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Charming
LENA Darkness seems to follow wherever I go, and solitude is where I find my solace. Until Gabriel Easton comes crashing into my life, burning like the brightest star. He wants me for himself, but we’re too different. He’s everything I’m not, for one. Strong. Confident. Perfect. Loved by millions across America. But even though I’m keeping my distance, my heart and body wants what it wants… GABRIEL I never intended to fall for the woman who ruined my life. But when I met her, she was nothing like what I expected. Lena Hastings confuses the hell out of me. The most quiet, shy, lonely girl I’ve ever met— and also the smartest. The bravest. I may have been brought up in the spotlight, but Lena shines brighter than anything I’ve ever known. Little do I know that she holds a secret that can tear us apart before we even begin… Disclaimer and Trigger Warning Depiction of attempted sexual assault. All events, people and places in this novel are dramatized and DO NOT represent real life scenarios. If you need to, please seek help and support from the right organizations.
- GenresRomance
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2020
105 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Drea Blackery
4 books80 followersDrea Blackery is a writer with an unhealthy passion for all things steamy and angsty. Broken alpha heroes are her crack, and from the moment she typed her very first “Chapter One”, she fell in love with writing books and hasn’t looked back since.
Drea lives with her husband and her dog (creatively named Woofie), and her favorite things in the world include spending time with her family and friends, curling up with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s to binge-watch Game of Thrones (Team Arya!), and of course, reading.
Drea lives with her husband and her dog (creatively named Woofie), and her favorite things in the world include spending time with her family and friends, curling up with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s to binge-watch Game of Thrones (Team Arya!), and of course, reading.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 6, 2020
I’d say 3 ⭐️ and an extra one for the writer and creator of Ryland Wyatt (from Arrogant)
Back to this back. I was beyond happy to see a new one from Drea. The writing was funny and gripping and the book kept me up. I loved Gabriel but not so much Lena. Despite the believability of the plot, it really was a little too far fetched to give this book a higher rating. Everything and everyone just had a place in the plot despite their unsuitability to that situation.
Lena for instance has too many roles. She’s a victim of sorts. Has anxiety issues. Shy af. Is poor but has friends who are in the top tier of Manhattan’s billionaire heirs, or as the writer states, ‘’billionheirs’’.
Lena and Gabe meet at their mutual friend’s wedding rehearsal. They already know of each other and already hate each other’s guts. I was in for a roller coaster ride right there of explosive arguments and foreplay and such.
Unfortunately Lena is weepy and gets extremely clingy. For someone who’s been a recent victim, you really can’t conveniently pick a billionheir dreamboat of a young gun and beg for sex.
Lena is also a virgin which was really not needed to give a boost to her saintly personality since she’s a pro at playing a horny needy slut who’s ready to shed clothes at the blink of an eye anywhere and everywhere.
I could go on because really, none of Lena’s issues fell into place with her character. And the weeping. Gabriel wasn’t the worst. But since he’s rich and good looking and charming, I guess he can get away with it.
The epilogue featured Cam’s story that I’m interested to read. But really, it should’ve been Lena and Gabriel’s own HEA. But maybe the writer is also unconvinced that Lena should deserve a forever spot in Gabe’s life.
Back to this back. I was beyond happy to see a new one from Drea. The writing was funny and gripping and the book kept me up. I loved Gabriel but not so much Lena. Despite the believability of the plot, it really was a little too far fetched to give this book a higher rating. Everything and everyone just had a place in the plot despite their unsuitability to that situation.
Lena for instance has too many roles. She’s a victim of sorts. Has anxiety issues. Shy af. Is poor but has friends who are in the top tier of Manhattan’s billionaire heirs, or as the writer states, ‘’billionheirs’’.
Lena and Gabe meet at their mutual friend’s wedding rehearsal. They already know of each other and already hate each other’s guts. I was in for a roller coaster ride right there of explosive arguments and foreplay and such.
Unfortunately Lena is weepy and gets extremely clingy. For someone who’s been a recent victim, you really can’t conveniently pick a billionheir dreamboat of a young gun and beg for sex.
Lena is also a virgin which was really not needed to give a boost to her saintly personality since she’s a pro at playing a horny needy slut who’s ready to shed clothes at the blink of an eye anywhere and everywhere.
I could go on because really, none of Lena’s issues fell into place with her character. And the weeping. Gabriel wasn’t the worst. But since he’s rich and good looking and charming, I guess he can get away with it.
