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B723 #1

Overcast

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The monster hiding in the shadows is real.
He doesn’t have horns or sharp claws, but a deep scowl, piercing hazel eyes, and a bunker deep in the woods equipped for his fantasies to play out like a horror movie.
And it becomes my reality in seconds.
My captor is out for retribution, and he thinks I’m to blame. He believes I’m the evil that shrouded his world and tipped it upside down.
Hate isn’t enough of a word for what he feels for me, and while he terrifies me, I mask my pain as best as I can.
A pointless feat because he feels my discomfort, revels in it.
And yet in the midst of his hell, I can’t seem to miss the way those eyes burn with hunger.
The kind that involves him devouring me with his tongue and teeth.
Emric is the beast in my darkest nightmares.
Until he realized that his reality is a blurred screen of the truth—mine.

**OVERCAST IS A STANDALONE AND IS BOOK ONE OF THE B723 SERIES. YOU DO NOT NEED TO READ CATFISH AND BONA FIDE FROM THE ILLUSIVE DUET BUT YOU WILL SEE CHARACTERS FROM THIS DUET.
THIS IS A DARK ROMANCE WITH TRIGGERS.**

594 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2020

127 people are currently reading
397 people want to read

About the author

Hazel Grace

27 books535 followers
Hazel Grace is an avid music lover, an undefined human being, and hardcore Oakland Raiders fan from the mitten state of Michigan.
Always surprising her readers with weird Michigan sayings (they have their own cuss words) and writing "what the f*ck" storylines.
When she's not writing, she's on Spotify finding new bands, working on her Camaro or watching shows with her kids with annoying songs attached to them.

Check up on Hazel on the following platforms:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hazelgraceauthor
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hazelgraceauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hazel...
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dlYOgn

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Profile Image for Lager Lefse Book Blog.
565 reviews4 followers
August 28, 2020

5 'Stormi' stars


Hazel Grace is embarking on a new uncharted territory in her repertoire of books. We have gotten to know her for her strong male hero in a varying of romance settings, including historical, new adult, political, and now, a truly dark romance. She has dipped her toes in the pool of a dark romance previously, but nothing can prepare you for Emeric in Overcast. Previously, he made an appearance in her, Illusive Duet, series.

Overcast is everything she has teased and promised. It is dark, there are triggers, and there is also a spot of sunshine through the clouds by the name of Stormi. M and Stormi are complete opposites. They are the ying to each other’s yang, but that doesn’t mean they automatically click together like long lost puzzle pieces. There are many hoops and obstacles that they have to work through in order to find what the future truly has in store for them.



Despite the surrounding/situations, it is difficult to NOT feel for M. He has been through more in his entire life than most could ever dream of experiencing. He may be a mercenary, but he is still all male, protective, loveable, and coming into his own emotionally.

Stormi has an awarding ending, where she has come full circle and grown into the girl/woman she should have been from the beginning. She has become the strong, emotionally, and physically, powerful woman that M needs in his life.



Overall, I loved Marty, Stormi, and Overcast. They are two incredible people with an incredible story. It was hard to not feel invested in this pair. The writing and storyline were on point! I can’t wait to read more of her dark romance side!!

PS… Along the way, we are introduced to some harsh, but lovable, secondary characters. I can’t wait to dig into their minds and see what is truly going on with them (hint, hint, Hazel Grace😉).

OC-teaser#2teaser3

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Profile Image for Sofia´s Beddable Reads.
645 reviews69 followers
October 19, 2020
Unputdownable.

It's the first word that comes to mind and one of many others I'd use to describe "Overcast".

Full disclosure, yes I had to reluctantly pause the reading a couple of times because adulting sucks, but I literally couldn't stop thinking about it, of what was going to happen next and how I couldn't wait to jump right back in.

At this point it's a given: Hazel Grace gets me every single time. I was on the edge of my seat all the way through, my heart was beating a mile a minute and I didn't know if I could survive another chapter, specially during the first quarter of the book where, if I didn't treasure my kindle so much, it would've flown across the room.
It was so worthy, though.


Unpredictability.
Great world-building.
Amazing writing.
Original plots.
Unconventional characters.
Twisted morals.
F--ked-up circumstances.

These are definitely some of my most used adjectives while referring to Hazel Grace's previous stories and they fit like a glove here as well.
I'm always a wreck while and after reading and, like a addiction, I can't wait to next my next fix.

I just know that this series will be no different: first book is barely out and here I am going through three thousand different possibilities in my head of what the next story might entail.

When I met Marty in the "Illusive Duet", I was scared of what he could mean for Reagan and Wade's relationship, since the circumstances surrounding said relationship weren't ideal to say the least and with him being so close and protective of his sister... I feared his interference a bit, but I got to learn a little more about him and see him for what he was trying to do so, all's well that ends well.

Then, at the end of "Bona Fide", when I got a little sneak peek of his book, I immediately knew I was going on a possibly very dark journey and would throughly enjoy it.

