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Resisting the Enemy
What do you get when you have no remorse for what you’ve done?
A resistance to surrender that’s too impressive to ignore.
Dash
Dash Marlow wasn’t ignorant of what his money, status, and last name did for him. Raised as the eldest Marlow son, there wasn’t anything that Dash couldn’t have or control. His entire family was an army of wealth, power, and ruthlessness; remorse wasn’t a word that any of them were familiar with. Quiet and observant, Dash always had his eyes on the prize, and he never lost.
When his senior year of high school changes everything for him, he finds himself at Drexler University, and he’s there for only one reason. Ready to follow in his father’s footsteps, Dash doesn’t need a college degree to become successful. With his photographic memory, sharp intelligence, and quiet determination, he’s already proven himself plenty, so he wasn’t in college for the education of it all.
He was in college for her.
Eden
Eden Rudolph wasn’t ignorant in the way that the world worked. Sure, she’d been raised in a good home with loving and supportive parents, and even her best friend was solid. Still, that didn’t mean that she’d grown up sheltered from the harsh realities of life. Very aware that there was evil everywhere, Eden had managed to be able to balance the good with the bad, and she’d been good at it.
When her senior year of high school changes everything, she finds herself doing her best to start over somewhere new. Ready to leave her past behind and start the next chapter in her life, Drexler University seems like the perfect place to start. With her priorities in order, her independence secured, and her skin a lot thicker than it used to be, she’s ready to prove what she’s capable of.
She’s prepared to forget all about him.
When your past, present, and future collide, no matter how hard you tried to resist…
After making the biggest mistake of his life, Dash has no choice but to do whatever it takes to make things right. Determined not to let Eden Rudolph’s blinding hate deter him from his goal, he pulls out all the stops, and shows the poor girl absolutely no mercy in his pursuit of her.
After making the biggest mistake of her life, Eden has vowed never to be that stupid ever again, and she’s determined to stick by that vow. When Dash Marlow comes back into her life, she doesn’t care about reasons or explanations, and she lets him know it under no uncertain terms.
Even though Dash knows that Eden has every right to hate him, and Eden knows that Dash will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants, there’s still more at stake than they realize. When the love of a lifetime goes up against the battle of a lifetime, it’s anyone’s guess as to what happens next.
NOTE: This book contains adult language, adult situations, explicit sexual encounters, and violence. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.
**NOTE: While Resisting the Enemy is considered a standalone, it is strongly suggested that buyers read Resurrecting the Enemy first. Dash and Eden make their first appearances in that book, and it will help you understand the dynamics of their story better if you read that book first.
A resistance to surrender that’s too impressive to ignore.
Dash
Dash Marlow wasn’t ignorant of what his money, status, and last name did for him. Raised as the eldest Marlow son, there wasn’t anything that Dash couldn’t have or control. His entire family was an army of wealth, power, and ruthlessness; remorse wasn’t a word that any of them were familiar with. Quiet and observant, Dash always had his eyes on the prize, and he never lost.
When his senior year of high school changes everything for him, he finds himself at Drexler University, and he’s there for only one reason. Ready to follow in his father’s footsteps, Dash doesn’t need a college degree to become successful. With his photographic memory, sharp intelligence, and quiet determination, he’s already proven himself plenty, so he wasn’t in college for the education of it all.
He was in college for her.
Eden
Eden Rudolph wasn’t ignorant in the way that the world worked. Sure, she’d been raised in a good home with loving and supportive parents, and even her best friend was solid. Still, that didn’t mean that she’d grown up sheltered from the harsh realities of life. Very aware that there was evil everywhere, Eden had managed to be able to balance the good with the bad, and she’d been good at it.
When her senior year of high school changes everything, she finds herself doing her best to start over somewhere new. Ready to leave her past behind and start the next chapter in her life, Drexler University seems like the perfect place to start. With her priorities in order, her independence secured, and her skin a lot thicker than it used to be, she’s ready to prove what she’s capable of.
She’s prepared to forget all about him.
When your past, present, and future collide, no matter how hard you tried to resist…
After making the biggest mistake of his life, Dash has no choice but to do whatever it takes to make things right. Determined not to let Eden Rudolph’s blinding hate deter him from his goal, he pulls out all the stops, and shows the poor girl absolutely no mercy in his pursuit of her.
After making the biggest mistake of her life, Eden has vowed never to be that stupid ever again, and she’s determined to stick by that vow. When Dash Marlow comes back into her life, she doesn’t care about reasons or explanations, and she lets him know it under no uncertain terms.
Even though Dash knows that Eden has every right to hate him, and Eden knows that Dash will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants, there’s still more at stake than they realize. When the love of a lifetime goes up against the battle of a lifetime, it’s anyone’s guess as to what happens next.
NOTE: This book contains adult language, adult situations, explicit sexual encounters, and violence. If sensitive to any of the aforementioned issues, please do not purchase.
**NOTE: While Resisting the Enemy is considered a standalone, it is strongly suggested that buyers read Resurrecting the Enemy first. Dash and Eden make their first appearances in that book, and it will help you understand the dynamics of their story better if you read that book first.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2022
69 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
M.E. Clayton
162 books640 followersThere's not much to add to my bio, I'm pretty boring...LOL. My favorite thing is to read and, last year, I decided to trade in some of those reading hours and try my hand at writing. The experience has been one of the best things I could have ever embarked upon. It's turned into a hobby that is fun and thoroughly enjoyable. When I'm not reading or writing, I'm spending time with my family or friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 5, 2022
I was ready to enjoy what has become a very predictable plot with this author's bully books.. sometimes it's nice to be able to anticipate what's going to happen. 🤷🏼♀️
And, in that, I wasn't disappointed. They are all the same. The psycho hero demands the h be with him. They are sort of together for a hot minute, even if the h is vaguely reluctant... then boom, the hero assumes the h has betrayed him in some way. Instead of talking to the Love of His Life to find out what is going on, he flies off the handle and does something reprehensible to publicly humiliate her in revenge. Then he gets new info that he was wrong, the h did nothing of the kind... and he runs to her and demands she be with him again. He'll likely get on his knees during this scene, but it would be a reach to actually call what he does a grovel. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.... and we totally got that here.