The epilogue featured Cam’s story that I’m interested to read. But really, it should’ve been Lena and Gabriel’s own HEA. But maybe the writer is also unconvinced that Lena should deserve a forever spot in Gabe’s life.
August 11, 2020
DNF 65%
Gross.
It wasn't a bad story until it segued from mildly interesting into bog water filth.
Listen. A heroine that debases herself by physically spreading her legs to show a man her sloppy Mother Nature whilst she touches herself, writhing and begging him to fuck her is so utterly repulsive to me. She's like a dirty alleycat in heat. I'm still cringing. Some mind bleach would so be ace right now.
And I don't ever want to know a man who is so addle-brained by his own dick and so insensitive that he would even CONSIDER giving this woman the rogering she begged for, let alone DO it.
Yeah, real stand-up guy that Gabriel.
What a goddamned swine.
And who does this writer think she's bullshitting? A woman who was nearly sexually assaulted literally hours before and a virgin a few days ago is NOT going to behave like this cow did, rolling around naked with her fingers in her minge and whimpering for sex.
"Oh...Gabriel...please..."
🤮🤮🙄😑
God, people are so fucking stupid.
And just to be clear, I'm not upset or triggered by the assault scene. Let's be honest, it was lame. No, I'm offended that writers who don't know what the fuck they are talking about create these ridiculous, insulting scenarios following a traumatic event and try to pass them off as normal or sexy. Thanks loads for making light of such a devastating ordeal.
From myself, and any others who lived through an actual sexual assault and resent having our experiences trivialised, 🖕🖕🖕.
Take your adolescent, disrespectful sexual fantasies and primary school grammar skills and bugger off.
Gross.
It wasn't a bad story until it segued from mildly interesting into bog water filth.
Listen. A heroine that debases herself by physically spreading her legs to show a man her sloppy Mother Nature whilst she touches herself, writhing and begging him to fuck her is so utterly repulsive to me. She's like a dirty alleycat in heat. I'm still cringing. Some mind bleach would so be ace right now.
And I don't ever want to know a man who is so addle-brained by his own dick and so insensitive that he would even CONSIDER giving this woman the rogering she begged for, let alone DO it.
Yeah, real stand-up guy that Gabriel.
What a goddamned swine.
And who does this writer think she's bullshitting? A woman who was nearly sexually assaulted literally hours before and a virgin a few days ago is NOT going to behave like this cow did, rolling around naked with her fingers in her minge and whimpering for sex.
"Oh...Gabriel...please..."
🤮🤮🙄😑
God, people are so fucking stupid.
And just to be clear, I'm not upset or triggered by the assault scene. Let's be honest, it was lame. No, I'm offended that writers who don't know what the fuck they are talking about create these ridiculous, insulting scenarios following a traumatic event and try to pass them off as normal or sexy. Thanks loads for making light of such a devastating ordeal.
From myself, and any others who lived through an actual sexual assault and resent having our experiences trivialised, 🖕🖕🖕.
Take your adolescent, disrespectful sexual fantasies and primary school grammar skills and bugger off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2021
Lovely! I loved their relationship so much. It was fun and lighthearted and serious when it needed to be. Gabriel showed tremendous growth and I applaude him. So did Lena, she found her voice and even though remained shy, it wasn't as crippling anymore. They both helped each other out, but still did the work themselves, without being co-dependant.
Light spoilers ahead, beware.
The repetition of names confused the shit out of me. Jemima on book 1, Allie and Ryland's story (Arrogant) was the name of a soup kitchen volunteer, and now is the name of his richer than life grandmother. Kline on book 2, Karin and Theo's story (Broken), was the last name of his biological father. That made me trip, are they brothers? Why didn't Theo said something? Will this be addressed?
We saw Bailey on the first book of the series, she was a volunteer on the same place as Allie, and ever since then I wished she would be paired with one of the guys, only for her to be a bridesmaid with Cam, I thought it would be adorable, but then the last bit, on the epilogue, left me a little confused. Hope she's the one for him.
I all around loved the book, only thing missing was a conclusion on Theo and Gabriel's relationship, hope they work things out and become even closer than they used to be.
Light spoilers ahead, beware.
The repetition of names confused the shit out of me. Jemima on book 1, Allie and Ryland's story (Arrogant) was the name of a soup kitchen volunteer, and now is the name of his richer than life grandmother. Kline on book 2, Karin and Theo's story (Broken), was the last name of his biological father. That made me trip, are they brothers? Why didn't Theo said something? Will this be addressed?
