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Seduced by the Billionaire #1
The Billionaire's Revenge
Revenge is sweet...
Self-made billionaire Alex Damon wants his pound of flesh from the people who ripped his family apart. When he discovers his enemies' daughter is working at his company -- and most likely spying for them--he decides to start his revenge by seducing her.
Natalie Hall is stunned at the personal interest from the CEO of her company. Vulnerable, with an already bruised heart, she wants to avoid any involvement--but she can't deny the desire he arouses in her... but passion is sweeter...
What should've been a straightforward eye-for-an-eye starts to unravel as Natalie's unflinching loyalty and kindness begin to thaw Alex's cold intent. But caring for her is unthinkable... since he plans to use everything in his power to ruin her family and everyone else she holds dear.
Self-made billionaire Alex Damon wants his pound of flesh from the people who ripped his family apart. When he discovers his enemies' daughter is working at his company -- and most likely spying for them--he decides to start his revenge by seducing her.
Natalie Hall is stunned at the personal interest from the CEO of her company. Vulnerable, with an already bruised heart, she wants to avoid any involvement--but she can't deny the desire he arouses in her... but passion is sweeter...
What should've been a straightforward eye-for-an-eye starts to unravel as Natalie's unflinching loyalty and kindness begin to thaw Alex's cold intent. But caring for her is unthinkable... since he plans to use everything in his power to ruin her family and everyone else she holds dear.
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2011
2170 people are currently reading
4091 people want to read
About the author
Nadia Lee
75 books2,813 followersBilingual former management consultant Nadia Lee has lived in four different countries and enjoyed many adventures and excellent food around the globe. In the last eight years, she has kissed stingrays, got bitten by a shark, and petted tigers.
She shares an apartment overlooking a river and palm trees in Japan with her husband, winter white hamsters and an ever-widening pile of books. When she's not writing, she can be found digging through old Asian historical texts or planning another trip.
Visit Nadia on her website or her blog. You can also say hello on Facebook or Twitter.
She shares an apartment overlooking a river and palm trees in Japan with her husband, winter white hamsters and an ever-widening pile of books. When she's not writing, she can be found digging through old Asian historical texts or planning another trip.
Visit Nadia on her website or her blog. You can also say hello on Facebook or Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
September 9, 2016
3.75/5
Nice grovel book!
This was my first read from Nadia Lee so I really had no idea what to expect. I picked it up because the book’s blurb sounded promising enough for me to give it a try, pretty much like my sort of thing, and well, it didn't disappoint me. I enjoyed reading this one for the most part. The plot moved along at a cracking pace and it was very well-written enough to hold my interest for almost the entire story.
Alex Damon found out that Natalie Hall, his employee, was adopted by the senator and his wife who gave his enemies political support many times. He wanted revenge on Emily Rodale, a woman who tore his family apart years ago. And the fact that Emily is Natalie's Godmother made his plan to ruin the Rodales and everyone involved sound perfect. Alex intended to use Natalie as a mere pawn in his plan and he would start his revenge by seducing her.
But the more time they spent in each other’s company, the more intense their feelings for one another grew. Even though Alex wanted nothing more than to make Natalie happy, hatred and vengeance against his foes still filled his heart. How could he trust her? How could he be certain that she would never betray him?
Alex simply caught my heart with his protectiveness and possessiveness toward Natalie. The way he cared about her hit the right note for me. I know he isn’t a perfect hero. He made some terrible mistakes which I got so angry on behalf of her, but damn, this man did grovel! He tried to win her back and never gave up on her so how could I ask for more?
I got exactly what I wanted from this book: a good drama, pleasant groveling, and an impressive ending. Then why not 5 stars?
There was only one thing or I should say one person in this story that ticked me off—it was Natalie. While Alex utterly made my day, Natalie, on the other hand, annoyed the hell out of me. Not in the first half of the book, but in the second one when she didn't tell him the truth about what Emily and Charlie wanted from her. She accused him of lying about his intention of making a move on her and it was hurtful for her that he didn't trust her. Of course, he did all those things and I understand that it was not that easy to forgive him.
BUT somehow I just couldn’t ignore the fact that she kept a secret from him too. I think that was ironic and somewhat hypocritical. It became apparent that she wasn't better than him and I think she owed him an apology as well. If she was just straightforward with him in the first place, I guess things might turn out differently.
However, this was my enjoyable read. It was sweet, lovely, sexy, and emotional. I will definitely read more from this author.
Nice grovel book!
This was my first read from Nadia Lee so I really had no idea what to expect. I picked it up because the book’s blurb sounded promising enough for me to give it a try, pretty much like my sort of thing, and well, it didn't disappoint me. I enjoyed reading this one for the most part. The plot moved along at a cracking pace and it was very well-written enough to hold my interest for almost the entire story.
Alex Damon found out that Natalie Hall, his employee, was adopted by the senator and his wife who gave his enemies political support many times. He wanted revenge on Emily Rodale, a woman who tore his family apart years ago. And the fact that Emily is Natalie's Godmother made his plan to ruin the Rodales and everyone involved sound perfect. Alex intended to use Natalie as a mere pawn in his plan and he would start his revenge by seducing her.
But the more time they spent in each other’s company, the more intense their feelings for one another grew. Even though Alex wanted nothing more than to make Natalie happy, hatred and vengeance against his foes still filled his heart. How could he trust her? How could he be certain that she would never betray him?
Alex simply caught my heart with his protectiveness and possessiveness toward Natalie. The way he cared about her hit the right note for me. I know he isn’t a perfect hero. He made some terrible mistakes which I got so angry on behalf of her, but damn, this man did grovel! He tried to win her back and never gave up on her so how could I ask for more?
I got exactly what I wanted from this book: a good drama, pleasant groveling, and an impressive ending. Then why not 5 stars?
There was only one thing or I should say one person in this story that ticked me off—it was Natalie. While Alex utterly made my day, Natalie, on the other hand, annoyed the hell out of me. Not in the first half of the book, but in the second one when she didn't tell him the truth about what Emily and Charlie wanted from her. She accused him of lying about his intention of making a move on her and it was hurtful for her that he didn't trust her. Of course, he did all those things and I understand that it was not that easy to forgive him.
BUT somehow I just couldn’t ignore the fact that she kept a secret from him too. I think that was ironic and somewhat hypocritical. It became apparent that she wasn't better than him and I think she owed him an apology as well. If she was just straightforward with him in the first place, I guess things might turn out differently.
However, this was my enjoyable read. It was sweet, lovely, sexy, and emotional. I will definitely read more from this author.
Read
April 11, 2015made it 38% on this one and I just can't do it. I don't know and I don't care.
February 18, 2015
This was a pretty nice read for a freebie. The hero starts up a relationship with the heroine in order to get his revenge on her god mother. The story was good and the relationship between the two of the nice but I never really understood why he needed the heroine for his revenge. There was also an element of the hero suspecting the heroine of corporate espionage. The two plot element sort of warred with each other and I thing the story would have been stronger had the author chosen one or the other. The hero groveled pretty well at the end but then the story ended abruptly.
All in all a pleasant read and I would be willing to try this author again.
All in all a pleasant read and I would be willing to try this author again.
