 to 75% into the book I nearly DNF’d this because I was so damn mad.
Isaac was a complete asshole on multiple occasions. I’m all for an alpha male but if he makes the heroine cry multiple times then that is inexcusable. Don’t get me wrong there were several times he was completely delicious but I could not get over his “ASSHOLISHNESS” (new word)!!
AND for Isabelle, she should have called him out on it instead of letting him get away with what he was doing and what it appeared he was doing.
This book leaves you on a cliffhanger but for now I just cannot see myself finishing this series.
Anyone else have whiplash after reading this book???....No one???...Anyone???
About 65 to 75% into the book I nearly DNF’d this because I was so damn mad.
Isaac was a complete asshole on multiple occasions. I’m all for an alpha male but if he makes the heroine cry multiple times then that is inexcusable. Don’t get me wrong there were several times he was completely delicious but I could not get over his “ASSHOLISHNESS” (new word)!!
AND for Isabelle, she should have called him out on it instead of letting him get away with what he was doing and what it appeared he was doing.
This book leaves you on a cliffhanger but for now I just cannot see myself finishing this series.
Want to read
October 15, 2024FREE on Amazon today (11/09/2017)!
February 9, 2018
It's a book.
I'm not sure of how good this book really is as I couldn't take one more smirk. The author needs to look up t he meaning then find another word to use. After close to thirty smirks in the first six chapters, I had enough. The story was decent, but I couldn't stomach another smirk.
I'm not sure of how good this book really is as I couldn't take one more smirk. The author needs to look up t he meaning then find another word to use. After close to thirty smirks in the first six chapters, I had enough. The story was decent, but I couldn't stomach another smirk.
June 13, 2024
Enigma
By Shandi Boyes
Isabelle is an FBI agent who is tasked as part of a team to find dirt on a man named Isaac Holt. The problem is that she and her partner, Brandon, can find no proof of Isaac having illegal activities. Yet their POS team leader, Alex, acts like there's something huge going on, and Isabelle and Brandon just have to find it. Oh, and Alex expects Isabelle to basically prostitute herself to Isaac to find dirt. She put him in his place fast. Little did she know she and Isaac would be getting a lot closer than she ever thought regardless.
Isaac is, like the book says, an Enigma. Unless I missed a lot at the beginning of the book, by the end, all we learn is that he's rich and owns and runs a club. Everything else is a complete mystery.
Isabelle is a wee bit of an airhead. It's not that she's not firing on all cylinders. It's that she just doesn't use her brain a lot. I do like her. The writer helps you feel her worry and frustration at being stuck between a rock and a hard place. i.e. The man she's come to love and her job. I love Isaac. There were a couple parts I hated him, but it worked out. He seems to be an honest genuine man who surprisingly has feelings. He gets mad, furious, soft, loving, hurt, etc. Oh, and the intimacy between them? There's a lot of it.
I adore his driver/security man, Hugo. I love that he's rooting for Isabelle and Isaac to be together. I adore Isabelle's partner Brandon as well as Ryan, though I was disappointed Ryan disappeared from the story after their date. I hoped he'd stick around in some capacity. As for Isabelle's team leader, Alex? I'm pretty sure that man is as crooked as a mobster. He's so hell bent on nailing Isaac for something/anything I would not put it past him to fabricate information or play dirty to get it including hurting Isabelle in the process.
The book does end on a cliffhanger. It leaves not only us readers in suspense, but Isabelle and Brandon, too. Luckily the second book is already out. The book had a lot of mystery and suspense to keep you guessing.
There was one fairly big disappointment in this book. The ad that drew me to this book contained an excerpt of Isabelle telling Isaac That scene was not in the first book. I'm assuming it's in the second or third and I'll find it along the way, but I feel it's in poor taste to give a reader an excerpt that they won't see until book two or three.
Edit: So I looked ahead at each book's contents and found there are actually 4 books total. I rarely read a 3 book series as it is. Four books are just too much, but on top of that, I also read reviews for the fourth, only to find out some of our biggest questions are never answered. After four books there better be answers to every question a reader has about storyline events. It's put a real damper on my enthusiasm to finish the series. I'm not so sure I'm going to do that now.
Trigger: It's not so much a trigger as it is a small warning... There is a stalker who's definitely got mental issues going on. She pops in and out of the story in small doses. She's not a constant character.