This time though, their lover's spat spurs a NEXT DAY trip to an abortion clinic. 😐 Awesome. Weaponized Abortion. 👍🏻 Just the thing my romance was missing. Not even gonna take a week to calm down? 👀 No? 👀 Alrighty then. 😐
coolcoolcool 👌🏻
I almost shut the book there, but I did a quick peek to later in the book and find that she didn't actually do it, but she certainly let him believe she killed their baby... 😒 I think I'm supposed to "you go girl" here... but I didn't... I need my heroines to be above this stuff and maybe not lie about something so devastating... I finished just to find out how the hell this mess is gonna be wrapped up... but yikes.
(PSA: I realize that "her body, her choice" totally applies here... and i agree... I just don't like the “will she/won't she” abortion plot in relation to the hero's child in my romance... there's something icky about it... kinda like having the h raped by OP to add drama... it just doesn't sit well with me)
Anywho... add this unsavory plot device to the fact that the hero had ALREADY blown it with the h prior to this book opening... he had been involved with releasing a sexual video of her.... now this video wasn't released because SHE did something to HIM... no this was second hand revenge porn bullying... he liked her but decided to throw her under the bus because her FRIEND had hurt HIS FRIEND's sad wittle feewings. 🥲 So, he just does it to pile on the humiliation for his friend's girl.
😍What a prince.😍
AND THEN.... he just left her to deal with the brutal bullying from the mess he made of her life. Great. So, when he shows up and demands she be with him at college... it's been several months... I was HOPING we'd get some kind of info that he'd been trying to help her in the background to relieve some of the bullying... but that never happens. He just straight up says he was waiting for her to “get over it” 👀... and now he's done waiting... and boom he expects her to be with him whether she likes it or not.. Mind you, he has done NOTHING whatsoever to redeem himself... nothing. He's not even grovelling... 👀🙄
So... I'm hoping that this is just a big grovel book, and was not impressed that this poor girl is gonna have to experience more trauma at this hero's hands...
You'd think maybe there would be a grovel and wooing at the end once he finds out she didn't get an abortion... but you'd be wrong. He TRIPLES DOWN ON THE DOUCHE-BAGGERY. 😐 Of course he does... He threatens to take her baby and ruin her family if she doesn't agree to marry him. So she agrees and that's the end. He got on his knees... but all he did was demand sh*t from his knees... not a grovel in sight.
We get a 5-year later epilogue... only to be told that they've been married and had 2 kids, and she has refused to celebrate their wedding anniversary or tell him she loves him (even though she says she has loved him the whole time) FOR FIVE YEARS. 😍❤️🎉🎉🎉🎉
So, that sounds like a healthy fulfilling relationship. 👍🏻
Bottom line? Honestly, both of these morons could jump off a cliff for all I care. 🤷🏼♀️ ⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- no dubcon
- OW drama - a jealous biatch lies to the H to make him think the h was cheating (yes, he's well aware she a jealous biach, but takes her word for it, no questions asked of The Love of His Life) - he lets the h think he slept with this OW because he thinks the h cheated.
- OM drama - the H is led to believe the h is cheating with her professor (in a class he attends with her 🙄 - I can't make up this stupidity)
- condoms used
- h goes to an abortion clinic and the reader is led to believe she had an abortion - she didn't
- h (18) has had bad sex one time with one person --- it was related to the bullying in HS - it wasn't rape, but it wasn't something she really wanted to do either
- H (18) is experienced... he hasn't been in a sexual situation since a bj in high school when the MCs were on the outs due to the revenge porn
And, in that, I wasn't disappointed. They are all the same. The psycho hero demands the h be with him. They are sort of together for a hot minute, even if the h is vaguely reluctant... then boom, the hero assumes the h has betrayed him in some way. Instead of talking to the Love of His Life to find out what is going on, he flies off the handle and does something reprehensible to publicly humiliate her in revenge. Then he gets new info that he was wrong, the h did nothing of the kind... and he runs to her and demands she be with him again. He'll likely get on his knees during this scene, but it would be a reach to actually call what he does a grovel. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.... and we totally got that here.
This time though, their lover's spat spurs a NEXT DAY trip to an abortion clinic. 😐 Awesome. Weaponized Abortion. 👍🏻 Just the thing my romance was missing. Not even gonna take a week to calm down? 👀 No? 👀 Alrighty then. 😐
coolcoolcool 👌🏻
I almost shut the book there, but I did a quick peek to later in the book and find that she didn't actually do it, but she certainly let him believe she killed their baby... 😒 I think I'm supposed to "you go girl" here... but I didn't... I need my heroines to be above this stuff and maybe not lie about something so devastating... I finished just to find out how the hell this mess is gonna be wrapped up... but yikes.
(PSA: I realize that "her body, her choice" totally applies here... and i agree... I just don't like the “will she/won't she” abortion plot in relation to the hero's child in my romance... there's something icky about it... kinda like having the h raped by OP to add drama... it just doesn't sit well with me)
Anywho... add this unsavory plot device to the fact that the hero had ALREADY blown it with the h prior to this book opening... he had been involved with releasing a sexual video of her.... now this video wasn't released because SHE did something to HIM... no this was second hand revenge porn bullying... he liked her but decided to throw her under the bus because her FRIEND had hurt HIS FRIEND's sad wittle feewings. 🥲 So, he just does it to pile on the humiliation for his friend's girl.
😍What a prince.😍
AND THEN.... he just left her to deal with the brutal bullying from the mess he made of her life. Great. So, when he shows up and demands she be with him at college... it's been several months... I was HOPING we'd get some kind of info that he'd been trying to help her in the background to relieve some of the bullying... but that never happens. He just straight up says he was waiting for her to “get over it” 👀... and now he's done waiting... and boom he expects her to be with him whether she likes it or not.. Mind you, he has done NOTHING whatsoever to redeem himself... nothing. He's not even grovelling... 👀🙄
So... I'm hoping that this is just a big grovel book, and was not impressed that this poor girl is gonna have to experience more trauma at this hero's hands...