September 12, 2014
I'm so glad I found this one (and not just because it was free)! The biggest surprise was that, for once, the business aspects that entered the novel (and don't worry, it wasn't many) all made sense. That's vanishingly rare, and even rarer that those aspects weren't really anything more than the background plot. Yeah, some of the action was driven by the business stuff, but nothing esoteric or boring.
Alex's character was the hardest to swallow. Self-made billionaires exist, sure, but they aren't typically young(ish), good-looking, and well-muscled. The drive to thrive in that kind of cut-throat mode tends to lock out other aspects of life, and that's doubly true when you are driven by something like vengeance. If you can take the background for simply granted, the rest slots neatly into place, however. I particularly enjoyed his growth in the novel, though if I were Natalie (and not in his head as we readers were), I might have waffled a bit more—or at least taken a more tentative wait-and-see line than she did at the end.
Speaking of Natalie, I think she's what really drew me into the story. She's sweet and strong, and has rock-solid integrity throughout. There's a lot of emotional turmoil she has to go through, and some of it is a bit piled-on, but she weathers it with grace and only the occasional (well-earned) melt-down. But more than anything, I like her strong moral compass. When she talks about vengeance and forgiveness and integrity, you sense that she speaks from knowledge and compassion rather than theory or judgment. I really liked that.
So the story was strong, the characters interesting, and Lee got a lot of details right that many don't. That's a lot of personal sweet-spots that may not be as important to others so interpret carefully.
A note about Steamy: on my high side, though not for quantity. Much of the first half of the novel is a long build to them coming together and when they do, that scene is a full chapter or so. There were a few explicit scenes after that first, but they were all short (a page or less), so it's mostly just the one that raised it so close to my tolerance. Beyond the steam, one of the true weaknesses of the novel is Natalie's physical responses to Alex and the degree she bends in the face of his aggressive intimacy. "Overruled by passion" is one of my least-favorite tropes. It was an odd weakness for a character otherwise very morally strong and felt a little off.
Alex's character was the hardest to swallow. Self-made billionaires exist, sure, but they aren't typically young(ish), good-looking, and well-muscled. The drive to thrive in that kind of cut-throat mode tends to lock out other aspects of life, and that's doubly true when you are driven by something like vengeance. If you can take the background for simply granted, the rest slots neatly into place, however. I particularly enjoyed his growth in the novel, though if I were Natalie (and not in his head as we readers were), I might have waffled a bit more—or at least taken a more tentative wait-and-see line than she did at the end.
Speaking of Natalie, I think she's what really drew me into the story. She's sweet and strong, and has rock-solid integrity throughout. There's a lot of emotional turmoil she has to go through, and some of it is a bit piled-on, but she weathers it with grace and only the occasional (well-earned) melt-down. But more than anything, I like her strong moral compass. When she talks about vengeance and forgiveness and integrity, you sense that she speaks from knowledge and compassion rather than theory or judgment. I really liked that.
So the story was strong, the characters interesting, and Lee got a lot of details right that many don't. That's a lot of personal sweet-spots that may not be as important to others so interpret carefully.
A note about Steamy: on my high side, though not for quantity. Much of the first half of the novel is a long build to them coming together and when they do, that scene is a full chapter or so. There were a few explicit scenes after that first, but they were all short (a page or less), so it's mostly just the one that raised it so close to my tolerance. Beyond the steam, one of the true weaknesses of the novel is Natalie's physical responses to Alex and the degree she bends in the face of his aggressive intimacy. "Overruled by passion" is one of my least-favorite tropes. It was an odd weakness for a character otherwise very morally strong and felt a little off.
May 27, 2011
This review was originally posted as a dual review with Lea at Book Lovers Inc.
Both Lea and I jumped on the opportunity to review Carnal Secrets when we first heard about it (because the blurb sounded exciting), but we sure weren't prepared to what a terrific read it was going to be!
I can only tell you my story: on my way to an exam preparatory course I started reading Carnal Secrets, thinking it would be a good way to keep busy on the bus ride, well the story (and mostly the characters) sucked me in so intensely, that I only stopped reading while I went up the stairs, but unfortunately haven't heard a word in that course as I was too busy devouring Nadia Lee's novel in the back of the classroom. The outside world just ceased to exist for me I was so immersed in Alex and Natalie's world, I was possessed by Carnal Secrets and that's all thanks to Nadia Lee's wonderfully fluent and brilliantly intense writing!
Not only was the plot interesting and well structured, what won me over from the beginning were the amazingly fleshed out characters. Not only were they well developed, but Nadia Lee infused them with such vitality, such passion, that I, as the reader felt and experienced their every emotion right there with them! But before I expand on that let's go back a bit.
Carnal Secrets has a legitimate plot besides the romantic storyline and there are many other aspects to this novel which amazingly strengthen the romance as they shape the characters even better (there is some corporate espionnage, company restructuring, friendships, revenge, family history, and of course the inflammable chemistry between the H/H).
Natalie is an Asian woman, adopted by a wealthy, conservative, white American politician family. Not only does she know nothing about her heritage and biological parents, but sadly her adoptive family sounds much like Cinderella's: her mother is downright cruel and doesn't make it a secret that she can't stand Natalie, not only is there no sisterly bond between Natalie and her younger sister, she constantly does everything in her power to hurt Natalie and well her dad, as a busy politician, he isn't really present and when he is, he doesn't really care. So given is a young woman, whose childhood was lonely and loveless and add the fact that she doesn't really know who she is and where she stands in the world. But despite her difficult background Natalie managed to become a strong, independent and capable young woman. She is a wonderful character, one the reader cannot help but grow to love and care about.
Then there is the hero, the dashing Alex. *dreamy sighs* Not only is he every bit of the alpha male: strongwilled and determined, he oozes sexuality. His charisma is irresistible, like a force of nature, unstoppable, it could be felt even through the pages, my Kindle sizzled and caught fire! I can't recall another romance novel which made me react so strongly: I produced the very same reactions Natalie did: my heart fluttered, my pulse quickened, I started panting everytime Alex and his larger than life personality were on the scene.
Just a quote which really made my gut clench reading about Alex's passionate hatred and grief after he thought the woman he was in love with had betrayed him:
"He would ruin the Rodales, and take the Halls down too, for good measure. He wanted them all to burn in hell, especially Natalie. That way, he'd have some company."
Every emotion was heightened with Alex in the picture: the fights, the passion, the heartache, everything was explosive!
I have difficulty telling you everything this novel made me feel. I loved every single minute of reading it! I love emotionally intense and charged stories and this one didn't spare the reader! I love to be involved in the story and Nadia Lee pulled me in right from the start. Even after I have finished and turned the last page, I kept feeling the lingering aftermath of the story, and even now, just thinking about Carnal Secrets, I get goosebumps. Yes, it was that good! *dreamy sighs*
So I think there's nothing more for me to say: you absolutely HAVE to read Carnal Secrets and you will find a new favourite novel, author, hero and couple. *double sighs* lol
After all the praise (*cough* gushing *cough*) I think you can guess I'm giving the highest grade to Carnal Secrets! :-D
Both Lea and I jumped on the opportunity to review Carnal Secrets when we first heard about it (because the blurb sounded exciting), but we sure weren't prepared to what a terrific read it was going to be!