By Shandi Boyes
Isabelle is an FBI agent who is tasked as part of a team to find dirt on a man named Isaac Holt. The problem is that she and her partner, Brandon, can find no proof of Isaac having illegal activities. Yet their POS team leader, Alex, acts like there's something huge going on, and Isabelle and Brandon just have to find it. Oh, and Alex expects Isabelle to basically prostitute herself to Isaac to find dirt. She put him in his place fast. Little did she know she and Isaac would be getting a lot closer than she ever thought regardless.
Isaac is, like the book says, an Enigma. Unless I missed a lot at the beginning of the book, by the end, all we learn is that he's rich and owns and runs a club. Everything else is a complete mystery.
Isabelle is a wee bit of an airhead. It's not that she's not firing on all cylinders. It's that she just doesn't use her brain a lot. I do like her. The writer helps you feel her worry and frustration at being stuck between a rock and a hard place. i.e. The man she's come to love and her job. I love Isaac. There were a couple parts I hated him, but it worked out. He seems to be an honest genuine man who surprisingly has feelings. He gets mad, furious, soft, loving, hurt, etc. Oh, and the intimacy between them? There's a lot of it.
I adore his driver/security man, Hugo. I love that he's rooting for Isabelle and Isaac to be together. I adore Isabelle's partner Brandon as well as Ryan, though I was disappointed Ryan disappeared from the story after their date. I hoped he'd stick around in some capacity. As for Isabelle's team leader, Alex? I'm pretty sure that man is as crooked as a mobster. He's so hell bent on nailing Isaac for something/anything I would not put it past him to fabricate information or play dirty to get it including hurting Isabelle in the process.
The book does end on a cliffhanger. It leaves not only us readers in suspense, but Isabelle and Brandon, too. Luckily the second book is already out. The book had a lot of mystery and suspense to keep you guessing.
There was one fairly big disappointment in this book. The ad that drew me to this book contained an excerpt of Isabelle telling Isaac That scene was not in the first book. I'm assuming it's in the second or third and I'll find it along the way, but I feel it's in poor taste to give a reader an excerpt that they won't see until book two or three.
Edit: So I looked ahead at each book's contents and found there are actually 4 books total. I rarely read a 3 book series as it is. Four books are just too much, but on top of that, I also read reviews for the fourth, only to find out some of our biggest questions are never answered. After four books there better be answers to every question a reader has about storyline events. It's put a real damper on my enthusiasm to finish the series. I'm not so sure I'm going to do that now.
Trigger: It's not so much a trigger as it is a small warning... There is a stalker who's definitely got mental issues going on. She pops in and out of the story in small doses. She's not a constant character.
Read
November 24, 2024DNF
This book suffers from flowery prose. The inner monologues are many and Isabel spends too many pages in the bathroom ogling the mirror and her flushed face,swollen lips and dark eyes.Yes she has brown eyes, 👀 think you said that one time per page.
This book suffers from flowery prose. The inner monologues are many and Isabel spends too many pages in the bathroom ogling the mirror and her flushed face,swollen lips and dark eyes.Yes she has brown eyes, 👀 think you said that one time per page.
July 8, 2020
This book is currently free on Amazon... now that's out of the way...
This is the second novel in recent weeks where I am promised a kick-ass female FBI agent infiltrating a criminal organization, only to be let down. At least Bleu was funny and she shoot first and ask questions later. All Isabelle did was dream of ways to be fucked.
The first 45% of this book was spent wanting to sleep with Isaac Holt and the other 55% was spent sleeping with Isaac Holt.
Around the 80% mark, I had to check if anything of consequence would happen or if we were to be subjected to another book. Turns out it is a whole five book series and after multiple back to back sex scenes, it all ends on a cliffhanger.
The irony isn't lost on me that I have been yammering on about loving a detailed story but this was just too much. Especially because Isabelle is a snivelling mess who should not call herself an FBI anything. Not even an office attendant.
It's like we spent this novel questioning the case against Isaac Holt. I am still here wondering, what was the point of it all?
I hate when a woman can't so much as think because she wants to sleep with a man. It is ridiculous and unrealistic. She also develops a whole other whirlwind story towards the end. Like, pick a struggle.
I don't know anything about Isaac other than he is hung like a horse and is angry all the time. He is also crazily possessive and rich.
The premise is good. The execution could be so much more because it left the FBI looking like idiots. Personally, I don't even know if I have a side or what this story was really about.
This is the second novel in recent weeks where I am promised a kick-ass female FBI agent infiltrating a criminal organization, only to be let down. At least Bleu was funny and she shoot first and ask questions later. All Isabelle did was dream of ways to be fucked.