You'd think maybe there would be a grovel and wooing at the end once he finds out she didn't get an abortion... but you'd be wrong. He TRIPLES DOWN ON THE DOUCHE-BAGGERY. 😐 Of course he does... He threatens to take her baby and ruin her family if she doesn't agree to marry him. So she agrees and that's the end. He got on his knees... but all he did was demand sh*t from his knees... not a grovel in sight.
We get a 5-year later epilogue... only to be told that they've been married and had 2 kids, and she has refused to celebrate their wedding anniversary or tell him she loves him (even though she says she has loved him the whole time) FOR FIVE YEARS. 😍❤️🎉🎉🎉🎉
So, that sounds like a healthy fulfilling relationship. 👍🏻
Bottom line? Honestly, both of these morons could jump off a cliff for all I care. 🤷🏼♀️ ⭐️⭐️
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- no dubcon
- OW drama - a jealous biatch lies to the H to make him think the h was cheating (yes, he's well aware she a jealous biach, but takes her word for it, no questions asked of The Love of His Life) - he lets the h think he slept with this OW because he thinks the h cheated.
- OM drama - the H is led to believe the h is cheating with her professor (in a class he attends with her 🙄 - I can't make up this stupidity)
- condoms used
- h goes to an abortion clinic and the reader is led to believe she had an abortion - she didn't
- h (18) has had bad sex one time with one person --- it was related to the bullying in HS - it wasn't rape, but it wasn't something she really wanted to do either
- H (18) is experienced... he hasn't been in a sexual situation since a bj in high school when the MCs were on the outs due to the revenge porn
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
Placemark.
So much for Please don't let me read this tag.
This and the Resurrecting the Enemy and I have a feeling that the previous generation's books are pretty awful in terms of misogyny. What the men want, the men get. Regardless.
Humiliating the heroine is the go-to program when the YA alpha man-children get their noses out of joint. Retribution is swift and totally out of proportion to the slight. Mad she had an old boyfriend? Break his legs and ruin his life. Think she cheated? Take away her scholarship, cheat, and rain down havoc on her. When the H finds out he's wrong? Oops. Sorry. You're going to marry me anyway. In three of the books I read, the heroine is quite clear that although she may love her H, but he and the relationship is damaging and toxic. The epilogues don't really make them much better.
I know for many this is catnip, but I found it pretty sad that these fictional heroines are trapped in the same old song.
So much for Please don't let me read this tag.
This and the Resurrecting the Enemy and I have a feeling that the previous generation's books are pretty awful in terms of misogyny. What the men want, the men get. Regardless.
Humiliating the heroine is the go-to program when the YA alpha man-children get their noses out of joint. Retribution is swift and totally out of proportion to the slight. Mad she had an old boyfriend? Break his legs and ruin his life. Think she cheated? Take away her scholarship, cheat, and rain down havoc on her. When the H finds out he's wrong? Oops. Sorry. You're going to marry me anyway. In three of the books I read, the heroine is quite clear that although she may love her H, but he and the relationship is damaging and toxic. The epilogues don't really make them much better.
I know for many this is catnip, but I found it pretty sad that these fictional heroines are trapped in the same old song.
May 7, 2022
I’m sorry. There. Was that so hard. I have no patience for men who eff up royally and refuse to grovel because they don’t want to show weakness or whatever a$$hat, deranged reasoning is afoot during these situations. And no, giving her the choice of taking back the a$$hat or making her life a living hell doesn’t count as a grovel.
May 4, 2022
**3.5 stars**
May 1, 2022
I’ve been dying for Dash and Edens story and this book did not disappoint.
Dash is a crazy spoilt alpha but he definitely meets his match with Eden. She is strong, smart and the ride or die friend every girl needs. I love how M.E. Clayton writes all her characters. You would normally scream at the girls …RUN… because all her female characters are amazing but you can’t help love the boys just as much. She is completely unique in the way she writes these alpha asshole bullies.
One click every time. On now to the rest in this new series
Dash is a crazy spoilt alpha but he definitely meets his match with Eden. She is strong, smart and the ride or die friend every girl needs. I love how M.E. Clayton writes all her characters. You would normally scream at the girls …RUN… because all her female characters are amazing but you can’t help love the boys just as much. She is completely unique in the way she writes these alpha asshole bullies.
One click every time. On now to the rest in this new series
May 3, 2022
Please pick a new story line
Seriously nearly all these books are men thinking the women are cheating and lashing out badly. Then they have to make her come back. Then the author doesn’t finish the story, just adds an epilogue and calls it a day. Seriously let down.
Seriously nearly all these books are men thinking the women are cheating and lashing out badly. Then they have to make her come back. Then the author doesn’t finish the story, just adds an epilogue and calls it a day. Seriously let down.
May 8, 2022
This book is a wild ride for me. The male lead is more psychotic and toxic than Aiden King 🤣 The angst and betrayal is so good. Not to forget the groveling which is a win for me >>>>>> The female lead is a queen indeed. I really love her! Overall, it was a great read despite the major red flag of their entire relationship 😂😂😂
Want to read
February 5, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (5/4/2022)! 🎁
June 4, 2022
4✯
°2nd chance
°Non virgin heroine
°Manwhore hero
°Switching POVs
°Heroine not celibate after meeting the H - she gave her virginity to another guy after the hero humiliated her due to a misunderstanding (they were at a party and he told everyone that the h had been able to take up to 3 fingers, the moment was captured on video and shared everywhere)
°The hero got a bj from OW after meeting the heroine (off page)
°The hero mentioned that he'd done his fair share of partying and knew the effects of weed, coke and ecstasy (not in the current story)
°Pushing away from the h
°Surprise baby
°OW drama - one of the h's "friends" (who tried to flirt with the hero btw) lied to him, she told him that the h was cheating on him with one of their professors, the hero believed her after seeing the h coming out of the professor's house (she was preparing a surprise for the hero) so he broke up with her and made her believe that he had slept with the OW, when the h told him that she was pregnant he thought the professor was the father so he told her to get rid of it (she went to a clinic but at the end she couldn't go through with it) (this was their 2nd separation and it lasted 4 months, both remained celibate)
°No cheating
°No intimate scenes with OP
°Epilogue: 5 years later
*~*~*~
Excerpts:
“Is this about my virginity? Because I’ll just save you the trouble and tell you that you’re a little late to that party, Dash. That ship sailed long ago.” He had his hand wrapped around my throat and my body slammed up against the door before I could even protest. Snarling down at me, he said, “You better be fucking lying.” That just fueled my endless pit of rage for this asshole. “Because you were saving yourself for me?” I snarled back. “I knew that you were an unimaginable bastard, but I didn’t know that you were a hypocrite, too.”
***
“So, if it’s my virginity that you’re after, I no longer have it. Sean Marchman does. Still, if it’s any consolation, the entire time that he was stabbing at me like an inept lover, I was thinking of you.” Dash’s entire body locked up. “I was thinking of how I hoped I never saw you again. Giving my virginity to Sean might have been the biggest mistake of my life, but it certainly wasn’t the most painful. That award still goes to you.”
***
“It’s none of my business who you sleep with,” she shot back. “It hasn’t been since Paisley Wallace.” I grabbed her by her arm, then yanked her forward. “I never fucked that girl,” I growled. “I let her suck my dick, but that’s it.”
***
While Eden’s admitted to giving Sean Marchman her virginity, I had no idea if he’s been the only one. While I hadn’t touched a girl since that mistake with Paisley, I had no idea if Eden had regretted Sean enough to swear off men, or if she’d gone full speed at sleeping with whoever offered.
***
“I am never letting you go, Eden,” he growled. “You might as well understand that now. I am never going to stop fighting for you. I don’t give a fuck how hard you resist, or how much you hate me, or how violently you deny me, because I am never walking away from what we can have together. All you have to do is give me one chance to make it up to you, Eden. Just one.”
***
“Baby-” “Don’t call me that!” she screamed, seconds away from falling the fuck apart. “Don’t…don…don’t you know? My name’s Three-Fingers Eden.” I couldn’t take it anymore. Reaching out, I hauled her into my arms, and I let the girl hit, cry, yell, and lose her shit all over me. She wasn’t doing any real physical damage, but she was tearing my heart up something fierce. Her tears sounded like they were being wrenched from her soul, and I had no one to blame but myself for Eden’s emotional meltdown. She was a broken mess in my arms, but she was my broken mess, and I wasn’t going to stop until I fixed this.
***
“I love you, Eden. I’ve loved you this entire time. I loved you during every text, every call, and every video chat. I even loved you during Ramsey’s party. I have always loved you, but just not as much as I loved my family. That’s why I was on Ramsey’s side with no consideration to what had been happening between us.” “So, I’ll always be second to your family,” she scoffed. “Wow, what a sweet selling point.” “No,” I told her. “Now that I know what it feels like to lose you, I’ll never choose anyone over you ever again, and my family knows that.”
***
“I want you married to me,” I growled in her face. “I want you chained to me in a way that you will never be free of me.” Her eyes widened at the seriousness in my voice. “I want you spreading your legs for me-willingly-every single fucking day and night, Eden. I want you to love me back.” Squeezing her neck just a little bit tighter, I added, “However, right now, I’ll settle for you letting me suck your tits, eat your pussy, then fucking you until you’re wrecked with everything that I want to do to you. Everything that I’ve wanted to do to you since I first fucking saw you.” I pushed her up against the wall, jolting her a bit. “I want every fucking thing that you have to offer, Eden. I want it all, and I will not stop until I have it all.”
***
“When you love me back, that’s when I’ll consider it a win.” “And if I never come to love you?” I thought about that question as I dropped to clear her feet of her clothes. As much as I wanted Eden to love me, I could live without it. As long as she married me and remained faithful, I could live with her not loving me. I’d hate it, but I could live with it. As long as I had her. That’s what mattered the most right now. Standing up and staring down the body of the only girl who I have ever been in love with, I told her the truth. “Then you never come to love me,” I replied. “But you are going to marry me, Eden. You’re going to marry me, give me kids, and grow old with me. That part of all this doesn’t change.”
***
“She’s pregnant with my kid, Ram,” I bit out as I put out my cigarette with my fingers, then tossed it in the trash. “She’s fucking pregnant, and I told her to get rid of it.” I ran my hands through my hair before grabbing the tumbler and throwing it across the room, letting the glass shatter everywhere. “Fuck!” I shook my head, trying to keep the pain from cracking it open just like my chest. “I need to find her. I need…I need to find her now.”
***
Her first sexual experience had been with a guy who hadn’t loved her, and now her first experience as a mother had ended in an abortion, and both those tragedies were all my fault. I had ruined everything that made a woman special.
***
“Not only have I lost a baby that I would have lived for, and the only girl that I will ever fucking love, but now I also have to tell my parents how I’ve done nothing but destroy that girl since I first met her.” I shook my head. “I hope my dad does kill me.”
***
Staring at the girl who wanted nothing to do with me, I knew that nothing short of being ruthless was going to work with her. Eden had no reason to take me back, forgive me, or even speak to me. If I gave her a choice in any of this, I’d never see her again.
***
Wrathful tears cascaded down her lovely face as I watched the only girl who I have ever loved hate me with every fiber of her being. It wasn’t a figure of speech, either. It wasn’t an exaggeration. It wasn’t a dramatic account. Eden really did hate me, but I was fighting for my life here. I was fighting for my future, fatherhood, and the love of my life. I wouldn’t apologize for fighting dirty. I wouldn’t apologize for threatening her so horribly. I wouldn’t apologize for any of it. “I hate you,” she seethed, meaning every word.
***
“What if we agree to shared custody?” she offered. “Who’s going to agree to that?” I scoffed. “What’s wrong with shared custody?” she bit out. “There’s a lot fucking wrong with it,” I fired back. “Firstly, it doesn’t give me you. Secondly, shared custody implies that, at some point in the future, there’ll be another man tucking my kid into bed at night who won’t be me. Do I seem like the type of guy who would let something like that happen, Eden?”
***
As long as Eden didn’t want me, I would never consider it a win. Oh, she might marry me, and she might even be gracious enough to give me more kids, but I wasn’t foolish enough to think that I would have her in all the ways that mattered. Marriage was just a legal contract, and children ended up growing up and moving out eventually. I had nothing to tie Eden to me after our children were on their own.
***
“There is only you, Eden. There will only ever be you. I fucking love you. I’ve been searching for you for months, and it wasn’t so that I could snag some side-pussy later on.” “Dash-” “No,” he snarled down at me. “You can accuse me of any-fucking-thing you want, but not that. You can call me a bastard, a no-good motherfucker, whatever you want, but I am not a cheater. I will never be a cheater.”
***
“If nothing else, the very thought of what it would do to my mother if my father ever cheated on her is enough to make me keep my dick in my pants. Plus, I know for a fact that, if it ever got out that I did cheat on you, my father would murder me where I stood. Still, all that aside, there is only you. I love only you, and I will only ever love you. Don’t make me repeat myself when it comes to this subject, Eden. It won’t go well.”
***
“And just so we’re clear, if you ever so much as think about cheating on me, I will drag you through a hell that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. So, if you think that fucking around on me is your get-out-of-jail-free card, think again. I will never let you go, Eden. Never. Whether loving me with everything you have or hating me with every fiber of your being, you will die on your deathbed still married to me.”
***
“You’re what’s wrong with me! You’re the only thing that’s ever wrong with me!” Then Dash Marlow did something that took my breath away, and I wasn’t sure that I was ever going to recover from it. Life had defining moments, and this one was a big one, both for him and me. Dash dropped to his knees, looked up at me, then said, “Do your worst, baby girl. Hate me, cheat on me, take my money, ruin my life…whatever you want. Do it, and I’ll take it. I will take it as long as I need to in order for you to see that I love you. You don’t have to love me back. You don’t have to do anything. I just want you to believe that I love you.”
***
When I finally had her naked before me, all that I saw was the swell of her stomach, and it felt as if I’d been kicked in the neck. My baby was nestled safely inside that bump, and even if I found the cure for cancer one day, I still would never feel like I deserved such a miracle after what I’ve done to this girl. She hadn’t gotten rid of our child, despite what I’d done to her, and I will forever be grateful for that. “I love you,” I told her, knowing that she was never going to say it back to me. Reaching out and placing my hand on her stomach, I looked her in the eye and repeated, “I love you.”
***
Kissing the top of her head again, I made a promise to her heart since her ears were closed off at the moment. “I’m going to love you my whole life, baby girl. You and no other. Ever.” Hopefully, one day, she could love me back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2022
Wow!
This book is rough! The MMC f#€ked up not only once, not twice, but THREE separate times!! This entire book is about him groveling to get the FMC back and to forgive and love him. Honestly, if it wasn’t because I understand that the author is a religion based writer I would say it was touch and go there for a minute. But because I knew this from the author’s past religious mentions in nearly all her other books I knew how it would go and I knew this author is a guaranteed HEA.
So having said that, there is a pivotal moment that a decision has to be made and it’s not about getting back with the dumbest MMC ever. The author makes the choice that I knew she would and it’s not right or wrong. It was predictable. That kind of ruined it for me. If I can see how the story is going to go then it’s not a surprise that I’m unfolding as I read. So I took points off for that even though I LOVED this story!
I had been wanting a surprise pregnancy in one of her stories for a minute! So I loved it and I loved the absurdly stupid MMC because he just kept making stupid choices that I had to laugh at it. No way in real life would this have played out this way. Two people this self aware wouldn’t have this bad of a relationship. Only ignorance can make this situation realistic.
Either way, I was dying to see it all play out. I was dying for more drama. I was dying with how brief the mention of the comeuppance of the villain was. And I was dying when the story was over because I definitely needed more of this ridiculousness. Lol. I was thoroughly entertained. Enjoy, as I’m off to read the next book.
This book is rough! The MMC f#€ked up not only once, not twice, but THREE separate times!! This entire book is about him groveling to get the FMC back and to forgive and love him. Honestly, if it wasn’t because I understand that the author is a religion based writer I would say it was touch and go there for a minute. But because I knew this from the author’s past religious mentions in nearly all her other books I knew how it would go and I knew this author is a guaranteed HEA.
So having said that, there is a pivotal moment that a decision has to be made and it’s not about getting back with the dumbest MMC ever. The author makes the choice that I knew she would and it’s not right or wrong. It was predictable. That kind of ruined it for me. If I can see how the story is going to go then it’s not a surprise that I’m unfolding as I read. So I took points off for that even though I LOVED this story!
I had been wanting a surprise pregnancy in one of her stories for a minute! So I loved it and I loved the absurdly stupid MMC because he just kept making stupid choices that I had to laugh at it. No way in real life would this have played out this way. Two people this self aware wouldn’t have this bad of a relationship. Only ignorance can make this situation realistic.
Either way, I was dying to see it all play out. I was dying for more drama. I was dying with how brief the mention of the comeuppance of the villain was. And I was dying when the story was over because I definitely needed more of this ridiculousness. Lol. I was thoroughly entertained. Enjoy, as I’m off to read the next book.
April 14, 2023
Honestly, I don’t know why I keep reading these books. They’re absolutely terrible, kinda like crack. I can’t stop reading them even though they all seen the same. The boys are dumb but the girls are even dumber.
That being said. I feel like Eden was the best out of them all. She has more backbone than lake, that’s for sure. But she’s still dumb.
That being said. I feel like Eden was the best out of them all. She has more backbone than lake, that’s for sure. But she’s still dumb.
April 25, 2024
Blurb:
Dash Marlow wasn’t one to back down from anything. He hadn’t been raised to lose, no matter what the issue. So, losing the only girl that he’s ever loved is not an option, even if she does hate him.
Eden Rudolph wasn’t a weak wallflower. She hadn’t been raised to let the world beat down on her and not fight back. So, walking away from the only guy that’s ever broken her heart? Easy as pie.
Review
I think I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to, was because I never got to see the couple happy together. It was all angst.
From the beginning of the story, Dash had to make up for mistake he did from the interconnected story of Lake & Ramsay Jr. from when he humiliated Lake and Eden in a viral video.
The couple got together and then there was a 2 month time jump to the next big fuck up that Dash has to make up for.
It made it very hard to root for him.
I needed more grovelling from Dash. I hate when is used as a cop-out for the main characters to get back together. I almost wish Eden had because it would have felt more devastating and then she wouldn't have been blackmailed into getting back together with Dash. Hw would have had to work for another chance after everything he's done.
There was no remorse in anything he had done to Eden, and Eden just let him get away with it.
Put up a fight, girl!
When she told Dash she will see him in court, I cheered. I wanted it to get that crazy after the ridiculous blackmail and threats Dash threw at her. After the way everything went down, he should have been on his knees begging for forgiveness and a chance to make things right... not bulldoze Eden and threaten to hurt everyone in her life and sue. That was so low.
Dash Marlow wasn’t one to back down from anything. He hadn’t been raised to lose, no matter what the issue. So, losing the only girl that he’s ever loved is not an option, even if she does hate him.
Eden Rudolph wasn’t a weak wallflower. She hadn’t been raised to let the world beat down on her and not fight back. So, walking away from the only guy that’s ever broken her heart? Easy as pie.
Review
I think I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to, was because I never got to see the couple happy together. It was all angst.
From the beginning of the story, Dash had to make up for mistake he did from the interconnected story of Lake & Ramsay Jr. from when he humiliated Lake and Eden in a viral video.
The couple got together and then there was a 2 month time jump to the next big fuck up that Dash has to make up for.
It made it very hard to root for him.
I needed more grovelling from Dash. I hate when is used as a cop-out for the main characters to get back together. I almost wish Eden had because it would have felt more devastating and then she wouldn't have been blackmailed into getting back together with Dash. Hw would have had to work for another chance after everything he's done.
There was no remorse in anything he had done to Eden, and Eden just let him get away with it.
Put up a fight, girl!
When she told Dash she will see him in court, I cheered. I wanted it to get that crazy after the ridiculous blackmail and threats Dash threw at her. After the way everything went down, he should have been on his knees begging for forgiveness and a chance to make things right... not bulldoze Eden and threaten to hurt everyone in her life and sue. That was so low.
March 4, 2024
Why would I want to read a "romance" where the H is a f*cking psychopath? 🤬
June 25, 2023
The use of baby girl after almost every sentence put me off. Also too cliche.
May 3, 2022
I love how this author writes her men 😂😂😂 ott, bulldozing,.doesn't like hearing no and won't accept anything but a yes 😂😂😂
The angst was so good in this book. I read resurrecting the enemy (thr book before this one) way too long ago so I couldn't remember exactly what was done to Eden 🤔 I guess there was a video taken of her and people were talking about how she took three fingers in her cuz it was rumored that she was loosey in the goosey? 🤔🤔😂 so she loses her virgin!ty with some dude
She's manipulated into going to the college where everything was paid for by dash (the H) and he attends so he can be close to her. She wants nothing to do with him but like I said, no is not in his dictionary.
She has about two good months with him u til he's fed lies by another girl on campus that she a cheating on him with a professor. Meanwhile, Eden finds out shes pregnant and goes to tell him while he's stewing over her supposed betrayal 😲 he tells her that he doesn't want her and tells her to get rid of the baby. she skips town and he finds her through Maddox the cousin? Brother? Hacker
They make a deal that 5 years from now, she will accept all his money, cars, etc if he agrees that if she's not happy, then shell be allowed to divorce him
The epilogue skips from where he finds her where she was hiding from him for four months to them five years later with kids.
There were a few things that I wish were expanded on more like how he made it up to her and why she forgave him so suddenly. Nothing seemed resolved when she didn't confront him about him telling her to get an ab0rtion or how he treated her. It was a little lacking in the lurve department too.....he kind of just steamrolleld over everything he wanted which is fine.....but if youre not in the mood for that, you won't like this book
Overall, I loved eeeettttttttt
The angst was so good in this book. I read resurrecting the enemy (thr book before this one) way too long ago so I couldn't remember exactly what was done to Eden 🤔 I guess there was a video taken of her and people were talking about how she took three fingers in her cuz it was rumored that she was loosey in the goosey? 🤔🤔😂 so she loses her virgin!ty with some dude
She's manipulated into going to the college where everything was paid for by dash (the H) and he attends so he can be close to her. She wants nothing to do with him but like I said, no is not in his dictionary.
She has about two good months with him u til he's fed lies by another girl on campus that she a cheating on him with a professor. Meanwhile, Eden finds out shes pregnant and goes to tell him while he's stewing over her supposed betrayal 😲 he tells her that he doesn't want her and tells her to get rid of the baby. she skips town and he finds her through Maddox the cousin? Brother? Hacker
They make a deal that 5 years from now, she will accept all his money, cars, etc if he agrees that if she's not happy, then shell be allowed to divorce him
The epilogue skips from where he finds her where she was hiding from him for four months to them five years later with kids.
There were a few things that I wish were expanded on more like how he made it up to her and why she forgave him so suddenly. Nothing seemed resolved when she didn't confront him about him telling her to get an ab0rtion or how he treated her. It was a little lacking in the lurve department too.....he kind of just steamrolleld over everything he wanted which is fine.....but if youre not in the mood for that, you won't like this book
Overall, I loved eeeettttttttt
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2025
🌶️: 2.5
Enemies to lovers. Surprise pregnancy, OW drama. If you like your MMC completely over the top possessive this is the book for you. So I would suggest reading the book right before this one because Eden and Dash are introduced in that book and something happens between them that is referenced quite a bit in this book.
But this book starts out with Eden just starting college, only to find out that Dash is going to the same college. She knows that he is there for her, and he begins relentlessly pursuing her, no matter how many times she tells him no. We do get a little bit of whatever happened in the last book, but no real details. She finally gives in to him and they’re dating for a couple of months, when the other woman in our story tells him a lie about Eden, making him think that she is cheating on him.
It’s at this time that she finds out she’s pregnant and she attempts to tell him, but he basically calls her all kinds of names. She pulls a runner and ends up going to stay with a family member for several months, and during this time, the MMC finds out that she had not cheated on him. Once he finds her, he goes and basically threatens her to get her to return.
He is very much a do whatever it takes kind of guy when it comes to her, he believes in asking for forgiveness, not permission. That’s kind of how he pursues her.
There is a HEA, albeit a little bit different from the traditional. This book was short, simple, and I really enjoyed it. The only reason why I did not give it five stars is because there was a lot of detail given about the other characters, like who they are and that sort of thing, and it was very clear that the author was trying to set up for future books, which is fine, but it was just a little excessive. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it.
Enemies to lovers. Surprise pregnancy, OW drama. If you like your MMC completely over the top possessive this is the book for you. So I would suggest reading the book right before this one because Eden and Dash are introduced in that book and something happens between them that is referenced quite a bit in this book.
But this book starts out with Eden just starting college, only to find out that Dash is going to the same college. She knows that he is there for her, and he begins relentlessly pursuing her, no matter how many times she tells him no. We do get a little bit of whatever happened in the last book, but no real details. She finally gives in to him and they’re dating for a couple of months, when the other woman in our story tells him a lie about Eden, making him think that she is cheating on him.
It’s at this time that she finds out she’s pregnant and she attempts to tell him, but he basically calls her all kinds of names. She pulls a runner and ends up going to stay with a family member for several months, and during this time, the MMC finds out that she had not cheated on him. Once he finds her, he goes and basically threatens her to get her to return.
He is very much a do whatever it takes kind of guy when it comes to her, he believes in asking for forgiveness, not permission. That’s kind of how he pursues her.
There is a HEA, albeit a little bit different from the traditional. This book was short, simple, and I really enjoyed it. The only reason why I did not give it five stars is because there was a lot of detail given about the other characters, like who they are and that sort of thing, and it was very clear that the author was trying to set up for future books, which is fine, but it was just a little excessive. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2022
I've read all the books in this series by this author. I guess there's no need to mention that each book in this series is having almost the same storyline.. While it makes for an interesting read for the first couple of books, having the same story for every book in the series makes it very predictable, and a little bit boring (sorry if I'm offending anyone). Another issue i have with this series is that the author makes the MMC to be almost invincible.. Everything that is done in this book is because of the money they have.. Never has the male lead done anything on their own other than practically stalking the female and then when they mess up, they use their family name and money to blackmail the FMC to come back to them or their life will be ruined.. Given the way the MMC are shown to be obsessed over their partners, you would think that at least one of them would show some common sense and wait to talk to the FMC, before jumping to conclusions, but I guess other than being rich, there is nothing redeemable about the MMC.. This is not called being an alpha; its called walking all over someone and dismissing their choices if it doesn't align with their wishes.. There are so many other books that have alpha males who are obsessed with their partners but in those books I don't get the impression of the FMC being treated like this..
May 2, 2022
4,5 stars. So as a fan of this series and primarily as a fan of Mr psycho himself Ramsey Reed, I know this series is all about toxic relationships. Still, this book was able to drive it up a notch. I mean, the H is fucking insane, everything he put the poor h through. And still he won't leave her alone. He does not respect boundaries, does not grovel, does not apologize even though he knows he has wronged her and has made her life a living hell. Forced her to flee and abandon her life and family. Instead, he forces her to be with him, and even resorts to blackmailing her. This poor woman. She never stood a chance. This is not love, this is toxic obsession.
May 10, 2022
I loved how in the previous book they just hooked you and you have to know what kind of history they have. What's different in this one is the issues of what guys have done to the chicks have happened and they know what they did to the girls is fucked up but Dash is trying to win his girl back. Although Eden wants to forget and move on she gives him the second chance he wants. This book is unlike the rest of them where they all need to communicate within their relationship but they do have strong family ties that everyone is pretty much in everyone's business. While everyone is privy to everyone's business, they don't really trust anyone outside of family and that makes maintaining a relationship hard....
~Conflict~
I saw some of the same issues that the first generation had, communication skills need work for couples. This series has evolved into stronger family ties with many of the characters having skills and talents that don't necessarily are shown but the family knows.
While the first book felt like a repetition of history, this one is more a second chance romance.
~Conflict~
I saw some of the same issues that the first generation had, communication skills need work for couples. This series has evolved into stronger family ties with many of the characters having skills and talents that don't necessarily are shown but the family knows.
While the first book felt like a repetition of history, this one is more a second chance romance.
September 1, 2024
The worst book I’ve read this year.
I usually don’t write reviews about books I hate but this one just made me so frustrated that I wish I could erase the memory of this book and its plot. I don’t remember who suggested me this book but I hope they never suggest another book to anyone ever again.
I usually don’t write reviews about books I hate but this one just made me so frustrated that I wish I could erase the memory of this book and its plot. I don’t remember who suggested me this book but I hope they never suggest another book to anyone ever again.
May 14, 2024
I was all for the dramatics, bullying, heartbreak, betrayal, steamrolling, manipulations and blackmailing..until I realized she wasn’t going to fight him.
Fmc had a pretend backbone. Sometimes she would argue back but most of the time she rolled over and gave into him.
Fmc had a pretend backbone. Sometimes she would argue back but most of the time she rolled over and gave into him.
May 2, 2022
What a ride
Dash Eden what a beautiful tortuous love story. I devoured it in one day. This is a must read! 5+stars
Dash Eden what a beautiful tortuous love story. I devoured it in one day. This is a must read! 5+stars
May 5, 2022
Ms. Clayton has her style...they are like candy 🍬
3.5 rounded up.
3.5 rounded up.
June 25, 2022
Deranged but entertaining
March 21, 2023
Great series
August 7, 2023
Brilliant
Another brilliant book hooked from the start couldn't put it down well written and a great cast of characters and story line
Another brilliant book hooked from the start couldn't put it down well written and a great cast of characters and story line
August 29, 2023
Awful epilogue
I enjoyed the story up until the ending. I know this was a sorter story and that it couldn't go into the grovel and forgiveness, it just didn't work for me.
I enjoyed the story up until the ending. I know this was a sorter story and that it couldn't go into the grovel and forgiveness, it just didn't work for me.
June 19, 2024
2.5⭐️
2,5🌶️
It was okay, not the best plot or characters, but I did understand the idea.
2,5🌶️
It was okay, not the best plot or characters, but I did understand the idea.
July 25, 2024
The worst
December 28, 2022
DASH and EDEN
After the aftermath of Ramsey's revenge plan on Lake and to involve Eden in the casualties as well, Eden has now graduated and moved to another city for college.
Dash has bid his time, given Eden space to ‘get over’ the hurt inflicted by his family. He had fallen in love with Eden as soon as her saw her at the party and even hooked up with her. Unknown to anyone, their relationship developed over video calls and text messages, but after the ‘revenge’ mess, Eden wished to never see him again.
But Dash is a Marlow. He is a crazy, spoilt, arrogant, used to getting his way, alpha-asshole who will never leave Eden, he will kidnap her if required. He follows her and enrolls in the same college that he made sure she got into, turns up at places where she hangs out, he’s going to bully her into forgiving him and loving him.
“Everyone got the real me, and the real me was unapologetic and a bit of an asshole”
But nothing hurts a man more than his woman reciting what she went through because of his actions. Her humiliation at her school, her life after, everything. And Dash is no different.
“I wanted to crush him.” ... and she does.
But Eden gives him a chance and they are in love, but as always, a man in love does stupid things, believes anything and he messes up bigger than ever, enough that Eden runs away to London, while pregnant and manages to stay hidden for months!
But Dash has learnt the truth and is burdened by his remorse, but he will kill her, before he lets her leave him again.
The only way to make up for his sins is to make sure she lives with, marries him, so that he can bestow all the happiness on her!
“I am never letting you go, Eden,” he growled. “You might as well understand that now. I am never going to stop fighting for you. I don’t give a fuck how hard you resist, or how much you hate me, or how violently you deny me, because I am never walking away from what we can have together. All you have to do is give me one chance to make it up to you, Eden. Just one.”
The whole book is angst and painful, with Dash trying to force Eden to come back to him and give him a chance, to forgive him and it is brutal!
He blackmails her, threatens to destroy her family, her aunt, take her child away from her, even so much so and targeting anyone she came in contact with. Her only way out is to marry him. But Eden has always been a feisty and strong girl.
The hate, the regret, the rage and the humiliation that Eden showed is so heart wrenching, it is truly painful to see and will definitely bring tears to your eyes.
“How could you have feelings for someone who had the power to destroy you? Who would destroy you? Plus, even though I was stupid enough to still love him, how could anyone in their right mind call what Dash has done to me love? I wasn’t sure what it was, but it sure as hell didn’t feel like love. Love was supposed to be kind, nurturing, and safe. Dash’s version of love was cruel, debilitating, and frightening.”
As I’ve said before: This story is a toxic, unhealthy love story, where you want this kind of love, knowing that you would never survive it. Please consider yourself warned.
After the aftermath of Ramsey's revenge plan on Lake and to involve Eden in the casualties as well, Eden has now graduated and moved to another city for college.
Dash has bid his time, given Eden space to ‘get over’ the hurt inflicted by his family. He had fallen in love with Eden as soon as her saw her at the party and even hooked up with her. Unknown to anyone, their relationship developed over video calls and text messages, but after the ‘revenge’ mess, Eden wished to never see him again.
But Dash is a Marlow. He is a crazy, spoilt, arrogant, used to getting his way, alpha-asshole who will never leave Eden, he will kidnap her if required. He follows her and enrolls in the same college that he made sure she got into, turns up at places where she hangs out, he’s going to bully her into forgiving him and loving him.
“Everyone got the real me, and the real me was unapologetic and a bit of an asshole”
But nothing hurts a man more than his woman reciting what she went through because of his actions. Her humiliation at her school, her life after, everything. And Dash is no different.
“I wanted to crush him.” ... and she does.
But Eden gives him a chance and they are in love, but as always, a man in love does stupid things, believes anything and he messes up bigger than ever, enough that Eden runs away to London, while pregnant and manages to stay hidden for months!
But Dash has learnt the truth and is burdened by his remorse, but he will kill her, before he lets her leave him again.
The only way to make up for his sins is to make sure she lives with, marries him, so that he can bestow all the happiness on her!
“I am never letting you go, Eden,” he growled. “You might as well understand that now. I am never going to stop fighting for you. I don’t give a fuck how hard you resist, or how much you hate me, or how violently you deny me, because I am never walking away from what we can have together. All you have to do is give me one chance to make it up to you, Eden. Just one.”
The whole book is angst and painful, with Dash trying to force Eden to come back to him and give him a chance, to forgive him and it is brutal!
He blackmails her, threatens to destroy her family, her aunt, take her child away from her, even so much so and targeting anyone she came in contact with. Her only way out is to marry him. But Eden has always been a feisty and strong girl.
The hate, the regret, the rage and the humiliation that Eden showed is so heart wrenching, it is truly painful to see and will definitely bring tears to your eyes.
“How could you have feelings for someone who had the power to destroy you? Who would destroy you? Plus, even though I was stupid enough to still love him, how could anyone in their right mind call what Dash has done to me love? I wasn’t sure what it was, but it sure as hell didn’t feel like love. Love was supposed to be kind, nurturing, and safe. Dash’s version of love was cruel, debilitating, and frightening.”
As I’ve said before: This story is a toxic, unhealthy love story, where you want this kind of love, knowing that you would never survive it. Please consider yourself warned.
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