Now, having finished it, I can say that it totally and completely blew me way.

Again, it shouldn't be a surprise per se since Hazel Grace inadvertently throws me off-kilter every time, leaving me speechless and unable to process what all the fresh hell just happened.
And the answer is... duh, yes I love each second of it all.


Stormi's growth is an incredible thing to witness and she's living proof that no matter how bad your circumstances, you have the strength within you to turn it all around.
You've had it all along; you just need that little push to set things in motion.
And what do they say? "It's gonna get worse before it gets better"?
Maybe they're right.
Also, "It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars".
Look at me being all poetic and stuff.
But hey, surely there's some truth to it, right?

Stormi blossoms from all the nightmares and the monster starring in them is the one responsible for that newly discovered strength.
She doesn't fear him anymore.
Not if he's the one to make her stronger.
Not if said monster she once feared is now the one that will keep possible ones at bay.

And I'll tell you right now, I don't even pity the poor unfortunate soul that even thinks of crossing Marty's path with less that pure intentions.
You had it coming.


"Overcast" is hands down one of my favorite reads of 2020 and I'll be here not so patiently waiting to see how Hazel Grace plans on playing with my cardiac health next.
Profile Image for BLuvsBooks.
688 reviews126 followers
May 22, 2021
An intriguing new dark assassin world from Hazel Grace. The B723 group was mentioned in her Illusive duet books so when she announced we would be getting their stories I couldn’t wait. This had plot twists, violence, spice and great characters. The ending was so intense I had no idea what to expect.

A dark enemies to love with a naive h that learns strength from the mysterious and intense assassin H.

Contemporary romance. Dark. Triggers.
Profile Image for SCBookAddict.
645 reviews52 followers
August 31, 2020
This is one of my favorites of 2020! It's unpredictability and suspense alone is why it deserves five stars but it's the emotions that were felt in every word and every action throughout the story that made it so powerful and amazing!

Overcast is the first book in Hazel Grace's new series, B723. There are so many ways I want to describe it but intense is the best way. From the first chapter until the last page, the author gives us one hell of a story.

This story is written in a way where I didn't know what was going to happen next and it was both exciting and nerve-wracking. My stomach was in my throat through 95% of this book. The author pushes major boundaries in this story but it is part of what made this such an amazing read.

Hazel Grace wrote this book in a way that I could feel EVERY emotion pouring out of these characters. From the good to the ugly, the struggles and the pain, I felt everything right along with them.

Don't read the spoilers. The best part is not knowing what's going to happen. I want other readers to experience it the way I did and to question everything the way I did.

The secondary characters tease so much that is yet to come and I am here for every bit of it.

Overcast has characters from the Illusive Duet. While you don't have to read the duet to understand Overcast, it does have Wade Lockwood and that is reason enough to read it. However, Emric in Overcast gives Wade a run for his money.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,099 reviews35 followers
August 23, 2021
So I've been sleeping on this author.... clearly.

The cover got my attention, the blurb hooked me and the writing reeled me in.

"You wanna scream?" he taunts, pressing his hard chest into mine. "Feel free... It makes my dick hard."

If you love dark, suspense, some torture and blood, an unapologetically dark and gives no fucks alpha anti-hero then you've found your next read.

Oh, and let's not forget Stormi, who started out meek and mild and grew into a strong fmc who needed and wanted more out of life, right in front of our eyes.

The chemistry between these two would blow up a science lab. From the torture scenes to the sex scenes. Get yourselves a fan.

"Monsters are calculated and fearless. Their morals may be questionable, but during the hardest and scariest times, they'll do anything to keep you safe."

This was quite a long book but I didn't want it to end. The whole package and the way the story was delivered I loved.

I will definitely be reading more from this author as the side characters have me wanting more already.
Profile Image for CallypsoA.
24 reviews
October 7, 2020
DNF at 70%
it started really great but it dragged. But IDK, Maybe i’ll pick it up again. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Profile Image for We Like them Dark Book Blog.
828 reviews110 followers
September 1, 2020
I fell in love with Hazel’s writing during the Illusive duet. In my opinion, I think she rocked that particular sub-genre, and I was filled with the emotions of it being the perfect five star read. This book is totally different, in that it dives a little bit deeper emotionally, and a lot darker. I’m a huge fan of dark romances, having no triggers I can look at great writing and take it for what it is, regardless how much it breaks my heart.
The beginning was a bit tough to get connected to Stormi-I felt like there was a lot of repeated information but it really drove the point home in what kind of person she started as. Though her and Marty don’t exactly have the most pleasant of first meetings, how they grow and develop together is something that this author is stellar at. She can flip a switch and just really give the readers that bone deep emotion the characters are feeling. This story was filled with a lot of action, violence, and steam, so if you’re looking for a dark romance-this is definitely one that should be picked up!
Profile Image for J.D. Fondry.
Author 10 books182 followers
September 14, 2020
Marty and Stormi are E V E R Y T H N G

Hazel Grace has done it again! From page 1 until the end I was hooked. You see some old favorites sprinkled in, as well as some new faces. There were times that I wanted to slap both of them upside the head while screaming into my phone, but the way that Hazel Grace was able to elicit such feelings is a feat within itself. You see the dark, brooding and hard side of Emric, as well as the family oriented, caring and secretly soft side of Marty...only coming to realize that they're not separate - they're the same man. A man of depth and so much sexiness.

