AMELIA I ran from a monster Right into the arms of his rivals I was willing to do anything, To save my life But now I’ve been captured. And he’s vowed to make me pay For loving them, Needing them, Wanting them.
HOOK My world is burning around me, And right now, all I want is her. She was never the enemy, And now nothing is going to stop us, From getting the woman we love.
Lies, danger, Pleasure, problems, None of it matters Because she has us HOOKED, In body, mind, and heart.
Sarah Bale's family always knew she would write romances when they saw the elaborate stories she created for her Barbie dolls. At fifteen she penned her first book, which will never see the light of day if she has any say.
When Sarah isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and also planning what she’d do in a zombie apocalypse. One of her favorite pastimes is attending comic cons, where she can nerd out over all things Marvel.
She is a USA Today Bestselling Author living in Oklahoma and doesn't plan on leaving any time soon.
You ever read one of those books where you want to throw your Kindle against the wall and scream, “WHY???,” then 20 pages later you’re hugging your Kindle and sitting with all of your feelings? This is that book.
Hooked: Hook and His Darling Part 2 is author Sarah Bale’s conclusion to her book Captive. And wow, it’s a gut-wrenching, heart-pounding, nail-biting conclusion to Amelia, Hook, Smee, Ronan, and Ivan’s story. This book is billed as a dark mafia romance, and it lives up to that promise. I devoured this book in 2 days. I couldn’t stop reading! Bale builds on the suspense from book 1, then throws every emotion possible into bringing the reader into the hearts, minds, and actions of the characters.
There is an HEA, and I hate putting spoilers out there, but that HEA doesn’t include everyone. It does however, add a touch of realism to the dark lives the characters lead. I am not an angst lover, but it was worth it for this story. Be sure to read Part 1 first. This is a duet series and both books must be read in order to understand, appreciate, and enjoy Part 2.
“You’re the heart of Hook and Company. Without you, we’re nothing.”
This book hurt. I was warned by the author both in my DMs and also in her content/trigger warnings placed at the beginning of the book, but I still wasn’t fully prepared by how much my heart would hurt for these characters. I love it when any author can pull emotions out of me, and Sarah Bale did it very quickly and ruthlessly. This book is less about the sexual relationships and more about healing from serious trauma and grief. I really enjoyed how this book ended (although I sobbed like a baby at one point), and I’m so excited to read Midas’ book. Bale’s writing is fast paced, blunt, and such a fun time. Definitely recommend!
This is book two and you must read book one as this picks up right where we left off in book one. Please read and take caution of the TWs that the author provides as this book shows very graphic scenes of torture, physical assault/abuse, and deals with heavy topics such as rape and death of a main character
Overall rating 4-4.5 stars Steam 3 stars (the first book was steamier but again this one is more focused on revenge and healing from trauma)
I am going to include a major spoiler at the end of this review because I was NOT ready for what happened and was absolutely devastated by how this duet turned out. I will add another spoiler alert later. You have been warned.
This duet had its ups and downs. But it did get me out of a serious slump.. that is worth mentioning. I feel like my review is long but that is only because of how INVESTED I became in this story.
I really liked the writing style of the author. I definitely see myself potentially reading more of her works going forward. I liked the flow, I liked the character development, I also really liked that this author wasn't afraid of breaking your heart and making you cry.. And you will cry. I promise.......
The characters were okay. Amelia was the perfect fmc for me. She was so strong, so determined, but she was also feminine and fragile in ways that we all (realistically) are. I thought she was super well written and I liked seeing her develop and adapt throughout the duet. (Side note: I almost dnf when she was all "I'm not a prostitute." but then proceeded to let Hook treat her like one when they first met. I was with the waitress on that one. But I am glad I gave her a chance.)
Smee was perfection. As much as I love reverse harem I wish this was just MF because he was the perfect book boyfriend and Amelia could have been so much happier with just him.
Hook had more downs than ups - overall I don't think he deserved Amelia AT ALL. First of all, his suspicion of her made NO sense. I hate when characters act stupid because it's like.. he had all the facts and they all pointed to Amelia being innocent but he was determined in making her seem guilty. (iykyk) Also can we not use sex as a form of torture and have the female be totally okay with it/enjoy it in the future? Thanks. Especially when a girl admits to being suicidal and then still decides it's okay to have s*x with four men that forced the confession through org@sms... okay. Oh and one last issue... the fact that Amelia used a safe word because Hook wouldn't respond to "no" and then he continued and sent her off with NO aftercare. Trash. The man is trash. I forgot how much I hated him..
Ronan and Ivan both fell through the cracks sometimes. I felt like Ivan and Amelia's relationship barely existed. Except when he told her she was the type of woman that asked to be abused... and then NEVER apologized. And Amelia was all "I know he is just trying to push me away." Like girl.. how?
When it came to Ronan he overcame not liking being touched because Amelia was different (obviously.) but it didn't feel like the revolution it should have been. I just wanted to feel more of the development that Amelia helped him with. It was there but it wasn't talked about enough, more of side note than anything.
For me it doesn't matter-but some people might want to know that there were more than a few editing issues throughout the duet. It could use another run through.
Spoiler time!! Stop. If you don't like MAJOR spoilers I don't want to ruin it for you! . . . .
Ivan's death completely blindsided me. I think this might be the first reverse harem I have personally read where one of the love interest ACTUALLY dies an stays dead. I wish I had been warned because I probably would have still read it but I wouldn't have let myself like him so much. I appreciated the Author's approach when even Amelia said "this isn't a fairytale." Because of course she was r@ped while being help captive and tortured. I APPRECIATED that the author didn't shy away from damaging the fmc so thoroughly. But Ivan? It was almost too much for me. ALSO the fact that it was so fast, mostly off-page, and SO much happened right after that it was just kind of like.. okay moving on. Like Amelia is just having s3x with all the guys later that day because they are all hurting from the loss. Which I would be okay with if that was why. But instead everyone was making up from keeping things from each other/fighting... so it wasn't even about Ivan.
Also Amelia being pregnant and somehow staying pregnant while starved, beaten, and raped for two months? That's not a fairytale ending?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I made it through the first book thinking that I wanted to support a new author and was slightly intrigued enough to read the second, but it only got worse. I am going to try to do this with the least amount of spoilers possible: first - the heroine accepts a drink from the traitor which leads to her being kidnapped - (who accepts drinks from strangers after her guys already told her she ain’t ish), and then still believes everything the traitor says that’s negative about the guys she cares for (yes, the same traitor that got her kidnapped?!), she believes her pedophile uncle (how does anything he says seem remotely believable, like come onnnn) and essentially ANYone in the book that talks ish about her guys she trusts but doesn’t believe or trust them ……TSTL. She doesn’t tell the guys about the traitor for whatever reason…. TSTL!!! these supposed kingpins actually have such lack of security that the traitor has gotten in their home multiple times without any issue, like seriously?! My ADT security is better than that. It was just so bad, and that’s just a few of the issues, too many times I just wanted to bang my head on the table reading some of the scenes.
There was so much potential, mostly because so much was good about the characterizations. Ronan and Smee remain my favorites. Hook has moved himself back into my good graces, but OMG how is it that NO ONE figured out who’d betrayed them? Not only was it painfully obvious, but they never suspected. How does that happen??
And don’t even get me started with all that nonsense where Amelia doesn’t clear the air immediately, thereby saving a lot of trouble. George’s machinations only worked because people be dumb. I can’t stand that. The lot of them are TSTL (too stupid to live). A three star rating is probably not exactly fair, given I didn’t read the whole book — at some point it made me very angry and I just skipped 30% of the book and picked back up at 80%.
I love the premise. She spicy scenes are great. The cover model is . But gah, I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.
❤️🪝❤️🖤🪝🖤I did not like this book. Now, hold on a minute here…it’s not for the reasons you may think. I hated about half the book because of what was done to Amelia. The things this woman was put through no human should have had to endure. SB really made me feel like I was a spectator sitting in the corner whilst that crazy asshole had his “fun”. It was heartbreaking for me to read. Then, we get badass Amelia getting her groove on. Man, I was cheering for her! She totally kicked some ass. Just when I think it’s ok….bam SB does it again. Come on…why did you have to 🔪him. I don’t think that I wanted to cry or kill someone at the same time as much as I did while reading Hooked.
Now if you can get past the TW and the roller coaster of emotions then I recommend this series. It really is an amazing read! I honestly loved it. I didn’t want it to end. Can’t wait for book 3 in April!❤️🖤❤️🪝🖤❤️🖤
Dark Romance, edgy and twisty with a soft sweet center! A great dark romance is one that makes you feel soft emotions for diabolical characters in sinister situations.
In Hooked: Hook and His Darling Part 2, author Sarah Bale accomplishes exactly that, wrapping a solid Poly romance in a mafia thriller cloak. This brave and irreverent, two-part, next-generation "Pan" must be read in order and is part of the authors promising new series Bale's Bedtime Stories.
Hooked is not for the faint of heart, sensitive readers should heed the author's advisories, it is truly dark and deals with challenging subject matter, but those who love stories with a sharper edge will not be disappointed.
This picks up right were we left everyone at the end of Captive. Hook is going crazy trying to find where Peters has Amelia hidden. Amelia is being tortured and taken advantaged of, for awhile. Peter wants Amelia to divorce Hook and come back and marry him and for her to give him child. What happens when Hook and the boys get Amelia back? What happens when she wants to protect everyone? What happens when the Families declare war on George Peters?
This book gutted me and made me cry! This book was amazing and I love the love with in the group! I didn't realize how much I had fallen for these boys till something happened. This series is fantastic and I cant wait to see the cameos with in the other families books! Sarah killed it! *side eye*
⚠Mind your triggers⚠ Amelia's story continues, and it is much darker than the first part. Peters has her back, and he is not going to let up on his quest to punish her and get her to give in to his plans. His methods are brutal in every sense of the word. Hook and his men about go crazy trying to rescue her, and even when they do, she's almost broken beyond repair. The angst continues as Amelia refuses to give in to her feelings, trying to protect the men she loves. This story is messy, tragic, and downright heartbreaking, but it's a journey worth taking. I can't wait to read the next story in the series with Midas!
Sarah Bale is a masterfully brilliant author, who has managed to take a classic fairytale we all know and love, and turn it into a dark romance brimming with sensuality, drama, action, and sexy as hell men! She wrote about one of the most gut-wrenching experiences a woman can endure with grace and tact all while still showcasing the utter depravity of the situation with her words, and then gave her character the closure and strength to overcome that trauma like the Phoenix she was meant to become. It was stunning, beautiful, and done with respect and true perfection. Bale's Bedtime Stories are a MUST READ!!!!
OMG Sarah Bale did it again! She made me read a whole book! I loved Captive (Hook and His Darling, 1) and became invested in the crew and each one's particular "thing". We were left on a gasp of a moment and Hooked picks right up. Sarah's writing will keep you entertained and flipping the pages. Not gonna lie... there was a part. I gasped. I was taken aback, not so sure I was liking where it was going... but in the end? It was the right call. It was a turning point and needed to be done. Can't wait for another of Bale's Bedtime Stories!
Part 2 of an absolutely wonderful fairytale re-telling. Amelia has been hurt, Hook and his men are p!ssed. Peters is still nowhere to be captured. Tragedy and betrayal strike. Amelia, Hook, and the men are working on finally removing Peters from his self-appointed thrown. Once Peters is found, and war is declared, Hook and Company will stop at nothing to ensure Peters is removed for good. And just like every fairytale, there is a happy ending for Amelia, Hook, Amelia's men, and the boys. Mind your peace and read the CW/TW.
This is a good conclusion to Hook and Amelia' s story.This book is WAY more graphically violent than book 1.Amelia s brutality and vengefulness is understandable but still rather wrenching.I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 for killing off a main character. I won't spoil it and say who,but it was sad. I enjoyed this story/ duet.I had never read this author before but apparently she is known for her reverse harem,cliffhanger - after - the -first - book series.I am pleased to have found another author to add to my reading list.
Ok wow. That was intense. A lot of blood. Too much, perhaps? Well, who am I to judge?
Exciting and drama-filled conclusion to Hook's story. Not sure these characters are capable of "happy," but they rode off into the sunset together, so I guess that's an HEA of sorts.
Now I need a palate cleanser of fluffy, angst-free novellas. (So much blood.)
This broke my heart, this has trigger warnings so beware! I kinda wished they worked out their relationship without the trauma, it's sounds bad but i felt like a vital part of their relationship was missing because all the anger and secrets. And kinda didn't like how the guys were saying somethings, i mean she has been through hell in a month . And they have to understand why she's pushing them away. Ivan , my sweet man. He deserves better, I cried a lot ....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved this spin on the fairy tale of Peter Pan and hook!
I was definitely hooked, loved the RH. I'm sad about the lose of one character but I'm happy the other got his just desserts. (Can't say names otherwise I'll give away the story)
Wow this book was just heartbreaking. I kinda wish I never stared it because I can’t stand when a main character dies. And the fact that it’s a harem member? I enjoyed this duet otherwise but I also feel like it’s incomplete. Like maybe the ending was rushed? I feel like I need more. Maybe it was because of the death.
I loved this book but that twist tore my heart right out. So yes I am mad at you. Yes I want to yell at you. But most of all I want to not read the last few chapters of the book and go back. But yes this book was 👏🏻
I’m hooked on this series. The deep love and devotion the characters had for each other was shown through every page. Not going to lie, this book has angst and some heartbreak. The author handled my broken heart as delicately as possible and in the end, mended it with the love of the characters.
This is book two and the conclusion of Hook, Amelia, and his guys. This book was disappointing because a main character was killed for not a good reason. It didn’t make sense that Hook didn’t have any back up because the other families gave him some. It was like Peters had more people undercover, but that did not happen at the end. So that death did not make sense. Amelia disappointed me because she didn’t tell the truth about what happened on how she was kidnapped and who drugged her. Even though Amelia was angry about Hook and the guys not finding her soon enough, I understand because what she endured was horrific abuse. However not to tell the guys who the mole was, that was unacceptable, detrimental, and compromised Amelia’s safety, Hook, and his team. Amelia was at fault for the fatal blow to the team. Ronan was a the shining star in this story. Overall, disappointed by this book two.