The first 45% of this book was spent wanting to sleep with Isaac Holt and the other 55% was spent sleeping with Isaac Holt.
Around the 80% mark, I had to check if anything of consequence would happen or if we were to be subjected to another book. Turns out it is a whole five book series and after multiple back to back sex scenes, it all ends on a cliffhanger.
The irony isn't lost on me that I have been yammering on about loving a detailed story but this was just too much. Especially because Isabelle is a snivelling mess who should not call herself an FBI anything. Not even an office attendant.
It's like we spent this novel questioning the case against Isaac Holt. I am still here wondering, what was the point of it all?
I hate when a woman can't so much as think because she wants to sleep with a man. It is ridiculous and unrealistic. She also develops a whole other whirlwind story towards the end. Like, pick a struggle.
I don't know anything about Isaac other than he is hung like a horse and is angry all the time. He is also crazily possessive and rich.
The premise is good. The execution could be so much more because it left the FBI looking like idiots. Personally, I don't even know if I have a side or what this story was really about.
August 9, 2022
I stared this thinking it was a stand-alone in a series, but turns out you suffer through only to find out the end isn’t even the end.
I had high hopes for this book, but the more I read the more disappointed I was. How Isabelle became an agent is beyond me. And the fact that when she doesn’t tell her boss about interacting with Isaac, who is still a stranger at this point, just baffles me. Obviously I’m not in the FBI but I feel like that’s something you’d disclose. And how efficient is this FBI team if they’re “following” Isaac but not once do they ever see Isabelle with him?
As for Isaac, there is literally nothing he does that’s impressive so not sure why she’ finds him so irresistible. And to top off, when they do get together, he seems toxic.
Overall it’s not believable, the main characters don’t have a connection outside of the bedroom and the story just seems to drag with repetitive scenes. Also really couldn’t get past that the author kept calling cum spawn, like??
I had high hopes for this book, but the more I read the more disappointed I was. How Isabelle became an agent is beyond me. And the fact that when she doesn’t tell her boss about interacting with Isaac, who is still a stranger at this point, just baffles me. Obviously I’m not in the FBI but I feel like that’s something you’d disclose. And how efficient is this FBI team if they’re “following” Isaac but not once do they ever see Isabelle with him?
As for Isaac, there is literally nothing he does that’s impressive so not sure why she’ finds him so irresistible. And to top off, when they do get together, he seems toxic.
Overall it’s not believable, the main characters don’t have a connection outside of the bedroom and the story just seems to drag with repetitive scenes. Also really couldn’t get past that the author kept calling cum spawn, like??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 21, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/21/2020)! 🎁
January 16, 2025
My first finished book of the year, I thought it was going to be another one that I was going to like better but I'm not complaining. It's one of those books that helps you with reader's block and is overall, easy to direct
November 23, 2022
It wasn’t exactly a great series… but I read all of the books so I have to give it props
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Since I downloaded a Kindle collection, I’m going to be giving reviews to all the books except to the Fourth which will be housed at the Collection’s page. I’m doing this so that my Kindle Notes are available for viewing as they span the entire series.
See all the other reviews here:
First book - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Second book - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Third book - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fourth book / Collection - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
— — —
The first book was absolutely annoying as shit. 1/5 stars for the absolute shit show it was.
It was constant “oh I’m so clumsy and nervous and unique! Everyone must look down on me, but somehow all these guys love me?!” My notes reveal the specific things I nitpicked, but let’s just say I was nitpicking something on pretty much every page. Like the whole flight attendant scene in the beginning made me roll my eyes so hard I think they bowled a strike in the back of my head.
Also this girl has no survival instincts and I am surprised she hasn’t already been sold into sex trafficking. WHO THE FUCK LETS A RANDOM STRANGER ON THE PLANE STROKE YOUR LIPS AND TRY TO FUCK YOU????????? The writing was rough, really rough. She also doesn’t know how to put on a seatbelt. Not sure how she made it this far.
The characters were annoying and the writing accentuated this by trying to use language and expressions that didn’t work or were just completely wrong. Plus everyone is constantly groaning and moaning and it’s weird.
The main character also is constantly like “Oh I didn’t eat breakfast, I’m so hungry [and skinnyyyyyy].” As someone who has struggled with an eating disorder, this definitely seemed to glamorize/fetishize it. One of my Kindle notes was, “This author definitely has a fetish for “eating disorder girl gets all her problems solved by a rich guy who forces her to eat.”