Stormi is the one you write off - too innocent, can't stand up for herself - but you come to find out she's so much more than that.

The two of them together are the perfect mix of torrential downpour and the calm after the storm. They're perfect together.

**side note that Marty, Bishop and Mills are all mine and I don't share.
Profile Image for Bookish.Sh0rtys.Blog Reviews.
221 reviews6 followers
August 29, 2020
OH-EMMMM-GEEE Overcast was one helluva wild ride!! My heart is still racing a mile a minute just writing this review. Hazel Grace delivered a deliciously dark, heart-pounding, action packed, romance. This story gripped my heart from the beginning and held on tight until the very end. I devoured this book, ate up every single word.

I just absolutely loved Stormi! She was honestly a breathe a fresh air. She was unique, a fighter, and possed a moral compass that I envy. But on the flip side, she has claws and is not afraid to use them.

Marty, oh this man. I went through a vast range of emotions reading his POVs. Sometimes I wanted to kill him, sometimes I wanted to hug him and never let go, then there were the times I wanted to climb him like a tree.

This is hands down Hazel at her very best! This story was full of twists and turns, bloodshed, steam for days, angst, the feels, all masterfully woven together to create the perfection that is this book.
Profile Image for AnotherRomanceReader.
261 reviews72 followers
August 22, 2022
Book Name/Series: Overcast (B723 #1)
Author: Hazel Grace
Standalone?: Can be read as a standalone, but includes characters from other books.

2.5 Stars

Summary of the Storyline: Stormi is the girl that everyone overlooks; she’s quiet, keeps to herself and is forgettable. However, things are different at home with the men her father associate with. She wishes he cared when they get too close and touch her against her will, but he never does. When she’s suddenly abducted from her home one night, her life gets a whole lot worse, and she doesn’t think she’ll make it out alive. No matter how many times she tells her kidnapper that she doesn’t know anything, he refuses to believe her.

Marty will do anything to find out who ordered the hit on his sister, so when he kidnaps the woman who tried to kill her, he’s ready to do whatever he needs to do to extract the information from her. But no matter what he does to her, she keeps insisting on her innocence. He gets more and more frustrated, and he hates that he’s attracted to her and fascinated by her.

My Opinion: I really wanted to like this book because I thought the premise sounded so interesting. I also really love a dark romance with damaged characters, and this fit the bill. While the first half was compelling and the characters were intriguing, the second half of this book went downhill for me. I had such a hard time getting into it and it took me a long time to get through it; I kept putting it down and then telling myself that I was too far in to quit.

One of my main issues with the second half was the way it was written; there were a lot of odd word choices and sentence structures, some of the dialogue sounded unrealistic and stilted and the internal dialogue got a bit repetitive. The pace also got a little slow at times.

This is just a personal preference, but it usually bothers me when a story contains sex/intimacy with other people after the main characters have met.

Hero: 2/5. I had a really hard time liking Marty/Emric. My dislike of him wasn’t because he tortured Stormi, but because of his actions afterwards. He was all over the place with what he wanted and ran so hot and cold all the time. I also didn’t initially feel that he cared all that much that had tortured and abused an innocent woman, and after a while he kept going from not caring and thinking of her as a problem, to feeling guilty and wanting her forgiveness. But he really didn’t try very hard to make it up to her. He was also a hypocrite: He was a jerk to her for a lot of the book. I liked his protectiveness of his sister though.
Heroine: 3/5. I wasn’t a big fan of Stormi either. She had really contradicting personality traits that just made her confusing. It also bothered me how little her getting tortured by Marty seemed to affect her. In my opinion, there was not enough focus on the consequences of Marty’s treatment of Stormi. One moment she’s terrified of him and is desperate to find a way to escape, and the next she’s jumping headfirst into sex with him. I did appreciate that she started talking back and sticking up for herself as the story progressed though.

POV: 1st person dual POV (Stormi and Marty).

Push/Pull:

Sadness: 1/5.

Explicit Sex and Heat Level: Yes. 4/5.

OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) Drama: Yes.

Separation:

Cheating: No. But only because they weren’t technically together.

Closure/Ending: HEA. I liked the ending.

Possible Triggers:
Profile Image for Mei.
88 reviews15 followers
September 14, 2020
This was my very first book of Hazel Grace and...