I can only tell you my story: on my way to an exam preparatory course I started reading Carnal Secrets, thinking it would be a good way to keep busy on the bus ride, well the story (and mostly the characters) sucked me in so intensely, that I only stopped reading while I went up the stairs, but unfortunately haven't heard a word in that course as I was too busy devouring Nadia Lee's novel in the back of the classroom. The outside world just ceased to exist for me I was so immersed in Alex and Natalie's world, I was possessed by Carnal Secrets and that's all thanks to Nadia Lee's wonderfully fluent and brilliantly intense writing!
Not only was the plot interesting and well structured, what won me over from the beginning were the amazingly fleshed out characters. Not only were they well developed, but Nadia Lee infused them with such vitality, such passion, that I, as the reader felt and experienced their every emotion right there with them! But before I expand on that let's go back a bit.
Carnal Secrets has a legitimate plot besides the romantic storyline and there are many other aspects to this novel which amazingly strengthen the romance as they shape the characters even better (there is some corporate espionnage, company restructuring, friendships, revenge, family history, and of course the inflammable chemistry between the H/H).
Natalie is an Asian woman, adopted by a wealthy, conservative, white American politician family. Not only does she know nothing about her heritage and biological parents, but sadly her adoptive family sounds much like Cinderella's: her mother is downright cruel and doesn't make it a secret that she can't stand Natalie, not only is there no sisterly bond between Natalie and her younger sister, she constantly does everything in her power to hurt Natalie and well her dad, as a busy politician, he isn't really present and when he is, he doesn't really care. So given is a young woman, whose childhood was lonely and loveless and add the fact that she doesn't really know who she is and where she stands in the world. But despite her difficult background Natalie managed to become a strong, independent and capable young woman. She is a wonderful character, one the reader cannot help but grow to love and care about.
Then there is the hero, the dashing Alex. *dreamy sighs* Not only is he every bit of the alpha male: strongwilled and determined, he oozes sexuality. His charisma is irresistible, like a force of nature, unstoppable, it could be felt even through the pages, my Kindle sizzled and caught fire! I can't recall another romance novel which made me react so strongly: I produced the very same reactions Natalie did: my heart fluttered, my pulse quickened, I started panting everytime Alex and his larger than life personality were on the scene.
Just a quote which really made my gut clench reading about Alex's passionate hatred and grief after he thought the woman he was in love with had betrayed him:
"He would ruin the Rodales, and take the Halls down too, for good measure. He wanted them all to burn in hell, especially Natalie. That way, he'd have some company."
Every emotion was heightened with Alex in the picture: the fights, the passion, the heartache, everything was explosive!
I have difficulty telling you everything this novel made me feel. I loved every single minute of reading it! I love emotionally intense and charged stories and this one didn't spare the reader! I love to be involved in the story and Nadia Lee pulled me in right from the start. Even after I have finished and turned the last page, I kept feeling the lingering aftermath of the story, and even now, just thinking about Carnal Secrets, I get goosebumps. Yes, it was that good! *dreamy sighs*
So I think there's nothing more for me to say: you absolutely HAVE to read Carnal Secrets and you will find a new favourite novel, author, hero and couple. *double sighs* lol
After all the praise (*cough* gushing *cough*) I think you can guess I'm giving the highest grade to Carnal Secrets! :-D
March 5, 2014
Though I enjoy category romances, there is a tendency for authors of these books to fall back on tired formulas and stock characters. Read a couple of them in a row, and you start mixing up the alpha-male heroes and exotic locals. Nadia Lee's VENGEFUL IN LOVE stands out by taking some risks with plotting and offering a non-mainstream protagonist.
Natalie Hall is beautiful, bright and accomplished--standard romantic heroine--only she's also the Asian adopted daughter of a United States senator. She's a study in contrasts. Natalie is successful, but she's not overly ambitious. She comes from money, and yet she's unpretentious. Most tellingly, she's the shining star of her family AND the black sheep who was never truly accepted by her adoptive mother and sister.
Alex Damon isn't quite as unique a character as Natalie, but his back story has a nice kink. His father built a lucrative company and then lost it all thanks to a conniving mistress and a greedy wife. Alex has since grown up and created his own high-tech empire, but his childhood loss consumes him. He wants revenge. Natalie, the god-daughter of the mistress, is to be his weapon.
Of course, it all goes sideways when Alex falls for Natalie. Further complications arise when she's implicated in a case of corporate espionage. Alex doesn't want to believe she'd betray him, but he can't quiet trust her either. Meanwhile, Natalie is in the throws of her own conflict--how to break free from the only family she knows, even though being around them makes her feel worthless.
Nadia Lee adds some wonderful twists to her plot. It's difficult to predict from which direction the next blow will fall on our couple. And the identity of the real corporate spy came as a surprise. None of Nadia's characters is straight forward. They are flawed in fabulously genuine ways. Even the minor ones are given weight in the narrative.
My problem with this book, and the reason I didn't give it five stars, is that the intricate plotting collapses right before the finish line. After building great conflict and tearing our couple apart, the resolution comes too quickly and the loose ends are tied up too neatly. Alex should have had to work harder to earn Natalie's forgiveness. And the epilogue made the resolution seem even more rushed and artificial.
I enjoyed the book, but the ending let me down.
Natalie Hall is beautiful, bright and accomplished--standard romantic heroine--only she's also the Asian adopted daughter of a United States senator. She's a study in contrasts. Natalie is successful, but she's not overly ambitious. She comes from money, and yet she's unpretentious. Most tellingly, she's the shining star of her family AND the black sheep who was never truly accepted by her adoptive mother and sister.
Alex Damon isn't quite as unique a character as Natalie, but his back story has a nice kink. His father built a lucrative company and then lost it all thanks to a conniving mistress and a greedy wife. Alex has since grown up and created his own high-tech empire, but his childhood loss consumes him. He wants revenge. Natalie, the god-daughter of the mistress, is to be his weapon.
Of course, it all goes sideways when Alex falls for Natalie. Further complications arise when she's implicated in a case of corporate espionage. Alex doesn't want to believe she'd betray him, but he can't quiet trust her either. Meanwhile, Natalie is in the throws of her own conflict--how to break free from the only family she knows, even though being around them makes her feel worthless.
Nadia Lee adds some wonderful twists to her plot. It's difficult to predict from which direction the next blow will fall on our couple. And the identity of the real corporate spy came as a surprise. None of Nadia's characters is straight forward. They are flawed in fabulously genuine ways. Even the minor ones are given weight in the narrative.
My problem with this book, and the reason I didn't give it five stars, is that the intricate plotting collapses right before the finish line. After building great conflict and tearing our couple apart, the resolution comes too quickly and the loose ends are tied up too neatly. Alex should have had to work harder to earn Natalie's forgiveness. And the epilogue made the resolution seem even more rushed and artificial.
I enjoyed the book, but the ending let me down.