We saw Bailey on the first book of the series, she was a volunteer on the same place as Allie, and ever since then I wished she would be paired with one of the guys, only for her to be a bridesmaid with Cam, I thought it would be adorable, but then the last bit, on the epilogue, left me a little confused. Hope she's the one for him.
I all around loved the book, only thing missing was a conclusion on Theo and Gabriel's relationship, hope they work things out and become even closer than they used to be.
July 21, 2020
Lovely! I loved their relationship so much. It was fun and lighthearted and serious when it needed to be. Gabriel showed tremendous growth and I applaude him. So did Lena, she found her voice and even though remained shy, it wasn't as crippling anymore. They both helped each other out, but still did the work themselves, without being co-dependant.
Light spoilers ahead, beware.
The repetition of names confused the shit out of me. Jemima on book 1, Allie and Ryland's story (Arrogant) was the name of a soup kitchen volunteer, and now is the name of his richer than life grandmother. Kline on book 2, Karin and Theo's story (Broken), was the last name of his biological father. That made me trip, are they brothers? Why didn't Theo said something? Will this be addressed?
We saw Bailey on the first book of the series, she was a volunteer on the same place as Allie, and ever since then I wished she would be paired with one of the guys, only for her to be a bridesmaid with Cam, I thought it would be adorable, but then the last bit, on the epilogue, left me a little confused. Hope she's the one for him.
I all around loved the book, only thing missing was a conclusion on Theo and Gabriel's relationship, hope they work things out and become even closer than they used to be.
Light spoilers ahead, beware.
The repetition of names confused the shit out of me. Jemima on book 1, Allie and Ryland's story (Arrogant) was the name of a soup kitchen volunteer, and now is the name of his richer than life grandmother. Kline on book 2, Karin and Theo's story (Broken), was the last name of his biological father. That made me trip, are they brothers? Why didn't Theo said something? Will this be addressed?
We saw Bailey on the first book of the series, she was a volunteer on the same place as Allie, and ever since then I wished she would be paired with one of the guys, only for her to be a bridesmaid with Cam, I thought it would be adorable, but then the last bit, on the epilogue, left me a little confused. Hope she's the one for him.
I all around loved the book, only thing missing was a conclusion on Theo and Gabriel's relationship, hope they work things out and become even closer than they used to be.
November 13, 2020
Helena ‘Lena’ Hastings the tabloid journalist wrote the ugly truth about Gabriel Easton’s life. The playboy billionheir couldn’t believe the things Lena had the audacity to say about him... but was there some truth in the things she said?
They meet in the most unexpected manner, and Gabriel accuses the extremely shy Lena of trying to sell out their friends, it’s a complete misunderstanding and Gabriel has to u-turn and make amends.
He asks Lena to help him with some information and in return he will help her with her research, and to try and bring her out of her shell. The plot thickens when Lena finds out they’re both after information on the same person but for very different reasons. The more time Lena and Gabriel spend together the stronger the attraction. She’s the complete opposite to the type of women he’s dated and she sees right through his superficial front. Can the ‘mouse’ and the playboy find their happily ever after?
➖➖➖➖➖
A middle of the road read for me. I really didn’t take to Gabriel, he was a little too arrogant for my taste, but an ok read nonetheless.
They meet in the most unexpected manner, and Gabriel accuses the extremely shy Lena of trying to sell out their friends, it’s a complete misunderstanding and Gabriel has to u-turn and make amends.
He asks Lena to help him with some information and in return he will help her with her research, and to try and bring her out of her shell. The plot thickens when Lena finds out they’re both after information on the same person but for very different reasons. The more time Lena and Gabriel spend together the stronger the attraction. She’s the complete opposite to the type of women he’s dated and she sees right through his superficial front. Can the ‘mouse’ and the playboy find their happily ever after?
➖➖➖➖➖
A middle of the road read for me. I really didn’t take to Gabriel, he was a little too arrogant for my taste, but an ok read nonetheless.
June 29, 2020
I have enjoyed all the books so far, love the characters and the storyline lines, was a little disappointed when the ending although sweet just felt unfinished, but then wondered maybe we’ll get it in the next book? And have to say I am really looking forward to reading Cam’s story!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2020
I am not sure that I even know where to begin writing a review for this because it is truly an awesome experience.
I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the emotion, the writing.
The author had a tremendous ability in telling the story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the emotion, the writing.
The author had a tremendous ability in telling the story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
July 1, 2020
Lena and Gabriel have a powerful story. The blurb called to me. I don't want to spoil the riches but I will say that it's well written, commanding characters, the build and twists are good.