HOLY MOLY JESUS MOTHER OF ALL SAINTS BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT

I went a bit in the dark regarding the plot of this book so I didn't really knew what was going to happen but... THINGS GOT CRAZY.

"You wanna scream?” he taunts, pressing his hard chest into mine. “Feel free...it makes my dick hard.”

This book was a total rollercoast, first you get disgusted with such a start and then you are in pure shock because YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THE SUSPENSE WAS ON THE PERFECT POINT.

Marty, our overcast alpha man, this guy almost put me ballistic at him for all the fcked up shit he did to Stormi but my sick and twisted mind was loving every second. I wanted to murder him while rooting for their fcking happy ending.

“Why don’t you beg me with your eyes, sweetheart. I’m a fucking sucker for tears.”

And about Stormi? I was shitless scared for this girl life during the first part of the book but after all the craziness calmed down we saw and realized even tho what Marty did was twisted as hell... it was something Stormi needed, she needed some kinda of epiphany to wake her up and realize her life is more than that, she deserves and wants more than that. And I must say that's a wake up call we all need. Are we living our lives in the fullest? Is this sort of life what we really deserve and want?

Marty was sent to give me an epiphany of some sort, and I can’t imagine myself ever going back to what I used to be.

ALSO I DONT WANT TO GIVE SPOILERS BUT OH MY GOD IM STILL RECOVERING FROM THAT SCENE AT THE STRIP CLUP JESUS CHRIST THE GIRL HAD BALLS.

“Torture me, baby. This will be the best way you’ll ever get to do it.”

This may sound totally wrong but oh boy... Marty you could kidnap me anytime but just...keep the bucket and knife to yourself.

THE ENDING? YES IT WAS PERFECT, I WAS SMILE LIKE A TOTAL CRAZY PERSON WHILE READING MARTY LAST QUOTES BECAUSE HE DID WHAT WE ALL WANTED TO DO SINCE CHAP 1.

Hands down to Hazel Grace and this amazing book I CANT WAIT FOR MORE THIS IS DEF ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR

ARC provided for an honest review!
Profile Image for ⋆ ⁺ ˚ ✧ i am the Dracula, look into my eye.
33 reviews9 followers
October 7, 2020
I was sad to have to DNF this book. The first 30–40% would have been great under the hand of a more technically proficient writer. That being said, its shortcomings were easily overlooked given the fresh approach to a tired genre (it's my favorite, but good god has it been oversaturated with hacks and copycats). The slow pacing is appropriate for the subject matter, the characterization is clear and consistent, and the torture is sexy (at least, if you're the kind of person who has been recreationally waterboarded) without being pornographic. Overall, the first part of the book is engaging and enjoyable.

Unfortunately, the author was unable to maintain any of these qualities as the book progressed out of dark and into romance.

For one, there isn't enough time spent on the emotional repercussions of what happened after Emric realizes Stormi is innocent. A lack of meaningful interaction and introspection prevents the sudden transformation of these characters from being anything other than unbelievable. Instead, the reader is left to interpret how they are feeling by the way they act and react to each other, or the conjecture they have about one another.

One minute, Stormi is catatonic and desperate to leave, and a few short chapters later she has recovered enough to get drunk and initiate sexual advances towards her captor in a strip club. The morning after, she doesn't regret that they slept together (for reasons she can't explain, and neither can I), the L bomb is dropped, and thus commences a tedious cycle of push and pull.

Despite all of this, I would have finished the book if the writing had not devolved so thoroughly. I would be surprised if the author (or anyone else) gave the second half a single glance after it was written. While the beginning features frequent tense changes, grievous thesaurus abuse, and sentences that abruptly change intent halfway through, it's around 45% that we're plunged off the cliff of nonsensical reasoning, mismatched metaphors, and nouns being used as verbs.

The ideas are there, but Grace is in desperate need of an editor to tighten up the language and stop her from punching above her vocabular weight.
450 reviews64 followers
August 31, 2020
I love Hazel Grace’s writing. Just like Catfish and Bonafide, Overcast is a long book and is written so incredibly well.

I was no joke addicted from the first chapter. Marty was a huge mystery to me and when we met him in Wade and Reagan’s story, I was so incredibly intrigued by him. I wanted more!! And I’m so glad Hazel gave him to us because I LOVE HIM!!!!!! But I think I LOVE MILLS MORE!!!!!!!! And we saw no where near enough of him.

The subtle humor in this book was seriously a bonus. It’s such a serious storyline but then you get this unexpected humor from some of the characters and at times I nearly died laughing.

“Did I see you guys sharing a snack too” omg I laughed so hard it hurt. Marty was on a whole other level of possessiveness and absolute ridiculousness! Lol but I loved it

Overcast is a serious slow burner but everything is well worth the wait. Because once things heat up, they get steamy real quick! And I will tell you one thing... I will argue with Marty any day if that’s how it ends! You will know what I’m talking about when you read it.. holy hotness! That was just too much. I was burning up and constantly fanning myself reading that scene. Cold shower needed!