July 16, 2016
I would like to note that the title of the version I checked out was "Taken by Her Unforgiving Billionaire Boss" which is a MUCH better terrible book title. Otherwise, this has all the marks of a over-the-top melodramatic Harlequin style novel. Unjust accusations! An office romance (which, true to form, in the first part of the book is uncomfortably into the territory of inadvisable sexual harassment)! A brief period (almost laughably brief tho) of him thinking she'd moved and he'd never be able to find her! Check, check, and check.
So, in summary, for what it is, it wasn't a bad version of it. I found it pretty enjoyable! It slaked my need for hilarious melodrama!
So, in summary, for what it is, it wasn't a bad version of it. I found it pretty enjoyable! It slaked my need for hilarious melodrama!
February 6, 2014
3.0 Stars
One thing that had my bitch face making an appearance was how quickly Natalie took Alex back and forgave him in the end, considering what he did to her. Girl if that was me, I would've made him work for it, and it will include some groveling. But all in all, it wasn't a bad read. It was actually quite nice. Would've wanted more damage to that certain mole though (not mentioning, so not to spoil the story). Hopefully the second book will make me want to give it more stars. Good book, all in all.
One thing that had my bitch face making an appearance was how quickly Natalie took Alex back and forgave him in the end, considering what he did to her. Girl if that was me, I would've made him work for it, and it will include some groveling. But all in all, it wasn't a bad read. It was actually quite nice. Would've wanted more damage to that certain mole though (not mentioning, so not to spoil the story). Hopefully the second book will make me want to give it more stars. Good book, all in all.
December 18, 2022
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK, or decent reads.
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October 2, 2019
It was a kind of book it feels like a Harlequin. It was a quick read, not any special thing for me, not remarkable nor very bad...
December 31, 2013
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. I rated it 4.5 out of 5 Stars.
While we’ve all heard or read the phrase that “revenge is a dish best served cold”, the reality is that revenge is seldom clean and emotionless, something the characters in Nadia Lee’s Vengeful in Love learn firsthand. Filled with well-developed characters, good dialogue and an intriguing corporate mystery, Ms. Lee grabbed my attention from the first page and kept it throughout her story. A contemporary romance, set in both Washington D.C. and Hong Kong, Ms. Lee’s new series, Hearts on the Line, is off to a really good start with Vengeful in Love.
A self-made billionaire, Alexander Damon has learned a lot of lessons on the way to success; the most important lessons being those dealing with trust. Determined to take revenge against Emily Rodale, the woman he holds responsible for his father’s failures, Alex has planned the perfect revenge. Seduce Natalie Hall, Ms. Rodale’s goddaughter, and use everything he has to destroy anyone who stands in his way.
The adopted daughter of a U.S. Senator, Natalie Hall has learned that when it comes to business and love, it’s better to keep the two things separate. When her boss at DDE, a defense contractor, is fired and she gets an unexpected promotion, Natalie is surprised and a little bit leery about having to work up close and personal with Alex Damon, the company’s owner. Determined to ignore her intense attraction to the man, Natalie finds herself between a rock and a hard place when Alex makes it clear he’s deeply attracted to her too. Even though she knows she shouldn’t give in, she can’t help what her heart and body both want.
The scenes between Alex and Natalie are well written and enjoyable; they have great verbal and physical chemistry. While Alex and Natalie both are determined to keep things only “physical” in their “non-relationship”, it soon became apparent to me that they were emotionally involved from the start. While both Natalie and Alex are well educated, they both had difficult experiences in their childhoods which have left emotional scars. Natalie has never felt loved by her adopted family, even though they saw to it she was educated and brought up in the best environments, and Alex had to deal with his father’s business failure and emotional problems on top of his mother’s abandonment when their lives changed . As if the emotional issues they are both dealing with weren’t enough, there’s the added situation that someone at DDE is giving privileged information to the Rodale Company and Natalie is suspected of being a corporate spy.
Ms. Lee does a wonderful job dealing with the characters ongoing physical attraction, while at the same time developing an emotional connection between them. Natalie is determined to be loved for who she is and not her social or business connections and Alex is determined to keep his emotional involvement light. While I was really drawn to Natalie’s character right away, and thought Alex was hot and smart, I do have to warn you that Alex is not your typical hero; his calculated seduction of Natalie, his determination to use Natalie to get revenge and his occasional lack of communication make him difficult to like at times. In fact there’s a scene where I think I would personally would have assaulted him because of his behavior (no, I’m not giving spoilers – I’ll just say it’s a doozy!).
The secondary characters, from Natalie’s adopted family to Emily Rodale and her son, Charlie, are well written and contribute a lot to the story. At first it’s easy to dislike them all, and their behavior towards Natalie when things really start to hit the fan, but Ms. Lee shows that there is always more to the story than everyone thinks they knows. It’s also clear that none of them really know Natalie and Alex, and that they need to learn that honesty, integrity and loyalty are more than just mere words. I especially liked Alex and Natalie’s best friends, Ethan Lloyd and Kerri Wilson, who will be the main characters in Reunited in Love, Ms. Lee’s next book in this series.
Will Alex realize he loves Natalie and that she’s the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with before it’s too late? Will Natalie forgive Alex for what he’s done? You’ll have to read Vengeful in Love to find out. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
While we’ve all heard or read the phrase that “revenge is a dish best served cold”, the reality is that revenge is seldom clean and emotionless, something the characters in Nadia Lee’s Vengeful in Love learn firsthand. Filled with well-developed characters, good dialogue and an intriguing corporate mystery, Ms. Lee grabbed my attention from the first page and kept it throughout her story. A contemporary romance, set in both Washington D.C. and Hong Kong, Ms. Lee’s new series, Hearts on the Line, is off to a really good start with Vengeful in Love.
A self-made billionaire, Alexander Damon has learned a lot of lessons on the way to success; the most important lessons being those dealing with trust. Determined to take revenge against Emily Rodale, the woman he holds responsible for his father’s failures, Alex has planned the perfect revenge. Seduce Natalie Hall, Ms. Rodale’s goddaughter, and use everything he has to destroy anyone who stands in his way.
The adopted daughter of a U.S. Senator, Natalie Hall has learned that when it comes to business and love, it’s better to keep the two things separate. When her boss at DDE, a defense contractor, is fired and she gets an unexpected promotion, Natalie is surprised and a little bit leery about having to work up close and personal with Alex Damon, the company’s owner. Determined to ignore her intense attraction to the man, Natalie finds herself between a rock and a hard place when Alex makes it clear he’s deeply attracted to her too. Even though she knows she shouldn’t give in, she can’t help what her heart and body both want.
The scenes between Alex and Natalie are well written and enjoyable; they have great verbal and physical chemistry. While Alex and Natalie both are determined to keep things only “physical” in their “non-relationship”, it soon became apparent to me that they were emotionally involved from the start. While both Natalie and Alex are well educated, they both had difficult experiences in their childhoods which have left emotional scars. Natalie has never felt loved by her adopted family, even though they saw to it she was educated and brought up in the best environments, and Alex had to deal with his father’s business failure and emotional problems on top of his mother’s abandonment when their lives changed . As if the emotional issues they are both dealing with weren’t enough, there’s the added situation that someone at DDE is giving privileged information to the Rodale Company and Natalie is suspected of being a corporate spy.