She’s treated absolutely horribly by Isaac in this book (he publicly humiliates her… AND SHE APOLOGIZES TO HIM FOR IT). Some of the logic in the book just didn’t follow. She also constantly talks about her “inner vixen” and how she’s actually like really kinky, you know. But then she throws a tantrum when she’s being teased. Like… she literally cries. Because he teases her.
I skipped through most of the sex scenes. They were boring, uninteresting, and sometimes had positions that I don’t think are physically possible. Also they use sex as a way to soothe each other’s trauma??? Like “oh he feel guilty about this girls death… I’ll just suck him off.” I’m not even joking either, this is literally a quote from the book right after he reveals his guilt over the death: “[I] offer him comfort in the only way I know how. Sexually.” Similar things happen in the next book… but that’s for later!
I hope you enjoyed this little chit chat about the absolute monstrosity this book was. Now, at this point you may be wondering, “Natasha, if it was really this bad… why did you keep reading?”
Well here’s the thing, people. I’m no quitter, I’m no spitter. I also think it was hilarious and I enjoyed getting to nitpick ridiculous things. Plus, maybe I was the teensy-weensiest bit interested in Isaac and Isabelle. Nah, it was all for Hugo, he was the best.
My favorite Kindle note to write: “This is like reading Twilight but Mafia instead of Vampires. This is like tragically bad. I’m just reading it for shits and giggles at this point. Like this is tragic”
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Since I downloaded a Kindle collection, I’m going to be giving reviews to all the books except to the Fourth which will be housed at the Collection’s page. I’m doing this so that my Kindle Notes are available for viewing as they span the entire series.
See all the other reviews here:
First book - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Second book - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Third book - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fourth book / Collection - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
— — —
The first book was absolutely annoying as shit. 1/5 stars for the absolute shit show it was.
It was constant “oh I’m so clumsy and nervous and unique! Everyone must look down on me, but somehow all these guys love me?!” My notes reveal the specific things I nitpicked, but let’s just say I was nitpicking something on pretty much every page. Like the whole flight attendant scene in the beginning made me roll my eyes so hard I think they bowled a strike in the back of my head.
Also this girl has no survival instincts and I am surprised she hasn’t already been sold into sex trafficking. WHO THE FUCK LETS A RANDOM STRANGER ON THE PLANE STROKE YOUR LIPS AND TRY TO FUCK YOU????????? The writing was rough, really rough. She also doesn’t know how to put on a seatbelt. Not sure how she made it this far.
The characters were annoying and the writing accentuated this by trying to use language and expressions that didn’t work or were just completely wrong. Plus everyone is constantly groaning and moaning and it’s weird.
The main character also is constantly like “Oh I didn’t eat breakfast, I’m so hungry [and skinnyyyyyy].” As someone who has struggled with an eating disorder, this definitely seemed to glamorize/fetishize it. One of my Kindle notes was, “This author definitely has a fetish for “eating disorder girl gets all her problems solved by a rich guy who forces her to eat.”
She’s treated absolutely horribly by Isaac in this book (he publicly humiliates her… AND SHE APOLOGIZES TO HIM FOR IT). Some of the logic in the book just didn’t follow. She also constantly talks about her “inner vixen” and how she’s actually like really kinky, you know. But then she throws a tantrum when she’s being teased. Like… she literally cries. Because he teases her.
I skipped through most of the sex scenes. They were boring, uninteresting, and sometimes had positions that I don’t think are physically possible. Also they use sex as a way to soothe each other’s trauma??? Like “oh he feel guilty about this girls death… I’ll just suck him off.” I’m not even joking either, this is literally a quote from the book right after he reveals his guilt over the death: “[I] offer him comfort in the only way I know how. Sexually.” Similar things happen in the next book… but that’s for later!
I hope you enjoyed this little chit chat about the absolute monstrosity this book was. Now, at this point you may be wondering, “Natasha, if it was really this bad… why did you keep reading?”
Well here’s the thing, people. I’m no quitter, I’m no spitter. I also think it was hilarious and I enjoyed getting to nitpick ridiculous things. Plus, maybe I was the teensy-weensiest bit interested in Isaac and Isabelle. Nah, it was all for Hugo, he was the best.
My favorite Kindle note to write: “This is like reading Twilight but Mafia instead of Vampires. This is like tragically bad. I’m just reading it for shits and giggles at this point. Like this is tragic”
August 21, 2020
I have to start saying that I read this book because it was free.
The writing of the story and how it was explained didn't make me feel connected with it, but for an entertaining reading it was good.
Althought I almost leave it as DNF because I was getting a liittle tired of how many times the word 'smirk' appeared every time Isabelle was near Isaac.
