Desperate to claim independence from her self-absorbed mother, Leona Landry finds herself on the doorsteps of the Moore Estate. At eighteen, a summer on an island, meeting new people and having a little fun after graduation sounds absolutely perfect–until it doesn’t.
She gets a firsthand glimpse of the seedy underbelly of ridiculous wealth, and she can’t look away. Henry Moore offers her salvation.
Loathing the weight of his name and ties to the Moore estate, Henry feels sickened by his family’s dealings in sin and depravity. Even though his own future is at stake, he risks everything to save Leona from a fate worse than death.
That wicked summer ten years ago bonded Leona and Henry together forever, but he won’t be spared in her anger when she seeks revenge. The Moore family’s time is up, and Leona isn’t leaving without justice. When she steps onto their island once more, she’s prepared to bring them down… even if she has to take Henry down with them.
It was only supposed to be a summer job, but it changed everything for her - for him - for them.
Liz Hambleton writes imperfectly beautiful romance. Her heroines are always strong-willed, and her heroes, resilient. Her characters live in alternate worlds and futuristic times, and putting yourself in their stories lets you escape reality while still feeling the power of true love.
If she’s not reading, she’s writing, and her deep adoration for the written word shines in everything she creates. Liz is married with two children, two large dogs, and a fish that refuses to die.
I loved this book! I was given an ARC copy, and felt so honored to be able to preview this book. I am a reader of all genres- and do feel like I should let you know I consider this a *very* dark romance. Not in the way that it’s super spicy- but the topic that’s being discussed…is intense. (I did not see it coming.)
I think you’re really going to enjoy this book. Just know that you will need to pay a lot of attention to the beginning of the book, so you can understand the build up of the story. I read this book in one setting; and had every emotion you can think of course through my mind. I honestly couldn’t get enough of this story! Thank you for the opportunity to read your novel as an ARC reader, Liz Hambelton!
Let me just start by saying, this book surprised the hell out of me, and I’m undecided on whether or not that was a good thing.
I went into this book thinking it was going to be a second chance romance with darker themes and spicy scenes. What I got was not exactly that. While this book is technically “second-chance,” any and all romance that happens in this book happens in the past (2014). Most of the book is set in the past when our FMC was actually on the island as an 18 year old. There are maybe 5/6 chapters set in the present day/future(2023. The MMC and FMC never really break up(I don’t even think they were together in the first place), and they never stop loving each other, so that is why I don’t think I would call this book a second-chance.
I won’t lie, I didn’t really like this book when I first started reading, but once I realized this was more thriller with romance on the side, I was able to actually enjoy it. I love the concept of this book. A girl who is abused by rich men on their private island comes back years later to get her revenge. The writing was really good, but make sure you’re paying attention to all the small details.
This book is definitely dark, but not because of the spice, but because of the topics that are shown and discussed in the book. Definitely check TW’s. I think it is best to go into this book as blind as possible, with no expectations for optimal enjoyment. If you're looking for a thrilling book that will keep you on the edge of your seat chapter after chapter; a book that is plot focused with a sprinkling of spice; and a very unique ending, this may be the book for you. This was my first read from this author and I will definitely be checking more of her books out.
Thank you so much to Liz Hambleton and The Smuthood for an ARC copy of this book.
*No spoiler review but does contain CW's that may spoil aspects of the book*
I received this as an ARC. Absolutely LOVED this!
This is a dark romance that centers around a woman revisiting a vacation island from her past to seek revenge against the rich and powerful who harmed her and others. In doing so, she also must confront the man who stole her heart all those summers ago and let her go. Her salvation may be his ruin. And vice versa. Second-chance romance, forbidden love, morally grey protector, touch her and die vibes. It was spicy and deep.
This book read like a revenge thriller with some spicy romance interwoven. I loved the pacing, multiple POV's, and the timeline changes were very seamlessly done. The atmosphere was opulent with a tarnished and seedy undertone. The characters were fantastic! Even the ones you hate are so well written that your hate for them is VERY palpable.
This book was way darker than I thought it would be. It was not very graphic in the situations it tackled but the subject material was heavy nonetheless. Please check the content warnings I have listed below (may spoil for some readers) * * * * CW: suicide (on page and mentioned), sexual assault (on page and mentioned), drug use, alcoholism, sex trafficking/prostitution, violence, murder (mentioned), trauma
My first dark romance and it sure was a good one. The way the author wrote keeps you as reader wanting more. Affluence delivers a message so deep and strong that you as reader feel every feeling the characters experience. Liz has an advanced and clear writing tecnique. She uses the right words and makes sure her readers what and when something is going on in the book.