My first book from Drea and I liked this one enough to read more from this author. I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.
My first book from Drea and I liked this one enough to read more from this author. I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.
July 11, 2020
A well written story with interesting characters who had to navigate a few twists in order to obtain their happiness. I liked the premise and chose to read and review based on it. The author delivered on that premise. Good story.
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.
July 14, 2020
This was a hot steamy erotic romance story perfect for a quick afternoon read.
A great heart pounding read. The story was very well written with great characters. It drew me in and I had it finished in one sitting. I would highly recommend this read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A great heart pounding read. The story was very well written with great characters. It drew me in and I had it finished in one sitting. I would highly recommend this read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 22, 2020
Gabriel and Lena are opposites in everything except the way that their souls call to each other. I loved every single word written in this book. The characters are well developed and engaging and their connection is strong and the obstacles thrown their way just made them stronger as a couple.
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.
December 11, 2020
A truly beautiful story
It is one of the most amazing stories I have ever read !!! If you have not read it ...BUY ASAP ! ITS TOTALLY WORTH IT ...I fell in love with Theo and Karin over and over throughout the story . It builds beautifully along how Theo grows and becomes a better man for Karin and falls helplessly for her. I loved the book!!!
It is one of the most amazing stories I have ever read !!! If you have not read it ...BUY ASAP ! ITS TOTALLY WORTH IT ...I fell in love with Theo and Karin over and over throughout the story . It builds beautifully along how Theo grows and becomes a better man for Karin and falls helplessly for her. I loved the book!!!
June 30, 2020
Drea Blackery did a great job on Charming, the plot was strong, so wasn't the characters, Lena and Gabriel. I enjoyed their journey, they may have had a few hiccups but they were meant for one another. The connection and chemistry was strong between them, they were good together.
August 21, 2020
Love it
Opposites attract indeed. Gabriel so so different from what I've read of him in the first two books. I loved the set up between gabriel and lena. Usually in this series it's the girl chasing the guy, but Drea changed it up and it was beautiful to see
Opposites attract indeed. Gabriel so so different from what I've read of him in the first two books. I loved the set up between gabriel and lena. Usually in this series it's the girl chasing the guy, but Drea changed it up and it was beautiful to see
read-e-books
July 19, 2020Lena ❤ Gabriel
Read
August 2, 2020DNF at 50%
Want to read
August 21, 2021 🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/21/2021)! 🎁
May 9, 2023
I seem to be reading these totally out of order, but each stands alone fairly well. Things are mentioned from previous books (heck, the wedding of the couple for book 1 is a major plot point), but there are no real confusing plot gaps that I've encountered.
Gabriel (H) is a "billion-heir," famous for being the scion of a major family and little else. A viral article brings him to some soul-searching, and eventually a major falling out with his grandmother, the head of the family. Lena (h), painfully shy and quiet, is the tabloid journalist who wrote that article. Turns out, they have an overlapping circle of friends and end up partnered as attendants at a wedding. First impressions lead to some angry sparks, but can there be more when they actually see beneath the surface of the other?
I liked the relationship, though I did feel it was too insta-love. Opposites-attract and enemies-to-lovers stories like this can have a lot of banter and good character building while the leads find things they actually like about each other. Here, it's what - 48 hours? Two, three meetings? And they'd barely been together at all before she's creating a high profile news story and he's dealing with a major personal crisis. Yet, they are perfect partner supports for each other, despite incredibly high drama and pressure for a pair of people who barely knew each other. I liked them together - don't get me wrong - just would have felt it was more natural if they'd had more time together before he's panicking to rescue her, or she's desperately begging for his touch in bed.
As for the other big storyline - the Kline storyline. Some parts were very natural feeling, and then at the same time, I couldn't always understand how or why Lena was acting the way she was. Most noticeably was the night she spent with Gabriel after he rescued her from the party. Just felt forced. Maybe the insta-love was coming into play again.
It's an enjoyable read, technically. Very few typos or glaringly incorrect word choices. A continuity error or two - like referring to his jeans, when he'd been wearing a suit. Cam's fiancée is Adelaine, but in a few typos is Adelaide. That sort of thing. And another reviewer talked about some continuity issues compared to other stories, but as I haven't read the first two books in the series yet, I don't know. Still, something to mention.
Speaking of continuity with other books... Theo and Gabriel obviously have history. I'm sure that was developed a lot more in Theo's story (Broken), and it didn't play a lot into this story's plot, but it would have been nice to see some development between the two. Especially since this was Gabriel's story and he does mature well. Maybe in the next book?