The writing of the story and how it was explained didn't make me feel connected with it, but for an entertaining reading it was good.
Althought I almost leave it as DNF because I was getting a liittle tired of how many times the word 'smirk' appeared every time Isabelle was near Isaac.
June 12, 2021
Cliffhanger
This might be an excellent story, but I didn't read it. I didn't realize it was written in parts until it was too late, and I already bought it. I simply don't read books anymore that cannot be told from beginning to end in the same book. I find it annoying.
This might be an excellent story, but I didn't read it. I didn't realize it was written in parts until it was too late, and I already bought it. I simply don't read books anymore that cannot be told from beginning to end in the same book. I find it annoying.
August 9, 2022
2.5. The story line is interesting but wow
February 3, 2022
3.5 ⭐
It was a nice read, it gave me Crossfire vibes but I was really intrigued by the book even though there were some parts that made me cringe a little bit.
It was a nice read, it gave me Crossfire vibes but I was really intrigued by the book even though there were some parts that made me cringe a little bit.
October 6, 2021
This series has captivated my attention more than I can explain. I love that this book shows the chemistry and attention that is captivated between the two main characters, but I also love that this book focuses so much on Isabelle and her life and her career instead of her immediately jumping into crazy town of being in love. There are time gaps where the story will jump several weeks which may be annoying to some, but to me it makes it more real. Not everybody's life is chaotic day to day and there are breaks for normalcy. The author does a great job of filling in important details that may have happened without having to go into a full blown chapter to detail one important phone call or a very specific detail. Definitely my type of read.
August 27, 2022
This story was all-consuming.
4,5 stars
Although I normally prefer books with dual POV, I really enjoyed this story and how Isabelle conducted the narrating.
I liked her a lot. She was fierce, determined, and sharp. She was also fair and reasonable.
Isaac was captivating. There was something about him that commanded attention, and I gave mine freely.
There was so much to be unveiled and as the story progressed, I felt more and more pulled to it.
This series is promising.
4,5 stars
Although I normally prefer books with dual POV, I really enjoyed this story and how Isabelle conducted the narrating.
I liked her a lot. She was fierce, determined, and sharp. She was also fair and reasonable.
Isaac was captivating. There was something about him that commanded attention, and I gave mine freely.
There was so much to be unveiled and as the story progressed, I felt more and more pulled to it.
This series is promising.
September 20, 2022
DNF at 38%
The female FBI agent repeatedly bumps into the romantic interest that is under surveillance by the FBI and not once does anyone else notice that one of the agents who's supposed to be investigating him are spending time together.
Also the romantic interest has a nightstand drawer of dirty underwear from his various conquests and that's disgusting. At least wash them before putting them in your trophy case.
The female FBI agent repeatedly bumps into the romantic interest that is under surveillance by the FBI and not once does anyone else notice that one of the agents who's supposed to be investigating him are spending time together.
Also the romantic interest has a nightstand drawer of dirty underwear from his various conquests and that's disgusting. At least wash them before putting them in your trophy case.
May 14, 2018
These are so bad. grammatically, word usage, (a decanter is a decanter--not a glass), repetition, weird plot twists that don't belong, just bad.
January 4, 2023
Yea it's a no for me.
Too many "pussy clenching gaze and pussy clenching groans" for my liking.
It's not smut.
It's badly written porno-wanna-be
Too many "pussy clenching gaze and pussy clenching groans" for my liking.
It's not smut.
It's badly written porno-wanna-be
October 14, 2024
H cheated h with his ex in the 4th book.
gross 🤮🤮🤮
gross 🤮🤮🤮
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2017
Enigma of Life by Shandi Boyes a breath-taking five-star read. This is the first book in the Enigma series and is also book #1 in Isaacs story. It is recommended for over 18s as does contain scenes of a sexual and adult nature, as well as language that may offend some people. ‘Enigma is a person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand’ Isaac Holt is one such thing, and would definitely be classed as an enigma. This is a love story, but not your conventional love story, it shows us how just because you may be in love with someone doesn’t mean you will always get to be together. This is a story of how not everything is black and white, but there are many shades of grey in between also, that not everyone pays attention to.
Isaac Holt is a very beautiful man, he is an enigma to many, he seems to have popped up from nowhere and has made money that the FBI can’t seem to figure out the history behind, leading them to investigate him and try to figure him out. Isaac is used to woman falling at his feet, he’s rich, powerful and hot, a combination that makes woman weak at the knees. When one falls into his lap twice it seems like fate.