Ms. Lee does a wonderful job dealing with the characters ongoing physical attraction, while at the same time developing an emotional connection between them. Natalie is determined to be loved for who she is and not her social or business connections and Alex is determined to keep his emotional involvement light. While I was really drawn to Natalie’s character right away, and thought Alex was hot and smart, I do have to warn you that Alex is not your typical hero; his calculated seduction of Natalie, his determination to use Natalie to get revenge and his occasional lack of communication make him difficult to like at times. In fact there’s a scene where I think I would personally would have assaulted him because of his behavior (no, I’m not giving spoilers – I’ll just say it’s a doozy!).
The secondary characters, from Natalie’s adopted family to Emily Rodale and her son, Charlie, are well written and contribute a lot to the story. At first it’s easy to dislike them all, and their behavior towards Natalie when things really start to hit the fan, but Ms. Lee shows that there is always more to the story than everyone thinks they knows. It’s also clear that none of them really know Natalie and Alex, and that they need to learn that honesty, integrity and loyalty are more than just mere words. I especially liked Alex and Natalie’s best friends, Ethan Lloyd and Kerri Wilson, who will be the main characters in Reunited in Love, Ms. Lee’s next book in this series.
Will Alex realize he loves Natalie and that she’s the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with before it’s too late? Will Natalie forgive Alex for what he’s done? You’ll have to read Vengeful in Love to find out. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
April 16, 2015
Favorite Quote:
“I’m hoping my stupidity hasn’t completely killed whatever you felt for me. And just to let you know: if you say no today, I’ll be back tomorrow, and the day after… and the day after that, until you’re convinced that you’re what matters the most in my life.”
My Review:
This story had a bit over everything, corporate espionage, wealthy family conflicts, politics, playboy billionaires, work place romance, misunderstandings, and a few steamy love scenes. There was enough conflict to satisfy those who need the angst, I don’t, but some people like that. The story was well written and the characters were just complicated enough to be interesting. I look forward to continuing on with the series.
“I’m hoping my stupidity hasn’t completely killed whatever you felt for me. And just to let you know: if you say no today, I’ll be back tomorrow, and the day after… and the day after that, until you’re convinced that you’re what matters the most in my life.”
My Review:
This story had a bit over everything, corporate espionage, wealthy family conflicts, politics, playboy billionaires, work place romance, misunderstandings, and a few steamy love scenes. There was enough conflict to satisfy those who need the angst, I don’t, but some people like that. The story was well written and the characters were just complicated enough to be interesting. I look forward to continuing on with the series.
July 4, 2014
I mean, it was free on Amazon so...
I just... no. Sorry, Nadia Lee! Not my fave!
I just... no. Sorry, Nadia Lee! Not my fave!
August 4, 2018
"Revenge is a dish best served cold" just about sums up this contemporary romance. When Alex meets and decides to go after Natalie Hall, it is to pay her family and godmother back for destroying his family.
Once Natalie meets her new CEO, she vows not to get involved with him , but despite her vow, she can't deny the chemistry between them. Nor can he, which gives him pause. How can he have feelings (maybe even love) her when she may be the traitor in his company?
Miscues, lies, and treachery all compete with each other to cause miscommunication that may derail this relationship, and fast. Is there a possibility of a happily-ever-after for Alex and Natalie?
Once Natalie meets her new CEO, she vows not to get involved with him , but despite her vow, she can't deny the chemistry between them. Nor can he, which gives him pause. How can he have feelings (maybe even love) her when she may be the traitor in his company?
Miscues, lies, and treachery all compete with each other to cause miscommunication that may derail this relationship, and fast. Is there a possibility of a happily-ever-after for Alex and Natalie?
November 1, 2017
This is my first Nadia Lee book and I wonder why I didn't pick up her works sooner because this is really good. It has all the angst I expected it to have, but I could do with some more groveling because I think Alex fucked up too big in the end?
But I love this.
But I love this.
March 18, 2018
A typical contemporary romance in which the relationship starts because of a need for retaliation on Alex's part but continues because of true feelings developing for Natalia.
Though this read held no real surprises it was enjoyable.
Though this read held no real surprises it was enjoyable.
September 17, 2023
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2023 - #44. A book that was self-published:
I would compare Natalie to a doormat, but then I'd be disrespecting the doormat. No self-esteem, no pride, no backbone whatsoever. Even jellyfish are offended.
I would compare Natalie to a doormat, but then I'd be disrespecting the doormat. No self-esteem, no pride, no backbone whatsoever. Even jellyfish are offended.
April 26, 2011
4.25 stars
CARNAL SECRETS can be quickly summed up saying it’s a novel about revenge, corporate espionage, a baby scare, horrible family members, a conniving godmother and family secrets. Combine that list of elements with a wonderfully written love-story that’s set up very well and keeps you reading and there you have starting point of my review of CARNAL SECRETS. The hero and the heroine of CARNAL SECRETS are Natalie Hall, a financial analyst and Alex Damon, Chairman and CEO of the company Natalie works for.
Natalie has strong work ethics, is ambitious and a strong woman who tries not to let her female family members’ vicious behavior and remarks towards her get to her. She tries this but underneath her bravado I felt the hurt she felt and the longing to be accepted and loved.
Alex was the typical corporate hotshot. He is a confident and intense man, equally charming and ruthless and on a quest to avenge the wrongdoings against his family. There were things Alex did I didn’t quite like but all in all I loved him as a character and as the hero of this book.
Natalie and Alex were very alike in a few things. They are both masters of self-control and they both are iron-willed. Despite their mutual attraction this also caused them to clash a few time and that gave their romance a very nice tension-filled vibe throughout the book.
I really enjoyed reading CARNAL SECRETS. The start (first chapter) felt a lot like a category romance (Presents/Blaze-like), complete with the corporate setting and the revenge trope. As I went into this read fairly blank I was pleasantly surprised by this and was immediately curious about the rest.
And the rest absolutely did not disappoint. It was the perfect combination of pace, story and details/descriptions. Normally I'm not a fan of descriptive writing but the balance with the dialogues in CARNAL SECRETS was so good I really enjoyed it. Throughout the book, the back-stories of the main characters come across loud and clear without being intrusive with the romance and this is something not all authors that I read achieve easily.
The secondary characters were subtly portrayed and they all contributed to the story and the back-stories. Some I really liked as characters, others I disliked with gusto. There were a few very intriguing secondary characters of which I hope Nadia Lee will have the opportunity to write their story.
In conclusion, CARNAL SECRETS is a rich and layered read, subtle in the sexual scenes but intense in the romance and emotional parts. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to more contemporary work of Nadia Lee, preferably in this setting/group of characters.
PWOR-Rating: 8.5/10
Memorable Scene:
- the pick-nick scene > loved how romantic it was and how well the mood change-moment was brought into it and changed the whole vibe of the scene.
CARNAL SECRETS can be quickly summed up saying it’s a novel about revenge, corporate espionage, a baby scare, horrible family members, a conniving godmother and family secrets. Combine that list of elements with a wonderfully written love-story that’s set up very well and keeps you reading and there you have starting point of my review of CARNAL SECRETS. The hero and the heroine of CARNAL SECRETS are Natalie Hall, a financial analyst and Alex Damon, Chairman and CEO of the company Natalie works for.
Natalie has strong work ethics, is ambitious and a strong woman who tries not to let her female family members’ vicious behavior and remarks towards her get to her. She tries this but underneath her bravado I felt the hurt she felt and the longing to be accepted and loved.
Alex was the typical corporate hotshot. He is a confident and intense man, equally charming and ruthless and on a quest to avenge the wrongdoings against his family. There were things Alex did I didn’t quite like but all in all I loved him as a character and as the hero of this book.
Natalie and Alex were very alike in a few things. They are both masters of self-control and they both are iron-willed. Despite their mutual attraction this also caused them to clash a few time and that gave their romance a very nice tension-filled vibe throughout the book.
I really enjoyed reading CARNAL SECRETS. The start (first chapter) felt a lot like a category romance (Presents/Blaze-like), complete with the corporate setting and the revenge trope. As I went into this read fairly blank I was pleasantly surprised by this and was immediately curious about the rest.
And the rest absolutely did not disappoint. It was the perfect combination of pace, story and details/descriptions. Normally I'm not a fan of descriptive writing but the balance with the dialogues in CARNAL SECRETS was so good I really enjoyed it. Throughout the book, the back-stories of the main characters come across loud and clear without being intrusive with the romance and this is something not all authors that I read achieve easily.
The secondary characters were subtly portrayed and they all contributed to the story and the back-stories. Some I really liked as characters, others I disliked with gusto. There were a few very intriguing secondary characters of which I hope Nadia Lee will have the opportunity to write their story.
In conclusion, CARNAL SECRETS is a rich and layered read, subtle in the sexual scenes but intense in the romance and emotional parts. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to more contemporary work of Nadia Lee, preferably in this setting/group of characters.
Favorite Quotes:
When he sat across from her, barely enough personal space remained to be polite. She could feel a delicious heat coming off his body, smell a whiff of spicy cologne. Something stirred in her, sexual and dangerous. She stomped on it. This wasn't the time, this wasn't the place, and he definitely wasn't the right man to be attracted to.
She was nothing but a trembling mass of overly sensitized nerve endings. He was ruthless, as if he was trying to brand her as his. And she didn't care. Her brain had ceased to work a long time ago, and there was only her body and its insatiable need for the sensation only Alex could give her.
PWOR-Rating: 8.5/10
July 3, 2013
Carnal Secrets is a contemporary romance novel written by Nadia Lee. This was the first work that I have read from this author and I loved the book. Nadia Lee captured me through her writing.
Nadia Lee did a great job with the storyline. She weaved a wonderful story with Carnal Secrets involving a passionate romance, betrayal, lies, corporate espionage, and carnal secrets. I loved everything about this book; the pacing, the characters, the plot, the angst, the sexual tension, the drama, and the characters. Natalie and Alex were well developed characters. The plot was also well-developed along with the storyline. It pulled me in emotionally and gripped me right from the beginning.
Self-made billionaire Alex Damon wants his pound of flesh from the people who ripped his family apart. When he discovers that his enemies’ daughter is working at his company he decides to start by seducing her. What should’ve been a straightforward eye-for-an-eye unravels as her unflinching loyalty and gentleness start to thaw his cold intent. But caring for her is unthinkable since he plans to use everything in his power to ruin her, her family and everyone else she holds dear.
Natalie is an Asian woman, adopted by a wealthy, conservative, white American political family. Not only does she know nothing about her heritage and biological parents, her adopted mother is downright cruel and doesn’t make it a secret that she can’t stand Natalie. Not only is there no sisterly bond between Natalie and her younger sister, she constantly does everything in her power to hurt Natalie as well as her dad, a busy politician. He isn’t really present and when he is, he doesn’t really care. Natalie’s childhood was lonely and loveless and to make it worse, she doesn’t really know who she is and where she stands in the world. But despite her difficult background Natalie managed to become a strong, independent and capable young woman.
I enjoyed Carnal Secrets and highly recommend this for readers looking for a charming and captivating romance to get lost in. This book will keep your attention. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
Thank you Nadia Lee for a wonderful storyline.
-Reviewed by Barbara
Nadia Lee did a great job with the storyline. She weaved a wonderful story with Carnal Secrets involving a passionate romance, betrayal, lies, corporate espionage, and carnal secrets. I loved everything about this book; the pacing, the characters, the plot, the angst, the sexual tension, the drama, and the characters. Natalie and Alex were well developed characters. The plot was also well-developed along with the storyline. It pulled me in emotionally and gripped me right from the beginning.
Self-made billionaire Alex Damon wants his pound of flesh from the people who ripped his family apart. When he discovers that his enemies’ daughter is working at his company he decides to start by seducing her. What should’ve been a straightforward eye-for-an-eye unravels as her unflinching loyalty and gentleness start to thaw his cold intent. But caring for her is unthinkable since he plans to use everything in his power to ruin her, her family and everyone else she holds dear.
Natalie is an Asian woman, adopted by a wealthy, conservative, white American political family. Not only does she know nothing about her heritage and biological parents, her adopted mother is downright cruel and doesn’t make it a secret that she can’t stand Natalie. Not only is there no sisterly bond between Natalie and her younger sister, she constantly does everything in her power to hurt Natalie as well as her dad, a busy politician. He isn’t really present and when he is, he doesn’t really care. Natalie’s childhood was lonely and loveless and to make it worse, she doesn’t really know who she is and where she stands in the world. But despite her difficult background Natalie managed to become a strong, independent and capable young woman.
I enjoyed Carnal Secrets and highly recommend this for readers looking for a charming and captivating romance to get lost in. This book will keep your attention. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
Thank you Nadia Lee for a wonderful storyline.
-Reviewed by Barbara
September 8, 2014
It was another freebie whose cover was winking at me every time I looked through my reader. Yeah, I know, that's a very shallow to fill like reading a book. And that's why it also came with my usual rather low expectations, that still managed to be often disappointed.
This book did not!
I deeply enjoyed the way it was written, a very contemporary tone that manages never to be too informal, too coarse, too spoken. It's obvious the author has a real experience from the corporate environment, most likely had some close friends working in investment banking and for once, I never rolled my eyes at some incongruities occurring and undermining the realism of the book. This is just so rare in romances, especially among the shorter books that I really find it remarkable, and highly pleasant.
The characters could have been caricatures, but were not. I especially liked the heroine. I found them rather interesting, with several dimensions, consistent qualities and flaws showing through their actions and talks, and they developed along the book, being stronger and better persons by the end than how they started.
The storyline was surprisingly again well-developed and more complex than expected. However I felt it a tiny bit too short, not developed to its full potential, especially towards the end, which cost this book the 5th star.
This title fits the story much better than the previous one, Carnal Secrets, as it's much more of a romance than of an erotica. Honestly I really felt the attraction between the two, but what made the book really enjoyable was that the feelings between the characters quickly grew to complement that basic attraction, which made their relationship much more interesting to read about in my opinion. And if I recall correctly, there were not that many steamy scenes, way less than in the following two books.
And yes, I liked this book that much, that I immediately bought the following two - which were both read within a day. And I'll most likely not remain with only those 3.