The emotions you feel while reading Overcast range from disgust, fear, hurt (omg the hurt... no joke, I felt my heart break in to a million pieces), ANGER!!!, frustration, happiness, sadness... ok let’s make cut this down as I’m just listing ever single emotion possible. YOU WILL FEEL EVERYTHING! Just when you are jumping for joy, your heart cracks in two.

Plenty of action and that ending left hearts in my eyes and a huge smile on my face! I cannot wait for the next book. Mills or Bishop? No matter which one, I am soooo excited!!!!

Profile Image for Varya.
768 reviews100 followers
November 17, 2020
"I’m not your villain that turns into the prince."
"They’re overrated anyway."


This book!!! Marty!!! Stormi!!! Mills!!!! Bishop!!!! Reagan!!!

Hazel , what did you do?! Oh my god, yes I know I am being a drama queen and screaming too much in my review but I really can't help it. This book was THAT awesome and deserves all of my drama.
The intensity and wit that Hazel created with her writing was something to behold and the storyline was like a grenade thrown into my emotions cuz they blew up. I was crying, laughing, raging and swooning. And I was definitely ready to kiss the whole B723 team.

First of all, I wanna talk about Marty. Damn, that guy defines alphahole. He was the cocky antihero but had all the skills to back up that arrogance. He was dark and he was dangerous but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I’m the movement in the shadows, baby. You just don’t like seeing the aftermath.”
I still don't know whether to slap him or jump his bones and I am sure Stormi, our fmc, feels the same way. But I'll claim him, bunker definitely included🔪😂

I’m a petty ass fuckhead that doesn’t do quick.
Not with torture.
Not with sex.

*Fans self*

Next is Stormi. While I was swooning over her pretty name, the girl took my heart and hid it so now only she knows where it is. She was a revelation. It was so beautiful to see how she grew from a mouse to a vixen till the end of the book. And the chemistry between her and Marty/Emric was 🔥

“My sins are rubbing all over you, sweetheart. And deep down—” I lick up the shell of her ear. “—I think you enjoy being overcasted by what lies deep inside me.”

“You talk too much,” she growls, propping her palms on the wall to steady herself against my thrusts.


The side characters and the banter that ensued with them had me grinning and laughing out loud. I love Mills so much too. He's such a cute and lethal playboy.

The book was magical and I fell in love with Hazel's writing style so this is definitely not my last book of hers.
Also, this book can use editing to make it just perfect, but I was able to overlook it cuz the story and Marty took hold of me.
Recommended 💯
Profile Image for oritty: books and i (tilayov).
1,283 reviews66 followers
September 11, 2020
The monster hiding in the shadows is real.
Overcast by Hazel Grace is the First book in the B723 series
this is the first of this writer's books i have read
i love dark stories' i love how they make me feel and think and doubt myself and i love not always being sure of how i feel about the characters!!
it is dark and twisty
He is the perfect anti-hero
he is broken, and mysterious and he has been through a lot to make him get to this point
stormi evolves a lot through the book
it is a slow burn an a roller coaster
Profile Image for AutumnRose.
52 reviews8 followers
February 12, 2021
Ummmm so bad

This book is torture. It’s obnoxiously bad. It’s not dark and than the author added corny commentary. I kept hoping the book would get better but it didn’t!
Profile Image for Carol.Dreamer.
210 reviews5 followers
December 2, 2020
A dark romance about a guy highly trained, with experience and expertise
that ended up putting an inocent woman through kidnapping and torture over a case of mistaken identity. This book was dark, disturbing, disgusting and irritating, but also hot and interesting. Sometimes even funny. Not for a moment I thought of putting it down and even with all the things I disliked about it, I think it still works. I liked most of the characters, found others mysterious and intriguing and quite frankly, I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

Some considerations:

》》》Spoler alert!《《《

• The h - Stormi was a woman with an honest, paying job that lived with her father in a place where his male friends constantly made sexual advances towards her and where she was sexually abused. It was a matter of time before she was raped and she didn't even tried to get out of that place. After, when she was a captive enduring interrogatory and torture, all she had to do, was to say to him something like this: - Wait! Stop trying to drown me. I didn't do what you are accusing me of but there's this olher woman that frequently is at my house, she's kinda looks like me and usually hang with this peace of shit, Hollis. Her name is Bianca and I think I know where she works. Maybe you could go check that out? - So, yeah, I found Stormi weak, idiotic and stupid but she was also sweet, loving and endearing and that's the reason why I couldn't truly dislike her.