Isabella Brahn is a woman in conflict, she is having a day from hell having gotten half way through a journey that will change her life, after being forced to fly across the country to start a job she has been eager to sink her teeth into, a fear of flying causes her to be more nervous than normal at an airport and then she has an unexpected meeting with a man who takes her breath away, causing her nerves to do strange things.
Neither Isabella or Isaac are what they seem on the outside, and in the author’s own words ‘Until you have your own legitimate reason not to like someone, you should treat them how you wish to be treated’ I have loved this first book and can’t wait to get my teeth sunk into Isaac #2. The only downfall with this book was the cliff-hanger ending, but that just made me more eager to get onto the next book.
Isaac Holt is a very beautiful man, he is an enigma to many, he seems to have popped up from nowhere and has made money that the FBI can’t seem to figure out the history behind, leading them to investigate him and try to figure him out. Isaac is used to woman falling at his feet, he’s rich, powerful and hot, a combination that makes woman weak at the knees. When one falls into his lap twice it seems like fate.
Isabella Brahn is a woman in conflict, she is having a day from hell having gotten half way through a journey that will change her life, after being forced to fly across the country to start a job she has been eager to sink her teeth into, a fear of flying causes her to be more nervous than normal at an airport and then she has an unexpected meeting with a man who takes her breath away, causing her nerves to do strange things.
Neither Isabella or Isaac are what they seem on the outside, and in the author’s own words ‘Until you have your own legitimate reason not to like someone, you should treat them how you wish to be treated’ I have loved this first book and can’t wait to get my teeth sunk into Isaac #2. The only downfall with this book was the cliff-hanger ending, but that just made me more eager to get onto the next book.
June 25, 2024
Ok so like… I am obsessed with Isaac and Isabelle and it started right from their meet-cute at the airport!
Honestly with Isabelle being a rookie FBI agent and Isaac, the alpha businessman, ironically becoming first case I wasn’t sure how this was going to proceed. Isaac at first was cold and standoffish, but somewhat obsessed with Isabelle and as we know, Isabelle was obsessed with Isaac, even when she tried not to be.
I really do like Isabelle, but she acts a bit immature in my opinion, for someone who has the life experiences that she went through. She knows that she was falling in love with Isaac, and she still couldn’t be truthful with him or her boss, but her solution to the problem was to do nothing except steer the case away from Isaac because she knows he wasn’t a bad guy. The problem I had with her plan was 1) she is a rookie, 2) she is new to the area and 3) she has no work experience or connections and she thought that she could outplay the people who have been doing this job for a while; and in my opinion, seem to have it out for Isaac when there is no evidence to to show he is guilty of doing illegal things or participating in illegal things.
However, I did enjoy the slow progression of the relationship between Isabella and Isaac and the ending of this book, which is a cliffhanger, left me so disappointed in Isabelle and a bit heartbroken for Isaac.
I need to know what happens next.
Honestly with Isabelle being a rookie FBI agent and Isaac, the alpha businessman, ironically becoming first case I wasn’t sure how this was going to proceed. Isaac at first was cold and standoffish, but somewhat obsessed with Isabelle and as we know, Isabelle was obsessed with Isaac, even when she tried not to be.
I really do like Isabelle, but she acts a bit immature in my opinion, for someone who has the life experiences that she went through. She knows that she was falling in love with Isaac, and she still couldn’t be truthful with him or her boss, but her solution to the problem was to do nothing except steer the case away from Isaac because she knows he wasn’t a bad guy. The problem I had with her plan was 1) she is a rookie, 2) she is new to the area and 3) she has no work experience or connections and she thought that she could outplay the people who have been doing this job for a while; and in my opinion, seem to have it out for Isaac when there is no evidence to to show he is guilty of doing illegal things or participating in illegal things.
However, I did enjoy the slow progression of the relationship between Isabella and Isaac and the ending of this book, which is a cliffhanger, left me so disappointed in Isabelle and a bit heartbroken for Isaac.
I need to know what happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2019
This book pulled me in and kept me entranced till the end. The feelings of love, hate, and pain coming out in waves making you want to cry while you read. This was such a beautiful book! I loved the characters wholesomeness!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 6, 2018
Shandi never disappoints. Even writing a book about two people who shouldn't be together is a masterpiece. Isaac has questionable ties and is being investigated by the FBI. Izzy is a green behind the ears new employee for the FBI. Such an awesome read. I'm glad the next one is available. I might have had to pull my hair out if I had to wait for it.
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