This book did not!
I deeply enjoyed the way it was written, a very contemporary tone that manages never to be too informal, too coarse, too spoken. It's obvious the author has a real experience from the corporate environment, most likely had some close friends working in investment banking and for once, I never rolled my eyes at some incongruities occurring and undermining the realism of the book. This is just so rare in romances, especially among the shorter books that I really find it remarkable, and highly pleasant.
The characters could have been caricatures, but were not. I especially liked the heroine. I found them rather interesting, with several dimensions, consistent qualities and flaws showing through their actions and talks, and they developed along the book, being stronger and better persons by the end than how they started.
The storyline was surprisingly again well-developed and more complex than expected. However I felt it a tiny bit too short, not developed to its full potential, especially towards the end, which cost this book the 5th star.
This title fits the story much better than the previous one, Carnal Secrets, as it's much more of a romance than of an erotica. Honestly I really felt the attraction between the two, but what made the book really enjoyable was that the feelings between the characters quickly grew to complement that basic attraction, which made their relationship much more interesting to read about in my opinion. And if I recall correctly, there were not that many steamy scenes, way less than in the following two books.
And yes, I liked this book that much, that I immediately bought the following two - which were both read within a day. And I'll most likely not remain with only those 3.
January 3, 2014
Synopsis: REVENGE IS SWEET...
Self-made billionaire Alex Damon wants his pound of flesh from the people who ripped his family apart. When he discovers his enemies' daughter is working at his company -- and most likely spying for them -- he decides to start his revenge by seducing her. Natalie Hall is stunned at the personal interest from the CEO of her company. Vulnerable, with an already bruised heart, she wants to avoid any involvement -- but she can't deny the desire he arouses in her.
...BUT LOVE IN SWEETER...
What should've been a straightforward eye-for-an-eye starts to unravel as Natalie's unflinching loyalty and kindness begin to thaw Alex's cold intent. But caring for her is unthinkable...since he plans to use everything in his power to ruin her family and everyone else she holds dear.
Previously published as Carnal Secrets.
Review: I was given a copy of Vengeful in Love by Reading Bliss for an honest review. I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read. Alex is a self-made billionaire and wants to get back what was taken from him, a family. He finds out that his enemies daughter is working at his company he is sure that she is there to spy on him. Natalie is surprised that the CEO of the company she works for has so much interest in her. Alex is looking for revenge and Natalie is looking for love. When he starts to feel something for her, he gets mad at himself for thinking that he could have anything with Natalie because he lives to destroy her family and everything that Natalie cares about. This book had a lot going on. But I enjoyed the storyline and where the book headed. I highly recommend this book. Go and get it now! I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Self-made billionaire Alex Damon wants his pound of flesh from the people who ripped his family apart. When he discovers his enemies' daughter is working at his company -- and most likely spying for them -- he decides to start his revenge by seducing her. Natalie Hall is stunned at the personal interest from the CEO of her company. Vulnerable, with an already bruised heart, she wants to avoid any involvement -- but she can't deny the desire he arouses in her.
...BUT LOVE IN SWEETER...
What should've been a straightforward eye-for-an-eye starts to unravel as Natalie's unflinching loyalty and kindness begin to thaw Alex's cold intent. But caring for her is unthinkable...since he plans to use everything in his power to ruin her family and everyone else she holds dear.
Previously published as Carnal Secrets.
Review: I was given a copy of Vengeful in Love by Reading Bliss for an honest review. I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read. Alex is a self-made billionaire and wants to get back what was taken from him, a family. He finds out that his enemies daughter is working at his company he is sure that she is there to spy on him. Natalie is surprised that the CEO of the company she works for has so much interest in her. Alex is looking for revenge and Natalie is looking for love. When he starts to feel something for her, he gets mad at himself for thinking that he could have anything with Natalie because he lives to destroy her family and everything that Natalie cares about. This book had a lot going on. But I enjoyed the storyline and where the book headed. I highly recommend this book. Go and get it now! I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars!
June 14, 2021
This is a classic example of why I don’t like the ‘best seller, USA Today’ label. The characterisation and developmental aspects of the story are weak, there is no link between cause and effect, events just happen with cause and motivation filled in as an afterthought, but there is plenty of sex.
Natalie is the adopted daughter of a father who is running for office and a godmother, Elaine Rodale, who owns a multinational company. Alex is her boss and determined to ruin Elaine Rodale’s business. The downfall appears to centre round the winning of a single contract, the suggestion being the damage had been caused previously. We are told the briefest backstory about Alex’s father and Elaine Rodale as the basis for the conflict. This is something which would normally be told alongside the main story to establish motive and ground the characters. Natalie’s parentage is again something which is perhaps better developed through the story rather than a throw away line in a confrontational situation.
The resolution is not exactly satisfying either. Finding out a member of staff is responsible when there has been no hint, or very little evidence of misconduct, is a little too convenient. Cause and effect is ordered that way for a reason. However, like all good romances, everything works out in the end.
Without the characterisation and growth there is little depth and insight. There is an alpha male and a strong wilful female, but there are better character driven stories which match this criterion. Also, with the current need to discourage sexual harassment of young girls, I’m not sure a pushy, aggressive violent alpha male is an appropriate depiction of male sexuality.
Natalie is the adopted daughter of a father who is running for office and a godmother, Elaine Rodale, who owns a multinational company. Alex is her boss and determined to ruin Elaine Rodale’s business. The downfall appears to centre round the winning of a single contract, the suggestion being the damage had been caused previously. We are told the briefest backstory about Alex’s father and Elaine Rodale as the basis for the conflict. This is something which would normally be told alongside the main story to establish motive and ground the characters. Natalie’s parentage is again something which is perhaps better developed through the story rather than a throw away line in a confrontational situation.
The resolution is not exactly satisfying either. Finding out a member of staff is responsible when there has been no hint, or very little evidence of misconduct, is a little too convenient. Cause and effect is ordered that way for a reason. However, like all good romances, everything works out in the end.
Without the characterisation and growth there is little depth and insight. There is an alpha male and a strong wilful female, but there are better character driven stories which match this criterion. Also, with the current need to discourage sexual harassment of young girls, I’m not sure a pushy, aggressive violent alpha male is an appropriate depiction of male sexuality.
December 30, 2013
Given by the author for an honest review for her Blog Tour
Vengeful in Love is one of the best fast-paced books I’ve ever read!
It’s highly entertaining and does not have a single dull moment in it!
The plot is vaguely familiar, but it is so well written that anything even remotely similar to it simply pales in comparison.
It’s a book that you don’t want to finish, simply because you cannot stand the idea of the ending. You just want it to go on and on…It’s incredible! Its pace is fast, but the characters are finely developed and described in such detail that it rivals full-length novels. It’s also smart and funny, playful and sexy in a romantic sort of way.
There’s not a thing I didn’t love in this book. In fact, when I finished it, I may have screamed out of frustration. Yes it was that good!
What impressed me the most is the incredible writing Nadia Lee showed in this book. The reader usually falls in love with full-length novels, with more drama and romance. But this book just captivates you and the characters are really mesmerizing!
To be honest, I’m a huge fan of this book and I cannot stop praising it!