• The H - Emric/Marty and his organization made such an atrocious mistake that literally scarred a woman for life. Her "luck" was that her tormentor was attracted to her, which in some level made him not do worse things to her but he did tortured her all the same and cut her face with a knife, leaving ler with a permanent, clear evidence of his brutality for all to see. He should include plastic surgery to remove all the scars left in her body when he gave her the compensation/new life package. And lots of therapy, of course. Even more so after everything he put Stormi through and she founded in her to forgive him and more than that, confess that she loved him, he tricked her and abandoned her in another town, explaining his reasoning in a letter, where he admits that he loves her at the same time that he ditches her. Annnnnd he f*cks her in this house that was supposed to be a get away for the weekend or something like that but actually was the place where she was expected to start over her new life. I mean, WTF???? How insensitive of him! Never heard of clean slate man? Have some compassion.

• The story itself - was like the author tried to overcompensate the hell she put her h through by the hands of the H, going on and on with his declarations of love in the final chapters. Even if they were inner monologues. Don't get me wrong, I love a good case of redeeming H, but in this case it felt a bit tiresome. And the final confrontation with the bad guys was stupid and weak at best: it was like the villain waited patiently for all the indecisions, declarations of love, statements of hate and bravado, not to mention the characters taking their time with internal monologues it was ridiculous. I could pin other things but this is what irritates me the most.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for vxhexn reads.
527 reviews170 followers
May 20, 2021
Wow! If it weren't for that AMAZING cover I wouldn't have stopped to read this books blurb. I've never read anything from Hazel Grace and now I'm hooked. I'm already anxious to read the next installment of this series

This book doesn't skip a beat. From the first few pages you are thrust into a world where anything that can go wrong...will go wrong...for Stormi. I went through all the emotions while reading from her POV. I went from feeling sorry for the girl to thinking she was guilty. Then I was shocked with the why of everything Stormi had to experience. Even with the damages that've been done over the years she remains a breathtaking beauty with an innocent bookwork vibe.

Then we have Emric (Marty) the monster that hides in the shadows and would probably be a serial killer if killing wasn't his job.

"No assignment has given me a hard dck or the urge to lick the column of someone’s neck. Scratch that, I want to bite into it and listen to her scream, moan, cry—fvck, any sound she makes seems to get a reaction out of me."
and Stormi's on the exact same page
"I'm an idiot, and I started to fall for the man who made my life a living hell."

Witnessing these two fall in love is tumultuous and heartbreaking. There's two parts towards the end of the book that will bring out all the feels, have some tissues ready for them.

The sex between these two is deliciously scandalous. That scene in the strip club where Emric gets all Alphahole possessive and rips things is --HOT-- Then there's that hallway sex after Emric's killed someone in his bunker.
"You fvcked me against a wall with blood on your chest"
The need those two have for each other...oh my.

The main reason these event's unfold in the first place is because someone tried to assassinate Reagan Lockwood, Marty's sister, for the second time. I didn't read the Illusive Duet but now know that this is where the love story for Reagan and Wade Lockwood started. The whodunit mystery has twists and turns. When you think you have it figured out it pivots. I did not see the ending coming but maybe someone who read the duet will, since they know more history on the Lockwood's.

I can't wait to meet Bishop - yes, please give me more - and the rest of B723 up close and personal.
Profile Image for Katie Silvi .
483 reviews22 followers
September 15, 2020
This review is soo hard for me to write. Not because the book was bad, but because I'm so in love with it, that I cant think of how to compose it.

Grace literally blew me away with this dark and suspenseful, amazing book. She gave me goosebumps, kept my mind reeling, and kept me turning those pages.

Overcast is a must read, dont miss, I'll yell at you for life, read.
Profile Image for Nessa.
3,939 reviews74 followers
November 28, 2021
THIS STARTED OFF FUCKED UP, BUT IT'S ALSO NOT THE WORST I'VE EVER READ. IF YOU ENJOY A LITTLE DARK, A LITTLE ANGSTY, AND WITH LOUD CHARACTERS WHO ARE BENT ON DESTROYING PEOPLE, THEN THIS IS YOUR SERIES. And yes, this can be read as a standalone.

EMRIC/MARTY was once a Russian boy who came to America to kill the man responsible for annihilating his entire village, only to be adopted by that dead man's wife and daughter. Eventually, he comes to love them as his own family and he doesn't take kindly to anyone threatening his loved ones. The story started off fucked up in the sense that :

1. I didn't know what the hell was going on when the heroine was kidnapped. Like who were these guys?
2. The heroine was getting finger fucked/raped by her father's shady friend

EMRIC started off as a very mad monster. He's pissed and he's vengeful, and he won't take STORMI'S answer as THE answer. He only wants to hear what he wants, and he's not above hurting her or sticking a knife through her gut. Let's just say their first meeting was VERY, VERY ROUGH and it's no wonder she's fearful around him AFTER they cleared up their misunderstanding. So, what's Emric really doing?

His sister was nearly killed but, they don't know who is after her life. Leads and clues brings Emric to STORMI'S doorstep or rather her father's and the entire gang kidnaps her family. After torturing Stormi for days, Emric's sister pinpoints that it wasn't Stormi who was part of her kidnapping. OH, YOU'RE FUCKED NOW, EMRIC! Knowing he screwed up big time, Emric does a 180 and changes into the alpha-protective-possessive male. Worry not, our heroine's not dumb. There's no way she's going to trust a man who tortured and beat the crap out of her that easily even if there's attraction brewing between them.