I liked the little update on Marlon and Emmaline. I'd enjoyed their story (Untamed) and though their book had a cute long-term epilogue, it was still nice seeing how they were doing in the cameo here.
Alternating 1st person POV. No love triangle, no cheating, no OW/OM drama. Still a good bit of angst, though. Pretty much insta-love, though it's a sweet relationship that develops. HEA and no epilogue for the leads. No cliffhanger, either, though the epilogue that is there is a pretty heavy set-up for Cam's story.
Would I read more by this author? Yes. Enjoyed the stories I've read so far, and would be willing to read back and see what lead this group to this point. Plus, I'm definitely interested in how Cam and Cerberus adjust to their new reality, and where Adelaine will fit in (or, based on the author's teaser, is it "Adelaine"?)
UPDATE AFTER REREAD (& READING OTHER BOOKS, IN ORDER THIS TIME)
Yeah, this series is a guilty-pleasure favorite. It's angsty, insta-love amongst the uber-rich set. But at the same time, there are moments of good growth from the leads in each book, and it feels like the relationships that do develop are mutual ones. I'm satisfied with the HEAs each time, even without longer-term epilogues. Would definitely reread the series, and am certainly waiting for Cam's story.
Gabriel (H) is a "billion-heir," famous for being the scion of a major family and little else. A viral article brings him to some soul-searching, and eventually a major falling out with his grandmother, the head of the family. Lena (h), painfully shy and quiet, is the tabloid journalist who wrote that article. Turns out, they have an overlapping circle of friends and end up partnered as attendants at a wedding. First impressions lead to some angry sparks, but can there be more when they actually see beneath the surface of the other?
I liked the relationship, though I did feel it was too insta-love. Opposites-attract and enemies-to-lovers stories like this can have a lot of banter and good character building while the leads find things they actually like about each other. Here, it's what - 48 hours? Two, three meetings? And they'd barely been together at all before she's creating a high profile news story and he's dealing with a major personal crisis. Yet, they are perfect partner supports for each other, despite incredibly high drama and pressure for a pair of people who barely knew each other. I liked them together - don't get me wrong - just would have felt it was more natural if they'd had more time together before he's panicking to rescue her, or she's desperately begging for his touch in bed.
As for the other big storyline - the Kline storyline. Some parts were very natural feeling, and then at the same time, I couldn't always understand how or why Lena was acting the way she was. Most noticeably was the night she spent with Gabriel after he rescued her from the party. Just felt forced. Maybe the insta-love was coming into play again.
It's an enjoyable read, technically. Very few typos or glaringly incorrect word choices. A continuity error or two - like referring to his jeans, when he'd been wearing a suit. Cam's fiancée is Adelaine, but in a few typos is Adelaide. That sort of thing. And another reviewer talked about some continuity issues compared to other stories, but as I haven't read the first two books in the series yet, I don't know. Still, something to mention.
Speaking of continuity with other books... Theo and Gabriel obviously have history. I'm sure that was developed a lot more in Theo's story (Broken), and it didn't play a lot into this story's plot, but it would have been nice to see some development between the two. Especially since this was Gabriel's story and he does mature well. Maybe in the next book?
I liked the little update on Marlon and Emmaline. I'd enjoyed their story (Untamed) and though their book had a cute long-term epilogue, it was still nice seeing how they were doing in the cameo here.
Alternating 1st person POV. No love triangle, no cheating, no OW/OM drama. Still a good bit of angst, though. Pretty much insta-love, though it's a sweet relationship that develops. HEA and no epilogue for the leads. No cliffhanger, either, though the epilogue that is there is a pretty heavy set-up for Cam's story.
Would I read more by this author? Yes. Enjoyed the stories I've read so far, and would be willing to read back and see what lead this group to this point. Plus, I'm definitely interested in how Cam and Cerberus adjust to their new reality, and where Adelaine will fit in (or, based on the author's teaser, is it "Adelaine"?)
UPDATE AFTER REREAD (& READING OTHER BOOKS, IN ORDER THIS TIME)
Yeah, this series is a guilty-pleasure favorite. It's angsty, insta-love amongst the uber-rich set. But at the same time, there are moments of good growth from the leads in each book, and it feels like the relationships that do develop are mutual ones. I'm satisfied with the HEAs each time, even without longer-term epilogues. Would definitely reread the series, and am certainly waiting for Cam's story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews