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Love/Hate #3
Despise at First Sight
Adrian Maguire is a scumbag. Scourge of the earth. A dirty, corrupt, unscrupulous politician.
He’s the man who tried to ruin my sister’s life.
Hate, hate, hate.
You know what I despise more than Adrian?
The fact that I have no choice but to take his case. Otherwise, I’ll lose my job.
I didn’t spend years in law school to defend people like him.
So, when he strolls into my office, I’m not prepared for his presence to suck the air out of my lungs.
When his touch sends sparks flying across my skin, not ready for my heart to skip a beat.
My traitorous body burns for him, even though my mind screams at me to stop.
But I can’t.
I see another side of Adrian that he’s hidden away from everyone—even himself.
The more time I spend with him, the more I realize I was wrong.
Wrong to judge him, wrong to hate him, wrong to push him away.
But when secrets are exposed, there’s more than just my career on the line.
Adrian could destroy everything...including my fragile heart.
Note: Despise at First Sight was previously titled Ruined.
He’s the man who tried to ruin my sister’s life.
Hate, hate, hate.
You know what I despise more than Adrian?
The fact that I have no choice but to take his case. Otherwise, I’ll lose my job.
I didn’t spend years in law school to defend people like him.
So, when he strolls into my office, I’m not prepared for his presence to suck the air out of my lungs.
When his touch sends sparks flying across my skin, not ready for my heart to skip a beat.
My traitorous body burns for him, even though my mind screams at me to stop.
But I can’t.
I see another side of Adrian that he’s hidden away from everyone—even himself.
The more time I spend with him, the more I realize I was wrong.
Wrong to judge him, wrong to hate him, wrong to push him away.
But when secrets are exposed, there’s more than just my career on the line.
Adrian could destroy everything...including my fragile heart.
Note: Despise at First Sight was previously titled Ruined.
250 pages, ebook
Published November 22, 2019
233 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Lilian Monroe
85 books1,438 followersLilian Monroe lives in a luxurious jungle treehouse surrounded by lush greenery, with an army of scantily-clad men with rippling abdominal muscles ready to attend to her every need.
No, wait. That's not true.
Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.
Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.
Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—
I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.
How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.
She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).
No, wait. That's not true.
Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.
Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.
Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—
I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.
How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.
She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 2, 2019
This is the second book that I have read from Lilian Monroe and I really enjoyed this book. It is the story of Stella and Adrian who are the siblings of Ashley and Liam from Corrupt. It was an enemies to lovers book and it was easy to side with Stella when you start this book because of how Adrian was to his brother and her sister in Corrupt. It was nice to see him grow in this story and prove that he is a good person. Will it be enough to get his HEA? You are going to have to read it to find out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 5, 2019
Ruined: An Enemy to Lovers Romance, Confession Series, Book 3 by Lilian Monroe
Stella King is a contract lawyer at a prestigious law firm. She has just been given what could be the biggest case of her career, but she would rather spit nails.
Adrian Maguire is the youngest Mayor in Denver history. He could also be going to jail for a long time for handing out construction contracts in exchange for campaign contributions.
Stella has just been told that she must help represent the Mayor of Denver. The same man that threatened to reveal her sisters’ darkest secrets and had her fired from her job to protect himself. Adrian knows he was wrong, but he wants to fight for what he worked so hard to accomplish, Mayor. As Mayor he did do some things right, but the media is a fickle bitch. Stella doesn’t know how she is going to tell her sister about having to represent Adrian. Stella tries to get her boss to take her off the case stating conflict of interest but to no avail. She has a feeling that this case will take everything out of her, including her soul. Adrian doesn’t know if he is just attracted to Stella or if it’s the fact that she hates him so much, either way he needs her. He needs her to save him from jail, but he also needs her to save him from himself.
Oh, my gawd I was worried that Adrian wouldn’t be able to come back from Book two, Corrupt. I mean how can you make Adrian into a good person. I shouldn’t have worried at all! You saw Adrian at his worst in Corrupt but in this book, you see him humbled. He wants to tell his brother that he is truly sorry and that he misses him. He wants to be a part of their lives. The road to Mayor is paved with regrets and in the end, he has nothing to show for it but being lonely and losing everything. It truly humbles him. He finally sees what it worth fighting for. Stella has always put her sister first before herself. When she finally tries to make herself happy, she has such guilt. She feels like she must hurt one to have to the other, but Adrian sacrifices himself to make her happy. How can you hate him after that?
Stella King is a contract lawyer at a prestigious law firm. She has just been given what could be the biggest case of her career, but she would rather spit nails.
Adrian Maguire is the youngest Mayor in Denver history. He could also be going to jail for a long time for handing out construction contracts in exchange for campaign contributions.
Stella has just been told that she must help represent the Mayor of Denver. The same man that threatened to reveal her sisters’ darkest secrets and had her fired from her job to protect himself. Adrian knows he was wrong, but he wants to fight for what he worked so hard to accomplish, Mayor. As Mayor he did do some things right, but the media is a fickle bitch. Stella doesn’t know how she is going to tell her sister about having to represent Adrian. Stella tries to get her boss to take her off the case stating conflict of interest but to no avail. She has a feeling that this case will take everything out of her, including her soul. Adrian doesn’t know if he is just attracted to Stella or if it’s the fact that she hates him so much, either way he needs her. He needs her to save him from jail, but he also needs her to save him from himself.
Oh, my gawd I was worried that Adrian wouldn’t be able to come back from Book two, Corrupt. I mean how can you make Adrian into a good person. I shouldn’t have worried at all! You saw Adrian at his worst in Corrupt but in this book, you see him humbled. He wants to tell his brother that he is truly sorry and that he misses him. He wants to be a part of their lives. The road to Mayor is paved with regrets and in the end, he has nothing to show for it but being lonely and losing everything. It truly humbles him. He finally sees what it worth fighting for. Stella has always put her sister first before herself. When she finally tries to make herself happy, she has such guilt. She feels like she must hurt one to have to the other, but Adrian sacrifices himself to make her happy. How can you hate him after that?
June 1, 2019
Sleeping With The Enemy
A great last book in the Confessions Series, for me the best of the series. This perfect read was full of betrayal, bribery, jealousy, family hate! Lies, secrets and corruption! A thrilling suspense from Lilian Monroe who writes romantic suspense so well!!
Stella King and her sister Ashley are caught up in this magnificent suspense with Ashley’s brother in-law Adrian Maguire who is the Mayor, who is also caught up in a corruption deal around a construction company! Stella a lawyer, has been asked by her boss to take on the defence case for the corrupt Adrian who she hates with a passion. Can Stella cite a Conflict of Interest? Adrian’s dreams of making Governor and eventually the White House is now totally ruined! Will Adrian’s brother Liam betray him too? Will Stella be able to explain to her sister that she is defending the case? I actually felt so sorry for Adrian at one point with his lonely, Billy no mates with no one to talk to, but hey life is what you make it! Can Stella stay professional in her empathy with Mr Good looking too as his loneliness pulls at her heart strings too? Jail is just around the corner for Adrian and he must resign! Will Stella also become as lonely as him if she takes the case and loses her only family and best friend too? Can she take the case and ruin everything she has ever worked for and loved? A highly recommended book with lots of twist and turns.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy
A great last book in the Confessions Series, for me the best of the series. This perfect read was full of betrayal, bribery, jealousy, family hate! Lies, secrets and corruption! A thrilling suspense from Lilian Monroe who writes romantic suspense so well!!