I loved every single thing about this book!! It serves no purpose to delve into the characters, because they are worth reading without ANY spoilers!!!! Plus, there are only so many ways for me to tell you how much I loved the characters and the book, don’t you thing?!
RECOMMENDATION: You should buy it immediately!!
Vengeful in Love is one of the best fast-paced books I’ve ever read!
It’s highly entertaining and does not have a single dull moment in it!
The plot is vaguely familiar, but it is so well written that anything even remotely similar to it simply pales in comparison.
It’s a book that you don’t want to finish, simply because you cannot stand the idea of the ending. You just want it to go on and on…It’s incredible! Its pace is fast, but the characters are finely developed and described in such detail that it rivals full-length novels. It’s also smart and funny, playful and sexy in a romantic sort of way.
There’s not a thing I didn’t love in this book. In fact, when I finished it, I may have screamed out of frustration. Yes it was that good!
What impressed me the most is the incredible writing Nadia Lee showed in this book. The reader usually falls in love with full-length novels, with more drama and romance. But this book just captivates you and the characters are really mesmerizing!
To be honest, I’m a huge fan of this book and I cannot stop praising it!
I loved every single thing about this book!! It serves no purpose to delve into the characters, because they are worth reading without ANY spoilers!!!! Plus, there are only so many ways for me to tell you how much I loved the characters and the book, don’t you thing?!
RECOMMENDATION: You should buy it immediately!!
December 28, 2015
Why I Read this Book: I liked the setup of espionage mixed into a love story. I like a light dose of mystery with a romance.
What I Liked: Vengeful in Love was different and unique. There is a lot of backstory, but it didn't bog down the romance. It made for an interesting read. This was more than just a romance story.
Natalie was a good person with morals. Because of who her family is, particularly her father, she’s used to people throwing money and gifts at her. But she’s not materialistic in the slightest and she doesn't want that in a relationship. She doesn’t cave under pressure. She was in a tough position, working at Alex’s company, and got pressure from not only her boss but from her own family as well. There is history between Alex’s family and Natalie’s and it made for interesting reading material.
I also like the side story arc about the mole in Alex’s company. The mole wasn’t who I had thought it was.
What I Didn’t Like: It felt like a little piece of the story was missing. There’s something that happens between the end of the story and the epilogue but it was never touched on. Also the relationship progressed too quickly for my taste.
Overall Impression: Vengeful in Love was a great multi-layered read and I look forward to the next book in this series.
What I Liked: Vengeful in Love was different and unique. There is a lot of backstory, but it didn't bog down the romance. It made for an interesting read. This was more than just a romance story.
Natalie was a good person with morals. Because of who her family is, particularly her father, she’s used to people throwing money and gifts at her. But she’s not materialistic in the slightest and she doesn't want that in a relationship. She doesn’t cave under pressure. She was in a tough position, working at Alex’s company, and got pressure from not only her boss but from her own family as well. There is history between Alex’s family and Natalie’s and it made for interesting reading material.
I also like the side story arc about the mole in Alex’s company. The mole wasn’t who I had thought it was.
What I Didn’t Like: It felt like a little piece of the story was missing. There’s something that happens between the end of the story and the epilogue but it was never touched on. Also the relationship progressed too quickly for my taste.
Overall Impression: Vengeful in Love was a great multi-layered read and I look forward to the next book in this series.
February 21, 2013
Carnal Secrets is a brilliant contemporary romance written by Nadia Lee. This was the first work that I've read from this author and it did not disappoint! Ms. Lee captured me through her writing & I devoured this within hours because I couldn't put my Kindle down once I started. Ms. Lee did a great job with this wonderful romance. She weaved a wonderful story with Carnal Secrets involving a passionate romance, betrayal, lies, corporate espionage, and carnal secrets.
I loved everything about this book; the pacing, the characters, the plot, the angst, the sexual tension, the drama, and of course the HEA. Natalie & Alex were both great characters who you really grow to like & care about. The plot was also well-developed along with the storyline. I loved every single minute of reading this novel! I became completely invested in Carnal Secrets and its characters. It pulled me in emotionally and gripped me right from the beginning.
Overall, I highly enjoyed Carnal Secrets & highly recommend this for readers looking for a charming & captivating romance to get lost into.
I loved everything about this book; the pacing, the characters, the plot, the angst, the sexual tension, the drama, and of course the HEA. Natalie & Alex were both great characters who you really grow to like & care about. The plot was also well-developed along with the storyline. I loved every single minute of reading this novel! I became completely invested in Carnal Secrets and its characters. It pulled me in emotionally and gripped me right from the beginning.
Overall, I highly enjoyed Carnal Secrets & highly recommend this for readers looking for a charming & captivating romance to get lost into.
January 29, 2014
Alex he hates being interrupted when it's about to be naughty time, "since we can't seem to do anything without your family interrupting us, I want to take you somewhere private. A small cabin by the place we went yesterday. And no cell phones." Alex the man has some damn stamina, "they lay there for a few moments, his hands skimming her curves. Then he murmured, "you mentioned something about doing it from the side...?" There was a slight but slowly increasing pressure along a cucumber-sized length of the back of her thigh. He eyes widened. "You don't need to...rest?" Alex he doesn't do things half a** and I'm pretty sure Natalie appreciates that, "her eyes widened when she saw him, but he didn't give a damn as he kicked the door shut. A primal instinct to mark her as his overwhelmed him, stripping away all restraint."
February 8, 2014
LURV! Not only are Alex and Natalie both super sexy, their personalities are so strong! I love that Natalie is unwavering in her resolve, ethics, and moral values. Thank goodness for that! And I wanted to see Alex grovel at the end...and he did! Yay!
I totally didn't see Natalie's background unfolding quite like it did but I'm so glad to be surprised! It's awesome to not be able to guess exactly what's going to happen. What a crazy life she lives!
I totally didn't see Natalie's background unfolding quite like it did but I'm so glad to be surprised! It's awesome to not be able to guess exactly what's going to happen. What a crazy life she lives!
February 8, 2014
Disappointed with this book. Concept was interesting enough. Writing style was technically good. The story had a good flow, but it was very difficult for me to connect with the characters. They are supposed to be well educated, worldly mature people, but half the time they act like they're in High school...seriously, morning after pill ring a bell? I really tried to enjoy this book because it seemed to have a lot of potential. Unfortunately, it was sorely lacking.
October 23, 2015
3.5/5 stars
This was so well-written I didn't mind the third person so much. I came across some beautiful sentences that made me stop and go "oh, wow". I like the diversity aspect (Asian MC), the romance was good (could've been steamier), but for some reason I didn't looveeee it.
It was a good read, though.
This was so well-written I didn't mind the third person so much. I came across some beautiful sentences that made me stop and go "oh, wow". I like the diversity aspect (Asian MC), the romance was good (could've been steamier), but for some reason I didn't looveeee it.
It was a good read, though.
March 14, 2011
A fantastic read with intriguing characters and heartfelt emotions. The flow of the story was well-written. This is a must-read book if you're a fan of steamy contemporary romance and exciting plot. I absolutely enjoyed it and looked forward to reading more of Nadia Lee’s works. :)
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