STORMI was a veritable mouse in the beginning. I was annoyed when the author kept writing in lines where SHE COULD HAVE VERBALLY DEFENDED HERSELF!!! BUT NO....Emric had to keep cutting her off and Stormi couldn't have spoken to save her life. She kept fucking stuttering! Do I believe the change in her character later? Not really...I mean can a girl really own up to become ballsy in a matter of days when she's a scaredy-cat all her life? UN-FUCKING-LIKELY. But who cares? It makes for better read because if Stormi was going to be timid the whole way, I might have chucked the story. Anyways, she braved through her torture and perhaps finally had enough to have the guts to stab Emric and try to escape, only to find her way to his sister's home. THIS STORY WAS LONG (500+ pages), I KID YOU NOT, so while I was wondering how the fuck they were going to break the ice around their awkwardness, the author proved me wrong and did a good job of 'building' some sort of trust and the growing attraction between the two. Was it fucked up? Maybe, but it was definitely HOT.

OVERALL this was a hot ass story featuring a crazy, nearly AWOL hero who later redeems himself AS MUCH AS HE COULD, and a heroine who started off a mouse and later grew into herself. Oh, and it has side characters (who will have their own stories) that will also grow on you. I PERSONALLY CANNOT WAIT FOR BISHOP'S STORY! While I know he and Emmy has a thing-thing...I'm still not sure if I'm wholly team Emmy yet from what I've read of her in this book. Nothing to write home about....YET.
Profile Image for Atlanta Whitlock.
907 reviews12 followers
May 12, 2021
I just love Hazel Grace’s writing and it’s honestly been a while since I last picked up one of her books, so when I discovered that she had written a book for Reagan’s brother Marty, I was thrilled because back in The Illusive Duet when you see Reagan talking to or about her brother you get to see a dark brooding side to him… He doesn’t exactly give much away and your heart kind of breaks for him because he deserves to have someone in his life who makes him happy. We do get to know little bits of his life from when he was younger and it just breaks your heart because no child should have to suffer losing their family.
I honestly love what Hazel has done and how she has written Marty’s story, you see so much potential behind him and whilst some of the things he does aren’t exactly conventional, he does it because he wants to make the world a better place.
I swear after it being a while since I last read Hazel’s work, it seems that she has grown so much with it, it’s not like she needed to improve or anything because her writing was phenomenal in the first place, but you can just see the passion that she has for writing pour through every single word that was written.
I loved where this story went, it also shows you that not everyone is guilty as soon as you set your sights on them, and that you should always make sure to do your research because otherwise things can go upside down and you won’t even realise what’s happening.
There was nothing I could fault, I just loved everything about it, plus I loved how strong of a character Stormi was, no matter what she went through she was able to keep being strong and not let anything break her. It’s clear she had been through a lot before she even meets Marty, but still she ends up growing a hell of a lot in this book and I think that Hazel really did justice with both their characters.
I honestly can’t wait to read the next book in the series, because if this book is anything to go by, I reckon that it’ll be just as incredible as this one.
I would recommend that you give this book a try because Hazel is just super talented and an amazing writer.

Stormi does her best to hide away in the shadows, but when she’s home and leaves the confides of her own room she knows that trouble is about to brew…. However, what starts off as one of the normal nights of her trying to keep away from her fathers friends and fails to do so because they’re a lot more stronger than her and they’ll do anything they can to have their way with her or to get their fantasies, turns into everything she’s ever known being gone in an instant. She’s jerked from her own house and is taken captive by someone and she has no idea what she’s done.
Even though she claims she’s innocent, her captor doesn’t believe a word that she says, for some reason he’s dead set on her being the person who tried to murder his sister. But he’s not willing to give her that information because she’ll most likely use it as a weakness against him.
With Stormi not being able to give him the information he wants, will he end up disposing of her or will he find a way to try and get her to talk. Or will he actually start to see that maybe Stormi is actually innocent in all of this???
Profile Image for Brittney Carvalho-Whalen.
103 reviews
September 1, 2020
I’ve been waiting for this book for what seemed like forever! The reason being because it’s suppose to be the beginning of a darker romance compared to her previous books. I had already felt her stories and writing already had a darker edge to them but seeing her fully embrace it and push herself to write Marty’s story is everything! Overcast is a spin off of her previous duet of Catfish and Bonafide diving into Reagan’s brother Marty and his life with the secret group of B723. You do not need to read the previous stories but those characters do pop in throughout this book and I personally loved having that backstory. Let me say this..... this book baby is long! Stormi is the complete opposite of Marty and there’s this push and pull between the two that’s pure fire. She pushes him without knowledge and what I loved about her the most is the fact that throughout the story we watch her grow confident in herself despite her journey. She realizes she can be a victim of her circumstances or a survivor that can bring even her own personal monster to his knees. Ugh just thinking of this book makes me miss these characters already. It’s a bumpy ride with these two but its worth it in the end I promise.
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
September 6, 2020
WHAT IN THE ABSOLUTE HELL DID I JUST READ?!  I'm a very dark & twisty kind of girl, and I even paused at some of the pure darkness in this story.  Not saying that I didn't love it, just saying be warned.  From the jump, Stormi has already lived quite the nightmare, but it gets worse in living color.  See, there's a guy named Marty, who believes that she did something to his family, and now he's going to torture the details of who Stormi works for.  I'm not talking about her being locked in a room by herself, but so many terrible things to get her to talk, which she didn't.  I found myself almost looking away because it's that intense.  This is only the beginning of the book, but there's so much more going on, and I found myself on the edge of my seat cover to cover since there was nothing in the world that could get me to put Overcast down.  The twists alone are worth so much more than 5 stars, as I dropped so many loud f-bombs that I actually found myself hoarse by the end. I'm very excited for this series and seriously crave more desperately.  So, I'll end this review by HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDING TO THOSE BRAVE ENOUGH!  
Profile Image for Heartofhomesteadreads.
281 reviews10 followers
August 31, 2020
This is the first book I have read by Hazel Grace and it did not disappoint. As soon as you start this story you are thrown into a world of intense themes and emotions. These two characters are volatile which leads to one hell of an attraction.