Stella King and her sister Ashley are caught up in this magnificent suspense with Ashley’s brother in-law Adrian Maguire who is the Mayor, who is also caught up in a corruption deal around a construction company! Stella a lawyer, has been asked by her boss to take on the defence case for the corrupt Adrian who she hates with a passion. Can Stella cite a Conflict of Interest? Adrian’s dreams of making Governor and eventually the White House is now totally ruined! Will Adrian’s brother Liam betray him too? Will Stella be able to explain to her sister that she is defending the case? I actually felt so sorry for Adrian at one point with his lonely, Billy no mates with no one to talk to, but hey life is what you make it! Can Stella stay professional in her empathy with Mr Good looking too as his loneliness pulls at her heart strings too? Jail is just around the corner for Adrian and he must resign! Will Stella also become as lonely as him if she takes the case and loses her only family and best friend too? Can she take the case and ruin everything she has ever worked for and loved? A highly recommended book with lots of twist and turns.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy
May 30, 2019
I must be honest and say I was very apprehensive about reading this book! Having loved Corrupt (Book2), which is Liam and Ashley’s story, I then realised who the hero was in Ruined. Loud scream! With Adrian having been a complete monster to Ashley and his own brother, I was not sure how or if it was possible for him to ever redeem himself after his actions in Book 2. Ooh I’m so glad I ignored my dislike, although my lip curled at ever smirk and smarmy comment he made early on in the book! But like with many Enemies to Lovers, I found my perception changing......Enter Stella, who we also met in Book 2. She is a kick-ass lawyer, and Ashley’s sister....she is not one to take any rubbish. Has Adrian met his match (that’s where I end this!).....I finished reading this at 4:30am! In true Lilian Monroe style I found myself caught me up in a world of corruption, betrayal, redemption and forgiveness.....don’t miss out on this!
June 2, 2019
I was certain that author Lilian Monroe, had her hands full, with this third book, in the Confession Series, "Ruined." See, if you've been following along with the first two books in the series, ( if you haven't, GO... quick, READ!) you would know that the romantic hero, Adrian Maguire, has given ALL of us, plenty of reasons, to not like him - PLENTY! So, you must remember our romantic heroine, Stella King. She's a feisty lawyer, who knows her stuff. Stella's been asked to defend a man, (Adrian) who she... kind of hates. Doing so, really rattles her, and could ruin her life. Just as methodically as Stella builds her case, the walls between her and Adrian, also come crumbling down. Surprising twists and amazing turns. Fast-paced with mystery, suspense, drama, plenty of heat, sizzle, and romance. A thrilling read and a great conclusion, to an exciting series. I received this book as an ARC from the author, and I volunteered this review.
January 29, 2020
May have spoilers. I didn’t complete the book.
This should have been called Ashley’s bitter revenge.
I understand not liking a person, and having animosity, but she had a HEA (supposedly) and still holding a grudge big enough to wish someone to prison. Because he aimed to do this and that.... ummm hello you got the man, you have the marriage and baby on the way. Why you mad tho? Sorry I’m not a fan of people doing things out of spite just to have regrets later. Where’s the growth?
I was not a fan of book one (reviewed), I said ok better in book two (didn’t review) but this also had me shaking my head. I didn’t finish it.
This should have been called Ashley’s bitter revenge.
I understand not liking a person, and having animosity, but she had a HEA (supposedly) and still holding a grudge big enough to wish someone to prison. Because he aimed to do this and that.... ummm hello you got the man, you have the marriage and baby on the way. Why you mad tho? Sorry I’m not a fan of people doing things out of spite just to have regrets later. Where’s the growth?
I was not a fan of book one (reviewed), I said ok better in book two (didn’t review) but this also had me shaking my head. I didn’t finish it.
June 4, 2019
An amazing easy to follow enemies to lovers story that is smooth flowing and fast paced. This engaging storyline includes lies, truths, consequences, and forgiveness as you feel the push and pull coming from both characters. I was addicted from beginning to end with the sizzling hot chemistry and the insight from each characters mind as I felt like I was on a rollercoaster. A truly must read. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC.
July 16, 2023
disappointing
As with many novels written by her… there were timeline inconsistencies. But also it seems like she completely changed Ashley’s personality. It would never have even made sense for Ashley to leak documents because she can’t guarantee that Adrian wouldn’t reveal her secrets in retaliation. It was very ridiculous. Not to mention she didn’t really build a relationship with Adrian or Stella. Just went from hating to banging.
As with many novels written by her… there were timeline inconsistencies. But also it seems like she completely changed Ashley’s personality. It would never have even made sense for Ashley to leak documents because she can’t guarantee that Adrian wouldn’t reveal her secrets in retaliation. It was very ridiculous. Not to mention she didn’t really build a relationship with Adrian or Stella. Just went from hating to banging.