For a first time dark romance I was kept on my toes throughout the story. It is lustful, steamy and to be honest a tad upsetting. But the above mentioned never stopped me from not finishing the book. It truly is a wonderful novel and you can see the hard work the author has put into her work.
I definetly recommend it to readers who love a good dark romance.
If you want a dark, thrilling romance that captures you from start to finish, read Affluence.
Often, I find myself reading books listed as "suspense" and I've figured out the end within the first few chapters. This is one-hundred percent NOT that book. From the prologue to The End, you can expect fresh, captivating storylines.
I've often called Liz a master of cliffhangers, and while the book ends with the story wrapped up nicely, each chapter pulls on and pushes you until you make yourself read the next one...and then the next.
I've been very fortunate to work with and write with Liz for over a year, and I can't wait to see what comes next from her.
Leonas character was interesting I wanted to find out more about her past and what happened to her and Henry .
It has dual povs , you get to read that she arrived there when she was younger and now it’s the present when she’s a lot older and wants revenge 🔥, The tension in this book was so good as well🤍.
Second chance romance Forbidden love Touch her and she dies trope ….👀
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
My honest review is you need to read this book. It’s a thrilling romance with drama, love, steam, death, trauma, chemistry, deception, and an an ending that shocked me in a great way.
Liz knocked it out the park in this book. The detail she put into the characters from start to finish is amazing. You have to pay close attention to the details to understand what’s going on. I kept guessing the reason of certain things which I love the suspense of it.
Happy tears where found in this book for a few reasons. This a book I’ll definitely re read and cherish.
Leona thinks she is getting the chance to work a summer job, gain her independence from her drug, gold digging mother and cold hearted step father at the Moore Estates. But what she gets instead is the cold hard reality that this job is nothing as it seems. But it’s just the summer right, she just needs to get through the summer. In the meantime she gains a best friend and finds the love of her life — and caring bout anything other than getting out of the island unscathed and mentally stable is proving to be dangerous.
Can both her friendship and first love withstand the secrets, the wealth, the men, and everything included in these estates of the island? Can Leona save the two people she cares about?
Henry and Leona’s love story is just *chefs kiss*! Do yourself a favor and pick this book up! You won’t regret it!
Wow! So good. I was really surprised by the suspense. It almost read like a thriller, but with spicy scenes sprinkled throughout. I really enjoyed reading it, and the only thing that could have made it better would have been if it was longer! Haha
If you like dark, buried secrets, hot and ruthless main characters, and revenge then this book is for you.
This books twists had me at the edge of my seat in the best way. You want to hate the male lead but you just can’t…the depth of character this author has created is outstanding. I love the development of the lead female, will read again!
This book was so good! I devoured this book in 2 days, I was so intrigued by the mystery of it and the strength of Leona. I needed to know how she went from the girl who didn’t know what was going on to the girl who came out on top.
*Please read the trigger warnings before reading this book*
This book is written with flashbacks from the past and little bits of the present. In the flashbacks Leona has to work a summer job on an island as a helper on the estate of the Moores who own basically all the island. She falls in love, she meets her best friend, and by the end of the book she gives justice to everyone on that island.
That island had so much going on, and the ending was just what needed to happen. Leona was a such a strong female MC, didn’t care about the consequences from caring for her friend. The secrets and the plot twist where amazing, and the ending I honestly didn’t expect it, but I really loved it.
Wow, what a ride! I’m not a huge fan of dark romance and mystery but I loved all the twists and turns in Affluence! The mystery is certainly there and you won’t want to put this book down once you start to put the pieces together. Dark scenes are scattered throughout the book but don’t dive too terribly deep. Along with the dark scenes come the light, love, and strength that each character shows. Easy read with the perfect amount of depth to have you invested in the story and characters. As a person that normally avoids dark romances, I can say that Liz has me rethinking my normal genre of books. Loved it!
This 👏🏻 book 👏🏻. Third book I’ve read by this author and oh boy, is it my favorite, by far. I really enjoyed how the story is told over years, and flashes from past to present. Definitely a read to escape into another world, with a nod towards current events, plus a romance between two people you won’t be able to get enough of.
Man! You want a dark revenge romance read this is your one to read!! I was hooked with the plot.
This book does have a lot of trigger warnings. If you can stand them this is definitely worth the read!
I wasn’t sure what was going to happen going into this book a lot happens but everything makes sense by the end!
I loved that this wasn’t your normal second chance romance. I loved how this book gave it a happy ending but not in the way other authors do. I hope that makes since when you read it.
Liz is a new to me author and man did she get me hooked with this book. I will definitely read more of this author.
So this is one you should definitely go in blind for. The mystery and twists had my anxiety going 🎢 trying to anticipate what would happen next. At times the story felt thriller like. The majority of the book is told from the past, of the events that lead up to Leona’s need for revenge. Some of the topics discussed were pretty heavy.
It was wild the things that happened at the estate like it was just another Tuesday. Leona was literally thrown to the wolves & I felt so bad for her at times because she just seemed lost. Henry & Leona had no business falling in love the way that they did. But their feelings for each other wouldn’t be able to fix what had happened.
The ending gave me a sense of peace and I felt that they definitely got their HFN. I would love to see more of them though.
I went into this book completely blind but it was still unlike anything I imagined it being. This is completely different from any other romance book I’ve read and I love that. It is heavy on plot and light on spice but the twists and turns were so compelling that I literally couldn’t put it down. This book is definitely a thinker and will tug on your heart strings so it’s not necessarily something you can read distractedly. There’s also a lot of TWs ⚠️so check those if needed. It’s not crazy graphic but it’s something to look at if you need too. I loved Leona and Henry’s complicated relationship. Liz’s writing breathed so much life into these characters that I found myself rooting for them even if it was messy. Leona in particular is such an amazingly strong, captivating character. The ending was perfect and I loved how it all wrapped up. There’s not a lot I can say without spoiling but I highly recommend checking this one out!!
This is a revenge, second chance, and kind of forbidden romance novel. Leona finds a summer job at an estate when she's 18. Wanting a little freedom for herself. She soon discovers the dark world of the wealthy and the man she's attracted to, Henry, is in the middle of it all. When Leona comes back years later for her revenge no one, including Henry, is safe. I really liked the idea of this story. The revenge plot, the darkness of the situation. But at times I felt lost and the relationship between Leona and Henry seemed confusing. Her love him/hate him dynamic switched back and forth too quickly. I didn't know what she was feeling or why most of the time. I wanted more of their relationship development. BUT I did really liked how Leona's revenge unfolded and how she made the man she loves pay for his sins as well.
Wow! What a thrilling book this was! You truly are taken off into a whole different world you didn’t know could exist. One of money and power and secrets. Leona was such a badass character and I really appreciated seeing both young her and older her. I will say definitely try to go in blind on this one, it does take a hot minute to adjust to the story and surroundings as you’re kind of dropped in without much context at first. But I promise, answers do come. My only thing I would’ve liked more of was more development between Leona and Henry. They were a little confusing at times, but nothing that can’t be looked over. All in all such a thrilling read!
Forbidden dark romance that makes you want to keep going. FMC who is put in a work situation on an island where the MMC feels the need to protect and save her. Definitely check the triggers if you have any. This does have a HEA, but it is not obvious, but Liz does a great job with giving us answers! You should definitely put this on your ever-growing TBR!
So many secrets you never know what will happen next! A great cast of characters all tied into a sinister story that happens on the Island. Leona is not one to hold back and when it comes to the people she cares about, she will raise hell to get retribution!
I had no clue where this book was headed in the begging. I thought I was in for a steamy romance but it was more thriller with a lot of dark romance. I loved this book and the the characters revenge story.
The plot and story of this book was super interesting and engaging, there was this big mysterious vibe of the island and the people who lived and worked there. I didn’t really feel the connection between Henry and Leona, I would have liked for there to been more interaction/conversation between the two of them in the beginning. For that reason, this felt more like a mystery/thriller than a romance to me. There were still some spicy scenes that I appreciated and I liked how protective Henry was. Still a great read, the end was cool and interesting and I liked that they got their HEA. Be sure to check out the trigger warnings though as this book covers some heavy topics!
This was different from what I usually read. I really liked it however. I'm happy with the ending I just wish we got more of Leona and Henry together in the the end.
Dark and heartbreakingly real, I couldn’t put it down. It wasn’t at all what I expected. Make sure you have a whole day available when you start this book.