Stormi, an innocent girl being violated by her dad's friend, is just trying to get through life. Then comes Marty/Emeric who turns her life upside down and kidnaps her thinking she was the one that attempted to kill his sister. Pent up sexual tension and the push to find the truth, these two won’t give up on the struggle of attraction between the two of them.

Truths come to life and other player’s enter the scene. Can Marty do what’s right and save what is his?

This book is a long one. The only thing I wish is that it was broken into two books.

**There are some scenes that may be triggering for others.**
Profile Image for Nada Ghloom.
18 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2020

This book had me gripped from page 1! I could not sleep; I was up all night till 9 am cause I Couldn't put it down and sleep was the last thing on my radar! Now I’m a walking living morning zombie thank god it was my off day and I want to kill Marty than the author she is a master at making you hate the character and then somehow loving them in the end that really unfair hazel you not playing fairly but girl who the F##k care I just love what you right more than my Favorite OCN Series and Marty oh Marty the monster Alpha Marty, this guy almost put me ballistic at him for all the F**kd up shit he did to our Stormi but my twisted sick mind was shockingly loving every second I just love that psych. I wanted to murder him while rooting for their F**k happy ending. Damn what a wild ride I had

I I can give 5 trillion stars I will definitely give it without a second though
Profile Image for Sarah Leather.
461 reviews
February 12, 2021
When I read the first chapter of this book I was like 'woah this is going to be great', it really pulled me in.

I liked the fact that Marty actually tortured Stormi instead of just threatening to do so, but at the same time I was wondering when he would actually realise she was innocent, he just wouldn't listen. I found Marty's chapters at the beginning of the book quite repetitive with him constantly explaining about his sister being his whole world etc. I ended up skim reading these parts just to get past them, once he realised he had the wrong person though it stopped which was great. I didn't like the wandering minds during the steamy scenes, it took away from the passion.

I loved the bonus chapter at the end of the book about Hollis. I would read book 2, I wonder if it will be about Bishop as we are left not knowing what's going on with him.
Profile Image for Melissa Gloria - Meli’s Books and Coffee.
1,173 reviews28 followers
September 8, 2020
Hazel Grace has brought to life another set of amazing characters. Marty intrigued me after reading Bona Fide and Catfish. I loved him as the protective older brother of Reagan who would stop at nothing to help his family. When he discovers his sister in danger he will stop at nothing to eliminate the threat, but when he mistakenly grabs the wrong person his life is thrown for a loop. Stormi is a sweet naive girl who tries to stay invisible to avoid her father and his friends. She wasn't prepared to be kidnapped and the force that Emric "Marty" is. I loved reading how these started off one with fear, one filled with hate but they both couldn't deny the fire chemistry that electrified with each touch and look. I'm dying for more in this series!
Profile Image for Hayley-Louise.
8 reviews
February 14, 2021
I did enjoy it, I loved how emric and stormis relationship bloomed and I felt like the characters had great personalities. I loved the way emric calls her sweetheart all the time, I love the way stormi bloomed into this sassy confident woman. I do wish there was a little more steamy sex scenes but I don't think it's ruined the book for me, and although I wanted more roughness during the sex but I understood that I don't think emric could be that rough with her again. I also didn't like the overuse of the word 'deadpan'. I loved the added ending about hollis it was definitely needed to finish off the story on a high note and I'd definitely read more of hazels books especially the ones involving b723
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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