May 31, 2019
I received an arc for an honest review. I loved this series. Ms. Monroe writes characters that are flawed, but with redeeming qualities. Adrian and Stella have been through a lot and with this last book, you will read straight thru to find out how everything turns out. I highly recommend this series.
June 1, 2019
Truly an enemies to lovers book. After reading Corrupt, I wasn’t sure Adrian had any redeeming qualities. The journey from corrupt politician to redemption is quite the trip. Stella and Adrian have explosive chemistry, but overcoming all the obstacles in their way to their HEA is difficult.
I highly recommend you take the ride with them!
I highly recommend you take the ride with them!
June 2, 2019
I loved Stella and Liam's story.. This story is fast paced and once you start you will not be able to put it down. It's an enemies to lovers story that is full of push and pull from both characters. And the chemistry is off the charts. Worth the time to read
I received and arc for an honest review.
I received and arc for an honest review.
April 24, 2022
Change
I was not happy with Ashley in this book, especially knowing her own crime of killing her husband even if it was self defense. When you have skeletons in your closet, you don’t mess with other people’s skeletons because yours could come back to bite you. Enjoyed it otherwise.
I was not happy with Ashley in this book, especially knowing her own crime of killing her husband even if it was self defense. When you have skeletons in your closet, you don’t mess with other people’s skeletons because yours could come back to bite you. Enjoyed it otherwise.
April 6, 2023
Adrian & Stella
I rounded up to 4. I was truly disappointed in Ashley in this book. If Adrian was truly the monster she portrayed him to be he would have turned her in and let her fry. Stella saw the real Adrian and stood by him when it counted.
I rounded up to 4. I was truly disappointed in Ashley in this book. If Adrian was truly the monster she portrayed him to be he would have turned her in and let her fry. Stella saw the real Adrian and stood by him when it counted.
May 31, 2019
I was not sure I was going to enjoy this one. The synopsis kind of made me uneasy. However, it was very well done. It did not end how I thought it would. I definitely recommend.
June 16, 2019
I always love to hear the villain's side of the story.
When we were first introduced to Adrian in Corrupt, he was the cold slimy ambitious politician that would stop at nothing to climb that political ladder - even if it meant using his brother and ruining his reputation and relationship. He was definitely the 'villian.' But in his own story we get to see his side of life. It takes possibly losing everything he's worked for to realize he's not really living the life he wants to live. Ruined is the story of redemption, owning up to your discretions, making things right for yourself and everyone around you, and ultimately, learning to give and receive forgiveness.
It's a good read!
When we were first introduced to Adrian in Corrupt, he was the cold slimy ambitious politician that would stop at nothing to climb that political ladder - even if it meant using his brother and ruining his reputation and relationship. He was definitely the 'villian.' But in his own story we get to see his side of life. It takes possibly losing everything he's worked for to realize he's not really living the life he wants to live. Ruined is the story of redemption, owning up to your discretions, making things right for yourself and everyone around you, and ultimately, learning to give and receive forgiveness.
It's a good read!
June 25, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. And I am looking forward to reading what’s going to happen next.
January 19, 2020
I have Absolutely Loved the Confession Series, really enjoyed all the books, I Absolutely Love all of Lilian Monroe's B👀ks ❤📖😁
February 19, 2023
My least favorite of the series…..liked Stella in the first two books but wasn’t crazy about her in this one….probably because I didn’t like Adrian at all…
April 30, 2024
sisters and brothers
What a Wrap up! Second chances all around! Sisters brothers and friends. Just wish it would have had the whole family make up in a more wrapped up Way
What a Wrap up! Second chances all around! Sisters brothers and friends. Just wish it would have had the whole family make up in a more wrapped up Way
December 30, 2021
3.5 good and intense plot. Heavy but very good closure. Guy was the dumbest hero I’ve ever read and made me question if he deserved this redemption.
Love Stella, but I’m kinda annoyed at her sister at the end. Like, Stella was always there for her but one mishap and bam! Straight to the police. Bit shitty for the sisterhood but I get it.
Love Stella, but I’m kinda annoyed at her sister at the end. Like, Stella was always there for her but one mishap and bam! Straight to the police. Bit shitty for the sisterhood but I get it.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews