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Belle
This isn’t your typical fairytale... Belle There once was a beautiful woman named Belle. Stuck in a run-down trailer with a mother hell bent on living her life one drug at a time, she wants to escape. All she dreams about is leaving her past in Deadhorse, Arizona to start a new life. One chance encounter with a handsome stranger could be the change she needs. Maddox Maddox Taylor only has one thing on his mind. Revenge. Nothing will keep him from completing his life’s mission. Not even the bombshell blonde temptation in front of him. No happily ever after is ever promised, especially when life is more of a beast than either bargained for.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2021
4 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 21, 2021
Belle
Written by: Nikki Pennington
Review Star rating - 3.75
This was my first Nikki Pennington read so I had only the blurb to go by.
We first meet Belle at age 10 and her older sister Mindy at age 12 dragging a man’s body to the creek to dump. This was their life! They had mother who was more worried about men and drugs. As time passed Mindy followed in her mother’s footsteps and Belle made a decision not to be like either of them. It’s hard though when you all live together in a trailer.
With her sister having died (Belle is sure she was murdered) and a mother who is always looking for your hard earned wages, Belle decides to move out and see if she can make that break. She has trust issues and a temper.
She moves next door to Maddox, who has only just arrived in town on a mission. His mission to find and get rid (kill) of Maribelle Carter and her mother Destiny Turner, the other two people involved in killing his father all those years ago.
These two are their own little version of a kill club. while they are in Deadhorse (yes, that’s the name of the town) Arizona. Maddox learns the truth about Belle’s involvement with his father forgives her and carries through with one part of his job there. But, it isn’t that easy to leave town. There is a bit of a spree, Maddox convinces her to leave with him and they go back to where he lives in California.
One would hope life would go well….you can hope…this is where I will leave you to find out just what happens and what kind of life both these characters have.
Written by: Nikki Pennington
Review Star rating - 3.75
This was my first Nikki Pennington read so I had only the blurb to go by.
We first meet Belle at age 10 and her older sister Mindy at age 12 dragging a man’s body to the creek to dump. This was their life! They had mother who was more worried about men and drugs. As time passed Mindy followed in her mother’s footsteps and Belle made a decision not to be like either of them. It’s hard though when you all live together in a trailer.
With her sister having died (Belle is sure she was murdered) and a mother who is always looking for your hard earned wages, Belle decides to move out and see if she can make that break. She has trust issues and a temper.
She moves next door to Maddox, who has only just arrived in town on a mission. His mission to find and get rid (kill) of Maribelle Carter and her mother Destiny Turner, the other two people involved in killing his father all those years ago.
These two are their own little version of a kill club. while they are in Deadhorse (yes, that’s the name of the town) Arizona. Maddox learns the truth about Belle’s involvement with his father forgives her and carries through with one part of his job there. But, it isn’t that easy to leave town. There is a bit of a spree, Maddox convinces her to leave with him and they go back to where he lives in California.
One would hope life would go well….you can hope…this is where I will leave you to find out just what happens and what kind of life both these characters have.
October 17, 2021
This book reminded me of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde.
This book is a standalone dark romance.
The book was a quick read for me and I read it in a day.
It's had a suspenseful story line with twists and turns throughout.
I felt for Belle and her going through what she went through.
Some parts I didn't feel like the story time aligned, but it didn't affect how much I enjoyed the book.
I'll definitely be looking out for more of Nikki's books.
This book is a standalone dark romance.
The book was a quick read for me and I read it in a day.
It's had a suspenseful story line with twists and turns throughout.
I felt for Belle and her going through what she went through.
Some parts I didn't feel like the story time aligned, but it didn't affect how much I enjoyed the book.
I'll definitely be looking out for more of Nikki's books.
October 25, 2021
I feel like this is one of those books that you shouldn't like, but end up really enjoying.
This is a super quick read and it is DARK.
Belle has had a rough life. Her mom does nothing and her older sister died a few years ago, oh and she helped with her first murder when she was ten years old. She has seen and experience things that no one should have to go through. She works as a stripper, and has a rock hard heart.
Maddox is in Deadhorse for one reason, revenge and nothing else. Well maybe sex with a woman or two. When he sees Bella all bets are off, he has to have her. When he realizes who is she, his plans change.
Bella and Maddox are an odd duo. Both of them love sex, and don't do relationships. They watch each other have sex with other people, and all it does is turn them on. They kill people for each other, and have no ounce of remorse, but they realize they are it for each other. They don't have the normal type of relationship, but it works for them.
I am surprised that I liked this book because usually I would stop reading a book like this. Bella and Maddox don't make sense, but yet they do.
This is a super quick read and it is DARK.
Belle has had a rough life. Her mom does nothing and her older sister died a few years ago, oh and she helped with her first murder when she was ten years old. She has seen and experience things that no one should have to go through. She works as a stripper, and has a rock hard heart.
Maddox is in Deadhorse for one reason, revenge and nothing else. Well maybe sex with a woman or two. When he sees Bella all bets are off, he has to have her. When he realizes who is she, his plans change.
Bella and Maddox are an odd duo. Both of them love sex, and don't do relationships. They watch each other have sex with other people, and all it does is turn them on. They kill people for each other, and have no ounce of remorse, but they realize they are it for each other. They don't have the normal type of relationship, but it works for them.
I am surprised that I liked this book because usually I would stop reading a book like this. Bella and Maddox don't make sense, but yet they do.
October 15, 2021
This book was a dark , twisted and sexy . The main characters had a lot of drama and a lot of issues . They were just meant to be in a messed up kinda way !
October 13, 2021
This is an ARC review.
I choose to read this book and offer my review. The blurb drew me to this story and while it was a good idea it did have some flaws. There are a few parts in the plot where it just doesn't align quite right and there is also a little bit of repetition of some of their talks. All that said I did enjoy it. It's a fairly quick read and if you're into dark romance and enemies-to-lovers then you should enjoy it too.
Belle is pretty messed up, after what she's been through with the trailer trash mother she's had it's no wonder she isn't a junkie or a whore. While she may dance for men and enjoy sex it's on her terms and no one else's.
Maddox is in Deadhorse for one reason, revenge. But his plans fall off the rails after a chance meeting with his target intrigues and ignites him. Before he realises who she is Maddox becomes invested. After some truths are spilled he decides she's not who he really wants to kill.
Belle and Maddox team up and become wrapped up in each others drama, they work together to get rid of their enemies before Maddox takes Belle with him back to California. Belle won't change for anyone and she has no intention of falling in love with Maddox. She wouldn't even know what that is. While Maddox felt the same something about Belle has changed him. As he tries to break down her walls trouble from the past finds her. She has to decide whether to trust Maddox with what she's facing or deal with it alone.
Will Belle let Maddox love her or will she be broken forever.
Happy Reading.
I choose to read this book and offer my review. The blurb drew me to this story and while it was a good idea it did have some flaws. There are a few parts in the plot where it just doesn't align quite right and there is also a little bit of repetition of some of their talks. All that said I did enjoy it. It's a fairly quick read and if you're into dark romance and enemies-to-lovers then you should enjoy it too.
Belle is pretty messed up, after what she's been through with the trailer trash mother she's had it's no wonder she isn't a junkie or a whore. While she may dance for men and enjoy sex it's on her terms and no one else's.
Maddox is in Deadhorse for one reason, revenge. But his plans fall off the rails after a chance meeting with his target intrigues and ignites him. Before he realises who she is Maddox becomes invested. After some truths are spilled he decides she's not who he really wants to kill.
Belle and Maddox team up and become wrapped up in each others drama, they work together to get rid of their enemies before Maddox takes Belle with him back to California. Belle won't change for anyone and she has no intention of falling in love with Maddox. She wouldn't even know what that is. While Maddox felt the same something about Belle has changed him. As he tries to break down her walls trouble from the past finds her. She has to decide whether to trust Maddox with what she's facing or deal with it alone.
Will Belle let Maddox love her or will she be broken forever.
Happy Reading.
October 25, 2021
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
Belle
There once was a beautiful woman named Belle. Stuck in a run-down trailer with a monster hell bent on living her life one drug at a time, she wants to escape. All she dreams about is leaving her past in Deadhorse, Arizona to start a new life. One chance encounter with a handsome stranger could be the change she needs.
Maddox
Maddox Taylor only has one thing on his mind. Revenge. Nothing will keep him from completing his life's mission. Not even the bombshell blonde temptation in front of him. No happily ever after is ever promised, especially when life is more of a beast than either bargained for.
If the story of Bonnie and Clyde fascinates you then you will like this book because it reminded me of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde. This book is a standalone and it is also a dark romance so you will want to heed the warnings if you have triggers. Some things in this book might be triggering for some readers. This was a quick read so if you like quick escapes then you will like that about this book too. This is the story of Belle and Maddox. Belle has had a rough life and wants nothing more than to escape from that life. After all a child shouldn't be forced to do what she had to do at ten years old. You really can not blame the girl who lost her sister and watched her mom the drug addict destroy herself every day. Maddox is in Deadhorse for only one reason and that reason is revenge. But the second he sees Bella he has to have her and he will make sure that that happens. However plans do change when he finds out exactly who Belle is. This is a twisted messed up dark read that might just keep you guessing and on the edge of your seats.
Belle
There once was a beautiful woman named Belle. Stuck in a run-down trailer with a monster hell bent on living her life one drug at a time, she wants to escape. All she dreams about is leaving her past in Deadhorse, Arizona to start a new life. One chance encounter with a handsome stranger could be the change she needs.
Maddox
Maddox Taylor only has one thing on his mind. Revenge. Nothing will keep him from completing his life's mission. Not even the bombshell blonde temptation in front of him. No happily ever after is ever promised, especially when life is more of a beast than either bargained for.
If the story of Bonnie and Clyde fascinates you then you will like this book because it reminded me of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde. This book is a standalone and it is also a dark romance so you will want to heed the warnings if you have triggers. Some things in this book might be triggering for some readers. This was a quick read so if you like quick escapes then you will like that about this book too. This is the story of Belle and Maddox. Belle has had a rough life and wants nothing more than to escape from that life. After all a child shouldn't be forced to do what she had to do at ten years old. You really can not blame the girl who lost her sister and watched her mom the drug addict destroy herself every day. Maddox is in Deadhorse for only one reason and that reason is revenge. But the second he sees Bella he has to have her and he will make sure that that happens. However plans do change when he finds out exactly who Belle is. This is a twisted messed up dark read that might just keep you guessing and on the edge of your seats.
November 12, 2021
Where to even begin with Belle and Maddox....
The best way to describe their relationship is if you took Joe and Love from You and then some how smashed them together with The Joker and Harley Quinn. So much damage and craziness and well....other stuff.
Belle is an absolute horrible person. I hated this character with a burning passion. She was complete trailer trash and treated other people and herself like garbage. There just wasn't really anything to like about Belle and I think my dislike for her is what kept me reading because I just really wanted to get to a point where something terrible happened to her.
Pretty much the first half of the book was sex, hating Belle for being a shitty person, sex, wondering what Maddox even saw in this girl, sex, this relationship clearly is not healthy, sex, crime, sex, terrible people, oh and did I mention sex. There were a bit more sex scenes than I enjoy in a book but it actually did fit in with the character building. Damaged women throw themselves into sex so it wasn't surprising or shocking that there was a lot of it.
BUT THEN....the last half of the book we end up somehow feeling sorry for Belle and actually rooting for her. At this point I am just so mind f*cked, I don't even know what to do with myself. Like how did this even happen?
There were a lot of emotions to unpack in this less than 200 page book. Kudos to Nikki for writing such complex characters and such a twisted storyline that I just couldn't put this train wreck of a love story down.
The best way to describe their relationship is if you took Joe and Love from You and then some how smashed them together with The Joker and Harley Quinn. So much damage and craziness and well....other stuff.
Belle is an absolute horrible person. I hated this character with a burning passion. She was complete trailer trash and treated other people and herself like garbage. There just wasn't really anything to like about Belle and I think my dislike for her is what kept me reading because I just really wanted to get to a point where something terrible happened to her.
Pretty much the first half of the book was sex, hating Belle for being a shitty person, sex, wondering what Maddox even saw in this girl, sex, this relationship clearly is not healthy, sex, crime, sex, terrible people, oh and did I mention sex. There were a bit more sex scenes than I enjoy in a book but it actually did fit in with the character building. Damaged women throw themselves into sex so it wasn't surprising or shocking that there was a lot of it.
BUT THEN....the last half of the book we end up somehow feeling sorry for Belle and actually rooting for her. At this point I am just so mind f*cked, I don't even know what to do with myself. Like how did this even happen?
There were a lot of emotions to unpack in this less than 200 page book. Kudos to Nikki for writing such complex characters and such a twisted storyline that I just couldn't put this train wreck of a love story down.
September 17, 2024
This isn’t your typical fairytale
Belle is’t going to any balls, no fancy dresses, big fancy castles. No, all she has is a trailer she shares with her döped up mother, a crappy car, and a job working the pöle. Sleezy men, alcöhol, and a shïthole small town that’s all she knows, saving up enough money to get out of the trailer that holds nothing but bad memories and into a rundown house owned by a slümlord. The silver lining his her new to town, mysterious hot neighbor. She doesn’t do relationships though and she lets him know from the get go it’s only sëx nothing more. She just can’t seem to stay away from Maddox.
Maddox has come to Deädhourse on a mission, to seek revënge for his fathers dëath 10 years ago. The names on his list, one down and two to go. Renting his new home away from home, finding it to be one of those “you get what you pay for” type places, he heads to the local strïp joint to fish for some information. He must find Maribelle Connor she’s one of the reasons he’s slumming it up here. But instead he finds the most hypnotizing woman he’s ever laid eyes on, and she just so happens to be moving in next door how convenient for him.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Nikki I think you probably had too much fun writing this one, nonetheless I enjoyed it read it in one sitting. Belle and Maddox are two unhinged, childhood traüma, psychopäths who are so beyond meant to be.
Belle is’t going to any balls, no fancy dresses, big fancy castles. No, all she has is a trailer she shares with her döped up mother, a crappy car, and a job working the pöle. Sleezy men, alcöhol, and a shïthole small town that’s all she knows, saving up enough money to get out of the trailer that holds nothing but bad memories and into a rundown house owned by a slümlord. The silver lining his her new to town, mysterious hot neighbor. She doesn’t do relationships though and she lets him know from the get go it’s only sëx nothing more. She just can’t seem to stay away from Maddox.
Maddox has come to Deädhourse on a mission, to seek revënge for his fathers dëath 10 years ago. The names on his list, one down and two to go. Renting his new home away from home, finding it to be one of those “you get what you pay for” type places, he heads to the local strïp joint to fish for some information. He must find Maribelle Connor she’s one of the reasons he’s slumming it up here. But instead he finds the most hypnotizing woman he’s ever laid eyes on, and she just so happens to be moving in next door how convenient for him.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Nikki I think you probably had too much fun writing this one, nonetheless I enjoyed it read it in one sitting. Belle and Maddox are two unhinged, childhood traüma, psychopäths who are so beyond meant to be.
October 24, 2021
Belle has had a tough life growing up in a trailer with her sister and mother, who is more worried about men and drugs than her kids, and as time goes by her sister becomes the same as her mother, and she eventually dies. Bella has trust issues and is working as a stripper to support herself, with dream of escaping Deadhorse for good. Maddox is in Deadhorse for vengeance against those who killed his father years ago, and he ends up as Belle neighbor. These two have more in common than first thought, as they both love sex, but do not do relationships, and they team up to kill their enemies. This is a good story which is dark, raw, gritty, and with suspense, twists, vengeance, secrets, drama, and intrigue. The only downside in my opinion only, is that the story felt disjointed in placed, however, I look forward to reading more from this author, and I recommend her work.
October 24, 2021
This dark and twisted read was a unique one that I don’t think Ive read anything quite like it. I loved the story line and Maddox’s character yet at times I found Belle to be too wish washy. I know she didn’t come from a loving home, struggles with her feelings, but at times it was hard to connect with her and their were a few moments that made me cringe a little. They both have their own issues and when they do decide to work together to accomplish a common goal they work seamlessly. Maddox caught feelings early on and kept trying to break Belle’s walls down but Belle wasn’t haven’t it and just kept leading him on. Overall it was an Interesting read, has triggers, but it kept my attention the whole time.
October 25, 2021
This all new dark standalone romance was a great read. Filled with twists and turns that you don’t see coming which I love in my books. Maddox and Belle do not have your typical relationship to say the least but they are completely perfect for one another and while it took them a minute to get to this conclusion they take you on one wild and crazy ride. These two are completely unconventional but they work so well. The story was gripping and grabbed me from the beginning and I had to read it in one sitting because I could not put it down.
November 5, 2021
Belle Connor wants to get out of Deadhorse. There's nothing for her there and she's just counting down the days for when she has enough money to leave and not look back.
Maddox Taylor came to Deadhorse for one reason. He seeks revenge. He can't seem to get his mind off the blonde though.
Belle and Maddox had a very unique relationship. It wasn't an oh I love you in the typical hearts and flowers way but a much more darker variety. I couldn't put the book down because I truly did not know which way it would go. There were many twists and turns and I'm looking forward to more! 🖤
Maddox Taylor came to Deadhorse for one reason. He seeks revenge. He can't seem to get his mind off the blonde though.
Belle and Maddox had a very unique relationship. It wasn't an oh I love you in the typical hearts and flowers way but a much more darker variety. I couldn't put the book down because I truly did not know which way it would go. There were many twists and turns and I'm looking forward to more! 🖤
October 27, 2021
I saw this book on Tik Tok and I wanted to see the different point of view where he had to chase her. I like dark romance and I figured I would like this book, I just didn't know how much I'd like it. Belle is just trying to survive, she has her heart closed off, and she knows she won't amount to much past her town. Maddox comes to town with revenge on his mind, together him and Belle are extremely f***ked up.
Lots of spice, Hella dark, but worth the read!!
Lots of spice, Hella dark, but worth the read!!
October 25, 2021
Dark romance, not a book I would normally like but I had to keep reading to see what happened! Definitely had the vibes of a modern day Bonnie & Clyde. There were more dead bodies turning up than I expected but it all wrapped up nice and had a good ending.
October 26, 2021
I don't know. This timeline is way off. You go to a new town to kill someone. You rent a house and begin fixing it up. The timeline doesn't match. It goes from days to weeks then months. A lot of sex and I won't fall in love with you. Will I read more from this author? I don't know.
Read
January 6, 2024If you're looking for a dark Bonnie and Clyde quick read in one sitting.. look right here!
Belle and Maddox are the perfect match of dark and twisty and jumping over all struggles from normal trust issues to back stabbing best friends. There is the instant chemistry between the two of them, and the need to be with each other even as Belle tries to deny it.
Belle and Maddox are the perfect match of dark and twisty and jumping over all struggles from normal trust issues to back stabbing best friends. There is the instant chemistry between the two of them, and the need to be with each other even as Belle tries to deny it.
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